bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
More Than Words: An Integrated Framework for Exploring Gestures’ Role in Bilinguals’ Use of Two Languages for Making Mathematical Meaning
Authors: Krause Christina M. , Farsani Danyal
Published: December 2022

Gestures play a role in perception, production, and comprehension of language and have been shown to differ cross-linguistically and cross-culturally in aspects of performance and form-meaning relationships. Furthermore, gestures can serve as analytical tools to access tacit embodied-imagistic mathematical meanings that add to verbal-linguistic dimensions of meaning. At the same time, language plays important roles in interaction and cognition, influencing bilinguals’ learning of mathematics. Still, there is only very little research attending to the use of gestures of multilinguals as means to better understand the relationships between their language use and their mathematical thinking. This paper builds on research on multilingualism and on gestures—related and unrelated to mathematics education—to motivate and develop a framework for understanding better mathematics thinking and learning of multilinguals through integrating gesture analysis as related to languages, culture, and the use of registers. The application of this framework will be illustrated through two case studies in which we analyse interview data of a bilingual student and a bilingual mathematics teacher—focusing on gestures and language use while talking about the mathematical concept of ‘power’—or exponents—in Farsi (Persian) and in English. From analyzing the gestures’ form-meaning relations and their functions as related to hybrid language practices, we hypothesize on the vernacular and mathematical context as activated in both speech and gesture and on how it relates to mathematical meaning. From this, we draw practical implications for multilingual mathematical learning contexts and discuss implications for research on multilinguals’ mathematical thinking and learning.
Trends in climatic and hydrological parameters in the Ajora-Woybo watershed, Omo-Gibe River basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Toma Meseret Bekele , Belete Mulugeta Dadi , Ulsido Mihret Dananto
Published: December 2022

The identification of hydro-meteorological trends is essential for analyzing climate change and river discharge at the watershed level. The Ajora-Woybo watershed in Ethiopia was studied for long-term trends in rainfall, temperature, and discharge at the annual, monthly, and seasonal time scales. The rainfall and temperature data extend 1990 to 2020, whereas the discharge data span from1990 to 2015. The Pettitt and Standard Normal Homogeneity Test (SNHT) tests were used to determine homogeneity. The Mann–Kendall and Sen's slope tests, as well as numerous variability measures, were then employed for trend analysis. The degree of relationship between climate variables and river discharge was determined using Pearson correlation coefficients (r). Inhomogeneity was discovered in annual rainfall data from the Angacha and Areka stations. Rainfall and discharge showed insignificant trends over time, with increasing and decreasing variability across stations. Monthly rainfall decreasing trends were observed to be significantly falling in February and March. Rainfall and runoff increase just insignificantly during the Kiremt season. On the other hand, minimum, maximum, and mean annual temperatures showed significant trends with annual increases of 0.01 °C, 0.04 °C, and 0.025 °C, respectively. In this study, the relationships between discharge and temperature and rainfall were found to be moderate and minimal, respectively. Generally, the results of the long-term examination of the hydrological and climate parameters in the watershed show that water resources vary throughout and over time. As a result, designing strategies require due attention.

Article highlights

Hydrological and meteorological parameters are essential for analyzing trends in water resource and climate change at the watershed level.

Mann-Kendall and Sen's slope tests, along with a number of variability measures, were utilized in conjunction with the time series analysis approach for trend analysis.

The analysis of the rainfall, temperature, and discharge in the watershed's data generally demonstrates how the availability of water resource varies over time. Designing suitable plans for water resource management and sustainable development in the watershed is therefore essential.
Roadmap and challenges for reinforcement learning control in railway virtual coupling
Authors: Basile Giacomo , Napoletano Elena , Petrillo Alberto , Santini Stefania
Published: December 2022

The ever increasing demand in passenger and freight transportation is leading to the saturation of railway network capacity. Virtual Coupling (VC) has been proposed within the European Horizon 2020 Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking as a potential solution to address this problem. It allows to dynamically connect two or more trains in a single convoy, thus reducing headway between them. In this work, we investigate the main challenges related to the potential deployment of VC in railways. Its feasibility through Reinforcement Learning techniques is explored, discussing about technical implementation and performance issues. A qualitative analysis based on a Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient control algorithm is proposed. The aim is to give a first insight towards the definition of a qualitative and technology roadmap which could lead to the deployment of artificial intelligence applications aiming at enhancing rail safety and automation.
Soil water balance and wettability methods in soil treated with biochar and/or compost
Authors: de Jesus Duarte Sara , Hubach Alena , Glaser Bruno
Published: December 2022

The impacts of biochar application in combination with compost on soil hydrological conditions such as infiltration, water-storage capacity, and methods of soil wettability, are not well understood. The aim of this study was to fill this knowledge gap and propose the best composition proportion of compost and/or biochar to improve sand soil water balance. For this purpose, we examined three different mixtures of sand and compost and six different mixtures of sand, compost, and biochar with respect to their wettability and water infiltration using tree methods, (I) Water Droplet Penetration Time Test (WDPT test), (II) Wilhelmy Plate Method (WPM) and (III) Capillary Rise Method (CRM) applied at different soil water potential (pF) levels. The different mixtures were characterized by texture, bulk density, field capacity, and soil water holding capacity through measurement of the water content of soil columns. Increasing biochar plus compost or compost alone had contributed to increasing the soil water holding capacity and water available content. The best composition with the highest water storage capacity, plant-available water, and wettability was: 0.6% of biochar, 5.4% soil organic matter (SOM), and 93.99% of sand. According to the WDPT test, the increased content of biochar contributed to improving the soil wettability, this test was preferred since 1) WDPT appeared to allow the best estimates of wetting behavior of the different mixtures, 2) the column samples were the least disturbed, and 3) the test was particularly feasible at different water content levels. However, WDPT was strongly dependent on the conductor of the experiment and the accurate measurement of short infiltration times (0s - 2s) proved challenging. The WDPT results indicate that biochar might enhance the infiltration capacity under natural conditions and the combined results indicate that biochar-compost-applications are not expected to cause ecologically critical hydrophobicity or a critical lowering of the sandy soil infiltration capacity.

Graphical abstract
Pragmatics in English
Authors: Scott Kate
Published: December 2022

Pragmatics – the study of language in context, and of how we understand what other people say – is a core subject in English language, linguistics, and communication studies. This textbook introduces the key topics in this fast-moving field, including metaphor, irony, politeness, disambiguation, and reference assignment. It walks the reader through the essential theories in pragmatics, including Grice, relevance theory, speech act theory, and politeness theory. Each chapter includes a range of illustrative examples, guiding readers from the basic principles to a thorough understanding of the topics. A dedicated chapter examines how research is conducted in pragmatics, providing students with resources and ideas for developing their own projects. Featuring exercises, a comprehensive glossary, and suggestions for further reading, this book is accessible to beginner undergraduates, including those with no prior knowledge of linguistics. It is an essential resource for courses in English language, English studies, and linguistics.
Variations in hydraulic efficiency of the subglacial drainage landsystem control surging and streaming regimes of outlet glaciers
Authors: Ravier Édouard , Lelandais Thomas , Vérité Jean , Bourgeois Olivier
Published: December 2022

Surging and streaming of glaciers are modulated by meltwater availability and pressure which controls mechanical coupling at their beds. Using laboratory-scale experimental modelling and palaeoglaciological mapping, we explore how subglacial drainage landsystems control meltwater drainage efficiency and ice flow velocities for terrestrial-based ice lobes resting on flat horizontal and permeable beds. Two end-members regimes, surging and streaming, appear in our experiments. The surge regime is characterised by a rapid increase of drainage efficiency through development of tunnel valleys and their tributaries, thus reducing the duration of ice flow speed-up events by lowering water pressures and increasing ice-bed coupling. Tunnel valleys connected to ice lobe margins, submarginal thrust moraines, reduced ice lobe extensions and ephemeral shear margins are the most distinctive characteristics of this regime. The stream regime is characterised by disconnected channels of smaller dimensions unable to evacuate all the meltwater: this prolonged drainage inefficiency leads to sustained high ice flow velocity and steady shear margins. Small and rectilinear meltwater channels devoid of tributaries, often disconnected from ice lobe margins, and lineation swarms are diagnostic of this regime.
Subsistence Emissions and Climate Justice
Authors: Duus-Otterström Göran
Published: December 2022

The climate justice literature typically endorses a moral right to produce subsistence emissions, but this right appears problematic considering how urgent it has become to reduce all emissions. It seems that we are currently facing a dilemma between respecting people's right to subsistence and keeping emissions within a reasonably safe budget. This article argues, however, that there is no reason why a moral permission to produce subsistence emissions must be accompanied by an exemption from responsibility. Even when we are dealing with subsistence emissions, we can demand that people correct for having emitted if they can do so without jeopardizing their own vital interests. This reduces the tension between the right to produce subsistence emissions and avoiding very significant climate change. If many emitters offset their subsistence emissions or contribute to adaptation and compensation because of them, the negative consequences of recognizing this right are tempered when it comes to both mitigating climate change and responding to its adverse effects.
Adaptive hyperball Kriging method for efficient reliability analysis
Authors: Yang I-Tung , Prayogo Handy
Published: December 2022

Although an accurate reliability assessment is essential to build a resilient infrastructure, it usually requires time-consuming computation. To reduce the computational burden, machine learning-based surrogate models have been used extensively to predict the probability of failure for structural designs. Nevertheless, the surrogate model still needs to compute and assess a certain number of training samples to achieve sufficient prediction accuracy. This paper proposes a new surrogate method for reliability analysis called Adaptive Hyperball Kriging Reliability Analysis (AHKRA). The AHKRA method revolves around using a hyperball-based sampling region. The radius of the hyperball represents the precision of reliability analysis. It is iteratively adjusted based on the number of samples required to evaluate the probability of failure with a target coefficient of variation. AHKRA adopts samples in a hyperball instead of an n-sigma rule-based sampling region to avoid the curse of dimensionality. The application of AHKRA in ten mathematical and two practical cases verifies its accuracy, efficiency, and robustness as it outperforms previous Kriging-based methods.
Early developmental profiles of sensory features and links to school-age adaptive and maladaptive outcomes: A birth cohort investigation
Authors: Chen Yun-Ju , Sideris John , Watson Linda R. , Crais Elizabeth R. , Baranek Grace T.
Published: December 2022

Sensory-based subtypes among autistic children have been well documented, but little is known about longitudinal sensory subtypes beyond autistic populations. This prospective study aimed to identify subtypes based on trajectories of parent-reported sensory features measured at 6–19 months, 3–4, and 6–7 years of age among a community-based birth cohort (N = 1,517), and to examine their associations with school-age clinical and adaptive/maladaptive outcomes on a subset sample (N = 389). Latent class growth analysis revealed five trajectory subtypes varying in intensity and change rates across three sensory domains. In contrast to an Adaptive-All Improving subtype (35%) with very low sensory features and overall better school-age outcomes, an Elevated-All Worsening subtype (3%), comprised of more boys and children of parents with less education, was associated with most elevated autistic traits and poorest adaptive/maladaptive outcomes. Three other subtypes (62% in total) were generally characterized by stable or improving patterns of sensory features at mild to moderate levels, and challenges in certain outcome domains. Our findings indicate that characterizing children based on early sensory trajectories may contribute to earlier detection of subgroups of children with sensory challenges who are more likely to experience developmental challenges by school age, followed by early targeted interventions for improved long-term outcomes.
COVID-19 lockdown and municipal solid waste: evidence from the discarding records of 252 communities in China
Authors: Kong Dongmin , Liu Chenhao , Han Ling
Published: December 2022

This study investigates the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on municipal solid waste (MSW). Based on a unique data set of daily discarding records of 252 communities in Beijing, China, we conduct a difference-in-differences estimation and find that the total daily MSW decreased by 134.16 kg in a community, which is equivalent to at least 0.22 kg per household per day, and the average weight of MSW per package decreased by 56.8 per cent after the COVID-19 lockdown. We consider a series of potential mechanisms, such as MSW hoarding, shifts in discarding time, and fear of going out, and find the most support for consumption pattern shifts with reduced consumption. We then discuss the effect of the lockdown on the reduction of MSW generation because of the strict restriction of consumption. We also conduct various heterogeneity analyses. Our results present clear implications for municipal waste management by highlighting the effect of the lockdown on the generation of MSW and the underlying consumption mechanism.
Advice for a Young Scientist
Authors: Wolf R. A.
Published: December 2022

My career has included astrophysics and space physics, always with a theoretical emphasis. My first papers calculated nuclear reaction rates in dense stars, particularly neutron stars, but I branched out to other areas or theoretical astrophysics. However, most of my work was in the plasma physics of the magnetosphere and ionosphere of the Earth. The central theme of my work in space physics is the Rice Convection Model (RCM). This paper very briefly describes the development of the RCM, which involved many colleagues over the course of more than 50 years, in which our understanding of magnetospheric physics advanced dramatically. However, this present paper is not organized in terms of a chronicle of technical advances. It is organized in terms of what I think I learned in my career.
Blowing Snow at McMurdo Station, Antarctica During the AWARE Field Campaign: Multi‐Instrument Observations of Blowing Snow
Authors: Loeb Nicole A. , Kennedy Aaron
Published: December 2022

In polar regions, blowing snow (BLSN) can play a substantial role in regional thermodynamics and radiation properties. The extent of the impact depends upon the depth of the BLSN layer, a property that is difficult to measure and not well understood. The West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE) Field Campaign saw the deployment of a large suite of observational instruments to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, allowing for in‐depth investigation of BLSN. During the year of the campaign, BLSN occurred ∼7.4% of the time. In this study, additional remote sensing observations are used to supplement an existing ceilometer‐based BLSN characterization algorithm creating a multi‐instrument (MI) depth estimation algorithm to yield layer depths with more certainty. Backscatter coefficient and linear depolarization ratios from the micropulse and high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) are incorporated along with color ratio derived from HSRL backscatter and Ka‐band radar reflectivity observations. This provided estimates of BLSN depth that were less impacted by noise/artifacts in any one set of observations. When applied to the data from AWARE, the MI algorithm yielded an average depth of 168.2 m with ∼60% of plumes less than 200 m in depth. Events occurring with precipitation saw the most value in the additional instruments, with the suite of observations allowing for more separation of BLSN particles from fallstreaks.
Irrigation by Crop in the Continental United States From 2008 to 2020
Authors: Ruess P. J. , Konar M. , Wanders N. , Bierkens M.
Published: December 2022

Agriculture is the largest user of water in the United States. Yet, we do not understand the spatially resolved sources of irrigation water use (IWU) by crop. The goal of this study is to estimate crop‐specific IWU from surface water withdrawals (SWW), total groundwater withdrawals (GWW), and nonrenewable groundwater depletion (GWD). To do this, we employ the PCR‐GLOBWB 2 global hydrology model to partition irrigation information from the U.S. Geological Survey Water Use Database to specific crops across the Continental United States (CONUS). We incorporate high‐resolution input data on agricultural production and climate within the CONUS to obtain crop‐specific irrigation estimates for SWW, GWW, and GWD for 20 crops and crop groups from 2008 to 2020 at county spatial resolution. Over the study period, SWW decreased by 20%, while both GWW and GWD increased by 3%. On average, animal feed (alfalfa/hay) uses the most irrigation water across all water sources: 33 from SWW, 13 from GWW, and 10 km3/yr from GWD. Produce used less SWW (43%), but more GWW (57%), and GWD (27%) over the study time‐period. The largest changes in IWU for each water source between the years 2008 and 2020 are: rice (SWW decreased by 71%), sugar beets (GWW increased by 232%), and rapeseed (GWD increased by 405%). These results present the first national‐scale assessment of irrigation by crop, water source, and year. In total, we contribute nearly 2.5 million data points to the literature (3,142 counties; 13 years; 3 water sources; and 20 crops).
Tissue fluidification promotes a cGAS–STING cytosolic DNA response in invasive breast cancer
Authors: Frittoli Emanuela , Palamidessi Andrea , Iannelli Fabio , Zanardi Federica , Villa Stefano , Barzaghi Leonardo , Abdo Hind , Cancila Valeria , Beznoussenko Galina V. , Della Chiara Giulia , Pagani Massimiliano , Malinverno Chiara , Bhattacharya Dipanjan , Pisati Federica , Yu Weimiao , Galimberti Viviana , Bonizzi Giuseppina , Martini Emanuele , Mironov Alexander A. , Gioia Ubaldo , Ascione Flora , Li Qingsen , Havas Kristina , Magni Serena , Lavagnino Zeno , Pennacchio Fabrizio Andrea , Maiuri Paolo , Caponi Silvia , Mattarelli Maurizio , Martino Sabata , d’Adda di Fagagna Fabrizio , Rossi Chiara , Lucioni Marco , Tancredi Richard , Pedrazzoli Paolo , Vecchione Andrea , Petrini Cristiano , Ferrari Francesco , Lanzuolo Chiara , Bertalot Giovanni , Nader Guilherme , Foiani Marco , Piel Matthieu , Cerbino Roberto , Giavazzi Fabio , Tripodo Claudio , Scita Giorgio
Published: December 2022

The process in which locally confined epithelial malignancies progressively evolve into invasive cancers is often promoted by unjamming, a phase transition from a solid-like to a liquid-like state, which occurs in various tissues. Whether this tissue-level mechanical transition impacts phenotypes during carcinoma progression remains unclear. Here we report that the large fluctuations in cell density that accompany unjamming result in repeated mechanical deformations of cells and nuclei. This triggers a cellular mechano-protective mechanism involving an increase in nuclear size and rigidity, heterochromatin redistribution and remodelling of the perinuclear actin architecture into actin rings. The chronic strains and stresses associated with unjamming together with the reduction of Lamin B1 levels eventually result in DNA damage and nuclear envelope ruptures, with the release of cytosolic DNA that activates a cGAS–STING (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase–signalling adaptor stimulator of interferon genes)-dependent cytosolic DNA response gene program. This mechanically driven transcriptional rewiring ultimately alters the cell state, with the emergence of malignant traits, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity phenotypes and chemoresistance in invasive breast carcinoma.
On Using Simulation to Predict the Performance of Robot Swarms
Authors: Ligot Antoine , Birattari Mauro
Published: December 2022

The discrepancy between simulation and reality–known as the reality gap–is one of the main challenges associated with using simulations to design control software for robot swarms. Currently, the reality-gap problem necessitates expensive and time consuming tests on physical robots to reliably assess control software. Predicting real-world performance accurately without recurring to physical experiments would be particularly valuable. In this paper, we compare various simulation-based predictors of the performance of robot swarms that have been proposed in the literature but never evaluated empirically. We consider (1) the classical approach adopted to estimate real-world performance, which relies on the evaluation of control software on the simulation model used in the design process, and (2) some so-called pseudo-reality predictors, which rely on simulation models other than the one used in the design process. To evaluate these predictors, we reuse 1021 instances of control software and their real-world performance gathered from seven previous studies. Results show that the pseudo-reality predictors considered yield more accurate estimates of the real-world performance than the classical approach.
The frequency of defective genomes in Omicron differs from that of the Alpha, Beta and Delta variants
Authors: Campos Carolina , Colomer-Castell Sergi , Garcia-Cehic Damir , Gregori Josep , Andrés Cristina , Piñana Maria , González-Sánchez Alejandra , Borràs Blanca , Parés-Badell Oleguer , Adombi Caroline Melanie , Ibañez-Lligoña Marta , Esperalba Juliana , Codina Maria Gema , Rando-Segura Ariadna , Saubí Narcis , Esteban Juan Ignacio , Rodriguez-Frías Francisco , Pumarola Tomàs , Antón Andrés , Quer Josep
Published: December 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged showing higher transmissibility and possibly higher resistance to current COVID-19 vaccines than other variants dominating the global pandemic. In March 2020 we performed a study in clinical samples, where we found that a portion of genomes in the SARS-CoV-2 viral population accumulated deletions immediately before the S1/S2 cleavage site (furin-like cleavage site, PRRAR/S) of the spike gene, generating a frameshift and appearance of a premature stop codon. The main aim of this study was to determine the frequency of defective deletions in prevalent variants from the first to sixth pandemic waves in our setting and discuss whether the differences observed might support epidemiological proposals. The complete SARS-CoV-2 spike gene was deeply studied by next-generation sequencing using the MiSeq platform. More than 90 million reads were obtained from respiratory swab specimens of 78 COVID-19 patients with mild infection caused by the predominant variants circulating in the Barcelona city area during the six pandemic waves: B.1.5, B.1.1, B.1.177, Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron. The frequency of defective genomes found in variants dominating the first and second waves was similar to that seen in Omicron, but differed from the frequencies seen in the Alpha, Beta and Delta variants. The changing pattern of mutations seen in the various SARS-CoV-2 variants driving the pandemic waves over time can affect viral transmission and immune escape. Here we discuss the putative biological effects of defective deletions naturally occurring before the S1/S2 cleavage site during adaption of the virus to human infection.
Identification of potential light deficiency response regulators in endangered species Magnolia sinostellata
Authors: Lu Danying , Xu Bin , Yu Qin , Liu Zhigao , Ren Mingjie , Wang Yaling , Zhang Shouzhou , Wu Chao , Shen Yamei
Published: December 2022

Magnolia sinostellata is one of the endangered species in China and largely suffers light deficiency stress in the understory of forest. However, the weak light response molecular mechanism remains unclear. More importantly, hub genes in the molecular network have not been pinpointed. To explore potential regulators in the mechanism, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to analysis the trancriptome data of M. sinostellata leaves subjected to weak light with different time points. Gene co-expression analysis illustrated that module 1, 2 and 3 were closely associated with light deficiency treatment, which. Gene ontology and KEGG analyses showed that genes in module 1 mainly participated in amino and nucleotide metabolism, module 2 mostly involved in carbon fixation and module 3 mostly regulated photosynthesis related pathways, among which 6, 7 and 8 hub genes were identified, respectively. Hub genes isoform_107196 in module 1 and isoform_55976 in module 2 were unique to M. sinostellata. This study found that light deficiency inhibited photosynthesis and stress tolerance, while improved carbon metabolism and flowering related pathways in M. sinostellata, which can impact its accumulation reserves of growth and reproduction in the next season. In addition, key shade response regulators identified in this study have laid a firm foundation for further investigation of shade response molecular mechanism and protection of other shade sensitive plants.
Biometric recognition of newborns and young children for vaccinations and health care: a non-randomized prospective clinical trial
Authors: Kalisky Tom , Saggese Steven , Zhao Yunting , Johnson Daniel , Azarova Maya , Duarte-Vera Lilia Edith , Almada-Salazar Lucila Alejandra , Perales-Gonzalez Daniel , Chacon-Cruz Enrique , Wang Jiaxing , Graham Rishi , Hubenko Alexandra , Hall Drew A. , Aronoff-Spencer Eliah
Published: December 2022

Although universal biometrics have been broadly called for, and there are many validated technologies to recognize adults, these technologies have been ineffective in newborns and young children. The present work describes the development and clinical testing of a fingerprint capture system for longitudinal biometric recognition of newborns and young children to support vaccination and clinical follow-up. The reader consists of a high-resolution monochromatic imaging system with an ergonomic industrial design to comfortably support and align infant fingers for imaging without a platen. This imaging approach without a platen, also called free-space imaging, reduces fingerprint distortion and ensures a more consistent finger placement. This system was tested in a newborn ward and immunization clinic at an urban hospital in Baja, California, Mexico, from 2017 to 2019. Nearly five hundred children were enrolled and followed for up to 24 months. With a protocol of imaging all ten fingers, the failure to enroll (FTE) rate was < 1% when acquiring at least two fingers for all ages and < 2% when enrolling at least four fingers. The verification (1:1) true accept rate (TAR) was 77% for newborns enrolled at ≤ 3 days of age and 96% for those enrolled at ≥ 4 days of age, both at a time gap of 15–30 days after enrollment at a false accept rate (FAR) of 0.1%. Using the top-ranked match score, the identification rate (1:many) was 86% for the ≤ 3 days enrollment age and 97% for age ≥ 4 days for a single finger at 15–30 days after enrollment. The enrollment protocol and the frequency of updating will increase for infants compared to adults. However, these data suggest that a high-resolution, free space imaging technique may fill the final gap for universal biometrics across all populations called for by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16.9.
Conformation specific antagonistic high affinity antibodies to the RON receptor kinase for imaging and therapy
Authors: Yu Koh Xin , Koh Xiao Hui , Spiegelberg Diana , Jha Preeti , Nestor Marika , Hwang Le-ann , Tan Ban Xiong , Lane David Philip
Published: December 2022

The RON receptor tyrosine kinase is an exceptionally interesting target in oncology and immunology. It is not only overexpressed in a wide variety of tumors but also has been shown to be expressed on myeloid cells associated with tumor infiltration, where it serves to dampen tumour immune responses and reduce the efficacy of anti-CTLA4 therapy. Potent and selective inhibitory antibodies to RON might therefore both inhibit tumor cell growth and stimulate immune rejection of tumors. We derived cloned and sequenced a new panel of exceptionally avid anti-RON antibodies with picomolar binding affinities that inhibit MSP-induced RON signaling and show remarkable potency in antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Antibody specificity was validated by cloning the antibody genes and creating recombinant antibodies and by the use of RON knock out cell lines. When radiolabeled with 89-Zirconium, the new antibodies 3F8 and 10G1 allow effective immuno-positron emission tomography (immunoPET) imaging of RON-expressing tumors and recognize universally exposed RON epitopes at the cell surface. The 10G1 was further developed into a novel bispecific T cell engager with a 15 pM EC50 in cytotoxic T cell killing assays.
Insights from the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria on the impacts of urban pollution on the functional organisation of Afrotropical macroinvertebrates
Authors: Edegbene Augustine Ovie , Akamagwuna Frank Chukwuzuoke
Published: December 2022

Anthropogenic activities, including urbanisation and industrialisation threaten stream ecological integrity, ecosystem community structure and ecosystem functioning of rivers and streams worldwide. However, developing sustainable monitoring strategies for ecological health remains a critical challenge in Africa. We examined the effects of urban disturbance on macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups in selected streams in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. We sampled 11 sites between 2008 and 2012 and grouped into three site groups (Site groups 1 > 2 > 3). The groups represent an increasing gradient of urban pollution. Our result showed that urban-induced disturbances affected physicochemical variables in the study area (PERMANOVA; p < 0.05), with nutrients NO2-N, PO4-P, and electrical conductivity being significantly higher in impacted Site group 3 (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Predators and gatherers were the most dominant Functional Feeding Group recorded in the study area, while shredders were the least abundant macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups. The multivariate RLQ analysis revealed that shredders, predators, and scrapers were tolerant of urban pollution, whereas gatherers were sensitive to increasing urban pollution. Overall, macroinvertebrates Functional Feeding Groups responded differentially to urban pollution in the Niger Delta Region. Identifying pollution indicator Functional Feeding Groups is seen as an important step towards developing a reliable, low-cost tool for riverine monitoring of urban pollution effects in Africa.
Trueness of full-arch dental models obtained by digital and conventional impression techniques: an in vivo study
Authors: Onbasi Yonca , Abu-Hossin Sabrin , Paulig Maria , Berger Lara , Wichmann Manfred , Matta Ragai-Edward
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to compare the trueness of complete- and partial-arch impressions obtained using conventional impression materials and intraoral scanners in vivo. Full-arch impressions were taken using polyether and polyvinylsiloxane. Gypsum casts were digitized using a laboratory scanner (IM, AF). Casts obtained from polyether impressions were also scanned using an industrial blue light scanner to construct 3D reference models. Intraoral scanning was performed using CEREC Omnicam (CO) and Trios 3 (TR). Surface matching software (Atos Professional) enabled to determine the mean deviations (mean distances) from the reference casts. Statistically significant discrepancies were calculated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The mean distance for trueness ranged from 0.005 mm (TR) to 0.023 mm (IM) for the full arch, from 0.001 mm (CO) to 0.068 mm (IM) for the anterior segment, and from 0.019 mm (AF) to 0.042 mm (IM) for the posterior segment. Comparing the anterior vs. the posterior segment, significantly less deviations were observed for anterior with CO (p < 0.001) and TR (p < 0.001). Full-arch comparisons revealed significant differences between AF vs. IM (p = 0.014), IM vs. CO (p = 0.002), and IM vs. TR (p = 0.001). Full-arch trueness was comparable when using Affinis and the two intraoral scanners CEREC Omnicam and Trios 3. The digital impression devices yielded higher local deviations within the complete arch. Digital impressions of the complete arch are a suitable and reliable alternative to conventional impressions. However, they should be used with caution in the posterior region.

Trial registration: Registration number at the German Clinical Trial Register (04.02.2022): DRKS00027988 (https://trialsearch.who.int/).
Testosterone is associated with abdominal body composition derived from computed tomography: a large cross sectional study
Authors: Han Seungbong , Jeon Young-Jee , Lee Tae Young , Park Gyung-Min , Park Sungchan , Kim Seong Cheol
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum testosterone and abdominal body composition based on abdominopelvic computed tomography (APCT) measurements after adjusting for individual metabolic syndrome components. We performed a cross-sectional study using male subjects (age range: 22–84 years) who underwent a general health examination with abdominopelvic computed tomography and testosterone measurements. Body composition was evaluated with APCT. To confirm an association between testosterone and abdominal body composition, we conducted linear regression analysis. The effect of abdominal body composition was adjusted for important clinical factors such as age, albumin, and metabolic components in the multivariable regression analysis. Overall, 1453 subjects were included in the primary analysis. After adjustment for age, individual metabolic components, albumin, hemoglobin A1c, and C-reactive protein, we found that subcutaneous fat area index (β = − 0.042, p < 0.001), total abdominal muscle area index (β = 0.115, p < 0.001), normal attenuation muscle area index (β = 0.070, p < 0.001), and loge-transformed lower attenuation muscle area index (β = 0.140, p = 0.002) had an association with loge-transformed testosterone level. After adjusting for individual metabolic syndrome components, testosterone was associated negatively with subcutaneous fat, but not visceral fat. In addition, testosterone was positively correlated with abdominal muscle regardless of qualitative features such as fat-rich and fat-free.
Histone deacetylase 6 plays an important role in TGF-β-induced murine Treg cell differentiation by regulating cell proliferation
Authors: Lee Ji Hyeon , Kim Hyeong Su , Jang Sung Woong , Lee Gap Ryol
Published: December 2022

Regulatory T (Treg) cells maintain immune homeostasis by preventing abnormal or excessive immune responses. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) regulates expression of Foxp3, and thus, Treg cell differentiation; however, its role in Treg cell differentiation is unclear and somewhat controversial. Here, we investigated the role of HDAC6 in TGF-β-induced murine Treg cells. HDAC6 expression was higher in Treg cells than in other T helper cell subsets. Pharmacological inhibitors of HDAC6 selectively inhibited Treg cell differentiation and suppressive function. A specific HDAC6 inhibitor induced changes in global gene expression by Treg cells. Of these changes, genes related to cell division were prominently affected. In summary, HDAC6 plays an important role in TGF-β-induced murine Treg cell differentiation by regulating cell proliferation.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody-containing plasma improves outcome in patients with hematologic or solid cancer and severe COVID-19: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Denkinger Claudia M. , Janssen Maike , Schäkel Ulrike , Gall Julia , Leo Albrecht , Stelmach Patrick , Weber Stefan F. , Krisam Johannes , Baumann Lukas , Stermann Jacek , Merle Uta , Weigand Markus A. , Nusshag Christian , Bullinger Lars , Schrezenmeier Jens-Florian , Bornhäuser Martin , Alakel Nael , Witzke Oliver , Wolf Timo , Vehreschild Maria J. G. T. , Schmiedel Stefan , Addo Marylyn M. , Herth Felix , Kreuter Michael , Tepasse Phil-Robin , Hertenstein Bernd , Hänel Mathias , Morgner Anke , Kiehl Michael , Hopfer Olaf , Wattad Mohammad-Amen , Schimanski Carl C. , Celik Cihan , Pohle Thorsten , Ruhe Matthias , Kern Winfried V. , Schmitt Anita , Lorenz Hanns-Martin , Souto-Carneiro Margarida , Gaeddert Mary , Halama Niels , Meuer Stefan , Kräusslich Hans-Georg , Müller Barbara , Schnitzler Paul , Parthé Sylvia , Bartenschlager Ralf , Gronkowski Martina , Klemmer Jennifer , Schmitt Michael , Dreger Peter , Kriegsmann Katharina , Schlenk Richard F. , Müller-Tidow Carsten
Published: December 2022

Patients with cancer are at high risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with high morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, impaired humoral response renders severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines less effective and treatment options are scarce. Randomized trials using convalescent plasma are missing for high-risk patients. Here, we performed a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2020-001632-10/DE) in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 (n = 134) within four risk groups ((1) cancer (n = 56); (2) immunosuppression (n = 16); (3) laboratory-based risk factors (n = 36); and (4) advanced age (n = 26)) randomized to standard of care (control arm) or standard of care plus convalescent/vaccinated anti-SARS-CoV-2 plasma (plasma arm). No serious adverse events were observed related to the plasma treatment. Clinical improvement as the primary outcome was assessed using a seven-point ordinal scale. Secondary outcomes were time to discharge and overall survival. For the four groups combined, those receiving plasma did not improve clinically compared with those in the control arm (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.29; P = 0.205). However, patients with cancer experienced a shortened median time to improvement (HR = 2.50; P = 0.003) and superior survival with plasma treatment versus the control arm (HR = 0.28; P = 0.042). Neutralizing antibody activity increased in the plasma cohort but not in the control cohort of patients with cancer (P = 0.001). Taken together, convalescent/vaccinated plasma may improve COVID-19 outcomes in patients with cancer who are unable to intrinsically generate an adequate immune response.
Resveratrol induces DNA damage-mediated cancer cell senescence through the DLC1–DYRK1A–EGFR axis
Authors: Ma Fengqiu , Ma Yan , Liu Keke , Gao Junying , Li Shasha , Sun Xiaowen , Li Guorong
Published: December 2022

Schematic representation of resveratrol inducing DNA damage-mediated cancer cell senescence through the DLC1–DYRK1A–EGFR axis.
In situ observation of a mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction for synthesis of silver
Authors: Zheng Yanyan , Kasai Hidetaka , Kobayashi Shintaro , Kawaguchi Shogo , Nishibori Eiji
Published: December 2022

We revealed the processes for the activation, mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction (MSR) and crystal growth of Ag in the mechanochemical reduction of AgCl with Al by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction.
Flat-optics hybrid MoS2/polymer films for photochemical conversion
Authors: Ferrando Giulio , Gardella Matteo , Zambito Giorgio , Barelli Matteo , Chowdhury Debasree , Giordano Maria Caterina , Buatier de Mongeot Francesco
Published: December 2022

We show flat-optics photon harvesting in large-area polymeric/MoS2 nanogrooved templates. The strong optical confinement into the ultra-thin MoS2 boosts the photobleaching of polluting dyes, paving the way for realistic photoconversion applications.
A highly efficient metal-free selective 1,4-addition of difluoroenoxysilanes to chromones
Authors: Wang Xi-Yu , Yang Min , Zhou Ying , Zhou Jian , Hao Yong-Jia
Published: December 2022

An efficient HOTf-catalyzed 1,4-addition reaction of difluoroenoxysilanes to chromones was developed, providing rapid access to valuable C2-difluoroalkylated chroman-4-ones. 3g showed antiproliferative effect on HCT116 cells with an IC50 of 6.37 μM.
Recent advances in activatable NIR-II organic fluorophores for biomedical applications
Authors: Xu Yanzi , Zhang Peijuan , Gao Anran , Xu Ruohan , Wang Zhi , Shen Qifei , Zhao Zhiqin , Meng Lingjie , Dang Dongfeng
Published: December 2022

In this review, the molecular design and stimuli-responsive approach of activatable NIR-II organic fluorophores are introduced. Their applications in biomedical fields, ranging from biosensing to bioimaging and theranostics, are also highlighted.
Photo-induced two-carbon ring expansion of N-alkenyl lactams and N-alkenyl/phenyl benzoazetinones
Authors: Xie Fayang , Chen Yi , Li Yunshan , Wang Zhiguo , Zhang Jingyang , Tang Yefeng
Published: December 2022

Photo-induced ring expansion of N-alkenyl- and N-phenyl-lactams has been explored systematically, which provides an enabling approach for accessing structurally diverse azaheterocycles.
Three-dimensional liquid crystal polymer actuators assembled by athermal photo-welding
Authors: Feng Yaoqing , Wei Jia , Qin Lang , Yu Yanlei
Published: December 2022

We propose a strategy based on athermal photo-welding to construct 3D actuators assembled by azobenzene-containing linear liquid crystal polymers with different orientations, which demonstrate diverse deformations of curling, winding, and unwinding.
Social Network Characteristics and Correlations With Cognitive, Psychosocial, and Speech Function and Communication Participation for Adults With Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Feenaughty Lynda
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

This cross-sectional observational pilot study investigated egocentric social networks for 10 paired sex- and age-matched adults with and without multiple sclerosis (MS). This study also investigated the relationship between social network measures and various disease factors associated with MS. The relationship between social network measures and communication participation restrictions was also examined.

Method:

Participants completed a seven-item social network survey. Social network structure and composition were quantified. The network organization measures (structure analysis) included the total number of members (network size) and extent to which members are connected (network density). The measured characteristics of people around a participant (composition analysis) included the amount of kin relative to network size (proportion of kin), gender variation (gender diversity index), and age variation (standard deviation of age). Standard clinical neuropsychological, psychosocial, and speech metrics quantified processing speed, memory, depression, fatigue, and sentence intelligibility. Measures of communication participation and MS severity were also obtained.

Results:

Matched-pairs tests indicated that the proportion of kin significantly differed between paired participants, whereas all other social network measures were similar. For participants with MS, correlation analyses indicated weak associations between proportion of kin and cognitive, psychosocial, and speech measures. However, strong correlations were found between social network size and processing speed, memory, fatigue, MS severity, and communication participation. Gender diversity index also strongly correlated with depression.

Conclusions:

Results from this pilot study highlight the importance of evaluating egocentric networks in the clinical management of MS, as maintaining nonkin friendships may be difficult for adults with MS making them vulnerable to social isolation. Furthermore, those with small and less diverse networks may experience more severe cognitive and psychosocial problems and limited communication participation.
Characterizing Speech Sound Productions in Bilingual Speakers of Jamaican Creole and English: Application of Durational Acoustic Methods
Authors: León Michelle , Washington Karla N. , McKenna Victoria S. , Crowe Kathryn , Fritz Kristina , Boyce Suzanne
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

This study examined the speech acoustic characteristics of Jamaican Creole (JC) and English in bilingual preschoolers and adults using acoustic duration measures. The aims were to determine if, for JC and English, (a) child and adult acoustic duration characteristics differ, (b) differences occur in preschoolers' duration patterns based on the language spoken, and (c) relationships exist between the preschoolers' personal contextual factors (i.e., age, sex, and percentage of language [%language] exposure and use) and acoustic duration.

Method:

Data for this cross-sectional study were collected in Kingston, Jamaica, and New York City, New York, United States, during 2013–2019. Participants included typically developing simultaneous bilingual preschoolers (
n
= 120, ages 3;4–5;11 [years;months]) and adults (
n
= 15, ages 19;0–54;4) from the same linguistic community. Audio recordings of single-word productions of JC and English were collected through elicited picture-based tasks and used for acoustic analysis. Durational features (voice onset time [VOT], vowel duration, whole-word duration, and the proportion of vowel to whole-word duration) were measured using Praat, a speech analysis software program.

Results:

JC-English–speaking children demonstrated developing speech motor control through differences in durational patterns compared with adults, including VOT for voiced plosives. Children's VOT, vowel duration, and whole-word duration were produced similarly across JC and English. The contextual factor %language use was predictive of vowel and whole-word duration in English.

Conclusions:

The findings from this study contribute to a foundation of understanding typical bilingual speech characteristics and motor development as well as schema in JC–English speakers. In particular, minimal acoustic duration differences were observed across the post-Creole continuum, a feature that may be attributed to the JC–English bilingual environment.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21760469