bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the determinants of real estate liquidity from an alternative perspective: censored quantile regression in real estate research
Authors: Cajias Marcelo , Freudenreich Philipp , Freudenreich Anna
Published: June 2020

In this paper, the liquidity (inverse of time on market) of rental dwellings and its determinants for different liquidity quantiles are examined for the seven largest German cities. The determinants are estimated using censored quantile regressions in order to investigate the impact on very liquid to very illiquid dwellings. As market heterogeneity is not only observed between cities but also within a city, each of the seven cities is considered individually. Micro data for almost 500,000 observations from 2013 to 2017 is used to examine the time on market. Substantial differences in the magnitude and direction of the regression coefficients for the different liquidity quantiles are found. Furthermore, both the magnitude and direction of the impact of an explanatory variable on the liquidity, differ between the cities. To the best of the authors’ knowledge this is the first paper, to apply censored quantile regressions to liquidity analysis of the real estate rental market. The model reveals that the proportionality assumption underlying the Cox proportional hazards model cannot be confirmed for all variables across all cities, but for most of them.
Data acquisition and control at the edge: a hardware/software-reconfigurable approach
Authors: Streit F. , Wituschek S. , Pschyklenk M. , Becher A. , Lechner M. , Wildermann S. , Pitz I. , Merklein M. , Teich J.
Published: June 2020

Today’s manufacturing facilities and processes offer the potential to collect data on an unprecedented scale. However, conventional Programmable Logic Controllers are often proprietary systems with closed-source hardware and software and not designed to also take over the seamless acquisition and processing of enormous amounts of data. Furthermore, their major focus on simple control tasks and a rigid number of static built-in I/O connectors make them not well suited for the big data challenge and an industrial environment that is changing at a high pace. This paper, advocates emerging hardware- and I/O reconfigurable Programmable System-on-Chip (PSoC) solutions based on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays to provide flexible and adaptable capabilities for both data acquisition and control right at the edge. Still, the design and implementation of applications on such heterogeneous PSoC platforms demands a comprehensive expertise in hardware/software co-design. To bridge this gap, a model-based design automation approach is presented to generate automatically optimized HW/SW configurations for a given PSoC. As a case study, a metal forming process is considered and the design automation of an industrial closed-loop control algorithm with the design objectives performance and resource costs is investigated to show the benefits of the approach.
The Role of Wearables in Heart Failure
Authors: Singhal Arvind , Cowie Martin R.
Published: June 2020

Purpose of Review

This review discusses how wearable devices—sensors externally applied to the body to measure a physiological signal—can be used in heart failure (HF) care.

Recent Findings

Most wearables are marketed to consumers and can measure movement, heart rate, and blood pressure; detect and monitor arrhythmia; and support exercise training and rehabilitation. Wearable devices targeted at healthcare professionals include ECG patch recorders and vests, patches, and textiles with in-built sensors for improved prognostication and the early detection of acute decompensation. Integrating data from wearables into clinical decision-making has been slow due to clinical inertia and concerns regarding data security and validity, lack of evidence of meaningful impact, interoperability, regulatory and reimbursement issues, and legal liability.

Although few studies have assessed how best to integrate wearable technologies into clinical practice, their use is rapidly expanding and may support improved decision-making by patients and healthcare professionals along the whole patient pathway.
Intensive WOM-behavior in the healthcare sector – the case of an Austrian hospital’s Facebook site
Authors: Martin Sebastian , Grüb Birgit
Published: June 2020

Patients frequently use Facebook for health-related reasons, like seeking of information or the recommendation of practitioners or hospitals. In this way, Facebook provides a powerful communication platform for electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). Hospitals increasingly use Facebook to positively influence the perception of their brand reputation and performance. The present explorative study provides detailed information regarding eWOM behavior of persons on the Facebook page of an Upper Austrian hospital. Data of the hospital’s Facebook page was gathered and analyzed with NodeXL. By using a text analysis, we categorized the hospitals’ posts. Reactions towards the different types of postings were analyzed by counting emojis, the number of shares and comments. Within the study, there was an in-depth evaluation of communication data (313 posts of the hospital, more than 14,000 eWom actions by 3327 women, men and organizations). The study shows how heterogeneous users are in their eWOM behavior and that a variety of topics on the Facebook page stimulates electronic recommendations. One major finding of the study is that a significant part of the eWOM is done by only a few users. According to this, a so-called Intensive WOM Behavior (IWB) can be identified. Users of the IWB-group behave heterogeneously. Most react either with an emoji, a comment or a share. Only a few IWB-users respond with a combination of these eWOM-reactions. By providing first insights into the existence of IWB-users as well as their eWOM-behavior, this study offers new insights to eWOM in Facebook.
Cardiac telerehabilitation as an alternative to centre-based cardiac rehabilitation
Authors: Brouwers R. W. M. , van Exel H. J. , van Hal J. M. C. , Jorstad H. T. , de Kluiver E. P. , Kraaijenhagen R. A. , Kuijpers P. M. J. C. , van der Linde M. R. , Spee R. F. , Sunamura M. , Uszko-Lencer N. H. M. K. , Vromen T. , Wittekoek M. E. , Kemps H. M. C. ,   the Committee for Cardiovascular Prevention and Cardiac Rehabilitation of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology
Published: June 2020

Multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation (CR) reduces morbidity and mortality and increases quality of life in cardiac patients. However, CR utilisation rates are low, and targets for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease are not met in the majority of patients, indicating that secondary prevention programmes such as CR leave room for improvement. Cardiac telerehabilitation (CTR) may resolve several barriers that impede CR utilisation and sustainability of its effects. In CTR, one or more modules of CR are delivered outside the environment of the hospital or CR centre, using monitoring devices and remote communication with patients. Multidisciplinary CTR is a safe and at least equally (cost-)effective alternative to centre-based CR, and is therefore recommended in a recent addendum to the Dutch multidisciplinary CR guidelines. In this article, we describe the background and core components of this addendum on CTR, and discuss its implications for clinical practice and future perspectives.
Bark beetle mycobiome: collaboratively defined research priorities on a widespread insect-fungus symbiosis
Authors: Hulcr Jiri , Barnes Irene , De Beer Z. Wilhelm , Duong Tuan A. , Gazis Romina , Johnson Andrew J. , Jusino Michelle A. , Kasson Matthew T. , Li You , Lynch Shannon , Mayers Chase , Musvuugwa Tendai , Roets Francois , Seltmann Katja C. , Six Diana , Vanderpool Dan , Villari Caterina
Published: June 2020

One of the main threats to forests in the Anthropocene are novel or altered interactions among trees, insects and fungi. To critically assess the contemporary research on bark beetles, their associated fungi, and their relationships with trees, the international Bark Beetle Mycobiome research coordination network has been formed. The network comprises 22 researchers from 17 institutions. This forward-looking review summarizes the group’s assessment of the current status of the bark beetle mycobiome research field and priorities for its advancement. Priorities include data mobility and standards, the adoption of new technologies for the study of these symbioses, reconciliation of conflicting paradigms, and practices for robust inference of symbiosis and tree epidemiology. The Net work proposes contemporary communication strategies to interact with the global community of researchers studying symbioses and natural resource managers. We conclude with a call to the broader scientific community to participate in the network and contribute their perspectives.
Efficiency of mitigation measures targeting nutrient losses from agricultural drainage systems: A review
Authors: Carstensen Mette Vodder , Hashemi Fatemeh , Hoffmann Carl Christian , Zak Dominik , Audet Joachim , Kronvang Brian
Published: June 2020

Diffusive losses of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural areas have detrimental effects on freshwater and marine ecosystems. Mitigation measures treating drainage water before it enters streams hold a high potential for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agricultural areas. To achieve a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges characterising current and new drainage mitigation measures in oceanic and continental climates, we reviewed the nitrate and total phosphorus removal efficiency of: (i) free water surface constructed wetlands, (ii) denitrifying bioreactors, (iii) controlled drainage, (iv) saturated buffer zones and (v) integrated buffer zones. Our data analysis showed that the load of nitrate was substantially reduced by all five drainage mitigation measures, while they mainly acted as sinks of total phosphorus, but occasionally, also as sources. The various factors influencing performance, such as design, runoff characteristics and hydrology, differed in the studies, resulting in large variation in the reported removal efficiencies.
Impact of pharmacist counseling on health-related quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cluster randomized controlled study
Authors: Fajriansyah  , Iskandarsyah Aulia , Puspitasari Irma M , Lestari Keri
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The quality of life (QoL) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a measure of the successful outcomes of therapy. The program of management of chronic diseases “Program Pengelolaan Penyakit Kronis” (Prolanis) among patients with hypertension and T2DM is a new strategy of the Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial (BPJS), which is the Indonesian national health insurance system. Here, we analyzed the impact of pharmacist counseling interventions on health-related QoL (HRQoL) in Prolanis T2DM patients.

Methods

This cluster randomized controlled trial was designed to include two groups [control (n = 111) and intervention (n = 109) groups], and pre- and post-test procedures. The participants were Prolanis T2DM patients who attended four primary health-care centers (Puskesmas) in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia from August 2017 to August 2018. The intervention group received systematic counseling for 6 months. The data were collected using the Bahasa Indonesia version of the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5 L) questionnaire and were analyzed using EQ-5D preference weight for each health state with the Indonesian EQ-5D-5 L value Set. Furthermore, the EQ-5D index and the EQ-5D VAS score were calculated and HbA1c levels were assessed.

Results

The change in the EQ-5D-5 L index score (post-pre) was 0.01 in the control group and 0.04 in the intervention group (P = 0.041). The change in the VAS score was −0.07in the control group (post-pre) and 2.66 in the intervention group (P = 0.000).

Conclusion

Pharmacist counseling may help improve the HRQoL of Prolanis T2DM patients.
Perfection of Perovskite Grain Boundary Passivation by Rhodium Incorporation for Efficient and Stable Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Wei , Liu Nanjing , Ji Shilei , Hua Hongfeng , Ma Yuhui , Hu Ruiyuan , Zhang Jian , Chu Liang , Li Xing’ao , Huang Wei
Published: June 2020

Organic cation and halide anion defects are omnipresent in the perovskite films, which will destroy perovskite electronic structure and downgrade the properties of devices. Defect passivation in halide perovskites is crucial to the application of solar cells. Herein, tiny amounts of trivalent rhodium ion incorporation can help the nucleation of perovskite grain and passivate the defects in the grain boundaries, which can improve efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. Through first-principle calculations, rhodium ion incorporation into the perovskite structure can induce ordered arrangement and tune bandgap. In experiment, rhodium ion incorporation with perovskite can contribute to preparing larger crystalline and uniform film, reducing trap-state density and enlarging charge carrier lifetime. After optimizing the content of 1% rhodium, the devices achieved an efficiency up to 20.71% without obvious hysteresis, from 19.09% of that pristine perovskite. In addition, the unencapsulated solar cells maintain 92% of its initial efficiency after 500 h in dry air. This work highlights the advantages of trivalent rhodium ion incorporation in the characteristics of perovskite solar cells, which will promote the future industrial application.
How to Count Crime: the Cambridge Harm Index Consensus
Authors: Sherman Lawrence W. ,   and Cambridge University associates
Published: June 2020

Crime statistics require a radical transformation if they are to provide transparent information for the general public, as well as police operational decision-making. This statement provides a blueprint for such a transformation.
Förderung von unterrichtsbegleitendem Diagnostizieren von Schülervorstellungen durch Video- und Textvignetten
Authors: Hoppe Tobias , Renkl Alexander , Rieß Werner
Published: June 2020

Fachlich wenig anschlussfähige Schülervorstellungen können den Aufbau fachlich gültiger ökologischer Konzepte im Biologieunterricht beeinträchtigen, wenn Lehrkräfte diese im Unterrichtsverlauf nicht diagnostizieren und angemessen darauf reagieren. Unterrichtsbegleitende Diagnosen von Äußerungen der Schülerinnen und Schüler müssen häufig spontan („on-the-fly“) erfolgen. Es wäre wünschenswert, bereits angehende Lehrkräfte auf diese herausfordernde Aufgabe vorbereiten zu können. In einem experimentellen Prä-Posttest-Design (N = 36) wurden in dieser Studie Einflüsse auf den Erwerb von Fertigkeiten zur Diagnose von Schülervorstellungen untersucht. Hierfür wurden verschiedene Merkmale fallbasierter Lernsettings systematisch variiert (Video vs. Text/unterschiedliche Arten von Schülervorstellungen). Ein Training an Fallmedien erwies sich für bestimmte Diagnoseinhalte als effektiv im Vergleich zu einer Vermittlung diagnostischen Wissens ohne fallbasiertes Training. Unerheblich schien zu sein, ob als Fallmedium Video- oder Textvignetten verwendet wurden. Darüber hinaus zeigte sich, dass die Fertigkeiten zur Diagnose im Wesentlichen inhaltsspezifisch erworben werden. Die Ergebnisse werden hinsichtlich der Entwicklung von Fördermaßnahmen in der Lehrerbildung diskutiert.
The influence of hydrochar from biogas digestate on soil improvement and plant growth aspects
Authors: de Jager Megan , Röhrdanz Michael , Giani Luise
Published: June 2020

Hydrochar (HC), produced by hydrothermal carbonization, offers technical advantages over biochar (BC) produced by pyrolysis, and is suitable for soil amelioration, carbon sequestration, and enhanced plant growth. BC grain size has been shown to influence nutrient retention, microbial colonization and aggregate formation; however, similar research for HC is lacking. Pot trials were conducted to investigate the influence of HC grain size [coarse (6.3–2 mm), medium (2–0.63 mm) and fine (< 0.63 mm)], produced from biogas digestate, for soil improvement in three soils: loamy Chernozem, sandy Podzol, and clayey Gleysol, at a 5% HC application rate (w/w). All soils including two controls (with and without plants) were analysed for water holding capacity (WHC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), wet aggregate stability, pH, plant available nutrients (PO4–P, K and Nmin) and germination and biomass success using standard laboratory and statistical methods. Soil pH showed a compensatory shift toward the HC pH (7.2) in all soils over the course of the study. For example, the pH of the medium grained HC treatment for the Chernozem decreased from 7.9 to 7.2 and increased in the Podzol and Gleysol from 5.9 to 6.1 and 4.9 to 5.5, respectively. The nutrient-rich HC (2034 ± 38.3 mg kg−1 PO4–P and 2612.5 ± 268.7 mg kg−1 K content) provided only a short-term supply of nutrients, due to the relatively easily mineralized fraction of HC, which allowed for quick nutrient release. The pH and PO4–P effects were most pronounced in the fine grained HC treatments, with a ~ 87%, ~ 308% and ~ 2500% increase in PO4–P content in the Chernozem, Podzol and Gleysol, respectively, compared to the controls at the beginning of the study. The same trend was observed for the K and NH4+ content in the fine and medium grained HC treatments in all soils. No seed germination inhibition of Chinese cabbage was observed, with average germination rates > 50% in all soils. An effect on NO3− content was indeterminable, while there was little to no effect on biomass production, WHC, CEC and aggregate stability. In conclusion, the application of 5% fine grained HC significantly influenced the nutrient content over a short-term. However, the application rate was insufficient to substantially improve plant growth, nor to sustain a longer-term nutrients supply, regardless of grain size.
Energy-efficient sea-water RO membrane aims to boost water production
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: June 2020

Japan's Toray Industries Inc is developing a reverse osmosis membrane which, it reports, has higher water-production performance than other membranes that are currently available. This article briefly looks at the technology, which aims to contribute to environmental restoration, and has the potential to provide a solution to the problem of water shortages, giving more people access to clean water.
Paleocommunity composition, relative abundance, and new camerate crinoids from the Brechin Lagerstätte (Upper Ordovician)
Authors: Cole Selina R. , Wright David F. , Ausich William I. , Koniecki Joseph M.
Published: June 2020

The Brechin Lagerstätte of southern Ontario contains an exceptionally diverse and well-preserved Late Ordovician (Katian) crinoid fauna. We describe four genera and eight species of camerate crinoids from the Brechin Lagerstätte, including six new species. Consequently, the total diversity of the fauna now stands at 27 genera and 39 nominal species, thereby making it the most taxonomically diverse Ordovician crinoid fauna known. Taxa described include the diplobathrid Pararchaeocrinus kiddi new species and the monobathrids Glyptocrinus ramulosus Billings, 1856, Periglyptocrinus priscus (Billings, 1857a), Periglyptocrinus astricus new species, Periglyptocrinus kevinbretti new species, Periglyptocrinus mcdonaldi new species, Periglyptocrinus silvosus new species, and Abludoglyptocrinus steinheimerae new species. We summarize the taxonomic composition, diversity, and abundance distribution of all known crinoids from the Brechin Lagerstätte to better characterize the paleoecological structure and complexity of the community. We establish that the fauna is dominated by the subclass Pentacrinoidea, both in terms of abundance and species richness. In addition, we analyze species-level abundance data using Relative Abundance Distribution (RAD) models to evaluate the ecological complexity of the paleocommunity. We found that community structure of the Brechin Lagerstätte is best explained by an ecologically ‘complex’ RAD model, which suggests that species partitioned niches along multiple resource axes and/or the presence of multiple ecological ways of life. These results indicate that the Brechin Lagerstätte is significant not only for being the most taxonomically diverse Katian crinoid assemblage, but also for being an early ecologically complex fauna that developed in the wake of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/f86582ed-5db6-469E-befe-34b801f9a113
A molecular phylogenetic evaluation of theRamalina siliquosacomplex, with notes on species circumscription and relationships withinRamalina
Authors: LaGreca Scott , Lumbsch H. Thorsten , Kukwa Martin , Wei Xinli , Han Jeong Eun , Moon Kwang Hee , Kashiwadani Hiroyuki , Aptroot André , Leavitt Steven D.
Published: June 2020

Lichens of theRamalina siliquosacomplex dominate seashore cliffs in Europe and South-East Asia, but their taxonomy has been vigorously debated for over a century. On many cliffs, they exhibit a bewildering zonation of chemotypes that resembles the classic zonation of organisms that occupy the littoral zone below. Do the chemotypes represent separate species, or infraspecific variation? To better understand the systematics of this group, sequences from four genetic loci (ITS, IGS,RPB1andRPB2) were obtained for 59 samples from Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, UK, Japan and Korea, including all major chemotypes. Maximum likelihood analysis of these sequences, together with sequences from 36 otherRamalinaspecies, reveals that the complex comprises two distinct phylogenetic lineages, each including multiple chemotypes. These two putative species-level lineages correspond to the currently accepted taxaR. cuspidataandR. siliquosa. There is no evidence that these two taxa are phylogenetic sister species. Consequently, the explanation of this chemotype complex as an example of ‘sibling speciation’ is rejected. Specimens traditionally called ‘R.siliquosa’ from South-East Asia form a third clade, identified here asR.semicuspidata, with an additional, divaricatic acid chemotype. Other results include a robustly supported clade ofRamalinaspecies that produce medullary depsides and depsidones; this clade includes another well-supported clade of south-eastern United States coastal plain and tropicalRamalinaspecies. By contrast, large, strap-shapedRamalinaspecies that lack medullary depsides and depsidones occur in separate lineages. In addition, close relationships between the following groups of species are indicated:R. farinaceawithR. subfarinacea;R.fraxineawithR. leptocarpha,R. menziesiiandR. subleptocarpha;R. sinensiswithR. unifolia. Furthermore, a new, variolaric acid-only chemotype is reported forR.farinacea, and a new, acid-deficient chemotype is reported for a more broadly circumscribedR. culbersoniorum.
How global was the age of revolutions? The case of Mount Lebanon, 1821
Authors: Hill Peter
Published: June 2020

This article addresses the question of the geographical scope of the ‘age of revolutions’ (c.1750–1850) through the case of a peasant uprising in Mount Lebanon in 1821. This uprising had similarities with recent and contemporary revolutions and rebellions, which have led some to suggest the influence of the ideas of the French Revolution of 1789 or the Greek Revolution of 1821. This article argues that influence at the level of ideas was unimportant, but that the similarities can plausibly be traced to similar and connected contexts at the level of political economy, as the expansion and crisis of military-fiscal states provoked opposition ‘from below’ and renegotiations of sovereignty. This focus on political economy rather than genealogies of ideas can then help define an ‘age of revolutions’ extending beyond Europe and the north Atlantic into the Ottoman empire, Latin America, and other regions.
External Forcing Explains Recent Decadal Variability of the Ocean Carbon Sink
Authors: McKinley Galen A. , Fay Amanda R. , Eddebbar Yassir A. , Gloege Lucas , Lovenduski Nicole S.
Published: June 2020

The ocean has absorbed the equivalent of 39% of industrial‐age fossil carbon emissions, significantly modulating the growth rate of atmospheric CO2 and its associated impacts on climate. Despite the importance of the ocean carbon sink to climate, our understanding of the causes of its interannual‐to‐decadal variability remains limited. This hinders our ability to attribute its past behavior and project its future. A key period of interest is the 1990s, when the ocean carbon sink did not grow as expected. Previous explanations of this behavior have focused on variability internal to the ocean or associated with coupled atmosphere/ocean modes. Here, we use an idealized upper ocean box model to illustrate that two external forcings are sufficient to explain the pattern and magnitude of sink variability since the mid‐1980s. First, the global‐scale reduction in the decadal‐average ocean carbon sink in the 1990s is attributable to the slowed growth rate of atmospheric pCO2. The acceleration of atmospheric pCO2 growth after 2001 drove recovery of the sink. Second, the global sea surface temperature response to the 1991 eruption of Mt Pinatubo explains the timing of the global sink within the 1990s. These results are consistent with previous experiments using ocean hindcast models with variable atmospheric pCO2 and with and without climate variability. The fact that variability in the growth rate of atmospheric pCO2 directly imprints on the ocean sink implies that there will be an immediate reduction in ocean carbon uptake as atmospheric pCO2 responds to cuts in anthropogenic emissions.
Trace Metal Fractional Solubility in Size‐Segregated Aerosols From the Tropical Eastern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Baker Alex R. , Li Mingpei , Chance Rosie
Published: June 2020

Soluble and total trace metals were measured in four size fractionated aerosol samples collected over the tropical eastern Atlantic Ocean. In samples that were dominated by Saharan dust, the size distributions of total iron, aluminum, titanium, manganese, cobalt, and thorium were very similar to one another and to the size distributions of soluble manganese, cobalt, and thorium. Finer particle sizes (< ~3 μm) showed enhanced soluble concentrations of iron, aluminum, and titanium, possibly as a result of interactions with acidic sulfate aerosol during atmospheric transport. The difference in fine particle solubility between these two groups of elements might be related to the hyperbolic increase in the fractional solubility of iron, and a number of other elements, during the atmospheric transport of Saharan dust, which is not observed for manganese and its associated elements. In comparison to elements whose solubility varies during atmospheric transport, the stability of thorium fractional solubility should reduce uncertainties in the use of dissolved concentrations of this element in seawater as a proxy for dust deposition, although this topic requires further work.
Effect of Dikes on Saltwater Intrusion Under Various Wind Conditions in the Changjiang Estuary
Authors: Li Linjiang , Zhu Jianrong , Chant Robert J. , Wang Chuning , Pareja‐Roman L. Fernando
Published: June 2020

To improve navigation, the deep waterway project (DWP) was implemented in the North Passage of the Changjiang Estuary in 1998, which includes a deep channel and two dikes protecting it. By altering estuarine morphology, the DWP can affect saltwater intrusion and mixing, with implications for drinking water intake and supply. In this study, we employ a numerical model to study the influence of dikes of the DWP on saltwater intrusion in the estuary under the climatic and persistent strong northerly wind conditions that occurred in February 2014. The model results show that the dikes prevent the southward transport of relatively low‐salinity water at the mouth of the North Channel (NC) under climatic wind conditions, resulting in the weakening of saltwater intrusion and mixing in this channel. Under persistent strong northerly wind conditions, relatively high‐salinity water is transported southward to the mouth of NC and blocked by the dikes causing a water level rise at the mouth of the NC. As a result, a large amount of high‐salinity water advected into the NC and then out to the sea from the South Chanel, forming a counterclockwise horizontal circulation. The salinity increases abnormally, but mixing decreases in the NC for no more salinity variance input with the implementation of the DWP. Overall, the DWP favors water intake for the reservoir in NC under climatic wind conditions and is unfavorable to water intake under persistent strong northerly winds (>9 m/s), which can lead to extremely severe saltwater intrusion.
Decarbonation of Stagnant Slab in the Mantle Transition Zone
Authors: Zhang Yanfei , Wang Chao , Jin Zhenmin
Published: June 2020

Phase relations of carbonated basalts have been investigated at 13–20 GPa and 1200–1600°C, to model the decarbonation process of stagnant slab in the mantle transition zone (MTZ). Two synthetic mixes with CO2 contents of 2.5 wt% (PC‐a) and 5.0 wt% (PC‐b) were used as the starting materials. The estimated solidus was ~1350°C at the top of the MTZ (~13–15 GPa), which declined to ~1250°C for pressures of above ~15–16 GPa for both mixes. The average slab geotherms are lower than the obtained solidus, creating a carbonate‐bearing stagnant slab, followed by decarbonation of stagnant slab with increased residence time. Dehydration of stagnant oceanic lithosphere could induce decarbonation of the upper oceanic crust for temperatures below the solidus of carbonated basalts. The resulting carbonate melt is highly reactive with the ambient mantle, producing a carbonated domain in the MTZ or at the top of the 410‐km seismic discontinuity. A portion of carbonate melt could ascend to shallow depth because of low density and low viscosity and bring oceanic crust signatures into the source of some volcanoes after complex interactions with the surrounding mantle. On the example of Eastern Asia, decarbonation of stagnant slab is inferred to be a possible prerequisite for the formation of the big mantle wedge and triggered the intraplate volcanoes of Eastern Asia.
Characterizing Weekly Cycles of Particulate Matter in a Coastal Megacity: The Importance of a Seasonal, Size‐Resolved, and Chemically Speciated Analysis
Authors: Hilario Miguel Ricardo A. , Cruz Melliza Templonuevo , Bañaga Paola Angela , Betito Grace , Braun Rachel A. , Stahl Connor , Cambaliza Maria Obiminda , Lorenzo Genevieve Rose , MacDonald Alexander B. , AzadiAghdam Mojtaba , Pabroa Preciosa Corazon , Yee John Robin , Simpas James Bernard , Sorooshian Armin
Published: June 2020

We present the first study of the weekly cycles (WCs) of chemically speciated and size‐resolved particulate matter (PM) in Metro Manila, Philippines, a coastal megacity located within a highly complex meteorological environment that is subject to both anthropogenic and natural sources. To measure PM, Micro‐Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactors (MOUDIs) were deployed in Metro Manila from August 2018 to October 2019 and samples were analyzed for ionic and elemental species, including black carbon (BC). The WC in Metro Manila varied remarkably across seasons, linked to shifts in meteorology, transport, and aerosol source. Identified aerosol sources were traffic, local and regional burning, dust, sea salt, and secondary aerosol formation. Direct emissions induced a late workweek peak, while secondary aerosol formation led to a weekend peak in response to precursor buildup mainly from traffic. Seasonal analysis revealed that local burning from solid waste management and agricultural fires induced a strong WC peak while regional burning emissions from the Maritime Continent (MC) and possibly the Asian continent elevated seasonal baseline concentrations of the WC. BC showed a seasonally persistent WC, consistent in magnitude, weekly peak timing, and particle size. The dominant submicrometer WC and the contribution of BC across seasons have important ramifications on public health and policymaking, which are also discussed. As many of the observed WC patterns are undetectable when using only bulk PM, this study demonstrates that a seasonal, size‐resolved, and chemically speciated characterization is required to more fully understand the driving mechanisms governing WCs.
Relationship of prenatal maternal obesity and diabetes to offspring neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders: a narrative review
Authors: Kong Linghua , Chen Xinxia , Gissler Mika , Lavebratt Catharina
Published: June 2020

Obesity and diabetes is a worldwide public health problem among women of reproductive age. This narrative review highlights recent epidemiological studies regarding associations of maternal obesity and diabetes with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in offspring, and provides an overview of plausible underlying mechanisms and challenges for future human studies. A comprehensive search strategy selected terms that corresponded to the domains of interest (maternal obesity, different types of diabetes, offspring cognitive functions and neuropsychiatric disorders). The databases searched for articles published between January 2010 and April 2019 were PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL. Evidence from epidemiological studies strongly suggests that maternal pre-pregnancy obesity is associated with increased risks for autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and cognitive dysfunction with modest effect sizes, and that maternal diabetes is associated with the risk of the former two disorders. The influence of maternal obesity on other psychiatric disorders is less well studied, but there are reports of associations with increased risks for offspring depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and eating disorders, at modest effect sizes. It remains unclear whether these associations are due to intrauterine mechanisms or explained by confounding family-based sociodemographic, lifestyle and genetic factors. The plausible underlying mechanisms have been explored primarily in animal models, and are yet to be further investigated in human studies.
Birth weight, cardiometabolic risk factors and effect modification of physical activity in children and adolescents: pooled data from 12 international studies
Authors: Bernhardsen Guro Pauck , Stensrud Trine , Hansen Bjørge Herman , Steene-Johannesen Jostein , Kolle Elin , Nystad Wenche , Anderssen Sigmund Alfred , Hallal Pedro C. , Janz Kathleen F. , Kriemler Susi , Andersen Lars Bo , Northstone Kate , Resaland Geir Kåre , Sardinha Luis B. , van Sluijs Esther M. F. , Ried-Larsen Mathias , Ekelund Ulf ,   on behalf of the International Children’s Accelerometry Database (ICAD) Collaborators
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Low and high birth weight is associated with higher levels of cardiometabolic risk factors and adiposity in children and adolescents, and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and early mortality later in life. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with lower cardiometabolic risk factors and may mitigate the detrimental consequences of high or low birth weight. Thus, we examined whether MVPA modified the associations between birth weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents.

Methods

We used pooled individual data from 12 cohort- or cross-sectional studies including 9,100 children and adolescents. Birth weight was measured at birth or maternally reported retrospectively. Device-measured physical activity (PA) and cardiometabolic risk factors were measured in childhood or adolescence. We tested for associations between birth weight, MVPA, and cardiometabolic risk factors using multilevel linear regression, including study as a random factor. We tested for interaction between birth weight and MVPA by introducing the interaction term in the models (birth weight x MVPA).

Results

Most of the associations between birth weight (kg) and cardiometabolic risk factors were not modified by MVPA (min/day), except between birth weight and waist circumference (cm) in children (p = 0.005) and HDL-cholesterol (mmol/l) in adolescents (p = 0.040). Sensitivity analyses suggested that some of the associations were modified by VPA, i.e., the associations between birth weight and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) in children (p = 0.009) and LDL- cholesterol (mmol/l) (p = 0.009) and triglycerides (mmol/l) in adolescents (p = 0.028).

Conclusion

MVPA appears not to consistently modify the associations between low birth weight and cardiometabolic risk. In contrast, MVPA may mitigate the association between higher birth weight and higher waist circumference in children. MVPA is consistently associated with a lower cardiometabolic risk across the birth weight spectrum. Optimal prenatal growth and subsequent PA are both important in relation to cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents.
Impact of hypoxia on chemoresistance of mesothelioma mediated by the proton-coupled folate transporter, and preclinical activity of new anti-LDH-A compounds
Authors: Li Petri Giovanna , El Hassouni Btissame , Sciarrillo Rocco , Funel Niccola , Mantini Giulia , Zeeuw van der Laan Eveline A. , Cascioferro Stella , Avan Amir , Zucali Paolo Andrea , Zaffaroni Nadia , Lagerweij Tonny , Parrino Barbara , Smid Kees , Deraco Marcello , Granchi Carlotta , Braczko Alicja , Smolenski Ryszard T. , Matherly Larry H. , Jansen Gerrit , Assaraf Yehuda G. , Diana Patrizia , Cloos Jacqueline , Peters Godefridus J. , Minutolo Filippo , Giovannetti Elisa
Published: June 2020

Background

Expression of proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) is associated with survival of mesothelioma patients treated with pemetrexed, and is reduced by hypoxia, prompting studies to elucidate their correlation.

Methods

Modulation of glycolytic gene expression was evaluated by PCR arrays in tumour cells and primary cultures growing under hypoxia, in spheroids and after PCFT silencing. Inhibitors of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-A) were tested in vitro and in vivo. LDH-A expression was determined in tissue microarrays of radically resected malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM, N = 33) and diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM, N = 56) patients.

Results

Overexpression of hypoxia marker CAIX was associated with low PCFT expression and decreased MPM cell growth inhibition by pemetrexed. Through integration of PCR arrays in hypoxic cells and spheroids and following PCFT silencing, we identified the upregulation of LDH-A, which correlated with shorter survival of MPM and DMPM patients. Novel LDH-A inhibitors enhanced spheroid disintegration and displayed synergistic effects with pemetrexed in MPM and gemcitabine in DMPM cells. Studies with bioluminescent hypoxic orthotopic and subcutaneous DMPM athymic-mice models revealed the marked antitumour activity of the LDH-A inhibitor NHI-Glc-2, alone or combined with gemcitabine.

Conclusions

This study provides novel insights into hypoxia/PCFT-dependent chemoresistance, unravelling the potential prognostic value of LDH-A, and demonstrating the preclinical activity of LDH-A inhibitors.
Organoid systems to study the human female reproductive tract and pregnancy
Authors: Alzamil Lama , Nikolakopoulou Konstantina , Turco Margherita Y.
Published: June 2020

Both the proper functioning of the female reproductive tract (FRT) and normal placental development are essential for women’s health, wellbeing, and pregnancy outcome. The study of the FRT in humans has been challenging due to limitations in the in vitro and in vivo tools available. Recent developments in 3D organoid technology that model the different regions of the FRT include organoids of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, endometrium and cervix, as well as placental trophoblast. These models are opening up new avenues to investigate the normal biology and pathology of the FRT. In this review, we discuss the advances, potential, and limitations of organoid cultures of the human FRT.
Correction: FTSJ1 regulates tRNA 2ʹ-O-methyladenosine modification and suppresses the malignancy of NSCLC via inhibiting DRAM1 expression
Authors: He Qihan , Yang Lin , Gao Kaiping , Ding Peikun , Chen Qianqian , Xiong Juan , Yang Wenhan , Song Yi , Wang Liang , Wang Yejun , Ling Lijuan , Wu Weiming , Yan Jisong , Zou Peng , Chen Yuhuan , Zhai Rihong
Published: June 2020

The original version of this article contained an error in the spelling of the author Yuchen Chen, which was incorrectly given as Yuhuan Chen. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the article.
Predictors of narrow angle detection rate—a longitudinal study of Massachusetts residents over 1.7 million person years
Authors: Lee Cecilia S. , Lee Michael L. , Yanagihara Ryan T. , Lee Aaron Y.
Published: June 2020

Background/Objectives

To determine the predictors of narrow angle detection in a United States population-based cohort.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective cohort study using the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database. Demographic information of all patients and eye care provider information during the years 2011–2015 were extracted from Massachusetts All Payers Claims Data. All payers who received eye care during 1/1/2012–12/31/2015 without any previous eye visit during 2011 were included in the analyses. Laser peripheral iridotomy was identified by Current Procedural Terminology code 66761. Narrow angle detection was defined as the diagnosis of narrow angles by diagnosis code followed by a laser peripheral iridotomy procedure. Different predictors of narrow angle detection were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curves with the log rank and Cox regression modeling.

Results

A total of 1,082,144 patients were included. The hazard ratio of narrow angle detection increased with age compared to the reference group of 0–10 years: 21–30 years of age (hazard ratio = 4.5), 31–40 (10.5), 41–50 (27.9), 51–60 (46.1), 61–70 (68.4), 71–80 (56.8) (all p < 0.0002), was 1.47 times higher in women and 1.85 times higher if evaluated by ophthalmologists compared to optometrists, after controlling for provider × time interaction.

Conclusion

Older age and female sex are associated with narrow angles. The rate of narrow angle detection was significantly higher if patients are seen by ophthalmologists compared to optometrists only. Evaluation with an ophthalmologist may be important for patients at high risks for developing primary angle closure glaucoma.
Perceptual fusion of musical notes by native Amazonians suggests universal representations of musical intervals
Authors: McPherson Malinda J. , Dolan Sophia E. , Durango Alex , Ossandon Tomas , Valdés Joaquín , Undurraga Eduardo A. , Jacoby Nori , Godoy Ricardo A. , McDermott Josh H.
Published: June 2020

Music perception is plausibly constrained by universal perceptual mechanisms adapted to natural sounds. Such constraints could arise from our dependence on harmonic frequency spectra for segregating concurrent sounds, but evidence has been circumstantial. We measured the extent to which concurrent musical notes are misperceived as a single sound, testing Westerners as well as native Amazonians with limited exposure to Western music. Both groups were more likely to mistake note combinations related by simple integer ratios as single sounds (‘fusion’). Thus, even with little exposure to Western harmony, acoustic constraints on sound segregation appear to induce perceptual structure on note combinations. However, fusion did not predict aesthetic judgments of intervals in Westerners, or in Amazonians, who were indifferent to consonance/dissonance. The results suggest universal perceptual mechanisms that could help explain cross-cultural regularities in musical systems, but indicate that these mechanisms interact with culture-specific influences to produce musical phenomena such as consonance.
Polyamine regulation of ion channel assembly and implications for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor pharmacology
Authors: Dhara Madhurima , Matta Jose A. , Lei Min , Knowland Daniel , Yu Hong , Gu Shenyan , Bredt David S.
Published: June 2020

Small molecule polyamines are abundant in all life forms and participate in diverse aspects of cell growth and differentiation. Spermidine/spermine acetyltransferase (SAT1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine catabolism and a primary genetic risk factor for suicidality. Here, using genome-wide screening, we find that SAT1 selectively controls nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) biogenesis. SAT1 specifically augments assembly of nAChRs containing α7 or α4β2, but not α6 subunits. Polyamines are classically studied as regulators of ion channel gating that engage the nAChR channel pore. In contrast, we find polyamine effects on assembly involve the nAChR cytosolic loop. Neurological studies link brain polyamines with neurodegenerative conditions. Our pharmacological and transgenic animal studies find that reducing polyamines enhances cortical neuron nAChR expression and augments nicotine-mediated neuroprotection. Taken together, we describe a most unexpected role for polyamines in regulating ion channel assembly, which provides a new avenue for nAChR neuropharmacology.
Temperature elevation in tissue detected in vivo based on statistical analysis of ultrasonic scattered echoes
Authors: Takeuchi Michio , Sakai Toshihiko , Andocs Gabor , Takao Keizo , Nagaoka Ryo , Hasegawa Hideyuki
Published: June 2020

It is demanded to monitor temperature in tissue during oncological hyperthermia therapy. In the present study, we non-invasively measured the temperature elevation inside the abdominal cavity and tumour tissue of a living rat induced by capacitive-coupled radiofrequency heating. In the analysis of ultrasound scattered echoes, the Nakagami shape parameter m in each region of interest was estimated at each temperature. The Nakagami shape parameter m has temperature dependence; hence, the temperature increase inside tissue specimens can be detected with the m values. By carrying out in vivo experiments, we visualized the temperature increase inside the abdominal cavity and tumour tissue of living rats using two-dimensional hot-scale images indicating the absolute values of the ratio changes of the m values. In both the abdominal cavity and tumour tissue, the brightness in the hot-scale images clearly increased with increasing temperature. The increases in brightness in the hot-scale images imply the temperature elevations inside the abdominal cavity and tumour tissue of the living rats. The study results prove that the acoustic method we proposed is a promising method for monitoring changes in the internal temperature of the human body under hyperthermia treatment.
Assessing distribution shifts and ecophysiological characteristics of the only Antarctic winged midge under climate change scenarios
Authors: Contador Tamara , Gañan Melisa , Bizama Gustavo , Fuentes-Jaque Guillermo , Morales Luis , Rendoll Javier , Simoes Felipe , Kennedy James , Rozzi Ricardo , Convey Peter
Published: June 2020

Parts of Antarctica were amongst the most rapidly changing regions of the planet during the second half of the Twentieth Century. Even so, today, most of Antarctica remains in the grip of continental ice sheets, with only about 0.2% of its overall area being ice-free. The continent’s terrestrial fauna consists only of invertebrates, with just two native species of insects, the chironomid midgesParochlus steineniiandBelgica antarctica. We integrate ecophysiological information with the development of new high-resolution climatic layers for Antarctica, to better understand how the distribution ofP. steineniimay respond to change over the next century under different IPCC climate change scenarios. We conclude that the species has the potential to expand its distribution to include parts of the west and east coasts of the Antarctic Peninsula and even coastal ice-free areas in parts of continental Antarctica. We proposeP. steineniias an effective native sentinel and indicator species of climate change in the Antarctic.