bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public policies against criminal assets in mexico: challenges and opportunities from the north border states
Authors: Estrada Pedro R. Torres , Bagatella Juan C. Montero , Ferrel Carlos Vázquez , Mariño Sylvia C. García
Published: June 2021

Given its vast border with the United States, Mexico is a strategic trade and economic development region, which creates significant challenges in combating crime and violence. In recent years, Mexico´s federal and state governments have focused their efforts on the development of strategies to combat and weaken the criminal structures operating in the country by using legal instruments such as seizure, abandonment, and extinction of domain. This study seeks to identify the challenges faced by the states of Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, and Tamaulipas in their efforts to combat crime through the collection of primary and secondary data and interviews with key actors. Mexico faces major challenges in the development of public policies to fortify the legal precepts of extinction of domain, in addition to fostering institutional links with the Financial and Patrimonial Intelligence Units of Mexico's northern Border States. There are few studies about subnational efforts for asset forfeiture as a policy instrument against criminal elements in developing countries. The Mexican case presents important subnational efforts to improve security strategies that may provide guidance for other subnational governments or regions that may be facing similar challenges or are pursuing parallel initiatives.
Resource and dependency based test case generation for RESTful Web services
Authors: Zhang Man , Marculescu Bogdan , Arcuri Andrea
Published: June 2021

Nowadays, RESTful web services are widely used for building enterprise applications. REST is not a protocol, but rather it defines a set of guidelines on how to design APIs to access and manipulate resources using HTTP over a network. In this paper, we propose an enhanced search-based method for automated system test generation for RESTful web services, by exploiting domain knowledge on the handling of HTTP resources. The proposed techniques use domain knowledge specific to RESTful web services and a set of effective templates to structure test actions (i.e., ordered sequences of HTTP calls) within an individual in the evolutionary search. The action templates are developed based on the semantics of HTTP methods and are used to manipulate the web services’ resources. In addition, we propose five novel sampling strategies with four sampling methods (i.e., resource-based sampling) for the test cases that can use one or more of these templates. The strategies are further supported with a set of new, specialized mutation operators (i.e., resource-based mutation) in the evolutionary search that take into account the use of these resources in the generated test cases. Moreover, we propose a novel dependency handling to detect possible dependencies among the resources in the tested applications. The resource-based sampling and mutations are then enhanced by exploiting the information of these detected dependencies. To evaluate our approach, we implemented it as an extension to the EvoMaster tool, and conducted an empirical study with two selected baselines on 7 open-source and 12 synthetic RESTful web services. Results show that our novel resource-based approach with dependency handling obtains a significant improvement in performance over the baselines, e.g., up to + 130.7% relative improvement (growing from + 27.9% to + 64.3%) on line coverage.
Defamiliarizing Technology, Habituation, and the Need for a Structuralist Approach
Authors: Coeckelbergh Mark
Published: June 2021

In response to my article “Earth, Technology, Language”, Christopher Müller asks whether use-oriented theory and Wittgensteinian language can capture the structural relations of power that shape habituation and argues that digital media do not provide opportunities for empowerment and democracy because there is no co-ownership. In my reply I argue that I have shown that this can be done with the broader conception of use I propose, that the grammar of technology should also be understood in terms of implicit knowledge, and that technology, like language, also has a public dimension: I claim that there is no such thing as a private technology or private power, and that some degree of co-ownership or resistance is possible. In the second part of the paper I reply to Bas de Boer’s questioning of my criticism of postsphenomenology. I insist that postphenomenology does not have the full instrumentarium to carry out an adequate and comprehensive analysis of the social dimension of technology use, and that it is important to attend to the structural dimension of technology, with or without use of the term ‘transcendental’. I clarify my use of the term as referring to conditions of possibility.
Between communism and capitalism: long-term inequality in Poland, 1892–2015
Authors: Bukowski Paweł , Novokmet Filip
Published: June 2021

We construct the first consistent series on the long-term distribution of income in Poland by combining tax, household survey and national accounts data. We document a U-shaped evolution of inequalities from the end of the nineteenth century until today: (1) inequality was high before WWII; (2) abruptly fell after the introduction of communism in 1947 and stagnated at low levels during the whole communist period; (3) experienced a sharp rise with the return to capitalism in 1989. We find that official survey-based measures strongly under-estimate the rise in inequality since 1989. Our results highlight the prominent role of capital income in driving the U-shaped evolution of top income shares. The unique inequality history of Poland speaks to the central role of institutions and policies in shaping inequality in the long run.
An analytic description of the creep deformation of metals in the ultrasonic field
Authors: Rusinko Andrew , Alhilfi Ali H. , Rusinko Morika
Published: June 2021

The effect of superimposed ultrasonic vibration on the primary creep of metals is modeled in terms of the synthetic theory of irrecoverable deformation. We consider two sonication modes: (i) the ultrasound acts continuously during the deformation, and (ii) the ultrasound is periodically on and off. Whereas both cases show a significant increase in primary creep, the periodical sonication leads to higher deformation values. To catch the phenomenon of ultrasound-assisted creep, we extend the flow rule equation by a term that accounts for the process occurring on the microlevel of material induced by ultrasound.
A pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation program in Qatar: an exploration of pharmacists’ and patients’ perspectives of the program
Authors: El Hajj Maguy Saffouh , Sheikh Ali Saba Abdal Salam , Awaisu Ahmed , Saleh Rana , Kheir Nadir , Shami Rula
Published: June 2021

Background Tobacco use is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. An intensive pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation program was implemented in eight primary care pharmacies in Qatar. Objective This study aimed to qualitatively explore the perspectives of pharmacists and patients regarding their experiences in the program and their recommendations for improving it. Setting Primary care in Doha, Qatar. Method This study used a qualitative case study approach with semi-structured interviews of a sample of patients and pharmacists who participated in the program. Interviews were conducted between October 2016 and June 2017, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic approach for data analysis was used. Main outcome measures Perspectives of pharmacists and patients. Results Pharmacists who delivered the program (n = 17) and patients who completed the program’s outcomes assessment (n = 68) were invited through telephone call or email. Eight pharmacists and 22 patients were interviewed. Seven themes emerged: (1) both pharmacists and patients had positive experiences and both considered pharmacists as among the most suitable healthcare providers to provide smoking cessation interventions (2) both pharmacist and patient participants indicated that the program provided successful services (3) pharmacists identified several challenges for implementing the program including difficulty in motivating and in following-up patients, workplace barriers, communication and cultural barriers, (4) both pharmacists and patients perceived several barriers for quitting including lack of motivation to quit or to commit to the plan, high nicotine dependence, stress and personal problems (5) both pharmacists and patients considered several patient-related facilitators for quitting including development of smoking related complications, religious beliefs and external support; (6) use of smoking cessation medications was considered a program-related facilitator for quitting by patients whereas behavioral therapy was perceived to be a facilitator by pharmacists (7) pharmacists and patients proposed strategies for program improvement including enhancing pharmacist training and patient recruitment. Conclusion The program was perceived to be beneficial in helping patients quit smoking, and it positively contributed to advancing pharmacist role. The study findings can guide future development of successful pharmacist’ smoking cessation programs in Qatar.
Memory, the fork asymmetry, and the initial state
Authors: Stradis Athamos
Published: June 2021

Why do we have records of the past and not the future? Entropic explanations for this ‘record asymmetry’ have been popular ever since Boltzmann. Foremost amongst these is Albert and Loewer’s account, which explains the record asymmetry using a low-entropy initial macrostate (the ‘Past Hypothesis’) plus an initial probability distribution. However, the details of how this initial state underpins the record asymmetry are not fully specified. In this paper I attempt to plug this explanatory gap in two steps. First, I suggest the record asymmetry is more immediately explained by the ‘fork asymmetry’, which their picture omits. Second, by relating the fork asymmetry to an initial state that’s metaphysically similar to theirs, I clarify how this ultimately underpins the record asymmetry.
Combined effects of PNPLA3, TM6SF2 and HSD17B13 variants on severity of biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Paternostro Rafael , Staufer Katharina , Traussnigg Stefan , Stättermayer Albert-Friedrich , Halilbasic Emina , Keritam Omar , Meyer Elias L. , Stift Judith , Wrba Fritz , Sipos Bence , Canbay Ali , Schlattjan Martin , Aigner Elmar , Datz Christian , Stickel Felix , Schafmayer Clemens , Hampe Jochen , Buch Stephan , Prager Gerhard , Munda Petra , Mandorfer Mattias , Ferenci Peter , Trauner Michael
Published: June 2021

Objective

Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been identified to be disadvantageous or protective in regard to disease severity in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, it is unclear, whether including genetic risk factor(s) either alone or combined into risk stratification algorithms for NAFLD actually provides incremental benefit over clinical risk factors.

Design

Patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were genotyped for the PNPLA3-rs738409(minor allele:G), TM6SF2-rs58542926(minor allele:T) and HSD17B13- rs72613567 (minor allele:TA) variants. The NAFLD activity score (NAS) and fibrosis stage (F0–F4) were used to grade and stage all liver biopsy samples. Patients from seven centers throughout Central Europe were considered for the study.

Results

703 patients were included: NAS ≥ 5:173(24.6%); Fibrosis: F3–4:81(11.5%). PNPLA3 G/G genotype was associated with a NAS ≥ 5(aOR 2.23, p = 0.007) and advanced fibrosis (aOR-3.48, p < 0.001).TM6SF2 T/- was associated with advanced fibrosis (aOR 1.99, p = 0.023). HSD17B13 TA/- was associated with a lower probability of NAS ≥ 5(TA/T: aOR 0.65, p = 0.041, TA/TA: aOR 0.40, p = 0.033). Regarding the predictive capability for NAS ≥ 5, well-known risk factors (age, sex, BMI, diabetes, and ALT; baseline model) had an AUC of 0.758, Addition of PNPLA3(AUC 0.766), HSB17B13(AUC 0.766), and their combination(AUC 0.775), but not of TM6SF2(AUC 0.762), resulted in a higher diagnostic accuracy of the model. Addition of genetic markers for the prediction of advanced fibrosis (baseline model: age, sex, BMI, diabetes: AUC 0.777) resulted in a higher AUC if PNPLA3(AUC 0.789), and TM6SF2(AUC 0.786) but not if HSD17B13(0.777) were added.

Conclusion

In biopsy-proven NAFLD, PNPLA3 G/-, TM6SF2 T/- and HSD17B13 TA/- carriage are associated with severity of NAFLD. Incorporating these genetic risk factors into risk stratification models might improve their predictive accuracy for severity of NAFLD and/or advanced fibrosis on liver biopsy.
Photocatalytic Synthesis of High-Energy-Density Fuel: Catalysts, Mechanisms, and Challenges
Authors: Xiao Jie , Zhang Jiaxiang , Pan Lun , Shi Chengxiang , Zhang Xiangwen , Zou Ji-Jun
Published: June 2021

High-energy-density liquid hydrocarbon fuels are generally synthesized using various chemical reactions to improve the performance (e.g., range, load, speed) of aerospace vehicles. Compared with conventional fuels, such as aviation kerosene and rocket kerosene, these liquid hydrocarbon fuels possess the advantages of high-energy-density and high volumetric calorific value; therefore, the fuels have important application value. The photocatalytic process has shown great potential for the synthesis of a diverse range of fuels on account of its unique properties, which include good efficiency, clean atomic economy, and low energy consumption. These characteristics have led to the emergence of the photocatalytic process as a promising complement and alternative to traditional thermocatalytic reactions for fuel synthesis. Extensive effort has been made toward the construction of catalysts for the multiple photocatalytic syntheses of high-energy-density fuels. In this review, we aim to summarize the research progress on the photocatalytic synthesis of high-energy-density fuel by using homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Specifically, the synthesis routes, catalysts, mechanistic features, and future challenges for the photocatalytic synthesis of high-energy-density fuel are described in detail. The highlights of this review not only promote the development of the photocatalytic synthesis of high-energy-density fuel but also expand the applications of photocatalysis to other fields.

Graphic abstract
The distribution of wealth in Spain and the USA: the role of socioeconomic factors
Authors: Salas-Rojo Pedro , Rodríguez Juan Gabriel
Published: June 2021

The literature has typically found that the distribution of socioeconomic factors like education, labor status and income does not account for the remarkable wealth inequality disparities between countries. As a result, their different institutions and other latent factors receive all the credit. Here, we propose to focus on one type of wealth inequality, the inequality of opportunities (IOp) in wealth: the share of overall wealth inequality explained by circumstances like inheritances and parental education. By means of a counterfactual decomposition method, we find that imposing the distribution of socioeconomic factors of the USA into Spain has little effect on total, financial and real estate wealth inequality. On the contrary, these factors play an important role when wealth IOp is considered. A Shapley value decomposition shows that the distribution of education and labor status in the USA consistently increase wealth IOp when imposed into Spain, whereas the opposite effect is found for the distribution of income.
Searching for new molecular markers for cells obtained from abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Lesiak Marta , Augusciak-Duma Aleksandra , Stepien Karolina L. , Fus-Kujawa Agnieszka , Botor Malwina , Sieron Aleksander L.
Published: June 2021

The aim of the study was to investigate specific potential markers for cells obtained from three layers of human AAA divided into three segments along the AAA based on morphological differences. The isolated cells were compared to control commercial cell types from healthy human abdominal aortas. For each type of aortic layer, three specimens from 6 patients were compared. Total RNA was isolated from 36 cell cultures for gene expression profiling and potential new cytometry markers were typed. Isolated cells were analyzed by flow cytometry by using fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies to markers: CNN1, MYH10, ENG, ICAM2, and TEK. The relative expression of 45 genes in primary cell cultures and control lines was analyzed. Statistically significant differences were found in the expression of most of the analyzed genes between individual layers and control lines. Based on relative expression, antibodies were selected for flow cytometry. Gene expression profiles allowed to select new potential cytometry markers: CNN1, MYH10, MYOCD, ENG, ICAM2, TEK. However, none of the tested markers seems to be optimal and characteristic for a specific layer of AAA.
What Influences Coital Frequency Among Chinese Men?: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Xiang Yali , Peng Jingxuan , Yang Jianfu , Tang Yuxin , Li Dongjie
Published: June 2021

Introduction

There are many Western reports on factors influencing coital frequency among men. However, no articles could be found about the factors influencing sexual activity among Chinese men.

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify the factors that influence the coital frequency of Chinese men.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measures included self-reported monthly coital frequency, age, occupation, education level, andrology-related scales and dietary habits.

Methods

Data for 1,407 men aged 18–79 years were collected in the Health Management Center of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2019 to May 2019. The respondents completed the questionnaires independently or with the help of an interviewer (who read or explained the questionnaires to them) to analyse the factors that influence coital frequency.

Results

In the previous 6 months, the sample had a mean monthly coital frequency (±SD) of 4.34 ± 3.18. Univariate logistic regression results indicated that the number of children (P = 0.004), IIEF-5 scores (P <0.001), EHSs (P <0.001) and frequency of milk consumption (P = 0.001) were associated with more frequent sexual activity. These statistical associations did not change after further adjustment for age, occupation, and reproductive history. We observed that the frequency of sexual activity showed an increasing trend with a greater number of children, higher IIEF-5 scores, higher EHSs and greater frequency of milk consumption (test for trend, P<0.05). Both univariate and multivariate analysis results indicated that the frequency of sexual activity decreased with increasing age (test for trend, P<0.001).

Conclusion

The coital frequency of Chinese men is associated with erectile function, anthropometric parameters, age, occupation, and dietary habits.
Music in Elizabethan Court Politics
Authors: Butler Katherine
Published: June 2021

Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) had a strong reputation for musicality; her court musicians, Thomas Tallis and William Byrd, even suggested that music was indispensable to the state. But what roles did music play in Elizabethan court politics? How did a musical image assist the Queen in projecting her royal authority? What influence did her private performances have on her courtships, diplomatic affairs, and relationships with courtiers? To what extent did Elizabeth control court music, or could others appropriate performances to enhance their own status and achieve their ambitions? Could noblemen, civic leaders, or even musicians take advantage of Elizabeth's love of music to present their complaints and petitions in song? This book unravels the connotations surrounding Elizabeth's musical image and traces the political roles of music at the Elizabethan court. It scrutinizes the most intimate performances within the Privy Chamber, analyses the masques and plays performed in the palaces, and explores the grandest musical pageantry of tournaments, civic entries, and royal progresses. This reveals how music served as a valuable means for both the tactful influencing of policies and patronage, and the construction of political identities and relationships. In the late Tudor period music was simultaneously a tool of authority for the monarch and an instrumentof persuasion for the nobility. Katherine Butler is a researcher and tutor at the University of Oxford.
The Medieval Clothier
Authors: Lee John S.
Published: June 2021

A clear and accessibly written guide to the medieval cloth-making trade in England.
Impairment in Health-Related Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors
Authors: Joundi Raed A. , Patten Scott B. , Lukmanji Aysha , Williams Jeanne V. A. , Smith Eric E.
Published: June 2021

Introduction:

Health utility instruments are increasingly being used to measure impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after stroke. Population-based studies of HRQoL after stroke and assessment of differences by age and functional domain are needed.

Methods:

We used the Canadian Community Health Survey linked with administrative databases to determine HRQoL using the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) among those with prior hospitalization or emergency department visit for stroke and compared to controls without stroke. We used multivariable linear regression to determine the difference in HUI3 between those with stroke and controls for the global index and individual attributes, with assessment for modification by age (<60, 60–74, and 75+ years) and sex, and we combined estimates across survey years using random effects meta-analysis.

Results:

Our cohort contained 1240 stroke survivors and 123,765 controls and was weighted to be representative of the Canadian household population. Mean health utility was 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58, 0.68) for those with stroke and 0.83 (95% CI 0.82, 0.84) for controls. There was significant modification by age, but not sex, with the greatest adjusted reduction in HUI3 among stroke respondents aged 60–74 years. Individual HUI3 attributes with the largest reductions in utility among stroke survivors compared to controls were mobility, cognition, emotion, and pain.

Conclusions:

In this population-based study, the reduction in HUI3 among stroke survivors compared to controls was greatest among respondents aged 60–74, and in attributes of mobility, cognition, emotion, and pain. These results highlight the persistent impairment of HRQoL in the chronic phase of stroke and potential targets for community support.
Ketonuria and Seizure Control in the Medium Chain Triglyceride and Classic Ketogenic Diets
Authors: Lowe Helen , Keller Anne E. , Tanzini Elise , Aimola Sabrina , Liu Y. M. Christiana , Zak Maria , Chan Valerie , Kobayashi Jeff , Donner Elizabeth J.
Published: June 2021

We hypothesized that children receiving medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet (MCTKD) experience similar seizure reduction despite lower ketosis compared with classic ketogenic diet (CKD). Children initiating CKD or MCTKD were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Forty-five children completed 6 months of KD (n = 17 MCTKD, n = 28 CKD). The proportion achieving ≥50% seizure reduction was 71% CKD group and 59% MCTKD group; ≥90% reduction was 32% and 36% in CKD and MCTKD groups, respectively. CKD had higher urine ketones (≥8 mmol/L: 79% vs. 36%, p = 0.005). Children receiving MCTKD experience similar seizure control to CKD despite lower urine ketone measures.
Performance of 13 crop simulation models and their ensemble for simulating four field crops in Central Europe
Authors: Kostková M. , Hlavinka P. , Pohanková E. , Kersebaum K. C. , Nendel C. , Gobin A. , Olesen J. E. , Ferrise R. , Dibari C. , Takáč J. , Topaj A. , Medvedev S. , Hoffmann M. P. , Stella T. , Balek J. , Ruiz-Ramos M. , Rodríguez A. , Hoogenboom G. , Shelia V. , Ventrella D. , Giglio L. , Sharif B. , Oztürk I. , Rötter R. P. , Balkovič J. , Skalský R. , Moriondo M. , Thaler S. , Žalud Z. , Trnka M.
Published: June 2021

The main aim of the current study was to present the abilities of widely used crop models to simulate four different field crops (winter wheat, spring barley, silage maize and winter oilseed rape). The 13 models were tested under Central European conditions represented by three locations in the Czech Republic, selected using temperature and precipitation gradients for the target crops in this region. Based on observed crop phenology and yield from 1991 to 2010, performances of individual models and their ensemble were analyzed. Modelling of anthesis and maturity was generally best simulated by the ensemble median (EnsMED) compared to the ensemble mean and individual models. The yield was better simulated by the best models than estimated by an ensemble. Higher accuracy was achieved for spring crops, with the best results for silage maize, while the lowest accuracy was for winter oilseed rape according to the index of agreement (IA). Based on EnsMED, the root mean square errors (RMSEs) for yield was 1365 kg/ha for winter wheat, 1105 kg/ha for spring barley, 1861 kg/ha for silage maize and 969 kg/ha for winter oilseed rape. The AQUACROP and EPIC models performed best in terms of spread around the line of best fit (RMSE, IA). In some cases, the individual models failed. For crop rotation simulations, only models with reasonable accuracy (i.e. without failures) across all included crops within the target environment should be selected. Application crop models ensemble is one way to increase the accuracy of predictions, but lower variability of ensemble outputs was confirmed.
Continuity of antipsychotic medication use among migrant and Finnish-born populations with a psychotic disorder: a register-based study
Authors: Lehti Venla , Taipale Heidi , Gissler Mika , Tanskanen Antti , Elonheimo Martta , Tiihonen Jari , Suvisaari Jaana
Published: June 2021

Background

Higher incidence of psychotic disorders and underuse of mental health services have been reported among many migrant populations. This study examines the initiation and continuity of antipsychotic treatment among migrants and non-migrants with a non-affective psychosis during a new treatment episode.

Methods

This study is based on a nationwide sample of migrants and Finnish-born controls. Participants who were diagnosed with a psychotic disorder in 2011–2014 were identified from the Care Register for Health Care (n = 1693). Information on purchases of antipsychotic drugs in 2011–2015 was collected from the National Prescription Register. The duration of antipsychotic treatment since diagnosis was estimated using the PRE2DUP model. Cox regression analysis was used to study factors that are associated with discontinuing the use of medication.

Results

There were fewer initiators of antipsychotic treatment after being diagnosed with psychosis among migrants (68.1%) than among Finnish-born patients (73.6%). After controlling for sociodemographic background and factors related to the type of disorder and treatment, migrants were more likely to discontinue medication (adjusted hazard ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.08–1.52). The risk of discontinuation was highest among migrants from North Africa and the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa and among recent migrants. Non-use of antipsychotic treatment before being diagnosed with psychosis, involuntary hospitalization and diagnosis other than schizophrenia were associated with earlier discontinuation both among migrants and non-migrants.

Conclusions

Migrants with a psychotic disorder are less likely to continue antipsychotic treatment than non-migrants. The needs of migrant patients have to be addressed to improve adherence.
Anglo–Vietnamese diplomatic relationship in the seventeenth century: the case of the English East India Company
Authors: Tran Ngoc Dung
Published: June 2021

Drawing on primary materials from the English East India Company (EIC) archives in the British Library (London, UK), this article investigates the early diplomatic encounters between England and Vietnam (Tonkin and Cochinchina) in the seventeenth century. Previous studies have mostly focused on the English trade in Vietnam in that period and their diplomatic missions from the late eighteenth century to 1858 but partly neglected their diplomacy in their first connections with Vietnam (1614–1705). This article thus investigates how the EIC adapted its gift-giving diplomacy to the diverse and shifting political landscape of the Tonkin and Cochinchina kingdoms. While the Trịnh Lords in Tonkin severely limited diplomatic and trade exchanges with EIC agents and other European traders, the Nguyễn Lords in Cochinchina welcomed relations with EIC representatives as it served their ambition to facilitate trade and establish military alliances with other powerful actors in the region.
Storm Waves May Be the Source of Some “Tsunami” Coastal Boulder Deposits
Authors: Kennedy Andrew B. , Cox Rónadh , Dias Frédéric
Published: June 2021

Coastal boulder deposits (CBD) provide what are sometimes the only remaining signatures of wave inundation on rocky coastlines; in recent decades, CBD combined with initiation of motion (IoM) analyses have repeatedly been used as primary evidence to infer the existence of ancient tsunamis. However, IoM storm wave heights inferred by these studies have been shown to be highly inaccurate, bringing some inferences into question. This work develops a dimensionless framework to relate CBD properties with storm‐wave hindcasts and measurements, producing data‐driven relations between wave climate and boulder properties. We present an elevation‐density‐size‐inland distance‐wave height analysis for individual storm‐transported boulders which delineates the dynamic space where storm‐wave CBD occur. Testing these new relations against presumed tsunami CBD demonstrates that some fall well within the capabilities of storm events, suggesting that some previous studies might be fruitfully reexamined within the context of this new framework.
Evidence of the 1950 Great Assam Earthquake Surface Break Along the Mishmi Thrust at Namche Barwa Himalayan Syntaxis
Authors: Singh Ishwar , Pandey Arjun , Mishra Rajeeb Lochan , Priyanka Rao Singh , Brice Atul , Jayangondaperumal R. , Srivastava Vaibhav
Published: June 2021

Paleoseismological trenching at Kamlang Nagar along the Mishmi Thrust in the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis, aided by radiocarbon analyses of charcoals yielding ages of 1111–914 B.C. to A.D. 1761–1968 infer primary evidences of co‐seismic surface faulting. Correlation with results of an earlier paleoseismological study indicates two successive surface rupturing earthquakes at ∼1800‐years interval, the most recent event very likely corresponding to the 1950 Assam earthquake (Mw 8.6). A dip‐slip displacement of 24.6 ± 4.6 m was estimated along a 25 ± 5°E dipping fault during the 1950 earthquake. Our study suggests dual surface faulting by the 1950 event along two orthogonal fault systems, that is, the Himalayan Frontal Thrust and the Mishmi Thrust. It thus emphasizes that, the seismicity pattern in the Mishmi Range where the locked zone of the Main Himalayan Thrust extends beyond the suture zone, is unlike that of the western and central Himalaya.
Evaporation Through a Dry Soil Layer: Column Experiments
Authors: Balugani E. , Lubczynski M. W. , Metselaar K.
Published: June 2021

Modeling of water vapor transport through a dry soil layer (DSL), typically formed in the top soil during dry seasons in arid and semi‐arid areas, is still problematic. Previous laboratory experiments in controlled environments showed that the only vapor transport process through the DSL is by Fick's law of diffusion. However, field experiments exhibited consistently higher evaporation rates than predicted by diffusion flow only. Some proposed reasons for the mismatch were: (a) daily cycles of condensation and evaporation in the DSL due to changes in solar radiation; (b) wind effects on air movement in the DSL; (c) atmospheric pressure fluctuations; (d) nonlinear influence of the DSL thickness on the evaporation process. To link the laboratory experiments with field observations, we performed soil column experiments in the laboratory with thick (>50 cm) DSL, and with different wind speeds, two radiative lamp schedules (continuous and 12 h daily cycles) and different thicknesses of DSL. Atmospheric pressure, air temperature and humidity were measured continuously. The results show that the evaporation rates observed are larger than those predicted by diffusion flow only. We found that it was possible to model the evaporation rates as a function of atmospheric pressure fluctuations. In conclusion, atmospheric pressure fluctuations can induce evaporation rates in DSL larger than estimated by diffusion flow only, possibly explaining the discrepancy between laboratory and field evaporation rates.
A Single‐Year Cosmic Ray Event at 5410 BCE Registered in 14C of Tree Rings
Authors: Miyake F. , Panyushkina I. P. , Jull A. J. T. , Adolphi F. , Brehm N. , Helama S. , Kanzawa K. , Moriya T. , Muscheler R. , Nicolussi K. , Oinonen M. , Salzer M. , Takeyama M. , Tokanai F. , Wacker L.
Published: June 2021

The annual 14C data in tree rings is an outstanding proxy for uncovering extreme solar energetic particle (SEP) events in the past. Signatures of extreme SEP events have been reported in 774/775 CE, 992/993 CE, and ∼660 BCE. Here, we report another rapid increase of 14C concentration in tree rings from California, Switzerland, and Finland around 5410 BCE. These 14C data series show a significant increase of ∼6‰ in 5411–5410 BCE. The signature of 14C variation is very similar to the confirmed three SEP events and points to an extreme short‐term flux of cosmic ray radiation into the atmosphere. The rapid 14C increase in 5411/5410 BCE rings occurred during a period of high solar activity and 60 years after a grand 14C excursion during 5481–5471 BCE. The similarity of our 14C data to previous events suggests that the origin of the 5410 BCE event is an extreme SEP event.
Drivers of Summer Extreme Precipitation Events Over East China
Authors: Tang Yong , Huang Anning , Wu Peili , Huang Danqing , Xue Daokai , Wu Yang
Published: June 2021

Extreme summer precipitation often associated with flash floods has devastating impact on the local economies and livelihood of millions of people over East China. Tracking down the drivers of those extreme events will help to understand their formation mechanisms and to improve forecasts. Here the synoptic patterns associated with summer extreme precipitation events over East China during 1961–2018 have been identified systematically and quantitatively using a circulation clustering method. The results show that regional events over East China are dominated by the Eastern Asian summer monsoon associated Meiyu front, landfalling tropical cyclones and low‐pressure vortices. Most sub‐regions have seen increasing trends of extreme rainfall events during the past 6 decades with comparable contributions from the two main drivers. There was a decreasing trend over the North China Plain driven by the low‐level southeasterly winds.
Gata2-L359V impairs primitive and definitive hematopoiesis and blocks cell differentiation in murine chronic myelogenous leukemia model
Authors: Fu Ya-Kai , Tan Yun , Wu Bo , Dai Yu-Ting , Xu Xiao-Guang , Pan Meng-Meng , Chen Zhi-Wei , Qiao Niu , Wu Jing , Jiang Lu , Lu Jing , Chen Bing , Rein Avigail , Izraeli Shai , Sun Xiao-Jian , Huang Jin-Yan , Huang Qiu-Hua , Chen Zhu , Chen Sai-Juan
Published: June 2021

GATA2, a key transcription factor in hematopoiesis, is frequently mutated in hematopoietic malignancies. How the GATA2 mutants contribute to hematopoiesis and malignant transformation remains largely unexplored. Here, we report that Gata2-L359V mutation impeded hematopoietic differentiation in murine embryonic and adult hematopoiesis and blocked murine chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell differentiation. We established a Gata2-L359V knockin mouse model in which the homozygous Gata2-L359V mutation caused major defects in primitive erythropoiesis with an accumulation of erythroid precursors and severe anemia, leading to embryonic lethality around E11.5. During adult life, the Gata2-L359V heterozygous mice exhibited a notable decrease in bone marrow (BM) recovery under stress induction with cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil. Using RNA sequencing, it was revealed that homozygous Gata2-L359V suppressed genes related to embryonic hematopoiesis in yolk sac, while heterozygous Gata2-L359V dysregulated genes related to cell cycle and proliferation in BM Lin-Sca1+c-kit+ cells. Furthermore, through chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and transactivation experiments, we found that this mutation enhanced the DNA-binding capacity and transcriptional activities of Gata2, which was likely associated with the altered expression of some essential genes during embryonic and adult hematopoiesis. In mice model harboring BCR/ABL, single-cell RNA-sequencing demonstrated that Gata2-L359V induced additional gene expression profile abnormalities and partially affected cell differentiation at the early stage of myelomonocytic lineage, evidenced by the increase of granulocyte–monocyte progenitors and monocytosis. Taken together, our study unveiled that Gata2-L359V mutation induces defective hematopoietic development and blocks the differentiation of CML cells.
FKBP39 controls nutrient dependent Nprl3 expression and TORC1 activity in Drosophila
Authors: Zhou Ying , Guo Jian , Wang Xinyu , Cheng Yang , Guan Jianwen , Barman Priyam , Sun Ming-An , Fu Yuanyuan , Wei Wanhong , Feng Congjing , Lilly Mary A. , Wei Youheng
Published: June 2021

Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1) is a master regulator that coordinates nutrient status with cell metabolism. The GTPase-activating protein towards Rags complex 1 (GATOR1) inhibits TORC1 activity and protects cells from damage during periods of stress. Here we characterize multiple pathways that regulate the expression of the GATOR1 component Nprl3 in Drosophila. We determine that the stability of Nprl3 is impacted by the Unassembled Soluble Complex Proteins Degradation (USPD) pathway. In addition, we find that FK506 binding protein 39 (FKBP39)-dependent proteolytic destruction maintains Nprl3 at low levels in nutrient replete conditions. Nutrient starvation abrogates the degradation of the Nprl3 protein and rapidly promotes Nprl3 accumulation. Consistent with a role in promoting the stability of a TORC1 inhibitor, mutations in fkbp39 decrease TORC1 activity and increase autophagy. Finally, we show that the 5′UTR of nprl3 transcripts contain a functional upstream open reading frame (uORF) that inhibits main ORF translation. In summary, our work has uncovered novel mechanisms of Nprl3 regulation and identifies an important role for FKBP39 in the control of cellular metabolism.
Germline deletion of chromosome 2p16-21 associated with Lynch syndrome
Authors: Natsume Soichiro , Yamaguchi Tatsuro , Eguchi Hidetaka , Okazaki Yasushi , Horiguchi Shin-ichiro , Ishida Hideyuki
Published: June 2021

We identified a Japanese patient with Lynch syndrome with a novel large germline deletion of chromosome 2p16-21, including the EPCAM, MSH2, and KCNK12 genes. The proband was a 46-year-old man with ascending colon cancer. The clinical significance of germline KCNK12 gene deletion, which encodes one of the subfamilies of two-pore-domain potassium channels, is still unknown.
Infant gut microbiome composition is associated with non-social fear behavior in a pilot study
Authors: Carlson Alexander L. , Xia Kai , Azcarate-Peril M. Andrea , Rosin Samuel P. , Fine Jason P. , Mu Wancen , Zopp Jared B. , Kimmel Mary C. , Styner Martin A. , Thompson Amanda L. , Propper Cathi B. , Knickmeyer Rebecca C.
Published: June 2021

Experimental manipulation of gut microbes in animal models alters fear behavior and relevant neurocircuitry. In humans, the first year of life is a key period for brain development, the emergence of fearfulness, and the establishment of the gut microbiome. Variation in the infant gut microbiome has previously been linked to cognitive development, but its relationship with fear behavior and neurocircuitry is unknown. In this pilot study of 34 infants, we find that 1-year gut microbiome composition (Weighted Unifrac; lower abundance of Bacteroides, increased abundance of Veillonella, Dialister, and Clostridiales) is significantly associated with increased fear behavior during a non-social fear paradigm. Infants with increased richness and reduced evenness of the 1-month microbiome also display increased non-social fear. This study indicates associations of the human infant gut microbiome with fear behavior and possible relationships with fear-related brain structures on the basis of a small cohort. As such, it represents an important step in understanding the role of the gut microbiome in the development of human fear behaviors, but requires further validation with a larger number of participants.
Atomistic insights into the nucleation and growth of platinum on palladium nanocrystals
Authors: Gao Wenpei , Elnabawy Ahmed O. , Hood Zachary D. , Shi Yifeng , Wang Xue , Roling Luke T. , Pan Xiaoqing , Mavrikakis Manos , Xia Younan , Chi Miaofang
Published: June 2021

Despite the large number of reports on colloidal nanocrystals, very little is known about the mechanistic details in terms of nucleation and growth at the atomistic level. Taking bimetallic core-shell nanocrystals as an example, here we integrate in situ liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy with first-principles calculations to shed light on the atomistic details involved in the nucleation and growth of Pt on Pd cubic seeds. We elucidate the roles played by key synthesis parameters, including capping agent and precursor concentration, in controlling the nucleation site, diffusion path, and growth pattern of the Pt atoms. When the faces of a cubic seed are capped by Br−, Pt atoms preferentially nucleate from corners and then diffuse to edges and faces for the creation of a uniform shell. The diffusion does not occur until the Pt deposited at the corner has reached a threshold thickness. At a high concentration of the precursor, self-nucleation takes place and the Pt clusters then randomly attach to the surface of a seed for the formation of a non-uniform shell. These atomistic insights offer a general guideline for the rational synthesis of nanocrystals with diverse compositions, structures, shapes, and related properties.
An antibody against L1 cell adhesion molecule inhibits cardiotoxicity by regulating persistent DNA damage
Authors: Nam Jae-Kyung , Kim A-Ram , Choi Seo-Hyun , Kim Ji-Hee , Choi Kyu Jin , Cho Seulki , Lee Jae Won , Cho Hyun-Jai , Kwon Yoo-Wook , Cho Jaeho , Kim Kwang Seok , Kim Joon , Lee Hae-June , Lee Tae Sup , Bae Sangwoo , Hong Hyo Jeong , Lee Yoon-Jin
Published: June 2021

Targeting the molecular pathways underlying the cardiotoxicity associated with thoracic irradiation and doxorubicin (Dox) could reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these anticancer treatments. Here, we find that vascular endothelial cells (ECs) with persistent DNA damage induced by irradiation and Dox treatment exhibit a fibrotic phenotype (endothelial–mesenchymal transition, EndMT) correlating with the colocalization of L1CAM and persistent DNA damage foci. We demonstrate that treatment with the anti-L1CAM antibody Ab417 decreases L1CAM overexpression and nuclear translocation and persistent DNA damage foci. We show that in whole-heart–irradiated mice, EC-specific p53 deletion increases vascular fibrosis and the colocalization of L1CAM and DNA damage foci, while Ab417 attenuates these effects. We also demonstrate that Ab417 prevents cardiac dysfunction-related decrease in fractional shortening and prolongs survival after whole-heart irradiation or Dox treatment. We show that cardiomyopathy patient-derived cardiovascular ECs with persistent DNA damage show upregulated L1CAM and EndMT, indicating clinical applicability of Ab417. We conclude that controlling vascular DNA damage by inhibiting nuclear L1CAM translocation might effectively prevent anticancer therapy-associated cardiotoxicity.
Toward a mechanistic understanding of electrocatalytic nanocarbon
Authors: Askins Erik J. , Zoric Marija R. , Li Matthew , Luo Zhengtang , Amine Khalil , Glusac Ksenija D.
Published: June 2021

Electrocatalytic nanocarbon (EN) is a class of material receiving intense interest as a potential replacement for expensive, metal-based electrocatalysts for energy conversion and chemical production applications. The further development of EN will require an intricate knowledge of its catalytic behaviors, however, the true nature of their electrocatalytic activity remains elusive. This review highlights work that contributed valuable knowledge in the elucidation of EN catalytic mechanisms. Experimental evidence from spectroscopic studies and well-defined molecular models, along with the survey of computational studies, is summarized to document our current mechanistic understanding of EN-catalyzed oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen electrochemistry. We hope this review will inspire future development of synthetic methods and in situ spectroscopic tools to make and study well-defined EN structures.
Polarity-dependent nonlinear optics of nanowires under electric field
Authors: Ben-Zvi Regev , Bar-Elli Omri , Oron Dan , Joselevich Ernesto
Published: June 2021

Polar materials display a series of interesting and widely exploited properties owing to the inherent coupling between their fixed electric dipole and any action that involves a change in their charge distribution. Among these properties are piezoelectricity, ferroelectricity, pyroelectricity, and the bulk photovoltaic effect. Here we report the observation of a related property in this series, where an external electric field applied parallel or anti-parallel to the polar axis of a crystal leads to an increase or decrease in its second-order nonlinear optical response, respectively. This property of electric-field-modulated second-harmonic generation (EFM-SHG) is observed here in nanowires of the polar crystal ZnO, and is exploited as an analytical tool to directly determine by optical means the absolute direction of their polarity, which in turn provides important information about their epitaxy and growth mechanism. EFM-SHG may be observed in any type of polar nanostructures and used to map the absolute polarity of materials at the nanoscale.
Engineered reproductively isolated species drive reversible population replacement
Authors: Buchman Anna , Shriner Isaiah , Yang Ting , Liu Junru , Antoshechkin Igor , Marshall John M. , Perry Michael W. , Akbari Omar S.
Published: June 2021

Engineered reproductive species barriers are useful for impeding gene flow and driving desirable genes into wild populations in a reversible threshold-dependent manner. However, methods to generate synthetic barriers are lacking in advanced eukaryotes. Here, to overcome this challenge, we engineer SPECIES (Synthetic Postzygotic barriers Exploiting CRISPR-based Incompatibilities for Engineering Species), an engineered genetic incompatibility approach, to generate postzygotic reproductive barriers. Using this approach, we create multiple reproductively isolated SPECIES and demonstrate their reproductive isolation and threshold-dependent gene drive capabilities in D. melanogaster. Given the near-universal functionality of CRISPR tools, this approach should be portable to many species, including insect disease vectors in which confinable gene drives could be of great practical utility.