bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Procesos infecciosos en cazadores-recolectores de Patagonia Austral: Evidencias en restos óseos del Holoceno medio y tardío (ca. 5200-100 años aP)
Authors: Pandiani Cynthia Daniela , Santos Ana Luisa , Suby Jorge Alejandro
Published: September 2021

Las enfermedades infecciosas fueron señaladas como la causa principal de muerte en las sociedades pasadas. Sin embargo, hasta el momento son escasos los conocimientos acerca del modo en que afectaron a las poblaciones humanas del sur de Sudamérica. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar el impacto que las enfermedades infecciosas tuvieron sobre las poblaciones de cazadores-recolectores que habitaron Patagonia Austral, a partir de la identificación, descripción e interpretación de lesiones óseas en restos humanos del Holoceno medio y tardío (aproximadamente 5200-100 años aP). Se analizaron macroscópicamente 54 individuos hallados en 50 sitios arqueológicos, sobre los cuales se describieron presencia, localización, lateralidad, tipo de formación de hueso nuevo (woven, lamelar, mixto) y distribución de las lesiones óseas. Se registraron lesiones diagnósticas y altamente compatibles con infecciones óseas en ocho (14,8%) individuos (sin diferencias entre sexos y edades), seis de los cuales (75,0%) provienen del sur de Tierra del Fuego. Cuatro individuos presentaron lesiones compatibles con osteomielitis y dos con tuberculosis (un no-adulto y un adulto). Esto último representa un hallazgo relevante para discutir la presencia de tuberculosis en poblaciones pasadas y su evolución en América. Los resultados presentados sugieren además que las evidencias de procesos infecciosos pueden ser recurrentes en análisis específicos sobre muestras esqueletales de cazadores-recolectores.
Regulating high-cost short-term credit in the UK: is there scope for ‘libertarian paternalism’ based provisions?
Authors: Aldohni Abdul Karim , Duxbury Darren
Published: September 2021

The regulatory protection of credit consumers, in general, is paramount due to the considerable use of credit, the imbalanced bargaining positions of the contracting parties and the adverse effect of over-indebtedness on individuals and society alike. These concerning factors are worsened in the case of High-Cost Short-Term Credit (HCSTC) consumers owing to their disadvantaged financial position and other recognised vulnerabilities. In this respect, the paper argues that direct regulatory intervention, despite its importance, is not always a silver bullet. Through the analysis of the overhauling of the UK HCSTC regulatory framework, this paper demonstrates the shortfalls of these regulatory changes. Accordingly, the paper shifts the argument towards improving the decision-making mechanisms of HCSTC consumers, ie the role of ‘libertarian paternalism’-based interventions. By using a bespoke experimental survey, the paper demonstrates the type of behavioural interventions that can assist in this endeavour and which the regulator could possibly mandate.
Benevolent technocracy: The Chinese Protectorate, migration control and racialised governmentality in colonised Malaya
Authors: Sai Siew-Min
Published: September 2021

The Chinese Protectorate was first established in Singapore in 1877 with the limited objective of preventing abuses in Chinese labour migration, but it evolved multiple functions dedicated to governing Chinese migrants and residents in colonised Malaya. The Protector possessed extensive statutory powers and he was regarded as the official authority on all matters ‘Chinese’. This was an important yet under-studied colonial institution in the history of Chinese migration and settlement in Singapore and Malaysia. This article narrates the history behind the establishment of the Protectorate in the 1870s when ‘racialised governmentality’ of the Chinese population was institutionalised in colonised Malaya. The article underscores the significance of imperial and local contexts of the Protectorate's creation, arguing that it was a product of flexible adaptation of empire-wide practices of ‘protecting’ and governing liberated slaves, indigenous peoples and subsequently, indentured Indian labourers ‘humanely’. It is notable, therefore, that there was a coeval and conjoined discussion of migration control of Chinese as well as Indian labour migrants in Malaya during this period, but this history is hidden from plain sight by popular approaches studying labour migration as components of ethnic diasporas migrating from a single point of origin.
Impact of the Elemental Composition of Exported Organic Matter on the Observed Dissolved Nutrient and Trace Element Distributions in the Upper Layer of the Ocean
Authors: Quay Paul
Published: September 2021

Systematic regional variations in the ratio of nutrient depth gradients of dissolved inorganic carbon (ΔDIC):nitrate (ΔNO3):phosphate (ΔPO4) in the upper layer (300 m) of the Pacific Ocean are observed. Regional variations in the ΔDIC/ΔNO3/ΔPO4 are primarily the result of three processes, that is, the C/N/P of organic matter (OM) being exported and subsequently degraded, nitrogen fixation, and air‐sea CO2 gas exchange. The link between the observed dissolved ΔDIC/ΔNO3/ΔPO4 and the C/N/P of exported OM is established using surface layer dissolved DIC, NO3, and PO4 budgets. These budgets, in turn, provide a means to indirectly estimate the C/N/P of OM being exported from the surface layer of the ocean. The indirectly estimated C/N/P of exported OM reach maxima in the subtropical gyres at 177/22/1, that is, significantly greater than the Redfield ratio and a minimum in the equatorial ocean at 109/16/1 with both results agreeing with available observed particle C/N/P and ocean biogeochemical models. The budget approach was applied to a bioactive trace element (TE) using the measured dissolved Cadmium (Cd) to PO4 gradients to estimate the Cd/P of exported OM in the Pacific Ocean. Combining the budget method with the availability of high‐quality dissolved nutrient and TE data collected during the GOSHIP and GEOTRACES programs could potentially provide estimates of the C/N/P/TE of exported OM on global ocean scales which would significantly improve our understanding of the link between the ocean's biological pump and dissolved nutrient distributions in the upper ocean.
Evaluation of Connectivity Characteristics on the Permeability of Two‐Dimensional Fracture Networks Using Geological Entropy
Authors: Ye Zuyang , Fan Xincheng , Zhang Jun , Sheng Jianlong , Chen Yuting , Fan Qingli , Qin Huikai
Published: September 2021

A systematic approach has been developed to estimate the relationship between the permeability and connectivity of two‐dimensional fracture networks, in which the network connectivity is evaluated with the concept of geological entropy as informative index of spatial disorder. The geological entropy is quantified by the entropic scale, a metric developed by Bianchi and Pedretti (2018), which is here applied to integrate multiple properties of two‐dimensional fracture networks, including aperture, spacing, length, orientation. Through the comparisons among several existing connectivity indicators including the entropic scale in an illustrative example, only the entropic scale is positively correlated with the permeability concerning aperture and can be successfully used to quantify the network connectivity. In order to understand connectivity characteristics dependence of the permeability, a computational method combining fracture network generation and steady‐state flow simulation is developed. Based on the results of detailed numerical simulations considering hydraulic behavior and connectivity characteristic in various fracture networks, the entropic scale and permeability are simultaneously inversely proportional to length and proportional to spacing with the same global entropy, but exhibit weak dependence on the orientation variation. A simple closed‐form empirical expression in terms of quadratic polynomial model between the permeability and entropic scale is proposed. The results indicated that geological entropy is valid and appropriate to quantify the connectivity and predict the permeability of two‐dimensional fracture networks.
Could Low-Altitude Reconnection Power Jupiter’s Polar Aurorae?
Authors: Rehnberg Morgan
Published: September 2021

Magnetic reconnection events less than 2 Jovian radii above the planet’s cloud tops could explain why Juno has yet to observe a source for Jupiter’s polar aurore.
Tropical Weathering History Recorded in the Silicon Isotopes of Lateritic Weathering Profiles
Authors: Guinoiseau Damien , Fekiacova Zuzana , Allard Thierry , Druhan Jennifer L. , Balan Etienne , Bouchez Julien
Published: September 2021

Under tropical climates, mineral assemblages composing lateritic weathering profiles offer precious records of past weathering conditions. Silicon (Si) isotope signatures in the clay fractions of a deep lateritic profile in central Amazonia, Brazil, in combination with previously determined kaolinite ages, suggest that the surrounding region underwent two major weathering episodes, distinct in their intensity. The first episode (ca. 35–20 Ma) of moderate intensity produced well‐crystallized kaolinites from the parent sediment with limited Si isotope fractionation. A more recent (8–6 Ma) and shorter phase caused the replacement, from top to bottom of the profile, of the first kaolinite generation by a new population characterized by higher crystallographic disorder and stronger Si isotope fractionation, suggesting weathering under conditions of rapid water percolation. These inferences are supported by results from an isotope‐enabled reactive transport model, and they are consistent with paleoclimatic and paleogeographic evidences recorded over the Amazon Basin.
How Sea Ice Drift Influences Sea Ice Area and Volume
Authors: Wagner T. J. W. , Eisenman I. , Mason H. C.
Published: September 2021

Equatorward sea ice drift can have competing impacts on the sea ice cover. On one hand, as ice reaches warmer waters it will be subject to faster melt. On the other hand, the ice near the pole will thin, causing faster ice growth when air temperatures are below freezing. This prompts the fundamental question whether equatorward ice motion increases or decreases ice area and volume? We investigate this using an idealized climate model with a representation of sea ice thermodynamic processes and specified sea ice drift. We find that equatorward ice drift leads to consistent loss of ice volume. The impact of ice motion on ice area depends on seasonal factors and the background climate: When there is enough ice, equatorward ice motion slightly expands ice area. For thinner ice, however, motion during the melt season can create polynyas and cause substantial ice loss that persists throughout the year.
Low Velocity Zones in the Martian Upper Mantle Highlighted by Sound Velocity Measurements
Authors: Xu F. , Siersch N. C. , Gréaux S. , Rivoldini A. , Kuwahara H. , Kondo N. , Wehr N. , Menguy N. , Kono Y. , Higo Y. , Plesa A.‐C. , Badro J. , Antonangeli D.
Published: September 2021

The InSight mission to Mars is currently monitoring the seismic activity of the planet. Interpretation of seismological observations in terms of composition and mineralogy requires the knowledge of density and thermo‐elastic properties of constituent materials at pertinent conditions. We thus performed phase equilibria experiments and carried out sound velocity and density measurements on aggregates representative of the Martian mantle over pressures and temperatures directly relevant for Mars’ upper and mid mantle. Our results indicate the stability of magnetite, although in a small amount, in phase assemblages at upper mantle conditions, especially in an oxidized environment. The measured pressure and temperature derivatives of compressional and shear velocities show that the temperature‐induced reduction of seismic wave speeds dominates over pressure‐induced effects at Mars' shallow mantle conditions for the predicted areotherms and, independently from mineralogy, support the presence of a low‐shear‐wave‐velocity layer between 150 and 350 km depth, in agreement with seismic observations.
Immediate Foreshocks Indicating Cascading Rupture Developments for 527 M 0.9 to 5.4 Ridgecrest Earthquakes
Authors: Meng Haoran , Fan Wenyuan
Published: September 2021

Understanding earthquake foreshocks is essential for deciphering earthquake rupture physics and can aid seismic hazard mitigation. With regional dense seismic arrays, we identify immediate foreshocks of 527 0.9 M 5.4 events of the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence, including 48 earthquakes with series of immediate foreshocks. These immediate foreshocks are adjacent to the mainshocks occurring within 100 s of the mainshocks, and their P waves share high resemblances with the mainshock P waves. However, attributes of the immediate‐foreshock P waves, including the amplitudes and preceding times, do not clearly scale with the mainshock magnitudes. Our observations suggest that earthquake rupture may initiate in a universal fashion but evolves stochastically. This indicates that earthquake rupture development is likely controlled by fine‐scale fault heterogeneities in the Ridgecrest fault system, and the final magnitude is the only difference between small and large earthquakes.
A Study of the Solar Wind Ion and Electron Measurements From the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission's Fast Plasma Investigation
Authors: Roberts O. W. , Nakamura R. , Coffey V. N. , Gershman D. J. , Volwerk M. , Varsani A. , Giles B. L. , Dorelli J. C. , Pollock C.
Published: September 2021

We compare plasma measurements in the solar wind between the Magnetospheric MultiScale Mission's (MMS) Fast Plasma Investigation (FPI) and those obtained near the Earth‐Sun L1 Lagrangian point from OMNI. FPI is an instrument designed to investigate plasma processes such as magnetic reconnection, acceleration, and turbulence. Since 2017, MMS supports solar wind campaigns where the plasma can have a higher Mach number, a cooler temperature, and a narrower beam compared with the MMS primary regions of interest. With FPI's firmware now optimized for these campaigns, the comparison with OMNI aids the interpretation of solar wind measurements. From these comparisons, we can make suggestions for both fast and burst‐survey telemetry modes. From fast mode intervals, we find first, that the FPI ion density can be lower than the OMNI proton density. However, the FPI electron density agrees well with the OMNI proton density. Second, due to the solar wind's cooler proton temperature and narrow‐angle, the FPI ion temperature is overestimated. Thus, using the OMNI proton temperature is suggested for plasma parameters such as the ion , the ratio of ion thermal to magnetic pressure. Third, the FPI ion velocity is well‐estimated when compared with the OMNI proton velocity. In burst mode, the ion density and temperature have similar characteristics but to a lesser degree. Spin effects observed in all these plasma moments in burst mode intervals are reduced with the methods discussed in this paper. The results are summarized in a table that includes linear fit parameters and their defined errors.
Fluid Pressure Diffusion in Fractured Media: The Role Played by the Geometry of Real Fractures
Authors: Lissa Simón , Barbosa Nicolás D. , Quintal Beatriz
Published: September 2021

Wave‐induced fluid pressure diffusion (FPD) represents an important mechanism of seismic energy dissipation in fractured media. The associated effects on wave propagation are typically studied considering idealized fracture geometries. Here, we study fracture‐geometry‐related effects on FPD by numerically computing the frequency‐dependent and angle‐dependent seismic velocity and attenuation on models having fractures of realistic geometries. The geometry of the models is derived from microcomputed tomography images of a fractured Berea sandstone. By comparing the numerical results with those for an equivalent thin‐planar‐layer analytical model, we isolate fracture‐geometry effects. We found that discrepancies on the anisotropic behavior of P and S waves with respect to the simple analytical model are small except for the S wave attenuation. This is associated with the pressure gradients induced by S waves in fractures exhibiting a mild curvature. Part of this dissipation occurs inside the fracture, parallel to its walls, and is thus controlled by its permeability, which points to a possible perspective of inferring fracture hydraulic properties from S waves attenuation.
A First Intercomparison of the Simulated LGM Carbon Results Within PMIP‐Carbon: Role of the Ocean Boundary Conditions
Authors: Lhardy F. , Bouttes N. , Roche D. M. , Abe‐Ouchi A. , Chase Z. , Crichton K. A. , Ilyina T. , Ivanovic R. , Jochum M. , Kageyama M. , Kobayashi H. , Liu B. , Menviel L. , Muglia J. , Nuterman R. , Oka A. , Vettoretti G. , Yamamoto A.
Published: September 2021

Model intercomparison studies of coupled carbon‐climate simulations have the potential to improve our understanding of the processes explaining the drawdown at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and to identify related model biases. Models participating in the Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project (PMIP) now frequently include the carbon cycle. The ongoing PMIP‐carbon project provides the first opportunity to conduct multimodel comparisons of simulated carbon content for the LGM time window. However, such a study remains challenging due to differing implementation of ocean boundary conditions (e.g., bathymetry and coastlines reflecting the low sea level) and to various associated adjustments of biogeochemical variables (i.e., alkalinity, nutrients, dissolved inorganic carbon). After assessing the ocean volume of PMIP models at the pre‐industrial and LGM, we investigate the impact of these modeling choices on the simulated carbon at the global scale, using both PMIP‐carbon model outputs and sensitivity tests with the iLOVECLIM model. We show that the carbon distribution in reservoirs is significantly affected by the choice of ocean boundary conditions in iLOVECLIM. In particular, our simulations demonstrate a  GtC effect of an alkalinity adjustment on carbon sequestration in the ocean. Finally, we observe that PMIP‐carbon models with a freely evolving and no additional glacial mechanisms do not simulate the drawdown at the LGM (with concentrations as high as 313, 331, and 315 ppm), especially if they use a low ocean volume. Our findings suggest that great care should be taken on accounting for large bathymetry changes in models including the carbon cycle.
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes immunodeficiency in recovered patients by downregulating CD19 expression in B cells via enhancing B-cell metabolism
Authors: Jing Yukai , Luo Li , Chen Ying , Westerberg Lisa S. , Zhou Peng , Xu Zhiping , Herrada Andrés A. , Park Chan-Sik , Kubo Masato , Mei Heng , Hu Yu , Lee Pamela Pui-Wah , Zheng Bing , Sui Zhiwei , Xiao Wei , Gong Quan , Lu Zhongxin , Liu Chaohong
Published: September 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 infection causes severe immune disruption. However, it is unclear if disrupted immune regulation still exists and pertains in recovered COVID-19 patients. In our study, we have characterized the immune phenotype of B cells from 15 recovered COVID-19 patients, and found that healthy controls and recovered patients had similar B-cell populations before and after BCR stimulation, but the frequencies of PBC in patients were significantly increased when compared to healthy controls before stimulation. However, the percentage of unswitched memory B cells was decreased in recovered patients but not changed in healthy controls upon BCR stimulation. Interestingly, we found that CD19 expression was significantly reduced in almost all the B-cell subsets in recovered patients. Moreover, the BCR signaling and early B-cell response were disrupted upon BCR stimulation. Mechanistically, we found that the reduced CD19 expression was caused by the dysregulation of cell metabolism. In conclusion, we found that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes immunodeficiency in recovered patients by downregulating CD19 expression in B cells via enhancing B-cell metabolism, which may provide a new intervention target to cure COVID-19.
Systems approaches identify the consequences of monosomy in somatic human cells
Authors: Chunduri Narendra Kumar , Menges Paul , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Wieland Angela , Gotsmann Vincent Leon , Mardin Balca R. , Buccitelli Christopher , Korbel Jan O. , Willmund Felix , Kschischo Maik , Raeschle Markus , Storchova Zuzana
Published: September 2021

Chromosome loss that results in monosomy is detrimental to viability, yet it is frequently observed in cancers. How cancers survive with monosomy is unknown. Using p53-deficient monosomic cell lines, we find that chromosome loss impairs proliferation and genomic stability. Transcriptome and proteome analysis demonstrates reduced expression of genes encoded on the monosomes, which is partially compensated in some cases. Monosomy also induces global changes in gene expression. Pathway enrichment analysis reveals that genes involved in ribosome biogenesis and translation are downregulated in all monosomic cells analyzed. Consistently, monosomies display defects in protein synthesis and ribosome assembly. We further show that monosomies are incompatible with p53 expression, likely due to defects in ribosome biogenesis. Accordingly, impaired ribosome biogenesis and p53 inactivation are associated with monosomy in cancer. Our systematic study of monosomy in human cells explains why monosomy is so detrimental and reveals the importance of p53 for monosomy occurrence in cancer.
Neutral bots probe political bias on social media
Authors: Chen Wen , Pacheco Diogo , Yang Kai-Cheng , Menczer Filippo
Published: September 2021

Social media platforms attempting to curb abuse and misinformation have been accused of political bias. We deploy neutral social bots who start following different news sources on Twitter, and track them to probe distinct biases emerging from platform mechanisms versus user interactions. We find no strong or consistent evidence of political bias in the news feed. Despite this, the news and information to which U.S. Twitter users are exposed depend strongly on the political leaning of their early connections. The interactions of conservative accounts are skewed toward the right, whereas liberal accounts are exposed to moderate content shifting their experience toward the political center. Partisan accounts, especially conservative ones, tend to receive more followers and follow more automated accounts. Conservative accounts also find themselves in denser communities and are exposed to more low-credibility content.
Quantum anomalous Hall edge channels survive up to the Curie temperature
Authors: Fijalkowski Kajetan M. , Liu Nan , Mandal Pankaj , Schreyeck Steffen , Brunner Karl , Gould Charles , Molenkamp Laurens W.
Published: September 2021

Achieving metrological precision of quantum anomalous Hall resistance quantization at zero magnetic field so far remains limited to temperatures of the order of 20 mK, while the Curie temperature in the involved material is as high as 20 K. The reason for this discrepancy remains one of the biggest open questions surrounding the effect, and is the focus of this article. Here we show, through a careful analysis of the non-local voltages on a multi-terminal Corbino geometry, that the chiral edge channels continue to exist without applied magnetic field up to the Curie temperature of bulk ferromagnetism of the magnetic topological insulator, and that thermally activated bulk conductance is responsible for this quantization breakdown. Our results offer important insights on the nature of the topological protection of these edge channels, provide an encouraging sign for potential applications, and establish the multi-terminal Corbino geometry as a powerful tool for the study of edge channel transport in topological materials.
Chinese provincial multi-regional input-output database for 2012, 2015, and 2017
Authors: Zheng Heran , Bai Yangchun , Wei Wendong , Meng Jing , Zhang Zhengkai , Song Malin , Guan Dabo
Published: September 2021

Global production fragmentation generates indirect socioeconomic and environmental impacts throughout its expanded supply chains. The multi-regional input-output model (MRIO) is a tool commonly used to trace the supply chain and understand spillover effects across regions, but often cannot be applied due to data unavailability, especially at the sub-national level. Here, we present MRIO tables for 2012, 2015, and 2017 for 31 provinces of mainland China in 42 economic sectors. We employ hybrid methods to construct the MRIO tables according to the available data for each year. The dataset is the consistent China MRIO table collection to reveal the evolution of regional supply chains in China’s recent economic transition. The dataset illustrates the consistent evolution of China’s regional supply chain and its economic structure before the 2018 US-Sino trade war. The dataset can be further applied as a benchmark in a wide range of in-depth studies of production and consumption structures across industries and regions.
Effect of fermentation time on the content of bioactive compounds with cosmetic and dermatological properties in Kombucha Yerba Mate extracts
Authors: Ziemlewska Aleksandra , Nizioł-Łukaszewska Zofia , Bujak Tomasz , Zagórska-Dziok Martyna , Wójciak Magdalena , Sowa Ireneusz
Published: September 2021

Kombucha is a beverage made by fermenting sugared tea using a symbiotic culture of bacteria belonging to the genus Acetobacter, Gluconobacter, and the yeasts of the genus Saccharomyces along with glucuronic acid, which has health-promoting properties. The paper presents the evaluation of ferments as a potential cosmetic raw material obtained from Yerba Mate after different fermentation times with the addition of Kombucha. Fermented and unfermented extracts were compared in terms of chemical composition and biological activity. The antioxidant potential of obtained ferments was analyzed by evaluating the scavenging of external and intracellular free radicals. Cytotoxicity was determined on keratinocyte and fibroblast cell lines, resulting in significant increase in cell viability for the ferments. The ferments, especially after 14 and 21 days of fermentation showed strong ability to inhibit (about 40% for F21) the activity of lipoxygenase, collagenase and elastase enzymes and long‐lasting hydration after their application on the skin. Moreover, active chemical compounds, including phenolic acids, xanthines and flavonoids were identified by HPLC/ESI–MS. The results showed that both the analyzed Yerba Mate extract and the ferments obtained with Kombucha may be valuable ingredients in cosmetic products.
The impact of prioritisation and dosing intervals on the effects of COVID-19 vaccination in Europe: an agent-based cohort model
Authors: Català Martí , Li Xintong , Prats Clara , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel
Published: September 2021

Different strategies have been used to maximise the effect of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in Europe. We modelled the impact of different prioritisation choices and dose intervals on infections, hospitalisations, mortality, and public health restrictions. An agent-based model was built to quantify the impact of different vaccination strategies over 6 months. Input parameters were derived from published phase 3 trials and official European figures. We explored the effect of prioritising vulnerable people, care-home staff and residents, versus contagious groups; and the impact of dose intervals ranging from 3 to 12 weeks. Prioritising vulnerable people, rather than the most contagious, led to higher numbers of COVID-19 infections, whilst reducing mortality, hospital admissions, and public health restrictions. At a realistic vaccination speed of ≤ 0·1% population/day, separating doses by 12 weeks (vs a baseline scenario of 3 weeks) reduced hospitalisations, mortality, and restrictions for vaccines with similar first- and second-dose efficacy (e.g., the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines), but not for those with lower first vs second-dose efficacy (e.g., the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine). Mass vaccination will dramatically reduce the effect of COVID-19 on Europe’s health and economy. Early vaccination of vulnerable populations will reduce mortality, hospitalisations, and public health restrictions compared to prioritisation of the most contagious people. The choice of interval between doses should be based on expected vaccine availability and first-dose efficacy, with 12-week intervals preferred over shorter intervals in most realistic scenarios.
Timing of hospital admission for stillbirth delivery on maternal and obstetric outcome: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Muin Dana Anaïs , Scharrer Anke , Farr Alex , Kiss Herbert , Haslacher Helmuth
Published: September 2021

The effect of timing of hospital admission for stillbirth delivery following late intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) has not yet been described. By this study, we aimed to gain an understanding of the impact of “immediate” (i.e., on the same day of IUFD diagnosis) versus “delayed” hospital admission (i.e., on the subsequent day or two days after IUFD diagnosis) on maternal and delivery outcome parameters. This retrospective cohort study comprised all women who suffered a singleton IUFD ≥ 21 gestational weeks and delivered the stillborn at our tertiary referral center between 2003 and 2019. We excluded all terminations of pregnancy and women presenting with acute symptoms on the day of IUFD diagnosis. In total, 183 women were included of whom 69.4% (n = 127) were immediately admitted and 30.6% (n = 56) had delayed admission. Median gestational age of IUFD was 30+3 (21+0–41+3) weeks. Whilst women with early signs of labor were more frequently admitted immediately (87.5%; 14/16), neither maternal demographic and obstetric parameters, nor day of the week or presenting symptoms influenced the timing of hospital admission. 77.6% (142/183) of women after IUFD diagnosis delivered within the first 3 days after admission. Women after immediate admission equally often delivered on admission day and the day after (26.0%; 33/127 each), women after delayed admission most commonly delivered the day after admission (39.3%; 22/56). Stillbirth delivery on the day of diagnosis was more common upon immediate admission (p = 0.006), especially in early gestational weeks (p = 0.003) and with small fetal weight (p < 0.001), requiring less induction of labor. No significant difference regarding delivery mode, labor duration, use of intrapartum analgesia, need for episiotomy and risk of perineal injury was observed between the groups. Also rate of intrapartum hemorrhage was independent of admission timing, although immediately admitted women experienced greater median blood loss after vaginal delivery. Maternal laboratory parameters (hemoglobin, thrombocytes and CRP) were independent of admission timing, except for higher levels of leucocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes in immediately admitted women. Our study shows no clinical superiority of immediate hospital admission for stillbirth delivery. Under stable medical circumstances, it, therefore, seems feasible to allow the woman delayed admission for labor and delivery.
Development of a novel approach for construction of high gradient braze-free S-band cavities
Authors: Aghayan Mahdi , Masoudi S. Farhad , Ghasemi Farshad , Wuensch Walter , Shaker Hamed
Published: September 2021

Vacuum breakdown is one of the main limitations to the operating accelerating gradient in radio frequency linear accelerators. Recent studies of copper cavities have been shown that harder copper conditions more quickly and can reach higher accelerating gradients than soft copper cavities. Exploiting this advantage requires the development of assembly methods that do not involve the copper-softening high-temperature heating cycles that are used in for example bonding and brazing. A shrink-fit method, which was already implemented successfully in the operation the IPM linac, is proposed for the construction high-gradient test S-band standing wave structure operating at 2998.5 MHz. The three cells cavity is designed to have a maximum gradient in the middle cell that is twice that of the adjacent cells. Mechanical considerations relating to the shrink-fit construction method have been performed using Ansys. To validate the simulations and ensure the feasibility of construction by shrink-fit method, a sample cavity was constructed and cold tests was performed.
Evolutionary study of maize dwarf mosaic virus using nearly complete genome sequences acquired by next-generation sequencing
Authors: Wijayasekara Dulanjani , Ali Akhtar
Published: September 2021

Next-generation sequencing is a robust approach to sequence plant virus genomes in a very short amount of time compared to traditional sequencing methods. Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) is one of the most important plant viruses worldwide and a significant threat to maize production. In this study, we sequenced 19 MDMV isolates (10 from Johnsongrass and 9 from maize) collected in Oklahoma and Missouri during 2017–2019 using Illumina sequencing and determined the genetic diversity. Sequence reads were assembled and 19 nearly complete genome sequences of MDMV isolates were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete genomes nucleotide and amino acid sequences revealed two main clusters and a close evolutionary relationship among 19 MDMV isolates. Statistical analysis of individual genes for site-specific selection revealed that all genes are under negative selection. The fixation index (FST) analysis of the MDMV isolates revealed no gene flow between the two main phylogenetic clusters, which emphasizes the divergence of MDMV isolates from the USA. Among the USA MDMV isolates, the mean genetic distance (d) and nucleotide diversity ((π) were highest in the P1 gene coding region. This is the first detailed study on the evolutionary relationship of MDMV isolates based on the nearly complete genome analysis from maize and Johnsongrass.
Assessment of pancreatitis associated with tocilizumab use using the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database
Authors: Kamath Ashwin , Acharya Sahana D. , Rao Rashmi R. , Ullal Sheetal D.
Published: September 2021

Tocilizumab (TCZ) is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic inflammatory disorders. There is some evidence suggesting the occurrence of pancreatitis following TCZ use. We aimed to determine the reporting of pancreatitis following TCZ use in comparison with other drugs using the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. We extracted adverse event reports submitted to FAERS during 2013–2019. A reporting odds ratio (ROR) with the lower bound 95% confidence interval (CI) > 1 and a lower limit of a two-sided 95% interval of information component (IC025) more than zero was considered significant. Following deduplication, 3,383,910 adverse event reports were available; 144 (0.004%) reports were of pancreatic adverse events associated with TCZ use, and 15,907 (0.47%) associated with other drugs. Of the 144 cases, 74 (51.39%) received concomitant medications with pancreatotoxic potential. The likelihood of reporting of pancreatic events, compared with any other adverse event, with TCZ use was 1.32 times higher than that with other drugs. The lower bound of the 95% CI of the ROR and IC remained above the criteria of significance throughout the study period, except 2013. The findings suggest disproportionately high reporting of pancreatitis in patients receiving TCZ as compared with other drugs. This marginally high reporting is not likely to be of immediate clinical concern and needs to be interpreted cautiously.
The association of low body mass index with neonatal morbidities in preterm infants
Authors: Lee Byoung Kook , Lee Jun Hyeok , Shin Jeongmin , Jung Young Hwa , Choi Chang Won
Published: September 2021

Little is known about the association between body proportionality at birth and neonatal outcomes in preterm infants. Body mass index (BMI) is one of the weigh-for-length ratios that represent body proportionality. The objective of this study was to examine whether BMI at birth affects neonatal outcomes in preterm infants. We assessed 3115 preterm (< 30 weeks), very low birth weight (< 1500 g) infants born between January 2013 and December 2016 and registered in the Korean Neonatal Network database. Using gender-specific BMI for gestational age curves, z-scores of BMI at birth were calculated. Low-, normal-, and high-BMI were defined as BMI z-scores of less than − 1, from − 1 to 1, and greater than 1, respectively. Neonatal morbidities and mortality in low- and high-BMI groups were compared to those in normal-BMI group. The low-BMI group had an increased risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death, and necrotizing enterocolitis after adjusting for baseline characteristics and the birth weight z-score. High-BMI group had comparable neonatal outcomes to those of normal-BMI group. Low BMI at birth was associated with an increased risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis, whereas High BMI at birth was not associated with adverse neonatal outcomes.
The presurgical controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score is independently associated with severe peristomal skin disorders: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Shiraishi Takuya , Ogawa Hiroomi , Katayama Chika , Osone Katsuya , Okada Takuhisa , Katoh Ryuji , Sano Akihiko , Sakai Makoto , Sohda Makoto , Shirabe Ken , Saeki Hiroshi
Published: September 2021

While nutritional interventions may potentially lower the risk of peristomal skin disorders (PSDs) and their exacerbation, no previous studies have evaluated the relationship between PSDs and nutritional status using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of preoperative nutritional status on stoma health, and determine risk factors for postoperative PSDs, including severe PSDs. A retrospective analysis was performed of 116 consecutive patients with rectal cancer who underwent radical surgery with ileostomy or colostomy creation. PSDs were diagnosed in 32 patients (27.6%); including 10 cases (8.7%) that were defined as severe based on the ABCD-stoma score. Multivariable logistic regression showed that smoking (odds ratio [OR] 3.451, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.240–9.607, p = 0.018) and ileostomy (OR 3.287, 95% CI 1.278–8.458, p = 0.014) were independent risk factors for PSDs. A separate multivariable logistic regression analysis of risk factors for severe PSDs, found that the only independent risk factor was the CONUT score (OR 10.040, 95% CI 1.191–84.651, p = 0.034). Severe PSDs are associated with preoperative nutritional disorders, as determined by the CONUT score. Furthermore, nutritional disorders may increase the severity of PSDs, regardless of the stoma type.
Integrated non-volatile plasmonic switches based on phase-change-materials and their application to plasmonic logic circuits
Authors: Ghosh Rajib Ratan , Dhawan Anuj
Published: September 2021

Integrated photonic devices or circuits that can execute both optical computation and optical data storage are considered as the building blocks for photonic computations beyond the von Neumann architecture. Here, we present non-volatile hybrid electro-optic plasmonic switches as well as novel architectures of non-volatile combinational and sequential logic circuits. The electro-optic switches consist of a plasmonic waveguide having a thin layer of a phase-change-material (PCM). The optical losses in the waveguide are controlled by changing the phase of the PCM from amorphous to crystalline and vice versa. The phase transition process in the PCM can be realized by electrical threshold switching or thermal conduction heating via external electrical heaters or the plasmonic waveguide metal itself as an integrated heater. We have demonstrated that all logic gates, a half adder circuit, as well as sequential circuits can be implemented using the plasmonic switches as the active elements. Moreover, the designs of the plasmonic switches and the logic operations show minimum extinction ratios greater than 20 dB, compact designs, low operating power, and high-speed operations. We combine photonics, plasmonics and electronics on the same platform to design an effective architecture for logic operations.
Optimization of polycaprolactone - based nanofiber matrices for the cultivation of corneal endothelial cells
Authors: Himmler Marcus , Garreis Fabian , Paulsen Friedrich , Schubert Dirk W. , Fuchsluger Thomas A.
Published: September 2021

Posterior lamellar transplantation of the eye’ s cornea (DSAEK, DMEK) currently is the gold standard for treating patients with corneal endothelial cell and back surface pathologies resulting in functional impairment. An artificial biomimetic graft carrying human corneal endothelium could minimize the dependency on human donor corneas giving access to this vision-restoring surgery to large numbers of patients, thus reducing current long waiting lists. In this study, four groups of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds were compared: polycaprolactone (PCL), PCL/collagen, PCL/gelatin and PCL/chitosan. Each of the scaffolds were tissue-engineered with human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC-B4G12) and analyzed with regard to their potential application as artificial posterior lamellar grafts. Staining with ZO-1 and Na+/K+-ATPase antibodies revealed intact cell functionalities. It could be shown, that blending leads to decreasing contact angle, whereby a heterogeneous blend morphology could be revealed. Scaffold cytocompatibility could be confirmed for all groups via live/dead staining, whereby a significant higher cell viability could be observed for the collagen and gelatine blended matrices with 97 ± 3% and 98 ± 2% living cells respectively. TEM images show the superficial anchoring of the HCECs onto the scaffolds. This work emphasizes the benefit of blended PCL nanofibrous scaffolds for corneal endothelial keratoplasty.
Multiyear trend in reproduction underpins interannual variation in gametogenic development of an Antarctic urchin
Authors: De Leij Rebecca , Peck Lloyd S. , Grange Laura J.
Published: September 2021

Ecosystems and their biota operate on cyclic rhythms, often entrained by predictable, small-scale changes in their natural environment. Recording and understanding these rhythms can detangle the effect of human induced shifts in the climate state from natural fluctuations. In this study, we assess long-term patterns of reproductive investment in the Antarctic sea urchin, Sterechinus neumayeri, in relation to changes in the environment to identify drivers of reproductive processes. Polar marine biota are sensitive to small changes in their environment and so serve as a barometer whose responses likely mirror effects that will be seen on a wider global scale in future climate change scenarios. Our results indicate that seasonal reproductive periodicity in the urchin is underpinned by a multiyear trend in reproductive investment beyond and in addition to, the previously reported 18–24 month gametogenic cycle. Our model provides evidence that annual reproductive investment could be regulated by an endogenous rhythm since environmental factors only accounted for a small proportion of the residual variation in gonad index. This research highlights a need for multiyear datasets and the combination of biological time series data with large-scale climate metrics that encapsulate multi-factorial climate state shifts, rather than using single explanatory variables to inform changes in biological processes.
Comparison of DNA and RNA sequencing of total nucleic acids from human cervix for metagenomics
Authors: Arroyo Mühr Laila Sara , Dillner Joakim , Ure Agustin Enrique , Sundström Karin , Hultin Emilie
Published: September 2021

Although metagenomics and metatranscriptomics are commonly used to identify bacteria and viruses in human samples, few studies directly compare these strategies. We wished to compare DNA and RNA sequencing of bacterial and viral metagenomes and metatranscriptomes in the human cervix. Total nucleic acids from six human cervical samples were subjected to DNA and RNA sequencing. The effect of DNase-treatment before reverse transcription to cDNA were also analyzed. Similarities and differences in the metagenomic findings with the three different sequencing approaches were evaluated. A higher proportion of human sequences were detected by DNA sequencing (93%) compared to RNA sequencing without (76%) and with prior DNase-treatment (11%). On the contrary, bacterial sequences increased 17 and 91 times. However, the number of detected bacterial genera were less by RNA sequencing, suggesting that only a few contribute to most of the bacterial transcripts. The viral sequences were less by RNA sequencing, still twice as many virus genera were detected, including some RNA viruses that were missed by DNA sequencing. Metatranscriptomics of total cDNA provided improved detection of mainly transcribed bacteria and viruses in cervical swabs as well as detection of RNA viruses, compared to metagenomics.
Monitoring the size of low-intensity beams at plasma-wakefield accelerators using high-resolution interferometry
Authors: Hwang Ji-Gwang , Albrecht Katharina , Hoehl Arne , Alberdi Esuain Beñat , Kamps Thorsten
Published: September 2021

Plasma-based accelerators are on the brink of a development stage, where applications of the beam for medical sciences, imaging, or as an injector for a future large-scale accelerator-driven light source become feasible. The requirements on electron beams for injection into a storage-ring are stringent regarding beam quality and reliability. Here, we propose a beam diagnostic technique for measuring lateral beam sizes with a few-μm resolution by applying a state-of-art single-photon camera to coherent synchrotron radiation that affords by a sub-femtosecond short bunch-length property. A sophisticated image processing algorithm enables the technique down to 5 photons/pixel for the visibility of 0.132. Results show the potential of the proposed system that achieves precise retrieval of the complex degree of coherence at an extremely low photon intensity similar to those expected towards the plasma-acceleration injectors.
Investigation of the effect of an octopole electric field on a linear ion trap and an asymmetric semi-circular linear ion trap analyzer
Authors: Xu Fuxing , Wang Weimin , Dai Xinhua , Fang Xiang , Ding Chuan-Fan
Published: September 2021

A linear ion trap mass analyzer could improve analytical performance compared to the traditional three-dimensional ion trap, giving rise to higher analytical performance.
A peptide-based subunit candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 delivered by biodegradable mesoporous silica nanoparticles induced high humoral and cellular immunity in mice
Authors: Qiao Lei , Chen Minmin , Li Suyan , Hu Jinxia , Gong Chaoju , Zhang Zhuoqi , Cao Xichuan
Published: September 2021

A peptide-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, prepared by combining computational immunoinformatics and biodegradable nanomaterials, could elicit robust Th1-biased immune responses, which supports the further clinical evaluation for combating COVID-19.
Multienzyme nanoassemblies: from rational design to biomedical applications
Authors: Li Di , Xiong Qirong , Liang Li , Duan Hongwei
Published: September 2021

This review summarizes the state-of-art strategies to prepare multienzyme nanoassemblies (MENAs), rational design of MENAs and their biomedical applications.
Oil-gelling properties of soy lecithin fractions
Authors: Xie Meizhen , Yu Yan , Zhang Luwei
Published: September 2021

The ethanol soluble, phospolipid and glycolipid fractions of soy lecithin could act as oleogelators, while the ethanol insoluble fraction failed.
Dihydroquercetin supplement alleviates colonic inflammation potentially through improved gut microbiota community in mice
Authors: Wan Fan , Han Hui , Zhong Ruqing , Wang Mengyu , Tang Shanlong , Zhang Shunfen , Hou Fujiang , Yi Bao , Zhang Hongfu
Published: September 2021

This study shows that DHQ supplementation in the diet can increase the anti-inflammatory capacity potentially by modulating the gut microbiota community in DSS-induced colitis mice.