bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative developmental ecology: a review of density-dependent effects on life-history traits and host-microbe interactions in non-social holometabolous insects
Authors: Than Anh The , Ponton Fleur , Morimoto Juliano
Published: September 2020

Population density modulates a wide range of eco-evolutionary processes including inter- and intra-specific competition, fitness and population dynamics. In holometabolous insects, the larval stage is particularly susceptible to density-dependent effects because the larva is the resource-acquiring stage. Larval density-dependent effects can modulate the expression of life-history traits not only in the larval and adult stages but also downstream for population dynamics and evolution. Better understanding the scope and generality of density-dependent effects on life-history traits of current and future generations can provide useful knowledge for both theory and experiments in developmental ecology. Here, we review the literature on larval density-dependent effects on fitness of non-social holometabolous insects. First, we provide a functional definition of density to navigate the terminology in the literature. We then classify the biological levels upon which larval density-dependent effects can be observed followed by a review of the literature produced over the past decades across major non-social holometabolous groups. Next, we argue that host-microbe interactions are yet an overlooked biological level susceptible to density-dependent effects and propose a conceptual model to explain how density-dependent effects on host-microbe interactions can modulate density-dependent fitness curves. In summary, this review provides an integrative framework of density-dependent effects across biological levels which can be used to guide future research in the field of ecology and evolution.
‘Is this a Time of Beautiful Chaos?’: Reflecting on International Feminist Legal Methods
Authors: Bird Faye
Published: September 2020

This article considers how Margaret Jane Radin’s theory of the feminist double bind can bring conceptual clarity to the difficulties feminisms face in engaging with political and legal institutions of global governance. I draw on her theory to reinitiate a conversation on ideal and nonideal theory, in order to answer the call of key proponents in international legal feminism to reevaluate methodologies in critiquing mainstream institutions. By providing an account of how to navigate the double bind, this article brings conceptual clarity to the tension between resistance and compliance that has been argued to lie at the heart of the feminist project in international law. I demonstrate how this theoretical framework can foster greater pluralist perspectives in feminist engagement of ideal theories to temper the deradicalising and conservative risk of navigating feasibility constrained nonideal strategies.
Brill–Noether general K3 surfaces with the maximal number of elliptic pencils of minimal degree
Authors: Hoff Michael , Knutsen Andreas Leopold
Published: September 2020

We explicitly construct Brill–Noether generalK3 surfaces of genus 4, 6 and 8 having the maximal number of elliptic pencils of degrees 3, 4 and 5, respectively, and study their moduli spaces and moduli maps to the moduli space of curves. As an application we prove the existence of Brill–Noether generalK3 surfaces of genus 4 and 6 without stable Lazarsfeld–Mukai bundles of minimal$$c_2$$c2.
Approaching Critical Decay in a Strongly Degenerate Parabolic Equation
Authors: Winkler Michael
Published: September 2020

The Cauchy problem in $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

, $$n\ge 1$$

n
≥
1

, for the parabolic equation $$\begin{aligned} u_t=u^p \Delta u \qquad \qquad (\star ) \end{aligned}$$

u
t

=

u
p

Δ
u

(
⋆
)

is considered in the strongly degenerate regime $$p\ge 1$$

p
≥
1

. The focus is firstly on the case of positive continuous and bounded initial data, in which it is known that a minimal positive classical solution exists, and that this solution satisfies $$\begin{aligned} t^\frac{1}{p}\Vert u(\cdot ,t)\Vert _{L^\infty ({\mathbb {R}}^n)} \rightarrow \infty \quad \hbox {as } t\rightarrow \infty . \end{aligned}$$

t

1
p

‖
u

(
·
,
t
)

‖

L
∞

(

R

n

)

→
∞

as

t
→
∞
.

The first result of this study complements this by asserting that given any positive $$f\in C^0([0,\infty ))$$

f
∈

C
0

(

[
0
,
∞
)

)

fulfilling $$f(t)\rightarrow +\infty $$

f
(
t
)
→
+
∞

as $$t\rightarrow \infty $$

t
→
∞

one can find a positive nondecreasing function $$\phi \in C^0([0,\infty ))$$

ϕ
∈

C
0

(

[
0
,
∞
)

)

such that whenever $$u_0\in C^0({\mathbb {R}}^n)$$

u
0

∈

C
0

(

R

n

)

is radially symmetric with $$0< u_0 < \phi (|\cdot |)$$

0
<

u
0

<
ϕ
(
|

·

|
)

, the corresponding minimal solution u satisfies $$\begin{aligned} \frac{t^\frac{1}{p}\Vert u(\cdot ,t)\Vert _{L^\infty ({\mathbb {R}}^n)}}{f(t)} \rightarrow 0 \quad \hbox {as } t\rightarrow \infty . \end{aligned}$$

t

1
p

‖
u

(
·
,
t
)

‖

L
∞

(

R

n

)

f
(
t
)

→
0

as

t
→
∞
.

Secondly, ($$\star $$
⋆
) is considered along with initial conditions involving nonnegative but not necessarily strictly positive bounded and continuous initial data $$u_0$$

u
0

. It is shown that if the connected components of $$\{u_0>0\}$$

{

u
0

>
0
}

comply with a condition reflecting some uniform boundedness property, then a corresponding uniquely determined continuous weak solution to ($$\star $$
⋆
) satisfies $$\begin{aligned} 0< \liminf _{t\rightarrow \infty } \Big \{ t^\frac{1}{p} \Vert u(\cdot ,t)\Vert _{L^\infty ({\mathbb {R}}^n)} \Big \} \le \limsup _{t\rightarrow \infty } \Big \{ t^\frac{1}{p} \Vert u(\cdot ,t)\Vert _{L^\infty ({\mathbb {R}}^n)} \Big \} <\infty . \end{aligned}$$

0
<

lim inf

t
→
∞

{

t

1
p

‖
u

(
·
,
t
)

‖

L
∞

(

R

n

)

}

≤

lim sup

t
→
∞

{

t

1
p

‖
u

(
·
,
t
)

‖

L
∞

(

R

n

)

}

<
∞
.

Under a somewhat complementary hypothesis, particularly fulfilled if $$\{u_0>0\}$$

{

u
0

>
0
}

contains components with arbitrarily small principal eigenvalues of the associated Dirichlet Laplacian, it is finally seen that (0.1) continues to hold also for such not everywhere positive weak solutions.
Effectiveness of a Tailored Work-Related Support Intervention for Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zaman A. C. G. N. M. , Tytgat K. M. A. J. , Klinkenbijl J. H. G. , Boer F. C. den , Brink M. A. , Brinkhuis J. C. , Bruinvels D. J. , Dol L. C. M. , van Duijvendijk P. , Hemmer P. H. J. , Lamme B. , Loosveld O. J. L. , Mok M. M. , Rejda T. , Rutten H. , Schoorlemmer A. , Sonneveld D. J. , Stassen L. P. S. , Veenstra R. P. , van de Ven A. , Velzing E. R. , Frings-Dresen M. H. W. , de Boer A. G. E. M.
Published: September 2020

Purpose The aim of this research was to study the effectiveness on return to work (RTW) of an early tailored work-related support intervention in patients diagnosed with curative gastrointestinal cancer. Methods A multicenter randomized controlled trial was undertaken, in which patients were assigned randomly to the intervention or the control group (usual care). The intervention encompassed three psychosocial work-related support meetings, starting before treatment. Five self-reported questionnaires were sent over twelve months of follow-up. Primary outcome was days until RTW (fulltime or partial) and secondary outcomes included work status, quality of life, work ability, and work limitations. Descriptive analysis, Kaplan–Meier analysis, relative risk ratio and linear mixed models were applied. Results Participants (N = 88) had a mean age of 55 years; 67% were male and the most common cancer type was colon cancer (66%). Of the participants, 42 were randomized to the intervention group. The median time from sick leave until RTW was 233 days (range 187–279 days) for the control group, versus 190 days (range 139–240 days) for the intervention group (log-rank p = 0.37). The RTW rate at twelve months after baseline was 83.3% for the intervention group and 73.5% for the control group. Work limitations did statistically differ between the groups over time (p = 0.01), but quality of life and work ability did not. Conclusion Patients in the intervention group seem to take fewer days to RTW, albeit not to a statistically significant extent.

Trial registration Trial NL4920 (NTR5022) (Dutch Trial Register https://www.trialregister.nl)
Application of Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modeling to Inform Translation of In Vitro NaV1.7 Inhibition to In Vivo Pharmacological Response in Non-human Primate
Authors: Ballard Jeanine E. , Pall Parul , Vardigan Joshua , Zhao Fuqiang , Holahan Marie A. , Kraus Richard , Li Yuxing , Henze Darrell , Houghton Andrea , Burgey Christopher S. , Gibson Christopher
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This work describes a staged approach to the application of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modeling in the voltage-gated sodium ion channel (NaV1.7) inhibitor drug discovery effort to address strategic questions regarding in vitro to in vivo translation of target modulation.

Methods

PK-PD analysis was applied to data from a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique to non-invasively measure treatment mediated inhibition of olfaction signaling in non-human primates (NHPs). Initial exposure-response was evaluated using single time point data pooled across 27 compounds to inform on in vitro to in vivo correlation (IVIVC). More robust effect compartment PK-PD modeling was conducted for a subset of 10 compounds with additional PD and PK data to characterize hysteresis.

Results

The pooled compound exposure-response facilitated an early exploration of IVIVC with a limited dataset for each individual compound, and it suggested a 2.4-fold in vitro to in vivo scaling factor for the NaV1.7 target. Accounting for hysteresis with an effect compartment PK-PD model as compounds advanced towards preclinical development provided a more robust determination of in vivo potency values, which resulted in a statistically significant positive IVIVC with a slope of 1.057 ± 0.210, R-squared of 0.7831, and p value of 0.006. Subsequent simulations with the PK-PD model informed the design of anti-nociception efficacy studies in NHPs.

Conclusions

A staged approach to PK-PD modeling and simulation enabled integration of in vitro NaV1.7 potency, plasma protein binding, and pharmacokinetics to describe the exposure-response profile and inform future study design as the NaV1.7 inhibitor effort progressed through drug discovery.
[18F]FDG Uptake in Adipose Tissue Is Not Related to Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Reijrink Melanie , de Boer Stefanie A. , Antunes Ines F. , Spoor Daan S. , Heerspink Hiddo J. L. , Lodewijk Monique E. , Mastik Mirjam F. , Boellaard Ronald , Greuter Marcel J. W. , Benjamens Stan , Borra Ronald J. H. , Slart Riemer H. J. A. , Hillebrands Jan-Luuk , Mulder Douwe J.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose ([18F]FDG) uptake is a marker of metabolic activity and is therefore used to measure the inflammatory state of several tissues. This radionuclide marker is transported through the cell membrane via glucose transport proteins (GLUTs). The aim of this study is to investigate whether insulin resistance (IR) or inflammation plays a role in [18F]FDG uptake in adipose tissue (AT).

Procedures

This study consisted of an in vivo clinical part and an ex vivo mechanistic part. In the clinical part, [18F]FDG uptake in abdominal visceral AT (VAT) and subcutaneous AT (SAT) was determined using PET/CT imaging in 44 patients with early type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (age 63 [54–66] years, HbA1c [6.3 ± 0.4 %], HOMA-IR 5.1[3.1–8.5]). Plasma levels were measured with ELISA. In the mechanistic part, AT biopsies obtained from 8 patients were ex vivo incubated with [18F]FDG followed by autoradiography. Next, a qRT-PCR analysis was performed to determine GLUT and cytokine mRNA expression levels. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine CD68+ macrophage infiltration and GLUT4 protein expression in AT.

Results

In vivo VAT [18F]FDG uptake in patients with T2DM was inversely correlated with HOMA-IR (r = − 0.32, p = 0.034), and positively related to adiponectin plasma levels (r = 0.43, p = 0.003). Ex vivo [18F]FDG uptake in VAT was not related to CD68+ macrophage infiltration, and IL-1ß and IL-6 mRNA expression levels. Ex vivo VAT [18F]FDG uptake was positively related to GLUT4 (r = 0.83, p = 0.042), inversely to GLUT3 (r = − 0.83, p = 0.042) and not related to GLUT1 mRNA expression levels.

Conclusions

In vivo [18F]FDG uptake in VAT from patients with T2DM is positively correlated with adiponectin levels and inversely with IR. Ex vivo [18F]FDG uptake in AT is associated with GLUT4 expression but not with pro-inflammatory markers. The effect of IR should be taken into account when interpreting data of [18F]FDG uptake as a marker for AT inflammation.
Thermodynamic Database Development for the ZrO2-MgO-MnOx System
Authors: Saenko Ivan , Fabrichnaya Olga
Published: September 2020

Thermodynamic description of the ZrO2-MgO-MnOxwas derived for the first time using available experimental data on phase relations in air and protective gas atmosphere. Solid solution phases were modelled using compound energy formalism. The liquid phase was described by the modified two-sublattice model for ionic liquid. Solubility of ZrO2was modelled in cubic spinel and MgO-MnO solid solution (halite structure) and therefore the Gibbs energies of Zr-containing endmembers were introduced. Ternary interaction parameters were introduced for halite, cubic spinel and cubic ZrO2to reproduce the stabilization of cubic ZrO2at temperatures below its stability in bounding systems and stabilization of cubic spinel at temperatures above its stability limit in the bounding systems. The obtained thermodynamic database was used to interpret results of differential thermal analysis.
Effect of football boot upper padding on shooting accuracy and velocity performance
Authors: Okholm Kryger Katrine , Mitchell Séan , Zhou Diwei , Forrester Steph
Published: September 2020

Football boots are marketed with a specific performance feature focus, for example, power boots are marketed for optimal shooting performance. However, little evidence exists on the impact of boot design on shooting performance. This study assessed the effect of upper padding on shooting velocity and accuracy using a test–retest reliable test setup. Nine university level football players performed a protocol of shooting to: (1) maximise velocity; and (2) maximise accuracy in football boots with and without upper padding (Poron Memory foam). The protocol was completed twice; the non-padded boot results were used for test–retest validation, while the non-padded versus padding results were used to investigate the effect of padding. Velocity was assessed through actual ball velocity, percentage of maximum velocity and perceived velocity. Accuracy was assessed through radial offset, vertical offset, horizontal offset, success (goal/no goal), zonal offset and perceived accuracy. No significant differences between boots were observed in the velocity measures for either velocity or accuracy focused shots. Significant differences between boots were observed in vertical offset for both accuracy (without padding mean ± standard deviation − 0.02 ± 1.05 m, with padding 0.28 ± 0.87 m, P = 0.029) and velocity (without padding 0.04 ± 1.33 m, with padding 0.38 ± 0.86 m, P = 0.042) focused shots resulting in more missed shots above the goal for the padded boot (without padding 41–43% missed, with padding 56–72% missed). These findings suggest the addition of upper padding has a negative impact on shooting accuracy while not impacting shooting velocity.
Climb ups or thumbs ups?
Authors: Holzmüller Philipp Julian Johannes , Braumüller Birgit
Published: September 2020

In postmodern times, social media is an integral part of informal sports like parkour. It potentially impacts physical activities as well as the assessment of one’s physical abilities and skills. Referring to the under-researched impact on the self-assessment, this study aims to examine if the parkour-related physical self-concept can be determined by social media use, as well as parkour-training aspects and sociodemographics. Two reference points of comparison have been considered, comparing one’s skills to real or virtual parkour communities. To address this research phenomenon, multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. The results showed that a high parkour-related physical self-concept (pkPSC) is primarily determined by the amount of time athletes put into their parkour activities. Furthermore, age and gender played an important role, indicating that being a young male appeared to be a main determinant for a higher pkPSC. Finally, posting parkour-related content in social media appeared to influence the pkPSC, although this finding might be interpreted as causality in both directions. The study identified real-life activities to be more important for the physical self-concept of traceurs; however, social media play a crucial role in the parkour community.
Organic geochemical and palynological studies of the Maastrichtian source rock intervals in Bida Basin, Nigeria: implications for hydrocarbon prospectivity
Authors: Ojo Olusola J. , Jimoh Ayoola Y. , Umelo Juliet C. , Akande Samuel O.
Published: September 2020

The Patti Formation which consists of sandstone and shale offers the best potential source beds in the Bida Basin. This inland basin is one of the basins currently being tested for hydrocarbon prospectivity in Nigeria. Fresh samples of shale from Agbaja borehole, Ahoko quarry and Geheku road cut were analysed using organic geochemical and palynological techniques to unravel their age, paleoecology, palynofacies and source bed hydrocarbon potential. Palynological data suggest Maastrichtian age for the sediments based on the abundance of microfloral assemblage;Retidiporites magdalenensis, Echitriporites trianguliformisandButtinia andreevi. Dinocysts belonging to theSpiniferites, DeflandreaandDinogymniumgenera from some of the analysed intervals are indicative of freshwater swamp and normal sea conditions. Palynological evidence further suggests mangrove paleovegetation and humid climate. Relatively high total organic carbon TOC (0.77–8.95 wt%) was obtained for the shales which implies substantial concentration of organic matter in the source beds. Hydrocarbon source rock potential ranges from 0.19 to 0.70 mgHC/g.rock except for a certain source rock interval in the Agbaja borehole with high yield of 25.18 mgHC/g.rock. This interval also presents exceptionally high HI of 274 mgHC/g.TOC and moderate amount of amorphous organic matter. The data suggests that in spite of the favourable organic matter quantity, the thermal maturity is low as indicated by vitrinite reflectance andTmax(0.46 to 0.48 Ro% and 413 to 475 °C, respectively). The hydrocarbon extracts show abundance of odd number alkanes C27–C33, low sterane/hopane ratio and Pr/Ph > 2. We conclude that the source rocks were terrestrially derived under oxic condition and dominated by type III kerogen. Type II organic matter with oil and gas potential is a possibility in Agbaja area of Bida Basin. Thermal maturity is low and little, or no hydrocarbon has been generated from the source rocks.
Bearing assessment tool for longitudinal bridge performance
Authors: Garcia-Sanchez David , Fernandez-Navamuel Ana , Sánchez Diego Zamora , Alvear Daniel , Pardo David
Published: September 2020

This work provides an unsupervised learning approach based on a single-valued performance indicator to monitor the global behavior of critical components in a viaduct, such as bearings. We propose an outlier detection method for longitudinal displacements to assess the behavior of a singular asymmetric prestressed concrete structure with a 120 m high central pier acting as a fixed point. We first show that the available long-term horizontal displacement measurements recorded during the undamaged state exhibit strong correlations at the different locations of the bearings. Thus, we combine measurements from four sensors to design a robust performance indicator that is only weakly affected by temperature variations after the application of principal component analysis. We validate the method and show its efficiency against false positives and negatives using several metrics: accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. Due to its unsupervised learning scope, the proposed technique is intended to serve as a real-time supervision tool that complements maintenance inspections. It aims to provide support for the prioritization and postponement of maintenance actions in bridge management.
Organo endocrino adiposo 2020: stato dell’arte
Authors: Cinti Saverio
Published: September 2020

Sommario

I tessuti adiposi bianco e bruno sono organizzati a formare un vero e proprio organo. Essi svolgono funzioni diverse ma collaborano grazie alla loro plasticità che permette la reciproca conversione. Ciò implica una nuova proprietà per le cellule mature. Il sottocutaneo della ghiandola mammaria fornisce un altro esempio perché queste cellule adipose si trasformano in ghiandole durante la gravidanza. L’organo adiposo nell’obesità va incontro a flogosi inducendo insulino-resistenza, patogeneticamente coinvolta nel diabete Tipo 2. L’organo adiposo collabora con quelli della digestione formando un sistema che è in grado di controllare diversi aspetti nutrizionali e quindi denominato sistema nutrizionale.
Decreasing azole sensitivity of Z. tritici in Europe contributes to reduced and varying field efficacy
Authors: Jørgensen L. N. , Matzen N. , Heick T. M. , Havis N. , Holdgate S. , Clark B. , Blake J. , Glazek M. , Korbas M. , Danielewicz J. , Maumene C. , Rodemann B. , Weigand S. , Kildea S. , Bataille C. , Brauna-Morževska E. , Gulbis K. , Ban R. , Berg G. , Semaskiene R. , Stammler G.
Published: September 2020

Septoria tritici blotch (STB;Zymoseptoria tritici) is the most important leaf disease of wheat in Northern and Western Europe. The problem of fungicide resistance inZ. triticipopulations is challenging future control options. In order to investigate differences in azole performances against STB, 55 field trials were carried out during four seasons (2015–2018). These trials were undertaken in ten different countries across Europe covering a diversity of climatic zones and agricultural practices. During all four seasons, four single azoles (epoxiconazole, prothioconazole, tebuconazole and metconazole) were tested. Increasing variability in the performances of these azoles against STB was observed across Europe. The efficacy of the tested azoles varied considerably across the continent and between countries. The shifts in disease control from these commonly used azoles were confirmed by increasing EC50values for epoxiconazole, prothioconazole-desthio and metconazole. The sensitivity towards tebuconazole remained relatively low across the four years. The frequencies ofCYP51mutations varied substantially across Europe, with a clear pattern of significantly decreasing frequencies of D134G, V136A and S524T in the localZ. triticipopulations from west to east. In contrast, no major differences were seen forCYP51mutations V136C, A379 and I381V. The four azoles showed different levels of cross-resistance, which again depended on specificCYP51mutations. Across the four seasons, the single azoles increased the yields between 9 and 11% on average.
Of Duels, Trials and Simplifying Systems
Authors: SILENO Giovanni
Published: September 2020

This short paper aims to unpack some of the assumptions underlying the “Policy and Investment Recommendation for Trustworthy AI” provided by the High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) appointed by the European Commission. It elaborates in particular on three aspects: on the technical-legal dimensions of trustworthy AI; on what we mean by AI; and on the impact of AI. The consequent analysis results in the identification, amongst others, of three recurrent simplifications, respectively concerning the definition of AI (sub-symbolic systems instead of “intelligent” informational processing systems), the interface between AI and institutions (neatly separated instead of continuity) and a plausible technological evolution (expecting a plateau instead of a potentially near-disruptive innovation).
On moderate deviations in Poisson approximation
Authors: Liu Qingwei , Xia Aihua
Published: September 2020

In this paper we first use the distribution of the number of records to demonstrate that the right tail probabilities of counts of rare events are generally better approximated by the right tail probabilities of a Poisson distribution than those of the normal distribution. We then show that the moderate deviations in Poisson approximation generally require an adjustment and, with suitable adjustment, we establish better error estimates of the moderate deviations in Poisson approximation than those in [18]. Our estimates contain no unspecified constants and are easy to apply. We illustrate the use of the theorems via six applications: Poisson-binomial distribution, the matching problem, the occupancy problem, the birthday problem, random graphs, and 2-runs. The paper complements the works [16], [8], and [18].
Increased vegetable and fruit intake is associated with reduced failure rate of tuberculosis treatment: a hospital-based cohort study in China
Authors: Xu Lei , Wang Jinyu , Zhao Shanliang , Zhang Jianwen , Xiong Ke , Cai Jing , Wang Qiuzhen , Lin Song , Ma Yan , Ma Aiguo
Published: September 2020

Increased intake of vegetables and fruits has been associated with reduced risk of tuberculosis infection. Vegetables and fruits exert immunoregulatory effects; however, it is not clear whether vegetables and fruits have an adjuvant treatment effect on tuberculosis. Between 2009 and 2013, a hospital-based cohort study was conducted in Linyi, Shandong Province, China. Treatment outcome was ascertained by sputum smear and chest computerised tomography, and dietary intake was assessed by a semi-quantitative FFQ. The dietary questionnaire was conducted at the end of month 2 of treatment initiation. Participants recalled their dietary intake of the previous 2 months. A total of 2309 patients were enrolled in this study. After 6 months of treatment, 2099 patients were successfully treated and 210 were uncured. In multivariate models, higher intake of total vegetables and fruits (OR 0·70; 95 % CI 0·49, 0·99), total vegetables (OR 0·68; 95 % CI 0·48, 0·97), dark-coloured vegetables (OR 0·61; 95 % CI 0·43, 0·86) and light-coloured vegetables (OR 0·67; 95 % CI 0·48, 0·95) were associated with reduced failure rate of tuberculosis treatment. No association was found between total fruit intake and reduced failure rate of tuberculosis treatment (OR 0·98; 95 % CI 0·70, 1·37). High intake of total vegetables and fruits, especially vegetables, is associated with lower risk of failure of tuberculosis treatment in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The results provide important information for dietary guidelines during tuberculosis treatment.
Sussex by the sea
Authors: Jansen Sandra , Robinson Justyna A. , Cahill Lynne , Leemann Adrian , Blaxter Tamsin , Britain David
Published: September 2020

Dialects in the South East of England are very often perceived as one homogenous mass, without much regional variation. Rosewarne introduced the notion of Estuary English and defined it as ‘variety of modified regional speech [ . . . ] a mixture of non-regional and local south-eastern English pronunciation and intonation’ (Rosewarne, 1984). However, studies such as Przedlacka (2001) and Torgersen & Kerswill (2004) have shown that, at least on the phonetic level, distinct varieties exist. Nevertheless, very few studies have investigated language use in the South East and even fewer in the county of Sussex. It is often claimed that there is no distinct Sussex dialect (Coates, 2010: 29). Even in the earliest works describing the dialect of the area (Wright, 1903) there are suggestions that it cannot be distinguished from Hampshire in the west and Kent in the east.
Dialect Maintenance in East Anglia
Authors: Butcher Kerri-Ann
Published: September 2020

The area of East Anglia in which its traditional dialects are spoken has shrunk significantly over the past few decades and seen a marked decline in the use of traditional features. These include lack of-smarking on third-person singular forms (Kingston, 2000; Potter, 2018), as well as the long-standing distinction between those words descended from Middle English /ɔ:/ and /ɔu/, as in ‘moan’ vs ‘mown’, which failed to become homophonous as part of the Long Mid Mergers (Wells, 1982a). Like other relics, this distinction now only remains in East Anglia's more northern locales (Trudgill & Foxcroft, 1978; Trudgill, 2004; Butcher, 2019). This apparent ‘dialect death’ situation (Trudgill, 1986: 68) is the outcome of continued supralocalisation, a situation in which locally specific linguistic forms lose out to linguistic variants with greater socio-spatial currency, usually as a result of mobility and dialect contact (Britain, 2010). In East Anglia's case, Trudgill (2001) argues that dialect levelling has largely been driven by the impact of London and Home Counties varieties of English. This process is predicted to continue (Trudgill, 1986; Kingston, 2000), though is unlikely to be straightforward. Britain (2011) reports that substantial intra-regional differences are found in relation to route and rate of sound change in East Anglia. This calls for more comprehensive analyses of East Anglian English to better understand the workings of this ‘heterogenous homogenisation’ (Britain, 2011: 57), and how individual case studies relate to the overall shrinkage of the area in which traditional East Anglian dialects are spoken. This paper presents data in this vein from two studies undertaken in Suffolk, southern East Anglia. The first presents data on unstressed vowel tensing, which refers to the alternation between [ə] and [ɪ] in those unstressed syllables where /ɪ/ occurs in other varieties of Southern British English (SBE) e.g. ‘carpet’ [kɑ:pɪt] / [ka:pəʔ]. The second reports data on yod dropping, i.e. the absence of /j/ from sequences of C+/ju/ e.g. ‘huge’ [hju:dʒ] / [hu:dʒ]. Both variables are well known from descriptions of East Anglian dialects but, as we will see later, they appear to behave differently in this study of contemporary East Anglian English.
Effects of the number of hospitalizations on cognitive function in Japanese patients with stable schizophrenia
Authors: Hori Hikaru , Atake Kiyokazu , Katsuki Asuka , Yoshimura Reiji
Published: September 2020

Background

The present study aimed to determine whether the number of hospitalizations in schizophrenia patients is associated with reduced cognitive performance, which may in turn imply that recurrences indirectly lead to a worsening in the disorder’s progression.

Methods

Cognitive performance in stable schizophrenia patients was assessed using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, Japanese-language version, on 30 patients who had not experienced any hospitalizations (G0), 57 patients who had experienced only one hospitalization (G1), 47 patients with two hospitalizations (G2), and 59 patients with three or more hospitalizations (G3).

Results

Significant differences in motor function and attention and processing speed were found between patients with G0 and those with G1. Significant differences in working memory and verbal fluency were found between patients with G1 and those with G2. Patients with G3 performed even more poorly in comparison with those with G1, showing deficits in verbal memory, working memory, executive function, and composite score. The patients with G3 displayed a greater range of impairment and demonstrated deficits in executive function compared with patients with G2. Finally, G2 and G3 performed more poorly than G0, with deficits in the various cognitive areas.

Conclusion

The number of hospitalizations predicted cognitive performance, which suggests that relapse or recurrence may have a long-term neuropsychological impact. Prospective follow-up studies must be completed to explore this effect further because better treatment adherence may have a protective effect on neurocognitive function.
‘Fat black sheep’: Educational penalties of childhood obesity in an emerging country
Authors: Levasseur Pierre
Published: September 2020

Objective:

This article explores the relationship between childhood obesity and educational outcomes in Mexico, a country where excess weight is predominant.

Design:

Using complementary multivariate estimators, we empirically investigate the association between childhood excess weight, measured in 2002, and schooling attainment measured 10 years later. Non-linear specifications are tested, and heterogeneous effects according to gender, living area and economic backgrounds are investigated.

Setting:

To fill the literature gap, this study focuses on the understudied context of emerging countries such as Mexico.

Participants:

Panel data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (2002–2012) are used. We restricted the sample to adolescent individuals who had between 9 and 15 years old in 2002 (attended primary or secondary school in 2002). The survey provides an accurate follow-up information on weight, height and waist circumference for each individual.

Results:

Controlling for a comprehensive set of covariates, we find that the relationship is non-linear in Mexico. While weight-based childhood obesity and abdominal adiposity are significantly associated with lower school attainment, at least in urban settings, no schooling gap is found between overweight students and their normal-weight counterparts. Along with rural–urban heterogeneity, obesity-based educational penalties appear to be stronger for girls and students from privileged economic backgrounds.

Conclusions:

These results emphasise the co-occurrence of anti-fat and pro-fat social norms in Mexican schools: while anti-fat norms may particularly concern female, richer and urban students, pro-fat norms might persist among male, poorer and rural students. These findings have important implications for public policy, namely about awareness anti-obesity programmes.
Norman Mailer and American Totalitarianism in the 1960s
Authors: Joscelyne Sophie
Published: September 2020

This article investigates Norman Mailer's appropriation and Americanization of the concept of totalitarianism as an internal critique of US society and culture in the 1960s. Dominant understandings of totalitarianism from the 1930s to the 1950s focused on external threats and were wedded to notions of pervasive state control of all aspects of life. Mailer's crucial intervention offered an alternative theory which viewed totalitarianism as an internal threat to the United States and de-emphasized the centrality of the state. His theory of cultural totalitarianism focused on internal psychological manipulation rather than external political coercion. Mailer's focus on the United States was symptomatic of a broader intellectual trend towards the study of non-statist forms of totalitarianism which has yet to receive adequate scholarly attention. This article thus illuminates new dimensions of the totalitarianism debate in American political thought and provides a fuller picture of Mailer's significance as a social critic.
Citizens’ Attitudes to Contact Tracing Apps
Authors: Horvath Laszlo , Banducci Susan , James Oliver
Published: September 2020

Citizens’ concerns about data privacy and data security breaches may reduce the adoption of COVID-19 contact tracing mobile phone applications, making them less effective. We implement a choice experiment (conjoint experiment) where participants indicate which version of two contact tracing apps they would install, varying the apps’ privacy-preserving attributes. Citizens do not always prioritise privacy and prefer a centralised National Health Service system over a decentralised system. In a further study asking about participants’ preference for digital-only vs human-only contact tracing, we find a mixture of digital and human contact tracing is supported. We randomly allocated a subset of participants in each study to receive a stimulus priming data breach as a concern, before asking about contact tracing. The salient threat of unauthorised access or data theft does not significantly alter preferences in either study. We suggest COVID-19 and trust in a national public health service system mitigate respondents’ concerns about privacy.
Illustrierte Spitalgeschichte des Zürcher Universitätsspitals und der medizinischen Poliklinik – nebst medizinischen, topografischen und kulturellen Nebenwirkungen
Authors: Käser Lorenzo
Published: September 2020

Zusammenfassung. In der Medizingeschichte spielte Zürich stets eine bedeutende Rolle, mit technischen Entwicklungen und biomedizinischen Entdeckungen (auch von zahlreichen Nobelpreisträgern) oder mit Eigennamen von Zürcher Ärzten, die in der Welt der Medizin als Eponyme heute Alltag sind. Das Kantonsspital Zürich der 1833 gegründeten Universität Zürich ist der ideale Ausgangspunkt, um die Zürcher Medizingeschichte zu illustrieren und zu verorten – aber auch, um spannende und unerwartete kulturelle oder urbane Bezüge aufzuzeigen.
Bachelor Humanmedizin an der ETH Zürich
Authors: Weissmann Yael , Wolfrum Christian , Goldhahn Jörg
Published: September 2020

Zusammenfassung. Bei sich stetig ändernden Lebensstilen und einer immer älter, aber auch dynamischer werdenden Gesellschaft kommt der Erhaltung und Gesundheit sowie der Verbesserung der Behandlung eine zentrale Rolle zu. Gleichzeitig revolutionieren die Entwicklungen in der Bioinformatik, den molekularen Biowissenschaften und den bildgebenden Verfahren die Medizin. Um die neuen Möglichkeiten, beispielsweise der Medizintechnik oder der personalisierten Medizin, voll ausschöpfen zu können, braucht es künftig Ärztinnen und Ärzte mit fundiertem Wissen in mehreren Disziplinen. Vertiefte Kenntnisse in den medizinischen wie auch in den technischen und biologischen Wissenschaften werden unerlässlich. Hier setzt der neue Bachelor Humanmedizin der Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschule (ETH) Zürich seit Herbst 2017 an und verbindet medizinische mit technisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Aspekten der menschlichen Gesundheit. Er vermittelt neben klassischen medizinischen Inhalten auch Themen aus dem bioinformatischen und medizintechnischen Bereich. Die Weiterführung des Studiums erfolgt an einer der Partneruniversitäten in Basel, Lugano oder Zürich.
Impact of Volcanic Aerosols on the Hydrology of the Asian Monsoon and Westerlies‐Dominated Subregions: Comparison of Proxy and Multimodel Ensemble Means
Authors: Zhuo Z. , Gao C. , Kirchner I. , Cubasch U.
Published: September 2020

Proxy‐model comparisons show large discrepancies in the impact of volcanic aerosols on the hydrology of the Asian monsoon region (AMR). This was mostly imputed to uncertainties arising from the use of a single model in previous studies. Here we compare two groups of CMIP5 multimodel ensemble mean (MMEM) with the tree‐ring‐based reconstruction Monsoon Asia Drought Atlas (MADA PDSI), to examine their reliability in reproducing the hydrological effects of the volcanic eruptions in 1300–1850 CE. Time series plots indicate that the MADA PDSI and the MMEMs agree on the significant drying effect of volcanic perturbation over the monsoon‐dominated subregion, while disparities exist over the westerlies‐dominated subregion. Comparisons of the spatial patterns suggest that the MADA PDSI and the MMEMs show better agreement 1 year after the volcanic eruption than in the eruption year and in subregions where more tree‐ring chronologies are available. The MADA PDSI and the CMIP5 MMEMs agree on the drying effect of volcanic eruptions in western‐East Asia, South Asian summer monsoon, and northern East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) regions. Model results suggest significant wetting effect in southern EASM and western‐South Asia, which agrees with the observed hydrological response to the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption. Analysis on model output from the Last Millennium Ensemble project shows similar hydrological responses. These results suggest that the CMIP5 MMEM is able to reproduce the impact of volcanic eruptions on the hydrology of the southern AMR.
One photon-per-bit receiver using near-noiseless phase-sensitive amplification
Authors: Kakarla Ravikiran , Schröder Jochen , Andrekson Peter A.
Published: September 2020

Space communication for deep-space missions, inter-satellite data transfer and Earth monitoring requires high-speed data connectivity. The reach is fundamentally dictated by the available transmission power, the aperture size, and the receiver sensitivity. A transition from radio-frequency links to optical links is now seriously being considered, as this greatly reduces the channel loss caused by diffraction. A widely studied approach uses power-efficient formats along with nanowire-based photon-counting receivers cooled to a few Kelvins operating at speeds below 1 Gb/s. However, to achieve the multi-Gb/s data rates that will be required in the future, systems relying on pre-amplified receivers together with advanced signal generation and processing techniques from fibre communications are also considered. The sensitivity of such systems is largely determined by the noise figure (NF) of the pre-amplifier, which is theoretically 3 dB for almost all amplifiers. Phase-sensitive optical amplifiers (PSAs) with their uniquely low NF of 0 dB promise to provide the best possible sensitivity for Gb/s-rate long-haul free-space links. Here, we demonstrate a novel approach using a PSA-based receiver in a free-space transmission experiment with an unprecedented bit-error-free, black-box sensitivity of 1 photon-per-information-bit (PPB) at an information rate of 10.5 Gb/s. The system adopts a simple modulation format (quadrature-phase-shift keying, QPSK), standard digital signal processing for signal recovery and forward-error correction and is straightforwardly scalable to higher data rates.
Flow-through stable isotope probing (Flow-SIP) minimizes cross-feeding in complex microbial communities
Authors: Mooshammer Maria , Kitzinger Katharina , Schintlmeister Arno , Ahmerkamp Soeren , Nielsen Jeppe Lund , Nielsen Per Halkjær , Wagner Michael
Published: September 2020

Stable isotope probing (SIP) is a key tool for identifying the microorganisms catalyzing the turnover of specific substrates in the environment and to quantify their relative contributions to biogeochemical processes. However, SIP-based studies are subject to the uncertainties posed by cross-feeding, where microorganisms release isotopically labeled products, which are then used by other microorganisms, instead of incorporating the added tracer directly. Here, we introduce a SIP approach that has the potential to strongly reduce cross-feeding in complex microbial communities. In this approach, the microbial cells are exposed on a membrane filter to a continuous flow of medium containing isotopically labeled substrate. Thereby, metabolites and degradation products are constantly removed, preventing consumption of these secondary substrates. A nanoSIMS-based proof-of-concept experiment using nitrifiers in activated sludge and 13C-bicarbonate as an activity tracer showed that Flow-SIP significantly reduces cross-feeding and thus allows distinguishing primary consumers from other members of microbial food webs.
Correction: Cytochrome P450 metabolic resistance (CYP6P9a) to pyrethroids imposes a fitness cost in the major African malaria vector Anopheles funestus
Authors: Tchouakui Magellan , Riveron Miranda Jacob , Mugenzi Leon M. J. , Djonabaye Doumani , Wondji Murielle J. , Tchoupo Micareme , Tchapga Williams , Njiokou Flobert , Wondji Charles S.
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Accurate quantification of copy-number aberrations and whole-genome duplications in multi-sample tumor sequencing data
Authors: Zaccaria Simone , Raphael Benjamin J.
Published: September 2020

Copy-number aberrations (CNAs) and whole-genome duplications (WGDs) are frequent somatic mutations in cancer but their quantification from DNA sequencing of bulk tumor samples is challenging. Standard methods for CNA inference analyze tumor samples individually; however, DNA sequencing of multiple samples from a cancer patient has recently become more common. We introduce HATCHet (Holistic Allele-specific Tumor Copy-number Heterogeneity), an algorithm that infers allele- and clone-specific CNAs and WGDs jointly across multiple tumor samples from the same patient. We show that HATCHet outperforms current state-of-the-art methods on multi-sample DNA sequencing data that we simulate using MASCoTE (Multiple Allele-specific Simulation of Copy-number Tumor Evolution). Applying HATCHet to 84 tumor samples from 14 prostate and pancreas cancer patients, we identify subclonal CNAs and WGDs that are more plausible than previously published analyses and more consistent with somatic single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small indels in the same samples.
Evolution of a guarded decoy protease and its receptor in solanaceous plants
Authors: Kourelis Jiorgos , Malik Shivani , Mattinson Oliver , Krauter Sonja , Kahlon Parvinderdeep S. , Paulus Judith K. , van der Hoorn Renier A. L.
Published: September 2020

Rcr3 is a secreted protease of tomato that is targeted by fungal effector Avr2, a secreted protease inhibitor of the fungal pathogen Cladosporium fulvum. The Avr2-Rcr3 complex is recognized by receptor-like protein Cf-2, triggering hypersensitive cell death (HR) and disease resistance. Avr2 also targets Rcr3 paralog Pip1, which is not required for Avr2 recognition but contributes to basal resistance. Thus, Rcr3 acts as a guarded decoy in this interaction, trapping the fungus into a recognition event. Here we show that Rcr3 evolved > 50 million years ago (Mya), whereas Cf-2 evolved <6Mya by co-opting the pre-existing Rcr3 in the Solanum genus. Ancient Rcr3 homologs present in tomato, potato, eggplants, pepper, petunia and tobacco can be inhibited by Avr2 with the exception of tobacco Rcr3. Four variant residues in Rcr3 promote Avr2 inhibition, but the Rcr3 that co-evolved with Cf-2 lacks three of these residues, indicating that the Rcr3 co-receptor is suboptimal for Avr2 binding. Pepper Rcr3 triggers HR with Cf-2 and Avr2 when engineered for enhanced inhibition by Avr2. Nicotiana benthamiana (Nb) is a natural null mutant carrying Rcr3 and Pip1 alleles with deleterious frame-shift mutations. Resurrected NbRcr3 and NbPip1 alleles were active proteases and further NbRcr3 engineering facilitated Avr2 inhibition, uncoupled from HR signalling. The evolution of a receptor co-opting a conserved pathogen target contrasts with other indirect pathogen recognition mechanisms.
Feeding-dependent tentacle development in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis
Authors: Ikmi Aissam , Steenbergen Petrus J. , Anzo Marie , McMullen Mason R. , Stokkermans Anniek , Ellington Lacey R. , Gibson Matthew C.
Published: September 2020

In cnidarians, axial patterning is not restricted to embryogenesis but continues throughout a prolonged life history filled with unpredictable environmental changes. How this developmental capacity copes with fluctuations of food availability and whether it recapitulates embryonic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we utilize the tentacles of the sea anemoneNematostella vectensisas an experimental paradigm for developmental patterning across distinct life history stages. By analyzing over 1000 growing polyps, we find that tentacle progression is stereotyped and occurs in a feeding-dependent manner. Using a combination of genetic, cellular and molecular approaches, we demonstrate that the crosstalk between Target of Rapamycin (TOR) andFibroblast growth factor receptor b(Fgfrb) signaling in ring muscles defines tentacle primordia in fed polyps. Interestingly,Fgfrb-dependent polarized growth is observed in polyp but not embryonic tentacle primordia. These findings show an unexpected plasticity of tentacle development, and link post-embryonic body patterning with food availability.