bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imperial Science
Authors: Hunt Bruce J.
Published: December 2020

In the second half of the nineteenth century, British firms and engineers built, laid, and ran a vast global network of submarine telegraph cables. For the first time, cities around the world were put into almost instantaneous contact, with profound effects on commerce, international affairs, and the dissemination of news. Science, too, was strongly affected, as cable telegraphy exposed electrical researchers to important new phenomena while also providing a new and vastly larger market for their expertise. By examining the deep ties that linked the cable industry to work in electrical physics in the nineteenth century - culminating in James Clerk Maxwell's formulation of his theory of the electromagnetic field - Bruce J. Hunt sheds new light both on the history of the Victorian British Empire and on the relationship between science and technology.
Walter Ruttmann and the Cinema of Multiplicity
Authors: Cowan Michael
Published: December 2020

A key figure in early avant-garde cinema, Walter Ruttmann was a pioneer of experimental animation and the creative force behind one of the silent era's most celebrated montage films, Berlin: Symphony of a Great City. Yet even as he was making experimental films, Ruttmann had a day job. He worked regularly in advertising -and he would go on to make industrial films, medical films, and even Nazi propaganda films. Michael Cowan offers here the first study of Ruttmann in English, not only shedding light on his commercial, industrial, and propaganda work, but also rethinking his significance in light of recent transformations in film studies. Cowan brilliantly teases out the linkages between the avant-garde and industrial society in the early twentieth century, showing how Ruttmann's films incorporated and enacted strategies for managing the multiplicities of mass society. This book has won the Willy Haas Award 2014 for its outstanding contribution to the study of German cinema.
Judicial Big Data and Big-Data-Based Legal Research in China
Authors: ZUO Weimin , WANG Chanyuan
Published: December 2020

The newly established judicial-transparency platforms, like China Judgements Online, have provided access to a new resource—judicial big data—making it possible to conduct empirical, big-data-based legal research. However, as is often the case with new products, these platforms—China Judgements Online, in particular—pose a few problems for big-data-based legal research: insufficient academic depth; immature technical methods; and lack of innovation due to flawed data, strict technical thresholds, and lack of theoretical ambition and ability. In the future, big-data-based legal research should make use of current data resources, continue to promote statistical science and computer science in research, and apply small-data research methods, and in the meanwhile pay attention to the combination of data and theory.
Parliamentary Debate as a Driver of Military Justice Reform in Canada
Authors: Lim Preston Jordan
Published: December 2020

In June 2019, the Supreme Court of Canada pronounced judgment in the case ofR v Stillman, upholding the military justice system’s ability to try serious civil offences. TheStillmandecision highlighted one key mechanism of military justice reform: court judgments. This article argues, however, that military legal experts have overlooked Parliamentary debate as a key driver of military reform. By drawing on analysis of Hansard from past decades, this article argues that the Canadian Parliament has historically pushed for radical reform to the military justice system. This reformist consensus continues to shape Parliamentary discussions on military justice in the twenty-first century.
Is the incompatibility of UK data retention law with EU law really a victory?
Authors: White Matthew
Published: December 2020

The Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) in 2014 ruled in Digital Rights Ireland that the Data Retention Directive was invalid for exceeding the limits of proportionality in light of Articles 7, 8 and 52(1) of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (Charter). Subsequently, preliminary references from the England and Wales Court of Appeal and the Swedish Administrative Court of Appeal sought clarification from the ECJ as to whether EU law permitted a general obligation to retain traffic data covering all persons, all means of electronic communication and all traffic data without any distinctions, limitations or exceptions for the purpose of combating crime. The ECJ in Tele2 and Watson ruled that in light of Articles 7, 8, 11 and 52(1) of the Charter, EU Member States were precluded from adopting national measures which provided general and indiscriminate retention of traffic and location data of all subscribers and registered users relating to all means of electronic communication. The ECJ also ruled that Member States were only permitted to adopt data retention measures for the purpose of fighting serious crime, and only when access to retained data was subject to prior review by a court or an independent administrative body.

In 2018, the issue of the UK's data retention regime envisaged in Part 4 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 came before the England and Wales High Court. The High Court ruled that Part 4 was incompatible with EU law because access to retained communications data was not limited to the purpose of fighting serious crime, and it was not subject to prior review by a court or an independent administrative body. This judgment was regarded by the claimants, Liberty, as a ‘landmark victory for privacy rights’. However, this paper questions whether certain aspects of the High Court ruling are indeed a victory, by assessing its compatibility with EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
UCALEGON (VERG. AEN. 2.311–12) AND OTHER BURNING NEIGHBOURS
Authors: Diggle James
Published: December 2020

Verg. Aen. 2.311–12 iam proximus ardet | Vcalegon. This striking phrase is twice echoed, as commentators observe. The burning neighbour Ucalegon reappears in Juv. 3.198–201 iam poscit aquam, iam friuola transfert | Vcalegon … | ultimus ardebit quem … . And the words proximus ardet reappear in Hor. Epist. 1.18.84 paries cum proximus ardet.
Color Properties at the Mars InSight Landing Site
Authors: Maki J. N. , Golombek M. , Banerdt W. , Smrekar S. , Deen R. , Abarca H. , Lu S. , Hall J.
Published: December 2020

The color properties observed at the InSight landing site by the lander cameras are spectral mixtures of two source materials: gray‐black rocky material with chromaticity values of x = 0.32, y = 0.32 (standard deviations of σx = 0.02 and σy = 0.03) and yellowish‐brown dust with chromaticity values of x = 0.42, y = 0.36 (standard deviations of σx = 0.02 and σy = 0.03). These results are consistent with published values from other Mars landed missions. The InSight measurements also include the first published value of the white point of Mars daylight, chromaticity of x = 0.35, y = 0.34 (standard deviations of σx = 0.01 and σy = 0.02), which is redder than earth daylight by δx = 0.04 and δy = 0.01. InSight measurements also show a small color difference (δx = 0.02 and δy = 0.01) between the near field terrain (within 20 m of the lander) and the far field area beyond. This color difference is believed to be caused by dust being blown off by near field terrain by the lander rockets during the landing event. The visual difference between these two regions is caused primarily by the brightness variation. Chromaticity measurements of the Martian sky also match previous missions with additional variability caused by differences in dust loading and the dynamic nature of the Martian atmosphere.
Homes and Other Buildings Abound in Natural Hazard Hot Spots
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: December 2020

Researchers mined maps of natural hazards and land use to show that nearly 60% of structures are built in regions at high risk of earthquakes, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and/or tornadoes.
Decreasing Atmospheric CO2 During the Late Miocene Cooling
Authors: Tanner Thomas , Hernández‐Almeida Iván , Drury Anna Joy , Guitián José , Stoll Heather
Published: December 2020

A pronounced late Miocene cooling (LMC) from ~7 to 5.7 Ma has been documented in extratropical and tropical sea surface temperature records, but to date, available proxy evidence has not revealed a significant pCO2 decline over this event. Here, we provide a new, high‐resolution pCO2 proxy record over the LMC based on alkenone carbon isotopic fractionation (εp) measured in sediments from the South Atlantic at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1088. We apply a recent proxy calibration derived from a compilation of laboratory cultures, which more accurately reflects the proxy sensitivity to pCO2 changes during late Quaternary glacial‐interglacial cycles, together with new micropaleontological proxies to reconstruct past variations in algal growth rate, an important secondary influence on the εp. Our resulting pCO2 record suggests an approximately twofold to threefold decline over the LMC and confirms a strong coupling between climate and pCO2 through the late Miocene. Within this long‐term trend are pCO2 variations on sub‐myr timescales that may reflect 400‐kyr long‐eccentricity cycles, in which pCO2 minima coincide with several orbital‐scale maxima in published high‐resolution benthic δ18O records. These may correspond to ephemeral glaciations, potentially in the Northern Hemisphere. Our temperature and planktonic δ18O records from Site 1088 are consistent with substantial equatorward movement of Southern Ocean frontal systems during the LMC. This suggests that potential feedbacks between cooling, ocean circulation and deep ocean CO2 storage may warrant further investigation during the LMC.
Fulminant myocarditis: a comprehensive review from etiology to treatments and outcomes
Authors: Hang Weijian , Chen Chen , Seubert John M. , Wang Dao Wen
Published: December 2020

Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is characterized by a rapid progressive decline in cardiac function and a high mortality rate. Since the first report of FM patients in the 1980s, several clinical trials and research studies have been published increasing our knowledge regarding FM. Currently, the diagnosis of FM depends on various techniques including electrocardiography, echocardiography, endomyocardial biopsy, and cardiac magnetic resonance. The development of mechanical circulation support (MCS) devices and progress in our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FM, treatment regimens have evolved from simple symptomatic treatment to a life support-based comprehensive treatment approach. The core mechanism underlying the development of FM is the occurrence of an inflammatory cytokine storm. This review provides a comprehensive account of the current understanding of FM pathophysiology and knowledge regarding its etiology, pathophysiology, treatments, and outcomes.
Intron retention is a robust marker of intertumoral heterogeneity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tan Daniel J. , Mitra Mithun , Chiu Alec M. , Coller Hilary A.
Published: December 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with a 5-year survival rate of <8%. Unsupervised clustering of 76 PDAC patients based on intron retention (IR) events resulted in two clusters of tumors (IR-1 and IR-2). While gene expression-based clusters are not predictive of patient outcome in this cohort, the clusters we developed based on intron retention were associated with differences in progression-free interval. IR levels are lower and clinical outcome is worse in IR-1 compared with IR-2. Oncogenes were significantly enriched in the set of 262 differentially retained introns between the two IR clusters. Higher IR levels in IR-2 correlate with higher gene expression, consistent with detention of intron-containing transcripts in the nucleus in IR-2. Out of 258 genes encoding RNA-binding proteins (RBP) that were differentially expressed between IR-1 and IR-2, the motifs for seven RBPs were significantly enriched in the 262-intron set, and the expression of 25 RBPs were highly correlated with retention levels of 139 introns. Network analysis suggested that retention of introns in IR-2 could result from disruption of an RBP protein−protein interaction network previously linked to efficient intron removal. Finally, IR-based clusters developed for the majority of the 20 cancer types surveyed had two clusters with asymmetrical distributions of IR events like PDAC, with one cluster containing mostly intron loss events. Taken together, our findings suggest IR may be an important biomarker for subclassifying tumors.
Efficiency enhancement of CZTSSe solar cells via screening the absorber layer by examining of different possible defects
Authors: Minbashi Mehran , Ghobadi Arash , Yazdani Elnaz , Ahmadkhan Kordbacheh Amirhossein , Hajjiah Ali
Published: December 2020

This study represents the investigation of earth-abundant and non-toxic CZTSSe absorber materials in kesterite solar cell by using the Finite Element Method (FEM) with (1) electrical, and (2) optical approaches. The simulated results have been validated with the experimental results to define guidelines for boosting the cell performance. For improving the cell efficiency, potential barrier variations in the front contact, and the effect of different lattice defects in the CZTSSe absorber layer have been examined. Controlling the defects and the secondary phases of absorber layer have significant influence on the cell performance improvement. Previous studies have demonstrated that, synthesis of CZTSSe:Na nanocrystals and controlling the S/(S + Se), Cu/(Zn + Sn), and Zn/Sn ratios (stoichiometry) have significant effects on the reduction of trap-assisted recombination (Shockley–Read–Hall recombination model). In this work, a screening-based approach has been employed to study the cell efficiency over a wide range of defect densities. Two categorized defect types including benign defects ($${N}_{t}<{10}^{16}$$

N
t

<

10

16

cm−3 , Nt defines trap density) and harmful defects $${(N}_{t}>{10}^{16}$$

(
N

t

>

10

16

cm−3) in the absorber bandgap in the CZTSSe solar cell, by analyzing their position changes with respect to the electron Fermi level (Efn) and the Valence Band Maximum positions have been identified. It is realized that, the harmful defects are the dominant reason for the low efficiency of the kesterite solar cells, therefore, reducing the number of harmful defects and also total defect densities lead to the power conversion efficiency record of 19.06%. This increment makes the CZTSSe solar cells as a promising candidate for industrial and commercial applications.
Impact of comorbid asthma on severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Authors: Lee Sang Chul , Son Kang Ju , Han Chang Hoon , Jung Ji Ye , Park Seon Cheol
Published: December 2020

The severity of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is associated with various comorbidities. However, no studies have yet demonstrated the potential risk of respiratory failure and mortality in COVID-19 patients with pre-existing asthma. We selected 7272 adult COVID-19 patients from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment COVID-19 database for this nationwide retrospective cohort study. Among these, 686 patients with asthma were assessed by their severities and evaluated by the clinical outcome of COVID-19 compared to patients without asthma. Of 7272 adult COVID-19 patients, 686 with asthma and 6586 without asthma were compared. Asthma was not a significant risk factor for respiratory failure or mortality among all COVID-19 patients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.99, P = 0.997 and OR = 1.06, P = 0.759) after adjusting for age, sex, and the Charlson comorbidity score. However, a history of acute exacerbation (OR = 2.63, P = 0.043) was significant risk factors for death among COVID-19 patients with asthma. Asthma is not a risk factor for poor prognosis of COVID-19. However, asthma patients who had any experience of acute exacerbation in the previous year before COVID-19 showed higher COVID-19-related mortality, especially in case of old age and male sex.
Scavenger receptor MARCO contributes to cellular internalization of exosomes by dynamin-dependent endocytosis and macropinocytosis
Authors: Kanno Sanae , Hirano Seishiro , Sakamoto Tsubasa , Furuyama Akiko , Takase Hiroshi , Kato Hideaki , Fukuta Mamiko , Aoki Yasuhiro
Published: December 2020

Macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) is a scavenger receptor class-A protein that is expressed on the cell surface of macrophages. MARCO mediates binding and ingestion of unopsonized environmental particles, including nano-sized materials. Exosomes are cell-derived, nano-sized vesicles (40–150 nm) that can contain lipids, RNA, DNA, and various proteins. Exosomes play an essential role in cell-to-cell communication via body fluids. However, mechanisms for the recognition and internalization of exosomes by recipient cells remain poorly characterized. In this study, cellular association of serum-derived fluorescent exosomes and 20-nm fluorescent nanoparticles (positive control) was compared between MARCO-expressing (CHO-MARCO) and control (CHO-CT) CHO-K1 cells to examine whether MARCO expression by recipient cells mediates the cellular uptake of exosomes and environmental nanoparticles. Fluorescence microscopic studies and quantitative analyses revealed that the cellular associations of both exosomes and 20-nm nanoparticles were greater in CHO-MARCO cells than in CHO-CT cells. Exosomes and nanoparticles colocalized with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-MARCO in cells transfected with GFP-MARCO-encoding constructs . Furthermore, inhibitory studies showed that actin reorganization and dynamin are involved in the MARCO-mediated cellular internalization of exosomes. These results indicated that MARCO plays a role in the uptake of exosomes.
Blockage of interleukin-1β with canakinumab in patients with Covid-19
Authors: Landi Lorenza , Ravaglia Claudia , Russo Emanuele , Cataleta Pierluigi , Fusari Maurizio , Boschi Andrea , Giannarelli Diana , Facondini Francesca , Valentini Ilaria , Panzini Ilaria , Lazzari-Agli Luigi , Bassi Paolo , Marchionni Elisa , Romagnoli Rossella , De Giovanni Raffaella , Assirelli Marina , Baldazzi Federica , Pieraccini Fabio , Rametta Giovanna , Rossi Lucia , Santini Luca , Valenti Ivana , Cappuzzo Federico
Published: December 2020

There is the urgent need to study the effects of immunomodulating agents as therapy for Covid-19. An observational, cohort, prospective study with 30 days of observation was carried out to assess clinical outcomes in 88 patients hospitalized for Covid-19 pneumonia and treated with canakinumab (300 mg sc). Median time from diagnosis of Covid-19 by viral swab to administration of canakinumab was 7.5 days (range 0–30, IQR 4–11). Median PaO2/FiO2 increased from 160 (range 53–409, IQR 122–210) at baseline to 237 (range 72–533, IQR 158–331) at day 7 after treatment with canakinumab (p < 0.0001). Improvement of oxygen support category was observed in 61.4% of cases. Median duration of hospitalization following administration of canakinumab was 6 days (range 0–30, IQR 4–11). At 7 days, 58% of patients had been discharged and 12 (13.6%) had died. Significant differences between baseline and 7 days were observed for absolute lymphocyte counts (mean 0.60 vs 1.11 × 109/L, respectively, p < 0.0001) and C-reactive protein (mean 31.5 vs 5.8 mg/L, respectively, p < 0.0001).Overall survival at 1 month was 79.5% (95% CI 68.7–90.3). Oxygen-support requirements improved and overall mortality was 13.6%. Confirmation of the efficacy of canakinumab for Covid-19 warrants further study in randomized controlled trials.
Common variants in SOX-2 and congenital cataract genes contribute to age-related nuclear cataract
Authors: Yonova-Doing Ekaterina , Zhao Wanting , Igo Robert P. , Wang Chaolong , Sundaresan Periasamy , Lee Kristine E. , Jun Gyungah R. , Alves Alexessander Couto , Chai Xiaoran , Chan Anita S. Y. , Lee Mei Chin , Fong Allan , Tan Ava G. , Khor Chiea Chuen , Chew Emily Y. , Hysi Pirro G. , Fan Qiao , Chua Jacqueline , Chung Jaeyoon , Liao Jiemin , Colijn Johanna M. , Burdon Kathryn P. , Fritsche Lars G. , Swift Maria K. , Hilmy Maryam H. , Chee Miao Ling , Tedja Milly , Bonnemaijer Pieter W. M. , Gupta Preeti , Tan Queenie S. , Li Zheng , Vithana Eranga N. , Ravindran Ravilla D. , Chee Soon-Phaik , Shi Yuan , Liu Wenting , Su Xinyi , Sim Xueling , Shen Yang , Wang Ya Xing , Li Hengtong , Tham Yih-Chung , Teo Yik Ying , Aung Tin , Small Kerrin S. , Mitchell Paul , Jonas Jost B. , Wong Tien Yin , Fletcher Astrid E. , Klaver Caroline C. W. , Klein Barbara E. K. , Wang Jie Jin , Iyengar Sudha K. , Hammond Christopher J. , Cheng Ching-Yu
Published: December 2020

Nuclear cataract is the most common type of age-related cataract and a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Age-related nuclear cataract is heritable (h2 = 0.48), but little is known about specific genetic factors underlying this condition. Here we report findings from the largest to date multi-ethnic meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (discovery cohort N = 14,151 and replication N = 5299) of the International Cataract Genetics Consortium. We confirmed the known genetic association of CRYAA (rs7278468, P = 2.8 × 10−16) with nuclear cataract and identified five new loci associated with this disease: SOX2-OT (rs9842371, P = 1.7 × 10−19), TMPRSS5 (rs4936279, P = 2.5 × 10−10), LINC01412 (rs16823886, P = 1.3 × 10−9), GLTSCR1 (rs1005911, P = 9.8 × 10−9), and COMMD1 (rs62149908, P = 1.2 × 10−8). The results suggest a strong link of age-related nuclear cataract with congenital cataract and eye development genes, and the importance of common genetic variants in maintaining crystalline lens integrity in the aging eye.
Movement errors during skilled motor performance engage distinct prediction error mechanisms
Authors: Gabitov Ella , Lungu Ovidiu , Albouy Geneviève , Doyon Julien
Published: December 2020

The brain detects deviations from intended behaviors by estimating the mismatch between predicted and actual outcomes. Axiomatic to these computations are salience and valence prediction error signals, which alert the brain to the occurrence and value of unexpected events. Despite the theoretical assertion of these prediction error signals, it is unknown whether and how brain mechanisms underlying their computations support error processing during skilled motor behavior. Here we demonstrate, with functional magnetic resonance imaging, that internal detection, i.e., without externally-provided feedback, of self-generated movement errors evokes instantaneous activity increases within the salience network and delayed lingering decreases within the nucleus accumbens – a key structure in the reward valuation pathway. A widespread suppression within the sensorimotor network was also observed. Our findings suggest that neural computations of salience and valence prediction errors during skilled motor behaviors operate on different time-scales and, therefore, may contribute differentially to immediate and longer-term adaptive processes.
A serine protease secreted from Bacillus subtilis cleaves human plasma transthyretin to generate an amyloidogenic fragment
Authors: Peterle Daniele , Pontarollo Giulia , Spada Stefano , Brun Paola , Palazzi Luana , Sokolov Alexej V. , Spolaore Barbara , Polverino de Laureto Patrizia , Vasilyev Vadim B. , Castagliuolo Ignazio , De Filippis Vincenzo
Published: December 2020

Aggregation of human wild-type transthyretin (hTTR), a homo-tetrameric plasma protein, leads to acquired senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA), recently recognised as a major cause of cardiomyopathies in 1–3% older adults. Fragmented hTTR is the standard composition of amyloid deposits in SSA, but the protease(s) responsible for amyloidogenic fragments generation in vivo is(are) still elusive. Here, we show that subtilisin secreted from Bacillus subtilis, a gut microbiota commensal bacterium, translocates across a simulated intestinal epithelium and cleaves hTTR both in solution and human plasma, generating the amyloidogenic fragment hTTR(59–127), which is also found in SSA amyloids in vivo. To the best of our knowledge, these findings highlight a novel pathogenic mechanism for SSA whereby increased permeability of the gut mucosa, as often occurs in elderly people, allows subtilisin (and perhaps other yet unidentified bacterial proteases) to reach the bloodstream and trigger generation of hTTR fragments, acting as seeding nuclei for preferential amyloid fibrils deposition in the heart.
The kinetics of humoral response and its relationship with the disease severity in COVID-19
Authors: Ren Lili , Zhang Lulu , Chang De , Wang Junwen , Hu Yongfeng , Chen Hong , Guo Li , Wu Chao , Wang Conghui , Wang Yingying , Wang Ying , Wang Geng , Yang Siyuan , Dela Cruz Charles S. , Sharma Lokesh , Wang Linghang , Zhang Dingyu , Wang Jianwei
Published: December 2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic. Here we profiled the humoral response against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by measuring immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, and IgG against nucleocapsid and spike proteins, along with IgM and IgG antibodies against receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein and total neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). We tested 279 plasma samples collected from 176 COVID-19 patients who presented and enrolled at different stages of their disease. Plasma dilutions were optimized and based on the data, a single dilution of plasma was used. The mean absorbance at 450 nm was measured for Ig levels and NAbs were measured using geometric mean titers. We demonstrate that more severe cases have a late-onset in the humoral response compared to mild/moderate infections. All the antibody titers continue to rise in patients with COVID-19 over the disease course. However, these levels are mostly unrelated to disease severity. The appearance time and titers of NAbs showed a significant positive correlation to the antibodies against spike protein. Our results suggest the late onset of antibody response as a risk factor for disease severity, however, there is a limited role of antibody titers in predicting disease severity of COVID-19.
Future Antarctic snow accumulation trend is dominated by atmospheric synoptic-scale events
Authors: Dalaiden Quentin , Goosse Hugues , Lenaerts Jan T. M. , Cavitte Marie G. P. , Henderson Naomi
Published: December 2020

Over the last century, the increase in snow accumulation has partly mitigated the total dynamic Antarctic Ice Sheet mass loss. However, the mechanisms behind this increase are poorly understood. Here we analyze the Antarctic Ice Sheet atmospheric moisture budget based on climate reanalysis and model simulations to reveal that the interannual variability of regional snow accumulation is controlled by both the large-scale atmospheric circulation and short-lived synoptic-scale events (i.e. storm systems). Yet, when considering the entire continent at the multi-decadal scale, only the synoptic-scale events can explain the recent and expected future snow accumulation increase. In a warmer climate induced by climate change, these synoptic-scale events transport air that can contain more humidity due to the increasing temperatures leading to more precipitation on the continent. Our findings highlight that the multi-decadal and interannual snow accumulation variability is governed by different processes, and that we thus cannot rely directly on the mechanisms driving interannual variations to predict long-term changes in snow accumulation in the future.
Genome-wide Discovery of MicroRNA Biomarkers for Cancer Precision Medicine
Authors: Zhu Zhongxu , Han Guiyuan , Huang Hao , He Lingli , Chen Yu , Ke Jia , Gao Feng , Vermeulen Louis , Wang Xin
Published: December 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. MiRNAs are found frequently dysregulated during cancer initiation, development, and metastasis, and are present in a wide variety of clinical specimens such as blood, saliva, urine, and feces. These relatively abundant and stable molecules provide great potential to be exploited for cancer detection, prognosis, and therapy response prediction, as well as disease monitoring. Herein, we introduce state-of-the-art development of miRNA biomarkers with a particular focus on a genome-wide, data-driven methodology, which has demonstrated higher robustness and reproducibility compared to traditional methods. We will first review miRNA-based biomarkers for various clinical applications and discuss the potential limitations of traditional approaches. Next, we will summarize the major steps involved in a data-driven methodology for biomarker development. Finally, we will discuss the main advantages and challenges in real clinical applications, as well as possible solutions and emerging opportunities.
Nanopore Sequencing and Detection of Tumor Mutations
Authors: Chen Yu , Zhou Xiaoyu , Yang Mengsu
Published: December 2020

The widespread use of high-throughput sequencing technologies provides unprecedented insights into the human genome and cancer biology. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have become the standard approaches to explore gene expression profiles and detect oncogenic mutations. However, NGS methods are limited by short reads, which hamper the detection of complex mutations like high repetitive genomic regions and larger structure variations (SVs). Nanopore sequencing generates ultra-long reads of target sequences, which could help capture the entire structure and modification of DNA and transcript molecules. Nanopore technology enables real-time, ultra-long read sequencing for direct RNA sequencing and detection of methylation information. In addition, nanopore sequencing can be combined with emerging technologies like CRISPR and Pore-C to overcome some of the shortcomings of NGS technologies, especially in the detection of tumor mutations.
Single-cell Sequencing of Circulating Tumor Cells: Recent Technical Advances, Challenges and Applications
Authors: Ni Ying , Cui Yuzhu , Zou Heng , Xu Tao , Yang Mengsu
Published: December 2020

Single-cell sequencing has provided precision medicine with a new perspective for cancer detection because of its power to reveal cellular heterogeneity, especially in tumorigenesis. The application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) further enhances the capability of cancer diagnosis and monitoring through liquid biopsy. Emerging technological developments in CTC enrichment and isolation, whole-genome amplification, single-cell sequencing analysis, and their applications on translational research and clinic practice are summarized in this chapter. The review also discusses the technical challenges in transforming CTC information and single CTC sequencing platform from academic research to practical use. Critical research questions are also highlighted in order to help provide clinical benefits for cancer patients using CTC-based single-cell sequencing techniques.
Progress in electrochemiluminescence of nanoclusters: how to improve the quantum yield of nanoclusters
Authors: Ge Junjun , Chen Xufeng , Yang Jinling , Wang Yuanyuan
Published: December 2020

Classification of nanoclusters and methods to improve their quantum yield and applications.
A label-free fluorescent aptasensor based on HCR and G-quadruplex DNAzymes for the detection of prostate-specific antigen
Authors: Zhao Ruirui , Zhao Lu , Feng Haidi , Chen Xiaoliang , Zhang Huilin , Bai Yunfeng , Feng Feng , Shuang Shaomin
Published: December 2020

Fluorescence sensing platforms based on HCR and G-quadruplex DNAzyme amplification strategies for the detection of prostate-specific antigen.
Fluorescence lifetime predicts performance of voltage sensitive fluorophores in cardiomyocytes and neurons
Authors: Boggess Steven C. , Lazzari-Dean Julia R. , Raliski Benjamin K. , Mun Dong Min , Li Amy Y. , Turnbull Joshua L. , Miller Evan W.
Published: December 2020

Voltage imaging with fluorescent indicators offers a powerful complement to traditional electrode or Ca2+-imaging approaches for monitoring electrical activity.
Aggregation-induced emission active metal complexes: a promising strategy to tackle bacterial infections
Authors: Prasad Puja , Gupta Ajay , Sasmal Pijus K.
Published: December 2020

This Feature Article discusses the recent development of metal-based aggregation-induced emission luminogens for detection, discrimination and decimation of bacterial pathogens to tackle antimicrobial resistance.
Enhanced brightness and electron affinity of terrylenediimide with sulfone-bridged substituents on the bay region
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zhou Huanying , Wang Xu , Li Xinwei , Wei Juandi , Qiao Yanjun , Song Yifang , Gao Baoxiang
Published: December 2020

Electron-withdrawing sulfone-bridged substituents endow terrylenediimide dyes with low LUMO levels, strong electron affinity, red-shifted maximum emission, and high photoluminescence quantum yield.
The recent progress of synergistic supramolecular polymers: preparation, properties and applications
Authors: Huo Yufeng , He Zhenfeng , Wang Chao , Zhang Lei , Xuan Qianyu , Wei Suying , Wang Yanhong , Pan Duo , Dong Binbin , Wei Renbo , Naik Nithesh , Guo Zhanhu
Published: December 2020

Interactions for forming supramolecular polymers were reviewed together with their unique properties and applications with detailed examples.
Recent progress in approximate quantum dynamics methods for the study of proton-coupled electron transfer reactions
Authors: Brown Sandra E. , Shakib Farnaz A.
Published: December 2020

We provide a detailed theoretical background and methodological perspective for the application of recently-developed quantum dynamics methods to the study of PCET, including discussion of several recent demonstrations.
DNA origami-based protein networks: from basic construction to emerging applications
Authors: Kong Gezhi , Xiong Mengyi , Liu Lu , Hu Ling , Meng Hong-Min , Ke Guoliang , Zhang Xiao-Bing , Tan Weihong
Published: December 2020

The precise construction and emerging applications of DNA origami-based protein networks are summarized.
Reactivity of a magnesium diboranate with organic nitriles
Authors: Shere Henry , Hill Michael S. , Pécharman Anne-Frédérique , Mahon Mary F.
Published: December 2020

Reactions of a diboranate with organic nitriles result in B–C bond formation and variable behaviour that is rationalised as due to substituent-dependent modulation in the basicity and electrophilicity of Mg-coordinated nitrile intermediates.
TiO2 nanoparticles coated with bio-inspired ligands for the safer-by-design development of photocatalytic paints
Authors: Laisney Jérôme , Rosset Aurélie , Bartolomei Vincent , Predoi Daniela , Truffier-Boutry Delphine , Artous Sébastien , Bergé Virginie , Brochard Gregory , Michaud-Soret Isabelle
Published: December 2020

Stabilization and coating with bio-inspired ligands of TiO2 nanoparticles for the development of safer-by-design photocatalytic paints.
Time-resolved imaging of correlation-driven charge migration in light-induced molecular magnets by X-ray scattering
Authors: Tremblay Jean Christophe , Pohl Vincent , Hermann Gunter , Dixit Gopal
Published: December 2020

Time-resolved current densities and X-ray scattering simulations yield information about the charge migration mechanism in laser-driven molecular magnets.
Surfactant-free synthesis of copper nanoparticles and gas phase integration in CNT-composite materials
Authors: Brunet Paul , McGlynn Ruairi J. , Alessi Bruno , Smail Fiona , Boies Adam , Maguire Paul , Mariotti Davide
Published: December 2020

Surfactant free synthesis of copper nanoparticles by using atmospheric plasma pressure.
Research on laser-assisted selective metallization of a 3D printed ceramic surface
Authors: Zhao Feng , Jiao Chen , Xie Deqiao , Lu Bin , Qiu Mingbo , Yi Xinyu , Liu Jiang , Wang Changjiang , Shen Lida , Tian Zongjun
Published: December 2020

A high-precision selective metallization pattern is achieved on the 3D printed Al2O3 ceramic surface by the laser pre-activation and electroless copper plating. This study opens up a broader space for the design and manufacture of 3D microwave devices.
Achieving polydispersive HDPE byN,N,N-Co precatalysts appended withN-2,4-bis(di(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl)-6-methylphenyl
Authors: Yuan Shi-Fang , Fan Zhe , Yan Yi , Ma Yanping , Han Mingyang , Liang Tongling , Sun Wen-Hua
Published: December 2020

Introducing a practical application ofN,N,N-Co precatalysts for highly linear polyethylenes with wide polydispersity and high molecular weights, targeting HDPE using Phillips catalyst.
Gauge invariant and gauge dependent aspects of topological walking colloidal bipeds
Authors: Mirzaee-Kakhki Mahla , Ernst Adrian , de las Heras Daniel , Urbaniak Maciej , Stobiecki Feliks , Tomita Andreea , Huhnstock Rico , Koch Iris , Ehresmann Arno , Holzinger Dennis , Fischer Thomas M.
Published: December 2020

Paramagnetic colloidal spheres assemble to colloidal bipeds of various length in an external magnetic field and walk on a magnetic pattern.
Voxel based method for predictive modelling of solidification and stress in digital light processing based additive manufacture
Authors: Reid Andrew , Jackson Joseph C. , Windmill J. F. C.
Published: December 2020

A method for predicting the solidification and stress of a digital light processing 3D print process is presented, using a voxel-based, multi-layer model to predict the degree of polymerization of the material at every stage during the print.
Highly selective photocatalytic conversion of methane to liquid oxygenates over silicomolybdic-acid/TiO2under mild conditions
Authors: Sun Zongwei , Wang Chunling , Hu Yun Hang
Published: December 2020

H4SiMo12O40/TiO2was demonstrated to be an excellent catalyst for photocatalytic methane oxidation to liquid oxygenates. This provides the first successful example of polyoxometalate-based catalysts for photocatalytic methane conversion.
Polydiphenylamine as a promising high-energy cathode material for dual-ion batteries
Authors: Obrezkov Filipp A. , Shestakov Alexander F. , Vasil'ev Sergey G. , Stevenson Keith J. , Troshin Pavel A.
Published: December 2020

Polydiphenylamine (PDPA)-based cathodes exhibited record energy densities among all known polymer-based cathodes for dual-ion batteries.
Mesoporous TiO2-based architectures as promising sensing materials towards next-generation biosensing applications
Authors: Amri Fauzan , Septiani Ni Luh Wulan , Rezki Muhammad , Iqbal Muhammad , Yamauchi Yusuke , Golberg Dmitri , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Yuliarto Brian
Published: December 2020

This review highlights the recent development of mesoporous TiO2-based architectures as promising sensing materials for diagnosing diseases and detecting harmful substances in the human body.
The effect of local structure on the luminescence of Eu2+ in ternary phosphate solid solutions by cationic heterovalent substitution and their application in white LEDs
Authors: Wang Jindi , Huang Shuai , Shang Mengmeng , Dang Peipei , Lian Hongzhou , Lin Jun
Published: December 2020

[Ca9Na3xY1−x(PO4)7 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1/2) ← Ca3(PO4)2 → Ca9+yNa3/2−y/2Y(1−y)/2(PO4)7 (0 ≤ y ≤ 1)] phosphors were achieved by cationic heterovalent substitution strategy.
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway control of CD8+ T cell differentiation
Authors: Damasio Marcos P. , Marchingo Julia M. , Spinelli Laura , Hukelmann Jens L. , Cantrell Doreen A. , Howden Andrew J.M.
Published: December 2020

The integration of multiple signalling pathways that co-ordinate T cell metabolism and transcriptional reprogramming is required to drive T cell differentiation and proliferation. One key T cell signalling module is mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) which are activated in response to antigen receptor engagement. The activity of ERKs is often used to report antigen receptor occupancy but the full details of how ERKs control T cell activation is not understood. Accordingly, we have used mass spectrometry to explore how ERK signalling pathways control antigen receptor driven proteome restructuring in CD8+ T cells to gain insights about the biological processes controlled by ERKs in primary lymphocytes. Quantitative analysis of >8000 proteins identified 900 ERK regulated proteins in activated CD8+ T cells. The data identify both positive and negative regulatory roles for ERKs during T cell activation and reveal that ERK signalling primarily controls the repertoire of transcription factors, cytokines and cytokine receptors expressed by activated T cells. It was striking that a large proportion of the proteome restructuring that is driven by triggering of the T cell antigen receptor is not dependent on ERK activation. However, the selective targets of the ERK signalling module include the critical effector molecules and the cytokines that allow T cell communication with other immune cells to mediate adaptive immune responses.
The Effects of Dysphonic Voice on Speech Intelligibility in Cantonese-Speaking Adults
Authors: Ma Estella P.-M. , Tse Mandy M.-S. , Momenian Mohammad , Pu Dai , Chen Felix F.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of dysphonic voice on speech intelligibility in Cantonese-speaking adults.

Method

Speech recordings from three speakers with dysphonia secondary to phonotrauma and three speakers with healthy voices were presented to 30 healthy listeners (15 men and 15 women;
M
age
= 22.7 years) under six noise conditions (signal-to-noise ratio [SNR] −10, SNR −5, SNR 0, SNR +5, SNR +10) and quiet conditions. The speech recordings were composed of sentences with five different lengths: five syllables, eight syllables, 10 syllables, 12 syllables, and 15 syllables. The effects of speaker's voice quality, background noise condition, and sentence length on speech intelligibility were examined. Speech intelligibility scores were calculated based on the listener's correct judgment of the number of syllables heard as a percentage of the total syllables in each stimulus.

Results

Dysphonic voices, as compared to healthy voices, were significantly more affected by background noise. Speech presented with dysphonic voices was significantly less intelligible than speech presented with healthy voices under unfavorable SNR conditions (SNR −10, SNR −5, and SNR 0 conditions). However, there was no sufficient evidence to suggest effects of sentence length on intelligibility, regardless of the speaker's voice quality or the level of background noise.

Conclusions

This study provides empirical data on the impacts of dysphonic voice on speech intelligibility in Cantonese speakers. The findings highlight the importance of educating the public about the impacts of voice quality and background noise on speech intelligibility and the potential of compensatory strategies that specifically address these barriers.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13335926
Optimal tie‐line and battery sizing for remote provisional microgrids
Authors: Masaud Tarek Medalel , El‐Saadany Ehab
Published: December 2020

Unlike traditional microgrids, Provisional Microgrid (PMG) utilizes only renewable generation and small energy storage units; thus, it does not have an inherent self‐islanding capability and instead, relies on importing power from any coupled microgrid (CMG) for islanding purposes. Therefore, assuring adequate power sharing between interconnected provisional and coupled MGs is crucial for assuring self‐islanding capability and reliable operation. The optimal power that can be transferred between the coupled MG and the PMG is mainly restricted by the size of the interconnecting tie‐line; hence, determining the tie‐line optimal size becomes a crucial task that must be tackled. Furthermore, the amount of power transferred is significantly influenced by the flexibility level of each microgrid. Since battery storage systems (BSS) is the main source of flexibility in PMGs, it becomes also vital to obtain the optimal size of the BSS for planning islanded PMG system. This paper presents an optimization model to jointly determine the optimal size of the BSS in each MG and the tie‐line size to assure optimal power sharing and minimum system cost (tie‐line investment cost, BSS investment cost, and interconnected system’s operation cost). Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Balanced substrate integrated waveguide filters with controllable finite transmission zeros
Authors: Liu Qing , An Na , He Zhongyang , Zhang Dewei , Wang Xian , Zhou Dongfang
Published: December 2020

This article presents a design method for balanced substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) filters with controllable finite transmission zeros (FTZs). The balanced SIW filters are designed by combining one dual‐mode and four single‐mode SIW cavities. Characteristics of the proposed balanced SIW filters without and with cross‐coupling path are analysed in detail. The proposed balanced SIW filters can realize one or two controllable FTZs. Based on the characteristic of dual‐mode SIW cavity, good performance of common mode suppression can also be achieved. For the demonstration, some design examples with the centre frequency of 12.5 GHz are presented, and two design examples are fabricated to verify the performance of the proposed balanced SIW filters and the design method.
Memory‐augmented cognitive radar for obstacle avoidance using nearest steering vector search
Authors: Guo Liyong , Antoniou Michail , Baker Christopher J.
Published: December 2020

This study describes a cognitive radar architecture with application to real‐time obstacle avoidance in mobile robotic platforms. The concept of a world memory map is introduced as a means of providing an enhanced perception of the environment around the robotic platform. This is combined with a specially designed obstacle avoidance algorithm, Nearest Steering Vector Searching, all capable of operating in real‐time. The study analytically derives the radar signal processing algorithm, starting from range‐angle maps, so that a collision free course to a set destination point can be robustly navigated. Finally, the performance of this cognitive approach is examined through a number of proof‐of‐concept experiments using a commercial off‐the‐shelf radar mounted on a mobile ground robotic platform.