bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preserved right ventricular function but increased right atrial contractile demand in altitude-induced pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Sareban Mahdi , Perz Tabea , Macholz Franziska , Reich Bernhard , Schmidt Peter , Fried Sebastian , Mairbäurl Heimo , Berger Marc M. , Niebauer Josef
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Ascent to high altitude increases right ventricular (RV) afterload and decreases myocardial energy supply. This study evaluates physiologic variables and comprehensive echocardiographic indices of RV and right atrial (RA) function following rapid ascent to high altitude.

Methods

Fifty healthy volunteers actively ascended from 1130 to 4559 m in < 22 h. All participants underwent 2D echocardiography during baseline examination at low altitude (424 m) and at three study time-points (7, 20 and 44 h) after arrival at high altitude. In addition to systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), comprehensive 2D planimetric-, tissue Doppler- and speckle-tracking-derived strain indices of RA and RV function were obtained.

Results

sPAP increased from baseline (24 ± 4 mmHg) to the first altitude examination (39 ± 8 mmHg, p < 0.001) and remained elevated during the following 44 h. Global RV function did not change. RA reservoir strain showed a trend towards increase from baseline (50.2 ± 12.1%) to the first altitude examination (53.8 ± 11.0%, p = 0.07) secondary to a significant increase of RA contraction strain (19.2 ± 6.4 vs. 25.4 ± 9.6%, p < 0.001). Volumetric RA data largely paralleled RA strain results and RA active emptying volume was increased throughout the 44 h stay at high altitude.

Conclusion

Active and rapid ascent of healthy individuals to 4559 m is associated with an increased contractile performance of the RA that compensates for the increased workload of the RV.
Porous DMN-co-GMA copolymers modified with 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone
Authors: Maciejewska Małgorzata , Rogulska Magdalena
Published: March 2020

Porous microspheres obtained from 2,3-epoxypropyl methacrylate (GMA) and 1,4-di(methacryloyloxymethyl) naphthalene (DMN) were modified by the reaction of active oxirane group with 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone (HP). Spherical shape of the copolymers was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy whereas low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption method was applied to determine their porous structure. It was found that the modification process did not change noticeably the internal structure of the materials. The specific surface area for both types of materials ranged from 41 to 106 m2g−1 depending on the molar ratio of the monomers. Changes, however, were observed in reference to thermal properties. They were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry coupled with FTIR in inert and oxidative conditions. The reaction with HP reinforced thermal stability of the modified microspheres in helium atmosphere. Their initial decomposition temperatures (IDTs) increased to 273–281 °C. In air atmosphere, the values of IDTs were at the same level (248–269 °C). The modified beads decomposed in three (helium) or two (air) stages.
Ethical Foresight Analysis: What it is and Why it is Needed?
Authors: Floridi Luciano , Strait Andrew
Published: March 2020

An increasing number of technology firms are implementing processes to identify and evaluate the ethical risks of their systems and products. A key part of these review processes is to foresee potential impacts of these technologies on different groups of users. In this article, we use the expression Ethical Foresight Analysis (EFA) to refer to a variety of analytical strategies for anticipating or predicting the ethical issues that new technological artefacts, services, and applications may raise. This article examines several existing EFA methodologies currently in use. It identifies the purposes of ethical foresight, the kinds of methods that current methodologies employ, and the strengths and weaknesses of each of these current approaches. The conclusion is that a new kind of foresight analysis on the ethics of emerging technologies is both feasible and urgently needed.
Not Doing it Properly? (Re)producing and Resisting Knowledge Through Narratives of Autistic Sexualities
Authors: Bertilsdotter Rosqvist Hanna , Jackson-Perry David
Published: March 2020

Autism is conceptualized in much scientific literature as being associated with restricted and repetitive interests, characterized by an ‘empathy deficit’, and negatively impacting social communication. Meanwhile, ‘good and healthy’ sexuality is largely considered to be a social endeavor: asexuality and sexualities defined by acts rather than by partner gender—for example kink or BDSM—are broadly pathologized. Perhaps, therefore, first-hand autistic experiences of sexuality challenge existing assumptions about ‘good and healthy’ sexualities within couplehood. As a theoretical starting point to explore this potential, we revisit Gayle Rubin’s notion of ‘sex within the charmed circle’ to ask whether autistic sexuality can ever truly ‘fit’ within this (neurotypically defined) virtuous sexual arena. We further consider the ways in which the intersection of autism and sexuality is understood and experienced in first-hand autistic accounts of sexuality within a specific context, through analysis of a Swedish online discussion forum in which autistic people discuss sexuality. In doing so we seek both to better understand autistic sexual experience, and to track and deconstruct potentially restrictive assumptions of (non-autistic) couple sexuality more generally. We also consider ways in which assumptions of deficit concerning both non-normative sexualities and autism may have a deleterious effect on autistic people and on research more broadly, limiting theoretical and conceptual understandings of autism and autistic ways of (sexual) being by a default comparison to sexual and neurological norms.
Einbürgerungsfeiern in Deutschland: Die symbolische Dekonstruktion nationaler Zugehörigkeit
Authors: Jakob Maria
Published: March 2020

Seit einigen Jahren wird der Einbürgerungsprozess in Deutschland optional um eine offizielle Feier für die Neubürger*innen ergänzt. Die vorliegende rekonstruktive Analyse fasst diese Einbürgerungsfeiern als eine Instanz der symbolischen Arbeit an gesellschaftlicher Zugehörigkeit auf. Auf ihnen wird die nationale Zugehörigkeit zunehmend dekonstruiert und durch alternative Bestimmungen von Zugehörigkeit ersetzt, die vier Codes folgen: dem Lokalen, der (Hoch‑)Kultur, der Leistung und der Bürgerlichkeit. Diese Codes werden auf den Feiern in Reden ausgedeutet, in Musik, Geschenken und weiteren Feierelementen symbolisiert sowie mit Blick auf die Alltagserfahrungen der Teilnehmenden verankert. Die Einbürgerungsfeiern spiegeln damit einerseits eine generelle Entwicklung zu liberaleren und zugleich stärker kulturalisierten Bestimmungen von Zugehörigkeit wider, die sowohl die öffentlichen Debatten der letzten Jahrzehnte als auch die Anpassung des deutschen Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts geprägt haben. Andererseits finden die Feiern mit der symbolischen Arbeit an den Codes eine eigenständige rituelle Antwort auf die Ambivalenzen, die durch diese Debatten und neuen gesetzlichen Regelungen hervorgebracht wurden.
Current challenges in molecular diagnostics of insect venom allergy
Authors: Perez-Riverol A. , Palma M. S. , Jakob T.
Published: March 2020

Background

Advanced component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) in Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) has improved the precise description of individual sensitization profiles. However, diagnostic gaps, peptide-based cross-reactivity, early identification of severe reactors and diagnosis of patients with a clear history of sting reactions but negative specific IgE and skin tests, remain challenging.

Methods

Systematic literature search in PubMed and critical analysis of recently published studies on insect venom allergy diagnostics.

Results and discussion

CRD has increased the sensitivity of IgE testing and improved the discrimination of primary sensitization from irrelevant cross-reactivity, ultimately providing a better rationale for therapeutic decisions. Despite these major advances, there is still room for improvement in routine HVA diagnostics. Peptide based cross-reactivity among homologous allergens from Vespinae and Polistinae venoms as well as still existing diagnostic gaps are particularly challenging. No marker allergens are currently available to differentiate Vespula and Polistes sensitizations. Several strategies including clinical setting of basophil activation test (BAT) for routine diagnostics, venomic analysis for the identification of novel allergens and characterization of the molecular basis of cross-reactivity could be used to address major limitations and unresolved issues in molecular diagnostics of HVA.
Reuse of Abandoned Railways Leads to Urban Regeneration: A Tale from a Rust Track to a Green Corridor in Zhangjiakou
Authors: Zhang Chun , Dai Shujian , Xia Haishan
Published: March 2020

While high-speed train systems have accelerated mobility in China during the twenty-first century, the train systems of normal speed have gradually been replaced and abandoned, resulting in a "rust belt" in some Chinese cities. The reuse of abandoned railways provides a way to rebuild urban public transit based on the traditional tracks, and is also a way to transform towards urban regeneration of the surrounding neighborhood. Previous studies discussed the possibilities of three perspectives of reusing the abandoned rails: as a new transportation route, as a place for tourism and commerce and as a green corridor for the public. As a case study, this paper selects Zhangjiakou City, which is the terminal of the first railway routes built by Chinese, and explores methods of transformation from rail to urban rail transit. Under the background of the Beijing Winter Olympics of 2022 being partly held in Zhangjiakou City, the old North station and a 10-km rail between the North and South Station have been abandoned since 2014. This paper suggests conversion of the railway into an urban tram to meet the increasing commuter flow between the old and new city center. Additionally, transformation of the abandoned railway located in the city center will also trigger the urban space regeneration by increasing more urban functions and promoting urban public space. This research might shed light on other cities with similar transforming transportation facilities by analyzing the reuse possibilities of Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway in Zhangjiakou City.
Aging Agents: Cross Generational Analysis of Behavior and Need Satisfaction Among Players of Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
Authors: Azadvar Ahmad , Dalqvist Ebba
Published: March 2020

This research investigated the effect of age on players of an online multiplayer shooter. Through combining the data from two large scale surveys, we collected information regarding age, gaming habits, game rating and psychological need satisfaction for 8120 players ofTom Clancy’s The Division. Behavioral data extracted from the game’s tracking engine was then cross-referenced for different age groups to indicate motivational, behavioral and habitual characteristics of each age group. To find the importance of measured factors we employed a rank-based model for comparing independent sample means for intergenerational analysis (Kendall’s tau for non-parametric correlations) as well as multiple Machine Learning algorithms. Results found that different measures of playtime vary significantly among generations. Baby Boomers showed significantly higher playtime, days played and group playtime. Intergenerational comparison of perceived need satisfaction also found that older gamers feel more agentic, present in the narrative, closer to non-playable characters but less competent at the game. Percentage of group playtime also showed a decrease in older generations. Future research may expand cross generational analysis to other game types and include more granular behavioral measures.
Property $$(UW{\scriptstyle \Pi })$$ under perturbations
Authors: Aiena P. , Kachad M.
Published: March 2020

Property$$(UW {\scriptstyle \Pi })$$(UWΠ), introduced in Berkani and Kachad (Bull Korean Math Soc 49:1027–1040, 2015) and studied more recently in Aiena and Kachad (Acta Sci Math (Szeged) 84:555–571, 2018) may be thought as a variant of Browder’s theorem, or Weyl’s theorem, for bounded linear operators acting on Banach spaces. In this article we study the stability of this property under some commuting perturbations, as quasi-nilpotent perturbation and, more in general, under Riesz commuting perturbations. We also study the transmission of property$$(UW {\scriptstyle \Pi })$$(UWΠ)fromTtof(T), wherefis an analytic function defined on a neighborhood of the spectrum ofT. Furthermore, it is shown that this property is transferred from a Drazin invertible operatorTto its Drazin inverseS.
The Use of Penile Computed Tomography Cavernosogram in the Evaluation of Peyronie's Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: McCullough Andrew , Trussler James , Alnammi Mohanned , Schober Jared , Flacke Sebastian
Published: March 2020

Background

Clinical assessment of Peyronie disease (PD) is unreliable and difficult to reproduce.

Aim

To assess the utility of the computed tomography cavernosography (CTC) in evaluating the penile functional abnormalities of PD.

Methods

Men were placed in the Philips IQon Spectral CT scanner (Phillips, Cambridge, MA, USA) in the supine position. The penis was injected with trimix (papaverine 30 mg/cc, phentolamine 2 mg/cc, and prostaglandin 20 mcg/cc) in the left proximal base using a 27-gauge syringe. Clinical effect was assessed after 5 minutes. If penile erection was less rigid than adequate for penetration, the dose was repeated until a satisfactory result was achieved. A subcutaneous injection of 1% lidocaine for local analgesia was then injected into the left subcoronal corpora. After the maximum erection was obtained, a 20-gauge angiocatheter was inserted into the anesthetized area. The angiocatheter was connected via intravenous tubing to a 60-cc luer lock syringe of 50% mixture of iodinated contrast in normal saline. The penis was manually inflated until maximum erection was achieved as per the patient's report. The patient then underwent computed tomography scan. Upon completion, a reversal dose of phenylephrine was administered through the angiocatheter. The angiocatheter was then removed, and a penile compression dressing was applied.

Outcomes

Images were assessed for degree of curvature, presence of corporal involvement, and location of corporal involvement.

Results

63 men underwent CTC. The average age was 57 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54, 60). Duration of PD was 5.2 years (95% CI: 3, 7). Diabetes and hypogonadism were found in 15% and 50% of men, respectively. The primary angulation was 52° (95% CI: 40, 60). Multiple angulations were found in 80% of men with 3 or more degrees of angulation in 14%. Bilateral corporal involvement was found in 87%, and proximal involvement was found in 64%. Dorsal/dorsolateral, ventral/ventrolateral, lateral, and hourglass/corkscrew deformities were seen in 58%, 23%, 12%, and 7%, respectively. Average dose of trimix (mg-papaverine + mg-phentolamine + mcg-PGE-1), contrast dose, and radiation dose per scan were 26 (22, 31), 55 cc (47, 63), and 770 mGy∗cm (902, 638), respectively.

Clinical Implications

CTC may reveal additional information regarding the anatomy of the penis in men with PD which is not readily available by existing methods of evaluation.

Strengths & Limitations

We evaluated a small cohort of men with CTC which allowed for detailed visualization and assessment of their PD. This study is limited by the small sample of patients, retrospective nature, and absence of clinical outcomes which will require further study in the future.

Conclusion

The CTC may be useful in clearly defining the corporal abnormalities in men with PD.
The Caribbean Strong Summit: Building Resilience With Equity
Authors: Maas Cortés Leslie , Rodriguez-Rivera Melanie Z. , James James J. , Cordero José F
Published: March 2020

The objective of the Caribbean Strong Summit was to plan an intersectoral summit to address the equity of community health and resilience for disaster preparedness, response and recovery and develop a set of integrated and actionable recommendations for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Region post Hurricanes Irma and Maria. A three-day meeting was convened with a wide range of community, organizational and private sector leaders along with representatives from Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, the Americas, and global experts to generate recommendations for enhanced resilience based upon lessons learned and evidence-based approaches. More than 500 participants from the region gave 104 presentations with recommendations for resilience. Over 150 recommendations were generated and ranked for importance and actionability by participants. A representative sample of these are presented along with five major themes for building health resilient communities in the Caribbean. This summit was successful in compiling a set of integrated recommendations from more than 19 diverse sectors and in defining five major thematic areas for future work to enhance resilience for all types of future disasters. A follow-up meeting should be planned to continue this discussion and to showcase work that has been accomplished in these areas. A complete set of the recommendations from the Caribbean Strong Summit and their analysis and compilation would be published and should serve as a foundational effort to enhance preparedness and resiliency towards future disasters in the Caribbean.
Limit group invariants for non-free Cantor actions
Authors: HURDER STEVEN , LUKINA OLGA
Published: March 2020

A Cantor action is a minimal equicontinuous action of a countably generated group$G$on a Cantor space$X$. Such actions are also called generalized odometers in the literature. In this work, we introduce two new conjugacy invariants for Cantor actions, the stabilizer limit group and the centralizer limit group. An action is wild if the stabilizer limit group is an increasing sequence of stabilizer groups without bound and otherwise is said to be stable if this group chain is bounded. For Cantor actions by a finitely generated group$G$, we prove that stable actions satisfy a rigidity principle and furthermore show that the wild property is an invariant of the continuous orbit equivalence class of the action. A Cantor action is said to be dynamically wild if it is wild and the centralizer limit group is a proper subgroup of the stabilizer limit group. This property is also a conjugacy invariant and we show that a Cantor action with a non-Hausdorff element must be dynamically wild. We then give examples of wild Cantor actions with non-Hausdorff elements, using recursive methods from geometric group theory to define actions on the boundaries of trees.
Paleoecology and taxonomy ofSchoenaster carterensis, a new encrinasterid ophiuroid species from the Upper Mississippian (Chesterian) Slade Formation of northeastern Kentucky, USA
Authors: Harris Ann W. , Ettensohn Frank R. , Carnahan-Jarvis Jill E.
Published: March 2020

Schoenaster carterensisnew species, is an asteroid-like ophiuroid (Echinodermata) from Upper Mississippian (Chesterian) shallow-water carbonates in the Ramey Creek Member of the Slade Formation in northeastern Kentucky. First described in the 1860s from Lower and Middle Mississippian rocks,SchoenasterMeek and Worthen, 1860 is not a well-known fossil genus, but the 39 specimens in this collection permitted further definition of the genus and extended its range by ca. 17 Ma into Late Mississippian (Chesterian) time. The number of specimens also permitted differentiation of growth stages based on average arm length and showed that arm length, disk perimeter, and disk area are interrelated in statistically significant ways. Although replaced by chert, the specimens are nearly intact due to rapid burial as rare constituents in habitat communities distributed among four once-contiguous habitats, including shoal, shoal margin, transitional, and basinal. Most of the ophiuroids were concentrated on firm grounds or hardgrounds in shoal and transitional environments, concentrations that probably reflect substratum stability and the ability to support the ophiuroid's generalist feeding strategy. Many fossil ophiuroid species are known from only a few specimens, severely limiting interpretations about their detailed taxonomy, individual variation, and ecology. In contrast, the greater number of specimens and extensive knowledge of geologic occurrence in this study permitted detailed interpretations regarding the taxonomic, intraspecific, and ecologic attributes of this species, which might be useful in the study of other fossil ophiuroids.

UUID:http://www.zoobank.org/ffd945d8-63ac-4c38-a2d3-8647558dbbf0
The Legal Construction of Power in Deliberative Governance
Authors: Castro Henrique A.
Published: March 2020

Deliberative democracy has grown into an influential normative paradigm for political theory and reform programs alike, but doubts persist about its desirability in a world where strategic action and inequality are prevalent. This problem has spurred efforts to understand the empirical dynamics of power relations in institutionalized participation. This article argues that sociolegal scholarship has yet to join this turn to power but that doing so can help it to specify law’s causal and normative relevance in deliberative governance. This is because the legal environment within which actors interact affects causal mechanisms by distributing opportunities for the exercise of power between potential participants, actual participants, and participants and government. The utility of a power-distributional perspective is illustrated through a study of São Paulo’s health councils, one of the world’s largest experiments in deliberative governance. The study demonstrates that the councils’ trajectory and current functioning—including some of their normatively problematic aspects—cannot be understood without reference to legal arrangements. This article is meant as a building block for sociolegal scholarship to continue investigating deliberation.
Out of sync, out of society: Political beliefs and social networks
Authors: Joo Won-tak , Fletcher Jason
Published: March 2020

Who is more likely to be isolated from society in terms of political beliefs? To answer this question, we measure whether individuals’ beliefs are “out of sync”—the extent to which their views differ with their contemporaries—and examine how the level of synchronization is associated with the size of important-matter and political-matter discussion networks. The results show that people with weaker belief synchronization are more likely to have smaller important-matter discussion networks. However, additional analyses of political-matter discussion networks show that weaker belief synchronization is associated with smaller networks only among those without a high school diploma and even provides some advantage in maintaining larger networks for the college-educated. Overall, the results imply that political beliefs that are “out of sync” correspond to the individual being “out of society,” whereas the aspects of “out of society” are quite different among educational groups.
Development of temperate basmati rice: a multi-year study on performance and adaptation under high altitude conditions of Northern Himalayas
Authors: Sofi N. R. , Shikari A. B. , Sofi M. , Hussain A. , Khan G. H. , Wani S. H. , Mohiddin F. A. , Ganai M. A. , Parray G. A. , Sheikh F. A. , Dar Z. A. , Bhat N. A.
Published: March 2020

In the present study, an effective secondary selection of transgressive variants from a homozygous population of Pusa Sugandh 3 (PS3) has led to the development of basmati variant SKUA 494. SKUA 494 exhibited a grain yield (7.9 t/ha) with superiority of 21.5% over its progenitor (6.5 t/ha). Besides, the genotype revealed an earliness of about 13 and 15 days for flowering and maturity, respectively. Hulling, milling and head rice recovery traits of SKUA 494 were comparatively better over the controls PS3 and Pusa Basmati 1509. No significant differences in the cooking quality were observed in SKUA 494 over its parental line. Quality traits of SKUA 494 revealed an intermediate score for alkali spreading value, besides similar values for gel consistency and amylose content in comparison to PS3. On the basis of stability variables, stability index and overall mean for most of the traits, SKUA 494 depicted stable performance across the locations and over the years. Molecular analysis based on simple sequence repeat markers revealed polymorphism at locus flanking the quantitative trait loci for days to heading (Hd6) between SKUA 494 and its parent (PS3). Based on overall superiority in the performance and adaptability of SKUA 494, the variety has been recommended to farmers for general cultivation under temperate ecology.
Classification of regional and genre varieties of Chinese: A correspondence analysis approach based on comparable balanced corpora
Authors: Hou Renkui , Huang Chu-Ren
Published: March 2020

This paper proposes a robust text classification and correspondence analysis approach to identification of similar languages. In particular, we propose to use the readily available information of clauses and word length distribution to model similar languages. The modeling and classification are based on the hypothesis that languages are self-adaptive complex systems and hence can be classified by dynamic features describing the system, especially in terms of distributional relations of constituents of a system. For similar languages whose grammatical differences are often subtle, classification based on dynamic system features should be more effective. To test this hypothesis, we considered both regional and genre varieties of Mandarin Chinese for classification. The data are extracted from two comparable balanced corpora to minimize possible confounding factors. The two corpora are the Sinica Corpus from Taiwan and the Lancaster Corpus of Mandarin Chinese from Mainland China, and the two genres are reportage and review. Our text classification and correspondence analysis results show that the linguistically felicitous two-level constituency model combining power functions between word and clauses effectively classifies the two varieties of Chinese for both genres. In addition, we found that genres do have compounding effect on classification of regional varieties. In particular, reportage in two varieties is more likely to be classified than review, corroborating the complex system view of language variations. That is, language variations and changes typically do not take place evenly across the board for the complete language system. This further enhances our hypothesis that dynamic complex system features, such as the power functions captured by the Menzerath–Altmann law, provide effective models in classifications of similar languages.
Evaluation of dosimetric parameters of small fields of 6 MV flattening filter free photon beam measured using various detectors against Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Mamballikalam Gopinath , Senthilkumar S , Jayadevan P. M. , Jaon bos R. C. , Ahamed Basith P. M. , Inippully Rohit , Shine N. S. , Clinto C. O.
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

This study aims to evaluate dosimetric parameters like percentage depth dose, dosimetric field size, depth of maximum dose surface dose, penumbra and output factors measured using IBA CC01 pinpoint chamber, IBA stereotactic field diode (SFD), PTW microDiamond against Monte Carlo (MC) simulation for 6 MV flattening filter-free small fields.

Materials and Methods:

The linear accelerator used in the study was a Varian TrueBeam® STx. All field sizes were defined by jaws. The required shift to effective point of measurement was given for CC01, SFD and microdiamond for depth dose measurements. The output factor of a given field size was taken as the ratio of meter readings normalised to 10 × 10 cm2 reference field size without applying any correction to account for changes in detector response. MC simulation was performed using PRIMO (PENELOPE-based program). The phase space files for MC simulation were adopted from the MyVarian Website.

Results and Discussion:

Variations were seen between the detectors and MC, especially for fields smaller than 2 × 2 cm2 where the lateral charge particle equilibrium was not satisfied. Diamond detector was seen as most suitable for all measurements above 1 × 1 cm2. SFD was seen very close to MC results except for under-response in output factor measurements. CC01 was observed to be suitable for field sizes above 2 × 2 cm2. Volume averaging effect for penumbra measurements in CC01 was observed. No detector was found suitable for surface dose measurement as surface ionisation was different from surface dose due to the effect of perturbation of fluence. Some discrepancies in measurements and MC values were observed which may suggest effects of source occlusion, shift in focal point or mismatch between real accelerator geometry and simulation geometry.

Conclusion:

For output factor measurement, TRS483 suggested correction factor needs to be applied to account for the difference in detector response. CC01 can be used for field sizes above 2 × 2 cm2 and microdiamond detector is suitable for above 1 × 1 cm2. Below these field sizes, perturbation corrections and volume averaging corrections need to be applied.
To Gild or not to Gild? Revisiting the Transformations of American Capitalism
Authors: Maggor Noam
Published: March 2020

In what sense are we living in a “New Gilded Age”? Facile analogies between the late nineteenth century and our own era have proliferated in recent years. Pundits such as Paul Krugman inserted this analogy into the public conversation in the early 2000s, drawing on empirical work by economists Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez. In underscoring a parallel between the two “gilded” eras, these commentators sketched out two periods marked by economic inequality, with several “anomalous” decades of relative equality in the middle of the twentieth century. This basic U-shaped narrative template has inspired commentators in numerous venues, fromThe NationtoThe Economist, to imagine the shifts of recent decades simply as “a return” to an earlier age. Evoking social, political, and cultural resemblances, these accounts have stressed the resurgence of unfettered markets, economic volatility, government inaction, and the plutocratic reign of money.
Increased Transnational Sea Ice Transport Between Neighboring Arctic States in the 21st Century
Authors: DeRepentigny Patricia , Jahn Alexandra , Tremblay L. Bruno , Newton Robert , Pfirman Stephanie
Published: March 2020

The Arctic is undergoing a rapid transition toward a seasonal ice regime, with widespread implications for the polar ecosystem, human activities, as well as the global climate. Here we focus on how the changing ice cover impacts transborder exchange of sea ice between the exclusive economic zones of the Arctic states. We use the Sea Ice Tracking Utility, which follows ice floes from formation to melt, in conjunction with output diagnostics from two ensembles of the Community Earth System Model that follow different future emissions scenarios. The Community Earth System Model projects that by midcentury, transnational ice exchange will more than triple, with the largest increase in the amount of transnational ice originating from Russia and the Central Arctic. However, long‐distance ice transport pathways are predicted to diminish in favor of ice exchanged between neighboring countries. By the end of the 21st century, we see a large difference between the two future emissions scenarios considered: Consistent nearly ice‐free summers under the high emissions scenario act to reduce the total fraction of transnational ice exchange compared to midcentury, whereas the low emissions scenario continues to see an increase in the proportion of transnational ice. Under both scenarios, transit times are predicted to decrease to less than 2 yr by 2100, compared to a maximum of 6 yr under present‐day conditions and 2.5 yr by midcentury. These significant changes in ice exchange and transit time raise important concerns regarding risks associated with ice‐rafted contaminants.
Subduction Duration and Slab Dip
Authors: Hu Jiashun , Gurnis Michael
Published: March 2020

The dip angles of slabs are among the clearest characteristics of subduction zones, but the factors that control them remain obscure. Here, slab dip angles and subduction parameters, including subduction duration, the nature of the overriding plate, slab age, and convergence rate, are determined for 153 transects along subduction zones for the present day. We present a comprehensive tabulation of subduction duration based on isotopic ages of arc initiation and stratigraphic, structural, plate tectonic and seismic indicators of subduction initiation. We present two ages for subduction zones, a long‐term age and a reinitiation age. Using cross correlation and multivariate regression, we find that (1) subduction duration is the primary parameter controlling slab dips with slabs tending to have shallower dips at subduction zones that have been in existence longer; (2) the long‐term age of subduction duration better explains variation of shallow dip than reinitiation age; (3) overriding plate nature could influence shallow dip angle, where slabs below continents tend to have shallower dips; (4) slab age contributes to slab dip, with younger slabs having steeper shallow dips; and (5) the relations between slab dip and subduction parameters are depth dependent, where the ability of subduction duration and overriding plate nature to explain observed variation decreases with depth. The analysis emphasizes the importance of subduction history and the long‐term regional state of a subduction zone in determining slab dip and is consistent with mechanical models of subduction.
Fine Harmonic Structure of Equatorial Noise with a Quasiperiodic Modulation
Authors: Němec F. , Tomori A. , Santolík O. , Boardsen S. A. , Hospodarsky G. B. , Kurth W. S. , Pickett J. S. , Kletzing C.
Published: March 2020

Equatorial noise emissions (fast magnetosonic waves) are electromagnetic waves observed routinely in the equatorial region of the inner magnetosphere. They propagate with wave vectors nearly perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field; that is, they are limited to frequencies below the lower hybrid frequency. The waves are generated by instabilities of ring‐like proton distribution functions, which result in their fine harmonic structure with intensity maxima close to harmonics of the proton cyclotron frequency in the source region. Although most equatorial noise emissions are continuous in time, some events exhibit a clear quasiperiodic time modulation of the wave intensity, with typical modulation periods on the order of minutes. We analyze 72 such events (17 observed by the Cluster spacecraft, 55 observed by the Van Allen Probes spacecraft) for which high‐resolution data were available. The analysis of the observed harmonic structure allows us to determine source radial distances of the events. It is found that the calculated source radial distances are generally close to the radial distances where the events were observed. The harmonic numbers where the events are generated range between about 12 and 30. Two events for which the spacecraft passed through the generation region were identified and analyzed. No simultaneous ultra‐low‐frequency magnetic field pulsations and no periodic plasma number density variations were observed. Although the in situ measured proton distribution functions were shown to be responsible for the wave growth, an insufficient resolution of the particle instruments prevented us from detecting a quasiperiodic modulation possibly present in the particle data.
Fog Interception Maintains a Major Waterfall Landscape in Southwest China Revealed by Isotopic Signatures
Authors: Zhan Lucheng , Chen Jiansheng , Zhang Chenming , Wang Tao , Xin Pei , Li Ling
Published: March 2020

Fog water intercepted by the forest canopy can be an important extra water input for the near‐surface ecosystems in some tropical montane or coastal Mediterranean zones. However, the significance of fog interception on groundwater systems needs to be further studied. An inland subtropical cloud forest in the southwest of China is covered by frequent fog/mist and has thousands of waterfalls with significant flow. To verify the role of fog interception to the local hydrological budget, field investigations and sampling campaigns were carried out over different temporal and spatial scales. Compared with local rainwater, surface water and spring water in the forest were more enriched in 2H and 18O isotopes and had much higher d‐excess, indicating that fog water produced by inland evapotranspiration is a key water supplier. During the dry period, waterfalls are sustained by baseflow, of which a considerable fraction comes from fog interception recharge. The waterfall landscape maintained by fog drip water in this study area represents an example of the important contribution of fog water to some subtropical montane groundwater systems.
Genetic overlap between psychotic experiences in the community across age and with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Barkhuizen Wikus , Pain Oliver , Dudbridge Frank , Ronald Angelica
Published: March 2020

This study explores the degree to which genetic influences on psychotic experiences are stable across adolescence and adulthood, and their overlap with psychiatric disorders. Genome-wide association results were obtained for adolescent psychotic experiences and negative symptom traits (N = 6297–10,098), schizotypy (N = 3967–4057) and positive psychotic experiences in adulthood (N = 116,787–117,794), schizophrenia (N = 150,064), bipolar disorder (N = 41,653), and depression (N = 173,005). Linkage disequilibrium score regression was used to estimate genetic correlations. Implicated genes from functional and gene-based analyses were compared. Mendelian randomization was performed on trait pairs with significant genetic correlations. Results indicated that subclinical auditory and visual hallucinations and delusions of persecution during adulthood were significantly genetically correlated with schizophrenia (rg = 0.27–0.67) and major depression (rg = 0.41–96) after correction for multiple testing. Auditory and visual subclinical hallucinations were highly genetically correlated (rg = 0.95). Cross-age genetic correlations for psychotic experiences were not significant. Gene mapping and association analyses revealed 14 possible genes associated with psychotic experiences that overlapped across age for psychotic experiences or between psychotic experiences and psychiatric disorders. Mendelian randomization indicated bidirectional associations between auditory and visual hallucinations in adults but did not support causal relationships between psychotic experiences and psychiatric disorders. These findings indicate that psychotic experiences in adulthood may be more linked genetically to schizophrenia and major depression than psychotic experiences in adolescence. Our study implicated specific genes that are associated with psychotic experiences across development, as well as genes shared between psychotic experiences and psychiatric disorders.
Dorsal vagal complex and hypothalamic glia differentially respond to leptin and energy balance dysregulation
Authors: Stein Lauren M. , Lhamo Rinzin , Cao Anh , Workinger Jayme , Tinsley Ian , Doyle Robert P. , Grill Harvey J. , Hermann Gerlinda E. , Rogers Richard C. , Hayes Matthew R.
Published: March 2020

Previous studies identify a role for hypothalamic glia in energy balance regulation; however, a narrow hypothalamic focus provides an incomplete understanding of how glia throughout the brain respond to and regulate energy homeostasis. We examined the responses of glia in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) to the adipokine leptin and high fat diet-induced obesity. DVC astrocytes functionally express the leptin receptor; in vivo pharmacological studies suggest that DVC astrocytes partly mediate the anorectic effects of leptin in lean but not diet-induced obese rats. Ex vivo calcium imaging indicated that these changes were related to a lower proportion of leptin-responsive cells in the DVC of obese versus lean animals. Finally, we investigated DVC microglia and astroglia responses to leptin and energy balance dysregulation in vivo: obesity decreased DVC astrogliosis, whereas the absence of leptin signaling in Zucker rats was associated with extensive astrogliosis in the DVC and decreased hypothalamic micro- and astrogliosis. These data uncover a novel functional heterogeneity of astrocytes in different brain nuclei of relevance to leptin signaling and energy balance regulation.
Phase 1 study of the pan-HER inhibitor dacomitinib plus the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD-0325901 in patients with KRAS-mutation-positive colorectal, non-small-cell lung and pancreatic cancer
Authors: van Geel Robin M. J. M. , van Brummelen Emilie M. J. , Eskens Ferry A. L. M. , Huijberts Sanne C. F. A. , de Vos Filip Y. F. L. , Lolkema Martijn P. J. K. , Devriese Lot A. , Opdam Frans L. , Marchetti Serena , Steeghs Neeltje , Monkhorst Kim , Thijssen Bas , Rosing Hilde , Huitema Alwin D. R. , Beijnen Jos H. , Bernards René , Schellens Jan H. M.
Published: March 2020

Background

Mutations in KRAS result in a constitutively activated MAPK pathway. In KRAS-mutant tumours existing treatment options, e.g. MEK inhibition, have limited efficacy due to resistance through feedback activation of epidermal growth factor receptors (HER).

Methods

In this Phase 1 study, the pan-HER inhibitor dacomitinib was combined with the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD-0325901 in patients with KRAS-mutant colorectal, pancreatic and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients received escalating oral doses of once daily dacomitinib and twice daily PD-0325901 to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02039336).

Results

Eight out of 41 evaluable patients (27 colorectal cancer, 11 NSCLC and 3 pancreatic cancer) among 8 dose levels experienced dose-limiting toxicities. The RP2D with continuous dacomitinib dosing was 15 mg of dacomitinib plus 6 mg of PD-0325901 (21 days on/7 days off), but major toxicity, including rash (85%), diarrhoea (88%) and nausea (63%), precluded long-term treatment. Therefore, other intermittent schedules were explored, which only slightly improved toxicity. Tumour regression was seen in eight patients with the longest treatment duration (median 102 days) in NSCLC.

Conclusions

Although preliminary signs of antitumour activity in NSCLC were seen, we do not recommend further exploration of this combination in KRAS-mutant patients due to its negative safety profile.
A Cdh1–FoxM1–Apc axis controls muscle development and regeneration
Authors: Chen Zhe , Li Lei , Xu Shuangnian , Liu Zhilong , Zhou Chengfang , Li Zhigang , Liu Yuanyuan , Wu Weiru , Huang Yongxiu , Kuang Mei , Fan Shijun , Li Hui , Li Xi , Song Guanbin , Wu Wen-Shu , Chen Jieping , Hou Yu
Published: March 2020

Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) transcriptional factor has a principal role in regulating cell proliferation, self-renewal, and tumorigenesis. However, whether FoxM1 regulates endogenous muscle development and regeneration remains unclear. Here we found that loss of FoxM1 in muscle satellite cells (SCs) resulted in muscle atrophy and defective muscle regeneration. FoxM1 functioned as a direct transcription activator of adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc), preventing hyperactivation of wnt/β-catenin signaling during muscle regeneration. FoxM1 overexpression in SCs promoted myogenesis but impaired muscle regeneration as a result of spontaneous activation and exhaustion of SCs by transcriptional regulation of Cyclin B1 (Ccnb1). The E3 ubiquitin ligase Cdh1 (also termed Fzr1) was required for FoxM1 ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation. Loss of Cdh1 promoted quiescent SCs to enter into the cell cycle and the SC pool was depleted by serial muscle injuries. Haploinsufficiency of FoxM1 ameliorated muscle regeneration of Cdh1 knock-out mice. These data demonstrate that the Cdh1–FoxM1–Apc axis functions as a key regulator of muscle development and regeneration.
MCL1 inhibition is effective against a subset of small-cell lung cancer with high MCL1 and low BCL-XL expression
Authors: Yasuda Yuto , Ozasa Hiroaki , Kim Young Hak , Yamazoe Masatoshi , Ajimizu Hitomi , Yamamoto Funazo Tomoko , Nomizo Takashi , Tsuji Takahiro , Yoshida Hironori , Sakamori Yuichi , Nakajima Naoki , Menju Toshi , Yoshizawa Akihiko , Date Hiroshi , Hirai Toyohiro
Published: March 2020

There have been few advances in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) because of the lack of targets. MCL1, a member of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family, may be a treatment target in several cancers, including SCLC. However, whether the expression profile of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family affects MCL1 inhibition strategy is unknown. A tissue microarray (TMA) was created from consecutive patients who were diagnosed with SCLC and had previously undergone surgery at Kyoto University Hospital (Kyoto, Japan) between 2001 and 2017. We used S63845, a MCL1 inhibitor, to assess the cytotoxic capacity in SCLC cell lines including a patient-derived cell line in vitro and in vivo. The combination of S63845 with navitoclax, a double BCL-XL/BCL-2 inhibitor, was also employed to examine the comprehensive inhibition of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family. Immunohistochemistry of a TMA from patients with surgically resected SCLC demonstrated high MCL1 expression with low BCL-XL and BCL-2 to be the most common expression profile. S63845 was effective in high MCL1- and low BCL-XL-expressing SCLC cell lines. S63845 induced BAK-dependent apoptosis in vitro, and the anti-tumor efficacy was confirmed in an in vivo model. Although knockdown of BCL-XL and BCL-2 improved the cytotoxic activity of S63845 and its combination with navitoclax increased the anti-tumor cytotoxicity, the therapeutic range of S63845 with navitoclax was narrow in in vivo studies. Our study suggests MCL1 inhibition therapy be applied for high MCL1- and low BCL-XL-expressing SCLC patients.
Live cell imaging of single RNA molecules with fluorogenic Mango II arrays
Authors: Cawte Adam D. , Unrau Peter J. , Rueda David S.
Published: March 2020

RNA molecules play vital roles in many cellular processes. Visualising their dynamics in live cells at single-molecule resolution is essential to elucidate their role in RNA metabolism. RNA aptamers, such as Spinach and Mango, have recently emerged as a powerful background-free technology for live-cell RNA imaging due to their fluorogenic properties upon ligand binding. Here, we report a novel array of Mango II aptamers for RNA imaging in live and fixed cells with high contrast and single-molecule sensitivity. Direct comparison of Mango II and MS2-tdMCP-mCherry dual-labelled mRNAs show marked improvements in signal to noise ratio using the fluorogenic Mango aptamers. Using both coding (β-actin mRNA) and long non-coding (NEAT1) RNAs, we show that the Mango array does not affect cellular localisation. Additionally, we can track single mRNAs for extended time periods, likely due to bleached fluorophore replacement. This property makes the arrays readily compatible with structured illumination super-resolution microscopy.
Author Correction: Noninvasive sub-organ ultrasound stimulation for targeted neuromodulation
Authors: Cotero Victoria , Fan Ying , Tsaava Tea , Kressel Adam M. , Hancu Ileana , Fitzgerald Paul , Wallace Kirk , Kaanumalle Sireesha , Graf John , Rigby Wayne , Kao Tzu-Jen , Roberts Jeanette , Bhushan Chitresh , Joel Suresh , Coleman Thomas R. , Zanos Stavros , Tracey Kevin J. , Ashe Jeffrey , Chavan Sangeeta S. , Puleo Christopher
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.