bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time series of diabetes attributable mortality from 2008 to 2017
Authors: Fedeli U. , Schievano E. , Masotto S. , Bonora E. , Zoppini G.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Diabetes is a growing health problem. The aim of this study was to capture time trends in mortality associated with diabetes.

Methods

The mortality database of the Veneto region (Italy) includes both the underlying causes of death, and all the diseases mentioned in the death certificate. The annual percent change (APC) in age-standardized rates from 2008 to 2017 was computed by the Joinpoint Regression Program.

Results

Overall 453,972 deaths (56,074 with mention of diabetes) were observed among subjects aged ≥ 40 years. Mortality rates declined for diabetes as the underlying cause of death and from diabetes-related circulatory diseases. The latter declined especially in females − 4.4 (CI 95% − 5.3/− 3.4), while in males the APC was − 2.8 (CI 95% − 4.0/− 1.6).

Conclusion

We observed a significant reduction in mortality during the period 2008–2017 in diabetes either as underlying cause of death or when all mentions of diabetes in the death certificate were considered.
Psychosoziale Arbeitsbedingungen und Burnout im Längsschnitt der „Studie zur mentalen Gesundheit bei der Arbeit (S-MGA)“
Authors: Kersten Norbert , Formazin Maren
Published: September 2021

Hintergrund

Die Gefährdungsbeurteilung psychischer Belastung bei der Arbeit kann als Instrument nur wirksam werden, wenn zum einen die Prädiktoren gesundheitlicher Zielgrößen bekannt sind und zum anderen belegt ist, dass bei einer Änderung der Arbeitsbedingungen hin zu einer günstigen Ausprägung diese gesundheitlichen Zielgrößen zum Positiven veränderbar sind.

Fragestellung

Am Beispiel des Burnout wird in einer Längsschnittanalyse untersucht, ob Änderungen der Arbeitsbedingungen mit entsprechenden Änderungen in der Ausprägung von Burnout einhergehen.

Material und Methoden

In der „Studie zur mentalen Gesundheit bei der Arbeit (S-MGA)“ wurden die psychosozialen Arbeitsbedingungen mit dem Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), Burnout mit dem Oldenburger Burnout-Inventar (OLBI) erfasst. Die Daten der Erwerbstätigen beider Erhebungswellen (n = 2005) wurden zu einem Längsschnittdatensatz zusammengefügt. Um den Einfluss der Änderung der COPSOQ-Skalenwerte im Fünf-Jahres-Beobachtungszeitraum auf den Burnout-Score zu ermitteln, wurden Regressionsmodelle mit COPSOQ-Differenzvariablen und den COPSOQ-Ausgangswerten unter Berücksichtigung von möglichen Confoundern angepasst.

Ergebnisse

Die Analyse zeigt, dass der Burnout-Score über einen Zeitraum von 5 Jahren sowohl vom Ausgangsniveau der Anforderungen und Ressourcen als auch von deren Veränderungen abhängt, d. h. sinkende Werte bei den Anforderungen und steigende Werte bei den Ressourcen führen zu sinkenden Burnout-Scores. Die stärksten Effekte in allen Modellen, auch bei gegenseitiger Adjustierung der COPSOQ-Skalen, weist die Arbeitsmenge auf. Ebenso weist die Arbeitsplatzunsicherheit stets signifikante Effekte auf. Anders ist dies bei den Ressourcen, die einzeln im Modell jeweils signifikant sind, bei gegenseitiger Adjustierung der COPSOQ-Skalen jedoch im Effekt nachlassen und teilweise ihre Signifikanz verlieren. Eine Ursache dafür sind die hohen paarweisen Korrelationen der Ressourcen.

Diskussion

Die Analyse zeigt, dass der Burnout-Score im Fünf-Jahres-Längsschnitt sowohl von den Ausgangswerten der Anforderungen und Ressourcen als auch deren Änderungen abhängig ist, also sinkende Anforderungen und steigende Ressourcen zu einem verringerten Burnout-Score führen. Folglich sollten Arbeitsgestaltungsmaßnahmen, die an diesen Arbeitsbedingungen ansetzen, zu einer Verringerung von Burnout beitragen.
Seaweed ingress of cooling water intakes with predictions for Torness power station
Authors: Spanakis Nikolaos , Stansby Peter K. , Rogers Benedict D. , Bernardara Pietro
Published: September 2021

Seaweed ingress into the cooling water intakes of nuclear power stations has caused several disruptions to electricity supply. Seaweed is transported by tidal and wave-induced currents after dislodgement from the sea bed following stormy conditions but ingress will be shown to be not only determined by wave conditions. An integrated model system has been developed to predict such ingress and applied at the Torness power station in Scotland where the mass of seaweed recovered was measured for some ingress cases. Prior to each case, seaweed is assumed initially to be distributed in areas surveyed within the surrounding coastal domain with a mass per unit area based on local measurements. Criteria for dislodgement are based on near-bed velocity. Six cases where the mass of ingress was measured and two cases with no ingress have been modelled and predicted by adjusting a dislodgement factor (a multiplier on the threshold velocity) within a relatively narrow range.
Two-Step Optimization of Urban Rail Transit Marshalling and Real-Time Station Control at a Comprehensive Transportation Hub
Authors: Ren Hualing , Song Yingjie , Li Shubin , Dong Zhiheng
Published: September 2021

Urban rail transit connecting with a comprehensive transportation hub should meet passenger demands not only within the urban area, but also from outer areas through high-speed railways or planes, which leads to different characteristics of passenger demands. This paper discusses two strategies to deal with these complex passenger demands from two aspects: transit train formation and real-time holding control. First, we establish a model to optimize the multi-marshalling problem by minimizing the trains’ vacant capacities to cope with the fluctuation of demand in different periods. Then, we establish another model to control the multi-marshalling trains in real time to minimize the passengers’ total waiting time. A genetic algorithm (GA) is designed to solve the integrated two-step model of optimizing the number, timetable and real-time holding control of the multi-marshalling trains. The numerical results show that the combined two-step model of multi-marshalling operation and holding control at stations can better deal with the demand fluctuation of urban rail transit connecting with the comprehensive transportation hub. This method can efficiently reduce the number of passengers detained at the hub station as well as the waiting time without increasing the passengers’ on-train time even with highly fluctuating passenger flow.
Reduction of Clay Hydration by Addition of an Organic Stabilizer
Authors: Huang Wei , Zhang Yunlong , Luo Zequan , Wei Xiang , Fu Huanran
Published: September 2021

Organic, ionic soil stabilizers (OISS) are designed to regulate directly the hydration properties of clay minerals to improve their engineering behavior. The steps involved in this regulation by OISS are unclear and this might limit their application in the current construction environment in China. The purpose of the present study was to reveal the origin of changes in hydration properties of four typical clay samples (with clay mineral contents of >90 wt.%: Na-bentonite, Ca-bentonite, illite, and kaolinite) as affected by OISS. The water-retention capacity of each clay was measured first through liquid limit and water-vapor adsorption tests. Then, the changes in hydration sites, such as exchangeable cations and the surfaces of minerals, were investigated by a series of microscopic measuring and testing techniques. Finally, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and thermal analysis were performed to verify the regulation of hydration properties by OISS. The results suggested that the exchangeable cation and surface changes controlled the regulation of hydration properties. OISS could cause some of the exchangeable cations to become free ions and disrupt the interaction between some cations and water molecules by its long organic chains; thus, the amount of hydrated cations decreased. In addition, the long organic chains covered the mineral surface and weakened its adsorption capacity. Furthermore, the long chains had cementitious qualities, connecting them to the crystalline layer and resulting in more aggregated clay particles and a smaller specific surface area (SSA). With the decrease in the number of cations and in the SSA by OISS, the hydration of the four clay samples decreased, especially in the case of bentonite.
A Comparison of the Adsorption of Cesium on Zeolite Minerals vs Vermiculite
Authors: Ferreira D. R. , Phillips G. D. , Baruah B.
Published: September 2021

Radiocesium was deposited on the soils of Fukushima Prefecture in Japan after the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011. The radiocesium bound to 2:1 clay minerals, such as vermiculite, common in the soil of that region and became non-exchangeable due to the strong affinity of these clay minerals for the Cs+ adsorbed. The current study generated adsorption envelopes for Cs+ on three zeolite minerals: zeolite Y, ZSM-5, and ferrierite. Two of these (ZSM-5 and ferrierite) caused monovalent cations to adsorb via a strong inner-sphere mechanism. A comparison of Cs+ adsorption on these zeolites to Na+ adsorption on the same zeolites showed that Cs+ adsorbs much more strongly than Na+, which is explained by its atomic properties. Despite the inner-sphere adsorption of Cs+ on ZSM-5 and ferrierite, the affinity of vermiculite for Cs+ is even stronger. An adsorption envelope for Cs+ on vermiculite failed to show a low-pH adsorption edge even at a pH of 1.01, with adsorption remaining at ~65% of the maximum even at this low pH. The adsorption envelopes for Cs+ on ZSM-5 and ferrierite minerals did show low-pH adsorption edges centered at pH 3.5 and 3.0, respectively, where Cs+ adsorption dropped to zero. The greater affinity of vermiculite for Cs+, even when compared with that for two zeolite minerals known to have significant affinities for monovalent ions, highlights the difficulty in removing Cs+ from contaminated Fukushima soils.
Defining Proximity Proteome of Histone Modifications by Antibody-Mediated Protein A-APEX2 Labeling
Authors: Li Xinran , Zhou Jiaqi , Zhao Wenjuan , Wen Qing , Wang Weijie , Peng Huipai , Gao Yuan , Bouchonville Kelly J. , Offer Steven M. , Chan Kuiming , Wang Zhiquan , Li Nan , Gan Haiyun
Published: September 2021

Proximity labeling catalyzed by promiscuous enzymes, such as APEX2, has emerged as a powerful approach to characterize multiprotein complexes and protein–protein interactions. However, current methods depend on the expression of exogenous fusion proteins and cannot be applied to identify proteins surrounding post-translationally modified proteins. To address this limitation, we developed a new method to label proximal proteins of interest by antibody-mediated protein A-ascorbate peroxidase 2 (pA-APEX2) labeling (AMAPEX). In this method, a modified protein is bound in situ by a specific antibody, which then tethers a pA-APEX2 fusion protein. Activation of APEX2 labels the nearby proteins with biotin; the biotinylated proteins are then purified using streptavidin beads and identified by mass spectrometry. We demonstrated the utility of this approach by profiling the proximal proteins of histone modifications including H3K27me3, H3K9me3, H3K4me3, H4K5ac, and H4K12ac, as well as verifying the co-localization of these identified proteins with bait proteins by published ChIP-seq analysis and nucleosome immunoprecipitation. Overall, AMAPEX is an efficient method to identify proteins that are proximal to modified histones.
New Insights Into Extended Steroid Hormone Profiles in Transwomen in a Multi-Center Setting in Germany
Authors: Schneider Florian , Wistuba Joachim , Holterhus Paul-Martin , Kulle Alexandra , Schlatt Stefan , Kliesch Sabine , Neuhaus Nina , Zitzmann Michael
Published: September 2021

Background

Little information is available on steroid hormone profiles in transwomen on the day of gender affirming surgery (GAS) after gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).

Aim

We compared extended serum steroid hormone profiles of 77 transwomen with 3 different treatment regimens in order to get more insight on how GAHT changes the hormone system.

Methods

Samples were obtained from 3 independent clinics. Individuals in clinic A (n = 13) and B (n = 51) discontinued GAHT 4–6 weeks and 2 weeks before GAS, individuals in clinic C (n = 13) continued treatment. Testicular tissue, blood samples and questionnaires on age, weight, height, and medication use were received from each patient. Steroid hormones were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), 6 sex hormones were determined by immunofluorometric assays, and ELISA. Spermatogenesis was scored using the Bergman/Kliesch score.

Outcomes

Participants were not different with regard to age, BMI, treatment duration, and dosage. Feminized blood serum levels with low LH, low FSH and low testosterone, however, were achieved in persons taking GAHT until GAS. Significantly reduced cortisone levels were seen after stopping GAHT before GAS.

RESULTS

GAHT had marked effects on the sex-steroid profile in each person. Factor analysis provided a model explaining 78% of the variance and interdependency of sex steroid levels. Stopping treatment was inversely associated with intactness of the corticosteroid-axis with adrenal steroidogenesis as well as it was inversely associated with pituitary-gonadal hormone production.

Clinical Implications

Transwomen generally did not have elevated cortisone levels but differed significantly depending on and when GAHT was stopped.

Strengths & Limitations

This is the first study examining the steroid hormone profiles of transgender persons on the day of GAS in a multi-center setting. Additional studies (including follow ups before and after GAS and stress questionnaires) will be necessary to assess these conflicting results about the possible psychological impact on persons undergoing GAS to improve care.

CONCLUSION

Concerning feminized blood serum levels, continued GAHT seems the better alternative, however stopping treatment 4–6 weeks prior to surgery was associated with reduced cortisone levels.
THE PROMULGATION OF LAW IN QIN AND WESTERN HAN CHINA
Authors: Jingrong Li , Songchang Chen
Published: September 2021

This article studies the promulgation of law in Qin and Western Han China (221b.c.e.–9c.e.) based primarily on excavated legal and administrative texts. It shows that a new law was handed down from the emperor to the relevant offices on the day of enactment. The article argues that, to an extent, the subject matter and function of a law determined for whom it was passed and promulgated. Depending upon the location, rank, and official duties of the offices, the laws known and used could be quite different. Although it was required that documents of imperial decisions be forwarded swiftly and safely by courier at the prescribed speed, delays in forwarding such documents to distant local offices were probably common in Qin and Western Han China. Evidence indicates that district- and prefecture-level officials publicized laws that needed to be made known by the common people, by reading them aloud in local gatherings, for example, or posting them in conspicuous places. The article further argues that a law came into effect in offices on the day it arrived at local courts or on the day it was enacted in the central court, depending on the existence of related extant laws. It concludes that a new law in Qin and Western Han China wasex post facto, as it reached backwards to a past action and retroactively attached liabilities to the action at the point when it was performed.
SUBTLE AND DANGEROUS: THE CROSSBOW TRIGGER METAPHOR IN EARLY CHINA
Authors: Zhou Boqun
Published: September 2021

The crossbow trigger was a powerful device in early Chinese warfare that had a profound impact on military tactics. Against such a background, the word for “trigger,” namelyji, became a pregnant metaphor in ancient texts from the Warring States onwards. It refers to the correlation between a “subtle” initial state and a “dangerous” and far-reaching consequence, because the small movement of pulling the trigger may kill a person at a great distance. Borrowing insights from Hans Blumenberg's metaphorology, I offer a new theory of the original meaning ofjiand argue that the trigger mechanism inspires a complex metaphorical scheme that consists of three levels of ambiguities and a web of associated images. It provides a linguistic and cognitive pattern for organizing a wide range of heterogeneous life-world situations, from the moral precariousness of human speech to the vulnerability of an outnumbered army in battle.
Static and dynamic mode evolution in high-power distributed side-coupled cladding-pumped fiber amplifiers
Authors: Tao Rumao , Liu Yu , Xie Lianghua , Gao Cong , Li Min , Shen Benjian , Huang Shan , Lin Honghuan , Wang Jianjun , Jing Feng
Published: September 2021

We present a theoretical study of mode evolution in high-power distributed side-coupled cladding-pumped (DSCCP) fiber amplifiers. A semi-analytical model taking the side-pumping schemes, transverse mode competition, and stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering into consideration has been built, which can model the static and dynamic mode evolution in high-power DSCCP fiber amplifiers. The mode evolution behavior has been investigated with variation of the fiber amplifier parameters, such as the pump power distribution, the length of the DSCCP fiber, the averaged coupling coefficient, the number of the pump cores and the arrangement of the pump cores. Interestingly, it revealed that static mode evolution induced by transverse mode competition is different from the dynamic evolution induced by stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering. This shows that the high-order mode experiences a slightly higher gain in DSCCP fiber amplifiers, but the mode instability thresholds for DSCCP fiber amplifiers are higher than those for their end-coupled counterparts. By increasing the pump core number and reducing the averaged coupling coefficient, the mode instability threshold can be increased, which indicates that DSCCP fibers can provide additional mitigation strategies of dynamic mode instability.
Stokesian motion of a spherical particle near a right corner made by tangentially moving walls
Authors: Romanò Francesco , des Boscs Pierre-Emmanuel , Kuhlmann Hendrik C.
Published: September 2021

The slow motion of a small buoyant sphere near a right dihedral corner made by tangentially sliding walls is investigated. Under creeping-flow conditions the force and torque on the sphere can be decomposed into eleven elementary types of motion involving simple particle translations, particle rotations and wall movements. Force and torque balances are employed to find the velocity and rotation of the particle as functions of its location. Depending on the ratio of the wall velocities and the gravitational settling velocity of the sphere, different dynamical regimes are identified. In particular, a non-trivial line attractor/repeller for the particle motion exists at a location detached from both the walls. The existence, location and stability of the corresponding two-dimensional fixed point are studied depending on the wall velocities and the buoyancy force. The impact of the line attractors/repellers on the motion of small particles in cavities and its relevance for corner cleaning applications are discussed.
Mapping young Russians’ perceptions of regional variation in Russian
Authors: Vardøy Benedikte Fjellanger
Published: September 2021

This paper studies the perception of regional variation in Russian among young Russian nonlinguists in Moscow, Perm, and Novosibirsk. I explore the labels used in 55 perceptual maps and categorize them in order to investigate the perceived character of regional variation among young Russians, including their explanations for regional variation. The data analysis shows that claims about regional variation are based on the informants’ assessments of variation in Russian, but also on assessments of domains that they perceive as related to regional variation: style and accent, as well as extralinguistic features such as geography and climate. Based on this analysis, I argue that the line between regional language variation and other variations can be conceived of as fuzzy.
THE GREAT COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT: BEHAVIOURAL AND POLICY RESPONSES
Authors: Auld M. Christopher , Toxvaerd Flavio
Published: September 2021

Using daily data on vaccinations, disease spread and measures of social interaction from Google Mobility reports aggregated at the country level for 112 countries, we present estimates of behavioural responses to the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. We first estimate correlates of the timing and intensity of the vaccination rollout, finding that countries which vaccinated more of their population earlier strongly tended to be richer, whereas measures of the state of pandemic or its death toll up to the time of the initial vaccine rollout had little predictive ability after controlling for income. Estimates of models of social distancing and disease spread suggest that countries which vaccinated more quickly also experienced decreases in some measures of social distancing, yet also lower incidence of disease, and in these countries, policy-makers relaxed social distancing measures relative to countries which rolled out vaccinations more slowly.
Analysis of pollen across the surface sediments of Lake Imbradas, Lithuania
Authors: Balakauskas Lauras , Gaižutytė Justina , Valskys Vaidotas , Vaikutienė Giedrė
Published: September 2021

In conventional pollen analysis, usually one sediment core per basin is analyzed to reconstruct past environmental conditions. This approach does not consider spatial heterogeneity of pollen assemblages, and assumes that one analyzed location is representative of the whole basin. To improve the spatial resolution of fossil pollen studies, further knowledge of the factors influencing variations in pollen assemblages throughout a basin is needed. We examined the spatial heterogeneity of pollen assemblages from 45 lacustrine surface samples from a lake with relatively simple hydrology and compared this dense network of surface pollen samples with the Lithuanian State Forest Service arboreal vegetation database. Calculations of pollen productivity at different locations across the lake revealed variations in the behavior of a pollen-vegetation relationship model in different parts of the basin. Our findings suggest that the model underestimated pollen contributions from the lakeshore vegetation. We demonstrate that detailed investigations of surface pollen as a step prior to fossil pollen investigations can provide useful insights, including understanding the influence of sedimentation rate on modelling results and spatial variations in pollen composition, thus providing guidance for site selection for fossil pollen studies.
CoblationTM-assisted excision of suprastomal granulation tissue
Authors: Alkan U , Yosefof E , Nachalon Y , Shoffel-Havakuk H , Gilat H , Stern Y
Published: September 2021

Background

Suprastomal granulation tissue is a common complication of long-term tracheostomy. It may be associated with bleeding, aphonia, airway obstruction and delayed decannulation.

Methods

This study describes the experience of a tertiary paediatric medical centre with CoblationTM-assisted suprastomal granulation tissue excision.

Results

Thirteen children (mean age, 5.7 years) who underwent the procedure from 2013 to 2019 because of delayed decannulation or aphonia were included. Lumen obstruction ranged from 50 to 90 per cent, with a mean of 68.8 per cent. After the procedure, decannulation was successfully performed in 7 patients, and voice quality improved in 10 patients. There were no peri- or post-operative complications.

Conclusion

This is the largest series to date that describes Coblation used for the treatment of suprastomal granuloma. Coblation has advantages of high precision, relatively low temperature (thereby avoiding thermal injury to adjacent tissue), haemostatic resection and feasibility for use for even large granulomas. The promising results should prompt further studies in larger samples.
Predicting the Dimits shift through reduced mode tertiary instability analysis in a strongly driven gyrokinetic fluid limit
Authors: Hallenbert Axel , Plunk Gabriel G.
Published: September 2021

The tertiary instability is believed to be important for governing magnetised plasma turbulence under conditions of strong zonal flow generation, near marginal stability. In this work, we investigate its role for a collisionless strongly driven fluid model, self-consistently derived as a limit of gyrokinetics. It is found that a region of absolute stability above the linear threshold exists, beyond which significant nonlinear transport rapidly develops. Characteristically, this range exhibits a complex pattern of transient zonal evolution before a stable profile can arise. Nevertheless, the Dimits transition itself is found to coincide with a tertiary instability threshold, so long as linear effects are included. Through a simple and readily extendable procedure, tracing its origin to St-Onge (J. Plasma Phys., vol. 83, issue 05, 2017, 905830504), the stabilising effect of the typical zonal profile can be approximated, and the accompanying reduced mode estimate is found to be in good agreement with nonlinear simulations.
Aberrant global and local dynamic properties in schizophrenia with instantaneous phase method based on Hilbert transform
Authors: Sheng Dan , Pu Weidan , Linli Zeqiang , Tian Guo-Liang , Guo Shuixia , Fei Yu
Published: September 2021

Background

Emerging functional imaging studies suggest that schizophrenia is associated with aberrant spatiotemporal interaction which may result in aberrant global and local dynamic properties.

Methods

We investigated the dynamic functional connectivity (FC) by using instantaneous phase method based on Hilbert transform to detect abnormal spatiotemporal interaction in schizophrenia. Based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, two independent datasets were included, with 114 subjects from COBRE [51 schizophrenia patients (SZ) and 63 healthy controls (HCs)] and 96 from OpenfMRI (36 SZ and 60 HCs). Phase differences and instantaneous coupling matrices were firstly calculated at all time points by extracting instantaneous parameters. Global [global synchrony and intertemporal closeness (ITC)] and local dynamic features [strength of FC (sFC) and variability of FC (vFC)] were compared between two groups. Support vector machine (SVM) was used to estimate the ability to discriminate two groups by using all aberrant features.

Results

We found SZ had lower global synchrony and ITC than HCs on both datasets. Furthermore, SZ had a significant decrease in sFC but an increase in vFC, which were mainly located at prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, temporal cortex and visual cortex or temporal cortex and hippocampus, forming significant dynamic subnetworks. SVM analysis revealed a high degree of balanced accuracy (85.75%) on the basis of all aberrant dynamic features.

Conclusions

SZ has worse overall spatiotemporal stability and extensive FC subnetwork lesions compared to HCs, which to some extent elucidates the pathophysiological mechanism of schizophrenia, providing insight into time-variation properties of patients with other mental illnesses.
The music and social bonding hypothesis does require multilevel selection
Authors: Eirdosh Dustin , Hanisch Susan
Published: September 2021

Is musicality an individual level adaptation? The authors of this target article reject the need for group selection within their model, yet their arguments do not fulfill the conceptual requirements for justifying such a rejection. Further analysis can highlight the explanatory value of embracing multilevel selection theory as a foundational element of the music and social bonding (MSB) hypothesis.
Why language survives as the dominant communication tool: A neurocognitive perspective
Authors: Zhang Qing , Shi Edward Ruoyang
Published: September 2021

By focusing on the contributions of subcortical structures, our commentary suggests that the functions of the hippocampus underlying “displacement,” a feature enabling humans to communicate things and situations that are remote in space and time, make language more effective at social bonding. Based on the functions of the basal ganglia and hippocampus, evolutionary trajectory of the subcomponents of music and language in different species will also be discussed.
The evolution of music: One trait, many ultimate-level explanations
Authors: Dubourg Edgar , André Jean-Baptiste , Baumard Nicolas
Published: September 2021

We propose an approach reconciling the ultimate-level explanations proposed by Savage et al. and Mehr et al. as to why music evolved. We also question the current adaptationist view of culture, which too often fails to disentangle distinct fitness benefits.
Musical bonds are orthogonal to symbolic language and norms
Authors: Wood Connor
Published: September 2021

Both Mehr et al.'s credible signaling hypothesis and Savage et al.'s music and social bonding hypothesis emphasize the role of multilevel social structures in the evolution of music. Although empirical evidence preferentially supports the social bonding hypothesis, rhythmic music may enable bonding in a way uniquely fitted to the normative and language-based character of multilevel human societies.
Against unitary theories of music evolution
Authors: Harrison Peter M. C. , Seale Madeleine
Published: September 2021

Savage et al. and Mehr et al. provide well-substantiated arguments that the evolution of musicality was shaped by adaptive functions of social bonding and credible signalling. However, they are too quick to dismiss byproduct explanations of music evolution, and to present their theories as complete unitary accounts of the phenomenon.
Why musical hierarchies?
Authors: Hilton Courtney B. , Asano Rie , Boeckx Cedric
Published: September 2021

Credible signaling may have provided a selection pressure for producing and discriminating increasingly elaborate proto-musical signals. But, why evolve them to have hierarchical structure? We argue that the hierarchality of tonality and meter is a byproduct of domain-general mechanisms evolved for reasons other than credible signaling.
Progress without exclusion in the search for an evolutionary basis of music
Authors: Bowling Daniel L. , Hoeschele Marisa , Dunn Jacob C.
Published: September 2021

Mehr et al.'s hypothesis that the origins of music lie in credible signaling emerges here as a strong contender to explain early adaptive functions of music. Its integration with evolutionary biology and its specificity mark important contributions. However, much of the paper is dedicated to the exclusion of popular alternative hypotheses, which we argue is unjustified and premature.
Isochrony, vocal learning, and the acquisition of rhythm and melody
Authors: Ravignani Andrea
Published: September 2021

A cross-species perspective can extend and provide testable predictions for Savage et al.'s framework. Rhythm and melody, I argue, could bootstrap each other in the evolution of musicality. Isochrony may function as a temporal grid to support rehearsing and learning modulated, pitched vocalizations. Once this melodic plasticity is acquired, focus can shift back to refining rhythm processing and beat induction.
Cooperative parameter estimation of a nonuniform payload by multiple quadrotors
Authors: Arab Farhad , Shirazi Farzad A. , Hairi Yazdi Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2021

Thispaper addresses the problem of carrying an unknown nonuniform payload by multiple quadrotor agents. The load is modeled as a rigid body with unknown weight and position of Center of Gravity (CG) for the agents, and is included in their dynamic equations of motion. The agents and the load are assumed to be connected to each other by taut ropes. The Udwadia–Kalaba equation is used to calculate the constraint forces on the ropes acting on each quadrotor. Inner-loop and outer-loop controllers for quadrotors position and attitude control are presented. For the outer loop, an estimation algorithm based on the invariance and immersion adaptive control is utilized to estimate the unknown physical parameters of the payload including mass and CG position without using multi-axes force/torque sensors. The inner-loop controller employs an adaptive controller. Simulation results, for two and four agents carrying a nonuniform rod and cubic payload, show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. A case study is also performed to investigate the effect of quadrotors positioning on flight endurance of the cooperative aerial team carrying a nonuniform payload.
Listeriosis associated with pre-prepared sandwich consumption in hospital in England, 2017
Authors: McLauchlin J. , Aird H. , Amar C. , Boyd G. , Brindle A. , Dallman T. , Jalava K. , Painset A. , Simbo A. , Swindlehurst M.
Published: September 2021

A case of listeriosis occurred in a hospitalised patient in England in July 2017. Analysis by whole genome sequencing of the Listeria monocytogenes from the patient's blood culture was identified as clonal complex (CC) 121. This culture was indistinguishable to isolates from sandwiches, salads and the maufacturing environment of Company X which supplied these products widely to the National Health Service. Whilst an inpatient, the case was served sandwiches produced by this company on 12 occasions. No other cases infected by this type were detected in the UK between 2016 and 2020. Between 2016 and 2020, more than 3000 samples of food, food ingredients and environmental swabs from this company were tested. Listeria monocytogenes contamination rates declined after July 2017 from 31% to 0.3% for salads and 3% to 0% for sandwiches. A monophyletic group of 127 L. monocytogenes CC121 isolates was recovered during 2016–2019 and was used to estimate the time of the most recent common ancestor as 2014 (95% CI of between 2012 and 2016). These results represent persistent contamination of equipment, food contact surfaces and foods at a food manufacturer by a single L. monocytogenes strain. Colonisation and persistent contamination of food and production environments are risks for public health.
The phonological determinants of tone in English loanwords in Mandarin
Authors: Glewwe Eleanor
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the results of a corpus study and an online loanword adaptation experiment examining the tonal adaptation of English loanwords in Mandarin. Using maximum entropy models, I control for the substantial influences of lexical tone distributions and standardisation, and uncover phonological determinants of tone beyond these lexical and conventional factors. The most important phonological determinant of tone in the corpus was English voicing, while in the experiment it was English stress-aligned pitch contours. I argue that these distinct tonal adaptation patterns constitute two different perceptual mappings, one from F0 perturbations to tone and the other from English intonation to tone, both arising due to particular borrowing contexts. I suggest that increasingly close contact between English and Mandarin may lead to more intonation-driven tonal adaptation in the latest wave of borrowing. The maximum entropy approach holds promise for the analysis of complex cases of tonal adaptation in other languages.
Positioning Accuracy Model of Sailing‐Circle GPS‐Acoustic Method
Authors: Chen Xinhua , Zhang Hongmei , Zhao Jianhu , Liang Wenbiao , Feng Jie
Published: September 2021

Sailing‐circle GPS‐acoustic method, prevalently applied for measuring ocean floor crustal deformation, allows the precise positioning of an underwater transponder in a global frame. In the method, distance estimation requires prior information, such as transponder depth or incident angle. However, sometimes the prior information is inaccurate or absent. Under these circumstances, this study proposes two kinds of positioning methods that utilize an iteration composed of an inverse or direct ray tracing method and the least squares approach to constantly modify the initial data to obtain an accurate incident angle and coordinates of an underwater transponder. Even though an accurate incident angle can be got and there is no time delay or spatial‐temporal heterogeneities of SSP (sound speed profile), SSP density and geometric incident angle still influence ranging errors and PDOP (position dilution of precision) during distance intersection. In order to reduce the two kinds of impacts, this paper deduces a positioning error model based on the principle of sailing‐circle method. On the one hand, the proposed algorithms and model are verified by a simulated experiment for various SSP density, geometric incident angle, and transponder depth. On the other hand, in a practical experiment, average positioning accuracy of 0.025 m and vertical accuracy of −0.02 m are achieved, and the improved accuracy is about 85% higher than that of the ordinary sailing‐circle method.
River Corridor Model Constrained by Time‐Lapse Seismic Acquisition
Authors: Dangeard M. , Rivière A. , Bodet L. , Schneider S. , Guérin R. , Jougnot D. , Maineult A.
Published: September 2021

A new hydrogeophysical approach was developed to reveal the spatial and temporal dynamic flow pathways inside a river corridor as well as the pattern of transient surface water and the groundwater (SW‐GW) exchanges. Obtaining such information from traditional hydrological data remains a challenge, both in terms of accuracy and validation. As there is no direct measurement of these fluxes, estimating dynamic pathways and SW‐GW exchanges is frequently tackled with the help of numerical models. Yet, the definition of initial and boundary conditions is generally based on poorly constrained assumptions and restrained to the location of piezometers, due to the lack of knowledge of the water table (WT) geometry. We provide a methodology to build stronger constraints to the numerical simulation and the hydrodynamic parameters calibration, both in space and time, by using a multi‐method approach. On the Orgeval Critical Zone observatory (France), we show how a thorough interpretation of high‐resolution geophysical images, combined with geotechnical data, helps to resolve subsurface structural heterogeneity. This coupling provides a detailed distribution of hydrofacies, valuable prior information about the associated hydrodynamic properties distribution. The temporal dynamic of the WT table can be locally captured with high‐resolution time‐lapse seismic acquisitions. Time‐lapse variations are interpreted as temporal changes in the saturated‐unsaturated zone continuum. Each seismic snapshot is then thoroughly inverted to image spatial WT variations. This posterior geophysical information is then used to calibrate the hydrogeological modeling domain. The use of the WT improves the estimation of transient stream‐aquifer exchanges, especially during the rain event.
A Proposed Multi‐Objective, Multi‐Stage Stochastic Programming With Recourse Model for Reservoir Management and Operation
Authors: Li Jinshu , Zhang Wei , Yeh William W.‐G.
Published: September 2021

We present a multi‐objective, multi‐stage stochastic programming with recourse model for reservoir management and operation, where we use utility theory to select the best compromise solution from the Pareto front. A multi‐stage streamflow scenario tree is generated first by the neural gas method. Then the Pareto front at each stage is produced by a modified constrained NSGA‐II. A single best compromise solution on the Pareto front must be selected for the immediate stage and the model moves forward one stage and is re‐optimized over a moving planning horizon of fixed duration. A key contribution of this study is the selection of the best compromise solution, which is achieved by a proposed linear spline utility function allied with regression. Our proposed utility function has the following advantages: (a) It satisfies the law of diminishing marginal rate of substitution, (b) it does not rely on the pre‐specified weight or goal, and (c) it selects the best compromise solution that is likely to fall in the “knee regions” of the Pareto front. We apply the proposed optimization model to the Three Gorges Reservoir in China. The two conflicting objectives are (a) maximizing the total expected energy output in the planning horizon, and (b) maximizing the average expected ecological benefits in the planning horizon. The results show that the proposed model produces the optimal water release policy successfully under different hydrological scenarios, considering both the inflow uncertainty and the tradeoff between the two conflicting objectives.
InterComparison and Evaluation of MultiSource Soil Moisture Products in China
Authors: Li Huiqing , Ye Aizhong , Zhang Yuhang , Zhao Wenwu
Published: September 2021

Long‐term, accurate soil moisture (SM) estimates are crucial for climate, hydrology, and agriculture. Multisource SM products are available at high spatiotemporal coverage, but their uncertainties have yet to be fully evaluated in China. Ten SM products (i.e., reanalysis, assimilation, and satellite) were intercompared and evaluated over 18 hydroclimatic regions of China during 2000–2018 at different scales. The results show that all SM products share similar spatial patterns but exhibit significant differences in regions and products. The interannual fluctuations and differences between these products are relatively small, except for the anomalies of ESA CCI ACTIVE and PASSIVE in southern China. At a seasonal scale, the estimates of NCEP R2, ACTIVE, and PASSIVE for specific regions are significantly different from other products. Moreover, all SM products correlate well with precipitation in summer and have their own dominant areas. Among them, ERA5 shows a comprehensive potential for application in China. The temporal correlation coefficient (R), root mean square difference (RMSD), and standard deviation (σ) demonstrate that ERA5 performs better in southern China, while CLSM performs better in the northeast and throughout China, with R exceeding 0.7 for both products. For the Equitable Threat Score (ETS), ERA5 has a better overall performance with scores greater than 0.03 distributed in more regions of China, followed by ACTIVE and CFSR/CFSV2. This study not only provides a reasonable reference for the targeted selection of SM products in different hydroclimatic regions of China but also establishes a preliminary data basis for the integration of multiple products.
Vegetation Greening Offsets Urbanization‐Induced Fast Warming in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao Region (GHMR)
Authors: Chao Liya , Li Qingxiang , Dong Wenjie , Yang Yuanjian , Guo Ziyou , Huang Boyin , Zhou Liming , Jiang Zhihong , Zhai Panmao , Jones Phil
Published: September 2021

Previous studies show that the environment in the Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao region is under the double stress of global warming and urbanization. Here, we show that due to the increase of regional greenness, the effect of urbanization warming on surface air temperature (SAT) decreased with time and became statistically insignificant from 2004 to 2018, compared to 1979 onward; while the urbanization itself has significantly warmed land surface temperature (LST), with a warming rate of 0.14°C ± 0.04°C/10a at daytime and 0.02°C ± 0.02°C/10a at nighttime during 2004–2018, respectively. The anthropogenic heat was found to have a limited influence on SAT, but more significant and tangible effects on LST. It is essential to improve the control of additional warming effects caused by urbanization.
Saturn's Inner Magnetospheric Convection in the View of Zebra Stripe Patterns in Energetic Electron Spectra
Authors: Sun Y. X. , Roussos E. , Hao Y. X. , Zong Q.‐G. , Liu Y. , Lejosne S. , Pan D. X. , Zhou X.‐Z. , Yue C. , Krupp N.
Published: September 2021

Banded structures observed in energetic particle spectrograms in the Earth's inner radiation belt and slot region, that is, “zebra stripes,” have been resolved in the Saturnian magnetosphere with Cassini. This study implements a large‐scale statistical analysis of Saturnian zebra stripe properties in association with the noon‐to‐midnight electric field of the inner magnetosphere to which the stripes' origin was recently established. Cassini has detected zebra stripes extending between L‐shells (L) of 5–9 for more than half of the orbits that crossed inward of L = 9. The amplitude of the stripes is on average above the background differential energy flux, and their age is estimated to be 20–60 hr. The regular observation of zebra stripes suggests that their regeneration and the corresponding electric field enhancements develop over timescales comparable to their estimated lifetime (days), revealing that internal processes contribute to the electric field dynamics, in addition to a solar wind‐induced variability indicated by previous investigations. The flux‐enhanced stripes are traced back to the dayside, preferentially from postnoon, indicating an electric field orientation from postnoon to postmidnight. Our results further suggest that the electric field's offset from the noon‐midnight line is subject to both L‐shell and temporal dependencies, confirming the previous inferred variability.
Porphyromonas gingivalis exacerbates ulcerative colitis via Porphyromonas gingivalis peptidylarginine deiminase
Authors: Zhao Xida , Liu Jingbo , Zhang Chong , Yu Ning , Lu Ze , Zhang Shuwei , Li Yuchao , Li Qian , Liu Junchao , Liu Dongjuan , Pan Yaping
Published: September 2021

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) has been reported to be related to Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Porphyromonas gingivalis peptidylarginine deiminase (PPAD), a virulence factor released by P. gingivalis, is known to induce inflammatory responses. To explore the pathological relationships between PPAD and UC, we used homologous recombination technology to construct a P. gingivalis strain in which the PPAD gene was deleted (Δppad) and a Δppad strain in which the PPAD gene was restored (comΔppad). C57BL/6 mice were orally gavaged with saline, P. gingivalis, Δppad, or comΔppad twice a week for the entire 40 days (days 0−40), and then, UC was induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) solution for 10 days (days 31−40). P. gingivalis and comΔppad exacerbated DDS-induced colitis, which was determined by assessing the parameters of colon length, disease activity index, and histological activity index, but Δppad failed to exacerbate DDS-induced colitis. Flow cytometry and ELISA revealed that compared with Δppad, P. gingivalis, and comΔppad increased T helper 17 (Th17) cell numbers and interleukin (IL)-17 production but decreased regulatory T cells (Tregs) numbers and IL-10 production in the spleens of mice with UC. We also cocultured P. gingivalis, Δppad, or comΔppad with T lymphocytes in vitro and found that P. gingivalis and comΔppad significantly increased Th17 cell numbers and decreased Treg cell numbers. Immunofluorescence staining of colon tissue paraffin sections also confirmed these results. The results suggested that P. gingivalis exacerbated the severity of UC in part via PPAD.
A nanounit strategy reverses immune suppression of exosomal PD-L1 and is associated with enhanced ferroptosis
Authors: Wang Guohao , Xie Lisi , Li Bei , Sang Wei , Yan Jie , Li Jie , Tian Hao , Li Wenxi , Zhang Zhan , Tian Ye , Dai Yunlu
Published: September 2021

In addition to increasing the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), tumor cells can also secrete exosomal PD-L1 to suppress T cell activity. Emerging evidence has revealed that exosomal PD-L1 resists immune checkpoint blockade, and may contribute to resistance to therapy. In this scenario, suppressing the secretion of tumor-derived exosomes may aid therapy. Here, we develop an assembly of exosome inhibitor (GW4869) and ferroptosis inducer (Fe3+) via amphiphilic hyaluronic acid. Cooperation between the two active components in the constructed nanounit induces an anti-tumor immunoresponse to B16F10 melanoma cells and stimulates cytotoxic T lymphocytes and immunological memory. The nanounit enhances the response to PD-L1 checkpoint blockade and may represent a therapeutic strategy for enhancing the response to this therapy.