bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Der Zugang öffentlicher und wirtschaftlicher Interessen zum Deutschen Bundestag
Authors: Spohr Florian
Published: February 2021

Dieser Beitrag untersucht den informellen und den formalisieren Zugang von öffentlichen und wirtschaftlichen Interessen zum Deutschen Bundestag im Jahr 2015. Der informelle Zugang wird über die Vergabe von Hausausweise für den Bundestag erhoben, der formalisierte Zugang über Einladungen zu öffentlichen Anhörungen der Bundestagsausschüsse. Der Beitrag geht dabei von den Annahmen des Ressourcenabhängigkeitsansatzes aus, dass Informationen und Unterstützung access goods für den Bundestag sind, welche für den Zugang zu Hausausweisen und Anhörungen unterschiedlich förderlich sind und von organisierten Interessen in unterschiedlichem Maße angeboten werden können. Die Analyse kommt zu zwei zentralen Ergebnissen: Zum einen unterscheiden sich die Zugangsmuster der unterschiedlichen Interessen. Während wirtschaftliche Interessen häufiger Hausausweise besitzen, werden öffentliche Interessen überproportional oft in öffentliche Anhörungen eingeladen. Vertreter wirtschaftlicher Interessen können spezifische Expertise und Informationen über ökonomische Bedürfnisse anbieten, die ihnen häufiger Zugang über Hausausweise eröffnen. Public Interest Groups, Gewerkschaften und Wohlfahrtsverbände hingegen werden überproportional oft in öffentliche Anhörungen eingeladen, da sie politische Unterstützung für Abgeordnete bereitstellen können. Zum anderen kommt die Analyse zu dem Ergebnis, dass Lobbying eine legislative Unterstützung von organisierten Interessen für verbündete Abgeordnete darstellt. Den unterschiedlichen Interessen kommen hierbei verschieden Rollen in Anhörungen zu. Während Regierungsfraktionen öffentliche Interessen einladen, um Regierungsinitiativen zu unterstützen, sollen wirtschaftlichen Interessen Änderungsbedarf an Gesetzesentwürfen der Regierung aufzeigen.
An investigation into the adverse effects of O2, SO2, and NOx on polyethyleneimine functional CO2 adsorbents
Authors: Li Kaimin , Jiang Jianguo
Published: February 2021

In this study, we investigated the influence of O2, SO2, and NOx on branched and linear polyethyleneimine (PEI) functional silica CO2 adsorbents (BPEI-SiO2 and LPEI-SiO2, respectively). O2 was much more likely to oxidize BPEI-SiO2, compared with LPEI-SiO2, to form C=O and C=N groups and led to a 23.0% decrease in the CO2 adsorption capacity after 990 min of cumulative contact with 10% O2. In contrast, LPEI-SiO2 lost only approximately 3.6% of its CO2 adsorption capacity, although O2 oxidized LPEI-SiO2 to form C=O groups. SO2 can cause severe degradation of BPEI-SiO2 and LPEI-SiO2 by forming heat-stable NH3+—and/or NH2+—containing adducts and by promoting the formation of urea linkages. After cumulative contact with 10, 50, and 200 ppm SO2 for 990 min, BPEI-SiO2 lost 18.2%, 61.4%, and 89.0% of its CO2 adsorption capacity, and LPEI-SiO2 lost 18.5%, 60.6%, and 78.5% of its CO2 adsorption capacity, respectively. NO2 at 10 ppm and NO at 200 ppm caused almost no loss in CO2 adsorption capacity after cumulative contact for 990 min, but both led to degradation of adsorbents. NO2 can cause irreversible formation of NH3+—and/or NH2+—containing adducts, acid products, N-nitro compounds (N–NO2), C-nitroso compounds (C–N=O), and C-nitro (C–NO2) compounds, and can promote the formation of urea linkages. NO can lead to the formation of NH3+—and/or NH2+—containing adducts and N-nitroso (N–N = O) compounds.
Combined effect of waste glass powder and recycled steel fibers on mechanical behavior of concrete
Authors: Kumar Mavoori Hitesh , Mohanta Nihar Ranjan , Samantaray Sandeep , Kumar Nagarampalli Manoj
Published: February 2021

Several attempts upon inclusion of industrial waste materials such as fly ash, silica fume, GGBS, metakaolin and copper slag in concrete have already been experimented that exerted a significant impact on concrete with enhanced mechanical and improved durability properties. There were numerous authentic researches that reported the significance of steel fibers in strengthening the flexural property of concrete. The paper investigates the combined effect of waste glass powder (WGP) that has been utilized as a substitution for fine aggregate in varying percentages of 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15% and further reinforcing it with recycled steel fibers (RSF), drawn from waste tires by volume of concrete. WGP was used as 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15% by mass replacement of fine aggregate with four different volume fractions of recycled steel fiber (i.e., 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5%), respectively. All proportions of concrete mixes were investigated to study the variations in compressive, flexural and split tensile strength with varied replacements levels of WGP along with various fractions of RSF for 7 and 28 days curing. A mix of 9% WGP exhibited the maximum compressive, flexural and split tensile strength. It was found that mechanical properties of concrete rose up to 9% replacement level of WGP and later declined. Also it was confirmed that increase in the amount of RSF further boosted the compressive and flexural behavior of concrete. Overall, an optimum concrete mix with 9% replacement of WGP, reinforced with 1% inclusion of RSF, reported the best performance compared to other mixes.
Strong field physics pursued with petawatt lasers
Authors: Pathak Vishwa Bandhu , Lee Seong Ku , Pae Ki Hong , Hojbota Calin Ioan , Kim Chul Min , Nam Chang Hee
Published: February 2021

Recent ultra-short high-power lasers can provide ultra-high laser intensity over 1022 W/cm2. Laser fields of such extreme strengths instantaneously turn matter into plasma, which exhibits relativistic collective dynamics, thereby leading to unprecedented physical systems with potential breakthrough applications. In this article, we introduce the basic concepts and trace the progress in ultra-high intensity laser development and relativistic laser-plasma interactions, including laser-driven charged particle acceleration.
A survey of miRNAs involved in biomineralization and shell repair in the freshwater gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Cerveau Nicolas , Jackson Daniel John
Published: February 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a deeply conserved class of small, single stranded RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate mRNA levels via several targeted degradation pathways. They are involved in a wide variety of biological processes and have been used to infer the deep evolutionary relationships of major groups such as the Metazoa. Here we have surveyed several adult tissues of the freshwater pulmonate Lymnaea stagnalis (the Great Pond Snail) for miRNAs. In addition we perform a shell regeneration assay to identify miRNAs that may be involved in regulating mRNAs directly involved in the shell-forming process. From seven mature tissues we identify a total of 370 unique precursor miRNAs that give rise to 336 unique mature miRNAs. While the majority of these appear to be evolutionarily novel, most of the 70 most highly expressed (which account for 99.8% of all reads) share sequence similarity with a miRBase or mirGeneDB2.0 entry. We also identify 10 miRNAs that are differentially regulated in mantle tissue that is actively regenerating shell material, 5 of which appear to be evolutionarily novel and none of which share similarity with any miRNA previously reported to regulate biomineralization in molluscs. One significantly down-regulated miRNA is predicted to target Lst-Dermatopontin, a previously characterized shell matrix protein from another freshwater gastropod. This survey provides a foundation for future studies that would seek to characterize the functional role of these molecules in biomineralization or other processes of interest.
Unfriendly guardians: India's first nuclear leadership change in 1966
Authors: Yeon-Jung Ji
Published: February 2021

This article, which focuses on the political decision making around the leadership of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), shows how this process both decentralized scientific authority in India and led to changes in India's nuclear programme. New evidence presented from the deliberations of the Prime Minister's Secretariat (PMS) shows that Vikram Sarabhai, appointed chairman of the AEC in 1966, following the sudden death of the previous leader, Homi Bhabha, was the favoured candidate from the start of the process. His view on India's nuclear programme contrasted sharply with that of his predecessor, but his authority was protected, in part, from external challenge by the jurisdictional decisions made by the PMS. This article argues that the ambiguity inherent in India's developing nuclear programme was not the result of the apprehension of external threat, but the result of internal tensions within the relevant institutions, which are both revealed and (partially) resolved by the appointment process for the new chair.
Maurice Pierre Crosland (1931–2020): an appreciation
Authors: Smith Crosbie
Published: February 2021

Following some years of declining health, Professor Maurice Crosland passed away on 30 August 2020 at the age of eighty-nine. Author of four influential scholarly monographs, Maurice played major roles in the British Society for the History of Science during the 1960s and 1970s as an active Member of Council, Honorary Editor of the British Journal for the History of Science (1965–71) and Honorary President of the society (1974–6). His academic career began in 1963 with his appointment to a lectureship in the History & Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds. In 1974 the by-then Reader in History of Science secured a £100,000 Nuffield Foundation Grant with which to establish, for the first time, a dedicated history-of-science group at the University of Kent at Canterbury. Appointed Professor of the History of Science and Director of the Unit for the History, Philosophy and Social Relations of Science (known as the ‘History of Science Unit’ or simply ‘the Unit’), his objectives during the five-year Nuffield-funded period were to focus on promoting the research activities of the new group, build up much-needed library resources in a university which was barely ten years old, and effect a transition to a research and teaching Unit that would offer modules to undergraduates in each of the three principal faculties (Humanities, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences). His own research centred on French science during and after the Napoleonic period, with particular emphasis on the history of chemistry and the formal institutions and informal networks of Parisian science. In 1984 his work was recognized with the American Chemical Society's award of the Dexter Prize, a rare achievement for a British scholar.
Electromagnetic counterparts of compact binary mergers
Authors: Ascenzi Stefano , Oganesyan Gor , Branchesi Marica , Ciolfi Riccardo
Published: February 2021

The first detection of a binary neutron star merger through gravitational waves and photons marked the dawn of multimessenger astronomy with gravitational waves, and it greatly increased our insight in different fields of astrophysics and fundamental physics. However, many open questions on the physical process involved in a compact binary merger still remain and many of these processes concern plasma physics. With the second generation of gravitational wave interferometers approaching their design sensitivity, the new generation under design study and new X-ray detectors under development, the high energy universe will become more and more a unique laboratory for our understanding of plasma in extreme conditions. In this review, we discuss the main electromagnetic signals expected to follow the merger of two compact objects highlighting the main physical processes involved and some of the most important open problems in the field.
Prospective relationships of adolescents’ screen-based sedentary behaviour with depressive symptoms: the Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Kandola A. , Owen N. , Dunstan D. W. , Hallgren M.
Published: February 2021

Background

Frequent use of screen-based devices could be a modifiable risk factor for adolescent depression, but findings have been inconsistent and mostly from cross-sectional studies. We examined prospective associations of video gaming, social media, and internet use with depressive symptoms in adolescents.

Methods

A total of 11 341 adolescents from the Millennium Cohort Study, a representative, UK population-based. The main outcome was depressive symptoms from a Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (age 14). Exposures were frequency of video game, social media, and internet use (age 11). Physical activity (effect modifier) was measured by self-report.

Results

The fully adjusted models indicated that boys playing video games most days, at least once a week, and at least once a month at age 11 had lower depression scores at age 14 by 24.2% (IRR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.66–0.91), 25.1% (IRR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.62–0.90), and 31.2% (IRR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.57–0.83), compared with playing less than once a month/never. In girls, compared with less than once a month/never, using social media most days at age 11 was associated with 13% higher depression scores at age 14 (IRR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.05–1.22). We found some evidence of associations between using the internet most days and depressive symptoms compared with less than once a month/never in boys (IRR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.75–1.00). More frequent video game use was consistently associated with fewer depressive symptoms in boys with low physical activity, but not in those with high physical activity.

Conclusions

Different types of screen-time may have contrasting associations with depressive symptoms during adolescence. Initiatives to address adolescents’ screen-time may require targeted approaches.
Measuring the Masses: A Proposed Template for Post-Event Medical Reporting (Paper 4)
Authors: Turris Sheila , Rabb Haddon , Chasmar Elizabeth , Munn Matthew Brendan , Callaghan Christopher W. , Hutton Alison , Ranse Jamie , Lund Adam
Published: February 2021

Background:

Standardizing and systematizing the reporting of health outcomes from mass gatherings (MGs) will improve the quality of data being reported. Setting minimum standards for case reporting is an important strategy for improving data quality. This paper is one of a series of papers focused on understanding the current state, and shaping the future state, of post-event case reporting.

Methods:

Multiple data sources were used in creating a lean, yet comprehensive list of essential reporting fields, including a: (1) literature synthesis drawn from analysis of 54 post-event case reports; (2) comparison of existing data models for MGs; (3) qualitative analysis of gaps in current case reports; and (4) set of data domains developed based on the preceding sources.

Findings:

Existing literature fails to consistently report variables that may be essential for not only describing the health outcomes of a given event, but also for explaining those outcomes. In the context of current and future state reporting, 25 essential variables were identified. The essential variables were organized according to four domains, including: (i) Event Domain; (ii) Hazard and Risk Domain; (iii) Capacity Domain; and (iv) Clinical Domain.

Discussion:

The authors propose a first-generation template for post-event medical reporting. This template standardizes the reporting of 25 essential variables. An accompanying data dictionary provides background and standardization for each of the essential variables. Of note, this template is lean and will develop over time, with input from the international MG community. In the future, additional groups of variables may be helpful as “overlays,” depending on the event category and type.

Conclusions:

This paper presents a template for post-event medical reporting. It is hoped that consistent reporting of essential variables will improve both data collection and the ability to make comparisons between events so that the science underpinning MG health can continue to advance.
Environmental regulation, local legislation and pollution control in China
Authors: Bao Qun , Shao Min , Yang Dali
Published: February 2021

This paper conducts a novel empirical analysis of the effect of environmental regulation on local pollution emissions by taking 84 cases of local legislation among 31 provinces in China during 1990–2009. We combine the matching methodology and difference-in-difference method to estimate the causal effect of provincial environmental legislation. Our estimation uncovers that there is no significant pollution abatement effect, however, environmental legislation helps to decrease local pollution emission only for those provinces that have stricter enforcement. Such results remain robust while considering the time lag effect, different types of pollutants, choice of different comparison groups and using of synthetic control method. Generally, our study shows the importance of the enforcement for environmental legislation in China.
Urinary sodium excretion and dietary sources of sodium intake in community-dwelling Chinese adults aged 50 years and over
Authors: Yeung Suey SY , Chan Ruth SM , Li Liz , Leung Jason , Woo Jean
Published: February 2021

Objective:

This study examined Na intake and identified the major food sources of Na in healthy Chinese adults aged ≥50 years in Hong Kong.

Design:

Participants who completed a baseline assessment of a randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of exercise and nutrition supplementation on improving physical and cognitive functions were included. A single 24-h urine sample and a 3-d diet record were used to measure urinary Na excretion and dietary intake, respectively. The compliances to the WHO (<5 g/d) and China Nutrition Society (<6 g/d) recommendations for salt intake were assessed based on the urinary Na excretion. The relative contribution of sixteen food groups to the dietary Na intake was expressed as percentages. Associations between food groups and urinary Na excretion were analysed using multiple linear regression.

Setting:

Community facilities.

Participants:

Totally, 114 healthy Chinese adults (mean age 60·6 years, 55 % women).

Results:

The mean urinary Na excretion over 24-h was 2876·6 ± 1249·4 mg/d (7·3 ± 3·2 g salt/d). Overall, 22·8 % of participants met the WHO recommendation and 34·2 % met the Chinese Nutrition Society recommendation for salt intake. The major food sources of dietary Na intake were condiments (42·4 %), cereals and their products (16·8 %) and soups (13·5 %). Higher intakes of seafood and nuts were associated with lower urinary Na excretion.

Conclusions:

Public health strategies should target healthy Chinese adults in Hong Kong to modify the current patterns of Na intake. Targeting condiments, cereals and their products and soups will be an important strategy to reduce their Na intake.
Gender-based eating norms, the family environment and food intake among Costa Rican adolescents
Authors: Monge-Rojas Rafael , Colón-Ramos Uriyoán , Chinnock Anne , Smith-Castro Vanessa , Reyes-Fernández Benjamín
Published: February 2021

Objective:

To examine the association between family environment variables (parenting styles, family meal atmosphere), gender-based stereotypes and food intake in Latin American adolescents.

Design:

Structural equation modelling applied to cross-sectional data, 2017.

Setting:

Urban and rural sites of San José, Costa Rica.

Participants:

n813; 13–18 years old.

Results:

Data suggest direct associations between gender-based stereotypes and intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) (β= 0·20,P< 0·05), unhealthy foods (fast food (FF)) (β= −0·24,P< 0·01) and ultra-processed foods (β= −0·15,P< 0·05) among urban girls; intake of legumes among rural girls (β= 0·16,P< 0·05) and intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) among rural boys (β= 0·22,P< 0·05). Family meal atmosphere was associated with legume intake (β= 0·19,P<·05) among rural girls. Authoritative parenting style was associated with FV intake (β= 0·23,P< 0·05) among urban boys and FF intake (β= 0·17,P< 0·05) among urban girls. Authoritarian parenting style was associated with FV consumption (β= 0·19,P< 0·05) among rural boys, and with SSB and FF consumption (β= 0·21,P< 0·05;β= 0·14,P< 0·05, respectively) among urban girls.

Conclusions:

Findings are the first to describe the complex family environment and gender-based stereotypes within the context of a Latin American country. They emphasise the need for culturally relevant measurements to characterise the sociocultural context in which parent–adolescent dyads socialise and influence food consumption.
Bering and Kant on a Hundred Actual and Possible Thalers
Authors: Rovira Rogelio
Published: February 2021

This paper has three aims. First, to show Kant’s originality in using the celebrated example of the hundred thalers as a criticism of the ontological proof, despite being inspired by a 1780 booklet by Johann Bering. Second, to assess Bering’s and Kant’s different reasons for supporting the truth meant to be illustrated by the case of the thalers. Third, to point out that the debate on the example demands a discussion of the problem of universals. Indeed, the value and scope of Kant’s (and Bering’s) critique of the ontological argument is decisively determined by his position on this problem.
Volunteer potato interference and removal timing in sugar beet
Authors: Adjesiwor Albert T. , Felix Joel , Morishita Don W.
Published: February 2021

Field studies were conducted from 2005 to 2009 in Idaho and Oregon to 1) evaluate the competitive effect of volunteer potato on sugar beet yield (volunteer potato competition experiment), and 2) determine the optimum timing of volunteer potato removal from glyphosate-tolerant sugar beet fields using glyphosate (volunteer potato removal timing experiment). The volunteer potato competition experiment consisted of eight potato densities, including the untreated check: 0, 6,741, 10,092, 13,455, 16,818, 20,184, 26,910, and 40,365 tubers ha−1. The volunteer potato removal experiment consisted of 10 removal timings (including the untreated check) ranging from the 10-cm rosette stage to mid-tuber bulking. There was a linear decrease in sugar beet root and sucrose yield as volunteer potato density increased (P < 0.001) such that with every volunteer potato tuber per square meter, sugar beet root yield decreased by 15% and sucrose yield decreased by 14%. At the highest volunteer potato density (40,365 tubers ha−1), sugar beet root yield was 29,600 kg ha−1(compared to 73,600 kg ha−1for the untreated), representing a 60% reduction in sugar beet root yield. In the removal timing study, a one-time application of glyphosate at the 10-cm rosette, hooking, and tuber initiation stages provided 74% to 98% reduction in volunteer potato tuber biomass. Delaying volunteer potato removal beyond the tuber initiation stage reduced sugar beet root and sucrose yield (12% to 20%), resulting in an economic loss of $104 to $161 per hectare. The best potato removal timing that optimizes the trade-off between improved control and potential for sugar beet yield reductions is before or at the tuber initiation stage.
Wie sind die Kenntnisse pädagogischer Fachkräfte zu Diagnostik und Förderung einzuschätzen?
Authors: Peters Svenja , Höltge Lea , Buchholz Janine , Hartmann Ulrike , Ehm Jan-Henning , Hasselhorn Marcus
Published: February 2021

Zusammenfassung. Diagnostik und Förderung werden zunehmend als Bestandteile professioneller Bildungsarbeit in Kitas anerkannt. Ihre Umsetzung bedarf entsprechender Kompetenzen. In einer Fragebogenstudie wurden Kenntnisse zu Diagnostik und Förderung von 285 pädagogischen Fachkräften mittels einer Fallvignette untersucht. Die schriftlichen Antworten gaben erste Hinweise darauf, über welche diagnostischen und förderbezogenen Kenntnisse sie in den Bereichen Sprache und Mathematik verfügen. Durch latente Klassenanalysen wurden fünf Fachkraftgruppen mit unterschiedlichen Kenntnissen identifiziert. Diese zeigten sich entweder vorwiegend austauschorientiert (C1), vorwiegend ideenlos (C2), vorwiegend beobachtungs- und förderorientiert (C3), vorwiegend förderorientiert (C4) oder vorwiegend beobachtungs- und austauschorientiert (C5). Die Gruppen unterschieden sich u.a. hinsichtlich der Einstellungen gegenüber Diagnostik sowie der wahrgenommenen beruflichen Belastung. Konsequenzen für die Professionalisierung pädagogischer Fachkräfte sowie für zukünftige Forschung werden diskutiert.
Grenzarbeit in multiprofessionellen Teams und interorganisationaler Kooperation
Authors: Gerstenberg Frauke , Cloos Peter
Published: February 2021

Zusammenfassung. Im Beitrag werden Ergebnislinien eines Forschungsprojekts zu multiprofessioneller Zusammenarbeit von Fachkräften in inklusiven Kindertageseinrichtungen präsentiert. Die Studie arbeitet über die Rekonstruktion der in den untersuchten Einrichtungen etablierten Teamsitzungsformate, das organisationseigene Verständnis von Inklusion und Multiprofessionalität heraus. Im Beitrag werden Modi von multiprofessioneller Zusammenarbeit fokussiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Teamsitzungen als Orte der Grenzformatierung fungieren, an denen die Teams Muster der Grenzarbeit prozessieren. Virtuelle Grenzen werden dabei über Aufgabenverständnisse gezogen.
The Intensifying Role of High Wind Speeds on Air‐Sea Carbon Dioxide Exchange
Authors: Gu Yuanyuan , Katul Gabriel G. , Cassar Nicolas
Published: February 2021

While it has been known that wave breaking and bubble generation at high wind speeds enhance air‐sea carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange rates (F), quantification of their contribution at the global scale remains a formidable challenge. There is urgency to make progress on this issue as a significant uptick in both magnitude and frequency of high wind events (HW) has been documented over the last 3 decades. Using a wind‐wave dependent expression for gas transfer velocity (k) that explicitly considers bubbles and a widely used wind‐only parameterization, the spatial pattern of k at high winds can be explained by sea surface temperature distribution. The HW, which represent some 3% of wind conditions, contribute disproportionally to the global F (18%) with an increasing trend. Approximately 50% of the global F at high winds is attributed to bubble contribution. The findings are of significance to quantifying CO2 transfer to the ocean interior.
What Determines the Lagged ENSO Response in the South‐West Indian Ocean?
Authors: Eabry M. D. , Taschetto A. S. , Maharaj A. M. , Sen Gupta A.
Published: February 2021

Oceanic Rossby waves can propagate climate signals over considerable distances over long timescales. Using a long simulation from a coupled climate model, we examine oceanic and mixed atmosphere‐ocean teleconnections to the south‐western Indian Ocean (SWIO) associated with Rossby waves excited by the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Reconstruction of propagating ENSO‐induced sea‐level anomalies from the simulation using an optimized linear wave model with dissipation highlights the prominent role of baroclinic, rather than barotropic, Rossby waves in modulating sea‐surface heights. Between 9.5° and 18.5°S, El Niño‐associated anomalous anticyclonic wind‐stress fields initiate downwelling Rossby waves, potentially influencing SWIO regional climate around 1–4 seasons after El Niño peak, while also destructively interfering with upwelling waves triggered on the eastern boundary by oceanic teleconnections. Further south, weaker ENSO winds, dissipation, non‐linear processes, and interference from higher‐mode Rossby waves limit ENSO influences in the SWIO. In the model, ENSO‐associated predictability is therefore constrained by the “atmospheric” rather than “oceanic” bridge.
Comparing Electron Precipitation Fluxes Calculated From Pitch Angle Diffusion Coefficients to LEO Satellite Observations
Authors: Reidy J. A. , Horne R. B. , Glauert S. A. , Clilverd M. A. , Meredith N. P. , Woodfield E. E. , Ross J. P. , Allison H. J. , Rodger C. J.
Published: February 2021

Particle precipitation is a loss mechanism from the radiation belts whereby particles trapped by the Earth's magnetic field are scattered into the loss cone due to wave‐particle interactions. Energetic electron precipitation creates ozone destroying chemicals which can affect the temperatures of the polar regions, therefore it is crucial to accurately quantify this impact on the Earth's atmosphere. We use bounce‐averaged pitch angle diffusion coefficients for whistler mode chorus waves, plasmaspheric hiss and atmospheric collisions to calculate magnetic local time (MLT) dependent electron precipitation inside the field of view of the Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (POES) T0 detector, between 26–30 March 2013. These diffusion coefficients are used in the BAS Radiation Belt Model (BAS‐RBM) and this paper is a first step toward testing the loss in this model via comparison with real world data. We find the best agreement between the calculated and measured T0 precipitation at L* > 5 on the dawnside for the >30 keV electron channel, consistent with precipitation driven by lower band chorus. Additional diffusion is required to explain the flux at higher energies and on the dusk side. The POES T0 detector underestimates electron precipitation as its field of view does not measure the entire loss cone. We demonstrate the potential for utilizing diffusion coefficients to reconstruct precipitating flux over the entire loss cone. Our results show that the total precipitation can exceed that measured by the POES >30 keV electron channel by a factor that typically varies from 1 to 10 for L* = 6, 6.5, and 7.
Summer Monsoons: Regional Manifestations of a Global System
Authors: Geen Ruth , Bordoni Simona , Battisti David
Published: February 2021

New insights from observations and theory suggest that the essential drivers of Earth’s summer monsoons are not as obvious as was previously thought.
Using linkage logic theory to control dynamics of a gene regulatory network of a chordate embryo
Authors: Kobayashi Kenji , Maeda Kazuki , Tokuoka Miki , Mochizuki Atsushi , Satou Yutaka
Published: February 2021

Linkage logic theory provides a mathematical criterion to control network dynamics by manipulating activities of a subset of network nodes, which are collectively called a feedback vertex set (FVS). Because many biological functions emerge from dynamics of biological networks, this theory provides a promising tool for controlling biological functions. By manipulating the activity of FVS molecules identified in a gene regulatory network (GRN) for fate specification of seven tissues in ascidian embryos, we previously succeeded in reproducing six of the seven cell types. Simultaneously, we discovered that the experimentally reconstituted GRN lacked information sufficient to reproduce muscle cells. Here, we utilized linkage logic theory as a tool to find missing edges in the GRN. Then, we identified a FVS from an updated version of the GRN and confirmed that manipulating the activity of this FVS was sufficient to induce all seven cell types, even in a multi-cellular environment. Thus, linkage logic theory provides tools to find missing edges in experimentally reconstituted networks, to determine whether reconstituted networks contain sufficient information to fulfil expected functions, and to reprogram cell fate.
Use Internet search data to accurately track state level influenza epidemics
Authors: Yang Shihao , Ning Shaoyang , Kou S. C.
Published: February 2021

For epidemics control and prevention, timely insights of potential hot spots are invaluable. Alternative to traditional epidemic surveillance, which often lags behind real time by weeks, big data from the Internet provide important information of the current epidemic trends. Here we present a methodology, ARGOX (Augmented Regression with GOogle data CROSS space), for accurate real-time tracking of state-level influenza epidemics in the United States. ARGOX combines Internet search data at the national, regional and state levels with traditional influenza surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and accounts for both the spatial correlation structure of state-level influenza activities and the evolution of people’s Internet search pattern. ARGOX achieves on average 28% error reduction over the best alternative for real-time state-level influenza estimation for 2014 to 2020. ARGOX is robust and reliable and can be potentially applied to track county- and city-level influenza activity and other infectious diseases.
Telomere length and outcome of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis in a gold mining community
Authors: Katoto Patrick D. M. C. , Kayembe-Kitenge Tony , Pollitt Krystal J. Godri , Martens Dries S. , Ghosh Manosij , Nachega Jean B. , Nemery Benoit , Nawrot Tim S.
Published: February 2021

Telomere length (TL) is a marker of ageing and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is an early marker of inflammation caused by oxidative stress. We determined TL and mtDNA content among active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients to assess if these cellular biomarkers differed between artisanal miners and non-miners, and to assess if they were predictive of treatment outcome. We conducted a prospective cohort study from August 2018 to May 2019 involving newly diagnosed PTB patients at three outpatient TB clinics in a rural Democratic Republic of Congo. We measured relative TL and mtDNA content in peripheral blood leukocytes (at inclusion) via qPCR and assessed their association with PTB treatment outcome. We included 129 patients (85 miners and 44 non-miners) with PTB (median age 40 years; range 5–71 years, 22% HIV-coinfected). For each increase in year and HIV-coinfection, TL shortened by − 0.85% (− 0.19 to − 0.52) (p ≤ 0.0001) and − 14% (− 28.22 to − 1.79) (p = 0.02) respectively. Independent of these covariates, patients with longer TL were more likely to have successful TB treatment [adjusted hazard ratio; 95% CI 1.27 for a doubling of leucocyte telomere length at baseline; 1.05–1.44] than patients with a shorter TL. Blood mtDNA content was not predictive for PTB outcome. For a given chronological age, PTB patients with longer telomeres at time of diagnosis were more likely to have successful PTB treatment outcome.
Reproducing asymmetrical spine shape fluctuations in a model of actin dynamics predicts self-organized criticality
Authors: Bonilla-Quintana Mayte , Wörgötter Florentin , D’Este Elisa , Tetzlaff Christian , Fauth Michael
Published: February 2021

Dendritic spines change their size and shape spontaneously, but the function of this remains unclear. Here, we address this in a biophysical model of spine fluctuations, which reproduces experimentally measured spine fluctuations. For this, we characterize size- and shape fluctuations from confocal microscopy image sequences using autoregressive models and a new set of shape descriptors derived from circular statistics. Using the biophysical model, we extrapolate into longer temporal intervals and find the presence of 1/fnoise. When investigating its origins, the model predicts that the actin dynamics underlying shape fluctuations self-organizes into a critical state, which creates a fine balance between static actin filaments and free monomers. In a comparison against a non-critical model, we show that this state facilitates spine enlargement, which happens after LTP induction. Thus, ongoing spine shape fluctuations might be necessary to react quickly to plasticity events.
Overexpression of ZmWRKY65 transcription factor from maize confers stress resistances in transgenic Arabidopsis
Authors: Huo Tong , Wang Chang-Tao , Yu Tai-Fei , Wang Da-Ming , Li Meng , Zhao Dan , Li Xiu-Ting , Fu Jin-Dong , Xu Zhao-Shi , Song Xin-Yuan
Published: February 2021

Plant-specific WRKY transcription factors play important roles in regulating the expression of defense-responsive genes against pathogen attack. A multiple stress-responsive WRKY gene, ZmWRKY65, was identified in maize by screening salicylic acid (SA)-induced de novo transcriptomic sequences. The ZmWRKY65 protein was localized in the nucleus of mesophyll protoplasts. The analysis of the ZmWRKY65 promoter sequence indicated that it contains several stress-related transcriptional regulatory elements. Many environmental factors affecting the transcription of ZmWRKY65 gene, such as drought, salinity, high temperature and low temperature stress. Moreover, the transcription of ZmWRKY65 gene was also affected by the induction of defense related plant hormones such as SA and exogenous ABA. The results of seed germination and stomatal aperture assays indicated that transgenic Arabidopsis plants exhibit enhanced sensitivity to ABA and high concentrations of SA. Overexpression of ZmWRKY65 improved tolerance to both pathogen attack and abiotic stress in transgenic Arabidopsis plants and activated several stress-related genes such as RD29A, ERD10, and STZ as well as pathogenesis-related (PR) genes such as PR1, PR2 and PR5; these genes are involved in resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses in Arabidopsis. Together, this evidence implies that the ZmWRKY65 gene is involved in multiple stress signal transduction pathways.
Eosinophils may serve as CEA-secreting cells for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) patients
Authors: Yang Yanfei , Gao qiqi , Jin Yangyi , Qi Mengdie , Lu Guohua , HequanLi
Published: February 2021

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a condition characterized by an exaggerated response of the immune system to the fungus Aspergillus. This study aimed to assess the relationship between carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and eosinophils in ABPA patients. We describes a case of a 50-year-old patient who was diagnosed with ABPA presenting with high level of CEA and eosinophils. Besides,we used immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to identify eosinophils and CEA in sections which were obtained by Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy aspiration (EBUS-TBLB). The sections were then visualized using confocal microscopy. We also retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 37 ABPA patients between January 2013 and December 2019 in our hospital. We found the patient whose serum CEA levels were consistent with eosinophils during the follow-up (r = 0.929, P = 0.022). The positive expression of CEA and abnormal expression of eosinophils was higher in the ABPA tissue compared to the normal lung tissue. The co-localization was represented as pixels containing both red and green color in the image (with various shades of orange and yellow) which signified that eosinophils were immunohistochemically positive for CEA. Patients with higher levels of eosinophils had higher levels of CEA in the serum (P < 0.001). The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the levels of eosinophils were positively correlated with serum CEA levels (r = 0.459 and r = 0.506, P = 0.004 and P = 0.001). Serum CEA level is elevated in ABPA patients. The elevated serum CEA level was shown to be normalized after treatment. Increased CEA levels in ABPA patients may be positively correlated with eosinophil levels, and eosinophils may be served as CEA-secreting cells in patients with ABPA.
Elevated circulating FABP4 concentration predicts cardiovascular death in a general population: a 12-year prospective study
Authors: Saito Norie , Furuhashi Masato , Koyama Masayuki , Higashiura Yukimura , Akasaka Hiroshi , Tanaka Marenao , Moniwa Norihito , Ohnishi Hirofumi , Saitoh Shigeyuki , Ura Nobuyuki , Shimamoto Kazuaki , Miura Tetsuji
Published: February 2021

Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is secreted from adipose tissue and acts as an adipokine, and an elevated circulating FABP4 level is associated with metabolic disorders and atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the causal link between circulating FABP4 level and mortality in a general population. We investigated the relationship between FABP4 concentration and mortality including cardiovascular death during a 12-year period in subjects of the Tanno-Sobetsu Study, a population-based cohort (n = 721, male/female: 302/419). FABP4 concentration at baseline was significantly higher in female subjects than in male subjects. All-cause death occurred in 123 (male/female: 74/49) subjects, and 34 (male/female: 20/14) and 42 (male/female: 26/16) subjects died of cardiovascular events and cancer, respectively. When divided into 3 groups according to tertiles of FABP4 level at baseline by sex (T1–T3), Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that there were significant differences in rates of all-cause death and cardiovascular death, but not cancer death, among the groups. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard model analysis with a restricted cubic spline showed that hazard ratio (HR) for cardiovascular death, but not that for all-cause death, significantly increased with a higher FABP4 level at baseline after adjustment of age and sex. The risk of cardiovascular death after adjustment of age, sex, body mass index and levels of brain natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the 3rd tertile (T3) group (HR: 4.96, 95% confidence interval: 1.20–22.3) was significantly higher than that in the 1st tertile (T1) group as the reference. In conclusion, elevated circulating FABP4 concentration predicts cardiovascular death in a general population.
Real-time acoustic sensing and artificial intelligence for error prevention in orthopedic surgery
Authors: Seibold Matthias , Maurer Steven , Hoch Armando , Zingg Patrick , Farshad Mazda , Navab Nassir , Fürnstahl Philipp
Published: February 2021

In this work, we developed and validated a computer method capable of robustly detecting drill breakthrough events and show the potential of deep learning-based acoustic sensing for surgical error prevention. Bone drilling is an essential part of orthopedic surgery and has a high risk of injuring vital structures when over-drilling into adjacent soft tissue. We acquired a dataset consisting of structure-borne audio recordings of drill breakthrough sequences with custom piezo contact microphones in an experimental setup using six human cadaveric hip specimens. In the following step, we developed a deep learning-based method for the automated detection of drill breakthrough events in a fast and accurate fashion. We evaluated the proposed network regarding breakthrough detection sensitivity and latency. The best performing variant yields a sensitivity of $$93.64 \pm 2.42$$

93.64
±
2.42

% for drill breakthrough detection in a total execution time of 139.29$${\hbox { ms}}$$

ms

. The validation and performance evaluation of our solution demonstrates promising results for surgical error prevention by automated acoustic-based drill breakthrough detection in a realistic experiment while being multiple times faster than a surgeon’s reaction time. Furthermore, our proposed method represents an important step for the translation of acoustic-based breakthrough detection towards surgical use.
GDF11 alleviates secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage via attenuating mitochondrial dynamic abnormality and dysfunction
Authors: Xiao Anqi , Zhang Yiqi , Ren Yanming , Chen Ruiqi , Li Tao , You Chao , Gan Xueqi
Published: February 2021

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a serious public health problem with high rates of death and disability. The neuroprotective effect of Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (GDF11) in ICH has been initially proved by our previous study. Oxidative stress (OS) plays crucial roles in mediating subsequent damage of ICH. However, whether and how mitochondrial dynamic events and function participated in ICH pathophysiology, and how mitochondrial function and OS interreacted in the neuroprotective process of GDF11 in ICH remains unclarified. Based on the rat model of ICH and in vitro cell model, we demonstrated that GDF11 could alleviate ICH induced neurological deficits, brain edema, OS status, neuronal apoptosis and inflammatory reaction. In addition, mitochondrial functional and structural impairments were obviously restored by GDF11. Treatment with antioxidant protected against erythrocyte homogenate (EH) induced cell injury by restoring OS status and mitochondrial fusion fission imbalance, which was similar to the effect of GDF11 treatment. Further, inhibition of mitochondrial division with Mdivi-1 attenuated mitochondrial functional defects and neuronal damages. In conclusion, our results for the first time proposed that GDF11 protected the post-ICH secondary injury by suppressing the feedback loop between mitochondrial ROS production and mitochondrial dynamic alteration, resulting in attenuated mitochondrial function and amelioration of neural damage.
Inhibition of autotaxin activity ameliorates neuropathic pain derived from lumbar spinal canal stenosis
Authors: Uranbileg Baasanjav , Ito Nobuko , Kurano Makoto , Kano Kuniyuki , Uchida Kanji , Sumitani Masahiko , Aoki Junken , Yatomi Yutaka
Published: February 2021

Lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) or mechanical compression of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is one of the causes of low back pain and neuropathic pain (NP). Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent bioactive lipid mediator that is produced mainly from lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) via autotaxin (ATX) and is known to induce NP via LPA1 receptor signaling in mice. Recently, we demonstrated that LPC and LPA were higher in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with LSS. Based on the possible potential efficacy of the ATX inhibitor for NP treatment, we used an NP model with compression of DRG (CD model) and investigated LPA dynamics and whether ATX inhibition could ameliorate NP symptoms, using an orally available ATX inhibitor (ONO-8430506) at a dose of 30 mg/kg. In CD model, we observed increased LPC and LPA levels in CSF, and decreased threshold of the pain which were ameliorated by oral administration of the ATX inhibitor with decreased microglia and astrocyte populations at the site of the spinal dorsal horn projecting from injured DRG. These results suggested possible efficacy of ATX inhibitor for the treatment of NP caused by spinal nerve root compression and involvement of the ATX-LPA axis in the mechanism of NP induction.
Potential impacts of marine urbanization on benthic macrofaunal diversity
Authors: Momota Kyosuke , Hosokawa Shinya
Published: February 2021

Urbanization and associated human activities have caused numerous changes to natural environments, including the loss of natural habitats and replacement with artificial structures. How these changes impact coastal marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is not well known. In this study, we examined the potential impacts of habitat changes by comparing species commonality and community structure (i.e., species richness, abundance, and functional composition) among artificial (a breakwater wall) and natural habitats (eelgrass bed, intertidal flat, and subtidal bottom) within a semi-enclosed coastal sea impacted by marine urbanization. We found considerable species overlap (i.e., high species sharing) among the eelgrass bed, intertidal flat, and subtidal bottom habitats. By contrast, the breakwater wall was a distinctive habitat with little overlap in species and functional groups with the other habitats, and was therefore a poor substitute for natural habitats. Our study suggests that marine urbanization degrades redundancy and inhibits the maintenance of biodiversity in coastal marine zones.