bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Annealing effects on structural and photovoltaic properties of the dip-SILAR-prepared bismuth oxyhalides (BiOI, Bi7O9I3, Bi5O7I) films
Authors: Matiur R. MD , Abuelwafa A. A. , Putri Anissa A. , Kato S. , Kishi N. , Soga T.
Published: January 2021

Bismuth oxyhalides are becoming a promising contender for photovoltaic applications due to its non-toxic nature and decent optical properties. This study mainly deals with clarifying the effects of phase transformations on the structure, optical, and electrical properties of BiOI thin film prepared via dip-successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method at different annealing temperatures ranging from 100 to 400 °C. Therefore, significant phase transformations (i.e., the existence of Bi7O9I3 and Bi5O7I have been confirmed at 300 °C and 400 °C, respectively) appeared in the produced films, which were mainly due to the change of annealing temperatures. The experimental results confirmed that produced films achieved the maximum current density and efficiency and minimum current density and efficiency at 100 °C and 400 °C, respectively. Experimental results were also showed that with increasing the annealing temperature from 100 to 400 °C, the indirect bandgap risen from 1.77 to 2.96 eV while the crystallite size decreased from 17.62 to 12.99 nm. The energy band diagram with electrolyte explained the observed poor electrical properties during the phase transformation. Hence, this result will add positive impacts on the new information on findings for the dip-SILAR-prepared BiOI photovoltaic cells.
The Urban Mask Layer as Reference Geometry for Spatial Planning: Moving from German to European Geodata
Authors: Schumacher Ulrich
Published: January 2021

In view of rising urbanisation around the world, it is vital to improve the analysis and evaluation of spatial settlement structures in order to ensure the sustainable design of associated transformation processes. Geodata and the maps derived from urban datasets can contribute significantly to understanding the characteristics of settlement structures. In this context, urban areas with a concentration of settlement elements form an important reference geometry. In Germany, such an urban mask is termed Ortslage and is included as an object type in the official topographical basic geodata (ATKIS). It would be useful to have a similar urban mask at European level, especially as a layer of the Urban Atlas within the framework of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service. Here we present a GIS-supported algorithm to generate such a layer from Urban Atlas data. The method is demonstrated on 30 European cities showing a wide range of urban structures. Further, we compare the physical shape of the Ortslage with the urban mask, here illustrated by the city of Leipzig, Germany. As a basic example of the planning relevance of this method, we consider and discuss the metric shape complexity of the urban space for the cartographic comparison of cities. Furthermore, we address the question of a mixed automated-manual technology in the delineation of the urban mask. The regular updating of the Urban Atlas data within the framework of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service opens up the possibility of integrating analyses based on the urban masks into the European Spatial Observation.
A new Hardy–Mulholland-type inequality with a mixed kernel
Authors: Rassias Michael Th. , Yang Bicheng , Raigorodskii Andrei
Published: January 2021

By the use of weight coefficients and techniques of real analysis, we establish a new Hardy–Mulholland-type inequality with a mixed kernel and a best possible constant factor in terms of the hypergeometric function. Equivalent forms, an operator expression with the norm and reverses are also considered.
Effect of Stepped Care on Sexual Interest and Enjoyment in Distressed Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Schutte Laura E.R. , Melissant Heleen C. , Jansen Femke , Lissenberg-Witte Birgit I. , Leemans C. René , Sprangers Mirjam A.G. , Vergeer Marije R. , Verdonck-de Leeuw Irma M. , Laan Ellen T.M.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) with psychological distress showed that a stepped care (SC) program targeting psychological distress compared with care as usual (CAU), is (cost)effective in reducing psychological distress.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether SC can coalleviate problems with sexual interest and enjoyment. A secondary aim was to investigate whether the presence of an unmet sexual health need and having a psychiatric disorder (depression or anxiety) at baseline moderated any effect of SC on these sexual variables until 1-year follow-up.

Methods

HNC survivors (N = 134), randomized to SC or CAU, were assessed regarding their sexual interest and enjoyment before and after the intervention and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate differences in the course of sexual interest and enjoyment between SC and CAU.

Main Outcome Measure

The “sexuality” symptom subscale, part of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire, Head and Neck Cancer–specific module.

Results

Of all patients, 76.1% had an unmet sexual need at baseline, 24.6% had a psychiatric disorder (anxiety or depression). SC did not reduce problems with sexual interest and enjoyment at any of the follow-up measurements compared with CAU (P = .85). This was neither moderated by an unmet sexual health need at baseline (P = .64) nor by the presence of a psychiatric disorder at baseline (P = .59).

Conclusion

A substantial number of patients with HNC have unmet sexual health needs. SC targeting psychological distress does not reduce problems with sexuality in these patients. Interventions specifically targeting sexuality are recommended.
Marketing Research Methods
Authors: Esteban-Bravo Mercedes , Vidal-Sanz Jose M.
Published: January 2021

Covering both quantitative and qualitative methods, this book examines the breadth of modern market research methods for upper level students across business schools and social science faculties. Modern and trending topics including social networks, machine learning, big data, and artificial intelligence are addressed and real world examples and case studies illustrate the application of the methods. This text examines potential problems, such as researcher bias, and discusses effective solutions in the preparation of research reports and papers, and oral presentations. Assuming no prior knowledge of statistics or econometrics, discrete chapters offer a clear introduction to both, opening up the quantitative methods to all students. Each chapter contains rigorous academic theory, including a synthesis of the recent literature as well as key historical references, applied contextualization and recent research results, making it an excellent resource for practitioners. Online resources include extensive chapter bibliographies, lecture slides, an instructor guide and extra extension material and questions.
Sex and Drugs before Rock 'n' Roll
Authors: Roberts Benjamin B.
Published: January 2021

Sex and Drugs Before the Rock 'n' Roll is a fascinating volume that presents an engaging overview of what it was like to be young and male in the Dutch Golden Age. Here, well-known cohorts of Rembrandt are examined for the ways in which they expressed themselves by defying conservative values and norms. This study reveals how these young men rebelled, breaking from previous generations: letting their hair grow long, wearing colorful clothing, drinking excessively, challenging city guards, being promiscuous, smoking, and singing lewd songs.

Cogently argued, this study paints a compelling portrait of the youth culture of the Dutch Golden Age, at a time when the rising popularity of print made dissemination of new cultural ideas possible, while rising incomes and liberal attitudes created a generation of men behaving badly.
CEO Transformational Leadership and Corporate Entrepreneurship in China
Authors: Pan Yaotian , Verbeke Alain , Yuan Wenlong
Published: January 2021

A chief executive officer (CEO) acting as the firm's transformational leader is typically viewed as instrumental to corporate entrepreneurship in established firms, but how exactly does a higher level of corporate entrepreneurship come about, given a transformational CEO's actions? We suggest that organizational ambidexterity can function as a core mediating mechanism between transformational CEOs and the observed level of corporate entrepreneurship and that the effectiveness of this mediating process varies as a function of critical contingencies related to characteristics of the top management team (TMT), the environment and the organization's design. Our empirical evidence, based on a sample of 145 Chinese private sector firms, and using three primary sources of data (145 CEOs, 506 TMT members, and 1,981 middle managers), provides support for a moderated mediation process. We find that the mediating pathway from transformational leadership to corporate entrepreneurship through organizational ambidexterity is not significant when boundary conditions are ignored. However, when environmental dynamism, TMT collectivism, and structural differentiation are included as moderators, CEO transformational leadership does affect corporate entrepreneurship via the creation and effective functioning of organizational ambidexterity.
“Democracy and National Unity Day” in Turkey: the invention of a new national holiday
Authors: Solomonovich Nadav
Published: January 2021

On the night of July 15, 2016, the Republic of Turkey experienced yet another military coup attempt. However, this attempt failed, mainly due to civilian protest and casualties. Their sacrifice, according to the Turkish state, led to the creation of a new national celebration in Turkey, the “Democracy and National Unity Day.” Following the growing interest of historians in the field of national celebrations, this paper examines the creation of this holiday. It argues that the AKP government used this new holiday to shape the Turkish collective national memory and to introduce a national celebration that does not revolve around the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who symbolizes the secular camp in Turkey, but rather around the Justice and Development Party government and its more traditional and religious ideology, in the guise of celebrating Turkish democracy.
“That's Not Acting”: Feminist Mimesis in the Solo Performances of Ruth Draper
Authors: Schmidt Jennifer
Published: January 2021

It is difficult to exaggerate the level of critical praise that American solo performer Ruth Draper received during her long career, which stretched from 1920 until her death in 1956. As one critic notes: “Very few people have ever talked very coherently about Ruth Draper. There are no standards by which to gauge her. The magic she conveys is as inexplicable as air or light or love.” Indeed, after reading the myriad panegyrics that collected during her career, words like “magic,” “genius,” “powerful,” and “consummate” begin to lose their meaning. Her critics were so adoring that by 1956, one admitted, “London has long ago worn its most extravagant adjectives, clichés, and superlatives to tatters in its attempt to cope with her achievement.”
How to improve infectious disease prediction by integrating environmental data: an application of a novel ensemble analysis strategy to predict HFMD
Authors: Tao Junwen , Ma Yue , Zhuang Xuefei , Lv Qiang , Liu Yaqiong , Zhang Tao , Yin Fei
Published: January 2021

This study proposed a novel ensemble analysis strategy to improve hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) prediction by integrating environmental data. The approach began by establishing a vector autoregressive model (VAR). Then, a dynamic Bayesian networks (DBN) model was used for variable selection of environmental factors. Finally, a VAR model with constraints (CVAR) was established for predicting the incidence of HFMD in Chengdu city from 2011 to 2017. DBN showed that temperature was related to HFMD at lags 1 and 2. Humidity, wind speed, sunshine, PM10, SO2 and NO2 were related to HFMD at lag 2. Compared with the autoregressive integrated moving average model with external variables (ARIMAX), the CVAR model had a higher coefficient of determination (R2, average difference: + 2.11%; t = 6.2051, P = 0.0003 < 0.05), a lower root mean-squared error (−24.88%; t = −5.2898, P = 0.0007 < 0.05) and a lower mean absolute percentage error (−16.69%; t = −4.3647, P = 0.0024 < 0.05). The accuracy of predicting the time-series shape was 88.16% for the CVAR model and 86.41% for ARIMAX. The CVAR model performed better in terms of variable selection, model interpretation and prediction. Therefore, it could be used by health authorities to identify potential HFMD outbreaks and develop disease control measures.
Noradrenergic activation induced by yohimbine decreases interoceptive accuracy in healthy individuals with childhood adversity
Authors: Schulz André , Deuter Christian E. , Breden Ion-Hideo , Vögele Claus , Wingenfeld Katja , Otte Christian , Kuehl Linn K.
Published: January 2021

Acute stress affects interoception, but it remains unclear if this is due to activation of the sympatho-adreno-medullary (SAM) or hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SAM axis activation on interoceptive accuracy (IAcc). Central alpha2-adrenergic receptors represent a negative feedback mechanism of the SAM axis. Major depressive disorder and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are associated with alterations in the biological stress systems, including central alpha2-adrenergic receptors. Here, healthy individuals with and without ACE as well as depressive patients with and without ACE (n = 114; all without antidepressant medication) were tested after yohimbine (alpha2-adrenergic antagonist) and placebo. We assessed IAcc and sensibility in a heartbeat counting task. Increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after yohimbine confirmed successful SAM axis activation. IAcc decreased after yohimbine only in the healthy group with ACE, but remained unchanged in all other groups (Group × Drug interaction). This effect may be due to selective upregulation of alpha2-adrenergic receptors after childhood trauma, which reduces capacity for attention focus on heartbeats. The sympathetic neural pathway including alpha2-adrenergic circuitries may be essential for mediating interoceptive signal transmission. Suppressed processing of physical sensations in stressful situations may represent an adaptive response in healthy individuals who experienced ACE.
Using targeted cognitive behavioural therapy in clinical work: a case study
Authors: Harris Olivia , Kustner Claudia , Paskell Rachel , Hannay Chris
Published: January 2021

Research shows high levels of complex co-morbidities within psychiatric populations, and there is an increasing need for mental health practitioners to be able to draw on evidence-based psychological interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to work with this population effectively. One way CBT may be utilised when working with complexity or co-morbidity is to target treatment at a particular aspect of an individual’s presentation. This study uses a single-case A-B design to illustrate an example of using targeted diagnosis-specific CBT to address symptoms of a specific phobia of stairs in the context of a long-standing co-morbid diagnosis of schizophrenia. Results show the intervention to have been effective, with a change from a severe to mild phobia by the end of intervention. Clinical implications, limitations and areas for future research are discussed.

Key learning aims

(1)

There are high levels of co-morbid, complex mental health problems within psychiatric populations, and an increasing need for mental health practitioners to be able to work with co-morbidity effectively.

(2)

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) remains one of the most well-evidenced psychological interventions with a large amount of research highlighting the effectiveness of diagnosis-specific CBT.

(3)

One way evidence-based diagnosis-specific CBT approaches could be utilised when working with more complex co-morbidity may be to target an intervention at a specific set of symptoms.

(4)

An example of using a targeted CBT intervention (to tackle a specific phobia of stairs in the context of a long-standing co-morbid diagnosis of schizophrenia and ongoing hallucinations) is presented. The outcomes show significant changes in the specific phobia symptoms, suggesting that CBT can be effectively used in this targeted manner within real-world clinical settings. The impact of co-morbid mental health difficulties on therapeutic process and outcomes are highlighted.

(5)

The use of cognitive restructuring techniques was identified as key to engagement and therapeutic process, supporting the importance of including cognitive techniques in the treatment of phobias compared with purely behavioural exposure-based interventions.
Landslide Hazard and Exposure Modelling in Data‐Poor Regions: The Example of the Rohingya Refugee Camps in Bangladesh
Authors: Emberson R. A. , Kirschbaum D. B. , Stanley T.
Published: January 2021

Landslide hazards significantly affect economies and populations around the world, but locations where the greatest proportional losses occur are in data‐poor regions where capacity to estimate and prepare for these hazards is most limited. Earth observation (EO) data can fill key knowledge gaps, and can be rapidly used in settings with lower analytical capacity. In this study, we describe a novel series of methods designed to analyze landslide susceptibility, hazard and exposure in the region in and around the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, where limited data is juxtaposed with a major humanitarian crisis. We demonstrate that a high degree of accuracy is possible even when estimating susceptibility of relatively small landslides. In the context of this example, we also explore how estimates of landslide hazard and exposure are most beneficial to decisions made by humanitarian stakeholders relevant to natural hazards and risk. The unique opportunity to work alongside humanitarian end‐users has allowed us to produce focused products that can be tested while in development. In particular, we stress the importance of communicating the difference between a landslide “early warning system”—for which satellite data may be unsuitable at local scales—and a model that provides relative hazard estimates, where EO may be valuable. The toolbox of methods presented here could be used to generate landslide hazard and exposure maps in other data‐poor regions around the globe.
Biases in Indian Summer Monsoon Precipitation Forecasts in the Unified Model and Their Relationship With BSISO Index
Authors: Keane R. J. , Parker D. J. , Fletcher J. K.
Published: January 2021

This study shows that the Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation (BSISO) dominates the Indian summer monsoon low‐precipitation bias in the Met Office Unified model. Analyzing a recent 9‐year period (June, July, August only), it is found that the precipitation bias is dominated by break and break‐to‐active transition BSISO phases, while some of the other phases have no bias at all over a 7‐day forecast. Evidence of a link to upstream effects is found, in that there is a delayed reduction in the moisture flux entering India from the west. It is also shown that an increase in the net flow of moisture out of India to the east is strongly linked to the low‐precipitation bias, and there is some evidence that this is related to a lack of low‐pressure systems over India. Most atmospheric models have substantial rainfall biases over India, and these results may indicate the circulation patterns responsible.
Absorbent Porous Paper Reveals How Earthquakes Could be Mitigated
Authors: Tzortzopoulos G. , Braun P. , Stefanou I.
Published: January 2021

Earthquakes nucleate when large amounts of elastic energy, stored in the earth's crust, are suddenly released due to abrupt sliding over a fault. Fluid injections can reactivate existing seismogenic faults and induce/trigger earthquakes by increasing fluid pressure. Here we develop an analogous experimental system of simultaneously loaded and wetted absorbent porous paper to quantify theoretically the process of wetting‐induced earthquakes. This strategy allows us to gradually release the stored energy by provoking low intensity tremors. We identify the key parameters that control the outcome of the applied injection strategy, which include the initial stress state, fault segmentation, and segment‐activation rate. Subsequent injections, initiated at high stress levels, can drive the system faster toward its instability point, nucleating a large earthquake. Starting at low stress levels, however, they can reduce the magnitude of the natural event by at least one unit.
Role of the Moist and Dry Components of Moist Isentropic Mass Circulation in Changing the Extratropical Surface Temperature in Winter
Authors: Liang Ruxue , Yu Yueyue , Shi Chunhua , Guan Zhaoyong
Published: January 2021

This study separates the dry and moist components of the moist isentropic mass circulation (MIMC) on a daily timescale and investigates their relationships with extratropical surface temperature changes in winter (November to February). Results from ERA5 reanalysis data set (1979–2018) show that the MIMC is composed of a poleward warm branch in the upper layers and an equatorward cold branch below. The warm branch (WB) is dominated by the moist component in the mid‐latitude troposphere, but by the dry component in other regions. The stronger moist component of WB at 50°N‐70°N (WB_M) is a better precursory indicator than the dry component (WB_D) for the Arctic surface warming as a result of its dominant role in modifying the downward longwave radiation via water‐vapor‐related processes. The stronger WB_D is coupled with a negative Arctic Oscillation and a stronger, longer‐lasting equatorward transport of colder air, therefore a better precursory indicator of mid‐latitude cold events.
Reconstruction of Magnetospheric Storm‐Time Dynamics Using Cylindrical Basis Functions and Multi‐Mission Data Mining
Authors: Tsyganenko N. A. , Andreeva V. A. , Sitnov M. I.
Published: January 2021

First results are presented of the modeling of magnetospheric storm events, based on: (i) a new method to represent the magnetic field by means of the so‐called cylindrical basis functions, (ii) the data mining approach by Sitnov et al. (2008); https://doi.org/10.1029/2007ja013003, and (iii) upgraded and extended pool of multi‐mission data taken in 1995–2019. The study is focused on the low‐latitude magnetospheric domain in the distance range 3–18RE bounded by field line shells with footpoint latitudes ±70°. The magnetic configurations are reconstructed from data subsets, selected from the grand database by the nearest‐neighbor method, using both interplanetary data and the ground disturbance indices. A strong storm of May 27–29, 2017, has been studied in relation to its effect on the reconfiguration of the low‐latitude magnetosphere. The modeling reproduces the main features of the magnetosphere dynamics in terms of the geomagnetic field depression/compression and extremely variable field line stretching. The initial contraction of the magnetosphere during the storm sudden commencement results in a local transient surge of the inner tail current and a dramatic antisunward discharge of the magnetic flux. As the storm progresses, the ring current buildup results in a strongly depressed magnetic field in the inner magnetosphere, which expels the magnetic flux to larger distances and increases the field line connection across the more distant tail plasma sheet. At the same time, a strong dawn‐dusk asymmetry is developed due to the formation of the duskside partial ring current, in agreement with previous independent results.
Chemical Interactions Between Ship‐Originated Air Pollutants and Ocean‐Emitted Halogens
Authors: Li Qinyi , Badia Alba , Fernandez Rafael P. , Mahajan Anoop S. , López‐Noreña Ana Isabel , Zhang Yan , Wang Shanshan , Puliafito Enrique , Cuevas Carlos A. , Saiz‐Lopez Alfonso
Published: January 2021

Ocean‐going ships supply products from one region to another and contribute to the world’s economy. Ship exhaust contains many air pollutants and results in significant changes in marine atmospheric composition. The role of reactive halogen species (RHS) in the troposphere has received increasing recognition and oceans are the largest contributors to their atmospheric burden. However, the impact of shipping emissions on RHS and that of RHS on ship‐originated air pollutants have not been studied in detail. Here, an updated Weather Research Forecasting coupled with Chemistry model is utilized to explore the chemical interactions between ship emissions and oceanic RHS over the East Asia seas in summer. The emissions and resulting chemical transformations from shipping activities increase the level of NO and NO2 at the surface, increase O3 in the South China Sea, but decrease O3 in the East China Sea. Such changes in pollutants result in remarkable changes in the levels of RHS (>200% increase of chlorine; ∼30% and ∼5% decrease of bromine and iodine, respectively) as well as in their partitioning. The abundant RHS, in turn, reshape the loadings of air pollutants (∼20% decrease of NO and NO2; ∼15% decrease of O3) and those of the oxidants (>10% reduction of OH and HO2; ∼40% decrease of NO3) with marked patterns along the ship tracks. We, therefore, suggest that these important chemical interactions of ship‐originated emissions with RHS should be considered in the environmental policy assessments of the role of shipping emissions in air quality and climate.
Demonstration of tantalum as a structural material for MEMS thermal actuators
Authors: Ni Longchang , Pocratsky Ryan M. , de Boer Maarten P.
Published: January 2021

This work demonstrates the processing, modeling, and characterization of nanocrystalline refractory metal tantalum (Ta) as a new structural material for microelectromechanical system (MEMS) thermal actuators (TAs). Nanocrystalline Ta films have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and Young’s modulus comparable to bulk Ta but an approximately ten times greater yield strength. The mechanical properties and grain size remain stable after annealing at temperatures as high as 1000 °C. Ta has a high melting temperature (Tm = 3017 °C) and a low resistivity (ρ = 20 µΩ cm). Compared to TAs made from the dominant MEMS material, polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon, Tm = 1414 °C, ρ = 2000 µΩ cm), Ta TAs theoretically require less than half the power input for the same force and displacement, and their temperature change is half that of polysilicon. Ta TAs operate at a voltage 16 times lower than that of other TAs, making them compatible with complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS). We select α-phase Ta and etch 2.5-μm-thick sputter-deposited films with a 1 μm width while maintaining a vertical sidewall profile to ensure in-plane movement of TA legs. This is 25 times thicker than the thickest reactive-ion-etched α-Ta reported in the technical literature. Residual stress sensitivities to sputter parameters and to hydrogen incorporation are investigated and controlled. Subsequently, a V-shaped TA is fabricated and tested in air. Both conventional actuation by Joule heating and passive self-actuation are as predicted by models.
Host population diversity as a driver of viral infection cycle in wild populations of green sulfur bacteria with long standing virus-host interactions
Authors: Berg Maureen , Goudeau Danielle , Olmsted Charles , McMahon Katherine D , Yitbarek Senay , Thweatt Jennifer L , Bryant Donald A , Eloe-Fadrosh Emiley A , Malmstrom Rex R , Roux Simon
Published: January 2021

Temperate phages are viruses of bacteria that can establish two types of infection: a lysogenic infection in which the virus replicates with the host cell without producing virions, and a lytic infection where the host cell is eventually destroyed, and new virions are released. While both lytic and lysogenic infections are routinely observed in the environment, the ecological and evolutionary processes regulating these viral dynamics are still not well understood, especially for uncultivated virus-host pairs. Here, we characterized the long-term dynamics of uncultivated viruses infecting green sulfur bacteria (GSB) in a model freshwater lake (Trout Bog Lake, TBL). As no GSB virus has been formally described yet, we first used two complementary approaches to identify new GSB viruses from TBL; one in vitro based on flow cytometry cell sorting, the other in silico based on CRISPR spacer sequences. We then took advantage of existing TBL metagenomes covering the 2005–2018 period to examine the interactions between GSB and their viruses across years and seasons. From our data, GSB populations in TBL were constantly associated with at least 2-8 viruses each, including both lytic and temperate phages. The dominant GSB population in particular was consistently associated with two prophages with a nearly 100% infection rate for >10 years. We illustrate with a theoretical model that such an interaction can be stable given a low, but persistent, level of prophage induction in low-diversity host populations. Overall, our data suggest that lytic and lysogenic viruses can readily co-infect the same host population, and that host strain-level diversity might be an important factor controlling virus-host dynamics including lytic/lysogeny switch.
Mesopelagic microbial carbon production correlates with diversity across different marine particle fractions
Authors: Baumas Chloé M J , Le Moigne Frédéric A C , Garel Marc , Bhairy Nagib , Guasco Sophie , Riou Virginie , Armougom Fabrice , Grossart Hans-Peter , Tamburini Christian
Published: January 2021

The vertical flux of marine snow particles significantly reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. In the mesopelagic zone, a large proportion of the organic carbon carried by sinking particles dissipates thereby escaping long term sequestration. Particle associated prokaryotes are largely responsible for such organic carbon loss. However, links between this important ecosystem flux and ecological processes such as community development of prokaryotes on different particle fractions (sinking vs. non-sinking) are yet virtually unknown. This prevents accurate predictions of mesopelagic organic carbon loss in response to changing ocean dynamics. Using combined measurements of prokaryotic heterotrophic production rates and species richness in the North Atlantic, we reveal that carbon loss rates and associated microbial richness are drastically different with particle fractions. Our results demonstrate a strong negative correlation between prokaryotic carbon losses and species richness. Such a trend may be related to prokaryotes detaching from fast-sinking particles constantly enriching non-sinking associated communities in the mesopelagic zone. Existing global scale data suggest this negative correlation is a widespread feature of mesopelagic microbes.
Unexpectedly high mutation rate of a deep-sea hyperthermophilic anaerobic archaeon
Authors: Gu Jiahao , Wang Xiaojun , Ma Xiaopan , Sun Ying , Xiao Xiang , Luo Haiwei
Published: January 2021

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents resemble the early Earth, and thus the dominant Thermococcaceae inhabitants, which occupy an evolutionarily basal position of the archaeal tree and take an obligate anaerobic hyperthermophilic free-living lifestyle, are likely excellent models to study the evolution of early life. Here, we determined that unbiased mutation rate of a representative species, Thermococcus eurythermalis, exceeded that of all known free-living prokaryotes by 1-2 orders of magnitude, and thus rejected the long-standing hypothesis that low mutation rates were selectively favored in hyperthermophiles. We further sequenced multiple and diverse isolates of this species and calculated that T. eurythermalis has a lower effective population size than other free-living prokaryotes by 1-2 orders of magnitude. These data collectively indicate that the high mutation rate of this species is not selectively favored but instead driven by random genetic drift. The availability of these unusual data also helps explore mechanisms underlying microbial genome size evolution. We showed that genome size is negatively correlated with mutation rate and positively correlated with effective population size across 30 bacterial and archaeal lineages, suggesting that increased mutation rate and random genetic drift are likely two important mechanisms driving microbial genome reduction. Future determinations of the unbiased mutation rate of more representative lineages with highly reduced genomes such as Prochlorococcus and Pelagibacterales that dominate marine microbial communities are essential to test these hypotheses.
The combination of malnutrition-inflammation and functional status limitations is associated with mortality in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Kanda Eiichiro , Lopes Marcelo Barreto , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Hirakata Hideki , Iseki Kunitoshi , Karaboyas Angelo , Bieber Brian , Jacobson Stefan H. , Dasgupta Indranil , Robinson Bruce M.
Published: January 2021

The identification of malnutrition-inflammation-complex (MIC) and functional status (FS) is key to improving patient experience on hemodialysis (HD). We investigate the association of MIC and FS combinations with mortality in HD patients. We analyzed data from 5630 HD patients from 9 countries in DOPPS phases 4–5 (2009–2015) with a median follow-up of 23 [IQR 11, 31] months. MIC was defined as serum albumin < 3.8 g/dL and serum C-reactive protein > 3 mg/L in Japan and > 10 mg/L elsewhere. FS score was defined as the sum of scores from the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living and the Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. We investigated the association between combinations of MIC (+/−) and FS (low [< 11]/high [≥ 11]) with death. Compared to the reference group (MIC−/high FS), the adjusted hazard ratios [HR (95% CI)] for all-cause mortality were 1.82 (1.49, 2.21) for MIC−/low FS, 1.57 (1.30, 1.89) for MIC+/high FS, and 3.44 (2.80, 4.23) for MIC+/low FS groups. Similar associations were observed with CVD-related and infection-related mortality. The combination of MIC and low FS is a strong predictor of mortality in HD patients. Identification of MIC and poor FS may direct interventions to lessen adverse clinical outcomes in the HD setting.
Lactobacillus reuteri AN417 cell-free culture supernatant as a novel antibacterial agent targeting oral pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Yang Kyung Mi , Kim Ji-Sun , Kim Hye-Sung , Kim Young-Youn , Oh Jeong-Kyu , Jung Hye-Won , Park Doo-Sang , Bae Kwang-Hak
Published: January 2021

Lactobacillus reuteri AN417 is a newly characterized probiotic strain. The activity of AN417 against oral pathogenic bacteria is unknown. We investigated the antibacterial activity of cell-free L. reuteri AN417 culture supernatant (LRS) against three oral pathogens: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Streptococcus mutans. P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum have been implicated in periodontal disease, whereas S. mutans causes dental caries. Exposing these oral pathogenic bacteria to LRS significantly reduced their growth rates, intracellular ATP levels, cell viability, and time-to-kill. The minimal inhibitory volume of LRS was 10% (v/v) against P. gingivalis, 20% (v/v) for F. nucleatum, and 30% (v/v) for S. mutans. LRS significantly reduced the integrity of biofilms and significantly suppressed the expression of various genes involved in P. gingivalis biofilm formation. The L. reuteri AN417 genome lacked genes encoding reuterin, reuteran, and reutericyclin, which are major antibacterial compounds produced in L. reuteri strains. LRS treated with lipase and α-amylase displayed decreased antibacterial activity against oral pathogens. These data suggest that the antibacterial substances in LRS are carbohydrates and/or fatty acid metabolites. Our results demonstrate that LRS has antimicrobial activity against dental pathogenic bacteria, highlighting its potential utility for the prevention and treatment of P. gingivalis periodontal disease.
Standard RTS criteria effectiveness verification using FMS, Y-balance and TJA in footballers following ACL reconstruction and mild lower limb injuries
Authors: Oleksy Łukasz , Mika Anna , Sulowska-Daszyk Iwona , Szymczyk Daniel , Kuchciak Maciej , Stolarczyk Artur , Rojek Radosław , Kielnar Renata
Published: January 2021

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most frequently injured knee ligament. In previous studies, it was demonstrated that patients following ACL reconstruction may present motor deficits which may be related to increased risk of injury. The objective of the study was to determine whether players who have passed RTS assessment still have deficits in movement patterns or in neuromuscular control after such a serious injury as ACL rupture and reconstruction,. Sixty-five male football players (age 18–25 years), recruited from regional teams, were divided into three groups: (1) ACL group-subjects after ACL rupture and reconstruction (n = 24); (2) Mild Injury (MI) group-subjects after mild lower limb injuries (n = 21); and (3) Control (C) group-subjects without injuries (n = 20). For all groups, the Y-balance test, Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Tuck Jump Assessment (TJA) were performed. For the Y-balance test in ACL group for the injured leg, significantly lower values were demonstrated for anterior reach ((ACL) 69.2 ± 5.7% vs. (MI) 74.8 ± 4.5% vs. (C) 74.0 ± 5.6%), at posterior-lateral reach ((ACL) 103.2 ± 6.4% vs. (C) 108.5 ± 6.0%) and composite score ((ACL) 93.9 ± 4.4% vs. (MI) 97.9 ± 4.3%) in comparison to the remaining two groups. In the FMS test, the ACL group had significantly lower composite score (12 ± 4 points) compared to the C group (15 ± 2 points). Also, compared to the remaining groups, subjects following ACL reconstruction demonstrated significantly lower performance in the TJA test related to the following elements: thighs do not reach parallel, thighs not equal side-to-side, foot placement not shoulder width apart, technique declines prior to 10 s and lower extremity valgus at landing. The authors have observed that athletes after ACL reconstruction still have deficits in movement patterns or in neuromuscular control despite passing the RTS and being cleared to perform sports. Creating a set of sufficiently sensitive assessment methods may significantly reduce the potential risk of injury due to the fact that diagnosed and monitored deficits may be treated on an ongoing basis. The authors suggest that individual elements of the Y-balance and TJA tests may be suitable for such specific assessment.
A machine learning-based predictor for the identification of the recurrence of patients with gastric cancer after operation
Authors: Zhou Chengmao , Hu Junhong , Wang Ying , Ji Mu-Huo , Tong Jianhua , Yang Jian-Jun , Xia Hongping
Published: January 2021

To explore the predictive performance of machine learning on the recurrence of patients with gastric cancer after the operation. The available data is divided into two parts. In particular, the first part is used as a training set (such as 80% of the original data), and the second part is used as a test set (the remaining 20% of the data). And we use fivefold cross-validation. The weight of recurrence factors shows the top four factors are BMI, Operation time, WGT and age in order. In training group:among the 5 machine learning models, the accuracy of gbm was 0.891, followed by gbm algorithm was 0.876; The AUC values of the five machine learning algorithms are from high to low as forest (0.962), gbm (0.922), GradientBoosting (0.898), DecisionTree (0.790) and Logistic (0.748). And the precision of the forest is the highest 0.957, followed by the GradientBoosting algorithm (0.878). At the same time, in the test group is as follows: the highest accuracy of Logistic was 0.801, followed by forest algorithm and gbm; the AUC values of the five algorithms are forest (0.795), GradientBoosting (0.774), DecisionTree (0.773), Logistic (0.771) and gbm (0.771), from high to low. Among the five machine learning algorithms, the highest precision rate of Logistic is 1.000, followed by the gbm (0.487). Machine learning can predict the recurrence of gastric cancer patients after an operation. Besides, the first four factors affecting postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer were BMI, Operation time, WGT and age.
Oxytocin modulates local topography of human functional connectome in healthy men at rest
Authors: Martins Daniel , Dipasquale Ottavia , Paloyelis Yannis
Published: January 2021

Oxytocin has recently received remarkable attention for its role as a modulator of human behaviour. Here, we aimed to expand our knowledge of the neural circuits engaged by oxytocin by investigating the effects of intranasal and intravenous oxytocin on the functional connectome at rest in 16 healthy men. Oxytocin modulates the functional connectome within discrete neural systems, but does not affect the global capacity for information transfer. These local effects encompass key hubs of the oxytocin system (e.g. amygdala) but also regions overlooked in previous hypothesis-driven research (i.e. the visual circuits, temporal lobe and cerebellum). Increases in levels of oxytocin in systemic circulation induce broad effects on the functional connectome, yet we provide indirect evidence supporting the involvement of nose-to-brain pathways in at least some of the observed changes after intranasal oxytocin. Together, our results suggest that oxytocin effects on human behaviour entail modulation of multiple levels of brain processing distributed across different systems.
Clustered rapid induction of apoptosis limits ZIKV and DENV-2 proliferation in the midguts of Aedes aegypti
Authors: Ayers Jasmine B. , Coatsworth Heather G. , Kang Seokyoung , Dinglasan Rhoel R. , Zhou Lei
Published: January 2021

Inter-host transmission of pathogenic arboviruses such as dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) requires systemic infection of the mosquito vector. Successful systemic infection requires initial viral entry and proliferation in the midgut cells of the mosquito followed by dissemination to secondary tissues and eventual entry into salivary glands1. Lack of arbovirus proliferation in midgut cells has been observed in severalAedes aegyptistrains2, but the midgut antiviral responses underlying this phenomenon are not yet fully understood. We report here that there is a rapid induction of apoptosis (RIA) in theAedes aegyptimidgut epithelium within 2 hours of infection with DENV-2 or ZIKV in both in vivo blood-feeding and ex vivo midgut infection models. Inhibition of RIA led to increased virus proliferation in the midgut, implicating RIA as an innate immune mechanism mediating midgut infection in this mosquito vector.
A comprehensive review on plasmonic-based biosensors used in viral diagnostics
Authors: Shrivastav Anand M. , Cvelbar Uroš , Abdulhalim Ibrahim
Published: January 2021

The proliferation and transmission of viruses has become a threat to worldwide biosecurity, as exemplified by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Early diagnosis of viral infection and disease control have always been critical. Virus detection can be achieved based on various plasmonic phenomena, including propagating surface plasmon resonance (SPR), localized SPR, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, surface-enhanced fluorescence and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy. The present review covers all available information on plasmonic-based virus detection, and collected data on these sensors based on several parameters. These data will assist the audience in advancing research and development of a new generation of versatile virus biosensors.
Spin-orbit torque switching of chiral magnetization across a synthetic antiferromagnet
Authors: Wang Kang , Qian Lijuan , Ying See-Chen , Xiao Gang
Published: January 2021

The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) holds promises for design and control of chiral spin textures in low-dimensional magnets with efficient current-driven dynamics. Recently, an interlayer DMI has been found to exist across magnetic multilayers with a heavy-metal spacer between magnetic layers. This opens the possibility of chirality in these three-dimensional magnetic structures. Here we show the existence of the interlayer DMI in a synthetic antiferromagnetic multilayer with both inversion and in-plane asymmetry. We analyse the interlayer DMI’s effects on the magnetization and the current-induced spin-orbit torque (SOT) switching of magnetization through a combination of experimental and numerical studies. The chiral nature of the interlayer DMI leads to an asymmetric SOT switching of magnetization under an in-plane magnetic field. Our work paves the way for further explorations on controlling chiral magnetizations across magnetic multilayers through SOTs, which can provide a new path in the design of SOT devices.
Tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-ligated Cu(ii) 1,3-diketonate complexes: anaerobic retro-Claisen and dehalogenation reactivity of 2-chloro-1,3-diketonate derivatives
Authors: Elsberg Josiah G. D. , Anderson Stephen N. , Tierney David L. , Reinheimer Eric W. , Berreau Lisa M.
Published: January 2021

Six-coordinate Cu(ii) diketonate complexes were isolated and characterized; TPA-ligated Cu(ii) chlorodiketonate derivatives exhibit anaerobic retro-Claisen reactivity.
Multiple “Hot exciton” channel molecular design in organic electroluminescence materials: a theoretical investigation
Authors: Pan Yuyu , Guo Yao , Zhao Mei , Li Chang , Yang Bing
Published: January 2021

One “Hot exciton” channel is expanded into multiple channels through molecular design, which improves the efficiency of RISC.
Hybrid magnetic nanoparticles as efficient nanoheaters in biomedical applications
Authors: Lavorato Gabriel C. , Das Raja , Alonso Masa Javier , Phan Manh-Huong , Srikanth Hariharan
Published: January 2021

In this minireview we discuss and provide a perspective on the novel systems, the synthesis routes and the interface-mediated properties that determine the heating efficiency of hybrid magnetic nanoparticles.
D–A–π–A organic dyes with tailored green light absorption for potential application in greenhouse-integrated dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Dessì Alessio , Chalkias Dimitris A. , Bilancia Stefania , Sinicropi Adalgisa , Calamante Massimo , Mordini Alessandro , Karavioti Aggeliki , Stathatos Elias , Zani Lorenzo , Reginato Gianna
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we present the design and synthesis of three organic dyes specially developed for the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells with potential application in greenhouses cladding.
Full-type photoluminescence from a single organic molecule for multi-signal temperature sensing
Authors: Ma Jing , Zhou Yusheng , Gao Haiyang , Zhu Fangming , Liang Guodong
Published: January 2021

Full-type photoluminescence including concomitant fluorescence, delayed fluorescence, and room-temperature phosphorescence from a single organic molecule is used for multi-signal temperature sensing.