bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes of Catholic Priests Regarding the Participation of People with Schizophrenia and Depression in Religious Practices: Relationships with Prejudices and Community Size
Authors: Magliano Lorenza , Affuso Gaetana
Published: February 2022

This study investigated whether priests’ attitudes regarding individuals with schizophrenia and depression participating in religious practices varied in relation to priests’ adherence to prejudices about these mental disorders (MD). A sample of 559 Italian priests completed a questionnaire on their views of either schizophrenia or depression. Data were analyzed using a multiple-group structural equation in which the diagnostic group was a moderator and the size of the municipalities in which the churches were located was a covariate. The study revealed that: priests’ attitudes towards churchgoers with MDs are related to views of these individuals as dangerous, easy to recognize and poorly aware of their MDs; community size has a direct effect on priests’ attitudes and an indirect effect through perceived dangerousness; the above-mentioned relationships do not differ by type of disorder. Sensitizing priests on stigma may be helpful to facilitate the participation of believers with MDs to religious practices.
Development, Construct Validation, and Normalization of a New Early Childhood Self-Regulation Assessment Scale
Authors: Boyer Wanda
Published: February 2022

Although there are many tools for assessing young children’s self-regulation according to varied conceptual definitions and purposes, the purpose of this study was to develop, validate, and norm a Self-Regulation Assessment Scale for Early Childhood (SASEC) for directly evaluating observed behaviors of young children in naturalistic play experiences within the normal preschool environment. An exploratory sequential mixed methods research design was used. The 315 participants included 153 parents and 15 educators for the qualitative component and 147 children ages 3–5 years for the quantitative component. The analytical steps of a qualitative grounded theory research design were applied to adult participant interviews and focus group discussions, which culminated in 12 scale items for measuring a child’s ability to initiate, modulate, and cease behaviors, tasks, or activities of varied complexities, social configurations, and limiting conditions. Children’s SASEC scores were assessed via video recordings of play behaviors in naturalistic settings. Based on factor analysis results, the SASEC items constitute a single construct. According to the results of hierarchical linear modeling and multiple linear regression, preschool children’s SASEC scores can be compared to the SASEC mean and standard deviation regardless of various demographic variables. Implications and recommendations for future work include having early childhood educators, child and youth care practitioners, counselors, parents and families, social workers, behavioral sciences researchers, and policy makers use the SASEC to measure young children’s self-regulation while developing or monitoring the efficacy of generalized enhancement programs and individualized treatment plans.
Surface Tension and Thermal Conductivity of NIST SRM 1155a (AISI 316L Stainless Steel)
Authors: Pichler Peter , Leitner Thomas , Kaschnitz Erhard , Rattenberger Johannes , Pottlacher Gernot
Published: February 2022

NIST SRM 1155a is an AISI 316L stainless steel (Cr18–Ni12–Mo2) and Standard Reference Material (SRM) intended for use with test methods for elemental analysis. In a previous paper “Measurement of thermophysical properties of solid and liquid NIST SRM 316L stainless steel”, we already published reliable thermophysical properties of high temperature solid and of the liquid phase of this material such as temperature dependent enthalpy, density and electrical resistivity, as well as specific heat capacity for the solid and the liquid phase. In this paper, we add additional thermophysical properties obtained by ohmic pulse-heating and by the laser flash method, namely thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity as a function of temperature. Furthermore we report surface tension measurement results of liquid SRM 1155a obtained by means of electromagnetic levitation. Simulation of processes like additive manufacturing, laser welding, laser cutting or metal casting depend on the above named quantities as input data. Ohmic pulse-heating as well as electromagnetic levitation are so called “containerless” investigation techniques and no significant chemical reactions of the hot liquid alloy with its surrounding occur. The data presented here are compared to the available literature data and are accompanied by an uncertainty analysis according to the “Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement”.
Performance Assessment of OTFS Modulation in High Doppler Airborne Communication Networks
Authors: Chu Thi My Chinh , Zepernick Hans-Jürgen , Westerhagen Alexander , Höök Anders , Granbom Bo
Published: February 2022

Emerging 5G and future 6G mobile networks are expected to cater for high mobility scenarios ranging from vehicle-to-vehicle communications to unmanned aerial vehicles and airborne platforms. Communications in this type of deployments suffer from severe Doppler shifts which require new modulation waveforms. Orthogonal time frequency space (OTFS) modulation has recently been proposed as a promising technology for coping with high Doppler channels. OTFS converts a time-varying fading channel into a time-independent channel in the two-dimensional delay-Doppler (DD) domain. The transmit symbols are multiplexed into a nearly constant channel with a complex channel gain in the DD domain. In this paper, we consider a high Doppler airborne communication network where relative mobile node speeds can be above 1200 m/s. The considered system represents a mobile ad-hoc network where the airborne mobile nodes can join or leave the network. Furthermore, each node is equipped with an antenna array that supports directed communication among mobile nodes. The Doppler shifts in this airborne communication network are in the order of 52-72 kHz and may potentially be even higher depending on the selected carrier frequency and the relative speed among the airborne platforms. As such, OTFS modulation is used in this work to efficiently compensate for the high Doppler shifts in the DD domain. In particular, a comprehensive performance assessment in terms of bit error rate (BER) is conducted to reveal the potential of OTFS modulation in dealing with such extreme transmission scenarios. The impact of physical layer parameters, number of delay-Doppler bins in the DD domain used for OTFS modulation, directed versus two-ray channels, and the combination of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems with OTFS modulation on the BER is assessed. It is shown that both OTFS modulation over a two-ray channel as well as MIMO-OTFS modulation provide a reliable airborne communication network with low BER.
Behavioural modernity, investigative disintegration & Rubicon expectation
Authors: Meneganzin Andra , Currie Adrian
Published: February 2022

‘Behavioural modernity’ isn’t what it used to be. Once conceived as an integrated package of traits demarcated by a clear archaeological signal in a specific time and place, it is now disparate, archaeologically equivocal, and temporally and spatially spread. In this paper we trace behavioural modernity’s empirical and theoretical developments over the last three decades, as surprising discoveries in the material record, as well the reappraisal of old evidence, drove increasingly sophisticated demographic, social and cultural models of behavioural modernity. We argue, however, that some approaches to identifying and categorizing modernity have not kept up with this new picture. This is due to what we term ‘Rubicon expectations’: classificatory and interpretive practices which look for or assume clear demarcations in behavioural and cultural processes. We develop a philosophical account of ‘investigative disintegration’ to capture how our understanding of behavioural modernity has changed, and how Rubicon-based practices have become inadequate. Disintegration, in the form we analyse, occurs when scientists’ conception of a phenomenon shifts sufficiently to reshape an investigation’s epistemic structure. For behavioural modernity, the explanatory weight which once lay on identifying ‘switch-points’ in the innate suite of hominin cognitive capacities, lies now in understanding the social and demographic environments that were capable of sustaining and nourishing more complex material cultures. Finally, we argue that the phenomenon itself has not disintegrated to the point that we are left with no interesting explanandum: for all its mosaic, disparate nature, there are still good reasons for behavioural modernity to retain its central place in investigation of our species' origins.
Assessment and Spatial Distribution Mapping of Criteria Pollutants
Authors: Kamboj Kuldeep , Sisodiya Sohil , Mathur Anil K. , Zare Ali , Verma Puneet
Published: February 2022

This study aims to assess the urban air quality, and map NO2, SO2, and PM10 profiles using two widely spatial interpolation methods, ordinary kriging (OK) and inverse distance weighting (IDW) by estimating their concentrations at distinct non-monitored locations. Assessment and mapping of air pollutants in this study help with policy formulation and decision-making. Kota, the industrial and educational hub of Rajasthan (India), has been selected to study air quality. Results showed that PM10 is continuously emerging as a foremost contributor to air quality index (AQI) each season. The concentrations of NO2 and SO2 in all seasons were well below the permissible level prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Interpolation techniques (OK and IDW) estimated the concentrations of NO2, SO2, and PM10 at three sites using air quality data from the year 2019. The interpolated air pollutant results for the specified region were compared with monitored air quality data in the same region. An excellent agreement has been observed by comparing monitored values, and the values predicted from IDW and OK.
Determination, distribution, and environmental fate of Bacillus thuringiensis spores in various honeybee matrices after field application as plant protection product
Authors: Alkassab Abdulrahim T. , Beims Hannes , Janke Martina , Pistorius Jens
Published: February 2022

The increasing use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)–based plant protection products (PPPs) has recently raised some concerns regarding their environmental accumulation and possible chronic exposure of non-target species, including pollinators, to higher than expected doses. The exposure level of such microbial PPPs in bee’s matrices under field conditions has not yet been described. Therefore, the current study aims at evaluating the realistic exposure level and comparing the distributions and persistence of Bt spores under field conditions. A field trial with spray application in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) as a representative bee-attractive crop was conducted. During the experimental period, different matrices, including honeybee-collected and -stored matrices as well as bee larvae and dead bees, were collected and analyzed using newly established methods. The concentration of Bt spores in the various matrices was quantified. The results show high levels of Bt spores in honey sac and pollen pellets with reduction over time but no reduction of Bt spores in the stored matrices within the colony, i.e., nectar and bee bread, over time. Our results show for the first time the exposure level of bees to Bt spores under realistic field conditions and are fundamentally important for assessing potential exposure and risks for pollinators.
Examination of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in Parkinson’s disease focusing on correlations with motor symptoms
Authors: Pham Daniel , Polgar Beata , Toth Tunde , Jungling Adel , Kovacs Norbert , Balas Istvan , Pal Endre , Szabo Dora , Fulop Balazs Daniel , Reglodi Dora , Szanto Zalan , Herczeg Robert , Gyenesei Attila , Tamas Andrea
Published: February 2022

The neuroprotective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) have been shown in numerous in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) supporting the theory that PACAP could have an important role in the pathomechanism of the disorder affecting mostly older patients. Earlier studies found changes in PACAP levels in neurological disorders; therefore, the aim of our study was to examine PACAP in plasma samples of PD patients. Peptide levels were measured with ELISA and correlated with clinical parameters, age, stage of the disorder based on the Hoehn and Yahr (HY) scale, subtype of the disease, treatment, and specific scores measuring motor and non-motor symptoms, such as movement disorder society-unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), Parkinson’s disease sleep scale (PDSS-2), and Beck depression inventory (BDI). Our results showed significantly decreased PACAP levels in PD patients without deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy and in akinetic-rigid subtype; additionally we also observed a further decrease in the HY stage 3 and 4. Elevated PACAP levels were found in patients with DBS. There were no significant correlations between PACAP level with MDS-UPDRS, type of pharmacological treatment, PDSS-2 sleepiness, or depression (BDI) scales, but we found increased PACAP level in patients with more severe sleepiness problems based on the ESS scale. Based on these results, we suggest that following the alterations of PACAP with other frequently used clinical biomarkers in PD patients might improve strategic planning of further therapeutic interventions and help to provide a clearer prognosis regarding the future perspective of the disease.
Renaissance mercurial therapy in the mummies of Saint Domenico Maggiore in Naples: a palaeopathological and palaeotoxicological approach
Authors: Fornaciari Antonio , Chericoni Silvio , Stefanelli Fabio , Fornaciari Gino , Giuffra Valentina
Published: February 2022

This study was designed to evaluate the use of mercury therapy in the Italian noble classes of the Renaissance through the toxicological analysis of hair content. Mercury has stability and a long half-life in hair, representing a great resource not only for forensic toxicological analysis but also for archaeological research on mercurial exposure in past populations. The hair of fourteen mummified individuals of the Aragon and vice-royal court of Naples, buried in the Neapolitan Basilica of Saint Domenico Maggiore (15–18th centuries), was analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and flame emission spectroscopy (FES). Out of the fourteen individuals, four presented mercury concentrations in the hair washing liquid indicating external perimortem application (in one case clearly linked to embalming, in three cases probably associated with topical therapeutic practices), three showed no traces of mercury, and seven had mercury values in hair ranging from 411 to 47 ppm, which indicate prolonged exposure in life to the metal. The historical identification of most of the mummified bodies with important nobles of Naples has allowed to compare the toxicological analyses with the nosography of the individuals and with the palaeopathological results deriving from the direct study of their bodies. Prolonged exposure in life to the metal was most likely due to mercurial anti-syphilitic therapy, as a consequence of its indiscriminate use in Renaissance therapies and, indirectly, as an effect of the extraordinary spread of venereal syphilis in the Italian upper classes during the “epidemic” phase of the disease.
The Role of Digital Technologies for Regional Development: a System Dynamics Analysis
Authors: Samara Elpida , Andronikidis Anastasios , Komninos Nicos , Bakouros Yiannis , Katsoras Efthymios
Published: February 2022

The unprecedented development of the information and communication technologies sector has accelerated the spectacular changes in societies and employment trends worldwide. The adoption of ICTs in innovation systems has been a key factor in the overall competitiveness of economic regions and national economies. This paper studies the impact of ICT on regional development. To do so, a modelling approach is used to develop a framework-guidance tool that can formulate what-if scenarios of smart technology enhancement in a regional innovation system. The model is applied in two Greek regions with different development backgrounds, and the findings emphasise the importance of smart technologies in regional development in both cases.
Can Robots Do Epidemiology? Machine Learning, Causal Inference, and Predicting the Outcomes of Public Health Interventions
Authors: Broadbent Alex , Grote Thomas
Published: February 2022

This paper argues that machine learning (ML) and epidemiology are on collision course over causation. The discipline of epidemiology lays great emphasis on causation, while ML research does not. Some epidemiologists have proposed imposing what amounts to a causal constraint on ML in epidemiology, requiring it either to engage in causal inference or restrict itself to mere projection. We whittle down the issues to the question of whether causal knowledge is necessary for underwriting predictions about the outcomes of public health interventions. While there is great plausibility to the idea that it is, conviction that something is impossible does not by itself motivate a constraint to forbid trying. We disambiguate the possible motivations for such a constraint into definitional, metaphysical, epistemological, and pragmatic considerations and argue that “Proceed with caution” (rather than “Stop!”) is the outcome of each. We then argue that there are positive reasons to proceed, albeit cautiously. Causal inference enforces existing classification schema prior to the testing of associational claims (causal or otherwise), but associations and classification schema are more plausibly discovered (rather than tested or justified) in a back-and-forth process of gaining reflective equilibrium. ML instantiates this kind of process, we argue, and thus offers the welcome prospect of uncovering meaningful new concepts in epidemiology and public health—provided it is not causally constrained.
1-Norm random vector functional link networks for classification problems
Authors: Hazarika Barenya Bikash , Gupta Deepak
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a novel random vector functional link (RVFL) formulation called the 1-norm RVFL (1N RVFL) networks, for solving the binary classification problems. The solution to the optimization problem of 1N RVFL is obtained by solving its exterior dual penalty problem using a Newton technique. The 1-norm makes the model robust and delivers sparse outputs, which is the fundamental advantage of this model. The sparse output indicates that most of the elements in the output matrix are zero; hence, the decision function can be achieved by incorporating lesser hidden nodes compared to the conventional RVFL model. 1N RVFL produces a classifier that is based on a smaller number of input features. To put it another way, this method will suppress the neurons in the hidden layer. Statistical analyses have been carried out on several real-world benchmark datasets. The proposed 1N RVFL with two activation functions viz., ReLU and sine are used in this work. The classification accuracies of 1N RVFL are compared with the extreme learning machine (ELM), kernel ridge regression (KRR), RVFL, kernel RVFL (K-RVFL) and generalized Lagrangian twin RVFL (GLTRVFL) networks. The experimental results with comparable or better accuracy indicate the effectiveness and usability of 1N RVFL for solving binary classification problems.
Repetitive Negative Thinking Processes Account for Gender Differences in Depression and Anxiety During Adolescence
Authors: Espinosa Fabiola , Martin-Romero Nuria , Sanchez-Lopez Alvaro
Published: February 2022

Rumination and worry are vulnerability factors involved in the early development of depression and anxiety during adolescence, particularly in girls. Current views conceptualize rumination and worry as transdiagnostic forms of repetitive negative thinking (RNT). However, most of research has analyzed them separately, without considering gender differences. We analyzed common and specific roles of rumination and worry in accounting for depressive and anxiety symptom levels overall and as a function of gender in adolescents (N = 159). Rumination and worry items were loaded into separate RNT factors. Girls showed a higher use of rumination and worry and higher levels of depression and anxiety than boys. Structural equation modeling supported that both RNT factors accounted for gender differences in symptom levels: rumination was the strongest mediator for depression and worry the strongest mediator for anxiety. Our findings support both general and specific contributions of RNT to account for affective symptomatology during adolescence, particularly in girls.
Spherical harmonic shape descriptors of nodal force demands for quantifying spatial truss connection complexity
Authors: Lee Keith J. , Danhaive Renaud , Mueller Caitlin T.
Published: February 2022

The connections of a spatial truss structure play a critical role in the safe and efficient transfer of axial forces between members. For discrete connections, they can also improve construction efficiency by acting as registration devices that lock members in precise orientations. As more geometrically complex spatial trusses are enabled by computational workflows and the demand for material-efficient spanning systems, there is a need to understand the effects of global form on the demands at the connections. For large-scale structures with irregular geometry, customizing individual nodes to meet exact member orientations and force demands may be infeasible; conversely, standardizing all connections results in oversized nodes and a compromise in registration potential. We propose a method for quantifying the complexity of spatial truss designs by the variation in nodal force demands. By representing nodal forces as a geometric object, we leverage the spherical harmonic shape descriptor, developed for applications in computational geometry, to characterize each node by a rotation and translation-invariant fixed-length vector. We define a complexity score for spatial truss design by the variance in the positions of the feature vectors in higher-dimensional space, providing an additional performance metric during early stage design exploration. We then develop a pathway towards reducing complexity by clustering nodes with respect to their feature vectors to reduce the number of unique connectors for design while minimizing the effects of mass standardization.
Limit theorems and structural properties of the cat-and-mouse Markov chain and its generalisations
Authors: Foss Sergey , Prasolov Timofei , Shneer Seva
Published: February 2022

We revisit the so-called cat-and-mouse Markov chain, studied earlier by Litvak and Robert (2012). This is a two-dimensional Markov chain on the lattice
$\mathbb{Z}^2$
, where the first component (the cat) is a simple random walk and the second component (the mouse) changes when the components meet. We obtain new results for two generalisations of the model. First, in the two-dimensional case we consider far more general jump distributions for the components and obtain a scaling limit for the second component. When we let the first component be a simple random walk again, we further generalise the jump distribution of the second component. Secondly, we consider chains of three and more dimensions, where we investigate structural properties of the model and find a limiting law for the last component.
Impact of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination on the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among healthcare workers at an academic medical center in Vermont
Authors: Noyes Cindy D. , Raymond Monica J. , Wojewoda Christina M. , Alston W. Kemper
Published: February 2022

Infection prevention strategies and vaccination reduce risk of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission to healthcare workers (HCWs). We describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence and vaccination rates in a cohort of HCWs at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Before vaccines, the HCW COVID-19 incidence paralleled that of the State of Vermont; after vaccination, incidence fell and remained low.
Towards Finding a Lattice that Characterizes the -Fickle Recursively Enumerable Turing Degrees
Authors: Ko Liling
Published: February 2022

Given a finite lattice L that can be embedded in the recursively enumerable (r.e.) Turing degrees
$\langle \mathcal {R}_{\mathrm {T}},\leq _{\mathrm {T}}\rangle $
, we do not in general know how to characterize the degrees
$\mathbf {d}\in \mathcal {R}_{\mathrm {T}}$
below which L can be bounded. The important characterizations known are of the
$L_7$
and
$M_3$
lattices, where the lattices are bounded below
$\mathbf {d}$
if and only if
$\mathbf {d}$
contains sets of “fickleness”
$>\omega $
and
$\geq \omega ^\omega $
respectively. We work towards finding a lattice that characterizes the levels above
$\omega ^2$
, the first non-trivial level after
$\omega $
. We introduced a lattice-theoretic property called “
$3$
-directness” to describe lattices that are no “wider” or “taller” than
$L_7$
and
$M_3$
. We exhaust the 3-direct lattices L, but they turn out to also characterize the
$>\omega $
or
$\geq \omega ^\omega $
levels, if L is not already embeddable below all non-zero r.e. degrees. We also considered upper semilattices (USLs) by removing the bottom meet(s) of some 3-direct lattices, but the removals did not change the levels characterized. This leads us to conjecture that a USL characterizes the same r.e. degrees as the lattice on which the USL is based. We discovered three 3-direct lattices besides
$M_3$
that also characterize the
$\geq \omega ^\omega $
-levels. Our search for a
$>\omega ^2$
-candidate therefore involves the lattice-theoretic problem of finding lattices that do not contain any of the four
$\geq \omega ^\omega $
-lattices as sublattices.

Abstract prepared by Liling Ko.

E-mail: ko.390@osu.edu

URL: http://sites.nd.edu/liling-ko/
Some Progress on the Unique Ergodicity Problem
Authors: Jahel Colin
Published: February 2022

This thesis is at the intersection of dynamics, probability and model theory. It focuses on a specialization of the notion of amenability: unique ergodicity.

Let G be a Polish group, i.e., a topological group whose topology is separable and completely metrizable. We call a G-flow the action of G on a compact space. A G-flow is said to be minimal if every orbit is dense.

A famous theorem of Ellis states that any Polish group G admits a unique universal minimal flow that we denote
${\mathrm {M}}(G)$
. This means that for any minimal G-flow X there is a surjective G-map from
${\mathrm {M}}(G)$
to X. G is said to be amenable if every G-flow admits an invariant probability measure, and uniquely ergodic if every minimal flow admits a unique invariant probability measure.

The notion of unique ergodicity relating to a group was introduced by Angel, Kechris and Lyons. They also ask the following question which is the main focus of the thesis: Let G be an amenable Polish group with metrizable universal minimal flow, is G uniquely ergodic?

Note that unique ergodicity is an interesting notion only for relatively large groups, as it is proved in the last chapter of this thesis that locally compact non compact Polish groups are never uniquely ergodic. This result is joint work with Andy Zucker.

The thesis includes proofs of unique ergodicity of groups with interesting universal minimal flows, namely the automorphism group of the semigeneric directed graph and the automorphism group of the
$2$
-graph.

It also includes a theorem stating that under some hypothesis on a
$\omega $
-categorical structure M, the logic action of
${\mathrm {Aut}}(M)$
on
${\mathrm {LO}}(M)$
, the compact space of linear orders on M, is uniquely ergodic. This implies unique ergodicity for the group if its universal minimal flow happens to be the space of linear orderings. It can also be used to prove non-amenability of some groups for which the action of
${\mathrm {Aut}}(M)$
on
${\mathrm {LO}}(M)$
is not minimal. This result is joint work with Todor Tsankov.

Finally, the thesis also presents a proof that under the assumption that the universal minimal flows involved are metrizable, unique ergodicity is stable under group extensions. This result is joint work with Andy Zucker.

Abstract prepared by Colin Jahel.

E-mail: cjahel@andrew.cmu.edu

URL: http://math.univ-lyon1.fr/~jahel/doc/These.pdf
Vocal fold paralysis following first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine
Authors: Jama G M , Amin M , Hassaan A , Kaddour H
Published: February 2022

Background

In a bid to end the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, many countries, including the UK, have rolled out mass immunisation programmes. While considered generally safe and effective, vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 have been reported to be associated with rare and potentially adverse reactions and side effects.

Case report

This paper reports an unusual case of a patient who developed a unilateral vocal fold paralysis shortly after receiving the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of vocal fold paralysis following administration of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The authors support the position that currently approved coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines remain safe and effective; however, further surveillance and vigilance using real-world data are highly encouraged.
Four-dimensional equations for the study of electromagnetic plasma turbulence in a drift kinetic limit
Authors: Gorbunov Evgeny A. , Teaca Bogdan
Published: February 2022

For a magnetised plasma in a straight magnetic guide field, we derive a set of four-dimensional kinetic equations, which can capture electromagnetic turbulence in the drift kinetic limit. To do so, we start from the gyrokinetic equations, employ a Laguerre decomposition in the perpendicular velocity direction, retaining only the dominant gyroaverage contributions and only the first two Laguerre moments that source the electromagnetic fluctuations. The model conserves free energy, and can describe electromagnetic turbulence for a plasma at the transition between fluid and gyrokinetic regimes (

$k_\perp \rho _i\approx 1$

range of scales), as dominant finite-Larmor-radius (FLR) effects are considered. In addition to the three dimensions in positions space, we retain the parallel velocity dependence, which we describe via a Hermite representation. Employing this system, but without any other physics-based assumptions for the plasma species that can bias results, will allow us to investigate how fluid effects transition into the kinetic range, and analyse the interplay between spatial and velocity space mixing for electromagnetic plasma turbulence.
Epidemiological analysis of rubella-confirmed cases from measles-suspected cases in Ethiopia: threat for congenital rubella syndrome
Authors: Gemechu Diriba Sufa , Worku Yoseph , Edae Zewdu Assefa , Feyisa Yohannis Dugasa , Watere Shambel Habebe , Woyessa Abyot Bekele , Dukessa Abebe , Gerema Urge
Published: February 2022

Rubella is a highly contagious mild viral illness. It is a leading cause of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Routine data of rubella do not exist in Ethiopia. However, laboratory-based conformation of rubella cases from measles negative samples were collected from a measles surveillance system. The current study was to analyse the epidemiological distribution of rubella cases from measles-suspected cases in Ethiopia from 2011 to 2015. National-based secondary data analysis of rubella through measles-based surveillances was carried out. Measles-suspected cases were investigated using the case investigation form, and a serum sample collected and sent to the Ethiopian laboratory for conformation. Samples tested for measles immunoglobulin M (IgM) were tested for rubella. The investigation results were entered into an electronic database using SPSS version 25 for analysis. Out of 11749 samples tested for rubella IgM from 2011 to 2015, 2295 (19.5%) were positive for rubella IgM and 51% of rubella-positive cases were female. Five per cent of all cases were female aged between 15 and 49. Cases were confirmed from all regions, two administrative towns and seasonal variations were observed with peaks in the first and fourth seasonal periods of the years. As fear of congenital abnormality (CRS), the Ethiopian government should focus on rubella syndrome surveillance with the aim of starting a rubella vaccine.
Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum in the setting of D-transposition of the great arteries associated with hypoplastic left ventricle and severe mitral regurgitation
Authors: Suzuki Kota , Mitsushita Norie , Ikai Akio
Published: February 2022

We report the first successful Glenn procedure for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum in the setting of D-transposition of the great arteries. This case was complicated by hypoplastic left ventricle and severe mitral regurgitation. Partial closure of the mitral valve at the time of Blalock-Taussig shunting resulted in improvement of heart failure.
Unusual intramural course in an anomalous left coronary artery from the opposite coronary sinus
Authors: Giusti Giuliano , Villano Mariantonia , Pozzi Marco
Published: February 2022

We report a case of a patient with an anomalous left coronary artery originating from the opposite coronary sinus with evidence of intramural course at the level of the septal commissure and no slit-like deformation of the coronary ostium, acute take-off, or proximal vessel narrowing. According to previous publications, patients with anomalous coronary artery and intramural segments identified at surgery had coronary CT findings of acute take-off angle or proximal vessel narrowing; slit-like orifice; and elliptical cross-sectional shape. Although further investigation is required, we suggest that the intramural course may not be ruled out based on the absence of slit-like ostium, acute take-off, or proximal vessel narrowing.
SASSY21: A 3‐D Seismic Structural Model of the Lithosphere and Underlying Mantle Beneath Southeast Asia From Multi‐Scale Adjoint Waveform Tomography
Authors: Wehner Deborah , Blom Nienke , Rawlinson Nicholas , Daryono  , Böhm Christian , Miller Meghan S. , Supendi Pepen , Widiyantoro Sri
Published: February 2022

We present the first continental‐scale seismic model of the lithosphere and underlying mantle beneath Southeast Asia obtained from adjoint waveform tomography (often referred to as full‐waveform inversion or FWI), using seismic data filtered at periods from 20 to 150 s. Based on >3,000 hr of analyzed waveform data gathered from ∼13,000 unique source‐receiver pairs, we image isotropicP‐wave velocity, radially anisotropicS‐wave velocity and density via an iterative non‐linear inversion that begins from a 1‐D reference model. At each iteration, the full 3‐D wavefield is determined through an anelastic Earth, accommodating effects of topography, bathymetry and ocean load. Our data selection aims to maximize sensitivity to deep structure by accounting for body wave arrivals separately.SASSY21, our final model after 87 iterations across seven period bands, is able to explain true‐amplitude data from events and receivers not included in the inversion. The trade‐off between inversion parameters is estimated through an analysis of the Hessian‐vector product.SASSY21reveals detailed anomalies down to the mantle transition zone, including multiple subduction zones. The most prominent feature is the (Indo‐)Australian plate descending beneath Indonesia, which is imaged as one continuous slab along the 180° curvature of the Banda Arc. The tomography confirms the existence of a hole in the slab beneath Mount Tambora and locates a highS‐wave velocity zone beneath northern Borneo that may be associated with subduction termination in the mid‐late Miocene. A previously undiscovered feature beneath the east coast of Borneo is also revealed, which may be a signature of post‐subduction processes, delamination or underthrusting from the formation of Sulawesi.
How Do Marine Gases Affect Cloud Formation?
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: February 2022

By using novel aircraft measurements over the eastern North Atlantic Ocean, researchers shed light on the relationship between common marine biogenic gases and the microphysical properties of clouds.
Phosphorylated NFS1 weakens oxaliplatin-based chemosensitivity of colorectal cancer by preventing PANoptosis
Authors: Lin Jin-Fei , Hu Pei-Shan , Wang Yi-Yu , Tan Yue-Tao , Yu Kai , Liao Kun , Wu Qi-Nian , Li Ting , Meng Qi , Lin Jun-Zhong , Liu Ze-Xian , Pu Heng-Ying , Ju Huai-Qiang , Xu Rui-Hua , Qiu Miao-Zhen
Published: February 2022

Metabolic enzymes have an indispensable role in metabolic reprogramming, and their aberrant expression or activity has been associated with chemosensitivity. Hence, targeting metabolic enzymes remains an attractive approach for treating tumors. However, the influence and regulation of cysteine desulfurase (NFS1), a rate-limiting enzyme in iron–sulfur (Fe–S) cluster biogenesis, in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain elusive. Here, using an in vivo metabolic enzyme gene-based clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 library screen, we revealed that loss of NFS1 significantly enhanced the sensitivity of CRC cells to oxaliplatin. In vitro and in vivo results showed that NFS1 deficiency synergizing with oxaliplatin triggered PANoptosis (apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis) by increasing the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, oxaliplatin-based oxidative stress enhanced the phosphorylation level of serine residues of NFS1, which prevented PANoptosis in an S293 phosphorylation-dependent manner during oxaliplatin treatment. In addition, high expression of NFS1, transcriptionally regulated by MYC, was found in tumor tissues and was associated with poor survival and hyposensitivity to chemotherapy in patients with CRC. Overall, the findings of this study provided insights into the underlying mechanisms of NFS1 in oxaliplatin sensitivity and identified NFS1 inhibition as a promising strategy for improving the outcome of platinum-based chemotherapy in the treatment of CRC.
CD19-targeted BiTE expression by an oncolytic vaccinia virus significantly augments therapeutic efficacy against B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Lei Wen , Ye Qian , Hao Yuanyuan , Chen Jie , Huang Yu , Yang Liu , Wang Shibing , Qian Wenbin
Published: February 2022

Immunotherapy with CD19-targeting bispecific T-cell engagers (CD19BiTEs) has demonstrated highly effective killing of cancer cells in patients with precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. However, there are some drawbacks to this therapy, such as toxicity, short half-life in the serum, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that could limit the use of CD19BiTEs in the clinic. Here, we generate an oncolytic vaccinia virus (OVV) encoding a CD19-specific BiTE (OVV-CD19BiTE). We demonstrate that OVV-CD19BiTE’s ability to replicate and induce oncolysis was similar to that of its parental counterpart. Supernatants from OVV-CD19BiTE-infected cells could induce activation and proliferation of human T cells, and the bystander effect of the virus was also demonstrated. In vivo study showed that OVV-CD19BiTE selectively replicated within tumor tissue, and contributed to a more significantly increased percentage of CD3, CD8, and naïve CD8 T subpopulations within tumors in contrast to blinatumomab. More importantly, treatment with OVV-CD19BiTE both in vitro and in vivo resulted in potent antitumor activity in comparison with control OVV or blinatumomab, a first-in-class BiTE, thereby resulting in long-term tumor remissions without relapse. The study provides strong evidence for the therapeutic benefits of CD19-targeting BiTE expression by OVV, and suggests the feasibility of testing the approach in clinical trials.
Dichotomy in hypoxia-induced mitochondrial fission in placental mesenchymal cells during development and preeclampsia: consequences for trophoblast mitochondrial homeostasis
Authors: Gillmore Taylor , Farrell Abby , Alahari Sruthi , Sallais Julien , Kurt Merve , Park Chanho , Ausman Jonathan , Litvack Michael , Post Martin , Caniggia Isabella
Published: February 2022

Dynamic changes in physiologic oxygen are required for proper placenta development; yet, when low-oxygen levels persist, placental development is halted, culminating in preeclampsia (PE), a serious complication of pregnancy. Considering mitochondria’s function is intimately linked to oxygen changes, we investigated the impact of oxygen on mitochondrial dynamics in placental mesenchymal stromal cells (pMSCs) that are vital for proper placental development. Transmission electron microscopy, proximity ligation assays for mitochondrial VDAC1 and endoplasmic reticulum IP3R, and immunoanalyses of p-DRP1 and OPA1, demonstrate that low-oxygen conditions in early 1st trimester and PE promote mitochondrial fission in pMSCs. Increased mitochondrial fission of mesenchymal cells was confirmed in whole PE placental tissue sections. Inhibition of DRP1 oligomerization with MDiVi-1 shows that low oxygen-induced mitochondrial fission is a direct consequence of DRP1 activation, likely via HIF1. Mitophagy, a downstream event prompted by mitochondrial fission, is a prominent outcome in PE, but not 1st trimester pMSCs. We also investigated whether mesenchymal–epithelial interactions affect mitochondrial dynamics of trophoblasts in PE placentae. Exposure of trophoblastic JEG3 cells to exosomes of preeclamptic pMSCs caused heightened mitochondrial fission in the cells via a sphingomyelin-dependent mechanism that was restored by MDiVi-1. Our data uncovered dichotomous regulation of mitochondrial fission and health in human placental mesenchymal cells under physiologic and pathologic hypoxic conditions and its impact on neighboring trophoblast cells.
Identification of Nanog as a novel inhibitor of Rad51
Authors: Xin Ying , Wang Juanjuan , Wu Yahong , Li Qianqian , Dong Mingyang , Liu Chang , He Qijia , Wang Ruifeng , Wang Dian , Jiang Sen , Xiao Wei , Tian Yang , Zhang Weiwei
Published: February 2022

To develop inhibitors targeting DNA damage repair pathways is important to improve the effectiveness of chemo- and radiotherapy for cancer patients. Rad51 mediates homologous recombination (HR) repair of DNA damages. It is widely overexpressed in human cancers and overwhelms chemo- and radiotherapy-generated DNA damages through enhancing HR repair signaling, preventing damage-caused cancer cell death. Therefore, to identify inhibitors of Rad51 is important to achieve effective treatment of cancers. Transcription factor Nanog is a core regulator of embryonic stem (ES) cells for its indispensable role in stemness maintenance. In this study, we identified Nanog as a novel inhibitor of Rad51. It interacts with Rad51 and inhibits Rad51-mediated HR repair of DNA damage through its C/CD2 domain. Moreover, Rad51 inhibition can be achieved by nanoscale material- or cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-mediated direct delivery of Nanog-C/CD2 peptides into somatic cancer cells. Furthermore, we revealed that Nanog suppresses the binding of Rad51 to single-stranded DNAs to stall the HR repair signaling. This study provides explanation for the high γH2AX level in unperturbed ES cells and early embryos, and suggests Nanog-C/CD2 as a promising drug candidate applied to Rad51-related basic research and therapeutic application studies.
miR-204-5p is sponged by TUG1 to aggravate neuron damage induced by focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury through upregulating COX2
Authors: Xiang Pu , Hu Jian , Wang Hong , Luo Ying , Gu Chao , Tan Xiaodan , Tu Yujun , Guo Wenjia , Chen Lin , Gao Lin , Chen Rongchun , Yang Junqing
Published: February 2022

Studies have reported that miR-204-5p is involved in multiple biological processes. However, little is known about the expression and mechanism of miR-204-5p in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury. This study found that miR-204-5p expression was significantly downregulated in the blood of patients with ischemic stroke, MCAO/R rat brains, and OGD/R neurons. Overexpression of miR-204-5p markedly reduced infarct volume and neurological impairment and alleviated the inflammatory response in vivo. miR-204-5p promoted neuronal viability and reduced apoptotic cells in vitro. Mechanically, miR-204-5p was negatively regulated by the expression lncRNA TUG1 upstream and down-regulated COX2 expression downstream. Therefore, the TUG1/miR-204-5p/COX2 axis was involved in ischemia and reperfusion-induced neuronal damage. This finding may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury.
Targeting the Erk1/2 and autophagy signaling easily improved the neurobalst differentiation and cognitive function after young transient forebrain ischemia compared to old gerbils
Authors: Wang Fuxing , Xia Zihao , Sheng Peng , Ren Yu , Liu Jiajia , Ding Lidong , Yan Bing Chun
Published: February 2022

The hippocampal neurogenesis occurs constitutively throughout adulthood in mammalian species, but declines with age. In this study, we overtly found that the neuroblast proliferation and differentiation in the subgranular zone and the maturation into fully functional and integrated neurons in the granule-cell layer in young gerbils following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was much more than those in old gerbils. The neurological function and cognitive and memory-function rehabilitation in the young gerbils improved faster than those in the old one. These results demonstrated that, during long term after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, the ability of neurogenesis and recovery of nerve function in young animals were significantly higher than that in the old animals. We found that, after 14- and 28-day cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, the phosphorylation of MEK1/2, ERK1/2, p90RSK, and MSK1/2 protein levels in the hippocampus of young gerbils was significantly much higher than that of old gerbils. The levels of autophagy-related proteins, including Beclin-1, Atg3, Atg5, and LC3 in the hippocampus were effectively maintained and elevated at 28 days after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in the young gerbils compared with those in the old gerbils. These results indicated that an increase or maintenance of the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 signal pathway and autophagy-related proteins was closely associated with the neuroblast proliferation and differentiation and the process of maturation into neurons. Further, we proved that neuroblast proliferation and differentiation in the dentate gyrus and cognitive function were significantly reversed in young cerebral ischemic gerbils by administering the ERK inhibitor (U0126) and autophagy inhibitor (3MA). In brief, following experimental young ischemic stroke, the long-term promotion of the neurogenesis in the young gerbil’s hippocampal dentate gyrus by upregulating the phosphorylation of ERK signaling pathway and maintaining autophagy-related protein levels, it overtly improved the neurological function and cognitive and memory function.