bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic parameters of birth weight trait in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Bene Szabolcs , Szabó Ferenc , Polgár J. Péter , Juhász Judit , Nagy Péter
Published: March 2020

Birth weight data of dromedary calves from the database of one of the world’s largest dairy herds (Dubai, UAE) were analyzed for the period from 2007 to 2018. The assessment included the data of 4124 camel calves that were classified into six ecotypes (Emirate, Emirate crossed, Black, Pakistanian, Saudi-Sudanian, and Saudi crossed). The aim of the study was to describe the heritability of birth weight of calves and the breeding value of sires. Genetic parameters of birth weight were estimated by ANOVA model and two BLUP animal models as well. The mean value of the camel calves’ birth weight was 34.75 ± 5.67 kg. The direct heritability of birth weight (h2d = 0.09 ± 0.04–0.11 ± 0.03) was rather low, so was the maternal heritability (h2m = 0.23 ± 0.10–0.50 ± 0.06). The maternal effect from environmental origin (c2 = 0.23 ± 0.08) far exceeded the results previously calculated in cattle. There was no difference in reliability between BLUP1 and BLUP2 models, and both of them were more accurate than the ANOVA model. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that the birth weight of dromedary calves was more influenced by the dam’s intrauterine rearing capacity and by the environment, management, and feeding of the pregnant female camels than the hereditary growth potential. Considerable differences were found among male dromedaries in their breeding values for the birth weight trait.
Water quality in recirculating aquaculture system using woodchip denitrification and slow sand filtration
Authors: Lindholm-Lehto Petra , Pulkkinen Jani , Kiuru Tapio , Koskela Juha , Vielma Jouni
Published: March 2020

In recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), ammonium excreted by the fish is typically transformed to less toxic nitrate by microbial activity in bioreactors. However, nitrate-nitrogen load can be harmful for the receiving water body when released from the RAS facility. A new type of water treatment system for a RAS was designed, including a passive woodchip denitrification followed by a sand filtration introduced into a side-loop of an experimental RAS, rearing rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In the process, woodchips acted as a carbon source for the denitrification, aiming at a simultaneous nitrogen removal and reduction of water consumption while sand filtration was used to remove organic matter and recondition the circulating water. A variety of chemical analyses and toxicological tests were performed to study the suitability of the process and to ensure the absence of harmful or toxic substances in the system. The results did not show increased toxicity, and no increased mortality was reported for the raised species. After the start-up of the system, the concentrations of fatty acids (e.g., hexadecanoic acid <LOD-1.21 mg L−1) and heavy metals (e.g., Cd < LOD-0.45 μg L−1, Pb < LOD-14 μg L−1) remained at very low levels and below those of known toxic effects. In the beginning of the experiment, good denitrification efficiency was achieved, but it declined after 1 month, showing the need for improved stability and dimensioning of the application.
Disgust Sensitivity and Support for Organ Donation: Time to Take Disgust Seriously
Authors: Mazur Lucas B. , Gormsen Erik
Published: March 2020

Background

There are currently roughly 10,000 Germans on the organ waiting list, and that number is over 113,000 in the USA. There is a clear need to increase support for organ donation in general and to increase the number of registered donors in particular.

Objective

The current study examines the relationship between disgust sensitivity and attitudes towards organ donation and the possession of an organ donor card. The study also examines other important correlates of attitudes towards organ donation, such as fear, trust, and knowledge regarding organ donation.

Design

The study involved an online questionnaire.

Participants

Six hundred and eighteen Germans filled out an online questionnaire.

Main Measures

The questionnaire contained the following measures: attitude towards organ donation, disgust sensitivity, trust towards the medical community, fear of organ donation, and knowledge regarding organ donation, as well as such demographic information as age, biological sex, degree of formal education, religious affiliation and level of religiosity, political orientation, and possession of an organ donor card.

Key Results

The results replicated previous findings regarding the influence of trust and fear on attitudes towards organ donation, but only partially supported those regarding the importance of knowledge. Importantly, disgust sensitivity had a significant impact on attitudes towards organ donation, even after controlling for other variables hereto identified as important correlates in the literature (e.g., fear, trust, knowledge). What is more, there was a significant interaction between biological sex and disgust sensitivity indicating that the relationship between disgust sensitivity and attitudes towards organ donation was stronger among women than men.

Conclusions

While disgust is often disregarded as a “silly,” bairnish emotion and unbefitting of discussions of serious issues such as organ donation, in line with the “affective turn” in psychology, the results of the current study suggest that in order to improve attitudes towards organ donation, we should take feelings of disgust seriously.
Who sticks to the instructions—and does it matter? Antecedents and effects of students’ responsiveness to a classroom-based motivation intervention
Authors: Brisson Brigitte Maria , Hulleman Chris S. , Häfner Isabelle , Gaspard Hanna , Flunger Barbara , Dicke Anna-Lena , Trautwein Ulrich , Nagengast Benjamin
Published: March 2020

Why do some students benefit from interventions and others do not? By investigating the antecedents and effects of students’ responsiveness to a classroom-based motivation intervention, the current study aims to shed light on the intervention processes that make educational interventions in real-life settings work. Using data from a cluster-randomized controlled experiment with 1916 ninth-grade students, students’ responsiveness to two written intervention activities about the personal relevance of mathematics (evaluating quotations or writing a text) was assessed. Based on the hypothesized theory of change, 1280 student essays were coded on three indicators of responsiveness (positive arguments, personal connections, in-depth reflections) which were combined into a continuous index. Linear regression analyses showed that students’ conscientiousness, gender, math-related motivation, and achievement predicted the responsiveness index. This research highlights the importance of investigating intervention processes in order to optimize the theories and designs of classroom interventions
Stichwortbeitrag Implementationsforschung: Wie Wissenschaft zu Verbesserungen im Bildungssystem beitragen kann
Authors: Schrader Josef , Hasselhorn Marcus , Hetfleisch Petra , Goeze Annika
Published: March 2020

Mit dem Programm evidenzbasierter Bildungsreform geht die Erwartung einher, auf der Grundlage gesicherten empirischen Wissens die pädagogische Praxis ebenso wie ihre politische Gestaltung zu verbessern. Empirische Studien bestätigen allerdings ebenso wie Erfahrungsberichte aus dem Feld eine fortdauernde Kluft zwischen Forschung, Politik und Praxis. Daher findet Implementationsforschung wachsende Aufmerksamkeit, ablesbar an einer wachsenden Zahl empirischer Studien und einer breiten konzeptuellen und methodologischen Debatte. Der Stichwortbeitrag sichtet die konzeptuelle Diskussion zur Implementationsforschung im Bildungsbereich und darüber hinaus. Zudem wird analysiert, was Implementationsstudien im Feld des organisierten Lehrens und Lernens über die Gelingensbedingungen erfolgreicher Implementationen von evidenten Interventionen aussagen. Der Forschungsüberblick zeigt, dass eine wachsende Zahl von Studien mit wissenschaftlich fundierten Interventionen zur Verringerung der beklagten Kluft beitragen konnten. Zugleich fehlt es noch an theoretisch fundierten Einsichten zu den institutionellen, organisationalen und personalen Bedingungen wirksamer Implementationsstudien.
A Variation in FGF14 Is Associated with Downbeat Nystagmus in a Genome-Wide Association Study
Authors: Strupp Michael , Maul Stephan , Konte Bettina , Hartmann Annette M. , Giegling Ina , Wollenteit Sophia , Feil Katharina , Rujescu Dan
Published: March 2020

Downbeat nystagmus (DBN) is a frequent form of acquired persisting central fixation nystagmus, often associated with other cerebellar ocular signs, such as saccadic smooth pursuit or gaze-holding deficits. Despite its distinct clinical features, the underlying etiology of DBN often remains unclear. Therefore, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted in 106 patients and 2609 healthy controls of European ancestry to identify genetic variants associated with DBN. A genome-wide significant association (p < 5 × 10−8) with DBN was found for a variation on chromosome 13 located within the fibroblast growth factor 14 gene (FGF14). FGF14 is expressed in Purkinje cells (PCs) and a reduction leads to a decreased spontaneous firing rate and excitability of PCs, compatible with the pathophysiology of DBN. In addition, mutations in the FGF14 gene cause spinocerebellar ataxia type 27. Suggestive associations (p < 1 × 10−05) could be detected for 15 additional LD-independent loci, one of which is also located in the FGF14 gene. An association of a region containing the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and MutS Homolog 3 (MSH3) genes on chromosome 5 was slightly below the genome-wide significance threshold. DHFR is relevant for neuronal regulation, and a dysfunction is known to induce cerebellar damage. Among the remaining twelve suggestive associations, four genes (MAST4, TPPP, FTMT, and IDS) seem to be involved in cerebral pathological processes. Thus, this GWAS analysis has identified a potential genetic contribution to idiopathic DBN, including suggestive associations to several genes involved in postulated pathological mechanisms of DBN (i.e., impaired function of cerebellar PCs).
“It’s being part of the big picture, even though you’re a tiny jigsaw piece”—motivations and expectations of individuals participating in the Enroll-HD observational study
Authors: Davies E. , Craufurd D. , MacLeod R.
Published: March 2020

Predictive test guidelines for Huntington’s disease (HD) recommend individuals are offered opportunities to participate in research regardless of test outcome. Consistent with most HD centres of excellence, the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine (MCGM) invites eligible individuals to participate in the observational study, Enroll-HD. Limited research has been conducted to date on the views of research participants and the possible impact of participation. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of ten individuals taking part in the Enroll-HD study following pre-symptomatic testing for HD. Half of the individuals had tested positive for the HD mutation and the other half had tested negative. Participants were generally motivated to take part in the study by both personal and altruistic reasons. Overall, they were very positive about participation in Enroll-HD. Valuable aspects included good relationships with the research/clinical team, increased understanding of the condition, an enhanced self-image and a shared experience with affected parents. Issues for improvement to encourage participation included access to study site and more regular communication about study progress. Participants, while generally optimistic about research progress, were realistic about challenges.
On the connectivity of the escaping set in the punctured plane
Authors: Evdoridou Vasiliki , Martí-Pete David , Sixsmith David J.
Published: March 2020

We consider the dynamics of transcendental self-maps of the punctured plane, $$\mathbb {C}^*=\mathbb {C}{\setminus } \{0\}$$

C

∗

=
C
\

{
0
}

. We prove that the escaping set $$I(f)$$

I
(
f
)

is either connected, or has infinitely many components. We also show that $$I(f)\cup \{0,\infty \}$$

I
(
f
)
∪
{
0
,
∞
}

is either connected, or has exactly two components, one containing 0 and the other $$\infty $$
∞
. This gives a trichotomy regarding the connectivity of the sets $$I(f)$$

I
(
f
)

and $$I(f)\cup \{0,\infty \}$$

I
(
f
)
∪
{
0
,
∞
}

, and we give examples of functions for which each case arises. Finally, whereas Baker domains of transcendental entire functions are simply connected, we show that Baker domains can be doubly connected in $$\mathbb {C}^*$$

C

∗

by constructing the first such example. We also prove that if f has a doubly connected Baker domain, then its closure contains both 0 and $$\infty $$
∞
, and hence $$I(f)\cup \{0,\infty \}$$

I
(
f
)
∪
{
0
,
∞
}

is connected.
Commentary on “From unidimensional to multidimensional inequality: a review”
Authors: Mosler Karl
Published: March 2020

These remarks supplement the paper of Andreoli and Zoli from a practical view-point, that is, of a data analyst who wishes to compare distributions of socio-economic endowments regarding their inequality.
Recent Advances of Persistent Luminescence Nanoparticles in Bioapplications
Authors: Wu Shuqi , Li Yang , Ding Weihang , Xu Letong , Ma Yuan , Zhang Lianbing
Published: March 2020

Persistent luminescence phosphors are a novel group of promising luminescent materials with afterglow properties after the stoppage of excitation. In the past decade, persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) with intriguing optical properties have attracted a wide range of attention in various areas. Especially in recent years, the development and applications in biomedical fields have been widely explored. Owing to the efficient elimination of the autofluorescence interferences from biotissues and the ultra-long near-infrared afterglow emission, many researches have focused on the manipulation of PLNPs in biosensing, cell tracking, bioimaging and cancer therapy. These achievements stimulated the growing interest in designing new types of PLNPs with desired superior characteristics and multiple functions. In this review, we summarize the works on synthesis methods, bioapplications, biomembrane modification and biosafety of PLNPs and highlight the recent advances in biosensing, imaging and imaging-guided therapy. We further discuss the new types of PLNPs as a newly emerged class of functional biomaterials for multiple applications. Finally, the remaining problems and challenges are discussed with suggestions and prospects for potential future directions in the biomedical applications.
An agent-based model of cooperation with cross-cutting identity dimensions
Authors: Cioroianu Iulia
Published: March 2020

This paper provides an evolutionary explanation for the different patterns of cooperation across groups in societies in which social and political identity dimensions are cross-cutting, compared to societies in which identity dimensions are overlapping. An agent-based model of interaction between individuals belonging to different groups is presented. An agent’s decision to cooperate or defect in a prisoners' dilemma game is based on the identity of the others along two identity dimensions. In the first version of the model, the two identities are equally salient, while in the second version, their relative salience varies. The results show that in the presence of cross-cutting identity dimensions, cooperation takes place not only within clusters of identical individuals, as suggested by previous models, but also along each of the two identity dimensions, between individuals that share only one of the two identity traits. As the relative salience of one identity dimension increases, cooperating along the lines of the more salient dimension becomes the most successful strategy. These findings are relevant for understanding the patterns of cooperation in heterogenous societies and under increased levels of social and political polarization.
Surface Chemisty, Microstructure, and Rheology of Thixotropic 1-D Sepiolite Gels
Authors: Liu Pengfei , Du Mingyong , Clode Peta , Li Hualong , Liu Jishan , Leong Yee-Kwong
Published: March 2020

The rheological properties of sepiolite gels in relation to solution chemistry, fiber charge, and microstructure are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to bring more clarity to this topic by quantifying the effects of solution pH, ionic strength, and adsorbed tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) additive on rheological properties. The electrical charge on sepiolite fibers was investigated to explain the fiber interaction configuration observed in the microstructure. Fiber interaction forces and dynamics explained the ageing behavior of the gel. Sepiolite gels of only a few percent solids displayed long-time ageing behavior, which was manifested by an increasing yield stress with wait time and continued for weeks. The gel microstructure showed randomly orientated rigid fibers with cross configuration attraction. Each fiber experiences both attractive (van der Waals and heterogeneous charge) and repulsive (electric double layer) forces, and initially a net force. The repulsive force causes these fibers to orientate or move continually to achieve a state of force equilibrium and this process takes a long time. The Leong model describes this ageing behavior. For good fiber separation, high intensity probe sonication of the suspension was required. The yield stress increased with sonication time, solids loading, and temperature. The yield stress was absent at pH > 11 and increased to a maximum value at pH < 8. This maximum was insensitive to pH between 4 to 8, and ionic strength up to 1 M KCl. TSPP reduced this maximum and shifted the zero yield stress region to a lower pH, ~7. The zero yield stress state corresponded to a zeta potential with a minimum magnitude of 30 mV.
The role of childhood adversities, FKBP5, BDNF, NRN1, and generalized self-efficacy in suicide attempts in alcohol-dependent patients
Authors: Berent Dominika , Szymańska Bożena , Kulczycka-Wojdala Dominika , Macander Marian , Pawłowska Zofia , Wojnar Marcin
Published: March 2020

Background

Alcohol-dependent (AD) patients report higher number of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), develop poor social skills, and have a higher rate of suicide attempts than the general population. We hypothesize that the association between ACEs and lifetime suicide attempts in AD patients is mediated by generalized self-efficacy and selected functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in the stress response and neuroplasticity, including: FKBP5 rs1360780, BDNF rs6265, and NRN1 rs1475157.

Methods

176 AD patients and 127 healthy controls self-reported ACEs with the ACE Study questionnaire and three additional questions that inquired about ACE categories of acute stress; generalized self-efficacy—with the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale. Genotyping for the three analysed SNPs was performed according to the manufacturer’s standard PCR protocol. Hypotheses were tested with bivariate analyses, multiple regression model, and mediation models.

Results

Higher levels of generalized self-efficacy were associated with a blunted effect of ACEs on the risk of suicide attempts. The prevalence of the three analyzed SNPs genotypes and alleles did not differ between AD patients with a positive vs. negative lifetime history of suicide attempt and was not associated with GSES scoring.

Conclusions

Generalized self-efficacy should be considered as a target for psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at reducing the risk of suicide attempts in AD patients who were exposed to childhood victimization. The negative results concerning the hypothesized role of the three analysed SNPs should be carefully interpreted due to the relatively small study sample, but represent a theoretical foundation for further research studies with larger study samples.
Cyber bullying victimization and adolescent mental health: The differential moderating effects of intrapersonal and interpersonal emotional competence
Authors: Urano Yuhei , Takizawa Ryu , Ohka Mai , Yamasaki Hisanori , Shimoyama Haruhiko
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Individuals who experience bullying victimization are at increased risk for future health and social problems. Despite this, studies show that not all bullying victims are in ill health, suggesting the importance of investigating protective factors that could counteract the adverse effects. The present study focused on investigating the moderating effects of emotional competence (EC) in the relationship between cyber‐bullying victimization (CV) and mental health among adolescents.

Methods

Responses from 6403 adolescents aged 12 to 18 (1925 male, 4478 female,Mage = 16.35,SD = 1.46) with no missing data were used for analysis. The cross‐sectional data analyzed in the present study was a part of a large longitudinal online survey conducted by the University of Tokyo in Japan. Participants were recruited among adolescent users of a social networking service widely used in Japan for communication.

Results

Results of regression analysis showed significant direct effects of CV on psychological distress/self‐esteem, confirming the adverse effects of victimization. Results also suggested that high intrapersonal EC weakened the relationship between CV and psychological distress, whereas high interpersonal EC strengthened the relationship. There were no significant interactions between CV and EC in predicting self‐esteem.

Conclusions

Intrapersonal and interpersonal EC may play differential moderating roles in the relationship between CV and psychological distress, the former by buffering the effect and the latter by exacerbating it. Interventions targeting abilities to handle one's own emotions may help decrease distress among adolescents with CV experiences.
Sun-synchronous repeat ground tracks and other useful orbits for future space missions
Authors: Paek S.W. , Kim S. , Kronig L. , de Weck O.
Published: March 2020

The development of oceanography and meteorology has greatly benefited from satellite-based data of Earth’s atmosphere and ocean. Traditional Earth observation missions have utilised Sun-synchronous orbits with repeat ground tracks due to their advantages in visible and infrared wavelengths. However, diversification of observation wavelengths and massive deployment of miniaturised satellites are both enabling and necessitating new kinds of space missions. This paper proposes several unconventional satellite orbits intended for use in, but not limited to, Earth observation. This ‘toolbox’ of orbits and taxonomy thereof will thus support the definition of design requirements for the individual satellites in nano-satellite constellations developed by national space agencies, industries and academia.
BUGONIAAND THE AETIOLOGY OF DIDACTIC POETRY IN VIRGIL,GEORGICS4
Authors: Glauthier Patrick
Published: March 2020

Roughly half way through the fourthGeorgic, Virgil confronts a sad reality: on occasion the entire population of a hive can perish without warning and leave the bee-keeping farmer bee-less. In response to such a devastating loss, the poet describes an Egyptian procedure, to which modern critics have given the namebugonia, whereby the farmer acquires a new swarm of bees from the putrefying carcass of a dead ox (4.281–314). After the account ofbugonia, the poem takes a notoriously unexpected turn. Virgil asks the Muses about the origins of this practice and then recounts the exploits of Aristaeus, an inhabitant of the georgic world whose own bees once succumbed to famine and disease. In the narrative that follows, Aristaeus consults his mother Cyrene and the seer Proteus, who tells him about Orpheus’ descent to the underworld. The narrative ends when Aristaeus, thanks to the teaching of his mother, performs a series of activities that culminates in a new swarm of bees bursting forth from the putrefying carcass of a dead ox (4.315–558). The aetiological character of the Aristaeus narrative is clear—Virgil promises to trace the Egyptian procedure back to its firstorigo(4.286), and when he addresses the Muses, he specifically asks what god discovered the practice and whence it took its first beginnings (4.315–16). But for what activity does the story actually offer anaition?
Spatio-temporal variations in larval digenean assemblages ofHeleobia parchappii(Mollusca: Cochliopidae) inhabiting four human-impacted streams
Authors: Parietti M. , Merlo M.J. , Etchegoin J.A.
Published: March 2020

In the last years, a growing number of studies have focused on the search for biological indicators of human impact in freshwater environments. Given their susceptibility to different types of impact, larval digeneans have been considered as useful tools for the study of temporal variations in parasite communities. However, few studies have been carried out in lotic environments. For that reason, the spatio-temporal variations of the larval digenean assemblages parasitizing the gastropodHeleobia parchappiiwere analysed in four human-impacted streams, located on the coast of Argentina. In total, 4800 specimens ofH.parchappiiwere collected seasonally, and 12 digenean species belonging to eight families were registered. Three of the streams showed similar species presence but, during spring and summer, the streams located within the city presented lower species presence than the streams located in the urban periphery. By contrast, the spatial prevalence values evidenced a higher variation between the environments. Streams located in the urban periphery showed higher prevalence values throughout the year, compared to those calculated for streams located within the city. The spatio-temporal variations of larval digenean assemblages parasitizingH.parchappiiseem to be mainly influenced by the diversity and vagility of definitive hosts, the types of digenean life cycles and habitat characteristics. However, environmental disturbances derived from anthropogenic activities are highlighted as the probable main factors that may affect the composition and dynamic of these parasite assemblages.
From Personal to Partisan: Abortion, Party, and Religion Among California State Legislators
Authors: Karol David , Thurston Chloe N.
Published: March 2020

The parties’ polarization on abortion is a signal development. Yet while the issue has been much discussed, scholars have said less about how it reveals the unstable relationship between legislators’ personal backgrounds and their issue positions. We argue that the importance of personal characteristics may wane as links between parties and interest groups develop. We focus on the case of abortion in the California State Assembly—one of the first legislative bodies to wrestle with the issue in modern times. Drawing from newly collected evidence on legislator and district religion and Assembly voting, we show that divisions on abortion were chiefly religious in the 1960s—with Catholics in both parties opposing reform—but later became highly partisan. This shift was distinct from overall polarization and was not a result of district-level factors or “sorting” of legislators by religion into parties. Instead, growing ties between new movements and parties—feminists for Democrats and the Christian Right for the Republicans—made party affiliation supplant religion as the leading cue for legislators on abortion, impelling many incumbents to revise their positions. Archival and secondary evidence further show that activists sent new cues to legislators about the importance of their positions on these issues. Showing how personal characteristics became outweighed by partisan considerations contributes to understanding of party position change and polarization, as well as processes of representation and abortion politics.
Age, Gender, and International Author Networks in the Earth and Space Sciences: Implications for Addressing Implicit Bias
Authors: Hanson Brooks , Wooden Paige , Lerback Jory
Published: March 2020

Author networks play a key role in doing science. Developing networks is critical for career advancement in a variety of ways, and differences in networks may be a core reason for persistence of implicit bias, particularly with regards to gender. Combining the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting abstracts from 2014–2018 with self‐identified AGU member data on birth year and gender provides a large database of more than 400,000 unique coauthor interactions that we use to examine author networks by age, gender, and country. Age data are necessary to disambiguate the effect of a historic lack of women in the Earth and Space Science. The data show that women's networks are closer to those expected from the age–gender distribution of the overall membership; whereas, networks of men include more men than expected. Women also have more male coauthors within their age cohort than expected from the membership distribution. Women's networks are also less international than their male colleagues in most age cohorts. These differences start in the youngest age cohort. These data indicate that addressing implicit bias requires efforts at purposefully encouraging and developing more balanced author networks, particularly in early‐career scientists. Recent work suggests that this will also improve science outputs.
Holocene Moisture Variations in Western Arid Central Asia Inferred From Loess Records From NE Iran
Authors: Wang Qiang , Wei Haitao , Khormali Farhad , Wang Leibin , Yan Huaiyu , Xie Haichao , Wang Xin , Huang Wei , Chen Jianhui , Chen Fahu
Published: March 2020

Holocene variations in precipitation in central and eastern arid central Asia (ACA) have been widely investigated, but the pattern in western ACA remains unclear. We present records of the stable carbon isotope composition of bulk organic matter (δ13Corg), magnetic parameters, and sediment color, from five loess‐paleosol sequences in NE Iran, in western ACA, with the aim of reconstructing Holocene precipitation. The Yellibadragh (YE) section (the thickest among the five sequences) was selected for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of the coarse‐grained quartz (63–90 μm) fraction, and its δ13Corg record was used to quantitatively reconstruct mean annual precipitation (MAP). The record indicates a dry early Holocene (~11.8–7.4 ka), with nearly constant MAP (~93 mm), followed by a wetting trend from the mid‐Holocene (~7.4 ka) onward, with the wettest period in the late Holocene (~4.0–0.0 ka, ~390 mm). The stratigraphic observations and environmental proxies support the reconstruction. The other loess profiles show stratigraphic features and trends of environmental proxies, which are similar to those of the YE profile. A dry early Holocene and wetting trend since the mid‐Holocene, with the wettest climate in the late Holocene in NE Iran, are both consistent with records from sand dunes and lake sediments from adjacent areas, and with loess records from central and eastern ACA. Comparison with loess records from monsoonal Asia supports the interpretation of a “westerly‐dominated climatic regime,” which was proposed mainly on the basis of lake sediment records from the region. Changes in solar insolation may have been responsible for the persistent wetting trend during the Holocene in western ACA.
Viscous Fingering and Preferential Flow Paths in Heterogeneous Porous Media
Authors: Tang Y. B. , Li M. , Bernabé Y. , Zhao J. Z.
Published: March 2020

Preferential flow channeling and viscous fingering are widely observed phenomena in heterogeneous porous media from the pore scale to the core and reservoir scales. The transition from capillary to viscous fingering with increasing injection rate is also a well‐known phenomenon. Based on the previously observed visual similarity of viscous fingers and preferential single‐phase flow paths in 2‐D simulations, we postulate that these single‐ and two‐phase flow patterns should also be interrelated in 3‐D porous media. Capillary fingering is a manifestation of invasion percolation, a process restricted to the subnetwork of pores obtained from the critical path analysis. We investigated single‐phase flow channeling by applying a method similar to critical path analysis to the flow rate field and compared the subnetwork thus determined to the set of invaded pipes in drainage simulations. Our aim is to quantify the relation between preferential flow paths and viscous fingering, its dependence on pore‐scale heterogeneity and pore connectivity, and ultimately to upscale the network observations to the field scale appropriate for the engineering applications involving drainage in heterogeneous media.
Dynamic Response of the Fluid Mud to a Tropical Storm
Authors: Ge Jianzhong , Chen Changsheng , Wang Zheng Bing , Ke Keteng , Yi Jinxu , Ding Pingxing
Published: March 2020

Fluid mud (FM) is a unique sedimentary feature in high‐turbidity estuaries, where it can make a rapid contribution to morphodynamics. Insufficient field measurements and fixed‐point monitoring lead to deficient understandings of the formation, transport, and breakdown of the FM under extreme weather conditions. A field survey was conducted in the Changjiang Estuary during the period of turbidity maximum, just after Typhoon Haikui. The measurements captured the formation of the FM beneath the suspended layers, particularly around the lower reach of the North Passage. The thickness of the observed FM gradually decreased landward along the channel, with the maximum value reaching ~0.9 m. The major features of the observed storm‐induced FM were simulated using the Finite‐Volume Community Ocean Model. The results indicated that the initial appearance of the FM was the result of a typhoon‐intensified, salinity‐induced stratification in the outlet region. The subsequent landward propagation of the FM was driven by the combined effects of the FM‐induced mud surface pressure gradient force and saltwater intrusion near the bottom. Weak mixing during the subsequent neap tidal period sustained the FM as it rapidly extended into the middle region of the North Passage. This produced a large velocity shear at the interface of the FM and upper suspension layer, increasing the entrainment from the FM to the upper suspension layer. As a result of the increased tidal mixing, the FM weakened and then finally broke down in the subsequent spring tidal period.
Enhancing infrared emission of mercury telluride (HgTe) quantum dots by plasmonic structures
Authors: Yuan Shaofan , Chen Chen , Guo Qiushi , Xia Fengnian
Published: March 2020

The coupling of HgTe quantum dots to a gold nanobump plasmonic array can enhance the spontaneous infrared emission by a factor of five and reduce the influence of nonradiative decay channels.
Tumor progression and chromatin landscape of lung cancer are regulated by the lineage factor GATA6
Authors: Arnal-Estapé Anna , Cai Wesley L. , Albert Alexandra E. , Zhao Minghui , Stevens Laura E. , López-Giráldez Francesc , Patel Kiran D. , Tyagi Siddhartha , Schmitt Earlene M. , Westbrook Thomas F. , Nguyen Don X.
Published: March 2020

Lineage selective transcription factors (TFs) are important regulators of tumorigenesis, but their biological functions are often context dependent with undefined epigenetic mechanisms of action. In this study, we uncover a conditional role for the endodermal and pulmonary specifying TF GATA6 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression. ImpairingGata6in genetically engineered mouse models reduces the proliferation and increases the differentiation of Kras mutant LUAD tumors. These effects are influenced by the epithelial cell type that is targeted for transformation and genetic context of Kras-mediated tumor initiation. In LUAD cells derived from surfactant protein C expressing progenitors, we identify multiple genomic loci that are bound by GATA6. Moreover, suppression ofGata6in these cells significantly alters chromatin accessibility, particularly at distal enhancer elements. Analogous to its paradoxical activity in lung development, GATA6 expression fluctuates during different stages of LUAD progression and can epigenetically control diverse transcriptional programs associated with bone morphogenetic protein signaling, alveolar specification, and tumor suppression. These findings reveal how GATA6 can modulate the chromatin landscape of lung cancer cells to control their proliferation and divergent lineage dependencies during tumor progression.
Immune-based therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Pinato David J. , Guerra Nadia , Fessas Petros , Murphy Ravindhi , Mineo Takashi , Mauri Francesco A. , Mukherjee Sujit K. , Thursz Mark , Wong Ching Ngar , Sharma Rohini , Rimassa Lorenza
Published: March 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer-related death. The immune-rich contexture of the HCC microenvironment makes this tumour an appealing target for immune-based therapies. Here, we discuss how the functional characteristics of the liver microenvironment can potentially be harnessed for the treatment of HCC. We will review the evidence supporting a therapeutic role for vaccines, cell-based therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibitors and discuss the potential for patient stratification in an attempt to overcome the series of failures that has characterised drug development in this disease area.
Spinal cord injury in infancy: activity-based therapy impact on health, function, and quality of life in chronic injury
Authors: Argetsinger Laura C. , Singh Goutam , Bickel Scott G. , Calvery Margaret L. , Behrman Andrea L.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Spinal cord injury (SCI) in infancy magnifies the complexity of a devastating diagnosis. Children injured so young have high incidences of scoliosis, hip dysplasia, and respiratory complications leading to poor health and outcomes. We report the medical history, progression of rehabilitation, usual care and activity-based therapy, and outcomes for a child injured in infancy. Activity-based therapy (ABT) aims to activate the neuromuscular system above and below the lesion through daily, task-specific training to improve the neuromuscular capacity, and outcomes for children with acquired SCI.

Case presentation

A 3-month-old infant suffered a cervical SCI from a surgical complication with resultant tetraplegia. Until age 3, her medical complications included scoliosis, kyphosis, and pneumonia. Even with extensive physical and occupational therapy, she was fully dependent on caregivers for mobility and unable to roll, come to sit, sit, stand or walk. She initiated ABT at ~3 years old, participating for 8 months. The child’s overall neuromuscular capacity improved significantly, especially for head and trunk control, contributing to major advances in respiratory health, novel engagement with her environment, and improved physical abilities.

Discussion

From injury during infancy until 3 years old, this child’s health, abilities, and complications were consistent with the predicted path of early-onset SCI. Due to her age at injury, severity and chronicity of injury, she demonstrated unexpected, meaningful changes in her neuromuscular capacity during and post-ABT associated with improved health, function and quality of life for herself and her caregivers.
Early post-transplantation factors predict survival outcomes in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for myelofibrosis
Authors: Jain Tania , Kunze Katie L. , Mountjoy Luke , Partain Daniel K. , Kosiorek Heidi , Khera Nandita , Hogan William J. , Roy Vivek , Slack James L. , Noel Pierre , Fauble Veena D. S. , Leis Jose F. , Sproat Lisa , Tefferi Ayalew , Patnaik Mrinal M. , Mesa Ruben A. , Palmer Jeanne
Published: March 2020

Factors predicting allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes in myelofibrosis in the early post-HCT period have not been defined thus far. We attempt to study such factors that can help identify patients at a higher risk of relapse or death. This retrospective study included 79 patients who underwent first HCT for myelofibrosis at three centers between 2005 and 2016. Univariate analysis showed that red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependence (HR 9.02, 95% CI 4.0–20.35), platelet transfusion dependence (HR 8.17, 95%CI 3.83–17.37), 100% donor chimerism in CD33 + cells (HR 0.21, 95%CI 0.07–0.62), unfavorable molecular status (HR 4.41, 95%CI 1.87–10.39), normal spleen size (HR 0.42, 95%CI 0.19–0.94), grade ≥ 2 bone marrow fibrosis (vs. grade ≤ 1; HR 2.7, 95%CI 1.1–6.93) and poor graft function (HR 2.6, 95%CI 1.22–5.53) at day +100 were statistically significantly associated with relapse-free survival (RFS). RBC transfusion dependence and unfavorable molecular status were also statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. Patients in whom both of these factors were present had a significantly worse RFS when compared to those with one or none. While limited by a small sample size, we demonstrate the significance of transfusion dependence and molecular status at day +100 in predicting outcomes.
Coffee and digestive cancers—what do we know, and where do we go?
Authors: Loftfield Erikka , Freedman Neal D.
Published: March 2020

Coffee drinking has been inversely associated with liver cancer consistently in prospective studies. Yet, the specific compounds underlying this association, and whether associations vary by preparation method, are unknown. Associations with other sites within the gastrointestinal tract are also unclear. A recent study by Tran et al. leverages the resources of the UK Biobank to begin answering these questions, and suggests important avenues for future work.
Decorating bacteria with self-assembled synthetic receptors
Authors: Lahav-Mankovski Naama , Prasad Pragati Kishore , Oppenheimer-Low Noa , Raviv Gal , Dadosh Tali , Unger Tamar , Salame Tomer Meir , Motiei Leila , Margulies David
Published: March 2020

The responses of cells to their surroundings are mediated by the binding of cell surface proteins (CSPs) to extracellular signals. Such processes are regulated via dynamic changes in the structure, composition, and expression levels of CSPs. In this study, we demonstrate the possibility of decorating bacteria with artificial, self-assembled receptors that imitate the dynamic features of CSPs. We show that the local concentration of these receptors on the bacterial membrane and their structure can be reversibly controlled using suitable chemical signals, in a way that resembles changes that occur with CSP expression levels or posttranslational modifications (PTMs), respectively. We also show that these modifications can endow the bacteria with programmable properties, akin to the way CSP responses can induce cellular functions. By programming the bacteria to glow, adhere to surfaces, or interact with proteins or mammalian cells, we demonstrate the potential to tailor such biomimetic systems for specific applications.
Sleep-dependent memory consolidation in infants protects new episodic memories from existing semantic memories
Authors: Friedrich Manuela , Mölle Matthias , Friederici Angela D. , Born Jan
Published: March 2020

Any experienced event may be encoded and retained in detail as part of our episodic memory, and may also refer and contribute to our generalized knowledge stored in semantic memory. The beginnings of this declarative memory formation are only poorly understood. Even less is known about the interrelation between episodic and semantic memory during the earliest developmental stages. Here, we show that the formation of episodic memories in 14- to 17-month-old infants depends on sleep, subsequent to exposure to novel events. Infant brain responses reveal that, after sleep-dependent consolidation, the newly stored events are not processed semantically, although appropriate lexical-semantic memories are present and accessible by similar events that were not experienced before the nap. We propose that temporarily disabled semantic processing protects precise episodic memories from interference with generalized semantic memories. Selectively restricted semantic access could also trigger semantic refinement, and thus, might even improve semantic memory.
Social and environmental analysis of food waste abatement via the peer-to-peer sharing economy
Authors: Makov Tamar , Shepon Alon , Krones Jonathan , Gupta Clare , Chertow Marian
Published: March 2020

Reducing food waste is widely recognized as critical for improving resource efficiency and meeting the nutritional demand of a growing human population. Here we explore whether the sharing economy can provide meaningful assistance to reducing food waste in a relatively low-impact and environmentally-sound way. Analyzing 170,000 postings on a popular peer-to-peer food-sharing app, we find that over 19 months, 90t of food waste with an equivalent retail value of £0.7 million were collected by secondary consumers and diverted from disposal. An environmental analysis focused on Greater London reveals that these exchanges were responsible for avoiding emission of 87–156t of CO2eq. Our results indicate that most exchanges were among users associated with lower income yet higher levels of education. These findings, together with the high collection rates (60% on average) suggest that the sharing economy may offer powerful means for improving resource efficiency and reducing food waste.
Author Correction: Single cell transcriptome analysis of developing arcuate nucleus neurons uncovers their key developmental regulators
Authors: Huisman Christian , Cho Hyeyoung , Brock Olivier , Lim Su Jeong , Youn Sung Min , Park Younjung , Kim Sangsoo , Lee Soo-Kyung , Delogu Alessio , Lee Jae W.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Integrated proteogenomic deep sequencing and analytics accurately identify non-canonical peptides in tumor immunopeptidomes
Authors: Chong Chloe , Müller Markus , Pak HuiSong , Harnett Dermot , Huber Florian , Grun Delphine , Leleu Marion , Auger Aymeric , Arnaud Marion , Stevenson Brian J. , Michaux Justine , Bilic Ilija , Hirsekorn Antje , Calviello Lorenzo , Simó-Riudalbas Laia , Planet Evarist , Lubiński Jan , Bryśkiewicz Marta , Wiznerowicz Maciej , Xenarios Ioannis , Zhang Lin , Trono Didier , Harari Alexandre , Ohler Uwe , Coukos George , Bassani-Sternberg Michal
Published: March 2020

Efforts to precisely identify tumor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) bound peptides capable of mediating T cell-based tumor rejection still face important challenges. Recent studies suggest that non-canonical tumor-specific HLA peptides derived from annotated non-coding regions could elicit anti-tumor immune responses. However, sensitive and accurate mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteogenomics approaches are required to robustly identify these non-canonical peptides. We present an MS-based analytical approach that characterizes the non-canonical tumor HLA peptide repertoire, by incorporating whole exome sequencing, bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, ribosome profiling, and two MS/MS search tools in combination. This approach results in the accurate identification of hundreds of shared and tumor-specific non-canonical HLA peptides, including an immunogenic peptide derived from an open reading frame downstream of the melanoma stem cell marker geneABCB5. These findings hold great promise for the discovery of previously unknown tumor antigens for cancer immunotherapy.