bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Cell Therapy with Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes: What Has Been Done and What Remains to Do?
Authors: Selvakumar Dinesh , Reyes Leila , Chong James J. H.
Published: March 2022

Purpose of Review

Exciting pre-clinical data presents pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (PSC-CM) as a novel therapeutic prospect following myocardial infarction, and worldwide clinical trials are imminent. However, despite notable advances, several challenges remain. Here, we review PSC-CM pre-clinical studies, identifying key translational hurdles. We further discuss cell production and characterization strategies, identifying markers that may help generate cells which overcome these barriers.

Recent Findings

PSC-CMs can robustly repopulate infarcted myocardium with functional, force generating cardiomyocytes. However, current differentiation protocols produce immature and heterogenous cardiomyocytes, creating related issues such as arrhythmogenicity, immunogenicity and poor engraftment. Recent efforts have enhanced our understanding of cardiovascular developmental biology. This knowledge may help implement novel differentiation or gene editing strategies that could overcome these limitations.

PSC-CMs are an exciting therapeutic prospect. Despite substantial recent advances, limitations of the technology remain. However, with our continued and increasing biological understanding, these issues are addressable, with several worldwide clinical trials anticipated in the coming years.
The Airway Microbiome-IL-17 Axis: a Critical Regulator of Chronic Inflammatory Disease
Authors: Mannion Jenny M. , McLoughlin Rachel M. , Lalor Stephen J.
Published: March 2022

The respiratory tract is home to a diverse microbial community whose influence on local and systemic immune responses is only beginning to be appreciated. Increasing reports have linked changes in this microbiome to a range of pulmonary and extrapulmonary disorders, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Central to many of these findings is the role of IL-17-type immunity as an important driver of inflammation. Despite the crucial role played by IL-17-mediated immune responses in protection against infection, overt Th17 cell responses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases. However, our knowledge of the influence of bacteria that commonly colonise the respiratory tract on IL-17-driven inflammatory responses remains sparse. In this article, we review the current knowledge on the role of specific members of the airway microbiota in the modulation of IL-17-type immunity and discuss how this line of research may support the testing of susceptible individuals and targeting of inflammation at its earliest stages in the hope of preventing the development of chronic disease.
NMR assignment of non-modified tRNAIle from Escherichia coli
Authors: de Jesus Vanessa , Biedenbänder Thomas , Vögele Jennifer , Wöhnert Jens , Fürtig Boris
Published: March 2022

tRNAs are L-shaped RNA molecules of ~ 80 nucleotides that are responsible for decoding the mRNA and for the incorporation of the correct amino acid into the growing peptidyl-chain at the ribosome. They occur in all kingdoms of life and both their functions, and their structure are highly conserved. The L-shaped tertiary structure is based on a cloverleaf-like secondary structure that consists of four base paired stems connected by three to four loops. The anticodon base triplet, which is complementary to the sequence of the mRNA, resides in the anticodon loop whereas the amino acid is attached to the sequence CCA at the 3′-terminus of the molecule. tRNAs exhibit very stable secondary and tertiary structures and contain up to 10% modified nucleotides. However, their structure and function can also be maintained in the absence of nucleotide modifications. Here, we present the assignments of nucleobase resonances of the non-modified 77 nt tRNAIle from the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. We obtained assignments for all imino resonances visible in the spectra of the tRNA as well as for additional exchangeable and non-exchangeable protons and for heteronuclei of the nucleobases. Based on these assignments we could determine the chemical shift differences between modified and non-modified tRNAIle as a first step towards the analysis of the effect of nucleotide modifications on tRNA’s structure and dynamics.
Detection of Mechanically Separated Meat from Chicken in Sausages and Cold Meat by Targeted LC–MS/MS Analysis
Authors: Wilhelm Christian , Hofsommer Mikko , Wittke Stefan
Published: March 2022

The use of mechanically separated meat (MSM) from poultry in meat and sausage products is subject to declaration. Current methods such as microscopy or calcium analysis have proven to be insufficient to ensure the specific detection of MSM in meat and sausage products. When using MSM during production, intervertebral disc and cartilage specific proteins from chicken unavoidably end up in the sausages. Thus, a pseudo-MRM-LC–MS/MS-based assay was developed and validated, which uses intervertebral disc and cartilage specific peptides to detect MSM in meat and sausage products. All five marker peptides were assigned to collagen II alpha 1 which makes up a large part of the proteome of intervertebral discs and cartilage. In order to evaluate the validity of the methodology, a total of 23 positive controls (MSM content 5–90%) and a total of 19 negative controls were examined in a blinded study. After unblinding, 22 of 23 positive controls were correctly classified. Only one self-produced sample with 5% MSM was declared as a negative case (overall sensitivity 96%). In contrast, all negative controls were correctly classified as negative (specificity 100%). In summary, the LC–MS/MS assay allowed the specific detection of MSM in real samples with unknown composition down to 10% MSM in the meat content.

Graphical abstract
Knowledge and Innovation Within Chinese Firms in the Space Sector
Authors: Zhang Yan , Tsang Denise
Published: March 2022

Chinese firms have made considerable progress in the space industry within recent decades; some larger state entities have joined the Fortune Global 500 list. The market liberalization, since 2014, has further attracted aspiring new entrants. This article develops a conceptual model by synthesizing business process and knowledge management among high-tech employees to understand technological accumulation within the context of the quadruple helix. We examine the case study of Zhuhai Orbita Aerospace Science and Technology in the Southern Guangdong Province of China, based on extensive primary and secondary data collection. The findings in this article suggest that technological accumulation within the firm is linked to cultural mechanisms, and therefore provides a broad perspective on knowledge management. The findings in this article also suggest that global firms that connect with China’s past are more likely to motivate talented employees in the industry.
Anaphylaxis to food additives
Authors: Treudler Regina , Simon Jan Christoph
Published: March 2022

A variety of additives found in foodstuffs have been associated with triggering of a number of clinical pictures. Hypersensitivity reactions of allergic and non-allergic etiology have been widely described, but are reported to be rare overall. This review presents a selection of food additives for which anaphylactic reactions have been described. These include colorants (e.g., tartrazine, carmine, patent blue), preservatives (e.g., sulfites, sodium benzoate), and thickeners/gelling agents (e.g., carboxymethylcellulose, guar, gum arabic). Possible diagnostic procedures (skin test, specific IgE, cellular antigen stimulation test, oral provocation) are presented. For those affected, avoidance of consumption is facilitated by the mandatory declaration (class name, E‑number/designation) required in the European Union. Only sulfur dioxide and sulfites have to be highlighted as food allergens, depending on the concentration. Due to the limited diagnostic procedures available, it cannot be excluded that the frequency of hypersensitivity to food additives is underestimated.
Re-evaluation of cefepime or piperacillin-tazobactam to decrease use of carbapenems in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacterales bloodstream infections (REDUCE-BSI)
Authors: Vu Catherine H. , Venugopalan Veena , Santevecchi Barbara A. , Voils Stacy A. , Ramphal Reuben , Cherabuddi Kartikeya , DeSear Kathryn
Published: March 2022

Objective:

To re-examine the use of noncarbapenems (NCBPs), specifically piperacillin-tazobactam (PTZ) and cefepime (FEP), for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacterales bloodstream infections (ESBL-E BSIs).

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Tertiary-care, academic medical center.

Patients:

The study included patients hospitalized between May 2016 and May 2019 with a positive blood culture for ESBL-E. Patients were excluded if they received treatment with antibiotics other than meropenem, ertapenem, PTZ, or FEP. Patients were also excluded if they were aged <18 years, received antibiotics for <24 hours, were treated for polymicrobial BSI, or received concomitant antibiotic therapy for a separate gram-negative infection.

Methods:

We compared CBPs with FEP or PTZ for the treatment of ESBL-E BSI. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included clinical cure, microbiologic cure, infection recurrence, and resistance development.

Results:

Data from 114 patients were collected and analyzed; 74 (65%) patients received carbapenem (CBP) therapy and 40 (35%) patients received a NCBP (30 received FEP and 10 received PTZ). The overall in-hospital mortality was 6% (N = 7), with a higher death rate in the CBP arm than in the N-CBP arm, (8% vs 3%; P = .42). No difference in mortality was detected between subgroups with Pitt bacteremia score ≥4, those requiring ICU admission, those whose infections were cause by a nongenitourinary source or causative organism (ie, 76 had Escherichia coli and 38 had Klebsiella spp). We detected no differences in secondary outcomes between the groups.

Conclusion:

Compared to CBPs, FEP and PTZ did not result in greater mortality or decreased clinical efficacy for the treatment of ESBL-E BSI caused by susceptible organisms.
Is California’s Electric Vehicle Rebate Regressive? A Distributional Analysis
Authors: Ku Arthur L. , Graham John D.
Published: March 2022

Economic incentives are in widespread use to stimulate the development of the electric vehicle industry. However, the distributional effects of such incentives have been subject to little empirical inquiry. This study examines how California’s electric vehicle rebate program impacts different income groups financially. Two effects are considered: the income distribution of rebate beneficiaries and the income distribution of the rebate payers. The results reveal that the overall net financial impacts of the electric vehicle rebate program are regressive: the benefit distribution is highly regressive while the cost distribution is slightly progressive. Recent efforts to improve the fairness of the rebate program do not alter our findings. Policy implications are discussed.
How to Define Fast and Slow Progressors in Any-Type Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Nomani Ali Z. , Rempel Jeremy L. , Khan Khurshid A. , Shuaib Ashfaq , Jickling Glen C.
Published: March 2022

The variable rate of infarct progression in acute ischemic stroke as assessed by various thresholds excludes a substantial proportion of patients due to time or core constraints. We evaluated 106 patients with any-type occlusion to compare these thresholds and assessed performance of hypoperfusion index (HI) for fast and slow rate of infarct progression. Seven (12.5%) were classified fast progressors and 23 (46%), 25 (50%), 12 (24%), and 33 (66%) slow progressors using different core and time criteria. In comparison, HI categorized 100% (n = 106) of cohort with optimal cutoff 0.5 for any-type occlusion (slow progressors: HI ≤ 0.5), sensitivity/specificity 100%/91%, AUC 0.94, and indicative of eligibility for reperfusion and clinical outcomes (median 90-day modified Rankin Scale; 2 for HI ≤ 0.5 versus 5). Estimation of progressors by HI seems comprehensive but needs external validation.
Bull's eye or typhoon eye? Psychological distress and associated factors in Wuhan and surrounding areas during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gao Haiyan , Chen Xi , Zou Yuchun
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant psychological consequences among the public, especially for people in the epicenter. This study examined the ‘bull's eye’ model by comparing the level of psychological distress and the effect of different stressors in Wuhan (the original epicenter) with that in the surrounding areas in Hubei Province during the pandemic. Data were obtained from a cross-national survey of 10 478 respondents between the ages of 18 and 80 years in Hubei Province during the peak of the pandemic. Results of the ordinary least squares regression models showed that Wuhan residents experienced more psychological distress than those in the surrounding areas. Social and economic problems caused by the pandemic, risk exposure, perceived discrimination, and information-seeking behaviors were positively associated with distress. Social assistance was negatively associated with distress. Findings were consistent with the bull's eye model by revealing both a higher level of psychological distress and a stronger effect of stressors among the Wuhan residents than with those in low-risk areas. Thus, policymakers and psychological workers should provide adequate psychological services in high-risk areas. Lowering risk exposure, reducing discrimination against people in the epicenter, and improving information quality are essential to alleviate their psychological distress.
Power Distribution and Distributive Politics in Local Developmental States: Evidence from China's Subnational Land Fiscalization
Authors: Zhang Qi , Hou Linke
Published: March 2022

Land fiscalization in China is a local development strategy intended to tilt the distribution of interests disproportionately toward local officials. We propose that the degree of power concentration among provincial Chinese leaders affects their need for support from lower-level bureaucrats. The more that power is dispersed among provincial leaders, the more they are incentivized to dispense benefits to local officials. To test this hypothesis, we used provincial-year panel data spanning 2003–2012 to examine how power concentration among provincial leaders affected land fiscalization within their jurisdictions. The empirical results robustly supported the hypothesis.
A new bohaiornithid-like bird from the Lower Cretaceous of China fills a gap in enantiornithine disparity
Authors: Wang Xuri , Cau Andrea , Luo Xiaoling , Kundrát Martin , Wu Wensheng , Ju Shubin , Guo Zhen , Liu Yichuan , Ji Qiang
Published: March 2022

A new enantiornithine, Musivavis amabilis n. gen. n. sp., is reported from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Biota in western Liaoning, China. The new taxon is similar to the bohaiornithids in the robust subconical teeth, bluntly expanded omal ends of the furcula, caudolaterally oriented lateral trabeculae with triangular distal ends of the sternum, and a robust second pedal digit. Yet it differs from members of Bohaiornithidae in several features recalling other enantiornithine lineages, such as the acuminate rostral ramus of maxilla, the shape of the coracoid lateral margin, the presence of craniolateral processes on the sternum, the proportions of the manual phalanges, and the unspecialized third pedal ungual phalanx. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Mesozoic birds shows that homoplasy significantly affects the reconstruction of enantiornithine relationships. When all phylogenetic characters are considered of equal weight, Musivavis is reconstructed in a lineage related to a radiation of large-bodied enantiornithines including Bohaiornithidae and Pengornithidae. Alternative scenarios based on progressive downweighting of the homoplastic characters support more basal placements of the pengornithids among Enantiornithes, but do not alter the affinity of Musivavis as a member of the “bohaiornithid-grade” group.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/617c7062-21ab-4d33-ae80-4edf5a129683
Orchestrating finance with Material Adverse Changes?
Authors: Lalafaryan Narine
Published: March 2022

From a legal and economic perspective, the global financial crisis, terrorist attacks, wars, natural catastrophes, and COVID-19 all have one thing in common: they are potentially ‘material adverse change’ events. Such events are unpredictable and have severe consequences for the global economy. To help manage the fallout from such negative events, businesses in economically valuable and complex deals, such as debt financing or mergers and acquisition (M&A) agreements, include special contractual risk allocation provisions, called Material Adverse Change/Effect (MAC) clauses. The COVID-19 crisis has had a drastic effect on M&A and debt financing deals, often leading to renegotiation and sometimes to litigation of these agreements based on MAC clauses. Termination of such transactions via MAC clauses poses serious risks, including those of causing a domino-effect in the market.

The effects of MAC clauses in debt finance (as opposed to M&A deals), however, have been largely overlooked both in law and in finance. This paper is the first to investigate the pre-contractual (ex-ante) and contractual (ex-post) effects of MAC clauses in commercial debt financing agreements. It proposes a novel Multifunctional Effect Approach of MAC clauses in debt finance. This paper aims to explain why the commercial parties attach high importance to these vague and uncertain MAC clauses in debt financing agreements but hardly ever rely on them. First, the paper argues that apart from acceleration of the credit facilities, MAC clauses have various beneficial effects, such as screening. Secondly, MAC clauses should be regarded not only as mechanisms to solve information asymmetry but also have the following effects: improving governance, decoupling debt, providing restructuring impulses, countering uncertainty, signalling with acceleration. Potentially, MAC clauses also have the effect of a penalty default rule. The paper finds that despite these functions, the potential of MAC clauses in debt finance is not fully utilised, due to the unique characteristics of debt finance. This significantly undermines the efficiency of MAC clauses in debt finance, as lenders overprotect themselves by additionally relying on other contractual protection mechanisms and risk offsetting strategies for more efficiency.
Plant genome sequence assembly in the era of long reads: Progress, challenges and future directions
Authors: Pucker Boas , Irisarri Iker , de Vries Jan , Xu Bo
Published: March 2022

Third-generation long-read sequencing is transforming plant genomics. Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Pacific Biosciences are offering competing long-read sequencing technologies and enable plant scientists to investigate even large and complex plant genomes. Sequencing projects can be conducted by single research groups and sequences of smaller plant genomes can be completed within days. This also resulted in an increased investigation of genomes from multiple species in large scale to address fundamental questions associated with the origin and evolution of land plants. Increased accessibility of sequencing devices and user-friendly software allows more researchers to get involved in genomics. Current challenges are accurately resolving diploid or polyploid genome sequences and better accounting for the intra-specific diversity by switching from the use of single reference genome sequences to a pangenome graph.
GLASS BANGLES IN THE BRITISH ISLES: A STUDY OF TRADE, RECYCLING AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE FIRST AND SECOND CENTURIES AD
Authors: Paynter Sarah , Crew Peter , Campbell Richard , Hunter Fraser , Jackson Caroline
Published: March 2022

Glass bangles are found in southern England and Wales from the mid-first centuryadand become common in the north of England and southern Scotland in the late first century, before their numbers decline a century later. British bangles develop at a time of change, as Roman glassmaking practices were introduced across large areas of Britain, and as blown, transparent, colourless and naturally-coloured glassware became increasingly popular. In many communities, however, there was still a demand for strongly coloured opaque glass, including for bangles, and glassworkers devised ways of extending their supplies of opaque coloured glass. This study is based on over one hundred and fifty analyses of bangle fragments from sites in Wales, northern England and southern Scotland, spanning this transitional period. The bangle makers recycled coloured glass from imported vessels, and probably beads and bangle-making waste, to supplement supplies of fresh coloured glass. The novel methods used to modify and extend the coloured glass may derive from pre-Roman bead-making industries, and made use of widely available materials, including smithing hammerscale and possibly plant ashes. The results show the shifting balance of indigenous and Roman influences on different bangle types, depending on when and where they were made, and by whom.
A data-mining approach for developing site-specific fertilizer response functions across the wheat-growing environments in Ethiopia
Authors: Abera Wuletawu , Tamene Lulseged , Tesfaye Kindie , Jiménez Daniel , Dorado Hugo , Erkossa Teklu , Kihara Job , Ahmed Jemal Seid , Amede Tilahun , Ramirez-Villegas Julian
Published: March 2022

The use of chemical fertilizers is among the main innovations brought by the 1960s Green Revolution. In Ethiopia, fertilizer application during the last four decades has led to significant yield gains, yet yield remains below its potential across much of the country. One of the main challenges responsible for low yield response to fertilizer application has been the use of ‘blanket’ recommendations, whereby no tailoring of fertilizer amount and frequency is done based on soil requirements. As a result, the amount of fertilizer applied ranges widely, and can be either sub- or supra-optimal. There is thus an increasing need for site-specific fertilizer recommendations which take into account site characteristics such as climate variables (temperature, rainfall, and solar radiation); soil factors (soil organic carbon, moisture, pH, texture, cation exchange capacity, and level of macro- and micronutrients); and topographic position indices. This article reports on a data-mining approach we developed on a large dataset of 6585 wheat (Triticum aestivum) field trials. The dataset includes detailed, site-specific biophysical variables to create nutrient response functions that can guide optimal site-specific fertilizer application. The approach used a machine-learning model (random forest) to capture the relationship between nutrients – nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) – and wheat yield. The model explained about 83, 82, 47, and 69% of variances of yield for N, P, K, and S omission, respectively, with consistent performance across training and testing datasets. Expectedly, for N and P omission data, the most important explanatory variables are nutrient rate, followed by soil organic carbon and soil pH. For K and S, however, climatic variables played an important role alongside nutrient rates. The site-specific yield–fertilizer response curves derived from our model are highly variable from location to location, as they are affected by the climatic, soil, or topographic conditions of the site. Importantly, using principal component analysis, we showed that the shape of the fertilizer response curves is a result of the multiple environmental factors (including soil, topography, and climate) that are at play at a given site, rather than of a specific dominant one. The research output is expected to respond to the national policy demands for a sound method to identify the optimal fertilizer rate to increase economic returns of fertilizer investments and take fertilizer utilization research one step further.
Sorghum yield response to NPKS and NPZn nutrients along sorghum-growing landscapes
Authors: Desta Gizaw , Amede Tilahun , Gashaw Tadesse , Legesse Gizachew , Agegnehu Getachew , Mekonnen Kindu , Whitbread Anthony
Published: March 2022

Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is the major cereal crop used as staple crop in the arid and semi-arid regions of Ethiopia. Low sorghum yields are attributed to soil, climate and topographic factors. We investigated sorghum yield response to factorial combination of nitrogen and phosphorous (NP) as well as potassium (K), sulphur (S) and zinc (Zn), and how the position of farmers’ fields belonging to different landscape positions (i.e., upslope, mid-slope, and foot slope) could explain fertilizer response and yield variability. The analysis in this study made use of dataset from two sets of on-farm experiments where trials were set at two farmers’ fields for NPKS and three farmers’ fields for NPZn experiments in each landscape position. The experiments were implemented at two sorghum-growing locations (i.e., Hayk and Sirinka) in parts of the north-eastern Amhara region in Ethiopia. Sorghum yield response to fertilizer application was strongly linked to the spatial variation along landscape positions and varied over locations. Fertilizer response was significantly higher at foot slopes compared to mid-slopes and upslope positions, where fields at foot slopes exhibited relatively homogeneous responses. Application of combined nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers, landscape position and the interaction of fertilizer application and landscape positions strongly affected sorghum yield. There was a linear and significant increase in sorghum yield with the increase in the NP rates. The combined application of NP with different levels of KS as well as NP with Zn fertilizer rates did not result in significant yield difference. The results indicated that local factors were much more influential when accounting for the heterogeneity in sorghum yield response to fertilizer. This further acknowledges the importance of a landscape-based fertilizer management approach to respond yield potential variability related with the farmers’ fields and landscape environment. Further investigation is needed to develop homogeneous fertilizer response units based on spatial variability of soil and topographic attributes along the landscape.
Hawkish Biases and Group Decision Making
Authors: Kertzer Joshua D. , Holmes Marcus , LeVeck Brad L. , Wayne Carly
Published: March 2022

How do cognitive biases relevant to foreign policy decision making aggregate in groups? Many tendencies identified in the behavioral decision-making literature—such as reactive devaluation, the intentionality bias, and risk seeking in the domain of losses—have been linked to hawkishness in foreign policy choices, potentially increasing the risk of conflict, but how these “hawkish biases” operate in the small-group contexts in which foreign policy decisions are often made is unknown. We field three large-scale group experiments to test how these biases aggregate in groups. We find that groups are just as susceptible as individuals to these canonical biases, with neither hierarchical nor horizontal group decision-making structures significantly attenuating the magnitude of bias. Moreover, diverse groups perform similarly to more homogeneous ones, exhibiting similar degrees of bias and marginally increased risk of dissension. These results suggest that at least with these types of biases, the “aggregation problem” may be less problematic for psychological theories in international relations than some critics have argued. This has important implications for understanding foreign policy decision making, the role of group processes, and the behavioral revolution in international relations.
Shareholder Litigation Risk and Firms’ Choice of External Growth
Authors: Huang Chenchen , Ozkan Neslihan , Xu Fangming
Published: March 2022

We provide novel evidence showing that shareholder litigation risk influences firms’ choices of external growth strategies. Using staggered adoption of universal demand (UD) laws, we find that firms under the threat of litigation tend to choose corporate alliances over mergers and acquisitions (M&As). This finding supports the view that alliances offer a low-risk and low-cost alternative to M&As for firms facing litigation risk. Moreover, alliance performance improves after the passage of UD laws, suggesting that firms can make better deal selections under reduced litigation threats. Overall, we establish an unexplored link between litigation risk and firms’ choices of boundary-expanding transactions.
Numerical Simulation Of A Bi-directional Plasma Thruster For Space Debris Removal
Authors: Saini Vinod , Ganesh Rajaraman
Published: March 2022

A spacecraft during mission typically switches from chemical propulsion to electric propulsion once it lifts out of the Earth's gravity as the thrust requirement to drive it reduces substantially. Consequently, electric propulsion technology is commonly used for deep space mission, satellite orbit keeping and orbit correction. In the last few decades, the amount of man-made space junk (space debris) has increased enormously and has become a potential danger for space stations, space shuttles and other live satellites. A bi-directional plasma thruster, mounted on a satellite, can be used to remove space debris during satellite operation (Takahashi et al., Sci. Rep., vol. 8, 2018, p. 14417). A directed ion beam ejected from a plasma thruster imparts a net force on space debris to decelerate and facilitates manoeuvring and re-entry of space debris into the Earth's atmosphere where it can burn out. We present a detailed 1D3V PIC-MCC (particle in cell-Monte Carlo collision) simulation of a bi- directional plasma thruster. To this end, a PIC-MCC solver which resolves thruster axial direction and all three velocity dimensions is used to study a magnetic nozzle plasma thruster with both ends open (bi-directional plasma thruster). We show that such a bi-directional plasma thruster can be used to accelerate–decelerate a live satellite and also to remove space debris by altering the magnetic field spatial profile in the plasma expansion region. A detailed study is presented.
Time delay estimation-based reactionless augmented adaptive sliding mode control of a space manipulator’s pregrasping a target
Authors: Yu Xiaoyan , Guo Jianqiao , Zhang Jianyu
Published: March 2022

Reaction null space (RNS) planning and control of a planar three-link space manipulator’s pregrasping a spinning target are studied. First, the Lagrange dynamic model of the manipulator was established. Second, the RNS motion planning algorithm was derived, and the vector norm constraint algorithm of RNS planning was addressed to ensure certain joint angular acceleration constraints were satisfied. Furthermore, an augmented adaptive sliding mode controller based on time delay estimation (TDE) was proposed. This controller estimated the unknowns of the system by TDE technology, in which accurate and complete dynamics were not required, and an adaptive TDE was introduced to decrease the estimation errors and avoid serious chattering. Finally, numerical simulations were carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed RNS planning and control algorithm.
English in Valletta's Linguistic Landscape: a case of instrumental rationality?
Authors: Sciriha Lydia , Vassallo Mario
Published: March 2022

Cities are the natural homes for linguistic and cultural diversity. Valletta, Malta's capital city and the smallest city in the European Union, is no different. When its foundation stone was laid in 1566 by Grandmaster Jean Parisot de Vallette, it was given the formal title ofHumillima Civitas Valettae, but ‘there is little that is humble about the appearance of Valletta, that city “built by gentlemen for gentlemen”’ (Luke, 1968: 65).
The Knights Templar in English towns
Authors: Lee John S.
Published: March 2022

The Military Order of the Knights Templar acquired property within English towns, established residences and chapels for its brethren there and developed new urban settlements and markets. This article argues that the role that the Templars played as urban landlords in England has been seriously understated, and that the Order made an impact through their urban property holdings, their privileges and their urban chapels, and in establishing new towns, which were integral to the wider exploitation of their rural resources.
Survival benefit from paediatric transplantation in brucellosis-infected patients listed for heart transplantation
Authors: Mahdavi Mohammad , Fallahi Mohammadali , Shahzadi Hossein
Published: March 2022

This article reported two cases of brucellosis in children on the waiting list for a cardiac transplant who have been referred with the diagnosis of Fever of Unknown Origin. The serology was positive and patients were treated with cardiac transplantation in the 6thweek. They had no recurrence or rejection. Therefore, brucellosis should be considered in patients on the waiting list for cardiac transplants.
Gaps in Prehospital Care for Patients Exposed to a Chemical Attack – A Systematic Review
Authors: Bourassa Stephane , Paquette-Raynard Emmanuelle , Noebert Daniel , Dauphin Marc , Akinola Pelumi Samuel , Marseilles Jason , Jouvet Philippe , Leclerc Jacinthe
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

The survivability of mass casualties exposed to a chemical attack is dependent on clinical knowledge, evidence-based practice, as well as protection and decontamination capabilities. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the knowledge gaps that relate to an efficient extraction and care of mass casualties caused by exposure to chemicals.

Methods:

This systematic review was conducted from November 2018 through September 2020 in compliance with Cochrane guidelines. Five databases were used (MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL) to retrieve studies describing interventions performed to treat victims of chemical attacks (protection, decontamination, and treatment). The outcomes were patient’s health condition leading to his/her stabilization (primary) and death (secondary) due to interventions applied (medical, protection, and decontamination).

Results:

Of the 2,301 papers found through the search strategy, only four publications met the eligibility criteria. According to these studies, the confirmed chemical poisoning cases in acute settings resulting from the attacks in Matsumoto (1994), Tokyo (1995), and Damascus (2014) accounted for 1,333 casualties including 11 deaths. No study reported comprehensive prehospital clinical data in acute settings. No mention was made of the integration of specialized capabilities in medical interventions such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination to prevent a secondary exposure. Unfortunately, it was not possible to perform the planned meta-analysis.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated gaps in clinical knowledge application regarding the medical extraction of casualties exposed during a chemical attack. Further research is required to optimize clinical practice integrating mixed capabilities (protection and decontamination) for the patient and medical staff.
Cost-effectiveness of zinc supplementation for prevention of childhood diarrhoea in Tanzania
Authors: Saronga Happiness Pius , Manji Karim , Liu Enju , Duggan Christopher P , Menzies Nicolas A
Published: March 2022

Objective:

To assess the cost-effectiveness of prophylactic Zn supplementation for preventing diarrhoea in young children in Tanzania.

Design:

Cost-effectiveness analysis using decision-analytic modelling. Cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated as the incremental cost (2019 USD) per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted, from a societal perspective, and with a 3 % discount rate applied to future outcomes. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of results to alternative assumptions.

Setting:

Tanzania.

Participants:

A hypothetical cohort of 10 000 children aged 6 weeks to 18 months.

Results:

The intervention costs of Zn supplementation were estimated as $109 800 (95 % uncertainty interval: 61 716, 171 507). Zn supplementation was estimated to avert 2200 (776, 3737) diarrhoeal episodes, 14 080 (4692, 25 839) sick days, 1584 (522, 2927) outpatient visits, 561 (160–1189) inpatient bed days, 0·51 (0·15, 1·03) deaths and 19·3 (6·1, 37·5) DALY (discounted at 3 % per year). Zn supplementation reduced diarrhoea care costs by $12, 887 (4089, 25 058). The incremental cost per DALY averted was $4950 (1678, 17 933). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) estimated from a health system perspective were similar to the results from the societal perspective. ICER were substantially lower (more favourable) when future outcomes were not discounted, but all ICER were above contemporary thresholds for cost-effectiveness in this setting.

Conclusion:

Prophylactic Zn reduced diarrhoea incidence and associated healthcare utilisation; however, it did not appear to be cost-effective for prevention of childhood diarrhoea in the scenario examined in this study. Reducing intervention costs, or identifying high risk groups for intervention targeting, may be needed to improve cost-effectiveness in this setting.
UNHCR and the Algerian war of independence: postcolonial sovereignty and the globalization of the international refugee regime, 1954–63
Authors: Rahal Malika , White Benjamin Thomas
Published: March 2022

The Algerian war of independence (1954-62) was crucial to the extension of the modern international refugee regime beyond Europe. It is also the exemplar of how that regime became a site for the establishment of postcolonial sovereignty, globally. Tunisia and Morocco, newly independent, requested UNHCR’s help in assisting hundreds of thousands of Algerian refugees: interacting with the refugee regime allowed them to establish their credentials as independent states while asserting sovereignty over their own territories. In Algeria, the 1951 Refugee Convention applied before the war started, and UNHCR worked there to support ‘old’ refugees. During the war, the Front de Libération Nationale asserted itself as a state-in-waiting by engaging with UNHCR outside Algeria as the agency coordinated a vast relief operation. After the war, as refugees returned to a landscape riven by mass displacement, interacting with the refugee regime helped the new state assert sovereignty over Algeria’s territory, and Algerian bodies.
The Production Effect Interacts With Serial Positions
Authors: Gionet Sébastien , Guitard Dominic , Saint-Aubin Jean
Published: March 2022

Abstract: Reading some words aloud during presentation, that is, producing them, and reading other words silently generate a large memory advantage for words that are produced. This robust within-list production effect is in contrast with the between-lists condition in which all words are read aloud or silently. In a between-lists condition, produced items are better recognized, but not better recalled. The lack of a between-lists production effect with recall tasks has often been presented as one of its defining characteristics and as a benchmark for evaluating models. Recently, Cyr et al. (2021) showed that this occurs because item production interacts with serial positions: Produced items are less well recalled on the first serial positions than silently read items, while the reverse pattern is observed for the recency portion of the curve. However, this pattern was observed with a repeated-measures design, and it may be a by-product of compensatory processes under the control of participants. Here, using a between-participants design, we observed the predicted interaction between production and serial positions. The results further support the Revised Feature Model (RFM) suggesting that produced items are encoded with more modality-dependent distinctive features, therefore benefiting recall. However, the production of the additional distinctive features would disrupt rehearsal.
Seismic Evidence for Fluid‐Driven Pore Pressure Increase and Its Links With Induced Seismicity in the Xinfengjiang Reservoir, South China
Authors: Dong Shixian , Li Lun , Zhao Lingfeng , Shen Xuzhang , Wang Wentian , Huang He , Peng Borui , Xu Xiao , Gao Rui
Published: March 2022

Xinfengjiang Water Reservoir (XWR), located in the northeast of Guangdong Province, South China, has hosted a large number of earthquakes since its impoundment. In order to understand potential triggering mechanisms of the reservoir‐induced seismicity that could help assess seismic hazard to the Greater Bay Area, the most populated region in China, in this study, we construct a high‐resolution shear‐wave velocity model in shallow crust at depths from surface to ∼10 km based on a high‐density short‐period seismic array recently deployed surrounding the XWR using ambient noise tomography. We image a northwest‐southeast (NW‐SE)‐trending high‐velocity belt at depths of 2–6 km and a relatively low‐velocity channel (LVC) underlying the high‐velocity belt at a depth below 6 km under the XWR. The LVC seems to indicate the existence of a NW‐SE‐trending channel for water infiltration below 6 km under the XWR. Combined with spatiotemporal variation of focal‐depth and frequency of seismicity under the XWR over the past decade, we infer that a NW‐SE‐trending preexisting fault has reactivated due to pore pressure increase via water infiltration from the dam to a recently most active region, Xichang, northwest of XWR. This scenario could possibly explain the occurrence of increasing seismicity in northwest of XWR since 2012. This study highlights the seismic evidence for pore pressure increase due to water infiltration that triggers seismicity and further offers a reference for other forms of fluid‐driven seismicity worldwide.
Experimental ELF/VLF Wave Communication With Excitation by Ionosphere Modulated Heating
Authors: Yang Jutao , Li Qingliang , Lu Hong , Hao Shuji , Chen Jing , Yan Yubo , Wu Jian , Xu Tong
Published: March 2022

In this study, we present experimental results from the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association for communication using extremely low frequency/very low frequency (ELF/VLF) electromagnetic (EM) waves excited via amplitude‐modulated auroral electrojet. EM wave signals with modulation frequencies of 2,017 and 3,517 Hz were encoded by quaternary phase shift keying, and three transmission rates (20, 100, and 400 bps) were selected. By analyzing the ELF/VLF EM wave intensity at the receiver, we found that the relationship between the ELF/VLF wave intensity and natural current intensity was affected by the background ionospheric state. Combined with previously published experimental results from High‐frequency Active Auroral Research Program communications, the relationship between bit error rate (BER) and signal‐to‐noise ratio (Eb/N0) at the receiver was also analyzed. The results showed that when Eb/N0 > 8 dB, BER = 0 and when Eb/N0 < 8 dB, the relationship between BER and Eb/N0 satisfies the complementary error function, and the accurate relationship between them is given via experimental data fitting.
Dissection of molecular and histological subtypes of papillary thyroid cancer using alternative splicing profiles
Authors: Park Jiyeon , Kim Dongmoung , Lee Jin-Ok , Park Hyeon-Chun , Ryu Brian Y. , Kim Ju Han , Lee Sug Hyung , Chung Yeun-Jun
Published: March 2022

Despite growing evidence of the relevance of alternative splicing (AS) to cancer development and progression, the biological implications of AS for tumor behaviors, including papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), remain elusive. With the aim of further understanding the molecular and histological subtypes of PTC, we in this study explored whether AS events might act as new molecular determinants. For this purpose, AS profiles were analyzed in RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and from a Korean patient dataset. A total of 23 distinct exon-skipping (ES) events that correlated significantly with PTC oncogenic activity and differentiation scores were identified. The two top-ranked ES events, NUMA1_17515 in exon 18 of NUMA1 and TUBB3_38175 in exon 6 of TUBB3, showed high correlations with oncogenic activities and discriminated histological and molecular subtypes of PTC. Furthermore, two novel intron-retention (IR) events for TUBB3 were uncovered. All ES and IR events for the TUBB3 gene were predicted to induce nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. The relative abundances of intron reads in the PTC dataset from TCGA showed IR levels to differ significantly among PTC subtypes, possibly reflecting their different tumor behaviors. This study provides a landscape of AS changes among PTC subtypes and identified two significant AS events, NUMA1_17515 and TUBB3_38175, as potential AS biomarkers for PTC subclassification and characterization. The AS events identified in this study may be involved in the development of phenotypic differences underlying the functional characteristics and histological differentiation of PTCs.
Elevated Kir2.1/nuclear N2ICD defines a highly malignant subtype of non-WNT/SHH medulloblastomas
Authors: Wang Yan-Xia , Wu Haibo , Ren Yong , Lv Shengqing , Ji Chengdong , Xiang Dongfang , Zhang Mengsi , Lu Huimin , Fu Wenjuan , Liu Qing , Yan Zexuan , Ma Qinghua , Miao Jingya , Cai Ruili , Lan Xi , Wu Bin , Wang Wenying , Liu Yinhua , Wang Dai-Zhong , Cao Mianfu , He Zhicheng , Shi Yu , Ping Yifang , Yao Xiaohong , Zhang Xia , Zhang Peng , Wang Ji Ming , Wang Yan , Cui Youhong , Bian Xiu-Wu
Published: March 2022

Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common childhood malignant brain tumors (WHO grade IV), traditionally divided into WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4 subgroups based on the transcription profiles, somatic DNA alterations, and clinical outcomes. Unlike WNT and SHH subgroup MBs, Group 3 and Group 4 MBs have similar transcriptomes and lack clearly specific drivers and targeted therapeutic options. The recently revised WHO Classification of CNS Tumors has assigned Group 3 and 4 to a provisional non-WNT/SHH entity. In the present study, we demonstrate that Kir2.1, an inwardly-rectifying potassium channel, is highly expressed in non-WNT/SHH MBs, which promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis by recruiting Adam10 to enhance S2 cleavage of Notch2 thereby activating the Notch2 signaling pathway. Disruption of the Notch2 pathway markedly inhibited the growth and metastasis of Kir2.1-overexpressing MB cell-derived xenograft tumors in mice. Moreover, Kir2.1high/nuclear N2ICDhigh MBs are associated with the significantly shorter lifespan of the patients. Thus, Kir2.1high/nuclear N2ICDhigh can be used as a biomarker to define a novel subtype of non-WNT/SHH MBs. Our findings are important for the modification of treatment regimens and the development of novel-targeted therapies for non-WNT/SHH MBs.