bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National happiness index monitoring using Twitter for bilanguages
Authors: Wang Di , Al-Rubaie Ahmad , Hirsch Benjamin , Pole Gregory Cameron
Published: February 2021

Nowadays, social media have become one of the most important methods of communication that provide a real-time and rich source of information, including sentiments. Understanding the population sentiment is a key goal for organisations and governments. In recent years, quite a lot of research has been done on sentiment analysis from social media. However, all the work in the state of the art is focused on a specific pre-defined subset of tweets, e.g. sentiment analysis via keywords search from tweets for relevant brands, products, services, events and so forth. Monitoring the general sentiment at national level through the whole social media stream is not done due to the challenges of filtering sentiment-irrelevant information, diversity of vocabulary usage in general tweets across topics causing low accuracy and the need for bilingual or multilingual models. This paper proposes a system for general population sentiment monitoring from a social media stream (Twitter), through comprehensive multi-level filters, and our proposed improved latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) (Wang et al. in ACM Trans Internet Technol 18(1):1–23, 2017; Wang and Al-Rubaie in Appl Soft Comput 33:250–262, 2015; https://patents.google.com/patent/US20170293597A1/en) method for sentiment classification. Experiments show that our proposed improved LDA for sentiment analysis yields the best results, and also validate our proposed system for national sentiment monitoring in Abu Dhabi using twitter.
Number and height of unbrowsed saplings are more appropriate than the proportion of browsed saplings for predicting silvicultural regeneration success
Authors: Hagen Robert , Kühl Norbert , Hanewinkel Marc , Suchant Rudi
Published: February 2021

• Key message

The browsing level of oak (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur) and fir (Abies alba) provided only a rough estimate of the expected regeneration success. Thus, it cannot be recommended as a standard measurement to predict forest development, unless the number of saplings and the height of those saplings are considered.

• Context

Browsing by large herbivores may affect regeneration success and forest development, with an impact that lasts for decades.

• Aims

Whether the browsing level of a tree species can be used in forestry as a standard measure to assess whether the target values (for instance regeneration success) of highly selected tree species, such as oak (Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl., Quercus robur (L.)) and fir (Abies alba (Mill.)), will be reached is unclear and need specification.

• Methods

In this study, 985 sampling plots (10 m2) in Southern Germany (Baden-Württemberg) containing browsed and unbrowsed oak and fir-saplings were analysed. Both the browsing level and a measure of the expected regeneration success that considered not only the sapling density but also different height classes (≤ 20 cm; 21–50 cm; 51–130 cm) were calculated.

• Results

The use of the browsing level as a proxy for the expected regeneration success was statistically only partly justified. For fir the relationship between browsing level and expected regeneration success became even weaker for a new indicator variable which considers two height classes rather than one class for saplings exceeding 50 cm (51–80 cm and 81–130 cm).

• Conclusion

According to these results, the browsing level cannot be recommended as a standard measurement and/or predictor of damage, unless the number of saplings and the height of those saplings are considered. Thus, in efforts to mitigate conflicts between foresters and hunters, a measurement is needed that addresses the successful establishment of a sufficient number of trees despite browsing, rather than the browsing of trees alone.
Using multilevel models to evaluate the attitude of separate waste collection in young people
Authors: De Iaco Sandra , Maggio Sabrina
Published: February 2021

Separate waste collection represents one of the necessary conditions to guarantee an efficient protection of the environment. In particular, raising awareness of young people towards eco-sustainable behaviors, such as waste sorting and waste recycling, is an essential target that institutions should pursue in order to contribute to the reduction of the environmental impact of waste. Thus, an appropriate assessment of the determinants which influence environmentally responsible practices is of wide interest, not only for its implications in environmental science, but also in other scientific fields, such as Sociology, Chemistry and Engineering. This paper is focused on an innovative analysis based on the use of multilevel models suitable to evaluate the young people’s attitudes towards waste sorting in three different daily life contexts, i.e. school, family and spare time. A data set regarding a survey on a sample of students attending upper secondary schools, in the Province of Brindisi (Apulia Region), is used.
Wind tunnel measurement of aerodynamic characteristics of trains passing each other on a simply supported box girder bridge
Authors: Li Xiaozhen , Tan Yiling , Qiu Xiaowei , Gong Zhenhua , Wang Ming
Published: February 2021

The aerodynamic performance of high-speed trains passing each other was investigated on a simply supported box girder bridge, with a span of 32 m, under crosswinds. The bridge and train models, modeled at a geometric scale ratio of 1:30, were used to test the aerodynamic forces of the train, with the help of a designed moving test rig in the XNJD-3 wind tunnel. The effects of wind speed, train speed, and yaw angle on the aerodynamic coefficients of the train were analyzed. The static and moving model tests were compared to demonstrate how the movement of the train influences its aerodynamic characteristics. The results show that the sheltering effect introduced by trains passing each other can cause a sudden change in force on the leeward train, which is further influenced by the wind and running speeds. Detailed analyses related to the effect of wind and train speeds on the aerodynamic coefficients were conducted. The relationship between the change in aerodynamic coefficients and yaw angle was finally described by a series of proposed fitting formulas.
Apricot aphid, Myzus mumecola (Matsumura), a new and important pest of apricot in Hungary
Authors: Borbély Csaba , György Zsuzsanna , Szathmáry Erzsébet , Markó Viktor
Published: February 2021

Apricot aphid, Myzus mumecola (Matsumura) (Homoptera: Aphididae), was recorded as a new pest of apricot in Hungary in the spring of 2020. Identification was based on morphological and genetical (mitochondrial COI region) characteristics. M. mumecola most likely arrived in Hungary in the last 2–3 years and has quickly become a widespread pest causing significant damage to young apricot trees. Colony development, damage and differences in susceptibility between cultivars are described. The presence of Plum pox virus in M. mumecola samples was detected, and all isolates belonged to the PPV-D subgroup. Illustrations of the most important diagnostic characters of M. mumecola are provided.
Philosophical foundations for digital ethics and AI Ethics: a dignitarian approach
Authors: Hanna Robert , Kazim Emre
Published: February 2021

AI Ethicsis a burgeoning and relatively new field that has emerged in response to growing concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on human individuals and their social institutions. In turn, AI ethics is a part of the broader field of digital ethics, which addresses similar concerns generated by the development and deployment of new digital technologies. Here, we tackle the important worry that digital ethics in general, and AI ethics in particular, lack adequate philosophical foundations. In direct response to that worry, we formulate and rationally justify some basic concepts and principles for digital ethics/AI ethics, all drawn from a broadly Kantian theory of human dignity. Our argument, which is designed to be relatively compact and easily accessible, is presented in ten distinct steps: (1) what “digital ethics” and “AI ethics” mean, (2) refuting the dignity-skeptic, (3) the metaphysics of human dignity, (4) human happiness or flourishing, true human needs, and human dignity, (5) our moral obligations with respect to all human real persons, (6) what a natural automaton or natural machine is, (7) why human real persons are not natural automata/natural machines: because consciousness is a form of life, (8) our moral obligations with respect to the design and use of artificial automata or artificial machines, aka computers, and digital technology more generally, (9) what privacy is, why invasions of digital privacy are morally impermissible, whereas consensual entrances into digital privacy are either morally permissible or even obligatory, and finally (10) dignitarian morality versus legality, and digital ethics/AI ethics. We conclude by asserting our strongly-held belief that a well-founded and generally-accepted dignitarian digital ethics/AI ethics is of global existential importance for humanity.
Individual Treatment Progress Predicts Satisfaction with Transition-Related Care for Youth with Gender Dysphoria: A Prospective Clinical Cohort Study
Authors: Nieder T.O. , Mayer T.K. , Hinz S. , Fahrenkrug S. , Herrmann L. , Becker-Hebly Inga
Published: February 2021

Background

The number of adolescents presenting with gender dysphoria (GD) in healthcare services has increased significantly, yet specialized services offering transition-related care (TRC) for trans youth is lacking.

Aim

To investigate satisfaction with TRC, regret, and reasons for (dis)satisfaction with transition-related medical interventions (TRMIs) in trans adolescents who had presented to the Hamburg Gender Identity Service for children and adolescents (Hamburg GIS).

Methods

Data were collected from a clinical cohort sample of 75 adolescents and young adults diagnosed with GD (81% assigned female at birth) aged 11 to 21 years (M = 17.4) at baseline and follow-up (on a spectrum of ongoing care, on average 2 years after initial consultation). To determine progress of the youth’s medical transitions, an individual treatment progress score (ITPS) was calculated based on number of desired vs received TRMIs.

Outcomes

Main outcome measures were satisfaction with TRC at the time of follow-up, ITPS, social support, reasons for regret and termination of TRC, and (dis)satisfaction with TRMIs.

RESULTS

Participants underwent different stages of TRMIs, such as gender-affirming hormone treatment or surgeries, and showed overall high satisfaction with TRC received at the Hamburg GIS. Regression analysis indicated that a higher ITPS (an advanced transition treatment stage) was predictive of higher satisfaction with TRC. Sex assigned at birth, age, and time since initial consultation at the clinic showed no significant effects for satisfaction with TRC, while degree of social support showed a trend. No adolescents regretted undergoing treatment at follow-up. Additional analysis of free-text answers highlighted satisfaction mostly with the physical results of TRMI.

Clinical Implications

Because youth were more satisfied with TRC when their individual transition (ITPS) was more progressed, treatment should start in a timely manner to avoid distress from puberty or long waiting lists.

Strengths and Limitations

This study is one of the first to report on treatment satisfaction among youth with GD from Europe. The ITPS allowed for a more detailed evaluation of TRMI wishes and experiences in relation to satisfaction with TRC and may close a gap in research on these treatments in adolescent populations. However, all participants were from the same clinic, and strict treatment eligibility criteria may have excluded certain trans adolescents from the study. Low identification rates with non-binary identities prevented comparisons between non-binary and binary genders.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the role of TRMI and individual treatment or transition progress for youth’s overall high satisfaction with TRC received at the Hamburg GIS.
Pharmacology for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
Authors: Peck Tom , Harris Benjamin
Published: February 2021

The fifth edition of this popular textbook continues to provide a solid foundation of pharmacological knowledge for all those working in anaesthesia and intensive care. The content has been thoroughly revised to include expanded chapters with clearer figures, ensuring readers are kept abreast of the ever-changing landscape of clinical pharmacology. Conveniently divided into four sections covering the basic principles of pharmacology, core drugs in anaesthetic practice, cardiovascular drugs, and other important drugs and complemented by new diagrams, tables and chemical formulae to facilitate learning. All four chapters on core drugs in anaesthetic practice have been updated along with others exploring applied pharmacokinetic models, antimicrobials, and drugs used in diabetes. An ideal aid to study and practice for junior and trainee anaesthetists and intensive care specialists preparing for exams. Also an invaluable resource for theatre practitioners, ICU nurses and physicians working in areas that demand a solid knowledge of pharmacology.
Multi-platform app-embedded model for hybrid air-breathing rocket-cycle engine in hypersonic atmospheric ascent
Authors: Tsentis S.E. , Gkoutzamanis V.G. , Gaitanis A.D. , Kalfas A.I.
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a performance analysis on a novel engine concept, currently under development, in order to achieve hybrid air-breathing rocket technology. A component-level approach has been developed to simulate the performance of the engine at Mach 5, and the thermodynamic interaction of the different working fluids has been analysed. The bypass ramjet duct has also been included in the model. This facilitates the improved evaluation of performance parameters. The impact of ram drag induced by the intake of the engine has also been demonstrated. The whole model is introduced into a multi-platform application for aeroengine simulation to make it accessible to the interested reader. Results show that the bypass duct modelling increases the overall efficiency by approximately 7%. The model calculates the specific impulse at approximately 1800 seconds, which is 4 times higher than any chemical rocket.
Building Inclusive Education Workforce Capability: School Principals’ Perceptions of Roles and Responsibilities
Authors: Duncan Jill , Punch Renee
Published: February 2021

Inclusive education workforce capability is the ability of the education workforce to meet individual student learning needs, regardless of educational context. In this study, we investigated the perceptions of 12 principals in Australian education settings on their views about roles and responsibilities related to the workforce’s preparedness for inclusive education. We used thematic analysis to identify 9 major themes and 3 subthemes across the 3 roles about which participants were asked: the principal’s role, the system’s role, and the teacher registration boards’ role. The findings indicated a number of areas of concern for these principals about ensuring the capability of the education workforce in the context of extensive student diversity. In summary, results indicated that principals, systems, and teacher registration boards each have a role in building inclusive education workforce capability, with a coordinated effort more likely to bring Australia closer to its pledge of inclusive education for all students.
Citizenship, National Identity, and Nation-Building in Azerbaijan: Between the Legacy of the Past and the Spirit of Independence
Authors: Ergun Ayça
Published: February 2021

The aim of this article is to shed light on the process of nation-building and the formation of national identity in post-Soviet Azerbaijan. The peculiarity of Azerbaijani nation-building is that the debates on how to build a nation and define national identity were nourished by two discourses: Azerbaijanism (Azerbaycançılıq) and Turkism (Tűrkçűlűk). The article focuses firstly on the discourses on national identity and nation-building in the pre-independence period while elaborating on the roots and premises of the nationalist independence movement. Secondly, it highlights the discourses of nation-building in the post-independence period while discussing the meanings attributed to national identity and nationhood. It shows how these two discourses shaped the existing identity formation in Azerbaijan with a particular emphasis on citizenship identity, marked by multiculturalism, hospitality, tolerance, and patriotism. Yet one can still categorize the country as having an incomplete nation-building process, due the violation of territorial integrity as a result of the Karabakh conflict.
RE-EVALUATING THE BRONZE AND EARLIEST IRON AGE IN LATVIA: CHANGES IN BURIAL TRADITIONS IN THE LIGHT OF 14C DATES
Authors: Legzdiņa Dardega , Vasks Andrejs , Plankājs Eduards , Zariņa Gunita
Published: February 2021

Until recently, there was a lack of radiocarbon (14C) dates from the Bronze and Earliest Iron Age (1800–500–1 BC) burial sites in Latvia. The chronology of the sites was assessed on the basis of archaeological analogies with neighboring regions and typological studies of the rather meagre grave inventory. In order to establish a firm foundation for an absolute chronology of burial sites and to better understand changes in mortuary practices during the period, sequences of samples from various burial sites have been dated. In this paper we report 48 14C dates from 12 different sites and discuss them in the context of previously established archaeological chronologies. 14C reservoir effects are addressed: regarding FRE, stable isotope analysis is helpful; however, more data should be gathered in future research. In some cases, the new dates are in accord with previous chronologies, while in other cases some widely accepted assumptions may need to be revised. The new dates have proved false several previous assumptions about both the dates of individual graves and whole sites. Based on the 14C dates, we model the chronological spread of burial barrows in Latvia along waterways, the earliest examples appearing in coastal western Latvia.
The conservation research–practice gap: a case study of a threatened bird
Authors: Pérez-Granados Cristian , López-Iborra Germán M.
Published: February 2021

Conservation research is less often applied in practice than is desirable for the optimization of conservation outcomes. We evaluated this conservation research–practice gap for a threatened passerine, Dupont's lark Chersophilus duponti. We reviewed the literature and classified the conservation interventions proposed by scientists as regulation and legislation, monitoring and research, or management. We sent a questionnaire to managers responsible for species conservation, to gather information about the reasons for implementing, or not, each conservation intervention. We found 16 conservation interventions proposed in the literature, of which 13 (81.2%) had been applied by managers at least once. We found a disparity between the frequency of scientific recommendations and the actions implemented by managers: some measures with high scientific consensus were rarely adopted, whereas approaches less frequently proposed by scientists were more often implemented by managers. Regulatory and monitoring/research interventions were applied more often than management interventions, probably because of legal obligations. Management interventions were less frequently implemented, mainly because of time and budget limitations. There was a negative correlation between the number of interventions implemented and the population trend of the species in each region, which suggests that conservation interventions were more commonly implemented when the species was facing local extinction. Our results indicate a mismatch between science and practice for the conservation of Dupont's lark, the reasons for which seem to be diverse and include factors such as financial and time limitations, legal obstacles and managers' perception of extinction risk. An iterative dialogue needs to be initiated between scientists and managers to evaluate the efficacy of interventions implemented, and facilitate evidence-based conservation.
Comparative efficacy and acceptability of expressive writing treatments compared with psychotherapy, other writing treatments, and waiting list control for adult trauma survivors: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Gerger Heike , Werner Christoph Patrick , Gaab Jens , Cuijpers Pim
Published: February 2021

Background

Expressive writing about a traumatic event is promising in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in adult trauma survivors. To date, the comparative efficacy and acceptability of this approach is uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to examine the comparative efficacy and acceptability of expressive writing treatments.

Methods

We included 44 RCTs with 7724 participants contributing 54 direct comparisons between expressive writing (EW), enhanced writing (i.e. including additional therapist contact or individualized writing assignments; EW+), PTSD psychotherapies (PT), neutral writing (NW), and waiting-list control (WL).

Results

EW, EW+, PT, and NW were statistically significantly more efficacious than WL at the longest available follow-up, with SMDs (95% CI) of −0.78 (−1.10 to −0.46) for PT, −0.81 (−1.02 to −0.61) for EW+ , −0.43 (−0.65 to −0.21) for EW, and −0.37 (−0.61 to −0.14) for NW. We found small to moderate differences between the active treatments. At baseline mean PTSD severity was significantly lower in EW+ compared with WL. We found considerable heterogeneity and inconsistency and we found elevated risk of bias in at least one of the bias dimensions in all studies. When EW+-WL comparisons were excluded from the analyses EW+ was no longer superior compared with EW.

Conclusions

The summarized evidence confirms that writing treatments may contribute to improving PTSD symptoms in medium to long-term. Methodological issues in the available evidence hamper definite conclusions regarding the comparative efficacy and acceptability of writing treatments. Adequately sized comparative randomized controlled trials preferably including all four active treatment approaches, reporting long-term data, and including researchers with balanced preferences are needed.
Revisiting Security Council action on terrorism: New threats; (a lot of) new law; same old problems?
Authors: McKeever David
Published: February 2021

The devastating events of 9/11 triggered the adoption of Resolution 1373 (2001) by the UN Security Council, a contentious development which was much debated and was widely seen as presaging a new type of activity by the Security Council – legislating for all UN member states. And yet, in the counter-terrorism sphere at least, the Council’s legislative activity in the years following 9/11 was relatively modest. Both quantitatively and qualitatively, that activity has been far exceeded by the Council’s response to the emergence of ISIL in 2014. This more recent activity is of interest beyond the confines of counter-terrorism, but has received far less scrutiny to date. This article will remedy this gap, revisiting, in light of the recent activity, the relative merits and disadvantages of making counter-terrorism law through Security Council resolutions. It makes two main contentions. The first is that – due to some factors which were anticipated in the early 2000s and many which were not – Security Council resolutions on terrorism constitute a distinctive category of international law-making and pose serious challenges for the application of organizing principles and processes of general international law. The second is that, for these reasons as well as doubts as to the necessity and efficacy of recent action, making counter-terrorism law through Security Council resolutions should be the exception rather than the norm.
LV non-compaction in patients with coarctation of the aorta: prevalence and effects on cardiac function
Authors: Choudhary Preeti , Strugnell Wendy , Puranik Rajesh , Hamilton-Craig Christian , Kutty Shelby , Celermajer David S.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Left ventricular non-compaction has been associated with heart failure, arrhythmia, thromboembolism and sudden death. The prevalence of non-compaction in patients with coarctation of the aorta and its clinical significance remains unknown, although obstructive left heart disease is common in patients with non-compaction. We sought to evaluate the prevalence of left ventricular non-compaction in patients with repaired aortic coarctation as well as its effect on left ventricular size and systolic function.

Methods and results:

In total, 268 patients (Mean age 26 (inter-quartile range 21–37) years, 63% male) undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for clinical follow-up were included from three tertiary centres for adult congenital heart disease. Clinical data was obtained from medical records and correlated with ventricular volumes and function. Left ventricular non-compaction was defined as a diastolic non-compacted:compacted dimension ratio >2.3 in the worst affected segment on a long-axis view. Left ventricular non-compaction was present in 8.2% of patients with repaired coarctation. Left ventricular end-diastolic volumes and stroke volumes were significantly higher in patients with non-compaction compared to those without. There were no significant differences in ventricular mass or ejection fraction in these two groups.

Conclusions:

Left ventricular non-compaction is relatively common in patients with repaired coarctation of the aorta and correlates with increased left ventricular end-diastolic volumes.
Early augmentation by using neuromodulation in psychiatric disorder: a kaleidoscopic view
Authors: Kar Sujita Kumar , Menon Vikas
Published: February 2021

Early augmentation is a relatively newer concept in the management of psychiatric disorders. In managing psychiatric disorders, augmentation strategies are commonly used after failed attempts of optimization of a dose of the medications and then switching to another medication. Neuromodulation methods are recommended by traditional treatment recommendations as augmenting strategies (mostly) in managing treatment-resistant/refractory cases of psychiatric disorders. Late in the process of therapy, several of these techniques are applied to the patient. However, using different neuromodulation techniques, early augmentation of the ongoing pharmacological or psychological treatment may be achieved, resulting in early symptom reduction or remission and early return to work by resuming functionality. The length of the symptomatic cycle may be shortened by early augmentation. There are several potential challenges to adopting an early augmentation strategy in clinical practice. This article discusses the concept and evidence of early augmentation strategy in managing psychiatric disorder by using neuromodulation technique and potential challenges before it.
Cyproheptadine: a psychopharmacological treasure trove?
Authors: Badr Bassem , Naguy Ahmed
Published: February 2021

Cyproheptadine has a unique pharmacologic portfolio that speaks to the idea of a pluripotent molecule beyond an antiallergic agent which can expand its therapeutic potential to address a multitude of psychiatric indications. Here, authors touch on the topic with focused literature review of extant evidence.
A Promising Forecast for Predictive Science
Authors: Stonecash Matthew
Published: February 2021

A new U.S. Geological Survey report outlines how emerging technologies and cross-disciplinary collaborations are expected to empower new tools for managing hazards and resources.
Coastal Flooding Enhances Methane Buildup in Forests
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: February 2021

Increased seawater exposure from flooding and storms is altering how coastal forests cycle methane, leading to more greenhouse gas accumulation in tree stems and soil.
Review of biosensing with whispering-gallery mode lasers
Authors: Toropov Nikita , Cabello Gema , Serrano Mariana P. , Gutha Rithvik R. , Rafti Matías , Vollmer Frank
Published: February 2021

Lasers are the pillars of modern optics and sensing. Microlasers based on whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) are miniature in size and have excellent lasing characteristics suitable for biosensing. WGM lasers have been used for label-free detection of single virus particles, detection of molecular electrostatic changes at biointerfaces, and barcode-type live-cell tagging and tracking. The most recent advances in biosensing with WGM microlasers are described in this review. We cover the basic concepts of WGM resonators, the integration of gain media into various active WGM sensors and devices, and the cutting-edge advances in photonic devices for micro- and nanoprobing of biological samples that can be integrated with WGM lasers.
Author Correction: Laser particles with omnidirectional emission for cell tracking
Authors: Tang Shui-Jing , Dannenberg Paul H. , Liapis Andreas C. , Martino Nicola , Zhuo Yue , Xiao Yun-Feng , Yun Seok-Hyun
Published: February 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-021-00481-1
Metabolism pathways of arachidonic acids: mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets
Authors: Wang Bei , Wu Lujin , Chen Jing , Dong Lingli , Chen Chen , Wen Zheng , Hu Jiong , Fleming Ingrid , Wang Dao Wen
Published: February 2021

The arachidonic acid (AA) pathway plays a key role in cardiovascular biology, carcinogenesis, and many inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, arthritis, etc. Esterified AA on the inner surface of the cell membrane is hydrolyzed to its free form by phospholipase A2 (PLA2), which is in turn further metabolized by cyclooxygenases (COXs) and lipoxygenases (LOXs) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes to a spectrum of bioactive mediators that includes prostanoids, leukotrienes (LTs), epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (diHETEs), eicosatetraenoic acids (ETEs), and lipoxins (LXs). Many of the latter mediators are considered to be novel preventive and therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancers, and inflammatory diseases. This review sets out to summarize the physiological and pathophysiological importance of the AA metabolizing pathways and outline the molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of AA related to its three main metabolic pathways in CVD and cancer progression will provide valuable insight for developing new therapeutic drugs for CVD and anti-cancer agents such as inhibitors of EETs or 2J2. Thus, we herein present a synopsis of AA metabolism in human health, cardiovascular and cancer biology, and the signaling pathways involved in these processes. To explore the role of the AA metabolism and potential therapies, we also introduce the current newly clinical studies targeting AA metabolisms in the different disease conditions.
Ultra-processed food targets bone quality via endochondral ossification
Authors: Zaretsky Janna , Griess-Fishheimer Shelley , Carmi Adi , Travinsky Shmul Tamara , Ofer Lior , Sinai Tali , Penn Svetlana , Shahar Ron , Monsonego-Ornan Efrat
Published: February 2021

Ultra-processed foods have known negative implications for health; however, their effect on skeletal development has never been explored. Here, we show that young rats fed ultra-processed food rich in fat and sugar suffer from growth retardation due to lesions in their tibial growth plates. The bone mineral density decreases significantly, and the structural parameters of the bone deteriorate, presenting a sieve-like appearance in the cortices and poor trabecular parameters in long bones and vertebrae. This results in inferior mechanical performance of the entire bone with a high fracture risk. RNA sequence analysis of the growth plates demonstrated an imbalance in extracellular matrix formation and degradation and impairment of proliferation, differentiation and mineralization processes. Our findings highlight, for the first time, the severe impact of consuming ultra-processed foods on the growing skeleton. This pathology extends far beyond that explained by the known metabolic effects, highlighting bone as a new target for studies of modern diets.
CircRAB11FIP1 promoted autophagy flux of ovarian cancer through DSC1 and miR-129
Authors: Zhang Zhanqin , Zhu Hongtao , Hu Jianguo
Published: February 2021

At present, no systematic and in-depth study is available on the function and potential mechanisms of circular RNA in autophagy. This study aimed to screen the expression profiles of circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA of ovarian cancer cells induced by Torin 1 (10 µM). The expression profiles of circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA were analyzed with next-generation sequencing technology. CircRAB11FIP1 expression was elevated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissues than in normal ovarian tissues. Silencing circRAB11FIP1 inhibited the autophagic flux of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells. However, circRAB11FIP1 overexpression activated the autophagic flux of ovarian cancer A2780 cells. CircRAB11FIP1-induced autophagy accelerated EOC proliferation and invasion. Also, circRAB11FIP1 directly bound to miR-129 and regulated its targets ATG7 and ATG14. CircRAB11FIP1 bound to desmocollin 1to facilitate its interaction with ATG101. Also, circRAB11FIP1 directly bound to the mRNA of fat mass and obesity-associated protein and promoted its expression. Then, circRAB11FIP1 mediated mRNA expression levels of ATG5 and ATG7 depending on m6A. In general, this study demonstrated that circRAB11FIP1 regulated ATG7 and ATG14 by sponging miR-129. The data suggested that circRAB11FIP1 might serve as a candidate biomarker for EOC diagnosis and treatment.
Cancer-associated fibroblast-derived SDF-1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung adenocarcinoma via CXCR4/β-catenin/PPARδ signalling
Authors: Wang Yingyan , Lan Wen , Xu Mingxin , Song Jing , Mao Jun , Li Chunyan , Du Xiaohui , Jiang Yunling , Li Encheng , Zhang Rui , Wang Qi
Published: February 2021

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to tumour epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via interaction with cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying tumour-promoting EMT of CAFs in lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) remain unclear. Here, we observed that CAFs isolated from lung ADC promoted EMT via production of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) in conditioned medium (CM). CAF-derived SDF-1 enhanced invasiveness and EMT by upregulating CXCR4, β-catenin, and PPARδ, while downregulating these proteins reversed the effect. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated CXCR4 knockdown suppressed β-catenin and PPARδ expression, while β-catenin inhibition effectively downregulated PPARδ without affecting CXCR4; however, treatment with a PPARδ inhibitor did not inhibit CXCR4 or β-catenin expression. Additionally, pairwise analysis revealed that high expression of CXCR4, β-catenin, and PPARδ correlated positively with 75 human lung adenocarcinoma tissues, which was predictive of poor prognosis. Thus, targeting the CAF-derived, SDF-1-mediated CXCR4 β-catenin/ PPARδ cascade may serve as an effective targeted approach for lung cancer treatment.
Neuromodulation of the cerebellum rescues movement in a mouse model of ataxia
Authors: Miterko Lauren N. , Lin Tao , Zhou Joy , van der Heijden Meike E. , Beckinghausen Jaclyn , White Joshua J. , Sillitoe Roy V.
Published: February 2021

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) relieves motor dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease, and other movement disorders. Here, we demonstrate the potential benefits of DBS in a model of ataxia by targeting the cerebellum, a major motor center in the brain. We use the Car8 mouse model of hereditary ataxia to test the potential of using cerebellar nuclei DBS plus physical activity to restore movement. While low-frequency cerebellar DBS alone improves Car8 mobility and muscle function, adding skilled exercise to the treatment regimen additionally rescues limb coordination and stepping. Importantly, the gains persist in the absence of further stimulation. Because DBS promotes the most dramatic improvements in mice with early-stage ataxia, we postulated that cerebellar circuit function affects stimulation efficacy. Indeed, genetically eliminating Purkinje cell neurotransmission blocked the ability of DBS to reduce ataxia. These findings may be valuable in devising future DBS strategies.
Layer number dependent ferroelasticity in 2D Ruddlesden–Popper organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites
Authors: Xiao Xun , Zhou Jian , Song Kepeng , Zhao Jingjing , Zhou Yu , Rudd Peter Neil , Han Yu , Li Ju , Huang Jinsong
Published: February 2021

Ferroelasticity represents material domains possessing spontaneous strain that can be switched by external stress. Three-dimensional perovskites like methylammonium lead iodide are determined to be ferroelastic. Layered perovskites have been applied in optoelectronic devices with outstanding performance. However, the understanding of lattice strain and ferroelasticity in layered perovskites is still lacking. Here, using the in-situ observation of switching domains in layered perovskite single crystals under external strain, we discover the evidence of ferroelasticity in layered perovskites with layer number more than one, while the perovskites with single octahedra layer do not show ferroelasticity. Density functional theory calculation shows that ferroelasticity in layered perovskites originates from the distortion of inorganic octahedra resulting from the rotation of aspherical methylammonium cations. The absence of methylammonium cations in single layer perovskite accounts for the lack of ferroelasticity. These ferroelastic domains do not induce non-radiative recombination or reduce the photoluminescence quantum yield.
The HIF-1α antisense long non-coding RNA drives a positive feedback loop of HIF-1α mediated transactivation and glycolysis
Authors: Zheng Fang , Chen Jianing , Zhang Xiaoqian , Wang Zifeng , Chen Jiewen , Lin Xiaorong , Huang Hongyan , Fu Wenkui , Liang Jing , Wu Wei , Li Bo , Yao Herui , Hu Hai , Song Erwei
Published: February 2021

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a master driver of glucose metabolism in cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that a HIF-1α anti-sense lncRNA, HIFAL, is essential for maintaining and enhancing HIF-1α-mediated transactivation and glycolysis. Mechanistically, HIFAL recruits prolyl hydroxylase 3 (PHD3) to pyruvate kinase 2 (PKM2) to induce its prolyl hydroxylation and introduces the PKM2/PHD3 complex into the nucleus via binding with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein F (hnRNPF) to enhance HIF-1α transactivation. Reciprocally, HIF-1α induces HIFAL transcription, which forms a positive feed-forward loop to maintain the transactivation activity of HIF-1α. Clinically, high HIFAL expression is associated with aggressive breast cancer phenotype and poor patient outcome. Furthermore, HIFAL overexpression promotes tumor growth in vivo, while targeting both HIFAL and HIF-1α significantly reduces their effect on cancer growth. Overall, our results indicate a critical regulatory role of HIFAL in HIF-1α-driven transactivation and glycolysis, identifying HIFAL as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Complex plasmon-exciton dynamics revealed through quantum dot light emission in a nanocavity
Authors: Gupta Satyendra Nath , Bitton Ora , Neuman Tomas , Esteban Ruben , Chuntonov Lev , Aizpurua Javier , Haran Gilad
Published: February 2021

Plasmonic cavities can confine electromagnetic radiation to deep sub-wavelength regimes. This facilitates strong coupling phenomena to be observed at the limit of individual quantum emitters. Here, we report an extensive set of measurements of plasmonic cavities hosting one to a few semiconductor quantum dots. Scattering spectra show Rabi splitting, demonstrating that these devices are close to the strong coupling regime. Using Hanbury Brown and Twiss interferometry, we observe non-classical emission, allowing us to directly determine the number of emitters in each device. Surprising features in photoluminescence spectra point to the contribution of multiple excited states. Using model simulations based on an extended Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian, we find that the involvement of a dark state of the quantum dots explains the experimental findings. The coupling of quantum emitters to plasmonic cavities thus exposes complex relaxation pathways and emerges as an unconventional means to control dynamics of quantum states.
Melting of subducted sediments reconciles geophysical images of subduction zones
Authors: Förster M. W. , Selway K.
Published: February 2021

Sediments play a key role in subduction. They help control the chemistry of arc volcanoes and the location of seismic hazards. Here, we present a new model describing the fate of subducted sediments that explains magnetotelluric models of subduction zones, which commonly show an enigmatic conductive anomaly at the trenchward side of volcanic arcs. In many subduction zones, sediments will melt trenchward of the source region for arc melts. High-pressure experiments show that these sediment melts will react with the overlying mantle wedge to produce electrically conductive phlogopite pyroxenites. Modelling of the Cascadia and Kyushu subduction zones shows that the products of sediment melting closely reproduce the magnetotelluric observations. Melting of subducted sediments can also explain K-rich volcanic rocks that are produced when the phlogopite pyroxenites melt during slab roll-back events. This process may also help constrain models for subduction zone seismicity. Since melts and phlogopite both have low frictional strength, damaging thrust earthquakes are unlikely to occur in the vicinity of the melting sediments, while increased fluid pressures may promote the occurrence of small magnitude earthquakes and episodic tremor and slip.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) augments metabolism and virulence expression factors in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Martinez Jasmine , Razo-Gutierrez Chelsea , Le Casin , Courville Robert , Pimentel Camila , Liu Christine , Fung Sammie E. , Tuttobene Marisel R. , Phan Kimberly , Vila Alejandro J. , Shahrestani Parvin , Jimenez Veronica , Tolmasky Marcelo E. , Becka Scott A. , Papp-Wallace Krisztina M. , Bonomo Robert A. , Soler-Bistue Alfonso , Sieira Rodrigo , Ramirez Maria Soledad
Published: February 2021

In a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), multidrug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogen described as an “urgent threat.” Infection with this bacterium manifests as different diseases such as community and nosocomial pneumonia, bloodstream infections, endocarditis, infections of the urinary tract, wound infections, burn infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and meningitis. In particular, nosocomial meningitis, an unwelcome complication of neurosurgery caused by extensively-drug resistant (XDR) A. baumannii, is extremely challenging to manage. Therefore, understanding how A. baumannii adapts to different host environments, such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that may trigger changes in expression of virulence factors that are associated with the successful establishment and progress of this infection is necessary. The present in-vitro work describes, the genetic changes that occur during A. baumannii infiltration into CSF and displays A. baumannii’s expansive versatility to persist in a nutrient limited environment while enhancing several virulence factors to survive and persist. While a hypervirulent A. baumannii strain did not show changes in its transcriptome when incubated in the presence of CSF, a low-virulence isolate showed significant differences in gene expression and phenotypic traits. Exposure to 4% CSF caused increased expression of virulence factors such as fimbriae, pilins, and iron chelators, and other virulence determinants that was confirmed in various model systems. Furthermore, although CSF's presence did not enhance bacterial growth, an increase of expression of genes encoding transcription, translation, and the ATP synthesis machinery was observed. This work also explores A. baumannii’s response to an essential component, human serum albumin (HSA), within CSF to trigger the differential expression of genes associated with its pathoadaptibility in this environment.
Recreation of the periodic table with an unsupervised machine learning algorithm
Authors: Kusaba Minoru , Liu Chang , Koyama Yukinori , Terakura Kiyoyuki , Yoshida Ryo
Published: February 2021

In 1869, the first draft of the periodic table was published by Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev. In terms of data science, his achievement can be viewed as a successful example of feature embedding based on human cognition: chemical properties of all known elements at that time were compressed onto the two-dimensional grid system for a tabular display. In this study, we seek to answer the question of whether machine learning can reproduce or recreate the periodic table by using observed physicochemical properties of the elements. To achieve this goal, we developed a periodic table generator (PTG). The PTG is an unsupervised machine learning algorithm based on the generative topographic mapping, which can automate the translation of high-dimensional data into a tabular form with varying layouts on-demand. The PTG autonomously produced various arrangements of chemical symbols, which organized a two-dimensional array such as Mendeleev’s periodic table or three-dimensional spiral table according to the underlying periodicity in the given data. We further showed what the PTG learned from the element data and how the element features, such as melting point and electronegativity, are compressed to the lower-dimensional latent spaces.
Reconstitution and optimisation of the biosynthesis of bacterial sugar pseudaminic acid (Pse5Ac7Ac) enables preparative enzymatic synthesis of CMP-Pse5Ac7Ac
Authors: Chidwick Harriet S. , Flack Emily K. P. , Keenan Tessa , Walton Julia , Thomas Gavin H. , Fascione Martin A.
Published: February 2021

Pseudaminic acids present on the surface of pathogenic bacteria, including gut pathogens Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori, are postulated to play influential roles in the etiology of associated infectious diseases through modulating flagella assembly and recognition of bacteria by the human immune system. Yet they are underexplored compared to other areas of glycoscience, in particular enzymes responsible for the glycosyltransfer of these sugars in bacteria are still to be unambiguously characterised. This can be largely attributed to a lack of access to nucleotide-activated pseudaminic acid glycosyl donors, such as CMP-Pse5Ac7Ac. Herein we reconstitute the biosynthesis of Pse5Ac7Ac in vitro using enzymes from C. jejuni (PseBCHGI) in the process optimising coupled turnover with PseBC using deuterium wash in experiments, and establishing a method for co-factor regeneration in PseH tunover. Furthermore we establish conditions for purification of a soluble CMP-Pse5Ac7Ac synthetase enzyme PseF from Aeromonas caviae and utilise it in combination with the C. jejuni enzymes to achieve practical preparative synthesis of CMP-Pse5Ac7Ac in vitro, facilitating future biological studies.