bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental and human iodine and selenium status: lessons from Gilgit-Baltistan, North-East Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Saeed , Bailey Elizabeth H. , Arshad Muhammad , Ahmed Sher , Watts Michael J. , Stewart Alex G. , Young Scott D.
Published: May 2021

Iodine and selenium deficiencies are common worldwide. We assessed the iodine and selenium status of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. We determined the elemental composition (ICP-MS) of locally grown crops (n = 281), drinking water (n = 82), urine (n = 451) and salt (n = 76), correcting urinary analytes for hydration (creatinine, specific gravity). We estimated dietary iodine, selenium and salt intake. Median iodine and selenium concentrations were 11.5 (IQR 6.01, 23.2) and 8.81 (IQR 4.03, 27.6) µg/kg in crops and 0.24 (IQR 0.12, 0.72) and 0.27 (IQR 0.11, 0.46) µg/L in water, respectively. Median iodised salt iodine was 4.16 (IQR 2.99, 10.8) mg/kg. Population mean salt intake was 13.0 g/day. Population median urinary iodine (uncorrected 78 µg/L, specific gravity-corrected 83 µg/L) was below WHO guidelines; creatinine-corrected median was 114 µg/L but was unreliable. Daily selenium intake (from urinary selenium concentration) was below the EAR in the majority (46–90%) of individuals. Iodine and selenium concentrations in all crops were low, but no health-related environmental standards exist. Iodine concentration in iodised salt was below WHO-recommended minimum. Estimated population average salt intake was above WHO-recommended daily intake. Locally available food and drinking water together provide an estimated 49% and 72% of EAR for iodine (95 µg/day) and selenium (45 µg/day), respectively. Low environmental and dietary iodine and selenium place Gilgit-Baltistan residents at risk of iodine deficiency disorders despite using iodised salt. Specific gravity correction of urine analysis for hydration is more consistent than using creatinine. Health-relevant environmental standards for iodine and selenium are needed.
Revision of the Conodont Mockina slovakensis and Its Paleogeographic Implications for the Upper Triassic Intraplatform Basins of the Alps
Authors: Du Yixing , Karádi Viktor , Roghi Guido , Ponton Maurizio , Cozzi Andrea , Rigo Manuel
Published: May 2021

Mockina slovakensis, thought to have evolved from Epigondolella praeslovakensis, is an important species of the Norian (Upper Triassic), generally considered as the representative of the uppermost Alaunian to upper Sevatian in the Tethys. The previous description of M. slovakensis was incomplete, thus has led to some misidentifications. We thus update the description of M. slovakensis and discuss its comparisons and occurrence based on the new conodont investigations in Dolomia di Forni and the data from previous literatures. The conodont assemblage in the succession of Dolomia di Forni is dominated by M. slovakensis, along with rare M. postera and E. praeslovakensis. We described two morphotypes of M. slovakensis (morphotypes A and B), on the basis of shape of the lateral profile. These two morphotypes can also be observed in the E. praeslovakensis. Moreover, M. slovakensis is usually documented as almost monospecific conodont association in intraplatform basins, thus its paleogeographic implications are also discussed.
Nanomaterials for subsurface application: study of particles retention in porous media
Authors: Nourafkan E. , Hu Z. , Garum M. , Esmaeili H. , Wen D.
Published: May 2021

The ability to transport nanoparticles through porous media has interesting engineering applications, notably in reservoir capacity exploration and soil remediation. A series of core-flooding experiments were conducted for quantitative analysis of functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles transport through various porous media including calcite, dolomite, silica, and limestone rocks. The adsorption of surfactants on the rock surface and nanoparticle retention in pore walls were evaluated by chemical oxygen demand (COD) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. By applying TiO2 nanoparticles, 49.3 and 68.0 wt.% of surfactant adsorption reduction were observed in pore walls of dolomite and silica rock, respectively. Not surprisingly, the value of nanoparticle deposition for dolomite and silica rocks was near zero, implying that surfactant adsorption is proportional to nanoparticle deposition. On the other hand, surfactant adsorption was increased for other types of rock in presence of nanoparticles. 5.5, 13.5, and 22.4 wt.% of nanoparticle deposition was estimated for calcite, black and red limestone, respectively. By making a connection between physicochemical rock properties and nanoparticle deposition rates, we concluded that the surface roughness of rock has a significant influence on mechanical trapping and deposition of nanoparticles in pore-throats.
The role of pulmonary ORCC and CLC-2 channels in the response to oxidative stress
Authors: Canella Rita , Benedusi Mascia , Martini Marta , Guiotto Anna , Cervellati Franco , Valacchi Giuseppe
Published: May 2021

Background

Exposure of human lung epithelial cells to the oxidant pollutant ozone (O3) alters cell Cl− currents inducing an outward rectifier effect. Among the various Cl− channels, ClC-2 and ORCC seemed to be involved in this response.

Objectives

To identify the channel related to O3 induced current changes.

Results

Down regulating the expression of ORCC and ClC-2 genes and analyzing the membrane current show that the enhancement of the current disappeared when ORCC was silenced. The contribution of ORCC and ClC-2 channels in control and O3 treated cells was obtained by a mathematical approach.

Conclusion

We suggest that O3 activates ORCC channels and slightly inhibited ClC-2 channels in the negative voltage range. These findings open the possibility of identifying the biomolecular changes induced by O3 allowing a possible pharmacological intervention towards chloride current due to oxidative stress.
The applicability of the Eating Disorder Inventory in pregnancy
Authors: Dukay-Szabó Szilvia , Simon Dávid , Varga Márta , Koller Orsolya , Pataki Zoltán , Rigó János , Túry Ferenc
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The aim of our study was validating Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) among pregnant women, who are vulnerable to eating disorders (EDs).

Methods

In 2012–2013, 1146 women (aged 18–47 years) completed a questionnaire including EDI during the first 3 days after delivery. We checked factorial validity of three diagnostic subscales of EDI with confirmative factor analysis and internal validity by Cronbach’s alpha and item-total correlation. We also tested discriminative validity by comparing average of the three subscale of EDI in case of ED and non-ED groups.

Results

When applying the EDI to pregnant women, it seems necessary to exclude five items on three diagnostic subscales: on the Drive for Thinness subscale, 4 items remain (out of 7); on the Bulimia subscale, 6 items remain (out of 7); the Body Dissatisfaction subscale decreases from 9 to 8 items. Cronbach’s alpha and item-total correlation values meet the requirements defined by Garner et al. The internal consistency of the EDI has proved to be appropriate, indicating that it is a reliable screening tool.

Conclusions

Thinking, attitudes, and behaviors connected to eating, along with the relation to altering body weight change during pregnancy. Vomiting usually accompanies pregnancy; body weight gain within wide limits is also regarded as normal during pregnancy. These behaviors and changes are not feasible to use for measuring ED symptoms. These aspects cannot be neglected when screening eating disorders in pregnant women.

Level of evidence

Level IV evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without an intervention.
Virus Disinfection and Population Genetics: Toward the Control of Waterborne Virus Diseases by Water Engineering
Authors: Kadoya Syun-suke , Katayama Hiroyuki , Sano Daisuke
Published: May 2021

Purpose of Review

Major waterborne viruses comprise numerous variants rather than only a master sequence and form a genetically diverse population. High genetic diversity is advantageous for adaptation to environmental changes because the highly diverse population likely includes variants resistant to an adverse effect. Disinfection is a broadly employed tool to inactivate pathogens, but due to virus evolvability, waterborne viruses may not be inactivated sufficiently in currently applied disinfection conditions. Here, by focusing on virus population genetics, we explore possibility and factor of emergence of disinfection sensitivity change.

Recent Findings

To test whether virus population obtains disinfection resistance, the evolutionary experiment developed in the field of population genetics has been applied, indicating the change in disinfection sensitivity. It has been also confirmed that the sensitivity of environmental strains is lower than that of laboratory strains. In some of these studies, genetic diversity within a population less sensitive to disinfection is higher. Researches in virus population genetics have shown the contribution of intra-population genetic diversity to virus population phenotype, so disinfection sensitivity change may attribute to the genetic diversity.

The research elucidating a relationship between virus evolution and disinfection has only recently begun, but significant information about the relationship has been accumulated. To develop an effective disinfection strategy for the control of waterborne virus spread, we need to clarify whether disinfection practice truly affects virus outbreaks by refining both laboratory and field experiments related to virus evolution in the disinfection-exerted environment.
Responses of Vertebrate Wildlife to Oil and Natural Gas Development: Patterns and Frontiers
Authors: Chalfoun A. D.
Published: May 2021

Purpose of Review

Anthropogenic activities can lead to the loss, fragmentation, and alteration of wildlife habitats. I reviewed the recent literature (2014–2019) focused on the responses of avian, mammalian, and herpetofaunal species to oil and natural gas development, a widespread and still-expanding land use worldwide. My primary goals were to identify any generalities in species’ responses to development and summarize remaining gaps in knowledge. To do so, I evaluated the directionality of a wide variety of responses in relation to taxon, location, development type, development metric, habitat type, and spatiotemporal aspects.

Recent Findings

Studies (n = 70) were restricted to the USA and Canada, and taxonomically biased towards birds and mammals. Longer studies, but not those incorporating multiple spatial scales, were more likely to detect significant responses. Negative responses of all types were present in relatively low frequencies across all taxa, locations, development types, and development metrics but were context-dependent. The directionality of responses by the same species often varied across studies or development metrics.

The state of knowledge about wildlife responses to oil and natural gas development has developed considerably, though many biases and gaps remain. Studies outside of North America and that focus on herpetofauna are lacking. Tests of mechanistic hypotheses for effects, long-term studies, assessment of response thresholds, and experimental designs that isolate the effects of different stimuli associated with development, remain critical. Moreover, tests of the efficacy of habitat mitigation efforts have been rare. Finally, investigations of the demographic effects of development across the full annual cycle were absent for non-game species and are critical for the estimation of population-level effects.
The Szemerédi–Petruska conjecture for a few small values
Authors: Jobson Adam S. , Kézdy André E. , Lehel Jenő
Published: May 2021

Let H be a 3-uniform hypergraph of order n with clique number $$\omega (H)=k$$

ω
(
H
)
=
k

. Assume that the union of the k-cliques of H equals its vertex set, the intersection of all maximum cliques of H is empty, but the intersection of all but one k-clique is non-empty. For fixed $$m=n-k$$

m
=
n
-
k

, Szemerédi and Petruska conjectured the sharp bound $$n\hbox {\,\,\char 054\,\,}{m+2\atopwithdelims ()2}$$

n

6

m
+
2

2

. In this note the conjecture is verified for $$m=2,3$$

m
=
2
,
3

and 4.
Migration Between Indian Reserves and Off-Reserve Areas: an Exploratory Analysis Using Census Data Linkage
Authors: Morency Jean-Dominique , Dion Patrice , Grondin Chantal
Published: May 2021

New data linkages between censuses show that migration flows between Indian reserves and off-reserve areas from 2006 to 2011 and from 2011 to 2016 resulted in negative net migration for Indian reserves, meaning that—overall—more people left Indian reserves than entered them. These results differ from the portrait shown by the retrospective information from the 2011 and 2016 censuses, which indicates positive net migration for Indian reserves. A comparison of the information in the two sources revealed two types of inconsistencies that contributed to the observed differences: (1) inconsistencies in migrant status, and (2) inconsistencies in the origin location of migrants, i.e., the retrospective information about a migrant’s place of residence 5 years earlier does not match the place where the migrant was enumerated in the previous census. Results from this paper suggest that there are limitations to using retrospective information on the place of residence 5 years prior to a census to derive estimates of internal migration flows for small geographic areas, such as Indian reserves. New data linkages are a source of information that can be used to validate and improve these estimates, as well as to derive alternative estimates. However, data linkages also have limitations and require careful preparation before use, particularly when it comes to calculating weights to accurately account for unlinked records.
Smoothness of Orlicz function spaces equipped with the p-Amemiya norm
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Cui Yunan , Wisla Marek
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we will use the convex modular $$\rho ^{*}(f)$$

ρ

∗

(
f
)

to investigate $$\Vert f\Vert _{\Psi ,q}^{*}$$

‖
f
‖

Ψ
,
q

∗

on $$(L_{\Phi })^{*}$$

(

L
Φ

)

∗

defined by the formula $$\Vert f\Vert _{\Psi ,q}^{*}=\inf _{k>0}\frac{1}{k}s_{q}(\rho ^{*}(kf))$$

‖
f
‖

Ψ
,
q

∗

=

inf

k
>
0

1
k

s
q

(

ρ

∗

(
k
f
)

)

, which is the norm formula in Orlicz dual spaces equipped with p-Amemiya norm. The attainable points of dual norm $$\Vert f\Vert _{\Psi ,q}^{*}$$

‖
f
‖

Ψ
,
q

∗

are discussed, the interval for dual norm $$\Vert f\Vert _{\Psi ,q}^{*}$$

‖
f
‖

Ψ
,
q

∗

attainability is described. By presenting the explicit form of supporting functional, we get sufficient and necessary conditions for smooth points. As a result, criteria for smoothness of $$L_{\Phi ,p}~(1\le p\le \infty )$$

L

Φ
,
p

(
1
≤
p
≤
∞
)

is also obtained. The obtained results unify, complete and extended as well the results presented by a number of paper devoted to studying the smoothness of Orlicz spaces endowed with the Luxemburg norm and the Orlicz norm separately.
SLA Applied
Authors: Tomlinson Brian , Masuhara Hitomi
Published: May 2021

This singular new textbook is both an introduction to the major theories of second language acquisition and a practical proposal for their application to language learning courses. It explains and evaluates these theories, and focuses on recent research that has enriched thinking about the best ways to facilitate communicative effectiveness in an L2. It then suggests practical applications regarding language planning, curriculum development, pedagogy, materials development, teacher development, and assessment, establishing a tangible connection between theory and practice. Unlike many SLA books which are narrowly focused on the acquisition of language, it explores the roles of factors such as pragmatics, para-linguistic signals, gesture, semiotics, multi-modality, embodied language, and brain activity in L2 communication.
SLA Applied connects research-based theories to the authors' and students' real-life experiences in the classroom, and stimulates reflection and creativity through the inclusion of Readers' Tasks in every chapter. This engaging and relevant text is suitable for students in Applied Linguistics or TESOL courses, trainee teachers, researchers, and practitioners.
Music and Power at the Court of Louis XIII
Authors: Bennett Peter
Published: May 2021

What role did sacred music play in mediating Louis XIII's grip on power in the early seventeenth century? How can a study of music as 'sounding liturgy' contribute to the wider discourse on absolutism and 'the arts' in early modern France? Taking the scholarship of the so-called 'ceremonialists' as a point of departure, Peter Bennett engages with Weber's seminal formulation of power to consider the contexts in which liturgy, music and ceremonial legitimated the power of a king almost continuously engaged in religious conflict. Numerous musical settings show that David, the psalmist, musician, king and agent of the Holy Spirit, provided the most enduring model of kingship; but in the final decade of his life, as Louis dedicated the Kingdom to the Virgin Mary, the model of 'Christ the King' became even more potent – a model reflected in a flowering of musical publication and famous paintings by Vouet and Champaigne.
Organic Rankine cycle for turboprop engine application
Authors: Pateropoulos G.E. , Efstathiadis T.G. , Kalfas A.I.
Published: May 2021

The potential to recover waste heat from the exhaust gases of a turboprop engine and produce useful work through an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is investigated. A thermodynamic analysis of the engine’s Brayton cycle is derived to determine the heat source available for exploitation. The aim is to use the aircraft engine fuel as the working fluid of the organic Rankine cycle in order to reduce the extra weight of the waste heat recovery system and keep the thrust-to-weight ratio as high as possible. A surrogate fuel with thermophysical properties similar to aviation gas turbine fuel is used for the ORC simulation. The evaporator design as well as the weight minimisation and safety of the suggested application are the most crucial aspects determining the feasibility of the proposed concept. The results show that there is potential in the exhaust gases to produce up to 50kW of power, corresponding to a 10.1% improvement of the overall thermal efficiency of the engine.
Aerodynamics of a wing under figure-of-eight flapping motion: FSI simulations
Authors: Chu Y.-J. , Liew H.-L. , Ganesan P. Balan
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates the aerodynamics of a wing under figure-of-eight flapping motion based on Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The kinematic of a wing under figure-of-eight motion creates a condition with a variable angle-of-attack. The effect of using different angles of attack at an initial condition, namely initial pitch angles, for the wing and the spatial size of the figure-of-eight pattern, namely the input link angle, is investigated. The initial pitch angles input is varied from 0° to 330° in steps of 30°, and the input link angles used are 30°, 45°, and 60°. The Young’s modulus of the wing is 3.4 GPa spanwise, which is the elastic modulus of balsa wood material. In comparison with an initial pitch angle of 0°, the 90° initial pitch angle shows much better flight performance in terms of lift generated and stability. The results show that the maximum average lift coefficient of 0.393 occurs at the 90° initial pitch angle. The maximum lift-induced moment for the 90° initial pitch angle is only 5.55% of the maximum lift induced moment for the 0° initial pitch angle. A higher input link angle generates a greater lift force. The pressure distribution in the vicinity of the wing area and the von Mises stress of the wing are also presented.
The study of variability in engineering design—An appreciation and a retrospective
Authors: Davis Timothy Peter
Published: May 2021

We explore the concept of parameter design applied to the production of glass beads in the manufacture of metal-encapsulated transistors. The main motivation is to complete the analysis hinted at in the original publication by Jim Morrison in 1957, which was an early example of discussing the idea of transmitted variation in engineering design, and an influential paper in the development of analytic parameter design as a data-centric engineering activity. Parameter design is a secondary design activity focused on selecting the nominals of the design variables to achieve the required target performance and to simultaneously reduce the variance around the target. Although the 1957 paper is not recent, its approach to engineering design is modern.
Onn-dependent groups and fields II
Authors: Chernikov Artem , Hempel Nadja
Published: May 2021

We continue the study ofn-dependent groups, fields and related structures, largely motivated by the conjecture that everyn-dependent field is dependent. We provide evidence toward this conjecture by showing that every infiniten-dependent valued field of positive characteristic is henselian, obtaining a variant of Shelah’s Henselianity Conjecture in this case and generalizing a recent result of Johnson for dependent fields. Additionally, we prove a result on intersections of type-definable connected components over generic sets of parameters inn-dependent groups, generalizing Shelah’s absoluteness of$G^{00}$in dependent theories and relative absoluteness of$G^{00}$in$2$-dependent theories. In an effort to clarify the scope of this conjecture, we provide new examples of strictly$2$-dependent fields with additional structure, showing that Granger’s examples of non-degenerate bilinear forms over dependent fields are$2$-dependent. Along the way, we obtain some purely model-theoretic results of independent interest: we show thatn-dependence is witnessed by formulas with all but one variable singletons; provide a type-counting criterion for$2$-dependence and use it to deduce$2$-dependence for compositions of dependent relations with arbitrary binary functions (the Composition Lemma); and show that an expansion of a geometric theoryTby a generic predicate is dependent if and only if it isn-dependent for somen, if and only if the algebraic closure inTis disintegrated. An appendix by Martin Bays provides an explicit isomorphism in the Kaplan-Scanlon-Wagner theorem.
Saetaspongia sponges from the Cambrian (Stage 4) Balang Formation of Guizhou, China
Authors: Ling Chenchen , Peng Jin , Zhang Hui , Wang Yifan , Shao Yunbin , Sun Quanyi , Wang Qiujun
Published: May 2021

Saetaspongia so far cannot be confidently assigned to any class-level crown group. Clarifying its phylogenetic position requires new information provided by more detailed studies of previously described and/or new material. Some sponge fossils with the typical skeletal architecture of Saetaspongia have recently been recognized in the Cambrian (Stage 4) Balang Biota of Guizhou, China, including S. jianhensis new species and S. cf. S. densa. The new taxon is characterized by the following features: spicules are fine monaxons and are inclined to be loosely to densely arranged into plumose arrays; skeleton is composed primarily of one major plumose bundle, with an uncertain number (perhaps two) of small plumose arrays; and primary skeleton is occasionally interspersed with some irregularly oriented individual spicules. An additional specimen consisting of large monaxons, with plumose structures and overlying irregular coarse monaxons, closely fits the description and illustrations of previously described S. cf. S. densa. By combining information from previous studies and the present research, fossil evidence indicates that the plumose architecture is a critical feature diagnostic of Saetaspongia and that there are no hexactine-based spicules in this genus. The new material from the Balang Biota further supports the notion that Saetaspongia has a protomonaxonid rather than a hexactinellid affinity. Fossil evidence suggests that Saetaspongia had a wide biogeographic distribution during the early Cambrian and the stratigraphic distribution of this genus extends up to Stage 4.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/e9ca5e4a-134c-4daa-9266-19085e32614f.
Co-occurrence of Eutrombicula alfreddugesi and Oswaldofilaria chabaudi in Tropidurus torquatus and first report of microfilariae in the chigger mite: possible evidence of a lifecycle pathway?
Authors: Alves P.V. , Gomides S.C. , Pereira F.B.
Published: May 2021

While much attention has been paid to vector-borne filariasis, diseases that threaten millions of people in tropical and subtropical countries, the literature on host–parasite associations and transmission strategies of filarial nematodes in wildlife is scarce. Here, we report the co-occurrence of chigger mites (Eutrombicula alfreddugesi) and onchocercid nematodes (Oswaldofilaria chabaudi) parasitizing the lizard Tropidurus torquatus in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Examination of chiggers established, for the first time, the occurrence of microfilariae in trombiculid mites (Trombiculidae). These larvae were morphologically similar to those recovered from adult females of O. chabaudi. The current evidence suggests that chiggers do not play a role in the transmission of filarioid nematodes, but rather act as accidental or dead-end hosts. Nevertheless, considering the polyphagous nature of trombiculid mites, similar to blood-sucking insects involved in the transmission of several infectious diseases, further studies may shed light on the potential role of chiggers as vectors of filarioids.
Destabilization of super-rotating Taylor–Couette flows by current-free helical magnetic fields
Authors: Rüdiger G. , Schultz M. , Hollerbach R.
Published: May 2021

In an earlier paper we showed that the combination of azimuthal magnetic fields and super-rotation in Taylor–Couette flows of conducting fluids can be unstable against non-axisymmetric perturbations if the magnetic Prandtl number of the fluid is

$\textrm {Pm}\neq 1$

. Here we demonstrate that the addition of a weak axial field component allows axisymmetric perturbation patterns for

$\textrm {Pm}$

of order unity depending on the boundary conditions. The axisymmetric modes only occur for magnetic Mach numbers (of the azimuthal field) of order unity, while higher values are necessary for the non-axisymmetric modes. The typical growth time of the instability and the characteristic time scale of the axial migration of the axisymmetric mode are long compared with the rotation period, but short compared with the magnetic diffusion time. The modes travel in the positive or negative

$z$

direction along the rotation axis depending on the sign of

$B_\phi B_z$

. We also demonstrate that the azimuthal components of flow and field perturbations travel in phase if

$|B_\phi |\gg |B_z|$

, independent of the form of the rotation law. Within a short-wave approximation for thin gaps it is also shown (in an appendix) that for ideal fluids the considered helical magnetorotational instability only exists for rotation laws with negative shear.
Electron runaway in ASDEX Upgrade experiments of varying core temperature
Authors: Linder O. , Papp G. , Fable E. , Jenko F. , Pautasso G. ,   the ASDEX Upgrade Team,   the EUROfusion MST1 Team
Published: May 2021

The formation of a substantial postdisruption runaway electron current in ASDEX Upgrade material injection experiments is determined by avalanche multiplication of a small seed population of runaway electrons. For the investigation of these scenarios, the runaway electron description of the coupled 1.5-D transport solvers ASTRA-STRAHL is amended by a fluid model describing electron runaway caused by the hot-tail mechanism. Applied in simulations of combined background plasma evolution, material injection and runaway electron generation in ASDEX Upgrade discharge #33108, both the Dreicer and hot-tail mechanism for electron runaway produce only

${\sim }$

3 kA of runaway current. In colder plasmas with core electron temperatures

$T_\textrm {e,c}$

below 9 keV, the postdisruption runaway current is predicted to be insensitive to the initial temperature, in agreement with experimental observations. Yet in hotter plasmas with

$T_\textrm {e,c}$

above 10 keV, hot-tail runaway can be increased by up to an order of magnitude, contributing considerably to the total postdisruption runaway current. In ASDEX Upgrade high-temperature runaway experiments, however, no runaway current is observed at the end of the disruption, despite favourable conditions for both primary and secondary runaway.
The Neglected North Korean Crisis: Women's Rights
Authors: Kim Sea Young , Easley Leif-Eric
Published: May 2021

North Korea references gender equality in its socialist constitution, but the de facto social and legal circumstances that women face in the country are far below the de jure status they are purported to enjoy. North Korean women endure extremely low public health standards and pervasive harassment. Yet their growing market power and social influence are underestimated. Women account for the majority of North Korean border crossers, and their informal economic activities are supporting families while modernizing the economy. This essay examines the dangers of exploitation that North Korean women face and highlights the ethical and legal imperatives of supporting their roles in marketizing the economy and liberalizing the society in one of the worst human rights–violating states. Women are North Korea's most deserving recipients of international assistance and the country's most promising partners to the world.
Iron Age Mnemonics: A Biographical Approach to Dwelling in Later Prehistoric Britain
Authors: Büster Lindsey
Published: May 2021

Domestic architecture played a central role in the identity of later prehistoric communities, particularly in creating lasting bonds between the living and the dead. Acting as a conduit of memory and legacy for successive generations of inhabitants, roundhouses straddled the divide between house and memorial. The exceptionally well preserved Late Iron Age settlement at Broxmouth in southeast Scotland demonstrates the potential of biographical approaches in understanding the central role that roundhouses played in fashioning the identity of successive households, and the role of objects in constructing genealogical narratives.
The Expansion of Consumer Credit in Italy and the Main Euro Area Countries
Authors: Magri Silvia , Michelangeli Valentina , Pastorelli Sabrina , Pico Raffaella
Published: May 2021

Since 2015, consumer loans have been rising fast in France, Germany, Spain and Italy. This article aims to provide broad evidence of the differences across countries in light of the recent consumer credit growth, exploring demand and supply factors typically related to this type of loan, and assessing the building up of financial risks. The expansion was connected in all countries with the increasing credit demand, specifically for consumer durables, and – for Italy and Spain, which experienced stronger credit tightening during the past crises – also with the easing of supply conditions. Risks stemming from the growth of consumer credit are mitigated by its lower incidence, compared with mortgages, on households’ total debt and income; exposure to interest rate risk is also decreasing owing to the high share of fixed-rate contracts. There is wide risk heterogeneity across countries, with Italy and Spain having the highest share of delinquent households (even for fewer than 90 days). In Italy, however, debt is increasingly concentrated among more affluent households, which are better able to withstand negative economic shocks. This trend is sustaining the drop in the ratio ofnewnon-performing consumer loans.
Note of further research
Authors: KRAKOWSKI EVE , STERN SACHA
Published: May 2021

Our article in this issue, “The ‘oldest dated document of the Cairo Genizah’ (Halper 331): The Seleucid era and sectarian Jewish calendars,” examines a fragment of parchment bearing a short text dated to the year 870/1 ce. One of the article's arguments concerns the protective formulas that appear in this fragment—“With a good sign for us and for all Israel, at a good hour, with an upright horn, (under) a high constellation, (so) may it be for us and for all Israel!” Similar formulas appear at the start of later Jewish marriage contracts (ketubbot) preserved in the Genizah (and later, elsewhere). But we suggest that in the ninth century, such formulas were not necessarily distinctive to ketubbot, and that Halper 331 may contain the text of some other type of legal document. In support of this suggestion, we noted two other non-ketubbah texts from the tenth century that feature similar formulas, including an inscription within a lectionary containing readings from the Prophets (haftarot) that was written in 924.
Compact stepped slot antenna for ultra-wideband applications
Authors: Hammache B. , Messai A. , Messaoudene I. , Denidni T. A.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, a compact stepped slot antenna for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications is proposed. A very small size and UWB bandwidth operation are achieved by integrating a stepped slot in the back side of the antenna. This stepped slot is excited by using a 50 Ω-feed line in the top side of the antenna. The antenna is characterized by an impedance bandwidth between 3.05 GHz and more than 12 GHz. The dimensions of the antenna are 17 mm × 8 mm × 1.27 mm, which leads to the most compact size compared with other works in the literature. The integrated stepped slot is divided into additional elementary slots, where each elementary slot has a matching point. Adding these elementary slots allows to increase further the operating bandwidth. The radiation pattern of the compact stepped slot antenna is omnidirectional in the H-plane and bidirectional in the E-plane. The measurement results agree well with the simulated ones in terms of impedance matching and radiation pattern.
Electron Diffusion and Advection During Nonlinear Interactions With Whistler‐Mode Waves
Authors: Allanson O. , Watt C. E. J. , Allison H. J. , Ratcliffe H.
Published: May 2021

Radiation belt codes evolve electron dynamics due to resonant wave‐particle interactions. It is not known how to best incorporate electron dynamics in the case of a wave power spectrum that varies considerably on a “sub‐grid” timescale shorter than the computational time‐step of the radiation belt model ΔtRBM, particularly if the wave amplitude reaches high values. Timescales associated with the growth rate of thermal instabilities are very short, and are typically much shorter than ΔtRBM. We use a kinetic code to study electron interactions with whistler‐mode waves in the presence of a thermally anisotropic background. For “low” values of anisotropy, instabilities are not triggered and we observe similar results to those obtained in Allanson et al. (2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA027949), for which the diffusion roughly matched the quasilinear theory over short timescales. For “high” levels of anisotropy, wave growth via instability is triggered. Dynamics are not well described by the quasilinear theory when calculated using the average wave power. Strong electron diffusion and advection occur during the growth phase (≈100 ms). These dynamics “saturate” as the wave power saturates at ≈ 1 nT, and the advective motions dominate over the diffusive processes. The growth phase facilitates significant advection in pitch angle space via successive resonant interactions with waves of different frequencies. We suggest that this rapid advective transport during the wave growth phase may have a role to play in the electron microburst mechanism. This motivates future work on macroscopic effects of short‐timescale nonlinear processes in radiation belt modeling.
Evidence for Decreased Precipitation Variability in the Yucatán Peninsula During the Mid‐Holocene
Authors: Serrato Marks Gabriela , Medina‐Elizalde Martín , Burns Stephen , Weldeab Syee , Lases‐Hernandez Fernanda , Cazares Gabriela , McGee David
Published: May 2021

The Yucatán Peninsula (YP) has a complex hydroclimate with many proposed drivers of interannual and longer‐term variability, ranging from coupled ocean–atmosphere processes to frequency of tropical cyclones. The mid‐Holocene, a time of higher Northern Hemisphere summer insolation, provides an opportunity to test the relationship between YP precipitation and ocean temperature. Here, we present a new, ∼annually resolved speleothem record of stable isotope (δ18O and δ13C) and trace element (Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca) ratios for a section of the mid‐Holocene (5.2–5.7 kyr BP), before extensive agriculture began in the region. A meter‐long stalagmite from Río Secreto, a cave system in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, was dated using U–Th geochronology and layer counting, yielding multidecadal age uncertainty (median 2SD of ±70 years). New proxy data were compared to an existing late Holocene stalagmite record from the same cave system, allowing us to examine changes in hydrology over time and to paleoclimate records from the southern YP. The δ18O, δ13C, and Mg/Ca data consistently indicate higher mean precipitation and lower precipitation variability during the mid‐Holocene compared to the late Holocene. Despite this reduced variability, multidecadal precipitation variations were persistent in regional hydroclimate during the mid‐Holocene. We therefore conclude that higher summer insolation led to increased mean precipitation and decreased precipitation variability in the northern YP but that the region is susceptible to dry periods across climate mean states. Given projected decreases in wet season precipitation in the YP’s near future, we suggest that climate mitigation strategies emphasize drought preparation.
Detrusor sphincter dyssynergia: can a more specific definition distinguish between patients with and without an underlying neurological disorder?
Authors: Gross Oliver , Leitner Lorenz , Rasenack Maria , Schubert Martin , Kessler Thomas M.
Published: May 2021

Study design

Cross-sectional study.

Objectives

To evaluate if specific definitions of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) might distinguish between individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and those with no underlying neurological disorder (NO ND).

Setting

Single tertiary university SCI center.

Methods

A series of 153 individuals, 81 with traumatic SCI and 72 with NO ND, were prospectively evaluated and included in this study. All individuals underwent a clinical neuro-urological examination, a neurophysiological work-up and a video-urodynamic investigation and were diagnosed with DSD as defined by the International Continence Society (ICS). We determined the DSD grades/types according to the classifications by Yalla (grade 1–3), Blaivas (type 1–3) and Weld (type 1–2). Distribution of the DSD grades/types were compared between SCI and NO ND individuals. Associations between the various DSD grades/types and clinical parameters, such as risk factors for upper urinary tract damage (all individuals) or lower extremity motor scores, SCI injury levels and severity scores (only SCI group), were assessed.

Results

The distribution of all DSD types were similar between groups (p > 0.05). None of the DSD classifications allowed risk assessment for upper urinary tract damage. A significant association between DSD type and other clinical parameters could not be found (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

None of the investigated DSD definitions can distinguish between patients with SCI and with NO ND. The more complex DSD classifications by Yalla, Blaivas or Weld cannot compete with the ICS binary yes-no definition which is pragmatic and straightforward for managing patients in daily clinical practice.

Sponsorship

None.
Suppression of USP7 induces BCR-ABL degradation and chronic myelogenous leukemia cell apoptosis
Authors: Jiang Shuoyi , Wang Xiaoge , He Yuanming , Huang Hongbiao , Cao Biyin , Zhang Zubin , Liu Jinbao , Wang Qi , Huang Zhenqian , Mao Xinliang
Published: May 2021

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal malignancy of hematopoietic stem cells featured with the fusion protein kinase BCR-ABL. To elicit the mechanism underlying BCR-ABL stability, we perform a screen against a panel of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) and find that the ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) drastically stabilizes the BCR-ABL fusion protein. Further studies show that USP7 interacts with BCR-ABL and blocks its polyubiquitination and degradation. Moreover, USP7 knockdown triggers BCR-ABL degradation and suppresses its downstream signaling transduction. In line with this finding, genetic or chemical inhibition of USP7 leads to BCR-ABL protein degradation, suppresses BCR/ABL signaling, and induces CML cell apoptosis. Furthermore, we find the antimalarial artesunate (ART) significantly inhibits USP7/BCR-ABL interaction, thereby promoting BCR-ABL degradation and inducing CML cell death. This study thus identifies USP7 as a putative Dub of BCR-ABL and provides a rationale in targeting USP7/BCR-ABL for the treatment of CML.
A peptidoglycan storm caused by β-lactam antibiotic’s action on host microbiota drives Candida albicans infection
Authors: Tan Chew Teng , Xu Xiaoli , Qiao Yuan , Wang Yue
Published: May 2021

The commensal fungus Candida albicans often causes life-threatening infections in patients who are immunocompromised with high mortality. A prominent but poorly understood risk factor for the C. albicans commensal‒pathogen transition is the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Here, we report that β-lactam antibiotics cause bacteria to release significant quantities of peptidoglycan fragments that potently induce the invasive hyphal growth of C. albicans. We identify several active peptidoglycan subunits, including tracheal cytotoxin, a molecule produced by many Gram-negative bacteria, and fragments purified from the cell wall of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Feeding mice with β-lactam antibiotics causes a peptidoglycan storm that transforms the gut from a niche usually restraining C. albicans in the commensal state to promoting invasive growth, leading to systemic dissemination. Our findings reveal a mechanism underlying a significant risk factor for C. albicans infection, which could inform clinicians regarding future antibiotic selection to minimize this deadly disease incidence.
Compartmentalization of bacterial and fungal microbiomes in the gut of adult honeybees
Authors: Callegari Matteo , Crotti Elena , Fusi Marco , Marasco Ramona , Gonella Elena , De Noni Ivano , Romano Diego , Borin Sara , Tsiamis George , Cherif Ameur , Alma Alberto , Daffonchio Daniele
Published: May 2021

The core gut microbiome of adult honeybee comprises a set of recurring bacterial phylotypes, accompanied by lineage-specific, variable, and less abundant environmental bacterial phylotypes. Several mutual interactions and functional services to the host, including the support provided for growth, hormonal signaling, and behavior, are attributed to the core and lineage-specific taxa. By contrast, the diversity and distribution of the minor environmental phylotypes and fungal members in the gut remain overlooked. In the present study, we hypothesized that the microbial components of forager honeybees (i.e., core bacteria, minor environmental phylotypes, and fungal members) are compartmentalized along the gut portions. The diversity and distribution of such three microbial components were investigated in the context of the physico-chemical conditions of different gut compartments. We observed that changes in the distribution and abundance of microbial components in the gut are consistently compartment-specific for all the three microbial components, indicating that the ecological and physiological interactions among the host and microbiome vary with changing physico-chemical and metabolic conditions of the gut.
Pulmonary function testing in COPD: looking beyond the curtain of FEV1
Authors: Kakavas Sotirios , Kotsiou Ourania S. , Perlikos Fotis , Mermiri Maria , Mavrovounis Georgios , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos , Pantazopoulos Ioannis
Published: May 2021

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management remains challenging due to the high heterogeneity of clinical symptoms and the complex pathophysiological basis of the disease. Airflow limitation, diagnosed by spirometry, remains the cornerstone of the diagnosis. However, the calculation of the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) alone, has limitations in uncovering the underlying complexity of the disease. Incorporating additional pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in the everyday clinical evaluation of COPD patients, like resting volume, capacity and airway resistance measurements, diffusion capacity measurements, forced oscillation technique, field and cardiopulmonary exercise testing and muscle strength evaluation, may prove essential in tailoring medical management to meet the needs of such a heterogeneous patient population. We aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the available PFTs, which can be incorporated into the primary care physician’s practice to enhance the efficiency of COPD management.
Multiple spin-orbit excitons in α-RuCl3 from bulk to atomically thin layers
Authors: Lee Je-Ho , Choi Youngsu , Do Seung-Hwan , Kim Beom Hyun , Seong Maeng-Je , Choi Kwang-Yong
Published: May 2021

The van der Waals Kitaev magnet α-RuCl3 has recently garnered considerable attention due to its possible realization of topological spin liquids. Combining Raman spectroscopy with numerical calculations, we report here the thickness dependence of electronic structure and ensuing low-energy excitations for exfoliated α-RuCl3. We observe two pronounced peaks at A1 = 249 meV and A2 = 454 meV, which are assigned to single and double spin-orbit (SO) excitons, respectively. Our numerical calculations support this interpretation by reproducing their spectral energy and shape with the electronic parameters: SO coupling λ = 140 meV, Hund’s coupling JH = 350 meV, and on-site Coulomb interaction U = 2.35 eV. The multiple SO excitons persist down to a single layer, whereas their peaks shift slightly to lower energy. For frequencies below 350 cm−1, both a magnetic continuum and phonons show noticeable thickness dependence. These results demonstrate that a SO entangled jeff = 1/2 picture remains valid in a monolayer limit despite the presence of lattice distortions.
A chimeric dengue virus vaccine candidate delivered by high density microarray patches protects against infection in mice
Authors: Choo Jovin J. Y. , Vet Laura J. , McMillan Christopher L. D. , Harrison Jessica J. , Scott Connor A. P. , Depelsenaire Alexandra C. I. , Fernando Germain J. P. , Watterson Daniel , Hall Roy A. , Young Paul R. , Hobson-Peters Jody , Muller David A.
Published: May 2021

Dengue viruses (DENV) cause an estimated 390 million infections globally. With no dengue-specific therapeutic treatment currently available, vaccination is the most promising strategy for its control. A wide range of DENV vaccines are in development, with one having already been licensed, albeit with limited distribution. We investigated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a chimeric virus vaccine candidate based on the insect-specific flavivirus, Binjari virus (BinJV), displaying the structural prM/E proteins of DENV (BinJ/DENV2-prME). In this study, we immunized AG129 mice with BinJ/DENV2-prME via a needle-free, high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) delivery system. Immunization with a single, 1 µg dose of BinJ/DENV2-prME delivered via the HD-MAPs resulted in enhanced kinetics of neutralizing antibody induction when compared to needle delivery and complete protection against mortality upon virus challenge in the AG129 DENV mouse model.