bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marine plastic pollution in the polar south: Responses from Antarctic Treaty System
Authors: Zhang Mengzhu , Haward Marcus , McGee Jeffrey
Published: December 2020

Marine plastic pollution is increasing prominence in current discussions on the governance of the world’s oceans. The Southern Ocean is geographically remote but is still significantly impacted by plastic pollution. Plastic pollution in the Southern Ocean can derive from a variety of sources, including waste from research stations and fishing operations within the Treaty Area and, through transport by ocean currents and wind-generated water movements, from outside the Treaty Area. While there is a growing academic literature on marine plastic pollution in Antarctic, there is less attention to date on the response of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) to this issue. This paper analyses how the ATS has engaged with the issue of plastic waste in general, and marine plastic pollution more particularly, from the entry into force of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in 1998–2019. Our results indicate that from 2017 the ATS has shown increased attention towards addressing locally sourced marine plastic pollution. A significant problem, however, remains with the respect to marine plastic pollution originating from outside Antarctic Treaty Area that requires a governance response from outside the ATS.
Risk factors for delayed negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mo Pingzheng , Deng Liping , Liu Xiaoping , Gao Shicheng , Liang Ke , Luo Mingqi , Chen Tielong , Song Shihui , Ma Zhiyong , Chen Xiaoping , Fan Junli , Wang Fan , Xiong Yong , Zhang Yongxi
Published: December 2020

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began in China and had spread rapidly to many other countries. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with delayed negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients. In this retrospective single-centre study, we included 169 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from 15th January to 2nd March. The cases were divided into two groups according to the median time of SARS-CoV-2 negative conversion. The differences between groups were compared. In total, 169 patients had a median virus negative conversion time of 18 days (interquartile range: 11–25) from symptom onset. Compared with the patients with short-term negative conversion, those with long-term conversion had an older age, higher incidence of comorbidities, chief complaints of cough and chest distress/breath shortness and severer illness on admission, higher level of leucocytes, neutrophils, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lower level of CD3+CD4+ lymphocytes and albumin and more likely to receive mechanical ventilation. In multivariate analysis, cough, leucocytes, neutrophils and ESR were positively correlated with delayed virus negative conversion, and CD3+CD4+ lymphocytes were negatively correlated. The integrated indicator of leucocytes, neutrophils and CD3+CD4+ lymphocytes showed a good performance in predicting the negative conversion within 2 weeks (area under ROC curve (AUC) = 0.815), 3 weeks (AUC = 0.804), 4 weeks (AUC = 0.812) and 5 weeks (AUC = 0.786). In conclusion, longer quarantine periods might be more justified for COVID-19 patients with cough, higher levels of leucocytes, neutrophils and ESR and lower levels of CD3+CD4+ lymphocytes.
Dietary antioxidants and fibre intake and depressive symptoms in Iranian adolescent girls
Authors: Khayyatzadeh Sayyed Saeid , Omranzadeh Alireza , Miri-Moghaddam Mohammad Mobin , Arekhi Soheil , Naseri Amirhosein , Ziaee Amirhosein , Khajavi Leila , Nejati Salehkhani Fatemeh , Ferns Gordon A , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To investigate the cross-sectional association between dietary intakes of antioxidants and fibre and depressive symptoms among Iranian adolescent girls.

Design:

A cross-sectional population-based study.

Setting:

Primary schools in two different cities located in northeastern Iran (Mashhad and Sabzevar).

Participants:

A total of 988 adolescent girls aged 12–18 years were included in the study.

Results:

Subjects with no or minimal depression symptoms had significantly higher dietary intakes of α-carotene (P = 0·01), β-carotene (P = 0·006), lutein (P = 0·03) and vitamin C (P = 0·04) when compared with subjects with mild-to-severe depression symptoms. Soluble dietary fibre and insoluble dietary fibre intakes were also significantly higher in healthy adolescents compared with those with depression symptoms (P < 0·001). In multivariate-adjusted model 2, the OR (95 % CI) of depressive symptoms were 0·61 (95 % CI 0·37, 1·01), 0·42 (95 % CI 0·26, 0·69), 0·50 (95 % CI 0·31, 0·79), 0·71 (95 % CI 0·44, 1·15), 0·51 (95 % CI 0·32, 0·82) and 0·42 (95 % CI 0·25, 0·68) for the highest v. lowest quartile of vitamin C, β-carotene, α-carotene, lutein, soluble dietary fibre and insoluble dietary fibre cereal intakes, respectively.

Conclusions:

Dietary intake of some antioxidants and dietary fibre intake was inversely associated with depression symptoms among Iranian adolescent girls.
Factors influencing engagement and dietary behaviour change of mothers and their children in a blog-delivered healthy eating intervention: a process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Dumas Audrée-Anne , Lemieux Simone , Lapointe Annie , Provencher Véronique , Robitaille Julie , Desroches Sophie
Published: December 2020

Objective:

A randomised controlled trial found no evidence of an impact of a blog written by a registered dietitian (RD) on vegetables and fruit and milk and alternatives (e.g. soya-based beverages, yogurt and cheese) consumption – two food groups included in the 2007 version of the Canadian Food Guide – in mothers and their children compared with a control condition. To investigate these null findings, the current study explored participants’ perceptions of engagement with the blog and its influence on their dietary behaviours.

Design:

Mixed methods process evaluation using a post-intervention satisfaction questionnaire and a content analysis of mothers’ comments on the blog (n 213 comments).

Setting:

French-speaking adult mothers living in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (n 26; response rate = 61·9 % of the total sample randomised to exposure to the blog).

Results:

Most mothers (n 20/26; 76·9 %) perceived the blog useful to improve their dietary habits – with the most appreciated blog features being nutritional information and healthy recipes and interactions with fellow participants and the RD. Mothers reported several facilitators (e.g. meal planning and involving children in household food activities) and few barriers (e.g. lack of time and children’s food preferences) to maternal and child consumption of vegetables and fruit and milk and alternatives. Lack of time was the principal reported barrier affecting blog engagement.

Conclusions:

The findings from the current study suggest that blogs written by an RD may be an acceptable format of intervention delivery among mothers, but may not alleviate all the barriers to healthy eating and engagement in a dietary intervention.
Strip-tillage renovation of intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) for maintaining grain yield in mature stands
Authors: Law Eugene P. , Pelzer Christopher J. , Wayman Sandra , DiTommaso Antonio , Ryan Matthew R.
Published: December 2020

Kernza® intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & Dewey], the first perennial grain crop to come to market in North America, can provide a number of ecosystem services when integrated into cropping systems that are dominated by annual grain crops. However, grain yield from Kernza is lower than comparable annual cereal crops such as wheat and oats. Also, although Kernza is a long-lived perennial that can persist for decades, grain yield tends to decline over time as Kernza stands age leading most farmers to replant or rotate to a different crop after 3–5 yrs. Increased intraspecific competition as stand density increases with age has been reported to cause grain yield declines. We investigated the effect of strip-tillage applied at two different timings, between the third and fourth grain harvests, from a Kernza stand in upstate New York. Strip-tillage applied in late fall as plants were entering dormancy increased grain yield by 61% when compared to the control treatment without strip-tillage. However, total crop biomass was not reduced resulting in a greater harvest index for the fall strip-tillage treatment. Strip-tillage applied before stem elongation the following spring reduced overall tiller density and total crop biomass but did not impact tiller fertility or grain yield compared to the control treatment without strip-tillage. Increased grain yield in the fall strip-tillage treatment was due to an increase in the percentage of tillers that produced mature seedheads. This suggests that grain yield decline over time is at least partially caused by competition between tillers in dense stands. Results support further research and development of strip-tillage and other forms of managed disturbance as tools for maintaining Kernza grain yield over time.
Australia’s Most Extreme Bushfire Season, Statistically Speaking
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: December 2020

Researchers identified climatic and geomorphic risk factors that led to record-breaking fires across Australia during the 2019–2020 fire season.
Atomic Oxygen Ion‐Neutral Collision Frequency Models at Ionospheric Temperatures
Authors: Ieda A.
Published: December 2020

The collision between atomic oxygen and its first positive ion plays a major role in Earth's F region ionosphere. An accurate corresponding collision frequency model is necessary to quantitatively understand the ionosphere. However, the widely used classic Banks theoretical model typically provides a collision frequency that is 30% lower than the expectation from ionospheric observations. Accordingly, the classic collision frequency is often adjusted by multiplying it by a constant known as the Burnside factor. This correction‐factor model adopted the classic model as its basis due to a misunderstanding that the classic model was based on a laboratory experiment; that is, the correction factor was originally meant to compensate for laboratory contamination. In this study, a collision frequency model is constructed based on the laboratory experiment, and the resultant laboratory‐based model is found to be consistent with ionospheric observations. In this construction, the impact of laboratory contamination is determined to be small (7%) and is mostly canceled by a misinterpretation regarding the conventional definitions of energy. Thus, the 30% difference is mainly caused by a theoretical error in the classic model itself. This error is energy‐dependent and corrected by the later wide‐energy theoretical model. Thus, the classic model cannot be corrected by a temperature‐independent constant and should be replaced by the later model.
Lunar Tide Effects on Ionospheric Solar Eclipse Signatures: The August 21, 2017 Event as an Example
Authors: Liu Jann‐Yenq , Wu Tsung‐Yu , Sun Yang‐Yi , Pedatella Nicholas M. , Lin Chi‐Yen , Chang Loren C. , Chiu Yi‐Chung , Lin Chien‐Hung , Chen Chia‐Hung , Chang Fu‐Yuan , Lee I‐Te , Chao Chi‐Kuang , Krankowski Andrzej
Published: December 2020

The ionospheric total electron content (TEC) derived from dense ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System receivers over the continental United States and those from global ionosphere maps are utilized to find the ionosphere response to the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse. Maximum obscurations and their associated TEC major depressions appear simultaneously at midlatitudes, while major depressions elongate toward the magnetic equator with some delays in the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) region. The former is due to the photochemical loss process, while the latter is caused by the plasma transport of E×B drifts and lunar gravitation forces. TECs of predawn reductions, morning enhancements, afternoon reductions, and nighttime enhancements reveal that the semidiurnal lunar tide are essential. Since a solar eclipse always occurs on a new moon day, the lunar tide results in the early EIA appearance and major depressions being underestimated/diminished before and overestimated/enhanced after about 14:00 local time.
Isoprene Mixing Ratios Measured at Twenty Sites in China During 2012–2014: Comparison With Model Simulation
Authors: Zhang Yanli , Zhang Ruixiong , Yu Jianzhen , Zhang Zhou , Yang Weiqiang , Zhang Huina , Lyu Sujun , Wang Yuesi , Dai Wei , Wang Yuhang , Wang Xinming
Published: December 2020

Measurement‐model comparisons for various atmospheric species have been widely used for evaluating the reliability of model simulations, yet such comparisons are quite limited for atmospheric isoprene due to the lack of systematic observations over a large scale. Here, we collected ambient air samples concurrently at 20 sites in China during 2012–2014 and compared the observed isoprene mixing ratios with those simulated by coupling MEGAN v2.1 with the 3‐D Regional chEmical trAnsport Model. The observed average isoprene concentration for all 1,731 samples is 0.35 ± 0.03 ppbv, 13% higher than the model simulated average of 0.31 ± 0.02 ppbv; while during the growing season, the simulated average (0.53 ± 0.05 ppbv) is almost the same as the observed average (0.52 ± 0.04 ppbv). The observed isoprene average level in the north (0.35 ppbv) is similar to that in the south (0.37 ppbv). However, the model simulated average in the south (0.53 ppbv) is ∼4 times that in the north (0.14 ppbv). The model overestimated the observations at most southern sites but underestimated at most northern sites in the growing season, which might be resulted from inadequate characterization of isoprene‐emitting land vegetation with fast afforestation in the north and rapid urbanization in the south. Compared to the model simulation, the observations revealed abnormally high isoprene levels in winter at some northern sites, largely due to nonbiogenic emissions, as evidenced by the enhancements of measured combustion tracers concurrent with the abnormally elevated isoprene levels.
Dalbavancin binds ACE2 to block its interaction with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and is effective in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection in animal models
Authors: Wang Gan , Yang Meng-Li , Duan Zi-Lei , Liu Feng-Liang , Jin Lin , Long Cheng-Bo , Zhang Min , Tang Xiao-Peng , Xu Ling , Li Ying-Chang , Kamau Peter Muiruri , Yang Lian , Liu Hong-Qi , Xu Jing-Wen , Chen Jie-Kai , Zheng Yong-Tang , Peng Xiao-Zhong , Lai Ren
Published: December 2020

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic worldwide. Currently, however, no effective drug or vaccine is available to treat or prevent the resulting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we report our discovery of a promising anti-COVID-19 drug candidate, the lipoglycopeptide antibiotic dalbavancin, based on virtual screening of the FDA-approved peptide drug library combined with in vitro and in vivo functional antiviral assays. Our results showed that dalbavancin directly binds to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) with high affinity, thereby blocking its interaction with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Furthermore, dalbavancin effectively prevents SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cells with an EC50 of ~12 nM. In both mouse and rhesus macaque models, viral replication and histopathological injuries caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection are significantly inhibited by dalbavancin administration. Given its high safety and long plasma half-life (8–10 days) shown in previous clinical trials, our data indicate that dalbavancin is a promising anti-COVID-19 drug candidate.
RNA-Seq analysis reveals the growth and photosynthetic responses of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) under red and blue LEDs with supplemental yellow, green, or white light
Authors: Liu Xiaoying , Chen Zheng , Jahan Mohammad Shah , Wen Yixuan , Yao Xuyang , Ding Haifeng , Guo Shirong , Xu Zhigang
Published: December 2020

Compound light is required for plant growth and development, but the response mechanisms of plants are undercharacterized and not fully understood. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of supplemental light (green light, G; white light, W; yellow light, Y) added to red–blue light (RB) and sole W on the growth and photosynthesis of rapeseed seedlings. The results revealed that supplemental G/W improved the growth and photosynthesis of seedlings, but supplemental Y significantly reduced the photosynthetic rate and palisade tissue layer. Sole W caused similar responses in terms of growth, leaf development, oxidative damage, and antioxidant capability as supplemental Y. In total, 449, 367, 813, and 751 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified under supplemental G, Y, and W and sole W, respectively, compared to RB. The DEGs under different lights were closely associated with pathways such as light stimulus and high-light response, root growth, leaf development, photosynthesis, photosynthesis-antenna proteins, carbohydrate synthesis and degradation, secondary metabolism, plant hormones, and antioxidant capacity, which contributed to the distinct growth and photosynthesis under different treatments. Our results suggest that Y is more likely substituted by other wavelengths to achieve certain effects similar to those of supplemental Y, while G has a more distinctive effect on rapeseed. Taken together, supplementation RB with G/W promotes the growth of rapeseed seedlings in a controlled environment.
Optical-field driven charge-transfer modulations near composite nanostructures
Authors: Lee Kwang Jin , Beyreuther Elke , Jalil Sohail A. , Kim Sang Jun , Eng Lukas M. , Guo Chunlei , André Pascal
Published: December 2020

Optical activation of material properties illustrates the potentials held by tuning light-matter interactions with impacts ranging from basic science to technological applications. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that composite nanostructures providing nonlocal environments can be engineered to optically trigger photoinduced charge-transfer-dynamic modulations in the solid state. The nanostructures explored herein lead to out-of-phase behavior between charge separation and recombination dynamics, along with linear charge-transfer-dynamic variations with the optical-field intensity. Using transient absorption spectroscopy, up to 270% increase in charge separation rate is obtained in organic semiconductor thin films. We provide evidence that composite nanostructures allow for surface photovoltages to be created, which kinetics vary with the composite architecture and last beyond optical pulse temporal characteristics. Furthermore, by generalizing Marcus theory framework, we explain why charge-transfer-dynamic modulations can only be unveiled when optic-field effects are enhanced by nonlocal image-dipole interactions. Our demonstration, that composite nanostructures can be designed to take advantage of optical fields for tuneable charge-transfer-dynamic remote actuators, opens the path for their use in practical applications ranging from photochemistry to optoelectronics.
Non-invasive single-cell morphometry in living bacterial biofilms
Authors: Zhang Mingxing , Zhang Ji , Wang Yibo , Wang Jie , Achimovich Alecia M. , Acton Scott T. , Gahlmann Andreas
Published: December 2020

Fluorescence microscopy enables spatial and temporal measurements of live cells and cellular communities. However, this potential has not yet been fully realized for investigations of individual cell behaviors and phenotypic changes in dense, three-dimensional (3D) bacterial biofilms. Accurate cell detection and cellular shape measurement in densely packed biofilms are challenging because of the limited resolution and low signal to background ratios (SBRs) in fluorescence microscopy images. In this work, we present Bacterial Cell Morphometry 3D (BCM3D), an image analysis workflow that combines deep learning with mathematical image analysis to accurately segment and classify single bacterial cells in 3D fluorescence images. In BCM3D, deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are trained using simulated biofilm images with experimentally realistic SBRs, cell densities, labeling methods, and cell shapes. We systematically evaluate the segmentation accuracy of BCM3D using both simulated and experimental images. Compared to state-of-the-art bacterial cell segmentation approaches, BCM3D consistently achieves higher segmentation accuracy and further enables automated morphometric cell classifications in multi-population biofilms.
Carbonate-silicate cycle predictions of Earth-like planetary climates and testing the habitable zone concept
Authors: Lehmer Owen R. , Catling David C. , Krissansen-Totton Joshua
Published: December 2020

In the conventional habitable zone (HZ) concept, a CO2-H2O greenhouse maintains surface liquid water. Through the water-mediated carbonate-silicate weathering cycle, atmospheric CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) responds to changes in surface temperature, stabilizing the climate over geologic timescales. We show that this weathering feedback ought to produce a log-linear relationship between pCO2 and incident flux on Earth-like planets in the HZ. However, this trend has scatter because geophysical and physicochemical parameters can vary, such as land area for weathering and CO2 outgassing fluxes. Using a coupled climate and carbonate-silicate weathering model, we quantify the likely scatter in pCO2 with orbital distance throughout the HZ. From this dispersion, we predict a two-dimensional relationship between incident flux and pCO2 in the HZ and show that it could be detected from at least 83 (2σ) Earth-like exoplanet observations. If fewer Earth-like exoplanets are observed, testing the HZ hypothesis from this relationship could be difficult.
Leveraging multi-way interactions for systematic prediction of pre-clinical drug combination effects
Authors: Julkunen Heli , Cichonska Anna , Gautam Prson , Szedmak Sandor , Douat Jane , Pahikkala Tapio , Aittokallio Tero , Rousu Juho
Published: December 2020

We present comboFM, a machine learning framework for predicting the responses of drug combinations in pre-clinical studies, such as those based on cell lines or patient-derived cells. comboFM models the cell context-specific drug interactions through higher-order tensors, and efficiently learns latent factors of the tensor using powerful factorization machines. The approach enables comboFM to leverage information from previous experiments performed on similar drugs and cells when predicting responses of new combinations in so far untested cells; thereby, it achieves highly accurate predictions despite sparsely populated data tensors. We demonstrate high predictive performance of comboFM in various prediction scenarios using data from cancer cell line pharmacogenomic screens. Subsequent experimental validation of a set of previously untested drug combinations further supports the practical and robust applicability of comboFM. For instance, we confirm a novel synergy between anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor crizotinib and proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in lymphoma cells. Overall, our results demonstrate that comboFM provides an effective means for systematic pre-screening of drug combinations to support precision oncology applications.
Natural optical activity as the origin of the large chiroptical properties in π-conjugated polymer thin films
Authors: Wade Jessica , Hilfiker James N. , Brandt Jochen R. , Liirò-Peluso Letizia , Wan Li , Shi Xingyuan , Salerno Francesco , Ryan Seán T. J. , Schöche Stefan , Arteaga Oriol , Jávorfi Tamás , Siligardi Giuliano , Wang Cheng , Amabilino David B. , Beton Peter H. , Campbell Alasdair J. , Fuchter Matthew J.
Published: December 2020

Polymer thin films that emit and absorb circularly polarised light have been demonstrated with the promise of achieving important technological advances; from efficient, high-performance displays, to 3D imaging and all-organic spintronic devices. However, the origin of the large chiroptical effects in such films has, until now, remained elusive. We investigate the emergence of such phenomena in achiral polymers blended with a chiral small-molecule additive (1-aza[6]helicene) and intrinsically chiral-sidechain polymers using a combination of spectroscopic methods and structural probes. We show that – under conditions relevant for device fabrication – the large chiroptical effects are caused by magneto-electric coupling (natural optical activity), not structural chirality as previously assumed, and may occur because of local order in a cylinder blue phase-type organisation. This disruptive mechanistic insight into chiral polymer thin films will offer new approaches towards chiroptical materials development after almost three decades of research in this area.
Exploring the dynamics of hourglass shaped lattice metastructures
Authors: Gupta Vivek , Adhikari Sondipon , Bhattacharya Bishakh
Published: December 2020

Continuous demand for the improvement of mechanical performance of engineering structures pushes the need for metastructures to fulfil multiple functions. Extensive work on lattice-based metastructure has shown their ability to manipulate wave propagation and producing bandgaps at specific frequency ranges. Enhanced customizability makes them ideal candidates for multifunctional applications. This paper explores a wide range of nonlinear mechanical behavior that can be generated out of the same lattice material by changing the building block into dome shaped structures which improves the functionality of material significantly. We propose a novel hourglass shaped lattice metastructure that takes advantage of the combination of two oppositely oriented coaxial domes, providing an opportunity for higher customizability and the ability to tailor its dynamic response. Six new classes of hourglass shaped lattice metastructures have been developed through combinations of solid shells, regular honeycomb lattices and auxetic lattices. Numerical simulation, analytical modelling, additive layer manufacturing (3D printing) and experimental testing are implemented to justify the evaluation of their mechanics and reveal the underlying physics responsible for their unusual nonlinear behaviour. We further obtained the lattice dependent frequency response and damping offered by the various classes of hourglass metastructures. This study paves the way for incorporating hourglass based oscillators to be used as building block of future mechanical metamaterials, leading to a new class of tunable metamaterial over a wide range of operating frequencies. The proposed class of metastructure will be useful in applications where lightweight and tunable properties with broadband vibration suppression and wave attenuation abilities are necessary.
Chemically reactive MHD micropolar nanofluid flow with velocity slips and variable heat source/sink
Authors: Dawar Abdullah , Shah Zahir , Kumam Poom , Alrabaiah Hussam , Khan Waris , Islam Saeed , Shaheen Nusrat
Published: December 2020

The two-dimensional electrically conducting magnetohydrodynamic flow of micropolar nanofluid over an extending surface with chemical reaction and secondary slips conditions is deliberated in this article. The flow of nanofluid is treated with heat source/sink and nonlinear thermal radiation impacts. The system of equations is solved analytically and numerically. Both analytical and numerical approaches are compared with the help of figures and tables. In order to improve the validity of the solutions and the method convergence, a descriptive demonstration of residual errors for various factors is presented. Also the convergence of an analytical approach is shown. The impacts of relevance parameters on velocity, micro-rotation, thermal, and concentration fields for first- and second-order velocity slips are accessible through figures. The velocity field heightens with the rise in micropolar, micro-rotation, and primary order velocity parameters, while other parameters have reducing impact on the velocity field. The micro-rotation field reduces with micro-rotation, secondary order velocity slip, and micropolar parameters but escalates with the primary order velocity slip parameter. The thermal field heightens with escalating non-uniform heat sink/source, Biot number, temperature ratio factor, and thermal radiation factor. The concentration field escalates with the increasing Biot number, while reduces with heightening chemical reaction and Schmidt number. The assessment of skin factor, thermal transfer, and mass transfer are calculated through tables.
Value of susceptibility-weighted imaging for the assessment of angle measurements reflecting hip morphology
Authors: Böker Sarah M. , Adams Lisa C. , Fahlenkamp Ute Lina , Diederichs Gerd , Hamm Bernd , Makowski Marcus R.
Published: December 2020

Radiographs are the clinical first line imaging modality for evaluating hip morphology and pathology. MRI offers additional information and is the method of choice to evaluate soft tissue, bone marrow and preradiographic signs of osteoarthritis. Radiographs are used to measure the most morphometric parameters. The aim of this study was to compare susceptibility weighted MRI (SWMR) with radiographs to evaluate hip morphology. 40 Patients were examined with standard MR-sequences, coronal SWMR and radiographs in anteroposterior pelvic view. Coronal maximum intensity projection (MIP) images of both hips were automatically reconstructed on SWMR and T1weighted images. Sharp´s angle, Tönnis angle, lateral center–edge angle of Wiberg and caput-collum-diaphyseal angle were measured on coronal SWMR MIP-images, T1weighted MIP-images and radiographs. Measurements were compared by linear regression analysis and Bland-Altmann Plots, using radiographs as reference standard. Additionally, a ratio between the signal intensity of muscles and bone on SWMR and T1weighted MIP-images was calculated and compared between these two sequences. SWMR enables the reliable assessment of Sharp´s angle (SWMR: R2 = 0.80; T1weighted: R2 = 0.37), Tönnis angle (SWMR: R2 = 0.86; T1weighted: not measurable), lateral center–edge angle of Wiberg (SWMR: R2 = 0.88; T1weighted: R2 = 0.40) and caput-collum-diaphyseal angle (SWMR: R2 = 0.38; T1weighted: R2 = 0.18) compared to radiographs with a higher accuracy than conventional MR imaging. The ratio between the intensity of muscles and bone was significant higher on SWMR (2.00 and 2.02) than on T1weighted MIP-images (1.6 and 1.42; p < 0.001).
Incorporating textual network improves Chinese stock market analysis
Authors: Li Yi , Mi Zichuan , Jing Wenjun
Published: December 2020

This study adopts the textual network to describe the coordination among the interplay of words, where nodes represent words and nodes are connected if the corresponding words have co-occurrence pattern across documents. To study stock movements, we further proposed the sparse laplacian shrinkage logistic model (SLS_L) which can properly take into account the network connectivity structure. By using this approach, we investigated the relationship between Shenwan index and analysts' research reports. The securities analysts’ research reports are crawled by a famous financial website in China: EastMoney, and are then parsed into time-series textual data. The empirical results show that the proposed SLS_L model outperforms alternatives including Lasso-Logistics (L_L) and MCP-Logistic (MCP_L) models by having better prediction performance. Besides, we search published literature and find the identified keywords with more lucid interpretations. Our study unveils some interesting findings that the efficient use of textual network is important to improve the predictive power as well as the semantic interpretability in stock market analysis.
Synanthropic spiders, including the global invasive noble false widow Steatoda nobilis, are reservoirs for medically important and antibiotic resistant bacteria
Authors: Dunbar John P. , Khan Neyaz A. , Abberton Cathy L. , Brosnan Pearce , Murphy Jennifer , Afoullouss Sam , O’Flaherty Vincent , Dugon Michel M. , Boyd Aoife
Published: December 2020

The false widow spider Steatoda nobilis is associated with bites which develop bacterial infections that are sometimes unresponsive to antibiotics. These could be secondary infections derived from opportunistic bacteria on the skin or infections directly vectored by the spider. In this study, we investigated whether it is plausible for S. nobilis and other synanthropic European spiders to vector bacteria during a bite, by seeking to identify bacteria with pathogenic potential on the spiders. 11 genera of bacteria were identified through 16S rRNA sequencing from the body surfaces and chelicerae of S. nobilis, and two native spiders: Amaurobius similis and Eratigena atrica. Out of 22 bacterial species isolated from S. nobilis, 12 were related to human pathogenicity among which Staphylococcus epidermidis, Kluyvera intermedia, Rothia mucilaginosa and Pseudomonas putida are recognized as class 2 pathogens. The isolates varied in their antibiotic susceptibility: Pseudomonas putida, Staphylococcus capitis and Staphylococcus edaphicus showed the highest extent of resistance, to three antibiotics in total. On the other hand, all bacteria recovered from S. nobilis were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. Our study demonstrates that S. nobilis does carry opportunistic pathogenic bacteria on its body surfaces and chelicerae. Therefore, some post-bite infections could be the result of vector-borne bacterial zoonoses that may be antibiotic resistant.
Abrupt warming and salinification of intermediate waters interplays with decline of deep convection in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Margirier Félix , Testor Pierre , Heslop Emma , Mallil Katia , Bosse Anthony , Houpert Loïc , Mortier Laurent , Bouin Marie-Noëlle , Coppola Laurent , D’Ortenzio Fabrizio , Durrieu de Madron Xavier , Mourre Baptiste , Prieur Louis , Raimbault Patrick , Taillandier Vincent
Published: December 2020

The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for climate change, and recent studies have reported its intense warming and salinification. In this study, we use an outstanding dataset relying mostly on glider endurance lines but also on other platforms to track these trends in the northwestern Mediterranean where deep convection occurs. Thanks to a high spatial coverage and a high temporal resolution over the period 2007–2017, we observed the warming (+0.06 $$^\circ$$

∘

C year$$^{-1}$$

-
1

) and salinification (+0.012 year$$^{-1}$$

-
1

) of Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) in the Ligurian Sea. These rates are similar to those reported closer to its formation area in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Further downstream, in the Gulf of Lion, the intermediate heat and salt content were exported to the deep layers from 2009 to 2013 thanks to deep convection processes. In 2014, a LIW step of +0.3 $$^\circ$$

∘

C and +0.08 in salinity could be observed concomitant with a weak winter convection. Warmer and more saline LIW subsequently accumulated in the northwestern basin in the absence of intense deep convective winters until 2018. Deep stratification below the LIW thus increased, which, together with the air–sea heat fluxes intensity, constrained the depth of convection. A key prognostic indicator of the intensity of deep convective events appears to be the convection depth of the previous year.
Cross-continental emergence of Nannizziopsis barbatae disease may threaten wild Australian lizards
Authors: Peterson Nicola R. , Rose Karrie , Shaw Stephanie , Hyndman Tim H. , Sigler Lynne , Kurtböke D. İpek , Llinas Josh , Littleford-Colquhoun Bethan L. , Cristescu Romane , Frère Celine
Published: December 2020

Members of the genus Nannizziopsis are emerging fungal pathogens of reptiles that have been documented as the cause of fatal mycoses in a wide range of reptiles in captivity. Cases of severe, proliferative dermatitis, debility and death have been detected in multiple free-living lizard species from locations across Australia, including a substantial outbreak among Eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii) in Brisbane, Queensland. We investigated this disease in a subset of severely affected lizards and identified a clinically consistent syndrome characterized by hyperkeratosis, epidermal hyperplasia, dermal inflammation, necrosis, ulceration, and emaciation. Using a novel fungal isolation method, histopathology, and molecular techniques, we identified the etiologic agent as Nannizziopsis barbatae, a species reported only once previously from captive lizards in Australia. Here we report severe dermatomycosis caused by N. barbatae in five species of Australian lizard, representing the first cases of Nannizziopsis infection among free-living reptiles, globally. Further, we evaluate key pathogen and host characteristics that indicate N. barbatae-associated dermatomycosis may pose a concerning threat to Australian lizards.
A combined NMR and EPR investigation on the effect of the disordered RGG regions in the structure and the activity of the RRM domain of FUS
Authors: Bonucci A. , Murrali M. G. , Banci L. , Pierattelli R.
Published: December 2020

Structural disorder represents a key feature in the mechanism of action of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Recent insights revealed that intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) linking globular domains modulate their capability to interact with various sequences of RNA, but also regulate aggregation processes, stress-granules formation, and binding to other proteins. The FET protein family, which includes FUS (Fused in Sarcoma), EWG (Ewing Sarcoma) and TAF15 (TATA binding association factor 15) proteins, is a group of RBPs containing three different long IDRs characterized by the presence of RGG motifs. In this study, we present the characterization of a fragment of FUS comprising two RGG regions flanking the RNA Recognition Motif (RRM) alone and in the presence of a stem-loop RNA. From a combination of EPR and NMR spectroscopies, we established that the two RGG regions transiently interact with the RRM itself. These interactions may play a role in the recognition of stem-loop RNA, without a disorder-to-order transition but retaining high dynamics.
U.S. state correlations between oral health metrics and Alzheimer’s disease mortality, prevalence and subjective cognitive decline prevalence
Authors: Scherer Rana X. , Scherer Warren J.
Published: December 2020

Given the association between periodontal disease (PdD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we examined correlations between states’ age-adjusted AD mortality rates, AD prevalence, subjective cognitive decline (SCD) prevalence, and oral health data. Data sources include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, scientific literature, and oral health rankings formulated by WalletHub.com and Toothbrush.org. Pearson (r) or Spearman (rs) correlation coefficients were generated and evaluated. AD mortality rates correlate with dental visits (r = − 0.50, p = 0.0003), partial (r = 0.39, p = 0.005) or total (r = 0.44, p = 0.001) edentulism, WalletHub.com (rs = 0.30, p = 0.03) and Toothbrush.org (rs = 0.35, p = 0.01) rankings. AD prevalence correlates with dental visits (r = − 0.30, p = 0.03), partial (r = 0.55, p = 0.00003) or total (r = 0.46, p = 0.0009) edentulism, prevalence of any (r = 0.38, p = 0.006) or severe-stage (r = 0.46, p = 0.0009) PdD, and WalletHub.com (rs = 0.38, p = 0.006) rankings. SCD prevalence in adults aged ≥ 45 years correlates with dental visits (r = − 0.69, p < 0.00001), partial (r = 0.33, p = 0.02) or total (r = 0.37, p = 0.008) edentulism, prevalence of any (r = 0.53, p = 0.0001) or severe-stage (r = 0.57, p = 0.00002) PdD, WalletHub.com (rs = 0.53, p = 0.00008) and Toothbrush.org (rs = 0.60, p < 0.00001) rankings. State metrics indicative of compromised oral health correlate with AD mortality rates, AD prevalence and SCD prevalence.
Possibility to extend the shelf life of NFC tomato juice using cold atmospheric pressure plasma
Authors: Starek Agnieszka , Sagan Agnieszka , Andrejko Dariusz , Chudzik Barbara , Kobus Zbigniew , Kwiatkowski Michał , Terebun Piotr , Pawłat Joanna
Published: December 2020

Cold Atmospheric pressure Plasma (CAP) is a non-thermal method used in food processing. CAP generated with the use of nitrogen in a Glide-arc device for 300 to 600 s exhibited high potential for microbial decontamination and did not induce substantial changes in the physicochemical properties of NFC tomato juice. Samples exposed to cold atmospheric plasma had mostly an intact structure, as revealed by digital microscopy. The investigations indicate that CAP can be applied for biological and chemical waste-free decontamination of food and extension of its shelf life.
Phenotypic plasticity in size of ant-domatia
Authors: Kokolo Bertrand , Attéké Nkoulémbéné Christiane , Ibrahim Brama , M’Batchi Bertrand , Blatrix Rumsais
Published: December 2020

Ant-plants produce hollow structures called domatia to host protecting ants. Although size variation in domatia is well documented between related species, intraspecific variation is little explored. The central African ant-plant Barteria dewevrei exibits strong variation in domatium size, giving the opportunity to explore the mechanism underlying variation in a mutualistic trait. We showed that domatium size in Barteria dewevrei varies between sites. We transplanted individual plants between two sites in Gabon where plants have different domatium sizes. Domatium size of transplanted plants changed, revealing that variation in this mutualistic trait is driven by phenotypic plasticity. The two sites differed in their environmental conditions: highland open savanna on sandy soil vs lowland closed tropical rain forest on sandy-loam soil. However, as stomatal density and δ13C of leaves did not differ between sites or between branches produced before and after transplantation, we have no cue on the role of abiotic stress (such as light intensity and water availability) in domatium size variation. As the obligate Tetraponera ant symbionts are too large to fit in the small domatia, variation of the mutualistic trait in response to environmental change through phenotypic plasticity may impact this specialized mutualism.
Molecular phylogeny inferred from the mitochondrial genomes of Plecoptera with Oyamia nigribasis (Plecoptera: Perlidae)
Authors: Zhao Meng-Yuan , Huo Qing-Bo , Du Yu-Zhou
Published: December 2020

In this study, the mitochondrial genome of the stonefly, Oyamia nigribasis Banks, 1920 (Plecoptera: Perlidae), was sequenced and compared with the mtDNA genomes of 38 other stoneflies and two Ephemerae. The O. nigribasis mitogenome is a circular 15,923 bp molecule that encodes a large, noncoding control region (CR) and 37 typical mtDNA genes; these include 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), respectively. Most of the PCGs initiated with ATN and terminated with TAN. The dihydrouridine (DHU) arm of tRNASer (AGN) was missing, whereas the other 21 tRNAs all exhibited the typical cloverleaf secondary structure. Stem-loop (SL) structures and tandem repeats were identified in the CR. Phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood were undertaken to determine relationships between stoneflies. Results indicated that the Antarctoperlaria, which contains Gripopterygidae, was absolutely separated from Arctoperlaria; this finding agrees with morphology. Finally, the overall relationships could be summarized as follows ((((Notonemouridae + Nemouridae) + Leuctridae) + (Scopuridae + (Capniidae + Taeniopterygidae))) + (((Perlodidae + Chloroperlidae) + Perlidae) + (Pteronarcyidae + (Peltoperlidae + Styloperlidae))) + ((Diamphipnoidae + Eustheniidae) + Gripopterygidae)).
Author Correction: Intact glycosphingolipidomic analysis of the cell membrane during differentiation yields extensive glycan and lipid changes
Authors: Wong Maurice , Xu Gege , Park Dayoung , Barboza Mariana , Lebrilla Carlito B.
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Multiple proteases are involved in mesothelin shedding by cancer cells
Authors: Liu Xiufen , Chan Alexander , Tai Chin-Hsien , Andresson Thorkell , Pastan Ira
Published: December 2020

Mesothelin (MSLN) is a lineage restricted cell surface protein expressed in about 30% of human cancers and high MSLN expression is associated with poor survival in several different cancers. The restricted expression of MSLN in normal tissue and its frequent expression in cancers make MSLN an excellent target for antibody-based therapies. Many clinical trials with agents targeting MSLN have been carried out but to date none of these agents have produced enough responses to obtain FDA approval. MSLN shedding is an important factor that may contribute to the failure of these therapies, because shed MSLN acts as a decoy receptor and allows release of antibodies bound to cell-surface MSLN. We have investigated the mechanism of shedding and show here that members of the ADAM, MMP and BACE families of proteases all participate in shedding, that more than one protease can produce shedding in the same cell, and that inhibition of shedding greatly enhances killing of cells by an immunotoxin targeting MSLN. Our data indicates that controlling MSLN shedding could greatly increase the activity of therapies that target MSLN.
Quantum phase transition induced by topological frustration
Authors: Marić Vanja , Giampaolo Salvatore Marco , Franchini Fabio
Published: December 2020

In quantum many-body systems with local interactions, the effects of boundary conditions are considered to be negligible, at least for sufficiently large systems. Here we show an example of the opposite. We consider a spin chain with two competing interactions, set on a ring with an odd number of sites. When only the dominant interaction is antiferromagnetic, and thus induces topological frustration, the standard antiferromagnetic order (expressed by the magnetization) is destroyed. When also the second interaction turns from ferro to antiferro, an antiferromagnetic order characterized by a site-dependent magnetization which varies in space with an incommensurate pattern, emerges. This modulation results from a ground state degeneracy, which allows to break the translational invariance. The transition between the two cases is signaled by a discontinuity in the first derivative of the ground state energy and represents a quantum phase transition induced by a special choice of boundary conditions.
Monitoring of fault level in future grid scenarios with high penetration of power electronics‐based renewable generation
Authors: Aljarrah Rafat , Marzooghi Hesamoddin , Yu James , Terzija Vladimir
Published: December 2020

This paper proposes a novel method for quantifying fault level in future grid scenarios with various penetrations of power electronics‐connected renewable energy sources. As it is known, the information regarding the fault level is critically important for designing protection schemes, different control loops, understanding voltage profile in the grid, etc. This method is focused on the steady‐state fault level calculation and it can be used to analyse future grid scenarios including uniform and non‐uniform penetration of power electronics‐based generation displacing all, or just specific conventional synchronous generation in the grid. Due to different possibilities for type, size, and location of power electronics‐based RES generation in future grid, it is required to analyse the unprecedented scale of scenarios. The proposed method for FLC enables us to assess the system fault level for large numbers of FG scenarios without a need for detailed system modelling and/or time‐domain simulations. The simulation results demonstrated the suitability of our proposed FLC method for various penetration levels of PE‐based RESs in the 2‐area and the IEEE 39‐bus test systems. The obtained results are compared with time‐domain simulations and the IEC 60909 standards performed in DIgSILENT PowerFactory, where the efficacy of the proposed methodology is demonstrated.