bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flowers for Sexual Assault Victims: Collective Empowerment through Empathy in Japan's #MeToo Movement
Authors: Miura Mari
Published: September 2021

The #MeToo movement in Japan is usually considered to have started slowly, and it remains far smaller and quieter compared with those found in the United States or South Korea. Few celebrities or high-profile figures have come forward to support the movement, and even fewer powerful men have been brought down as a result of allegations of sexual assault. The strategy of naming and shaming has rarely been used, but there is collective empowerment through empathy resulting from a nationwide grassroots movement known as “Flower Demo.” This movement has provided victims with a safe space to share their experiences. Those breaking their silence have appeared in various sectors of society, and this has raised the social consciousness of deep-rooted sexism inherent in Japanese society.
Efficacy Assessments as Predictors of Uncertainty	Preferences
Authors: Link Elena , Baumann Eva
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Background: Health challenges can cause feelings of uncertainty that individuals intend to reduce, increase, or maintain. Those goals are connected to different information seeking and avoidance behaviors, building four uncertainty preferences. Aims: We aim to understand what drives people to seek or avoid information through a more differentiated look at the underlying uncertainty preferences and their determinants. Our starting point to explain different uncertainty preferences are stable, individual traits determining individuals’ efficacy assessments. Method: We conducted a secondary analysis of an online survey among the German public in a sample with stratified demographic characteristics ( N = 3,000). The questionnaire measured different uncertainty preferences as well as coping efficacies and communication efficacy. Regression analyses determined the relevance of these predictors for the four uncertainty preferences. Results: The considered efficacy assessments explained a greater amount of variance in uncertainty preferences applying information seeking than information avoidance, but the influencing patterns are similar. Only health literacy as a communication efficacy was positively associated with both preferences applying information seeking and negatively associated with both preferences applying information avoidance. Limitations: The concept of uncertainty preferences should be critically assessed concerning its completeness. The low explanatory power of efficacy assessments for preferences underlying information avoidance strategies shows that further research is needed to identify relevant predictors. Conclusion: The findings suggest that efficacy assessments provide cognitive resources for goal-oriented uncertainty management, but a deeper understanding of specific underlying mechanisms of the different preferences requires further examination.
East Australian Cyclones and Air‐Sea Feedbacks
Authors: Sérazin G. , Di Luca A. , Sen Gupta A. , Rogé M. , Jourdain N. C. , Argüeso D. , Bull C. Y. S.
Published: September 2021

The importance of resolving mesoscale air‐sea interactions to represent cyclones impacting the East Coast of Australia, the so‐called East Coast Lows (ECLs), is investigated using the Australian Regional Coupled Model based on NEMO‐OASIS‐WRF (NOW) at resolution. The fully coupled model is shown to be capable of reproducing correctly relevant features such as the seasonality, spatial distribution and intensity of ECLs while it partially resolves mesoscale processes, such as air‐sea feedbacks over ocean eddies and fronts. The mesoscale thermal feedback (TFB) and the current feedback (CFB) are shown to influence the intensity of northern ECLs (north of ), with the TFB modulating the pre‐storm sea surface temperature (SST) by shifting ECL locations eastwards and the CFB modulating the wind stress. By fully uncoupling the atmospheric model of NOW, the intensity of northern ECLs is increased due to the absence of the cold wake that provides a negative feedback to the cyclone. The number of ECLs might also be affected by the air‐sea feedbacks but large interannual variability hampers significant results with short‐term simulations. The TFB and CFB modify the climatology of SST (mean and variability) but no direct link is found between these changes and those noticed in ECL properties. These results show that the representation of ECLs, mainly north of , depend on how air‐sea feedbacks are simulated. This is particularly important for atmospheric downscaling of climate projections as small‐scale SST interactions and the effects of ocean currents are not accounted for.
Famine Weed Becomes More Toxic, Invasive in Carbon-Rich Atmosphere
Authors: Samuels Fionna
Published: September 2021

A noxious weed’s success in Australia could indicate that some plants are benefitting from our carbon-rich atmosphere, becoming more invasive, competitive, and toxic.
Generating High‐Fidelity Reflection Images Directly From Full‐Waveform Inversion: Hikurangi Subduction Zone Case Study
Authors: Davy Richard G. , Frahm Laura , Bell Rebecca , Arai Ryuta , Barker Daniel H. N. , Henrys Stuart , Bangs Nathan , Morgan Joanna , Warner Michael
Published: September 2021

Full‐waveform inversion (FWI) can resolve subsurface physical properties to high resolutions, yet high‐performance computing resources have only recently made it practical to invert for high frequencies. A benefit of high‐frequency FWI is that recovered velocity models can be differentiated in space to produce high‐quality depth images (FWI images) of a comparable resolution to conventional reflection images.

Here, we demonstrate the generation of high‐fidelity reflection images directly from the FWI process. We applied FWI up to 38 Hz to seismic data across the Hikurangi subduction margin. The resulting velocity models and FWI images reveal a complex faulting system, sediment deformation, and bottom‐simulating reflectors within the shallow accretionary prism. Our FWI images agree with conventional reflection images and better resolve horizons around the Pāpaku thrust fault. Thus, FWI imaging has the potential to replace conventional reflection imaging whilst also providing physical property models that assist geological interpretations.
A Lagrangian Perspective on Stable Water Isotopes During the West African Monsoon
Authors: Diekmann Christopher J. , Schneider Matthias , Knippertz Peter , de Vries Andries J. , Pfahl Stephan , Aemisegger Franziska , Dahinden Fabienne , Ertl Benjamin , Khosrawi Farahnaz , Wernli Heini , Braesicke Peter
Published: September 2021

We present a Lagrangian framework for identifying mechanisms that control the isotopic composition of mid‐tropospheric water vapor in the Sahel region during the West African Monsoon 2016. In this region mixing between contrasting air masses, strong convective activity, as well as surface and rain evaporation lead to high variability in the distribution of stable water isotopologues. Using backward trajectories based on high‐resolution isotope‐enabled model data, we obtain information not only about the source regions of Sahelian air masses, but also about the evolution of O and its isotopologue HDO (expressed as D) along the pathways of individual air parcels. We sort the full trajectory ensemble into groups with similar transport pathways and hydro‐meteorological properties, such as precipitation and relative humidity, and investigate the evolution of the corresponding paired {O, } distributions. The use of idealized process curves in the {O, } phase space allows us to attribute isotopic changes to contributions from (a) air mass mixing, (b) Rayleigh condensation during convection, and (c) microphysical processes depleting the vapor beyond the Rayleigh prediction, i.e., partial rain evaporation in unsaturated and isotopic equilibration in saturated conditions. Different combinations of these processes along the trajectory ensembles are found to determine the final isotopic composition in the Sahelian troposphere during the monsoon. The presented Lagrangian framework is a powerful tool for interpreting tropospheric water vapor distributions. In the future, it will be applied to satellite observations of {O, } over Africa and other regions in order to better quantify characteristics of the hydrological cycle.
Bathymetric Control on Borchgrevink and Roi Baudouin Ice Shelves in East Antarctica
Authors: Eisermann Hannes , Eagles Graeme , Ruppel Antonia Stefanie , Läufer Andreas , Jokat Wilfried
Published: September 2021

The stability of ice shelves and drainage of ice sheets they buttress is largely determined by melting at their atmospheric and oceanic interfaces. Subglacial bathymetry can impact ice shelf stability because it influences the onset and the pattern of warm ocean water incursions into the cavities between them and the seafloor. Bathymetry is further important at pinning points, which significantly retard the flow of ice shelves. This effect can be lost instantaneously if basal and surface melting cause an ice sheet to thin and lift off its pinning points. With all this in mind, we have developed a model of bathymetry beneath the western Roi Baudouin and central and eastern Borchgrevink ice shelves in Dronning Maud Land based on inversion from gravity data and tied to available depth references offshore and subglacial topography inland of the grounding line. The model shows deep glacial troughs beneath the ice shelves and bathymetric sills close to the continental shelf. The central Borchgrevink Ice Shelf overhangs the continental slope by around 50 km, exposing its northern parts to the open ocean and higher ocean temperatures. Continuous troughs traverse the central Borchgrevink and western Roi Baudouin ice shelves at depths greater than the offshore thermocline and thus present a risk of Warm Deep Water intrusions into their cavities under the current and future oceanographic regimes. Differing bathymetric characteristics might explain the ice shelves' contrasting dominant mass loss processes.
MCM9 is associated with germline predisposition to early-onset cancer—clinical evidence
Authors: Goldberg Yael , Aleme Ola , Peled-Perets Lilach , Castellvi-Bel Sergi , Nielsen Maartje , Shalev Stavit A.
Published: September 2021

MutatedMCM9has been associated with primary ovarian insufficiency. AlthoughMCM9plays a role in genome maintenance and has been reported as a candidate gene in a few patients with inherited colorectal cancer (CRC), it has not been clearly established as a cancer predisposition gene. We re-evaluated family members withMCM9-associated fertility problems. The heterozygote parents had a few colonic polys. Three siblings had early-onset cancer: one had metastatic cervical cancer and two had early-onset CRC. Moreover, a review of the literature onMCM9carriers revealed that of nine bi-allelic carriers reported, eight had early-onset cancer. We provide clinical evidence forMCM9as a cancer germline predisposition gene associated with early-onset cancer and polyposis, mainly in a recessive inheritance pattern. These observations, coupled with the phenotype in knockout mice, suggest that diagnostic testing for polyposis, CRC, and infertility should includeMCM9analysis. Early screening protocols may be beneficial for carriers.
Fully solution processed liquid metal features as highly conductive and ultrastretchable conductors
Authors: Zhu Hangyu , Wang Shaolei , Zhang Menghu , Li Tingyu , Hu Gaohua , Kong Desheng
Published: September 2021

Liquid metal represents a highly conductive and inherently deformable conductor for the development of stretchable electronics. The widespread implementations of liquid metal towards functional sensors and circuits are currently hindered by the lack of a facile and scalable patterning approach. In this study, we report a fully solution-based process to generate patterned features of the liquid metal conductor. The entire process is carried out under ambient conditions and is generally compatible with various elastomeric substrates. The as-prepared liquid metal feature exhibits high resolution (100 μm), excellent electrical conductivity (4.15 × 104S cm−1), ultrahigh stretchability (1000% tensile strain), and mechanical durability. The practical suitability is demonstrated by the heterogeneous integration of light-emitting diode (LED) chips with liquid metal interconnects for a stretchable and wearable LED array. The solution-based technique reported here is the enabler for the facile patterning of liquid metal features at low cost, which may find a broad range of applications in emerging fields of epidermal sensors, wearable heaters, advanced prosthetics, and soft robotics.
Transport anomalies in the layered compound BaPt4Se6
Authors: Li Sheng , Zhang Yichen , Wu Hanlin , Zhai Huifei , Liu Wenhao , Petit Daniel Peirano , Oh Ji Seop , Denlinger Jonathan , McCandless Gregory T. , Chan Julia Y. , Birgeneau Robert J. , Li Gang , Yi Ming , Lv Bing
Published: September 2021

We report a layered ternary selenide BaPt4Se6featuring sesqui-selenide Pt2Se3layers sandwiched by Ba atoms. The Pt2Se3layers in this compound can be derived from the Dirac-semimetal PtSe2phase with Se vacancies that form a honeycomb structure. This structure results in a Pt (VI) and Pt (II) mixed-valence compound with both PtSe6octahedra and PtSe4square net coordination configurations. Temperature-dependent electrical transport measurements suggest two distinct anomalies: a resistivity crossover, mimic to the metal-insulator (M-I) transition at ~150 K, and a resistivity plateau at temperatures below 10 K. The resistivity crossover is not associated with any structural, magnetic, or charge order modulated phase transitions. Magnetoresistivity, Hall, and heat capacity measurements concurrently suggest an existing hidden state below 5 K in this system. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements reveal a metallic state and no dramatic reconstruction of the electronic structure up to 200 K.
Gutenberg Gait Database, a ground reaction force database of level overground walking in healthy individuals
Authors: Horst Fabian , Slijepcevic Djordje , Simak Marvin , Schöllhorn Wolfgang I.
Published: September 2021

The Gutenberg Gait Database comprises data of 350 healthy individuals recorded in our laboratory over the past seven years. The database contains ground reaction force (GRF) and center of pressure (COP) data of two consecutive steps measured - by two force plates embedded in the ground - during level overground walking at self-selected walking speed. The database includes participants of varying ages, from 11 to 64 years. For each participant, up to eight gait analysis sessions were recorded, with each session comprising at least eight gait trials. The database provides unprocessed (raw) and processed (ready-to-use) data, including three-dimensional GRF and two-dimensional COP signals during the stance phase. These data records offer new possibilities for future studies on human gait, e.g., the application as a reference set for the analysis of pathological gait patterns, or for automatic classification using machine learning. In the future, the database will be expanded continuously to obtain an even larger and well-balanced database with respect to age, sex, and other gait-specific factors.
Update to the dataset of cerebral ischemia in juvenile pigs with evoked potentials
Authors: Frasch Martin G. , Walter Bernd , Anders Christoph , Bauer Reinhard
Published: September 2021

We expand from a spontaneous to an evoked potentials (EP) data set of brain electrical activities as electrocorticogram (ECoG) and electrothalamogram (EThG) in juvenile pig under various sedation, ischemia and recovery states. This EP data set includes three stimulation paradigms: auditory (AEP, 40 and 2000 Hz), sensory (SEP, left and right maxillary nerve) and high-frequency oscillations (HFO) SEP. This permits derivation of electroencephalogram (EEG) biomarkers of corticothalamic communication under these conditions. The data set is presented in full band sampled at 2000 Hz. We provide technical validation of the evoked responses for the states of sedation, ischemia and recovery. This extended data set now permits mutual inferences between spontaneous and evoked activities across the recorded modalities. Future studies on the dataset may contribute to the development of new brain monitoring technologies, which will facilitate the prevention of neurological injuries.
Introduction to a community dataset from an infrasound array experiment at Mt. Etna, Italy
Authors: De Angelis S. , Zuccarello L. , Rapisarda S. , Minio V.
Published: September 2021

Volcanic activity represents a hazard to population and infrastructure worldwide. The study of acoustic waves in the atmosphere by volcanic activity is growing in popularity as an effective tool to monitor and understand the mechanisms of eruptions. In 2019, we deployed two 6-element infrasound arrays at Mt. Etna, Italy, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Our experiment captured a range of acoustic signals associated with diverse activity ranging from background degassing to energetic Strombolian explosions, lava flows, and atmospheric injection of volcanic ash. Here, we present a description of this valuable, publicly available, research dataset. We document the design and scope of the experiment, report on data availability, and present a brief summary of the activity observed at Mt. Etna during our deployment aiming to facilitate future use of these valuable data. This dataset is the first example of open data from a multiple infrasound array experiment at Mt. Etna and one of the few available globally.
In-situ assessment of natural terrestrial-radioactivity from Uranium-238 (238U), Thorium-232 (232Th) and Potassium-40 (40K) in coastal urban-environment and its possible health implications
Authors: Joel E. S. , Omeje M. , Olawole O. C. , Adeyemi G. A. , Akinpelu A. , Embong Z. , Saeed M. A.
Published: September 2021

The risk of natural terrestrial radioactivity on human health is often underestimated, and environmental safety awareness is necessary. Hence, this study aims to assess natural sources of gamma radiation emitter in coastal urban-environment using the radiometric technique. The dosage of gamma radiation from a parent radionuclide such as Uranium-238 (238U), Thorium-232 (232Th) and Potassium-40 (40K) and were measured using portable gamma spectroscopy. The result showed that the measured value of 238U activity was between 10.81 $$\pm$$
±
0.69 and 46.31 $$\pm$$
±
1.43 Bqkg−1. The mean value was estimated to be 35.44 $$\pm$$
±
0.97 Bqkg−1 which is slightly higher than the world average. Meanwhile, 232Th activity ranges from 28.42 $$\pm$$
±
1.12 to 69.43 $$\pm$$
±
1.76 Bqkg−1 with the calculated mean value of 92.57 $$\pm$$
±
1.17 Bqkg−1 while 40K activity ranged between 31.30 ± 1.32 and 328.65 ± 2.32 Bqkg−1 with the estimated mean 137.59 $$\pm$$
±
2.42 Bqkg−1. Radiological parameters such as radium equivalent (Req), internal hazard (Hint) and external hazard (Hext) assessment were in the range of 66.00 Bqkg−1 to 141.76 Bqkg−1, 0.232 to 0.452 and 0.178 to 0.383, respectively. The measured values of gamma dose-rates ranged between 54.283 ± 0.78 and 117.531 ± 1.14 nGyh−1 with the calculated mean value of 84.770 ± 0.97 nGyh−1.
Eco-environmental assessment model of the mining area in Gongyi, China
Authors: Wang Ying , Wu Xueling , He Siyuan , Niu Ruiqing
Published: September 2021

The ecological environment directly affects human life. One of the ecological environmental issues that China is presently facing is deterioration of the ecological environment due to mining. The pollution produced by mining causes the destruction of land, water bodies, the atmosphere, and vegetation resources and new geological problems that seriously impact human civilization and life. The main purpose of this study is to present an environmental assessment model of mine pollution to evaluate the eco-environment of mining. This study added mineral species and mining types into the factor layers and built an improved evaluation system to accurately evaluate the impact of mines on the eco-environment. In the non-mining area, the grades of the eco-environment were divided according to the Technical Criterion for Ecosystem Status Evaluation standard document. In the mining area, the grades of the assessment for the eco-environment were classified by a field survey. After comparing the accuracy of various methods, the support vector machine (SVM) model, with an accuracy of 94.8%, was chosen for the mining area, and the classification and regression tree (CART) model, with an accuracy of 89.36%, was chosen for the non-mining area. Finally, environmental assessment maps for the entire study area were generated. The results indicate that the mine environmental assessment system established by this study avoids the subjective limitations of traditional assessment methods, provides an effective method for assessing ecological quality, and will help relevant departments to plan for mine resources.
Liolophura species discrimination with geographical distribution patterns and their divergence and expansion history on the northwestern Pacific coast
Authors: Choi Eun Hwa , Yeo Mi Yeong , Kim Gyeongmin , Park Bia , Shin Cho Rong , Baek Su Youn , Hwang Ui Wook
Published: September 2021

The chiton Liolophura japonica (Lischke 1873) is distributed in intertidal areas of the northwestern Pacific. Using COI and 16S rRNA, we found three genetic lineages, suggesting separation into three different species. Population genetic analyses, the two distinct COI barcoding gaps albeit one barcoding gap in the 16S rRNA, and phylogenetic relationships with a congeneric species supported this finding. We described L. koreana, sp. nov. over ca. 33°24′ N (JJ), and L. sinensis, sp. nov. around ca. 27°02′–28°00′ N (ZJ). We confirmed that these can be morphologically distinguished by lateral and dorsal black spots on the tegmentum and the shape of spicules on the perinotum. We also discuss species divergence during the Plio-Pleistocene, demographic expansions following the last interglacial age in the Pleistocene, and augmentation of COI haplotype diversity during the Pleistocene. Our study sheds light on the potential for COI in examining marine invertebrate species discrimination and distribution in the northwestern Pacific.
Mental well-being during the first months of Covid-19 in adults and children: behavioral evidence and neural precursors
Authors: Borbás Réka , Fehlbaum Lynn Valérie , Dimanova Plamina , Negri Alessia , Arudchelvam Janani , Schnider Cilly Bernardette , Raschle Nora Maria
Published: September 2021

Pandemics such as the Covid-19 pandemic have shown to impact our physical and mental well-being, with particular challenges for children and families. We describe data from 43 adults (31♀, ages = 22–51; 21 mothers) and 26 children (10♀, ages = 7–17 years) including pre-pandemic brain function and seven assessment points during the first months of the pandemic. We investigated (1) changes in child and adult well-being, (2) mother–child associations of mental well-being, and (3) associations between pre-pandemic brain activation during mentalizing and later fears or burden. In adults the prevalence of clinically significant anxiety-levels was 34.88% and subthreshold depression 32.56%. Caregiver burden in parents was moderately elevated. Overall, scores of depression, anxiety, and caregiver burden decreased across the 11 weeks after Covid-19-onset. Children’s behavioral and emotional problems during Covid-19 did not significantly differ from pre-pandemic levels and decreased during restrictions. Mothers’ subjective burden of care was associated with children’s emotional and behavioral problems, while depression levels in mothers were related to children’s mood. Furthermore, meeting friends was a significant predictor of children’s mood during early restrictions. Pre-pandemic neural correlates of mentalizing in prefrontal regions preceded later development of fear of illnesses and viruses in all participants, while temporoparietal activation preceded higher subjective burden in mothers.
Identification of vaccine targets in pathogens and design of a vaccine using computational approaches
Authors: Rawal Kamal , Sinha Robin , Abbasi Bilal Ahmed , Chaudhary Amit , Nath Swarsat Kaushik , Kumari Priya , Preeti P. , Saraf Devansh , Singh Shachee , Mishra Kartik , Gupta Pranjay , Mishra Astha , Sharma Trapti , Gupta Srijanee , Singh Prashant , Sood Shriya , Subramani Preeti , Dubey Aman Kumar , Strych Ulrich , Hotez Peter J. , Bottazzi Maria Elena
Published: September 2021

Antigen identification is an important step in the vaccine development process. Computational approaches including deep learning systems can play an important role in the identification of vaccine targets using genomic and proteomic information. Here, we present a new computational system to discover and analyse novel vaccine targets leading to the design of a multi-epitope subunit vaccine candidate. The system incorporates reverse vaccinology and immuno-informatics tools to screen genomic and proteomic datasets of several pathogens such as Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium falciparum, and Vibrio cholerae to identify potential vaccine candidates (PVC). Further, as a case study, we performed a detailed analysis of the genomic and proteomic dataset of T. cruzi (CL Brenner and Y strain) to shortlist eight proteins as possible vaccine antigen candidates using properties such as secretory/surface-exposed nature, low transmembrane helix (< 2), essentiality, virulence, antigenic, and non-homology with host/gut flora proteins. Subsequently, highly antigenic and immunogenic MHC class I, MHC class II and B cell epitopes were extracted from top-ranking vaccine targets. The designed vaccine construct containing 24 epitopes, 3 adjuvants, and 4 linkers was analysed for its physicochemical properties using different tools, including docking analysis. Immunological simulation studies suggested significant levels of T-helper, T-cytotoxic cells, and IgG1 will be elicited upon administration of such a putative multi-epitope vaccine construct. The vaccine construct is predicted to be soluble, stable, non-allergenic, non-toxic, and to offer cross-protection against related Trypanosoma species and strains. Further, studies are required to validate safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine.
Disruption of the oral microbiota is associated with a higher risk of relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: de Molla Vinícius Campos , Heidrich Vitor , Bruno Julia Stephanie , Knebel Franciele Hinterholz , Miranda-Silva Wanessa , Asprino Paula Fontes , Tucunduva Luciana , Rocha Vanderson , Novis Yana , Camargo Anamaria Aranha , Fregnani Eduardo Rodrigues , Arrais-Rodrigues Celso
Published: September 2021

Intestinal microbiota (IM) diversity and composition regulates host immunity and affects outcomes after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We evaluated if the oral mucosa microbiota (OM) could impact the outcomes in patients who underwent allo-HSCT. Samples from the oral mucosa of 30 patients were collected at three time points: before the conditioning regimen, at aplasia, and at engraftment. We analyzed the associations of OM diversity and composition with allo-HSCT outcomes. Lower OM diversity at preconditioning was associated with a higher risk of relapse at 3 years (68% versus 33%, respectively; P = 0.04). Dominance (relative abundance ≥ 30%) by a single genus at preconditioning was also associated with a higher risk of relapse (63% versus 36% at 3 years, respectively; P = 0.04), as well as worse progression-free survival (PFS; 19% versus 55%, respectively; P = 0.01), and overall survival (OS) at 3 years (38% versus 81%, respectively; P = 0.02). In our study we observed that OM dysbiosis is associated with a higher risk of relapse and worse survival after allo-HSCT.
Simple indictor of increased blood culture contamination rate by detection of coagulase-negative staphylococci
Authors: Yamamoto Kei , Mezaki Kazuhisa , Ohmagari Norio
Published: September 2021

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are the most frequent contaminating bacteria; therefore, we aimed to investigate an indicator of CoNS to predict the increase in blood culture contamination rate (ConR). We performed a retrospective study of selected patients, who underwent blood culture testing. Contamination was defined as the presence of either one of two or more sets of skin-resident bacteria, except for cases with a low likelihood of contamination based on clinical aspects. We calculated the monthly ConR [(total number of contaminated cases per month)/(total number of blood culture sets collected per month) × 100] and analysed the ConR prediction ability using the following four indicators: the number of CoNS-positive sets of blood cultures, cases with at least one CoNS-positive blood culture set, cases with only one CoNS-positive blood culture set, and cases of contamination by CoNS. Cases with CoNS-positive blood cultures correlated with ConR (r = 0.85). Although the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the number of cases with ConR ≥ 2.5 differed significantly from that of the number of cases contaminated by CoNS, the negative predictive value was high, reaching up to 95.5% (95% confidential interval 87.3–99.1). The number of CoNS-positive cases could help predict an increase in ConR ≥ 2.5.
Origin of alkali-rich volcanic and alkali-poor intrusive carbonatites from a common parental magma
Authors: Chayka Ivan F. , Kamenetsky Vadim S. , Vladykin Nikolay V. , Kontonikas-Charos Alkiviadis , Prokopyev Ilya R. , Stepanov Sergey Yu. , Krasheninnikov Stepan P.
Published: September 2021

The discrepancy between Na-rich compositions of modern carbonatitic lavas (Oldoinyo Lengai volcano) and alkali-poor ancient carbonatites remains a topical problem in petrology. Although both are supposedly considered to originate via fractional crystallization of a “common parent” alkali-bearing Ca-carbonatitic magma, there is a significant compositional gap between the Oldoinyo Lengai carbonatites and all other natural compositions reported (including melt inclusions in carbonatitic minerals). In an attempt to resolve this, we investigate the petrogenesis of Ca-carbonatites from two occurrences (Guli, Northern Siberia and Tagna, Southern Siberia), focusing on mineral textures and alkali-rich multiphase primary inclusions hosted within apatite and magnetite. Apatite-hosted inclusions are interpreted as trapped melts at an early magmatic stage, whereas inclusions in magnetite represent proxies for the intercumulus environment. Melts obtained by heating and quenching the inclusions, show a progressive increase in alkali concentrations transitioning from moderately alkaline Ca-carbonatites through to the “calcite CaCO3 + melt = nyerereite (Na,K)2Ca2(CO3)3” peritectic, and finally towards Oldoinyo Lengai lava compositions. These results give novel empirical evidence supporting the view that Na-carbonatitic melts, similar to those of the Oldoinyo Lengai, may form via fractionation of a moderately alkaline Ca-carbonatitic melt, and therefore provide the “missing piece” in the puzzle of the Na-carbonatite’s origin. In addition, we conclude that the compositions of the Guli and Tagna carbonatites had alkali-rich primary magmatic compositions, but were subsequently altered by replacement of alkaline assemblages by calcite and dolomite.
Skull shape abnormalities in ischemic cerebrovascular and mental diseases in adults
Authors: Nagaishi Masaya , Fujii Yoshiko , Sugiura Yoshiki , Suzuki Kensuke
Published: September 2021

Morphological changes in the child skull due to mechanical and metabolic stimulation and synostosis of the suture are well known. On the other hand, few studies have focused on clinical conditions relevant for adult skull deformity. We retrospectively reviewed computed tomography (CT) findings obtained from 365 cases that were treated for head injuries, moyamoya disease, cervical internal carotid artery stenosis, and mental diseases, and investigated the morphological changes in the skull associated with these diseases. The findings from head injuries were used not only for control subjects, but also for the analysis of generational changes in skull shape based on birth year. Head shape had a brachiocephalic tendency with occipital flattening in people born from the 1950s onwards. Cases of moyamoya disease, cervical internal carotid artery stenosis, and mental diseases showed significantly thicker frontal and occipital bone than those of control subjects. The skull thickening was especially noticeable in the frontal bone in moyamoya disease. Plagiocephaly was significantly frequent in moyamoya disease. These uncommon skull shapes are useful CT findings in screening subjects for early evidence of mental diseases and intracranial ischemic diseases with arterial stenosis.
Structure and dynamics of financial networks by feature ranking method
Authors: Rakib Mahmudul Islam , Nobi Ashadun , Lee Jae Woo
Published: September 2021

Much research has been done on time series of financial market in last two decades using linear and non-linear correlation of the returns of stocks. In this paper, we design a method of network reconstruction for the financial market by using the insights from machine learning tool. To do so, we analyze the time series of financial indices of S&P 500 around some financial crises from 1998 to 2012 by using feature ranking approach where we use the returns of stocks in a certain day to predict the feature ranks of the next day. We use two different feature ranking approaches—Random Forest and Gradient Boosting—to rank the importance of each node for predicting the returns of each other node, which produces the feature ranking matrix. To construct threshold network, we assign a threshold which is equal to mean of the feature ranking matrix. The dynamics of network topology in threshold networks constructed by new approach can identify the financial crises covered by the monitored time series. We observe that the most influential companies during global financial crisis were in the sector of energy and financial services while during European debt crisis, the companies are in the communication services. The Shannon entropy is calculated from the feature ranking which is seen to increase over time before market crash. The rise of entropy implies the influences of stocks to each other are becoming equal, can be used as a precursor of market crash. The technique of feature ranking can be an alternative way to infer more accurate network structure for financial market than existing methods, can be used for the development of the market.
Isolated skyrmion, skyrmion lattice and antiskyrmion lattice creation through magnetization reversal in Co/Pd nanostructure
Authors: Kandukuri Sateesh , Murthy V. Satya Narayana , Thiruvikraman P. K.
Published: September 2021

Skyrmion and antiskyrmion spin textures are axisymmetric inhomogeneous localized objects with distinct chirality in magnetic systems. These spin textures are potential candidates for the next generation energy-efficient spintronic applications due to their unique topological properties. Controlled and effective creation of the spin textures is required to use in conventional and neuromorphic computing applications. Here we show by micromagnetic simulations creating an isolated skyrmion, skyrmion lattice and antiskyrmion lattice through the magnetization reversal in Co/Pd multilayer nanostructure using spin-polarized current. The spin textures' stability depends on the spin-polarized current density, current pulse width, and Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI). Antiskyrmions are evolved during the formation of a single skyrmion and skyrmion lattice. Skyrmion and antiskyrmion lattices together are observed for lower pulse width, 0.05 ns. Our micromagnetic studies suggest that the two distinct lattice phases' evolution could help to design the topological spin textures-based devices.
Structure of 3He
Authors: Morley P. D.
Published: September 2021

Using electron scattering data, the diffraction pattern off $$^{3}$$

3

He shows it to be an equilateral triangle possessing dihedral D$$_{3}$$

3

point group symmetry (PGS). Previous work showed that $$^{4}$$

4

He is a 3-base pyramid with C$$_{3v}$$

3
v

PGS. $$^{6}$$

6

Li is predicted to have C$$_{2v}$$

2
v

PGS. As nuclear $$A \rightarrow $$

A
→

large, atomic nuclei enter into the ‘protein folding problem’ with many possible groundstate PGS competing for lowest energy.
Evaluation of Angelica decursiva reference genes under various stimuli for RT-qPCR data normalization
Authors: He Yuedong , Zhong Yuan , Bao Zhenzhen , Wang Weiqi , Xu Xiaoqing , Gai Yanan , Wu Jie
Published: September 2021

Angelica decursiva is one of the lending traditional Chinese medicinal plants producing coumarins. Notably, several studies have focused on the biosynthesis and not the RT-qPCR (quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) study of coumarins. This RT-qPCR technique has been extensively used to investigate gene expression levels in plants and the selection of reference genes which plays a crucial role in standardizing the data form the RT-qPCR analysis. In our study, 11 candidate reference genes were selected from the existing transcriptome data of Angelica decursiva. Here, four different types of statistical algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and Delta Ct) were used to calculate and evaluate the stability of gene expression under different external treatments. Subsequently, RefFinder analysis was used to determine the geometric average of each candidate gene ranking, and to perform comprehensive index ranking. The obtained results showed that among all the 11 candidate reference genes, SAND family protein (SAND), protein phosphatase 2A gene (PP2A), and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTBP) were the most stable reference genes, where Nuclear cap binding protein 2 (NCBP2), TIP41-like protein (TIP41), and Beta-6-tubulin (TUBA) were the least stable genes. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first to evaluate the stability of reference genes in the Angelica decursiva which has provided an important foundation on the use of RT-qPCR for an accurate and far-reaching gene expression analysis in this medicinal plant.
Patient preferences in retinal drug delivery
Authors: Jacobs Brandon , Palmer Nicholas , Shetty Trupti , Dimaras Helen , Hajrasouliha Amir , Jusufbegovic Denis , Corson Timothy W.
Published: September 2021

Retinal vascular diseases (RVDs) are often treated with intravitreally (IVT) injected drugs, with relatively low patient compliance and potential risks. Ongoing research explores alternative RVD treatments, including eye drops and oral tablets. This study surveyed RVD patients treated with IVT injections to establish factors influencing low compliance rates while gauging treatment delivery method preferences. Demographics, perspectives, and treatment preferences were collected via IRB-approved, self-administered survey sent to Glick Eye Institute patients treated via IVT injections. Demographics, diagnoses, and treatments were ascertained from respondents’ medical records. Gender, age, and number of IVT injections received were used as stratifications. Five-level Likert-style scales and t-tests evaluated responses and stratification comparisons. The most common diagnoses in the respondent population (n = 54; response rate = 5%) were age-related macular degeneration, macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. Respondents had varying levels of education, income, and age. Most (83%) admitted feeling anxious prior to their first IVT injection, but 80% reported willingness to receive IVT injections indefinitely, with a preference for ophthalmologist visits every 1–3 months. Eye drops would be preferred over IVT injections by 76% of respondents, while 65% preferred oral tablets, due to several perceived negative factors of IVT injections and positive factors for eye drops. Stratified groups did not differ in responses to survey questions. RVD patients will accept IVT injections for vision preservation, but alternative delivery methods like eye drops or oral tablets would be preferred. Thus, development of eye drop and oral therapeutics for RVD treatment is further emphasized by these findings.
A non-field analytical method for heat transfer problems through a moving boundary
Authors: Kulish Vladimir , Horák Vladimír
Published: September 2021

This paper presents an extension of the non-field analytical method—known as the method of Kulish—to solving heat transfer problems in domains with a moving boundary. This is an important type of problems with various applications in different areas of science. Among these are heat transfer due to chemical reactions, ignition and explosions, combustion, and many others. The general form of the non-field solution has been obtained for the case of an arbitrarily moving boundary. After that some particular cases of the solution are considered. Among them are such cases as the boundary speed changing linearly, parabolically, exponentially, and polynomially. Whenever possible, the solutions thus obtained have been compared with known solutions. The final part of the paper is devoted to determination of the front propagation law in Stefan-type problems at large times. Asymptotic solutions have been found for several important cases of the front propagation.
Functionnectome as a framework to analyse the contribution of brain circuits to fMRI
Authors: Nozais Victor , Forkel Stephanie J. , Foulon Chris , Petit Laurent , Thiebaut de Schotten Michel
Published: September 2021

In recent years, the field of functional neuroimaging has moved away from a pure localisationist approach of isolated functional brain regions to a more integrated view of these regions within functional networks. However, the methods used to investigate functional networks rely on local signals in grey matter and are limited in identifying anatomical circuitries supporting the interaction between brain regions. Mapping the brain circuits mediating the functional signal between brain regions would propel our understanding of the brain’s functional signatures and dysfunctions. We developed a method to unravel the relationship between brain circuits and functions: The Functionnectome. The Functionnectome combines the functional signal from fMRI with white matter circuits’ anatomy to unlock and chart the first maps of functional white matter. To showcase this method’s versatility, we provide the first functional white matter maps revealing the joint contribution of connected areas to motor, working memory, and language functions. The Functionnectome comes with an open-source companion software and opens new avenues into studying functional networks by applying the method to already existing datasets and beyond task fMRI.
A role for GABA in the modulation of striatal and hippocampal systems under stress
Authors: Dolfen Nina , Veldman Menno P. , Gann Mareike A. , von Leupoldt Andreas , Puts Nicolaas A. J. , Edden Richard A. E. , Mikkelsen Mark , Swinnen Stephan , Schwabe Lars , Albouy Geneviève , King Bradley R.
Published: September 2021

Previous research has demonstrated that stress modulates the competitive interaction between the hippocampus and striatum, two structures known to be critically involved in motor sequence learning. These earlier investigations, however, have largely focused on blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) responses. No study to date has examined the link between stress, motor learning and levels of striatal and hippocampal gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This knowledge gap is surprising given the known role of GABA in neuroplasticity subserving learning and memory. The current study thus examined: a) the effects of motor learning and stress on striatal and hippocampal GABA levels; and b) how learning- and stress-induced changes in GABA relate to the neural correlates of learning. To do so, fifty-three healthy young adults were exposed to a stressful or non-stressful control intervention before motor sequence learning. Striatal and hippocampal GABA levels were assessed at baseline and post-intervention/learning using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Regression analyses indicated that stress modulated the link between striatal GABA levels and functional plasticity in both the hippocampus and striatum during learning as measured with fMRI. This study provides evidence for a role of GABA in the stress-induced modulation of striatal and hippocampal systems.
Real-time synthesis of imagined speech processes from minimally invasive recordings of neural activity
Authors: Angrick Miguel , Ottenhoff Maarten C. , Diener Lorenz , Ivucic Darius , Ivucic Gabriel , Goulis Sophocles , Saal Jeremy , Colon Albert J. , Wagner Louis , Krusienski Dean J. , Kubben Pieter L. , Schultz Tanja , Herff Christian
Published: September 2021

Speech neuroprosthetics aim to provide a natural communication channel to individuals who are unable to speak due to physical or neurological impairments. Real-time synthesis of acoustic speech directly from measured neural activity could enable natural conversations and notably improve quality of life, particularly for individuals who have severely limited means of communication. Recent advances in decoding approaches have led to high quality reconstructions of acoustic speech from invasively measured neural activity. However, most prior research utilizes data collected during open-loop experiments of articulated speech, which might not directly translate to imagined speech processes. Here, we present an approach that synthesizes audible speech in real-time for both imagined and whispered speech conditions. Using a participant implanted with stereotactic depth electrodes, we were able to reliably generate audible speech in real-time. The decoding models rely predominately on frontal activity suggesting that speech processes have similar representations when vocalized, whispered, or imagined. While reconstructed audio is not yet intelligible, our real-time synthesis approach represents an essential step towards investigating how patients will learn to operate a closed-loop speech neuroprosthesis based on imagined speech.
Hypoxia inducible factor signaling in breast tumors controls spontaneous tumor dissemination in a site-specific manner
Authors: Todd Vera M. , Vecchi Lawrence A. , Clements Miranda E. , Snow Katherine P. , Ontko Cayla D. , Himmel Lauren , Pinelli Christopher , Rafat Marjan , Johnson Rachelle W.
Published: September 2021

Hypoxia is a common feature in tumors and induces signaling that promotes tumor cell survival, invasion, and metastasis, but the impact of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) signaling in the primary tumor on dissemination to bone in particular remains unclear. To better understand the contributions of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α), HIF2α, and general HIF pathway activation in metastasis, we employ a PyMT-driven spontaneous murine mammary carcinoma model with mammary specific deletion of Hif1α, Hif2α, or von Hippel-Lindau factor (Vhl) using the Cre-lox system. Here we show that Hif1α or Hif2α deletion in the primary tumor decreases metastatic tumor burden in the bone marrow, while Vhl deletion increases bone tumor burden, as hypothesized. Unexpectedly, Hif1α deletion increases metastatic tumor burden in the lung, while deletion of Hif2α or Vhl does not affect pulmonary metastasis. Mice with Hif1α deleted tumors also exhibit reduced bone volume as measured by micro computed tomography, suggesting that disruption of the osteogenic niche may be involved in the preference for lung dissemination observed in this group. Thus, we reveal that HIF signaling in breast tumors controls tumor dissemination in a site-specific manner.
Highly efficient electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formate on Sn modified Bi2O3 heterostructure
Authors: Wu Doufeng , Chen Pengzuo , Feng Dongmei , Song Jiajia , Tong Yun
Published: September 2021

A simple chemical strategy is designed to prepare Sn modified Bi2O3 materials with controllable doping contents. The optimal SnM–Bi2O3 heterostructure exhibits a superior electrochemical performance towards CO2 reduction to formate production.