bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Science & Speculation
Authors: Currie Adrian
Published: March 2021

Despite wide recognition that speculation is critical for successful science, philosophers have attended little to it. When they have, speculation has been characterized in narrowly epistemic terms: a hypothesis is speculative due to its (lack of) evidential support. These ‘evidence-first’ accounts provide little guidance for what makes speculation productive or egregious, nor how to foster the former while avoiding the latter. I examine how scientists discuss speculation and identify various functions speculations play. On this basis, I develop a ‘function-first’ account of speculation. This analysis grounds a richer discussion of when speculation is egregious and when it is productive, based in both fine-grained analysis of the speculation’s purpose, and what I call the ‘epistemic situation’ scientists face.
Insight into phytohormonal modulation of defense mechanisms to salt excess in a halophyte and a glycophyte from Asteraceae family
Authors: Wiszniewska Alina , Koźmińska Aleksandra , Hanus-Fajerska Ewa , Dziurka Kinga , Dziurka Michał
Published: March 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of three defense mechanisms (ionic balance, osmotic adjustment and counteracting oxidative stress) under low, moderate and high soil salinity in two related species of contrasting tolerance to salinity: the halophyte Aster tripolium and the glycophyte Aster alpinus, and to elucidate their phytohormone-mediated regulation.

Methods

The phytohormonal profiling was performed to asses correlations between the pool of plant growth regulators and parameters depicting ionic homeostasis, osmotic adjustment and antioxidant system.

Results

Defense mechanisms in both species were based on accumulation/activity of distinct compounds (Na+ and K+ ions, antioxidants), but differences among species concerned particularly soluble carbohydrates and betaines. The halophyte accumulated mannitol, uronic acids and sucrose, while the glycophyte mostly glucose and proline-betaine. The halophyte responses also correlated with changes in the content of plant growth promoting PGRs, as well as jasmonates and benzoic acid. The glycophyte responses corresponded with changes in content of abscisic acid and ethylene precursor, as well as salicylic acid.

Conclusions

We provided evidence that benzoic acid rather than salicylic acid is involved in salt tolerance in the halophyte and elevated SA content may enhance vulnerability to salt excess. An important element of tolerance trait is also JA-GA network that influences the intensity of defense responses. This study uncovers new aspects of internal phytohormonal regulation of plant reaction to soil salinity and enables further insight into extremophyte biology.
Language as a proxy for cultural change. A contrastive analysis for French and Italian lexicon on male homosexuality
Authors: Agovino Massimiliano , Bevilacqua Michele , Cerciello Massimiliano
Published: March 2021

Discrimination against LGBT people represents a significant and long-standing societal problem that occurs in several forms, including lexical discrimination, which consists in frequent usage of discriminatory epithets. Lexical discrimination produces a vicious circle where speakers grow subconsciously accustomed to abusive language and marginalisation becomes institutionalised. A vast literature has tackled lexical discrimination, providing several country-level studies. The cases of France and Italy are described as very different: while the French experience is centred around grassroot mobilisation, Italy features a traditional strategy of silence. This work aims to verify such difference empirically. Using a rich and detailed dataset, we apply time series analysis on the frequencies of usage of the terms that characterise male homosexuality. Our results highlight some similarities and some differences between the French and the Italian case, stressing the importance of lexical resemantisation that occurred in France but not in Italy.
Circulating fatty acids and endocannabinoidome-related mediator profiles associated to human longevity
Authors: Manca Claudia , Carta Gianfranca , Murru Elisabetta , Abolghasemi Armita , Ansar Hastimansooreh , Errigo Alessandra , Cani Patrice D. , Banni Sebastiano , Pes Giovanni Mario
Published: March 2021

To evaluate whether a peculiar plasma profile of fatty acids and endocannabinoidome (eCBome)-related mediators may be associated to longevity, we assessed them in octogenarians (Old;n=42) living in the east-central mountain area of Sardinia, a High-Longevity Zone (HLZ), compared to sexagenarian (Young;n=21) subjects from the same area, and to Olds (n=22) from the Northern Sardinia indicated as Lower-Longevity Zone (LLZ). We found significant increases in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and heptadecanoic acid (17:0) levels in Old-HLZ with respect to younger subjects and Old-LLZ subjects. Young-HLZ subjects exhibited higher circulating levels of pentadecanoic acid (15:0) and retinol. Palmitoleic acid (POA) was elevated in both Young and Old subjects from the HLZ. eCBome profile showed a significantly increased plasma level of the two endocannabinoids,N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG) in Old-HLZ subjects compared to Young-HLZ and Old-LLZ respectively. In addition, we found increasedN-oleoyl-ethanolamine (OEA), 2-linoleoyl-glycerol (2-LG) and 2-oleoyl-glycerol (2-OG) levels in Old-HLZ group with respect to Young-HLZ (as for OEA an d 2-LG) and both the Old-LLZ and Young-HLZ for 2-OG. The endogenous metabolite of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA),N-docosahexaenoyl-ethanolamine (DHEA) was significantly increased in Old-HLZ subjects. In conclusion, our results suggest that in the HLZ area, Young and Old subjects exhibited a favourable, albeit distinctive, fatty acids and eCBome profile that may be indicative of a metabolic pattern potentially protective from adverse chronic conditions. These factors could point to a suitable physiological metabolic pattern that may counteract the adverse stimuli leading to age-related disorders such as neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases.
Influence of a closed-loop controlled laser metal wire deposition process of S Al 5356 on the quality of manufactured parts before and after subsequent machining
Authors: Becker Dina , Boley Steffen , Eisseler Rocco , Stehle Thomas , Möhring Hans-Christian , Onuseit Volkher , Hoßfeld Max , Graf Thomas
Published: March 2021

This paper describes the interdependence of additive and subtractive manufacturing processes using the production of test components made from S Al 5356. To achieve the best possible part accuracy and a preferably small wall thickness already within the additive process, a closed loop process control was developed and applied. Subsequent machining processes were nonetheless required to give the components their final shape, but the amount of material in need of removal was minimised. The effort of minimising material removal strongly depended on the initial state of the component (wall thickness, wall thickness constancy, microstructure of the material and others) which was determined by the additive process. For this reason, knowledge of the correlations between generative parameters and component properties, as well as of the interdependency between the additive process and the subsequent machining process to tune the former to the latter was essential. To ascertain this behaviour, a suitable test part was designed to perform both additive processes using laser metal wire deposition with a closed loop control of the track height and subtractive processes using external and internal longitudinal turning with varied parameters. The so manufactured test parts were then used to qualify the material deposition and turning process by criteria like shape accuracy and surface quality.
Old Friends with Unexploited Perspectives: Current Advances in Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapies in Asthma
Authors: Tynecka Marlena , Moniuszko Marcin , Eljaszewicz Andrzej
Published: March 2021

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a great regenerative and immunomodulatory potential that was successfully tested in numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies of various degenerative, hematological and inflammatory disorders. Over the last few decades, substantial immunoregulatory effects of MSC treatment were widely observed in different experimental models of asthma. Therefore, it is tempting to speculate that stem cell-based treatment could become an attractive means to better suppress asthmatic airway inflammation, especially in subjects resistant to currently available anti-inflammatory therapies. In this review, we discuss mechanisms accounting for potent immunosuppressive properties of MSCs and the rationale for their use in asthma. We describe in detail an intriguing interplay between MSCs and other crucial players in the immune system as well as lung microenvironment. Finally, we reveal the potential of MSCs in maintaining airway epithelial integrity and alleviating lung remodeling.

Graphical abstract
Computational Tools for the Investigation of the Male Lower Urinary Tract Functionality in Health and Disease
Authors: Fontanella Chiara Giulia , Carniel Emanuele Luigi
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to show the potentialities of computational bioengineering in the field of lower urinary tract pathophysiology. Engineering methods allow the investigation of urine flow in healthy and pathologic conditions and the analysis of urethral occlusion by means of artificial urinary sphincters.

Methods

Computational models of bladder and urethra were developed and exploited to investigate the lower urinary tract physiology in health and in disease. Average male morphometric configurations were assumed, together with typical properties of both biological tissues and fluids. The reliability of the models was assessed by the mutual comparison of results and the investigation of data from experimental and clinical activities.

Results

The developed models allowed to analyze typical situations, such as the micturition in health and in disease, and the lumen occlusion by external devices. The models provided information that clinical and experimental tests barely provide, as the occurrence of turbulent phenomena within urine flow, the shear stresses at the lumen wall, the external pressure that is strictly required to occlude the lumen.

Conclusions

The methods of bioengineering allow broadening and deepening the knowledge of the lower urinary tract functionality. More in detail, modeling techniques provide information that contributes to explain the occurrence of pathological situations, and allows to design and to optimize clinical-surgical procedures and devices.
Near-surface seismic refraction tomography and MASW for site characterization in Phuentsholing, Bhutan Himalaya
Authors: Sarkar Raju , Kolathayar Sreevalsa , Drukpa Dowchu , Choki Kinley , Rai Shrijana , Tshering Sangay Tenzin , Yuden Kezang
Published: March 2021

It is essential to understand the soil characteristics of the subsurface layers for any engineering construction. In difficult terrains like hilly areas, conventional methods of investigation are expensive and difficult to conduct. It calls for nondestructive testing methods to get reliable estimates of subsurface properties. In the present study, seismic refraction tomography (SRT) technique and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) methods were carried out along five selected profiles in Phuentsholing region of Bhutan Himalaya. The profile length ranges from 37 to 81.5 m, and depth of imaging down to 10 m. While the SRT data imaged the P-wave velocity (Vp) structures, the MASW imaged the shear wave velocity (Vs) structures. The P-wave images provide a fair knowledge of geological layers, while the MASW images provide S-wave velocity structures (Vs). These results are useful to estimate soil parameters, like the density, Poisson’s ratio, Young’s modulus, shear modulus, N-value and the ultimate bearing capacity. The seismic images reveal the presence of sand, sandy clay, gravels and shale layers below the selected sites. Bhutan Himalayas being seismically vulnerable, the obtained results in terms of shear wave velocity were accustomed to categorize the sites as per NEHRP site classes, and a ground response analysis was performed to determine the reliable amplification factors. From the study, it is suggested that the engineering construction is feasible at all the sites except in one site, where an indication of saturated soil is observed which is vulnerable for liquefaction, and ground needs to be improved before construction at that site.
An integrated approach to identify suitable areas for built-up development using GIS-based multi-criteria analysis and AHP in Siliguri planning area, India
Authors: Saha Arjun , Roy Ranjan
Published: March 2021

Unplanned and haphazard built-up growth due to immense pressure of population is a common problem for maximum cities of developing countries which paves to create urban sprawl by capturing spacious areas of natural environment. For this, selection of suitable places for built-up development by maintaining ecological balance has become inevitable part for proper urban planning. Siliguri planning area, which has witnessed a tremendous growth in built-up features after the 1990, has been chosen for this work to find out best places for future built-up development with minimum effects on different natural features and also calculates the amount of different types of suitability which will be transferred from different land use and land cover categories in near future which is a novelty of this work. The work has been executed through GIS-based multi-criteria analysis, and a total of nine criteria have been taken to locate best places for built-up development. Analytic hierarchy process or AHP has been used to calculate weights of each criterion by using pair wise comparison matrix. Final site suitability map has been prepared with four different classes: high suitable, moderate suitable, less suitable and restricted area and the percentage of land is high in moderate suitable category that is 52.33% which covers the intermediary portion, mainly wastelands and agricultural land of the study area with higher facility of accessibility. Results from this work would be helpful for the planners, stakeholders, policy makers by identifying best locations for the intensive developmental projects in near future.
Implementing cryptography in LoRa based communication devices for unmanned ground vehicle applications
Authors: Manuel Melvin P. , Daimi Kevin
Published: March 2021

In this study, a Long Range (LoRa) based bidirectional secured communication link for controlling and monitoring the robots from a remote location is proposed. The security features and structure of the LoRa is build upon the standard protocol called LoRa wide area networks (LoRaWAN). To take advantage of these features, LoRa devices/end modules need to be connected to a network server through a LoRa gateway. However, for certain military scenarios like war zones, terrorist attack sites, disaster sites etc., the availability of standard network cannot be guaranteed, and therefore, the security features available with LoRaWAN protocol cannot be guaranteed. To overcome this critical limitation, a LoRa based secured device for establishing a bidirectional communication link between the base station and the robots without relying on any network is proposed. To secure the exchanged data, a cryptographic protocol is developed, and confidentiality, authenticity and integrity of the transmitted data between the base station and the robot are ensured. The protocol is then implemented with a pair of LoRa devices and its functionality is tested from a remote location by controlling and monitoring a Pioneer-P3Dx robot from a distance of 1.2 miles. The test shows that the proposed cryptographic protocol can securely control and track the robot from a remote location.
Emerging Patterns in Proterozoic Lipid Biomarker Records
Authors: Love Gordon D. , Zumberge J. Alex
Published: March 2021

Diverse and abundant lipid biomarker assemblages have been reported from a variety of Proterozoic marine environments from the careful analysis of well-preserved rocks and oils. These molecular biosignatures have provided unique insights into the communities and the environmental conditions which characterized the Proterozoic marine biosphere. We summarize some of the major temporal patterns evident in Proterozoic lipid biomarkers found to date, whilst emphasizing the scale of local heterogeneity found within Neoproterozoic oceans from region to region, and their relationship with the evolving ecological, climatic and ocean/atmospheric redox conditions. Short commentaries on a selection of papers published from the last 15 years of biomarker literature are given. The focus here is on key studies, highlighted for further reading, which have helped to better constrain the timing of the ecological expansion of eukaryotes in Proterozoic oceans or which have impacted on our knowledge of the biological sources of Proterozoic biomarkers.
Global Trade Governance at a Time of Great Transformation: Why the WTO Is Inadequate for Defending “Fair Trade”?
Authors: Chi Manjiao
Published: March 2021

In his book titled The Great Transformation, Karl Polanyi analyzed the social and political upheavals that took place in England during the rise of the market economy. The period referred by Karl Polanyi has long passed, but the global economic development is standing at a historical crossroad once again, in the era of globalization and free trade. Profound changes in international trade and investment governance have taken place in recent years. Among these changes, the crisis of the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the center is outstanding and significant.
Remarks by Stephen Rapp
Authors: Rapp Stephen
Published: March 2021

If international criminal justice is to be successful, it must largely be delivered at the domestic level. This is because it is hard for a single court in The Hague, working across the world with limited investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial capacity, to try more than a handful of cases. At best, the International Criminal Court (ICC) should be expected to complete one or two major trials a year, while scores of important cases are prosecuted locally.
Remarks by Lorraine Smith-van Lin
Authors: Smith-van Lin Lorraine
Published: March 2021

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has come a long way since 1998 when the Rome Statute was first signed. Established as the only independent, permanent international court with jurisdiction over persons for the most serious crimes of international concern as well as a reparative mandate, the Court is a critical actor in the global fight against impunity for grave crimes. The Court's complementary jurisdiction gives primacy to states, limiting its intervention to demonstrated instances of inability or unwillingness by states to genuinely investigate and prosecute.
Promise of International Law: A Third World View (Including a TWAIL Bibliography 1996–2019 as an Appendix)
Authors: Gathii James Thuo
Published: March 2021

Thank you very much Professor Padideh Ala'i for that very kind introduction. I would also like to thank you Dean Camille A. Nelson of the Washington College of Law and the Society for this really special honor of inviting me to give the Grotius Lecture this year. I also thank the President of the Society, Catherine Amirfar, for her leadership and stewardship. My thanks too to my friend, Fleur Johns, for accepting to be the discussant for this lecture. Like you, I look forward to her response very much.
A meta-analysis of the literature on climate change and migration
Authors: Beine Michel , Jeusette Lionel
Published: March 2021

Recent surveys of the literature on climate change and migration emphasize the important diversity of outcomes and approaches of the empirical studies. In this paper, we conduct a meta-analysis in order to investigate the role of the methodological choices of these empirical studies in finding some particular results concerning the role of climatic factors as drivers of human mobility. We code 51 papers representative of the literature in terms of methodological approaches. This results in the coding of more than 85 variables capturing the methodology of the main dimensions of the analysis at the regression level. These dimensions include authors' reputation, type of mobility, measures of mobility, type of data, context of the study, econometric methods, and last but not least measures of the climatic factors. We look at the influence of these characteristics on the probability of finding any effect of climate change, a displacement effect, an increase in immobility, and evidence in favor of a direct vs. an indirect effect. Our results highlight the role of some important methodological choices, such as the frequency of the data on mobility, the level of development, the measures of human mobility and of the climatic factors as well as the econometric methodology.
Those who can't sort, steal: caste, occupational mobility, and rent-seeking in rural India
Authors: Lawson Nicholas , Spears Dean
Published: March 2021

Three important features of Indian labor markets enduringly coexist: rent-seeking, occupational immobility, and caste. These facts are puzzling, given theories that predict static, equilibrium social inequality without conflict. Our model explains these facts as an equilibrium outcome. Some people switch caste-associated occupations for an easier source of rents, rather than for productivity. This undermines trust between castes and shuts down occupational mobility, which further encourages rent-seeking due to an inability of workers to sort into occupations. We motivate our contribution with novel stylized facts exploiting a unique survey question on casteism in India, which we show is associated with rent-seeking.
Investigating the long-term effects of child labor on household poverty and food insecurity in Ghana
Authors: Lambon-Quayefio Monica Puoma , Owoo Nkechi S.
Published: March 2021

This paper explores the extent to which child labor perpetuates the cycle of household poverty, as well as food insecurity using the sixth round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey. The study employs a counterfactual framework and an endogenous treatment effect econometric technique to accurately examine the causal link between child labor and long-term household poverty and food security. Results suggest a positive relationship between early paid work and long-term poverty and food insecurity. This finding provides empirical evidence to indicate that child labor has the potential to create and perpetuate poverty traps. From a policy perspective, findings from this study also contribute to the modern policy debates surrounding the achievement of the sustainable development goals on reducing poverty and hunger in developing countries.
Seasonal evolution of supraglacial lakes and rivers on the southwest Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Yang Kang , Smith Laurence C. , Cooper Matthew G. , Pitcher Lincoln H. , van As Dirk , Lu Yao , Lu Xin , Li Manchun
Published: March 2021

Supraglacial lakes and rivers dominate the storage and transport of meltwater on the southwest Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) surface. Despite functioning as interconnected hydrologic networks, supraglacial lakes and rivers are commonly studied as independent features, resulting in an incomplete understanding of their collective impact on meltwater storage and routing. We use Landsat 8 satellite imagery to assess the seasonal evolution of supraglacial lakes and rivers on the southwest GrIS during the 2015 melt season. Remotely sensed meltwater areas and volumes are compared with surface runoff simulations from three climate models (MERRA-2, MAR 3.6 and RACMO 2.3), and with in situ observations of proglacial discharge in the Watson River. We find: (1) at elevations >1600 m, 21% of supraglacial lakes and 28% of supraglacial rivers drain into moulins, signifying the presence of high-elevation surface-to-bed meltwater connections even during a colder-than-average melt season; (2) while supraglacial lakes dominate instantaneous surface meltwater storage, supraglacial rivers dominate total surface meltwater area and discharge; (3) the combined surface area of supraglacial lakes and rivers is strongly correlated with modeled surface runoff; and (4) of the three models examined here, MERRA-2 runoff yields the highest overall correlation with observed proglacial discharge in the Watson River.
Spatial and temporal variations of fractionation of stable isotopes in East-Antarctic snow
Authors: Li Chuanjin , Ren Jiawen , Shi Guitao , Pang Hongxi , Wang Yetang , Hou Shugui , Li Zhongqin , Du Zhiheng , Ding Minghu , Ma Xiangyu , Yang Jiao , Xie Aihong , Wang Puyu , Wang Xiaoming , Sun Bo , Xiao Cunde
Published: March 2021

Stable isotope ratios (δ18O and δD) in Antarctic snow and ice are basic proxy indices of climate in ice core studies. The relation between the ratios has important indicative significance for moisture sources. In general, the fractionation characteristics of the two isotopes vary with different meteorological and topographical conditions. This paper presents the spatial and temporal distribution of meteoric water line (MWL) slopes along a traverse from the Zhongshan Station (ZSS) to Dome A in East Antarctica. It is found that the slopes decrease with the increasing distance inland from the coast and the lowest slope occurred at Dome A, where the long-range transported moisture dominates and clear sky snowing have an influence. The slopes in different layers of the snowpack showed a decreasing trend with depth and this is attributed to the fractionation during the interstitial sublimation and re-condensation processes of the water vapor. Frost flower development on the interior plateau surface can greatly alter the depth evolution of the MWL slope. The coastal snow pits also go through the post-depositional smoothing effect, but their influences are not so significant as the inland regions.
Accelerated glacier mass loss in the largest river and lake source regions of the Tibetan Plateau and its links with local water balance over 1976–2017
Authors: Chen Wenfeng , Yao Tandong , Zhang Guoqing , Li Shenghai , Zheng Guoxiong
Published: March 2021

Variations in glacier meltwater in the source regions of the Tibetan Plateau's (TP) largest lake (Selin Co) and China's longest river (Yangtze River) regulate the local and downstream water balance under the warming climate. However, the magnitude of their variations over the past four decades is still unknown. Here, we examine long-term changes in glacier mass balance over 1976–2017 using KH-9 and CoSSC-TanDEM-X data. We find that the mean rate of glacier mass loss (GML) has accelerated from −0.21 ± 0.11 m a–1over 1976–2000, to −0.28 ± 0.14 m a–1over 2000–11, and subsequently to −0.48 ± 0.10 m a–1over 2011–17. Changes in temperature and precipitation are the major causes of GML. Over 1976–2017, the contribution of decadal GML to Tuotuohe sub-basin runoff ranges from 4.3 to 8.0%, while its contribution to increased lake volume change in Selin Co and Chibzhang Co-Dorsoidong Co ranges from 3.5 to 16.3% and 19.2 to 21.4%, respectively. The GML of source regions made relatively small contributions to river runoff and lake supply, but plays a vital role when precipitation decreases. The quantitative evaluation of the water balance for the sources of great rivers and lakes over the TP is therefore important for water resource management and hydrological cycle studies.
A Framework for Analysing Ecological Fiscal Transfers: Case Studies from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Verde Selva Gracie , Pauli Natasha , Clifton Julian , Kiatkoski Kim Milena
Published: March 2021

This article proposes a framework for evaluating the development and evolution of economic instruments for environmental conservation through the examination of their design and the interactional and structural aspects of their implementation. The framework is applied to comparatively describe the historical evolution of the world's longest-running ecological fiscal transfer (EFT) scheme in two Brazilian sites. Results show that while legislative aspects of programme design, such as linkages and flexibility, are crucial for performance, interactional and structural characteristics during implementation, such as capacity, knowledge-sharing and transparency, can be determining factors in how the programme functions at the municipal level. Policy recommendations are provided for the development of this type of programme elsewhere. Results contribute towards the conceptual understanding of EFTs, an under-utilised mechanism with great potential for a role in conservation policy mixes.
HOW TO AVOID THE ZERO-POWER TRAP IN TESTING FOR CORRELATION
Authors: Preinerstorfer David
Published: March 2021

In testing for correlation of the errors in regression models, the power of tests can be very low for strongly correlated errors. This counterintuitive phenomenon has become known as the “zero-power trap.” Despite a considerable amount of literature devoted to this problem, mainly focusing on its detection, a convincing solution has not yet been found. In this article, we first discuss theoretical results concerning the occurrence of the zero-power trap phenomenon. Then, we suggest and compare three ways to avoid it. Given an initial test that suffers from the zero-power trap, the method we recommend for practice leads to a modified test whose power converges to$1$as the correlation gets very strong. Furthermore, the modified test has approximately the same power function as the initial test and thus approximately preserves all of its optimality properties. We also provide some numerical illustrations in the context of testing for network generated correlation.
Weight and final vowels in the English stress system
Authors: Moore-Cantwell Claire
Published: March 2021

This paper presents both dictionary evidence and experimental evidence that the quality of a word's final vowel plays a role in assigning main stress in English. Specifically, a final [i] pushes main stress leftwards – three-syllable words ending with [i] have a strong tendency to take antepenultimate stress. This pattern is compared with the Latin Stress Rule for English, according to which words with heavy penultimate syllables should have penultimate stress. Both pressures are shown to be productive in experiments. Two analyses of the final-[i] generalisation are tested, one using the ‘cloned’ constraint Non-finFt[i], and one using the ‘parochial’ constraint Antepenult[i], which directly penalises [i]-final words which do not have antepenultimate stress. Although it is has less typological support, Antepenult[i] is argued for on the grounds that it correctly predicts participants' behaviour on words with both a heavy penult and a final [i], which are extremely rare in the lexicon.
Mid-term follow-up of aortic valve replacement for bicuspid aortic valve
Authors: Liu Lingchao , Li Tianbo , Xu Bo , Liu Chencheng , Tang Fuqin , Xiao Yingbin , Wang Yong
Published: March 2021

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid-term outcome of aortic valve replacement for bicuspid aortic valve and tricuspid aortic valve and the related risk factors.

Methods:

From January 2014 to June 2019, 177 tricuspid aortic valve patients and 101 bicuspid aortic valve patients who underwent aortic valve replacement in our hospital were collected. 1:1 propensity score matching analysis was used to control the bias in patient selection. The perioperative and follow-up data between the two groups were compared. Independent risk factors which were associated with the continued dilatation of the ascending aorta were identified by univariate or multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results:

After the matching procedure, 160 patients were included in the analysis (80 in each group). Baseline characteristics, intraoperative, and perioperative outcomes were similar between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Moreover, 67 patients in the tricuspid aortic valve group and 70 in the bicuspid aortic valve group completed the follow-up. The ascending aorta change, annual change rate, and the proportion of continuous dilation of ascending aorta in bicuspid aortic valve group were significantly higher than those in the tricuspid aortic valve group (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that type 1 in bicuspid aortic valve (OR 5.173; 95% CI 1.772, 15.101; p = 0.003), aortic regurgitation (OR 3.673; 95% CI 1.133, 11.908; p = 0.030), and aortic valve stenosis with regurgitation (OR 6.489; 95% CI 1.726, 24.404; p = 0.006) were independent risk factors for the continued dilatation of the ascending aorta in all AV patients. Furthermore, the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that type 1 in bicuspid aortic valve (OR 5.157; 95% CI 1.053, 25.272; p = 0.043), age ≥ 40 years (OR 6.956; 95% CI 1.228, 39.410; p = 0.028), and aortic regurgitation (OR 4.322; 95% CI 1.174, 15.911; p = 0.028) were independent risk factors for the continued dilatation of the ascending aorta in bicuspid aortic valve patients.

Conclusion:

Compared with tricuspid aortic valve patients, the ascending aorta of bicuspid aortic valve patients is more likely to continue to enlarge after aortic valve replacement. Type 1 in bicuspid aortic valve, age ≥ 40 years, and aortic regurgitation were the independent risk factors.
Radiotherapy of tongue cancer using an intraoral stent: a pilot study
Authors: Bø Berit , Furre Torbjørn , Dale Einar
Published: March 2021

Aim:

The aim was to evaluate the feasibility of an intraoral stent (10 and 20 mm thickness) in radiotherapy of tongue cancer, and to measure the reduction in acute mucositis in the palate.

Materials and method:

There were six patients in the intervention group, and seven patients in the control group. Target coverage was measured by the minimum dose covering 98% of the clinical target volume (CTV). Data were collected from the planning CT and daily cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT).

Results:

The 10 and 20 mm stent yielded a mean distance of 26 and 36 mm, respectively, between the tongue and the hard palate. We found comparable dose coverage of the CTV in the treatment plan, and on the CBCT. The stent reduced mean dose to the hard palate by 61.0% (p = 0.002). Dose to the soft palate was not reduced (p = 0.18). Average Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) mucositis scores of the hard palate were 0 and 0.8 in the intervention and control group, respectively. The mucositis scores of the soft palate were 1.2 and 1.8.

Findings:

Use of an intraoral stent substantially reduced the dose to the hard palate. CTV coverage was maintained. We did not find any significant reduction in visually scored radiation-induced mucositis.
Delirium documentation in hospitalized pediatric patients with cancer
Authors: Lastrapes Kelly , Dang Malisa , Cassel J. Brian , Orr Tamara , Proffitt Tracye , Del Fabbro Egidio
Published: March 2021

Objective

Screening tools for delirium are being used more consistently in pediatric critical care. However, screening is not universal, and delirium may be underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or undocumented in hospitalized patients. We evaluated the identification and documentation of delirium in pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients.

Method

A retrospective chart review on all hospitalized pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients admitted to an Academic Cancer center between 2013 and 2016. Patients aged less than 21 years of age with active cancer were included. Patients with major psychiatric conditions, developmental delays, or autism were excluded. Data were collected to characterize documentation concerning the identification and diagnosis of delirium.

Results

Of 201 hospitalization records, 54 (26.9%) admissions from 109 unique patients had documentation of delirium. The overall documented incidence of delirium was 3.2% of hospitalizations or 8.2% of unique patients. Patients prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines were more likely to have documentation of delirium. ICD coding under-reported delirium while physician documentation was inaccurate in 26% (53/201) when compared with the chart review.

Significance of results

Delirium was frequently undocumented or miscoded. Implementing a validated, universal screening tool for delirium may improve identification and clinical outcomes.
Fully integrated three-way LDMOS Doherty PAs for 1.8–2.2 GHz dual-band and 2.6 GHz m-MIMO 5G applications
Authors: Vigneau Marc , Ercoli Mariano , Maroldt Stephan
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a fully integrated three-way Doherty architecture to address the challenges of 5G applications using laterally-diffused metal-oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) technology. By using the so-called CDS cancelation method for the Doherty combiner design, a wideband impedance transformation is achieved, that combined with the three-way Doherty power amplifier (DPA) architecture allows for high efficiency in deep back-off, with a reduced load modulation for high bandwidth. Throughout this paper, the design approach and realization are described, while multiple critical design challenges will be addressed such as low frequency drain resonance optimization, impact of in-package coupling effects, and linearity versus efficiency tradeoff. Two state-of-the-art three-way fully integrated LDMOS DPA monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMICs) are presented to demonstrate how these measures have been successfully applied to different power amplifier (PA) line-up components for 5G base station systems. First, a 60 W 1.8–2.2 GHz multi-stage device for driver application in true dual-band operation is presented. The circuit design pays special attention to extended PA video bandwidth thanks to integrated passive device. After digital pre-distortion (DPD) in dual-band operation, this highly linear device achieves an outstanding adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of −56 dBc for a 2cLTE 20 MHz 8 dB peak-to-average ratio signal spaced by 345 MHz, thus 385 MHz instantaneous bandwidth (IBW), with 29% efficiency at 35 dBm, 12 dB output back-off (OBO). Second, the simulation and measurement results of a 55 W 2.6 GHz multi-stage DPA for massive-MIMO final stage application are presented, which yields an excellent linearized efficiency of 49% using a 200 MHz 10cLTE signal with an ACLR lower than −47.5 dBc. For 8cLTE 20 MHz (160 MHz IBW), the device yields 50% efficiency with −50.7 dBc ACLR linearized after DPD. The achieved efficiency is well comparable to published GaN DPAs. These results were achieved by improved simulation techniques to minimize frequency dispersion and thus allow high efficiency operation over wide bandwidth. Both devices show that LDMOS is not only a mature technology which allows those PAs to be reliable and low-cost for mass production in very compact packages, but also provide best-in-class RF performance according to the needs of 5G base station systems.
FGF8 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Hao Yilong , Xiao Yanxuan , Liao Xiaoyu , Tang Shuya , Xie Xiaoyan , Liu Rui , Chen Qianming
Published: March 2021

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and with 354 864 new cases each year. Cancer metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance are the main causes to cripples and deaths of OSCC patients. As potent growth factors, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are frequently susceptible to being hijacked by cancer cells. In this study, we show that FGF8 is upregulated in OSCC tissues and high FGF8 expression is related with a set of clinicopathologic parameters, including age, drinking, and survival time. FGF8 treatment enhances the invasive capability of OSCC cells. Lentivirus-based FGF8 expression promotes OSCC metastasis in a mouse lung metastasis model. Further, mechanistic study demonstrates that FGF8 induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OSCC cells. These results highlight a pro-metastatic function of FGF8, and underscore the role of FGF8 in OSCC development.
Multicomponent SF6 decomposition product sensing with a gas-sensing microchip
Authors: Chu Jifeng , Yang Aijun , Wang Qiongyuan , Yang Xu , Wang Dawei , Wang Xiaohua , Yuan Huan , Rong Mingzhe
Published: March 2021

A difficult issue restricting the development of gas sensors is multicomponent recognition. Herein, a gas-sensing (GS) microchip loaded with three gas-sensitive materials was fabricated via a micromachining technique. Then, a portable gas detection system was built to collect the signals of the chip under various decomposition products of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Through a stacked denoising autoencoder (SDAE), a total of five high-level features could be extracted from the original signals. Combined with machine learning algorithms, the accurate classification of 47 simulants was realized, and 5-fold cross-validation proved the reliability. To investigate the generalization ability, 30 sets of examinations for testing unknown gases were performed. The results indicated that SDAE-based models exhibit better generalization performance than PCA-based models, regardless of the magnitude of noise. In addition, hypothesis testing was introduced to check the significant differences of various models, and the bagging-based back propagation neural network with SDAE exhibits superior performance at 95% confidence.
TGFβ/cyclin D1/Smad-mediated inhibition of BMP4 promotes breast cancer stem cell self-renewal activity
Authors: Yan Gang , Dai Meiou , Zhang Chenjing , Poulet Sophie , Moamer Alaa , Wang Ni , Boudreault Julien , Ali Suhad , Lebrun Jean-Jacques
Published: March 2021

Basal-like triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) display poor prognosis, have a high risk of tumor recurrence, and exhibit high resistance to drug treatments. The TNBC aggressive features are largely due to the high proportion of cancer stem cells present within these tumors. In this study, we investigated the interplay and networking pathways occurring between TGFβ family ligands in regulating stemness in TNBCs. We found that TGFβ stimulation of TNBCs resulted in enhanced tumorsphere formation efficiency and an increased proportion of the highly tumorigenic CD44high/CD24low cancer stem cell population. Analysis of the TGFβ transcriptome in TNBC cells revealed bone morphogenetic protein4 (BMP4) as a main TGFβ-repressed target in these tumor cells. We further found that BMP4 opposed TGFβ effects on stemness and potently decreased cancer stem cell numbers, thereby acting as a differentiation factor in TNBC. At the molecular level, we found that TGFβ inhibition of BMP4 gene expression is mediated through the Smad pathway and cyclin D1. In addition, we also found BMP4 to act as a pro-differentiation factor in normal mammary epithelial cells and promote mammary acinar formation in 3D cell culture assays. Finally, and consistent with our in vitro results, in silico patient data analysis defined BMP4 as a potential valuable prognosis marker for TNBC patients.
The long noncoding RNA TINCR promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and migration by regulating OAS1
Authors: Lu Die , Di Shihao , Zhuo Shuaishuai , Zhou Linyan , Bai Rumeng , Ma Tianshi , Zou Zigui , Chen Chunni , Sun Miaomiao , Tang Jinhai , Zhang Zhihong
Published: March 2021

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women around the world. It is urgently needed to identify genes associated with tumorigenesis and prognosis, as well as to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the oncogenic process. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely involved in the pathological and physiological processes of organisms and play an important role as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, affecting the development and progression of tumors. In this study, we focused on terminal differentiation-induced non-coding RNA (TINCR) (GeneID:257000) and explore its role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. The results showed that TINCR was increased in breast cancer tissue, and high expression level of TINCR was associated with older age, larger tumor size, and advanced TNM stage. High level of TINCR can promote proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells, while downregulation of TINCR induces G1-G0 arrest and apoptosis. Mechanismly, TINCR can bind to staufen1 (STAU1) and then guide STAU1 (GeneID:6780) to bind to OAS1 mRNA (NM_016816.4) to mediate its stability. Thus low level of OAS1(GeneID:4938) can lead to cell proliferation and migration. This result elucidates a new mechanism for TINCR in breast cancer development and provides a survival indicator and potential therapeutic target for breast cancer patients.
DNA stability: a central design consideration for DNA data storage systems
Authors: Matange Karishma , Tuck James M. , Keung Albert J.
Published: March 2021

Data storage in DNA is a rapidly evolving technology that could be a transformative solution for the rising energy, materials, and space needs of modern information storage. Given that the information medium is DNA itself, its stability under different storage and processing conditions will fundamentally impact and constrain design considerations and data system capabilities. Here we analyze the storage conditions, molecular mechanisms, and stabilization strategies influencing DNA stability and pose specific design configurations and scenarios for future systems that best leverage the considerable advantages of DNA storage.
Exon junction complex dependent mRNA localization is linked to centrosome organization during ciliogenesis
Authors: Kwon Oh Sung , Mishra Rahul , Safieddine Adham , Coleno Emeline , Alasseur Quentin , Faucourt Marion , Barbosa Isabelle , Bertrand Edouard , Spassky Nathalie , Le Hir Hervé
Published: March 2021

Exon junction complexes (EJCs) mark untranslated spliced mRNAs and are crucial for the mRNA lifecycle. An imbalance in EJC dosage alters mouse neural stem cell (mNSC) division and is linked to human neurodevelopmental disorders. In quiescent mNSC and immortalized human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE1) cells, centrioles form a basal body for ciliogenesis. Here, we report that EJCs accumulate at basal bodies of mNSC or RPE1 cells and decline when these cells differentiate or resume growth. A high-throughput smFISH screen identifies two transcripts accumulating at centrosomes in quiescent cells, NIN and BICD2. In contrast to BICD2, the localization of NIN transcripts is EJC-dependent. NIN mRNA encodes a core component of centrosomes required for microtubule nucleation and anchoring. We find that EJC down-regulation impairs both pericentriolar material organization and ciliogenesis. An EJC-dependent mRNA trafficking towards centrosome and basal bodies might contribute to proper mNSC division and brain development.
Momentum-resolved visualization of electronic evolution in doping a Mott insulator
Authors: Hu Cheng , Zhao Jianfa , Gao Qiang , Yan Hongtao , Rong Hongtao , Huang Jianwei , Liu Jing , Cai Yongqing , Li Cong , Chen Hao , Zhao Lin , Liu Guodong , Jin Changqing , Xu Zuyan , Xiang Tao , Zhou X. J.
Published: March 2021

High temperature superconductivity in cuprates arises from doping a parent Mott insulator by electrons or holes. A central issue is how the Mott gap evolves and the low-energy states emerge with doping. Here we report angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements on a cuprate parent compound by sequential in situ electron doping. The chemical potential jumps to the bottom of the upper Hubbard band upon a slight electron doping, making it possible to directly visualize the charge transfer band and the full Mott gap region. With increasing doping, the Mott gap rapidly collapses due to the spectral weight transfer from the charge transfer band to the gapped region and the induced low-energy states emerge in a wide energy range inside the Mott gap. These results provide key information on the electronic evolution in doping a Mott insulator and establish a basis for developing microscopic theories for cuprate superconductivity.