bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Criminological Violence Research in the Balkans: Context and Setting
Authors: Getoš Kalac Anna-Maria
Published: September 2021

The Balkans may very well be considered a criminological spacesui generis. As a whole, the region shares more common traits internally than it does externally towards its European context. Therefore, it is necessary to explain the region’s particularities, as relevant for understanding (lethal) violence and criminological research more generally speaking. The purpose of this chapter is to embed the BHS and its key findings in their Balkan-specific historical, religious, legal, and criminal justice context, while providing insights into the region’s criminological research setting. After having read through this chapter, one should be able to understand not only the challenges but also the benefits of conducting criminological research in the Balkans. One should thus be able to mentally explore the region as a kind of criminologically uncharted territory in order to map its full potential for the further study of crime and harmful behavior – both, with regard to homicide research and countless other criminological topics. Doing empirical researchinandonthe Balkans is in practice extremely challenging and exhausting, as we shall see, but at the same time proves to be tremendously rewarding, especially if one considers research to be an adventure and oneself a discoverer.
The Balkan Homicide Study: Research Design and Operationalization
Authors: Getoš Kalac Anna-Maria
Published: September 2021

This chapter provides indispensable insights into the BHS research design and its practical operationalization. The chapter’s leitmotiv is that there is no perfect empirical violence research – with each study we come a bit closer to revealing few of the many unknowns of (lethal) violence, while making valuable mistakes that open new lines of research. In that sense, the most meaningful way of handling the methodological and practical imperfections of the BHS is to be transparent and objective about the crucial “whys and hows” of its research design. After explaining the study’s two core objectives, the main methodological decisions and challenges will be presented. This includes various aspects of designing and using a unique instrument for data collection, sampling strategies, data representativeness, normative and statistical context, as well as field work and data analysis challenges. The chapter’s aim is to realistically depict all the methodological ups and downs of the BHS. It will equip readers with all the necessary information needed to arrive at own, potentially even divergent, conclusions on the study’s first findings.
Diskurs hin zu einer unterrichtszentrierten Schulentwicklung in Richtung personalisierten Lernens
Authors: Galle Marco
Published: September 2021

Zusammenfassung

Der Diskurs hin zu einer Schul- und Unterrichtsentwicklung in Richtung personalisierten Lernens wird im Folgenden entlang von zwei Diskussionssträngen beschrieben: Erstens wird der deutschsprachige Schulentwicklungsdiskurs dargestellt, in dem Prozessgestaltung, Potenziale und Herausforderungen in der Weiterentwicklung von Einzelschulen erörtert werden (Abschnitt 2.1) und zunehmend die Unterrichtsentwicklung ins Zentrum gestellt wird (Abschnitt 2.2). Um den Bereich der Unterrichtsentwicklung näher beleuchten zu können und Merkmale didaktischen Handelns für verstehensbezogene und nachhaltige Lernprozesse eruieren zu können, orientiert sich diese Arbeit zweitens am Diskurs der pädagogisch-psychologischen Lehr- und Lernforschung. Insbesondere die Frage nach einer stärker personalisierten Gestaltung von Lehr- und Lernprozessen steht hier im Fokus (Abschnitt 2.3).
Zusammenfassung und Forschungsfragen
Authors: Galle Marco
Published: September 2021

Schulleitende und Lehrpersonen stehen vor der Herausforderung eines zunehmenden Gestaltwandels des Unterrichts: Ein ausschließlich eng geführter Klassenunterricht, in dem Lehrpersonen als reine Stoffvermittlerinnen und Stoffvermittler lehren, gilt kaum noch als probates didaktisches Lernsetting, um heterogenen Lerngruppen, digitalem Lernen oder der Leitidee der Kompetenzorientierung gerecht zu werden. Auch in einer sich wandelnden Schule bleibt jedoch das Ziel bestehen, kognitiv aktivierende, auf Verstehen ausgerichtete Lernprozesse anzuregen, in denen Schülerinnen und Schüler eigenständig und aktiv in einer Lerngemeinschaft wirken und sich als mitverantwortlich für das Erreichen der eigenen Lern- und Kompetenzziele erleben (Oelkers & Reusser, 2008).
Methodisches Vorgehen
Authors: Galle Marco
Published: September 2021

Vor dem im theoretischen Teil dargelegten Hintergrund wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit die folgende übergeordnete Frage untersucht: Wie gestalten Lehrpersonen und Schulleitenden in elf Schulen des perLen-Projekts (personalisierte Lernkonzepte in heterogenen Lerngruppen) ihre unterrichtszentrierte Schulentwicklung in Richtung personalisierten Lernens? Zu deren Klärung werden zwei Studien durchgeführt: eine Längsschnittanalyse qualitativer Daten (Studie 1) und eine transformative Mixed-Methods-Analyse (Studie 2). Nach der Beschreibung des Designs beider Studien (Abschnitt 6.1) folgt die Charakterisierung der elf Schulen umfassenden Stichprobe (Abschnitt 6.2).
Diskussion und Ausblick
Authors: Galle Marco
Published: September 2021

Den in dieser Arbeit untersuchten Schulen ist gemeinsam, dass sie sich auf den Weg gemacht haben, ihren Unterricht in Richtung einer stärkeren Personalisierung der Lehr- und Lernprozesse weiterzuentwickeln. Erkennbar wird dies daran, dass alters- und/oder leistungsdurchmischte Lerngruppen gebildet werden, Unterrichtsstunden in geführte und offene Unterrichtsphasen unterteilt werden, das Spektrum von Lehr- und Lernformen sowie die Formen der Lernunterstützung erweitert werden und die Aufgabenkultur weiterentwickelt wird.
The Development of Co-Occurrent Anxiety and Externalizing Problems from Early Childhood: a Latent Transition Analysis Approach
Authors: Isdahl-Troye Aimé , Villar Paula , Domínguez-Álvarez Beatriz , Romero Estrella , Deater-Deckard Kirby
Published: September 2021

Research into co-occurrent internalizing and externalizing problems during childhood is flourishing. In particular, investigation on the association between anxiety and externalizing problems has yielded mixed findings, focused mainly on the issue of which problem might precede the other, and what role anxiety plays with respect to externalizing problems. Relatively little attention has been paid to the developmental patterns of these behaviors from early childhood, despite the potential of such knowledge to fully delineate etiological models of co-occurrence. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal association of anxiety and externalizing problems in a community sample of preschoolers (ELISA Project; N = 2,341; 48.2% girls), by identifying empirically derived profiles and then describing their change and stability through the use of Latent Transition Analysis. Gender differences were explored. Four different profiles were identified: “typically developing”, “mainly anxious”, “modestly externalizing” and “co-occurrent”. Membership in these profile groups showed high stability over a two-year period. However, children in the “co-occurrent” profile group were the most likely to show changes, predominantly towards “modestly externalizing”. Furthermore, a significant gender difference for transitions towards the “co-occurrent” profile group was found, with girls showing less likelihood of being assigned to such profile. These findings show that it is possible to identify an early persistent course of co-occurrent anxiety and externalizing problems, as well as observe changes in co-occurrence towards a simpler externalizing behavioral expression. Further research should explore predictors of group membership and changes in membership, that are malleable and therefore open to preventative intervention.
Rail Surface Defect Detection and Analysis Using Multi-Channel Eddy Current Method Based Algorithm for Defect Evaluation
Authors: Park Jeong Won , Lee Taek Gyu , Back In Chul , Park Sang Jun , Seo Jong Min , Choi Won Jae , Kwon Se Gon
Published: September 2021

The railroad rail support trains and contributes to their operation. Internal and surface defects occur on the rail due to various combinations of causes including fatigue loading and cyclic tension and compression among others from the deterioration of the rail along with the temperature differences of seasonal changes. Surface defects such as head check, shelling, and squats start out in the rail head and become internal defects due to poor maintenance, ultimately resulting in rail failure. In order to prevent rail failure, it is important that defects are identified through nondestructive evaluation (NDE) in advance and to carry out maintenance techniques including grinding. NDE methods include MFL, EMAT, and ECT, and among these, the ECT method is a representative method with excellent detection sensitivity that nondestructively inspects metal surfaces such as rails and pipes using an electromagnetic field. Also, since the defect signal is obtained as an electrical signal, the depth, length, and width of defects can be assessed using a defect evaluation algorithm. This study investigated the field applicability and future practical use of the 16 channel eddy current testing equipment and defect evaluation algorithm developed in this study. Therefore, the field applicability of the equipment and defect evaluation algorithm was investigated through the detection of artificial defects with varying size and depth. Afterwards, future practical use was evaluated by inspection of areas of rail that are in use and with naturally occurring surface defects and analysis of their size (length, width), depth, and phenomena.
Using Infinite-server Resource Queue with Splitting of Requests for Modeling Two-channel Data Transmission
Authors: Bushkova Tatyana , Moiseeva Svetlana , Moiseev Alexander , Sztrik János , Lisovskaya Ekaterina , Pankratova Ekaterina
Published: September 2021

New Radio Access Technology 3GPP New Radio has become the fundamental wireless technology in the fifth-generation networks, which allows us to achieve high data rates due to the ability to work in the millimeter-wave band. But the key feature and the main problem of 5G New Radio networks is that people themselves, cars, buildings, etc. are signal blockers, while the base stations of the fourth generation networks have widescreen broadcasting and such small obstacles do not cause loss of connection. Service providers and mobile operators are already testing the proposed technology. In this connection, the scientific community has the task of analyzing the performance of these systems and increasing it in the future. Currently, there are known studies of “basic” mathematical models of such networks. By this term, we mean models built in the simplest possible assumptions. However, due to the justified necessity of introducing new technology into the daily lives of subscribers, service providers pose the scientific community with the task of analyzing the effectiveness of the most appropriate mathematical models. For example, a technology of splitting transmitted data into two streams using as 5G and both 4G transmission technologies is considered now by 3GPP Project Coordination Group. The paper is devoted to such a problem. We consider a mathematical model of the message transmitting with the implementation of the splitting function in the communication networks of New Radio technology in the form of a resource queueing system with a renewal arrival process and non-exponential service. For this problem, an approximation of a stationary two-dimensional probability distribution of the number of occupied resources in parallel service units is obtained. It is shown that this approximation coincides with the Gaussian distribution, and its area of applicability is shown.
The Montara Class Action Decision and Implications for Corporate Accountability for Australian Companies
Authors: RYAN Richard , PARRY Ellen
Published: September 2021

A ground-breaking judgment of the Australian Federal Court regarding the Montara oil spill in the Timor Sea in 2009, Sanda v PTTEP Australasia (Ashmore Cartier) Pty Ltd (No 7) (Sanda (No 7)),1 is one of the few Australian class actions to proceed to a favourable judgment for the claimants. It is also the first judgment against an Australian company for cross-border pollution loss suffered by foreign claimants.
Radius ratio dependency of the instability of fully compressible convection in rapidly rotating spherical shells
Authors: Wang Ben , Liu Shuang , Wan Zhen-Hua , Sun De-Jun
Published: September 2021

Based on the fully compressible Navier–Stokes equations, the linear stability of thermal convection in rapidly rotating spherical shells of various radius ratios $\eta$ is studied for a wide range of Taylor number $Ta$, Prandtl number $Pr$ and the number of density scale height $N_\rho$. Besides the classical inertial mode and columnar mode, which are widely studied by the Boussinesq approximation and anelastic approximation, the quasi-geostrophic compressible mode is also identified in a wide range of $N_\rho$ and $Pr$ for all $\eta$ considered, and this mode mainly occurs in the convection with relatively small $Pr$ and large $N_\rho$. The instability processes are classified into five categories. In general, for the specified wavenumber $m$, the parameter space ($Pr, N_\rho$) of the fifth category, in which the base state loses stability via the quasi-geostrophic compressible mode and remains unstable, shrinks as $\eta$ increases. The asymptotic scaling behaviours of the critical Rayleigh numbers $Ra_c$ and corresponding wavenumbers $m_c$ to $Ta$ are found at different $\eta$ for the same instability mode. As $\eta$ increases, the flow stability is strengthened. Furthermore, the linearized perturbation equations and Reynolds–Orr equation are employed to quantitatively analyse the mechanical mechanisms and flow instability mechanisms of different modes. In the quasi-geostrophic compressible mode, the time-derivative term of disturbance density in the continuity equation and the diffusion term of disturbance temperature in the energy equation are found to be critical, while in the columnar and inertial modes, they can generally be ignored. Because the time-derivative term of the disturbance density in the continuity equation cannot be ignored, the anelastic approximation fails to capture the instability mode in the small-$Pr$ and large-$N_\rho$ system, where convection onset is dominated by the quasi-geostrophic compressible mode. However, all the modes are primarily governed by the balance between the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient, based on the momentum equation. Physically, the most important difference between the quasi-geostrophic compressible mode and the columnar mode is the role played by the disturbance pressure. The disturbance pressure performs negative work for the former mode, which appears to stabilize the flow, while it destabilizes the flow for the latter mode. As $\eta$ increases, in the former mode the relative work performed by the disturbance pressure increases and in the latter mode decreases.
A REALIZATION OF THE ENVELOPING SUPERALGEBRA
Authors: DU JIE , FU QIANG , LIN YANAN
Published: September 2021

In [2], Beilinson–Lusztig–MacPherson (BLM) gave a beautiful realization for quantum
$\mathfrak {gl}_n$
via a geometric setting of quantum Schur algebras. We introduce the notion of affine Schur superalgebras and use them as a bridge to link the structure and representations of the universal enveloping superalgebra
${\mathcal U}_{\mathbb Q}(\widehat {\mathfrak {gl}}_{m|n})$
of the loop algebra
$\widehat {\mathfrak {gl}}_{m|n}$
of
${\mathfrak {gl}}_{m|n}$
with those of affine symmetric groups
${\widehat {{\mathfrak S}}_{r}}$
. Then, we give a BLM type realization of
${\mathcal U}_{\mathbb Q}(\widehat {\mathfrak {gl}}_{m|n})$
via affine Schur superalgebras.

The first application of the realization of
${\mathcal U}_{\mathbb Q}(\widehat {\mathfrak {gl}}_{m|n})$
is to determine the action of
${\mathcal U}_{\mathbb Q}(\widehat {\mathfrak {gl}}_{m|n})$
on tensor spaces of the natural representation of
$\widehat {\mathfrak {gl}}_{m|n}$
. These results in epimorphisms from
$\;{\mathcal U}_{\mathbb Q}(\widehat {\mathfrak {gl}}_{m|n})$
to affine Schur superalgebras so that the bridging relation between representations of
${\mathcal U}_{\mathbb Q}(\widehat {\mathfrak {gl}}_{m|n})$
and
${\widehat {{\mathfrak S}}_{r}}$
is established. As a second application, we construct a Kostant type
$\mathbb Z$
-form for
${\mathcal U}_{\mathbb Q}(\widehat {\mathfrak {gl}}_{m|n})$
whose images under the epimorphisms above are exactly the integral affine Schur superalgebras. In this way, we obtain essentially the super affine Schur–Weyl duality in arbitrary characteristics.
Mediterranean fruit fly genes exhibit different expression patterns between heat and cold treatments
Authors: Anantanawat Kay , Papanicolaou Alexie , Hill Kelly , Xu Wei
Published: September 2021

Invasive Tephritid fruit flies are a global threat to both agriculture and horticulture industries. Biosecurity has played a critical role in reducing their damage but becomes more and more challenging after several key chemical pesticides were banned or withdrawn for health or environmental reasons. This has led to non-chemical approaches including heat and cold treatments being broadly utilized to get rid of fruit fly infestation. However, the molecular mechanisms to kill the flies underlying these stressors are not clear yet. This knowledge will certainly help refine current post-harvest treatment strategies and develop more efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly approaches for fruit fly management. Previously, the molecular response of the Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata(Wiedemann) to heat was examined thoroughly, in which 31 key genes were identified with significant changes in expression levels and their high-resolution expression timeline was constructed across 11 timepoints. However, whether these candidate genes respond to cold in the same way was unknown. Here, a temperature bioassay was conducted and the expression profiles of these genes were investigated across the same 11 timepoints using cold treatment. The results showed that most of candidate genes exhibited divergent expression profiles compared to heat treatment, suggesting that the fly molecular response to cold may be different from those to heat. This study provides new knowledge of Tephritid fruit fly response to cold at a molecular level, which could aid in improving current fruit fly management and facilitate the development of new strategies to control this serious horticultural insect pest.
The audiovestibular profile of Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome
Authors: Omar R , Rajput K , Sirimanna T , Rajput S , Pagarkar W
Published: September 2021

Background

Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome, a rare disorder associated with motor, sensory and cranial nerve neuropathy, is caused by mutations in riboflavin transporter genes SLC52A2 and SLC52A3. Hearing loss is a characteristic feature of Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome and has been shown in recent studies to be characterised by auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.

Method

This study reports the detailed audiovestibular profiles of four cases of Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome with SLC52A2 and SLC52A3 mutations. All of these patients had auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.

Results

There was significant heterogeneity in vestibular function and in the benefit gained from cochlear implantation. The audiological response to riboflavin therapy was also variable, in contrast to generalised improvement in motor function.

Conclusion

We suggest that comprehensive testing of vestibular function should be conducted in Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome, in addition to serial behavioural audiometry as part of the systematic examination of the effects of riboflavin.
Case Report of a 33-year-old with Ebstein malformation of tricuspid valve and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Saedi Sedigheh , Pashapour Pooneh , Houshmand Golnaz
Published: September 2021

Ebstein malformation of tricuspid valve is a congenital disease of tricuspid valve with associated right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a form of inherited left ventricular cardiomyopathy caused by sarcomeric protein gene mutations with inherent risks of sudden cardiac death. Here we report a rare case with co-occurrence of Ebstein malformation of tricuspid valve and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a young patient.
A Comparison of Time‐Frequency Signal Processing Methods for Identifying Non‐Perennial Streamflow Events From Streambed Surface Temperature Time Series
Authors: Partington D. , Shanafield M. , Turnadge C.
Published: September 2021

The determination of flow state remains an important challenge in non‐perennial stream catchments. To identify periods of flow and no‐flow, previous studies deployed temperature sensors on streambed surfaces and interpreted the resulting time series data using a moving standard deviation approach. However, this technique requires the specification of multiple, subjective constraints. To identify suitable alternative approaches, we tested six time‐frequency analysis methods from three categories: (a) Fourier transform, (b) wavelet transform, and (c) empirical mode decomposition. We compared each of the methods abilities to discern periods of flow from synthetic and field data of streambed temperature time series data. When tested using a synthetically generated data set, the efficacy of methods ranged from moderate to high, with 86%–99% accuracy. When applied to a field data set, greater variability in performance was observed, with 66%–90% accuracy. This accuracy represents a sound ability to determine the percentage of time for which a stream flows and does not flow. However, in the presence of a noisy signal, determining the number of specific flow events as well as correctly identifying timing of activation and cessation remains a challenge that most methods struggled with; this has implications for understanding eco‐hydrological functioning. Differences observed between methods included variations in the ease of implementation and evaluation of results, as well as computational requirements and the ability to handle discontinuous time series data. Based on these results, we suggest five areas for future research to improve the general understanding of time‐frequency analysis techniques amongst practicing hydrologists.
Microbiota-derived lactate promotes hematopoiesis and erythropoiesis by inducing stem cell factor production from leptin receptor+ niche cells
Authors: Lee Yong-Soo , Kim Tae-Young , Kim Yeji , Kim Seungil , Lee Su-Hyun , Seo Sang-Uk , Zhou Bo O. , Eunju O. , Kim Kwang Soon , Kweon Mi-Na
Published: September 2021

Although functional interplay between intestinal microbiota and distant sites beyond the gut has been identified, the influence of microbiota-derived metabolites on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) remains unclear. This study investigated the role of microbiota-derived lactate in hematopoiesis using mice deficient in G-protein-coupled receptor (Gpr) 81 (Gpr81−/−), an established lactate receptor. We detected significant depletion of total HSCs in the bone marrow (BM) of Gpr81−/− mice compared with heterogenic (Gpr81+/−) mice in a steady state. Notably, the expression levels of stem cell factor (SCF), which is required for the proliferation of HSCs, decreased significantly in leptin receptor-expressing (LepR+) mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) around the sinusoidal vessels of the BM from Gpr81−/− mice compared with Gpr81+/− mice. Hematopoietic recovery and activation of BM niche cells after irradiation or busulfan treatment also required Gpr81 signals. Oral administration of lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) activated SCF secretion from LepR+ BM MSCs and subsequently accelerated hematopoiesis and erythropoiesis. Most importantly, LAB feeding accelerated the self-renewal of HSCs in germ-free mice. These results suggest that microbiota-derived lactate stimulates SCF secretion by LepR+ BM MSCs and subsequently activates hematopoiesis and erythropoiesis in a Gpr81-dependent manner.
LINC01342 silencing upregulates microRNA-508-5p to inhibit progression of lung cancer by reducing cysteine-rich secretory protein 3
Authors: Shen Qiming , Xu Zhe , Sun Guanghao , Wang Haoyou , Zhang Lin
Published: September 2021

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical players during cancer progression. Nevertheless, the effect of most lncRNAs in lung cancer (LC) remains unclear. We aimed to explore the role of LINC01342 in LC development through the microRNA-508-5p (miR-508-5p)/cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP3) axis. LINC01342, miR-508-5p, and CRISP3 expression in clinical samples and cell lines were determined, and their correlations in LC were analyzed. The prognostic role of LINC01342 in LC patients was evaluated. LC cells were screened and, respectively, transfected to alter the expression of LINC01342, miR-508-5p, and CRISP3. Then, proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of transfected LC cells were determined, and the in vivo tumor growth was observed as well. Binding relationships between LINC01342 and miR-508-5p, and between miR-508-5p and CRISP3 were identified. LINC01342 and CRISP3 were upregulated and miR-508-5p was downregulated in LC tissues and cells. High LINC01342 expression indicated a poor prognosis of LC patients. The LINC01342/CRISP3 silencing or miR-508-5p elevation inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of LC cells and promoted LC cell apoptosis, and also suppressed the in vivo tumor growth. LINC01342 bound to miR-508-5p and miR-508-5p targeted CRISP3. LINC01342 plays a prognostic role in LC and LINC01342 silencing upregulates miR-508-5p to inhibit the progression of LC by reducing CRISP3.
Acoustoelectric current in graphene nanoribbon due to Landau damping
Authors: Dompreh K. A. , Adu K. W. , Sakyi-Arthur D. , Mensah N. G. , Mensah S. Y. , Twum A. , Amekpewu M.
Published: September 2021

We perform self-consistent analysis of the Boltzmann transport equation for momentum and energy in the hypersound regime i.e., $$ql \gg 1$$

q
l
≫
1

($$q$$
q
is the acoustic wavenumber and l is the mean free path). We investigate the Landau damping of acoustic phonons ($$LDOAP$$

LDOAP

) in graphene nanoribbons, which leads to acoustoelectric current generation. Under a non-quantized field with drift velocity, we observed an acoustic phonon energy quantization that depends on the energy gap, the width, and the sub-index of the material. An effect similar to Cerenkov emission was observed, where the electron absorbed the confined acoustic phonon energy, causing the generation of acoustoelectric current in the graphene nanoribbon. A qualitative analysis of the dependence of the absorption coefficient and the acoustoelectric current on the phonon frequency is in agreement with experimental reports. We observed a shift in the peaks when the energy gap and the drift velocity were varied. Most importantly, a transparency window appears when the absorption coefficient is zero, making graphene nanoribbons a potential candidate for use as an acoustic wave filter with applications in tunable gate-controlled quantum information devices and phonon spectrometers.
First evidence of yawn contagion in a wild monkey species
Authors: Gallo Alessandro , Zanoli Anna , Caselli Marta , Palagi Elisabetta , Norscia Ivan
Published: September 2021

Yawn contagion occurs when individuals yawn in response to the yawn of others (triggers). This is the first account of yawn contagion in wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada), a monkey species that shows yawn contagion in captivity and is organized in core units (one-male/bachelor groups) forming multilevel associations. In a population of geladas from the Kundi plateau (Ethiopia) we found that the yawning response was highest when geladas could perceive a triggering yawn, which confirms that yawn contagion is present in the wild. Yawn duration, mouth-opening degree and presence/absence of vocalisation (possibly modulating yawn detectability) did not affect the likelihood of contagion. Males and females, known to be both implicated in movement initiation within groups, were similarly powerful as yawn triggers. Instead, group membership and responder sex had a significant role in shaping the phenomenon. Yawn contagion was highest between individuals belonging to different core units and males were most likely to respond to others’ yawns. Because males have a non-negligible role in inter-group coordination, our results suggest that yawn contagion may have a communicative function that goes beyond the basic unit level.
HES and Mox genes are expressed during early mesoderm formation in a mollusk with putative ancestral features
Authors: Sachslehner Attila , Zieger Elisabeth , Calcino Andrew , Wanninger Andreas
Published: September 2021

The mesoderm is considered the youngest of the three germ layers. Although its morphogenesis has been studied in some metazoans, the molecular components underlying this process remain obscure for numerous phyla including the highly diverse Mollusca. Here, expression of Hairy and enhancer of split (HES), Mox, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) was investigated in Acanthochitona fascicularis, a representative of Polyplacophora with putative ancestral molluscan features. While AfaMHC is expressed throughout myogenesis, AfaMox1 is only expressed during early stages of mesodermal band formation and in the ventrolateral muscle, an autapomorphy of the polyplacophoran trochophore. Comparing our findings to previously published data across Metazoa reveals Mox expression in the mesoderm in numerous bilaterians including gastropods, polychaetes, and brachiopods. It is also involved in myogenesis in molluscs, annelids, tunicates, and craniates, suggesting a dual role of Mox in mesoderm and muscle formation in the last common bilaterian ancestor. AfaHESC2 is expressed in the ectoderm of the polyplacophoran gastrula and later in the mesodermal bands and in putative neural tissue, whereas AfaHESC7 is expressed in the trochoblasts of the gastrula and during foregut formation. This confirms the high developmental variability of HES gene expression and demonstrates that Mox and HES genes are pleiotropic.
Label-free microfluidic enrichment of cancer cells from non-cancer cells in ascites
Authors: Stone Nicholas E. , Raj Abhishek , Young Katherine M. , DeLuca Adam P. , Chrit Fatima Ezahra , Tucker Budd A. , Alexeev Alexander , McDonald John , Benigno Benedict B. , Sulchek Todd
Published: September 2021

The isolation of a patient's metastatic cancer cells is the first, enabling step toward treatment of that patient using modern personalized medicine techniques. Whereas traditional standard-of-care approaches select treatments for cancer patients based on the histological classification of cancerous tissue at the time of diagnosis, personalized medicine techniques leverage molecular and functional analysis of a patient's own cancer cells to select treatments with the highest likelihood of being effective. Unfortunately, the pure populations of cancer cells required for these analyses can be difficult to acquire, given that metastatic cancer cells typically reside in fluid containing many different cell populations. Detection and analyses of cancer cells therefore require separation from these contaminating cells. Conventional cell sorting approaches such as Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting or Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting rely on the presence of distinct surface markers on cells of interest which may not be known nor exist for cancer applications. In this work, we present a microfluidic platform capable of label-free enrichment of tumor cells from the ascites fluid of ovarian cancer patients. This approach sorts cells based on differences in biomechanical properties, and therefore does not require any labeling or other pre-sort interference with the cells. The method is also useful in the cases when specific surface markers do not exist for cells of interest. In model ovarian cancer cell lines, the method was used to separate invasive subtypes from less invasive subtypes with an enrichment of ~ sixfold. In ascites specimens from ovarian cancer patients, we found the enrichment protocol resulted in an improved purity of P53 mutant cells indicative of the presence of ovarian cancer cells. We believe that this technology could enable the application of personalized medicine based on analysis of liquid biopsy patient specimens, such as ascites from ovarian cancer patients, for quick evaluation of metastatic disease progression and determination of patient-specific treatment.
Dynamic prokaryotic communities in the dark western Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Mena Catalina , Balbín Rosa , Reglero Patricia , Martín Melissa , Santiago Rocío , Sintes Eva
Published: September 2021

Dark ocean microbial dynamics are fundamental to understand ecosystem metabolism and ocean biogeochemical processes. Yet, the ecological response of deep ocean communities to environmental perturbations remains largely unknown. Temporal and spatial dynamics of the meso- and bathypelagic prokaryotic communities were assessed throughout a 2-year seasonal sampling across the western Mediterranean Sea. A common pattern of prokaryotic communities’ depth stratification was observed across the different regions and throughout the seasons. However, sporadic and drastic alterations of the community composition and diversity occurred either at specific water masses or throughout the aphotic zone and at a basin scale. Environmental changes resulted in a major increase in the abundance of rare or low abundant phylotypes and a profound change of the community composition. Our study evidences the temporal dynamism of dark ocean prokaryotic communities, exhibiting long periods of stability but also drastic changes, with implications in community metabolism and carbon fluxes. Taken together, the results highlight the importance of monitoring the temporal patterns of dark ocean prokaryotic communities.
Effects of radiation damage and inelastic scattering on single-particle imaging of hydrated proteins with an X-ray Free-Electron Laser
Authors: E Juncheng , Stransky Michal , Jurek Zoltan , Fortmann-Grote Carsten , Juha Libor , Santra Robin , Ziaja Beata , Mancuso Adrian P.
Published: September 2021

We present a computational case study of X-ray single-particle imaging of hydrated proteins on an example of 2-Nitrogenase–Iron protein covered with water layers of various thickness, using a start-to-end simulation platform and experimental parameters of the SPB/SFX instrument at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser facility. The simulations identify an optimal thickness of the water layer at which the effective resolution for imaging the hydrated sample becomes significantly higher than for the non-hydrated sample. This effect is lost when the water layer becomes too thick. Even though the detailed results presented pertain to the specific sample studied, the trends which we identify should also hold in a general case. We expect these findings will guide future single-particle imaging experiments using hydrated proteins.
Glycosylation reduces the glycan-independent immunomodulatory effect of recombinant Orysata lectin in Drosophila S2 cells
Authors: Chen Pengyu , De Schutter Kristof , Serna Sonia , Chen Simin , Yang Qun , Reichardt Niels-Christian , Van Damme Els J. M. , Smagghe Guy
Published: September 2021

Several plant lectins, or carbohydrate-binding proteins, interact with glycan moieties on the surface of immune cells, thereby influencing the immune response of these cells. Orysata, a mannose-binding lectin from rice, has been reported to exert immunomodulatory activities on insect cells. While the natural lectin is non-glycosylated, recombinant Orysata produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris (YOry) is modified with a hyper-mannosylated N-glycan. Since it is unclear whether this glycosylation can affect the YOry activity, non-glycosylated rOrysata was produced in Escherichia coli (BOry). In a comparative analysis, both recombinant Orysata proteins were tested for their carbohydrate specificity on a glycan array, followed by the investigation of the carbohydrate-dependent agglutination of red blood cells (RBCs) and the carbohydrate-independent immune responses in Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells. Although YOry and BOry showed a similar carbohydrate-binding profiles, lower concentration of BOry were sufficient for the agglutination of RBCs and BOry induced stronger immune responses in S2 cells. The data are discussed in relation to different hypotheses explaining the weaker responses of glycosylated YOry. In conclusion, these observations contribute to the understanding how post-translational modification can affect protein function, and provide guidance in the selection of the proper expression system for the recombinant production of lectins.
A robust model of Stimulus-Specific Adaptation validated on neuromorphic hardware
Authors: Vanattou-Saïfoudine Natacha , Han Chao , Krause Renate , Vasilaki Eleni , von der Behrens Wolfger , Indiveri Giacomo
Published: September 2021

Stimulus-Specific Adaptation (SSA) to repetitive stimulation is a phenomenon that has been observed across many different species and in several brain sensory areas. It has been proposed as a computational mechanism, responsible for separating behaviorally relevant information from the continuous stream of sensory information. Although SSA can be induced and measured reliably in a wide variety of conditions, the network details and intracellular mechanisms giving rise to SSA still remain unclear. Recent computational studies proposed that SSA could be associated with a fast and synchronous neuronal firing phenomenon called Population Spikes (PS). Here, we test this hypothesis using a mean-field rate model and corroborate it using a neuromorphic hardware. As the neuromorphic circuits used in this study operate in real-time with biologically realistic time constants, they can reproduce the same dynamics observed in biological systems, together with the exploration of different connectivity schemes, with complete control of the system parameter settings. Besides, the hardware permits the iteration of multiple experiments over many trials, for extended amounts of time and without losing the networks and individual neural processes being studied. Following this “neuromorphic engineering” approach, we therefore study the PS hypothesis in a biophysically inspired recurrent networks of spiking neurons and evaluate the role of different linear and non-linear dynamic computational primitives such as spike-frequency adaptation or short-term depression (STD). We compare both the theoretical mean-field model of SSA and PS to previously obtained experimental results in the area of novelty detection and observe its behavior on its neuromorphic physical equivalent model. We show how the approach proposed can be extended to other computational neuroscience modelling efforts for understanding high-level phenomena in mechanistic models.
Simultaneous in vivo imaging with PET and SPECT tracers using a Compton-PET hybrid camera
Authors: Uenomachi Mizuki , Takahashi Miwako , Shimazoe Kenji , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Kamada Kei , Orita Tadashi , Ogane Kenichiro , Tsuji Atsushi B.
Published: September 2021

Positron-emission tomography (PET) and single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) are well-established nuclear-medicine imaging methods used in modern medical diagnoses. Combining PET with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and SPECT with an 111In-labelled ligand provides clinicians with information about the aggressiveness and specific types of tumors. However, it is difficult to integrate a SPECT system with a PET system because SPECT requires a collimator. Herein, we describe a novel method that provides simultaneous imaging with PET and SPECT nuclides by combining PET imaging and Compton imaging. The latter is an imaging method that utilizes Compton scattering to visualize gamma rays over a wide range of energies without requiring a collimator. Using Compton imaging with SPECT nuclides, instead of the conventional SPECT imaging method, enables PET imaging and Compton imaging to be performed with one system. In this research, we have demonstrated simultaneous in vivo imaging of a tumor-bearing mouse injected with 18F-FDG and an 111In-antibody by using a prototype Compton-PET hybrid camera. We have succeeded in visualizing accumulations of 18F-FDG and 111In-antibody by performing PET imaging and Compton imaging simultaneously. As simultaneous imaging utilizes the same coordinate axes, it is expected to improve the accuracy of diagnoses.
Competitive ELISA for a serologic test to detect dengue serotype-specific anti-NS1 IgGs using high-affinity UB-DNA aptamers
Authors: Matsunaga Ken-ichiro , Kimoto Michiko , Lim Vanessa Weixun , Thein Tun-Linn , Vasoo Shawn , Leo Yee-Sin , Sun William , Hirao Ichiro
Published: September 2021

Serologic tests to detect specific IgGs to antigens related to viral infections are urgently needed for diagnostics and therapeutics. We present a diagnostic method for serotype-specific IgG identification of dengue infection by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using high-affinity unnatural-base-containing DNA (UB-DNA) aptamers that recognize the four categorized serotypes. Using UB-DNA aptamers specific to each serotype of dengue NS1 proteins (DEN-NS1), we developed our aptamer–antibody sandwich ELISA for dengue diagnostics. Furthermore, IgGs highly specific to DEN-NS1 inhibited the serotype-specific NS1 detection, inspiring us to develop the competitive ELISA format for dengue serotype-specific IgG detection. Blood samples from Singaporean patients with primary or secondary dengue infections confirmed the highly specific IgG detection of this format, and the IgG production initially reflected the serotype of the past infection, rather than the recent infection. Using this dengue competitive ELISA format, cross-reactivity tests of 21 plasma samples from Singaporean Zika virus-infected patients revealed two distinct patterns: 8 lacked cross-reactivity, and 13 were positive with unique dengue serotype specificities, indicating previous dengue infection. This antigen-detection ELISA and antibody-detection competitive ELISA combination using the UB-DNA aptamers identifies both past and current viral infections and will facilitate specific medical care and vaccine development for infectious diseases.
Photodynamic therapy outcome modelling for patients with spinal metastases: a simulation-based study
Authors: Yassine Abdul-Amir , Lo William C. Y. , Saeidi Tina , Ferguson Dallis , Whyne Cari M. , Akens Margarete K. , Betz Vaughn , Lilge Lothar
Published: September 2021

Spinal metastases often occur in the advanced stages of breast, lung or prostate cancer, resulting in a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life. Current treatment modalities for spinal metastases include both systemic and localized treatments that aim to decrease pain, improve mobility and structural stability, and control tumour growth. With the development of non-toxic photosensitizer drugs, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown promise as a minimally invasive non-thermal alternative in oncology, including for spinal metastases. To apply PDT to spinal metastases, predictive algorithms that optimize tumour treatment and minimize the risk of spinal cord damage are needed to assess the feasibility of the treatment and encourage a broad acceptance of PDT in clinical trials. This work presents a framework for PDT modelling and planning, and simulates the feasibility of using a BPD-MA mediated PDT to treat bone metastases at two different wavelengths (690 nm and 565 nm). An open-source software for PDT planning, PDT-SPACE, is used to evaluate different configurations of light diffusers (cut-end and cylindrical) fibres with optimized power allocation in order to minimize the damage to spinal cord or maximize tumour destruction. The work is simulated on three CT images of metastatically involved vertebrae acquired from three patients with spinal metastases secondary to colorectal or lung cancer. Simulation results show that PDT at a 565 nm wavelength has the ability to treat 90% of the metastatic lesion with less than 17% damage to the spinal cord. However, the energy required, and hence treatment time, to achieve this outcome with the 565 nm is infeasible. The energy required and treatment time for the longer wavelength of 690 nm is feasible ($${\sim }\,40$$

∼

40

 min), but treatment aimed at 90% of the metastatic lesion would severely damage the proximal spinal cord. PDT-SPACE provides a simulation platform that can be used to optimize PDT delivery in the metastatic spine. While this work serves as a prospective methodology to analyze the feasibility of PDT for tumour ablation in the spine, preclinical studies in an animal model are ongoing to elucidate the spinal cord damage extent as a function of PDT dose, and the resulting short and long term functional impairments. These will be required before there can be any consideration of clinical trials.
Dynapenia is highly prevalent in older patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Bocchino Marialuisa , Alicante Paola , Capitelli Ludovica , Stanziola Anna Agnese , Gallotti Lorena , Di Gregorio Ada , Rea Gaetano , Sanduzzi Zamparelli Alessandro , Scalfi Luca
Published: September 2021

Body composition and muscle strength are emerging aspects in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) clinical assessment. We aimed to study the relationships of handgrip strength (HGS) with anthropometric variables, body composition, and disease staging, and to evaluate the prevalence of dynapenia in 102 clinically stable IPF patients (70 M; mean age: 69.4 years). Fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle (SM) were estimated with bioimpedance analysis. HGS was measured with a digital handle dynamometer for both dominant and non-dominant body sides. Dynapenia was identified according to six recognized criteria sets. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.2 ± 4.7 kg/m2, with a prevalence of overweight (BMI > 25 and < 30 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) of 35% and 37%, respectively. FFM and SM were greater in males, whereas percentage body fat was higher in women. HGS was higher and declined with age slightly more rapidly in men, showing a stronger correlation with FFM and SM. Dynapenia prevalence ranged from 20.6 to 56.9%, depending on the criteria used, and was more frequent in older patients and advanced disease. Dynapenia is highly prevalent in IPF. HGS is a promising proxy marker of muscle function to be used in clinical evaluation and follow-up programs.