bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the steady state of continuous-time stochastic opinion dynamics with power-law confidence
Authors: Baccelli François , Vishwanath Sriram , Oh Woo Jae
Published: September 2021

This paper introduces a non-linear and continuous-time opinion dynamics model with additive noise and state-dependent interaction rates between agents. The model features interaction rates which are proportional to a negative power of the opinion distances. We establish a non-local partial differential equation for the distribution of opinion distances and use Mellin transforms to provide an explicit formula for the stationary solution of the latter, when it exists. Our approach leads to new qualitative and quantitative results on this type of dynamics. To the best of our knowledge these Mellin transform results are the first quantitative results on the equilibria of opinion dynamics with distance-dependent interaction rates. The closed-form expressions for this class of dynamics are obtained for the two-agent case. However, the results can be used in mean-field models featuring several agents whose interaction rates depend on the empirical average of their opinions. The technique also applies to linear dynamics, namely with a constant interaction rate, on an interaction graph.
A transient Cramér–Lundberg model with applications to credit risk
Authors: Delsing Guusje , Mandjes Michel
Published: September 2021

This paper considers a variant of the classical Cramér–Lundberg model that is particularly appropriate in the credit context, with the distinguishing feature that it corresponds to a finite number of obligors. The focus is on computing the ruin probability, i.e. the probability that the initial reserve, increased by the interest received from the obligors and decreased by the losses due to defaults, drops below zero. As well as an exact analysis (in terms of transforms) of this ruin probability, an asymptotic analysis is performed, including an efficient importance-sampling-based simulation approach.

The base model is extended in multiple dimensions: (i) we consider a model in which there may, in addition, be losses that do not correspond to defaults, (ii) then we analyze a model in which the individual obligors are coupled via a regime switching mechanism, (iii) then we extend the model so that between the losses the reserve process behaves as a Brownian motion rather than a deterministic drift, and (iv) we finally consider a set-up with multiple groups of statistically identical obligors.
Controlled branching processes with continuous time
Authors: González Miguel , Molina Manuel , del Puerto Ines , Yanev Nikolay M. , Yanev George P.
Published: September 2021

A class of controlled branching processes with continuous time is introduced and some limiting distributions are obtained in the critical case. An extension of this class as regenerative controlled branching processes with continuous time is proposed and some asymptotic properties are considered.
The Long-Term Effects of Oppression: Prussia, Political Catholicism, and the Alternative für Deutschland
Authors: HAFFERT LUKAS
Published: September 2021

Contemporary political behavior is often affected by historical legacies, but the specific mechanisms through which these legacies are transmitted are difficult to pin down. This paper argues that historical political conflicts can affect political behavior over several generations when they trigger an enduring organizational mobilization. It studies how the oppression of German Catholics in the nineteenth century led to a regionally differentiated mobilization of political Catholicism that still affects political support for the radical rightAlternative für Deutschland(AfD) today. Using newly collected data on historical oppression events, it shows that Catholic regions where oppression was intense saw greater mobilization of Catholic lay organizations than Catholic regions where oppression was milder and show lower support for the AfD today. The paper thus contributes to the literature on the historical determinants of political behavior as well as to the question of which regional context effects strengthen or weaken the radical right.
Association between sitting/lying down, standing, walking time and number of steps per day with the hormonal profile and resting energy expenditure of women with obesity living in a low-income region
Authors: Macena Mateus de Lima , da Silva Júnior André Eduardo , Praxedes Dafiny Rodrigues Silva , Vasconcelos Laís Gomes Lessa , Pureza Isabele Rejane de Oliveira Maranhão , Florêncio Telma Maria de Menezes Toledo , Bueno Nassib Bezerra
Published: September 2021

Reducing sedentary behaviour (SB) and increasing physical activity (PA) by sitting less and standing/walking more is advised to prevent chronic diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying this recommendation are not well established, especially in individuals with obesity living in low-income regions. The present study evaluated whether there are associations between PA indicators (PAI – standing time, walking time and the number of steps/d) and SB indicators (SBI – sitting/lying down time) with the hormonal profile and resting energy expenditure (REE) of adult women living in a low-income region. This is a cross-sectional study. We collected data on hormones (insulin resistance, leptin and thyroid axis), body composition (tetrapolar bioimpedance), REE (indirect calorimetry), and PAI and SBI (triaxial accelerometers, ActivPAL). Multivariable linear models adjusting for age and fat-free mass were performed. Fifty-eight women (mean age of 31 years and BMI of 33 kg/m2) were included. The mean sitting/lying down time and standing time were 16·08 and 5·52 h/d, respectively. Sitting/lying down time showed a direct association with free thyroxine (FT4) (β = 0·56 ng/dl; 95 % CI = −1·10, −0·02). Standing time showed a direct association with FT4 (β = 0·75 ng/dl; 95 % CI = 0·01; 1·48) and inverse association with free triiodothyronine (β = −2·83 pg/ml 95 % CI = −5·56, −0·10). There were no associations between PAI and SBI with the REE, insulin resistance, leptin and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thus, decreased SB is associated with thyroid hormones levels but not with REE, insulin resistance or leptin in women with obesity living in low-income regions.
Glucosamine use, smoking and risk of incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a large prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Xi-Ru , Zhang Pei-Dong , Li Zhi-Hao , Yang Pei , Wang Xiao-Meng , Liu Hua-Min , Liang Fen , Wang Jin-Dong , Sun Yu , Shen Dong , Chen Pei-Liang , Zhong Wen-Fang , Huang Qing-Mei , Liu Dan , Wang Zheng-He , Kraus Virginia Byers , Mao Chen
Published: September 2021

Chronic inflammation exerts pleiotropic effects in the aetiology and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Glucosamine is widely used in many countries and may have anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the association of regular glucosamine use with incident COPD risk and explore whether such association could be modified by smoking in the UK Biobank cohort, which recruited more than half a million participants aged 40–69 years from across the UK between 2006 and 2010. Cox proportional hazards models with adjustment for potential confounding factors were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) as well as 95 % CI for the risk of incident COPD. During a median follow-up of 8·96 years (interquartile range 8·29–9·53 years), 9016 new-onset events of COPD were documented. We found that the regular use of glucosamine was associated with a significantly lower risk of incident COPD with multivariable adjusted HR of 0·80 (95 % CI, 0·75, 0·85; P < 0·001). When subgroup analyses were performed by smoking status, the adjusted HR for the association of regular glucosamine use with incident COPD were 0·84 (0·73, 0·96), 0·84 (0·77, 0·92) and 0·71 (0·62, 0·80) among never smokers, former smokers and current smokers, respectively. No significant interaction was observed between glucosamine use and smoking status (Pfor interaction = 0·078). Incident COPD could be reduced by 14 % to 84 % through a combination of regular glucosamine use and smoking cessation.
Morphology and phylogeny of the parasitic nematode Mooleptus rabuka (Machida, Ogawa & Okiyama, 1982) (Rhabditida, Spirurina: Mooleptinae nom. nov.), with notes on taxonomy of the family Gnathostomatidae
Authors: Sokolov S.G. , Gordeev I.I.
Published: September 2021

The nematode Mooleptus rabuka is recorded in the digestive tract of catshark Apristurus fedorovi caught at the Imperial Ridge (Pacific Ocean). Important morphological features such as the number of cephalic and caudal papillae, the position of amphids and the shape of the gubernaculum are detailed in this parasite species. According to the phylogenetic analyses based on the 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences, M. rabuka forms a lineage, Mooleptinae nom. nov., which is close to the gnathostomatid genus Echinocephalus (maximum likelihood analysis), or else forms a polytomy with this genus and the lineages of Anguillicola + Spiroxys and Tanqua + ‘Linstowinema’ sp. (Bayesian inference analysis). Overall, our findings do not support the monophyly of the Gnathostomatidae. We elevate spiroxyines to the family status, Spiroxyidae stat. nov., and temporarily consider the Gnathostomatidae to include the following subfamilies: Ancyracanthinae Yorke & Maplestone, 1926, Gnathostomatinae Railliet, 1895 sensu lato and Mooleptinae nom. nov. The name Mooleptinae nom. nov. is suggested instead of the Metaleptinae Moravec & Nagasawa, 2000, which is based on a preoccupied generic name Metaleptus Machida, Ogawa & Okiyama, 1982.
Confronting the Youngest Revolution: Cuban Anti-Communists and the Global Politics of Youth in the Early 1960s
Authors: Chase Michelle
Published: September 2021

This article examines the transnational activism of the Directorio Revolucionario Estudiantil (Revolutionary Student Directorate, DRE), a group of exiled Cuban anti-Castro students. In the wake of the Bay of Pigs invasion, with CIA funding, the DRE attempted to challenge student support for the Cuban Revolution in Latin America and elsewhere in the global South. This article uses the DRE's trajectory to rethink the 1960s as a period of anti-communist, as well as leftist, youth ascendancy. It challenges the idea that Cuba garnered universal youth support, stressing instead that the Cuban Revolution helped turn student politics into a key battleground of the Cold War.
Balances, Norms and Institutions: Why Elite Politics in the CCP Have Not Institutionalized
Authors: Fewsmith Joseph
Published: September 2021

In recent years, explanations of the Chinese Communist Party's longevity as a ruling party have focused on institutionalization. But a close look at the four leaders of China since 1978 reveal that institutions have remained weak. Of much greater importance have been balances that reflect the informal distribution of power and norms that express agreed-upon Party procedures. Of yet even greater importance have been the efforts of individual leaders to concentrate power in themselves through the appointment of protégés to critical positions. Such leaders also attempt to extend their influence beyond their terms in office through those protégés and their roles as “elders.” Thus, we see a tension between Party norms and the centralizing tendencies of Leninist systems in which the centralizing tendencies usually prevail. With Xi Jinping, we see a far greater personalization of power disrupting the norms and balances existing under previous leaders.
Institutional Changes, Influences and Historical Junctures in the Communist Youth League of China
Authors: Tsai Wen-Hsuan , Liao Xingmiu
Published: September 2021

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regards the Communist Youth League (CYL) as a critical and distinctive mass organization that acts as an “assistant” and “reserve army” for the Party. This article uses the analytical concepts of historical institutionalism and critical junctures to discuss the changes in the CYL during the post-Mao period. We focus on two critical junctures: 1982, when the CYL became a route to rapid promotion for cadres, and 2016, after which its cadres had fewer opportunities for promotion and the CYL was pushed back to its original role in youth United Front work. We also find that the CYL has refined its United Front methods to attract talented young people by offering them services. This reflects the efforts of the CCP regime to adapt to circumstances and ensure its survival.
Passive surveillance assesses compliance with COVID-19 behavioural restrictions in a rural US county
Authors: Faust Christina L. , Lambert Brian , Kochenour Cale , Robinson Anthony C. , Bharti Nita
Published: September 2021

Following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, early outbreak response relied on behavioural interventions. In the USA, local governments implemented restrictions aimed at reducing movements and contacts to limit viral transmission. In Pennsylvania, restrictions closed schools and businesses in the spring of 2020 and interventions eased later through the summer. Here we use passive monitoring of vehicular traffic volume and mobile device-derived visits to points of interest as proxies for movements and contacts in a rural Pennsylvania county. Rural areas have limited health care resources, which magnifies the importance of disease prevention. These data show the lowest levels of movement occurred during the strictest phase of restrictions, indicating high levels of compliance with behavioural intervention. We find that increases in movement correlated with increases in reported SARS-CoV-2 cases 9–18 days later. The methodology used in this study can be adapted to inform outbreak management strategies for other locations and future outbreaks that use behavioural interventions to reduce pathogen transmission.
Myo-inositol: a potential prophylaxis against premature onset of labour and preterm birth
Authors: Sharma Neha , Watkins Oliver C. , Chu Anne H.Y. , Cutfield W. , Godfrey Keith M. , Yong Hannah E. J. , Chan Shiao-Yng
Published: September 2021

The incidence of preterm birth (PTB), delivery before 37 completed weeks of gestation, is rising in most countries. Several recent small clinical trials ofmyo-inositol supplementation in pregnancy, which were primarily aimed at preventing gestational diabetes, have suggested an effect on reducing the incidence of PTB as a secondary outcome, highlighting the potential role ofmyo-inositol as a preventive agent. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by whichmyo-inositol might be able to do so remain unknown; these may occur through directly influencing the onset and progress of labour, or by suppressing stimuli that trigger or promote labour. This paper presents hypotheses outlining the potential role of uteroplacentalmyo-inositol in human parturition and explains possible underlying molecular mechanisms by whichmyo-inositol might modulate the uteroplacental environment and inhibit preterm labour onset. We suggest that a physiological decline in uteroplacental inositol levels to a critical threshold with advancing gestation, in concert with an increasingly pro-inflammatory uteroplacental environment, permits spontaneous membrane rupture and labour onset. A higher uteroplacental inositol level, potentially promoted by maternalmyo-inositol supplementation, might affect lipid metabolism, eicosanoid production and secretion of pro-inflammatory chemocytokines that overall dampen the pro-labour uteroplacental environment responsible for labour onset and progress, thus reducing the risk of PTB. Understanding how and when inositol may act to reduce PTB risk would facilitate the design of future clinical trials of maternalmyo-inositol supplementation and definitively address the efficacy ofmyo-inositol prophylaxis against PTB.
Nutritional consequences and management of hyperemesis gravidarum: a narrative review
Authors: Maslin Kate , Dean Caitlin
Published: September 2021

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a condition at the extreme end of the pregnancy sickness spectrum, estimated to affect 1–2 % of pregnant women. This narrative review provides an overview of the current literature concerning the nutritional implications and management of HG. HG can persist throughout pregnancy, causing malnutrition, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and unintended weight loss, requiring hospital admission in most cases. In addition to its negative effect on maternal, physical and psychological wellbeing, HG can negatively impact fetal growth and may have adverse consequences on the health of the offspring. HG care and research have been hampered in the past due to stigma, inconsistent diagnostic criteria, mismanagement and lack of investment. Little is known about the nutritional intake of women with HG and whether poor intake at critical stages of pregnancy is associated with perinatal outcomes. Effective treatment requires a combination of medical interventions, lifestyle changes, dietary changes, supportive care and patient education. There is, however, limited evidence-based research on the effectiveness of dietary approaches. Enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition are generally reserved for the most intractable cases, where other treatment modalities have failed. Wernicke encephalopathy is a rare but very serious and avoidable consequence of unmanaged HG. A recent priority-setting exercise involving patients, clinicians and researchers highlighted the importance of nutrition research to all. Future research should focus on these priorities to better understand the nutritional implications of HG. Ultimately improved recognition and management of malnutrition in HG is required to prevent complications and optimise nutritional care.
How (Not) to Reproduce: Practical Considerations to Improve Research Transparency in Political Science
Authors: Alvarez R. Michael , Heuberger Simon
Published: September 2021

In recent years, scholars, journals, and professional organizations in political science have been working to improve research transparency. Although better transparency is a laudable goal, the implementation of standards for reproducibility still leaves much to be desired. This article identifies two practices that political science should adopt to improve research transparency: (1) journals must provide detailed replication guidance and run provided material; and (2) authors must begin their work with replication in mind. We focus on problems that occur when scholars provide research materials to journals for replication, and we outline best practices regarding documentation and code structure for researchers to use.
Crop diversity is associated with higher child diet diversity in Ethiopia, particularly among low-income households, but not in Vietnam
Authors: Esaryk Erin E , Reynolds Sarah Anne , Fernald Lia CH , Jones Andrew D
Published: September 2021

Objectives:

To examine associations of household crop diversity with school-aged child dietary diversity in Vietnam and Ethiopia and mechanisms underlying these associations.

Design:

We created a child diet diversity score (DDS) using data on seven food groups consumed in the last 24 h. Generalised estimating equations were used to model associations of household-level crop diversity, measured as a count of crop species richness (CSR) and of plant crop nutritional functional richness (CNFR), with DDS. We examined effect modification by household wealth and subsistence orientation, and mediation by the farm’s market orientation.

Setting:

Two survey years of longitudinal data from the Young Lives cohort.

Participants:

Children (aged 5 years in 2006 and 8 years in 2009) from rural farming households in Ethiopia (n 1012) and Vietnam (n 1083).

Results:

There was a small, positive association between household CNFR and DDS in Ethiopia (CNFR–DDS, β = 0·13; (95 % CI 0·07, 0·19)), but not in Vietnam. Associations of crop diversity and child diet diversity were strongest among poor households in Ethiopia and among subsistence-oriented households in Vietnam. Agricultural earnings positively mediated the crop diversity–diet diversity association in Ethiopia.

Discussion:

Children from households that are poorer and those that rely more on their own agricultural production for food may benefit most from increased crop diversity.
Developing and Evaluating Deep Neural Network-Based Denoising for Nanoparticle TEM Images with Ultra-Low Signal-to-Noise
Authors: Vincent Joshua L , Manzorro Ramon , Mohan Sreyas , Tang Binh , Sheth Dev Y , Simoncelli Eero P , Matteson David S , Fernandez-Granda Carlos , Crozier Peter A
Published: September 2021

A deep convolutional neural network has been developed to denoise atomic-resolution transmission electron microscope image datasets of nanoparticles acquired using direct electron counting detectors, for applications where the image signal is severely limited by shot noise. The network was applied to a model system of CeO2-supported Pt nanoparticles. We leverage multislice image simulations to generate a large and flexible dataset for training the network. The proposed network outperforms state-of-the-art denoising methods on both simulated and experimental test data. Factors contributing to the performance are identified, including (a) the geometry of the images used during training and (b) the size of the network's receptive field. Through a gradient-based analysis, we investigate the mechanisms learned by the network to denoise experimental images. This shows that the network exploits both extended and local information in the noisy measurements, for example, by adapting its filtering approach when it encounters atomic-level defects at the nanoparticle surface. Extensive analysis has been done to characterize the network's ability to correctly predict the exact atomic structure at the nanoparticle surface. Finally, we develop an approach based on the log-likelihood ratio test that provides a quantitative measure of the agreement between the noisy observation and the atomic-level structure in the network-denoised image.
Exploring the breeding potential of Iranian emmer wheats to increase durum wheat tolerance to drought
Authors: Mohammadi Majid , Mirlohi Aghafakhr , Majidi Mohammad Mahdi , Rabbani Ali
Published: September 2021

Emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccum) is one of the most promising gene sources for drought tolerance improvement of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum). Achieving desired results requires a conscious choice of crossing parents based on general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA) and also understanding the genes action involved in controlling the desired traits. In this study a 12 × 12 full diallel cross was performed using four emmer and eight durum wheats. The 132 hybrid progenies along with their parental lines were field evaluated under water-stressed and non-stressed conditions. Based on the Griffing diallel analysis both GCA and SCA effects were highly significant for all measured traits under both water treatments indicating possibility of improvement for drought tolerance. In this respect, the amount of additive effect was higher than the non-additive suggesting the chance for genetic advancement through selection. Based on Hayman's graphical analyses under the two water conditions it was revealed that several grain yield component traits were under the control of partial dominance. In contrary, grain yield and most morphological traits showed either dominance or over-dominance gene action. Grain yield had a significant positive correlation with the number of kernels per spike, kernel diameter, grain weight per spike and harvest index. These traits also had greater share of additive effects, relatively high narrow-sense heritability and high Baker ratio suggesting effective indirect selection for grain yield. Most durum × emmer hybrids had grain yield and drought tolerance indices better than the parents indicating that Iranian emmer wheats have a great genetic potential for drought tolerance improvement of durum wheat.
Survivor guilt: a cognitive approach
Authors: Murray Hannah , Pethania Yasmin , Medin Evelina
Published: September 2021

Survivor guilt is a common experience following traumatic events in which others have died. However, little research has addressed the phenomenology of survivor guilt, nor has the issue been conceptualised using contemporary psychological models which would help guide clinicians in effective treatment approaches for this distressing problem. This paper summarises the current survivor guilt research literature and psychological models from related areas, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, moral injury and traumatic bereavement. Based on this literature, a preliminary cognitive approach to survivor guilt is proposed. A cognitive conceptualisation is described, and used as a basis to suggest potential treatment interventions for survivor guilt. Both the model and treatment strategies require further detailed study and empirical validation, but provide testable hypotheses to stimulate further research in this area.

Key learning aims

(1)

To appreciate an overview of the current available literature on the phenomenology and prevalence of survivor guilt.

(2)

To understand a preliminary cognitive conceptualisation of survivor guilt.

(3)

To understand and be able to implement treatment recommendations for addressing survivor guilt.
Forced Virtuality During COVID-19
Authors: Schauffel Nathalie , Ellwart Thomas
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Social distancing received top priority during the COVID-19 crisis, resulting in new users of public digital services (PDS) with heterogeneous use motivation. While some users decided to use a PDS voluntarily and independently of COVID-19, others were forced to use PDS because of the COVID-19 lockdown. Based on technology acceptance models, we compared forced users ( N1= 346) and voluntary users ( N2= 315) using latent multigroup analysis. First-time users of a PDS ( N = 661) participated in the survey after reporting a crime online to the police. Results showed that forced and voluntary users differed regarding key factors (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, behavioral intention) and antecedents (system trust, ICT self-concept) of technology acceptance with less positive values for forced users. Further, forced users had stronger needs for system trust and usefulness (performance expectancy) than voluntary users, revealing user group-specific predictive values. The lessons learned for PDS design and marketing beyond pandemic times are discussed.
Measurements, Gas/Particle Partitioning, and Sources of Nonpolar Organic Molecular Markers at a Suburban Site in the West Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Gou Yafeng , Qin Chao , Liao Hong , Xie Mingjie
Published: September 2021

This study seeks to understand the ambient levels, gas/particle partitioning, and sources of nonpolar organic molecular makers (OMMs) at a suburban site in Nanjing, China. Particle‐ and gas‐phase OMMs were collected using a medium volume sampler equipped with two quartz filters in series and a polyurethane foam (PUF)/XAD‐4/PUF (PXP) adsorbent sandwich. More than 100 pairs of filter and PXP samples were collected diurnally from September 2018 to September 2019. The concentration profiles of total n‐alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were peaking at n‐C12–n‐C17 homologs (9.98 ± 5.43–38.4 ± 17.7 ng m−3) and naphthalene (92.5 ± 56.7 ng m−3), respectively, followed by decreasing concentrations with further increases in molecular weight. Three artifact correction methods with different pre‐assumptions on relative contributions of evaporation loss to backup filter measurements were used to separate particle‐ and gas‐phase OMMs. The resulting particle‐phase fractions showed significant differences for OMMs with vapor pressure <10−9 atm at 298.15 K. Absorptive gas/particle partitioning coefficients of OMMs were empirically calculated based on measurements and theoretically predicted for comparison. The results obtained under the three artifact correction methods suggested growing importance of evaporation loss with decreased vapor pressure. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was performed for source apportionment using total (PMFtotal) and particle‐phase (PMFparticle) OMMs data, respectively. Besides eliminating the influence of gas/particle partitioning, the involvements of more volatile species and gaseous OMMs data improved the identification of specific emission sources, supporting the usage of total OMMs data over a wide vapor pressure range for PMF source apportionment.
Downstream and In Situ Genesis of Monsoon Low‐Pressure Systems in Climate Models
Authors: Srujan K. S. S. Sai , Sandeep S. , Suhas E.
Published: September 2021

The monsoon low‐pressure systems (LPSs) are a major contributor to the rainfall over India. The genesis of LPS in climate models is not well understood. Here, we track the LPS activity in 11 coupled climate models using an automated tracking algorithm and classify their genesis mechanism broadly into two categories—in situ and downstream. We find that the in situ genesis mechanism dominates in all models, with an average of 56% systems categorized under this category, while 63% of the observed LPS had in situ genesis. The average downstream genesis in the models is 32%, closer to the observed 30%. About 12% and 7% of the LPS genesis could not be attributed to either of the categories in the models and observations, respectively, due to the presence of both types of genesis mechanisms. Although the bulk statistics of the in situ and downstream LPS genesis across the models in boreal summer is comparable to that of observations, substantial inter‐model variability is observed. Also, we find significant differences in the temporal distribution of downstream LPS genesis in models. Although the models realistically capture the percentage of downstream LPS for the whole monsoon season, they tend to simulate a higher number of genesis in the early phase of monsoon as opposed to the observed peak in August and September, which is linked to a stronger Rossby wave activity in the models in June.
Is Venus Volcanically Active? New Approach Could Provide an Answer
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: September 2021

A strategy that combines geologic mapping with data on how the planet’s surface emits and absorbs microwave radiation could potentially identify recent lava flows.
Melting of the Chhota Shigri Glacier, Western Himalaya, Insensitive to Anthropogenic Emission Residues: Insights From Geochemical Evidence
Authors: Nizam Sarwar , Sen Indra S. , Shukla Tanuj , Selby David
Published: September 2021

Himalayan glaciers are invariably covered by supra‐glacial debris. Of these glaciers, the Chhota Shigri Glacier (CSG) in the western Himalaya has minimal debris cover (3.4%), yet has a comparable melt rate to other Himalayan glaciers. Utilizing osmium isotopic composition, and major and trace element geochemistry of cryoconite, a dark colored aggregate of mineral and organic materials on the surface of the ablation zone of the CSG, we show that the surface of CSG is essentially free of anthropogenically emitted particles, contrary to many previous findings. Given this and the overall lack of debris, we conclude that the high melt rate of CSG is primarily related to the increase of the Earth's near‐surface temperature linked directly to global warming. Therefore, the future meltwater supply for glacial‐fed rivers originating from Lahaul and Spiti region would be most vulnerable for >50 million population living downstream and requires immediate attention.
Non‐Adiabatic Electron Heating in the Magnetic Islands During Magnetic Reconnection
Authors: Fujimoto Keizo , Cao Jin‐Bin
Published: September 2021

The present study proposes a new mechanism to cause a strong electron heating in the magnetic islands ejected from the reconnection current layer. A large‐scale full kinetic simulation in three‐dimensional system demonstrates that the electrons are effectively accelerated by the non‐ideal electric field generated through the electromagnetic turbulence excited in the magnetic islands. It is found that the high‐energy electrons are efficiently scattered by the turbulence, resulting in the strong electron heating. The existence of turbulence and the associated non‐ideal electric field in the magnetic islands is consistent with recent satellite observations in the Earth’s magnetosphere.
Reconstructing Ocean‐Plate Stratigraphy (OPS) to Understand Accretionary Style and Mélange Fabric: Insights From the Bangong‐Nujiang Suture (Tibet, China)
Authors: Zeng Min , Zhang Ruisi , Chen Si , Liu Xinyu , Li Chenwei , Ettensohn Frank R. , Bie Lidong
Published: September 2021

Ocean‐plate stratigraphy (OPS) refers to the lithostratigraphic column atop an ocean plate, which becomes scraped off during subduction and preserved in accretionary complex (AC). Herein, based on structural, stratigraphic, and geochronological studies of ACs from the Bangong‐Nujiang suture, we demonstrate that OPS can facilitate interpreting structural and compositional heterogeneities in ACs. Carefully correlated OPSs reveal that, on the overall sediment‐rich lower plate, different types of basement topography correspond to the accretion of distinct litho‐structural assemblages. In particular, subduction of the major, high‐relief Zhonggang seamount eroded the earlier margin and was subsequently accreted as coherent seamount slices. In contrast, subduction of the lower‐relief, Gaize seamount halted frontal accretion of trailing sediments, which were dragged downward to the seismogenic depth and underplated as pervasive, shear‐related broken formations. Such broken formations may fingerprint past lower‐relief‐seamount subduction in other fossil ACs.
Simulating Airflow Around Flexible Vegetative Windbreaks
Authors: Liu Rui , Zhang Junjie , Yang Xiaofan , Liu Shaomin , Kang Liqiang
Published: September 2021

Vegetative windbreaks play an important role in reducing soil erosion and sand storms, which are widely applied in arid/semiarid regions. An optimal design of vegetative windbreaks is essential in aeolian engineering practice. In this study, three‐dimensional airflows around multiple arrangements of vegetative windbreaks were simulated using a modified Reynolds‐Average Navier‐Stokes (RANS)‐based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, based on which, optimal designs of vegetative windbreaks were discussed. We proposed a correction factor in the source terms of the momentum and turbulent transport equations representing the effects due to the vibration of the vegetative windbreaks, which was further calibrated using both simulated and wind tunnel experimental results. Moreover, a quantitative expression of the correction factors associated with structural parameters of vegetative windbreaks was established and verified. For optimal designs to reduce wind erosion, a suite of numerical experiments was conducted to find the optimal height, leaf area density, and vegetation fraction of the vegetative windbreaks under different free‐stream wind speeds. The results identified that under low free‐stream wind speed (6.4 m/s), the optimal parameters are 9.0 cm, 0.45 cm2/cm3, and 3.92%. Under moderate free‐stream wind speed (8.0 m/s), those optimal parameters are 12.4 cm, 0.47 cm2/cm3, and 3.92%. Under relatively high free‐stream wind speed (10.8 m/s), the optimal parameters are 12.4 cm, 0.47 cm2/cm3, and 8.00%. The results of the current study will aid in optimizing vegetative windbreak designs and preventing wind erosion in aeolian engineering.
Multi‐Year Seasonal Trends in Sea Ice, Chlorophyll Concentration, and Marine Aerosol Optical Depth in the Bellingshausen Sea
Authors: Dasarathy S. , Kar J. , Tackett J. , Rodier S. D. , Lu X. , Vaughan M. , Toth T. D. , Trepte C. , Bowman J. S.
Published: September 2021

This study presents seasonal trends in marine tropospheric aerosol arising from the interplay between physical and biological processes in the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). Remote sensing‐based studies focused on aerosol distribution and links to chlorophyll‐a concentration and sea ice predominantly use passive sensor retrievals of aerosol optical properties. However, these data are subject to cloud presence, signal uncertainties, and lack of retrievals in high latitude wintertime. To address these concerns, we have developed a method of quantifying tropospheric marine aerosol with the NASA Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO), which we term marine aerosol optical depth (MAOD). MAOD may be retrieved in nighttime conditions of high‐latitude winter and is devoid of cloud contamination, thereby advancing upon prior aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements linked with biogenic aerosol. To examine trends in tropospheric marine aerosol, we undertook a multi‐year remote sensing analysis in the Bellingshausen Sea from 2006 to 2018. A seasonal increase in MAOD was observed alongside a seasonal increase in chl‐a and sea ice melt, suggesting a biogenic component to aerosol presence. To the best of our knowledge, this study is also the first to further distinguish a late winter to early spring temporal MAOD signal, likely tied to an aerosol source from either venting of biogenic aerosol from breaks in sea ice or to sea spray/salt aerosol resulting from pulses in wind speed. Our work extends upon previous findings of AOD in polar environments and now more fully characterizes interactions during polar winter.
Tropospheric NO2 and O3 Response to COVID‐19 Lockdown Restrictions at the National and Urban Scales in Germany
Authors: Balamurugan Vigneshkumar , Chen Jia , Qu Zhen , Bi Xiao , Gensheimer Johannes , Shekhar Ankit , Bhattacharjee Shrutilipi , Keutsch Frank N.
Published: September 2021

This study estimates the influence of anthropogenic emission reductions on nitrogen dioxide () and ozone () concentration changes in Germany during the COVID‐19 pandemic period using in‐situ surface and Sentinel‐5 Precursor TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite column measurements and GEOS‐Chem model simulations. We show that reductions in anthropogenic emissions in eight German metropolitan areas reduced mean in‐situ (& column) concentrations by 23 (& 16 ) between March 21 and June 30, 2020 after accounting for meteorology, whereas the corresponding mean in‐situ concentration increased by 4 between March 21 and May 31, 2020, and decreased by 3 in June 2020, compared to 2019. In the winter and spring, the degree of saturation of ozone production is stronger than in the summer. This implies that future reductions in emissions in these metropolitan areas are likely to increase ozone pollution during winter and spring if appropriate mitigation measures are not implemented. TROPOMI concentrations decreased nationwide during the stricter lockdown period after accounting for meteorology with the exception of North‐West Germany which can be attributed to enhanced emissions from agricultural soils.
Divergent Gas Transfer Velocities of CO2, CH4, and N2O Over Spatial and Temporal Gradients in a Subtropical Estuary
Authors: Rosentreter Judith A. , Wells Naomi S. , Ulseth Amber J. , Eyre Bradley D.
Published: September 2021

High global uncertainties remain in water‐air CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes from estuaries due to spatial and temporal variability and the poor predictability of the gas transfer velocity (k600). This is the first study that directly compares k600 of CO2, CH4, and N2O in an estuary with the aim to evaluate the accuracy of using a uniform k600 value for estimating water‐air fluxes. We calculated 155 k600 values from CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes over spatial (across, along) and temporal (tidal cycle) surveys in the subtropical Maroochy estuary using the floating chamber method. Combined k600 values showed a large range over the entire estuary (0.1–198.6 cm h−1) with slightly lower k600 in the lower compared to the upper estuary. Overall, temporal variability was greater than spatial variability of k600. We found the highest variability of k600 between gas species in the lower estuary, whereas the variability was less distinct in the upper estuary. In the Maroochy estuary, k600CO2 (mean 26.4 ± 37.3 cm h−1) was mostly higher than k600CH4 (mean 10.9 ± 10.6 cm h−1) and k600N2O (mean 9.9 ± 12.3 cm h−1), likely due to chemical and enzymatic enhancements and/or microbial activity in the surface microlayer. We demonstrate that empirical k600 models intended for CO2 may not accurately predict CH4 and N2O fluxes in estuaries. Our tested k600 models predicted the measured fluxes within an uncertainty range of 5%–40% (over or underestimation), but precise flux estimates should be based on in situ k600 of all three gases.
Tailoring a Child Injury Prevention Program for Low-Income U.S. Families
Authors: Damashek Amy , Morrongiello Barbara , Diaz Felicia , Prokos Sophia , Arbour Emilie
Published: September 2021

Objective: Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the United States, and young children ages 1 to 4 years are particularly at risk. Supervising for Home Safety (SHS) is a Canadian intervention that has been shown to reduce children’s injury risk by increasing caregiver supervision. Given that low-income children are at greatest risk for injury, this study describes a process of modifying the SHS program to be culturally appropriate for low-income families of U.S. preschool children. Method: Two rounds of focus groups were completed; feedback from the first round of focus groups was used to modify program materials prior to the second round. Results: Caregivers gleaned important take-away messages from both the original and modified materials, including the idea that injuries can happen quickly and caregivers can prevent injuries. Modifications to the intervention included increased diversity in the families represented in the videos as well as inclusion of U.S. injury statistics. Caregivers in both rounds of focus groups noted that the program messages were relatable and realistic and that the materials were impactful in increasing their awareness of children’s injury risk. Conclusion: We were able to successfully modify the SHS program to be appropriate for low-income U.S. families while preserving the core program messages.

Implications for Impact Statement

Focus groups with caregivers from U.S. preschool programs serving low-income children found that a child injury prevention program was successful in increasing caregivers’ awareness of the importance of supervising children more closely to prevent injuries. Based on caregiver feedback, changes to the program were made to make it more culturally relevant to low-income U.S. families.
Long-term follow-up of ibrutinib monotherapy in treatment-naive patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
Authors: Castillo Jorge J. , Meid Kirsten , Gustine Joshua N. , Leventoff Carly , White Timothy , Flynn Catherine A. , Sarosiek Shayna , Demos Maria G. , Guerrera Maria L. , Kofides Amanda , Liu Xia , Munshi Manit , Tsakmaklis Nicholas , Xu Lian , Yang Guang , Branagan Andrew R. , O’Donnell Elizabeth , Raje Noopur , Yee Andrew J. , Patterson Christopher J. , Hunter Zachary R. , Treon Steven P.
Published: September 2021

Herein, we present the final report of a single-center, prospective phase II study evaluating ibrutinib 420 mg once daily in 30 treatment-naive patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM). The present study is registered with ClinicalTrials.Gov (NCT02604511). With a median follow-up of 50 months, the overall, major, and VGPR response rates were 100%, 87%, and 30%. The VGPR rate was numerically but not significantly lower in patients with than without CXCR4 mutations (14% vs. 44%; p = 0.09). The median time to a minor response was 0.9 months, and to a major response was 1.9 months, though were longer in those with mutated CXCR4 at 1.7 months (p = 0.07) and 7.3 months (p = 0.01). Six patients had disease progression. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached, and the 4-year PFS rate was 76%. There was also a non-significant lower 4-year PFS rate in patients with than without CXCR4 mutations (59% vs. 92%; p = 0.06). The most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue, upper respiratory infection, and hematoma. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 20% of patients. Ibrutinib monotherapy induced durable responses in treatment-naive patients with WM. CXCR4 mutations impacted VGPR attainment, time to major response, and 4-year PFS rate.
Malat-1-PRC2-EZH1 interaction supports adaptive oxidative stress dependent epigenome remodeling in skeletal myotubes
Authors: El Said Nadine Hosny , Della Valle Francesco , Liu Peng , Paytuví-Gallart Andreu , Adroub Sabir , Gimenez Juliette , Orlando Valerio
Published: September 2021

PRC2-mediated epigenetic function involves the interaction with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Although the identity of some of these RNAs has been elucidated in the context of developmental programs, their counterparts in postmitotic adult tissue homeostasis remain uncharacterized. To this aim, we used terminally differentiated postmitotic skeletal muscle cells in which oxidative stress induces the dynamic activation of PRC2-Ezh1 through Embryonic Ectoderm Develpment (EED) shuttling to the nucleus. We identify lncRNA Malat-1 as a necessary partner for PRC2-Ezh1-dependent response to oxidative stress. We show that in this pathway, PRC2-EZH1 dynamic assembly, and in turn stress induced skeletal muscle targeted genes repression, depends specifically on Malat-1. Our study reports about PRC2–RNA interactions in the physiological context of adaptive oxidative stress response and identifies the first lncRNA involved in PRC2-Ezh1 function.
Pyroptosis inhibition improves the symptom of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Liu Wenju , Shen Junwei , Li Yanfei , Wu Jiawen , Luo Xiaoli , Yu Yuanyuan , Zhang Yuhan , Gu Liang , Zhang Xiaobai , Jiang Cizhong , Li Jue
Published: September 2021

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the leading cause of mortality worldwide, is a rapidly developing and irreversible disease. Therefore, proper prompt intervention at the early stage of AMI is crucial for its treatment. However, the molecular features in the early stage have not been clarified. Here, we constructed mouse AMI model and profiled transcriptomes and proteomes at the early stages of AMI progress. Immune system was extensively activated at 6-h AMI. Then, pyroptosis was activated at 24-h AMI. VX-765 treatment, a pyroptosis inhibitor, significantly reduced the infarct size and improved the function of cardiomyocytes. Besides, we identified that WIPI1, specifically expressed in heart, was significantly upregulated at 1 h after AMI. Moreover, WIPI1 expression is significantly higher in the peripheral blood of patients with AMI than healthy control. WIPI1 can serve as a potential early diagnostic biomarker for AMI. It likely decelerates AMI progress by activating autophagy pathways. These findings shed new light on gene expression dynamics in AMI progress, and present a potential early diagnostic marker and a candidate drug for clinical pre-treatment to prolong the optimal cure time.
Realization of topological Mott insulator in a twisted bilayer graphene lattice model
Authors: Chen Bin-Bin , Liao Yuan Da , Chen Ziyu , Vafek Oskar , Kang Jian , Li Wei , Meng Zi Yang
Published: September 2021

Magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene has recently become a thriving material platform realizing correlated electron phenomena taking place within its topological flat bands. Several numerical and analytical methods have been applied to understand the correlated phases therein, revealing some similarity with the quantum Hall physics. In this work, we provide a Mott-Hubbard perspective for the TBG system. Employing the large-scale density matrix renormalization group on the lattice model containing the projected Coulomb interactions only, we identify a first-order quantum phase transition between the insulating stripe phase and the quantum anomalous Hall state with the Chern number of ±1. Our results not only shed light on the mechanism of the quantum anomalous Hall state discovered at three-quarters filling, but also provide an example of the topological Mott insulator, i.e., the quantum anomalous Hall state in the strong coupling limit.