bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Regional Seasonal Forecast Model of Arctic Minimum Sea Ice Extent: Reflected Solar Radiation versus Late Winter Coastal Divergence
Authors: Kim Rachel , Tremblay L. Bruno , Brunette Charles , Newton Robert
Published: May 2021

Thinning sea ice cover in the Arctic is associated with larger interannual variability in the minimum sea ice extent (SIE). The current generation of forced or fully coupled models, however, has difficulty predicting SIE anomalies from the long-term trend, highlighting the need to better identify the mechanisms involved in the seasonal evolution of sea ice cover. One such mechanism is coastal divergence (CD), a proxy for ice thickness anomalies based on late winter ice motion, quantified using Lagrangian ice tracking. CD gains predictive skill through the positive feedback of surface albedo anomalies, mirrored in reflected solar radiation (RSR), during melt season. Exploring the dynamic and thermodynamic contributions to minimum SIE predictability, RSR, initial SIE (iSIE), and CD are compared as predictors using a regional seasonal sea ice forecast model for 1 July, 1 June, and 1 May forecast dates for all Arctic peripheral seas. The predictive skill of June RSR anomalies mainly originates from open water fraction at the surface; that is, June iSIE and June RSR have equal predictive skill for most seas. The finding is supported by the surprising positive correlation found between June melt pond fraction (MPF) and June RSR in all peripheral seas: MPF anomalies indicate the presence of ice or open water, which is key to creating minimum SIE anomalies. This contradicts models that show correlation between melt onset, MPF, and the minimum SIE. A hindcast model shows that for a 1 May forecast, CD anomalies have better predictive skill than RSR anomalies for most peripheral seas.
Seasonal Prediction and Predictability of Regional Antarctic Sea Ice
Authors: Bushuk Mitchell , Winton Michael , Haumann F. Alexander , Delworth Thomas , Lu Feiyu , Zhang Yongfei , Jia Liwei , Zhang Liping , Cooke William , Harrison Matthew , Hurlin Bill , Johnson Nathaniel C. , Kapnick Sarah B. , McHugh Colleen , Murakami Hiroyuki , Rosati Anthony , Tseng Kai-Chih , Wittenberg Andrew T. , Yang Xiaosong , Zeng Fanrong
Published: May 2021

Compared to the Arctic, seasonal predictions of Antarctic sea ice have received relatively little attention. In this work, we utilize three coupled dynamical prediction systems developed at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory to assess the seasonal prediction skill and predictability of Antarctic sea ice. These systems, based on the FLOR, SPEAR_LO, and SPEAR_MED dynamical models, differ in their coupled model components, initialization techniques, atmospheric resolution, and model biases. Using suites of retrospective initialized seasonal predictions spanning 1992–2018, we investigate the role of these factors in determining Antarctic sea ice prediction skill and examine the mechanisms of regional sea ice predictability. We find that each system is capable of skillfully predicting regional Antarctic sea ice extent (SIE) with skill that exceeds a persistence forecast. Winter SIE is skillfully predicted 11 months in advance in the Weddell, Amundsen/Bellingshausen, Indian, and west Pacific sectors, whereas winter skill is notably lower in the Ross sector. Zonally advected upper-ocean heat content anomalies are found to provide the crucial source of prediction skill for the winter sea ice edge position. The recently developed SPEAR systems are more skillful than FLOR for summer sea ice predictions, owing to improvements in sea ice concentration and sea ice thickness initialization. Summer Weddell SIE is skillfully predicted up to 9 months in advance in SPEAR_MED, due to the persistence and drift of initialized sea ice thickness anomalies from the previous winter. Overall, these results suggest a promising potential for providing operational Antarctic sea ice predictions on seasonal time scales.
The physics of ocean wave evolution within tropical cyclones
Authors: Tamizi Ali , Alves Jose-Henrique , Young Ian R.
Published: May 2021

A series of numerical experiments with the WAVEWATCH III spectral wave model are used to investigate the physics of wave evolution in tropical cyclones. Buoy observations show that tropical cyclone wave spectra are directionally skewed with a continuum of energy between locally generated wind-sea and remotely generated waves. These systems are often separated by more than 900. The model spectra are consistent with the observed buoy data and are shown to be governed by nonlinear wave-wave interactions which result in a cascade of energy from the wind-sea to the remotely generated spectral peak. The peak waves act in a “parasitic” manner taking energy from the wind-sea to maintain their growth. The critical role of nonlinear processes explains why one-dimensional tropical cyclone spectra have characteristics very similar to fetch-limited waves, even though the generation system is far more complex. The results also provide strong validation of the critical role nonlinear interactions play in wind-wave evolution.
Impact of Geometry and Operations on Left-Turn Gap Acceptance at Signalized Intersections with Permissive Indication
Authors: Claros Boris , Chitturi Madhav , Bill Andrea , Noyce David A.
Published: May 2021

Critical and follow-up headways are the foundation for estimating the saturation flow of permissive left-turns at signalized intersections. Current critical and follow-up headways recommended in the 2016 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) are based on limited data collected from five intersections in Texas in the 1970s. This study analyzed over 2,500 left-turning vehicles at 45 intersection approaches, provides insights into gap acceptance parameters, and evaluates the effect of different site-specific factors. Video data were collected and processed from different geographical regions in the United States—Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Using the maximum likelihood method to estimate gap acceptance parameters, the mean critical headway was 4.87 s and the mean follow-up headway was 2.73 s. To account for site-specific characteristics, the effect of several geometric and operational variables on critical and follow-up headway were explored. Through a meta-regression analysis, the posted speed limit and width of opposing travel lanes were found to have a significant effect on gap acceptance parameters. Results showed that with decreasing posted speed limit and width of opposing lanes, critical and follow-up headways also decreased, resulting in greater saturation flows. When site-specific saturation flow estimates were compared with HCM saturation flow estimates, the differences ranged from −30% to +23%. This paper quantifies and illustrates the impact of site-specific characteristics on gap acceptance parameters and saturation flow.
Public perception of geothermal power plants in Korea following the Pohang earthquake: A social representation theory study
Authors: Im Dong-Hyeon , Chung Ji-Bum , Kim Eun-Sung , Moon Ji-Won
Published: May 2021

This study sought to determine how the residents of Pohang, Korea, perceive geothermal plants after the 2017 Pohang earthquake by applying social representation theory through a mixed-method approach incorporating qualitative and quantitative research. The residents’ perception of the geothermal plant was largely anchored to their perception of nuclear power plants. At the time of the Gyeongju earthquake in 2016, public discourse on nuclear accidents developed and was thereafter perpetuated by the Pohang earthquake victims via cognitive anchoring. The survey results demonstrated that Pohang residents had a significantly negative opinion on geothermal plants regardless of safety, climate change mitigation, and economic factors. Upon analyzing the respondents’ energy preferences through factor analysis, geothermal power plants were found to aggregate in the same category as nuclear power plants. This result statistically confirms that Pohang residents associate geothermal power plants with the risk discourse on nuclear power plants.
Implementing continuous consent in qualitative research
Authors: Klykken Fride Haram
Published: May 2021

This article examines ways of approaching informed consent as a relationally constituted process in qualitative research practices. It argues that a researcher’s operationalization of informed consent should be coherent with the overall epistemological framework of the project. Based on empirical examples from an ethnographic inquiry in an educational setting, the principle of informed consent is discussed as a reflexive and ethical tool throughout the inquiry, including its pre-fieldwork, fieldwork and post-fieldwork phases. Strategies of explicitly and implicitly (re)negotiated consent and dissent are discussed and illustrated by drawing on some of the recent discussions of continuous consent practices. The article’s conceptualization of a continuous, situated and relational approach to informed consent is also supported by the concepts of response-ability and thinking with care in research ethics.
The association between child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency in the context of Situational Action Theory: Crime propensity and criminogenic exposure as mediators in a sample of European youth?
Authors: Doelman Eline HJ , Luijk Maartje PCM , Haen Marshall Ineke , Jongerling Joran , Enzmann Dirk , Steketee Majone J
Published: May 2021

The current study investigates the association between physical child maltreatment and juvenile delinquent behavior in the context of the Situational Action Theory (SAT) (Wikström, 2006, 2017, 2020). Self-control, morality and exposure to criminogenic settings are proposed as possible mechanisms explaining the association between physical child maltreatment and adolescent offending. The hypotheses are tested in a subsample of the third wave of the International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD3), a large international non-clinical study on delinquency and victimization among adolescents. The final sample consists of N = 24,956 adolescents aged 12–16 years from nine West European countries. While controlling for dependence due to nested data and several covariates, the models are tested for overall offending and separately for violent and property offending. Results confirm that physical child maltreatment is associated with the main concepts of SAT (lower self-control; lower morality; and more exposure to criminogenic environments), which in turn are associated with juvenile delinquency. The models show partial mediation for overall offending, property offending and violent offending. The findings provide support for the theoretical prowess of SAT and its main concepts: self-control, morality and exposure to criminogenic settings as mediators in the well-established physical child maltreatment/delinquency link. These findings are consistent with the ‘cycle of violence’ perspective and contribute to the theoretical clarification of the mechanisms involved in the child maltreatment/delinquency link. The findings fail to confirm a ‘crime-specific propensity’. The article concludes with a discussion of implications for prevention.
Enacting Feminist Methodologies in Research Toward Reproductive Justice
Authors: Johnston Krista , MacDougall Christiana
Published: May 2021

Reporting on the development of an ongoing qualitative research project with clients of midwifery care in New Brunswick, Canada, this article details the ways that methodology is complexly interwoven with political praxis. Working through the development of this project, this article models one way to enact politically engaged feminist research at each stage of the research process, from developing the research question, through research design, data collection, analysis, and theory generation. In the process, three core principles of feminist research methodologies are extended: co-construction of knowledge, researcher reflexivity, and reciprocal relationships in research. This research is caught up in and responds to a fraught political context where supports for reproductive healthcare are limited, and midwifery, abortion, and gender-affirming care are all framed as “fringe” services that exceed the austerity budget of the province. Participants engaged in this study with a clear understanding of this political terrain and approached interviews as an opportunity to share their experiences, and to advocate for the continuation and expansion of midwifery and related services in the province. Through the research process, it has become evident that midwifery must be understood as part of the struggle toward reproductive justice in this province. These reflections will direct further stages of the project, including ongoing research and dissemination.
Life under lockdown and social restrictions - the experiences of people living with dementia and their carers during the COVID-19 pandemic in England
Authors: Tuijt Remco , Frost Rachael , Wilcock Jane , Robinson Louise , Manthorpe Jill , Rait Greta , Walters Kate
Published: May 2021

Background

The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on people living with dementia and their carers is an emerging focus of recent research determining how we can best support this population. People living with dementia have faced service curtailment, increased risk for COVID-19, as well as potential heightened deterioration. This study reports the experiences of people living with dementia and their family carers during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in England and the impact on them.

Methods

We recruited and remotely interviewed 30 people living with dementia in their own homes and 31 family carers, via video or telephone call in mid-2020. Data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

People living with dementia often had a basic understanding of COVID-19 restrictions but could have difficulty translating this into personalised risk-appraisal of their own actions. Managing COVID-19 risks facing people living with dementia at home was largely done by family carers, exemplified by changes to living arrangements, which could strain or sustain caring relationships. Well-established familial caring relationships contributed to the wellbeing of the person living with dementia and their carer, as well as keeping to simple routines that included leaving the home for exercise and stimulation. People living with dementia reported some negative psychological and cognitive effects due to the imposed restrictions, such as increased apathy, irritability, or anxiety, which were fuelled by lack of social engagement.

Conclusions

Structuring routine (remote) social interactions where possible could increase social engagement and improve wellbeing for people living with dementia, especially those with limited familial support in a post-COVID-19 context. As some care relationships had been restructured to manage COVID-19 risks, additional carer strain may emerge as a result of the impact on the independence of the person living with dementia and come to the attention of professionals in health and care services. People living with dementia and their carers highlighted the importance of maintaining or adapting routines which may be useful learning for professionals, although additional support may be necessary for those who are impacted by more severe or worsening symptoms of dementia.
Potential prognostic factors in progression-free survival for patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Chen Hui-Hui , Meng Wei-Yu , Li Run-Ze , Wang Qing-Yi , Wang Yu-Wei , Pan Hu-Dan , Yan Pei-Yu , Wu Qi-Biao , Liu Liang , Yao Xiao-Jun , Kang Min , Leung Elaine Lai-Han
Published: May 2021

Background

Cervical cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among females in low and middle-income countries. In this study, we aimed to assess the independent prognostic value of clinical and potential prognostic factors in progression-free survival (PFS) in cervical cancer.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study on 92 cervical cancer patients treated from 2017 to 2019 at the Zhuhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. Tumor characteristics, treatment options, progression-free survival and follow-up information were collected. Kaplan–Meier method was used to assess the PFS.

Results

Results showed that the number of retrieved lymph nodes had a statistically significant effect on PFS of cervical cancer patients (P = 0.002). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that cervical cancer patients with initial symptoms age 25–39 had worse survival prognoses (P = 0.020). And the using of uterine manipulator in laparoscopic treatment showed a better prognosis (P < 0.001). A novel discovery of our study was to verify the prognostic values of retrieved lymph nodes count combining with FIGO staging system, which had never been investigated in cervical cancer before. According to the Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, significant improvements were found after the combination of retrieved lymph nodes count and FIGO stage in predicting PFS for cervical cancer patients (P < 0.001, AUC = 0.826, 95% CI: 0.689–0.962).

Conclusion

Number of retrieved lymph nodes, initial symptoms age, uterine manipulator, and retrieved lymph nodes count combining with FIGO staging system could be potential prognostic factors for cervical cancer patients.
Identification of an immune classification for cervical cancer and integrative analysis of multiomics data
Authors: Lyu Xintong , Li Guang , Qiao Qiao
Published: May 2021

Background

To understand the molecular mechanisms of the antitumour response, we analysed the immune landscape of cervical cancer to identify novel immune molecular classes.

Methods

We established a stable immune molecular classification using a nonnegative matrix factorization algorithm and validated the correlation in two validation sets of 249 samples.

Results

Approximately 78% of cervical cancers (CCs) (228/293) were identified to show significant enrichment in immune cells (e.g., CD8 T cells and macrophages), a type I IFN response, enhanced cytolytic activity and high PDCD1, and these CCs were referred to as the “immune class”. We further identified two subtypes of the immune class: active immune and exhausted subtypes. Although the active immune subtype was characterized by enrichment of IFN signatures and better survival, the exhausted subtype expressed activated stroma, a wound healing signature, enhanced M2 macrophages and absence of CD8 T cells and the TGF-β response signature. Integrative analysis of multiomics data identified EGFR, JUN, MYC, FN1 and SERPINE1 as key modulators of the tumour immune microenvironment and potential targets for combination therapies which was validated in two validation sets.

Conclusions

Our study introduces a novel immune classification that might predict ideal candidates to receive immunotherapy or specific combination therapies.
Genetic and immunologic findings in children with recurrent aphthous stomatitis with systemic inflammation
Authors: Girardelli Martina , Valencic Erica , Moressa Valentina , Margagliotta Roberta , Tesser Alessandra , Pastore Serena , Spadola Ottavia , Athanasakis Emmanouil , Severini Giovanni Maria , Taddio Andrea , Tommasini Alberto
Published: May 2021

Background

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis with systemic signs of inflammation can be encountered in inflammatory bowel disease, Behçet’s disease (BD), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). In addition, it has been proposed that cases with very early onset in childhood can be underpinned by rare monogenic defects of immunity, which may require targeted treatments. Thus, subjects with early onset recurrent aphthous stomatitis receiving a clinical diagnosis of BD-like or SLE-like disease may deserve a further diagnostic workout, including immunologic and genetic investigations.

Objective

To investigate how an immunologic, genetic and transcriptomics assessment of interferon inflammation may improve diagnosis and care in children with recurrent aphthous stomatitis with systemic inflammation.

Methods

Subjects referred to the pediatric rheumatologist for recurrent aphthous stomatitis associated with signs of systemic inflammation from January 2015 to January 2020 were enrolled in the study and underwent analysis of peripheral lymphocyte subsets, sequencing of a 17-genes panel and measure of interferon score.

Results

We enrolled 15 subjects (12 females, median age at disease onset 4 years). The clinical diagnosis was BD in 8, incomplete BD in 5, BD/SLE overlap in 1, SLE in 1. Pathogenic genetic variants were detected in 3 patients, respectively 2 STAT1 gain of function variants in two patients classified as BD/SLE overlap and SLE, and 1 TNFAIP3 mutation (A20 haploinsufficiency) in patients with BD. Moreover 2 likely pathogenic variants were identified in DNASE1L3 and PTPN22, both in patients with incomplete BD. Interferon score was high in the two patients with STAT1 GOF mutations, in the patient with TNFAIP3 mutation, and in 3 genetic-negative subjects. In two patients, the treatment was modified based on genetic results.

Conclusions

Although recurrent aphthous stomatitis associated with systemic inflammation may lead to a clinical diagnosis of BD or SLE, subjects with early disease onset in childhood deserve genetic investigation for rare monogenic disorders. A wider genetic panel may help disclosing the genetic background in the subset of children with increased interferon score, who tested negative in this study.
Decadal variability in land carbon sink efficiency
Authors: Zhu Lei , Ciais Philippe , Bastos Ana , Ballantyne Ashley P. , Chevallier Frederic , Gasser Thomas , Kondo Masayuki , Pongratz Julia , Rödenbeck Christian , Li Wei
Published: May 2021

Background

The climate mitigation target of limiting the temperature increase below 2 °C above the pre-industrial levels requires the efforts from all countries. Tracking the trajectory of the land carbon sink efficiency is thus crucial to evaluate the nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Here, we define the instantaneous land sink efficiency as the ratio of natural land carbon sinks to emissions from fossil fuel and land-use and land-cover change with a value of 1 indicating carbon neutrality to track its temporal dynamics in the past decades.

Results

Land sink efficiency has been decreasing during 1957–1990 because of the increased emissions from fossil fuel. After the effect of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption diminished (after 1994), the land sink efficiency firstly increased before 2009 and then began to decrease again after 2009. This reversal around 2009 is mostly attributed to changes in land sinks in tropical regions in response to climate variations.

Conclusions

The decreasing trend of land sink efficiency in recent years reveals greater challenges in climate change mitigation, and that climate impacts on land carbon sinks must be accurately quantified to assess the effectiveness of regional scale climate mitigation policies.
Sonographic assessment of pediatric chest wall thickness and width of the intercostal space: correlation with anthropometric data and implications for needle decompression
Authors: Terboven Tom , Betka Ivette , Weiss Christel , Rudolph Marcus , Viergutz Tim , Leonhard Georg , Schöler Michael
Published: May 2021

Background

Emergent needle decompression in children is a rare event for emergency medicine and critical care providers. Hereby, risk of injury of intrathoracic structures is high and knowledge of age-specific values of chest wall thickness and width of the intercostal space (ICS) is crucial to avoid injuries. Investigation of the correlation of chest wall thickness and width of the intercostal space with age and body dimension like weight and height could provide guidance on depth of insertion and choice of the needle.

Methods

We performed a prospective observational clinical trial in a pediatric surgery operating room that included a convenient sample of children aged 0–10 years undergoing elective surgery. Chest wall thickness and width of the intercostal space were measured with ultrasound at 2nd ICS midclavicular line (MCL) and 4th ICS anterior axillary line (AAL). Correlation of these measures with age, height, weight, BMI and Broselow color was calculated. Furthermore, intra-class correlation coefficient was calculated as a measure of reproducibility and the presence of vital structures (e.g., heart, thymus gland, large pulmonary vessels) at the possible insertion sites for needle decompression was investigated.

Results

Of 410 potentially eligible patients, 300 were included in the study. Correlation of chest wall thickness was moderate with weight (2nd ICS MCL: r = 0.57; 4th ICS MCL: r = 0.64) and BMI (r = 0.44 and r = 0.6) and was lower with age (r = 0.38 for both intercostal spaces), height (r = 0.42 and r = 0.40) and Broselow color (r = 0.42 and r = 0.38). Correlation of width of the ICS with anthropometric data was generally stronger, with height showing the strongest, albeit not really strong, correlation (r = 0.71 and r = 0.62). Intra-class correlation was excellent with an ICC of 0.93. Vital structures were significantly more often present at 2nd ICS MCL then at 4th ICS AAL (14 vs. 2 patients; p = 0.0042).

Conclusions

Correlation of chest wall thickness and width of the intercostal space with anthropometric data is at most moderate. Insertion depth and width of the intercostal space can therefore not be predicted accurately from anthropometric data. Ultrasound assessment of the thoracic wall appears to be a reliable technique and could therefore assist in reducing the risk of injury and increasing decompression success.

Trial registration German clinical trials register, DRKS00014973, Registered February 11th 2019, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00014973
Necrosis binding of Ac-Lys0(IRDye800CW)-Tyr3-octreotate: a consequence from cyanine-labeling of small molecules
Authors: Stroet Marcus C. M. , Dijkstra Bianca M. , Dulfer Sebastiaan E. , Kruijff Schelto , den Dunnen Wilfred F. A. , Kruyt Frank A. E. , Groen Rob J. M. , Seimbille Yann , Panth Kranthi M. , Mezzanotte Laura , Lowik Clemens W. G. M. , de Jong Marion
Published: May 2021

Background

There is a growing body of nuclear contrast agents that are repurposed for fluorescence-guided surgery. New contrast agents are obtained by substituting the radioactive tag with, or adding a fluorescent cyanine to the molecular structure of antibodies or peptides. This enables intra-operative fluorescent detection of cancerous tissue, leading to more complete tumor resection. However, these fluorescent cyanines can have a remarkable influence on pharmacokinetics and tumor uptake, especially when labeled to smaller targeting vectors such as peptides. Here we demonstrate the effect of cyanine-mediated dead cell-binding of Ac-Lys0(IRDye800CW)-Tyr3-octreotate (800CW-TATE) and how this can be used as an advantage for fluorescence-guided surgery.

Results

Binding of 800CW-TATE could be blocked with DOTA0-Tyr3-octreotate (DOTA-TATE) on cultured SSTR2-positive U2OS cells and was absent in SSTR2 negative U2OS cells. However, strong binding was observed to dead cells, which could not be blocked with DOTA-TATE and was also present in dead SSTR2 negative cells. No SSTR2-mediated binding was observed in frozen tumor sections, possibly due to disruption of the cells in the process of sectioning the tissue before exposure to the contrast agent. DOTA-TATE blocking resulted in an incomplete reduction of 61.5 ± 5.8% fluorescence uptake by NCI-H69-tumors in mice. Near-infrared imaging and dead cell staining on paraffin sections from resected tumors revealed that fluorescence uptake persisted in necrotic regions upon blocking with DOTA-TATE.

Conclusion

This study shows that labeling peptides with cyanines can result in dead cell binding. This does not hamper the ultimate purpose of fluorescence-guided surgery, as necrotic tissue appears in most solid tumors. Hence, the necrosis binding can increase the overall tumor uptake. Moreover, necrotic tissue should be removed as much as possible: it cannot be salvaged, causes inflammation, and is tumorigenic. However, when performing binding experiments to cells with disrupted membrane integrity, which is routinely done with nuclear probes, this dead cell-binding can resemble non-specific binding. This study will benefit the development of fluorescent contrast agents.
Asymptotic behavior of third order delay difference equations with a negative middle term
Authors: Saker S. H. , Selvarangam S. , Geetha S. , Thandapani E. , Alzabut J.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we establish some sufficient conditions which ensure that the solutions of the third order delay difference equation with a negative middle term$$ \Delta \bigl(a_{n}\Delta (\Delta w_{n})^{\alpha } \bigr)-p_{n}(\Delta w_{n+1})^{ \alpha }-q_{n}h(w_{n-l})=0,\quad n\geq n_{0}, $$Δ(anΔ(Δwn)α)−pn(Δwn+1)α−qnh(wn−l)=0,n≥n0,are oscillatory. Moreover, we study the asymptotic behavior of the nonoscillatory solutions. Two illustrative examples are included for illustration.
Habitat heterogeneity influences avian feeding guild composition in urban landscapes: evidence from Bhubaneswar, India
Authors: Panda Bibhu Prasad , Prusty B. Anjan Kumar , Panda Biswajit , Pradhan Abanti , Parida Siba Prasad
Published: May 2021

Background

Habitat heterogeneity clearly distinguished in terms of availability of food and habitat resources and landscape features (natural or human-modified) play a crucial role in the avian species composition and population structure. To examine this, a study was carried out in Bhubaneswar, India, to understand the ecological niche distinction in birds based on habitat heterogeneity. Regular sampling was conducted in 30 sampling sites covering six different habitat types in a predominantly urban landscape of Bhubaneswar for understanding the ecological niche in birds. The birds were classified into 11 types of foraging guilds.

Results

The insectivorous guild had the highest bird species richness (181 species) and the omnivorous guild had the lowest (11 species). The piscivorous guild and wetland habitat had the strongest linkage, followed by the insectivorous guild and agricultural land. The frugivorous guild was significantly correlated with forest habitats (r = 0.386, p < 0.01) and park and garden habitats (r = 0.281, p < 0.01). This urban area hosted a higher number of bird species in certain habitat types, viz., agricultural lands (52%, 115 species) and forest patches (50%, 111 species).

Conclusion

The present study highlights the importance of agricultural lands, forest patches, parks and gardens, and wetlands inside the cityscape for supporting avifauna. It is therefore suggested that such habitats should be conserved inside an urban area to protect native avifauna. Thus, the city development plan must invariably include strategies for conserving the forest patches inside the urban area. Measures must be taken to restrain the degradation of agricultural lands and reduce their utilization for non-agricultural purposes, which will help in further reducing the bird population decline in the urban landscape.
Simultaneous determination of multi-class veterinary drugs in fishery products with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Kim Eunjung , Park Hyunjin , Park Sihyun , Choi Jangduck , Yoon Hae Jung , Kim Jeong-Han
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study was to optimize the analytical method for multi-class veterinary drug residues of 64 compounds in fishery products. Several compounds from veterinary drugs are banned or unauthorized in fishery products according to the Korean Food Code. Samples were extracted using acetonitrile/water (4:1, v/v) and the clean-up step was carried out by adding octadecylsilane and acetonitrile-saturated hexane. The target compounds were confirmed and quantified using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The proposed method was validated according to the CODEX guidelines (CAC/GL-71), and most target compounds were found to be in acceptable quantities under the requirements of the validation guidelines. The recovery of analytes was typically in the 60–120% range, and precision, expressed as the coefficient of variation was less than 31% at all levels of concentration. The limit of quantification ranged from 0.03 to 3 μg kg−1 in the fishery products. Moreover, the application of the proposed method to 96 real samples demonstrated that no drug residues exceeded the Korean maximum residue limits (MRLs). This evaluation method provides reliable identification and quantification of multi-class veterinary drugs in fishery products and can be an efficient means to inspect drugs currently banned or not approved for aquaculture in Korea.
Remazol reactive dye degrading Bacteria from freshwater fish of River Cauvery, Pallipalayam of Namakkal District, South India
Authors: Sankaranarayanan A. , Karthikeyan S. , Markande Anoop , Sharma Abhishek
Published: May 2021

Background

Azo dye effluents cause severe pollution problems in soil and water and affect their flora and fauna throughout the world. The combination of dye degrading bacteria in the gut of freshwater fish has been considered a prospective approach towards the development of a sustainable environment. In the southernmost part of India, especially in the Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu state, urbanization and industrial development lead to various environmental issues. In lieu, most of the earlier works were carried out on the bacterial dye degradation from soil and water sources, least concentration on the dye degradation from fish gut flora. The objective of this study was to analyze the role of dye degrading bacteria in the gut of freshwater fish collected from the study area.

Results

We have studied the aerobic degradation of remazol yellow reactive dye by bacteria forming the gut flora of exotic fish Oreochromis mossambica from river Cauvery at Pallipalayam of Namakkal District, India. Eight dye degrading gut isolates viz. Pseudomonas sp. AD1, Bacillus sp. AD2, Staphylococcus sp. AD3, Staphylococcus AD4, Enterobacter sp. AD5, Escherichia coli AD6, Streptococcus sp. AD7 and Clostridium sp. AD8 were obtained capable of growing in azo dye incorporated in Basic mineral medium (BMM) medium. Optimization study was carried out for various parameters for the selected isolates. Based on the growth, maximum growth was seen in Pseudomonas sp. AD1 (in 0–24 h) and minimum in Escherichia coli.AD 6 (in 72–96 h). Pseudomonas sp. AD1, Enterobacter sp.AD5, and Bacillus sp. AD 2 exhibited efficient dye degradation during 0–96 h analysis which was confirmed by FTIR analysis. Loss of azo group stretch at 1572–76 cm−1 and 1429 cm−1 and presence of primary (–NH2–) and secondary amides (–NH2–), aliphatic –C–N– stretching and confirmed –C–S– stretching in FTIR analysis confirms the breaking down of the azo bond.

Conclusion

This study showed that there is a platform for using the bacterial flora of fish gut that paves a prominent way in the degradation of Azo dye.
DHODH and cancer: promising prospects to be explored
Authors: Zhou Yue , Tao Lei , Zhou Xia , Zuo Zeping , Gong Jin , Liu Xiaocong , Zhou Yang , Liu Chunqi , Sang Na , Liu Huan , Zou Jiao , Gou Kun , Yang Xiaowei , Zhao Yinglan
Published: May 2021

Human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a flavin-dependent mitochondrial enzyme catalyzing the fourth step in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway. It is originally a target for the treatment of the non-neoplastic diseases involving in rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, and is re-emerging as a validated therapeutic target for cancer therapy. In this review, we mainly unravel the biological function of DHODH in tumor progression, including its crucial role in de novo pyrimidine synthesis and mitochondrial respiratory chain in cancer cells. Moreover, various DHODH inhibitors developing in the past decades are also been displayed, and the specific mechanism between DHODH and its additional effects are illustrated. Collectively, we detailly discuss the association between DHODH and tumors in recent years here, and believe it will provide significant evidences and potential strategies for utilizing DHODH as a potential target in preclinical and clinical cancer therapies.
COVID-19 one year into the pandemic: from genetics and genomics to therapy, vaccination, and policy
Authors: Novelli Giuseppe , Biancolella Michela , Mehrian-Shai Ruty , Colona Vito Luigi , Brito Anderson F. , Grubaugh Nathan D. , Vasiliou Vasilis , Luzzatto Lucio , Reichardt Juergen K. V.
Published: May 2021

COVID-19 has engulfed the world and it will accompany us all for some time to come. Here, we review the current state at the milestone of 1 year into the pandemic, as declared by the WHO (World Health Organization). We review several aspects of the on-going pandemic, focusing first on two major topics: viral variants and the human genetic susceptibility to disease severity. We then consider recent and exciting new developments in therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies, and in prevention strategies, such as vaccines. We also briefly discuss how advances in basic science and in biotechnology, under the threat of a worldwide emergency, have accelerated to an unprecedented degree of the transition from the laboratory to clinical applications. While every day we acquire more and more tools to deal with the on-going pandemic, we are aware that the path will be arduous and it will require all of us being community-minded. In this respect, we lament past delays in timely full investigations, and we call for bypassing local politics in the interest of humankind on all continents.
Heparanase overexpression impedes perivascular clearance of amyloid-β from murine brain: relevance to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhang Xiao , O’Callaghan Paul , Li Honglian , Tan Yingxia , Zhang Ganlin , Barash Uri , Wang Xiaomin , Lannfelt Lars , Vlodavsky Israel , Lindahl Ulf , Li Jin-Ping
Published: May 2021

Defective amyloid-β (Aβ) clearance from the brain is a major contributing factor to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aβ clearance is mediated by macrophages, enzymatic degradation, perivascular drainage along the vascular basement membrane (VBM) and transcytosis across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). AD pathology is typically associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy due to perivascular accumulation of Aβ. Heparan sulfate (HS) is an important component of the VBM, thought to fulfill multiple roles in AD pathology. We previously showed that macrophage-mediated clearance of intracortically injected Aβ was impaired in the brains of transgenic mice overexpressing heparanase (Hpa-tg). This study revealed that perivascular drainage was impeded in the Hpa-tg brain, evidenced by perivascular accumulation of the injected Aβ in the thalamus of Hpa-tg mice. Furthermore, endogenous Aβ accumulated at the perivasculature of Hpa-tg thalamus, but not in control thalamus. This perivascular clearance defect was confirmed following intracortical injection of dextran that was largely retained in the perivasculature of Hpa-tg brains, compared to control brains. Hpa-tg brains presented with thicker VBMs and swollen perivascular astrocyte endfeet, as well as elevated expression of the BBB-associated water-pump protein aquaporin 4 (AQP4). Elevated levels of both heparanase and AQP4 were also detected in human AD brain. These findings indicate that elevated heparanase levels alter the organization and composition of the BBB, likely through increased fragmentation of BBB-associated HS, resulting in defective perivascular drainage. This defect contributes to perivascular accumulation of Aβ in the Hpa-tg brain, highlighting a potential role for heparanase in the pathogenesis of AD.
Aβ43 aggregates exhibit enhanced prion-like seeding activity in mice
Authors: Ruiz-Riquelme Alejandro , Mao Alison , Barghash Marim M. , Lau Heather H. C. , Stuart Erica , Kovacs Gabor G. , Nilsson K. Peter R. , Fraser Paul E. , Schmitt-Ulms Gerold , Watts Joel C.
Published: May 2021

When injected into genetically modified mice, aggregates of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide from the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients or transgenic AD mouse models seed cerebral Aβ deposition in a prion-like fashion. Within the brain, Aβ exists as a pool of distinct C-terminal variants with lengths ranging from 37 to 43 amino acids, yet the relative contribution of individual C-terminal Aβ variants to the seeding behavior of Aβ aggregates remains unknown. Here, we have investigated the relative seeding activities of Aβ aggregates composed exclusively of recombinant Aβ38, Aβ40, Aβ42, or Aβ43. Cerebral Aβ42 levels were not increased in AppNL−F knock-in mice injected with Aβ38 or Aβ40 aggregates and were only increased in a subset of mice injected with Aβ42 aggregates. In contrast, significant accumulation of Aβ42 was observed in the brains of all mice inoculated with Aβ43 aggregates, and the extent of Aβ42 induction was comparable to that in mice injected with brain-derived Aβ seeds. Mice inoculated with Aβ43 aggregates exhibited a distinct pattern of cerebral Aβ pathology compared to mice injected with brain-derived Aβ aggregates, suggesting that recombinant Aβ43 may polymerize into a unique strain. Our results indicate that aggregates containing longer Aβ C-terminal variants are more potent inducers of cerebral Aβ deposition and highlight the potential role of Aβ43 seeds as a crucial factor in the initial stages of Aβ pathology in AD.
Assessments of the quality systems of pharmaceutical distributors: a remote approach to be applied in times of COVID-19 and beyond
Authors: Bourasseau Anthony , Lavergne Laurine , Ravinetto Raffaella
Published: May 2021

Background

Adequate quality systems throughout pharmaceutical supply chains are crucial to protect individuals and communities from substandard and falsified medical products. Thus, pharmaceutical distributors are regularly assessed by qualified experts. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a suspension of normal activities, remote assessments via videoconferencing may represent a temporary alternative to on-site audits. We exploratorily evaluated the feasibility of remote assessments of pharmaceutical distributors, located in a low- or middle-income country hard-to reach during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted pilot remote assessments of four conveniently selected distributors. The expert was remotely connected via videoconference, and supported by an in-country assessment facilitator (ICAF), who had received ad hoc training and was present at the assessed facility. First, the remote expert assessed the quality assurance (QA) activities and rated their compliance with the standards of the World Health Organization Good Storage & Distribution Practices (GSDP), as per routine practice. Second, s/he assessed the completeness, clarity and accuracy of data collected remotely, first per distributor, and then in aggregated form.

Results

Data completeness was assessed by the expert as excellent, while clarity and accuracy were good. Overall data quality (a combination of completeness, clarity and accuracy) was good, with no major differences across QA activities, nor across distributors. Contextual limitations included poor internet connection, language barriers, and distributors’ lack of familiarity with QA terminology.

Conclusions

Our findings are exploratory and cannot be extrapolated to other contexts, nor to other types of audits. Nonetheless, this pilot experience suggests that a well-planned remote assessment of pharmaceutical distributors, conducted with the support of a well-trained onsite ICAF, can provide data of acceptable quality, allowing to assess GSDP-compliance and to make temporary decisions about licensing or purchasing. Purchasers and policy makers should read the results of remote assessments in light of their intrinsic limitations. At the moment, onsite assessments remain the gold standards, but this could change in the longer term, with improved information technology and in light of the need to avoid unnecessary travels. Furthermore, remote assessments could be considered for routine pre-screening candidates for on-site assessments, and for targeted follow-up of on-site assessment.
Promoting N2 electroreduction to ammonia by fluorine-terminating Ti3C2Tx MXene
Authors: Ding Yu , Zhang Junbo , Guan Anxiang , Wang Qihao , Li Si , Al-Enizi Abdullah M. , Qian Linping , Zhang Lijuan , Zheng Gengfeng
Published: May 2021

Two-dimensional MXene-based materials are potential of presenting unique catalytic performances of electrocatalytic reactions. The surface functionalization of MXene-based catalysts is attractive for developing efficient electrocatalysts toward nitrogen reduction reaction. Herein, we reported a Ti3C2Tx MXene with a medium density of surface functionalized fluorine terminal groups, as an excellent N2 reduction reaction electrocatalyst with enhanced adsorption and activation of N2. The Ti3C2Tx MXene catalyst showed a production rate of ammonia as 2.81 × 10–5 μmol·s−1·cm−2, corresponding to a partial current density of 18.3 μA·cm−2 and a Faradic efficiency of 7.4% at − 0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions, substantially exceeding similar Ti3C2Tx MXene catalysts but with higher or lower densities of surface fluorine terminal groups. Our work suggests the capability of developing surface functionalization toolkit for enhancing electrochemical catalytic activities of two-dimensional MXene-based materials.
Laparoscopic partial liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma arising from Fontan-associated liver disease: a case report
Authors: Iwata Miku , Sakamoto Katsunori , Ito Chihiro , Sakamoto Akimasa , Uraoka Mio , Nagaoka Tomoyuki , Tamura Kei , Funamizu Naotake , Takai Akihiro , Ogawa Kohei , Takada Yasutsugu
Published: May 2021

Background

The Fontan procedure (FP) is a palliative surgery for functional single ventricle. The Fontan circulation maintains pulmonary circulation by a high central venous pressure, leading to chronic congestive liver. The number of patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arising from liver fibrosis and cirrhosis after FP is increasing. Several reports have described surgical treatment for HCC after FP, but few have described laparoscopic surgery.

Case presentation

The patient was a 31-year-old man who had undergone the FP for single right ventricle at 3 years. Several liver masses were detected at 30 years. A liver mass in segment 3 showed increasing size concomitant with increasing alpha-fetoprotein concentration, and a solitary HCC 15 mm in diameter was diagnosed. The tumor was located on the liver surface, abutting the origin of the left hepatic vein. Laparoscopic partial liver resection was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. The patient remained disease-free on follow-up after 7 months.

Conclusions

Although we had some concerns, such as difficulty managing general anesthesia and easy venous bleeding due to high central venous pressure, laparoscopic partial liver resection was performed with safe exposure of the left hepatic vein.