bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les finances publiques
Authors: Roger Charles
Published: June 2021

Après l’effort de redressement budgétaire en décembre 1932, succédant aux tentatives similaires de mars et de septembre, on pouvait espérer que l’équilibre du budget de 1933 était assuré. Malheureusement, les sacrifices considérables demandés en décembre (1.650 millions d’impôts nouveaux et 350 millions d’économies budgétaires) s’avérèrent encore insuffisants. Fin mars 1933, un mois à peine après le dépôt tardif du budget des Voies et Moyens sur le bureau du Parlement, le Ministre des Finances devait déclarer que les recettes ne répondaient pas à l’attente et fléchissaient profondément, alors que les dépenses de chômage et de pensions s’accroissaient démesurément. Le Gouvernement avouait avec loyauté que les mécomptes du côté des recettes s’élevaient à 510 millions et à 390 millions de francs du côté des dépenses.

Pour faire face à cette situation angoissante, le Gouvernement obtint du Parlement une délégation de pouvoirs spéciaux, le 17 mai 1933. Grâce à cette procédure, 65 arrêtés furent pris en l’espace de trois mois, réduisant certaines dépenses, assurant des recettes nouvelles et complétant les opérations de trésorerie. Le déficit réel étant de 959 millions, le redressement budgétaire a porté sur la somme de 987 millions laissant un boni probable de 20 millions au budget ordinaire.
Situation de l’agriculture en 1933
Authors: Lambilliotte Maurice
Published: June 2021

Il ne peut évidemment être question dans une étude telle que celle-ci de passer en revue toute l’activité agricole du pays au cours de l’année écoulée, mais plus modestement d’essayer d’en dégager une vue d’ensemble et comme à vol d’oiseau. Ceci permettra de se rendre compte de l’évolution des spéculations animales et végétales par rapport aux années antérieures, de l’allure des principaux marchés, de leur adaptation aux conditions économiques générales et des tendances qui se dessinent pour l’avenir. Pour bien situer l’objet même de cette étude, ses limites et son enchaînement, nous avons cru intéressant de donner ci-dessous l’ordre des divers points rencontrés.
Vers la fin de la crise charbonnière belge…
Authors: Demeure Charles
Published: June 2021

Quatre années de crise, entendue au sens large de ce mot — c’est-à-dire en y comprenant la dépression qui suit la crise proprement dite —, ont maintenant passé sur l’industrie charbonnière belge. L'épreuve semble longue aux optimistes de 1929, et nombreux sont ceux qui, dans le cours de l’année écoulée, ont cru à la ruine définitive des exploitations houillères de nos bassins du Sud, avec une conviction égale à la certitude qu’ils avaient autrefois de leur brillant avenir.

En fait, l’année 1933 a été, pour certaines catégories de combustibles, une période de stabilisation au plus bas; c’était là, comme nous l’écrivions il y a douze mois, le maximum que l’on pût espérer (1). Pour d’autres catégories, une accentuation de la crise s’est même produite; pour toutes, le niveau intérieur des prix sur le marché belge est resté nettement inférieur au niveau mondial. Et l’année écoulée a vu s’accroître de près dé huit cent mille tonnes les stocks de charbon qui encombrent le carreau de nos mines.
A Tale of Two Lines: “The Transylvanian” and “The Imperial”: Mapping Territorial Integration through Railway Architecture
Authors: Purcar Cristina
Published: June 2021

While states undertook railway construction targeting economic and military objectives, this article questions whether and to which extent their symbolic territorial cohesion was also at stake. The hypothesis we aim to verify is that railway buildings acted as recurrent visual signifiers of territorial coherence and had, therefore, the potential of being instrumental as state-building tools. This research explores how an architectural reading of railway networks can inform our understanding of state-building projects and processes. We expect that geographically scoped railway architectural history is capable of cross-fertilizing political and planning history, through a better understanding of empire, state, and regional building discourses. The investigation focuses on the stylistic architectural choices of edifices on two trunk lines in Transylvania, North-West Romania, before World War I, while this territory belonged to the Habsburg then, as of 1867, Austro-Hungarian Empire. The large-scale analysis of railway architecture is discussed in relation to railway-line ownership, political (central, regional, and local) agency, economic development, and architectural Zeitgeist, highlighting state-building and territorial integration patterns. The mapping carried out reveals two successive architectural layers. These denote a shift in the role of railway architecture from an initial liberal phase, before the 1880s, to a bloom phase, prior to World War I. While during the former there was little state control over architectural aspects, during the latter architecture became a foremost representation instrument for the state railway administration. At the same time, the extant railway architecture appears as a palimpsest, a genuinely cross-border, European heritage, documenting the dynamics between imperial, state, regional, and local agencies.
Handeln wider besseres Wissen im Körperpflegeunterricht
Authors: Kuckeland Heidi
Published: June 2021

Zusammenfassung. Lehrende in der Pflegeausbildung verfügen über ein breites pflegedidaktisches Professionswissen und handeln bei der Unterrichtsvorbereitung und -durchführung dennoch diesem Professionswissen zuwider. Im Rahmen einer Forschungsarbeit wurden am Beispiel des Körperpflegeunterrichts 18 Kategorien pflegedidaktischen Professionswissens sowie 11 Kategorien pflegedidaktischen Professionshandelns eruiert. Es konnte eine Diskrepanz zwischen pflegedidaktischem Professionswissen und -handeln der Lehrenden hergeleitet und als Phänomen „Handeln wider besseres Wissen“ generiert werden.
Moralischer Distress bei Pflegestudierenden
Authors: Sahli Ananda , Rüfli Sophie
Published: June 2021

Zusammenfassung. Moralischer Distress tritt dann auf, wenn eine Person weiß, was die moralisch richtige Handlung wäre, jedoch davon abgehalten wird, diese umzusetzen. Dabei spielen verschiedene Situationen und Faktoren eine Rolle. Da dieses Phänomen bereits im Verlauf der Pflegeausbildung auftritt und bei Lernenden ein Belastungsempfinden auslöst, stehen Lehrende vor der Herausforderung, Pflegestudierende im Umgang damit zu unterstützen. In diesem Zusammenhang stellt sich die Frage, welche (pädagogischen) Interventionen wirksam sein können.
Anbahnung kritisch-konstruktiver Kompetenzen
Authors: Gutknecht Konstanze
Published: June 2021

Zusammenfassung. Mit der Kompetenzanforderung Kritikfähigkeit kann den Lernenden zu einer Mündigkeit verholfen werden, um den realen Pflegealltag kritisch reflektieren zu können. Mit der Befähigung zur Konstruktion wird versucht die Kritik in Lösungsalternativen umzuwandeln, welche zugleich ethisch-moralisches Handeln verfolgen. Auf Basis der Falldidaktik wird ein Verfahren konstruiert, um kritisch-konstruktive Kompetenzen anzubahnen.
Die unbeachteten Lehrenden
Authors: Freitag Kathrin , Buschmann Hannah , Röttger Anna L. , Porsch Nina B. , Bükrücü Dilan R. , Holle Daniela , Peters Tim
Published: June 2021

Zusammenfassung. Die im Jahr 2020 eingeführte generalistische Pflegeausbildung bringt ein hohes Maß an Veränderungen in der Lehre mit sich (Hatziliadis, 2019). Im Fokus bisheriger Publikationen stehen Debatten über den Nutzen der generalistischen Ausbildung sowie Herausforderungen für Institutionen und angehende Auszubildende. Anforderungen an Lehrende in der Pflege im Zuge der Generalistik wurden jedoch bislang nur randständig thematisiert und sollen im Rahmen dieser Untersuchung genauer in den Blick genommen werden.
Characterizing Near‐Field Surface Deformation in the 1990 Rudbar Earthquake (Iran) Using Optical Image Correlation
Authors: Ajorlou Najmeh , Hollingsworth James , Mousavi Zahra , Ghods Abdolreza , Masoumi Zohreh
Published: June 2021

The 1990 Rudbar earthquake (Mw 7.3) broke along three right‐stepping segments of the left‐lateral Rudbar fault, in the western Alborz mountains (Iran), producing ∼80 km of surface rupture. Previously reported horizontal (∼60 cm) field offsets were surprisingly low, and the vertical (∼95 cm) unexpected, given the relatively large moment release, shallow source depth, vertical fault geometry, and left‐lateral rake. We characterize the surface displacement from optical image correlation of satellite and aerial images. A maximum displacement of ∼6.5 m is observed in the eastern part of the rupture consistent with both a sharp pulse in the moment release rate ∼10 s after the rupture initiation, and the macroseismic isoseismal curves. We find ∼2.2 m mean surface slip, larger than field measurements, but consistent with empirical scaling laws based upon the seismological moment release. Estimates of fault zone width based on correlation of 1 m resolution aerial photos (and corrected for smoothing bias) are <200 m; these values increase artificially with lower resolution imagery, which is more affected by smoothing bias. The large mismatch between field and correlation displacements suggests the Rudbar earthquake probably featured significant off‐fault deformation, consistent with its low structural maturity. Finally, we document a surface rupture along a structural continuation of the Kabateh segment, east of the Sefid Rud river. Slip along this segment (1–2 m), is less than the neighboring Zard Geli segment (1.5–6 m). The two faults converge at Sefid Rud, which appears to represent a major structural feature controlling fault segmentation in this region.
The Long Sinuous Rille System in Northern Oceanus Procellarum and Its Relation to the Chang'e‐5 Returned Samples
Authors: Qian Yuqi , Xiao Long , Head James W. , Wilson Lionel
Published: June 2021

China's Chang'e‐5 (CE‐5) mission recently returned samples from a young intermediate‐Ti mare unit (Em4/P58, ∼1.5 Ga) in Northern Oceanus Procellarum. Rima Sharp, previously mapped as the longest lunar sinuous rille, is the most prominent volcanic feature associated with the landing region. Our analysis shows that Rima Sharp is not a single rille, but instead is composed of two separate rilles (Rima Sharp, originating from the North Vent, and Rima Mairan from the South Vent), meeting at ∼40.40°N, 48.38°W. Both vent have characteristics suggesting relatively low magma volatile contents. Rima Mairan and associated lavas (southeast of Em4/P58), embay and are slightly younger than Rima Sharp. Rille formation is largely influenced by pre‐existing topography (earlier mare surface, proto‐wrinkle ridges, highlands); rilles and deposits experienced post‐formation deformation (wrinkle ridges, mare subsidence). CE‐5 samples probably originate mainly from Rima Sharp's source vent, but may represent deposits from both rilles.
miR-5000-3p confers oxaliplatin resistance by targeting ubiquitin-specific peptidase 49 in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhuang Yan-yan , Zhong Wa , Xia Zhong-sheng , Lin Shu-zhen , Chan Man chung , Jiang Ke , Li Wen-fei , Xu Xin-yi
Published: June 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common form of gastrointestinal malignancies. A growing number of reports focusing on oxaliplatin (OXA) resistance in CRC treatment have revealed that drug resistance is an urgent issue in clinical applications, especially for finding effective therapeutic targets. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to play a critical role in tumor progressions and multi-drug resistance. The main aim of this study is to establish whether miR-5000-3p is an oncogene that is resistant to OXA and further confirm its underlying regulatory role in CRC. The OXA-associated gene expression dataset in CRC cells was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Statistical software R was used for significance analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between OXA-resistant (OR)-CRC cells and CRC cells, and results indicated ubiquitin-specific peptidase 49 (USP49) was upregulated in OR-CRC cells. Luciferase reporter assay showed that USP49 was verified to act as a downstream target gene of miR-5000-3p. From the results of TCGA database, miR-5000-3p expression was upregulated and USP49 was downregulated in patients with CRC. The function of miR-5000-3p was detected using MTT assay, wound healing, Transwell, and flow cytometry assays. Moreover, through in vitro and in vivo experiments, miR-5000-3p expression was confirmed to be upregulated in CRC cells or OR-CRC cells comparing to normal cell lines. Molecular mechanism assays revealed that USP49 binds to the miR-5000-3p promoter to increase the expression of miR-5000-3p, resulting in cancer cells sensitized to OXA. To sum up, these results suggest that miR-5000-3p may be a novel biomarker involved in drug-resistance progression of CRC. Moreover, the drug-resistance mechanism of miR-5000-3p/USP49 axis provides new treatment strategies for CRC in clinical trials.
Multi-year analyses on three populations reveal the first stable QTLs for tolerance to rain-induced fruit cracking in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)
Authors: Quero-García José , Letourmy Philippe , Campoy José Antonio , Branchereau Camille , Malchev Svetoslav , Barreneche Teresa , Dirlewanger Elisabeth
Published: June 2021

Rain-induced fruit cracking is a major problem in sweet cherry cultivation. Basic research has been conducted to disentangle the physiological and mechanistic bases of this complex phenomenon, whereas genetic studies have lagged behind. The objective of this work was to disentangle the genetic determinism of rain-induced fruit cracking. We hypothesized that a large genetic variation would be revealed, by visual field observations conducted on mapping populations derived from well-contrasted cultivars for cracking tolerance. Three populations were evaluated over 7–8 years by estimating the proportion of cracked fruits for each genotype at maturity, at three different areas of the sweet cherry fruit: pistillar end, stem end, and fruit side. An original approach was adopted to integrate, within simple linear models, covariates potentially related to cracking, such as rainfall accumulation before harvest, fruit weight, and firmness. We found the first stable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for cherry fruit cracking, explaining percentages of phenotypic variance above 20%, for each of these three types of cracking tolerance, in different linkage groups, confirming the high complexity of this trait. For these and other QTLs, further analyses suggested the existence of at least two-linked QTLs in each linkage group, some of which showed confidence intervals close to 5 cM. These promising results open the possibility of developing marker-assisted selection strategies to select cracking-tolerant sweet cherry cultivars. Further studies are needed to confirm the stability of the reported QTLs over different genetic backgrounds and environments and to narrow down the QTL confidence intervals, allowing the exploration of underlying candidate genes.
Association between confirmed congenital Zika infection at birth and outcomes up to 3 years of life
Authors: Hcini Najeh , Kugbe Yaovi , Rafalimanana Zo Hasina Linah , Lambert Véronique , Mathieu Meredith , Carles Gabriel , Baud David , Panchaud Alice , Pomar Léo
Published: June 2021

Little is known about the long-term neurological development of children diagnosed with congenital Zika infection at birth. Here, we report the imaging and clinical outcomes up to three years of life of a cohort of 129 children exposed to Zika virus in utero. Eighteen of them (14%) had a laboratory confirmed congenital Zika infection at birth. Infected neonates have a higher risk of adverse neonatal and early infantile outcomes (death, structural brain anomalies or neurologic symptoms) than those who tested negative: 8/18 (44%) vs 4/111 (4%), aRR 10.1 [3.5–29.0]. Neurological impairment, neurosensory alterations or delays in motor acquisition are more common in infants with a congenital Zika infection at birth: 6/15 (40%) vs 5/96 (5%), aRR 6.7 [2.2–20.0]. Finally, infected children also have an increased risk of subspecialty referral for suspected neurodevelopmental delay by three years of life: 7/11 (64%) vs 7/51 (14%), aRR 4.4 [1.9–10.1]. Infected infants without structural brain anomalies also appear to have an increased risk, although to a lesser extent, of neurological abnormalities. It seems paramount to offer systematic testing for congenital ZIKV infection in cases of in utero exposure and adapt counseling based on these results.
Room temperature exciton–polariton Bose–Einstein condensation in organic single-crystal microribbon cavities
Authors: Tang Ji , Zhang Jian , Lv Yuanchao , Wang Hong , Xu Fa Feng , Zhang Chuang , Sun Liaoxin , Yao Jiannian , Zhao Yong Sheng
Published: June 2021

Exciton–polariton Bose–Einstein condensation (EP BEC) is of crucial importance for the development of coherent light sources and optical logic elements, as it creates a new state of matter with coherent nature and nonlinear behaviors. The demand for room temperature EP BEC has driven the development of organic polaritons because of the large binding energies of Frenkel excitons in organic materials. However, the reliance on external high-finesse microcavities for organic EP BEC results in poor compactness and integrability of devices, which restricts their practical applications in on-chip integration. Here, we demonstrate room temperature EP BEC in organic single-crystal microribbon natural cavities. The regularly shaped microribbons serve as waveguide Fabry–Pérot microcavities, in which efficient strong coupling between Frenkel excitons and photons leads to the generation of EPs at room temperature. The large exciton–photon coupling strength due to high exciton densities facilitates the achievement of EP BEC. Taking advantages of interactions in EP condensates and dimension confinement effects, we demonstrate the realization of controllable output of coherent light from the microribbons. We hope that the results will provide a useful enlightenment for using organic single crystals to construct miniaturized polaritonic devices.
Electrokinetic and in situ spectroscopic investigations of CO electrochemical reduction on copper
Authors: Li Jing , Chang Xiaoxia , Zhang Haochen , Malkani Arnav S. , Cheng Mu-jeng , Xu Bingjun , Lu Qi
Published: June 2021

Rigorous electrokinetic results are key to understanding the reaction mechanisms in the electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR), however, most reported results are compromised by the CO mass transport limitation. In this work, we determined mass transport-free CORR kinetics by employing a gas-diffusion type electrode and identified dependence of catalyst surface speciation on the electrolyte pH using in-situ surface enhanced vibrational spectroscopies. Based on the measured Tafel slopes and reaction orders, we demonstrate that the formation rates of C2+ products are most likely limited by the dimerization of CO adsorbate. CH4 production is limited by the CO hydrogenation step via a proton coupled electron transfer and a chemical hydrogenation step of CO by adsorbed hydrogen atom in weakly (7 < pH < 11) and strongly (pH > 11) alkaline electrolytes, respectively. Further, CH4 and C2+ products are likely formed on distinct types of active sites.
Pressure-induced superconductivity and modification of Fermi surface in type-II Weyl semimetal NbIrTe4
Authors: Mu Qing-Ge , Fan Feng-Ren , Borrmann Horst , Schnelle Walter , Sun Yan , Felser Claudia , Medvedev Sergey
Published: June 2021

Weyl semimetals (WSMs) hosting Weyl points (WPs) with different chiralities attract great interest as an object to study chirality-related physical properties, topological phase transitions, and topological superconductivity. Quantum oscillation measurements and theoretical calculations imply that the type-II WPs in NbIrTe4 are robust against the shift of chemical potential making it a good material for pressure studies on topological properties. Here we report the results of electrical transport property measurements and Raman spectroscopy studies under pressures up to 65.5 GPa accompanied by theoretical electronic structure calculations. Hall resistivity data reveal an electronic transition indicated by a change of the charge carrier from multiband character to hole-type at ~12 GPa, in agreement with the calculated Fermi surface. An onset of superconducting transition is observed at pressures above 39 GPa, with critical temperature increasing as pressure increases. Moreover, theoretical calculations indicate that WPs persist up to highly reduced unit cell volume (−17%), manifesting that NbIrTe4 is a candidate of topological superconductor.
Immobilization of Pt nanoparticles on hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile-based nanofiber paper
Authors: Kwon Soon Yeol , Ra EunJu , Jung Dong Geon , Kong Seong Ho
Published: June 2021

The electrochemical activity of catalysts strongly depends on the uniform distribution of monodisperse Pt nanoparticles without aggregates. Here, we propose a new hydrolysis-assisted smearing method for Pt loading on a free-standing paper-type electrode. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based nanofiber paper was used as the electrode, and it acted as a Pt support. Hydrolysis of the electrode tripled the number of active nucleation sites for Pt adsorption on the PAN nanofibers, thereby significantly enhancing the wettability of the nanofibers. This facilitated the uniform distribution of Pt nanoparticles without aggregate formation up to 40 wt% (about 0.8 mg/cm2) with a particle size of about 3 nm. The catalytic current of the hydrolyzed Pt electrode in CH3OH/H2SO4 solution exceeded 213 mA/cm2 Pt mg, which was considerably greater than the current was 148 mA/cm2 Pt mg for an unhydrolyzed electrode.
Targeting of the CD80/86 proinflammatory axis as a therapeutic strategy to prevent severe COVID-19
Authors: Julià Antonio , Bonafonte-Pardàs Irene , Gómez Antonio , López-Lasanta María , López-Corbeto Mireia , Martínez-Mateu Sergio H. , Lladós Jordi , Rodríguez-Nunez Iván , Myers Richard M. , Marsal Sara
Published: June 2021

An excessive immune response known as cytokine storm is the hallmark of severe COVID-19. The cause of this cytokine rampage is yet not known. Based on recent epidemiological evidence, we hypothesized that CD80/86 signaling is essential for this hyperinflammation, and that blocking this proinflammatory axis could be an effective therapeutic approach to protect against severe COVID-19. Here we provide exploratory evidence that abatacept, a drug that blocks CD80/86 co-stimulation, produces changes at the systemic level that are highly antagonistic of the proinflammatory processes elicited by COVID-19. Using RNA-seq from blood samples from a longitudinal cohort of n = 38 rheumatic patients treated with abatacept, we determined the immunological processes that are significantly regulated by this treatment. We then analyzed available blood RNA-seq from two COVID19 patient cohorts, a very early cohort from the epicenter of the pandemic in China (n = 3 COVID-19 cases and n = 3 controls), and a recent and larger cohort from the USA (n = 49 severe and n = 51 mild COVD-19 patients). We found a highly significant antagonism between SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity with the systemic response to abatacept. Analysis of previous single-cell RNA-seq data from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from mild and severe COVID-19 patients and controls, reinforce the implication of the CD80/86 proinflammatory axis. Our functional results further support abatacept as a candidate therapeutic approach to prevent severe COVID-19.
Predictors of obstructive sleep apnea misclassification when using total bed time versus total sleep time
Authors: Lim Wei Yang , See Kay Choong
Published: June 2021

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent condition worldwide. Untreated, it is associated with multiple medical complications as well as a reduced quality of life. Home sleep apnea tests are increasingly used for its diagnosis and evaluation of severity, but using total bed time rather than total sleep time may underestimate OSA severity. We aim to uncover the extent and predictors of OSA misclassification when using total bed time. A retrospective observational study was conducted using data from the sleep laboratory of the National University Hospital, Singapore, a tertiary hospital with 1200 beds. Misclassification of OSA was defined as any OSA severity that was less severe using total bed time versus total sleep time. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of OSA misclassification. A total of 1621 patients were studied (mean age 45.6 ± 15.9 years; 73.4% male). 300 (18.5%) patients were misclassified. Risk factors for OSA misclassification included age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, P = 0.001) and body-mass index (BMI) (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.99, P = 0.015). Risk for misclassification was significant in patients aged ≥ 57 years old, with BMI < 32.3 kg/m2. Using total bed time rather than total sleep time to quantify OSA severity was associated with a significant risk of misclassification, particularly in patients aged ≥ 57 years old, with BMI < 32.3 kg/m2.
On the climate benefit of a coal-to-gas shift in Germany’s electric power sector
Authors: Ladage Stefan , Blumenberg Martin , Franke Dieter , Bahr Andreas , Lutz Rüdiger , Schmidt Sandro
Published: June 2021

Methane emissions along the natural gas supply chain are critical for the climate benefit achievable by fuel switching from coal to natural gas in the electric power sector. For Germany, one of the world’s largest primary energy consumers, with a coal and natural gas share in the power sector of 35% and 13%, respectively, we conducted fleet-conversion modelling for reference year 2018, taking domestic and export country specific greenhouse gas (GHG)-emissions in the natural gas and coal supply chains into account. Methane leakage rates below 4.9% (GWP20; immediate 4.1%) in the natural gas supply chain lead to overall reduction of CO2-equivalent GHG-emissions by fuel switching. Supply chain methane emissions vary significantly for the import countries Russia, Norway and The Netherlands, yet for Germany’s combined natural gas mix lie with << 1% far below specific break-even leakage rates. Supply chain emission scenarios demonstrate that a complete shift to natural gas would emit 30–55% (GWP20 and GWP100, respectively) less CO2-equivalent GHG than from the coal mix. However, further abating methane emissions in the petroleum sector should remain a prime effort, when considering natural gas as bridge fuel on the path to achieve the Paris climate goals.
Multiband effects on the upper critical field angular dependence of 122-family iron pnictide superconductors
Authors: Llovo I. F. , Carballeira C. , Sóñora D. , Pereiro A. , Ponte J. J. , Salem-Sugui S. , Sefat A. S. , Mosqueira J.
Published: June 2021

Detailed measurements of the in-plane resistivity were performed in a high-quality Ba($$\hbox {Fe}_{1-x}\hbox {Co}_{{x}}$$

Fe

1
-
x

Co
x

)$$_2\hbox {As}_2$$

2

As
2

($$x=0.065$$

x
=
0.065

) single crystal, in magnetic fields up to 9 T and with different orientations $$\theta$$
θ
relative to the crystal c axis. A significant $$\rho (T)_{H,\theta }$$

ρ

(
T
)

H
,
θ

rounding is observed just above the superconducting critical temperature $$T_c$$

T
c

due to Cooper pairs created by superconducting fluctuations. These data are analyzed in terms of a generalization of the Aslamazov-Larkin approach, that extends its applicability to high reduced-temperatures and magnetic fields. This method allows us to carry out a criterion-independent determination of the angular dependence of the upper critical field, $$H_{c2}(\theta )$$

H

c
2

(
θ
)

. In spite of the relatively small anisotropy of this compound, it is found that $$H_{c2}(\theta )$$

H

c
2

(
θ
)

presents a significant deviation from the single-band 3D anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau (3D-aGL) approach, particularly for large $$\theta$$
θ
(typically above $$\sim 60^o$$

∼

60
o

). These results are interpreted in terms of the multiband nature of these materials, in contrast with other proposals for similar $$H_{c2}(\theta )$$

H

c
2

(
θ
)

anomalies. Our results are also consistent with an effective anisotropy factor almost temperature independent near $$T_c$$

T
c

, a result that differs from the ones obtained by using a single-band model.
Exposure to metals and morbidity at eight years follow-up in women of childbearing age
Authors: Karakis Isabella , Baumfeld Yael , Landau Daniella , Gat Roni , Shemesh Nofar , Yitshak-Sade Maayan , Tirosh Ofir , Sarov Batia , Novack Lena
Published: June 2021

This exploratory study was aimed to investigate the link between toxic metal content in women’s urine and their morbidity 2 years before and 6 years after the test. Concentrations of 25 metals in urine were analyzed for 111 pregnant women collected prior to delivery. All women were of Arab-Bedouin origin. Information on primary care and hospital visits during the study period was obtained. In a Poisson regression model, a health outcome was regressed over metal exposure and other factors. A Weighted Quantile Sum Regression (WQS) approach was used to indicate metals dominating in their possible impact on women's morbidity. Obesity was the most frequently diagnosed condition in this population (27.9%). Diagnoses in a neurological category accounted for 36.0%, asthma or respiratory—25.2%, psychiatric—12.6%, cardiovascular—14.4% and cancer or benign growth—for 13.5%. Based on WQS analysis, cancer and benign growth were mostly attributed to the increased levels of cadmium, cardiovascular outcomes were linked with lead, and obesity was found associated with elevated levels of nickel. Hematological, neurological and respiratory outcomes were attributed to multiple non-essential metals. The health and exposure profile of women in the study warrants a periodic biomonitoring in attempt to identify and reduce exposure to potentially dangerous elements.
Clusterin serum levels are elevated in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and predict disease activity and treatment response
Authors: Kropáčková Tereza , Mann Heřman , Růžičková Olga , Šléglová Olga , Vernerová Lucia , Horváthová Veronika , Tomčík Michal , Pavelka Karel , Vencovský Jiří , Šenolt Ladislav
Published: June 2021

Clusterin (CLU) is a molecular chaperone that participates in a variety of biological processes. Recent studies indicate its possible involvement in the development of bone erosions and autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to investigate its serum concentrations in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore their potential relationship with disease activity and treatment response. Serum levels of CLU were measured in 52 patients before and 3 months after the initiation of treatment and in 52 healthy individuals. CLU levels at baseline were significantly increased in patients with early RA compared with healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). After 3 months of treatment, the levels of CLU decreased and reached concentrations comparable to those in controls. Even though there was no relationship between CLU levels and disease activity at baseline, CLU levels positively correlated with disease activity at months 3, 6 and 12 after treatment initiation. Using ROC analysis, lower CLU baseline levels predicted achieving the therapeutic target of low disease activity and remission at months 3, 6 and 12. In summary, we found increased serum concentrations of clusterin in treatment-naïve patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, and we suggest clusterin as a predictive biomarker of disease activity and treatment response.
Demographic, psychological, chronobiological, and work-related predictors of sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy
Authors: Salfi Federico , Lauriola Marco , D’Atri Aurora , Amicucci Giulia , Viselli Lorenzo , Tempesta Daniela , Ferrara Michele
Published: June 2021

The first COVID-19 contagion wave caused unprecedented restraining measures worldwide. In Italy, a period of generalized lockdown involving home confinement of the entire population was imposed for almost two months (9 March–3 May 2020). The present is the most extensive investigation aimed to unravel the demographic, psychological, chronobiological, and work-related predictors of sleep disturbances throughout the pandemic emergency. A total of 13,989 Italians completed a web-based survey during the confinement period (25 March–3 May). We collected demographic and lockdown-related work changes information, and we evaluated sleep quality, insomnia and depression symptoms, chronotype, perceived stress, and anxiety using validated questionnaires. The majority of the respondents reported a negative impact of confinement on their sleep and a delayed sleep phase. We highlighted an alarming prevalence of sleep disturbances during the lockdown. Main predictors of sleep disturbances identified by regression models were: female gender, advanced age, being a healthcare worker, living in southern Italy, confinement duration, and a higher level of depression, stress, and anxiety. The evening chronotype emerged as a vulnerability factor, while morning-type individuals showed a lower predisposition to sleep and psychological problems. Finally, working from home was associated with less severe sleep disturbances. Besides confirming the role of specific demographic and psychological factors in developing sleep disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, we propose that circadian typologies could react differently to a particular period of reduced social jetlag. Moreover, our results suggest that working from home could play a protective role against the development of sleep disturbances during the current pandemic emergency.
Distribution and internal correlations of corneal astigmatism in cataract patients
Authors: Jiang Yuanfeng , Qin Ying , Bu Shaochong , Zhang Hong , Zhang Xiaomin , Tian Fang
Published: June 2021

The aim of the study is to explore the distribution patterns and internal correlations of the morphological parameters of the cornea in patients with age-related cataract. The Pentacam HR was used to measure anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA), posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA), total corneal astigmatism (TCA) and keratometric corneal astigmatism (KCA). With age, the proportion of with-the-rule (WTR) ACA decreased from 65.31% to 23.63%, while the against-the-rule (ATR) ACA increased from 26.53% to 56.20%. PCA exceeded 0.50 D in 9.14% of eyes, while 76.35% of them were ATR. The magnitude of ACA was positively correlated with PCA in the whole sample, with a more significant correlation in WTR eyes (sr = 0.349, P < 0.001). The vector summation effect of PCA to ACA changed from compensation to augmentation with aging. In 57.53% of WTR eyes, KCA was overestimated by an average of 0.21 ± 0.17 D, while it was underestimated by 0.38 ± 0.27 D in 87.62% of ATR eyes. In conclusion, among age-related cataract patients, ACA and TCA gradually shifted from WTR to ATR with aging, while most PCA remained as ATR. Ignoring the age-related changes and real PCA might cause overestimation of WTR astigmatism and underestimation of ATR astigmatism.
Analysis of the metabolomic profile in serum of irradiated nonhuman primates treated with Ex-Rad, a radiation countermeasure
Authors: Li Yaoxiang , Girgis Michael , Wise Stephen Y. , Fatanmi Oluseyi O. , Seed Thomas M. , Maniar Manoj , Cheema Amrita K. , Singh Vijay K.
Published: June 2021

To date, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four drugs to mitigate hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome and all four are repurposed radiomitigators. There are several additional drug candidates currently under evaluation that may also be helpful for use during a widespread emergency. One possible candidate is Ex-Rad, also known as ON01210, a chlorobenzyl sulfone derivative (organosulfur compound), which is a novel, small-molecule kinase inhibitor with demonstrated efficacy in the murine model. In this study, we have evaluated the metabolomic and lipidomic profiles in serum samples of nonhuman primates (NHPs) treated with Ex-Rad after exposure to ionizing radiation. Two different dose administration schedules (Ex-Rad I administered 24 and 36 h post-irradiation, and Ex-Rad II administered 48 and 60 h post-irradiation), were used and evaluated using a global molecular profiling approach. We observed alterations in biochemical pathways relating to inflammation and oxidative stress after radiation exposure that were alleviated in animals that received Ex-Rad I or Ex-Rad II. The results from this study lend credence to the possible radiomitigative effects of this drug possibly via a dampening of metabolism-based tissue injury, thus aiding in recovery of vital, radiation-injured organ systems.
Clinical applicability and diagnostic performance of electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy diagnosis in older adults
Authors: Tavares Caio de Assis Moura , Samesima Nelson , Hajjar Ludhmila Abrahão , Godoy Lucas C. , Padrão Eduardo Messias Hirano , Lazar Neto Felippe , Facin Mirella , Jacob-Filho Wilson , Farkouh Michael E. , Pastore Carlos Alberto
Published: June 2021

Recently, a new ECG criterion, the Peguero-Lo Presti (PLP), improved overall accuracy in the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)—compared to traditional ECG criteria, but with few patients with advanced age. We analyzed patients with older age and examined which ECG criteria would have better overall performance. A total of 592 patients were included (83.1% with hypertension, mean age of 77.5 years) and the PLP criterion was compared against Cornell voltage (CV), Sokolow-Lyon voltage (SL) and Romhilt-Estes criteria (cutoffs of 4 and 5 points, RE4 and RE5, respectively) using LVH defined by the echocardiogram as the gold standard. The PLP had higher AUC than the CV, RE and SL (respectively, 0.70 vs 0.66 vs 0.64 vs 0.67), increased sensitivity compared with the SL, CV and RE5 (respectively, 51.9% [95% CI 45.4–58.3%] vs 28.2% [95% CI 22.6–34.4%], p < 0.0001; vs 35.3% [95% CI 29.2–41.7%], p < 0.0001; vs 44.4% [95% CI 38.0–50.9%], p = 0.042), highest F1 score (58.3%) and net benefit for most of the 20–60% threshold range in the decision curve analysis. Overall, despite the best diagnostic performance in older patients, the PLP criterion cannot rule out LVH consistently but can potentially be used to guide clinical decision for echocardiogram ordering in low-resource settings.
Investigation of genetic markers for intramuscular fat in the hybrid Wagyu cattle with bulked segregant analysis
Authors: Zhu Yun , Han Liyun , Li Peng , Kang Xiaolong , Dan Xingang , Ma Yun , Shi Yuangang
Published: June 2021

ulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) is a rapid strategy for identifying genetic markers in specific regions of the phenotypical population and it has been widely used for QTLs mapping in smaller mixed F2 and F3 populations. We applied a modified BSA method to assessed genome-wide homozygous and heterozygous linkage patterns in the Chinese Wagyu Beef Cattle F2/F3 mixed population. Two overlapped regions from F2 and F3 populations on autosomes were found with high-density heterozygote alleles between high and low intramuscular fat groups. Regions from 24.8 M ~ 29.6 M of chromosome 23 were identified as most significantly correlated to the intramuscular fat in our samples. We also identified other 4 potential loci on chromosomes 5, 9, 15, and 21 correlated with Intramuscular fat. This study provided a novel low-cost method for QTLs mapping and identify molecular markers of phenotypical changes in a small mixed population.
Automated coronary calcium scoring using deep learning with multicenter external validation
Authors: Eng David , Chute Christopher , Khandwala Nishith , Rajpurkar Pranav , Long Jin , Shleifer Sam , Khalaf Mohamed H. , Sandhu Alexander T. , Rodriguez Fatima , Maron David J. , Seyyedi Saeed , Marin Daniele , Golub Ilana , Budoff Matthew , Kitamura Felipe , Takahashi Marcelo Straus , Filice Ross W. , Shah Rajesh , Mongan John , Kallianos Kimberly , Langlotz Curtis P. , Lungren Matthew P. , Ng Andrew Y. , Patel Bhavik N.
Published: June 2021

Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common manifestation of cardiovascular disease, remains the most common cause of mortality in the United States. Risk assessment is key for primary prevention of coronary events and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring using computed tomography (CT) is one such non-invasive tool. Despite the proven clinical value of CAC, the current clinical practice implementation for CAC has limitations such as the lack of insurance coverage for the test, need for capital-intensive CT machines, specialized imaging protocols, and accredited 3D imaging labs for analysis (including personnel and software). Perhaps the greatest gap is the millions of patients who undergo routine chest CT exams and demonstrate coronary artery calcification, but their presence is not often reported or quantitation is not feasible. We present two deep learning models that automate CAC scoring demonstrating advantages in automated scoring for both dedicated gated coronary CT exams and routine non-gated chest CTs performed for other reasons to allow opportunistic screening. First, we trained a gated coronary CT model for CAC scoring that showed near perfect agreement (mean difference in scores = −2.86; Cohen’s Kappa = 0.89, P < 0.0001) with current conventional manual scoring on a retrospective dataset of 79 patients and was found to perform the task faster (average time for automated CAC scoring using a graphics processing unit (GPU) was 3.5 ± 2.1 s vs. 261 s for manual scoring) in a prospective trial of 55 patients with little difference in scores compared to three technologists (mean difference in scores = 3.24, 5.12, and 5.48, respectively). Then using CAC scores from paired gated coronary CT as a reference standard, we trained a deep learning model on our internal data and a cohort from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) study (total training n = 341, Stanford test n = 42, MESA test n = 46) to perform CAC scoring on routine non-gated chest CT exams with validation on external datasets (total n = 303) obtained from four geographically disparate health systems. On identifying patients with any CAC (i.e., CAC ≥ 1), sensitivity and PPV was high across all datasets (ranges: 80–100% and 87–100%, respectively). For CAC ≥ 100 on routine non-gated chest CTs, which is the latest recommended threshold to initiate statin therapy, our model showed sensitivities of 71–94% and positive predictive values in the range of 88–100% across all the sites. Adoption of this model could allow more patients to be screened with CAC scoring, potentially allowing opportunistic early preventive interventions.
The synthesis and electrochemical properties of low-crystallinity iron silicate derived from reed leaves as a supercapacitor electrode material
Authors: Chen Xingyu , Zhang Yifu , Wang Chen , Dong Xueying , Meng Changgong
Published: June 2021

In this work, FeSi derived from reed leaves has been successfully synthesized and it exhibits excellent electrochemical performance as an electrode material for SCs.
Au nanobipyramids with Pt decoration enveloped in TiO2 nanoboxes for photocatalytic reactions
Authors: Gao Weijian , Kan Caixia , Ke Shanlin , Yun Qinru , Zhu Xingzhong , Zhu Xiaoguang
Published: June 2021

In this work, we designed and fabricated a new Au–Pt@TiO2 nanocomposite. Lead to the effective synergy between components, it show remarkable photocatalytic activity.
Responses and coping methods of different testicular cell types to heat stress: overview and perspectives
Authors: Cai Hui , Qin Dezhe , Peng Sha
Published: June 2021

To facilitate temperature adjustments, the testicles are located outside the body cavity. In most mammals, the temperature of the testes is lower than the body temperature to ensure the normal progression of spermatogenesis. Rising temperatures affect spermatogenesis and eventually lead to a decline in male fertility or even infertility. However, the testes are composed of different cell types, including spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), spermatocytes, spermatozoa, Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells, which have different cellular responses to heat stress. Recent studies have shown that using different drugs can relieve heat stress-induced reproductive damage by regulating different signaling pathways. Here, we review the mechanisms by which heat stress damages different cells in testes and possible treatments.
cMet agonistic antibody prevents acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease transition by suppressing Smurf1 and activating Smad7
Authors: Li Lilin , Lee Jeonghwan , Cho Ara , Kim Jin Hyuk , Ju Wonmin , An Jung Nam , Park Jeong Hwan , Zhu Shi Mao , Lee Junghun , Yu Seung-Shin , Lim Chun Soo , Kim Dong Ki , Kim Yon Su , Yang Seung Hee , Lee Jung Pyo
Published: June 2021

We aimed to investigate the role of cMet agonistic antibody (cMet Ab) in preventing kidney fibrosis during acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD) transition. Additionally, we explored the effect of cMet Ab on TGF-β1/Smad pathway during the pathogenesis of kidney fibrosis. A unilateral ischemia–reperfusion injury (UIRI) mouse model was established to induce AKI-to-CKD transition. Furthermore, we incubated human proximal tubular epithelial cells (hPTECs) under hypoxic conditions as in vitro model of kidney fibrosis. We analyzed the soluble plasma cMet level in patients with AKI requiring dialysis. Patients who did not recover kidney function and progressed to CKD presented a higher increase in the cMet level. The kidneys of mice treated with cMet Ab showed fewer contractions and weighed more than the controls. The mice in the cMet Ab-treated group showed reduced fibrosis and significantly decreased expression of fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin. cMet Ab treatment decreased inflammatory markers (MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-1β) expression, reduced Smurf1 and Smad2/3 level, and increased Smad7 expressions. cMet Ab treatment increased cMet expression and reduced the hypoxia-induced increase in collagen-1 and ICAM-1 expression, thereby reducing apoptosis in the in vitro cell model. After cMet Ab treatment, hypoxia-induced expression of Smurf1, Smad2/3, and TGF-β1 was reduced, and suppressed Smad7 was activated. Down-regulation of Smurf1 resulted in suppression of hypoxia-induced fibronectin expression, whereas treatment with cMet Ab showed synergistic effects. cMet Ab can successfully prevent fibrosis response in UIRI models of kidney fibrosis by decreasing inflammatory response and inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad pathway.
Harnessing the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of fungal secondary metabolites
Authors: Wang Guokun , Kell Douglas B. , Borodina Irina
Published: June 2021

Fungal secondary metabolites (FSMs) represent a remarkable array of bioactive compounds, with potential applications as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and agrochemicals. However, these molecules are typically produced only in limited amounts by their native hosts. The native organisms may also be difficult to cultivate and genetically engineer, and some can produce undesirable toxic side-products. Alternatively, recombinant production of fungal bioactives can be engineered into industrial cell factories, such as aspergilli or yeasts, which are well amenable for large-scale manufacturing in submerged fermentations. In this review, we summarize the development of baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce compounds derived from filamentous fungi and mushrooms. These compounds mainly include polyketides, terpenoids, and amino acid derivatives. We also describe how native biosynthetic pathways can be combined or expanded to produce novel derivatives and new-to-nature compounds. We describe some new approaches for cell factory engineering, such as genome-scale engineering, biosensor-based high-throughput screening, and machine learning, and how these tools have been applied for S. cerevisiae strain improvement. Finally, we prospect the challenges and solutions in further development of yeast cell factories to more efficiently produce FSMs.