bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upscaling methods used in ex ante life cycle assessment of emerging technologies: a review
Authors: Tsoy Natalya , Steubing Bernhard , van der Giesen Coen , Guinée Jeroen
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The objective of this paper was to provide LCA practitioners with recommendations and a framework for upscaling emerging technologies by reviewing upscaling methods applied so far in ex ante life cycle assessment (LCA).

Methods

Web of Science was searched for articles published between 1990 and 2019 (April) using different variations of the term “ex ante LCA” as keywords. Suitable studies were reviewed to understand the key characteristics and main methodological principles of upscaling methods.

Results and discussion

A total of 18 studies were selected for literature review. Review results showed that most studies reported what a hypothetical upscaled technology would look like in the future. All studies described how they estimated data; they applied different data estimation methods, using process simulation, manual calculations, molecular structure models (MSMs) and proxies. Since the review results showed that most ex ante LCA studies followed similar upscaling steps, we developed a framework for the upscaling of emerging technologies in ex ante LCA consisting of three main steps: (1) projected technology scenario definition, (2) preparation of a projected LCA flowchart, and (3) projected data estimation. Finally, a decision tree was developed based on the review results that provides recommendations for LCA practitioners regarding the upscaling procedure in ex ante LCA.

Conclusions

Our findings can be useful for LCA practitioners aiming at upscaling in ex ante LCA. We provide an overview of upscaling methods used in ex ante LCA and introduce a framework describing the steps involved in the upscaling process and a decision tree recommending an up-scaling procedure. The results show that in theory all data estimation methods described in this paper can be applied to estimate material flows, energy flows, and elementary flows (emissions and natural resource use). Finally, since different kinds of expertise are required for upscaling in ex ante LCA, we recommend that technology experts from different fields are involved in performing ex ante LCA, e.g., technology developers, LCA practitioners, and engineers.
Nutzerorientierte familiäre Gesundheitsförderung – Ergebnisse der wissenschaftlichen Begleitforschung zum Netzwerk Gesunde Kinder
Authors: Geene R. , von Haldenwang U. , Bär G. , Kuck J. , Lietz K.
Published: August 2020

Hintergrund

Das Netzwerk Gesunde Kinder (NGK) in Brandenburg ist eine im Jahr 2006 eingeführte flächendeckende Netzwerkstruktur, welche Angebote der familiären und kommunalen Gesundheitsförderung bündelt. Die Abbildung der Nutzerperspektive, die Bedarfe der Familien und die Zufriedenheit mit dem NGK waren Ziel dieser qualitativen Befragung.

Methodik

Es wurden 65 problemzentrierte qualitative Interviews sowie vier anschließende Fokusgruppen durchgeführt. Die Auswertung erfolgte in Anlehnung an „grounded theory“ und der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse. Das Konzept der familiären Gesundheitsförderung und das familiensoziologische Erkenntnis- und Analysemodell „Doing Family“ dienten als Grundlage der qualitativen Auswertung.

Ergebnisse

Das NGK bietet eine breite Palette an Unterstützungsleistungen für junge Familien, die mit den erhobenen Bedarfen der Familien korrespondieren. Die Begleitung durch Familienpatinnen und -paten sowie regionale Angebote werden gewürdigt. Neben fachlicher Expertise wünschen sich Eltern soziale Unterstützung in der Phase der Familienwerdung. Die Angebote tragen zur Kompetenzentwicklung und der Selbstorganisation junger Familien bei. Jedoch werden Zugangsbarrieren und mangelnde Informationen bzgl. der Angebote benannt.

Diskussion

Mithilfe der Darstellung der Nutzerperspektive konnten bisher ungedeckte Bedarfe und Zugangsbarrieren identifiziert werden. Diese Erkenntnisse sollten für die weitere Gestaltung des NGK in Brandenburg sowie analoger Angebotsstrukturen in anderen Bundesländern genutzt werden.
Projecting population distribution under depopulation conditions in Japan: scenario analysis for future socio-ecological systems
Authors: Hori Keiko , Saito Osamu , Hashimoto Shizuka , Matsui Takanori , Akter Rumana , Takeuchi Kazuhiko
Published: August 2020

This study develops a projection model of future population distribution on the basis of Japan’s current depopulation trend and applies this model to scenario analyses that assume population compactification and dispersion. The model enables a description of population migration at two levels. First, municipal populations are projected using the cohort-component method, and second, the spatial distribution of populations within municipalities is projected at a 500 m grid resolution with the use of the gravity model. Based on the Japanese depopulation context and the country’s National Spatial Strategy, the compact scenario predicts the formation of medium-scale regional urban areas (population centers located across Japan) and the concentration of people on high-density population areas within municipalities. Meanwhile, the dispersed scenario predicts the formation of more but smaller regional urban areas and the dispersion of the population to low-density areas. The simulated population distribution for 2050 reveals spatial change in population density and age structure, as well as an abundance of areas that were inhabited in 2015 but will be zero population areas by 2050. Overlay analysis of future land use maps and the simulated population distribution maps can contribute toward identifying areas where natural capital such as farmland and forest plantation should be managed but where there will be significant population loss by 2050.
18F-choline PET/CT and PET/MRI in primary and recurrent hyperparathyroidism: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Evangelista Laura , Ravelli Ilaria , Magnani Fabio , Iacobone Maurizio , Giraudo Chiara , Camozzi Valentina , Spimpolo Alessandro , Cecchin Diego
Published: August 2020

The aims of the present systematic review were to: (1) assess the role of 18F-fluorocholine (FCH) positron emission tomography (PET) with computed tomography (CT) and PET with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with biochemically known hyperparathyroidism; (2) compare the diagnostic performance of FCH PET/CT or PET/MRI with conventional morphological and functional imaging. A literature search until December 2019 was performed in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases, using the terms “choline” AND “PET” AND “hyperparathyroidism”. The search was conducted with and without the addition of filters (e.g., language: English only; type of article: original article; subjects: humans only) and selecting only articles published in the last 5 years. Twenty-three articles and 1112 patients were considered. Different FCH PET/CT acquisition protocols were adopted across the studies, using dynamic, early or delayed scans. FCH PET/CT proved more accurate than ultrasonography (US) or 99mTc-sestamibi single-photon emission tomography (SPET). PET/MRI also seemed to be more accurate than MRI alone in detecting benign parathyroid lesions. FCH PET/CT is more accurate than conventional morphological and functional imaging modalities (US or SPET) for the detection of benign parathyroid lesions. It could, therefore, be a reliable tool in both primary and recurrent hyperparathyroidism.
Hot Deformation Characteristic and Strain Dependent Constitutive Flow Stress Modelling of Ti + Nb Stabilized Interstitial Free Steel
Authors: Ghosh Sumit , Somani Mahesh Chandra , Setman Daria , Mula Suhrit
Published: August 2020

An effort has been made to establish a relation between Zener–Hollomon parameter, flow stress and dynamic recrystallization (DRX). In this context, the plastic flow behavior of Ti + Nb stabilized interstitial free (IF) steel was investigated in a temperature range of 650–1100 °C and at constant true strain rates in the range 10−3–10 s−1, to a total true strain of 0.7. The flow stress curves can be categorized into two distinct types, i.e. with/without the presence of steady-state flow following peak stress behavior. A novel constitutive model comprising the strain effect on the activation energy of DRX and other material constants has been established to predict the constitutive flow behavior of the IF steel in both α and γ phase regions, separately. Predicted flow stress seems to correlate well with the experimental data both in γ and α phase regions with a high correlation coefficient (0.982 and 0.936, respectively) and low average absolute relative error (7 and 11%, respectively) showing excellent fitting. A detailed analysis of the flow stress, activation energy of DRX and stress exponent in accord with the modelled equations suggests that dislocation glide controlled by dislocation climb is the dominant mechanism for the DRX, as confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy analysis.

Graphic Abstract
Management nicht-finanzieller Risiken: eine Forschungsagenda
Authors: Franke Günter
Published: August 2020

Das Management nicht-finanzieller Risiken wie ESG-, Nachhaltigkeits- und Compliance-Risiken stellt Unternehmen vor große Herausforderungen. Im Gegensatz zu finanziellen Risiken ist zu nicht-finanziellen Risiken nur wenig Information verfügbar. Dies erschwert ein effektives Management erheblich. Unternehmen haben in den letzten Jahren hohe Verluste durch nicht-finanzielle Risiken erlitten. Die Corporate Governance dieser Risiken wirft zahlreiche, ungelöste Fragen auf. Dieser Beitrag skizziert mögliche Lösungsansätze und Thesen zum Einfluss der Informationsqualität. Bei diesen Fragen fühlt sich die Praxis von den Hochschulen allein gelassen. Eine Kooperation von Praxis und Hochschule zur Lösung der Fragen eröffnet attraktive Forschungsfelder für Hochschulen. Daher zeigt dieser Beitrag auch eine Forschungsagenda für Hochschulen auf.
Unterrichtsqualität in den Fachdidaktiken im deutschsprachigen Raum – zwischen Generik und Fachspezifik
Authors: Praetorius Anna-Katharina , Herrmann Christian , Gerlach Erin , Zülsdorf-Kersting Meik , Heinitz Benjamin , Nehring Andreas
Published: August 2020

Im vorliegenden Diskussionsbeitrag wird der Forschungsstand zu Unterrichtsqualität für verschiedene Fachdidaktiken – naturwissenschaftliche Fächer, Sport und Geschichte – vor dem Hintergrund der allgemeinen empirischen Unterrichtsforschung vergleichend diskutiert. Als Vergleichsgrundlage wurde ein Framework mit den sieben Dimensionen Auswahl und Thematisierung von Inhalten und Fachmethoden, kognitive Aktivierung, Unterstützung des Übens, formatives Assessment, Unterstützung des Lernens aller Schülerinnen und Schüler, sozio-emotionale Unterstützung und Klassenführung genutzt (Praetorius und Charalambous 2018). Es zeigte sich, dass die Fachspezifität von der fokussierten Ebene abhing: Während eine Ergänzung des Frameworks auf Ebene der sieben Dimensionen nicht notwendig erschien, waren auf der Ebene der Subdimensionen und insbesondere der diesen Subdimensionen zugeordneten beobachtbaren Indikatoren fachspezifische Anpassungen und Ergänzungen erforderlich. Der Beitrag schließt mit einer Diskussion zentraler Herausforderungen für zukünftige Forschung.
IoT reliability: a review leading to 5 key research directions
Authors: Moore Samuel J. , Nugent Chris D. , Zhang Shuai , Cleland Ian
Published: August 2020

The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly changing the way in which we engage with technology on a daily basis. The IoT paradigm enables low-resource devices to intercommunicate in a fully flexible and pervasive manner, and the data from these devices is used for decision-making in critical applications such as; traffic infrastructure, health-care and home security, to name but a few. Due to the scarce resources available in these IoT devices, being able to quantify the reliability of them is a critical function. This report presents a detailed evolution of the area of reliability measurement, followed by an in-depth review of the state-of-the-art for quantification of reliability in the IoT, revealing the many challenges associated with this task. From this in-depth review, a set of key research directions for IoT reliability is determined. Despite the critical nature of the research area, at this current moment, this study is the first detailed review available in the area of assessing IoT reliability.
Coaches’ Evaluations of Match Performance in Academy Soccer Players in Relation to the Adolescent Growth Spurt
Authors: Hill Megan , Scott Sam , McGee Darragh , Cumming Sean
Published: August 2020

Individual differences in biological maturation present challenges for coaches involved with youth soccer players. Youth in the same chronological age group vary in terms of stage of maturity (pre, circum- and post-pubescent) and rate of growth, but how this affects coaches’ evaluations of player performance is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare youth soccer coaches’ evaluations of players match performances before, during and post growth spurt in a professional English soccer academy across four seasons. Two hundred and seventy-eight male soccer players in the under-9 to under-16 age-groups had their performances evaluated by their coach on a 4-point Likert scale. For each game, players were categorised by their maturity status estimated using percentage of predicted adult height at the time of observation. A one-way ANCOVA controlling for the level of opposition and game outcome revealed that coaches’ evaluations declined from the pre- to during growth spurt stages, however, this was only significant in the under 12 age-group. Further, coaches’ evaluations increased again in the post-growth spurt stage, although only significant in the under 15 age-group. Coaches evaluations of player performance appear to vary in accordance with stage of maturity and rate of growth. Practitioners in youth soccer should understand the extent to which maturity status may adversely impact performance and consider this when making talent selection decisions.
Assessing clinical investigators’ perceptions of relevance and competency of clinical trials skills: An international AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC) study
Authors: Lee Jeannette Y. , Lensing Shelly V , Botello-Harbaum Maria T. , Medina Rebecca , Zozus Meredith
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

The AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC) conducts clinical trials of therapeutic and prevention strategies for cancer in people living with HIV. With its recent expansion to Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, there was a need to increase the competence of clinical investigators (CIs) to implement clinical trials in these regions.

Methods:

AMC CIs were invited to complete a survey to assess role-relevance and self-perceived competence based on the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trials Competency domains.

Results:

A total of 40 AMC CIs were invited to complete the questionnaire and 35 responded to the survey. The data management and informatics and engaging with communities’ domains were lowest in the average proportion of CIs rating themselves high (scores of 3–4) for self-perceived competency (46.6% and 44.2%) and role-relevance (61.6% and 67.5%), whereas, the ethical and participant safety considerations domain resulted in the highest score for competency (86.6%) and role-relevance (93.3%). In the scientific concepts and research design domain, a high proportion rated for competency in evaluating study designs and scientific literature (71.4% and 74.3%) but a low proportion for competency for designing trials and specimen collection protocols (51.4% and 54.3%).

Conclusions:

Given the complexity of AMC clinical research, these results provide evidence of the need to develop training for clinical research professionals across domains where self-perceived competence is low. This assessment will be used to tailor and prioritize the AMC Training Program in clinical trial development and management for AMC CIs.
Direct Numerical Simulations of Turbulent Channel Flow With Polymer Additives
Authors: Lin Che-Yu , Lin Chao-An
Published: August 2020

Direct numerical simulations have been applied to simulate flows with polymer additives. FENE-P (finite-extensible-nonlinear-elastic-Peterlin) dumbbell model solving for the conformation tensor is adopted to investigate the influence of the polymer on the flowfield. Boundary treatments of the conformation tensor on the flowfield are examined first, where boundary condition based on the linear extrapolation scheme provides more accurate results with second-order accurate error norms. Further simulations of the turbulent channel flow at different Weissenberg numbers are also conducted to investigate the influence on drag reduction. Drag reduction increases in tandem with the increase of Weissenberg number and the increase saturates at Weτ~200, where the drag reduction is close to the maximum drag reduction (MDR) limit. At the regime of y+ > 5, the viscous layer thickens with the increase of the Weissenberg number showing a departure from the traditional log-law profile, and the velocity profiles approach the MDR line at high Weissenberg number. The Reynolds stress decreases in tandem with the increase of Weτ, whereas the levels of laminar stress and polymer stress act adversely. However, as the Weissenberg number increases, the proportion of the laminar stress in the total stress increases, and this contributes to the drag reduction of the polymer flow.
COLONIAL ITINERARIES: MUHAMMADU DIKKO'S METROPOLITAN ADVENTURES
Authors: Ochonu Moses
Published: August 2020

In 1921 and 1924 Muhammadu Dikko, the emir of Katsina, traveled to Britain on a sightseeing trip, becoming the first emir or chief from Northern Nigeria to visit the British imperial metropole. This article analyzes the colonial relationship that put Dikko in the colonizers’ orbit and favor and paved the way for him to embark on the trips, the colonial logistics and networks that facilitated the journeys, Dikko's experiences and adventures in Britain, and, most importantly, his perspectives on British society, institutions, goods, and forms of leisure. I argue that Dikko, though constrained by serving as a prop in a colonial performance of power, used travel to Britain as a platform to advance metropolitan modernity as an aspirational if distant model of socioeconomic advancement and to give his peers and subjects in Northern Nigeria a textual reference for navigating colonial culture in relation to their own natal Islamo-Hausa cultural norms.
New records of helminth parasites of nine species of waterfowl in Mexico, and a checklist of the helminth fauna of Anatidae occurring in Mexican wetlands
Authors: Padilla-Aguilar P. , Romero-Callejas E. , Osorio-Sarabia D. , Pérez–Ponce de León G. , Alcalá-Canto Y.
Published: August 2020

Wild and domestic populations of waterfowl garner economic benefits, as they are hunted for human consumption or as a recreational activity. Waterfowl migrate to their wintering grounds in Mexican wetlands where habitat conditions are more favourable. In this study, we present a list of helminth species sampled from the gastrointestinal tract of 59 wild birds belonging to the family Anatidae in three localities of Mexico, and a checklist of the helminth parasite fauna of the members of the family in the whole country, built from literature records. After helminthological examination, 25 taxa were identified: eight trematodes; four cestodes; 12 nematodes; and one acanthocephalan. Obtained records dated from 1943 to 2019. Our literature search yielded 563 records corresponding to 95 parasite taxa: 38 trematodes, 24 cestodes, 23 nematodes and ten acanthocephalans. In Mexico, 17 anatid species have been studied for helminths. Records correspond to 55 locations from 20 Mexican states. An insight gained from the collated literature and recent records was that trematodes represent the most diverse parasite group in anatids in Mexico. We briefly discuss that the information about helminths parasitizing waterfowl will be useful for understanding the effect of habitat loss and pollution of wetlands where migratory birds spend the breeding season, for addressing ecological programs aimed to guarantee the health and conservation of North American migratory birds or the effect of bird migration in the composition of the helminth parasite communities, and for freshwater biologists interested in the understanding of freshwater ecosystem health.
A lost decade? A renewed case for adult social care reform in England
Authors: GLASBY JON , ZHANG YANAN , BENNETT MATTHEW R. , HALL PATRICK
Published: August 2020

Drawing on a 2010 analysis of the reform and costs of adult social care commissioned by Downing Street and the UK Department of Health, this paper sets out projected future costs under different reform scenarios, reviews what happened in practice from 2010-19, explores the impact of the growing gap between need and funding, and explores the relationship between future spending and economic growth. In the process, it identifies a ‘lost decade’ in which policy makers failed to act on the warnings which they received in 2010, draws attention to the disproportionate impact of cuts on older people (compared to services for people of working age) and calls for urgent action before the current system becomes unsustainable.
Adaptive Plasticity Under Adverse Listening Conditions is Disrupted in Developmental Dyslexia
Authors: Gabay Yafit , Holt Lori L.
Published: August 2020

Objective:

Acoustic distortions to the speech signal impair spoken language recognition, but healthy listeners exhibit adaptive plasticity consistent with rapid adjustments in how the distorted speech input maps to speech representations, perhaps through engagement of supervised error-driven learning. This puts adaptive plasticity in speech perception in an interesting position with regard to developmental dyslexia inasmuch as dyslexia impacts speech processing and may involve dysfunction in neurobiological systems hypothesized to be involved in adaptive plasticity.

Method:

Here, we examined typical young adult listeners (N= 17), and those with dyslexia (N= 16), as they reported the identity of native-language monosyllabic spoken words to which signal processing had been applied to create a systematic acoustic distortion. During training, all participants experienced incremental signal distortion increases to mildly distorted speech along with orthographic and auditory feedback indicating word identity following response across a brief, 250-trial training block. During pretest and posttest phases, no feedback was provided to participants.

Results:

Word recognition across severely distorted speech was poor at pretest and equivalent across groups. Training led to improved word recognition for the most severely distorted speech at posttest, with evidence that adaptive plasticity generalized to support recognition of new tokens not previously experienced under distortion. However, training-related recognition gains for listeners with dyslexia were significantly less robust than for control listeners.

Conclusions:

Less efficient adaptive plasticity to speech distortions may impact the ability of individuals with dyslexia to deal with variability arising from sources like acoustic noise and foreign-accented speech.
Compositional Procedures in Electronic Music and the Emergence of Time Continuum
Authors: Rossetti Danilo , Antunes Micael , Manzolli Jônatas
Published: August 2020

We introduce an analytical methodology to approach the perception of time in the electronic works Thema: Omaggio a Joyce (1958), by Luciano Berio, and Gesang der Jünglinge (1955–6), by Karlheinz Stockhausen. Such works have already been widely analysed and discussed. Moreover, similarities between them have been pointed out, such as the use of the voice as their main compositional material and the search for a continuum between the voice and electronic sounds. Despite their similarities, we argue that the perception of time in those works is significantly different. For that purpose, we bring theoretical references such as time concepts related to complex dynamic systems, and the perception of time according to the Gestalt theory. We discuss segmentation and texture evolution in time of both works employing graphical representations based on perceptual audio descriptors such as the mel scale and the volume. In addition, aiming to find recurrences, repetitions and variations of the spectral material in time, we apply phase space graphs addressing the values of the descriptors employed in the analysis. The features found will lead to conclusions on the emergence of time perception in which the continuity depends on the presence of similar events, periodicities and pregnancies, while discontinuity is given by the presence of more variation, instability and saliences. We emphasise the differences of form perception in those pieces, arguing that they are the result of the manipulation of sound materials and organisation in time by the composers.
“The Right of Suffrage Has Been Thrust on Me”: The Reluctant Suffragists of the American West
Authors: Kodumthara Sunu
Published: August 2020

From nearly the moment the woman's suffrage movement began at Seneca Falls in 1848, anti-suffragists actively campaigned against it, claiming that woman suffrage would only destroy both American politics and the American family. However, despite their best efforts, states in the American West passed equal suffrage laws. Interestingly, once it passed in their states, anti-suffragists in the American West—albeit begrudgingly—exercised their right to vote. As equal suffrage continued to expand, the Western anti-suffragist strategy became the strategy of anti-suffragists everywhere. This essay examines three states that represent pivotal moments in the development of the anti-suffrage movement: Colorado, California, and Oklahoma. Shortly after Colorado passed equal suffrage in 1893 and California passed equal suffrage in 1911, anti-suffragists organized state and national associations. By the time Oklahoma passed its equal suffrage law in 1918, anti-suffragists were not only voting—they were also willing to run for office. Anti-suffragist strategy and rhetoric relied on how suffrage worked in the West, or at least anti-suffrage perceptions of it. In other words, women's suffrage in the West served as a catalyst for the anti-suffragist movement.
Comprehending global governance: International regime complexity vs. global constitutionalism
Authors: ALTER KAREN J.
Published: August 2020

The After Fragmentation special issue unites political science conversations about regime complexity with legal/normative conversations about global constitutionalism through a focus on the generation and resolution of interface conflicts, defined as moments when overlapping elements or rule incompatibilities generate actual conflicts. Yet scholars choosing among these two perspectives actually have different objectives. After reviewing the two literatures, I argue that this special issue is closer to the global constitutionalism perspective, which generally seeks legitimated order. By contrast, the regime complexity literature asks how does the fact that global governance is spread across multiple institutions in itself shape cooperation politics. Investigating what it means to get ‘beyond fragmentation’, I suggest that the potential or actuality of rule conflicts is not necessarily a problem because conflicts are a normal and even salutary aspect of politics. If conflict is not the concern, then what should we be worrying about? Both perspectives, I argue, are amoral because they normalise and help justify an international order where responsibility is spread across institutions, promoting order while failing to address fundamental problems affecting people and the world. In this respect, resolving rule conflicts does not get us beyond fragmentation.
A Novel Ensemble Design for Probabilistic Predictions of Fine Particulate Matter Over the Contiguous United States (CONUS)
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Alessandrini Stefano , Hodzic Alma , Lee Jared A.
Published: August 2020

This study examines the benefit of using a dynamical ensemble for 48 hr deterministic and probabilistic predictions of near‐surface fine particulate matter (PM2.5) over the contiguous United States (CONUS). Our ensemble design captures three key sources of uncertainties in PM2.5 modeling including meteorology, emissions, and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. Twenty‐four ensemble members were simulated using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model during January, April, July, and October 2016. The raw ensemble mean performed better than most of the ensemble members but underestimated the observed PM2.5 over the CONUS with the largest underestimation over the western CONUS owing to negative PM2.5 bias in nearly all the members. To improve the ensemble performance, we calibrated the raw ensemble using model output statistics (MOS) and variance deficit methods. The calibrated ensemble captured the diurnal and day‐to‐day variability in observed PM2.5 very well and exhibited almost zero mean bias. The mean bias in the calibrated ensemble was reduced by 90–100% in the western CONUS and by 40–100% in other parts of the CONUS, compared to the raw ensemble in all months. The corresponding reduction in root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) was 13–40%. The calibrated ensemble also showed 30% improvement in the RMSE and spread matching compared to the raw ensemble. We have also shown that a nine‐member ensemble based on combinations of three meteorological and three anthropogenic emission scenarios can be used as a smaller subset of the full ensemble when sufficient computational resources are not available in the operational setting.
Composition and activity of nitrifier communities in soil are unresponsive to elevated temperature and CO2, but strongly affected by drought
Authors: Séneca Joana , Pjevac Petra , Canarini Alberto , Herbold Craig W , Zioutis Christos , Dietrich Marlies , Simon Eva , Prommer Judith , Bahn Michael , Pötsch Erich M , Wagner Michael , Wanek Wolfgang , Richter Andreas
Published: August 2020

Nitrification is a fundamental process in terrestrial nitrogen cycling. However, detailed information on how climate change affects the structure of nitrifier communities is lacking, specifically from experiments in which multiple climate change factors are manipulated simultaneously. Consequently, our ability to predict how soil nitrogen (N) cycling will change in a future climate is limited. We conducted a field experiment in a managed grassland and simultaneously tested the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2, temperature, and drought on the abundance of active ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA), comammox (CMX) Nitrospira, and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), and on gross mineralization and nitrification rates. We found that N transformation processes, as well as gene and transcript abundances, and nitrifier community composition were remarkably resistant to individual and interactive effects of elevated CO2 and temperature. During drought however, process rates were increased or at least maintained. At the same time, the abundance of active AOB increased probably due to higher NH4+ availability. Both, AOA and comammox Nitrospira decreased in response to drought and the active community composition of AOA and NOB was also significantly affected. In summary, our findings suggest that warming and elevated CO2 have only minor effects on nitrifier communities and soil biogeochemical variables in managed grasslands, whereas drought favors AOB and increases nitrification rates. This highlights the overriding importance of drought as a global change driver impacting on soil microbial community structure and its consequences for N cycling.
A large-scale assessment of lakes reveals a pervasive signal of land use on bacterial communities
Authors: Kraemer S A , Barbosa da Costa N , Shapiro B J , Fradette M , Huot Y , Walsh D A
Published: August 2020

Lakes play a pivotal role in ecological and biogeochemical processes and have been described as “sentinels” of environmental change. Assessing “lake health” across large geographic scales is critical to predict the stability of their ecosystem services and their vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbances. The LakePulse research network is tasked with the assessment of lake health across gradients of land use on a continental scale. Bacterial communities are an integral and rapidly responding component of lake ecosystems, yet large-scale responses to anthropogenic activity remain elusive. Here, we assess the ecological impact of land use on bacterial communities from over 200 lakes covering more than 660,000 km2 across Eastern Canada. In addition to community variation between ecozones, land use across Eastern Canada also appeared to alter diversity, community composition, and network structure. Specifically, increasing anthropogenic impact within the watershed lowered diversity. Likewise, community composition was significantly correlated with agriculture and urban development within a watershed. Interaction networks showed decreasing complexity and fewer keystone taxa in impacted lakes. Moreover, we identified potential indicator taxa of high or low lake water quality. Together, these findings point to detectable bacterial community changes of largely unknown consequences induced by human activity within lake watersheds.
The TP53 mutation rate differs in breast cancers that arise in women with high or low mammographic density
Authors: Cheasley Dane , Devereux Lisa , Hughes Siobhan , Nickson Carolyn , Procopio Pietro , Lee Grant , Li Na , Pridmore Vicki , Elder Kenneth , Bruce Mann G. , Kader Tanjina , Rowley Simone M. , Fox Stephen B. , Byrne David , Saunders Hugo , Fujihara Kenji M. , Lim Belle , Gorringe Kylie L. , Campbell Ian G.
Published: August 2020

Mammographic density (MD) influences breast cancer risk, but how this is mediated is unknown. Molecular differences between breast cancers arising in the context of the lowest and highest quintiles of mammographic density may identify the mechanism through which MD drives breast cancer development. Women diagnosed with invasive or in situ breast cancer where MD measurement was also available (n = 842) were identified from the Lifepool cohort of >54,000 women participating in population-based mammographic screening. This group included 142 carcinomas in the lowest quintile of MD and 119 carcinomas in the highest quintile. Clinico-pathological and family history information were recorded. Tumor DNA was collected where available (n = 56) and sequenced for breast cancer predisposition and driver gene mutations, including copy number alterations. Compared to carcinomas from low-MD breasts, those from high-MD breasts were significantly associated with a younger age at diagnosis and features associated with poor prognosis. Low- and high-MD carcinomas matched for grade, histological subtype, and hormone receptor status were compared for somatic genetic features. Low-MD carcinomas had a significantly increased frequency of TP53 mutations, higher homologous recombination deficiency, higher fraction of the genome altered, and more copy number gains on chromosome 1q and losses on 17p. While high-MD carcinomas showed enrichment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the stroma. The data demonstrate that when tumors were matched for confounding clinico-pathological features, a proportion in the lowest quintile of MD appear biologically distinct, reflective of microenvironment differences between the lowest and highest quintiles of MD.
Using whole-genome sequencing data to derive the homologous recombination deficiency scores
Authors: de Luca Xavier M. , Newell Felicity , Kazakoff Stephen H. , Hartel Gunter , McCart Reed Amy E. , Holmes Oliver , Xu Qinying , Wood Scott , Leonard Conrad , Pearson John V. , Lakhani Sunil R. , Waddell Nicola , Nones Katia , Simpson Peter T.
Published: August 2020

The homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) score was developed using whole-genome copy number data derived from arrays as a way to infer deficiency in the homologous recombination DNA damage repair pathway (in particular BRCA1 or BRCA2 deficiency) in breast cancer samples. The score has utility in understanding tumour biology and may be indicative of response to certain therapeutic strategies. Studies have used whole-exome sequencing to derive the HRD score, however, with increasing use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to characterise tumour genomes, there has yet to be a comprehensive comparison between HRD scores derived by array versus WGS. Here we demonstrate that there is both a high correlation and a good agreement between array- and WGS-derived HRD scores and between the scores derived from WGS and downsampled WGS to represent shallow WGS. For samples with an HRD score close to threshold for stratifying HR proficiency or deficiency there was however some disagreement in the HR status between array and WGS data, highlighting the importance of not relying on a single method of ascertaining the homologous recombination status of a tumour.
Identity by descent analysis identifies founder events and links SOD1 familial and sporadic ALS cases
Authors: Henden Lyndal , Twine Natalie A. , Szul Piotr , McCann Emily P. , Nicholson Garth A. , Rowe Dominic B. , Kiernan Matthew C. , Bauer Denis C. , Blair Ian P. , Williams Kelly L.
Published: August 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons resulting in paralysis and eventual death. Approximately 10% of ALS cases have a family history of disease, while the remainder present as apparently sporadic cases. Heritability studies suggest a significant genetic component to sporadic ALS, and although most sporadic cases have an unknown genetic aetiology, some familial ALS mutations have also been found in sporadic cases. This suggests that some sporadic cases may be unrecognised familial cases with reduced disease penetrance in their ancestors. A powerful strategy to uncover a familial link is identity-by-descent (IBD) analysis, which detects genomic regions that have been inherited from a common ancestor. IBD analysis was performed on 83 Australian familial ALS cases from 25 families and three sporadic ALS cases, each of whom carried one of three SOD1 mutations (p.I114T, p.V149G and p.E101G). We defined five unique 350-SNP haplotypes that carry these mutations in our cohort, indicative of five founder events. This included two founder haplotypes that carry SOD1 p.I114T; linking familial and sporadic cases. We found that SOD1 p.E101G arose independently in each family that carries this mutation and linked two families that carry SOD1 p.V149G. The age of disease onset varied between cases that carried each SOD1 p.I114T haplotype. Linking families with identical ALS mutations allows for larger sample sizes and increased statistical power to identify putative phenotypic modifiers.
Effect of allosteric inhibition of non-muscle myosin 2 on its intracellular diffusion
Authors: Horváth Ádám I. , Gyimesi Máté , Várkuti Boglárka H. , Képiró Miklós , Szegvári Gábor , Lőrincz István , Hegyi György , Kovács Mihály , Málnási-Csizmadia András
Published: August 2020

Subcellular dynamics of non-muscle myosin 2 (NM2) is crucial for a broad-array of cellular functions. To unveil mechanisms of NM2 pharmacological control, we determined how the dynamics of NM2 diffusion is affected by NM2′s allosteric inhibitors, i.e. blebbistatin derivatives, as compared to Y-27632 inhibiting ROCK, NM2′s upstream regulator. We found that NM2 diffusion is markedly faster in central fibers than in peripheral stress fibers. Y-27632 accelerated NM2 diffusion in both peripheral and central fibers, whereas in peripheral fibers blebbistatin derivatives slightly accelerated NM2 diffusion at low, but markedly slowed it at high inhibitor concentrations. In contrast, rapid NM2 diffusion in central fibers was unaffected by direct NM2 inhibition. Using our optopharmacological tool, Molecular Tattoo, sub-effective concentrations of a photo-crosslinkable blebbistatin derivative were increased to effective levels in a small, irradiated area of peripheral fibers. These findings suggest that direct allosteric inhibition affects the diffusion profile of NM2 in a markedly different manner compared to the disruption of the upstream control of NM2. The pharmacological action of myosin inhibitors is channeled through autonomous molecular processes and might be affected by the load acting on the NM2 proteins.
Identification and characterization of cytosolic malate dehydrogenase from the liver fluke Fasciola gigantica
Authors: Chetri Purna Bahadur , Shukla Rohit , Tripathi Timir
Published: August 2020

The liver fluke zoonoses, Fasciola spp. are parasitic helminths infecting humans and animals globally. Recent sequencing of the genome of Fasciola gigantica has provided a basis to understand the biochemistry of this parasite. Here, we identified the cytosolic malate dehydrogenase in F. gigantica (FgMDH) and characterized the enzyme biochemically and structurally. F. gigantica encodes a single cytosolic MDH, a key enzyme of the citric acid cycle. It catalyzes the reversible oxidation of malate to oxaloacetate using NAD+. The Fgmdh gene was amplified and cloned for expression of the recombinant protein. The purified protein showed a molecular weight of ~ 36 kDa that existed in a dimeric form in solution. The recombinant enzyme was catalytically active as it catalyzed both forward and reverse reactions efficiently. The kinetic parameters were determined for both directions. The structure of FgMDH and human MDH were modeled and validated. The superimposition of both the model structures showed overall structural similarity in the active site loop region, however, the conformation of the residues was different. Molecular docking elucidated the binding sites and affinities of the substrates and cofactors to the enzyme. Simulation of molecular dynamics and principal component analysis indicated the stability of the systems and collective motions, respectively. Understanding the structural and functional properties of MDH is important to better understand the roles of this enzyme in the biochemistry of the parasite.
Red phosphorus decorated electrospun carbon anodes for high efficiency lithium ion batteries
Authors: Liberale Francesco , Fiore Michele , Ruffo Riccardo , Bernasconi Roberto , Shiratori Seimei , Magagnin Luca
Published: August 2020

Electrospinning is a powerful and versatile technique to produce efficient, specifically tailored and high-added value anodes for lithium ion batteries. Indeed, electrospun carbon nanofibers (CNFs) provide faster intercalation kinetics, shorter diffusion paths for ions/electrons transport and a larger number of lithium insertion sites with respect to commonly employed powder materials. With a view to further enhance battery performances, red phosphorous (RP) is considered one of the most promising materials that can be used in association with CNFs. RP/CNFs smart combinations can be exploited to overcome RP low conductivity and large volume expansion during cycling. In this context, we suggest a simple and cost effective double-step procedure to obtain high-capacity CNFs anodes and to enhance their electrochemical performances with the insertion of red phosphorous in the matrix. We propose a simple dropcasting method to confine micro- and nanosized RP particles within electrospun CNFs, thus obtaining a highly efficient, self-standing, binder-free anode. Phosphorous decorated carbon mats are characterized morphologically and tested in lithium ion batteries. Results obtained demonstrate that the reversible specific capacity and the rate capability of the obtained composite anodes is significantly improved with respect to the electrospun carbon mat alone.
The effects of intravitreal injections on intraocular pressure and retinal nerve fiber layer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: de Vries Victor. A. , Bassil Fabiana L. , Ramdas Wishal. D.
Published: August 2020

The number of eye diseases treated with intravitreal injections is increasing. Obviously, an injection of fluid into the eye results in an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP), the main risk factor for glaucoma. However, the effect of these repeated IOP increases on the eye is unclear. Therefore, we performed a systematic review with meta-analyses. PubMed, Embase and Clinical Trials Registries were searched for articles investigating the relationship between intravitreal injections (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor [anti-VEGF] or steroids) and either IOP, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL)-thickness and glaucoma. Multiple meta-analyses were performed, combining data on intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF medication and dexamethasone implants. A total of 74 articles were eligible for meta-analyses. The short-term effect of an intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF showed a statistically significant increase in IOP. One day after injection of anti-VEGF, however, IOP was significantly lower than baseline. The long-term time-intervals showed no significant difference in IOP. After intravitreal injection of a dexamethasone implant, IOP was significantly higher than baseline 1 month post-injection. RNFL-thickness was significantly reduced 6 and 12 months post-injection of anti-VEGF, as well as at end of follow up. Caution is advised when using intravitreal medication, especially when treating patients with advanced glaucoma; in these cases, prophylactic IOP-lowering medication may be considered.
Programming experience associated with neural efficiency during figural reasoning
Authors: Helmlinger Birgit , Sommer Markus , Feldhammer-Kahr Martina , Wood Guilherme , Arendasy Martin E. , Kober Silvia E.
Published: August 2020

In the present study, we investigated neural processes underlying programming experience. Individuals with high programming experience might develop a form of computational thinking, which they can apply on complex problem-solving tasks such as reasoning tests. Therefore, N = 20 healthy young participants with previous programming experience and N = 21 participants without any programming experience performed three reasoning tests: Figural Inductive Reasoning (FIR), Numerical Inductive Reasoning (NIR), Verbal Deductive Reasoning (VDR). Using multi-channel EEG measurements, task-related changes in alpha and theta power as well as brain connectivity were investigated. Group differences were only observed in the FIR task. Programmers showed an improved performance in the FIR task as compared to non-programmers. Additionally, programmers exhibited a more efficient neural processing when solving FIR tasks, as indicated by lower brain activation and brain connectivity especially in easy tasks. Hence, behavioral and neural measures differed between groups only in tasks that are similar to mental processes required during programming, such as pattern recognition and algorithmic thinking by applying complex rules (FIR), rather than in tasks that require more the application of mathematical operations (NIR) or verbal tasks (VDR). Our results provide new evidence for neural efficiency in individuals with higher programming experience in problem-solving tasks.
A substituent-induced post-assembly modification cascade of a metallosupramolecular imine-type Co-complex
Authors: Markiewicz Grzegorz , Orwat Bartosz , Piechocki Miłosz , Jankowska Kamila , Kownacki Ireneusz , Stefankiewicz Artur R.
Published: August 2020

We report a Sonogashira-redox cascade employing post-assembly modification of a Co(iii) complex, followed by Co(iii) to Co(ii) redox process, in which the iPr3CC substituent plays a “Trojan horse” role, triggering the second step of the cascade.
Design of configuration-restricted triazolylated β-d-ribofuranosides: a unique family of crescent-shaped RNase A inhibitors
Authors: Das Ashrukana , Dasgupta Swagata , Pathak Tanmaya
Published: August 2020

A new series of carbohydrate-bistriazole hybrid molecules were designed and subsequently screened for their RNase A inhibitory potency by different biophysical techniques and docking studies.