bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caver Knowledge and Biosecurity Attitudes Towards White-Nose Syndrome and Implications for Global Spread
Authors: Salleh S. , Cox-Witton K. , Salleh Y. , Hufschmid Jasmin
Published: January 2021

White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has caused catastrophic declines of bat populations in North America. Risk assessment indicates that cavers could pose a risk for the spread of the fungus, however, information on cavers’ knowledge of WNS and their caving and biosecurity habits is lacking. An anonymous qualitative survey was completed by delegates (n = 134) from 23 countries at an international speleological conference in Sydney, Australia. Cavers indicated that they visit caves frequently (80.6% at least bimonthly), including outside of their own country, but 20.3% of respondents did not know about WNS prior to the conference. Some respondents were incorrect, or unsure, about whether they had visited caves in countries where P. destructans occurs (26.5%) or whether their own country was free of the fungus (7.8%). Although 65.9% of respondents were aware of current decontamination protocols, only 23.9% and 31.2% (when in Australian or overseas caves, respectively) fully adhered to them. Overall, cavers showed strong willingness to help prevent further spread of this disease, but further efforts at education and targeted biosecurity activities may be urgently needed to prevent the spread of P. destructans to Australia and to other unaffected regions of the world.
The influence of heavy metals on biological soil quality assessments in the Vaccinium myrtillus L. rhizosphere under different field conditions
Authors: Kandziora-Ciupa Marta , Nadgórska-Socha Aleksandra , Barczyk Gabriela
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of heavy metals on biological soil quality assessments in Vaccinium myrtillus L. rhizosphere soil as well as in non-rhizosphere soil from different polluted sites. The presented study was also conducted in order to determine any differences in the soil physicochemical and biological properties between the Vaccinium rhizosphere soil and the non-rhizosphere soil. The content of heavy metals and their potential bioavailability, content of macronutrients, physicochemical soil properties, activity of six soil enzymes and microarthropod communities were determined. Soil organic matter, the levels of C, N and all the studied macronutrients and almost all enzyme activity were significantly higher in the rhizosphere soil than in the non-rhizosphere soil. At the most contaminated site, the content of heavy metals was also higher in the rhizosphere soil, but their bioavailability was lower than in the non-rhizosphere soil. The β-glucosidase and urease activity in the soil correlated most negatively with the examined metals. The levels of two enzymes were also strongly impacted by the organic matter—the C and N levels and pH. The number of microarthropods as well as the QBS (soil biological quality index) and FEMI (abundance-based fauna index) were higher in the rhizosphere soil. The bilberry rhizosphere soil had stronger correlation coefficient values between the measured parameters than the non-rhizosphere soil, which suggests that rhizosphere soil is more sensitive and could be used in the monitoring and assessment of forest ecosystems. β-glucosidase and urease were the most sensitive indicators of the adverse impact of Cd, Zn and Pb. The FEMI index seems to be a better indicator than the QBS for identifying differences in soil quality.
Effects of climate change and industrialization on Lake Bolshoe Toko, eastern Siberia
Authors: Biskaborn Boris K. , Narancic Biljana , Stoof-Leichsenring Kathleen R. , Pestryakova Lyudmila A. , Appleby Peter G. , Piliposian Gayane T. , Diekmann Bernhard
Published: January 2021

Industrialization in the Northern Hemisphere has led to warming and pollution of natural ecosystems. We used paleolimnological methods to explore whether recent climate change and/or pollution had affected a very remote lake ecosystem, i.e. one without nearby direct human influence. We compared sediment samples that date from before and after the onset of industrialization in the mid-nineteenth century, from four short cores taken at water depths between 12.1 and 68.3 m in Lake Bolshoe Toko, eastern Siberia. We analyzed diatom assemblage changes, including diversity estimates, in all four cores and geochemical changes (mercury, nitrogen, organic carbon) from one core taken at an intermediate water depth. Chronologies for two cores were established using 210Pb and 137Cs. Sedimentation rates were 0.018 and 0.033 cm year−1 at the shallow- and deep-water sites, respectively. We discovered an increase in light planktonic diatoms (Cyclotella) and a decrease in heavily silicified euplanktonic Aulacoseira through time at deep-water sites, related to more recent warmer air temperatures and shorter periods of lake-ice cover, which led to pronounced thermal stratification. Diatom beta diversity in shallow-water communities changed significantly because of the development of new habitats associated with macrophyte growth. Mercury concentrations increased by a factor of 1.6 since the mid-nineteenth century as a result of atmospheric fallout. Recent increases in the chrysophyte Mallomonas in all cores suggested an acidification trend. We conclude that even remote boreal lakes are susceptible to the effects of climate change and human-induced pollution.
A causal inference approach to measure the vulnerability of urban metro systems
Authors: Zhang Nan , Graham Daniel J. , Hörcher Daniel , Bansal Prateek
Published: January 2021

Transit operators need vulnerability measures to understand the level of service degradation under disruptions. This paper contributes to the literature with a novel causal inference approach for estimating station-level vulnerability in metro systems. The empirical analysis is based on large-scale data on historical incidents and population-level passenger demand. This analysis thus obviates the need for assumptions made by previous studies on human behaviour and disruption scenarios. We develop four empirical vulnerability metrics based on the causal impact of disruptions on travel demand, average travel speed and passenger flow distribution. Specifically, the proposed metrics based on the irregularity in passenger flow distribution extends the scope of vulnerability measurement to the entire trip distribution, instead of just analysing the disruption impact on the entry or exit demand (that is, moments of the trip distribution). The unbiased estimates of disruption impact are obtained by adopting a propensity score matching method, which adjusts for the confounding biases caused by non-random occurrence of disruptions. An application of the proposed framework to the London Underground indicates that the vulnerability of a metro station depends on the location, topology, and other characteristics. We find that, in 2013, central London stations are more vulnerable in terms of travel demand loss. However, the loss of average travel speed and irregularity in relative passenger flows reveal that passengers from outer London stations suffer from longer individual delays due to lack of alternative routes.
Controlling mine pressure by subjecting high-level hard rock strata to ground fracturing
Authors: Gao Rui , Kuang Tiejun , Zhang Yanqun , Zhang Wenyang , Quan Chunyang
Published: January 2021

When mining extra-thick coal seams, the main cause of strong ground pressure are the high-level thick and hard strata, but as yet there is no active and effective control technology. This paper proposes the method of subjecting hard roofs to ground fracturing, and physical simulation is used to study the control effect of ground fracturing on the strata structure and energy release. The results show that ground fracturing changes the structural characteristics of the strata and reduces the energy release intensity and the spatial extent of overburden movement, thereby exerting significant control on the ground pressure. The Datong mining area in China is selected as the engineering background. An engineering test was conducted on site by ground horizontal well fracturing, and a 20-m-thick hard rock layer located 110 m vertically above the coal seam was targeted as the fracturing layer. On-site microseismic monitoring shows that the crack propagation length is up to 216 m and the height is up to 50 m. On-site mine pressure monitoring shows that (1) the roadway deformation is reduced to 100 mm, (2) the periodic weighting characteristics of the hydraulic supports are not obvious, and (3) the ground pressure in the working face is controlled significantly, thereby showing that the ground fracturing is successful. Ground fracturing changed the breaking characteristics of the high-level hard strata, thereby helping to ameliorate the stress concentration in the stope and providing an effective control approach for hard rock.
Modeling plastic anisotropy evolution of AISI 304 steel sheets by a polynomial yield function
Authors: Sener Bora , Esener Emre , Firat Mehmet
Published: January 2021

In this study, a numerical model for the evolution of plastic anisotropy is investigated for the purpose of stamping method design by Finite Element (FE) analysis and proved experimentally via process simulations of a cold-rolled austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304) sheet. The plastic anisotropy of the sheets is described with a fourth-order homogenous polynomial yield function and this modelling approach is enhanced by plastic strain dependent material coefficients. Tensile tests of coupon specimens taken along the different directions from rolling direction, and flow strength and deformation anisotropies are described with the planar variations of yield stress and plastic strain ratio computed at four plastic strain levels (0.002, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.18). A new numerical approach is, then, applied to identify polynomial coefficients ensuring an orthotropic positive-definite, convex yield surface with a well-defined stress gradient at every loading point on plane stress subspace. The developed computational model is implemented into general purpose explicit FE analysis software Ls-Dyna by a user-defined material model subroutine (UMAT) and applied in the stamping simulation of AISI 304 steel rectangular cups for the house-hold applications. The computed thickness distributions and the flange geometries were compared with measurements and it was observed that the best predictions were done with material parameters at %5 plastic strain level.
Investigating friction spin welding of thermoplastics in shear joint configuration
Authors: Bindal Tarun , Saxena Ravindra K. , Pandey Sunil
Published: January 2021

The welding of thermoplastic pipes under a shear joint configuration using friction spin welding is investigated. The shear joint configuration consists of two cylindrical and concentric polypropylene plastic parts joined with each other at their interfacing cylindrical surfaces through frictional heat generation. The effects of welding pressure and rotational velocity on the joint overlap distance and joint strength between the parts of polypropylene plastic are evaluated. The study is of a specific application in making plastic pressure vessels and joining of pipes. The joint strength is tested by conducting the hydraulic pressure burst test. The burst test is conducted for welded specimens manufactured using different values of rotational velocity and welding pressure. It is observed that at the constant spin velocities, the welding pressure in the range 64.8 to 65.2 kPa produced better joint strength than the other values of welding pressure in the overall range 64–76 kPa. It is concluded that the suitable welding pressure range to manufacture polypropylene plastic pressure vessels in the shear joint configuration using friction spin welding is 64.5 to 65.2 kPa. Further, it is established that the user can control the joint overlap distance at 64.8 kPa welding pressure by selectively controlling the rotational velocity in the range of 700 to 2500 rpm.
An overview of biomedical platforms for managing research data
Authors: Navale Vivek , von Kaeppler Denis , McAuliffe Matthew
Published: January 2021

Biomedical platforms provide the hardware and software to securely ingest, process, validate, curate, store, and share data. Many large-scale biomedical platforms use secure cloud computing technology for analyzing, integrating, and storing phenotypic, clinical, and genomic data. Several web-based platforms are available for researchers to access services and tools for biomedical research. The use of bio-containers can facilitate the integration of bioinformatics software with various data analysis pipelines. Adoption of Common Data Models, Common Data Elements, and Ontologies can increase the likelihood of data reuse. Managing biomedical Big Data will require the development of strategies that can efficiently leverage public cloud computing resources. The use of the research community developed standards for data collection can foster the development of machine learning methods for data processing and analysis. Increasingly platforms will need to support the integration of data from multiple disease area research.
The Rule of Manhood
Authors: Gianoutsos Jamie A.
Published: January 2021

Through stories of lustful and incestuous rulers, of republican revolution and of unnatural crimes against family, seventeenth-century Englishmen imagined the problem of tyranny through the prism of classical history. This fuelled debates over the practices of their own kings, the necessity of revolution, and the character of English republican thought. The Rule of Manhood explores the dynamic and complex languages of tyranny and masculinity that arose through these classical stories and their imaginative appropriation. Discerning the neglected connection between concepts of power and masculinity in early Stuart England, Jamie A. Gianoutsos shows both how stories of ancient tyranny were deployed in the dialogue around monarchy and rule between 1603 and 1660 and the extent to which these shaped English classical republican thought. Drawing on extensive research in contemporary printed texts, Gianoutsos persuasively weaves together the histories of politics and manhood to make a bold claim: that the fundamental purpose of English republicanism was not liberty or virtue, but the realisation of manhood for its citizens.
What shall I compare thee to? Legal journals, impact, citation and peer rankings
Authors: Hojnik Janja
Published: January 2021

The pressure to distinguish high quality from lower quality law journals is intensifying. To contribute to this debate, citation-based and peer review-based ranking of law journals are paralleled in the paper, using qualitative and quantitative analysis. It is found that all law journals that are considered as journals of the highest quality by legal experts are also ranked highly in Web of Science (WoS) and that 40% of the law journals categorised as ‘internationally leading’ by the peers are not listed in WoS. This paper explores what the editors of some of the internationally leading law journals that are not listed in the WoS think about applying to be listed in it. The paper offers data to support the contention that legal scholarship is characterised by regionalism in academic publishing and citation patterns. It is submitted that there is no perfect indicator of quality, and that no evaluation system will ever convince every legal scholar in the world of its value. WoS could be adopted as a rigorous and internationally recognised index for law journals only if it were aligned more closely with the Leiden Manifesto.
Atrial flutter: yet another cause of arterial desaturation in atrial septal defect
Authors: Gupta Saurabh Kumar , Sachdeva Sakshi , Juneja Rajnish
Published: January 2021

Pulmonary hypertension is not the only cause of arterial desaturation in patients with atrial septal defect. Arterial desaturation can also occur with normal pulmonary artery pressure making it mandatory to understand the mechanism to avoid erroneous diagnosis. In this report, for the first time, we demonstrate atrial flutter as the cause of arterial desaturation in a patient with large atrial septal defect despite normal pulmonary artery pressure, which was normalised following successful radiofrequency ablation.
An ear and eye for language: Mechanisms underlying second language word learning
Authors: Bisson Marie-Josée , Kukona Anuenue , Lengeris Angelos
Published: January 2021

To become fluent in a second language, learners need to acquire a large vocabulary. However, the cognitive and affective mechanisms that support word learning, particularly among second language learners, are only beginning to be understood. Prior research has focused on intentional learning and small artificial lexicons. In the current study investigating the sources of individual variability in word learning and their underlying mechanisms, participants intentionally and incidentally learned a large vocabulary of Welsh words (i.e., emulating word learning in the wild) and completed a large battery of cognitive and affective measures. The results showed that, for both learning conditions, native language knowledge, auditory/phonological abilities and orthographic sensitivity all made unique contributions to word learning. Importantly, short-term/working memory played a significantly larger role in intentional learning. We discuss these results in the context of the mechanisms that support both native and non-native language learning.
Seasonal Variations of SF6, CO2, CH4, and N2O in the UT/LS Region due to Emissions, Transport, and Chemistry
Authors: Bisht Jagat S. H. , Machida Toshinobu , Chandra Naveen , Tsuboi Kazuhiro , Patra Prabir K. , Umezawa Taku , Niwa Yosuke , Sawa Yousuke , Morimoto Shinji , Nakazawa Takakiyo , Saitoh Naoko , Takigawa Masayuki
Published: January 2021

Distributions of trace gases in the atmosphere provide key information on the transport and chemical properties of the Earth's environment. In this study, we examine the observed seasonal variability of SF6, CO2, CH4, and N2O from commercial aircraft‐based measurements in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UT/LS) in combination with atmospheric chemistry‐transport model (ACTM) simulations. We used a dynamical tropopause defined based on maximum PV gradient that better allows for model‐observation comparisons in the UT and LS regions separately. The ACTM simulated the following observed features well: (1) smaller seasonality in SF6 in the UT than in the LS due to seasonal change in the transport processes, (2) large seasonality in CO2 in the UT, in phase with the source‐sink balance on the Earth's surface, (3) pronounced seasonality in CH4 in the UT with opposite phase in the subtropics and Eurasian high latitudes as contrasting phases of source and chemical loss seasonality develop, and (4) small N2O variability in the UT but stratospheric loss produces distinct seasonality in the LS. Vertical profile comparisons of all the species show that ACTM better simulated the photo‐chemically inert CO2 vertical gradients in all seasons, suggesting a realistic representation of the Brewer‐Dobson circulation in the model. The seasonal variabilities of the long‐lived species in the LS can be explained based on age of air derived from CO2 in the older air regime, except for the months of May‐July, when the model mixes UT and LS air more vigorously than suggested by the observations.
Evaluating Empirical Lightning Parameterizations in Global Atmospheric Models
Authors: Stolz Douglas C. , Bilsback Kelsey R. , Pierce Jeffrey R. , Rutledge Steven A.
Published: January 2021

Lightning fundamentally influences atmospheric chemistry as it is the largest natural source of NOx in the upper troposphere. To include lightning, global models rely on experimental parameterizations. We use global atmospheric model diagnostics (2.0 × 2.5° horizontal resolution, 38°S–38°N, for the years 2012–2013) to evaluate three lightning parameterizations that are based on: (1) cloud top height, (2) vertical ice‐mass flux, and (3) meteorological variables including aerosols. We apply conversions between convective/cloud area and model grid box area in these calculations to compare each parameterization's spatial, temporal, and spectral characteristics with an observed lightning climatology from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Lightning Imaging Sensor. Domain‐wide median values of parameterized lightning differ from observations by a factor of 0.6–3.1. The three parameterizations depict spatial (Pearson correlation (r = 0.80–0.84) and temporal patterns (r = 0.79–0.95) that match observations well. The parameterized median land‐ocean lightning contrast ranges from a factor of 2.82 (using environmental factors with aerosols) to 596.0 (using cloud top height), compared to 22.9 in observations. One‐to‐one comparisons suggest that lightning parameterizations can explain approximately 55%–64% of the observed monthly lightning variance, depending on the parameterization. The highest correlation and minimum error bias statistics (e.g., Logarithmic Mean Bias, LMB) are found for the lightning parameterization that employs environmental factors with aerosols (r = 0.80, LMB = +0.002), whereas comparable correlation and generally higher error bias are found using vertical ice fluxes (r = 0.80, LMB = +0.27) and cloud top height (r = 0.74, LMB = −0.08). We show how the biases in lightning estimates are sensitive to uncertainties in the convective area and suggest ways to minimize bias overall.
A clinico-pathological and molecular analysis reveals differences between solitary (early and late-onset) and synchronous rectal cancer
Authors: Perea José , García Juan L. , Corchete Luis , Tapial Sandra , Olmedillas-López Susana , Vivas Alfredo , García-Olmo Damián , Urioste Miguel , Goel Ajay , González-Sarmiento Rogelio
Published: January 2021

Rectal cancer (RC) appears to behave differently compared with colon cancer. We aimed to analyze existence of different subtypes of RC depending on distinct features (age of onset and the presence of synchronous primary malignant neoplasms). We compared the clinicopathological, familial and molecular features of three different populations diagnosed with RC (early-onset RC [EORC], late-onset RC, and synchronous RC [SRC]). Eighty-five RCs were identified and were evaluated according to their microsatellite instability, CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP) and chromosomal instability, as assessed by Next Generation Sequencing and microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization approaches. The results were subjected to cluster analysis. SRCs displayed the most specific characteristics including a trend for the development of multiple malignant neoplasms, a greater proportion of CIMP-High tumors (75%) and more frequent genomic alterations. These findings were confirmed by a clustering analysis that stratified RCs according to their genomic alterations. We also found that EORCs exhibited their own features including an important familial cancer component and a remarkable rate of mutations in TP53 (53%). Together, heterogeneity in RC characteristics by age of disease-onset and SRC warrants further study to optimize tailored prevention, detection and intervention strategies—particularly among young adults.
Farnesyl dimethyl chromanol targets colon cancer stem cells and prevents colorectal cancer metastasis
Authors: Husain Kazim , Coppola Domenico , Yang Chung S. , Malafa Mokenge P.
Published: January 2021

The activation and growth of tumour-initiating cells with stem-like properties in distant organs characterize colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and metastasis. Thus, inhibition of colon cancer stem cell (CCSC) growth holds promise for CRC growth and metastasis prevention. We and others have shown that farnesyl dimethyl chromanol (FDMC) inhibits cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. We provide the first demonstration that FDMC inhibits CCSC viability, survival, self-renewal (spheroid formation), pluripotent transcription factors (Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2) expression, organoids formation, and Wnt/β-catenin signalling, as evidenced by comparisons with vehicle-treated controls. In addition, FDMC inhibits CCSC migration, invasion, inflammation (NF-kB), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF), and metastasis (MMP9), which are critical tumour metastasis processes. Moreover, FDMC induced apoptosis (TUNEL, Annexin V, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved PARP) in CCSCs and CCSC-derived spheroids and organoids. Finally, in an orthotopic (cecum-injected CCSCs) xenograft metastasis model, we show that FDMC significantly retards CCSC-derived tumour growth (Ki-67); inhibits inflammation (NF-kB), angiogenesis (VEGF and CD31), and β-catenin signalling; and induces apoptosis (cleaved PARP) in tumour tissues and inhibits liver metastasis. In summary, our results demonstrate that FDMC inhibits the CCSC metastatic phenotype and thereby supports investigating its ability to prevent CRC metastases.
Investigating the network consequences of focal brain lesions through comparisons of real and simulated lesions
Authors: Tao Yuan , Rapp Brenda
Published: January 2021

Given the increased interest in the functional human connectome, a number of computer simulation studies have sought to develop a better quantitative understanding of the effects of focal lesions on the brain’s functional network organization. However, there has been little work evaluating the predictions of this simulation work vis a vis real lesioned connectomes. One of the few relevant studies reported findings from real chronic focal lesions that only partially confirmed simulation predictions. We hypothesize that these discrepancies arose because although the effects of focal lesions likely consist of two components: short-term node subtraction and long-term network re-organization, previous simulation studies have primarily modeled only the short-term consequences of the subtraction of lesioned nodes and their connections. To evaluate this hypothesis, we compared network properties (modularity, participation coefficient, within-module degree) between real functional connectomes obtained from chronic stroke participants and “pseudo-lesioned” functional connectomes generated by subtracting the same sets of lesioned nodes/connections from healthy control connectomes. We found that, as we hypothesized, the network properties of real-lesioned connectomes in chronic stroke differed from those of the pseudo-lesioned connectomes which instantiated only the short-term consequences of node subtraction. Reflecting the long-term consequences of focal lesions, we found re-organization of the neurotopography of global and local hubs in the real but not the pseudo-lesioned connectomes. We conclude that the long-term network re-organization that occurs in response to focal lesions involves changes in functional connectivity within the remaining intact neural tissue that go well beyond the short-term consequences of node subtraction.
Analyzing the G3BP-like gene family of Arabidopsis thaliana in early turnip mosaic virus infection
Authors: Reuper Hendrik , Amari Khalid , Krenz Björn
Published: January 2021

The Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes several genes that are known or predicted to participate in the formation of stress granules (SG). One family of genes encodes for Ras GTPase-activating protein–binding protein (G3BP)-like proteins. Seven genes were identified, of which one of the members was already shown to interact with plant virus proteins in a previous study. A phylogenetic and tissue-specific expression analysis, including laser-dissected phloem, by qRT-PCRs was performed and the sub-cellular localization of individual AtG3BP::EYFP fluorescent fusion proteins expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells was observed. Individual AtG3BP-protein interactions in planta were studied using the bimolecular fluorescence complementation approach in combination with confocal imaging in living cells. In addition, the early and late induction of G3BP-like expression upon Turnip mosaic virus infection was investigated by RNAseq and qRT-PCR. The results showed a high divergence of transcription frequency in the different plant tissues, promiscuous protein–protein interaction within the G3BP-like gene family, and a general induction by a viral infection with TuMV in A. thaliana. The information gained from these studies leads to a better understanding of stress granules, in particular their molecular mode of action in the plant and their role in plant virus infection.
Prognostic significance of bone marrow FDG uptake in patients with gynecological cancer
Authors: Shimura Kotaro , Mabuchi Seiji , Komura Naoko , Yokoi Eriko , Kozasa Katsumi , Sasano Tomoyuki , Kawano Mahiru , Matsumoto Yuri , Watabe Tadashi , Kodama Michiko , Hashimoto Kae , Sawada Kenjiro , Hatazawa Jun , Kimura Tadashi
Published: January 2021

We investigated the prognostic significance and the underlying mechanism of increased bone marrow (BM) 2-(18F) fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose as a tracer (FDG)-uptake in patients with gynecological cancer. A list of patients diagnosed with cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer from January 2008 to December 2014 were identified. Then, through chart reviews, 559 patients who underwent staging by FDG-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and subsequent surgical resection were identified, and their clinical data were reviewed retrospectively. BM FDG-uptake was evaluated using maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and BM-to-aorta uptake ratio (BAR). As a result, we have found that increased BAR was observed in 20 (8.7%), 21 (13.0%), 21 (12.6%) of cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer, respectively, and was associated with significantly shorter survival. Increased BAR was also closely associated with increased granulopoiesis. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that tumor-derived granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was involved in the underlying causative mechanism of increased BM FDG-uptake, and that immune suppression mediated by G-CSF-induced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) is responsible for the poor prognosis of this type of cancer. In conclusion, increased BM FDG-uptake, as represented by increased BAR, is an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with gynecological cancer.
Carotid wall imaging with 3D_T2_FFE: sequence parameter optimization and comparison with 3D_T2_SPACE
Authors: Yang Ang , Xiao Xue Hong , Wang Zhi Long , Zhang Yong Xin , Wang Ke Yi
Published: January 2021

Similar to sampling perfection with application-optimized contrast using different flip angle evolutions (SPACE), T2-weighted fast field echo (FFE) also has a black blood effect and a high imaging efficiency. The purpose of this study was to optimize 3D_T2_FFE and compare it with 3D_T2_SPACE for carotid imaging. The scanning parameter of 3D_T2_FFE was optimized for the imaging of the carotid wall. Twenty healthy volunteers and 10 patients with carotid plaque underwent cervical 3D_T2_FFE and 3D_T2_SPACE examinations. The signal-to-noise ratios of the carotid wall (SNRwall) and lumen (SNRlumen), and the contrast-to-noise ratios between the wall and lumen (CNRwall_lumen) were compared. The incidence of the residual flow signal at the carotid bifurcation and the grades of flow voids in the cerebellopontine angle region in the two sequences were also compared. The reproducibility of the two sequences was tested. No significant difference was observed between the two sequences in terms of the SNRwall of healthy individuals and patients (P = 0.132 and 0.102, respectively). The SNRlumen in the 3D_T2_FFE images was lower than that in the 3D_T2_SPACE images. No significant difference was observed between the two sequences in terms of the CNRwall-lumen. The incidence of the residual flow signal at the carotid bifurcation in 3D_T2_FFE was significantly lower than that in 3D_T2_SPACE. The grades of flow suppression in the cerebellopontine angle region in 3D_T2_SPACE was lower than that in 3D_T2_FFE. Both sequences showed excellent inter-and intra-observer reproducibility. Compared to 3D_T2_SPACE, 3D_T2_FFE showed stronger flow suppression while maintaining good imaging quality, which can be used as an alternative tool for carotid imaging.
Maternal stress during pregnancy alters fetal cortico-cerebellar connectivity in utero and increases child sleep problems after birth
Authors: van den Heuvel Marion I. , Hect Jasmine L. , Smarr Benjamin L. , Qawasmeh Tamara , Kriegsfeld Lance J. , Barcelona Jeanne , Hijazi Kowsar E. , Thomason Moriah E.
Published: January 2021

Child sleep disorders are increasingly prevalent and understanding early predictors of sleep problems, starting in utero, may meaningfully guide future prevention efforts. Here, we investigated whether prenatal exposure to maternal psychological stress is associated with increased sleep problems in toddlers. We also examined whether fetal brain connectivity has direct or indirect influence on this putative association. Pregnant women underwent fetal resting-state functional connectivity MRI and completed questionnaires on stress, worry, and negative affect. At 3-year follow-up, 64 mothers reported on child sleep problems, and in the subset that have reached 5-year follow-up, actigraphy data (N = 25) has also been obtained. We observe that higher maternal prenatal stress is associated with increased toddler sleep concerns, with actigraphy sleep metrics, and with decreased fetal cerebellar-insular connectivity. Specific mediating effects were not identified for the fetal brain regions examined. The search for underlying mechanisms of the link between maternal prenatal stress and child sleep problems should be continued and extended to other brain areas.
Using machine learning improves predictions of herd-level bovine tuberculosis breakdowns in Great Britain
Authors: Stański K. , Lycett S. , Porphyre T. , Bronsvoort B. M. de C.
Published: January 2021

In the United Kingdom, despite decades of control efforts, bovine tuberculosis (bTB) has not been controlled and currently costs ~ £100 m annually. Critical in the failure of control efforts has been the lack of a sufficiently sensitive diagnostic test. Here we use machine learning (ML) to predict herd-level bTB breakdowns in Great Britain (GB) with the aim of improving herd-level diagnostic sensitivity. The results of routinely-collected herd-level tests were correlated with risk factor data. Four ML methods were independently trained with data from 2012–2014 including ~ 4700 positive herd-level test results annually. The best model’s performance was compared to the observed sensitivity and specificity of the herd-level test calculated on the 2015 data resulting in an increased herd-level sensitivity from 61.3 to 67.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 66.4–68.8%) and herd-level specificity from 90.5 to 92.3% (95% CI: 91.6–93.1%). This approach can improve predictive capability for herd-level bTB and support disease control.
A least action principle for interceptive walking
Authors: Kim Soon Ho , Kim Jong Won , Chung Hyun Chae , Choi MooYoung
Published: January 2021

The principle of least effort has been widely used to explain phenomena related to human behavior ranging from topics in language to those in social systems. It has precedence in the principle of least action from the Lagrangian formulation of classical mechanics. In this study, we present a model for interceptive human walking based on the least action principle. Taking inspiration from Lagrangian mechanics, a Lagrangian is defined as effort minus security, with two different specific mathematical forms. The resulting Euler–Lagrange equations are then solved to obtain the equations of motion. The model is validated using experimental data from a virtual reality crossing simulation with human participants. We thus conclude that the least action principle provides a useful tool in the study of interceptive walking.
PD-L1 expression in angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma
Authors: Byers Joshua , Yin Hong , Rytting Heather , Logan Suzanna , He Mai , Yu Zhongxin , Wang Dehua , Warren Mikako , Mangray Shamlal , Dehner Louis P. , Zhou Shengmei
Published: January 2021

Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare tumor of intermediate malignancy. Treatment options for unresectable and/or metastatic tumors are very limited. Immunotherapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors may be worth exploring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of PD-L1 in AFHs. PD-L1 expression was assessed on 36 AFHs from 36 pediatric patients by immunohistochemical staining of PD-L1 (clone 22C3). Positivity was defined as membranous expression in ≥ 1% of either tumor or immune cells. The correlations between PD-L1 expression and clinicopathologic features were assessed. Two patients had lymph node metastasis. All patients underwent surgical resection; three of them also had systemic chemotherapy. Three patients had recurrence after initial resection; all patients were alive with a median follow-up of 2.5 years. Overall, twenty-two (61%) tumors were positively stained for PD-L1 and positivity was seen on both tumor and immune cells in eighteen of the 22 tumors. A positive correlation was found between tumor cell PD-L1 expression and CD8+ T-cell infiltration. There were no statistically significant differences between the status of PD-L1 expression and the clinicopathological features assessed. PD-L1 expression was identified in 61% of AFHs with a predominantly adaptive pattern. Our findings provide a rationale for future studies evaluating the potential of checkpoint immunotherapy for patients with unresectable and/or metastatic tumor.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) autocrine signaling promotes survival and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Chauvin Maëva , Garambois Véronique , Colombo Pierre-Emmanuel , Chentouf Myriam , Gros Laurent , Brouillet Jean-Paul , Robert Bruno , Jarlier Marta , Dumas Karen , Martineau Pierre , Navarro-Teulon Isabelle , Pépin David , Chardès Thierry , Pèlegrin André
Published: January 2021

In ovarian carcinoma, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) type II receptor (AMHRII) and the AMH/AMHRII signaling pathway are potential therapeutic targets. Here, AMH dose-dependent effect on signaling and proliferation was analyzed in four ovarian cancer cell lines, including sex cord stromal/granulosa cell tumors and high grade serous adenocarcinomas (COV434-AMHRII, SKOV3-AMHRII, OVCAR8 and KGN). As previously shown, incubation with exogenous AMH at concentrations above the physiological range (12.5–25 nM) decreased cell viability. Conversely, physiological concentrations of endogenous AMH improved cancer cell viability. Partial AMH depletion by siRNAs was sufficient to reduce cell viability in all four cell lines, by 20% (OVCAR8 cells) to 40% (COV434-AMHRII cells). In the presence of AMH concentrations within the physiological range (5 to 15 pM), the newly developed anti-AMH B10 antibody decreased by 25% (OVCAR8) to 50% (KGN) cell viability at concentrations ranging between 3 and 333 nM. At 70 nM, B10 reduced clonogenic survival by 57.5%, 57.1%, 64.7% and 37.5% in COV434-AMHRII, SKOV3-AMHRII, OVCAR8 and KGN cells, respectively. In the four cell lines, B10 reduced AKT phosphorylation, and increased PARP and caspase 3 cleavage. These results were confirmed in ovarian cancer cells isolated from patients’ ascites, demonstrating the translational potential of these results. Furthermore, B10 reduced COV434-MISRII tumor growth in vivo and significantly enhanced the median survival time compared with vehicle (69 vs 60 days; p = 0.0173). Our data provide evidence for a novel pro-survival autocrine role of AMH in the context of ovarian cancer, which was targeted therapeutically using an anti-AMH antibody to successfully repress tumor growth.
Probiotics improve the neurometabolic profile of rats with chronic cholestatic liver disease
Authors: Rackayová Veronika , Flatt Emmanuelle , Braissant Olivier , Grosse Jocelyn , Capobianco Daniela , Mastromarino Paola , McMillin Matthew , DeMorrow Sharon , McLin Valérie A. , Cudalbu Cristina
Published: January 2021

Chronic liver disease leads to neuropsychiatric complications called hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Current treatments have some limitations in their efficacy and tolerability, emphasizing the need for alternative therapies. Modulation of gut bacterial flora using probiotics is emerging as a therapeutic alternative. However, knowledge about how probiotics influence brain metabolite changes during HE is missing. In the present study, we combined the advantages of ultra-high field in vivo 1H MRS with behavioural tests to analyse whether a long-term treatment with a multistrain probiotic mixture (VIVOMIXX) in a rat model of type C HE had a positive effect on behaviour and neurometabolic changes. We showed that the prophylactic administration of this probiotic formulation led to an increase in gut Bifidobacteria and attenuated changes in locomotor activity and neurometabolic profile in a rat model of type C HE. Both the performance in behavioural tests and the neurometabolic profile of BDL + probiotic rats were improved compared to the BDL group at week 8 post-BDL. They displayed a significantly lesser increase in brain Gln, a milder decrease in brain mIns and a smaller decrease in neurotransmitter Glu than untreated animals. The clinical implications of these findings are potentially far-reaching given that probiotics are generally safe and well-tolerated by patients.
Understanding the genetic architecture of the metabolically unhealthy normal weight and metabolically healthy obese phenotypes in a Korean population
Authors: Park Jae-Min , Park Da-Hyun , Song Youhyun , Kim Jung Oh , Choi Ja-Eun , Kwon Yu-Jin , Kim Seong-Jin , Lee Ji-Won , Hong Kyung-Won
Published: January 2021

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUHNW) and metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotypes is important for developing strategies to prevent cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to identify the MUHNW and MHO genetic indices. The study dataset comprised genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism genotypes and epidemiological data from 49,915 subjects categorised into four phenotypes—metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), MUHNW, MHO, and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO). We conducted two GWASs using logistic regression analyses and adjustments for confounding variables (model 1: MHNW versus MUHNW and model 2: MHO versus MUHO). GCKR, ABCB11, CDKAL1, LPL, CDKN2B, NT5C2, APOA5, CETP, and APOC1 were associated with metabolically unhealthy phenotypes among normal weight individuals (model 1). LPL, APOA5, and CETP were associated with metabolically unhealthy phenotypes among obese individuals (model 2). The genes common to both models are related to lipid metabolism (LPL, APOA5, and CETP), and those associated with model 1 are related to insulin or glucose metabolism (GCKR, CDKAL1, and CDKN2B). This study reveals the genetic architecture of the MUHNW and MHO phenotypes in a Korean population-based cohort. These findings could help identify individuals at a high metabolic risk in normal weight and obese populations and provide potential novel targets for the management of metabolically unhealthy phenotypes.
Author Correction: Metal nanoparticles as effective promotors for Maize production
Authors: Hoang Son A. , Nguyen Liem Q. , Nguyen Nhung H. , Tran Chi Q. , Nguyen Dong V. , Le Nga. T. , Ha Chien. V. , Vu Quy N. , Phan Chi M.
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Impact of geniohyoid and masseter muscle masses on dysphagia after salvage surgery and radiotherapy in head and neck cancer
Authors: Hashida Nao , Shamoto Hiroshi , Maeda Keisuke , Wakabayashi Hidetaka
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to determine whether geniohyoid and/or masseter muscle mass can predict the severity of dysphagia after salvage surgery for head and neck cancer. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 45 male patients with head and neck cancer (median age, 68 years) who underwent salvage surgery. The preoperative geniohyoid and masseter muscle masses were evaluated using computed tomography and the severity of dysphagia was evaluated by Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and Oropharyngeal swallow efficiency (OPSE). The median PAS, FOIS and OPSE scores after surgery were 7 (interquartile range [IQR] 1–8), 6 (IQR 2–7) and 95.8 (IQR 67.1–116.2), respectively. The mean geniohyoid muscle masses were 3.13 ± 0.78 cm2 and the mean masseter muscle masses were 4.37 ± 0.99 cm2, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that the geniohyoid muscle mass was significantly associated with the PAS, FOIS and OPSE scores. Conversely, the masseter muscle mass was not significantly associated with the PAS score but was significantly associated with the FOIS and OPSE scores. Geniohyoid muscle mass may predict the severity of dysphagia after salvage surgery.
Periodic oscillations of atmospheric electric field during snowfall in the Tokyo metropolitan area
Authors: Ohya Hiroyo , Nakamori Kota , Takano Toshiaki , Kamogawa Masashi , Suzuki Tomoyuki , Morotomi Kazuomi
Published: January 2021

We report the first observations of periodic oscillations of an atmospheric electric field simultaneously derived by field mills at four observation sites at a distance of 50–65 km in metropolitan Tokyo. Oscillations were detected during a snowfall event on 23–24 November, 2016. The main period of the oscillations of the atmospheric electric field at CHB was 78 min, which was similar to those at other sites. The periods of 39.0, 54.6, and 78.0 min observed at Chiba (CHB) were similar to those observed by W-band cloud radar (FALCON-I) reflectivity below a height of 5 km. High coherence of the 78-min period between the atmospheric electric field at CHB and the X-band phased array weather radar reflectivity suggest that the periodic oscillations of the atmospheric electric field during snowfall were caused by vertically convective cells in snow clouds with a radius of 60 km centered on CHB.
Pilot test of environment-friendly catalysts for the DeNOx of low-temperature flue gas from a coal-fired plant
Authors: Guo Lin , Lu Jianjiang , Zhao Yonggang , Wang Chengzhi , Zhang Cheng , Tang Changjin , Dong Lin , Kong Wei , Li Qijun , Cao Peng
Published: January 2021

This figure reflects the process flow diagram of low-temperature SCR DeNOx and the test efficiency of 3400 h.
Highly enantioselective one-pot sequential synthesis of valerolactones and pyrazolones bearing all-carbon quaternary stereocentres
Authors: Xu Yan-Li , Qin Zhou-Zhou , Wang Yu-Xia , Zhao Peng-Fei , Li Hong-Feng , Du Zhi-Hong , Da Chao-Shan
Published: January 2021

Highly enantiopure and bioactive δ-valerolactones and pyrazolones, bearing α-all-carbon quaternary stereocentres, were successfully and sequentially prepared via a one-pot procedure catalysed by a new chiral squaramide under mild reaction conditions.
Graphene assisted crystallization and charge extraction for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells free of a hole-transport layer
Authors: Shalan Ahmed Esmail , Mohammed Mustafa K. A. , Govindan Nagaraj
Published: January 2021

In recent times, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been of wide interest in solar energy research, which has ushered in a new era for photovoltaic power sources through the incredible enhancement in their power conversion efficiency (PCE).
Controllable preparation of one-dimensional Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 cathode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Gao Zhi , Zhao Jiayi , Pan Xiaoliang , Liu Lijun , Xie Shikun , Yuan Huiling
Published: January 2021

Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 rods with controllable sizes were synthesized via a co-precipitation route followed by a post-calcination treatment to improve rate capabilities.