bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stochastic model to predict boron concentration with different inflow and interval irrigation in greenhouse
Authors: Sudriani Y , Lestari F S
Published: June 2021

This study presents the development of a stochastic modelling system and a laboratory works on the greenhouse scale for estimating the concentration of boron in controlled irrigated-paddy plants. The model was developed based on Object Oriented Programming (OOP) Python 3.6. The stochastic model is developed to predict boron concentration through different treatments (different inflow and interval irrigation) inside the greenhouse. There were three treatments of the experiment in greenhouse scale: the buckets filled using full of open inflow in bucket one, the buckets filled using a half of open inflow in bucket two, the buckets filled using a quarter of open inflow in bucket three. The study used integration data using Odeint python package, Hargraves model, and chemical kinetics to estimate the boron concentration. The result shows that bucket two and bucket three have higher boron concentration than bucket one based on laboratory experiment. In this study, the simulation approaches show performances which are satisfactory to predict boron concentration up to three second in the buckets.
Short review: Which aquatic ecosystem model should Indonesian lake managers opt for?
Authors: Sunaryani A , Rustini H A , Santoso A B
Published: June 2021

One of the key requirements of successful water quality management in lakes and reservoirs is a good understanding of the underlying processes within the system. Lake managers, however, need a very simple practical tool to support quality regulation and policy implementation in terms of protecting and restoring these ecosystems. Here, we communicate a starting point from which lake managers, particularly in Indonesia, can gain a better understanding of aquatic ecosystem processes through the integrated application of different models. Until now, numerical aquatic ecosystem models have been used rarely in designing lake and reservoir restoration programs in Indonesia. We highlight the importance of model applications, while noting the difficulties of advancing management plans for Indonesian lakes and reservoirs.
Ecohydrology: A management tool for aquatic ecosystem and SDGs implementation
Authors: Sutapa I D A , Fakhrudin M
Published: June 2021

The availability and quality of water resources are not only to support human health and well-being, but also are providing the functioning of essential ecosystems, including rivers, wetlands, lakes and coastal ecosystems. The contamination of the aquatic ecosystem certainly carries a substantial loss, not only for the environment but also for human beings who use the goods and services of the environment. Water related problems often cannot be managed and overcome completely because of sectoral approach, monodisciplinary and unintegrated. Trans disciplinary science dealing with the interaction of hydrological processes and the dynamics of biology and/or ecology in various spatial, temporal conditions and human life practices around its environment is called ecohydrology. The ecohydrology concept is agreed to solve water related problems in the world. It is included in one of UNESCO IHP VIII themes to support SDGs achievement. This article aims to demonstrate the concept of ecohydrology in supporting sustainable water resource management. Based on the implementation of ecohydrology concept in three different demonstration sites, the results showed that it has been agreed as the solution to improve and restore river basin and lake ecosystem functions and services. It is important to note that the implementation of ecohydrology should consider economic valuation, political and government support as well as local society involvement in order to get effective and sustainable solutions for managing water resources.
Lake and the laws: An exploratory network analysis of legal provisions for lake management
Authors: Irawan E
Published: June 2021

Integrated lake management requires coherence of various regulations related to environmental preservation and natural resource use. There are, as of yet, no specific laws governing lake management. Legal provisions related to lake management are widely scattered in various environmental legislations. Legal provisions provide a framework for stakeholders, especially government agencies, to take the various actions required in lake management and have a major impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of implementing these measures. This study aims to analyse the relationship between various legal provisions of lake management as mandated in laws and regulations. The method used in this research is exploratory quantitative method by applying social network analysis tools. The data used are 32 laws and government regulations identified have relevance to lake management. The analysis shows that the legal provisions of lake management in Indonesia are complex and tend to be sectoral. The complexity on the one hand gives an indication that the management of the lake has been arranged in detail and on the other hand shows the neglect of complexity and ambiguity in implementation. Weak law enforcement also adds to the problem of implementation. The implication of these findings is the need for government efforts to synchronize various regulations in lake management.
Modeling Cassegrain Antenna Ka Band
Authors: Rizal S , Ardhana Z Rainaldy , Hasanah N S Y
Published: June 2021

As frequency increases wavelength decreases. Hence it becomes possible to construct antennas that are of moderate physical size. This allows the possibility of constructing antennas with a large aperture, high gain and narrow beamwidth. This type of radiation behaviour allows the antenna to be deployed in point to point microwave links. A very convenient way of achieving this behaviour at microwave frequencies is to use shaped metal reflectors. This method use Cassegrain design for subreflector configuration where the subreflector is a section of hyperboloid within the focus of the paraboloidal main reflector. The subreflector has two focal points. One of which is made to coincide with that of the main reflector and the other with the phase center of the feed horn. To facilitate maintenance it is possible to install it at ground level in a building under the antenna by using a system of microwave mirrors to guide the radio waves from the primary feed at ground level to the focus of the reflector. This arrangement permits the high power and low noise amplifiers to be installed at the ground surface. A rotary joint is not required because the beams are guided in free space rather than via waveguide. The perturbation caused by the auxiliary mirror leads to a slight reduction of gain.
Application of Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) satellite data for drought mitigation in Bintan island, Indonesia
Authors: Narulita Ida , Fajary Faiz R. , Mulyono Asep , Kusratmoko Eko , Djuwansah Muhamad R.
Published: June 2021

The water resources of Bintan Island is limited and dependent on rainfall variability. The exposed location of Bintan small island make this island particularly vulnerable to natural disaster expecially drought. The meteorological drought related information is required for the water resources management of Bintan island. This article provides calibration of CHIRPS data. The ground-based rainfall observation data is used for CHIRPS data calibration. The Drought analysis used CHIRPS rainfall data, and ground-based observation data was carried out using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). The results showed that the data set performed well in assessing drought years (1982, 1997, and 2015). The statistical Z test results showed that the CHIRPS data and ground-based observation data were not showing significantly different values. This study concludes that CHIRPS data is valuable for drought monitoring tools in Bintan island, where the ground-based observation rainfall data is very limited.
The growth of forearc basins along the oblique western Sunda subduction zone and its implication to seismic hazards
Authors: Mukti M M , Daryono M R , Puji A R , Natawidjaja D H
Published: June 2021

The growth of forearc basins in an oblique subduction system has been proposed to have related to strike-slip faulting due to strain partitioning. We reviewed several models of the primary controls on the evolution of the forearc basin in the western Sunda subduction zone: formation of the sliver plate, the occurrence of continental backstop, development of strike-slip faults traversing the basins, flexure, and uplift of the forearc high. It appears that the major control of the subsidence of the basin is due to the uplift of forearc high. However, the present day morphology of the forearc high and forearc basin seems to have been largely controlled by the subduction of roughness morphology on the oceanic crust. The occurrence of subducting bathymetric highs on the oceanic crust is likely to have contributed on the spatial distribution of large earthquakes in the forearc region.
The velocity structures derived from anisotropic inversion of teleseismic receiver functions around Flores Island, Indonesia
Authors: Syuhada S , Anggono T , Febriani F , Prasetio A D , Dewi C N
Published: June 2021

We determine the shear wave velocity structure beneath a seismic station located in the Flores Island using anisotropic inversion of Neighbourhood algorithm. The study area is located in the boundary transition zone from subduction to collision in eastern part of Indonesia, providing an ideal and unique place for crustal anisotropic studies. The previous crustal study using receiver function analysis conducted around this region found the amplitude and timing variations of arrivals as a function of back azimuth. These variations suggest the presence of anisotropic structures underneath the region. Thus, in this study we reanalyze the velocity structure derived from receiver functions by incorporating anisotropic parameters in the inversion process. In general, the best fit model derived from the anisotropic inversion is comparable with the previous study. The crustal thickness beneath the study area is around 38 km and the model also shows P and S waves anisotropic layer at the upper and lower crust. The difference of fast anisotropy axis observed on these layers may reveal the different mechanism of deformation between the shallow and deeper parts of the crust underneath the study area.
Garsela Fault and other NE-SW active faults along the southern part of Java Island
Authors: Arisbaya Ilham , Lestiana H , Mukti M M , Handayani L , Grandis H , Warsa  , Sumintadireja P
Published: June 2021

Most earthquake studies focus mainly on offshore subduction zones that often produce high-magnitude earthquakes. However, onshore active fault earthquakes also common to cause significant devastation, due to their proximity to human activity and their relatively shallow depth. Most of active faults in Java show a west-east (W-E) trending direction. However, the devastating Opak Fault ruptured in a NE-SW trend. Recent studies indicate that some shallow seismic clusters in Java cannot be associated with any known active fault traces. These seismic activities reported occurring in southern Garut, Cipamingkis (Sukabumi), Halimun-Salak Mountain (Bogor), and Grindulu in Pacitan. These seismic clusters show similar direction to the Opak Fault that ruptured an Mw6.4 earthquake in 2006 with thousands of fatalities. Here, we describe a brief review of the NE-SW trending active fault in the southern Garut area. Earthquake is a natural phenomenon with a repetitive mechanism. Therefore, we must be aware of the future hazard that has been demonstrated by recent seismic activities in this area.
Opak Strike Slip Fault Modeling Interpretation Using Photogrammetry Method of Drone Survey in Trimulyo, Bantul, Yogyakarta Province
Authors: Farisan Ardhan , Puswanto Eko , Arisa Deasy , Afif Mohammad Al , Priyanto Wisnu , Aulia Atin
Published: June 2021

The Opak fault was known as the Epicenter of the Yogyakarta earthquake on May 27, 2006. This earthquake claimed more than 5,000 more lives, especially in the Yogyakarta area and its surroundings. Various studies have been carried out in determining and defining Opak faults. This study focuses on describing the crush zone of the Opak fault in Trimulyo, Bantul, Yogyakarta using photogrammetry method of drone survey. The area photogrammetry of study area equal to +256.000 m2with 231.159 tie points, 29.484.107 points of dense cloud, 1.965.606 face of 3D model, 3.08 cm/pixel resolution of the tiled model, and 12.3 cm/pixel resolution of the DEM/DTM model. The interpretation showed in this area were found in the form of two (2) major strike – slip fault that are defined as Opak Fault[4]. Opak faults are the main structure controlling this study area that have direction from 0° to 35°. There are minor faults (flower structure) with a very heterogeneous direction orientation from 0° to 160° as result of compressional wrenching from major fault, defined as number 1-10 fault. According to Sanderson and Manchini (1984)[27]model, the geometry and kinematics of structures expected for this study area are controlled by a maximum compression (σ1) axis in an approximately North-South direction, as the movement of the Indo-Australia subduction to Eurasia (South East Asia) tectonic plate[28]. This flower structure character in this area defined as the destruction zone caused the devastation in the Yogyakarta earthquake in 2006.
Potential of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) for gold phytomining from mercury amalgamation tailings
Authors: Noviardi R , Karuniawan A , Sofyan E T , Suryatmana P
Published: June 2021

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) generally use mercury amalgamation method to recover gold from the ores. The method leaves waste or tailing that still contain gold and other metals. The aim of this study was to determine the potential use of ten sweet potato clones to recover gold from mercury amalgamation tailing. The pot experiment was carried out at the experimental farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Padjadjaran University from February to May 2019. The Mercury amalgamation tailing that used in this study collected from ASGM in Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia. All experimental plants were harvested after 11 weeks, below-ground and above-ground part biomass were separated, washed and weighed. The results showed that there were no significant differences of gold concentration in 10 clones of sweet potato. According to a bioaccumulation factor (BCF) value, seven sweet potato clones have value above 1 and considered as potential gold accumulators, which is MZ332, MZ154, MZ119, Kriting Maja, 14 (84), Rancing and 44(41); meanwhile based on translocation factor (TF) value, only one sweet potato clone that is MZ119 has value above 1 so that classified as phytoextraction potential.
Fabrication of Pure Aluminium Reinforced Graphene Composite for Heat Sink Applications
Authors: Pillai K V , Nerpagar V V , Dhokey N B
Published: June 2021

Technology is growing fast and as a result of this, the performance of electronic devices is rapidly increasing. These devices generate heat as current flow through them and this heat energy has to be safely managed and dissipated which is achieved with the help of a heat sink. Amongst the heat sink materials, graphene reinforced metal matrix composite is emerging as an alternative promising high thermally conducting material and an effective material for proper heat management. In the current work, Metal matrix composites based on pure aluminium reinforced with graphene powder are fabricated using stir casting method. Thermal and mechanical characteristics studies were performed on the stir cast composite specimen. Certain parameters like argon for stirring, processing temperature (820°C), stirring time (5-10 sec) and graphene content (10 volume% of pure aluminium added) were considered for the experiment. The enhancement in heat conduction of the test samples were confirmed by the wear testing method. High rate of heat conduction and comparatively low wear rate were observed in aluminium-graphene composite rather than pure aluminium as received sample. The test samples were analysed using optical microscope, SEM and EDS. Thus, this paper present insight in to the fabrication of Aluminium-graphene composite by stir casting method. In addition, thermal and mechanical characterizations of the fabricated samples are also examined.
Change in Fresh and Rheological Properties of Mortar and Concrete prepared using Red Mud- A Review
Authors: Putrevu Manasa , Jothi Saravanan T. , Bisht Kunal , Syed Ahmed Kabeer K. I.
Published: June 2021

The construction industry produces 5-7% of all CO2 emissions and is the second-highest emitter of all industrial carbon dioxide. Reusing industrial waste and by-products in cementitious materials has found to enhance properties and reduce the carbon footprint. Red mud is one such byproduct generated in large quantities during the manufacturing of alumina. Red mud’s utilization in the construction industry can also address the challenge of increasing red mud reserves, posing a threat to the environment. The studies carried out by various authors suggest that red mud could successfully be incorporated in concrete and mortar. The extent of incorporation of red mud in the material can be decided based on the required application and properties. This paper presents a comprehensive review of red mud’s effect on the rheological and fresh properties of concrete and mortar which are crucial for their constructability.
A Comparative Study of Two Different Type of Metamaterial Unit Cells for Miniaturization and Multiband of Microstrip Patch Antenna at 2.4 GHz Frequency
Authors: Sharma N , Vyas K , Shrivastav R
Published: June 2021

In this paper we design a multiband microstrip patch antenna (MPA) metamaterial (MM). We used two different types of MM unit cells and loaded these unit cells on the antenna, respectively. Thus, it can be decided which metamaterial is more appropriate for multiband and size reduction. One MM structure is new proposed geometry. It is in the shape of a Hindu mythological symbol ‘Swastiks’ and another MM unit cell is conventional split ring resonator. Before designing the MM loaded antenna, we analyze the characteristics of both kind of MM unit cells. We use the HFSS software for the simulation purpose.
Review and Assessment of Factors Associated with Green Building Rating Systems
Authors: Chodnekar Haresh , Yadav Prachi , Chaturvedi Harsh
Published: June 2021

Globalization has created rapid development in every sector, especially in the infrastructure and real estate sector. Building and construction industry is responsible for energy-related CO2 emissions through the manufacturing of building materials, products and also have adverse impacts on non-renewable resources. For mitigation of these adverse impacts, green construction practices are encouraged by most of the countries in the world by developing various green building rating systems. These systems include criteria like energy efficiency, passive design aspects, renewable energy systems incorporation, life cycle assessment (LCA), post-occupancy evaluation, site planning, and resources conservation aspects and innovations which are common in most of the countries’ rating systems. Although we have these green rating systems, the construction practices and on-site actions of contractors, architects, engineers, and consultants play a very crucial role in the implementation of these green principles. This paper aims to investigate the gaps between the theories of green rating systems and the adoption of the green specifications actually in practice in construction projects. This will help to point out the hurdles in the adoption and execution of green construction practices and also suggest the useful implications for government, construction companies, and green building councils for better application of green construction practices on sites.
Retrieving Spatial Pattern of Urban Using Spectral Ratios for Major Features of an Urban Ecosystem with Satellite Image Processing
Authors: Baranwal Ekta , Ahmad Shamshad
Published: June 2021

Sustainability is not limited to one field or dimension; it is related to every aspect of humans’ life, whatever surrounds us. The growing population always creates the need to expand urban areas, which affects all other natural resources. To fulfill human activities’ needs, proper balancing and managing natural resources is essential and necessary. So, urban areas are the most sensitive for sustainability because they include natural resources like water and vegetation. Therefore, it becomes vital to plan, develop, and manage the existing and new urban areas sustainably and live by maintaining harmony among the ecosystem. Accordingly, this research shows one method to retrieve urban patterns through satellite images considering the significant components of the urban, i.e., built-ups, water, and vegetation. The study area’s urban pattern is retrieved spatially through two spectral ratios based on three different spectral indices for three urban components with the LANDSAT-8 image.
Thermal noise in electro-optic devices at cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Mobassem Sonia , Lambert Nicholas J , Rueda Alfredo , Fink Johannes M , Leuchs Gerd , Schwefel Harald G L
Published: June 2021

The quantum bits (qubits) on which superconducting quantum computers are based have energy scales corresponding to photons with GHz frequencies. The energy of photons in the gigahertz domain is too low to allow transmission through the noisy room-temperature environment, where the signal would be lost in thermal noise. Optical photons, on the other hand, have much higher energies, and signals can be detected using highly efficient single-photon detectors. Transduction from microwave to optical frequencies is therefore a potential enabling technology for quantum devices. However, in such a device the optical pump can be a source of thermal noise and thus degrade the fidelity; the similarity of input microwave state to the output optical state. In order to investigate the magnitude of this effect we model the sub-Kelvin thermal behavior of an electro-optic transducer based on a lithium niobate whispering gallery mode resonator. We find that there is an optimum power level for a continuous pump, whilst pulsed operation of the pump increases the fidelity of the conversion.
Combining Longitudinal Data From Different Cohorts to Examine the Life-Course Trajectory
Authors: Hughes Rachael A , Tilling Kate , Lawlor Deborah A
Published: June 2021

Longitudinal data are necessary to reveal changes within an individual as he or she ages. However, rarely will a single cohort study capture data throughout a person’s entire life span. Here we describe in detail the steps needed to develop life-course trajectories from cohort studies that cover different and overlapping periods of life. Such independent studies are probably from heterogenous populations, which raises several challenges, including: 1) data harmonization (deriving new harmonized variables from differently measured variables by identifying common elements across all studies); 2) systematically missing data (variables not measured are missing for all participants in a cohort); and 3) model selection with differing age ranges and measurement schedules. We illustrate how to overcome these challenges using an example which examines the associations of parental education, sex, and race/ethnicity with children’s weight trajectories. Data were obtained from 5 prospective cohort studies (carried out in Belarus and 4 regions of the United Kingdom) spanning data collected from birth to early adulthood during differing calendar periods (1936–1964, 1972–1979, 1990–2012, 1996–2016, and 2007–2015). Key strengths of our approach include modeling of trajectories over wide age ranges, sharing of information across studies, and direct comparison of the same parts of the life course in different geographical regions and time periods. We also introduce a novel approach of imputing individual-level covariates of a multilevel model with a nonlinear growth trajectory and interactions.
Genetic and gene expression analysis of flowering time regulation by light quality in lentil
Authors: Yuan Hai Ying , Caron Carolyn T , Ramsay Larissa , Fratini Richard , de la Vega Marcelino Pérez , Vandenberg Albert , Weller James L , Bett Kirstin E
Published: June 2021

Background and Aims

Flowering time is important due to its roles in plant adaptation to different environments and subsequent formation of crop yield. Changes in light quality affect a range of developmental processes including flowering time, but little is known about light quality-induced flowering time control in lentil. This study aims to investigate the genetic basis for differences in flowering response to light quality in lentil.

Methods

We explored variation in flowering time caused by changes in red/far-red-related light quality environments of a lentil interspecific recombinant inbred line (RIL) population developed from a cross between Lens culinaris cv. Lupa and L. orientalis accession BGE 016880. A genetic linkage map was constructed and then used for identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with flowering time regulation under different light quality environments. Differential gene expression analysis through transcriptomic study and RT-qPCR were used to identify potential candidate genes.

Key Results

QTL mapping located 13 QTLs controlling flower time under different light quality environments, with phenotypic variance explained ranging from 1.7 to 62.9 %. Transcriptomic profiling and gene expression analysis for both parents of this interspecific RIL population identified flowering-related genes showing environment–specific differential expression (flowering DEGs). One of these, a member of the florigen gene family FTa1 (LcFTa1), was located close to three major QTLs. Furthermore, gene expression results suggested that two other florigen genes (LcFTb1 and LcFTb2), MADS-box transcription factors such as LcAGL6/13d, LcSVPb, LcSOC1b and LcFULb, as well as bHLH transcription factor LcPIF6 and Gibberellin 20 oxidase LcGA20oxC,G may also be involved in the light quality response.

Conclusions

Our results show that a major component of flowering time sensitivity to light quality is tightly linked to LcFTa1 and associated with changes in its expression. This work provides a foundation for crop improvement of lentil with better adaptation to variable light environments.
Directed Brain Connectivity Identifies Widespread Functional Network Abnormalities in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Mijalkov Mite , Volpe Giovanni , Pereira Joana B
Published: June 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by topological abnormalities in large-scale functional brain networks, which are commonly analyzed using undirected correlations in the activation signals between brain regions. This approach assumes simultaneous activation of brain regions, despite previous evidence showing that brain activation entails causality, with signals being typically generated in one region and then propagated to other ones. To address this limitation, here, we developed a new method to assess whole-brain directed functional connectivity in participants with PD and healthy controls using antisymmetric delayed correlations, which capture better this underlying causality. Our results show that whole-brain directed connectivity, computed on functional magnetic resonance imaging data, identifies widespread differences in the functional networks of PD participants compared with controls, in contrast to undirected methods. These differences are characterized by increased global efficiency, clustering, and transitivity combined with lower modularity. Moreover, directed connectivity patterns in the precuneus, thalamus, and cerebellum were associated with motor, executive, and memory deficits in PD participants. Altogether, these findings suggest that directional brain connectivity is more sensitive to functional network differences occurring in PD compared with standard methods, opening new opportunities for brain connectivity analysis and development of new markers to track PD progression.
Cardiovascular outcomes with GLP-1 receptor agonists vs. SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nørgaard Caroline H , Starkopf Liis , Gerds Thomas A , Vestergaard Peter , Bonde Anders N , Fosbøl Emil , Køber Lars , Wong Nathan D , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Lee Christina J-Y
Published: June 2021

Aims

We examined cardiovascular outcomes associated with initiation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) vs. sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i) treatment in a real-world setting among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods and results

This Danish nationwide registry-based cohort study included patients with type 2 diabetes with a first-ever prescription of either GLP-1RA or SGLT-2i from 2013 through 2015 with follow-up until end of 2018. All analyses were standardized with respect to age, sex, diabetes duration, comorbidity, and comedication. The main outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Furthermore, the components of the composite outcome and hospitalization for heart failure were evaluated. Standardized average 3-year risks of outcomes and differences thereof were estimated using doubly robust estimation combining cause-specific Cox regression with propensity score regression. We identified 8913 new users of GLP-1RA and 5275 new users of SGLT-2i. The standardized 3-year risk associated with initiating GLP-1RA and SGLT-2i, respectively, was as follows: composite cardiovascular outcome, 5.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 5.2–6.1] vs. 5.6% (95% CI: 4.8–6.3); cardiovascular mortality, 1.6% (95% CI: 1.3–1.9) vs. 1.5% (95% CI: 1.1–1.8); hospitalization for heart failure, 1.7% (95% CI: 1.5–2.0) vs. 1.8% (95% CI: 1.2–2.5); myocardial infarction, 2.1% (95% CI: 1.8–2.4) vs. 2.1% (95% CI: 1.5–2.6); and stroke, 2.5% (95% CI: 2.2–2.9) vs. 2.6% (95% CI: 2.2–3.1).

Conclusion

In this nationwide study of patients with type 2 diabetes, initiating GLP-1RA vs. SGLT-2i was not found to be associated with significant differences in cardiovascular risk.
Modernization Losers’ Revenge? Income Mobility and Support for Right- and Left-Wing Populist Parties in Germany
Authors: Hartmann Jörg , Kurz Karin , Lengfeld Holger
Published: June 2021

Against the backdrop of rising support for right- and left-wing populist parties in Europe, a long-standing argument has been that the more vulnerable strata of society are deprived by structural economic change as well as increasing social inequality and express their grievances by voting for radical and populist parties. Previous research has tested the thesis either based on cross-sectional data and vague proxies for past income developments or used objective short-term measures of income changes. In this study, we propose a more thorough test using longitudinal data and measures of objective relative deprivation, objective absolute deprivation, and subjective deprivation. Using SOEP data for 2016, our results show little support that those with lower incomes identify more with the populist right-wing AfD in Germany. Furthermore, we find no evidence that objectively falling behind is associated with more support for the AfD and the populist left-wing party die Linke among the less well off. Rather, support for the AfD is highest among the less well-off with stable incomes and the less well-off who perceive their incomes as having been unstable. For die Linke, support is highest among the less well-off who experienced absolute income gains and the less well-off who perceive their incomes as having been upwardly or downwardly mobile.
Intergenerational Class Mobility of Labour Market Entrants in Germany and the UK since the 1950s
Authors: Trinh Nhat An , Bukodi Erzsébet
Published: June 2021

This study examines over-time trends in intergenerational class mobility based on cohorts of labour market entrants in Germany and the UK since the 1950s. We calculate absolute and relative mobility rates, separately for men and women, using the German Socio-Economic Panel (1984–2016), the UK Household Longitudinal Study (2009–2016), and the UK Labour Force Survey (2014–2017). Regarding absolute mobility, we find marked country differences in upward and downward rates. In Germany, downward mobility decreased, while upward mobility rose. In the UK, downward mobility increased, while upward mobility declined. We provide evidence that these differences can be linked to contrasting changes in the distribution of origin and destination classes. Regarding relative mobility, striking country similarities appear. For both countries, we observe increases in social fluidity for respondents entering the labour market during the 1950s and 1960s that cease to continue for cohorts thereafter. Comparisons between adjacent cohorts do not provide evidence that social fluidity follows cyclical developments of the economy or shorter-term volatilities in the labour market.
Immersive and Interactive Awe: Evoking Awe via Presence in Virtual Reality and Online Videos to Prompt Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Kahn Adam S , Cargile Aaron Castelán
Published: June 2021

Awe is a widely researched, self-transcendent emotion with a robust ability to prompt prosocial behavior. Within the communication and media disciplines, however, the effects of awe have received only limited empirical attention. Moreover, extant research has ignored the role that media affordances may play in engendering awe and prosocial outcomes. This article presents two studies that explore the prosocial consequences of awe, as mediated by presence and when engendered by immersive features of various media, including virtual reality (VR). Study 1 (N = 154) found that awe content presented in highly immersive VR induced awe via an effect entirely mediated by presence, though impacts on subsequent prosocial outcomes were inconsistent. Study 2 (N = 188) attempted to replicate and clarify the prosociality results from Study 1, as well as contextualize them with respect to eudaimonic appreciation and hedonic enjoyment. Results demonstrated awe effects across all three measures of prosociality.
UHRF1 regulates alternative splicing by interacting with splicing factors and U snRNAs in a H3R2me involved manner
Authors: Xu Peng , Zhang Lan , Xiao Yao , Li Wei , Hu Zhiqiang , Zhang Rukui , Li Jin , Wu Feizhen , Xi Yanping , Zou Qingping , Wang Zhentian , Guo Rui , Ma Honghui , Dong Shihua , Xiao Min , Yang Zhicong , Ren Xiaoguang , Wei Chaochun , Yu Wenqiang
Published: June 2021

The well-established functions of UHRF1 converge to DNA biological processes, as exemplified by DNA methylation maintenance and DNA damage repair during cell cycles. However, the potential effect of UHRF1 on RNA metabolism is largely unexplored. Here, we revealed that UHRF1 serves as a novel alternative RNA splicing regulator. The protein interactome of UHRF1 identified various splicing factors. Among them, SF3B3 could interact with UHRF1 directly and participate in UHRF1-regulated alternative splicing events. Furthermore, we interrogated the RNA interactome of UHRF1, and surprisingly, we identified U snRNAs, the canonical spliceosome components, in the purified UHRF1 complex. Unexpectedly, we found H3R2 methylation status determines the binding preference of U snRNAs, especially U2 snRNAs. The involvement of U snRNAs in UHRF1-containing complex and their binding preference to specific chromatin configuration imply a finely orchestrated mechanism at play. Our results provided the resources and pinpointed the molecular basis of UHRF1-mediated alternative RNA splicing, which will help us better our understanding of the physiological and pathological roles of UHRF1 in disease development.
Leveraging Short-Read Sequencing to Explore the Genomics of Sepiolid Squid
Authors: Heath-Heckman Elizabeth , Nishiguchi Michele K
Published: June 2021

Synopsis

Due to their large size (∼3–5 Gb) and high repetitive content, the study of cephalopod genomes has historically been problematic. However, with the recent sequencing of several cephalopod genomes, including the Hawaiian bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes), whole-genome studies of these molluscs are now possible. Of particular interest are the sepiolid or bobtail squids, many of which develop photophores in which bioluminescent bacterial symbionts reside. The variable presence of the symbiosis throughout the family allows us to determine regions of the genome that are under selection in symbiotic lineages, potentially providing a mechanism for identifying genes instrumental in the evolution of these mutualistic associations. To this end, we have used high-throughput sequencing to generate sequence from five bobtail squid genomes, four of which maintain symbioses with luminescent bacteria (E. hyllebergi, E. albatrossae, E. scolopes, and Rondeletiola minor), and one of which does not (Sepietta neglecta). When we performed K-mer based heterozygosity and genome size estimations, we found that the Euprymna genus has a higher predicted genome size than other bobtail squid (∼5 Gb as compared to ∼4 Gb) and lower genomic heterozygosity. When we analyzed the repetitive content of the genomes, we found that genomes in the genus Euprymna appear to have recently acquired a significant quantity of LINE elements that are not found in its sister genus Rondeletiola or the closely related Sepietta. Using Abyss-2.0 and then Chromosomer with the published E. scolopes genome as a reference, we generated E. hyllebergi and E. albatrossae genomes of 1.54–1.57 Gb in size, but containing over 78–81% of eukaryotic single-copy othologs. The data that we have generated will enable future whole-genome comparisons between these species to determine gene and regulatory content that differs between symbiotic and non-symbiotic lineages, as well as genes associated with symbiosis that are under selection.
A plea for proportionality: A reply to Yun-chien Chang and Xin Dai
Authors: Peters Anne
Published: June 2021

After a survey of the proportionality principle and its discontents (irrationality, conceptual flaws, and bias), this article addresses the dual remedy proposed by proportionality critics, which consists in: (i) skipping the first to third prongs of the proportionality analysis (legitimate objective, suitability, and necessity) and (2) concentrating on balancing in the metric form of a cost-benefit analysis. I argue that discarding the three prongs, and thus abandoning the asymmetrical structure of the sequential proportionality analysis, would kill off the specific quality and function of rights which is to constitute a special protection that triggers the obligation to explain and justify interference. Although recent empirical studies have demonstrated that the proportionality test indeed does not deliver predictable legal outcomes, a simple cost-benefit analysis is worse. It would not secure more reliable outcomes either but only offers a sham-rationality. Assigning numbers to the goods and interests at stake cannot replace the work of a multidimensional assessment and argumentative explanation in natural language which is needed for making not only a sound, but also a transparent and thus contestable, decision. What legal life needs is a culture of justification, not a culture of calculation.
Patient-related factors associated with oral anticoagulation control: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Beyene Kebede , Chan Amy Hai Yan , Näslund Patricia , Harrison Jeff
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Time in therapeutic range (TTR) of ≥70% is a commonly used indicator of optimal anticoagulation control. This study aimed to determine the patterns and predictors of anticoagulation control in a population-based cohort of new users of warfarin.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. All adults (age ≥18 years) who had been newly initiated on warfarin therapy between January 2006 and March 2011were selected from administrative health databases. TTR was calculated using the Rosendaal method. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify patient-related factors associated with optimal TTR. Predictors of patients spending >30% of time above and below the therapeutic international normalised ratio (INR) range were also examined.

Key findings

A total of 6032 patients were included in this study. The mean TTR was 54.1 ± 18.8%, and 82.3% of patients had subthreshold TTR (<70%). Compared with New Zealand Europeans, Māori and Pacific people had decreased odds of achieving optimal TTR and increased odds of spending >30% of time below the therapeutic INR range. Patients aged 65–74 years and 75 years or older had increased odds of achieving optimal TTR but decreased odds of spending >30% of time below the therapeutic INR range than those <65 years. Compared with those living in the least socioeconomically deprived areas, those living in the most deprived areas had decreased odds of achieving optimal TTR.

Conclusions

Anticoagulation control with warfarin is suboptimal in routine care in New Zealand. Age, ethnicity and deprivation index were significant predictors of TTR. It is important to ensure equitable access to appropriate, high-quality care for those living in deprived areas and those from ethnic minority groups.
Appropriateness of antibiotic selection for pneumonia in the emergency department: pre- and post-order set changes
Authors: Wang Helen Y , Treu Cierra N , Cocca Maggie , Felton Darius , Gatton Barbara
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Emergency department (ED) providers face pressure to meet sepsis mandates such as prompt administration of antibiotic therapy, which can lead to the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics. In recent years, there has also been a push to adhere to institutional antibiotic stewardship goals including decreasing inappropriate antibiotic therapy and limiting duration of therapy. Previous literature has demonstrated that the incorporation of clinical decision support (CDS) tools in electronic medical records can aid in guiding appropriate antibiotic prescribing. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether the implementation of a CDS tool could improve antibiotic selection for pneumonia management in the ED.

Methods

This was a retrospective single-centre observational study conducted in patients that presented to the ED with pneumonia. In November 2018, a CDS tool was incorporated into the ED sepsis order set to guide practitioners in selecting appropriate antibiotics for pneumonia. Antibiotic prescribing patterns were assessed pre-CDS (January–February 2018) and post-CDS (January–February 2019) implementation. Patients were included if they were 18 years of age or older, had an ED visit with ICD10 code reflective of pneumonia, and had at least one antibiotic ordered from the ED sepsis order set. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients prescribed appropriate antibiotic therapy for pneumonia based on patient risk factors pre- and post-CDS implementation.

Key findings

There were 161 patients in the pre-CDS group and 119 patients in the post-CDS group included in the study. There was a significant improvement in the selection of appropriate antibiotics in the post-CDS group (31.9% versus 65.3%, P < 0.0001) with no significant differences in duration of antibiotics, intubation rates, vasopressor initiation, length of stay, mortality or 30-day readmission.

Conclusion

The implementation of a CDS tool for empiric management of pneumonia in the ED significantly improved the selection of appropriate antibiotics.
Intercellular and inter-organ crosstalk in browning of white adipose tissue: molecular mechanism and therapeutic complications
Authors: Cheong Lai Yee , Xu Aimin
Published: June 2021

Adipose tissue (AT) is highly plastic and heterogeneous in response to environmental and nutritional changes. The development of heat-dissipating beige adipocytes in white AT (WAT) through a process known as browning (or beiging) has garnered much attention as a promising therapeutic strategy for obesity and its related metabolic complications. This is due to its inducibility in response to thermogenic stimulation and its association with improved metabolic health. WAT consists of adipocytes, nerves, vascular endothelial cells, various types of immune cells, adipocyte progenitor cells, and fibroblasts. These cells contribute to the formation of beige adipocytes through the release of protein factors that significantly influence browning capacity. In addition, inter-organ crosstalk is also important for beige adipocyte biogenesis. Here, we summarize recent findings on fat depot-specific differences, secretory factors participating in intercellular and inter-organ communications that regulate the recruitment of thermogenic beige adipocytes, as well as challenges in targeting beige adipocytes as a potential anti-obese therapy.
Feasibility of Randomized Controlled Trials for Cancer Drugs Approved by the Food and Drug Administration Based on Single-Arm Studies
Authors: Rittberg Rebekah , Czaykowski Piotr , Niraula Saroj
Published: June 2021

Background

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced an Accelerated Approval (AA) pathway to expedite patient access to new drugs. AA accepts less rigorous trial designs, including single-arm studies (SAS), owing to perceived lack of feasibility of timely randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

We designed hypothetical RCTs with endpoints of overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) for FDA approvals based on SAS for solid tumors during 2010-2019. Existing standards of care served as controls. RCTs were designed to detect a difference with power of 0.80, α-error of 5% (2-sided), and 1:1 randomization. Accrual duration was estimated based on participation by less than 5% of eligible patients derived from cancer-specific incidence and mortality rates in the United States.

Results

Of 172 (18.0%) approvals during the study period, 31 (18.0%) were based on SAS. Median sample size was 104 (range = 23-411), and 77.4% were AA. All studies reported ORR, 55% reported duration of response, 19.4% reported PFS, and 22.5% reported OS. Median sample sizes needed to conduct RCTs with endpoints of ORR, PFS, and OS were 206, 130, and 396, respectively. It would have been theoretically possible to conduct RCTs within duration comparable with that required by SAS for 84.6%, 94.1%, and 80.0% of approvals with endpoints of ORR, PFS, and OS, respectively.

Conclusion

An overwhelming majority of FDA approvals based on SAS should be feasible as RCTs within a reasonable time frame. Given the collateral harms to patients and to scientific rigor, drug approval based on SAS should only be permitted under exceptional circumstances.
“It’s Not Over When It’s Over”―Post-Decision Arrangements and Empirical Legitimacy
Authors: de Fine Licht Jenny , Agerberg Mattias , Esaiasson Peter
Published: June 2021

A chronic problem for democratic governments is generating legitimacy for policy decisions that go against substantial groups of citizens’ legitimate interests. The primary means of achieving this aim involve the arrangements through which policy decisions are made. Whereas research in the field has tended to focus on the arrangements leading up to a decision, this paper draws attention to developments after a formal policy decision has been made. We theorize that the formal decision constitutes a focal event that motivates affected individuals to update their beliefs about the decision. We identify four types of potential legitimacy-enhancing post-decision arrangements: how the decision is announced; how it is publicly explained; whether the process allows for post-decision voice; and whether decision-makers take actions to mitigate its negative consequences. The results from two survey experiments with large samples of Swedish adults addressing the case of school closures suggest that post-decision procedures have legitimacy-enhancing potential and that this effect is not dependent on the pre-decision process.