bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data-driven smart sustainable cities of the future: urban computing and intelligence for strategic, short-term, and joined-up planning
Authors: Bibri Simon Elias
Published: May 2021

Sustainable cities are quintessential complex systems—dynamically changing environments and developed through a multitude of individual and collective decisions from the bottom up to the top down. As such, they are full of contestations, conflicts, and contingencies that are not easily captured, steered, and predicted respectively. In short, they are characterized by wicked problems. Therefore, they are increasingly embracing and leveraging what smart cities have to offer as to big data technologies and their novel applications in a bid to effectively tackle the complexities they inherently embody and to monitor, evaluate, and improve their performance with respect to sustainability—under what has been termed “data-driven smart sustainable cities.” This paper analyzes and discusses the enabling role and innovative potential of urban computing and intelligence in the strategic, short-term, and joined-up planning of data-driven smart sustainable cities of the future. Further, it devises an innovative framework for urban intelligence and planning functions as an advanced form of decision support. This study expands on prior work done to develop a novel model for data-driven smart sustainable cities of the future. I argue that the fast-flowing torrent of urban data, coupled with its analytical power, is of crucial importance to the effective planning and efficient design of this integrated model of urbanism. This is enabled by the kind of data-driven and model-driven decision support systems associated with urban computing and intelligence. The novelty of the proposed framework lies in its essential technological and scientific components and the way in which these are coordinated and integrated given their clear synergies to enable urban intelligence and planning functions. These utilize, integrate, and harness complexity science, urban complexity theories, sustainability science, urban sustainability theories, urban science, data science, and data-intensive science in order to fashion powerful new forms of simulation models and optimization methods. These in turn generate optimal designs and solutions that improve sustainability, efficiency, resilience, equity, and life quality. This study contributes to understanding and highlighting the value of big data in regard to the planning and design of sustainable cities of the future.
Palm Oil Diaspora
Authors: Watkins Case
Published: May 2021

Behind the social and environmental destruction of modern palm oil production lies a long and complex history of landscapes, cultures, and economies linking Africa and its diaspora in the Atlantic World. Case Watkins traces palm oil from its prehistoric emergence in western Africa to biodiverse groves and cultures in Northeast Brazil, and finally the plantation monocultures plundering contemporary rainforest communities. Drawing on ethnography, landscape interpretation, archives, travelers' accounts, and geospatial analysis, Watkins examines human-environmental relations too often overlooked in histories and geographies of the African diaspora, and uncovers a range of formative contributions of people and ecologies of African descent to the societies and environments of the (post)colonial Americas. Bridging literatures on Black geographies, Afro-Brazilian and Atlantic studies, political ecology, and decolonial theory and praxis, this study connects diverse concepts and disciplines to analyze and appreciate the power, complexity, and potentials of Bahia's Afro-Brazilian palm oil economy.
Effect of hydrodynamic slip on the rotational dynamics of a thin Brownian platelet in shear flow
Authors: Kamal Catherine , Gravelle Simon , Botto Lorenzo
Published: May 2021

The classical theory by Jeffery predicts that, in the absence of Brownian fluctuations, a thin rigid platelet rotates continuously in a shear flow, performing periodic orbits. However, a stable orientation is possible if the surface of the platelet displays a hydrodynamic slip length$\lambda$comparable to or larger than the thickness of the platelet. In this article, by solving the Fokker–Plank equation for the orientation distribution function and corroborating the analysis with boundary integral simulations, we quantify a threshold Péclet number,${Pe}_{c}$, above which such alignment occurs. We found that for${Pe}$smaller than${Pe}_{c}$, but larger than a second threshold, a regime emerges where Brownian fluctuations are strong enough to break the platelet's alignment and induce rotations, but with a period of rotation that depends on the value of$\lambda$. For${Pe}$below this second threshold, slip has a negligible effect on the orientational dynamics. We use these thresholds to classify the dynamics of graphene-like nanoplatelets for realistic values of$\lambda$and apply our results to the quantification of the orientational contribution to the effective viscosity of a dilute suspension of nanoplatelets with slip. We find a non-monotonic variation of this term, with a minimum occurring when the slip length is comparable to the thickness of the particle.
What is quantitative plant biology?
Authors: Autran Daphné , Bassel George W. , Chae Eunyoung , Ezer Daphne , Ferjani Ali , Fleck Christian , Hamant Olivier , Hartmann Félix P. , Jiao Yuling , Johnston Iain G. , Kwiatkowska Dorota , Lim Boon L. , Mahönen Ari Pekka , Morris Richard J. , Mulder Bela M. , Nakayama Naomi , Sozzani Ross , Strader Lucia C. , ten Tusscher Kirsten , Ueda Minako , Wolf Sebastian
Published: May 2021

Quantitative plant biology is an interdisciplinary field that builds on a long history of biomathematics and biophysics. Today, thanks to high spatiotemporal resolution tools and computational modelling, it sets a new standard in plant science. Acquired data, whether molecular, geometric or mechanical, are quantified, statistically assessed and integrated at multiple scales and across fields. They feed testable predictions that, in turn, guide further experimental tests. Quantitative features such as variability, noise, robustness, delays or feedback loops are included to account for the inner dynamics of plants and their interactions with the environment. Here, we present the main features of this ongoing revolution, through new questions around signalling networks, tissue topology, shape plasticity, biomechanics, bioenergetics, ecology and engineering. In the end, quantitative plant biology allows us to question and better understand our interactions with plants. In turn, this field opens the door to transdisciplinary projects with the society, notably through citizen science.
Off-Cycle and Off Center: Election Timing and Representation in Municipal Government
Authors: DYNES ADAM M. , HARTNEY MICHAEL T. , HAYES SAM D.
Published: May 2021

Who governs America’s cities: organized interests or mass publics? Though recent scholarship finds that local governments enact policies that align with citizens’ preferences, others argue that it is organized interests, not mass publics that are influential. To reconcile these perspectives, we show that election timing can help shed light on when voters or groups will be pivotal in city politics. Examining 1,600 large US cities, we find that off-cycle elections affect city policy responsiveness asymmetrically, weakening responsiveness on those issues where there is an active and organized interest whose policy objectives deviate from the preferences of the median resident. Here, we focus on public employees’ interests and find that local governments that are elected off cycle spend more on city workers than would be preferred by citizens in more conservative cities. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for the study of interest groups and representation in local politics.
“Carl Laemmle Presents”: A Story of Political and Cultural Risk in Germany, 1917–1934
Authors: Fear Jeffrey , Stanca-Mustea Cristina
Published: May 2021

Led by German-born Carl Laemmle, Universal Pictures devoted itself to winning over the German market in the interwar period. Yet the German market proved difficult to crack, owing to political risk and cultural distance. We argue that cultural differences kept most American films from becoming more successful, even those that were shown in German theaters and prior to the advent of sound film. Universal Pictures resorted to a film strategy of localization using German actors and directors, which proved a winning formula just as the Nazis came to power.
Petrogenesis of the peralkaline Flowers River Igneous Suite and its significance to the development of the southern Nain Batholith
Authors: Ducharme Taylor A. , McFarlane Christopher R.M. , van Rooyen Deanne , Corrigan David
Published: May 2021

The Flowers River Igneous Suite of north-central Labrador comprises several discrete peralkaline granite ring intrusions and their coeval volcanic succession. The Flowers River Granite was emplaced into Mesoproterozoic-age anorthosite–mangerite–charnockite–granite (AMCG) -affinity rocks at the southernmost extent of the Nain Plutonic Suite coastal lineament batholith. New U–Pb zircon geochronology is presented to clarify the timing and relationships among the igneous associations exposed in the region. Fayalite-bearing AMCG granitoids in the region record ages of 1290 ± 3 Ma, whereas the Flowers River Granite yields an age of 1281 ± 3 Ma. Volcanism occurred in three discrete events, two of which coincided with emplacement of the AMCG and Flowers River suites, respectively. Shared geochemical affinities suggest that each generation of volcanic rocks was derived from its coeval intrusive suite. The third volcanic event occurred at 1271 ± 3 Ma, and its products bear a broad geochemical resemblance to the second phase of volcanism. The surrounding AMCG-affinity ferrodiorites and fayalite-bearing granitoids display moderately enriched major- and trace-element signatures relative to equivalent lithologies found elsewhere in the Nain Plutonic Suite. Trace-element compositions also support a relationship between the Flowers River Granite and its AMCG-affinity host rocks, most likely via delayed partial melting of residual parental material in the lower crust. Enrichment manifested only in the southernmost part of the Nain Plutonic Suite as a result of its relative proximity to multiple Palaeoproterozoic tectonic boundaries. Repeated exposure to subduction-derived metasomatic fluids created a persistent region of enrichment in the underlying lithospheric mantle that was tapped during later melt generation, producing multiple successive moderately to strongly enriched magmatic episodes.
Effects of ethnic density on the risk of compulsory psychiatric admission for individuals attending secondary care mental health services: evidence from a large-scale study in England
Authors: McBride Orla , Duncan Craig , Twigg Liz , Keown Patrick , Bhui Kamaldeep , Scott Jan , Parsons Helen , Crepaz-Keay David , Cyhlarova Eva , Weich Scott
Published: May 2021

Background

Black, Asian and minority ethnicity groups may experience better health outcomes when living in areas of high own-group ethnic density – the so-called ‘ethnic density’ hypothesis. We tested this hypothesis for the treatment outcome of compulsory admission.

Methods

Data from the 2010–2011 Mental Health Minimum Dataset (N = 1 053 617) was linked to the 2011 Census and 2010 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Own-group ethnic density was calculated by dividing the number of residents per ethnic group for each lower layer super output area (LSOA) in the Census by the LSOA total population. Multilevel modelling estimated the effect of own-group ethnic density on the risk of compulsory admission by ethnic group (White British, White other, Black, Asian and mixed), accounting for patient characteristics (age and gender), area-level deprivation and population density.

Results

Asian and White British patients experienced a reduced risk of compulsory admission when living in the areas of high own-group ethnic density [odds ratios (OR) 0.97, 95% credible interval (CI) 0.95–0.99 and 0.94, 95% CI 0.93–0.95, respectively], whereas White minority patients were at increased risk when living in neighbourhoods of higher own-group ethnic concentration (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11–1.26). Higher levels of own-group ethnic density were associated with an increased risk of compulsory admission for mixed-ethnicity patients, but only when deprivation and population density were excluded from the model. Neighbourhood-level concentration of own-group ethnicity for Black patients did not influence the risk of compulsory admission.

Conclusions

We found only minimal support for the ethnic density hypothesis for the treatment outcome of compulsory admission to under the Mental Health Act.
Ibn Taymiyya on theistic signs and knowledge of God
Authors: Turner Jamie B.
Published: May 2021

This article aims to draw on the ‘Qur'anic Rationalism’ of Taqī al-Dīn Ibn Taymiyya (1263–1328) in elucidating an Islamic epistemology of theistic natural signs, in the lens of contemporary philosophy of religion. In articulating what Ibn Taymiyya coins ‘God's method of proof through signs (istidlāluhu taʿālā bi'l-āyāt)’, it seeks aid in particular from the work of C. Stephen Evans and other contemporary philosophers of religion, in an attempt to understand the relevance and force of this alternative to natural theology within the Islamic tradition. In doing so, it aims to respond to existing criticisms of Ibn Taymiyya's perspective in the literature, and to consider the implications of a Taymiyyan reading of theistic natural signs, on the epistemic function of Qur'anic āyāt as theistic evidence.
A new underwater positioning model based on average sound speed
Authors: Liu Yixu , Lu Xiushan , Xue Shuqiang , Wang Shengli
Published: May 2021

The layout of seafloor datum points is the key to constructing the seafloor geodetic datum network, and a reliable underwater positioning model is the prerequisite for achieving precise deployment of the datum points. The traditional average sound speed positioning model is generally adopted in underwater positioning due to its simple and efficient algorithm, but it is sensitive to incident angle related errors, which lead to unreliable positioning results. Based on the relationship between incident angle and sound speed, the sound speed function model considering the incident angle has been established. Results show that the accuracy of positioning is easily affected by errors related to the incident angle; the new average sound speed correction model based on the incident angle proposed in this paper is used to significantly improve the underwater positioning accuracy.
A tale of two cities: The fate of Delhi as UNESCO World Heritage
Authors: Meskell Lynn
Published: May 2021

This article examines the trajectory and fate of Delhi’s Imperial Capital Cities nomination, submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015 for inscription on the World Heritage List. I employ the dossier and events surrounding its withdrawal to reveal the political imbrications of urban conservation, international institutions, neoliberal governance, and colonial histories. First, I underscore the prominence of India as a member of the World Heritage Committee and its efforts to secure an increasing number of UNESCO properties. Second, I situate the dossier within the ambit of neoliberal governance that recalibrates and promotes urban heritage preservation, while similarly encouraging development and economic growth. Building upon this point, I consider how sustained government efforts to reframe Delhi as a “global city,” coupled with the identification of Delhi’s imperial capitals with Mughal and British rule, resulted in the dossier’s withdrawal. Third, the episode reveals tensions in this specific political moment over contemporary perceptions of imperial occupation and “foreign” empires, which plagued the dossier from the outset and continue to reverberate today. Finally, there are lessons to be learned for urban heritage in India and Asian heritage in general, outside the narrow purview of European cities, so many of which are already listed as World Heritage.
Latent architecture: a semanticist’s perspective
Authors: Chaillou Stanislas
Published: May 2021

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging reality for the architectural discipline. Our work over the past three years has been to demonstrate AI’s relevance for architecture. Among many aspects, AI fundamentally opens up access to a new approach to formal experiments through the concept of ‘latent space’. We believe this concept represents a radical improvement in generating architectural forms, and comes at a time when cities are pressurised by the burning challenges they face: ecology, urban densification, the rapid mutation of modes of living, etc. In return, architecture is charged to come up with new typologies, able to handle these pressing concerns. AI invites us to reinvest in formal research in order to design the habitat of tomorrow.
Contracting in land and natural resources: a tale of exclusion
Authors: Violi Federica
Published: May 2021

By browsing the website of Land Matrix, one can measure the extent of land-related large-scale investments in natural resources (LRINRs) and place it on the world map. At the time of writing, the extent of these investments covers an area equal to the surfaces of Spain and Portugal together – or, for football fans, around 60 million football pitches. These investment operations have often been saluted as instrumental to achieve the developmental needs of host countries and as the necessary private counterpart to state (and interstate) efforts aimed at (sustainable) development goals. Yet, the realities on the ground offer a scenario characterised by severe instances of displacement of indigenous or local communities and environmental disruptions. The starting point of this short essay is that these ‘externalities’ are generated through the legal construct enabling the implementation of these investment operations. As such, this contribution lies neatly in the line of research set forth in the excellent books of Kinnari Bhatt and Jennifer Lander, from the perspective of both the development culture shaping these investment operations and the private–public environment in which these are situated. The essay tries and dialogues with both components, while focusing at a metalevel on the theoretical shifts potentially geared to turn a ‘tale of exclusion’ into a ‘tale of inclusion’.
Not to save, but to encounter: Fitzpatrick as transnational jurisprudent
Authors: Pahuja Sundhya
Published: May 2021

This essay sketches the lineaments of the relationship between international law and the jurisprudence of Peter Fitzpatrick. It argues that Fitzpatrick was a model ‘transnational jurisprudent’ who accepted responsibility for the ongoing conduct of lawful relations, even as he offered a thoroughgoing critique of occidental law. For the occidentally trained international lawyer, Fitzpatrick's work offers a way to take up that responsibility by reimagining international law through its historical roots as a parochial law of encounter.
Ultimate conversation: Fitzpatrick at Warwick, February 2020
Authors: Paliwala Abdul
Published: May 2021

This is the edited transcript of a seminar on 27 February 2020 organised at Warwick Law School in appreciation of the work of Peter Fitzpatrick. Peter was seriously ill at the time but was desirous of online participation. Sadly, the seminar was the last public performance by Peter prior to his death. A variety of themes in Peter's work are discussed, including his critique of H.L.A. Hart, his notion of ‘slow reading’, the relationship between theory and grounded engagement with people, the idea of community and relationality, the role of the critic, self-criticism, the impossibility of law, decoloniality, occidentalism, mythologies and governmentality, and the significance of narratives.
Direct Velocity Inversion of Ground Penetrating Radar Data Using GPRNet
Authors: Leong Zi Xian , Zhu Tieyuan
Published: May 2021

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is used to image the shallow subsurface as evident in earth and planetary exploration. Electromagnetic (EM) velocity (permittivity) models are inverted from GPR data for accurate migration. While conventional velocity analysis methods are designed for multioffset GPR data, to our knowledge, the velocity analysis for zero‐offset GPR has been underexplored. Inspired by recent deep learning seismic impedance inversion, we propose a deep learning guided technique, GPRNet, that is based on convolutional neural networks to directly learn the intrinsic relationship between GPR data and EM velocity. GPRNet takes in GPR data and outputs the corresponding EM velocity. We simulate numerous GPR data from a range of pseudo‐random velocity models and feed the datasets into GPRNet for training. Each training data set comprises of a pair of one‐dimensional GPR data and EM velocity. During training phase, the neural network's weights are updated iteratively until convergence. This process is analogous to full‐waveform inversion in which the best model is found by iterative optimization until simulated data matches observed data. We test GPRNet on synthetic testing datasets and the predicted velocity models are accurate. A case study is presented where this method is applied on a GPR data collected at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan. The inversion results agree with velocity models established by previous GPR inversion studies of the similar area. We expect the GPRNet open‐source software to be useful in imaging the subsurface for earth and planetary exploration.
Thermophysical Properties and Surface Heterogeneity of Landing Sites on Mars From Overlapping Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) Observations
Authors: Ahern Alexandra A. , Rogers A. Deanne , Edwards Christopher S. , Piqueux Sylvain
Published: May 2021

Orbitally derived thermal inertia (TI) values of surfaces allow for remote interpretation of rock and sediment physical characteristics. The evolving local times of the Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) mission have enabled surface temperature data collection over multiple seasons and local times over ∼9 Mars years (MY). We utilize this higher temporal resolution data set to separate TI values of individual materials within THEMIS pixels (100 m sampling). In this study, we focus on geologic units within Gusev, Gale, and Jezero crater landing sites to determine their respective TI and ground‐truth our methods. We use the KRC model to predict temperatures for a range of homogeneous and two‐component thermophysical mixing scenarios (laterally and vertically heterogeneous), and compare those to THEMIS brightness temperatures. The Gusev and Gale crater results are consistent with rover‐based evaluations, indurated or clast‐covered sands. The best‐fit scenarios along the Jezero crater volcanic floor unit show low to moderate TI values representative of coarse sediment, volcaniclastic, or pyroclastic rocks. The light toned unit and western fan deposits both indicate sands and a moderate TI component; we interpret this as heavy fracturing within the rock. Difficulties in modeling some THEMIS temperatures are attributed to daily weather effects, local atmospheric dust variability, and real surface changes over time (e.g., dust deposition and removal); we also observe that some temperature observations lead to non‐unique modeled physical solutions. Nevertheless, these methods can still rule out a significant range of material properties and provide meaningful geologic information about Mars’ surface.
Fragile X mental retardation protein in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: regulating the cancer cell behavior plasticity at the leading edge
Authors: Carotti Simone , Zingariello Maria , Francesconi Maria , D’Andrea Laura , Latasa M. Ujue , Colyn Leticia , Fernandez-Barrena Maite G. , Flammia Rocco Simone , Falchi Mario , Righi Daniela , Pedini Giorgia , Pantano Francesco , Bagni Claudia , Perrone Giuseppe , Rana Rosa Alba , Avila Matias A. , Morini Sergio , Zalfa Francesca
Published: May 2021

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare malignancy of the intrahepatic biliary tract with a very poor prognosis. Although some clinicopathological parameters can be prognostic factors for iCCA, the molecular prognostic markers and potential mechanisms of iCCA have not been well investigated. Here, we report that the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), a RNA binding protein functionally absent in patients with the Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and also involved in several types of cancers, is overexpressed in human iCCA and its expression is significantly increased in iCCA metastatic tissues. The silencing of FMRP in metastatic iCCA cell lines affects cell migration and invasion, suggesting a role of FMRP in iCCA progression. Moreover, we show evidence that FMRP is localized at the invasive front of human iCCA neoplastic nests and in pseudopodia and invadopodia protrusions of migrating and invading iCCA cancer cells. Here FMRP binds several mRNAs encoding key proteins involved in the formation and/or function of these protrusions. In particular, we find that FMRP binds to and regulates the expression of Cortactin, a critical regulator of invadopodia formation. Altogether, our findings suggest that FMRP could promote cell invasiveness modulating membrane plasticity and invadopodia formation at the leading edges of invading iCCA cells.
Applications of quantum computing for investigations of electronic transitions in phenylsulfonyl-carbazole TADF emitters
Authors: Gao Qi , Jones Gavin O. , Motta Mario , Sugawara Michihiko , Watanabe Hiroshi C. , Kobayashi Takao , Watanabe Eriko , Ohnishi Yu-ya , Nakamura Hajime , Yamamoto Naoki
Published: May 2021

A quantum chemistry study of the first singlet (S1) and triplet (T1) excited states of phenylsulfonyl-carbazole compounds, proposed as useful thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters for organic light emitting diode (OLED) applications, was performed with the quantum Equation-Of-Motion Variational Quantum Eigensolver (qEOM-VQE) and Variational Quantum Deflation (VQD) algorithms on quantum simulators and devices. These quantum simulations were performed with double zeta quality basis sets on an active space comprising the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO, LUMO) of the TADF molecules. The differences in energy separations between S1 and T1 (ΔEST) predicted by calculations on quantum simulators were found to be in excellent agreement with experimental data. Differences of 17 and 88 mHa with respect to exact energies were found for excited states by using the qEOM-VQE and VQD algorithms, respectively, to perform simulations on quantum devices without error mitigation. By utilizing state tomography to purify the quantum states and correct energy values, the large errors found for unmitigated results could be improved to differences of, at most, 4 mHa with respect to exact values. Consequently, excellent agreement could be found between values of ΔEST predicted by quantum simulations and those found in experiments.
Intensity modulator for secure, stable, and high-performance decoy-state quantum key distribution
Authors: Lu Feng-Yu , Lin Xing , Wang Shuang , Fan-Yuan Guan-Jie , Ye Peng , Wang Rong , Yin Zhen-Qiang , He De-Yong , Chen Wei , Guo Guang-Can , Han Zheng-Fu
Published: May 2021

The decoy-state method substantially improves the performance of quantum key distribution (QKD) and perfectly solves crucial issues caused by multiphoton pulses. In recent years, the decoy-state method has occupied a key position in practicality, and almost all the QKD systems have employed the decoy-state method. However, the imperfections of traditional intensity modulators limit the performance of the decoy-state method and bring side channels. In this work, a special intensity modulator and its accompanying modulation method are designed and experimentally verified for the secure, stable, and high-performance decoy-state QKDs. The experimental result indicates that its stable and adjustable intensities, convenient two-level modulation, inherently high speed, and compact structure is extremely fit for future trends and will help the decoy-state method to be perfectly applied to QKD systems.
Multiple quantum phase transitions of different nature in the topological kagome magnet Co3Sn2−xInxS2
Authors: Guguchia Z. , Zhou H. , Wang C. N. , Yin J.-X. , Mielke C. , Tsirkin S. S. , Belopolski I. , Zhang S.-S. , Cochran T. A. , Neupert T. , Khasanov R. , Amato A. , Jia S. , Hasan M. Z. , Luetkens H.
Published: May 2021

The exploration of topological electronic phases that result from strong electronic correlations is a frontier in condensed matter physics. One class of systems that is currently emerging as a platform for such studies are so-called kagome magnets based on transition metals. Using muon spin-rotation, we explore magnetic correlations in the kagome magnet Co3Sn2−xInxS2 as a function of In-doping, providing putative evidence for an intriguing incommensurate helimagnetic (HM) state. Our results show that, while the undoped sample exhibits an out-of-plane ferromagnetic (FM) ground state, at 5% of In-doping the system enters a state in which FM and in-plane antiferromagnetic (AFM) phases coexist. At higher doping, a HM state emerges and becomes dominant at the critical doping level of only xcr,1 ≃ 0.3. This indicates a zero temperature first order quantum phase transition from the FM, through a mixed state, to a helical phase at xcr,1. In addition, at xcr,2 ≃ 1, a zero temperature second order phase transition from helical to paramagnetic phase is observed, evidencing a HM quantum critical point (QCP) in the phase diagram of the topological magnet Co3Sn2−xInxS2. The observed diversity of interactions in the magnetic kagome lattice drives non-monotonous variations of the topological Hall response of this system.
Attenuated dengue viruses are genetically more diverse than their respective wild-type parents
Authors: Bifani Amanda Makha , Choy Milly M. , Tan Hwee Cheng , Ooi Eng Eong
Published: May 2021

Dengue poses a significant burden of individual health, health systems and the economy in dengue endemic regions. As such, dengue vaccine development has been an active area of research. Previous studies selected attenuated vaccine candidates based on plaque size. However, these candidates led to mixed safety outcome in clinical trials, suggesting it is insufficiently informative as an indicator of dengue virus (DENV) attenuation. In this study, we examined the genome diversity of wild-type DENVs and their attenuated derivatives developed by Mahidol University and tested in phase 1 clinical trials. We found that the attenuated DENVs, in particular the strain under clinical development by Takeda Vaccines, DENV2 PDK53, showed significantly higher genome diversity than its wild-type parent, DENV2 16681. The determinant of genomic diversity was intrinsic to the PDK53 genome as infectious clone of PDK53 showed greater genomic diversity after a single in vitro passage compared to 16681 infectious clone. Similar trends were observed with attenuated DENV1 and DENV4, both of which were shown to be attenuated clinically, but not DENV3 that was not adequately attenuated clinically. Taken together, evidence presented here suggests that genome diversity could be developed into a marker of DENV attenuation.
DLBCL-Morph: Morphological features computed using deep learning for an annotated digital DLBCL image set
Authors: Vrabac Damir , Smit Akshay , Rojansky Rebecca , Natkunam Yasodha , Advani Ranjana H. , Ng Andrew Y. , Fernandez-Pol Sebastian , Rajpurkar Pranav
Published: May 2021

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Though histologically DLBCL shows varying morphologies, no morphologic features have been consistently demonstrated to correlate with prognosis. We present a morphologic analysis of histology sections from 209 DLBCL cases with associated clinical and cytogenetic data. Duplicate tissue core sections were arranged in tissue microarrays (TMAs), and replicate sections were stained with H&E and immunohistochemical stains for CD10, BCL6, MUM1, BCL2, and MYC. The TMAs are accompanied by pathologist-annotated regions-of-interest (ROIs) that identify areas of tissue representative of DLBCL. We used a deep learning model to segment all tumor nuclei in the ROIs, and computed several geometric features for each segmented nucleus. We fit a Cox proportional hazards model to demonstrate the utility of these geometric features in predicting survival outcome, and found that it achieved a C-index (95% CI) of 0.635 (0.574,0.691). Our finding suggests that geometric features computed from tumor nuclei are of prognostic importance, and should be validated in prospective studies.
On valorization of solvent extracts of Terminalia arjuna (arjuna) upon DNA scission and free radical scavenging improves coupling responses and cognitive functions under in vitro conditions
Authors: Meena D. K. , Sahoo A. K. , Srivastava P. P. , Sahu N. P. , Jadhav M. , Gandhi M. , Swain H. S. , Borah S. , Das B. K.
Published: May 2021

Chronic diseases have been treated using the phytochemical concepts of ethnomedicinal plant-derived herbal products.Terminalia arjuna, a significant ethnomedicinal plant, was revisited and reconnoitred for antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and DNA nicking inhibiting activity under H2O2conditions using 21 solvent extracts. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, and nitrous oxide scavenging (%) were found to have a strong positive association and interaction (PCA 1 explains 84.54% variation) with ethanol bark (Etoh-AB) (Meoh-AF). TPC (144.67–1794 µg/mL GAE) and TFC (2.5–34 µM Fe(II)/g were highest in Etoh-AB. In a pattern of combined solvent extracts, Etoh-AB had the highest antioxidant capacity, accompanied by Etoh-AL ≥ Meoh-AB ≥ Dw-AF. WithR2 = 0.94, the DNA nicking inhibition behaviour parameters relative front, relative quantity, band (%), and lane (%) formed a positive significant (p < 0.01) connection. For the first time, we show that Etoh-AB nicks supercoiled, circular plasmid DNA in a way that is comparable to normal antioxidants. Normal antioxidants with the ability to prevent DNA nicking include Butylated hydroxy anisole < Butylated hydroxy toluene < ascorbic acid < and Gallic acid. Gallic acid (m/z170.0208 g/mol) and Ellagic acid (m/z302.0063 g/mol were present in high concentrations in solvent extracts. 0.48 mg was found to be the effective concentration for inhibiting relative DNA nicking. The current study is the first of its kind to show that steroid concentrations are higher in bark fractions of acetone, ethanol, and methanol. Furthermore,T. arjunasolvent extracts provide a wealth of information on phytochemical profiling, antioxidant ability, and DNA nicking inhibition, which may be useful for exploring the natural way and further research to develop a remedy against geriatric chronic disease. Despite the fact that ethanol is very close to methanol in terms of solvent toxicity, the current study identified it as the preferred solvent. Thus, the current research revisits previous studies and explores the potentiality of non-polar and polar aprotic and polar protic solvent systems, which lend credence to bioactive compounds that may be useful in isolating and formulating safe and cost effective herbal medicament for livestocks and aquaculture, and drugs for deoxygenerative human diseases, and can also be investigated further to instil environmental frugality.
An early bothremydid from the Arlington Archosaur Site of Texas
Authors: Adrian Brent , Smith Heather F. , Noto Christopher R. , Grossman Aryeh
Published: May 2021

Four turtle taxa are previously documented from the Cenomanian Arlington Archosaur Site (AAS) of the Lewisville Formation (Woodbine Group) in Texas. Herein, we describe a new side-necked turtle (Pleurodira),Pleurochayah appalachiusgen. et sp. nov., which is a basal member of the Bothremydidae.Pleurochayah appalachiusgen. et sp. nov. shares synapomorphic characters with other bothremydids, including shared traits with Kurmademydini and Cearachelyini, but has a unique combination of skull and shell traits. The new taxon is significant because it is the oldest crown pleurodiran turtle from North America and Laurasia, predating bothremyninesAlgorachelus peregrinusandPaiutemys tibertfrom Europe and North America respectively. This discovery also documents the oldest evidence of dispersal of crown Pleurodira from Gondwana to Laurasia.Pleurochayah appalachiusgen. et sp. nov. is compared to previously described fossil pleurodires, placed in a modified phylogenetic analysis of pelomedusoid turtles, and discussed in the context of pleurodiran distribution in the mid-Cretaceous. Its unique combination of characters demonstrates marine adaptation and dispersal capability among basal bothremydids.
Non-invasive assessment of exfoliated kidney cells extracted from urine using multispectral autofluorescence features
Authors: Mahbub Saabah B. , Nguyen Long T. , Habibalahi Abbas , Campbell Jared M. , Anwer Ayad G. , Qadri Uzair M. , Gill Anthony , Chou Angela , Wong Muh Geot , Gosnell Martin E. , Pollock Carol A. , Saad Sonia , Goldys Ewa M.
Published: May 2021

Optimally preserved urinary exfoliated renal proximal tubule cells were assessed by multispectral imaging of cell autofluorescence. We demonstrated different multispectral autofluorescence signals in such cells extracted from the urine of patients with healthy or diseased kidneys. Using up to 10 features, we were able to differentiate cells from individuals with heathy kidneys and impaired renal function (indicated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values) with the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) of 0.99. Using the same method, we were also able to discriminate such urine cells from patients with and without renal fibrosis on biopsy, where significant differences in multispectral autofluorescence signals (AUC = 0.90) were demonstrated between healthy and diseased patients (p < 0.05). These findings show that multispectral assessment of the cell autofluorescence in urine exfoliated proximal tubule kidney cells has the potential to be developed as a sensitive, non-invasive diagnostic method for CKD.
Author Correction: The development of white matter structural changes during the process of deterioration of the visual field
Authors: Hofstetter Shir , Sabbah Norman , Mohand-Saïd Saddek , Sahel José-Alain , Habas Christophe , Safran Avinoam B. , Amedi Amir
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Satellite mega-constellations create risks in Low Earth Orbit, the atmosphere and on Earth
Authors: Boley Aaron C. , Byers Michael
Published: May 2021

The rapid development of mega-constellations risks multiple tragedies of the commons, including tragedies to ground-based astronomy, Earth orbit, and Earth’s upper atmosphere. Moreover, the connections between the Earth and space environments are inadequately taken into account by the adoption of a consumer electronic model applied to space assets. For example, we point out that satellite re-entries from the Starlink mega-constellation alone could deposit more aluminum into Earth’s upper atmosphere than what is done through meteoroids; they could thus become the dominant source of high-altitude alumina. Using simple models, we also show that untracked debris will lead to potentially dangerous on-orbit collisions on a regular basis due to the large number of satellites within mega-constellation orbital shells. The total cross-section of satellites in these constellations also greatly increases the risk of impacts due to meteoroids. De facto orbit occupation by single actors, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and the possibility of free-riding exacerbate these risks. International cooperation is urgently needed, along with a regulatory system that takes into account the effects of tens of thousands of satellites.
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition sensitizes breast cancer cells to cell death via the fungus-derived sesterterpenoid ophiobolin A
Authors: Reisenauer Keighley N. , Tao Yongfeng , Das Provas , Song Shuxuan , Svatek Haleigh , Patel Saawan D. , Mikhail Sheridan , Ingros Alec , Sheesley Peter , Masi Marco , Boari Angela , Evidente Antonio , Kornienko Alexander , Romo Daniel , Taube Joseph
Published: May 2021

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) imparts properties of cancer stem-like cells, including resistance to frequently used chemotherapies, necessitating the identification of molecules that induce cell death specifically in stem-like cells with EMT properties. Herein, we demonstrate that breast cancer cells enriched for EMT features are more sensitive to cytotoxicity induced by ophiobolin A (OpA), a sesterterpenoid natural product. Using a model of experimentally induced EMT in human mammary epithelial (HMLE) cells, we show that EMT is both necessary and sufficient for OpA sensitivity. Moreover prolonged, sub-cytotoxic exposure to OpA is sufficient to suppress EMT-imparted CSC features including sphere formation and resistance to doxorubicin. In vivo growth of CSC-rich mammary cell tumors, is suppressed by OpA treatment. These data identify a driver of EMT-driven cytotoxicity with significant potential for use either in combination with standard chemotherapy or for tumors enriched for EMT features.
Oceanic eddy-induced modifications to air–sea heat and CO2 fluxes in the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence
Authors: Pezzi Luciano P. , de Souza Ronald B. , Santini Marcelo F. , Miller Arthur J. , Carvalho Jonas T. , Parise Claudia K. , Quadro Mario F. , Rosa Eliana B. , Justino Flavio , Sutil Ueslei A. , Cabrera Mylene J. , Babanin Alexander V. , Voermans Joey , Nascimento Ernani L. , Alves Rita C. M. , Munchow Gabriel B. , Rubert Joel
Published: May 2021

Sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies caused by a warm core eddy (WCE) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWA) rendered a crucial influence on modifying the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL). During the first cruise to support the Antarctic Modeling and Observation System (ATMOS) project, a WCE that was shed from the Brazil Current was sampled. Apart from traditional meteorological measurements, we used the Eddy Covariance method to directly measure the ocean–atmosphere sensible heat, latent heat, momentum, and carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes. The mechanisms of pressure adjustment and vertical mixing that can make the MABL unstable were both identified. The WCE also acted to increase the surface winds and heat fluxes from the ocean to the atmosphere. Oceanic regions at middle and high latitudes are expected to absorb atmospheric CO2, and are thereby considered as sinks, due to their cold waters. Instead, the presence of this WCE in midlatitudes, surrounded by predominantly cold waters, caused the ocean to locally act as a CO2 source. The contribution to the atmosphere was estimated as 0.3 ± 0.04 mmol m−2 day−1, averaged over the sampling period. The CO2 transfer velocity coefficient (K) was determined using a quadratic fit and showed an adequate representation of ocean–atmosphere fluxes. The ocean–atmosphere CO2, momentum, and heat fluxes were each closely correlated with the SST. The increase of SST inside the WCE clearly resulted in larger magnitudes of all of the ocean–atmosphere fluxes studied here. This study adds to our understanding of how oceanic mesoscale structures, such as this WCE, affect the overlying atmosphere.
Author Correction: Female sex mitigates motor and behavioural phenotypes in TDP-43Q331K knock-in mice
Authors: Watkins Jodie , Ghosh Anshua , Keerie Amy F. A. , Alix James J. P. , Mead Richard J. , Sreedharan Jemeen
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
α-Tubulin Regulates the Fate of Germline Stem Cells in Drosophila Testis
Authors: Tao Xiaoqian , Dou Yunqiao , Huang Guangyu , Sun Mingzhong , Lu Shan , Chen Dongsheng
Published: May 2021

The Drosophila testis provides an exemplary model for analyzing the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that regulate the fate of stem cell in vivo. Using this model, we show that the Drosophila αTub67C gene (full name αTubulin at 67C), which encodes α4-Tubulin (a type of α-Tubulin), plays a new role in controlling the fate of male germline stem cells (GSC). In this study, we have found that Drosophila α4-Tubulin is required intrinsically and extrinsically for GSCs maintenance. Results from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgene reporter assays show that the gene αTub67C is not required for Dpp/Gbb signaling silencing of bam expression, suggesting that αTub67C functions downstream of or parallel to bam, and is independent of Gbb/Dpp-bam signaling pathway. Furthermore, overexpression of αTub67C fails to obviously increase the number of GSC/Gonialblast (GB). Given that the α-tubulin genes are evolutionarily conserved from yeast to human, which triggers us to study the more roles of the gene α-tubulin in other animals in the future.
Frailty transitions and cognitive function among South Korean older adults
Authors: Nari Fatima , Jang Bich Na , Youn Hin Moi , Jeong Wonjeong , Jang Sung-In , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: May 2021

Frailty is considered a multidimensional geriatric syndrome, manifested by the accumulation of age-associated deficits. The consequences of frailty transitions are still understudied. This study evaluated the influence of frailty transitions on cognitive function in the older adult population. We used data derived from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) (2008–2018) on older adults aged ≥ 65 years. Frailty was assessed using a validated Korean frailty measure known as the frailty instrument (FI), and cognitive function was measured using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE). Transitions in frailty and their relationship with cognitive function were investigated using lagged generalized estimating equations (GEE), t-tests, and ANOVA. Respondents who experienced frailty transitions (those with ameliorating frailty), those who developed frailty, and whose frailty remained constant, were more likely to have a lower cognitive function than those who were consistently non-frail. Older age, activities of daily living (ADL) disability, and instrumental ADL disability were more negatively associated with declining cognitive function, especially in the “frail → frail” group. Changes in all individual components of the frailty instrument were significantly associated with impaired cognitive function. The results suggest an association between frailty transitions and cognitive impairment. Over a 2-year span, the remaining frail individuals had the highest rate of cognitive decline in men, while the change from non-frail to frail state in women was significantly associated with the lowest cognitive function values. We recommend early interventions and prevention strategies in older adults to help ameliorate or slow down both frailty and cognitive function decline.