bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the first COVID-19 lockdown in Germany on the rate of acute infections during intensive chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Jacob Anne Sophie , Kaul Helen , Fuchs Michael , Gillessen Sarah , Kreissl Stefanie , Pluetschow Annette , Momotow Jesko , Schaub Valdete , Huettmann Andreas , Haenel Mathias , Zimmermann Andreas , Dierlamm Judith , Meissner Julia , Mathas Stephan , Martin Sonja , Engert Andreas , Hallek Michael , Borchmann Peter , Lehmann Clara
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Evidence on the effect of self-protection via social distancing and wearing face-masks on infections during chemotherapy is currently not available. We asked if the occurrence of acute infections during chemotherapy for advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) decreased when COVID-19 protection measures were in effect.

Methods

We analyzed the occurrence of infections during all documented eBEACOPP cycles starting between 01 March and 30 June of 2017 to 2020 in patients treated within the GHSG HD21 study in Germany and compared the infection rates and characteristics by logistic regression models and means of descriptive statistics.

Results

We analyzed 911 cycles of 313 adult patients treated with 4 to 6 cycles of eBEACOPP. We found a significant decrease in the occurrence of infections during chemotherapy for HL during COVID-19 lockdown from 131 (19.6%) of 670 cycles in 2017–2019 to 30 (12.6%) of 239 cycles during COVID-19 lockdown [OR 0.574 (95% CI 0.354–0.930), P = 0.024]. The strongest effect was evident for unspecified infections with 39 cycles (5.8%) during 2017–2019 in comparison to 5 cycles (2.1%) during COVID-19 lockdown. 20 (24.1%) of 83 patients had an infection during the COVID-19 lockdown versus 99 (43.2%) of 229 patients in the years 2017–2019 (P = 0.0023).

Conclusion

The significant decrease of infections during chemotherapy for HL during COVID-19 lockdown reveals the protective measures’ potential to shield patients from transmissible pathogens. We conclude that these measures could be recommended for HL patients at risk for infections during chemotherapy.
Duodenal tropism of SARS-CoV-2 and clinical findings in critically ill COVID-19 patients
Authors: Neuberger Michael , Jungbluth Achim , Irlbeck Michael , Streitparth Florian , Burian Maria , Kirchner Thomas , Werner Jens , Rudelius Martina , Knösel Thomas
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Duodenal involvement in COVID-19 is poorly studied. Aim was to describe clinical and histopathological characteristics of critically ill COVID-19 patients suffering from severe duodenitis that causes a significant bleeding and/or gastrointestinal dysmotility.

Methods

In 51 critically ill patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, severe upper intestinal bleeding and/or gastric feeding intolerance were indications for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Duodenitis was diagnosed according to macroscopic signs and mucosal biopsies. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect viral specific protein and ACE2. In situ hybridization was applied to confirm viral replication.

Results

Nine of 51 critically ill patients (18%) suffering from SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia had developed upper GI bleeding complications and/or high gastric reflux. Five of them presented with minor and four (44%) with severe duodenitis. In two patients, erosions had caused severe gastrointestinal bleeding requiring PRBC transfusions. Immunohistochemical staining for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was positive inside duodenal enterocytes in three of four patients suffering from severe duodenitis. Viral replication could be confirmed by in situ hybridization.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that about 8% of critically ill COVID-19 patients may develop a severe duodenitis presumably associated with a direct infection of the duodenal enterocytes by SARS-CoV-2. Clinical consequences from severe bleeding and/or upper gastrointestinal dysmotility seem to be underestimated.
Canavan’s spongiform leukodystrophy (Aspartoacylase deficiency) with emphasis on sonographic features in infancy: description of a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Rossler Leon , Lemburg Stefan , Weitkämper Almut , Thiels Charlotte , Hoffjan Sabine , Nguyen Huu Phuc , Lücke Thomas , Heyer Christoph M.
Published: February 2022

Canavan disease (CD; MIM 271,900) or spongy degeneration of the central nervous system (CNS) is a lethal, rare autosomal recessive leukodystrophy, first described in 1931 (Canavan in Arch Neurol Psychiatry 25: 299–308, 1931). The clinical presentation includes severe neurologic impairment and macrocephaly with onset of symptoms at the age of 3–5 months. Biochemical and genetic fundamentals of the disease are elucidated. Imaging diagnosis is principally based on MRI with important role of MR spectroscopy. We report the cerebral sonographic findings in a severely affected infant with CD: Diffuse hyperechogenicity and small multicystic changes of white matter as well as an inverted pattern of echogenicity between cortical gray and subcortical white matter. These findings are compared to to the few cases found in literature and to normal ultrasound examples. Finally, ultrasound and MRI imaging findings are correlated.
Psychosocial determinants for adherence to a healthy lifestyle and intervention participation in the FINGER trial: an exploratory analysis of a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Neuvonen Elisa , Lehtisalo Jenni , Solomon Alina , Antikainen Riitta , Havulinna Satu , Hänninen Tuomo , Laatikainen Tiina , Lindström Jaana , Rautio Nina , Soininen Hilkka , Strandberg Timo , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Kivipelto Miia , Ngandu Tiia
Published: February 2022

Background and aims

Psychosocial factors may affect adherence to lifestyle interventions and lifestyle changes. The role of psychosocial factors in dementia prevention needs more research. We aimed at clarify the issue in the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER).

Methods

The population included 1260 participants aged 60–77 years at risk for cognitive decline, randomised to a multidomain lifestyle intervention or regular health advice for 2 years. Adherence was evaluated as participation in the provided activities and actual lifestyle changes, separately for each domain (diet, exercise, social/cognitive activity, vascular risk management) and combined into multidomain. Psychosocial factors were measured at trial baseline (depressive symptoms; study perception; health-related quality of life, HRQoL) and earlier life (hopelessness; satisfaction with family life, achievements, and financial situation).

Results

Depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and nonpositive study perception were negatively and HRQoL positively associated with participation in the multidomain intervention. Depressive symptoms, lower HRQoL, hopelessness and dissatisfaction with financial situation were associated with unhealthier lifestyles at baseline. Baseline depressive symptoms and lower HRQoL predicted less improvement in lifestyle, but did not modify the intervention effect on lifestyle change.

Discussion and conclusions

Several psychosocial factors were associated with participation in lifestyle intervention, while fewer of them contributed to lifestyle changes. Although the intervention was beneficial for lifestyle changes independent of psychosocial factors, those most in need of lifestyle improvement were less likely to be active. Tailoring lifestyle-modifying strategies based on the need for psychosocial support may add efficacy in future trials.

Trial Registry

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01041989 2010-01-05
The abandonment of Australians in India: an analysis of the right of entry as a security right in the age of COVID-19
Authors: Silva Diego S.
Published: February 2022

In May 2021, when the Delta variant of SARS-CoV2 was wreaking havoc in India, the Australian Federal Government banned its citizens and residents who were there from coming back to Australia for 14 days on penalty of fines or imprisonment. These measures were justified on the grounds of protecting the broader Australian public from potentially importing the Delta strain, which officials feared would then seed a local outbreak. Those Australians stranded in India, and their families and communities back home, claimed that they were abandoned by Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government. This case—along with other barriers used as part of border control measures in the name of public health—raises the following question: is it ever morally permissible for a state to ban its citizens and residents from entering their own country during a pandemic? I conclude that it’s impermissible. I argue that persons have a right of entry that should be understood as a security right. This security right should be non-derogable because it’s a foundational good that is necessary for life-planning purposes. Moreover, it is a right that people should be able to rely upon absolutely, even during pandemics. At the very least, should someone believe that there are rare exceptions to the right of entry on public health grounds, governments have a duty—grounded in the principle of reciprocity—to support those who are temporarily denied entry. In the case of Australians stranded in India, I will argue that the Australian Federal Government failed on all accounts.
Hesitant T-spherical Dombi fuzzy aggregation operators and their applications in multiple criteria group decision-making
Authors: Karaaslan Faruk , Al-Husseinawi Abdulrasool Hasan Sultan
Published: February 2022

A hesitant fuzzy (HF) set is an extension of the fuzzy sets and a T-spherical fuzzy set (T-SFS) is a generalization of the spherical fuzzy set (SFS). HF set has a significant role for modelling disagreements of the decision-makers over membership degree of an element. Also, T-SFS is quite effective in the modelling of the uncertainty for decision-making (DM) problems. In this paper, we define the concept of hesitant T-spherical fuzzy (HT-SF) set (HT-SFS) by combining concepts of HF set and T-SFS, and present some set-theoretical operations of HT-SFSs. We also develop the Dombi operations on HT-SFSs. We present some aggregation operators based on Dombi operators, including hesitant T-spherical Dombi fuzzy weighted arithmetic averaging operator, hesitant T-spherical Dombi fuzzy weighted geometric averaging operator, hesitant T-spherical Dombi fuzzy ordered weighted arithmetic averaging operator, and hesitant T-spherical Dombi fuzzy ordered weighted geometric averaging operator, and investigate some properties of them. In addition, we give a multi-criteria group decision-making method and algorithm of the proposed method under the hesitant T-spherical fuzzy environment. To show the process of proposed method, we present an example related to the selection of the most suitable person for the assistant professorship position in a university. Besides this, we present a comparative analysis with existing operators to reveal the advantages and authenticity of our technique.
Product selection based on sentiment analysis of online reviews: an intuitionistic fuzzy TODIM method
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Guo Jian , Zhang Huirong , Zhou Lixin , Wang Mengjiao
Published: February 2022

Online reviews contain a great deal of information about consumers' purchasing preferences, which seriously affects potential consumers' purchasing decisions. Using the online review data to help customers make purchasing decisions has become a concern of customers, which has theoretical and practical application value. Therefore, a product selection model is presented based on sentiment analysis combined with an intuitionistic fuzzy TODIM method. Firstly, the product features are extracted by the Apriori algorithm based on online reviews. The sentiment orientation and intensity of the sentiment words for the product features are identified by the lexicon-based sentiment analysis approach. Next, the sentiment orientation of the product features is represented by an intuitionistic fuzzy value. Then the intuitionistic fuzzy TODIM method is used to determine the ranking results of the alternative products. Finally, the case study of mobile phone selection is given to illustrate the proposed approach. The results show that the proposed method considers the online reviews’ sentiment orientation and intensity and the consumers’ gain and loss in the purchasing product process and is more reasonable than the previous research.
Chemistry and particle size distribution of respirable coal dust in underground mines in Central Eastern Europe
Authors: Trechera Pedro , Querol Xavier , Lah Robert , Johnson Diane , Wrana Aleksander , Williamson Ben , Moreno Teresa
Published: February 2022

Despite international efforts to limit worker exposure to coal dust, it continues to impact the health of thousands of miners across Europe. Airborne coal dust has been studied to improve risk models and its control to protect workers. Particle size distribution analyses shows that using spraying systems to suppress airborne dusts can reduce particulate matter concentrations and that coals with higher ash yields produce finer dust. There are marked chemical differences between parent coals and relatively coarse deposited dusts (up to 500 µm, DD500). Enrichments in Ca, K, Ba, Se, Pb, Cr, Mo, Ni and especially As, Sn, Cu, Zn and Sb in the finest respirable dust fractions could originate from: (i) mechanical machinery wear; (ii) variations in coal mineralogy; (iii) coal fly ash used in shotcrete, and carbonates used to reduce the risk of explosions. Unusual enrichments in Ca in mine dusts are attributed to the use of such concrete, and elevated K to raised levels of phyllosilicate mineral matter. Sulphur concentrations are higher in the parent coal than in the DD500, probably due to relatively lower levels of organic matter. Mass concentrations of all elements observed in this study remained below occupational exposure limits.
'R&D and export performance: exploring heterogeneity along the export intensity distribution'
Authors: Benfratello L. , Bottasso A. , Piccardo C.
Published: February 2022

This study analyses the relationship between firm-level innovative effort as measured by R&D expenditures and export intensity. We apply quantile regression techniques to a sample of Italian firms to verify whether R&D expenditures’ effect varies along the conditional distribution of export intensity, after controlling for censoring and endogeneity issues. Empirical findings suggest that the effect of R&D expenditures on export intensity is positive and that firms taking most advantage from R&D activity are in the right tail of the export intensity distribution (from the 70th quantile onwards), that is, those exporting 50% of their sales or more. Overall, the results prove robust to several specification checks and suggest not only that firms’ innovative efforts help explaining heterogeneity in export intensity performance, but also that its positive effect differs across the export to sales ratio distribution. This implies that innovation policy measures might be more effective for firms characterised by a relatively high export intensive margin.
Sharp Bounds of the Hermitian Toeplitz Determinants for Certain Close-to-Star Functions
Authors: Lecko Adam , Śmiarowska Barbara
Published: February 2022

The sharp lower and upper bounds of the Hermitian Toeplitz determinants of the second and third order for certain close-to-star functions are computed.
Pesticide residue levels in surface water, using a passive sampler and in the sediment along the littoral zone of Lake Ziway at selected sites
Authors: Mergia Mekuria Teshome , Weldemariam Ermias Deribe , Eklo Ole Martin , Yimer Girma Tilahun
Published: February 2022

Diaion® HP-20 resin passive samplers deployed in water and sediment samples collected from Lake Ziway were analyzed for 30 organochlorine, organophosphorus, carboxamide, and pyrethroid pesticide residues. The samples were collected from purposely selected sampling stations in five sites on Lake Ziway. Levels of selected pesticides were determined by GC–MS/MS in all samples. p,p′DDE and boscalid residues were the only detected pesticides in sediment samples. Similarly, only metalaxyl and boscalid residues were recovered from HP-20 resins. The concentration of p,p′DDE and boscalid in sediment ranged from 0.66–7.23 and 0.1–15.26 ng g−1 dry weight respectively. The presence of p,p′DDE but no other metabolites of DDT in all sediment samples indicated that DDT residues in Ziway Lake were aged and probably originated from the weathered agricultural soils of the surrounding region. The highest level of boscalid was recorded at Site 2 (near the floriculture enterprises) both in sediment and in HP-20 resins with a mean concentration of 11.8 ng g−1 dw and 39.6 ng g−1 disk respectively. However, the concertation of metalaxyl was the highest in the HP-20 resins deployed at Site1 and Site 4 (near the intensive small-scale vegetable farm) with a mean concentration of 54.7 ng g−1 disk and 54.3 ng g−1 disk respectively. Generally, most sampling sites of p,p′DDE were found to have a moderate ecological risk based on levels specified in the sediment quality standards. Moreover, the relatively high boscalid and metalaxyl levels in HP-20 deployed in Lake Ziway would be the result of recent intensive pesticide use by floriculture enterprises and small-scale vegetable farmers in the region. A spatial variation on the accumulation of detected pesticides among the sampling sites depends on the anthropogenic activities, around the lake from the point and non-point sources. Although most of the analyzed pesticides were below the detectable limit, further studies and continued monitoring of currently used pesticide residues in the Lake are highly recommended.
Developing a More Tailored Approach to Patient and Public Involvement with Children and Families in Pediatric Clinical Research: Lessons Learned
Authors: Preston J. , Nafria B. , Ohmer A. , Gaillard S. , Dicks P. , West L. , Turner M. A.
Published: February 2022

Listening to, and acting on, the voices of children and families during clinical research and innovation is fundamental to ensuring enhanced pediatric health care, medicines development, and technological advances. While this is often discussed as an important step in ensuring patient-centered care, involving children and families across the life cycle of clinical research is not currently routine. The pediatric research community needs to address how to meaningfully involve children and families if they are to succeed in designing clinical research that suits the needs of pediatric patients and their families. This paper describes how an international community working under the umbrella International Children’s Advisory Network (iCAN) and European Young Person’s Advisory Group Network (eYPAGnet) has involved children and families in the design and delivery of pediatric clinical research. It offers practical solutions through various case studies assessed against seven patient engagement quality criteria within the Patient Engagement Quality Guidance (PEQG) tool, highlighting some of the lessons learnt from involving and engaging with children and families across different stages of clinical research, including pediatric trials for drug development programs.
Sacred Mountains of the World
Authors: Bernbaum Edwin
Published: February 2022

From the Andes to the Himalayas, mountains have an extraordinary power to evoke a sense of the sacred. In the overwhelming wonder and awe that these dramatic features of the landscape awaken, people experience something of deeper significance that imbues their lives with meaning and vitality. Drawing on his extensive research and personal experience as a scholar and climber, Edwin Bernbaum's Sacred Mountains of the World takes the reader on a fascinating journey exploring the role of mountains in the mythologies, religions, history, literature, and art of cultures around the world. Bernbaum delves into the spiritual dimensions of mountaineering and the implications of sacred mountains for environmental and cultural preservation. This beautifully written, evocative book shows how the contemplation of sacred mountains can transform everyday life, even in cities far from the peaks themselves. Thoroughly revised and updated, this new edition considers additional sacred mountains, as well as the impacts of climate change on the sacredness of mountains.
Near‐Surface Geophysics Perspectives on Integrated, Coordinated, Open, Networked (ICON) Science
Authors: Salman M. , Slater L. , Briggs M. , Li L.
Published: February 2022

Pointing to the Integrated, Coordinated, Open, Networked Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability (ICON‐FAIR) principles, we have determined several opportunities for implementation within the realm of near‐surface geophysics (NSG), representing a broad range of data acquisition and processing technologies. Our work explores the multifaceted community‐driven nature of NSG and, by applying ICON‐FAIR principles, we identify three key strategic objectives: (i) the development of an approach to integrating NSG into other geoscience data collection projects, (ii) the creation of coordinated and open standardized NSG data, and (iii) the networking of post‐secondary institutions to foster an equipment sharing consortium. The precedence within the geoscientific community demonstrates that there are significant opportunities for advancing interdisciplinary applications of NSG through the implementation of structural change within the ICON‐FAIR framework.
Changes in Magnetic Properties of Magnetite Nanoparticles Upon Microbial Iron Reduction
Authors: Wang Pengcong , Shi Taiheng , Mehta Neha , Yang Shanshan , Wang Hongmei , Liu Deng , Zhu Zongmin
Published: February 2022

The magnetic signals of magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) preserved in rocks, soils, and sediments are effective index for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. It has been demonstrated that magnetite NPs can serve as a terminal electron sink for the microbial respiration (i.e., microbial iron reduction). The magnetic properties of magnetite NPs may be altered by microbial iron reduction, which is a critical but often overlooked process in paleomagnetism. In this study, three magnetite NPs with different particle sizes were reduced by a dissimilatory iron‐reducing bacterium (Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1) under a non‐growth condition mimicking that of the early Earth and modern oligotrophic environment. The changes in magnetic, chemical as well as crystallographic properties of the magnetite NPs during the microbial reduction process were examined. Our results showed that the bioreduction rate of magnetite NPs was mainly controlled by their particle size and redox state. In addition, the microbial iron reduction could affect both the crystallographic and magnetic properties of three types of magnetite NPs used herein. After bioreduction, the crystal lattice parameters and magnetic susceptibility of the magnetite NPs increased, while their remanence recording capability and coercivity decreased (i.e., “softer” magnetism). Furthermore, bioreduced magnetite NPs had a larger remanence loss near the Verwey transition region with low‐temperature magnetic analysis. These results indicate that the microbial reduction of magnetite NPs deserves attention when sedimentary magnetites are used in paleoenvironment reconstruction.
Relativistic Electron Enhancements Through Successive Dipolarizations During a CIR‐Driven Storm
Authors: Xiong Senlin , Dai Lei , Wang Chi , Wygant John R. , Cattell Cynthia A. , Tao Xin , Baker Daniel N. , Blake J. Bernard
Published: February 2022

Relativistic electrons in the Earth's radiation belts are highly dynamic on a variety of timescales during the geomagnetic storm. Using Van Allen Probe spacecraft data, we investigate rapid enhancements of relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt during a corotating interaction region (CIR) driven storm. Successive dipolarizations associated with 100keV‐MeV electron injections are identified. The evolution of energetic electrons is analyzed in the space of adiabatic invariants (μ, K and L*). Within less than a few hours, the phase space density (PSD) of the relativistic electrons promptly increases corresponding to injections of MeV electrons. The PSD of MeV electrons cumulatively increases by a factor of 4–10 at L* = 4.5–5.8 which is likely due to successive groups of dipolarizations and injections. Both near‐equatorial (small K) and off‐equatorial (large K) energetic electrons increase significantly. The increases in the near‐equatorial electrons are still dominant, suggesting the operation of betatron acceleration. The event study shows that successive dipolarizations associated with the CIR‐driven storm may rapidly affect relativistic electrons of the outer radiation belt over a wide range in the phase space.
A Fractal Model for Effective Excess Charge Density in Variably Saturated Fractured Rocks
Authors: Guarracino Luis , Jougnot Damien
Published: February 2022

Estimating hydraulic properties and monitoring water flow in fractured rocks using self‐potential observations essentially relies on our ability to model streaming potential. One of the most promising approaches for modeling electrokinetic couplings is based on the macroscopic quantification of the excess charge which is effectively transported by pore water flow. In this study, we derive a fractal model to predict the effective excess charge density for fully and partially water saturated fractured media. Fractures are conceptualized as parallel plates with a fractal pattern described by the Sierpinski carpet. From the calculation of the excess charge in a single fracture and a flux averaging upscaling procedure, we obtain closed‐form expressions for the effective excess charge density. This new analytical model explicitly depends on the fracture water ionic concentration, interface properties, water saturation, porosity and permeability. Model predictions under saturated conditions are compared to published data measured in laboratory during hydraulic fracturing. The model development also shows the independence of the excess charge from the pore shapes: when expressed in terms of hydrological parameters, one can find an expression identical to recently published models for sedimentary porous media using capillary tubes. These results extend the validity of the existing models to fractured rocks and highlight the importance of hydraulic parameters for an accurate modeling of electrokinetic couplings.
A Broadband Kinematic Source Inversion Method Considering Realistic Earth Models and Its Application to the 1992 Landers Earthquake
Authors: Wang Xiang‐Chao , Wang Jin‐Ting , Zhang Chu‐Han
Published: February 2022

Generating broadband ground motions requires fine enough scales in the source model, but small scales may lead to unacceptable computational efforts for source inversion. To resolve this challenge, a novel kinematic source inversion method is proposed in this study to map the detailed rupture process associated with broadband seismic radiation. This method addresses two key issues for imaging the rupture process of earthquakes: proper source models describing the rupture process and accurate Green’s functions. For the first issue, the rupture process of target earthquakes is modeled by a recently proposed multidimension source model, which is composed of several superimposed layers with degressive scales to generate broadband ground motions. Due to the self‐similarity of the parameters of subsource on different layers, the number of variables to be considered in the inversion procedure is comparable to that of the conventional finite‐fault source model. For the second issue, the spectral element method is used to compute the Green’s functions with high‐resolution topography and three‐dimensional (3D) velocity structures. The introduction of accurate 3D velocity structures enables to reproduce the ground motions of target earthquakes in a wide range of frequency. With the multidimension source model and accurate Green’s functions, an evolutionary many‐objective optimization algorithm is used to search for the best rupture‐process parameters. The rupture process of the 1992 Landers earthquake is mapped by the proposed inversion method, and the ground motions from the forward simulation with the inverted rupture process have an impressive agreement with the records in a wide range of frequency.
Critical Zone Structure by Elastic Full Waveform Inversion of Seismic Refractions in a Sandstone Catchment, Central Pennsylvania, USA
Authors: Liu Xuejian , Zhu Tieyuan , Hayes Jorden
Published: February 2022

Seismic imaging provides key information for revealing structures within Earth's critical zone (CZ) and quantifying subsurface fluid properties. The P‐wave velocity (Vp) models estimated by seismic refraction tomography or acoustic full waveform inversion (FWI) are useful to delineate the thicknesses of weathered bedrock but ambiguously map fluid properties in CZ. Considering the complementary sensitivity of S‐wave to subsurface fluid saturation, we explore advanced elastic full waveform inversion (EFWI) to estimate both Vp and S‐wave velocity (Vs) models simultaneously. Several strategies are proposed for robust EFWI implementation of noisy single (vertical) component refraction data: (a) we window seismic data to preserve early arrivals mainly including P‐wave, converted waves, and S‐wave refractions; (b) we use a correlative misfit rather than the classic L2 misfit to alleviate the interference of unreliable data amplitudes; and (c) we perform inversion using a multiscale frequency strategy with the iterative constraint with the rule of Vp/Vs > 1. We validate that the EFWI approach reliably reconstructs Vp and Vs models using synthetic data. Then, we apply our EFWI approach to seismic refraction data acquired at the Garner Run site of the Susquehanna Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory. The inverted Vp and Vs models indicate three distinguished layers and with significant lateral and depth heterogeneities (e.g., low Vp and Vs zones). Joint analyses of Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs with rock‐physics knowledge reveal potential gas or water gathering zones.
Observed Changes in the Arctic Freshwater Outflow in Fram Strait
Authors: Karpouzoglou T. , de Steur L. , Smedsrud L. H. , Sumata H.
Published: February 2022

We have updated time series of liquid fresh water transport (FWT) in the East Greenland Current (EGC) in the western Fram Strait with mooring observations since 2015. Novel data have been used to correct earlier estimates when instrument coverage was lower. The updated FWT (reference salinity 34.9) shows that the increased export between 2010 and 2015 has not continued, but FWT has decreased to pre‐2009 levels. Salt transport independent of a reference salinity is shown not to be sensitive to salinity changes. Between 2015 and 2019, the FWT in the Polar Water (PW) decreased to an average of 59.9 (±4.5) mSV, 15% less than the 2003–2019 long‐term mean, however, high FWT events occurred in 2017. The overall decrease is related to a slowdown of the EGC, partly attributed to a decrease of the zonal density gradient, due to stronger salinification of the halocline waters (26.5 < σθ < 27.7 kg/m3) over the shelf. This salinification counterbalances the freshening of the surface layer (σθ < 26.5 kg/m3) and the fresh water content decreases. Our results show changes in the PW between 2003 and 2019: Salinity stratification increased as the salinity difference between 155 and 55 m increased by 0.63 psu, the PW layer became thinner by 40–50 m and the Polar‐Atlantic front moved ∼10 km west in June 2015. All processes point to an “Atlantification” of the western Fram Strait and a reduced Polar outflow. Including the novel data sets reduced the uncertainty of the FWT to an average of 8% after 2015, as opposed to 17% in earlier estimates.
A Simple Condensation Model for the H2SO4‐H2O Gas‐Cloud System on Venus
Authors: Dai Longkang , Zhang Xi , Shao Wencheng D. , Bierson Carver J. , Cui Jun
Published: February 2022

The current Venus climate is largely regulated by globally covered concentrated sulfuric acid clouds from binary condensation of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and water (H2O). To understand this complicated H2SO4‐H2O gas‐cloud system, previous theoretical studies either adopted complicated microphysical calculations or assumed that both H2SO4 and H2O vapor follow their saturation vapor pressure. In this study, we developed a simple one‐dimensional cloud condensation model including condensation, diffusion and sedimentation of H2SO4 and H2O but without detailed microphysics. Our model is able to explain the observed vertical structure of cloud and upper haze mass loading, cloud acidity, H2SO4, and H2O vapor, and the mode‐2 particle size on Venus. We found that most H2SO4 is stored in the condensed phase above 48 km, while the partitioning of H2O between the vapor and clouds is complicated. The cloud cycle is mostly driven by evaporation and condensation of H2SO4 rather than H2O and is about seven times stronger than the H2SO4 photochemical cycle. Most of the condensed H2O in the upper clouds is evaporated before the falling particles reach the middle clouds. The cloud acidity is affected by the temperature and the condensation‐evaporation cycles of both H2SO4 and H2O. Because of the large chemical production of H2SO4 vapor and relatively inefficient cloud condensation, the simulated H2SO4 vapor above 60 km is largely supersaturated by more than two orders of magnitude, which could be tested by future observations.
Pollination Plummeted 31% in Polluted Fields
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: February 2022

Air pollution levels below “safe” limits (and lower than those commonly found in cities) led to a significant decrease in pollination by 10 common insects.
Fetal sex and maternal fasting glucose affect neonatal cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells
Authors: Weiss Elisa , Leopold-Posch Barbara , Schrüfer Anna , Cvitic Silvija , Hiden Ursula
Published: February 2022

Background

Maternal cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in pregnancy, i.e., obesity and hyperglycemia, transmit to the fetus and affect placental and fetal endothelial function. Moreover, a sex dimorphism in endothelial function and susceptibility towards CVRF exists already in utero. Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFC) are circulating endothelial progenitors highly present in neonatal cord blood and sensitive to CVRF. This study investigated whether fetal sex or subtle maternal metabolic changes within healthy range alter fetal ECFC outgrowth.

Methods

Outgrowth of ECFC from cord blood of male (n = 31) and female (n = 26) neonates was analyzed after healthy pregnancies and related to fetal sex and maternal metabolic parameters.

Results

Male ECFC grew out earlier (−20.57% days; p = 0.031) than female. Although all women were non-diabetic, higher levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at midpregnancy increased the time required for colony outgrowth (OR: 1.019; p = 0.030), which, after stratifying for fetal sex, was significant only in the males. Gestational weight gain and BMI did not affect outgrowth. Colony number was unchanged by all parameters.

Conclusions

Fetal sex and maternal FPG within normal range alter ECFC function in utero. A role of ECFC in postnatal angiogenesis and vasculogenesis has been suggested, which may be affected by altered outgrowth dynamics.

Impact

This study is the first to report that a sexual dimorphism exists in ECFC function, as cells of female progeny require a longer period of time until colony outgrowth than ECFC of male progeny.

Our data show that ECFC function is highly sensitive and affected by maternal glucose levels even in a normal, non-diabetic range.

Our data raise the question of whether maternal plasma glucose in pregnancy should be considered to play a critical role even in the non-diabetic setting.
Comprehensive screening for drugs that modify radiation-induced immune responses
Authors: Okumura Masayuki , Du Junyan , Kageyama Shun-Ichiro , Yamashita Riu , Hakozaki Yumi , Motegi Atsushi , Hojo Hidehiro , Nakamura Masaki , Hirano Yasuhiro , Okuma Yusuke , Okuma Hitomi S. , Tsuchihara Katsuya , Akimoto Tetsuo
Published: February 2022

Background

Combination therapy based on radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) was recently reported as effective for various cancers. The radiation-induced immune response (RIIR) is an essential feature in ICI-combined radiotherapy; however, the effects of drugs used concomitantly with RIIR remain unclear. We screened for drugs that can modify RIIR to understand the mutual relationship between radiotherapy and combined drugs in ICI-combined radiotherapy.

Methods

We established a high-throughput system with reporter gene assays for evaluating RIIR, focusing on factors acting downstream of the STING-IRF pathway, which can stimulate cancer cells, T cells, and dendritic cells. We further quantified the effects of 2595 drugs, including those approved by the Food and Drug Administration, on RIIR in vitro.

Results

The reporter assay results correlated well with the expression of immune response proteins such as programmed death-ligand 1. This high-throughput system enabled the identification of drugs including cytotoxic agents, molecular-targeted agents, and other agents that activate or suppress RIIR.

Conclusions

Our study provides an encyclopedic catalogue of clinically approved drugs based on their effect on RIIR. In ICIs combined radiotherapy, activation of STING-IFN may improve the therapeutic effect and our result could form a biological basis for further clinical trials combining radiotherapy with ICIs.
Genome wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen identifies the coagulation factor IX (F9) as a regulator of senescence
Authors: Carpintero-Fernández Paula , Borghesan Michela , Eleftheriadou Olga , Pan-Castillo Belen , Fafián-Labora Juan Antonio , Mitchell Tom P. , Yuste Alejandro , Ogrunc Muge , Nightingale Thomas D. , Mayan Maria , O’Loghlen Ana
Published: February 2022

During this last decade, the development of prosenescence therapies has become an attractive strategy as cellular senescence acts as a barrier against tumour progression. In this context, CDK4/6 inhibitors induce senescence and reduce tumour growth in breast cancer patients. However, even though cancer cells are arrested after CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment, genes regulating senescence in this context are still unknown limiting their antitumour activity. Here, using a functional genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 genetic screen we found several genes that participate in the proliferation arrest induced by CDK4/6 inhibitors. We find that downregulation of the coagulation factor IX (F9) using sgRNA and shRNA prevents the cell cycle arrest and senescent-like phenotype induced in MCF7 breast tumour cells upon Palbociclib treatment. These results were confirmed using another breast cancer cell line, T47D, and with an alternative CDK4/6 inhibitor, Abemaciclib, and further tested in a panel of 22 cancer cells. WhileF9knockout prevents the induction of senescence, treatment with a recombinant F9 protein was sufficient to induce a cell cycle arrest and senescence-like state in MCF7 tumour cells. Besides, endogenous F9 is upregulated in different human primary cells cultures undergoing senescence. Importantly, bioinformatics analysis of cancer datasets suggest a role for F9 in human tumours. Altogether, these data collectively propose key genes involved in CDK4/6 inhibitor response that will be useful to design new therapeutic strategies in personalised medicine in order to increase their efficiency, stratify patients and avoid drug resistance.
Improved delivery and competitive adsorption of paclitaxel and mitomycin C anticancer drugs on boron nitride nanoparticles: a molecular dynamics insight
Authors: Habibzadeh Mashatooki Mohaddeseh , Ghalami-Choobar Bahram
Published: February 2022

Comparison of the competitive self-aggregation and immobilization of paclitaxel and mitomycin C molecules on the boron nitride surface.
A visible-light and temperature responsive host–guest system: the photoisomerization and inclusion complex formation of a ruthenium complex with cyclodextrins
Authors: Hirahara Masanari , Furutani Shota , Goto Hiroki , Fujimori Keiichi , Moriuchi-Kawakami Takayo
Published: February 2022

Visible-light- and thermal-stimuli-responsive properties of a host–guest system were investigated based on ruthenium aqua complexes bearing two alkyl chains.
Recent advances in the applications of pyrazolone derivatives in enantioselective synthesis
Authors: Bao Xiaoze , Wang Xingyue , Tian Jin-Miao , Ye Xinyi , Wang Baomin , Wang Hong
Published: February 2022

The enantioselective synthesis of medically important chiral pyrazolone and pyrazole derivatives has attracted much attention in recent years, and recent progress is reviewed here.
Synthesis of polyallenoates through copper-mediated cross-coupling of dialkynes and bis-α-diazoesters
Authors: Yu Lefei , Zhou Qi , Gao Yunpeng , Fu Zihao , Xiao Yiyang , Li Zi-Chen , Wang Jianbo
Published: February 2022

Cross-coupling reaction of terminal alkynes and diazoesters has been applied in polymerization by using a copper/chiral guanidinium salt system, affording polyallenoates in high yields and in an enantioselective manner.
A concise synthesis of herbertenolide
Authors: Hu Jiadong , Ji Kai , Yan Lihong , Yang Siyu , Li Yin , Wen Wen , Chen Le , Wu Xiaohui , Hu Youcai , Xie Weiqing
Published: February 2022

A concise synthesis of (±)-herbertenolide (8 LLS) has been achieved based on H2O2-mediated oxidative ring contraction for forging contiguous quaternary carbon centers (CQCCs).
Edge-sharing BO4 tetrahedra and penta-coordinated silicon in the high-pressure modification of NaBSi3O8
Authors: Gorelova Liudmila , Pakhomova Anna , Aprilis Georgios , Yin Yuqing , Laniel Dominique , Winkler Bjoern , Krivovichev Sergey , Pekov Igor , Dubrovinskaia Natalia , Dubrovinsky Leonid
Published: February 2022

High-pressure modification of NaBSi3O8 results in the first example of a borosilicate compound containing edge-sharing BO4 tetrahedra and SiO5 polyhedra.
Bounds of linear time‐varying systems with applications to quantify model gap of synchronous generators
Authors: Wang Peng , Wang Shaobu , Huang Renke
Published: February 2022

Linear time‐varying (LTV) systems play a key role in many engineering problems, for example, trajectory sensitivity analysis of power systems. Because LTV systems do not generally have closed‐form solutions, estimates of their bounds are crucial to their analysis. In this paper, bounds for LTV systems with known inputs and unknown but bounded inputs are obtained via Grönwall's inequality. The estimated bounds are then used to quantify the gap between synchronous generators and their models in different scenarios through simulation.
Asking for fast terminal voltage control in grid following plants could provide benefits of grid forming behavior
Authors: Ramasubramanian Deepak , Baker Wes , Matevosyan Julia , Pant Siddharth , Achilles Sebastian
Published: February 2022

Conventional inverter based resource (IBR) plants generally have control loops with high bandwidth which enable them to maintain tight control of the active and reactive power injected by the IBR device into the grid. These control loops, if not tuned appropriately, can suffer from instability under reduced system stiffness. To bring about an increase in stability of a power network with large percentage of IBRs, recent research done around the world has resulted in the emergence of multiple different types of so‐called grid forming inverter control architectures. But, in order for inverter manufacturers to break the circular (or chicken‐and‐egg) problem, exact performance requirements must be known, which can only be specified either through standards and/or interconnection requirements. Through the use of both electromagnetic transient (EMT) time domain and linearized state space small signal analysis, this paper will provide a way to define interconnection requirements that are agnostic to the specific type of grid forming or grid following IBR control. Further, the benefit of defining grid forming interconnection requirements even when short circuit ratio is not low will be showcased.
Obesity – A Matter of Motivation?
Authors: Hanssen Ruth , Thanarajah Sharmili E , Tittgemeyer Marc , Brüning Jens C.
Published: February 2022

Excessive food intake and reduced physical activity have long been established as
primary causes of obesity. However, the underlying mechanisms causing this
unhealthy behavior characterized by heightened motivation for food but not for
physical effort are unclear. Despite the common unjustified stigmatization that
obesity is a result of laziness and lack of discipline, it is becoming
increasingly clear that high-fat diet feeding and obesity cause alterations in
brain circuits that are critical for the control of motivational behavior.

In this mini-review, we provide a comprehensive overview of incentive motivation,
its neural encoding in the dopaminergic mesolimbic system as well as its
metabolic modulation with a focus on derangements of incentive motivation in
obesity. We further discuss the emerging field of metabolic interventions to
counteract motivational deficits and their potential clinical implications.
Effects of Immediate Coating on Unset Composite with Different Bonding Agents to Surface Hardness
Authors: Krajangta Nantawan , Ninbanjong Supissara , Khosook Sunisa , Chaitontuak Kanjana , Klaisiri Awiruth
Published: February 2022

Objectives This study evaluated the surface microhardness of composite, affected by surface coating with different dental adhesive systems.

Materials and Methods A total of 100 composite discs were divided into five groups. Group 1 was uncoated (control group C), and groups 2 to 5 were coated with different adhesive systems (OptiBond FL: FL, OptiBond SOLO Plus: SOLO, OptiBond XTR: XTR, and OptiBond All in one: AIO, respectively). The Vickers microhardness (VHN) was measured without and with 500 thermocycles.

Statistical Analysis The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's posthoc test at the 95% confidence level.

Results At 24 hours, the VHN of C (59.96 ± 3.68) and FL (59.83 ± 4.54) were significantly higher than SOLO (51.73 ± 4.63) and AIO (51.45 ± 4.11). The VHN of XTR (54.96 ± 3.68) was not significant compared with that of C and all other groups. After thermocycling, VHN were significantly decreased in all groups. However, there were no significant differences among all groups.

Conclusions At 24 hours, composite coated with different adhesive systems have different effects to VHN. Thermocycling all adhesive resin systems coated on composite surface significantly decreased the VHN.