bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic evidence underpinning dietary policy: bringing the jigsaw pieces together?
Authors: Williams Christine M.
Published: November 2022

Observational research, mainly prospective cohort studies (PCS), has represented a long-standing challenge for those attempting to draw up consistent policy recommendations in the area of diet and health. This has been due to the inherent limitations in ascribing causality from observed associations due to problems of confounding of the findings and publication and citation bias. Developments in nutritional epidemiology research over the past 20–30 years have enabled causal criteria to be derived from observational studies and the totality of the primary literature to be reviewed objectively, reducing previous focus on narrative accounts of individual studies. The gold standard approach to assessing causal relationships is via randomised controlled trials (RCT), but neither RCT nor PCS provide direct evidence for biological plausibility, which is a key criterion for assessing causality. Although extensive mechanistic data are available in the literature, a systematic approach to select and assess quality and relevance of published studies has not been available. This limits their use in the development of diet and health policy. Recent studies have investigated a proposed two-step framework and novel methodologies for integrating heterogeneous data from cell, animal and human studies. Pilot and feasibility studies have shown this to be a useful novel approach to studies of diet and cancer, but further refinements are required, including development of appropriate quality criteria which are less dependent on RCT designs. Future studies are needed to fully verify the approach and its potential for use in other diet–disease relationships.
The remarkable impact of iodisation programmes on global public health
Authors: Zimmermann Michael B.
Published: November 2022

The objective of this paper is to review the global effort to eliminate iodine deficiency and its impact on public health. Iodine is an essential component of hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Iodine deficiency has multiple adverse effects in humans due to inadequate thyroid hormone production that are termed the iodine deficiency disorders. The major adverse effect is impaired cognition in children. The WHO's first estimate of the global prevalence of goitre in 1960 suggested that 20–60 % of the world's population was affected, with most of the burden in low- and middle-income countries. Iodine deficiency was identified as a key global risk factor for impaired child development where the need for intervention was urgent. This spurred a worldwide effort to eliminate iodine deficiency led by a coalition of international organisations working closely with national governments and the salt industry. In most countries, the best strategy to control iodine deficiency is carefully monitored iodisation of salt. The reach of current iodised salt programmes is remarkable: in 2018, 88 % of the global population used iodised salt. The number of countries with adequate iodine intake has nearly doubled over the past 20 years from 67 in 2003 to 118 in 2020. The resulting improvement in cognitive development and future earnings suggests a potential global economic benefit of nearly $33 billion. Iodine programmes are appealing for national governments because the health and economic consequences are high and can be easily averted by salt iodisation, a low-cost and sustainable intervention.
5. The 200-Inch Hale Telescope
Authors: Bowen Ira S.
Published: November 2022

One of the first problems investigated at the start of the 200-inch telescope project was that of a suitable site. Extensive tests of climatic and ‘seeing’ conditions at some dozens of sites in the semi-arid south-western part of the United States led to the selection of Palomar Mountain. This is a flat-topped mountain some 10 x 20 km. in extend located 150 km. south-east of Los Angeles. The altitude of the telescope is 1700 m. Temperature conditions are very stable with a diurnal range of about 6° C. and observing conditions during the past two years have proved to be at least as satisfactory as those at Mount Wilson.
Integrating organizational impacts into health technology assessment (HTA): an analysis of the content and use of existing evaluation frameworks
Authors: Pascal Christophe , Mathy Caryn , Bongiovanni Isabelle , Konishi Mario
Published: November 2022

Objective

The French health technology assessment (HTA) agency initiated a research between 2018 and 2019 with the aim of determining whether other HTA organizations (agencies, bodies, institutes, and expert networks) and researchers had developed an evaluation framework of organizational impacts (OIs).

Methods

Three types of investigation were carried out: (i) an analysis of documents published by selected HTA organizations, (ii) a rapid review on the OI issues, (iii) a questionnaire survey to experts of the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment.

Results

The analyses highlight six key points: (i) there is no explicit conceptual definition of OIs; (ii) OIs are often not included in a specific dimension of the evaluation or in the same dimensions; (iii) three recurring categories emerge from the assessment of OIs: processes, structure, and culture; (iv) despite its limitations, the European Network for Health Technology Assessment framework (Core Model) is the most mature assessment model to date; (v) the question of the scope of OIs to be considered is unresolved (micro-meso-macro); and (vi) the delineation between OI assessment and economic assessment must be addressed.

Conclusions

Although the issue of considering OI in HTA has been raised for many years, it remains largely unresolved. Defining the concept of OI is a prerequisite for taking the next step toward an evaluation framework. As the question of the impact of innovation goes beyond the health sector, extensive research on how to define and take into account these OIs may be relevant.
“The way to things”: contentions over materiality and politics in the non-west between Kobayashi Hideo and Maruyama Masao
Authors: Otobe Nobutaka
Published: November 2022

The recent surge in materialist thought, namely New Materialism, has significant implications for political theory. They challenge the fundamental dichotomy upheld in the modern West between human agency and inert nature by revealing the affective quality of nature and granting it the status of the agency. However, does the non-West face risks if it attempts to overcome the modern Western notion of inert nature? If so, is there any way to avoid these risks? To pursue these questions, I take up the writings of political thinker Maruyama Masao (丸山眞男) and literary critic Kobayashi Hideo (小林秀雄) on the political implications of materiality. Maruyama ascribes Kobayashi's alleged collaboration with Japan's World War II policy to his passive acceptance of the felt reality. Regarding such passive acceptance as endemic to Japanese thought, Maruyama traces it back to the notion of an early-modern Kokugaku thinker Motoori Norinaga, “the way to things.” Against Maruyama's criticism, I argue (1) that Kobayashi's interpretation of Motoori's “way to things” resonates with the current New Materialism, and (2) that Kobayashi's materialism does not necessarily lead to passive acceptance of the external world, but rather can be pursued in a more productive way.
No longer the “forgotten victims of armed conflict”: Operational and legal considerations for accountability mechanisms regarding crimes affecting persons with disabilities
Authors: Magee Alexa
Published: November 2022

Despite the fact that persons with disabilities comprise, according to current statistics, a significant portion of conflict-affected communities and are disproportionately affected by armed conflict, the lack of inclusion in accountability mechanisms for acts amounting to crimes under international law is notable. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) provides a framework for mainstreaming inclusive investigation practices and promoting greater accountability, through application of the principles of autonomy, non-discrimination and accessibility. This article makes suggestions for the operationalization of this CRPD framework through specific recommendations for accountability mechanisms, alongside legal opportunities for recognition of crimes affecting persons with disabilities and crimes resulting in disability. A case study of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and persons with disabilities in Iraq is used to illustrate the application of recommendations to ensure that persons with disabilities are no longer the “forgotten victims of armed conflict”.
Out-of-Level Cognitive Testing of Children with Special Educational	Needs
Authors: Gnambs Timo , Nusser Lena
Published: November 2022

Abstract: Children with special educational needs in the area of learning (SEN-L) have severe learning disabilities and often exhibit substantial cognitive impairments. Therefore, standard assessment instruments of basic cognitive abilities designed for regular school children are frequently too complex for them and, thus, unable to provide reliable proficiency estimates. The present study evaluated whether out-of-level testing with the German version of the Cognitive Abilities Test using test versions developed for younger age groups might suit the needs of these children. Therefore, N = 511 children with SEN-L and N = 573 low achieving children without SEN-L attending fifth grades in Germany were administered four tests measuring reasoning and verbal comprehension that were designed for fourth graders. The results showed that children with SEN-L exhibited significantly more missing responses than children without SEN-L. Moreover, three of the four tests were still too difficult for them. Importantly, no substantial differential response functioning was found for children with and without SEN-L. Thus, out-of-level testing might represent a feasible strategy to assess basic cognitive functioning in children with SEN-L. However, comparative interpretations would require additional norms or linked test versions that place results from out-of-level tests on a common metric.
Weather Index Insurance Can Offset Heat‐Induced Rice Losses Under Global Warming
Authors: Zhang J. , Zhang Z. , Wang C. Z. , Wang X. H. , Zhang L. L. , Ma X. L. , Tao F. L.
Published: November 2022

Extreme heat is one major warming‐related threat to food security and farmers' livelihood, especially in Asia. As an economic adaptation, weather index insurance (WII) can transfer such weather‐related risks, secure farms' incomes, and recover agricultural systems soon after yield losses. However, few relevant studies evaluate its potential in the warming future. Here, we investigated the efficiency of WII to compensate for future heat‐induced yield losses () under SSP1‐2.6, SSP3‐7.0, and SSP5‐8.5 (Shared Socioecomoic Pathways, SSP) in southern China, a typical smallholder‐dominated rice production area in the world. Combining a crop model with machine learning, we found that heat‐induced rice vulnerability showed large spatial variability. Rice vulnerability and warming scenarios co‐determined future and economic losses at the county scale, with more significant losses in the mid‐far future (2051–2100) than in the near future (2021–2050). Compared with the historical period (1961–2010), will increase approximately by up to 5% under SSP1‐2.6, 18% under SSP3‐7.0%, and 26% under SSP5‐8.5. As an ex‐ante strategy, county‐specific WII will effectively improve (by up to 13%) and stabilize (by up to 36%) farmers' incomes, even though the pure premium rate will increase by 10% at 2050 and by 30% at 2100. Overall, our study demonstrates that WII is an effective economic adaption in the future for assisting smallholder livelihood in a developing country. WII has the potential to be applied in other countries for other crop failures to mitigate climate‐related risk for global food systems in the future.
First Principles‐Based Approach for 3D Scour Processes Under Variable Jet Discharge
Authors: Di Nardi J. , Palermo M. , Bombardelli F. A. , Pagliara S.
Published: November 2022

Scour processes caused by plunging jets are particularly important in hydraulic engineering because of the connected risk of structural failure. Therefore, many investigations have been conducted on this topic, focusing on jet‐induced scour under constant flow discharge (i.e., steady case). Yet, to the best of the authors' knowledge, no studies have analyzed the scour mechanism under variable jet discharge (i.e., unsteady case) and clear‐water conditions. Following recent theoretical advancements on scour phenomena for steady cases based on the phenomenological theory of turbulence, we address in this study the general validity of such an approach for time‐dependent (i.e., unsteady) jet inflow conditions, in non‐cohesive soils. Results show that scour evolution is consistent with that obtained for steady jet flows. In particular, they confirm the existence of two distinct phases—developing and developed—and indicate that the transition time between the two phases does not depend on the jet inﬂow characteristics. Once again, this study confirms that the phenomenological theory of turbulence is a valid tool for all jet‐driven scour problems.
Characterizing Vertical Stratification of the Cloud Thermodynamic Phase With a Combined Use of CALIPSO Lidar and MODIS SWIR Measurements
Authors: Nagao Takashi M. , Suzuki Kentaroh
Published: November 2022

The cloud thermodynamic phase information derived from the CALIPSO lidar (CALIOP) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) channels of Aqua/MODIS represents different penetration depths within a cloud layer. This study combined them to better characterize the vertical stratification of the cloud thermodynamic phase within the atmospheric column. The temperature dependences of the phase occurrences were first compared between the two sensors to find a significant quantitative difference, which appeared to be large enough to affect climate model evaluations of the cloud phase representations. The two pieces of cloud phase information obtained from the two sensors, each binarized into liquid or ice, were then combined to define the four categories of cloud phases resulting from combinations of the two sensors that provide two cloud phases each (liquid and ice). Global occurrences of the four phase categories were validated against temperature information from MODIS thermal infrared (TIR) channels to confirm that the four categories are reasonably associated with cloud‐top temperature and brightness temperature differences. The vertical stratification of the cloud thermodynamic phase characterized by CALIOP and SWIR was then investigated through comparisons with CloudSat/CPR radar profile statistics to illustrate how cloud vertical structures vary systematically with different combinations of the two cloud phases from CALIOP and SWIR. The results suggest that the combined use of complementary information from the four sensors (lidar, SWIR, TIR, and radar) can better characterize the vertical structures of the cloud thermodynamic phase, which could then provide more detailed observational constraints for model representations of the cloud phase.
Exploring Methods to Estimate Ice Sublimation and Total Water Vapor Flux of Large Lakes in China
Authors: Cao Yang , Fu Congsheng , Wu Huawu , Wu Haohao , Zhang Haixia , Yang Mingxiang , Ji Zhenming , Yu Miao , Dong Linyao
Published: November 2022

Lake ice sublimation plays an important role in lake water budget, while there is huge uncertainty in estimation of lake ice sublimation and its proportion in annual lake total water vapor flux. In the present study, we investigated the annual total water vapor flux and ice sublimation at 15 frozen lakes or lake groups in China using three different methods, namely, the Community Land Model (CLM) simulations (Penman‐Monteith equation and pan observations) that considers (could not reflect) heat storage of lakes; the potential changes of lake total water vapor flux and ice sublimation with climate warming were also predicted. The results illustrate that the annual lake total water vapor flux obtained from Penman‐Monteith equation, pan observation, CLM simulation decreased in sequence, and ice sublimation obtained from pan observation, Penman‐Monteith equation, CLM simulation decreased in sequence. The lake ice sublimation from CLM occupied 7.4%–26.6% of corresponding annual lake total water vapor flux during 1950s–2010s in different regions of China. The ice sublimation and its proportion in lake total water vapor flux from these three methods were all highly correlated, with R2 being 0.86–0.97. The annual lake total water vapor flux will significantly increase in all frozen‐lake regions in China with the climate warming. Climate warming potentially reduce sublimation at most lakes.
Observations of Inertia Gravity Waves in the Western Pacific and Their Characteristic in the 2015/2016 Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation Disruption
Authors: He Yang , Zhu Xiaoqian , Sheng Zheng , He Mingyuan , Feng Yutao
Published: November 2022

The statistical characteristics of inertia‐gravity waves (IGWs) in the troposphere (2–14 km) and lower stratosphere (18–28 km) are analyzed using daily radiosonde observations over six stations in the Western Pacific from 2013 to 2018. Stokes parameter method is used to extract the characteristic parameters of gravity waves (GWs), which are divided into upward and downward propagating waves, and compared with the results of hodograph analysis. In the stratosphere, due to the filtering effect of the background wind field, the IGWs generated in the troposphere mainly propagate eastward with lower frequency range. The tropospheric IGWs have obvious seasonal variation in spectral amplitude and energy, with the maximum in winter and the minimum in monsoon from 2013 to 2018. The stratospheric IGWs are enhanced during phase transition of the quasi‐biennial oscillation, when the enhanced easterly wind appears in the lowest stratosphere, accompanied by enhanced wave energy in the troposphere. During the quasi‐biennial oscillation disruption in late 2015 and early 2016, the tropospheric wave source excites more intense IGWs propagating upward. After reaching the stratosphere, IGWs with slower phase speed are absorbed by the mean flow, dissipating momentum to the lower stratosphere and generating additional enhanced westward forcing, which may have contributed to the development of the easterly wind within the westerly quasi‐biannual oscillation phase.
Space Weather Environment During the SpaceX Starlink Satellite Loss in February 2022
Authors: Fang Tzu‐Wei , Kubaryk Adam , Goldstein David , Li Zhuxiao , Fuller‐Rowell Tim , Millward George , Singer Howard J. , Steenburgh Robert , Westerman Solomon , Babcock Erik
Published: November 2022

On 3 February 2022, SpaceX Starlink launched and subsequently lost 38 of 49 satellites due to enhanced neutral density associated with a geomagnetic storm. This study examines the space weather conditions related to the satellite loss, based on observations, forecasts, and numerical simulations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Working closely with the Starlink team, the thermospheric densities along the satellite orbits were estimated and the neutral density increase leading to the satellite loss was investigated. Simulation results suggest that during the geomagnetic storm, pre‐launch Monte Carlo analyses performed by the Starlink team using empirical neutral density inputs from NRLMSISE‐00 tended to underestimate the impact relative to predictions from the operational coupled Whole Atmosphere Model and Ionosphere Plasmasphere Electrodynamics physics‐based model. The numerical simulation indicated this minor to moderate geomagnetic storm was sufficient to create 50%–125% density enhancement at altitudes ranging between 200 and 400 km. With the increasing solar activity of Solar Cycle 25, satellites in low‐Earth orbit are expected to experience an increasing number of thermospheric expansion events. Currently, no alerts and warnings issued by SWPC are focused on satellite users concerned with atmospheric drag and related applications. Thus, during geomagnetic storms, it is crucial to establish suitable alerts and warnings based on neutral density predictions to provide users guidance for preventing satellite losses due to drag and to aid in collision avoidance calculations.
Influence of Surface Processes on Strain Localization and Seismic Activity in the Longmen Shan Fold‐and‐Thrust Belt: Insights From Discrete‐Element Modeling
Authors: Wang Maomao , Wang Ming , Feng Wang , Yan Bing , Jia Dong
Published: November 2022

We investigated interactions between structural deformation and surface processes in the Longmen Shan fold‐and‐thrust belt and the adjacent western Sichuan foreland basin (WSFB) in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The discrete‐element modeling (DEM) method was used to study the influences of the various mechanical properties of the detachments and syn‐tectonic erosion/deposition on the structural evolution of the Longmen Shan and WSFB. DEM simulations demonstrated two stages of surface processes during the Late Cenozoic profoundly influenced thrusting sequences and strain localization in the hinterland and foreland portions of the Longmen Shan. Models indicate that the fold‐and‐thrust belt lacking surface processes propagate in a forward‐breaking manner, whereas those with surface processes develop following an out‐of‐sequence thrusting pattern. We infer that large‐scale erosion propagation from the Sichuan Basin westward to the Tibetan Plateau since Late Cenozoic caused the Longmen Shan hinterland to reach a subcritical wedge state. Tectonic activity retreats to the edge of Plateau, enhancing the rapid uplift of the Longmen Shan and inhibiting the propagation of substantial shortening deformation to the foreland basin. The foreland thrust belt slides stably along the shallow detachment, causing the initiation and growth of the Longquan fault in the leading front. These results explain why both the Longmen Shan hinterland and the western Sichuan foreland thrust belts are currently in a state of simultaneous seismic activity. Our findings offer important implications regarding the seismic potentials of other fold‐and‐thrust belts that interact with dynamic surface processes.
A comprehensive Bioconductor ecosystem for the design of CRISPR guide RNAs across nucleases and technologies
Authors: Hoberecht Luke , Perampalam Pirunthan , Lun Aaron , Fortin Jean-Philippe
Published: November 2022

The success of CRISPR-mediated gene perturbation studies is highly dependent on the quality of gRNAs, and several tools have been developed to enable optimal gRNA design. However, these tools are not all adaptable to the latest CRISPR modalities or nucleases, nor do they offer comprehensive annotation methods for advanced CRISPR applications. Here, we present a new ecosystem of R packages, called crisprVerse, that enables efficient gRNA design and annotation for a multitude of CRISPR technologies. This includes CRISPR knockout (CRISPRko), CRISPR activation (CRISPRa), CRISPR interference (CRISPRi), CRISPR base editing (CRISPRbe) and CRISPR knockdown (CRISPRkd). The core package, crisprDesign, offers a user-friendly and unified interface to add off-target annotations, rich gene and SNP annotations, and on- and off-target activity scores. These functionalities are enabled for any RNA- or DNA-targeting nucleases, including Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13. The crisprVerse ecosystem is open-source and deployed through the Bioconductor project (https://github.com/crisprVerse).
Shared genetic risk factors and causal association between psoriasis and coronary artery disease
Authors: Patrick Matthew T. , Li Qinmengge , Wasikowski Rachael , Mehta Nehal , Gudjonsson Johann E. , Elder James T. , Zhou Xiang , Tsoi Lam C.
Published: November 2022

Psoriasis and coronary artery disease (CAD) are related comorbidities that are well established, but whether a genetic basis underlies this is not well studied. We apply trans-disease meta-analysis to 11,024 psoriasis and 60,801 CAD cases, along with their associated controls, identifying one opposing and three shared genetic loci, which are confirmed through colocalization analysis. Combining results from Bayesian credible interval analysis with independent information from genomic, epigenomic, and spatial chromatin organization, we prioritize genes (including IFIH1 and IL23A) that have implications for common molecular mechanisms involved in psoriasis and CAD inflammatory signaling. Chronic systemic inflammation has been associated with CAD and myocardial infarction, and Mendelian randomization analysis finds that CAD as an exposure can have a significant causal effect on psoriasis (OR = 1.11; p = 3×10−6) following adjustment for BMI and waist-hip ratio. Together, these findings suggest that systemic inflammation which causes CAD can increase the risk of psoriasis.
Reactive astrocytes transduce inflammation in a blood-brain barrier model through a TNF-STAT3 signaling axis and secretion of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin
Authors: Kim Hyosung , Leng Kun , Park Jinhee , Sorets Alexander G. , Kim Suil , Shostak Alena , Embalabala Rebecca J. , Mlouk Kate , Katdare Ketaki A. , Rose Indigo V. L. , Sturgeon Sarah M. , Neal Emma H. , Ao Yan , Wang Shinong , Sofroniew Michael V. , Brunger Jonathan M. , McMahon Douglas G. , Schrag Matthew S. , Kampmann Martin , Lippmann Ethan S.
Published: November 2022

Astrocytes are critical components of the neurovascular unit that support blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Pathological transformation of astrocytes to reactive states can be protective or harmful to BBB function. Here, using a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived BBB co-culture model, we show that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) transitions astrocytes to an inflammatory reactive state that causes BBB dysfunction through activation of STAT3 and increased expression of SERPINA3, which encodes alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (α1ACT). To contextualize these findings, we correlated astrocytic STAT3 activation to vascular inflammation in postmortem human tissue. Further, in murine brain organotypic cultures, astrocyte-specific silencing of Serpina3n reduced vascular inflammation after TNF challenge. Last, treatment with recombinant Serpina3n in both ex vivo explant cultures and in vivo was sufficient to induce BBB dysfunction-related molecular changes. Overall, our results define the TNF-STAT3-α1ACT signaling axis as a driver of an inflammatory reactive astrocyte signature that contributes to BBB dysfunction.
A self-amplifying RNA vaccine against COVID-19 with long-term room-temperature stability
Authors: Voigt Emily A. , Gerhardt Alana , Hanson Derek , Jennewein Madeleine F. , Battisti Peter , Reed Sierra , Singh Jasneet , Mohamath Raodoh , Bakken Julie , Beaver Samuel , Press Christopher , Soon-Shiong Patrick , Paddon Christopher J. , Fox Christopher B. , Casper Corey
Published: November 2022

mRNA vaccines were the first to be authorized for use against SARS-CoV-2 and have since demonstrated high efficacy against serious illness and death. However, limitations in these vaccines have been recognized due to their requirement for cold storage, short durability of protection, and lack of access in low-resource regions. We have developed an easily-manufactured, potent self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 that is stable at room temperature. This saRNA vaccine is formulated with a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC), providing stability, ease of manufacturing, and protection against degradation. In preclinical studies, this saRNA/NLC vaccine induced strong humoral immunity, as demonstrated by high pseudovirus neutralization titers to the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants of concern and induction of bone marrow-resident antibody-secreting cells. Robust Th1-biased T-cell responses were also observed after prime or homologous prime-boost in mice. Notably, the saRNA/NLC platform demonstrated thermostability when stored lyophilized at room temperature for at least 6 months and at refrigerated temperatures for at least 10 months. Taken together, this saRNA delivered by NLC represents a potential improvement in RNA technology that could allow wider access to RNA vaccines for the current COVID-19 and future pandemics.
Light competition drives herbivore and nutrient effects on plant diversity
Authors: Eskelinen Anu , Harpole W. Stanley , Jessen Maria-Theresa , Virtanen Risto , Hautier Yann
Published: November 2022

Enrichment of nutrients and loss of herbivores are assumed to cause a loss of plant diversity in grassland ecosystems because they increase plant cover, which leads to a decrease of light in the understory1–3. Empirical tests of the role of competition for light in natural systems are based on indirect evidence, and have been a topic of debate for the last 40 years. Here we show that experimentally restoring light to understory plants in a natural grassland mitigates the loss of plant diversity that is caused by either nutrient enrichment or the absence of mammalian herbivores. The initial effect of light addition on restoring diversity under fertilization was transitory and outweighed by the greater effect of herbivory on light levels, indicating that herbivory is a major factor that controls diversity, partly through light. Our results provide direct experimental evidence, in a natural system, that competition for light is a key mechanism that contributes to the loss of biodiversity after cessation of mammalian herbivory. Our findings also show that the effects of herbivores can outpace the effects of fertilization on competition for light. Management practices that target maintaining grazing by native or domestic herbivores could therefore have applications in protecting biodiversity in grassland ecosystems, because they alleviate competition for light in the understory.
RhoA and vigilin are candidates for immunohistochemical markers for epithelioid malignant mesothelioma
Authors: Hiratsuka Takuya , Yamamoto Takushi , Yoshizawa Akihiko , Toyokuni Shinya , Tsuruyama Tatsuaki
Published: November 2022

Diagnostic markers of malignant mesothelioma (MM) have been extensively investigated. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers, such as calretinin, have been used for pathologic diagnosis. However, more diagnostic markers are required to improve the specificity and sensitivity of pathologic diagnosis. This study proposed two proteins as diagnostic markers for epithelioid MM. One is RhoA, an MM mutation-susceptible locus-derived protein, and another is vigilin, a lung small cell carcinoma marker. IHC was performed using 93 MM (epithelioid, 71 cases; sarcomatoid, 13 cases; and biphasic, 9 cases), 64 lung adenocarcinoma (LAC), 60 lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSC), and 14 normal mesothelial (NM) tissues. The majority of epithelioid MM cases were positive for both RhoA and vigilin, whereas both IHCs showed lower stainability in biphasic and sarcomatoid MM. Besides, both IHCs showed significantly higher stainability for RhoA and vigilin in epithelioid MM than in LAC and LSC (p < 0.05). Chi-square tests showed that both RhoA and vigilin IHC positive rate in epithelioid MM was not significantly different from that of calretinin (p > 0.05). In the differential diagnosis of MM from lung cancer, the accuracy and specificity of RhoA, vigilin, and calretinin staining were almost equivalent. Further, H-score test showed that there was no significant difference between RhoA versus calretinin and vigilin versus calretinin in IHC positivity in epithelioid MM (p > 0.05). In conclusion, RhoA and vigilin may be candidates for immunohistochemical markers for epithelioid MM.
A mobile EEG study on the psychophysiological effects of walking and crowding in indoor and outdoor urban environments
Authors: Mavros Panagiotis , J Wälti Michel , Nazemi Mohsen , Ong Crystal Huiyi , Hölscher Christoph
Published: November 2022

Environmental psychologists have established multiple psychological benefits of interaction with natural, compared to urban, environments on emotion, cognition, and attention. Yet, given the increasing urbanisation worldwide, it is equally important to understand how differences within different urban environments influence human psychological experience. We developed a laboratory experiment to examine the psychophysiological effects of the physical (outdoor or indoor) and social (crowded versus uncrowded) environment in healthy young adults, and to validate the use of mobile electroencephalography (EEG) and electrodermal activity (EDA) measurements during active walking. Participants (N = 42) were randomly assigned into a walking or a standing group, and watched six 1-min walk-through videos of green, urban indoor and urban outdoor environments, depicting high or low levels of social density. Self-reported emotional states show that green spaces is perceived as more calm and positive, and reduce attentional demands. Further, the outdoor urban space is perceived more positively than the indoor environment. These findings are consistent with earlier studies on the psychological benefits of nature and confirm the effectiveness of our paradigm and stimuli. In addition, we hypothesised that even short-term exposure to crowded scenes would have negative psychological effects. We found that crowded scenes evoked higher self-reported arousal, more negative self-reported valence, and recruited more cognitive and attentional resources. However, in walking participants, they evoked higher frontal alpha asymmetry, suggesting more positive affective responses. Furthermore, we found that using recent signal-processing methods, the EEG data produced a comparable signal-to-noise ratio between walking and standing, and that despite differences between walking and standing, skin-conductance also captured effectively psychophysiological responses to stimuli. These results suggest that emotional responses to visually presented stimuli can be measured effectively using mobile EEG and EDA in ambulatory settings, and that there is complex interaction between active walking, the social density of urban spaces, and direct and indirect affective responses to such environments.
Effects of high fat diet-induced obesity on pathophysiology, immune cells, and therapeutic efficacy in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Choi Eun Wha , Kim Hee Je , Jung Yun Chan , Go Hye Sun , Seong Je Kyung
Published: November 2022

Prior studies have suggested a strong link between obesity and autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity on the disease pathogenesis, immune cell infiltration, and therapeutic efficacy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Treatment with methylprednisolone significantly increased the survival in the control diet group, but not in the HFD group. An HFD significantly increased the incidence of severe proteinuria and glucose intolerance. Regardless of the diet, treatment with methylprednisolone significantly decreased the serum levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies, IL-2, IL-10, and interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), and improved the renal pathology scores. Treatment with methylprednisolone significantly lowered the serum levels of IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF-α in the control diet group, but not in the HFD group. HFD significantly increased the proportions of CD45+and M1 cells and significantly decreased the proportion of M2 cells in white adipose tissue; methylprednisolone treatment significantly rescued this effect. In the HFD group, methylprednisolone treatment significantly decreased the M1:M2 and increased the Foxp3+:RORγt+cell in the spleen compared with the untreated group. These data improve our understanding of the effect of HFD on the therapeutic efficacy of corticosteroids in SLE treatment, which could have clinical implications.
Laboratory-based experimental research into the effect of diagenesis on heated bone: implications and improved tools for the characterisation of ancient fire
Authors: Reidsma Femke H.
Published: November 2022

The use of fire is considered to be one of the most important cultural innovations in human evolution. Understanding the taphonomy of fire remains is an important prerequisite for valid interpretations of hominin fire-related behaviour. Presented here are the results of a series of laboratory-based experiments testing the effect of different pH conditions (acidic, neutral, alkaline) on the physical and chemical properties of heated bone (charred and combusted). By taking a fundamental-research approach the study gives insight into the specific effect of pH exposure and its underlying chemical processes, and provides data that can be applied to heated bone from any context and time period. Results show that diagenesis has a significant impact on the preservation potential of heated bones, as well as on the reliability of the analytical techniques used to reconstruct past heating conditions. The study provides reference data and a toolkit for the analysis of heated bone, that explicitly takes diagenesis into account, and in doing so offers a significant improvement to the accuracy with which we can reconstruct heating conditions and fire-related human behaviour in the past.
Canalised and plastic components of melanin-based colouration: a diet-manipulation experiment in house sparrows
Authors: Gudowska Agnieszka , Janas Katarzyna , Wieczorek Justyna , Woznicka Olga , Płonka Przemysław M. , Drobniak Szymon M.
Published: November 2022

Whether melanin-based plumage colouration accurately reflects a bird’s quality is still controversial. To better understand potential mechanisms behind the observed variation in plumage colouration, we shifted our attention from a high-level expression of colour to low-level physiological phenomena by targeting the microstructure and pigment content of the feather. In a well-studied model system, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), we combined an experimental manipulation of birds’ physiological condition and availability of resources that are key to the production of the studied colouration (phenylalanine and tyrosine (PT). We found that feathers from sparrows fed with the control diet had noticeably lower values of brightness, suggesting a higher quality of the ornamental “blackness” in comparison to those sampled from birds fed with a PT-reduced diet. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy detected higher melanin concentrations in samples from the control than the PT-reduced group. Our multi-level analysis excluded mechanisms such as barbule density and melanosomes’ distribution, clearly pointing to the finest-level proxy of colour: the concentration of melanin in melanosomes themselves. Despite melanins being manufactured by birds endogenously, the efficiency of melanogenesis can be noticeably limited by diet. As a result, the birds’ plumage colouration is affected, which may entail consequences in social signalling.
Portable and low-cost hologram verification module using a snapshot-based hyperspectral imaging algorithm
Authors: Mukundan Arvind , Tsao Yu-Ming , Lin Fen-Chi , Wang Hsiang-Chen
Published: November 2022

One of the challenges in differentiating a duplicate hologram from an original one is reflectivity. A slight change in lighting condition will completely change the reflection pattern exhibited by a hologram, and consequently, a standardized duplicate hologram detector has not yet been created. In this study, a portable and low-cost snapshot hyperspectral imaging (HSI) algorithm-based housing module for differentiating between original and duplicate holograms was proposed. The module consisted of a Raspberry Pi 4 processor, a Raspberry Pi camera, a display, and a light-emitting diode lighting system with a dimmer. A visible HSI algorithm that could convert an RGB image captured by the Raspberry Pi camera into a hyperspectral image was established. A specific region of interest was selected from the spectral image and mean gray value (MGV) and reflectivity were measured. Results suggested that shorter wavelengths are the most suitable for differentiating holograms when using MGV as the parameter for classification, while longer wavelengths are the most suitable when using reflectivity. The key features of this design include low cost, simplicity, lack of moving parts, and no requirement for an additional decoding key.
An energy and leakage current monitoring system for abnormality detection in electrical appliances
Authors: Alam Md. Morshed , Shahjalal Md. , Rahman Md. Habibur , Nurcahyanto Himawan , Prihatno Aji Teguh , Kim Youngjin , Jang Yeong Min
Published: November 2022

Unsafe electrical appliances can be hazardous to humans and can cause electrical fires if not monitored, analyzed, and controlled. The purpose of this study is to monitor the system’s condition, including the electrical properties of the appliances, and to diagnose fault conditions without deploying sensors on individual appliances and analyzing individual sensor data. Using historical data and an acceptable range of normal and leakage currents, we proposed a hybrid model based on multiclass support vector machines (MSVM) integrated with a rule-based classifier (RBC) to determine the changes in leakage currents caused by installed devices at a certain moment. For this, we developed a sensor-based monitoring device with long-range communication to store real-time data in a cloud database. In the modeling process, RBC algorithm is used to diagnose the constructed device fault and overcurrent fault where MSVM is applied for detecting leakage current fault. To conduct an operational field test, the developed device was integrated into some houses. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system in terms of electrical safety monitoring and detection. All the collected data were stored in a structured database that could be remotely accessed through the Internet.
Estimates of genomic heritability and genome-wide association studies for blood parameters in Akkaraman sheep
Authors: Arzik Yunus , Kizilaslan Mehmet , White Stephen N. , Piel Lindsay M. W. , Cinar Mehmet Ulas
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to estimate genomic heritability and the impact that genetic backgrounds have on blood parameters in Akkaraman sheep by conducting genome-wide association studies and regional heritability mapping analysis. Genomic heritability estimates for blood parameters ranged from 0.00 to 0.55, indicating that measured phenotypes have a low to moderate heritability. A total of 7 genome- and 13 chromosome-wide significant SNPs were associated with phenotypic changes in 15 blood parameters tested. Accordingly, SCN7A, SCN9A, MYADM-like, CCDC67, ITGA9, MGAT5, SLC19A1, AMPH, NTRK2, MSRA, SLC35F3, SIRT6, CREB3L3, and NAV3 genes as well as three undefined regions (LOC101117887, LOC106991526 and LOC105608461) were suggested as candidates. Most of the identified genes were involved in basic biological processes that are essential to immune system function and cellular growth; specific functions include cellular transport, histone deacetylation, cell differentiation, erythropoiesis, and endocytosis. The top significant SNP for HCT, MCH, and MCHC was found within a genomic region mainly populated by the MYADM-like gene family. This region was previously suggested to be under historical selection pressure in many sheep breeds from various parts of the world. These results have implications on animal breeding program studies due to the effect that the genetic background has on blood parameters, which underlying many productive and wellness related traits.
A dual-view multi-resolution laparoscope for safer and more efficient minimally invasive surgery
Authors: Katz Jeremy , Hua Hong , Lee Sangyoon , Nguyen Mike , Hamilton Allan
Published: November 2022

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is limited in safety and efficiency by the hand-held nature and narrow fields of view of traditional laparoscopes. A multi-resolution foveated laparoscope (MRFL) was invented to address these concerns. The MRFL is a stationary dual-view imaging device with optical panning and zooming capabilities. It is designed to simultaneously capture and display a zoomed view and supplemental wide view of the surgical field. Optical zooming and panning capabilities facilitate repositioning of the zoomed view without physically moving the system. Additional MRFL features designed to improve safety and efficiency include its snub-nosed endoscope, tool-tip auto tracking, programmable focus profiles, unique selectable display modalities, foot pedal controls, and independently controlled surgeon and assistant displays. An MRFL prototype was constructed to demonstrate and test these features. Testing of the prototype validates its design architecture and confirms the functionality of its features. The current MRFL prototype functions adequately as a proof of concept, but the system features and performance require further improvement to be practical for clinical use.
Identification of candidate genes associated with resistance against race 0 of Colletotrichum lentis in Lens ervoides
Authors: Bawa P. K. , Halliday J. , Kapoor K. , Banniza S.
Published: November 2022

Resistance to anthracnose caused by the fungal pathogenColletotrichum lentiswas explored through transcriptome sequencing over a period of 24 to 96 h post-inoculation (hpi) of the partially resistant recombinant inbred lines (RIL) LR-66-528 and susceptible LR-66-524 of the crop wild relativeLens ervoidespopulation LR-66. The development of infection vesicles and primary hyphae byC. lentiswere significantly higher on susceptible RIL LR-66-524 compared to partially resistant LR-66-528 at 24 and 48 hpi, but exponential trends in fungal growth were observed between 24 to 96 hpi in both RILs. Comparison of inoculated with mock-inoculated samples revealed 3091 disease responsive genes, among which 477 were differentially expressed between the two RILs. These were clustered into six expression clusters with genes that had either high or low expression in one of the RILs. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were functionally annotated and included genes coding LRR and NB-ARC domain disease resistance proteins, protein detoxification, LRR receptor-like kinase family proteins, and wall-associated Ser/Thr Kinases. DEGs were compared to genes in previously published anthracnose resistance QTLs mapped in LR-66 and revealed 22 DEGs located in 3 QTLs. Expression of 21 DEGs was validated using RT-qPCR confirming expression trends in RNA-seq.
Long-term microglia depletion impairs synapse elimination and auditory brainstem function
Authors: Chokr Sima M. , Milinkeviciute Giedre , Jimenez Gisselle A. , Abubakr Hakeem , Cramer Karina S.
Published: November 2022

Specialized sound localization circuit development requires synapse strengthening, refinement, and pruning. Many of these functions are carried out by microglia, immune cells that aid in regulating neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, apoptosis, and synaptic removal. We previously showed that postnatal treatment with BLZ945 (BLZ), an inhibitor of colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), eliminates microglia in the brainstem and disables calyceal pruning and maturation of astrocytes in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). BLZ treatment results in elevated hearing thresholds and delayed signal propagation as measured by auditory brainstem responses (ABR). However, when microglia repopulate the brain following the cessation of BLZ, most of the deficits are repaired. It is unknown whether this recovery is achievable without the return of microglia. Here, we induced sustained microglial elimination with a two-drug approach using BLZ and PLX5622 (PLX). We found that BLZ/PLX treated mice had impaired calyceal pruning, diminished astrocytic GFAP in the lateral, low frequency, region of MNTB, and elevated glycine transporter 2 (GLYT2) levels. BLZ/PLX treated mice had elevated hearing thresholds, diminished peak amplitudes, and altered latencies and inter-peak latencies. These findings suggest that microglia are required to repopulate the brain in order to rectify deficits from their ablation.