bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deletion of all three MAP kinase genes results in severe defects in stress responses and pathogenesis in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Ren Jingyi , Zhang Yuhan , Wang Yuhua , Li Chengliang , Bian Zhuyun , Zhang Xue , Liu Huiquan , Xu Jin-Rong , Jiang Cong
Published: January 2022

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are activated by external stimuli and convert signals to cellular changes. Individual MAPKs have been characterized in a number of plant pathogenic fungi for their roles in pathogenesis and responses to biotic or abiotic stresses. However, mutants deleted of all the MAPK genes have not been reported in filamentous fungi. To determine the MAPK-less effects in a fungal pathogen, in this study we generated and characterized mutants deleted of all three MAPK genes in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum. The Gpmk1 mgv1 Fghog1 triple mutants had severe growth defects and was non-pathogenic. It was defective in infection cushion formation and DON production. Conidiation was reduced in the triple mutant, which often produced elongated conidia with more septa than the wild-type conidia. The triple mutant was blocked in sexual reproduction due to the loss of female fertility. Lack of any MAPKs resulted in an increased sensitivity to various abiotic stress including cell wall, osmotic, oxidative stresses, and phytoalexins, which are likely related to the defects of the triple mutant in environmental adaptation and plant infection. The triple mutant also had increased sensitivity to the biocontrol bacterium Bacillus velezensis and fungus Clonostachys rosea. In co-incubation assays with B. velezensis, the Gpmk1 mgv1 Fghog1 mutant had more severe growth limitation than the wild type and was defective in conidium germination and germ tube growth. In confrontation assays, the triple mutant was defective in defending against mycoparasitic activities of C. rosea and the latter could grow over the mutant but not wild-type F. graminearum. RNA-seq and metabolomics analyses showed that the MAPK triple mutant was altered in the expression of many ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter genes and the accumulation of metabolites related to arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolisms. Overall, as the first study on mutants deleted of all three MAPKs in fungal pathogens, our results showed that although MAPKs are not essential for growth and asexual reproduction, the Gpmk1 mgv1 Fghog1 triple mutant was blocked in plant infection and sexual reproductions. It also had severe defects in responses to various abiotic stresses and bacterial- or fungal-fungal interactions.
Spatio-temporal Distribution Characteristics of the Cooperation Between Logistics Industry and Economy in Southwest China
Authors: Mu Nengye , Wang Yuanshun , Tian Peiling
Published: January 2022

The rapid development of logistics industry has become an important force to promote the improvement of regional competitiveness, but there has been little research on the evolution process and the distribution characteristics of the cooperation between logistics industry and economy from the perspective of qualitative and quantitative. Based on the evaluation index system, we analyzed the evolution process and the cooperation characteristics in Southwest China from three perspectives: regional evolution process, urban development characteristics and urban co-evolution analysis. The research results show that: (1) the synergy degree between the logistics industry and the economy in the whole southwest region experienced a process of falling first and then rising from 2011 to 2019, and finally reached the stage of reluctance coordination. (2) The urban logistics industry in Southwest China showed a polar-core development phenomenon, while the urban economy presented a spatial pattern of urban agglomeration development. (3) There were spatial distribution differences in the evolutionary trajectories of urban logistics industry and urban economy. (4) The urban synergy degree was getting better in the evolution process and showed regional differences and spatial dependence in spatial distribution. Our findings can help guide urban planners in formulating the development plans for logistics industry and economy.
Large-Scale System Analysis Under Uncertainty
Authors: Domínguez-García Alejandro D.
Published: January 2022

Discover a comprehensive set of tools and techniques for analyzing the impact of uncertainty on large-scale engineered systems. Providing accessible yet rigorous coverage, it showcases the theory through detailed case studies drawn from electric power application problems, including the impact of integration of renewable-based power generation in bulk power systems, the impact of corrupted measurement and communication devices in microgrid closed-loop controls, and the impact of components failures on the reliability of power supply systems. The case studies also serve as a guide on how to tackle similar problems that appear in other engineering application domains, including automotive and aerospace engineering. This is essential reading for academic researchers and graduate students in power systems engineering, and dynamic systems and control engineering.
Introducing Language and Society
Authors: Jones Rodney H. , Themistocleous Christiana
Published: January 2022

This accessible and entertaining textbook introduces students to both traditional and more contemporary approaches to sociolinguistics in a real-world context, addressing current social problems that students are likely to care about, such as racism, inequality, political conflict, belonging, and issues around gender and sexuality. Each chapter includes exercises, case studies and ideas for small-scale research projects, encouraging students to think critically about the different theories and approaches to language and society, and to interrogate their own beliefs about language and communication. The book gives students a grounding in the traditional concepts and techniques upon which sociolinguistics is built, while also introducing new developments from the last decade, such as translanguaging, multimodality, superdiversity, linguistic landscapes and language and digital media. Students will also have online access to more detailed examples, links to video and audio files, and more challenging exercises to strengthen their skills and confidence as sociolinguists.
I contain multitudes
Authors: Reinertsen Anne Beate
Published: January 2022

The rhizome is like the poem. The growth power of nature and the possibilities of culture simultaneously and reciprocally. It stretches from biological cell and level of particles to our universal dreams and thoughts about and with life. The rhizome as poem is thus a picture and image of the importance of context and movement, production of constant importance for each/other. The picture breaks all patterns always and always creates new, as points and lines affectively collapsing into each/other for each/other. The rhizome as poem — and the consciousness about the preliminarity of processes across preliminary boundaries, opens up for translations and interpretations beyond known vocabularies and in unfinished channels. It possibilizes the realization of more - than - human concepts such as the dissolution of subjectivity turning my identity into a collective: I contain multitudes and sing myself.1 Knowledge creation and meaning making are thus connected with what situated knowledges makes possible and mobilize, and is about community, not isolated individuals; it is about productive connections and unexpected openings in which every concept is ‘trapped’ in experience. Informatically we are data subjects of an algorithmic nature. I oxymoronically and indirectly therefore ask how we can become materially identifiable subjects and what would it take to move from a mechanistic approach to education to a more machinic one? Further, are the abstractions one attempts to move from imitation to imagination abstract enough? I poem with the speculative process philosophy of Gilles Deleuze (1925–1995) and Félix Guattari (1930–1992) to think the future, theory and practice in Environmental Education other. Taking part in polysemantic ambiguity becomes attractive as condition to side with the child and it might turn into a strong source of energy for learning and change, trans-scientific collaboration and sustainability. The rhizome is my cosmic writing machine, research design and model.
An extended invariant approach to laminate failure of fibre-reinforced polymer structures
Authors: Corrado G. , Arteiro A. , Marques A.T. , Reinoso J. , Daoud F. , Glock F.
Published: January 2022

This paper presents the extension and validation of omni-failure envelopes for first-ply failure (FPF) and last-ply failure (LPF) analysis of advanced composite materials under general three-dimensional (3D) stress states. Phenomenological failure criteria based on invariant structural tensors are implemented to address failure events in multidirectional laminates using the “omni strain failure envelope” concept. This concept enables the generation of safe predictions of FPF and LPF of composite laminates, providing reliable and fast laminate failure indications that can be particularly useful as a design tool for conceptual and preliminary design of composite structures. The proposed extended omni strain failure envelopes allow not only identification of the controlling plies for FPF and LPF, but also of the controlling failure modes. FPF/LPF surfaces for general 3D stress states can be obtained using only the material properties extracted from the unidirectional (UD) material, and can predict membrane FPF or LPF of any laminate independently of lay-up, while considering the effect of out-of-plane stresses. The predictions of the LPF envelopes and surfaces are compared with experimental data on multidirectional laminates from the first and second World-Wide Failure Exercise (WWFE), showing a satisfactory agreement and validating the conservative character of omni-failure envelopes also in the presence of high levels of triaxiality.
Queering Reparations Under International Law: Damages, Suffering, and (Heteronormative) Kinship
Authors: Gonzalez-Salzberg Damian A.
Published: January 2022

It is a long-standing principle of international law that every breach of an international obligation that results in harm gives rise to a duty to make adequate reparation. Reparations can take different forms, from the ideal of full restitution to the provision of satisfaction, and the payment of compensation. Notwithstanding reparation's main aim––to ameliorate, if not eradicate, the detrimental consequences of an internationally wrongful act–– it also serves other purposes, such as reinforcing the authority of the norm breached, acknowledging the injury, and recognizing the bearer of harm (the victim). This essay adopts a queer approach to examine the role played by reparation–– in particular, compensation––in determining what (and whose) suffering matters to international law. With a focus on internationally wrongful acts that result in deprivation of life, this piece discusses who is seen as worthy of redress when a violation of the right to life has taken place, as this, in turn, speaks volumes about who is seen as legally entitled to suffer, to mourn and, ultimately, to love. This essay argues that reparation orders from international human rights courts offer a valuable opportunity for re-evaluating––and perhaps even overcoming––heteronormative understandings of kinship.
Introducing antimicrobial stewardship to the outpatient clinics of a suburban academic health system
Authors: Nielsen Travis B. , Santarossa Maressa , Probst Beatrice , Labuszewski Laurie , Lopez Jenna , Barsanti-Sekhar Mary , Albarillo Fritzie
Published: January 2022

Objective:

To establish an antimicrobial stewardship program in the outpatient setting.

Design:

Prescribers of antimicrobials were asked to complete a survey regarding antimicrobial stewardship. We also monitored their compliance with appropriate prescribing practices, which were shared in monthly quality improvement reports.

Setting:

The study was performed at Loyola University Health System, an academic teaching healthcare system in a metropolitan suburban environment.

Participants:

Prescribers of antimicrobials across 19 primary care and 3 immediate- and urgent-care clinics.

Methods:

The voluntary survey was developed using SurveyMonkeyand was distributed via e-mail. Data were collected anonymously. Rates of compliance with appropriate prescribing practices were abstracted from electronic health records and assessed by 3 metrics: (1) avoidance of antibiotics in adult acute bronchitis and appropriate antibiotic treatment in (2) patients tested for pharyngitis and (3) children with upper respiratory tract infections.

Results:

Prescribers were highly knowledgeable about what constitutes appropriate prescribing; verified compliance rates were highly concordant with self-reported rates. Nearly all prescribers were concerned about resistance, but fewer than half believed antibiotics were overprescribed in their office. Among respondents, 74% reported intense pressure from patients to prescribe antimicrobials inappropriately. Immediate- and urgent-care prescribers had higher rates of compliance than primary-care prescribers, and the latter group responded well to monthly reports and online educational resources.

Conclusions:

Intense pressure from patients to prescribe antimicrobials when they are not indicated leads to overprescribing, an effect compounded by the importance of patient satisfaction scores. Compliance reporting improved the number of appropriate antibiotics prescribed in the primary care setting.
The coupled dynamics of internal waves and hairpin vortices in stratified plane Poiseuille flow
Authors: Lloyd C.J. , Dorrell R.M. , Caulfield C.P.
Published: January 2022

A simulation of stably stratified plane Poiseuille flow at a moderate Reynolds number (

$\textit {Re}_\tau = 550$

) and Richardson number (

$\textit {Ri}_\tau = 480$

) is presented. For the first time, the dynamics in the channel core are shown to be described as a series of internal waves that approximately obey a linear wave dispersion relationship. For a given streamwise wavenumber

$k_x$

there are two internal wave solutions, a dominant low frequency mode and a weaker-amplitude high-frequency mode, respectively corresponding to ‘backward’ and ‘forward’ propagating internal waves relative to the mean flow. Analysis of linearised equations shows that the dominant low-frequency mode appears to arise due to a particularly sensitive response of the mean flow profiles to incoherent forcing. Instantaneous visualisations reveal that hairpin vortices dominate the outer region of the channel flow, neighbouring the buoyancy dominated channel core. These hairpins are fundamentally different from those observed in canonical unstratified boundary layer flows, as they arise via quasi-linear local processes far from the wall, governed by background shear. Outer region ejection events are common and can be induced by high amplitude waves. Ejected hairpins are transported into the channel core, in turn ‘ringing’ the prevailing strong buoyancy gradient and thus generating high-amplitude internal waves, high dissipation and wave breaking, induced by spanwise vortex stretching and baroclinic vorticity generation. Such spontaneous and sustained generation of quasi-linear internal waves by wall-bounded sheared turbulence may provide novel idealised solutions for, and insight into, large-scale turbulent mixing in a wide range of environmental and industrial flows.
Analysis of coherence in turbulent stratified wakes using spectral proper orthogonal decomposition
Authors: Nidhan Sheel , Schmidt Oliver T. , Sarkar Sutanu
Published: January 2022

We use spectral proper orthogonal decomposition (SPOD) to extract and analyse coherent structures in the turbulent wake of a disk at Reynolds number

$ {\textit {Re}} = 5 \times 10^{4}$

and Froude numbers

$ {\textit {Fr}} = 2$

, 10. We find that the SPOD eigenspectra of both wakes exhibit a low-rank behaviour and the relative contribution of low-rank modes to total fluctuation energy increases with

$x/D$

. The vortex shedding (VS) mechanism, which corresponds to

$ {\textit {St}} \approx 0.11 - 0.13$

in both wakes, is active and dominant throughout the domain in both wakes. The continual downstream decay of the SPOD eigenspectrum peak at the VS mode, which is a prominent feature of the unstratified wake, is inhibited by buoyancy, particularly for

$ {\textit {Fr}} = 2$

. The energy at and near the VS frequency is found to appear in the outer region of the wake when the downstream distance exceeds

$Nt = Nx/U = 6 - 8$

. Visualizations show that unsteady internal gravity waves (IGWs) emerge at the same

$Nt = 6 - 8$

. A causal link between the VS mechanism and the unsteady IGW generation is also established using the SPOD-based reconstruction and analysis of the pressure transport term. These IGWs are also picked up in SPOD analysis as a structural change in the shape of the leading SPOD eigenmode. The

$ {\textit {Fr}} = 2$

wake shows layering in the wake core at

$Nt > 15$

which is captured by the leading SPOD eigenmodes of the VS frequency at downstream locations

$x/D > 30$

. The VS mode of the

$ {\textit {Fr}} = 2$

wake is streamwise coherent, consisting of

$V$

-shaped structures at

$x/D \gtrsim 30$

. Overall, we find that the coherence of wakes, initiated by the VS mode at the body, is prolonged by buoyancy to far downstream. Also, this coherence is spatially modified by buoyancy into horizontal layers and IGWs. Low-order truncations of SPOD modes are shown to efficiently reconstruct important second-order statistics.
Collective effect of thermal plumes on temperature fluctuations in a closed Rayleigh–Bénard convection cell
Authors: Wang Yin , Wei Yongze , Tong Penger , He Xiaozhou
Published: January 2022

We report a systematic study of the collective effect of thermal plumes on the probability density function (p.d.f.)

$P(\delta T)$

of temperature fluctuations

$\delta T(t)$

in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection. By decomposing

$\delta T(t)$

into four basic fluctuation modes associated with single and multiple warm and cold plumes and a turbulent background, we derive an analytic form of

$P(\delta T)$

based on the convolutions of the five independent modes. To test the derived form of

$P(\delta T)$

in the multiple-plume regions, where the thermal plumes are heavily populated, we conduct time series measurements of temperature fluctuations in two convection cells; one is a vertical thin disk and the other is an upright cylinder of aspect ratio unity. For a given normalized position in most regions of the convection cell, all of the measured p.d.f.s

$P(\delta T)$

for different Rayleigh numbers fall onto a single master curve, once

$\delta T$

is normalized by its root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value

$\sigma _T$

. It is found that the measured

$P(\delta T/\sigma _T)$

at different locations along the symmetric horizontal and vertical axes of the convection cells can all be well described by the derived form of

$P(\delta T/\sigma _T)$

. The fitted values of the parameters associated with the number of plumes in multiple plume clusters and their relative strengths and degrees of intermittency are closely linked to the spatial distribution of thermal plumes and local dynamics of the large-scale circulation in a closed convection cell. Our work thus provides a unified theoretical approach for understanding scalar p.d.f.s in a turbulent field, which is very useful not only for the present study but also for the study of many turbulent mixing problems of practical interest.
Classical complement pathway factor alterations in narcolepsy
Authors: Yüceer Hande , Gezen Ak Duygu , Benbir Şenel Gülçin , Dursun Erdinç , Yılmaz Vuslat , Karadeniz Derya , Tüzün Erdem , Küçükali Cem İsmail
Published: January 2022

Objective:

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder long hypothesised to be an autoimmune disease. Complement-mediated immune mechanisms have not been investigated in detail in narcolepsy. Our aim was to establish the significance of classical pathway activation in narcolepsy.

Methods:

Sera of 42 narcolepsy patients and 26 healthy controls were screened with ELISA to determine the levels of C1q, C3a, C4d and complement component 4 binding protein (C4BP). A home-made ELISA method was developed to detect antibodies to C4BP-alpha (anti-C4BPA). The correlation between complement levels and clinical findings was examined.

Results:

C1q levels were significantly higher in narcolepsy patients while C4d and C4BP levels were significantly lower compared to healthy controls. C3a levels were comparable among patients and controls. Eleven narcolepsy patients showed serum anti-C4BPA levels. Total rapid eye movements (REM) time, sleep onset latency, REM sleep latency, sleep activity, percentage of wakefulness after sleep onset and Epworth sleepiness scale scores were correlated with levels of different complement factors.

Conclusion:

Complement-mediated immune mechanisms might partake in narcolepsy pathogenesis. The precise role of autoantibodies on complement level alterations needs to be investigated. Levels of complement factors and degradation products may potentially be utilised as biomarkers to predict the clinical severity of narcolepsy.
The relationship between dietary nutrients patterns and intensity and duration of migraine headaches
Authors: Bahrampour Niki , Mirzababaei Atieh , Yarizadeh Habib , Barekzai Ahmad Mujtaba , Khorsha Faezeh , Clark Cain C. T. , Mirzaei Khadijeh
Published: January 2022

Migraine is a complicated brain disorder which affects approximately 12 % of the population, whilst the presence of migraine headaches is typically higher in women than men. Several nutrients are posited to improve headache severity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary nutrients patterns and intensity and duration of migraine headaches. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 266 women. Physical activity, general characteristics, anthropometric values and dietary intake were collected. Nutrient patterns were derived using principal component analysis with varimax rotation, and based on the correlation matrix, after completing the 147 item semi-quantitative FFQ, we discerned three nutrients patterns. The validated Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used for assessing migraine intensity. Duration of headaches were defined as the hours the participants had headache in 1 d in last month. ANOVA, χ2 and linear regression tests were used to interrogate the data. Linear regression showed there was a positive relationship between second pattern rich in vitamin B1, carbohydrate, vitamin B3, vitamin B9, protein, and total fibre and VAS and pain duration. Furthermore, there was an inverse relationship between MIDAS and the first nutrient pattern characterised by dietary Ca, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B2, and Mg among women. Furthermore, there was a positive significant association between vitamin D and B12 (pattern 3) and headache duration. Dietary nutrients patterns should be monitored closely in individuals suffering with migraine.
Unintended Consequences of the Dodd–Frank Act on Credit Rating Risk and Corporate Finance
Authors: Sharma Bina , Adhikari Binay K. , Agrawal Anup , Arthur Bruno R. , Rabarison Monika K.
Published: January 2022

Prior research finds that Dodd–Frank Act’s regulations on credit rating agencies (CRAs) increase rated firms’ risk of rating downgrades, regardless of their credit quality. Our difference-in-difference estimates suggest that after Dodd–Frank, low-rated firms, which face steep costs from a further downgrade, significantly reduce their debt issuance and investments compared to similar unrated firms. Our results are not driven by credit supply or the financial crisis. They reveal an unintended consequence of Dodd–Frank: Greater regulatory pressure on CRAs leads to negative spillover effects on firms concerned about credit ratings, regardless of their credit quality.
Neural effects of controllability as a key dimension of stress exposure
Authors: Cohodes Emily M. , Odriozola Paola , Mandell Jeffrey D. , Caballero Camila , McCauley Sarah , Zacharek Sadie J. , Hodges H. R. , Haberman Jason T. , Smith Mackenzye , Thomas Janeen , Meisner Olivia C. , Ellis Cameron T. , Hartley Catherine A. , Gee Dylan G.
Published: January 2022

Cross-species evidence suggests that the ability to exert control over a stressor is a key dimension of stress exposure that may sensitize frontostriatal-amygdala circuitry to promote more adaptive responses to subsequent stressors. The present study examined neural correlates of stressor controllability in young adults. Participants (N = 56; Mage = 23.74, range = 18–30 years) completed either the controllable or uncontrollable stress condition of the first of two novel stressor controllability tasks during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) acquisition. Participants in the uncontrollable stress condition were yoked to age- and sex-matched participants in the controllable stress condition. All participants were subsequently exposed to uncontrollable stress in the second task, which is the focus of fMRI analyses reported here. A whole-brain searchlight classification analysis revealed that patterns of activity in the right dorsal anterior insula (dAI) during subsequent exposure to uncontrollable stress could be used to classify participants' initial exposure to either controllable or uncontrollable stress with a peak of 73% accuracy. Previous experience of exerting control over a stressor may change the computations performed within the right dAI during subsequent stress exposure, shedding further light on the neural underpinnings of stressor controllability.
Syntax and models of Cartesian cubical type theory
Authors: Angiuli Carlo , Brunerie Guillaume , Coquand Thierry , Harper Robert , Hou (Favonia) Kuen-Bang , Licata Daniel R.
Published: January 2022

We present a cubical type theory based on the Cartesian cube category (faces, degeneracies, symmetries, diagonals, but no connections or reversal) with univalent universes, each containing Π, Σ, path, identity, natural number, boolean, suspension, and glue (equivalence extension) types. The type theory includes a syntactic description of a uniform Kan operation, along with judgmental equality rules defining the Kan operation on each type. The Kan operation uses both a different set of generating trivial cofibrations and a different set of generating cofibrations than the Cohen, Coquand, Huber, and Mörtberg (CCHM) model. Next, we describe a constructive model of this type theory in Cartesian cubical sets. We give a mechanized proof, using Agda as the internal language of cubical sets in the style introduced by Orton and Pitts, that glue, Π, Σ, path, identity, boolean, natural number, suspension types, and the universe itself are Kan in this model, and that the universe is univalent. An advantage of this formal approach is that our construction can also be interpreted in a range of other models, including cubical sets on the connections cube category and the De Morgan cube category, as used in the CCHM model, and bicubical sets, as used in directed type theory.
Sexual Harassment and Assault During Field Research
Authors: Hunt Stacey L.
Published: January 2022

Political scientists have recently taken great strides to expose and address sexual harassment and assault in our academic departments and professional conferences. Little has been said, however, of the sexual violence and discrimination that political scientists confront during field research. Female field researchers may encounter a number of power disparities that put them at acute risk for sexual violence during fieldwork, and evidence suggests that experiences of sexual misconduct in the field are both pervasive and professionally devastating. This article challenges the discipline to break its silence on sexual violence during fieldwork, remove the stigma of incompetency assigned to survivors, and support field researchers in confronting sexual harassment and assault in the field.
Prevalence and factors associated with overweight or obesity among 2- to 6-year-old children in Hunan, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Na , Li Huixia , Guo Zhanjun , Chen Xin , Cheng Peng , Wang Bian , Huang Guangwen , Shen Minxue , Lin Qian , Wu Jing
Published: January 2022

Objective:

To compare the prevalence of overweight or obesity (ow/ob) with WHO BMI cut-off points, International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-off points and Chinese BMI criteria and examine its potential factors among preschool children in Hunan Province.

Design:

A cross-sectional survey including anthropometric measurements and questionnaires about children’s information, caregivers’ socio-demographic characteristics and maternal characteristics. χ2 tests and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression were performed to evaluate the possible factors of ow/ob.

Setting:

Hunan, China, from September to October 2019.

Participants:

In total, 7664 children 2 to 6 years of age.

Results:

According to Chinese BMI criteria, about 1 in 7–8 children aged 2–6 years had ow/ob in Hunan, China. The overall estimated prevalence of ow/ob among 2- to 6-year-old children was significantly higher when based on the Chinese BMI criteria compared with the WHO BMI cut-off points and IOTF cut-off points. According to Chinese BMI criteria, ow/ob was associated with residing in urban areas, older age, male sex, eating snacking food more frequently, macrosomia delivery, caesarean birth, heavier maternal prepregnancy weight and pre-delivery weight.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of ow/ob in preschool children in Hunan Province remains high. More ow/ob children could be screened out according to Chinese BMI cut-offs compared with WHO and IOTF BMI criteria. In the future, targeted intervention studies with matched controls will be needed to assess the long-term effects of intervention measures to provide more information for childhood obesity prevention and treatment.
Spectral Units Analysis of Quadrangle H05‐Hokusai on Mercury
Authors: Zambon F. , Carli C. , Wright J. , Rothery D. A. , Altieri F. , Massironi M. , Capaccioni F. , Cremonese G.
Published: January 2022

MESSENGER mission data allowed the entire surface of Mercury to be mapped at various spatial scales, from both geological and compositional stand points. Here, we present a spectral analysis of the H05‐Hokusai quadrangle, using data acquired by the MESSENGER Mercury Dual Imaging System‐Wide Angle Camera. We defined a suitable set of parameters, such as reflectance and spectral slopes, to study the spectral variation though the definition of spectral units. The determination of spectral units permits to infer the physical and compositional properties of a surface by processing several parameters simultaneously, instead of the more traditional approach of interpreting each single parameter separately. We identified 11 spectral units within H05, six large scale and five localized units. The large scale units include the northern smooth plains of Borealis Planitia. South‐western H05 is characterized by two widespread spectral units, partially overlapping intercrater plains and intermediate plains. Furthermore, we found very localized spectral units corresponding to the low‐reflectance blue material of Rachmaninoff basin and the high‐reflectance red material of Nathair Facula. We investigated the link between spectral units and compositional maps obtained by GRS and XRS, to associate compositional information to the spectral units. We found some spectral units are correlated with Mg and Al variations displayed in the elemental maps. This implies that spectral variations associated to these units are mainly linked with composition rather than terrain maturity and/or grain size effects.
Diurnal and Seasonal Variations of Passive and Active Microwave Satellite Observations Over Tropical Forests
Authors: Prigent Catherine , Jimenez Carlos , Dinh Lan Anh , Frappart Frédéric , Gentine Pierre , Wigneron Jean‐Pierre , Munchak Joseph
Published: January 2022

Documenting the large scale variability of tropical forest structure and function is needed for improved understanding of the carbon and water cycles. The seasonal and diurnal cycles of passive and active microwave satellite observations are jointly analyzed for the first time, using the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM). Collocated backscattering coefficients from the GPM Dual‐frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) and emissivities derived from the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) are studied for 4 yr over the Tropics, at the available multiple frequencies, angles, and polarizations. Our analysis confirms the diurnal patterns already observed with radars, with a maximum backscatter in the early morning attributed to the water xylem refill at night. At the same time, early in the morning, we evidence a minimum emissivity over most of tropical forests: the backscatter and emissivity diurnal cycles tend to be in phase opposition, as well as their seasonal cycles. However, during the dry season in the south eastern Amazonian forest where precipitation can be low for several months, the emissivity diurnal cycle changes, implying a different behavior of the forest in this area, related to the state of the canopy.
A New Way of Estimating the Spatial and Temporal Components of the Vertical Total Electron Content Gradient Based on UPC‐IonSAT Global Ionosphere Maps
Authors: Liu Qi , Hernández‐Pajares Manuel , Yang Heng , Monte‐Moreno Enric , García‐Rigo Alberto , Lyu Haixia , Olivares‐Pulido Germán , Orús‐Pérez Raül
Published: January 2022

The determination of the ionospheric perturbation degree is essential to describe the ionosphere state for space weather monitoring. A new method for estimating the spatial and temporal components of the Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) gradient is introduced. The new method is based on VTEC estimated at each grid point of Global Ionosphere Map (GIM) by the UPC‐IonSAT research group of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Depending on the requirement, the VTEC spatial gradients can be derived at selected regions or grid points of the GIM on a global scale. According to the comparison with previous studies over the Europe region during quiet ionosphere state and two severe geomagnetic storms, the new method has proven to be reliable and has a great potential for the monitoring of ionospheric perturbation degree on a global scale. In addition, the associated warning of disturbed ionosphere might be available in the context of the on‐going development of real‐time GIMs.
Modeling electronic and optical properties of III–V quantum dots—selected recent developments
Authors: Mittelstädt Alexander , Schliwa Andrei , Klenovský Petr
Published: January 2022

Electronic properties of selected quantum dot (QD) systems are surveyed based on the multi-band k·p method, which we benchmark by direct comparison to the empirical tight-binding algorithm, and we also discuss the newly developed “linear combination of quantum dot orbitals” method. Furthermore, we focus on two major complexes: First, the role of antimony incorporation in InGaAs/GaAs submonolayer ﻿QDs and In1−xGax AsySb1−y/GaP QDs, and second, the theory of QD-based quantum cascade lasers and the related prospect of room temperature lasing.
MiR-378a inhibits glucose metabolism by suppressing GLUT1 in prostate cancer
Authors: Cannistraci A. , Hascoet P. , Ali A. , Mundra P. , Clarke N. W. , Pavet V. , Marais R.
Published: January 2022

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide, in part due to a lack of molecular stratification tools that can distinguish primary tumours that will remain indolent from those that will metastasise. Amongst potential molecular biomarkers, microRNAs (miRs) have attracted particular interest because of their high stability in body fluids and fixed tissues. These small non-coding RNAs modulate several physiological and pathological processes, including cancer progression. Herein we explore the prognostic potential and the functional role of miRs in localised PCa and their relation to nodal metastasis. We define a 7-miR signature that is associated with poor survival independently of age, Gleason score, pathological T state, N stage and surgical margin status and that is also prognostic for disease-free survival in patients with intermediate-risk localised disease. Within our 7-miR signature, we show that miR-378a-3p (hereafter miR-378a) levels are low in primary tumours compared to benign prostate tissue, and also lower in Gleason score 8–9 compared to Gleason 6–7 PCa. We demonstrate that miR-378a impairs glucose metabolism and reduces proliferation in PCa cells through independent mechanisms, and we identify glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) messenger RNA as a direct target of miR-378a. We show that GLUT1 inhibition hampers glycolysis, leading to cell death. Our data provides a rational for a new PCa stratification strategy based on miR expression, and it reveals that miR-378a and GLUT1 are potential therapeutic targets in highly aggressive glycolytic PCa.
A genome-wide association study of radiotherapy induced toxicity in head and neck cancer patients identifies a susceptibility locus associated with mucositis
Authors: Schack Line M. H. , Naderi Elnaz , Fachal Laura , Dorling Leila , Luccarini Craig , Dunning Alison M. ,   The Head and Neck Group of the Radiogenomics Consortium, Barnett Gill , Barrera Miguel Elías Aguado , Burnet Neil G. , Calvo Laura M. , Diergaarde Brenda , Dudding Tom , Dunning Alison , Duprez Fréderic , Kerns Sarah L. , Kiang Melvin C. L. , Langendijk Hans , Mehanna Hisham , Ness Andy , Sim Adelene Y. L. , Spiessens An , Summersgill Holly R. , Tajes Juan F. , Vega Ana , Welsh Ceilidh , Wen Enya O. H. , West Catharine ,   The Danish Head and Neck Cancer Group (DAHANCA), Ong Enya H. W. , Chua Melvin L. K. , Langendijk Johannes A. , Alizadeh Behrooz Z. , Overgaard Jens , Eriksen Jesper Grau , Andreassen Christian Nicolaj , Alsner Jan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

A two-stage genome-wide association study was carried out in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients aiming to identify genetic variants associated with either specific radiotherapy-induced (RT) toxicity endpoints or a general proneness to develop toxicity after RT.

Materials and methods

The analysis included 1780 HNC patients treated with primary RT for laryngeal or oro/hypopharyngeal cancers. In a non-hypothesis-driven explorative discovery study, associations were tested in 1183 patients treated within The Danish Head and Neck Cancer Group. Significant associations were later tested in an independent Dutch cohort of 597 HNC patients and if replicated, summary data obtained from discovery and replication studies were meta-analysed. Further validation of significantly replicated findings was pursued in an Asian cohort of 235 HNC patients with nasopharynx as the primary tumour site.

Results

We found and replicated a significant association between a locus on chromosome 5 and mucositis with a pooled OR for rs1131769*C in meta-analysis = 1.95 (95% CI 1.48–2.41; ppooled = 4.34 × 10−16).

Conclusion

This first exploratory GWAS in European cohorts of HNC patients identified and replicated a risk locus for mucositis. A larger Meta-GWAS to identify further risk variants for RT-induced toxicity in HNC patients is warranted.
Integration of tumour sequencing and case–control data to assess pathogenicity of RAD51C missense variants in familial breast cancer
Authors: Lim Belle W. X. , Li Na , Rowley Simone M. , Thompson Ella R. , McInerny Simone , Zethoven Magnus , Scott Rodney J. , Devereux Lisa , Sloan Erica K. , James Paul A. , Campbell Ian G.
Published: January 2022

While protein-truncating variants in RAD51C have been shown to predispose to triple-negative (TN) breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer, little is known about the pathogenicity of missense (MS) variants. The frequency of rare RAD51C MS variants was assessed in the BEACCON study of 5734 familial BC cases and 14,382 population controls, and findings were integrated with tumour sequencing data from 21 cases carrying a candidate variant. Collectively, a significant enrichment of rare MS variants was detected in cases (MAF < 0.001, OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.00–2.44, p = 0.05), particularly for variants with a REVEL score >0.5 (OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.40–12.01, p = 0.006). Sequencing of 21 tumours from 20 heterozygous and 1 homozygous carriers of nine candidate MS variants identified four cases with biallelic inactivation through loss of the wild-type allele, while six lost the variant allele and ten that remained heterozygous. Biallelic loss of the wild-type alleles corresponded strongly with ER- and TN breast tumours, high homologous recombination deficiency scores and mutational signature 3. Using this approach, the p.Gly264Ser variant, which was previously suspected to be pathogenic based on small case–control analyses and loss of activity in in vitro functional assays, was shown to be benign with similar prevalence in cases and controls and seven out of eight tumours showing no biallelic inactivation or characteristic mutational signature. Conversely, evaluation of case–control findings and tumour sequencing data identified p.Ile144Thr, p.Arg212His, p.Gln143Arg and p.Gly114Arg as variants warranting further investigation.
Irgm1 regulates metabolism and function in T cell subsets
Authors: Alwarawrah Yazan , Danzaki Keiko , Nichols Amanda G. , Fee Brian E. , Bock Cheryl , Kucera Gary , Hale Laura P. , Taylor Gregory A. , MacIver Nancie J.
Published: January 2022

Immunity Related GTPases (IRG) are a family of proteins produced during infection that regulate membrane remodeling events in cells, particularly autophagy and mitophagy. The human IRGM gene has been strongly associated with Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory diseases through Genome-Wide Association studies. Absence of Irgm1 in mice prompts intestinal inflammation, autoimmunity, and impaired immune control of pathogenic bacteria and protozoa. Although prior work has focused on a prominent role for IRGM/Irgm1 in regulating macrophage function, the work described here addresses a potential role of Irgm1 in regulating the function of mature T cells. Irgm1 was found to be highly expressed in T cells in a manner that varied with the particular T cell subset and increased with activation. Mice with a complete lack of Irgm1, or a conditional lack of Irgm1 specifically in T cells, displayed numerous changes in T cell numbers and function in all subsets examined, including CD4+ (Th1 and Treg) and CD8+ T cells. Related to changes in T cell number, apoptosis was found to be increased in Irgm1-deficient CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Altered T cell metabolism appeared to be a key driver of the phenotypes: Glucose metabolism and glycolysis were increased in Irgm1-deficient CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and muting these effects with glycolytic inhibitors partially restored T cell function and viability.
Effect of MBE growth conditions on GaAsBi photoluminescence lineshape and localised state filling
Authors: Bailey N. J. , Rockett T. B. O. , Flores S. , Reyes D. F. , David J. P. R. , Richards R. D.
Published: January 2022

A series of gallium arsenide bismide device layers covering a range of growth conditions are thoroughly probed by low-temperature, power-dependent photoluminescence measurements. The photoluminescence data is modelled using a localised state profile consisting of two Gaussians. Good agreement with the raw data is achieved for all layers whilst fixing the standard deviation values of the two Gaussians and constraining the band gap using X-ray diffraction data. The effects of growth temperature and bismuth beam equivalent pressure on the localised state distributions, and other model variables, are both shown to be linked to emission linewidth and device properties. It is concluded that bismuth rich surface conditions are preferable during growth in order to produce the narrowest emission linewidths with this material. These results also show how the growth mode of a gallium arsenide bismide layer can be inferred ex-situ from low-temperature photoluminescence measurements.
Low-invasive 5D visualization of mitotic progression by two-photon excitation spinning-disk confocal microscopy
Authors: Kamada Takafumi , Otomo Kohei , Murata Takashi , Nakata Kaito , Hiruma Shota , Uehara Ryota , Hasebe Mitsuyasu , Nemoto Tomomi
Published: January 2022

Non-linear microscopy, such as multi-photon excitation microscopy, offers spatial localities of excitations, thereby achieving 3D cross-sectional imaging with low phototoxicity even in thick biological specimens. We had developed a multi-point scanning two-photon excitation microscopy system using a spinning-disk confocal scanning unit. However, its severe color cross-talk has precluded multi-color simultaneous imaging. Therefore, in this study, we introduced a mechanical switching system to select either of two NIR laser light pulses and an image-splitting detection system for 3- or 4-color imaging. As a proof of concept, we performed multi-color fluorescent imaging of actively dividing human HeLa cells and tobacco BY-2 cells. We found that the proposed microscopy system enabled time-lapse multi-color 3D imaging of cell divisions while avoiding photodamage. Moreover, the application of a linear unmixing method to the 5D dataset enabled the precise separation of individual intracellular components in multi-color images. We thus demonstrated the versatility of our new microscopy system in capturing the dynamic processes of cellular components that could have multitudes of application.
AMIGO2 contained in cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles enhances the adhesion of liver endothelial cells to cancer cells
Authors: Izutsu Runa , Osaki Mitsuhiko , Nemoto Hideyuki , Jingu Maho , Sasaki Ryo , Yoshioka Yusuke , Ochiya Takahiro , Okada Futoshi
Published: January 2022

Adhesion of cancer cells to vascular endothelial cells in target organs is an initial step in cancer metastasis. Our previous studies revealed that amphoterin-induced gene and open reading frame 2 (AMIGO2) promotes the adhesion of tumor cells to liver endothelial cells, followed by the formation of liver metastasis in a mouse model. However, the precise mechanism underlying AMIGO2-promoted the adhesion of tumor cells and liver endothelial cells remains unknown. This study was conducted to explore the role of cancer cell-derived AMIGO2-containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the adhesion of cancer cells to human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HHSECs). Western blotting indicated that AMIGO2 was present in EVs from AMIGO2-overexpressing MKN-28 gastric cancer cells. The efficiency of EV incorporation into HHSECs was independent of the AMIGO2 content in EVs. When EV-derived AMIGO2 was internalized in HHSECs, it significantly enhanced the adhesion of HHSECs to gastric (MKN-28 and MKN-74) and colorectal cancer cells (SW480), all of which lacked AMIGO2 expression. Thus, we identified a novel mechanism by which EV-derived AMIGO2 released from AMIGO2-expressing cancer cells stimulates endothelial cell adhesion to different cancer cells for the initiate step of liver metastasis.