bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do increased flow rates in displacement ventilation always lead to better results?
Authors: Yang Rui , Ng Chong Shen , Chong Kai Leong , Verzicco Roberto , Lohse Detlef
Published: December 2021

Indoor ventilation is essential for a healthy and comfortable living environment. A key issue is to discharge anthropogenic air contamination such as CO

$_2$

gas or, of potentially more direct consequence, airborne respiratory droplets. Here, by employing direct numerical simulations, we study mechanical displacement ventilation with a wide range of ventilation rates

$Q$

from 0.01 to 0.1 m

$^3$

s

$^{-1}$

person

$^{-1}$

. For this ventilation scheme, a cool lower zone is established beneath a warm upper zone with interface height

$h$

, which depends on

$Q$

. For weak ventilation, we find the scaling relation

$h\sim Q^{3/5}$

, as suggested by Hunt & Linden (Build. Environ., vol. 34, 1999, pp. 707–720). Also, the CO

$_{2}$

concentration decreases with

$Q$

within this regime. However, for too strong ventilation, the interface height

$h$

becomes insensitive to

$Q$

, and the ambient averaged CO

$_2$

concentration decreases towards the ambient value. At these values of

$Q$

, the concentrations of pollutants are very low and so further dilution has little effect. We suggest that such scenarios arise when the vertical kinetic energy associated with the ventilation flow is significant compared with the potential energy of the thermal stratification.
Non-local dispersion and the reassessment of Richardson's t3-scaling law
Authors: Elsinga G.E. , Ishihara T. , Hunt J.C.R.
Published: December 2021

The Richardson-scaling law states that the mean square separation of a fluid particle pair grows according to t3 within the inertial range and at intermediate times. The theories predicting this scaling regime assume that the pair separation is within the inertial range and that the dispersion is local, which means that only eddies at the scale of the separation contribute. These assumptions ignore the structural organization of the turbulent flow into large-scale shear layers, where the intense small-scale motions are bounded by the large-scale energetic motions. Therefore, the large scales contribute to the velocity difference across the small-scale structures. It is shown that, indeed, the pair dispersion inside these layers is highly non-local and approaches Taylor dispersion in a way that is fundamentally different from the Richardson-scaling law. Also, the layer's contribution to the overall mean square separation remains significant as the Reynolds number increases. This calls into question the validity of the theoretical assumptions. Moreover, a literature survey reveals that, so far, t3 scaling is not observed for initial separations within the inertial range. We propose that the intermediate pair dispersion regime is a transition region that connects the initial Batchelor- with the final Taylor-dispersion regime. Such a simple interpretation is shown to be consistent with observations and is able to explain why t3 scaling is found only for one specific initial separation outside the inertial range. Moreover, the model incorporates the observed non-local contribution to the dispersion, because it requires only small-time-scale properties and large-scale properties.
Laboratory-scale investigation of a periodically forced stratified basin with inclined endwalls
Authors: Marković Sara , Armenio Vincenzo
Published: December 2021

We present results of numerical simulations of a stratified reservoir with a three-layer stratification, subject to an oscillating surface shear stress. We investigate the effect of sloped endwalls on mixing and internal wave adjustment to forcing within the basin, for three different periods of forcing. The simulations are carried out at a laboratory scale, using large-eddy simulation. We solve the three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations under the Boussinesq approximation using a second-order-accurate finite-volume solver. The model was validated by reproducing experimental results for the response of a reservoir to surface shear stress and resonant frequencies of internal waves. We find interesting combinations of wave modes and mixing under variation of the forcing frequencies and of the inclination of the endwalls. When the frequency of the forcing is close to the fundamental mode-one wave frequency, a resonant internal seiche occurs and the response is characterized by the first vertical mode. For forcing periods twice and three times the fundamental period, the dominant response is in terms of the second vertical mode. Adjustment to forcing via the second vertical mode is accompanied by the cancellation of the fundamental wave and energy transfer to higher-frequency waves. The study shows that the slope of the endwalls dramatically affects the location of mixing, which has a feedback on the wave field by promoting the generation of higher vertical modes.
NON-CLASSICAL FOUNDATIONS OF SET THEORY
Authors: TARAFDER SOURAV
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we use algebra-valued models to study cardinal numbers in a class of non-classical set theories. The algebra-valued models of these non-classical set theories validate the Axiom of Choice, if the ground model validates it. Though the models are non-classical, the foundations of cardinal numbers in these models are similar to those in classical set theory. For example, we show that mathematical induction, Cantor’s theorem, and the Schröder–Bernstein theorem hold in these models. We also study a few basic properties of cardinal arithmetic. In addition, the generalized continuum hypothesis is proved to be independent of these non-classical set theories.
Racism and Nationalism
Authors: Rutland Peter
Published: December 2021

This article reviews the current scholarship around racism and nationalism, two of the mostly hotly debated issues in contemporary politics. Both racism and nationalism involve dividing humanity into groups and setting up some groups as innately superior to others. Until recently, racism and nationalism were both widely seen as unpleasant relics of times past, destined to disappear as the principles of equality and human rights become universally embraced. But both concepts have proved their resilience in recent years. Scholars have been devoting new attention to the “racialization” of ethnic and national identities in the former Soviet Union and East Europe, the regions that are the main focus of this journal. The article examines the prevailing approaches to understanding the terms “racism” and “nationalism,” which are distinct but overlapping categories of analysis and vehicles of political mobilization. Developments in genomics have complicated the relationship between perceptions of race as a purely social phenomenon. The essay explores the way racism and nationalism play out in two self-proclaimed “exceptional” political systems – the Soviet Union and the United States – which have played a prominent role in global debates about race and nation. It briefly discusses developments in other regions, such as the debate over multiculturalism in Europe.
Rejoinder: Concluding Remarks on Scholarly Communications
Authors: Katz Jonathan N. , King Gary , Rosenblatt Elizabeth
Published: December 2021

We are grateful to DeFord et al. for the continued attention to our work and the crucial issues of fair representation in democratic electoral systems. Our response (Katz, King, and Rosenblatt Forthcoming) was designed to help readers avoid being misled by mistaken claims in DeFord et al. (Forthcoming-a), and does not address other literature or uses of our prior work. As it happens, none of our corrections were addressed (or contradicted) in the most recent submission (DeFord et al. Forthcoming-b).
Interaction of radio frequency waves with cylindrical density filaments: scattering and radiation pressure
Authors: Valvis Spyridon I. , Ram Abhay K. , Hizanidis Kyriakos
Published: December 2021

The propagation of radio-frequency (RF) waves in tokamaks can be affected by filamentary structures, or blobs, that are present in the edge plasma and the scrape-off layer. The difference in the permittivity between the surrounding plasma and interior of a filament leads to reflection, refraction and diffraction of the waves. This, in turn, can affect the power flow into the core of the plasma and reduce the efficiency of heating and/or current generation. The scattering of RF waves, lower hybrid, helicon and ion cyclotron waves, by a single cylindrical filament, embedded in a background plasma, is studied using a full-wave analytical theory developed previously (Ram & Hizanidis, Phys. Plasmas, vol. 23, 2016, 022504). The theory assumes that the plasma in and around a filament is homogeneous and cold. A detailed scattering analysis reveals a variety of common features that exist among the three distinctly different RF waves. These common attributes can be inferred intuitively based on an examination of the cold plasma dispersion relation. The physical intuition is a useful step to understanding experimental observations on scattering, as well as results from simulations that include general forms of edge plasma turbulence. While a filament can affect the propagation of RF waves, the radiation force exerted by the waves can influence the filament. The force on a filament is determined using the Maxwell stress tensor. In 1905, Poynting was the first to evaluate and measure the radiation force on an interface separating two different dielectric media (Poynting, London Edinburgh Dublin Philos. Mag. J. Sci., vol. 9, 1905, pp. 393–406). For ordinary light propagating in vacuum and incident on a glass surface, Poynting noted that the surface is ‘pulled’ towards the vacuum. In a magnetized cold plasma, there are two independent wave modes. Even if only one of these modes is excited by an RF antenna, a filament will couple power to the other mode: a consequence of electromagnetic boundary conditions. This facet of scattering has consequences on the radiation force that go beyond Poynting's seminal contribution. The direction of the force depends on the polarization of the incident wave and on the mode structure of the waves inside and in the vicinity of a filament. It can either pull the filament toward the RF source or push it away. For slow lower hybrid waves, filaments with densities greater than the ambient density are pulled in, while filaments with lower densities are pushed out, thereby enhancing the density in front of the antenna. In the case of fast helicon and ion cyclotron waves, the direction of the force depends on the plasma and wave parameters; in particular, on the ambient density. The radiation force, in all three frequency ranges, is large enough to affect the motion of a filament and could be measured experimentally. This also suggests the possibility of modifying the edge turbulence using RF waves.
Self-blame in major depression: a randomised pilot trial comparing fMRI neurofeedback with self-guided psychological strategies
Authors: Jaeckle Tanja , Williams Steven C. R. , Barker Gareth J. , Basilio Rodrigo , Carr Ewan , Goldsmith Kimberley , Colasanti Alessandro , Giampietro Vincent , Cleare Anthony , Young Allan H. , Moll Jorge , Zahn Roland
Published: December 2021

Background

Overgeneralised self-blame and worthlessness are key symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) and have previously been associated with self-blame-selective changes in connectivity between right superior anterior temporal lobe (rSATL) and subgenual frontal cortices. Another study showed that remitted MDD patients were able to modulate this neural signature using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback training, thereby increasing their self-esteem. The feasibility and potential of using this approach in symptomatic MDD were unknown.

Method

This single-blind pre-registered randomised controlled pilot trial probed a novel self-guided psychological intervention with and without additional rSATL-posterior subgenual cortex (BA25) fMRI neurofeedback, targeting self-blaming emotions in people with insufficiently recovered MDD and early treatment-resistance (n = 43, n = 35 completers). Participants completed three weekly self-guided sessions to rebalance self-blaming biases.

Results

As predicted, neurofeedback led to a training-induced reduction in rSATL-BA25 connectivity for self-blame v. other-blame. Both interventions were safe and resulted in a 46% reduction on the Beck Depression Inventory-II, our primary outcome, with no group differences. Secondary analyses, however, revealed that patients without DSM-5-defined anxious distress showed a superior response to neurofeedback compared with the psychological intervention, and the opposite pattern in anxious MDD. As predicted, symptom remission was associated with increases in self-esteem and this correlated with the frequency with which participants employed the psychological strategies in daily life.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that self-blame-rebalance neurofeedback may be superior over a solely psychological intervention in non-anxious MDD, although further confirmatory studies are needed. Simple self-guided strategies tackling self-blame were beneficial, but need to be compared against treatment-as-usual in further trials. https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10526888
Language socialization and academic discourse in English as a Foreign Language contexts: A research agenda
Authors: Friedman Debra A.
Published: December 2021

In this paper, I argue for expanding language socialization research on the academic discourse socialization of speakers of English as an additional language to less-commonly researched settings outside of English-dominant countries. Following an overview of some theoretical and methodological issues involved in conducting such research, I lay out a research agenda, focusing on several topics and issues that have the potential to illuminate issues of interest in both language socialization and second language acquisition regarding howcompetenceandcommunityare defined in a globalized, multilingual world. These include: (a) closer investigation of presumed ‘cultural differences’ between ‘Western’ and ‘Asian’ academic discourse practices, (b) the effect of social categories such as ethnicity and ‘nonnative speaker’ status on the construction of ‘expert’ and ‘novice’ identities in these settings, (c) the role of socializing agents outside of the classroom, and (d) the extent to which students in these settings are being socialized into practices and ideologies that promote multicompetence.
Follicular development, morphological integrity, and oxidative stress in bovine preantral follicles cultured in vitro with ascorbic acid
Authors: Bergamo Larissa Zamparone , Bonato Denis Vinicius , Bizarro-Silva Camila , Bonato Francieli Gesleine Capote , Sanches Tamires Korchovei , Cerezetti Marcela Bortoletto , Rossaneis Ana Carolina , Verri Waldiceu A. , Morotti Fábio , Seneda Marcelo Marcondes
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the follicular development, morphological integrity, and oxidative stress of preantral ovarian follicles from Bos taurus indicus females grown in vitro with ascorbic acid. Ovaries (n = 20) from Bos taurus indicus females were collected, fragmented, and were cultured in vitro for 6 or 12 days in minimum essential medium (MEM), or MEM supplemented with 50 or 100 ng/ml ascorbic acid, with an extracellular matrix of agarose gel, in an incubator at 38.5°C; every 2 days, 100% of the culture medium was replaced. The data were analyzed using the chi-squared test and/or Fisher’s exact test. In the event of a significant effect, the proportions were compared using a 2 × 2 proportion test. The oxidative stress analysis data were submitted to analysis of variance followed by the Bonferroni test. Values were considered significant when P ≤ 0.05. The addition of 100 ng/ml of ascorbic acid to the in vitro culture medium of preantral ovarian follicles from bovine females promoted follicular development, was efficient in maintaining morphological integrity, as well as the stability of reactive oxygen species, after 6 days of in vitro culture.
A transdiagnostic model of low self-esteem: pathway analysis in a heterogeneous clinical sample
Authors: Kresznerits Szilvia , Rózsa Sándor , Perczel-Forintos Dóra
Published: December 2021

Background:

Low self-esteem (LSE) has been associated with several psychiatric disorders, and is presumably influenced by transdiagnostic factors. Our study was based both on investigations of the relationship between depression and LSE (vulnerability, scar, reciprocal models) and on theories of cognitive factors contributing to the development and maintenance of LSE, such as Melanie Fennell’s model, the catalyst model and the Self-Regulatory Executive Function model.

Aims:

Based on the theories above, in our cross-sectional study we aimed at understanding more specifically the transdiagnostic factors that can maintain LSE in a heterogeneous clinical sample.

Method:

Six hundred and eleven out-patients were assessed by SCID-I and self-report questionnaires. The model was tested by structural equation modelling.

Results:

Based on the fit indices, the hypothesis model did not fit the data; therefore, a modified transdiagnostic model was emerged. This model made a good fit to the data [χ2 (12, n=611)=76.471, p<.001; RMSEA=.080, CFI=.950, TLI=.913] with a strong explanatory power (adj R2=.636). Severe stressful life events and depressive symptoms lead to LSE indirectly. Self-blame, perfectionism, seeking love and hopelessness have been identified as mediating factors in the relationship between depressive symptoms and LSE. Although there was a significant correlation between state-anxiety and LSE, as well as LSE and rumination, these two factors did not fit into the model.

Conclusions:

The new transdiagnostic model of LSE has great potential in the treatment of various mental conditions and may serve as a guide to developing more focused and more effective therapeutic interventions.
Solidarity in diversity: online petitions and collective identity in Hong Kong's Anti-Extradition Bill Movement
Authors: Yuen Samson , Tong Kin-long
Published: December 2021

Collective identity is a key catalyst of protest mobilization. How does collective identity come into existence among strangers with diverse backgrounds, especially in movements without a centralized leadership? Although collective identity is often seen as something constructed by movement organizations or out of established networks, we describe a more bottom-up and decentralized process in which movement collective identity is created through the horizontal mobilization of intermediate identities, which leverage pre-existing social identifications to induce commitment among individuals. Focusing on Hong Kong's Anti-Extradition Bill Movement of 2019, we argue that online petitions against the controversial bill created intermediate group identities among myriad social groups, such as alumni, professions, hobby groups, and residential communities. These intermediate identities provided rich discursive resources for previously disconnected individuals to collectively perceive the threat of the bill and see the obligation to act, which, in turn, shaped a strong collective identity early on in the protests. Our findings may help contribute to a more nuanced understanding of collective identity formation in contemporary leaderless movements.
Experience, Knowledge, and Political Representation
Authors: Allen Peter
Published: December 2021

Evidence suggests that increasing the descriptive representation of groups improves their substantive representation. What underpins this link? Many scholars writing on the subject stop short of arguing explicitly that it is “shared experience” within groups. I argue that we should embrace the potential conceptual and empirical benefits of framing representation through experience. To do this, we should think of experience specifically in terms of the epistemic content and capacities gained through subjective experience, which can allow individuals to think about the world in distinct ways. I reframe the idea that experiences might be shared within groups and ameliorate concerns that the concept is essentialist, drawing out the political relevance of my argument. This has the strategic implication that we should be unafraid to argue in favor of political presence on the basis of (shared) experience and the empirical implication that future research should consider subjective experience more closely.
CONCILIATORY REASONING, SELF-DEFEAT, AND ABSTRACT ARGUMENTATION
Authors: KNOKS ALEKS
Published: December 2021

According to conciliatory views on the significance of disagreement, it’s rational for you to become less confident in your take on an issue in case your epistemic peer’s take on it is different. These views are intuitively appealing, but they also face a powerful objection: in scenarios that involve disagreements over their own correctness, conciliatory views appear to self-defeat and, thereby, issue inconsistent recommendations. This paper provides a response to this objection. Drawing on the work from defeasible logics paradigm and abstract argumentation, it develops a formal model of conciliatory reasoning and explores its behavior in the troubling scenarios. The model suggests that the recommendations that conciliatory views issue in such scenarios are perfectly reasonable—even if outwardly they may look odd.
Erfahrungen im Umgang mit Schlafmitteln: Gruppendiskussionen mit Auszubildenden in der Pflege über Benzodiazepine und Z-Substanzen
Authors: Heinemann Stephanie , Kasper-Deußen Anne-Kathrin , Weiß Vivien , Marx Gabriella , Himmel Wolfgang
Published: December 2021

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund und Zielsetzung: Die Linderung von Ein- und Durchschlafproblemen ist eine häufige Herausforderung im Krankenhaus. Ziel dieser Studie war es herauszuarbeiten, wie Auszubildende in der Gesundheits- und Krankenpflege Schlafprobleme von Patientinnen und Patienten und den Einsatz von Schlafmitteln, insbesondere von Benzodiazepinen und Z-Substanzen, erleben. Methoden: In vier Gruppendiskussionen wurden die Erfahrungen von Auszubildenden erhoben. Die Transkripte der Diskussionen wurden mittels dokumentarischer Methode ausgewertet und nach abschließender inhaltsanalytischer Verdichtung zu Hauptkategorien zusammengefasst. Ergebnisse: Die Auszubildenden erleben eine großzügige Gabe von Schlafmitteln, die – trotz geringer Evidenz – seitens der Pflege als bestmögliche Lösung von Schlafproblemen angesehen wird. Nicht-medikamentöse Alternativen werden selten gelehrt, sind oft nicht vorrätig und ihr Einsatz wird kaum trainiert. Das pharmakologische Wissen der Auszubildenden ist teilweise gering bzw. gelingt die Umsetzung in die Praxis nur bedingt. Schlaf und Schlafprobleme sind, z. B. im Vergleich zur Schmerzbehandlung, keine prioritären Themen im Krankenhaus. Schlussfolgerungen: Mehr Wissen und größere Sensibilität gegenüber Schlafproblemen sind erforderlich. Beispielhaft sollte in der Ausbildung gezeigt werden, wie das Wissen über Medikamente und Alternativen sinnvoll in Problemsituationen angewandt werden können – hier sind gute Vorbilder auf ärztlicher und / oder pflegerischer Seite gefragt.
Non‐Singular Calculation of Geomagnetic Vectors and Geomagnetic Gradient Tensors
Authors: Liu Xiaogang , Xu Tianhe , Sun Bijiao , Li Xinxing , Wang Yunpeng , Guan Bin
Published: December 2021

Some spherical harmonic expressions of gravitational and geomagnetic field elements will become infinite when computation point approaches polar regions, as the sine function of the geocentric co‐latitude contained in the denominator tends to be zero. Currently, this singularity problem has been solved for gravitational field case, however, it remains unsolved for geomagnetic vectors (GVs) and geomagnetic gradient tensors (GGTs). Because the latter use Schmidt semi‐normalized associated Legendre function (SNALF), which is different from fully‐normalized associated Legendre function used in the former. To overcome this singularity problem, we derive new non‐singular expressions of the first‐ and second‐order derivatives of Schmidt SNALF (order m equals to 0 or 1), and the corresponding two kinds of spherical harmonic polynomials. When the non‐singular expressions are applied to the traditional formulae of GVs and GGTs, more practical expressions of GVs and GGTs with non‐singularity are formulated by refining the cases that the order m equals to 0, 1, 2 and other values. Furthermore, to provide flexible calculation strategies for Schmidt SNALF, we derive four kinds of recursive formulae, including the standard forward row recursion, the standard forward column recursion, the cross degree and order recursion, and the Belikov recursion. The standard formula to check the calculation accuracy of various recursive formulae of SNALF are also given. Besides, we demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the new derived non‐singular expressions of GVs and GGTs and analyze the computation speed and stability of the four recursive formulae by extensive numerical experiments.
Trends and Rhythms in Climate Change During the Early Permian Icehouse
Authors: Fang Qiang , Wu Huaichun , Shen Shu‐zhong , Zhang Shihong , Yang Tianshui , Wang Xiangdong , Chen Jun
Published: December 2021

Late Paleozoic deglaciation is the first icehouse‐to‐greenhouse transition in a world with expansive tropical forests, but the detailed process of this climatic upheaval is still debated due to lack of high‐precision global correlation. Here, based on the cyclostratigraphic analysis of a deep‐marine succession of Naqing in South China, chronostratigraphic correlation was achieved between Paleo‐Tethyan deep‐marine carbonate cyclicity and U‐Pb zircon age‐calibrated cyclothems from the Pangaean paleotropics. Refining the global chronostratigraphy indicates ages of 294.1 ± 0.2 Ma and 290.1 ± 0.2 Ma for the base of the Sakmarian and Artinskian stages, respectively. We juxtapose the climatic proxies and indicators across blocks and latitudes to decipher the trends and rhythms in climate change during a period from the apex of the Late Paleozoic ice age (LPIA) to the initial deglaciation. On the multiple‐million‐year time scale, the polar and equatorial climates were linked through the atmospheric pCO2 control. A rise in pCO2 promoted Gondwanan deglaciation and tropical aridification. The disparity in the inferred polarity of tropical climate changes during glacials and interglacials has been confirmed on the million‐year time scale. The meridional flux of moisture was enhanced during the minima of the ∼1.2 Myr obliquity cycle, periodically resulting in Gondwanan glaciation, glacio‐eustatic sea‐level lowerings, and reduced moisture availability in the tropical Pangaean and Paleo‐Tethyan regions. Our study provides an improved temporal resolution and understanding of the apex of the LPIA.
LncRNA HSPA7 in human atherosclerotic plaques sponges miR-223 and promotes the proinflammatory vascular smooth muscle cell transition
Authors: Ann Soo-jin , Bang Hyoeun , Lee Chan Joo , Oh Jaewon , Park Sungha , Kang Seok-Min , Choi Jung Kyoon , Lee Sang-Hak
Published: December 2021

Although there are many genetic loci in noncoding regions associated with vascular disease, studies on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) discovered from human plaques that affect atherosclerosis have been highly limited. We aimed to identify and functionally validate a lncRNA using human atherosclerotic plaques. Human aortic samples were obtained from patients who underwent aortic surgery, and tissues were classified according to atherosclerotic plaques. RNA was extracted and analyzed for differentially expressed lncRNAs in plaques. Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) to evaluate the effect of the identified lncRNA on the inflammatory transition of the cells. Among 380 RNAs differentially expressed between the plaque and control tissues, lncRNA HSPA7 was selected and confirmed to show upregulated expression upon oxLDL treatment. HSPA7 knockdown inhibited the migration of HASMCs and the secretion and expression of IL-1β and IL-6; however, HSPA7 knockdown recovered the oxLDL-induced reduction in the expression of contractile markers. Although miR-223 inhibition promoted the activity of Nf-κB and the secretion of inflammatory proteins such as IL-1β and IL-6, HSPA7 knockdown diminished these effects. The effects of miR-223 inhibition and HSPA7 knockdown were also found in THP-1 cell-derived macrophages. The impact of HSPA7 on miR-223 was mediated in an AGO2-dependent manner. HSPA7 is differentially increased in human atheroma and promotes the inflammatory transition of vascular smooth muscle cells by sponging miR-223. For the first time, this study elucidated the molecular mechanism of action of HSPA7, a lncRNA of previously unknown function, in humans.
The impact of obesity and bariatric surgery on the immune microenvironment of the endometrium
Authors: Naqvi Anie , MacKintosh Michelle L. , Derbyshire Abigail E. , Tsakiroglou Anna-Maria , Walker Thomas D. J. , McVey Rhona J. , Bolton James , Fergie Martin , Bagley Steven , Ashton Garry , Pemberton Philip W. , Syed Akheel A. , Ammori Basil J. , Byers Richard , Crosbie Emma J.
Published: December 2021

Background

The incidence of endometrial cancer is rising in parallel with the obesity epidemic. Obesity increases endometrial cancer risk and weight loss is protective, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. We hypothesise that the immune microenvironment may influence susceptibility to malignant transformation in the endometrium. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of obesity and weight loss on the immunological landscape of the endometrium.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of women with class III obesity (body mass index, BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) undergoing bariatric surgery or medically-supervised low-calorie diet. We collected blood and endometrial samples at baseline, and two and 12 months after weight loss intervention. Serum was analysed for inflammatory markers CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α. Multiplex immunofluorescence was used to simultaneously identify cells positive for immune markers CD68, CD56, CD3, CD8, FOXP3 and PD-1 in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded endometrial tissue sections. Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to determine whether changes in inflammatory and immune biomarkers were associated with weight loss.

Results

Forty-three women with matched serum and tissue samples at all three time points were included in the analysis. Their median age and BMI were 44 years and 52 kg/m2, respectively. Weight loss at 12 months was greater in women who received bariatric surgery (n = 37, median 63.3 kg) than low-calorie diet (n = 6, median 12.8 kg). There were significant reductions in serum CRP (p = 3.62 × 10−6, r = 0.570) and IL-6 (p = 0.0003, r = 0.459), but not TNF-α levels, with weight loss. Tissue immune cell densities were unchanged except for CD8+ cells, which increased significantly with weight loss (p = 0.0097, r = −0.323). Tissue CD3+ cell density correlated negatively with systemic IL-6 levels (p = 0.0376; r = −0.318).

Conclusion

Weight loss is associated with reduced systemic inflammation and a recruitment of protective immune cell types to the endometrium, supporting the concept that immune surveillance may play a role in endometrial cancer prevention.
In vitro interaction network of a synthetic gut bacterial community
Authors: Weiss Anna S , Burrichter Anna G , Durai Raj Abilash Chakravarthy , von Strempel Alexandra , Meng Chen , Kleigrewe Karin , Münch Philipp C , Rössler Luis , Huber Claudia , Eisenreich Wolfgang , Jochum Lara M , Göing Stephanie , Jung Kirsten , Lincetto Chiara , Hübner Johannes , Marinos Georgios , Zimmermann Johannes , Kaleta Christoph , Sanchez Alvaro , Stecher Bärbel
Published: December 2021

A key challenge in microbiome research is to predict the functionality of microbial communities based on community membership and (meta)-genomic data. As central microbiota functions are determined by bacterial community networks, it is important to gain insight into the principles that govern bacteria-bacteria interactions. Here, we focused on the growth and metabolic interactions of the Oligo-Mouse-Microbiota (OMM12) synthetic bacterial community, which is increasingly used as a model system in gut microbiome research. Using a bottom-up approach, we uncovered the directionality of strain-strain interactions in mono- and pairwise co-culture experiments as well as in community batch culture. Metabolic network reconstruction in combination with metabolomics analysis of bacterial culture supernatants provided insights into the metabolic potential and activity of the individual community members. Thereby, we could show that the OMM12 interaction network is shaped by both exploitative and interference competition in vitro in nutrient-rich culture media and demonstrate how community structure can be shifted by changing the nutritional environment. In particular, Enterococcus faecalis KB1 was identified as an important driver of community composition by affecting the abundance of several other consortium members in vitro. As a result, this study gives fundamental insight into key drivers and mechanistic basis of the OMM12 interaction network in vitro, which serves as a knowledge base for future mechanistic in vivo studies.
Dietary excess regulates absorption and surface of gut epithelium through intestinal PPARα
Authors: Stojanović Ozren , Altirriba Jordi , Rigo Dorothée , Spiljar Martina , Evrard Emilien , Roska Benedek , Fabbiano Salvatore , Zamboni Nicola , Maechler Pierre , Rohner-Jeanrenaud Françoise , Trajkovski Mirko
Published: December 2021

Intestinal surface changes in size and function, but what propels these alterations and what are their metabolic consequences is unknown. Here we report that the food amount is a positive determinant of the gut surface area contributing to an increased absorptive function, reversible by reducing daily food. While several upregulated intestinal energetic pathways are dispensable, the intestinal PPARα is instead necessary for the genetic and environment overeating–induced increase of the gut absorptive capacity. In presence of dietary lipids, intestinal PPARα knock-out or its pharmacological antagonism suppress intestinal crypt expansion and shorten villi in mice and in human intestinal biopsies, diminishing the postprandial triglyceride transport and nutrient uptake. Intestinal PPARα ablation limits systemic lipid absorption and restricts lipid droplet expansion and PLIN2 levels, critical for droplet formation. This improves the lipid metabolism, and reduces body adiposity and liver steatosis, suggesting an alternative target for treating obesity.
Atlas of RNA editing events affecting protein expression in aged and Alzheimer’s disease human brain tissue
Authors: Ma Yiyi , Dammer Eric B. , Felsky Daniel , Duong Duc M. , Klein Hans-Ulrich , White Charles C. , Zhou Maotian , Logsdon Benjamin A. , McCabe Cristin , Xu Jishu , Wang Minghui , Wingo Thomas S. , Lah James J. , Zhang Bin , Schneider Julie , Allen Mariet , Wang Xue , Ertekin-Taner Nilüfer , Seyfried Nicholas T. , Levey Allan I. , Bennett David A. , De Jager Philip L.
Published: December 2021

RNA editing is a feature of RNA maturation resulting in the formation of transcripts whose sequence differs from the genome template. Brain RNA editing may be altered in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we analyzed data from 1,865 brain samples covering 9 brain regions from 1,074 unrelated subjects on a transcriptome-wide scale to identify inter-regional differences in RNA editing. We expand the list of known brain editing events by identifying 58,761 previously unreported events. We note that only a small proportion of these editing events are found at the protein level in our proteome-wide validation effort. We also identified the occurrence of editing events associated with AD dementia, neuropathological measures and longitudinal cognitive decline in: SYT11, MCUR1, SOD2, ORAI2, HSDL2, PFKP, and GPRC5B. Thus, we present an extended reference set of brain RNA editing events, identify a subset that are found to be expressed at the protein level, and extend the narrative of transcriptomic perturbation in AD to RNA editing.
Hydroxylamine-mediated C–C amination via an aza-hock rearrangement
Authors: Wang Tao , Stein Philipp M. , Shi Hongwei , Hu Chao , Rudolph Matthias , Hashmi A. Stephen K.
Published: December 2021

Despite the widespread use of anilines, synthetic challenges to these targets still exist. Selectivity is often an issue, when using the traditional nitration-reduction sequence or more modern approaches, including arene C–H aminations catalyzed by transition metals, photosensitizers, or electrodes. Accordingly, there is still a need for general methods to rapidly, directly access specific isomers of substituted anilines. Here, we report a simple route towards the synthesis of such motifs starting from benzyl alcohols, which are converted to anilines by the use of arylsulfonyl hydroxylamines, via an aza-Hock rearrangement. Good to excellent yields are observed. The method is applicable to various benzyl alcohol surrogates (such as ethers, esters, and halides) as well as simple alkylarenes. Functionalizations of pharmaceutically relevant structures are feasible under the reaction conditions. Over ten amination reagents can be used, which facilitates the rapid assembly of a vast set of compounds.
Repression of germline genes by PRC1.6 and SETDB1 in the early embryo precedes DNA methylation-mediated silencing
Authors: Mochizuki Kentaro , Sharif Jafar , Shirane Kenjiro , Uranishi Kousuke , Bogutz Aaron B. , Janssen Sanne M. , Suzuki Ayumu , Okuda Akihiko , Koseki Haruhiko , Lorincz Matthew C.
Published: December 2021

Silencing of a subset of germline genes is dependent upon DNA methylation (DNAme) post-implantation. However, these genes are generally hypomethylated in the blastocyst, implicating alternative repressive pathways before implantation. Indeed, in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), an overlapping set of genes, including germline “genome-defence” (GGD) genes, are upregulated following deletion of the H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 or subunits of the non-canonical PRC1 complex PRC1.6. Here, we show that in pre-implantation embryos and naïve ESCs (nESCs), hypomethylated promoters of germline genes bound by the PRC1.6 DNA-binding subunits MGA/MAX/E2F6 are enriched for RING1B-dependent H2AK119ub1 and H3K9me3. Accordingly, repression of these genes in nESCs shows a greater dependence on PRC1.6 than DNAme. In contrast, GGD genes are hypermethylated in epiblast-like cells (EpiLCs) and their silencing is dependent upon SETDB1, PRC1.6/RING1B and DNAme, with H3K9me3 and DNAme establishment dependent upon MGA binding. Thus, GGD genes are initially repressed by PRC1.6, with DNAme subsequently engaged in post-implantation embryos.
Atlantic tropical cyclones downscaled from climate reanalyses show increasing activity over past 150 years
Authors: Emanuel Kerry
Published: December 2021

Historical records of Atlantic hurricane activity, extending back to 1851, show increasing activity over time, but much or all of this trend has been attributed to lack of observations in the early portion of the record. Here we use a tropical cyclone downscaling model driven by three global climate analyses that are based mostly on sea surface temperature and surface pressure data. The results support earlier statistically-based inferences that storms were undercounted in the 19th century, but in contrast to earlier work, show increasing tropical cyclone activity through the period, interrupted by a prominent hurricane drought in the 1970s and 80 s that we attribute to anthropogenic aerosols. In agreement with earlier work, we show that most of the variability of North Atlantic tropical cyclone activity over the last century was directly related to regional rather than global climate change. Most metrics of tropical cyclones downscaled over all the tropics show weak and/or insignificant trends over the last century, illustrating the special nature of North Atlantic tropical cyclone climatology.
Carbon tax acceptability with information provision and mixed revenue uses
Authors: Maestre-Andrés Sara , Drews Stefan , Savin Ivan , van den Bergh Jeroen
Published: December 2021

Public acceptability of carbon taxation depends on its revenue use. Which single or mixed revenue use is most appropriate, and which perceptions of policy effectiveness and fairness explain this, remains unclear. It is, moreover, uncertain how people’s prior knowledge about carbon taxation affects policy acceptability. Here we conduct a survey experiment to test how distinct revenue uses, prior knowledge, and information provision about the functioning of carbon taxation affect policy perceptions and acceptability. We show that spending revenues on climate projects maximises acceptability as well as perceived fairness and effectiveness. A mix of different revenue uses is also popular, notably compensating low-income households and funding climate projects. In addition, we find that providing information about carbon taxation increases acceptability for unspecified revenue use and for people with more prior tax knowledge. Furthermore, policy acceptability is more strongly related to perceived fairness than to perceived effectiveness.
Directed-evolution of translation system for efficient unnatural amino acids incorporation and generalizable synthetic auxotroph construction
Authors: Zhao Hongxia , Ding Wenlong , Zang Jia , Yang Yang , Liu Chao , Hu Linzhen , Chen Yulin , Liu Guanglong , Fang Yu , Yuan Ying , Lin Shixian
Published: December 2021

Site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids (UAAs) with similar incorporation efficiency to that of natural amino acids (NAAs) and low background activity is extremely valuable for efficient synthesis of proteins with diverse new chemical functions and design of various synthetic auxotrophs. However, such efficient translation systems remain largely unknown in the literature. Here, we describe engineered chimeric phenylalanine systems that dramatically increase the yield of proteins bearing UAAs, through systematic engineering of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and its respective cognate tRNA. These engineered synthetase/tRNA pairs allow single-site and multi-site incorporation of UAAs with efficiencies similar to those of NAAs and high fidelity. In addition, using the evolved chimeric phenylalanine system, we construct a series of E. coli strains whose growth is strictly dependent on exogenously supplied of UAAs. We further show that synthetic auxotrophic cells can grow robustly in living mice when UAAs are supplemented.
Valuing burden of premature mortality attributable to air pollution in major million-plus non-attainment cities of India
Authors: Nair Moorthy , Bherwani Hemant , Mirza Shahid , Anjum Saima , Kumar Rakesh
Published: December 2021

Accelerating growth due to industrialization and urbanization has improved the Indian economy but simultaneously has deteriorated human health, environment, and ecosystem. In the present study, the associated health risk mortality (age > 25) and welfare loss for the year 2017 due to excess PM2.5concentration in ambient air for 31 major million-plus non-attainment cities (NACs) in India is assessed. The cities for the assessment are prioritised based on population and are classified as ‘X’ (> 5 million population) and ‘Y’ (1–5 million population) class cities. Ground-level PM2.5concentration retrieved from air quality monitoring stations for the NACs ranged from 33 to 194 µg/m3. Total PM2.5attributable premature mortality cases estimated using global exposure mortality model was 80,447 [95% CI 70,094–89,581]. Ischemic health disease was the leading cause of death accounting for 47% of total mortality, followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD-17%), stroke (14.7%), lower respiratory infection (LRI-9.9%) and lung cancer (LC-1.9%). 9.3% of total mortality is due to other non-communicable diseases (NCD-others). 7.3–18.4% of total premature mortality for the NACs is attributed to excess PM2.5exposure. The total economic loss of 90,185.6 [95% CI 88,016.4–92,411] million US$ (as of 2017) was assessed due to PM2.5mortality using the value of statistical life approach. The highest mortality (economic burden) share of 61.3% (72.7%) and 30.1% (42.7%) was reported for ‘X’ class cities and North India zone respectively. Compared to the base year 2017, an improvement of 1.01% and 0.7% is observed in premature mortality and economic loss respectively for the year 2024 as a result of policy intervention through National Clean Air Action Programme. The improvement among 31 NACs was found inconsistent, which may be due to a uniform targeted policy, which neglects other socio-economic factors such as population, the standard of living, etc. The study highlights the need for these parameters to be incorporated in the action plans to bring in a tailored solution for each NACs for better applicability and improved results of the programme facilitating solutions for the complex problem of air pollution in India.
Trends in lung cancer incidence by age, sex and histology from 2012 to 2025 in Catalonia (Spain)
Authors: Guarga Laura , Ameijide Alberto , Marcos-Gragera Rafael , Carulla Marià , Delgadillo Joaquim , Borràs Josep Maria , Galceran Jaume
Published: December 2021

Lung cancer remains one the most common cancers in Europe and ranks first in terms of cancer mortality in both sexes. Incidence rates vary by region and depend above all on the prevalence of tobacco consumption. In this study we describe recent trends in lung cancer incidence by sex, age and histological type in Catalonia and project changes according to histology by 2025. Bayesian age-period-cohort models were used to predict trends in lung cancer incidence according to histological type from 2012 to 2025, using data from the population-based Catalan cancer registries. Data suggest a decrease in the absolute number of new cases in men under the age of 70 years and an increase in women aged 60 years or older. Adenocarcinoma was the most common type in both sexes, while squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma were decreasing significantly among men. In both sexes, the incident cases increased by 16% for patients over 70 years. Increases in adenocarcinoma and rising incidence in elderly patients suggest the need to prioritize strategies based on multidisciplinary teams, which should include geriatric specialists.
Sex influences the brain functional connectivity correlates of originality
Authors: Silberstein Richard B. , Camfield David A.
Published: December 2021

Creative cognition is thought to involve two processes, the creation of new ideas and the selection and retention of suitable new ideas. Neuroimaging studies suggest that the Default Mode Network contributes to the creation of new ideas while left inferior frontal and parieto-temporal cortical networks mediate the selection/retention process. Higher levels of activity in the selection/retention have been shown to be associated with stricter criteria for selection and hence the expression of fewer novel ideas. In this study, we examined the brain functional connectivity correlates of an originality score while 27 males and 27 females performed a low and a high demand visual vigilance task. Brain functional connectivity was estimated from the steady state visual evoked potential event related partial coherence. In the male group, we observed a hypothesized left frontal functional connectivity that was negatively correlated with originality in both tasks. By contrast, in the female group no significant correlation between functional connectivity and originality was observed in either task. We interpret the findings to suggest that males and females engaged different functional networks when performing the vigilance tasks. We conclude with a consideration of the possible risks when data pooling across sex in studies of higher cortical function.