bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing green process innovation through network action learning
Authors: Wu Szu‐Hsin , Coughlan Paul , Coghlan David , McNabola Aonghus , Novara Daniele
Published: February 2022

Green process innovation is itself a complex process and beneficially involves inter‐organizational collaboration across disciplinary, industry and university‐industry boundaries with many opportunities for network action learning. We investigate how green process innovation yields actionable knowledge when co‐directed, co‐developed and co‐deployed in a network of organizations. We undertook two case studies focused on innovation at the water‐energy nexus. With the use of action learning research, we describe and reflect on the actions undertaken by the network to co‐generate learning from green process innovation. We demonstrate how this inter‐organizational learning is grounded in shared experiences, subjected to critical questioning and supported by (and generating) actionable knowledge. Our paper links the green process innovation process with technical and collaborative learning outcomes, achieved through network action learning. Of managerial relevance are two forms of actionable knowledge: that towards solving engineering puzzles and that addressing the problem of collaboration and learning in networks.
The German Logic of Emancipation and Biesta's Criticism of Emancipatory Pedagogy
Authors: Moilanen Antti , Huttunen Rauno
Published: February 2022

Gert Biesta has criticized Anglo‐American and German models of emancipatory education. According to Biesta, emancipation is understood in these models as liberation that results from a process in which a teacher transmits objective knowledge to his or her students and cultivates student capabilities. He claims that this so‐called modern logic of emancipation does not lead to freedom because it installs inequality, dependency, and mistrust in the pedagogical relationship. In this article, Antti Moilanen and Rauno Huttunen analyze whether German models of emancipatory education share the modern logic of emancipation and if they can escape Biesta's criticisms. For this purpose, they interpret Biesta's critique of the modern logic of emancipation and explicate central ideas related to the German models of critical education. They also compare the modern logic of emancipation to the German one, and they then assess German models of emancipatory pedagogy from the viewpoint of Biesta's criticisms. Moilanen and Huttunen conclude that the German models of emancipatory education present at least a partial alternative to the modern logic of emancipation. Despite this, the German models are based on the idea of education as cultivation. Because Biesta criticizes the theory of education as cultivation, it is possible to conclude that he would not accept the German models of emancipatory education. However, the German models of critical pedagogy provide answers to the following question: how can students achieve independence in the pedagogical relationship? When students take part in designing educational processes, they are summoned to assess the validity of the taught knowledge, and they practice independent decision‐making at school; the pedagogical relationship, based on authority, can foster student self‐determination.
Stigma, sustainability, and capitals: A case study on the menstrual cup
Authors: Owen Lara
Published: February 2022

This paper develops theory on stigma, capitals, and the female reproductive body, explored through analysis of empirical research on the uptake of menstrual cups, a reusable menstrual technology. Conventional menstrual products are single‐use disposables increasingly made of plastic and often disposed of by flushing, adding a significant load to marine pollution. Uptake of reusable products such as cloth pads, period underwear, and menstrual cups is increasing, but so far little is known about the effects of using such products on menstruators and on menstrual organization more broadly. My empirical research studied menstrual cup use in a small cohort of undergraduates in Melbourne, using a dual diary and interview technique. “Sustainability” as a key value was primary in participants' desire to try the cup, which most then found to be more convenient than other methods. These factors contributed to increased cultural capital surrounding menstruation, to the point where the cup and its use were described as “cool”. This new status facilitated articulation of menstrual experience with partners, peers, and families, rendering users greater agency and community in what has normatively been constructed as a solitary, silenced experience. Using the cup detached users from the menstrual disposability market economy, and therefore to some extent from its stigmatizing narrative and symbolic violence. Yet the cup had a significant paradoxical effect, in that users were able to “forget” they were menstruating during the day and in organizational settings, while encountering menstrual blood more intensely when they got home, differently enclosing the female reproductive body.
Macrophage metabolism in the intestine is compartment specific and regulated by the microbiota
Authors: Scott Nicholas A. , Lawson Melissa A. E. , Hodgetts Ryan James , Le Gall Gwénaëlle , Hall Lindsay J. , Mann Elizabeth R.
Published: February 2022

Intestinal macrophages play a vital role in the maintenance of gut homeostasis through signals derived from the microbiota. We previously demonstrated that microbial‐derived metabolites can shape the metabolic functions of macrophages. Here, we show that antibiotic‐induced disruption of the intestinal microbiota dramatically alters both the local metabolite environment and the metabolic functions of macrophages in the colon. Broad‐spectrum antibiotic administration in mice increased the expression of the large neutral amino acid transporter LAT1 and accordingly, amino acid uptake. Subsequently, antibiotic administration enhanced the metabolic functions of colonic macrophages, increasing phosphorylation of components of mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin signalling pathways, with increased expression of genes involved in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), increased mitochondrial function, increased rate of extracellular acidification (ECAR; measure of glycolysis) and increased rate of oxygen consumption (OCR; measure of OXPHOS). Small bowel macrophages were less metabolically active than their colonic counterparts, with macrophage metabolism in the small intestine being independent of the microbiota. Finally, we reveal tissue‐resident Tim4+ CD4+ macrophages exhibit enhanced fatty acid uptake alongside reduced fatty acid synthesis compared to recruited macrophages. Thus, the microbiota shapes gut macrophage metabolism in a compartment‐specific manner, with important implications for monocyte recruitment and macrophage differentiation.
Investigating information and communication technology‐enabled national development as a multi‐level social process
Authors: Ramadani Luthfi , Breidbach Christoph F. , Kurnia Sherah
Published: February 2022

Are centralised or decentralised strategies more suitable to address a developing nation's socio‐economic challenges through information and communication technology (ICT)? We respond to this long‐standing question by conceptualising ICT‐enabled national development as a multi‐level social process and by drawing on empirical findings from a natural experiment set in the context of health information system projects in Indonesia. Our study demonstrates that successful ICT‐enabled national development is not contingent on pursuing one strategy or the other but on how micro‐level actors interpret, and subsequently respond to, these strategies and the local changes they trigger. Our findings indicate that centralisation and decentralisation are complementary rather than competing strategies to ICT‐enabled national development because, if integrated into a hybrid strategy, decentralisation enables local communities to achieve national development outcomes commonly attributed to centralisation. As such, our work provides empirical evidence, explanations and new theoretical insight into the wider ‘centralisation versus decentralisation’ debate, while also outlining avenues for future research and guidelines for policymakers.
Random regression test‐day models to describe milk production and fatty acid traits in first lactation Walloon Holstein cows
Authors: Paiva José Teodoro , Mota Rodrigo Reis , Lopes Paulo Sávio , Hammami Hedi , Vanderick Sylvie , Oliveira Hinayah Rojas , Veroneze Renata , Fonseca e Silva Fabyano , Gengler Nicolas
Published: February 2022

We investigated the use of different Legendre polynomial orders to estimate genetic parameters for milk production and fatty acid (FA) traits in the first lactation Walloon Holstein cows. The data set comprised 302,684 test‐day records of milk yield, fat and protein contents, and FAs generated by mid‐infrared (MIR) spectroscopy, C16:0 (palmitic acid), C18:1 cis‐9 (oleic acid), LCFAs (long‐chain FAs), SFAs (saturated FAs) and UFAs (unsaturated FAs) were studied. The models included random regression coefficients for herd‐year of calving (h), additive genetic (a) and permanent environment (p) effects. The selection of the best random regression model (RRM) was based on the deviance information criterion (DIC), and genetic parameters were estimated via a Bayesian approach. For all analysed random effects, DIC values decreased as the order of the Legendre polynomials increased. Best‐fit models had fifth‐order (degree 4) for the p effect and ranged from second‐ to fifth‐order (degree 1–4) for the a and h effects (LEGhap: LEG555 for milk yield and protein content; LEG335 for fat content and SFA; LEG545 for C16:0 and UFA; and LEG535 for C18:1 cis‐9 and LCFA). Based on the best‐fit models, an effect of overcorrection was observed in early lactation (5–35 days in milk [DIM]). On the contrary, third‐order (LEG333; degree 2) models showed flat residual trajectories throughout lactation. In general, the estimates of genetic variance tended to increase over DIM, for all traits. Heritabilities for milk production traits ranged from 0.11 to 0.58. Milk FA heritabilities ranged from low‐to‐high magnitude (0.03–0.56). High Spearman correlations (>0.90 for all bulls and >0.97 for top 100) were found among breeding values for 155 and 305 DIM between the best RRM and LEG333 model. Therefore, third‐order Legendre polynomials seem to be most parsimonious and sufficient to describe milk production and FA traits in Walloon Holstein cows.
Serum nuclear factor E‐2‐related factor 2 in female pattern hair loss
Authors: Bakry Ola A. , Sobhy S. , Essam El Deen M. , Seleit I.
Published: February 2022

Background

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a common dermatological complaint with multifactorial etiology. Nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that has a major role in protection from ROS‐induced apoptosis.

Aim

To investigate the relationship between Nrf2 and systemic oxidative stress in FPHL patients.

Patients and Methods

This case–control study included 30 patients with FPHL and 30 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy volunteers as a control group. Serum NRF2, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidant capacity (TOC) were measured by ELISA, and oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated.

Results

The serum level of TOC and OSI was found to be significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001 for both) while serum level of NRF2 and TAC was found to be significantly lower in cases than controls (p < 0.001 for both). There were a significant negative correlation between TAC and BMI (p = 0.03, r = −0.391) and a significant positive correlation between OSI and BMI (p = 0.04, r = 0.365). There were a significant positive correlation between serum level of NRF2 and TAC (p = 0.003, r = 0.532) and a significant negative correlation between serum the level of NRF2 and TOC (p = 0.02, r = −0.418) and OSI (p = 0.003, r = −0.395).

Conclusion

Systemic oxidative stress in FPHL may be, at least in part, due to NRF2 deficiency. NRF2 activators may help in treatment of this disease. NRF2 deficiency has no role in disease severity. Healthy diet and body weight reduction may help in improving oxidative stress and subsequently improving FPHL.
Changing landscape of dialysis withdrawal in patients with kidney failure: Implications for clinical practice
Authors: Chen Jenny H. C. , Lim Wai H. , Howson Prue
Published: February 2022

Dialysis withdrawal has become an accepted treatment option for patients with kidney failure and is one of the leading causes of death in patients receiving dialysis in high‐income countries. Despite its increasing acceptance, dialysis withdrawal currently lacks a clear, consistent definition. The processes and outcomes of dialysis withdrawal have wide temporal and geographical variability, attributed to dialysis patient selection, influence from cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs, and availability of kidney replacement therapy and conservative kidney management. As a complex, evolving process, dialysis withdrawal poses an enormous challenge for clinicians and healthcare teams with various limitations precluding a peaceful and smooth transition between active dialysis and end‐of‐life care. In this review, we examine the current definitions of dialysis withdrawal, the temporal and geographical patterns of dialysis withdrawal, international barriers in the decision‐making process (including dialysis withdrawal during the COVID‐19 pandemic), and gaps in the current dialysis withdrawal recommendations for clinical consideration and future studies.
Unique Lewy pathology in myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Sano Terunori , Kawazoe Tomoya , Shioya Ayako , Mori‐Yoshimura Madoka , Oya Yasushi , Maruo Kazushi , Nishino Ichizo , Hoshino Mikio , Murayama Shigeo , Saito Yuko
Published: February 2022

Lewy body‐related α‐synucleinopathy (Lewy pathology) has been reported in patients with myotonic dystrophy (DM) type 1 (DM1), but no detailed report has described the prevalence and extent of its occurrence. We studied consecutive full autopsy cases of DM1 at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) Brain Bank for intractable psychiatric and neurological disorders. Thirty‐two cases, genetically determined to be DM1 (59.0 ± 8.7 years), obtained from the NCNP Brain Bank, were compared with control cases obtained from the Brain Bank for Aging Research (BBAR) in Japan. The investigated anatomical sites followed the Dementia with Lewy Bodies Consensus Guideline, expanding to the peripheral autonomic nervous system, temporal pole, and occipital cortex, in addition to the olfactory epithelium and spinal cord. Of the 32 patients, 11 (34.4%) had Lewy pathology, with a significantly higher prevalence than that in the control cases from the BBAR (20.1%). Lewy pathology detected in DM1 was widespread, but no macroscopic depigmentation of the substantia nigra was observed in any DM1 case; this was commensurate with the microscopic paucity of Lewy pathology in the substantia nigra and amygdala. Lewy pathology in DM1 does not appear to follow either Braak's ascending paradigm or the olfactory–amygdala extension. Lewy neurites and dots in DM1 were very sparse in the cerebral cortex and distinct from those observed in BBAR control cases. This study was the first demonstration of unique Lewy pathology in DM1 and may contribute to the understanding of the protein propagation hypothesis of Lewy pathology.
Circular RNA circ_0001459 accelerates hepatocellular carcinoma progression via the miR‐6165/IGF1R axis
Authors: Shen Duo , Zhao Hongyu , Zeng Peng , Ge Meiling , Shrestha Sachinmulmi , Zhao Wei
Published: February 2022

An increasing amount of evidence shows that circular RNAs (circRNAs) have critical effects on cancer progression and development; however, the biological function and potential molecular mechanism of circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear. CircRNA sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed circRNAs between HCC tissue and adjacent normal tissue. We found that circ_0001459 expression was significantly elevated in HCC tissue and cell lines. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo functional experiments were carried out to detect the effects of circ_0001459 on HCC growth and metastasis. Knockdown of circ_0001459 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells, whereas upregulation of circ_0001459 had the opposite effect. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis, dual‐luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays were used to predict and verify the interaction between circ_0001459, miR‐6165, and the target gene IGF1R. Downregulation of circ_0001459 decreased IGF1R expression and inhibited epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, which could be rescued by treatment with a miR‐6165 inhibitor. Mechanistically, we revealed that circ_0001459 could sponge miR‐6165 and induce the upregulation of its downstream target IGF1R, thus significantly promoting the progression of HCC. Therefore, circ_0001459 could be a new potential therapeutic target for HCC patients.
Tubular dentin formation by TGF‐β/BMP signaling in dental epithelial cells
Authors: Lee Yoon Seon , Park Yeoung‐Hyun , Seo You‐Mi , Lee Hye‐Kyung , Park Joo‐Cheol
Published: February 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to identify formation of tubular dentin induced by transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling pathway in dental epithelial cells.

Methods

We collected conditioned medium (CM) of rTGF‐β1/rBMP‐2‐treated HAT‐7 and treated to MDPC‐23 cells. The expression levels of odontoblast differentiation markers, KLF4, DMP1, and DSP were evaluated by real‐time PCR and Western blot analysis. To evaluate whether CM of rTGF‐β1/rBMP‐2 induces tubular dentin formation, we made a beagle dog tooth defect model.

Results

Here, we show that Cpne7 is regulated by Smad4‐dependent TGF‐β1/BMP2 signaling pathway in dental epithelial cells. CM of rTGF‐β1/rBMP‐2 treated HAT‐7 or rCPNE7 raises the expression levels of KLF4, DMP1, and DSP in MDPC‐23 cells. When rTGF‐β1 or rBMP‐2 is directly treated to MDPC‐23 cells, however, expression levels of Cpne7‐regulated genes remain unchanged. In a beagle dog defect model, application of rTGF‐β1/BMP2‐treated CM resulted in tubular tertiary dentin mixed with osteodentin at cavity‐prepared sites, while rTGF‐β1 group exhibited homogenous osteodentin.

Conclusions

Taken together, Smad4‐dependent TGF‐β1/BMP2 signaling regulates Cpne7 in dental epithelial cells, and CPNE7 protein secreted from pre‐ameloblasts mediates odontoblast differentiation via epithelial–mesenchymal interaction.
Factors associated with overwork among pediatricians at Japanese hospitals
Authors: Ishikawa Masatoshi
Published: February 2022

Background

Given the global health issue of doctors working excessive hours, working practices for doctors in Japan are currently undergoing reform. We aimed to ascertain the actual situation of excessive working hours among pediatricians and factors influencing these conditions in Japan.

Methods

Pediatricians employed at hospitals throughout Japan completed a questionnaire regarding their current working situation, including the time spent at the hospital and whether their working environment had improved since 2018, when the reform of doctors’ working practices began. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify background factors associated with excessive working hours.

Results

Questionnaires were sent to 848 Japanese hospitals that submitted insurance reimbursement claims for pediatric inpatient treatment. Valid responses were received from 1,539 pediatricians at 416 hospitals (49% response rate). Of these pediatricians, 51.7% spent ≥60 h/week at their hospital, 14.4% spent ≥80 h/week, and 47.4% worked nights at least four times a month. Compared with 2018, 8.8% and 35.4% responded that their working environment had greatly or somewhat improved, respectively. Working for ≤60 h/week was considered appropriate by 81.9% of pediatricians. Background factors associated with spending ≥80 h/week at the hospital were male sex, age <30 years, lack of children, specialty of pediatric cardiology, annual income exceeding ¥16 million, employment at a private university hospital, and employment at a hospital with a comparatively large number of pediatricians.

Conclusions

This study clarified the background factors and the actual situation of the long working hours among pediatricians working in Japanese hospitals.
Reassessing evidence of Moon–Earth dynamics from tidal bundles at 3.2 Ga (Moodies Group, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa)
Authors: Heubeck Christoph , Bläsing Saskia , Drabon Nadja , Eulenfeld Tom , Grund Marc Ulrich , Homann Martin , Janse Van Rensburg Deon , Köhler Inga , Nabhan Sami , Rabethge Carolin , Voigt Thomas , Zentner‐Joerges Danielle
Published: February 2022

Past orbital parameters of the Moon are difficult to reconstruct from geological records because relevant data sets of tidal strata are scarce or incomplete. The sole Archean data point is from the Moodies Group (ca 3.22 Ga) of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa. From the time‐series analysis of tidal bundles from a well‐exposed subaqueous sand wave of this unit, Eriksson and Simpson (Geology, 28, 831) suggested that the Moon’s anomalistic month at 3.2 Ga was closer to 20 days than the present 27.5 days. This is in apparent accordance with models of orbital mechanics which place the Archean Moon in a closer orbit with a shorter period, resulting in stronger tidal action. Although this study’s detailed geological mapping and section measuring of the site confirmed that the sandstone bed in question is likely a migrating dune, the presence of angular mud clasts, channel‐margin slumps, laterally aggrading channel fills and bidirectional paleocurrents in overlying and underlying beds suggests that this bedform was likely located in a nearshore channel near lower‐intertidal flats and subtidal estuarine bars; it thus carries risk of incomplete preservation. Repeated measurements of foreset thicknesses along the published traverse, measured perpendicular to bedding, failed to show consistent spectral peaks. Larger data sets acquired along traverses measured parallel to bedding along the 20.5 m wide exposure are affected by minor faulting, uneven outcrop weathering, changing illumination, weather, observer bias and show a low reproducibility. The most robust measurements herein confirm the periodicity peak of approximately 14 in the original data of Eriksson and Simpson (Geology, 28, 831). Because laminae may have been eroded, the measurements may represent a lower bound of about 28 lunar days per synodic month. This estimate agrees well with Earth–Moon dynamic models which consider the conservation of angular momentum and place the Archaean Moon in a lower orbit around a faster‐spinning Earth.
Minimally invasive video‐assisted parathyroidectomy in dogs: Technique description and feasibility study
Authors: Sumner Julia P. , Espinheira Gomes Filipe N. C. M. , Flanders James A.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To describe a minimally invasive approach to the parathyroid gland for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Study design

Surgical technique description and clinical case report.

Animals

Five canine cadavers and 5 client‐owned dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Methods

A surgical technique for minimally invasive video‐assisted parathyroidectomy (MIVAP), described for humans, was adapted for dogs. With the dog in dorsal recumbency, a 15 mm incision was made on the midline, 1 finger width caudal to the cricoid cartilage of the larynx. A 5 mm 30° rigid endoscope was inserted into the peritracheal space with the aid of a blunt suction dissector, and fine elevators. The parathyroid was subsequently removed using electrocautery and blunt and sharp dissection. The technique was refined in 5 cadaver dogs to assess feasibility, and was subsequently performed in 5 clinical cases.

Results

A minimally invasive approach to the parathyroid gland was possible and allowed successful removal of a parathyroid mass in 5 dogs without complication. The use of fluid ingress was trialed in 1 cadaver and not found to be helpful. The use of a blunt suction dissector greatly facilitated dissection of the peritracheal space.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive video‐assisted parathyroidectomy is feasible in dogs and was not associated with complications in 5 clinical cases.

Clinical significance

Minimally invasive techniques tend to reduce morbidity and are popular with pet owners. This study demonstrates that a minimally invasive technique may be considered for parathyroidectomy in dogs.
Implementation of Soft Computing Techniques in Predicting and Optimizing the Operating Parameters of Compression Ignition Diesel Engines: State-of-the-Art Review, Challenges, and Future Outlook
Authors: More Shubham M. , Kakati Jyotirmoy , Pal Sukhomay , Saha Ujjwal K.
Published: February 2022

Fossil fuels being the primary source of energy to global industrialization and rapid development are being consumed at an alarming rate, thus creating a dire need to search for alternative fuels and optimize the internal combustion (IC) engine performance parameters. Traditional methods of testing and optimizing the performances of IC engines are complex, time consuming, and expensive. This has led the researchers to shift their focus to faster and inexpensive techniques like soft computing (SC), which predict the optimum performance with a substantial accuracy. The SC techniques commonly used are artificial neural network (ANN), fuzzy logic, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and hybrid techniques like ANN-GA, ANN-PSO, and others. The data of engine parameters predicted with these models have been found to be in very close indices with the experimented values making them a reliable predicting tool. The ANN, fuzzy logic, and ANFIS models have been found to have a correlation coefficient (R) above 0.9 suggesting a good level of agreement between experimented and predicted values of several engine-out parameters. In the present review article, the application of various SC techniques in the prediction and the optimization of output parameters of compression ignition (CI) diesel engines are thoroughly reviewed along with their future prospects and challenges. This review work highlights the implication of these SC techniques in CI diesel engines run on both conventional fuel as well as biodiesels.
Hyperexcitable arousal circuits drive sleep instability during aging
Authors: Li Shi-Bin , Damonte Valentina Martinez , Chen Chong , Wang Gordon X. , Kebschull Justus M. , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Bian Wen-Jie , Purmann Carolin , Pattni Reenal , Urban Alexander Eckehart , Mourrain Philippe , Kauer Julie A. , Scherrer Grégory , de Lecea Luis
Published: February 2022

Sleep quality declines with age; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We found that hyperexcitable hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt/OX) neurons drive sleep fragmentation during aging. In aged mice, Hcrt neurons exhibited more frequent neuronal activity epochs driving wake bouts, and optogenetic activation of Hcrt neurons elicited more prolonged wakefulness. Aged Hcrt neurons showed hyperexcitability with lower KCNQ2 expression and impaired M-current, mediated by KCNQ2/3 channels. Single-nucleus RNA-sequencing revealed adaptive changes to Hcrt neuron loss in the aging brain. Disruption of
Kcnq2/3
genes in Hcrt neurons of young mice destabilized sleep, mimicking aging-associated sleep fragmentation, whereas the KCNQ-selective activator flupirtine hyperpolarized Hcrt neurons and rejuvenated sleep architecture in aged mice. Our findings demonstrate a mechanism underlying sleep instability during aging and a strategy to improve sleep continuity.
A unified genealogy of modern and ancient genomes
Authors: Wohns Anthony Wilder , Wong Yan , Jeffery Ben , Akbari Ali , Mallick Swapan , Pinhasi Ron , Patterson Nick , Reich David , Kelleher Jerome , McVean Gil
Published: February 2022

The sequencing of modern and ancient genomes from around the world has revolutionized our understanding of human history and evolution. However, the problem of how best to characterize ancestral relationships from the totality of human genomic variation remains unsolved. Here, we address this challenge with nonparametric methods that enable us to infer a unified genealogy of modern and ancient humans. This compact representation of multiple datasets explores the challenges of missing and erroneous data and uses ancient samples to constrain and date relationships. We demonstrate the power of the method to recover relationships between individuals and populations as well as to identify descendants of ancient samples. Finally, we introduce a simple nonparametric estimator of the geographical location of ancestors that recapitulates key events in human history.
Topological modes in a laser cavity through exceptional state transfer
Authors: Schumer A. , Liu Y. G. N. , Leshin J. , Ding L. , Alahmadi Y. , Hassan A. U. , Nasari H. , Rotter S. , Christodoulides D. N. , LiKamWa P. , Khajavikhan M.
Published: February 2022

Shaping the light emission characteristics of laser systems is of great importance in various areas of science and technology. In a typical lasing arrangement, the transverse spatial profile of a laser mode tends to remain self-similar throughout the entire cavity. Going beyond this paradigm, we demonstrate here how to shape a spatially evolving mode such that it faithfully settles into a pair of bi-orthogonal states at the two opposing facets of a laser cavity. This was achieved by purposely designing a structure that allows the lasing mode to encircle a non-Hermitian exceptional point while deliberately avoiding non-adiabatic jumps. The resulting state transfer reflects the unique topology of the associated Riemann surfaces associated with this singularity. Our approach provides a route to developing versatile mode-selective active devices and sheds light on the interesting topological features of exceptional points.
C. Thomas Caskey (1938–2022)
Authors: Ballabio Andrea , Zoghbi Huda
Published: February 2022

A visionary architect of genomic medicine
In Science Journals
Authors: Malo Courtney S. , Osborne Ian S. , Lavine Marc S. , Hurtley Stella M. , Ali Mazhar N. , Funk Michael A. , Kelly Priscilla N. , Stern Peter , Scanlon Seth Thomas , Vinson Valda , Yeston Jake , Smith Keith T. , Ash Caroline , Wong Wei , Olingy Claire , Szuromi Phil , Zahn Laura M.
Published: February 2022

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
Supplemental Material: Two-stage exhumation of deeply subducted continental crust: Insight from zircon, titanite, and apatite petrochronology, Sulu belt of eastern China
Authors: Wang Songjie , al. et
Published: February 2022

Analytical methods; Figures S1–S9; Tables S1–S9.
Recent trends in high-volume Medicare stroke thrombectomy provider characteristics
Authors: Jayaraman Keshav , Santavicca Stefan , Hughes Danny R , Hirsch Joshua A , Duszak, Richard , Chatterjee Arindam R
Published: February 2022

Background

Intracranial mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is increasingly indicated for use in acute ischemic stroke patients. We analyzed recent trends in the characteristics and geographic distributions of physicians providing this service with frequency to Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods

We linked public data sources to elucidate and visualize trends in high-volume MT providers between 2016 and 2019.

Results

High-volume MT providers increased by 184% between 2016 and 2019. The number of neurosurgeons, neurologists, and radiologists in this physician population increased by 251%, 205%, and 139%, respectively. Male practitioners accounted for 96% of providers in the most recent year of analysis. International medical graduates accounted for roughly one-third of these physicians across all 4 years of analysis. As of 2019, the three states with the most high-volume MT providers were Florida, California, and Texas, accounting for 7%, 7%, and 6% of providers, respectively.

Conclusions

High-volume providers of MT services for Medicare beneficiaries represent a dynamic and rapidly expanding subset of physicians with diverse specialty backgrounds.
Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant supplementation does not affect muscle soreness or recovery of maximal voluntary isometric contraction force following muscle-damaging exercise in untrained men: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Broome S.C. , Atiola R.D. , Braakhuis A.J. , Mitchell C.J. , Merry T.L.
Published: February 2022

Unaccustomed exercise causes muscle damage resulting in loss of muscle function, which may be attributable to exercise-induced increases in skeletal muscle reactive oxygen species. This study examined the effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant supplementation on recovery of muscle function following exercise. Thirty-two untrained men received MitoQ (20 mg/day) or a placebo for 14 days before performing  300 maximal eccentric contractions of the knee extensor muscles of 1 leg. Muscle function was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry before, immediately after, and 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours after exercise. Muscle soreness was assessed using a visual analogue scale 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours after exercise. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 2, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours after exercise and urine samples were collected before and during the 48 hours after exercise. The reduction in maximal voluntary isometric contraction force and peak concentric torque following exercise was unaffected by MitoQ while recovery of peak eccentric torque was delayed in the MitoQ group. Exercise-induced increases in urine F2-isoprostanes were unaffected by MitoQ. MitoQ augmented exercise-induced increases in plasma creatine kinase levels, while plasma IL-6 was similar between groups. Muscle soreness was not affected by MitoQ. These results indicate that MitoQ does not attenuate post-exercise muscle soreness and may delay recovery of muscle function following eccentric exercise. Trial registration number: ACTRN12620001089921.

Novelty:

Post-exercise recovery of maximal voluntary isometric contraction force and peak concentric torque were unaffected by MitoQ. MitoQ delayed post-exercise recovery of peak eccentric torque. Post-exercise muscle soreness was unaffected by MitoQ.
Way out there: pathogens, health, and condition of overwintering salmon in the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Deeg Christoph M. , Kanzeparova Albina N. , Somov Alexei A. , Esenkulova Svetlana , Di Cicco Emiliano , Kaukinen Karia H. , Tabata Amy , Ming Tobi J. , Li Shaorong , Mordecai Gideon , Schulze Angela , Miller Kristina M.
Published: February 2022

Salmon are keystone species across the North Pacific, supporting ecosystems, commercial opportunities, and cultural identity. Nevertheless, many wild salmon stocks have experienced significant declines. Salmon restoration efforts focus on fresh and coastal waters, but little is known about the open ocean environment. Here we use high throughput RT-qPCR tools to provide the first report on the health, condition, and infection profile of coho, chum, pink, and sockeye salmon in the Gulf of Alaska during the 2019 winter. We found lower infectious agent number, diversity, and burden compared with coastal British Columbia in all species except coho, which exhibited elevated stock-specific infection profiles. We identified Loma sp. and Ichthyophonus hoferi as key pathogens, suggesting transmission in the open ocean. Reduced prey availability, potentially linked to change in ocean conditions due to an El Niño event, correlated with energetic deficits and immunosuppression in salmon. Immunosuppressed individuals showed higher relative infection burden and higher prevalence of opportunistic pathogens. We highlight the cumulative effects of infection and environmental stressors on overwintering salmon, establishing a baseline to document the impacts of a changing ocean on salmon.
Warped vacuum energy by black holes
Authors: Ovalle J.
Published: February 2022

The belief still persists, at least for an important part of the community, that in general relativity the cosmological constant $$\Lambda $$
Λ
must remain immaculate. However, Bianchi identities show that $$\Lambda $$
Λ
could acquire local properties in the presence of matter, i.e., $$\Lambda \rightarrow \,\Lambda (x^\mu )$$

Λ
→

Λ
(

x
μ

)

. In this paper we go even further, and we show that a non-uniform vacuum energy does not even require coexistence with any additional form of matter-energy, nor of any theory beyond general relativity, at least for extreme environments, such as the proximity of a black hole.
Predicting Ride Hailing Service Demand Using Autoencoder and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Ara Zinat , Hashemi Mahdi
Published: February 2022

Ride hailing services, such as Uber, Lyft, and Grab, have become a major transportation mode in the last decade. The number of current passenger requests is one of the important factors for such services routing and pricing algorithms. Therefore, predicting future passenger request for ride hailing services can boost the efficiency of the service for both drivers and riders by pre-planning the allocation of vehicles and avoiding traffic congestions. Demand forecasting for ride hailing services relies upon the spatial and temporal correlations of its features. The existing literatures mostly divide the target area into rectangular grids (based on the longitude and latitude), consider only adjacent grids for spatial correlation, and calculate demand for each grid independently. An individual grid can contain different regions with high and low demand or have a major part of it outside the land area, which obscures the granularity and precision of estimations and predictions. This paper attempts to mitigate the limitations of grid-based methods by estimating and predicting ride hailing service demand between geographic regions as pickup and destination zones. For predicting demand, a convolutional neural network is integrated with a recurrent autoencoder network to best capture the spatial–temporal correlations of features, including time of the day, month, year, weekend, holiday, pickup zone, destination, and demand. In our experiments, we forecast the demand for each pickup–destination pair for the next day at a certain hour by observing the demands over the past 2 weeks during the same hour in the New York City hire vehicle data set. Using the same model (CNN-biLSTM-AE) to predict demand for geographical regions, it achieved an [Formula: see text] of 0.984, while predicting demand for cells in the grid achieved an [Formula: see text] 0.545. While using the geographical regions instead of grids for partitioning the space, we compared our deep learning model with LSTM, CNN, CNN-LSTM, and LSTM-AE models and observed an improvement in [Formula: see text] from 0.632 to 0.767 and an improvement in RMSE from 20.53 to 16.33 against CNN.
Torsion braneworlds in a tensor-vector gravity
Authors: Silva J. E. G. , Sousa L. J. S. , Cruz W. T. , Almeida C. A. S.
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we study the properties of gravity and bulk fields living in a torsion warped braneworld. The torsion is driven by a background vector whose norm provides a source for the bulk cosmological constant. For a vector as the derivative of a scalar field, we find new isotropic thick brane geometry. We analyze the features of bosonic and fermionic fields in this scenario. The background vector provides nonminimal coupling between the fields and the geometry leading to modifications in the Kaluza–Klein (KK) states. For a scalar field, the background vector breaks the [Formula: see text] symmetry, whereas for the vector gauge field, a geometric coupling to the torsion tensor traps the massless mode. The spinor connection is modified by the torsion and a geometric derivative Yukawa-like coupling is proposed. The effects of these new couplings are investigated.
Equilibrium constants of nuclear reactions in supernova explosions
Authors: Muñoz Jorge A. , García Marcos A. , López Jorge A.
Published: February 2022

We study the change in internal rotational energy in the transformation of protons to neutrons in the [Formula: see text]-decay reactions that take place in the collapse of the iron core of massive stars that precede Type II supernova explosions. We consider an ensemble of electrons, protons, neutrons and neutrinos undergoing [Formula: see text]-decay reactions, treat the protons and neutrons as triatomic rotors, evaluate the equilibrium constant to obtain the change in rotational energy during the proton-to-neutron transformation. We estimate such change for a variety of conditions, and compare with the energy released in a supernova explosion.
The Belt and Road Initiative in Sri Lanka: Challenges for Debt-led Development
Authors: Li Linda Che-lan , Tjia Linda Yin-nor , Yan Xin , Hung Jennifer Sin Yu
Published: February 2022

Sitting in the middle of the Indian Ocean and major international maritime routes, Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic location has brought both opportunities and complications to its economic development. In view of the mixed outcome and perceptions of the Chinese investment projects in Sri Lanka, this paper investigates the nuances of both successful and failed experiences in Chinese investment, and the management approach the Chinese project managers have sought to adapt to improve their community engagements and secure public support. While these efforts have not, largely, been effective, we also find little evidence that China has conspired to dominate Sri Lanka. By refuting the sweeping debt-trap argument, we further seek to reflect upon Hong Kong’s possible role in addressing the critical managerial and capacity issues in Sri Lankan investment.
Uncovering Personal Histories: A Technology-Mediated Approach to Eliciting Reflection on Identity Transitions
Authors: Haimson Oliver L. , Marathe Megh
Published: February 2022

When studying identity transitions, interview participants can find it difficult to reflect on their transitions and recall specific details related to past experiences. We present a new approach to enable participant reflection on past identity transitions, and a means to fill in blanks by eliciting data that may not otherwise come up: showing participants sentiment visualizations of their social media data. After detailing our methods of constructing sentiment visualizations, we discuss our experiences using them in a study on gender transition. For most participants, the visualizations elicited substantial reflection, and enabled recalling forgotten data and new interpretations of transition experiences. We guide researchers on how to use this method when studying other identity transitions; this may be especially powerful for marginalized people who undergo substantial identity changes. This article proposes a way to uncover participants’ personal histories, which can help HCI researchers to better understand and support marginalized people’s experiences.
Influence of locomotor muscle group III/IV afferents on cardiovascular and ventilatory responses in human heart failure during submaximal exercise
Authors: Smith Joshua R. , Joyner Michael J. , Curry Timothy B. , Borlaug Barry A. , Keller-Ross Manda L. , Van Iterson Erik H. , Olson Thomas P.
Published: February 2022

Patients with HFrEF exhibit severe exercise intolerance. One of the primary peripheral mechanisms contributing to exercise intolerance in patients with HFrEF is locomotor muscle group III/IV afferent feedback. However, it is unknown whether these afferents impact the central and peripheral responses during submaximal cycling exercise. Herein, we demonstrate that inhibition of locomotor muscle group III/IV afferent feedback elicited increases in stroke volume during submaximal exercise in HFrEF, but not in healthy controls.
A Global Regularity Result for the 2D Generalized Magneto-Micropolar Equations
Authors: Zhang Hui
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we proved the global (in time) regularity for smooth solution to the 2D generalized magneto-micropolar equations with zero viscosity. When there is no kinematic viscosity in the momentum equation, it is difficult to examine the bounds on the any derivatives of the velocity

J

ε

u

L

2

. In order to overcome the main obstacle, we find a new unknown quantity which is by combining the vorticity and the microrotation angular velocity; the structure of the system including the combined quantity obeys a Beale–Kato–Majda criterion. Moreover, the maximal regularity of parabolic equations together with the classic commutator estimates allows us to derive the

H

s

estimates for solutions of the system.
Legal Governance of Internet Platform Monopoly Based on Big Data Analysis: A Review of Alibaba Case
Authors: Lin Huilun , Feng Xueying , Wu Di , Ji Fangying , Li Xichen
Published: February 2022

Numerous Internet platforms developed with novelty and innovation in knowledge society provide for the optimal utilization and integration of the Internet in allocation of social resources, development of digital trends, and absorption of new opportunities of the advanced digital economy. However, the corresponding challenges have come along with the development: the monopoly governance of Internet platforms has received more and more attention under the impetus of typical cases such as the “Alibaba case.” This paper considers the basic content of Internet platforms and their monopolistic qualities as well. This will further elaborate the monopolistic nature of Internet platforms including “two-for-one” behavior in relevancy to market and dominant position. This study will further explore the regulatory idea for the Internet platforms’ antimonopoly. The purpose is to establish a sound comprehensive Internet governance system and promote the healthy and sustainable development of the platform economy.
5-Lipoxygenase Inhibition Protects Retinal Pigment Epithelium from Sodium Iodate-Induced Ferroptosis and Prevents Retinal Degeneration
Authors: Lee Jong-Jer , Chang-Chien Guo-Ping , Lin Sufan , Hsiao Yu-Ting , Ke Mu-Chan , Chen Alexander , Lin Tsu-Kung
Published: February 2022

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to damage of retinal cells and the development of retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). ROS result in increased metabolites of lipoxygenases (LOXs), which react with ROS to induce lipid peroxidation and may lead to ferroptosis. In this study, the effect of 5-LOX inhibition on alleviating ROS-induced cell death was evaluated using sodium iodate (NaIO3) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell line ARPE-19 and a mouse model investigating oxidative stress in AMD. We demonstrated that NaIO3 induced cell death in the RPE cells through mechanisms including ferroptosis. Inhibition of 5-LOX with specific inhibitor, Zileuton, or siRNA knockdown of ALXO5 mitigated NaIO3-induced lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial damage, DNA impairment, and cell death in ARPE-19 cells. Additionally, in the mouse model, pretreatment with Zileuton reduced the NaIO3-induced lipid peroxidation of RPE cells, cell death in the photoreceptor layer of the retina, inflammatory responses, and degeneration of both the neuroretina and RPE monolayer cells. Our results suggest that 5-LOX plays a crucial role in ROS-induced cell death in the RPE and that regulating 5-LOX activity could be a useful approach to control ROS and ferroptosis-induced damage, which promote degeneration in retinal diseases.