bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blind-sided by privacy? Digital contact tracing, the Apple/Google API and big tech’s newfound role as global health policy makers
Authors: Sharon Tamar
Published: July 2020

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, governments have turned their attention to digital contact tracing. In many countries, public debate has focused on the risks this technology poses to privacy, with advocates and experts sounding alarm bells about surveillance and mission creep reminiscent of the post 9/11 era. Yet, when Apple and Google launched their contact tracing API in April 2020, some of the world’s leading privacy experts applauded this initiative for its privacy-preserving technical specifications. In an interesting twist, the tech giants came to be portrayed as greater champions of privacy than some democratic governments. This article proposes to view the Apple/Google API in terms of a broader phenomenon whereby tech corporations are encroaching into ever new spheres of social life. From this perspective, the (legitimate) advantage these actors have accrued in the sphere of the production of digital goods provides them with (illegitimate) access to the spheres of health and medicine, and more worrisome, to the sphere of politics. These sphere transgressions raise numerous risks that are not captured by the focus on privacy harms. Namely, a crowding out of essential spherical expertise, new dependencies on corporate actors for the delivery of essential, public goods, the shaping of (global) public policy by non-representative, private actors and ultimately, the accumulation of decision-making power across multiple spheres. While privacy is certainly an important value, its centrality in the debate on digital contact tracing may blind us to these broader societal harms and unwittingly pave the way for ever more sphere transgressions.
Mobility, habitat selection and population connectivity of the butterfly Lycaena helle in central Sweden
Authors: Modin Hanna , Öckinger Erik
Published: July 2020

To be able to predict habitat quality and potential distribution of threatened species is key to developing successful conservation strategies for threatened species with fragmented distributions. The aim of this study was to assess factors that limit the local distribution and density ofLycaena helle, an endangered butterfly, in central Sweden, and to estimate its mobility in order to classify local populations according to their importance for the connectivity on a regional level. An additional aim was to test ifL. hellehabitat quality could be assessed using remotely-sensed data such as laser scanning (LiDAR). We derived potential predictors ofL. helleoccurrence from laser scanning data and used a resource selection function to assess their predictive power. We used a mark-recapture approach to studyL. hellemovement and estimate dispersal distances. The probability of occurrence ofL. helleincreased with higher solar irradiation and was negatively affected by sloping terrain, but the LiDAR data generally had low predictive power. Population density increased with host plant density, but this effect was weak. The mark-recapture study confirmed thatL. helleis very sedentary, with a mean movement distance of only 114 m and a maximum of 600 m. The studied population extends over a large network of interconnected linear habitats, which probably facilitates dispersal and thereby population persistence. Our study highlight the importance of a warm micro-climate and of man-made habitats like road verges and power-line corridors for the conservation ofL. helle.
Fair trade in building digital knowledge repositories: the knowledge economy as if researchers mattered
Authors: De Grandis Giovanni
Published: July 2020

Both a significant body of literature and the case study presented here show that digital knowledge repositories struggle to attract the needed level of data and knowledge contribution that they need to be successful. This happens also to high profile and prestigious initiatives. The paper argues that the reluctance of researchers to contribute can only be understood in light of the highly competitive context in which research careers need to be built nowadays and how this affects researchers’ quality of life. Competition and managerialism limit the discretion of researchers in sharing their results and in donating their working time. A growing corpus of research shows that academic researchers are increasingly overworked and highly stressed. This corroborates the point that the room for undertaking additional tasks with future and uncertain benefits is very limited. The paper thus recommends that promoters of digital knowledge repositories focus on the needs of the researchers who are expected to contribute their knowledge. In order to treat them fairly and to ensure the success of the repositories, knowledge sharing needs to be rewarded so as to improve the working conditions of contributors. In order to help implementing this researcher-centred approach, the paper proposes the idea of expediential trust: rewards for contributing should be such that rational, self-interested researchers would freely decide to contribute their knowledge and effort trusting that this would make them better off.
Emotion emphasis effects in moral judgment are moderated by mindsets
Authors: Doerflinger Johannes T. , Gollwitzer Peter M.
Published: July 2020

In two studies, emotion emphasis effects on moral judgment are demonstrated. The studies indicate that emphasizing negative consequences in trolley-type dilemmas with emotional language produces more utilitarian responses if such emphasis is on the consequences of the deontological option, and more deontological responses if it is on the consequences of the utilitarian option. This effect was moderated by action-phase related mindsets. Individuals in an implemental mindset were less susceptible to the emotion emphasis effect than individuals in a deliberative mindset (Studies 1, 2). By also using an eye-tracking task in Study 2, we demonstrated that our implemental mindset participants’ visual attention was more focused—in particular on goal-directed means—than that of the deliberative mindset participants.
Effective flood risk visualisation
Authors: Percival Sarah Ellen , Gaterell Mark , Hutchinson David
Published: July 2020

The effective communication of flood risk offers the opportunity to ensure communities can adapt and respond appropriately to changing local conditions. At a time of diminishing resources, such local responses, which can empower communities and make them more resilient to uncertain future flood events, are vital. The most general and accessible type of flood communication are flood risk visualisations, i.e. pre-prepared emergency flood maps. However, evidence suggests there is much we can do to improve their ability to communicate the complexities of flood risk to a range of stakeholders. This paper considers the development of flood risk visualisation approaches in the UK, presenting findings from a series of targeted workshops over twelve months, where the needs and criteria of stakeholder groups for effective flood risk visualisation were assessed via co-creative processes. Key stakeholders included local authorities, emergency responders, vulnerable homeowners, Environment Agency, business owners and, crucially, communities. These users need certain requirements to be considered in order for future flood risk visualisation to be effective, in particular simplicity, a central hub of information, different visuals available for the same data sets/problems, different maps available for different users, consistent terminology and integrated community knowledge (e.g. local flood groups/help).
On the effects of linear damping on the nonlinear Ziegler’s column
Authors: D’Annibale Francesco , Ferretti Manuel
Published: July 2020

In this paper, the effects of linear damping on the post-critical behavior of the Ziegler’s column are discussed. To this end, the well-known double-pendulum, loaded at the free-end by a follower force, firstly introduced by Ziegler, is considered in regime of finite displacements. The multiple scale method is applied to the equations of motion expanded up to the cubic terms, to analyze the nonlinear behavior of a generically damped column, close to the simple-Hopf bifurcation triggered by the follower force. The obtained bifurcation equations are shown to be useful in providing qualitative information about the nonlinear mechanical response of the column in the whole damping plane. Validation of the asymptotic solution, carried out via numerical analyses of the exact equations of motion, points out the effectiveness of the proposed analysis also on the quantitative side.
Evaluating human versus machine learning performance in classifying research abstracts
Authors: Goh Yeow Chong , Cai Xin Qing , Theseira Walter , Ko Giovanni , Khor Khiam Aik
Published: July 2020

We study whether humans or machine learning (ML) classification models are better at classifying scientific research abstracts according to a fixed set of discipline groups. We recruit both undergraduate and postgraduate assistants for this task in separate stages, and compare their performance against the support vectors machine ML algorithm at classifying European Research Council Starting Grant project abstracts to their actual evaluation panels, which are organised by discipline groups. On average, ML is more accurate than human classifiers, across a variety of training and test datasets, and across evaluation panels. ML classifiers trained on different training sets are also more reliable than human classifiers, meaning that different ML classifiers are more consistent in assigning the same classifications to any given abstract, compared to different human classifiers. While the top five percentile of human classifiers can outperform ML in limited cases, selection and training of such classifiers is likely costly and difficult compared to training ML models. Our results suggest ML models are a cost effective and highly accurate method for addressing problems in comparative bibliometric analysis, such as harmonising the discipline classifications of research from different funding agencies or countries.
The Application of Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy to Investigate the Liquid Phase Hydrogenation of Benzaldehyde Over an Alumina-Supported Palladium Catalyst
Authors: Boulho Cédric , Gibson Emma K. , McAllister Mairi I. , Moss Robert , Lennon David
Published: July 2020

The hydrogenation of benzaldehyde in cyclohexane over a 5 wt% Pd/Al2O3catalyst at 313 K is firstly investigated at ambient pressure in a stirred batch reactor. The formation of benzyl alcohol is a facile process and a small mass imbalance is indirectly attributed to the formation of benzene as a by-product. No hydrogenolysis reaction to form toluene is observed. Secondly, examination of this reaction system by attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy enables the chemistry at the liquid/solid interface to be probed. Specifically, the ν(C=O) modes of solvated and adsorbed benzaldehyde are evident at 1712 and 1691 cm−1respectively, providing information on how the reagent is partitioning within the reaction medium. Spectral acquisition on initiation of hydrogenation then enables the benzaldehyde → benzyl alcohol transition to be tracked. The additional presence of a broad CO stretching band of chemisorbed carbon monoxide (1852–1929 cm−1) is attributed to the hydrogen-assisted decarbonylation pathway that forms the benzene by-product.
The interaction of imperviousness and habitat heterogeneity drives bird richness patterns in south Asian cities
Authors: Sultana Marufa , Corlatti Luca , Storch Ilse
Published: July 2020

Bird species richness has often been used as an indicator of urbanisation effects on biodiversity in North America and Europe, but similar studies are rare in rapidly urbanising regions in the tropics. Here we assess the effect of different urban environmental factors on local resident bird species richness at different spatial extents in South Asian cities. Bird data at 57 urban locations distributed across 11 cities were retrieved from the available literature. Different variables assessing the degree of urbanisation and urban habitat factors were measured, at 1000 m and 5000 m radius scale extent, for each urban location. We investigated how resident bird species richness was affected by urban environmental predictors by fitting linear regression models in a Bayesian framework. Our model suggested strong positive influence of the interaction between habitat Shannon metric (a proxy of habitat heterogeneity) and proportion of impervious surface (a proxy of human built-up and settlement extent) on local resident bird richness at both spatial scales. Increasing values of habitat Shannon metric positively related to increasing bird richness, but only when the proportion of impervious surface was very high. Our results suggest that areas with a high degree of urbanisation necessitate an increase of habitat heterogeneity to maintain high local bird diversity. Increasing the quality and the compositional variability of remaining bird habitat patches in highly built-up areas should be a major conservation concern within cities of South Asia.
Traditional and Rank-Based Tests for Ordered Alternatives in a Cluster Correlated Model
Authors: Shao Yuanyuan , McKean Joseph W. , Huitema Bradley E.
Published: July 2020

Methods for the analysis of one-factor randomized groups designs with ordered treatments are well established, but they do not apply in the case of more complex experiments. This article describes ordered treatment methods based on maximum-likelihood and robust estimation that apply to designs with clustered data, including those with a vector of covariates. The contrast coefficients proposed for the ordered treatment estimates yield higher power than those advocated by Abelson and Tukey; the proposed robust estimation method is shown (using theory and simulation) to yield both high power and robustness to outliers. Extensions for nonmonotonic alternatives are easily obtained.
Effect of Low-Friction Composite Polymer Coatings Fabricated by Electrophoretic Deposition and Heat Treatment on the Ti-6Al-4V Titanium Alloy’s Tribological Properties
Authors: Fiołek Aleksandra , Zimowski Sławomir , Kopia Agnieszka , Sitarz Maciej , Moskalewicz Tomasz
Published: July 2020

In this work, polytetrafluoroethylene/polyetheretherketone (PTFE/PEEK 708) coatings were fabricated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and heat treatment to improve the tribological properties of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. A stable suspension containing chitosan polyelectrolyte allowed the co-deposition of both polymer types. The effect of soaking temperature and cooling rate on the coating microstructure was determined. The homogeneous coatings were obtained by heating at 450 °C and cooling with a furnace or in water. The crystalline PTFE separate particles and their agglomerates were homogeneously distributed in a PEEK matrix. Interestingly, the PEEK structure was amorphous regardless of the cooling rate after heating. This new phenomenon is associated with the fluorination process. The coatings exhibited moderate scratch resistance but significantly decreased the coefficient of friction (COF) and enhanced the wear resistance of the alloy during the dry friction process in sliding contact with an Al2O3 ball. The COF of the PTFE/PEEK 708 coating equaled 0.10 at room temperature (RT) and was lower than that of the alloy and pure PEEK 708 coating investigated in the same conditions, which reached 0.70 and 0.27, respectively. The wear rate of the coated alloy at RT was lower than that of the uncoated and PEEK 708 coated alloy, around 1900 and 10 times, respectively. Both the COF and wear increased slightly during friction at 150 °C. The coating was not effective in improving the alloy’s tribological properties during friction at 260 °C.
Using crowdsourced mathematics to understand mathematical practice
Authors: Pease Alison , Martin Ursula , Tanswell Fenner Stanley , Aberdein Andrew
Published: July 2020

Records of online collaborative mathematical activity provide us with a novel, rich, searchable, accessible and sizeable source of data for empirical investigations into mathematical practice. In this paper we discuss how the resources of crowdsourced mathematics can be used to help formulate and answer questions about mathematical practice, and what their limitations might be. We describe quantitative approaches to studying crowdsourced mathematics, reviewing work from cognitive history (comparing individual and collaborative proofs); social psychology (on the prospects for a measure of collective intelligence); human–computer interaction (on the factors that led to the success of one such project); network analysis (on the differences between collaborations on open research problems and known-but-hard problems); and argumentation theory (on modelling the argument structures of online collaborations). We also give an overview of qualitative approaches, reviewing work from empirical philosophy (on explanation in crowdsourced mathematics); sociology of scientific knowledge (on conventions and conversations in online mathematics); and ethnography (on contrasting conceptions of collaboration). We suggest how these diverse methods can be applied to crowdsourced mathematics and when each might be appropriate.
Un-Certainty as a Pragmatic Resource for Psychiatric Argumentation: a Diachronical and Diatextual Approach
Authors: Scardigno Rosa , Mininni Giuseppe
Published: July 2020

Psychiatry is the science that aims to propose plausible theories in the description and explanation of “body-mind” pathologies. Since also the modern institution of science produces a type of discourse aimed at reducing human insecuritas through a progressive falsification of conjectures on how things are actually, it seems very important to monitor the discursive construction of un-certainty about an extremely elusive object such as the abnormality of psychic functioning. In the light of this, the present paper aims to identify what changes are traceable in the argumentative structure of un-certainty in the psychiatric scientific communication by the British Journal of Psychiatry in its life span as well as how the construction of socially “credible” authorship profiles evolves. The randomly-selected 90 articles from the 160 years of the BJP life cycle were analyzed through various interpretative apparatuses, by practicing both bottom-up and top-down approaches. Indeed, in the perspective of cultural and discursive psychology, un-certainty is a multidimensional discursive construction which is not attributable to the psycho-linguistic level of the utterance in its entirety, but to the meta-pragmatic dimension of enunciation. The identified rhetoric, which collects the groupings of enunciative profiles, sees the researcher evolving between the explorer’s attempts, the investigator’s inquiries and the critical rigor of the technician.
An insight into the role of the association equations of states in gas hydrate modeling: a review
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Feridun , Hamedi Nazanin , Karimipourfard Dornaz , Rasoolzadeh Ali
Published: July 2020

Encouraged by the wide spectrum of novel applications of gas hydrates, e.g., energy recovery, gas separation, gas storage, gas transportation, water desalination, and hydrogen hydrate as a green energy resource, as well as CO2 capturing, many scientists have focused their attention on investigating this important phenomenon. Of course, from an engineering viewpoint, the mathematical modeling of gas hydrates is of paramount importance, as anticipation of gas hydrate stability conditions is effective in the design and control of industrial processes. Overall, the thermodynamic modeling of gas hydrate can be tackled as an equilibration of three phases, i.e., liquid, gas, and solid hydrate. The inseparable component in all hydrate systems, water, is highly polar and non-ideal, necessitating the use of more advanced equation of states (EoSs) that take into account more intermolecular forces for thermodynamic modeling of these systems. Motivated by the ever-increasing number of publications on this topic, this study aims to review the application of associating EoSs for the thermodynamic modeling of gas hydrates. Three most important hydrate-based models available in the literature including the van der Waals–Platteeuw (vdW–P) model, Chen–Guo model, and Klauda–Sandler model coupled with CPA and SAFT EoSs were investigated and compared with cubic EoSs. It was concluded that the CPA and SAFT EoSs gave very accurate results for hydrate systems as they take into account the association interactions, which are very crucial in gas hydrate systems in which water, methanol, glycols, and other types of associating compounds are available. Moreover, it was concluded that the CPA EoS is easier to use than the SAFT-type EoSs and our suggestion for the gas hydrate systems is the CPA EoS.
Integrating the palynostratigraphy, petrography, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy data for evaluating hydrocarbon reservoir potential of Jurassic rocks in the Kala Chitta Range, Northwest Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Sajjad , Wadood Bilal , Khan Suleman , Ahmed Sohail , Ali Fahad , Saboor Abdus
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we present the palynostratigraphy, petrography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations to evaluate hydrocarbon reservoir potential of the Jurassic clastic-carbonate mixed sequence of the Kala Chitta Range, northwest Pakistan. The chronostratigraphic sub-divisions of the diverse lithologies within the sequence were made by using palynostratigraphy. The clastic dominated sequence of Datta Formation was assigned Toarcian-Bajocian age, while the Shinawari Formation was deposited during the Bajocian-middle Bathonian. The carbonate shoal facies of the Samana Suk Formation showed late Bathonian-Tithonian time of deposition. The primary and secondary porosities augmented by the plug porosity and permeability data suggest that the sandstone of Datta Formation is an excellent reservoir. The dominance of diverse matrix within the Shinawari Formation occluded the primary porosity. However, based on dissolution and dolomitization, the Shinawari Formation is categorized as a moderate reservoir. The dominance of various types of matrix and cement with superimposed burial diagenesis has occluded the primary porosity within the Samana Suk Formation. However, the diagenetic dissolution and dolomitization during the telogenetic stage were supported by the SEM and bulk geochemical data. Such diagenetic overprinting has significantly enhanced the reservoir potential of the unit.
Application of sequence stratigraphy for an enhanced hydrocarbon reservoirs correlation in “OSP” field Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Oyetade Oluwaseye Peter , Fadiya Suyi Lawrence , Alao Olatunbosun. A.
Published: July 2020

The cost of drilling exploration and production wells is high and the price of crude oil in the capital market is fluctuating, therefore, there is the need to mitigate the risk of improper investigation of time/age-dependent reservoir rocks continuity within a field. Sequence stratigraphic analysis was carried out in OSP field with the aim of identifying and correlating hydrocarbon reservoirs that are deposited contemporaneously. Key stratigraphic surfaces (maximum flooding surfaces and sequence boundaries) were interpreted from biostratigraphic, well log and seismic data. Biostratigraphic interpretation subdivide the study area into three floral subzones—P780, P820 and P830. Three maximum flooding surfaces dated 10.4 Ma, 9.5 Ma and 7.4 Ma and four sequence boundaries dated 10.6 Ma, 10.35 Ma, 8.5 Ma and 6.7 Ma were identified. Three depositional sequences (sequences 1–3) were identified from the integration of the biostratigraphic, well log and seismic data. The identified key stratigraphic surfaces and depositional sequences were employed in the delineation and correlation of the hydrocarbon reservoirs which were found to fall within the highstand and lowstand systems tracts. Sequence stratigraphic correlation technique aided the local arrangement and geometries of reservoirs within the field and in locating potential reservoirs.
A remark on a success rate model for side-channel attack analysis
Authors: Wiemers Andreas
Published: July 2020

The success rate is the most common evaluation metric for measuring the performance of a particular side-channel attack scenario. We improve on an analytic formula for the success rate.
Carbon monoxide fermentation to bioplastic: the effect of substrate adaptation on Rhodospirillum rubrum
Authors: Mongili Beatrice , Fino Debora
Published: July 2020

Rhodospirillum rubrum is a gram-negative bacterium that naturally takes advantage of CO and which, in the presence of acetate, accumulates carbon and energy units as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Since the conversion of CO depends on a large protein membrane complex that is expressed after the exposure to carbon monoxide, this study presents the effects of a CO-based acclimation in R. rubrum on the growth trend and on the production of PHB. The strain was cultured in two consecutive fermentation cycles on 15% of CO, and the behaviour of this species, in the presence of acetate or a reducing sugar, such as fructose, was compared. The exposure of R. rubrum to CO during the first adaptation phase led to the development of a metabolically active population characterised by a greater biomass growth. The supply of fructose ensured a shorter lag-phase and a higher biomass titre, but it also determined a decrease in the biopolymer accumulation. However, R. rubrum showed the best carbon utilisation in the absence of fructose, with a growth molar yield of 48 mg mol−1, compared to the 12 mg mol−1 obtained for fructose feeding.
Utilization of TiO2/gC3N4 nanoadditive to boost oxidative properties of vegetable oil for tribological application
Authors: Ranjan Nisha , Shende Rashmi C. , Kamaraj Muthusamy , Ramaprabhu Sundara
Published: July 2020

The emergence of vegetable oil as a promising alternative lubricant in the tribological application space has fueled research for making these oils as useful as mineral oils. Tribological modification of vegetable oil by the addition of TiO2/gC3N4nanocomposite (as a nanoadditive) was studied here. The dispersion of the nanoadditive in the vegetable oil showed good oil dispersion stability without the addition of any surfactant. The tribological studies were conducted in a four-ball tester using ASTM standard D5183. In addition, the effect of temperature on tribological performance was also studied to understand the oxidation behavior of vegetable oil. The results showed a significant improvement in friction and wear properties of the optimized nano-oil. The mechanism behind the improvement in friction and wear properties is annotated in this paper.
Influence of a carbon-based tribofilm induced by the friction temperature on the tribological properties of impregnated graphite sliding against a cemented carbide
Authors: Zhao Jun , Li Qingzhan , Li Shuangxi , Li Shicong , Chen Guangyan , Liu Xinghua , He Yongyong , Luo Jianbin
Published: July 2020

Impregnated graphite has attracted considerable attention and has been widely used as an ideal friction material in many fields. However, the influence of the friction temperature on its tribological properties has not been clearly studied; furthermore, the evolution mechanism of transferred tribofilm is unknown. In this study, the tribological properties of impregnated graphite were investigated at different friction temperatures, and the evolution of the carbon-based tribofilm was also determined. The results revealed that the tribological properties significantly improved with an increase in friction temperature. The friction coefficient and wear depth of impregnated graphite reduced by 68% and 75%, respectively, at a high temperature of 160 °C compared with those of non-impregnated graphite. The significant properties of the impregnated graphite can be attributed to a transferred carbon-based tribofilm with an ordered structure induced by the friction temperature, which uniformly and stably adsorbs on friction interfaces. This study provides an important basis for designing graphite-based friction materials with improved properties suited for industrial applications.
Digital pathology for the routine diagnosis of renal diseases: a standard model
Authors: L’Imperio Vincenzo , Brambilla Virginia , Cazzaniga Giorgio , Ferrario Franco , Nebuloni Manuela , Pagni Fabio
Published: July 2020

Whole-slide imaging and virtual microscopy are useful tools implemented in the routine pathology workflow in the last 10 years, allowing primary diagnosis or second-opinions (telepathology) and demonstrating a substantial role in multidisciplinary meetings and education. The regulatory approval of this technology led to the progressive digitalization of routine pathological practice. Previous experiences on renal biopsies stressed the need to create integrate networks to share cases for diagnostic and research purposes. In the current paper, we described a virtual lab studying the routine renal biopsies that have been collected from 14 different Italian Nephrology centers between January 2014 and December 2019. For each case, light microscopy (LM) and immunofluorescence (IF) have been processed, analysed and scanned. Additional pictures (eg. electron micrographs) along with the final encrypted report were uploaded on the web-based platform. The number and type of specimens processed for every technique, the provisional and final diagnosis, and the turnaround-time (TAT) have been recorded. Among 826 cases, 4.5% were second opinion biopsies and only 4% were suboptimal/inadequate for the diagnosis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been performed on 41% of cases, in 22% changing the final diagnosis, in the remaining 78% contributed to the better definition of the disease. For light microscopy and IF the median TAT was of 2 working days, with only 8.6% with a TAT longer than 5 days. For TEM, the average TAT was 26 days (IQR 6–64). In summary, we systematically reviewed the 6-years long nephropathological experience of an Italian renal pathology service, where digital pathology is a definitive standard of care for the routine diagnosis of glomerulonephritides.
Gray Matter Volume Differences in Impulse Control and Addictive Disorders—An Evidence From a Sample of Heterosexual Males
Authors: Draps Małgorzata , Sescousse Guillaume , Potenza Marc N. , Marchewka Artur , Duda Agnieszka , Lew-Starowicz Michał , Kopera Maciej , Jakubczyk Andrzej , Wojnar Marcin , Gola Mateusz
Published: July 2020

Backgrounds

The classification of addictions and impulse control disorders is changing as reflected in the 11th version of International Classification of Disorders (WHO, 2018). However, studies focusing on direct comparison of structural brain differences in behavioral and substance addictions are limited.

Aim

Here, we contrast gray matter volumes (GMVs) across groups of individuals with compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), gambling disorder (GD), and alcohol use disorder (AUD) with those with none of these disorders (healthy controls participants; HCs).

Methods

Voxel-based morphometry was used to study brain structure, and severities of addiction symptoms were assessed with questionnaires. To identify brain regions related to severities of addictions, correlations between questionnaire scores and GMVs were computed.

Main Outcome

We collected magnetic resonance imaging (GMVs) data from 26 patients with CSBD, 26 patients with GD, 21 patients with AUD, and 25 HC participants (all heterosexual males; age: 24-60; mean = 34.5, standard deviation = 6.48).

Results

Affected individuals (CSBD, GD, AUD) compared with HC participants showed smaller GMVs in the left frontal pole, specifically in the orbitofrontal cortex. The most pronounced differences were observed in the GD and AUD groups, and the least in the CSBD group. In addition, a negative correlation was found between GMVs and disorder severity in the CSBD group. Higher severity of CSBD symptoms was correlated with decreased GMVs in the right anterior cingulate gyrus.

Clinical Implications

Our findings suggest similarities between CSBD and addictions.

Strenghs and Limitiations

This study is the first showing smaller GMVs in 3 clinical groups of CSBD, GD, and AUD. But the study was limited only to heterosexual men. Longitudinal studies should examine the extent to which ventral prefrontal decrements in volume may represent preexisting vulnerability factors or whether they may develop with disorder progression.

Conclusions

Our research extends prior findings in substance use disorders of lower GMVs in prefrontal cortical volumes among 3 clinical groups of patients with specific impulse control (CSBD) and behavioral (GD) and substance (AUD) addictive disorders. The negative correlation between CSBD symptoms and GMV of right anterior cingulate gyrus suggests a link with clinical symptomatology.
Is There an Association Between Contraception and Sexual Dysfunction in Women? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Based on Female Sexual Function Index
Authors: Huang Minger , Li Guangqing , Liu Jiajun , Li Yingxiong , Du Pei
Published: July 2020

Background

A growing body of research investigates the sexual functioning status in women with contraceptives use; however, the evidence is still inconclusive.

Aim

To examine whether contraceptives use is associated with a higher risk of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

Methods

The electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, and PsychINFO were systematically screened for eligible studies before December 2019. We only included those studies assessing women's sexual functioning by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). This study was registered on the PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020167723, http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO).

Outcomes

The strength of the association between contraceptives use and risk of FSD was presented by calculating the standard mean dierences (SMDs) and the relative risk (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The pooled results were calculated using a random-effects model.

Results

A total of 12 studies (7 cross-sectional studies, 3 cohorts, and 1 case-control study) involving 9,427 participants were included. The mean age in the contraceptive users ranged from 22.5 ± 2.4 years to 38.2 ± 4.6 years, while the mean age in the nonusers was 22.5 ± 2.4 years to 36.0 ± 1.0 years. Pooled results showed that no significant difference in the total FSFI scores was observed between contraceptives use and noncontraception (SMD = −1.03, 95% CI: −2.08 to 0.01, P = .053; heterogeneity: I2 = 98.2%, P < .001). In line with this finding, the pooled RR also yielded no association between contraception use and the risk of FSD (RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.72–2.28, P = .392; heterogeneity: I2 = 76.0%, P = .0015). However, the subscale sexual desire showed a significant reduction in women who received contraceptives than those did not use contraception (SMD = −1.17, 95% CI: −2.09 to −0.24, P = .014; heterogeneity: I2 = 97.7%, P < .001), while no significant differences were found in sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain domain.

Clinical Implications

Though evidence from this meta-analysis did not support an association between contraceptives use and the risk of FSD, the sexual desire could be significantly impaired by contraceptives use.

Strengths & Limitations

This is the first meta-analysis quantifying the relationship between contraceptives use and the risks of FSD. However, substantial heterogeneities were presented across the included studies.

Conclusion

No direct association between contraceptives use and the risk of FSD was found. Nevertheless, declining sexual desire was significantly associated with contraceptives use. Additional double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are still warranted.
Field‐Based Estimate of the Sediment Deficit in Coastal Louisiana
Authors: Sanks K. M. , Shaw J. B. , Naithani K.
Published: July 2020

Coastal and deltaic sediment balances are crucial for a region's sustainability. However, such balances remain difficult to quantify accurately, particularly for large regions. We calculate organic and mineral sediment mass and volume balances using field measurements from 273 Coastwide Reference Monitoring System sites across the Louisiana Coast between 2006 and 2015. The rapid relative sea level rise rate (average 13.4 mm/year) is offset by the small dry bulk densities observed (average 0.3 g/cm3) to produce a 16.2 ± 41.1% mass deficit and 24.1 ± 14.0% volume deficit, significantly smaller than recent predictions for 2000–2100 (73–79% mass deficit). Geostatisical estimates show that this deficit is primarily located in areas not directly nourished by major rivers, yet these regions still accumulate ~24 MT/year of mineral sediment. A fluvial sediment discharge of 113.8 MT/year suggests a coast‐wide trapping efficiency of 31.5 ± 15.8% of the riverine sediment, excluding subaqueous deposition. Organic accumulation accounts for 25% of all mass accumulation during our study period, and total organic mass accumulation per unit area is relatively constant in both directly and indirectly nourished regions. Sediment characteristics in the modern coastal wetlands differ from the Holocene deposit, suggesting secular changes within the system that will likely continue to influence coastal dynamics over the coming decades. Our results suggest that the gap between accommodation and accumulation (mass or volume) during this decade was not as large as the previously predicted century average.
Mixed Brittle and Viscous Strain Localization in Pelagic Sediments Seaward of the Hikurangi Margin, New Zealand
Authors: Leah Harold , Fagereng Åke , Meneghini Francesca , Morgan Julia K. , Savage Heather M. , Wang Maomao , Bell Rebecca , Ikari Matt J.
Published: July 2020

Calcareous‐pelagic input sediments are present at several subduction zones and deform differently to their siliciclastic counterparts. We investigate deformation in calcareous‐pelagic sediments drilled ∼20 km seaward of the Hikurangi megathrust toe at Site U1520 during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expeditions 372 and 375. Clusters of normal faults and subhorizontal stylolites in the sediments indicate both brittle faulting and viscous pressure solution operated at <850 m below sea floor. Stylolite frequency and vertical shortening estimated using stylolite mass loss, porosity change, and distribution increase with carbonate content. We then use U1520 borehole data to constrain a P‐T‐t history for the sediments and apply an experimentally derived pressure solution model to compare with strains calculated from stylolites. Modeled strains fail to replicate stylolite‐hosted strain distribution or magnitude, but comparison shows porosity, composition, and grain‐scale effects in diffusivity and mass transfer pathway width likely exert a strong influence on pressure solution localization and strain rate. Stylolite and fault clusters concentrate clay in these sediments, creating weak volumes of clay within carbonates, that may localize slip where the plate interface intersects the carbonates at <5‐km depth. Plate interface slip character and rheology will be influenced by the deformation of intermixed phyllosilicates and calcite, occurring by variably stable frictional slip and pressure solution of calcite. Pressure solution of calcite is therefore important at the shallow plate interface, waning at the base of the slow‐slipping zone because calcite solubility is low at temperatures >150°C where frictional (possibly seismic) slip likely predominates.
Past Variance and Future Projections of the Environmental Conditions Driving Western U.S. Summertime Wildfire Burn Area
Authors: Brey Steven J. , Barnes Elizabeth A. , Pierce Jeffrey R. , Swann Abigail L. S. , Fischer Emily V.
Published: July 2020

Increases in vapor pressure deficit (VPD) have been hypothesized as the primary driver of future fire changes. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models agree that western U.S. surface temperatures and associated dryness of air as defined by the VPD will increase in the 21st century for Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5. However, we find that averaged over seasonal and regional scales, other environmental variables demonstrated to be relevant to flammability, moisture abundances, and aridity—such as precipitation, evaporation, relative humidity, root zone soil moisture, and wind speed—can be used to explain observed variance in wildfire burn area as well or better than VPD. However, the magnitude and sign of the change of these variables in the 21st century are less certain than the predicted changes in VPD. Our work demonstrates that when objectively selecting environmental variables to maximize predictive skill of linear regressions (minimize square error on unseen data) VPD is not always selected and when it is not, the magnitude of future increases in burn area becomes less certain. Hence, this work shows that future burn area predictions are sensitive to what environmental predictors are chosen to drive burn area.
Estuary Research Suffers from Scientific Bias
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: July 2020

Researchers are calling for a closer look at nutrient cycling in tropical and low-nutrient estuaries, which have long been overlooked in the scientific literature.
F3 Layer Characteristics Revealed by the Jicamarca Incoherent Scatter Radar: First Results
Authors: Venkatesh K. , Patra A. K. , Reinisch B. W.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we present a systematic study on the characteristics and evolution of the F3 layer using the Jicamarca incoherent scatter radar (ISR) observations made during 2014–2018. These results are also compared with those obtained from collocated digisonde observations in an effort to understand the F3 layer in more detail. The purpose of the comparison is twofold: first is to see how the digisonde observations compare with those of ISR, and second is to see to what extent our understanding on the F3 layer is observationally complete. The basic characteristics of the F3 layers observed by digisonde and ISR are found to compare well. When the F3 layer becomes topside ledge, which was missed by the digisonde, ISR observations provided vital information in characterizing such F3 layers. Importantly, the ISR capability to observe the F3 layer irrespective of its density being lower or higher than that of the F2 layer could help understand the evolution of F3 layer. The occurrence statistics show two distinct maxima, one centered on 11:00 LT and the other centered on 18:00 LT quite consistent with earlier report. While the first peak is found to be consistent with model prediction, we suggest that the second peak is governed by quiet time height varying zonal electric field linked with sunset electrodynamics. Results presented and discussed here based on ISR observations are first of its kind and reveal the behavior and evolution of the F3 layer not reported before.
Reconnection‐Driven Dynamics at Ganymede's Upstream Magnetosphere: 3‐D Global Hall MHD and MHD‐EPIC Simulations
Authors: Zhou Hongyang , Tóth Gábor , Jia Xianzhe , Chen Yuxi
Published: July 2020

The largest moon in the solar system, Ganymede, is the only moon known to possess a strong intrinsic magnetic field and a corresponding magnetosphere. Using the latest version of Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF), we study the upstream plasma interactions and dynamics in this sub‐Alfvénic system. Results from the Hall magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and the coupled MHD with embedded particle‐in‐cell (MHD‐EPIC) models are compared. We find that under steady upstream conditions, magnetopause reconnection occurs in a nonsteady manner, and the energy partition between electrons and ions is different in the two models. Flux ropes of Ganymede's radius in length form on the magnetopause at a rate about 3 min and create spatiotemporal variations in plasma and field properties. Upon reaching proper grid resolutions, the MHD‐EPIC model can resolve both electron and ion kinetics at the magnetopause and show localized nongyrotropic behavior inside the diffusion region. The estimated global reconnection rate from the models is about 80 kV with 60% efficiency, and there is weak evidence of ∼1 min periodicity in the temporal variations due to the dynamic reconnection process.
Dual roles of chromatin remodeling protein BRG1 in angiotensin II-induced endothelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Li Zilong , Kong Xiaochen , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Yangxi , Yu Liming , Guo Junli , Xu Yong
Published: July 2020

Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is considered one of the processes underlying tissue fibrosis by contributing to the pool of myofibroblasts. In the present study, we investigated the epigenetic mechanism whereby angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates EndMT to promote cardiac fibrosis focusing on the role of chromatin remodeling protein BRG1. BRG1 knockdown or inhibition attenuated Ang II-induced EndMT, as evidenced by down-regulation of CDH5, an endothelial marker, and up-regulation of COL1A2, a mesenchymal marker, in cultured vascular endothelial cells. On the one hand, BRG1 interacted with and was recruited by Sp1 to the SNAI2 (encoding SLUG) promoter to activate SNAI2 transcription in response to Ang II stimulation. Once activated, SLUG bound to the CDH5 promoter to repress CDH5 transcription. On the other hand, BRG1 interacted with and was recruited by SRF to the COL1A2 promoter to activate COL1A2 transcription. Mechanistically, BRG1 evicted histones from the target promoters to facilitate the bindings of Sp1 and SRF. Finally, endothelial conditional BRG1 knockout mice (CKO) exhibited a reduction in cardiac fibrosis, compared to the wild type (WT) littermates, in response to chronic Ang II infusion. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that BRG1 is a key transcriptional coordinator programming Ang II-induced EndMT to contribute to cardiac fibrosis.
NCAPG confers trastuzumab resistance via activating SRC/STAT3 signaling pathway in HER2-positive breast cancer
Authors: Jiang Lili , Ren Liangliang , Chen Han , Pan Jinyuan , Zhang Zhuojun , Kuang Xiangqin , Chen Xuhong , Bao Wenhao , Lin Chun , Zhou Zhongqiu , Huang Danping , Yang Jianan , Huang Hongbiao , Wang Lan , Hou Ning , Song Libing
Published: July 2020

HER2+ breast cancer (BC) is characterized by rapid growth, early recurrence, early metastasis, and chemoresistance. Trastuzumab is the most effective treatment for HER2+ BC and effectively reduces the risk of recurrence and death of patients. Resistance to trastuzumab results in cancer recurrence and metastasis, leading to poor prognosis of HER2+ BC. In the present study, we found that non-structural maintenance of chromosome condensin 1 complex subunit G (NCAPG) expression was highly upregulated in trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ BC. Ectopic NCAPG was positively correlated with tumor relapse and shorter survival in HER2+ BC patients. Moreover, overexpression of NCAPG promoted, while silencing of NCAPG reduced, the proliferative and anti-apoptotic capacity of HER2+ BC cells both in vitro and in vivo, indicating NCAPG reduces the sensitivity of HER2+ BC cells to trastuzumab and may confer trastuzumab resistance. Furthermore, our results suggest that NCAPG triggers a series of biological cascades by phosphorylating SRC and enhancing nuclear localization and activation of STAT3. To summarize, our study explores a crucial role for NCAPG in trastuzumab resistance and its underlying mechanisms in HER2+ BC, and suggests that NCAPG could be both a potential prognostic marker as well as a therapeutic target to effectively overcome trastuzumab resistance.