bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Political ideology and vaccination willingness: implications for policy design
Authors: Debus Marc , Tosun Jale
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments to impose major restrictions on individual freedom in order to stop the spread of the virus. With the successful development of a vaccine, these restrictions are likely to become obsolete—on the condition that people get vaccinated. However, parts of the population have reservations against vaccination. While this is not a recent phenomenon, it might prove a critical one in the context of current attempts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the task of designing policies suitable for attaining high levels of vaccination deserves enhanced attention. In this study, we use data from the Eurobarometer survey fielded in March 2019. They show that 39% of Europeans consider vaccines to cause the diseases which they should protect against, that 50% believe vaccines have serious side effects, that 32% think that vaccines weaken the immune system, and that 10% do not believe vaccines are tested rigorously before authorization. We find that—even when controlling for important individual-level factors—ideological extremism on both ends of the spectrum explains skepticism of vaccination. We conclude that policymakers must either politicize the issue or form broad alliances among parties and societal groups in order to increase trust in and public support for the vaccines in general and for vaccines against COVID-19 in particular, since the latter were developed in a very short time period and resulted—in particular in case of the AstraZeneca vaccine—in reservations because of the effectiveness and side effects of the new vaccines.
Do Formalist Judges Abide By Their Abstract Principles? A Two-Country Study in Adjudication
Authors: Bystranowski Piotr , Janik Bartosz , Próchnicki Maciej , Hannikainen Ivar Rodriguez , da Franca Couto Fernandes de Almeid Guilherme , Struchiner Noel
Published: June 2021

Recent literature in experimental philosophy has postulated the existence of the abstract/concrete paradox (ACP): the tendency to activate inconsistent intuitions (and generate inconsistent judgment) depending on whether a problem to be analyzed is framed in abstract terms or is described as a concrete case. One recent study supports the thesis that this effect influences judicial decision-making, including decision-making by professional judges, in areas such as interpretation of constitutional principles and application of clear-cut rules. Here, following the existing literature in legal theory, we argue that the susceptibility to such an effect might depend on whether decision-makers operate in a legal system characterized by the formalist or particularist approach to legal interpretation, with formalist systems being less susceptible to the effect. To test this hypothesis, we compare the results of experimental studies on ACP run on samples from two countries differing in legal culture: Poland and Brazil. The lack of significant differences between those results (also for professional legal decision-makers) suggests that ACP is a robust effect in the legal context.
Volatiles and Refractories in Surface-Bounded Exospheres in the Inner Solar System
Authors: Grava Cesare , Killen Rosemary M. , Benna Mehdi , Berezhnoy Alexey A. , Halekas Jasper S. , Leblanc François , Nishino Masaki N. , Plainaki Christina , Raines Jim M. , Sarantos Menelaos , Teolis Benjamin D. , Tucker Orenthal J. , Vervack Ronald J. , Vorburger Audrey
Published: June 2021

Volatiles and refractories represent the two end-members in the volatility range of species in any surface-bounded exosphere. Volatiles include elements that do not interact strongly with the surface, such as neon (detected on the Moon) and helium (detected both on the Moon and at Mercury), but also argon, a noble gas (detected on the Moon) that surprisingly adsorbs at the cold lunar nighttime surface. Refractories include species such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and aluminum, all of which have very strong bonds with the lunar surface and thus need energetic processes to be ejected into the exosphere. Here we focus on the properties of species that have been detected in the exospheres of inner Solar System bodies, specifically the Moon and Mercury, and how they provide important information to understand source and loss processes of these exospheres, as well as their dependence on variations in external drivers.
Contextualizing employment outcomes in family business research: current findings and future research avenues
Authors: Amato Stefano , Basco Rodrigo , Lattanzi Nicola
Published: June 2021

The empirical evidence of family business phenomenon in terms of employment outcomes is contradictory highlighting the micro–macro gap in the existing research. To address this contradiction, our study disentangles the role of context in family firms’ employment outcomes. To do so, we conduct a systematic literature review of 67 articles focusing on three employment-related outcomes—namely, growth, downsizing, and quality of labour—published in peer-reviewed journals from 1980 to 2020. Based on a two-by-two framework to classify this extant research, we unpack what we know about family firms and employment outcomes and where we can go from here. We highlight three main findings. First, current research is context-less since has mainly focused on the firm level in one context (i.e., region or country) and there is a lack of studies comparing family firms’ employment outcomes in different contexts and explicitly measuring the effects of contextual dimensions on family firms’ employment outcomes. This context-less approach could explain the conflicting results and lack of theoretical predictability about the family effect on employment across contexts. Second, the lack of understanding of the context in which family firms dwell highlights the need for future research to focus on context by theorizing about employment outcomes—that is, measuring context and its interactions with family- and job-related variables. Third, there is a need to further explore, analyse, and theorize on the aggregate effect of family firms on employment outcomes at different level of analysis (e.g., local, regional, and national).
Tracing erosion rates in loess landscape of the Trzebnica Hills (Poland) over time using fallout and cosmogenic nuclides
Authors: Loba Aleksandra , Waroszewski Jarosław , Tikhomirov Dmitry , Calitri Fancesca , Christl Marcus , Sykuła Marcin , Egli Markus
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Loess landscapes are highly susceptible to soil erosion, which affects soil stability and productivity. Erosion is non-linear in time and space and determines whether soils form or degrade. While the spatial variability of erosion is often assessed by either modelling or on-site measurements, temporal trends over decades to millennia are very often lacking. In this study, we determined long- and short-term erosion rates to trace the dynamics of loess deposits in south-western Poland.

Materials and methods

We quantified long-term (millennial) erosion rates using cosmogenic (in situ 10Be) and short-term (decadal) rates with fallout radionuclides (239+240Pu). Erosion processes were studied in two slope-soil transects (12 soil pits) with variable erosion features. As a reference site, an undisturbed soil profile under natural forest was sampled.

Results and discussion

The long-term erosion rates ranged between 0.44 and 0.85 t ha−1 year−1, whereas the short-term erosion rates varied from 1.2 to 10.9 t ha−1 year−1 and seem to be reliable. The short-term erosion rates are up to 10 times higher than the long-term rates. The soil erosion rates are quite consistent with the terrain relief, with erosion increasing in the steeper slope sections and decreasing in the lower parts of the slope, while still maintaining high values.

Conclusions

Soil erosion rates have increased during the last few decades owing to agriculture intensification and probably climate change. The measured values lie far above tolerable erosion rates, and the soils were found to be strongly imbalanced and exhibit a drastic shallowing of the productive soils horizons.
Simple modelling for a large-scale assessment of total phosphorus retention in the floodplains of large rivers
Authors: Schulz-Zunkel Christiane , Baborowski Martina , Ehlert Thomas , Kasperidus Hans D. , Krüger Frank , Horchler Peter , Neukirchen Bernd , Rupp Holger , Scholz Mathias , Symmank Lars , Natho Stephanie
Published: June 2021

Floodplains provide a multitude of ecosystem functions and services with water purification being one of them. For this study we modelled the retention of total phosphorous (TP) in the floodplains of the river Rhine and the river Elbe, looking at sediment deposition as the main process responsible for removing TP from rivers during inundation events. We applied two different approaches: a proxy-based approach (PBA) and a one-dimensional model based approach (MBA). We used both to calculate the yearly TP retention and compared it with the annual TP load in the rivers. Compared to the transported river load the Elbe floodplains investigated retained approx. 4.9% TP resp. 1.4% (PBA vs. MBA) while in the floodplains of the river Rhine about 1.8% vs. 0.3% TP was retained. We found that the greatest difficulty in quantifying TP retention in floodplains is due to the lack of spatial detail on the hydrological connectivity between rivers and their adjacent floodplains and that a sound validation of the results is absolutely necessary. Long-term monitoring data for floodplains, especially on hydrological connectivity, are of crucial importance in this respect.
Late Holocene environmental change and anthropogenic: Ecosystem interaction on the Laikipia Plateau, Kenya
Authors: Muiruri Veronica , Marchant Rob , Rucina Stephen M. , Scott Louis , Lane Paul J.
Published: June 2021

East African ecosystems have been shaped by long-term socio-ecological–environmental interactions. Although much previous work on human–environment interrelationships have emphasised the negative impacts of human interventions, a growing body of work shows that there have also often been strong beneficial connections between people and ecosystems, especially in savanna environments. However, limited information and understanding of past interactions between humans and ecosystems of periods longer than a century hampers effective management of contemporary environments. Here, we present a late Holocene study of pollen, fern spore, fungal spore, and charcoal analyses from radiocarbon-dated sediment sequences and assess this record against archaeological and historical data to describe socio-ecological changes on the Laikipia Plateau in Rift Valley Province, Kenya. The results suggest a landscape characterised by closed forests between 2268 years before present (cal year BP) and 1615 cal year BP when there was a significant change to a more open woodland/grassland mosaic that continues to prevail across the study area. Increased amounts of charcoal in the sediment are observed for this same period, becoming particularly common from around 900 cal year BP associated with fungal spores commonly linked to the presence of herbivores. It is likely these trends reflect changes in land use management as pastoral populations improved and extended pasture, using fire to eradicate disease-prone habitats. Implications for contemporary land use management are discussed in the light of these findings.
Is laser surface texturing good or bad for rolling element bearings?
Authors: Meng Yonggang
Published: June 2021

A short commentary on the two research articles published in Friction in 2021 is presented. Both articles reported experimental results of applications of laser surface texturing technology to the raceway of rolling element bearings. After briefly reviewing the main findings of the articles, the arguable problems and distinctions between the two articles are pointed out.
PRIME Immunology: Self-directed Introduction to Medical School Immunology
Authors: Tomasi Alessandra G. , Belhorn Thomas , Church Frank C.
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Medical students find immunology difficult to understand and relate to clinically and are often frustrated by the amount of detailed material. We created PRIME Immunology: Preview or Review of Important Material for Everyone: (i) video modules, (ii) Instagram site, and (iii) vocabulary files called Immunology Language.

Methods

The self-paced modules introduced key topics in immunology for students to complete prior to their instructional block.

Results and Conclusions

Use of PRIME Immunology during a 3-year period suggested that providing students with an overview of key topics before the start of their course may (i) reduce student angst about immunology and (ii) improve retention of immunology.
Nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review of challenges and responses
Authors: Giri Shamik , Chenn Lee Minn , Romero-Ortuno Roman
Published: June 2021

Introduction

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented challenges in nursing homes. In this scoping review, we aimed to describe factors that contributed to the spread and mortality of COVID-19 in nursing homes and provide an overview of responses that were implemented to try to overcome such challenges.

Methods

The MeSH terms “Nursing homes” and “COVID-19” were searched in MEDLINE Ovid, and English language articles were retrieved that were published between 1 March 2020 and 31 January 2021. Article titles and abstracts were screened by two reviewers, and the results of included articles were grouped by themes.

Results

The search retrieved 348 articles, of which 76 were included in the thematic review. 8 articles related to COVID-19 disease characteristics (e.g. asymptomatic transmission), 24 to resident-related factors (e.g. comorbidities, nutrition, cognition), 13 to facility characteristics (e.g. physical space, occupancy, for-profit status), 21 to staffing (e.g. staffing levels, staff-to-resident ratio, staff multi-employment), and 10 to external factors (e.g. availability of personal protective equipment, prevailing health and social care policies). In terms of responses, identified themes included widespread testing, isolation and cohorting of residents, staff protection and support, promotion of residents’ well-being, and technological innovations.

Conclusion

COVID-19 exerted severe challenges on the nursing home population and its staff. Both internal and external factors predisposed nursing homes to an increased propensity of spread. Numerous strategies were employed to attempt to mitigate the negative impacts. Substantial learning occurred that may not only aid future pandemic preparedness but improve quality of care for nursing home residents at all times.
The Phenomenon of Multidrug Resistance in Glioblastomas
Authors: Chernov Alexandr N. , Alaverdian Diana A. , Galimova Elvira S. , Renieri Alessandra , Frullanti Elisa , Meloni Ilaria , Shamova Olga V.
Published: June 2021

The most common and aggressive brain tumor in the adult population is glioblastoma (GBM). The lifespan of patients does not exceed 22 months. One of the reasons for the low effectiveness of GBM treatment is its radioresistance and chemoresistance. In the current review, we discuss the phenomenon of multidrug resistance of GBM in the context of the expression of ABC family transporter proteins and the mechanisms of proliferation, angiogenesis, and recurrence. We focused on the search of molecular targets among growth factors, receptors, signal transduction proteins, microRNAs, transcription factors, proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and their single-nucleotide polymorphisms.
Chinese Environmental Law
Authors: Zhao Yuhong
Published: June 2021

China has industrialized and urbanized at unprecedented scale and speed since its economic take-off began in the 1980s. It has become the world's second largest economy, but pollution has pushed the environment to the limits of its carrying capacity. Chinese Environmental Law provides a comprehensive and structured analysis of the increasingly sophisticated Chinese environmental legal regime. It examines the regulation of pollution in detail, covering key environmental statutes, policies and plans, and investigates judicial innovation in the interpretation and application of environmental legal instruments. The book presents Chinese environmental law in action and in context. By discussing key institutions and processes, readers will understand the operation of the environmental law and policy, the dynamic interactions between state and non-state actors, and the special challenges to the implementation and enforcement of environmental law in the socio-economic and political context of China.
Improving real-time drone detection for counter-drone systems
Authors: Çetin E. , Barrado C. , Pastor E.
Published: June 2021

The number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, also known as drones) has increased dramatically in the airspace worldwide for tasks such as surveillance, reconnaissance, shipping and delivery. However, a small number of them, acting maliciously, can raise many security risks. Recent Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities for object detection can be very useful for the identification and classification of drones flying in the airspace and, in particular, are a good solution against malicious drones. A number of counter-drone solutions are being developed, but the cost of drone detection ground systems can also be very high, depending on the number of sensors deployed and powerful fusion algorithms. We propose a low-cost counter-drone solution composed uniquely by a guard-drone that should be able to detect, locate and eliminate any malicious drone. In this paper, a state-of-the-art object detection algorithm is used to train the system to detect drones. Three existing object detection models are improved by transfer learning and tested for real-time drone detection. Training is done with a new dataset of drone images, constructed automatically from a very realistic flight simulator. While flying, the guard-drone captures random images of the area, while at the same time, a malicious drone is flying too. The drone images are auto-labelled using the location and attitude information available in the simulator for both drones. The world coordinates for the malicious drone position must then be projected into image pixel coordinates. The training and test results show a minimum accuracy improvement of 22% with respect to state-of-the-art object detection models, representing promising results that enable a step towards the construction of a fully autonomous counter-drone system.
A novel method for finding grasping handles in a clutter using RGBD Gaussian mixture models
Authors: Kundu Olyvia , Dutta Samrat , Kumar Swagat
Published: June 2021

The paper proposes a novel method to detect graspable handles for picking objects from a confined and cluttered space, such as the bins of a rack in a retail warehouse. The proposed method combines color and depth curvature information to create a Gaussian mixture model that can segment the target object from its background and imposes the geometrical constraints of a two-finger gripper to localize the graspable regions. This helps in overcoming the limitations of a poorly trained deep network object detector and provides a simple and efficient method for grasp pose detection that does not require a priori knowledge about object geometry and can be implemented online with near real-time performance. The efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated through simulation as well as real-world experiment.
Asymptotic propagations of a nonlocal dispersal population model with shifting habitats
Authors: QIAO SHAO-XIA , LI WAN-TONG , WANG JIA-BING
Published: June 2021

This paper is concerned with the asymptotic propagations for a nonlocal dispersal population model with shifting habitats. In particular, we verify that the invading speed of the species is determined by the speed c of the shifting habitat edge and the behaviours near infinity of the species’ growth rate which is nondecreasing along the positive spatial direction. In the case where the species declines near the negative infinity, we conclude that extinction occurs if c > c*(∞), while c < c*(∞), spreading happens with a leftward speed min{−c, c*(∞)} and a rightward speed c*(∞), where c*(∞) is the minimum KPP travelling wave speed associated with the species’ growth rate at the positive infinity. The same scenario will play out for the case where the species’ growth rate is zero at negative infinity. In the case where the species still grows near negative infinity, we show that the species always survives ‘by moving’ with the rightward spreading speed being either c*(∞) or c*(−∞) and the leftward spreading speed being one of c*(∞), c*(−∞) and −c, where c*(−∞) is the minimum KPP travelling wave speed corresponding to the growth rate at the negative infinity. Finally, we give some numeric simulations and discussions to present and explain the theoretical results. Our results indicate that there may exists a solution like a two-layer wave with the propagation speeds analytically determined for such type of nonlocal dispersal equations.
Optimising neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes for survivors with CHD: a research agenda for the next decade
Authors: Sood Erica , Jacobs Jeffrey P , Marino Bradley S
Published: June 2021

Neurodevelopmental and psychosocial impairments negatively impact health-related quality of life for survivors with CHD and complicate the transition to independent adulthood. Risk for neurodevelopmental and psychosocial impairments is influenced by a complex interplay among genetic, foetal, surgical, perioperative, family, and social factors, requiring a multi-pronged approach to neuroprotection and intervention. To ensure future research can ultimately reduce the burden of CHD for individuals, families, and society, the most pressing issues in cardiac neurodevelopment requiring scientific investigation must be identified.

Through funding from an R13 Grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health of the United States of America, the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative convened a two-day meeting of international experts in cardiac neurodevelopmental and psychosocial research, clinical care, and health disparities, including patient and family stakeholders, to define the cardiac neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes research agenda for the next decade. Seven multidisciplinary working groups were formed to address key domains crucial to the advancement of cardiac neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes research: 1) Foetal Brain Development and Neuroprotection, 2) Surgical/Perioperative Neuroprotection and Neurodevelopment, 3) Characterization of Neurodevelopmental and Psychological Outcomes, 4) Neurodevelopmental and Psychosocial Intervention, 5) Parent Mental Health and Family Functioning, 6) Neurodevelopmental Education, Outreach and Advocacy, and 7) Health Disparities and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes. Working groups identified significant gaps in knowledge and critical questions that must be answered to further knowledge, policy, care, and outcomes. The development of a research agenda in cardiac neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes is critical for informing collaborative initiatives and allocation of funding for research to scientific inquiries of highest value to key stakeholders.
The Nomological Network of the Short Dark Tetrad Scale (SD4)
Authors: Blötner Christian , Ziegler Matthias , Wehner Caroline , Back Mitja D. , Grosz Michael P.
Published: June 2021

Abstract. The present study examined the nomological network of the Short Dark Tetrad scale (SD4). The SD4 measures narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism. We translated the original English SD4 into German and used an online sample ( N = 594, 77% women) to investigate its nomological network with regard to the Big Five, honesty-humility, maladaptive personality traits, impulsivity, aggression, motives, values, sociosexual orientation, the octants of the interpersonal circumplex model, and self-esteem. The overall profile similarities between the observed and hypothesized nomological networks were very high. Few correlations differed concerning direction or magnitude. Hence, our study extends the nomological network of the Dark Tetrad in a meaningful way and suggests that the SD4 can be validly interpreted and used for the assessment of narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism.
Measuring the 7Cs of Vaccination Readiness
Authors: Geiger Mattis , Rees Franziska , Lilleholt Lau , Santana Ana P. , Zettler Ingo , Wilhelm Oliver , Betsch Cornelia , Böhm Robert
Published: June 2021

Abstract. Although vaccines are among the most effective interventions used in fighting diseases, vaccination readiness varies substantially among individuals. Vaccination readiness is defined as a set of components that increase or decrease AN individual’s likelihood of getting vaccinated. Building on earlier work that distinguished five components of vaccination readiness (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility), we revised the questionnaire used to measure these components to improve its psychometric properties, specifically criterion validity. In doing so, we also developed two new components of vaccination readiness: compliance and conspiracy. Compliance is the tendency to support monitoring to control adherence to regulations; conspiracy is the tendency to endorse conspiratorial beliefs about vaccination. The newly introduced 7C scale was initially piloted in a cascade of serial cross-sectional studies and then validated with N = 681 participants from the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring in Denmark. We report a bifactor measurement model, convergent validity with other questionnaires, and an explanation of 85% variance in the willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19. We also present a 7-item short version of the scale. The instrument is publicly available in several languages ( www.vaccination-readiness.com ), and we seek collaboration to provide translations of our instrument into other languages.
Effects of Atmospheric Circulation on Stream Chemistry in Forested Watersheds Across the Northeastern United States: Part 1. Synoptic‐Scale Forcing
Authors: Siegert C. M. , Suriano Z. J. , Leathers D. J. , Gold A. J. , Addy K. , Schroth A. W. , Seybold E. , Inamdar S. , Levia D. F.
Published: June 2021

Synoptic typing is a method of classifying atmospheric conditions (i.e., pressure, temperature, wind direction) and can be used to relate those conditions to terrestrial processes. In this study, a daily synoptic calendar was developed for the northeastern United States to assess the atmospheric controls on variations in stream chemistry across three forested watersheds in Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maryland. Stream discharge along with dissolved organic carbon and nitrate concentrations were monitored in situ from March to November for 3 years (2014–2016) and then compared to the regional daily synoptic calendar to assess (a) which atmospheric patterns exported the greatest flux of water and solutes, (b) whether all three watersheds responded similarly to the regional atmospheric patterns, and (c) how these fluxes changed seasonally. Seven broad categories of atmospheric patterns were identified. In general, low pressure systems situated over the Great Lakes region produced the most rainfall which resulted in the highest peak streamflow by event along with daily fluxes of DOC and ‐N across the watersheds. In contrast, southwest flow regimes and Northwest Flow regimes occurred the most frequently (36% and 14% of study days, respectively) and resulted in the largest overall export (+50% of total) of water and solutes from the three watersheds. Regardless of watershed size or location, streamflow dynamics were similar when classified using synoptic typing. As such, valuable insight into the meteorological mechanisms behind temporal variation in carbon and nitrate stream export in forested watersheds can be gained by employing regional synoptic weather analyses.
Evaluation of Different Methods for Calculating the ROTI Index Over the Brazilian Sector
Authors: Carmo C. S. , Denardini C. M. , Figueiredo C. A. O. B. , Resende L. C. A. , Picanço G. A. S. , Barbosa Neto P. F. , Nogueira P. A. B. , Moro J. , Chen S. S.
Published: June 2021

Ionospheric irregularities as plasma bubbles occur in the ionosphere, and generally, they are characterized by the low plasma density regions. The Rate Of TEC Index (ROTI) was defined in terms of the Total Electron Content (TEC) variation and is used to characterize these plasma bubbles. It is essential to evaluate the ROTI behavior since the ionospheric irregularities can cause fluctuations in the radio signal, interfering in the ionospheric data analysis. Therefore, we performed in this work a comparative study of five different methods available to calculate the ROTI to evaluate the most suitable over the Brazilian region. The ROTI was calculated over three GNSS stations at different latitudes: São Luís (SALU, 2°31′S, 44°16′W; dip: −3.8°), Cachoeira Paulista (CHPI, 22°40'S, 44°59'W; dip: −36.4°), and Santa Maria (SMAR, 29°41′S, 53°48′W, dip: −37°). The results show that the most viable method for calculating ROTI in the Brazilian region is based on the Slant TEC equation as defined by Cherniak et al. (2018), https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291‐018‐0730‐1. Our results are supported by the comparison between the ROTI with TEC maps, ionograms collected at Fortaleza (FZA0M, 3°43'S, 38°32'W, dip: −15.8°), SALU, and CHPI and All‐Sky imagers collected at the São João do Cariri (SJCA, 7°23'S, 36°31'W, dip: −11°) and CHPI. Additionally, we observe Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) in the Brazilian region using the ROTI index map.
VHL regulates the sensitivity of clear cell renal cell carcinoma to SIRT4-mediated metabolic stress via HIF-1α/HO-1 pathway
Authors: Tong Ying , Kai Jinyan , Wang Shuo , Yu Yiwen , Xie Suhong , Zheng Hui , Wang Yanchun , Liu Yixuan , Zhu Keyu , Guan Xiaolin , Guo Lin , Lu Renquan
Published: June 2021

Clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC) reprogram carbon metabolism responses to hypoxia, thereby promoting utilization of glutamine. Recently, sirtuin 4 (SIRT4), a novel molecular has turned out to be related to alternating glutamine metabolism and modulating the tumor microenvironment. However, the role of SIRT4 in ccRCC remains poorly understood. Here, we illustrated that the expression of SIRT4 is markedly reduced in cancerous tissues, and closely associated with malignancy stage, grade, and prognosis. In ccRCC cells, SIRT4 exerted its proapoptotic activity through enhancing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is part of an endogenous defense system against oxidative stress. Nevertheless, overexpression of SIRT4 hindered the upregulation of HO-1 in von Hippel–Lindau (VHL)-proficient cells and repressed its expression in VHL-deficient cells. This discrepancy indicated that competent VHL withstands the inhibitory role of SIRT4 on HIF-1α/HO-1. Functionally, overexpression of HO-1 counteracted the promotional effects of SIRT4 on ROS accumulation and apoptosis. Mechanistically, SIRT4 modulates ROS and HO-1 expression via accommodating p38-MAPK phosphorylation. By contrast, downregulation of p38-MAPK by SB203580 decreased intracellular ROS level and enhanced the expression of HO-1. Collectively, this work revealed a potential role for SIRT4 in the stimulation of ROS and the modulation of apoptosis. SIRT4/HO-1 may act as a potential therapeutic target, especially in VHL-deficient ccRCCs.
Modeling the effectiveness of olfactory testing to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission
Authors: Larremore Daniel B. , Toomre Derek , Parker Roy
Published: June 2021

A central problem in the COVID-19 pandemic is that there is not enough testing to prevent infectious spread of SARS-CoV-2, causing surges and lockdowns with human and economic toll. Molecular tests that detect viral RNAs or antigens will be unable to rise to this challenge unless testing capacity increases by at least an order of magnitude while decreasing turnaround times. Here, we evaluate an alternative strategy based on the monitoring of olfactory dysfunction, a symptom identified in 76–83% of SARS-CoV-2 infections—including those with no other symptoms—when a standardized olfaction test is used. We model how screening for olfactory dysfunction, with reflexive molecular tests, could be beneficial in reducing community spread of SARS-CoV-2 by varying testing frequency and the prevalence, duration, and onset time of olfactory dysfunction. We find that monitoring olfactory dysfunction could reduce spread via regular screening, and could reduce risk when used at point-of-entry for single-day events. In light of these estimated impacts, and because olfactory tests can be mass produced at low cost and self-administered, we suggest that screening for olfactory dysfunction could be a high impact and cost-effective method for broad COVID-19 screening and surveillance.
Structural basis of GTPase-mediated mitochondrial ribosome biogenesis and recycling
Authors: Hillen Hauke S. , Lavdovskaia Elena , Nadler Franziska , Hanitsch Elisa , Linden Andreas , Bohnsack Katherine E. , Urlaub Henning , Richter-Dennerlein Ricarda
Published: June 2021

Ribosome biogenesis requires auxiliary factors to promote folding and assembly of ribosomal proteins and RNA. Particularly, maturation of the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) is mediated by conserved GTPases, but the molecular basis is poorly understood. Here, we define the mechanism of GTPase-driven maturation of the human mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit (mtLSU) using endogenous complex purification, in vitro reconstitution and cryo-EM. Structures of transient native mtLSU assembly intermediates that accumulate in GTPBP6-deficient cells reveal how the biogenesis factors GTPBP5, MTERF4 and NSUN4 facilitate PTC folding. Addition of recombinant GTPBP6 reconstitutes late mtLSU biogenesis in vitro and shows that GTPBP6 triggers a molecular switch and progression to a near-mature PTC state. Additionally, cryo-EM analysis of GTPBP6-treated mature mitochondrial ribosomes reveals the structural basis for the dual-role of GTPBP6 in ribosome biogenesis and recycling. Together, these results provide a framework for understanding step-wise PTC folding as a critical conserved quality control checkpoint.
PGC-1α mediates a metabolic host defense response in human airway epithelium during rhinovirus infections
Authors: Michi Aubrey N. , Yipp Bryan G. , Dufour Antoine , Lopes Fernando , Proud David
Published: June 2021

Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are common cold viruses associated with exacerbations of lower airways diseases. Although viral induced epithelial damage mediates inflammation, the molecular mechanisms responsible for airway epithelial damage and dysfunction remain undefined. Using experimental HRV infection studies in highly differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells grown at air-liquid interface (ALI), we examine the links between viral host defense, cellular metabolism, and epithelial barrier function. We observe that early HRV-C15 infection induces a transitory barrier-protective metabolic state characterized by glycolysis that ultimately becomes exhausted as the infection progresses and leads to cellular damage. Pharmacological promotion of glycolysis induces ROS-dependent upregulation of the mitochondrial metabolic regulator, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), thereby restoring epithelial barrier function, improving viral defense, and attenuating disease pathology. Therefore, PGC-1α regulates a metabolic pathway essential to host defense that can be therapeutically targeted to rescue airway epithelial barrier dysfunction and potentially prevent severe respiratory complications or secondary bacterial infections.
Vortex states in an acoustic Weyl crystal with a topological lattice defect
Authors: Wang Qiang , Ge Yong , Sun Hong-xiang , Xue Haoran , Jia Ding , Guan Yi-jun , Yuan Shou-qi , Zhang Baile , Chong Y. D.
Published: June 2021

Crystalline materials can host topological lattice defects that are robust against local deformations, and such defects can interact in interesting ways with the topological features of the underlying band structure. We design and implement a three dimensional acoustic Weyl metamaterial hosting robust modes bound to a one-dimensional topological lattice defect. The modes are related to topological features of the bulk bands, and carry nonzero orbital angular momentum locked to the direction of propagation. They span a range of axial wavenumbers defined by the projections of two bulk Weyl points to a one-dimensional subspace, in a manner analogous to the formation of Fermi arc surface states. We use acoustic experiments to probe their dispersion relation, orbital angular momentum locked waveguiding, and ability to emit acoustic vortices into free space. These results point to new possibilities for creating and exploiting topological modes in three-dimensional structures through the interplay between band topology in momentum space and topological lattice defects in real space.
Spatial regulation of thermomorphogenesis by HY5 and PIF4 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lee Sanghwa , Wang Wenli , Huq Enamul
Published: June 2021

Plants respond to high ambient temperature by implementing a suite of morphological changes collectively termed thermomorphogenesis. Here we show that the above and below ground tissue-response to high ambient temperature are mediated by distinct transcription factors. While the central hub transcription factor, PHYTOCHROME INTERCTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4) regulates the above ground tissue response, the below ground root elongation is primarily regulated by ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5). Plants respond to high temperature by largely expressing distinct sets of genes in a tissue-specific manner. HY5 promotes root thermomorphogenesis via directly controlling the expression of many genes including the auxin and BR pathway genes. Strikingly, the above and below ground thermomorphogenesis is impaired in spaQ. Because SPA1 directly phosphorylates PIF4 and HY5, SPAs might control the stability of PIF4 and HY5 to regulate thermomorphogenesis in both tissues. These data collectively suggest that plants employ distinct combination of SPA-PIF4-HY5 module to regulate tissue-specific thermomorphogenesis.
Total nitrogen estimation in agricultural soils via aerial multispectral imaging and LIBS
Authors: Hossen Md Abir , Diwakar Prasoon K , Ragi Shankarachary
Published: June 2021

Measuring soil health indicators (SHIs), particularly soil total nitrogen (TN), is an important and challenging task that affects farmers’ decisions on timing, placement, and quantity of fertilizers applied in the farms. Most existing methods to measure SHIs are in-lab wet chemistry or spectroscopy-based methods, which require significant human input and effort, time-consuming, costly, and are low-throughput in nature. To address this challenge, we develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven near real-time unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral sensing solution (UMS) to estimate soil TN in an agricultural farm. TN is an important macro-nutrient or SHI that directly affects the crop health. Accurate prediction of soil TN can significantly increase crop yield through informed decision making on the timing of seed planting, and fertilizer quantity and timing. The ground-truth data required to train the AI approaches is generated via laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which can be readily used to characterize soil samples, providing rapid chemical analysis of the samples and their constituents (e.g., nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium). Although LIBS was previously applied for soil nutrient detection, there is no existing study on the integration of LIBS with UAV multispectral imaging and AI. We train two machine learning (ML) models including multi-layer perceptron regression and support vector regression to predict the soil nitrogen using a suite of data classes including multispectral characteristics of the soil and crops in red (R), near-infrared, and green (G) spectral bands, computed vegetation indices (NDVI), and environmental variables including air temperature and relative humidity (RH). To generate the ground-truth data or the training data for the machine learning models, we determine the N spectrum of the soil samples (collected from a farm) using LIBS and develop a calibration model using the correlation between actual TN of the soil samples and the maximum intensity of N spectrum. In addition, we extract the features from the multispectral images captured while the UAV follows an autonomous flight plan, at different growth stages of the crops. The ML model’s performance is tested on a fixed configuration space for the hyper-parameters using various hyper-parameter optimization techniques at three different wavelengths of the N spectrum.
Primary production ultimately limits fisheries economic performance
Authors: Marshak Anthony R. , Link Jason S.
Published: June 2021

Living marine resources (LMRs) contribute considerably to marine economies. Oceans continue to respond to the effects of global change, with environmental factors anticipated to impact future seafood production and its associated economic performance. Here we document novel relationships between primary productivity and LMR-based economics for US regional marine ecosystems and 64 international large marine ecosystems (LMEs). Intermediate relationships between production, total biomass, fisheries landings, revenue, and LMR-based employment are also elucidated. We found that all these factors were dependent on the amount of basal production in a given system. In addition, factors including human population, exploitation history, and governance interventions significantly influenced these relationships. As system productivity plays a foundational role in determining fisheries-based economics throughout global LMEs, greater accounting for these relationships has significant implications for global seafood sustainability and food security. Quantifying the direct link between primary production and fisheries economic performance serves to better inform ecosystem overfishing thresholds and their economic consequences. Further recognition and understanding of these relationships is key to ensuring that these connections are accounted for more effectively in sustainable management practices.
Computation of distribution of relaxation times by Tikhonov regularization for Li ion batteries: usage of L-curve method
Authors: Paul T. , Chi P. W. , Wu Phillip M. , Wu M. K.
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the distribution of relaxation times (DRTs) functions are calculated numerically in Matlab for synthetic impedance data from single parallel $$RC$$

RC

circuit and two parallel $$RC$$

RC

circuits connected in series, experimental impedance data from supercapacitors and α-LiFeO2 anode based Li ion batteries. The quality of the impedance data is checked with the Kramers–Krönig (KK) relations. The DRTs are calculated within the KK compatible regime for all the systems using Tikhonov regularization (TR) method. Here we use a fast and simple L-curve method to estimate the TR parameter (λ) for regularization of the Fredholm integral equations of first kind in impedance. Estimation of the regularization parameters are performed effectively from the offset of the global corner of the L-curve rather than simply using the global corner. The physical significances of DRT peaks are also discussed by calculating the effective resistances and capacitances coupled with peak fitting program. For instance, two peaks in the DRTs justify the electrical double layer capacitance and ion diffusion phenomena for supercapacitors in low to intermediate frequencies respectively. Moreover, the surface film effect, Li/electrolyte and electrode/electrolyte charge transfer related processes are identified for α-LiFeO2 anode based Li-ion batteries. This estimation of the offset of the global corner extends the L-curve approach coupled with the Tikhonov regularization in the field of electrochemistry and can also be applied in similar process detection methods.
Supplementary solvent irrigation efficacy on filling remnants removal comparing XP-endo Finisher R vs IrriSafe
Authors: Ferreira Inês , Babo Pedro S. , Braga Ana Cristina , Lopes Maria Ascensão , Gomes Manuela E. , Pina-Vaz Irene
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of XP-endo Finisher R and IrriSafe, with a solvent mixture of Methyl ethyl ketone/Tetrachloroethylene (MEK/TCE), in the removal of root filling residues. Twenty-four human mandibular incisors were pair-matched by micro-computed tomography according to volume and aspect ratio. After retreatment, specimens were allocated to two experimental groups (n = 12), according to the supplementary instrument used. The volume of residual filling material after each irrigating step and the time for retreatment was calculated. Statistical analyses were carried out using Mann–Whitney test, with a significance level of 5%. The volume of initial root canal filling material between the groups was similar (p > 0.05). With the final irrigation protocol (NaOCl and EDTA) the volume of the filling remnants decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with no differences between IrriSafe or XP-endo Finisher R (p > 0.05). The additional solvent mixture MEK/TCE increased the efficiency of filling materials reduction, regardless of the agitating instruments employed, IrriSafe or XP-endo Finisher R (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups regarding the time (p = 0.149). Both supplementary instruments were effective in the reduction of filling remnants. The additional step with a solvent mixture of MEK/TCE enabled a total recovery of patency and the achievement of cleaner canals, independently of the agitation instrument.
Combined quantum Monte Carlo – effective fragment molecular orbital method: fragmentation across covalent bonds
Authors: Zahariev F. , Gordon M. S.
Published: June 2021

The previously developed combined Quantum Monte Carlo-Effective Fragment Molecular Orbital (QMC-EFMO) method is extended to systems in which the fragmentation process cuts across covalent molecular bonds.
Glow-type chemiluminescent hydrogels for point-of-care testing (POCT) of cholesterol
Authors: Ning Yu , Lu Fan , Liu Yucheng , Yang Sisi , Wang Fubing , Ji Xinghu , He Zhike
Published: June 2021

HRP/COD/luminol/Alg hydrogels with glow-type chemiluminescence were preparated and applied for rapid and quantitative detection of cholesterol via a smartphone.
Thermo-sensitivity of hybrid nanogels for specific endogenous hydrogen sulfide detection and efficient flash chill treatment
Authors: Sun Xu-hao , Wang Qiu-bo , Pan Li , Mu Yi-lin , Zhang Xian , Liu Zhao-e
Published: June 2021

Thermo-responsive nanogels, poly(NIPAM–AAM) were prepared by a facile method of free radical one-pot precipitation based on monomeric N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM).
3-Substituted 2-isocyanopyridines as versatile convertible isocyanides for peptidomimetic design
Authors: Hollanders Charlie , Elsocht Mathias , Van der Poorten Olivier , Jida Mouhamad , Renders Evelien , Maes Bert U. W. , Ballet Steven
Published: June 2021

We report the use of 3-substituted 2-isocyanopyridines as convertible isocyanides in Ugi four-component reactions. The N-(3-substituted pyridin-2-yl)amide Ugi products can be cleaved by amines, alcohols, and water with Zn(OAc)2 as catalyst.
Nanocomposite synthesis strategies based on the transformation of well-tailored metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Lee Jae Hwa , Kim Min Hyuk , Moon Hoi Ri
Published: June 2021

We provides a comprehensive overview on various approaches of synthesising advanced nanocomposites via conversion of MOFs.
Metal-free C8–H functionalization of quinoline N-oxides with ynamides
Authors: Hu Weican , Zhang Feiyang , Chen Chen , Qi Tianhang , Shen Yanlong , Qian Guoying , Rong Zhouting
Published: June 2021

A metal-free C8–H functionalization of quinoline N-oxides with ynamides was developed.