bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing long term effects of compost fertilization on soil fertility and nitrogen mineralization rate
Authors: Reimer Marie , Kopp Clara , Hartmann Tobias , Zimmermann Heidi , Ruser Reiner , Schulz Rudolf , Müller Torsten , Möller Kurt
Published: February 2023

Background

Fertilization with organic waste compost can close the nutrient cycles between urban and rural environments. However, its effect on yield and soil fertility must be investigated.

Aim

This study investigated the long‐term effect of compost on soil nutrient and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) concentration, nutrient budgets, and nitrogen (N) mineralization and efficiency.

Methods

After 21 years of annual compost application (100/400 kg N ha–1 year–1 [100BC/400BC]) alone and combined with mineral fertilization, soil was analyzed for pH, organic carbon (SOC), nutrient (total N and P, Nmin, extractable CAL‐P, CAL‐K, and Mg), and PTE (Cu, Ni, Zn) concentrations. Yields were recorded and nutrient/PTE budgets and apparent net mineralization (ANM, only 2019) were calculated.

Results

N efficiency was the highest in maize and for mineral fertilization. Compost application led to lower N efficiencies, but increased ANM, SOC, pH, and soil N, and surpluses of N, P, and all PTEs. Higher PTE concentrations were only found in 400BC for Cu. Nutrient budgets correlated with soil nutrient concentration. A surplus of 16.1 kg P ha–1 year–1 and 19.5 kg K ha–1 year–1 resulted in 1 mg kg–1 increase in CAL‐P and CAL‐K over 21 years.

Conclusion

Compost application supplies nutrients to crops with a minor risk of soil‐accumulation of PTEs. However, the nutrient stoichiometry provided by compost does not match crop offtakes causing imbalances. Synchronization of compost N mineralization and plant N demand does not match and limits the yield effect. In winter wheat only 65–70% of N mineralization occurred during the growth period.
Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.)
Authors: Jiao Ruize , Wu Yingyin , Xu Fangcheng , Li Yan , Mao Linchun
Published: February 2023

Background

Nuoshanyao (NSY) is a special species of Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) and shows rich functionality and superior nutritional value. The chemical components and structural properties of Nuoshanyao polysaccharide (NSYP) were investigated in his study.

Results

The molecular weight (Mw) of the major component in the polysaccharide was 23 kDa. NSYP was mainly composed of glucose, mannose, and galactose, and the molar ratio was 36.5:1.63:1. There might be an ordered helical conformation in NSYP, and the surface of NSYP was granular. NSYP exhibited strong scavenging capacity on the DPPH radical and chelating capacity on the ferrous ion in vitro with a rate of 94.94% and 82.49% at 4 mg/mL.

Conclusion

NSYP with the appropriate molecular weight range and helix structure could possess great antioxidant activity, while monosaccharide compositions may affect the activity. This work supplied important information for the potential application of NSYP in the nutritional and food industries.
Uncombable hair improved by biotin
Authors: Drivenes Jakob L. , Grimalt Ramon , Betz Regina C. , Bygum Anette
Published: February 2023

Uncombable hair syndrome (UHS) is a rare disorder of hair shaft morphology. UHS presents in early childhood with blonde, dry and frizzy scalp hair. The rate of hair growth may be normal or slow. The UHS hair shaft is characterized by a triangular shape with longitudinal grooves along the hair shaft axis. At writing, no curative treatment is available for UHS. However, research suggests that oral biotin supplementation results in a clinical improvement in growth rate and texture in some cases. Here, we present the case of a girl with UHS who was successfully treated with oral biotin supplementation. Our case highlights the diagnostic pathway in UHS, and demonstrates that two cycles of treatment with biotin, each separated by a period of 3 years, led to a significant improvement in combability and growth rate in a patient with UHS. We propose that biotin is a safe treatment option for UHS when both the health care provider and the family are aware of the possible interference with laboratory test results.
Simultaneous Manipulation of Line‐Gap and Point‐Gap Topologies in Non‐Hermitian Lattices
Authors: Liu Dongjue , Wang Zihao , Cheng Zheyu , Hu Hao , Wang Qijie , Xue Haoran , Zhang Baile , Luo Yu
Published: February 2023

Non‐Hermiticity may significantly influence the topology of a photonic/electronic lattice, giving rise to point gaps, which have attracted much attention in recent years. While the influences of the point‐gap topology on the bulk‐boundary correspondence for the line gap have been widely studied, the topological lattice that simultaneously processes the line‐gap and point‐gap topological transitions has not been reported. Here, a strategy to simultaneously manipulate the line‐gap and point‐gap topologies in non‐Hermitian lattices is proposed. By introducing the asymmetric intercell coupling, the line‐gap topological transition process is demonstrated. By further considering the nonreciprocal coupling between the nearest neighboring unit cells, the point‐gap and line‐gap topological transitions can be simultaneously realized. Finally, the influence of the next nearest coupling on non‐Hermitian line‐gap and point‐gap topologies is also discussed.
Pneumatically Tunable Droplet Microlaser
Authors: Yamagishi Hiroshi , Fujita Keitaro , Miyagawa Junnosuke , Mikami Yuya , Yoshioka Hiroaki , Oki Yuji , Takada Naoki , Baba Soumei , Saito Shimpei , Someya Satoshi , Lin Zhan‐Hong , Huang Jer‐Shing , Yamamoto Yohei
Published: February 2023

An ideally flexible laser may function in unison with minute fluctuations in nature. Lasers made solely from liquids are promising toward this end, but they are intrinsically unstable and have been inapplicable to steady operation under ambient conditions unless they are enclosed in a tailored container or a matrix to prevent the evaporation of the liquid. Here, a simple methodology is reported to form a self‐standing spherical microlaser that is composed fully of liquid and operates steadily even under atmosphere. The robustness and spherical morphology of the droplets are achieved by using ionic liquid as the liquid medium and gently casting the droplets on a substrate covered with hydrophobic nanoparticles to enhance the metastability of the contact angle. The resulting droplets are highly robust and work as efficient long‐lasting laser oscillators. The lasing wavelength is sensitively shifted when the droplets are subjected to a faint breeze or moisture, which is associated with the deformation of the droplet. The morphological and optical responses of the droplet under gas convection are consistently supported by aerodynamic and electromagnetic simulations. The droplets are readily scalable with an inkjet printer without the need for any further treatments.
A smooth ambiguity model of investment timing under asymmetric information
Authors: Pong Wong Kit
Published: February 2023

This paper incorporates ambiguity into a principal–agent framework wherein an owner delegates the investment decision of a project in continuous time to a manager. Information is asymmetric in that the owner faces ambiguity regarding the uncertain investment cost of the project (low or high) but the manager privately observes the true value. Ambiguity aversion is shown to induce the owner to act in a pessimistic manner with a perception that the probability of having the low investment cost is smaller than what the objective beliefs suggest, resulting in a distortion on the equilibrium tradeoff between investment efficiency and information rent.
A novel heterozygous ATP1A2 pathogenic variant in a Chinese child with MELAS‐like alternating hemiplegia
Authors: Zhang Xin , Qiu Shiyan , Yang Li , Li Yufen , Xu Liyun , Xu Na , Mi Changrui , Li Menglin
Published: February 2023

Background

Pathogenic variants of ATP1A2 (OMIM ID: 182340) are usually associated with familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 (FHM‐2), alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC), early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE), transient cytotoxic edema, and so on. Here, we present a novel heterozygous ATP1A2 variant in a girl with alternating hemiplegia, febrile seizures, developmental delay (which subsequently subsided), and MELAS‐like syndrome (as indicated by brain MRI). The patient did not experience migraine with aura.

Methods

The patient was an 8‐year‐old girl with normal growth and development. Beginning from the age of 3 years and 8 months, the patient experienced several episodes of alternating limb paralysis. The episodes were accompanied by the appearance of MELAS‐like findings on brain MRI, which corresponded to the hemiplegia. There were abnormal linear signals in the cerebral cortex on the opposite side of the hemiplegic limb. Each time the patient recovered from hemiplegia, and each time MRI showed no lesions remained after recovery. No obvious abnormality was found in other examinations. Finally, the patient underwent whole‐exome sequencing (WES).

Results

WES revealed a novel and de novo heterozygous variant in the ATP1A2 (NM_000702.3) c.335C>A:p.Ala112Asp (not previously reported). We examined the variant position in the 3D protein structure and found that a missense mutation at this site is a nonconservative substitution. The variation is nonpolymorphic. It occurs at a very low frequency in the population, and its ACMG classification is likely pathogenic.

Conclusion

At present, there are limited reports of mutations in the ATP1A2 gene causing AHC. This is the first case of brain MRI showing MELAS‐like imaging in an AHC patient, and more cases are needed for verification. Early genetic testing and family screening can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases. The relationship between ATP1A2 gene mutation genotype and clinical phenotype needs to be further studied.
Some results for a class of delayed fractional partial differential equations with Caputo–Hadamard derivative
Authors: Arfaoui Hassen , Ben Makhlouf Abdellatif
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we study the existence and uniqueness of the global solution to the Fractional Hyperbolic Systems of Partial Differential equations (FHyPDifS) by the Caputo–Hadamard fractional‐order derivative. In addition, we give a new sufficient conditions for the finite time stability (FTS) of FHyPDifS for the Caputo–Hadamard fractional‐order derivative. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate our theoretical results.
Corrigendum: On the spaces of Cesàro absolutely p‐summable, null and convergent sequences, Math. Methods Appl. Sci.44(5)(2021), 3670–3685
Authors: Savaşci Medine Yeşilkayagil , Başar Feyzi
Published: February 2023

The sequence spaces , and are introduced by Roopaei and Başar [8] as the domain of the Cesàro matrix of order in the spaces , and of absolutely ‐summable, null and convergent sequences, respectively, where . As a direct consequence of incorrectly calculation of the inverse of the Cesàro matrix of order , the main results in Sections 3 and 4 of Roopaei and Başar [8] were wrongly obtained. The main purpose of this paper is to rectify the main results of [8] given in Sections 3 and 4.
Postoperative Radiation Therapy Refusal in Major Salivary Gland Cancers
Authors: Shah Keshav V. , Carey Ryan M. , Prasad Aman , Panara Kush , Rajasekaran Karthik , Cannady Steven B. , Brant Jason A. , Brody Robert M.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Major salivary gland cancers (MSGCs) are often treated with primary surgery followed by adjuvant therapy for high‐risk pathology. Patients with these cancers may opt out of recommended postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) for many reasons and consequently may suffer worse outcomes.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

National Cancer Database.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with MSGC from 2004 to 2016 were identified, and overall survival and risk factors for refusal of recommended PORT were analyzed based on demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors. Multivariable logistic regression and a Cox model were used to conduct the analysis.

Results

211 out of 4704 qualifying patients (4.5%) refused recommended PORT. Multivariable analysis demonstrated increased PORT refusal for age >74 years (odds ratio OR 4.34, confidence interval [CI] [2.43‐7.85]), Asian race (OR 2.25, CI [1.10‐4.23]), and certain facility types (comprehensive cancer center, OR 2.39, CI [1.08‐6.34]; academic research program, OR 3.29, CI [1.49‐8.74]; and integrated network cancer program, OR 2.75, CI [1.14‐7.7]). N2 stage was associated with decreased PORT refusal (OR 0.67, CI [0.45‐0.98]). The 5‐year overall survival for patients who received and refused PORT were significantly different at 65.8% and 53.8%, respectively (p < .001). When controlling for several factors, PORT refusal was independently associated with significantly lower overall survival (HR 1.54, CI [1.21‐1.98]).

Conclusion

Patient refusal of recommended PORT in MSGC is rare, associated with various disease and socioeconomic factors, and may decrease overall survival. Our findings can assist clinicians in counseling patients and identifying those who may be more likely to opt out of recommended PORT.
Detecting spatial heterogeneity in the determinants of intercity migration in China
Authors: Li Sen , Gu Hengyu , Shen Jianfa
Published: February 2023

Spatial variations exist in migration patterns and the processes causing the observed patterns. Yet, far less attention has been given to the latter. Even if a few studies have engaged in spatial heterogeneity in the process of migration, the scale multiplicity is not emphasised. This research aims to address these gaps with evidence from Chinese cities. To facilitate international comparisons, we use data on intercity migration over a 5‐year interval instead of the floating population. Following an elaboration of highly imbalanced migration patterns at the city scale, we detect spatial heterogeneity in the processes underlying these patterns based on 17 potential determinants in four domains (namely labour market conditions, site‐specific amenities, agglomerative effects, and institutional dividends) by multiscale geographically weighted regression. The results indicate that cities' attractiveness to migrants depends on a broad spectrum of factors whose influences are location‐dependent and exhibit specific patterns, including east–west, south–north, and southwest–northeast gradient patterns, as well as discrete clustered and concentric patterns. The diagnostic analysis has confirmed that the provenance of spatial‐varying effects is irrelevant to the nonlinearity. These effects are also scale‐sensitive, showing that the influencing scales of the labour market status and agglomeration factors tend to be larger (i.e., their effects are spatially stationary) than those relevant to amenities and policies, which vary considerably (i.e., the impacts of some factors change significantly over space). These findings regarding spatial heterogeneity deepen our understanding of migration in China and highlight the fact that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach for government policies designed to attract migrants.
Plural Policing in the Pacific
Authors: Watson Danielle , Howes Loene , Dinnen Sinclair , Bull Melissa , Amin Sara N.
Published: February 2023

Plural policing has become a key focus in critical policing and security scholarship, with growing acknowledgement that policing practices involve multiple actors and diverse institutional forms. While much of the recent interest in plural policing has been prompted by the global growth of private security, plural policing in the Pacific Islands has long been evident in the co-existence of state-based police organisations operating nationally, and traditional or customary policing forms operating at local levels in most of these countries and territories. This chapter examines the plural character of Pacific policing in the context of historical and more recent processes of pluralisation, including the expanding domains of private and transnational policing, highlighting the deepening entanglement and interdependency between these various policing forms. The geographic focus is on the independent Melanesian countries, the region’s most populous, socially diverse, and challenging policing environments.
The International Policing Agenda in the Pacific
Authors: Watson Danielle , Howes Loene , Dinnen Sinclair , Bull Melissa , Amin Sara N.
Published: February 2023

International policing is a complex and non-neutral endeavour, which encompasses a diverse range of activities such as peace operations, capacity development, cross-border partnerships to combat transnational crime, and disaster assistance. In the Pacific region, while partnerships have long been part of the development and security landscapes, they entail various expectations and obligations, influenced by the historical relationships between countries and their relative status as aid donors or recipients. This chapter outlines the nature and development of international policing in the Pacific context. It then provides examples of international policing in the region, where many Pacific Islands countries have been involved both as host nations for—and contributors to—these efforts. The chapter highlights the complexities of partnerships in the Pacific region, and the challenges and benefits involved.
Supersymmetric solitons in gauged $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 8 supergravity
Authors: Anabalón Andrés , Gallerati Antonio , Ross Simon , Trigiante Mario
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We consider soliton solutions in AdS4 with a flat slicing and Wilson loops around one cycle. We study the phase structure and find the ground state and identify supersymmetric solutions as a function of the Wilson loops. We work in the context of a scalar field truncation of gauged $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 8 supergravity, where all the dilatons are equal and all the axions vanish in the STU model. In this theory, we construct new soliton solutions parameterized by two Wilson lines. We find that there is a degeneracy of supersymmetric solutions. We also show that, for alternate boundary conditions, there exists a non-supersymmetric soliton solution with energy lower than the supersymmetric one.
Electric/magnetic Newton-Hooke and Carroll Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity
Authors: Avilés Luis , Gomis Joaquim , Hidalgo Diego , Zanelli Jorge
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We construct the electric and magnetic Newton-Hooke and Carroll Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity theories using the isomorphism of Newton-Hooke± and (A-)dS Carroll algebras in (1+1)-spacetime dimensions. The starting point is the non-relativistic and Carroll version of Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity without restrictions on the geometry studied in [1].
Environmental justice in South Africa: the dilemma of informal settlement residents
Authors: Kekana H. N. , Ruhiiga T. M. , Ndou N. N. , Palamuleni L. G.
Published: February 2023

The concept of environmental justice is well established in the literature; however, scholars still battle to agree on what it really means. This concept has become more relevant to the studies of informal settlements amongst others. The location and environmental variables in informal settlements suggests a variety of injustices that comes with location, limited access to water, poor or lack of sanitation, challenges with transport availability, accessibility, affordability, and lack of other social amenities. These and many other socio-economic needs forms part of the value chain of environmental justice debates across the world. This paper deals with environmental justice in the informal settlements of Kosmos, in the Madibeng Local Municipality, Bojanala Region in the North-West Province of South Africa. The paper highlights some of the environmental challenges faced by the informal settlement residents such as pollution, waste management (landfill sites, waste collection) sanitation and water provision. The paper explores how the Kosmos informal settlement community has been excluded from decision making processes regarding their own environment and considers the levels of environmental injustices commonly associated with this kind of practice.
Advances in the Mechanistic Study of the Control of Oxidative Stress Injury by Modulating HDAC6 Activity
Authors: Xue Yuanye , Gan Bing , Zhou Yanxing , Wang Tingyu , Zhu Tong , Peng Xinsheng , Zhang Xiangning , Zhou Yanfang
Published: February 2023

Oxidative stress is defined as an injury resulting from a disturbance in the dynamic equilibrium of the redox environment due to the overproduction of active/radical oxygen exceeding the antioxidative ability of the body. This is a key step in the development of various diseases. Oxidative stress is modulated by different factors and events, including the modification of histones, which are the cores of nucleosomes. Histone modification includes acetylation and deacetylation of certain amino acid residues; this process is catalyzed by different enzymes. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a unique deacetylating protease that also catalyzes the deacetylation of different nonhistone substrates to regulate various physiologic processes. The intimate relationship between HDAC6 and oxidative stress has been demonstrated by different studies. The present paper aims to summarize the data obtained from a mechanistic study of HDAC6 and oxidative stress to guide further investigations on mechanistic characterization and drug development.
North–South discrepancy and gender role attitudes: evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Do Trang Thu , Nguyen-Trung Kien , Le Chau Hai
Published: February 2023

In Vietnam, it is commonly believed that gender norms, sex labour segregation, and structural organization of social institutions often favour male dominance while restricting women’s roles in domestic spheres. However, there is a scant literature of Vietnamese scholarship on the determinants of gender role attitudes, especially geographical disparities. This paper aims to fill this void by using a nationally representative survey with 8288 respondents. Our findings suggested that age, marital status, religion, education, living area, region, ethnicity, and personal monthly income are the factors that predicted gender attitudes. In terms of regional disparities, we found that Northerners were more permissive in their gender attitudes than Southerners, which may be explained by distinct historical and political trajectories in Northern and Southern Vietnam during the last century. There were, however, inconsistent patterns among different age cohorts whereby region significantly impacted the attitudes of women born before the end of the French War in 1954, men born after the Reunification in 1975, as well as both men and women born between 1954 and 1975.
Boundedness of Complements for Log Calabi–Yau Threefolds
Authors: Chen Guodu , Han Jingjun , Xue Qingyuan
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we study the theory of complements, introduced by Shokurov, for Calabi–Yau type varieties with the coefficient set [0, 1]. We show that there exists a finite set of positive integers$$\mathcal {N}$$N, such that if a threefold pair$$(X/Z\ni z,B)$$(X/Z∋z,B)has an$$\mathbb {R}$$R-complement which is klt over a neighborhood ofz, then it has ann-complement for some$$n\in \mathcal {N}$$n∈N. We also show the boundedness of complements for$$\mathbb {R}$$R-complementary surface pairs.
About Language
Authors: Thornbury Scott
Published: February 2023

This second edition has been fully revised and updated, incorporating recent developments in language description, whilst keeping the organisation and structure of the successful first edition. As before, the book asks: 'What is it that a teacher needs to know about English in order to teach it effectively?' It develops teachers' language awareness through a wide range of tasks, which involve them in analysing English to discover its underlying systems. The book consists of 31 units, with new material focusing on varieties of English, models of grammar, phraseology, and spoken grammar. Throughout the book, the language is illustrated wherever possible from authentic sources, so that the teacher can be sure that the English being studied represents current usage.
Experimental insights into gravity-driven flows and mixing in layered porous media
Authors: Sahu Chunendra K. , Neufeld Jerome A.
Published: February 2023

The heterogeneity of permeability in a porous medium considerably alters the behaviour of density-driven flows from what is observed in a medium of homogeneous permeability, and significantly enhances the mixing between the dense and light fluids during the flow. In this work, we present results from laboratory experiments performed in heterogeneous media consisting of horizontal layers of different permeabilities, investigating their effects on gravity current flows. We find that the mixing in our heterogeneous experimental set-ups can be

${O}(2)$

greater than that in a homogeneous medium of similar depth-averaged properties. The enhanced mixing in this setting is primarily because of transverse gravity-driven fingers and produced blunt front, which is the direct result of the layered structure. This enhanced rate of mixing dictates the gravity current height and length, making the current lose its long and thin shape much faster than a comparable current in a homogeneous medium. We discuss the experimental observations in detail and present relevant physical interpretations. Based on the experimental measurements and dimensionless modelling, we also derive semi-empirical formulas for predicting the gravity current length, height and mixing in a heterogeneous medium. Results from this work can be used in predicting the scale of mixing between different density fluids during contaminant transport in the subsurface environment.
Numerical investigation of detachment and transport of particulate structures in wall-flow filters using lattice Boltzmann methods
Authors: Hafen Nicolas , Thieringer Julia R.D. , Meyer Jörg , Krause Mathias J. , Dittler Achim
Published: February 2023

The exhaust from combustion engines contains particulate matter (PM), which poses potential health risks to human lungs. Current emission laws place increasingly strict limitations on both PM and particle number, leading to the necessity of using wall-flow filters to separate out a significant amount of the introduced PM. As this leads to an increase in the filter's loading, it is regenerated continuously or periodically, leading to the rearrangement of individual particulate structures inside the filter channels. Such rearrangement events cause the formation of specific deposition patterns, which affect the filter's pressure drop, its loading capacity and the separation efficiency. In order to derive predictions on the formation of specific deposition patterns, the transient behaviour of individual particle structures needs to be examined. The present work investigates the detachment and transport of particle structures during filter regeneration with three-dimensional surface-resolved simulations using a lattice Boltzmann method. The goal of this work is the determination of relevant key quantities and their interpretation with respect to predictions regarding the resulting deposition patterns. In this context, it is shown that lift forces are not the predominant detachment forces for non-spherical particle structures, and that the stopping distance of such structures is too long to avoid back-end deposition.
Acoustic responses of underwater superhydrophobic surfaces subjected to an intense pulse
Authors: Bussonnière Adrien , Liu Qingxia Chad , Tsai Peichun Amy
Published: February 2023

Underwater stability of an air layer trapped in a micro-structure, plastron, is critical in drag reduction applications. Here, we investigate the wetting state and plastron stability of underwater superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) under an intense acoustic drive. Flat surfaces and SHS are subjected to short acoustic pulses of different intensities. At low amplitude, the comparison between the results of various surfaces shows that plastron behaves like a water–air interface, whose presence can be detected from the phase of the reflected acoustic waves. At moderate intensity, a wetting transition towards a completely wetting state is observed and shown to be triggered by a sufficiently large acoustic radiation pressure. This wetting transition is well captured by a simplified model by balancing radiation pressure with the critical capillary pressure for the interface sliding. Cavitation clouds appear under strong excitation; their sizes and positions greatly depend on the surface acoustic boundary condition. For SHS in a Cassie–Baxter state (with an air layer), cavitation clouds appear at specific locations (from the solid surface) corresponding to the pressure anti-node of the transient standing wave generated by the reflection. This study unprecedentedly demonstrates the capability of acoustic waves to monitor and characterize plastron stability with low and moderate amplitudes, respectively.
Rule Significance and Interbranch Competition in Rulemaking Processes
Authors: CHIOU FANG-YI , KLINGLER JONATHAN
Published: February 2023

As one of the most powerful executive actions, rulemaking by U.S. federal agencies involves all three branches and governs many issue areas, but some rules are routine and others are highly consequential. We build a new rule universe composed of nearly forty-thousand considered rules listed in the Unified Agenda since Spring 1995 and employ an item response model with 15 raters to generate integrated estimates of rule significance for each of the rules. To showcase the usefulness of this new measure, we propose and test competing models on agency productivity, finding that the president and Congress influence rule promulgation in a nuanced way. The president is dominant when agencies consider moderately noteworthy rules, and Congress has more influence over the most significant regulations, suggesting that the branches’ influences vary with the consequential nature of the issues considered.
ON LARGE ORBITS OF FINITE SOLVABLE GROUPS ON CHARACTERS
Authors: YANG YONG , LI JINBAO
Published: February 2023

We prove that if a solvable group A acts coprimely on a solvable group G, then A has a relatively ‘large’ orbit in its corresponding action on the set of ordinary complex irreducible characters of G. This improves an earlier result of Keller and Yang [‘Orbits of finite solvable groups on characters’, Israel J. Math.199 (2014), 933–940].
Explicit Gender Stereotyping in Canadian Politics
Authors: Chen Philip , Thomas Melanee , Harell Allison , Gosselin Tania
Published: February 2023

In this research note, we document the extent to which negative beliefs about women's capacity to hold public office are widespread in Canada. Using a list experiment, our results demonstrate that many Canadians believe that men are “naturally better” leaders than are women and that women are “too emotional” and “too nice” for politics. While some groups are willing to explicitly own these views when asked directly about them (for example, older people, men, those who are more conservative and religious), others are unwilling to do so unless social desirability is mitigated (for example, younger people, left-leaning). By overcoming concerns with social desirability, we show that women still face explicit, often sexist, barriers in political work.
To Claim or Not to Claim: Investigating Non-Take-Up of Welfare Schemes Targeting Hong Kong Older Adults and the Stigma Attached to Them
Authors: Kühner Stefan , Chou Kee-Lee
Published: February 2023

This article investigates the unique contribution of specific programme characteristics together with personal stigma, stigmatisation by the public, and claims stigma, to the non-take-up of targeted income support among Hong Kong older adults. Drawing on data from a sample of 3,299 Hong Kong older adults aged 65 or above, we find that between 11-14 per cent of eligible participants did not receive cash transfers from Normal and Higher Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) and old-age Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (old-age CSSA). By combining mainstream economic analysis with attempts to quantify welfare stigma (Baumberg, 2016) we find that transaction costs were most consistently and strongly related to non-take-up of targeted income support; non-take-up of old-age CSSA and Higher OALA but not Normal OALA varied with welfare stigma after controlling for personal and household characteristics of study participants. This article further adds to the literature by examining the effect of recent reforms to asset- and means-tested benefits for the same target population of older adults on take-up in the East Asian context. The article suggests that automatic switching of beneficiaries from Normal OALA to Higher OALA effectively facilitated higher take-up of the latter. The policy implications of these various findings are discussed.
Novel approach to decision making for orphan drugs
Authors: Decker Barbora , Mlcoch Tomas , Pustovalova Anastasie , Dolezal Tomas
Published: February 2023

Background

Out of 185 orphan medicinal products (OMPs) registered in 2015–2021, a mere 110 (59 percent) were available to Czech patients, and only 54 (29 percent) were officially reimbursed. Moreover, this proportion has steadily decreased over time. After years of public debate induced by this unsatisfactory OMP patient access, the national viewpoint shifted toward creating a special pathway for the reimbursement of OMP. Thus, a rigorous pricing and reimbursement procedure with strict timelines and elaborated methodology has been recently adopted in Czechia.

Methodology

The innovative legislation follows the recommendations for value assessment and funding processes for rare diseases and incorporates additional elements of value, such as the societal perspective. First, the application with clinical evidence, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact analyses is submitted to the governmental health technology assessment (HTA) agency by the Marketing Authorization Holder or a Health Insurance Fund. Moreover, professional associations and patients’ organizations are rightful participants in the proceeding, providing evidence and comments. Then, the HTA agency performs the assessment/appraisal of the evidence. It subsequently publishes the assessment report summarizing available information. The report is then forwarded to the Ministry of Health and its advisory body consisting of patients, clinical experts, health insurance funds, and the State. They critically evaluate the documents and issue a binding opinion following prespecified decision-making criteria. Based on this binding opinion, the decision is issued by the HTA agency. Thus, the role of the advisory body in this process is crucial.

Conclusion

We believe that this novel approach may offer satisfactory patient access to orphan drugs. Moreover, it serves as a real-world example of “value-based” decision making.
DE SIMPLICIUS À ḤUNAYN: LA TRANSMISSION D'UNE DOXOGRAPHIE DANS LES RÉSUMÉS AU TRAITÉ SUR LES ÉLÉMENTS DE GALIEN
Authors: Brémond Mathilde
Published: February 2023

Cet article s’intéresse à deux doxographies présentes dans des résumés et abrégés de Ḥunayn au traité Sur les Éléments de Galien. Nous retraçons l’origine de ces doxographies, depuis des scolies grecques au traité galénique jusqu’au Commentaire à la Physique de Simplicius, dont nous montrons qu’il en est la source ultime. Nous indiquons aussi que le Commentaire de Simplicius a inspiré une interprétation de Parménide et Mélissos que nous trouvons chez Ḥunayn. Cela nous permet de voir des traces du Commentaire à la Physique de Simplicius dans le monde arabe et d’apporter quelques éclaircissements sur la construction de ces résumés à l’oeuvre de Galien que l’on appelle les Summaria alexandrinorum.
IBN AL-HAYṮAM, SUR LE MIROIR ARDENT PARABOLIQUE
Authors: Rashed Roshdi
Published: February 2023

Cet article comporte l’editio princeps du traité d’Ibn al-Hayṯam « Sur le miroir ardent parabolique », Fī al-marāyā al-muḥriqa bi-al-quṭūʿ, ainsi que sa première traduction en français. Nous examinons la place qu’il occupe dans l’histoire du miroir parabolique durant plus d’un millénaire et demi, aussi bien en grec qu’en arabe et en latin.
Constitutionalising the end of history? Pitfalls of a non-regression principle for Article 2 TEU
Authors: Scholtes Julian
Published: February 2023

Enforcement and conceptualisation of Article 2 TEU values – Rule of law – A non-regression principle for EU values faces significant pitfalls – Limits of the ‘backsliding’ paradigm informing doctrinal developments under Article 2 TEU – Inadequacy of a progress/regression trajectory as a lens for constitutional developments – Complexity of Article 2 values threatens to render regression assessments simplistic – Non-regression and the equality of member states – Potential conflicts between non-regression and minimum standards as tests for Article 2 compliance
Dynamics of the Wave‐Driven Circulation in the Lee of Nearshore Reefs
Authors: da Silva Renan F. , Hansen Jeff E. , Lowe Ryan J. , Rijnsdorp Dirk P. , Buckley Mark L.
Published: February 2023

Nearshore rocky reefs with scales of order 10–100 m are common along the world's coastline and often shape wave‐driven hydrodynamics and shoreline morphology in their lee. The interaction of waves with these reefs generally results in either two or four‐cell mean circulation systems (2CC and 4CC, respectively), with diverging flows behind the reefs and at the shoreline in the 2CC case and flows that diverge in the lee and converge at the shoreline in the 4CC case. By applying a phase‐resolving wave‐flow model to conduct a detailed analysis of mean momentum balances for waves interacting with nearshore reefs, we develop an understanding of the drivers of 2CC and 4CC flow dynamics and how they vary for different reef geometries and wave and water level conditions. The 2CC or 4CC patterns were primarily driven by alongshore pressure gradients toward the exposed (nonreef fronted) or reef‐fronted beach. These alongshore pressure gradients were dependent on the cross‐shore setup dynamics governed by the balance between pressure (i.e., related to the setup) and radiation stress gradients, and mean bottom stresses exerted on the water column. If shoreline wave setup in the lee of the reef was less than the exposed beach, a 4CC pattern developed with convergent flow at the shoreline in the lee of the reef; otherwise, a 2CC emerged with divergent flow at the shoreline. Across the parameter space investigated, reef roughness, distance to the shoreline, and beach slope were the three parameters most likely to change the flow patterns between 2CC and 4CC.
Anthropometric estimators of abdominal fat volume in adults with overweight and obesity
Authors: Michel Sophia , Linder Nicolas , Linder Anna , Eggebrecht Tobias , Schaudinn Alexander , Blüher Matthias , Dietrich Arne , Denecke Timm , Busse Harald
Published: February 2023

Background/Objectives

To evaluate anthropometric measures for the prediction of whole-abdominal adipose tissue volumes VXAT (subcutaneous VSAT, visceral VVAT and total VTAT) in patients with obesity.

Subjects/Methods

A total of 181 patients (108 women) with overweight or obesity were analyzed retrospectively. MRI data (1.5 T) were available from independent clinical trials at a single institution (Integrated Research and Treatment Center of Obesity, University of Leipzig). A custom-made software was used for automated tissue segmentation. Anthropometric parameters (AP) were circumferences of the waist (WC) and hip (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and the (hypothetical) hip-to-height ratio (HHtR). Agreement was evaluated by standard deviations sd% of percent differences between estimated volumes (using results of linear AP–VXAT regression) and measured ones as well as Pearson’s correlation coefficient r.

Results

For SAT volume estimation, the smallest sd% for all patients was seen for HC (25.1%) closely followed by HHtR (25.2%). Sex-specific results for females (17.5% for BMI and 17.2% for HC) and males (20.7% for WC) agreed better. VAT volumes could not be estimated reliably by any of the anthropometric measures considered here. TAT volumes in a mixed population could be best estimated by BMI closely followed by WC (roughly 17.5%). A sex-specific consideration reduced the deviations to around 16% for females (BMI and WC) and below 14% for males (WC).

Conclusions

We suggest the use of sex-specific parameters–BMI or HC for females and WC for males–for the estimation of abdominal SAT and TAT volumes in patients with overweight or obesity.
Identification of brain cell types underlying genetic association with word reading and correlated traits
Authors: Price Kaitlyn M. , Wigg Karen G. , Nigam Anukrati , Feng Yu , Blokland Kirsten , Wilkinson Margaret , Kerr Elizabeth N. , Guger Sharon L. , Lovett Maureen W. , Strug Lisa J. , Tripathy Shreejoy J. , Barr Cathy L.
Published: February 2023

Neuroimaging studies implicate multiple cortical regions in reading ability/disability. However, the neural cell types integral to the reading process are unknown. To contribute to this gap in knowledge, we integrated genetic results from genome-wide association studies for word reading (n = 5054) with gene expression datasets from adult/fetal human brain. Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) suggested that variants associated with word reading were enriched in genes expressed in adult excitatory neurons, specifically layer 5 and 6 FEZF2 expressing neurons and intratelencephalic (IT) neurons, which express the marker genes LINC00507, THEMIS, or RORB. Inhibitory neurons (VIP, SST, and PVALB) were also found. This finding was interesting as neurometabolite studies previously implicated excitatory-inhibitory imbalances in the etiology of reading disabilities (RD). We also tested traits that shared genetic etiology with word reading (previously determined by polygenic risk scores): attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), educational attainment, and cognitive ability. For ADHD, we identified enrichment in L4 IT adult excitatory neurons. For educational attainment and cognitive ability, we confirmed previous studies identifying multiple subclasses of adult cortical excitatory and inhibitory neurons, as well as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. For educational attainment and cognitive ability, we also identified enrichment in multiple fetal cortical excitatory and inhibitory neurons, intermediate progenitor cells, and radial glial cells. In summary, this study supports a role of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in reading and excitatory neurons in ADHD and contributes new information on fetal cell types enriched in educational attainment and cognitive ability, thereby improving our understanding of the neurobiological basis of reading/correlated traits.
HMMR promotes prostate cancer proliferation and metastasis via AURKA/mTORC2/E2F1 positive feedback loop
Authors: Guo Kaixuan , Liu Cheng , Shi Juanyi , Lai Cong , Gao Ze , Luo Jiawen , Li Zhuohang , Tang Zhuang , Li Kuiqing , Xu Kewei
Published: February 2023

Although dysregulated HMMR is linked to prostate cancer (PCa) prognosis, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we sought to elucidate the role of HMMR in PCa progression as well as underlying mechanism. Herein, we found that upregulation of HMMR frequently observed in PCa samples and was associated with poor prognosis. Additionally, HMMR significantly promoted PCa proliferation and metastasis through gain- and loss-of function approaches in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, HMMR may interact with AURKA and elevated AURKA protein level through inhibiting ubiquitination-mediated degradation, which subsequently activated mTORC2/AKT pathway to ensure the reinforcement of PCa progression. Moreover, upregulated E2F1 caused from sustained activation of mTORC2/AKT pathway in turn function as transcription factor to promote HMMR transcription, thereby forming a positive feedback loop to trigger PCa progression. Importantly, administration of the mTOR inhibitor partially antagonised HMMR-mediated PCa progression in vivo. In summary, we not only reveal a novel possible post-translation mechanism mediated by HMMR involved in AURKA regulation, but also describe a positive feedback loop that contributes to PCa deterioration, suggesting HMMR may serve as a potential promising therapeutic target in PCa.
A polystyrene/silica hybrid nanomatrix formed in natural rubber
Authors: Thi Nghiem Thuong , Yusof Nurul Hayati , Kawahara Seiichi
Published: February 2023

Our work aims to investigate the morphology and properties of natural rubber (NR) dispersed in a polystyrene/silica hybrid nanomatrix. The hybrid nanomatrix structure was formed by the graft copolymerization of vinyltriethoxysilane onto NR grafted with styrene. This hybrid nanomatrix structure was composed of nanosilica with a size of less than 100 nm, and the incorporation of polystyrene resulted in outstanding mechanical and viscoelastic properties. The tensile strength of NR with the hybrid nanomatrix structure was 23 MPa, and the storage modulus was 2.54 MPa, which were 2.5 and 15 times higher than those of the silica nanomatrix. The outstanding mechanical and viscoelastic properties of this NR material were attributed to the formation of the hybrid nanomatrix structure. The roles of polystyrene and silica and their synergetic effect were clarified by investigating the morphology and properties of the hybrid nanomatrix after acetone extraction and annealing.
Regulators of proteostasis are translationally repressed in fibroblasts from patients with sporadic and LRRK2-G2019S Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Flinkman Dani , Hong Ye , Gnjatovic Jelena , Deshpande Prasannakumar , Ortutay Zsuzsanna , Peltonen Sirkku , Kaasinen Valtteri , James Peter , Coffey Eleanor
Published: February 2023

Deficits in protein synthesis are associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it is not known which proteins are affected or if there are synthesis differences between patients with sporadic and Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S PD, the most common monogenic form. Here we used bio-orthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging for global analysis of newly translated proteins in fibroblasts from sporadic and LRKK2-G2019S patients. Quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that several nascent proteins were reduced in PD samples compared to healthy without any significant change in mRNA levels. Using targeted proteomics, we validated which of these proteins remained dysregulated at the static proteome level and found that regulators of endo-lysosomal sorting, mRNA processing and components of the translation machinery remained low. These proteins included autophagy-related protein 9A (ATG9A) and translational stability regulator YTH N6-ethyladenosine RNA binding protein 3 (YTHDF3). Notably, 77% of the affected proteins in sporadic patients were also repressed in LRRK2-G2019S patients (False discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05) in both sporadic and LRRK2-G2019S samples. This analysis of nascent proteomes from PD patient skin cells reveals that regulators of proteostasis are repressed in both sporadic and LRRK2-G2019S PD.