bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revolutions in the head: Darwin, Malthus and Robert M. Young
Authors: Secord James A.
Published: March 2021

The late 1960s witnessed a key conjunction between political activism and the history of science. Science, whether seen as a touchstone of rationality or of oppression, was fundamental to all sides in the era of the Vietnam War. This essay examines the historian Robert Maxwell Young's turn to Marxism and radical politics during this period, especially his widely cited account of the ‘common context’ of nineteenth-century biological and social theorizing, which demonstrated the centrality of Thomas Robert Malthus's writings on population for Charles Darwin's formulation of the theory of evolution by natural selection. From Young's perspective, this history was bound up with pressing contemporary issues: ideologies of class and race in neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory, the revival of Malthusian population control, and the role of science in military conflict. The aim was to provide a basis for political action – the ‘head revolution’ that would accompany radical social change. The radical force of Young's argument was blunted in subsequent decades by disciplinary developments within history of science, including the emergence of specialist Darwin studies, a focus on practice and the changing political associations of the history of ideas. Young's engaged standpoint, however, has remained influential even as historians moved from understanding science as ideology to science as work.
Effect of yoga and meditation on tinnitus: a systematic review
Authors: Gunjawate D R , Ravi R
Published: March 2021

Objective

The present systematic review aimed to explore the published literature on the application of yoga and meditation for tinnitus.

Method

A systematic search was carried out to identify the eligible studies exploring the effect of yoga and meditation on tinnitus in PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library electronic databases. Studies on the application of yoga and meditation on tinnitus were identified following a three-step screening process by both the authors independently. A mixed-methods appraisal tool was used to perform the quality appraisal of the included studies.

Results

Five studies were shortlisted and included in the present review. Four studies had used different types of yoga and pranayama, while one used relaxation therapy. Three studies concluded that there were positive effects of yoga on tinnitus, such as a reduction in severity, stress, anxiety and irritability associated with tinnitus and improved quality of life.

Conclusion

This review highlights the application of yoga and meditation in management of tinnitus along with regular otological and audiological treatment options. Furthermore, there is a need to have more randomised controlled trials in this area to evidence the effect of yoga and meditation on tinnitus empirically.
Partitioning tree diversity patterns to prioritize conservation investments
Authors: McKenzie Patrick F , Iacona Gwenllian D , Larson Eric R , Armsworth Paul R
Published: March 2021

The available tools and approaches to inform conservation decisions commonly assume detailed distribution data. We examine how well-established ecological concepts about patterns in local richness and community turnover can help overcome data limitations when planning future protected areas. To inform our analyses, we surveyed tree species in protected areas in the southern Appalachian Mountains in the eastern USA. We used the survey data to construct predictive models for alpha and beta diversity based on readily observed biophysical variables and combined them to create a heuristic that could predict among-site richness in trees (gamma diversity). The predictive models suggest that site elevation and latitude in this montane system explain much of the variation in alpha and beta diversity in tree species. We tested how well resulting protected areas would represent species if a conservation planner lacking detailed species inventories for candidate sites were to rely only on our alpha, beta and gamma diversity predictions. Our approach selected sites that, when aggregated, covered a large proportion of the overall species pool. The combined gamma diversity models performed even better when we also accounted for the cost of protecting sites. Our results demonstrate that classic community biogeography concepts remain highly relevant to conservation practice today.
The Role of Synthetic A Priori Propositions in the Development of Kant’s Account of Practical Autonomy: A Critique of Watkins’ Reading of Kant’s Prolegomena
Authors: Pollok Konstantin
Published: March 2021

I draw attention to a 12-page Vorarbeit to Kant’s Prolegomena from the so-called Scheffner-Nachlaß and argue that the parallel Kant draws there between the possibility of theoretical and practical synthetic a priori propositions provides important insight into the development of his account of practical autonomy in the Groundwork. Based on a brief sketch of the role synthetic a priori propositions play in the development of Kant’s critical philosophy, I conclude that for Kant the objective validity of any science depends on the objective validity of a number of synthetic a priori propositions.
Black Women's Internationalism: A New Frontier in Intellectual History
Authors: Farmer Ashley D.
Published: March 2021

Published in Paris in 1928 under the leadership of Guadeloupean Maurice Satineau, the newspaper La dépêche africaine featured a mélange of African diasporic contributors from across the French colonies. Chief among them were the Afro-Martinican intellectuals and sisters Jane and Paulette Nardal. It was here that Jane Nardal published her now famous essay “Internationalisme noir,” introducing the idea of “black internationalism” into popular parlance. Nardal documented a new understanding of blackness and collectivity amid post-World War I globalization. Just as wartime had broken down barriers among Europeans and white Americans, so too had it fostered the “sentiment” among black people from the around the world that they “belong[ed] to one and the same race.” Introducing and reifying terms such as “Afro Latino” and “African American” into French and English vernaculars, Nardal focused on black people's efforts to rhetorically and ideologically link the African diaspora while also reconciling these new identities with the “ancient traditions” of Africa. The result: one of the first efforts to define black internationalism as an ideology, worldview, and political practice in a moment in which black people the world over were trying to negotiate the modernizing world and their place in it.
Oliver Williamson: a Hero's journey on the merits
Authors: Mahoney Joseph T. , Nickerson Jackson
Published: March 2021

Joseph Campbell describes a narrative pattern for a hero's journey. ‘A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from the mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man’ (2008: 30). This paper looks at Oliver E. Williamson's life through Campbell's lens and reveals his journey, challenges, and triumphs not only for himself but also for all students of the science of organization.
Optimization of spaceflight millimeter-wave impedance matching networks using laser trimming
Authors: Parow-Souchon K. , Cuadrado-Calle D. , Rea S. , Henry M. , Merritt M. , Hunyor P. , Brewster N. , Harman L. , Spindloe C. , Sykes P. , Huggard P. G. , Moyna B. , Ellison B.
Published: March 2021

Realizing packaged state-of-the-art performance of monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) operating at millimeter wavelengths presents significant challenges in terms of electrical interface circuitry and physical construction. For instance, even with the aid of modern electromagnetic simulation tools, modeling the interaction between the MMIC and its package embedding circuit can lack the necessary precision to achieve optimum device performance. Physical implementation also introduces inaccuracies and requires iterative interface component substitution that can produce variable results, is invasive and risks damaging the MMIC. This paper describes a novel method for in situ optimization of packaged millimeter-wave devices using a pulsed ultraviolet laser to remove pre-selected areas of interface circuit metallization. The method was successfully demonstrated through the optimization of a 183 GHz low noise amplifier destined for use on the MetOp-SG meteorological satellite series. An improvement in amplifier output return loss from an average of 12.9 dB to 22.7 dB was achieved across an operational frequency range of 175–191 GHz and the improved circuit reproduced. We believe that our in situ tuning technique can be applied more widely to planar millimeter-wave interface circuits that are critical in achieving optimum device performance.
Cardiovascular risk factors in extended family members and birthweight in offspring
Authors: Shaikh Fareeha , Kjollesdal Marte K. , Carslake David , Thoresen Magne , Næss Øyvind
Published: March 2021

Low birthweight has been related to an increased risk of adult cardiovascular disease (CVD). Transgenerational studies have been used to investigate likely mechanisms underlying this inverse association. However, previous studies mostly examined the association of offspring birthweight with CVD risk factors among parents. In this study, we investigated the association between offspring birthweight and individual CVD risk factors, an index of CVD risk factors, and education in their parents, aunts/uncles, and aunts’/uncles’ partners. Birth data (Medical Birth Registry, Norway (MBRN) (1967–2012)) was linked to CVD risk factor data (the County Study, Age 40 Program, and Cohort Norway (CONOR)) for the parents, aunts/uncles, and their partners. For body mass index (BMI), resting heart rate (RHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and a risk factor index, the associations were examined by linear regression. For smoking and education, they were examined by logistic regression. Low birthweight was associated with an unfavorable risk factor profile in all familial relationships. For each kg increase in birthweight, the mean risk factor index decreased by −0.14 units (−0.15, −0.13) in mothers, −0.11 (−0.12, −0.10) in fathers, and −0.02 (−0.05, −0.00) to −0.07 (−0.09, −0.06) in aunts/uncles and their partners. The association in mothers was stronger than fathers, but it was also stronger in aunts/uncles than their partners. Profound associations between birthweight and CVD risk factors in extended family members were observed that go beyond the expected genetic similarities in pedigrees, suggesting that mechanisms like environmental factors, assortative mating, and genetic nurturing may explain these associations.
Assessment of Temperature Changes on the Tibetan Plateau During 1980–2018
Authors: Peng Xiaoqing , Frauenfeld Oliver W. , Jin Haodong , Du Ran , Qiao Lina , Zhao Yaohua , Mu Cuicui , Zhang Tingjun
Published: March 2021

Surface air temperatures affect a diverse set of physical and biological systems in many parts of the world. For regional‐scale studies, gridded surface air temperature data sets are frequently used as input variables. Here we evaluate 10 commonly used gridded air temperature products with spatial resolutions ranging from 0.1° × 0.1° to 5.0° × 5.0°, relative to observations from in situ weather stations on the Tibetan Plateau. Gridded temperatures are consistently lower, with mean annual air temperature biases ranging from −4.68 °C to −1.72 °C, and root mean square error (RMSE) from 3.24 °C to 6.11 °C. The mean biases of mean seasonal air temperatures for spring, summer, autumn, and winter are −3.21 °C, −2.98 °C, −2.89 °C, and −2.98 °C, respectively, and RMSEs of 4.81 °C, 4.39 °C, 4.3 °C, and 4.7 °C. Of all 10 products, the China meteorological forcing data set compares best with observations. Annual and season temperatures all increase significantly during 1980–2018 on the Tibetan Plateau, with winter dominating the warming rate.
Using Array‐Derived Rotational Motion to Obtain Local Wave Propagation Properties From Earthquakes Induced by the 2018 Geothermal Stimulation in Finland
Authors: Taylor G. , Hillers G. , Vuorinen T. A. T.
Published: March 2021

We estimate vertical rotation rates for 204 earthquakes that were induced by the 2018 stimulation of the Espoo/Helsinki geothermal reservoir from wavefield gradients across geophone arrays. The array‐derived rotation rates from seismograms recorded at 6–9 km hypocentral distances vary between 10−9 and 10−7 rad s−1, indicating a comparable sensitivity to portable rotational instruments. Using co‐located observations of translational and rotational motion, we estimate the local propagation direction and the apparent phase speed of SH waves, and compare these estimates with those obtained by S wave beamforming. Propagation directions generally align with the earthquake back azimuths, but both techniques show deviations indicative of heterogeneous seismic structure. The rotational method facilitates a station‐by‐station approach that resolves site specific variations that are controlled by the local geology. We measure apparent S wave speeds larger than 5 km s−1, consistent with steep incidence angles and high propagation velocities in the Fennoscandian Shield.
Projected Changes to Australian Marine Heatwaves
Authors: Misra R. , Sérazin G. , Meissner K. J. , Sen Gupta A.
Published: March 2021

Marine heatwaves are extreme oceanic events that can have severe impacts on ecosystems and economies. Recent studies have suggested future increases in the severity and duration of these events. However, these findings are based on coarse resolution climate models that cannot resolve important ocean structures. This study uses a 0.25° coupled regional model to quantify how marine heatwaves around Australia respond under a high emissions scenario. We find that increases to future marine heatwave statistics are primarily caused by changes in the mean temperature, with changes in variability important in some areas. Temperature variance changes are most prominent close to Tasmania, with a covariance temperature budget demonstrating that this is linked to large simulated increases in East Australian Current transport and variability. Close to New Zealand, changes in surface heat fluxes also play an important role. These results quantify the response of marine heatwave characteristics to future temperature changes.
Venus' Mass Spectra Show Signs of Disequilibria in the Middle Clouds
Authors: Mogul Rakesh , Limaye Sanjay S. , Way M. J. , Cordova Jaime A.
Published: March 2021

We present a re‐examination of mass spectral data obtained from the Pioneer Venus Large Probe Neutral Mass Spectrometer. Our interpretations of differing trace chemical species are suggestive of redox disequilibria in Venus' middle clouds. Assignments to the data (at 51.3 km) include phosphine, hydrogen sulfide, nitrous acid, nitric acid, carbon monoxide, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen cyanide, ethane, and potentially ammonia, chlorous acid, and several tentative PxOy species. All parent ions were predicated upon assignment of corresponding fragmentation products, isotopologues, and atomic species. The data reveal parent ions at varying oxidation states, implying the presence of reducing power in the clouds, and illuminating the potential for chemistries yet to be discovered. When considering the hypothetical habitability of Venus' clouds, the assignments reveal a potential signature of anaerobic phosphorus metabolism (phosphine), an electron donor for anoxygenic photosynthesis (nitrite), and major constituents of the nitrogen cycle (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and N2).
Recent Rebounding of the Post‐Landfall Hurricane Wind Decay Period Over the Continental United States
Authors: Zhu Yi‐Jie , Collins Jennifer M.
Published: March 2021

The hurricane post‐landfall wind speed decay is closely linked to the inland damage potential. We introduce the wind decay period as a new metric for assessing the time required for a landfalling hurricane to dissipate to the intensity below tropical storm strength. In the continental United States, the wind decay period was generally decreasing during 1900–1979 but significantly increased during 1980–2019. The 120‐year trend pattern of the wind decay period has been found to be correlated with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation. Meanwhile, we show that the storm's distance of movement is not changing simultaneously with the decay period due to the variance of storm translation speed. The spatial variation of the wind decay is also confirmed. While the majority of the historical Gulf landfall hurricanes decayed below tropical storm strength, landfalling hurricanes over Florida in particular, tend to cross the peninsula retaining wind speeds greater than 34‐kt.
SABER Observation of Storm‐Time Hemispheric Asymmetry in Nitric Oxide Radiative Emission
Authors: Bag Tikemani , Li Zheng , Rout Diptiranjan
Published: March 2021

The nitric oxide (NO) 5.3 μm radiative emission is the dominating and most efficient cooling agent in the thermosphere above 100 km. The NO 5.3 μm radiative cooling is an important parameter, particularly during geomagnetic storm events, to quantify the energy budget within the magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐thermosphere system. We utilize the TIMED (Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics)/SABER (Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) observations of NO radiative cooling to investigate the storm‐time hemispheric asymmetry during 2002–2018. The auxiliary parameters such as NO density, atomic oxygen density, thermospheric temperature, and the meridional wind are obtained from the TIEGCM (Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model) simulations. We analyze the events that occurred close to (or during) the equinox periods to get rid of the effect of seasonal asymmetry. The TIEGCM‐simulated NO density and meridional wind show hemispheric asymmetry during geomagnetic storm event. Almost no hemispheric variation in TIEGCM‐atomic oxygen and ‐thermospheric temperature is noticeable. The SABER‐observed and the TIEGCM‐simulated radiative flux exhibits higher values in the northern and southern hemispheres, respectively, during the events close to (or during) March and September equinox. Our analysis shows that the storm‐time meridional wind could play an important role resulting in the hemispheric asymmetry by changing the density and temperature.
Convection, Terrestrial Recycling and Oceanic Moisture Regulate the Isotopic Composition of Precipitation at Srinagar, Kashmir
Authors: Dar Shaakir Shabir , Ghosh Prosenjit , Hillaire‐Marcel Claude
Published: March 2021

The moisture transport and precipitation in the western Himalayas is an interplay of two atmospheric systems: Western Disturbances (WDs) and Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM). WDs primarily transport moisture from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, while ISM transports moisture from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Local moisture sources also contribute to the regional precipitation budget. The moisture sources can be distinguished by measuring dual isotopic signatures in precipitation. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic ratios measured in daily precipitation samples collected at Srinagar, Kashmir from March 2015–April 2017, allowed delineating the role of factors like large‐scale moisture transport processes, and local meteorological factors such as temperature, precipitation amount and relative humidity on the precipitation isotope ratios and its effect on the meteoric water line parameters. Isotopic data were further used to estimate the percentage contributions of distinct moisture sources across different seasons and validation of an isotope enabled general circulation model (iEGCM). We found that the time integrated, large‐scale convection over several days, constitutes a major factor governing the isotopic composition of precipitation, while the role of local meteorological parameters is minimal. A box model to simulate the moisture transport and estimate the oceanic versus terrestrially recycled moisture sources to the regional precipitation reveals Arabian sea to be the key moisture source. Finally, on comparing the observed isotopic composition with iEGCM simulation, discrepancies are noted. Results from the present study will enable improving the interpretation of regional paleo‐climate data derived from various proxy records.
Folate metabolism: a re-emerging therapeutic target in haematological cancers
Authors: Zarou Martha M. , Vazquez Alexei , Vignir Helgason G.
Published: March 2021

Folate-mediated one carbon (1C) metabolism supports a series of processes that are essential for the cell. Through a number of interlinked reactions happening in the cytosol and mitochondria of the cell, folate metabolism contributes to de novo purine and thymidylate synthesis, to the methionine cycle and redox defence. Targeting the folate metabolism gave rise to modern chemotherapy, through the introduction of antifolates to treat paediatric leukaemia. Since then, antifolates, such as methotrexate and pralatrexate have been used to treat a series of blood cancers in clinic. However, traditional antifolates have many deleterious side effects in normal proliferating tissue, highlighting the urgent need for novel strategies to more selectively target 1C metabolism. Notably, mitochondrial 1C enzymes have been shown to be significantly upregulated in various cancers, making them attractive targets for the development of new chemotherapeutic agents. In this article, we present a detailed overview of folate-mediated 1C metabolism, its importance on cellular level and discuss how targeting folate metabolism has been exploited in blood cancers. Additionally, we explore possible therapeutic strategies that could overcome the limitations of traditional antifolates.
Multilayer microhydraulic actuators with speed and force configurations
Authors: Kedzierski Jakub , Chea Hero
Published: March 2021

Electrostatic motors have traditionally required high voltage and provided low torque, leaving them with a vanishingly small portion of the motor application space. The lack of robust electrostatic motors is of particular concern in microsystems because inductive motors do not scale well to small dimensions. Often, microsystem designers have to choose from a host of imperfect actuation solutions, leading to high voltage requirements or low efficiency and thus straining the power budget of the entire system. In this work, we describe a scalable three-dimensional actuator technology that is based on the stacking of thin microhydraulic layers. This technology offers an actuation solution at 50 volts, with high force, high efficiency, fine stepping precision, layering, low abrasion, and resistance to pull-in instability. Actuator layers can also be stacked in different configurations trading off speed for force, and the actuator improves quadratically in power density when its internal dimensions are scaled-down.
Placenta-derived IL-32β activates neutrophils to promote preeclampsia development
Authors: Liu Dan , Li Qiang , Ding Hailin , Zhao Guangfeng , Wang Zhiyin , Cao Chenrui , Dai Yimin , Zheng Mingming , Zhu Xiangyu , Wu Qianwen , Wang Ya , Duan Honglei , Tang Huirong , Lu Xianyan , Hou Yayi , Hu Yali
Published: March 2021

Immune activation at the maternal-fetal interface is a main pathogenic factor of preeclampsia (PE). Neutrophils (PMNs) are activated in PE patients, but the mechanism and consequences of PMN activation need to be further explored. Here, we demonstrated that interleukin-32 (IL-32) expression was significantly upregulated in syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs) and that IL-32β was the major isoform with increased expression in the placenta of severe PE (sPE) patients. Furthermore, the level of IL-32 expression in the placenta was correlated with its level in the serum of sPE patients, indicating that IL-32 in the serum is derived mainly from the placenta. Then, in vitro experiments showed that IL-32β could highly activate PMNs and that these IL-32β-activated PMNs were better able to adhere to endothelial cells (HUVECs) and enhance the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in HUVECs, which could be reversed by preincubation with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor VAS 2870. In addition, we showed that IL-32β mainly activated PMNs by binding to proteinase 3. Finally, IL-32β administration induced a PE-like phenotype in a pregnant mouse model. This study provides evidence of the involvement of IL-32β in the pathogenesis of PE.
Salivary dysbiosis in Sjögren’s syndrome and a commensal-mediated immunomodulatory effect of salivary gland epithelial cells
Authors: Tseng Yu-chao , Yang Hsin-yi , Lin Wei-ting , Chang Chia-bin , Chien Hsiu-chuan , Wang Hon-pin , Chen Chun-ming , Wang Jann-tay , Li Chin , Wu Shu-fen , Hsieh Song-chou
Published: March 2021

Salivary gland epithelial cells (SGECs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Sjögren’s syndrome due to aberrant antigen-presentation function. This study examined the hypothesis that oral dysbiosis modulates the antigen-presentation function of SGECs, which regulates CD4 T cell proliferation in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Saliva samples from 8 pSS patients and 16 healthy subjects were analyzed for bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA. As a result, 39 differentially abundant taxa were identified. Among them, the phylum Proteobacteria comprised 21 taxa, and this phylum was mostly enriched in the healthy controls. The proteobacterium Haemophilus parainfluenzae was enriched in the healthy controls, with the greatest effect size at the species level. Treatment of A253 cells in vitro with H. parainfluenzae upregulated PD-L1 expression, and H. parainfluenzae-pretreated A253 cells suppressed CD4 T cell proliferation. The suppression was partially reversed by PD-L1 blockade. Among low-grade xerostomia patients, salivary abundance of H. parainfluenzae decreased in pSS patients compared to that in non-pSS sicca patients. Our findings suggest that H. parainfluenzae may be an immunomodulatory commensal bacterium in pSS.
648 Hilbert-space dimensionality in a biphoton frequency comb: entanglement of formation and Schmidt mode decomposition
Authors: Chang Kai-Chi , Cheng Xiang , Sarihan Murat Can , Vinod Abhinav Kumar , Lee Yoo Seung , Zhong Tian , Gong Yan-Xiao , Xie Zhenda , Shapiro Jeffrey H. , Wong Franco N. C. , Wong Chee Wei
Published: March 2021

Qudit entanglement is an indispensable resource for quantum information processing since increasing dimensionality provides a pathway to higher capacity and increased noise resilience in quantum communications, and cluster-state quantum computations. In continuous-variable time–frequency entanglement, encoding multiple qubits per photon is only limited by the frequency correlation bandwidth and detection timing jitter. Here, we focus on the discrete-variable time–frequency entanglement in a biphoton frequency comb (BFC), generating by filtering the signal and idler outputs with a fiber Fabry–Pérot cavity with 45.32 GHz free-spectral range (FSR) and 1.56 GHz full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) from a continuous-wave (cw)-pumped type-II spontaneous parametric downconverter (SPDC). We generate a BFC whose time-binned/frequency-binned Hilbert space dimensionality is at least 324, based on the assumption of a pure state. Such BFC’s dimensionality doubles up to 648, after combining with its post-selected polarization entanglement, indicating a potential 6.28 bits/photon classical-information capacity. The BFC exhibits recurring Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) dips over 61 time bins with a maximum visibility of 98.4% without correction for accidental coincidences. In a post-selected measurement, it violates the Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt (CHSH) inequality for polarization entanglement by up to 18.5 standard deviations with an S-parameter of up to 2.771. It has Franson interference recurrences in 16 time bins with a maximum visibility of 96.1% without correction for accidental coincidences. From the zeroth- to the third-order Franson interference, we infer an entanglement of formation (Eof) up to 1.89 ± 0.03 ebits—where 2 ebits is the maximal entanglement for a 4 × 4 dimensional biphoton—as a lower bound on the 61 time-bin BFC’s high-dimensional entanglement. To further characterize time-binned/frequency-binned BFCs we obtain Schmidt mode decompositions of BFCs generated using cavities with 45.32, 15.15, and 5.03 GHz FSRs. These decompositions confirm the time–frequency scaling from Fourier-transform duality. Moreover, we present the theory of conjugate Franson interferometry—because it is characterized by the state’s joint-temporal intensity (JTI)—which can further help to distinguish between pure-state BFC and mixed state entangled frequency pairs, although the experimental implementation is challenging and not yet available. In summary, our BFC serves as a platform for high-dimensional quantum information processing and high-dimensional quantum key distribution (QKD).
Effects of persistent modulation of intestinal microbiota on SIV/HIV vaccination in rhesus macaques
Authors: Klatt Nichole R. , Broedlow Courtney , Osborn Jessica M. , Gustin Andrew T. , Dross Sandra , O’Connor Megan A. , Coronado Ernesto , Barnette Philip , Hensley-McBain Tiffany , Zevin Alexander S. , Muir Roshell , Roederer Alexander , Wangari Solomon , Iwayama Naoto , Ahrens Chul Y. , Smedley Jeremy , Moats Cassandra , Lynch Rebecca M. , Haddad Elias K. , Haigwood Nancy L. , Fuller Deborah H. , Manuzak Jennifer A.
Published: March 2021

An effective vaccine to prevent HIV transmission has not yet been achieved. Modulation of the microbiome via probiotic therapy has been suggested to result in enhanced mucosal immunity. Here, we evaluated whether probiotic therapy could improve the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of SIV/HIV vaccination. Rhesus macaques were co-immunized with an SIV/HIV DNA vaccine via particle-mediated epidermal delivery and an HIV protein vaccine administered intramuscularly with Adjuplex™ adjuvant, while receiving daily oral Visbiome® probiotics. Probiotic therapy alone led to reduced frequencies of colonic CCR5+ and CCR6+ CD4+ T cells. Probiotics with SIV/HIV vaccination led to similar reductions in colonic CCR5+ CD4+ T cell frequencies. SIV/HIV-specific T cell and antibody responses were readily detected in the periphery of vaccinated animals but were not enhanced with probiotic treatment. Combination probiotics and vaccination did not impact rectal SIV/HIV target populations or reduce the rate of heterologous SHIV acquisition during the intrarectal challenge. Finally, post-infection viral kinetics were similar between all groups. Thus, although probiotics were well-tolerated when administered with SIV/HIV vaccination, vaccine-specific responses were not significantly enhanced. Additional work will be necessary to develop more effective strategies of microbiome modulation in order to enhance mucosal vaccine immunogenicity and improve protective immune responses.
Detection of untreated sewage discharges to watercourses using machine learning
Authors: Hammond Peter , Suttie Michael , Lewis Vaughan T. , Smith Ashley P. , Singer Andrew C.
Published: March 2021

Monitoring and regulating discharges of wastewater pollution in water bodies in England is the duty of the Environment Agency. Identification and reporting of pollution events from wastewater treatment plants is the duty of operators. Nevertheless, in 2018, over 400 sewage pollution incidents in England were reported by the public. We present novel pollution event reporting methodologies to identify likely untreated sewage spills from wastewater treatment plants. Daily effluent flow patterns at two wastewater treatment plants were supplemented by operator-reported incidents of untreated sewage discharges. Using machine learning, known spill events served as training data. The probability of correctly classifying a randomly selected pair of ‘spill’ and ‘no-spill’ effluent patterns was above 96%. Of 7160 days without operator-reported spills, 926 were classified as involving a ‘spill’. The analysis also suggests that both wastewater treatment plants made non-compliant discharges of untreated sewage between 2009 and 2020. This proof-of-principle use of machine learning to detect untreated wastewater discharges can help water companies identify malfunctioning treatment plants and inform agencies of unsatisfactory regulatory oversight. Real-time, open access flow and alarm data and analytical approaches will empower professional and citizen scientific scrutiny of the frequency and impact of untreated wastewater discharges, particularly those unreported by operators.
Author Correction: The third dimension in river restoration: how anthropogenic disturbance changes boundary conditions for ecological mitigation
Authors: Guzelj Martin , Hauer Christoph , Egger Gregory
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Tracking late Pleistocene Neandertals on the Iberian coast
Authors: Mayoral Eduardo , Díaz-Martínez Ignacio , Duveau Jéremy , Santos Ana , Ramírez Antonio Rodríguez , Morales Juan A. , Morales Luis A. , Díaz-Delgado Ricardo
Published: March 2021

Here, we report the recent discovery of 87 Neandertal footprints on the Southwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Doñana shoreline, Spain) located on an upper Pleistocene aeolian littoral setting (about 106 ± 19 kyr). Morphometric comparisons, high resolution digital photogrammetric 3D models and detailed sedimentary analysis have been provided to characterized the footprints and the palaeoenvironment. The footprints were impressed in the shoreline of a hypersaline swamped area related to benthic microbial mats, close to the coastline. They have a rounded heel, a longitudinal arch, relatively short toes, and adducted hallux, and represent the oldest upper Pleistocene record of Neandertal footprints in the world. Among these 87 footprints, 31 are longitudinally complete and measure from 14 to 29 cm. The calculated statures range from 104 to 188 cm, with half of the data between 130 and 150 cm. The wide range of sizes of the footprints suggests the existence of a social group integrated by individuals of different age classes but dominated, however, by non-adult individuals. The footprints, which are outside the flooded area are oriented perpendicular to the shoreline. These 87 footprints reinforce the ecological scenario of Neandertal groups established in coastal areas.
Pan-cancer analysis of RNA expression of ANGIOTENSIN-I-CONVERTING ENZYME 2 reveals high variability and possible impact on COVID-19 clinical outcomes
Authors: Elliott Andrew , Saul Michelle , Zeng Jia , Marshall John L. , Kim Edward S. , Nagasaka Misako , Lenz Heinz-Josef , Schwartzberg Lee , Spetzler David , Abraham Jim , Xiu Joanne , Stafford Phillip , Michael Korn W.
Published: March 2021

Patients with cancer demonstrate particularly poor outcomes from COVID-19. To provide information essential for understanding the biologic underpinnings of this association, we analyzed whole-transcriptome RNA expression data obtained from a large cohort of cancer patients to characterize expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and other proteases that are involved in viral attachment to and entry into target cells. We find substantial variability of expression of these factors across tumor types and identify subpopulations expressing ACE2 at very high levels. In some tumor types, especially in gastrointestinal cancers, expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 is highly correlated. Furthermore, we found infiltration with T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell infiltration to be particularly pronounced in ACE2-high tumors. These findings suggest that subsets of cancer patients exist with gene expression profiles that may be associated with heightened susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, in whom malignant tumors function as viral reservoir and possibly promote the frequently detrimental hyper-immune response in patients infected with this virus.
Elevated levels of mitochondrial CoQ10 induce ROS-mediated apoptosis in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Dadali Tulin , Diers Anne R. , Kazerounian Shiva , Muthuswamy Senthil K. , Awate Pallavi , Ng Ryan , Mogre Saie , Spencer Carrie , Krumova Katerina , Rockwell Hannah E. , McDaniel Justice , Chen Emily Y. , Gao Fei , Diedrich Karl T. , Vemulapalli Vijetha , Rodrigues Leonardo O. , Akmaev Viatcheslav R. , Thapa Khampaseuth , Hidalgo Manuel , Bose Arindam , Vishnudas Vivek K. , Moser A. James , Granger Elder , Kiebish Michael A. , Gesta Stephane , Narain Niven R. , Sarangarajan Rangaprasad
Published: March 2021

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in triggering cell signalling events and pathways to promote and maintain tumorigenicity. Chemotherapy and radiation can induce ROS to elicit cell death allows for targeting ROS pathways for effective anti-cancer therapeutics. Coenzyme Q10 is a critical cofactor in the electron transport chain with complex biological functions that extend beyond mitochondrial respiration. This study demonstrates that delivery of oxidized Coenzyme Q10 (ubidecarenone) to increase mitochondrial Q-pool is associated with an increase in ROS generation, effectuating anti-cancer effects in a pancreatic cancer model. Consequent activation of cell death was observed in vitro in pancreatic cancer cells, and both human patient-derived organoids and tumour xenografts. The study is a first to demonstrate the effectiveness of oxidized ubidecarenone in targeting mitochondrial function resulting in an anti-cancer effect. Furthermore, these findings support the clinical development of proprietary formulation, BPM31510, for treatment of cancers with high ROS burden with potential sensitivity to ubidecarenone.
The prevalence and incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Leong Pui-Ying , Huang Jing-Yang , Chiou Jeng-Yuan , Bai Yi-Chiao , Wei James Cheng-Chung
Published: March 2021

To estimate the prevalence and incidence rate of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Taiwan by using a population-based longitudinal database from 2001 to 2011. We conducted a longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) containing 1,000,000 beneficiaries’ records for calculation of prevalence and incidence rate of SLE from 2001–2011. The overall prevalence of SLE in Taiwan in 2011 is 8.11 per 10,000 people with 14.3 per 10,000 people in female and 1.62 per 10,000 people in male. The overall incidence rate of SLE is 0.74–1 per 10,000 person-years with 1.09–1.76 per 10,000 person-years in female and 0.12–0.25 per 10,000 person-years in male. The highest prevalence rate was observed at 40–49 age group in females. There were no significant differences in the overall prevalence among the urban, suburban and rural area in Taiwan while the relative risk is higher in male population living in rural area (RR 1.36, 95% C.I. 1.03–1.79, p = 0.0303). The highest income group has a lower relative risk for the prevalence of SLE (RR 0.83, 95% C.I. 0.71–0.97, p = 0.0197). The incidence rate of SLE in male in the rural area is also higher than the urban area (RR 2.34, 95% C.I. 1.3–4.22, p = 0.0046). Our study covers the longest period among the nation-wide population studies of SLE in Taiwan. The prevalence was increasing especially in the elderly.
Higher PGD2 production by synovial mast cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with osteoarthritis patients via miR-199a-3p/prostaglandin synthetase 2 axis
Authors: Mishima Shintaro , Kashiwakura Jun-ichi , Toyoshima Shota , Sasaki-Sakamoto Tomomi , Sano Yutaka , Nakanishi Kazuyoshi , Matsumoto Kenji , Okayama Yoshimichi
Published: March 2021

We previously reported that synovial mast cells (MCs) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) produced TNF-α in response to immune complexes via FcγRI and FcγRIIA. However, the specific functions of synovial MCs in RA remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate those functions. Synovial tissues and fluid were obtained from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. Synovium-derived, cultured MCs were generated by culturing dispersed synovial cells with stem cell factor. We performed microarray-based screening of mRNA and microRNA (miRNA), followed by quantitative RT-PCR-based verification. Synovial MCs from RA patients showed significantly higher prostaglandin systhetase (PTGS)1 and PTGS2 expression compared with OA patients’ MCs, and they produced significantly more prostaglandin D2(PGD2) following aggregation of FcγRI. PGD2induced IL-8 production by human group 2 innate lymphoid cells, suggesting that PGD2-producing MCs induce neutrophil recruitment into the synovium of RA patients. PTGS2 mRNA expression in RA patients’ MCs correlated inversely with miRNA-199a-3p expression, which down-regulated PTGS2. RA patients’ synovial fluid contained significantly more PGD2compared with OA patients’ fluid. Synovial MCs might regulate inflammation in RA through hyper-production of PGD2following FcRγ aggregation. Our findings indicate functional heterogeneity of human MCs among diseases.
Comparison of clinical characteristics and disease outcome of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza
Authors: Brehm Thomas Theo , van der Meirschen Marc , Hennigs Annette , Roedl Kevin , Jarczak Dominik , Wichmann Dominic , Frings Daniel , Nierhaus Axel , Oqueka Tim , Fiedler Walter , Christopeit Maximilian , Kraef Christian , Schultze Alexander , Lütgehetmann Marc , Addo Marylyn M , Schmiedel Stefan , Kluge Stefan , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian
Published: March 2021

While several studies have described the clinical course of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), direct comparisons with patients with seasonal influenza are scarce. We compared 166 patients with COVID-19 diagnosed between February 27 and June 14, 2020, and 255 patients with seasonal influenza diagnosed during the 2017–18 season at the same hospital to describe common features and differences in clinical characteristics and course of disease. Patients with COVID-19 were younger (median age [IQR], 59 [45–71] vs 66 [52–77]; P < 0001) and had fewer comorbidities at baseline with a lower mean overall age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (mean [SD], 3.0 [2.6] vs 4.0 [2.7]; P < 0.001) than patients with seasonal influenza. COVID-19 patients had a longer duration of hospitalization (mean [SD], 25.9 days [26.6 days] vs 17.2 days [21.0 days]; P = 0.002), a more frequent need for oxygen therapy (101 [60.8%] vs 103 [40.4%]; P < 0.001) and invasive ventilation (52 [31.3%] vs 32 [12.5%]; P < 0.001) and were more frequently admitted to the intensive care unit (70 [42.2%] vs 51 [20.0%]; P < 0.001) than seasonal influenza patients. Among immunocompromised patients, those in the COVID-19 group had a higher hospital mortality compared to those in the seasonal influenza group (13 [33.3%] vs 8 [11.6%], P = 0.01). In conclusion, we show that COVID-19 patients were younger and had fewer baseline comorbidities than seasonal influenza patients but were at increased risk for severe illness. The high mortality observed in immunocompromised COVID-19 patients emphasizes the importance of protecting these patient groups from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Exploring genetic alterations in circulating tumor DNA from cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric medulloblastoma
Authors: Sun Yanling , Li Miao , Ren Siqi , Liu Yan , Zhang Jin , Li Shuting , Gao Wenchao , Gong Xiaojun , Liu Jingjing , Wang Yuan , Du Shuxu , Sun Liming , Wu Wanshui , Tian Yongji
Published: March 2021

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common type of brain malignancy in children. Molecular profiling has become an important component to select patients for therapeutic approaches, allowing for personalized therapy. In this study, we successfully identified detectable levels of tumor-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with MB. Furthermore, cfDNA from CSF can interrogate for tumor-associated molecular clues. MB-associated alterations from CSF, tumor, and post-chemotherapy plasma were compared by deep sequencing on next-generation sequencing platform. Shared alterations exist between CSF and matched tumor tissues. More alternations were detected in circulating tumor DNA from CSF than those in genomic DNA from primary tumor. It was feasible to detect MB-associated mutations in plasma of patients treated with chemotherapy. Collectively, CSF supernatant can be used to monitor genomic alterations, as a superior technique as long as tumor-derived cfDNA can be isolated from CSF successfully.
Speeding up quantum perceptron via shortcuts to adiabaticity
Authors: Ban Yue , Chen Xi , Torrontegui E. , Solano E. , Casanova J.
Published: March 2021

The quantum perceptron is a fundamental building block for quantum machine learning. This is a multidisciplinary field that incorporates abilities of quantum computing, such as state superposition and entanglement, to classical machine learning schemes. Motivated by the techniques of shortcuts to adiabaticity, we propose a speed-up quantum perceptron where a control field on the perceptron is inversely engineered leading to a rapid nonlinear response with a sigmoid activation function. This results in faster overall perceptron performance compared to quasi-adiabatic protocols, as well as in enhanced robustness against imperfections in the controls.
Inequality in the distribution of 137Cs contamination within freshwater fish bodies and its affecting factors
Authors: Ishii Nobuyoshi , Furota Toshio , Kagami Maiko , Tagami Keiko , Uchida Shigeo
Published: March 2021

Contamination of freshwater fishes with 137Cs remains as a serious problem in Japan, nearly 10 years after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, but there is limited information on the distribution of 137Cs contamination in fish bodies. The 137Cs distribution can be used for the estimation of internal radiation exposure through the consumption of fish and for the dose estimation of fish themselves. In this study, the 137Cs distribution in the bodies of 8 freshwater fish species was investigated as percentages of total body burden for fish inhabiting Lake Inba. Fish samples were caught in stake nets placed close to the shore approximately once a month. After the measurement of body length and fresh weight, the radioactivities of 137Cs in muscle, internal organs, spawn, milt and bone were assayed using high-purity germanium detectors. Analysis of all fish samples showed that the 137Cs distribution was highest in muscle (54 ± 12%), followed by internal organs (7.8 ± 4.6%), spawn (7.4 ± 5.4%), milt (3.2 ± 2.1%) and bone (1.2 ± 0.58%). Among fish species, the highest proportion of 137Cs in muscle was detected in largemouth bass (71 ± 1 3%), followed by snakehead (69 ± 14%), channel catfish (63 ± 17%), common carp (62 ± 14%), barbel steed (58 ± 6.5%), silver carp (57 ± 7.7%), bluegill (53 ± 4.7%), and crucian carp (50 ± 10%). These results suggested that the 137Cs in muscle was likely to be high in piscivorous fishes compared to omnivorous fishes, especially crucian carp. The proportion of 137Cs in muscle of crucian carp was not explained either by body length or fresh weight. However, a positive correlation was found between the proportion of 137Cs in muscle and the condition factor which was an indicator of nutritional status calculated from a length–weight relationship. This correlation implied that more 137Cs accumulated in muscle tissue of a fish species with high nutritional status. This is the first study to show that condition factor is more important than body length and wet weight in explaining the high proportion of 137Cs in muscle tissues, at least for crucian carp.
Publisher Correction: Revealing links between gut microbiome and its fungal community in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Emirati subjects: A pilot study
Authors: Al Bataineh Mohammad Tahseen , Dash Nihar Ranjan , Bel Lassen Pierre , Banimfreg Bayan Hassan , Nada Aml Mohamed , Belda Eugeni , Clément Karine
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.