bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of air temperature in Poland from 1994 to 2019 based on hourly data
Authors: Sachindra D.A. , Nowosad M.
Published: March 2021

This study was conducted to understand the characteristics of hourly air temperature across Poland over the period 1994–2019. For this purpose, hourly temperature observations from 38 stations were used. It was found that the average temperature at all stations in the period 2007–2019 (second half of data) is higher than that in the period 1994–2006 (first half of data). The increase in the average temperature in autumn was smaller than that in the other seasons. In the northern part of Poland, the increase in the average temperature in spring was more notable compared with that in the other seasons. In the southern part of Poland, the increase in the average temperature in winter and summer was more notable compared with that in the other seasons. At all stations, a statistically significant increasing trend in the average temperature was seen in the period 1994–2019. This trend was highest at Warszawa (0.067°C/year) and lowest at Kraków Balice (0.029°C/year). At all stations, the frequency of relatively low/high temperatures was lesser/higher in the period 2007–2019 compared with that in the period 1994–2006 indicating that temperature distribution has shifted toward a warmer climate. In comparison to the period 1994–2006, in the period 2007–2019, in the southern region of Poland, a large increase in the average number of hours per year above high percentiles and a large decrease in the average number of hours per year below low percentiles was observed. Also, it was found that warm/cold spells are becoming more/less frequent in Poland. In many stations, compared with the period 1994–2006, in the period 2007–2019, an increase in the length of the longest spell of hours above the 99th percentile and below the first percentile was observed.
Modulation of El Niño events on summertime westward‐propagating wave patterns and tropical cyclone movement in the western North Pacific
Authors: Ko Ken‐Chung , Hong Chi‐Cherng , Liu Jyun‐Hong
Published: March 2021

This study investigated the association between westward‐propagating wave patterns and associated tropical cyclones (TCs), and eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) El Niño events. The wave pattern was more enhanced in the EP El Niño events than it was in the CP El Niño events, whereas the monsoon trough was deeper in the CP El Niño events than it was in the EP El Niño events. This enhanced monsoon trough together with the formation of a significantly stronger subtropical high strengthened the southeasterly flow, which caused TCs to detour northwestward to Japan in the CP El Niño events. An analysis of kinetic energy indicated that barotropic conversion provided more kinetic energy following the axis of the monsoon trough from the background flow to the westward‐propagating wave pattern in EP El Niño events, except near the centre of the monsoon trough where the background flow was more favourable for the wave pattern during CP El Niño events. The advection term by the southeasterly flow became more important in supporting the perturbation kinetic energy during CP El Niño events. Large‐scale circulation changes can influence smaller‐scale phenomena through barotropic conversion and advection.
Hypoxia stimulates collagen hydroxylation in gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Morimoto Chiaki , Takedachi Masahide , Kawasaki Kohsuke , Shimomura Junpei , Murata Mari , Hirai Asae , Kawakami Kazuma , Sawada Keigo , Iwayama Tomoaki , Murakami Shinya
Published: March 2021

Background

Cellular responses to hypoxia regulate various biological events, including angiogenesis and extracellular matrix metabolism. Collagen is a major component of the extracellular matrix in periodontal tissues and its coordinated production is essential for tissue homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the effects of hypoxia on collagen production in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLs).

Methods

HGFs and HPDLs were cultured under either normoxic (20% O2) or hypoxic (1% O2) conditions. Nuclear expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) was determined by western blotting. Peri‐cellular expression of type I collagen was examined by immunocytochemistry analysis. Synthesis of type I collagen was evaluated by measuring the concentration of procollagen type I C‐peptide (PIP) in culture supernatant using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of collagen hydroxylase enzymes prolyl 4‐hydroxylase alpha polypeptide 1 (P4HA1) and 2‐oxoglutarate 5‐dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2) was determined by RT‐qPCR and western blotting. The roles of these enzymes were analyzed using siRNA transfection.

Results

Cultivation under hypoxic conditions stimulated type I collagen production via HIF‐1α in both cell types. Interestingly, hypoxic conditions did not affect collagen 1a1 or 1a2 gene expression but upregulated that of P4HA1 and PLOD2. Additionally, suppressing P4HA1 significantly decreased the levels of hypoxia‐induced procollagen type I C‐peptide, a product of stable triple helical collagen, in the supernatant. In contrast, PLOD2 suppression decreased cross‐linked collagen expression in the pericellular region.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that hypoxia activates collagen synthesis in HGFs and HPDLs by upregulating hydroxylases P4HA1 and PLOD2 in an HIF‐1α‐dependent manner.
Two versions of the uniform Roe algebras for spaces without bounded geometry
Authors: Manuilov V. , Zhu J.
Published: March 2021

We consider two versions of the uniform Roe algebra for uniformly discrete spaces without bounded geometry and discuss some of their properties.
Topological Characteristics of Chain Molecules with Branching and Molar‐Mass Distributions
Authors: Nitta Koh‐hei
Published: March 2021

A graph‐theoretical method is presented for characterizing the statistical and dynamic properties of randomly and fixed‐branched chains that exhibit molecular weight distribution. The Wiener index, which is a topological index reflecting tree‐shaped structures, of any branched chain estimated from its random‐flight model (molecular graph) enables to express the radius of gyration and dynamic relaxation times of various chains with branching and molar‐mass distributions. A homologous series of branched chains with random branching points can be obtained by comparing their Wiener indices with those of their corresponding primitive chains (where the subchains between adjacent branch or end points are reduced to single bonds). Moreover, the analogical growth of a fixed‐branched structure during polymerization can be quantitatively analyzed using analogous functions, which are also determined by comparing the statistics and dynamic properties of branched polymers and their primitive chains.
Recent development in bacterial cellulose production and synthesis of cellulose based conductive polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Poddar Maneesh Kumar , Dikshit Pritam Kumar
Published: March 2021

Compared to plant‐based cellulosic biopolymers, bacterial cellulose (BC) produced from microbial sources demonstrates several unique properties. BC nanocomposites synthesized with the addition of nanofillers with distinct properties have further tailored the BC structure with improved physical and chemical properties. BC nanocomposites with the addition of electrically conductive filler materials, namely, conductive polymers, metallic or carbonaceous nanofillers have advanced the nanocomposites applications and their utilization in the fabrication of various modern electrical and electronic appliances such as biosensors, flexible electronics, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and energy storage. The present review is focused to provide a complete overview of BC production and electrically conductive‐based‐BC nanocomposites at a single platform. Various methodologies used in BC production with varying microbial strains and substrate types used in the fermentation, surface functionalization of BC, and its purification are discussed in detail. Subsequently, the review explains the bacterial cellulose‐based electrical conductive nanocomposites combined with different types of nanofillers such as conductive polymers, metal oxides, and carbon‐based nanofillers for their application in modern electronic devices. The challenges faced during nanocomposites synthesis and methods to improve its electrical conductivity with possible futuristic solutions are also briefly discussed.
Role of social media in promotion of green school initiatives by government green schools in India
Authors: Verma Rekha , Grover Priya
Published: March 2021

This paper studies the role of social media in India's Green School Initiative with special reference to Green schools of Gujarat under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) project conceptualized and executed by the Government of Gujarat. By using a socio psychological framework researchers have tried to explore the role of social media in facilitating the Go green campaign, creating awareness and promoting sustainable education during the Green Schools Initiative in Gujarat. This study is based on in‐depth interviews of 35 Green school Principals of who were proactively involved and observed the processes of conceptualization and implementation of social media strategies of government green schools. This research explores the role of different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Email, Text messaging etc. during the Green Schools Initiative in Gujarat. Little research on the role of social media in promoting the Green schools’ concept has addressed school owners, sustainability, and green school practices. Policies requiring green infrastructure and sustainable practices are gaining popularity quickly and becoming more common. However, we know little about how different social media platforms have enabled Green schools to inform people and mark their social presence. Environmental awareness is the need of the hour.
Measurement of total liver blood flow in intact anesthetized rats using ultrasound imaging
Authors: Gibson Christopher R. , Gleason Alexa , Messina Eric
Published: March 2021

This short report describes the measurement of total liver blood flow in commonly used laboratory rats using the relatively non‐invasive approach of ultrasound imaging. A total of 29 rats (n = 26 Wistar‐Han, n = 3 Sprague–Dawley) were imaged and both male and female rats were included. The mean (SD) total liver blood flow of all animals combined was 33.3 ± 7.8 mL/min, or 104.3 ± 17.1 mL/min/kg when normalized to observed body weight at the time of imaging. There was a trend for higher unnormalized total liver blood flow as body weight increased and the female rats had, in general, the lowest body weight and total liver blood flow of the animals studied. There were no major differences in total liver blood flow between the small number of Sprague–Dawley rats used in the study and the larger Wistar‐Han group. Further research would be needed to accurately characterize any subtle differences in body weight between rats of different strains, sexes, and body weight.
Co‐Production of Bio‐Ethanol and Bio‐Oil from Different Species of Macroalgae
Authors: Li Chen , Liu Zhongxin , Ning Dandan , Pan Jingwen , Li Jinhua
Published: March 2021

This paper proposed a methodology to realize the co‐production of bio‐ethanol and bio‐oil from macroalgae. Bio‐ethanol were obtained from three different species of macroalgae (Enteromorpha prolifera, Undaria pinnatifida and Gelidium amansii) by hydrolysis and fermentation. And then the residues after hydrolysis were converted into bio‐oil with high heating value via deoxy‐liquefaction. The yield of reducing sugar and bio‐ethanol from three macroalgae were calculated. The red algae (Gelidium amansii) produced the reducing sugar with largest yield of 320±4.1 mg/g and ethanol with a maximum content of 9.09±0.07 g/L. Besides, the properties and components of the liquid oils have been analyzed and compared with each other. The lower oxygen content (4.47 %, 4.98 % and 4.02 %) and higher heating value (45.06, 44.53 and 45.12 MJ/kg) of the liquid oils were detected respectively. The results indicated that macroalgae had a great potential for co‐production of bio‐ethanol and high‐quality bio‐oil.
Photochemical Insights on Intramolecular Dye‐Sensitized Free‐Radical Processes with a Quinoline Antenna
Authors: Akari Aviya S. , Hodgson Gregory K. , Golian Karol P. , Impellizzeri Stefania
Published: March 2021

Organic fluorophores containing paramagnetic nitroxides covalently tethered to the chromophoric core show a dramatic reduction in fluorescence due to intramolecular quenching of their excited states. Nonetheless, trapping of hydrogen atoms or carbon‐centered radicals by the nitroxide suppresses the quenching pathway and restores the fluorescence, an effect that can be used to monitor radical scavenging processes. Herein, we synthesized a prefluorescent radical probe in which a 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐N‐oxyl (TEMPO) moiety was chemically coupled to a quinoline chromophore, which can directly sensitize TEMPO via energy transfer following low‐intensity ultraviolet illumination. In this design, the quinoline dye effectively acts as molecular ‘antenna’ to promote the reactivity of TEMPO toward H abstraction to form the corresponding N‐hydroxylamine. The excited TEMPO can also abstract a hydrogen from a polymeric matrix, enabling the photochemical modification of the polymer with concomitant fluorescence activation and patterning. In addition, the patterning process can be thermally reverted (‘erased’) by heating the film above the glass transition temperature of the polymer.
Economic lessons for COVID‐19 pandemic policies
Authors: Viscusi W. Kip
Published: March 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic poses novel health issues. However, the benefits and costs of the pandemic and policies to address it have a familiar economic structure. Chief among the health‐related benefits are the monetized values of the U.S. mortality costs of $3.9 trillion in 2020. The combined U.S. mortality and morbidity costs are $5.5–5.9 trillion. Global mortality costs in 2020 total $10.1 trillion. The skewed age distribution of COVID‐19 illnesses has stimulated increased advocacy of downward adjustments in the value of a statistical life (VSL) for older people. This article examines the role of age for policy analysis generally and for the rationing of scarce medical treatments, such as ventilators. Mortality risk reduction benefits should be based on the reduced probability of death multiplied by the pertinent VSL. Effective communication of risks to foster precautions hinges on the credibility of the information source, which public officials have jeopardized. Efficient control of risks imposes limits on personal freedoms to foster health improvements.
Model for estimating the flexural performance of concrete reinforced with hooked end steel fibers using three‐point bending tests
Authors: Carrillo Julian , Vargas Juan D. , Alcocer Sergio M.
Published: March 2021

The behavior of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) depends on the characteristics of both the concrete matrix and fibers. Previous studies have concluded that the number of hooked ends increases the contribution of steel fibers to the tensile performance of concrete. ACI 318 code, MC10 fib code and RILEM TC 162‐TDF standard permit the use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) for example, the minimum shear reinforcement made of deformed steel bars in flexure‐controlled elements. Other investigations have demonstrated the suitable performance of SFRC in shear‐controlled members and for seismic rehabilitation applications. It has become apparent that the adequate use of SFRC depends on the knowledge and prediction capabilities of its tensile performance. The results of three‐point bending tests on SFRC beams using the test procedure established by the European standard EN‐14651 are presented and discussed herein. Tests were executed with 20 standardized beams made of concrete with a nominal compressive strength of 24 MPa and hooked end steel fibers with an aspect ratio of 65 were applied. Variables were the fiber dosage (0, 20, 40, 60 kg/m3) and the number of fiber hooked ends (1, 1.5, and 2). A numerical model aimed at estimating the residual flexural tensile strength of the SFRC is developed. The proposed model was calibrated using a database of 256 tests, 20 from this study and the remaining 236 from 15 other studies.
Analysis of Influencing Factors of Armature Interception Effect in Single‐Stage Coil Launcher
Authors: Wu Baoqi , Guan Xiaocun , He Yanan , Guan Shaohua
Published: March 2021

To maximize the velocity and energy conversion efficiency of the synchronous induction coil launcher, the pre‐analysis of the armature interception effect(AIE) is conducted, and the dynamic mathematical model of the single‐stage coil launcher is established theoretically. According to the mathematical model and analysis, the AIE is an intrinsic characteristic of the synchronous induction coil launcher. The reduction of the magnetic field strength along the launching direction and the reduction of the driving coil current will generate a reverse of the armature current, which will cause the AIE. The launching performance of the system is affected as a result. To suppress the AIE, the coupling degree between the armature and the driving coil should be reduced when the armature current reverses. Despite the strong reversed current of the armature, the AIE can be restrained because of the small inductance gradient when the distance from the driving coil to the armature is long. According to the numerical simulations, the AIE can be effectively reduced by adjusting the parameters of the power supply and armature to match the parameters and structures of the driving coil and armature. An experiment is conducted, and according to the results comparison, the validity of the analysis is verified. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Numerical study on mixed convective flow of water‐based magnetite nanofluid through a wavy channel containing porous blocks under the effect of an oscillating magnetic field
Authors: Job Victor M. , Gunakala Sreedhara Rao
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the convective flow of magnetite (Fe3O4)‐water nanofluid through a wavy channel containing porous blocks in the presence of a non‐uniform oscillating magnetic field with magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and ferrohydrodynamic (FHD) effects is considered. This magnetic field is produced by two current‐carrying wires, which are placed at fixed positions on the outside of the channel. In the present study, we use a two‐phase model that considers the effects of thermophoresis and Brownian motion on the concentration of nanoparticles within the fluid. The associated system of partial differential equations is solved using the mixed finite element method with Taylor‐Hood elements and the effects of time t, Strouhal number , Hartmann number , magnetic number , solid volume fraction ϕ0, nanoparticle diameter on the fluid flow, heat transfer, concentration distribution and pressure drop within the channel are investigated.
An analytical toolkit for the S-matrix bootstrap
Authors: Correia Miguel , Sever Amit , Zhiboedov Alexander
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We revisit analytical methods for constraining the nonperturbative S-matrix of unitary, relativistic, gapped theories in d≥ 3 spacetime dimensions. We assume extended analyticity of the two-to-two scattering amplitude and use it together with elastic unitarity to develop two natural expansions of the amplitude. One is the threshold (non-relativistic) expansion and the other is the large spin expansion. The two are related by the Froissart-Gribov inversion formula. When combined with crossing and a local bound on the discontinuity of the amplitude, this allows us to constrain scattering at finite energy and spin in terms of the low-energy parameters measured in the experiment. Finally, we discuss the modern numerical approach to the S-matrix bootstrap and how it can be improved based on the results of our analysis.
Probing the top-Higgs sector with composite Higgs models at present and future hadron colliders
Authors: Bautista Carlos , de Lima Leonardo , D’Elia Matheus Ricardo , Pontón Eduardo , Fernandes do Prado Leônidas A. , Savoy-Navarro Aurore
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We study the production of $$ t\overline{t}h $$
t

t
¯

h
and $$ t\overline{t} hh $$
t

t
¯

hh
at hadron colliders, in the minimal Composite Higgs Models, based on the coset SO(5)/SO(4). We explore the fermionic representations 5 and 14. A detailed phenomenological analysis is performed, covering the energy range of the LHC and its High Luminosity upgrade, as well as that of a future 100 TeV hadron collider. Both resonant and non-resonant production are considered, stressing the interplay and complementary interest of these channels with each other and double Higgs production. We provide sets of representative points with detailed experimental outcomes in terms of modification of the cross sections as well as resonance masses and branching ratios. For non-resonant production, we gauge the relative importance of Yukawa, Higgs trilinear, and contact $$ t\overline{t} hh $$
t

t
¯

hh
vertices to these processes, and consider the prospect for distinguishing the fermion representations from each other and from the Standard Model. In the production of top partners, we find that the three-body decay channel W+W–t becomes significant in certain regions of parameter space having a degenerate spectrum, and is further enhanced by increasing the top partner’s mass. This motivates both higher energy machines as well as the need to go beyond the current analysis performed for the searches for these resonances.
More 5d KK theories
Authors: Bhardwaj Lakshya
Published: March 2021

Abstract

In this note, we discuss circle compactifications of 6d SCFTs for which a geometric M-theory construction is not known in previous literature.
Propagation and interaction of weakly nonlinear plane waves in transversely isotropic elastic materials
Authors: Domański W. , Jemioło S. , Franus A.
Published: March 2021

The paper presents a study of the propagation and interaction of weakly nonlinear plane waves in isotropic and transversely isotropic media. It begins with a definition of stored energy functions of considered hyperelastic models. The equation of elastodynamics as well as the first-order quasilinear hyperbolic system for plane waves are provided. The eigensystem for this system is determined to study three-wave interaction coefficients. The main part of the paper concerns a discussion of these coefficients. Applying the weakly nonlinear asymptotics method, it is shown that in the case of transverse isotropy the inviscid Burgers’ equation describes an evolution of a single quasi-shear wave. The result contradicts the case of isotropy, where the equation with quadratic nonlinearity cannot describe any shear wave propagation. The paper ends with an example of numerical solutions for the obtained evolution equation.
Investigating Total Collisions of the Newtonian N-Body Problem on Shape Space
Authors: Reichert Paula
Published: March 2021

We analyze the points of total collision of the Newtonian gravitational system on shape space (the relational configuration space of the system). While the Newtonian equations of motion, formulated with respect to absolute space and time, are singular at the point of total collision due to the singularity of the Newton potential at that point, this need not be the case on shape space where absolute scale doesn’t exist. We investigate whether, adopting a relational description of the system, the shape degrees of freedom, which are merely angles and their conjugate momenta, can be evolved through the points of total collision. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Even without scale, the equations of motion are singular at the points of total collision (and only there). This follows from the special behavior of the shape momenta. While this behavior induces the singularity, it at the same time provides a purely shape-dynamical description of total collisions. By help of this, we are able to discern total-collision solutions from non-collision solutions on shape space, that is, without reference to (external) scale. We can further use the shape-dynamical description to show that total-collision solutions form a set of measure zero among all solutions.
Appearance of Thermal Time
Authors: Tanaka Shigenori
Published: March 2021

In this paper a viewpoint that time is an informational and thermal entity is presented. We consider a model for a simple relaxation process for which a relationship among event, time and temperature is mathematically formulated. It is then explicitly illustrated that temperature and time are statistically inferred through measurement of events. The probability distribution of the events thus provides an intrinsic correlation between temperature and time, which can relevantly be expressed in terms of the Fisher information metric. The two-dimensional differential geometry of temperature and time then leads us to a finding of a simple equation for the scalar curvature, $$R = -1$$

R
=
-
1

, in this case of relaxation process. This basic equation, in turn, may be regarded as characterizing a nonequilibrium dynamical process and having a solution given by the Fisher information metric. The time can then be interpreted so as to appear in a thermal way.
Looking back, looking forward: a review of the new literature on diatom teratological forms (2010–2020)
Authors: Falasco Elisa , Ector Luc , Wetzel Carlos E. , Badino Guido , Bona Francesca
Published: March 2021

Over the last years, issues concerning diatom teratological forms and environmental stress have received growing interest within the scientific community. Publications on this topic dated back to 1890 and were summarized in a review published in 2009 by the journalHydrobiologia, accounting for high citation rates (i.e. 117 citations Scopus and 232 citations Google Scholar, October 2020). This wide interest stimulates the authors to further unravel teratological forms significance in the light of the most recent publications (2010–2020). Diatom teratological forms are one of the best individual-level biomarkers since they provide a rapid response to several environmental stressors, including new emerging pollutants. The mechanisms involved in teratological valve likely involve both cytoskeleton and silicon metabolic pathway impairments. However, teratologies do not seem to weaken the reproduction capacity and viability of the affected individuals. We recognized eight types of teratologies as involving different parts of the valve, depending on genus. In order to summarize the information obtained by several years of research, we suggest a four-step procedure aimed at providing a theoretical pathway that researchers should follow to better explain results obtained in next-future studies and representing a starting point for the development of an environmental index based on teratological forms.
The European coal curse
Authors: Esposito Elena , Abramson Scott F.
Published: March 2021

In this paper we examine the impact of natural resource wealth by focusing on historical coal-mining across European regions. As an exogenous source of variation in coal extraction activities, we rely on the presence of coal-deposits located on the earth’s surface, which historically facilitated the discovery and extraction of coal. Our results show that former coal-mining regions are substantially poorer, with (at least) 10% smaller per-capita GDP than comparable regions in the same country that did not mine coal. We provide evidence that much of this lag is explained by lower levels of human capital accumulation and that this human-capital effect is concentrated in men. Finally, we provide suggestive evidence that the persistently lower levels of human capital in coal mining regions that we document result from the crystallization of negative attitudes towards education and lower future orientations in these regions.
Perception of Gamblers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wöhr Andrea , Wuketich Marius
Published: March 2021

It is generally assumed that gamblers, and particularly people with gambling problems (PG), are affected by negative perception and stigmatisation. However, a systematic review of empirical studies investigating the perception of gamblers has not yet been carried out. This article therefore summarises empirical evidence on the perception of gamblers and provides directions for future research. A systematic literature review based on the relevant guidelines was carried out searching three databases. The databases Scopus, PubMed and BASE were used to cover social scientific knowledge, medical-psychological knowledge and grey literature. A total of 48 studies from 37 literature references was found. The perspective in these studies varies: Several studies focus on the perception of gamblers by the general population, by subpopulations (e. g. students or social workers), or by gamblers on themselves. The perspective on recreational gamblers is hardly an issue. A strong focus on persons with gambling problems is symptomatic of the gambling discourse. The analysis of the studies shows that gambling problems are thought to be rather concealable, whereas the negative effects on the concerned persons‘ lives are rated to be quite substantial. PG are described as “irresponsible” and “greedy” while they perceive themselves as “stupid” or “weak”. Only few examples of open discrimination are mentioned. Several studies however put emphasis on the stereotypical way in which PG are portrayed in the media, thus contributing to stigmatisation. Knowledge gaps include insights from longitudinal studies, the influence of respondents‘ age, culture and sex on their views, the relevance of the type of gambling a person is addicted to, and others. Further studies in these fields are needed.
Prognostic value of TP53 expression and MGMT methylation in glioblastoma patients treated with temozolomide combined with other chemotherapies
Authors: Kurdi Maher , Butt Nadeem Shafique , Baeesa Saleh , Alghamdi Badrah , Maghrabi Yazid , Bardeesi Anas , Saeedi Rothaina , Dallol Ashraf , Mohamed Fawaz , Bari Mohammed O. , Samkari Alaa , Lary Ahmed I. , Alkhayyat Shadi
Published: March 2021

Objective

To assess the recurrence interval and predictive significance of TP53 expression and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation in glioblastomas treated with radiotherapy and combined chemotherapies, including temozolomide, lomustine, procarbazine and bevacizumab.

Method

We reviewed the clinical outcomes of 52 totally resected glioblastoma patients, who received conventional radiotherapy and temozolomide with other chemotherapeutic agents. Correlation of TP53 expression and MGMT promotor methylation with recurrence interval was analyzed using Kaplan Meier estimates.

Results

No significant association was found between MGMT promotor methylation and TP53 expression in glioblastomas (P-value = 0.158). Patients with non-methylated MGMT who received temozolomide chemotherapy with other chemotherapeutic agents showed significantly later recurrence (P-value = 0.007) compared with patients with non-methylated MGMT who received temozolomide alone. No significant difference was found in recurrence interval among glioblastoma patients with methylated MGMT who received temozolomide alone or with other chemotherapies (P-value = 0.667). Moreover, patients with non-TP53-expressing tumors who received temozolomide with other chemotherapies had significantly later recurrence (P-value = 0.04) compared with patients who received temozolomide alone.

Conclusion

Totally resected glioblastoma patients, with non-methylated MGMT or non-TP53-expressing tumors treated with radiotherapy and combined chemotherapies had a reduced chance of tumor recurrence and a more favorable outcome. Furthermore, both MGMT and TP53 are independent prognostic factors for glioblastoma.
Quality of information of websites dedicated to obesity: a systematic search to promote high level of information for Internet users and professionals
Authors: Perra Alessandra , Preti Antonio , De Lorenzo Valerio , Nardi Antonio Egidio , Carta Mauro G.
Published: March 2021

Background

The Internet is increasingly used as a source of information. This study investigates with a multidimensional methodology the quality of information of websites dedicated to obesity treatment and weight-loss interventions. We compared websites in English, a language that it is used for the international scientific divulgation, and in Italian, a popular local language.

Methods

Level of Evidence: Level I, systematic review search on four largely used search engines. Duplicated and unrelated websites were excluded. We checked: popularity with PageRank; technological quality with Nibbler; readability with the Flesch Reading Ease test or the Gulpease readability index; quality of information with the DISCERN scale, the JAMA benchmark criteria, and the adherence to the Health on the Net Code.

Results

63 Italian websites and 41 English websites were evaluated. English websites invested more in the technological quality especially for the marketing, experience of the user, and mobile accessibility. Both the Italian and English websites were of poor quality and readability.

Conclusions

These results can inform guidelines for the improvement of health information and help Internet users to achieve a higher level of information. Users must find benefits of treatment, support to the shared decision-making, the sources used, the medical editor's supervision, and the risk of postponing the treatment.
Linking bank clients using graph neural networks powered by rich transactional data
Authors: Shumovskaia Valentina , Fedyanin Kirill , Sukharev Ivan , Berestnev Dmitry , Panov Maxim
Published: March 2021

Financial institutions obtain enormous amounts of data about client transactions and money transfers, which can be considered as a large graph dynamically changing in time. In this work, we focus on the task of predicting new interactions in the network of bank clients and treat it as a link prediction problem. We propose a new graph neural network model, which uses not only the topological structure of the network but rich time-series data available for the graph nodes and edges. We evaluate the developed method using the data provided by a large European bank for several years. The proposed model outperforms the existing approaches, including other neural network models, with a significant gap in ROC AUC score on link prediction problem and also allows to improve the quality of credit scoring.
Housing Prices and Government Approval: The Impact of Housing Booms on Left- and Right-Wing Governments in 16 Advanced Industrialized Countries
Authors: Han Sung Min , Shin Mi Jeong
Published: March 2021

In this article, we argue that rising housing prices increase voter approval of incumbent governments because such a rise increases personal wealth, which leads to greater voter satisfaction. This effect is strongest under right-wing governments because those who benefit from rising prices—homeowners—are more likely to be right-leaning. Non-homeowners, who are more likely to vote for left-leaning parties, will view rising housing prices as a disadvantage and therefore feel the government does not serve them well, which will mitigate the advantage to left-wing governments. We find support for our arguments using both macro-level data (housing prices and government approval ratings in 16 industrialized countries between 1960 and 2017) and micro-level data (housing prices and individuals’ vote choices in the United Kingdom using the British Household Panel Survey). The findings imply that housing booms benefit incumbent governments generally and right-wing ones in particular.
“Hello. May I speak with someone, please? It's not about my physical pain.”: A retrospective study about the factors associated with phone calls to a Portuguese home-based palliative care team
Authors: Julião Miguel , Antunes Bárbara , Samorinha Catarina , Chochinov Harvey Max
Published: March 2021

Objective

Telephone availability is integrated into our home-based palliative care team (HPCT) with the aim of helping terminally ill patients and their caregivers alleviate their physical and psychosocial suffering, in addition to the team's home visits. We aimed to compare the differences between non-callers (patients with no phone calls during the team's follow-up period) vs. callers (≥1 phone call during the team's follow-up period) across sociodemographic, clinical, physical, and psychosocial variables.

Method

Retrospective analysis of all patients with and without phone call entries registered in our anonymized database, from October 2018 to September 2020.

Results

We analyzed 389 patients: 58% were male, and the average age was 71 years old; 84% had malignancies, with a mean palliative performance status of 45%. The majority of patients (n = 281, 72%) made at least one phone call to HPCT. On average, a mean of 2.5 calls (SD = 3.61; range: 0–26) per patient was registered. Callers compared with non-callers more frequently lived with someone (p = 0.030), preferred home as a place to die (p = 0.039), had more doctor (p = 0.010) and nurse home visits (p = 0.006), a prolonged HPCT follow-up time (p = 0.053), along with more frequent emergency room visits (p < 0.001) and hospitalizations (p = 0.043). Moreover, those who made at least one phone call to the HPCT had a higher frequency of conspiracy of silence (p = 0.046), anxiety (p = 0.044), and lower palliative performance status (p = 0.001). No statistically significant associations or differences were found for the other variables.

Significance of results

Several factors seem to correlate with an increased number of phone calls, and physical suffering does not play a relevant role in triggering contacts, in contrast with psychosocial and other clinical factors.
The translocator protein (TSPO) is prodromal to mitophagy loss in neurotoxicity
Authors: Frison Michele , Faccenda Danilo , Abeti Rosella , Rigon Manuel , Strobbe Daniela , England-Rendon Britannie S. , Cash Diana , Barnes Katy , Sadeghian Mona , Sajic Marija , Wells Lisa A. , Xia Dong , Giunti Paola , Smith Kenneth , Mortiboys Heather , Turkheimer Federico E. , Campanella Michelangelo
Published: March 2021

Dysfunctional mitochondria characterise Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Uncovering etiological molecules, which harm the homeostasis of mitochondria in response to pathological cues, is therefore pivotal to inform early diagnosis and therapy in the condition, especially in its idiopathic forms. This study proposes the 18 kDa Translocator Protein (TSPO) to be one of those. Both in vitro and in vivo data show that neurotoxins, which phenotypically mimic PD, increase TSPO to enhance cellular redox-stress, susceptibility to dopamine-induced cell death, and repression of ubiquitin-dependent mitophagy. TSPO amplifies the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) signalling, forming positive feedback, which represses the transcription factor EB (TFEB) and the controlled production of lysosomes. Finally, genetic variances in the transcriptome confirm that TSPO is required to alter the autophagy–lysosomal pathway during neurotoxicity.
Colocalization analysis of polycystic ovary syndrome to identify potential disease-mediating genes and proteins
Authors: Censin Jenny C. , Bovijn Jonas , Holmes Michael V. , Lindgren Cecilia M.
Published: March 2021

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common complex disease in women with a strong genetic component and downstream consequences for reproductive, metabolic and psychological health. There are currently 19 known PCOS risk loci, primarily identified in women of Han Chinese or European ancestry, and 14 of these risk loci were identified or replicated in a genome-wide association study of PCOS performed in up to 10,074 cases and 103,164 controls of European descent. However, for most of these loci the gene responsible for the association is unknown. We therefore use a Bayesian colocalization approach (Coloc) to highlight genes in PCOS-associated regions that may have a role in mediating the disease risk. We evaluated the posterior probabilities of evidence consistent with shared causal variants between 14 PCOS genetic risk loci and intermediate cellular phenotypes in one protein (N = 3301) and two expression quantitative trait locus datasets (N = 31,684 andN = 80–491). Through these analyses, we identified seven proteins or genes with evidence of a possibly shared causal variant for almost 30% of known PCOS signals, including follicle stimulating hormone andERBB3,IKZF4,RPS26,SUOX,ZFP36L2, andC8orf49. Several of these potential effector proteins and genes have been implicated in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal signalling pathway and provide an avenue for functional follow-up in order to demonstrate a causal role in PCOS pathophysiology.
A cryptic splice-altering KCNQ1 variant in trans with R259L leading to Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome
Authors: Torrado Mario , Fernández Germán , Ganoza Christian A. , Maneiro Emilia , García Diego , Sonicheva-Paterson Natalia , Rosa Isaac , Ochoa Juan Pablo , Santomé Luis , Vasichkina Elena , Monserrat Lorenzo
Published: March 2021

Here we report an infant with clinical findings suggestive of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS), including a prolonged QT interval (LQTS) and chronic bilateral sensorineural deafness. NGS analysis revealed one known heterozygous pathogenic missense variant, KCNQ1 p.R259L, previously associated with LQTS but insufficient to explain the cardioauditory disorder. In a screening of proximal intronic regions, we found a heterozygous variant, KCNQ1 c.1686−9 T > C, absent from controls and previously undescribed. Several splicing prediction tools returned low scores for this intronic variant. Driven by the proband’s phenotype rather than the neutral predictions, we have characterized this rare intronic variant. Family analysis has shown that the proband inherited the missense and the intronic variants from his mother and father, respectively. A minigene splicing assay revealed that the intronic variant induced an additional transcript, arising from skipping of exon 14, which was translated into a truncated protein in transfected cells. The splice-out of exon 14 creates a frameshift in exon 15 and a stop codon in exon 16, which is the last exon of KCNQ1. This mis-spliced transcript is expected to escape nonsense-mediated decay and predicted to encode a truncated loss-of-function protein, KCNQ1 p.L563Kfs*73. The analysis of endogenous KCNQ1 expression in the blood of the proband’s parents detected the aberrant transcript only in the patient’s father. Taken together, these analyses confirmed the proband’s diagnosis of JLNS1 and indicated that c.1686−9 T > C is a cryptic splice-altering variant, expanding the known genetic spectrum of biallelic KCNQ1 variant combinations leading to JLNS1.
Australia and New Zealand renal gene panel testing in routine clinical practice of 542 families
Authors: Tanudisastro Hope A. , Holman Katherine , Ho Gladys , Farnsworth Elizabeth , Fisk Katrina , Gayagay Thet , Hackett Emma , Jenkins Gemma , Krishnaraj Rahul , Lai Tiffany , Wong Karen , Patel Chirag , Mallawaarachchi Amali , Mallett Andrew J. , Bennetts Bruce , Alexander Stephen I. , McCarthy Hugh J.
Published: March 2021

Genetic testing in nephrology clinical practice has moved rapidly from a rare specialized test to routine practice both in pediatric and adult nephrology. However, clear information pertaining to the likely outcome of testing is still missing. Here we describe the experience of the accredited Australia and New Zealand Renal Gene Panels clinical service, reporting on sequencing for 552 individuals from 542 families with suspected kidney disease in Australia and New Zealand. An increasing number of referrals have been processed since service inception with an overall diagnostic rate of 35%. The likelihood of identifying a causative variant varies according to both age at referral and gene panel. Although results from high throughput genetic testing have been primarily for diagnostic purposes, they will increasingly play an important role in directing treatment, genetic counseling, and family planning.
Colour vision deficiency and sputum colour charts in COPD patients: an exploratory mixed-method study
Authors: Channa Sunita , Gale Nicola , Lai Emma , Hall Lara , Quinn Mark , Turner Alice M.
Published: March 2021

Sputum colour may mark bacterial involvement in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, whether colour vision deficiency (CVD) in COPD patients could impact the use of sputum colour charts as part of a guide to antibiotic use in exacerbations is unknown. This study used an exploratory mixed-method approach to establish the likelihood that COPD patients will be colour blind and whether this would result in the sputum colour chart being unusable in the context of the patients’ self-management of their condition. CVD is under-reported in primary care and comorbidities in COPD patients increase the risk of acquiring CVD. Participants diagnosed with CVD and risk of acquiring CVD were able to use the sputum colour charts. Colour charts are likely to be usable even in the context of undiagnosed CVD in COPD patients.
Archean continental crust formed by magma hybridization and voluminous partial melting
Authors: Hernández-Montenegro Juan David , Palin Richard M. , Zuluaga Carlos A. , Hernández-Uribe David
Published: March 2021

Archean (4.0–2.5 Ga) tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) terranes represent fragments of Earth’s first continents that formed via high-grade metamorphism and partial melting of hydrated basaltic crust. While a range of geodynamic regimes can explain the production of TTG magmas, the processes by which they separated from their source and acquired distinctive geochemical signatures remain uncertain. This limits our understanding of how the continental crust internally differentiates, which in turn controls its potential for long-term stabilization as cratonic nuclei. Here, we show via petrological modeling that hydrous Archean mafic crust metamorphosed in a non-plate tectonic regime produces individual pulses of magma with major-, minor-, and trace-element signatures resembling—but not always matching—natural Archean TTGs. Critically, magma hybridization due to co-mingling and accumulation of multiple melt fractions during ascent through the overlying crust eliminates geochemical discrepancies identified when assuming that TTGs formed via crystallization of discrete melt pulses. We posit that much Archean continental crust is made of hybrid magmas that represent up to ~ 40 vol% of partial melts produced along thermal gradients of 50–100 °C/kbar, characteristic of overthickened mafic Archean crust at the head of a mantle plume, crustal overturns, or lithospheric peels.