bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-economic inequality in long-term care: a comparison of three time periods in the Netherlands
Authors: Abbing Jens , Suanet Bianca , van Groenou Marjolein Broese
Published: July 2021

As a result of the rapid ageing of societies, meeting the demands for long-term care has become increasingly difficult. In the Netherlands, informal care is recognised as a key element to compensate for cut-backs in formal care provision. Formal, informal and privately paid long-term care services, however, are not used equally across socio-economic status (SES) groups and whether these inequalities have been reduced or exacerbated over time has not been researched. This study investigates to what extent educational and income inequalities in the use of formal, informal and privately paid care have changed over time. Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) was used from three points in time: 1995 (N = 787), 2005 (N = 550) and 2015 (N = 473). Participants were between 75 and 85 years of age and living independently. The results indicate that lower SES groups are consistently more likely to use formal and informal care, and less likely to use privately paid care compared to higher SES groups. An increase in inequality was only found in the use of informal care; while informal care use is stable among lower SES groups, it decreases steeply among higher SES groups. These findings highlight the importance of education for explaining variation and changes over time in care use. Governmental efforts to mobilise informal care-givers might be outweighed by trends towards less long-term care.
The effect of roles prescribed by active ageing on quality of life across European regions
Authors: Lakomý Martin
Published: July 2021

The active ageing approach supports a set of roles or activities that are supposed to be beneficial for older adults. This paper reassesses the benefits of activities for the quality of life by (a) analysing many activities at the same time to control each other, (b) using panel data to detect the effects of activities over time, and (c) performing separate analyses for four European regions to test the context-specificity of the effects. The effects of roles in later life are tested on panel data from three waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project. The results of fixed-effects regression show that only some activities – volunteering, participating in a club and physical activity – increase the quality of life, and that care-giving within the household has the opposite effect. Moreover, the beneficial effects are much weaker and less stable than the other types of regression suggest; they are beneficial only in some regions, and their effect is much weaker than the effects of age, health and economic situation. Therefore, the active ageing approach and activity theory should reflect the diverse conditions and needs of older adults to formulate more-context-sensitive and less-normative policy recommendations.
Making the mundane remarkable: an ethnography of the ‘dignity encounter’ in community district nursing
Authors: Stevens Emma , Price Elizabeth , Walker Elizabeth
Published: July 2021

The concept of dignity is core to community district nursing practice, yet it is profoundly complex with multiple meanings and interpretations. Dignity does not exist absolutely, but, rather, becomes socially (de)constructed through and within social interactions between nurses and older adult patients in relational aspects of care. It is a concept, however, which has, to date, received little attention in the context of the community nursing care of older adults. Previous research into dignity in health care has often focused on care within institutional environments, very little, however, explores the variety of ways in which dignity is operationalised in community settings where district nursing care is conducted ‘behind closed doors’, largely free from the external gaze. This means dignity (or the lack of it) may go unobserved in community settings. Drawing on observational and interview data, this paper highlights the significance of dignity for older adults receiving nursing care in their own homes. We will demonstrate, in particular, how dignity manifests within the relational aspects of district nursing care delivery and how tasks involving bodywork can be critical to the ways in which dignity is both promoted and undermined. We will further highlight how micro-articulations in caring relationships fundamentally shape the ‘dignity encounter’ through a consideration of the routine and, arguably, mundane aspects of community district nursing care in the home.
Experiences of social frailty among rural community-dwelling and assisted-living older adults: a qualitative study
Authors: Bunt Steven , Steverink Nardi , Douma Linden , van der Schans Cees , Hobbelen Hans , Meijering Louise
Published: July 2021

Although social frailty has been described from a theoretical perspective, the lived experiences of older adults regarding social frailty are yet unknown. In this paper, we aim to (a) gain more in-depth insights into community-dwelling and assisted-living older adults’ experiences of social frailty and (b) explore the differences in these experiences between these two groups. We conduct a thematic analysis of 38 interviews with community-dwelling and assisted-living older adults in rural villages the Netherlands. We structure our findings along three overarching themes which highlight different aspects of the social frailty experiences of our participants: (a) present resources and activities to fulfil social needs, (b) resources and activities that have been lost, and (c) how they manage and adapt to changes in resources and activities over time. Loneliness is only reported among the community-dwelling participants, while the loss of mobility and participation in (social) activities is experienced most strongly by the assisted-living participants. These findings challenge the widespread policies and practices of ageing in place. We conclude that for some older adults, living in assisted arrangements is preferred over ageing in place, as doing so can prevent social frailty. The key reason for this is that life in assisted living is likely to bring about new social resources and activities, which may serve to fulfil the social needs of older adults.
Examining the role of driven-game shooting as a psycho-social resource for older adults in rural areas: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Latham-Green Tracey , Hazenberg Richard , Denny Simon
Published: July 2021

This paper explores whether regular involvement in a rural, country sport, frequently practised by older individuals, builds social capital and friendships, reduces loneliness, and positively impacts individuals’ health and wellbeing. Taking a critical realist, mixed-methods approach, using a recognised social impact assessment methodology theoretically underpinned by social capital theory, this study identifies that driven-game shooting participation creates social impact via social capital creation and identity reinforcement. Results indicate a statistically significant, positive impact on mental health and wellbeing (N = 2,424), which varies by shoot size and/or type. The results are discussed in relation to implications for managing elderly health and wellbeing in rural areas.
Conservative Anti-Colonialism: Maududi, Marx and Social Equality
Authors: IQTIDAR HUMEIRA
Published: July 2021

Abul A‘la Maududi explicitly built on Islamic ideas of equality to critique nationalism and modern racism. How then could he reject the idea of social equality between men and women? This is particularly puzzling given his noticeable employment of a Marxist critique of the marketisation of society and liberal conceptions of freedom in his controversial 1939 bookPardah. Parsing out the structure of his argument inPardahin some detail and emphasising the hitherto understudied engagement with Marxist ideas in his thought, this article shows that Maududi rejected a specific vision of social equality, where equality amounts to exchangeability. His use of Marxist ideas to non-Marxist ends was in large part a result of his assessment of Marx as a capable historian but a flawed philosopher, and more fundamentally a very different conception of society to the Marxist one. Maududi relied on his by then well-developed concept of divine sovereignty to carry much of the conceptual burden regarding his critique of, as well as alternatives to, social equality.
Equality and Devolution in the United Kingdom: A Story in Three Acts and a Sequel
Authors: Devine Paula , Kelly Grace , McAuley Martina
Published: July 2021

Within the United Kingdom (UK), many of the arguments driving devolution and Brexit focused on equality. This article assesses how notions of equality have been shaped over the past two decades. Using a chronology of theoretical, political and public interpretations of equality between 1998 and 2018, the article highlights the shifting positions of Northern Ireland (NI) and the rest of the UK. NI once led the way in relation to equality legislation, and equality was the cornerstone of the Good Friday/Belfast peace agreement. However, the Equality Act 2010 in Great Britain meant that NI was left behind. The nature of future UK/EU relationships and how these might influence the direction and extent of the equality debate in the UK is unclear. While this article focuses on the UK, the questions that it raises have global application, due to the international influences on equality discourse and legislation.
Palliative care in the emergency department: A qualitative study exploring barriers, facilitators, desired clinician qualities, and future directions
Authors: Gips Alexa , Daubman Bethany-Rose , Petrillo Laura A. , Bowman Jason , Ouchi Kei , Traeger Lara , Jackson Vicki , Grudzen Corita , Ritchie Christine Seel , Aaronson Emily Loving
Published: July 2021

Objective

To describe the perceived qualities of successful palliative care (PC) providers in the emergency department (ED), barriers and facilitators to ED–PC, and clinicians’ perspectives on the future of ED–PC.

Method

This qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted in June–August 2020. Interviews were analyzed via a two-phase Rapid Analysis. The study's primary outcomes (innovations in ED–PC during COVID) are published elsewhere. In this secondary analysis, we examine interviewee responses to broader questions about ED–PC currently and in the future.

Results

PC providers perceived as successful in their work in the ED were described as autonomous, competent, flexible, fast, and fluent in ED language and culture. Barriers to ED–PC integration included the ED environment, lack of access to PC providers at all times, the ED perception of PC, and the lack of a supporting financial model. Facilitators to ED–PC integration included proactive identification of patients who would benefit from PC, ED-focused PC education and tools, PC presence in the ED, and data supporting ED–PC. Increased primary PC education for ED staff, increased automation, and innovative ED–PC models were seen as areas for future growth.

Significance of results

Our findings provide useful information for PC programs considering expanding their ED presence, particularly as this is the first study to our knowledge that examines traits of successful PC providers in the ED environment. Our findings also suggest that, despite growth in the arena of ED–PC, barriers and facilitators remain similar to those identified previously. Future research is needed to evaluate the impact that ED–PC initiatives may have on patient and system outcomes, to identify a financial model to maintain ED–PC integration, and to examine whether perceptions of successful providers align with objective measures of the same.
Women, Violence, Sovereignty: “Rakshasa” Marriage by Capture in Modern Indian Political Thought
Authors: Sabastian Luna
Published: July 2021

Nineteenth-century colonial jurists, sociologists, and Indian nationalists revived the ancient Indian legal concept of rakshasa marriage by bride capture after vanquishing her kinsmen, which the Hindu “lawgiver” Manu condemned but permitted to the warrior caste alone. Only the Kshatriyas, India's designated sovereigns, could break patriarchal and brahmanical authority in this way. But rakshasa marriage was also identified with the demon Ravana, who abducted Sita in the epic Ramayana, and with Hindu nationalism's Muslim enemy. Preoccupied with the loss of kshatriyahood, Hindu nationalism uniquely premised sovereignty on the power to dispossess enemy Fathers of their women: from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's celebration of epic hero Arjuna and Krishna's own rakshasa marriages, to the appropriation of this supposedly Muslim method by the architect of Hindutva, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (1883–1967). Transcending the “sexual contract” in the Indian case, rakshasa marriage's association of bride capture and miscegenation with sovereignty sheds new light on gendered Partition violence, beyond brahmanical notions of (defiled) purity and honor.
THREE MODEL-THEORETIC CONSTRUCTIONS FOR GENERALIZED EPSTEIN SEMANTICS
Authors: KRAWCZYK KRZYSZTOF A.
Published: July 2021

This paper introduces three model-theoretic constructions for generalized Epstein semantics: reducts, ultramodels and
$\textsf {S}$
-sets. We apply these notions to obtain metatheoretical results. We prove connective inexpressibility by means of a reduct, compactness by an ultramodel and definability theorem which states that a set of generalized Epstein models is definable iff it is closed under ultramodels and
$\textsf {S}$
-sets. Furthermore, a corollary concerning definability of a set of models by a single formula is given on the basis of the main theorem and the compactness theorem. We also provide an example of a natural set of generalized Epstein models which is undefinable. Its undefinability is proven by means of an
$\textsf {S}$
-set.
Kann erlebte Unterstützung durch Lehrkräfte schulische Erschöpfung und Stress bei Schülerinnen und Schülern abfedern?
Authors: Hoferichter Frances , Raufelder Diana
Published: July 2021

Zusammenfassung. Im Laufe der Schuljahre berichten Sekundarschülerinnen und -schüler zunehmend hohe Stress- und Erschöpfungswerte, die den Bildungserfolg und die Gesundheit gefährden. Die Puffer-Hypothese hat gezeigt, dass soziale Unterstützung die Wahrnehmung von Stress abfedern kann. Allerdings wurde das Unterstützungsverhalten der Lehrkräfte unter Berücksichtigung längsschnittlicher Studiendesigns in diesem Zusammenhang selten untersucht und bislang nicht weiter ausdifferenziert. Diese Forschungslücke aufgreifend wird in der vorliegenden Studie mittels Fragebogendaten und latenter moderierter Strukturgleichungsanalyse (LMS) von Sekundarschülerinnen und -schülern ( N = 733; MAlter= 13.78; SD = 0.67; 52% Mädchen) zu zwei Messzeitpunkten untersucht, ob die wahrgenommene akademische Lernunterstützung sowie die sozio-emotionale Unterstützung durch die Lehrkräfte die Entwicklung des allgemeinen Stress- und schulischen Erschöpfungserlebens innerhalb eines Schuljahres moderiert. Die Ergebnisse der LMS zeigen, dass unter Kontrolle von Geschlecht, Schulform und Schulnoten die akademische Lernunterstützung dazu beiträgt, dass die schulische Erschöpfung über das Schuljahr abnimmt. Insgesamt deuten die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass unterschiedliches Unterstützungsverhalten von Lehrkräften differenziert mit dem Stress- und Erschöpfungserleben von Schülerinnen und Schülern über den Verlauf eines Schuljahres zusammenhängt. Je früher und je kontinuierlicher Schülerinnen und Schüler Unterstützung durch die Lehrkräfte erfahren, desto besser kann Stress und schulischer Erschöpfung vorgebeugt werden.
Typhoon Control of Precipitation Dual Isotopes in Southern China and Its Palaeoenvironmental Implications
Authors: Chen Fajin , Huang Chao , Lao Qibin , Zhang Shuwen , Chen Chunqing , Zhou Xin , Lu Xuan , Zhu Qingmei
Published: July 2021

High‐resolution stalagmite oxygen isotope (δ18O) records are widely employed in palaeoclimate studies as indicators of East Asian Monsoon intensity in southern China. A key issue is whether the East Asian Monsoon or other factors control δ18O in precipitation in southern China, which requires modern observations to confirm. To understand which factors control the dual isotopes (δD and δ18O) of precipitation in southern China, δD and δ18O were measured from 412 precipitation events (including 144 rainwater samples from a total of 43 typhoon events) from May 2015 to April 2020 in Zhanjiang, a tropical city frequently affected by typhoon events in southern China. The overall relationship between δD and δ18O can be expressed as δD = 8.961 δ18O + 6.235; significantly lower intercept and larger slope of this relationship compared to these of the global meteoric water line (GMWL) and the China meteoric water line (CMWL). Remarkably, significantly low D‐excess and the lowest δD and δ18O occurred in the typhoon periods, suggesting that typhoon events could bring large amounts of remote moisture to this tropical city from the Western Pacific and South China Sea. The moisture from remote oceans would affect precipitation with the lowest δ18O and D‐excess, which could be responsible for the deviation of the slope and intercept from those of the CMWL and GMWL. Therefore, variations of the δ18O in precipitation are intensively influenced by typhoons, not by the East Asian Monsoon, providing new understanding for the interpretation of palaeo‐isotope data in southern China.
Contrasting the Role of Regional and Remote Circulation in Driving Asian Monsoon Biases in MetUM GA7.1
Authors: Liu Zhen , Bollasina Massimo A. , Wilcox Laura J. , Rodríguez José M. , Regayre Leighton A.
Published: July 2021

Monsoon precipitation affects nearly half of the world's population, but monsoon biases are a long‐standing problem in climate simulations. We apply dynamical nudging either globally or regionally to demonstrate the role of regional and remote circulation in generating Asian monsoon biases in an atmospheric general circulation model. Monsoon precipitation biases are substantially reduced in response to global nudging but may also be exacerbated over the warm oceanic equatorial areas because of unconstrained sub‐grid convection. Regional nudging over Asia appears to be more efficient than nudging outside Asia in reducing seasonal precipitation biases over eastern China and India. This suggests a predominant role of local circulation anomalies in generating monsoon precipitation errors in these regions. An exception is the summer precipitation bias over eastern China, which is more strongly controlled by remote circulation. Besides seasonal mean rainfall, nudging can also improve the simulated interannual and intraseasonal precipitation variability over the subtropics. This results in a better skill in reproducing the observed El Niño teleconnections to India and China and the monsoon onset date. Improved understanding of the origin of Asian monsoon biases and the contribution from regional and remote circulation advances our knowledge of the interplay between the Asian monsoon and large‐scale circulation, which can be beneficial to the simulation and interpretation of monsoon projections.
Geomorphological Controls on Groundwater Transit Times: A Synthetic Analysis at the Hillslope Scale
Authors: Gauvain Alexandre , Leray Sarah , Marçais Jean , Roques Clément , Vautier Camille , Gresselin Frédéric , Aquilina Luc , de Dreuzy Jean‐Raynald
Published: July 2021

We investigated how geomorphological structures shape Transit Time Distributions (TTDs) in shallow aquifers. Extensive three‐dimensional simulations were performed to determine the TTDs for synthetic convergent, straight, and divergent hillslopes with a constant slope. The uniform recharge applied on top of the aquifer is transferred to the receiving stream through steady‐state groundwater flows, return flows and saturation excess overland flows. Without seepage, TTDs evolve from uniform‐ to power law‐like‐ distributions depending on the average distance of the groundwater volume to the river (barycenter). Remarkably, the coefficient of variation (ratio of the standard deviation to the mean) of the TTDs scales linearly with the barycenter in agreement with a theoretical prediction based on three analytical approximations derived for specific cases. With seepage, the TTD has three separate modes corresponding to rapid saturation excess overland flows, to the intermediate flow paths ending in seepage area and to the slower flow paths going all the way to a discharge in the river. The coefficient of variation additionally depends on the extent of the seepage area. For a natural hillslope in the crystalline basement of Normandy (France), the same synthetic analysis demonstrates that the coefficient of variation is not only determined by the extent of the seepage zone but also by its structure in relation to the local and global geomorphological organization. The results suggest the possibility to assess the variability of transit times by combining geomorphological analysis, surface soil saturation observations and environmental tracers.
Global Cooling Hiatus Driven by an AMOC Overshoot in a Carbon Dioxide Removal Scenario
Authors: An Soon‐Il , Shin Jongsoo , Yeh Sang‐Wook , Son Seok‐Woo , Kug Jong‐Seong , Min Seung‐Ki , Kim Hyo‐Jeong
Published: July 2021

The reversibility of global mean surface temperature was examined by a transient CO2 reversibility experiment using an Earth system model. The results showed that after CO2 ramp‐up toward CO2 quadrupling and ramp‐down returned to the present‐day level, the global mean surface temperature kept decreasing but stopped to change for ∼40 years in the early net‐zero CO2 emission period. This period, referred to a cooling hiatus, resulted from a compensation between Southern Hemisphere cooling and Northern Hemisphere warming. The Northern Hemisphere warming was centered over the North Atlantic. This localized warming was caused by an excessive heat advection by a delayed and surpassed Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) to CO2 forcing. During the progression of CO2 change, the meridional salinity gradient between subtropic and subpolar regions was enhanced, and the oceanic stratification in subpolar North Atlantic was reduced due to accumulated heat and reduced vertical salt import in the deeper ocean. As AMOC started to recover, consequently, the enhanced salt advection feedback and the relaxed buoyant force resulted in AMOC overshoot.
Hydrothermal Vents May Add Ancient Carbon to Ocean Waters
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: July 2021

Data from a long-distance research cruise provide new insights into carbon cycling in the eastern Pacific and Southern Oceans.
Convection‐Permitting Hindcasting of Diurnal Variation of Mei‐yu Rainfall Over East China With a Global Variable‐Resolution Model
Authors: Xu Mingyue , Zhao Chun , Gu Jun , Feng Jiawang , Hagos Samson , Leung L. Ruby , Luo Yali , Guo Jianping , Li Rui , Fu Yunfei
Published: July 2021

Two sets of 48‐h hindcast experiments for Mei‐yu season using non‐hydrostatic global variable‐resolution model (MPAS‐Atmosphere) with regional refinement at 4 km resolution (V4km) and uniform 60 km resolution (U60km) are first‐time conducted to attempt at simulating the Mei‐yu rainfall in 2015 over East China. The analysis focuses on the seasonal average of diurnal variation of precipitation amount (PA), intensity (PI), and frequency (PF). Both simulations reasonably reproduce the spatial distribution of PA. V4km is more skillful in simulating the spatial distributions and magnitudes of PF and PI. The diurnal cycle of Mei‐yu rainfall shows a major early morning peak and a minor afternoon peak, contributed by precipitation during two sub‐periods with distinct synoptic circulations. With strong Mei‐yu in the first sub‐period, the diurnal variation of PA is controlled by nocturnal southwesterly jet. V4km overestimates the morning peak mainly due to its bias in simulating boundary layer inertial oscillation. Although differences in PA between the simulations are small, U60km overestimates PF and underestimates PI. With weak Mei‐yu in the second sub‐period, the diurnal variation of PA is controlled by both synoptic circulation and local convection. At both resolutions, deviations in the large‐scale circulation modulated by a few typhoons lead to positive biases in the morning peak of PA. After removing the typhoon impacts, V4km captures the observed diurnal cycle of PA well, while U60km significantly underestimates PA and PI particularly in the afternoon. Future studies focusing on advancing modeling of southwesterly jet and typhoons may further improve convection permitting simulation of Mei‐yu rainfall.
Atmospheric CO2 Exchange of a Small Mountain Lake: Limitations of Eddy Covariance and Boundary Layer Modeling Methods in Complex Terrain
Authors: Scholz K. , Ejarque E. , Hammerle A. , Kainz M. , Schelker J. , Wohlfahrt G.
Published: July 2021

Lakes receive and transform significant amounts of terrestrial carbon and are often considered a source of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Yet, continuous direct measurements of lake‐atmosphere CO2 exchange with high temporal resolution are sparse. In this study, we measured the CO2 exchange of a mountain lake in the eastern Austrian Alps continuously for one year using the eddy covariance (EC) and the boundary layer model (BLM) approaches. Results from both the EC and the BLM methods indicated the lake to be a small source of atmospheric CO2 with highest emissions in fall. EC flux measurements were affected by low‐frequency contributions especially during low wind conditions. The CO2 concentration gradient at the air‐water interface decreased during night‐time due to an increase in atmospheric CO2 above the lake, likely caused by cold and CO2‐rich air draining from the surrounding land. Consequently, BLM fluxes were lower during night‐time than during daytime. This diel pattern was lacking in the EC flux measurements because the EC instruments deployed at the shore of the lake did not capture low nocturnal lake CO2 fluxes due to the local wind regime. Overall, this study illustrates the effect of the surrounding landscape on lake‐atmosphere flux measurements. We conclude that estimating CO2 evasion from lakes situated in complex topography needs to explicitly account for biases in EC flux measurements caused by low‐frequency contributions and local wind regimes.
An Experimental and Numerical Approach to Modeling Large Wood Displacement in Rivers
Authors: Panici D.
Published: July 2021

Large wood (LW) is used for river restoration, aquatic habitat conservation, and flood control; however, it can pose a threat to human life and the built environment. The formation of LW jams, river management strategies, and design of mitigation measures crucially all depend on how the large wood is transported along a river. This paper experimentally analyses at laboratory scale the motion of natural sticks in a long stretch of a straight channel (16 m), when LW is released at different locations and with different flow conditions. Results show that instream large wood, following a transient motion shortly after being released at the water surface, tends to follow preferential patterns along the channel. Froude number and location of large wood input may provide an estimation of the LW location in downstream reaches. Several mechanisms of motion were observed, some of which were very common, including a frequent tendency to assume a tilted position with respect to the direction parallel to the flow. The experiments also suggest that theories on secondary cells responsible for channeling LW in preferential directions are incomplete. A new model, based on acceleration induced by hydrodynamic actions, has been established and proposed in this work, showing promising results and paving the way for the development of a comprehensive model for transport of large wood at the river surface in full‐scale applications.
Exosomal annexin A6 induces gemcitabine resistance by inhibiting ubiquitination and degradation of EGFR in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Li Ting , Tao Zhonghua , Zhu Yihui , Liu Xiaojia , Wang Leiping , Du Yiqun , Cao Jun , Wang Biyun , Zhang Jian , Hu Xichun
Published: July 2021

Exosomes are carriers of intercellular information that regulate the tumor microenvironment, and they have an essential role in drug resistance through various mechanisms such as transporting RNA molecules and proteins. Nevertheless, their effects on gemcitabine resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of exosomes on TNBC cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and annexin A6 (ANXA6)/EGFR expression. We addressed their roles in gemcitabine resistance and the underlying mechanism. Our results revealed that exosomes derived from resistant cancer cells improved cell viability and colony formation and inhibited apoptosis in sensitive cancer cells. The underlying mechanism included the transfer of exosomal ANXA6 from resistant cancer cells to sensitive cancer cells. Isobaric peptide labeling–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and western blotting revealed that ANXA6 was upregulated in resistant cancer cells and their derived exosomes. Sensitive cancer cells exhibited resistance with increased viability and colony formation and decreased apoptosis when ANXA6 was stably overexpressed. On the contrary, knockdown ANXA6 restored the sensitivity of cells to gemcitabine. Co-immunoprecipitation expression and GST pulldown assay demonstrated that exosomal ANXA6 and EGFR could interact with each other and exosomal ANXA6 was associated with the suppression of EGFR ubiquitination and downregulation. While adding lapatinib reversed gemcitabine resistance induced by exosomal ANXA6. Moreover, ANXA6 and EGFR protein expression was correlated in TNBC tissues, and exosomal ANXA6 levels at baseline were lower in patients with highly sensitive TNBC than those with resistant TNBC when treated with first-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. In conclusion, resistant cancer cell-derived exosomes induced gemcitabine resistance via exosomal ANXA6, which was associated with the inhibition of EGFR ubiquitination and degradation. Exosomal ANXA6 levels in the serum of patients with TNBC might be predictive of the response to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.
Implication of human endogenous retrovirus W family envelope in hepatocellular carcinoma promotes MEK/ERK-mediated metastatic invasiveness and doxorubicin resistance
Authors: Zhou Yan , Liu Lijuan , Liu Youyi , Zhou Ping , Yan Qiujin , Yu Honglian , Chen Xiaobei , Zhu Fan
Published: July 2021

Human endogenous retrovirus (HERVs), originating from exogenous retroviral infections of germ cells millions of years ago, have the potential for human diseases. Syncytin-1, an envelope protein encoded by the HERV W family, participates in the contexts of schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and several types of cancers. Nevertheless, there is no report on the expression pattern and potential mechanism of Syncytin-1 in HCC. Here we found Syncytin-1 expression was up-regulated in HCC compared to adjacent non-tumorous tissues, especially in advanced HCC. Syncytin-1 was an independent risk factor to predict vascular invasion, metastasis, larger tumor size, and poor prognosis in HCC patients. Further analysis discovered that Syncytin-1 overexpression positively associated with HCC patients with serum HBsAg positive. Functional experiments in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that Syncytin-1 enhanced cell proliferation, metastasis, and tumorigenicity in HCC. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway was involved in HCC. Our clinical data indicated that the levels of phosphorylation MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 were increased in HCC comparing with adjacent non-tumorous tissues. It showed the linear correlation between Syncytin-1 expression and upregulated MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels in HCC. Furthermore, Syncytin-1 activated MEK/ERK pathway in HCC cells. In-depth research showed that the inflammation-activated MEK/ERK pathway was essential in Syncytin-1 promoted hepatocarcinogenesis. Syncytin-1 suppressed doxorubicin-induced apoptosis via MEK/ERK cascade. In conclusion, Syncytin-1 promoted HCC progression and doxorubicin resistance via the inflammation-activated MEK/ERK pathway. Our findings revealed that Syncytin-1 was a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
Delineating spatiotemporal and hierarchical development of human fetal innate lymphoid cells
Authors: Liu Chen , Gong Yandong , Zhang Han , Yang Hua , Zeng Yang , Bian Zhilei , Xin Qian , Bai Zhijie , Zhang Man , He Jian , Yan Jing , Zhou Jie , Li Zongcheng , Ni Yanli , Wen Aiqing , Lan Yu , Hu Hongbo , Liu Bing
Published: July 2021

Whereas the critical roles of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in adult are increasingly appreciated, their developmental hierarchy in early human fetus remains largely elusive. In this study, we sorted human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, lymphoid progenitors, putative ILC progenitor/precursors and mature ILCs in the fetal hematopoietic, lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues, from 8 to 12 post-conception weeks, for single-cell RNA-sequencing, followed by computational analysis and functional validation at bulk and single-cell levels. We delineated the early phase of ILC lineage commitment from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, which mainly occurred in fetal liver and intestine. We further unveiled interleukin-3 receptor as a surface marker for the lymphoid progenitors in fetal liver with T, B, ILC and myeloid potentials, while IL-3RA– lymphoid progenitors were predominantly B-lineage committed. Notably, we determined the heterogeneity and tissue distribution of each ILC subpopulation, revealing the proliferating characteristics shared by the precursors of each ILC subtype. Additionally, a novel unconventional ILC2 subpopulation (CRTH2– CCR9+ ILC2) was identified in fetal thymus. Taken together, our study illuminates the precise cellular and molecular features underlying the stepwise formation of human fetal ILC hierarchy with remarkable spatiotemporal heterogeneity.
Parkinson’s disease multimodal imaging: F-DOPA PET, neuromelanin-sensitive and quantitative iron-sensitive MRI
Authors: Depierreux Frédérique , Parmentier Eric , Mackels Laurane , Baquero Katherine , Degueldre Christian , Balteau Evelyne , Salmon Eric , Phillips Christophe , Bahri Mohamed Ali , Maquet Pierre , Garraux Gaëtan
Published: July 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative synucleinopathy characterized by the degeneration of neuromelanin (NM)-containing dopaminergic neurons and deposition of iron in the substantia nigra (SN). How regional NM loss and iron accumulation within specific areas of SN relate to nigro-striatal dysfunction needs to be clarified. We measured dopaminergic function in pre- and postcommissural putamen by [18F]DOPA PET in 23 Parkinson’s disease patients and 23 healthy control (HC) participants in whom NM content and iron load were assessed in medial and lateral SN, respectively, by NM-sensitive and quantitative R2* MRI. Data analysis consisted of voxelwise regressions testing the group effect and its interaction with NM or iron signals. In PD patients, R2* was selectively increased in left lateral SN as compared to healthy participants, suggesting a local accumulation of iron in Parkinson’s disease. By contrast, NM signal differed between PD and HC, without specific regional specificity within SN. Dopaminergic function in posterior putamen decreased as R2* increased in lateral SN, indicating that dopaminergic function impairment progresses with iron accumulation in the SN. Dopaminergic function was also positively correlated with NM signal in lateral SN, indicating that dopaminergic function impairment progresses with depigmentation in the SN. A complex relationship was detected between R2* in the lateral SN and NM signal in the medial SN. In conclusion, multimodal imaging reveals regionally specific relationships between iron accumulation and depigmentation within the SN of Parkinson’s disease and provides in vivo insights in its neuropathology.
BiPSim: a flexible and generic stochastic simulator for polymerization processes
Authors: Fischer Stephan , Dinh Marc , Henry Vincent , Robert Philippe , Goelzer Anne , Fromion Vincent
Published: July 2021

Detailed whole-cell modeling requires an integration of heterogeneous cell processes having different modeling formalisms, for which whole-cell simulation could remain tractable. Here, we introduce BiPSim, an open-source stochastic simulator of template-based polymerization processes, such as replication, transcription and translation. BiPSim combines an efficient abstract representation of reactions and a constant-time implementation of the Gillespie’s Stochastic Simulation Algorithm (SSA) with respect to reactions, which makes it highly efficient to simulate large-scale polymerization processes stochastically. Moreover, multi-level descriptions of polymerization processes can be handled simultaneously, allowing the user to tune a trade-off between simulation speed and model granularity. We evaluated the performance of BiPSim by simulating genome-wide gene expression in bacteria for multiple levels of granularity. Finally, since no cell-type specific information is hard-coded in the simulator, models can easily be adapted to other organismal species. We expect that BiPSim should open new perspectives for the genome-wide simulation of stochastic phenomena in biology.
Temperature stress and disease drives the extirpation of the threatened pillar coral, Dendrogyra cylindrus, in southeast Florida
Authors: Jones Nicholas P. , Kabay Lystina , Semon Lunz Kathleen , Gilliam David S.
Published: July 2021

Rare species population dynamics can elucidate the resilience of an ecosystem. On coral reefs, climate change and local anthropogenic stressors are threatening stony coral persistence, increasing the need to assess vulnerable species locally. Here, we monitored the threatened pillar coral, Dendrogyra cylindrus, population in southeast Florida, USA, in relation to consecutive heat stress events in 2014 and 2015. In the fall of each year, D. cylindrus colonies bleached following intense thermal stress and by June 2020 all monitored colonies died from a white-syndrome type disease. This resulted in the ecological extinction of D. cylindrus in the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area (ECA). White-syndrome type disease was first seen in February 2014 on four colonies (19% prevalence) near the major international port, Port Everglades and disease prevalence peaked in fall 2015 (58%). Disease prevalence increased with maximum water temperature, while disease related mortality increased with mean water temperature. Our findings suggest that thermal stress exacerbated underlying stony coral disease, resulting in an outbreak contributing to the ecological extirpation of D. cylindrus in the ECA. We suggest that stony coral resilience is severely compromised by chronic environmental disturbance which hinders community recovery.
Silver incorporated into g-C3N4/Alginate as an efficient and heterogeneous catalyst for promoting click and A3 and KA2 coupling reaction
Authors: Daraie Mansoureh , Heravi Majid M. , Mohammadi Pourya , Daraie Ali
Published: July 2021

Fe3O4/g-C3N4/Alginate-Ag nanocomposite as a novel and effective nanocatalyst was successfully prepared. This nanocomposite was fully characterized using several techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, the catalytic activity of this novel and characterized nanocatalyst was investigated in the regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles via click reaction and A3 and KA2 coupling reaction in aqueous media. The prepared nanocatalyst was simply recovered by using an external magnet and reused for several times with a slight loss of catalytic activity.
Evolution of the prevalence of obesity in the adult population in France, 2013–2016: the Constances study
Authors: Czernichow Sébastien , Renuy Adeline , Rives-Lange Claire , Carette Claire , Airagnes Guillaume , Wiernik Emmanuel , Ozguler Anna , Kab Sofiane , Goldberg Marcel , Zins Marie , Matta Joane
Published: July 2021

This study provides trends in obesity prevalence in adults from 2013 to 2016 in France. 63,582 men and women from independent samples upon inclusion from the Constances cohort were included. Anthropometrics were measured at Health Screening Centers and obesity defined as a Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2; obesity classes according to BMI are as follows: class 1 [30–34.9]; class 2 [35–39.9]; class 3 [≥ 40 kg/m2]. Linear trends across obesity classes by sex and age groups were examined in regression models and percentage point change from 2013 to 2016 for each age category calculated. All analyses accounted for sample weights for non-response, age and sex-calibrated to the French population. Prevalence of obesity ranged from 14.2 to 15.2% and from 14 to 15.3% in women and men respectively from 2013 to 2016. Class 1 obesity category prevalence was the only one to increase significantly across survey years in both men and women (p for linear trend = 0.04 and 0.01 in women and men respectively). The only significant increase for obesity was observed in the age group 18–29 y in both women and men (+ 2.71% and + 3.26% point increase respectively, equivalent to an approximate rise of 50% in women and 93% in men, p = 0.03 and 0.02 respectively). After adjustment for survey non-response and for age and sex distribution, the results show that class 1 obesity prevalence has significantly increased in both women and men from 2013 to 2016, and only in young adults in a representative sample of the French population aged 18–69 years old.
Acute fat loss does not affect bone mass
Authors: Lagerquist Marie K. , Gustafsson Karin L. , Henning Petra , Farman Helen , Wu Jianyao , Sjögren Klara , Koskela Antti , Tuukkanen Juha , Ohlsson Claes , Wernstedt Asterholm Ingrid , Grahnemo Louise
Published: July 2021

Obesity has previously been thought to protect bone since high body weight and body mass index are associated with high bone mass. However, some more recent studies suggest that increased adiposity negatively impacts bone mass. Here, we aimed to test whether acute loss of adipose tissue, via adipocyte apoptosis, alters bone mass in age-related obese mice. Adipocyte apoptosis was induced in obese male FAT-ATTAC mice through AP20187 dimerizer-mediated activation of caspase 8 selectively in adipocytes. In a short-term experiment, dimerizer was administered to 5.5 month-old mice that were terminated 2 weeks later. At termination, the total fat mass weighed 58% less in dimerizer-treated mice compared with vehicle-treated controls, but bone mass did not differ. To allow for the detection of long-term effects, we used 9-month-old mice that were terminated six weeks after dimerizer administration. In this experiment, the total fat mass weighed less (− 68%) in the dimerizer-treated mice than in the controls, yet neither bone mass nor biomechanical properties differed between groups. Our findings show that adipose tissue loss, despite the reduced mechanical loading, does not affect bone in age-related obese mice. Future studies are needed to test whether adipose tissue loss is beneficial during more severe obesity.
Experimental demonstration of the novel “van-Hove integral method (vHI)” for measuring diffusive dynamics by elastic neutron scattering
Authors: Benedetto Antonio , Kearley Gordon J.
Published: July 2021

Quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS)—based on the seminal work of Nobel Laureate Brockhouse—has been one of the major methods for studying pico-second to nano-second diffusive dynamics over the past 70 years. This is regarded as an “inelastic” method for dynamics. In contrast, we recently proposed a new neutron-scattering method for dynamics, which uses the elastic line of the scattering to access system dynamics directly in the time domain (Benedetto and Kearley in Sci Rep 9:11284, 2019). This new method has been denoted “vHI” that stands for “van Hove Integral”. The reason is that, under certain conditions, the measured elastic intensity corresponds to the running-time integral of the intermediate scattering function, $$I\left( {Q,t} \right)$$

I

Q
,
t

, up to a time that is inversely proportional to the energy band-width incident on the sample. As a result, $$I\left( {Q,t} \right)$$

I

Q
,
t

is accessed from the time derivative of the measured vHI profile. vHI has been supported by numerical and Monte-Carlo simulations, but has been difficult to validate experimentally due to the lack of a suitable instrument. Here we show that vHI works in practice, which we achieved by using a simple modification to the standard QENS backscattering spectrometer methodology. Basically, we varied the neutron-energy band-widths incident at the sample via a step-wise variation of the frequency of the monochromator Doppler-drive. This provides a measurement of the vHI profile at the detectors. The same instrument and sample were also used in standard QENS mode for comparison. The intermediate scattering functions, $$I\left( {Q,t} \right)$$

I

Q
,
t

, obtained by the two methods—vHI and QENS—are strikingly similar providing a direct experimental validation of the vHI method. Perhaps surprisingly, the counting statistics of the two methods are comparable even though the instrument used was expressly designed for QENS. This shows that the methodology modification adopted here can be used in practice to access vHI profiles at many of the backscattering spectrometers worldwide. We also show that partial integrations of the measured QENS spectrum cannot provide the vHI profile, which clarifies a common misconception. At the same time, we show a novel approach which does access $$I\left( {Q,t} \right)$$

I

Q
,
t

from QENS spectra.