bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Turkish inappropriate medication use in the elderly (TIME) criteria to improve prescribing in older adults: TIME-to-STOP/TIME-to-START
Authors: Bahat Gulistan , Ilhan Birkan , Erdogan Tugba , Halil Meltem , Savas Sumru , Ulger Zekeriya , Akyuz Filiz , Bilge Ahmet Kaya , Cakir Sibel , Demirkan Kutay , Erelel Mustafa , Guler Kerim , Hanagasi Hasmet , Izgi Belgin , Kadioglu Ates , Karan Ayse , Kulaksizoglu Isin Baral , Mert Ali , Ozturk Savas , Satman Ilhan , Sever Mehmet Sukru , Tukek Tufan , Uresin Yagiz , Yalcin Onay , Yesilot Nilufer , Oren Meryem Merve , Karan Mehmet Akif
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To improve prescribing in older adults, criterion sets have been introduced from different countries. While current criterion sets are useful to some extent, they do not meet the need in some European countries. Turkish inappropriate medication use in the elderly (TIME) criteria was planned to meet this need.

Methods

In phase 1, the user friendly sets: STOPP/START version2 and CRIME criteria were combined. National experts composed of geriatricians and non-geriatricians were invited to review and comment. In phase 2, thorough literature review was performed and reference-based revisions, omissions, and additions were made. Explanatory additions were added to some criteria to improve application in practice. In phase 3, all working group members reviewed the criteria/explanations and agreed on the final content.

Results

Phase 1 was performed by 49 expert academicians between May and October 2016. Phase 2 was performed by 23 working group academicians between October 2016 and November 2018 and included face-to-face interviews between at least two geriatrician members and one criterion-related specialist. Phase 3 was completed between November 2018–March 2019 with review and approval of all criteria by working group academicians. As a result, 55 criteria were added, 17 criteria were removed, and 60 criteria were modified from the first draft. A total of 153 TIME criteria composed of 112 TIME-to-STOP and 41 TIME-to-START criteria were introduced.

Conclusion

TIME criteria is an update screening tool that differs from the current useful tools by the interactive study of experts from geriatrics and non-geriatrics, inclusion of practical explanations for some criteria and by its eastern European origin. TIME study respectfully acknowledges its roots from STOPP/START and CRIME criteria. Studies are needed whether it would lead improvements in older adults’ health.
Sexual Behavior, Desire, and Psychosexual Experience in Gynephilic and Androphilic Trans Women: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study
Authors: Laube Jelena S. , Auer Matthias K. , Biedermann Sarah V. , Schröder Johanna , Hildebrandt Thomas , Nieder Timo O. , Briken Peer , Fuss Johannes
Published: March 2020

Background

One of the most prominent etiological theories of gender incongruence in trans women proposes a paraphilic erotic target location error (ie, autogynephilia) as a causal factor in gynephilic (ie, exclusively gynephilic and bisexual) trans women. We hypothesized that a paraphilic erotic target location should manifest itself in various aspects of sexual behavior, solitary and dyadic sexual desire, and psychosexual experience.

Aim

To compare sexual behavior, sexual desire, and psychosexual experience of exclusively gynephilic and bisexual trans women with that of androphilic trans women to explore whether their sexuality differs substantially.

Methods

Trans women diagnosed with gender dysphoria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–5) were recruited at 4 transgender healthcare centers in Germany. The present study analyzed items on sexual behavior, desire, and experience of a self-report questionnaire, collected as part of a cross-sectional multicenter study.

Main Outcomes

Multiple aspects of sexuality were examined using self-constructed items. Sexual desire was measured using the Sexual Desire Inventory and psychosexual experience using the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire.

Results

Significantly more exclusively gynephilic than androphilic trans women reported a history of sexual arousal in relation to cross-dressing. However, little evidence was found that gynephilic and androphilic sexual desire, behavior, and psychosexual experience differ profoundly. Interestingly, a statistically non-significant trend indicated that gynephilic trans women who had not yet undergone gender affirming surgery showed the highest levels of sexual desire (solitary and dyadic), whereas the opposite was the case for androphilic trans women.

Clinical Translation

Data of this study indicate that sexual orientation does not appear to be a good predicator for sexual behavior, desire, and psychosexual experience in trans women.

Strengths and Limitations

We investigated sexual desire and experience using standardized and evaluated measures such as the Sexual Desire Inventory and Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire. Future studies with a larger sample size should investigate how different gender affirming medical intervention might have diverging influences on sexual behavior, desire, and experience.

Conclusion

Ultimately, this study found little evidence for the hypothesis that sexual behavior, sexual desire, and psychosexual experience differ substantially in gynephilic (exclusively gynephilic and bisexual) and androphilic trans women.
Crassostrea virginica dredge efficiency in Texas estuaries
Authors: Beseres Pollack Jennifer , Palmer Terence A.
Published: March 2020

Quantifying and comparing stocks of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) within and among estuaries across the Gulf of Mexico is difficult because the sampling equipment used is either inconsistent among studies, or inefficient. In Texas, USA, stock assessments of oyster populations are made using an oyster dredge, which is an inefficient sampling tool. We compared sampling densities estimated by oyster dredges with more accurate estimates taken by diver-quadrat samples to determine a dredge efficiency rate. Our calculated efficiency rate (0.125) was negatively affected by the number of dead oysters, and the number and volume of total oysters in an area, but not affected by sediment grain size, water quality, and other oyster metrics. The dredge efficiency rate calculated in this study can be applied to past and future dredge-collected oyster quantity data to provide more realistic estimates of oyster densities and allow more accurate stock assessments and comparisons among studies and regions.
New tools for the visualization of glial fibrillary acidic protein in living cells
Authors: Letra-Vilela Ricardo , Quiteres Ricardo , Murtinheira Fernanda , Crevenna Alvaro , Hensel Zach , Herrera Federico
Published: March 2020

The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an intermediate filament widely used to identify and label astroglial cells, a very abundant and relevant glial cell type in the central nervous system. A major hurdle in studying its behavior and function arises from the fact that GFAP does not tolerate well the addition of protein tags to its termini. Here, we tagged human GFAP (hGFAP) with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) for the first time, and substituted a previously reported EGFP tag on mouse GFAP (mGFAP) by a more versatile Halo Tag. Both versions of tagged GFAP were able to incorporate into the normal GFAP filamentous network in glioma cells, and Alexander disease-related mutations or pharmacological disruption of microtubules and actin filaments interfered with GFAP dynamics. These new tools could provide new fruitful venues for the study of GFAP oligomerization, aggregation and dynamics in living cells.
Microstructural Investigation of Plasma Sprayed Ceramic Coatings Using Peridynamics
Authors: Guski V. , Verestek W. , Oterkus E. , Schmauder S.
Published: March 2020

The present study deploys a continuum mechanics approach called peridynamics to investigate the damage behaviour of a 2D microstructure, which was taken from a plasma sprayed ceramic coating used in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) sealing systems. At the beginning, two benchmark cases, namely, plate with a hole as well as plate with a single edge notch, are considered. The results are compared to an analytical solution and a very good agreement is obtained. Based on these findings, a microstructural model from a plasma sprayed ceramic coating of SOFC sealing systems is investigated. These micromechanical simulations show that structural defects influence the crack initiation as well as the crack propagation during interconnecting the defects. Typical crack mechanisms, such as crack deflection, crack shielding or multiple cracking, are observed. Additionally, an anisotropy of the effective mechanical properties is observed in this heterogeneous material, which is well known for plasma sprayed materials.
Efficacy of a sleep health intervention to optimize standard smoking cessation treatment response: results from a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Patterson Freda , Grandner Michael A. , Malone Susan K. , Pohlig Ryan T. , Ashare Rebecca L. , Edwards David G.
Published: March 2020

Background

We tested if an adjunctive sleep health (SH) intervention improved smoking cessation treatment response by increasing quit rates. We also examined if baseline sleep, and improvements in sleep in the first weeks of quitting, were associated with quitting at the end of treatment.

Methods

Treatment-seeking smokers (N = 29) aged 21–65 years were randomized to a SH intervention (n = 16), or general health (GH) control (n = 13) condition. Participants received six counseling sessions across 15-weeks: SH received smoking cessation + SH counseling; GH received smoking cessation + GH counseling. Counseling began 4-weeks before the target quit date (TQD), and varenicline treatment began 1-week prior to TQD. Smoking status and SH were assessed at baseline (week 1), TQD (week 4), 3 weeks after cessation (week 7), week 12, and at the end of treatment (EOT; week 15).

Results

SH versus GH participants had higher Carbon Monoxide (CO) -verified, 7-day point prevalence abstinence at EOT (69% vs. 54%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.40–10.69, P = 0.77). Higher baseline sleep efficiency (aOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.03–1.96, P = 0.03), predicted higher EOT cessation. Models were adjusted for age, sex, education, and baseline nicotine dependence.

Conclusions

Improving SH in treatment-seeking smokers prior to cessation warrants further examination as a viable strategy to promote cessation.
Stirrings of Revolt: Regressive Levies, the Pocketbook Squeeze, and the 1960s Roots of the 1970s Tax Revolt
Authors: MOUND JOSH
Published: March 2020

In most accounts, the modern American “tax revolt” begins with Proposition 13, passed by California voters in June 1978. In this telling, the revolt represents an antigovernment, antiliberal shift among white homeowners instrumental in the “rise of the right” and the fall of the “New Deal order” that culminated in Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980 and his subsequent tax cuts. This article challenges that account by demonstrating that the revolt began more than a decade before Prop 13 as approval rates for local levies and bonds reached all-time lows. This local revolt was not limited to whites, nor did it portend rising conservatism. Instead, it was rooted in lower- and middle-income Americans’ frustrations with steep rises in unfair, regressive taxes during the post–World War II decades. The Kennedy-Johnson “Growth Liberals,” who were busy cutting progressive federal taxes at the same time that regressive state and local taxes were soaring, missed this pocketbook squeeze, thereby setting the stage for later events like Prop 13.
A NOTE ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT VOLATILITY PUZZLE: IS CREDIBLE WAGE BARGAINING THE ANSWER?
Authors: Wang Bingsong
Published: March 2020

This paper shows that the ability of the credible wage bargaining model to match the observed unemployment volatility hinges on an unrealistic assumption about disagreement payoffs to the firm. Relaxing this assumption can lead to the substantial wage flexibility. As a consequence, the model is unable to capture the observed unemployment volatility.
Association of seasonality and serum albumin concentration with vitamin D deficiency in subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection living in a sunny country
Authors: Pott-Junior Henrique , Luzeiro Camila , Senise Jorge Figueiredo , Castelo Adauto
Published: March 2020

Objective:

This study aimed to analyse the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the season when the blood sample was obtained from subjects with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection.

Design:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration <50 nmol/l, based on the values set forth by the Endocrine Society guideline for higher-risk populations. Seasonality was defined according to solstices and equinoxes. The association of seasonality and clinical/laboratory characteristics with vitamin D deficiency was assessed using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Setting:

NUPAIG Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo – Brazil.

Participants:

Adult subjects with CHC infection (n 306).

Results:

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 16 %, whereas the median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 87 (interquartile range, 59; third quartile = 118) nmol/l. Serum concentration was consistently lower in samples collected in spring and winter than in other seasons. In multivariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency was found to be independently associated with male gender, serum albumin concentration and with samples drawn in winter and spring.

Conclusions:

The findings show not only the relevance to consider season as a factor influencing 25(OH)D concentration but also the need to actively screen for hypovitaminosis D in all patients with CHC infection, especially in females and those with low albumin concentration.
Association of all forms of malnutrition and socioeconomic status, educational level and ethnicity in Colombian children and non-pregnant women
Authors: Cediel Gustavo , Perez Eliana , Gaitán Diego , Sarmiento Olga L , Gonzalez Laura
Published: March 2020

Objective:

To examine the association of all forms of malnutrition and socioeconomic status (SES), educational level and ethnicity in children <5 years, non-pregnant adolescent women (11–19 years) and non-pregnant adult women (20–49 years) in Colombia.

Design:

Cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2010 Colombian National Nutrition Survey. The prevalence of malnutrition was compared across categories of SES, educational level and ethnicity.

Setting:

Colombia.

Participants:

The sample for the current analysis comprised children <5 years, non-pregnant adolescent women (11–19 years) and non-pregnant adult women (20–49 years).

Results:

In children <5 years, a low SES and maternal educational level were significantly associated with a lower prevalence of overweight/obesity compared with high levels of SES and maternal education, that is, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was 1·4 and 1·6 times lower in categories of low SES and educational levels, respectively. In contrast, the prevalence of wasting, stunting and anaemia was higher in the lowest SES and maternal educational categories (the prevalence was between 1·1 and 1·8 times higher for these indicators). In women, the lowest SES (11 and 19 years) and educational levels (20 and 49 years) exhibited a higher prevalence in all forms of malnutrition compared with their counterparts in the highest categories (i.e. overweight/obesity, stunting and anaemia). Additionally, indigenous or Afro-Colombian children and women had the highest prevalence of malnutrition in comparison with other ethnicities.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that public policies should address all forms of malnutrition that occur in the most vulnerable populations in Colombia using multiple strategies.
Morphological, Molecular, and Pathological Appraisal ofHymenolepis nana(Hymenolepididae) Infecting Laboratory Mice (Mus musculus)
Authors: Al-Olayan Ebtsam , Elamin Maha , Alshehri Eman , Aloufi Abeer , Alanazi Zainab , Almayouf Mina , Bakr Lamia , Abdel-Gaber Rewaida
Published: March 2020

Hymenolepis nana, typically a parasite found in conventionally established mouse colonies, has zoonotic potential characterized by autoinfection and direct life cycle. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of parasite infection in laboratory mice. The hymenolepidide cestode infected 40% of the 50 mice sampled. The rate of infection in males (52%) was higher than in females (28%). Morphological studies on the cestode parasite showed that worms had a globular scolex with four suckers, a retractable rostellum with 20–30 hooks, and a short unsegmented neck. In addition, the remaining strobila consisted of immature, mature, and gravid proglottids, irregularly alternating genital pores, lobulated ovaries, postovarian vitelline glands, and uteri with up to 200 eggs in their gravid proglottids. The parasite taxonomy was confirmed by using molecular characterization based on the sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit 1 (mtCOX1) gene. The parasite recovered was up to 80% identical to other species in GenBank. High blast scores and low divergence were noted between the isolated parasite and previously describedH. nana(gb| AP017666.1). The phylogenetic analysis using theCOX1sequence places this hymenolepidid species of the order Cyclophyllidea.
Communication about the desire to die: Development and evaluation of a first needs-oriented training concept — A pilot study
Authors: Frerich Gerrit , Romotzky Vanessa , Galushko Maren , Hamacher Stefanie , Perrar Klaus Maria , Doll Axel , Montag Thomas , Golla Heidrun , Strupp Julia , Kremeike Kerstin , Voltz Raymond
Published: March 2020

Objective

Patients’ desire to die (DD) is rarely discussed in palliative care (PC) due to health professionals’ (HPs) feeling of uncertainty. The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate a training to increase HPs’ self-confidence in responding professionally to patient's DD and to assess the feasibility of this approach.

Methods

The training course was developed via focus groups and relevant literature and refined with an advisory board. An evaluation design was developed to evaluate training outcomes and to examine feasibility. To assess self-confidence, knowledge, skills, and attitudes: (1) standardized surveys were applied at T1 (before training), T2 (directly after), and T3 (3 months later), and were analyzed by descriptive and non-parametric statistics; and (2) participants’ open feedback was summarized by content.

Results

A two-day multi-disciplinary training was developed to improve self-confidence via diverse teaching methods. Twenty-four HPs from general and specialized PC were participated. Via self-rating on Likert scales at three time points, improvements were seen at T1, T2, and partly remained at T3, especially in the overall item of self-confidence in communicating with patients about their DD (means: 4.3. at T1, 5.7 at T2, and 5.9 at T3; on a 7-point scale with 1 = lowest value and 7 = highest value). Fewer improvements were found in skills (using different approaches) and attitudes (feeling less helplessness). Open feedback revealed a high appreciation for the training, especially the composition of participants, the role-play, and the overall increase of awareness of the topic.

Significance of results

The developed training on addressing DD meets a need and was perceived by the participants to be of added value. Future research should measure training effects with a validated instrument, including more participants, diverse participant groups, and a control group. Effects on patients should be assessed.
Implementing Inclusion: Gender Quotas, Inequality, and Backlash in Kenya
Authors: Berry Marie E. , Bouka Yolande , Kamuru Marilyn Muthoni
Published: March 2020

Extensive research has affirmed the potential of gender quotas to advance women's political inclusion. When Kenya's gender quota took effect after a new constitution was promulgated in 2010, women were elected to the highest number of seats in the country's history. In this article, we investigate how the process of implementing the quota has shaped Kenyan women's power more broadly. Drawing on more than 80 interviews and 24 focus groups with 140 participants, we affirm and refine the literature on quotas by making two conceptual contributions: (1) quota design can inadvertently create new inequalities among women in government, and (2) women's entry into previously male-dominated spaces can be met with patriarchal backlash, amplifying gender oppression. Using the ongoing process of quota implementation in Kenya as a case to theoretically question inclusionary efforts to empower women more generally, our analysis highlights the challenges for implementing women's rights laws and policies and the need for women's rights activists to prioritize a parallel bottom-up process of transforming gendered power relations alongside top-down institutional efforts.
Linking Global Land Use/Land Cover to Hydrologic Soil Groups From 850 to 2015
Authors: Wang Pei‐Ling , Feddema Johannes J.
Published: March 2020

The characteristics of soils in part determine human‐induced land use and land cover (LULC) change, and together, soil properties and LULC directly impact global water, energy, and biogeochemical cycles. Plant health and the exchange of energy, water, and biogeochemical components at the surface interface are partly controlled by soil properties. Different soil types modify vegetation responses to existing climate forcings, and each soil type also responds differently to the same land‐use practice. Currently, Earth system models often use single soil columns with averaged properties. This leads to uncertainties in assessing LULC impacts. To improve the estimates of land surface change in Earth System Models, we link an existing LULC data set to four hydrologic soil groups from 850 to 2015, based on demonstrated soil preferences for eight LULCs under current conditions. We conclude that humans prefer hydrologic soil groups in order from B, D, C, to A. This ranking was applied to construct the history of LULC on each soil type at the 0.5° grid resolution. Results primarily distribute croplands to hydrologic soil group B in 850, while hydrologic soil group A has the most undisturbed area. Over time, good soils (hydrologic soil groups B and D) experience increased use for cropland areas, while poor soils (hydrologic soil groups C and A) are occupied predominantly by increasing areas in grazing land and secondary nonforests. The results provide better land surface characteristics to improve Earth systems modeling.
Long Memory Impact of Ocean Mesoscale Temperature Anomalies on Tropical Cyclone Size
Authors: Bruneau N. , Wang S. , Toumi R.
Published: March 2020

Mesoscale ocean temperature anomalies modify a tropical cyclone (TC). Through a modeling study we show that, while the maximum wind speed is rapidly restored after the TC passes a warm‐ or cold‐ (eddy size) sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly, the storm size changes are more significant and persistent. The radius of gale force winds and integrated kinetic energy (IKE) can change by more than 10% per degree and this endures several days after crossing an SST anomaly. These properties have a long memory of the impact from the ocean fluxes and depend on the integrated history of SST exposure. They are found to be directly proportional to the storm total precipitation. Accurate continuous forecast of the SST along the track may therefore be of central importance to improving predictions of size and IKE, while instantaneous local SST near the TC core is more important for the forecast of maximum wind speed.
Geodetic Measurements of Slow‐Slip Events Southeast of Parkfield, CA
Authors: Delbridge Brent G. , Carmichael Joshua D. , Nadeau Robert M. , Shelly David R. , Bürgmann Roland
Published: March 2020

Tremor and low‐frequency earthquakes are presumed to be indicative of surrounding slow, aseismic slip that is often below geodetic detection thresholds. This study uses data from borehole seismometers and long‐baseline laser strainmeters to observe both the seismic and geodetic signatures of episodic tremor and slip on the Parkfield region of the San Andreas Fault near Cholame, CA. The observed occurrence rates of both the tremors and co‐located families of low‐frequency earthquakes are not steady but instead exhibit quasiperiodic bursts of increased activity. We show that these periods of elevated seismic activity correlate with statistically significant stacked strain signals consisting of 44 slow‐slip events. Modeled individual slow‐slip events and their total summed moment, which are constrained by seismic signals and stacked strain, respectively, indicate that the individual moment magnitudes of these events range from
4.6–5.2. We find that the measured geodetic signal likely precedes the seismic signal by several hours, consistent with the aseismic slip preceding and driving the observed seismic tremor activity. We confirm that strike‐slip faults, in addition to subduction zones, are capable of producing episodic tremor and slip.
Thaw Transitions and Redox Conditions Drive Methane Oxidation in a Permafrost Peatland
Authors: Perryman Clarice R. , McCalley Carmody K. , Malhotra Avni , Fahnestock M. Florencia , Kashi Natalie N. , Bryce Julia G. , Giesler Reiner , Varner Ruth K.
Published: March 2020

Permafrost peatlands are a significant source of methane (CH4) emissions to the atmosphere and could emit more CH4 with continued permafrost thaw. Aerobic methane‐oxidizing bacteria may attenuate a substantial fraction of CH4 emissions in thawing permafrost peatlands; however, the impact of permafrost thaw on CH4 oxidation is uncertain. We measured potential CH4 oxidation rates (hereafter, CH4 oxidation) and their predictors using laboratory incubations and in situ porewater redox chemistry across a permafrost thaw gradient of eight thaw stages at Stordalen Mire, a permafrost peatland complex in northernmost Sweden. Methane oxidation rates increased across a gradient of permafrost thaw and differed in transitional thaw stages relative to end‐member stages. Oxidation was consistently higher in submerged fens than in bogs or palsas across a range of CH4 concentrations. We also observed that CH4 oxidation increased with decreasing in situ redox potential and was highest in sites with lower redox potential (Eh < 10 mV) and high water table. Our results suggest that redox potential can be used as an important predictor of CH4 oxidation, especially in thawed permafrost peatlands. Our results also highlight the importance of considering transitional thaw stages when characterizing landscape‐scale CH4 dynamics, because these transitional areas have different rates and controls of CH4 oxidation relative to intact or completely thawed permafrost areas. As permafrost thaw increases the total area of semiwet and wet thaw stages in permafrost peatlands, CH4 oxidation represents an important control on CH4 emissions to the atmosphere.
Revisiting the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum “Carbon Cycle Conundrum” With New Estimates of Atmospheric pCO2 From Boron Isotopes
Authors: Henehan Michael J. , Edgar Kirsty M. , Foster Gavin L. , Penman Donald E. , Hull Pincelli M. , Greenop Rosanna , Anagnostou Eleni , Pearson Paul N.
Published: March 2020

The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) was a gradual warming event and carbon cycle perturbation that occurred between 40.5 and 40.1 Ma. A number of characteristics, including greater‐than‐expected deep‐sea carbonate dissolution, a lack of globally coherent negative δ13C excursion in marine carbonates, a duration longer than the characteristic timescale of carbon cycle recovery, and the absence of a clear trigger mechanism, challenge our current understanding of the Earth system and its regulatory feedbacks. This makes the MECO one of the most enigmatic events in the Cenozoic, dubbed a middle Eocene “carbon cycle conundrum.” Here we use boron isotopes in planktic foraminifera to better constrain pCO2 changes over the event. Over the MECO itself, we find that pCO2 rose by only 0.55–0.75 doublings, thus requiring a much more modest carbon injection than previously indicated by the alkenone δ13C‐pCO2 proxy. In addition, this rise in pCO2 was focused around the peak of the 400 kyr warming trend. Before this, considerable global carbonate δ18O change was asynchronous with any coherent ocean pH (and hence pCO2) excursion. This finding suggests that middle Eocene climate (and perhaps a nascent cryosphere) was highly sensitive to small changes in radiative forcing.
Fundamental Hydraulics of Cross Sections in Natural Rivers: Preliminary Analysis of a Large Data Set of Acoustic Doppler Flow Measurements
Authors: Bjerklie David M. , Fulton John W. , Dingman S. Lawrence , Canova Michael G. , Minear Justin T. , Moramarco Tommaso
Published: March 2020

We have assembled a comprehensive and publicly accessible U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow measurement data set, called HYDRoSWOT, from a USGS National Water Information System archive of acoustic Doppler current profiler river discharge measurements collected from a wide range of rivers throughout the United States. The data set provides a wealth of information on the range of hydraulic characteristics of river cross sections in the United States. Preliminary exploration of the data set, filtered for quality control, indicates that rivers tend toward consistent and predictable forms as discharge increases. The ratio of maximum‐to‐mean depth is highly predictable and is remarkably consistent across all river sizes and discharges. Distributions of hydraulic characteristics provide a large‐scale perspective on the general hydraulic characteristics of rivers. The data set affords the opportunity to analyze hydraulic relations for individual rivers as a function of stage, geomorphic setting, and energy environments and, combined with additional information contained in this data set, might yield predictive relations that could help constrain and parameterize river hydraulic models.
Assembly of platforms for signal transduction in the new era: dimerization, helical filament assembly, and beyond
Authors: Ha Hyun Ji , Chun Hye Lin , Park Hyun Ho
Published: March 2020

Supramolecular organizing center (SMOC)-mediated signal transduction is an emerging concept in the field of signal transduction that is ushering in a new era. The formation of location-specific, higher-order SMOCs is particularly important for cell death and innate immune signaling processes. Several protein interaction domains, including the death domain (DD) superfamily and the CIDE domain, are representative mediators of SMOC assembly in cell death and innate immune signaling pathways. DD superfamily- and CIDE domain-containing proteins form SMOCs that activate various caspases and provide signaling scaffold platforms. These assemblies can lead to signal transduction and amplification during signaling events. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the molecular basis of DD superfamily- and CIDE domain-mediated SMOC formation.
Cdc37 suppression induces plasma cell immaturation and bortezomib resistance in multiple myeloma via Xbp1s
Authors: Zang Meirong , Guo Jiaojiao , Liu Lanting , Jin Fengyan , Feng Xiangling , An Gang , Qin Xiaoqi , Wu Yangbowen , Lei Qian , Meng Bin , Zhu Yinghong , Guan Yongjun , Deng Shuhui , Hao Mu , Xu Yan , Zou Dehui , Wu Minghua , Qiu Lugui , Zhou Wen
Published: March 2020

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most prevalent hematologic malignancy. Although the use of bortezomib (BTZ) significantly improves MM therapy, intrinsic and acquired drug resistance to BTZ remains a major clinical problem. In this study, we find that Cdc37, a key co-chaperone of Hsp90, is downregulated in relapsed MM patients, especially after BTZ treatment, suggesting a link between Cdc37 and BTZ resistance. Suppression of Cdc37 or inhibition of Cdc37/Hsp90 association induces plasma cell dedifferentiation, quiescence of MM cells, and BTZ resistance in MM. Furthermore, we discover that Cdc37 expression correlates positively with Xbp1s, a critical transcription factor for plasma cell differentiation in MM samples. Depletion/inhibition of Cdc37 downregulates Xbp1s, while overexpression of Xbp1s in MM cell lines partially rescues plasma immaturation and BTZ resistance. It is suggested that Xbp1s may act as a key downstream effector of Cdc37. Experiments with a mouse model also demonstrate that Cdc37 inhibition promotes plasma cell immaturation, confers BTZ resistance, and increases MM progression in vivo. Together, we identify a critical factor and a new signaling mechanism that regulate plasma cell immaturation and BTZ resistance in MM cells. Our findings may constitute a novel strategy that overcomes BTZ resistance in MM therapy.
Patterns of change in treatment, response, and outcome in patients with follicular lymphoma over the last four decades: a single-center experience
Authors: Mozas Pablo , Nadeu Ferran , Rivas-Delgado Alfredo , Rivero Andrea , Garrote Marta , Balagué Olga , González-Farré Blanca , Veloza Luis , Baumann Tycho , Giné Eva , Delgado Julio , Villamor Neus , Campo Elías , Magnano Laura , López-Guillermo Armando
Published: March 2020

Although the introduction of immunotherapy has improved outcomes for follicular lymphoma (FL) patients, histological transformation (HT) and early relapse still confer a poor prognosis. We sought to describe the patterns of change in treatment, response, and outcome of FL patients at our institution over the last four decades. Seven hundred and twenty-seven patients (389 F/338 M; median age, 57 years) consecutively diagnosed with grade 1-3a FL between 1980 and 2017, categorized into four decades according to the time of diagnosis, constituted the study population. Clinical characteristics, treatment, response, absolute and relative survival, HT, second malignancies (SM), and causes of death were assessed. Median OS for the entire cohort was 17.6 years. From decade 1 to 4, there was an increase in the complete response rate (48 to 70%), progression-free survival (40 to 56% at 5 years), OS (77 to 86% at 5 years), and relative survival ratio (0.83 to 0.94 at 5 years), with no significant differences in the risk of HT or SM. Lymphoma remained the most common cause of death in all four decades. These findings illustrate the overall improvement in outcome for FL patients, but support the need for further research into risk stratification and management.
TRPC6-dependent Ca2+ signaling mediates airway inflammation in response to oxidative stress via ERK pathway
Authors: Chen Qingzi , Zhou Yubo , Zhou Lifen , Fu Zhaodi , Yang Chuntao , Zhao Lei , Li Shuni , Chen Yan , Wu Yousen , Ling Zhenwei , Wang Yufeng , Huang Jianrong , Li Jianhua
Published: March 2020

Ozone (O3) plays an extremely important role in airway inflammation by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydrogen peroxide, then promoting redox actions and causing oxidative stress. Evidences indicate that TRPC6 (canonical transient receptor potential channel 6) is a redox-regulated Ca2+ permeable nonselective cation channel, but its role in the setting of oxidative stress-related airway inflammation remains unknown. Here, we found that both TRPC6−/− mice and mice pretreated with SAR7334, a potent TRPC6 inhibitor, were protected from O3-induced airway inflammatory responses. In vitro, both knockdown of TRPC6 expression with shRNA and TRPC6 blockage markedly attenuated the release of cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 induced by O3 or H2O2 in 16HBE cells (human bronchial epithelial cell line). Treatment with O3 or H2O2 enhanced TRPC6 protein expression in vivo and vitro. We also observed that TRPC6-dependent increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was triggered by H2O2, which consisted of the release from intracellular calcium store and the influx of extracellular Ca2+ and could be further strengthened by 6-h O3 exposure in both 16HBE cells and HBEpiCs (primary human bronchial epithelial cells). Moreover, we confirmed that the activation of MAPK signals (ERK1/2, p38, JNK) was required for the inflammatory response induced by O3 or H2O2 while only the phosphorylation of ERK pathway was diminished in the TRPC6-knockdown situation. These results demonstrate that oxidative stress regulates TRPC6-mediated Ca2+ cascade, which leads to the activation of ERK pathway and inflammation and could become a potential target to treat oxidative stress-associated airway inflammatory diseases.
Aggravation of reactive nitrogen flow driven by human production and consumption in Guangzhou City China
Authors: Dong Yue , Xu Linyu , Yang Zhifeng , Zheng Hanzhong , Chen Lei
Published: March 2020

Human activities reshape the global nitrogen (N) cycle and affect environment and human health through reactive nitrogen (Nr) loss during production and consumption. In urbanized regions, the N cycle is greatly mediated by complex interactions between human and natural factors. However, the variations in sources, magnitude, spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of Nr flows remain unclear. Here we show by model simulations, anthropogenic perturbations not only intensify Nr input to sustain increasing demands for production and consumption in Guangzhou city, China, but also greatly change the Nr distribution pattern in the urban system, showing a substantial Nr enrichment in the atmosphere and a relatively low retention capacity of Nr in the terrestrial system. Our results highlight the strong anthropogenic effect of urban systems on the N cycle to suggest sustainable human activity changes to harmonize the relationship between Nr behaviors and human drivers.
Trajectory-based differential expression analysis for single-cell sequencing data
Authors: Van den Berge Koen , Roux de Bézieux Hector , Street Kelly , Saelens Wouter , Cannoodt Robrecht , Saeys Yvan , Dudoit Sandrine , Clement Lieven
Published: March 2020

Trajectory inference has radically enhanced single-cell RNA-seq research by enabling the study of dynamic changes in gene expression. Downstream of trajectory inference, it is vital to discover genes that are (i) associated with the lineages in the trajectory, or (ii) differentially expressed between lineages, to illuminate the underlying biological processes. Current data analysis procedures, however, either fail to exploit the continuous resolution provided by trajectory inference, or fail to pinpoint the exact types of differential expression. We introduce tradeSeq, a powerful generalized additive model framework based on the negative binomial distribution that allows flexible inference of both within-lineage and between-lineage differential expression. By incorporating observation-level weights, the model additionally allows to account for zero inflation. We evaluate the method on simulated datasets and on real datasets from droplet-based and full-length protocols, and show that it yields biological insights through a clear interpretation of the data.
Electrochemical deposition as a universal route for fabricating single-atom catalysts
Authors: Zhang Zhirong , Feng Chen , Liu Chunxiao , Zuo Ming , Qin Lang , Yan Xupeng , Xing Yulin , Li Hongliang , Si Rui , Zhou Shiming , Zeng Jie
Published: March 2020

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) exhibit intriguing catalytic performance owing to their maximized atom utilizations and unique electronic structures. However, the reported strategies for synthesizing SACs generally have special requirements for either the anchored metals or the supports. Herein, we report a universal approach of electrochemical deposition that is applicable to a wide range of metals and supports for the fabrication of SACs. The depositions were conducted on both cathode and anode, where the different redox reactions endowed the SACs with distinct electronic states. The SACs from cathodic deposition exhibited high activities towards hydrogen evolution reaction, while those from anodic deposition were highly active towards oxygen evolution reaction. When cathodically- and anodically-deposited Ir single atoms on Co0.8Fe0.2Se2@Ni foam were integrated into a two-electrode cell for overall water splitting, a voltage of 1.39 V was required at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline electrolyte.
Simultaneous enhanced efficiency and thermal stability in organic solar cells from a polymer acceptor additive
Authors: Yang Wenyan , Luo Zhenghui , Sun Rui , Guo Jie , Wang Tao , Wu Yao , Wang Wei , Guo Jing , Wu Qiang , Shi Mumin , Li Hongneng , Yang Chuluo , Min Jie
Published: March 2020

The thermal stability of organic solar cells is critical for practical applications of this emerging technology. Thus, effective approaches and strategies need to be found to alleviate their inherent thermal instability. Here, we show a polymer acceptor-doping general strategy and report a thermally stable bulk heterojunction photovoltaic system, which exhibits an improved power conversion efficiency of 15.10%. Supported by statistical analyses of device degradation data, and morphological characteristics and physical mechanisms study, this polymer-doping blend shows a longer lifetime, nearly keeping its efficiency (t = 800 h) under accelerated aging tests at 150 oC. Further analysis of the degradation behaviors indicates a bright future of this system in outer space applications. Notably, the use of polymer acceptor as a dual function additive in the other four photovoltaic systems was also confirmed, demonstrating the good generality of this polymer-doping strategy.
Anti-angiogenic effects of VEGF stimulation on endothelium deficient in phosphoinositide recycling
Authors: Stratman Amber N. , Farrelly Olivia M. , Mikelis Constantinos M. , Miller Mayumi F. , Wang Zhiyong , Pham Van N. , Davis Andrew E. , Burns Margaret C. , Pezoa Sofia A. , Castranova Daniel , Yano Joseph J. , Kilts Tina M. , Davis George E. , Gutkind J. Silvio , Weinstein Brant M.
Published: March 2020

Anti-angiogenic therapies have generated significant interest for their potential to combat tumor growth. However, tumor overproduction of pro-angiogenic ligands can overcome these therapies, hampering success of this approach. To circumvent this problem, we target the resynthesis of phosphoinositides consumed during intracellular transduction of pro-angiogenic signals in endothelial cells (EC), thus harnessing the tumor’s own production of excess stimulatory ligands to deplete adjacent ECs of the capacity to respond to these signals. Using zebrafish and human endothelial cells in vitro, we show ECs deficient in CDP-diacylglycerol synthase 2 are uniquely sensitive to increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation due to a reduced capacity to re-synthesize phosphoinositides, including phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2), resulting in VEGF-exacerbated defects in angiogenesis and angiogenic signaling. Using murine tumor allograft models, we show that systemic or EC specific suppression of phosphoinositide recycling results in reduced tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis. Our results suggest inhibition of phosphoinositide recycling provides a useful anti-angiogenic approach.
A signal cascade originated from epidermis defines apical-basal patterning of Arabidopsis shoot apical meristems
Authors: Han Han , Yan An , Li Lihong , Zhu Yingfang , Feng Bill , Liu Xing , Zhou Yun
Published: March 2020

In multicellular organisms, a long-standing question is how spatial patterns of distinct cell types are initiated and maintained during continuous cell division and proliferation. Along the vertical axis of plant shoot apical meristems (SAMs), stem cells are located at the top while cells specifying the stem cells are located more basally, forming a robust apical-basal pattern. We previously found that in Arabidopsis SAMs, the HAIRY MERISTEM (HAM) family transcription factors form a concentration gradient from the epidermis to the interior cell layers, and this gradient is essential for the stem cell specification and the apical-basal patterning of the SAMs. Here, we uncover that epidermis specific transcription factors, ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA MERISTEM LAYER 1 (ATML1) and its close homolog, define the concentration gradient of HAM in the SAM through activating a group of microRNAs. This study provides a molecular framework linking the epidermis-derived signal to the stem cell homeostasis in plants.
A riboswitch gives rise to multi-generational phenotypic heterogeneity in an auxotrophic bacterium
Authors: Hernandez-Valdes Jhonatan A. , van Gestel Jordi , Kuipers Oscar P.
Published: March 2020

Auxotrophy, the inability to produce an organic compound essential for growth, is widespread among bacteria. Auxotrophic bacteria rely on transporters to acquire these compounds from their environment. Here, we study the expression of both low- and high-affinity transporters of the costly amino acid methionine in an auxotrophic lactic acid bacterium, Lactococcus lactis. We show that the high-affinity transporter (Met-transporter) is heterogeneously expressed at low methionine concentrations, resulting in two isogenic subpopulations that sequester methionine in different ways: one subpopulation primarily relies on the high-affinity transporter (high expression of the Met-transporter) and the other subpopulation primarily relies on the low-affinity transporter (low expression of the Met-transporter). The phenotypic heterogeneity is remarkably stable, inherited for tens of generations, and apparent at the colony level. This heterogeneity results from a T-box riboswitch in the promoter region of the met operon encoding the high-affinity Met-transporter. We hypothesize that T-box riboswitches, which are commonly found in the Lactobacillales, may play as-yet unexplored roles in the predominantly auxotrophic lifestyle of these bacteria.
Quantifying exchange forces of a spin spiral on the atomic scale
Authors: Hauptmann Nadine , Haldar Soumyajyoti , Hung Tzu-Chao , Jolie Wouter , Gutzeit Mara , Wegner Daniel , Heinze Stefan , Khajetoorians Alexander A.
Published: March 2020

The large interest in chiral magnetic structures for realization of nanoscale magnetic storage or logic devices has necessitated methods which can quantify magnetic interactions at the atomic scale. To overcome the limitations of the typically used current-based sensing of atomic-scale exchange interactions, a force-based detection scheme is highly advantageous. Here, we quantify the atomic-scale exchange force field between a ferromagnetic tip and a cycloidal spin spiral using our developed combination of current and exchange force detection. Compared to the surprisingly weak spin polarization, the exchange force field is more sensitive to atomic-scale variations in the magnetization. First-principles calculations reveal that the measured atomic-scale variations in the exchange force originate from different contributions of direct and indirect (Zener type) exchange mechanisms, depending on the chemical tip termination. Our work opens the perspective of quantifying different exchange mechanisms of chiral magnetic structures with atomic-scale precision using 3D magnetic exchange force field measurements.