bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Migration Statistics
Authors: Kraler Albert , Reichel David
Published: June 2022

In this chapter we provide a critical appraisal of data collection and statistical data production on migrants and migration, indicators used to identify migrants, and the different uses of migration statistics for political and scientific purposes. We will start off by a brief review of the politics of statistical data and then provide a short review of the history of data collection on migration and international efforts to harmonise migration statistics on the international level. We will then present different ways to measure migration, core concepts, and definitions used to measure migration. In the subsequent section, we will describe different data collection methods and sources used to produce statistics on migration, including possible ‘new’ data sources for measuring migration, often referred to as ‘big data’. In the last section, we will briefly demonstrate different ways of analysing aggregate migration data.
A Future Agenda for Migration Studies
Authors: Pozzo Riccardo , Boubtane Ekrame , D’Albis Hippolyte , Tonegutti Raffaella Greco , Paravati Claudio
Published: June 2022

Migration and migration-related diversity are likely to remain key topics of the European policy and research agenda for the foreseeable future. This asks for a rethinking of the research agenda on migration, from a strategic perspective as well as from a research perspective. The objective of this chapter is to suggest applications that are useful in shaping the next funding opportunities for migration research, and to provide roadmaps for the optimisation of research efforts in order to avoid overlapping and, where possible, to close the gaps in the global spectrum and national initiatives on migration. Questions such as How to benefit from and get access to available knowledge and expertise? How to promote the accumulation of knowledge and expertise? and How to address gaps in knowledge? have been at the heart of the Horizon 2020 CrossMigration research project and have led to the definition of itsstrategic research agenda. This chapter considers the need for a future agenda on migration studies, addressing methodological issues; what funding to focus on; how funding might be organised; who should be involved in funding (and procedures); and what prospects there are for the future. We will also propose three strategies to consider how an agenda might help provide towards: (1) keeping the road safe for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in 2030, (2) contrasting current and future pandemic/epidemic disease, and (3) establishing a fruitful dialogue with the African scientific community.
Spinal infection with intraspinal abscess or empyema and acute myelopathy: comparative analysis of diagnostics, therapy, complications and outcome in primary care
Authors: Kreutzträger Martin , Lübstorf Tom , Ekkernkamp Axel , Blex Christian , Schwab Jan M. , Kopp Marcel A. , Auhuber Thomas , Wüstner Grit , Liebscher Thomas
Published: June 2022

Introduction

This study on pyogenic spinal infections with intraspinal epidural involvement (PSI +) compared the outcome of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) to those without (noSCI) taking diagnostic algorithm, therapy, and complications into account.

Methods

Patients were enrolled in an ambispective study (2012–2017). Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, complications, and neurological outcome were analyzed descriptively. Survival was analyzed applying Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression.

Results

In total, 134 patients with a median (IQR) age of 72 (61–79) years were analyzed. Baseline characteristics were similar between the SCI (n = 55) and noSCI (n = 79). A higher percentage of endocarditis (9% vs. 0%; p = 0.03) was detected in the noSCI group. The majority (81%) received combinatorial therapy including spinal surgery and antibiotic treatment. The surgery complication rate was 16%. At discharge, improvement in neurologic function was present in 27% of the SCI patients. Length of stay, duration of ventilation and the burden of disease-associated complications were significantly higher in the SCI group (e.g., urinary tract infection, pressure ulcers). Lethality risk factors were age (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.16, p = 0.014), and empyema/abscess extension (≥ 3 infected spinal segments, HR 4.72, 95% CI 1.57–14.20, p = 0.006), dominating over additional effects of Charlson comorbidity index, SCI, and type of treatment. The overall lethality rate was 11%.

Conclusion

PSI + are associated with higher in-hospital mortality, particularly when multiple spinal segments are involved. However, survival is similar with (SCI) or without myelopathy (noSCI). If SCI develops, the rate of disease complications is higher and early specialized SCI care might be substantial to reduce complication rates.
Speciation of inorganic arsenic in aqueous samples using a novel hydride generation microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD)
Authors: Bonacci Mason E. , Almeida M. Inês G. S. , Zhang Yanlin , Kolev Spas D.
Published: June 2022

The development of the first microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) for the speciation of inorganic arsenic in environmental aqueous samples as arsenite (As(III)) and arsenate (As(V)) which implements hydride generation on a paper platform is described. The newly developed µPAD has a 3D configuration and uses Au(III) chloride as the detection reagent. Sodium borohydride is used to generate arsine in the device’s sample zone by reducing As(III) in the presence of hydrochloric acid or both As(III) and As(V) (total inorganic As) in the presence of sulfuric acid. Arsine then diffuses across a hydrophobic porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane into the device’s detection zone where it reduces Au(III) to Au nanoparticles. This results in a color change which can be related to the concentration of As(III) or total inorganic As (i.e., As(III) and As(V)) concentration. Under optimal conditions, the µPAD is characterized by a limit of detection of 0.43 mg L−1 for total inorganic As (As(III) + As(V)) and 0.41 mg L−1 for As(III) and a linear calibration range in both cases of 1.2–8.0 mg As L−1. The newly developed µPAD-based method was validated by applying it to groundwater and freshwater samples and comparing the results with those obtained by conventional atomic spectrometric techniques.

Graphical abstract
On Numerical Approximations of Fractional and Nonlocal Mean Field Games
Authors: Chowdhury Indranil , Ersland Olav , Jakobsen Espen R.
Published: June 2022

We construct numerical approximations for Mean Field Games with fractional or nonlocal diffusions. The schemes are based on semi-Lagrangian approximations of the underlying control problems/games along with dual approximations of the distributions of agents. The methods are monotone, stable, and consistent, and we prove convergence along subsequences for (i) degenerate equations in one space dimension and (ii) nondegenerate equations in arbitrary dimensions. We also give results on full convergence and convergence to classical solutions. Numerical tests are implemented for a range of different nonlocal diffusions and support our analytical findings.
Turbulence characteristics within the atmospheric surface layer of the coastal region of Qatar
Authors: Li Yuan , Sadr Reza
Published: June 2022

The atmospheric turbulence characteristics in the coastal region of Qatar are analyzed using the measurements conducted on the shoreline (26.08 N, 51.36 E). The micrometeorological data were collected, from August 2015 to September 2016, using sonic anemometers (20 Hz) at three heights and a weather station atop a 9-m tower. The turbulence characteristics are studied within the framework of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST), in the presence of the coastal inhomogeneities generated by the sea and land surfaces coming together. The results show the wind from the north-west prevails during the entire test period, with the wind speed higher than that from other directions. The non-dimensional standard deviations of velocity components are found to be consistent the results reported around the world and match suggested MOST scaling, with a relatively greater value for the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy. The flux Richardson number shows a larger scatter under the super-stable and super-unstable regimes. Moreover, the non-dimensional standard deviation of temperature does not align with the suggested model under near-neutral and very stable regimes, and the gradient Richardson number shows some negative values under stable regimes. Two different atmospheric daily stability patterns, ‘orderly’ and ‘disheveled,’ are identified based on the wind conditions. The orderly stability pattern shows a daily descending and ascending trend during the sunrise and sunset periods, respectively, while the disheveled days follow a random pattern with no clear order. The two patterns are then related to the wind continuity and direction relative to the shoreline.
Biomechanical role of cement augmentation in the vibration characteristics of the osteoporotic lumbar spine after lumbar interbody fusion
Authors: Wang Qing-Dong , Guo Li-Xin
Published: June 2022

Under whole body vibration, how the cement augmentation affects the vibration characteristic of the osteoporotic fusion lumbar spine, complications, and fusion outcomes is unclear. A L1-L5 lumbar spine finite element model was developed to simulate a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) model with bilateral pedicle screws at L4-L5 level, a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement-augmented TLIF model (TLIF-PMMA) and an osteoporotic TLIF model. A 40 N sinusoidal vertical load at 5 Hz and a 400 N preload were utilized to simulate a vertical vibration of the human body and the physiological compression caused by muscle contraction and the weight of human body. The results showed that PMMA cement augmentation may produce a stiffer pedicle screw/rod construct and decrease the risk of adjacent segment disease, subsidence, and rod failure under whole-body vibration(WBV). Cement augmentation might restore the disc height and segmental lordosis and decrease the risk of poor outcomes, but it might also increase the risk of cage failure and prolong the period of lumbar fusion under WBV. The findings may provide new insights for performing lumbar interbody fusion in patients affected by osteoporosis of the lumbar spine.
Developing landscape-scale forest restoration targets that embrace spatial pattern
Authors: Rudge Mitchel L. M. , Levick Shaun R. , Bartolo Renee E. , Erskine Peter D.
Published: June 2022

Context

Forest restoration plays an important role in global efforts to slow biodiversity loss and mitigate climate change. Vegetation in remnant forests can form striking patterns that relate to ecological processes, but restoration targets tend to overlook spatial pattern. While observations of intact reference ecosystems can help to inform restoration targets, field surveys are ill-equipped to map and quantify spatial pattern at a range of scales, and new approaches are needed.

Objective

This review sought to explore practical options for creating landscape-scale forest restoration targets that embrace spatial pattern.

Methods

We assessed how hierarchy theory, satellite remote sensing, landscape pattern analysis, drone-based remote sensing and spatial point pattern analysis could be applied to assess the spatial pattern of reference landscapes and inform forest restoration targets.

Results

Hierarchy theory provides an intuitive framework for stratifying landscapes as nested hierarchies of sub-catchments, forest patches and stands of trees. Several publicly available tools can map patches within landscapes, and landscape pattern analysis can be applied to quantify the spatial pattern of these patches. Drones can collect point clouds and orthomosaics at the stand scale, a plethora of software can create maps of individual trees, and spatial point pattern analysis can be applied to quantify the spatial pattern of mapped trees.

Conclusions

This review explored several practical options for producing landscape scale forest restoration targets that embrace spatial pattern. With the decade on ecosystem restoration underway, there is a pressing need to refine and operationalise these ideas.
A Simplified Drying Procedure for Analysing Hg Concentrations
Authors: Smeds Jacob , Öquist Mats , Nilsson Mats B. , Bishop Kevin
Published: June 2022

Mercury (Hg) in peatlands remains a problem of global interest. To mitigate the risks of this neurotoxin, accurate assessments of Hg in peat are needed. Treatment of peat that will be analysed for Hg is, however, not straightforward due to the volatile nature of Hg. The drying process is of particular concern since Hg evasion increases with the temperature. Samples are, therefore, often freeze-dried to limit Hg loss during the drying processes. A problem with freeze-drying is that cost and equipment resources can limit the number of samples analysed in large projects. To avoid this bottleneck, we tested if drying in a 60 °C-degree oven could be an acceptable alternative to freeze-drying. We both freeze-dried and oven-dried (60 °C) 203 replicate pairs of peat samples, and then examined the differences in total Hg concentration. The Hg concentration differed significantly between the two drying methods with a median Hg deficit in oven-dried samples of 4.2%. Whether a 4.2% deficit of Hg depends on one’s purpose. The lower median Hg concentration in oven-dried samples has to be weighed against the upside efficiently drying large sets of peat samples. By freeze-drying a subset of the samples, we fitted a function to correct for Hg loss during oven-drying ($$y=0.96x+0.08)$$

y
=
0.96
x
+
0.08
)

. By applying this correction, the freeze-drying bottleneck could oven-dry large-scale inventories of total Hg in peatlands with results equivalent to freeze-drying, but only have to freeze-dry a subset.
Advancing Health Equity Through Equity-Centered Leadership Development with Interprofessional Healthcare Teams
Authors: Corbie Giselle , Brandert Kathleen , Noble Cheryl C , Henry Ellison , Dave Gaurav , Berthiume Rachel , Green Melissa , Fernandez Claudia S P
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Events of spring 2020—the COVID19 pandemic and re-birth of a social justice movement—have thrown disparities in disease risk, morbidity, and mortality in sharp relief. In response, healthcare organizations have shifted attentions and resources towards equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) issues and initiatives like never before. Focused, proven equity-centered skill and mindset development is needed for healthcare professionals to operationalize these pledges and stated aims.

Aim

This article highlights program evaluation results for this Clinical Scholars National Leadership Institute (CSNLI) specific to EDI. We will show that CSNLI imparts the valuable and essential skills to health professionals that are needed to realize health equity through organizational and system change.

Setting

Initial cohort of 29 participants in CSNLI, engaging in the program over 3 years through in-person and distance-based learning offerings and activities.

Program Description

The CSNLI is a 3-year, intensive leadership program that centers EDI skill development across personal, interpersonal, organizational, and systems domains through its design, competencies, and curriculum.

Program Evaluation

A robust evaluation following the Kirkpatrick Model offers analysis of four data collecting activities related to program participants’ EDI learning, behavioral change, and results.

Discussion

Over the course of the program, participants made significant gains in competencies related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Furthermore, participants demonstrated growth in behavior change and leadership activities in the areas of organizational and system change. Results demonstrate the need to center both leader and leadership development on equity, diversity, and inclusion curriculum to make real change in the US Healthcare System.
Mean Age Theory in Continuous Casting Tundish
Authors: Sheng Dong-Yuan
Published: June 2022

Mean age theory is introduced to characterize the mixing performance of tundish based on the spatial distribution of tracer’s mean age. Conventional residence time distribution theory was widely used in the tundish analysis; however, it contains no information of the local mixing states. Based on mean age distribution, melt change efficiency is defined as a performance index to evaluate how quickly the old melt in the tundish can be replaced by the young melt from the ladle. Case studies, divided into three groups, were carried out to test the applicability of the new theory in a single-strand tundish with flow control devices of weir, dam and turbulence inhibitor. The developed mean age model was well validated by comparison with measurement in water model and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results using residence time distribution (RTD) model. Mean age model can reduce the computing time to two orders of magnitude less in comparison with conventional transient RTD model, which improves the feasibility of CFD modelling in parameter studies to a broader extent.
The centrality of student-generated representation in investigating generalizations about the operations
Authors: Schifter Deborah , Russell Susan Jo
Published: June 2022

This article addresses the nature of student-generated representations that support students’ early algebraic reasoning in the realm of generalized arithmetic. We analyzed representations created by students for the following qualities: representations that distinguish the behavior of one operation from another, that support an explanation of a specific case of a generalization, and that support justification of a generalization. One key finding is that representations in the form of pictures, diagrams, arrangements of manipulatives, or story contexts that embody the meaning of the operation(s) allow students to distinguish between operations. Such representations can be used by young students to illustrate relationships conveyed in specific instances of a general claim. Further, extending these representations to class of numbers is a mechanism for proving a general claim.
Highly Sensitive Detection of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
Authors: Yasui Ryota , Matsui Atsuka , Sekine Keisuke , Okamoto Satoshi , Taniguchi Hideki
Published: June 2022

For safe regenerative medicines, contaminated or remaining tumorigenic undifferentiated cells in cell-derived products must be rigorously assessed through sensitive assays. Although in vitro nucleic acid tests offer particularly sensitive tumorigenicity-associated assays, the human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) detectability is partly constrained by the small input amount of RNA per test. To overcome this limitation, we developed reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assays that are highly gene specific and robust against interfering materials. LAMP could readily assay microgram order of input sample per test and detected an equivalent model of 0.00002% hiPSC contamination in a simple one-pot reaction. For the evaluation of cell-derived total RNA, RT-LAMP detected spiked-in hPSCs among hPSC-derived trilineage cells utilizing multiple pluripotency RNAs. We also developed multiplex RT-LAMP assays and further applied for in situ cell imaging, achieving specific co-staining of pluripotency proteins and RNAs. Our attempts uncovered the utility of RT-LAMP approaches for tumorigenicity-associated assays, supporting practical applications of regenerative medicine.

Graphical Abstract
Sequential Pretreatment of Wheat Straw: Liquid Hot Water Followed by Organosolv for the Production of Hemicellulosic Sugars, Lignin, and a Cellulose-Enriched Pulp
Authors: Serna-Loaiza Sebastián , Adamcyk Johannes , Beisl Stefan , Miltner Martin , Friedl Anton
Published: June 2022

The complete valorization of the lignocellulosic fractions plays a fundamental role in biorefineries’ sustainability. One of the major challenges is finding technological configurations that allow using cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin simultaneously. Cellulose has been extensively studied, yet, hemicellulose and lignin remain as platforms to be valorized. Sequential pretreatments have shown an opportunity to valorize the latter two components into sugar-rich and lignin-rich fractions. After the sequential pretreatment, a solid fraction enriched in cellulose could still be used for paper production. This work consisted of pretreating wheat straw with a sequential Liquid-Hot-Water/Organosolv, characterizing the respective hemicellulosic sugar and lignin extracts, and evaluating the final cellulose-enriched pulp for papermaking. Different pretreated pulp/cellulose pulp formulations were used for paper production as a proof-of-concept. Tensile strength and bursting pressure of the papers were measured. After pretreatment, the calculated solid composition was 70%wt cellulose, 26%wt hemicellulose, and 4%wt lignin, with extraction yields of 5.1%, 51.3%, and 89.9%, respectively. The tested pulp formulations showed similar tensile index and bursting index values at 10/90 (77.1 Nm/g, 3189 kPa) and 20/80 (63 Nm/g, 2419 kPa) %wt pretreated pulp/pulp when compared to the pulp (77 Nm/g, 4534 kPa). This proof-of-concept of the papermaking showed the potential of the LHW-OS pretreated wheat straw as a replacement for pure cellulose pulp and encourages studying other substitutes such as unbleached pulp or further treating the LHW-OS pretreated wheat straw. In addition, the hemicellulosic sugars and lignin extract can be valorized, indicating an option for developing a biorefinery concept.

Graphical Abstract
New approach for the digital reconstruction of complex mine faults and its application in mining
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Wang Zeliang , Jiang Yaodong , Song Jiaqi , Jia Meina
Published: June 2022

Visualization of complex geological structures can technically support the accurate prediction and prevention of coal mine disasters. This study proposed a new digital reconstruction method to visualize geological structures based on establishing a virtual model in the digital twin system. This methodology for the digital reconstruction of complex fault structures comprises the following four aspects: (1) collection and fidelity of multi-physical field data of the fault structures, (2) the transmission of multi-physical field data, (3) the normalization of multi-physical field data, and (4) digital model reconstruction of fault structures. The key scientific issues of this methodology to be resolved include in situ fidelity of multi-field data and normalized programming of multi-source data. In addition, according to the geological background and conditions in Da’anshan coal mine in western Beijing, China, a preliminary attempt is made to reconstruct a digital model of fault and fold structures using the methodology proposed in this study.
Effect of narrow-banded blue LED device on host plant settlement by greenhouse whitefly and currant-lettuce aphid
Authors: Niemann Jan-Uwe , Poehling Hans-Michael
Published: June 2022

Manipulating phytophagous insects with light-based repelling techniques has shown its potential to be a useful tool in integrated pest management systems in the future. Underlying optical mechanisms can be applied in field and in protected cultivation, with reflecting materials or emitting light sources, such as LEDs. Many pest insects are characterised by their cryptic lifestyle to avoid intervening pest protection measurements. In addition, there is a high degree of resistance mechanisms against insecticides in certain species. The idea of most light-repelling techniques is to reduce the immigration and the settlement of pest species on hostplants before population growth even starts. We conducted experiments with narrow-banded blue LEDs arranged around the plants and emitting radiation towards the sky. For compact rosette Lactuca sativa and upright-branched Euphorbia pulcherrima, we tested the suitability of the measure on settlement of Trialeurodes vaporariorum in 2 choice experiments. In further choice experiments with reduced number of untreated plants, T. vaporariorum and Nasonovia ribisnigri were evaluated for the effect on hostplant settlement of the light barrier on lettuce plants under more practical conditions. The light barrier shows high repellent impact on hostplant settlement by greenhouse whitefly, independent of different plant architectures. The modified choice experiment showed strong decrease in hostplant settlement for greenhouse whitefly. For currant-lettuce aphid, tendencies are shown, but no statistical effect could be demonstrated. Possible applications and differences between the insect species used for the experiments are discussed.
Seismogenic structure beneath the northern Longitudinal Valley revealed by the 2018–2021 Hualien earthquake sequences and 3-D velocity model
Authors: Huang Hsin-Hua , Wang Yu
Published: June 2022

This study uses the 3D crustal velocity model and the relocated earthquake hypocenters, including the 2018–2021 earthquake sequences, to re-assess the seismogenic structures at the northern Longitudinal Valley. Earthquake focal mechanisms and relocated hypocenters from earthquake clusters suggest a gentle west-dipping fault existing under the Longitudinal Valley and the Coastal Range. Earthquake clusters associated with this west-dipping fault indicate it develops along the base of high-velocity Central Range metamorphic rocks and is likely branched out from the previously recognized Central Range Fault (CRF). Both the 3D velocity model and the geometry of earthquake clusters suggest this structure truncates the Longitudinal Valley Fault north of 23.7° N, separating the northernmost LVF into the shallow and the deep segments. The shallow segment then plausibly evolves to be a transpressional fault system that mainly accommodates the left-lateral motions. This interpretation coincides with the geomorphological and geodetic observations showing that the northern LVF is dominated by the left-lateral faulting, instead of showing a significant reverse component as in the southern Longitudinal Valley. The limited fault width and geometry of the shallow LVF segment also imply its seismic potential is relatively limited, while the underling west-dipping fault and the deeper segment of the LVF are the major seismogenic structure. Such development of the major CRF-related west-dipping structure could accommodate the northwestward subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate and also likely reactivate part of the Offshore Eastern Taiwan Thrust Belt.
Factors related to Israeli orthopedic surgery residents' career plans and their views on arthroplasty as a career
Authors: Masarwa Rawan , Yonai Yaniv , Steinfeld Yaniv , Natan Merav Ben , Berkovich Yaron
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Due to the aging of the population and increased longevity, there is a rising demand for orthopedic surgeons specializing in arthroplasty. In order to address this demand, it is necessary to analyze the available supply of surgeons by exploring the career plans of orthopedic residents.

Aim:

To explore factors related to the career plans of Israeli orthopedic surgery residents and their views on a career in arthroplasty.

Patients and methods:

In this cross-sectional survey, 150 orthopedic surgery residents completed a questionnaire exploring their level of interest in choosing a career in various subspecialties and the factors (intellectual, educational, lifestyle, and economic) that guided their choice.

Results:

The arthroplasty subspecialty was found to be less popular than the orthopedic trauma subspecialty (65.8%), slightly less popular than the sports (55.1%), spine (53.4%), and hand (53.1%) subspecialties, but more popular than the rest of the subspecialties. Intellectual factors being the most important. Residents interested in the arthroplasty subspecialty were guided by similar factors in their choice of subspecialty as those not interested in this subspecialty. No association was found between residents' sociodemographic factors and their level of interest in the arthroplasty subspecialty. However, residents differed in the extent to which different factors guided them in their choice, based on gender and nationality.

Conclusion:

The arthroplasty subspecialty seems to be popular as a career choice among Israeli orthopedic surgery residents, however it does not top the list. Suitable marketing and recruitment strategies should be applied to attract more residents to this subspecialty.

Level of evidence:

IV, cross-sectional survey.

Highlights
Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Role of Implantable Loop Recorder in Secondary Prevention
Authors: Gambino Andrea , Ravetti Emanuele , Naldi Andrea , Russo Riccardo , Molinaro Stefano , Mistretta Francesco , Jorfida Marcella , Castagno Davide , De Ferrari Gaetano Maria , Cerrato Paolo , Bosco Giovanni , D’Agata Federico , Cicerale Alessandro , Bergui Mauro
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most important cause of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Implantable loop recorder (ILR) demonstrated the highest sensitivity for detecting it. This register was created to confirm the high prevalence of AF in patients after ESUS and to verify possible benefits on clinical outcomes such as TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack)/stroke recurrence and death using ILR.

Methods:

A total of 278 patients admitted to “Molinette” Hospital in Stroke Unit department between 2011 and 2016, diagnosed with ESUS, underwent ILR implantation if they had at least one risk factor for AF. A total of 165 patients admitted to other departments in the same center for the same pathology, without ILR, represent the control group. We used propensity score to select 132 patients from each group (matching age, sex, CHADS-VASC, and HAS-BLEED baseline characteristics).

Results:

The detection rate of AF episodes was significantly higher in the ILR group (p < 0.001). No significant protective role of ILR for clinical endpoints was found on univariate analysis, although a trend towards significance has been pointed for the composite outcome of death and ischemic events recurrence (OR 0.52, CI 0.26–1.04, p = 0.06). A protective role of ILR was found for deaths (OR 0.4, CI 0.17–0.94, p 0.03) and for the composite outcome (OR 0.41, CI 0.19–0.87, p 0.02) on multivariate analysis in the best subsets.

Conclusion:

With our statistical models, we identified a significant clinical benefit from ILR monitoring, evidenced by a trend of less death and TIA/stroke recurrence and relevant ILR protection for prediction of TIA/stroke recurrence.
Weakly nonlinear analysis of pattern formation in active suspensions
Authors: Ohm Laurel , Shelley Michael J.
Published: June 2022

We consider the Saintillan–Shelley kinetic model of active rod-like particles in Stokes flow (Saintillan & Shelley, Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 100, issue 17, 2008a, 178103; Saintillan & Shelley, Phys. Fluids, vol. 20, issue 12, 2008b, 123304), for which the uniform isotropic suspension of pusher particles is known to be unstable in certain settings. Through weakly nonlinear analysis accompanied by numerical simulations, we determine exactly how the isotropic steady state loses stability in different parameter regimes. We study each of the various types of bifurcations admitted by the system, including both subcritical and supercritical Hopf and pitchfork bifurcations. Elucidating this system's behaviour near these bifurcations provides a theoretical means of comparing this model with other physical systems that transition to turbulence, and makes predictions about the nature of bifurcations in active suspensions that can be explored experimentally.
Afraid of whom?
Authors: Anspach Nicolas M.
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Taking insights from the fields of psychology and biology, a growing body of scholarship considers the psychophysiological foundations of political attitudes. Subconscious emotional reactions to threat, for example, have been shown to predict socially conservative attitudes toward out-groups. However, many of these studies fail to consider different sources of perceived threat. Using a combination of survey and physiological data, I distinguish between fear of others and fear of authority, finding that threat sensitivity predicts divergent political attitudes depending on the strength of each. Those who are more sensitive to threat from others tend to hold socially conservative attitudes, while those who fear authority generally take more libertarian positions. As sensitivity to threat is at least partially inherited, these findings highlight the genetic role of political predispositions.
Scientists as spies?
Authors: Vogel Kathleen M. , Ben Ouagrham-Gormley Sonia
Published: June 2022

Abstract

In 2008, the Chinese government created the Thousand Talents Program (TTP) to recruit overseas expertise to build up China’s science and technology knowledge and innovation base. Ten years later, in 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced a new “China Initiative” that aimed to counter the transfer by U.S.-based scientists involved in the TTP of knowledge and intellectual property that could support China’s military and economic might and pose threats to U.S. national security. This initiative launched a number of investigations into major U.S. federal funding agencies and universities and charged several scientists, many of them life scientists, with failing to accurately report their work and affiliations with Chinese entities and illegally transferring scientific information to China. Although the FBI cases demonstrate a clear problem with disclosure of foreign contracts and research integrity among some TTP recipients, they have failed to demonstrate any harm to U.S. national security interests. At the heart of this controversy are core questions that remain unresolved and need more attention: What is required to transfer and develop knowledge to further a country’s science and technology ambitions? And can the knowledge acquired by a visiting scientist be easily used to further a country’s ambitions? Drawing on literature from the field of science and technology studies, this article discusses the key issues that should be considered in evaluating this question in the Chinese context and the potential scientific, intelligence, and policy implications of knowledge transfer as it relates to the TTP.
Finite-time blow-up in a repulsive chemotaxis-consumption system
Authors: Wang Yulan , Winkler Michael
Published: June 2022

In a ball $\Omega \subset \mathbb {R}^{n}$ with $n\ge 2$, the chemotaxis system
\[ \left\{ \begin{array}{@{}l} u_t = \nabla \cdot \big( D(u)\nabla u\big) + \nabla\cdot \big(\dfrac{u}{v} \nabla v\big), \\ 0=\Delta v - uv \end{array} \right. \]is considered along with no-flux boundary conditions for $u$ and with prescribed constant positive Dirichlet boundary data for $v$. It is shown that if $D\in C^{3}([0,\infty ))$ is such that $0< D(\xi ) \le {K_D} (\xi +1)^{-\alpha }$ for all $\xi >0$ with some ${K_D}>0$ and $\alpha >0$, then for all initial data from a considerably large set of radial functions on $\Omega$, the corresponding initial-boundary value problem admits a solution blowing up in finite time.
NEW OPTIMAL LINEAR CODES OVER
Authors: TANG HOPEIN CHRISTOFEN , SUPRIJANTO DJOKO
Published: June 2022

We present novel approaches for constructing linear codes over
$\mathbb {Z}_{4}$
from the known ones. We obtain new linear codes, many of which are optimal. In particular, we find all optimal codes of type
$4^{k_{1}}2^{k_{2}}$
for
$k_{1}=2,~k_{2}=0$
and many optimal codes for
$k_{1}=3,~k_{2}=0.$
Physiology, yield, and water use efficiency of drip-irrigated upland rice cultivars subjected to water stress at and after flowering
Authors: Quiloango-Chimarro Carlos Alberto , Coelho Rubens Duarte , Heinemann Alexandre Bryan , Gómez Arrieta Rafael , Gundim Alice da Silva , França Ana Carolina Ferreira
Published: June 2022

Water scarcity due to global warming can increase the water demand for upland rice at critical stages of crop development. However, there is little research on cultivar responses to this scenario and technologies that enhance water use efficiency (WUE). To determine the influence of water stress at and after flowering stages of drip-irrigated upland rice cultivars on physiology, yield, and WUE, a shelter experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with a split-plot arrangement of treatments. Three modern and one traditional cultivar were subjected to five irrigation managements: 100% of the field capacity considered the reference management (RM), 70 and 40% of the RM at the flowering stage, and 70 and 40% of the RM at the grain-filling stage. In general, the modern cultivars tended to maintain higher photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration, leaf water potential, and lower crop water stress index compared to the traditional cultivar under water stress. The WUE decreased for all cultivars under severe stress, averaging 0.55 and 0.62 kg m−3when stress occurred at flowering and grain-filling, respectively, whereas moderate stress imposed at grain-filling maintained WUE for all cultivars, averaging 1.21 kg m−3. In addition, grain yield (GY) showed a similar variation trend under drought stress as WUE, and its reduction was mainly associated with low filled grain percentage. Among the five irrigation treatments, both GY and WUE were the highest in the RM; the best cultivar recorded 9.3 Mg ha−1and 1.62 kg m−3, respectively. Findings suggest that attending to the full water demand under precision drip irrigation and appropriate cultivar selection can enhance upland rice production at significant levels.
Basin Mass Changes in Finland From GRACE: Validation and Explanation
Authors: Jiao Jiashuang , Pan Yuanjin , Bilker‐Koivula Mirjam , Poutanen Markku , Ding Hao
Published: June 2022

The signal leakage effect in the use of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) level‐2 products limits the accuracy of the mass inversion, especially in small spatial scales (less than ∼100,000 km2). In this study, we try to use GRACE observation to evaluate the basin mass changes in Finland, where the basins are quite small (less than 93,000 km2) and the accurate mass inversion is challenging. To this end, we carry out a series of numerical simulation experiments and optimize the parameters of the GRACE inversion methods. We propose a hybrid inversion strategy, which takes the differences of both inversion methods and basins into consideration. This strategy is expected to achieve the statistically optimal estimation of the basin mass changes in Finland with Nash‐Sutcliffe Efficiency values ranging from 0.82 to 0.92, corresponding to Index Of Agreement values from 0.95 to 0.98. Further, based on ∼19.7 years of real GRACE data, we analyze the seasonal and interannual terrestrial water storage (TWS) changes in Finland. We find that snow plays a key role in the annual cycle of the TWS change. A remarkable phase difference (∼5 months) between TWS and precipitation is mainly attributed to the effects of snow accumulation and melting. We also find that there is an obvious interannual oscillation with a period of ∼3.8 years in the TWS change of Finland, which seems to be a superposition effect of the real hydrological signal and the tide aliasing error.
Effects of Elevation Gradient on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in a Typical Karst Region of Chongqing, Southwest China
Authors: Zhu Guangyu , Zhou Lihua , He Xianjin , Wei Pei , Lin Dunmei , Qian Shenhua , Zhao Liang , Luo Min , Yin Xinhan , Zeng Lian , Long Yuxiao , Hu Siwei , Ouyang Xue , Yang Yongchuan
Published: June 2022

Elevation changes create gradients in abiotic factors, which in turn affect soil erosion and carbon cycling. However, how elevation changes control soil ecological processes through temperature and the mechanism that affects the carbon cycle remain unclear. Therefore, we have studied the distribution of temperature, bulk density (BD), soil pH, mean weight diameter (MWD), clay, and diversity of soil fungal community diversity, and discussed the critical factors affecting soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) in a typical karst mountainous area. The results showed that the dominant phyla were Ascomycota (42.28%), Mortierellomycota (20.6%), Basidiomycota (17.83%), and Rozellomycota (11.82%). The elevation distributions of MWD, fungal diversity, the rate of SOC and N stocks change per temperature index, and SOC and N stocks all exhibited unimodal patterns. Additionally, temperature, fungal diversity, MWD, BD, and clay were the dominant factors explaining the variability of SOC and N, and SOC and N had a positive relationship with pH, BD, MWD, clay‐silt content, warmth index, and Sobs and Shannon diversity. Analyses showed that the warmth index regulated soil aggregates through fungal diversity and combined with BD to affect carbon sequestration, which was controlled by clay, the C:N ratio, and pH during the process. These conclusions have important implications for improving the SOC sequestration capacity in karst mountainous areas.
Mitophagy in Alzheimer’s disease: Molecular defects and therapeutic approaches
Authors: Mary Arnaud , Eysert Fanny , Checler Frédéric , Chami Mounia
Published: June 2022

Mitochondrial dysfunctions are central players in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In addition, impairments in mitophagy, the process of selective mitochondrial degradation by autophagy leading to a gradual accumulation of defective mitochondria, have also been reported to occur in AD. We provide an updated overview of the recent discoveries and advancements on mitophagic molecular dysfunctions in AD-derived fluids and cells as well as in AD brains. We discuss studies using AD cellular and animal models that have unraveled the contribution of relevant AD-related proteins (Tau, Aβ, APP-derived fragments and APOE) in mitophagy failure. In accordance with the important role of impaired mitophagy in AD, we report on various therapeutic strategies aiming at stimulating mitophagy in AD and we summarize the benefits of these potential therapeutic strategies in human clinical trials.
Phosphoproteomic of the acetylcholine pathway enables discovery of the PKC-β-PIX-Rac1-PAK cascade as a stimulatory signal for aversive learning
Authors: Yamahashi Yukie , Lin You-Hsin , Mouri Akihiro , Iwanaga Sho , Kawashima Kazuhiro , Tokumoto Yuya , Watanabe Yo , Faruk Md. Omar , Zhang Xinjian , Tsuboi Daisuke , Nakano Takashi , Saito Naoaki , Nagai Taku , Yamada Kiyofumi , Kaibuchi Kozo
Published: June 2022

Acetylcholine is a neuromodulator critical for learning and memory. The cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil increases brain acetylcholine levels and improves Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-associated learning disabilities. Acetylcholine activates striatal/nucleus accumbens dopamine receptor D2-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2R-MSNs), which regulate aversive learning through muscarinic receptor M1 (M1R). However, how acetylcholine stimulates learning beyond M1Rs remains unresolved. Here, we found that acetylcholine stimulated protein kinase C (PKC) in mouse striatal/nucleus accumbens. Our original kinase-oriented phosphoproteomic analysis revealed 116 PKC substrate candidates, including Rac1 activator β-PIX. Acetylcholine induced β-PIX phosphorylation and activation, thereby stimulating Rac1 effector p21-activated kinase (PAK). Aversive stimulus activated the M1R-PKC-PAK pathway in mouse D2R-MSNs. D2R-MSN-specific expression of PAK mutants by the Cre-Flex system regulated dendritic spine structural plasticity and aversive learning. Donepezil induced PAK activation in both accumbal D2R-MSNs and in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and enhanced D2R-MSN-mediated aversive learning. These findings demonstrate that acetylcholine stimulates M1R-PKC-β-PIX-Rac1-PAK signaling in D2R-MSNs for aversive learning and imply the cascade’s therapeutic potential for AD as aversive learning is used to preliminarily screen AD drugs.
Mitochondrial reactive oxygen is critical for IL-12/IL-18-induced IFN-γ production by CD4+ T cells and is regulated by Fas/FasL signaling
Authors: Rackov Gorjana , Tavakoli Zaniani Parinaz , Colomo del Pino Sara , Shokri Rahman , Monserrat Jorge , Alvarez-Mon Melchor , Martinez-A Carlos , Balomenos Dimitrios
Published: June 2022

Mitochondrial activation and the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) are crucial for CD4+ T cell responses and have a role in naïve cell signaling after TCR activation. However, little is known about mROS role in TCR-independent signaling and in recall responses. Here, we found that mROS are required for IL-12 plus IL-18-driven production of IFN-γ, an essential cytokine for inflammatory and autoimmune disease development. Compared to TCR stimulation, which induced similar levels of mROS in naïve and memory-like cells, IL-12/IL-18 showed faster and augmented mROS production in memory-like cells. mROS inhibition significantly downregulated IFN-γ and CD44 expression, suggesting a direct mROS effect on memory-like T cell function. The mechanism that promotes IFN-γ production after IL-12/IL-18 challenge depended on the effect of mROS on optimal activation of downstream signaling pathways, leading to STAT4 and NF-κB activation. To relate our findings to IFN-γ-driven lupus-like disease, we used Fas-deficient memory-like CD4+ T cells from lpr mice. Importantly, we found significantly increased IFN-γ and mROS production in lpr compared with parental cells. Treatment of WT cells with FasL significantly reduced mROS production and the activation of signaling events leading to IFN-γ. Moreover, Fas deficiency was associated with increased mitochondrial levels of cytochrome C and caspase-3 compared with WT memory-like cells. mROS inhibition significantly reduced the population of disease-associated lpr CD44hiCD62LloCD4+ T cells and their IFN-γ production. Overall, these findings uncovered a previously unidentified role of Fas/FasL interaction in regulating mROS production by memory-like T cells. This apoptosis-independent Fas activity might contribute to the accumulation of CD44hiCD62LloCD4+ T cells that produce increased IFN-γ levels in lpr mice. Overall, our findings pinpoint mROS as central regulators of TCR-independent signaling, and support mROS pharmacological targeting to control aberrant immune responses in autoimmune-like disease.
RASAL2 regulates the cell cycle and cyclin D1 expression through PI3K/AKT signalling in prostate tumorigenesis
Authors: Wang Qi , Wu Shiqi , Gu Yanan , Liang Hua , He Fei , Wang Xinyang , He Dalin , Wu Kaijie
Published: June 2022

Prostate cancer (PCa) growth and progression are uniquely dependent on androgens, making the androgen receptor pathway a prime target for therapy; however, cancer progression to androgen independence leads to treatment failure and poor prognosis. In recent years, alternative therapeutic pathways for PCa have been extensively explored, such as the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway, cell cycle, and DNA repair. In the present study, we discovered that RASAL2, a RAS-GTPase-activating protein, acted as an oncogene to regulate cancer cell proliferation and the cell cycle and contributed to tumorigenesis via the PI3K/AKT/cyclin D1 pathway. First, RASAL2 expression was higher in PCa tumour and metastatic lymph node tissues than in matched adjacent nontumor tissues and was associated with higher PCa tumour stage, Gleason score and poorer prognosis. Mechanistically, we found that RASAL2 promoted tumour cell proliferation, the transition from G1 to S phase in vitro and tumour growth in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that RASAL2 facilitated phosphorylation of AKT, which in turn increased the expression of cyclin D1 encoded by the CCND1 gene. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the expression of RASAL2 and cyclin D1 in subcutaneous xenografts and clinical specimens. Taken together, these findings indicate that RASAL2 plays an oncogenic role in prostate cancer and may promote PCa tumorigenesis through PI3K/AKT signalling and cyclin D1 expression.