bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Ethnicity Affect Allocation of Unemployment-Related Benefits to Job Center Clients? A Survey-Experimental Study of Representative Bureaucracy in Denmark
Authors: ESMARK ANDERS , LIENGAARD MIKKEL BECH
Published: February 2022

The role of street-level bureaucracy in social policy has been taken up by two relatively distinct streams of research, based on Lipsky’s foundational work (2010). One group of literature has focused on the organizational working conditions, practices and coping mechanisms of street-level bureaucrats, their impact on the implementation of political programs and reforms, and the scope for discretion in the face of political pressures and institutional demands (Brodkin and Marston, 2013; Jessen and Tufte, 2014; Breit et al., 2016; Van Berkel et al., 2017; van Berkel, 2020). Starting from a focus on interaction with clients and the direct impact of discretionary decisions ‘on people’s lives’ (Lipsky, 2010, 8), a second group of studies has focused more on differences in allocation of benefits caused by perceived ‘deservingness’ and discrimination among street-level bureaucrats (Altreiter and Leibetseder, 2014; Terum et al., 2018; Jilke and Tummers, 2018).
Torturous journeys: Cruelty, international law, and pushbacks and pullbacks over the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Barnes Jamal
Published: February 2022

Boat pushbacks and pullbacks by Italy and the European Union (EU) have returned migrants and refugees to Libya where they have been subjected to brutal human rights violations, such as torture and ill-treatment. This article argues that these pushbacks and pullbacks not only undermine key human rights principles, but they are also an act of cruelty. As Italy and the EU have used the law to evade their international human rights and refugee obligations, the law has had distributive effects that have shaped migration pathways and exacerbated the vulnerability of migrants and refugees to torture. Not only have legal manoeuvres stripped migrants and refugees of their rights, enabling Italy and the EU to return people to inhumane detention centres in Libya, but they have also had the sinister side effect of excluding migrants and refugees from moral concern. As Italy and the EU have sought to evade legal responsibility, it has created indifference to the suffering of people on the move in Libya. This article sheds important light on the factors that lead to the torture of migrants and refugees on their migration journeys and offers new insights into the relationship between cruelty, migration policies, and indifference to human suffering.
Motion recognition using deep convolutional neural network for Kinect-based NAO teleoperation
Authors: Balmik Archana , Paikaray Arnab , Jha Mrityunjay , Nandy Anup
Published: February 2022

The capabilities of teleoperated robots can be enhanced with the ability to recognise and reproduce human-like behaviour. The proposed framework presents motion recognition for a Kinect-based NAO teleoperation. It allows the NAO robot to recognise the human motions and act as a human motion imitator. A stable whole-body imitation is still a challenging issue because of the difficulty in dynamic balancing of centre of mass (CoM). In this paper, a novel adaptive balancing technique for NAO (ABTN) is proposed to control the whole body in single as well as double supporting phases. It targets dynamic balancing of the humanoid robot by solving forward kinematics and applying a weighted average of mass with the CoMs of individual links with respect to the previous joint frames, which provides us with the dynamic CoM of the whole body. Our novel approach uses this dynamic CoM and calculates joint angles using proposed pitch and roll control algorithm to keep the dynamic CoM inside the stable region. Additionally, the NAO robot is capable of recognising human motions using the proposed 7-layer one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN). To solve the problem of variable length of time sequences, Zero padding is introduced with 1D-CNN. It attains a recognition accuracy of 95% as compared to the hidden Markov model and neural network. The experimental results demonstrate that the developed teleoperation framework is robust and serves as potential support for the development and application of teleoperated robots.
Peeking into the socio-historical background and current use of ‘me (no)likey’
Authors: Rodríguez–Abruñeiras Paula
Published: February 2022

The verbto likehas fallen repeatedly under the gaze of scholars. One aspect which has stimulated vigorous discussion is its original use in impersonal constructions and its later change of argument structure along with the disappearance of impersonals from English. Nonetheless, evidence from current informal English shows thatlikeis now used in constructions which bear a close resemblance to the older impersonals, although always displaying alternative spelling variants, especiallylikey. This paper seeks to further our understanding of the verbto like, focusing specifically on these new constructions. To this end I will uselikeyas a generic label to refer to such new uses and constructions, regardless of variations in spelling (unless otherwise stated). Using data from theCorpus of Historical American EnglishandiWeb Corpus, the study will seek to answer the following research questions:

RQ1.

What are the morpho-syntactic features of the expression ‘me (no) likey’ in Present-Day English?

RQ2.

What is the origin of the sequence ‘me (no) likey’?

RQ3.

Where do phrasal patterns withlikeyfall on the continuum of idiomaticity (Michaelis, 2017)?
Discourse of ‘early ELT for local development’
Authors: Shiroza Saran
Published: February 2022

Economic globalization and the concomitant prominence of English as a global language (EGL) have had a considerable impact on educational policies and practices worldwide. The widespread belief in the economic benefits that individuals and societies can attain from greater English proficiency has created a global trend of early English language teaching (ELT) (Copland, Garton & Burns, 2014; Enever, Moon & Raman, 2009). In line with this global trend, Japan, as an economically advanced nation, has also gradually lowered the age at which English is introduced at school. Previous studies have explored the development of national ELT curricula, critically examining the discourses behind these official language-in-education policies (e.g., Kubota, 1998, 2002; Seargeant, 2009; Shiroza, 2020). However, obvious to the keen observer is that early ELT is often implemented more extensively and vigorously in Japan's rural communities than in urban areas, despite the latter's image of being only remotely affected by globalization.
Accenting racism in labour migration
Authors: Ramjattan Vijay A.
Published: February 2022

This paper concerns how speech accent accents or reinforces racism in the context of labour migration to the English-speaking Global North. It specifically outlines three functions of accent in racial capitalist systems that require the labour of migrants and their acceptance of their “linguistic deficiencies.” First, accent functions as a labour control mechanism that pushes racially minoritised migrants into low-paying work. Second, as evidenced by the language training of transnational call centre workers, accent also reinforces colonial relations between migrant workers and customers. Last, by acting as a credential that can be purchased for professional success, accent distracts from the institutional racism that truly hinders migrants’ employment opportunities. The piece concludes with some thoughts on how combatting racism in labour migration requires another type of accenting.
Translenguaje en la villa inmigrante: Creating our path to existence
Authors: Arango Obed
Published: February 2022

In this essay, I reflect on how translanguaging in the immigrant community emerges as a form of social resistance that results in the creation of counter-spaces and counter-narratives. Likewise, I draw on the concepts of dialogical education of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire and the perspective of Critical Race Theory and on how the social and cultural capital of immigrant communities plays an important role in overcoming environments that are averse to their presence. I contend that it is from “not existing” in a social system that the immigrant community is capable of opening spaces to exist and to lead new generations to project new forms of social identity, which are reflected in new linguistic, poetic, artistic expressions and new ways of social organization. In developing this concept, I address the case of the people of the town of Marshall in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the RevArte collaborative of which I am founder and director.
Marked pointing facilitates learning part names: A test of lexical constraint versus social pragmatic accounts of word learning
Authors: KOBAYASHI Harumi , YASUDA Tetsuya , LISZKOWSKI Ulf
Published: February 2022

The empirical study of word learning is driven by a theoretical debate between lexical constraint and social-pragmatic accounts; it has still not been determined which of these two best explains the evidence. We investigated whether the markedness of a pointing accompanying a verbal reference could help to learn a part name. Participants were 35 two-and-a-half-year-olds, 42 four-and-a-half-year-olds, and 38 undergraduate university students in Japan. The experimenter pointed to a novel part (embedded in a novel whole object) with either “marked” pointing, which was touching the part with a small circular motion, or with usual pointing. Touch accompanied by circular motion reliably elicited learning of part names in all age groups. Usual distal pointing without motion reliably elicited learning of whole object names. The pattern of findings rejects a whole-object constraint in early word learning and demonstrates that marked pointing can promote learning novel part names, supporting a social-pragmatic account.
Sums of random multiplicative functions over function fields with few irreducible factors
Authors: AGGARWAL DAKSH , SUBEDI UNIQUE , VERREAULT WILLIAM , ZAMAN ASIF , ZHENG CHENGHUI
Published: February 2022

We establish a normal approximation for the limiting distribution of partial sums of random Rademacher multiplicative functions over function fields, provided the number of irreducible factors of the polynomials is small enough. This parallels work of Harper for random Rademacher multiplicative functions over the integers.
Opera and the Politics of Postdramatic Theatre: Frank Castorf's BayreuthRing
Authors: Berry Mark
Published: February 2022

This article considers Frank Castorf's Bayreuth Festival production of Wagner'sRing(2013–17) and its relationship to postdramatic theatre, including the latter's fraught relationship to conceptions of the political. Framework and context are provided by Castorf's theatrical practice, both prior to and following German reunification; by Wagner's nineteenth-century revolutionary and post-revolutionary experience, both historical and as dramatised in theRing; and by Hans-Thies Lehmann's theoretical writing on postdramatic theatre. The production was a story of fascinating collisions: on the one hand, between different, often opposing, conceptions of drama and theatre; on the other, between different, yet in some ways complementary, political experiences. Interpretation proceeds by means of detailed description and analysis of the staging and a broader theoretical discussion. Compelled to reconcile themselves, at least in part, with ideas of musical drama and the work concept, Castorf's postdramatic aesthetics underwent significant challenge. In the wake of this production, ideas of Wagner staging and, more broadly, staging of opera in general have similarly undergone transformation.
The Ghost of Trials Past: Transitional Justice in Greece, 1974–1975
Authors: Hatzivassiliou Evanthis
Published: February 2022

There were major guidelines in the application of Greek transitional justice in 1974–5. Trials connected with politics had often taken place in Greece: in 1922, 1935 and during the civil war in the 1940s. Justice had often been instrumentalised during previous internal conflicts, mortgaging both the interwar republic and the post-war democracy. The 1974–5 transition followed a different path. According to the internal documents of the Greek government, there was constant care to uphold the rule of law and conform to the emerging international standards concerning human rights. This was seen as a necessary precondition for the establishment of a modern European democracy.
Fascist Repression in the Italian ‘Fourth Shore’: The Special Tribunal for the Defence of the State in Libya
Authors: Priorelli Giorgia
Published: February 2022

This article investigates the Special Tribunal for the Defence of the State (Tribunale Speciale per la Difesa dello Stato; TSDS) in the colonial territories that constitute present-day Libya at the time of fascist rule. This court acted as the judicial arm of the fascist regime in the so-called Italian ‘fourth shore’. As a tool of the repressive apparatus of the regime, it persecuted the ‘anti-national enemies’ outside the metropolitan area, striking against those who opposed the fascist dictatorship and the fascist occupation in the colony by de-legitimising the defendants on juridical, political and moral grounds. The TSDS in Libya shows that the fight against the ‘anti-nationals’ was a primary concern of Mussolini's ultranationalist regime not only in the peninsular territory but also within the colonial administration.
Relative expression of the developmentally important candidate genes in immature oocytes and in vitro-produced embryos of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Kumar Satish , Chauhan Manmohan Singh
Published: February 2022

The study was undertaken to examine the relative abundance (RA) of the major developmental important candidate genes in different grades of immature oocytes (A-grade, B-grade, C-grade and D-grade) and various stages of in vitro-produced embryos (2-cell, 4-cell, 8–16-cell, morula, and blastocyst) of buffalo using RT-qPCR. Results showed that the RA of GLUT1, CX43, HSP70.1 and GDF9 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the A-grade of oocytes than the C-grade and D-grade but did not differ significantly from the B-grade of oocytes. Similarly, RA of BMP15 and Survivin were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in A-grade than the other grades of oocytes, however, poly(A) polymerase expression was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the immature oocytes. The expression of GLUT1 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the blastocysts, but the expression of CX43 (P < 0.05; P > 0.05), HSP70.1 (P < 0.05; P > 0.05) and GDF9 (P > 0.05) was higher at the 2-cell stage than the other stages of embryos. Interestingly, the expression levels of poly(A) polymerase (P < 0.05), BMP15 (P < 0.05; P > 0.05) and Survivin (P > 0.05) were higher at the 8–16-cell stage than the other stages of embryos. It is concluded that A-grade of immature oocytes has shown more mRNA abundance for the major developmental important genes; therefore A-grade oocytes may be considered as the most developmentally competent and suitable for handmade cloning research in buffalo.
Medical Evacuation and Liquidation of the Medical-Sanitary Aftereffects in Crisis
Authors: Baranova Natalia , Boby Boris , Goncharov Sergei , Nechaeva Natalia
Published: February 2022

Editor’s Comment

The following article was cleared for publication following peer review and upon the Editor-in-Chief’s decision. The manuscript is an addition to the global health literature. The manuscript reads uneven in the current English version, but the topic and concepts presented are of global interest and add to the disaster planning, response, and recovery knowledge base.
NIH Toolbox® Episodic Memory Measure Differentiates Older Adults with Exceptional Memory Capacity from those with Average-for-Age Cognition
Authors: Karpouzian-Rogers Tatiana , Makowski-Woidan Beth , Kuang Alan , Zhang Hui , Fought Angela , Engelmeyer Janessa , Mesulam M.-Marsel , Weintraub Sandra , Rogalski Emily
Published: February 2022

Objective:

Older adults with exceptional memory function, designated “SuperAgers,” include individuals over age 80, with episodic memory at least as good as individuals ages 50s–60s. The Northwestern University SuperAging cohort is defined by performance on an established test of verbal memory. The purpose of this study was to determine if superior verbal memory extends to nonverbal memory in SuperAgers by examining differences in the National Institutes of Health Toolbox® (NIHTB) between older adults with exceptional memory and those with average-for-age cognition.

Method:

SuperAgers (n = 46) and cognitively average-for-age older adults (n = 31) completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and the NIHTB Cognition module. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine differences on subtests between groups.

Results:

There was a significant effect of group on the Picture Sequence Memory score, (p = .007), such that SuperAgers had higher scores than cognitively average-for-age older adults. There were no other group effects across other non-episodic memory NIHTB Cognition measures.

Conclusions:

Findings from this study demonstrated stronger performance on the memory measure of the NIHTB in SuperAgers compared to cognitively average-for-age older adults demonstrating superior memory in not only verbal but also nonverbal episodic memory in this group. Additionally, this study adds to the literature validating the NIHTB in older adults, particularly in a novel population of adults over age 80 with exceptional memory.
Psychische Belastung bei unbegleiteten und begleiteten Flüchtlingen im Kindes- und Jugendalter in Deutschland
Authors: Höltermann Annelen , Scharf Florian , Romer Georg , Möller-Kallista Birgit
Published: February 2022

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Psychische Belastung und traumatisierende Ereignisse bei in Deutschland lebenden unbegleiteten minderjährigen Flüchtlingen (UMF) im Jugendalter sowie bei begleiteten minderjährigen Flüchtlingen (BMF) im Kindes- und Jugendalter wurden ermittelt. Zusätzlich wurden bei den Jugendlichen Prädiktoren psychischer Belastung analysiert. Methodik: 170 Kinder und Jugendliche (Jugendliche: n = 56 UMF, n = 72 BMF; Kinder: n = 42 BMF) wurden mittels Screeningfragebögen zu emotionalen und Verhaltensauffälligkeiten sowie zu traumatisierenden Ereignissen untersucht. Zudem wurden von den Jugendlichen Angaben zur Symptomatik der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS) gemacht (Jugendliche: Selbstbericht; Kinder: Fremdbericht Elternteil). Ergebnisse: 45.8 % UMF (Jugendliche), 42.4 % BMF (Jugendliche) und 56.1 % BMF (Kinder) zeigten klinisch relevante emotionale und Verhaltensprobleme. Internalisierende Symptome wurden häufiger als externalisierende Symptome angegeben. Im Mittel wurden bei UMF (Jugendliche) sieben und bei BMF (Jugendliche und Kinder) vier traumatisierende Ereignisse ermittelt. UMF (Jugendliche) berichteten mehr emotionale Probleme, mehr PTBS-Symptome und mehr traumatisierende Ereignisse als BMF (Jugendliche). 43.8 % UMF (Jugendliche) und 27.9 % BMF (Jugendliche) zeigten klinisch relevante PTBS-Symptome. Der robusteste Prädiktor zur Vorhersage emotionaler und Verhaltensauffälligkeiten sowie der PTBS-Symptomatik bei den Jugendlichen war die Anzahl traumatisierender Ereignisse. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse belegen den psychologischen Hilfebedarf geflüchteter Kinder und Jugendlicher in Deutschland.
Drier Winters Drove Cenozoic Open Habitat Expansion in North America
Authors: Kukla T. , Rugenstein J. K. C. , Ibarra D. E. , Winnick M. J. , Strömberg C. A. E. , Chamberlain C. P.
Published: February 2022

The shift from denser forests to open, grass‐dominated vegetation in west‐central North America between 26 and 15 million years ago is a major ecological transition with no clear driving force. This open habitat transition (OHT) is considered by some to be evidence for drier summers, more seasonal precipitation, or a cooler climate, but others have proposed that wetter conditions and/or warming initiated the OHT. Here, we use published (n = 2,065) and new (n = 173) oxygen isotope measurements (δ18O) in authigenic clays and soil carbonates to test the hypothesis that the OHT is linked to increasing wintertime aridity. Oxygen isotope ratios in meteoric water (δ18Op) vary seasonally, and clays and carbonates often form at different times of the year. Therefore, a change in precipitation seasonality can be recorded differently in each mineral. We find that oxygen isotope ratios of clay minerals increase across the OHT while carbonate oxygen isotope ratios show no change or decrease. This result cannot be explained solely by changes in global temperature or a shift to drier summers. Instead, it is consistent with a decrease in winter precipitation that increases annual mean δ18Op (and clay δ18O) but has a smaller or negligible effect on soil carbonates that primarily form in warmer months. We suggest that forest communities in west‐central North America were adapted to a wet‐winter precipitation regime for most of the Cenozoic, and they subsequently struggled to meet water demands when winters became drier, resulting in the observed open habitat expansion.
“Designing synthetic topological matter with atoms and lights”
Authors: Zhao Entong , He Chengdong , Jo Gyu-Boong
Published: February 2022

One of the most interesting directions in quantum simulations with ultracold atoms is the expansion of our capability to investigate exotic topological matter. Using sophisticated atom-light couplings in an atomic system, scientists have demonstrated several iconic lattice models that exhibit non-trivial band topology in a controlled manner.
Polygenic risk for mental disorder reveals distinct association profiles across social behaviour in the general population
Authors: Schlag Fenja , Allegrini Andrea G. , Buitelaar Jan , Verhoef Ellen , van Donkelaar Marjolein , Plomin Robert , Rimfeld Kaili , Fisher Simon E. , St Pourcain Beate
Published: February 2022

Many mental health conditions present a spectrum of social difficulties that overlaps with social behaviour in the general population including shared but little characterised genetic links. Here, we systematically investigate heterogeneity in shared genetic liabilities with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), bipolar disorder (BP), major depression (MD) and schizophrenia across a spectrum of different social symptoms. Longitudinally assessed low-prosociality and peer-problem scores in two UK population-based cohorts (4–17 years; parent- and teacher-reports; Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children(ALSPAC): N ≤ 6,174; Twins Early Development Study(TEDS): N ≤ 7,112) were regressed on polygenic risk scores for disorder, as informed by genome-wide summary statistics from large consortia, using negative binomial regression models. Across ALSPAC and TEDS, we replicated univariate polygenic associations between social behaviour and risk for ADHD, MD and schizophrenia. Modelling variation in univariate genetic effects jointly using random-effect meta-regression revealed evidence for polygenic links between social behaviour and ADHD, ASD, MD, and schizophrenia risk, but not BP. Differences in age, reporter and social trait captured 45–88% in univariate effect variation. Cross-disorder adjusted analyses demonstrated that age-related heterogeneity in univariate effects is shared across mental health conditions, while reporter- and social trait-specific heterogeneity captures disorder-specific profiles. In particular, ADHD, MD, and ASD polygenic risk were more strongly linked to peer problems than low prosociality, while schizophrenia was associated with low prosociality only. The identified association profiles suggest differences in the social genetic architecture across mental disorders when investigating polygenic overlap with population-based social symptoms spanning 13 years of child and adolescent development.
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (EIF4EBP1) expression in glioblastoma is driven by ETS1- and MYBL2-dependent transcriptional activation
Authors: Hauffe Laura , Picard Daniel , Musa Julian , Remke Marc , Grünewald Thomas G. P. , Rotblat Barak , Reifenberger Guido , Leprivier Gabriel
Published: February 2022

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (EIF4EBP1) encodes the 4EBP1 protein, a negative regulator of mRNA translation and a substrate of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), whose function and relevance in cancer is still under debate. Here, we analyzed EIF4EBP1 expression in different glioma patient cohorts and investigated its mode of transcriptional regulation in glioblastoma cells. We verified that EIF4EBP1 mRNA is overexpressed in malignant gliomas, including isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype glioblastomas, relative to non-neoplastic brain tissue in multiple publically available datasets. Our analyses revealed that EIF4EBP1 overexpression in malignant gliomas is neither due to gene amplification nor to altered DNA methylation, but rather results from aberrant transcriptional activation by distinct transcription factors. We found seven transcription factor candidates co-expressed with EIF4EBP1 in gliomas and bound to the EIF4EBP1 promoter, as revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-sequencing data. We investigated the ability of these candidates to activate the EIF4EBP1 promoter using luciferase reporter assays, which supported four transcription factors as candidate EIF4EBP1 regulators, namely MYBL2, ETS1, HIF-1A, and E2F6. Finally, by employing transient knock-down experiments to repress either of these transcription factors, we identified MYBL2 and ETS1 as the relevant transcriptional drivers of enhanced EIF4EBP1 expression in malignant glioma cells. Taken together, our findings confirm enhanced expression of EIF4EBP1 in malignant gliomas relative to non-neoplastic brain tissue and characterize the underlying molecular pathomechanisms.
An organ-derived extracellular matrix triggers in situ kidney regeneration in a preclinical model
Authors: Tajima Kazuki , Yagi Hiroshi , Morisaku Toshinori , Nishi Kotaro , Kushige Hiroko , Kojima Hideaki , Higashi Hisanobu , Kuroda Kohei , Kitago Minoru , Adachi Shungo , Natsume Tohru , Nishimura Kumiko , Oya Mototsugu , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: February 2022

It has not been considered that nephrons regenerate in adult mammals. We present that an organ-derived extracellular matrix in situ induces nephron regeneration in a preclinical model. A porcine kidney-derived extracellular matrix was sutured onto the surface of partial nephrectomy (PN)-treated kidney. Twenty-eight days after implantation, glomeruli, vessels, and renal tubules, characteristic of nephrons, were histologically observed within the matrix. No fibrillogenesis was observed in the matrix nor the matrix-sutured kidney, although this occurred in a PN kidney without the matrix, indicating the structures were newly induced by the matrix. The expression of renal progenitor markers, including Sall1, Six2, and WT-1, within the matrix supported the induction of nephron regeneration by the matrix. Furthermore, active blood flow was observed inside the matrix using computed tomography. The matrix provides structural and functional foundations for the development of cell-free scaffolds with a remarkably low risk of immune rejection and cancerization.
Microneedle patch as a new platform to effectively deliver inactivated polio vaccine and inactivated rotavirus vaccine
Authors: Moon Sung-Sil , Richter-Roche Marly , Resch Theresa K. , Wang Yuhuan , Foytich Kimberly R. , Wang Houping , Mainou Bernardo A. , Pewin Winston , Lee Jeongwoo , Henry Sebastien , McAllister Devin V. , Jiang Baoming
Published: February 2022

We recently reported a lack of interference between inactivated rotavirus vaccine (IRV) and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and their potential dose sparing when the two vaccines were administered intramuscularly either in combination or standalone in rats and guinea pigs. In the present study, we optimized the formulations of both vaccines and investigated the feasibility of manufacturing a combined IRV-IPV dissolving microneedle patch (dMNP), assessing its compatibility and immunogenicity in rats. Our results showed that IRV delivered by dMNP alone or in combination with IPV induced similar levels of RV-specific IgG and neutralizing antibody. Likewise, IPV delivered by dMNP alone or in combination with IRV induced comparable levels of neutralizing antibody of poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3. We further demonstrated high stability of IRV-dMNP at 5, 25, and 40 °C and IPV-dMNP at 5 and 25 °C, and found that three doses of IRV or IPV when co-administered at a quarter dose was as potent as a full target dose in inducing neutralizing antibodies against corresponding rotavirus or poliovirus. We conclude that IRV-IPV dMNP did not interfere with each other in triggering an immunologic response and were highly immunogenic in rats. Our findings support the further development of this innovative approach to deliver a novel combination vaccine against rotavirus and poliovirus in children throughout the world.
Superconductivity in (Ba,K)SbO3
Authors: Kim Minu , McNally Graham M. , Kim Hun-Ho , Oudah Mohamed , Gibbs Alexandra S. , Manuel Pascal , Green Robert J. , Sutarto Ronny , Takayama Tomohiro , Yaresko Alexander , Wedig Ulrich , Isobe Masahiko , Kremer Reinhard K. , Bonn D. A. , Keimer Bernhard , Takagi Hidenori
Published: February 2022

(Ba,K)BiO3 constitute an interesting class of superconductors, where the remarkably high superconducting transition temperature Tc of 30 K arises in proximity to charge density wave order. However, the precise mechanism behind these phases remains unclear. Here, enabled by high-pressure synthesis, we report superconductivity in (Ba,K)SbO3 with a positive oxygen–metal charge transfer energy in contrast to (Ba,K)BiO3. The parent compound BaSbO3−δ shows a larger charge density wave gap compared to BaBiO3. As the charge density wave order is suppressed via potassium substitution up to 65%, superconductivity emerges, rising up to Tc = 15 K. This value is lower than the maximum Tc of (Ba,K)BiO3, but higher by more than a factor of two at comparable potassium concentrations. The discovery of an enhanced charge density wave gap and superconductivity in (Ba,K)SbO3 indicates that strong oxygen–metal covalency may be more essential than the sign of the charge transfer energy in the main-group perovskite superconductors.
The SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure: a multinational randomized trial
Authors: Voors Adriaan A. , Angermann Christiane E. , Teerlink John R. , Collins Sean P. , Kosiborod Mikhail , Biegus Jan , Ferreira João Pedro , Nassif Michael E. , Psotka Mitchell A. , Tromp Jasper , Borleffs C. Jan Willem , Ma Changsheng , Comin-Colet Joseph , Fu Michael , Janssens Stefan P. , Kiss Robert G. , Mentz Robert J. , Sakata Yasushi , Schirmer Henrik , Schou Morten , Schulze P. Christian , Spinarova Lenka , Volterrani Maurizio , Wranicz Jerzy K. , Zeymer Uwe , Zieroth Shelley , Brueckmann Martina , Blatchford Jonathan P. , Salsali Afshin , Ponikowski Piotr
Published: February 2022

The sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization in patients with chronic heart failure, but whether empagliflozin also improves clinical outcomes when initiated in patients who are hospitalized for acute heart failure is unknown. In this double-blind trial (EMPULSE; NCT04157751), 530 patients with a primary diagnosis of acute de novo or decompensated chronic heart failure regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction were randomly assigned to receive empagliflozin 10 mg once daily or placebo. Patients were randomized in-hospital when clinically stable (median time from hospital admission to randomization, 3 days) and were treated for up to 90 days. The primary outcome of the trial was clinical benefit, defined as a hierarchical composite of death from any cause, number of heart failure events and time to first heart failure event, or a 5 point or greater difference in change from baseline in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Total Symptom Score at 90 days, as assessed using a win ratio. More patients treated with empagliflozin had clinical benefit compared with placebo (stratified win ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.68; P = 0.0054), meeting the primary endpoint. Clinical benefit was observed for both acute de novo and decompensated chronic heart failure and was observed regardless of ejection fraction or the presence or absence of diabetes. Empagliflozin was well tolerated; serious adverse events were reported in 32.3% and 43.6% of the empagliflozin- and placebo-treated patients, respectively. These findings indicate that initiation of empagliflozin in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure is well tolerated and results in significant clinical benefit in the 90 days after starting treatment.
Efficacy of escitalopram for poststroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Feng Rong-fang , Ma Rui , Wang Peng , Ji Xu , Zhang Zhen-xiang , Li Meng-meng , Jiao Jia-wei , Guo Li
Published: February 2022

Depression is very common after stroke, causing multiple sequelae. We aimed to explore the efficacy of escitalopram for poststroke depression (PSD). PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical trials. gov, Wan fang Data (Chinese), VIP (Chinese) and CNKI (Chinese) were retrieved from inception to May 2021. We recruited Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) which met the inclusion criteria in our study. The depression rating scores, the incidence of PSD, adverse events as well as functional outcomes were analyzed. 11 studies and 1374 participants were recruited in our work. The results were depicted: the reduction of depression rating scores was significant in the escitalopram groups and the standard mean difference (SMD) was − 1.25 (P < 0.001), 95% confidence interval (95% CI), − 1.82 to − 0.68; the risk ratio (RR) of the incidence of PSD was 0.52 (95% CI, 0.29 to 0.91; P = 0.007 < 0.05), which was significantly lower in the escitalopram groups; Escitalopram is safe for stroke patients; there was improvement of the motor function. However, in sensitivity analyses, the conclusions of the motor function and the incidence of drowsiness were altered. The study suggests that escitalopram has a potentially effective role compared with control groups and demonstrates escitalopram is safe. However, the results of the motor function and the incidence of drowsiness should be considered carefully and remain to be discussed in the future.
Evolutionary conservation of a regulative pathway of erythropoiesis in Poikilothermic vertebrates
Authors: Manca Rosa , Delia Monia , Abate Marianna , Zappavigna Silvia , Papa Sergio , Glomski Chester , Pica Alessandra
Published: February 2022

Apoptosis, programmed cell death, plays a central role in haematopoiesis. Mature erythrocytes of non-mammalian vertebrates maintain a permanent nucleus; these cells can undergo apoptosis (eryptosis), as do other somatic cells of a given non-mammalian vertebrate. In this study, we have investigated the expression and subcellular distribution of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and Bax proteins in the maturation phases and after X-ray irradiation of nucleated erythrocytes of Torpedo marmorata and Caretta caretta and the effect of X-ray irradiation on nucleated circulating erythrocytes of Torpedo marmorata. The cellular distribution of proteins was detected in erythrocytes by using immunocytochemistry at light microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. The electrophoretic separation and immunoblotting of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins of immature and mature erythroid cells was performed too, after X-ray irradiation of torpedoes. The results of the immunocytochemical analyses show an increase, in the expression level of Bax in mature as compared to young erythrocytes and a corresponding decrease of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL. This maturation pattern of Bax, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL was abrogated in X-ray irradiated torpedo erythrocytes. On the basis of these observations, Bax, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL seems to play a role in the erythropoiesis of Torpedo marmorata Risso and in Caretta caretta. In conclusion, the same apoptotic proteins of somatic cells appear to be conserved in circulating nucleated erythrocytes thus suggesting to play a role in the maturation of these cells.
LncRNA MALAT1 functions as a biomarker of no-reflow phenomenon in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Yang Xiheng , Dai Rixin , Qin Zhong , Cai Ruping , Xu Yuli , Su Qiang
Published: February 2022

MALAT1 was reported to sponge miR-30e, miR-126 and miR-155 in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Plasma miR-30e can indicate the risk of no-reflow during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), while miR-126 can be used as a predictor of coronary slow flow phenomenon. In this study, we compared the diagnostic value of above genes in the prediction of no-reflow phenomenon in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) subjects receiving pPCI. Quantitative real-time PCR, ELISA, Western blot and luciferase assays were performed to explore the regulatory relationship of MALAT1/miR-30e, MALAT1/miR-126, MALAT1/miR-155, miR-126/HPSE, and miR-155/EDN1. ROC analysis was carried out to evaluate the potential value of MALAT1, miRNAs and target genes in differentiating normal reflow and no-reflow in STEMI patients receiving pPCI. Elevated MALAT1, CRP, HPSE, and EDN1 expression and suppressed miR-30e, miR-155 and miR-126 expression was found in the plasma of STEMI patients receiving pPCI who were diagnosed with no-reflow phenomenon. ROC analysis showed that the expression of MALAT1, miR-30e, miR-126 and CRP could be used as predictive biomarkers to differentiate normal reflow and no-reflow in STEMI patients receiving pPCI. MALAT1 was found to suppress the expression of miR-30e, miR-126 and miR-155, and HPSE and EDN1 were respectively targeted by miR-126 and miR-155. This study demonstrated that MALAT1 could respectively sponge the expression of miR-30e, miR-126 and miR-155. And miR-30e, miR-126 and miR-155 respectively targeted CRP, HPSE and EDN1 negatively. Moreover, MALAT1 could function as an effective biomarker of no-reflow phenomenon in STEMI patients receiving pPCI.
Precipitation effects on grassland plant performance are lessened by hay harvest
Authors: Castillioni Karen , Patten Michael A. , Souza Lara
Published: February 2022

Climate and human management, such as hay harvest, shape grasslands. With both disturbances co-occurring, understanding how these ecosystems respond to these combined drivers may aid in projecting future changes in grasslands. We used an experimental precipitation gradient combined with mimicked acute hay harvest (clipping once a year) to examine (1) whether hay harvest influences precipitation effects on plant performance (cover and height) and (2) the role of inter-specific responses in influencing plant performance. We found that hay harvest reduced the strength of precipitation effects on plant performance through changes in bare-ground soil cover. Species performance were mainly influenced by change in abiotic factors, often responding negatively, as hay harvest increased bare-ground amount. Conversely, altered precipitation without hay harvest promoted plant species performance through abiotic factors change first, followed by biotic. Most species, including the dominant grass Schizachyrium scoparium, increased their performance with greater leaf area index (proxy for canopy structure). Our experiment demonstrates that plant performance responds directly to abiotic factors with hay harvest, but indirectly without hay harvest. Positive effects of increasing precipitation were likely due to microhabitat amelioration and resource acquisition, thus inclusion of hay harvest as a disturbance lessens positive impacts of biotic variables on species performance to climate change.
Probiotic normalization of systemic inflammation in siblings of type 1 diabetes patients: an open-label pilot study
Authors: Cabrera Susanne M. , Coren Alison T. , Pant Tarun , Ciecko Ashley E. , Jia Shuang , Roethle Mark F. , Simpson Pippa M. , Atkinson Samantha N. , Salzman Nita H. , Chen Yi-Guang , Hessner Martin J.
Published: February 2022

The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) has increased, coinciding with lifestyle changes that have likely altered the gut microbiota. Dysbiosis, gut barrier dysfunction, and elevated systemic inflammation consistent with microbial antigen exposure, have been associated with T1D susceptibility and progression. A 6-week, single-arm, open-label pilot trial was conducted to investigate whether daily multi-strain probiotic supplementation could reduce this familial inflammation in 25 unaffected siblings of T1D patients. Probiotic supplementation was well-tolerated as reflected by high participant adherence and no adverse events. Community alpha and beta diversity were not altered between the pre- and post-supplement stool samplings. However, LEfSe analyses identified post-supplement enrichment of the family Lachnospiraceae, producers of the anti-inflammatory short chain fatty acid butyrate. Systemic inflammation was measured by plasma-induced transcription and quantified with a gene ontology-based composite inflammatory index (I.I.com). Post-supplement I.I.com was significantly reduced and pathway analysis predicted inhibition of numerous inflammatory mediators and activation of IL10RA. Subjects with the greatest post-supplement reduction in I.I.com exhibited significantly lower CD4+ CD45RO+ (memory):CD4+ CD45RA+ (naïve) T-cell ratios after supplementation. Post-supplement IL-12p40, IL-13, IL-15, IL-18, CCL2, and CCL24 plasma levels were significantly reduced, while post-supplement butyrate levels trended 1.4-fold higher. Probiotic supplementation may modify T1D susceptibility and progression and warrants further study.
Identification-detection group testing protocols for COVID-19 at high prevalence
Authors: Chiani Marco , Liva Gianluigi , Paolini Enrico
Published: February 2022

Group testing allows saving chemical reagents, analysis time, and costs, by testing pools of samples instead of individual samples. We introduce a class of group testing protocols with small dilution, suited to operate even at high prevalence (5–10$$\%$$
%
), and maximizing the fraction of samples classified positive/negative within the first round of tests. Precisely, if the tested group has exactly one positive sample then the protocols identify it without further individual tests. The protocols also detect the presence of two or more positives in the group, in which case a second round could be applied to identify the positive individuals. With a prevalence of $$5\%$$

5
%

and maximum dilution 6, with 100 tests we classify 242 individuals, $$92\%$$

92
%

of them in one round and $$8\%$$

8
%

requiring a second individual test. In comparison, the Dorfman’s scheme can test 229 individuals with 100 tests, with a second round for $$18.5\%$$

18.5
%

of the individuals.
A high-performance electrochemical aptasensor based on graphene-decorated rhodium nanoparticles to detect HER2-ECD oncomarker in liquid biopsy
Authors: Sadeghi Mahdi , Kashanian Soheila , Naghib Seyed Morteza , Arkan Elham
Published: February 2022

Evaluation of extracellular domain of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2-ECD) oncomarker status is an impressive factor in screening, diagnosing and monitoring early-stage breast cancer (BC). Electrochemical aptamer-based nanobiosensor with high sensitivity and selectivity for quantitative and qualitative measurement of HER2-ECD oncomarker was developed. In this study, the nanocomposite made by distinct materials included reduced graphene oxide nano-sheets (rGONs) and rhodium nanoparticles (Rh-NPs) on the graphite electrode (GE) surface. This structure resulted in amplified electrochemical activity, high surface area, stability, and bio-compatibility. Each of the steps of preparing nanomaterials and setting up biosensor were carefully examined by analytical and electrochemical techniques. Various modified electrodes were constructed and analyzed in terms of electrochemical performance, morphology, size, and shape of nanomaterials. The GE-based aptasensor had a noteworthy and conducive results against HER2-ECD with a wide dynamic range of 10.0–500.0 ng/mL, a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.667 ng/mL (significantly less than the clinical cut-off), and a low limit of quantification (LOQ) of 2.01 ng/mL. The benefits provided by this aptasensor such as broad dynamic range, high sensitivity, selectivity, stability, reproducibility, and low cost suggest tremendous potential for non-invasive detection and monitoring of the HER2-ECD levels of BC care and clinical diagnosis.
Evaluating water-yield property of karst aquifer based on the AHP and CV
Authors: Yu Shuai , Ding Hanghang , Zeng Yifan
Published: February 2022

In order to ensure the safety of mine production, it is of great practical significance to make a reasonable evaluation of the water-yield property (WYP) of a karst aquifer. In this paper, we selected fault-lines distribution, fault-scale index, aquifer thickness, water pressure, consumption of rinsing liquid, and hydraulic conductivity as the evaluation indexes to analyze the WYP of a karst aquifer. Meanwhile, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to calculate the subjective weight of indexes, and the coefficient of variation (CV) is used to calculate the objective weight of indexes. Combined with GIS, a multi-factor composite superposition is carried out to evaluate the WYP of a karst aquifer. The reliability of the research results is verified by the specific yield. Besides, for improving the reliability of evaluation results, the chemical composition of karst water was discussed. The results show that the selection of indexes is reasonable and the AHP–CV method is effective to evaluate the WYP of a karst aquifer. Therefore, on the premise of reasonable index selection, the evaluation models of AHP and CV can be used to evaluate the WYP of a karst aquifer and provide reference for coal mine water control measures.
On the intensity decay of tropical cyclones before landfall
Authors: Wang S. , Toumi R.
Published: February 2022

It remains unclear how tropical cyclones (TCs) decay from their ocean lifetime maximum intensity (LMI) to landfall intensity (LI), yet this stage is of fundamental importance governing the socio-economic impact of TCs. Here we show that TCs decay on average by 25% from LMI to LI. A logistic decay model of energy production by ocean enthalpy input and surface dissipation by frictional drag, can physically connect the LMI to LI. The logistic model fits the observed intensity decay as well as an empirically exponential decay does, but with a clear physical foundation. The distance between locations of LMI and TC landfall is found to dominate the variability of the decay from the LMI to LI, whereas environmental conditions are generally less important. A major TC at landfall typically has a very large LMI close to land. The LMI depends on the heating by ocean warming, but the LMI location is also important to future landfall TC intensity changes which are of socio-economic importance.