bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POMPEY, VENUS AND THE POLITICS OF HESIOD IN LUCAN'SBELLVM CIVILE8.456–9
Authors: Sansom Stephen A.
Published: January 2021

Pompey does not accept defeat at Pharsalus. Rather, in an effort to gain support from powers beyond Rome, he makes for Egypt and, unbeknownst to him, his decapitation. As narrated in Lucan'sBellum ciuile, after deliberating in Cilicia with his senatorial advisers (8.259–455), Pompey stops at the island of Cyprus (8.456–9):tum Cilicum liquere solum Cyproque citatasimmisere rates, nullas cui praetulit arasundae diua memor Paphiae, si numina nascicredimus aut quemquam fas est coepisse deorum.

Then they left the Cilician soil and steered their vessels in haste for Cyprus—Cyprus which the goddess, mindful of Paphian waves, prefers to any of her shrines (if we believe that deities have birth, or if it is lawful to hold that any of the gods had a beginning).

In Lucan, Pompey's trip to Cyprus is brief and includes a somewhat curious reference to Venus (diua), her origins (undae … Paphiae) and the birth of the gods. Other authors also record Pompey's visit to Cyprus, although the details vary. Some, including Julius Caesar, set his deliberations not in Cilicia but on Cyprus itself (Caes.BCiu.3.102.3.1–8.1; cf. Plut.Vit. Pomp. 77.1.1–2.1). Others, it seems, provide few if any details of Pompey at the island, for example the scanty evidence from Livy,Per. 112.1–10.
A SODOMY SCANDAL ON THE EVE OF THE FRENCH WARS OF RELIGION
Authors: HAMILTON TOM
Published: January 2021

This article uncovers a sodomy scandal that took place in the Benedictine abbey of Morigny, on the eve of the French Wars of Religion, in order to tackle an apparently simple yet persistent question in the history of early modern criminal justice. Why, despite all of the formal and informal obstacles in their way, did plaintiffs bring charges before a criminal court in this period? The article investigates the sodomy scandal that led to the conviction and public execution of the abbey's porter Pierre Logerie, known as ‘the gendarme of Morigny’, and situates it in the wider patterns of criminal justice as well as the developing spiritual crisis of the civil wars during the mid-sixteenth century. Overall, this article demonstrates how criminal justice in this period could prove useful to plaintiffs in resolving their disputes, even in crimes as scandalous and difficult to articulate as sodomy, but only when the interests of local elites strongly aligned with those of the criminal courts where the plaintiffs sought justice.
Housing Wealth as Precautionary Saving: Evidence from Urban China
Authors: Painter Gary , Yang Xi , Zhong Ninghua
Published: January 2021

This article provides new evidence on the housing-wealth effect on consumption using household panel data. A key advantage in studying the Chinese housing market is the absence of the collateral channel because households are prohibited from withdrawing housing equity. The results show that for every 1% increase in housing wealth, household consumption increases by 0.14%, suggesting an implied marginal propensity to consume out of housing wealth of 0.023. Further, we find that this marginal propensity to consume is the largest among employees who face greater income uncertainty, suggesting that precautionary-saving motives are driving the results.
Revision cricotracheal resection: our experience
Authors: Ebada H A , El-Fattah A M A , Tawfik A
Published: January 2021

Objective

The incidence of recurrent stenosis after cricotracheal resection is 3–9.5 per cent. Management of such patients is challenging. This study aimed to review our experience in revision cricotracheal resection.

Methods

The study was conducted in the Otorhinolaryngology Department, Mansoura University Hospitals, Egypt, on nine patients with recurrent stenosis following cricotracheal resection. Revision cricotracheal resection was performed in all patients. Surgiflo was applied on the site of anastomosis to enhance healing.

Results

No intra-operative complications were recorded. Minor post-operative complications occurred in two patients (surgical emphysema and temporary choking); no major complications were reported. Re-stenosis occurred in one patient. Successful decannulation was achieved in eight of the nine patients.

Conclusion

Revision cricotracheal resection is the definitive curative treatment for recurrent stenosis after previous unsuccessful resection. It has high success rates, provided that careful pre-operative assessment and meticulous operative technique are performed.
A review of cephalopods (Phylum: Mollusca) of the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (Central-East Atlantic, African coast)
Authors: Luna Amanda , Rocha Francisco , Perales-Raya Catalina
Published: January 2021

An extensive review of cephalopod fauna in the Central and North Atlantic coast of Africa was performed based on material collected during 10 research cruises in these waters. In the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) area, a total of 378,377 cephalopod specimens was collected from 1247 bottom trawl stations. Of those specimens, 300 were sampled for subsequent identification in the laboratory and found to belong to 65 different species and 23 families. After an exhaustive review of the existing literature on the cephalopods and new data obtained from the surveys, an updated checklist of 138 species was generated for the CCLME area. Our knowledge of the known geographic distribution ranges of several species has been expanded:Muusoctopus januariihas been sighted from Guinea–Bissau waters, passing through Western Sahara, to Morocco waters for the first time;Lepidoteuthis grimaldiiandOctopus salutiihave been sighted off Morocco waters for the first time;Austrorossia mastigophora,Abralia(Heterabralia)siedleckyi,Abralia(Pygmabralia)redfieldiandSepiola atlanticahave been cited off Western Sahara waters for the first time;Magnoteuthis magna,Abralia(Asteroteuthis)veranyiandOctopoteuthis megapterahave been sighted off Moroccan and Western Sahara waters for the first time;Ancistroteuthis lichtensteinii,Opisthoteuthis grimaldii,Onykia robsoni,Muusoctopus levisandBathypolypus valdiviaehave been cited in the Guinea–Bissau coast for the first time; the northern geographic limit ofBathypolypus ergasticushas been expanded to Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauritania and southward to Guinea–Bissau waters. The presence ofMuusoctopus johnsonianusin Senegalese waters has been reported for the first time. AChtenopteryx siculaspecimen was reported in Western Sahara waters. A specimen belonging to the poorly knownCirrothauma murrayispecies was found in South Moroccan waters.Amphitretus pelagicus, a probably cosmopolitan species, has been reported in the Western Sahara and Guinea–Bissau waters. Some species that were previously recorded in the area,Sepia angulata,Sepia hieronis,Heteroteuthis dagamensis,Helicocranchia joubiniandTremoctopus gelatus, were removed from the final checklist and considered to be not present in the CCLME area.Cycloteuthis akimushkiniwas substituted withCycloteuthis sirventi, its senior synonym, in the final checklist. Similarly,Mastigoteuthis flammeaandMastigoteuthis grimaldiiwere substituted withMastigoteuthis agassizii.
Comprehensive assessment of post-prandial protein handling by the application of intrinsically labelled protein in vivo in human subjects
Authors: Trommelen Jorn , Holwerda Andrew M. , Pinckaers Philippe J. M. , van Loon Luc J. C.
Published: January 2021

All human tissues are in a constant state of remodelling, regulated by the balance between tissue protein synthesis and breakdown rates. It has been well-established that protein ingestion stimulates skeletal muscle and whole-body protein synthesis. Stable isotope-labelled amino acid methodologies are commonly applied to assess the various aspects of protein metabolism in vivo in human subjects. However, to achieve a more comprehensive assessment of post-prandial protein handling in vivo in human subjects, intravenous stable isotope-labelled amino acid infusions can be combined with the ingestion of intrinsically labelled protein and the collection of blood and muscle tissue samples. The combined application of ingesting intrinsically labelled protein with continuous intravenous stable isotope-labelled amino acid infusion allows the simultaneous assessment of protein digestion and amino acid absorption kinetics (e.g. release of dietary protein-derived amino acids into the circulation), whole-body protein metabolism (whole-body protein synthesis, breakdown and oxidation rates and net protein balance) and skeletal muscle metabolism (muscle protein fractional synthesis rates and dietary protein-derived amino acid incorporation into muscle protein). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the various aspects of post-prandial protein handling and metabolism with a focus on insights obtained from studies that have applied intrinsically labelled protein under a variety of conditions in different populations.
Mothering in later life: Older mothers and their challenging adult children
Authors: Smith Judith R.
Published: January 2021

This study uses constructivist grounded theory to explore older women's responses to the unexpected need to provide financial, emotional and residential support to their adult children who were experiencing problems with mental illness, substance abuse and/or absence of employment. Twenty-nine American women (>60) were interviewed:55 per cent were poor and half were women of colour. Using the theoretical model of intergenerational ambivalence, three types of structural ambivalence are discovered: mothers’ reactions to their adult children's behaviour that violate expectations for reciprocity; women's dismayed reactions to their adult children's aggressive behaviours towards themselves as their mothers; and the women's struggle regarding balancing their role as a mother to protect their adult children alongside their wish and identified needs for self-care. All of the conflicts were expressed within the frame of their role of mother. The internalised mandate to be ‘a good mother’ resulted in many experiencing shame, self-blame and guilt, and this self-blame was an obstacle to reaching out for help. This study adds to the growing body of feminist gerontological research and examines the ideological and structural variables that influence the predominance of female unpaid family care-givers in later life. The dilemma for older women with troubled adult children is both personal and political.
Beyond the Islamicate Chancery: Archives, Paperwork, and Textual Encounters across Eurasia, a Preface
Authors: Sartori Paolo
Published: January 2021

This thematic issue of Itinerario brings together a selection of papers presented at the international conference Beyond the Islamicate Chancery: Archives, Paperwork, and Textual Encounters across Eurasia, which was held at the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna in early October 2018. The conference was the third instalment in a series of collaborations between the Institute of Iranian Studies at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the University of Pittsburgh examining Islamicate cultures of documentation from different angles. Surviving precolonial and colonial chancery archives across Eurasia provide an unparalleled glimpse into the inner workings of connectivity across writing cultures and, especially, documentary practices. This particular meeting has attempted to situate what has traditionally been a highly technical discipline in a broader historical dialogue on the relationship between state power, the archive, and cultural encounters.
NONLINEAR PANEL DATA MODELS WITH DISTRIBUTION-FREE CORRELATED RANDOM EFFECTS
Authors: Hsu Yu-Chin , Shiu Ji-Liang
Published: January 2021

Under a Mundlak-type correlated random effect (CRE) specification, we first show that the average likelihood of a parametric nonlinear panel data model is the convolution of the conditional distribution of the model and the distribution of the unobserved heterogeneity. Hence, the distribution of the unobserved heterogeneity can be recovered by means of a Fourier transformation without imposing a distributional assumption on the CRE specification. We subsequently construct a semiparametric family of average likelihood functions of observables by combining the conditional distribution of the model and the recovered distribution of the unobserved heterogeneity, and show that the parameters in the nonlinear panel data model and in the CRE specification are identifiable. Based on the identification result, we propose a sieve maximum likelihood estimator. Compared with the conventional parametric CRE approaches, the advantage of our method is that it is not subject to misspecification on the distribution of the CRE. Furthermore, we show that the average partial effects are identifiable and extend our results to dynamic nonlinear panel data models.
Hepatitis B virus infection in EU/EEA and United Kingdom prisons: a descriptive analysis
Authors: Nakitanda Aya Olivia , Montanari Linda , Tavoschi Lara , Mozalevskis Antons , Duffell Erika
Published: January 2021

People in prison are disproportionately affected by viral hepatitis. To examine the current epidemiology of and responses targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) in prisons across the European Union, European Economic Area and United Kingdom, we analysed HBV-specific data from the World Health Organization's Health in Prisons European Database and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's hepatitis B prevalence database. Hepatitis B surface antigen seroprevalence ranged from 0% in a maximum-security prison in United Kingdom to 25.2% in two Bulgarian juvenile detention centres. Universal HBV screening on opt-out basis and vaccination were reported available in 31% and 85% of 25 countries, respectively. Disinfectants, condoms and lubricants were offered free of charge in all prisons in the country by 26%, 46% and 15% of 26 countries, respectively. In 38% of reporting countries, unsupervised partner visits with the possibility for sexual intercourse was available in all prisons. The findings are suggestive of high HBV prevalence amidst suboptimal coverage of interventions in prisons. A harmonised monitoring system and robust data at national and regional levels are needed to better understand the HBV situation in prisons within the framework of the European action plan and Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis.
A REGIONAL ASSESSMENT OF OBSIDIAN USE IN THE POSTCLASSIC AZTATLAN TRADITION
Authors: Pierce Daniel E.
Published: January 2021

Of the many items that were traded throughout the Postclassic (A.D. 850/900–1350) Aztatlan network, obsidian was perhaps the most prevalent. In this study, large assemblages of obsidian from five Aztatlan centers on the coastal plain are discussed: San Felipe Aztatan, Chacalilla, Amapa, Coamiles, and Peñitas. In total, over 12,000 obsidian artifacts were analyzed macroscopically and through handheld portable X-ray fluorescence. The results of these analyses illustrate regional patterns of obsidian use that appear consistent across the coastal plain. Generally, only three obsidian sources were used with frequency. The most proximal source was utilized for generalized reduction and probably acquired directly, while more distant obsidians from the Jalisco highlands are commonly found in the form of prismatic blades. These trends in obsidian use indicate an increase in source diversity concurrent with the development of the Aztatlan trade networks despite the local availability of quality obsidians. Finally, synchronic patterns of source distribution further indicate that sources were unevenly distributed as certain individuals likely had greater access to imported blades. In conclusion, this large study provides a regional perspective of obsidian use in Western Mexico on the coastal plain and showcases the pervasiveness of the obsidian trade during the Postclassic.
Irreversible coronary aneurysm presenting as acute coronary syndrome in a child with hypereosinophilic syndrome: a case report
Authors: Tahouri Tahmineh , Mahdavi Mohammad , Rezaei-Kalantari Kiara , Shahzadi Hossein
Published: January 2021

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is defined as persistent eosinophilia in the blood for more than 6 months, without any identifiable cause and with end-organ involvement evidence. Cardiac manifestations of HES include heart failure due to restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, intraventricular thrombosis, and coronary artery involvement occurs frequently. In rare instances, coronary ectasia, aneurysms, or dissection can occur and cause morbidity and mortality in these patients.

A coronary aneurysm occurs rarely in adult patients with HES but to our knowledge, this is the first report of this association in a 14-year-old boy who was presented to us as coronary aneurysm due to hypereosinophilic syndrome.
Exploiting a Crisis: Abortion Activism and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hunt Kate
Published: January 2021

How do social movement organizations involved in abortion debates leverage a global crisis to pursue their goals? In recent months there has been media coverage of how anti-abortion actors in the United States attempted to use the COVID-19 pandemic to restrict access to abortion by classifying abortion as a non-essential medical procedure. Was the crisis “exploited” by social movement organizations (SMOs) in other countries? I bring together Crisis Exploitation Theory and the concept of discursive opportunity structures to test whether social movement organizations exploit crisis in ways similar to elites, with those seeking change being more likely to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the crisis. Because Twitter tends to be on the frontlines of political debate—especially during a pandemic—a dataset is compiled of over 12,000 Tweets from the accounts of SMOs involved in abortion debates across four countries to analyze the patterns in how they responded to the pandemic. The results suggest that crisis may disrupt expectations about SMO behavior and that anti- and pro-abortion rights organizations at times framed the crisis as both a “threat” and as an “opportunity.”
“GOOD, BETTER, BEST”
Authors: Cherlin Andrew J.
Published: January 2021

Turner Station, Maryland, is a century-old African American neighborhood just east of Baltimore that housed the families of workers who were employed at a nearby steel plant from the founding of the community in the early 1900s until the plant closed in 2012. Its story provides a window into the lives of the understudied Black working-class during the peak decades of industrial employment and the ensuing decades of decline. Long-time residents recall a vibrant, self-sufficient community with a heterogeneous class structure, produced in part by residential restrictions and employment discrimination that constrained professionals such as physicians and teachers to reside and to practice or work in the neighborhood. They report a high level of collective efficacy and joint responsibility for childrearing. Current and former residents describe a strong emphasis on education as a means of upward mobility. As levels of education rose and residential opportunities opened, the children of the mid-century steelworkers left Turner Station for other communities in the metropolitan area and beyond. As out migration continued, the community suffered a decline: virtually all of the businesses are gone, vacant homes are common, and a more transient population has moved in. The members of the Turner Station diaspora still cherish the memory of the neighborhood, even as many have moved on and up. Their achievements show what happened when a generation of African Americans were given access to decent-paying jobs that did not require a college education—a degree of access that no longer exists because of the decline of industrial employment in the Baltimore region and elsewhere.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – A supportive approach with selected micronutrients
Authors: Gröber Uwe , Holick Michael F.
Published: January 2021

Abstract. Worldwide the pandemic of COVID-19 spreads rapidly and has had an enormous public health impact with substantial morbidity and mortality especially in high-risk groups, such as older people and patients with comorbidities like diabetes, dementia or cancer. In the absence of a vaccine against COVID-19 there is an urgent need to find supportive therapies that can stabilize the immune system and can help to deal with the infection, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly. This is especially relevant for our geriatric institutions and nursing homes. A major potential contributing factor for elderly is due to their high incidence of malnutrition: up to 80% among the hospitalized elderly. Malnutrition results when adequate macronutrients and micronutrients are lacking in the diet. Often missing in public health discussions around preventing and treating COVID-19 patients are nutritional strategies to support optimal function of their immune system. This is surprising, given the importance that nutrients play a significant role for immune function. Several micronutrients, such as vitamin D, retinol, vitamin C, selenium and zinc are of special importance supporting both the adaptive and innate immune systems. As suboptimal status or deficiencies in these immune-relevant micronutrients impair immune function and reduces the resistance to infections, micronutrient deficiencies should therefore be corrected as soon as possible, especially in the elderly and other vulnerable groups. According to epidemiological, experimental and observational studies, some case reports and a few intervention studies the supplementation of vitamin D and/or zinc are promising. The multiple anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Vitamin D could explain its protective role against immune hyper reaction and cytokine storm in patients with severe COVID-19. A randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study even shows that high dose vitamin D supplementation promotes viral clearance in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals. Besides, the data of a recent prospective study with COVID-19 patients reveal that a significant number of them were zinc deficient. The zinc deficient patients had more complications and the deficiency was associated with a prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality. Thus, immune-relevant micronutrients may help to increase the physiological resilience against COVID-19.
An Explanation of the Nightside Ionospheric Structure of Venus
Authors: Brecht Stephen H. , Ledvina Stephen A.
Published: January 2021

Hybrid simulations of Venus have produced nightside structure. It is believed these are the first simulations to produce the structure reported by spacecraft such as the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO). The simulations reveal that the structure is created by the ▽Pe ambipolar electric field when it aligns with local IMF (interplanetary magnetic field) direction. Thus, the orientation of the IMF in and near the ionosphere controls where on the nightside the tail structure will occur. The structure size and density is found to agree well with that measured by the PVO spacecraft. Further, comparisons with ion energy and velocity distributions also agree well with the summary conclusions from a variety of PVO papers and with some nightside observations by Venus Express. The agreement between the data and simulations lends confidence that the simulation results have merit.
Crystal‐Plastic Deformation in Seismically Active Carbonate Fault Rocks
Authors: Ohl Markus , Nzogang Billy , Mussi Alexandre , Wallis David , Drury Martyn , Plümper Oliver
Published: January 2021

The spatial separation of macroscopic rheological behaviors has led to independent conceptual treatments of frictional failure, often referred to as brittle, and viscous deformation. Detailed microstructural investigations of naturally deformed carbonate rocks indicate that both frictional failure and viscous mechanisms might operate during seismic deformation of carbonates. Here, we investigate the deformation mechanisms that were active in two carbonate fault zones in Greece by performing detailed slip‐system analyses on data from automated crystal‐orientation mapping transmission electron microscopy and electron‐backscatter diffraction. We combine the slip‐system analyses with interpretations of nanostructures and predictions from deformation mechanism maps for calcite. The nanometric grains at the principal slip surface should deform by diffusion creep but the activation of the (0001)<20> slip system is evidence for a contribution of crystal plasticity. A similar crystallographic preferred orientation appears in the cataclastic parts of the fault rocks despite exhibiting a larger grain size and a different fractal dimension, compared to the principal slip surface. The cataclastic region exhibits microstructures consistent with activation of the (0001)<20> and {104}<021> slip systems. Postdeformational, static recrystallization, and annealing produce an equilibrium microstructure with triple junctions and equant grain size. We propose that repeated introduction of plastic strain and recrystallization reduces the grain size and offers a mechanism to form a cohesive nanogranular material. This formation mechanism leads to a grain‐boundary strengthening effect resulting in slip delocalization which is observed over 6 orders of magnitude (μm‐m) and is expressed by multiple faults planes, suggesting cyclic repetition of deformation and annealing.
Efficient dilution-to-extinction isolation of novel virus–host model systems for fastidious heterotrophic bacteria
Authors: Buchholz Holger H , Michelsen Michelle L , Bolaños Luis M , Browne Emily , Allen Michael J , Temperton Ben
Published: January 2021

Microbes and their associated viruses are key drivers of biogeochemical processes in marine and soil biomes. While viruses of phototrophic cyanobacteria are well-represented in model systems, challenges of isolating marine microbial heterotrophs and their viruses have hampered experimental approaches to quantify the importance of viruses in nutrient recycling. A resurgence in cultivation efforts has improved the availability of fastidious bacteria for hypothesis testing, but this has not been matched by similar efforts to cultivate their associated bacteriophages. Here, we describe a high-throughput method for isolating important virus–host systems for fastidious heterotrophic bacteria that couples advances in culturing of hosts with sequential enrichment and isolation of associated phages. Applied to six monthly samples from the Western English Channel, we first isolated one new member of the globally dominant bacterial SAR11 clade and three new members of the methylotrophic bacterial clade OM43. We used these as bait to isolate 117 new phages, including the first known siphophage-infecting SAR11, and the first isolated phage for OM43. Genomic analyses of 13 novel viruses revealed representatives of three new viral genera, and infection assays showed that the viruses infecting SAR11 have ecotype-specific host ranges. Similar to the abundant human-associated phage ɸCrAss001, infection dynamics within the majority of isolates suggested either prevalent lysogeny or chronic infection, despite a lack of associated genes, or host phenotypic bistability with lysis putatively maintained within a susceptible subpopulation. Broader representation of important virus–host systems in culture collections and genomic databases will improve both our understanding of virus–host interactions, and accuracy of computational approaches to evaluate ecological patterns from metagenomic data.
SCA-1 micro-heterogeneity in the fate decision of dystrophic fibro/adipogenic progenitors
Authors: Giuliani Giulio , Vumbaca Simone , Fuoco Claudia , Gargioli Cesare , Giorda Ezio , Massacci Giorgia , Palma Alessandro , Reggio Alessio , Riccio Federica , Rosina Marco , Vinci Maria , Castagnoli Luisa , Cesareni Gianni
Published: January 2021

The term micro-heterogeneity refers to non-genetic cell to cell variability observed in a bell-shaped distribution of the expression of a trait within a population. The contribution of micro-heterogeneity to physiology and pathology remains largely uncharacterised. To address such an issue, we investigated the impact of heterogeneity in skeletal muscle fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) isolated from an animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the mdx mouse. FAPs play an essential role in muscle homoeostasis. However, in pathological conditions or ageing, they are the source of intramuscular infiltrations of fibrotic or adipose tissue. By applying a multiplex flow cytometry assay, we characterised and purified from mdx muscles two FAP cell states expressing different levels of SCA-1. The two cell states are morphologically identical and repopulate each other after several growth cycles. However, they differ in their in vitro behaviour. Cells expressing higher levels of SCA-1 (SCA1-High-FAPs) differentiate more readily into adipocytes while, when exposed to a fibrogenic stimulation, increase the expression of Col1a1 and Timp1 mRNA. A transcriptomic analysis confirmed the adipogenic propensity of SCA1-High-FAPs. In addition, SCA1-High-FAPs proliferate more extensively ex vivo and display more proliferating cells in dystrophic muscles in comparison to SCA1-Low-FAPs. Adipogenesis of both FAP cell states is inhibited in vitro by leucocytes from young dystrophic mice, while leucocytes isolated from aged dystrophic mice are less effective in limiting the adipogenesis of SCA1-High-FAPs suggesting a differential regulatory effect of the microenvironment on micro-heterogeneity. Our data suggest that FAP micro-heterogeneity is modulated in pathological conditions and that this heterogeneity in turn may impact on the behaviour of interstitial mesenchymal cells in genetic diseases.
Sequential targeting of YAP1 and p21 enhances the elimination of senescent cells induced by the BET inhibitor JQ1
Authors: Zhang Huan-Tian , Gui Tao , Liu Ri-Xu , Tong Kui-Leung , Wu Chong-Jie , Li Zhenyan , Huang Xun , Xu Qiu-Tong , Yang Jie , Tang Wang , Sang Yuan , Liu Wanting , Liu Ning , Ross Ryan D. , He Qing-Yu , Zha Zhen-Gang
Published: January 2021

Chondrosarcoma (CHS) is the second most common bone malignancy with limited therapeutic approaches. Our previous study has found that Yes associated protein 1 (YAP1) is downregulated in CHS cells treated with bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibitor JQ1. However, the precise role of YAP1 in CHS is largely unknown. Herein, we found that YAP1 expression was upregulated in CHS tissues, and positively correlated with its grading score. Loss of YAP1 inhibited CHS proliferation and induced cellular senescence, while expression of YAP1 mutants revealed YAP1/TEA domain family member (TEAD)-dependent negative regulation of p21 and subsequent cellular senescence. These results were validated by in vivo experiments using stable shYAP1 cell lines. Mechanistically, negative regulation of p21 by YAP1 occurred post-transcriptionally via Dicer-regulated miRNA networks, specifically, the miR-17 family. Furthermore, we demonstrated that sequential targeting of YAP1 and p21 enhanced the elimination of JQ1-induced senescent cells in a Bcl-2-like 1 (Bcl-XL)/Caspase-3 dependent manner. Altogether, we unveil a novel role of YAP1 signaling in mediating CHS cell senescence and propose a one-two punch approach that sequentially targets the YAP1/p21 axis to eliminate senescent cells.
Mechanism of membrane-curvature generation by ER-tubule shaping proteins
Authors: Wang Ning , Clark Lindsay D. , Gao Yuan , Kozlov Michael M. , Shemesh Tom , Rapoport Tom A.
Published: January 2021

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network consists of tubules with high membrane curvature in cross-section, generated by the reticulons and REEPs. These proteins have two pairs of trans-membrane (TM) segments, followed by an amphipathic helix (APH), but how they induce curvature is poorly understood. Here, we show that REEPs form homodimers by interaction within the membrane. When overexpressed or reconstituted at high concentrations with phospholipids, REEPs cause extreme curvature through their TMs, generating lipoprotein particles instead of vesicles. The APH facilitates curvature generation, as its mutation prevents ER network formation of reconstituted proteoliposomes, and synthetic L- or D-amino acid peptides abolish ER network formation in Xenopus egg extracts. In Schizosaccharomyces japonicus, the APH is required for reticulon’s exclusive ER-tubule localization and restricted mobility. Thus, the TMs and APH cooperate to generate high membrane curvature. We propose that the formation of splayed REEP/reticulon dimers is responsible for ER tubule formation.
Mineral phosphorus drives glacier algal blooms on the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: McCutcheon Jenine , Lutz Stefanie , Williamson Christopher , Cook Joseph M. , Tedstone Andrew J. , Vanderstraeten Aubry , Wilson Sasha , Stockdale Anthony , Bonneville Steeve , Anesio Alexandre M. , Yallop Marian L. , McQuaid James B. , Tranter Martyn , Benning Liane G.
Published: January 2021

Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet is a leading cause of land-ice mass
loss and cryosphere-attributed sea level rise. Blooms of pigmented glacier ice algae
lower ice albedo and accelerate surface melting in the ice sheet’s southwest sector.
Although glacier ice algae cause up to 13% of the surface melting in this region,
the controls on bloom development remain poorly understood. Here we show a direct
link between mineral phosphorus in surface ice and glacier ice algae biomass through
the quantification of solid and fluid phase phosphorus reservoirs in surface
habitats across the southwest ablation zone of the ice sheet. We demonstrate that
nutrients from mineral dust likely drive glacier ice algal growth, and thereby
identify mineral dust as a secondary control on ice sheet melting.
Tailoring the resolution of single-cell RNA sequencing for primary cytotoxic T cells
Authors: Kanev Kristiyan , Roelli Patrick , Wu Ming , Wurmser Christine , Delorenzi Mauro , Pfaffl Michael W. , Zehn Dietmar
Published: January 2021

Single-cell RNA sequencing in principle offers unique opportunities to improve the efficacy of contemporary T-cell based immunotherapy against cancer. The use of high-quality single-cell data will aid our incomplete understanding of molecular programs determining the differentiation and functional heterogeneity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), allowing for optimal therapeutic design. So far, a major obstacle to high depth single-cell analysis of CTLs is the minute amount of RNA available, leading to low capturing efficacy. Here, to overcome this, we tailor a droplet-based approach for high-throughput analysis (tDrop-seq) and a plate-based method for high-performance in-depth CTL analysis (tSCRB-seq). The latter gives, on average, a 15-fold higher number of captured transcripts per gene compared to droplet-based technologies. The improved dynamic range of gene detection gives tSCRB-seq an edge in resolution sensitive downstream applications such as graded high confidence gene expression measurements and cluster characterization. We demonstrate the power of tSCRB-seq by revealing the subpopulation-specific expression of co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory receptor targets of key importance for immunotherapy.
Anomalous transport due to Weyl fermions in the chiral antiferromagnets Mn3X, X = Sn, Ge
Authors: Chen Taishi , Tomita Takahiro , Minami Susumu , Fu Mingxuan , Koretsune Takashi , Kitatani Motoharu , Muhammad Ikhlas , Nishio-Hamane Daisuke , Ishii Rieko , Ishii Fumiyuki , Arita Ryotaro , Nakatsuji Satoru
Published: January 2021

The recent discoveries of strikingly large zero-field Hall and Nernst effects in antiferromagnets Mn3X (X = Sn, Ge) have brought the study of magnetic topological states to the forefront of condensed matter research and technological innovation. These effects are considered fingerprints of Weyl nodes residing near the Fermi energy, promoting Mn3X (X = Sn, Ge) as a fascinating platform to explore the elusive magnetic Weyl fermions. In this review, we provide recent updates on the insights drawn from experimental and theoretical studies of Mn3X (X = Sn, Ge) by combining previous reports with our new, comprehensive set of transport measurements of high-quality Mn3Sn and Mn3Ge single crystals. In particular, we report magnetotransport signatures specific to chiral anomalies in Mn3Ge and planar Hall effect in Mn3Sn, which have not yet been found in earlier studies. The results summarized here indicate the essential role of magnetic Weyl fermions in producing the large transverse responses in the absence of magnetization.
Dual mechanism β-amino acid polymers promoting cell adhesion
Authors: Chen Qi , Zhang Donghui , Zhang Wenjing , Zhang Haodong , Zou Jingcheng , Chen Mingjiao , Li Jin , Yuan Yuan , Liu Runhui
Published: January 2021

Cell adhesion has tremendous impact on the function of culture platforms and implants. Cell-adhesive proteins and peptides have been extensively used for decades to promote cell adhesion, however, their application suffers from their easy enzymatic degradation, difficulty in large-scale preparation and expensiveness. To develop the next-generation cell-adhesive materials, we mimic the cell adhesion functions and mechanisms of RGD and KRSR peptides and design cell-adhesive cationic-hydrophobic amphiphilic β-amino acid polymers that are stable upon proteolysis and easily prepared in large scale at low cost. The optimal polymer strongly promotes cell adhesion, using preosteoblast cell as a model, by following dual mechanisms that are independent of sequence and chirality of the statistic copolymer. Our strategy opens avenues in designing the next-generation cell-adhesive materials and may guide future studies and applications.
Whole genome sequencing of metastatic colorectal cancer reveals prior treatment effects and specific metastasis features
Authors: Mendelaar Pauline A. J. , Smid Marcel , van Riet Job , Angus Lindsay , Labots Mariette , Steeghs Neeltje , Hendriks Mathijs P. , Cirkel Geert A. , van Rooijen Johan M. , Ten Tije Albert J. , Lolkema Martijn P. , Cuppen Edwin , Sleijfer Stefan , Martens John W. M. , Wilting Saskia M.
Published: January 2021

In contrast to primary colorectal cancer (CRC) little is known about the genomic landscape of metastasized CRC. Here we present whole genome sequencing data of metastases of 429 CRC patients participating in the pan-cancer CPCT-02 study (NCT01855477). Unsupervised clustering using mutational signature patterns highlights three major patient groups characterized by signatures known from primary CRC, signatures associated with received prior treatments, and metastasis-specific signatures. Compared to primary CRC, we identify additional putative (non-coding) driver genes and increased frequencies in driver gene mutations. In addition, we identify specific genes preferentially affected by microsatellite instability. CRC-specific 1kb-10Mb deletions, enriched for common fragile sites, and LINC00672 mutations are associated with response to treatment in general, whereas FBXW7 mutations predict poor response specifically to EGFR-targeted treatment. In conclusion, the genomic landscape of mCRC shows defined changes compared to primary CRC, is affected by prior treatments and contains features with potential clinical relevance.
Human organoid biofilm model for assessing antibiofilm activity of novel agents
Authors: Wu Bing , Haney Evan F. , Akhoundsadegh Noushin , Pletzer Daniel , Trimble Michael J. , Adriaans Alwin E. , Nibbering Peter H. , Hancock Robert E. W.
Published: January 2021

Bacterial biofilms cause 65% of all human infections and are highly resistant to antibiotic therapy but lack specific treatments. To provide a human organoid model for studying host-microbe interplay and enabling screening for novel antibiofilm agents, a human epidermis organoid model with robust methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA300 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm was developed. Treatment of 1-day and 3-day MRSA and PAO1 biofilms with antibiofilm peptide DJK-5 significantly and substantially reduced the bacterial burden. This model enabled the screening of synthetic host defense peptides, revealing their superior antibiofilm activity against MRSA compared to the antibiotic mupirocin. The model was extended to evaluate thermally wounded skin infected with MRSA biofilms resulting in increased bacterial load, cytotoxicity, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels that were all reduced upon treatment with DJK-5. Combination treatment of DJK-5 with an anti-inflammatory peptide, 1002, further reduced cytotoxicity and skin inflammation.
A general and transferable deep learning framework for predicting phase formation in materials
Authors: Feng Shuo , Fu Huadong , Zhou Huiyu , Wu Yuan , Lu Zhaoping , Dong Hongbiao
Published: January 2021

Machine learning has been widely exploited in developing new materials. However, challenges still exist: small dataset is common for most tasks; new datasets, special descriptors and specific models need to be built from scratch when facing a new task; knowledge cannot be readily transferred between independent models. In this paper we propose a general and transferable deep learning (GTDL) framework for predicting phase formation in materials. The proposed GTDL framework maps raw data to pseudo-images with some special 2-D structure, e.g., periodic table, automatically extracts features and gains knowledge through convolutional neural network, and then transfers knowledge by sharing features extractors between models. Application of the GTDL framework in case studies on glass-forming ability and high-entropy alloys show that the GTDL framework for glass-forming ability outperformed previous models and can correctly predicted the newly reported amorphous alloy systems; for high-entropy alloys the GTDL framework can discriminate five types phases (BCC, FCC, HCP, amorphous, mixture) with accuracy and recall above 94% in fivefold cross-validation. In addition, periodic table knowledge embedded in data representations and knowledge shared between models is beneficial for tasks with small dataset. This method can be easily applied to new materials development with small dataset by reusing well-trained models for related materials.
The plant AlcR-pAlcA ethanol-inducible system displays gross growth artefacts independently of downstream pAlcA-regulated inducible constructs
Authors: Randall Ricardo S.
Published: January 2021

The AlcR fungal protein responds to ethanol and binds to the fungal pAlcA promoter in its presence. This system was transferred to plants over twenty years ago and was claimed to function in the same manner in plants. However, never has the control experiment with plants containing the AlcR gene alone, with no downstream inducible construct, been made. In this paper, I conduct several experiments with this control, growing p35:AlcR plants in the presence or absence of ethanol. I found that when these plants were grown in the presence of ethanol, growth in several tissues and several stages of growth was retarded. This demonstrates that this system is not suitable for use in the plant sciences, and casts doubt on the conclusions of papers that have published phenotypes using this system.
Early warnings of COVID-19 outbreaks across Europe from social media
Authors: Lopreite Milena , Panzarasa Pietro , Puliga Michelangelo , Riccaboni Massimo
Published: January 2021

We analyze data from Twitter to uncover early-warning signals of COVID-19 outbreaks in Europe in the winter season 2019–2020, before the first public announcements of local sources of infection were made. We show evidence that unexpected levels of concerns about cases of pneumonia were raised across a number of European countries. Whistleblowing came primarily from the geographical regions that eventually turned out to be the key breeding grounds for infections. These findings point to the urgency of setting up an integrated digital surveillance system in which social media can help geo-localize chains of contagion that would otherwise proliferate almost completely undetected.
Novel myostatin-specific antibody enhances muscle strength in muscle disease models
Authors: Muramatsu Hiroyasu , Kuramochi Taichi , Katada Hitoshi , Ueyama Atsunori , Ruike Yoshinao , Ohmine Ken , Shida-Kawazoe Meiri , Miyano-Nishizawa Rie , Shimizu Yuichiro , Okuda Momoko , Hori Yuji , Hayashi Madoka , Haraya Kenta , Ban Nobuhiro , Nonaka Tatsuya , Honda Masaki , Kitamura Hidetomo , Hattori Kunihiro , Kitazawa Takehisa , Igawa Tomoyuki , Kawabe Yoshiki , Nezu Junichi
Published: January 2021

Myostatin, a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is an attractive target for muscle disease therapy because of its role as a negative regulator of muscle growth and strength. Here, we describe a novel antibody therapeutic approach that maximizes the potential of myostatin-targeted therapy. We generated an antibody, GYM329, that specifically binds the latent form of myostatin and inhibits its activation. Additionally, via “sweeping antibody technology”, GYM329 reduces or “sweeps” myostatin in the muscle and plasma. Compared with conventional anti-myostatin agents, GYM329 and its surrogate antibody exhibit superior muscle strength-improvement effects in three different mouse disease models. We also demonstrate that the superior efficacy of GYM329 is due to its myostatin specificity and sweeping capability. Furthermore, we show that a GYM329 surrogate increases muscle mass in normal cynomolgus monkeys without any obvious toxicity. Our findings indicate the potential of GYM329 to improve muscle strength in patients with muscular disorders.
An extended Weight Kernel Density Estimation model forecasts COVID-19 onset risk and identifies spatiotemporal variations of lockdown effects in China
Authors: Shi Wenzhong , Tong Chengzhuo , Zhang Anshu , Wang Bin , Shi Zhicheng , Yao Yepeng , Jia Peng
Published: January 2021

It is important to forecast the risk of COVID-19 symptom onset and thereby evaluate how effectively the city lockdown measure could reduce this risk. This study is a first comprehensive, high-resolution investigation of spatiotemporal heterogeneities on the effect of the Wuhan lockdown on the risk of COVID-19 symptom onset in 347 Chinese cities. An extended Weight Kernel Density Estimation model was developed to predict the COVID-19 onset risk under two scenarios (i.e., with and without the Wuhan lockdown). The Wuhan lockdown, compared with the scenario without lockdown implementation, in general, delayed the arrival of the COVID-19 onset risk peak for 1–2 days and lowered risk peak values among all cities. The decrease of the onset risk attributed to the lockdown was more than 8% in over 40% of Chinese cities, and up to 21.3% in some cities. Lockdown was the most effective in areas with medium risk before lockdown.
Author Correction: Evolution and expansion of the RUNX2 QA repeat corresponds with the emergence of vertebrate complexity
Authors: Newton Axel H. , Pask Andrew J.
Published: January 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-01687-0.
Promotion of oxygen reduction reaction on a double perovskite electrode by a water-induced surface modification
Authors: Kim Jun Hyuk , Yoo Seonyoung , Murphy Ryan , Chen Yu , Ding Yong , Pei Kai , Zhao Bote , Kim Guntae , Choi YongMan , Liu Meilin
Published: January 2021

Water-mediated surface self-assembly on PrBa0.8Ca0.2Co2O5+δ (PBCC) results in formation of BaCoO3−δ (BCO) nanoparticles to boost catalytic activity of oxygen reduction, as confirmed by in situ Raman spectroscopy at high temperatures (HT).
Silicon oxycarbonitride ceramic containing nickel nanoparticles: from design to catalytic application
Authors: Wang Jun , Gili Albert , Grünbacher Matthias , Praetz Sebastian , Epping Jan Dirk , Görke Oliver , Schuck Götz , Penner Simon , Schlesiger Christopher , Schomäcker Reinhard , Gurlo Aleksander , Bekheet Maged F.
Published: January 2021

We report the synthesis of Ni/SiOCN ceramic nanocomposites with high surface area as catalysts for carbon dioxide and methane conversion.