bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using learning journals to promote learner autonomy
Authors: Chinpakdee Muthita
Published: August 2021

This article presents some of the findings from a larger research project which aimed to promote learner autonomy among Thai secondary school learners through strategy-based intervention. It looks specifically at how reflective journal writing, as a part of the intervention programme, helped learners develop the capacity to direct their own learning. The article also identifies potential challenges in using learning journals to promote learner autonomy in a language classroom. Findings indicate that guided reflective learning journals can be an effective tool to help learners develop metacognitive awareness about their learning process and the ability to independently direct their learning activities. The article concludes by considering how reflective journal writing can be incorporated into regular classroom practice to promote autonomous language learning.
Draft genome assemblies for tree pathogensPhytophthora pseudosyringaeandPhytophthora boehmeriae
Authors: Thorpe Peter , Vetukuri Ramesh R , Hedley Pete E , Morris Jenny , Whisson Maximilian A , Welsh Lydia R J , Whisson Stephen C
Published: August 2021

Species of Phytophthora, plant pathogenic eukaryotic microbes, can cause disease on many tree species. Genome sequencing of species from this genus has helped to determine components of their pathogenicity arsenal. Here, we sequenced genomes for two widely distributed species, Phytophthora pseudosyringae and Phytophthora boehmeriae, yielding genome assemblies of 49 and 40 Mb, respectively. We identified more than 270 candidate disease promoting RXLR effector coding genes for each species, and hundreds of genes encoding candidate plant cell wall degrading carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes). These data boost genome sequence representation across the Phytophthora genus, and form resources for further study of Phytophthora pathogenesis.
ADMM-based full-waveform inversion for microseismic imaging
Authors: Aghamiry H S , Gholami A , Operto S , Malcolm A
Published: August 2021

Full waveform inversion (FWI) is beginning to be used to characterize weak seismic events at different scales, an example of which is microseismic event (MSE) characterization. However, FWI with unknown sources is a severely underdetermined optimization problem, and hence requires strong prior information about the sources and/or the velocity model. The frequency-domain wavefield reconstruction inversion (WRI) method has shown promising results to mitigate the non-linearity of the FWI objective function generated by cycle-skipping. WRI relies on the reconstruction of data-assimilated wavefields, which approach the true wavefields near the receivers, a helpful feature when the source is added as an additional optimization variable. We present an adaptation of a recently proposed version of WRI based on the alternating direction method of multipliers that first finds the location of the MSEs and then reconstructs the wavefields and the source signatures jointly. Finally, the subsurface model is updated to focus the MSEs at their true locations. The method does not require prior knowledge of the number of MSEs. The inversion is stabilized by sparsifying regularizations separately tailored to the source location and velocity model subproblems. The method is tested on the Marmousi model using one MSE and two clusters of MSEs with two different initial velocity models, an accurate one and a rough one, as well as with added noise. In all cases, the method accurately locates the MSEs and recovers their source signatures.
Getting to the root of the problem: the international and domestic politics of junk food industry regulation in Latin America
Authors: Gómez Eduardo J
Published: August 2021

In response to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Latin America, governments have introduced impressive prevention programmes However, the purpose of this article is to better explain why several governments have yet to address arguably the ‘root of the problem’: i.e. implementing effective regulatory policies restricting the food industries’ ability to market and sale their products. Introducing a political science analytical framework merging international relations and domestic politics theory, this article claims that most governments have failed to achieve this process because of their reluctance to transfer their beliefs in human rights to health from the area of NCD prevention to regulation, thus achieving what the author refer to as ‘normative transferability’. The research design for this study entailed a documentary analysis of 44 qualitative primary and secondary documentary data sources (combined), i.e. articles, books, policy reports and the usage of these data sources for a comparative case study analysis of Chile, Brazil and Mexico. These qualitative data sources were also used to illustrate the potential efficacy of the author’s proposed analytical framework, developed from the political science and public policy literature. Quantitative epidemiological data from the World Health Organization global health observatory were used to provide a contextual backdrop of the obesity and diabetes situation in these countries. Comparing these three countries, Chile was the only one capable of achieving ‘normative transferability’ due to a strong linkage between activists, supportive institutions and policy advocates within government viewing regulatory policy as a human right to protection from aggressive industry marketing and sales tactics. To better understand differences between nations in achieving normative transferability processes and effective NCD regulatory policy outcomes, political scientists and public health scholars should work together to develop alternative analytical frameworks in the commercial determinants of health.
The effects of bottom temperature and fishing on the structure and composition of an exploited demersal fish assemblage in West Greenland
Authors: Lekanda Aitor , Tolimieri Nick , Nogueira Adriana
Published: August 2021

The distribution and abundance of marine fishes have been changing over the last decades due to climate change and overfishing. We evaluated the status of an important exploited marine ecosystem for one of the largest fisheries in Greenland, Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, in the offshore slopes of West Greenland. We examined how five ecological indicators changed from 1997 to 2019 under the effect of climate and commercial fishery. The oscillatory tendency of the bottom temperature modified the structure and composition of the demersal fish community. In the shallower zone, the warming bottom temperature favoured high trophic level and warmer water species, and subsequently, an increase in halibut biomass, which reduced the biodiversity. In the middle depth zone, the high biomass of halibut masked increases of less common higher trophic level species. In the deep zone, the drastic reduction of halibut biomass coincided with an increase of high trophic level and colder-water species. Despite the increasing exploitation, especially the mid depth zone, the current fishery did not induce changes to community structure. With the present study, we demonstrate the value of using ecological indicators and estimating spatio-temporal trends to provide a further understanding of the ecosystem status.
A summary of current NKG2D-based CAR clinical trials
Authors: Curio Sophie , Jonsson Gustav , Marinović Sonja
Published: August 2021

Cancer immunotherapies have significantly improved patient survival and treatment options in recent years. Nonetheless, the success of immunotherapy is limited to certain cancer types and specific subgroups of patients, making the development of new therapeutic approaches a topic of ongoing research. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cells are engineered immune cells that are programmed to specifically eliminate cancer cells. Ideally, a CAR recognizes antigens that are restricted to tumor cells to avoid off-target effects. NKG2D is an activating immunoreceptor and an important player in anti-tumor immunity due to its ability to recognize tumor cells and initiate an anti-tumor immune response. Ligands for NKG2D are expressed on malignant or stressed cells and typically absent from healthy tissue, making it a promising CAR candidate. Here, we provide a summary of past and ongoing NKG2D-based CAR clinical trials and comment on potential pitfalls.
Performance of C-Reactive Protein, Procalcitonin, TAT Complex, and Factor VIII in Addition to D-Dimer in the Exclusion of Venous Thromboembolism in Primary Care Patients
Authors: Heerink Jorn S , Gemen Eugenie , Oudega Ruud , Geersing Geert-Jan , Hopstaken Rogier , Kusters Ron
Published: August 2021

Background

In primary care, D-dimer—combined with a clinical assessment—is recommended for ruling-out venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, D-dimer testing frequently yields false-positive results, notably in the elderly, and the search for novel biomarkers thus continues. We assessed the added diagnostic value of 4 promising laboratory tests.

Methods

Plasma samples from 256 primary care patients suspected of VTE were collected. We explored added value (beyond D-dimer) of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), thrombin–antithrombin III complex (TAT-c), and factor VIII (FVIII). Diagnostic performance of these biomarkers was assessed univariably and by estimating their area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). Added diagnostic potential beyond D-dimer testing was assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Plasma samples of 237 VTE-suspected patients were available for analysis—36 patients (25%) confirmed deep vein thrombosis, 11 patients (12%) pulmonary embolism. Apart from D-dimer, only CRP, and FVIII levels appeared to be higher in patients with VTE compared to patients without VTE. The AUCs for these 3 markers were 0.76 (95% CI: 0.69–0.84) and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68–0.83), respectively, whereas the AUC for D-dimer was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86–0.94). Combining these biomarkers in a multivariable logistic model with D-dimer did not improve these AUCs meaningfully.

Conclusions

In our dataset, we were unable to demonstrate any added diagnostic performance beyond D-dimer testing of novel biomarkers in patients suspected of VTE in primary care. As such, D-dimer testing appears to remain the best choice in the exclusion of clinically suspected VTE in this setting.

Trial Registration

Netherlands Trial Register NL5974. (METC protocol number: 16-356/M; NL56475.041.16.)
Use of 816 Consecutive Burn Wound Biopsies to Inform a Histologic Algorithm for Burn Depth Categorization
Authors: Phelan Herb A , Holmes IV James H , Hickerson William L , Cockerell Clay J , Shupp Jeffrey W , Carter Jeffrey E
Published: August 2021

Burn experts are only 77% accurate when subjectively assessing burn depth, leaving almost a quarter of patients to undergo unnecessary surgery or conversely suffer a delay in treatment. To aid clinicians in burn depth assessment (BDA), new technologies are being studied with machine learning algorithms calibrated to histologic standards. Our group has iteratively created a theoretical burn biopsy algorithm (BBA) based on histologic analysis, and subsequently informed it with the largest burn wound biopsy repository in the literature. Here, we sought to report that process. This was an IRB-approved, prospective, multicenter study. A BBA was created a priori and refined in an iterative manner. Patients with burn wounds assessed by burn experts as requiring excision and autograft underwent 4 mm biopsies procured every 25 cm2. Serial still photos were obtained at enrollment and at excision intraoperatively. Burn biopsies were histologically assessed for presence/absence of epidermis, papillary dermis, reticular dermis, and proportion of necrotic adnexal structures by a dermatopathologist using H&E with whole slide scanning. First degree and superficial second degree were considered to be burn wounds likely to have healed without surgery, while deep second- and third-degree burns were considered unlikely to heal by 21 days. Biopsy pathology results were correlated with still photos by five burn experts for consensus of final burn depth diagnosis. Sixty-six subjects were enrolled with 117 wounds and 816 biopsies. The BBA was used to categorize subjects’ wounds into four categories: 7% of burns were categorized as first degree, 13% as superficial second degree, 43% as deep second degree, and 37% as third degree. Therefore, 20% of burn wounds were incorrectly judged as needing excision and grafting by the clinical team as per the BBA. As H&E is unable to assess the viability of papillary and reticular dermis, with time our team came to appreciate the greater importance of adnexal structure necrosis over dermal appearance in assessing healing potential. Our study demonstrates that a BBA with objective histologic criteria can be used to categorize BDA with clinical misclassification rates consistent with past literature. This study serves as the largest analysis of burn biopsies by modern day burn experts and the first to define histologic parameters for BDA.
From Mix-and-Match to Head-to-Toe: How Brand Combinations Affect Observer Trust
Authors: Engeler Isabelle , Barasz Kate
Published: August 2021

Consumers use brands in many combinations, from mixing-and-matching multiple brands (e.g., Nike shoes, Puma shirt, and Asics shorts) to using products primarily or solely from one brand (e.g., Nike shoes, shirt, and shorts). This work explores how such combinations affect observers’ trust in another consumer’s recommendations. Comparing two combination types—mixed-brand combinations (where all/most branded products are from different brands) and dominant-brand combinations (where all/most branded products are from the same brand)—nine studies establish that observers tend to have less trust in recommendations from those who use dominant-brand combinations (studies 1A–1C). This is driven by inferences about how the products were chosen: observers believe others who use dominant-brand combinations placed relatively greater importance on the brand—a feature that often serves as a mental shortcut for choices—and therefore infer these consumers made quicker, less thoughtful decisions (studies 2A and 2B). While the effect diminishes when observers hold particularly favorable attitudes toward the focal brand (study 3), it can alter observers’ own downstream behaviors (e.g., social media following intentions, information seeking, and recommendation taking; studies 4A–4C). Together, the findings confirm that brand combinations elicit responses distinct from single brands, offering fruitful avenues for future research.
Expression of STAT6 and Phosphorylated STAT6 in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas
Authors: Karpathiou Georgia , Ferrand Elise , Camy Florian , Babiuc Silvia-Maria , Papoudou-Bai Alexandra , Dumollard Jean Marc , Cornillon Jerome , Peoc’h Michel
Published: August 2021

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) is implicated in the pathogenesis of some lymphomas including primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs). The aim of this study was to investigate STAT6 expression and clinicopathologic features in 25 PCNSLs using immunohistochemistry with 2 different anti-STAT6 antibodies. One (YE361) recognizes the C-terminus domain of the STAT6 protein and the other (Y641) recognizes the phosphorylated form of the protein. The phosphorylated STAT6 form was not expressed in any of the cases studied whereas the YE361 STAT6 showed only cytoplasmic expression in 14 (56%) cases. This expression did not correlate with age, prognostic score, multiplicity, invasion of deep structures, response to treatment, disease recurrence, overall survival, or BCL6, BCL2, PD-L1, and CD8 expression. A STAT6 expression score showed a trend for correlating with clinical performance status. It also showed a positive correlation with MYC expression. Thus, the phosphorylated form of STAT6 was not found in the current series, while the YE361 STAT6 showed only cytoplasmic expression and was associated with expression of MYC.
On the Inside: Shatila Camp as a Space of Respite for Syrian Refugees
Authors: Holst Birgitte Stampe
Published: August 2021

As thousands of Syrians have sought refuge in Lebanon since 2011, many have moved to Palestinian camps in search of affordable accommodation. While one of these camps, Shatila on the outskirts of Beirut, is highly studied as the site of fervent political engagement and destitution among Palestinians, the camp emerges as a different kind of proposition when investigated from the perspective of Syrian refugees. Based on 14 months of ethnographic fieldwork, I explore how living in Shatila affords my Syrian interlocutors specific opportunities in terms of navigating the hostile urban landscape of Beirut. Casting light on both the character of Shatila as political order and the kinds of political and social existence Syrians are able to forge for themselves there, I argue that with respect to Syrian inhabitants Shatila should be conceptualized as a pocket of respite from a general state of exception in Lebanon.
Autochthonous dengue outbreak in Italy 2020: clinical, virological and entomological findings
Authors: Barzon Luisa , Gobbi Federico , Capelli Gioia , Montarsi Fabrizio , Martini Simone , Riccetti Silvia , Sinigaglia Alessandro , Pacenti Monia , Pavan Giacomina , Rassu Mario , Padovan Maria Teresa , Manfrin Vinicio , Zanella Francesca , Russo Francesca , Foglia Felice , Lazzarini Luca
Published: August 2021

Background

In August 2020, in the context of COVID-19 pandemics, an autochthonous dengue outbreak was identified for the first time in Italy.

Methods

Following the reporting of the index case of autochthonous dengue, epidemiological investigation, vector control and substances of human origin safety measures were immediately activated, according to the national arbovirus surveillance plan. Dengue cases were followed-up with weekly visits and laboratory tests until recovery and clearance of viral RNA from blood.

Results

The primary dengue case was identified in a young woman, who developed fever after returning from Indonesia to northern Italy, on 27 July 2020. She spent the mandatory quarantine for COVID-19 at home with relatives, six of whom developed dengue within two weeks. Epidemiological investigation identified further five autochthonous dengue cases among people who lived or stayed near the residence of the primary case. The last case of the outbreak developed fever on 29 September 2020. Dengue cases had a mild febrile illness, except one with persistent asthenia and myalgia. DENV-1 RNA was detected in blood and/or urine in all autochthonous cases, up to 35 days after fever onset. All cases developed IgM and IgG antibodies which cross-reacted with West Nile virus (WNV) and other flaviviruses. Sequencing of the full viral genome from blood samples showed over 99% nucleotide identity with DENV-1 strains isolated in China in 2014–2015; phylogenetic analysis classified the virus within Genotype I. Entomological site inspection identified a high density of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which conceivably sustained local DENV-1 transmission. Aedes koreicus mosquitoes were also collected in the site.

Conclusions

Areas in Europe with high density of Aedes mosquitoes should be considered at risk for dengue transmission. The presence of endemic flaviviruses, such as WNV, might pose problems in the laboratory diagnosis.
Cluster characterization of SARS-CoV-2 in military personnel deployed to Egypt and subsequent introduction of B.1.1.7 and C.36 lineages to Colombia
Authors: Ballesteros Nathalia , Castañeda Sergio , Muñoz Marina , Patiño Luz H , Méndez Claudia , Oliveros Carolina , Pérez Julie , Albarracín Lorena , Márquez Elizabeth K , Alvarado María Teresa , Santos Ortiz Frank de los , Romero Yanira , Correa-Cárdenas Camilo A , Duque Maria Clara , Gutíerrez-Riveros Sergio , Paniz-Mondolfi Alberto , Ramírez Juan David
Published: August 2021

In April 2021, 126 active-duty militaries returned to Colombia after a mission in Egypt. Of 29 cases, 28 were B.1.1.7, and one C.36 (first description of this lineage in Colombia). We highlight the militaries as at-risk population and call for implementation of genomic surveillance to improve public health policies in military settings.
Viral Hepatitis C-Related Care in Active Duty and Reserve Service Members: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Bush Allison M , Deegan Cara , Gleeson Todd
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, and universal screening of all adults is recommended. Treatment with new direct antiviral agents are well tolerated and highly effective and decrease morbidity and mortality from HCV. The timely treatment of active-duty Service members (SMs) is essential to prevent complications of HCV and to ensure medical readiness and safety of the Department of Defense blood supply. We performed a retrospective review of the quality of care of Navy Active Duty (AD) and reserve SMs diagnosed with HCV to assess rates of successful treatment and compliance with national guideline recommendations and identify potential challenges to receiving curative HCV therapy.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective chart review was completed on the health records of 54 AD and reserve US Navy SMs diagnosed with HCV. The records were reviewed for timeliness of subspecialty evaluation, achievement of sustained virologic response (SVR), and documentation of the completion of HCV-associated recommendations from national organizations and guidelines. Challenges and barriers to care were identified.

Results

Ninety-eight percent of AD and reserve Navy SMs diagnosed with HCV were prescribed treatment, 81% achieved an SVR after completing initial treatment, which reached 92% after initial nonresponders underwent a second round of treatment. Fifty percent of SMs experienced a delay in care due mostly to military-related obligations and patient noncompliance or both. There was a small number of delays in care as a result of prolonged notification of results and referral time.

Conclusion

As HCV screening recommendations expand to include all adults, more HCV infections will be identified in both the active and reserve components. Modern HCV therapies are both relatively short in duration as well as curative, allowing for the restoration of medical readiness and military service retention. Despite these advantages, we identified challenges of effecting HCV cures in a mobile military population. We recommend centralized compliance monitoring of not only HCV force screening but also HCV treatment to ensure maximized military medical readiness.
Lifshitz cosmology: quantum vacuum and Hubble tension
Authors: Berechya Dror , Leonhardt Ulf
Published: August 2021

Dark energy is one of the greatest scientific mysteries of today. The idea that dark energy originates from quantum vacuum fluctuations has circulated since the late ’60s, but theoretical estimations of vacuum energy have disagreed with the measured value by many orders of magnitude, until recently. Lifshitz theory applied to cosmology has produced the correct order of magnitude for dark energy. Furthermore, the theory is based on well-established and experimentally well-tested grounds in atomic, molecular and optical physics. In this paper, we confront Lifshitz cosmology with astronomical data. We find that the dark–energy dynamics predicted by the theory is able to resolve the Hubble tension, the discrepancy between the observed and predicted Hubble constant within the standard cosmological model. The theory is consistent with supernovae data, Baryon Acoustic Oscillations and the Cosmic Microwave Background. Our findings indicate that Lifshitz cosmology is a serious candidate for explaining dark energy.
Close substellar-mass companions in stellar wide binaries: discovery and characterization with APOGEE and Gaia DR2
Authors: Lewis Hannah M , Anguiano Borja , Majewski Steven R , Nidever David L , Badenes Carles , De Lee Nathan , Hasselquist Sten , Mazzola Daher Christine , Stassun Keivan G , Bizyaev Dmitry , Godoy-Rivera Diego , Nitschelm Christian , Oravetz Audrey , Pan Kaike , Roman-Lopes Alexandre
Published: August 2021

We present a search for close, unresolved companions in a subset of spatially resolved Gaia wide binaries containing main-sequence stars within 200 pc of the Sun, utilizing the APOGEE–Gaia Wide Binary Catalog. A catalogue of 37 wide binaries was created by selecting pairs of stars with nearly identical Gaia positions, parallaxes, and proper motions, and then confirming candidates to be gravitationally bound pairs using APOGEE radial velocities. We identify close, unresolved stellar and substellar candidate companions in these multiple systems using (1) the Gaia binary main sequence and (2) observed periodic radial velocity variations in APOGEE measurements due to the influence of a close substellar-mass companion. The studied wide binary pairs reveal a total of four stellar-mass close companions in four different wide binaries, and four substellar-mass close companion candidates in two wide binaries. The latter are therefore quadruple systems, with one substellar-mass companion orbiting each wide binary component in an S-type orbit. Taken at face value, these candidate systems represent an enhancement of an order of magnitude over the expected occurrence rate of ∼2 per cent of stars having substellar companions >2 MJup within ∼100-d orbits; we discuss implications and possible explanations for this result. Finally, we compare chemical differences between the components of the wide binaries and the components of the candidate higher-order systems and find that any chemical influence or correlation due to the presence of close companions to wide binary stars is not discernible.
Environmental effects on AGN activity via extinction-free mid-infrared census
Authors: Santos Daryl Joe D , Goto Tomotsugu , Kim Seong Jin , Wang Ting-Wen , Ho Simon C-C , Hashimoto Tetsuya , Huang Ting-Chi , Lu Ting-Yi , On Alvina Y L , Wong Yi-Hang Valerie , Hsiao Tiger Yu-Yang , Pollo Agnieszka , Malkan Matthew A , Miyaji Takamitsu , Toba Yoshiki , Kilerci-Eser Ece , Małek Katarzyna , Hwang Ho Seong , Jeong Woong-Seob , Shim Hyunjin , Pearson Chris , Poliszczuk Artem , Chen Bo Han
Published: August 2021

How does the environment affect active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity? We investigated this question in an extinction-free way by selecting 1120 infrared (IR) galaxies in the AKARI North Ecliptic Pole Wide field at redshift z ≤ 1.2. A unique feature of the AKARI satellite is its continuous nine-band IR filter coverage, providing us with an unprecedentedly large sample of IR spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of galaxies. By taking advantage of this, for the first time, we explored the AGN activity derived from SED modelling as a function of redshift, luminosity, and environment. We quantified AGN activity in two ways: AGN contribution fraction (ratio of AGN luminosity to the total IR luminosity), and AGN number fraction (ratio of number of AGNs to the total galaxy sample). We found that galaxy environment (normalized local density) does not greatly affect either definitions of AGN activity of our IRG/LIRG samples (log LTIR ≤ 12). However, we found a different behaviour for ULIRGs (log LTIR > 12). At our highest redshift bin (0.7 ≲ z ≲ 1.2), AGN activity increases with denser environments, but at the intermediate redshift bin (0.3 ≲ z ≲ 0.7), the opposite is observed. These results may hint at a different physical mechanism for ULIRGs. The trends are not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.060 at the intermediate redshift bin, and p ≥ 0.139 at the highest redshift bin). Possible different behaviour of ULIRGs is a key direction to explore further with future space missions (e.g. JWST, Euclid, SPHEREx).
Morphology of radio relics – II. Properties of polarized emission
Authors: Domínguez-Fernández P , Brüggen M , Vazza F , Hoeft M , Banda-Barragán W E , Rajpurohit K , Wittor D , Mignone A , Mukherjee D , Vaidya B
Published: August 2021

Radio relics are diffuse radio sources in galaxy clusters that are associated with merger shock waves. Detailed observations of radio relics in total intensity and in polarization show complex structures on kiloparsec scales. The relation between the observed features and the underlying morphology of the magnetic field is not clear. Using 3D magneto-hydrodynamical simulations, we study the polarized emission produced by a shock wave that propagates through a turbulent medium that resembles the intracluster medium. We model the polarized synchrotron emission on the basis of diffusive shock acceleration of cosmic ray electrons. We find that the synchrotron emission produced in a shocked turbulent medium can reproduce some of the observed features in radio relics. Shock compression can give rise to a high polarization fraction at the shock front and a partial alignment of the polarization E-vectors with the shock normal. Our work confirms that radio relics can also be formed in an environment with a tangled magnetic field. We also discuss the effect of Faraday rotation intrinsic to the source, and how our results depend on the angular resolution of observations.
Radiation by the superluminally moving current sheet in the magnetosphere of a neutron star
Authors: Ardavan Houshang
Published: August 2021

The mechanism by which the radiation received from obliquely rotating neutron stars is generated remains an open question half a century after the discovery of pulsars. In contrast, considerable progress has recently been made in determining the structure of the magnetosphere that surrounds these objects: numerical computations based on the force-free, magnetohydrodynamic, and particle-in-cell formalisms have now firmly established that the magnetosphere of an oblique rotator entails a current sheet outside its light cylinder whose rotating distribution pattern moves with linear speeds exceeding the speed of light in vacuum. However, the role played by the superluminal motion of this current sheet in generating the multiwavelength, focused pulses of radiation that we receive from neutron stars is unknown. Here, we insert the description of the current sheet provided by the numerical simulations in the classical expression for the retarded potential and thereby calculate the radiation field generated by this source in the time domain. We find a radiation consisting of highly focused pulses whose salient features (brightness temperature, polarization, spectrum and profile with microstructure and with a phase lag between the radio and gamma-ray peaks) are strikingly similar to those of the emission received from pulsars. In addition, the flux density of this radiation diminishes with the distance D from the star as D−3/2 (rather than D−2) in certain latitudinal directions: a result that suggests that the high energetic requirements normally attributed to magnetars and the sources of fast radio bursts and gamma-ray bursts could be artefacts of the assumption that the radiation fields of all sources necessarily decay as predicted by the inverse-square law.
A dual role of cysteine residues in the maturation of prokaryotic Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase
Authors: Furukawa Yoshiaki , Shintani Atsuko , Kokubo Teppei
Published: August 2021

Bacterial Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SodC) is an enzyme catalyzing the disproportionation of superoxide radicals, to which the binding of copper and zinc ions and the formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond are essential. We previously showed that Escherichia coli SodC (SodC) was prone to spontaneous degradation in vivo in an immature form prior to the introduction of the disulfide bond. The post-translational maintenance involving the metal binding and the disulfide formation would thus control the stability as well as the enzymatic function of SodC; however, a mechanism of the SodC maturation remains obscure. Here, we show that the disulfide-reduced SodC can secure a copper ion as well as a zinc ion through the thiolate groups. Furthermore, the disulfide-reduced SodC was found to bind cuprous and cupric ions more tightly than SodC with the disulfide bond. The thiolate groups ligating the copper ion were then autooxidized to form the intramolecular disulfide bond, leading to the production of enzymatically active SodC. Based upon the experiments in vitro, therefore, we propose a mechanism for the activation of SodC, in which the conserved Cys residues play a dual role: the acquisition of a copper ion for the enzymatic activity and the formation of the disulfide bond for the structural stabilization.
Ablating putative Ku70 phosphorylation sites results in defective DNA damage repair and spontaneous induction of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Saha Janapriya , Bae Jinsung , Wang Shih-Ya , Lu Huiming , Chappell Lori J , Gopal Purva , Davis Anthony J
Published: August 2021

Multiple pathways mediate the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), with numerous mechanisms responsible for driving choice between the pathways. Previously, we reported that mutating five putative phosphorylation sites on the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) factor, Ku70, results in sustained retention of human Ku70/80 at DSB ends and attenuation of DSB repair via homologous recombination (HR). In this study, we generated a knock-in mouse, in which the three conserved putative phosphorylation sites of Ku70 were mutated to alanine to ablate potential phosphorylation (Ku703A/3A), in order to examine if disrupting DSB repair pathway choice by modulating Ku70/80 dynamics at DSB ends results in enhanced genomic instability and tumorigenesis. The Ku703A/3A mice developed spontaneous and have accelerated chemical-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to wild-type (Ku70+/+) littermates. The HCC tumors from the Ku703A/3A mice have increased γH2AX and 8-oxo-G staining, suggesting decreased DNA repair. Spontaneous transformed cell lines from Ku703A/3A mice are more radiosensitive, have a significant decrease in DNA end resection, and are more sensitive to the DNA cross-linking agent mitomycin C compared to cells from Ku70+/+ littermates. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that mutating the putative Ku70 phosphorylation sites results in defective DNA damage repair and disruption of this process drives genomic instability and accelerated development of HCC.
Assessing the long-term safety and efficacy of gamma knife and linear accelerator radiosurgery for vestibular schwannoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Guadix Sergio W , Tao Alice J , An Anjile , Demetres Michelle , Tosi Umberto , Chidambaram Swathi , Knisely Jonathan P S , Ramakrishna Rohan , Pannullo Susan C
Published: August 2021

Background

Differences in long-term outcomes of single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) between gamma knife (GK) and linear accelerator (LINAC) systems for vestibular schwannoma (VS) management remain unclear. To investigate differences in safety and efficacy between modalities, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies over the past decade.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were queried for studies with the following inclusion criteria: English language, published between January 2010 and April 2020, cohort size ≥30, and mean/median follow-up ≥5 years. Odds ratios (OR) compared rates of tumor control, hearing preservation, and cranial nerve toxicities before and after SRS.

Results

Thirty-nine studies were included (29 GK, 10 LINAC) with 6516 total patients. Tumor control rates were 93% (95% CI 91-94%) and 94% (95% CI 91-97%) for GK and LINAC, respectively. Both GK (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.02-0.13) and LINAC (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.29-0.76) reduced odds of serviceable hearing. Neither GK (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.41-1.22) nor LINAC (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.64-2.00) impacted facial nerve function. GK decreased odds of trigeminal nerve (TN) impairment (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.32-0.94) while LINAC did not impact TN function (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.81-2.61). Lastly, LINAC offered decreased odds of tinnitus (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.87) not observed with GK (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.48-1.01).

Conclusions

VS tumor control and hearing preservation rates are comparable between GK and LINAC SRS. GK may better preserve TN function, while LINAC decreases tinnitus rates. Future studies are warranted to investigate the efficacy of GK and LINAC SRS more directly.
Vegetation characteristics and precipitation jointly influence grassland bird abundance beyond the effects of grazing management
Authors: Davis Kristin P , Augustine David J , Monroe Adrian P , Aldridge Cameron L
Published: August 2021

Grassland birds have experienced some of the steepest population declines of any guild of birds in North America. The shortgrass steppe contains some of North America’s most intact grasslands, which makes the region particularly important for these species. It is well known that grassland birds differentially respond to variation in vegetation structure generated by spatiotemporally varying disturbance like grazing management. However, understanding how species respond to characteristics beyond vegetation structure or grazing could better inform management for these species in the shortgrass steppe. We analyzed point count data for 5 grassland bird species breeding on the Central Plains Experimental Range in northeastern Colorado from 2013 to 2017 to examine the predictive capacity of models representing fine-scale (~5 ha) vegetation attributes (vegetation structure and cover type) and topography, combined with interannual precipitation variability (i.e. vegetation-abiotic models). We then compared these models to models based on grazing management treatments (applied to whole pastures, ~130 ha) and edaphic conditions (ecological sites), which represented information more generally available to rangeland managers. Precipitation, vegetation structure, and vegetation cover type influenced all species in a manner consistent with, but more nuanced than, vegetation structure alone. These models also explained more variation in abundance for species that responded to grazing management. Thus, while grazing management can be applied adaptively to improve habitat for these species, our more detailed vegetation-abiotic models identified species-specific habitat components that could be targeted for management. For example, not grazing pastures with extensive, homogenous stands of mid-height grasses (e.g., Hesperostipa comata) for an entire growing season during wet years could be one strategy to enhance Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) abundance and stockpile residual forage for future utilization by livestock. Our models provide a better understanding of and reveal nuances in the suite of environmental conditions to which grassland birds respond in shortgrass steppe rangelands.
Calcium-dependent protein kinase 29 modulates PIN-FORMED polarity and Arabidopsis development via its own phosphorylation code
Authors: Lee Hyodong , Ganguly Anindya , Baik Song , Cho Hyung-Taeg
Published: August 2021

PIN-FORMED (PIN)-mediated polar auxin transport (PAT) is involved in key developmental processes in plants. Various internal and external cues influence plant development via the modulation of intracellular PIN polarity and, thus, the direction of PAT, but the mechanisms underlying these processes remain largely unknown. PIN proteins harbor a hydrophilic loop (HL) that has important regulatory functions; here, we used the HL as bait in protein pulldown screening for modulators of intracellular PIN trafficking in Arabidopsis thaliana. Calcium-dependent protein kinase 29 (CPK29), a Ca2+-dependent protein kinase, was identified and shown to phosphorylate specific target residues on the PIN-HL that were not phosphorylated by other kinases. Furthermore, loss of CPK29 or mutations of the phospho-target residues in PIN-HLs significantly compromised intracellular PIN trafficking and polarity, causing defects in PIN-mediated auxin redistribution and biological processes such as lateral root formation, root twisting, hypocotyl gravitropism, phyllotaxis, and reproductive development. These findings indicate that CPK29 directly interprets Ca2+ signals from internal and external triggers, resulting in the modulation of PIN trafficking and auxin responses.
Analysis of ingestion admissions in a midsized pediatric intensive care unit
Authors: Smith Hayden L , Branick Kaitlin A , Free Margaret E , Naegle Matthew S , Laageide Leah G , Misholy Justine T
Published: August 2021

Background

Pediatric ingestion of toxic substances is a complicated cause of morbidity. Currently, there is limited literature on toxic ingestions resulting in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted to quantify the number and financial costs of admissions for toxic ingestion. Secondary objectives were to determine common types of ingestions and interventions as well as examine the relationship between intentional ingestion status and patient age. Data were obtained from a retrospective review of records from April 2016 through August 2018 from a PICU located in the Midwestern USA.

Results

There were 360 unique patient encounters used in primary analyses. Intentional ingestion and suicidal ideation documented in 72% and 54% of patients, respectively.

Patients younger than nine had an 87% (95% confidence interval: 80%, 92%) lower risk for intentional ingestion. The median lengths of stay were 1.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.0, 1.0) days with a median cost of $2498 (IQR: $1870, $3592) USD. There was no patient mortality identified in the sample.

Conclusion

The types of ingestions appeared to match those of the National Poison Control Database. Lengths of stay were short and had a non-nominal cost. A greater age was associated with an increased risk of intentional ingestions.
INVESTIGATION OF THE TL CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPOSITE PEAK 5 IN THE GLOW CURVE OF LIF:MG,TI (TLD-100) USING NATURALLY AND FURNACE-COOLED SAMPLES FOLLOWING THE 400°C PRE-IRRADIATION ANNEAL
Authors: Eliyahu Ilan , Reshes Galina , Shapiro Alex , Biderman Shlomo , Oster Leonid , Nemirovsky Dimitry , Sterenberg Matan , Ginzburg Dimitry , Horowitz Yigal Shalom , Herman Benny , Assor Yosef
Published: August 2021

The cooling rate to room temperature following the 400°C pre-irradiation anneal is known to affect the thermoluminescent properties of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) as a result of migration and clustering of defects during the cooling down process. In this investigation the dose response over an extended dose range from 0.01 to 7000 Gy in both naturally cooled and the much slower furnace-cooled samples has been measured. Glow curve deconvolution based on first-order kinetics is employed to extract the dose response of the various glow peaks. Of especial interest is the behaviour of glow peaks 4, 5a and 5 as a function of dose. The idea is to modify the supralinear dose response of peak 5 from 1 to 30 Gy to a linear behaviour. This dose range is important for clinical therapy and a linear dose response is of substantial advantage leading to both improved accuracy and precision.
Sleep Disturbance in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis
Authors: Zaks Nina , Velikonja Tjasa , Parvaz Muhammad A , Zinberg Jamie , Done Monica , Mathalon Daniel H , Addington Jean , Cadenhead Kristin , Cannon Tyrone , Cornblatt Barbara , McGlashan Thomas , Perkins Diana , Stone William S , Tsuang Ming , Walker Elaine , Woods Scott W , Keshavan Matcheri S , Buysse Daniel J , Velthorst Eva , Bearden Carrie E
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Disturbed sleep is a common feature of psychotic disorders that is also present in the clinical high risk (CHR) state. Evidence suggests a potential role of sleep disturbance in symptom progression, yet the interrelationship between sleep and CHR symptoms remains to be determined. To address this knowledge gap, we examined the association between disturbed sleep and CHR symptoms over time.

Methods

Data were obtained from the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS)-3 consortium, including 688 CHR individuals and 94 controls (mean age 18.25, 46% female) for whom sleep was tracked prospectively for 8 months. We used Cox regression analyses to investigate whether sleep disturbances predicted conversion to psychosis up to >2 years later. With regressions and cross-lagged panel models, we analyzed longitudinal and bidirectional associations between sleep (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in conjunction with additional sleep items) and CHR symptoms. We also investigated the independent contribution of individual sleep characteristics on CHR symptom domains separately and explored whether cognitive impairments, stress, depression, and psychotropic medication affected the associations.

Results

Disturbed sleep at baseline did not predict conversion to psychosis. However, sleep disturbance was strongly correlated with heightened CHR symptoms over time. Depression accounted for half of the association between sleep and symptoms. Importantly, sleep was a significant predictor of CHR symptoms but not vice versa, although bidirectional effect sizes were similar.

Discussion

The critical role of sleep disturbance in CHR symptom changes suggests that sleep may be a promising intervention target to moderate outcome in the CHR state.
Crafting Charismatic Cops: Community Policing and the Faulty Reputations Paradigm
Authors: Rivera-Cuadrado Wayne
Published: August 2021

This article draws on theories of reputation to analyze community policing’s role in managing perceptions of the police. Drawing on longitudinal interviews and fieldwork that followed the implementation of a community policing program, this article analyzes how officers interpret, manage, and attempt to reconstruct police reputation in their everyday work. I argue that police understand reputation through a lens I call the “faulty reputations paradigm”, an expectation that most negative perceptions about the police are unearned—rooted in hearsay, prejudice, and misunderstandings about policing practices. I contend that the faulty reputations paradigm helps structure reputation management strategies that seek to alter the faulty perceptions community hold of police, alongside competing reputational labor within policing itself. To overcome faulty reputations, community police attempt to cultivate individual reputations through positive encounters with the aim of transforming policing’s institutional repute. The article argues for the central role of reputational conflicts in coproducing policing. Such conflicts emerge from the perceived disconnect between officers’ individual and institutional reputations and help to structure the work of police by legitimating the strategies they deploy.