bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attenuation relationships of peak ground motions in the Jazan Region
Authors: Abdelfattah Ali K. , Al-amri Abdullah , Abdelrahman Kamal , Fnais Muhamed , Qaysi Saleh
Published: January 2021

In this study, attenuation relationships are proposed to more accurately predict ground motions in the southernmost part of the Arabian Shield in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia. A data set composed of 72 earthquakes, with normal to strike-slip focal mechanisms over a local magnitude range of 2.0–5.1 and a distance range of 5–200 km, was used to investigate the predictive attenuation relationship of the peak ground motion as a function of the hypocentral distance and local magnitude. To obtain the space parameters of the empirical relationships, non-linear regression was performed over a hypocentral distance range of 4–200 km. The means of 638 peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV) values calculated from the records of the horizontal components were used to derive the predictive relationships of the earthquake ground motions. The relationships accounted for the site-correlation coefficient but not for the earthquake source implications. The derived predictive attenuation relationships for PGV and PGA are$$ {\log}_{10}(PGV)=-1.05+0.65\cdotp {M}_L-0.66\cdotp {\log}_{10}(r)-0.04\cdotp r, $$log10PGV=−1.05+0.65·ML−0.66·log10r−0.04·r,$$ {\log}_{10}(PGA)=-1.36+0.85\cdotp {M}_L-0.85\cdotp {\log}_{10}(r)-0.005\cdotp r, $$log10PGA=−1.36+0.85·ML−0.85·log10r−0.005·r,

respectively. These new relationships were compared to the grand-motion prediction equation published for western Saudi Arabia and indicate good agreement with the only data set of observed ground motions available for anML4.9 earthquake that occurred in 2014 in southwestern Saudi Arabia, implying that the developed relationship can be used to generate earthquake shaking maps within a few minutes of the event based on prior information on magnitudes and hypocentral distances taking into considerations the local site characteristics.
Algae and their potential for a future bioeconomy, landless food production, and the socio-economic impact of an algae industry
Authors: Ullmann Jörg , Grimm Daniel
Published: January 2021

Despite being a comparatively new branch of agriculture, algae production is often considered to be a solution to many food security-related problems, such as land scarcity, climate change, inefficient and unsustainable fertilizer usage, as well as associated nutrient leakage and water pollution. Algae can be cultivated independent of arable land and, especially in the case of many microalgae, produce oil- and/or protein-rich biomass with spatial efficiency which far exceeds that of terrestrial plants. Nevertheless, algae and algae-derived products are almost exclusively produced for high-value, low-volume markets and are far from being able to compete with cheap commodities such as plant-based proteins or fossil fuel. High investment and production costs are considered the main reason for this, but a lack of economic incentives for sustainable production and CO2 mitigation should not be overlooked. The development of new production technologies; the monetization of ecosystem services, such as water treatment, CO2 sequestration, and nutrient recycling; as well as the simultaneous production and marketing of “high-value, low-volume” and “low-value, high-volume” products from the same algal biomass are the most promising ways forward. A sustainable “algae industry” could be an integral part of the future bioeconomy, enabling more resource-efficient food and fuel production and creating new products, companies, and jobs.
Ultrasonic Plasma Engineering Toward Facile Synthesis of Single-Atom M-N4/N-Doped Carbon (M = Fe, Co) as Superior Oxygen Electrocatalyst in Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Chen Kai , Kim Seonghee , Je Minyeong , Choi Heechae , Shi Zhicong , Vladimir Nikola , Kim Kwang Ho , Li Oi Lun
Published: January 2021

As bifunctional oxygen evolution/reduction electrocatalysts, transition-metal-based single-atom-doped nitrogen–carbon (NC) matrices are promising successors of the corresponding noble-metal-based catalysts, offering the advantages of ultrahigh atom utilization efficiency and surface active energy. However, the fabrication of such matrices (e.g., well-dispersed single-atom-doped M-N4/NCs) often requires numerous steps and tedious processes. Herein, ultrasonic plasma engineering allows direct carbonization in a precursor solution containing metal phthalocyanine and aniline. When combining with the dispersion effect of ultrasonic waves, we successfully fabricated uniform single-atom M-N4 (M = Fe, Co) carbon catalysts with a production rate as high as 10 mg min−1. The Co-N4/NC presented a bifunctional potential drop of ΔE = 0.79 V, outperforming the benchmark Pt/C-Ru/C catalyst (ΔE = 0.88 V) at the same catalyst loading. Theoretical calculations revealed that Co-N4 was the major active site with superior O2 adsorption–desorption mechanisms. In a practical Zn–air battery test, the air electrode coated with Co-N4/NC exhibited a specific capacity (762.8 mAh g−1) and power density (101.62 mW cm−2), exceeding those of Pt/C-Ru/C (700.8 mAh g−1 and 89.16 mW cm−2, respectively) at the same catalyst loading. Moreover, for Co-N4/NC, the potential difference increased from 1.16 to 1.47 V after 100 charge–discharge cycles. The proposed innovative and scalable strategy was concluded to be well suited for the fabrication of single-atom-doped carbons as promising bifunctional oxygen evolution/reduction electrocatalysts for metal–air batteries.
Perceived seriousness of academic cheating behaviors among undergraduate students: an Ethiopian experience
Authors: Chala Wondifraw D.
Published: January 2021

The study was conducted to examine perceived seriousness of academic cheating behaviors among undergraduate students in an Ethiopian University. A total of 245 (146 males and 99 females) regular undergraduate students were randomly selected from three colleges: business and economics, natural and computational science, and social science found in a university. Data were collected using a survey. The results indicated that majority of the respondents rated most cheating behaviors as “serious” The study found that although students perceived the seriousness of most cheating behaviors, they continued to actively engage in cheating. Furthermore, significant differences were found in the perception of the seriousness of academic cheating behaviors amongst students according to field of study and gender. Therefore, as today’s undergraduate students are the employees of tomorrow and that the ethics they adopt and adhere to shape their behavior in the future, it is suggested that there is a need to make known to students the reality of academic integrity and to expose them to the consequences of violating students’ academic code of ethics.
Kognitive Prozesse als Grundlage des wissenschaftlichen Denkens und Argumentierens im frühen und mittleren Kindesalter
Authors: Leuchter Miriam , Hardy Ilonca
Published: January 2021

Wissenschaftliches Denken bezieht sich nach Kuhn (2011) auf die Fähigkeit von Individuen, wissenschaftliche Verfahren und Denkweisen anzuwenden, um Informationen zu evaluieren und Erkenntnisse zu generieren. Im Beitrag wird aufgezeigt, inwiefern die grundlegenden kognitiven Prozesse der Induktion, Deduktion und Abduktion für das wissenschaftliche Denken und Argumentieren bedeutsam sind. Dabei werden Teilbereiche wie die Evidenzevaluation, die Variablenkontrollstrategie und die Argumentation beleuchtet und der Forschungsstand im frühen und mittleren Kindesalter referiert. Der Beitrag schließt mit der Beziehung zwischen dem wissenschaftlichen Denken und dem domänenspezifischen Wissen, welche auf einen iterativen Prozess der Bedeutungskonstruktion verweist.
New insight into the role of crosslinkers and composition on selectivity and kinetics of antimony uptake by chitosan-titania composite beads
Authors: Nishad Padala Abdul , Bhaskarapillai Anupkumar , Srinivasan Madapuzi P. , Rangarajan Srinivasan
Published: January 2021

Role of composition and the nature of crosslinking on the properties of titania-chitosan beads have been investigated in detail. The investigations were done in order to explore the feasibility of design and synthesis of titania-chitosan beads with bespoke functionality based on the intended application. This would greatly enhance the potential for the industrial application of these biopolymer based beads. Beads of varying compositions (of titania and chitosan) were prepared and crosslinked using epichlorohydrin or glutaraldehyde. The physical characteristics and antimony binding properties of the resultant crosslinked titania-chitosan beads were investigated in detail. Influence of chitosan amount on swelling was seen to be more predominant in the glutaraldehyde crosslinked beads (TA-Cts-Glu). TA-Cts-Glu beads showed more swelling and better antimony (Sb(III) and Sb(V)) uptake as compared to the epichlorohydrin crosslinked beads (TA-CTS-Epi). While TA-Cts-Glu beads showed faster uptake kinetics compared to the TA-CTS-Epi beads, the latter showed selectivity towards Sb(III) against transition metal cations. Further, the beads exhibited differential uptake of Sb(V) and Sb(III). TA-Cts-Glu beads prepared with equal amounts of titania and chitosan showed the maximum Sb(V) uptake while the TA-Cts-Epi beads with higher chitosan to titania ratio showed the least. Sb(V) binding was enhanced by the crosslinked chitosan, while the Sb(III) uptake was aided predominantly by the titania content in the beads.
Development and Validation of the Postsex Experience (P-SES) Scale
Authors: Schweitzer Robert D. , du Plessis Graham , Maczkowiack Joel , Connolly Vanessa
Published: January 2021

Introduction

There is little systematized research on the postsex phase of the sexual cycle, due in part to the absence of literature on the period immediately following sexual activity.

Aim

The paper describes the development and validation of the Postsex Experience Scale (P-SES), an instrument designed to measure the psychological dimensions of the postsex period of the human sexual response cycle.

Methods

Scale development involved (a) item construction, selection, and subsequent validation through item analysis, and (b) a factor analysis of the item intercorrelations of the P-SES and the establishment of its factorial validity, based upon an online survey of 4,217 respondents.

Results

In the exploratory factor analysis of the psychometric structure of the scale, structures for males and females differed. 3 factors emerged, which captured the male postsex experience. These factors were labeled Sense of Sexual Alienation, Positive Connection with Self, and Feeling Connected with Partner. 4 factors best captured the female postsex experience and were labeled Self-Loathing, Positive Connection with Self, Sense of Being Emotionally Overwhelmed, and Feeling Connected with Partner.

Clinical Implications

There is strong evidence for acknowledging a wide variation in postsex experience in both men and women across sexual orientations.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths include a large heterogeneous sample leading to the provision of a metric to investigate novel aspects of human sexuality. Limitations include the potential underreporting of experiences due to the structure of the scale and its reference to “general experiences” and presentation bias.

Conclusions

The P-SES provides a framework for assessing the postsex experience in women and men, providing opportunities to gain a better understanding of the variations in postsex experience.
The University Socialist Club and the Contest for Malaya
Authors: Loh Kah Seng , Liao Edgar , Lim Cheng Tju , Seng Guo Quan
Published: January 2021

Using a wealth of material including interviews, official documents, and student writings, the authors recount the rise of newly independent states in postwar Malaya and Singapore through the engagements of a left-wing group of university student activists. The University Socialist Club and the Contest for Malaya brings to life various contemporary movements, including democratic, Marxist, socialist, ethnicity-based groups which seek to influence postcolonial Malaya, as well as their fluid relationships with one another, at a time when allies became enemies, and vice versa. An original and vital study, this volume delves into the complex mental worlds and historical milieu of political and student activism.
Syntax of Dutch
Authors: Broekhuis Hans , den Dikken Marcel
Published: January 2021

Syntax of Dutch presents a synthesis of formal linguistic research of the Dutch language from over forty years of scholarship. It is primarily concerned with language description, and provides support to all researchers interested in matters relating to the syntax of Dutch. These volumes provide a dense yet highly organized description of the internal structure of the noun phrase as well as its external distribution within the clause. These works are written with a directness and lucidity that makes it accessible to linguists of all kinds, including advanced students. This work, which will published in seven volumes in the period 2012–2016, is an essential addition to the library of any linguist working with Dutch.
Infantile Spasms and Trisomy 21: Unfavorable Outcomes with First-line Vigabatrin Therapy
Authors: Datta Anita N. , Crawford Jacqueline , Wong Peter K.H.
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Among children with infantile spasms (ISs), those with trisomy 21 (T21) and those with normal development at onset and no identifiable etiology (previously referred to as “idiopathic”) are expected to have relatively favorable outcomes. The study objective is to determine if differences exist in treatment response, relapse, and subsequent epilepsy between these two groups when vigabatrin is used as first-line treatment.

Methods:

In this retrospective study, patients were classified into the following groups and clinical features were compared: T21 (n = 24) and IS with normal development at onset and no identified etiology (n = 40; control group).

Results:

There was no significant difference in the age of IS onset, sex distribution, or treatment lag between the groups. The T21 compared to the control group required a higher mean number of anti-seizure therapies (3.6 vs. 1.9, p < 0.001), had more relapses [10 (42%) vs. 4 (10%), p < 0.005)], and had higher risk of subsequent epilepsy [11 (46%) vs. 8 (20%), p < 0.003]. Relapses were often delayed in the T21 group, with a mean of 8 months after IS cessation.

Conclusion:

Our results differ from most studies using steroids as first-line treatment where the groups were shown to have similar treatment response and T21 patients had a low risk of relapse and subsequent epilepsy. Therefore, our results suggest that vigabatrin as first-line treatment in T21 with IS may be less favorable than steroids.
Changes in Anxiety, Depression, and Stress in 1 Week and 1 Month Later After the Wuhan Shutdown Against the COVID-19 Epidemic
Authors: Chen Qi , Li Mengying , Wang Yueqing , Zhang Ling , Tan Xiaodong
Published: January 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in Chinese residents’ psychological state and its influencing factors after the Wuhan shutdown on January 23, 2020.

Methods:

Two surveys were conducted on February 1-5 and February 20-24, separately, using an online self-administrated questionnaire among 3145 and 3814 participants, respectively. Subjective indicators of daily-life changes include level of attention, risk of infection, impact of daily life, self-perceived health status, and mental health help-seeking. Individual scores on changes in anxiety, depression, and stress were generated by 6-item, 4-item, and 3-item questions. A multivariate regression model was fitted in each survey, separately and combined.

Results:

A total of 6959 residents participated in the study, with 32.78% male and 67.22% female, people living in Wuhan and other cities in Hubei Province accounted for 25.22% and 18.85%, respectively. One week after the Wuhan shutdown, their anxiety, depression, and stress had all increased. Compared with the first survey, the changes in the scores of anxiety, depression, and stress in the second survey were decreased (β = −1.220, −0.798, and −0.623, all P < 0.001). The level of attention, risk of infection, and self-perceived health status tended to be positively associated with the changes in the scores of anxiety, depression, and stress.

Conclusions:

The study showed that the lives and psychological conditions of residents had undergone negative changes after the Wuhan shutdown, but the measures taken during this period were effective. These results may provide guidance for public health policies in other countries and regions.
The Award in the Matter of an Arbitration Concerning The “Enrica Lexie” Incident (Perm. Ct. Arb.)
Authors: Polepalli Sindhura Natesha
Published: January 2021

On June 26, 2015, the Italian Republic (Italy) commenced arbitral proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by serving on the Republic of India (India) a Notification under Article 287 and Annex VII, Article 1 of UNCLOS and Statement of Claim (Notification and Statement of Claim) in respect of the dispute concerning the Enrica Lexie incident. On July 2, 2020, having issued its Award to Italy and India (the Parties), the Arbitral Tribunal (Tribunal) published the operative part or the “dispositive” of the Award at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which acts as registry for the proceedings.
TREE-RING-RADIOCARBON DATING AT A LATE CONTACT PERIOD KITKAHAHKI PAWNEE SITE ON THE CENTRAL GREAT PLAINS, USA
Authors: Kessler Nicholas V , Hodgins Gregory W L , Stambaugh Michael C , Adair Mary J
Published: January 2021

This study obtained calendar dates by radiocarbon accelerator mass spectrometry (14C AMS) dating sequential tree-rings of wooden support posts from the buried remains of traditional Kitkahahki Pawnee earthlodges preserved at an archaeological site on the Central Great Plains, USA. The tree-ring segments from the site were dendrochronologically analyzed prior to this study, but the cross-matched site chronology could not be definitively cross-dated and was thus “floating” in time. Our study represents the first floating tree-ring chronology from the Great Plains to be anchored in time by means of independent radiocarbon analysis. Three specimens were analyzed and dated to 1724–1774 CE (82.0% probability), 1774–1794 CE (95.4% probability), and 1800–1820 CE (95.4% probability). These dates correspond to the hypothetical timing of Kitkahahki ethnogensis, the main phase of village growth in the area, and a later reoccupation during a turbulent period in regional history. The results of this study conform to a scenario in which chaotic social conditions correspond to an increase in residential mobility between the core of Pawnee territory and a southern frontier in the Republican River valley.
The effects of whole grain intake on anthropometric measures in overweight and obese children: a crossover randomised clinical trial
Authors: Hajihashemi Parisa , Azadbakht Leila , Hashemipour Mahin , Kelishadi Roya , Saneei Parvane , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad
Published: January 2021

Whole-grain foods have been reported to affect body weight and satiety. However, we are aware of no study in this regard among children. The present study aimed to determine the effects of whole grain consumption on anthropometric measures in overweight or obese children. In this randomised crossover clinical trial, forty-four overweight or obese girls participated. After a 2-week run-in period, subjects were randomly assigned to either intervention (n 44) or non-intervention (n 44) groups. Subjects in the intervention group were given a list of whole-grain foods and were asked to obtain half of their grain servings from these foods each day for 6 weeks. Individuals in the non-intervention group were asked not to consume any of these foods. A 4-week washout period was applied. Then, participants were crossed over to the alternate arm. The measurements were done before and after each phase. Mean age, weight and BMI of participants were 11·2 (sd 1·49) years, 51·2 (sd 10·2) kg and 23·5 (sd 2·5) kg/m2, respectively. Despite the slight reduction in weight and BMI, there were no significant differences in changes in these anthropometric measures. We found a significant effect of whole grain intake on waist circumference (−2·7 v. 0·3 cm, P = 0·04). No significant changes in hip circumference were observed. Changes in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity were not significantly different. This study indicated a beneficial effect of whole-grain foods on waist circumference in overweight children; however, these foods did not influence weight and BMI.
The role of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) awns in seed dispersal
Authors: Amarasinghe Yaddehige P.J. , Otsuka Mitsuharu , Lim Sathya , Ishikawa Ryo , Ishii Takashige
Published: January 2021

Cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) was domesticated from the Asian wild species O. rufipogon. Compared with cultivated rice, wild rice has spikelets/seeds with long barbed awns. In order to evaluate the role of awns in wild rice, four seed groups with different awn lengths (full, half, quarter and no awns) were prepared, and the following seed dispersal movements were investigated under simulated natural conditions as observed in the tropical Asian habitat: (1) seed detachment from the parent plant; (2) falling angle of mature seed; (3) ability to slip into small spaces; (4) horizontal movement on the ground and (5) horizontal movement in water. As a result, awns were found to enhance the detachment of matured seeds from the panicles in the initial seed dispersal step. They regulated vertical orientation in the air, and the vertical form may enable seeds to squeeze to the ground. The awned seeds also showed advantages in horizontal movements on the ground and in the water. In most of the experiments, seeds with full awns showed the best performance for seed dispersal, suggesting that wild rice keeps long awns to survive under natural conditions. Since seed awning is dominantly controlled by wild functional alleles at several loci, wild rice may be able to prevent a drastic reduction of awn length.
Reading across writing systems: A meta-analysis of the neural correlates for first and second language reading
Authors: Li Hehui , Zhang Jia , Ding Guosheng
Published: January 2021

Numerous studies have investigated the neural correlates of reading in two languages. However, reliable conclusions have not been established as to the relationship of the neural correlates underlying reading in the first (L1) and second (L2) language. Here, we conduct meta-analyses to address this issue. We found that compared to L1, the left inferior parietal lobule showed greater activation during L2 processing across all bilingual studies. We then divided the literature into two categories: bilingual participants who learned two languages with different writing systems and bilinguals who learned two languages with similar writing systems. We found that language differences in the neural correlates of reading were generally modulated by writing system similarity, except the region of the left inferior parietal lobule, which showed preferences for L2 reading in both types of bilinguals. These findings provide new insights into the brain mechanisms underlying reading in bilinguals.
Diet and risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Sabrina E , Hodge Allison M , Dashti S Ghazaleh , Dixon-Suen Suzanne C , Mitchell Hazel , Thomas Robert JS , Williamson Elizabeth M , Makalic Enes , Boussioutas Alex , Haydon Andrew M , Giles Graham G , Milne Roger L , Kendall Bradley J , English Dallas R
Published: January 2021

Objective:

To examine associations between diet and risk of developing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Design:

Prospective cohort with a median follow-up of 15·8 years. Baseline diet was measured using a FFQ. GERD was defined as self-reported current or history of daily heartburn or acid regurgitation beginning at least 2 years after baseline. Sex-specific logistic regressions were performed to estimate OR for GERD associated with diet quality scores and intakes of nutrients, food groups and individual foods and beverages. The effect of substituting saturated fat for monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat on GERD risk was examined.

Setting:

Melbourne, Australia.

Participants:

A cohort of 20 926 participants (62 % women) aged 40–59 years at recruitment between 1990 and 1994.

Results:

For men, total fat intake was associated with increased risk of GERD (OR 1·05 per 5 g/d; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·09; P = 0·016), whereas total carbohydrate (OR 0·89 per 30 g/d; 95 % CI 0·82, 0·98; P = 0·010) and starch intakes (OR 0·84 per 30 g/d; 95 % CI 0·75, 0·94; P = 0·005) were associated with reduced risk. Nutrients were not associated with risk for women. For both sexes, substituting saturated fat for polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat did not change risk. For both sexes, fish, chicken, cruciferous vegetables and carbonated beverages were associated with increased risk, whereas total fruit and citrus were associated with reduced risk. No association was observed with diet quality scores.

Conclusions:

Diet is a possible risk factor for GERD, but food considered as triggers of GERD symptoms might not necessarily contribute to disease development. Potential differential associations for men and women warrant further investigation.
Personal Savings for Those on Lower Incomes: Towards a New Framework for Assessing the Role of the State in Relation to Savings Schemes
Authors: Gregory James , Lymer Andy , Rowlingson Karen
Published: January 2021

This article explores the role of the state in helping households to save. Using the UK as an example of challenges faced in other developed countries, it develops a framework for comparing saving schemes along two dimensions: apparent normative motivation for the scheme and likely impact on savers of varying income levels. Using this framework, our analysis suggests that there is much greater state support for high-income savers than low-income savers, even after the recent introduction of the ‘Help to Save’ scheme. So, while this scheme has provided some support for this group, we propose ways to expand it through providing initial seed funding to each account and greater marketing and accessibility. We note, however, that an important way to help those on low incomes to save is to increase their incomes so they have more capacity to do so.
Three‐Dimensional Numerical Simulations of Internal Tides in the Angolan Upwelling Region
Authors: Zeng Z. , Brandt P. , Lamb K. G. , Greatbatch R. J. , Dengler M. , Claus M. , Chen X.
Published: January 2021

In austral winter, biological productivity at the Angolan shelf reaches its maximum. The alongshore winds, however, reach their seasonal minimum suggesting that processes other than local wind‐driven upwelling contribute to near‐coastal cooling and upward nutrient supply, one possibility being mixing induced by internal tides (ITs). Here, we apply a three‐dimensional ocean model to simulate the generation, propagation, and dissipation of ITs at the Angolan continental slope and shelf. Model results are validated against moored acoustic Doppler current profiler and other observations. Simulated ITs are mainly generated in regions with a critical/supercritical slope typically between the 200‐ and 500‐m isobaths. Mixing induced by ITs is found to be strongest close to the coast and gradually decreases offshore thereby contributing to the establishment of cross‐shore temperature gradients. The available seasonal coverage of hydrographic data is used to design simulations to investigate the influence of seasonally varying stratification characterized by low stratification in austral winter and high stratification in austral summer. The results show that IT characteristics, such as their wavelengths, sea surface convergence patterns, and baroclinic structure, have substantial seasonal variations and additionally strong spatial inhomogeneities. However, seasonal variations in the spatially averaged generation, onshore flux, and dissipation of IT energy are weak. By evaluating the change of potential energy, it is shown, nevertheless, that mixing due to ITs is more effective during austral winter. We argue that this is because the weaker background stratification in austral winter than in austral summer acts as a preconditioning for IT mixing.
High‐Speed Spectra of a Bolt From the Blue Lightning Stepped Leader
Authors: Harley Jacob , Zimmerman Lucy A. , Edens Harald E. , Stenbaek‐Nielsen Hans C. , Haaland Ryan K. , Sonnenfeld Richard G. , McHarg Matthew G.
Published: January 2021

We present spectra from 400 to 900 nm of a bolt from the blue stepped leader on July 19, 2015 including novel observations from 400 to 600 nm. The spectra of the luminous steps near the tip of the leader look qualitatively similar and contain singly ionized nitrogen lines. The presence of these ionized lines indicate currents and temperatures comparable to peak return stroke. The entire channel illuminates over the final 1.3 ms before attachment, but does not contain evidence of ionization. This neutral spectrum is qualitatively similar to the return stroke spectrum after peak current. This may indicate increasing potential and current along the channel prior to attachment.
Brain dynamics: the temporal variability of connectivity, and differences in schizophrenia and ADHD
Authors: Rolls Edmund T. , Cheng Wei , Feng Jianfeng
Published: January 2021

We describe advances in the understanding of brain dynamics that are important for understanding the operation of the cerebral cortex in health and disease. In data from 1017 participants from the Human Connectome Project, we show that early visual and connected areas have low temporal variability of their functional connectivity. We show that a low temporal variability of the connectivity of cortical areas is related to high mean functional connectivity between those areas, and provide an account of how these dynamics arise. We then investigate how these concepts help to understand brain dynamics in mental disorders. We find that in both first episode and long-term schizophrenia, reduced functional connectivity of early visual and related temporal cortex areas is associated with increased temporal variability of the functional connectivity, consistent with decreased stability of attractor networks related to sensory processing. In ADHD, we find these functional connectivities are increased and their temporal variability is decreased, and relate this to increased engagement with visual sensory input as manifest in high screen time usage in ADHD. We further show that these differences in the dynamics of the cortex in schizophrenia, and ADHD can be related to differences in the functional connectivity of the specific sensory vs. association thalamic nuclei. These discoveries help to advance our understanding of cortical operation in health, and in some mental disorders.
How effective and cost-effective is water fluoridation for adults? Protocol for a 10-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Moore Deborah , Allen Thomas , Birch Stephen , Tickle Martin , Walsh Tanya , Pretty Iain A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Tooth decay can cause pain, sleepless nights and loss of productive workdays. Fluoridation of drinking water was identified in the 1940s as a cost-effective method of prevention. In the mid-1970s, fluoride toothpastes became widely available. Since then, in high-income countries the prevalence of tooth decay in children has reduced whilst natural tooth retention in older age groups has increased. Most water fluoridation research was carried out before these dramatic changes in fluoride availability and oral health. Furthermore, there is a paucity of evidence in adults. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of water fluoridation in preventing invasive dental treatment in adults and adolescents aged over 12.

Methods/design

Retrospective cohort study using 10 years of routinely available dental treatment data. Individuals exposed to water fluoridation will be identified by sampled water fluoride concentration linked to place of residence. Outcomes will be based on the number of invasive dental treatments received per participant (fillings, extractions, root canal treatments). A generalised linear model with clustering by local authority area will be used for analysis. The model will include area level propensity scores and individual-level covariates. The economic evaluation will focus on (1) cost-effectiveness as assessed by the water fluoridation mean cost per invasive treatment avoided and (2) a return on investment from the public sector perspective, capturing the change in cost of dental service utilisation resulting from investment in water fluoridation.

Discussions

There is a well-recognised need for contemporary evidence regarding the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of water fluoridation, particularly for adults. The absence of such evidence for all age groups may lead to an underestimation of the potential benefits of a population-wide, rather than targeted, fluoride delivery programme. This study will utilise a pragmatic design to address the information needs of policy makers in a timely manner.
Clinical utility of circulating tumour cell-based monitoring of late-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer: the randomised CirCe01 trial
Authors: Cabel Luc , Berger Frédérique , Cottu Paul , Loirat Delphine , Rampanou Aurore , Brain Etienne , Cyrille Stacy , Bourgeois Hugues , Kiavue Nicolas , Deluche Elise , Ladoire Sylvain , Campone Mario , Pierga Jean-Yves , Bidard Francois-Clement
Published: January 2021

Background

CirCe01 trial aimed to assess the clinical utility of circulating tumour cell (CTC)-based monitoring in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients beyond the third line of chemotherapy (LC).

Methods

CirCe01 was a prospective, multicentre, randomised trial (NCT01349842) that included patients with MBC after two systemic LC. Patients with ≥5 CTC/7.5 mL (CellSearch®) were randomised between the CTC-driven and the standard arm. In the CTC arm, changes in CTC count were assessed at the first cycle of each LC; patients in whom CTC levels predicted early tumour progression had to switch to a subsequent LC.

Results

Greater than or equal to 5 CTC/7.5 mL were observed in N = 101/204 patients. In the CTC arm (N = 51), 43 (83%) and 18 (44%) patients completed CTC monitoring in the third and fourth lines, respectively, and 18 (42%) and 11 (61%) of these patients, respectively, had no CTC response. Thirteen (72%) and 5 (46%) of these patients underwent early switch to the next LC. Overall survival was not different between the two arms (hazard ratio = 0.95, 95% confidence interval = [0.6;1.4], p = 0.8). In subgroup analyses, patients with no CTC response who switched chemotherapy experienced longer survival than patients who did not.

Conclusions

Due to the limited accrual and compliance, this trial failed to demonstrate the clinical utility of CTC monitoring.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT, NCT01349842, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01349842, registered 9 May 2011.
Natural history, response to systemic therapy, and genomic landscape of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Teo Min Yuen , Al-Ahmadie Hikmat , Seier Kenneth , Tully Christopher , Regazzi Ashley M. , Pietzak Eugene , Solit David B. , Tickoo Satish , Reuter Victor , Cha Eugene K. , Herr Harry , Donahue Timothy , Donat Sherri M. , Dalbagni Guido , Bochner Bernard H. , Funt Samuel , Iyer Gopakumar V. , Bajorin Dean F. , Ostrovnaya Irina , Rosenberg Jonathan E.
Published: January 2021

Background

Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma (PUC) is a rare, aggressive histologic variant of urothelial cancer characterised by a diffuse growth pattern and CDH1 mutation. We studied the efficacy of preoperative platinum-based chemotherapy in nonmetastatic PUC and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in advanced PUC.

Methods

Cases of nonmetastatic PUC and advanced PUC treated with ICIs at our institution were identified. Outcomes were compared to those of a published cohort of patients with urothelial carcinoma not otherwise specified.

Results

We identified 81 patients with nonmetastatic PUC. Of the patients with localised disease who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, pathologic complete response and downstaging rates were 12 and 21%, respectively. Pathologic downstaging was not associated with significant improvement in clinical outcomes. Up to 18% of localised disease and 28% of locally advanced cases had unresectable disease at the time of surgery. ICI-treated advanced PUC (N = 21) had progression-free and overall survival of 4.5 and 10.5 months, respectively, and a 38% response rate. FGFR3 and DNA damage response gene alterations were observed in 3 and 15% of cases, respectively.

Conclusions

PUC is associated with high disease burden and poor chemosensitivity. Increased awareness and recognition of this disease variant will allow for new treatment strategies.
Circular RNA circRUNX1 promotes papillary thyroid cancer progression and metastasis by sponging MiR-296-3p and regulating DDHD2 expression
Authors: Chu Junjie , Tao Li , Yao Teng , Chen Zizheng , Lu Xiaoxiao , Gao Li , Fang Liang , Chen Jian , He Gaofei , Shen Shuying , Zhang Deguang
Published: January 2021

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has a continuously increasing incidence and imposes a heavy medical burden to individuals and society due to its high proportion of lymph node metastasis and recurrence in recent years. Circular RNAs, a class of noncoding RNAs, participate in the progression of many cancers, but the role of circRNAs in PTC is still rarely reported. In this study, circRNA deep sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed circRNAs in PTC. CircRUNX1 was selected for its high expression in PTC, and circRUNX1 silencing was directly associated with the week potential for migration, invasion and proliferation of PTC in vivo and in vitro. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was further used to confirm the cytoplasmic localization of circRUNX1, indicating the possible function of circRUNX1 as a ceRNAs in PTC progression through miRNA binding. MiR-296-3p was then confirmed to be regulated by circRUNX1 and to target DDHD domain containing 2 (DDHD2) by luciferase reporter assays. The strong antitumor effect of miR-296-3p and the tumor-promoting effect of DDHD2 were further investigated in PTC, indicating that circRUNX1 modulates PTC progression through the miR-296-3p/DDHD2 pathway. Overall, circRUNX1 plays an oncogenic role in PTC and provides a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for PTC progression.
Lymphangiogenesis in renal fibrosis arises from macrophages via VEGF-C/VEGFR3-dependent autophagy and polarization
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhang Conghui , Li Lixi , Liang Xinjun , Cheng Peng , Li Qing , Chang Xiaoyan , Wang Kun , Huang Shuai , Li Yueqiang , Liu Yanyan , Xu Gang
Published: January 2021

Inflammation plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of renal fibrosis, which ultimately results in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). There is new focus on lymphangiogenesis in the field of inflammation. Recent studies have revealed the association between lymphangiogenesis and renal fibrosis, but the source of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) is not clear. It has also been reported that macrophages are involved in lymphangiogenesis through direct and indirect mechanisms in other tissues. We hypothesized that there was a close relationship between macrophages and lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells in renal fibrosis. In this study, we demonstrated that lymphangiogenesis occurred in a renal fibrosis model and was positively correlated with the degree of fibrosis and macrophage infiltration. Compared to resting (M0) macrophages and alternatively activated (M2) macrophages, classically activated (M1) macrophages predominantly transdifferentiated into LECs in vivo and in vitro. VEGF-C further increased M1 macrophage polarization and transdifferentiation into LECs by activating VEGFR3. It was suggested that VEGF-C/VEGFR3 pathway activation downregulated macrophage autophagy and subsequently regulated macrophage phenotype. The induction of autophagy in macrophages by rapamycin decreased M1 macrophage polarization and differentiation into LECs. These results suggested that M1 macrophages promoted lymphangiogenesis and contributed to newly formed lymphatic vessels in the renal fibrosis microenvironment, and VEGF-C/VEGFR3 signaling promoted macrophage M1 polarization by suppressing macrophage autophagy and then increased the transdifferentiation of M1 macrophages into LECs.
Genomic profiles and tumor immune microenvironment of primary lung carcinoma and brain oligo-metastasis
Authors: Song Zhengbo , Yang Ling , Zhou Zhipeng , Li Pansong , Wang Wenxian , Cheng Guoping , Chen Rongrong , Chang Lianpeng , Zhang Yiping , Guan Yanfang , Xia Xuefeng , Yi Xin , Zhou Rongrong , Chen Ming
Published: January 2021

Brain metastasis (BM) is a common malignant event in lung cancer. Here, we recruited 33 lung cancer patients with brain oligo-metastasis to explore the genomic features and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of the lung and BM independently. For genomic profiling, targeted sequencing was performed. We found that high-frequent ZFHX3 occurred in the lung (40%) and brain tumor (28%), which might relate to brain metastasis event; the vast majority of patients had lesions-shared mutations in primary tumor and BM, confirming the common clonal events; and EGFR was the most frequently clonal gene in both lung and BM, indicating its driver capability. To characterize TIME status, we also sequenced the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires and performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) on CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD-L1 expression in 28 patients who had paired samples. Through the comparison, the TCR clonality of BM was higher than lung tumor, indicating the distinct pattern of the stronger oligoclonal T cell expansion in BM; the primary tumor had a higher TMB than oligo-BM (13.9 vs 8.7 mutations, p = 0.019); CD8 + TILs of BM were significantly lower than lung tumor (10% vs 30%, p = 0.015), revealing the lower level of cytotoxic T cell infiltration; BM showed statistically equivalent level of PD-L1 compared with lung tumor (p = 0.722). We further investigated the potential biomarkers associated with overall survival (OS) after brain surgery. We found that higher TCR clonality was related to prolonged OS in EGFR-treated patients (HR 0.175, p < 0.001) but the worse outcomes in non-EGFR-treated (HR 2.623, p = 0.034). More CD8+ TILs were an independently positive indicator for OS, in EGFR-treated (HR 0.160, p = 0.001) and non-EGFR-treated patients (HR 0.308, p = 0.009). These findings provide a meaningful molecular and clinical understanding of lung carcinoma and brain oligo-metastasis.
White pupae phenotype of tephritids is caused by parallel mutations of a MFS transporter
Authors: Ward Christopher M. , Aumann Roswitha A. , Whitehead Mark A. , Nikolouli Katerina , Leveque Gary , Gouvi Georgia , Fung Elisabeth , Reiling Sarah J. , Djambazian Haig , Hughes Margaret A. , Whiteford Sam , Caceres-Barrios Carlos , Nguyen Thu N. M. , Choo Amanda , Crisp Peter , Sim Sheina B. , Geib Scott M. , Marec František , Häcker Irina , Ragoussis Jiannis , Darby Alistair C. , Bourtzis Kostas , Baxter Simon W. , Schetelig Marc F.
Published: January 2021

Mass releases of sterilized male insects, in the frame of sterile insect technique programs, have helped suppress insect pest populations since the 1950s. In the major horticultural pests Bactrocera dorsalis, Ceratitis capitata, and Zeugodacus cucurbitae, a key phenotype white pupae (wp) has been used for decades to selectively remove females before releases, yet the gene responsible remained unknown. Here, we use classical and modern genetic approaches to identify and functionally characterize causal wp− mutations in these distantly related fruit fly species. We find that the wp phenotype is produced by parallel mutations in a single, conserved gene. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the wp gene leads to the rapid generation of white pupae strains in C. capitata and B. tryoni. The conserved phenotype and independent nature of wp− mutations suggest this technique can provide a generic approach to produce sexing strains in other major medical and agricultural insect pests.
The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphoprotein forms mutually exclusive condensates with RNA and the membrane-associated M protein
Authors: Lu Shan , Ye Qiaozhen , Singh Digvijay , Cao Yong , Diedrich Jolene K. , Yates John R. , Villa Elizabeth , Cleveland Don W. , Corbett Kevin D.
Published: January 2021

The multifunctional nucleocapsid (N) protein in SARS-CoV-2 binds the ~30 kb viral RNA genome to aid its packaging into the 80–90 nm membrane-enveloped virion. The N protein is composed of N-terminal RNA-binding and C-terminal dimerization domains that are flanked by three intrinsically disordered regions. Here we demonstrate that the N protein’s central disordered domain drives phase separation with RNA, and that phosphorylation of an adjacent serine/arginine rich region modulates the physical properties of the resulting condensates. In cells, N forms condensates that recruit the stress granule protein G3BP1, highlighting a potential role for N in G3BP1 sequestration and stress granule inhibition. The SARS-CoV-2 membrane (M) protein independently induces N protein phase separation, and three-component mixtures of N + M + RNA form condensates with mutually exclusive compartments containing N + M or N + RNA, including annular structures in which the M protein coats the outside of an N + RNA condensate. These findings support a model in which phase separation of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein contributes both to suppression of the G3BP1-dependent host immune response and to packaging genomic RNA during virion assembly.
The Rustenburg Layered Suite formed as a stack of mush with transient magma chambers
Authors: Yao Zhuosen , Mungall James E. , Jenkins M. Christopher
Published: January 2021

The Rustenburg Layered Suite of the Bushveld Complex of South Africa is a vast layered accumulation of mafic and ultramafic rocks. It has long been regarded as a textbook result of fractional crystallization from a melt-dominated magma chamber. Here, we show that most units of the Rustenburg Layered Suite can be derived with thermodynamic models of crustal assimilation by komatiitic magma to form magmatic mushes without requiring the existence of a magma chamber. Ultramafic and mafic cumulate layers below the Upper and Upper Main Zone represent multiple crystal slurries produced by assimilation-batch crystallization in the upper and middle crust, whereas the chilled marginal rocks represent complementary supernatant liquids. Only the uppermost third formed via lower-crustal assimilation–fractional crystallization and evolved by fractional crystallization within a melt-rich pocket. Layered intrusions need not form in open magma chambers. Mineral deposits hitherto attributed to magma chamber processes might form in smaller intrusions of any geometric form, from mushy systems entirely lacking melt-dominated magma chambers.