bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Makes a Tax Policy Popular? Predicting Referendum Votes from Policy Text
Authors: Martin Isaac William , Harper Heather
Published: December 2021

What kinds of taxation are most politically sustainable in a democracy? The authors answer this question by applying natural language processing and machine learning techniques to a large, new corpus of digitized documents describing municipal tax policies of heterogeneous design that have been directly subjected to popular referendum in the state of California. The authors find that tax policies of different description vary systematically in their popularity with voters. In particular, official textual summaries of tax policy differ along two social dimensions that are associated with voters’ willingness to approve the tax. The authors interpret these dimensions as risk pooling and community orientation and show that measuring these dimensions can modestly improve the ability to predict the popularity of a tax, relative to a conventional regression specification that omits information about qualitative policy design. The authors discuss implications for the study of the sociology of taxation.
Race, Poverty, and U.S. Children’s Exposure to Neighborhood Incarceration
Authors: Roehrkasse Alexander F.
Published: December 2021

Recent research has documented negative associations between children’s welfare and mobility and their exposure to neighborhood incarceration. But inequality in such exposure among children in the United States is poorly understood. This study links tract-level census data to administrative data on prison admissions to measure 37.8 million children’s exposure to neighborhood incarceration in 2008, by race/ethnicity and poverty status. The average poor Black or African American child lived in a neighborhood where 1 in 174 working-age adults was admitted to prison annually, more than twice the rate of neighborhood prison admission experienced by the average U.S. child. Residential segregation and the spatial concentration of incarceration combine to create significant ethnoracial and economic inequality in the neighborhood experiences of U.S. children.
Solitary confinement and institutional harm
Authors: Western Bruce , Simes Jessica T. , Bradner Kendra
Published: December 2021

In a given year, one in five people incarcerated in the U.S. prisons is locked in solitary confinement. We study solitary confinement along three dimensions of penal harm: (1) material deprivation, (2) social isolation, and (3) psychological distress. Data from a longitudinal survey of incarcerated men who are interviewed at baseline in solitary confinement are used to contrast the most extreme form of penal custody with general prison conditions observed at a follow-up interview. Solitary confinement is associated with extreme material deprivation and social isolation that accompanies psychological distress. Distress is greatest for those with histories of mental illness. Inactivity and feelings of dehumanization revealed in qualitative interviews help explain the distress of extreme isolation, lending empirical support to legal arguments that solitary confinement threatens human dignity.
Limited-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Hawkes Eliza A. , Barraclough Allison , Sehn Laurie H.
Published: December 2021

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common lymphoma subtype, is localized in 25% to 30% of patients. Prognosis in patients with limited-stage DLBCL (LS-DLBCL) is excellent with 10-year overall survival of at least 70% to 80%. Improved insights into the disease biology, the availability of positron-emission tomography (PET) scans, and recent dedicated clinical trials within this unique population have led to evolving treatment paradigms. However, no standard definition of LS-DLBCL exists, and although generally defined as Ann Arbor stages I to II disease with largest mass size <10 cm in diameter, variations across studies cause challenges in interpretation. Similar to advanced-stage disease, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) immunochemotherapy forms the basis of treatment, with combined modality therapy including 3 cycles of systemic treatment and involved-site radiation therapy being a predominant historical standard. Yet the well-described continuous risk of relapse beyond 5 years and established late complications of radiotherapy have challenged previous strategies. More rigorous baseline staging and response assessment with PET may improve decision making. Recent clinical studies have focused on minimizing toxicities while maximizing disease outcomes using strategies such as abbreviated immunochemotherapy alone and PET-adapted radiotherapy delivery. This comprehensive review provides an update of recent literature with recommendations for integration into clinical practice for LS-DLBCL patients.
Establishment of a predictive model for GVHD-free, relapse-free survival after allogeneic HSCT using ensemble learning
Authors: Iwasaki Makoto , Kanda Junya , Arai Yasuyuki , Kondo Tadakazu , Ishikawa Takayuki , Ueda Yasunori , Imada Kazunori , Akasaka Takashi , Yonezawa Akihito , Yago Kazuhiro , Nohgawa Masaharu , Anzai Naoyuki , Moriguchi Toshinori , Kitano Toshiyuki , Itoh Mitsuru , Arima Nobuyoshi , Takeoka Tomoharu , Watanabe Mitsumasa , Hirata Hirokazu , Asagoe Kosuke , Miyatsuka Isao , An Le My , Miyanishi Masanori , Takaori-Kondo, Akifumi
Published: December 2021

Graft-versus-host disease-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) is a useful composite end point that measures survival without relapse or significant morbidity after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We aimed to develop a novel analytical method that appropriately handles right-censored data and competing risks to understand the risk for GRFS and each component of GRFS. This study was a retrospective data-mining study on a cohort of 2207 adult patients who underwent their first allo-HSCT within the Kyoto Stem Cell Transplantation Group, a multi-institutional joint research group of 17 transplantation centers in Japan. The primary end point was GRFS. A stacked ensemble of Cox Proportional Hazard (Cox-PH) regression and 7 machine-learning algorithms was applied to develop a prediction model. The median age for the patients was 48 years. For GRFS, the stacked ensemble model achieved better predictive accuracy evaluated by C-index than other state-of-the-art competing risk models (ensemble model: 0.670; Cox-PH: 0.668; Random Survival Forest: 0.660; Dynamic DeepHit: 0.646). The probability of GRFS after 2 years was 30.54% for the high-risk group and 40.69% for the low-risk group (hazard ratio compared with the low-risk group: 2.127; 95% CI, 1.19-3.80). We developed a novel predictive model for survival analysis that showed superior risk stratification to existing methods using a stacked ensemble of multiple machine-learning algorithms.
Association of dog ownership with accelerometer-measured physical activity and daily steps in 70-year-old individuals: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Ballin Marcel , Antonsson Oskar , Rosenqvist Viktor , Nordström Peter , Nordström Anna
Published: December 2021

Background

Dog ownership (DO) has been associated with higher levels of self-reported walking and physical activity. However, compared to device-based measures, self-reported measures of physical activity may suffer from bias due to recall and social desirability. They are also incapable of quantifying light-intensity physical activity (LPA) and step volume, both of which may have important health benefits, especially for older adults. In this study, we investigated the association of DO with accelerometer-measured physical activity of different intensities and daily steps in 70-year-old individuals.

Methods

This was a population-based cross-sectional study including 1406 participants aged 70 years [54.1% female] who participated in a health survey in Umeå, Sweden between February 2017–November 2019. All participants self-reported DO [yes/no]. Daily averages of LPA, moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), and steps per day [steps/d] were measured for 1 week using hip-mounted Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Associations were investigated using linear- and logistic regression models, adjusted for sociodemographic and health-related factors, date of examination, and accelerometer wear time.

Results

The prevalence of DO was 14.1% [N = 199]. After adjustment for all covariates, DO was associated with 19.2 more minutes/d of LPA [95% CI, 8.8–29.6], 11.4 more minutes/d of MVPA [95% CI, 8.0–14.9] and 1738 more steps/d [95% CI, 1326–2149]. DO was also associated with twice the odds of meeting the physical activity recommendations [OR, 2.07, 95% CI, 1.48–2.90]. Exploratory interaction analyses showed that the association between DO and steps/d was stronger [Pinteraction = 0.030] in female [β = 2165, 95% CI, 1585–2744] than in male [β =1255, 95% CI, 664–1845], with a similar trend for MVPA [Pinteraction = 0.082].

Conclusions

In this study of community-dwelling 70-year-old individuals, DO was associated with higher levels of daily LPA, MVPA, and steps. With the limitation of the observational design of the study, these findings add knowledge regarding the beneficial role that DO may play for promoting physical activity in the older population. In turn, these findings could support the development and evaluation of targeted interventions seeking to promote dog-friendly environments and facilitate dog walking in the community.
Systemic and local cytokine profile and risk factors for persistent allergic airway inflammation in patients sensitised to house dust mite allergens
Authors: Tamasauskiene Laura , Sitkauskiene Brigita
Published: December 2021

Objective

To evaluate cytokine profile, vitamin D status, symptom score and quality of life in patients with persistent allergic airway diseases sensitised to house dust mites (HDM) in comparison with healthy individuals.

Material and methods

Patients sensitized to HDM with persistent AR and having symptoms for at least 2 years with or without AA were involved into the study. Measurements of vitamin D level in serum and IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IL-22, IL-33 and IFN-gamma in serum and nasal lavage were performed by ELISA.

Results

Eighty-one subjects were involved into the study. Serum IL-10 concentration was higher in patients with AR than in patients with AR and AA (6.71 ± 1.73 vs. 1.98 ± 0.24, p < 0.05). IFN-gamma level in nasal lavage was higher in patients with AR and AA than in patients with AR (p < 0.01) and healthy individuals (p < 0.05) (7.50 ± 0.37 vs. 6.80 ± 0.99 vs. 6.50 ± 0.22). Serum IL-22 negatively correlated with IL-22 in nasal lavage, whereas serum IFN-gamma positively correlated with IFN-gamma in nasal lavage. Positive correlation between serum IL-17 and total IgE and negative correlation between IL-17 in nasal lavage and eosinophils in nasal smear were found in patients with AR and AA. Serum IFN-gamma decreased the risk of AR for healthy individuals. Serum IL-10 and vitamin D decreased risk for development of AA for patients with AR. IL-22 in serum and IL-10 and IL-33 in nasal lavage increased this risk.

Conclusion

Novel cytokines such as IL-22, IL-17 and IL-33 and vitamin D may be involved in pathogenesis of persistent airway inflammation in patients sensitized to HDM.
Childhood musculoskeletal impairment in Malawi from traumatic and non-traumatic causes: a population- based assessment using the key informant method
Authors: Linder Cortland L. , Atijosan-Ayodele Oluwarantimi , Chokotho Linda , Mulwafu Wakisa , Tataryn Myroslava , Polack Sarah , Kuper Hannah , Pandit Hemant , Lavy Chris
Published: December 2021

Background

Musculoskeletal impairment (MSI) in children is an under-recognised public health challenge. Although preventable, road injuries and other traumas continue to cause significant impairments to children worldwide. The study aimed to use the Key Informant Method (KIM) to assess prevalence and causes of MSI in children in two districts in Malawi, estimating the associated need for services provision, with a focus on traumatic aetiology.

Methods

The KIM was conducted in the districts of Thyolo (Southern Malawi) and Ntcheu (Central Malawi) in 2013. Five hundred key informants were trained to identify children who may have one of a range of MSI. The identified children were referred to a screening camp where they were examined by medical experts with standardised assessment protocols for diagnosing each form of impairment.

Results

15,000 children were referred to screening camps. 7220 children were assessed (response rate 48%) for an impairment of whom 15.2% (1094) had an MSI. 13% of children developed MSI from trauma, while 54% had a neurological aetiology. For MSI of traumatic origin the most common body part affected was the elbow. Less than half of children with MSI (44.4%) were enrolled in school and none of these children attended schools with resources for disability. More than half of children with MSI (60%) had not received required services and 64% required further physical therapy.

Conclusions

The KIM method was used to identify a high prevalence of MSI among children in two districts of Malawi and estimates an unmet need for dedicated MSI services.
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF), FGF receptor (FGFR), and cyclin D1 (CCND1) DNA methylation in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas is associated with transcriptional activity, gene amplification, human papillomavirus (HPV) status, and sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Bao Yilin , Gabrielpillai Jennis , Dietrich Jörn , Zarbl Romina , Strieth Sebastian , Schröck Friederike , Dietrich Dimo
Published: December 2021

Background

Dysregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)signaling pathway has been observed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and is a promising therapeutic target for selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Potential predictive biomarkers for response to FGFR-targeted therapies are urgently needed. Understanding the epigenetic regulation of FGF pathway related genes, i.e. FGFRs, FGFs, andCCND1, could enlighten the way towards biomarker-selected FGFR-targeted therapies.

Methods

We performed DNA methylation analysis of the encoding genesFGFR1, FGFR2,FGFR3, FGFR4, FGF1-14,FGF16-23, andCCND1at single CpG site resolution (840 CpG sites) employing The Cancer Genome Research Atlas (TCGA) HNSCC cohort comprisingN = 530 tumor tissue andN = 50 normal adjacent tissue samples. We correlated DNA methylation to mRNA expression with regard to human papilloma virus (HPV) and gene amplification status. Moreover, we investigated the correlation of methylation with sensitivity to the selective FGFR inhibitors PD 173074 and AZD4547 inN = 40 HPV(−) HNSCC cell lines.

Results

We found sequence-contextually nuanced CpG methylation patterns in concordance with epigenetically regulated genes. High methylation levels were predominantly found in the promoter flank and gene body region, while low methylation levels were present in the central promoter region for most of the analyzed CpG sites. FGFRs, FGFs, andCCND1methylation differed significantly between tumor and normal adjacent tissue and was associated with HPV and gene amplification status.CCND1promoter methylation correlated withCCND1amplification.For most of the analyzed CpG sites, methylation levels correlated to mRNA expression in tumor tissue. Furthermore, we found significant correlations of DNA methylation of specific CpG sites with response to the FGFR1/3–selective inhibitors PD 173074 and AZD4547, predominantly within the transcription start site ofCCND1.

Conclusions

Our results suggest an epigenetic regulation ofCCND1, FGFRs, and FGFs via DNA methylation in HNSCC and warrants further investigation of DNA methylation as a potential predictive biomarker for response to selective FGFR inhibitors in clinical trials.
What evidence exists on the impact of anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on animals and plants in the environment? A systematic map protocol
Authors: Karipidis Ken , Brzozek Chris , Bhatt Chhavi Raj , Loughran Sarah , Wood Andrew
Published: December 2021

Background

Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF), particularly from telecommunications sources, is one of the most common and fastest growing anthropogenic factors on the environment. In many countries, humans are protected from excessive RF EMF exposure by safety standards that are based on guidelines by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The ICNIRP guidelines are based on knowledge of how RF EMF affects the human body, however, there are currently no recognised international guidelines to specifically protect animals and plants. Whether the ICNIRP guidelines for humans is adequate to provide protection to the environment is a subject of active debate. This systematic map will collate all the available evidence on whether anthropogenic RF EMF has a negative effect on plants and animals in the environment. The map will also identify gaps in knowledge, recommend future research and inform environmental and radiation protection authorities.

Methods

The proposed systematic map will include peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English. The EMF—Portal, PubMed and Web of Science databases will be searched using a search string prepared by the review team and tested for comprehensiveness against a list of known relevant reviews. Once duplicates are removed, retrieved articles will be screened in three stages: title, abstract, and full text. Studies will be selected with a subject population of all plants and animals, with exposures to anthropogenic RF EMF (frequency range 100 kHz–300 GHz) compared to no or lower-level exposure, and for all outcomes related to the studied populations. Kappa statistic tests will be conducted at each stage to ensure consistency of decision-making regarding the predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Eligible studies will then proceed to the data extraction phase, which will extract meta-data such as bibliographic information, taxonomic information, RF EMF exposure data, outcome(s), sample size, etc. The extracted data will then be organised into a systematic map and the findings summarised by cross-tabulating key meta-data variables in heat maps, charts or other data visualization methods. The systematic map will identify gaps in knowledge, priorities for future research and potential subtopics for further analysis and/or systematic review.
Global survey to assess preferences when attending virtual orthodontic learning sessions: optimising uptake from virtual lectures
Authors: Mheissen Samer , Almuzian Mohammed , Wertheimer Mark B. , Khan Haris
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Understanding the issues concerning the conducting of virtual orthodontic learning sessions (VOLSs) is essential. This study aims to identify attendees- and host-related aspects that could optimise learning and uptake from the VOLSs.

Methodology

Fourteen pre-validated questions were anonymously and electronically sent to 3000 orthodontic residents and specialists globally. The survey included demographic questions and questions to gauge attendees' engagement, memorising, and motivation-related factors. Reminders were sent at two-week intervals to non-respondents. The survey was closed when the sample size was met. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed.

Results

593 orthodontic residents and specialists (294 males and 299 females), primarily junior orthodontists and residents aged between 25 and 35 years of age, completed the survey. Post-VOLS recording was highly requested by the participants (8.84/10, 95% CI 8.67–9.00) with no significant influence of demographics on this trend (p > 0.05). Most of the participants were in favour of short post-VOLSs feedback (6.79/10 95% CI 6.58–6.99) with significant differences (p = 0.048) between participants from different regions of the world. The average number of screenshots taken was 6.1 per lecture. The learners’ interests in attending on-line lectures were mainly to learn new clinical orthodontic tips (96.8%).

Conclusion

Implementing a short feedback survey after VOLSs, the provision of recording, and the provision of certificates of attendance need to be considered.
Extrusion-based additive manufacturing of fungal-based composite materials using the tinder fungus Fomes fomentarius
Authors: Chen Huaiyou , Abdullayev Amanmyrat , Bekheet Maged F. , Schmidt Bertram , Regler Isabel , Pohl Carsten , Vakifahmetoglu Cekdar , Czasny Mathias , Kamm Paul H. , Meyer Vera , Gurlo Aleksander , Simon Ulla
Published: December 2021

Background

Recent efforts in fungal biotechnology aim to develop new concepts and technologies that convert renewable plant biomass into innovative biomaterials. Hereby, plant substrates become metabolized by filamentous fungi to transform them into new fungal-based materials. Current research is thus focused on both understanding and optimizing the biology and genetics underlying filamentous fungal growth and on the development of new technologies to produce customized fungal-based materials.

Results

This manuscript reports the production of stable pastes, composed of Fomes fomentarius mycelium, alginate and water with 71 wt.% mycelium in the solid content, for additive manufacturing of fungal-based composite materials. After printing complex shapes, such as hollow stars with up to 39 mm in height, a combination of freeze-drying and calcium-crosslinking processes allowed the printed shapes to remain stable even in the presence of water. The printed objects show low bulk densities of 0.12 ± 0.01 g/cm3 with interconnected macropores.

Conclusions

This work reports for the first time the application of mycelium obtained from the tinder fungus F. fomentarius for an extrusion-based additive manufacturing approach to fabricate customized light-weight 3D objects. The process holds great promise for developing light-weight, stable, and porous fungal-based materials that could replace expanded polystyrene produced from fossil resources.
Role of liver biopsy versus non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis: a web-based survey
Authors: Alboraie Mohamed , Khairy Marwa , Elsharkawy Aisha , Asem Noha , El Kassas Mohamed , Elgendy Abdelaleem A. , Nagdy Hanaa , Shady Zakarya , Eliwa Ahmed , El-Ansary Amira R. , Ibrahem Mohamed , Allam Mahmoud A. , Elsherif Abdelhalim , Elghamry Fathy , Hassan Fuad , Hassany Mohamed , Esmat Gamal ,   On behalf of the Egyptian Liver Fibrosis Study Group
Published: December 2021

Background

Liver biopsy is the standard reference for staging hepatic fibrosis. Non-invasive methods for assessment of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis are becoming increasingly popular.

Objective

We aimed at exploring the change in practice regarding the use of liver biopsy and non-invasive methods for staging hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis among hepatologists.

Methods

We performed a survey-based study that recruited hepatologists from various Egyptian institutions. Physicians were deemed eligible if they had a degree in internal medicine with hepatology as a subspecialty. We utilized an online-based survey that assessed the acceptability and reliability of liver biopsy, serum biomarkers, and radiological tools for evaluating liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Results

A total of 573 responses were retrieved (response rate = 80.3%). Out of them, 58% were having more than 15 years of experience as a hepatologist.

Liver biopsy is still considered the gold standard for assessment of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis by 61% of participants. Liver biopsy was accepted by 44% of their patients. 84% reported the need for a more practical alternative to liver biopsy to assess disease progression or response to treatment. 78.34% of participants know serum biomarkers, 84.08% reported that they were acceptable by their patients, 37.79% thought they are reliable. 95.4% were familiar with radiological methods of non-invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis, 89.1% reported that radiological methods were acceptable by their patients, 62% think that they are reliable and 78% reported they were applicable in clinical practice. Sixty-five percent think that combining non-invasive methods is better than using a single method. Forty percent of participants thought that radiological methods are easier to use for assessment of hepatic fibrosis followed by a combination of non-invasive methods, serum biomarkers, and liver biopsy respectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, liver biopsy is still considered the most reliable method for evaluation and staging of liver cirrhosis by hepatologists in Egyptian institutions, despite the modest acceptance by the patients. Nonetheless, non-invasive methods are gaining acceptance by Egyptian physicians and patients, and most of them consider these methods as reliable and applicable tools for predicting the course of liver cirrhosis.
Mobile Audio Recording Technology to Promote Informed Decision Making in Advanced Prostate Cancer
Authors: Kwon Daniel H. , Karthikeyan Sneha , Chang Alison , Borno Hala T. , Koshkin Vadim S. , Desai Arpita , Bose Rohit , Friedlander Terence , Rodvelt Tammy , Li Patricia , Small Eric J. , Aggarwal Rahul R. , Belkora Jeffrey
Published: December 2021

PURPOSE:

Men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer increasingly encounter complex treatment decisions. Consultation audio recordings and summaries promote patient informed decision making but are underutilized. Mobile recording software applications may increase access. Little is known regarding the feasibility of implementation in clinical encounters.

METHODS:

We conducted a mixed-methods pilot study in men with progressive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. We instructed patients to use a mobile software application to record an oncology visit. Patients could share the recording with our patient scribing program to receive a written summary. We assessed feasibility and acceptability with postvisit surveys. We measured patient-reported helpfulness of the intervention in decision making and change in Decisional Conflict Scale–informed subscale. We conducted semistructured interviews to explore implementation and analyzed transcripts using thematic analysis.

RESULTS:

Across 20 patients, 18 (90%) recorded their visits. Thirteen of 18 (72%) listened to the recording, and 14 of 18 (78%) received a summary. Eighteen of 20 (90%) visits were telehealth. Fourteen patients (70% of all 20; 78% of 18 question respondents) found the application easy to use. Nine patients (50% of 18 recording patients; 90% of 10 question respondents) reported that the recording helped treatment decision making. Decisional conflict decreased from baseline to 1-week postvisit (47.4-28.5, P < .001). Interviews revealed benefits, facilitators, contextual factors, and technology and patient-related barriers to recordings and summaries.

CONCLUSION:

In this single-institution academic setting, a mobile application for patients to record consultations was a feasible, acceptable, and potentially valued intervention that improved decision making in the telehealth setting. Studies in larger, diverse populations are needed.
Roles of GARCH and ARCH effects on the stability in stock market crash
Authors: Li Hai-Feng , Xing Dun-Zhong , Huang Qian , Li Jiang-Cheng
Published: December 2021

We theoretically stochastically simulate and empirically analyze the escape process of stock market price non-equilibrium dynamics under the influence of GARCH and ARCH effects, and explore the impact of ARCH and GARCH effects on stock market stability. Based on the nonlinear GARCH model of econophysics, and combined with GARCH and ARCH effects of volatility, we propose a delay stochastic monostable potential model. We use the mean escape time, or mean hitting time, as an indicator for measuring price stability, as first introduced in Valenti D. et al., Phys. Rev. E, 97 (2018) 062307. Based on the comparative analysis of actual Chinese A-share data, the theoretical and empirical findings of this paper are as follows: 1) The theoretical simulation results and actual data are consistent. 2) There exist optimal GARCH and ARCH effects maximally enhancing stock market stability.
Towards high-performance near-infrared photodetectors based on SnS nanowires
Authors: Gu C. F. , Cheng Y. C. , Dai Q. Y. , Liu D. Q. , Lv W. L. , Xv S. N. , Sun L. , Peng Y. Q. , Shu H. B.
Published: December 2021

Compared with bulk structures, semiconductor nanowires exhibit a higher surface-to-volume ratio, as well as unique electrical and optical properties. Due to its narrow band gap, tin (ii) sulfide (SnS) nano wire is a promising candidate for constructing near-infrared (NIR) photodetectors. Uniformly distributed and well-aligned SnS nanowires were grown on a mica substrate by chemical vapor deposition, and NIR photodetectors with Au (Au-device) and Al (Al-device) as the electrode were fabricated and characterized. Compared to the Au-device, the Al-device achieved higher photodetectivity due to reduced dark current. More importantly by incorporating a photosensitive lead phthalocyanine (PbPc) film into the Al-device, both responsivity and detectivity could be apparently improved, especially at weak light intensities. Under a weak light intensity of 0.79 mW/cm2the photoresponsivity and specific detectivity were improved fromandJones to 0.96 A/W andJones, respectively.
Controllable molecule waves in the femtosecond regime
Authors: Zhou Shuo , Zhao Jun-Fei , Wang Lei
Published: December 2021

We investigate the nonautonomous molecule waves of the inhomogeneous Hirota equation describing the propagation of femtosecond pulses in inhomogeneous fibers. By employing the characteristic line analysis, the breather molecules of the inhomogeneous Hirota equation under different cases of dispersion and nonlinear modulation are obtained. We find that the inhomogeneous coefficients d
2(z) and d
3(z) have influences on the distance between constituent pulses. In addition, we introduce the state transitions to the nonautonomous breather molecules and reveal that there is no full-transition mode for the inhomogeneous Hirota equation.
Maternal Dppa2 and Dppa4 are dispensable for zygotic genome activation but important for offspring survival
Authors: Kubinyecz Oana , Santos Fatima , Drage Deborah , Reik Wolf , Eckersley-Maslin Melanie A.
Published: December 2021

Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) represents the initiation of transcription following fertilisation. Despite its importance, we know little of the molecular events that initiate mammalian ZGA in vivo. Recent in vitro studies in mouse embryonic stem cells have revealed developmental pluripotency associated 2 and 4 (Dppa2/4) as key regulators of ZGA-associated transcription. However, their roles in initiating ZGA in vivo remain unexplored. We reveal that Dppa2/4 proteins are present in the nucleus at all stages of preimplantation development and associate with mitotic chromatin. We generated conditional single and double maternal knockout mouse models to deplete maternal stores of Dppa2/4. Importantly, Dppa2/4 maternal knockout mice were fertile when mated with wild-type males. Immunofluorescence and transcriptome analyses of two-cell embryos revealed that, although ZGA took place, there were subtle defects in embryos that lacked maternal Dppa2/4. Strikingly, heterozygous offspring that inherited the null allele maternally had higher preweaning lethality than those that inherited the null allele paternally. Together, our results show that although Dppa2/4 are dispensable for ZGA transcription, maternal stores have an important role in offspring survival, potentially via epigenetic priming of developmental genes.
WASp controls oriented migration of endothelial cells to achieve functional vascular patterning
Authors: Rosa André , Giese Wolfgang , Meier Katja , Alt Silvanus , Klaus-Bergmann Alexandra , Edgar Lowell T. , Bartels-Klein Eireen , Collins Russell T. , Szymborska Anna , Coxam Baptiste , Bernabeu Miguel O. , Gerhardt Holger
Published: December 2021

Endothelial cell migration and proliferation are essential for the establishment of a hierarchical organization of blood vessels and optimal distribution of blood. However, how these cellular processes are quantitatively coordinated to drive vascular network morphogenesis remains unknown. Here, using the zebrafish vasculature as a model system, we demonstrate that the balanced distribution of endothelial cells, as well as the resulting regularity of vessel calibre, is a result of cell migration from veins towards arteries and cell proliferation in veins. We identify the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASp) as an important molecular regulator of this process and show that loss of coordinated migration from veins to arteries upon wasb depletion results in aberrant vessel morphology and the formation of persistent arteriovenous shunts. We demonstrate that WASp achieves its function through the coordination of junctional actin assembly and PECAM1 recruitment and provide evidence that this is conserved in humans. Overall, we demonstrate that functional vascular patterning in the zebrafish trunk is established through differential cell migration regulated by junctional actin, and that interruption of differential migration may represent a pathomechanism in vascular malformations.
A novel role for PRL in regulating epithelial cell density by inducing apoptosis at confluence
Authors: Lohani Sweksha , Funato Yosuke , Akieda Yuki , Mizutani Kiyohito , Takai Yoshimi , Ishitani Tohru , Miki Hiroaki
Published: December 2021

Maintaining proper epithelial cell density is essential for the survival of multicellular organisms. Although regulation of cell density through apoptosis is well known, its mechanistic details remain elusive. Here, we report the involvement of membrane-anchored phosphatase of regenerating liver (PRL), originally known for its role in cancer malignancy, in this process. In epithelial Madin–Darby canine kidney cells, upon confluence, doxycycline-induced expression of PRL upregulated apoptosis, reducing cell density. This could be circumvented by artificially reducing cell density via stretching the cell-seeded silicon chamber. Moreover, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous PRL blocked apoptosis, leading to greater cell density. Mechanistically, PRL promoted apoptosis by upregulating the translation of E-cadherin and activating the TGF-β pathway. Morpholino-mediated inhibition of PRL expression in zebrafish embryos caused developmental defects, with reduced apoptosis and increased epithelial cell density during convergent extension. Overall, this study revealed a novel role for PRL in regulating density-dependent apoptosis in vertebrate epithelia.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Thermoregulatory morphodynamics of honeybee swarm clusters
Authors: Peters Jacob M. , Peleg Orit , Mahadevan L.
Published: December 2021

During reproductive swarming, honeybee clusters of more than 10,000 individuals that hang from structures in the environment (e.g. tree branches) are exposed to diurnal variations in ambient temperature for up to a week. Swarm clusters collectively modulate their morphology in response to these variations (i.e. expanding/contracting in response to heating/cooling) to maintain their internal temperature within a tolerable range and to avoid exhausting their honey stores prematurely. To understand the spatiotemporal aspects of thermoregulatory morphing, we measured the change in size, shape and internal temperature profiles of swarm clusters in response to dynamic temperature ramp perturbations. Swarm clusters showed a two-fold variation in their volume/density when heated from 15°C to 30°C. However, they did not reach an equilibrium size or shape when held at 30°C for 5 h, long after the core temperature of the cluster had stabilized. Furthermore, the changes in cluster shape and size were hysteretic, contracting in response to cooling faster than expanding in response to heating. Although the base contact diameter of the cluster increased continuously when the swarm was heated, the change in length of the swarm (base to tip) over time was non-monotonic. Consequently, the aspect ratio of the swarm fluctuated continuously even when held at a constant temperature. Taken together, our results quantify the hysteretic and anisotropic morphological responses of swarm clusters to ambient temperature variations while suggesting that both mechanical constraints and heat transfer govern their thermoregulatory morphodynamics.
A case–control evaluation of pulmonary and extrapulmonary findings of incidental asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on FDG PET-CT
Authors: Subesinghe Manil , Bhuva Shaheel , Dunn Joel T , Hammers Alexander , Cook Gary J , Barrington Sally F , Fischer Barbara M
Published: December 2021

Objectives:

To describe the findings of incidental asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on FDG PET-CT using a case–control design.

Methods:

Incidental pulmonary findings suspicious of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on FDG PET-CT were classified as a confirmed (positive RT-PCR test) or suspected case (no/negative RT-PCR test). Control cases were identified using a 4:1 control:case ratio. Pulmonary findings were re-categorised by two reporters using the BSTI classification. SUV metrics in ground glass opacification (GGO)/consolidation (where present), background lung, intrathoracic nodes, liver, spleen and bone marrow were measured.

Results:

7/9 confirmed and 11/15 suspected cases (COVID-19 group) were re-categorised as BSTI 1 (classic/probable COVID-19) or BSTI 2 (indeterminate COVID-19); 0/96 control cases were categorised as BSTI 1. Agreement between two reporters using the BSTI classification was almost perfect (weighted κ = 0.94). SUVmax GGO/consolidation (5.1 vs 2.2; p < 0.0001) and target-to-background ratio, normalised to liver SUVmean (2.4 vs 1.0; p < 0.0001) were higher in the BSTI 1 & 2 group vs BSTI 3 (non-COVID-19) cases. SUVmax GGO/consolidation discriminated between the BSTI 1 & 2 group vs BSTI 3 (non-COVID-19) cases with high accuracy (AUC = 0.93). SUV metrics were higher (p < 0.05) in the COVID-19 group vs control cases in the lungs, intrathoracic nodes and spleen.

Conclusion:

Asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on FDG PET-CT is characterised by bilateral areas of FDG avid (intensity > x2 liver SUVmean) GGO/consolidation and can be identified with high interobserver agreement using the BSTI classification. There is generalised background inflammation within the lungs, intrathoracic nodes and spleen.

Advances in knowledge:

Incidental asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on FDG PET-CT, characterised by bilateral areas of ground glass opacification and consolidation, can be identified with high reproducibility using the BSTI classification. The intensity of associated FDG uptake (>x2 liver SUVmean) provides high discriminative ability in differentiating such cases from pulmonary findings in a non-COVID-19 pattern. Asymptomatic COVID-19 infection causes a generalised background inflammation within the mid-lower zones of the lungs, hilar and central mediastinal nodal stations, and spleen on FDG PET-CT.
The genome sequence of the tapered dronefly, Eristalis pertinax (Scopoli, 1763)
Authors: Hawkes William , Wotton Karl ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: December 2021

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Eristalis pertinax (the tapered dronefly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syriphidae). The genome sequence is 487 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly (95.23%) is scaffolded into seven chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X and Y sex chromosomes assembled. The complete mitochondrial genome was also assembled and is 17.2 kilobases in length.
Eastern-European Science-fictional Space through the General Representability of the Other
Authors: Tomberg Jaak
Published: December 2021

Eastern-European Science-fictional Space through the General Representability of the Other
L’androgyne décadent à la fin du 19e siècle. Léonora d’Este – androgyne, femme fatale, vampire…
Authors: Ilves Kerli
Published: December 2021

Léonora d’Este– protagoniste du roman le plus connu de Joséphin Péladan Le vice suprême incarne toutes les aspirations de l’âme vers les dimensions supérieures. Les aspirations vers l’idéal sont très caractéristiques de l’époque symboliste mais cela n’est pas tout. La figure en question ne reste pas univoque: étant l’incarnation du Bien, Léonora est aussi la génératrice du Mal parce qu’elle symbolise également le mal du siècle, la désillusion, le pessimisme. Comme l’idéal était trop éloigné et presque inaccessible, le symbole androgyne qui jusqu’à la fin du 19e siècle symbolisait la totalité, l’intégralité et la perfection se dégrade et prend une forme monstrueuse et contradictoire– celle du vampire et de la femme fatale. Léonora d’Este n’est ni androgyne ni vampire dans le sens littéraire du mot, cependant elle a toutes les caractéristiques pour incarner l’un ou l’autre. A première vue, la figure du vampire et celle de l’androgyne semblent être complètement différentes, même contradictoires, mais l’analyse suivante a pour but de révéler que, sous plusieurs aspects, elles se ressemblent.
Latvian Drama and Theatre during World War II
Authors: Kalna Baiba
Published: December 2021

Latvian Drama and Theatre during World War II
La función del ritmo en la versología y la traducción literaria
Authors: Franek Ladislav
Published: December 2021

La función del ritmo en la versología y la traducción literaria
Autumn in a New Residential Area
Authors: Sarapik Virve
Published: December 2021

Autumn in a New Residential Area
The concept of text in cultural semiotics
Authors: Sonesson Göran
Published: December 2021

In this article, I will be concerned with interpreting a concept — or rather, several concepts masquerading under one single label — of a particular system of interpretation, Semiotics of culture, as introduced by the Tartu school, and later developed by, among others, Roland Posner. Since my goal is, in the last analysis, to understand something about the interpreted domain, rather than about this particular system of interpretation, I will feel free to have recourse to other systems of interpretation, including the vernacular, to the extend that they use the same label and/or the same concept.
Пространство и время Петербурга с точки зрения микромифологии
Authors: Grigorjeva Jelena
Published: December 2021

St. Peterburg's time and space from the micromythological viewpoint
A semiotic mapping of the study of literature
Authors: Johansen Jørgen Dines
Published: December 2021

A semiotic mapping of the study of literature
О знаковых функциях порядка следования значимых единиц языка (к семиотике начальной позиции)
Authors: Šeljakin Mihhail
Published: December 2021

On the signific function of the order of meaningful units in language: On semiotics of first position
Cultural semiotics and culture
Authors: Torop Peeter
Published: December 2021

Cultural semiotics and culture
A note on the semiotics of biological mimicry
Authors: Maran Timo
Published: December 2021

A note on the semiotics of biological mimicry
Частеречная tрансформация как троп в современной поэзии (взаимодействие рефлексов бывшего перфекта)
Authors: Zubova Ljudmila
Published: December 2021

The transformation of parts of speech as a trope in contemporary Russian poetry (the correlations between the derivations of historical perfect)
Features of Spiritual and Moral Education of Cadets of Cossack Classes: an Empirical Study
Authors: Shafazhinskaya Natalya , Shishov Sergey , Yulina Galina
Published: December 2021

The article is devoted to the study of the specifics of the spiritual and moral education of mid-level Cossack cadets. Special attention in the study is paid to the justification of the need for classes and events on Orthodox themes within the framework of additional education for the Cossack class. The experience of diagnosing the features of spiritual and moral education and discussing the results obtained is presented. The importance of the implementation of the psychological and pedagogical program for the development and improvement of the moral and ethical component in Cossack cadet classes is emphasized.
(Nie)mobilność, zamieszkiwanie oraz płeć w praktykach i dyskursach rozwodu w wiejskiej społeczności. Etnografia rolniczej gminy wschodniego Mazowsza
Authors: Urbańska Sylwia Eliza
Published: December 2021

W artykule analizuję relacje między upłciowionymi praktykami i dyskursami rozwodu w wiejskiej społeczności a ścieżkami (nie)mobilności mieszkanek wsi. Pokazuję, że „pionierki rozwodu”, czyli kobiety z rolniczych, konserwatywnych społeczności, które w lokalnym świecie społecznym jako pierwsze przeprowadziły rozwód, wypracowały alternatywne strategie pozostawania na wsi. Nie chciały uciekać, wyjeżdżać, emigrować na stałe do miasta lub za granicę, czyli korzystać z typowej ścieżki stawania się ex-żoną. Opisuję, jakie wzorce radzenia wypracowywały po 1989 roku, aby nadal móc we wsi mieszkać. Wyjaśniam subwersje stosunku do własności i dziedziczenia, ich związki z tradycyjnymi wzorcami kobiecości i męskości. Skupiam się na upłciowionych wzorcach (nie)mobilności w tym przypadku będących strategiami wyboru wsi jako miejsca do życia.
Wnioski prezentuję w ramach studium przypadku Mirki, wielodzietnej matki, która po rozwodzie traci swój dom, co sprawia, że musi rozwinąć sprawcze wzorce radzenia sobie. Praktyki Mirki pokazuję na tle innych wariantów działania i dyskursów moralnych wokół rozwodu w badanej przeze mnie od 2017 roku gminie wschodniego Mazowsza.
Pandemia: czas lęków, modlitwy i przeobrażeń społecznych
Authors: Marciniak Katarzyna
Published: December 2021

Artykuł analizuje zachowania społeczne, które charakteryzowały społeczność polską w obliczu zagrożenia epidemicznego w wiekach poprzednich  jak i współcześnie. Pokazuje jak lęk przed chorobą ograniczał i ogranicza funkcjonowanie społeczeństwa polskiego w czasie epidemii. Wskazuje na podobne zachowania Polaków zarówno w wieku XVII jak i współcześnie jednocześnie akcentując różnice, jakie zaistniały na przestrzeni wieków. Tu przede wszystkim zwraca uwagę na różnice, które zaszły w postawach religijnych: gdzie w wiekach poprzednich czas morowego powietrza charakteryzowała zwiększona religijność Polaków oraz powszechne modlitwy w miejscach świętych a obecnie powszechne dostęp do miejsc kultu został poważnie ograniczony, dotyczy to przede wszystkim miejsc pielgrzymkowych, które w obliczu pandemii zamknęły swoje świątynie przed pielgrzymami.
Zróbmy sobie dziedzictwo. Przypadek dwóch wystaw
Authors: Budzińska Justyna
Published: December 2021

Tekst jest próbą porównania dwóch wystaw z Muzeum Narodowego w Krakowie  - „Polaków Portret własny” (1979/1980) i #dziedzictwo (2017/2018). Analizie poddano ich potencjał/metodę w zakresie tworzenia/planowania dziedzictwa i tożsamości. Odwołując się do teorii m.in. G. Ashwortha, E.W. Ardenera, E. Hobsbawma, G. Zubrzycki czy J. Lacana analizuję, m.in. na podstawie materiałów archiwalnych, sposoby ustanawiania dziedzictwa, traktując je w kategoriach arbitralności i umowności.