bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Nationalisms: Sources, Agendas, Languages. An Introduction
Authors: Huigen Siegfried , Kołodziejczyk Dorota
Published: April 2020

New Nationalisms: Sources, Agendas, Languages, a seminar organised by Academia Europaea Wrocław Knowledge Hub, the University of Wrocław and the Lower Silesian University, on 25–27 September 2017, inquired into the problem of the rise of right-wing populism in Central Europe. Manifest in responses to the refugee crisis of 2015 and to the Brexit referendum in 2016 across Europe, the populists successfully mobilised constituencies with anti-EU and anti-immigration sentiments. These attitudes, in turn, stimulated the emergence of nationalist agendas on an unexpected scale, moving radical right-wing parties with a pronounced nationalist programme from the margins, much closer to real political power. As part of the Relocating Central Europe seminar series, our reflection focused on that region, attempting to answer fundamental questions about the sources, purposes and modes of operation of the new nationalist impetus in political programmes, including those fostered at government level.
Validation of a province-wide commercial food store dataset in a heterogeneous predominantly rural food environment
Authors: Taylor Nathan GA , Stymest Jillian , Mah Catherine L
Published: April 2020

Objective:

Commercially available business (CAB) datasets for food environments have been investigated for error in large urban contexts and some rural areas, but there is a relative dearth of literature that reports error across regions of variable rurality. The objective of the current study was to assess the validity of a CAB dataset using a government dataset at the provincial scale.

Design:

A ground-truthed dataset provided by the government of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) was used to assess a popular commercial dataset. Concordance, sensitivity, positive-predictive value (PPV) and geocoding errors were calculated. Measures were stratified by store types and rurality to investigate any association between these variables and database accuracy.

Setting:

NL, Canada.

Participants:

The current analysis used store-level (ecological) data.

Results:

Of 1125 stores, there were 380 stores that existed in both datasets and were considered true-positive stores. The mean positional error between a ground-truthed and test point was 17·72 km. When compared with the provincial dataset of businesses, grocery stores had the greatest agreement, sensitivity = 0·64, PPV = 0·60 and concordance = 0·45. Gas stations had the least agreement, sensitivity = 0·26, PPV = 0·32 and concordance = 0·17. Only 4 % of commercial data points in rural areas matched every criterion examined.

Conclusions:

The commercial dataset exhibits a low level of agreement with the ground-truthed provincial data. Particularly retailers in rural areas or belonging to the gas station category suffered from misclassification and/or geocoding errors. Taken together, the commercial dataset is differentially representative of the ground-truthed reality based on store-type and rurality/urbanity.
Comparison of skin doses of treated and contralateral breasts during whole breast radiotherapy for different treatment techniques using optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Zhenia , Nair RaghuRam K. , Raghukumar P. , Bhasi Saju , Menon Sharika V.
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

To measure and compare the skin doses received by treated left breast and contralateral breast (CB) during whole breast radiotherapy using five treatment techniques in an indigenously prepared wax breast phantom.

Materials and methods:

Computed tomography (CT) images of the breast phantom were used for treatment planning and comparison of skin dose calculated from treatment planning system (TPS) with measured dose. Planning target volume (PTV) and the CB were drawn arbitrarily on the CT images acquired for the breast phantom with 10 numbers of calibrated optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) fixed on the surface of both breasts. The TPS calculated surface doses of PTV breast and CB for five treatment planning techniques, viz., conventional wedge (CW), irregular surface compensator-based (ISC), field-in-field (FiF), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and rapid arc (RA) techniques were obtained for comparison. The plans were executed in Clinac iX Linear Accelerator with the OSLDs fixed at the same locations on the phantom as in simulation. The TPS calculated mean dose at the surface of the treated left breast and CB was noted for the 10 OSLDs from dose-volume histogram (DVH) and compared with the measured dose. Also, the mean chamber dose at the centre of the left breast was noted from the DVH for comparing with ion chamber measured dose.

Results:

With reference to the results, it is seen that the dose to the CB is lowest in ISC technique and FiF technique and greatest in IMRT technique. The CW technique also delivered a dose comparable to IMRT to the CB of the phantom. The dose to the surface of PTV breast was highest and comparable in CW plans and FiF plans (68% and 67%) and lowest in IMRT and RA plans (50% each).

Findings:

Analysis of the results shows that the FiF and ISC techniques are preferred while planning breast radiotherapy due to the reduced dose to the CB.
Prioritäten der Pflegeforschung für das Themenfeld „Dementia Care“ im deutschsprachigen Raum
Authors: Hirt Julian , Burgstaller Melanie , Beer Thomas , Saxer Susi , Zeller Adelheid
Published: April 2020

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund und Ziel: Um den Bedürfnissen und Bedarfen von Personen mit Demenz, ihren Angehörigen und ihren Betreuungspersonen in den jeweiligen komplexen Lebens- und Pflegesituationen gerecht zu werden, bedarf es einer inhaltlichen Auseinandersetzung mit Forschungsschwerpunkten. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Identifikation und Priorisierung von Pflegeforschungsschwerpunkten für das Themenfeld „Dementia Care“ im deutschsprachigen Raum. Methoden: Es erfolgte eine systematische Literaturrecherche nach bestehenden Forschungsagenden zum Themenfeld „Dementia Care“. Im Rahmen eines Delphi-Verfahrens ergänzten systematisch identifizierte Demenzpflegeexpertinnen und -experten aus dem deutschsprachigen Raum die extrahierten Forschungsschwerpunkte und schätzten deren Wichtigkeit ein. Anschließend priorisierten die Teilnehmenden die als wichtig erachteten Forschungsschwerpunkte. Ergebnisse: Fünfzehn Expertinnen und Experten ergänzten 61 identifizierte Forschungsthemen, die in bereits bestehenden Forschungsagenden enthalten sind. Insgesamt schätzten sie 107 Themen hinsichtlich ihrer Wichtigkeit ein. Sie priorisierten 79 mehrheitlich als wichtig erachtete Themen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die erarbeiteten Forschungsprioritäten sind ein möglicher Orientierungsrahmen für die Pflegewissenschaft, die Gesundheitspolitik und die Forschungsförderung, um Forschungsaktivitäten strukturiert nachgehen zu können. Es ist empfehlenswert, die Prioritäten in regelmäßigen Abständen zu ergänzen und erneut zur Diskussion zu stellen, damit Aktualität gewährleistet ist.
Increased Organic Carbon Burial in Northern Florida Mangrove‐Salt Marsh Transition Zones
Authors: Vaughn Derrick R. , Bianchi Thomas S. , Shields Michael R. , Kenney William F. , Osborne Todd Z.
Published: April 2020

Blue carbon habitats like salt marshes and mangroves bury large amounts of carbon with limited area; however, they also are increasingly susceptible to current climate change. Combined effects of rising temperatures, decreasing freeze frequencies, and increasing sea level rise rates are resulting in mangrove replacement of salt marshes along the southern United States. Surface soils analyzed here from wetlands along northern Florida Atlantic and Gulf Coasts showed higher apparent sedimentation rates in mangrove‐dominated sites (1.5–3.2 mm yr−1) and where mangroves are migrating into the marsh (termed transition sites, 2.3–3.8 mm yr−1). Average carbon burial rates were higher in transition sites for both coasts (27–47 g C·m−2·yr−1) compared to the respective mangrove (10–22 g C·m−2·yr−1) and salt marsh (4–7 g C·m−2·yr−1) sites. Lignin biomarker data (Λ‐6, Λ‐8, and C/V) indicated that mangrove and transition sites had higher lignin inputs from woody vascular plants compared to salt marsh sites, which may slow decadal‐ to centennial‐scale decay. Higher amino acid concentrations in mangrove soils relative to mangrove biomass (1.8–2.3 mmol g C−1 vs. 0.2–0.9 mmol g C−1) and lower C/N indicated that these mangrove sites receive higher algal inputs than the transition and salt marsh sites, attributed to greater tidal inundation in the mangrove sites given their position near the shoreline. Overall, increased accretion, carbon burial, and lignin in mangrove transition sites indicate that this migration may increase carbon burial and increase the stability and residence time of buried soil carbon. Future studies on mangrove migration in northern Florida can verify this through replication and elevation analysis.
All‐Sky Imaging Observations of the Interaction Between the Brightness Wave and ESF Airglow Depletions
Authors: Hickey Dustin A. , Martinis Carlos R.
Published: April 2020

The midnight temperature maximum (MTM) and equatorial spread F (ESF) are common processes in the low‐latitude ionosphere and thermosphere. This work shows the first interaction between the brightness wave (BW), associated with the MTM, and plasma depletions, associated with ESF. Observations from the El Leoncito all‐sky imager (ASI) (31.8°S, 69.3°W, 19.7°S magnetic latitude) show concurrent observations of a plasma depletion and a BW. As the BW passes through the depletion, the depletion is modified and becomes an enhancement. Concurrent measurements at the conjugate location show an airglow depletion, indicating that the enhancement is an evolution of the depletion and not a separate feature and that it only occurs in one hemisphere. Previous model results were able to recreate the evolution of an airglow depletion into an enhancement when there is a poleward wind combined with converging zonal winds. We discuss how these wind conditions are often associated with the MTM/BW and can explain this observed enhancement.
The Dynamics of the Inner Boundary of the Outer Radiation Belt During Geomagnetic Storms
Authors: Shi Xiaofei , Ren Jie , Zong Q. G.
Published: April 2020

We investigate the shapes of the inner boundary of the outer radiation belt during different geomagnetic storm phases using energetic electron observations from Van Allen Probes. The case of two consecutive but isolated storms in April 2016 shows that (a) the inner boundary, as a function of L shell and energy, exhibits a “V‐shaped” form with the energetic electrons showing a kappa‐like energy spectrum (electron flux steeply falling with increasing energies), whereas it is in a “S‐shaped” form as the energetic electrons show a reversed energy spectrum (electron flux going up with increasing energies from hundreds of keV to ∼1 MeV); (b) the boundary is abruptly transformed from S to V shape during the storm main phase and retains in V shape for several days until it evolves into S shape during the late recovery phase. The main statistical results from 37 isolated geomagnetic storms between 2013 and 2017 present that (a) the more SYM‐H drops, the closest to Earth the transition from V to S shape starts, with a linear correlation coefficient of ∼0.7; (b) the minimum energy at which the transition starts is between 100 and 550 keV (typically, less than 250 keV); (c) the transition from V to S shape typically occurs in the plasmasphere.
Sustaining Saturn's Electron Radiation Belts Through Episodic, Global‐Scale Relativistic Electron Flux Enhancements
Authors: Yuan C.‐J. , Roussos E. , Wei Y. , Krupp N.
Published: April 2020

The L shell distributions of MeV electrons in Saturn's radiation belt are investigated orbit by orbit for the 13‐year exploration of Cassini. It is found that in addition to the monotonic decrease profiles, there are orbits showing superimposed transient extensions. The extensions are found to stand out above the background population during 50% of belt crossings. We estimate that there is high probability (>72%) that transient extensions contribute more than 10% electron content in the radiation belt. The high occurrence frequency of one extension every 2–3 weeks, together with the relative content, demonstrate that the extensions constitute a regular and fundamental process populating and sustaining the electron belts of Saturn. The transients regularity excludes interplanetary coronal mass ejections as dominant trigger and implies corotation interaction regions and/or internal processes as candidates. Statistical results suggest that the communication of electrons between the middle magnetosphere and the radiation belts is largely through convective radial transport, which produces transient radiation belt extensions.
The Near‐Fault Ground Motion Characteristics of Sustained and Unsustained Free Surface‐Induced Supershear Rupture on Strike‐Slip Faults
Authors: Hu Feng , Oglesby David D. , Chen Xiaofei
Published: April 2020

The free surface is shown to be one of the key factors that may promote supershear rupture propagation on strike‐slip faults even if its initial shear stress is not larger enough as predicted by the Burridge‐Andrews mechanism. However, previous study has shown the free surface‐induced supershear rupture may be unsustained, which turns to sub‐Rayleigh rupture itself as the rupture propagates. We study the near‐field ground motion of sustained and unsustained supershear ruptures using the finite difference method based on the dynamic rupture processes of three vertical strike‐slip faults with the same initial stresses and different hypocenter depths. Both the unsustained supershear ruptures with shallower hypocenter depths show the sub‐Rayleigh characteristics in the peak ground velocity distribution, that is, strong amplitude is noticed beyond the end of the fault without any observed Mach cone. We observe that the arrival time differences between the maximum fault‐perpendicular and fault‐parallel velocity reveal the Mach cone clearly for the sustained supershear rupture. A distinct supershear phase in the high‐frequency seismograms is observed. We also compare the 70° dip strike‐slip case in which unsustained supershear rupture may still present sub‐Rayleigh characteristics in the near‐field ground motion, and the break of symmetry perturbs the normal stress as rupture propagates, which has a key influence in the rupture propagation and ground motion. Our work provides a new insight to understand the supershear rupture in nature earthquakes and the relationship between the ground motion and the rupture process on the fault.
A Process‐Based Framework to Characterize and Classify Runoff Events: The Event Typology of Germany
Authors: Tarasova L. , Basso S. , Wendi D. , Viglione A. , Kumar R. , Merz R.
Published: April 2020

This study proposes a new process‐based framework to characterize and classify runoff events of various magnitudes occurring in a wide range of catchments. The framework uses dimensionless indicators that characterize space–time dynamics of precipitation events and their spatial interaction with antecedent catchment states, described as snow cover, distribution of frozen soils, and soil moisture content. A rigorous uncertainty analysis showed that the developed indicators are robust and regionally consistent. Relying on covariance‐ and ratio‐based indicators leads to reduced classification uncertainty compared to commonly used (event‐based) indicators based on absolute values of metrics such as duration, volume, and intensity of precipitation events. The event typology derived from the proposed framework is able to stratify events that exhibit distinct hydrograph dynamics even if streamflow is not directly used for classification. The derived typology is therefore able to capture first‐order controls of event runoff response in a wide variety of catchments. Application of this typology to about 180,000 runoff events observed in 392 German catchments revealed six distinct regions with homogeneous event type frequency that match well regions with similar behavior in terms of runoff response identified in Germany. The detected seasonal pattern of event type occurrence is regionally consistent and agrees well with the seasonality of hydroclimatic conditions. The proposed framework can be a useful tool for comparative analyses of regional differences and similarities of runoff generation processes at catchment scale and their possible spatial and temporal evolution.
The Art of Volcanic Ash Modeling 10 Years After Eyjafjallaj�kull
Authors: Palmer Jane
Published: April 2020

The ash plumes from the eruption of the Icelandic volcano in 2010 disrupted air travel in Europe for several weeks. Since then, scientists have developed models to mitigate ash’s impacts.
Observation and Lagrangian Analysis of Quasi‐Stationary Kamchatka Trench Eddies
Authors: Prants S. V. , Budyansky M. V. , Lobanov V. B. , Sergeev A. F. , Uleysky M. Yu.
Published: April 2020

Based on satellite altimeter data for the last 25 years, an area over the Kuril‐Kamchatka Trench (KKT) was found near the southern tip of Kamchatka Peninsula where mesoscale anticyclonic eddies have stalled for a long period of time. Using altimetry‐based Lagrangian maps, we detected 24 quasi‐stationary Kamchatka trench eddies (KTEs). Their genesis is related to anticyclonic eddies generated in the Kamchatka bays. After reaching the western slope of the KKT, those eddies slowdown and stagnate there. During the stagnation phase, all the KTEs were found to merger with anticyclonic eddies advected from the north. This feed up was accompanied by a significant increase of the KTEs in size and eventually by their destabilization. By arranging the data in Hovmöller diagrams, we got spatial patterns of the variability in the eddy kinetic energy and vorticity in the altimetry era. The typical eddy in this family KTE2017 has stagnated in the catching area during 8 months and was sampled in September 2017 in a cruise. The conductivity, temperature, pressure (CTD) measurements and Argo T/S vertical profiles demonstrated a typical subarctic vertical structure of water masses in summer. Different kinds of Lagrangian indicators were computed to study the life cycle of KTE2017. The KTE2017 during the stagnation phase of its life was found to be a shielded anticyclonic vortex surrounded by smaller‐scale cyclones. This configuration maintained its stability and stagnation over the KKT. We discuss different reasons by which KTE2017 and other KTEs have stagnated in the catching area.
A comparative pharmaco-metabolomic study of glutaminase inhibitors in glioma stem-like cells confirms biological effectiveness but reveals differences in target-specificity
Authors: Koch Katharina , Hartmann Rudolf , Tsiampali Julia , Uhlmann Constanze , Nickel Ann-Christin , He Xiaoling , Kamp Marcel A. , Sabel Michael , Barker Roger A. , Steiger Hans-Jakob , Hänggi Daniel , Willbold Dieter , Maciaczyk Jaroslaw , Kahlert Ulf D.
Published: April 2020

Cancer cells upregulate anabolic processes to maintain high rates of cellular turnover. Limiting the supply of macromolecular precursors by targeting enzymes involved in biosynthesis is a promising strategy in cancer therapy. Several tumors excessively metabolize glutamine to generate precursors for nonessential amino acids, nucleotides, and lipids, in a process called glutaminolysis. Here we show that pharmacological inhibition of glutaminase (GLS) eradicates glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), a small cell subpopulation in glioblastoma (GBM) responsible for therapy resistance and tumor recurrence. Treatment with small molecule inhibitors compound 968 and CB839 effectively diminished cell growth and in vitro clonogenicity of GSC neurosphere cultures. However, our pharmaco-metabolic studies revealed that only CB839 inhibited GLS enzymatic activity thereby limiting the influx of glutamine derivates into the TCA cycle. Nevertheless, the effects of both inhibitors were highly GLS specific, since treatment sensitivity markedly correlated with GLS protein expression. Strikingly, we found GLS overexpressed in in vitro GSC models as compared with neural stem cells (NSC). Moreover, our study demonstrates the usefulness of in vitro pharmaco-metabolomics to score target specificity of compounds thereby refining drug development and risk assessment.
Sea-level rise exponentially increases coastal flood frequency
Authors: Taherkhani Mohsen , Vitousek Sean , Barnard Patrick L. , Frazer Neil , Anderson Tiffany R. , Fletcher Charles H.
Published: April 2020

Sea-level rise will radically redefine the coastline of the 21st century. For many coastal regions, projections of global sea-level rise by the year 2100 (e.g., 0.5–2 meters) are comparable in magnitude to today’s extreme but short-lived increases in water level due to storms. Thus, the 21st century will see significant changes to coastal flooding regimes (where present-day, extreme-but-rare events become common), which poses a major risk to the safety and sustainability of coastal communities worldwide. So far, estimates of future coastal flooding frequency focus on endpoint scenarios, such as the increase in flooding by 2050 or 2100. Here, we investigate the continuous shift in coastal flooding regimes by quantifying continuous rates of increase in the occurrence of extreme water-level events due to sea-level rise. We find that the odds of exceeding critical water-level thresholds increases exponentially with sea-level rise, meaning that fixed amounts of sea-level rise of only ~1–10 cm in areas with a narrow range of present-day extreme water levels can double the odds of flooding. Combining these growth rates with established sea-level rise projections, we find that the odds of extreme flooding double approximately every 5 years into the future. Further, we find that the present-day 50-year extreme water level (i.e., 2% annual chance of exceedance, based on historical records) will be exceeded annually before 2050 for most (i.e., 70%) of the coastal regions in the United States. Looking even farther into the future, the present-day 50-year extreme water level will be exceeded almost every day during peak tide (i.e., daily mean higher high water) before the end of the 21st century for 90% of the U.S. coast. Our findings underscore the need for immediate planning and adaptation to mitigate the societal impacts of future flooding.
Semi-Counterfactual Quantum Bit Commitment Protocol
Authors: Song Yaqi , Yang Li
Published: April 2020

A semi-counterfactual quantum bit commitment (SCQBC) protocol is presented here for the first time, which makes use of counterfactual property. Similar to a counterfactual quantum key distribution scheme, half-photons are not transmitted through the quantum channel in our proposed protocol. In the SCQBC protocol, Bob, the verification party of the quantum bit commitment (QBC), sends the states while Alice, the commitment party, receives. Since Alice cannot receive all the states and entangle the commit bits with the verifier’s registers, it is not subject to Mayers’ and Lo-Chau’s no-go theorem. In addition, a general bit commitment framework can be extracted from the SCQBC scheme, which opens up a new class of cryptographic protocols in counterfactual cryptography.
Designing a species-selective lure based on microbial volatiles to target Lobesia botrana
Authors: Larsson Herrera Sebastian , Rikk Péter , Köblös Gabriella , Szelényi Magdolna Olívia , Molnár Béla Péter , Dekker Teun , Tasin Marco
Published: April 2020

Sustainable, low impact control methods, including mating disruption and microbial insecticides againstL. botranahave been available for decades. Yet, successful implementation has been restricted to only a few grapevine districts in the world. A limiting factor is the lack of a female attractant to either monitor or control the damaging sex. Volatile attractants for both female and male insects can be used to assess whenL. botranapopulations exceed economic thresholds, and to decrease the use of synthetic pesticides within both conventional and pheromone programs. Rather than using host-plant volatiles, which are readily masked by background volatiles released by the main crop, we tested the attractiveness of volatiles that signify microbial breakdown and more likely stand out against the background odour. A two-component blend of 2-phenylethanol (2-PET) and acetic acid (AA) caught significant numbers of both sexes. Catches increased with AA and, to a minimal extent, 2-PET loads. However, a higher load of 2-PET also increased bycatches, especially of Lepidoptera and Neuroptera. Major (ethanol, ethyl acetate, 3-methyl-1-butanol) or minor (esters, aldehydes, alcohols and a ketone) fermentation volatiles, did surprisingly not improve the attraction ofL. botranacompared to the binary blend of 2-PET and AA alone, but strongly increased bycatches. The most attractive lure may thus not be the best choice in terms of specificity. We suggest that future research papers always disclose all bycatches to permit evaluation of lures in terms of sustainability.
Understanding Inequalities in Ride-Hailing Services Through Simulations
Authors: Bokányi Eszter , Hannák Anikó
Published: April 2020

Despite the potential of ride-hailing services to democratize the labor market, they are often accused of fostering unfair working conditions and low wages. This paper investigates the effect of algorithm design decisions on wage inequality in ride-hailing platforms. We create a simplified city environment where taxis serve passengers to emulate a working week in a worker’s life. Our simulation approach overcomes the difficulties stemming from both the complexity of transportation systems and the lack of data and algorithmic transparency. We calibrate the model based on empirical data, including conditions about locations of drivers and passengers, traffic, the layout of the city, and the algorithm that matches requests with drivers. Our results show that small changes in the system parameters can cause large deviations in the income distributions of drivers, leading to an unpredictable system that often distributes vastly different incomes to identically performing drivers. As suggested by recent studies about feedback loops in algorithmic systems, these short-term income differences may result in enforced and long-term wage gaps.
Daily exposure to formaldehyde and acetaldehyde and potential health risk associated with use of high and low nicotine e-liquid concentrations
Authors: Kosmider Leon , Cox Sharon , Zaciera Marzena , Kurek Jolanta , Goniewicz Maciej L. , McRobbie Hayden , Kimber Catherine , Dawkins Lynne
Published: April 2020

Recent evidence suggests that e-cigarette users tend to change their puffing behaviors when using e-liquids with reduced nicotine concentrations by taking longer and more frequent puffs. Using puffing regimens modelled on puffing topography data from 19 experienced e-cigarette users who switched between 18 and 6 mg/mL e-liquids with and without power adjustments, differences in daily exposure to carbonyl compounds and estimated changes in cancer risk were assessed by production of aerosols generated using a smoking machine and analyzed using gas and liquid chromatography. Significant differences across conditions were found for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde (p < 0.01). Switching from a higher to a lower nicotine concentration was associated with greater exposure regardless of whether power settings were fixed or adjustable which is likely due to increased liquid consumption under lower nicotine concentration settings. Daily exposure for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde was higher for 17/19 participants when using low (6 mg/mL) compared with high (18 mg/mL) nicotine e-liquid concentration when power was fixed. When power adjustments were permitted, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde levels were higher respectively for 16/19 and 14/19 participants with the use of 6 compared with 18 mg/mL nicotine e-liquid.
An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis of Stroke Mortality Attributable to Low Physical Activity in China and Japan: Data from the GBD Study 1990–2016
Authors: Cao Jinhong , Eshak Ehab S. , Liu Keyang , Yang Jin , Gero Krisztina , Liu Zhiming , Yu Chuanhua
Published: April 2020

Stroke is the first and fourth leading cause of death in China and Japan, respectively. Physical inactivity was suggested to be one of the most important risk factors for stroke mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess long-term trends in stroke mortality attributable to low physical activity (LPA) in China and Japan during the period 1990–2016. Mortality data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 (GBD 2016) and were analyzed with an age-period-cohort method. The age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) showed declining trends for LPA-attributable stroke mortality. The overall net drift per year was −1.3% for Chinese men, −2.9% for Chinese women, −3.9% for Japanese men, and −5.6% for Japanese women. In both countries, the local drift values were below zero in all age groups. The longitudinal age curves of LPA-attributable stroke mortality were higher in men than in women in all age groups. The period and cohort rate ratios showed similar downward patterns for both sexes, with a faster decline for women than for men. However, the physically active population is still small in both countries. Therefore, policymakers should further promote physical activity as one of the most recommended effective strategies in stroke prevention.
CREB1 is affected by the microRNAs miR-22-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-27a-3p, and miR-221-3p and correlates with adverse clinicopathological features in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Friedrich Michael , Heimer Nadine , Stoehr Christine , Steven André , Wach Sven , Taubert Helge , Hartmann Arndt , Seliger Barbara
Published: April 2020

The transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB1) has been shown to be involved in diverse biological pathways including the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and metastasis. In this context, aberrant expression of CREB1 and the functional consequences are well investigated in a number of hematopoietic and solid tumors. However, CREB1 expression and underlying control mechanisms are only poorly analyzed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The present study confirmed a deregulation of CREB1 protein in the clear cell type of RCC (ccRCC) and analysis of in-house ccRCC cell lines suggested a post-transcriptional control. The combination of miRNA enrichment assay, in silico analysis and molecular biological approaches revealed four novel CREB1-regulating miRNAs, namely miR-22-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-27a-3p, and miR-221-3p. Categorizing RCC samples as CREB1 negative or positive, respectively, the expression of these miRNAs was found to be inversely correlated with CREB1 protein levels. Analyzing 453 consecutive RCC tumors by immunohistochemistry, weakly negative, but significant correlations of CREB1 with tumor stage and grade, vascular invasion (V1) and lymphovascular invasion (L1) were found. In this respect, ccRCC might differ from other solid tumors like esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma or glioma.
Metabolic basis of neuronal vulnerability to ischemia; an in vivo untargeted metabolomics approach
Authors: Rashad Sherif , Saigusa Daisuke , Yamazaki Takahiro , Matsumoto Yotaro , Tomioka Yoshihisa , Saito Ritsumi , Uruno Akira , Niizuma Kuniyasu , Yamamoto Masayuki , Tominaga Teiji
Published: April 2020

Understanding the root causes of neuronal vulnerability to ischemia is paramount to the development of new therapies for stroke. Transient global cerebral ischemia (tGCI) leads to selective neuronal cell death in the CA1 sub-region of the hippocampus, while the neighboring CA3 sub-region is left largely intact. By studying factors pertaining to such selective vulnerability, we can develop therapies to enhance outcome after stroke. Using untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we analyzed temporal metabolomic changes in CA1 and CA3 hippocampal areas following tGCI in rats till the setting of neuronal apoptosis. 64 compounds in CA1 and 74 in CA3 were found to be enriched and statistically significant following tGCI. Pathway analysis showed that pyrimidine and purine metabolism pathways amongst several others to be enriched after tGCI in CA1 and CA3. Metabolomics analysis was able to capture very early changes following ischemia. We detected 6 metabolites to be upregulated and 6 to be downregulated 1 hour after tGCI in CA1 versus CA3. Several metabolites related to apoptosis and inflammation were differentially expressed in both regions after tGCI. We offer a new insight into the process of neuronal apoptosis, guided by metabolomic profiling that was not performed to such an extent previously.
Why do nanowires grow with their c-axis vertically-aligned in the absence of epitaxy?
Authors: Azulay Almog R. , Turkulets Yury , Gaudio Davide Del , Goldman R. S. , Shalish Ilan
Published: April 2020

Images of uniform and upright nanowires are fascinating, but often, they are quite puzzling, when the substrate is clearly not an epitaxial template. Here, we reveal the physics underlying one such hidden growth guidance mechanism through a specific example - the case of ZnO nanowires grown on silicon oxide. We show how electric fields exerted by the insulating substrate may be manipulated through the surface charge to define the orientation and polarity of the nanowires. Surface charge is ubiquitous on the surfaces of semiconductors and insulators, and as a result, substrate electric fields need always be considered. Our results suggest a new concept, according to which the growth of wurtzite semiconductors may often be described as a process of electric-charge-induced self-assembly, wherein the internal built-in field in the polar material tends to align in parallel to an external field exerted by the substrate to minimize the interfacial energy of the system.
Study of the Dynamic Development Law of Overburden Breakage on Mining Faces
Authors: Zhu Hongqing , Fang Shuhao , Huo Yujia , Guo Jinlin , Wu Yan , Hu Lintao
Published: April 2020

Based on the geological conditions of overburden rock, the dynamic development law of overburden breakage was investigated by theoretical analysis and similarity model experiments in this paper. The formula of the compressive strength and No. ratio was obtained by testing the compressive strength of cylinder samples of similar materials. It can be seen from the overburden fracture evolution model established by theoretical calculations and similarity model experiments that the overlying rock layer’s breakage law is consistent. Additionally, the height of the “three zones” and the law of the fracture angle are basically consistent. Obtaining the synchronous collapse of the overlying strata controlled by the key strata, the interval of the upper key strata is larger than that of the lower key strata, and the mining interval is approximately double the size of the deformed rock height. According to the overburden movement, the distribution law of the overburden separation rate is obtained. The strain in the stress concentration area is negative, and when the stress is released suddenly, the strain increases rapidly. Fracture development is detected by the p-wave velocity in the model. Moreover, certain guidance for the horizon selection of high and low-level gas drainage roadways is provided by this study.
Improving the production efficiency of high-titania slag in Ti extraction process: fluxing effect on formation of pseudobrookite
Authors: Kim Dong Hyeon , Heo Jung Ho , Park Hyun Sik , Kim Jin Kyung , Park Joo Hyun
Published: April 2020

We investigated the carbothermic reduction process of ilmenite ore at 1873 K with flux addition. Without flux, the pseudobrookite phase with a high melting temperature was precipitated during ilmenite smelting. This could be the main reason for decreased reduction of iron in ilmenite. To accelerate reduction of ilmenite, two factors were considered. One is increasing the reduction driving force during smelting. Activity of FeO is the major factor to control reduction in driving force. The other factor is delay in formation of the pseudobrookite phase, a high-melting point precipitation phase. In this system, MgO in ilmenite could be used to form pseudobrookite. To control these factors, in this study, flux agent (i.e., Na2O or SiO2) addition was considered. The thermochemical simulation program, FactSageTM7.0 was used to calculate the viscosity of slag and the activity of components as fluxing agents were added. High-temperature experiments using an induction furnace were also conducted to confirm the computational results. To determine the composition of final products, i.e., titanium slag, X-ray fluorescence analysis was executed. As a result of Fe and Ti behaviours in slag, SiO2 addition showed no significant difference from the slag without flux. However, Fe reduction in ilmenite, i.e. TiO2-enrichment, was more accelerated when Na2O was added. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopic and transmission electron microscopic analyses results also showed that even 1 wt% Na2O addition significantly influenced the titanium slag production compared to no flux addition.
Development of a new intraocular lens power calculation method based on lens position estimated with optical coherence tomography
Authors: Satou Tsukasa , Shimizu Kimiya , Tsunehiro Shuntaro , Igarashi Akihito , Kato Sayaka , Koshimizu Manabu , Niida Takahiro
Published: April 2020

A new method is developed and validated for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation based on paraxial ray tracing of the postoperative IOL positions, which are obtained with the use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Of the 474 eyes studied, 137 and 337 were grouped into training and validation sets, respectively. The positions of the implanted IOLs of the training datasets were characterized with multiple linear regression analyses one month after the operations. A new regression formula was developed to predict the postoperative anterior chamber depth with the use of the stepwise analysis results. In the validation dataset, postoperative refractive values were calculated according to the paraxial ray tracing of the cornea and lens based on the assumption of finite structural thicknesses with separate surface curvatures. The predicted refraction error was calculated as the difference of the expected postoperative refraction from the spherical-equivalent objective refraction values. The percentage error (within ±0.50 diopters) of the new formula was 84.3%. This was not significantly correlated to the axial length or keratometry. The developed formula yielded excellent postoperative refraction predictions and could be applicable to eyes with abnormal proportions, such as steep or flat corneal curvatures and short and long axial lengths.
Vitamin C supports conversion of human γδ T cells into FOXP3-expressing regulatory cells by epigenetic regulation
Authors: Kouakanou Léonce , Peters Christian , Sun Qiwei , Floess Stefan , Bhat Jaydeep , Huehn Jochen , Kabelitz Dieter
Published: April 2020

Human γδ T cells are potent cytotoxic effector cells, produce a variety of cytokines, and can acquire regulatory activity. Induction of FOXP3, the key transcription factor of regulatory T cells (Treg), by TGF-β in human Vγ9 Vδ2 T cells has been previously reported. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and acts as multiplier of DNA hydroxymethylation. Here we have investigated the effect of the more stable phospho-modified Vitamin C (pVC) on TGF-β-induced FOXP3 expression and the resulting regulatory activity of highly purified human Vγ9 Vδ2 T cells. pVC significantly increased the TGF-β-induced FOXP3 expression and stability and also increased the suppressive activity of Vγ9 Vδ2 T cells. Importantly, pVC induced hypomethylation of the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) in the FOXP3 gene. Genome-wide methylation analysis by Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing additionally revealed differentially methylated regions in several important genes upon pVC treatment of γδ T cells. While Vitamin C also enhances effector functions of Vγ9 Vδ2 T cells in the absence of TGF-β, our results demonstrate that pVC potently increases the suppressive activity and FOXP3 expression in TGF-β-treated Vγ9 Vδ2 T cells by epigenetic modification of the FOXP3 gene.
Possible association between spindle frequency and reversal-learning in aged family dogs
Authors: Iotchev Ivaylo Borislavov , Szabó Dóra , Kis Anna , Kubinyi Enikő
Published: April 2020

In both humans and dogs sleep spindle occurrence between acquisition and recall of a specific memory correlate with learning performance. However, it is not known whether sleep spindle characteristics are also linked to performance beyond the span of a day, except in regard to general mental ability in humans. Such a relationship is likely, as both memory and spindle expression decline with age in both species (in dogs specifically the density and amplitude of slow spindles). We investigated if spindle amplitude, density (spindles/minute) and/or frequency (waves/second) correlate with performance on a short-term memory and a reversal-learning task in old dogs (> 7 years), when measurements of behavior and EEG were on average a month apart. Higher frequencies of fast (≥ 13 Hz) spindles on the frontal and central midline electrodes, and of slow spindles (≤ 13 Hz) on the central midline electrode were linked to worse performance on a reversal-learning task. The present findings suggest a role for spindle frequency as a biomarker of cognitive aging across species: Changes in spindle frequency are associated with dementia risk and onset in humans and declining learning performance in the dog.
Cigarette smoking induces human CCR6+Th17 lymphocytes senescence and VEGF-A secretion
Authors: Baskara Indoumady , Kerbrat Stéphane , Dagouassat Maylis , Nguyen Hoang Quy , Guillot-Delost Maude , Surenaud Mathieu , Baillou Claude , Lemoine François M. , Morin Didier , Boczkowski Jorge , Le Gouvello Sabine
Published: April 2020

Chronic exposure to environmental pollutants is often associated with systemic inflammation. As such, cigarette smoking contributes to inflammation and lung diseases by inducing senescence of pulmonary cells such as pneumocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Yet, how smoking worsens evolution of chronic inflammatory disorders associated with Th17 lymphocytes, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, is largely unknown. Results from human studies show an increase in inflammatory CD4+ Th17 lymphocytes at blood- and pulmonary level in smokers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity of CD4+ Th17 lymphocytes to cigarette smoke-induced senescence. Mucosa-homing CCR6+ Th17- were compared to CCR6neg -and regulatory T peripheral lymphocytes after exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Senescence sensitivity of CSE-exposed cells was assessed by determination of various senescence biomarkers (β-galactosidase activity, p16Ink4a- and p21 expression) and cytokines production. CCR6+ Th17 cells showed a higher sensitivity to CSE-induced senescence compared to controls, which is associated to oxidative stress and higher VEGFα secretion. Pharmacological targeting of ROS- and ERK1/2 signalling pathways prevented CSE-induced senescence of CCR6+Th17 lymphocytes as well as VEGFα secretion. Altogether, these results identify mechanisms by which pro-oxidant environmental pollutants contribute to pro-angiogenic and pathogenic CCR6+Th17 cells, therefore potential targets for therapeutic purposes.
Full genome sequencing of archived wild type and vaccine rinderpest virus isolates prior to their destruction
Authors: King Simon , Rajko-Nenow Paulina , Ropiak Honorata M. , Ribeca Paolo , Batten Carrie , Baron Michael D.
Published: April 2020

When rinderpest virus (RPV) was declared eradicated in 2011, the only remaining samples of this once much-feared livestock virus were those held in various laboratories. In order to allow the destruction of our institute’s stocks of RPV while maintaining the ability to recover the various viruses if ever required, we have determined the full genome sequence of all our distinct samples of RPV, including 51 wild type viruses and examples of three different types of vaccine strain. Examination of the sequences of these virus isolates has shown that the African isolates form a single disparate clade, rather than two separate clades, which is more in accord with the known history of the virus in Africa. We have also identified two groups of goat-passaged viruses which have acquired an extra 6 bases in the long untranslated region between the M and F protein coding sequences, and shown that, for more than half the genomes sequenced, translation of the F protein requires translational frameshift or non-standard translation initiation. Curiously, the clade containing the lapinised vaccine viruses that were developed originally in Korea appears to be more similar to the known African viruses than to any other Asian viruses.
Author Correction: Defined Geldrop Cultures Maintain Neural Precursor Cells
Authors: Vogler Steffen , Prokoph Silvana , Freudenberg Uwe , Binner Marcus , Tsurkan Mikhail , Werner Carsten , Kempermann Gerd
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Glycosylated nanostructures in sublingual immunotherapy induce long-lasting tolerance in LTP allergy mouse model
Authors: Rodriguez Maria J. , Ramos-Soriano Javier , Perkins James R. , Mascaraque Ainhoa , Torres Maria J. , Gomez Francisca , Diaz-Perales Araceli , Rojo Javier , Mayorga Cristobalina
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Characterisation of the Cyanate Inhibited State of Cytochrome c Oxidase
Authors: Kruse Fabian , Nguyen Anh Duc , Dragelj Jovan , Schlesinger Ramona , Heberle Joachim , Mroginski Maria Andrea , Weidinger Inez M.
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Co3O4–Ag photocatalysts for the efficient degradation of methyl orange
Authors: Chen Hongmei , Xue Chenyang , Cui Danfeng , Liu Maoxing , Chen Yi , Li Yuankai , Zhang Wendong
Published: April 2020

A novel Co3O4–Ag catalyst covered on the Ni foam substrate was synthesized via facile hydrothermal and in situ photoreduction methods for the efficient degradation of methyl orange.
A DFT study to probe homo-conjugated norbornylogous bridged spacers in dye-sensitized solar cells: an approach to suppressing agglomeration of dye molecules
Authors: Saha Anusuya , Ganguly Bishwajit
Published: April 2020

This work reports homoconjugated norbornylogous spacers to supress agglomeration of dye molecules with improved efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells.
Photothermal augment stromal disrupting effects for enhanced Abraxane synergy chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer PDX mode
Authors: Teng Tianhong , Lin Ronggui , Lin Ziguo , Ke Kun , Lin Xianchao , Pan Maoen , Zhang Da , Huang Heguang
Published: April 2020

Preparation of Abraxane@MoSe2 and its PTT effect augment stromal disrupting effects for enhanced Abraxane synergy chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer PDX mode.
Electrocatalytic behaviour of CeZrOx-supported Ni catalysts in plasma assisted CO2 methanation
Authors: Mikhail Maria , Da Costa Patrick , Amouroux Jacques , Cavadias Siméon , Tatoulian Michael , Ognier Stéphanie , Gálvez María Elena
Published: April 2020

Plasma and thermo-catalytic methanation were assayed in the presence of a CeZrOx-supported Ni catalyst. High CO2 conversions and high methane yields were obtained under DBD plasma, and are maintained with time-on-stream over 100 h operating time.
Stepwise ammonium enrichment using selective battery electrodes
Authors: Son Moon , Kolvek Eric , Kim Taeyoung , Yang Wulin , Vrouwenvelder Johannes S. , Gorski Christopher A. , Logan Bruce E.
Published: April 2020

Electrochemical cells containing battery electrodes (battery deionization) can be effective in recovering and concentrating ammonium in wastewater with a low energy demand.