bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The semantics of spatial demonstratives in Spanish: a Demonstrative Choice Task study
Authors: TODISCO EMANUELA , ROCCA ROBERTA , WALLENTIN MIKKEL
Published: July 2021

abstract

Demonstratives (this/thatin English) are pivotal in communication. In this study, we show that semantic features of referents systematically influence speakers’ choices of demonstrative forms for Spanish nouns in the absence of a guiding context. We used the Demonstrative Choice Task (DCT), previously applied to two-term demonstrative languages (Danish, English, and Italian), and applied it to Spanish, a three-term demonstrative system (este/ese/aquel), to test if the semantic dimensions driving demonstrative choice overlap with those found for English. 1,639 native Spanish speakers were presented with 480 nouns rated along 76 semantic features and were asked to match each noun with a demonstrative. We found that demonstratives are influenced by the same semantic factors as two-term languages, such as manipulability, valence, and the self. In Spanish, these semantic factors predict the demonstrative choice between the proximaleste/aand a combination of medial and distal formsese/aandaquel/la.Additional semantic factors affect speakers’ preferences forese/aversusaquel/a(e.g., visuality and time). We conclude that many of the semantic attractors influencing the choice of demonstratives are constant across languages, independent of the number of terms characterizing the demonstrative system, and provide a window into the landscape of meaning subserving linguistic reference.
Literacy effects on artificial grammar learning (AGL) with letters and colors: evidence from preschool and primary school children
Authors: SOARES ANA PAULA , SILVA ROSA , FARIA FREDERICA , SANTOS MARIA SILVA , OLIVEIRA HELENA MENDES , JIMÉNEZ LUIS
Published: July 2021

abstract

Literacy affects many aspects of language and cognition, including the shift from a more holistic mode of processing to a more analytical part-based mode of processing. Here we examined whether this shift impacts the ability of preschool and primary school children to learn the rules underlying a finite-state grammar using an artificial grammar learning (AGL) paradigm implemented with either linguistic (letters) or non-linguistic (colors) materials to further examine if children’s AGL performance was modulated by type of stimuli. Both tasks involved a training phase in which half of the preschool children and half of the primary school children were exposed to a set of either letter or color strings without any information about the rules underlying the construction of those strings. Later, in the test phase, they were asked to decide whether a new set of letter or color strings conformed to those rules to test grammar learning. Results showed that only primary school children showed evidence of learning, and, importantly, only with colors. These findings seem to support the view that learning to read promotes reliance on smaller linguistic units that might hinder the ability of first-graders to learn the rules underlying finite-state grammars implemented with linguistic materials.
Assessing the early impact of a hospital-based health technology assessment program, smart innovation
Authors: Landaas Erik J. , Hansen Ryan N. , Baird Geoffrey S. , Sullivan Sean D.
Published: July 2021

Objective

We evaluated the early impact of a new hospital-based health technology assessment (HB-HTA) program, called Smart Innovation, at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC).

Methods

We compared the UWMC's utilization trends for two surgical procedures to control hospitals by evaluating the difference before and after adoption decisions: (i) a new filter for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures that treat aortic valve stenosis and (ii) microwave ablation (MWA) for treating hepatocellular carcinoma. We used descriptive statistics to assess the difference between the UWMC and controls for TAVR and MWA procedures and multivariate difference-in-differences (DID) analyses to test for statistical significance.

Results

The UWMC experienced a 10 percent reduction in TAVR procedures compared with controls following the implementation of the TAVR Sentinel filter. The DID regression model indicated a 1.5 reduction in the number of TAVR procedures per quarter at the UWMC between the pre- and post period, which was not statistically significant (p-value: .87). The UWMC experienced a 51 percent reduction in utilization when compared with controls for MWA procedures in the pre- and post periods. The DID model for MWA indicated an 18.8 decrease in utilization per quarter during the study period for the UWMC, which was statistically significant (p-value: .0007). For MWA procedures, the UWMC experienced a $647,658 dollar reduction in total costs in the post period compared with controls.

Conclusions

When the UWMC used HB-HTA methods for technology adoption, there was a reduction in utilization and total costs when compared with controls; however, when the UWMC adopted a new technology without using HB-HTA methods, there was no difference in utilization.
How to integrate evidence from patient preference studies into health technology assessment: a critical review and recommendations
Authors: Marsh Kevin , de Bekker-Grob Esther , Cook Nigel , Collacott Hannah , Danyliv Andriy
Published: July 2021

Health technology assessment (HTA) agencies vary in their use of quantitative patient preference data (PP) and the extent to which they have formalized this use in their guidelines. Based on the authors' knowledge of the literature, we identified six different PP “use cases” that integrate PP into HTA in five different ways: through endpoint selection, clinical benefit rating, predicting uptake, input into economic evaluation, and a means to weight all HTA criteria. Five types of insight are distinguished across the use cases: understanding what matters to patients, predicting patient choices, estimating the utility generated by treatment benefits, estimating the willingness to pay for treatment benefits, and informing distributional considerations. Summarizing the literature on these use cases, we recommend circumstances in which PP can add value to HTA and the further research and guidance that is required to support the integration of PP in HTA. Where HTA places more emphasis on clinical outcomes, novel endpoints are available; or where there are already many treatment options, PP can add value by helping decision makers to understand what matters to patients. Where uptake is uncertain, PP can be used to estimate uptake probability. Where indication-specific utility functions are required or where existing utility measures fail to capture the value of treatments, PP can be used to generate or supplement existing utility estimates. Where patients are paying out of pocket, PP can be used to estimate willingness to pay.
Visual imagination and cognitive mapping of a virtual building
Authors: Jeffery Kate , Guo Wanying , Ball Danny , Rodriguez-Sanchez Julia
Published: July 2021

We investigated the contribution of visual imagination to the cognitive mapping of a building when initial exploration was simulated either visually by using a passive video walk-through, or mentally by using verbal guidance. Building layout had repeating elements with either rotational or mirror symmetry. Cognitive mapping of the virtual building, determined using questionnaires and map drawings, was present following verbal guidance but inferior to that following video guidance. Mapping was not affected by the building's structural symmetry. However, notably, it correlated with small-scale mental rotation scores for both video and verbal guidance conditions. There was no difference between males and females. A common factor that may have influenced cognitive mapping was the availability of visual information about the relationships of the building elements, either directly perceived (during the video walk-through) or imagined (during the verbal walk-through and/or during recall). Differences in visual imagination, particularly mental rotation, may thus account for some of the individual variance in cognitive mapping of complex built environments, which is relevant to how designers provide navigation-relevant information.
A novel partial ambiguity method for multi-GNSS real-time kinematic positioning
Authors: Li Haiyang , Nie Guigen , Wang Jing , Wu Shuguang , He Yuefan
Published: July 2021

Recent progress in using real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning has motivated the exploration of its application due to its high accuracy and efficiency. However, poorly-observed satellite data will cause unfixed ambiguities and markedly biased solutions. A novel partial ambiguity resolution method, named the irrespective of integer ambiguity resolution (IIAR) model, is proposed and applied to improve the reliability of ambiguity resolution. The proposed method contains initial ambiguity resolution and irrespective of integer ambiguity processes. The initial ambiguity resolution process applies an iterative partial ambiguity resolution method to obtain an approximate solution. The irrespective of integer ambiguity process transforms the approximate solution to a high-precision solution. Experiments show that the approximate solution is unreliable when the initial ambiguity resolution process has small redundancy, and the proposed method can obtain better results for those cases. The IIAR method showed about a 40% improvement of multi-GNSS ambiguity success rate and about a 25% improvement of standard deviation. Therefore, these results show that the proposed IIAR method can improve the results of multi-GNSS RTK positioning significantly.
Evidence Lacking for Cannabis Users Slacking: A Longitudinal Analysis of Escalating Cannabis Use and Motivation among Adolescents
Authors: Pacheco-Colón Ileana , Hawes Samuel W. , Duperrouzel Jacqueline C. , Gonzalez Raul
Published: July 2021

Objective:

Reduced motivation is often noted as a consequence of cannabis use. However, previous work has yielded mixed results and focused largely on adults. To address these limitations, this study examined longitudinal associations between cannabis use and self-reported motivation in a large adolescent sample.

Method:

Participants were 401 adolescents aged 14–17 at baseline who completed five bi-annual assessments. We assessed motivation at three timepoints using two self-report questionnaires: the Apathy Evaluation Scale and the Motivation and Engagement Scale (disengagement, persistence, planning, self-efficacy, and valuing school subscales). Controlling for relevant covariates, we used latent growth curve modeling to characterize patterns of cannabis use and motivation over time, examining bidirectional influences between these processes.

Results:

On average, adolescent cannabis use frequency increased significantly over time. The disengagement and planning facets of motivation also increased significantly over time, whereas other aspects of motivation remained stable. At baseline, greater cannabis use was associated with greater disengagement, lower planning, and lower valuing of school. Greater baseline cannabis use also predicted lesser increases in disengagement over time. After controlling for the effect of sex, age, depression, and use of alcohol and nicotine, only the baseline association between cannabis use and valuing school remained significant.

Conclusions:

Our results do not support a prospective link between cannabis use and reduced motivation among adolescents. Although most observed associations were accounted for by covariates, greater cannabis use was cross-sectionally associated with lower perceived value of school, which may contribute to poorer educational and later life outcomes.
The Construction of a Hegemonic Social Representation
Authors: Magioglou Thalia , Coen Sharon
Published: July 2021

Abstract. The present paper discusses how climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic can be read as two facets of a Hegemonic Social Representation (HSR) under construction, the representation of survival, reshaping other hegemonic, socially shared representations in the Western culture such as Science, Politics/Democracy, and Nature, on an unprecedented scale. A HSR is proposed in this paper as a useful tool to conceptualize major changes in social thinking, at the interface of individual and collective dynamics. A HSR is defined as the crystallization of a meaning-complex on what is valuable and vital for a community, generating competing for social identities, practices, and social policies. The paper revisits the concept initiated by Moscovici and focuses on the role of competing groups, generating opposing perspectives. We argue that at this crucial point, close attention to the way in which meaning is negotiated across a series of key elements of the HSR of survival will help better informing communication and action concerning climate change.
Down to Earth With Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse: Realistic Surface Impedance Affects Mapping of the E3 Geoelectric Hazard
Authors: Love Jeffrey J. , Lucas Greg M. , Murphy Benjamin S. , Bedrosian Paul A. , Rigler E. Joshua , Kelbert Anna
Published: July 2021

An analysis is made of Earth‐surface geoelectric fields and voltages on electricity transmission power‐grids induced by a late‐phase E3 nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP). A hypothetical scenario is considered of an explosion of several hundred kilotons set several hundred kilometers above the eastern‐midcontinental United States. Ground‐level E3 geoelectric fields are estimated by convolving a standard parameterization of E3 geomagnetic field variation with magnetotelluric Earth‐surface impedance tensors derived from wideband measurements acquired across the study region during a recent survey. These impedance tensors are a function of subsurface three‐dimensional electrical conductivity structure. Results, presented as a movie‐map, demonstrate that localized differences in surface impedance strongly distort the amplitude, polarization, and variational phase of induced E3 geoelectric fields. Locations with a high degree of E3 geoelectric polarization tend to have high geoelectric amplitude. Uniform half‐space models and one‐dimensional, depth‐dependent models of Earth‐surface impedance, such as those widely used in government and industry reports informing power‐grid vulnerability assessment projects, do not provide accurate estimates of the E3 geoelectric hazard in complex geological settings. In particular, for the Eastern‐Midcontinent, half‐space models can lead to (order‐one) overestimates/underestimates of EMP‐induced geovoltages on parts of the power grid by as much as1,000 volts (a range of 2,000 volts)—comparable to the amplitudes of the geovoltages themselves.
Untangling the Relationship Between AMOC Variability and North Atlantic Upper‐Ocean Temperature and Salinity
Authors: Chiang J. C. H. , Cheng W. , Kim W. M. , Kim S.
Published: July 2021

The relationship between Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) variability and high‐latitude North Atlantic buoyancy changes is complicated by the latter both driving, and responding to, AMOC changes. A maximum covariance analysis applied to a 1,201‐year preindustrial control simulation reveals two leading modes that separate these two distinct roles of North Atlantic temperature and salinity as related to AMOC variability. A linear combination of the two modes accounts for most of the variation of a widely used AMOC index. The same analysis applied to another control simulation known to possess two distinct regimes of AMOC variability—oscillatory and red‐noise—suggests that the North Atlantic buoyancy‐forced AMOC variability is present in both regimes but is weaker in the latter, and moreover there is pronounced multidecadal/centennial AMOC behavior in the latter regime that is unrelated to North Atlantic buoyancy forcing.
Sound Velocity of MgSiO3 Majorite Garnet up to 18 GPa and 2000 K
Authors: Zhou Chunyin , Gréaux Steeve , Liu Zhaodong , Higo Yuji , Arimoto Takeshi , Irifune Tetsuo
Published: July 2021

MgSiO3 majorite is the most significant endmember of the Al‐deficient majorite garnets that form at depths higher than ∼400 km, in the mantle transition zone (MTZ). Here, we report elastic wave velocity measurements on polycrystalline MgSiO3 majorite samples, up to 18.4 GPa and 2000 K by ultrasonic interferometry techniques combined with in situ X‐ray diffraction measurements in a multianvil apparatus. Our data show MgSiO3 majorite has the lowest elastic moduli among silicate garnet endmembers, under the pressure and temperature conditions of the MTZ. These new data combined with those of other garnet endmembers allowed to estimate VP and VS of majorite with compositions relevant to the MTZ. The results suggest that variation of MgSiO3 component in garnet may play a role for interpreting seismic gradients atop the 410‐km discontinuity while below ∼520 km, the velocity contrasts hold too low values to explain the discrepancy between mineral physics data and seismological observations.
A Solid Interpretation of Bright Radar Reflectors Under the Mars South Polar Ice
Authors: Smith I. B. , Lalich D. E. , Rezza C. , Horgan B. H. N. , Whitten J. L. , Nerozzi S. , Holt J. W.
Published: July 2021

Bright radar reflections observed beneath the south polar layered deposits (SPLD) by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding instrument were interpreted to represent liquid water, but the required amounts of salt and heat to form and maintain liquids in this location are implausible given what is known about Mars. Here, we present another hypothesis that accounts for the bright reflections: hydrated and cold clay‐rich deposits at the base of the SPLD create the observed radar response. To support this hypothesis, we present experimental measurements and wave propagation modeling that show that smectites, cooled to 230 K, have real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity large enough to cause the bright reflections, even when mixed with other materials. Further, we find that absorptions attributable to these minerals are present in south polar orbital visible‐near infrared reflectance spectra. Because these minerals are present at the south pole and can cause the reflections, we believe this to be a more viable scenario than the liquid water interpretation.
Increase in CO2 Uptake Capacity in the Arctic Chukchi Sea During Summer Revealed by Satellite‐Based Estimation
Authors: Tu Zebin , Le Chengfeng , Bai Yan , Jiang Zongpei , Wu Yingxu , Ouyang Zhangxian , Cai Wei‐Jun , Qi Di
Published: July 2021

The capacity of CO2 uptake in the Chukchi Sea is particularly sensitive to rapid physical and biological changes. However, scarce field observations pose a challenge in understanding the long‐term trend of CO2 uptake capacity on this continental shelf. We adopted a machine‐learning‐based approach to construct a 17‐years (2003–2019) long‐term time series of summer sea surface partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) from remote sensing products. We show that the long‐term increase in CO2 uptake capacity can be attributed to strong and enhanced biological uptake. In addition, the intraseasonal variability of surface pCO2 in early summer confirms the crucial role of sea ice melt and the subsequently enhanced photosynthesis as soon as the surface ocean converts into an open system. Our results thus highlight the use of remote sensing data in interpolating/extrapolating the highly dynamic carbonate system in the continental shelf sea and shed light into future studies involving machine learning or algorithms.
Climatic Forcing of Plio‐Pleistocene Formation of the Modern Limpopo River, South Africa
Authors: Yang Jing , Nie Junsheng , Garzanti Eduardo , Limonta Mara , Andò Sergio , Vermeesch Pieter , Zhang Haobo , Hu Xiaofei , Wang Zhao , Zhao Baojin , Ncube Lindani , Stevens Thomas , Li Maotong , Li Hua , Chen Taian , Miao Yunfa , Pan Baotian
Published: July 2021

Understanding the evolution of river systems in southern Africa is fundamental to constrain the evolution of landscape and sediment dispersal patterns. It is widely considered that the upper Zambezi River was connected with the Limpopo River during the Cretaceous, forming what was then the largest river in Africa. Crustal flexure during the Paleogene severed the upper Zambezi drainage from the Limpopo, setting the framework of the modern Zambezi and Limpopo River systems. We present first evidence—based on heavy‐mineral assemblages from cores drilled offshore of the Limpopo River mouth and samples collected in different reaches of the modern Limpopo River, integrated with magnetic susceptibility, detrital‐zircon geochronology, and geomorphological analysis—suggesting that the current Limpopo River formed recently in the Plio‐Quaternary. Plio‐Quaternary climate change is envisaged to have controlled the recent dynamics of river drainage and consequent distribution of sediment loads, as observed in many other transcontinental rivers worldwide.
Lack of intrafollicular memory CD4 + T cells is predictive of early clinical failure in newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma
Authors: Mondello Patrizia , Fama Angelo , Larson Melissa C. , Feldman Andrew L. , Villasboas Jose C. , Yang Zhi-Zhang , Galkin Ilia , Svelolkin Viktor , Postovalova Ekaterina , Bagaev Alexander , Ovcharov Pavel , Varlamova Arina , Huet Sarah , Tesson Bruno , McGrath Kaitlyn R. , Slager Susan , Link Brian K. , Syrbu Sergei , Novak Anne J. , Habermann Thomas M. , Witzig Thomas E. , Nowakowski Grzegorz S. , Salles Gilles , Cerhan James R. , Ansell Stephen M.
Published: July 2021

Despite a characteristic indolent course, a substantial subset of follicular lymphoma (FL) patients has an early relapse with a poor outcome. Cells in the microenvironment may be a key contributor to treatment failure. We used a discovery and validation study design to identify microenvironmental determinants of early failure and then integrated these results into the FLIPI. In total, 496 newly diagnosed FL grade 1–3 A patients who were prospectively enrolled into the MER cohort from 2002 to 2012 were evaluated. Tissue microarrays were stained for CD4, CD8, FOXP3, CD32b, CD14, CD68, CD70, SIRP-α, TIM3, PD-1, and PD-L1. Early failure was defined as failing to achieve event-free survival at 24 months (EFS24) in immunochemotherapy-treated patients and EFS12 in all others. CyTOF and CODEX analysis were performed to characterize intratumoral immunophenotypes. Lack of intrafollicular CD4 expression was the only predictor of early failure that replicated with a pooled OR 2.37 (95%CI 1.48–3.79). We next developed a bio-clinical risk model (BioFLIPI), where lack of CD4 intrafollicular expression moved patients up one FLIPI risk group, adding a new fourth high-risk group. Compared with BioFLIPI score of 1, patients with a score of 2 (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.08–4.69), 3 (OR 3.53; 95% CI 1.78–7.54), and 4 (OR 8.92; 95% CI 4.00–21.1) had increasing risk of early failure. The favorable intrafollicular CD4 T cells were identified as activated central memory T cells, whose prognostic value was independent from genetic features. In conclusion, lack of intrafollicular CD4 expression predicts early failure in FL and combined with FLIPI improves identification of high-risk patients; however, independent validation is warranted.
Drug importation: limitations of current proposals and opportunities for improvement
Authors: Scheckel Caleb J. , Vincent Rajkumar S.
Published: July 2021

Drug importation is a policy proposal to help alleviate rising pharmaceutical prices. Restrictions on drug importation stem from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act but authorization of importation can be made by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. During the Trump administration a number of states passed laws to develop a drug importation programs, however, none have been authorized by HHS. Limitations of these importation programs include sole reliance on Canada, exclusion of high-cost drugs like biologics, and persistent legal hazard of the Personal Importation Program. Potential revisions to current law include expansion of countries approved for importation, inclusion of biologics, and codifying protection for personal importation. Drug importation policies are not a panacea to address rising pharmaceutical prices but may blunt prices while more permanent solutions are pursued.
MiR-195 inhibits the ubiquitination and degradation of YY1 by Smurf2, and induces EMT and cell permeability of retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Fu Shu-Hua , Lai Mei-Chen , Zheng Yun-Yao , Sun Ya-Wen , Qiu Jing-Jing , Gui Fu , Zhang Qian , Liu Fei
Published: July 2021

The dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in diabetic retinopathy progression. Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell permeability are important events in diabetic retinopathy. However, the function and mechanism of miR-195 in EMT and cell permeability in diabetic retinopathy remain largely unclear. Diabetic retinopathy models were established using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and high glucose (HG)-stimulated ARPE-19 cells. Retina injury was investigated by hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining. EMT and cell permeability were analyzed by western blotting, immunofluorescence, wound healing, and FITC-dextran assays. MiR-195 expression was detected via qRT-PCR. YY1, VEGFA, Snail1, and Smurf2 levels were detected via western blotting. The interaction relationship was analyzed via ChIP, Co-IP, or dual-luciferase reporter assay. The retina injury, EMT, and cell permeability were induced in STZ-induced diabetic mice. HG induced EMT and cell permeability in ARPE-19 cells. MiR-195, YY1, VEGFA, and Snail1 levels were enhanced, but Smurf2 abundance was reduced in STZ-induced diabetic mice and HG-stimulated ARPE-19 cells. VEGFA knockdown decreased Snail1 expression and attenuated HG-induced EMT and cell permeability. YY1 silence reduced VEGFA and Snail1 expression, and mitigated HG-induced EMT and cell permeability. YY1 could bind with VEGFA and Snail1, and it was degraded via Smurf2-mediated ubiquitination. MiR-195 knockdown upregulated Smurf2 to decrease YY1 expression and inhibited HG-induced EMT and cell permeability. MiR-195 targeted Smurf2, increased expression of YY1, VEGFA, and Snail1, and promoted HG-induced EMT and cell permeability. MiR-195 promotes EMT and cell permeability of HG-stimulated ARPE-19 cells by increasing VEGFA/Snail1 via inhibiting the Smurf2-mediated ubiquitination of YY1.
DHA exhibits synergistic therapeutic efficacy with cisplatin to induce ferroptosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via modulation of iron metabolism
Authors: Du Jing , Wang Xu , Li Yanchun , Ren Xueying , Zhou Yi , Hu Wanye , Zhou Chaoting , Jing Qiangan , Yang Chen , Wang Luyang , Li Huanjuan , Fang Lijuan , Zhou Yonglie , Tong Xiangmin , Wang Ying
Published: July 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an extremely lethal cancer with limited treatment options. Cisplatin (DDP) is used as a mainstay of chemotherapeutic agents in combination with other drugs or radiotherapy for PDAC therapy. However, DDP exhibits severe side-effects that can lead to discontinuation of therapy, and the acquired drug resistance of tumor cells presents serious clinical obstacles. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a more effective and less toxic therapeutic strategy. We and others have previously discovered that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) represents a safe and promising therapeutic agent to preferentially induce cancer cell ferroptosis. In the present study, we find that DHA could intensively strengthen the cytotoxicity of DDP and significantly reduce its effective concentrations both in vitro and in vivo. Combination of DHA and DDP synergistically inhibits the proliferation and induces DNA damage of PDAC cells. Mechanically, the combinative treatment impairs mitochondrial homeostasis, characterized by destroyed mitochondrial morphology, decreased respiratory capacity, reduced ATP production, and accumulated mitochondria-derived ROS. Further studies show that ferroptosis contributes to the cytotoxic effects in PDAC cells under the challenge of DHA and DDP, together with catastrophic accumulation of free iron and unrestricted lipid peroxidation. Moreover, pharmacologic depleting of the free iron reservoir or reconstituted expression of FTH contributes to the tolerance of DHA/DDP-induced ferroptosis, while iron addition accelerates the ferroptotic cell death. In summary, these results provide experimental evidence that DHA acts synergistically with DDP and renders PDAC cells vulnerable to ferroptosis, which may act as a promising therapeutic strategy.
Light-induced symmetry breaking for enhancing second-harmonic generation from an ultrathin plasmonic nanocavity
Authors: Li Guang-Can , Lei Dangyuan , Qiu Meng , Jin Wei , Lan Sheng , Zayats Anatoly V.
Published: July 2021

Efficient frequency up-conversion of coherent light at the nanoscale is highly demanded for a variety of modern photonic applications, but it remains challenging in nanophotonics. Surface second-order nonlinearity of noble metals can be significantly boosted up by plasmon-induced field enhancement, however the related far-field second-harmonic generation (SHG) may also be quenched in highly symmetric plasmonic nanostructures despite huge near-field amplification. Here, we demonstrate that the SHG from a single gold nanosphere is significantly enhanced when tightly coupled to a metal film, even in the absence of a plasmon resonance at the SH frequency. The light-induced electromagnetic asymmetry in the nanogap junction efficiently suppresses the cancelling of locally generated SHG fields and the SH emission is further amplified through preferential coupling to the bright, bonding dipolar resonance mode of the nanocavity. The far-field SHG conversion efficiency of up to $$3.56\times 10^{-7}$$
3.56
×
1

0

−
7

W−1 is demonstrated from a single gold nanosphere of 100 nm diameter, two orders of magnitude higher than for complex double-resonant plasmonic nanostructures. Such highly efficient SHG from a metal nanocavity also constitutes an ultrasensitive nonlinear nanoprobe to map the distribution of longitudinal vectorial light fields in nanophotonic systems.
High-throughput design of high-performance lightweight high-entropy alloys
Authors: Feng Rui , Zhang Chuan , Gao Michael C. , Pei Zongrui , Zhang Fan , Chen Yan , Ma Dong , An Ke , Poplawsky Jonathan D. , Ouyang Lizhi , Ren Yang , Hawk Jeffrey A. , Widom Michael , Liaw Peter K.
Published: July 2021

Developing affordable and light high-temperature materials alternative to Ni-base superalloys has significantly increased the efforts in designing advanced ferritic superalloys. However, currently developed ferritic superalloys still exhibit low high-temperature strengths, which limits their usage. Here we use a CALPHAD-based high-throughput computational method to design light, strong, and low-cost high-entropy alloys for elevated-temperature applications. Through the high-throughput screening, precipitation-strengthened lightweight high-entropy alloys are discovered from thousands of initial compositions, which exhibit enhanced strengths compared to other counterparts at room and elevated temperatures. The experimental and theoretical understanding of both successful and failed cases in their strengthening mechanisms and order-disorder transitions further improves the accuracy of the thermodynamic database of the discovered alloy system. This study shows that integrating high-throughput screening, multiscale modeling, and experimental validation proves to be efficient and useful in accelerating the discovery of advanced precipitation-strengthened structural materials tuned by the high-entropy alloy concept.
Planar refraction and lensing of highly confined polaritons in anisotropic media
Authors: Duan J. , Álvarez-Pérez G. , Tresguerres-Mata A. I. F. , Taboada-Gutiérrez J. , Voronin K. V. , Bylinkin A. , Chang B. , Xiao S. , Liu S. , Edgar J. H. , Martín J. I. , Volkov V. S. , Hillenbrand R. , Martín-Sánchez J. , Nikitin A. Y. , Alonso-González P.
Published: July 2021

Refraction between isotropic media is characterized by light bending towards the normal to the boundary when passing from a low- to a high-refractive-index medium. However, refraction between anisotropic media is a more exotic phenomenon which remains barely investigated, particularly at the nanoscale. Here, we visualize and comprehensively study the general case of refraction of electromagnetic waves between two strongly anisotropic (hyperbolic) media, and we do it with the use of nanoscale-confined polaritons in a natural medium: α-MoO3. The refracted polaritons exhibit non-intuitive directions of propagation as they traverse planar nanoprisms, enabling to unveil an exotic optical effect: bending-free refraction. Furthermore, we develop an in-plane refractive hyperlens, yielding foci as small as λp/6, being λp the polariton wavelength (λ0/50 compared to the wavelength of free-space light). Our results set the grounds for planar nano-optics in strongly anisotropic media, with potential for effective control of the flow of energy at the nanoscale.
Extensive transcriptional and chromatin changes underlie astrocyte maturation in vivo and in culture
Authors: Lattke Michael , Goldstone Robert , Ellis James K. , Boeing Stefan , Jurado-Arjona Jerónimo , Marichal Nicolás , MacRae James I. , Berninger Benedikt , Guillemot Francois
Published: July 2021

Astrocytes have essential functions in brain homeostasis that are established late in differentiation, but the mechanisms underlying the functional maturation of astrocytes are not well understood. Here we identify extensive transcriptional changes that occur during murine astrocyte maturation in vivo that are accompanied by chromatin remodelling at enhancer elements. Investigating astrocyte maturation in a cell culture model revealed that in vitro-differentiated astrocytes lack expression of many mature astrocyte-specific genes, including genes for the transcription factors Rorb, Dbx2, Lhx2 and Fezf2. Forced expression of these factors in vitro induces distinct sets of mature astrocyte-specific transcripts. Culturing astrocytes in a three-dimensional matrix containing FGF2 induces expression of Rorb, Dbx2 and Lhx2 and improves astrocyte maturity based on transcriptional and chromatin profiles. Therefore, extrinsic signals orchestrate the expression of multiple intrinsic regulators, which in turn induce in a modular manner the transcriptional and chromatin changes underlying astrocyte maturation.
Bandgap control in two-dimensional semiconductors via coherent doping of plasmonic hot electrons
Authors: Chen Yu-Hui , Tamming Ronnie R. , Chen Kai , Zhang Zhepeng , Liu Fengjiang , Zhang Yanfeng , Hodgkiss Justin M. , Blaikie Richard J. , Ding Boyang , Qiu Min
Published: July 2021

Bandgap control is of central importance for semiconductor technologies. The traditional means of control is to dope the lattice chemically, electrically or optically with charge carriers. Here, we demonstrate a widely tunable bandgap (renormalisation up to 550 meV at room-temperature) in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors by coherently doping the lattice with plasmonic hot electrons. In particular, we integrate tungsten-disulfide (WS2) monolayers into a self-assembled plasmonic crystal, which enables coherent coupling between semiconductor excitons and plasmon resonances. Accompanying this process, the plasmon-induced hot electrons can repeatedly fill the WS2 conduction band, leading to population inversion and a significant reconstruction in band structures and exciton relaxations. Our findings provide an effective measure to engineer optical responses of 2D semiconductors, allowing flexibilities in design and optimisation of photonic and optoelectronic devices.
The Taxus genome provides insights into paclitaxel biosynthesis
Authors: Xiong Xingyao , Gou Junbo , Liao Qinggang , Li Yanlin , Zhou Qian , Bi Guiqi , Li Chong , Du Ran , Wang Xiaotong , Sun Tianshu , Guo Lvjun , Liang Haifei , Lu Pengjun , Wu Yaoyao , Zhang Zhonghua , Ro Dae-Kyun , Shang Yi , Huang Sanwen , Yan Jianbin
Published: July 2021

The ancient gymnosperm genusTaxusis the exclusive source of the anticancer drug paclitaxel, yet no reference genome sequences are available for comprehensively elucidating the paclitaxel biosynthesis pathway. We have completed a chromosome-level genome ofTaxus chinensisvar.maireiwith a total length of 10.23 gigabases.Taxusshared an ancestral whole-genome duplication with the coniferophyte lineage and underwent distinct transposon evolution. We discovered a unique physical and functional grouping ofCYP725As (cytochrome P450) in theTaxusgenome for paclitaxel biosynthesis. We also identified a gene cluster for taxadiene biosynthesis, which was formed mainly by gene duplications. This study will facilitate the elucidation of paclitaxel biosynthesis and unleash the biotechnological potential ofTaxus.
Smart Distance Lab’s art fair, experimental data on social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tanis Charlotte C. , Leach Nina M. , Geiger Sandra J. , Nauta Floor H. , Dablander Fabian , van Harreveld Frenk , de Wit Sanne , Kanters Gerard , Knoppers Jop , Markus Diederik A. W. , Bouten Rick R. M. , Oostvogel Quinten H. , Boersma Meier J. , van der Steenhoven Maya V. , Borsboom Denny , Blanken Tessa F.
Published: July 2021

In the absence of a vaccine, social distancing behaviour is pivotal to mitigate COVID-19 virus spread. In this large-scale behavioural experiment, we gathered data during Smart Distance Lab: The Art Fair (n = 839) between August 28 and 30, 2020 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We varied walking directions (bidirectional, unidirectional, and no directions) and supplementary interventions (face mask and buzzer to alert visitors of 1.5 metres distance). We captured visitors’ movements using cameras, registered their contacts (defined as within 1.5 metres) using wearable sensors, and assessed their attitudes toward COVID-19 as well as their experience during the event using questionnaires. We also registered environmental measures (e.g., humidity). In this paper, we describe this unprecedented, multi-modal experimental data set on social distancing, including psychological, behavioural, and environmental measures. The data set is available on figshare and in a MySQL database. It can be used to gain insight into (attitudes toward) behavioural interventions promoting social distancing, to calibrate pedestrian models, and to inform new studies on behavioural interventions.
Occupational exposure and radiobiological risk from thyroid radioiodine therapy in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Mohammed H. I. , Sulieman A. , Mayhoub Fareed H. , Salah Hassan , Lagarde Celestino , Alkhorayef M. , Aldhebaib Ali , Kappas C. , Bradley D. A.
Published: July 2021

Worldwide, thyroid cancer accounts for some 10% of total cancer incidence, most markedly for females. Thyroid cancer radiotherapy, typically using 131I (T1/2 8.02 days; β− max energy 606 keV, branching ratio 89.9%), is widely adopted as an adjunct to surgery or to treat inoperable cancer and hyperthyroidism. With staff potentially receiving significant doses during source preparation and administration, radiation protection and safety assessment are required in ensuring practice complies with international guidelines. The present study, concerning a total of 206 patient radioiodine therapies carried out at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center over a 6-month period, seeks to evaluate patient and occupational exposures during hospitalization, measuring ambient doses and estimating radiation risk. Using calibrated survey meters, patient exposure dose-rate estimates were obtained at a distance of 30-, 100- and 300 cm from the neck region of each patient. Occupational and ambient doses were measured using calibrated thermoluminescent dosimeters. The mean and range of administered activity (AA, in MBq) for the thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism treatment groups were 4244 ± 2021 (1669–8066), 1507.9 ± 324.1 (977.9–1836.9), respectively. The mean annual occupational doses were 1.2 mSv, that for ambient doses outside of the isolation room corridors were found to be 0.2 mSv, while ambient doses at the nursing station were below the lower limit of detection. Exposures to staff from patients being treated for thyroid cancer were less compared to hyperthyroidism patients. With a well-defined protocol, also complying with international safety requirements, occupational exposures were found to be relatively high, greater than most reported in previous studies.
Detecting anomalous citation groups in journal networks
Authors: Kojaku Sadamori , Livan Giacomo , Masuda Naoki
Published: July 2021

The ever-increasing competitiveness in the academic publishing market incentivizes journal editors to pursue higher impact factors. This translates into journals becoming more selective, and, ultimately, into higher publication standards. However, the fixation on higher impact factors leads some journals to artificially boost impact factors through the coordinated effort of a “citation cartel” of journals. “Citation cartel” behavior has become increasingly common in recent years, with several instances being reported. Here, we propose an algorithm—named CIDRE—to detect anomalous groups of journals that exchange citations at excessively high rates when compared against a null model that accounts for scientific communities and journal size. CIDRE detects more than half of the journals suspended from Journal Citation Reports due to anomalous citation behavior in the year of suspension or in advance. Furthermore, CIDRE detects many new anomalous groups, where the impact factors of the member journals are lifted substantially higher by the citations from other member journals. We describe a number of such examples in detail and discuss the implications of our findings with regard to the current academic climate.
Interactive effects of the APOE and BDNF polymorphisms on functional brain connectivity: the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project
Authors: Pietzuch Manuela , Bindoff Aidan , Jamadar Sharna , Vickers James C.
Published: July 2021

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging measures pathological alterations in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Disruption in functional connectivity may be a potential biomarker of ageing and early brain changes associated with AD-related genes, such as APOE and BDNF. The objective of this study was to identify group differences in resting-state networks between individuals with BDNF Val66Met and APOE polymorphisms in cognitively healthy older persons. Dual regression following Independent Components Analysis were performed to examine differences associated with these polymorphisms. APOE ε3 homozygotes showed stronger functional connectivity than APOE ε4 carriers. Males showed stronger functional connectivity between the Default Mode Network (DMN) and grey matter premotor cortex, while females showed stronger functional connectivity between the executive network and lateral occipital cortex and parahippocampal gyrus. Additionally, we found that with increasing cognitive reserve, functional connectivity increased within the Dorsal Attention Network (DAN), but decreased within the DMN. Interaction effects indicated stronger functional connectivity in Met/ε3 carriers than in Met/ε4 and Val/ε4 within both the DMN and DAN. APOE/BDNF interactions may therefore influence the integrity of functional brain connections in older adults, and may underlie a vulnerable phenotype for subsequent Alzheimer’s-type dementia.
Gestational age and child development at school entry
Authors: Dhamrait Gursimran K. , Christian Hayley , O’Donnell Melissa , Pereira Gavin
Published: July 2021

Studies have reported a dose-dependent relationship between gestational age and poorer school readiness. The study objective was to quantify the risk of developmental vulnerability for children at school entry, associated with gestational age at birth and to understand the impact of sociodemographic and other modifiable risk factors on these relationships. Linkage of population-level birth registration, hospital, and perinatal datasets to the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC), enabled follow-up of a cohort of 64,810 singleton children, from birth to school entry in either 2009, 2012, or 2015. The study outcome was teacher-reported child development on the AEDC with developmental vulnerability defined as domain scores < 10th percentile of the 2009 AEDC cohort. We used modified Poisson Regression to estimate relative risks (RR) and risk differences (RD) of developmental vulnerability between; (i) preterm birth and term-born children, and (ii) across gestational age categories. Compared to term-born children, adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics attenuated RR for all preterm birth categories. Further adjustment for modifiable risk factors such as preschool attendance and reading status at home had some additional impact across all gestational age groups, except for children born extremely preterm. The RR and RD for developmental vulnerability followed a reverse J-shaped relationship with gestational age. The RR of being classified as developmentally vulnerable was highest for children born extremely preterm and lowest for children born late-term. Adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics attenuated RR and RD for all gestational age categories, except for early-term born children. Children born prior to full-term are at a greater risk for developmental vulnerabilities at school entry. Elevated developmental vulnerability was largely explained by sociodemographic disadvantage. Elevated vulnerability in children born post-term is not explained by sociodemographic disadvantage to the same extent as in children born prior to full-term.
A hybrid computational framework for intelligent inter-continent SARS-CoV-2 sub-strains characterization and prediction
Authors: Ekpenyong Moses Effiong , Edoho Mercy Ernest , Inyang Udoinyang Godwin , Uzoka Faith-Michael , Ekaidem Itemobong Samuel , Moses Anietie Effiong , Emeje Martins Ochubiojo , Tatfeng Youtchou Mirabeau , Udo Ifiok James , Anwana EnoAbasi Deborah , Etim Oboso Edem , Geoffery Joseph Ikim , Dan Emmanuel Ambrose
Published: July 2021

Whereas accelerated attention beclouded early stages of the coronavirus spread, knowledge of actual pathogenicity and origin of possible sub-strains remained unclear. By harvesting the Global initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database (https://www.gisaid.org/), between December 2019 and January 15, 2021, a total of 8864 human SARS-CoV-2 complete genome sequences processed by gender, across 6 continents (88 countries) of the world, Antarctica exempt, were analyzed. We hypothesized that data speak for itself and can discern true and explainable patterns of the disease. Identical genome diversity and pattern correlates analysis performed using a hybrid of biotechnology and machine learning methods corroborate the emergence of inter- and intra- SARS-CoV-2 sub-strains transmission and sustain an increase in sub-strains within the various continents, with nucleotide mutations dynamically varying between individuals in close association with the virus as it adapts to its host/environment. Interestingly, some viral sub-strain patterns progressively transformed into new sub-strain clusters indicating varying amino acid, and strong nucleotide association derived from same lineage. A novel cognitive approach to knowledge mining helped the discovery of transmission routes and seamless contact tracing protocol. Our classification results were better than state-of-the-art methods, indicating a more robust system for predicting emerging or new viral sub-strain(s). The results therefore offer explanations for the growing concerns about the virus and its next wave(s). A future direction of this work is a defuzzification of confusable pattern clusters for precise intra-country SARS-CoV-2 sub-strains analytics.