bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Platelets differentially modulate CD4+ Treg activation via GPIIa/IIIb-, fibrinogen-, and PAR4-dependent pathways
Authors: Bock Matthias , Bergmann Christian B. , Jung Sonja , Biberthaler Peter , Heimann Laura , Hanschen Marc
Published: December 2021

CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (CD4+ Tregs) are known to dampen inflammation following severe trauma. Platelets were shown to augment their posttraumatic activation in burn injury, but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that platelet activation mechanisms via GPIIb/IIIa, fibrinogen, and PAR4 have an immunological effect and modulate CD4+ Treg activation early after trauma. Therefore, C57Bl/6 N mice were injected with tirofiban (GPIIb/IIIa inhibition), ancrod (fibrinogen splitting enzyme), or tcY-NH2 (selective PAR4 antagonist peptide) before inducing a third-degree burn injury of 25% of the total body surface area. Changes in coagulation, and local and systemic CD4+ Treg activity were assessed via rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) and phospho-flow cytometry 1 h post intervention. The inhibition of GPIIb/IIIa and fibrinogen locally led to a higher basic activity of CD4+ Tregs compared to non-inhibited animals. In contrast, PAR4 disruption on platelets locally led to an increased posttraumatic activation of CD4+ Tregs. Fibrinogen led to complete elimination of coagulation, whereas GPIIb/IIIa or PAR4 inhibition did not. GPIIb/IIIa receptor and fibrinogen inhibition increase CD4+ Tregs activity independently of trauma. Both are crucial for thrombus formation. We suggest platelets trapped in thrombi are unable to interact with CD4+ Tregs but augment their activity when circulating freely. In contrast, PAR4 seems to reduce CD4+ Treg activation following trauma. In summary, GPIIb/IIIa-, PAR4-, and fibrinogen-dependent pathways in platelets modulate CD4+ Treg baseline activity, independently from their hemostatic functionality. PAR4-dependent pathways modulate the posttraumatic interplay of platelets and CD4+ Tregs.
Adapting Rainfall Variability to Flood Risk: A Case Study of the Ghaggar River Basin
Authors: Gorai Sanjoy , Ratha Dwarikanath , Dhir Amit
Published: December 2021

Floods are the most common natural disasters influenced by climatic variables and anthropogenic activities. Ghaggar is a seasonal river of north-western region of India and this basin has been experiencing moderate to high intensity of floods frequently. The present study aims to find out the impact of the rainfall variability on the flooding scenario of this basin using hydrometeorological data. The rainfall data was collected for 12 stations of the basin. The rainfall and extreme rainfall of the Ghaggar basin was determined using innovative trend analysis which was further validated by Mann-Kendall test. The runoff generated from the average annual rainfall and extreme rainfall in terms of rx1day was determined using SCS-CN method. It is found from the analysis that the southwest monsoon is dominant all over the basin and is the main reason for causing the flood. The rx1day rainfall trend is positive at the stations situated in the middle of the basin which is another factor for causing the flood. It is also found that the runoff generated at the uppermost part of the basin due to heavy rainfall at Kalka and Nahan meteorological divisions when combined with runoff generated from middle of basin is creating the flood situation at middle of the basin. Flood hazard mapping was also carried out for vulnerability analysis and found that the basin area is moderate to highly vulnerable to floods.
Development of Surface Level Seismic Hazard Maps Considering Local Soil Conditions for the State of Haryana, India
Authors: Puri Nitish , Jain Ashwani
Published: December 2021

An extensive ground response analysis has been carried out in order to consider the effect of local soil conditions on surface level strong ground motions in the state of Haryana, India. Non-linear approach has been adopted to analyze 81 sites drilled up to refusal covering the entire state. It has been observed that 75 sites fall under site class D (medium dense soils), 4 sites under site class C (very dense soils), whereas only 2 sites fall under site class E (loose soils) as per the provisions of National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP). For the estimation of low strain shear modulus (Gmax) using SPT N-value for different type of soils, various correlations have been used due to non-availability of in-situ measured values of shear wave velocity (Vs). The standard backbone curves for clays and sands have been used in the study in the absence of site-specific shear modulus degradation and damping ratio curves. The recorded acceleration time histories of the Ms 7.0 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake, having a focal depth of 10 km with PGA (g) ranging from 0.05g to 0.31g, have been used as input motion for the analysis. Amplification factors for peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration (Sa) for site class D have been calculated which are found to be comparable with those reported in NEHRP provisions. However, the site-specific hazard parameters determined for the tectonic setup of the seismic study region are quite different from that suggested by Indian standard code of practice.
Evaluation of Slope Stability Analysis using Kinematic and Chart Method: A Case Study
Authors: Verma Rahul Kumar , Sharma Prateek , Singh Rajesh , Singh T.N.
Published: December 2021

The variability and unpredictability of climatic conditions are adding to the complexity in the prediction of the natural hazards. The Himalayan region is having a very complex geological and tectonic setting. Besides, climatic conditions and geological setting of the area, human encroachment is adding to the vulnerability of mountain slopes. The landslide, particularly rockfall, became a big problem for commuters and inhabitants in the hilly region. The landslides are mostly occurring either in the summer season or in the rainy season due to the percolation of water along the jointed weathered rock mass slopes. The researchers/scientists have investigated various reasons for the slope failure using conventional methods like kinematic and limit equilibrium method or using numerical methods like finite difference method (FDM), finite element method (FEM), discrete element method (DEM). The numerical methods FEM, FDM, and DEM has wide application but these are very costly and requires high end computation system. On the other hand, the conventional methods, which were used in the present study, is economical and requires geological experiences only. In the present study, slope stability analysis was performed for roadcut slopes of National Highway -109 (NH-109) from Bhowali to Almora (53 km) in the district of Nainital and Almora, Uttarakhand, India. A total of fourteen vulnerable locations were identified and their instability was evaluated. The types of failure were determined using the kinematic method, stability and classification of the slope were examined using slope mass rating (SMR). In addition, the chart method was used to calculate the factor of safety (FoS) for only wedge type of failure. A new graph has been proposed to find out vulnerability of slope considering only field-based approach.
Global invasion risk of Apocephalus borealis, a honey bee parasitoid
Authors: Tihelka Erik , Hafernik John , Brown Brian V. , Quock Christopher , Zink Andrew G. , Croppi Sofia , Cai Chen-Yang , Zhu Chao-Dong
Published: December 2021

Apocephalus borealis is a parasitoid of hymenopterans native to North America that also attacks introduced honey bees (Apis mellifera). Parasitism by this species has been associated with infested bees absconding the hive and dying outside. The flies can also harbour viral infections and nosematosis. Recently, nucleotide sequences identical to A. borealis were reported from bulk screenings of honey bees from Belgium and South Korea, although no adult flies have been collected. To predict the potential invasion risk of A. borealis across the world, we constructed a MaxEnt species distribution model based on occurrence data from North America submitted to the citizen science project ZomBee Watch (zombeewatch.org) and from museum specimens. The results have shown that extensive parts of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Asia Minor, southern Africa, eastern Asia, Australasia, and North and South America have high degrees of climatic suitability for invasion, suggesting that the fly could establish in these regions. The potential invasion range is expected to stay similar under different climate change scenarios. We discuss the status of A. borealis as an invasive species and measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of its introduction outside of North America. Our results highlight A. borealis as a potential threat to honey bee health worldwide that requires urgent attention of international veterinary bodies to prevent its spread.
Holding It Together? Professional Perspectives on the Role of Relationships when Relocating Young People due to Extra-familial Harm
Authors: Firmin Carlene , Owens Rachael
Published: December 2021

When young people come to harm in extra-familial contexts, professionals may move them a distance from their home community to protect them, and in doing so disrupt relationships in which they have encountered harm. However, relocations can also fracture young people’s protective relationships with family, peers, and professionals; relationships that have been positioned as targets for intervention in cases of extra-familial harm. The extent to which these relationships are considered during relocations is under-explored. Utilising semi-structured interviews with 16 social work professionals in England and Wales, we assessed their accounts of using relationships prior to, during, and following relocations in cases of extra-familial harm. Three themes emerged: using relationships during relocations to provide consistency, to collaborate, and to create safety. Professional accounts prioritised young people’s relationships with practitioners, over relationships with families, peers, and their wider communities, when using/seeking opportunities to offer consistency and to collaborate on safety plans. They also depicted a struggle to engage with the complex web of family, peer, and community relationships associated to young people’s protection in both their home communities and those they had been moved to; relationships that were critical for creating safety. Implications for practice and future research are discussed, highlighting the potential merits of offering integrated research and practice frameworks that hold together young people’s relationships with families, peers, communities, and professionals, in response to extra-familial harm.
Equivariance and Invariance for Optimal Designs in Generalized Linear Models Exemplified by a Class of Gamma Models
Authors: Idais Osama , Schwabe Rainer
Published: December 2021

The main intention of the present work is to outline the concept of equivariance and invariance in the design of experiments for generalized linear models and to demonstrate its usefulness. In contrast with linear models, pairs of transformations have to be employed for generalized linear models. These transformations act simultaneously on the experimental settings and on the location parameters in the linear component. Then, the concept of equivariance provides a tool to transfer locally optimal designs from one experimental region to another when the nominal values of the parameters are changed accordingly. The stronger concept of invariance requires a whole group of equivariant transformations. It can be used to characterize optimal designs which reflect the symmetries resulting from the group actions. The general concepts are illustrated by models with gamma distributed response and a canonical link. There, for a given transformation of the experimental settings, the transformation of the parameters is not unique and may be chosen to be nonlinear in order to fully exploit the model structure. In this case, we can derive invariant maximin efficient designs for theD- and theIMSE-criterion.
Prediction model of seasonality in the construction industry based on the accidentality phenomenon
Authors: Hoła Bożena , Topolski Mariusz , Szer Iwona , Szer Jacek , Blazik-Borowa Ewa
Published: December 2021

The construction industry is an economic sector that is characterized by seasonality. Seasonal factors affect the volume of production, which in turn affects the accident rate. The aim of the research presented in the article was to develop a model for predicting the number of people injured in occupational accidents in the construction industry. Based on the analysis of statistical data and previous studies, the occurrence of certain regularities of the accidentality phenomenon was found, namely the long-term trend over many years, as well as seasonality and cyclicality over the course of a year. The found regularities were the basis for the assumptions that were made for the construction of the model. A mathematical model was built in the non-linear regression dimension. The model was validated by comparing the results of prediction errors generated by the developed model with the results of prediction errors generated by other known models, such as ARIMA, SARIMA, linear and polynomial models, which take into account the seasonality of the phenomenon. The constructed model enables the number of people injured in accidents in the construction industry in selected months of future years to be predicted with high accuracy. The obtained results can be the basis for making appropriate decisions regarding preventive and prophylactic measures in the construction industry. Commonly known mathematical tools available in the STATISTICA package were used to solve the given task.
Modularity and Dynamics on Complex Networks
Authors: Lambiotte Renaud , Schaub Michael T.
Published: December 2021

Complex networks are typically not homogeneous, as they tend to display an array of structures at different scales. A feature that has attracted a lot of research is their modular organisation, i.e., networks may often be considered as being composed of certain building blocks, or modules. In this Element, the authors discuss a number of ways in which this idea of modularity can be conceptualised, focusing specifically on the interplay between modular network structure and dynamics taking place on a network. They discuss, in particular, how modular structure and symmetries may impact on network dynamics and, vice versa, how observations of such dynamics may be used to infer the modular structure. They also revisit several other notions of modularity that have been proposed for complex networks and show how these can be related to and interpreted from the point of view of dynamical processes on networks.
Stability of an air–water mixing layer: focus on the confinement effect
Authors: Bozonnet Cyril , Matas Jean-Philippe , Balarac Guillaume , Desjardins Olivier
Published: December 2021

The shear instability occurring at the interface between a slow water layer and a fast air stream is a complex phenomenon driven by momentum and viscosity differences across the interface, velocity gradients as well as by injector geometries. Simulating such an instability under experimental conditions is numerically challenging and few studies exist in the literature. This work aims at filling a part of this gap by presenting a study of the convergence between two-dimensional simulations, linear theory and experiments, in regimes where the instability is triggered by the confinement, i.e. finite thicknesses of gas and liquid streams. It is found that very good agreement between the three approaches is obtained. Moreover, using simulations and linear theory, we explore in detail the effects of confinement on the stability of the flow and on the transition between absolute and convective instability regimes, which is shown to depend on the length scale of the confinement as well as on the dynamic pressure ratio. In the absolute regime under study, the interfacial wave frequency is found to be inversely proportional to the smallest injector size (liquid or gas).
Union Affiliation and Civic Engagement: Teachers in Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Chambers-Ju Christopher , Hecock R. Douglas
Published: December 2021

Do labor unions still motivate their members to participate in politics, or have social and economic changes undermined their political importance? This question is important to revisit, as globalization and economic reform have weakened many popular sector organizations in Latin America, reducing some to mere patronage machines. This article examines the case of the teachers’ union in Bogotá, Colombia to assess whether and how labor unions are able to promote the political activation of their members. Employing a multimethod research design that begins with a quantitative analysis of a survey of Colombian teachers, this study finds that union affiliation is associated with higher levels of motivation to vote. It then uses evidence from interviews to show how union advocacy and internal elections for leadership positions shape political behavior, contributing to civic engagement. This research engages with broader debates about democratic quality and political representation in contemporary Latin America.
Bringing Back the State: Understanding Varieties of Pension Re-reforms in Latin America
Authors: Carrera Leandro N. , Angelaki Marina
Published: December 2021

Pension policy is a highly political issue across Latin America. Since the mid-2000s, several countries have re-reformed their pension systems with a general trend toward more state involvement, yet with significant variation. This article contends that policy legacies and the institutional political setting are key to understanding such variation. Analyzing the cases of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, this article shows that where a weak legacy, characterized by low coverage and savings rates, a weakly organized pension industry, and strong societal groups that oppose the private system, combines with a strong institutional setting, characterized by a government with large support in Congress and where the president concentrates decisionmaking, re-reform outcomes may lead to the outright elimination of the private pillar. Conversely, where a strong legacy combines with a weak institutional setting, re-reform outcomes will tend to maintain the private pillar and expand only the role of the public one.
Charting the Rise of School Choice across Canadian Provinces: A Policy Index
Authors: Asadolahi Salar , Farney James , Triadafilopoulos Triadafilos , White Linda A.
Published: December 2021

This article introduces and discusses the findings of the Canada School Choice Policy Index (CSCPI). This is the first index of its kind that measures the development of school choice policies across the Canadian provinces from 1980 to 2020 using eight unique indicators of choice. In contrast to other countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the CSCPI reveals that although Canada has witnessed an increase in school choice over time, this increase has largely been contained within public education systems rather than in the expansion of private education options. Our findings raise the importance of future research to address growing choice in public education systems across the provinces, in addition to choice in the private sphere.
Raising and matching in Pharasiot Greek relative clauses: A diachronic reconstruction
Authors: BAGRIACIK METIN , DANCKAERT LIEVEN
Published: December 2021

This paper studies the structure and origin of prenominal and postnominal restrictive relative clauses in Pharasiot Greek. Though both patterns are finite and introduced by the invariant complementizertu, they differ in two important respects. First, corpus data reveal that prenominal relatives are older than their postnominal counterparts. Second, in the present-day language only prenominal relatives involve a matching derivation, whereas postnominal ones behave like Head-raising structures. Turning to diachrony, we suggest that prenominal relatives came into being through morphological fusion of a determinert- with an invariant complementizeru.This process entailed a reduction of functional structure in the left periphery of the relative clause, to the effect that the landing site for a raising Head was suppressed, leaving a matching derivation as the only option. Postnominal relatives are analyzed as borrowed from Standard Modern Greek. Our analysis corroborates the idea that both raising and matching derivations for relatives must be acknowledged, sometimes even within a single language.
Victorians in the Closet: Oscar Wilde's Monstrous Hollywood Legacy
Authors: Hext Kate
Published: December 2021

This essay offers a new perspective on the Victorians’ representation in early cinema. It argues that the profile of Oscar Wilde and the decadent movement was such, in early twentieth-century America, that its movies often viewed the Victorians through a decadent lens. Situating its discussion in a detailed exposition of Hollywood's interest in late-Victorian decadence, this essay discusses the reciprocal relationship between Oscar Wilde's imagination and cinematic horror. It sketches the inherently cinematic qualities in decadent writing and, focusing on Wilde'sThe Picture of Dorian Gray(1891), offers a new reading of how it incorporates different cinematic technologies to create a sense of supernatural horror. The essay goes on to examine how Wilde's novel inspired early American horror films, with close analysis of how its dialogue and visual effects were incorporated into the genre-defining adaptation ofJekyll and Hyde(1920).
Association of dietary intake of branched-chain amino acids with long-term risks of CVD, cancer and all-cause mortality
Authors: Xu Binbin , Wang Meng , Pu Liyuan , Shu Chang , Li Lian , Han Liyuan
Published: December 2021

Objectives:

We aimed to investigate the associations between dietary branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) intake and long-term risks of CVD, cancer and all-cause mortality in nationwide survey participants aged ≥ 18.

Design:

This was a prospective cohort study. Dietary intakes of BCAA (leucine, isoleucine and valine) were determined from the total nutrient intake document. The main outcomes were CVD, cancer and all-cause mortality.

Setting:

A nationally representative sample of US adults were recruited by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) from 1988 to 1994.

Participants:

A total of 14 397 adults aged ≥ 18 who participated in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III) were included.

Results:

During 289 406 person-years of follow-up, we identified 4219 deaths, including 1133 from CVD and 926 from cancer. After multivariate adjustment, the hazard ratios (95 % confidence intervals) of all-cause mortality in the highest dietary BCAA and isoleucine intake quintile (reference: lowest quintiles) were 0·68 (0·48, 0·97) and 0·68 (0·48, 0·97), respectively. Each one-standard-deviation increase in total dietary BCAA or isoleucine intake was associated with an 18 % or 21 % decrease in the risk of all-cause mortality, respectively. The serum triglyceride (TAG) concentration was found to modify the association between the dietary BCAA intake and all-cause mortality (Pfor interaction = 0·008).

Conclusions:

In a nationally representative cohort, higher dietary intakes of BCAA and isoleucine were independently associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality, and these associations were stronger in participants with higher serum TAG concentrations.
A Climatology of Narrow Cold‐Frontal Rainbands in Southern California
Authors: de Orla‐Barile Marian , Cannon Forest , Oakley Nina S. , Ralph F. Martin
Published: December 2021

Narrow cold‐frontal rainbands (NCFRs) produce short‐duration, high‐intensity precipitation associated with flash flooding and debris flows in Southern California, including the extremely destructive 2018 Montecito event. This manuscript presents the first known catalog of NCFR events in this region during winter seasons 1995–2020. A manual approach was used to identify NCFRs in radar imagery, supported by rain gauges and atmospheric reanalysis products. In total, 94 NCFRs were observed, with an average of three landfalling events occurring per water year. Propagation and impacts of these NCFRs were also investigated. Composite analyses of synoptic conditions reveal similarities across events; however, individual NCFRs exist on a spectrum of atmospheric conditions, precipitation intensity, and associated hazards. This regional record serves as a control dataset for the development of an objective identification algorithm and supports the evaluation and improvement of forecasting procedures. Methods established here are transferrable to other mid‐latitude regions with limited radar coverage.
Stage‐Wise Stochastic Deep Learning Inversion Framework for Subsurface Sedimentary Structure Identification
Authors: Zhan Chuanjun , Dai Zhenxue , Soltanian Mohamad Reza , Zhang Xiaoying
Published: December 2021

The stochastic models and deep‐learning models are the two most commonly used methods for subsurface sedimentary structures identification. The results from the stochastic models typically involve uncertainty due to their nature. For the deep‐learning models, sufficient structure samples are necessary for training, but they are practically difficult to obtain. This study develops an inversion framework to combine the strength of these two models to overcome the limitations. The stochastic model is first adopted to generate the structure samples required by the deep‐learning models by integrating available observations. Then the trained deep‐learning model is utilized to reduce the uncertainty of the structures generated by the stochastic models. This integrated framework can successfully estimate the structures using available observations. Importantly, no additional structure training samples are required in the identification process. To summarize, the combination of the stochastic and the deep‐learning models shows great advantages in identifying subsurface sedimentary structures.
Evidence of Alfvén Waves Generated by Mode Coupling in the Magnetotail Lobe
Authors: Sun Jicheng , Wang Guoqiang , Zhang Tielong , Hu Hongqiao , Yang Huigen
Published: December 2021

Mode coupling is an important mechanism to excite Alfvén waves and has been extensively investigated based on numerical simulations. However, no direct observational evidence has been found regarding to this mechanism in the magnetotail lobe. Here, we report an in‐situ observation that an Alfvén wave with a period of several minutes is clearly relevant to a fast mode wave in the magnetotail lobe based on observations of the Cluster spacecraft. These waves occur at the region where the Alfvén speed has a gradient during an enhancement of the solar wind dynamic pressure. This suggests that the Alfvén wave is generated by the mode conversion at the region where the Alfvén speed has a gradient, and the fast mode wave might be driven by the solar wind. Our observations provide an important insight into the wave generation and energy conversion in the magnetosphere.
Machine Learning Based Long‐Term Water Quality in the Turbid Pearl River Estuary, China
Authors: Ma Chunlei , Zhao Jun , Ai Bin , Sun Shaojie , Yang Zhihao
Published: December 2021

Total suspended solid (TSS) and chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a) are critical indicators of water quality. Moderate‐resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite provides a critical tool to map TSS and Chl‐a on a daily basis. However, robust algorithms are required to retrieve TSS and Chl‐a from MODIS/Aqua images in the turbid Pearl River Estuary (PRE). Here, a new artificial neural network algorithm was developed to estimate TSS and Chl‐a in the PRE using a large amount of in situ measurements spanning more than a decade. Cross‐validation showed that the ANN‐based algorithm presented good performance with R2s of 0.73 and 0.66 for TSS and Chl‐a, respectively. The ANN‐based algorithm outperformed existing empirical and semi‐analytical algorithms. By implementing the proposed algorithm to MODIS/Aqua images, TSS and Chl‐a from August 2002 to July 2020 over the PRE were obtained. The results show that TSS decreased from northwest to southeast in all seasons while peaked in winter and summer. Chl‐a peaked in summer and the high Chl‐a patch transferred from the upper reach to the lower reach of the PRE with the increase of river discharge. TSS decreased at an annual rate of ∼0.13 mg L−1 while Chl‐a increased at an annual rate of ∼0.05 mg m−3 in the last 18 years. Our findings suggest that machine learning provides a practical approach to estimate TSS and Chl‐a in turbid estuaries via MODIS/Aqua images and the approach developed in this study can be applied to other turbid waters with similar optical properties.
The incidence of discordant clinical and genomic risk in patients with invasive lobular or ductal carcinoma of the breast: a National Cancer Database Study
Authors: Abel Mary Kathryn , Shui Amy M. , Melisko Michelle , Chien A. Jo , Yoshida Emi J. , Lancaster Elizabeth M. , Van ‘T Veer Laura , Esserman Laura J. , Mukhtar Rita A.
Published: December 2021

When molecular testing classifies breast tumors as low risk but clinical risk is high, the optimal management strategy is unknown. One group of patients who may be more likely to have such discordant risk are those with invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast. We sought to examine whether patients with invasive lobular carcinoma are more likely to have clinical high/genomic low-risk tumors compared to those with invasive ductal carcinoma, and to evaluate the impact on receipt of chemotherapy and overall survival. We conducted a cohort study using the National Cancer Database from 2010–2016. Patients with hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative, stage I-III breast cancer who underwent 70-gene signature testing were included. We evaluated the proportion of patients with discordant clinical and genomic risk by histology using Kaplan-Meier plots, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards models with and without propensity score matching. A total of 7399 patients (1497 with invasive lobular carcinoma [20.2%]) were identified. Patients with invasive lobular carcinoma were significantly more likely to fall into a discordant risk category compared to those with invasive ductal carcinoma (46.8% versus 37.1%,p < 0.001), especially in the clinical high/genomic low risk subgroup (35.6% versus 19.2%,p < 0.001). In unadjusted analysis of the clinical high/genomic low-risk cohort who received chemotherapy, invasive ductal carcinoma patients had significantly improved overall survival compared to those with invasive lobular carcinoma (p = 0.02). These findings suggest that current tools for stratifying clinical and genomic risk could be improved for those with invasive lobular carcinoma to better tailor treatment selection.
Robot-assisted surgery in space: pros and cons. A review from the surgeon’s point of view
Authors: Pantalone Desirè , Faini Giulia Satu , Cialdai Francesca , Sereni Elettra , Bacci Stefano , Bani Daniele , Bernini Marco , Pratesi Carlo , Stefàno PierLuigi , Orzalesi Lorenzo , Balsamo Michele , Zolesi Valfredo , Monici Monica
Published: December 2021

The target of human flight in space has changed from permanence on the International Space Station to missions beyond low earth orbit and the Lunar Gateway for deep space exploration and Missions to Mars. Several conditions affecting space missions had to be considered: for example the effect of weightlessness and radiations on the human body, behavioral health decrements or communication latency, and consumable resupply. Telemedicine and telerobotic applications, robot-assisted surgery with some hints on experimental surgical procedures carried out in previous missions, had to be considered as well. The need for greater crew autonomy in health issues is related to the increasing severity of medical and surgical interventions that could occur in these missions, and the presence of a highly trained surgeon on board would be recommended. A surgical robot could be a valuable aid but only inasfar as it is provided with multiple functions, including the capability to perform certain procedures autonomously. Space missions in deep space or on other planets present new challenges for crew health. Providing a multi-function surgical robot is the new frontier. Research in this field shall be paving the way for the development of new structured plans for human health in space, as well as providing new suggestions for clinical applications on Earth.
Mandipropamid as a chemical inducer of proximity for in vivo applications
Authors: Ziegler Michael J. , Yserentant Klaus , Dunsing Valentin , Middel Volker , Gralak Antoni J. , Pakari Kaisa , Bargstedt Jörn , Kern Christoph , Petrich Annett , Chiantia Salvatore , Strähle Uwe , Herten Dirk-Peter , Wombacher Richard
Published: December 2021

Direct control of protein interactions by chemically induced protein proximity holds great potential for both cell and synthetic biology as well as therapeutic applications. Low toxicity, orthogonality and excellent cell permeability are important criteria for chemical inducers of proximity (CIPs), in particular for in vivo applications. Here, we present the use of the agrochemical mandipropamid (Mandi) as a highly efficient CIP in cell culture systems and living organisms. Mandi specifically induces complex formation between a sixfold mutant of the plant hormone receptor pyrabactin resistance 1 (PYR1) and abscisic acid insensitive (ABI). It is orthogonal to other plant hormone-based CIPs and rapamycin-based CIP systems. We demonstrate the applicability of the Mandi system for rapid and efficient protein translocation in mammalian cells and zebrafish embryos, protein network shuttling and manipulation of endogenous proteins.
Development and validation of proton track-structure model applicable to arbitrary materials
Authors: Ogawa Tatsuhiko , Hirata Yuho , Matsuya Yusuke , Kai Takeshi
Published: December 2021

A novel transport algorithm performing proton track-structure calculations in arbitrary materials was developed. Unlike conventional algorithms, which are based on the dielectric function of the target material, our algorithm uses a total stopping power formula and single-differential cross sections of secondary electron production. The former was used to simulate energy dissipation of incident protons and the latter was used to consider secondary electron production. In this algorithm, the incident proton was transmitted freely in matter until the proton produced a secondary electron. The corresponding ionising energy loss was calculated as the sum of the ionisation energy and the kinetic energy of the secondary electron whereas the non-ionising energy loss was obtained by subtracting the ionising energy loss from the total stopping power. The most remarkable attribute of this model is its applicability to arbitrary materials, i.e. the model utilises the total stopping power and the single-differential cross sections for secondary electron production rather than the material-specific dielectric functions. Benchmarking of the stopping range, radial dose distribution, secondary electron energy spectra in liquid water, and lineal energy in tissue-equivalent gas, against the experimental data taken from literature agreed well. This indicated the accuracy of the present model even for materials other than liquid water. Regarding microscopic energy deposition, this model will be a robust tool for analysing the irradiation effects of cells, semiconductors and detectors.
Tunable asymmetric spin wave excitation and propagation in a magnetic system with two rectangular blocks
Authors: Seo Dongpyo , Hwang S. , Kim Byungro , Yang Yeonhee , Yoon Seungha , Cho B. K.
Published: December 2021

Asymmetric spin wave excitation and propagation are key properties to develop spin-based electronics, such as magnetic memory, spin information and logic devices. To date, such nonreciprocal effects cannot be manipulated in a system because of the geometrical magnetic configuration, while large values of asymmetry ratio are achieved. In this study, we suggest a new magnetic system with two blocks, in which the asymmetric intensity ratio can be changed between 0.276 and 1.43 by adjusting the excitation frequency between 7.8 GHz and 9.4 GHz. Because the two blocks have different widths, they have their own spin wave excitation frequency ranges. Indeed, the spin wave intensities in the two blocks, detected by the Brillouin light scattering spectrum, were observed to be frequency-dependent, yielding tuneable asymmetry ratio. Thus, this study provides a new path to enhance the application of spin waves in spin-based electronics.
Involvement of the zebrafish trrap gene in craniofacial development
Authors: Suzuki Taichi , Hirai Yo , Uehara Tomoko , Ohga Rie , Kosaki Kenjiro , Kawahara Atsuo
Published: December 2021

Trrap (transformation/transcription domain-associated protein) is a component shared by several histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complexes and participates in transcriptional regulation and DNA repair; however, the developmental functions of Trrap in vertebrates are not fully understood. Recently, it has been reported that human patients with genetic mutations in the TRRAP gene show various symptoms, including facial dysmorphisms, microcephaly and global developmental delay. To investigate the physiological functions of Trrap, we established trrap gene-knockout zebrafish and examined loss-of-function phenotypes in the mutants. The trrap zebrafish mutants exhibited smaller eyes and heads than the wild-type zebrafish. The size of the ventral pharyngeal arches was reduced and the mineralization of teeth was impaired in the trrap mutants. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis revealed that dlx3 expression was narrowly restricted in the developing ventral pharyngeal arches, while dlx2b expression was diminished in the trrap mutants. These results suggest that trrap zebrafish mutants are useful model organisms for a human disorder associated with genetic mutations in the human TRRAP gene.
Phosphate group functionalized magnetic metal–organic framework nanocomposite for highly efficient removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution
Authors: Bi Changfen , Zheng Baoxin , Yuan Ye , Ning Hongxin , Gou Wenfeng , Guo Jianghong , Chen Langxing , Hou Wenbin , Li Yiliang
Published: December 2021

The phosphate group functionalized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as the adsorbent for removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution still suffer from low adsorption efficiency, due to the low grafting rate of groups into the skeleton structure. Herein, a novel phosphate group functionalized metal–organic framework nanoparticles (denoted as Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-66-TPP NPs) designed and prepared by the chelation between Zr and phytic acid, showing fast adsorption rate and outstanding selectivity in aqueous media including 10 coexisting ions. The Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-66-TPP was properly characterized by TEM, FT-IR, BET, VSM and Zeta potential measurement. The removal performance of Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-66-TPP for U(VI) was investigated systematically using batch experiments under different conditions, including solution pH, incubation time, temperature and initial U(VI) concentration. The adsorption kinetics, isotherm, selectivity studies revealed that Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-66-TPP NPs possess fast adsorption rates (approximately 15 min to reach equilibrium), high adsorption capacities (307.8 mg/g) and outstanding selectivity (Su = 94.4%) towards U(VI), which in terms of performance are much better than most of the other magnetic adsorbents. Furthermore, the adsorbent could be reused for U(VI) removal without obvious loss of adsorption capacity after five consecutive cycles. The research work provides a novel strategy to assemble phosphate group-functionalized MOFs.
Influence of entropy on Brinkman–Forchheimer model of MHD hybrid nanofluid flowing in enclosure containing rotating cylinder and undulating porous stratum
Authors: Redouane Fares , Jamshed Wasim , Devi S. Suriya Uma , Amine Belhadj M. , Safdar Rabia , Al-Farhany Khaled , Eid Mohamed R. , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Abdel-Aty Abdel-Haleem , Yahia I. S.
Published: December 2021

The current article aims to discuss the natural convection heat transfer of Ag/Al2O3-water hybrid filled in an enclosure subjected to a uniform magnetic field and provided with a rotating cylinder and an inner undulated porous layer. The various thermo-physical parameters are investigated such as Rayleigh number ($$100 \le Ra \le 100000$$

100
≤
R
a
≤
100000

), Hartmann number ($$0 \le Ha \le 100$$

0
≤
H
a
≤
100

), and the nanoparticles concentration ($$0.02 \le \phi \le 0.08$$

0.02
≤
ϕ
≤
0.08

). Likewise, the rotational speed of the cylinder ($$- 4000 \le \omega \le + 4000$$

-
4000
≤
ω
≤
+
4000

), as well as several characteristics related to the porous layer, are examined li its porosity ($$0.2 \le \varepsilon \le 0.8$$

0.2
≤
ε
≤
0.8

), Darcy number ($$- 100000 \le Da \le - 100$$

-
100000
≤
D
a
≤
-
100

) which indicates the porous medium permeability and the number of undulations ($$0 \le N \le 4$$

0
≤
N
≤
4

). The calculations are carried out based on the Galerkin Finite element method (GFEM) to present the streamlines, isotherms, entropy generation, and average Nusselt numbers in details. The main results proved that increment of Rayleigh number and Darcy number enhances heat transfer convection within the enclosure. Whilst, the porosity presents a minimal impact. Also, the rotational speed in a positive direction has a favorable influence on the heat transfer dispersion across the cavity.
Accelerated mass extinction in an isolated biota during Late Devonian climate changes
Authors: Pier Jaleigh Q. , Brisson Sarah K. , Beard J. Andrew , Hren Michael T. , Bush Andrew M.
Published: December 2021

The fossil record can illuminate factors that contribute to extinction risk during times of global environmental disturbance; for example, inferred thermal tolerance was an important predictor of extinction during several mass extinctions that corresponded with climate change. Additionally, members of geographically isolated biotas may face higher risk because they have less opportunity to migrate to suitable climate refugia during environmental disturbances. Here, we investigate how different types of risk intersect in the well-preserved brachiopod fauna of the Appalachian Foreland Basin during the two pulses of the Frasnian–Famennian mass extinction (Late Devonian, ~ 372 Ma). The selectivity of extinction is consistent with climate change (cooling) as a primary kill mechanism in this fauna. Overall, the extinction was mild relative to other regions, despite the many endemic species. However, vulnerable taxa went extinct more rapidly, during the first extinction pulse, such that the second pulse was insignificant. These results suggest that vulnerable taxa in geographically isolated biotas face heightened extinction risk at the initiation of environmental stress, but that taxa in other regions may eventually see elevated extinction risk if environmental stress repeats or intensifies.
Carbon nano-dot for cancer studies as dual nano-sensor for imaging intracellular temperature or pH variation
Authors: Gadly Trilochan , Chakraborty Goutam , Tyagi Mrityunjay , Patro Birija S. , Dutta Bijaideep , Potnis Akhilesh , Chandwadkar Pallavi , Acharya Celin , Suman Shishu Kant , Mukherjee Archana , Neogy Suman , Wadawale Amey , Sahoo Srikant , Chauhan Nitish , Ghosh Sunil K.
Published: December 2021

Cellular temperature and pH govern many cellular physiologies, especially of cancer cells. Besides, attaining higher cellular temperature plays key role in therapeutic efficacy of hyperthermia treatment of cancer. This requires bio-compatible, non-toxic and sensitive probe with dual sensing ability to detect temperature and pH variations. In this regard, fluorescence based nano-sensors for cancer studies play an important role. Therefore, a facile green synthesis of orange carbon nano-dots (CND) with high quantum yield of 90% was achieved and its application as dual nano-sensor for imaging intracellular temperature and pH was explored. CND was synthesized from readily available, bio-compatible citric acid and rhodamine 6G hydrazide using solvent-free and simple heating technique requiring purification by dialysis. Although the particle size of 19 nm (which is quite large for CND) was observed yet CND exhibits no surface defects leading to decrease in photoluminescence (PL). On the contrary, very high fluorescence was observed along with good photo-stability. Temperature and pH dependent fluorescence studies show linearity in fluorescence intensity which was replicated in breast cancer cells. In addition, molecular nature of PL of CND was established using pH dependent fluorescence study. Together, the current investigation showed synthesis of highly fluorescent orange CND, which acts as a sensitive bio-imaging probe: an optical nano-thermal or nano-pH sensor for cancer-related studies.
Low plasma serotonin linked to higher nigral iron in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Jellen Leslie C. , Lewis Mechelle M. , Du Guangwei , Wang Xi , Galvis Martha L. Escobar , Krzyzanowski Stanislaw , Capan Colt D. , Snyder Amanda M. , Connor James. R. , Kong Lan , Mailman Richard B. , Brundin Patrik , Brundin Lena , Huang Xuemei
Published: December 2021

A growing body of evidence suggests nigral iron accumulation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD), contributing to dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Converging evidence suggests this accumulation might be related to, or increased by, serotonergic dysfunction, a common, often early feature of the disease. We investigated whether lower plasma serotonin in PD is associated with higher nigral iron. We obtained plasma samples from 97 PD patients and 89 controls and MRI scans from a sub-cohort (62 PD, 70 controls). We measured serotonin concentrations using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and regional iron content using MRI-based quantitative susceptibility mapping. PD patients had lower plasma serotonin (p < 0.0001) and higher nigral iron content (SNc: p < 0.001) overall. Exclusively in PD, lower plasma serotonin was correlated with higher nigral iron (SNc: r(58) =  − 0.501, p < 0.001). This correlation was significant even in patients newly diagnosed (< 1 year) and stronger in the SNc than any other region examined. This study reveals an early, linear association between low serotonin and higher nigral iron in PD patients, which is absent in controls. This is consistent with a serotonin-iron relationship in the disease process, warranting further studies to determine its cause and directionality.
Influence of mothers’ nighttime responses on the sleep–wake rhythm of 1-month-old infants
Authors: Kuroda Momoka , Suetsugu Yoshiko , Iwata Sachiko , Kinoshita Masahiro , Fujita Fumie , Sato Yoko , Saitoh Shinji , Iwata Osuke , Morokuma Seiichi
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of the mothers’ nighttime responses on the sleep–wake rhythm of their 1-month-old infants. This study used an anonymous self-administered survey questionnaire with 1133 mothers of 1-month-old infants. The questionnaire investigated basic information about the parents, growth environment of infants, mothers’ sleep patterns during pregnancy, and infants’ sleep patterns at the age of one month. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influence of nighttime responses on the risk of infants sleeping longer during the day than at night. Regarding nighttime response behavior, it was found that immediately picking up 1-month-old infants results in longer sleep during the day than at night (OR 1.616 [1.017 − 2.566], p = 0.042), compared to delaying picking up the infant. It was suggested that the stimulation due to picking up an infant may affect sleep–wake rhythm formation.