bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers to carriers: faults and recombination in non-stoichiometric perovskite scintillators
Authors: Talapatra Anjana , Ghosh Dibyajyoti , Uberuaga Blas P. , Pilania Ghanshyam
Published: July 2021

Tuning the efficiency and speed of charge carrier recombination in inorganic scintillators can potentially improve their performance in diverse applications. Recent work suggests that this maybe be achieved via a two-phase scintillator AB that naturally phase separates into A-rich and B-rich domains. In addition, a favorable electronic structure and band-edge alignment such that the charge carriers are confined or are thermodynamically driven to preferentially accumulate in one of the two domains, might lead to an improved radiative recombination rate. Here, we use density functional theory computations and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), including non-adiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) simulations, to examine an alternative phase structure and its potential impact on recombination. Using a model perovskite SrTiO$$_3$$

3

system with one-, two- and three-dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) phases, we demonstrate that RP faults induce band structure changes in the material that can act as barriers to carrier transport. Our AIMD/NAMD simulations indicate competing effects of a lower mean free path (potentially enhancing the desired radiative recombination and overall scintillating efficiency) and faster non-radiative recombination (undesired) due to enhanced electron–phonon coupling in the faulted system. Full exploitation of such a rational design approach would require tuning of the effective scintillation efficiency by varying the perovskite chemistry using appropriate arrangements of RP faults in the bulk material. Finally, other effects, such as the tendency of point defects to segregate at the interface, that might affect the overall performance, are briefly discussed. We expect the basic results found here to apply to other nanostructured scintillators.

Graphical Abstract
Influence of water vapor distribution on the simulated track of Typhoon Hato (2017)
Authors: Chen Jiaxin , Mai Chuying , Zhou Mingsen , Chen Shumin , Li Weibiao , Fang Rong , Zhao Zhongkuo
Published: July 2021

Predicting tropical cyclone (TCs) tracks is a primary concern in TC forecasting. Some TCs appear to move in a direction favorable for their development, beyond the influence of the steering flow. Thus, we hypothesize that TCs move toward regions with high water-vapor content in the lower atmosphere. In this study, four numerical experiments, including a control experiment and three sensitivity experiments, were performed using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model, to analyze the relationship between water vapor distribution and the track of Severe Typhoon Hato (2017). Observations validated the features reproduced in the control experiment. The sensitivity experiments were conducted to explore variations in the TC track under different water vapor environments. Results indicate that the horizontal distribution of water-vapor content exerted a greater impact on the TC track than the steering flow when both factors were significant. Further analysis revealed that the TC’s movement vector was between the direction of the steering flow and the direction toward the peak of vorticity increasing area. The peaks of vorticity increasing area were close to the peaks of water vapor increasing area, which also proved the effect of water vapor distribution on the TC track. These results are expected to improve TC track analysis and forecasting.
Lower secondary students’ encounters with mathematical literacy
Authors: Bolstad Oda Heidi
Published: July 2021

Worldwide, there has been an increased emphasis on enabling students to recognise the real-world significance of mathematics. Mathematical literacy is a notion used to define the competencies required to meet the demands of life in modern society. In this article, students’ encounters with mathematical literacy are investigated. The data comprises interviews with 22 students and observations of 16 mathematics lessons in three grade 9 classes in Norway. The analysis shows that students’ encounters with mathematical literacy concern specific mathematical topics and contexts from personal and work life. Students’ encounters with ML in school is characterised by an emphasis on developing mathematical knowledge within the school context.
A Review of Dengue’s Historical and Future Health Risk from a Changing Climate
Authors: Soneja Sutyajeet , Tsarouchi Gina , Lumbroso Darren , Tung Dao Khanh
Published: July 2021

Purpose of review

The purpose of this review is to summarize research articles that provide risk estimates for the historical and future impact that climate change has had upon dengue published from 2007 through 2019.

Recent findings

Findings from 30 studies on historical health estimates, with the majority of the studies conducted in Asia, emphasized the importance of temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity, as well as lag effects, when trying to understand how climate change can impact the risk of contracting dengue. Furthermore, 35 studies presented findings on future health risk based upon climate projection scenarios, with a third of them showcasing global level estimates and findings across the articles emphasizing the need to understand risk at a localized level as the impacts from climate change will be experienced inequitably across different geographies in the future.

Dengue is one of the most rapidly spreading viral diseases in the world, with ~390 million people infected worldwide annually. Several factors have contributed towards its proliferation, including climate change. Multiple studies have previously been conducted examining the relationship between dengue and climate change, both from a historical and a future risk perspective. We searched the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health (NIEHS) Climate Change and Health Portal for literature (spanning January 2007 to September 2019) providing historical and future health risk estimates of contracting dengue infection in relation to climate variables worldwide. With an overview of the evidence of the historical and future health risk posed by dengue from climate change across different regions of the world, this review article enables the research and policy community to understand where the knowledge gaps are and what areas need to be addressed in order to implement localized adaptation measures to mitigate the health risks posed by future dengue infection.
Sounding It Out: Auditory Stimulation and Overnight Memory Processing
Authors: Harrington Marcus O. , Cairney Scott A.
Published: July 2021

Purpose of Review

Auditory stimulation is a technique that can enhance neural oscillations linked to overnight memory consolidation. In this review, we evaluate the impacts of auditory stimulation on the neural oscillations of sleep and associated memory processes in a variety of populations.

Recent Findings

Cortical EEG recordings of slow-wave sleep (SWS) are characterised by two cardinal oscillations: slow oscillations (SOs) and sleep spindles. Auditory stimulation delivered in SWS enhances SOs and phase-coupled spindle activity in healthy children and adults, children with ADHD, adults with mild cognitive impairment and patients with major depression. Under certain conditions, auditory stimulation bolsters the benefits of SWS for memory consolidation, although further work is required to fully understand the factors affecting stimulation-related memory gains. Recent work has turned to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, demonstrating that auditory stimulation can be used to manipulate REM sleep theta oscillations.

Auditory stimulation enhances oscillations linked to overnight memory processing and shows promise as a technique for enhancing the memory benefits of sleep.
Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in People With Systemic Sclerosis and the Associated Risk Factors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gao Rui , Qing Pingying , Sun Xiaochi , Zeng Xun , Hu Xiao , Zhang Sirui , Yang Yihong , Qin Lang
Published: July 2021

Introduction

The association between systemic sclerosis (SSc) and sexual dysfunction was controversial.

Aim

To explore the impacts of SSc on sexual function, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with SSc and associated risk factors.

Methods

A systematic review of all published studies was performed. Studies exploring the association between SSc and sexual function were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO. All retrieved papers were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Main Outcome Measure

The impacts of SSc on sexual function, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in males and females with SSc and associated risk factors.

Results

A total 12 studies were included in this study. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in SSc males and SSc females were 76.9–81.4% and 46.7–86.6%, respectively. But the direct impacts of SSc on sexual function were controversial. EULAR SSc activity score ≥3, the number of complications ≥2, and the presence of anticardiolipin antibody and anti U1 ribonucleoprotein antibody in males and resistive index (RI) and the systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio of clitoral blood in females have potential to be SSc-specific risk factors for sexual dysfunction.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians need to pay more attention to the impacts of SSc on sexual function of patients especially in those with risk factors.

Strengths & Limitations

Systematically explored the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in SSc males and females, and the risk factors of sexual dysfunction for SSc were explored innovatively. However, there were some limitations in included studies prevented exploring the impacts of SSc on sexual function deeply.

Conclusion

Sexual dysfunction may be an important symptom of SSc, many risk factors may be associated with sexual dysfunction in males and females with SSc.

Gao R, Qing P, Sun X, et al. Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in People With Systemic Sclerosis and the Associated Risk Factors: A Systematic Review. Sex Med 2021;9:100392.
Surgical Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction With the Low-Cost, Semi-Rigid Shah Penile Prosthesis: A boon to the Developing Countries
Authors: Krishnappa Pramod , Tripathi Amit , Shah Rupin
Published: July 2021

Introduction

In developing countries most patients with refractory erectile dysfunction cannot afford a penile prosthesis (PP) due to its cost and non-coverage by insurance companies.

Aim

To assess the patient satisfaction outcomes with a novel, low-cost, semi-rigid PP.

Methods

52 patients who had received the Shah semi-rigid PP between January 2013 and December 2018 were included in this bidirectional study. Patient demographics including age, etiology, body mass index, length of PP received and post-operative complications were recorded. Patient satisfaction with the PP was evaluated using the modified Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) Questionnaire.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome measures were overall satisfaction, total EDITS and mean EDITS score. The secondary outcome measures were residual penile tumescence, ease of concealment and post-operative complications.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 38.79 years (25–68). Overall satisfaction (EDITS Q-1) of 4 (0–4) was reported by 84.62% (44/52) of patients. There was no significant difference (P > .7) in the total EDITS and overall satisfaction based on various etiological factors. The mean EDITS scores (0–100) were 95.67 ± 10.76, 95.53 ± 8.46 and 91.72 ± 22.42 in 52 patients with BMI <25, 25–29.9 and >30 kg/m2 respectively. During sexual arousal after PP implantation, 26 (50%), 17 (32.7%) and 9 (17.3%) patients noted “good”, “some” or “no” residual penile tumescence respectively. 47 (90.4%), 4 (7.7%) and 1 (1.9%) patients reported “good”, “fair” and “poor” concealment respectively. In the prospective group, major and minor post-operative complications were seen in 10.7% (3/28) and 21.4% (6/28) of patients respectively.

Conclusion

The semi-rigid Shah PP is a safe, effective and affordable option to treat patients with refractory ED. The ability to remove 1 or both sleeves in the Shah PP helps achieve a good fit with a small inventory. Krishnappa P, Tripathi A, Shah R. Surgical Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction With the Low-Cost, Semi-Rigid Shah Penile Prosthesis: A boon to the Developing Countries. Sex Med 2021;9:100399.
BIOINDICATORS OF SEA-LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL: NEW DATA AND METHODOLOGICAL REVIEW
Authors: Araujo Julia Caon , Macario Kita Chaves Damasio , Moreira Vinícius Nunes , dos Santos Passos Anderson , Jesus Perla Baptista de , Seoane José Carlos Sícoli , Dias Fabio Ferreira
Published: July 2021

The vermetidae fossils ofPetaloconchus varians, formed by calcium carbonate, associated with their radiocarbon ages, are the most accurate indicators of paleo sea level due to their restricted occupation in the intertidal zone in the rocky shore. However, the recrystallization of minerals can affect these age calculations and, consequently, the interpretation of the data. The aim of this study is to present new indicators of paleo sea-level changes in Southeast Brazil for the last 6000 years contributing to fill the data gap for the late Holocene. The influence of the recrystallization process was successfully resolved using the CarDS protocol, enabling the separation of the original aragonite fraction by density, prior to radiocarbon dating. This avoids the rejuvenation of ages and ensures greater efficiency for data interpretation. Paleo sea-level indicators were able to show a progressive increase in sea level up to the transgressive maximum of 4.15 m in 3700 BP years, followed by a regression to the current zero. This regression seems to have in addition, here we reinforce the reliability of the use of fossil vermetids as indicators of sea-level fluctuations.
The risk and protective factors for suicidal burden among 251 763 school-based adolescents in 77 low- and middle-income to high-income countries: assessing global, regional and national variations
Authors: Mahumud Rashidul Alam , Dawson Angela J. , Chen Wen , Biswas Tuhin , Keramat Syed Afroz , Morton Rachael Lisa , Renzaho Andre M.N.
Published: July 2021

Background

Adolescent suicide is a global public health concern and the second leading cause of adolescent death worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the burden of adolescent suicidal behaviours and its association with violence and unintentional injury, psychosocial, protective, lifestyle and food security-related factors amongst school-based adolescents across 77 countries in the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions.

Methods

This study comprised a sample of 251 763 adolescents drawn from the latest Global School-based Student Health Survey of school-based adolescents, aged 11–17 years, across 77 countries. Logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate the adjusted effect of independent factors on adolescent suicidal behaviours.

Results

The population-weighted 12-month prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI), suicidal planning (SP) and suicidal attempts (SA) amongst school-based adolescents was 18, 18 and 16%, respectively. Adolescent suicidal behaviours (i.e. SI, SP and SA) were respectively associated with being physically attacked, physical fighting, high levels of anxiety, feeling lonely, being bullied, lack of parental support, poor peer support, not having close friends and high levels of sedentary behaviours. Overall, these associations also extended to the context of food insecurity across regions and country income groups, where the magnitude of association slightly varied from odds ratios of 1.25 times to 3.13.

Conclusions

The burden of school-going adolescent suicidal thoughts, suicide planning and suicide attempts is of particular concern in low-resource countries. Comprehensive suicide prevention programmes for school-going adolescents in LMICs are needed that address socio-cultural inequities related to violence and unintentional injury, social support and psychological factors, protective, and lifestyle-related factors.
ADVANCING THE STATE OF THE ART IN L2 SPEECH PERCEPTION-PRODUCTION RESEARCH: REVISITING THEORETICAL ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODOLOGICAL PRACTICES
Authors: Nagle Charles L. , Baese-Berk Melissa M.
Published: July 2021

One of the basic goals of second language (L2) speech research is to understand the perception-production link, or the relationship between L2 speech perception and L2 speech production. Although many studies have examined the link, they have done so with strikingly different conceptual foci and methods. Even studies that appear to use similar perception and production tasks often present nontrivial differences in task characteristics and implementation. This conceptual and methodological variation makes meaningful synthesis of perception-production findings difficult, and it also complicates the process of developing new perception-production models that specifically address how the link changes throughout L2 learning. In this study, we scrutinize theoretical and methodological issues in perception-production research and offer recommendations for advancing theory and practice in this domain. We focus on L2 sound learning because most work in the area has focused on segmental contrasts.
EULER CLASSES: SIX-FUNCTORS FORMALISM, DUALITIES, INTEGRALITY AND LINEAR SUBSPACES OF COMPLETE INTERSECTIONS
Authors: Bachmann Tom , Wickelgren Kirsten
Published: July 2021

We equate various Euler classes of algebraic vector bundles, including those of [12] and one suggested by M. J. Hopkins, A. Raksit, and J.-P. Serre. We establish integrality results for this Euler class and give formulas for local indices at isolated zeros, both in terms of the six-functors formalism of coherent sheaves and as an explicit recipe in the commutative algebra of Scheja and Storch. As an application, we compute the Euler classes enriched in bilinear forms associated to arithmetic counts ofd-planes on complete intersections in$\mathbb P^n$in terms of topological Euler numbers over$\mathbb {R}$and$\mathbb {C}$.
Alpträume
Authors: Thünker Johanna , Pietrowsky Reinhard
Published: July 2021

Das Manual bietet eine strukturierte Anleitung zur Behandlung von Patientinnen und Patienten, die unter häufigen und belastenden Alpträumen leiden. Die Alpträume können alleine auftreten, also ohne weitere komorbide psychische Störungen, oder im Kontext anderer psychischer Störungen, wie z.B. Depressionen, Angststörungen und vor allem der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung. Das Verfahren basiert auf der Imagery Rehearsal-Therapie (IRT), die seit Jahren erfolgreich zur Behandlung von Alpträumen und Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörungen eingesetzt wird. Wesentliche Elemente dieses Therapieansatzes sind die Modifikation des Alptraums in einen nicht bedrohlichen Traum und die Imagination dieses neuen Traumverlaufs.
Das Therapieprogramm umfasst acht einstündige Therapiesitzungen im Einzelsetting mit den Elementen Psychoedukation, Entspannung, Imagination und Alptraummodifikation. Die Alptraumtherapie kann für sich alleine durchgeführt oder auch als Zusatztherapie in eine weitere therapeutische Intervention integriert werden. Das Manual liefert eine praxisorientierte Beschreibung des therapeutischen Vorgehens. Das Programm wurde bereits erfolgreich an verschiedenen Patientengruppen durchgeführt und in seiner Wirksamkeit überprüft. Es führt zu einem deutlichen Rückgang der Alptraumhäufigkeit und der Belastung durch Alpträume. Die Neubearbeitung berücksichtigt neue Forschungserkenntnisse und enthält nun zudem ein Kapitel zur Behandlung von Alpträumen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen. Die im Buch erwähnten Arbeitsblätter und Audio-Dateien können nach erfolgter Registrierung von der Hogrefe Website heruntergeladen werden.
Western U.S. Superfloods in the Recent Instrumental Record
Authors: Tarouilly Emilie , Li Dongyue , Lettenmaier Dennis P.
Published: July 2021

We examine the characteristics of extremely severe and extensive floods across the Western U.S., which we term superfloods. We develop a system to score each day from 1950 to 2010, across the conterminous U.S. west of the Continental Divide, according to the severity of flooding and the extent of the area affected on that day. In order to augment the available stream gauge data, we incorporate model output runoff from the Variable Infiltration Capacity model aggregated to the HUC‐8 basin level. The superfloods we identify include well‐known events such as the Christmas floods of December 1964. Once the superfloods are identified, we use modeled snow water equivalent and snowmelt in combination with gridded observed precipitation and air temperature to identify superflood drivers. We find that the superfloods fall into three distinct categories: (a) winter events, most of which are associated with Atmospheric Rivers, many enhanced by rain‐on‐snow; (b) late spring floods associated with snowmelt, including some events with rainfall contributions; and (c) rainfall‐driven warm season floods associated with tropical storms (primarily in the Southwest). We find that rainfall is often the primary driver of superfloods, although snowmelt also contributes in rain‐snow transition zones. Regardless of superflood characteristics, extreme conditions in combination are a common feature, including combinations of rainfall and snowmelt as well as successive rainstorms. Our results provide a regional view of flood drivers and how they have combined to produce superfloods across the region over our 61‐year study period.
Evaluating the deHoffmann‐Teller Cross‐Shock Potential at Real Collisionless Shocks
Authors: Schwartz Steven J. , Ergun Robert , Kucharek Harald , Wilson Lynn , Chen Li‐Jen , Goodrich Katherine , Turner Drew , Gingell Imogen , Madanian Hadi , Gershman Daniel , Strangeway Robert
Published: July 2021

Shock waves are common in the heliosphere and beyond. The collisionless nature of most astrophysical plasmas allows for the energy processed by shocks to be partitioned amongst particle sub‐populations and electromagnetic fields via physical mechanisms that are not well understood. The electrostatic potential across such shocks is frame dependent. In a frame where the incident bulk velocity is parallel to the magnetic field, the deHoffmann‐Teller frame, the potential is linked directly to the ambipolar electric field established by the electron pressure gradient. Thus measuring and understanding this potential solves the electron partition problem, and gives insight into other competing shock processes. Integrating measured electric fields in space is problematic since the measurements can have offsets that change with plasma conditions. The offsets, once integrated, can be as large or larger than the shock potential. Here we exploit the high‐quality field and plasma measurements from NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale mission to attempt this calculation. We investigate recent adaptations of the deHoffmann‐Teller frame transformation to include time variability, and conclude that in practice these face difficulties inherent in the 3D time‐dependent nature of real shocks by comparison to 1D simulations. Potential estimates based on electron fluid and kinetic analyses provide the most robust measures of the deHoffmann‐Teller potential, but with some care direct integration of the electric fields can be made to agree. These results suggest that it will be difficult to independently assess the role of other processes, such as scattering by shock turbulence, in accounting for the electron heating.
A Globally Averaged Thermospheric Density Data Set Derived From Two‐Line Orbital Element Sets and Special Perturbations State Vectors
Authors: Emmert J. T. , Dhadly M. S. , Segerman A. M.
Published: July 2021

We describe a long‐term data set of global average thermospheric mass density derived from orbit data on ∼7,700 objects in low Earth orbit, via the effect of atmospheric drag. The data cover the years 1967–2019 and altitudes 250–575 km, and the temporal resolution is 3–4 days for most years. The data set is an extension and revision of a previous version. The most important change is the use of more precise orbit data: special perturbation state vectors are now used starting in 2001, instead of mean Keplerian orbital elements. The data are suitable for climatological studies of thermospheric variations and trends, and for space weather studies on time scales longer than 3 days.
Chondroitin 6-sulphate is required for neuroplasticity and memory in ageing
Authors: Yang Sujeong , Gigout Sylvain , Molinaro Angelo , Naito-Matsui Yuko , Hilton Sam , Foscarin Simona , Nieuwenhuis Bart , Tan Chin Lik , Verhaagen Joost , Pizzorusso Tommaso , Saksida Lisa M. , Bussey Timothy M. , Kitagawa Hiroshi , Kwok Jessica C. F. , Fawcett James W.
Published: July 2021

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan-containing structures on the neuronal surface that have been implicated in the control of neuroplasticity and memory. Age-related reduction of chondroitin 6-sulphates (C6S) leads to PNNs becoming more inhibitory. Here, we investigated whether manipulation of the chondroitin sulphate (CS) composition of the PNNs could restore neuroplasticity and alleviate memory deficits in aged mice. We first confirmed that aged mice (20-months) showed memory and plasticity deficits. They were able to retain or regain their cognitive ability when CSs were digested or PNNs were attenuated. We then explored the role of C6S in memory and neuroplasticity. Transgenic deletion of chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase (chst3) led to a reduction of permissive C6S, simulating aged brains. These animals showed very early memory loss at 11 weeks old. Importantly, restoring C6S levels in aged animals rescued the memory deficits and restored cortical long-term potentiation, suggesting a strategy to improve age-related memory impairment.
Long non-coding RNA MIR200CHG promotes breast cancer proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance by interacting with and stabilizing YB-1
Authors: Tang Li , Wei Da , Xu Xinyu , Mao Xuelian , Mo Dongping , Yan Linping , Xu Weiguo , Yan Feng
Published: July 2021

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have been identified as key regulators of tumorigenesis and development. We aim to explore the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of lncRNA MIR200CHG in breast cancer. We found that MIR200CHG is highly expressed in breast cancer tissues and is related to the tumor size and histopathological grade. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that MIR200CHG can promote breast cancer proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance. MIR200CHG directly binds to the transcription factor Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1), and inhibits its ubiquitination and degradation. MIR200CHG regulates YB-1 phosphorylation at serine 102, thereby affecting the expression of genes related to tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and drug resistance. Additionally, MIR200CHG partially affects the expression of miR-200c/141-3p encoded by its intron region. Therefore, MIR200CHG can promote the proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance of breast cancer by interacting with and stabilizing YB-1, and has the potential to become a target for breast cancer treatment.
Three-dimensional acetylenic modified graphene for high-performance optoelectronics and topological materials
Authors: Gao Yan , Zhong Chengyong , Yang Shengyuan A. , Liu Kai , Lu Zhong-Yi
Published: July 2021

Seeking carbon phases with versatile properties is one of the fundamental goals in physics, chemistry, and materials science. Here, based on the first-principles calculations, a family of three-dimensional (3D) graphene networks with abundant and fabulous electronic properties, including rarely reported dipole-allowed truly direct band gap semiconductors with suitable band gaps (1.07–1.87 eV) as optoelectronic/photovoltaic materials and topological nodal-ring semimetals, are proposed through stitching different graphene layers with acetylenic linkages. Remarkably, the optical absorption coefficients in some of those semiconducting carbon allotropes express possibly the highest performance among all of the semiconducting carbon phases known to date. On the other hand, the topological states in those topological nodal-ring semimetals are protected by the time-reversal and spatial symmetry and present nodal rings and nodal helical loops topological patterns. Those newly revealed carbon phases possess low formation energies and excellent thermodynamic stabilities; thus, they not only host a great potential in the application of optoelectronics, photovoltaics, and quantum topological materials etc., but also can be utilized as catalysis, molecule sieves or Li-ion anode materials and so on. Moreover, the approach used here to design novel carbon allotropes may also give more enlightenments to create various carbon phases with different applications.
Two-qubit sweet spots for capacitively coupled exchange-only spin qubits
Authors: Feng MengKe , Zaw Lin Htoo , Koh Teck Seng
Published: July 2021

The implementation of high fidelity two-qubit gates is a bottleneck in the progress toward universal quantum computation in semiconductor quantum dot qubits. We study capacitive coupling between two triple quantum dot spin qubits encoded in the S = 1/2, Sz = −1/2 decoherence-free subspace—the exchange-only (EO) spin qubits. We report exact gate sequences for CPHASE and CNOT gates, and demonstrate theoretically, the existence of multiple two-qubit sweet spots (2QSS) in the parameter space of capacitively coupled EO qubits. Gate operations have the advantage of being all-electrical, but charge noise that couple to electrical parameters of the qubits cause decoherence. Assuming noise with a 1/f spectrum, two-qubit gate fidelities and times are calculated, which provide useful information on the noise threshold necessary for fault-tolerance. We study two-qubit gates at single and multiple parameter 2QSS. In particular, for two existing EO implementations—the resonant exchange (RX) and the always-on exchange-only (AEON) qubits—we compare two-qubit gate fidelities and times at positions in parameter space where the 2QSS are simultaneously single-qubit sweet spots (1QSS) for the RX and AEON. These results provide a potential route to the realization of high fidelity quantum computation.
A global dataset of inland fisheries expert knowledge
Authors: Stokes Gretchen L. , Lynch Abigail J. , Funge-Smith Simon , Valbo‐Jørgensen John , Beard T. Douglas , Lowe Benjamin S. , Wong Jesse P. , Smidt Samuel J.
Published: July 2021

Inland fisheries and their freshwater habitats face intensifying effects from multiple natural and anthropogenic pressures. Fish harvest and biodiversity data remain largely disparate and severely deficient in many areas, which makes assessing and managing inland fisheries difficult. Expert knowledge is increasingly used to improve and inform biological or vulnerability assessments, especially in data-poor areas. Integrating expert knowledge on the distribution, intensity, and relative influence of human activities can guide natural resource management strategies and institutional resource allocation and prioritization. This paper introduces a dataset summarizing the expert-perceived state of inland fisheries at the basin (fishery) level. An electronic survey distributed to professional networks (June-September 2020) captured expert perceptions (n = 536) of threats, successes, and adaptive capacity to fisheries across 93 hydrological basins, 79 countries, and all major freshwater habitat types. This dataset can be used to address research questions with conservation relevance, including: demographic influences on perceptions of threat, adaptive capacities for climate change, external factors driving multi-stressor interactions, and geospatial threat assessments.
A comprehensive meta-analysis and a case–control study give insights into genetic susceptibility of lung cancer and subgroups
Authors: Sengupta Debmalya , Banerjee Souradeep , Mukhopadhyay Pramiti , Mitra Ritabrata , Chaudhuri Tamohan , Sarkar Abhijit , Bhattacharjee Gautam , Nath Somsubhra , Roychoudhury Susanta , Bhattacharjee Samsiddhi , Sengupta Mainak
Published: July 2021

Reports of genetic association of polymorphisms with lung cancer in the Indian subcontinent are often conflicting. To summarise and replicate published evidence for association with lung cancer and its subgroups. We performed a meta-analysis of candidate associations on lung cancer, its histological subtypes and smoking status in the Indian subcontinent following PRISMA guidelines. Multiple testing corrections were done by the Benjamini–Hochberg method through assessment of significance at a false discovery rate of 10%. We genotyped and investigated rs1048943/CYP1A1 in a case–control sample from eastern India, followed by its global meta-analysis using a similar protocol. Meta-analysis of 18 variants of 11 genes reported in 39 studies (7630 cases and 8169 controls) showed significant association of rs1048943/CYP1A1 [2.07(1.49–2.87)] and rs4646903/CYP1A1 [1.48(1.93–1.95)] with overall lung cancer risk at 10% FDR, while nominal association (p < 0.05) was observed for del1/GSTT1, del2/GSTM1, rs1695/GSTP1 and rs17037102/ DKK2. Subtype analysis showed a significant association of del1/GSTT1 with adenocarcinoma, rs4646903/CYP1A1 with squamous carcinoma, and rs1048943/CYP1A1 with both. Association of rs4646903/CYP1A1 in smokers and effect modification by meta-regression analysis was observed. Genotyping of rs1048943/CYP1A1 that presented significant heterogeneity (p < 0.1) revealed an association with adenocarcinoma among eastern Indian smokers, while a global meta-analysis in 10458 cases and 10871 controls showed association with lung cancer and its subgroups. This study identified the susceptibility loci for lung cancer and its covariate-subgroups.
Associations between the spatiotemporal distribution of Kawasaki disease and environmental factors: evidence supporting a multifactorial etiologic model
Authors: Low Tisiana , McCrindle Brian W. , Mueller Brigitte , Fan Chun-Po S. , Somerset Emily , O’Shea Sunita , Tsuji Leonard J. S. , Chen Hong , Manlhiot Cedric
Published: July 2021

The etiology of Kawasaki Disease (KD), the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries, remains elusive, but could be multifactorial in nature as suggested by the numerous environmental and infectious exposures that have previously been linked to its epidemiology. There is still a lack of a comprehensive model describing these complex associations. We present a Bayesian disease model that provides insight in the spatiotemporal distribution of KD in Canada from 2004 to 2017. The disease model including environmental factors had improved Watanabe-Akaike information criterion (WAIC) compared to the base model which included only spatiotemporal and demographic effects and had excellent performance in recapitulating the spatiotemporal distribution of KD in Canada (98% and 86% spatial and temporal correlations, respectively). The model suggests an association between the distribution of KD and population composition, weather-related factors, aeroallergen exposure, pollution, atmospheric concentration of spores and algae, and the incidence of healthcare encounters for bacterial pneumonia or viral intestinal infections. This model could be the basis of a hypothetical data-driven framework for the spatiotemporal distribution of KD. It also generates novel hypotheses about the etiology of KD, and provides a basis for the future development of a predictive and surveillance model.
Long-term outcomes of ranibizumab vs. aflibercept for neovascular age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
Authors: Jin Ki Won , Kim Jae Hui , Park Jun Young , Park Sang Jun , Park Kyu Hyung , Lee Joo Yong , Woo Se Joon
Published: July 2021

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of ranibizumab (RBZ) vs. aflibercept (AFL) in treatment-naïve eyes with typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). This multicenter, retrospective, matched-cohort analysis was conducted on data  up to 4 years of follow-ups. The primary outcome was the visual acuity (VA) change from baseline. The secondary outcomes included the number of injections, proportion of eyes without a yearly injection, and the number of eyes with treatment switching. Subgroup analyses were performed for typical nAMD and PCV. Typical nAMD was defined as nAMD other than PCV. We included VA-matched 215 eyes of 209 patients (131 and 84 eyes with RBZ and AFL, respectively). The crude mean VA changes from baseline were + 6.7 vs. + 2.6, + 2.1 vs. − 0.4, − 1.3 vs. − 1.8, and − 2.2 vs. − 5.0 letters in the RBZ and AFL groups, at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively (p > 0.05). The adjusted predicted VA by linear mixed model, proportion of eyes stratified by VA, and the survival curve for significant vision loss were comparable during the 4-year follow-up (p > 0.05). The mean number of injections were similar between the RBZ and AFL groups (2.9 vs. 3.0, respectively, p = 0.692). The subgroup analysis for typical nAMD and PCV showed similar results between the groups. The visual outcomes did not differ between RBZ and AFL during 4 years with comparable numbers of injections. Our study reflects the long-term, real-world clinical practice and treatment pattern of two treatments for typical nAMD and PCV.
Non-linear association of anthropometric measurements and pulmonary function
Authors: Zhang Rui-Heng , Zhou Jian-Bo , Cai Yao-Hua , Shu Lin-Ping , Yang Jinkui , Wei Wenbin , Lecube Albert
Published: July 2021

This study examined the association of anthropometric measurements [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), percentage body fat (PBF), body roundness index (BRI) and A Body Shape Index (ABSI)] with pulmonary function using a United States national cohort. This cross-sectional study included 7346 participants. The association between anthropometric measurements and pulmonary function was assessed by multivariable linear regression. Where there was evidence of non-linearity, we applied a restricted cubic spline to explore the non-linear association. All analyses were weighted to represent the U.S. population and to account for the intricate survey design. After adjusting for age, race, education, smoking, and physical activity, both underweight and obesity were associated with reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Furthermore, the associations between BMI and FEV1, as well as FVC, were reversed U-shape in both males and females. Similar non-linear association shape occurred in WC, PBF, BRI and ABSI. Conclusion: BMI, WC, PBF, BRI, ABSI are non-linearly associated with pulmonary function. Reduced pulmonary function is a risk factor for future all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events; thus, this nonlinearity may explain the U-shape or J-shape association of BMI with overall mortality and cardiovascular events.
Prognostic significance and oncogene function of cathepsin A in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Huaxiang , Xu Fengfeng , Yang Fang , Lv Lizhi , Jiang Yi
Published: July 2021

Cathepsin A (CTSA) is a lysosomal protease that regulates galactoside metabolism. The previous study has shown CTSA is abnormally expressed in various types of cancer. However, rarely the previous study has addressed the role of CTSA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its prognostic value. To study the clinical value and potential function of CTSA in HCC, datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and a 136 HCC patient cohort were analyzed. CTSA expression was found to be significantly higher in HCC patients compared with normal liver tissues, which was supported by immunohistochemistry (IHC) validation. Both gene ontology (GO) and The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses demonstrated that CTSA co-expressed genes were involved in ATP hydrolysis coupled proton transport, carbohydrate metabolic process, lysosome organization, oxidative phosphorylation, other glycan degradation, etc. Survival analysis showed a significant reduction both in overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with high CTSA expression from both the TCGA HCC cohort and 136 patients with the HCC cohort. Furthermore, CTSA overexpression has diagnostic value in distinguishing between HCC and normal liver tissue [Area under curve (AUC) = 0.864]. Moreover, Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that CTSA expression correlated with the oxidative phosphorylation, proteasome, and lysosome, etc. in HCC tissues. These findings demonstrate that CTSA may as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HCC.
Community structure and metabolic potentials of the traditional rice beer starter ‘emao’
Authors: Narzary Diganta , Boro Nitesh , Borah Ashis , Okubo Takashi , Takami Hideto
Published: July 2021

The emao, a traditional beer starter used in the North–East regions of India produces a high quality of beer from rice substrates; however, its microbial community structure and functional metabolic modules remain unknown. To address this gap, we have used shot-gun whole-metagenome sequencing technology; accordingly, we have detected several enzymes that are known to catalyze saccharification, lignocellulose degradation, and biofuel production indicating the presence of metabolic functionome in the emao. The abundance of eukaryotic microorganisms, specifically the members of Mucoromycota and Ascomycota, dominated over the prokaryotes in the emao compared to previous metagenomic studies on such traditional starters where the relative abundance of prokaryotes occurred higher than the eukaryotes. The family Rhizopodaceae (64.5%) and its genus Rhizopus (64%) were the most dominant ones, followed by Phaffomycetaceae (11.14%) and its genus Wickerhamomyces (10.03%). The family Leuconostocaceae (6.09%) represented by two genera (Leuconostoc and Weissella) was dominant over the other bacteria, and it was the third-highest in overall relative abundance in the emao. The comprehensive microbial species diversity, community structure, and metabolic modules found in the emao are of practical value in the formulation of mixed-microbial cultures for biofuel production from plant-based feedstocks.
MCM-2, Ki-67, and EGFR downregulated expression levels in advanced stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Vivatvakin Sarocha , Ratchataswan Thanaporn , Leesutipornchai Thiratest , Ruangritchankul Komkrit , Keelawat Somboon , Mahattanasakul Patnarin , Bongsebandhu-phubhakdi Saknan
Published: July 2021

We present the conceptual study investigated the capacity of minichromosome maintenance-2 (MCM-2), Ki-67, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to assess the severity and progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) disease and to study the correlations among these markers. A total of 30 patients with LSCC with immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for MCM-2, Ki-67 and EGFR were examined. Mean expression levels of the three markers were evaluated for comparing between early and advanced stages of LSCC. The mean MCM-2, Ki-67, and EGFR expression levels were significantly decreased in advanced-stage compared with early-stage LSCC. Pearson correlation analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between the MCM-2 and Ki-67. Regarding subgroup analyses, MCM-2, Ki-67, and EGFR showed significant differences between early- and advanced-stage LSCC with non-recurrence, while for the recurrent subgroup LSCC, only MCM-2 revealed a significant difference between early- and advanced-stage LSCC. Altogether, these results support the role for downregulation of MCM-2, Ki-67 and EGFR in advanced-stage LSCC and correlation of MCM-2 and Ki-67 expressions that would be a promising strategy to predict prognosis of LSCC including severity and progression. We contextualize our findings and advocate the position of the biological markers, especially MCM-2, as an emerging evaluation tool for LSCC disease.
Invasion, establishment, and spread of invasive mosquitoes from the Culex coronator complex in urban areas of Miami-Dade County, Florida
Authors: Wilke André B. B. , Vasquez Chalmers , Cardenas Gabriel , Carvajal Augusto , Medina Johana , Petrie William D. , Beier John C.
Published: July 2021

Species from the Culex coronator complex are Neotropical species and potential vectors of Saint Louis and West Nile viruses. Culex coronator was first described in Trinidad and Tobago in the early twentieth century and since then it has invaded and has been reported established in most countries of the Americas. Species from the Culex coronator complex were first detected in the United States in the state of Louisiana in 2004 and were subsequently detected in Florida in 2005, reaching Miami-Dade County in 2008. We hypothesize that species from the Cx. coronator complex are adapting to urban environments in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and are becoming more present and abundant in these areas. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the patterns of the presence and abundance of species from the Cx. coronator complex in the urban areas of Miami-Dade County. Here we used weekly data comprised of 32 CDC traps from 2012 to 2020 and 150 BG-Sentinel traps from 2016 to 2020. A total of 34,146 female mosquitoes from the Cx. coronator complex were collected, 26,138 by CDC traps and 8008 by BG-Sentinel traps. While the number of CDC traps that were positive was relatively constant at 26–30 positive traps per year, the number of positive BG-Sentinel traps varied substantially from 50 to 87 positive traps per year. Furthermore, the heat map and logistic general linear model for repeated measures analyses showed a significant increase in both the distribution and abundance of mosquitoes from the Cx. coronator complex, indicating that these species are becoming more common in anthropized habitats being able to thrive in highly urbanized areas. The increase in the distribution and abundance of species from the Cx. coronator complex is a major public health concern. The ability of species from the Cx. coronator complex to benefit from urbanization highlights the need to better understand the mechanisms of how invasive vector mosquito species are adapting and exploiting urban habitats.
Serum midkine as non-invasive biomarker for detection and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Stern Louisa , Mueller Erik , Bellon Eugen , Reeh Matthias , Grotelueschen Rainer , Guengoer Cenap , Melling Nathaniel , Goetz Mara , Perez Daniel R. , Izbicki Jakob R. , Rawnaq-Möllers Tamina , Ghadban Tarik
Published: July 2021

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause for cancer-related deaths in men and women worldwide. Sufficient screening tools enabling early diagnosis are essential to improve patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum midkine (S-MK) both as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This single-center analysis included 59 NSCLC patients counting 30 squamous cell cancers and 29 adenocarcinomas. Preoperative S-MK concentration was determined using ELISA. Patients were followed up to five years. S-MK was found to be significantly overexpressed in patients with NSCLC compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). The discriminative power of S-MK to differentiate NSCLC subjects from controls was fairly high with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83 (p < 0.001). Optimal sensitivity of 92% and reasonable specificity of 68% was reached at a threshold of 416 pg/ml S-MK. Patients with high S-MK concentration showed a significantly shorter overall survival compared to patients with low S-MK expression (p < 0.05). In conclusion, S-MK is overexpressed in patients with NSCLC and serves as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. S-MK may thus be considered as an additional non-invasive biomarker not only for NSCLC screening but also for outcome prediction.
Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of chiral 4-hydroxy 4′-substituted pyrazolones by the vinylogous aldol reaction of pyrazole-4,5-diones with 3-alkylidene-2-oxindoles
Authors: Kumar Krishna , Singh Bhuvnesh , Hore Soumyadip , Singh Ravi P
Published: July 2021

Here, a bifunctional quinine-derived benzamide catalyzed direct enantioselective vinylogous aldol reaction between 3-alkylidene-2-oxindoles and pyrazole-4,5-diones has been developed.