bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple worlds and strange objects: environmental education research as an additive practice
Authors: Rautio Pauliina , Hohti Riikka , Tammi Tuure , Ylirisku Henrika
Published: June 2022

The paper offers three examples of passionate immersion with strange objects and working with peculiar multispecies assemblages, such as the assemblage of a dove called Romeo and the technology to humidify a greenhouse called ‘Princess’, or the experiment of orienteering in forests for years, accounting for slips, scratches and tumbles as being taught by the forest — and prioritising these over the more commonplace educational narratives. The paper is structured in a nonconventional way in that most space is reserved for reports from these ongoing inquiries. The authors will each discuss how they situate themselves in relation to strangeness in research and how they proceed methodologically, locating their approaches as postqualitative. The questions each example addresses are:What is a strange object? How do we come across them? What do we begin to do/produce with them?The additive orientation described in the research stories is proposed to be an important constituent for new survival knowledge especially relevant for environmental education, addressing environmental problems as wicked, and demanding approaches that reach beyond methodological divides.
Appointed or Elected: How Justices on Elected State Supreme Courts Are Actually Selected
Authors: Kritzer Herbert M.
Published: June 2022

During at least part of the post–World War II period, the constitutions of thirty-six states called for the popular election of the judges of the states’ highest courts. In practice, only slightly more than half of those judges (excluding strictly interim appointees) initially obtained their positions by election. This article examines the likelihood of initial election in actual practice, how it has varied over time, and various factors that might be related to election versus appointment (e.g., type of election, mandatory retirement). It concludes that state norms play a substantial role in determining patterns of actual selection.
A CONSPECTUS OF LETTERS TO AND FROM SIR HENRY SPELMAN (1563/4–1641)
Authors: Lucas Peter J
Published: June 2022

Sir Henry Spelman, a founding member of the Society of Antiquaries of London who may be considered the doyen of English antiquaries, made a substantial contribution through his many publications, particularly his Glossarium of 1626, his Concilia of 1639 and, together with his son John, the Psalterium Latino-Saxonicum of 1640. He pioneered the methodical study of historical documents, compiling a guide to the abbreviations and contractions found in medieval manuscripts, and, because some of the documents are in Old English, he made a plan to prepare an Anglo-Saxon grammar and established a lectureship in Anglo-Saxon at the University of Cambridge. After his death his books and papers were dispersed in stages, many of them being bought by subsequent antiquaries. The printed part of this paper surveys the history of his books and papers, with particular attention to his letters, which have never been listed or presented in an organized form despite calls for this to be done since 1930. The supplementary part (online) offers a conspectus of the letters in chronological order with indications of where they are found and of their more important contents. They throw considerable light on how he worked and on his relationship with those who helped him. Themes running through the letters include Spelman’s publications and the preparations for them, the Glossarium, the Concilia and the Anglo-Saxon Psalterium, the reading and transcription of Anglo-Saxon manuscripts, the preparation of an Anglo-Saxon grammar and dictionary and various scholarly enquiries.
Monoidal weak ω-categories as models of a type theory
Authors: Benjamin Thibaut
Published: June 2022

Weak
$\omega$
-categories are notoriously difficult to define because of the very intricate nature of their axioms. Various approaches have been explored based on different shapes given to the cells. Interestingly, homotopy type theory encompasses a definition of weak
$\omega$
-groupoid in a globular setting, since every type carries such a structure. Starting from this remark, Brunerie could extract this definition of globular weak
$\omega$
-groupoids, formulated as a type theory. By refining its rules, Finster and Mimram have then defined a type theory called
$\mathsf{CaTT}$
, whose models are weak
$\omega$
-categories. Here, we generalize this approach to monoidal weak
$\omega$
-categories. Based on the principle that they should be equivalent to weak
$\omega$
-categories with only one 0-cell, we are able to derive a type theory
$\mathsf{MCaTT}$
whose models are monoidal weak
$\omega$
-categories. This requires changing the rules of the theory in order to encode the information carried by the unique 0-cell. The correctness of the resulting type theory is shown by defining a pair of translations between our type theory
$\mathsf{MCaTT}$
and the type theory
$\mathsf{CaTT}$
. Our main contribution is to show that these translations relate the models of our type theory to the models of the type theory
$\mathsf{CaTT}$
consisting of
$\omega$
-categories with only one 0-cell by analyzing in details how the notion of models interact with the structural rules of both type theories.
Extension of unemployment benefits and changes in job search margins
Authors: Mousavi Omid
Published: June 2022

Unemployment insurance benefits are often extended during recessions. Existing research shows that this policy increases the unemployment rate and the duration of unemployment. But less is known about why these changes occur. I construct a job search model with an endogenous participation decision to quantify the contributions of (i) search effort, (ii) job selectivity, and (iii) labor market participation, to changes in unemployment outcomes. In a model calibrated to the US economy, I show that the increased participation accounts for a large fraction of the increase in the unemployment rate following a permanent extension of benefits. This finding indicates the importance of changes in the participation decision of workers facing extended benefits for the unemployment rate—a mechanism that is understudied and frequently overlooked in the quantitative labor market research exploring the impact of UI policies.
Benzobicyclon for weedy rice control in quizalofop- and imidazolinone-resistant rice systems
Authors: Patterson Jake A. , Norsworthy Jason K. , Butts Thomas R. , Gbur Edward E.
Published: June 2022

Gowan Company recently registered benzobicyclon, a WSSA Group 27 herbicide, as a postflood option in rice. It is the first 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase-inhibiting herbicide commercially available in mid-southern U.S. rice production. In 2018 and 2019, field experiments were conducted across multiple sites in Arkansas to determine if the addition of benzobicyclon to quizalofop- or imidazolinone-resistant rice herbicide programs would improve weedy rice control. Across site-years, one application of quizalofop, either at the 1- or 3-leaf rice stage, followed by benzobicyclon applied postflood, provided comparable weedy rice control to two sequential applications of quizalofop, which is a standard herbicide program in quizalofop-resistant rice. Additionally, treatments containing quizalofop or quizalofop followed by benzobicyclon injured rice ≤5% at 28 d after the postflood application. Across site-years, at 28 d after the postflood application of benzobicyclon, all treatments containing a full-season herbicide program followed by benzobicyclon postflood provided comparable or improved weedy rice control when compared to two sequential early postemergence applications of imazethapyr. In both experiments, rice treated with benzobicyclon yielded comparably or better than treatments containing the standard herbicide program for each system. Findings from this research suggest that the use of benzobicyclon in quizalofop- and imidazolinone-resistant rice systems could be an additional and viable weedy rice control option for rice producers.
Hearing Cosmopolitan Nationalism in the Work of Fairuz and the Rahbani Brothers
Authors: EL RAYES NOUR
Published: June 2022

Today, the trajectory of Lebanese diva Fairuz’s career has become synonymous with the development of a Lebanese national subjectivity. Her performance of musical works by the Rahbani Brothers at Lebanon’s Baalbak International Festival from the 1950s–70s helped to form a Lebanese national musical style. Through close listening and analysis, this article explores the entanglement of Fairuz’s early music with both the Baalbak Festival and early Lebanese nationalist efforts, arguing that this music’s sound and style consciously laboured to articulate an emergent sense of national identity.
Not Humans, but Animals or Machines
Authors: Chas Alexandra , Betancor Verónica , Rodríguez Armando , Delgado Naira
Published: June 2022

Abstract. The aims of the present research are (1) to provide empirical evidence on animalization and, especially, mechanization in childhood and (2) to determine if outgroup stereotypical characteristics influence the dehumanization strategy chosen by children. In Study 1 (Study 1A: N = 77, Mage = 13.18; Study 1B: N = 140, Mage = 12.28), we investigated whether children associate machine-related words with the outgroup (Japanese) to a greater extent than with the ingroup (Spanish). In Study 2 (Study 2A: N = 118, Mage = 11.72; Study 2B: N = 142, Mage = 11.66), we examined whether the perception of competence (Japanese-high competence vs. Arabs-low competence) determines the dehumanization strategy used by children. The results show that children are capable of animalizing but also mechanizing and that the stereotypical characteristics of outgroups affect the form of dehumanization used.
Young Emancipated Women in Guatemala
Authors: Erickson Lora Lee , Pecanha Viviane
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Social support is an important factor influencing the development of resilience across cultures and contexts. In this study, we explored the experiences of social support to the development of resilience among young Guatemalan women who were emancipated from system-based care. The study included 12 participants with an average age of 21 years who resided in the San Lucas Guatemala region. Thematic coding revealed the necessity of relational social support. Subthemes included social support identified and experienced through unconditional love, religiosity, and interpersonal relationships expressed within the realm of Guatemalan cultural values. Opportunities for social support varied considerably and were dependent upon the individual's ecological systems as well as the organizational and individual resources related to staffing and economic funds of the orphanages and group homes. Socioeconomic burdens are consistently present in Guatemala due to the marked inequality of wealth distribution. The disparities were greater among those facing significant life changes such as early separation from families of origin and those with access to fewer resources. This study demonstrates that social support serves as a strong protective factor in resiliency development, mitigating many of the risks present for Guatemalan women in their daily lives, workplaces, families, and communities.
Possible Effects of Multiphase Methane Evolution During a Glacial Cycle on Underpressure Development in Sedimentary Basins: An Analysis With Application to the Northeast Michigan Basin
Authors: Plampin Michelle R. , Provost Alden M.
Published: June 2022

In low‐permeability systems, groundwater may be accompanied by separate‐phase fluids, and measured pore water pressures may deviate from those expected in steady‐state, single‐phase systems. These same systems may be of interest for storage of nuclear waste in Deep Geologic Repositories. Therefore, it is important to understand the relationship between the presence of a separate phase and anomalous pressure development. At the Bruce site in Southern Ontario, a significant underpressure was observed, and there is evidence for the presence of gas‐phase methane in situ. This study used a one‐dimensional (vertical) numerical model of the subsurface down to a depth of 844 m beneath the Bruce site to evaluate possible effects of hydromechanical coupling with multiphase flow on pressure evolution during glacial loading and unloading. The simulated pressure conditions were affected strongly by the amount of methane initially present in the system, and the maximum simulated underpressure varied nonmonotonically with increasing initial methane content. When the initial methane content was below the solubility limit, exsolution led to underpressures that briefly exceeded those that formed in the single‐phase case. At intermediate initial methane contents (sufficient to produce an immobile gas phase), the gas phase dampened the hydromechanical effects of the glacial cycle. At large initial methane contents (when a mobile gas phase was present), gas migration caused a large decrease in relative liquid permeability, which further contributed to underpressure development in the pore water. Multiple scenarios that spanned a range of initial methane contents yielded underpressures like those observed at the Bruce site.
Snowball Earth Initiation and the Thermodynamics of Sea Ice
Authors: Hörner Johannes , Voigt Aiko , Braun Christoph
Published: June 2022

Snowball Earth is a hypothesized state in the deep past of Earth in which the ocean was completely or nearly completely covered by sea ice, resulting from a runaway ice‐albedo feedback. Here, we address how the treatment of sea‐ice thermodynamics affects the initiation of a Snowball Earth in the global climate model ICON‐A run in an idealized slab‐ocean aquaplanet setup. Specifically, we study the impact of vertical resolution and brine pockets of ice by comparing the 3‐layer Winton and a 0‐layer Semtner scheme, and we investigate the impact of limiting ice thickness to 5 m. The internal heat storage of ice is increased by higher vertical resolution and brine pockets, which weakens surface melting and increases global albedo by allowing snow and ice to persist longer into the summer season. The internal heat storage weakens the melt‐ratchet effect, as is confirmed with offline simulations with the two ice schemes. The result is a substantially easier Snowball Earth initiation and an increase in the critical CO2 for Snowball initiation by 50%. Limiting ice thickness impedes Snowball initiation as the removal of excess ice leads to an artificial heat source. Yet, the impact is minor and critical CO2 is decreased by 5% only. The results show that while the sea‐ice thickness limit plays only a minor role, the internal heat storage of ice represents an important factor for Snowball initiation and needs to be taken into account when modeling Snowball Earth initiation.
A One‐Year‐Long Evaluation of a Wind‐Farm Parameterization in HARMONIE‐AROME
Authors: van Stratum Bart , Theeuwes Natalie , Barkmeijer Jan , van Ulft Bert , Wijnant Ine
Published: June 2022

The need to mitigate climate change will boost the demand for renewable energy and lead to more wind turbines both on‐ and offshore. In the near future, the effect these wind farms have on the atmosphere can no longer be neglected. In numerical weather prediction models wind‐farm parameterisations (WFP) can be used to model the effect of wind farms on the atmosphere. There are different modeling approaches, but the parameterization developed by Fitch et al. (2012) is mostly used in previous studies. It models the wind farm as a momentum sink and a source of power production and turbulent kinetic energy. In this paper, we have implemented the Fitch et al. (2012) WFP into HARMONIE‐AROME, the numerical weather prediction model that is currently used by at least 11 national weather services in Europe. We used HARMONIE‐AROME to make year‐long simulations for 2016 with and without the WFP. The results were extensively evaluated using lidar, tower and flight measurements at several locations near wind farms. Including the WFP reduces the model bias for wind speed near offshore wind farms. Wind farms not only affect wind, but also temperature and humidity, especially during stable atmospheric conditions: the enhanced mixing caused by the wind turbines reduces the stratification of temperature and humidity. Including the WFP in HARMONIE‐AROME results in a more realistic representation of the atmosphere near wind farms and makes it a more future‐proof model for weather forecasting.
Mechanism of Co‐Seismic Deformation of the Slow‐Moving La Sorbella Landslide in Italy Revealed by MPM Analysis
Authors: Kohler Marc , Puzrin Alexander M.
Published: June 2022

Predicting the seismic behavior of slow‐moving landslides presents a significant challenge. Their yearly displacements of a few millimeters to several meters indicate that even before any earthquake they are balancing at the verge of instability. It is therefore not surprising that conventional analysis predicts large co‐seismic displacements even for light‐to‐moderate ground motions. In reality, however, negligibly small displacements have often been observed for such earthquakes, while strong ground motions can still lead to catastrophic failure. This discrepancy challenges both our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the reliability of conventional analysis, resulting in significant uncertainties for risk assessment. Progress in this field has been further hindered by incompleteness of the available monitoring data and a lack of reliable numerical models capable of dealing simultaneously with small and large deformations under seismic loading. In this article, recently published monitoring data on La Sorbella landslide in Italy and the latest developments in seismic material point method analysis are used to gain insights into the mechanisms controlling the co‐seismic behavior of slow‐moving landslides. This forms the basis for a subsequent investigation of the potential landslide behavior during strong motions, using various material models. The study demonstrates that the co‐seismic behavior of La Sorbella slide is strongly influenced by the interplay between geometrical and viscous effects, as well as potential softening in the shear zone and the surrounding soil mass. The proposed approach paves a way toward quantification of these effects in risk assessment for slow‐moving landslides.
BCAT1 promotes osteoclast maturation by regulating branched-chain amino acid metabolism
Authors: Go Miyeon , Shin Eunji , Jang Seo Young , Nam Miso , Hwang Geum-Sook , Lee Soo Young
Published: June 2022

Branched-chain aminotransferase 1 (BCAT1) transfers the amine group on branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to alpha-ketoglutarate. This generates glutamate along with alpha-keto acids that are eventually oxidized to provide the cell with energy. BCAT1 thus plays a critical role in sustaining BCAA concentrations and availability as an energy source. Osteoclasts have high metabolic needs during differentiation. When we assessed the levels of amino acids in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) that were undergoing receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation, we found that the BCAA levels steadily increase during this process. In vitro analyses then showed that all three BCAAs but especially valine were needed for osteoclast maturation. Moreover, selective inhibition of BCAT1 with gabapentin significantly reduced osteoclast maturation. Expression of enzymatically dead BCAT1 also abrogated osteoclast maturation. Importantly, gabapentin inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone loss of calvaria in mice. These findings suggest that BCAT1 could serve as a therapeutic target that dampens osteoclast formation.
IDO1 plays a tumor-promoting role via MDM2-mediated suppression of the p53 pathway in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Sun Chengtao , Li Mengzhen , Zhang Lian , Sun Feifei , Chen Huimou , Xu Yanjie , Lan Yingxia , Zhang Li , Lu Suying , Zhu Jia , Huang Junting , Wang Juan , Hu Yang , Feng Yanfen , Zhang Yizhuo
Published: June 2022

With the intensive therapeutic strategies, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is still a fatal disease due to its progressive characteristics. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a key regulator that catalyzes the commitment step of the kynurenine pathway in the immune system, its aberrant activation may contribute to malignant cell escape eradication. However, the role of IDO1 in DLBCL progression remains elusive. Our study showed IDO1 expression was upregulated in DLBCL and was associated with a poor prognosis and low overall survival. Inhibition of IDO1 suppressed DLBCL cell proliferation in vitro and impeded xenograft tumorigenesis in vivo. RNA-seq analyses revealed MDM2 was downregulated while TP53 was upregulated in IDO1 inhibition OCI-Ly10 cells. Mechanistically, IDO1 inhibition decreased the expression of MDM2, a major negative regulator of p53, and restored p53 expression in OCI-Ly3 and OCI-Ly10 cells, resulting in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. IDO1 inhibition induced cell apoptosis coupled with PUMA and BAX upregulation, as well as BCL2 and BCL-XL downregulation. In addition, p21, a p53 transcriptional target, was upregulated in cell cycle arrest. Taken together, this study revealed IDO1 is essential for the proliferation of DLBCL cells and may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of DLBCL.
miR-15a and miR-20b sensitize hepatocellular carcinoma cells to sorafenib through repressing CDC37L1 and consequent PPIA downregulation
Authors: Li Li , Yu Shijun , Chen Jingde , Quan Ming , Gao Yong , Li Yandong
Published: June 2022

Sorafenib is a classical targeted drug for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but intrinsic resistance severely limited its therapeutic effects. In the present study, we aimed to identify crucial genes in HCC cells that affect sorafenib resistance by a CRISPR/Cas9 genome-scale screening. The results indicated that the deficiency of miR-15a and miR-20b contributed to sorafenib resistance, whereas exogenous expression of miR-15a and miR-20b enhanced sorafenib sensitivity of HCC cells by cell viability, colony formation, and flow cytometry analyses. Further analyses revealed that cell division cycle 37 like 1 (CDC37L1) as a common target of miR-15a and 20b, was negatively regulated by the two miRNAs and could enhance sorafenib resistance of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CDC37L1, as a cochaperone, effectively increased the expression of peptidylprolyl isomerase A (PPIA) through strengthening the binding between heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and PPIA. The results from immunohistochemical staining of a HCC tissue microarray revealed a positive association between CDC37L1 and PPIA expression, and high expression of CDC37L1 and PPIA predicted worse prognosis of HCC patients after sorafenib therapy. Taken together, our findings reveal crucial roles of miR-15a, miR-20b, CDC37L1, and PPIA in sorafenib response of HCC cells. These factors may serve as therapeutic targets and predict prognosis for HCC treated with sorafenib.
21st-century stagnation in unvegetated sand-sea activity
Authors: Gunn Andrew , East Amy , Jerolmack Douglas J.
Published: June 2022

Sand seas are vast expanses of Earth’s surface containing large areas of aeolian dunes—topographic patterns manifest from above-threshold winds and a supply of loose sand. Predictions of the role of future climate change for sand-sea activity are sparse and contradictory. Here we examine the impact of climate on all of Earth’s presently-unvegetated sand seas, using ensemble runs of an Earth System Model for historical and future Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios. We find that almost all of the sand seas decrease in activity relative to present-day and industrial-onset for all future SSP scenarios, largely due to more intermittent sand-transport events. An increase in event wait-times and decrease in sand transport is conducive to vegetation growth. We expect dune-forming winds will become more unimodal, and produce larger incipient wavelengths, due to weaker and more seasonal winds. Our results indicate that these qualitative changes in Earth’s deserts cannot be mitigated.
POLYRETINA restores light responses in vivo in blind Göttingen minipigs
Authors: Vagni Paola , Airaghi Leccardi Marta Jole Ildelfonsa , Vila Charles-Henri , Zollinger Elodie Geneviève , Sherafatipour Golnaz , Wolfensberger Thomas J. , Ghezzi Diego
Published: June 2022

Retinal prostheses hold the potential for artificial vision in blind people affected by incurable diseases of the outer retinal layer. Available technologies provide only a small field of view: a significant limitation for totally blind people. To overcome this problem, we recently proposed a large and high-density photovoltaic epiretinal device, known as POLYRETINA. Here, we report the in vivo assessment of POLYRETINA. First, we characterise a model of chemically-induced blindness in Göttingen minipigs. Then, we develop and test a minimally invasive injection procedure to insert the large epiretinal implant into the eye. Last, we show that POLYRETINA restores light-evoked cortical responses in blind animals at safe irradiance levels. These results indicate that POLYRETINA holds the potential for artificial vision in totally blind patients affected by retinitis pigmentosa.
Sustainable wood electronics by iron-catalyzed laser-induced graphitization for large-scale applications
Authors: Dreimol Christopher H. , Guo Huizhang , Ritter Maximilian , Keplinger Tobias , Ding Yong , Günther Roman , Poloni Erik , Burgert Ingo , Panzarasa Guido
Published: June 2022

Ecologically friendly wood electronics will help alleviating the shortcomings of state-of-art cellulose-based “green electronics”. Here we introduce iron-catalyzed laser-induced graphitization (IC-LIG) as an innovative approach for engraving large-scale electrically conductive structures on wood with very high quality and efficiency, overcoming the limitations of conventional LIG including high ablation, thermal damages, need for multiple lasing steps, use of fire retardants and inert atmospheres. An aqueous bio-based coating, inspired by historical iron-gall ink, protects wood from laser ablation and thermal damage while promoting efficient graphitization and smoothening substrate irregularities. Large-scale (100 cm2), highly conductive (≥2500 S m−1) and homogeneous surface areas are engraved single-step in ambient atmosphere with a conventional CO2 laser, even on very thin (∼450 µm) wood veneers. We demonstrate the validity of our approach by turning wood into highly durable strain sensors, flexible electrodes, capacitive touch panels and an electroluminescent LIG-based device.
Frequency and mechanisms of LINE-1 retrotransposon insertions at CRISPR/Cas9 sites
Authors: Tao Jianli , Wang Qi , Mendez-Dorantes Carlos , Burns Kathleen H. , Chiarle Roberto
Published: June 2022

CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing has revolutionized experimental molecular biology and entered the clinical world for targeted gene therapy. Identifying DNA modifications occurring at CRISPR/Cas9 target sites is critical to determine efficiency and safety of editing tools. Here we show that insertions of LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons can occur frequently at CRISPR/Cas9 editing sites. Together with PolyA-seq and an improved amplicon sequencing, we characterize more than 2500 de novo L1 insertions at multiple CRISPR/Cas9 editing sites in HEK293T, HeLa and U2OS cells. These L1 retrotransposition events exploit CRISPR/Cas9-induced DSB formation and require L1 RT activity. Importantly, de novo L1 insertions are rare during genome editing by prime editors (PE), cytidine or adenine base editors (CBE or ABE), consistent with their reduced DSB formation. These data demonstrate that insertions of retrotransposons might be a potential outcome of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and provide further evidence on the safety of different CRISPR-based editing tools.
Shape-assisted self-assembly
Authors: Woods Joseph F. , Gallego Lucía , Pfister Pauline , Maaloum Mounir , Vargas Jentzsch Andreas , Rickhaus Michel
Published: June 2022

Self-assembly and molecular recognition are critical processes both in life and material sciences. They usually depend on strong, directional non-covalent interactions to gain specificity and to make long-range organization possible. Most supramolecular constructs are also at least partially governed by topography, whose role is hard to disentangle. This makes it nearly impossible to discern the potential of shape and motion in the creation of complexity. Here, we demonstrate that long-range order in supramolecular constructs can be assisted by the topography of the individual units even in the absence of highly directional interactions. Molecular units of remarkable simplicity self-assemble in solution to give single-molecule thin two-dimensional supramolecular polymers of defined boundaries. This dramatic example spotlights the critical function that topography can have in molecular assembly and paves the path to rationally designed systems of increasing sophistication.
Second order Zeeman interaction and ferroquadrupolar order in TmVO4
Authors: Vinograd I. , Shirer K. R. , Massat P. , Wang Z. , Kissikov T. , Garcia D. , Bachmann M. D. , Horvatić M. , Fisher I. R. , Curro N. J.
Published: June 2022

TmVO4exhibits ferroquadrupolar order of the Tm 4f electronic orbitals at low temperatures, and is a model system for Ising nematicity. A magnetic field oriented along thec-axis constitutes a transverse effective field for the quadrupolar order parameter, continuously tuning the system to a quantum phase transition as the field is increased from zero. In contrast, in-plane magnetic fields couple to the order parameter only at second order, such that orienting along the primary axes of the quadrupole order results in an effective longitudinal field, whereas orienting at 45 degrees results in a second effective transverse field. Not only do in-plane fields engender a marked in-plane anisotropy of the critical magnetic and quadrupole fluctuations above the ferroquadrupolar ordering temperature, but in-plane transverse fields initially enhance the ferroquadrupolar order, before eventually suppressing it, an effect that we attribute to admixing of the higher crystalline electric field levels.
Energy demand reduction options for meeting national zero-emission targets in the United Kingdom
Authors: Barrett John , Pye Steve , Betts-Davies Sam , Broad Oliver , Price James , Eyre Nick , Anable Jillian , Brand Christian , Bennett George , Carr-Whitworth Rachel , Garvey Alice , Giesekam Jannik , Marsden Greg , Norman Jonathan , Oreszczyn Tadj , Ruyssevelt Paul , Scott Kate
Published: June 2022

In recent years, global studies have attempted to understand the contribution that energy demand reduction could make to climate mitigation efforts. Here we develop a bottom-up, whole-system framework that comprehensively estimates the potential for energy demand reduction at a country level. Replicable for other countries, our framework is applied to the case of the United Kingdom where we find that reductions in energy demand of 52% by 2050 compared with 2020 levels are possible without compromising on citizens’ quality of life. This translates to annual energy demands of 40 GJ per person, compared with the current Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average of 116 GJ and the global average of 55 GJ. Our findings show that energy demand reduction can reduce reliance on high-risk carbon dioxide removal technologies, has moderate investment requirements and allows space for ratcheting up climate ambition. We conclude that national climate policy should increasingly develop and integrate energy demand reduction measures.
Extended infusion of piperacillin–tazobactam versus intermittent infusion in critically ill egyptian patients: a cost-effectiveness study
Authors: Naiim Christina Medhat , Elmazar M. M. , Sabri Nagwa A. , Bazan Naglaa S.
Published: June 2022

Extended infusion of piperacillin/tazobactam over 4 h has been proposed as an alternate mode of administration to the 30-min intermittent infusion to optimize treatment effects in patients with gram-negative bacterial infections. The study aimed to evaluate the extended infusion regimen of piperacillin/tazobactam in standings of efficacy, safety, and cost to the intermittent one in the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections. A prospective randomized comparative study was performed on 53 patients, 27 in the intermittent infusion group and 26 in the extended infusion group. The primary outcome was the mean number of days to clinical success and the percentage of patients who were clinically cured after treatment. The secondary outcomes included mortality, readmission within 30-days, and cost-effectiveness analysis based on the mean number of days to clinical success. The clinical success rate was comparable in the two groups. Days on extended infusion were significantly lower than intermittent infusion (5.7 vs 8.9 days, respectively, p = 0.0001) as well as days to clinical success (4.6 vs 8.5 days, respectively, p = 0.026). The extended infusion was superior to the intermittent infusion regarding cost-effectiveness ratio ($1835.41 and $1914.09/expected success, respectively). The more cost-effective regimen was the extended infusion. Both regimens had comparable clinical and microbiological outcomes.
Embodiment of supernumerary robotic limbs in virtual reality
Authors: Arai Ken , Saito Hiroto , Fukuoka Masaaki , Ueda Sachiyo , Sugimoto Maki , Kitazaki Michiteru , Inami Masahiko
Published: June 2022

The supernumerary robotic limb system expands the motor function of human users by adding extra artificially designed limbs. It is important for us to embody the system as if it is a part of one’s own body and to maintain cognitive transparency in which the cognitive load is suppressed. Embodiment studies have been conducted with an expansion of bodily functions through a “substitution” and “extension”. However, there have been few studies on the “addition” of supernumerary body parts. In this study, we developed a supernumerary robotic limb system that operates in a virtual environment, and then evaluated whether the extra limb can be regarded as a part of one’s own body using a questionnaire and whether the perception of peripersonal space changes with a visuotactile crossmodal congruency task. We found that the participants can embody the extra-limbs after using the supernumerary robotic limb system. We also found a positive correlation between the perceptual change in the crossmodal congruency task and the subjective feeling that the number of one’s arms had increased (supernumerary limb sensation). These results suggest that the addition of an extra body part may cause the participants to feel that they had acquired a new body part that differs from their original body part through a functional expansion.
In silico analysis of the human milk oligosaccharide glycome reveals key enzymes of their biosynthesis
Authors: McDonald Andrew G. , Mariethoz Julien , Davey Gavin P. , Lisacek Frédérique
Published: June 2022

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) form the third most abundant component of human milk and are known to convey several benefits to the neonate, including protection from viral and bacterial pathogens, training of the immune system, and influencing the gut microbiome. As HMO production during lactation is driven by enzymes that are common to other glycosylation processes, we adapted a model of mucin-type GalNAc-linked glycosylation enzymes to act on free lactose. We identified a subset of 11 enzyme activities that can account for 206 of 226 distinct HMOs isolated from human milk and constructed a biosynthetic reaction network that identifies 5 new core HMO structures. A comparison of monosaccharide compositions demonstrated that the model was able to discriminate between two possible groups of intermediates between major subnetworks, and to assign possible structures to several previously uncharacterised HMOs. The effect of enzyme knockouts is presented, identifying β-1,4-galactosyltransferase and β-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase as key enzyme activities involved in the generation of the observed HMO glycosylation patterns. The model also provides a synthesis chassis for the most common HMOs found in lactating mothers.
The SKBR3 cell-membrane proteome reveals telltales of aberrant cancer cell proliferation and targets for precision medicine applications
Authors: Karcini Arba , Lazar Iulia M.
Published: June 2022

The plasma membrane proteome resides at the interface between the extra- and intra-cellular environment and through its various roles in signal transduction, immune recognition, nutrient transport, and cell–cell/cell–matrix interactions plays an absolutely critical role in determining the fate of a cell. Our work was aimed at exploring the cell-membrane proteome of a HER2+ breast-cancer cell line (SKBR3) to identify triggers responsible for uncontrolled cell proliferation and intrinsic resources that enable detection and therapeutic interventions. To mimic environmental conditions that enable cancer cells to evolve adaptation/survival traits, cell culture was performed under serum-rich and serum-deprived conditions. Proteomic analysis enabled the identification of ~ 2000 cell-membrane proteins. Classification into proteins with receptor/enzymatic activity, CD antigens, transporters, and cell adhesion/junction proteins uncovered overlapping roles in processes that drive cell growth, apoptosis, differentiation, immune response, adhesion and migration, as well as alternate pathways for proliferation. The large number of tumor markers (> 50) and putative drug targets (> 100) exposed a vast potential for yet unexplored detection and targeting opportunities, whereas the presence of 15 antigen immunological markers enabled an assessment of epithelial, mesenchymal or stemness characteristics. Serum-starved cells displayed altered processes related to mitochondrial OXPHOS/ATP synthesis, protein folding and localization, while serum-treated cells exhibited attributes that support tissue invasion and metastasis. Altogether, our findings advance the understanding of the biological triggers that sustain aberrant cancer cell proliferation, survival and development of resistance to therapeutic drugs, and reveal vast innate opportunities for guiding immunological profiling and precision medicine applications aimed at target selection or drug discovery.
Smartphone-based photogrammetry provides improved localization and registration of scalp-mounted neuroimaging sensors
Authors: Mazzonetto Ilaria , Castellaro Marco , Cooper Robert J. , Brigadoi Sabrina
Published: June 2022

Functional near infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography are non-invasive techniques that rely on sensors placed over the scalp. The spatial localization of the measured brain activity requires the precise individuation of sensor positions and, when individual anatomical information is not available, the accurate registration of these sensor positions to a head atlas. Both these issues could be successfully addressed using a photogrammetry-based method. In this study we demonstrate that sensor positions can be accurately detected from a video recorded with a smartphone, with a median localization error of 0.7 mm, comparable if not lower, to that of conventional approaches. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the additional information of the shape of the participant’s head can be further exploited to improve the registration of the sensor’s positions to a head atlas, reducing the median sensor localization error of 31% compared to the standard registration approach.
Demystifying speckle field interference microscopy
Authors: Ahmad Azeem , Jayakumar Nikhil , Ahluwalia Balpreet Singh
Published: June 2022

Dynamic speckle illumination (DSI) has recently attracted strong attention in the field of biomedical imaging as it pushes the limits of interference microscopy (IM) in terms of phase sensitivity, and spatial and temporal resolution compared to conventional light source illumination. To date, despite conspicuous advantages, it has not been extensively implemented in the field of phase imaging due to inadequate understanding of interference fringe formation, which is challenging to obtain in dynamic speckle illumination interference microscopy (DSI-IM). The present article provides the basic understanding of DSI through both simulation and experiments that is essential to build interference microscopy systems such as quantitative phase microscopy, digital holographic microscopy and optical coherence tomography. Using the developed understanding of DSI, we demonstrated its capabilities which enables the use of non-identical objective lenses in both arms of the interferometer and opens the flexibility to use user-defined microscope objective lens for scalable field of view and resolution phase imaging. It is contrary to the present understanding which forces us to use identical objective lenses in conventional IM system and limits the applicability of the system for fixed objective lens. In addition, it is also demonstrated that the interference fringes are not washed out over a large range of optical path difference (OPD) between the object and the reference arm providing competitive edge over low temporal coherence light source based IM system. The theory and explanation developed here would enable wider penetration of DSI-IM for applications in biology and material sciences.
Cancer incidence and mortality in Poland in 2019
Authors: Didkowska Joanna , Wojciechowska Urszula , Michalek Irmina Maria , Caetano dos Santos Florentino Luciano
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this paper is to offer the most important epidemiological indicators of malignant neoplasms in Poland for the year 2019. In 2019, the Polish National Cancer Registry received information on almost 171.2 thousand new cancer cases and 100.3 thousand cancer deaths. The most common male cancers were prostate (20.6%), lung (16.1%), colon (6.8%), bladder (6.4%), and rectal (4.2%) cancers. Age-standardized incidence rates were at 118 per 100,000 for prostate, 89 for lung, 40 for colon, 38 for bladder, and 23 for the rectum. The most prevalent female cancers encompassed breast (22.9%), lung (9.9%), corpus uteri (7.0%), colon (5.9%), and ovary (4.3%). Age-standardized incidence rate was at 95 per 100,000 for breast cancer, 40 for lung 40, 29 for corpus uteri, 24 for colon, and 18 for ovarian cancer. The five leading causes of male cancer deaths were cancer of the lung (27.4%), prostate (10.3%), colon (8.0%), bladder (5.8%), and stomach (5.7%). Age-standardized mortality rates were 100 per 100,000 for lung, 46 for prostate, 32 for colon, 24 for urinary bladder, and 22 for stomach cancer. Most female deaths due to cancer were caused by lung (17.9%), breast (15.1%), colon (7.7%), ovary (6.0%), pancreas (5.7%), and corpus uteri (4.0%) cancers. Age-standardized mortality rates were 39 per 100,000 for lung, 33 for breast, 17 for colon, 13 for ovarian, 13 for pancreatic, and 9 for corpus uteri cancer.
Saliva changes in composition associated to COVID-19: a preliminary study
Authors: Muñoz-Prieto Alberto , Rubić Ivana , Gonzalez-Sanchez Juan Carlos , Kuleš Josipa , Martínez-Subiela Silvia , Cerón José Joaquín , Bernal Enrique , Torres-Cantero Alberto , Vicente-Romero María Rosario , Mrljak Vladimir , Tvarijonaviciute Asta
Published: June 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2), is usually associated with a wide variety of clinical presentations from asymptomatic to severe cases. The use of saliva as a diagnostic and monitoring fluid has gained importance since it can be used to investigate the immune response and to direct quantification of antibodies against COVID-19. Additionally, the use of proteomics in saliva has allowed to increase  our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of diseases, bringing new perspectives on diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment. In this work, we compared the salivary proteome of 10 patients with COVID-19, (five patients with mild and five patients with severe COVID-19) and ten control healthy patients. Through the application of proteomics, we have identified 30 proteins whose abundance levels differed between the COVID-19 groups and the control group. Two of these proteins (TGM3 and carbonic anhydrase-CA6) were validated by the measurement of gGT and TEA respectively, in 98 additional saliva samples separated into two groups: (1) COVID-19 group, integrated by 66 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 (2) control group, composed of 32 healthy individuals who did not show any sign of disease for at least four weeks and were negative for COVID-19 in RT-PCR. In the proteomic study there were observed upregulations in CAZA1, ACTN4, and ANXA4, which are proteins related to the protective response against the virus disturbance, and the upregulation of TGM3, that is correlated to the oxidative damage in pulmonary tissue. We also showed the downregulation in cystatins and CA6 that can be involved in the sensory response to stimulus and possibly related to the presence of anosmia and dysgeusia during the COVID-19. Additionally, the presence of FGB in patients with severe COVID-19 but not in mild COVID-19 patients could indicate a higher viral aggregation and activation in these cases. In conclusion, the salivary proteome in patients with COVID-19 showed changes in proteins related to the protective response to viral infection, and the altered sensory taste perception that occur during the disease. Moreover, gGT and TEA could be potential biomarkers of respiratory complications that can occurs during COVID 19 although further larger studies should be made to corroborate this.
Transdiagnostic symptom dynamics during psychotherapy
Authors: O’Driscoll C. , Epskamp S. , Fried E. I. , Saunders R. , Cardoso A. , Stott J. , Wheatley J. , Cirkovic M. , Naqvi S. A. , Buckman J. E. J. , Pilling S.
Published: June 2022

Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for many common mental health problems, but the mechanisms of action and processes of change are unclear, perhaps driven by the focus on a single diagnosis which does not reflect the heterogeneous symptom experiences of many patients. The objective of this study was to better understand therapeutic change, by illustrating how symptoms evolve and interact during psychotherapy. Data from 113,608 patients from psychological therapy services who completed depression and anxiety symptom measures across three to six therapy sessions were analysed. A panel graphical vector-autoregression model was estimated in a model development sample (N = 68,165) and generalizability was tested in a confirmatory model, fitted to a separate (hold-out) sample of patients (N = 45,443). The model displayed an excellent fit and replicated in the confirmatory holdout sample. First, we found that nearly all symptoms were statistically related to each other (i.e. dense connectivity), indicating that no one symptom or association drives change. Second, the structure of symptom interrelations which emerged did not change across sessions. These findings provide a dynamic view of the process of symptom change during psychotherapy and give rise to several causal hypotheses relating to structure, mechanism, and process.