bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surfactant protein D is a biomarker of influenza‐related pediatric lung injury
Authors: Chakrabarti Arindam , Nguyen Allen , Newhams Margaret M. , Ohlson Maikke B. , Yang Xiaoying , Ulufatu Sheila , Liu Shannon , Park Summer , Xu Min , Jiang Jenny , Halpern Wendy G. , Anania Veronica G. , McBride Jacqueline M. , Rosenberger Carrie M. , Randolph Adrienne G. ,   The Pediatric Intensive Care Influenza (PICFLU) Investigators
Published: November 2021

Background

Biomarkers that can risk‐stratify children with influenza virus lower respiratory infection may identify patients for targeted intervention. Early elevation of alveolar‐related proteins in the bloodstream in these patients could indicate more severe lung damage portending worse outcomes.

Methods

We used a mouse model of human influenza infection and evaluated relationships between lung pathophysiology and surfactant protein D (SP‐D), SP‐A, and Club cell protein 16 (CC16). We then measured SP‐A, SP‐D, and CC16 levels in plasma samples from 94 children with influenza‐associated acute respiratory failure (PICFLU cohort), excluding children with underlying conditions explaining disease severity. We tested for associations between levels of circulating proteins and disease severity including the diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), mechanical ventilator, intensive care unit and hospital days, and hospital mortality.

Results

Circulating SP‐D showed a greater increase than SP‐A and CC16 in mice with increased alveolar‐vascular permeability following influenza infection. In the PICFLU cohort, SP‐D was associated with moderate‐severe ARDS diagnosis (p = 0.01) and with mechanical ventilator (r = 0.45, p = 0.002), ICU (r = 0.44, p = 0.002), and hospital days (r = 0.37, p = 0.001) in influenza‐infected children without bacterial coinfection. Levels of SP‐D were lower in children with secondary bacterial pneumonia (p = 0.01) and not associated with outcomes. CC16 and SP‐A levels did not differ with bacterial coinfection and were not consistently associated with severe outcomes.

Conclusions

SP‐D has potential as an early circulating biomarker reflecting a degree of lung damage caused directly by influenza virus infection in children. Secondary bacterial pneumonia alters SP‐D biomarker performance.
Health inequalities between Palestinians and Jews in Israel: The role of extreme spatial segregation
Authors: Saabneh Ameed
Published: November 2021

This paper examines the significance of how spatial inequality explains the health inequalities between Palestinians and Jews in Israel. Israeli policies have created extreme spatial segregation between Palestinians and Jews that is a defining feature of Jewish–Palestinian relations. Furthermore, spatial segregation of Palestinians constitutes a structural condition that limits chances of individual social mobility and socio‐economic achievements. This paper seeks to encourage consideration of how spatial inequalities contribute to health inequalities by examining gaps in life expectancy between Palestinians and Jews in Israel. The findings show that the highest level of life expectancy in Israel is among Jews living in dominantly Jewish regions, where only small numbers of Palestinians reside. In the space shared by Jews and Palestinians, where most of the Palestinians reside, Jews have higher life expectancy than Palestinians, yet lower than Jews in the dominantly Jewish regions. The lowest life expectancy is observed among Palestinians living in the shared space. The paper concludes that the lower life expectancy among Palestinians relative to Jews is a result, in part, to their confinement to segregated, peripheral places, characterised by a low level of socio‐economic development.
P4S10 Modification for Lithium Metal Anode Surface
Authors: Wei Cheng-Dong , Xue Hong-Tao , Li Zhou , Zhao Qin-Shan , Li Wen-Xiang , Tang Fu-Ling
Published: November 2021

P4S10 molecule is a modification material that has important application value in lithium–sulfur batteries. It could modify lithium metal electrode and improve the performance of lithium–sulfur batteries. The mechanism of P4S10 modifying Li (100) surface is investigated with the first‐principles calculation based on density functional theory. The structure and electronic properties of P4S10, freestanding Li (100) surface, and modified Li (100) surface are researched. P4S10 is adsorbed strongly on Li (100) surface and then dissociated completely, which accelerates the redox of P4S10, and finally produces new substances. Density of states shows that newly formed substances could passivate Li (100) surface. It is deduced that it could act as a protective layer to protect Li (100) surface from the other parasitic reaction, polysulfide corrosion, and possibly inhibit the growth of lithium dendrites. There are large charge redistributions between P4S10 and Li (100) surface, improving the interface wettability. The reaction Gibbs free energy is proximately of −20.50 eV per molecule, due to the interaction of occupied orbitals and unoccupied orbitals. The electrons from Li‐s orbitals partially transfer to π* orbitals of P4S10. This work provides theoretical guidance to understand the modification mechanism and the formation of protective layers from P4S10 in lithium–sulfur batteries.
Effects of Twin Boundary on Tensile Properties and Deformation Mechanism of Ni–Co Alloy Nanopillars
Authors: Gao Qing , Chen Xiaotong , Yang Panfeng , Xue Hongtao , Ding Yutian , Lu Xuefeng
Published: November 2021

The influence mechanism of twin boundary in Ni–Co alloys is responsible for their deformation and technological applications. Herein, the uniaxial tensile loading of the Ni–Co single crystal nanopillars with twin boundaries is carried out by simulation. When the number of twin boundaries exceeds two layers, the effect of twinning boundary on dislocation is obvious, and the migration and reaction of twin boundaries lead to an increase in the number of dislocations accommodated inside, which is conducive to increasing the strength of the nanopillars. At low temperature, the dislocations are easy to penetrate and expand the twin grain boundary, while at high temperature, due to the aggravation of thermal motion, the resulting dislocations decrease. Meantime, the reaction between dislocations and twin boundaries leads to the disappearance of some original twin grain boundaries. As the strain rate increases, the main deformation mode of the nanopillar changes from the reaction of dislocation and twin boundary to twin boundaries migration. When the volume ratio of grain boundary void is less than 2.3%, the plastic deformation fluctuation is relatively stable. Nevertheless, when the volume ratio is greater than or equal to 2.3%, the fluctuation of the plastic deformation stage decreases rapidly.
Study of Niobium Mononitride Thin Films Grown Using High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Kalal Shailesh , Kumar Yogesh , Karmakar Suman , Gupta Surbhi , Vas Joseph Vimal , Rawat Rajeev , Gupta Mukul
Published: November 2021

Herein, the effect of microstructure on the electronic, and superconducting properties of niobium mononitride (NbN) thin films grown using a high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) and direct current magnetron sputtering (dcMS) is studied. X‐ray reflectivity, cross‐sectional scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy measurements suggest that the film grown with dcMS has a non‐uniform distribution of islands with loosely packed columns while the HiPIMS grown film has a smoother surface and a denser microstructure. Although the X‐ray diffraction measurements show a single‐phase rock‐salt‐type crystal structure in both cases, the local and electronic structure analyzed using N K‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge structure measurements reveals the evidence of a large amount of Nb vacancies in dcMS‐NbN while HiPIMS‐NbN film is closer to stoichiometry. The ordered structure of HiPIMS‐NbN sample results in a relatively higher superconducting transition temperature of 15.2 K and lower normal state resistivity of 90 μΩ cm with a moderate critical field of 18 T and smaller coherence length of 4.2 nm. These results suggest HiPIMS can be utilized to grow high‐quality superconducting thin films of few nanometers required in modern technological devices such as single‐photon detectors, superconducting quantum interference devices.
Finite‐time rotation‐matrix‐based tracking control for autonomous underwater vehicle with input saturation and actuator faults
Authors: Zhu Cheng , Huang Bing , Su Yumin , Zheng Yuxin , Zheng Shuai
Published: November 2021

This article tackles the finite‐time global trajectory tracking control problem of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in presence of input saturation constraints, actuator faults, unknown dynamics, and external disturbances. First, we describe the orientation of the AUV by rotation matrix instead of classical Euler angle or unit quaternion such that the AUV's dynamics could be globally formulated without singularity and unwinding phenomenon. After that, a smooth dead zone‐based model is introduced here to linearize the actuator model, leaving that the adaptive laws could be suitable for the solution of input saturation and actuator faults. Considering that the difficulty of model dynamic acquirement, together with the complicity of rotation‐matrix‐based representation, would trouble deployment of the controller. The minimum learning parameter technology is thereby utilized to approximated the dynamic nonlinearity of the AUV. On the basis of these, a rotation‐matrix‐based sliding mode control scheme is technically proposed. It is proved that the tracking errors can be stabilized to a small neighborhood of origin within a settling time. Finally, several set numerical experiments are conducted to assess the effectiveness and show the advantages of the proposed control scheme.
Development and test of a Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES3) for the LUVMI‐X rover platform
Authors: Just Gunter H. , Roy Matthew J. , Joy Katherine H. , Hutchings Gregory C. , Smith Katharine L.
Published: November 2021

Future sustained human presence on the Moon will require us to make use of lunar resources. This in‐situ resource utilisation (ISRU) process will require suitable feedstock (i.e., lunar regolith) that has been both acquired and prepared (or beneficiated) to set standards. Acquisition of pre‐processed regolith, is an often overlooked engineering challenge in the demanding and low‐gravity environment of the lunar surface. Currently, regolith excavation and size separation are often developed independently of each other. Here, we present the Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES3), which is an engineered one‐system solution to combine the acquisition of lunar regolith as well as separate it into two distinct size fractions, and therefore, can assist to define the quality of the feedstock material for ISRU processes. Intended for use with a lightweight (40–60 kg) lunar rover (LUnar Volatiles Mobile Instrumentation‐X; LUVMI‐X) currently under development, the mechanism utilises vibrations to reduce excavation forces and facilitate size separation. Low excavation forces are crucial for lunar excavators to be deployable on lightweight robotic platforms as limited traction forces are available. The rationale behind the mechanism is explained, its capabilities in the support of science and ISRU are showcased, and results from several laboratory test campaigns, including tests of gravitational dry sieving of different regolith simulants, are presented. The LES3 can excavate up to 100 g in a single charge while maintaining excavation forces of less than 8 N and having a mass of less than 2 kg. Finally, areas of improvement for a second iteration of the design are presented and explained. The LES3 proof of concept shows that combining of regolith excavation and size‐separation in a single mechanism is feasible.
Reduced‐complexity model of stream temperature
Authors: Miller Robert L. , Young Tyler J.
Published: November 2021

In this article, a process‐based model of time‐varying stream temperatures is developed. The integrated compartment‐based model balances a need to account for the major physical components of the heat balance at specific sites while maintaining computational efficiency. The ability of the model to simulate instantaneous temperatures is demonstrated at six study locations in the sub‐tropical, low‐gradient region of Southern Louisiana, USA. The model yielded Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) scores of 0.9 and above and an average root mean squared error (RMSE) of 1.07°C for hourly water temperature over a six‐month period. The parameter sensitivity analysis demonstrates the variable significance of vaporization and bed sediment conduction across the different study locations. The results show that the sediment heat exchange may have a significant seasonal effect on the energy budgets of streams where flows are a large component of the heat balance in temperate climates. The model is well‐suited to serve as a simple physically based thermal impact assessment tool for streams and potentially many other types of waterbodies as well. The model also complements the widely used meteorological‐ and statistical‐based methodologies applied in the development of tributary and headwater temperature boundary conditions for large‐scale river temperature studies.
Efficient importance sampling imputation algorithms for quantile and composite quantile regression
Authors: Cheng Hao
Published: November 2021

Nowadays, missing data in regression model is one of the most well‐known topics. In this paper, we propose a class of efficient importance sampling imputation algorithms (EIS) for quantile and composite quantile regression with missing covariates. They are an EIS in quantile regression (EISQ) and its three extensions in composite quantile regression (EISCQ). Our EISQ uses an interior point (IP) approach, while EISCQ algorithms use IP and other two well‐known approaches: Majorize‐minimization (MM) and coordinate descent (CD). The aims of our proposed EIS algorithms are to decrease estimated variances and relieve computational burden at the same time, which improves the performances of coefficients estimators in both estimated and computational efficiencies. To compare our EIS algorithms with other existing competitors including complete cases analysis and multiple imputation, the paper carries out a series of simulation studies with different sample sizes and different levels of missing rates under different missing mechanism models. Finally, we apply all the algorithms to part of the examination data in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Hierarchical Structure of CuO Nanowires Decorated with Ni(OH)2 Supported on Cu Foam for Hydrogen Production via Urea Electrocatalysis
Authors: Sun Hainan , Liu Jiapeng , Chen Gao , Kim Hyunseung , Kim Sangwoo , Hu Zhiwei , Chen Jin‐Ming , Haw Shu‐Chih , Ciucci Francesco , Jung WooChul
Published: November 2021

Owing to the low theoretical potential of the urea oxidation reaction (UOR), urea electrolysis is an energy‐saving technique for the generation of hydrogen. Herein, a hierarchical structure of CuO nanowires decorated with nickel hydroxide supported on 3D Cu foam is constructed. Combined theoretical and experimental analyses demonstrate the high reactivity and selectivity of CuO and Ni(OH)2 toward the UOR instead of the oxygen evolution reaction. The hierarchical structure creates a synergistic effect between the two highly active sites, enabling an exceptional UOR activity with a record low potential of 1.334 V (vs the reversible hydrogen electrode) to reach 100 mA cm−2 and a low Tafel slope of 14 mV dec−1 in 1 m KOH and 0.5 m urea electrolyte. Assembling full urea electrolysis driven by this developed UOR electrocatalyst as the anode and a commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst as the cathode provides a current density of 20 mA cm−2 at a cell voltage of ≈1.36 V with promising operational stability for at least 150 h. This work not only enriches the UOR material family but also significantly advances energy‐saving hydrogen production.
Modeling of the Kinetics of Strain‐Induced Martensite Transformation and the Transformation‐Induced Plasticity Effect in a Lean‐Alloyed Metastable Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Mukarati Tulani W. , Mostert Roelf J. , Siyasiya Charles W.
Published: November 2021

This article investigates the influence of temperature and strain on second‐phase transformation strengthening and the resulting mechanical properties in a lean AISI 301LN austenitic stainless steel within a temperature range of −60 to 180 °C. The volume fraction of martensite evolved is determined using nondestructive magnetic Ferritescope measurements that are adjusted by using a calibration factor of 1.7, which is established using the saturation magnetization measurements, X‐ray, and neutron diffraction measurements. The kinetics of strain‐induced martensite transformation (SIMT) as a function of strain and temperature is accurately described by a set of modified constitutive Boltzmann sigmoidal equations at temperatures below 75 °C. For this steel, the Md (30/50) temperature is determined as 61 °C. The absolute Md temperature is established as ≈109 °C, and no athermal transformation to martensite is observed upon cooling to −270 °C using cryogenic neutron diffraction facilities. Extended JMAK analysis of the transformation is used to shed light on the mechanism of martensitic transformation. It is found that the transformation‐induced plasticity (TRIP) effect due to SIMT is at a maximum at 75 °C, which is the maximum elongation temperature (MET) and calculations are performed regarding alloy development which will reduce the MET to room temperature.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Dual‐Phase Steels by Combining Adjusted Initial Microstructures and Severe Plastic Deformation
Authors: Satjabut Palita , Kalhor Alireza , Uthaisangsuk Vitoon , Mirzadeh Hamed
Published: November 2021

Herein, the effects of initial microstructure in combination with the severe plastic deformation on the developed microstructures and mechanical properties of dual‐phase (DP) steels are investigated. DP steels are produced by an intercritical annealing from the preliminarily heat‐treated samples with different initial microstructures. The constrained groove pressing (CGP) process is additionally applied before the final intercritical annealing step. It is found that the martensitic and tempered martensitic microstructures lead to DP steels with a good balance of strength and elongation because of finer and more uniformly dispersed martensitic islands. The ferrite/pearlite banded initial microstructure is not a proper choice for intercritical annealing as all mechanical properties become worse. The CGP can be employed before intercritical annealing for refining microstructure and enhancing damage tolerance of DP steels. Nevertheless, the impacts of the CGP process on the resulted strength of DP steels are obviously different depending on the initial microstructures. The amounts, sizes, and distributions of dimples and cleavage facets on the fracture surfaces of DP steels correlate well with the corresponding microstructures and tensile characteristics.
Medicaid expansion and adolescents' readiness for transition to adult health insurance
Authors: Vasquez‐Rios Virginia , Buckman Cierra , Cortright Lindsay , Tumin Dmitry , Leonard Sarah , Holder David
Published: November 2021

In participating states, Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased availability of health insurance to low‐income young adults. We examined the impact of Medicaid expansion on low‐income families' knowledge of how adolescents ages 12‐17 would obtain insurance coverage upon transitioning to adulthood, compared to families in states that did not expand Medicaid. Based on 2016‐2019 data from the National Survey of Children's Health, caregivers in Medicaid‐expansion states were more likely to report knowing how their adolescents would have continued coverage, compared to caregivers in states that opted out of Medicaid expansion (odds ratio [OR]: 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06, 1.70; p = 0.016). The association was strongest for adolescents currently covered by public insurance (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.05; p = 0.011), indicating that expansion of public insurance eligibility among adults can help with planning the transition to adult health care for publicly‐insured adolescents.
Antisense oligonucleotide: A promising therapeutic option to beat COVID‐19
Authors: Quemener Anaïs M. , Galibert Marie‐Dominique
Published: November 2021

The COVID‐19 crisis and the development of the first approved mRNA vaccine have highlighted the power of RNA‐based therapeutic strategies for the development of new medicines. Aside from RNA‐vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) represent a new and very promising class of RNA‐targeted therapy. Few drugs have already received approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Here, we underscored why and how ASOs hold the potential to change the therapeutic landscape to beat SARS‐CoV‐2 viral infections.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Small Molecule‐RNA Interactions
A pseudo-spectral Strang splitting method for linear dispersive problems with transparent boundary conditions
Authors: Einkemmer L. , Ostermann A. , Residori M.
Published: November 2021

The present work proposes a second-order time splitting scheme for a linear dispersive equation with a variable advection coefficient subject to transparent boundary conditions. For its spatial discretization, a dual Petrov–Galerkin method is considered which gives spectral accuracy. The main difficulty in constructing a second-order splitting scheme in such a situation lies in the compatibility condition at the boundaries of the sub-problems. In particular, the presence of an inflow boundary condition in the advection part results in order reduction. To overcome this issue a modified Strang splitting scheme is introduced that retains second-order accuracy. For this numerical scheme a stability analysis is conducted. In addition, numerical results are shown to support the theoretical derivations.
Incidental findings on 3 T neuroimaging: cross-sectional observations from the population-based Rhineland Study
Authors: Lohner Valerie , Lu Ran , Enkirch Simon J. , Stöcker Tony , Hattingen Elke , Breteler Monique M. B.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Development of best practices for dealing with incidental findings on neuroimaging requires insight in their frequency and clinical relevance.

Methods

Here, we delineate prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals and clinical management of incidental findings, based on the first 3589 participants of the population-based Rhineland Study (age range 30–95 years) who underwent 3 Tesla structural neuroimaging (3D, 0.8 mm3 isotropic resolution). Two trained raters independently assessed all scans for abnormalities, with confirmation and adjudication where needed by neuroradiologists. Participants were referred for diagnostic work-up depending on the potential benefit.

Results

Of 3589 participants (mean age 55 ± 14 years, 2072 women), 867 had at least one possible incidental finding (24.2%). Most common were pituitary abnormalities (12.3%), arachnoid cysts (4.1%), developmental venous anomalies (2.5%), non-acute infarcts (1.8%), cavernomas (1.0%), and meningiomas (0.7%). Forty-six participants were informed about their findings, which was hitherto unknown in 40 of them (1.1%). Of these, in 19 participants (48%), a wait-and-see policy was applied and nine (23%) received treatment, while lesions in the remainder were benign, could not be confirmed, or the participant refused to inform us about their clinical diagnosis.

Conclusion

Nearly one-quarter of participants had an incidental finding, but only 5% of those required referral, that mostly remained without direct clinical consequences.
Extreme bill dimorphism leads to different but overlapping isotopic niches and similar trophic positions in sexes of the charismatic extinct huia
Authors: Tomotani Barbara M. , Salvador Rodrigo B. , Sabadel Amandine J. M. , Miskelly Colin M. , Brown Julie C. S. , Delgado Josette , Boussès Patrick , Cherel Yves , Waugh Susan M. , Bury Sarah J.
Published: November 2021

The New Zealand huia (Heteralocha acutirostris) had the most extreme bill sexual dimorphism among modern birds. Given the quick extinction of the species, the cause of the dimorphism could only be hypothesised to reflect different trophic niches and reduce male/female competition. We tested that hypothesis by combining museum specimens, geometric morphometrics, and isotopic analyses. We used geometric morphometrics to describe bill shape; measured bulk (δ15Nbulk) and (δ13Cbulk) values from feather as proxies of the birds’ foraging habitat and diet; and compared compound-specific stable isotopes analyses (CSIA) of nitrogen in amino acids (δ15NAA) in male–female pairs to estimate their trophic position. Sexes had significantly different, but overlapping feather δ15Nbulk and δ13Cbulk values, but δ15NAA indicated identical trophic positions and δ15Nbulk was not related to bill shape. Trophic position was less variable among females, consistent with a specialised foraging behaviour and, thus, supporting a partial male/female foraging segregation.
Predicting Academic Staffs Behaviour Intention and Actual Use of Blended Learning in Higher Education: Model Development and Validation
Authors: Anthony Bokolo , Kamaludin Adzhar , Romli Awanis
Published: November 2021

Blended Learning (BL) has been implemented by lecturers in higher educations for promoting effective pedagogical practices. However, intention to use and actual usage of BL by lecturers in higher education seems to be a major setback for successful BL implementation. Therefore, this study developed a model to examine the factors that influences lecturers’ behavioral intention and actual use of BL based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and Technological, Pedagogical and Content Knowledge model. Accordingly, survey questionnaire was employed to collect data from 544 academic staffs across universities, colleges, and polytechnics. Results indicate that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence significantly impact lecturers’ behavioral intention to use BL for teaching. Additionally, results confirm that facilitating condition positively influence actual BL usage. Likewise, technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge initiatives employed by lecturers in teaching positively influences actual BL usage. Results from multi-group analysis indicate that gender, age, experience, and voluntariness of use do not predict the behaviour of lecturers to use BL. Also, this study provides insights as to how higher education can enhance lecturers’ usage of BL to improve teaching effectiveness. This study provides a better understanding of lecturers’ views of knowledge in relation to course content, pedagogy, and technology use in improving teaching. The developed model can significantly be used by academic staffs to monitor and improve their current BL activities in measuring their knowledge about teaching regarding teaching improvement. Practically, lecturers can adopt the developed model to improve teaching pedagogies and course content.
On Bregman-Type Distances and Their Associated Projection Mappings
Authors: Martínez-Legaz Juan Enrique , Tamadoni Jahromi Maryam , Naraghirad Eskandar
Published: November 2021

We investigate convergence properties of Bregman distances induced by convex representations of maximally monotone operators. We also introduce and study the projection mappings associated with such distances.
Management diversification increases habitat availability for multiple biodiversity indicator species in production forests
Authors: Duflot R. , Eyvindson K. , Mönkkönen M.
Published: November 2021

Context

Forest biodiversity is closely linked to habitat heterogeneity, while forestry actions often cause habitat homogenization. Alternative approaches to even-aged management were developed to restore habitat heterogeneity at the stand level, but how their application could promote habitat diversity at landscape scale remains uncertain.

Objectives

We tested the potential benefit of diversifying management regimes to increase landscape-level heterogeneity. We hypothesize that different styles of forest management would create a diverse mosaic of forest habitats that would in turn benefit species with various habitat requirements.

Methods

Forest stands were simulated under business-as-usual management, set-aside (no management) and 12 alternative management regimes. We created virtual landscapes following diversification scenarios to (i) compare the individual performance of management regimes (no diversification), and (ii) test for the management diversification hypothesis at different levels of set-aside. For each virtual landscape, we evaluated habitat availability of six biodiversity indicator species, multispecies habitat availability, and economic values of production.

Results

Each indicator species responded differently to management regimes, with no single regime being optimal for all species at the same time. Management diversification led to a 30% gain in multispecies habitat availability, relative to business-as-usual management. By selecting a subset of five alternative management regimes with high potential for biodiversity, gains can reach 50%.

Conclusions

Various alternative management regimes offer diverse habitats for different biodiversity indicator species. Management diversification can yield large gains in multispecies habitat availability with no or low economic cost, providing a potential cost-effective biodiversity tool if the management regimes are thoughtfully selected.
Serum-derived miR-574-5p-containing exosomes contribute to liver fibrosis by activating hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Zhou Xia , Liang Ziyu , Qin Shanyu , Ruan Xianxian , Jiang Haixing
Published: November 2021

Aim

To investigate the association of serum exosomes miR-574-5p with liver fibrosis, and explore the effect and mechanism of serum exosomes on HSC activation.

Materials and methods

Using serum samples collected from healthy adults and patients with liver cirrhosis, we extracted human serum exosomes via ultra-high-speed centrifugation, and co-cultured them with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) line LX2. LX-2-mediated intake of human serum exosomes was examined by confocal microscopy. To induce liver fibrosis, we administered 20% CCl4 to mice intraperitoneally and adopted an exoEasy MIDI kit to extract serum exosomes.Liver fibrosis-related molecules were determined via qRT-PCR, Western blot, Masson staining, and Immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Significantly high miR-574-5p levels were expressed in serum exosomes and were positively correlated with the expression of miR-574-5p, collagen deposition, and α-SMA expression in liver tissues of mice during liver fibrosis. Compared to healthy subjects, serum exosomes from cirrhosis patients were associated with higher expression of miR-574-5p. MiR-574-5p mimic promoted the expression of α-SMA and COL1A1 mRNA and protein in LX-2, whereas miR-574-5p inhibitor exerted no effect.

Conclusion

This article demonstrates that miR-574-5p expression in serum exosomes is positively correlated with collagen deposition and HSC activation in liver tissues during liver fibrosis.Serum exosomes potentially activate HSC through the transfer of miR-574-5p to HSC during liver fibrosis.
FL-MISR: fast large-scale multi-image super-resolution for computed tomography based on multi-GPU acceleration
Authors: Sun Kaicong , Tran Trung-Hieu , Guhathakurta Jajnabalkya , Simon Sven
Published: November 2021

Multi-image super-resolution (MISR) usually outperforms single-image super-resolution (SISR) under a proper inter-image alignment by explicitly exploiting the inter-image correlation. However, the large computational demand encumbers the deployment of MISR in practice. In this work, we propose a distributed optimization framework based on data parallelism for fast large-scale MISR using multi-GPU acceleration named FL-MISR. The scaled conjugate gradient (SCG) algorithm is applied to the distributed subfunctions and the local SCG variables are communicated to synchronize the convergence rate over multi-GPU systems towards a consistent convergence. Furthermore, an inner-outer border exchange scheme is performed to obviate the border effect between neighboring GPUs. The proposed FL-MISR is applied to the computed tomography (CT) system by super-resolving the projections acquired by subpixel detector shift. The SR reconstruction is performed on the fly during the CT acquisition such that no additional computation time is introduced. FL-MISR is extensively evaluated from different aspects and experimental results demonstrate that FL-MISR effectively improves the spatial resolution of CT systems in modulation transfer function (MTF) and visual perception. Comparing to a multi-core CPU implementation, FL-MISR achieves a more than 50$$\times$$×speedup on an off-the-shelf 4-GPU system.
Can myocardial susceptibility quantification be an imaging biomarker for cardiac amyloidosis?
Authors: Hayashi Hidetaka , Oda Seitaro , Kidoh Masafumi , Nakaura Takeshi , Morita Kosuke , Nagayama Yasunori , Yoneda Tetsuya , Takashio Seiji , Misumi Yohei , Ueda Mitsuharu , Tsujita Kenichi , Hirai Toshinori
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate whether quantification of myocardial susceptibility by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can be an imaging biomarker for cardiac amyloidosis (CA).

Materials and methods

Twenty-six patients with CA underwent CMR, including magnetic phase imaging with a 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Myocardial susceptibility was quantified as a phase shift slope value by magnetic phase analysis. Those values from patients with CA were compared with corresponding values from 18 controls and 15 healthy volunteers. A univariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify significant parameters related to CA.

Results

The phase shift slope, a quantitative parameter of myocardial susceptibility, was significantly lower in the CA group compared with the control group and compared with healthy volunteers (p < 0.01). From a total of 17 tested variables, 6 were considered to be significant predictors of CA (p ≤ 0.05) during the univariate analysis. The phase shift slope yielded the best AUC of 0.89 (95% CI = 0.79–0.98) for the prediction of CA (p < 0.01). The phase shift slope was significantly correlated with the end-diastolic thickness of the interventricular septum (r =  − 0.39, p < 0.01) and posterior wall of the left ventricle (r =  − 0.35, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Myocardial susceptibility analysis by CMR helps in the diagnosis of patients with CA and can be a new quantitative imaging biomarker for CA.
Experimental investigation into the implications of transmission errors for rack-and-pinion drives
Authors: Steinle Lukas , Lechler Armin , Neubauer Michael , Verl Alexander
Published: November 2021

Rack-and-pinion drives are the preferred option in the machine tool sector when long ranges of motion and high loads are involved. However, their shortcomings particularly include deficiencies in the achievable positioning and path accuracy. The backlash as one of the main issues is well described in the literature and numerous solutions to reduce its negative effects exist. In contrast, there is a lack of literature regarding the scientific and systematic analysis of the transmission errors in rack-and-pinion drives. In this paper, the displacements originating in the drive train of a system with industrial components are measured under different operating conditions. The observed transmission errors are thoroughly analyzed in no-load operation and their sources are discussed. Subsequent investigations show significant load-dependent alterations of the transmission errors and direction-dependent characteristics, the causes of which are explained. It is shown, that transmission errors negatively affect the path accuracy of position controlled drives, which is amplified by excitation of the machine structure in certain operating conditions. To address this issue, different error compensation concepts are presented.
Impact of Chronic HIV Infection on SARS-CoV-2 Infection, COVID-19 Disease and Vaccines
Authors: Yang Yexin , Iwasaki Akiko
Published: November 2021

Purpose of Review

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has developed into a global pandemic that affect the health of hundreds of millions worldwide. In particular, SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with chronic human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection is of concern, due to their already immunocompromised status. Yet, whether and how the immunological changes brought about by HIV will affect the immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 acute infection and impact the effectiveness of vaccines remain unclear. We discuss the intersection of COVID-19 in HIV-infected individuals.

Recent Findings

People living with HIV (PLWH) may be at increased risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 mediated disease complication due to functional impairment of the immune system and persistent inflammation, which can be ameliorated by antiretroviral therapy. Importantly, limited data suggest that current approved vaccines may be safe and efficacious in PLWH.

To address remaining questions and supplement limited experimental evidence, more studies examining the interplay between HIV and SARS-CoV-2 through their impact on the host immune system are required.
Abundance of Nef and p-Tau217 in Brains of Individuals Diagnosed with HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders Correlate with Disease Severance
Authors: Pushkarsky Tatiana , Ward Adam , Ivanov Andrey , Lin Xionghao , Sviridov Dmitri , Nekhai Sergei , Bukrinsky Michael I.
Published: November 2021

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) is a term used to describe a variety of neurological impairments observed in HIV-infected individuals. The pathogenic mechanisms of HAND and of its connection to HIV infection remain unknown, but one of the considered hypotheses suggests that HIV infection accelerates the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Previous studies suggested that HIV-1 Nef may contribute to HAND by inhibiting cholesterol efflux, increasing the abundance of lipid rafts, and affecting their functionality. Our comparative analysis of postmortem brain samples demonstrated a trend toward the decreased abundance of cholesterol transporter ABCA1 in samples from HIV-infected ART-treated individuals relative to samples from uninfected controls, and a reverse correlation between ABCA1 and flotillin 1, a marker for lipid rafts, in all analyzed samples. The brain samples from HIV-infected individuals, both with and without HAND, were characterized by the increased abundance of p-Tau217 peptide, which correlated with the abundance of flotillin 1. HIV-1 Nef was analyzed in samples from HAND-affected individuals by Western blot with 4 different antibodies and by LC–MS/MS, producing a Nef-positivity score. A significant correlation was found between this score and the abundance of flotillin 1, the abundance of p-Tau217, and the severity of HAND. These results highlight the contribution of Nef and Nef-dependent impairment of cholesterol efflux to HAND pathogenesis and support a connection between the pathogenesis of HAND and Alzheimer’s disease.
Sicily, the Classical Tradition and Interpretative Possibilities in John Barclay’s Argenis
Authors: Parkes Ruth
Published: November 2021

This article explores reasons for the choice of Sicily as the main backdrop for John Barclay’s 1621 Neo-Latin novel Argenis. It suggests that the selection of Sicily is driven in part by the interpretative possibilities raised by this location, in particular, those fuelled by controversies regarding the rational and mythic which were attached to the island. It focusses on the rationalizing and mythic approaches associated with Sicily in the classical and post-classical tradition in the areas of volcanic activity and the discovery of gigantic bones. By means of a close reading of the episode in which King Meleander entertains Radirobanes in camp, followed by a wider discussion of the flaws of Meleander and Radirobanes and the theme of interpretation in the novel, it explores how Barclay exploits such approaches to showcase the failures of these leaders. It also dismisses the idea that the Argenis has a controlling divine framework which would run counter to the novel’s interest in the potentiality of interpretation.
The status quo of digital transformation in insurance sales: an empirical analysis of the german insurance industry
Authors: Eckert Christian , Eckert Johanna , Zitzmann Armin
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we focus on the impact of digital transformation on traditional ways to sell insurance products. Our goal is to investigate how widespread the use of digital technologies in insurance sales is and which values of these digital technologies are perceived by insurance intermediaries. Moreover, we aim to analyze underlying influencing factors in this regard. We conducted a survey in July 2020, i.e., after the first wave of COVID-19, in which 671 exclusive agents from various insurance companies, independent agents and independent brokers from Germany participated. Our results show that even at this point of time, in a high proportion of sales workforces, digital transformation is not yet very advanced. Further analyses show that exclusive agents and younger people are further ahead in digital transformation even though COVID-19 pushes digital life across all ages and social classes. Based on our results, we derive initial recommendations for action for the insurer.
Hydrochemical peculiarities and groundwater quality assessment of the Birimian and Tarkwaian aquifer systems in Bosome Freho District and Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region, Ghana
Authors: Okofo Louis Boansi , Anderson Nana Akyerefi , Bedu-Addo Kenneth , Armoo Ekua Afrakoma
Published: November 2021

The Birimian and Tarkwaian aquifer systems are the main sources of water supply for the Bosome Freho District and Bekwai Municipality inhabitants in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A hydrogeochemical assessment was carried out to ascertain the natural baseline chemistry of the groundwaters and the factors influencing groundwater chemistry in these two areas. A multivariate statistical tool consisting of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) together with hydrochemical graphical plots was applied on 64 groundwater samples. The Q–mode HCA results were used to explain the changes in groundwater chemistry along the flow paths where three spatial groundwater zones and water types were delineated. The first type consists of Ca–Mg–HCO3 freshwater (recharge zone), which transitions into Ca–Na–HCO3 or Na–Ca–HCO3 mixed waters (intermediate zone) and finally evolves to the third type of Na–Ca–Mg–HCO3–Cl water (discharge zone). The study also reveals that the natural process influencing water chemistry is groundwater–rock interaction from carbonate and silicate weathering/dissolution, aided by carbonic acid from precipitation and releases concentration of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3− into the groundwaters significantly. The chloro-alkaline indices also reveal cation exchange as the principal natural factor that controls groundwater chemistry in the area. Inverse geochemical modelling shows the dissolution of primary minerals such as dolomite, plagioclase, halite, gypsum, and precipitation of calcite and chlorite along the groundwater flow path. Anthropogenic activities have little influence on groundwater chemistry. The quality of groundwater in the Bosome Freho District and Bekwai Municipality is suitable for irrigational use and drinking water consumption. The results obtained so far will contribute to research paucity in the study area and serve as a guide for decision-makers for improved water resources management.
Deep analysis of neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitries using online databases and integrated bioinformatics shows their pan-cancer roles as prognostic predictors
Authors: Jahangiri Leila , Pucci Perla , Ishola Tala , Pereira Joao , Cavanagh Megan L. , Turner Suzanne D.
Published: November 2021

Aim

Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous childhood cancer derived from the neural crest. The dual cell identities of neuroblastoma include Mesenchymal (MES) and Adrenergic (ADRN). These identities are conferred by a small set of tightly-regulated transcription factors (TFs) binding super enhancers, collectively forming core regulatory circuitries (CRCs). The purpose of this study was to gain a deep understanding of the role of MES and ADRN TFs in neuroblastoma and other cancers as potential indicators of disease prognosis, progression, and relapse.

Methods

To that end, we first investigated the expression and mutational profile of MES and ADRN TFs in neuroblastoma. Moreover, we established their correlation with neuroblastoma risk groups and overall survival while establishing their extended networks with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Furthermore, we analysed the pan-cancer expression and mutational profile of these TFs and their correlation with patient survival and finally their network connectivity, using a panel of bioinformatic tools including GEPIA2, human pathology atlas, TIMER2, Omicsnet, and Cytoscape.

Results

We show the association of multiple MES and ADRN TFs with neuroblastoma risk groups and overall survival and find significantly higher expression of various MES and ADRN TFs compared to normal tissues and their association with overall survival and disease-free survival in multiple cancers. Moreover, we report the strong correlation of the expression of these TFs with the infiltration of stromal and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment and with stemness and metastasis-related genes. Furthermore, we reveal extended pan-cancer networks comprising these TFs that influence the tumour microenvironment and metastasis and may be useful indicators of cancer prognosis and patient survival.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis shows the significance of MES and ADRN TFs as indicators of patient prognosis and the putative utility of these TFs as potential novel biomarkers.
The 2020 Chinese export control law: a new compliance nightmare on the foreign trade law horizon?
Authors: Köstner Dominic , Nonn Marcus
Published: November 2021

On 1 December 2020, the Export Control Law of the People’s Republic of China entered into force. The PRC’s first comprehensive piece of legislation on export control had been passed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on 17 October 2020 after a three-year legislative process. Regarded as one of the PRC’s key responses in the engulfing China-United States trade dispute, the law has attracted wide public attention. It has been described as “a new flashpoint in EU-China relations” posing “substantial challenges for European companies”. The compliance costs of European companies who have a direct or indirect trade relationship with China will likely increase as a consequence of the ECL and so does the legal uncertainty involved in doing business in and with China. The essay will examine the ECL’s background (1) as well as its legislative approach and key provisions (2). It will then attempt to gauge the ECL’s immediate impacts and project its potential future developments (3).