bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of a multi-objective multi traveling salesperson problem with time windows
Authors: Bonz Justus
Published: January 2021

The pilgrimage to Mecca, which is called Hajj, is the largest annual pedestrian crowd management problem in the world. During the Hajj, the pilgrims are accommodated in camps. For safety reasons, exact times and directions are given to the pilgrims who are moving between holy sites. Despite the importance of complying with those schedules, violations can often be conjectured. Directing a small workforce between the camps to monitor the pilgrims’ compliance with the schedule is an important matter, which will be dealt with in this paper. A type of multi-objective multiple traveling salesperson optimization problem with time windows is introduced to generate the tours for the employees monitoring the flow of pilgrims at the campsite. Four objectives are being pursued: As many pilgrims as possible (1), should be visited with a preferably small workforce (2), the tours of the employees should be short (3) and employees should have short waiting times between visits (4). A goal programming, an enumeration, Augmecon2 and an interactive approach are developed. The topic of supported and non-supported efficient solutions is addressed by determining all efficient solutions with the enumeration approach. The suitability of the approaches is analyzed in a computational study, while using an actual data set of the Hajj season in 2015. For this application, the interactive approach has been identified as the most suitable approach to support the generation of an offer for the project.
Application of telemedicine and eHealth technology for clinical services in response to COVID‑19 pandemic
Authors: Bokolo Anthony Jnr.
Published: January 2021

Telemedicine and eHealth refer to the use of information and communication technology (ICT) embedded in software programs with highspeed telecommunications systems for delivery, management, and monitoring of healthcare services. Application of telemedicine have become timely while providing great potentials to protect both medical practitioners and patients, as well as limit social mobility of patients contributing to reduce the spread of the virus. This study employs data from the existing literature to describe the application of telemedicine and eHealth as a proactive measure to improve clinical care. Findings from this study present the significance of telemedicine and current applications adopted during the pandemic. More importantly, the findings present practical application of telemedicine and eHealth for clinical services. Also, polices initiated across the world to promote management of COVID-19 are discussed. Respectively, this study suggests that telemedicine and eHealth can be adopted in times of health emergency, as a convenient, safe, scalable, effective, and green method of providing clinical care.
Removal efficiency of phenol by ozonation process with calcium peroxide from aqueous solutions
Authors: Honarmandrad Zhila , Javid Neda , Malakootian Mohammad
Published: January 2021

Phenol has been introduced as a priority pollutant by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are one of the most efficient methods for removal of non-degradable organic pollutants in aqueous solutions. The removal efficiencies of phenol and COD under optimal conditions pH = 3, phenol concentration = 5 mg/L, CaO2 concentration = 0.025 mg/L, temperature 25 °C, 1 g/min ozonation rate and contact time = 90 min in synthetic and real samples (Zarand coal washing factory in Kerman) were obtained 97.8%, 87% and 80%, 65.4%, respectively. The kinetics of phenol decomposition follows from the pseudo-first-order equation. Thermodynamic studies show that phenol decomposition with ozonation and calcium peroxide is an endothermic process. The use of ozonation process with calcium peroxide is an efficient method and can be recommended as a coefficient method for the removal of phenol.
4-Mercaptopyridine Modified Fiber Optic Plasmonic Sensor for Sub-nM Mercury (II) Detection
Authors: Duan Yifan , Zhang Yang , Wang Fang , Sun Yuting , Chen Ming , Jing Zhenguo , Wang Qiao , Lu Mengdi , Peng Wei
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a high-performance mercury ion sensor with sub-nM detection limit, high selectivity, and strong practicability based on the small molecule of the 4-mercaptopyridine (4-MPY) modified tilted fiber Bragg grating surface plasmon resonance (TFBG-SPR) sensing platform. The TFBG-SPR sensor has a rich mode field distribution and a narrow bandwidth, which can detect the microscopic physical and chemical reactions on the sensor surface with high sensitivity without being disturbed by the external temperature. For the environmental compatibility and highly efficient capture of the toxic mercury ion, 4-MPY is modified on the sensor surface forming a stable (4-MPY)-Hg-(4-MPY) structure due to the specific combination between the nitrogen of the pyridine moiety and the Hg2+ via multidentate N-bonding. Moreover, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are connected to the sensor surface through the (4-MPY)-Hg-(4-MPY) structure, which could play an important role for signal amplification. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection of the sensor for mercury ions detection in the solution is as low as 1.643×10−10 M (0.1643nM), and the detection range is 1×10−9 M − 1×10−5 M. At the same time, the mercury ion spiked detection with tap water shows that the sensor has the good selectivity and reliability in actual water samples. We develop a valuable sensing technology for on-time environmental Hg2+ detection and in-vivo point of care testing in clinic applications.
COVID-19, uncertainty, and moral experiments
Authors: Klenk Michael , Van de Poel Ibo
Published: January 2021

Pandemics like COVID-19 confront us with decisions about life and death that come with great uncertainty, factual as well as moral. How should policy makers deal with such uncertainty? We suggest that rather than to deliberate until they have found the right course of action, they better do moral experiments that generate relevant experiences to enable more reliable moral evaluations and rational decisions.
Harry Potter and the Osteopathic Medical School: Creating a Harry Potter-Themed Day as a High-Yield Review for Final Exams
Authors: Bryant Victoria
Published: January 2021

Incorporating contemporary fiction into educational activities that are interactive and memorable creates a positive learning environment for students. The current article describes how our medical school created a Harry Potter-themed educational event to review didactic material before a final exam. Students were sorted into Hogwarts houses and collected house points in the 8 themed classrooms that reviewed material for the individual disciplines. The event also included a Quidditch tournament and a Yule Ball. The event received positive feedback from students, encouraging the school’s faculty to look for other opportunities to create similar educational experiences during preclinical medical education.
Control of Local Hardness Gradient of Metal Surface by Inclined Surface Treatment Using Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification
Authors: Jo Yeong-Kwan , Gil Yeong-Wook , Shim Do-Sik , Pyun Young-Sik , Park Sang-Hu
Published: January 2021

We propose an effective method to control the local hardness and morphology of a metal surface by tilting the incident angle of a horn during ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM). In this study, surface treatment using UNSM was performed on an S45C specimen and a parameter study was conducted for optimization. The process parameters were the feeding rate, static load, striking force, and processing angle (Ф). In particular, the Ф was analyzed by tilting the horn by 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, and 45° to understand its effect on surface hardness and changes in the morphology. From fundamental experiments, some important phenomena were observed, such as grain-microstructure changes along the processing and thickness directions. Furthermore, to verify the practical usefulness of this study, a flat and a hemispherical specimen of S45C material were treated using UNSM with various values of Ф. A significant change in hardness (an increase from 2–45%) and a gradual hardness gradient on the tested specimens could be easily realized by the proposed method. Therefore, we believe that the method is effective for controlling the mechanical hardness of a metal surface.
In-Process Diameter Measurement Technique for Micro-Optical Fiber with Standing Wave Illumination
Authors: Michihata Masaki , Zheng Zhao , Funaiwa Daiki , Murakami Sojiro , Kadoya Shotaro , Takahashi Satoru
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we propose an in-process measurement method of the diameter of micro-optical fiber such as a tapered optical fiber. The proposed technique is based on analyzing optically scattered light generated by standing wave illumination. The proposed method is significant in that it requires an only limited measurement range and does not require a high dynamic range sensor. These properties are suitable for in-process measurement. This experiment verified that the proposed method could measure a fiber diameter as stable as ± 0.01 μm under an air turbulence environment. As a result of comparing the measured diameter distribution with those by scanning electron microscopy, it was confirmed that the proposed method has a measurement accuracy better than several hundred nanometers.
Leaders on a Mindfulness-Based Program: Experience, Impact, and Effect on Leadership Role
Authors: Dix Deryl , Norton Katie , Griffith Gemma M.
Published: January 2021

Although there is putative evidence that mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) may contribute to leadership skills, little is known about the direct experience of leaders who attend such programs. It is therefore unknown how MBPs delivered in the corporate environment are experienced by leaders, or how MBPs may facilitate leadership development. This qualitative study explored how leaders experienced an MBP, introduced as a part of a wider leadership development program, and the impact of this intervention on their work lives and leadership role. Participants (N = 10) were leaders who worked for a global manufacturing organization and who had attended a three-day mindfulness-based program as part of a leadership development program. They were interviewed and the data was analysed using thematic analysis. Following the MBP, eight participants reported enhanced emotional awareness, and a greater understanding of the impact of work-related stress, which in turn helped their leadership role. Two did not see how mindfulness could enhance their leadership skills although the MBP was well received by most of the participants. Three superordinate themes were identified: (1) The participant journey: Mixed experiences of the MBP; (2) A clash of cultures: The challenge of integrating mindfulness into the workplace, and (3) Impact on leadership. These results may inform future research, program design, and implementation.
Woody biochar potential for abandoned mine land restoration in the U.S.: a review
Authors: Rodriguez-Franco Carlos , Page-Dumroese Deborah S.
Published: January 2021

There are thousands of abandoned mine land (AML) sites in the U.S. that need to be restored to reduce wind and water erosion, provide wildlife forage, shade streams, and improve productivity. Biochar created from woody biomass that would normally be burned in slash piles can be applied to soil to improve soil properties and is one method to restore AML soil productive capacity. Using this ‘waste’ biomass for biochar and reclamation activities will reduce wildfire risk, air pollution from burning, and particulates released from burning wood. Biochar has the potential to improve water quality, bind heavy metals, or decrease toxic chemical concentrations, while improving soil health to establish sustainable plant cover, thereby preventing soil erosion, leaching, or other unintended, negative environmental consequences. Using forest residues to create biochar also helps reduce woody biomass and improves forest health and resilience. We address concerns surrounding organic and inorganic contaminants on the biochar and how this might affect its’ efficacy and provide valuable information to increase restoration activities on AMLs using biochar alone or in combination with other organic amendments. Several examples of AML biochar restoration sites initiated to evaluate short- and long-term above- and belowground ecosystem responses are presented.
Workers and Change in China
Authors: Elfstrom Manfred
Published: January 2021

Strikes, protests, and riots by Chinese workers have been rising over the past decade. The state has addressed a number of grievances, yet has also come down increasingly hard on civil society groups pushing for reform. Why are these two seemingly clashing developments occurring simultaneously? Manfred Elfstrom uses extensive fieldwork and statistical analysis to examine both the causes and consequences of protest. The book adopts a holistic approach, encompassing national trends in worker–state relations, local policymaking processes and the dilemmas of individual officials and activists. Instead of taking sides in the old debate over whether non-democracies like China's are on the verge of collapse or have instead found ways of maintaining their power indefinitely, it explores the daily evolution of autocratic rule. While providing a uniquely comprehensive picture of change in China, this important study proposes a new model of bottom-up change within authoritarian systems more generally.
Secular Surge
Authors: Campbell David E. , Layman Geoffrey C. , Green John C.
Published: January 2021

American society is rapidly secularizing–a radical departure from its historically high level of religiosity–and politics is a big part of the reason. Just as, forty years ago, the Religious Right arose as a new political movement, today secularism is gaining traction as a distinct and politically energized identity. This book examines the political causes and political consequences of this secular surge, drawing on a wealth of original data. The authors show that secular identity is in part a reaction to the Religious Right. However, while the political impact of secularism is profound, there may not yet be a Secular Left to counterbalance the Religious Right. Secularism has introduced new tensions within the Democratic Party while adding oxygen to political polarization between Democrats and Republicans. Still there may be opportunities to reach common ground if politicians seek to forge coalitions that encompass both secular and religious Americans.
Music of the Twentieth Century
Authors: de Leeuw Ton
Published: January 2021

Ton de Leeuw was a truly groundbreaking composer. As evidenced by his pioneering study of compositional methods that melded Eastern traditional music with Western musical theory, he had a profound understanding of the complex and often divisive history of twentieth-century music. Now his renowned chronicle Music of the Twentieth Century is offered here in a newly revised English-language edition.
Music of the Twentieth Century goes beyond a historical survey with its lucid and impassioned discussion of the elements, structures, compositional principles, and terminologies of twentieth-century music. De Leeuw draws on his experience as a composer, teacher, and music scholar of non-European music traditions, including Indian, Indonesian, and Japanese music, to examine how musical innovations that developed during the twentieth century transformed musical theory, composition, and scholarly thought around the globe.
PUR Facts
Authors: Oosten Thea van
Published: January 2021

Flexible Polyurethane (PUR) foams have been used since the 1950s in textiles and furniture upholsteries, and in art and design objects that can now be found in museum collections. Composed from 'short-life' consumer materials, these objects present severe conservation problems as they age. This book presents an in-depth examination of the challenges presented by PUR foams; the case studies of preservation of two works by the artist Piero Gilardi; and a manual on preparing and applying a light stabilizing system that can protect new PUR foams from degrading and restore the flexibility of old foams.
“Exit” vs. “Voice”: Global Sourcing, Multinational Production, and the China Trade Lobby
Authors: Zeng Ka
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the influence of three different forms of global economic engagement on the lobbying behavior of US businesses with regard to trade relations with China: (a) input sourcing; (b) downstream export; and (c) vertical foreign direct investment. It will be hypothesized that firms involved in all three forms of global economic activities should have incentives to lobby over China-related trade issues in order to maintain unimpeded access to sources of supply or markets and to ensure the smooth operation of the entire supply chain. Going further, drawing on the exit-voice framework developed by Albert Hirschman (1972), it will be argued that compared to firms in those industries mainly involved in input sourcing from China, American multinational corporations that have verticalized their production should have even stronger incentives to engage in lobbying activities and “voice” their policy preferences due to their greater “sunk costs” and hence the higher cost of “exit.” Statistical analysis of the China trade-related lobbying activities of US firms between 2006 and 2016 lends substantial support to these conjectures.
Explaining Support for COVID-19 Cell Phone Contact Tracing
Authors: Rheault Ludovic , Musulan Andreea
Published: January 2021

Contact tracing applications have been deployed at a fast pace around the world to stop the spread of COVID-19 and may be key to containing future pandemics. This study aims to explain public opinion toward cell phone contact tracing using a survey experiment. We build upon a theory in evolutionary psychology—disease avoidance—to predict how media coverage of the pandemic affects public support for containment measures. We report three key findings. First, exposure to a news item that shows people ignoring social distancing rules causes an increase in support for cell phone contact tracing. Second, pre-treatment covariates such as anxiety and a belief that other people are not following the rules rank among the strongest predictors of support for COVID-19 apps. And third, while a majority of respondents approve of the reliance on cell phone contact tracing, concerns for rights and freedoms remain a salient preoccupation.
Age, growth and mortality of the striped seabream Lithognathus mormyrus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gulf of Tunis (Central Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Khaldi Asma , Chater Ines , Elleboode Romain , Mahé Kélig , Chakroun-Marzouk Nadia
Published: January 2021

Despite the high commercial value of the striped seabream Lithognathus mormyrus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gulf of Tunis, biological data on its age, growth and exploitation rate are lacking. With the aim of estimating growth parameters, 516 individuals, ranging from 6–27.5 cm total length and from 3.5–293.5 g total weight, were collected from the artisanal fishing fleet between February 2014 and July 2016. The somatic growth presented a positive allometry and was described by the equation TW = 6.54 10−3TL3.213. The monthly analysis of the marginal increment of the otoliths revealed that only one annulus was deposited per year. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters were: L∞ = 30.18 cm, k = 0.303 year−1 and t0 = −1.42 years. Total and natural instantaneous rates of mortality were respectively Z = 0.784 year−1 and M = 0.698 year−1. Exploitation rate (E = 0.1) showed that the Gulf of Tunis stock of L. mormyrus is not overexploited. The estimated length class giving highest yield (Lopt) was 17.15 ± 1.71 cm.
Prediction of suicide attempts in a prospective cohort study with a nationally representative sample of the US population
Authors: Machado Cristiane dos Santos , Ballester Pedro L. , Cao Bo , Mwangi Benson , Caldieraro Marco Antonio , Kapczinski Flávio , Passos Ives Cavalcante
Published: January 2021

Background

There is still little knowledge of objective suicide risk stratification.

Methods

This study aims to develop models using machine-learning approaches to predict suicide attempt (1) among survey participants in a nationally representative sample and (2) among participants with lifetime major depressive episodes. We used a cohort called the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) that was conducted in two waves and included a nationally representative sample of the adult population in the United States. Wave 1 involved 43 093 respondents and wave 2 involved 34 653 completed face-to-face reinterviews with wave 1 participants. Predictor variables included clinical, stressful life events, and sociodemographic variables from wave 1; outcome included suicide attempt between wave 1 and wave 2.

Results

The model built with elastic net regularization distinguished individuals who had attempted suicide from those who had not with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.89, balanced accuracy 81.86%, specificity 89.22%, and sensitivity 74.51% for the general population. For participants with lifetime major depressive episodes, AUC was 0.89, balanced accuracy 81.64%, specificity 85.86%, and sensitivity 77.42%. The most important predictor variables were a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and being of Asian descent for the model in all participants; and previous suicide attempt, borderline personality disorder, and overnight stay in hospital because of depressive symptoms for the model in participants with lifetime major depressive episodes. Random forest and artificial neural networks had similar performance.

Conclusions

Risk for suicide attempt can be estimated with high accuracy.
Differentiated nomological networks of internalizing, externalizing, and the general factor of psychopathology (‘p factor’) in emerging adolescence in the ABCD study
Authors: Brislin Sarah J. , Martz Meghan E. , Joshi Sonalee , Duval Elizabeth R. , Gard Arianna , Clark D. Angus , Hyde Luke W. , Hicks Brian M. , Taxali Aman , Angstadt Mike , Rutherford Saige , Heitzeg Mary M. , Sripada Chandra
Published: January 2021

Background

Structural models of psychopathology consistently identify internalizing (INT) and externalizing (EXT) specific factors as well as a superordinate factor that captures their shared variance, the p factor. Questions remain, however, about the meaning of these data-driven dimensions and the interpretability and distinguishability of the larger nomological networks in which they are embedded.

Methods

The sample consisted of 10 645 youth aged 9–10 years participating in the multisite Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. p, INT, and EXT were modeled using the parent-rated Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Patterns of associations were examined with variables drawn from diverse domains including demographics, psychopathology, temperament, family history of substance use and psychopathology, school and family environment, and cognitive ability, using instruments based on youth-, parent-, and teacher-report, and behavioral task performance.

Results

p exhibited a broad pattern of statistically significant associations with risk variables across all domains assessed, including temperament, neurocognition, and social adversity. The specific factors exhibited more domain-specific patterns of associations, with INT exhibiting greater fear/distress and EXT exhibiting greater impulsivity.

Conclusions

In this largest study of hierarchical models of psychopathology to date, we found that p, INT, and EXT exhibit well-differentiated nomological networks that are interpretable in terms of neurocognition, impulsivity, fear/distress, and social adversity. These networks were, in contrast, obscured when relying on the a priori Internalizing and Externalizing dimensions of the CBCL scales. Our findings add to the evidence for the validity of p, INT, and EXT as theoretically and empirically meaningful broad psychopathology liabilities.
Interannual variability of hydrographic properties in Potter Cove during summers between 2010 and 2017
Authors: Ruiz Barlett E.M. , Sierra M.E. , Costa A.J. , Tosonotto G.V.
Published: January 2021

The temporal and spatial variability of oceanographic properties in Potter Cove was analysed for the 2010–17 summer periods. This was linked with meteorological parameters and sea ice. The water column structure presented significant differences in turbidity between two areas (away from and closer to the Fourcade Glacier). The recent retreat has been transforming it into a land terminating glacier. Therefore, correlations obtained between oceanographic properties near the glacier and meteorological parameters reveal that atmospheric conditions are the main forcing of the Potter system, in agreement with previous studies. Also, high turbidity values within deeper waters in 2013 and 2014 were probably related to resuspended glacial sediment input into the cove. Interannual variability observed in the local parameters was connected to ENSO and SAM, reflecting a larger connection with ENSO, mainly in longer timescales. Colder waters during the 2010 and 2016 El Niño phases could be related to lower air temperature. In summer 2010 during a negative SAM phase, colder, more saline and low turbid waters were observed. Alternatively, in 2012 during La Niña and positive SAM, warmer, fresher and more turbid conditions were found with high vertical stratification. Finally, during 2015 (positive SAM), warmer and low salinity waters were observed.
Effects of prenatal artificial sweeteners consumption on birth outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cai Chenxi , Sivak Allison , Davenport Margie H
Published: January 2021

Objective:

To examine the influence of prenatal artificial sweetener (AS) consumption on birth outcomes.

Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting:

Online databases (Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, FSTA – the food resource database, and ClinicalTrials.gov) were searched up to 9 April 2020. Studies of all designs (except case studies and reviews) were eligible, which contained information on the relevant population (pregnant women), intervention/exposure (any AS consumption), comparator (no AS consumption) and birth outcomes (preterm delivery, gestational age, birth weight).

Results:

From 677 citations, ten cohort studies and one randomised controlled trial (n 138 007 women) were included. ‘Low’ to ‘very low’ certainty evidence revealed that daily consumption of AS was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (three studies, n 129 009; risk ratio = 1·18, 95 % CI 1·09, 1·28, I2 = 9 %), a 24 g increase in birth weight (three studies, n 64 417; mean difference (MD): 23·74 g, 95 % CI 0·89, 45·58, I2 = 0 %) and a 0·11 week decrease in gestational age (three studies, n 64 417; MD: –0·11 weeks, 95 % CI –0·19, –0·03, I2 = 0 %).

Conclusions:

‘Low’ to ‘very low’ certainty evidence suggests daily AS consumption during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, increased birth weight and decreased gestational age. Additional ‘high’-quality research is urgently needed to further assess these relationships.

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019136728.
Do expectations for post-retirement family and government support crowd out pre-retirement savings? Insights from the working-age population in Thailand
Authors: Witvorapong Nopphol , Yoon Yong , Pothisiri Wiraporn
Published: January 2021

Based on nationally representative data (N= 8,901), this study investigates the extent to which expectations for intra-family transfers and government assistance in old age impact the probability of saving for retirement among working-age individuals in Thailand. Results show that expectations for financial non-self-reliance and expectations that family support would constitute the most important source of old-age financial security reduce the probability that working-age individuals would save for retirement. Expectations for government support have no impact on average. Given that filial piety is weakening in Thailand, this study suggests that the government encourage pre-retirement savings more strongly.
THE COHOMOLOGY OF UNRAMIFIED RAPOPORT–ZINK SPACES OF EL-TYPE AND HARRIS’S CONJECTURE
Authors: Bertoloni Meli Alexander
Published: January 2021

We study the l-adic cohomology of unramified Rapoport–Zink spaces of EL-type. These spaces were used in Harris and Taylor’s proof of the local Langlands correspondence for

$\mathrm {GL_n}$
and to show local–global compatibilities of the Langlands correspondence. In this paper we consider certain morphisms

$\mathrm {Mant}_{b, \mu }$
of Grothendieck groups of representations constructed from the cohomology of these spaces, as studied by Harris and Taylor, Mantovan, Fargues, Shin and others. Due to earlier work of Fargues and Shin we have a description of

$\mathrm {Mant}_{b, \mu }(\rho )$
for

$\rho $
a supercuspidal representation. In this paper, we give a conjectural formula for

$\mathrm {Mant}_{b, \mu }(\rho )$
for

$\rho $
an admissible representation and prove it when

$\rho $
is essentially square-integrable. Our proof works for general

$\rho $
conditionally on a conjecture appearing in Shin’s work. We show that our description agrees with a conjecture of Harris in the case of parabolic inductions of supercuspidal representations of a Levi subgroup.
Interoception and Its Role for Eating, Obesity, and Eating	Disorders
Authors: Herbert Beate M.
Published: January 2021

Abstract. The importance of the sense of ourselves from within for understanding adaptive behavior and psychopathology has been increasingly recognized during the last decades. Interoception builds the foundation of our embodied self and dysfunctional interoception lies at the core of many psychosomatic disorders. Eating is fundamental for survival with consequences for health and well-being. It is deeply grounded in homoeostatic and allostatic psychophysiological needs and is driven by interoceptive signals of the body. This narrative review summarizes a selection of empirical findings and draws conclusions on the role of interoception in eating behavior, body weight, and eating disorders. Beyond disordered eating behavior, eating disorders are characterized by impairment of the sense of self, with dysfunctional interoception at its core. Predictive coding accounts are addressed to integrate conclusions and to underline the relevance of interventions to modify interoception.
LncRNA TINCR favors tumorigenesis via STAT3–TINCR–EGFR-feedback loop by recruiting DNMT1 and acting as a competing endogenous RNA in human breast cancer
Authors: Wang Qin , Liu Jiena , You Zilong , Yin Yanling , Liu Lei , Kang Yujuan , Li Siwei , Ning Shipeng , Li Hui , Gong Yajie , Xu Shouping , Pang Da
Published: January 2021

The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) TINCR has recently been found to be associated with the progression of human malignancies, but the molecular mechanism of TINCR action remains elusive, particularly in breast cancer. The oncogenic role of TINCR was examined in vitro and in vivo in breast cancer. Next, the interaction between TINCR, DNMT1, and miR-503-5p methylation was explored. Moreover, the mechanism by which TINCR enhances EGFR expression and downstream signaling via an RNA–RNA interaction was comprehensively investigated. Furthermore, upstream transcriptional regulation of TINCR expression by STAT3 was examined by performing chromatin immunoprecipitation. Finally, feedback signaling in the STAT3–TINCR–EGFR downstream cascade was also investigated. TINCR is upregulated in human breast cancer tissues, and TINCR knockdown suppresses tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, TINCR recruits DNMT1 to the miR-503-5p locus promoter, which increases the methylation and suppresses the transcriptional expression of miR-503-5p. Furthermore, TINCR also functions as a competing endogenous RNA to upregulate EGFR expression by sponging miR-503-5p. In addition, TINCR stimulates JAK2–STAT3 signaling downstream from EGFR, and STAT3 reciprocally enhances the transcriptional expression of TINCR. Our findings broaden the current understanding of the diverse manners in which TINCR functions in cancer biology. The newly identified STAT3–TINCR–EGFR-feedback loop could serve as a potential therapeutic target for human cancer.
Serine synthesis pathway inhibition cooperates with dietary serine and glycine limitation for cancer therapy
Authors: Tajan Mylène , Hennequart Marc , Cheung Eric C. , Zani Fabio , Hock Andreas K. , Legrave Nathalie , Maddocks Oliver D. K. , Ridgway Rachel A. , Athineos Dimitris , Suárez-Bonnet Alejandro , Ludwig Robert L. , Novellasdemunt Laura , Angelis Nikolaos , Li Vivian S. W. , Vlachogiannis Georgios , Valeri Nicola , Mainolfi Nello , Suri Vipin , Friedman Adam , Manfredi Mark , Blyth Karen , Sansom Owen J. , Vousden Karen H.
Published: January 2021

Many tumour cells show dependence on exogenous serine and dietary serine and glycine starvation can inhibit the growth of these cancers and extend survival in mice. However, numerous mechanisms promote resistance to this therapeutic approach, including enhanced expression of the de novo serine synthesis pathway (SSP) enzymes or activation of oncogenes that drive enhanced serine synthesis. Here we show that inhibition of PHGDH, the first step in the SSP, cooperates with serine and glycine depletion to inhibit one-carbon metabolism and cancer growth. In vitro, inhibition of PHGDH combined with serine starvation leads to a defect in global protein synthesis, which blocks the activation of an ATF-4 response and more broadly impacts the protective stress response to amino acid depletion. In vivo, the combination of diet and inhibitor shows therapeutic efficacy against tumours that are resistant to diet or drug alone, with evidence of reduced one-carbon availability. However, the defect in ATF4-response seen in vitro following complete depletion of available serine is not seen in mice, where dietary serine and glycine depletion and treatment with the PHGDH inhibitor lower but do not eliminate serine. Our results indicate that inhibition of PHGDH will augment the therapeutic efficacy of a serine depleted diet.
An N-terminal conserved region in human Atg3 couples membrane curvature sensitivity to conjugase activity during autophagy
Authors: Ye Yansheng , Tyndall Erin R. , Bui Van , Tang Zhenyuan , Shen Yan , Jiang Xuejun , Flanagan John M. , Wang Hong-Gang , Tian Fang
Published: January 2021

During autophagy the enzyme Atg3 catalyzes the covalent conjugation of LC3 to the amino group of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipids, which is one of the key steps in autophagosome formation. Here, we have demonstrated that an N-terminal conserved region of human Atg3 (hAtg3) communicates information from the N-terminal membrane curvature-sensitive amphipathic helix (AH), which presumably targets the enzyme to the tip of phagophore, to the C-terminally located catalytic core for LC3–PE conjugation. Mutations in the putative communication region greatly reduce or abolish the ability of hAtg3 to catalyze this conjugation in vitro and in vivo, and alter the membrane-bound conformation of the wild-type protein, as reported by NMR. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the N-terminal conserved region of hAtg3 works in concert with its geometry-selective AH to promote LC3–PE conjugation only on the target membrane, and substantiate the concept that highly curved membranes drive spatial regulation of the autophagosome biogenesis during autophagy.
Publisher Correction: Consistent effects of pesticides on community structure and ecosystem function in freshwater systems
Authors: Rumschlag Samantha L. , Mahon Michael B. , Hoverman Jason T. , Raffel Thomas R. , Carrick Hunter J. , Hudson Peter J. , Rohr Jason R.
Published: January 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20854-1.
Evaluation of the characteristics of an AISI 1045 steel quenched in different concentration of polymer solutions of polyvinylpyrrolidone
Authors: Vieira Eduardo da Rosa , Biehl Luciano Volcanoglo , Medeiros Jorge Luis Braz , Costa Vagner Machado , Macedo Rodrigo Jorge
Published: January 2021

Quench hardening aims at the microstructural transformation of steels in order to improve hardness and mechanical strength. The aim phase is, in most cases, the martensite. It is necessary to heat the material until it obtains its austenitization and quenching by immersion in a fluid. Currently, it is common to use watery polymeric solutions in this procedure. These fluids, which are the mixture of polymers in water, vary their thermal exchange capacity depending on the concentrations applied. The increase in concentration minimizes the removal of heat from the part, reducing the formation capacity of martensite, and developing a lower hardness and strong steel. In this work, microstructural characteristics and properties of AISI 1045 steel quenched in solutions based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in 10, 15, 20, and 25% concentration were evaluated. The microstructural characterization quantified the percentage of the phases in each concentration, demonstrating a reduction of martensite as the concentrations were high. The investigation of the samples by x-ray diffraction confirmed the absence of austenite retained in the material. Furthermore, a microhardness scale between the core and the surface was constructed, in which a reduction gradient of the indices of this property towards the core of the sample was evidenced.
Reproducing the Rift Valley fever virus mosquito-lamb-mosquito transmission cycle
Authors: Wichgers Schreur Paul J. , Vloet Rianka P. M. , Kant Jet , van Keulen Lucien , Gonzales Jose L. , Visser Tessa M. , Koenraadt Constantianus J. M. , Vogels Chantal B. F. , Kortekaas Jeroen
Published: January 2021

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne bunyavirus that is pathogenic to ruminants and humans. The virus is endemic to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula where outbreaks are characterized by abortion storms and mortality of newborns, particularly in sheep herds. Vector competence experiments in laboratory settings have suggested that over 50 mosquito species are capable of transmitting RVFV. Transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the field is however influenced by numerous factors, including population densities, blood feeding behavior, extrinsic incubation period, longevity of vectors, and viremia levels in vertebrate hosts. Animal models to study these important aspects of RVFV transmission are currently lacking. In the present work, RVFV was transmitted to European (Texel-swifter cross-breed) lambs by laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that were infected either by membrane feeding on a virus-spiked blood meal or by feeding on lambs that developed viremia after intravenous inoculation of RVFV. Feeding of mosquitoes on viremic lambs resulted in strikingly higher infection rates as compared to membrane feeding. Subsequent transmission of RVFV from lamb to lamb by infected mosquitoes was highly efficient in both models. The animal models described here can be used to study mosquito-mediated transmission of RVFV among the major natural target species and to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines against mosquito-mediated RVFV infection.
Genomic adaptation of Pseudomonas strains to acidity and antibiotics in hydrothermal vents at Kolumbo submarine volcano, Greece
Authors: Bravakos Panos , Mandalakis Manolis , Nomikou Paraskevi , Anastasiou Thekla I. , Kristoffersen Jon Bent , Stavroulaki Melanthia , Kilias Stephanos , Kotoulas Georgios , Magoulas Antonios , Polymenakou Paraskevi N.
Published: January 2021

Although the rise of antibiotic and multidrug resistant bacteria is one of the biggest current threats to human health, our understanding of the mechanisms involved in antibiotic resistance selection remains scarce. We performed whole genome sequencing of 21 Pseudomonas strains, previously isolated from an active submarine volcano of Greece, the Kolumbo volcano. Our goal was to identify the genetic basis of the enhanced co-tolerance to antibiotics and acidity of these Pseudomonas strains. Pangenome analysis identified 10,908 Gene Clusters (GCs). It revealed that the numbers of phage-related GCs and sigma factors, which both provide the mechanisms of adaptation to environmental stressors, were much higher in the high tolerant Pseudomonas strains compared to the rest ones. All identified GCs of these strains were associated with antimicrobial and multidrug resistance. The present study provides strong evidence that the CO2-rich seawater of the volcano associated with low pH might be a reservoir of microorganisms carrying multidrug efflux-mediated systems and pumps. We, therefore, suggest further studies of other extreme environments (or ecosystems) and their associated physicochemical parameters (or factors) in the rise of antibiotic resistance.
Alteration of active and repressive histone marks during adipogenic differentiation of porcine mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Stachecka Joanna , Kolodziejski Pawel A. , Noak Magdalena , Szczerbal Izabela
Published: January 2021

A characteristic spatial distribution of the main chromatin fractions is observed in most mammalian cell nuclei, with euchromatin localized in the interior and heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery. It has been shown that interactions of heterochromatin with the nuclear lamina are necessary to establish this conventional architecture. Adipocytes are specific cells in which a reduction in lamin A/C expression is observed. We hypothesize that the loss of lamin A/C during adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be associated with the reorganization of the main classes of chromatin in the nucleus. Thus, in this study, we examine the abundance and nuclear distribution of selected heterochromatin (H3K9me3, H3K27me3 and H4K20me3) and euchromatin (H4K8ac, H3K4me3 and H3K9ac) histone marks during in vitro adipogenesis, using the pig as a model organism. We found that not only did the expression of lamin A/C decrease in our differentiation system, but so did the expression of lamin B receptor (LBR). The level of two heterochromatin marks, H3K27me3 and H4K20me3, increased during differentiation, while no changes were observed for H3K9me3. The levels of two euchromatin histone marks, H4K8ac and H3K9ac, were significantly higher in adipocytes than in undifferentiated cells, while the level of H3K4me3 did not change significantly. The spatial distribution of all the examined histone marks altered during in vitro adipogenesis. H3K27me3 and H4K20me3 moved towards the nuclear periphery and H3K9me3 localized preferentially in the intermediate part of adipocyte nuclei. The euchromatin marks H3K9ac and H3K4me3 preferentially occupied the peripheral part of the adipocyte nuclei, while H4K8ac was more evenly distributed in the nuclei of undifferentiated and differentiated cells. Analysis of the nuclear distribution of repetitive sequences has shown their clustering and relocalization toward nuclear periphery during differentiation. Our study shows that dynamic changes in the abundance and nuclear distribution of active and repressive histone marks take place during adipocyte differentiation. Nuclear reorganization of heterochromatin histone marks may allow the maintenance of the nuclear morphology of the adipocytes, in which reduced expression of lamin A/C and LBR is observed.
The potential ameliorative impacts of cerium oxide nanoparticles against fipronil-induced hepatic steatosis
Authors: Wasef Lamiaa , Nassar Atef M. K. , El-Sayed Yasser S. , Samak Dalia , Noreldin Ahmed , Elshony Norhan , Saleh Hamida , Elewa Yaser H. A. , Hassan Shaimaa M. A. , Saati Abdullah A. , Hetta Helal F. , Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Umezawa Masakazu , Shaheen Hazem M.
Published: January 2021

Fipronil (FIP) is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that is commonly used in agricultural and veterinary fields for controlling a wide range of insects, but it is a strong environmentally toxic substance. Exposure to FIP has been reported to increase the hepatic fat accumulation through altered lipid metabolism, which ultimately can contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development. The present study aimed to examine the function of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) in protecting against hepatotoxicity and lipogenesis induced by FIP. Twenty-eight male albino rats were classified into four groups: FIP (5 mg/kg/day per os), CTR, CeNPs (35 mg/kg/day p.o.), and FIP + CeNPs (5 (FIP) + 35 (CeNPs) mg/kg/day p.o.) for 28 consecutive days. Serum lipid profiles, hepatic antioxidant parameters and pathology, and mRNA expression of adipocytokines were assessed. The results revealed that FIP increased cholesterol, height-density lipoprotein, triacylglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-c) concentrations. It also increased nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) hepatic levels and reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities. Additionally, FIP up-regulated the fatty acid-binding protein (FABP), acetyl Co-A carboxylase (ACC1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α). Immunohistochemically, a strong proliferation of cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) reactions in the endothelial cells of the hepatic sinusoids, and increased expression of caspase3 were observed following FIP intoxication. FIP also caused histological changes in hepatic tissue. The CeNPs counteracted the hepatotoxic effect of FIP exposure. So, this study recorded an ameliorative effect of CeNPs against FIP-induced hepatotoxicity.
Dermal fibroblasts cultured from donors with type 2 diabetes mellitus retain an epigenetic memory associated with poor wound healing responses
Authors: Al-Rikabi Aaiad H. A. , Tobin Desmond J. , Riches-Suman Kirsten , Thornton M. Julie
Published: January 2021

The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is escalating globally. Patients suffer from multiple complications including the development of chronic wounds that can lead to amputation. These wounds are characterised by an inflammatory environment including elevated tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Dermal fibroblasts (DF) are critical for effective wound healing, so we sought to establish whether there were any differences in DF cultured from T2DM donors or those without diabetes (ND-DF). ND- and T2DM-DF when cultured similarly in vitro secreted comparable concentrations of TNF-α. Functionally, pre-treatment with TNF-α reduced the proliferation of ND-DF and transiently altered ND-DF morphology; however, T2DM-DF were resistant to these TNF-α induced changes. In contrast, TNF-α inhibited ND- and T2DM-DF migration and matrix metalloprotease expression to the same degree, although T2DM-DF expressed significantly higher levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases (TIMP)-2. Finally, TNF-α significantly increased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including CCL2, CXCL1 and SERPINE1) in ND-DF, whilst this effect in T2DM-DF was blunted, presumably due to the tendency to higher baseline pro-inflammatory cytokine expression observed in this cell type. Collectively, these data demonstrate that T2DM-DF exhibit a selective loss of responsiveness to TNF-α, particularly regarding proliferative and secretory functions. This highlights important phenotypic changes in T2DM-DF that may explain the susceptibility to chronic wounds in these patients.