bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability of radiomics features due to image reconstruction using a standardized T2‐weighted pulse sequence for MR‐guided radiotherapy: An anthropomorphic phantom study
Authors: Xue Cindy , Zhou Yihang , Lo Gladys Goh , Wong Oi Lei , Yu Siu Ki , Cheung Kin Yin , Yuan Jing
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To prospectively investigate the impact of image reconstruction on MRI radiomics features.

Methods

An anthropomorphic phantom was scanned at 1.5 T using a standardized sequence for MR‐guided radiotherapy under SENSE and compressed‐SENSE reconstruction settings. A total of 93 first‐order and texture radiomics features in 10 volumes of interest were assessed based on (1) accuracy measured by the percentage deviation from the reference, (2) robustness on reconstruction in all volumes of interest measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient, and (3) repeatability measured by the coefficient of variance over the repetitive acquisitions. Finally, reliable and unreliable radiomics features were comprehensively determined based on their accuracy, robustness, and repeatability.

Results

Better accuracy and robustness of the radiomics features were achieved under SENSE than compressed‐SENSE reconstruction. The feature accuracy under SENSE reconstruction was more affected by acceleration factor than direction, whereas under compressed‐SENSE reconstruction, accuracy was substantially impacted by the increasing denoising levels. Feature repeatability was dependent more on feature types than on reconstruction. A total of 45 reliable features and 13 unreliable features were finally determined for SENSE, compared with 22 reliable and 26 unreliable features for compressed SENSE. First‐order and gray‐level co‐occurrence matrix features were generally more reliable than other features.

Conclusion

Radiomics features could be substantially affected by MRI reconstruction, so precautions need to be taken regarding their reliability for clinical use. This study helps the guidance of the preselection of reliable radiomics features and the preclusion of unreliable features in MR‐guided radiotherapy.
Eco‐friendly bamboo fiber‐reinforced poly(butylene succinate) biocomposites
Authors: Pivsa‐Art Sommai , Pivsa‐Art Weraporn
Published: January 2021

This research experimentally synthesizes bamboo fiber‐reinforced biocomposites by using bamboo fiber (BF) as filler material and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) as biodegradable polymer matrix. The experimental filler materials included alkaline‐treated BF and untreated BF. The alkali treatment of BF was carried out to remove the hydrophobic components from the BF surface. The PBS/BF ratios were varied between 90/10, 80/20, and 70/30 (w/w). The experiments revealed that the tensile strength of PBS/treated BF biocomposites were higher than that of PBS/untreated BF ones, independent of BF content. Elongation at break decreased with increase in BF content, while Young's modulus increased as BF content increased. The Izod impact strength of the biocomposites were similar to that of neat PBS. The water absorption capacity of PBS/BF biocomposites increased with increase in BF content. The water uptake of alkali‐treated BF was higher than that of untreated BF as lignin and hemicellulose were removed from the BF surface. The novelty of this research lies in the use of biodegradable PBS polymer as biocomposite matrix reinforced with natural fiber, as opposed to conventional petroleum‐based non‐biodegradable polymers. Moreover, this research also performed water absorption experiments to characterize the effect of alkali treatment on bamboo fibers. The characteristic of biocomposites is appropriate to be used as packaging and indoor furniture parts.
Band Alignment of Graphene/MoS2/Fluorine Tin Oxide Heterojunction for Photodetector Application
Authors: Romanov Roman I. , Kozodaev Maxim G. , Lebedinskii Yury Yu. , Zabrosaev Ivan V. , Guberna Evgenii A. , Markeev Andrey M.
Published: January 2021

Herein, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and absorption spectroscopy are used to investigate the band alignment in a vertical graphene/MoS2/fluorine tin oxide (FTO) heterostructure and its influence on the resulting photoelectric response. The measured conduction band offset (CBO) value (0.65 eV) is found to be identical for both interfaces, whereas the corresponding valence band offset (VBO) values are found to be significantly different: 2.7 eV for MoS2/FTO interface and 1.0 eV for graphene/MoS2 interface. The separation of e–h pairs takes place in the built‐in electric field between graphene and FTO, across the MoS2 film. The successful operation of the photodetector, based on this heterostructure, is also demonstrated, and the measured photoresponsivity and external quantum efficiency (EQE) values are found to be about 0.7 A W−1 and 0.03, respectively, which indicates the efficient separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. The obtained results demonstrate not only the high potential of XPS diagnostics in the heterostructures preparation with the desired properties but also the good quality of MoS2 films, obtained by the sulfurization technique.
The impact of polystyrene microplastics on cardiomyocytes pyroptosis through NLRP3/Caspase‐1 signaling pathway and oxidative stress in Wistar rats
Authors: Wei Jialiu , Wang Xifeng , Liu Qian , Zhou Na , Zhu Shuxiang , Li Zekang , Li Xiaoli , Yao Jinpeng , Zhang Lianshuang
Published: January 2021

The extensive existing of microplastics (MPs) in the ecosystem have increased considerable attention concerning their potential adverse effects, the toxicities and the underlying mechanism of MPs are still scarce. To explore the effect of MPs on cardiac tissue in Wistar rats and unravel the mechanism of pyroptosis and oxidative stress in the process of cardiomyocytes injury, 32 male Wister rats were divided into control group and three model groups, which were exposed to 0.5 mm PS MPs at 0.5, 5 and 50 mg/L for 90 days. Results revealed that MPs could damage cardiac structure and function with impaired mitochondria integrity, as well as increased levels of creatine kinase‐MB and cardiac troponinI (cTnI). Moreover, MPs administration triggered oxidative stress as indicated by increased levels of malondialdehyde and decreased activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Treatment with MPs resulted in apoptosis and pyroptosis as evidenced by increasing expressions of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐18. Additionally, MPs were shown to induce the NOD‐like receptor protein 3 inflammasomes activation in cardiac tissue, enabling activation of Caspase‐1‐dependent signaling pathway induced by inflammatory stimuli resulting from oxidative stress. In summary, these results illustrated that pyroptosis played a vital role in polystyrene MPs‐induced cardiotoxicity, which might be helpful to understand the mechanism of cardiac dysfunction and induced by MPs.
Pseudoscalar glueballs in the Klebanov-Strassler theory
Authors: Melnikov Dmitry , Filho Cornélio Rodrigues
Published: January 2021

Abstract

In this paper we describe a pseudoscalar subsector of the Klebanov-Strassler model. This subsector completes the holographic reconstruction of the spectrum of the lowest-lying glueball states, which are singlet under the global symmetry group SU(2) × SU(2). We derive the linearized supergravity equations for the pseudoscalar fluctuations and analyze their spectrum. The system of equations is shown to be compatible with six eigenmodes, as expected from supersymmetry. Our numerical analysis allows to reliably extract four of the corresponding towers. Their values match well the eigenvalues of the 0++ scalar states known from an earlier work. Assuming the masses of 0++ as a reference, we compare the lightest states of the holographic spectrum with lattice calculations in the quenched QCD at Nc = 3 and Nc = ∞.
EMT-independent detection of circulating tumor cells in human blood samples and pre-clinical mouse models of metastasis
Authors: Kitz Jenna , Goodale David , Postenka Carl , Lowes Lori E. , Allan Alison L.
Published: January 2021

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) present an opportunity to detect/monitor metastasis throughout disease progression. The CellSearch® is currently the only FDA-approved technology for CTC detection in patients. The main limitation of this system is its reliance on epithelial markers for CTC isolation/enumeration, which reduces its ability to detect more aggressive mesenchymal CTCs that are generated during metastasis via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This Technical Note describes and validates two EMT-independent CTC analysis protocols; one for human samples using Parsortix® and one for mouse samples using VyCap. Parsortix® identifies significantly more mesenchymal human CTCs compared to the clinical CellSearch® test, and VyCap identifies significantly more CTCs compared to our mouse CellSearch® protocol regardless of EMT status. Recovery and downstream molecular characterization of CTCs is highly feasible using both Parsortix® and VyCap. The described CTC protocols can be used by investigators to study CTC generation, EMT and metastasis in both pre-clinical models and clinical samples.
Prehistoric Mongolian Archaeology in the Early 21st Century: Developments in the Steppe and Beyond
Authors: Wright Joshua
Published: January 2021

There has been a great increase in archaeological research in Mongolia since 2000. Increasingly precise chronologies, regional studies, and the growth of development-driven archaeology are transforming our knowledge of this key region of northeastern Asia. This review summarizes recent work and provides a narrative of the prehistoric and medieval cultural sequences as presently understood. I focus on long-standing key topics: early human habitation, the adoption of food-producing economies, Bronze Age social transformations, and the emergence of central places and large polities. I argue that, on the one hand, Mongolia has unique data and new examples to offer the archaeological community and, on the other, that the prehistory of Mongolia and the steppe are not so different from the rest of the world in its history of research and key questions. This review provides general overviews covering the Upper Paleolithic, Epipaleolithic or Neolithic, and Bronze Age to the Xiongnu period; specific data related to each period provide jumping-off points for comparative analysis and further examination.
Ocean state estimations for synthesis of ocean-mixing observations
Authors: Masuda Shuhei , Osafune Satoshi
Published: January 2021

Vertical mixing in oceans is an essential component of the dynamics of ocean circulation, including meridional circulation. Nevertheless, various aspects of mixing, particularly in conjunction with global ocean energetics, remain debatable. One of the biggest reasons is the lack of observational facts. With the recent expansion of global vertical-mixing observations, attempts have been made to estimate the ocean state using vertical-mixing observation data to better understand the role of mixing in oceanography. In this review, we discuss the current status of the ocean state estimation and future synthesis of vertically mixing observation data into the oceanic basin-scale state estimation, including progress of data assimilation studies using numerical models. These will contribute to the construction of the future line of observation, model, and data synthesis studies along which the issues on ocean mixing can be consistently resolved.
The retrospective study of perioperative application of dexamethasone and furosemide for postoperative anti-inflammation in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Authors: Qi Taiguo , Qi Xia , Chen Xiude , Jin Xunbo
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To investigate whether the perioperatively combined application of dexamethasone and furosemide could alleviate the inflammation in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Patients and methods

147 patients undergoing PCNL between November 2018 and October 2019 were enrolled in the study. 77 patients accepted a single dose of dexamethasone and furosemide administration (EXP group, n = 77), and 70 patients did not (CON group, n = 70). Demographic and perioperative data, inflammatory markers including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT), and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

Compared with the CON group, the incidence rate of urosepsis of the EXP group were significantly lower (11.69% vs. 24.29%, p = 0.046). 3 patients developed severe urosepsis in the EXP group, while 5 patients developed severe urosepsis in the CON group. Compared with those in the CON group, the patients with postoperative urosepsis in the EXP group showed lower serum levels of IL-6 at postoperative hour two (p = 0.045) and at postoperative day one (p = 0.031) and lower serum levels of PCT at postoperative day one (p = 0.015). There was a better clinical outcome of a shorter postoperative hospital stay (p = 0.015) in patients with postoperative urosepsis in the EXP group than in those in the CON group.

Conclusion

The perioperatively combined application of dexamethasone and furosemide was beneficial for alleviating postoperative inflammatory reaction and caused a better clinical outcome of a shorter postoperative hospital stay.
MIPLIB 2017: data-driven compilation of the 6th mixed-integer programming library
Authors: Gleixner Ambros , Hendel Gregor , Gamrath Gerald , Achterberg Tobias , Bastubbe Michael , Berthold Timo , Christophel Philipp , Jarck Kati , Koch Thorsten , Linderoth Jeff , Lübbecke Marco , Mittelmann Hans D. , Ozyurt Derya , Ralphs Ted K. , Salvagnin Domenico , Shinano Yuji
Published: January 2021

We report on the selection process leading to the sixth version of the Mixed Integer Programming Library, MIPLIB 2017. Selected from an initial pool of 5721 instances, the new MIPLIB 2017 collection consists of 1065 instances. A subset of 240 instances was specially selected for benchmarking solver performance. For the first time, these sets were compiled using a data-driven selection process supported by the solution of a sequence of mixed integer optimization problems, which encode requirements on diversity and balancedness with respect to instance features and performance data.
The PANDA Framework for Hierarchical Planning
Authors: Höller Daniel , Behnke Gregor , Bercher Pascal , Biundo Susanne
Published: January 2021

During the last years, much progress has been made in hierarchical planning towards domain-independent systems that come with sophisticated techniques to solve planning problems instead of relying on advice in the input model. Several of these novel methods have been integrated into thePANDA framework, which is a software system to reason about hierarchical planning tasks. Besides solvers for planning problems based on plan space search, progression search, and translation to propositional logic, it also includes techniques for related problems like plan repair, plan and goal recognition, or plan verification. These various techniques share a common infrastructure, like e.g. a standard input language or components for grounding and reachability analysis. This article gives an overview over the PANDA framework, introduces the basic techniques from a high level perspective, and surveys the literature describing the diverse components in detail.
Nutritional Deficiencies and Maternal Depression: Associations and Interventions in Lower and Middle-Income Countries: a Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Madeghe Beatrice A. , Kogi-Makau Wambui , Ngala Sophia , Kumar Manasi
Published: January 2021

Background

Nutrition deficiencies are common among pregnant and lactating women in middle- and low-income countries. At the same time, maternal mental disorders, mainly depression is highly prevalent during this period suggesting some connection between the two. The objective of this review is to determine the associations between nutritional deficiencies and maternal depression and identify the role of diet in depression to facilitate further research.

Methods

A literature search included PubMed databases and Google Scholar search engine published from June 2008 to June 2019 and published in English. Medical subject heading terms was used to identify all relevant studies. All titles and abstracts identified by the search were screened then reviewed the full-text articles which were potentially eligible for inclusion.

Results

The original search identified 1250 articles but with cascaded elimination, based on quality. Twenty five met the inclusion criteria, of which 13 were cross-sectional, eight were prospective cohort study, and four were intervention studies. Most (95%) of these studies reported positive associations between nutrition deficiencies, poor diet, and maternal depression; thus, only 5% did not show associations between nutrition and depression.

Conclusion

Our review findings suggest that nutritional interventions are some of the most promising intercessions for mental health illnesses. Not all studies consistently associate poor diet quality with poor maternal and offspring mental health outcomes, and the majority of those that show are cross-sectional. Considering that most of these associations are cross-sectional, studies devoid of exposing causal relationship; thus, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the associations towards sufficing as a window of opportunity for reducing the risk of mental disorders in mothers and offspring alike.
Iranian kinect face database (IKFDB): a color-depth based face database collected by kinect v.2 sensor
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Muhammad Hossein , Mirinezhad S. Younes
Published: January 2021

This study presents a new color-depth based face database gathered from different genders and age ranges from Iranian subjects. Using suitable databases, it is possible to validate and assess available methods in different research fields. This database has application in different fields such as face recognition, age estimation and Facial Expression Recognition and Facial Micro Expressions Recognition. Image databases based on their size and resolution are mostly large. Color images usually consist of three channels namely Red, Green and Blue. But in the last decade, another aspect of image type has emerged, named “depth image”. Depth images are used in calculating range and distance between objects and the sensor. Depending on the depth sensor technology, it is possible to acquire range data differently. Kinect sensor version 2 is capable of acquiring color and depth data simultaneously. Facial expression recognition is an important field in image processing, which has multiple uses from animation to psychology. Currently, there is a few numbers of color-depth (RGB-D) facial micro expressions recognition databases existing. With adding depth data to color data, the accuracy of final recognition will be increased. Due to the shortage of color-depth based facial expression databases and some weakness in available ones, a new and almost perfect RGB-D face database is presented in this paper, covering Middle-Eastern face type. In the validation section, the database will be compared with some famous benchmark face databases. For evaluation, Histogram Oriented Gradients features are extracted, and classification algorithms such as Support Vector Machine, Multi-Layer Neural Network and a deep learning method, called Convolutional Neural Network or are employed. The results are so promising.
Nutrient retention behind a tropical mega-dam: a case study of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, India
Authors: Gupta Harish , Reddy S. Kiran Kumar , Chiluka Mounika , Gandla Vamshikrishna
Published: January 2021

In this study, we demonstrate the impact of the construction of a mega-dam on the nutrient export regime of a large tropical river into the Arabian Sea. Long-term (11 years) fortnight nutrient parameters, upstream and downstream to Sardar Sarovar (SS) Dam, were examined to determine the periodical change in nutrient fluxes from the Narmada River, India. During this 11-year period, the average discharge of the Narmada River upstream toRajghat(35.3 km3 year−1) was higher than that of downstream atGarudeshwar(33.9 km3 year−1). However, during the same period, the suspended sediment load was reduced by 21 million tons (MT) from 37.9 MT atRajghatto 16.7 MT atGarudeshwar. Similarly, mean concentrations of dissolved silica (DSi) reduced from 470 (upstream) to 214 µM (downstream), dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) from 0.84 to 0.38 µM, and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) from 43 to 1.5 µM. It means that about 54%, 55%, and 96% flux of DSi, DIP, and DIN retained behind the dam, respectively. The estimated denitrification rate (80,000 kg N km−2 year−1) for the reservoir is significantly higher than N removal by lentic systems, globally. We hypothesize that processes such as biological uptake and denitrification under anoxic conditions could be a key reason for the significant loss of nutrients, particularly of DIN. Finally, we anticipated that a decline in DIN fluxes (by 1.13 × 109 mol year−1) from the Narmada River to the Arabian Sea might reduce the atmospheric CO2fixation by 7.46 × 109 mol year−1.
Gender und der überfrachtete kolumbianische Frieden
Authors: Oettler Anika
Published: January 2021

Das 2016 unterzeichnete Friedensabkommen zwischen der kolumbianischen Regierung und der FARC-EP hat sowohl in prozeduraler als auch in substantieller Hinsicht neue Maßstäbe für inklusive Friedensprozesse gesetzt. Der Beitrag konzentriert sich auf die kontroverse Einbeziehung einer Vielfalt von genderbezogenen Maßnahmen in den Vertragstext, die das Ergebnis von transnationalen Normentwicklungen und lokalen Kämpfen ist. Im Mittelpunkt des Beitrages steht der Vertragstext selbst. Es wird zunächst aufgezeigt, wie sich die Debatte um eine angeblich vorhandene Gender-Ideologie nach dem Scheitern der Volksabstimmung auf die revidierte Fassung des Abkommens ausgewirkt hat: der Begriff wurde vermieden und ein traditionelles Geschlechterverständnis gestärkt, ohne dabei jedoch die Vielzahl von Einzelmaßnahmen zu reduzieren. Die hier vorgeschlagene qualitative Systematik der genderbezogenen Einzelmaßnahmen zeigt auf, dass es sich überwiegend um Maßnahmen zur Bearbeitung von Konfliktursachen mit einem geringen Konkretisierungsgrad handelt. Dies geht mit einer bisher geringen Implementierung in diesen Feldern einher. Der Beitrag zeigt, wie mit einer prioritätslosen Fülle von genderbezogenen Einzelmaßnahmen leicht ein Umschlagpunkt erreicht wird, an dem sich das eigentliche Anliegen feministischer Bewegungen – die strukturellen Konfliktursachen anzugehen – verliert.
Comparative Public Budgeting
Authors: Guess George M. , Savage James D.
Published: January 2021

Every government engages in budgeting and public financial management to run the affairs of state. Effective budgeting empowers states to prioritize policies, allocate resources, and discipline bureaucracies, and it contributes to efficacious fiscal and macroeconomic policies. Budgeting can be transparent, participatory, and promote democratic decision-making, or it can be opaque, hierarchical, and encourage authoritarian rule. This book compares budgetary systems around the world by examining the economic, political, cultural, and institutional contexts in which they are formulated, adopted, and executed. The second edition has been updated with new data to offer a more expansive set of national case studies, with examples of budgeting in China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, and Nigeria. Chapters also discuss Brexit and the European Union's struggle to require balances budgets during the Euro Debt Crisis. Additionally, the authors provide a deeper analysis of developments in US budgetary policies from the Revolutionary War through the Trump presidency.
International Law and History
Authors: de la Rasilla Ignacio
Published: January 2021

This interdisciplinary exploration of the modern historiography of international law invites a diverse assessment of the indissoluble unity of the old and the new in the most global of all legal disciplines. The study of the history of international law does not only serve a better understanding of how international law has evolved to become what it is and what it is not. Its histories, which rethink the past in the present, also influence our perception of contemporary matters in international law and our understandings of how they may potentially unfold. This multi-perspectival enquiry into the dominant modes of international legal history and its fundamental debates may also help students of both international law and history to identify the historical approaches that best suit their international legal-historical perspectives and best address their historical and legal research questions.
Linking crop yields in Tuscany, Italy, to large-scale atmospheric variability, circulation regimes and weather types
Authors: Salinger M. James , Dalla Marta Anna , Dalu Giovannagelo , Messeri Alessandro , Baldi Marina , Messeri Gianni , Vallorani Roberto , Morabito Marco , Orlandini Simone , Altobelli Filiberto , Verdi Leonardo
Published: January 2021

The paper presents results from a study examining the relationship between large-scale modes of climate variability with the fluctuations in the yield of barley, durum wheat, olives and sunflower crops in Tuscany, Italy. In particular, the blocking circulation over the growing season, with associated hot and dry conditions, decreased yield for olive crops, barley and durum wheat. The teleconnections analysed in this study are the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO); the West African Monsoon (WAM) and the Intertropical Front (ITF); and although NAO, SNAO, ITF and WAM are not strictly related to each other, the values of these indices are strongly related to the atmospheric circulation regimes and related weather types. Thus, they have an impact on precipitation and temperature patterns in Italy and on yields of important crops in Tuscany. Results show that the large-scale temperate and tropical variability directly influences the crop yield through three main circulation regimes. These patterns illustrate the importance of the large-scale modes, which, together with the associated weather types, have an impact directly on Tuscan crop yields; both barley and olive yields decline significantly when the ITF is further north with warmer and drier conditions in Italy.
Scanning electron microscopy observations of pollen morphology in common vetch (Vicia sativa) subspecies
Authors: Dong Rui , Lu Zhongjie , Yang Zhengyu , Wang Yanrong , Chen Chao
Published: January 2021

Common vetch (Vicia sativa) is an important forage and green manure crop that is widely cultivated around the world. However, the large number of subspecies and accessions of common vetch has made taxonomic research on this species difficult. Pollen morphology data can provide important evidence in the study of plant phylogeny. Therefore, in this research, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to observe seven morphological traits of pollens from 22 common vetch accessions, and residual maximum likelihood and pattern analysis was conducted. The results showed that the pollen grains of the 22 accessions were all monad pollen and the polar view revealed three-lobed circular and triangular shapes, while the equatorial view mainly revealed an oblate shape; only one accession showed an oblate spherical shape. All accessions were 3-zonocolporate and the colpus length extended close to the poles. The polar axis length was (19.39 ± 0.97)–(42.12 ± 0.76) μm and the equatorial axis length was (35.97 ± 1.27)–(45.25 ± 0.81) μm. We found that qualitative traits of pollen shape, aperture polar view and ornamentation were highly stable. Among them, polar axis length, equatorial axis length and colpus length and width had significant differences among the accessions. The ratios of the equatorial and polar axes had significant differences among the subspecies. This trait information could be used for the classification and identification of common vetch accessions and subspecies.
THE EARLY MODERN ORIGINS OF BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS
Authors: Boyd Richard
Published: January 2021

For all the recent discoveries of behavioral psychology and experimental economics, the spirit of homo economicus still dominates the contemporary disciplines of economics, political science, and sociology. Turning back to the earliest chapters of political economy, however, reveals that pioneering figures such as Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes, and Adam Smith were hardly apostles of economic rationality as they are often portrayed in influential narratives of the development of the social sciences. As we will see, while all three of these thinkers can plausibly be read as endorsing “rationality,” they were also well aware of the systematic irrationality of human conduct, including a remarkable number of the cognitive biases later “discovered” by contemporary behavioral economists. Building on these insights I offer modest suggestions for how these thinkers, properly understood, might carry the behavioral revolution in different directions than those heretofore suggested.
Comprehensive or Political Liberalism? The Impartial Spectator and the Justification of Political Principles
Authors: Ben-Moshe Nir
Published: January 2021

John Rawls raises three challenges – to which one can add a fourth challenge – to an impartial spectator account: (a) the impartial spectator is a utility-maximizing device that does not take seriously the distinction between persons; (b) the account does not guarantee that the principles of justice will be derived from it; (c) the notion of impartiality in the account is the wrong one, since it does not define impartiality from the standpoint of the litigants themselves; (d) the account would offer a comprehensive, rather than a political, form of liberalism. The narrow aim of the article is to demonstrate that Adam Smith's impartial spectator account can rise to Rawls's challenges. The broader aim is to demonstrate that the impartial spectator account offers the basis for a novel and alternative framework for developing principles of justice, and does so in the context of a political form of liberalism.
The Demandingness of Individual Climate Duties: A Reply to Fragnière
Authors: Hickey Colin
Published: January 2021

In this article, I respond to Augustin Fragnière's recent attempt to understand the demandingness of individual climate duties by appealing to the difference between “concentrated” harm and “spread” harm and the importance of “moral thresholds”. I suggest his arguments don't succeed in securing the conclusion he is after, even from within his own commitments, which themselves are problematic. As this is primarily a critical project, the upshot of this discussion is that if there is a defensible way to justify the intuition that the duty to reduce emissions can't be overly demanding, it has to be found elsewhere.
Precision planting impacts on winter cereal rye growth, nutrient uptake, spring soil temperature and adoption cost
Authors: Sadeghpour Amir , Adeyemi Oladapo , Hunter Dane , Luo Yuan , Armstrong Shalamar
Published: January 2021

Growing winter cereal rye (Secale cereale) (WCR) has been identified as an effective in-field practice to reduce nitrate-N and phosphorus (P) losses to Upper Mississippi River Basin, USA. In the Midwestern USA, growers are reluctant to plant WCR especially prior to corn (Zea mays L.) due to N immobilization and establishment issues. Precision planting of WCR or ‘skipping the corn row’ (STCR) can minimize some issues associated with WCR ahead of corn while reducing cover crop seed costs. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of ‘STCR’ vs normal planting of WCR at full seeding rate (NP) on WCR biomass, nutrient uptake and composition in three site-yrs (ARC2019, ARC2020, BRC2020). Our results indicated no differences in cover crop dry matter biomass production between the STCR (2.40 Mg ha−1) and NP (2.41 Mg ha−1) supported by similar normalized difference vegetative index and plant height for both treatments. Phosphorus, potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) accumulation in aboveground biomass was only influenced by site-yr and both STCR and NP removed similar amount of P, K, Ca and Mg indicating STCR could be as effective as NP in accumulating nutrients. Aboveground carbon (C) content (1086.26 kg h−1 average over the two treatments) was similar between the two treatments and only influenced by site-yr differences. Lignin, lignin:N and C:N ratios were higher in STCR than NP in one out of three site-yrs (ARC2019) indicating greater chance of N immobilization when WCR was planted later than usual. Implementing STCR saved $8.4 ha−1 for growers and could incentivize growers to adopt this practice. Future research should evaluate corn response to STCR compared with NP and assess if soil quality declines by STCR practice over time.
Associations between stool micro-transcriptome, gut microbiota, and infant growth
Authors: Carney Molly C. , Zhan Xiang , Rangnekar Akanksha , Chroneos Maria Z. , Craig Sarah J.C. , Makova Kateryna D. , Paul Ian M. , Hicks Steven D.
Published: January 2021

Rapid infant growth increases the risk for adult obesity. The gut microbiome is associated with early weight status; however, no study has examined how interactions between microbial and host ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression influence infant growth. We hypothesized that dynamics in infant stool micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) would be associated with both microbial activity and infant growth via putative metabolic targets. Stool was collected twice from 30 full-term infants, at 1 month and again between 6 and 12 months. Stool RNA were measured with high-throughput sequencing and aligned to human and microbial databases. Infant growth was measured by weight-for-length z-score at birth and 12 months. Increased RNA transcriptional activity of Clostridia (R = 0.55; Adj p = 3.7E-2) and Burkholderia (R = −0.820, Adj p = 2.62E-3) were associated with infant growth. Of the 25 human RNAs associated with growth, 16 were miRNAs. The miRNAs demonstrated significant target enrichment (Adj p < 0.05) for four metabolic pathways. There were four associations between growth-related miRNAs and growth-related phyla. We have shown that longitudinal trends in gut microbiota activity and human miRNA levels are associated with infant growth and the metabolic targets of miRNAs suggest these molecules may regulate the biosynthetic landscape of the gut and influence microbial activity.
Of Markets and Subsidies: Counter-intuitive Trends for Clean Energy Policy in the European Union and the United States
Authors: Mormann Felix
Published: January 2021

The United States (US) is frequently portrayed as a nation with a deep distrust of big government and a strong commitment to markets and competition. In contrast, the prevailing image of the European Union (EU) is that of a highly bureaucratized polity favouring interventionist economic governance over free market capitalism. In the context of clean energy, however, these roles appear to be somewhat reversed. A top-level survey of the US clean energy policy landscape reveals a surprisingly pervasive reliance on government subsidies with few, if any, competitive elements. EU clean energy policy, meanwhile, reflects an unexpected commitment to market-based instruments and competition. This article suggests that these counter-intuitive policy trends can be explained by critical differences in the black-letter law of both jurisdictions and its enforcement in the courts, among other factors. Unlike their American counterparts, EU judges prioritize the timely transition to a low-carbon energy economy over unrestricted competition among Member States. As the EU pushes for greaterintrastate competition in clean energy policy, the US focuses instead on defending the Founding Fathers’ ideal of unfetteredinterstate competition.
Diagnose, Prävention und Behandlung kardiovaskulärer Ereignisse bei Menschen mit Diabetes und Prädiabetes
Authors: Koskinas Konstantinos , Melmer Andreas , Steiner Nicole , Gübeli Andreas , Wilhelm Matthias , Laimer Markus
Published: January 2021

Zusammenfassung. Menschen mit Diabetes haben ein erhöhtes kardiovaskuläres Risiko. Neben der Optimierung der Glykämie steht die Diagnose und Kontrolle kardiovaskulärer Risikofaktoren im Vordergrund. Die Therapiemöglichkeiten umfassen die Anpassung des Lebensstils, die individualisierte medikamentöse Therapie sowie die leitliniengerechte Behandlung kardiovaskulärer Begleit- oder Folgeerkrankungen, die häufiger bei Menschen mit Diabetes auftreten. Sie umfassen Herzinsuffizienz und Vorhofflimmern genauso wie die koronare Herzkrankheit und den plötzlichen Herztod. Durch die korrekte Wahl antidiabetischer Medikamente und gerätetechnischer Interventionen können kardiovaskuläre Risikofaktoren kontrolliert, das kardiovaskuläre Risiko gesenkt und Begleit- bzw. Folgeerkrankungen zielgerichtet behandelt werden. Der vorliegende Review soll als Orientierung zur Diagnose, Behandlung und Wahl der Therapie bei Menschen mit Diabetes Typ 2 ohne und mit kardiovaskulären Begleit- oder Folgeerkrankungen dienen.
Overcoming target epitope masking resistance that can occur on low-antigen-expresser AML blasts after IL-1RAP chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy using the inducible caspase 9 suicide gene safety switch
Authors: Warda Walid , Da Rocha Mathieu Neto , Trad Rim , Haderbache Rafik , Salma Yahya , Bouquet Lucie , Roussel Xavier , Nicod Clémentine , Deschamps Marina , Ferrand Christophe
Published: January 2021

Although chimeric antigen receptor CAR) T cell immunotherapies are an undeniable and unequivocal success, knowledge obtained from the monitoring of the first clinical trials targeting the CD19 antigen in B malignancies, either refractory/relapsed acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) or lymphomas, contributed to the identification of tumor cell escape in about 30–50% of B-ALL. Resistance occurred due to loss of surface expression of the antigen (rCD19−) or to the early disappearance or inactivation of CAR T cells (rCD19+). In a recently reported clinical case, rCD19− relapse resulted from masking of the antigen by the CAR at the surface of B-ALL leukemia cells following the unexpected viral transduction of a leukemic cell present in the cytapheresis sample. The objective of this work was to reproduce this epitope-masking resistance model, in the context of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), based on our immunotherapeutic CAR T cell model targeting the accessory protein of the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1RAP) expressed by leukemic stem cells. As AML primary blasts express different levels of IL-1RAP, we modeled transduction of different AML tumor cell lines screened for density of antigenic sites with our lentiviral vectors carrying a third-generation IL-1RAP CAR, an iCASP9 suicide gene, and a truncated CD19 surface gene. We demonstrated that primary AML blasts can be easily transduced (74.55 ± 21.29%, n = 4) and that CAR T cytotoxicity to IL-1RAP is inversely correlated with epitope masking in relation to the number of antigenic sites expressed on the surface of IL-1RAP+ lines. Importantly, we showed that, in vitro, a 24-h exposure of IL-1RAP+/CAR+ leukemia lines to Rimiducid eliminated >85% of the cells. We confirmed that the expression of IL-1RAP CAR by an IL-1RAP+ leukemic cell, by decreasing the membrane availability of the targeted antigen, can induce resistance while a high epitope density maintains sensitivity to CAR T cells. Moreover, the presence of the iCASP9/Rimiducid suicide system safety switch makes this immunotherapy approach safe for application in a future phase 1 clinical trial.
CHD1 loss negatively influences metastasis-free survival in R0-resected prostate cancer patients and promotes spontaneous metastasis in vivo
Authors: Oh-Hohenhorst Su Jung , Tilki Derya , Ahlers Ann-Kristin , Suling Anna , Hahn Oliver , Tennstedt Pierre , Matuszcak Christiane , Maar Hanna , Labitzky Vera , Hanika Sandra , Starzonek Sarah , Baumgart Simon , Johnsen Steven A. , Kluth Martina , Sirma Hüseyin , Simon Ronald , Sauter Guido , Huland Hartwig , Schumacher Udo , Lange Tobias
Published: January 2021

The outcome of prostate cancer (PCa) patients is highly variable and depends on whether or not distant metastases occur. Multiple chromosomal deletions have been linked to early tumor marker PSA recurrence (biochemical relapse, BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP), but their potential role for distant metastasis formation is largely unknown. Here, we specifically analyzed whether deletion of the tumor suppressor CHD1 (5q21) influences the post-surgical risk of distant metastasis and whether CHD1 loss directly contributes to metastasis formation in vivo. By considering >6800 patients we found that the CHD1 deletion negatively influences metastasis-free survival in R0 patients (HR: 2.32; 95% CI: 1.61, 3.33;p < 0.001) independent of preoperative PSA, pT stage, pN status, Gleason Score, and BCR. Moreover, CHD1 deletion predicts shortened BCR-free survival in pT2 patients and cancer-specific survival in all patients. In vivo, CHD1 loss increases spontaneous pulmonary metastasis formation in two distinct PCa models coupled with a higher number of multicellular colonies as compared to single-cell metastases. Transcriptome analyses revealed down-regulation of the PCa-specific metastasis suppressor and TGFβ signaling regulator PMEPA1 after CHD1 depletion in both tested PCa models. CHD1 loss increases the risk of postoperative metastasis in R0-resected PCa patients and promotes spontaneous metastasis formation in vivo.
Neutral lipids as early biomarkers of cellular fate: the case of α-synuclein overexpression
Authors: Alza Natalia P. , Conde Melisa A. , Scodelaro-Bilbao Paola G. , Salvador Gabriela A.
Published: January 2021

Abstract

α-synuclein (α-syn) accumulation and aggregation is a common pathological factor found in synucleinopathies, a group of neurodegenerative disorders that includes Parkinson´s disease (PD). It has been proposed that lipid dyshomeostasis is responsible for the occurrence of PD-related processes, however, the precise role of lipids in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the effect of α-syn overexpression on neutral lipid metabolism and how this impacts on neuronal fate. We found lipid droplet (LD) accumulation in cells overexpressing α-syn to be associated with a rise in triacylglycerol (TAG) and cholesteryl ester (CE) levels. α-syn overexpression promoted diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 upregulation and acyl-CoA synthetase activation, triggering TAG buildup, that was accompanied by an increase in diacylglycerol acylation. Moreover, the CE increment was associated with higher activity of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase. Interestingly, α-syn overexpression increased cholesterol lysosomal accumulation. We observed that sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1 and SREBP-2 were differentially regulated by α-syn overexpression. The latter gave rise to a reduction in SREBP-1 nuclear translocation and consequently in fatty acid synthase expression, whereas it produced an increase in SREBP-2 nuclear localization. Surprisingly, and despite increased cholesterol levels, SREBP-2 downstream genes related to cholesterolgenesis were not upregulated as expected. Notably, phospholipid (PL) levels were diminished in cells overexpressing α-syn. This decrease was related to the activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) with a concomitant imbalance of the PL deacylation-acylation cycle. Fatty acids released from PLs by iPLA2 and cPLA2 action were esterified into TAGs, thus promoting a biological response to α-syn overexpression with uncompromised cell viability. When the described steady-state was disturbed under conditions favoring higher levels of α-syn, the response was an enhanced LD accumulation, this imbalance ultimately leading to neuronal death.
Prostate apoptosis response-4 and tumor suppression: it’s not just about apoptosis anymore
Authors: Cheratta Anees Rahman , Thayyullathil Faisal , Pallichankandy Siraj , Subburayan Karthikeyan , Alakkal Ameer , Galadari Sehamuddin
Published: January 2021

The tumor suppressor prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) has recently turned ‘twenty-five’. Beyond its indisputable role as an apoptosis inducer, an increasing and sometimes bewildering, new roles for Par-4 are being reported. These roles include its ability to regulate autophagy, senescence, and metastasis. This growing range of responses to Par-4 is reflected by our increasing understanding of the various mechanisms through which Par-4 can function. In this review, we summarize the existing knowledge on Par-4 tumor suppressive mechanisms, and discuss how the interaction of Par-4 with different regulators influence cell fate. This review also highlights the new secretory pathway that has emerged and the likely discussion on its clinical implications.
Acid sphingomyelinase-dependent autophagic degradation of GPX4 is critical for the execution of ferroptosis
Authors: Thayyullathil Faisal , Cheratta Anees Rahman , Alakkal Ameer , Subburayan Karthikeyan , Pallichankandy Siraj , Hannun Yusuf A. , Galadari Sehamuddin
Published: January 2021

Ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death characterized by ROS accumulation and devastating lipid peroxidation (LPO). The role of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), a key enzyme in sphingolipid metabolism, in the induction of apoptosis has been studied; however, to date its role in ferroptosis is unclear. In this study, we report that ASM plays a hitherto unanticipated role in promoting ferroptosis. Mechanistically, Erastin (Era) treatment results in the activation of ASM and generation of ceramide, which are required for the Era-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and LPO. Inhibition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH oxidase) or removal of intracellular ROS, significantly reduced Era-induced ASM activation, suggesting that NADPH oxidase-derived ROS regulated ASM-initiated redox signaling in a positive feedback manner. Moreover, ASM-mediated activation of autophagy plays a critical role in ferroptosis inducers (FINs)-induced glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) degradation and ferroptosis activation. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of ASM diminishes Era-induced features of autophagy, GPX4 degradation, LPO, and subsequent ferroptosis. Importantly, genetic activation of ASM increases ferroptosis in cancer cells induced by various FINs. Collectively, these findings reveal that ASM plays a novel role in ferroptosis that could be exploited to improve pathological conditions that link to ferroptosis.
ZNF280A promotes lung adenocarcinoma development by regulating the expression of EIF3C
Authors: Liu Hongsheng , Qin Yingzhi , Zhou Na , Ma Dongjie , Wang Yingyi
Published: January 2021

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histological subtype in non-small cell lung cancer, which is the malignant tumor with the highest mortality and morbidity in the world. Herein, ZNF280A, a member of the zinc finger protein family carrying two consecutive Cys2His2 zinc finger domains, was shown by us to act as a tumor driver in LUAD. The immunohistochemical analysis of ZNF280A in LUAD indicated its positive correlation with tumor grade, pathological stage and lymphatic metastasis, and negative relationship with patients’ survival. A loss-of-function study revealed the inhibition of LUAD development by ZNF280A in vitro and in vivo, whereas ZNF280A overexpression induced opposite effects. Statistical analysis of gene expression profiling in LUAD cells with or without ZNF280A knockdown identified EIF3C as a potential downstream of ZNF280A, which possesses similar regulatory effects on phenotypes of LUAD cells with ZNF280A. Moreover, downregulation of EIF3C in ZNF280A-overexpressed cells could attenuate neutralize the ZNF280A-induced promotion of LUAD. In summary, our study demonstrated that ZNF280A may promote the development of LUAD by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and cell migration and probably via interacting EIF3C.