bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of food insecurity and association with mental health in an indigenous population in Panamá
Authors: Walker Rebekah J , Dawson Aprill Z , Campbell Jennifer A , Egede Leonard E
Published: August 2021

Objective:

Understanding food insecurity and its health consequences is important for identifying strategies to best target support for individuals and communities. Given the limited information that exists for indigenous groups in Latin America, this study aimed to understand the association between food insecurity and mental health in an indigenous population in Panama.

Design:

Cross-sectional data were collected using a survey conducted with Kuna Indians residing off the coast of Panama. Data sources included measures from the Panamanian prevalence of risk factors associated with CVD survey, and validated measures for psychosocial factors and standardised health outcome measures. Regression models with each of the mental health outcomes (depression, serious psychological distress, perceived stress) were used to examine the association between food insecurity and mental health outcomes.

Setting:

Indigenous Kuna community residing on the San Blas Islands of Panama.

Participants:

Two-hundred nine adults.

Results:

Food insecurity was reported by 83 % of the participants. Across demographic categories, the only significant difference was by age with higher prevalence in younger ages. After adjusting for demographics, higher food insecurity was significantly associated with higher number of depressive symptoms and more serious psychological distress, but not with levels of perceived stress.

Conclusions:

Based on these findings, treatment for mental health in the Kuna community may need to account for social determinants of health and be tailored to meet the needs of younger age groups in this population. In addition, interventions designed to decrease food insecurity should be considered as a possible means for improving mental health.
CHOCOLATE CITY, VANILLA SUBURBS REVISITED
Authors: Farley Reynolds
Published: August 2021

Despite the long history of racial hostility, African Americans after 1990 began moving from the city of Detroit to the surrounding suburbs in large numbers. After World War II, metropolitan Detroit ranked with Chicago, Cleveland, and Milwaukee for having the highest levels of racial residential segregation in the United States. Detroit’s suburbs apparently led the country in their strident opposition to integration. Today, segregation scores are moderate to low for Detroit’s entire suburban ring and for the larger suburbs. Suburban public schools are not highly segregated by race. This essay describes how this change has occurred and seeks to explain why there is a trend toward residential integration in the nation’s quintessential American Apartheid metropolis.
The teaching of Law and Development: towards inclusiveness and reflexivity across time zones
Authors: de Souza Siddharth Peter , Dollmaier Thomas
Published: August 2021

An exploratory qualitative analysis of Law and Development (L&D) course descriptions reveals plurality and heterodoxy across time zones through the way in which they approach ‘law’ and ‘development’. We see this contestedness as a manifestation of the inherent power asymmetries of the field and offer the notion of time zones to better describe plural and contested forms of L&D knowledge. We seek to explore teaching as an important arena where knowledge is created and argue that the characteristics of substantive complexity and methodological heterodoxy of L&D provide promising conditions for making teaching moreinclusiveandreflexive. In this way, teaching can help in further provincialising the field. Additionally, inclusiveness and reflexivity can also have an impact on the epistemological trajectory of L&D more broadly by giving voice to a diversity of narratives, concepts and values.
Age Differences in Age Stereotypes
Authors: De Paula Couto Clara , Ostermeier Ronja , Rothermund Klaus
Published: August 2021

Abstract. We examined the domain-specific views of young and old people held by young (18–30 years, n = 278) and older adults (60–85 years, n = 289) in Germany, the USA, and India. Views about old and young people differed between life domains but were mostly similar across age groups and countries. Older adults in the USA and Germany – but not in India – held slightly less negative views about old people than did young people in some domains, possibly indicating a projection of better-than-expected own aging experiences of older adults into their in-group stereotypes in Western countries. The findings of our study can be explained by socialization processes, supporting mostly a developmental perspective regarding the acquisition and endorsement of age stereotypes.
Climate Control of Topsoil Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium Concentrations in Urban Forests Across Eastern China
Authors: Wu Xinhui , Du Enzai , Guo Yuying , Xia Nan , Tang Yang , Wang Yang , Guo Hongbo
Published: August 2021

Potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) are essential nutrients that have important biological and ecological functions. However, little is known about the large‐scale patterns of soil K, Ca, and Mg concentrations across urban forests that provide crucial ecosystem services. By measuring total K, Ca, and Mg concentrations of topsoil samples (0–10 and 10–20 cm) from forest patches in 27 urban parks across nine large cities in eastern China, we analyzed their spatial trends and main drivers. Our results indicate a decrease of topsoil K concentration in urban forests from cities in the north to cities in the south, while topsoil Ca and Mg concentrations both showed a unimodal trend along with the latitude. The spatial trend of topsoil K concentration was mainly explained by mean annual temperature (MAT) and preurban soil order, while the spatial variations of topsoil Ca and Mg concentrations both were controlled by mean annual precipitation (MAP) and MAT. Other factors, including nitrogen deposition, gross domestic product per capita, the area and age of each park had an unimportant role in shaping the spatial trends of topsoil K, Ca, and Mg concentrations. Our findings suggest a predominant control of climate on the large‐scale patterns of topsoil K, Ca, and Mg concentrations in urban forests and highlight a risk of base cationic nutrient deficiencies in urban forests in southern China.
Improving the Reliability of Sub‐Seasonal Forecasts of High and Low Flows by Using a Flow‐Dependent Nonparametric Model
Authors: McInerney David , Thyer Mark , Kavetski Dmitri , Laugesen Richard , Woldemeskel Fitsum , Tuteja Narendra , Kuczera George
Published: August 2021

Sub‐seasonal streamflow forecasts are important for a range of water resource management applications, with a distinct practical interest in forecasts of high flows (e.g., for managing flood events) and low flows (e.g., for managing environmental flows). Despite this interest, differences in forecast performance for high and low flow events are not routinely investigated. Our study reveals that while forecasts evaluated over the full flow range can appear reliable, stratification into high/low flow ranges highlights significant under/over‐estimation of forecast uncertainty, respectively. We overcome this challenge by introducing a flow‐dependent (FD) nonparametric component into a post‐processing model of hydrological forecasting errors, the Multi‐Temporal Hydrological Residual Error (MuTHRE) model, yielding the MuTHRE‐FD model. The MuTHRE and MuTHRE‐FD models are compared in a case study with 11 Australian catchments, the GR4J rainfall‐runoff model and post‐processed rainfall forecasts from ACCESS‐S. Through its improved treatment of flow‐dependence, the MuTHRE‐FD model achieves practically significant improvements over the original MuTHRE model in the reliability of forecasted cumulative volumes for: (a) high flows out to 7 days; (b) low flows out to 2 days; and (c) mid flows for majority of lead times. The new MuTHRE‐FD model provides seamless sub‐seasonal forecasts with high quality performance for both high and low flows over a range of lead times. This improvement provides forecast users with increased confidence in using sub‐seasonal forecasts across a wide range of applications.
Extreme High Greenland Blocking Index Leads to the Reversal of Davis and Nares Strait Net Transport Toward the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Myers Paul G. , Castro de la Guardia Laura , Fu Chuanshuai , Gillard Laura C. , Grivault Nathan , Hu Xianmin , Lee Craig M. , Moore G. W. K. , Pennelly Clark , Ribergaard Mads Hvid , Romanski Joy
Published: August 2021

Baffin Bay exports Arctic Water to the North Atlantic while receiving northward flowing Atlantic Water. Warm Atlantic Water has impacted the retreat of tidewater glaciers draining the Greenland Ice Sheet. Periods of enhanced Atlantic Water transport into Baffin Bay have been observed, but the oceanic processes are still not fully explained. At the end of 2010 the net transport at Davis Strait, the southern gateway to Baffin Bay, reversed from southward to northward for a month, leading to significant northward oceanic heat transport into Baffin Bay. This was associated with an extreme high in the Greenland Blocking Index and a stormtrack path that shifted away from Baffin Bay. Thus fewer cyclones in the Irminger Sea resulted in less frequent northerly winds along the western coast of Greenland, allowing anomalous northward penetration of warm waters, reversing the volume and heat transport at Davis Strait.
Heterogeneity Matters: Aggregation Bias of Gas Transfer Velocity Versus Energy Dissipation Rate Relations in Streams
Authors: Botter Gianluca , Peruzzo Paolo , Durighetto Nicola
Published: August 2021

The gas transfer velocity, , modulates gas fluxes across air‐water interfaces in rivers. While the theory postulates a local scaling law between and the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate , empirical studies usually interpret this relation at the reach‐scale. Here, we investigate how local laws can be integrated along heterogeneous reaches exploiting a simple hydrodynamic model, which links stage and velocity to the local slope. The model is used to quantify the relative difference between the gas transfer velocity of a heterogeneous stream and that of an equivalent homogeneous system. We show that this aggregation bias depends on the exponent of the local scaling law, , and internal slope variations. In high‐energy streams, where , spatial heterogeneity of significantly enhances reach‐scale values of as compared to homogeneous settings. We conclude that small‐scale hydro‐morphological traits bear a profound impact on gas evasion from inland waters.
First Observations of a Transient Polynya in the Last Ice Area North of Ellesmere Island
Authors: Moore G. W. K. , Howell S. E. L. , Brady M.
Published: August 2021

The area to the north of Ellesmere Island and Greenland contains the Arctic's thickest ice and it is predicted to be the last to lose its perennial ice, thus providing an important refuge for ice‐dependent species. There is however evidence that this Last Ice Area is, like the entire Arctic, undergoing rapid changes that may reduce its suitability as a refuge. During May 2020, a polynya developed to the north of Ellesmere Island in a region where there are no reports of a previous development. We use a variety of remotely sensed data as well as an atmospheric reanalysis to document the evolution and the dynamics responsible for the polynya. In particular, we argue that anomalously strong divergent winds associated with an intense and long‐lived Arctic anti‐cyclone contributed to the development of the polynya as well as similar previously unreported events in May 1988 and 2004.
Toward an Integrated View of Ionospheric Plasma Instabilities: 6. Analytic Analysis of Thermal Effects
Authors: Makarevich Roman A.
Published: August 2021

Thermal effects in the ionospheric plasma instabilities including the Farley‐Buneman instability (FBI), the gradient‐drift instability (GDI), and the ion‐thermal instability (ITI) are analyzed, focusing on analytic analysis of the previously obtained general expression of the combined instability growth rate. It is shown that thermal effects lead to generally nonmonotonic behavior of the growth rate with the background electric field or, equivalently with the plasma drift speed , in contrast with the conventional quadratic (FBI) or linear (GDI) dependence. The threshold electric field for FBI is demonstrated to exist at all altitudes, although at higher altitudes and/or at longer wavelength the threshold fields become too high to be observed in the ionosphere. The GDI growth rate is shown to be significantly modified by the thermal effects at long wavelengths. In the absence of thermal effects, the growth rate is proportional to a cosine of the flow angle, the angle between the differential plasma drift and the wavevector. Thermal effects result in an additional phase shift that maximizes at an altitude around 120 km, using representative high‐latitude ionospheric parameters, and in an increase in the proportionality coefficient by up to a factor of 2. The study highlights the usefulness of an analytic treatment for revealing additional insights into the instability behavior in the broad range of ionospheric parameters that may remain hidden using only numerical treatment.
Meander Response of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea to Impinging Eddies
Authors: Shi Qian , Wang Guihua
Published: August 2021

Both observations and an idealized model demonstrate that the path of a western boundary current, like the Kuroshio, can be perturbed by the impingement of an ocean eddy. When a strong cyclonic (anti‐cyclonic) eddy approaches the axis of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea, the current path can be repelled (attracted) by the eddy. The subsequent disruption occurs primarily near the interaction region and propagates downstream, forming a dissipating wavelike fluctuation. The spatial‐temporal evolution of Kuroshio axis shift by impinging eddy can be explained by idealized vorticity dynamics on the current‐eddy interaction process, and the magnitude of current path shift is shown to be determined by two nondimensional factors: the ratio of eddy strength to the Kuroshio strength; and the ratio of horizontal shearing strength in the background to that in the current.
Radiative Forcing of Nitrate Aerosols From 1975 to 2010 as Simulated by MOSAIC Module in CESM2‐MAM4
Authors: Lu Z. , Liu X. , Zaveri R. A. , Easter R. C. , Tilmes S. , Emmons L. K. , Vitt F. , Singh B. , Wang H. , Zhang R. , Rasch P. J.
Published: August 2021

We incorporate the Model for Simulating Aerosol Interactions and Chemistry (MOSAIC) module in the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2) Community Atmosphere Model Version 6 with interactive chemistry (CAM6‐chem), and couple it with the four mode version of the Modal Aerosol Module (MAM4). The MOSAIC module is used to simulate the thermodynamics of the gas‐aerosol mass exchange, with a special focus on simulating nitrate aerosol. By comparing against ground and satellite observations, we found that the MOSAIC/MAM4 scheme performs reasonably well in simulating spatiotemporal distributions of aerosols, including nitrate aerosol. We conducted a series of model experiments with and without nitrate aerosols, and examined the radiative effect (RE) associated with nitrate aerosols in 1975, 2000, and 2010, and accessed the radiative forcing (RF) of nitrate aerosols between the present day and pre‐industrial periods. Comparing with the nitrate aerosol RE, we predicted relatively small RF of anthropogenic nitrate aerosol from aerosol‐radiation interactions (RFari: −0.014 W m−2) and large RF from aerosol‐cloud interactions (RFaci: −0.219 W m−2). Regional signatures of nitrate RE/RF are noticeable and important: for instance, very small changes in REari in Europe and USA, but 2.8–3 times increases in REari in India and China from 1975 to 2010, while REaci/RFaci in China is a warming effect due to the competing effect between sulfate and nitrate aerosols as cloud condensation nuclei.
Changes of South‐Central Pacific Large‐Scale Environment Associated With Hydrometeors‐Radiation‐Circulation Interactions in a Coupled GCM
Authors: Li J.‐L. F. , Xu Kuan‐Man , Lee Wei‐Liang , Jiang J. H. , Fetzer Eric , Stephens Graeme , Yu Jia‐Yuh , Wang Yi‐Hui
Published: August 2021

A common deficiency in coupled atmosphere‐ocean models is the lack of stratocumulus clouds near the west coasts of continents and shallow cumulus clouds over the trade wind regions. In this study, we examine changes of large‐scale trade wind environment associated with hydrometeors‐radiation‐circulation interactions, focusing over the south‐central Pacific, by carrying out experiments with falling ice (snow) radiative effects (FIREs) on or off using the CESM1‐CAM5 coupled model. Compared to observations/reanalysis data and an experiment with FIREs on (SON), an experiment with FIREs off (NOS) tends to have too‐high (0.3–0.9 K) sea surface temperature (SST) over the eastern half of the Pacific, and weaker surface wind stress over the northeast side but stronger stress over the southwest side of the study domain. The difference between NOS and SON shows lower‐tropospheric wind fields with a cyclonic‐like wind pattern, which is similar to surface wind stress, accompanied with weaker subsidence over the northeast side. The cyclonic‐like wind pattern causes stronger moisture convergence, accompanied with horizontal warm and moist advections, and stronger effective ascending motion over the northeast side of the study domain, building large‐scale environmental conditions to facilitate middle‐ and high‐clouds instead of shallow cumulus clouds in nature. This large‐scale environment in conjunction with the higher SSTs may be also responsible for the lack of the stratocumulus clouds near the coast of America. Remaining biases in SON such as the double intertropical convergence zone and parameterization deficiencies may also prevent a more realistic simulation of trade wind clouds and their associated large‐scale environments.
PSMC2/ITGA6 axis plays critical role in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Duan Xuhua , Li Hao , Wang Manzhou , Ju Shuguang , Li Fengyao , Chen Pengfei , Lu Huibin , Han Xinwei , Ren Jianzhuang
Published: August 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of malignant tumor with sixth highest incidence and causes the third most cancer-related deaths in the world, whose treatment is limited by the unclear molecular mechanism. Currently, the correlation between PSMC2 and HCC is still unclear. Herein, we found that the expression of PSMC2 in HCC tissues was significantly higher than normal tissues. We also discovered the significant association between PSMC2 expression and tumor infiltrate as well as tumor stage. Further investigations indicated that PSMC2 knockdown contributed to impaired proliferation, colony formation, migration, and enhanced cell apoptosis in HCC cells. Moreover, PSMC2 could also suppress tumorigenicity of HCC cells in vivo. Gene microarray analysis followed by ingenuity pathway analysis was performed for exploring downstream of PSMC2 and identified ITGA6 as a potential target. Furthermore, our study revealed that ITGA6 knockdown exhibited similar inhibitory effects with PSMC2 on HCC cells in vitro. More importantly, our results proved the direct interaction and showed the mutual regulation between PSMC2 and ITGA6, and that PSMC2 knockdown could significantly aggravate the inhibition of HCC by ITGA6 depletion. Based on these intriguing results, this is the first time ever that PSMC2 is pinpointed as a tumor promotor to interfere HCC development and progression via interacting with ITGA6 directly.
CD11b+ lung dendritic cells at different stages of maturation induce Th17 or Th2 differentiation
Authors: Izumi Gentaro , Nakano Hideki , Nakano Keiko , Whitehead Gregory S. , Grimm Sara A. , Fessler Michael B. , Karmaus Peer W. , Cook Donald N.
Published: August 2021

Dendritic cells (DC) in the lung that induce Th17 differentiation remain incompletely understood, in part because conventional CD11b+ DCs (cDC2) are heterogeneous. Here, we report a population of cDCs that rapidly accumulates in lungs of mice following house dust extract inhalation. These cells are Ly-6C+, are developmentally and phenotypically similar to cDC2, and strongly promote Th17 differentiation ex vivo. Single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-Seq) of lung cDC2 indicates 5 distinct clusters. Pseudotime analysis of scRNA-Seq data and adoptive transfer experiments with purified cDC2 subpopulations suggest stepwise developmental progression of immature Ly-6C+Ly-6A/E+ cDC2 to mature Ly-6C–CD301b+ lung resident cDC2 lacking Ccr7 expression, which then further mature into CD200+ migratory cDC2 expressing Ccr7. Partially mature Ly-6C+Ly-6A/E–CD301b– cDC2, which express Il1b, promote Th17 differentiation. By contrast, CD200+ mature cDC2 strongly induce Th2, but not Th17, differentiation. Thus, Th17 and Th2 differentiation are promoted by lung cDC2 at distinct stages of maturation.
Precision measurement of electron-electron scattering in GaAs/AlGaAs using transverse magnetic focusing
Authors: Gupta Adbhut , Heremans J. J. , Kataria Gitansh , Chandra Mani , Fallahi S. , Gardner G. C. , Manfra M. J.
Published: August 2021

Electron-electron (e-e) interactions assume a cardinal role in solid-state physics. Quantifying the e-e scattering length is hence critical. In this paper we show that the mesoscopic phenomenon of transverse magnetic focusing (TMF) in two-dimensional electron systems forms a precise and sensitive technique to measure this length scale. Conversely we quantitatively demonstrate that e-e scattering is the predominant effect limiting TMF amplitudes in high-mobility materials. Using high-resolution kinetic simulations, we show that the TMF amplitude at a maximum decays exponentially as a function of the e-e scattering length, which leads to a ready approach to extract this length from the measured TMF amplitudes. The approach is applied to measure the temperature-dependent e-e scattering length in high-mobility GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures. The simulations further reveal current vortices that accompany the cyclotron orbits - a collective phenomenon counterintuitive to the ballistic transport underlying a TMF setting.
Multivariate pattern analysis of brain structure predicts functional outcome after auditory-based cognitive training interventions
Authors: Kambeitz-Ilankovic Lana , Vinogradov Sophia , Wenzel Julian , Fisher Melissa , Haas Shalaila S. , Betz Linda , Penzel Nora , Nagarajan Srikantan , Koutsouleris Nikolaos , Subramaniam Karuna
Published: August 2021

Cognitive gains following cognitive training interventions are associated with improved functioning in people with schizophrenia (SCZ). However, considerable inter-individual variability is observed. Here, we evaluate the sensitivity of brain structural features to predict functional response to auditory-based cognitive training (ABCT) at a single-subject level. We employed whole-brain multivariate pattern analysis with support vector machine (SVM) modeling to identify gray matter (GM) patterns that predicted higher vs. lower functioning after 40 h of ABCT at the single-subject level in SCZ patients. The generalization capacity of the SVM model was evaluated by applying the original model through an out-of-sample cross-validation analysis to unseen SCZ patients from an independent validation sample who underwent 50 h of ABCT. The whole-brain GM volume-based pattern classification predicted higher vs. lower functioning at follow-up with a balanced accuracy (BAC) of 69.4% (sensitivity 72.2%, specificity 66.7%) as determined by nested cross-validation. The neuroanatomical model was generalizable to an independent cohort with a BAC of 62.1% (sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 33.3%). In particular, greater baseline GM volumes in regions within superior temporal gyrus, thalamus, anterior cingulate, and cerebellum predicted improved functioning at the single-subject level following ABCT in SCZ participants. The present findings provide a structural MRI fingerprint associated with preserved GM volumes at a single baseline timepoint, which predicted improved functioning following an ABCT intervention, and serve as a model for how to facilitate precision clinical therapies for SCZ based on imaging data, operating at the single-subject level.
RNA-Seq, physiological, and biochemical analysis of burley tobacco response to nitrogen deficiency
Authors: Li Yafei , Chang Dong , Zhang Xiang , Shi Hongzhi , Yang Huijuan
Published: August 2021

To explore the effects of nitrogen deficiency in burley tobacco, two varieties were cultivated and subjected to conditions of sufficient and deficient nitrogen. The natural characteristics of varieties TN90 and TN86 during tobacco cultivation were similar for nitrogen metabolism. Both carbon and nitrogen metabolism were significantly affected by reducing amounts of applied nitrogen. Under nitrogen-deficient conditions, average leaf biomass, root weight, photosynthetic rate (Pn), pigment levels, total nitrogen, and nitrate content of TN86 and TN90 were significantly decreased by 52.88%, 69.19%, 22.65%, 46.80%, 37.42%, and 79.15%, respectively (p < 0.01). Nicotine and soluble reducing sugar contents were significantly decreased by 96.67% and 95.12%, respectively, in TN86 roots (p < 0.01), which was consistent with the reductions in root surf area, average diameter, and root volume. Nitrogen deficiency induced 6318 differentially expressed genes in both TN90 and TN86, which were highly expressed. In total, 428 upregulated genes were analysed and found to be mainly enriched in the MAPK signalling pathway, sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis, and arginine and proline metabolism. Meanwhile, 213 downregulated genes were analysed and found to be mainly enriched in photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis. Reduced pigment content and Pn may result in low carbohydrate formation and decreased leaf biomass in burley tobacco under nitrogen-deficient conditions.
Field measurements of a massive Porites coral at Goolboodi (Orpheus Island), Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Smith Adam , Cook Nathan , Cook Kailash , Brown Rachelle , Woodgett Richard , Veron John , Saylor Vicki
Published: August 2021

An exceptionally large coral Porites sp. has been identified and measured at Goolboodi (Orpheus Island), Great Barrier Reef (GBR). This coral was measured in March 2021 during citizen science research of coral reefs in the Palm Islands group. We conducted a literature review and consulted scientists to compare the size, age and health of the Porites with others in the GBR and internationally. This is the largest diameter Porites coral measured by scientists and the sixth highest coral measured in the GBR. The health of the Porites was assessed as very good with over 70% live coral cover and minor percentages of sponge, live coral rock and macroalgae. An estimated age of 421–438 years was calculated based on linear growth models. Manbarra Traditional Owners were consulted and suggested that the Porites be named Muga dhambi (big coral) to communicate traditional knowledge, language and culture to indigenous, tourists, scientists and students.
Machine learning approach to dynamic risk modeling of mortality in COVID-19: a UK Biobank study
Authors: Dabbah Mohammad A. , Reed Angus B. , Booth Adam T. C. , Yassaee Arrash , Despotovic Aleksa , Klasmer Benjamin , Binning Emily , Aral Mert , Plans David , Morelli Davide , Labrique Alain B. , Mohan Diwakar
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an urgent need for robust, scalable monitoring tools supporting stratification of high-risk patients. This research aims to develop and validate prediction models, using the UK Biobank, to estimate COVID-19 mortality risk in confirmed cases. From the 11,245 participants testing positive for COVID-19, we develop a data-driven random forest classification model with excellent performance (AUC: 0.91), using baseline characteristics, pre-existing conditions, symptoms, and vital signs, such that the score could dynamically assess mortality risk with disease deterioration. We also identify several significant novel predictors of COVID-19 mortality with equivalent or greater predictive value than established high-risk comorbidities, such as detailed anthropometrics and prior acute kidney failure, urinary tract infection, and pneumonias. The model design and feature selection enables utility in outpatient settings. Possible applications include supporting individual-level risk profiling and monitoring disease progression across patients with COVID-19 at-scale, especially in hospital-at-home settings.
Experimental study and modelling of asphaltene deposition on metal surfaces with superhydrophobic and low sliding angle inner coatings
Authors: Haji-Savameri Mohammad , Norouzi-Apourvari Saeid , Irannejad Ahmad , Hemmati-Sarapardeh Abdolhossein , Schaffie Mahin , Mosavi Amir
Published: August 2021

Inner coatings have emerged as a novel technique to prevent the deposition of paraffin, wax, scale, and corrosion of pipelines during oil production and transport. Few studies addressed this technique for preventing asphaltene deposition. In this study, two superhydrophobic inner coatings, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating and nanosilica coating, were fabricated on metal surfaces and the asphaltene deposition on these coated surfaces was examined. A model oil solution was prepared using asphaltene and heptol and the effect of static and dynamic flow states on the amount of asphaltene deposition on uncoated electrodes, PTFE coated electrodes, and nanosilica coated electrodes were investigated. The results showed that the PTFE coating is more effective in reducing asphaltene deposition than nanosilica coating. The PTFE coating could reduce 56% of the deposition in a static state and more than 70% in a dynamic state at an asphaltene concentration of 2000 ppm. For PTFE coating in a dynamic state, the deposition rate is negligible in long times. In addition, it was found that the type of flow state affects the asphaltene deposition kinetics. The results demonstrate that, in the static state, the nth-order kinetics model, and in the dynamic state, the double exponential models are in best agreement with the experimental data.
Cardiac macrophage subsets differentially regulate lymphatic network remodeling during pressure overload
Authors: Bizou Mathilde , Itier Romain , Majdoubi Mina , Abbadi Dounia , Pichery Estelle , Dutaur Marianne , Marsal Dimitri , Calise Denis , Garmy-Susini Barbara , Douin-Echinard Victorine , Roncalli Jérome , Parini Angelo , Pizzinat Nathalie
Published: August 2021

The lymphatic network of mammalian heart is an important regulator of interstitial fluid compartment and immune cell trafficking. We observed a remodeling of the cardiac lymphatic vessels and a reduced lymphatic efficiency during heart hypertrophy and failure induced by transverse aortic constriction. The lymphatic endothelial cell number of the failing hearts was positively correlated with cardiac function and with a subset of cardiac macrophages. This macrophage population distinguished by LYVE-1 (Lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronic acid receptor-1) and by resident macrophage gene expression signature, appeared not replenished by CCR2 mediated monocyte infiltration during pressure overload. Isolation of macrophage subpopulations showed that the LYVE-1 positive subset sustained in vitro and in vivo lymphangiogenesis through the expression of pro-lymphangiogenic factors. In contrast, the LYVE-1 negative macrophage subset strongly expressed MMP12 and decreased the endothelial LYVE-1 receptors in lymphatic endothelial cells, a feature of cardiac lymphatic remodeling in failing hearts. The treatment of mice with a CCR2 antagonist during pressure overload modified the proportion of macrophage subsets within the pathological heart and preserved lymphatic network from remodeling. This study reports unknown and differential functions of macrophage subpopulations in the regulation of cardiac lymphatic during pathological hypertrophy and may constitute a key mechanism underlying the progression of heart failure.
Projected increases in surface melt and ice loss for the Northern and Southern Patagonian Icefields
Authors: Bravo Claudio , Bozkurt Deniz , Ross Andrew N. , Quincey Duncan J.
Published: August 2021

The Northern Patagonian Icefield (NPI) and the Southern Patagonian Icefield (SPI) have increased their ice mass loss in recent decades. In view of the impacts of glacier shrinkage in Patagonia, an assessment of the potential future surface mass balance (SMB) of the icefields is critical. We seek to provide this assessment by modelling the SMB between 1976 and 2050 for both icefields, using regional climate model data (RegCM4.6) and a range of emission scenarios. For the NPI, reductions between 1.5 m w.e. (RCP2.6) and 1.9 m w.e. (RCP8.5) were estimated in the mean SMB during the period 2005–2050 compared to the historical period (1976–2005). For the SPI, the estimated reductions were between 1.1 m w.e. (RCP2.6) and 1.5 m w.e. (RCP8.5). Recently frontal ablation estimates suggest that mean SMB in the SPI is positively biased by 1.5 m w.e., probably due to accumulation overestimation. If it is assumed that frontal ablation rates of the recent past will continue, ice loss and sea-level rise contribution will increase. The trend towards lower SMB is mostly explained by an increase in surface melt. Positive ice loss feedbacks linked to increasing in meltwater availability are expected for calving glaciers.
Synthesis and application of [Zr-UiO-66-PDC-SO3H]Cl MOFs to the preparation of dicyanomethylene pyridines via chemical and electrochemical methods
Authors: Naseri Amir Mohammad , Zarei Mahmoud , Alizadeh Saber , Babaee Saeed , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Nematollahi Davood , Arjomandi Jalal , Shi Hu
Published: August 2021

A metal–organic framework (MOF) with sulfonic acid tags as a novel mesoporous catalyst was synthesized. The precursor of Zr-UiO-66-PDC was synthesized both via chemical and electrochemical methods. Then, zirconium-based mesoporous metal–organic framework [Zr-UiO-66-PDC-SO3H]Cl was prepared by reaction of Zr-UiO-66-PDC and SO3HCl. The structure of [Zr-UiO-66-PDC-SO3H]Cl was confirmed by FT-IR, PXRD, FE-SEM, TEM, BET, EDX, and Mapping analysis. This mesoporous [Zr-UiO-66-PDC-SO3H]Cl was successfully applied for the synthesis of dicyanomethylene pyridine derivatives via condensation of various aldehyde, 2-aminoprop-1-ene-1,1,3-tricarbonitrile and malononitrile. At the electrochemical section, a green electrochemical method has successfully employed for rapid synthesis of the zirconium-based mesoporous metal–organic framework UiO-66-PDC at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The synthesized UiO-66-PDC has a uniform cauliflower-like structure with a 13.5 nm mean pore diameter and 1081.6 m2 g−1 surface area. The described catalyst [Zr-UiO-66-PDC-SO3H]Cl was also employed for the convergent paired electrochemical synthesis of dihydropyridine derivatives as an environmentally friendly technique under constant current at 1.0 mA cm−2 in an undivided cell. The proposed method proceeds with moderate to good yields for the model via a cooperative vinylogous anomeric based oxidation.
Assessment of reference genes at six different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni for quantitative RT-PCR
Authors: Silveira Gilbert O. , Amaral Murilo S. , Coelho Helena S. , Maciel Lucas F. , Pereira Adriana S. A. , Olberg Giovanna G. O. , Miyasato Patricia A. , Nakano Eliana , Verjovski-Almeida Sergio
Published: August 2021

Reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the most used, fast, and reproducible method to confirm large-scale gene expression data. The use of stable reference genes for the normalization of RT-qPCR assays is recognized worldwide. No systematic study for selecting appropriate reference genes for usage in RT-qPCR experiments comparing gene expression levels at different Schistosoma mansoni life-cycle stages has been performed. Most studies rely on genes commonly used in other organisms, such as actin, tubulin, and GAPDH. Therefore, the present study focused on identifying reference genes suitable for RT-qPCR assays across six S. mansoni developmental stages. The expression levels of 25 novel candidates that we selected based on the analysis of public RNA-Seq datasets, along with eight commonly used reference genes, were systematically tested by RT-qPCR across six developmental stages of S. mansoni (eggs, miracidia, cercariae, schistosomula, adult males and adult females). The stability of genes was evaluated with geNorm, NormFinder and RefFinder algorithms. The least stable candidate reference genes tested were actin, tubulin and GAPDH. The two most stable reference genes suitable for RT-qPCR normalization were Smp_101310 (Histone H4 transcription factor) and Smp_196510 (Ubiquitin recognition factor in ER-associated degradation protein 1). Performance of these two genes as normalizers was successfully evaluated with females maintained unpaired or paired to males in culture for 8 days, or with worm pairs exposed for 16 days to double-stranded RNAs to silence a protein-coding gene. This study provides reliable reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis using samples from six different S. mansoni life-cycle stages.
Differential cell counts using center-point networks achieves human-level accuracy and efficiency over segmentation
Authors: Lee Sarada M. W. , Shaw Andrew , Simpson Jodie L. , Uminsky David , Garratt Luke W.
Published: August 2021

Differential cell counts is a challenging task when applying computer vision algorithms to pathology. Existing approaches to train cell recognition require high availability of multi-class segmentation and/or bounding box annotations and suffer in performance when objects are tightly clustered. We present differential count network (“DCNet”), an annotation efficient modality that utilises keypoint detection to locate in brightfield images the centre points of cells (not nuclei) and their cell class. The single centre point annotation for DCNet lowered burden for experts to generate ground truth data by 77.1% compared to bounding box labeling. Yet centre point annotation still enabled high accuracy when training DCNet on a multi-class algorithm on whole cell features, matching human experts in all 5 object classes in average precision and outperforming humans in consistency. The efficacy and efficiency of the DCNet end-to-end system represents a significant progress toward an open source, fully computationally approach to differential cell count based diagnosis that can be adapted to any pathology need.
Prior beta-blocker treatment improves outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with non-shockable rhythms
Authors: Huang Hui-Chun , Yu Ping-Hsun , Tsai Min-Shan , Chien Kuo-Liong , Chen Wen-Jone , Huang Chien-Hua
Published: August 2021

The prognosis of out of cardiac arrest is poor and most cardiac arrest patients suffered from the non-shockable rhythm especially in patients without pre-existing cardiovascular diseases and medication prescription. Beta-blocker (ß-blocker) therapy has been shown to improve outcomes in cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, ischemia related cardiac, and brain injuries. Therefore, we investigated whether prior ß-blockers use was associated with reduced mortality in patients with cardiac arrest and non-shockable rhythm. We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using multivariate propensity score–based regression to control for differences among patients with cardiac arrest. A total of 104,568 adult patients suffering a non-traumatic and non-shockable rhythm cardiac arrest between 2005 and 2011 were identified. ß-blocker prescription at least 30 days prior to the cardiac arrest event was defines as the ß-blockers group. We chose 12.5 mg carvedilol as the cut-off value and defined greater or equal to carvedilol 12.5 mg per day and its equivalent dose as high-dose group. After multivariate propensity score–based logistic regression analysis, patients with prior ß-blockers use were associated with better 1-year survival [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.30; P = 0.031]. Compared to non-ß-blocker use group and prior low-dose ß-blockers use group, prior high-dose ß-blockers use group was associated with higher mechanical ventilator wean success rate (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01–1.41, P = 0.042). In conclusion, prior high dose ß-blockers use was associated with a better 1-year survival and higher weaning rate in patients with non-shockable cardiac arrest.
A machine learning approach to identify predictive molecular markers for cisplatin chemosensitivity following surgical resection in ovarian cancer
Authors: Shannon Nicholas Brian , Tan Laura Ling Ying , Tan Qiu Xuan , Tan Joey Wee-Shan , Hendrikson Josephine , Ng Wai Har , Ng Gillian , Liu Ying , Ong Xing-Yi Sarah , Nadarajah Ravichandran , Wong Jolene Si Min , Tan Grace Hwei Ching , Soo Khee Chee , Teo Melissa Ching Ching , Chia Claramae Shulyn , Ong Chin-Ann Johnny
Published: August 2021

Ovarian cancer is associated with poor prognosis. Platinum resistance contributes significantly to the high rate of tumour recurrence. We aimed to identify a set of molecular markers for predicting platinum sensitivity. A signature predicting cisplatin sensitivity was generated using the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. Four potential biomarkers (CYTH3, GALNT3, S100A14, and ERI1) were identified and optimized for immunohistochemistry (IHC). Validation was performed on a cohort of patients (n = 50) treated with surgical resection followed by adjuvant carboplatin. Predictive models were established to predict chemosensitivity. The four biomarkers were also assessed for their ability to prognosticate overall survival in three ovarian cancer microarray expression datasets from The Gene Expression Omnibus. The extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm was selected for the final model to validate the accuracy in an independent validation dataset (n = 10). CYTH3 and S100A14, followed by nodal stage, were the features with the greatest importance. The four gene signature had comparable prognostication as clinical information for two-year survival. Assessment of tumour biology by means of gene expression can serve as an adjunct for prediction of chemosensitivity and prognostication. Potentially, the assessment of molecular markers alongside clinical information offers a chance to further optimise therapeutic decision making.
Costs of position, velocity, and force requirements in optimal control induce triphasic muscle activation during reaching movement
Authors: Ueyama Yuki
Published: August 2021

The nervous system activates a pair of agonist and antagonist muscles to determine the muscle activation pattern for a desired movement. Although there is a problem with redundancy, it is solved immediately, and movements are generated with characteristic muscle activation patterns in which antagonistic muscle pairs show alternate bursts with a triphasic shape. To investigate the requirements for deriving this pattern, this study simulated arm movement numerically by adopting a musculoskeletal arm model and an optimal control. The simulation reproduced the triphasic electromyogram (EMG) pattern observed in a reaching movement using a cost function that considered three terms: end-point position, velocity, and force required; the function minimised neural input. The first, second, and third bursts of muscle activity were generated by the cost terms of position, velocity, and force, respectively. Thus, we concluded that the costs of position, velocity, and force requirements in optimal control can induce triphasic EMG patterns. Therefore, we suggest that the nervous system may control the body by using an optimal control mechanism that adopts the costs of position, velocity, and force required; these costs serve to initiate, decelerate, and stabilise movement, respectively.
Dendrimeric HIV-peptide delivery nanosystem affects lipid membranes structure
Authors: Milowska Katarzyna , Rodacka Aleksandra , Melikishvili Sophie , Buczkowski Adam , Pałecz Bartlomiej , Waczulikova Iveta , Hianik Tibor , Majoral Jean Pierre , Ionov Maksim , Bryszewska Maria
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nature and mechanisms of interaction between HIV peptide/dendrimer complexes (dendriplex) and artificial lipid membranes, such as large unilayered vesicles (LUV) and lipid monolayers in the air–water interface. Dendriplexes were combined as one of three HIV-derived peptides (Gp160, P24 and Nef) and one of two cationic phosphorus dendrimers (CPD-G3 and CPD-G4). LUVs were formed of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or of a mixture of DMPC and dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylglycerol (DPPG). Interactions between dendriplexes and vesicles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), fluorescence anisotropy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Langmuir–Blodgett methods. The morphology of formed systems was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results suggest that dendriplexes interact with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions of lipid bilayers. The interactions between dendriplexes and negatively charged lipids (DMPC–DPPG) were stronger than those between dendriplexes and liposomes composed of zwitterionic lipids (DMPC). The former were primarily of electrostatic nature due to the positive charge of dendriplexes and the negative charge of the membrane, whereas the latter can be attributed to disturbances in the hydrophobic domain of the membrane. Obtained results provide new information about mechanisms of interaction between lipid membranes and nanocomplexes formed with HIV-derived peptides and phosphorus dendrimers. These data could be important for the choosing the appropriate antigen delivery vehicle in the new vaccines against HIV infection.
Realization of frequency hopping characteristics of an epsilon negative metamaterial with high effective medium ratio for multiband microwave applications
Authors: Islam Mohammad Tariqul , Moniruzzaman Md. , Alam Touhidul , Samsuzzaman Md , Razouqi Qutaiba A. , Almutairi Ali F.
Published: August 2021

In this paper, a meander-lines-based epsilon negative (ENG) metamaterial (MTM) with a high effective medium ratio (EMR) and near-zero refractive index (NZI) is designed and investigated for multiband microwave applications. The metamaterial unit cell is a modification of the conventional square split-ring resonator in which the meander line concept is utilized. The meander line helps to increase the electrical length of the rings and provides strong multiple resonances within a small dimension. The unit cell of proposed MTM is initiated on a low-cost FR4 substrate of 1.5 mm thick and electrical dimension of 0.06λ × 0.06λ, where wavelength, λ is calculated at the lowest resonance frequency (2.48 GHz). The MTM provides four major resonances of transmission coefficient (S21) at 2.48, 4.28, 9.36, and 13.7 GHz covering S, C, X, and Ku bands. It shows negative permittivity, near-zero permeability, and near-zero refractive index in the vicinity of these resonances. The equivalent circuit is designed and modeled in Advanced Design System (ADS) software. The simulated S21 of the MTM unit cell is compared with the measured one and both show close similarity. The array performance of the MTM is also evaluated by using 2 × 2, 4 × 4, and 8 × 8 arrays that show close resemblance with the unit cell. The MTM offers a high effective medium ratio (EMR) of 15.1, indicating the design's compactness. The frequency hopping characteristics of the proposed MTM is investigated by open and short-circuited the three outer rings split gaps by using three switches. Eight different combinations of the switching states provide eight different sets of multiband resonances within 2–18 GHz; those give the flexibility of using the proposed MTM operating in various frequency bands. For its small dimension, NZI, high EMR, and frequency hopping characteristics through switching, this metamaterial can be utilized for multiband microwave applications, especially to enhance the gain of multiband antennas.