bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Architecture of Childhood Kidney and Urological Diseases in China
Authors: Fang Ye , Shi Hua , Xiang Tianchao , Liu Jiaojiao , Liu Jialu , Tang Xiaoshan , Fang Xiaoyan , Chen Jing , Zhai Yihui , Shen Qian , Li Guomin , Sun Li , Bi Yunli , Wang Xiang , Qian Yanyan , Wu Bingbing , Wang Huijun , Zhou Wenhao , Ma Duan , Mao Jianhua , Jiang Xiaoyun , Sun Shuzhen , Shen Ying , Liu Xiaorong , Zhang Aihua , Wang Xiaowen , Huang Wenyan , Li Qiu , Wang Mo , Gao Xiaojie , Wu Yubin , Deng Fang , Zhang Ruifeng , Liu Cuihua , Yu Li , Zhuang Jieqiu , Sun Qing , Dang Xiqiang , Bai Haitao , Zhu Ying , Lu Siguang , Zhang Bili , Shao Xiaoshan , Liu Xuemei , Han Mei , Zhao Lijun , Liu Yuling , Gao Jian , Bao Ying , Zhang Dongfeng , Ma Qingshan , Zhao Liping , Xia Zhengkun , Lu Biao , Wang Yulong , Zhao Mengzhun , Zhang Jianjiang , Jian Shan , He Guohua , Zhang Huifeng , Zhao Bo , LI Xiaohua , Wang Feiyan , Li Yufeng , Zhu Hongtao , Luo Xinhui , Li Jinghai , Rao Jia , Xu Hong
Published: July 2021

Kidney disease is manifested in a wide variety of phenotypes, many of which have an important hereditary component. To delineate the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of pediatric nephropathy, a multicenter registration system is being implemented based on the Chinese Children Genetic Kidney Disease Database (CCGKDD). In this study, all the patients with kidney and urological diseases were recruited from 2014 to 2020. Genetic analysis was conducted using exome sequencing for families with multiple affected individuals with nephropathy or clinical suspicion of a genetic kidney disease owing to early-onset or extrarenal features. The genetic diagnosis was confirmed in 883 of 2256 (39.1%) patients from 23 provinces in China. Phenotypic profiles showed that the primary diagnosis included steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS, 23.5%), glomerulonephritis (GN, 32.2%), congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT, 21.2%), cystic renal disease (3.9%), renal calcinosis/stone (3.6%), tubulopathy (9.7%), and chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu, 5.8%). The pathogenic variants of 105 monogenetic disorders were identified. Ten distinct genomic disorders were identified as pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs) in 11 patients. The diagnostic yield differed by subgroups, and was highest in those with cystic renal disease (66.3%), followed by tubulopathy (58.4%), GN (57.7%), CKDu (43.5%), SRNS (29.2%), renal calcinosis /stone (29.3%) and CAKUT (8.6%). Reverse phenotyping permitted correct identification in 40 cases with clinical reassessment and unexpected genetic conditions. We present the results of the largest cohort of children with kidney disease in China where diagnostic exome sequencing was performed. Our data demonstrate the utility of family-based exome sequencing, and indicate that the combined analysis of genotype and phenotype based on the national patient registry is pivotal to the genetic diagnosis of kidney disease.
SLM2 Is a Novel Cardiac Splicing Factor Involved in Heart Failure due to Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Boeckel Jes-Niels , Möbius-Winkler Maximilian , Müller Marion , Rebs Sabine , Eger Nicole , Schoppe Laura , Tappu Rewati , Kokot Karoline E. , Kneuer Jasmin M. , Gaul Susanne , Bordalo Diana M. , Lai Alan , Haas Jan , Ghanbari Mahsa , Drewe-Boss Philipp , Liss Martin , Katus Hugo A. , Ohler Uwe , Gotthardt Michael , Laufs Ulrich , Streckfuss-Bömeke Katrin , Meder Benjamin
Published: July 2021

Alternative mRNA splicing is a fundamental process to increase the versatility of the genome. In humans, cardiac mRNA splicing is involved in the pathophysiology of heart failure. Mutations in the splicing factor RNA binding motif protein 20 (RBM20) cause severe forms of cardiomyopathy. To identify novel cardiomyopathy-associated splicing factors, RNA-seq and tissue-enrichment analyses were performed, which identified up-regulated expression of Sam68-Like mammalian protein 2 (SLM2) in the left ventricle of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients. In the human heart, SLM2 binds to important transcripts of sarcomere constituents, such as those encoding myosin light chain 2 (MYL2), troponin I3 (TNNI3), troponin T2 (TNNT2), tropomyosin 1/2 (TPM1/2), and titin (TTN). Mechanistically, SLM2 mediates intron retention, prevents exon exclusion, and thereby mediates alternative splicing of the mRNA regions encoding the variable proline-, glutamate-, valine-, and lysine-rich (PEVK) domain and another part of the I-band region of titin. In summary, SLM2 is a novel cardiac splicing regulator with essential functions for maintaining cardiomyocyte integrity by binding to and processing the mRNAs of essential cardiac constituents such as titin.
General Public Perception of Social Media, Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic, and Related Misconceptions
Authors: Ali Rabiya , Jawed Shireen , Baig Mukhtiar , Azam Malik Ahmad , Syed Fatima , Rehman Rehana
Published: July 2021

Objectives:

This research aimed at investigating the general public perception of social media (SM), impact of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, and related misconceptions among the Pakistani population.

Methodology:

Cross-sectional study conducted during the peak of COVID-19 in Pakistan between May and June, 2020 comprised of 2307 Pakistani male and female participants. Subjects under 18 years of age and nationality other than Pakistani were excluded. An online questionnaire was administered via the Internet using various kinds of social media.

Results:

The study was comprised of 2307 male and female participants; 2074 (89.90%) used SM for seeking COVID-19 information, 450 (20%) used both Facebook (FB) and WhatsApp (WA), and 267 (11.6%) used FB, WA, Twitter, and Instagram. Respondents’ perceptions showed that: 529 (23%) believed in SM information and 1564 (67.8%) stated that COVID-19 affected their social and mental wellbeing. Respondents’ knowledge revealed that: 1509 (65.40%) had poor knowledge (≤ 50% score), and 798 (34.6%) had good knowledge (> 50% score) (P< 0.001) about COVID-19. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that higher-earning positively correlated, while private jobs were negatively associated, with good knowledge.

Conclusion:

FB and WA were the 2 common social media used by study participants (a third had good knowledge). COVID-19 affected the social, mental, and psychological well-being of individuals. Good knowledge was greater in individuals with higher earning and less with private job involvements.
Repurposing Institutions: Trust Offices and the Dutch Financial System, 1690s–2000s
Authors: De Jong Abe , Jonker Joost , Röell Ailsa , Westerhuis Gerarda
Published: July 2021

Since the late seventeenth century, trust offices (administratiekantoren) that repackage securities have been a central institution in Dutch finance. Their basic form and functioning have remained largely the same, but over time, the repackaging has come to serve different purposes. Originally set up for administrative convenience, they helped to create liquidity, notably for foreign securities. From the 1930s, their primary purpose became to shield directors of large corporations from shareholder influence and hostile takeover threats. Subsequently, the trust offices evolved from general-purpose administrative units into dedicated foundations closely tied to individual companies and increasingly popular with foreign corporations as cheap anti-takeover devices. Their reincarnation as foundations also turned them into vehicles for the tax-efficient routing of international revenue flows via the Netherlands.
Glass hearts?! Successful visible ethnic minority women migrants at work in Iceland and New Zealand
Authors: Pio Edwina , Kristjánsdóttir Erla S. , Christiansen Thora H.
Published: July 2021

In the diversity arena, women and their heterogeneity as visible ethnic minority migrants at work are under researched. Our qualitative empirical research reveals, and compares, how visible ethnic women migrants (VEWM) experience their journey to professional success in Iceland and New Zealand. These island nations rank in the top six of the Global Gender Gap Index, have women Prime Ministers, and increasing demographic diversity. The findings reveal that for VEWM success is a continuous journey with many different challenges. VEWM reject the notion of success as accumulation of things or titles, emphasizing insteadhowsuccess is experienced. For VEWM in Iceland, success means independent hard work and aligning with other women. VEWM in New Zealand experience success through religion and giving back to the community. These differences are explored and theorized, contributing to an expanding literature of migrant complexities, beyond monolithic representations of gender at work.
When workplace family-support is misallocated: effects of value congruence and fairness perceptions on supervisor family-support
Authors: Sublett Lisa W. , Penney Lisa M. , Bok Cody
Published: July 2021

To better manage our work demands and family demands, we often erect mental or physical ‘boundaries’ to help manage our experiences. However, preferences for preserving these boundaries differ across individuals (e.g., some individuals may prefer to segment work/family roles, while others may prefer to integrate these roles) and employees may not always have similar preferences/values as their supervisors. Applying a resource framework from the job demands-resources model (JD-R; Bakker & Demerouti, 2007), we explicate the process through which supervisor–employee value congruence reduces work–family conflict, when supervisors provide valuable emotional and instrumental resources through family-supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSB). Furthermore, we find evidence that supervisors can demonstrate adequate FSSB even when having incongruent values with employees by fairly allocating and individually tailoring family-support. With a diverse sample of 815 staff members from four southern US universities, we conduct mediation and moderation analyses to test our hypotheses.
Rallies around the flag-draped coffins: the electoral effects of security force casualties in terror attacks
Authors: Umit Resul
Published: July 2021

Security forces are one of the main targets of political violence. This paper examines the effect of their casualties on electoral outcomes. Between two general elections in 2015, Turkey experienced a series of attacks that killed 153 members of its security forces. Based on the as-if random assignment of their funerals across the country, I estimate that government vote share increases in the funeral places of security force terror victims. However, in the localities with recurring funerals, it decreases by a similar percentage. These non-linear changes provide strong evidence for the rally theory.
CUBES IN FINITE FIELDS AND RELATED PERMUTATIONS
Authors: WU HAI-LIANG , SHE YUE-FENG
Published: July 2021

Let
$p=3n+1$
be a prime with
$n\in \mathbb {N}=\{0,1,2,\ldots \}$
and let
$g\in \mathbb {Z}$
be a primitive root modulo p. Let
$0<a_1<\cdots <a_n<p$
be all the cubic residues modulo p in the interval
$(0,p)$
. Then clearly the sequence
$a_1 \bmod p,\, a_2 \bmod p,\ldots , a_n \bmod p$
is a permutation of the sequence
$g^3 \bmod p,\,g^6 \bmod p,\ldots , g^{3n} \bmod p$
. We determine the sign of this permutation.
Beyond ‘crumple zones’: recent advances, applications and future directions in deformable plate tectonic modelling
Authors: Peace Alexander L
Published: July 2021

The recent proliferation of deformable plate tectonic modelling techniques has provided a new direction in the study of plate tectonics with substantial implications for our understanding of plate deformation and past kinematics. Such models account for intraplate deformation, yet are highly variable in their inputs, capabilities and applications. The aim of this commentary is to review recent contributions to this topic, and to consider future directions and major omissions. Through this review it is apparent that the current published deformable models can be subdivided into those that as an input either: (1) solely use plate motions to drive deformation, or (2) require stretching or beta factor. Deformable models are resolving some outstanding issues with plate reconstructions, but major simplifications and modelling assumptions remain. Primarily, obtaining model constraints on the spatio-temporal evolution of deformation is an outstanding problem. Deformable plate models likely work best when the kinematics of smaller plates are included. However, questions remain regarding how to define such blocks, and their kinematic histories, whilst some work suggests that inclusion of such entities is negated through quantitative restorations.
iCROPM 2020: Crop Modeling for the Future
Authors: Hoogenboom Gerrit , Justes Eric , Pradal Christophe , Launay Marie , Asseng Senthold , Ewert Frank , Martre Pierre
Published: July 2021

During the past decade, the interest in using crop models for research, education, extension, outreach and in the private sector has rapidly increased. The iCROPM 2020 Symposium entitled ‘Crop Modeling for the Future’, held in February 2020, therefore, provided a great opportunity for over 400 scientists from 50 different countries to exchange information on crop model development, evaluation with experimental data and implementation. A key outcome was the understanding that crop models simulate the dynamics of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Thus, the models can be used for a quantitative and multi-criteria assessment of cropping system functioning, agronomic performance and environmental impact. This should result in more practical applications that can provide actionable information for stakeholders.
Earth's Amphibious Transformation: Tange Kenzo, Buckminster Fuller, and marine urbanization in global environmental thought (1950s–present)
Authors: Huebner Stefan
Published: July 2021

Climate change and rising sea levels, which threaten many Asian and other coastal cities, have returned the question of adaptation to unstable marine surfaces to the global discussions about urbanization, as was illustrated by a recent United Nations (UN) roundtable. As de facto counterproposals to hydroelectric dams and similar regional development projects, floating or elevated structures reject land reclamation and terrestrialization processes. Consequently, the rapidly growing number of offshore structures, which often constitute unconventional settlements, have contributed to an amphibious transformation of Earth's surface in the course of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. This amphibious transformation meant that both terrestrial and aquatic places have turned into human habitats. This article asks how and why today's leading environmental-political strand in large-scale marine urbanization emerged from the waters of Tokyo Bay. It investigates Japanese star architect Tange Kenzō's ‘Plan for Tokyo 1960’ (1961) and world-renowned American designer R. Buckminster Fuller's floating design called ‘Tetrahedronal City’ (1966). Emphasizing the important role that Asian cities have played in shaping global urbanization ideas and practices, Tokyo Bay became a node in the global cybernetics revolution that moved urban design into the information age. Tange's and Fuller's evolution-inspired cybernetic designs used the post-war communication technology revolution to replicate, through artificial communication networks, the biological communication systems that enable organisms to interact with their environments. Applying communication technology to recreate, in floating or elevated structures, the biological processes of growth, adaptation, mobility, and autonomy became the central environmental-political strand for large-scale marine urbanization and reducing its ecological footprint.
The messenger matters: environmental nonprofit organisations’ public faces, information recipients’ worldviews, and the credibility of ENPOs’ disclosed policy information
Authors: Liu Li-Yin , Morris Rikki
Published: July 2021

Environmental nonprofit organisations (ENPOs) have become crucial policy actors who have undertaken information campaigns to attract public attention and to gain public support for policies. However, the credibility of policy information released by ENPOs is understudied. To fill the gap, this study utilised Douglas and Wildavsky’s cultural theory (CT), to seek answers to two questions: 1) how do ENPOs’ public faces affect public perception of the credibility of the policy information released by their organisations? 2) how do the public’s worldviews affect trust in information released by ENPOs with different types of public faces? The evidence from an online survey confirms what CT predicted: Hierarchs tend to believe information released by policy actors with proper authority; individualists tend to believe information released by policy actors who favour economic growth over environmental protection; egalitarians favour all pro-environmental policy information even if the information is released by noncredible policy actors.
An Observational, Longitudinal Study of Cognition in Medical Cannabis Patients over the Course of 12 Months of Treatment: Preliminary Results
Authors: Sagar Kelly A. , Dahlgren M. Kathryn , Lambros Ashley M. , Smith Rosemary T. , El-Abboud Celine , Gruber Staci A.
Published: July 2021

Objective:

Cannabis use has increased dramatically across the country; however, few studies have assessed the long-term impact of medical cannabis (MC) use on cognition. Studies examining recreational cannabis users generally report cognitive decrements, particularly in those with adolescent onset. As MC patients differ from recreational consumers in motives for use, product selection, and age of onset, we assessed cognitive and clinical measures in well-characterized MC patients over 1 year. Based on previous findings, we hypothesized MC patients would not show decrements and might instead demonstrate improvements in executive function over time.

Method:

As part of an ongoing study, MC patients completed a baseline visit prior to initiating MC and evaluations following 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. At each visit, patients completed a neurocognitive battery assessing executive function, verbal learning/memory, and clinical scales assessing mood, anxiety, and sleep. Exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) was also quantified.

Results:

Relative to baseline, MC patients demonstrated significant improvements on measures of executive function and clinical state over the course of 12 months; verbal learning/memory performance generally remained stable. Improved cognitive performance was not correlated with MC use; however, clinical improvement was associated with higher CBD use. Analyses suggest cognitive improvements were associated with clinical improvement.

Conclusions:

Study results extend previous pilot findings, indicating that MC patients may exhibit enhanced rather than impaired executive function over time. Future studies should examine distinctions between recreational and MC use to identify potential mechanisms related to cognitive changes and the role of clinical improvement.
Preliminary Evidence for Cannabis and Nicotine Urinary Metabolites as Predictors of Verbal Memory Performance and Learning Among Young Adults
Authors: Wade Natasha E. , Baca Rachel , Courtney Kelly E. , McCabe Connor J. , Infante M. Alejandra , Huestis Marilyn A. , Jacobus Joanna
Published: July 2021

Objective:

Verbal memory deficits are linked to cannabis use. However, self-reported episodic use does not allow for assessment of variance from other factors (e.g., cannabis potency, route of consumption) that are important for assessing brain-behavior relationships. Further, co-occurring nicotine use may moderate the influence of cannabis on cognition. Here we utilized objective urinary measurements to assess the relationship between metabolites of cannabis, 11-nor-9-carboxy-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH), and nicotine (cotinine) on verbal memory in young adults.

Method:

Adolescents and young adults (n = 103) aged 16–22 completed urinary drug testing and verbal memory assessment (RAVLT). Linear regressions examined the influence of THCCOOH and cotinine quantitative concentrations, and their interaction, on RAVLT scores, controlling for demographics and alcohol. Cannabis intake frequency was also investigated. Secondary analyses examined whether past month or recency of use related to performance, while controlling for THCCOOH and cotinine concentrations.

Results:

THCCOOH concentration related to both poorer total learning and long delay recall. Cotinine concentration related to poorer short delay recall. Higher frequency cannabis use status was associated with poorer initial learning and poorer short delay. When comparing to self-report, THCCOOH and cotinine concentrations were negatively related to learning and memory performance, while self-report was not.

Conclusions:

Results confirm the negative relationship between verbal memory and cannabis use, extending findings with objective urinary THCCOOH, and cotinine concentration measurements. No moderating relationship with nicotine was found, though cotinine concentration independently associated with negative short delay performance. Findings support the use of both urinary and self-report metrics as complementary methods in substance use research.
Food insufficiency and mental health service utilisation in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Nagata Jason M , Ganson Kyle T , Cattle Chloe J , Whittle Henry J , Tsai Alexander C , Weiser Sheri D
Published: July 2021

Objective:

To estimate the association between food insufficiency and mental health service utilisation in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design:

Cross-sectional study. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between food insufficiency and mental health service utilisation.

Setting:

US Census Household Pulse Survey data collected in October 2020.

Participants:

Nationally representative sample of 68 611 US adults.

Results:

After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, experiencing food insufficiency was associated with higher odds of unmet mental health need (adjusted OR (AOR) 2·90; 95 % CI 2·46, 3·43), receiving mental health counselling or therapy (AOR 1·51; 95 % CI 1·24, 1·83) and psychotropic medication use (AOR 1·56; 95 % CI 1·35, 1·80). Anxiety and depression symptoms mediated most of the association between food insufficiency and unmet mental health need but not the associations between food insufficiency and either receiving mental health counselling/therapy or psychotropic medication use.

Conclusions:

Clinicians should regularly screen patients for food insufficiency, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding access to supplemental food programmes may help to mitigate the need for higher mental health service utilisation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Individualized Text Messages about Public Services Fail to Sway Voters: Evidence from a Field Experiment on Ugandan Elections
Authors: Jablonski Ryan S. , Buntaine Mark T. , Nielson Daniel L. , Pickering Paula M.
Published: July 2021

Mobile communication technologies can provide citizens access to information that is tailored to their specific circumstances. Such technologies may therefore increase citizens’ ability to vote in line with their interests and hold politicians accountable. In a large-scale randomized controlled trial in Uganda (n = 16,083), we investigated whether citizens who receive private, timely, and individualized text messages by mobile phone about public services in their community punished or rewarded incumbents in local elections in line with the information. Respondents claimed to find the messages valuable and there is evidence that they briefly updated their beliefs based on the messages; however, the treatment did not cause increased votes for incumbents where public services were better than expected nor decreased votes where public services were worse than anticipated. The considerable knowledge gaps among citizens identified in this study indicate potential for communication technologies to effectively share civic information. Yet the findings imply that when the attribution of public service outcomes is difficult, even individualized information is unlikely to affect voting behavior.
Five Roles for Psychologists in Addressing Climate Change, and How	They Are Informed by Responses to the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Whomsley Stuart R. C.
Published: July 2021

Abstract. This paper discusses five areas where psychologists have roles in helping to address climate change, its effects on the planet and human beings, these five areas are as follows: (1) Changing human behaviors that are causing climate change. (2) Increasing human connection with nature in positive ways to heal both the planet and human beings. (3) Advising and assisting on leadership for good governance to protect the planet. (4) Providing support and psychological interventions for those affected by climate change. (5) Preparing for bad outcomes and helping adaptation and survival should these occur. This paper considers the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and how responses to it give insights for responses to climate change.
Application of Phenomena‐Resolving Assessment Methods to Satellite Sea Surface Salinity Products
Authors: Bao Senliang , Wang Huizan , Zhang Ren , Yan Hengqian , Chen Jian , Bai Chengzu
Published: July 2021

It is necessary to evaluate satellite sea surface salinity (SSS) L3 products prior to using them to analyze SSS variability. Instead of performing comparison analysis on the accuracy of products (e.g., Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD)), two new evaluation methods, information entropy and local variance, are introduced to assess the performance of satellite SSS products in resolving SSS fronts in the tropical Pacific from a new perspective. The satellite SSS except for SMOS BEC has captured the zonal displacement of SSS fronts under the strong El Niño in 2015. It is effective to use entropy and local variance for the assessment of the capability of satellite SSS products, which can provide new sights for analyzing the variability and distributions of SSS. The spatial distribution of local variance identified the abnormal SSS of the satellite products on or near the islands and the result of SSS entropy is beneficial to the analysis of the mechanisms of the SSS variability. In general, the SMOS CATDS and SMAP_70 km product is recommended for scientific applications in the tropical Pacific.
Neuro‐Fuzzy Kinematic Finite‐Fault Inversion: 2. Application to the Mw6.2, August/24/2016, Amatrice Earthquake
Authors: Kheirdast Navid , Ansari Anooshiravan , Custódio Susana
Published: July 2021

In this article, we validate the neuro‐fuzzy kinematic finite‐fault inversion method by studying the rupture process of the , Aug/24/2016, Amatrice, central Italy, earthquake. We jointly invert three different datasets to infer the spatio‐temporal slip distribution, namely static and high‐rate GNSS data (<= Hz) and strong‐motion data ( Hz). Each data set is used to constrain a different frequency range of the source model, depending on the sensitivity of the data set. The inferred slip shows a slow nucleation phase at shallow depths of 3–4 km, followed by a bilateral rupture that forms two asperities, one to the NW (Norcia) and another to the SE (Amatrice) of the hypocenter. Our inferred slip is compared with those previously obtained using well‐established methods. In order to select an adequate number of fuzzy basis functions, we propose two alternative procedures, which yield the same general slip features. The first approach consists of ensuring that the inverse problem is formally over‐determined and uses the same number of basis functions at all frequencies. The second approach is based on a maximum‐likelihood analysis of the model misfit and selects a different number of basis functions for each frequency. The maximum‐likelihood approach allows for more basis functions at high frequencies, where more detail in the spatial slip distribution is needed. The solution obtained with the maximum‐likelihood approach provides a more physically plausible source time function, which shows less back slip artifacts. The accurate prediction of high‐rate GNSS traces not used in the inversion attests the robustness of the inferred slip model.
Effect of Surfactant‐Assisted Wettability Alteration on Immiscible Displacement: A Microfluidic Study
Authors: Yang Weipeng , Brownlow Joshua W. , Walker Dustin L. , Lu Jun
Published: July 2021

Drainage displacement at unfavorable viscosity ratios is often encountered in oil recovery, CO2 sequestration, and NAPL remediation, which significantly limits recovery of fluids from porous media. Surfactants have been extensively used as wettability modifiers to improve hydrocarbon recovery from rock matrix by imbibition. But little attention has been paid to the effect of surfactant‐assisted wettability alteration on displacement in non‐fractured porous media. In this study, we investigate surfactant‐assisted immiscible displacement in NAPL‐wet microfluidic chips. We find that the change of advancing contact angle by surfactant is velocity dependent. A stable displacement can be achieved at low velocity when wettability‐altering surfactant solution is used as injection fluid. In comparison, fingering occurs at all capillary numbers for water injection, resulting in low NAPL recovery. The generation of NAPL ganglion during waterflooding is significantly different from that during wettability‐altering surfactant flooding. The generation of NAPL ganglion during wettability‐altering surfactant flooding is related to velocity and saturation due to the wettability alteration and interfacial tension reduction. In contrast, the production of NAPL ganglion during waterflooding is only saturation dependent. NAPL ganglia generated during wettability‐altering surfactant flooding are primarily within the pore‐size range and can be easily recovered in subsequent recovery processes. To the best of our knowledge, this study reveals for the first time the pore‐scale mechanism of surfactant‐assisted wettability on the immiscible displacement, which is important for highly efficient NAPL remediation.
Heating Up the Hot Spots
Authors: Benningfield Damond
Published: July 2021

Climate change is affecting American military operations and infrastructure—and could have security implications across the globe.
Application of a Partial Convolutional Neural Network for Estimating Geostationary Aerosol Optical Depth Data
Authors: Lops Yannic , Pouyaei Arman , Choi Yunsoo , Jung Jia , Salman Ahmed Khan , Sayeed Alqamah
Published: July 2021

Satellite‐derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) is negatively impacted by cloud cover and surface reflectivity. As these issues lead to biases, they need to be discarded, which significantly increases the amount of missing data within an image. This paper presents a unique application of the partial convolutional neural network (PCNN) for imputing missing data from the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) by training the PCNN model with the Community Multiscale Air Quality model simulated AOD. The PCNN model outperforms various models and algorithms for imputing GOCI images with a significant amount of missing data (45% of the data set has at least 80% missing pixels) and distance to the nearest known pixel within the GOCI image. Once trained, the model requires significantly less processing time and fewer resources than the other models and methods. The model allows the accurate imputation of remote sensing images within significant amounts of missing data.
Large‐Scale Precipitation Systems: Essential Elements of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation
Authors: Chen Guiwan , Chen Shuyi S. , Ling Jian , Li Chongyin
Published: July 2021

Possible roles of large‐scale precipitation on model simulations of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) were investigated using the Large‐scale Precipitation Tracking (LPT) method. Individual LPT systems and eastward propagating MJO LPT systems were identified in both observations and 25 general circulation model (GCM) simulations. LPT systems show dominant eastward propagation over the Indian Ocean in the observation, whereas LPT systems are too stationary in GCM simulations. The MJO statistical signals in the model simulations are represented by the occurence frequencies of LPT systems with a size of ∼4–9 ×  106 km2 (∼20–30° in longitude and latitude) and a strength of ∼15–18 mm d−1. Growth rate in size of LPT systems in early stage determines the size of LPT systems, which differentiates the MJO statistical signals among the GCM simulations. Comprehensive diagnostics of MJO simulations in GCMs should include both individual LPT systems as essential elements and the MJO statistical signals.
Electrical Properties of Carbon Dioxide Hydrate: Implications for Monitoring CO2 in the Gas Hydrate Stability Zone
Authors: Stern Laura A. , Constable Steven , Lu Ryan , Du Frane Wyatt L. , Roberts Jeffery J.
Published: July 2021

CO2 and CH4 clathrate hydrates are of keen interest for energy and carbon cycle considerations. While both typically form on Earth as cubic structure I (sI), we find that pure CO2 hydrate exhibits over an order of magnitude higher electrical conductivity (σ) than pure CH4 hydrate at geologically relevant temperatures. The conductivity was obtained from frequency‐dependent impedance (Z) measurements made on polycrystalline CO2 hydrate (CO2·6.0 ± 0.2H2O by methods here) with 25% gas‐filled porosity, compared with CH4 hydrate (CH4·5.9H2O) formed and measured in the same apparatus and exhibiting closely matching grain characteristics. The conductivity of CO2 hydrate is 6.5 × 10−4 S/m at 273K with an activation energy (Ea) of 46.5 kJ/mol at 260–281 K, compared with ∼5 × 10−5 S/m and 34.8 kJ/m for CH4 hydrate. Equivalent circuit modeling indicates that different pathways govern conduction in CO2 versus CH4 hydrate. Results show promise for use of electromagnetic methods in monitoring CO2 hydrate formation in certain natural settings or in CO2/CH4 exchange efforts.
GRACE‐FO and ECOSTRESS Synergies Constrain Fine‐Scale Impacts on the Water Balance
Authors: Pascolini‐Campbell Madeleine , Fisher Joshua B. , Reager John T.
Published: July 2021

Accurate evapotranspiration (ET) measurement over large scales with remote sensing can contribute to effective water resource management. However, ET measurement is challenging, particularly in complex agricultural landscapes. ET calculated with the water balance method using data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE)/GRACE Follow‐On (GRACE‐FO) missions has been found to exceed estimates from land surface models, although there has been no definitive explanation. Here, we show using high resolution ET from ECOSTRESS, that this bias is attributed to fine‐scale irrigation not captured by models but which mass conservation detects. The percentage of irrigated area scales linearly with the bias between observed and modeled ET (R2 = 0.80, p < 0.01). We estimate that irrigation accounts for 35% of ET during the irrigated summer months in arid/semi‐arid basins in North America. This study presents the synergies of using GRACE‐FO and ECOSTRESS to improve remote sensing of agricultural water use.
Characterization of Transient‐Large‐Amplitude Geomagnetic Perturbation Events
Authors: McCuen Brett A. , Moldwin Mark B. , Engebretson Mark
Published: July 2021

We present a characterization of transient‐large‐amplitude (TLA) geomagnetic disturbances that are relevant to geomagnetically induced currents (GIC). TLA events are defined as one or more short‐timescale (<60 s) dB/dt signature with magnitude ≥6 nT/s. The TLA events occurred at six stations of the Magnetometer Array for Cusp and Cleft Studies throughout 2015. A semi‐automated dB/dt search algorithm was developed to identify 38 TLA events in the ground magnetometer data. While TLA dB/dts do not drive GICs directly, we show that second‐timescale dB/dts often occur in relation to or within larger impulsive geomagnetic disturbances. Sudden commencements are not the main driver, rather the events are more likely to occur 30 min after a substorm onset or within a nighttime magnetic perturbation event. The characteristics of TLA events suggest localized ionospheric source currents that may play a key role in generating some extreme geomagnetic impulses that can lead to GICs.
Rupture Process of the 2020 Mw7.0 Samos Earthquake and its Effect on Surrounding Active Faults
Authors: Chousianitis Konstantinos , Konca A. Ozgun
Published: July 2021

On October 30, 2020, a Mw7.0 normal faulting earthquake struck the eastern Aegean Sea, causing casualties, and substantial damage at Samos island and Izmir province. We constrained the rupture history of the main shock by jointly inverting GPS static offsets, high‐rate GPS recordings, strong motion waveforms, and teleseismic broadband data. The results revealed that the slip distribution was dominated by a slip patch which spans a depth range of 3–13 km and occupies ∼30 km along strike. The rupture propagated toward SW and updip and the maximum slip amplitude reached 4.6 m at 7 km depth. The remarkably low aftershock productivity within the main asperity suggests a near complete stress release. Coseismic Coulomb stress changes effectively explain the entire aftershock sequence implying absence of short‐term postseismic stress transfer mechanisms. The static stress change calculations also suggest that active faults around Sıgacık and Kusadasi Bays have been brought closer to rupture.
Astrocyte reactivity with late-onset cognitive impairment assessed in vivo using 11C-BU99008 PET and its relationship with amyloid load
Authors: Calsolaro Valeria , Matthews Paul M. , Donat Cornelius K. , Livingston Nicholas R. , Femminella Grazia D. , Guedes Sandra Silva , Myers Jim , Fan Zhen , Tyacke Robin J. , Venkataraman Ashwin V. , Perneczky Robert , Gunn Roger , Rabiner Eugenii A. , Gentleman Steve , Parker Christine A. , Murphy Philip S. , Wren Paul B. , Hinz Rainer , Sastre Magdalena , Nutt David J. , Edison Paul
Published: July 2021

11C-BU99008 is a novel positron emission tomography (PET) tracer that enables selective imaging of astrocyte reactivity in vivo. To explore astrocyte reactivity associated with Alzheimer’s disease, 11 older, cognitively impaired (CI) subjects and 9 age-matched healthy controls (HC) underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),18F-florbetaben and11C-BU99008 PET. The 8 amyloid (Aβ)-positive CI subjects had higher11C-BU99008 uptake relative to HC across the whole brain, but particularly in frontal, temporal, medial temporal and occipital lobes. Biological parametric mapping demonstrated a positive voxel-wise neuroanatomical correlation between11C-BU99008 and18F-florbetaben. Autoradiography using3H-BU99008 withpost-mortemAlzheimer’s brains confirmed through visual assessment that increased3H-BU99008 binding localised with the astrocyte protein glial fibrillary acid protein and was not displaced by PiB or florbetaben. This proof-of-concept study provides direct evidence that11C-BU99008 can measure in vivo astrocyte reactivity in people with late-life cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Our results confirm that increased astrocyte reactivity is found particularly in cortical regions with high Aβ load. Future studies now can explore how clinical expression of disease varies with astrocyte reactivity.
Comprehensive analysis of complications after transperineal prostate biopsy without antibiotic prophylaxis: results of a multicenter trial with 30 days’ follow-up
Authors: Kohl Tobias , Sigle August , Kuru Timur , Salem Johannes , Rolfs Hanjo , Kowalke Tobias , Suarez-Ibarrola Rodrigo , Michaelis Jakob , Binder Nadine , Jilg Cordula A. , Miernik Arkadiusz , Grabbert Markus T. , Schultze-Seemann W. , Gratzke Christian , Porres Daniel
Published: July 2021

Background

To investigate infectious and non-infectious complications after transperineal prostate biopsy (TPB) without antibiotic prophylaxis in a multicenter cohort. Secondly, to identify whether increasing the number of cores was predictive for the occurrence of complications. Thirdly, to examine the relation between TPB and erectile dysfunction.

Methods

We analyzed a retrospective multicenter cohort of 550 patients from three different urological centers undergoing TPB without antibiotic prophylaxis. The median number of cores was 26. Demographic and clinical data were extracted by reviewing patients’ electronic medical records and follow-up data such as postoperative complications obtained by structured phone interviews. To investigate the influence of the number of cores taken on the occurrence of complications, we performed univariate and multivariate mixed effects logistic regression models.

Results

There was no case of sepsis reported. Overall, 6.0% of patients (33/550) presented with any complication besides mild macrohematuria. In all, 46/47 (98%) complications were ≤Grade 2 according to Clavien–Dindo. In multivariate regression analyses, an increased number of cores was associated with overall complications (odds ratio (OR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.14,P = 0.01) and specifically bleeding complications (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11–1.50,P = 0.01) but not with infectious complications (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.97–1.10,P = 0.67). A total of 14.4% of patients referred impairment of erectile function after TPB. Of note, 98% of these men were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Conclusions

This is the first multicenter trial to investigate complications after TPB without antibiotic prophylaxis. In our study, we found no case of sepsis. This underlines the safety advantage of TPB even without antibiotic prophylaxis and supports the ongoing initiative to abandon TRB of the prostate. A higher number of cores were associated with an increase in overall complications specifically bleeding complications, but not with infectious complications. Post-biopsy erectile dysfunction was mainly present in patients diagnosed with PCa.
Effect of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response on hypoxic death and mitochondrial protein aggregation
Authors: Yan Junyi , Sun Chun-Ling , Shin Seokyung , Van Gilst Marc , Crowder C. Michael
Published: July 2021

Mitochondria are the main oxygen consumers in cells and as such are the primary organelle affected by hypoxia. All hypoxia pathology presumably derives from the initial mitochondrial dysfunction. An early event in hypoxic pathology in C. elegans is disruption of mitochondrial proteostasis with induction of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) and mitochondrial protein aggregation. Here in C. elegans, we screen through RNAis and mutants that confer either strong resistance to hypoxic cell death or strong induction of the UPRmt to determine the relationship between hypoxic cell death, UPRmt activation, and hypoxia-induced mitochondrial protein aggregation (HIMPA). We find that resistance to hypoxic cell death invariantly mitigated HIMPA. We also find that UPRmt activation invariantly mitigated HIMPA. However, UPRmt activation was neither necessary nor sufficient for resistance to hypoxic death and vice versa. We conclude that UPRmt is not necessarily hypoxia protective against cell death but does protect from mitochondrial protein aggregation, one of the early hypoxic pathologies in C. elegans.
Depdc5 deficiency exacerbates alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis via suppression of PPARα pathway
Authors: Xu Lin , Zhang Xinge , Xin Yue , Ma Jie , Yang Chenyan , Zhang Xi , Hou Guoqing , Dong Xiaocheng Charlie , Sun Zhaoli , Xiong Xiwen , Cao Xuan
Published: July 2021

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD), a condition caused by alcohol overconsumption, occurs in three stages of liver injury including steatosis, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. DEP domain-containing protein 5 (DEPDC5), a component of GAP activities towards Rags 1 (GATOR1) complex, is a repressor of amino acid-sensing branch of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. In the current study, we found that aberrant activation of mTORC1 was likely attributed to the reduction of DEPDC5 in the livers of ethanol-fed mice or ALD patients. To further define the in vivo role of DEPDC5 in ALD development, we generated Depdc5 hepatocyte-specific knockout mouse model (Depdc5-LKO) in which mTORC1 pathway was constitutively activated through loss of the inhibitory effect of GATOR1. Hepatic Depdc5 ablation leads to mild hepatomegaly and liver injury and protects against diet-induced liver steatosis. In contrast, ethanol-fed Depdc5-LKO mice developed severe hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Pharmacological intervention with Torin 1 suppressed mTORC1 activity and remarkably ameliorated ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation in both control and Depdc5-LKO mice. The pathological effect of sustained mTORC1 activity in ALD may be attributed to the suppression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα), the master regulator of fatty acid oxidation in hepatocytes, because fenofibrate (PPARα agonist) treatment reverses ethanol-induced liver steatosis and inflammation in Depdc5-LKO mice. These findings provide novel insights into the in vivo role of hepatic DEPDC5 in the development of ALD.
Mutant p53-reactivating compound APR-246 synergizes with asparaginase in inducing growth suppression in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells
Authors: Ceder Sophia , Eriksson Sofi E. , Liang Ying Yu , Cheteh Emarndeena H. , Zhang Si Min , Fujihara Kenji M. , Bianchi Julie , Bykov Vladimir J. N. , Abrahmsen Lars , Clemons Nicholas J. , Nordlund Pär , Rudd Sean G. , Wiman Klas G.
Published: July 2021

Asparaginase depletes extracellular asparagine in the blood and is an important treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) due to asparagine auxotrophy of ALL blasts. Unfortunately, resistance occurs and has been linked to expression of the enzyme asparagine synthetase (ASNS), which generates asparagine from intracellular sources. Although TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in cancer overall, TP53 mutations are rare in ALL. However, TP53 mutation is associated with poor therapy response and occurs at higher frequency in relapsed ALL. The mutant p53-reactivating compound APR-246 (Eprenetapopt/PRIMA-1Met) is currently being tested in phase II and III clinical trials in several hematological malignancies with mutant TP53. Here we present CEllular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA) data indicating that ASNS is a direct or indirect target of APR-246 via the active product methylene quinuclidinone (MQ). Furthermore, combination treatment with asparaginase and APR-246 resulted in synergistic growth suppression in ALL cell lines. Our results thus suggest a potential novel treatment strategy for ALL.
Revealing the widespread potential of forests to increase low level cloud cover
Authors: Duveiller Gregory , Filipponi Federico , Ceglar Andrej , Bojanowski Jędrzej , Alkama Ramdane , Cescatti Alessandro
Published: July 2021

Forests play a key role in humanity’s current challenge to mitigate climate change thanks to their capacity to sequester carbon. Preserving and expanding forest cover is considered essential to enhance this carbon sink. However, changing the forest cover can further affect the climate system through biophysical effects. One such effect that is seldom studied is how afforestation can alter the cloud regime, which can potentially have repercussions on the hydrological cycle, the surface radiation budget and on planetary albedo itself. Here we provide a global scale assessment of this effect derived from satellite remote sensing observations. We show that for 67% of sampled areas across the world, afforestation would increase low level cloud cover, which should have a cooling effect on the planet. We further reveal a dependency of this effect on forest type, notably in Europe where needleleaf forests generate more clouds than broadleaf forests.