bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Task complexity moderates group synergy
Authors: Almaatouq Abdullah , Alsobay Mohammed , Yin Ming , Watts Duncan J.
Published: September 2021

Significance

Scientists and managers alike have been preoccupied with the question of whether and, if so, under what conditions groups of interacting problem solvers outperform autonomous individuals. Here we describe an experiment in which individuals and groups were evaluated on a series of tasks of varying complexity. We find that groups are as fast as the fastest individual and more efficient than the most efficient individual when the task is complex but not when the task is simple. We then precisely quantify synergistic gains and process losses associated with interacting groups, finding that the balance between the two depends on complexity. Our study has the potential to reconcile conflicting findings about group synergy in previous work.
Superconductivity-driven ferromagnetism and spin manipulation using vortices in the magnetic superconductor EuRbFe
4
As
4
Authors: Ishida Shigeyuki , Kagerbauer Daniel , Holleis Sigrid , Iida Kazuki , Munakata Koji , Nakao Akiko , Iyo Akira , Ogino Hiraku , Kawashima Kenji , Eisterer Michael , Eisaki Hiroshi
Published: September 2021

Significance

The interplay between superconductivity and magnetism creates numerous exotic physical phenomena, while the two phenomena rarely coexist in one material because they compete with each other. The recently discovered iron-based magnetic superconductor EuRbFe
4
As
4
shows high-critical-temperature superconductivity and helimagnetic order at the ground state. We revealed that ferromagnetic alignment of Eu
2+
moments is induced by superconducting vortices in EuRbFe
4
As
4
by combining neutron diffraction and magnetization experiments. The direction of the Eu
2+
moments is dominated by the distribution of pinned vortices based on the critical state model, highlighting a unique interplay between magnetism and superconductivity. The capability of manipulating the spin texture by controlling the direction of superconducting vortices paves the way to novel devices using magnetic superconductors.
A therapeutic convection–enhanced macroencapsulation device for enhancing β cell viability and insulin secretion
Authors: Yang Kisuk , O’Cearbhaill Eoin D. , Liu Sophie S. , Zhou Angela , Chitnis Girish D. , Hamilos Allison E. , Xu Jun , Verma Mohan K. S. , Giraldo Jaime A. , Kudo Yoshimasa , Lee Eunjee A. , Lee Yuhan , Pop Ramona , Langer Robert , Melton Douglas A. , Greiner Dale L. , Karp Jeffrey M.
Published: September 2021

Significance

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells and it burdens millions worldwide. T1D patients typically require the life-long administration of insulin or immunosuppressive agents following transplantation. A macroencapsulation device (MED) acts as a bioartificial pancreas and can immunoprotect encapsulated β cells. However, conventional MEDs suffer from limited, cell-loading capacity and slow, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) because of the sole reliance on diffusion. Here, we developed a convection-enhanced MED (ceMED) to afford 3D capsule geometry for maximized cell loading and faster GSIS driven by convection. Overall, we demonstrated that the ceMED significantly improves nutrient exchange that enhances cell viability and GSIS, ultimately leading to a rapid reduction of hyperglycemia.
Stress increases in exopher-mediated neuronal extrusion require lipid biosynthesis, FGF, and EGF RAS/MAPK signaling
Authors: Cooper Jason F. , Guasp Ryan J. , Arnold Meghan Lee , Grant Barth D. , Driscoll Monica
Published: September 2021

Significance

In neurodegenerative disease, protein aggregates spread to neighboring cells to promote pathology. The in vivo regulation of toxic material transfer remains poorly understood, although mechanistic understanding should reveal previously unrecognized therapeutic targets. Proteostressed
Caenorhabditis elegans
neurons can concentrate protein aggregates and extrude them in membrane-encased vesicles called exophers. We identify specific systemic stress conditions that enhance exopher production, revealing stress-type, stress-level, and temporal constraints on the process. We identify three pathways that promote fasting-induced exophergenesis: lipid synthesis, FGF/RAS/MAPK, and EGF/RAS/MAPK. In establishing an initial molecular model for transtissue requirements for fasting-induced exopher elevation in neurons, we report molecular insights into the regulation of aggregate transfer biology, relevant to the fundamental mysteries of neurodegenerative disease.
Emerging forest–peatland bistability and resilience of European peatland carbon stores
Authors: van der Velde Ype , Temme Arnaud J. A. M. , Nijp Jelmer J. , Braakhekke Maarten C. , van Voorn George A. K. , Dekker Stefan C. , Dolman A. Johannes , Wallinga Jakob , Devito Kevin J. , Kettridge Nicholas , Mendoza Carl A. , Kooistra Lammert , Soons Merel B. , Teuling Adriaan J.
Published: September 2021

Significance

Peatlands are sensitive ecosystems that store carbon and water and support biodiversity. Currently, European peatlands are threatened by climate change and exploitation. In this study, we show that many landscape settings may support both wetland ecosystems on thick peat soils and forest ecosystems on thin organic soils. Both ecosystems have distinctly different water–carbon dynamics that create internal positive feedbacks, allowing both ecosystems to coexist (bistability) but also to shift when critical limits are exceeded. With this new landscape perspective, we find that currently, 20% of European raised bogs are threatened by climate change and drainage. This study demonstrates that a landscape perspective including interactions between peatlands, forests, and rivers is essential to understand and steer the future of peatlands.
Calmodulin extracts the Ras family protein RalA from lipid bilayers by engagement with two membrane-targeting motifs
Authors: Chamberlain Samuel G. , Gohlke Andrea , Shafiq Arooj , Squires Iolo J. , Owen Darerca , Mott Helen R.
Published: September 2021

Significance

RalA and RalB are membrane-attached small GTPases that are crucial for tumorigenesis and uncontrolled growth in Ras-driven cancers. The C-terminal tails of several Ras and Rho family small G proteins, which are lipidated in vivo, bind to the calcium sensor calmodulin. We have solved the structure of calmodulin in complex with the lipidated C-terminal tail of RalA and show that complex formation leads to RalA being removed from the lipid bilayer. We propose a mechanism for membrane removal of RalA, helping to shed light on the regulatory role that calmodulin plays in Ral signaling. This structure of a lipidated small G protein tail in complex with calmodulin may give clues about calmodulin interactions with other small G proteins, including K-Ras4B.
The global effectiveness of fact-checking: Evidence from simultaneous experiments in Argentina, Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom
Authors: Porter Ethan , Wood Thomas J.
Published: September 2021

Significance

Little evidence exists on the global effectiveness, or lack thereof, of potential solutions to misinformation. We conducted simultaneous experiments in four countries to investigate the extent to which fact-checking can reduce false beliefs. Fact-checks reduced false beliefs in all countries, with most effects detectable more than 2 wk later and with surprisingly little variation by country. Our evidence underscores that fact-checking can serve as a pivotal tool in the fight against misinformation.
DNA damage–induced phosphorylation of CtIP at a conserved ATM/ATR site T855 promotes lymphomagenesis in mice
Authors: Wang Xiaobin S. , Menolfi Demis , Wu-Baer Foon , Fangazio Marco , Meyer Stefanie N. , Shao Zhengping , Wang Yunyue , Zhu Yimeng , Lee Brian J. , Estes Verna M. , Cupo Olivia M. , Gautier Jean , Pasqualucci Laura , Dalla-Favera Riccardo , Baer Richard , Zha Shan
Published: September 2021

Significance

Upon DNA damage, ATM and ATR kinase phosphorylate CtIP at T855 and several other sites. This study identified a physiological role of DNA damage–induced CtIP phosphorylation at T855 using mouse models. Specifically, we showed that while not affecting normal development and physiological DNA repair in developing lymphocytes, the T885A mutation of CtIP reduced the extent of DNA end resection, compromised the maintenance of the DNA damage–induced G2/M checkpoints, and delayed Myc-induced lymphomagenesis.
Elastocaloric signature of nematic fluctuations
Authors: Ikeda Matthias S. , Worasaran Thanapat , Rosenberg Elliott W. , Palmstrom Johanna C. , Kivelson Steven A. , Fisher Ian R.
Published: September 2021

Significance

In an electron-nematic state, electronic correlations spontaneously break the rotational symmetry of the underlying lattice. Associated fluctuations occur in a wide range of quantum materials including high-temperature superconductors. While nematic fluctuations can enhance superconductivity or even induce electron pairing, it is also known that the coupling of nematicity to the lattice restricts these effects. The elastocaloric effect under uniaxial stress provides a thermodynamic probe for the strength of nematic fluctuations in materials, allowing for insights into their significance. The experiments discussed here for Ba(

F
e

1
−
x

C
o

x

)
2

A
s

2

(a representative Fe-based superconductor) reveal that proximate to optimal doping the nemato-elastic coupling is suppressed, whereas the nematic scattering cross-section is dramatically enhanced, conditions that are potentially favorable for an enhancement of superconductivity.
Eye contact marks the rise and fall of shared attention in conversation
Authors: Wohltjen Sophie , Wheatley Thalia
Published: September 2021

Significance

Conversation is the platform where minds meet to create and exchange ideas, hone norms, and forge bonds. But how do minds coordinate with each other to build a shared narrative from independent contributions? Here we show that when two people converse, their pupils periodically synchronize, marking moments of shared attention. As synchrony peaks, eye contact occurs and synchrony declines, only to recover as eye contact breaks. These findings suggest that eye contact may be a key mechanism for enabling the coordination of shared and independent modes of thought, allowing conversation to both cohere and evolve.
Activity-based photoacoustic probe for biopsy-free assessment of copper in murine models of Wilson’s disease and liver metastasis
Authors: Lucero Melissa Y. , Tang Yuqi , Zhang Chloe J. , Su Shengzhang , Forzano Joseph A. , Garcia Valeria , Huang Xin , Moreno David , Chan Jefferson
Published: September 2021

Significance

The ability to noninvasively detect and track disease biomarkers via photoacoustic imaging (a light-in, sound-out technique) can potentially substitute invasive medical procedures such as a liver biopsy. While achieving this goal can have a profound impact on disease management, it is an immense challenge that requires novel chemical tools that are sensitive, selective, and safe. Here, we report a photoacoustic probe designed for Cu(I), which becomes dysregulated in many disease states. In addition to demonstrating in vivo efficacy in multiple models, we designed two blind studies to assess its utility for biopsy-free assessment of hepatic copper levels in Wilson’s disease. This work sets the stage for future studies to evaluate the performance of photoacoustic probe designs for biomedical applications.
Hydrodynamic nonlinear response of interacting integrable systems
Authors: Fava Michele , Biswas Sounak , Gopalakrishnan Sarang , Vasseur Romain , Parameswaran S. A.
Published: September 2021

Significance

Studying the response of a system to external fields yields information on its macroscopic order as well as its microscopic properties. While working to linear order in field strength often suffices to describe experiments, recent advances allow measurements to probe beyond the linear regime. Understanding nonlinear response functions could significantly advance the characterization of exotic phases of matter, but little is known theoretically about their properties in interacting many-body systems. We introduce a framework for computing nonlinear responses in a class of exactly solvable one-dimensional quantum systems. We show that nonlinear response exhibits clear signatures of interaction effects, in contrast to linear response in similar settings.
Perturbations in plant energy homeostasis prime lateral root initiation via SnRK1-bZIP63-ARF19 signaling
Authors: Muralidhara Prathibha , Weiste Christoph , Collani Silvio , Krischke Markus , Kreisz Philipp , Draken Jan , Feil Regina , Mair Andrea , Teige Markus , Müller Martin J. , Schmid Markus , Becker Dirk , Lunn John E. , Rolland Filip , Hanson Johannes , Dröge-Laser Wolfgang
Published: September 2021

Significance

Plant architecture is highly plastic and known to respond sensitively to nutritional changes. Although of great agronomic importance, the underlying molecular mechanisms that sense and transduce these cues into plant development and growth are poorly understood. Applying diverse genetic, biochemical, and microscopic approaches, we disclosed that signaling via the central, evolutionarily conserved fuel-sensor kinase Snf1-RELATED KINASE1 (SnRK1) initiates lateral root (LR) primordia formation in response to transient metabolic perturbations. This is accomplished by SnRK1-mediated activation of a signaling cascade involving the pivotal LR regulator AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR19 (ARF19). We propose that this developmental priming strategy represents a cost-efficient approach to ensure rapid growth recovery after stress release, providing in competitive ecosystems a clear advantage in terms of Darwinian fitness.
Pharmacodynamic measures within tumors expose differential activity of PD(L)-1 antibody therapeutics
Authors: Kumar Dhiraj , Mishra Akhilesh , Lisok Ala , Kureshi Rakeeb , Shelake Sagar , Plyku Donika , Sen Rupashree , Doucet Michele , De Silva Ravindra A. , Mease Ronnie C. , Forde Patrick M. , Jaffee Elizabeth M. , Desai Prashant , Ganguly Sudipto , Gabrielson Edward , Vaidya Dhananjay , Spangler Jamie B. , Nimmagadda Sridhar
Published: September 2021

Significance

Success with immune checkpoint therapy has led to a proliferation of antibody therapeutics with distinct biophysical and pharmacological properties. Antibodies experience poor penetration in solid tumors because of their size, and blood-based measurements fail to reflect their activity at the tumor. While of fundamental importance to establish dose–exposure–response relationships, pharmacologic activity of antibodies within tumors is technically challenging to study in real time because of the lack of quantitative tools. Here, we show that target pharmacodynamics can yield insights into pharmacologic activity of antibodies in tumors and elucidate therapeutic response. Our approach of using small-molecule probes for rapid quantification of target pharmacodynamics to interrogate the pharmacologic activity of antibodies has broad implications for drug development and guiding therapy.
Old Basque had */χ/, not /h/
Authors: Manterola Julen , Hualde José Ignacio
Published: September 2021

The sound change from Latin /f/ to Old Spanish and Gascon /h/ has often been attributed to stratal influence from Basque. The motivation would be that Old Basque lacked /f/, and instead had a phoneme /h/, with which bilingual speakers replaced it when speaking in Romance. However, this hypothesis presents several difficulties. Most importantly, Navarrese Romance preserves Latin /f/, and in Basque itself, /f/ is adapted as /b/ in loanwords from Latin and Romance, not as /h/. Here we will argue that Old Basque had neither /f/ nor /h/. Instead, modern Basque /h/ derives from older */χ/. Medieval data will play an important role in establishing this. This hypothesis explains a number of morphophonological alternations, as well as some puzzling aspects in the treatment of aspiration in Romance borrowings, and it also makes it more difficult to hold to the stratal hypothesis for the Romance change /f/ > /h/.
Rice-crab culture in China.
Authors: Yi Yang , Wu Zong-wen
Published: September 2021

High-value species are being introduced into rice fields in China to increase profitability. Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), a catadromous species, is becoming popular due to its omnivorous feeding habit, ready availability of seed, ease of growth and high-market demand and value. Hatchery-produced crab seed can be nursed and grown out in rice fields. The rice-crab culture system can produce 6,000 kg of rice and 300-700 kg of crabs per hectare.
Pteris vittata (Chinese ladder brake fern).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: September 2021

Pteris vittata is a herbaceous fern native to the tropics and subtropics of the Old World. It is mostly found in disturbed and urban areas, usually growing on limestone substrates, including buildings walls, pavement cracks and tombs. Although no details are available on its introduction to areas outside its native range, the dispersal of the species occurs naturally through air-borne spores or by its occasional use as an ornamental. It is reported as an urban weed in the European Mediterranean region and in Lucknow in India. In Azerbaijan it is categorized as a species that has the ability to self-sustain for a certain period of time, but not invading natural ecosystems. P. vittata is categorized in Florida, USA as an exotic species that has increased in abundance or frequency but has yet to alter natural plant communities. P. vittata is reported as invasive on Diego García Island, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Guam, Palau, USA (Florida and Hawaii), Cuba and Brazil. Although there are no data available on its effects on natural habitats or native species, it is still regarded as an invasive species due to the vast number of spores produced.
Ye Tian: Surveilling stress to live longer
Authors: Morgado-Palacin Lucia
Published: September 2021

Ye Tian investigates how mitochondrial stress signaling pathways regulate longevity using C. elegans as a model system.
Proper Plasma Analysis Practice (PPAP), an Integrated Procedure of Extinction Correction and Plasma Diagnostics: A Demo with an HST/WFC3 Image Set of NGC 6720
Authors: Ueta Toshiya , Otsuka Masaaki
Published: September 2021

In this work, we propose a proper plasma analysis practice (PPAP), an updated procedure of plasma diagnostics in the era of spatially resolved spectroscopy. In particular, we emphasize the importance of performing both of the extinction correction and the direct method of plasma diagnostics simultaneously as an integrated process. This approach is motivated by the reciprocal dependence between critical parameters in these analyses, which can be resolved by iteratively seeking a converged solution. The use of PPAP allows us to eliminate unnecessary assumptions that prevent us from obtaining an exact solution at each element of the spectral imaging data. Using a suite of Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 narrowband images of the planetary nebula, NGC 6720, we validate PPAP by (1) simultaneously and self-consistently deriving the extinction, c(Hβ), and electron density/temperature distribution, (n
e([S ii]), T
e([N ii])), maps that are consistent with each other, and (2) obtaining identical metal abundance distribution maps, (n(N+)/n(H+), n(S+)/n(H+)), from multiple emission line maps at different wavelengths/transition energies. We also determine that the derived c(Hβ) consists both of the interstellar medium and circumsource components and that the ionized gas-to-dust mass ratio in the main ring is at least 437 and as high as about 1600. We find that, unless we deliberately seek self-consistency, uncertainties at tens of % can easily arise in outcomes, making it impossible to discern actual spatial variations that occurs at the same level, defeating the purpose of conducting spatially resolved spectroscopic observations.
Fitting Very Flexible Models: Linear Regression With Large Numbers of Parameters
Authors: Hogg David W. , Villar Soledad
Published: September 2021

There are many uses for linear fitting; we consider here the interpolation and denoising of data, as when the goal is to fit a smooth, flexible function to a set of noisy data points. Investigators often choose a polynomial basis, or a Fourier basis, or wavelets, or something equally general. They also choose an order, or number of basis functions to fit, and (often) some kind of regularization. We discuss how this basis-function fitting is done, with ordinary least squares and extensions thereof. We emphasize that it can be valuable to choose far more parameters than data points, despite folk rules to the contrary: Suitably regularized models with enormous numbers of parameters generalize well and make good predictions for held-out data; over-fitting is not (mainly) a problem of having too many parameters. It is even possible to take the limit of infinite parameters, at which, if the basis and regularization are chosen correctly, the least-squares fit becomes the mean of a Gaussian process, or a kernel regression. We recommend cross-validation as a good empirical method for model selection (for example, setting the number of parameters and the form of the regularization), and jackknife resampling as a good empirical method for estimating the uncertainties of the predictions made by the model. We also give advice for building stable computational implementations.
Towards GaAs thin-film tracking detectors
Authors: Rangel-Kuoppa V.-T. , Ye S. , Noori Y.J. , Holmkvist W. , Young R.J. , Muenstermann D.
Published: September 2021

Silicon-based tracking detectors have been used in several
important applications, such as in cancer therapy using particle
beams, and for the discovery of new elementary particles at the
Large Hadron Collider at CERN. III-V semiconductor materials are an
attractive alternative to silicon for this application, as they have
some superior physical properties. They could meet the demands for
fast timing detectors allowing time-of-flight measurements with ps
resolution while being radiation tolerant and cost-efficient. As a
material with a larger density, higher atomic number Z and much
higher electron mobility than silicon, GaAs exhibits faster signal
collection and a larger signal per μm of sensor thickness. In
this work, we report on the fabrication of n-in-n GaAs thin-film
devices intended to serve next-generation high-energy particle
tracking detectors. Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) was used to grow
high-quality GaAs films with doping levels sufficiently low to
achieve full depletion for detectors with an active thickness of
10 μm. The signal collection speed of the detector structures
was assessed using the transient current technique (TCT). To
elucidate the structural properties of the detector, Kelvin probe
force microscopy (KPFM) was used, which confirmed the formation of
the junction in the detector and revealed residual doping in the
intrinsic layer. Our results suggest that GaAs thin films are
suitable candidates to achieve thin and radiation-tolerant tracking
detectors.
Gamma-ray imaging performance of the GRI+ Compton camera
Authors: Caffrey A. , Harkness-Brennan L.J. , Alshammari H. , Boston A.J. , Boston H.C. , Griffiths O. , Judson D.S. , Kalantan S. , Le Crom B. , Nolan P.J. , Powell A. , Platt J. , Randall G. , Reid C. , Rintoul E. , Unsworth C. , Woodroof T.F. , Burrows I. , Lazarus I.H. , Simpson J. , Atkinson K.D.
Published: September 2021

GRI+ (Gamma-Ray Imager) is a cart-based Compton camera developed at the University of Liverpool. The system comprises three electrically-cooled semiconductor detectors; two planar double-sided strip detectors (Si(Li) and HPGe) and an HPGe coaxial detector. The mobile cart houses the necessary components for data acquisition and analysis, providing complete functionality for imaging gamma-ray sources in an industrial setting. This paper reports on the operation of the system and the methods used to improve intrinsic system performance. The processing chain for extracting information pertaining to gamma-ray interactions has been developed and the imaging performance is characterised using an analytical reconstruction code. The obtainable Angular Resolution Measure (ARM) from a Cs-137 point source placed 10.5 cm from the front of the Si(Li) cryostat was determined to be 4.12∘ after the application of data processing techniques. The system energy resolution, which is key to isotope identification and image quality, was calculated to be less than 0.5% at 1332.5 keV.
Influence Depth of the Tensile Capacity of Ground Anchors Folding Type in Cohesive Soils
Authors: Maming M I , Jamaluddin A R , Harianto T , Muhiddin A B
Published: September 2021

A ground anchor is used to withstand tensile stresses caused by loading both the natural load of the soil and external pressures, then passing the force into the ground. It is generally used to retain tensile form and lateral power structures in constructing walls, foundations, transmission towers, pile, floating docks, mooring dolphin, and offshore buildings. Various ground anchors have been widely used, such as drag, helical, circular-shaped plates, and squares. Especially for massive plate anchors, installation is complicated because it must be excavated first before installation. A challenge in engineering is especially on cohesive soil conditions (soft soil). With these considerations, it is necessary to develop innovative models that are easier to install but still have a large enough tensile capacity. This research analyzes the tensile capacity by using ground anchor folding type to overcome building problems on cohesive soil. The test was tensile capacity with four leaves and a Variation of depth-the performance of this folding type anchor based on the tensile capacity and the anchor. The results obtained in this study; the greater area of the element occurred a significant increase in tensile capacity.
Design Concept for Child Pedestrian-Friendly Prototype
Authors: Makalew F P , Supit S W M , Senduk N
Published: September 2021

Pedestrians as active transportation require adequate facility including child pedestrian pathways. Children as the pedestrian is a vulnerable user to an accident due to their active movement to play during their trip along the pedestrian pathway. Child pedestrian movement could lead to a crash with other users such as other pedestrians, cycles, motorcycles, and cars. Design concept and planning for child pedestrian pathway prototype is considering active child movement and object used in playing. Proper design and construction are crucial for child pedestrians in the potential area with a massive number of pedestrian and street users. This research aims to establish a concept for child pedestrian-friendly prototype. Methods use is a mixed-method including literature study and field study. The result shows that the area for child pedestrian prototype is divided into two main areas namely pedestrian area and playing area. The pedestrian area requires proper space for the child pedestrian flow movement. Playing an area requires space for a child to play for a limited time during walking time. Further research is a must to include child pedestrian main areas in the pedestrian standard.
Distribution of fluid flow pressure through tandem square cylinders with the addition of triangular cylinder as a disturbance object
Authors: Habiba Syahrir , Salam Nasaruddin , Tarakka Rustan , Jalaluddin  , Ihsan Muhammad
Published: September 2021

Flow across a square cylinder in a tandem arrangement is a shape characterization that is often used in structural engineering, transportation, and heat exchangers, where wind and water loads are one of the main factors that need to be considered in the design because they are associated with loss of energy. This is a problem faced by various industries in increasing the efficiency and stability of their systems. To reduce this energy loss, flow modification can be carried out in the form of adding disturbance objects that are placed in the front area of the main object, so that the fluid flow can pass through the object without any flow separation and produce a uniform flow after passing through the object. The research objective is focused on analyzing the effect of adding a triangular cylinder as a disturbance object to the characteristics of the flow pattern and the pressure distribution on the walls of the square cylinder in a tandem arrangement. This research used numerical computation methods and was validated through experimental testing at an upstream velocity of 19 m/s. The hydraulic diameter of the disturbance object was determined to be 0.033 m and the distance ratios M/D were 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35, 0.45, and 0.55, respectively. The results showed that the application of a triangular cylinder as a disturbance object had an effect on the characteristics of the flow pattern and the pressure coefficient, where the lowest pressure coefficient on the front side and the highest pressure coefficient on the side and rear sides were obtained in a model with a distance ratio M/D = 0.45.
Parameter affecting of slurry flow in perforated pipe on fluidization method to maintenance of channel
Authors: Azis R , Thaha M A , Bakri B
Published: September 2021

Slurry flow in pipes is one of the techniques in developing the method of fluidization, especially in the work of sand by passing for the maintenance of estuary channel, port channel, and others. The slurry flow in the pipe determines the fluidization performance, therefore many researchers have studied the slurry flow system in various approaches. This analysis focuses on the factors that influence the flow of slurry in the perforated pipe based on literature studies. The results of the study indicate that several factors are grouped into main parameters such as pipeline parameters, liquid parameters, solid particle parameters and system parameters. All parameters are concluded through the approach of dimensionless numbers such as Reynold Numbers, Froude numbers, concentration, ratio of settling particle to pipe diameter, ratio of hydraulic gradient to mean flow velocity. These parameters have an effect on head loss, friction, drag reduction which controls the flow of slurry in the pipe media. In addition, the constant pressure distribution is a factor that affects the discharge in the slurry flow in the perforated pipe.
Effect of Pipe Diameter Variation on Transmission of Porous Breakwater
Authors: Syamsuri A M , Suriamihardja D , Thaha M A , Rachman T
Published: September 2021

The porous breakwater is a breakwater designed in a transitional sea with an upright position in the direction of the waves that protect the coastal area from erosion and abrasion as it is caused by wave energy. This study aims to determine the effect of pipe diameter and depth variation on wave transmission in porous breakwaters and to analyzing the parameters that affect the transmission coefficient on wave dampers. It was conducted at the Hydraulic Laboratory of the Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Gowa. It uses an experimental-based method with a model. The resulting waveform consists of three variation periods (T; 1,0 s, T; 1,1 s, T; 1,2 s) and two water depth variations (d; 36 cm, d; 28 cm). The results of the study indicated that the parameters that influence the transmission coefficient (Kt) are wave height (Hi), wavelength (L), wave period (T), water depth (d), and pipe diameter (Ø).
Improved land monitoring to assess large-scale tree plantation expansion and trajectories in Northern Mozambique
Authors: Bey Adia , Meyfroidt Patrick
Published: September 2021

Tree planting has the potential to address a wide range of environmental and economic challenges. However, planting initiatives can also do more harm than good. Characteristics such as land tenure and land use before conversion to tree plantation are key to assessing the potential risks and benefits of tree planting initiatives. Here, we present a new remote sensing technique to distinguish tree plantations from natural forests, measure plantation expansion, and specify pre-conversion land use. Focusing on Northern Mozambique, we found that 70% of large-scale tree plantation expansion between 2001–2017 occurred on cropland, while the remainder occurred on natural forest and grasslands. We also compare our remote sensing-derived plantation data with government cadastral records. Over 40% of plantation expansion occurred on lands not legally designated for this land use. Where tree plantation expansion is intended to mitigate climate change mitigation and boost rural economies, improved land monitoring techniques are needed to support assessment of the climate- and socio-economic impacts of expansion. The remote sensing technique presented here can support such assessments, increase transparency and facilitate adaptive management.
Characteristic-free test ideals
Authors: Pérez Felipe , R. G. Rebecca
Published: September 2021

Tight closure test ideals have been central to the classification of singularities in rings of characteristic

p
>
0

p>0

, and via reduction to characteristic

p
>
0

p>0

, in equal characteristic 0 as well. Their properties and applications have been described by Schwede and Tucker [Progress in commutative algebra 2, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 2012]. In this paper, we extend the notion of a test ideal to arbitrary closure operations, particularly those coming from big Cohen-Macaulay modules and algebras, and prove that it shares key properties of tight closure test ideals. Our main results show how these test ideals can be used to give a characteristic-free classification of singularities, including a few specific results on the mixed characteristic case. We also compute examples of these test ideals.
Immigration, Passing, and the Racial Other in Neo-Victorian Imperialist Fiction: The Case of Carnival Row (2019–)
Authors: Pedro Dina
Published: September 2021

In this article, I provide a close reading of Season 1 of the neo-Victorian TV series Carnival Row as both an ambivalent postcolonial and neo-passing narrative. I first draw on previous criticism on postcolonial neo-Victorianism and turn-of-the-century American passing novels in order to analyze Carnival Row’s contradictory revision of imperial London through its re-imagining in a fictional city named The Burgue. I then explore the conflicting ways in which the series tackles (neo-)imperialism and colonialization, as it simultaneously criticizes and reproduces imperial ideologies and stereotypes of the racial Other. Finally, I argue that Carnival Row seems to offer a new take on American passing novels by allowing Philo, the mixed-race male protagonist, to embrace his biracial nature without meeting a tragic fate at the end of Season 1. Nonetheless, by choosing a White actor (Orlando Bloom) to play the role of the passer, the series culturally appropriates a form of Black oppression for the entertainment of a White audience. Thus, despite the series’ well-intentioned attempts to criticize (neo-)imperial, racist, and xenophobic practices, it ultimately perpetuates—rather than subverts—those very same ideologies.
Utility of white matter disease and atrophy on routinely acquired brain imaging for prediction of long-term delirium risk: population-based cohort study
Authors: Pendlebury Sarah T , Thomson Ross J , Welch Sarah J V , Kuker Wilhelm , Rothwell Peter M ,   for the Oxford Vascular Study
Published: September 2021

Background

brain imaging done as part of standard care may have clinical utility beyond its immediate indication. Using delirium as an exemplar, we determined the predictive value of baseline brain imaging variables [white matter changes (WMC) and atrophy] for delirium risk on long-term follow-up after transient ischemic attack (TIA)/stroke in a population-based cohort study.

Methods

surviving TIA/stroke participants in the Oxford Vascular Study (OXVASC) were assessed prospectively for delirium during all hospitalisations over 6 months (2013–14). Using logistic regression, independent associations were determined between baseline OXVASC computed tomography or magnetic resonance brain imaging measures of WMC and cerebral atrophy (none/mild versus moderate/severe) and delirium adjusted for age, sex, baseline stroke severity, depression, illness severity and pre-admission cognition.

Results

among 1,565 TIA/stroke survivors with 194 hospital admissions (158 patients, mean/standard deviation age at admission = 79.2/11.5 years), delirium occurred in 59 (37%). WMC and atrophy on baseline imaging were associated with delirium [odds ratio (OR) = 3.41, 1.21–5.85, P = 0.001 and OR = 2.50, 1.23–5.08, P = 0.01 (unadjusted) and OR = 2.67, 1.21–5.85, P = 0.02 and OR = 2.18, 1.00–4.73, P = 0.05 (adjusted age and sex)]. Associations were strengthened when analyses were restricted to patients hospitalised within 5 years of baseline brain imaging [OR = 6.04, 2.39–15.24, P < 0.0001 and OR = 4.64, 1.46–14.82, P = 0.009 (unadjusted)] but only WMC remained significant after adjustment for all covariates including pre-admission cognition (OR = 4.83, 1.29–18.13, P = 0.02 for Mini-Mental State Examination and OR = 5.15, 1.26–21.09, P = 0.02 for Montreal Cognitive Assessment).

Conclusions

WMC and atrophy on brain imaging done up to 5 years earlier predicted delirium and may have clinical utility in risk stratification. Associations with WMC but not atrophy were independent of pre-admission cognitive impairment.
Is Medication Adherence Predictive of Cardiovascular Outcomes and Blood Pressure Control? The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT)
Authors: Glasser Stephen P , Vitolins Mara , Rocco Michael V , Still Carolyn Harmon , Cofield Stacey S , Haley William E , Goff David
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Adherence to study medications is crucial to evaluating treatment effects in clinical trials. To assess whether in the SPRINT trial, adherence and cardiovascular outcomes are associated regardless of intervention assignment.

METHODS

This study included 9,361 participants aged ≥50 years, recruited from 102 clinics. Participants were randomized to a Standard Treatment Group (targeted systolic blood pressure [SBP] <140 mm Hg) or an Intensive Treatment Group (targeted SBP <120 mm Hg) and followed for incident cardiovascular events until the study was halted early for benefit. The 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was administered at baseline, and at the 12- and 48-month (or close out) visit.

RESULTS

Adjusting for covariates, there was no association between the baseline 8-item MMAS-8 and the likelihood of the primary composite endpoint, any of the secondary endpoints, or blood pressure (BP) control. Low adherence was associated with a higher body mass index, SBP, diastolic BP, and Patient Health Questionnaire, and high adherence was associated with a higher Montreal Cognitive Assessment. There was no difference in the MMAS-8 over time by treatment arm assignment. For the primary outcome (a composite of myocardial infarction, other acute coronary syndromes, stroke, heart failure, or death from cardiovascular causes), baseline odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the Low vs. Medium and vs. High; and, for Medium vs. High MMAS-8 were 1.02 (0.82–1.28), 1.07 (0.85–1.34), and 1.05 (0.88–1.250).

CONCLUSIONS

In SPRINT, medication adherence as measured using the MMAS-8 was not associated with outcomes or BP control.
Locus-specific expression analysis of transposable elements
Authors: Schwarz Robert , Koch Philipp , Wilbrandt Jeanne , Hoffmann Steve
Published: September 2021

Transposable elements (TEs) have been associated with many, frequently detrimental, biological roles. Consequently, the regulations of TEs, e.g. via DNA-methylation and histone modifications, are considered critical for maintaining genomic integrity and other functions. Still, the high-throughput study of TEs is usually limited to the family or consensus-sequence level because of alignment problems prompted by high-sequence similarities and short read lengths. To entirely comprehend the effects and reasons of TE expression, however, it is necessary to assess the TE expression at the level of individual instances. Our simulation study demonstrates that sequence similarities and short read lengths do not rule out the accurate assessment of (differential) expression of TEs at the instance-level. With only slight modifications to existing methods, TE expression analysis works surprisingly well for conventional paired-end sequencing data. We find that SalmonTE and Telescope can accurately tally a considerable amount of TE instances, allowing for differential expression recovery in model and non-model organisms.
Viola: a structural variant signature extractor with user-defined classifications
Authors: Sugita Itsuki , Matsuyama Shohei , Dobashi Hiroki , Komura Daisuke , Ishikawa Shumpei
Published: September 2021

Here, we present Viola, a Python package that provides structural variant (SV; large scale genome DNA variations that can result in disease, e.g. cancer) signature analytical functions and utilities for custom SV classification, merging multi-SV-caller output files and SV annotation. We demonstrate that Viola can extract biologically meaningful SV signatures from publicly available SV data for cancer and we evaluate the computational time necessary for annotation of the data.

Availability and implementation

Viola is available on pip (https://pypi.org/project/Viola-SV/) and the source code is on GitHub (https://github.com/dermasugita/Viola-SV).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sustaining Transmission in Different Host Species: The Emblematic Case ofSarcoptes scabiei
Authors: Browne Elizabeth , Driessen Michael M , Cross Paul C , Escobar Luis E , Foley Janet , López-Olvera Jorge R , Niedringhaus Kevin D , Rossi Luca , Carver Scott
Published: September 2021

Some pathogens sustain transmission in multiple different host species, but how this epidemiologically important feat is achieved remains enigmatic. Sarcoptes scabiei is among the most host generalist and successful of mammalian parasites. We synthesize pathogen and host traits that mediate sustained transmission and present cases illustrating three transmission mechanisms (direct, indirect, and combined). The pathogen traits that explain the success of S. scabiei include immune response modulation, on-host movement capacity, off-host seeking behaviors, and environmental persistence. Sociality and host density appear to be key for hosts in which direct transmission dominates, whereas in solitary hosts, the use of shared environments is important for indirect transmission. In social den-using species, combined direct and indirect transmission appears likely. Empirical research rarely considers the mechanisms enabling S. scabiei to become endemic in host species—more often focusing on outbreaks. Our review may illuminate parasites’ adaptation strategies to sustain transmission through varied mechanisms across host species.
Changes in the language system as amyloid-β accumulates
Authors: Reinartz Mariska , Gabel Silvy , Schaeverbeke Jolien , Meersmans Karen , Adamczuk Katarzyna , Luckett Emma Susanne , De Meyer Steffi , Van Laere Koen , Sunaert Stefan , Dupont Patrick , Vandenberghe Rik
Published: September 2021

Language dysfunction is common in Alzheimer’s disease. There is increasing interest in the preclinical or asymptomatic phase of Alzheimer’s disease.

Here we examined in 35 cognitively intact older adults (age range 52–78 years at baseline, 17 male) in a longitudinal study design the association between accumulation of amyloid over a 5–6-year period, measured using PET, and functional changes in the language network measured over the same time period using task-related functional MRI. In the same participants, we also determined the association between the longitudinal functional MRI changes and a cross-sectional measure of tau load as measured with 18F-AV1451 PET.

As predicted, the principal change occurred in posterior temporal cortex. In the cortex surrounding the right superior temporal sulcus, the response amplitude during the associative-semantic versus visuo-perceptual task increased over time as amyloid load accumulated (Pcorrected = 0.008). In a whole-brain voxel-wise analysis, amyloid accumulation was also associated with a decrease in response amplitude in the left inferior frontal sulcus (Pcorrected = 0.009) and the right dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (Pcorrected = 0.005). In cognitively intact older adults, cross-sectional tau load was not associated with longitudinal changes in functional MRI response amplitude.

Our findings confirm the central role of the neocortex surrounding the posterior superior temporal sulcus as the area of predilection within the language network in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Amyloid accumulation has an impact on cognitive brain circuitry in the asymptomatic phase of Alzheimer’s disease.
Genetic Architecture Underlying Differential Resting-state Functional Connectivity of Subregions Within the Human Visual Cortex
Authors: Zhang Cun , Cai Huanhuan , Xu Xiaotao , Li Qian , Li Xueying , Zhao Wenming , Qian Yinfeng , Zhu Jiajia , Yu Yongqiang
Published: September 2021

The human visual cortex is a heterogeneous entity that has multiple subregions showing substantial variability in their functions and connections. We aimed to identify genes associated with resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of visual subregions using transcriptome-neuroimaging spatial correlations in discovery and validation datasets. Results showed that rsFC of eight visual subregions were associated with expression measures of eight gene sets, which were specifically expressed in brain tissue and showed the strongest correlations with visual behavioral processes. Moreover, there was a significant divergence in these gene sets and their functional features between medial and lateral visual subregions. Relative to those associated with lateral subregions, more genes associated with medial subregions were found to be enriched for neuropsychiatric diseases and more diverse biological functions and pathways, and to be specifically expressed in multiple types of neurons and immune cells and during the middle and late stages of cortical development. In addition to shared behavioral processes, lateral subregion associated genes were uniquely correlated with high-order cognition. These findings of commonalities and differences in the identified rsFC-related genes and their functional features across visual subregions may improve our understanding of the functional heterogeneity of the visual cortex from the perspective of underlying genetic architecture.