bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individuelle Gesundheitskompetenz von Lehrkräften und deren (Un)Sicherheit im Umgang mit chronisch erkrankten Schulkindern und Notfallsituationen
Authors: Hartmann Anja , Rückmann Jana , Tannen Antje
Published: August 2020

Hintergrund

Gesundheitskompetenz (GK) gilt als eine Schlüsseldeterminante im Hinblick auf die Gesundheitssicherung. Die Förderung von GK sollte so früh wie möglich beginnen, um späteren Gesundheitsrisiken vorzubeugen. Im Setting Schule haben Lehrkräfte hierbei eine zentrale Rolle, denn sie werden durch den Ganztagsschulbetrieb sowie die Inklusionsbestrebungen immer häufiger mit Gesundheitsproblemen Heranwachsender konfrontiert. Gleichwohl kann festgestellt werden, dass eine Vielzahl der Lehrkräfte selbst erhebliche Gesundheitsprobleme aufweist, u. a. bedingt durch hohe Arbeitsbelastungen.

Fragestellung

In dieser Arbeit wird das Niveau der GK von Lehrkräften ermittelt und ein möglicher Zusammenhang zwischen individueller GK der Lehrkräfte und deren Sicherheit im Umgang mit chronisch erkrankten Schulkindern untersucht.

Methoden

Es erfolgte eine Sekundärdatenanalyse von Daten aus einer quantitativen Befragung vonn = 420 Lehrkräften. Zur Selbsteinschätzung ihrer GK wurde der „European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire“ (HLS-EU-Q16) verwendet. Weiterhin erfolgten Korrelationsanalysen zwischen der GK und dem Grad der Unsicherheit im Umgang mit ausgewählten Gesundheitsproblemen.

Ergebnisse

Mehr als die Hälfte der Befragten weist eine eingeschränkte GK auf. Gleichzeitig ist ein deutlicher Zusammenhang zwischen GK und der Sicherheit im Umgang mit chronisch erkrankten Schüler/‑innen festzustellen. Insbesondere im Umgang mit psychischer Gesundheit bestehen Unsicherheiten.

Diskussion

Es besteht eine Diskrepanz zwischen den Anforderungen an die Lehrkräfte im Hinblick auf die Bewältigung von Gesundheitsproblemen im Setting Schule und ihrer dafür benötigten Gesundheitskompetenz und Souveränität im Umgang mit chronischen und psychischen Beeinträchtigungen. Die genannten Aspekte können einen Einfluss auf die kindliche GK sowie die gesundheitliche Entwicklung der Heranwachsenden nehmen.
Mischinfektionen bei kontaktlinsenassoziierter mykotischer Keratitis mit Pseudomonas oder Akanthamöben
Authors: Farah C. J. , Seitz B. , Hamon L. , Sourlis C. , Daas L.
Published: August 2020

Kontaktlinsenassoziierte Keratitiden werden immer häufiger. Die mykotische Keratitis ist ein relativ seltenes, aber sehr ernst zu nehmendes Krankheitsbild. Meist wird im Frühstadium eine falsche Diagnose gestellt und dadurch die adäquate Therapie verzögert. Bei der therapierefraktären kontaktlinsenassoziierten mykotischen Keratitis können nicht selten auch Koinfektionen oder Superinfektionen bestehen. Wir stellen 2 Patienten mit initial unklarer Keratitis vor, bei denen eine Mischinfektion der mykotischen Keratitis mit Pseudomonas aeruginosa bzw. Akanthamöben nachgewiesen werden konnte. In beiden Fällen war die zeitnahe perforierende Excimerlaser-Keratoplastik mit Einzelknüpfnähten und adäquater Lokaltherapie über 8 Wochen therapeutisch erfolgreich.
High endogenous expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) supports osteogenic differentiation in human dental follicle cells
Authors: Pieles Oliver , Reck Anja , Morsczeck Christian
Published: August 2020

Dental follicle cells (DFCs) are progenitor cells for mineralizing cells such as alveolar osteoblasts, but little is known about the mechanisms of the differentiation. Interestingly, different cell lines sometimes have different potentials to differentiate into mineralizing cells. In this study, we compared two different DFC lines, with one cell line (DFC_B) showing a high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in long-term cultures with standard medium and a reliable mineralizing potential. However, the other cell line DFC_A shows low ALP activity in standard medium and almost no mineralization. Known osteogenic markers such as RUNX2 were similarly expressed in both cell lines. However, the proosteogenic signaling pathway of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is induced in DFC_B, and the parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), which is involved in tooth root development, was also expressed more strongly. Previous studies have shown that the secreted PTHrP negatively regulate the transition from pre-osteoblastic progenitors to osteoblasts, but we showed that an inhibition of PTHrP gene expression reduced the ALP activity and the BMP-signaling pathway. In addition, endogenously expressed PTHrP is located in the cell nucleus. In contrast, supplementation of PTHrP or an inhibitor for the PTHrP receptor did not affect the ALP activity of DFC_B. In conclusion, our data suggest that a high endogenous expression of PTHrP in DFCs supports the induction of osteogenic differentiation via an intracrine mode.
Outcome analysis and risk factors for postoperative colonic ischaemia after aortic surgery
Authors: Dovzhanskiy Dmitriy I. , Bischoff Moritz S. , Wilichowski Christopher D. , Rengier Fabian , Klempka Anna , Böckler Dittmar
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Colonic ischaemia (CI) represents a serious complication after aortic surgery. This study aimed to analyse risk factors and outcome of patients suffering from postoperative CI.

Methods

Data of 1404 patients who underwent aortic surgery were retrospectively analysed regarding CI occurrence. Co-morbidities, procedural parameters, colon blood supply, procedure-related morbidity and mortality as well as survival during follow-up (FU) were compared with patients without CI using matched-pair analysis (1:3).

Results

Thirty-five patients (2.4%) with CI were identified. Cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal comorbidity were more common in CI patients. Operation time was longer (283 ± 22 vs. 188 ± 7 min, p < 0.0001) and blood loss was higher (2174 ± 396 vs. 1319 ± 108 ml, p = 0.0049) in the CI group. Patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) showed a higher rate of CI compared to patients with intact AAA (5.4 vs. 1.9%, p = 0.0177). CI was predominantly diagnosed by endoscopy (26/35), generally within the first 4 postoperative days (20/35). Twenty-eight patients underwent surgery, all finalised with stoma creation. Postoperative bilateral occlusion and/or relevant stenosis of hypogastric arteries were more frequent in CI patients (57.8 vs. 20.8%, p = 0.0273). In-hospital mortality was increased in the CI group (26.7 vs. 2.9%, p < 0.0001). Survival was significantly reduced in CI patients (median: 28.2 months vs. 104.1 months, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

CI after aortic surgery is associated with considerable perioperative sequelae and reduced survival. Especially in patients at risk, such as those with rAAA, complicated intraoperative course, severe cardiovascular morbidity and/or perioperative deterioration of the hypogastric perfusion, vigilant postoperative multimodal monitoring is required in order to initiate diagnosis and treatment.
Theoriestreit um das Verhältnis von Zins- und Wachstumsrate
Authors:   Überblick
Published: August 2020

Seit dem Ausbruch der Wirtschafts- und Finanzkrise wird die lang anhaltende Niedrigzinsphase zunehmend kontrovers diskutiert. Dabei kommt dem Zusammenhang zwischen dem Zinssatz r und der Wachstumsrate g eine zentrale Rolle zu: So leiten einige Autoren bei r < g eine Begründung für eine expansivere Fiskalpolitik ab. Diesem Thema widmen sich auch die Autoren Carl Christian von Weizsäcker und Hagen Krämer in ihrem aktuellen Buch „Sparen und Investieren im 21. Jahrhundert — Die große Divergenz“. Sie erörtern die Rolle der Determinanten des Zinses im Gleichgewicht aus Sparen und Investieren und leiten politische Implikationen ab. Die zentrale Grundthese ist, dass der negative Realzins ein Indikator dafür ist, dass zu viel gespart wird. Daraus ergibt sich die Forderung nach einer politischen Wende, weg von der Begrenzung der Staatsschulden, hin zu einer Reduktion des Sparüberschusses. Sowohl die Theorie als auch die Politikimplikation haben auf Fachkonferenzen ein breites Echo gefunden. Da diese Diskussionen im Streit der Denkschulen sehr lehrreich sind, sollen in diesem Zeitgespräch sowohl die Autoren als auch ihre Kritiker Hans-Werner Sinn, Peter Bofinger sowie Eckhard Hein zu Wort kommen, die jeweils ihre Sicht der Theorie und Evidenz zum Thema vorstellen.
Politische Ursachen für Rentenprobleme und Altersarmut erfordern grundlegende Reformen
Authors: Niemeier Ernst
Published: August 2020

Die Große Koalition stellt mit der Grundrente vor allem langjährige Beitragszahler besser. Allerdings bekämpft die Grundrente lediglich ein Symptom, statt sich den Ursachen zu widmen: der Politik niedriger Löhne und falscher politischer Maßnahmen. Niedrige Löhne führen zu niedrigen Renten. Die politische Verantwortung für niedrige Renten und Altersarmut macht zur Erreichung existenzsichernder Renten einen steuerfinanzierten Ausgleich notwendig.
Einkommensungleichheit in der EU
Authors: Dauderstädt Michael
Published: August 2020

Die großen Einkommensunterschiede in der Europäischen Union sind maßgebliche Treiber der innereuropäischen Migration und Standortkonkurrenz. Beides hat ärmere Menschen in den reicheren Mitgliedstaaten beunruhigt. In Großbritannien war die Einwanderung ein Hauptmotiv für den Brexit. Der Stand und die Entwicklung der europaweiten Einkommensverteilung zeigt, dass die Ungleichheit in der EU insgesamt höher ist als innerhalb der Mitgliedstaaten. Sie erreicht oder überschreitet sogar das Niveau der USA.
Multivariate framework for the assessment of key forcing to Lake Malawi level variations in non-stationary frequency analysis
Authors: Ngongondo Cosmo , Zhou Yanlai , Xu Chong-Yu
Published: August 2020

Lake Malawi in south eastern Africa is a very important freshwater system for the socio-economic development of the riparian countries and communities. The lake has however experienced considerable recession in the levels in recent years. Consequently, frequency analyses of the lake levels premised on time-invariance (or stationarity) in the parameters of the underlying probability distribution functions (pdfs) can no longer be assumed. In this study, the role of hydroclimate forcing factors (rainfall, lake evaporation, and inflowing discharge) and low frequency climate variability indicators (e.g., El Nino Southern Oscillation-ENSO and the Indian Ocean Dipole Mode-IODM) on lake level variations is investigated using a monthly mean lake level dataset from 1899 to 2017. Non-stationarity in the lake levels was tested and confirmed using the Mann-Kendall trend test (α = 0.05 level) for the first moment and the F test for the second moment (α = 0.05 level). Change points in the series were identified using the Mann-Whitney-Pettit test. The study also compared stationary and non-stationary lake level frequency during 1961 to 2004, the common period where data were available for all the forcing factors considered. Annual maximum series (AMS) and peak over threshold (POT) analysis were conducted by fitting various candidate extreme value distributions (EVD) and parameter fitting methods. The Akaike information criteria (AIC), Bayesian information criteria (BIC), deviance information criteria (DIC), and likelihood ratios (RL) served as model evaluation criteria. Under stationary conditions, the AMS when fitted to the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution with maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) was found to be superior to POT analysis. For the non-stationary models, open water evaporation as a covariate of the lake levels with the GEV and MLE was found to have the most influence on the lake level variations as compared with rainfall, discharge, and the low frequency climatic forcing. The results are very critical in flood zoning especially with various planned infrastructural developments around the lakeshore.
Smart Mobility: Contradictions in Value Co-Creation
Authors: Schulz Thomas , Gewald Heiko , Böhm Markus , Krcmar Helmut
Published: August 2020

Technical progress is disrupting the mobility sector. New door-to-door (D2D) mobility integrators promise to offer smart mobility by packaging together different mobility services such as car-sharing and public transport. However, mobility providers up to now have rarely entered into value co-creation relationships. As a result, citizens are offered mobility that cannot be considered truly smart. Although value co-creation has been the subject of numerous studies taking the service-dominant logic perspective, this research has often lacked empirical evidence. To close this gap, we conceptualize value co-creation between mobility providers and a D2D mobility integrator by applying Activity Theory. Based on a qualitative study in the German mobility sector, we identify several inhibitors of value co-creation from the viewpoint of mobility providers. In addition, we show how these inhibitors serve as triggers for adaptations, ultimately leading to the formation of a value co-creation relationship.
Herbivore-induced volatile emissions are altered by soil legacy effects in cereal cropping systems
Authors: Malone Shealyn C. , Weaver David K. , Seipel Tim F. , Menalled Fabian D. , Hofland Megan L. , Runyon Justin B. , Trowbridge Amy M.
Published: August 2020

Aims (main purpose and research question)

Soil properties, including microbial composition and nutrient availability, can influence the emissions of plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that serve as host-location cues for insect pests and their natural enemies. Agricultural practices have profound effects on soil properties, but how these influence crop VOCs remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of agricultural practices on constitutive and herbivore-induced VOC emissions by a major staple crop through soil legacy effects.

Methods

In a full factorial experiment, we measured VOC emissions by wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in soil inoculum from wheat-fallow or wheat-cover crop rotations that was subjected to feeding by larval Cephus cinctus.

Results (main findings)

Under herbivory, plants grown in cover crop inoculum emitted greater total VOCs, including higher concentrations of 2-pentadecanone, an insect repellent, and nonanal, a compound important in the recruitment of natural enemies. Plants grown in fallow inoculum showed no differences in emissions whether under herbivory or not. Soil inoculum did not influence VOC emissions of plants in the absence of larval feeding.

Conclusions

These results suggest that agricultural practices influence crop VOC emissions through soil legacy effects. Additionally, crops grown in wheat-fallow rotations may be less successful recruiting natural enemies of pests through herbivore-induced VOC signaling.

Abbreviations

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs); herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPV); green leaf volatiles (GLVs); northern Great Plains (NGP); wheat stem sawfly (WSS); gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS); non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS); generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM).
Is mainstream LCA linear?
Authors: Heijungs Reinout
Published: August 2020

Purpose

It is frequently mentioned in literature that LCA is linear, without a proof, or even without a clear definition of the criterion for linearity. Here we study the meaning of the term linear, and in relation to that, the question if LCA is indeed linear.

Methods

We explore the different meanings of the term linearity in the context of mathematical models. This leads to a distinction between linear functions, homogeneous functions, homogenous linear functions, bilinear functions, and multilinear functions. Each of them is defined in accessible terms and illustrated with examples.

Results

We analyze traditional, matrix-based, LCA, and conclude that LCA is not linear in any of the senses defined.

Discussion and conclusions

Despite the negative answer to the research question, there are many respects in which LCA can be regarded to be, at least to some extent, linear. We discuss a few of such cases. We also discuss a few practical implications for practitioners of LCA and for developers of new methods for LCI and LCIA.
Analysis of Structural and Functional Differences of Glucans Produced by the Natively Released Dextransucrase of Liquorilactobacillus hordei TMW 1.1822
Authors: Schmid Jonas , Wefers Daniel , Vogel Rudi F. , Jakob Frank
Published: August 2020

The properties of the glucopolymer dextran are versatile and linked to its molecular size, structure, branching, and secondary structure. However, suited strategies to control and exploit the variable structures of dextrans are scarce. The aim of this study was to delineate structural and functional differences of dextrans, which were produced in buffers at different conditions using the native dextransucrase released by Liquorilactobacillus (L.) hordei TMW 1.1822. Rheological measurements revealed that dextran produced at pH 4.0 (MW = 1.1 * 108 Da) exhibited the properties of a viscoelastic fluid up to concentrations of 10% (w/v). By contrast, dextran produced at pH 5.5 (MW = 1.86 * 108 Da) was gel-forming already at 7.5% (w/v). As both dextrans exhibited comparable molecular structures, the molecular weight primarily influenced their rheological properties. The addition of maltose to the production assays caused the formation of the trisaccharide panose instead of dextran. Moreover, pre-cultures of L. hordei TMW 1.1822 grown without sucrose were substantial for recovery of higher dextran yields, since the cells stored the constitutively expressed dextransucrase intracellularly, until sucrose became available. These findings can be exploited for the controlled recovery of functionally diverse dextrans and oligosaccharides by the use of one dextransucrase type.
Creating duty on dominant firm: a case for alternative economic analysis
Authors: Narasinga Prabhu Aloke
Published: August 2020

The desirability of creating norms within the framework of law has been a challenging process in a free market economy. The principles of antitrust law enunciated by courts in abuse of dominant cases has led to ‘refusal to deal’ as a contested doctrine. When dominance is treated as legitimate aspiration and free market choices are the medium to achieve the aspirations of free market enterprises, any duty or obligation cast on the firm is considered antithetical to the spirit of free market unless it eclipses the anticompetitive effect. Where an economic analysis of antitrust law has non-economic impacts with ethical and moral issues, it calls for an alternative economic thought which also considers plural values of society. This also reflects a conflict arising out of lack of norms and respect for property rights. This paper attempts to analyze the cases and framework which is currently employed by the courts and the challenges it puts forth in creating a norm that is universal. The author by drawing on the principles of Gandhian economic thought and its essential features of trusteeship, non-possession and non-violence creates space for resolution of conflicts promoting ethical and moral considerations. Resolution of conflict through ethical and moral norms also assimilates the varied goals of antitrust regulation, including non-economic goals when the goals of antitrust require a broader consideration that accommodates the wider spectrum of market participants.
Re-Imagining ‘Event Management’: on Governmentality and its ‘Afterlife’
Authors: Blackshaw Tony , Coetzee Willem
Published: August 2020

In an important collection of publications Chris Rojek (2013a, 2013b and 2014) raises some apposite questions pertaining to ‘Event Management’ as a source of ideological power that surrounds both the staging of Mega Events and ‘Events’ as a subject field. The present article begins by elaborating on the key themes emerging from Rojek’s unconventional understanding of ‘Event Management’ which provides the backdrop against which it advances its own arguments. The rest of the discussion develops a novel framework of analysis which suggests that we should substitute ‘governmentality’ for ‘ideology’. It is argued that ‘performative governmentality’ achieves the rule of the ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘knowledge’ as the ruling force in a new way, through ‘efficiency’. The article provides a familiar theoretical framework and equips it with some new conceptual tools. Performative governmentality emerges as the ‘afterlife’ of Foucauldian governmentality, demonstrating that its capability is released only when the context in which it originally existed has disappeared, when it lingers precariously on the verge of disappearance. The article posits a mutual ‘fit’ between sport and the ‘social gradient’ in health and the tasks these pose to individuals under the dramaturgical conditions of the ‘performativity criterion’: to produce for themselves in their leisure the knowledge and the techniques of ‘fitness’ or ‘well-being’. Thereafter it explores how control operates with the societal shift from ‘hierarchy’ and ‘normalization’ to ‘democracy’ and ‘freedom’, arguing that existential insecurity and ontological uncertainty – the products of the fear of invisibility – have become functional to performative governmentality, which appears capable of conjuring conformity through impulses we conventionally associate with empowerment.
Systematic Review on Reproducibility of Nuclear Imaging in the Assessment of Painful Hip and Knee Replacements
Authors: Verberne S. J. , Kuiper J. W. P. , Broos W. A. M. , Temmerman O. P. P.
Published: August 2020

Nuclear imaging is used in the evaluation of painful arthroplasties for diagnosing loosening or periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The purpose of this systematic review is to depict the reproducibility of the various nuclear imaging modalities used in the assessment of painful hip and knee arthroplasties. A systematic review of the literature was conducted with a comprehensive search of MEDLINE to identify clinical studies investigating the intra-and inter-observer agreement of nuclear imaging modalities in diagnosing PJI and mechanical loosening. A total of 3.000 studies, published between 2004 and 2020, were reviewed and 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment identified concerns with regard to the internal validity in approximately 40% of the included studies. A meta-analysis could not be performed because of insufficient available clinical data. The intra-observer agreement was poorly investigated. The included studies reported an inter-observer agreement of “slight” to “excellent” for bone scintigraphy, “moderate” to “substantial” for leukocyte scintigraphy, “substantial” to “almost perfect” for combined leukocyte and bone marrow scintigraphy, and “fair” to “substantial” for anti-granulocyte scintigraphy. Hybrid imaging with SPECT/CT and FDG-PET/CT demonstrated “substantial” and “almost perfect” inter-observer agreement for symptomatic hip prostheses, respectively. The reproducibility of nuclear imaging is underreported in clinical studies investigating painful knee and hip arthroplasties. Moreover, the included studies demonstrated methodological concerns with a high risk of bias. The available evidence demonstrated a wide range of inter-observer agreement using scintigraphy. Hybrid imaging with SPECT/CT and FDG-PET/CT may improve the accuracy of interpretation and reproducibility. However, literature provides limited data to support this assumption.
Circular Economy and Its Relevance for Improving Food and Nutrition Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Case of Ghana
Authors: Boon Emmanuel Kwesi , Anuga Samuel Weniga
Published: August 2020

Many countries in the world, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), are battling with fundamental sustainable development challenges such as widespread poverty, hunger, food and nutrition insecurity and limited access to vital social services like education and healthcare. Climate change impacts during the past decades have exacerbated the situation in the region and pushed several policy-makers, researchers and the international community to vigorously search for appropriate development models that can help to effectively fix the problems in a sustainable manner. The concept of circular economy (CE) has received wide recognition as a feasible accelerator of sustainable development in the world. CE is based on three main principles: controlling finite stock of natural resources and regenerating natural systems; closing loops; and designing out waste. Employing a mixed methodological approach, the paper examines the importance and relevance of the CE model to SSA, with particular reference to Ghana. We also used the multiple R or 6R framework (reduce, reuse, refuse, rethink, repair and recycle) to analyse the circularity of six agricultural crops in northern Ghana. The paper assumes that deploying the CE model to Ghana’s agricultural sector will result in high efficiency in the exploitation of natural resources, increase in yields, improved quality of agricultural products, enormous environmental benefits and food and nutrition security. A number of challenges in the application of the model to Ghana’s agricultural sector are identified and appropriate recommendations provided for fixing them.
The Vulnerability and Resilience of African Food Systems, Food Security, and Nutrition in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Moseley William G. , Battersby Jane
Published: August 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages across the globe, ebbing and flowing from one region to the next, new infections and deaths continue to rise (Johns Hopkins 2020). Some of the first documented cases in Africa occurred in areas frequented by foreign tourists. Early on, the disease also circulated among Africa’s jet-setting political classes that had spent time in other regions of the world with higher infection rates. Since then, infections have taken off in the continent’s urban areas that are better connected globally via trade and travel. From there, it has spread to smaller cities, towns, and then to rural areas, a process known as hierarchical diffusion (Moseley 2020a). Unfortunately, there is another scourge that accompanies COVID-19, and that is a global hunger pandemic. In April 2020, the director of the World Food Programme warned that an additional 130 million people could be pushed to the brink of starvation by the end of 2020 because of the coronavirus. This comes on top of the 821 million people in the world who are already food insecure (Khorsandi 2020). Increasingly, scholars of food security, food systems, and poverty have come to realize that the hunger and malnutrition associated with COVID-19 may actually kill or debilitate more people than the disease itself, especially in regions of the world with weaker social safety nets (Fanzo 2020; HLPE 2020a, 2020b; UN 2020).
Balancing the Books: Convergence and Diversity of Accounting in Massachusetts, 1875–1895
Authors: Rosenthal Caitlin
Published: August 2020

The late nineteenth century is often described as an era of innovation in managerial practice, including accounting. However, despite rich case studies of individual firms, we have little quantitative knowledge of average practices. This paper uses errors and omissions in balance statements to estimate the prevalence of double-entry bookkeeping and depreciation at Massachusetts corporations between 1875–1895. In 1875, 62 percent of firms balanced their returns, but by 1895 this number exceeded 96 percent. The proportion considering depreciation increased from 18 to 24 percent over the period. Firms using these techniques survived longer on average.
Postimpact Evolution of the Southern Hale Crater Ejecta, Mars
Authors: Collins‐May J. L. , Carr J. R. , Balme M. R. , Ross N. , Russell A. J. , Brough S. , Gallagher C.
Published: August 2020

As one of the youngest large (>100 km wide) impacts on Mars, Hale crater offers a unique opportunity to observe well‐preserved deposits of Mars' former interior. We utilize visible imagery (Context Camera [CTX] and High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment [HiRISE]) and elevation data (Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter [MOLA], High Resolution Stereo Camera [HRSC], and HiRISE stereo pairs) to examine the region south of Hale crater, which contains the greatest density of landforms caused by with the impact. Linear depressions, mounds, and polygons indicate that the ejecta material contained volatiles and underwent substantial postimpact geomorphic evolution after it was emplaced. Ejecta landform formation was facilitated by volatiles, likely water ice displaced from the subsurface during the impact, contained within the material. We suggest that the ejecta flowed into valleys where it acted in a manner similar to terrestrial debris flows, leaving mounds, high‐standing deposits, lobate flow margins, and fan structures. Continued flow and settling of the ejecta then caused deposit dewatering, producing networks of linear depressions, particularly in places where the flows of ejecta were constricted. However, these landforms are not present everywhere, and their formation was likely influenced by topography. This work highlights that, while volatiles were present over much of Hale crater's ejecta blanket, the surface expression of them is spatially variable on local and regional scales.
Role of Bottom‐Side Density Gradient in the Development of Equatorial Plasma Bubble/Spread F Irregularities: Solar Minimum and Maximum Conditions
Authors: Abdu M. A. , Kherani E. A. , Sousasantos J.
Published: August 2020

From the analysis of Digisonde data over Brazilian equatorial and low‐latitude sites, we investigate the relative importance of the different parameters driving the generation of rising bubble‐type and bottom‐type spread F (SF) irregularities. Data for the complete month of October 2001, a solar maximum epoch (F10.7 = 210), and that of October 2008, an extended solar minimum period (F10.7 = 70), are analyzed to examine the SF intensity and occurrence rate as a function of the evening prereversal vertical drift velocity and the corresponding F layer heights and the bottom‐side density gradient. While the SF at the equatorial site is indicative of both the bottom‐side irregularities and rising bubbles, the SF at the low latitude represents exclusively the latter. Comparison of the results, from the two epochs, reveals a large decrease in the intensity and occurrence rate of plasma bubbles, with a decrease in solar flux. But a notable increase in these characteristics is observed in the case of bottom‐side SF. It is found that a larger (steeper) density gradient of the F layer bottom side that exists in the low solar flux condition is responsible for an enhanced Raleigh‐Taylor instability growth, counterbalancing a reduction in this rate that may arise from a smaller prereversal vertical drift and lower layer height that also characterize the low solar flux condition. Thus, the role of the bottom‐side density gradient in the ESF instability growth has been identified for the first time in terms of its ability to explain the contrasting irregularity features as observed during solar flux maximum and minimum years.
Scale Sizes of Magnetosheath Jets
Authors: Plaschke Ferdinand , Hietala Heli , Vörös Zoltan
Published: August 2020

Magnetosheath jets are plasma entities that feature a significantly enhanced dynamic pressure with respect to the ambient plasma. They occur more often downstream of the quasi‐parallel bow shock. Jets can propagate through the entire magnetosheath and impact on the magnetopause. We reanalyze multi‐spacecraft data from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) mission to obtain the first unbiased distributions of scale sizes of the jets, in the directions parallel and perpendicular to their propagation direction. These distributions are log‐normal; they fit well to the observations. We argue that jet scales should be log‐normally distributed as they should result from multiplicative processes in the foreshock and in the magnetosheath. We find that typical jet scales are on the order of 0.1 Earth radii (RE), one order of magnitude smaller than previously reported. Median scale sizes of 0.12 RE and 0.15 RE in the perpendicular and parallel directions are obtained. The small scales may be related to the substructure of Short Large Amplitude Magnetic Structures (SLAMS) in the foreshock, or to the break up of larger jets within the magnetosheath. Use of the log‐normal distributions also allows for an analysis of impact rates of small‐scale jets: While previous results on large jets hitting the magnetopause several times per hour remain largely unchanged, we now find that hundreds to thousands of mostly small‐scale jets could potentially impact the dayside magnetopause every hour.
First Analysis of Earth's Stratospheric γ‐Ray Emission in Geographical Coordinates With Fermi LAT
Authors: Madlee S. , Mitthumsiri W. , Ruffolo D. , Digel S. , Nuntiyakul W.
Published: August 2020

From low‐Earth orbit, the Earth is an extremely bright γ‐ray source compared to distant astrophysical objects. The high‐energy γ‐ray emission, from the Earth's upper atmosphere, is produced by the interactions between cosmic rays (CRs) and air molecules. As CRs are predominantly charged particles, the geomagnetic field acts as a spectrometer, forbidding CRs below a certain energy to arrive and interact with the atmosphere at a given geomagnetic location from a given direction. We use photon data between 0.2 and 20 GeV as observed by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) to create, for the first time, stratospheric γ‐ray emission maps of the Earth in the geographical coordinate system, for different viewing directions from LAT altitude. These maps confirm a strong association between measured γ‐ray fluxes and geomagnetic cutoffs for CRs. We also report the spectrum of the Earth's stratospheric γ‐ray emission in cardinal directions and use the geomagnetic spectrometer effect to infer the atmosphere's yield function of γ rays per incoming CR proton as a function of CR rigidity at the altitude of the Fermi spacecraft. This work is relevant to the study of near‐Earth radiation exposure for astronauts and spacecraft, modeling the geomagnetic field, and CR‐air interactions.
Differential Sensitivity of a Symbiont‐Bearing Foraminifer to Seawater Carbonate Chemistry in a Decoupled DIC‐pH Experiment
Authors: Oron Shai , Evans David , Abramovich Sigal , Almogi‐Labin Ahuva , Erez Jonathan
Published: August 2020

Larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) are unicellular eukaryotic calcifying organisms and an important component of tropical and subtropical modern and ancient oceanic ecosystems. They are major calcium carbonate producers and important contributors to primary production due to the photosynthetic activity of their symbiotic algae. Studies investigating the response of LBF to seawater carbonate chemistry changes are therefore essential for understanding the impact of climate changes and ocean acidification (OA) on shallow marine ecosystems. In this study, calcification, respiration, and photosynthesis of the widespread diatom‐bearing LBF Operculina ammonoides were measured in laboratory experiments that included manipulation of carbonate chemistry parameters. pH was altered while keeping dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) constant, and DIC was altered while keeping pH constant. The results show clear vulnerability of O. ammonoides to low pH and CO32− under constant DIC conditions, and no increased photosynthesis or calcification under high DIC concentrations. Our results call into question previous hypotheses, suggesting that mechanisms such as the degree of cellular control on calcification site pH/DIC and/or enhanced symbiont photosynthesis in response to OA may render the hyaline (perforate and calcitic‐radial) LBF to be less responsive to OA than porcelaneous LBF. In addition, manipulating DIC did not affect calcification when pH was close to present seawater levels in a model encompassing the total population size range. In contrast, larger individuals (>1,200 μm, >1 mg) were sensitive to changes in DIC, a phenomenon we attribute to their physiological requirement to concentrate large quantities of DIC for their calcification process.
Impact of Inner Heliospheric Boundary Conditions on Solar Wind Predictions at Earth
Authors: Gonzi Siegfried , Weinzierl M. , Bocquet F.‐X. , Bisi M. M. , Odstrcil D. , Jackson B. V. , Yeates A. R. , Jackson D. R. , Henney C. J. , Nick Arge C.
Published: August 2020

Predictions of the physical parameters of the solar wind at Earth are at the core of operational space weather forecasts. Such predictions typically use line‐of‐sight observations of the photospheric magnetic field to drive a heliospheric model. The models Wang‐Sheeley‐Arge (WSA) and ENLIL for the transport in the heliosphere are commonly used for these respective tasks. Here we analyze the impact of replacing the potential field coronal boundary conditions from WSA with two alternative approaches. The first approach uses a more realistic nonpotential rather than potential approach, based on the Durham Magneto Frictional Code (DUMFRIC) model. In the second approach the ENLIL inner boundary conditions are based on Inter Planetary Scintillation observations (IPS). We compare predicted solar wind speed, plasma density, and magnetic field magnitude with observations from the WIND spacecraft for two 6‐month intervals in 2014 and 2016. Results show that all models tested produce fairly similar output when compared to the observed time series. This is not only reflected in fairly low correlation coefficients (<0.3) but also large biases. For example, for solar wind speed some models have average biases of more than 150 km/s. On a positive note, the choice of coronal magnetic field model has a clear influence on the model results when compared to the other models in this study. Simulations driven by IPS data have a high success rate with regard to detection of the high speed solar wind. Our results also indicate that model forecasts do not degrade for longer forecast times.
Progress against childhood and adolescent acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the Netherlands, 1990–2015
Authors: Reedijk Ardine M. J. , Coebergh Jan Willem W. , de Groot-Kruseman Hester A. , van der Sluis Inge M. , Kremer Leontien C. , Karim-Kos Henrike E. , Pieters Rob
Published: August 2020

We assessed the epidemiologic progress against childhood and adolescent acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in the Netherlands over a 26 year period. ALL patients <18 years were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry and the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group. Trend analyses were performed over time and by age group and ALL subtype. Between 1990 and 2015, 2997 ALL patients were diagnosed, i.e. 115 patients (range 87–147) per year. Overall incidence remained stable at 37 per million children, despite increases for B-cell precursor ALL (BCP-ALL) at age 10–14 years (AAPC + 1.4%, p = 0.04) and T-cell ALL at 15–17 years (AAPC + 3.7%, p = 0.01). Five-year survival increased from 80% in 1990–94 to 91% in 2010–15 (p < 0.01). Mortality decreased by 4% annually (p < 0.01). Patients 15–17 years were increasingly treated in a paediatric oncology centre, from 35% in 1990–94 to 87% in 2010–15 and experienced a 70% reduction of risk of death compared to those treated outside such a centre (p < 0.01). Significant progress against childhood ALL has been made in the Netherlands, visible by improved survival rates coinciding with declining mortality rates. These outcomes were accompanied by stable incidence rates, despite increases for BCP-ALL at age 10–14 years and T-cell ALL at age 15–17 years.
Aldosterone from endometrial glands is benefit for human decidualization
Authors: Li Shu-Yun , Song Zhuo , Yan Ya-Ping , Li Bo , Song Min-Jie , Liu Yue-Fang , Yang Zhen-Shan , Li Meng-Yuan , Liu Ai-Xia , Quan Song , Yang Zeng-Ming
Published: August 2020

Local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in female reproductive system is involved in many physiological and pathological processes, such as follicular development, ovarian angiogenesis, ovarian, and endometrial cancer progress. However, studies on the functional relevance of RAS in human endometrium are limited, especially for renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). In this study, we defined the location of RAS components in human endometrium. We found that angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT1R) and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), major components of RAAS, are specifically expressed in endometrial gland during mid-secretory phase. Aldosterone receptor, mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), is elevated in stroma in mid-secretory endometrium. In vitro, MR is also activated by aldosterone during decidualization. Activated MR initiates LKB1 expression, followed by phosphorylating of AMPK that stimulates PDK4 expression. The impact of PDK4 on decidualization is independent on PDHE1α inactivation. Based on co-immunoprecipitation, PDK4 interacts with p-CREB to prevent its ubiquitination for facilitating decidualization via FOXO1. Restrain of MR activation interrupts LKB1/p-AMPK/PDK4/p-CREB/FOXO1 pathway induced by aldosterone, indicating that aldosterone action on decidualization is mainly dependent on MR stimulation. Aldosterone biosynthesized in endometrial gland during mid-secretory phase promotes decidualization via activating MR/LKB1/p-AMPK/PDK4/p-CREB/FOXO1 signaling pathway. This study provides the valuable information for understanding the underlying mechanism during decidualization.
LncRNA CRNDE facilitates epigenetic suppression of CELF2 and LATS2 to promote proliferation, migration and chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Xie Shu-Cai , Zhang Jian-Quan , Jiang Xi-Li , Hua Yong-Yong , Xie Shao-Wei , Qin Ye-Ang , Yang Yi-Jun
Published: August 2020

Our study aimed to investigate the expression, functional significance, and related mechanism of long noncoding RNA CRNDE (colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis. The resulted revealed that CRNDE was significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues and cell lines, and was statistically correlated with poor clinical outcome. CRNDE knockdown markedly decreased HCC cell proliferation, migration, and chemoresistance. In addition, in vivo experiments confirmed the suppressive effect of CRNDE knockdown on HCC progression. Mechanically, CRNDE directly bound to EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog), SUZ12 (suppressor of zeste 12), SUV39H1, and mediated their inhibition of tumor suppressor genes, including CUGBP Elav-like family member 2 (CELF2) and large tumor suppressor 2 (LATS2). CELF2 exerted tumor suppressive effect in HCC and was involved in CRNDE-mediated oncogenic effect. In addition, the oncogenic effects of CRNDE on HCC proliferation, migration and tumorigenesis, as well as its inhibition of Hippo pathway were abolished by LATS2 overexpression. Together, our work demonstrated the importance of CRNDE in HCC progression and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms. These findings provided new insights into HCC pathogenesis and chemoresistance mediated by CRNDE.
The Laetiporus polyketide synthase LpaA produces a series of antifungal polyenes
Authors: Seibold Paula Sophie , Lenz Claudius , Gressler Markus , Hoffmeister Dirk
Published: August 2020

The conspicuous bright golden to orange-reddish coloration of species of the basidiomycete genus Laetiporus is a hallmark feature of their fruiting bodies, known among mushroom hunters as the “chicken of the woods”. This report describes the identification of an eight-domain mono-modular highly reducing polyketide synthase as sole enzyme necessary for laetiporic acid biosynthesis. Heterologous pathway reconstitution in both Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus niger verified that LpaA functions as a multi-chain length polyene synthase, which produces a cocktail of laetiporic acids with a methyl-branched C26–C32 main chain. Laetiporic acids show a marked antifungal activity on Aspergillus protoplasts. Given the multiple products of a single biosynthesis enzyme, our work underscores the diversity-oriented character of basidiomycete natural product biosynthesis.
A single-cell atlas of the human substantia nigra reveals cell-specific pathways associated with neurological disorders
Authors: Agarwal Devika , Sandor Cynthia , Volpato Viola , Caffrey Tara M. , Monzón-Sandoval Jimena , Bowden Rory , Alegre-Abarrategui Javier , Wade-Martins Richard , Webber Caleb
Published: August 2020

We describe a human single-nuclei transcriptomic atlas for the substantia nigra (SN), generated by sequencing approximately 17,000 nuclei from matched cortical and SN samples. We show that the common genetic risk for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with dopaminergic neuron (DaN)-specific gene expression, including mitochondrial functioning, protein folding and ubiquitination pathways. We identify a distinct cell type association between PD risk and oligodendrocyte-specific gene expression. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we find no association between PD risk and microglia or astrocytes, suggesting that neuroinflammation plays a less causal role in PD than AD. Beyond PD, we find associations between SN DaNs and GABAergic neuron gene expression and multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. Conditional analysis reveals that distinct neuropsychiatric disorders associate with distinct sets of neuron-specific genes but converge onto shared loci within oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursors. This atlas guides our aetiological understanding by associating SN cell type expression profiles with specific disease risk.
Surface oxygenation of multicomponent nanoparticles toward active and stable oxidation catalysts
Authors: Shan Shiyao , Li Jing , Maswadeh Yazan , O’Brien Casey , Kareem Haval , Tran Dat T. , Lee Ivan C. , Wu Zhi-Peng , Wang Shan , Yan Shan , Cronk Hannah , Mott Derrick , Yang Lefu , Luo Jin , Petkov Valeri , Zhong Chuan-Jian
Published: August 2020

The need for active and stable oxidation catalysts is driven by the demands in production of valuable chemicals, remediation of hydrocarbon pollutants and energy sustainability. Traditional approaches focus on oxygen-activating oxides as support which provides the oxygen activation at the catalyst-support peripheral interface. Here we report a new approach to oxidation catalysts for total oxidation of hydrocarbons (e.g., propane) by surface oxygenation of platinum (Pt)-alloyed multicomponent nanoparticles (e.g., platinum-nickel cobalt (Pt–NiCo)). The in-situ/operando time-resolved studies, including high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, demonstrate the formation of oxygenated Pt–NiOCoO surface layer and disordered ternary alloy core. The results reveal largely-irregular oscillatory kinetics associated with the dynamic lattice expansion/shrinking, ordering/disordering, and formation of surface-oxygenated sites and intermediates. The catalytic synergy is responsible for reduction of the oxidation temperature by ~100 °C and the high stability under 800 °C hydrothermal aging in comparison with Pt, and may represent a paradigm shift in the design of self-supported catalysts.