bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Dialogical Roots of Deduction
Authors: Dutilh Novaes Catarina
Published: December 2020

This comprehensive account of the concept and practices of deduction is the first to bring together perspectives from philosophy, history, psychology and cognitive science, and mathematical practice. Catarina Dutilh Novaes draws on all of these perspectives to argue for an overarching conceptualization of deduction as a dialogical practice: deduction has dialogical roots, and these dialogical roots are still largely present both in theories and in practices of deduction. Dutilh Novaes' account also highlights the deeply human and in fact social nature of deduction, as embedded in actual human practices; as such, it presents a highly innovative account of deduction. The book will be of interest to a wide range of readers, from advanced students to senior scholars, and from philosophers to mathematicians and cognitive scientists.
Understanding the Tripartite Approach to Bayesian Divergence Time Estimation
Authors: Warnock Rachel C. M. , Wright April M.
Published: December 2020

Placing evolutionary events in the context of geological time is a fundamental goal in paleobiology and macroevolution. In this Element we describe the tripartite model used for Bayesian estimation of time calibrated phylogenetic trees. The model can be readily separated into its component models: the substitution model, the clock model and the tree model. We provide an overview of the most widely used models for each component and highlight the advantages of implementing the tripartite model within a Bayesian framework.
Creating Distinctions in Dutch Genre Painting
Authors: Ho Angela K.
Published: December 2020

In the mid- to late seventeenth century, a number of Dutch painters created a new type of refined genre painting that was much admired by elite collectors. In this book, Angela Ho uses the examples of Gerrit Dou, Gerard ter Borch, and Frans van Mieris to show how this group of artists made creative use of repetition-such as crafting virtuosic, self-referential compositions around signature motifs, or engaging esteemed predecessors in a competitive dialogue through emulation-to project a distinctive artistic personality. The resulting paintings enabled purchasers and viewers to exercise their connoisseurial eye and claim membership in an exclusive circle of sophisticated enthusiasts-making creative repetition a successful strategy for both artists and viewers.
Concern and Externalities Associated with Locating Hemp Production and Processing Facilities
Authors: Campbell Julie H. , Rabinowitz Adam N. , Campbell Benjamin L.
Published: December 2020

The legalization of hemp in the United States (U.S.) has created increased interest from agricultural and non-agricultural entities seeking to establish/expand hemp production and processing. As these entities begin to locate their production and processing operations, there is a potential for nearby residents to have concerns about these efforts. Using an online survey of residents from the southeastern U.S., concern levels and potential externalities associated with hemp production and processing were evaluated. Results show a majority of residents are concerned about hemp production and processing locating nearby with the externalities varying from the potential for illegal activity to environmental concerns.
Widowing the Streets of Troy (Il. 5.642): Notes on the Conceptual Basis of a Unique Metaphor in Homer'sIliad
Authors: Horn Fabian
Published: December 2020

This article argues for an approach based on the cognitive linguistic theory of conceptual metaphors (CMT) by demonstrating its potential for the discussion and interpretation of Homeric metaphors. CMT provides a theoretical framework for analysing metaphors in a conceptual context, and even with unique, i.e. apparently non-formulaic, metaphors in Homeric poetry the possibility of a conceptual basis always needs to be considered for comprehensive study. Even unusual expressions such as the phrasing ofIl. 5.642, χήρωσɛ δ’ ἀγυιάς, where Heracles is said to have ‘widowed the streets’ of Troy can be related to other metaphors (esp. Τροίης ἱɛρὰ κρήδɛμνα inIl. 16.100, where the phrasing is formulaic) drawing on the same conceptualization ofthe city is a woman. This appears to be a contextually specified version of the personification of locations which not only provides the basis for poetic extensions but also has the potential to reflect back on the literal usage of certain salient terms and imbue them with particular, ominous meaning (such as κρήδɛμνον inIl. 22.470).
Finding Direction at the Edge of Law and Life: Islamic Fiqh, Correspondence, and UAE Takāful Insurance Regulation
Authors: Jadalhaq Iyad Mohammad , Russi Luigi
Published: December 2020

The Islamic legal enterprise forms an inherently plural system that can appear puzzling to commentators looking for faithfulness to principle or precedent. When one looks at it, instead, as an ongoing search for correspondence between divine guidance, rooted in the foundational sources of Islam, and the singularity of concrete circumstances, Islamic law is revealed as a practice of discernment against the grain of the particular. This article unfolds this approach to understanding Islamic law by entering the conversation where it is currently most heated, namely in connection with the development of Islamic financial products. A case study of takāful regulation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) helps substantiate the import of our proposal for attuning to the voice of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), in the face of contemporary questions arising from the design of financial products in correspondence with the Sharī’ah.
Facial nerve baroparesis during airflight: a case report and literature review
Authors: Alwan M , Gordan M
Published: December 2020

Background

Facial nerve baroparesis is a rare phenomenon which has been reported during flight. It is thought to occur due to ischaemic neuropraxia on the facial nerve as middle-ear pressure increases in the presence of Eustachian tube dysfunction and force is transmitted through a dehiscent facial nerve canal.

Method

This study presents an aviation-associated, right-sided facial nerve palsy as well as presenting the results of a systematic review that was performed on the available literature using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Full-text articles from Medline, PubMed and Embase were used, as well as associated reference lists. This study systematically reviews the literature to discuss presentation, investigations performed and an approach to management of this rare condition.

Results

This study identified 23 cases in the literature (including the case presented in this study) of facial nerve baroparesis.

Conclusion

Facial nerve baroparesis is a mostly temporary rare phenomenon that can be managed effectively with ventilation tube insertion. In the event of long-standing facial nerve palsy after descent of the aircraft, urgent myringotomy should be performed to prevent permanent facial nerve damage.
Stability and evolution of electromagnetic solitons in relativistic degenerate laser plasmas
Authors: Roy Sima , Misra A. P.
Published: December 2020

The dynamical behaviours of electromagnetic (EM) solitons formed due to nonlinear interaction of linearly polarized intense laser light and relativistic degenerate plasmas are studied. In the slow-motion approximation of relativistic dynamics, the evolution of weakly nonlinear EM envelope is described by the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger (GNLS) equation with local and nonlocal nonlinearities. Using the Vakhitov–Kolokolov criterion, the stability of an EM soliton solution of the GNLS equation is studied. Different stable and unstable regions are demonstrated with the effects of soliton velocity, soliton eigenfrequency, as well as the degeneracy parameter

$R=p_{Fe}/m_ec$

, where

$p_{Fe}$

is the Fermi momentum and

$m_e$

the electron mass and

$c$

is the speed of light in vacuum. It is found that the stability region shifts to an unstable one and is significantly reduced as one enters from the regimes of weakly relativistic

$(R\ll 1)$

to ultrarelativistic

$(R\gg 1)$

degeneracy of electrons. The analytically predicted results are in good agreement with the simulation results of the GNLS equation. It is shown that the standing EM soliton solutions are stable. However, the moving solitons can be stable or unstable depending on the values of soliton velocity, the eigenfrequency or the degeneracy parameter. The latter with strong degeneracy

$(R>1)$

can eventually lead to soliton collapse.
Effects of aging and noncanonical form presentation on idiom processing: Evidence from eye tracking
Authors: Haeuser Katja I. , Baum Shari , Titone Debra
Published: December 2020

Comprehending idioms (e.g., bite the bullet) requires that people appreciate their figurative meanings while suppressing literal interpretations of the phrase. While much is known about idioms, an open question is how healthy aging and noncanonical form presentation affect idiom comprehension when the task is to read sentences silently for comprehension. Here, younger and older adults read sentences containing idioms or literal phrases, while we monitored their eye movements. Idioms were presented in a canonical or a noncanonical form (e.g., bite the iron bullet). To assess whether people integrate figurative or literal interpretations of idioms, a disambiguating region that was figuratively or literally biased followed the idiom in each sentence. During early stages of reading, older adults showed facilitation for canonical idioms, suggesting a greater sensitivity to stored idiomatic forms. During later stages of reading, older adults showed slower reading times when canonical idioms were biased toward their literal interpretation, suggesting they were more likely to interpret idioms figuratively on the first pass. In contrast, noncanonical form presentation slowed comprehension of figurative meanings comparably in younger and older participants. We conclude that idioms may be more strongly entrenched in older adults, and that noncanonical form presentation slows comprehension of figurative meanings.
Procedural and short-term outcomes of transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect using lifetech multifunctional occluder: initial experience
Authors: Gozar Judah D. , Cheng Dexter E. D. , Del Rosario Jose J. D.
Published: December 2020

The Lifetech Multifunctional occluder is a versatile device with an improved delivery and flexibility that reduces the risk of atrioventricular block. This is a retrospective, descriptive, pilot study done in 25 patients who underwent transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect using Lifetech Multifunctional occluder from February 2017 to January 2018.

The average age was 9.32 ± 7.20 years, with a range from 1 to 32 years. Procedural success was 100% with no case needing a change of device size. Closure rate on follow up was at 42% (10/24), 52% (12/23), and 81% (17/21) at 1 day, 1 month, and 6 months, respectively. At 6-month follow up, pre-procedure tricuspid regurgitation disappeared by 38%. However, the incidence of new onset tricuspid regurgitation to trace was 16% (2) and mild 8% (1). Pre-procedure mild aortic regurgitation remained the same status throughout the 6-month follow up. Closure of the defect did not improve or worsen the aortic regurgitation. Post-transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect with mild infundibular hypertrophy, the 1-year-old patient had resolution of the infundibular hypertrophy after 6 months but our 9-year-old patient had persistence of the mild infundibular hypertrophy even after 6 months. One patient (4%) developed transient widened QRS complexes post-transcatheter closure that resolved after 1 month. In total, 92% of the patients had no periprocedural complications. While one patient each had an inadvertent urinary bladder puncture and device embolisation.

Our retrospective review of the procedural and short-term outcomes of transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect sizes 2–10 mm, using the Lifetech Multifunctional occluder, appears to be safe and effective. However, long-term follow up is warranted.
Are context-specific measures of positive emotion regulation more predictive of mania risk and mood symptoms than trait measures?
Authors: McGrogan Claire L. , Dodd Alyson L. , Smith Michael A.
Published: December 2020

Background:

A number of strategies used to regulate positive affect (i.e. dampening and positive rumination) have been identified as having particular relevance to hypomanic personality (a proxy measure of mania risk). However, previous findings have been mixed and it is suggested that this may be the result of lack of consideration of the context in which emotion regulation (ER) is occurring.

Aims:

This study aimed to investigate (a) if use of specific ER strategies predicts mood across social- and goal-related contexts, and (b) if the relationship between hypomanic personality and mood is moderated by greater use of ER strategies.

Method:

One hundred and seventy-four participants (mean age 20.77 years, SD = 2.2) completed an online survey assessing (i) hypomanic personality, (ii) self-reported tendencies to use ER strategies for positive emotion, (iii) tendencies to use these strategies in response to both high- and moderate-intensity positive affect in personally generated social- and goal-related contexts, and (iv) current affect.

Results:

Trait use of ER strategies was more predictive of hypomanic personality and mood symptoms than context-specific measures; however, this relationship did not hold up for hypomanic personality and mood symptoms when accounting for current affect. Trait dampening was predictive of low mood symptoms but did not moderate the relationship between hypomanic personality and low mood.

Discussion:

While trait measures of ER were more predictive of mania risk and mood symptoms than context-specific measures, further work is needed using experience sampling methods in order to capture the regulatory processes individuals are using in particular contexts, in real-time.
The role of the veterinary diagnostic lab in the management of BRD
Authors: Helman R. G.
Published: December 2020

Veterinary diagnostic labs (VDLs) are important service agencies providing essential diagnostic testing for a wide variety of domestic animal species as well as wildlife. They serve key roles in disease monitoring and diagnosis as well as surveillance for diseases of consequence. Of the many roles VDLs serve, one is being a member of the larger team of professionals dealing with the management of the bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex. VDLs provide a number of services related to the management of BRD. These include disease outbreak investigation, abnormal morbidity characterization, routine monitoring, and biosecurity screening for a variety of infectious agents via methods such as necropsy and histopathology, bacterial culture, antimicrobial sensitivity testing, virus isolation, and serological assays. VDLs continue to look for better methods and assays as instrumentation technology also grows and improves. This is reflected in the growing proliferation of molecular-based assays that provide a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Professional staff in VDLs work in collaboration with those in academia and private industry to conduct basic research focusing on a different aspect of the BRD complex. VDLs remain a primary source of the varied field-origin infectious agents associated with BRD that are used for research purposes.
Determining the Volcanic Eruption Style of Tephra Deposits From Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Henderson M. J. B. , Horgan B. H. N. , Rowe M. C. , Wall K. T. , Scudder N. A.
Published: December 2020

Orbital imagery and spectroscopy at Mars have identified a variety of deposits potentially consistent with volcanic tephra formed during explosive volcanic eruptions, and some of these deposits may have formed due to water‐ or ice‐magma interactions during phreatomagmatic eruptions. If this is the case, these deposits could serve as an additional record of past water on Mars. Previous work has demonstrated that phreatomagmatic tephra is characterized by much lower crystallinities than tephras from other types of eruptions. We hypothesize that crystallinity could be inferred remotely using spectroscopy; however, tephra spectral properties have not been directly linked to their mineralogy. Here, we use Mars analog tephra samples to investigate if eruption styles and the past presence of water during the eruption of possible volcanic deposits on Mars can be determined using orbital spectroscopy. Visible/near‐infrared (VNIR) reflectance and thermal infrared (TIR) emission spectra were collected of basaltic volcanic tephras sourced from a range of eruption styles and deposit types on Earth. Our research demonstrates that, TIR and VNIR data are both sufficient to detect increased glass abundances in volcanic deposits, potentially indicating volatile interactions during an eruption, and that glass‐poor tephras have distinct TIR properties that can be used to infer tephra type (e.g., ignimbrite vs. scoria). Combining VNIR and TIR orbital data for analysis based on our new laboratory spectral endmember library may allow a reevaluation of Martian volcanic and volatile histories using current and future planetary orbital and in situ spectral datasets.
Performance Evaluation of UAVSAR and Simulated NISAR Data for Crop/Noncrop Classification Over Stoneville, MS
Authors: Kraatz S. , Rose S. , Cosh M.H. , Torbick N. , Huang X. , Siqueira P.
Published: December 2020

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data are well‐suited for change detection over agricultural fields, owing to high spatiotemporal resolution and sensitivity to soil and vegetation. The goal of this work is to evaluate the science algorithm for the NASA ISRO SAR (NISAR) Cropland Area product using data collected by NASA's airborne Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle SAR (UAVSAR) platform and the simulated NISAR data derived from it. This study uses mode 129, which is to be used for global‐scale mapping. The mode consists of an upper (129A) and lower band (129B), respectively having bandwidths of 20 and 5 MHz. This work uses 129A data because it has a four times finer range resolution compared to 129B. The NISAR algorithm uses the coefficient of variation (CV) to perform crop/noncrop classification at 100 m. We evaluate classifications using three accuracy metrics (overall accuracy, J‐statistic, Cohen's Kappa) and spatial resolutions (10, 30, and 100 m) for crop/noncrop delineating CV thresholds (CVthr) ranging from 0 to 1 in 0.01 increments. All but the 10 m 129A product exceeded NISAR's mission accuracy requirement of 80%. The UAVSAR 10 m data performed best, achieving maximum overall accuracy, J‐statistic, and Kappa values of 85%, 0.62, and 0.60. The same metrics for the 129A product respectively are: 77%, 0.40, 0.36 at 10 m; 81%, 0.55, 0.49 at 30 m; 80%, 0.58, 0.50 at 100 m. We found that using a literature recommended CVthr value of 0.5 yielded suboptimal accuracy (65%) at this site and that optimal CVthr values monotonically decreased with decreasing spatial resolution.
Reservoir Governance in World's Water Towers Needs to Anticipate Multi‐purpose Use
Authors: Kellner Elke , Brunner Manuela I.
Published: December 2020

Mountains, said to be the world's water towers, are central for the provision of downstream water demands. This provision service is strongly challenged by climate change associated with changes in runoff amount and seasonality caused by the retreat of glaciers, rising snow lines, and changes in precipitation. One potential adaptation strategy is the construction of new water reservoirs or the adjustment of current reservoir management strategies. These strategies need to account for various water uses originating from sectors and governments with different economic interests. Here, we investigate governance processes leading to reservoir management strategies ignoring downstream water needs in one of the most important water towers of the world, the European Alps. We assess why governance processes can lead to a coordination gap between an upstream reservoir and downstream water needs. We show that downstream water deficits could potentially be covered through an upstream reservoir under mean and partially under extremely low inflow conditions. However, these hydrological conditions were neglected in the governance processes. The decision‐making when issuing the new reservoir concession was influenced by (a) a lack of knowledge and of an appropriate reservoir‐management study, (b) an interest to increase renewable energy production, (c) a focus on environmental agreements in the participatory process, and (d) economic interests. Our analyses provide factors, which need to be considered when designing governance processes for the management of reservoirs in world's important and vulnerable water towers. We conclude that immediate action is required toward balancing upstream and downstream water needs in governance processes.
Detection of Hertz Frequency Multiharmonic Field Line Resonances at Low‐L (L = 1.1–1.5) During Van Allen Probe Perigee Passes
Authors: Lena F. R. , Ozeke L. G. , Wygant J. R. , Tian S. , Breneman A. W. , Mann I. R.
Published: December 2020

We present new and previously unreported in situ observations of Hertz frequency multiharmonic mode field line resonances detected by the Electric Field and Waves instrument on‐board the NASA Van Allen probes during low‐L perigee passes. Spectral analysis of the spin‐plane electric field data reveals the waves in numerous perigee passes, in sequential passes of probes A and B, and with harmonic frequency structures from ∼0.5 to 3.5 Hz which vary with L‐shell, altitude, and from day‐to‐day. Comparing the observations to wave models using plasma mass density values along the field line given by empirical power laws and from the International Reference Ionosphere model, we conclude that the waves are standing Alfvén field line resonances and that only odd‐mode harmonics are excited. The model eigenfrequencies are strongly controlled by the density close to the apex of the field line, suggesting a new diagnostic for equatorial ionospheric density dynamics.
Meteotsunamis Accompanying Tropical Cyclone Rainbands During Hurricane Harvey
Authors: Anarde Katherine , Cheng Wei , Tissier Marion , Figlus Jens , Horrillo Juan
Published: December 2020

Meteotsunami waves can be triggered by atmospheric disturbances accompanying tropical cyclone rainbands (TCRs) before, during, and long after a tropical cyclone (TC) makes landfall. Due to a paucity of high‐resolution field data along open coasts during TCs, relatively little is known about the atmospheric forcing that generate and resonantly amplify these ocean waves, nor their coastal impact. This study links high‐resolution field measurements of sea level and air pressure from Hurricane Harvey (2017) with a numerical model to assess the potential for meteotsunami generation by sudden changes in air pressure accompanying TCRs. Previous studies, through the use of idealized models, have suggested that wind is the dominant forcing mechanism for TCR‐induced meteotsunami with negligible contributions from air pressure. Our model simulations show that large air pressure perturbations (∼1–3 mbar) can generate meteotsunamis that are similar in period (∼20 min) and amplitude (∼0.2 m) to surf zone observations. The measured air pressure disturbances were often short in wavelength, which necessitates a numerical model with high temporal and spatial resolution to simulate meteotsunami triggered by this mechanism. Sensitivity analysis indicates that air pressure forcing can produce meteotsunami with amplitudes O(0.5 m) and large spatial extents, but model results are sensitive to atmospheric factors, including model uncertainties (length, forward translation speed, and trajectory of the air pressure disturbance), as well as oceanographic factors (storm surge). The present study provides observational and numerical evidence that suggest that air pressure perturbations likely play a larger role in meteotsunami generation by TCRs than previously identified.
High‐Resolution Water Vapor Maps Obtained by Merging Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar and GPS Measurements
Authors: Cao Yunmeng , Li Zhiwei , Duan Meng , Wei Jianchao
Published: December 2020

Previous research has demonstrated several successful meteorological applications of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) by mapping high‐resolution precipitable water vapor (PWV) over large areas with satisfactory precision (e.g., 1–2 mm). InSAR, however, can only measure temporal changes in the PWV, that is, the differential PWV (ΔPWV) between two SAR acquisition epochs. The construction of absolute PWV maps using InSAR observations remains an intractable problem. We present here a new method for constructing high‐resolution PWV maps by fusing InSAR and global positioning system (GPS) measurements. Our method involves: (1) extracting temporal differences in the zenith wet delays (ΔZWD) from InSAR observations with the assistance of synchronous GPS measurements, and (2) using a constrained minimum variance estimator (CMVE) to construct the high‐resolution maps of the absolute ZWDs by fusing the InSAR‐ΔZWD and the GPS‐ZWD samples, and finally (3) transforming the high‐resolution ZWDs to PWVs using an elevation‐dependent proportionality. Only a single interferogram was needed in our method, so we did not use any temporal (i.e., time‐series) hypotheses, for example, we did not assume that the average value of the temporal turbulent ZWDs was equal to zero. We validated the new method over the Southern California region using four Sentinel‐1 interferograms related to eight SAR images acquired in different seasons and in different years. We also used synchronous GPS measurements from the Southern California integrated GPS network. Eight high‐resolution maps of PWVs related to the eight SAR acquisitions were generated, covering ∼250 km in area at a ∼160 m spatial resolution. Comparisons between the CMVE method and the other two methods (GPS‐only‐based interpolation and time‐series InSAR stacking) were conducted. Experimental results showed that the CMVE method performed significantly better than conventional methods for constructing high‐resolution PWV maps, which is of great interest to a wide community of geophysicists and meteorologists.
A Stochastic Parameterization of Organized Tropical Convection Using Cellular Automata for Global Forecasts in NOAA's Unified Forecast System
Authors: Bengtsson Lisa , Dias Juliana , Tulich Stefan , Gehne Maria , Bao Jian‐Wen
Published: December 2020

In the atmosphere, convection can organize from smaller scale updrafts into more coherent structures on various scales. In bulk‐plume cumulus convection parameterizations, this type of organization has to be represented in terms of how the resolved flow would “feel” convection if more coherent structures were present on the subgrid. This type of subgrid organization acts as building blocks for larger scale tropical convective organization known to modulate local and remote weather. In this work a parameterization for subgrid (and cross‐grid) organization in a bulk‐plume convection scheme is proposed using the stochastic, self‐organizing, properties of cellular automata (CA). We investigate the effects of using a CA which can interact with three different components of the bulk‐plume scheme that modulate convective activity: entrainment, triggering, and closure. The impacts of the revised schemes are studied in terms of the model's ability to organize convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEWs). The differing impacts of adopting the stochastic CA scheme, as compared to the widely used Stochastically Perturbed Physics Tendency (SPPT) scheme, are also assessed. Results show that with the CA scheme, precipitation is more spatially and temporally organized, and there is a systematic shift in equatorial wave phase speed not seen with SPPT. Previous studies have noted a linear relationship between Gross Moist Stability (GMS) and Kelvin wave phase speed. Analysis of GMS in this study shows an increase in Kelvin wave phase speed and an increase in GMS with the CA scheme, which is tied to a shift from large‐scale precipitation to convective precipitation.
Controls Since the mid‐Pleistocene Transition on Sedimentation and Primary Productivity Downslope of Totten Glacier, East Antarctica
Authors: Holder L. , Duffy M. , Opdyke B. , Leventer A. , Post A. , O'Brien P. , Armand L. K.
Published: December 2020

The rapidly thinning Totten Glacier on the Sabrina Coast, East Antarctica, is the primary drainage outlet for ice within the Aurora Subglacial Basin, which could destabilize under the current atmospheric warming trend. There is growing need for direct geological evidence from the Sabrina Coast to frame late twentieth century Totten melting in the context of past warm climate analogs. Addressing this need, sediment archives were recovered from two sites on the Sabrina Coast slope and rise that record changes in terrigenous sedimentation and primary productivity in the region over glacial cycles since the mid‐Pleistocene transition (MPT). This research presents physical properties, grain size, diatom abundance and assemblages, and geochemical analysis from the two sites to determine how the processes that control sedimentation change between glacial and interglacial phases. The stratigraphic sequences in both cores record cyclic variations in physical properties and diatom abundances, which radiocarbon and biostratigraphic chronologies reveal as 100 Kyr glacial‐interglacial cyclicity. During glacials, terrigenous sediment deposition is enhanced by advanced grounded ice on the shelf, while primary productivity is restricted due to permanent summer sea ice extending past the continental slope. During interglacials, pelagic sedimentation suggests high surface productivity associated with contractions of regional sea ice cover. Comparison with post‐MPT slope records from Wilkes Land and the Amundsen Sea shows that this pattern is consistent in slope sediments around the margin. The higher‐amplitude variations in Antarctic ice volume and sea ice extent post‐MPT ensure that these signals are pervasive around the Antarctic margin.
Rationale for concurrent chemoradiotherapy for patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors:   on behalf of AstraZeneca UK Limited, Conibear John
Published: December 2020

When treating patients with unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), those with a good performance status and disease measured within a radical treatment volume should be considered for definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT). This guidance is based on key scientific rationale from two large Phase 3 randomised studies and meta-analyses demonstrating the superiority of cCRT over sequential (sCRT). However, the efficacy of cCRT comes at the cost of increased acute toxicity versus sequential treatment. Currently, there are several documented approaches that are addressing this drawback, which this paper outlines. At the point of diagnosis, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach can enable accurate assessment of patients, to determine the optimal treatment strategy to minimise risks. In addition, reviewing the Advisory Committee on Radiation Oncology Practice (ACROP) guidelines can provide clinical oncologists with additional recommendations for outlining target volume and organ-at-risk delineation for standard clinical scenarios in definitive cCRT (and adjuvant radiotherapy). Furthermore, modern advances in radiotherapy treatment planning software and treatment delivery mean that radiation oncologists can safely treat substantially larger lung tumours with higher radiotherapy doses, with greater accuracy, whilst minimising the radiotherapy dose to the surrounding healthy tissues. The combination of these advances in cCRT may assist in creating comprehensive strategies to allow patients to receive potentially curative benefits from treatments such as immunotherapy, as well as minimising treatment-related risks.
The E3 ligase UBR2 regulates cell death under caspase deficiency via Erk/MAPK pathway
Authors: Villa Elodie , Paul Rachel , Meynet Ophélie , Volturo Sophie , Pinna Guillaume , Ricci Jean-Ehrland
Published: December 2020

Escape from cell death is a key event in cancer establishment/progression. While apoptosis is often considered as the main cell death pathway, upon caspase inhibition, cell death is rather delayed than blocked leading to caspase-independent cell death (CICD). Although described for years, CICD’s underlying mechanism remains to be identified. Here, we performed a genome-wide siRNA lethality screening and identified the RING-Type E3 Ubiquitin Transferase (UBR2) as a specific regulator of CICD. Strikingly, UBR2 downregulation sensitized cells towards CICD while its overexpression was protective. We established that UBR2-dependent protection from CICD was mediated by the MAPK/Erk pathway. We then observed that UBR2 is overexpressed in several cancers, especially in breast cancers and contributes to CICD resistance. Therefore, our work defines UBR2 as a novel regulator of CICD, found overexpressed in cancer cells, suggesting that its targeting may represent an innovative way to kill tumor cells.
A blood transcriptome-based analysis of disease progression, immune regulation, and symptoms in coronavirus-infected patients
Authors: Sadanandam Anguraj , Bopp Tobias , Dixit Santosh , Knapp David J. H. F. , Emperumal Chitra Priya , Vergidis Paschalis , Rajalingam Krishnaraj , Melcher Alan , Kannan Nagarajan
Published: December 2020

COVID-19 patients show heterogeneity in clinical presentation and outcomes that makes pandemic control and strategy difficult; optimizing management requires a systems biology approach of understanding the disease. Here we sought to potentially understand and infer complex disease progression, immune regulation, and symptoms in patients infected with coronaviruses (35 SARS-CoV and 3 SARS-CoV-2 patients and 57 samples) at two different disease progression stages. Further, we compared coronavirus data with healthy individuals (n = 16) and patients with other infections (n = 144; all publicly available data). We applied inferential statistics (the COVID-engine platform) to RNA profiles (from limited number of samples) derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Compared to healthy individuals, a subset of integrated blood-based gene profiles (signatures) distinguished acute-like (mimicking coronavirus-infected patients with prolonged hospitalization) from recovering-like patients. These signatures also hierarchically represented multiple (at the system level) parameters associated with PBMC including dysregulated cytokines, genes, pathways, networks of pathways/concepts, immune status, and cell types. Proof-of-principle observations included PBMC-based increases in cytokine storm-associated IL6, enhanced innate immunity (macrophages and neutrophils), and lower adaptive T and B cell immunity in patients with acute-like disease compared to those with recovery-like disease. Patients in the recovery-like stage showed significantly enhanced TNF, IFN-γ, anti-viral, HLA-DQA1, and HLA-F gene expression and cytolytic activity, and reduced pro-viral gene expression compared to those in the acute-like stage in PBMC. Besides, our analysis revealed overlapping genes associated with potential comorbidities (associated diabetes) and disease-like conditions (associated with thromboembolism, pneumonia, lung disease, and septicemia). Overall, our COVID-engine inferential statistics platform and study involving PBMC-based RNA profiling may help understand complex and variable system-wide responses displayed by coronavirus-infected patients with further validation.
FN-EDA mediates angiogenesis of hepatic fibrosis via integrin-VEGFR2 in a CD63 synergetic manner
Authors: Su Xiaonan , Ma Xiaowen , Xie Xiaoyu , Wu Hao , Wang Le , Feng Yuemin , Yu Zhen , Liu Chenxi , Qi Jianni , Zhu Qiang
Published: December 2020

Pathological angiogenesis is an important component of hepatic fibrosis along with fibrous deposition, but its role is not well understood. Here, we demonstrated that fibronectin containing extra domain A(FN-EDA), a fibronectin splice variant highly expressed in hepatic fibrosis, mediated angiogenesis in disease progression. FN-EDA was positively correlated with pathological angiogenesis in hepatic fibrosis, and a reduction in FN-EDA expression was associated with diminished intrahepatic angiogenesis and fibrosis. FN-EDA mostly colocalized with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and interference or blockage of FN-EDA attenuated migration and tube formation in co-cultured endothelial cells. Mechanistic studies indicated that FN-EDA was secreted to promote phosphorylation of VEGFR2 with the assistance of integrin and CD63. Targeting FN-EDA-integrin combination postponed the progression of hepatic angiogenesis and fibrosis in vivo. These results indicated that FN-EDA plays an emerging role in angiogenesis in hepatic fibrosis and could be a potential therapeutic intervention for the disease.
Correction: Immunity and mental illness: findings from a Danish population-based immunogenetic study of seven psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorder
Authors: Nudel Ron , Benros Michael E. , Krebs Morten Dybdahl , Allesøe Rosa Lundbye , Lemvigh Camilla Koldbæk , Bybjerg-Grauholm Jonas , Børglum Anders D. , Daly Mark J. , Nordentoft Merete , Mors Ole , Hougaard David M. , Mortensen Preben Bo , Buil Alfonso , Werge Thomas , Rasmussen Simon , Thompson Wesley K.
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-020-00772-y
B7-CD28 co-stimulation modulates central tolerance via thymic clonal deletion and Treg generation through distinct mechanisms
Authors: Watanabe Masashi , Lu Ying , Breen Michael , Hodes Richard J.
Published: December 2020

The molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating thymic central tolerance and prevention of autoimmunity are not fully understood. Here we show that B7-CD28 co-stimulation and B7 expression by specific antigen-presenting cell (APC) types are required for clonal deletion and for regulatory T (Treg) cell generation from endogenous tissue-restricted antigen (TRA)-specific thymocytes. While B7-CD28 interaction is required for both clonal deletion and Treg induction, these two processes differ in their CD28 signaling requirements and in their dependence on B7-expressing dendritic cells, B cells, and thymic epithelial cells. Meanwhile, defective thymic clonal deletion due to altered B7-CD28 signaling results in the accumulation of mature, peripheral TRA-specific T cells capable of mediating destructive autoimmunity. Our findings thus reveal a function of B7-CD28 co-stimulation in shaping the T cell repertoire and limiting autoimmunity through both thymic clonal deletion and Treg cell generation.
Structure of native glycolipoprotein filaments in honeybee royal jelly
Authors: Mattei Simone , Ban Arvid , Picenoni Armin , Leibundgut Marc , Glockshuber Rudi , Boehringer Daniel
Published: December 2020

Royal jelly (RJ) is produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) as nutrition during larval development. The high viscosity of RJ originates from high concentrations of long lipoprotein filaments that include the glycosylated major royal jelly protein 1 (MRJP1), the small protein apisimin and insect lipids. Using cryo-electron microscopy we reveal the architecture and the composition of RJ filaments, in which the MRJP1 forms the outer shell of the assembly, surrounding stacked apisimin tetramers harbouring tightly packed lipids in the centre. The structural data rationalize the pH-dependent disassembly of RJ filaments in the gut of the larvae.
Tumor derived UBR5 promotes ovarian cancer growth and metastasis through inducing immunosuppressive macrophages
Authors: Song Mei , Yeku Oladapo O. , Rafiq Sarwish , Purdon Terence , Dong Xue , Zhu Lijing , Zhang Tuo , Wang Huan , Yu Ziqi , Mai Junhua , Shen Haifa , Nixon Briana , Li Ming , Brentjens Renier J. , Ma Xiaojing
Published: December 2020

Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and ascites-derived spheroids in ovarian cancer (OC) facilitate tumor growth and progression, and also pose major obstacles for cancer therapy. The molecular pathways involved in the OC-TME interactions, how the crosstalk impinges on OC aggression and chemoresistance are not well-characterized. Here, we demonstrate that tumor-derived UBR5, an E3 ligase overexpressed in human OC associated with poor prognosis, is essential for OC progression principally by promoting tumor-associated macrophage recruitment and activation via key chemokines and cytokines. UBR5 is also required to sustain cell-intrinsic β-catenin-mediated signaling to promote cellular adhesion/colonization and organoid formation by controlling the p53 protein level. OC-specific targeting of UBR5 strongly augments the survival benefit of conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapies. This work provides mechanistic insights into the novel oncogene-like functions of UBR5 in regulating the OC-TME crosstalk and suggests that UBR5 is a potential therapeutic target in OC treatment for modulating the TME and cancer stemness.
Comparison of computed tomographic imaging-guided hook wire localization and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscope localization in the resection of pulmonary nodules: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tian Yu , Wang Cong , Yue Weiming , Lu Ming , Tian Hui
Published: December 2020

The resection of nodules by thoracoscopic surgery is difficult because the nodules may be hard to identify. Preoperative localization of pulmonary nodules is widely used in the clinic. In this study, we retrospectively compared CT-guided hook wire localization and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) localization of small pulmonary nodules before resection. Patients who underwent localization with CT-guided hook wire or ENB followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between January 2016 and December 2019 were retrospectively included. Clinical parameters, complication and failure rate, and localization time were compared between two groups. A total of 157 patients underwent the localization procedure successfully. Pulmonary nodules were localized by CT-guided hook wire in 105 patients and by ENB in 52 patients. The nodule size in ENB group was smaller than that in CT-guided localization group (P < 0.001). Both CT-guided localization and ENB localization were well tolerated in all patients, while ENB localization leaded to less complications (P = 0.0058). In CT-guided localization group, 6 patients failed to be located while none failed in ENB group (P = 0.079). The procedure time was 15.15 ± 3.70 min for CT-guided localization and 21.29 ± 4.00 min for ENB localization (P < 0.001). CT-guided localization is simple and feasible for uncertain pulmonary nodules before surgery. ENB localization could identify small lung nodules with high accuracy and achieve lower incidence of complications.
SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 is co-expressed with genes related to transmembrane serine proteases, viral entry, immunity and cellular stress
Authors: Wruck Wasco , Adjaye James
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic resulting from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan in China has placed immense burden on national economies and global health. At present neither vaccination nor therapies are available. Here, we performed a meta-analysis of RNA-sequencing data from three studies employing human lung epithelial cells. Of these one focused on lung epithelial cells infected with SARS-CoV-2. We aimed at identifying genes co-expressed with angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) the human cell entry receptor of SARS-CoV-2, and unveiled several genes correlated or inversely correlated with high significance, among the most significant of these was the transmembrane serine protease 4 (TMPRSS4). Serine proteases are known to be involved in the infection process by priming the virus spike protein. Pathway analysis revealed virus infection amongst the most significantly correlated pathways. Gene Ontologies revealed regulation of viral life cycle, immune responses, pro-inflammatory responses- several interleukins such as IL6, IL1, IL20 and IL33, IFI16 regulating the interferon response to a virus, chemo-attraction of macrophages, and cellular stress resulting from activated Reactive Oxygen Species. We believe that this dataset will aid in a better understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) underlying COVID-19.
Metagenomic analysis reveals rapid development of soil biota on fresh volcanic ash
Authors: Song Hokyung , Kerfahi Dorsaf , Takahashi Koichi , Nixon Sophie L. , Tripathi Binu M. , Kim Hyoki , Tateno Ryunosuke , Adams Jonathan
Published: December 2020

Little is known of the earliest stages of soil biota development of volcanic ash, and how rapidly it can proceed. We investigated the potential for soil biota development during the first 3 years, using outdoor mesocosms of sterile, freshly fallen volcanic ash from the Sakurajima volcano, Japan. Mesocosms were positioned in a range of climates across Japan and compared over 3 years, against the developed soils of surrounding natural ecosystems. DNA was extracted from mesocosms and community composition assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequences. Metagenome sequences were obtained using shotgun metagenome sequencing. While at 12 months there was insufficient DNA for sequencing, by 24 months and 36 months, the ash-soil metagenomes already showed a similar diversity of functional genes to the developed soils, with a similar range of functions. In a surprising contrast with our hypotheses, we found that the developing ash-soil community already showed a similar gene function diversity, phylum diversity and overall relative abundances of kingdoms of life when compared to developed forest soils. The ash mesocosms also did not show any increased relative abundance of genes associated with autotrophy (rbc, coxL), nor increased relative abundance of genes that are associated with acquisition of nutrients from abiotic sources (nifH). Although gene identities and taxonomic affinities in the developing ash-soils are to some extent distinct from the natural vegetation soils, it is surprising that so many of the key components of a soil community develop already by the 24-month stage. In this system, however, rapid development may be facilitated by the relatively moderate pH of the Sakurajima ash, proximity of our mesocosms to propagule sources, and the rapid establishment of a productive bryophyte and lichen layer on the surface. Ash from other volcanoes richer in acids or more distant from propagule sources could show a different pattern and slower soil biota development.