bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coalitions and Public Action in the Reshaping of Corporate Responsibility: The Case of the Retail Banking Industry
Authors: de la Cuesta-González Marta , Froud Julie , Tischer Daniel
Published: May 2020

This paper addresses the question of whether and how public action via civil society and/or government can meaningfully shape industry-wide corporate responsibility (ICR) behaviour. We explore how, in principle, ICR can come about and what conditions might be effective in promoting more ethical behaviour. We propose a framework to understand attempts to develop more responsible behaviour at an industry level through processes of negotiation and coalition building. We suggest that any attempt to meaningfully influence ICR would require stakeholders to possess both power and legitimacy; moreover, magnitude and urgency of the issue at stake may affect the ability to influence ICR. The framework is applied to the retail banking industry, focusing on post-crisis experiences in two countries—Spain and the UK—where there has been considerable pressure on the retail banking industry by civil society and/or government to change behaviours, especially to abandon unethical practices. We illustrate in this paper how corporate responsibility at the sector level in retail banking is the product of context-specific processes of negotiation between civil society and public authorities, on behalf of customers and other stakeholders, drawing on legal and other institutions to influence industry behaviour.
Societal Protection and Population Vulnerability: Key Factors in Explaining Community-Level Variation in Fatal Fires Involving Older Adults in Sweden
Authors: Nilson Finn , Bonander Carl
Published: May 2020

Based on evidence from previous studies, fire mortality rates among older adults on a local level seem to be related two dimensions; population vulnerability and societal protection. In this paper, we investigate the magnitude of the impacts of variation along these two dimensions on the rate of fatal fires involving at least one older adult (65 + years) in Swedish municipalities. Our empirical strategy involves using principal components analysis to estimate the two dimensions based on data on the health of the older population, factors related to municipal rescue service efficiency, as well as other factors that may indirectly effect efficiency (such as urbanization rates and economic conditions). We then use Poisson regression models to study how mortality rates vary with changes along each dimension while keeping the other constant. The results support previous evidence suggesting that an efficient rescue service is important for low fire mortality rates. However, we also find evidence that variations in the vulnerability of the older population may play an equally important role. As such, the results indicate while improved societal protection is important in order to reduce fire-related mortality rates, merely focusing on these aspects will not eliminate the risk-increasing aspect of population vulnerability. In turn, this implies a need for a multifaceted approach to local fire mortality prevention that targets both rescue service efficiency and population vulnerability.
Biopolymers for hydrogels in cosmetics: review
Authors: Mitura Stanisław , Sionkowska Alina , Jaiswal Amit
Published: May 2020

Hydrogels are cross-linked networks of macromolecular compounds characterized by high water absorption capacity. Such materials find a wide range of biomedical applications. Several polymeric hydrogels can also be used in cosmetics. Herein, the structure, properties and selected applications of hydrogels in cosmetics are discussed in general. Detailed examples from scientific literature are also shown. In this review paper, most common biopolymers used in cosmetics are presented in detail together with issues related to skin treatment and hair conditioning. Hydrogels based on collagen, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and other polysaccharides have been characterized. New trends in the preparation of hydrogels based on biopolymer blends as well as bigels have been shown. Moreover, biopolymer hydrogels employment in encapsulation has been mentioned.
Optimality of Impulse Control Problem in Refracted Lévy Model with Parisian Ruin and Transaction Costs
Authors: Czarna Irmina , Kaszubowski Adam
Published: May 2020

Here, we investigate an optimal dividend problem with transaction costs, in which the surplus process is modeled by a refracted Lévy process and the ruin time is considered with Parisian delay. The presence of the transaction costs implies that the impulse control problem needs to be considered as a control strategy in such a model. An impulse policy which involves reducing the reserves to some fixed level, whenever they are above another, is an important strategy for the impulse control problem. Therefore, we provide sufficient conditions under which the above described impulse policy is optimal. Furthermore, we provide new analytical formulae for the Parisian refracted q-scale functions in the case of the linear Brownian motion and the Crámer–Lundberg process with exponential claims. Using these formulae, we show that, for these models, there exists a unique policy, which is optimal for the impulse control problem. Numerical examples are also provided.
Existential Displacement: Health Care and Embodied Un/Belonging of Irregular Migrants in Norway
Authors: Bendixsen Synnøve K. N.
Published: May 2020

Drawing on fieldwork and interviews in Oslo and Bergen, Norway, this article discusses irregular migrants’ experiences of existential displacement and the tactics they use to try to re-establish a sense of emplacement and belonging. More specifically, it argues that irregular migrants’ experiences of embodied unbelonging are a consequence of a violent form of governmentality that includes specific laws, healthcare structures, and migration management rationalities. The article makes this argument by tracing how these experiences translate into embodied effects that feature prominently in migrants’ narratives of suffering while living in a country that purports to provide welfare services to all. The narratives of their state of being-in-the-world are ways through which migrants both experience and express the violence and deprivation they face. I argue that these narratives are instances of structures of feeling (Williams 1973), which are shaped by modes of governmentality. The article shows that irregular migrants’ coping strategies centrally involve faith, religious communities and friends. Irregular migrants draw on these relationships to get by, access healthcare, and to resist the (health) effects of social deprivation and political violence. These relationships allow irregular migrants to find meaningful ways of being-in-the-world and rebuilding, to some extent, a sense of entitlement and belonging.
Standardized assessment, information, and networking technologies (SAINTs): lessons from three decades of development and testing
Authors: Wasson John H.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

To rectify the significant mismatch observed between what matters to patients and what clinicians know, our research group developed a standardized assessment, information, and networking technology (SAINT).

Methods

Controlled trials and field tests involving more than 230,000 adults identified characteristics of a successful SAINT—www.HowsYourHealth.org—for primary care and community settings.

Results

Evidence supports SAINT effectiveness when the SAINT has a simple design that provides a service to patients and explicitly engages them in an information and communication network with their clinicians. This service orientation requires that an effective SAINT deliver easily interpretable patient reports that immediately guide provider actions. For example, our SAINT tracks patient-reported confidence that they can self-manage health problems, and providers can immediately act on patients’ verbatim descriptions of what they want or need to become more health confident. This information also supports current and future resource planning, and thereby fulfills another characteristic of a successful SAINT: contributing to health care reliability. Lastly, SAINTs must manage or evade the “C-monsters,” powerful obstacles to implementation that largely revolve around control and commercialism. Responses from more than 10,000 adult patients with diabetes illustrate how a successful SAINT offers a standard and expedient guide to managing each patient’s concerns and adjusting health services to better meet the needs of any large patient population.

Conclusion

Technologies that evolve to include the characteristics described here will deliver more effective tools for patients, providers, payers, and policymakers and give patients control over sharing their data with those who need it in real time.
Towards better use of Indonesian peatlands with paludiculture and low-drainage food crops
Authors: Uda Saritha Kittie , Hein Lars , Adventa Alma
Published: May 2020

The current drainage-based peatland management systems in Indonesia result in high fire risks, soil subsidence and CO2emissions. This study aims to assess different alternatives of peatland crops in order to help prevent further degradation of peatlands in Indonesia. We focus on tropical peatland crops that provide food and that are of particular interest to smallholders. We compare various peatland food crops that are commonly grown with no drainage (paludiculture) or drainage below 50 cm in our study area, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia in terms of sustainability, profitability, scalability of the market and acceptability to farmers. Our results show that sago (Metroxylon sagu), banana (Musa paradisiaca) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) followed by water spinach/kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica), kelakai/edible fern (Stenochlaena palustris), illipe nut/tengkawang (Shoreaspp.), dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and sweet melon/melon (Cucumis melo) are the best options based on the aggregated scores for these criteria (but precaution should be taken when planting crops that require low drainage). Sago palm and illipe nut have the highest scores for both sustainability and scalability of market, whereas banana, pineapple and sweet melon have the highest scores in term of the scalability of market and acceptability to farmers. We also address key opportunities and bottlenecks for the development of paludiculture food crops and present recommendations for the implementation of paludiculture in Indonesian peatlands.
Relationship Between the Thermodynamic Parameters, Structure, and Anticorrosion Properties of Al-Zr-Ni-Fe-Y Alloys
Authors: Babilas R. , Łoński W. , Młynarek K. , Bajorek A. , Radoń A.
Published: May 2020

The influence of the chemical composition on the crystallization process, amorphous phase formation, and the anticorrosion properties of Al-Zr-Ni-Fe-Y alloys are presented. To reduce the number of experiments, a thermodynamic approach was applied in which the entropy and Gibbs free energy of representative alloys were optimized. The low glass-forming ability of Al-Zr-Ni-Fe-Y alloy systems was related to the crystallization of the Al3Zr phase from the melt. The structural analysis showed that phases containing Ni and Fe, such as Al19Ni5Y3, Al10Fe2Y, and Al23Ni6Y4, played a key role in the formation of amorphous alloys. According to this, the simultaneous addition of Ni/Fe and Y is important to prevent the crystallization of Al-based alloys in the melt. The formation of an amorphous phase in Al80Zr5Ni5Fe5Y5 alloys and the complete amorphization of Al85Ni5Fe5Y5 alloys were responsible for the high corrosion resistance compared with fully crystalline alloys. Moreover, the addition of Y had a significant impact on the anticorrosion properties. The XPS results showed that the alloys tended to form a passive Al2O3 and Y2O3 layer on the surface.
Thermal Spray High-Entropy Alloy Coatings: A Review
Authors: Meghwal Ashok , Anupam Ameey , Murty B. S. , Berndt Christopher C. , Kottada Ravi Sankar , Ang Andrew Siao Ming
Published: May 2020

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are a new generation of materials that exhibit unique characteristics and properties, and are demonstrating potential in the form of thermal spray coatings for demanding environments. The use of HEAs as feedstock for coating processes has advanced due to reports of their exceptional properties in both bulk and coating forms. Emerging reports of thermal sprayed HEA coatings outperforming conventional materials have accelerated further exploration of this field. This early-stage review discusses the outcomes of combining thermal spray and HEAs. Various synthesis routes adopted for HEA feedstock preparation and their properties are discussed, with reference to the requirements of thermal spray processing. The HEA feedstock is then compared and correlated with coating microstructure and phase composition as a function of the thermal spray processing route. Subsequently, the mechanical behavior of thermal spray HEA coatings is summarized in terms of porosity, hardness, and tribological properties, along with their oxidation and electrochemical properties, followed by their potential applications. The thermal spray methods are contrasted against laser cladding and surface alloying techniques for synthesizing thick HEA coatings. Furthermore, HEAs that have displayed excellent properties via alternative processing routes, but have not been explored within the framework of thermal spray, are recommended.
The Mitochondria-Associated ER Membranes Are Novel Subcellular Locations Enriched for Inflammatory-Responsive MicroRNAs
Authors: Wang Wang-Xia , Prajapati Paresh , Nelson Peter T. , Springer Joe E.
Published: May 2020

The mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAMs) are specific ER domains that contact the mitochondria and function to facilitate communication between ER and mitochondria. Disruption of contact between the mitochondria and ER is associated with a variety of pathophysiological conditions including neurodegenerative diseases. Considering the many cellular functions of MAMs, we hypothesized that MAMs play an important role in regulating microRNA (miRNA) activity linked to its unique location between mitochondria and ER. Here we present new findings from human and rat brains indicating that the MAMs are subcellular sites enriched for specific miRNAs. We employed subcellular fractionation and TaqMan® RT-qPCR miRNA analysis to quantify miRNA levels in subcellular fractions isolated from male rat brains and six human brain samples. We found that MAMs contain a substantial number of miRNAs and the profile differs significantly from that of cytosolic, mitochondria, or ER. Interestingly, MAMs are particularly enriched in inflammatory-responsive miRNAs, including miR-146a, miR-142-3p, and miR-142-5p in both human and rat brains; miR-223 MAM enrichment was observed only in human brain samples. Further, mitochondrial uncoupling or traumatic brain injury in male rats resulted in the alteration of inflammatory miRNA enrichment in the isolated subcellular fractions. These observations demonstrate that miRNAs are distributed differentially in organelles and may re-distribute between organelles and the cytosol in response to cellular stress and metabolic demands.
Reconciliation as a Threat or Structural Change? The Truth and Reconciliation Process and Settler Colonial Policy Making in Finland
Authors: Kuokkanen Rauna
Published: May 2020

The Sámi have long desired a public process to examine and expose the Nordic states’ colonial, assimilationist practices and policies, past and present, toward the Sámi people. This article considers the truth and reconciliation process in Finland, assessing it in light of recent legislative and other measures. Employing settler colonial theory, it argues that reconciliation, although seemingly progressive, signifies a continuation of colonialism unless the state terminates its current approach of overlooking Sámi rights. The article concludes with a discussion of structural reconciliation and justice and considers some concrete measures for structural change in order for the reconciliation process to be valid and successful in Finland.
Evolution of nanomaterials in petroleum industries: application and the challenges
Authors: Shingala Jainish , Shah Vrutang , Dudhat Kaushalkumar , Shah Manan
Published: May 2020

Due to soaring demand for universal energy, industry forced to look forward in either expand the limit of conventional energy resources or to look at other possibilities such as renewable energy resources and unconventional hydrocarbon resources. The challenges might be figured out by revolutionary technological developments in the energy sector by science and technology. The industry needs splendid technological breakthroughs in the energy sector to push the final frontier of conventional energy resources. Owing to its superior particle size and properties, nanotechnology can likely of moving far that current energy supply by introducing new technologies. The exact exploitation and manipulation of matter at measurements of (1–100) nanometres have revolutionized many sectors, including the petroleum sector. The upgrade in nanoscale organized materials represents one of the fascinating, inventive viewpoints bringing innovative advances in numerous industries. The charge of oil extraction is under heavyweight, and it becomes increasingly difficult to legitimize it when the gross price of oil is powerless and depressing. There is a universal belief that nanotechnologies can be to produce new, more valuable nanomaterials to oppose these technological limitations. Many research endeavours are being coordinated towards the opening of immense and diverse advantages of nanotechnology in the oil and gas industry. The research experts have experienced the utilization of different nanoparticle types and sizes. Nanoparticles show exceptional properties because of their large surface area and highly activated particle surface. The nanotechnology can be performed at a different scale in petroleum engineering from exploration, drilling, cementing, reservoir, completion, production, and processing and refinery in each stage. This paper intends to give a concise thought of the significant uses of nanoparticles, their potential advantages, associated economic and technical challenges, and solutions.
Membrane computing with water
Authors: Hinze Thomas , Happe Hendrik , Henderson Alec , Nicolescu Radu
Published: May 2020

We introduce water tank systems as a new class of membrane systems inspired by a decentrally controlled circulation of water or other liquids throughout cells called tanks and capillaries called pipes. To our best knowledge, this is the first proposal addressing the behavioural principle of floating and stored water for modelling of information processing in terms of membrane computing. The volume of water within a tank stands for a non-negative rational value when acting in an analogue computation or it can be interpreted in a binary manner by distinction of “(nearly) full” or “(nearly) empty”. Water tanks might be interconnected by pipes for directed transport of water. Each pipe can be equipped with valves which in turn either fully open or fully close the hosting pipe according to permanent measurements whether the filling level in a dedicated water tank exceeds a certain threshold or not. We demonstrate dedicated water tank systems together with simulation case studies: a ring oscillator for generation of clock signals and for iteratively making available amounts of water in a cyclic scheme, analogue arithmetics by implementation of addition, non-negative subtraction, division, and multiplication complemented by systems in binary mode for implementation of selected logic gates.
Quality and use of habitat patches by wild boar (Sus scrofa) along an urban gradient
Authors: Sütő D. , Heltai M. , Katona K.
Published: May 2020

Expansion and urbanization process of wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations lead to serious human–wildlife conflicts in many cities, e.g. in Budapest, Hungary. In this study we evaluated the penetration potential of the species into the inner urban areas by identifying the occurrence of wild boar and the quality of the habitat patches for them along an urban gradient from the periphery towards the centre. Wild boar rooting intensity, shrub cover and the availability of woody species giving favourable food to wild boar were measured in four different habitat patches. The availability of hiding shrub patches was much higher in the outer areas than in the inner ones. Similarly, the proportion of shrub and tree species providing favourable food for wild boar decreased towards the centre. Accordingly, we found rooting only in two areas nearer to the city boundary. Based on our results at the peripheral areas permanent presence of wild boar in near-natural habitats should be expected, but not in the inner green zones. We recommend to monitor the urban wild boar presence and evaluate the quality of urban green patches to mitigate problems related to the wild boars.
Can We Do Better? Replication and Online Appendices in Political Science
Authors: Grossman Jonathan , Pedahzur Ami
Published: May 2020

Replicability in political science is on the rise, as disciplinary journals have been placing a growing emphasis on data access and research transparency (DA–RT) practices and policies. As a result, nearly every article that is published today in leading political science journals offers an online appendix that includes data, code, and methodological explanations necessary for replication. While these developments are laudable, many appendices still do not enable satisfactory replication because they are inaccessible, compartmentalized, and difficult to understand. In this article and in its accompanying online appendix, we demonstrate this problem and make the case for more accessible and comprehensive appendices whose contribution can fulfill and go beyond mere replicability. We propose several ways in which authors and journals can produce better appendices, namely, by making appendices more intuitive, integrated, and standardized, and by choosing an adequate online platform on which to create and host the appendix.
Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy versus thrombolysis in patients	with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis – a systematic review and	meta-analysis
Authors: Lichtenberg Michael K. W. , Stahlhoff Stefan , Młyńczak Katarzyna , Golicki Dominik , Gagne Paul , Razavi Mahmood K. , de Graaf Rick , Kolluri Raghu , Kolasa Katarzyna
Published: May 2020

Summary: Background: This study sought to compare effectiveness and safety of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) and thrombolysis alone (THR) in patients with acute or subacute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (IfDVT). Patients and methods: Observational and randomized trials, published between January 2001 to February 2019 were identified by searching MEDLINE. Studies on deep venous thrombosis (DVT) treated with either THR or PMT adjunctive to conventional anticoagulation and compressive intervention were included. Meta-analysis of proportions was conducted to assess effectiveness outcomes of successful lysis and primary patency, post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), valvular reflux, recurrent DVT, as well as safety outcomes of major bleeding, hematuria, and pulmonary embolism. Results: Of 77 identified records, 17 studies including 1417 patients were eligible. Pooled proportion of successful lysis was similar between groups (THR: 95 % [I2 = 68.4 %], PMT 96 %, [I2 = 0 %]; Qbet [Cochran’s Q between groups] 0.3, p = 0.61). However, pooled proportion of 6-month primary patency was lower after THR than after PMT (68 % [I2 = 15.6 %] versus 94 %; Qbet 26.4, p < 0.001). Considerable heterogeneity within groups did not allow for between-group comparison of PTS and recurrent DVT. Major bleeding was more frequent after THR than after PMT (6.0 % [I2 = 0 %] versus 1.0 % [I2 = 0 %]; Qbet 12.3, p < 0.001). Incidence of hematuria was lower after THR as compared to PMT (2 % [I2 = 56 %] versus 91.3 % [I2 = 91.7 %]; Qbet 714, p < 0.001). Incidences of valvular reflux and pulmonary embolism were similar across groups (THR: 61 % versus PMT: 53 %; Qbet 0.7, p = 0.39 and THR: 2 % versus PMT: 1 %; Qbet 1.1, p = 0.30, respectively). Conclusions: In patients with iliofemoral DVT, percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy was associated with a higher cumulative 6-month primary patency and a lower incidence of major bleeding compared to thrombolysis alone. Risk of hemolysis from mechanical thrombectomy needs further consideration.
A Multi‐Array Back‐Projection Approach for Tsunami Warning
Authors: Xie Y. , Meng L.
Published: May 2020

Recent development of dense strong‐motion networks and seismic array processing enables rapid tsunami predictions based on the back‐projection (BP) approach. We develop a multi‐array local BP method (MLBP) using seismic networks with epicentral distance from 0.7° to 3.5°. The local BPs using individual arrays are first calculated and are then merged into a single image of the rupture process. This multi‐array approach circumvents the issue of artifact in single‐array BP caused by the overlapping of multiple phases and coda waves. Based on the local BP approach, tsunami predictions are available 7 min after the origin time. Case studies of the 2003 Mw 8.1 Tokachi‐oki and the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku earthquakes show that their rupture zones are well resolved and are comparable with principal slip areas inferred from tsunami observations. The amplitude and arrival time errors of the predicted tsunami waves are within −1.59 to 3.74 m and −10.0 to 10.0 min, which are sufficiently small for warning purposes.
Effect of Water on Lattice Thermal Conductivity of Ringwoodite and Its Implications for the Thermal Evolution of Descending Slabs
Authors: Marzotto Enrico , Hsieh Wen‐Pin , Ishii Takayuki , Chao Keng‐Hsien , Golabek Gregor J. , Thielmann Marcel , Ohtani Eiji
Published: May 2020

The presence of water in minerals generally alters their physical properties. Ringwoodite is the most abundant phase in the lowermost mantle transition zone and can host up to 1.5–2 wt% water. We studied high‐pressure lattice thermal conductivity of dry and hydrous ringwoodite by combining diamond‐anvil cell experiments with ultrafast optics. The incorporation of 1.73 wt% water substantially reduces the ringwoodite thermal conductivity by more than 40% at mantle transition zone pressures. We further parameterized the ringwoodite thermal conductivity as a function of pressure and water content to explore the large‐scale consequences of a reduced thermal conductivity on a slab's thermal evolution. Using a simple 1‐D heat diffusion model, we showed that the presence of hydrous ringwoodite in the slab significantly delays decomposition of dense hydrous magnesium silicates, enabling them to reach the lower mantle. Our results impact the potential route and balance of water cycle in the lower mantle.
Weddell Sea Phytoplankton Blooms Modulated by Sea Ice Variability and Polynya Formation
Authors: von Berg Lauren , Prend Channing J. , Campbell Ethan C. , Mazloff Matthew R. , Talley Lynne D. , Gille Sarah T.
Published: May 2020

Seasonal sea ice retreat is known to stimulate Southern Ocean phytoplankton blooms, but depth‐resolved observations of their evolution are scarce. Autonomous float measurements collected from 2015–2019 in the eastern Weddell Sea show that spring bloom initiation is closely linked to sea ice retreat timing. The appearance and persistence of a rare open‐ocean polynya over the Maud Rise seamount in 2017 led to an early bloom and high annual net community production. Widespread early ice retreat north of Maud Rise in 2017, however, had a similar effect, suggesting that the polynya most impacted the timing of bloom initiation. Still, higher productivity rates at Maud Rise relative to the surrounding region are observed in all years, likely supported by flow‐topography interactions. The longer growing season in 2017–2018 also allowed for separation of distinct spring and fall bloom signals, the latter of which was primarily subsurface and associated with mixed‐layer deepening.
Changes in the Arctic Ocean Carbon Cycle With Diminishing Ice Cover
Authors: DeGrandpre Michael , Evans Wiley , Timmermans Mary‐Louise , Krishfield Richard , Williams Bill , Steele Michael
Published: May 2020

Less than three decades ago only a small fraction of the Arctic Ocean (AO) was ice free and then only for short periods. The ice cover kept sea surface pCO2 at levels lower relative to other ocean basins that have been exposed year round to ever increasing atmospheric levels. In this study, we evaluate sea surface pCO2 measurements collected over a 6‐year period along a fixed cruise track in the Canada Basin. The measurements show that mean pCO2 levels are significantly higher during low ice years. The pCO2 increase is likely driven by ocean surface heating and uptake of atmospheric CO2 with large interannual variability in the contributions of these processes. These findings suggest that increased ice‐free periods will further increase sea surface pCO2, reducing the Canada Basin's current role as a net sink of atmospheric CO2.
Decay of the Snow Cover Over Arctic Sea Ice From ICESat‐2 Acquisitions During Summer Melt in 2019
Authors: Kwok R. , Cunningham G. F. , Kacimi S. , Webster M. A. , Kurtz N. T. , Petty A. A.
Published: May 2020

From the onset of melt in early June, corresponding declines in Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite‐2 (ICESat‐2) freeboard and surface albedo can be seen over the entire Arctic sea ice cover. In the 2019 summer, area‐averaged freeboard decreased from 34 cm prior to melt to a minimum of 12 cm in August while the area‐averaged albedo decreased from ~0.7 to 0.38 for the same period. Calculations using ICESat‐2 freeboards and modeled ice thickness from Pan‐Arctic Ice Ocean Modeling and Assimilation System (PIOMAS) give area‐averaged snow depths ranging from 17 cm prior to melt to 3 cm in August over seasonal ice and from 34 to 4 cm over multiyear ice. Mean rates of snow ablation (including evaporation) in mid‐June were as high as 2 cm/day, comparable to field records from other years. Increases in freeboard after mid‐August in the high latitude (>80°N) multiyear ice cover, north of the Greenland coast, are likely due to earlier freeze‐up and snow accumulation in these regions with shorter melt seasons.
The role of sex in the innate and adaptive immune environment of metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Ray Anita L. , Nofchissey Robert A. , Khan Maaz A. , Reidy Megan A. , Lerner Megan R. , Wu Xiangyan , Guo Shaoxuan , Hill Spencer L. , Weygant Nathaniel , Adams Sarah F. , Castillo Eliseo F. , Berry William L. , Stout Michael B. , Morris Katherine T.
Published: May 2020

Background

Women with colorectal cancer (CRC) have a significant survival advantage over men. Sex influences on the tumour microenvironment (TME) are not well characterised, despite the importance of immune response in CRC. We hypothesised that sex-divergent immune responses could contribute to survival.

Methods

Using a murine model of metastatic CRC, we examined T cells, macrophages, and cytokines locally and systemically. TME and serum cytokines were measured by multiplex bead-based arrays, while FCA was used to identify cells and phenotypes. IHC provided spatial confirmation of T cell infiltration.

Results

Females had increased survival and T cell infiltration. CD8, CD4 and Th2 populations correlated with longer survival. Males had increased serum levels of chemokines and inflammation-associated cytokines. Within the TME, males had lower cytokine levels than females, and a shallower cytokine gradient to the periphery. Female tumours had elevated IL-10+ macrophages, which correlated with survival.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate survival-associated differences in the immune response of males and females to metastatic CRC. Females showed changes in cytokine production accompanied by increased immune cell populations, biased toward Th2-axis phenotypes. Key differences in the immune response to CRC correlated with survival in this model. These differences support a multi-faceted shift across the TME.
Activin-mediated alterations of the fibroblast transcriptome and matrisome control the biomechanical properties of skin wounds
Authors: Wietecha Mateusz S. , Pensalfini Marco , Cangkrama Michael , Müller Bettina , Jin Juyoung , Brinckmann Jürgen , Mazza Edoardo , Werner Sabine
Published: May 2020

Matrix deposition is essential for wound repair, but when excessive, leads to hypertrophic scars and fibrosis. The factors that control matrix deposition in skin wounds have only partially been identified and the consequences of matrix alterations for the mechanical properties of wounds are largely unknown. Here, we report how a single diffusible factor, activin A, affects the healing process across scales. Bioinformatics analysis of wound fibroblast transcriptome data combined with biochemical and histopathological analyses of wounds and functional in vitro studies identify that activin promotes pro-fibrotic gene expression signatures and processes, including glycoprotein and proteoglycan biosynthesis, collagen deposition, and altered collagen cross-linking. As a consequence, activin strongly reduces the wound and scar deformability, as identified by a non-invasive in vivo method for biomechanical analysis. These results provide mechanistic insight into the roles of activin in wound repair and fibrosis and identify the functional consequences of alterations in the wound matrisome at the biomechanical level.
Large-scale genome-wide analysis links lactic acid bacteria from food with the gut microbiome
Authors: Pasolli Edoardo , De Filippis Francesca , Mauriello Italia E. , Cumbo Fabio , Walsh Aaron M. , Leech John , Cotter Paul D. , Segata Nicola , Ercolini Danilo
Published: May 2020

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are fundamental in the production of fermented foods and several strains are regarded as probiotics. Large quantities of live LAB are consumed within fermented foods, but it is not yet known to what extent the LAB we ingest become members of the gut microbiome. By analysis of 9445 metagenomes from human samples, we demonstrate that the prevalence and abundance of LAB species in stool samples is generally low and linked to age, lifestyle, and geography, with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactococcus lactis being most prevalent. Moreover, we identify genome-based differences between food and gut microbes by considering 666 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) newly reconstructed from fermented food microbiomes along with 154,723 human MAGs and 193,078 reference genomes. Our large-scale genome-wide analysis demonstrates that closely related LAB strains occur in both food and gut environments and provides unprecedented evidence that fermented foods can be indeed regarded as a possible source of LAB for the gut microbiome.
PTB-XL, a large publicly available electrocardiography dataset
Authors: Wagner Patrick , Strodthoff Nils , Bousseljot Ralf-Dieter , Kreiseler Dieter , Lunze Fatima I. , Samek Wojciech , Schaeffter Tobias
Published: May 2020

Electrocardiography (ECG) is a key non-invasive diagnostic tool for cardiovascular diseases which is increasingly supported by algorithms based on machine learning. Major obstacles for the development of automatic ECG interpretation algorithms are both the lack of public datasets and well-defined benchmarking procedures to allow comparison s of different algorithms. To address these issues, we put forward PTB-XL, the to-date largest freely accessible clinical 12-lead ECG-waveform dataset comprising 21837 records from 18885 patients of 10 seconds length. The ECG-waveform data was annotated by up to two cardiologists as a multi-label dataset, where diagnostic labels were further aggregated into super and subclasses. The dataset covers a broad range of diagnostic classes including, in particular, a large fraction of healthy records. The combination with additional metadata on demographics, additional diagnostic statements, diagnosis likelihoods, manually annotated signal properties as well as suggested folds for splitting training and test sets turns the dataset into a rich resource for the development and the evaluation of automatic ECG interpretation algorithms.
Questionnaire data analysis using information geometry
Authors: Har-Shemesh Omri , Quax Rick , Lansing J. Stephen , Sloot Peter M. A.
Published: May 2020

The analysis of questionnaires often involves representing the high-dimensional responses in a low-dimensional space (e.g., PCA, MCA, or t-SNE). However questionnaire data often contains categorical variables and common statistical model assumptions rarely hold. Here we present a non-parametric approach based on Fisher Information which obtains a low-dimensional embedding of a statistical manifold (SM). The SM has deep connections with parametric statistical models and the theory of phase transitions in statistical physics. Firstly we simulate questionnaire responses based on a non-linear SM and validate our method compared to other methods. Secondly we apply our method to two empirical datasets containing largely categorical variables: an anthropological survey of rice farmers in Bali and a cohort study on health inequality in Amsterdam. Compare to previous analysis and known anthropological knowledge we conclude that our method best discriminates between different behaviours, paving the way to dimension reduction as effective as for continuous data.
Author Correction: Quantified forces between HepG2 hepatocarcinoma and WA07 pluripotent stem cells with natural biomaterials correlate with in vitro cell behavior
Authors: Harjumäki Riina , Nugroho Robertus Wahyu N. , Zhang Xue , Lou Yan-Ru , Yliperttula Marjo , Valle-Delgado Juan José , Österberg Monika
Published: May 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Cognitive and neurophysiological assessment of patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy in Brazil
Authors: Torres Daniel Simplicio , Abrantes Jefferson , Brandão-Mello Carlos Eduardo
Published: May 2020

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is a syndrome caused by cirrhosis, with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Its diagnosis is based on abnormal results of cognitive and neurophysiological tests, but there are no universally available criteria, especially in Brazil, where local testing standards are required. The objective of the present study was to compare the performance of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Rey’s auditory-verbal learning test (RAVLT), psychometric score of hepatic encephalopathy (PHES), topographic mapping of brain electrical activity (TMBEA) and long-latency auditory evoked potential (P300) in the detection of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in Brazil. From 224 patients with cirrhosis included in the global sample, 82.5% were excluded due to secondary causes responsible for cognitive or neurophysiological dysfunction. The final sample consisted of 29 cirrhotics, with predominance of A5 Child-Pugh classification, and 29 controls paired in critical variables such as age, educational level, gender, professional category, scores suggestive of mild depression, association with compensated type 2 diabetes mellitus and sociodemographic characteristics. Overall, performance on cognitive tests and TMBEA did not show a statistically significant difference. There was a marked difference in P300 latency adjusted for age, with patients with cirrhosis showing a mean of 385 ± 78 ms (median of 366.6 ms) and healthy volunteers exhibiting a mean of 346.2 ± 42.8 ms (median of 348.2 ms) (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that, in the earliest stages of cirrhosis, age-adjusted P300 latency was superior to cognitive assessment and TMBEA for detection of minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
External Airborne-agent Exposure Increase Risk of Digestive Tract Cancer
Authors: Lee Wanhyung , Kim Jihyun , Lim Sung-Shil , Kim Yangwook , Ahn Yeon-Soon , Yoon Jin-Ha
Published: May 2020

Previous studies have suggested that in addition to respiratory system cancers, exposure to external airborne agents (EAAs) may also affect the risk of digestive tract cancer. However, previous epidemiological studies have been limited. To clarify this relationship, we conducted a Workers’ Korea National Health Insurance Service cohort study. The EAA exposure group comprised participants who had ever visited a hospital as an inpatient for ‘lung diseases due to external agents’. The reference population comprised men from the general working population. The EAA exposure group and reference group included a total of 98,666 and 79,959,286 person-years, respectively. Age-adjusted standardized incident rates (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated for each 5-year age stratum. The SIR (95% CI) of EAA exposure was 1.30 (1.19–1.38) for all digestive tract cancers. The highest risk associated with EAA exposure was observed for oral cancer, followed by esophageal and stomach cancers [SIRs (95%CI): 3.96 (3.02–4.78), 3.47(2.60–4.25), and 1.34(1.17–1.47), respectively.] These statistically significant associations did not be attenuated in a subgroup analysis using logistic regression adjusted for age, smoking and alcohol consumption. Our findings suggest that EAA exposure should address risk reduction of both digestive tract and respiratory system cancers.
Optimizing hospital distribution across districts to reduce tuberculosis fatalities
Authors: Lee Mi Jin , Kim Kanghun , Son Junik , Lee Deok-Sun
Published: May 2020

The spatial distributions of diverse facilities are often understood in terms of the optimization of the commute distance or the economic profit. Incorporating more general objective functions into such optimization framework may be useful, helping the policy decisions to meet various social and economic demands. As an example, we consider how hospitals should be distributed to minimize the total fatalities of tuberculosis (TB). The empirical data of Korea shows that the fatality rate of TB in a district decreases with the areal density of hospitals, implying their correlation and the possibility of reducing the nationwide fatalities by adjusting the hospital distribution across districts. Approximating the fatality rate by the probability of a patient not to visit a hospital in her/his residential district for the duration period of TB and evaluating the latter probability in the random-walk framework, we obtain the fatality rate as an exponential function of the hospital density with a characteristic constant related to each district’s effective lattice constant estimable empirically. This leads us to the optimal hospital distribution which finds the hospital density in a district to be a logarithmic function of the rescaled patient density. The total fatalities is reduced by 13% with this optimum. The current hospital density deviates from the optimized one in different manners from district to district, which is analyzed in the proposed model framework. The assumptions and limitations of our study are also discussed.
Corresponding Assessment Scenarios in Laboratory and on-Court Tests: Centrality Measurements by Complex Networks Analysis in Young Basketball Players
Authors: Gobatto C. A. , Torres R. S. , Moura F. A. , Cunha S. A. , Giometti C. B. , Araujo G. G. , Sousa F. A. B. , Manchado-Gobatto F. B.
Published: May 2020

Besides technical and tactical aspects, basketball matches involve high aerobic and anaerobic capacities, conferring the final performance of a team. Thus, the evaluation of physical and technical responses is an effective way to predict the performance of athletes. Field and laboratory tests have been used in sports. The first involving high ecological validity and low cost, and the second, greater control and accuracy but not easy application, considering the different preparation phases in a season. This study aimed, through complex networks analysis, to verify whether centrality parameters analysed from significant correlations behave similarly in distinct scenarios (laboratory and on-court), emphasizing aerobic and anaerobic physical parameters and technical performances. The results showed that, in a compelling  analysis involving basketball athletes, the studied centralities (degree, betweenness, eigenvector and pagerank) revealed similar responses in both scenarios, which is widely attractive considering the greater financial economy and lower time when applying tests in the field.
A new forensic tool to date human blood pools
Authors: Smith F. R. , Nicloux C. , Brutin D.
Published: May 2020

Courtrooms are asking for reliable scientific evidence in order to prevent wrongful convictions. Thus, a more rigorous approach to forensic science approved by scientific methods is promoted. The study of human blood dynamics in the context of forensic science is becoming a widespread research topic, although the physics behind wetting and drying of blood is not completely understood. Based on the morphological changes of drying blood pools, the following work presents a patentable method to quantitatively date these blood pools for forensic purposes. As for drying drops of blood, cracking patterns are observed but they are more disordered. Similar disordered crack patterns are observed in the case of gels, their evaporation process is, therefore, presented since this topic has been thoroughly investigated. We aim to find reliable patterns that could give information concerning the evolution of a blood pool over time to lead to practical application of this knowledge. An empirical model is established between final dried blood patterns and the generating mechanism, yielding application in bloodstain pattern analysis for forensic investigations.
A new method for the estimation of minimum adult frog density from a large-scale audial survey
Authors: Čeirāns Andris , Pupina Aija , Pupins Mihails
Published: May 2020

Audial surveys of anuran amphibians (frogs, toads and similar) are cost-effective and allow for the coverage of large areas, but they are usually regarded as unsuitable for population size estimations due to imperfect detection. Our study demonstrated a method for obtaining minimum adult population size estimates from vocalising anuran counts by using sex ratios, life history and vocalising behaviour parameters from other studies. We collected data from 2016 to 2018 for seven taxa on 65 plots (each 25 km2) representing the entirety of Latvia. Among taxa, average breeding waterbody audible detection probabilities ranged from 0.56 to 0.88 per plot, minimum adult frog density (MAFD) estimates were from 12.0 to 51.7 individuals per km2, but the estimated fraction of population covered byMAFDvaried from 57 to 86%. The least accurate density estimates were in taxa with brief calling activity and quiet mating calls (Rana temporaria), and in taxa with a calling activity dependent on the numbers of males in a pond (Bufo bufo). Our study suggests that lek-breeders would be more suitable than explosive-breeding taxa for minimum population size estimates from audial data. The use ofMAFDallowed for coarse minimum population size estimates for the entire country from the audial monitoring data, these ranged from 3.7 ± 0.5 thousand (Bombina bombina) to 1.64 ± 0.47 million (B.bufo) adults.