bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Test of Tethered Deorbiting of Space Debris
Authors: Olivieri Lorenzo , Valmorbida Andrea , Sarego Giulia , Lungavia Enrico , Vertuani Davide , Lorenzini Enrico C. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCurrent investigations on space tethers include their application to space debris deorbiting, specifically on the set of manoeuvres performed by a chaser tug to change the orbital parameters of a target body. Targets can be cooperative spacecraft at the end of their life or uncontrolled objects such as defunct satellites without clearly available capturing interfaces. In this latter case, a link joining tug and target may be misaligned with the target body inertia axes, influencing the attitude of both bodies; in case of rigid links, torques transmitted during tugging operations may overcome the tug attitude control system. This issue is clearly less significant in case of non-rigid connections, such as tethers; furthermore, with such connections the chaser can remain at a safe distance from the target during the whole deorbiting operation. On the other side, the initial phase of tethered space debris removal manoeuvres can be influenced by transient events, such as sudden tether tension spikes, that may cause longitudinal and lateral oscillations and, in case of resonance with the target attitude dynamics, could represent a serious issue for tug safety. In this paper it is proposed to provide the tug with a tether deployer mechanism capable to perform reel-in and reel-out, smoothing loads transmission to the target and damping oscillations. This concept is validated through a representative test campaign performed with the SPAcecRraft Testbed for Autonomous proximity operatioNs experimentS (SPARTANS) on a low friction table. A prototype of the deployer is manufactured and the deployment and rewind of a thin aluminium tape tether is proven. Test results include the verification of the tether visco-elastic characteristics with the direct measurement of spikes and oscillations and the estimation of the proposed system damping capabilities.
Environmental education and ecological spiritual intelligence: the case of Basque mythology
Authors: Echarri-Iribarren Fernando , Echarri-Iribarren Víctor 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSince its conception, environmental education has carried out numerous plans, strategies and programmes aimed at restoring an adequate person–nature relationship, addressing the main environmental problems that threaten the planetary ecosystem balance. Even though environmental education proposes an integral education, it is infrequent that the spiritual dimension of the person appears reflected in its programmes. However, spirituality, which often manifests itself by providing affect and meaningful significant life experiences, aims to be a key factor in the development of lasting pro-environmental behaviours. Promoting and valuing ecological spiritual intelligence is configured as an interesting advance for environmental education. For example, starting from the cultural-naturalistic values provided in every part of the territory. As an example, we propose the one made in the Basque country (Spain), using the spirituality contained in the Basque mythology.
Do common metrics add value? Perspectives from NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Consortium hubs
Authors: Welch Lisa C. , Tomoaia-Cotisel Andrada , Chang Hong , Mendel Peter , Etchegaray Jason M. , Qureshi Nabeel , Fenwood-Hughes Marguerite , Parajulee Anshu , Selker Harry P. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Introduction:
The Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Consortium, a network of academic health care institutions with CTSA hubs, is charged with improving the national clinical and translational research enterprise. The CTSA Consortium and the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences implemented the Common Metrics Initiative comprised of standardized metrics and a shared performance improvement framework. This article summarizes hubs’ perspectives on its value during the initial implementation.

Methods:
The value was assessed across 58 hubs. Survey items assessed change in perceived ability to manage performance and advance clinical and translational science. Semi-structured interviews elicited hubs’ perspectives on meaningfulness and value-added of the Common Metrics Initiative and hubs’ recommendations.

Results:
Hubs considered their abilities to manage performance to have improved, but there was no change in perceived ability to advance clinical and translational science. The initiative added value by providing a formal structured process, enabling strategic conversations, facilitating improvements in processes, providing an external impetus for improvement, and providing justification for funds invested. Hubs were concerned about the usefulness of the metrics chosen and whether the value-added was sufficient relative to the effort required. Hubs recommended useful benchmarking, disseminating best practices and promoting peer-to-peer learning, and expanding the use of data to inform the initiative.

Conclusions:
Implementing Common Metrics and a performance improvement framework yielded concrete short-term benefits, but concerns about usefulness remained, particularly considering the effort required. The Common Metrics Initiative should focus on facilitating cross-hub collaboration around metrics that address high-priority impact areas for individual hubs and the Consortium.
A NOTE ON k-GALOIS LCD CODES OVER THE RING
Authors: WU RONGSHENG , SHI MINJIA 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe study the k-Galois linear complementary dual (LCD) codes over the finite chain ring

$R=\mathbb {F}_q+u\mathbb {F}_q$
with

$u^2=0$
, where

$q=p^e$
and p is a prime number. We give a sufficient condition on the generator matrix for the existence of k-Galois LCD codes over R. Finally, we show that a linear code over R (for

$k=0, q> 3$
) is equivalent to a Euclidean LCD code, and a linear code over R (for

$0<k<e$
,

$(p^{e-k}+1)\mid (p^e-1)$
and

${(p^e-1)}/{(p^{e-k}+1)}>1$
) is equivalent to a k-Galois LCD code.
Reviewing the Decision of the Nigerian Supreme Court in Huebner v AIE and PM Co Ltd: A Dissenting Opinion
Authors: Okeke Chukwuebuka S 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this case, the Nigerian Supreme Court had the opportunity to build on the foundations of Nigerian trust law. The court was faced with facts that should have led to the implication of a resulting trust in favour of the appellant, since he had purchased a large parcel of land in the name of the respondent. While accepting that it made no contribution to the purchase or development of the land, the respondent sought to escape its fiduciary duty by alleging illegality, using the provisions of the Land Use Act as a statutory shield. The Nigerian Supreme Court endorsed the respondent's position, by electing to focus on the breach of the statute, while ignoring that equity would not allow a statute to be used as an instrument of fraud. This article shows how the court erred, as the statutory breach was not fatal to the appellant's claim: equity does not demand that its suitors have led blameless lives.
Evaluation of left ventricular systolic functions in two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in children with chronic renal failure
Authors: Kizilca Ozgur , Ozmen Derya , Demircan Tulay , Yilmaz Nuh , Kir Mustafa , Soylu Alper , Unal Nurettin , Kavukcu Salih 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and aim:Chronic kidney disease may lead to left ventricular dysfunction. Early detection of cardiovascular disease in children with chronic kidney disease is essential to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in early adulthood. This study aimed to document the dysfunction using methods such as two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in the early stage.Methods:A total of 34 patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (mean age ± standard deviation, 10.5 ± 4.1 years) and 37 sex- and age-matched (mean age 9.8 ± 4.2 years) healthy controls were studied. The results of the two groups were compared along with those of the published studies.Results:The echocardiography measurements had no significant difference in the end-diastolic and end-systolic diameter values of left ventricular, ejection fraction, shortening fraction, mitral E value, mitral A value, and E/A ratio between the groups. Pulmonary artery systolic and diastolic pressure and left ventricular mass index were significantly higher in the patient group (p < 0.01). The longitudinal global strain values in the apical four-chamber, three-chamber, and two-chamber views and the total global strain values were significantly lower in the patients (p < 0.01). The circumferential global strain values in the apical, mid, basal, and total global strain were lower in the patient group, but this difference was statistically significant in the apical global and total global strain values (p < 0.05).Conclusions:Speckle-tracking echocardiography might help identify subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease with unremarkable conventional echocardiography.
Does obesity influence ventricular repolarisation in children?
Authors: Yıldırım Yıldız Nihan , Uçar Tayfun , Ramoğlu Mehmet G. , Berberoğlu Merih , Şıklar Zeynep , Tutar Ercan , Atalay Semra 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjective:Ventricular repolarisation changes may lead to sudden cardiac death in obese individuals. We aimed to investigate the relationship between ventricular repolarisation changes, echocardiographic parameters, anthropometric measures, and metabolic syndrome laboratory parameters in obese children.Methods:The study involved 81 obese and 82 normal-weight healthy children with a mean age of 12.3 ± 2.7 years. Anthropometric measurements of participants were evaluated according to nomograms. Obese patients were subdivided into two groups; metabolic syndrome and non-metabolic syndrome obese. Fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, and lipid profile were measured. QT/QTc interval, QT/QTc dispersions were measured, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic measurements were performed.Results:Body weight, body mass index, relative body mass index, waist/hip circumference ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in obese children. QT and QTc dispersions were significantly higher in obese children and also obese children with metabolic syndrome had significantly higher QT and QTc dispersions compared to non-metabolic syndrome obese children (p < 0.001) and normal-weight healthy children (p < 0.001). Waist/hip circumference ratio, body mass index, and relative body mass index were the most important determinant of QT and QTc dispersions. Left ventricular wall thickness (left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole, left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-systole, interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole) and left ventricular mass index were significantly higher and ejection fraction was lower in obese children. Left ventricular mass index and interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole were positively correlated with QT and QTc dispersions.Conclusions:Our study demonstrated that QT/ QTc interval prolongation and increase in QT and QTc dispersion on electrocardiogram may be found at an early age in obese children.
Iron-and-folic-acid supplementation among adolescents (aged 10–19 years) in two North Indian States, 2015–2016: a sex-stratified analysis
Authors: Rai Rajesh Kumar 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjective:This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of receiving iron-and-folic-acid (IFA) supplement by male and female adolescents in two north Indian states.Design:The UDAYA (Understanding the lives of adolescents and young adults in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh) survey dataset was used. Conducted during 2015–2016, UDAYA was a state representative cross-sectional survey. To recruit sample, UDAYA adopted a multi-stage systematic sampling method with a household selection probability proportional to size. Weighted bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were deployed. The variance inflation factor was estimated to check the presence of multicollinearity among variables included in regression model.Setting:The state of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India.Participants:A total of 10 433 individuals from Bihar and 10 161 individuals from Uttar Pradesh were included, totalling 20 594 individuals (male: 5969, female: 14 625) aged 10–19 years.Results:Overall, 3·6 % (95 % CI: 2·7, 4·7) of males and 4·8 % (95 % CI: 4·0, 5·7) of female adolescents received IFA supplement in preceding 1 year of survey date. Multivariate results indicate that IFA receipt varied with age, and state of residence among males, whereas religion and mother’s education were associated with IFA receipt among females. Irrespective of sex, adolescents living in rural areas had higher odds of receiving IFA supplement than adolescents in urban setting.Conclusions:Low coverage in receiving IFA supplement among adolescents is a serious concern for the success of anaemia reduction programme. While designing interventions for overall increase in IFA distribution, the socio-economic factors influencing IFA receipt must be considered.
One layer at a time: the use of 3D printing in the fabrication of cadmium-free electron field shaping devices
Authors: Moore Michael J. , Snelgrove Ronald , Darko Johnson , Osei Ernest K. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroduction:Electron blocks are typically composed of a low melting point alloy (LMPA), which is poured into an insert frame containing a manually placed Styrofoam aperture negative used to define the desired field shape. Current implementations of the block fabrication process involve numerous steps which are subjective and prone to user error. Occasionally, bowing of the sides of the insert frame is observed, resulting in premature frame decommissioning. Recent works have investigated the feasibility of utilising 3D printing technology to replace the conventional electron block fabrication workflow; however, these approaches involved long print times, were not compatible with commonly used cadmium-free LMPAs, and did not address the problem of insert frame bowing. In this work, we sought to develop a new 3D printing technique that would remedy these issues.Materials and Methods:Electron cutout negatives and alignment jigs were printed using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, which does not warp at the high temperatures associated with molten cadmium-free alloys. The accuracy of the field shape produced by electron blocks fabricated using the 3D printed negatives was assessed using Gafchromic film and beam profiler measurements. As a proof-of-concept, electron blocks with off-axis apertures, as well as complex multi-aperture blocks to be used for passive electron beam intensity modulation, were also created.Results:Film and profiler measurements of field size were in excellent agreement with the values calculated using the Eclipse treatment planning system, showing less than a 1% difference in line profile full-width at half-maximum. The multi-aperture electron blocks produced fields with intensity modulation ≤3.2% of the theoretically predicted value. Use of the 3D printed alignment jig – which has contours designed to match those of the insert frame – was found to reduce the amount of frame bowing by factors of 1.8 and 2.1 in the lateral and superior–inferior directions, respectively.Conclusions:The 3D printed ABS negatives generated with our technique maintain their spatial accuracy even at the higher temperatures associated with cadmium-free LMPA. The negatives typically take between 1 and 2 hours to print and have a material cost of approximately $2 per patient.
Once Upon a Time, in AmeriFlux
Authors: Fisher Joshua B. , Keenan Trevor F. , Buechner Christin , Shirkey Gabriela , Perez‐Quezada Jorge F. , Knox Sara H. , Frank John M. , Runkle Benjamin R. K. , Bohrer Gil 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn October 2020, under COVID‐19 quarantine, AmeriFlux held its largest and one of its most successful annual meetings. Historically, ∼100 scientists attend; this meeting had over 400 registrants and participants. Participants expressed that this was among the best virtual meetings that they had ever attended, and 100% of post‐meeting survey respondents stated that they would attend again. Feedback revealed the meeting fostered a strong sense of connection to the AmeriFlux community, especially among early career and international scientists. How did a feeling of strong connection to the community arise from the seemingly cold and isolated structures of virtual meetings?The meeting emphasized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), which resulted in an unexpected enhancement of science communication and community connections. Additionally, the meeting experimented with an online virtual gaming‐like world (Gather.town), where users controlled video/audio‐enabled avatars in a conference center and poster hall environment to create spontaneous conversations and discussions. In lieu of a social‐bonding field trip, participants showed videos of their field sites accompanied by informal banter, which were watched in group settings in Gather. Social mixers were structured over Zoom breakout rooms that were limited in size to promote participation with accessible games. Science talks were selected based on appeal to a demographically diverse organizing committee, which enhanced appeal to a broad meeting audience. Finally, breakout reports were given not in the format of bullet point slides, but instead as creatively improvized fairytales, which dramatically enhanced engagement. Here, we describe some of the process that went into the AmeriFlux 2020 meeting. Keeping with the theme of experimenting and fairytales, we present this narrative in the form of a fairytale; and, without further ado…
Regulation of FN1 degradation by the p62/SQSTM1-dependent autophagy–lysosome pathway in HNSCC
Authors: Liu Xinchen , Meng Lin , Li Xing , Li Daowei , Liu Qilin , Chen Yumeng , Li Xiangwei , Bu Wenhuan , Sun Hongchen 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in both physiological and pathological processes. EMT plays an essential role in the invasion, migration and metastasis of tumours. Autophagy has been shown to regulate EMT in a variety of cancers but not in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Herein, we investigated whether autophagy also regulates EMT in HNSCC. Analyses of clinical data from three public databases revealed that higher expression of fibronectin-1 (FN1) correlated with poorer prognosis and higher tumour pathological grade in HNSCC. Data from SCC-25 cells demonstrated that rapamycin and Earle’s balanced salt solution (EBSS) promoted autophagy, leading to increased FN1 degradation, while 3-methyladenine (3-MA), bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1) and chloroquine (CQ) inhibited autophagy, leading to decreased FN1 degradation. On the other hand, autophagic flux was blocked in BECN1 mutant HNSCC Cal-27 cells, and rapamycin did not promote autophagy in Cal-27 cells; also in addition, FN1 degradation was inhibited. Further, we identified FN1 degradation through the lysosome-dependent degradation pathway using the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Data from immunoprecipitation assays also showed that p62/SQSTM1 participated as an autophagy adapter in the autophagy–lysosome pathway of FN1 degradation. Finally, data from immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that the interaction between p62 and FN1 was abolished in p62 mutant MCF-7 and A2780 cell lines. These results indicate that autophagy significantly promotes the degradation of FN1. Collectively, our findings clearly suggest that FN1, as a marker of EMT, has adverse effects on HNSCC and elucidate the autophagy–lysosome degradation mechanism of FN1.
Value of flow cytometry for MRD-based relapse prediction in B-cell precursor ALL in a multicenter setting
Authors: Modvig S. , Hallböök H. , Madsen H. O. , Siitonen S. , Rosthøj S. , Tierens A. , Juvonen V. , Osnes L. T. N. , Vålerhaugen H. , Hultdin M. , Matuzeviciene R. , Stoskus M. , Marincevic M. , Lilleorg A. , Ehinger M. , Norén-Nystrøm U. , Toft N. , Taskinen M. , Jónsson O. G. , Pruunsild K. , Vaitkeviciene G. , Vettenranta K. , Lund B. , Abrahamsson J. , Porwit A. , Schmiegelow K. , Marquart H. V. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPCR of TCR/Ig gene rearrangements is considered the method of choice for minimal residual disease (MRD) quantification in BCP-ALL, but flow cytometry analysis of leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (FCM-MRD) is faster and biologically more informative. FCM-MRD performed in 18 laboratories across seven countries was used for risk stratification of 1487 patients with BCP-ALL enrolled in the NOPHO ALL2008 protocol. When no informative FCM-marker was available, risk stratification was based on real-time quantitative PCR. An informative FCM-marker was found in 96.2% and only two patients (0.14%) had non-informative FCM and non-informative PCR-markers. The overall 5-year event-free survival was 86.1% with a cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR5y) of 9.5%. FCM-MRD levels on days 15 (HzR 4.0, p < 0.0001), 29 (HzR 2.7, p < 0.0001), and 79 (HzR 3.5, p < 0.0001) associated with hazard of relapse adjusted for age, cytogenetics, and WBC. The early (day 15) response associated with CIR5y adjusted for day 29 FCM-MRD, with higher levels in adults (median 2.4 × 10−2 versus 5.2 × 10−3, p < 0.0001). Undetectable FCM- and/or PCR-MRD on day 29 identified patients with a very good outcome (CIR5y = 3.2%). For patients who did not undergo transplantation, day 79 FCM-MRD > 10−4 associated with a CIR5y = 22.1%. In conclusion, FCM-MRD performed in a multicenter setting is a clinically useful method for MRD-based treatment stratification in BCP-ALL.
Phosphorylation-dependent regulation of SPOP by LIMK2 promotes castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Nikhil Kumar , Haymour Hanan S. , Kamra Mohini , Shah Kavita 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundSPOP, an E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor, can act either as a tumour suppressor or a tumour promoter. In prostate cancer (PCa), it inhibits tumorigenesis by degrading several oncogenic substrates. SPOP is the most altered gene in PCa (~15%), which renders it ineffective, promoting cancer. The remaining PCa tumours, which retain WT-SPOP, still progress to castration-resistant (CRPC) stage, indicating that other critical mechanisms exist for downregulating SPOP. SPOP is reduced in ~94% of WT-SPOP-bearing prostate tumours; however, no molecular mechanism is known for its downregulation.MethodsSPOP was identified as a direct target of LIMK2 using an innovative technique. The reciprocal relationship between SPOP and LIMK2 and its consequences on oncogenicity were analysed using a variety of biochemical assays. To probe this relationship in vivo, xenograft studies were conducted.ResultsLIMK2 degrades SPOP by direct phosphorylation at three sites. SPOP promotes LIMK2’s ubiquitylation, creating a feedback loop. SPOP’s degradation stabilises AR, ARv7 and c-Myc promoting oncogenicity. Phospho-resistant SPOP completely suppresses tumorigenesis in vivo, indicating that LIMK2-mediated SPOP degradation is a key event in PCa progression.ConclusionsWhile genomically altered SPOP-bearing tumours require gene therapy, uncovering LIMK2-SPOP relationship provides a powerful opportunity to retain WT-SPOP by inhibiting LIMK2, thereby halting disease progression.