bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological transition of silicate crystals solidified from highly undercooled aerodynamically levitated melt droplets
Authors: Shete Ganesh , Karagadde Shyamprasad , Srivastava Atul 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe present work reports the morphological transition during solidification of a non-metallic system. Pure magnesium silicate (Mg2SiO4) is chosen as the model material and the solidification experiments have been conducted under purely non-contact conditions using the principles of aerodynamic levitation. The influence of the undercooling and cooling rates on the surface features observed in the solidified samples is investigated. Levitation experiments have been performed for different samples, which are solidified for a range of undercooling levels between 360 to 1100° C. In order to understand and report the morphological transitions, solidified samples have been observed using scanning electron microscopy, which showed the formation of highly branched faceted microstructure for an undercooling regime of 360–800° C, and non-dendritic microstructure for even higher undercooling regime of 800–1100° C. Further experiments performed on this non-metallic system for different cooling rates also suggested that, regardless of the cooling rate, lower undercooling leads to branched faceted features, whereas higher undercooling results into unbranched facets. The methodology and instrumentation provide unique capabilities to probe the behavior of materials at high temperatures.
Community Conversations: deliberative democracy, education provision and divided societies
Authors: Bates Jessica , O’Connor Bones Una 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHow can Community Conversations be used to give communities a voice in policy decisions? This paper is a response to the challenge of engaging citizens in inclusive, meaningful dialogue and deliberation on potentially sensitive policy topics that affect their lives and to create a bridge between individual, community and policy perspectives. This dual aim therefore is to give individuals and communities a stronger voice in key decisions affecting them and to provide stakeholders involved in public policy and decision-making a genuine evidence base which they can use to inform their work. This challenge is even greater in divided societies where consensus building can be difficult. The paper focuses on a Community Conversation methodology and the innovative Community Conversation Toolkit developed by the authors as a mechanism for deliberative democracy through citizen engagement in important public policy decisions. Particular attention is given to the application of the Community Conversation methodology in relation to educational change and sustainability in Northern Ireland, a divided society. The methodology and context are aligned with a socio-ecological perspective which provides a conceptual lens to better understand the complex interplay that spans individual (micro) to policy (macro) levels. In addition to providing a theoretical foundation for the methodology, its application in a specific educational context is presented and discussed. It is therefore intended that the paper provides a rubric for the adaptation and application of the Community Conversation approach in a wide range of policy settings and contexts in order to evoke change. The value of the approach in enabling constructive dialogue on sensitive topics in a divided society is explored throughout the paper. Using an exemplar where divergent community views on school provision were shared, we synthesise the Community Conversation methodology with the socio-ecological approach to illustrate how our approach is particularly suited to closing the gap between parents/communities and policy stakeholders and enabling change.
Politics of Nostalgia and Populism: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Elçi Ezgi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis article scrutinizes the relationship between collective nostalgia and populism. Different populist figures utilize nostalgia by referring to their country's ‘good old’ glorious days and exploiting resentment of the elites and establishment. Populists instrumentalize nostalgia in order to create their populist heartland, which is a retrospectively constructed utopia based on an abandoned but undead past. Using two original datasets from Turkey, this study first analyzes whether collective nostalgia characterizes populist attitudes of the electorate. The results illustrate that collective nostalgia has a significantly positive relationship with populist attitudes even after controlling for various independent variables, including religiosity, partisanship, satisfaction with life and Euroscepticism. Secondly, the study tests whether nostalgic messages affect populist attitudes using an online survey experiment. The results indicate that Ottoman nostalgia helps increase populist attitudes. Kemalist nostalgia, however, has a weak direct effect on populist attitudes that disappears after controlling for party preference.
Enhancement of a low-fidelity surgical simulator. Is it possible?
Authors: Evans L M , Owens D 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundSimulation training has become a core component in the training of ENT surgeons. It provides the opportunity for the repetitive practice of a surgical technique. Simulators are broadly categorised into low- and high-fidelity simulators. A method using a home microprocessor to enhance a low-fidelity surgical simulator is introduced.MethodThe Yorick tonsil tie trainer was enhanced using an Arduino microcontroller attached to the simulated inferior pole of the tonsil. The Arduino was coded to give a visual stimulus when linear motion exceeded parameters. The prototype simulator was tested to gain information on whether the enhancement could identify differences between novice and expert users.ConclusionAn enhanced low-fidelity tonsil trainer was produced using a low-cost, simple home microprocessing board. The enhanced simulator gives objective feedback allowing for self-directed learning. Further research is required to evaluate the benefits of these enhancements above non-enhanced simulation training.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy in paediatric patients with congenital heart disease: single centre with 10 years of experience
Authors: Ergul Yakup , Sevinc Sengul Fatma , Öztürk Erkut , Kafalı Hasan C. , Ayyıldız Pelin , Tanıdır Ibrahim C. , Akdeniz Halil S. , Güneş Mustafa , Yıldız Okan , Haydin Sertaç , Güzeltaş Alper 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectives:In recent years, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has also started to be performed in the paediatric and CHD population. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CRT in children with CHD.Patients and methods:Patients with CHD who underwent CRT treatment in our paediatric cardiology clinic between January, 2010 and January, 2020 were included in the study. Demographic findings, 12-lead electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes were reviewed systematically.Results:The study population consisted of 18 CHD patients who had been treated with CRT for 10 years in our institution. The median age was 11 years (2.2–18 years) and the median weight was 39 kg (10–81 kg). Systemic ventricle was left ventricle in 13 patients, right ventricle in 4 patients, and 1 patient had single-ventricle physiology. CRT implantation indications were as follows: dysfunction after permanent pacemaker in 11 patients, dysfunction after left bundle branch block in 4 patients, and systemic ventricular dysfunction in 3 patients. CRT implantation techniques were epicardial (n = 13), hybrid (n = 4), and transvenous (n = 1) methods. QRS duration significantly decreased after CRT implantation (160 versus 124 m/second, p < 0.05). Median systemic ventricle ejection fraction (EF) significantly increased after the procedure (30 versus 50%, p < 0.05). Fourteen patients (78%) were responders, two patients (11%) were superresponders, and two patients (11%) were non-responders after the CRT treatment. One patient deceased during follow-up. Median follow-up duration was 40 months (6–117 months).Conclusion:When electromechanical dyssynchrony occurs in paediatric cases with CHD and developing heart failure, patients should be evaluated in terms of CRT to improve ventricular function. Alternative CRT therapy will be beneficial in these cases that do not improve clinically despite optimal medical treatment.
Prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated factors among women of childbearing age in Brazil
Authors: Lyrio Amanda O , Souza Elivan S , Conceição Sarah dos S , Batista Josicélia ET , Brito Sheila M , Gomes Filho Isaac S , Figueiredo Ana Claudia MG , da Cruz Simone S 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjective:To assess the factors associated with overweight and obesity among women of childbearing age in Brazil.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Using the National Health Survey (PNS) database, from the year 2013. The socio-economic and demographic factors analysed were age, race/skin colour, region, marital status, education level, employment and family income. Concerning health history, diagnoses of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, menarche, parity and depression were evaluated. For lifestyle information, health status, alcoholic beverage consumption, smoking and physical activity were included. The outcomes were obesity and overweight. The association of excess weight with socio-economic and demographic factors, health history and lifestyle characteristics was investigated according to the appropriate theoretical–conceptual model for the topic.Participants:The sample size was 17 109 women aged 18–49 years.Results:The prevalence of women with excess weight was 55·20 %, with 33·26 % being overweight and 21·94 % with obesity. The factors associated with excess weight were age, non-white skin colour, having a partner, family income of up to two minimum wages, menarche before the age of 12, multiparity, diabetes mellitus, depression, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and heart attack.Conclusion:The results showed an association between excess weight and socio-demographic factors, both determinants of general and reproductive health history. Implementation of effective public health policies is necessary to prevent unfavourable outcomes related to the health of women of childbearing age with excess weight.
Tidal Synchronization of Lee Vortices in Geophysical Wakes
Authors: Puthan Pranav , Sarkar Sutanu , Pawlak Geno 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWake vortices in tidally modulated currents past a conical hill in a stratified fluid are investigated using large‐eddy‐simulation. The vortex shedding frequency is altered from its natural steady‐current value leading to synchronization of wake vortices with the tide. The relative frequency (f*), defined as the ratio of natural shedding frequency (fs,c) in a current without tides to the tidal frequency (ft), is varied to expose different regimes of tidal synchronization. When f* increases and approaches 0.25, vortex shedding at the body changes from a classical asymmetric Kármán vortex street. The wake evolves downstream to restore the Kármán vortex‐street asymmetry but the discrete spectral peak, associated with wake vortices, is found to differ from both ft and fs,c, a novel result. The spectral peak occurs at the first subharmonic of the tidal frequency when 0.5 ≤ f* < 1 and at the second subharmonic when 0.25 ≤ f* < 0.5.
Sensitivity of Air‐Sea Heat Exchange in Cold‐Air Outbreaks to Model Resolution and Sea‐Ice Distribution
Authors: Spensberger C. , Spengler T. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractModeling air‐sea interactions during cold air outbreaks poses a major challenge because of the vast range of scales and physical processes involved. Using the Polar WRF model, we investigate the sensitivity of downstream air mass properties to (a) model resolution, (b) the sharpness of the marginal‐ice zone (MIZ), and (c) the geometry of the sea ice edge. The resolved sharpness of the MIZ strongly affects peak heat fluxes and the atmospheric water cycle. For sharper MIZs, roll convection is initiated closer to the sea ice edge, increasing both evaporation and precipitation. This yields an increased heat transfer into the atmosphere while the net effect on the atmospheric moisture budget is small. Overall, higher atmospheric resolution increases both the peak and net heat extracted from the ocean. The geometry of the sea ice edge can induce convergence or divergence zones that affect the air‐sea exchange.
The Thermo‐Chemical Evolution of Mars With a Strongly Stratified Mantle
Authors: Samuel Henri , Ballmer Maxim D. , Padovan Sebastiano , Tosi Nicola , Rivoldini Attilio , Plesa Ana‐Catalina 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe Martian mantle probably experienced an early global magma ocean stage. The crystallization and the fractionation and overturn of such a magma ocean likely led to the formation of a compositionally distinct layer at the bottom of the mantle. This layer would have been heavily enriched in iron and in heat‐producing elements (HPE). The significant iron enrichment can lead to long‐term stability with little mixing between the layer and the overlying mantle. We studied the influence of such an enriched basal layer on the thermal and chemical evolution of the Martian mantle using both 2‐D finite‐volume modeling at mantle scale, and a parameterized convection approach at the entire planetary scale. The basal layer is most likely stably stratified because of its moderate thickness and/or its gradual enrichment in iron with depth that prevents the development of convection in this region. We explored a wide parameter space in our parameterized models, including the layer thickness and the mantle rheology. We show that the presence of an enriched basal layer has a dramatic influence on the thermo‐chemical evolution of Mars, strongly delaying deep cooling, and significantly affecting nearly all present‐day characteristics of the planet (heat flux, thermal state, crustal and lithospheric thickness, Love number and tidal dissipation). In particular, the enrichment of the layer in iron and HPE generates large volumes of stable melt near the core‐mantle boundary. Due to their intrinsic low viscosity and seismic velocities, these regions of silicate melt could be erroneously interpreted as core material.
P2X7 receptor signaling promotes inflammation in renal parenchymal cells suffering from ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Qian Yingying , Qian Cheng , Xie Kewei , Fan Qicheng , Yan Yucheng , Lu Renhua , Wang Lin , Zhang Minfang , Wang Qin , Mou Shan , Dai Huili , Ni Zhaohui , Pang Huihua , Gu Leyi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractExtracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and its receptor, P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), are playing an important role in the pathological process of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, but their underlying mechanism remains unclear. Also, the effects of tubular epithelium-expressed P2X7 receptor on ischemia acute kidney injury is still unknown. The aim of this study is to clarify if this mechanism involves the activation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the renal tubular epithelial cells. In our research, we used male C57BL/6 wild type and P2X7R (−/−) mice, cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cells, and kidneys from acute kidney injury patients. Mice underwent for unilateral nephrectomy combined with the lateral renal pedicle clamping. Cultured cells were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation or ATP. Apyrase and A438079 were used to block the extracellular ATP/P2X7 receptor pathway. We also constructed radiation-induced bone marrow (BM) chimeras by using P2X7R (−/−) mice and P2X7R (+/+) wild-type mice. P2X7 receptor deficiency protected from renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and attenuated the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome. By using BM chimeras, we found a partial reduction of serum creatinine and less histological impairment in group wild-type BM to P2X7R (−/−) recipient, compared with group wild-type BM to wild-type recipient. In renal tubular epithelial cells, hypoxia/reoxygenation induced ATP release and extracellular ATP depletion reduced the expression of active IL-1β. ATP activated the NLRP3 inflammasome in renal tubular epithelial cells, which were blunted by transient silence of P2X7 receptor, as well as by P2X7 receptor blocking with A438079. In human samples, we found that patients with Stage 3 AKI had higher levels of P2X7 receptor expression than patients with Stage 1 or Stage 2. Extracellular ATP/P2X7 receptor axis blocking may protect renal tubular epithelial cells from ischemia-reperfusion injury through the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome.
Reduction of alternative electron acceptors drives biofilm formation in Shewanella algae
Authors: Martín-Rodríguez Alberto J. , Reyes-Darias José A. , Martín-Mora David , González José M. , Krell Tino , Römling Ute 
Published: January 2021

AbstractShewanella spp. possess a broad respiratory versatility, which contributes to the occupation of hypoxic and anoxic environmental or host-associated niches. Here, we observe a strain-specific induction of biofilm formation in response to supplementation with the anaerobic electron acceptors dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and nitrate in a panel of Shewanella algae isolates. The respiration-driven biofilm response is not observed in DMSO and nitrate reductase deletion mutants of the type strain S. algae CECT 5071, and can be restored upon complementation with the corresponding reductase operon(s) but not by an operon containing a catalytically inactive nitrate reductase. The distinct transcriptional changes, proportional to the effect of these compounds on biofilm formation, include cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) turnover genes. In support, ectopic expression of the c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase YhjH of Salmonella Typhimurium but not its catalytically inactive variant decreased biofilm formation. The respiration-dependent biofilm response of S. algae may permit differential colonization of environmental or host niches.
Off-the-shelf deep learning is not enough, and requires parsimony, Bayesianity, and causality
Authors: Vasudevan Rama K. , Ziatdinov Maxim , Vlcek Lukas , Kalinin Sergei V. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDeep neural networks (‘deep learning’) have emerged as a technology of choice to tackle problems in speech recognition, computer vision, finance, etc. However, adoption of deep learning in physical domains brings substantial challenges stemming from the correlative nature of deep learning methods compared to the causal, hypothesis driven nature of modern science. We argue that the broad adoption of Bayesian methods incorporating prior knowledge, development of solutions with incorporated physical constraints and parsimonious structural descriptors and generative models, and ultimately adoption of causal models, offers a path forward for fundamental and applied research.
Efficient modeling of superconducting quantum circuits with tensor networks
Authors: Di Paolo Agustin , Baker Thomas E. , Foley Alexandre , Sénéchal David , Blais Alexandre 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe use a tensor network method to compute the low-energy excitations of a large-scale fluxonium qubit up to a desired accuracy. We employ this numerical technique to estimate the pure-dephasing coherence time of the fluxonium qubit due to charge noise and coherent quantum phase slips from first principles, finding an agreement with previously obtained experimental results. By developing an accurate single-mode theory that captures the details of the fluxonium device, we benchmark the results obtained with the tensor network for circuits spanning a Hilbert space as large as 15180. Our algorithm is directly applicable to the wide variety of circuit-QED systems and may be a useful tool for scaling up superconducting quantum technologies.
In your phase: neural phase synchronisation underlies visual imagery of faces
Authors: Canales-Johnson Andrés , Lanfranco Renzo C. , Morales Juan Pablo , Martínez-Pernía David , Valdés Joaquín , Ezquerro-Nassar Alejandro , Rivera-Rei Álvaro , Ibanez Agustín , Chennu Srivas , Bekinschtein Tristan A. , Huepe David , Noreika Valdas 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMental imagery is the process through which we retrieve and recombine information from our memory to elicit the subjective impression of “seeing with the mind’s eye”. In the social domain, we imagine other individuals while recalling our encounters with them or modelling alternative social interactions in future. Many studies using imaging and neurophysiological techniques have shown several similarities in brain activity between visual imagery and visual perception, and have identified frontoparietal, occipital and temporal neural components of visual imagery. However, the neural connectivity between these regions during visual imagery of socially relevant stimuli has not been studied. Here we used electroencephalography to investigate neural connectivity and its dynamics between frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal electrodes during visual imagery of faces. We found that voluntary visual imagery of faces is associated with long-range phase synchronisation in the gamma frequency range between frontoparietal electrode pairs and between occipitoparietal electrode pairs. In contrast, no effect of imagery was observed in the connectivity between occipitotemporal electrode pairs. Gamma range synchronisation between occipitoparietal electrode pairs predicted subjective ratings of the contour definition of imagined faces. Furthermore, we found that visual imagery of faces is associated with an increase of short-range frontal synchronisation in the theta frequency range, which temporally preceded the long-range increase in the gamma synchronisation. We speculate that the local frontal synchrony in the theta frequency range might be associated with an effortful top-down mnemonic reactivation of faces. In contrast, the long-range connectivity in the gamma frequency range along the fronto-parieto-occipital axis might be related to the endogenous binding and subjective clarity of facial visual features.
Identification of RNA-binding proteins that partner with Lin28a to regulate Dnmt3a expression
Authors: Parisi Silvia , Castaldo Daniela , Piscitelli Silvia , D’Ambrosio Chiara , Divisato Giuseppina , Passaro Fabiana , Avolio Rosario , Castellucci Alessia , Gianfico Paolo , Masullo Mariorosario , Scaloni Andrea , Russo Tommaso 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLin28 is an evolutionary conserved RNA-binding protein that plays important roles during embryonic development and tumorigenesis. It regulates gene expression through two different post-transcriptional mechanisms. The first one is based on the regulation of miRNA biogenesis, in particular that of the let-7 family, whose expression is suppressed by Lin28. Thus, loss of Lin28 leads to the upregulation of mRNAs that are targets of let-7 species. The second mechanism is based on the direct interaction of Lin28 with a large number of mRNAs, which results in the regulation of their translation. This second mechanism remains poorly understood. To address this issue, we purified high molecular weight complexes containing Lin28a in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Numerous proteins, co-purified with Lin28a, were identified by proteomic procedures and tested for their possible role in Lin28a-dependent regulation of the mRNA encoding DNA methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a). The results show that Lin28a activity is dependent on many proteins, including three helicases and four RNA-binding proteins. The suppression of four of these proteins, namely Ddx3x, Hnrnph1, Hnrnpu or Syncrip, interferes with the binding of Lin28a to the Dnmt3a mRNA, thus suggesting that they are part of an oligomeric ribonucleoprotein complex that is necessary for Lin28a activity.