bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deliberative Democracy and Systemic Racism
Authors: Drake Anna
Published: February 2023

Examining recent developments in deliberative democracy alongside growing attention to system-wide racism, I look at the ways deliberative systems theory and practice deals with the tension between the theory's normative claims and the structural injustice against which deliberative systems unfold. I focus on work aimed at deepening inclusion in deliberative systems, noting that this focus on inclusion into unjust systems stops the deliberative literature from taking full responsibility for structural and systemic racism. Taking a critical approach to the deliberative literature's capacity to confront systemic racism and live up to its normative principles of treating all people as equals, I argue that we need to reframe power to centre the relationship between race and democracy. As I do so, I propose ways to begin dismantling foundational injustice in deliberative systems, centring foundational inequalities in deliberative theory and design, and setting out differential responsibilities for listening as deliberative theorists confront the problem of white supremacy in deliberative systems.
Speech acts and interaction in second language pragmatics: A position paper
Authors: House Juliane , Kádár Dániel Z.
Published: February 2023

In this position paper, we argue that second language (L2) pragmatic research needs to explore new avenues for integrating speech acts and interaction, by proposing a radically minimal, finite and interactional typology of speech acts. While we will introduce what we mean by integrating speech acts and interaction in detail below, the following argument helps us to summarise the issue we consider in this study:

When we describe language behaviour, we sometimes use terms such as ‘suggest’, ‘request’ and so on, which roughly indicate illocutionary values, and sometimes terms such as ‘agree’, ‘accept’, ‘contradict’, ‘turn down’, ‘refuse’, which are more indicative of the significance of the utterance relative to a preceding one. What we need to do is to distinguish between these two aspects of a communicative act – the illocutionary and the interactional. (Edmondson et al., 2023, pp. 25–26)
Commonalities, differences, and differences that matter between monolingual and bilingual development
Authors: HOFF Erika
Published: February 2023

This commentary makes the argument that the child-internal and child-external sources of individual differences in bilingual development are much the same as the sources of individual differences in monolingual development. It makes the further argument that the operation of the child-external influences results in differences between monolingual and bilingual development in the rate and sometimes in the outcome of language acquisition. An argument is made for the scientific and practical value of understanding the differences between monolingual and bilingual development, and future directions for research are suggested.
Bipartite-ness under smooth conditions
Authors: Jiang Tao , Longbrake Sean , Ma Jie
Published: February 2023

Given a family

$\mathcal{F}$

of bipartite graphs, the Zarankiewicz number

$z(m,n,\mathcal{F})$

is the maximum number of edges in an

$m$

by

$n$

bipartite graph

$G$

that does not contain any member of

$\mathcal{F}$

as a subgraph (such

$G$

is called

$\mathcal{F}$

-free). For

$1\leq \beta \lt \alpha \lt 2$

, a family

$\mathcal{F}$

of bipartite graphs is

$(\alpha,\beta )$

-smooth if for some

$\rho \gt 0$

and every

$m\leq n$

,

$z(m,n,\mathcal{F})=\rho m n^{\alpha -1}+O(n^\beta )$

. Motivated by their work on a conjecture of Erdős and Simonovits on compactness and a classic result of Andrásfai, Erdős and Sós, Allen, Keevash, Sudakov and Verstraëte proved that for any

$(\alpha,\beta )$

-smooth family

$\mathcal{F}$

, there exists

$k_0$

such that for all odd

$k\geq k_0$

and sufficiently large

$n$

, any

$n$

-vertex

$\mathcal{F}\cup \{C_k\}$

-free graph with minimum degree at least

$\rho (\frac{2n}{5}+o(n))^{\alpha -1}$

is bipartite. In this paper, we strengthen their result by showing that for every real

$\delta \gt 0$

, there exists

$k_0$

such that for all odd

$k\geq k_0$

and sufficiently large

$n$

, any

$n$

-vertex

$\mathcal{F}\cup \{C_k\}$

-free graph with minimum degree at least

$\delta n^{\alpha -1}$

is bipartite. Furthermore, our result holds under a more relaxed notion of smoothness, which include the families

$\mathcal{F}$

consisting of the single graph

$K_{s,t}$

when

$t\gg s$

. We also prove an analogous result for

$C_{2\ell }$

-free graphs for every

$\ell \geq 2$

, which complements a result of Keevash, Sudakov and Verstraëte.
A Century of Behavioral Genetics at the University of Minnesota
Authors: Willoughby Emily A. , Giannelis Alexandros , Iacono William G. , McGue Matt , Vrieze Scott I.
Published: February 2023

The University of Minnesota has played an important role in the resurgence and eventual mainstreaming of human behavioral genetics in psychology and psychiatry. We describe this history in the context of three major movements in behavioral genetics: (1) radical eugenics in the early 20th century, (2) resurgence of human behavioral genetics in the 1960s, largely using twin and adoption designs to obtain more precise estimates of genetic and environmental influences on individual differences in behavior; and (3) use of measured genotypes to understand behavior. University of Minnesota scientists made significant contributions especially in (2) and (3) in the domains of cognitive ability, drug abuse and mental health, and endophenotypes. These contributions are illustrated through a historical perspective of major figures and events in behavioral genetics.
The Gas and Brake Policy: Indonesia's COVID-19 Securitization Dilemmas
Authors: Ihsan Rizky , Munabari Fahlesa
Published: February 2023

Indonesia, like many other countries, has encountered a slew of social, political, economic, and public health challenges in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to these challenges, the Indonesian government implemented security measures by instituting large-scale social restrictions (Indonesian: Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar) and, later, micro-scale social restrictions (Pemberlakukan Pembatasan Kegiatan Masyarakat) to restrict people's mobility and virus transmission. Using securitisation theory as a framework, this article examines how the nationwide dilemma between public health and economic security arose. Based on official documents, government papers, and political speeches, this study reveals how the country's COVID-19 responses were largely defined by carefully constructed and flexible measures known as the ‘gas and brake’ policy (Kebijakan Gas dan Rem), which were aimed at resolving the health-economic dilemma. This policy is deemed appropriate given the country's limited public health and economic resources, despite the fact that many argue that such an approach reflects indecisiveness and a lack of coordination among the country's authorities. This article also demonstrates that policymakers in Indonesia use this policy to resolve the securitisation dilemma by reinforcing the hierarchical ordering of security sectors as a readjustment strategy. The policy is used to justify tightening or easing social restrictions by changing the security narrative throughout the pandemic.
Environmental Drivers of Gross Primary Productivity and Light Use Efficiency of a Temperate Spruce Forest
Authors: Reitz O. , Bogena H. , Neuwirth B. , Sanchez‐Azofeifa A. , Graf A. , Bates J. , Leuchner M.
Published: February 2023

Various environmental variables drive gross primary productivity (GPP) and light use efficiency (LUE) of forest ecosystems. However, due to their intertwined nature and the complexity of measuring absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR) of forest canopies, the assessment of LUE and the importance of its environmental drivers are difficult. Here, we present a unique combination of measurements during the 2021 growing season including eddy covariance derived GPP, sap flow, Sentinel‐2 derived canopy chlorophyll content and in situ measured APAR. The importance of environmental variables for GPP models is quantified with state‐of‐the‐art machine learning techniques. A special focus is put on photosynthesis‐limiting conditions, which are identified by a comparison of GPP and sap flow hysteretic responses to Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and APAR. Results demonstrate that (a) LUE of the canopy's green part was on average 4.0% ± 2.3%, (b) canopy chlorophyll content as a seasonal variable for photosynthetic capacity was important for GPP predictions, and (c) on days with high VPD, tree‐scale sap flow and ecosystem‐scale GPP both shift to a clockwise hysteretic response to APAR. We demonstrate that the onset of such a clockwise hysteretic pattern of sap flow to APAR is a good indicator of stomatal closure related to water‐limiting conditions at the ecosystem‐scale.
Proactive breast cancer risk assessment in primary care: a review based on the principles of screening
Authors: Usher-Smith Juliet A. , Hindmarch Sarah , French David P. , Tischkowitz Marc , Moorthie Sowmiya , Walter Fiona M. , Dennison Rebecca A. , Stutzin Donoso Francisca , Archer Stephanie , Taylor Lily , Emery Jon , Morris Stephen , Easton Douglas F. , Antoniou Antonis C.
Published: February 2023

In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that women at moderate or high risk of breast cancer be offered risk-reducing medication and enhanced breast screening/surveillance. In June 2022, NICE withdrew a statement recommending assessment of risk in primary care only when women present with concerns. This shift to the proactive assessment of risk substantially changes the role of primary care, in effect paving the way for a primary care-based screening programme to identify those at moderate or high risk of breast cancer. In this article, we review the literature surrounding proactive breast cancer risk assessment within primary care against the consolidated framework for screening. We find that risk assessment for women under 50 years currently satisfies many of the standard principles for screening. Most notably, there are large numbers of women at moderate or high risk currently unidentified, risk models exist that can identify those women with reasonable accuracy, and management options offer the opportunity to reduce breast cancer incidence and mortality in that group. However, there remain a number of uncertainties and research gaps, particularly around the programme/system requirements, that need to be addressed before these benefits can be realised.
GBA/GBN-position on the feedback of incidental findings in biobank-based research: consensus-based workflow for hospital-based biobanks
Authors: Geiger Joerg , Fuchs Joerg , Starke Madeline , Neumann Michael , Baber Ronny , Nussbeck Sara Y. , Kiehntopf Michael , Specht Cornelia , Illig Thomas , Hummel Michael , Jahns Roland
Published: February 2023

Incidental research findings pose a considerable challenge to hospital-based research biobanks since they are acting as intermediaries between healthcare and research. In a joint action the centralized biobank ibdw (Interdisciplinary Bank of Biomaterials and Data Wuerzburg) together with local authorities drafted a coherent concept to manage incidental research findings in full compliance with relevant ethical and data privacy regulations. The concept was developed and elaborated in close collaboration with the German Biobank Alliance (GBA). Comprehensive documentation of all steps guarantees the traceability of the process. By a mandatory assessment of the findings prior to re-identification of the individual concerned, unnecessary measures can be avoided. The individual’s “right not to know” is respected according to the stipulations of the informed consent. As a general principle any communication with the individual occurs exclusively through the hospital and by competent physicians with appropriate knowledge and communication skills. We propose this scheme as a blueprint for reporting workflows for incidental research findings at hospital-based biobanks.
Direct regeneration of degraded lithium-ion battery cathodes with a multifunctional organic lithium salt
Authors: Ji Guanjun , Wang Junxiong , Liang Zheng , Jia Kai , Ma Jun , Zhuang Zhaofeng , Zhou Guangmin , Cheng Hui-Ming
Published: February 2023

The recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries is an effective approach to alleviating environmental concerns and promoting resource conservation. LiFePO4 batteries have been widely used in electric vehicles and energy storage stations. Currently, lithium loss, resulting in formation of Fe(III) phase, is mainly responsible for the capacity fade of LiFePO4 cathode. Another factor is poor electrical conductivity that limits its rate capability. Here, we report the use of a multifunctional organic lithium salt (3,4-dihydroxybenzonitrile dilithium) to restore spent LiFePO4 cathode by direct regeneration. The degraded LiFePO4 particles are well coupled with the functional groups of the organic lithium salt, so that lithium fills vacancies and cyano groups create a reductive atmosphere to inhibit Fe(III) phase. At the same time, pyrolysis of the salt produces an amorphous conductive carbon layer that coats the LiFePO4 particles, which improves Li-ion and electron transfer kinetics. The restored LiFePO4 cathode shows good cycling stability and rate performance (a high capacity retention of 88% after 400 cycles at 5 C). This lithium salt can also be used to recover degraded transition metal oxide-based cathodes. A techno-economic analysis suggests that this strategy has higher environmental and economic benefits, compared with the traditional recycling methods.
Universal epitaxy of non-centrosymmetric two-dimensional single-crystal metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Zheng Peiming , Wei Wenya , Liang Zhihua , Qin Biao , Tian Jinpeng , Wang Jinhuan , Qiao Ruixi , Ren Yunlong , Chen Junting , Huang Chen , Zhou Xu , Zhang Guangyu , Tang Zhilie , Yu Dapeng , Ding Feng , Liu Kaihui , Xu Xiaozhi
Published: February 2023

The great challenge for the growth of non-centrosymmetric 2D single crystals is to break the equivalence of antiparallel grains. Even though this pursuit has been partially achieved in boron nitride and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) growth, the key factors that determine the epitaxy of non-centrosymmetric 2D single crystals are still unclear. Here we report a universal methodology for the epitaxy of non-centrosymmetric 2D metal dichalcogenides enabled by accurate time sequence control of the simultaneous formation of grain nuclei and substrate steps. With this methodology, we have demonstrated the epitaxy of unidirectionally aligned MoS2 grains on a, c, m, n, r and v plane Al2O3 as well as MgO and TiO2 substrates. This approach is also applicable to many TMDs, such as WS2, NbS2, MoSe2, WSe2 and NbSe2. This study reveals a robust mechanism for the growth of various 2D single crystals and thus paves the way for their potential applications.
Clinical relevance of leukocyte-associated endotoxins measured by semi-automatic synthetic luminescent substrate method
Authors: Terayama Mari , Takahashi Gaku , Nonoguchi Maria , Kan Shigenori , Hoshikawa Koichi , Inada Katsuya , Mase Tomohiko
Published: February 2023

A newly developed semi-automatic synthetic luminescence substrate (SALS) method for measuring endotoxin was compared with the existing turbidimetric kinetic assay (TKA) using leukocyte-rich plasma to verify its usefulness. As a result, the endotoxin levels by this method were higher than that by the existing assay in most specimens, and the time required for measurement was much shorter. In addition, the leukocyte-rich plasma endotoxin level minus the plasma endotoxin levels were named leukocyte-associated endotoxin, and these levels per one leukocyte were compared. As a result, those levels were highly correlated with the endotoxin measurement levels of leukocyte-rich plasma. The correlation coefficient of SALS method was superior to the existing TKA method, the endotoxin level by this method may be close to true endotoxin levels.
Oxidative carbonylation of N-protected indoles by Rh(iii)-zeolites
Authors: Van Minnebruggen Sam , Marquez Carlos , Krasniqi Besir , Janssens Kwinten , Van Velthoven Niels , Vercammen Jannick , De Soete Benoit , Bugaev Aram , De Vos Dirk
Published: February 2023

The oxidative carbonylation of N-protected indoles was investigated to directly synthesize indole-3-carboxylic acids.
Orientation of carbonyl groups in inclusion crystals formed from ketones with aromatic diimide-based macrocycles
Authors: Tominaga Masahide , Nanbara Sakito , Hyodo Tadashi , Kawahata Masatoshi , Yamaguchi Kentaro
Published: February 2023

Inclusion crystals were formed from ketones with aromatic diimide-based macrocycles possessing adamantane units, where the oxygen atoms of guests interacted with the electron-deficient π-surfaces of the aromatic diimides through CO⋯π contacts.
Electron-decoupled MAS DNP with N@C60
Authors: Alaniva Nicholas , Saliba Edward P. , Judge Patrick T. , Sesti Erika L. , Harneit Wolfgang , Corzilius Björn , Barnes Alexander B.
Published: February 2023

Frequency-chirped microwaves decouple electron- and 13C-spins in magic-angle spinning N@C60:C60 powder, improving DNP-enhanced 13C NMR signal intensity by 12% for 7 s polarization, and 5% for 30 s polarization.
Tuning of the electronic and photocatalytic properties of Janus WSiGeZ4 (Z = N, P, and As) monolayers via strain engineering
Authors: Liu Ming-Yang , He Yao , Li Xuan , Xiong Kai
Published: February 2023

Recently, MA2Z4 materials have received tremendous attention due to their amazing electronic, spintronic, and optoelectronic properties.
Fabrication of fullerene-supported La2O3–C60 nanocomposites: dual-functional materials for photocatalysis and supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Munawar Tauseef , Sardar Sonia , Mukhtar Faisal , Nadeem Muhammad Shahid , Manzoor Sumaira , Ashiq Muhammad Naeem , Khan Shoukat Alim , Koc Muammer , Iqbal Faisal
Published: February 2023

Dual functional material for energy and environmental applications.
Construction and application of carbon aerogels in microwave absorption
Authors: Guo Yifan , Su Junhua , Bian Tongxin , Yan Jing , Que Longkun , Jiang Hunan , Xie Jinlong , Li Ying , Wang Yong , Zhou Zuowan
Published: February 2023

We emphasize recent developments in carbon-aerogel-based microwave absorption materials constructed with some typical carbon nanomaterials.
Tin(ii) cations stabilized by non-symmetric N,N′,O-chelating ligands: synthesis and stability
Authors: Novák Miroslav , Turek Jan , Milasheuskaya Yaraslava , Syková Miriam , Dostál Libor , Stalmans Jesse , Růžičková Zdeňka , Jurkschat Klaus , Jambor Roman
Published: February 2023

A series of novel non-symmetric N,N′,O-chelating ligands 2-(C(R1)=N(C6H3-2,6-iPr2))-6-(R2R3PO)C5H3N were used for the ionization of SnCl2and Sn(OTf)2. The R2R3PO groups showed the strong effect on the stability of the tin(ii) cations.
Dye encapsulation and one-pot synthesis of microporous–mesoporous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks for CO2 sorption and adenosine triphosphate biosensing
Authors: Abdelhamid Hani Nasser
Published: February 2023

One-pot co-precipitation of target molecules e.g. organic dyes and the synthesis of a crystal containing microporous–mesoporous regimes of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) are reported.
Integration of capillary vibrating sharp-edge spray ionization as a nebulization device for ICP-MS
Authors: Taylor Tristen L. , Gundlach-Graham Alexander
Published: February 2023

This work presents the first use of capillary vibrating sharp-edge spray ionization as a nebulization technique for ICP-MS and discusses the use of fused deposition modeling to create a dedicated sample introduction chamber.
Synthesis and application of type-II heterojunctions based on CdS and g-C3N5 for efficient photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics
Authors: Yang Jing , Wang Jie , Huang Haizan , Wei Liang , Yang Xiande
Published: February 2023

CdS/g-C3N5 composites had good photocatalytic activity toward TCH and maintained good photodegradation activity after five cycles.
Chiral covalent triazine framework CC-DMP CCTF@SiO2 core–shell microspheres used for HPLC enantioseparation
Authors: Zhu Yu-Lan , Guo Ping , Yang Yu-Ping , Ran Xiao-Yan , Liu Cheng , Wang Bang-Jin , Zhang Jun-Hui , Xie Sheng-Ming , Yuan Li-Ming
Published: February 2023

CC-DMP CCTF@SiO2 core–shell composite microspheres for chiral separation.
Site-specific covalent metalation of DNA oligonucleotides with phosphorescent platinum(ii) complexes
Authors: Boisten Felix , Maisuls Iván , Schäfer Tim , Strassert Cristian A. , Müller Jens
Published: February 2023

Phosphorescent platinum(ii) complexes were introduced site-specifically into DNA oligonucleotides. The resulting bioconjugates may be applied as bio-compatible oxygen sensors.
On the instability of iodides of heavy main group atoms in their higher oxidation state
Authors: Parambil Priyakumari Chakkingal , Perumal Sathya S R R
Published: February 2023

The instability of iodides of heavy main group elements in their higher oxidation state is explained within the framework of molecular orbital theory and supported by quantum chemical calculations.
Cross-linking mass spectrometry for mapping protein complex topologies in situ
Authors: Lee Kitaik , O'Reilly Francis J.
Published: February 2023

Cross-linking mass spectrometry has become an established technology to provide structural information on the topology and dynamics of protein complexes. Readily accessible workflows can provide detailed data on simplified systems, such as purified complexes. However, using this technology to study the structure of protein complexes in situ, such as in organelles, cells, and even tissues, is still a technological frontier. The complexity of these systems remains a considerable challenge, but there have been dramatic improvements in sample handling, data acquisition, and data processing. Here, we summarise these developments and describe the paths towards comprehensive and comparative structural interactomes by cross-linking mass spectrometry.
Room temperature bonding of Au assisted by self-assembled monolayer
Authors: Takeuchi Kai , Wang Junsha , Kim Beomjoon , Suga Tadatomo , Higurashi Eiji
Published: February 2023

The surface activated bonding (SAB) technique enables room temperature bonding of metals, such as Au, by forming metal bonds between clean and reactive surfaces. However, the re-adsorption on the activated surface deteriorates the bonding quality, which limits the applicability of SAB for actual packaging processes of electronics. In this study, we propose and demonstrate the prolongation of the surface activation effect for room temperature bonding of Au by utilizing a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) protection. While the bonding without SAM fails after exposure of the activated Au surface to ambient air, the room temperature bonding is achieved using SAM protection even after 100 h exposure. The surface analysis reveals that the clean and activated Au surface is protected from re-adsorption by SAM. This technique will provide an approach of time-independent bonding of Au at room temperature.
High-density liquid (HDL) adsorption at the supercooled water/vapor interface and its possible relation to the second surface tension inflection point
Authors: Gorfer Alexander , Dellago Christoph , Sega Marcello
Published: February 2023

We investigate the properties of water along the liquid/vapor coexistence line in the supercooled regime down to the no-man’s land. Extensive molecular dynamics simulations of the TIP4P/2005 liquid/vapor interface in the range 198–348 K allow us to locate the second surface tension inflection point with a high accuracy at 283 ± 5 K, close to the temperature of maximum density. This temperature also coincides with the appearance of a density anomaly at the interface known as the apophysis. We relate the emergence of the apophysis to the observation of high-density liquid (HDL) water adsorption in the proximity of the liquid/vapor interface.
Development of a piezoelectric actuator based on stick–slip principle inspired by the predation of snake
Authors: Wang Liang , Wang Heran , Zhang Yaxun , Qiu Zhanbao , Cheng Tinghai
Published: February 2023

A new piezoelectric actuator based on the stick–slip working principle inspired by the predation of the snake is proposed and developed in this work. A lead zirconate titanate (PZT) stack is used and inserted into the stator with an asymmetric configuration. Then, the elongation of the PZT stack can be transmitted into the vertical and horizontal displacements on the driving foot. They are used to press and drive the slider, respectively. In this design, the motion of the actuator imitates the predation process of the snake. The principle of the proposed actuator is clarified in detail. The statics characteristics are conducted by using the FEM method. The dynamics model of the actuator was established to show the motion behavior of the slider in theory. Finally, the output characteristics of the developed piezoelectric actuator are tested. The results stated that this actuator obtained the maximum output speed of 11.44 mm/s under a voltage of 100 V and a frequency of 600 Hz. The output force of the developed actuator was 2.8N under the preload force of 3N. In conclusion, the feasibility of the proposed piezoelectric stick–slip type actuator inspired by the predation of the snake is verified.
Seed germination of
Authors: Freire Rodrigo M. , Klekailo Graciela N. , Asmus Jorgelina P. , Tessore Ángeles , Cococcioni Andrés , Albute Verónica , Barberis Ignacio M.
Published: February 2023

Context Some plant species show within-generational and trans-generational phenotypic plasticity associated with the light environment for germination traits. In bromeliads, light affects the seed germination of several species, but there is no study analysing the effects of the light environment where the mother plant lived on seed germination. Bromelia serra inhabits the understorey of xerophytic forests, where individuals could be conditioned by the heterogeneous light environment because its cover and abundance are negatively associated with tree basal area and woody vegetation cover. Aims To analyse the effect of the light environment on seed germination of B. serra, considering also the light environment where the mother plant lived. Methods In four patches from three different sites in a stand of a Schinopsis balansae forest, 48 fruiting plants of B. serra were harvested. Canopy openness was obtained from a hemispherical photograph taken above each plant. From each infructescence, half of the seeds from five fruit were kept in light conditions and the remaining seeds in dark conditions in a germination room. Key results There was no effect of the light environment where mother plants lived on seed germination, but the light environment in the germination room positively affected germination variables. Conclusions The positive effect of light on seed germination of B. serra might explain the spatial distribution of individual plants in these xerophytic forests. Implications These results have enhanced our understanding of the regeneration and distribution of understorey herbaceous species in these South American forests.
How agricultural practices affect the risk of human contamination by infectious pathogens: the need for a ‘One Health’ perspective
Authors: Ratnadass Alain , Sarter Samira
Published: February 2023

We conducted a comprehensive literature review with a global geographic scope, of interactions between agricultural crop production practices (excluding crop protection practices) and biological human health hazards. The majority of relevant references dealt with bacterial contaminations and infections, largely due to the important public health issue of antibiotic resistance. Indicator coliforms were particularly significant (only a minority mentioned harmful
Escherichia coli
strains), followed by species belonging to
Salmonella
,
Campylobacter
,
Clostridia
,
Pseudomonas
, and
Listeria
genera. Protozoan
Cryptosporidium
spp. and
Giardia
spp., and helminthic
Ascaris
spp. and
Trichuris
spp. dominated the references to parasites. Enteric viruses largely dominated the references to viruses (particularly noroviruses and rotaviruses). Very few references mentioned human fungal pathogens. Fresh vegetables were the most commonly mentioned crops, particularly leafy greens and those eaten raw, due to the use of wastewater for irrigation, and fertilization with livestock manure and human excreta/sewage sludge, potentially unsafe practices. While earlier literature reviews have shown that crop protection practices are central to the One Health concept, this review shows that other agricultural practices can also contribute to human and environmental health
via
different pathways, including better soil health, water quality, better food safety, and human nutrition. Our review underlines that besides tradeoffs, synergies should be sought, between, on the one hand, saving/preserving freshwater and organic waste recycling (affecting environmental health and some aspects of human health), and health hazards associated with the use of potentially contaminated waste on the other (affecting other aspects of human health), from both agroecological and One Health perspectives.
Quasi-bound atoms in collective dynamics of liquid Sb
Authors: Bryk T , Ilenkov I-M , Seitsonen A P
Published: February 2023

We report an ab initio simulation and theoretical study of collective dynamics in liquid Sb at 973 K. An application of the GCM (generalized collective modes) theoretical approach to analysis of simulation-derived time correlation functions resulted in two types of propagating eigenmodes. We found that the almost flat dispersion of the high-frequency branch of propagating modes can be explained by out-of-phase oscillations of nearest neighbors which form quasi-bound atomic pairs for at least 30 ps. We discuss the features of collective dynamics in non-simple metallic melts containing quasi-bound pairs.
Effects of sericin and egg white on the inflammation of damaged skin in mice
Authors: He Mei-Ling , Dong Xuan , Zuo Ling-Li , Niu Ya-Yan , Wang Hai-Yan
Published: February 2023

Sericin and egg white (EW) have shown the ability to promote wound healing. However, there have been insufficient studies regarding the effects of sericin and EW mixtures on wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a hybrid sericin and EW solution on wound repair and inflammation-related indicators in mouse skin. In this work, sericin with a low molecular weight was first mixed with homogeneous EW to prepare a hybrid wound dressing. Histology evaluation, the expression of C-reactive protein (CRP) and inflammatory cytokines in mice were tested to determine the effects of this dressing on skin injuries in mice. The results showed that sericin and the hybrid solution of sericin and EW effectively promoted wound healing in mouse skin. The wound recovery rates of mice 12 days after treatment with a medium dose of sericin (0.2 g ml−1) and the same dosage of sericin with added EW were 1.32 and 1.65 times that of mice treated with phosphate buffer saline as a control, respectively. In addition, the mixture solution was more effective in wound healing than sericin alone. Sericin with EW significantly reduced the expression of CRP and inflammatory cytokines in mice during wound healing. A sericin and EW hybrid solution can effectively shorten the time needed for wound healing and reduce inflammation-related indicators in mice, making it a promising candidate for wound dressing.
Deciphering the roles of cell shape and Fat and Dachsous planar polarity in arranging the Drosophila apical microtubule network through quantitative image analysis
Authors: Ramírez-Moreno Miguel , Hunton Robert , Strutt David , Bulgakova Natalia A.
Published: February 2023

Planar polarized subapical microtubule networks help generate and maintain cell polarity. Their organization is thought to be directed by either cell shape or upstream planar polarity cues. It is shown that network organization in the Drosophila pupal wing is directly driven by cell shape and not activity of the Fat-Dachsous planar polarity pathway.
To be and not to be: wide-field Ca2+ imaging reveals neocortical functional segmentation combines stability and flexibility
Authors: Nietz Angela K , Streng Martha L , Popa Laurentiu S , Carter Russell E , Flaherty Evelyn B , Aronson Justin D , Ebner Timothy J
Published: February 2023

The stability and flexibility of the functional parcellation of the cerebral cortex is fundamental to how familiar and novel information is both represented and stored. We leveraged new advances in Ca2+ sensors and microscopy to understand the dynamics of functional segmentation in the dorsal cerebral cortex. We performed wide-field Ca2+ imaging in head-fixed mice and used spatial independent component analysis (ICA) to identify independent spatial sources of Ca2+ fluorescence. The imaging data were evaluated over multiple timescales and discrete behaviors including resting, walking, and grooming. When evaluated over the entire dataset, a set of template independent components (ICs) were identified that were common across behaviors. Template ICs were present across a range of timescales, from days to 30 seconds, although with lower occurrence probability at shorter timescales, highlighting the stability of the functional segmentation. Importantly, unique ICs emerged at the shorter duration timescales that could act to transiently refine the cortical network. When data were evaluated by behavior, both common and behavior-specific ICs emerged. Each behavior is composed of unique combinations of common and behavior-specific ICs. These observations suggest that cerebral cortical functional segmentation exhibits considerable spatial stability over time and behaviors while retaining the flexibility for task-dependent reorganization.
Income-Based Affirmative Action in College Admissions
Authors: Brotherhood Luiz , Herskovic Bernard , Ramos João
Published: February 2023

We study whether college admissions should implement quotas for lower-income applicants. We develop an overlapping-generation model and calibrate it to data from Brazil, where such a policy is widely implemented. In our model, parents choose how much to invest in their child’s education, thereby increasing both human capital and likelihood of college admission. We find that, in the long run, the optimal income-based affirmative action increases welfare and aggregate output. It improves the pool of admitted students, but distorts pre-college educational investments. The welfare-maximising policy benefits lower- to middle-income applicants with income-based quotas, while higher-income applicants face fiercer competition in college admissions. The optimal policy reduces intergenerational persistence of earnings by 5.7% and makes nearly 80% of households better off.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with heart disease: the Madras Medical College Pregnancy And Cardiac (M-PAC) Registry from India
Authors: Justin Paul Gnanaraj , Anne Princy Steaphen , Anju Surendran , Anita Susikar , Cecily Mary Majella , Gnanavelu Ganesan , Kanmani Kandasamy , Meena Mahalingam , Nandakumaran Mohanan , Ramya Swaminathan , Ravishankar Govindarajulu , Shaanthi Gunasingh , Shoba Somasundaram , Sangareddi Venkatesan , Vijaya Subramanian ,   the M-PAC investigators, Gomathy  , Geetha  , Rani Usha , Selvi N Tamil , Sarala  , Selvi B Tamil , Elizabeth Prema , Nalina  , Priyadarsene  , Kasthuri  , Sadhana  , Sindhumathy  , Sudarshini  , Nazreeen  , Devika  , Sivakumar Shoba , Umarani C , Priya R , Kaleeswari  , Suganya  , Shunmugam Ravi Marimuthu , Ganapathy Palaniswamy , Chandran Moorthy , Nagarajan Swaminathan , Ganesan Manohar , Angappamudali Arumugam Moongilpatti , Jeyabalan Nambirajan , Palani Balaji Pandian , Saravanababu  , Srinivasan Kumaran , Elangovan Elavarasi Manimegalai , Mohandoss Nageswaran Piskala , Chandrasekaran Elangovan , Duraipandian Rajasekar Ramesh , Gorijavaram Pratap Kumar , Kunjjitham Tamilselvan , Ravindran  , Dharmarajan  , Kaliyamurthy Thiagarajan , Sreeram Jeyalaxmi , Seeralan Arasar , Mangalabharathi  , Mariappan Baliah , Manimaran Chandrika , kumar Ebenezer Joel
Published: February 2023

Aims

To evaluate the feto-maternal outcome, identify the adverse outcome predictors and test the applicability of modified WHO (mWHO) classification in pregnant women with heart disease (PWWHD) from Tamil Nadu, India.

Methods and results

One thousand and five pregnant women (mean age: 26.04 ± 4.2) with 1029 consecutive pregnancies were prospectively enrolled from July 2016 to December 2019 in the Madras medical college pregnancy and cardiac (M-PAC) registry. Majority (60.5%; 623/1029) had heart disease (HD) diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. Rheumatic HD (42%; 433/1029) was most common. One third (34.2%; 352/1029) had pulmonary hypertension (PH). Maternal mortality and composite maternal cardiac events (MCEs) were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes were foetal loss and composite adverse foetal events (AFEs). MCEs occurred in 15.2% (156/1029; 95% CI: 13.0–17.5) pregnancies. Heart failure was the most common MCE (66.0%; 103/156; 95% CI: 58.0–73.4). Maternal mortality was 1.9% (20/1029; 95% CI: 1.1–2.8), with highest rates in patients with prosthetic heart valves (PHVs) (8.6%; 6/70). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), PHVs, severe mitral stenosis, PH and current pregnancy diagnosis of HD were independent predictors of MCE. The c-statistic of mWHO classification for predicting MCE and maternal death were 0.794 (95% CI: 0.763–0.826) and 0.796 (95% CI: 0.732–0.860). 91.2% (938/1029; 95% CI: 89.392.8) of pregnancies resulted in live births. 33.7% (347/1029; 95% CI: 30.8–36.7) of pregnancies reported AFEs.

Conclusion

Maternal mortality is high in PWWHD from India. Highest death rates occurred in women with PHVs, PH and LVSD. The mWHO classification for risk stratification may require further adaptation and validation in India.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is linked to cardiomyocyte architecture disruption and corrected by improving NADH-driven mitochondrial respiration
Authors: Nollet Edgar E , Duursma Inez , Rozenbaum Anastasiya , Eggelbusch Moritz , Wüst Rob C I , Schoonvelde Stephan A C , Michels Michelle , Jansen Mark , van der Wel Nicole N , Bedi Kenneth C , Margulies Kenneth B , Nirschl Jeff , Kuster Diederik W D , van der Velden Jolanda
Published: February 2023

Aims

Genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is caused by mutations in sarcomere protein-encoding genes (i.e. genotype-positive HCM). In an increasing number of patients, HCM occurs in the absence of a mutation (i.e. genotype-negative HCM). Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to be a key driver of pathological remodelling in HCM. Reports of mitochondrial respiratory function and specific disease-modifying treatment options in patients with HCM are scarce.

Methods and results

Respirometry was performed on septal myectomy tissue from patients with HCM (n = 59) to evaluate oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation. Mitochondrial dysfunction was most notably reflected by impaired NADH-linked respiration. In genotype-negative patients, but not genotype-positive patients, NADH-linked respiration was markedly depressed in patients with an indexed septal thickness ≥10 compared with <10. Mitochondrial dysfunction was not explained by reduced abundance or fragmentation of mitochondria, as evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. Rather, improper organization of mitochondria relative to myofibrils (expressed as a percentage of disorganized mitochondria) was strongly associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Pre-incubation with the cardiolipin-stabilizing drug elamipretide and raising mitochondrial NAD+ levels both boosted NADH-linked respiration.

Conclusion

Mitochondrial dysfunction is explained by cardiomyocyte architecture disruption and is linked to septal hypertrophy in genotype-negative HCM. Despite severe myocardial remodelling mitochondria were responsive to treatments aimed at restoring respiratory function, eliciting the mitochondria as a drug target to prevent and ameliorate cardiac disease in HCM. Mitochondria-targeting therapy may particularly benefit genotype-negative patients with HCM, given the tight link between mitochondrial impairment and septal thickening in this subpopulation.
Epicardial vs. transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillators in children
Authors: Le Bos Pierre Antoine , Pontailler Margaux , Maltret Alice , Kraiche Diala , Gaudin Regis , Barbanti Claudio , Marijon Eloi , Raisky Olivier , Bonnet Damien , Waldmann Victor
Published: February 2023

Aims

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has been increasingly used in children. Both epicardial and transvenous approaches are used, with controversy regarding the best option with no specific recommendations. We aimed to compare outcomes associated with epicardial vs. transvenous ICDs in children.

Methods and results

Data were analysed from a retrospective study including all patients <18-year-old implanted with an ICD in a tertiary centre from 2003 to 2021. Outcomes were compared between epicardial and transvenous ICDs. A total of 122 children with an ICD (mean age 11.5 ± 3.8 years, 57.4% males) were enrolled, with 84 (64.1%) epicardial ICDs and 38 (29.0%) transvenous ICDs. Early (<30 days) ICD-related complications were reported in 17 (20.2%) patients with an epicardial ICD vs. 0 (0.0%) with a transvenous ICD (P = 0.002). Over a mean follow-up of 4.8 ± 4.0 years, 25 (29.8%) patients with an epicardial ICD and 9 (23.7%) patients with a transvenous ICD experienced at least one late ICD-related complication [hazard ratio (HR) 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8–4.0]. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead dysfunction occurred in 19 (22.6%) patients with an epicardial ICD vs. 3 (7.9%) with a transvenous ICD (HR 5.7, 95% CI 1.3–24.5) and was associated with a higher incidence of ICD-related reintervention (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3–7.0). After considering potential confounders, especially age and weight at implantation, this association was no longer significant (P = 0.112). The freedom from ICD lead dysfunction was greater in patients with pleural coils than in those with epicardial coils (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.15–0.96).

Conclusion

In children, after a consideration of patient characteristics at implantation, the burden of complications and ICD lead dysfunction appears to be similar in patients with epicardial and transvenous devices. Pleural coils seem to be associated with better outcomes than epicardial coils in this population.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT05349162.
Evaluating DNA cross-contamination risk using different tissue sampling procedures on board fishing and research vessels
Authors: Anderson Giulia , Macdonald Jed I , Potts Joanne , Feutry Pierre , Grewe Peter M , Boutigny Marion , Davies Campbell R , Muir Jeff A , Roupsard Francois , Sanchez Caroline , Nicol Simon J
Published: February 2023

Sample cross-contamination remains a pervasive issue in genetics and genomics. With growing reliance on molecular methods for managing marine resources, the need to ensure the integrity of tissue samples that underpin these methods has never been more pressing. We conducted an experiment on wild-caught bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) to assess cross-contamination risk under seven at-sea and laboratory-based tissue sampling treatments. The six at-sea treatments (T1–T6) differ in sampling equipment, cleaning, and storage procedures. Combining observed heterozygosity (Ho) and relatedness coefficients (r) to flag cross-contamination, treatments T2–T6 proved effective at mitigating contamination risk. Each exhibited significantly smaller mean Ho and less Ho variability compared with intentionally contaminated samples in the T1 treatment. In T2-T6, no samples flagged as contaminated based on Ho outlier thresholds and elevated r were traced to the point of sampling at sea. Laboratory-based subsampling of T1 tissue (T7) also led to significantly smaller, less variable Ho values compared to T1, suggesting that recovery of samples contaminated onboard, or those of unknown provenance, is possible. We show that simple adjustments to current tissue sampling protocols dramatically reduce cross-contamination risk for downstream genetic analyses on tunas and potentially on other species and fisheries.
Effects of maternal methionine supplementation on the response of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks to heat stress
Authors: Santana Thaís Pacheco , Gasparino Eliane , de Souza Khatlab Angélica , Pereira Angela Maria Favaro Elias , Barbosa Leandro Teixeira , Fernandes Roberta Pereira Miranda , Lamont Susan J , Del Vesco Ana Paula
Published: February 2023

This study investigated the hypothesis that methionine supplementation of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) hens can reduce the effects of oxidative stress and improve the performance of the offspring exposed to heat stress during growth. For that, the quail hens were fed with three diets related to the methionine supplementation: methionine-deficient diet (Md); diet supplemented with the recommended methionine level (Met1); and diet supplemented with methionine above the recommended level (Met2). Their chicks were identified, weighed, and housed according to the maternal diet group from 1 to 14 d of age. On 15 d of age, chicks were weighed and divided into two groups: thermoneutral ambient (constant temperature of 23 °C) and intermittent heat stress ambient (daily exposure to 34 °C for 6 h). Methionine-supplemented (Met1 and Met2) hens had higher egg production, better feed conversion ratio, higher hatchability of total and fertile eggs, and offspring with higher body weight. Supplemented (Met1 and Met2) hens showed greater expression of glutathione synthase (GSS) and methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) genes, greater total antioxidant capacity, and lower lipid peroxidation in the liver. The offspring of hens fed the Met2 diet had lower death rate (1 to 14 d), higher weight on 15 d of age, weight gain, and better feed conversion ratio from 1 to 14 d of age. Among chicks reared under heat stress, the progeny of methionine-supplemented hens had higher weight on 35 d, weight gain, expression of GSS, MSRA, and thermal shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes, and total antioxidant capacity in the liver, as well as lower heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. Positive correlations between expression of glutathione peroxidase 7 (GPX7) and MSRA genes in hens and offspring were observed. Our results show that maternal methionine supplementation contributes to offspring development and performance in early stages and that, under conditions of heat stress during growth, chicks from methionine-supplemented hens respond better to hot environmental conditions than chicks from nonsupplemented hens. Supplementation of quail hens diets with methionine promoted activation of different metabolic pathways in offspring subjected to stress conditions.