bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure
Authors: Lasnik Howard , Uriagereka Juan
Published: December 2022

Natural phenomena, including human language, are not just series of events but are organized quasi-periodically; sentences have structure, and that structure matters.

Howard Lasnik and Juan Uriagereka “were there” when generative grammar was being developed into the Minimalist Program. In this presentation of the universal aspects of human language as a cognitive phenomenon, they rationally reconstruct syntactic structure. In the process, they touch upon structure dependency and its consequences for learnability, nuanced arguments (including global ones) for structure presupposed in standard linguistic analyses, and a formalism to capture long-range correlations. For practitioners, the authors assess whether “all we need is Merge,” while for outsiders, they summarize what needs to be covered when attempting to have structure “emerge.”

Reconstructing the essential history of what is at stake when arguing for sentence scaffolding, the authors cover a range of larger issues, from the traditional computational notion of structure (the strong generative capacity of a system) and how far down into words it reaches to whether its variants, as evident across the world's languages, can arise from non-generative systems. While their perspective stems from Noam Chomsky's work, it does so critically, separating rhetoric from results. They consider what they do to be empirical, with the formalism being only a tool to guide their research (of course, they want sharp tools that can be falsified and have predictive power). Reaching out to skeptics, they invite potential collaborations that could arise from mutual examination of one another's work, as they attempt to establish a dialogue beyond generative grammar.
Universal Access and Its Asymmetries
Authors: Sawhney Harmeet , Ekbia Hamid R.
Published: December 2022

A framework for understanding the totality of costs and benefits of universal access that will foster honest appraisal and guide the development of good policies.

Universal access—the idea that certain technologies and services should be extended to all regardless of geography or ability to pay—evokes ideals of democracy and equality that must be reconciled with the realities on the ground. The COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness of the need for access to high-speed internet service in the United States, but this is just the latest in a long history of debates about what should be made available and to whom. Rural mail delivery, electrification, telephone service, public schooling, and library access each raised the same questions as today's debates about health care and broadband. What types of services should be universally available? Who benefits from extending these services? And who bears the cost?

Stepping beyond humanitarian arguments to conduct a clear-eyed, diagnostic analysis, this book offers some surprising conclusions. While the conventional approach to universal access looks primarily at the costs to the system and the benefits to individuals, Harmeet Sawhney and Hamid Ekbia provide a holistic perspective that also accounts for costs to individuals and benefits for systems. With a comparative approach across multiple cases, Universal Access and Its Asymmetries is an essential exploration of the history, costs, and benefits of providing universal access to technologies and services. With a fresh perspective, it overturns common assumptions and offers a foundation for making decisions about how to extend service—and how to pay for it.
Cell cycle-specific loading of condensin I is regulated by the N-terminal tail of its kleisin subunit
Authors: Tane Shoji , Shintomi Keishi , Kinoshita Kazuhisa , Tsubota Yuko , Yoshida Makoto M , Nishiyama Tomoko , Hirano Tatsuya
Published: December 2022

Condensin I is a pentameric protein complex that plays an essential role in mitotic chromosome assembly in eukaryotic cells. Although it has been shown that condensin I loading is mitosis specific, it remains poorly understood how the robust cell cycle regulation of condensin I is achieved. Here, we set up a panel of in vitro assays to demonstrate that cell cycle-specific loading of condensin I is regulated by the N-terminal tail (N-tail) of its kleisin subunit CAP-H. Deletion of the N-tail accelerates condensin I loading and chromosome assembly in Xenopus egg mitotic extracts. Phosphorylation-deficient and phosphorylation-mimetic mutations in the CAP-H N-tail decelerate and accelerate condensin I loading, respectively. Remarkably, deletion of the N-tail enables condensin I to assemble mitotic chromosome-like structures even in interphase extracts. Together with other extract-free functional assays in vitro, our results uncover one of the multilayered mechanisms that ensure cell cycle-specific loading of condensin I onto chromosomes.
Predicting RNA secondary structure by a neural network: what features may be learned?
Authors: Grigorashvili Elizaveta I. , Chervontseva Zoe S. , Gelfand Mikhail S.
Published: December 2022

Deep learning is a class of machine learning techniques capable of creating internal representation of data without explicit preprogramming. Hence, in addition to practical applications, it is of interest to analyze what features of biological data may be learned by such models. Here, we describe PredPair, a deep learning neural network trained to predict base pairs in RNA structure from sequence alone, without any incorporated prior knowledge, such as the stacking energies or possible spatial structures. PredPair learned the Watson-Crick and wobble base-pairing rules and created an internal representation of the stacking energies and helices. Application to independent experimental (DMS-Seq) data on nucleotide accessibility in mRNA showed that the nucleotides predicted as paired indeed tend to be involved in the RNA structure. The performance of the constructed model was comparable with the state-of-the-art method based on the thermodynamic approach, but with a higher false positives rate. On the other hand, it successfully predicted pseudoknots. t-SNE clusters of embeddings of RNA sequences created by PredPair tend to contain embeddings from particular Rfam families, supporting the predictions of PredPair being in line with biological classification.
Stigmatization towards healthcare personnel during the first COVID-19 wave in Central and Northern Mexico
Authors: Cruz-Torres Christian Enrique , Martín del Campo-Ríos Jaime
Published: December 2022

The evidence all over the world shows an alarming increase in the stigmatization of health personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to explore possible psychological factors that help explain the disposition to stigmatize health personnel in the central and northern regions of Mexico. Two studies explore possible psychological factors to explain the disposition to stigmatize healthcare personnel (HP) in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic. In study one, 520 participants responded to three instruments that measure the disposition to stigmatize, the perceived contagion risk, and the positive beliefs towards HP. Results showed a generalized low disposition to stigmatization, where only a small percentage obtained high scores. A regression analysis identified that stigmatization towards HP can derive mainly from the perception of risk of contagion, although positive beliefs of HP decrease this disposition. The second study extends this finding by analyzing responses of 286 participants to seven instruments measuring factors hypothesized as predictors towards stigmatization: uncertainty generated by the pandemic, selfish strategies to face off the pandemic, social capital, trust in institutions, perceived vulnerability of contagion, perceived risk of contagion, and positive beliefs towards HP. A path analysis reveals that the main predictor of stigmatization is the perceived risk of contagion, increased by the strategy of selfishness, and the uncertainty generated by the pandemic. These results are discussed emphasizing the importance of cooperation and community ties to prevent the stigmatization of HP in the context of sanitary emergencies generated by contagious diseases.
Effectiveness of Cognitive Analytic Therapy in Managing Adolescents with Somatic Symptom Disorder in Delta State
Authors: Faith Imafidon Iniabasi
Published: December 2022

This study investigated the effectiveness of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) in managing adolescents in secondary schools with somatic symptom disorder in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State. Three research questions were raised to guide the study and three corresponding hypotheses were formulated, which were all tested at 0.05 level of significance. The pre-test, post-test, control group, and experimental design were adopted for the study. The population of the study is three thousand, five hundred and sixty-one (3,561) students, which comprised all Senior Secondary Class Two (SS2) students from the twenty public secondary schools in Ika North East Local Government Area. A sample size of forty-six (46) students, made up of twenty (20) males and twenty-six (26) females reporting somatic symptom disorder were selected from two schools using the multi-stage random sampling technique. The research instrument titled “Adolescents Somatic Symptom Scale” (ASSS) was adapted and modified for use by the researcher. Three test experts of measurement and evaluation revalidated this instrument. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha reliability method to test the consistency of the test items and a reliability coefficient of 0.70 was obtained. The instrument was administered to the students as a pre-test and forty-six (46) students who evidenced somatic disorder in the two schools were randomly assigned for treatment to experimental group A (Cognitive Analytic Therapy), and B (Control Group). The data collected were analyzed, using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of paired and independent sample t-test. The findings of the study revealed that, there is a significant difference in the pre-test and post-test of somatic symptoms disorder mean scores of in-school adolescents exposed to CAT and also, there is no significant interaction effect on treatment by sex. Based on the findings, the study recommends among others, that counselling psychologists should embrace Cognitive Analytic Therapy as an effective counselling therapy for adolescents irrespective of gender.
Potential of Grain Physical Traits to the Study of Variability in Maize
Authors: Almeida Rafael Nunes de , Castro André Soares de
Published: December 2022

Aims: The identification of new traits that can be used as phenotypic markers as well as potential indirect selection tools is interesting for plant breeding. The objective of the study was to investigate the potential use of physical traits of grains to study phenotypic variability in maize.

Methodology: Ten maize varieties were evaluated, one commercial variety and nine local open-pollinated varieties. After harvesting, the following traits were evaluated: mass of 1000 grains, weight of ears, grain yield per hectare, estimated from plot production; real volume and apparent volume; real density and apparent density; sphericity and volumetric weight; obtained in samples of 50 grains of each of the studied varieties. A principal component analysis was performed on the data. First, those traits that showed a strong correlation with components capable of explaining a smaller portion of the total variation were excluded from the analysis. A new principal component analysis was performed with the remaining traits.

Results: The result revealed the possibility of excluding five of the ten analyzed variables: mass of 1000 grains, weight of ears, apparent volume, real density, and volumetric weight. Some possibilities of trait exclusion can be explained by correlation and method of estimate among them. The genotypes G2 and G3 showed great difference, mainly due the grain yield. The porosity and real volume contributed to the majority variation among genotypes.

Conclusion: Some physical grain traits showed potential for use in divergence studies. Apparent density can be used in indirect selection strategies for higher grain yield.
Association Between Clinic-Reported Third Next Available Appointment and Patient-Reported Access to Primary Care
Authors: Shah Nishwa , Latifovic Lidija , Meaney Christopher , Moineddin Rahim , Derocher Mary Beth , Alhaj Mohammad , Kiran Tara
Published: December 2022

This cross-sectional study examines the association of the third next available appointment with patient-reported measures of access in primary care settings.
The Epitope Basis of Embryonic Stem Cell‐Induced Antitumor Immunity against Bladder Cancer
Authors: Jin Meiling , Hu Jingchu , Tong Lili , Zhang Bao‐Zhong , Huang Jian‐Dong
Published: December 2022

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) share many cellular and molecular features with cancer cells. Taking advantage of these similarities, stem cells are effective vaccines against cancers in animal models. However, the molecular basis is not well understood, which hinders the development of effective cancer vaccines. Here, prophylactic and therapeutic bladder cancer vaccines composed of allogeneic ESCs and CpG with or without granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor are tested. The ESC‐based cancer vaccines are able to induce specific antitumor immunity including stimulating cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and memory CD4+ T cells, reducing myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, and preventing bladder cancer growth in mouse models. Furthermore, several genes that are overexpressed in both ESCs and tumors are identified. An epitope‐based vaccine designed with shared overexpressed proteins induces specific antitumor immunity and reduces bladder cancer growth. Functional epitopes underlying the action of stem cell‐based vaccines against bladder cancer are identified and it is confirmed that ESC‐based anticancer vaccines have great potential. A systematic approach is provided here to developing novel effective epitope‐based cancer vaccines in the future.
Direct Conversion of Liquid Organic Precursor into 3D Laser‐Induced Graphene Materials
Authors: Yu Wenjie , Zhao Weiwei , Wang Shuaipeng , Chen Qing , Liu Xiaoqing
Published: December 2022

Among the different states of matter, liquids have particular advantages in terms of easy handling and recycling, which has been manifested in various chemosynthetic reactions, but remains underexplored in graphene synthesis. This work reports the direct conversion of liquid organic precursor into versatile 3D graphene materials using rapid laser irradiation. The liquid precursor allows for easy fabrication of graphene with significant 3D architectures, including powders, patterned composite structures, and substrate‐free films. Taking advantage of the high compatibility of liquid precursor with a wide range of dopants, the 3D graphene can be further engineered together with various functional components, especially the high loading (≈15 wt.%) and well‐dispersed (an average diameter of less than 50 nm) high‐entropy alloy nanoparticles. Furthermore, combined with the 3D printing strategy, the rapid construction of graphene with complex and accurate 3D shapes is demonstrated via a selective in situ laser transforming (SLT) strategy. With the high structural integrity unachievable by traditional 3D printing methods, the obtained objects show an electrical conductivity of 4380 S m−1 and a compressive modulus of 31.8 MPa. The results reported in this work will open up a new way for the fabrication of functional carbon materials with customizable shapes and components.
A Sunflower‐Inspired Sun‐Tracking System Directed by an Ionic Liquid Photodetector
Authors: Gao Naiwei , Wu Xun , Ma Yingchao , Li Xinlei , Jia Jichen , Wang Yapei
Published: December 2022

Sunflower‐inspired sun‐tracking systems have been arousing intensive investigations owing to their benefits to improve the efficiency of solar energy collection. Photodetector based on photosensitive semiconductors is a mainstream choice in the sun‐tracking system, which directs solar collectors always facing the sun. However, photosensitive semiconductors to date have usually hidden the disadvantages of environmental pollution after disposal. As for these problems, this work develops a green ionic liquid‐based photodetector, which displays reliable electrical feedback in response to sunlight. This liquid sunlight detector can be readily recycled with less laborious and costly operations. It obeys a light sensing mechanism of photothermal conversion, so it does not involve the problems related to dark current and light saturation. As a practical demonstration, the ionic liquid‐based photodetector is assembled into a sun‐tracking system, which successfully pursues the moving sun in a real time. When such a sun‐tracking system is in tandem with optical fiber concentrator, sunlight can be efficiently collected and transported to desired position.
Antisolvent Choice Determines the Domain Distribution of Quasi‐2D Perovskite for Blue‐Emitting Perovskites‐Based Light Emitting Devices
Authors: Yantara Natalia , Kanwat Anil , Furuhashi Tomoki , Chua Huei Min , Sum Tze Chien , Mathews Nripan
Published: December 2022

Antisolvent treatment is paramount in the fabrication of high‐efficiency perovskite optoelectronic devices as it affords a high crystallization rate critical for the formation of pin holes‐free perovskite films. Although the antisolvent choice determines the domain distribution of quasi‐2D perovskite, and hence the emission wavelength (blue vs green), as well as its light emission efficiency, few studies have examined it in detail. Herein, the crystallization dynamics and resulting optoelectronic properties of PBA (phenyl‐butyl‐ammonium)‐based quasi‐2D perovskites (A′2Am‐1PbmX3m+1), which are commonly employed to create blue emissive films, are scrutinized for the first time through in situ photoluminescence measurements during film formation. The m domain distribution can be tailored by selecting antisolvents with various solubilities of PBA cation. Antisolvents with higher PBA solubility promote the formation of smaller bandgap films due to larger m domains and vice versa. This study effectively reveals a route to tailor quasi‐2D perovskite optoelectronic properties via antisolvent engineering. Fine‐tuning the optoelectronic properties can be done by blending two antisolvents with contrasting PBA cations solubility. By doing so, a blue emissive light emitting diode with emission wavelength ranging from 471 to 509 nm can be fabricated with an external quantum efficiency of 2.9% at 471 nm.
Semi‐crystalline/amorphous latex blends for coatings with improved mechanical performance
Authors: Perez Adrián , Kynaston Emily , Lindsay Christopher , Ballard Nicholas
Published: December 2022

Multiphase latex particles containing semi‐crystalline domains can be used to reinforce the mechanical properties of coatings made using emulsion polymers, but their synthesis can be challenging. In this work, we show that simple latex blends involving a semi‐crystalline phase can also lead to significantly improved mechanical performance. A series of amorphous and semi‐crystalline polymer latexes are synthesized and the mechanical properties of films cast from blends of the latexes are measured. By tailoring the particle size of the latexes, it is shown that blends can result in improved mechanical performance. This effect is related to the film microstructure, which is demonstrated through simulations of packed blends of latex particles that show the particle size and relative weight fraction govern the statistical probability of contact between amorphous and semi‐crystalline particles. By balancing the continuity of contact between semi‐crystalline latex particles, which leads to stiffer films, and the low Tg amorphous latex, which improves elongation at break, films can be obtained with simultaneously improved stiffness and toughness. The improvement in mechanical properties can also be seen in practical measures relevant to coatings, such as blocking resistance, where the latex blends showed substantial improvement compared to the amorphous latexes.
Perovskite‐Type Hybrid Ferroelectric Semiconductors: A Potential Photosensitive Candidate Family for New Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Li Wenjing , Ma Yu , Xu Haojie , Luo Junhua , Sun Zhihua
Published: December 2022

Ferroelectricity, characterized by the reversible switching of spontaneous polarization (Ps) under external electric field, exists in polar crystalline materials without a spatial‐inversion symmetry. On account of inherent Ps, ferroelectric materials show intriguing physical properties including piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, second‐order optical nonlinearity, and electro‐optic effect. Such functions of ferroelectric materials have been widely used for practical applications. Recently, hybrid perovskites are emerging as a promising ferroelectric family that enables the combination and/or coupling of ferroelectricity, photoexcitation, and semiconductor behaviors. Due to the polarization deterioration caused by leakage current of photoexcited carriers, however, it is still a challenge to accomplish practical applications of ferroelectric semiconductors in the photoelectric field. In this review, the recent progress of ferroelectric system of perovskite‐type hybrids with different dimensions is summarized. Primarily, a brief description of crystallographic symmetry breaking which is a fundamental criterion to creating ferroelectricity, is illuminated. The combination and/or coupling of photoelectric properties with ferroelectric Ps is then presented. Finally, the further development tendency and possible application outlooks of this ferroelectric material system are prospected.
Calibrated Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Time‐Domain Measurements of a 7 kWh Automotive Lithium‐Ion Battery Module with 396 Cylindrical Cells
Authors: Kasper Manuel , Moertelmaier Manuel , Ragulskis Mykolas , Al‐Zubaidi R‐Smith Nawfal , Angerer Johannes , Aufreiter Mathias , Romero Alberto , Krummacher Jakob , Xu Jianjun , Root David E. , Kienberger Ferry
Published: December 2022

A 7 kWh automotive battery module with 396 interconnected cells was tested with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and time‐domain pulsing over 260 charge‐discharge cycles. An EIS calibration workflow was developed for low complex impedance values in a frequency range of 1 kHz to 50 mHz. Significant corrections on the resistance and the reactance were obtained from the calibration, particularly at frequencies above 100 Hz. Equivalent circuit parameters were extracted from the EIS spectra and the pulse response and investigated with respect to the cycle number and state‐of‐charge (SoC). Fit parameters were robustly extracted includingRsol,Rct, andLfrom EIS, andR0,τ1andτ2from time‐domain pulsing. The ohmic resistance decreased over the cycling number indicating an enhanced wetting of the electrodes. Charge transfer resistanceRctshowed a monotonic increase over the cycles related to cell ageing. From the charge and discharge pulses, the ohmic resistanceR0was determined from the instantaneous voltage step of the recovery pulse, while the two time constantsτ1andτ2correspond to the slower exponential recovery phase.R0from the time‐domain showed a similar trend asRsolplus a contribution ofRctfrom EIS. Overall, we show that calibrated EIS and time‐domain pulsing are efficient methods to gain insights into the electrochemical processes related to different SoCs and the cycling ageing of battery modules and packs.
Pyrolysis of Schiff‐Base Manganese Clusters: Effect of Ligand Modulation on the Performance of Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Li Jianing , Zhao Kai , Li Tian , Shi Yuxin , Li Yuebin , Peng Xu
Published: December 2022

Ligand modulation on metal organic clusters endow them with different physical and chemical properties, while how ligand modulation further affects the electrochemical behavior of pyrolytic derivatives is still unclear. Herein, we constructed two trinuclear manganese clusters 1‐Mn3 [Mn3L12(Cl)2] [L1=N1,N3‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene) diethylenetriamine] and 2‐Mn3 [Mn3L22(C7H4O2)2] [L2=N1,N3‐bis(3‐salicylidene) diethylenetriamine] based on nitrogen‐rich Schiff‐base pentadentate ligands. The introduction of TG‐MS (thermogravimetry associated with mass spectroscopy) explores the difference and universality of the pyrolysis mechanism of two trinuclear manganese clusters, and divides the pyrolysis process into three Areas (Area I/II/III) according to temperature. Combined with other characterization techniques, the materials in these three areas were analyzed to explain the effect of ligand modification on the electrochemical properties of cluster pyrolysis derivatives. It is found that the Area III derivatives have the best capacitance performance, when the current density is 1 A g−1, the specific capacitance of 1‐900 is 1717 F g−1, and 2‐900 is 350 F g−1. By comparison of the phase evolution process and electrochemical performance of the two manganese clusters, it is proposed that the crumbling of the molecular structure and stacking mode of trinuclear manganese clusters during pyrolysis will affect the capacitive properties of the derivatives. This work provides a guidance for the differences of the properties of pyrolytic derivatives under ligand modulation.
Experiences of ageing in place in Australia and New Zealand: A scoping review
Authors: Rose Katie , Kozlowski Desirée , Horstmanshof Louise
Published: December 2022

This review aimed to inform a deeper understanding of the varied experiences of ageing in place for older adults in Australia and New Zealand. Ageing in place involves older adults remaining in their own home or community as they age rather than moving into residential care. Our focus was on how ageing in place relates to older adults' mental health, life satisfaction, wellbeing, and overall ability to adapt well to ageing. This paper followed PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Of the initial 210 papers identified, 20 met inclusion criteria and were retained. Four key themes related to experiences of ageing in place and the skills and strategies utilised to age in place were extracted from these studies. Themes encompassed older adults' individual characteristics and strategies, their connections to community, their home environment, and the appropriateness of support and services. We conclude that ageing in place should not be considered a “one size fits all” approach to ageing. Policymakers, researchers, and governments should acknowledge that older adults are a diverse group. Future ageing policy should strive to accommodate all older adults regardless of their circumstances or ageing preferences and researchers should include older adults from diverse populations and circumstances. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.
Working memory function in patients with major depression disorder: A narrative review
Authors: Chen Lijie , Wang Qi , Xu Tianchao
Published: December 2022

Working memory (WM) deficits are recognized as serious cognitive impairment in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This review aims to clarify the effects of impaired WM function in patients with MDD and explore non‐invasive and effective treatments that can be adopted in clinical practice. This review (1) synthesizes extant literature examining brain function and brain areas in terms of WM in individuals with depression, (2) utilizes the outcomes of the studies presented in this review to discuss the effects of impaired WM function on cognitive processing in individuals with depression, (3) integrates the treatments explored in current studies and (4) provides some suggestions for future research. We found that (1) central executive (CE) components affect the processing of WM, and this might be one of the factors influencing cognitive biases, as it is implicated in repetitive negative thinking and rumination; (2) the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the regions of the default mode network (DMN) play a vital role in CE functioning; and (3) psychotherapy, cognitive training, exercise and physical therapy can be used as complementary treatments for MDD.
Carry‐over effects of weather and decision‐making on nest success of a migratory shorebird
Authors: Clements Sarah J. , Loghry Jason P. , Ballard Bart M. , Weegman Mitch D.
Published: December 2022

Weather conditions experienced by birds can influence their migration decision‐making and strategy both within and across seasons. Additionally, decision‐making during migration may influence subsequent fitness (reproductive success and/or survival). Examining the effects of fine‐scale weather variables on individuals throughout the year could help identify stages of the annual cycle when species may be most affected by weather. In this study, we captured 24 black‐bellied plovers (gray plovers; Pluvialis squatarola) on nonbreeding areas along the western Gulf of Mexico coast and tracked their locations once every 2 h through their breeding season in the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic. We quantified migration strategies and weather conditions experienced by each individual throughout the nonbreeding, northward migration, and breeding seasons. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model which connected regressions linking weather with migration metrics, and migration metrics and breeding season weather with reproductive success. We found strong negative relationships between two migration metrics (migration duration and number of stopovers) and reproductive success, but no substantial relationships between breeding season weather variables and reproductive success. We found negative relationships between nonbreeding season temperature, migration temperature, and migration NDVI and both migration duration and number of stopovers, in addition to positive relationships between the number of stopovers and storms during migration, migration duration, and nonbreeding season precipitation. These results suggest that reproductive success is influenced by weather throughout the annual cycle and migration strategy is a key mechanism through which these effects operate. Our findings suggest that environmental factors throughout the year influence shorebird fitness, and, because black‐bellied plovers are often associated with mixed‐species flocks, many species likely experience similar constraints.
Host‐specific soil microbes contribute to habitat restriction of closely related oaks (Quercusspp.)
Authors: Wu Yingtong , Brown Alicia , Ricklefs Robert E.
Published: December 2022

Habitat divergence among close relatives is a common phenomenon. Studying the mechanisms behind habitat divergence is fundamental to understanding niche partitioning, species diversification, and other evolutionary processes. Recent studies found that soil microbes regulate the abundance and diversity of plant species. However, it remains unclear whether soil microbes can affect the habitat distributions of plants and drive habitat divergence. To fill in this knowledge gap, we investigated whether soil microbes might restrict habitat distributions of closely related oaks (Quercusspp.) in eastern North America. We performed a soil inoculum experiment using two pairs of sister species (i.e., the most closely related species) that show habitat divergence:Quercus alba(local species) vs.Q. michauxii(foreign), andQ. shumardii(local) vs.Q. acerifolia(foreign). To test whether host‐specific soil microbes are responsible for habitat restriction, we investigated the impact of local sister live soil (containing soil microbes associated with local sister species) on the survival and growth of local and foreign species. Second, to test whether habitat‐specific soil microbes are responsible for habitat restriction, we examined the effect of local habitat live soil (containing soil microbes within local sister's habitats, but not directly associated with local sister species) on the seedlings of local and foreign species. We found that local sister live soil decreased the survival and biomass of foreign species' seedlings while increasing those of local species, suggesting that host‐specific soil microbes could potentially mediate habitat exclusion. In contrast, local habitat live soil did not differentially affect the survival or biomass of the local vs. foreign species. Our study indicates that soil microbes associated with one sister species can suppress the recruitment of the other host species, contributing to the habitat partitioning of close relatives. Considering the complex interactions with soil microbes is essential for understanding the habitat distributions of closely related plants.
Physicochemical and control releasing properties of date pit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) phenolic compounds microencapsulated through fluidized‐bed method
Authors: Afshari Kasra , Javanmard Dakheli Majid , Ramezan Yousef , Bassiri Alireza , Ahmadi Chenarbon Hossein
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different ethanol/water solvents on phenolic compound extraction and microencapsulated extract of date pit powder. The highest and the lowest amounts of total phenolic compounds were 742.37 and 236.07 mg GAE/g dm, respectively, observed in water–ethanol composite solvent (25% W: 75% E) and water solvent (100% W). In this regard, the highest and lowest values of IC50 were 6.83 and 0.90 μg/ml, measured in water solvent (100% W) and water–ethanol solvent (25% W: 75% E), respectively. In the second phase, using maltodextrin (10%, 20%, and 30% W/V) as the first layer, date pit extract was microencapsulated. Alhagi maurorum gum (10%, 20%, and 30% W/V) as the second layer and medium‐chain triglycerides (MCT oil) (15% W/W) as the third layer were used by a fluidized‐bed drying technique. By increasing temperature, the microencapsulated extract powder solubility was increased as well. In contrast, the moisture content, bulk density, tapped density, and compressibility index decreased. By increasing temperature, the maltodextrin and A. maurorum gum concentration, the coating efficiency, and the loading capacity of the samples increased initially and decreased eventually. Moisture content, powder solubility, bulk density, and compressibility index increased, with increasing maltodextrin concentration, however, tapped density decreased. The optimal physicochemical properties of the phenolic compounds’ microcapsules were determined at 45°C and at a concentration of 20% of each of the maltodextrin and A. maurorum gum. According to scanning electron images, the powder particles were spherical and had a relatively smooth surface. Notably, the release rate of phenolic compounds reached its maximum (64%) after 24 h.
Effects on heavy menstrual bleeding and pregnancy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) or myomectomy for women with uterine fibroids wishing to avoid hysterectomy: The FEMME randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sirkeci Fusun , Moss John , Belli Anna M. , McPherson Klim , Daniels Jane , Manyonda Isaac , Middleton Lee , Cheed Versha , Wu Olivia , Lumsden Mary A. ,   the FEMME Trial Collaborative Group
Published: December 2022

Objective

To determine treatment options (myomectomy vs. uterine artery embolization (UAE)) for women wishing to avoid hysterectomy.

Methods

A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted on 254 women and data were collected on fibroid‐specific quality of life (UFS‐QOL), loss of menstrual blood, and pregnancy.

Results

At 4 years, the mean difference in the UFS‐QOL was 5.0 points (95% confidence interval (CI) −1.4 to 11.5; P = 0.13) in favor of myomectomy. This was not statistically significant as it was at 2 years. There were no differences in bleeding scores, rates of amenorrhea, or heavy bleeding. Of those who were still menstruating, the majority reported regular or fairly regular periods: 36 of 48 (75%) in the UAE group and 30 of 39 (77%) in the myomectomy group. Twelve women after UAE and six women after myomectomy became pregnant (4 years) with seven and five live births, respectively (hazard ratio 0.48, 95% CI 0.18–1.28). There was no difference between the levels of hormones associated with the uterine reserve in each group.

Conclusion

Leiomyoma are common in reproductive‐aged women, causing heavy menses and subfertility. Among women with uterine fibroids, myomectomy resulted in better fibroid‐related quality of life at 4 years, compared with UAE but the treatments decreased menstrual bleeding equally. There was also no significant difference in the impact of treatment on ovarian reserve.
His bundle combined with deep septal left bundle branch area pacing for atrial fibrillation prior to atrioventricular node ablation
Authors: Nam Michael C. Y. , O'Sullivan Patricia , Tonchev Ivaylo , Moore Benjamin M. , Watts Troy , Wynn Gareth , Lee Geoff , Joshi Subodh , Stevenson Irene
Published: December 2022

Background

To mitigate the risk of dyssynchrony‐induced cardiomyopathy, international guidelines advocate His bundle pacing (HBP) with a ventricular backup lead prior to atrioventricular node ablation in treatment‐refractory atrial fibrillation and normal left ventricular ejection fraction. As a result of concerns with long‐term pacing parameters associated with HBP, this case series reports an adopted strategy of HBP combined with deep septal left bundle branch area pacing (dsLBBAP) in this patient cohort, enabling intrapatient comparison of the two pacing methods.

Methods and Results

Eight patients aged 72 ± 10 years (left ventricular ejection fraction 53 ± 4%) underwent successful combined HBP and dsLBBAP implant prior to AV node ablation. Intrinsic QRS duration was 118 ± 46 ms. When compared to dsLBBAP, HBP had lower sensed ventricular amplitude (2.4 ± 1.1 vs. 15 ± 5.3 V, p = .001) and lower lead impedance (522 ± 57 vs. 814 ± 171ohms, p = .02), but shorter paced QRS duration (101 ± 20 vs. 119 ± 17 ms, p = .02). HBP pacing threshold was 1.0 ± 0.6 V at 1 ms pulse width, and dsLBBAP pacing threshold was 0.5 ± 0.2 V at 0.4 ms pulse width. Five patients underwent cardiac CT showing adequate dsLBBAP ventricular septal penetration (8.6 ± 1.3 mm depth, 2.4 ± 0.5 mm distance from left ventricular septal wall). No complications occurred during a mean follow‐up duration of 121 ± 92 days.

Conclusions

Combined HBP and dsLBBAP pacing is a feasible approach as a pace and ablate strategy for atrial fibrillation refractory to medical therapy.
Agents or stewards? Non‐profit organisations managing visitation: The case of New Zealand ecosanctuaries
Authors: Albrecht Julia N. , Haid Marco , Faisal Abrar
Published: December 2022

This study identifies the management functions performed in non‐profit ecosanctuaries relevant to tourism in New Zealand. Following a pragmatic qualitative approach, semi‐structured interviews in and pertaining to eco‐sanctuaries were conducted. The findings are contextualised using principal‐agent and stewardship theory. The results reveal that non‐profit ecosanctuaries fulfil various functions alongside their core tasks, restoration and conservation. These are education and engagement with the volunteers, local community, and external stakeholders. Dependence on external funding and support is crucial for ecosanctuary management decision‐making. Lack of funding, among other factors, means that, in some instances, non‐profit organisations go beyond their core mandate by adding tourism as a commercial component to their activities. In doing so, these organisations commit to and undertake tasks such as visitor management, visitor impact management and tourism product development.

Abstracta

Diese Studieidentifiziert tourismusrelevante Managementfunktionen in lokalen non‐profit Naturschutzgebieten (‘ecosanctuaries’) in Neuseeland. QualitativeDaten wurden in Interviews erhoben. Die Ergebnisse werden mithilfe von principal‐agent theory sowie stewardship theory erklärt und kontextualisiert. Neben den Kernaufgaben in Renaturierung und Konservierung werdentourismusrelevante Funktionen in Bildung, Einbindung freiwilliger Mitarbeiter, lokaler Gruppen, sowie externer Akteure wahrgenommen. Die Abhängigkeit vonexterner Finanzierung und Unterstützung beeinflusst Entscheidungen des Managementsund bestimmt die Priorisierung von Naturschutz oder Tourismusfunktionen. Mangelnde Finanzierung führt neben anderen Faktoren dazu, dass gemeinnützige Organisationen in einigen Fällen über ihr Kernmandat hinausgehen, indem sie denTourismus als kommerzielle Komponente zu ihren Aktivitäten hinzufügen. Dabeiverpflichten sich diese Organisationen zu Aufgaben wie Besuchermanagementund/oder Produktentwicklung.
Selective ansa cervicalis nerve transfer to the marginal mandibular nerve for lower lip reanimation: An anatomical study in cadavers and a case report
Authors: Vejbrink Kildal Villiam , Tee Richard , Reissig Lukas , Weninger Wolfgang J. , Tzou Chieh‐Han John , Rodriguez‐Lorenzo Andrés
Published: December 2022

Background

Donor nerve options for lower lip reanimation are limited in patients undergoing oncological resection of the facial nerve. The ansa cervicalis nerve (ACN) is an advantageously situated donor with great potential but has not been examined in detail. In the current study, the anatomical technical feasibility of selective ACN to marginal mandibular nerve (MMN) transfer for restoration of lower lip tone and symmetry was explored. A clinical case is presented.

Methods

Dissections were conducted in 21 hemifaces in non‐embalmed human cadavers. The maximal harvestable length of ACN was measured and transfer to MMN was simulated. A 28‐year‐old male underwent ACN‐MMN transfer after parotidectomy (carcinoma) and was evaluated 12 months post‐operatively (modified Terzis' Lower Lip Grading Scale [25 observers] and photogrammetry).

Results

The harvestable length of ACN was 100 ± 12 mm. A clinically significant anatomical variant (“short ansa”) was present in 33% of cases (length: 37 ± 12 mm). Tensionless coaptation was possible in all cases only when using a modification of the surgical technique in “short ansa” cases (using an infrahyoid muscle nerve branch as an extension). The post‐operative course of the clinical case was uneventful without complications, with improvement in tone, symmetry, and function at the lower lip at 12‐month post‐operative follow‐up.

Conclusions

Selective ACN‐MMN nerve transfer is anatomically feasible in facial paralysis following oncological ablative procedures. It allows direct nerve coaptation without significant donor site morbidity. The clinical case showed good outcomes 12 months post‐operatively. A strategy when encountering the “short ansa” anatomical variant in clinical cases is proposed.
Spin 1/2 one‐ and two‐particle systems in physical space without eigen‐algebra or tensor product
Authors: Andoni Sokol
Published: December 2022

Under the spin–position decoupling approximation, a vector with a phase in 3D orientation space endowed with geometric algebra substitutes the vector–matrix spin model built on the Pauli spin operator. The standard quantum operator‐state spin formalism is replaced with vectors transforming by proper and improper rotations in the same 3D space—isomorphic to the space of Pauli matrices. In the single‐spin case, the novel spin 1/2 representation (1) is Hermitian, (2) shows handedness, (3) yields all the standard results and its modulus equals the total spin angular momentum
, (4) formalizes irreversibility in measurement, and (5) permits adaptive imbedding of the 2D spin space in 3D. Maximally entangled spin pairs (1) are in phase and have opposite handedness, (2) relate by one of the four basic improper rotations in 3D: plane reflections (triplets) and inversion (singlet), (3) yield the standard total angular momentum, and (4) all standard expectation values for bipartite and partial observations follow. Depending on whether proper and improper rotors act one—or two—sided, the formalism appears in two complementary forms, the “spinor” or the “vector” form, respectively. The proposed scheme provides a clear geometric picture of spin correlations and transformations entirely in the 3D physical orientation space.
A variational approach to the optimal locations of the nodes of the second Dirichlet eigenfunctions
Authors: Guo Shuyuan , Zhang Meirong
Published: December 2022

By a node of a Sturm–Liouville problem, it means an interior zero of an eigenfunction. In this paper, by considering the unique node
of the second Dirichlet eigenfunction as a nonlinear functional of potential
from the Lebesgue space
, we will study the optimization problems to minimize or to maximize
subject to the constraint
. By applying the recent results on the differentiability and complete continuity of
in
, it will be proved that for the case
, these optimization problems are attained by some potentials. Moreover, a critical equation for optimizers will be derived. Finally, by considering the limit case
, it will be found that the optimizers for the optimization problems for the case
are certain Dirac measures. These results are then used to deduce the optimal locations of nodes
.
On the low Mach number limit of the compressible viscous micropolar fluid model
Authors: Yang Jianwei , Yang Xiao , Yang Jianqin , Shi Qihong
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we consider the low Mach number limit problem for the compressible viscous micropolar fluid model based on the concept of dissipative measure‐valued solutions. We prove that the dissipative measure‐valued solutions of the compressible micropolar fluid model converge to the smooth solution of the incompressible micropolar system in the case of well‐prepared initial data when the Mach number tends to zero.
Passive Q‐switched operation of Tm:YAP laser with a TaTe2 saturable absorber
Authors: He Xin , Qi Tianqi , Gao Qiong , Yang Wenlong , Yu Shuang
Published: December 2022

In this paper, a Tm:YAP all‐solid‐state continuous wave (CW) and passive Q‐switched (PQS) laser were experimentally proved by using a TaTe2‐based saturable absorber (SA) for the first time. Under the CW mode, the maximum output power was 4.99 W and the slope efficiency was 29.8%. Based on TaTe2 SA, the shortest pulse width of 585 ns at the central wavelength of 1987.9 nm was obtained with the pump power of 17.73 W, corresponding to single‐pulse energy of 9.7 µJ and an average output power of 1.86 W. Also, a pulse repetition frequency of 202.4 kHz was achieved in the PQS Tm:YAP laser when the pump power was 13.51 W.
Dermocosmetic evaluation of a nutricosmetic formulation based on Curcuma
Authors: Di Lorenzo Ritamaria , Grumetto Lucia , Sacchi Antonia , Laneri Sonia , Dini Irene
Published: December 2022

Endogenous and exogenous factors can alter the skin layer and appearance, determining skin aging. The extracts and isolated molecules from food matrixes can be used to formulate “healthy” antiaging cosmetics. Two different cosmetic approaches can be used to achieve the antiaging effect. It is possible to use topical products based on food extract (cosmeceutical approach) or take a food supplement and apply a topical cosmetic product based on food extract on the surface to be treated (nutricosmetic approach). This work evaluated in vivo the antiaging potential of a nutricosmetic formulation (cream + food supplement) and a cosmeceutical cream based on Curcuma. The choice of the commercial Curcuma extract to be used for experimental purposes was based on the curcuminoid content determined by an HPLC test. Curcuminoids are the bioactive compounds responsible for Curcuma's antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. Their levels in Curcuma extracts vary according to the storage condition, variety, and pedoclimatic cultivation conditions. The Tewameter® TM300 was used to evaluate the Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), the Corneometer® CM 825 to determine the moisturizing effect, the Cutometer® to estimate the skin firmness and elasticity, the Dermascan to assess the collagen index, and the Visioface® 1000D to evaluate the wrinkles. The nutricosmetic product showed potential as moisturizing, anti‐age, and anti‐wrinkle action better than the cosmeceutical product alone.