bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adolescent cadmium exposure impairs cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Wang Hao , Abel Glen M. , Storm Daniel R. , Xia Zhengui
Published: November 2021

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal and a significant public health concern. Epidemiological studies suggest that Cd is a potential neurotoxicant, and its exposure is associated with cognitive deficits in children, adults, and seniors. Our previous study has found that adulthood‐only Cd exposure can impair cognition in mice. However, few studies have addressed the effects of Cd exposure during adolescence on cognitive behavior in animals later in life. In the present study, we exposed 4‐week‐old male C57BL/6 mice to 3 mg/L Cd via drinking water for 28 weeks and assessed their hippocampus‐dependent learning and memory. Cd did not affect anxiety or locomotor activity in the open field test. However, Cd exposure impaired short‐term spatial memory and contextual fear memory in mice. A separate cohort of 4‐week‐old mice was similarly exposed to Cd for 13 weeks to investigate the potential mechanism of Cd neurotoxicity on cognition. We observed that Cd‐treated mice had fewer adult‐born cells, adult‐born neurons, and a reduced proportion of adult‐born cells that differentiated into mature neurons in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. These results suggest that Cd exposure from adolescence to adulthood is sufficient to cause cognitive deficits and impair key processes of hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.
3,4,5‐O‐tricaffeoylquinic acid alleviates ionizing radiation‐induced injury in vitro and in vivo through regulating ROS/JNK/p38 signaling
Authors: Liu Jiajun , Hu Wen , Ma Xiaoying , Liang Xin , Lin Long , Huang Jianming , Liu Jianwen
Published: November 2021

Ionizing radiation (IR) brings many health problems to humans, causing damage to the digestive system, hematopoietic system, and immune system. Natural compounds derived from plants have attracted widespread attention due to their low toxicity. Here, we found that 3,4,5‐O‐tricaffeoylquinic acid (tCQA) extracted from natural plant Azolla imbricata could significantly alleviate the systemic damage in mice caused by IR. In order to further explore the molecular mechanism of the radioprotective effect of tCQA, in vitro experiments confirmed that tCQA could attenuate the cytotoxic effect of IR on the colonic epithelial cell line NCM460 and alleviate the IR‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by the decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, ROS production, and caspase‐dependent apoptosis. In addition, the generation of ROS induced by H2O2 could also be reversed by tCQA. Then, Western blot demonstrated that tCQA could reverse the MAPK signaling pathway activated by IR. However, the inhibitory effect of tCQA on JNK and P38 levels activated by the JNK agonist anisomycin is not obvious; meanwhile, tCQA could inhibit the activation of JNK/P38 induced by H2O2, which suggests that tCQA might inhibit the JNK/P38 signaling pathway by reducing ROS. In short, tCQA inhibits the generation of ROS caused by IR, and then regulates the activity of caspase in the mitochondrial pathway by inhibiting the JNK/P38 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating the apoptosis of NCM460. This research provides an experimental basis for the development of new types of radioprotective agents for medical diagnosis and radiotherapy.
Comparing the CT and MRI findings for canine primary hepatocellular lesions
Authors: Kurokawa Shohei , Tanaka Toshiyuki , Yamazaki Hiroki , Noguchi Shunsuke , Wada Yusuke , Nishida Hidetaka , Akiyoshi Hideo
Published: November 2021

Background

Triple‐phase CT and gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA) MRI have been used to differentiate hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in dogs.

Methods

This retrospective case series aimed to compare the CT findings with MRI findings of 20 canine hepatocellular lesions, including eight poorly/moderately‐differentiated HCCs, eight well‐differentiated HCCs and four hyperplasias. CT data were analysed, and the following parameters were noted: vessel enhancement, enhancement pattern in the equilibrium phase, maximal transverse diameter, the lowest enhancement, and the attenuation values of each hepatocellular lesion in the precontrast and triple‐phase series, including the arterial phase, portal phase and equilibrium phase. MRI data were analysed, and the following parameters were noted: signal intensities of each hepatocellular lesion on T2‐weighted images and T1‐weighted images, and signal intensity ratio of the hepatocellular lesions in the hepatobiliary phase.

Results

In 62.5% of poorly/moderately‐differentiated HCC and 75% of well‐differentiated HCC, presumptive necrosis was detected on CT and MRI. In the hepatobiliary phase on MRI, the median signal intensity ratio of poorly/moderately‐differentiated HCC (0.54 [range: 0.3–0.71]) was significantly lower than that of well‐differentiated HCC (0.75 [range: 0.6–0.96]) and hyperplasia (0.79 [range: 071–0.98]; p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively).

Conclusion

Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI may be a superior modality for differentiating hepatocellular origin lesions.
Multifactorial causes of an emaciated wild Lutjanus erythropterus in Oman
Authors: Morales‐Ávila José Raúl , Al‐Jufaili Sarah , Al‐Rahbi Waleed , AmbuAli Aisha , Saldierna‐Martínez Ricardo
Published: November 2021

Postmortem examination of a wild Lutjanus erythropterus exhibiting emaciation associated with multifactorial causes is presented. Skeletal muscle analysis for heavy metals revealed presence of threefold cadmium concentration in comparison with the European standards. Multifocal necrosis and muscle atrophy (condition factor K = 0.92) were also noted. Other anomalies recorded included abdominal distension and bilateral sunken eyes. The liver showed scant vacuolation, melano‐macrophage centres and diffuse granulomatous lesions also occurring in the viscera and mesenteries. Intensity of infection varied from 2 to 9 parasites, while 16S rRNA sequences revealed the opportunistic pathogen Photobacterium damselae complex only in affected organs. This is the first record of non‐aetiologic and aetiologic factors occurring concurrently in a wild fish in Oman. Although no definitive conclusions can be drawn, these findings highlight the urgent need for further fish health assessment regarding these pathologies and other diseases that pose a health risk to other fish species.
Unusual caudal cervical fracture in a dog
Authors: Jacqmin Maxime Jean , Baldinger Arnaud , Combet‐Curt Julie , Nectoux Alexandra , Moissonnier Pierre
Published: November 2021

A 14‐month‐old entire male Saint Bernard dog was presented at the emergency department for paralysis after a head trauma. Computed tomography examination revealed an atypical fracture of C6 with a large free bone fragment in the dorsolateral part of the vertebral canal, originating from the vertebral body. A C6–C7 Funkquist B dorsal laminectomy was performed to remove this intracanalar fragment. A dorsal stabilization using lag screws inserted into the articular facets of C5–C6 and C6–C7 was also performed. The surgical procedure maintained vertebral column stability and allowed a complete functional recovery. The present article exposes the diagnosis and therapeutic management of an original cervical fracture, discusses the choice of a stabilization technique for the caudal cervical spine and the possible underlying predisposing factors that could have led to this unusual fracture.
Substrate, temperature, and geographical patterns among nearly 2000 natural yeast isolates
Authors: Spurley William J. , Fisher Kaitlin J. , Langdon Quinn K. , Buh Kelly V. , Jarzyna Martin , Haase Max A. B. , Sylvester Kayla , Moriarty Ryan V. , Rodriguez Daniel , Sheddan Angela , Wright Sarah , Sorlie Lisa , Hulfachor Amanda Beth , Opulente Dana A. , Hittinger Chris Todd
Published: November 2021

Yeasts have broad importance as industrially and clinically relevant microbes and as powerful models for fundamental research, but we are only beginning to understand the roles yeasts play in natural ecosystems. Yeast ecology is often more difficult to study compared to other, more abundant microbes, but growing collections of natural yeast isolates are beginning to shed light on fundamental ecological questions. Here, we used environmental sampling and isolation to assemble a dataset of 1962 isolates collected from throughout the contiguous United States of America (USA) and Alaska, which were then used to uncover geographic patterns, along with substrate and temperature associations among yeast taxa. We found some taxa, including the common yeasts Torulaspora delbrueckii and Saccharomyces paradoxus, to be repeatedly isolated from multiple sampled regions of the USA, and we classify these as broadly distributed cosmopolitan yeasts. A number of yeast taxon–substrate associations were identified, some of which were novel and some of which support previously reported associations. Further, we found a strong effect of isolation temperature on the phyla of yeasts recovered, as well as for many species. We speculate that substrate and isolation temperature associations reflect the ecological diversity of and niche partitioning by yeast taxa.
D-instantons in Type IIA string theory on Calabi-Yau threefolds
Authors: Alexandrov Sergei , Sen Ashoke , Stefański Bogdan
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Type IIA string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau threefold has a hypermultiplet moduli space whose metric is known to receive non-perturbative corrections from Euclidean D2-branes wrapped on 3-cycles. These corrections have been computed earlier by making use of mirror symmetry, S-duality and twistorial description of quaternionic geometries. In this paper we compute the leading corrections in each homology class using a direct world-sheet approach without relying on any duality symmetry or supersymmetry. Our results are in perfect agreement with the earlier predictions.
Bootstrapping quantum extremal surfaces. Part I. The area operator
Authors: Belin Alexandre , Colin-Ellerin Sean
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Quantum extremal surfaces are central to the connection between quantum information theory and quantum gravity and they have played a prominent role in the recent progress on the information paradox. We initiate a program to systematically link these surfaces to the microscopic data of the dual conformal field theory, namely the scaling dimensions of local operators and their OPE coefficients. We consider CFT states obtained by acting on the vacuum with single-trace operators, which are dual to one-particle states of the bulk theory. Focusing on AdS3/CFT2, we compute the CFT entanglement entropy to second order in the large c expansion where quantum extremality becomes important and match it to the expectation value of the bulk area operator. We show that to this order, the Virasoro identity block contributes solely to the area operator.
Ultra-spinning Chow’s black holes in six-dimensional gauged supergravity and their properties
Authors: Wu Di , Wu Shuang-Qing
Published: November 2021

Abstract

By taking the ultra-spinning limit as a simple solution-generating trick, a novel class of ultra-spinning charged black hole solutions has been constructed from Chow’s rotating charged black hole with two equal-charge parameters in six-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 gauged supergravity theory. We investigate their thermodynamical properties and then demonstrate that all thermodynamical quantities completely obey both the differential first law and the Bekenstein-Smarr mass formula. For the six-dimensional ultra-spinning Chow’s black hole with only one rotation parameter, we show that it does not always obey the reverse isoperimetric inequality, thus it can be either sub-entropic or super-entropic, depending upon the ranges of the mass parameter and especially the charge parameter. This property is obviously different from that of the six-dimensional singly-rotating Kerr-AdS super-entropic black hole, which always strictly violates the RII. For the six-dimensional doubly-rotating Chow’s black hole but ultra-spinning only along one spatial axis, we point out that it may also obey or violate the RII, and can be either super-entropic or sub-entropic in general.
The Role of Telemedicine in Surgical Specialties During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review
Authors: Gachabayov Mahir , Latifi Lulejeta A. , Parsikia Afshin , Latifi Rifat
Published: November 2021

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the current body of evidence on the use of telemedicine in surgical subspecialties during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

This was a scoping review conducted in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA‐ScR). MEDLINE via Ovid, PubMed, and EMBASE were systematically searched for any reports discussing telemedicine use in surgery and surgical specialties during the first period (February 2020–August 8, 2020) and second 6‐month period (August 9–March 4, 2021) of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results

Of 466 articles screened through full text, 277 articles were included for possible qualitative and/or quantitative data synthesis. The majority of publications in the first 6 months were in orthopedic surgery, followed by general surgery and neurosurgery, whereas in the second 6 months of COVID‐19 pandemic, urology and neurosurgery were the most productive, followed by transplant and plastic surgery. Most publications in the first 6 months were opinion papers (80%), which decreased to 33% in the second 6 months. The role of telemedicine in different aspects of surgical care and surgical education was summarized stratifying by specialty.

Conclusion

Telemedicine has increased access to care of surgical patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic, but whether this practice will continue post‐pandemic remains unknown.
MR lung perfusion measurements in adolescents after congenital diaphragmatic hernia: correlation with spirometric lung function tests
Authors: Groß Verena , Zahn Katrin , Maurer Kristina , Wessel Lucas , Schaible Thomas , Schoenberg Stefan O. , Weiß Christel , Zoellner Frank G. , Weis Meike
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To evaluate whether lung perfusion continues to be reduced in 10-year-old children after congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and whether lung perfusion values correlate with spirometric lung function measurements.

Methods

Fifty-four patients after CDH repair received dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based lung perfusion measurements at the age of 10 years (10.2 ± 1.0 years). Additionally, a control group of 10 children has been examined according to the same protocol. Lung spirometry was additionally available in 43 patients of the CDH group. A comparison of ipsilateral and contralateral parameters was performed.

Results

Pulmonary blood flow (PBF) was reduced on the ipsilateral side in CDH patients (60.4 ± 23.8 vs. 93.3 ± 16.09 mL/100 mL/min; p < 0.0001). In comparison to the control group, especially the ratio of ipsilateral to contralateral, PBF was reduced in CDH patients (0.669 ± 0.152 vs. 0.975 ± 0.091; p < 0.0001). There is a positive correlation between ipsilateral pulmonary blood flow, and spirometric forced 1-s volume (r = 0.45; p = 0.0024).

Conclusions

Pulmonary blood flow impairment persists during childhood and correlates with spirometric measurements. Without the need for ionizing radiation, MRI measurements seem promising as follow-up parameters after CDH.

Key Points

• Ten-year-old children after congenital diaphragmatic hernia continue to show reduced perfusion of ipsilateral lung.

• Lung perfusion values correlate with lung function tests after congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Do CMIP models capture long-term observed annual precipitation trends?
Authors: Vicente-Serrano S. M. , García-Herrera R. , Peña-Angulo D. , Tomas-Burguera M. , Domínguez-Castro F. , Noguera I. , Calvo N. , Murphy C. , Nieto R. , Gimeno L. , Gutierrez J. M. , Azorin-Molina C. , El Kenawy A.
Published: November 2021

This study provides a long-term (1891–2014) global assessment of precipitation trends using data from two station-based gridded datasets and climate model outputs evolved through the fifth and sixth phases of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5 and CMIP6, respectively). Our analysis employs a variety of modeling groups that incorporate low- and high-top level members, with the aim of assessing the possible effects of including a well-resolved stratosphere on the model’s ability to reproduce long-term observed annual precipitation trends. Results demonstrate that only a few regions show statistically significant differences in precipitation trends between observations and models. Nevertheless, this pattern is mostly caused by the strong interannual variability of precipitation in most of the world regions. Thus, statistically significant model-observation differences on trends (1891–2014) are found at the zonal mean scale. The different model groups clearly fail to reproduce the spatial patterns of annual precipitation trends and the regions where stronger increases or decreases are recorded. This study also stresses that there are no significant differences between low- and high-top models in capturing observed precipitation trends, indicating that having a well-resolved stratosphere has a low impact on the accuracy of precipitation projections.
Anti-CD19 monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies: a narrative review with focus on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Zinzani Pier Luigi , Minotti Giorgio
Published: November 2021

Purpose

CD19 is a cell surface protein that is found on both healthy and malignant B cells. Accordingly, it has become an important target for novel treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphomas and B-cell leukaemia. Three anti-CD19 monoclonal antibodies with distinct mechanisms of action have been developed for the treatment of B-cell malignancies.

Methods

We reviewed the preclinical and clinical data on the development of the newly approved anti-CD19 monoclonal antibodies blinatumomab, tafasitamab and loncastuximab tesirine, and consider their place in the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies.

Results

Blinatumomab is a bispecific T-cell engager that binds to both CD19 on B cells and CD3 on T cells, facilitating antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. Blinatumomab significantly prolongs overall survival in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, although cytokine release syndrome and severe neurotoxicity may necessitate discontinuation. Tafasitamab, which has modified anti-CD19 Fab and Fc regions, has significantly enhanced affinity for both CD19 and effector cell receptors compared with unmodified anti-CD19. In L-MIND, tafasitamab plus lenalidomide provided an overall response rate (ORR) of 57.5% in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in patients non-transplant eligible. Loncastuximab tesirine is an antibody–drug conjugate that has been studied as monotherapy and in combination with ibrutinib in 3L + relapsed or refractory DLBCL. The ORR was 48.3% in a phase II trial of loncastuximab tesirine. The optimal place of anti-CD19 monoclonal antibodies in therapy has yet to be determined, but the prospect of improved outcomes for at least some patients with treatment-resistant B-cell malignancies appears likely, particularly in those with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis.
Hunting techniques and their harvest as indicators of mammal diversity and threat in Northern Angola
Authors: Teutloff Nele , Meller Paulina , Finckh Manfred , Cabalo Almeida Segredo , Ramiro Guedes José , Neinhuis Christoph , Lautenschläger Thea
Published: November 2021

Over-exploitation of wildlife especially bushmeat trade is the second most important threat to animal biodiversity. This also applies to Northern Angola but data on bushmeat and hunting techniques for this region are rare. Therefore, we study the most common hunting techniques, frequently captured species, and their economic value, and discuss the local resource use in relation to Angolan law and urgent global crises like the loss of biodiversity, the food supply in South African countries, and the risk of zoonoses. We recorded bushmeat hunting in 27 localities in the province of Uíge, accompanied hunters along their snare lines and interviewed additional 20 locals. Seven main types of snares and traps and their characteristics were defined. Hunters own on average 92 ± 128.7 snares and traps and capture about 25.3 ± 23.6 animals monthly. In total, respondents recognized 28 species of mammals of which one is considered as extinct and two as very rare. The majority of recorded species are hunted regularly. Rodents are most commonly caught followed by primates and duikers. Harvesting rates decrease with species’ body size, leading to high economic value of and achievable prices for rare, large animals. Overall, our results document the hunting pressure on mammals and the persisting popularity of bushmeat in Northern Angola which poses an imminent threat to remaining mammal populations. Moreover, it endangers ecosystem integrity, rural livelihoods, and human health through the risk of new zoonoses. Our findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable solutions. The Angolan government should play a more active role in enforcing existing hunting legislation to reduce illegal bushmeat trade.
The Relationship of Alcohol to ART Adherence Among Black MSM in the U.S.: Is it Any Different Among Black MSM in the South?
Authors: Canidate Shantrel S. , Schrimshaw Eric W. , Schaefer Nancy , Gebru Nioud Mulugeta , Powers Noelani , Maisto Stephen , Parisi Christina , Leeman Robert F. , Fields Sheldon , Cook Robert L.
Published: November 2021

Alcohol-using Black MSM (Men who have sex with men) are disproportionately impacted by HIV in the U.S.—particularly in the southern U.S.—despite the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The purpose of this study was to summarize the current evidence on alcohol use and ART adherence among Black MSM in the U.S. and in the South and to identify future research needs. A systematic review was conducted using eight databases to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles published between January 2010 and April 2021. The authors also snowballed remaining studies and hand-searched for additional studies. Including both quantitative and qualitative studies, five published studies examined alcohol and ART adherence among Black MSM in the U.S. The search identified 240 articles, the study team reviewed 114 in full-text and determined that only five met the inclusion criteria. Three of the five included studies identified alcohol use as a barrier to ART adherence. In conclusions, the general lack of literature on HIV disparities among alcohol-using Black MSM in the U.S. (specifically in the South) indicates a critical need for research on this population’s unique risks and needs to inform the development of tailored interventions.
Socratic Irony and Argumentation
Authors: Airaksinen Timo
Published: November 2021

Socratic irony can be understood independently of the immortal heroics of Plato’s Socrates. We need a systematic account and criticism of it both as a debate-winning strategy of argumentation and teaching method. The Speaker introduces an issue pretending to be at a lower intellectual level than her co-debaters, or Participants. An Audience looks over and evaluates the results. How is it possible that the Speaker like Socrates is, consistently, in the winning position? The situation is ironic because the Participants fight from a losing position but realize it too late. Socratic irony compares with divine irony: divine irony is a subtype of Socratic irony since you lose when you challenge gods. Socratic irony is also, prima facie, a subtype of dramatic irony when the Audience knows more than the Participants on the stage.We must distinguish between the ideal and realistic elements of Socratic Irony. The very idea of Socratic irony looks idealized, or it is an ideal case, which explains the Speaker’s consistently winning position. In real life, the debate must be rigged, or the Dutch Book argument applies to the Participants, if the Speaker is so successful.
Climate change literacy and migration potential: micro-level evidence from Africa
Authors: Helbling Marc , Auer Daniel , Meierrieks Daniel , Mistry Malcolm , Schaub Max
Published: November 2021

While a growing literature studies the effects of climate change on international migration, still only relatively little is known about the individual mechanisms linking migration decisions to climate change. We argue that climate change literacy (i.e., knowledge about climate change) is a major determinant of why some individuals consider migrating to other countries in response to climate change effects. In particular, climate change literacy helps individuals translate their perceptions of temperature changes into an understanding of these changes’ irreversible long-term consequences. We test this hypothesis using highly accurate geo-coded data for 37,000 individuals across 30 African countries. We show that climate change indeed leads to stronger migration intentions among climate literates only. Furthermore, we show that climate change only increases migration intentions among climate literates when it is approximated by long-run increases in local temperatures, but not when operationalized as changing heat wave or precipitation patterns. Further analyses show that climate literates are more likely to live in urban areas, have a higher news consumption, are highly educated, and have demanding occupations. Consequently, climate change may further deprive affected countries of valuable talent.
The NetSage measurement and analysis framework in practice
Authors: Schopf Jennifer M. , Turner Katrina , Doyle Dan , Lake Andrew , Leigh Jason , Tierney Brian L.
Published: November 2021

Data sharing is required for research collaborations, but effective data transfer performance continues to be difficult to achieve. The NetSage Measurement and Analysis Framework can assist in understanding research data movement. It collects a broad set of monitoring data and builds performance Dashboards to visualize the data. Each Dashboard is specifically designed to address a well-defined analysis need of the stakeholders. This paper describes the design methodology, the resulting architecture, the development approach and lessons learned, and a set of discoveries that NetSage Dashboards made possible.
Supervisory controller synthesis and implementation for safety PLCs
Authors: Reijnen Ferdie F. H. , Erens Toby R. , van de Mortel-Fronczak Joanna M. , Rooda Jacobus E.
Published: November 2021

The development of supervisory controllers for cyber-physical systems is a laborious and error-prone process. Supervisor synthesis enables control designers to automatically synthesize a correct-by-construction supervisor from a model of the plant combined with a model of the control requirements. From the supervisor model, controller code can be generated which is suitable for the implementation on a programmable logic controller (PLC). Supervisors for industrial systems that operate in close proximity to humans have to adhere to strict safety standards. To achieve these standards, safety PLCs (SPLCs) are used. For SPLC implementation, the supervisor has to be split into a regular part and a safety part. In previous work, a method is proposed to automatically split a supervisor model for this purpose. The method assumes that the provided plant model is a collection of finite automata. In this paper, the extension to extended finite automata is described. Additionally, guidelines are provided for modeling the plant and the requirements to achieve a favorable splitting. A case study on a rotating bridge is elaborated which has been used to validate the method. The case study spans all development steps, including the implementation of the resulting supervisor to control the real bridge.
There is an Evidence Crisis in Science Educational Policy
Authors: Zhang Lin , Kirschner Paul A. , Cobern William W. , Sweller John
Published: November 2021

There is a considerable gap between many of the findings from educational psychology research and educational practice. This gap is especially notable in the field of science education. In this article, the implications of three categories of research and their findings for science educational policy in the USA and other jurisdictions were reviewed. We indicate that a particular category of research that we call “Program-Based Studies,” has dominated the formulation of educational standards while a large number of critical findings from randomized, controlled studies and correlational studies that overwhelmingly show minimal support for the suggested policy have been marked as irrelevant and excluded. The current blanket-emphasis on program-based studies at the expense of the other types of research is misplaced. Educational standards should represent a balanced view of the available data including findings from controlled and correlational studies. Finally, we indicate how these different forms of research might inform each other and provide coherent and consistent implications for educational procedures.
Mössbauer measurements of GaFeO3 single crystal multiferroic
Authors: Szymański K. , Olszewski W. , Butkiewicz P. , Biernacka M. , Satuła D. , Rećko K. , Szafrański M.
Published: November 2021

Mössbauer measurements on single crystal absorbers at room and at low temperatures were performed. The results are fully consistent with previously published reports by other groups. Spectra of single crystals were simultaneously analyzed including magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole interactions. The analysis shows that there is a small component of magnetic moments perpendicular to the magnetic easy axis. Mössbauer data seem not agree with commonly accepted ferrimagnetic structure of GaFeO3.
A Training Set Subsampling Strategy for the Reduced Basis Method
Authors: Chellappa Sridhar , Feng Lihong , Benner Peter
Published: November 2021

We present a subsampling strategy for the offline stage of the Reduced Basis Method. The approach is aimed at bringing down the considerable offline costs associated with using a finely-sampled training set. The proposed algorithm exploits the potential of the pivoted QR decomposition and the discrete empirical interpolation method to identify important parameter samples. It consists of two stages. In the first stage, we construct a low-fidelity approximation to the solution manifold over a fine training set. Then, for the available low-fidelity snapshots of the output variable, we apply the pivoted QR decomposition or the discrete empirical interpolation method to identify a set of sparse sampling locations in the parameter domain. These points reveal the structure of the parametric dependence of the output variable. The second stage proceeds with a subsampled training set containing a by far smaller number of parameters than the initial training set. Different subsampling strategies inspired from recent variants of the empirical interpolation method are also considered. Tests on benchmark examples justify the new approach and show its potential to substantially speed up the offline stage of the Reduced Basis Method, while generating reliable reduced-order models.
Genome survey sequencing of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and genetic diversity analysis of Chinese germplasm with genomic SSR markers
Authors: Ma Lin , Wang Xiao , Yan Min , Liu Fang , Zhang Shuxing , Wang Xuemin
Published: November 2021

Background

Common vetch (Vicia sativaL.) is an annual legume with excellent suitability in cold and dry regions. Despite its great applied potential, the genomic information regarding common vetch currently remains unavailable.

Methods and results

In the present study, the whole genome survey of common vetch was performed using the next-generation sequencing (NGS). A total of 79.84 Gbp high quality sequence data were obtained and assembled into 3,754,145 scaffolds with an N50 length of 3556 bp. According to the K-mer analyses, the genome size, heterozygosity rate and GC content of common vetch genome were estimated to be 1568 Mbp, 0.4345 and 35%, respectively. In addition, a total of 76,810 putative simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified. Among them, dinucleotide was the most abundant SSR type (44.94%), followed by Tri- (35.82%), Tetra- (13.22%), Penta- (4.47%) and Hexanucleotide (1.54%). Furthermore, a total of 58,175 SSR primer pairs were designed and ten of them were validated in Chinese common vetch. Further analysis showed that Chinese common vetch harbored high genetic diversity and could be clustered into two main subgroups.

Conclusion

This is the first report about the genome features of common vetch, and the information will help to design whole genome sequencing strategies. The newly identified SSRs in this study provide basic molecular markers for germplasm characterization, genetic diversity and QTL mapping studies for common vetch.
Constant Mean Curvature Surfaces Based on Fundamental Quadrilaterals
Authors: Bobenko Alexander I. , Heller Sebastian , Schmitt Nick
Published: November 2021

We describe the construction of CMC surfaces with symmetries in $\mathbb {S}^{3}$

S

3

and $\mathbb {R}^{3}$

ℝ

3

using a CMC quadrilateral in a fundamental tetrahedron of a tessellation of the space. The fundamental piece is constructed by the generalized Weierstrass representation using a geometric flow on the space of potentials.
GIS-based approach for evaluating a community intrinsic resilience index
Authors: Gerges Firas , Nassif Hani , Geng Xiaolong , Michael Holly A. , Boufadel Michel C.
Published: November 2021

Community resilience refers to the degree to which a community can survive and recover following a disaster. While resilience itself is well understood, decisions that would enhance resilience are interdependent and involve various stakeholders. There are indices for evaluating community resilience, but these have the shortcoming that they compare between political entities, such as counties. Therefore, one cannot ascertain that a county is truly resilient. In addition, natural disasters depend on the landscape and thus have no relation to the political boundaries. Our metric aims to capture the information into a Community Intrinsic Resilience Index (CIRI), which embodies the resilience level of four critical sectors: transportation, energy, health and socio-economic. As a case study, we computed CIRI for the counties within New Jersey. Results showed that within NJ, CIRI ranged from 63 to 80%. A post-disaster CIRI, following a scenario of flooding, revealed that two coastal counties would have low CIRI values due to the reduction in the road area and/or the GDP (local economy shut down) to below minimum values. We believe that our platform would further advance the efforts to fill the gap between resilience research and applications and would help decision and policy makers to integrate resilience within the planning and design phases of disaster management.
Glyphosate residues alter the microbiota of a perennial weed with a minimal indirect impact on plant performance
Authors: Ramula S. , Mathew S. A. , Kalske A. , Nissinen R. , Saikkonen K. , Helander M.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

In cold climates, glyphosate residues may linger in soils, with effects on plant–microbe interactions and, consequently, plant performance. Here, we explore the influence of glyphosate residues on the endophytic microbiota (bacteria and fungi) and performance of the perennial nitrogen-fixing weedLupinus polyphyllus.

Methods

In a common garden, we grew plants from six populations ofL. polyphyllusin glyphosate-treated or untreated control soils, with or without additional phosphorus. We sampled plant microbiota (leaves, roots, nodules) and assessed plant performance based on six traits: height, retrogression probability (i.e. shrinkage), biomass, root:shoot ratio, nodule number, and nodule viability.

Results

The richness of plant endophytic microbial communities was determined by soil phosphorus level rather than by glyphosate treatment. However, for bacteria, the composition of these communities differed between glyphosate-treated and control soils across plant tissue types; no difference was observed for fungi. The plant bacterial communities in both soil types were dominated by potential nitrogen-fixing bacteria belonging to family Bradyrhizobiaceae, and particularly so in glyphosate-treated soils. Overall, though, these changes in plant bacterial communities had a minor effect on plant performance: the only difference we detected was that the probability of retrogression was occasionally higher in glyphosate-treated soils than in control soils.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that glyphosate-based herbicides, when applied at the recommended frequency and concentration, may not have critical effects on the growth of short-lived weeds after the safety period has passed; however, the endophytic microbiota of such weeds may experience longer-lasting shifts in community structure.
Affirmative Action Policies in Academic Job Advertisements: Do They Facilitate or Hinder Gender Discrimination in Hiring Processes for Professorships?
Authors: Henningsen Levke , Horvath Lisa K. , Jonas Klaus
Published: November 2021

Evidence of female-favoring hiring preferences for assistant professorships suggests that universities can implement affirmative action programs successfully. However, research on the role of applicant gender and the actual use of affirmative action policies in hiring processes for high-level professorships remain scarce. A web-based experiment with 481 economic university members assessed whether evaluators perceived a female applicant as less qualified than a male applicant for an associate professorship position when the job advertisement highlighted the university’s commitment to affirmative action (gender-based preferential selection) but not when it solely highlighted its commitment to excellence (non-gender-based selection). Contrary to previous experimental findings that affirmative action would adversely affect female applicants, evaluators perceived the female applicant as more hirable and ranked her first for the job significantly more often than the male candidate. Furthermore, male evaluators had a stronger preference for the female candidate in the gender-based condition than in the non-gender-based condition and a stronger preference for the male candidate in the non-gender-based condition than in the gender-based condition. Overall, the results provide evidence that gender-based preferential selection policies can evoke their intended effect to bring highly qualified women to high-level professorships, especially when being evaluated by non-beneficiaries of these policies, such as men.
Unexpected results found in larvae samples from two postmortem forensic cases
Authors: Groth Olwen , Franz Simon , Fels Helena , Krueger Julia , Roider Gabriele , Dame Torsten , Musshoff Frank , Graw Matthias
Published: November 2021

Purpose

In forensics, entomological specimens can be used as additional/alternative matrices to detect xenobiotics when human specimens are limited in their application. Despite some advantages over implementing putrefied human remains, most medico-legal laboratories do not include entomotoxicological procedures as routine analytical methods. We thus applied two authentic cases to evaluate necrophagous larvae’s potential as complementary matrices for toxicological analysis after extensive postmortem decomposition.

Methods

Larvae and postmortem human samples, including hair, stomach contents, pericardial fluid, liver, lung, and skeletal muscle, were collected at autopsy. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for pharmaceutical substances, illicit drugs, and new psychoactive substances, including synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, new synthetic opioids, and stimulants.

Results

Nearly all substances detected in human specimens, including several benzodiazepines and synthetic cannabinoids, were also detected in larvae. Surprisingly, some drugs, including the new psychoactive substances EAM-2201 and U-47700, were found exclusively in larvae and hair. The benzodiazepine etizolam was detected only in liver, lungs, and stomach contents, possibly resulting from characteristic tissue distribution in humans and/or larvae.

Conclusions

Antemortem external hair contamination with synthetic cannabinoids from side-stream smoke and postmortem hair contamination with substances in putrefaction fluids can be supposed in these cases. Our findings suggest that supplementary information can indeed be gained from analyzing larvae additional to those human specimens that are typically used for toxicological analysis after extensive postmortem decomposition. Nevertheless, these results represent merely two cases, requiring in-depth studies to determine whether such findings can identify acute intoxications as possible causes of death.
Revisiting the carbon mesopore contribution towards improved performance of ionic liquid–based EDLCs at sub-zero temperatures
Authors: Pavlenko V. , Kalybekkyzy S. , Knez D. , Abbas Q. , Mansurov Z. , Bakenov Zh. , Ng A.
Published: November 2021

The important role of mesopores has been investigated in electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) operating from 24 °C down to − 40 °C by using two in-house synthesized carbons with hierarchical porosity. These carbons were prepared from colloidal nanoparticles of SiO2 as the template and d-glucose as the carbon source. A decrease in the average diameter of the nanoparticles from 12 to 8 nm results in increased surface area and offers a perfect match between ions of binary mixture of imidazolium-based fluorinated ionic liquids and the pores of carbon. Short-range graphene layers produced with 8-nm silica nanoparticles lead to the creation of transport channels which better accommodate ions. We explain these findings per coulombic interactions among the ions and between the pore wall and the ionic species under confinement and electrochemical polarization conditions. Further, it is shown that a microporous carbon (another in-house produced rice-husk carbon SBET = 1800 m2∙g−1) performs better than hierarchical carbons at room temperature; however, thanks to the large fraction of mesopores, the latter exhibit far higher capacitance down to − 40 °C. While the ordering of ions in confinement is more critical at room temperature and dictated by the micropores, low temperature performance of supercapacitors is determined by the mesopores that provide channels for facile ion movement and keep the bulk ionic liquid–like properties.

Graphical abstract
Review of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Rewetted Agricultural Soils
Authors: Bianchi Andrea , Larmola Tuula , Kekkonen Hanna , Saarnio Sanna , Lång Kristiina
Published: November 2021

Climate policies encourage the search for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation options in all economic sectors and peatland rewetting is one of the most efficient mitigation measures in agriculture and land use. The benefits shown in the national GHG inventories, however, depend not only on the actual mitigation actions on the ground but also how well the effects can be reported. Currently there are no specific emission factors for reporting GHG emissions from rewetted agricultural soils as the current emission factors are aggregated for several pre-rewetting land use types. Also, rewetting can aim at either restoration or different forms of paludiculture which may differ in their GHG profile and thus demand disaggregated emission factors. We compiled the current knowledge on GHG emissions on sites where rewetting has occurred on former agricultural peatland in temperate or boreal climate zones. The recent data suggest that on average the current emission factors for rewetting nutrient-rich sites published by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) provide a good estimate for reporting emissions from rewetting in the temperate zone. However, the total GHG balances differed widely in restoration, Sphagnum farming and production of emergent plants in paludiculture and it is evident that disaggregated emission factors will be needed to improve the accuracy of reporting the effects of mitigation measures in the GHG inventories.
Students Eat Less Meat After Studying Meat Ethics
Authors: Schwitzgebel Eric , Cokelet Bradford , Singer Peter
Published: November 2021

In the first controlled, non-self-report studies to show an influence of university-level ethical instruction on everyday behavior, Schwitzgebel et al. (2020) and Jalil et al. (2020) found that students purchase less meat after exposure to material on the ethics of eating meat. We sought to extend and conceptually replicate this research. Seven hundred thirty students in three large philosophy classes read James Rachels’ (2004) “Basic Argument for Vegetarianism”, followed by 50-min small-group discussions. Half also viewed a vegetarianism advocacy video containing factory farm footage. A few days after instruction, 54% of students agreed that “eating the meat of factory farmed animals is unethical”, compared to 37% before instruction, with no difference between the film and non-film conditions. Also, 39% of students anonymously pledged to avoid eating factory farmed meat for 24 h, again with no statistically detectable difference between conditions. Finally, we obtained 2828 campus food purchase receipts for 113 of the enrolled students who used their Student ID cards for purchases on campus, which we compared with 5033 purchases from a group of 226 students who did not receive the instruction. Meat purchases remained constant in the comparison group and declined among the students exposed to the material, falling from 30% to 23% of purchases overall and from 51% to 42% of purchases of $4.99 or more, with the effect possibly larger in the film condition.
Physico-chemical and bacteriological characterisation of surface water in Bamenda (North West Cameroon)
Authors: Mufur Alice Magha , Awah Margaret Tita , Nono Gus Djibril Kouankap , Tamfuh Primus Azinwi , Wotchoko Pierre , Beyala Kamgang Kabeyene Véronique
Published: November 2021

The Mezam River and its tributaries constitute a prominent water source for domestic use and vegetable irrigation in Bamenda Town (North West Cameroon). The river flows through the city and is thus vulnerable to impairment by substances from point and non-point sources. This current research aims to assess the degree of pollution of the Mezam River water to ascertain its suitability for various uses. A total of 24 water samples were collected from six segments of the Mezam River basin in the dry and rainy seasons during the years 2015 and 2016 in view of physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses. In situ measurement of physical parameters was taken in the field. The data were analysed by multivariate statistical techniques (principal component analysis and factor analysis). The results revealed that the river water is slightly acidic (pH = 5.45–6.47) and ion concentration is low (41.67–237.00 µS/cm). The water type is Ca-SO4 and Ca-Mg-(Cl + NO3) in the dry season and Ca-Mg-SO4 in the rainy season. High NO3− values (50 mg/l) are recorded at Nkimefueh. The Mezam River water is heavily polluted with indicator bacteria (0–500 CFU/100 ml) whose concentrations steadily increase from the reference point (YB) through sampling points in the city centre, suggesting the influence of human-induced activities. The population is urged to adopt a responsible behaviour towards waste disposal and refrain from disposing waste in water courses in order to safeguard the aquatic environment and also protect the health of the population.