bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional analysis of protein post‐translational modifications using genetic codon expansion
Authors: Peng Tao , Das Tandrila , Ding Ke , Hang Howard C.
Published: March 2023

Post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins not only exponentially increase the diversity of proteoforms, but also contribute to dynamically modulating the localization, stability, activity, and interaction of proteins. Understanding the biological consequences and functions of specific PTMs has been challenging for many reasons, including the dynamic nature of many PTMs and the technical limitations to access homogenously modified proteins. The genetic code expansion technology has emerged to provide unique approaches for studying PTMs. Through site‐specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids (UAAs) bearing PTMs or their mimics into proteins, genetic code expansion allows the generation of homogenous proteins with site‐specific modifications and atomic resolution both in vitro and in vivo. With this technology, various PTMs and mimics have been precisely introduced into proteins. In this review, we summarize the UAAs and approaches that have been recently developed to site‐specifically install PTMs and their mimics into proteins for functional studies of PTMs.
A facile one‐pot route to fabricate clothianidin‐loaded ZIF‐8 nanoparticles with biocompatibility and long‐term efficacy
Authors: Ma Yue , Zhao Kefei , Ding Yi , Wu Shuai , Liao Xun , Yin Xianhui , Li Zilu , Li Rongyu , Long Youhua , Du Fengpei
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Neonicotinoids are among the most essential chemical insecticides worldwide because of their high activity against many important pests and wide application. However, their application is limited by their toxicity to honeybees. Therefore, the development of a facile route to fabricate efficient and eco‐friendly pesticide formulations is of great significance.

RESULTS

In this study, clothianidin‐loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (CLO@ZIF‐8) nanoparticles were fabricated by a facile one‐pot route using zinc nitrate as a Zn2+ source and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, energy‐dispersive spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Based on the pH response of ZIF‐8, a ‘burst release effect’ was observed for CLO@ZIF‐8 at pH 3 and 5 within 12 h, in contrast to the slow and sustainable release at pH 8. CLO@ZIF‐8 improved the retention ability of the pesticide liquid and remained 70% control efficacy on Nilaparvata lugens after water rinsed of sprayed CLO@ZIF‐8. The pH response of CLO@ZIF‐8 allowed it to maintain 43% control efficacy against N. lugens after 10 days of application, which was twice the efficacy of clothianidin solution (SCA). Moreover, CLO@ZIF‐8 reduced the acute toxicity to honeybees (Apis mellifera) by ≥120‐fold compared with SCA.

CONCLUSION

This study provides new insights into the application of ZIF‐8 to neonicotinoids and suggests the need for the development of a biocompatible and eco‐friendly pesticide formulation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Novel 1‐Indanone derivatives containing oxime and oxime ether moieties as immune activator to resist plant virus
Authors: Lan Shichao , Zhang Wei , Gan Xiuhai
Published: March 2023

Background

Vegetable viruses are difficult to prevent and control in the field, causing massive economic losses of agricultural production in the world. A new natural product‐based antiviral agent would be an effective means to control viral diseases. As a class of natural products, 1‐indanones present various pharmacologically actives, while their application in agriculture remains to be found.

Results

A series of novel 1‐indanone derivatives were designed and synthesized and the antiviral activities were systematically evaluated. Bioassays showed that most compounds exhibited good protective activities against cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV). Notably, compound 27 exhibited the best protective effects against PMMoV with EC50 values of 140.5 mg L−1, superior to ninanmycin (245.6 mg L−1). Compound 27 induced immunity responses through multilayered regulation on mitogen‐activated protein kinase, plant hormone signal transduction and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways.

Conclusion

These 1‐indanone derivatives especially compound 27 can be considered as potential immune activators to resist plant virus. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Improved weed mapping in corn fields by combining UAV‐based spectral, textural, structural, and thermal measurements
Authors: Xu Binyuan , Meng Ran , Chen Gengshen , Liang Linlin , Lv Zhengang , Zhou Longfei , Sun Rui , Zhao Feng , Yang Wanneng
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Spatial‐explicit weed information is critical for controlling weed infestation and reducing corn yield losses. The development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐based remote sensing presents an unprecedented opportunity for efficient, timely weed mapping. Spectral, textural, and structural measurements have been used for weed mapping, whereas thermal measurements—for example, canopy temperature (CT)—were seldom considered and used. In this study, we quantified the optimal combination of spectral, textural, structural, and CT measurements based on different machine‐learning algorithms for weed mapping.

RESULTS

CT improved weed‐mapping accuracies as complementary information for spectral, textural, and structural features (up to 5% and 0.051 improvements in overall accuracy [OA] and Marco‐F1, respectively). The fusion of textural, structural, and thermal features achieved the best performance in weed mapping (OA = 96.4%, Marco‐F1 = 0.964), followed by the fusion of structural and thermal features (OA = 93.6%, Marco‐F1 = 0.936). The Support Vector Machine‐based model achieved the best performance in weed mapping, with 3.5% and 7.1% improvements in OA and 0.036 and 0.071 in Marco‐F1 respectively, compared with the best models of Random Forest and Naïve Bayes Classifier.

CONCLUSION

Thermal measurement can complement other types of remote‐sensing measurements and improve the weed‐mapping accuracy within the data‐fusion framework. Importantly, integrating textural, structural, and thermal features achieved the best performance for weed mapping. Our study provides a novel method for weed mapping using UAV‐based multisource remote sensing measurements, which is critical for ensuring crop production in precision agriculture. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Penoxsulam‐resistant barnyardgrass‐mediated rhizosphere microbial communities affect the growth of rice
Authors: Zhao Huan‐Huan , Li Hong‐Yu , Kong Chui‐Hua
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

The incidence of herbicide‐resistant barnyardgrass is escalating in paddy fields, yet the interactions between resistant weeds and rice are largely unknown. The microbiota of herbicide‐resistant barnyardgrass rhizosphere soil is critical for both barnyardgrass and rice fitness.

RESULTS

Rice has different biomass allocation and root traits in the presence of penoxsulam‐resistant versus penoxsulam‐susceptible barnyardgrass or in their conditioned soil. Compared to susceptible barnyardgrass, resistant barnyardgrass led to an allelopathic increase in rice root, shoot, and whole‐plant biomasses. Resistant barnyardgrass recruited distinct core and unique microbes in rhizosphere soil compared to susceptible barnyardgrass. In particular, resistant barnyardgrass assembled more Proteobacteria and Ascomycota to enhance plant stress tolerance. Furthermore, the root exudates from resistant and susceptible barnyardgrass were responsible for the assembly and establishment of the root microbial structure. Importantly, (−)‐loliolide and jasmonic acid in root exudates were correlated with the core microbes in the rhizosphere soil.

CONCLUSION

The interference of barnyardgrass with rice can be mediated by rhizosphere microbial communities. Biotype‐specific variation in the ability to generate soil microbial communities appears to ameliorate the negative consequences for rice growth, providing an intriguing possibility for modulation of the rhizosphere microbiota to increase crop productivity and sustainability. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic model of urinary δ‐aminolevulinic acid reduction after givosiran treatment in patients with acute hepatic porphyria
Authors: Lee Jongtae , Melch Megan , Robbie Gabriel J.
Published: March 2023

Givosiran, an RNA interference‐based therapeutic, is a recent addition to the limited treatment armamentarium for acute hepatic porphyria (AHP). As a small interfering RNA that is selectively taken up in the liver, both the mechanism and targeted delivery create a complex relationship between givosiran pharmacokinetics (PK) and the pharmacodynamic (PD) response. Using pooled data from phase I–III clinical trials of givosiran, we developed a semimechanistic PK/PD model to describe the relationship between predicted liver and RNA‐induced silencing complex concentrations of givosiran and the associated reduction in synthesis of δ‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a toxic heme intermediate that accumulates in patients with AHP, contributing to disease pathogenesis. Model development included quantification of variability and evaluation of covariate effects. The final model was used to assess the adequacy of the recommended givosiran dosing regimen across demographic and clinical subgroups. The population PK/PD model adequately described the time course of urinary ALA reduction with various dosing regimens of givosiran, the interindividual variability across a wide range of givosiran doses (0.035–5 mg/kg), and the influence of patient characteristics. None of the covariates tested had a clinically relevant effect on PD response that would necessitate dose adjustment. For patients with AHP, including adults, adolescents, and patients with mild to moderate renal impairment or mild hepatic impairment, the 2.5‐mg/kg once monthly dosing regimen of givosiran results in clinically meaningful ALA lowering, reducing the risk for AHP attacks.
Eradication of post‐lobectomy mucormycosis and bacterial empyema with intrapleural antimicrobial therapy in a patient with surgically resected Mycobacterium xenopi (non‐tuberculous Mycobacteria) pulmonary infection
Authors: Wigston Charlotte , Woolnough Emily , Otome Ohide , Sanders Lucas , Fysh Edward
Published: March 2023

Empyema thoracis is a collection of pus in the pleural space associated with pleural fibrin deposition. Treatment involves systemic antimicrobials, pleural drainage, intrapleural enzymes and sometimes decortication. Our case is a 57‐year‐old gentleman who developed chronic mucormycosis (Cunninghamella sp.) and bacterial (Enterococcus sp.) empyema in a high‐risk post‐lobectomy space in the setting of a non‐expandable lung following non‐tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection. The patient did not tolerate antimicrobial therapy for progressive pulmonary NTM infection, and required lobectomy, complicated by polymicrobial empyema. He did not respond to systemic treatment and long‐term intercostal catheter drainage and therefore intrapleural taurolidine‐citrate, and enzyme therapy was used to help eradicate infection. Intrapleural antifungals and taurolidine‐citrate in combination with long‐term antifungal therapy may help eradicate infection in patients with fungal empyemas. Further studies investigating the safety of taurolidine‐citrate in pleural catheters are needed.
Defining estimands in clinical trials: A unified procedure
Authors: Han Shasha , Zhou Xiao‐Hua
Published: March 2023

The ICH E9 (R1) addendum proposes five strategies to define estimands by addressing intercurrent events. However, mathematical forms of these targeted quantities are lacking, which might lead to discordance between statisticians who estimate these quantities and clinicians, drug sponsors, and regulators who interpret them. To improve the concordance, we provide a unified four‐step procedure for constructing the mathematical estimands. We apply the procedure for each strategy to derive the mathematical estimands and compare the five strategies in practical interpretations, data collection, and analytical methods. Finally, we show that the procedure can help ease tasks of defining estimands in settings with multiple types of intercurrent events using two real clinical trials.
An abundant sea anemone from the Carboniferous Mazon Creek Lagerstӓtte, USA
Authors: Plotnick Roy E. , Young Graham A. , Hagadorn James W.
Published: March 2023

Sea anemones (Actiniaria) are among the rarest of recognized fossil organisms, even rarer than jellyfish. Here we demonstrate that the most abundant fossil in the Pennsylvanian Mazon Creek Lagerstätte of Illinois, Essexella asherae, is an infaunal or semi‐infaunal anemone. Essexella is redescribed based on a taphonomic analysis of thousands of specimens, as well as associated medusae and trace fossils. Specimens of Essexella (also known as the ‘blobs’) were long believed to be medusae, but we reassign Essexella to the order Actiniaria and reinterpret the putative jellyfish Reticulomedusa as the pedal or oral disc of Essexella. We also implicate Essexella as a producer of Conostichus, a widespread plug‐shaped trace fossil that occurs in coeval strata in the same region. Radiate structures comparable to the bases of Conostichus and the ichnofossil Bergaueria, as well as the pedal discs of modern anemones, characterize Reticulomedusa. Bona fide medusae are present in the Mazon Creek biota, and include Anthracomedusa turnbulli and Octomedusa pieckorum, whereas the soft‐bodied fossil Lascoa mesostaurata is referred to Problematica.
A Porous Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Framework Material for the Sustained Release of Ibuprofen
Authors: Zhu Yunlong , Zhang Wei , Chen Faqiang , Shen Penglei , Xu Shiqing , Xu Hui
Published: March 2023

Design and synthesis of drug delivery carrier for targeted and controlled drug release is very vital but challenging. In this work, based on organic ligand molecule 2,4,6‐tris(4‐carboxyphenyl)aniline (BTB‐NH2), a porous hydrogen‐bonded organic framework material HOF‐BTB‐NH2 was designed and synthesized for targeted drug delivery. The anti‐inflammatory drug Ibuprofen (IBU) was effectively loaded in the HOF‐BTB‐NH2, and it took 6 hours to release IBU completely in PBS buffer solution. This work demonstrates that the porous HOF materials are promising candidates for targeted drug delivery applications.
Rapidity-only TMD factorization at one loop
Authors: Balitsky Ian
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Typically, a production of a particle with a small transverse momentum in hadron-hadron collisions is described by CSS-based TMD factorization at moderate Bjorken xB ~ 1 and by kT-factorization at small xB. A uniform description valid for all xB is provided by rapidity-only TMD factorization developed in a series of recent papers at the tree level. In this paper the rapidity-only TMD factorization for particle production by gluon fusion is extended to the one-loop level.
Optimizing pixel tracklet searches for shorter lifetimes
Authors: Gignac Matthew , Kilic Can , Mahbubani Rakhi , Youn Taewook
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Pixel tracklets, disappearing tracks reconstructed with only pixel hits, have proven to be a promising technique in LHC analyses to search for dark matter candidates at the LHC that belong to a nearly-degenerate electroweak multiplet. However, a Pseudo-Dirac electroweak doublet fermion, arguably the most interesting such possibility, has a shorter lifetime and therefore existing tracklet searches are less sensitive in this case. We assess the performance of a tracklet search optimized for shorter lifetimes by requiring only three pixel hits for the tracklet reconstruction, and by demanding an accompanying soft track for suppressing backgrounds. We estimate how far the sensitivity of existing searches can be extended into the region of parameter space with this optimized search.
Non-Lorentzian Kač-Moody algebras
Authors: Bagchi Arjun , Chatterjee Ritankar , Kaushik Rishabh , Saha Amartya , Sarkar Debmalya
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We investigate two dimensional (2d) quantum field theories which exhibit Non-Lorentzian Kač-Moody (NLKM) algebras as their underlying symmetry. Our investigations encompass both 2d Galilean (speed of light c → ∞) and Carrollian (c → 0) CFTs with additional number of infinite non-Abelian currents, stemming from an isomorphism between the two algebras. We alternate between an intrinsic and a limiting analysis. Our NLKM algebra is constructed first through a contraction and then derived from an intrinsically Carrollian perspective. We then go on to use the symmetries to derive a Non-Lorentzian (NL) Sugawara construction and ultimately write down the NL equivalent of the Knizhnik Zamolodchikov equations. All of these are also derived from contractions, thus providing a robust cross-check of our analyses.
Three dimensional regular black string via loop corrections
Authors: Ying Shuxuan
Published: March 2023

Abstract

It is well known that some spacetime singularities of low energy effective action can be resolved by the effective loop corrections. However, the known potentials for the loop corrections fail to regulate the singularity of three dimensional black string. An alternative method is to introduce an extra flat spatial direction and boost away the singularity by using the O(d, d) rotation with the special Kalb-Ramond field. In this paper, we investigate a new set of non-local dilaton potentials for the effective loop corrections. The result shows that the singularity of three dimensional black string can be consistently resolved by the loop corrections.
On the K-theory of regular coconnective rings
Authors: Burklund Robert , Levy Ishan
Published: March 2023

We show that for a coconnective ring spectrum satisfying regularity and flatness assumptions, its algebraic K-theory agrees with that of its $$\pi _0$$

π
0

. We prove this as a consequence of a more general devissage result for stable infinity categories. Applications of our result include giving general conditions under which K-theory preserves pushouts, generalizations of $$\mathbb {A}^n$$

A

n

-invariance of K-theory, and an understanding of the K-theory of categories of unipotent local systems.
Prävention des plötzlichen Säuglingstods (SIDS, „sudden infant death syndrome“, ICD 10: R95)
Authors: Poets Christian F. ,   GNPI, DGSM, Paditz Ekkehart ,   DGSM, GEPS Landesverbände Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Erler Thomas ,   DGSM, DGKJ, Hübler Axel ,   DGSM, Jückstock Julia ,   DGGG, Quante Mirja ,   DGSM, Pauluschke-Fröhlich Jan ,   DGGG, Schlüter Bernhard ,   DGSM, Hoch Bernhard ,   DGSM, Kerzel Sebastian ,   DGSM, Abou-Dakn Michael ,   DGPM, Schneider Barbara ,   DGSM, Wiater Alfred ,   DGSM
Published: March 2023

Dieser Beitrag fasst die Datenlage zu den wichtigsten Handlungsanweisungen für Eltern bezüglich der Gewährleistung einer sicheren Schlafumgebung für Säuglinge zusammen. Hierzu gehören folgende: 1. Legen Sie Ihr Kind zum Schlafen auf den Rücken; benutzen Sie dabei eine feste und waagerechte Unterlage. 2. Legen Sie Ihr Kind tagsüber, solange es wach ist und Sie es gut beobachten können, regelmäßig für kurze Zeit auch auf den Bauch. 3. Vermeiden Sie Überwärmung: Während der Nacht ist eine Raumtemperatur von 18 °C optimal, anstelle einer Bettdecke empfiehlt sich die Verwendung eines Baby-Schlafsacks in altersentsprechender Größe. 4. Falls Sie keinen Schlafsack verwenden möchten, achten Sie darauf, dass Ihr Kind nicht mit dem Kopf unter die Bettdecke rutschen kann, indem Sie es so ins Bett legen, dass es mit den Füßen am Fußende anstößt. 6. Verzichten Sie auf Kopfkissen, Fellunterlagen, „Nestchen“, gepolsterte Bettumrandungen und größere Kuscheltiere, mit denen sich Ihr Kind überdecken könnte. 7. Wickeln Sie Ihr Kind zum Schlafen nicht fest ein. 8. lassen Sie Ihr Kind bei sich im Zimmer, aber im eigenen Kinderbett schlafen. 9. Achten Sie auf eine rauchfreie Umgebung für Ihr Kind auch schon während der gesamten Schwangerschaft. 10. Stillen Sie im 1. Lebensjahr, möglichst mindestens 4 bis 6 Monate. 11. Bieten Sie Ihrem Kind zum Schlafengehen einen Schnuller an. 12. Diese Empfehlungen gelten auch für die Zeit unmittelbar nach Geburt: Sollte Ihr Kind auf Ihrem Körper liegen, achten Sie darauf, dass es stets freie Atemwege hat.
Manual assembly and Human–Robot Collaboration in repetitive assembly processes: a structured comparison based on human-centered performances
Authors: Gervasi Riccardo , Capponi Matteo , Mastrogiacomo Luca , Franceschini Fiorenzo
Published: March 2023

Human–Robot Collaboration (HRC) represents an innovative solution able to enhance quality and adaptability of production processes. However, to fully exploit the benefits of HRC, human factors must be also taken into account. A novel experimental setting involving a repetitive assembly process is presented to investigate the effects of prolonged HRC on user experience and performance. Each participant was involved in two 4-h shifts: a manual assembly setting and a HRC one. The response variables collected in the study included self-reported affective state, perceived body discomfort, perceived workload, physiological signals for stress (i.e., heart rate variability and electrodermal activity), process and product defectiveness. Experimental results showed less upper limb exertion in the HRC setting, emphasizing the contribution of cobots in improving physical ergonomics in repetitive processes. Furthermore, results showed reduced mental effort, stress, and fewer process defects in the HRC setting, highlighting how collaborative robotics can improve process quality by supporting operators from a cognitive point of view in repetitive processes.
Role of Mn2+ ion in the optimization of the structural and dielectric properties of Co–Zn ferrite
Authors: Rady K. E. , El-Salam Asmaa Reda Abd , ELFadaly Ezzat A. , Aly M. H.
Published: March 2023

Mn-substituted Co–Zn ferrite nanomaterials with the general form Co0.8−x Mnx Zn0.2 Fe2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) were prepared using the coprecipitation method. Based on X-ray diffraction, it can be confirmed that all samples have a single-phase cubic structure with an average crystallite size ranging from 23.46 to 32.66 nm. In addition, the lattice parameter increased from 8.32 to 8.37 Å. In this study, the theoretical density was calculated, and the Fourier-transform infrared spectra of the prepared samples were investigated. Further, the cation distribution of the system was estimated. The proposed cation distribution was confirmed by calculating the theoretical lattice parameter and comparing it with the experimental lattice parameter. We conducted transmission electron microscopy to confirm the obtained particle size. At room temperature, the electrical measurements of the prepared samples were performed using the LCR circuit as a function of frequency up to 5 MHz. In this study, we obtained enhanced dielectric properties by substituting Mn ions in the Co–Zn ferrite. As the Mn concentration increases, the AC resistivity of the samples increases. Consequently, the dielectric loss decreases, and its minimum value can be observed at x = 0.2, making the Co–Mn–Zn ferrite suitable for applications in the microwave frequency range. The results show that all dielectric properties exhibit a normal behavior with frequency. We obtained an improvement in the dielectric properties of the prepared samples, making them suitable for use in high-frequency applications due to the substitution by Mn ions.
Surgical management of colorectal liver metastases—a practical clinical approach
Authors: Dong Yawen , Gruenberger Thomas
Published: March 2023

Background

Despite the remarkable advances that have been made in the management of colorectal cancer over recent years, the optimal treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) remains a controversial matter. Undoubtedly, such a complex disease requires a multidisciplinary approach, in which close collaboration between all specialists involved in its management is of utmost importance.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in PubMed. There was no limit set to the date of publication. The main focus of the literature review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the current multidisciplinary management of CRLM while highlighting the surgical approach.

Results

Assessment of resectability, evaluation of the patient’s fitness, and discussion of clinicopathological features all play a vital role in finding the most suitable treatment strategy for CRLM patients, who should all be timely discussed in the multidisciplinary tumor board, in order to decide upon the optimal therapy sequence, operative time window, and postoperative treatment.

Conclusion

Although hepatic resection remains the only potentially curative treatment strategy for patients with CRLM, a multidisciplinary approach is essential for optimal treatment. A clear definition of treatment goal (curative vs. palliative) at the time of disease diagnosis determines the further therapeutic course. Preoperative estimation of liver functional reserve is a key factor in the decision-making process for CRLM resectability.
Educational Inequalities at the Intersection of Multiple Social Categories: A﻿n Introduction and Systematic Review of the Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (MAIHDA) Approach
Authors: Keller Lena , Lüdtke Oliver , Preckel Franzis , Brunner Martin
Published: March 2023

Intersectional approaches have become increasingly important for explaining educational inequalities because they help to improve our understanding of how individual experiences are shaped by simultaneous membership in multiple social categories that are associated with interconnected systems of power, privilege, and oppression. For years, there has been a call in psychological and educational research for quantitative approaches that can account for the intersection of multiple social categories. The present paper introduces the Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (MAIHDA) approach, a novel intersectional approach from epidemiology, to study educational inequalities. The MAIHDA approach uses a multilevel model as the statistical framework to define intersectional strata that represent individuals’ membership in multiple social categories. By partitioning the variance within and between intersectional strata, the MAIHDA approach allows identifying intersectional effects at the strata level as well as obtaining information on the discriminatory accuracy of these strata for predicting individual educational outcomes. Compared to conventional quantitative intersectional approaches, MAIHDA analyses have several advantages, including better scalability for higher dimensions, model parsimony, and precision-weighted estimates of strata with small sample sizes. We provide a systematic review of its past application and illustrate its use by analyzing inequalities in reading achievement across 40 unique intersectional strata (combining the social categories of gender, immigrant background, parental education, and parental occupational status) using data from 15-year-old students in Germany (N = 5451). We conclude that the MAIHDA approach is a valuable intersectional tool to study inequalities in educational contexts.
Leaving the City: Counterurbanisation and Internal Return Migration in Sweden
Authors: Sandow Erika , Lundholm Emma
Published: March 2023

This paper examines counterurban migration among young families with children in Sweden and the extent to which these moves reflect return migration, recognising the role of family members and family roots at the destination from a life course perspective. Drawing on register data for all young families with children leaving the Swedish metropolitan areas during the years 2003–2013, we analyse the pattern of counterurban moves and explore how the families’ socioeconomic characteristics, childhood origins, and links to family networks are associated with becoming a counterurban mover and choice of destination. The results show that four out of ten counterurban movers are former urban movers who choose to return to their home region. Among them, almost all have family at the destination, indicating that family ties are important for counterurban migration. In general, urban residents with a background outside metropolitan areas are much more likely to become counterurban movers. Families’ previous residential experiences during childhood, particularly in rural areas, are found to be associated with the residential environment they choose to resettle in when leaving the big city. Counterurban movers making a return move are similar to other counterurban movers in relation to employment status, but tend to be better off economically and move longer distances than other counterurban movers.
Is it Better to Intermarry? Immigration Background of Married Couples and Suicide Risk Among Native-Born and Migrant Persons in Sweden
Authors: Oksuzyan Anna , Drefahl Sven , Caputo Jennifer , Aradhya Siddartha
Published: March 2023

Marriage is protective against suicide across most populations, including for persons of different ethnicities and immigrant backgrounds. However, the well-being benefits of marriage are contingent upon marital characteristics—such as conflict and quality—that may vary across spousal dyads with different immigration backgrounds. Leveraging Swedish register data, we compare suicide mortality among married persons on the basis of their and their spouse’s immigration backgrounds. We find that relative to those in a native Swede-Swede union, Swedish men married to female immigrants and immigrant women married to native men are at higher risk of death by suicide, while immigrants of both genders who are married to someone from their birth country have a lower risk of suicide mortality. The findings support hypotheses about the strains that may be encountered by those who intermarry, as well as the potential selection of individuals into inter- and intra-ethnic marriages.
Colloquial Russian between theory and practice: what is claimed and what is real?
Authors: Kaltseis Magdalena , Stadler Wolfgang
Published: March 2023

This paper presents an extensive review of the research literature on Colloquial Russian (CR) in the past 50 years with an extra focus on the teaching of Russian as a foreign language (RFL). First, using Zemskaja’s understanding of russkaja razgovornaja reč’ (1973, 1979, 1987, 2011, 2016), the article offers an overview of CR’s linguistic features and, second, it looks at the recommendations issued in the literature as to whether and when colloquial peculiarities should be taught—be it for receptive or productive communicative competence. Third, the paper presents the results of an empirical study, which was conducted to show how linguists, Russian instructors and teachers in German-speaking countries treat CR in their lectures and seminars on Russian linguistics as well as in secondary RFL classes and where their preferences lie. Based on the findings from this survey, the article then addresses what researchers preach and what practitioners teach and makes suggestions on how to narrow the gap between theory and practice, claim and reality.
A Positively Relaxed Take on Naturalism: Reasons to be Relaxed but not too Liberal
Authors: Hutto Daniel D.
Published: March 2023

Relaxed naturalism and liberal naturalism both invite us to adopt a philosophy of nature that includes a range of non-scientific phenomena in its inventory while nevertheless keeping the supernatural at bay. This paper considers the question of how relaxed naturalism relates to liberal naturalism and what refinements are required if they are to succeed in their joint cause of developing a tenable alternative to scientific naturalism. Particular attention is given to what might be added to the naturalist’s toolbox when it comes to identifying and dealing with supernatural excesses and clarifying how philosophers can do positive metaphysical work in support of the naturalistic project.
Vorgesetztenwechsel im höheren Management als Thema im Coaching
Authors: Cipa Nicole
Published: March 2023

Ein Vorgesetztenwechsel im höheren Management kann eine prägnante Zäsur in der Berufsbiographie einer Führungskraft darstellen, da dieser Wechsel häufig auch mit Veränderungen der Organisationsstruktur, der Zielsetzung, der Aufgabenzuordnung, des Führungsstils, der Bewertungsmaßstäbe oder der Teamkultur einhergeht. Von betroffenen Managern sind umfangreiche Anpassungsleistungen gefordert, die eine weitreichende Umstellung der eigenen Aufstellung und Arbeitsweise erforderlich machen oder sogar zu einem Positionswechsel oder Verlust des Arbeitsplatzes führen können. Die Anpassung erfolgt auf mehreren Ebenen und folgt einem Phasenablauf, der durch Coaching sinnvoll unterstützt werden kann.
Making sense of power through transdisciplinary sustainability research: insights from a Transformative Power Lab
Authors: de Geus Tessa , Avelino Flor , Strumińska-Kutra Marta , Pitzer Magdalena , Wittmayer Julia M. , Hendrikx Lara , Joshi Vaishali , Schrandt Naomi , Widdel Linda , Fraaije Maria , Iskandarova Marfuga , Hielscher Sabine , Rogge Karoline
Published: March 2023

If transdisciplinary sustainability research is to contribute to sustainability transitions, issues of power dynamics need to be understood and accounted for. However, examples of concrete methods that put this into practice are sparse. This paper presents a conceptual and methodological framework that develops a better understanding of the power phenomenon, while providing actionable knowledge. By focussing on the context of social innovation in energy transitions, we demonstrate how different theoretical conceptualisations of power can be translated into a collaborative, transdisciplinary research design. In a facilitated process, researchers, policy workers and practitioners from diverse social innovation fields developed and tested the Transformative Power Lab approach and co-wrote a ‘Power Guide’ as a strategic exploration of power dynamics in sustainability transitions, specifically regarding social innovation in energy transitions. Based on the insights that emerged during this process, we discuss how transdisciplinary and action-oriented approaches in sustainability transition studies might benefit from this approach and, potentially, develop it further.
Gender inequality in a transition economy: heights and sexual height dimorphism in Southwestern France, 1640–1850
Authors: Ridolfi Leonardo
Published: March 2023

The secular trend in average female and male adult height can reveal sex-specific patterns in resource allocation as final heights, to a large extent, reflect access to food and the degree of parental investment in nutrition, particularly over early childhood. This article examines the issue by reconstructing the long-term evolution of heights and sexual height dimorphism for the cohorts born between the 1640s and the 1850s in Southwestern France, an area characterized by among the highest levels of gender inequality and the lowest level of development in France at the time. To make so I rely on hospital, passports, and prison records and show how these different sources can be combined to study long-term patterns in adult statures. The analysis reveals that sexual height dimorphism charted an inverted U-shaped trajectory in the period considered. The study of the correlates of gender dimorphism also suggests that this varied in relation to the amount of resources available as well as the demographic cycle. The progressive reduction in Malthusian constraints and the early French fertility decline were accompanied by a general reduction in inequality possibly associated with an increase in expenditure on female quality.
Identifying Neighbourhood Change Using a Data Primitive Approach: the Example of Gentrification
Authors: Gray Jennie , Buckner Lisa , Comber Alexis
Published: March 2023

Data primitives are the fundamental measurements or variables that capture the process under investigation. In this study annual data for small areas were collated and used to identify and characterise gentrification. Such data-driven approaches are possible because of the increased availability of data over small areas for fine spatial and temporal resolutions. They overcome limitations of traditional approaches to quantifying geodemographic change. This study uses annual data for 2010–2019 of House Price, Professional Occupation, Residential Mobility (in and out flows) and Ethnicity over small areas, Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs). Areas of potential gentrification were identified from directional changes found in all of these variables, across combinations of start and end time periods. The initial set of areas were further processed and filtered to select robust gentrification cycles with minimum duration, and to determine start, peak and end years. Some 123 neighbourhoods in a regional case study area were found to have undergone some form of potential gentrification. These were examined further to characterise their spatial context and nature of the gentrification present, and specific types of gentrification were found to have specific periodicities. For example short-length durations (three to four years) were typically located in rural and suburban areas, associated with transit-induced cycles of gentrification, and greenification. Seven neighbourhoods were validated in detail, confirming the gentrification process and its type and their multivariate change vectors were examined. These showed that vector angle reflects the main data primitive driving the cycle of gentrification, which could aid with future prediction of gentrification cycles. A number of areas of further work are discussed.
The Power of Secret Knowledge: The RAND Corporation, Ignorance Studies and Sociology
Authors: Griessl Lukas
Published: March 2023

The following contribution is concerned with the relation of Dayé’s work on the RAND Corporation during the Cold War and the field of ignorance studies. In doing so, I aim to emphasise the interconnection of three central themes that pervade Dayé’s work: secrecy, ignorance, and power. In an era of Cold War insecurity, marked by strategic attempts by both sides to obscure their own capabilities, a largely secretive organization emerged as a reliable source of knowledge, helping to guide decision-making in uncertain times and to generate policy recommendations. This not only raises significant questions about the power of certain groups or individuals to define what counts as policy-guiding knowledge, it also points to a form of ignorance that is highly productive. It not only affords the creation of new knowledge practices, but it becomes a force in itself that mobilizes the creation of further ignorance. While these connections are implicit in Dayé’s work, this study seeks to bring them to the forefront and to explore them in dialogue with classical sociological literature and in the context of seminal contributions to the field of ignorance studies. In order to do so, I will start with a brief elaboration on the secrecy that surrounded the work conducted at the RAND corporation, alongside a brief discussion of the notion of secrecy and elite power in the canon of classical literature in sociology, to then introduce the field of ignorance studies. From this angle, I will explore how a particular form of ignorance lies at the core of the workings at RAND and how ignorance studies might help to better understand the developing influence and rule of experts.
Defense against small parties: electoral reforms and their impact on Tunisia’s electoral system since the Arab Spring
Authors: Ali Hager
Published: March 2023

Tunisia’s political system suffers from recurrent problems with governability and proportionality. A volatile party landscape, frequent cabinet reshuffles, and political gridlocks repeatedly jeopardized stability and democratic progress since the Arab Spring. Major and minor electoral reforms were undertaken in 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2022, but they were unable to diffuse either of these issues. This analysis is therefore driven by two central questions: How have Tunisia’s electoral laws changed since the Arab Spring? And why have these reforms failed to improve both governability and proportionality? It will be argued that because Tunisia’s party landscape is fractured and volatile only on the secularist side of the spectrum, coalitions with and against Ennahda are costly to all parties involved, worsening the overall quality of political representation. By analyzing the trajectory of major and minor electoral reforms longitudinally, this paper finds that Tunisia’s electoral reforms incrementally restricted the electoral system by limiting parties’ and candidates’ capacity to compete in elections. Through modifying legislation on campaign finance and subsidies, gender parity, and candidacy requirements, and finally abolishing Tunisia’s closed list PR-system in 2022, reforms benefit established older parties and wealthier candidates while fortifying the electoral system against newer and less wealthy contenders. Tunisia’s electoral reforms are inadequate in addressing governability and proportionality because restricting electoral competition alone cannot improve the quality of representation through political parties.
Continuous Dependence in a Problem of Convergence of Random Iteration
Authors: Kapica Rafał , Komorek Dawid
Published: March 2023

We show that an invariant measure of a Markov operator that is contracting in the Hutchison distance, acting on a space of Borel probability measures on a Polish space, depends continuously on the given operator. In addition, we establish an estimate for a distance between invariant measures. Some applications to the weak limit of iterates of random-valued functions (in particular, the so-called random affine maps, occuring, e.g., in perpetuities analysis) are also given.
Automorphism groups of Cayley evolution algebras
Authors: Costoya C. , Muñoz V. , Tocino A. , Viruel A.
Published: March 2023

In this paper we introduce a new species of evolution algebras that we call Cayley evolution algebras. We show that if a field $$\Bbbk $$
k
contains sufficiently many elements (for example if $$\Bbbk $$
k
is infinite) then every finite group G is isomorphic to $${\text {Aut}}(X)$$

Aut
(
X
)

where X is a finite-dimensional absolutely simple Cayley evolution $$\Bbbk $$
k
-algebra.
The Effects of Treatment with Icariin on Immune Tolerance in the Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion Mice
Authors: Peng Fang , Han Zhongyu , Chen Haoran , Zhang Qinxiu , Liu Chi , Liang Xin
Published: March 2023

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is the most common pregnancy-related complication, affecting 1–5% of pregnancies. Currently, immune imbalance at the maternal–fetal interface is one of the main causes of recurrent abortion. Icariin (ICA) can exert immunomodulatory effects in a variety of autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, it has not been reported for use in recurrent abortion. In this study, to clarify the effects and mechanisms of ICA for recurrent abortion, female mice CBA/J were randomly divided into Normal group, RSA group and RSA + ICA group. From 0.5 days of pregnancy to 12.5 days, the RSA + ICA group was subjected to orally ICA (50 mg/Kg) daily, and the Normal group and the RSA group were given with an equal volume of distilled water. The results showed the amount of reabsorbed embryo in the RSA group was significantly higher than that in the normal-pregnancy group. However, ICA treatment showed a rescue effect on spontaneous abortion in RSA mice. ICA was able to increase the ratio of the labyrinth to total placental area in abortion-prone model. Further investigation showed that ICA treatment can expand the regulatory T cell (Treg) population in mice prone to abortion, significantly decrease the populations of Th1 cells, and reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. Additionally, ICA treatment was able to decrease the expression of mechanical target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the placenta. ICA may increase Treg cell expansion and reducing pro-inflammatory factors expression via the mTOR pathway, then reducing placental inflammation and improving pregnancy outcomes in abortion-prone mice.
Health Care in Birmingham
Authors: Reinarz Jonathan
Published: March 2023

A history of the wide range of general and specialist hospitals associated with the University of Birmingham Medical School, set in the broader context of health care in Birmingham.
A neglected topos in behavioural normative economics: the opportunity and process aspect of freedom
Authors: Dold Malte , Lewis Paul
Published: March 2023

Robert Sugden has advanced various critiques of behavioural welfare economics, offering the notion of opportunity as an alternative. We agree with much of Sugden's critique but argue that his approach would benefit from a broadening of the informational base beyond opportunities to include people's concern for decision processes. We follow Amartya Sen in arguing that the process through which choices are made (process freedom) is something individuals care about beyond the availability of choice options (opportunity freedom) as they value a sense of agency. We argue that individuals’ agentic capabilities are crucial for people's process freedom and hence for their sense of agency. In the final section of the paper, we sketch the institutional implications of our argument, i.e. what a joint consideration of opportunities and agentic capabilities means for behavioural public policy.
Potentialism and S5
Authors: Werner Jonas
Published: March 2023

Modal potentialism as proposed by Barbara Vetter (2015) is the view that every possibility is grounded in something having a potentiality. Drawing from work by Jessica Leech (2017), Samuel Kimpton-Nye (2021) argues that potentialists can have an S5 modal logic. I present a novel argument to the conclusion that the most straightforward way of spelling out modal potentialism cannot validate an S5 modal logic. Then I will propose a slightly tweaked version of modal potentialism that can validate an S5 modal logic and still does justice to the core claim of potentialism.
Are fewer cases of diabetes mellitus diagnosed in the months after SARS-CoV-2 infection? A population-level view in the EHR-based RECOVER program
Authors: Reddy Neha V. , Yeh Hsin-Chieh , Tronieri Jena S. , Stürmer Til , Buse John B. , Reusch Jane E. , Johnson Steven G. , Wong Rachel , Moffitt Richard , Wilkins Kenneth J. , Harper Jeremy , Bramante Carolyn T. ,   the N3C and RECOVER Consortiums
Published: March 2023

Long-term sequelae of severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may include increased incidence of diabetes. Here we describe the temporal relationship between new type 2 diabetes and SARS-CoV-2 infection in a nationwide database. We found that while the proportion of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes increased during the acute period of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the mean proportion of new diabetes cases in the 6 months post-infection was about 83% lower than the 6 months preinfection. These results underscore the need for further investigation to understand the timing of new diabetes after COVID-19, etiology, screening, and treatment strategies.