bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valproic acid induced selective apoptosis of ocular fibrous tunic in mice fetuses
Authors: Manthos Kyriakos , Theotokis Paschalis , Dermitzakis Iasonas , Avramidou Eleni , Meditskou Soultana , Manthou Maria Eleni , Emmanouil‐Nikoloussi Elpida‐Niki
Published: August 2022

Background

Valproic acid (VPA), a prescribed drug commonly used for various neurological perturbations, has been implicated in teratogenic inflictions on developing fetuses during pregnancy. The purpose of this research was to delineate the gross morphological and histological effects of VPA in the developing eye tunics and lens.

Methods

A time‐dependent administration of 500 mg/kg VPA to BALB/c groups of female mice was coordinated during organogenesis (gestational days 7, 8, and 9) and compared to controls that received normal saline. Seized fetuses were checked for macroscopic eye anomalies, histological malformations with Azan trichrome staining, and levels of apoptotic activity with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.

Results

Histochemical analysis showed that VPA‐treated groups exhibited collagen deficiency (2.5–50% decrease in aniline blue intensity) and a marked increase in TUNEL‐positive cells (p < .05) in corneal stroma and sclera/choroid layers while less was detected in retina and lens, when compared to controls.

Conclusions

Since the evaluation of the inner structures did not manifest major differences, we conclude that VPA teratogenic influence display eclectic toxicity, as seen by increased apoptosis to eye layers with high degree fibrous context, particularly the outer tunics.
Molecular and histological correlates of cognitive decline across age in male C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Britton Rachel , Liu Angela T. , Rege Sanket V. , Adams Julia M. , Akrapongpisak Lily , Le David , Alcantara‐Lee Raniel , Estrada Raul A. , Ray Rebecca , Ahadi Sara , Gallager Ian , Yang Cindy F. , Minami S. Sakura , Braithwaite Steven P. , Czirr Eva , Campbell Meghan Kerrisk
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Increasing age is the number one risk factor for developing cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease. Aged humans and mice exhibit numerous molecular changes that contribute to a decline in cognitive function and increased risk of developing age‐associated diseases. Here, we characterize multiple age‐associated changes in male C57BL/6J mice to understand the translational utility of mouse aging.

Methods

Male C57BL/6J mice from various ages between 2 and 24 months of age were used to assess behavioral, as well as, histological and molecular changes across three modalities: neuronal, microgliosis/neuroinflammation, and the neurovascular unit (NVU). Additionally, a cohort of 4‐ and 22‐month‐old mice was used to assess blood‐brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. Mice in this cohort were treated with a high, acute dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg) or saline control 6 h prior to sacrifice followed by tail vein injection of 0.4 kDa sodium fluorescein (100 mg/kg) 2 h later.

Results

Aged mice showed a decline in cognitive and motor abilities alongside decreased neurogenesis, proliferation, and synapse density. Further, neuroinflammation and circulating proinflammatory cytokines were increased in aged mice. Additionally, we found changes at the BBB, including increased T cell infiltration in multiple brain regions and an exacerbation in BBB leakiness following chemical insult with age. There were also a number of readouts that were unchanged with age and have limited utility as markers of aging in male C57BL/6J mice.

Conclusions

Here we propose that these changes may be used as molecular and histological readouts that correspond to aging‐related behavioral decline. These comprehensive findings, in the context of the published literature, are an important resource toward deepening our understanding of normal aging and provide an important tool for studying aging in mice.
Survey reports demographic differences around perceived campus safety
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: August 2022

Students on college campuses are more than six times as likely to report feeling “very safe,” as opposed to feeling unsafe, and more likely to report trust in campus safety and law enforcement officials than not — but that isn't true of every group or community on campus.
Understanding structure, functionality, and digestibility of faba bean starch for potential industrial uses
Authors: Li Dongxing , Yuan Tommy Z. , Li Jiayi , Wanasundara Janitha P. D. , Tulbek Mehmet C. , Ai Yongfeng
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives

There is growing interest in fractionating faba bean to produce various food ingredients; however, the technological attributes of the leading co‐product, faba bean starch, are poorly understood. This study examined the structures, functional properties, and in vitro digestibility of starches isolated from five varieties of faba bean cultivated in two different years in comparison with commercial starches.

Findings

Some distinctive features were identified in the faba bean starches: no breakdown viscosity during pasting, remarkably stronger gelling ability, and greater enzymatic resistance in a raw state. The two growing years did not significantly influence the structures, physicochemical properties, and digestibility of the faba bean starches, except for the pasting profiles of certain cultivars.

Conclusions

Despite the obvious differences in the sizes, tannin levels, and vicine and convicine levels of their seeds, the faba bean starches generally exhibited technological characteristics similar to those of the pea starch, while being significantly different from those of the maize starch.

Significance and Novelty

This study presented the unique properties of faba bean starches from five representative cultivars grown in different years, which will be meaningful for industrial utilization of faba bean starch with value addition.
Heating up the OER: Investigation of IrO2 OER Catalysts as Function of Potential and Temperature**
Authors: Czioska Steffen , Ehelebe Konrad , Geppert Janis , Escalera‐López Daniel , Boubnov Alexey , Saraçi Erisa , Mayerhöfer Britta , Krewer Ulrike , Cherevko Serhiy , Grunwaldt Jan‐Dierk
Published: August 2022

Despite intensive investigations for unravelling the water splitting reaction, the catalyst behavior during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is still not fully understood. This is especially true under more demanding conditions like high potentials and high temperatures. Rotating disk electrode measurements show a gradual increase of OER current when increasing the temperature up to 80 °C. However, strong bubble formation at elevated temperatures makes in‐situ characterization of the catalyst challenging. Here we utilize an in‐situ electrochemical and heated flow cell, which aims at an efficient removal of bubbles from the catalyst surface and enables structural studies by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at temperatures up to 80 °C. Changes in the Ir L3‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge spectra (XANES) were observed with respect to the white line position and principal components related to structural changes were extracted. At temperatures of 60 °C and above, the white line position of XANES spectra reaches a steady state, which is possibly caused by an equilibrium of different Ir oxidation states. These findings provide first spectroscopic insights in the behavior of OER catalysts at elevated temperatures which are typical for industrial applications and rarely addressed until now.
Health status of prevalent cancer cases as measured by mortality dynamics (cancer vs. noncancer): Application to five major cancers sites
Authors: Colonna Marc , Grosclaude Pascale , Bouvier Anne Marie , Goungounga Juste , Jooste Valérie
Published: August 2022

Background

Cancer prevalence is heterogeneous because it includes individuals who are undergoing initial treatment and those who are in remission, experiencing relapse, or cured. The proposed statistical approach describes the health status of this group by estimating the probabilities of death among prevalent cases. The application concerns colorectal, lung, breast, and prostate cancers and melanoma in France in 2017.

Methods

Excess mortality was used to estimate the probabilities of death from cancer and other causes.

Results

For the studied cancers, most deaths from cancer occurred during the first 5 years after diagnosis. The probability of death from cancer decreased with increasing time since diagnosis except for breast cancer, for which it remained relatively stable. The time beyond which the probability of death from cancer became lower than that from other causes depended on age and cancer site: for colorectal cancer, it was 6 years after diagnosis for women (7 years for men) aged 75–84 and 20 years for women (18 years for men) aged 45–54 years, whereas cancer was the major cause of death for women younger than 75 years whatever the time since diagnosis for breast and for all patients younger than 75 years for lung cancer. In contrast, deaths from other causes were more frequent in all the patients older than 75 years. Apart from breast cancer in women younger than 55 years and lung cancer in women older than 55 years and men older than 65 years, the probability of death from cancer among prevalent cases fell below 1%, with varying times since diagnosis.

Conclusions

The authors' approach can be used to better describe the burden of cancer by estimating outcomes in prevalent cases.
The prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among students living with disability in the Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: Tefera Amare T. , Girma Biruk , Adane Aynishet , Muche Abebe , Ayele Tadesse A. , Getahun Kefyalew A. , Aniley Zelallem , Ali Semira , Handebo Simegnew
Published: August 2022

Objectives

People living with disability are more vulnerable to dental caries and have a high decayed, missed, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index and untreated dental disease than nondisabled individuals. In Ethiopia, there is a dearth of information on the oral health status of the disabled population. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and its predictors among special needs school students in the Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution‐based cross‐sectional study was done on special needs school students in the Amhara region from November 2020 to April 2021. The study participants were recruited using a simple random sampling technique using a computer random generator. Data collection was done using the World Health Organization oral health survey tool. Data entry was done using Epi‐data 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS 26. A logistic regression model was used to identify the possible predictors of dental caries.

Results

Four hundred and forty‐three students with a mean age of 15.8 ± 3.8 were included in the study. The prevalence of dental caries was 41.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 36.3, 46.0) in permanent dentition with a mean DMFT score of 1.3 ± 1.6. The prevalence of dental caries in primary dentition was 23.1% (95% CI: 11.9, 32.1) with a mean decayed, missed, and filled primary teeth (dmft) score of 1.9 ± 0.2.

Being 7–12 years old (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.6, 8.3), lower grade level (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI:1.3,4.4), poor oral hygiene status (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3, 4.8), and lack of parental support during tooth brushing (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2, 4.1) were independent predictors of dental caries.

Conclusions

A significant amount of special needs school students in the study area had dental caries. Age, grade level, oral hygiene status, and lack of parent support during tooth brushing were independent predictors of dental caries.
Climate change‐induced distributional change of medicinal and aromatic plants in the Nepal Himalaya
Authors: Shrestha Uttam B. , Lamsal Pramod , Ghimire Suresh K. , Shrestha Bharat B. , Dhakal Sajita , Shrestha Sujata , Atreya Kishor
Published: August 2022

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) contribute to human well‐being via health and economic benefits. Nepal has recorded 2331 species of MAPs, of which around 300 species are currently under trade. Wild harvested MAPs in Nepal are under increasing pressure from overexploitation for trade and the effects of climate change and development. Despite some localized studies to examine the impact of climate change on MAPs, a consolidated understanding is lacking on how the distribution of major traded species of MAPs will change with future climate change. This study identifies the potential distribution of 29 species of MAPs in Nepal under current and future climate using an ensemble modeling and hotspot approach. Future climate change will reduce climatically suitable areas of two‐third of the studied species and decrease climatically suitable hotspots across elevation, physiography, ecoregions, federal states, and protected areas in Nepal. Reduction in climatically suitable areas for MAPs might have serious consequences for the livelihood of people that depend on the collection and trade of MAPs as well as Nepal's national economy. Therefore, it is imperative to consider the threats that future climate change may have on distribution of MAPs while designing protected areas and devising environmental conservation and climate adaptation policies.
The influence of bedrock river morphology and alluvial cover on gravel entrainment. Part 2: Modelling critical shear stress
Authors: Hodge Rebecca A. , Buechel Marcus E. H.
Published: August 2022

The critical shear stress (τc) at which grains are entrained on a bedrock surface is important for determining how bedrock rivers evolve through changes in sediment cover and bedrock erosion. The difference in τc for grains on bedrock and alluvial surfaces also determines whether a channel may be susceptible to runaway alluviation. Bedrock channel beds can have a wide variety of morphologies, but we do not fully understand how this variation affects τc. Here we address how bedrock morphology alters the grain entrainment parameters of pivoting angle, grain exposure and roughness height z0, and thus τc. In our companion article we used scaled, 3D printed replicas of seven bedrock surfaces to measure grain pivoting angles for four grain sizes. For three surfaces, pivoting angles were also measured with 25–100% sediment cover. In this second article, we combine these pivot angle data with measurements of grain exposure and surface roughness (standard deviation of elevations, σz) to predict τc using a force–balance model. The bedrock topography produces substantial variation in τc; for a given grain diameter (D), a 3.6× range of σz across the surfaces without sediment cover produces up to a 5.1× variation in τc. For comparison, for any single surface, τc varies by up to 2.5× for a fourfold range in grain size. Comparison to previous models with less representation of grain‐scale geometry shows that in our results grains move at lower values of dimensionless critical shear stress (τ*c), and that τ*c decreases more quickly with increasing D/σz. However, direct comparison is difficult because previous relationships are based on a hydraulic roughness length that cannot be easily predicted without hydraulic data. Our results propose a new relationship between D/σz and τ*c, but further development and testing require datasets that combine measurements of flow, τc and grain‐scale geometry.
Children's connectedness and shared meanings strategies during play with siblings and friends
Authors: Leach Jamie , Howe Nina , DeHart Ganie
Published: August 2022

The present longitudinal study investigated children's shared meanings strategies used to initiate, sustain, and end connectedness during play with siblings and friends from early to middle childhood. Participants included 65 4‐year‐old focal children at time 1 (T1) and 46 7‐year‐old focal children at time 2 (T2) videotaped at home in separate semi‐structured free play sessions with an older or younger sibling and a same‐aged friend at both time points. Data were coded for (a) shared meanings strategies (e.g., introductions to play, description of actions) and (b) connectedness in communication (i.e., initiating, sustaining, and ending conversation). The two sets of codes were combined to create a new blended code (e.g., introduction‐initiate). Children used several strategies consistently to initiate, sustain, and end connectedness across play sessions, but in other cases employed strategies differentially. There were a few notable relationship differences; children engaged in more prosocial behavior and employed a play voice when initiating connectedness with their friend than sibling and more clarifications when sustaining connectedness with their sibling. The findings provide nuanced and novel insights into children's shared meanings strategies during play and connectedness in child‐child relationships across time.
Effects of co‐infection with Clonorchis sinensis on the sex hormones levels in male patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Dong Huimin , Shang Mei , Luo Minqi , Chen Wenya , Hu Bo
Published: August 2022

Objective

We evaluated the levels of sex hormones in male hepatitis B patients co‐infected with Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis).

Methods

A total of 136 male individuals were enrolled in this study, including 27 healthy controls, 28 patients with C. sinensis mono‐infection, 19 patients with only chronic hepatitis B, 18 patients with post‐hepatitis B liver cirrhosis, 26 chronic hepatitis B patients co‐infected with C. sinensis, and 18 post‐hepatitis B liver cirrhosis patients coinfected with C. sinensis. Serum levels of progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in these groups were measured.

Results

The results showed that compared with the LC group, the LC+ C. sinensis co‐infected group had an increase in E2 but decrease in T and FSH. The levels of E2 in CHB+ C. sinensis co‐infected patients were significantly higher than those in CHB mono‐infected patients, but the significantly lower levels of T were observed. Compared with HCs group, the LC group showed significant increase in all terms of sex hormones, except PRL. By contrast, the CHB mono‐infected group presented an apparent decrease in E2, T, and PRL than the HCs group. However, there were no significant differences in sex hormone levels between the C. sinensis mono‐infected patients and HCs.

Conclusion

This study suggests that C. sinensis co‐infection aggravates the sex hormone disturbance in HBV patients at both chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis stages, providing evidences for potential strategies in disease prevention and treatment.
Hepatic encephalopathy and strategies to prevent readmission from inadequate transitions of care
Authors: Rosenstengle Craig , Kripalani Sunil , Rahimi Robert S.
Published: August 2022

One of the most costly and frequent causes of hospital readmissions in the United States is hepatic encephalopathy in patients with underlying liver cirrhosis. In this narrative review, we cover current practices in inpatient management, transitions of care, and strategies to prevent hospital readmissions. Bundled approaches using a model such as the “Ideal Transitions of Care” appear to be more likely to prevent readmissions and assist patients as they transition to outpatient care. Numerous strategies have been evaluated to prevent readmissions in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, including technologic interventions, involvement of nonphysician team members, early follow‐up strategies, and involvement of palliative care when appropriate.
Missed diagnosis of cirrhosis in the inpatient setting
Authors: Amin Alpesh N. , Nguyen Peter H. , Tapper Elliot B.
Published: August 2022

Cirrhosis accounts for a large number of deaths in the United States and worldwide, leading to an increasing burden on the healthcare system. Cirrhosis is, however, a progressive disease with different potential complications related to liver dysfunction and portal hypertension. Often, patients may present with complications of cirrhosis without having been diagnosed previously. It is pertinent that clinicians recognize these signs to place patients on an appropriate course of management to help delay or avoid further disease progression while avoiding deleterious outcomes and unnecessary utilization. We will discuss the epidemiology of liver disease, cirrhosis, and its complications (hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, and varices). In this study, we will discuss the rationale and impact of missing these diagnoses on the healthcare system and patient.
Modeling of Excess‐3 to BCD code converter for nano system using quantum‐dot cellular automata technology
Authors: Khan Angshuman , Safoev Nuriddin , Arya Rajeev
Published: August 2022

This work proposes a novel quantum‐dot cellular automata (QCA) layout for an Excess‐3 to BCD code converter for nano systems that is low in cell complexity. The suggested design uses a QCA clock‐phase‐based technique to evaluate integration with other complex circuits. The results obtained using the QCADesigner simulation tool demonstrate the superiority of the recommended layout over prior identical reverse counterpart designs by evaluating the cell numbers used, the space occupied, and the latency as design metrics. The suggested layout has a 56% decrease in occupied space and a 37.5% reduction in delay when compared to similar reverse counterpart scalable designs. In addition, the energy dissipation of the suggested structure was calculated and compared to previous comparable work (reverse equivalent) to confirm its reliability. The suggested circuit may be employed in bigger and more complicated circuits due to its advantage in numerous performance measurement parameters.
Physics‐Aware Machine Learning and Adversarial Attack in Complex‐Valued Reconfigurable Diffractive All‐Optical Neural Network
Authors: Chen Ruiyang , Li Yingjie , Lou Minhan , Fan Jichao , Tang Yingheng , Sensale‐Rodriguez Berardi , Yu Cunxi , Gao Weilu
Published: August 2022

Diffractive optical neural networks have shown promising advantages over electronic circuits for accelerating modern machine learning (ML) algorithms. However, it is challenging to achieve fully programmable all‐optical implementation and rapid hardware deployment. Here, a large‐scale, cost‐effective, complex‐valued, and reconfigurable diffractive all‐optical neural networks system in the visible range is demonstrated based on cascaded transmissive twisted nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulators. The employment of categorical reparameterization technique creates a physics‐aware training framework for the fast and accurate deployment of computer‐trained models onto optical hardware. Such a full stack of hardware and software enables not only the experimental demonstration of classifying handwritten digits in standard datasets, but also theoretical analysis and experimental verification of physics‐aware adversarial attacks onto the system, which are generated from a complex‐valued gradient‐based algorithm. The detailed adversarial robustness comparison with conventional multiple layer perceptrons and convolutional neural networks features a distinct statistical adversarial property in diffractive optical neural networks. The developed full stack of software and hardware provides new opportunities of employing diffractive optics in a variety of ML tasks and in the research on optical adversarial ML.
Targeting human caseinolytic protease P (ClpP) as a novel therapeutic strategy in ovarian cancer
Authors: Luo Baozhu , Zhang Jiangnan , Qiao Wenliang , Zhou Yuanzhen , Huang Jiasheng , Yang Tao , Luo Youfu
Published: August 2022

Ovarian cancer (OC) is currently one of the most life‐threatening types of gynecological malignancy with limited treatment options and poor clinical outcomes. Human caseinolytic protease P (HsClpP) is located in the mitochondria and plays an important role in several tumors. Moreover, HsClpP is overexpressed in OC and several other tumor cells. Thus, HsClpP modulation is regarded as a potential approach for OC treatment. In this study, we identified and validated a novel boron peptide Compound 43‐8F as a potent HsClpP inhibitor. Upon 43‐8F treatment, mitochondrial damage was observed to be closely correlated with upregulated intracellular reactive oxygen species production, decreasement of membrane potential, and ATP content suppression. Meanwhile, the expression level of SDHB and the ATF4 was increased after 43‐8F treatment, suggesting that 43‐8F treatment induces mitochondrial respiratory disorders and activates the integrated stress response pathway to inhibit tumor cell growth. Further, 43‐8F exhibited a good therapeutic and safety profile in OC xenograft model in nude mice. Together, these results suggest that 43‐8F exerts an anti‐ovarian cancer effect by inhibiting HsClpP pathway.
The Brain Protein Atlas: A conglomerate of proteomics datasets of human neural tissue
Authors: Lam K.H. Brian , Faust Kevin , Yin Richard , Fiala Clare , Diamandis Phedias
Published: August 2022

The human brain represents one of the most complex biological structures with significant spatiotemporal molecular plasticity occurring through early development, learning, aging, and disease. While much progress has been made in mapping its transcriptional architecture, more downstream phenotypic readouts are relatively scarce due to limitations with tissue heterogeneity and accessibility, as well as an inability to amplify protein species prior to global ‐OMICS analysis. To address some of these barriers, our group has recently focused on using mass‐spectrometry workflows compatible with small amounts of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue samples. This has enabled exploration into spatiotemporal proteomic signatures of the brain and disease across otherwise inaccessible neurodevelopmental timepoints and anatomical niches. Given the similar theme and approaches, we introduce an integrated online portal, “The Brain Protein Atlas (BPA)” (www.brainproteinatlas.org), representing a public resource that allows users to access and explore these amalgamated datasets. Specifically, this portal contains a growing set of peer‐reviewed mass‐spectrometry‐based proteomic datasets, including spatiotemporal profiles of human cerebral development, diffuse gliomas, clinically aggressive meningiomas, and a detailed anatomic atlas of glioblastoma. One barrier to entry in mass spectrometry‐based proteomics data analysis is the steep learning curve required to extract biologically relevant data. BPA, therefore, includes several built‐in analytical tools to generate relevant plots (e.g., volcano plots, heatmaps, boxplots, and scatter plots) and evaluate the spatiotemporal patterns of proteins of interest. Future iterations aim to expand available datasets, including those generated by the community at large, and analytical tools for exploration. Ultimately, BPA aims to improve knowledge dissemination of proteomic information across the neuroscience community in hopes of accelerating the biological understanding of the brain and various maladies.
Dual‐Scale Porous Composite for Tactile Sensor with High Sensitivity over an Ultrawide Sensing Range
Authors: Bae Kyubin , Kim Minhyeong , Kang Yunsung , Sim Sangjun , Kim Wondo , Pyo Soonjae , Kim Jongbaeg
Published: August 2022

Porous structures have been utilized in tactile sensors to improve sensitivity owing to their excellent deformability. Recently, tactile sensors using porous structures have been used in practical applications, such as bio‐signal monitoring. However, highly sensitive responses are limited to the low‐pressure range, and their sensitivity significantly decreases in a higher‐pressure range. Several approaches for developing tactile sensors with high sensitivity overing a wide pressure range have been proposed; however, achieving high sensitivity and wide sensing range remains a crucial challenge. This report presents a carbon nanotube (CNT)‐coated CNT–polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite having dual‐scale pores for tactile sensors with high sensitivity over a wide pressure range. The porous polymer frame formed with dense pores of dual sizes facilitates the closure of large and small pores at low and high pressures, respectively. This results in an apparent increase in the number of contact points between the CNT–CNT at the pores even under a wide pressure range. Furthermore, the piezoresistivity of the CNT–PDMS composite contributes to achieving a high sensitivity of the tactile sensor over a wide pressure range. Based on these mechanisms, various human movements over a broad pressure spectrum are monitored to investigate the practical usefulness of the sensor.
Transitioning towards human–robot synergy in agriculture: A systems thinking perspective
Authors: Aivazidou Eirini , Tsolakis Naoum
Published: August 2022

Digital transformation has unveiled new prospects for increased performance and productivity in the agricultural sector to meet rising food security needs. Continuous industrialization and unexpected disruptions (e.g., workforce mobility restrictions due to the COVID‐19 pandemic) call for the adoption of agricultural robots. However, automated solutions could be associated with societal challenges in rural areas; unemployment growth has been perceived as a major threat that jeopardizes societal welfare, potentially hindering the implementation of digital technologies. In this context, human–robot synergistic systems could act as a promising socially viable alternative. Through systems thinking, this research investigates the complex interconnections and key feedback mechanisms of automation diffusion (conventional and human–robot interactive) under the socio‐economic perceptions (drivers and barriers) of agribusinesses and rural communities. Overall, this study contributes towards eliciting the mental models that underpin the transition from agricultural robots to human–robot collaboration by transforming automation‐related societal risks into opportunities for sustainable rural development.
Inequalities and the Social Process of Categorizing: Migrant Work in Argentina’s Garment Industry
Authors: Caggiano Sergio
Published: August 2022

This chapter discusses how migrant associations organize their demands and fight for their rights in contemporary Argentina. It looks at the ways in which social categories and social inequalities relate to each other or not in these settings. First, it examines the ways in which Bolivian migrant’s workers in the textiles factories of Buenos Aires debate around issues of class and/or nationality when it comes to organizing. Then, it looks at how other actors introduce different social categories such ethnicity, gender and age and organize themselves against issues of social inequality such as discrimination, exploitation or the lack of recognition. The chapter argues, on the one hand, that the entanglements of different social categories such as nationality, class, gender, ethnicity, and others, are constitutive of any category. And, on the other hand, that identifying the social inequalities at stake in any conflict over migrant’s rights allows for a better understanding of migrant organization’s dynamics. In sum, the paper shows that social categories and social inequalities cannot be studied separately when understanding migrant collective action.
Klimaanpassung im Mehr-Ebenen-System des Rechts
Authors: Saurer Johannes
Published: August 2022

Im Zentrum der Rechtsentwicklung im Klimaschutzrecht steht aktuell die Mitigation, also die Verringerung
der Treibhausgasemissionen zur Stabilisierung der Erdatmosphäre. Es wird aber immer deutlicher, dass
auch die Adaptation, d.h. die Anpassung an die Folgen der anthropogenen Erderwärmung eine dauerhafte
Aufgabe des Rechts ist. Dieser Aufsatz untersucht im Überblick, in welchem Umfang sich auf den verschiedenen
Ebenen des Rechts bereits Regelungen zur Anpassung herausgebildet haben und welche weiteren Regelungen in
der rechtspolitischen Diskussion sind.
Review on Heteroatom Doping Carbonaceous Materials Toward Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Authors: Ji Youan , Du Juan , Chen Aibing
Published: August 2022

Carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction into chemicals or fuels by electrocatalysis can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate the energy crisis. Currently, CO2 electrocatalytic reduction (CO2RR) has been considered as an ideal way to achieve “carbon neutrality.” In CO2RR, the characteristics and properties of catalysts directly determine the reaction activity and selectivity of the catalytic process. Much attention has been paid to carbon-based catalysts because of their diversity, low cost, high availability, and high throughput. However, electrically neutral carbon atoms have no catalytic activity. Incorporating heteroatoms has become an effective strategy to control the catalytic activity of carbon-based materials. The doped carbon-based catalysts reported at present show excellent catalytic performance and application potential in CO2RR. Based on the type and quantity of heteroatoms doped into carbon-based catalysts, this review summarizes the performances and catalytic mechanisms of carbon-based materials doped with a single atom (including metal and without metal) and multi atoms (including metal and without metal) in CO2RR and reveals prospects for developing CO2 electroreduction in the future.
The latent structure of educational offerings—tracing topics from folk high school catalogues through large-scale content analyses
Authors: Nylander Erik , Holmer Daniel
Published: August 2022

Program analysis has been developing into a prolific research tradition illustrating the utility of adult education providers and program descriptions as heuristic objects for addressing larger questions of social scientific and humanistic inquiry. In this research tradition, attention has been directed to the way programs and educational offers of adult education providers reflect the changing labour market, educational systems and cultural zeitgeist. In this article, we interrogate the opportunities to deploy large-scale text analysis on the content of the national catalogues of Swedish folk high schools (1954–2007) to further enlarge the analytical depth and precision of how program analysis can address changing educational offerings. Based on an analysis of a comprehensive digital repository we identify the latent thematic structures of educational offers in Swedish folk high schools over time and discuss how these changing course descriptions reflect broader structural changes in its educational system as well as regarding the purpose of adult education.
Australian Psychologists Experiences with Digital Mental Health: a Qualitative Investigation
Authors: Scott Stephanie , Knott Vikki , Finlay-Jones Amy L. , Mancini Vincent O.
Published: August 2022

Digital mental health is changing the landscape of service delivery by addressing challenges associated with traditional therapy. However, practitioners’ use of these resources remains underexamined. This study explored psychologists’ attitudes and experiences with digital mental health intervention. Taking a qualitative exploratory approach via thematic analysis, the study sought to answer the following research questions: (i) How do psychologists perceive digital mental health? and (ii) What is their experience using digital mental health as part of routine practice? Ten practising psychologists participated in online semi-structured interviews (approximately 50 min), with interviews then transcribed verbatim. Interview data were analysed according to the six-phase approach to thematic analysis proposed by Braun and Clarke. Three themes were identified: (1) attitudes towards digital mental health; (2) use within routine practice; and (3) perspectives on an effective model for implementation. Practitioners play a major role in the design and delivery of digital mental health services. Barriers and facilitators at the practitioner-level (e.g. knowledge and competence with tools, perceptions on the utility of digital interventions) and the service-level (e.g. government support for digital health) should be considered in the future design of digital mental health resources and service delivery.
600-MWe high-temperature gas-cooled reactor nuclear power plant HTR-PM600
Authors: Zhang Zuo-Yi , Dong Yu-Jie , Shi Qi , Li Fu , Wang Hai-Tao
Published: August 2022

The HTR-PM600 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor nuclear power plant is based on the technology of the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor pebble-bed module (HTR-PM) demonstration project. It utilizes proven HTR-PM reactor and steam generator modules with a thermal power of 250 MWth and power generation of approximately 100 MWe per module. Six modules in parallel, connected to a steam turbine, form a 600-MWe nuclear power plant. In addition, its system configuration in the nuclear island is identical to that of the HTR-PM in which the technical risks are minimized. Under this principle, the HTR-PM600 achieves the same level of inherent safety as the HTR-PM. The concept of a ventilated low-pressure containment (VLPC) is unchanged; however, a large circular VLPC accommodating all six reactor modules is adopted rather than the previous small-cavity-type VLPC, which contains only one module, as defined for the HTR-PM. The layout of the nuclear island and its associated systems refer to single-unit pressurized water reactor (PWR) practices. With this layout, the HTR-PM600 achieves a volume size of the nuclear island that is comparable to a domestic PWR of the same power level. This will be a Generation IV nuclear energy technology that is economically competitive.
Analysis of SLAM-Based Lidar Data Quality Metrics for Geotechnical Underground Monitoring
Authors: Fahle Lukas , Holley Elizabeth A. , Walton Gabriel , Petruska Andrew J. , Brune Jurgen F.
Published: August 2022

Adverse ground behavior events, such as convergence and ground falls, pose critical risks to underground mine safety and productivity. Today, monitoring of such failures is primarily conducted using legacy techniques with low spatial and temporal resolution while exposing workers to hazardous environments. This study assesses the potential of novel simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM)-based light detection and ranging (Lidar) data quality for rapid, digital, and eventually autonomous mine-wide underground geotechnical monitoring. We derive a comprehensive suite of quality metrics based on tests in two underground mines for two state-of-the-art mobile laser scanning (MLS) systems. Our results provide evidence that SLAM-based MLS provides data of the quality required to detect geotechnically relevant changes while being significantly more efficient for large mine layouts when compared to traditional static systems. Additionally, we show that SLAM-specific processing can achieve an order of magnitude better relative accuracy relevant for change detection than quality metrics derived from traditionally deployed tests would suggest while reducing SLAM drift error by up to 90%. In collaboration with an operating block cave mine, we confirm these capabilities in field tests on a mine-wide scale and, for the first time, demonstrate methods of rockfall detection using MLS data. While more work is required to investigate optimal collection, processing, and utilization of MLS data, we demonstrate its potential to become an effective and widely applicable data source for rapid, accurate, and comprehensive geotechnical inspections.
Solutions: how adaptive changes in cellular fluids enable marine life to cope with abiotic stressors
Authors: Somero George N.
Published: August 2022

The seas confront organisms with a suite of abiotic stressors that pose challenges for physiological activity. Variations in temperature, hydrostatic pressure, and salinity have potential to disrupt structures, and functions of all molecular systems on which life depends. During evolution, sequences of nucleic acids and proteins are adaptively modified to “fit” these macromolecules for function under the particular abiotic conditions of the habitat. Complementing these macromolecular adaptations are alterations in compositions of solutions that bathe macromolecules and affect stabilities of their higher order structures. A primary result of these “micromolecular” adaptations is preservation of optimal balances between conformational rigidity and flexibility of macromolecules. Micromolecular adaptations involve several families of organic osmolytes, with varying effects on macromolecular stability. A given type of osmolyte generally has similar effects on DNA, RNA, proteins and membranes; thus, adaptive regulation of cellular osmolyte pools has a global effect on macromolecules. These effects are mediated largely through influences of osmolytes and macromolecules on water structure and activity. Acclimatory micromolecular responses are often critical in enabling organisms to cope with environmental changes during their lifetimes, for example, during vertical migration in the water column. A species’ breadth of environmental tolerance may depend on how effectively it can vary the osmolyte composition of its cellular fluids in the face of stress. Micromolecular adaptations remain an under-appreciated aspect of evolution and acclimatization. Further study can lead to a better understanding of determinants of environmental tolerance ranges and to biotechnological advances in designing improved stabilizers for biological materials.
Serenading the Ancestors: Chinese Qingming Festival in Honolulu
Authors: Lau Frederick
Published: August 2022

Qingming—literally pure and brightness—is an annual Chinese ritual during which families honour their ancestors by visiting their graves. This practice was observed in China as well as in overseas Chinese communities. Described by a local writer as one of the important “family traditions” in Hawai'i, this annual ritual has been observed by local Chinese since their arrival in the nineteenth century (Clarke 1994). Every year during Qingming, all Chinese associations on the islands will sponsor ceremonies either at the Chinese cemetery or the association clubhouse to pay respect to their ancestors. This traditional ceremony, similar to other kinds of annual ethnic celebrations in Hawai'i, such as the Korean chusok harvest festival, Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn festivals, Portuguese Holy Ghost festival, and the Japanese and Okinawan obon festival, has been regarded as a high profile event of the Chinese community by local residents. Despite their origin as traditions brought to Hawai'i by immigrants, this type of ethnic family traditions has emerged as an integral part of the local culturescape, reflecting the multiethnic make-up of Hawaiian society since the plantation days at the turn of the twentieth century (ibid.).
Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Resting-State High-Frequency	Heart Rate Variability in Binge-Eating Disorder
Authors: Christensen Kara A. , Feeling Nicole R. , Rienecke Renee D.
Published: August 2022

Abstract. Binge-eating disorder (BED) is associated with a greater risk for cardiac problems and co-occurring health conditions. Resting-state measures of high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), which is a physiological proxy of self-regulatory neural functioning, may aid understanding of health risks. We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the literature on HF-HRV in individuals with BED and without BED. Six studies were reviewed in the qualitative synthesis, and five studies assessing HRV in individuals with BED ( n = 153) and without BED ( n = 124) were included in the meta-analysis. A non-significant effect size (Hedges’ g = .08, SE = 0.36, 95% CI [−0.62, 0.78]; z = 0.23, p = .82) was found, suggesting no difference in HF-HRV between groups. Age, BMI, and BMI-matched control status were not significant covariates. Synthesizing the five studies with available data, we found no difference in resting-state HF-HRV between individuals with and without BED. There was high heterogeneity in the sample, suggesting potential moderators. We discuss potential mechanisms, methodological and demographic confounds, and future directions for study.
Aeration strategy at birth does not impact carotid haemodynamics in preterm lambs
Authors: Dahm Sophia I. , Kenna Kelly R. , Stewart David , Pereira-Fantini Prue M. , McCall Karen E. , Perkins Elizabeth J , Sourial Magdy , Tingay David G.
Published: August 2022

Background

The impact of different respiratory strategies at birth on the preterm lung is well understood; however, concerns have been raised that lung recruitment may impede cerebral haemodynamics. This study aims to examine the effect of three different ventilation strategies on carotid blood flow, carotid artery oxygen content and carotid oxygen delivery.

Methods

124–127-day gestation apnoeic intubated preterm lambs studied as part of a larger programme primarily assessing lung injury were randomised to positive pressure ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 8 cmH2O (No-RM; n = 12), sustained inflation (SI; n = 15) or dynamic PEEP strategy (DynPEEP; maximum PEEP 14 or 20 cmH2O, n = 41) at birth, followed by 90 min of standardised ventilation. Haemodynamic data were continuously recorded, with intermittent arterial blood gas analysis.

Results

Overall carotid blood flow measures were comparable between strategies. Except for mean carotid blood flow that was significantly lower for the SI group compared to the No-RM and DynPEEP groups over the first 3 min (p < 0.0001, mixed effects model). Carotid oxygen content and oxygen delivery were similar between strategies. Maximum PEEP level did not alter cerebral haemodynamic measures.

Conclusions

Although there were some short-term variations in cerebral haemodynamics between different PEEP strategies and SI, these were not sustained.

Impact

Different pressure strategies to facilitate lung aeration at birth in preterm infants have been proposed. There is minimal information on the effect of lung recruitment on cerebral haemodynamics.

This is the first study that compares the effect of sustained lung inflation and dynamic and static positive end-expiratory pressure on cerebral haemodynamics.

We found that the different ventilation strategies did not alter carotid blood flow, carotid oxygen content or carotid oxygen delivery.

This preclinical study provides some reassurance that respiratory strategies designed to focus on lung aeration at birth may not impact cerebral haemodynamics in preterm neonates.
Metaproteome plasticity sheds light on the ecology of the rumen microbiome and its connection to host traits
Authors: Sasson Goor , Moraïs Sarah , Kokou Fotini , Plate Kristina , Trautwein-Schult Anke , Jami Elie , Bayer Edward A , Becher Dörte , Mizrahi Itzhak
Published: August 2022

The arsenal of genes that microbes express reflect the way in which they sense their environment. We have previously reported that the rumen microbiome composition and its coding capacity are different in animals having distinct feed efficiency states, even when fed an identical diet. Here, we reveal that many microbial populations belonging to the bacteria and archaea domains show divergent proteome production in function of the feed efficiency state. Thus, proteomic data serve as a strong indicator of host feed efficiency state phenotype, overpowering predictions based on genomic and taxonomic information. We highlight protein production of specific phylogenies associated with each of the feed efficiency states. We also find remarkable plasticity of the proteome both in the individual population and at the community level, driven by niche partitioning and competition. These mechanisms result in protein production patterns that exhibit functional redundancy and checkerboard distribution that are tightly linked to the host feed efficiency phenotype. By linking microbial protein production and the ecological mechanisms that act within the microbiome feed efficiency states, our present work reveals a layer of complexity that bears immense importance to the current global challenges of food security and sustainability.