bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A contribution of molecular modeling to supramolecular structures in soil organic matter#
Authors: Gerzabek Martin Hubert , Aquino Adelia Justina Aguiar , Balboa Yerko Ignacio Escalona , Galicia‐Andrés Edgar , Grančič Peter , Oostenbrink Chris , Petrov Drazen , Tunega Daniel
Published: January 2022

Background

Knowledge of the stabilizing mechanisms of soil organic matter (SOM) is extremely important for numerous soil functions. For this, insight into the nature of organic matter through appropriate model concepts are crucial.

Aims

For several years, a heated debate has emerged on the transformation and stabilization of SOM. In the present work, we try to contribute to this debate using molecular modeling and providing a comprehensive overview of the history of application of molecular modeling tools and developing structural concepts of SOM.

Methods

Molecular modeling methods based on quantum and/or classical mechanics were used to model SOM and related properties including interactions with reactive surfaces of soil minerals.

Results

Modeling of SOM aggregates revealed that hydrogen bonds and cation bridges are the main stabilizing factors in soil solution, whereas pH modifies the stability. The modeled supramolecular SOM aggregates exhibit physicochemical properties, similar to those of humic substances (HS) described in literature. The interactions of the HS models with surfaces in kaolinite nanopores led to a partial disintegration of the aggregates into individual molecules and/or smaller subaggregates.

Conclusions

From the molecular modeling point of view, supramolecular microaggregate models that exhibit the properties of HS are stable in the soil solution. However, their binding to reactive mineral soil constituents can be also in the form of individual molecules or subaggregates. Thus, HS microaggregate stability is relative, depending on the interacting environment. This reconciles two points of view of HS: either as small molecules and/or supramolecular structures.
Periodontitis detection using Raman spectroscopy, support vector machine, and salivary biomarkers
Authors: Villalba‐Hernández Caroleny , Moyaho‐Bernal María de los Angeles , Narea‐Jiménez Freddy , Chavarría‐Lizárraga Héctor Nahum , Galeazzi‐Minutti María Cecilia , Carrasco‐Gutiérrez Rosendo , Castro‐Ramos Jorge
Published: January 2022

Many research areas have developed techniques to diagnose lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stress, caries, and periodontitis by analyzing saliva. This paper describes a study that predicts periodontitis based on Raman spectra of saliva and biomarkers, such as albumin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The spectra were smoothed using a Whittaker filter and baseline correction in MATLAB. In addition, a residual analysis of intensities was performed, and the root mean square deviation was calculated and used as a threshold to establish the active bands of interest, based on the Raman bands associated with albumin and ALT. ORCA quantum chemistry software was used to predict the fundamental frequencies and intensities of some saliva constituents. Support vector machines were used to perform spectral distinction and discriminate between healthy and periodontitis patients.
Transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring in ALS: Assessment of hypoventilation heats up
Authors: Ackrivo Jason , Geronimo Andrew
Published: January 2022

See article on pages 444‐447 in this issue
Effects of Taurine Supplementation on Growth, Feed Utilization, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Microflora of Largemouth Bass Fed a Low Fish Meal Diet
Authors: Ren Xing , Ma Hengjia , Liu Xuanxiao , Wu Yubo
Published: January 2022

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of taurine supplementation on feed intake, growth, feed utilization, body composition, waste output, hepatic antioxidant enzymes, and intestinal microflora of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides that were fed a low fish meal diet. Three isoproteic (49% crude protein) and isolipidic (9.5% crude lipid) diets were formulated: one diet contained 40% fish meal and served as the control (FM diet), and 60% of the fish meal in the FM diet was replaced by soybean meal either without taurine supplementation (SBM diet) or with 0.5% taurine supplementation (SBM+T diet). Lower feed intake, final body weight, weight gain, condition factor, and hepatosomatic index and a higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) were found in fish that received the SBM diet compared to fish that were fed the FM diet, but no significant difference was found in feed intake, final body weight, weight gain, FCR, condition factor, or hepatosomatic index between fish in the FM and SBM+T diet groups. No significant differences were found in nitrogen retention efficiency, body composition, nitrogen waste, or activities of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase among fish fed the different test diets, and the alpha diversity of intestinal microbiota also did not differ among diet groups. The abundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes increased while the abundance of Fusobacteria decreased in the SBM diet group relative to the FM diet group; in contrast, dietary taurine (SBM+T diet) restored the abundance of Proteobacteria to a level similar to that in fish receiving the FM diet. This study suggests that the dietary fish meal level for Largemouth Bass can be reduced from 40% to 16% if soybean meal is used as an alternative protein with 0.5% taurine supplementation.
Bracketing of purchases to manage size uncertainty: Should online retailers be worried?
Authors: Balaram Aditya , Perdikaki Olga , Galbreth Michael R.
Published: January 2022

For online apparel retailers, sizing has proven to be a particularly thorny challenge—no matter how much information is provided online, it is often impossible for an online shopper to determine exactly which size of an apparel item will fit her best. Given the increasing ubiquity of free returns (full refund, no return shipping charge), consumers often manage this size uncertainty by bracketing their online apparel purchases, that is, ordering two additional sizes (one smaller, one larger) with the intention of keeping the one that fits best and returning the others. Since bracketing is a relatively new phenomenon in retailing, its net effect on retailer profits is not well‐understood. From a retailer's perspective, bracketing is detrimental since it leads to an increase in consumer returns and the associated costs, which can be quite substantial. On the other hand, bracketing can also be beneficial to the retailer by alleviating consumers' concerns about size, and driving higher net sales. In this paper, we establish how price can be used as a lever to influence consumer bracketing behavior, and examine the impact of bracketing on the profits of a monopolist retailer who offers free returns. We provide prescriptions for when retailers should encourage or discourage bracketing based on three key parameters: the retailer's reverse logistics cost, consumers' return hassle cost, and the product's match probability. As expected, in many cases it is optimal for the retailer to price such that consumers are discouraged from bracketing, and thus the related returns processing costs are avoided. However, we also find that when the product's match probability is moderate, consumers' hassle cost is low and retailer's reverse logistics cost is low, a price that encourages bracketing is the optimal strategy for the retailer, challenging the conventional wisdom that bracketing by consumers is always bad for retailers.
Operation of Magnetic Vortex Transistor by Spin‐Polarized Current: A Micromagnetic Approach
Authors: Bhattacharjee Payal , Barman Anjan , Barman Saswati
Published: January 2022

To avoid electron leakage and energy consumption as in present‐day bipolar junction transistor, the magnetic analog of the bipolar junction transistor using magnetic vortices proves to be an excellent alternative. This alternative exploration is implemented using micromagnetic simulations, which use spin‐polarized current to study the dynamics of magnetic vortices in physically separated but magnetostatically coupled nanodisks. Here, a magnetic vortex transistor (MVT), when the nanodisks are arranged in a triangular layout, is designed. Significant gain is observed for the scalene triangle configuration for a three‐vortex system when the polarities of the vortices are +1, −1, +1 and for the equilateral triangular configuration when the polarities are −1, +1, +1, respectively. The mechanism of energy transfer in such magnetostatically coupled vortices has been explained in terms of the dynamics of antivortex solitons’ movement through the stray field. The variation of damping parameters has no significant effect on signal transfer and amplification. Through this extensive micromagnetic calculation, the possibility of tuning the MVT by varying the configuration, polarity combination, and changing the position of the input signal is demonstrated. This study offers a prospect for nonvolatile, all magnetic information‐carrying nanoscale devices and magnetic logic gates and switches.
Plasma‐Modified Coal Fly Ash Zeolites with Enhanced Catalytic Efficiency toward the Total Oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds as Low‐Cost Substitutes for Platinum Group Metals Catalysts
Authors: Boycheva Silviya , Zgureva-Filipova Denitza , Popov Cyril , Lazarova Hristina , Popova Margarita
Published: January 2022

The initial coal fly ash zeolites (CFAZ) are obtained from raw coal fly ash with two SiO2/Al2O3 ratios of 2.0 and 2.2 by hydrothermal activation or by two‐stage process. Microwave plasma surface treatment of CFAZ is performed to modify their surface and therefore their catalytic activity in total VOC oxidation. CHF3 and SF6 are used as plasma agents at two different treatments times—30 s and 60 s. The obtained hierarchal CFAZ are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, N2‐physisorption, temperature programmed reduction experiments, UV–vis spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy to clarify the effect of plasma treatment on the surface and reduction properties, morphology and structure of the modified samples. The catalytic performance of the modified CFAZ is investigated in a flow system toward toluene oxidation in the temperature range of 250–520 °C. It has been observed that CHF3 favors the catalytic activity of CFAZ at shorter treatment duration, while SF6 inhibits their catalytic properties. The development of efficient low‐cost catalyst will contribute to the saving of critical raw materials such as platinum group metals, and to the utilization of the enormous resource of coal ash instead of its landfilling in accordance to the development of circular economy and smart waste management.
Investigating the dependence of energy prices and economic growth rates with emphasis on the development of renewable energy for sustainable development in Iran
Authors: Borzuei Daryoosh , Moosavian Seyed Farhan , Ahmadi Abolfazl
Published: January 2022

Concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming have raised the need to use renewable sources. The expansion of the use of renewable resources has a deep relationship with energy consumption, its price, and economic growth. Therefore, based on the threshold regression approach, this study evaluates the effect of price and energy consumption on renewable energy development in Iran's different economic growth regimes. In this regard, by collecting economic data in Iran over 30 years, using STATA software, and forming a threshold regression model, the asymmetric effect of energy prices on energy consumption is investigated. The results showed a threshold for regression equal to 7.28% in the annual GDP growth rate data. According to the threshold value, economic analysis is divided into two parts: economic growth below the threshold and economic growth above the threshold. The results show a negative and significant relationship between the energy price index and the share of renewable energy in Iran during high economic growth. The reason for this is related to the unstable and intermittent growth of the economy, unprincipled management of resources due to increased revenues due to rising energy prices, energy subsidies, and the private sector's reluctance to invest in cheap renewable energy fossil fuels.
Catch‐and‐Release Ice Fishing: Status, Issues, and Research Needs
Authors: Lawrence Michael J. , Jeffries Ken M. , Cooke Steven J. , Enders Eva C. , Hasler Caleb T. , Somers Christopher M. , Suski Cory D. , Louison Michael J.
Published: January 2022

Catch‐and‐release (C&R) ice fishing is a popular form of recreational angling. At present, there is a considerable deficiency in our understanding of how ice angling affects the physiology, behavior, and survival of fish. Thus, the purpose of this review was to summarize our current knowledge of the consequences of winter C&R fishing on fish biology and to identify key knowledge gaps. Our synthesis revealed that in addition to the typical stressors encountered from C&R fishing during the open‐water season, fish that are caught through the ice are subject to several unique challenges, including exposure to subzero air temperatures upon landing as well as unique gear types that are not commonly used in the summer (i.e., passive angling techniques). We currently understand that while C&R angling causes a generalized stress response, cold environments may mute or delay these effects and may also come with additional deleterious consequences, such as tissue freezing. Interestingly, reported mortality can be low following release but can be influenced by gear type, barotrauma, and hooking location. Postrelease behaviors and the spatial ecology of ice‐angled fish are poorly understood, but technologies such as telemetry and biologgers and an intensification of research on the topic are starting to produce new insights in this area. As it stands, research on the consequences of winter C&R angling is largely restricted to a handful of popular sport fish species, and these consequences are likely not being considered in management and conservation contexts. Given the increasing popularity of the sport, furthering our understanding of C&R impacts in the winter represents a timely and important area of inquiry and can be used to develop more informed and effective C&R guidelines and management practices.
If You Build It, Will They Come? An Environmental DNA Assessment of Fish Assemblages on Artificial Reefs in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Krolow Aaron D. , Geheber Aaron D. , Piller Kyle R.
Published: January 2022

Globally, estuarine and marine fisheries have declined over the past century, and a variety of approaches have been employed in an attempt to improve fisheries, including the development of protected areas, implementation of catch regulations, hatchery stocking, and habitat augmentation. The focus of this study was to assess the impact of the introduction of artificial reefs on the fish assemblages in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM). Unfortunately, assessing the success of artificial reefs has been problematic due to the high turbidity of the region and the difficulty of using traditional sampling gears to assess species diversity at reefs. To accomplish this, we gathered environmental DNA metabarcode data (12S) to assess the impact of reef age (1–19 years), construction material (limestone, concrete, shell, and oil and gas), and season on the fish assemblages at nine artificial reefs in the nGOM. The results indicate higher species richness at reefs versus paired control sites as well as differences between seasons, reef materials, and reef positions. Our results suggest that this technique is a viable method of monitoring ray‐finned fish species on artificial reefs and can provide baseline information on the fish assemblages associated with artificial reefs in the nGOM.
Owner reported management of interictal anxiety behaviours in canine epilepsy
Authors: Hobbs Sarah Louise , Blackwell Emily Jayne , Wetz Katy Emma , Packer Rowena Mary Anne
Published: January 2022

Background

Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is the most common chronic neurological condition in dogs, and can be associated with interictal (between seizure) anxiety (IIA). It is unclear how owners manage their pet's IIA, including how much veterinary support they receive for it.

Methods

An international online questionnaire collected data on IIA prevalence, management of IIA and perceived levels of veterinary support for IIA from owners of dogs diagnosed with IE.

Results

Valid responses were available from n = 220 owners. IIA was reported by 83.6% of owners. Common management strategies were behavioural or training techniques, reported by 90.4% of owners, whilst 34.4% reported use of behavioural products. Only 28.5% of owners felt fully supported by their vet in managing IIA. Owners who felt unsupported were less likely to have received advice on behavioural management or training from their vet (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Access to veterinary support for the management of IIA is needed for owners of dogs with IE.
A Ratio Fluorescence Thermometer Based on Carbon Dots & Lanthanide Functionalized Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Li Yanping , Xiao Xiaoyan , Wei Zhuan , Chen Yi
Published: January 2022

Physiological temperature is closely linked to biological processes and thus its precise sensing is essential. Lanthanide MOFs materials as fluorescence temperature sensors exhibits a plenty of advantages and have been explored as thermometers. However, the synthesis of Ln‐MOFs are usually under tough conditions and suffered from unsatisfactory water stabilities. In addition, most fluorescence thermometers are based on temperature‐dependent fluorescence intensity mechanism, which are heavily influenced by subtle changes and result in detection inaccuracy. Hence, we presented a dual‐emitting composite material MOF‐867@Eu3+@carbon dots as ratio fluorescence thermometers by simple post‐modification strategy. This prepared MOF‐867@Eu3+@CDs showed a highly splendid sensitivity in the range of 20–60 °C and showed low cell toxicity. It was expected that MOF‐867@Eu3+@CDs could be promising candidates in physiological temperature sensing application.
Similarity solution for induced magnetic field boundary layer flow of metallic nanofluids via convectively inclined stationary/moving flat plate: Spectral relaxation computation
Authors: Akter Shahina , Ferdows Mohammad , MD Shamshuddin , Siri Zailan
Published: January 2022

The present article describes a mathematical model for incompressible free convection flow with convective heat transport from an inclined stationary/moving flat plate under impact of induced magnetic field (IMF). The current flow model is formulated to consider different water‐based nanofluids with metallic nanoparticles (Copper and Silver). Effectively a nanoscale formulation with the Tiwari‐Das model deployed to study material properties for specific nanoparticles and base fluid. A similarity solution is obtained for non‐dimensional form via similarity transformation rendered from basic flow equations for which numerical simulations utilizing the Spectral Relaxation Method (SRM). SRM is a simple iteration scheme that does not require any evaluation of derivatives, perturbation and linearization for solving non‐linear system of equations. Graphical results for linear velocity, IMF, temperature, skin friction and Nusselt number distributions are presented for the different metallic‐aqueous nanofluid cases as well as stationary/moving flat plate. The results are verified for limiting cases by comparing with various investigators for the case of stationary as well as moving flat plate and found to be in excellent agreement. Furthermore, computed numerical results for skin friction and Nusselt number for different emerging parameters in case Cu and Ag nanofluids for moving plate which are tabulated and discussed in detail.
Introduction
Authors: van Nes Jermo , Nullens Patrick , van den Heuvel Steven C.
Published: January 2022

Discussing the rise and fall of the anthropological concept of Homo economicus, which is still a dominant model in the field of economics, this introductory chapter provides a framework for understanding the contributions in this volume. In response to a white paper in which a complementary model entitled Homo amans is proposed, they altogether reflect on the status of the Homo economicus model in contemporary economics from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Homo Amans: A Personalist Response
Authors: Beauregard James
Published: January 2022

The Homo amans project has called for a re-examination of the notion of persons as Homo economicus, an outdated notion that does not fully account for the whole human person. The authors have proposed the concept of Homo amans as a model for considering the nature of persons and their role in the economic sphere. This essay responds to the authors’ initial challenge from the perspective of the philosophy of personalism, specifically in the areas of philosophical anthropology, the virtues, some aspects of contemporary neuroscience, and how these might be brought into dialogue with economic theory.
Altruistic Concern for the Other and the Development of the Virtue of Humility
Authors: Van Slyke James A.
Published: January 2022

Humility is often defined by what it is not; as the antithesis to various vices such as pride, arrogance, conceit, or vanity. This negative definition leaves open the possibility of some underlying characteristic or trait that influences the formation of this virtue.Homo amanslays out the classic theological triad of faith, hope, and love as a natural inclination in humanity. This chapter explores one aspect of this triad, love, as a possible underlying characteristic or trait that uniquely informs the formation of the virtue of humility: specifically, love as altruistic concern for the other that puts them ahead or before the self. Contemporary psychological studies of humility demonstrate a connection between this virtue and altruistic concern for the other. Altruistic concern becomes a part of moral schemas that greatly influence moral behavior and are the basis for the development of moral identity. Holocaust rescuers demonstrate that moral schemas, which contain altruistic concern as a primary component of their view of the world, cultivate a moral identity that makes rescuing a consequence of their self-identity and naturally leads to humility about their actions.
Boundary metrics on soliton moduli spaces
Authors: Sutcliffe Paul
Published: January 2022

Abstract

The geodesic approximation is a powerful method for studying the dynamics of BPS solitons. However, there are systems, such as BPS monopoles in three-dimensional hyperbolic space, where this approach is not applicable because the moduli space metric defined by the kinetic energy is not finite. In the case of hyperbolic monopoles, an alternative metric has been defined using the abelian connection on the sphere at infinity, but its relation to the dynamics of hyperbolic monopoles is unclear. Here this metric is placed in a more general context of boundary metrics on soliton moduli spaces. Examples are studied in systems in one and two space dimensions, where it is much easier to compare the results with simulations of the full nonlinear field theory dynamics. It is found that geodesics of the boundary metric provide a reasonable description of soliton dynamics.
A theory of dark pions
Authors: Cheng Hsin-Chia , Li Lingfeng , Salvioni Ennio
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We present a complete model of a dark QCD sector with light dark pions, broadly motivated by hidden naturalness arguments. The dark quarks couple to the Standard Model via irrelevant Z- and Higgs-portal operators, which encode the low-energy effects of TeV-scale fermions interacting through Yukawa couplings with the Higgs field. The dark pions, depending on their CP properties, behave as either composite axion-like particles (ALPs) mixing with the Z or scalars mixing with the Higgs. The dark pion lifetimes fall naturally in the most interesting region for present and proposed searches for long-lived particles, at the LHC and beyond. This is demonstrated by studying in detail three benchmark scenarios for the symmetries and structure of the theory. Within a coherent framework, we analyze and compare the GeV-scale signatures of flavor-changing meson decays to dark pions, the weak-scale decays of Z and Higgs bosons to hidden hadrons, and the TeV-scale signals of the ultraviolet theory. New constraints are derived from B decays at CMS and from Z-initiated dark showers at LHCb, focusing on the displaced dimuon signature. We also emphasize the strong potential sensitivity of ATLAS and CMS to dark shower signals with large multiplicities and long lifetimes of the dark pions. As a key part of our phenomenological study, we perform a new data-driven calculation of the decays of a light ALP to exclusive hadronic Standard Model final states. The results are provided in a general form, applicable to any model with arbitrary flavor-diagonal couplings of the ALP to fermions.
The Role of Immunoproteasomes in Tumor-Immune Cell Interactions in Melanoma and Colon Cancer
Authors: Leister Hanna , Krause Felix F. , Mahdavi Rouzbeh , Steinhoff Ulrich , Visekruna Alexander
Published: January 2022

The participation of proteasomes in vital cellular and metabolic processes that are involved in tumor growth has made this protease complex an attractive target for cancer treatment. In contrast to ubiquitously available constitutive proteasome, the increased enzymatic activity of immunoproteasome is associated with tumor-infiltrating immune cells, such as antigen-presenting cells and T lymphocytes. In various tumors, an effective anti-tumor immunity is provided through generation of tumor-associated antigens by proteasomes, contributing crucially to cancer eradication by T lymphocytes. The knowledge regarding the role of immunoproteasomes in the communication between tumor cells and infiltrating immune cells is limited. Novel data suggest that the involvement of immunoproteasomes in tumorigenesis is more complex than previously thought. In the intestine, in which diverse signals from commensal bacteria and food can contribute to the onset of chronic inflammation and inflammation-driven cancer, immunoproteasomes exert tumorigenic properties by modulating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. In contrast, in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, the immunoproteasome acts against cancer development by promoting an effective anti-tumor immunity. In this review, we highlight the potential of immunoproteasomes to either contribute to inflammatory signaling and tumor development, or to support anti-cancer immunity. Further, we discuss novel therapeutic options for cancer treatments that are associated with modulating the activity of immunoproteasomes in the tumor microenvironment.
Embedding artificial intelligence in society: looking beyond the EU AI master plan using the culture cycle
Authors: Borsci Simone , Lehtola Ville V. , Nex Francesco , Yang Michael Ying , Augustijn Ellen-Wien , Bagheriye Leila , Brune Christoph , Kounadi Ourania , Li Jamy , Moreira Joao , Van Der Nagel Joanne , Veldkamp Bernard , Le Duc V. , Wang Mingshu , Wijnhoven Fons , Wolterink Jelmer M. , Zurita-Milla Raul
Published: January 2022

The European Union (EU) Commission’s whitepaper on Artificial Intelligence (AI) proposes shaping the emerging AI market so that it better reflects common European values. It is a master plan that builds upon the EU AI High-Level Expert Group guidelines. This article reviews the masterplan, from a culture cycle perspective, to reflect on its potential clashes with current societal, technical, and methodological constraints. We identify two main obstacles in the implementation of this plan: (i) the lack of a coherent EU vision to drive future decision-making processes at state and local levels and (ii) the lack of methods to support a sustainable diffusion of AI in our society. The lack of a coherent vision stems from not considering societal differences across the EU member states. We suggest that these differences may lead to a fractured market and an AI crisis in which different members of the EU will adopt nation-centric strategies to exploit AI, thus preventing the development of a frictionless market as envisaged by the EU. Moreover, the Commission aims at changing the AI development culture proposing a human-centred and safety-first perspective that is not supported by methodological advancements, thus taking the risks of unforeseen social and societal impacts of AI. We discuss potential societal, technical, and methodological gaps that should be filled to avoid the risks of developing AI systems at the expense of society. Our analysis results in the recommendation that the EU regulators and policymakers consider how to complement the EC programme with rules and compensatory mechanisms to avoid market fragmentation due to local and global ambitions. Moreover, regulators should go beyond the human-centred approach establishing a research agenda seeking answers to the technical and methodological open questions regarding the development and assessment of human-AI co-action aiming for a sustainable AI diffusion in the society.
Impact and synergies of GIM error estimates on the VTEC interpolation and single-frequency PPP at low latitude region
Authors: Jerez Gabriel O. , Hernández-Pajares Manuel , Goss Andreas , da Silva Crislaine Menezes , Alves Daniele B. M. , Monico João F. G.
Published: January 2022

The vertical total electron content (VTEC) is one of the key quantities to describe variations of the ionosphere and can be provided to users to correct the ionospheric disturbances for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning. The VTEC values and the corresponding standard deviations are routinely provided in the so-called Global Ionosphere Maps (GIM), with a typical time resolution of 2 h (and up to 15 min) on regular grids with 2.5º resolution in latitude and 5º resolution in longitude. To determine the ionospheric corrections from the GIMs for positioning applications, an interpolation has to be applied to the VTEC grid values, which generally degenerates the final VTEC accuracy. In this context, the typically applied bi-linear interpolation of the VTEC values is calculated by introducing a new weighting scheme by means of the standard deviation maps in the ionospheric domain. In the sequel, the impact of the use of the VTEC uncertainties for the interpolation procedure is applied to the GIMs of different centers and assessed in the ionospheric and in the positioning domain. For the assessment of the GIM in the ionospheric domain, the VTEC values calculated are compared with VTEC directly obtained from the given GIM, i.e., without interpolation. In the positioning domain, the impact of the VTEC uncertainties is analyzed by means of single-frequency precise point positioning (PPP), considering four Brazilian stations in challenging regions. The use of the standard deviation values in positioning provides a significant improvement in periods of high solar flux, especially for stations in the region under more intense ionospheric effect (mean rates of improvements up to 47%).
Screening commercial entomopathogenic fungi for the management of Diaphorina citri populations in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA
Authors: Wendel Justin , Cisneros Jonathan , Jaronski Stefan , Vitek Christopher , Ciomperlik Matthew , Flores Daniel
Published: January 2022

Ten strains of entomopathogenic ascomycete fungi, sourced from commercial formulations of blastopore or conidiospore formulations, were tested in 14 different formulations in a primary acquisition/direct spray bioassay against adult Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)). The Cordyceps (Isaria) javanica Apopka 97-C (conidia) strain was used as the standard. A statistical ranking system was established in which top performing pathogenic strains were selected for further screening and eventual field trials. Modified Potter-type spray towers were utilized to deliver a range of doses of viable spores to adult D. citri in an aqueous spray consistent with the rate of spores per hectare often used in real-world spray applications. Mortality was assessed after a seven-day incubation period under controlled climate conditions reflecting those in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, USA. Of the 14 preparations, the strains Metarhizium anisopliae E9, C. fumosorosea Ifr9901, Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040 and ANT-03, M. anisopliae ESALQ1037, and M. robertsii DWR2009, showed greater levels of mortality than the standard, Apopka 97-C, in the laboratory setting. Of those six, two (Ifr9901 and ANT-03) were selected for further evaluation based on efficacy, commercial availability, geographical registration, and market outlook on production.
Training needs assessment of veterinary practitioners in Ethiopia
Authors: Alafiatayo Ruth , Galipo Erika , Ekiri Abel B. , Dineva Mariana , Endacott Isabella , Tesfaye Tewodros , Gellebo Gewado , Awol Fasil , Mijten Erik , Varga Gabriel , Cook Alasdair J. C.
Published: January 2022

Pastoral and agro-pastoral farming are extensively practised in Ethiopia, and the main livestock kept are cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, and camels. The livestock sector is faced with complex challenges including limited availability of well-trained and skilled animal health professionals. The objective of this study was to identify and prioritise areas for training with the goal of providing evidence to guide strategies to improve the skills, delivery, and governance of veterinary services across Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey was developed and administered electronically to veterinary professionals in Ethiopia using the Qualtrics platform. Data were collected on select parameters including demographics, diseases of economic significance, diagnosis, disease prevention, biosecurity, disease control, treatment, epidemiology, One Health, disease reporting, and the participants’ opinions about training. The survey data was downloaded in Microsoft Excel and descriptive statistics performed. A total of 234 veterinary professionals completed the survey. Most participants were male (89.7%) and aged between 26 and 35 years (81.2%). Of the total respondents, 56.4% worked in government and 8.5% in private practice. Most participants perceived training on laboratory diagnostic testing, disease prevention, antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic sensitivity testing, basic epidemiology, and clinical procedures, as most beneficial. In addition, most respondents would like to receive training on diseases affecting cattle, poultry, and small ruminants. The findings from this study provide baseline information on priority training areas for veterinary professionals and could potentially contribute to national efforts to develop and implement a continuing professional development programme in the veterinary domain, in view of improving veterinary service delivery.
The role of economic freedom and clean energy in environmental sustainability: implication for the G-20 economies
Authors: Alola Andrew Adewale , Alola Uju Violet , Akdag Saffet , Yildirim Hakan
Published: January 2022

With the increasing challenge of attaining sustainable balance in socioeconomic-ecosystem activities, the aspects of the global goals are continously being harnesed in order to ensure a sustainable interaction. As an alliance of the United Nations, the G-20 member countries have not only committed to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, the alliance body has further fostered frameworks that are targeted at advancing global economic and environmental sustainability. Within this context, the current study examined the environmental sustainability effects arising from the economic freedom prowess in the panel of the G-20 economies over the period 2000–2016. Among the sparse studies, the study employed the indices of economic freedom: freedom to trade internationally, regulation, sound money, legal framework, and property right and alongside the real income and renewable energy consumption as explanatory indicators. With the result of the difference- and two-step system GMM (generalized method of moments), the legal system and property right, sound money, freedom to international trade, and regulatory efficiency are detrimental to the panel countries’ environmental quality. Although this is likely to be untrue for countries that have advanced their climate actions and especially the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, it suggests a dearth in the SDGs achievement among the developing and emerging economies. Moreover, it probably shows the depth of traditional or business-as-usual practices (such as the lack of sustainable economic and environmental practices) and the socioeconomic system that are obtainable in most of the developing and emerging economies. Thus, the study put forward tangible policies that are essential for governance and toward attaining desirable country-specific SDGs.
A Brief History of the Impact of Potato Genetics on the Breeding of Tetraploid Potato Cultivars for Tuber Propagation
Authors: Bradshaw John E.
Published: January 2022

The principal cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum) has mainly been vegetatively propagated through its tubers. Potato breeders have therefore made planned artificial hybridizations to generate genetically unique seedlings and their clonal descendants from which to select new cultivars for tuber propagation. After the initial hybridizations, no more sexual reproduction was required to produce a successful new cultivar, which depended on choosing the correct breeding objectives and the ability to recognize a clone that met those objectives. Any impact of the new science of genetics after 1900 needed to be through the production of parental material of known genetic constitution and predictable offspring. This included making use of the many wild tuber-bearing relatives of the potato in Central and South America, as well as the abundance of landraces in South America. This review looks at the history of how potato geneticists: 1) established that the principal cultivated potato is a tetraploid that displays tetrasomic inheritance (2n = 4x = 48); 2) developed progeny tests to determine the dosage of major genes for qualitative traits in potential parents, and also progeny tests for their general combining abilities for quantitative traits; and 3) provided molecular markers for the marker assisted selection of major genes and quantitative trait alleles of large effect, and for the genomic selection of many alleles of small effect. It is argued that the concepts of population genetics are required by breeders, once a number of cycles of hybridization and cultivar production are considered for the genetic improvement of potato crops.
Burnout across boundaries: Can parental burnout directly or indirectly influence work outcomes?
Authors: Evans Thomas Rhys , Roskam Isabelle , Stinglhamber Florence , Mikolajczak Moïra
Published: January 2022

Burnout, while historically considered a work-related condition, can be associated with parenting where it can have direct impacts upon parental outcomes and one’s personal resources such as mental health. However, little is known about the domain-incongruent effects of burnout and thus whether parental burnout can manifest within the workplace. The current study uses longitudinal data collected from 499 parents over three intervals across an 8-month period to explore two possible mechanisms. Firstly, a direct relationship is explored by considering whether parental burnout provides incremental validity above job burnout in the prediction of three work outcomes: job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and counterproductive work behaviors. Secondly, it is explored whether depression mediates the relationship between parental burnout and work outcomes. Findings suggest parental burnout may have limited impacts upon work outcomes, providing the impetus for a new direction of research to better understand whether or how burnout in one domain of life can influence the outcomes in other life domains.
A rapid and Easy Objective Evaluation of the Three Vessel View to Enhance Diagnostic Confidence in Fetal Echocardiography
Authors: Tanaka Tomohiko , Inamura Noboru , Kawazu Yukiko , Kayatani Futoshi
Published: January 2022

The three vessel view (3VV) is an integral component of fetal cardiac screening. The evaluation of vessel size is subjective in this view. Not infrequently, however, there can be a doubt and a need arises for objective assessment. Our aim was to clarify which ratio (AO/PA, AO/SVC, PA/SVC) can most easily judge the 3VV. We measured the diameter of the aorta (AO), pulmonary artery (PA) and superior vena cava (SVC) in 85 fetuses that had been diagnosed with a normal heart (NH) by the spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) method and calculated the AO/PA ratio, AO/SVC ratio and PA/SVC ratio. We then calculated a similar index using an offline videotape in 15 fetuses diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta (COA), and 15 fetuses diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). TOF excluded pulmonary atresia and absent pulmonary valve. All of the AO/PA ratios, AO/SVC ratios and PA/SVC ratios recognized a significant difference in the CoA, TOF and the NH groups. When we calculated the ROC curve in each CoA group and TOF group about AO/PA ratio, AO/SVC ratio, PA/SVC ratio, AO/PA ratio showed the highest sensitivity and specificity in the CoA group and the TOF group. When the cut-off value of the CoA for the NH group is AO/PA ratio < 0.7, good results are obtained, sensitivity is 100% and specificity is 90.6%. When the cut-off value of the TOF from the NH group is AO/PA ratio > 1.2, good results are obtained, sensitivity is 100% and specificity is 98.8%. The method to measure AO/PA ratio during heart screening can judge the 3VV objectively. When it exceeds 0.7 < AO/PA ratio < 1.2, it is likely to be congenital heart disease.
MSCs in Space: Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapeutics as Enabling Technology for Long-Distance Manned Space Travel
Authors: Giri Jayeeta , Moll Guido
Published: January 2022

Purpose of Review

Advancements in space travel, such as space tourism into Earth’s orbit, but also the prospect of long-distance manned space travel to other celestial bodies such as Mars, has generated a clinical need for new enabling technologies to support the long-term well-being of humans during their passage. Here, we will give an outline on the clinical need and practical considerations to MSC therapy as enabling technology for long-distance manned space travel.

Recent Findings

Long-distance space travel entails a threat to the health of astronaut crews due to the low gravity environment and exposure to toxic radiation in space. Multi-organ-system degenerative changes, such as decline in musculoskeletal, hematopoietic, immune system function, and in particular risk of genetic mutations and cancer, are major health concerns. Physical training, pharmacological agents, and protective shielding are among the currently available methods to counteract harmful effects. However, a potential lack of adequate shielding, side effects of pharmacological compounds, and limitations to physical training suggest a need for new countermeasures, to protect space travellers to the best extent. Here, the prospect of cell-based therapy, e.g. mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs), has been subject to intense research, due to their potent regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Off-the-shelf MSC therapeutics can be easily maintained in space due to the ambient extremely low-temperature environment, and cryorecovery and even culturing of MSCs under microgravity were shown to be feasible.

Summary

Designing new therapy against harmful radiation is urgent need in space travel. Here we will discuss aspects related to clinical MSC administration to optimize their therapeutic benefit. MSC-based therapy may aid in evolving protective countermeasures for space travellers.
Explosive Activity on Kīlauea's Lower East Rift Zone Fueled by a Volatile‐Rich, Dacitic Melt
Authors: Wieser Penny E. , Edmonds Marie , Gansecki Cheryl , Maclennan John , Jenner Frances E. , Kunz Barbara , Antoshechkina Paula , Trusdell Frank , Lee R. L. , EIMF
Published: January 2022

Magmas with matrix glass compositions ranging from basalt to dacite erupted from a series of 24 fissures in the first 2 weeks of the 2018 Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) eruption of Kīlauea Volcano. Eruption styles ranged from low spattering and fountaining to strombolian activity. Major element trajectories in matrix glasses and melt inclusions hosted by olivine, pyroxene and plagioclase are consistent with variable amounts of fractional crystallization, with incompatible elements (e.g., Cl, F, and H2O) becoming enriched by 4–5 times as melt MgO contents evolve from 6 to 0.5 wt%. The high viscosity and high H2O contents (∼2 wt%) of the dacitic melts erupting at Fissure 17 account for the explosive Strombolian behavior exhibited by this fissure, in contrast to the low fountaining and spattering observed at fissures erupting basaltic to basaltic‐andesite melts. Saturation pressures calculated from melt inclusion CO2‐H2O contents indicate that the magma reservoir(s) supplying these fissures was located at ∼2–3 km depth, which is in agreement with the depth of a dacitic magma body intercepted during drilling in 2005 (∼2.5 km) and a seismically imaged low Vp/Vs anomaly (∼2 km depth). Nb/Y ratios in erupted products are similar to lavas erupted between 1955 and 1960, indicating that melts were stored and underwent variable amounts of crystallization in the LERZ for >60 years before being remobilized by a dike intrusion in 2018. We demonstrate that extensive fractional crystallization generates viscous and volatile‐rich magma with potential for hazardous explosive eruptions, which may be lurking undetected at many ocean island volcanoes.
Idealized Simulations of the Tropical Climate and Variability in the Single Column Atmosphere Model (SCAM): Radiative‐Convective Equilibrium
Authors: Hu I‐Kuan , Mapes Brian E. , Tulich Stefan N. , Neale Richard B. , Gettelman Andrew , Reed Kevin A.
Published: January 2022

To explore the interactions among column processes in the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM), the single‐column version of CAM (SCAM) is integrated for 1000 days in radiative‐convective equilibrium (RCE) with tropical values of boundary conditions, spanning a parameter or configuration space of model physics versions (v5 vs. v6), vertical resolution (standard and 60 levels), sea surface temperature (SST), and some interpretation‐driven experiments. The simulated time‐mean climate is reasonable, near observations and RCE of a cyclic cloud‐resolving model. Updraft detrainment in the deep convection scheme produces distinctive grid‐scale structures in humidity and cloud, which also interact with radiative transfer processes. These grid artifacts average out in multi‐column RCE results reported elsewhere, illustrating the nuts‐and‐bolts interpretability that SCAM adds to the hierarchy of model configurations. Multi‐day oscillations of precipitation arise from descent of warm convection‐capping layers starting near the tropopause, eventually reset by a burst of convective deepening. Experiments reveal how these oscillations depend critically on an internal parameter that controls the number of neutral buoyancy levels allowed for determining cloud top and computing dilute convective available potential energy in the deep convection scheme, and merely modified a little by disabling cloud‐base radiation (heating of cloud base). This strong dependence of transient behavior in 1D on this parameter will be tested in the second part of this work, in which SCAM is coupled to a parameterized dynamics of two‐dimensional, linearized gravity wave, and in the 3D simulations in future study.