bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic vortex mode-switchable erbium-doped Brillouin laser pumped by high-order mode
Authors: Xu Jiangtao , Zhang Longkun , Liu Xing , Zhang Liang , Lu Jiafeng , Wang Longtao , Zeng Xianglong
Published: January 2021

We experimentally demonstrated that the transversal vortex modes of an
all-fiber erbium-doped Brillouin laser can be dynamically switched by
using the high-order mode (HOM) of Brillouin pump (BP), which is used
to achieve the oscillation of HOM inside the ring cavity. Core-mode
conversion in a few-mode fiber (FMF) between the fundamental mode and
HOM is obtained by cascading an acoustically induced fiber grating
(AIFG) and a mode selection coupler (MSC) operating at the same
wavelength region. Through frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation of
the AIFG signal, the output transversal modes can be switched
dynamically between

L
P

01

and vortex modes, and the measured
purities of output HOM are more than 82%. Moreover, the output
Brillouin wavelength can also be tuned via altering the input
wavelength of BP and the resonant response of AIFG. We have achieved
HOM Brillouin-shifted laser output within the wavelength band from
1545–1560 nm. The output linewidth of the proposed Brillouin laser is
less than 4 kHz.
Observing exceptional point degeneracy of radiation with electrically pumped photonic crystal coupled-nanocavity lasers
Authors: Takata Kenta , Nozaki Kengo , Kuramochi Eiichi , Matsuo Shinji , Takeda Koji , Fujii Takuro , Kita Shota , Shinya Akihiko , Notomi Masaya
Published: January 2021

Controlling gain and loss of coupled optical cavities can induce non-Hermitian degeneracies of eigenstates, called exceptional points (EPs). Various unconventional phenomena around EPs have been reported, and are expected to incorporate extra functionalities into photonic devices. The eigenmode exactly under EP degeneracy is also predicted to exhibit enhanced radiation. However, such responses have yet to be observed in on-chip lasers because of both the limited controllability of their gain and loss and the lifting of degeneracy by pump-induced cavity detuning. Here, we report, to the best of our knowledge, the first non-Hermitian nanophotonic platform based on two electrically pumped photonic crystal lasers and its spontaneous emission at EP degeneracy. Systematically tuned and independent current injection to our wavelength-scale active heterostructure cavities enables us to demonstrate the clear EP phase transition of their spontaneous emission, accompanied with the spectral coalescence of coupled modes and reversed pump dependence of the intensity. Furthermore, we find experimentally and confirm theoretically the peculiar squared Lorentzian emission spectrum very near the exact EP, which indicates a four-fold enhancement of the photonic local density of states induced purely by the degeneracy. Our results open a new pathway to engineer the light–matter interaction by non-Hermiticity and explore larger reconfigurable laser arrays for further non-Hermitian features and physics.
Umweltorientiertes Prozessmanagement: Integration von Standards des Umweltmanagements und der Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung in eine betriebliche Prozessarchitektur
Authors: Peverali François , Ullrich André
Published: January 2021

Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt den Ansatz INTPECOM (INTegrating Process Eco Modeling) zur Integration von Standards für das Umweltmanagement und die Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung in das betriebliche Prozessmanagement vor. Im Rahmen des modellorientierten und konzeptuellen Ansatzes für das umweltorientierte Prozessmanagement wird ein Set an Referenzmodellen in einer Standardnotation des Geschäftsprozessmanagements bereitgestellt, das in gängige Informationssysteme importiert werden kann und damit direkt für die Praxis nutzbar ist. Ein Hauptaugenmerk liegt dabei auf dem von der Europäischen Union in Gesetzesform kodifizierten UmweltmanagementinstrumentEco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Mit dem gewählten Integrationsansatz können Best Practices aus dem Umweltmanagement und der Umweltberichterstattung in das Prozessmanagement von Organisationen eingeführt werden, insbesondere in deren Prozessarchitektur. Dabei werden ebenso Potenziale und Herausforderungen zur Digitalisierung und Automatisierung des Umweltmanagements aufgezeigt. Ein Mehrwert für die Praxis wird zudem durch eine Einordnung von geeigneten Anwendungskontexten für die Integration von Umweltmanagementaspekten in eine Prozessarchitektur generiert. So sind sowohl kleine als auch große Organisationen mittels Einsatz von Modellierungswerkzeugen und Prozessmodell-Repositorien in der Lage, eine Zusammenarbeit zwischen mehreren Organisationseinheiten zu ermöglichen und die Umsetzung von Standards des Umweltmanagements und der Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung zu realisieren.
Zinc against COVID-19? Symptom surveillance and deficiency risk groups
Authors: Joachimiak Marcin P.
Published: January 2021

A wide variety of symptoms is associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and these symptoms can overlap with other conditions and diseases. Knowing the distribution of symptoms across diseases and individuals can support clinical actions on timelines shorter than those for drug and vaccine development. Here, we focus on zinc deficiency symptoms, symptom overlap with other conditions, as well as zinc effects on immune health and mechanistic zinc deficiency risk groups. There are well-studied beneficial effects of zinc on the immune system including a decreased susceptibility to and improved clinical outcomes for infectious pathogens including multiple viruses. Zinc is also an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress agent, relevant to some severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms. Unfortunately, zinc deficiency is common worldwide and not exclusive to the developing world. Lifestyle choices and preexisting conditions alone can result in zinc deficiency, and we compile zinc risk groups based on a review of the literature. It is also important to distinguish chronic zinc deficiency from deficiency acquired upon viral infection and immune response and their different supplementation strategies. Zinc is being considered as prophylactic or adjunct therapy for COVID-19, with 12 clinical trials underway, highlighting the relevance of this trace element for global pandemics. Using the example of zinc, we show that there is a critical need for a deeper understanding of essential trace elements in human health, and the resulting deficiency symptoms and their overlap with other conditions. This knowledge will directly support human immune health for decreasing susceptibility, shortening illness duration, and preventing progression to severe cases in the current and future pandemics.
Congenital abnormalities associated with Zika virus infection–Dengue as potential co-factor? A systematic review
Authors: Petzold Stephanie , Agbaria Nisreen , Deckert Andreas , Dambach Peter , Winkler Volker , Drexler Jan Felix , Horstick Olaf , Jaenisch Thomas
Published: January 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV) emerged in Brazil during 2013–2014 causing an epidemic of previously unknown congenital abnormalities. The frequency of severe congenital abnormalities after maternal ZIKV infection revealed an unexplained geographic variability, especially between the Northeast and the rest of Brazil. Several reasons for this variability have been discussed. Prior immunity against Dengue virus (DENV) affecting ZIKV seems to be the most likely explanation. Here we summarise the current evidence regarding this prominent co-factor to potentially explain the geographic variability.

This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. The search was conducted up to May 15th, 2020, focussing on immunological interactions from Zika virus with previous Dengue virus infections as potential teratogenic effect for the foetus.

Eight out of 339 screened studies reported on the association between ZIKV, prior DENV infection and microcephaly, mostly focusing on antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) as potential pathomechanism. Prior DENV infection was associated with enhancement for ZIKV infection and increased neurovirulence in one included in vitro study only. Interestingly, the seven in vivo studies exhibited a heterogeneous picture with three studies showing a protective effect of prior DENV infections and others no effect at all. According to several studies, socio-economic factors are associated with increased risk for microcephaly.

Very few studies addressed the question of unexplained variability of infection-related microcephaly. Many studies focussed on ADE as mechanism without measuring microcephaly as endpoint. Interestingly, three of the included studies reported a protective effect of prior DENV infection against microcephaly. This systematic review strengthens the hypothesis that immune priming after recent DENV infection is the crucial factor for determining protection or enhancement activity. It is of high importance that the currently ongoing prospective studies include a harmonised assessment of the potential candidate co-factors.
The historical range and drivers of decline of the Tapanuli orangutan
Authors: Meijaard Erik , Ni’matullah Safwanah , Dennis Rona , Sherman Julie , Onrizal  , Wich Serge A.
Published: January 2021

The Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) is the most threatened great ape species in the world. It is restricted to an area of about 1,000 km2 of upland forest where fewer than 800 animals survive in three declining subpopulations. Through a historical ecology approach involving analysis of newspaper, journals, books and museum records from the early 1800s to 2009, we demonstrate that historically Pongo tapanuliensis inhabited a much larger area, and occurred across a much wider range of habitat types and at lower elevations than now. Its current Extent of Occurrence is 2.5% and 5.0% of the historical range in the 1890s and 1940s respectively. A combination of historical fragmentation of forest habitats, mostly for small-scale agriculture, and unsustainable hunting likely drove various populations to the south, east and west of the current population to extinction. This happened prior to the industrial-scale forest conversion that started in the 1970s. Our findings indicate how sensitive P. tapanuliensis is to the combined effects of habitat fragmentation and unsustainable take-off rates. Saving this species will require prevention of any further fragmentation and killings or other removal of animals from the remaining population. Without concerted action to achieve this, the remaining populations of P. tapanuliensis are doomed to become extinct within several orangutan generations.
Is the Qi experience related to the flow experience? Practicing qigong in urban green spaces
Authors: Hung Shih-Han , Hwang Ching-Yung , Chang Chun-Yen
Published: January 2021

People experience a healthy energy gained from the environment and an inner feeling, called the Qi experience. The flow experience has been a popular topic in Western studies, especially within the fields of psychology and health, and in all kinds of activities. Our current study used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze the relationship between the Qi experience and the flow experience. After collecting data using open-ended questions, we integrated and connected the Qi experience into five orientations: (1) the feeling of Qi; (2) the mind; (3) Qi and consciousness; (4) physical, mental, and spiritual benefits; and (5) the feeling of Tao. The results revealed a high level of consistency between the flow experience and the Qi experience (r= 0.90,p<0.00, which supports the conclusion that the concept of the flow experience in Qigong activity seems to be the same as that in East Asian disciplines, called the Qi experience.
Impact of oil prices, the U.S interest rates on Turkey’s real estate market. New evidence from combined co-integration and bootstrap ARDL tests
Authors: Alhodiry Ahmed , Rjoub Husam , Samour Ahmed
Published: January 2021

The research aims to provide new empirical evidence by testing the impact of the external shocks namely: oil prices and the U.S interest rate on Turkey’s real estate market by using three techniques of co-integration tests namely: the newly developed bootstrap autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) testing approach as proposed by (McNown et al. 2018), the new approach involving the Bayer-Hanck (2013) combined co-integration test, Hatemi-J (2008) co-integration testing approach. The ARDL model is utilized to explore the relationship between the variables. The findings show that the oil prices have a positive impact on Turkey’s real estate market, the results confirm that there is a significant impact of oil prices on Turkey’s real estate market through the domestic interest rate. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that there is a significant spillover influence of the U.S. interest rates on Turkey’s real estate market through oil prices and domestic interest rates. This study suggests that the following factors led to increasing the sensitivity and volatility of the Turkish real estate market to oil prices and the U.S. interest rate fluctuations: the presence of economic interdependence between the USA and Turkey, and the majority of the external debts and the reserve currency in Turkey are composed in the USD, and Turkey’s oil imports hit record high in last years. Finally, this article suggests that policymakers in Turkey should pay close attention to the effects of external shocks namely the oil prices and U.S. interest rates on Turkish markets to maintain economic and financial stability.
The effects of intrinsic motivation on mental fatigue
Authors: Herlambang Mega B. , Cnossen Fokie , Taatgen Niels A.
Published: January 2021

There have been many studies attempting to disentangle the relation between motivation and mental fatigue. Mental fatigue occurs after performing a demanding task for a prolonged time, and many studies have suggested that motivation can counteract the negative effects of mental fatigue on task performance. To complicate matters, most mental fatigue studies looked exclusively at the effects of extrinsic motivation but not intrinsic motivation. Individuals are said to be extrinsically motivated when they perform a task to attain rewards and avoid punishments, while they are said to be intrinsically motivated when they do for the pleasure of doing the activity. To assess whether intrinsic motivation has similar effects as extrinsic motivation, we conducted an experiment using subjective, performance, and physiological measures (heart rate variability and pupillometry). In this experiment, 28 participants solved Sudoku puzzles on a computer for three hours, with a cat video playing in the corner of the screen. The experiment consisted of 14 blocks with two alternating conditions: low intrinsic motivation and high intrinsic motivation. The main results showed that irrespective of condition, participants reported becoming fatigued over time. They performed better, invested more mental effort physiologically, and were less distracted in high-level than in low-level motivation blocks. The results suggest that similarly to extrinsic motivation, time-on-task effects are modulated by the level of intrinsic motivation: With high intrinsic motivation, people can maintain their performance over time as they seem willing to invest more effort as time progresses than in low intrinsic motivation.
Incidence trends of pediatric onset inflammatory bowel disease in the years 2000–2009 in Saxony, Germany–first results of the Saxon Pediatric IBD Registry
Authors: Kern Ivana , Schoffer Olaf , Kiess Wieland , Henker Jobst , Laaß Martin W. , Winkler Ulf , Quietzsch Jürgen , Wenzel Olaf , Zurek Marlen , Büttner Katrin , Fischer Peter , de Laffolie Jan , Manuwald Ulf , Stange Thoralf , Zenker Ronny , Weidner Jens , Zimmer Klaus-Peter , Kunath Hildebrand , Kugler Joachim , Richter Thomas , Rothe Ulrike
Published: January 2021

Aims

In developed countries, the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the incidence rates and trends over time in the population of children and adolescents in one of the federal states of Germany, in Saxony.

Methods

Over the 10-year period 2000–2009 all 31 children’s hospitals and pediatric gastroenterologists, respectively in Saxony reported all IBD patients up to 15 years of age to the Saxon Pediatric IBD Registry. The completeness of the registry was estimated as 96.7% by independent surveys in the years 2005–2009. Incidence rates were presented as age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) regarding New European Standard Population 1990 per 100,000 person-years (PY) with 95% confidence intervals [CI]. Joinpoint and linear regression was used for trend analyses.

Results

344 patients with confirmed IBD between 2000–2009 were included in the epidemiological evaluation: 212 (61.6%) patients with CD, 122 (35.6%) with UC and 10 (2.9%) with unclassified IBD (IBD-U). The ASR per 100,000 PY over the whole observation period was 7.2 [6.4–7.9] for IBD, 4.4 [3.8–5.0] for CD, 2.6 [2.1–3.0] for UC and 0.2 [0.1–0.3] for IBD-U. For IBD, the ASR per 100,000 PY increased from 4.6 [2.8–6.3] in 2000 to 10.5 [7.5–13.6] in 2009. The incidence trend analysis of ASRs using the joinpoint regression confirmed a significant increase of IBD as well as UC. The mean age at first diagnosis decreased significantly during the observation period from 11.5 (11.0–13.4) in 2000 to 9.6 (5.1–13.5) years in 2009. The median of the diagnostic latency among IBD patients was 3 months.

Conclusion

The incidence of IBD in children and adolescents in Saxony was slightly higher than the average of other countries in the same time period and followed the trend towards a general increase of IBD. The age at diagnosis was subject to a very unfavorable downward trend.
Socioeconomic disparities in suicide: Causation or confounding?
Authors: Lorant Vincent , Kapadia Dharmi , Perelman Julian ,   the DEMETRIQ study group
Published: January 2021

Background

Despite an overall reduction in suicide, educational disparities in suicide have not decreased over the last decade. The mechanisms behind educational disparities in suicide, however, remain unclear: low educational status may increase the risk of suicide (“causation”) or low educational status and suicide may share confounders. This paper assesses whether educational disparities in suicide (EDS) are more likely to be due to causation.

Method

The DEMETRIQ study collected and harmonized register-based data on mortality follow-up from forty population censuses from twelve European populations. More than 102,000 suicides were registered over 392 million person-years. Three analyses were carried out. First, we applied an instrumental variable approach that exploits changes in the legislation on compulsory educational age to instrument educational status. Second, we analyzed EDS by age under the hypothesis that increasing EDS over the life cycle supports causation. Finally, we compared EDS in men and women under the assumption that greater EDS in women would support causation.

Findings

The instrumental variable analysis showed no evidence for causation between higher education and suicide, for men or women. The life-cycle analysis showed that the decrease of educational inequalities in suicide between the baseline 1991 period and the 2001 follow-up period was more pronounced and statistically significant in the first three younger age groups. The gender analysis indicated that EDS were systematic and greater in men than in women: the rate ratio of suicide for men with low level of education (RR = 2.51; 95%CI:2.44–2.58) was higher than the rate ratio in women (RR = 1.32; 95CI%:1.26–1.38).

Interpretation

Overall, there was little support for the causation hypothesis, suggesting that the association between education and suicide is confounded. Educational inequalities in suicide should be addressed in early life by early targeting of groups who struggle to complete their education and display higher risk of mental disorder or of mental health vulnerabilities.
Are one’s attachment avoidance toward a particular person and his/her placement of this particular person in the attachment hierarchy inversely overlapping? Four bifactor-analysis studies
Authors: Umemura Tomotaka , Siroňová Aneta , Lacinová Lenka , Taniguchi Emiko , Imai Tatsuya
Published: January 2021

Do one’s hierarchical preference for attachment support from a particular person over other people (attachment hierarchy) and his/her discomfort with closeness and uneasiness about being dependent on that particular person (attachment avoidance) inversely overlap? These two constructs have been distinctly conceptualized. Attachment hierarchy has been regarded as a normative characteristic of attachment relationships, while attachment avoidance has been considered to reflect an individual difference of relationship quality. Employing bifactor analyses, we demonstrated a unidimensional general factor of these two concepts in four studies exploring Czech young adults’ relationships with mother, father, friends, and romantic partner (Study 1); U.S. young adults’ relationships with a romantic partner (Study 2); Czech adolescents’ relationships with mother, father, and friends (Study 3); and Japanese young adults’ relationships with mother, father, and romantic partner (Study 4). These convergent results provide the replicable and generalizable evidence that one’s attachment avoidance toward a particular person and her/his placement of that particular person in the attachment hierarchy are inversely overlapping.
Psychological disturbances and their association with sleep disturbances in patients admitted for cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Matsuda Risa , Kohno Takashi , Kohsaka Shun , Shiraishi Yasuyuki , Katsumata Yoshinori , Hayashida Kentaro , Yuasa Shinsuke , Takatsuki Seiji , Fukuda Keiichi
Published: January 2021

Background

Depression and anxiety are common mental health problems that are strongly associated with sleep disturbances, according to community-based researches. However, this association has not been investigated among patients admitted for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We examined the prevalence of depression and anxiety in inpatients with various CVDs and their association with sleep disturbances.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study included 1294 patients hospitalized for CVDs in a Japanese university hospital were evaluated for their mental status using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) using pulse oximetry, and for sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Results

Patient characteristics were as below: mean age, 63.9±14.7 years; 25.7% female. Overall, 18.9% had depression (HADS-depression≥8) and 17.1% had anxiety (HADS-anxiety≥8). The presence of depression was associated with female sex, older age, higher plasma brain natriuretic peptide level, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, and the prevalence of heart failure. Overall, 46.5% patients were categorized as having a poor sleep quality (PSQI>5), and 28.5% patients had SDB (3% oxygen desaturation index>15). Although depression and anxiety were not associated with SDB, they were independently associated with poor sleep quality (OR = 3.09, 95% CI 2.19–4.36; OR = 3.93, 95% CI 2.71–5.69, respectively).

Conclusions

Depression and anxiety were not uncommon in patients with CVDs. Poor sleep quality could be an important risk factor linked to psychological disturbances.
Adding DNA barcoding to stream monitoring protocols – What’s the additional value and congruence between morphological and molecular identification approaches?
Authors: Behrens-Chapuis Simone , Herder Fabian , Geiger Matthias F.
Published: January 2021

Although aquatic macroinvertebrates and freshwater fishes are important indicators for freshwater quality assessments, the morphological identification to species-level is often impossible and thus especially in many invertebrate taxa not mandatory during Water Framework Directive monitoring, a pragmatism that potentially leads to information loss. Here, we focus on the freshwater fauna of the River Sieg (Germany) to test congruence and additional value in taxa detection and taxonomic resolution of DNA barcoding vs. morphology-based identification in monitoring routines. Prior generated morphological identifications of juvenile fishes and aquatic macroinvertebrates were directly compared to species assignments using the identification engine of the Barcode of Life Data System. In 18% of the invertebrates morphology allowed only assignments to higher systematic entities, but DNA barcoding lead to species-level assignment. Dissimilarities between the two approaches occurred in 7% of the invertebrates and in 1% of the fishes. The 18 fish species were assigned to 20 molecular barcode index numbers, the 104 aquatic invertebrate taxa to 113 molecular entities. Although the cost-benefit analysis of both methods showed that DNA barcoding is still more expensive (5.30–8.60€ per sample) and time consuming (12.5h), the results emphasize the potential to increase taxonomic resolution and gain a more complete profile of biodiversity, especially in invertebrates. The provided reference DNA barcodes help building the foundation for metabarcoding approaches, which provide faster sample processing and more cost-efficient ecological status determination.
Increased and sex-selective avian predation of desert locusts Schistocerca gregaria treated with Metarhizium acridum
Authors: Mullié Wim C. , Cheke Robert A. , Young Stephen , Ibrahim Abdou Baoua , Murk Albertinka J.
Published: January 2021

The entomopathogenic fungusMetarhizium acridumin oil-based formulations (Green Muscle®(GM)) is a biopesticide for locust control lacking side-effects on biodiversity, unlike chemical insecticides. Under controlled conditions, GM-treated locusts and grasshoppers attract predators, a complementary advantage in locust control. We assessed avian predation on a population of desert locusts in northern Niger aerially sprayed operationally with GM with 107 g viable conidia ha-1. Populations of adult locusts and birds and vegetation greenness were assessed simultaneously along two transects from 12 days before until 23 days after treatment. Common kestrelsFalco tinnunculusand lannersF.biarmicuswere the predominant avian predators. Regurgitated pellets and prey remains were collected daily beneath “plucking posts” of kestrels. Locusts started dying five days post-spray and GM had its maximum effect one-two weeks after the spray, with 80% efficacy at day 21. After spraying, bird numbers increased significantly (P<0.05) concurrent with decreasing desert locust densities. Locust numbers decreased significantly (P<0.001) with both time since spraying and decreasing greenness. Before spraying, kestrel food remains under plucking posts accounted for 34.3 ±13.4 prey items day-1, of which 31.0 ±11.9 were adult desert locusts (90.3%), reducing post-spray to 21.1 ±7.3 prey items day-1, of which19.5 ±6.7 were adult desert locusts (92.5%), attributable to decreased use of the plucking-posts by the kestrels rather than an effect of the spray. After spraying, kestrels took significantly (P<0.05) more larger female (75–80%) than smaller male (20–25%) locusts. Avian predation probably enhanced the impact of the GM on the desert locust population, especially by removing large adult females. No direct or indirect adverse side-effects were observed on non-target organisms including locust predators such as ants and birds. These substantial ecological advantages should also be considered when choosing between conventional chemical and biopesticide-based locust control.
Nitrogen signals and their ecological significance for seed germination of ten psammophilous plant species from European dry acidic grasslands
Authors: Wala Mateusz , Kołodziejek Jeremi , Patykowski Jacek
Published: January 2021

The presented study evaluated effects of potassium nitrate (KNO3), ammonium nitrate (NH4 NO3) and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) on the germination-related characteristics of 10 species from European dry acidic grasslands. Germination was studied under controlled laboratory conditions. The seeds were subjected to KNO3, NH4 NO3 and NH4Cl in four doses (1, 10, 50 and 100 mM) and to distilled water. Final germination percentage, index of germination velocity and index of germination synchrony were determined. Content of nitrogen in the soil probed from the site of seeds collection was also analyzed. Significant effects of type of the nitrogen compounds and their concentrations were observed. High concentrations of nitrogen-containing salts inhibited completion of germination in almost all species. Helichrysum arenarium and Hypericum perforatum showed preference for NH4+ over NO3‒, whereas Arnoseris minima, Alyssum montanum, Jasione montana and Spergula morisonii showed preference for NO3‒ over NH4+. Centaurea scabiosa, C. stoebe and Hypochaeris radicata had no preference and wide tolerance to the type of nitrogen-containing compound. Echium vulgare showed differential response hard for interpretation. A. montanum and J. montana showed stenotopic behavior in terms of nitrogen-related conditions. It is proposed that nitrogen-rich soil gaps favor establishment of more nitro-tolerant plant species (e.g. C. scabiosa, C. stoebe and H. radicata) as compared to nitrogen-poor ones.
Modeling dysbiosis of human NASH in mice: Loss of gut microbiome diversity and overgrowth of Erysipelotrichales
Authors: Carter James K. , Bhattacharya Dipankar , Borgerding Joshua N. , Fiel M. Isabel , Faith Jeremiah J. , Friedman Scott L.
Published: January 2021

Background & aim

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is responsible for a growing fraction of cirrhosis and liver cancer cases worldwide. Changes in the gut microbiome have been implicated in NASH pathogenesis, but the lack of suitable murine models has been a barrier to progress. We have therefore characterized the microbiome in a well-validated murine NASH model to establish its value in modeling human disease.

Methods

The composition of intestinal microbiota was monitored in mice on a 12- or 24-week NASH protocol consisting of high fat, high sugar Western Diet (WD) plus once weekly i.p injection of low-dose CCl4. Additional mice were subjected to WD-only or CCl4-only conditions to assess the independent effect of these variables on the microbiome.

Results

There was substantial remodeling of the intestinal microbiome in NASH mice, characterized by declines in both species diversity and bacterial abundance. Based on changes to beta diversity, microbiota from NASH mice clustered separately from controls in principal coordinate analyses. A comparison between WD-only and CCl4-only controls with the NASH model identified WD as the primary driver of early changes to the microbiome, resulting in loss of diversity within the 1st week. A NASH signature emerged progressively at weeks 6 and 12, including, most notably, a reproducible bloom of the Firmicute order Erysipelotrichales.

Conclusions

We have established a valuable model to study the role of gut microbes in NASH, enabling us to identify a new NASH gut microbiome signature.
Association between age at first calving and lactation performance, lactation curve, calving interval, calf birth weight, and dystocia in Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Atashi Hadi , Asaadi Anise , Hostens Miel
Published: January 2021

In the present study, records on 115,291 heifers distributed in 113 herds were used to investigate the association between age at the first calving (AFC) and lactation performance, lactation curve, the length of the first calving interval (CI), calf birth weight (CBW), and the incidence of dystocia in Holstein heifers in Iran. Based on the AFC, the heifers were classified into eight classes: AFC of 541 to 690 d, 691 to 720 d, 721 to 750 d, 751 to 780 d, 781 to 810 d, 811 to 840 d, 841 to 900 d, and 901 to 1200 d (AFC1 to AFC8, respectively). Multiple regression mixed models were used to investigate the association between AFC and lactation curve parameters, partial and 305-d lactation performance, 100- and 305-d SCS, and the length of the first calving (CI) interval. The mean (SD) and median AFC across all heifers was 760.2 (74.01) and 750 d, respectively. Of 115,291 heifers included, 28,192 and 7,602 heifers were, respectively, ≤ 720 and > 900 d when calving for the first time. More than 44% of the heifers were at 691 to 750 d (23 to 25 months) of age when calving for the first time. An increased AFC was associated with increased partial and 305-d lactation performance, 100- and 305-d SCS, initial milk yield, milk production at the peak of lactation, upward and downward slopes of the lactation curve. The 305-d fat percentage was associated with AFC; however, there was no association between AFC and 305-d protein percentage. An increased AFC was also associated with decreased milk production persistency, delayed peak time, longer CI, and higher calf birth weight. Compared to heifers calving for the first time between 691 to 780 d (23 to 26 months) of age, both increasing and decreasing AFC were associated with increased risk of dystocia. Controlling AFC is an important management factor in achieving a lower risk of dystocia, higher lactation performance, lower SCS, and shorter length of the calving interval.
The effects of prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, and activity breaks on vascular function, and postprandial glucose and insulin responses: A randomised crossover trial
Authors: Peddie Meredith C. , Kessell Chris , Bergen Tom , Gibbons Travis D. , Campbell Holly A. , Cotter James D. , Rehrer Nancy J. , Thomas Kate N.
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study was to compare acute effects of prolonged sitting, prolonged standing and sitting interrupted with regular activity breaks on vascular function and postprandial glucose metabolism. In a randomized cross-over trial, 18 adults completed: 1. Prolonged Sitting; 2. Prolonged Standing and 3. Sitting with 2-min walking (5 km/h, 10% incline) every 30 min (Regular Activity Breaks). Flow mediated dilation (FMD) was measured in the popliteal artery at baseline and 6 h. Popliteal artery hemodynamics, and postprandial plasma glucose and insulin were measured over 6 h. Neither raw nor allometrically-scaled FMD showed an intervention effect (p = 0.285 and 0.159 respectively). Compared to Prolonged Sitting, Regular Activity Breaks increased blood flow (overall effect of intervention p<0.001; difference = 80%; 95% CI 34 to 125%; p = 0.001) and net shear rate (overall effect of intervention p<0.001; difference = 72%; 95% CI 30 to 114%; p = 0.001) at 60 min. These differences were then maintained for the entire 6 h. Prolonged Standing increased blood flow at 60 min only (overall effect of intervention p<0.001; difference = 62%; 95% CI 28 to 97%; p = 0.001). Regular Activity Breaks decreased insulin incremental area under the curve (iAUC) when compared to both Prolonged Sitting (overall effect of intervention P = 0.001; difference = 28%; 95% CI 14 to 38%; p<0.01) and Prolonged Standing (difference = 19%; 95% CI 4 to 32%, p = 0.015). There was no intervention effect on glucose iAUC or total AUC (p = 0.254 and 0.450, respectively). In normal-weight participants, Regular Activity Breaks induce increases in blood flow, shear stress and improvements in postprandial metabolism that are associated with beneficial adaptations. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour messages should perhaps focus more on the importance of frequent movement rather than simply replacing sitting with standing.
Pass-through of the Oakland, California, sugar-sweetened beverage tax in food stores two years post-implementation: A difference-in-differences study
Authors: Leider Julien , Li Yu , Powell Lisa M.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have gained support as a policy response to adverse health effects associated with SSB consumption. On July 1, 2017, Oakland, California, implemented a one-cent/ounce tax on SSBs with ≥25 calories/12 fluid ounces. This study estimated the long-term impact of the tax on taxed and untaxed beverage prices.

Methods

Data on 5,830 taxed and 5,146 untaxed beverage prices were obtained from 99 stores in Oakland and 111 stores in Sacramento (comparison site), California, in late May-June 2017 and June 2019. Linear regression difference-in-differences models were computed with store and product fixed effects, with robust standard errors clustered on store, weighted based on volume sold by beverage sweetener status, type, and size.

Results

Taxed beverage prices increased by 0.73 cents/ounce (95% CI = 0.47,1.00) on average in supermarkets and grocery stores in Oakland relative to Sacramento and 0.74 cents/ounce (95% CI = 0.39,1.09) in pharmacies, but did not change in convenience stores (-0.09 cents/ounce, 95% CI = -0.56,0.39). Untaxed beverage prices overall increased by 0.40 cents/ounce (95% CI = 0.05,0.75) in pharmacies but did not change in other store types. Prices of taxed individual-size soda specifically increased in all store types, by 0.91–2.39 cents/ounce (p<0.05), as did prices of untaxed individual-size soda in convenience stores (0.79 cents/ounce, 95% CI = 0.01,1.56) and pharmacies (1.66 cents/ounce, 95% CI = 0.09,3.23).

Conclusions

Two years following SSB tax implementation, there was partial tax pass-through with differences by store type and by beverage type and size within store type.
Warum Zeitpolitik feministisch-ökologisch gestaltet werden muss
Authors: Völkle Hanna
Published: January 2021

Zeit kann als physische Messeinheit aufgefasst werden: immer gleich, zählbar und planbar. Zeit kann aber auch im sozial-ökologischen Kontext betrachtet werden. Der folgende Beitrag zeigt, weshalb zukünftige Zeitpolitik sowohl ökologischen als auch feministischen Überlegungen entsprechen sollte. Eine Ideensammlung.
Using Behavioral Economics to Reduce the Value-Action Gap
Authors: Renz Erich , Böhm Kim Leonardo
Published: January 2021

Research and practice have long been concerned with the questions of how to reduce climate-damaging emissions and promote sustainable behavior. Although many people have good intentions to reduce their carbon footprint, this rarely affects their actual behavior. By combining findings from value-action-gap research and approaches from behavioral economics, we show how new instruments can foster sustainable actions.
Evaluation of a PV-TEG Hybrid System Configuration for an Improved Energy Output: A Review
Authors: Saleh Umar Abubakar , Johar Muhammad Akmal , Jumaat Siti Amely Binti , Rejab Muhammad Nazri , Wan Jamaludin Wan Akashah
Published: January 2021

The development of sustainable energy, in particular solar energy, is essential to achieving future energy demands. Solar radiation and heat energy will provide the required electricity needed in daily life. Photovoltaics and thermoelectric energy conversion have been developed over the years. Photovoltaics also converts the ultraviolet-visible areas of the solar spectrum, while thermoelectric uses the Infrared region. Combination of photovoltaic and thermoelectric effects will expand the efficient spectrum range. Research has recently been conducted on hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric systems to increase conversion efficiency. The purpose of this work is to review the primary concepts of the hybrid photovoltaics-thermoelectric generator. The work summarises the different methods used to combine hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric systems. A proposed PV-TEG Hybrid system using shingle in between the PV and the TEG is presented. Further research on the hybrid system is also encouraged due to encouraging performance
Feasibility of marine renewable energies in African coastal countries
Authors: Lam Wei Haur , Oppong Stephen
Published: January 2021

Africa has 38 coastal countries with a population of 895,609,564 persons with potential to harness energy from ocean. These coastal countries are: Madagascar, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, Mauritius, Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo in Southern Africa with 25.31% population; Somalia, Eritrea, Tanzania, Sudan, Kenya, Seychelles, Comoros and Djibouti in Eastern Africa with 17.58% population; Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia and Algeria in Northern Africa with 20.96% population; Cape Verde, Gabon, Nigeria, Mauritania, Liberia, Ghana, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Benin, Gambia and Togo with population of 35.15%. Offshore wind, offshore solar, Tidal power, Wave energy, Salinity gradient, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) are discussed with opportunities and challenges.
Inflexibly Enacted Traditional Masculinity Norms (IE-TMNs) and Their Impact on Adolescent and Young Adult Depression: The Hybrid Case Study of "Tommy"
Authors: Dewey Christopher
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study is to explore and discuss the effects of inflexibly enacted traditional masculinity norms (IE-TMNs) on adolescent and young adult males with depression and how to address such issues in therapy. This study provides a literature review of the subject of IE-TMNs and how such a worldview holds a potentially negative influence and impact on the physical and mental health of boys and young men. Specifically, the study aims to highlight how these beliefs, attributes, and values influence the extent to which these individuals seek help, express emotion, and utilize healthy coping skills when experiencing depressive symptoms and how such behaviors can be addressed in therapy. Treatment considerations are explored through the hybrid case example of "Tommy," a depiction of a depressed college freshman following IE-TMNs while going through a difficult life transition. A fictional case, Tommy serves as a composite character informed by real life psychotherapy cases and clinical examples found in relevant literature. Tommy’s course of treatment depicts potential clinical issues that could come up when working with a depressed male client with strong internalized masculinity norms and how some of these themes can be adequately addressed to create a more flexible masculine identity. Through use of a qualitative, disciplined inquiry approach, I explore therapeutic interventions that could be utilized to meet the unique needs of such a client within the context of historical, contextual, and cultural factors. Tommy’s case material is analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively in accordance with the pragmatic case study research format (Fishman, 2013). The hybrid case of Tommy explores how client-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, harm reduction interventions, and cognitive-behavioral interventions can be integrated to assist adolescent boys and young men with strongly internalized and rigid beliefs about masculinity, while also utilizing Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory to explore the proximal and distal factors in one’s environment that contribute to such a worldview. The hybrid case study of Tommy is designed to serve as a resource for therapists working with clients with IE-TMNs and provides guidance about how to alter unhelpful coping strategies; increase emotional expression and help-seeking behaviors; and explore personal beliefs, goals, and values. This case study concludes with a critical discussion of future directions for research on this topic, as well as the advantages and limitations of the hybrid case study design.
TRANSGRESSION OF LEGAL TEXT IN LATE JOSEON KOREA – FOCUSING ON HEUMHEUMSINSEO –
Authors: KANG Hyejong
Published: January 2021

This article aims to shed light on the transgression of legal text in Late Joseon Korea. Legal text of Joseon contains ‘self-confession’ that reveals the cracks of yechi 예치 禮治, dominance under the Confucian norm. In this regard, this article reviews the principles of penal administration and legal culture in late Joseon period which functioned as the mechanism to produce dominant discourses to control transgressions. In particular, focusing on Heumheumsinseo 흠흠신서 欽欽新書 written by Jeong Yakyong 정약용 丁若鏞 (1762-1836), which contains most diverse types of legal texts, this article takes the transgression of genre of legal texts into consideration. Through this, how the secular genre of legal text obtains the cultural reality and reveals the suppressed social discourse would be explained.
Using a blind test to assess the discriminant power of morphological traits to distinguish between similar shrew species
Authors: Román Jacinto , Siverio Felipe , Schuster Claudia , Rivilla Juan Carlos , Yuste Carmen , Biedma Luis Eduardo , Calzada Javier
Published: January 2021

The Canary Islands are home to a large variety of endemic fauna. The Canary shrew (Crocidura canariensis) has a distribution restricted to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and the islets of Lobos and Montaña Clara. One of the main threats to the insular fauna is the arrival of exotic species. The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) is an easily transportable animal and a potential competitor for C. canariensis. Therefore, C. russula should be taken into account in the management protocols for invasive species. One of the most easily applicable techniques for detecting shrews is the analysis of pellets. This study aims to assess which morphological characters are diagnostic and easy to use when identifying both species of shrews. For this purpose, a blind specific assignment has been made using seven previously described characters and another three added in the present study. The results show that the observer’s experience did not improve the correct identification rate and that only three of the evaluated characters have a high discriminant capacity. Finally, it was found that the combined use of the maximum number of characters and the identification by two independent observers reduces the probability of making a mistake in the determination to minimum values.
KAKO XAVIER E A CASA DO TAMBOR - A CULTURA EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA
Authors: Nogueira Maria da Graça , Casali Caroline
Published: January 2021

A Casa do Tambor tem se firmado como um espaço de cultura e arte no bairro Praia do Laranjal, em Pelotas/RS e, por isso, conta com a colaboração da Universidade Federal de Pelotas há pelo menos dois anos, sob o projeto de extensão Assessoria ao Projeto Kako Xavier e a Tamborada. Muitas atividades artísticas e culturais aconteceram na Casa do Tambor até o dia 16 de março de 2020, quando se iniciou no Brasil o período de isolamento social em função da pandemia de Covid-19. Destaque para homenagens a grandes nomes da nossa história, como Zumbi dos Palmares, Mestre Batista e Giba Giba, recepção de escolas, realização de oficinas (de tambores, candombe, turbantes, etc.), de eventos culturais e festivais e de atividades do Projeto Kako Xavier e a Tamborada. O objetivo desta entrevista é, no contexto do exercício de diferentes formas de diálogo e presença, mostrar a capacidade de adaptação deste espaço cultural, evidenciando como A Casa do Tambor dialoga com a comunidade, como se faz presente enquanto entretenimento e de que maneira recupera a cultura dos tambores e a arte em tempos de pandemia. Nesta entrevista, Kako Xavier conta como funciona A Casa do Tambor e descreve as atividades desenvolvidas nela, especialmente no período de distanciamento social. Kako responde, também, sobre os planos futuros para seus projetos de valorização dos tambores do sul e da cultura do povo negro gaúcho.