bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eesti ajalooliste looduslike pühapaikade inventuurist ja kaitsest 2022. aastal
Authors:   National Heritage Board, Estonia, Kama Pikne
Published: August 2022

The article gives a short overview about the progress in the inventory of natural sacred sites in Estonia and describes developments in the protection of these sites. Inventory of natural sacred sites means locating and detailed description of holy sites in nature. Inventory begins in archives where all the information about the areas of sacred natural sites is searched and combined. There are plenty of folklore notes about, for example, offering stones, holy groves or springs with healing water, but often the exact location and their state is unknown. The second phase of inventory is fieldwork, where sacred sites are being searched in landscape – and if this is successful, are described and the borders of a site are determined. Many sacred sites described in archive texts unfortunately have not survived due to natural causes or human activity. Important is the help and knowledge of local people, who may pass on information about sacred sites in the area and can help with finding them. By the beginning of 2022 approximately half of Estonia’s territory had been inventoried and this work still continues. Based on the reports, it has been suggested to take 193 sites under state protection. In 2019 a new type of cultural monuments was established in the Heritage Conservation Act – “historical natural sacred site”. Previously these sites were protected as archaeological monuments although sacred sites may not contain any archaeological finds. Currently there are 557 natural sacred sites under heritage protection; in addition, around 90 sacred sites are under nature protection. Recently 15 cross-tree forests and one offering site have been taken under state protection. Definitely there is a long way to go, but having an overview of all Estonian sacred sites on the basis of inventories gives an opportunity to apply state production to the sites that are most valuable or in most danger.
Loomade ja inimeste suhteid tähistavad loitsud – adresseerimine, eufemismid, düsfemismid
Authors:   Department of Folkloristics, Estonian Literary Museum, Tartu, Estonia, Kõiva Mare
Published: August 2022

The use of euphemisms is a characteristic of everyday language use today. However, substitute names and euphemisms were widely used in incantations, where euphemisms were tightly interwoven with taboos. In incantations euphemisms are used in various situations: healing the sick, coping with animals and natural phenomena, creating social relationships; coping with core rituals of human life (primarily birth and death); retaliating for theft, murder, and infidelity; promoting one’s work. Euphemisms represent an important pole in the use of verbal magic, and they are different from references to dysphemisms, that is, using vituperation, cursing, profanity or hexing to cut off contact or to achieve one’s goal. This article discusses general principles for the use of euphemisms and examines which euphemisms are used in which functions, using examples of certain belief rituals and values (fishing), symbolic animals (the wolf and the raven) and cockroaches. The results demonstrate that there is no direct appeal in 11% of texts concerned with wolf words, in 10.9% of texts about ravens, and 58% of texts about cockroaches; and euphemisms are used in 66% of texts concerned with the wolf, in 19,5% of texts about the raven, and 32,2% of texts about cockroaches, whereas dysphemisms are used in 32% of texts about the raven and in 3% of texts about cockroaches.
Hiied vee veerel. Pärimuse ja maastiku kujundikeelest looduslikes pühapaikades
Authors:   Estonian Folklore Archives, Estonian Literary Museum, Estonia, Remmel Mari-Ann
Published: August 2022

In addition to religious content layers, the word hiis (holy grove) seems to express also certain features of a natural landscape. The article discusses the issues concerned with the location of hiis areas as well as their meaning. There are signs of links between ‘holy’ and ‘hiis’ that can be traced in the toponymy observed in both lore and maps, although it is not always that place lore or placenames have survived in written form until today. The main emphasis in the article is placed on the water element related to holy groves, waterbodies and springs as well as wetlands. Often the holy grove is situated at a watershed or headspring, next to springs, the mouth of a river or a stream, a (former) larger waterbody or karst area. Water connects many places, and holy places can often be found in the marginal areas or junctions of waterbodies. In the case of water and presumably also holy places, place lore seems to consider as essential the ability to move in different ways and change the shape – this is reflected, for example, in legends about travelling nature objects as indicators of holiness. On occasion, the hiis areas mark natural reservoirs of clean groundwater; this is essential to acknowledge as the issue of water still occupies a crucial role among other environmental problems. So the stereotype of hiis as a holy grove, so-called Taara oak grove, embodies remarkably broader possibilities for interpreting the holiness of places in today’s context, for valuing these places and protecting them both culturally and environmentally.
Kesksed looduslikud pühapaigad Eesti kagunurgas
Authors:   Institute of History and Archaeology, University of Tartu, Estonia, Valk Heiki
Published: August 2022

Differently from most of Estonia, in the south-easternmost peripheries of the country – in the western border areas of Setomaa, as well as in the eastern and southern borderlands of Võrumaa – it is possible to distinguish sacred sites of regional meaning, i.e. those where popular religious assemblies related to offering took place on holidays. In the Orthodox Seto culture area where medieval way of life survived until the 1920s, such sites are represented by the sacral complex of Miikse (offering stone, healing stream, cemetery hill, formerly also sacred oak and spring), St Anne’s stone (Annekivi) in Pelsi and Päevapööramise mägi (‘The Hill Where the Sun Turns’) in Hinniala village. Two major Orthodox religious centres of Setomaa have been founded on pre-Christian sacred sites. The church of Saatse was preceded by a sacred pine tree. On the site of the famous monastery of Pechory (Petseri) there was probably a large sacral complex of a sacred hill with a grove and cave, as well as a sacred spring and offering stone. The site of religious assemblies called Bohomola mägi (‘The hill of praying to God’) was located somewhere on the forested borderlands of the Lutheran province of Livonia and the Orthodox province of Pskov, being attended by peasants from both regions. In Lutheran areas where the modernization of culture started since the 1850s and 1860s already, folkloric evidence is fragmentary and has preserved more poorly. There sites of popular assemblies related to offering on holidays are known from Viitina Vana-mõisa, Villa, Viitka, Paidra, Kuutsi and Linte, and a sacred site of central importance was located also on God’s hill of Vana-Laitsna (presently Vēclaicene municipality in Latvia). Most of these the sites lie in the extreme peripheries of medieval parishes – the churches of Räpina, Vastseliina and Hargla were founded only in the 17th century The hinterlands of regional holiday assemblies probably correspond to regional identity units based of village groups called “corners” (nulk, kolk). Judging by the location of regional assembly sites of central meaning, their influence radius stretched until 6–10 kilometres. However, the system was not of symmetric character: some sites evidently had larger hinterlands than others and the hinterlands may also have been overlapped. The religious gatherings were often related to the solstices in the natural calendar or church holidays replacing them. Existing data give evidence of the intertwining of pre-Christian and Christian elements, especially in the Orthodox areas. In some cases the assembly tradition at sacred natural site has been transformed into local church holidays on the name days of the sanctuary. The strong and long-term preservation of tradition in some holy places of Setomaa results from their association with Christianity and pilgrimages inherent in popular Orthodoxy.
Individual-level specialisation and interspecific resource partitioning in bees revealed by pollen DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Klečka Jan , Mikát Michael , Koloušková Pavla , Hadrava Jiří , Straka Jakub
Published: August 2022

It is increasingly recognised that intraspecific variation in traits, such as morphology, behaviour, or diet is both ubiquitous and ecologically important. While many species of predators and herbivores are known to display high levels of between-individual diet variation, there is a lack of studies on pollinators. It is important to fill in this gap because individual-level specialisation of flower-visiting insects is expected to affect their efficiency as pollinators with consequences for plant reproduction. Accordingly, the aim of our study was to quantify the level of individual-level specialisation and foraging preferences, as well as interspecific resource partitioning, in three co-occurring species of bees of the genus Ceratina (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Xylocopinae), C. chalybea, C. nigrolabiata, and C. cucurbitina. We conducted a field experiment where we provided artificial nesting opportunities for the bees and combined a short-term mark-recapture study with the dissection of the bees’ nests to obtain repeated samples from individual foraging females and complete pollen provisions from their nests. We used DNA metabarcoding based on the ITS2 locus to identify the composition of the pollen samples. We found that the composition of pollen carried on the bodies of female bees and stored in the brood provisions in their nests significantly differed among the three co-occurring species. At the intraspecific level, individual females consistently differed in their level of specialisation and in the composition of pollen carried on their bodies and stored in their nests. We also demonstrate that higher generalisation at the species level stemmed from larger among-individual variation in diets, as observed in other types of consumers, such as predators. Our study thus reveals how specialisation and foraging preferences of bees change from the scale of individual foraging bouts to complete pollen provisions accumulated in their nests over many days. Such a multi-scale view of foraging behaviour is necessary to improve our understanding of the functioning of plant-flower visitor communities.
Cubismo musical
Authors:   Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (México), García Gómez Arturo
Published: August 2022

El artículo trata sobre el paralelismo entre el cubismo pictórico y musical. Se exponen los principios teóricos del cubismo pictórico y las primeras nociones del cubismo musical, principalmente en la obra de Igor Stravinsky. Asimismo, se analiza la representación del espacio en la música en relación con la perspectiva lineal pictórica y la “perspectiva inversa”, o “composición multi-céntrica”, del antiguo arte bizantino y ruso.
Entrevista. Jean-Marie Schaeffer
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Yrigoyen Elena
Published: August 2022

Entrevista a Jean-Marie Schaeffer, realizada por Elena Yrigoyen, para la revista Aisthesis y la comunidad hispanohablante.
How Digital Skills Shift Intentions in a Smart Senior Care Context
Authors: Yen Tsai-Fa (TF) , Li Runfa
Published: August 2022

Aging is an irresistible trend. How to deal with the problems derived from aging has become an extremely important issue among government departments, academia and senior care industry. The objective of this study was to velidate the relationship among perceived digital skills, digital knowledge, attitude and behavioral intentions to use smart senior care platform among the elderly. A total of 403 valid samples were collected through online and onsite questionnaires survey. The results of structural equition model analysis showed that, without considering digital skills, respondents' digital knowledge significantly affected their attitude and behavioral intentions to use the smart senior care platform; and respondents with low digital skills will significantly affect the relationship between their digital knowledge and attitude while considering digital skills. It is suggested that the government and the industry should continue to strengthen digital education and training of digital skills, and the families of the elderly should also pay attention to the digital skills and knowledge of their elders.
Evaluation of Plasma Levels of Interleukin 6 and Iron of Volleyball Players Based on Heights and Weight of a Nigerian University Students
Authors: Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi , Obeagu Getrude Uzoma , Guevara Miriam Elena Cantero , Okafor Chukwuma J. , Bot Yakubu Sunday , Eze Gloria Chizoba , Amadi Nkiruka Millicent , Jakheng Emmanuel William , Uwakwe Onyekachi Splendid
Published: August 2022

Sports is known to increase inflammation which may in turn affect the levels of interleukin 6 and iron in the players such as in volleyball. The study was done to determine the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and iron levels of volleyball players based on heights and weights of a Nigerian University students. A total number of 80 subjects were recruited for the study, comprising of 40 subjects before playing volleyball (20 males and 20 females) and 40 subjects after playing volleyball (20 males, 20 females) from Madonna University Nigeria, Elele Campus, Rivers State, Nigeria. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. The results showed that there was significant increase (p=0.032) in interleukin 6 (IL-6) of volleyball players of 5.1-6.5M compared to volleyball players of 4.0-5.5M and no significant change (p=0.663) in iron of volleyball players 4.0-5.5M compared to volleyball players 5.1-6.5M respectively. The study showed that there was no significant increase (p=0.978) in interleukin 6 (IL-6) of volleyball players of 50-65Kg compared to volleyball players of 66-85Kg and no significant change (p=0.294) in iron of volleyball players 50-65Kg compared to volleyball players 66-85Kg respectively. During exercise, interleukin 6 (IL-6) but not the iron level increase significantly based upon the height of volleyball players. Both of these parameters do not change significantly based upon their weight.
Maximizing the Productivity and Profitability of Summer Irrigated Greengram (Vigna radiata L.) by Combining Basal Nitrogen Dose and Foliar Nutrition of Nano and Normal Urea
Authors: Saitheja Vaddi , Senthivelu M. , Prabukumar G. , Prasad V. Babu Rajendra
Published: August 2022

Field experiment was conducted at wetland farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during summer season, 2022 with an objective of maximizing the productivity and profitability of greengram by adopting varied dose of basal nitrogen and foliar application of nano and normal urea at Flower Initiation (FI) stage and 15 days thereafter. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design and replicated thrice with the following treatments viz., N1 - 100% RDN (25kg N ha-1), N2 - 80% RDN (20kg N ha-1), N3 - 60% RDN (15kg N ha-1) and N4 - Control as factor I, and F1 - Nano urea @ 2ml litre-1 of water, F2 - Nano urea @ 3ml litre-1 of water, F3 - Nano urea @ 4ml litre-1 of water and F4 - 1% urea as factor II. The experiment results revealed that, 100% RDN and nano urea foliar spray @ 4ml litre-1 of water significantly registered higher fertility co-efficient (71.2%), pods plant-1 (38.5 Nos.), seeds pod-1 (12.7 Nos.) and maximum grain yield (1291 kg ha-1). Nevertheless, it was on par with the application of 80% RDN and nano urea foliar spray @ 4ml    litre-1 of water, which recorded fertility co-efficient of 70.6%, 38.0 pods plant-1, 12.6 seeds pod-1 and grain yield of 1289 kg ha-1. In economics perspective also, application of 100% RDN and foliar supplement of nano urea @ 4ml litre-1 accounted maximum gross return (₹100114 ha-1), net return (₹53549 ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (2.15), which was comparable with application of 80% RDN and foliar application of nano urea @ 4ml litre-1 of water at FI stage and 15 days thereafter. Based on the experimental results, it is concluded that reduced application of basal nitrogen i.e., 80% RDN with nano urea foliar spray @ 4ml litre-1 of water at FI stage and 15 days thereafter found to be the optimal nitrogen dose and nano urea foliar nutrition for maximizing the productivity and profitability of summer irrigated greengram.
The Strength Characteristics of Concrete Blended with Recycled Concrete, Quarry Dust and Broken Glass
Authors: Junior John Kwesi Quarm , Kankam Charles Kwame
Published: August 2022

Conventional concrete mixes produced from naturally occurring aggregates offer benefits in strength, workability, volume stability and permeability, as well as a wide range of properties. However, with increasing availability of construction waste materials, such as demolished concrete and broken glass, there is the need to explore the feasibility of using recycled concrete and glass as replacement for natural crushed aggregates in Portland cement concrete, and determine their compressive and tensile strength in comparison with conventional concrete. Concrete specimens produced with varying percentages of replacement aggregates using recycled concrete and glass were tested for their workability, compressive strength and tensile strength. Six different concrete mixes were designed for the study, with percentage replacement of recycled concrete and broken glass of 0, 25, 50 and 75 by volume of natural aggregate in 1:2:4 concrete mix. In total, 54 cubes and 54 cylinders were cast for compressive strength and split tensile strength, respectively. Recycled concrete and broken / crushed glass were found to be good replacements for natural aggregates in concrete production, although the percentage by volume of recycled concrete and glass used in the concrete mix was an important controlling parameter. With regard to the workability of the concrete, it was found that recycled concrete and broken / crushed glass concrete had similar characteristics to conventional concrete mixes. Partially replaced recycled concrete and broken glass aggregates showed strength variation of between 15% to 30% from natural crushed aggregate concrete. It is recommended that concrete produced using recycled concrete and glass can be utilised for mass concrete works and structural members subjected to low loads.
Transport and deposition of inhaled man‐made vitreous and asbestos fibers in realistic human respiratory tract models: An in silico study
Authors: Dang Khoa Nguyen , Phuong Nguyen Lu , Takahashi Ken , Ito Kazuhide
Published: August 2022

Particles longer than 5 μm and with a length/diameter ratio >3 are defined as fibers. Asbestos or other fibers are still identified in residential environments due to the emission from asbestos‐used building materials. The respiratory system is the primary route of asbestos exposure; under a longer residence time, asbestos‐related adverse health effects are inevitable. Currently, asbestos fibers have been replaced with man‐made vitreous fibers (MMVFs); however, studies have revealed some similar biological effects of MMVFs with asbestos. Therefore, MMVFs‐induced diseases need to be determined by analyzing their deposition characteristics and foci in human respiratory tracts. In this study, we used computational fluid dynamics method to investigate fibers' airflow and deposition patterns in two realistic human respiratory models. Two drag models were used to predict the deposition of uniform 1 μm (asbestos) and 3.66 μm (carbon fiber‐CF) diameter, 15–300 μm long fibers. Two drag models provided comparable results with the experimental data. Comparatively, asbestos deposition was independent of fiber length, while CF deposition increased proportionally to fiber length. The highest level of local deposition was detected in the anterior nasal cavity. The results obtained from this study can extend current knowledge of human vitreous fiber exposure‐related lung diseases.
Serum lipidomic determinants of human diabetic neuropathy in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Afshinnia Farsad , Reynolds Evan L. , Rajendiran Thekkelnaycke M. , Soni Tanu , Byun Jaeman , Savelieff Masha G. , Looker Helen C. , Nelson Robert G. , Michailidis George , Callaghan Brian C. , Pennathur Subramaniam , Feldman Eva L.
Published: August 2022

Objective

The serum lipidomic profile associated with neuropathy in type 2 diabetes is not well understood. Obesity and dyslipidemia are known neuropathy risk factors, suggesting lipid profiles early during type 2 diabetes may identify individuals who develop neuropathy later in the disease course. This retrospective cohort study examined lipidomic profiles 10 years prior to type 2 diabetic neuropathy assessment.

Methods

Participants comprised members of the Gila River Indian community with type 2 diabetes (n = 69) with available stored serum samples and neuropathy assessment 10 years later using the combined Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) examination and questionnaire scores. A combined MNSI index was calculated from examination and questionnaire scores. Serum lipids (435 species from 18 classes) were quantified by mass spectrometry.

Results

The cohort included 17 males and 52 females with a mean age of 45 years (SD = 9 years). Participants were stratified as with (high MNSI index score > 2.5407) versus without neuropathy (low MNSI index score ≤ 2.5407). Significantly decreased medium‐chain acylcarnitines and increased total free fatty acids, independent of chain length and saturation, in serum at baseline associated with incident peripheral neuropathy at follow‐up, that is, participants had high MNSI index scores, independent of covariates. Participants with neuropathy also had decreased phosphatidylcholines and increased lysophosphatidylcholines at baseline, independent of chain length and saturation. The abundance of other lipid classes did not differ significantly by neuropathy status.

Interpretation

Abundance differences in circulating acylcarnitines, free fatty acids, phosphatidylcholines, and lysophosphatidylcholines 10 years prior to neuropathy assessment are associated with neuropathy status in type 2 diabetes.
Ultratough Hydrogen‐Bond‐Bridged Phosphorene Films
Authors: Liu Zhifang , Wang Huaipeng , Cao Huaqiang , Xie Dan , Li Chun , Yang Haijun , Yao Wenqing , Cheetham Anthony K.
Published: August 2022

The rapid development of flexible electronic devices, especially based on 2D materials, has triggered the demand for high‐strength materials. Mono‐ or few‐layer phosphorene with excellent electronic properties has attracted extensive attention. However, phosphorene is affected by its low Young's modulus when applied to flexible electronic devices. Here, a strategy via ion intercalation to significantly improve the mechanical properties of black phosphorus to generate hydrogen‐bond‐bridged phosphorene films with Young's modulus as high as 316 GPa is reported. This value is several times larger than the theoretical values of 166 GPa in the zigzag direction, 44 GPa in the armchair direction, and the averaged Young's modulus among all directions of 94 GPa. The impact of intercalation on mechanical properties is also explored. Experimental nanoindentation results obtained by atomic force microscopy indicate that the relationship between the ratio of intercalated ions to phosphorus atoms and the corresponding Young's modulus satisfies the formula . Furthermore, a flexible NO2 gas sensor device based on this ultratough material presents excellent performance, even after 10 000 bending cycles. The results provide new insight into the potential for practical applications of black phosphorus devices.
Thermal‐Radiation‐Driven Ultrafast Crystallization of Perovskite Films Under Heavy Humidity for Efficient Inverted Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Guoliang , Lian Qing , Wang Deng , Jiang Feng , Mi Guojun , Li Dongyang , Huang Yulan , Wang Yun , Yao Xiyu , Shi Run , Liao Chwenhaw , Zheng Jianghui , Ho‐Baillie Anita , Amini Abbas , Xu Baomin , Cheng Chun
Published: August 2022

Fabricating perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in air is conducive to low‐cost commercial production; nevertheless, it is rather difficult to achieve comparable device performance as that in an inert atmosphere because of the poor moisture toleration of perovskite materials. Here, the perovskite crystallization process is systematically studied using two‐step sequential solution deposition in an inert atmosphere (glovebox) and air. It is found that moisture can stabilize solvation intermediates and prevent their conversion into perovskite crystals. To address this issue, thermal radiation is used to accelerate perovskite crystallization for integrated perovskite films within 10 s in air. The as‐formed perovskite films are compact, highly oriented with giant grain size, superior photoelectric properties, and low trap density. When the films are applied to PSC devices, a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.8% is obtained, one of the best results for air‐processed inverted PSCs under high relative humidity (60 ± 10%). This work substantially assists understanding and modulation to perovskite crystallization kinetics under heavy humidity. Also, the ultrafast conversion strategy by thermal radiation provides unprecedented opportunities to manufacture high‐quality perovskite films for low‐temperature, eco‐friendly, and air‐processed efficient inverted PSCs.
Piezoelectricity across 2D Phase Boundaries
Authors: Puthirath Anand B. , Zhang Xiang , Krishnamoorthy Aravind , Xu Rui , Samghabadi Farnaz Safi , Moore David C. , Lai Jiawei , Zhang Tianyi , Sanchez David E. , Zhang Fu , Glavin Nicholas R. , Litvinov Dmitri , Vajtai Robert , Swaminathan Venkataraman , Terrones Mauricio , Zhu Hanyu , Vashishta Priya , Ajayan Pulickel M.
Published: August 2022

Piezoelectricity in low‐dimensional materials and metal–semiconductor junctions has attracted recent attention. Herein, a 2D in‐plane metal–semiconductor junction made of multilayer 2H and 1T′ phases of molybdenum(IV) telluride (MoTe2) is investigated. Strong piezoelectric response is observed using piezoresponse force microscopy at the 2H–1T′ junction, despite that the multilayers of each individual phase are weakly piezoelectric. The experimental results and density functional theory calculations suggest that the amplified piezoelectric response observed at the junction is due to the charge transfer across the semiconducting and metallic junctions resulting in the formation of dipoles and excess charge density, allowing the engineering of piezoelectric response in atomically thin materials.
Heliconical Cholesterics Endows Spatial Phase Modulator with an Electrically Customizable Working Band
Authors: Xu Chun‐Ting , Liu Bing‐Hui , Peng Cheng , Chen Quan‐Ming , Chen Peng , Sun Pei‐Zhi , Zheng Zhi‐Gang , Lu Yan‐Qing , Hu Wei
Published: August 2022

Multidimensional and large‐scale parallel manipulation of light, especially on‐demand tailoring of the working frequency and spatial phase front, is highly pursued in modern optics. Here, broadband tunable planar optics is demonstrated by electrically driving the nanohelix of photopatterned heliconical cholesterics. By preprogramming the initial orientation of the helixes using a dynamic‐mask photoalignment technique, spatial geometric phases can be arbitrarily encoded to the reflected light in a reconfigurable way. Due to the reversible electrically variant pitch of the heliconical superstructures, the reflective Bragg band can be precisely selected in the range from 380 to 1550 nm. In addition to wavelength selection and geometric phase modulation, spatial amplitude modulation and spin reversion can be further expected. This may offer a platform for full‐dimensional manipulation of light, including wavelength/frequency, phase, amplitude, time, and spin, thus upgrading optical information processing techniques.
The role of hypoxia and inflammation in the regulation of iron metabolism and erythropoiesis in COVID‐19: The IRONCOVID study
Authors: Maira Diletta , Duca Lorena , Busti Fabiana , Consonni Dario , Salvatici Michela , Vianello Alice , Milani Angelo , Guzzardella Amedeo , Di Pierro Elena , Aliberti Stefano , Baldini Itala Marina , Bandera Alessandra , Blasi Francesco , Cassinerio Elena , Cesari Matteo , Fracanzani Anna Ludovica , Grasselli Giacomo , Graziadei Giovanna , Lombardi Rosa , Marchi Giacomo , Montano Nicola , Monzani Valter , Peyvandi Flora , Proietti Marco , Sandri Maria , Valenti Luca , Cappellini Maria Domenica , Girelli Domenico , Protti Alessandro , Motta Irene
Published: August 2022

Coronavirus Disease (COVID‐19) can be considered as a human pathological model of inflammation combined with hypoxia. In this setting, both erythropoiesis and iron metabolism appear to be profoundly affected by inflammatory and hypoxic stimuli, which act in the opposite direction on hepcidin regulation. The impact of low blood oxygen levels on erythropoiesis and iron metabolism in the context of human hypoxic disease (e.g., pneumonia) has not been fully elucidated. This multicentric observational study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of anemia, the alterations of iron homeostasis, and the relationship between inflammation, hypoxia, and erythropoietic parameters in a cohort of 481 COVID‐19 patients admitted both to medical wards and intensive care units (ICU). Data were collected on admission and after 7 days of hospitalization. On admission, nearly half of the patients were anemic, displaying mild‐to‐moderate anemia. We found that hepcidin levels were increased during the whole period of observation. The patients with a higher burden of disease (i.e., those who needed intensive care treatment or had a more severe degree of hypoxia) showed lower hepcidin levels, despite having a more marked inflammatory pattern. Erythropoietin (EPO) levels were also lower in the ICU group on admission. After 7 days, EPO levels rose in the ICU group while they remained stable in the non‐ICU group, reflecting that the initial hypoxic stimulus was stronger in the first group. These findings strengthen the hypothesis that, at least in the early phases, hypoxia‐driven stimuli prevail over inflammation in the regulation of hepcidin and, finally, of erythropoiesis.
Mosaicism of common pathogenic MECP2 variants identified in two males with a clinical diagnosis of Rett syndrome
Authors: Cooley Coleman Jessica A. , Fee Timothy , Bend Renee , Louie Raymond , Annese Fran , Stallworth Jennifer , Worthington Jessica , Buchanan Caroline Black , Everman David B. , Skinner Steven , Friez Michael J. , Jones Julie R. , Spellicy Catherine J.
Published: August 2022

Rett (RTT) syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by pathogenic variation in the MECP2 gene, is characterized by developmental regression, loss of purposeful hand movements, stereotypic hand movements, abnormal gait, and loss of spoken language. Due to the X‐linked inheritance pattern, RTT is typically limited to females. Recent studies revealed somatic mosaicism in MECP2 in male patients with RTT‐like phenotypes. While detecting mosaic variation using Sanger sequencing is theoretically possible for mosaicism over ~15%–20%, several variables, including efficiency of PCR, background noise, and/or human error, contribute to a low detection rate using this technology. Mosaic variants in two males were detected by next generation sequencing (NGS; Case 1) and by Sanger re‐sequencing (Case 2). Both had targeted digital PCR (dPCR) to confirm the variants. In this report, we present two males with classic RTT syndrome in whom we identified pathogenic variation in the MECP2 gene in the mosaic state (c.730C > T (p.Gln244*) in Patient 1 and c.397C > T (p.Arg133Cys) in Patient 2). In addition, estimates and measures of mosaic variant fraction were surprisingly similar between Sanger sequencing, NGS, and dPCR. The mosaic state of these variants contributed to a lengthy diagnostic odyssey for these patients. While NGS and even Sanger sequencing may be viable methods of detecting mosaic variation in DNA or RNA samples, applying targeted dPCR to supplement these sequencing technologies would provide confirmation of somatic mosaicism and mosaic fraction.
Best practices are never best: Evaluating primate conservation education programs (PCEPs) with a decolonial perspective
Authors: Bezanson Michelle , Franquesa‐Soler Montserrat , Kowalewski Martin , McNamara Allison , Oktaviani Rahayu , Rodrigues Michelle A.
Published: August 2022

Who do we aim to educate with primate conservation education programs (PCEPs)? In a commentary published in a recent AJP, Annette Lanjouw suggested that many efforts to “educate” habitat‐country communities can be neocolonial in their approaches. Forest destruction and habitat loss are a result of global consumption and expansion. We therefore need to approach conservation education from many angles including local stakeholders, policy makers, government officials, and the humans living in industrialized nations who are major consumers of the items that shrink primate habitats. In this review, we investigate PCEPs to determine if the conservation education goals, education methods, and assessment processes are proceeding within a neocolonial context. We reviewed the last 20 years of primate conservation literature and looked for publications that were focused on education programs. We found that in 50 of 52 publications published between 2001 and 2021, the education programs take place in habitat‐country local communities. We also reviewed primate field researcher and field site websites, and in most cases, education programs were also focused on educating local communities living near or in nonhuman primate habitats. Exceptions were student clubs, zoo programs, and a high school outreach program. Many PCEP providers presented a list of “lessons learned” and we compiled their wisdom in combination with our experience to provide a framework for moving forward. We conclude that as conservation primatologists, we must think beyond our field sites to create opportunities for educational outreach. We can reach global consumers by linking to zoos, television/motion picture, print media, social media, and working with schools on curricula. Primatologists can engage our undergraduates to establish clubs and create meaningful assignments that reach beyond the classroom. We encourage primatologists from the Global North to consider their positionality and the history of conservation exclusion in their attempts to conserve primates.
Encoding Supramolecular Chiral Self‐Assembly with Photo‐Controlled Circularly Polarized Luminescence by Overcrowded Alkene‐Based Bis‐PBI Modulators
Authors: Shi Zhao‐Tao , Wang Qian , Yi Jinhao , Zhao Chengxi , Chen Shao‐Yu , Tian He , Qu Da‐Hui
Published: August 2022

Developing photoresponsive circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials is an essential step for biosensing and biomedical applications. However, fabricating CPL assemblies rooted in the chirality amplification and transmission of the molecular building blocks, which simultaneously show photo‐controllable CPL signals, remains challenging. Herein, a molecular building block containing an overcrowded‐alkene core and bis‐PBI(MPBI) was designed. Importantly, the enantiopureMPBIcan self‐assemble into well‐organized nanofibers via π‐π stacking interactions and enable the transmission of the intrinsic chirality, providing opposite CPL signals. The photoisomerization ofMPBIinduced a transformation from nanofibers to discrete nanospheres, accompanied by a gradually decreased CPL signal. The results demonstrated the development of photo‐controllable CPL materials from the assembly of chiralMPBI, which provides an alternatively facile strategy to fabricate CPL‐active materials and would offer opportunities for future biosensing and biomedical applications.
Calix[4]pyrrolato Stibenium: Lewis Superacidity by Antimony(III)‐Antimony(V) Electromerism
Authors: Schorpp Marcel , Yadav Ravi , Roth Daniel , Greb Lutz
Published: August 2022

Lewis superacids enable the activation of highly inert substrates. However, the permanent presence of a Lewis superacidic center comes along with a constantly increased intolerance toward functional groups or ambient conditions. Herein, we describe a strategy to unleash Lewis superacidity by electromerism. Experimental and computational results indicate that coordinating a Lewis base to Δ‐calix[4]pyrrolato‐antimony(III) triggers a ligand redox‐noninnocent coupled transfer into antimony(V)‐state that exhibits Lewis superacidic features. Lewis acidity by electromerism establishes a concept of potential generality for powerful yet robust reagents and on‐site substrate activation approaches.
The Interaction of K and O2 on Au(111): Multiple Growth Modes of Potassium Oxide and Their Catalytic Activity for CO Oxidation
Authors: Shi Rui , Liao Wenjie , Ramírez Pedro J. , Orozco Ivan , Mahapatra Mausumi , Kang Jindong , Hunt Adrian , Waluyo Iradwikanari , Senanayake Sanjaya D. , Liu Ping , Rodriguez José A.
Published: August 2022

In industrial catalysis, alkali cations are frequently used to promote activity or selectivity. Scanning tunneling microscopy, ambient‐pressure X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density‐functional calculations were used to study the structure and reactivity of potassium oxides in contact with the Au(111) surface. Three different types of oxides (K2O2, K2O and KOy with y<0.5) were observed on top of the gold substrate at 300–525 K. Initially, small aggregates of K2O2/K2O (1–2 nm in size) were seen at the elbows of the herringbone structure. After increasing the K coverage (>0.15 ML), large islands of the oxide (20–40 nm in size) appeared. These islands contained a mixture of K2O and KOy (y<0.5). A key correlation was found involving the structure, oxidation state, and chemical activity of the alkali oxide. The small aggregates of potassium oxide had a very high catalytic activity for the oxidation of CO, being much more than plain promoters.
Bloom Syndrome Helicase Compresses Single‐Stranded DNA into Phase‐Separated Condensates
Authors: Wang Teng , Hu Jiaojiao , Li Yanan , Bi Lulu , Guo Lijuan , Jia Xinshuo , Zhang Xia , Li Dan , Hou Xi‐Miao , Modesti Mauro , Xi Xu‐Guang , Liu Cong , Sun Bo
Published: August 2022

Bloom syndrome protein (BLM) is a conserved RecQ family helicase involved in the maintenance of genome stability. BLM has been widely recognized as a genome “caretaker” that processes structured DNA. In contrast, our knowledge of how BLM behaves on single‐stranded (ss) DNA is still limited. Here, we demonstrate that BLM possesses the intrinsic ability for phase separation and can co‐phase separate with ssDNA to form dynamically arrested protein/ssDNA co‐condensates. The introduction of ATP potentiates the capability of BLM to condense on ssDNA, which further promotes the compression of ssDNA against a resistive force of up to 60 piconewtons. Moreover, BLM is also capable of condensing replication protein A (RPA)‐ or RAD51‐coated ssDNA, before which it generates naked ssDNA by dismantling these ssDNA‐binding proteins. Overall, our findings identify an unexpected characteristic of a DNA helicase and provide a new angle of protein/ssDNA co‐condensation for understanding the genomic instability caused by BLM overexpression under diseased conditions.
In Situ Analysis of Membrane‐Protein Binding Kinetics and Cell–Surface Adhesion Using Plasmonic Scattering Microscopy
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Zhou Xinyu , Jiang Jiapei , Kolay Jayeeta , Wang Rui , Ma Guangzhong , Wan Zijian , Wang Shaopeng
Published: August 2022

Surface plasmon resonance microscopy (SPRM) is an excellent platform for in situ studying cell‐substrate interactions. However, SPRM suffers from poor spatial resolution and small field of view. Herein, we demonstrate plasmonic scattering microscopy (PSM) by adding a dry objective on a popular prism‐coupled surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system. PSM not only retains SPRM's high sensitivity and real‐time analysis capability, but also provides ≈7 times higher spatial resolution and ≈70 times larger field of view than the typical SPRM, thus providing more details about membrane protein response to ligand binding on over 100 cells simultaneously. In addition, PSM allows quantifying the target movements in the axial direction with a high spatial resolution, thus allowing mapping adhesion spring constants for quantitatively describing the mechanical properties of the cell‐substrate contacts. This work may offer a powerful and cost‐effective strategy for upgrading current SPR products.
Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of Bisbenzannulated Spiroketals and Spiroaminals by Ir/Ag/Acid Ternary Catalysis
Authors: Yang Wu‐Lin , Shang Xin‐Yu , Ni Tao , Yan Hui , Luo Xiaoyan , Zheng Hanliang , Li Zhong , Deng Wei‐Ping
Published: August 2022

We reported herein an iridium/silver/acid ternary catalytic system to access bisbenzannulated [6,6]‐spiroketals in high efficiency with generally high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr, >99 % ee). In this procedure, readily availableo‐alkynylacetophenones undergo cycloisomerization to generate isochromenes in situ that participate in stereoselective allylation/spiroketalization sequence with 2‐(1‐hydroxyallyl)phenols. Meanwhile, 2‐(1‐hydroxyallyl)anilines were also compatible in this cascade reaction, furnishing structurally novel bisbenzannulated [6,6]‐spiroaminals with good diastereoselectivities (8 : 1–12 : 1 dr) and excellent enantioselectivities (98 %–>99 % ee). Moreover, experimental studies and theoretical calculations were performed to illustrate the reaction mechanism and stereochemistry.
A Switchable Palladium(II) Trefoil Entangled Tetrahedron with Temperature Dependence and Concentration Independence
Authors: Algar Jess L. , Findlay James A. , Evans Jack D. , Preston Dan
Published: August 2022

Self‐assembly makes metallo‐interlocked architectures attractive targets, but being in equilibrium with smaller species means that they can suffer from dilution effects. We show that a junctioned system gives rise to a [Pd4(L)2]8+trefoil entangled tetrahedron irrespective of concentration. Heating the sample reversibly shifts the equilibrium from the knot to an isomeric non‐interlocked dual metallo‐cycle, demonstrating that thermodynamic equilibria can still be exploited for switching even in the absence of concentration effects.
Optimize Lithium Deposition at Low Temperature by Weakly Solvating Power Solvent
Authors: Ma Tao , Ni Youxuan , Wang Qiaoran , Zhang Weijia , Jin Song , Zheng Shibing , Yang Xian , Hou Yunpeng , Tao Zhanliang , Chen Jun
Published: August 2022

For lithium (Li) metal batteries, the decrease in operating temperature brings severe safety issues by more disordered Li deposition. Here, we demonstrate that the solvating power of solvent is closely related to the reversibility of the Li deposition/stripping process under low‐temperature conditions. The electrolyte with weakly solvating power solvent shows lower desolvation energy, allowing for a uniform Li deposition morphology, as well as a high deposition/stripping efficiency (97.87 % at −40 °C). Based on a weakly solvating electrolyte, we further built a full cell by coupling the Li metal anode with a sulfurized polyacrylonitrile electrode at a low anode‐to‐cathode capacity ratio for steady cycling at −40 °C. Our results clarified the relationship between solvating power of solvent and Li deposition behavior at low temperatures.
Colloidal Jamming by Interfacial Self‐Assembled Polymers: A Robust Route for Ultrahigh Efficient Encapsulation
Authors: Huo Qingqing , Gao Yue , Wu Wenbo , Hu Shuai , Zhang Zifan , Li Zhi , Tian Yuling , Quan Peng , Li Wen , Liu Dongfei
Published: August 2022

The control of cargo phase‐transfer is of interest for many applications in science and technology. Herein, we report a simple, versatile and robust method to block the phase‐transfer of cargo colloids by interfacial self‐assembled amphiphilic polymer molecules. After simply increasing the concentration of amphiphilic polymers, the orientation of interfacial polymer molecules changed from flat to upright, forming a thick three‐dimensional polymer layer at the oil‐water interface. Even under fierce external force, this thick interfacial layer robustly prevented the phase‐transfer of cargo colloids, resulting in an ultrahigh encapsulation efficiency (up to 97.1 %) for proteins and peptides. One single injection of high insulin‐loaded microcomposites (58.3 wt%) kept the blood glucose level within the normoglycemic state for 10 days in type 1 diabetic rats. The mass of administrated amphiphilic polymers was 1889 times smaller than that of microcomposites prepared with non‐amphiphilic ones.
A Double‐Helix Metal‐Chain Metal‐Organic Framework as a High‐Output Triboelectric Nanogenerator Material for Self‐Powered Anticorrosion
Authors: Shao Zhichao , Chen Junshuai , Gao Kexin , Xie Qiong , Xue Xiaojing , Zhou Shuangyan , Huang Chao , Mi Liwei , Hou Hongwei
Published: August 2022

The development of novel metal organic framework (MOF) friction power generation materials with high stability is important. This paper reports the first example of a double‐helix metal chain organic framework with a network structure (ZUT‐8). ZUT‐8 shows high chemical stability, functional adjustability, and excellent output performance of friction power generation, which is superior to traditional coordination polymer materials. The cathodic protection system with ZUT‐8 can prevent metal corrosion significantly. The output performance can be improved effectively by enhancing the conjugate effect of the linker. The theoretical calculation results showed that an increase in the degree of conjugation could significantly reduce the band gap, thereby affecting the friction power output signal. This study opens the door to constructing MOF materials with a double‐helix metal chain and will promote their potential applications in self‐powered electrochemical cathodic protection.
Energy Transfer Chemiluminescent Spiroadamantane 1,2‐Dioxetane Probes for Bioanalyte Detection and Imaging
Authors: Kagalwala Husain N. , Lippert Alexander R.
Published: August 2022

Chemiluminescence imaging of bioanalytes using spiroadamantane 1,2‐dioxetanes has gained significant attention due to improved signal‐to‐noise ratios and imaging depth compared to excitation‐based probes, as well as their modifiable scaffolds that offer analyte‐specific responses and tunable emissive properties. Among several strategies employed to amplify signals under aqueous conditions and to shift the emission into the bio‐relevant red region, energy transfer to an adjacent fluorophore is a popular and effective method. This Minireview highlights spiroadamantane 1,2‐dioxetane‐based probes that operate via an energy transfer mechanism to detect bioanalytes both in vitro and in vivo. Probes that display both non‐covalent and covalent interactions with fluorophores, as well as their applications in imaging specific analytes will be discussed.
Comprehensive identification of VX‐adducted plasma proteins using high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Mohammad Hazara Begum , Park Ji Hwan , Lee Jun Hyung , Vu Minh Hung , Lee Jin‐Young , Jeong Woo‐Hyeon , Kim Min‐Sik
Published: August 2022

VX is one of the chemical warfare agents that attack victims' nervous systems and ultimately lead to their death. Upon VX exposure, circulating proteins in the bloodstream can be modified with VX that may produce diagnostic VX adducts. Thus, these adducts would be key evidence for the forensic investigation against chemical warfare or terrorism. In this study, we discovered a list of potential blood protein biomarkers for VX exposure. To do so, we employed high‐resolution mass spectrometry‐based proteomics and identified 18 VX‐adducted proteins with 32 adduct sites from VX‐treated human plasma samples. Furthermore, we examined these targets using a data‐independent acquisition method and obtained eight practically detectable biomarkers. Our results may serve as a valuable resource for verifying nerve agent exposure under chemical attack.