bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interrogating Whiteness in Community Research and Action
Authors: Coleman Brett Russell , Collins Charles R. , Bonam Courtney M.
Published: October 2020

Community psychology is expressly concerned with social justice. Such concern necessitates attention to race. Yet, nearly absent from the field’s literature is explicit and critical attention to whiteness. Thus, community psychology’s contribution to promoting social justice remains incomplete. In this article, we examine how a critical construction of whiteness can be useful for community research and action. After a brief history of the construction of whiteness in the United States, and a summary of key insights from critical whiteness studies, we present a scoping review of the nascent body of community psychology literature that addresses whiteness. That work implicates whiteness in the emergence of the field itself, frames whiteness as social location, problematizes whiteness, addresses White supremacy and institutional racism, interrogates White privilege, and employs whiteness as a theoretical standpoint. We conclude with three propositions for scholars to broker the relationship between community psychology and critical whiteness studies: (a) community psychology should become more critically conscious of whiteness, (b) community psychologists should promote critical awareness of the ways that whiteness operates as a complex system, and (c) greater critical awareness of whiteness should be applied to the development of multilevel interventions aimed at dismantling whiteness as a system of domination.
Interventions to promote hotel workers' health: A scoping review
Authors: Adams Mackenzie , Li Wei V. , Saylor Kate , Rosemberg Marie‐Anne S.
Published: October 2020

Background

The hospitality industry employs millions of workers and is a key contributor to the US economy. Despite being essential drivers in the industry's success, hotel workers, particularly hotel housekeepers, are exposed to occupational hazards and experience disproportionate rates of injuries and chronic health conditions. Thus there is a significant need for health promotion efforts directed toward these workers. However, little is known about existing interventions targeting their health.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review to identify and appraise workplace health promotion interventions targeting hotel employees. We performed a scoping review following the framework outlined by Arksey and O'Malley (2005). Our literature search process was recorded using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. Basic study information was compiled into a matrix table. Study quality was assessed using the template for intervention description and replication.

Results

Eight unique interventions were identified, occurring at over 30 hotels with participants ranging between 16 and 1207 employees. Though many of the reported health outcomes were not statistically significant, studies reported results with clinical implications, including decreased numbers of injury claims, reduced anxiety, improvements in cardiovascular disease risk indicators, such as body mass index, and increased knowledge among participants.

Conclusions

This is the first review to interrogate the literature on existing workplace interventions targeting the health of hotel workers. While some studies found significant improvements in health outcomes, few conducted rigorous program evaluation. The results highlight the need for more and effective interventions targeting these at‐risk workers.
Induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming‐associated methylation at the GABRA2 promoter and chr4p12 GABAA subunit gene expression in the context of alcohol use disorder
Authors: Goetjen Alexandra , Watson Maegan , Lieberman Richard , Clinton Kaitlin , Kranzler Henry R. , Covault Jonathan
Published: October 2020

Twin studies indicate that there is a significant genetic contribution to the risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). With the exception of coding variants in ADH1B and ALDH2, little is known about the molecular effects of AUD‐associated loci. We previously reported that the AUD‐associated synonymous polymorphism rs279858 within the GABAA α2 receptor subunit gene, GABRA2, was associated with gene expression of the chr4p12 GABAA subunit gene cluster in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)‐derived neural cultures. Based on this and other studies that showed changes in GABRA2 DNA methylation associated with schizophrenia and aging, we examined methylation in GABRA2. Specifically, using 69 iPSC lines and neural cultures derived from 47 of them, we examined whether GABRA2 rs279858 genotype predicted methylation levels and whether methylation was related to GABAA receptor subunit gene expression. We found that the GABRA2 CpG island undergoes random stochastic methylation during reprogramming and that methylation is associated with decreased GABRA2 gene expression, an effect that extends to the GABRB1 gene over 600 kb distal to GABRA2. Further, we identified additive effects of GABRA2 CpG methylation and GABRA2 rs279858 genotype on expression of the GABRB1 subunit gene in iPSC‐derived neural cultures.
Desperately seeking stress: A pilot study of cortisol in archaeological tooth structures
Authors: Quade Leslie , Chazot Paul L. , Gowland Rebecca
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced through activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. It is known as the “stress hormone” for its primary role in the body's stress response and has been the focus of much modern clinical research. Within archaeology, only a few studies have analyzed cortisol in human remains and these have been restricted to hair (Webb et al., 2010; Webb, White, van Uum, & Longstaffe, 2015a; Webb, White, van Uum, & Longstaffe, 2015b). This study examines the utility of dentine and enamel, which survive well archaeologically, as possible reservoirs for detectable levels of cortisol.

Materials and methods

Then, 69 teeth from 65 individuals from five Roman and Post‐Roman sites in France were tested via competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assess and quantify the cortisol concentrations present within tooth dentine and enamel.

Results

In both tooth dentine and enamel, detectable concentrations of cortisol were identified in multiple teeth. However, concentrations were low and not all teeth yielded results that were measurable through cortisol ELISA. Differences in cortisol values between dentine and enamel could suggest different uptake mechanisms or timing.

Discussion

These results suggest that cortisol is incorporated within tooth structures and merits further investigation in both modern and archaeological contexts. Analysis of the results through liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometry would verify current results and might yield values that could be better integrated with published cortisol studies. Future studies of cortisol in tooth structures would greatly expand the research potential of cortisol in the past and could have implications for studies of human stress across deep time.
Die ersten zwei Bismutborosulfate – eines davon enthält Oxonium und ein tektosilicatanaloges Anion
Authors: Hämmer Matthias , Bayarjargal Lkhamsuren , Höppe Henning A.
Published: October 2020

Das erste Bismutborosulfat (H3O)Bi[B(SO4)2]4 ist erst das zweite mit einem dreidimensional kondensierten Anion, aber das erste tektosilicatanaloge Borosulfat, das ohne Vorläuferverbindung solvothermal aus Bi(NO3)3⋅5 H2O und B(OH)3 in Oleum synthetisiert wurde; ferner ist es das erste, das zwei unterschiedlich geladene Kationen enthält. Es kristallisiert in einem neuen Strukturtyp in der Raumgruppe I
(Nr. 82) (a=11.857(1), c=8.149(1) Å, 1947 Refl., 111 Param., wR2=0.037). Die nicht‐zentrosymmetrische Raumgruppe konnte durch die Messung der Frequenzverdopplung bestätigt werden. Die B(SO4)4‐Supertetraeder sind über alle vier Sulfattetraeder miteinander kondensiert, was zu einem dreidimensional vernetzten Anion führt, wobei H3O+ und Bi3+ in unterschiedlich großen Kanälen vorliegen. Außerdem konnte die Kristallstruktur eines weiteren Bismutborosulfats, Bi2[B2(SO4)6], aufgeklärt werden. Es kristallisiert isotyp zu den Seltenerdborosulfaten R2[B2(SO4)6] in der Raumgruppe C2/c (Nr. 15) (a=13.568(2), b=11.490(2), c=11.106(2) Å, 3127 Refl., 155 Param., wR2=0.035). Zudem werden die optischen und thermischen Eigenschaften der beiden Verbindungen diskutiert.
Photoinduced Hydroarylation and Cyclization of Alkenes with Luminescent Platinum(II) Complexes
Authors: Cheng Hanchao , Lam Tsz‐Lung , Liu Yungen , Tang Zhou , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: October 2020

Photoinduced hydroarylation of alkenes is an appealing synthetic strategy for arene functionalization. Herein, we demonstrated that aryl radicals generated from electron‐deficient aryl chlorides/bromides could be trapped by an array of terminal/internal aryl alkenes in the presence of [Pt(O^N^C^N)] under visible‐light (410 nm) irradiation, affording anti‐Markovnikov hydroarylated compounds in up to 95 % yield. Besides, a protocol for [Pt(O^N^C^N)]‐catalyzed intramolecular photocyclization of acrylanilides to give structurally diverse 3,4‐dihydroquinolinones has been developed.
Repurposing the 3‐Isocyanobutanoic Acid Adenylation Enzyme SfaB for Versatile Amidation and Thioesterification
Authors: Zhu Mengyi , Wang Lijuan , He Jing
Published: October 2020

Genome mining of microbial natural products enables chemists not only to discover the bioactive molecules with novel skeletons, but also to identify the enzymes that catalyze diverse chemical reactions. Exploring the substrate promiscuity and catalytic mechanism of those biosynthetic enzymes facilitates the development of potential biocatalysts. SfaB is an acyl adenylate‐forming enzyme that adenylates a unique building block, 3‐isocyanobutanoic acid, in the biosynthetic pathway of the diisonitrile natural product SF2768 produced by Streptomyces thioluteus, and this AMP‐ligase was demonstrated to accept a broad range of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Herein, we repurpose SfaB to catalyze amidation or thioesterification between those SCFAs and various amine or thiol nucleophiles, thereby providing an alternative enzymatic approach to prepare the corresponding amides and thioesters in vitro.
An Extrinsic‐Pore‐Containing Molecular Sieve Film: A Robust, High‐Throughput Membrane Filter
Authors: Hong Sungwon , Jeong Yanghwan , Baik Hionsuck , Choi Nakwon , Yip Alex C. K. , Choi Jungkyu
Published: October 2020

MFI type zeolites with 10‐membered‐ring pores (ca. 0.55 nm) have the ability to separate p‐xylene (ca. 0.58 nm) from its bulkier isomers. Here, we introduced non‐zeolitic micropores (ca. 0.6–1.5 nm) and mesopores (ca. 2–7 nm) to a conventional microporous MFI type zeolite membrane, yielding an unprecedented hierarchical membrane structure. The uniform, embedded non‐zeolitic pores decreased defect formation considerably and facilitated molecular transport, resulting in high p‐xylene perm‐selectivity and molar flux. Specifically, compared to a conventional, crack network‐containing MFI membranes of similar thickness (ca. 1 μm), the mesoporous MFI membranes showed almost double p‐xylene permeance (ca. 1.6±0.4×10−7 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1) and a high p‐/o‐xylene separation factor (ca. 53.8±7.3 vs. 3.5±0.5 in the conventional MFI membrane) at 225 °C. The embedded non‐zeolitic pores allowed for decreasing the separation performance degradation, which was apparently related to coke formation.
Ligand Protonation Triggers H2 Release from a Dinickel Dihydride Complex to Give a Doubly “T”‐Shaped Dinickel(I) Metallodiradical
Authors: Duan Peng‐Cheng , Schulz Roland Alexander , Römer Anton , Van Kuiken Benjamin E. , Dechert Sebastian , Demeshko Serhiy , Cutsail George E. , DeBeer Serena , Mata Ricardo A. , Meyer Franc
Published: October 2020

The dinickel(II) dihydride complex (1K) of a pyrazolate‐based compartmental ligand with β‐diketiminato (nacnac) chelate arms (L−), providing two pincer‐type {N3} binding pockets, has been reported to readily eliminate H2 and to serve as a masked dinickel(I) species. Discrete dinickel(I) complexes (2Na, 2K) of L− are now synthesized via a direct reduction route. They feature two adjacent T‐shaped metalloradicals that are antiferromagnetically coupled, giving an S=0 ground state. The two singly occupied local
type magnetic orbitals are oriented into the bimetallic cleft, enabling metal–metal cooperative 2 e− substrate reductions as shown by the rapid reaction with H2 or O2. X‐ray crystallography reveals distinctly different positions of the K+ in 1K and 2K, suggesting a stabilizing interaction of K+ with the dihydride unit in 1K. H2 release from 1K is triggered by peripheral γ‐C protonation at the nacnac subunits, which DFT calculations show lowers the barrier for reductive H2 elimination from the bimetallic cleft.
Continuous Flow Sodiation of Substituted Acrylonitriles, Alkenyl Sulfides and Acrylates
Authors: Harenberg Johannes H. , Weidmann Niels , Karaghiosoff Konstantin , Knochel Paul
Published: October 2020

The sodiation of substituted acrylonitriles and alkenyl sulfides in a continuous flow set‐up using NaDA (sodium diisopropylamide) in EtNMe2 or NaTMP (sodium 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide)⋅TMEDA in n‐hexane provides sodiated acrylonitriles and alkenyl sulfides, which are subsequently trapped in batch with various electrophiles such as aldehydes, ketones, disulfides and allylic bromides affording functionalized acrylonitriles and alkenyl sulfides. This flow‐procedure was successfully extended to other acrylates by using Barbier‐type conditions.
Single Session Thinking 2020
Authors: Hoyt Michael F. , Young Jeff , Rycroft Pam
Published: October 2020

This update presents key developments since Talmon’s original (1990) publication, including an account of the three international symposia which have taken place since the last ANZJFT special edition on single session therapy in 2012, and the major compilations that followed the symposia. Underlying elements that unite different single session approaches are explored, and an attempt is made to provide a terminology that is inclusive and coherent. As reflected in the title, the term ‘single session thinking’ is suggested as an over‐arching term for the approach that is no longer limited to the therapy room, but reaches into many different contexts. In conclusion, possible future clinical and research developments in the field of single session thinking and practice are reflected upon, and the implications for contemporary health care delivery considered.
Effects of fungal decay on properties of mechanical, chemical, and water absorption of wood plastic composites
Authors: Feng Jing , Li Sujuan , Peng Ruqun , Sun Tingli , Xie Xiaobao , Shi Qingshan
Published: October 2020

This study investigated the associations between wood species and fungal resistance, as well as the effects of fungal decay on the properties of mechanical, chemical, and water absorption of wood polypropylene composites (WPCs) filled with white poplar, moso‐bamboo, Chinese fir, Ramin, white pine, and rubber wood. Experimental results on weight losses and surface morphology both showed that fungal resistance of WPCs varied significantly with wood fiber species. Chinese fir and rubber wood filled composites separately presented the most and least durability against Coriolus versicolor (white rot) and Poria placenta (brown rot). In addition, fungal decay produced great differences in the properties of mechanical, chemical, and water absorptions between non‐decayed and decayed composites. The decayed composites showed lower MOR, tensile strength, and impact strength, as well as higher MOE and water absorptions compared with non‐decayed samples. These findings suggest that fungal decay could bring out dramatic influences on various properties of WPCs.
Ecosystem responses to the eradication of common carp Cyprinus carpio using rotenone from a reservoir in South Africa
Authors: Dalu Tatenda , Bellingan Terence A. , Gouws Jeanne , Impson N. Dean , Jordaan Martine S. , Khosa Dumisani , Marr Sean M. , Mofu Lubabalo , Schumann Mandy , Slabbert Etienne , van der Walt Johannes A. , Wasserman Ryan J. , Weyl Olaf L. F.
Published: October 2020

The control of invasive alien fish populations using piscicides to alleviate impacts on native biota is a controversial conservation strategy because the collateral impacts on non‐target taxa are not well documented. This article documents the responses of water quality, plankton and macroinvertebrate communities to an eradication of the globally invasive common carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758, using the piscicide rotenone in a small South African reservoir.

Treated and untreated reservoirs were sampled before and at intervals following rotenone treatment. Sampling endpoints included water quality parameters, plankton, macroinvertebrates and fish. These endpoints were selected to gain an understanding of the ecological impacts of the treatment at various biological levels and to document possible recovery following treatment.

The study showed that: (i) the common carp were successfully removed; (ii) water clarity improved following the removal of fish; (iii) invertebrate communities, including macroinvertebrates and large zooplankton, recovered within 6 months of treatment; and (iv) that small zooplankton (i.e. Rotifera) dynamics were complex but rotifer abundances had returned to pre‐treatment levels within 6 months of treatment.

There was a 56% similarity between the macroinvertebrate assemblages before and 6 months after treatment, showing a substantial turnover in taxa following treatment. The phytoplankton community of the treated reservoir was dominated by blue‐green and green algae prior to the treatment. The blue‐green algal communities were not present 6 months after the treatment, possibly indicating a change in the nutrient status of the reservoir resulting from lower nutrient concentrations in the water column.

The phytoplankton community of the reservoir changed from a community typical of eutrophic waters to a community typical of a lower nutrient state. Within each group, there were species changes, but we suggest these are likely to be part of the altered biological interaction dynamics resulting from fish removals, rather than a direct effect of rotenone.
Molecular Origins of Heteroatom Engineering on the Emission Wavelength Tuning, Quantum Yield Variations and Fluorogenicity of NBD‐like SCOTfluors
Authors: Gao Ying , Wang Chao , Chi Weijie , Liu Xiaogang
Published: October 2020

Molecular engineering of fluorophore scaffolds, especially heteroatom replacement, is a promising method to yield novel fluorophores with tailored properties for various applications. Yet, molecular origins of the distinct fluorescent properties in newly developed SCOTfluors, i. e., varied emission wavelengths, distinct quantum yields, and fluorogenicity, remain elusive. Such understanding, however, is critical for the rational molecular engineering of high‐performance fluorophores. Herein, we employed quantum chemical calculations to understand the structure‐property relationships of nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD)‐like SCOTfluors. Our findings are important not only for the rational deployment of SCOTfluors, but also for the effective modifications of other fluorophore scaffolds, for satisfying the increasingly diversified requirements of bioimaging and biosensing applications.
Sequential hydrothermal process for production of flavanones and sugars from orange peel: an economic assessment
Authors: Lachos‐Perez Daniel , Buller Luz S. , Sganzerla William G. , Ody Lissara P. , Zabot Giovani L. , Forster‐Carneiro Tânia
Published: October 2020

An economic evaluation was conducted of flavanone and sugar production from orange peel (OP) using a sequential hydrothermal process. The process was conducted at laboratory (2 × 5 L), pilot (3 × 10 L), and industrial (3 × 500 L) scales. The results demonstrate that the scale‐up process decreased the cost of manufacturing (COM) with a significant increase in flavanone and sugar production. The lowest COM was of US$ 25.72/kg flavanones and US$ 1.43/kg sugars, both on an industrial scale. The predominant costs at the industrial scale (>90%) were the cost of utilities and the cost of raw materials. A low capital payback time was obtained, which decreased as return on investment and gross margin increased. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats matrix demonstrates the relevant business topics related to the scale‐up of OP processing. Thus, the current scale‐up project can be considered as a promising approach to the production of flavanones and sugar from OP on an industrial scale. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Probing the Secondary Structure of Individual Aβ40 Amorphous Aggregates and Fibrils by AFM‐IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Herzberg Mikkel , Szunyogh Daniel , Thulstrup Peter W. , Hassenkam Tue , Hemmingsen Lars
Published: October 2020

Structural characterization of aggregates and fibrils of the Aβ protein is pivotal to the molecular‐level elucidation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AFM‐IR spectroscopy provides nanoscale resolution, and thus allows the interrogation of individual aggregates and fibrils. During aggregation of Aβ, we observed mainly disordered Aβ at t=15 min, but substantial structural diversity including the co‐existence of parallel and antiparallel β‐sheets within a large amorphous aggregate at t=2 hours, while fibrils exhibited the expected signature of parallel β‐sheets at t=1 week. The resonance observed for parallel β‐sheets at t=2 hours coincides with that observed for fibrils (at 1634 cm−1), thus indicating that fibril‐like species exist within the large aggregates. Therefore, nucleation might occur within such species, in analogy to current theories of protein crystallization in which nucleation occurs within large protein clusters. Cu2+ perturbs Aβ aggregation, catalysing rapid formation of amorphous aggregates with diverse secondary structure, but inhibiting fibril growth.
Assessment of Tractable Cysteines for Covalent Targeting by Screening Covalent Fragments
Authors: Petri László , Ábrányi‐Balogh Péter , Tímea Imre , Pálfy Gyula , Perczel András , Knez Damijan , Hrast Martina , Gobec Martina , Sosič Izidor , Nyíri Kinga , Vértessy Beáta G. , Jänsch Niklas , Desczyk Charlotte , Meyer‐Almes Franz‐Josef , Ogris Iza , Golič Grdadolnik Simona , Iacovino Luca Giacinto , Binda Claudia , Gobec Stanislav , Keserű György M.
Published: October 2020

Targeted covalent inhibition and the use of irreversible chemical probes are important strategies in chemical biology and drug discovery. To date, the availability and reactivity of cysteine residues amenable for covalent targeting have been evaluated by proteomic and computational tools. Herein, we present a toolbox of fragments containing a 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl core that was equipped with chemically diverse electrophilic warheads showing a range of reactivities. We characterized the library members for their reactivity, aqueous stability and specificity for nucleophilic amino acids. By screening this library against a set of enzymes amenable for covalent inhibition, we showed that this approach experimentally characterized the accessibility and reactivity of targeted cysteines. Interesting covalent fragment hits were obtained for all investigated cysteine‐containing enzymes.
Final five‐year results of the REMEDEE Registry: Real‐world experience with the dual‐therapy COMBO stent
Authors: Kerkmeijer Laura S.M. , Chandrasekhar Jaya , Kalkman Deborah N. , Woudstra Pier , Menown Ian B.A. , Suryapranata Harry , den Heijer Peter , Iñiguez Andrés , van 't Hof Arnoud W.J. , Erglis Andrejs , Arkenbout Karin E. , Muller Philippe , Koch Karel T. , Tijssen Jan G. , Beijk Marcel A.M. , de Winter Robbert J.
Published: October 2020

Objectives

This final report from the REMEDEE Registry assessed the long‐term safety and efficacy of the dual‐therapy COMBO stent in a large unselected patient population.

Background

The bio‐engineered COMBO stent (OrbusNeich Medical BV, The Netherlands) is a dual‐therapy pro‐healing stent. Data of long‐term safety and efficacy of the this stent is lacking.

Methods

The prospective, multicenter, investigator‐initiated REMEDEE Registry evaluated clinical outcomes after COMBO stent implantation in daily clinical practice. One thousand patients were enrolled between June 2013 and March 2014.

Results

Five‐year follow‐up data were obtained in 97.2% of patients. At 5‐years, target lesion failure (TLF) (composite of cardiac death, target‐vessel myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization) was present in 145 patients (14.8%). Definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST) occurred in 0.9%, with no additional case beyond 3‐years of follow‐up. In males, 5‐year TLF‐rate was 15.6 versus 12.6% in females (p = .22). Patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) had TLF‐rate of 11.4%, noninsulin‐treated DM 22.7% (p = .001) and insulin‐treated DM 41.2% (p < .001). Patients presenting with non‐ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS) had higher incidence of TLF compared to non‐ACS (20.4 vs. 13.3%; p = .008), while incidence with STE‐ACS was comparable to non‐ACS (10.7 vs. 13.3%; p = .43).

Conclusion

Percutaneous coronary intervention with the dual‐therapy COMBO stent in unselected patient population shows low rates of TLF and ST to 5 years. Remarkably, no case of ST was noted beyond 3 years.
Combined use of intravascular lithotripsy and brachytherapy: A new approach for the treatment of recurrent coronary in‐stent restenosis
Authors: Nikolakopoulos Ilias , Vemmou Evangelia , Xenogiannis Iosif , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: October 2020

Treatment of coronary in‐stent restenosis (ISR) is challenging and often requires combination of multiple treatment modalities. Coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has been successfully used for treating stent under‐expansion, but is not currently commercially available in the United States. We present three recurrent coronary ISR cases in which multiple treatment modalities (high‐pressure balloon inflation, plaque modification balloons, and laser with contrast injection) failed. These patients were treated with a combination of IVL (peripheral IVL catheter used off‐label in the coronary arteries) and brachytherapy. Due to the high IVL balloon profile, delivery via femoral or radial access was challenging, requiring 7–8 French guide catheters. IVL was performed delivering 4–8 treatments of 20 pulses each with a favorable final angiographic and intravascular ultrasound result. All patients were angina free 1 month after the procedure.
Absorption and metabolism of modified mycotoxins of alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, and zearalenone in Caco‐2 cells
Authors: Appel (Kohn) Beate Nadine , Gottmann Jörg , Schäfer Judith , Bunzel Mirko
Published: October 2020

Background and objectives

Various cereals, fruits, and vegetables are commonly contaminated with mycotoxins such as zearalenone (ZEN), alternariol (AOH), and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME). More recently, their glucosidic metabolites formed in the plant have gained increasing attention. Experimental data on the contribution of modified mycotoxins to total toxicity are either controversy or lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the absorption and metabolism of ZEN‐, AOH‐, and AME‐glucosides using the Caco‐2 cell system.

Findings

No quantifiable amounts of ZEN‐14‐glucoside, ZEN‐16‐glucoside, free ZEN, and ZEN metabolites were found in Caco‐2 cells and in the basolateral compartment. In contrast, glucosides of AOH and AME were absorbed and released their parental toxins, which were further metabolized to form glucuronides and sulfates to a variable extent. Metabolites were found on the basolateral site, too. There is also evidence that AOH‐9‐diglucoside is hydrolyzed to AOH‐9‐glucoside.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that modified ZEN is less absorbed whereas modified Alternaria toxins are taken up to a higher extent by Caco‐2 cells, followed by deglucosylation, metabolization, and transport to the basolateral site, suggesting a potential contribution to overall toxicity of these modified mycotoxins.

Significance and novelty

For the first time, absorption studies using modified Alternaria toxins in the Caco‐2 cell system were carried out.
A Nanocomposite of Si@C Nanosphere and Hollow Porous Co9S8/C Polyhedron as High‐Performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Yuan Chao , Lu Dujiang , An Yongling , Bian Xiufang
Published: October 2020

Silicon (Si) is regarded as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high capacity and low working voltage. However, dramatic volume expansion and inferior electrical conductivity greatly impede the commercial use of Si anodes. Herein, we design and synthesize a novel nanocomposite of Si nanosphere coated by carbon (Si@C) and hollow porous Co9S8/C polyhedron (Si@C−Co9S8/C). The hollow porous Co9S8/C derived from Co‐based zeolitic imidazolate framework can serve as a buffering matrix to accommodate the volume expansion of Si, which is beneficial to improve the cycle performance. The vast conductive carbon layer originated from Co9S8/C and Si@C plays a key role in accelerating the electron transfer and lithium ion transport kinetics, which can significantly enhance the rate performance. As a result, the Si@C−Co9S8/C anodes deliver stable cycle performance with a reversible capacity of 1399 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at 100 mA g−1, improved rate performance and high Coulombic efficiency. This simple route sheds light on designing Si‐based composites for LIBs anodes.
Study of morphological and textural features for classification of oral squamous cell carcinoma by traditional machine learning techniques
Authors: Rahman Tabassum Yesmin , Mahanta Lipi B. , Choudhury Hiten , Das Anup K. , Sarma Jagannath D.
Published: October 2020

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent form of oral cancer. Very few researches have been carried out for the automatic diagnosis of OSCC using artificial intelligence techniques. Though biopsy is the ultimate test for cancer diagnosis, analyzing a biopsy report is a very much challenging task. To develop computer‐assisted software that will diagnose cancerous cells automatically is very important and also a major need of the hour.

Aim

To identify OSCC based on morphological and textural features of hand‐cropped cell nuclei by traditional machine learning methods.

Methods

In this study, a structure for semi‐automated detection and classification of oral cancer from microscopic biopsy images of OSCC, using clinically significant and biologically interpretable morphological and textural features, are examined and proposed. Forty biopsy slides were used for the study from which a total of 452 hand‐cropped cell nuclei has been considered for morphological and textural feature extraction and further analysis. After making a comparative analysis of commonly used methods in the segmentation technique, a combined technique is proposed. Our proposed methodology achieves the best segmentation of the nuclei. Henceforth the features extracted were fed into five classifiers, support vector machine, logistic regression, linear discriminant, k‐nearest neighbors and decision tree classifier. Classifiers were also analyzed by training time. Another contribution of the study is a large indigenous cell level dataset of OSCC biopsy images.

Results

We achieved 99.78% accuracy applying decision tree classifier in classifying OSCC using morphological and textural features.

Conclusion

It is found that both morphological and textural features play a very important role in OSCC diagnosis. It is hoped that this type of framework will help the clinicians/pathologists in OSCC diagnosis.
Leptomeningeal relapse in primary cutaneous DLBCL: Implications for a prophylactic CNS therapy
Authors: Sundriyal Deepak , Arya Lima , Srivastava Ruchi , Walia Meenu , Sehrawat Amit
Published: October 2020

Background

Isolated leptomeningeal relapse in a case of cutaneous lymphoma is an uncommon event more so in a case of primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (PCDLBCL). This phenomenon is of great significance as the subsequent prognosis becomes poor and the prophylactic central nervous system (CNS) therapy if administered, can reduce the chances of relapse, however, the survival benefit remains uncertain. The role of prophylactic CNS therapy is not well defined in the case of PCDLBCL.

Case

We report a case of PCDLBCL leg type with a low CNS International Prognostic Index (CNS‐IPI) risk, who developed isolated leptomeningeal relapse in the form of bilateral facial nerve palsy. He was managed by 2nd line chemotherapy and CNS directed therapy and achieved complete remission.

Conclusion

PCDLBCL leg type is an aggressive malignancy. Molecular/genomic mechanism likely responsible for CNS dissemination should be identified by prospective multi‐centric studies that can better define the subsets of patients eligible for prophylactic therapy in the absence of a high CNS‐IPI risk.
Community detection using multitopology and attributes in social networks
Authors: Liu Changzheng , Huang Fengling , Li Ruixuan , Yang Qi , Li Yuhua , Yu Shui
Published: October 2020

Community detection is a fundamental research problem in social networks. However, most existing research focuses on homogeneous networks while ignoring the multitopology and attributes in social media. In this article, we propose community detection algorithms based on community kernels to detect high‐quality communities in heterogeneous social networks. It is noticed that the social community has multiple topology structures, as nodes or users in social media networks have multiple attributions. For example, users can be friends and coworkers in a research group simultaneously. Hence, we propose a multilayer and attribute combined measure (MACM), a novel measurement based on the multilayer structure and common neighboring attributes, which includes the similarity measure between nodes and the importance measure for individual node in multilayer networks. Two improved community kernel detection algorithms based on MACM are subsequently proposed. They are the MA‐Greedy, which is based on the greedy algorithm, and the MA‐WeBA, which is a weighted balanced algorithm. The multilayer structure and attributes are comprehensively considered when calculating the similarity and importance of nodes in these strategies. Extensive experimental results on two public data sets demonstrate that the multilayer structure and attribute information can be used to enhance the precision of community detection.
Reflections and Actions for Creating an Inclusive Research Environment
Authors: Dewsbury Bryan , Seidel Shannon
Published: October 2020

In order for the scientific enterprise to ensure equitable participation for all identities, the settings of professional research labs must cultivate an environment that is inclusive of all backgrounds. We explore here strategies to consider for research labs interested in cultivating inclusive environments. Investigators enacting inclusive strategies must understand the social context of the lab members and their reasons for engaging in science research. For this to be authentic, principal investigators should spend time exploring their own social positioning as well as the purpose of their professional engagement. We unpack the philosophies behind these constructs and provide specific suggestions to prepare individuals to fully engage in the practice of inclusive mentoring in science research labs. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Subgenome contributions to quantitative genetic variation in bread wheat and durum wheat populations
Authors: Bernardo Rex
Published: October 2020

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has the A, B, and D genomes, whereas durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum) has the A and B genomes. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of the square of predictive ability for subgenome i [rMP(i)2] for estimating subgenome contributions to trait variation and to determine which subgenomes in bread wheat and durum wheat populations had the largest and smallest contributions for different traits. Phenotypic and marker data were obtained for four populations used in published studies to map quantitative trait loci (QTL). Subgenome rMP(i) was calculated by analyzing only the markers within each subgenome. Clear differences were found in subgenome contributions for several but not all traits in the populations studied. In the Louise × Penawawa bread wheat population, the rMP(i)2 values indicated that the B genome had the largest contribution to variation for milling and baking quality traits, and these results were consistent with prior results showing QTL for such traits on chromosome 3B. For yield, no significant differences in subgenome contributions were found in any of the populations. The D genome, despite its lower polymorphism, had the largest rMP(i)2 for heading date in the ‘Seri’ × ‘Babax’ bread wheat population. In a bread wheat association mapping panel, the rMP(i)2 values were problematic in that their sum exceeded 1.0 and the subgenome rMP(i) values were not significantly different from the whole‐genome rMP. This result was probably caused by linkage disequilibrium between markers found in different subgenomes in the association mapping panel.
Sustainable Carbons and Fuels: Recent Advances of CO2 Conversion in Molten Salts
Authors: Yu Ao , Ma Guoming , Ren Jiawen , Peng Ping , Li Fang‐Fang
Published: October 2020

The massive release of the greenhouse gas CO2 has resulted in numerous environmental issues. In searching for advanced technologies for CO2 capture/conversions, recent advances in electrochemical reduction of CO2 in molten salts shed a light on potential solutions to CO2 mitigation. Electro‐reduction of CO2 in molten salts exhibits features like high selectivity and efficiency towards sustainable carbons and fuels, low toxicity, and possibility to combine with in situ CO2 capture. In this Minireview, we highlight the tuning of the products in this process and mainly discuss two categories of electrolyte, carbonate‐based molten salts (CMS) and those based on halides (HMS). Depending on the synthetic conditions, fuels such as CO or hydrocarbons (in the presence of hydrogen source, i. e., LiOH, NaOH, or KOH in the electrolyte) as well as high‐value nanostructured carbons including carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, carbon nano‐onions, and graphene can be obtained with high efficiency. The synthesis parameters are compared, and the applications of as‐obtained carbons are briefly summarized. Additionally, some perspectives on this technology are also discussed.
Habitat characterization and species distribution model of the only large‐lake population of the endangered Silver Chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana, Kirtland 1844)
Authors: McKenna James E. , Kocovsky Patrick M.
Published: October 2020

The endangered Silver Chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana,Kirtland 1844) is native to North America and primarily riverine, with the only known large‐lake population in Lake Erie. Once a major component of the Lake Erie fish community, it declined and became nearly extirpated in the mid‐1900s. Recent collections in western Lake Erie suggest that Silver Chub may be able to recover, but their habitat and distribution are poorly known. A recent work showed an extensive area of western Lake Erie with the potential to support large numbers of Silver Chub, but was based on a geographically limited dataset. We developed a neural network‐based species distribution model for the Silver Chub in western Lake Erie, improved by new synoptic data and using habitat variables resistant to anthropogenic activities. The Potential model predictions were compared with a model that included anthropogenic‐sensitive variables. The Potential model used 10 habitat variables and performed well, explaining > 99% of data variation and had generally low error rates. Predictions indicated that a large area of the waters approximately 2–9 m deep contained Appropriate habitat and the highest abundances should be supported by habitat in a wide arc through the western end of the basin. The model indicated that Appropriate Silver Chub habitat was associated with relatively deep water, near coastal wetlands, where effective fetch is less than average. Disturbance model predictions were similar, but predicted poorer Silver Chub habitat in more areas than that predicted by the Potential model. Our Potential model reveals Appropriate habitat conditions for Silver Chub and its spatial distribution, indicating that extensive areas of western Lake Erie could support Silver Chub. Comparisons with Disturbance model predictions demonstrate that Potential model predictions may be used in conjunction with analyses of degrading conditions in the system to better conserve and manage for this endangered species.
Hemolymph composition, gene expressions in the gills, and thus the survival of euryhaline crabs are controlled by ambient minor cations according to osmotic condition‐dependent manner
Authors: Yamaguchi Masahiro , Soga Kouichi
Published: October 2020

Na+ and Cl− are the most abundant dissolved ions in seawater, constituting ~ 85% of total ions. They significantly affect the osmolality of body fluids of marine invertebrates. Seawater also contains minor ions such as Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, and SO42‐ , but their effects on marine organisms are unclear. This study analyzed the effects of Mg2+, Ca2+, and K+ (ambient minor cations) on survival, hemolymph ionic composition, and gene expression in the gills of three euryhaline crabs: Helice tridens, Macrophthalmus japonicus, and Chiromantes dehaani. Ambient minor cations were required for survival of H. tridens and M. japonicus under isosmotic conditions with seawater. The ambient minor cations also affected the osmolality and ionic composition of hemolymph by regulating expressions of specific genes in the gills required for Na+ uptake, such as Na+/K+ ATPase, cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrase, and Na+/H+ exchanger. Administration of carbonic anhydrase and Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitors increased the survival rate even if ambient minor cations did not exist. In contrast, under hypo‐osmotic conditions, ambient minor cations had different effects on crabs, a lethal effect on M. japonicus, and an increase of the hemolymph K+ concentration in H. tridens and M. japonicus. It is thus concluded that the effects of ambient minor cations are osmolality‐dependent. In contrast, in C. dehaani, the hemolymph ionic composition and survival rate were hardly affected by ambient minor cations, probably reflecting the habitat of this species. These results strongly indicated that C. dehaani is less susceptive to ambient minor cations compared to H. tridens and M. japonicus.
Climate change drives habitat contraction of a nocturnal arboreal marsupial at its physiological limits
Authors: Wagner Benjamin , Baker Patrick J. , Stewart Stephen B. , Lumsden Linda F. , Nelson Jenny L. , Cripps Jemma K. , Durkin Louise K. , Scroggie Michael P. , Nitschke Craig R.
Published: October 2020

Increasing impacts of climatic change and anthropogenic disturbances on natural ecosystems are leading to population declines or extinctions of many species worldwide. In Australia, recent climatic change has caused population declines in some native fauna. The projected increase in mean annual temperature by up to 4°C by the end of the 21st century is expected to exacerbate these trends. The greater glider (Petauroides volans), Australia’s largest gliding marsupial, is widely distributed along the eastern coast, but has recently experienced drastic declines in population numbers. Its association with hollow‐bearing trees, used for nesting, has made it an important species for the conservation of old‐growth forest ecosystems. Fires and timber harvesting have been identified as threats to the species. Greater gliders have disappeared however from areas that have experienced neither raising questions about the role of other factors in their decline. A unique physiology and strictEucalyptusdiet make them vulnerable to high temperatures and low water availability. As such, climatic conditions may drive habitat selection and recent climatic trends may be contributing to observed population declines. Using presence:absence data from across its distribution in Victoria, coupled with high spatial and temporal resolution climatic data and machine‐learning modeling, we tested the influence of climatic, topographic, edaphic, biotic, and disturbance variables on greater glider occupancy and habitat suitability. We found that climatic variables, particularly those related to aridity and extreme weather conditions, such as number of nights warmer than 20°C, were highly significant predictors of greater glider occurrence. Climatic conditions associated with habitat suitability have changed over time, with increasing aridity across much of its southeastern distribution. These changes in climate are closely aligned with observed population declines across this region. At higher elevation, some areas where the greater glider is observed at high densities, conditions have become wetter, which is improving habitat quality. These areas are of growing significance to greater glider conservation as they will become increasingly important as climatic refugia in the coming decades. Protecting these areas of habitat will be critical for facilitating the conservation of greater gliders as the broader landscape becomes less hospitable under future climatic change.
Host‐plant availability drives the spatiotemporal dynamics of interacting metapopulations across a fragmented landscape
Authors: Opedal Øystein H. , Ovaskainen Otso , Saastamoinen Marjo , Laine Anna‐Liisa , van Nouhuys Saskya
Published: October 2020

The dynamics of ecological communities depend partly on species interactions within and among trophic levels. Experimental work has demonstrated the impact of species interactions on the species involved, but it remains unclear whether these effects can also be detected in long‐term time series across heterogeneous landscapes. We analyzed a 19‐yr time series of patch occupancy by the Glanville fritillary butterflyMelitaea cinxia, its specialist parasitoid waspCotesia melitaearum, and the specialist fungal pathogenPodosphaera plantaginisinfectingPlantago lanceolata,a host plant of the Glanville fritillary. These species share a network of more than 4,000 habitat patches in the Åland islands, providing a metacommunity data set of unique spatial and temporal resolution. To assess the influence of interactions among the butterfly, parasitoid, and mildew on metacommunity dynamics, we modeled local colonization and extinction rates of each species while including or excluding the presence of potentially interacting species in the previous year as predictors. The metapopulation dynamics of all focal species varied both along a gradient in host plant abundance, and spatially as indicated by strong effects of local connectivity. Colonization and to a lesser extent extinction rates depended also on the presence of interacting species within patches. However, the directions of most effects differed from expectations based on previous experimental and modeling work, and the inferred influence of species interactions on observed metacommunity dynamics was limited. These results suggest that although local interactions among the butterfly, parasitoid, and mildew occur, their roles in metacommunity spatiotemporal dynamics are relatively weak. Instead, all species respond to variation in plant abundance, which may in turn fluctuate in response to variation in climate, land use, or other environmental factors.