bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the landscape ecological risk based on GIS: A case‐study in the Poyang Lake region of China
Authors: Xie Hualin , Wen Jiaming , Chen Qianru , Wu Qing
Published: March 2021

Influenced by human activities, the largest freshwater lake in China, Poyang Lake is suffering from landscape degradation and increased ecological risks. However, the specific landscape ecological risk in Poyang Lake region remains unknown. The impact of land use change on landscape pattern and ecological risk around Poyang Lake has not been revealed. In order to analyze the spatio‐temporal distribution characteristics of landscape ecological risk in Poyang Lake region, this study constructed a landscape ecological risk index model based on GIS, geostatistics, and landscape ecology theory. The results show that: (a) all land use types in Poyang Lake region had been changed during the period 2010–2018. While large tracts of farmland and woodland were converted into construction land, farmland and woodland have seen the largest decrease and construction land has increased greatly. (b) On the whole, the low and medium‐low landscape ecological risk area accounted for about 60% of the total area, while high and medium‐high risk area increased during 2010–2018. The landscape ecological risk has seen a downward trend with increased low and medium‐low ecological risk areas during 2010–2018. Spatially, ecological risk in the core waters of Poyang Lake was higher, while in the surrounding waters was lower. (c) The landscape ecological risk in Poyang Lake Region in each period shown positive spatial correlation and tended to be spatially agglomerative. The high‐high risk clusters were mainly located in the core waters of the Lake area, while the low‐low risk clusters were mainly located far away from the core waters, including county and city areas. (d) In 2018, farmland, woodland, grassland, and unutilized land were dominated by medium and medium low risk, the landscape ecological risk in the water area was the highest, and that of construction land was the lowest. The decrease rate of ERI in water areas was the largest, indicating that the change of water area contributed the most to the reduction of landscape ecological risk. During the process of ecological risk management in Poyang Lake Region, attention should be paid to the changes of the water area's structure and quality.
The role of entrepreneurial orientation in tangible and intangible resource acquisition and new venture growth
Authors: Khattak Muhammad Sualeh , Ullah Rizwan
Published: March 2021

This study scrutinizes the mediating role of tangible–intangible resources between entrepreneurial orientation and new venture growth. We analyzed the data of 308 Pakistani manufacturing‐SMEs through the AMOS. The results displayed that risk‐taking and innovation significantly while proactive do not influence new venture growth. Risk‐taking, innovativeness, and proactiveness significantly influence tangible–intangible resources. Tangible–intangible resource acquisition does not mediate between risk‐taking and new venture growth; however, it partially mediates between innovativeness and new venture growth and fully mediates between proactiveness and new venture growth. This research recommends owners/managers of new ventures to emphasize entrepreneurial activities to access external resources for survival.
Association Between Microscopic Colitis and Parkinson's Disease in a Swedish Population
Authors: Kang Xiaoying , Ploner Alexander , Roelstraete Bjorn , Khalili Hamed , Williams Dylan M. , Pedersen Nancy L. , Ludvigsson Jonas F. , Wirdefeldt Karin
Published: March 2021

Background

Gastrointestinal inflammation has been linked with Parkinson's disease (PD). Microscopic colitis (MC) is an intestinal inflammatory disease with unknown relationship with PD.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the association of MC with PD risk.

Methods

In this nationwide matched cohort study in Sweden, PD incidence was compared between 12,609 patients with histologically confirmed MC and a matched population cohort of 58,879 MC‐free individuals and a sibling cohort comprising all unaffected siblings of the MC patients (NMC/NSibling = 6281/12,351). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox regression models.

Results

During a mean follow‐up of ~7 years, we identified 449 incident PD diagnoses among the MC patients and the population cohort. Overall, MC was associated with an adjusted HR of 1.76 for PD, but the association attenuated substantially during follow‐up. In the time‐varying effects model, PD hazard was 3.45‐fold (95% CI: 2.42, 4.93) higher during the first 2 years after biopsy and 1.80‐fold (95% CI: 1.23, 2.64) higher during the following 3 years among MC versus MC‐free individuals but was not different beyond 5 years after biopsy (HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.68, 1.54). This temporal pattern of MC–PD associations persisted when comparing MC patients to their siblings. In a post hoc case–control analysis, we also detected a strong association between MC and preexisting PD (odds ratio: 3.46; 95% CI: 2.91, 4.12).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that MC may not be a risk factor for PD; instead, it may co‐occur with PD as a comorbidity or develop after a diagnosis of PD. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Clinical, biochemical, and genetic characterization of acute hepatic porphyrias in a cohort of Argentine patients
Authors: Martinez María del Carmen , Cerbino Gabriela Nora , Granata Bárbara Xoana , Batlle Alcira , Parera Victoria Estela , Rossetti María Victoria
Published: March 2021

Background

Acute Hepatic Porphyrias (AHPs) are characterized by an acute neuroabdominal syndrome including both neuropsychiatric symptoms and neurodegenerative changes. Two main hypotheses explain the pathogenesis of nervous system dysfunction: (a) the ROS generation by autooxidation of 5‐aminolevulinic acid accumulated in liver and brain; (b) liver heme deficiency and in neural tissues that generate an oxidative status, a component of the neurodegenerative process.

Methods

We review results obtained from Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP) and Variegate Porphyria (VP) families studied at clinical, biochemical, and molecular level at the CIPYP in Argentina. The relationship between the porphyric attack and oxidative stress was also evaluated in AHP patients and controls, to identify a marker of neurological dysfunction.

Results

We studied 116 AIP families and 30 VP families, 609 and 132 individuals, respectively. Genotype/phenotype relation was studied. Oxidative stress parameters and plasma homocysteine levels were measured in 20 healthy volunteers, 22 AIP and 12 VP individuals.

Conclusion

No significant difference in oxidative stress parameters and homocysteine levels between the analyzed groups were found.
Immediate and lasting effects of aerobic exercise on the actigraphic sleep parameters of female nurses: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Niu Shu‐Fen , Lin Chia‐Jou , Chen Pin‐Yuan , Fan Yen‐Chun , Huang Hui‐Chuan , Chiu Hsiao‐Yean
Published: March 2021

Sleep disturbance is highly prevalent among shift‐working nurses. We aimed to evaluate whether aerobic exercise (i.e., walking combined with jogging) improves objective sleep parameters among female nurses who met eligibility criterion as poor sleepers at the end of an 8‐week exercise program and 4 weeks after study completion. This single‐blinded, parallel‐design, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a classroom of a hospital in northern Taiwan. Sixty eligible female nurses were randomly assigned to either the aerobic exercise (n = 30) or usual activity status (n = 30) group. A moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise program was administered over 5 days (60 min per day) a week for 8 weeks after the nurses' day shifts. Objective sleep outcomes including total sleep time (TST), sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep efficiency (SE) were retrieved using an actigraph device. A generalized estimating equation model was used for data analysis. The aerobic exercise group exhibited improvements in TST and SE at 4 and 8 weeks compared with the baseline evaluation (TST: B = 70.49 and 55.96; SE: B = 5.21 and 3.98). Between‐group differences were observed in SOL and WASO at 4 weeks but not 8 weeks compared with the baseline evaluation (SOL: B = −7.18; WASO: B = −11.38). Positive lasting effects for TST were observed only until the 4‐week follow‐up. To improve sleep quality and quantity, we encourage female nurses who sleep poorly to regularly perform moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise.
Effective electromagnetic interference shielding using foamy polyurethane composites
Authors: Oraby Hussein , Naeem Ibrahim , Darwish Mohammad , Senna Magdy H. , Tantawy Hesham Ramzy
Published: March 2021

Polyurethane/Graphite composite foam samples with different filler loadings were synthesized for application in electromagnetic shielding. The samples were characterized using Fourier transform infra‐red, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, universal testing machine, and rheometer. Moreover, to adapt and customize this work in the field of aerospace, the measurements were performed in the X‐band at the range of (8–12) GHz. The results showed that the increase in filler content improves the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the composite materials. The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness reached (− 45) dB with 30 wt% filler content. It is expected that the polyurethane/graphite composite foamy materials may be considered a promising material to be used in electromagnetic shielding applications.
Leaf‐associated fungal and viral communities of wild plant populations differ between cultivated and natural ecosystems
Authors: Ma Yuxin , Fort Tania , Marais Armelle , Lefebvre Marie , Theil Sébastien , Vacher Corinne , Candresse Thierry
Published: March 2021

Plants are colonized by diverse fungal and viral communities that influence their growth and survival as well as ecosystem functioning. Viruses interact with both plants and the fungi they host. Our understanding of plant–fungi–virus interactions is very limited, especially in wild plants. Combining metagenomic and culturomic approaches, we assessed the richness, diversity, and composition of leaf‐associated fungal and viral communities from pools of herbaceous wild plants representative of four sites corresponding to cultivated or natural ecosystems. We identified 161 fungal families and 18 viral families comprising 249 RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase‐based operational taxonomic units (RdRp OTUs) from leaves. Fungal culturomics captured 12.3% of the fungal diversity recovered with metagenomic approaches and, unexpectedly, retrieved viral OTUs that were almost entirely different from those recovered by leaf metagenomics. Ecosystem management had a significant influence on both leaf mycobiome and virome, with a higher fungal community richness in natural ecosystems and a higher viral family richness in cultivated ecosystems, suggesting that leaf‐associated fungal and viral communities are under the influence of different ecological drivers. Both the leaf‐associated fungal and viral community compositions showed a strong site‐specificity. Further research is needed to confirm these trends and unravel the factors structuring plant–fungi–virus interactions in wild plant populations.
Dosimetric effects related to collimator angle optimization in intensity‐modulated radiotherapy planning for gastric cancer
Authors: Su Huan‐fan , Zhao Man , Zhang Jun , Dai Zhi‐tao
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate the dosimetric impact of different collimator angle optimization methods in intensity‐modulated radiotherapy of gastric cancer.

Methods

A total of 10 gastric cases were retrospectively selected in this study. Three sets of plans were generated with different collimator angle optimization: setting the collimator angle to 0° (CL0), applying Eclipse automatic collimator angle optimization (CLA), and setting the collimator angle corresponding to the minimum X‐jaw gap (CLX). Different dosimetric metrics were applied in comparison of the target volume and normal tissues. Delivery efficiency was accessed in terms of control points, split fields, monitor units, and treatment time. All plans were verified using the 2‐D array MatriXX, and the γ‐index analysis was carried out by using different criteria.

Results

There was no significant difference in dosimetric comparison of planning target volume and organs at risk. Compared with CL0, Both CLA and CLX can significantly reduce control points, split fields, and monitor units, except that CLA increased treatment time. For dose verification, the γ passing rate showed a tendency of CLx > CLA > CL0.

Conclusion

For intensity‐modulated radiotherapy for gastric cancer, CLA and CLX can obtain comparable dosimetry distribution in respect to CL0. However, CLX can significantly increase the dose delivery efficiency and verification passing rates. It was suggested that CLx was beneficial in intensity‐modulated radiotherapy for gastric cancer.
Phenotypic and molecular analyses in rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (Linneaus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): identification of a super kdr mutation, T929I, conferring resistance to deltamethrin
Authors: Singh Sonu K , Jagadeesan Rajeswaran , Thangaraj Sonai Rajan , Selvapandian Upasna , Nayak Manoj K , Subbarayalu Mohankumar
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a cosmopolitan pest of stored cereal grains and other commodities globally. Infestations caused by S. oryzae makes grains unsuitable for consumption, processing, and export. Deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, is widely used in major grain storages in India as a prophylactic treatment to control this pest. However, recurrent use of this insecticide had led to genetic resistance in S. oryzae, questioning its ongoing use at the current recommended concentration.

RESULTS

Dose response analysis of resistant (Delta‐R) and susceptible (Lab‐S) strains of S. oryzae collected from grain storages across southern India, revealed that Delta‐R was 134‐fold more resistant than the Lab‐S at median lethal concentration (LC50). A concentration of 180 ppm over 48 h effectively discriminated 16 resistant field populations from Lab‐S with per cent resistance ranging from 8.72% to 75.86%. Exposing all the resistant populations to 1000 ppm over 48 h identified 12 populations with strongly resistant individuals and confirmed the existence of two distinct resistance phenotypes, ‘weak’ and ‘strong’ in S. oryzae. Furthermore, sequence analysis of the voltage‐gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene in Delta‐R identified a single target site mutation, T929I conferring resistance in S. oryzae. CAPS (Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence) marker analysis of this allele confirmed that frequency of resistance is high (up to 0.96) supporting the results of phenotypic analysis.

CONCLUSION

Both phenotype and molecular marker analyses clearly demonstrated that deltamethrin at 180 and 1000 ppm can be used to discriminate weakly and strongly resistant populations in S. oryzae, respectively. Resistance diagnostics based on the mutation, T929I, supports our phenotypic data and indicates that resistance to deltamethrin in S. oryzae is prevalent in southern parts of India, stressing the need to identify a synergist or suitable alternatives. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Approaches to the Rational Design of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Developed for the Selective Extraction or Detection of Antibiotics in Environmental and Food Samples
Authors: Jamieson Oliver , Mecozzi Francesco , Crapnell Robert D. , Battell William , Hudson Alexander , Novakovic Katarina , Sachdeva Ashwin , Canfarotta Francesco , Herdes Carmelo , Banks Craig E. , Snyder Helena , Peeters Marloes
Published: March 2021

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a global threat comparable to terrorism and climate change. The use of antibiotics in veterinary or clinical practice exerts a selective pressure, which accelerates the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, there is a clear need to detect antibiotic residues in complex matrices, such as water, food, and environmental samples, in a fast, selective, cost‐effective, and quantitative manner. Once problematic areas are identified, can extraction of the antibiotics then be carried out to reduce AMR development. Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIPs) are synthetic recognition elements produced through the biomarker of interest being used as a template in order to manufacture tailor‐made ligand selective polymeric recognition sites. They are emerging steadily as a viable alternative to antibiotics, especially given their low‐cost, superior thermal and chemical stability that facilitates on‐site detection, simplified manufacturing process, and avoiding the use of animals in the production process. In this paper, the authors critically review literature from primarily 2010–2020 on rational design approaches used to develop MIPs for sensing and extraction of antibiotics, providing an outlook on crucial issues that need to be tackled to bring MIPs for antibiotic sensing to the market.
Chemotherapy plus atezolizumab for a patient with small cell lung cancer undergoing haemodialysis: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Imaji Mihoko , Fujimoto Daichi , Kato Mai , Tanaka Masanori , Furuta Katsuyuki , Yamamoto Nobuyuki
Published: March 2021

Little is known about the safety of chemotherapy plus atezolizumab for patients with extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer (ES‐SCLC) undergoing haemodialysis (HD). An 80‐year‐old male received carboplatin [area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) = 5 on day 1], etoposide (40 mg/m2 on days 1, 2, and 3), and atezolizumab (1200 mg/body on day 1) as the first‐line therapy for ES‐SCLC. He was undergoing HD thrice a week for seven years. HD was provided 16 h after carboplatin administration. During the first cycle, grade 4 neutropenia (neutrophil count: 74/μL) and leukopenia (white blood cell count: 680/μL) occurred. Therefore, chemotherapy was administered with a reduced dose of carboplatin (AUC = 4) and etoposide (30 mg/m2) from the second to fourth cycles. After four cycles, no severe non‐haematological adverse events occurred, showing a remarkable response. We conclude that the carboplatin, etoposide, and atezolizumab combination can be safely administered to cancer patients undergoing HD.
A binary hidden Markov model on spatial network for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease spreading pattern analysis
Authors: Shin Yei Eun , Liu Dawei , Sang Huiyan , Ferguson Toby A. , Song Peter X. K.
Published: March 2021

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurological disease that starts at a focal point and gradually spreads to other parts of the nervous system. One of the main clinical symptoms of ALS is muscle weakness. To study spreading patterns of muscle weakness, we analyze spatiotemporal binary muscle strength data, which indicates whether observed muscle strengths are impaired or healthy. We propose a hidden Markov model‐based approach that assumes the observed disease status depends on two latent disease states. The model enables us to estimate the incidence rate of ALS disease and the probability of disease state transition. Specifically, the latter is modeled by a logistic autoregression in that the spatial network of susceptible muscles follows a Markov process. The proposed model is flexible to allow both historical muscle conditions and their spatial relationships to be included in the analysis. To estimate the model parameters, we provide an iterative algorithm to maximize sparse‐penalized likelihood with bias correction, and use the Viterbi algorithm to label hidden disease states. We apply the proposed approach to analyze the ALS patients' data from EMPOWER Study.
Influence of Dopant Elements on Degradation Phenomena in B‐ and Ga‐Doped Czochralski‐Grown Silicon
Authors: Kwapil Wolfram , Dalke Jonas , Post Regina , Niewelt Tim
Published: March 2021

The response of lifetime samples made from boron‐ and gallium‐doped Czochralski‐grown silicon from the same producer to light‐ and elevated temperature‐induced degradation (LeTID) conditions (varying illumination at 75 °C), to dark anneals (DAs) at 175 °C, and the temporary recovery (TR) reaction under different conditions is investigated. It is found that Ga‐doped samples behave very differently than their B‐doped counterparts: while the carrier lifetime remains at a high level if an illumination equivalent to 1 sun at 75 °C is applied, strong carrier lifetime degradation occurs at low light intensities. A capture cross‐sectional ratio in degraded Ga‐doped samples of ~26 is found, which is typical for the LeTID defect. TR of this degraded state is observed on Ga‐doped samples when the illumination intensity is increased at 75 °C and when samples are illuminated at 25 °C with intermediate intensity. During DA of B‐doped samples, a bulk‐related degradation and a subsequent surface‐related degradation are observed. In contrast, degradation of Ga‐doped samples during DA only occurs on long timescales, and its cause is not clear, yet. It is concluded that the specific dopant species plays an active role both during LeTID and for surface‐related degradation—possibly as a result of differences in the acceptor–hydrogen pair properties.
Molecular and morphological data support the recognition of a new species of Otatea (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Guaduinae) from Durango, Mexico
Authors: Ruiz‐Sanchez Eduardo , Castro‐Castro Arturo , Zamora‐Tavares María Del Pilar
Published: March 2021

Otatea is the second‐largest genus in subtribe Guaduinae, Bambuseae tribe of subfamily Bambusoideae (Poaceae) and has its geographical distribution in Mexico, El Salvador and Colombia. Ten of its 12 species are endemic to Mexico. The species with the most widespread geographical distribution in Mexico is Otatea acuminata. Recent fieldwork in the Mexican state of Durango found a flowering population of Otatea aff. acuminata, which sparked further investigation of the species. Previous molecular and morphological analyses indicated that O. acuminata is a polyphyletic species. Our aim was to delimit the species of the Otatea acuminata species complex using molecular and morphological data in a phylogenetic framework and applying parametric species delimitation methods. To this end we used both chloroplast and nuclear sequence data in combination with morphological characters to conduct phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses. Our phylogenetic and species delimitation results indicate that the former O. acuminata population of Durango is a distinct species. Collected flowering plants allowed us to prepare a complete description of the new species, which we have named O. odam. With the description of this new species, the number of Otatea species endemic to Mexico increases to 11. Otatea odam sp. nov. inhabits the ecotone between tropical dry forest and xerophilous scrub of the Madrean, Madrean Xerophilous and Tropical ecoregions of the Sierra Madre Occidental, suggesting that this species is a drought‐tolerant woody bamboo.
Re‐designing infrastructure as a strategy for crafting coherence across three networks focused on the implementation of the next generation science standards
Authors: Hall Jonathan L. , Campbell Todd , Lundgren Lisa
Published: March 2021

This design‐based research project reports on three multilevel networks that were focused on implementing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Given the recent attention to understanding infrastructure to craft coherence in NGSS implementation, this research investigated how these networks iteratively re‐designed infrastructure as they engaged in implementing the NGSS. This focus is particularly important in the current context of NGSS implementation since needed infrastructure did not accompany the dissemination of the standards. The three networks were the following: mentor teachers, district specialists, and interim assessment specialists. Qualitative cases based on recordings of network working sessions, interviews with members, and artifacts of their work were generated for each network and then compared and contrasted. Findings show the work on infrastructure re‐design across the networks not only involved identifying useful NGSS‐designed resources and frameworks, but also translating these into meaningful supports or scaffolds that could ultimately lead to productive forms of engagement for either supporting teacher professional learning or student learning. Also, collegial workspaces were beneficial for institutionalizing networks' foci by creating spaces for all actors to share their experiences, challenges, and needs. This meant focusing on curriculum and instructional routines for mentor teachers, focusing on NGSS instructional principles for district leaders, and focusing on the development of an interim assessment practice brief for interim assessment leaders—foci identified as central to and immediately applicable in the day‐to‐day work of the respective network members.
Place and policy barriers of rural Nigeria's small and medium enterprises' internationalization
Authors: Mendy John , Odunukan Kenny , Rahman Mahfuzur
Published: March 2021

Despite internationalization theory's recognition that place and policy constitute fundamental barriers for the internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), research into rural‐based firms from the developing world is a much underdeveloped and neglected area. To address the need to examine this gap, the purpose of this study is to identify and compare place and policy challenges of rural SMEs' internationalization in Nigeria. We have developed a model that extends internationalization theory's overemphasis on the structural aspects of these barriers and thereby provide a resolution tool for managers. By using partial least squares (PLS) path modeling methodology, we also administered 403 questionnaires in six of Nigeria's geopolitical zones. Our three‐stage analyses reveal findings that the physical and geographical (or place barrier) challenges account for 90% whilst the traditionally neglected aspects of legal and regulatory barriers score 85%. Therefore, place related barriers should be given slightly higher priority if it is not possible to be given equal recognition in internationalization theory. These findings provide new insights into a more complex picture of SMEs' internationalization in emerging economies. It is recommended that our Human‐centric Hierarchical Model could help inform managers' decision‐making processes on what human aspects they need to prioritize when faced with policy and place barriers. It is also recommended that our model adds social value to SME businesses and provides a new lens for scholars to investigate place and policy related barriers to rural Nigeria's SMEs.
Activation of Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling pathway attenuates ROS‐mediated autophagy induced by silica nanoparticles in H9c2 cells
Authors: Cui Guanqun , Li Ziyuan , Cao Feifei , Li Peng , Jin Minghua , Hou Shanshan , Yang Xu , Mu Yingwen , Peng Cheng , Shao Hua , Du Zhongjun
Published: March 2021

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) as one of the most productive nano‐powder, has been extensively applied in various fields. There has been increasing concern about the adverse effects of SiNPs on the health of ecological organisms and human. The potential cardiovascular toxicity of SiNPs and involved mechanisms remain elusive. Hence, in this study, we investigated the cardiovascular toxicity of SiNPs (60 nm) and explored the underlying mechanisms using H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Results showed that SiNPs induced oxidative stress and activated the Nrf2/HO‐1 antioxidant pathway. Autophagy was also activated by SiNPs. Interestingly, N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC）attenuated autophagy after inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS). Meanwhile, down‐regulation of Nrf2 enhanced autophagy. In summary, these data indicated that SiNPs induce autophagy in H9c2 cardiomyocytes through oxidative stress, and the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway has a negative regulatory effect on autophagy. This study provides new evidence for the cardiovascular toxicity of SiNPs and provides a reference for the safe use of nanomaterials in the future.
Cytotoxicity of mesoporous silica modified by amino and carboxyl groups on vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Zhao Ji , Bu De‐yun , Zhang Na , Tian Da‐nian , Ma Li‐ya , Yang Hui‐fang
Published: March 2021

Mesoporous silica is widely used because of its unique and excellent properties, especially it can be used as a drug carrier and gene carrier in the biomedical field. After the mesoporous silica is put into clinical use, it is more likely to be exposed in human body. Therefore, the effect of mesoporous silica on human body cannot be ignored. The injury of vascular endothelial cells is a prerequisite for the occurrence of many cardiovascular diseases. As a drug and gene carrier, mesoporous silica increases its contact with vascular endothelial cells, so its toxic effect on cardiovascular system cannot be ignored. In this study, amino (NH2) and carboxyl (COOH) were modified on mesoporous silica SBA‐15 by post‐grafting. The results showed that it still maintained the one‐dimensional hexagonal mesoporous structure of SBA‐15 and had typical mesoporous structure. Then human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were infected with SBA‐15, NH2‐SBA‐15, and COOH‐SBA‐15. The results showed that the functionalized mesoporous silica SBA‐15 had cytotoxicity to HUVECs and damaged the cell membrane, but compared with the unmodified mesoporous silica SBA‐15 the cytotoxicity of functionalized mesoporous silica SBA‐15 was lower and the toxicity of carboxyl modified group was the lowest. By comparing the cell inhibition rate and the expression level of lactate dehydrogenate and reactive oxygen species induced by the three materials, oxidative damage and cell membrane damage may be two mechanisms of cytotoxicity. Mesoporous silica SBA‐15 has an effect on cardiovascular system by inducing the high expression of nitric oxide, intercellular adhesive molecule‐1 and vascular cell adhesive molecule‐1 in HUVECs. In summary, our results show that mesoporous silica is toxic to vascular endothelial cells.
Zusammenfassung der empirischen Ergebnisse
Authors: Bednorz David
Published: March 2021

Gesamtüberblick: Zu der zusammenfassenden Darstellung der unterschiedlichen Ergebnisse und zur Interpretation der Analyse zur Konzeptualisierung des Instruments zur sprachlichen Variation finden nachfolgend eine vergleichende Darstellung der Ergebnisse und eine Erörterung der inhaltlichen Erkenntnisse statt (Abschnitt 10.1). Aufgrund der zum Teil neuen methodischen Zugänge zur Untersuchung von Sprache im Mathematikunterricht bietet es sich außerdem an, die methodischen Erkenntnisse dieser Arbeit zu schildern (Abschnitt 10.2).
Variationen von Sprache
Authors: Bednorz David
Published: March 2021

Gesamtüberblick: Die sprachliche Kommunikation ist geprägt durch die Vielfalt an Varianten, die existieren, um Gedanken und Beobachtungen sprachlich auszudrücken. Ein Instrument zur sprachlichen Variation von Textaufgaben im Mathematikunterricht sollte sich an den Veränderungen von Sprache in der Nutzung orientieren. Daher ist das Ziel dieses Kapitels die bedeutsamen Konzepte von Variationen von Sprache zu beschreiben.
Textverstehen von Textaufgaben als sprachliche Anforderung im Mathematikunterricht
Authors: Bednorz David
Published: March 2021

Gesamtüberblick: In Hinblick auf Text und sprachliche Variationen, die aufgrund von Anpassung an situative Bedingungen erfolgen, ist das Textverstehen ein zentraler Gegenstand, um sprachliche Schwierigkeiten, die aufgrund der Veränderungen von Sprache erfolgen, in der Mathematik antizipieren zu können. Dahingehend ist zur Einordnung des Textverstehens eine allgemeine Betrachtung der sprachlich kommunikativen Anforderungen im Fach Mathematik notwendig. Die Beschreibung des Textverstehens ist vielfältig und kann auf verschiedenen Ebenen stattfinden.
Klinische Charakteristika und Lebensqualität beim Dravet-Syndrom: Ergebnisse der deutschen Kohorte des „Dravet syndrome caregiver survey“ (DISCUSS)
Authors: Strzelczyk A. , Lagae L. , Kurlemann G. , Flege S. , Bast T. , Polster T. , Pringsheim M. , von Spiczak S. , Hipp P. , Schubert-Bast S.
Published: March 2021

Hintergrund

Das Dravet-Syndrom (DS) ist ein seltenes, in der frühen Kindheit beginnendes, therapierefraktäres Epilepsiesyndrom, das mit einer hohen Morbidität und Mortalität verbunden ist.

Fragestellung

Ziele der Querschnittsstudie „Dravet syndrome caregiver survey“ (DISCUSS) sind die Identifizierung und Beschreibung der Faktoren, die einen Einfluss auf die Krankheitslast von Patienten mit DS und ihre Betreuer haben können. Die Ergebnisse der deutschen Kohorte werden vorgestellt.

Material und Methoden

Die Datenerhebung erfolgte durch eine anonyme Befragung von Eltern. Die Ergebnisse wurden für die verschiedenen Altersgruppen statistisch ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Der Fragebogen wurde von 68 Eltern der DS-Patienten mit einem durchschnittlichen Alter von 10 Jahren (Median: 9, Spanne: 1–26) ausgefüllt. Nur 3 Patienten (4,4 %) waren in den letzten 3 Monaten anfallsfrei. Insgesamt hatten 97 % der Patienten, die älter als 5 Jahre waren (n = 45), mindestens eine Komorbidität. Die zum Befragungszeitpunkt am häufigsten eingenommenen Antiepileptika waren Valproat, Kaliumbromid, Stiripentol, Clobazam und Topiramat. In der Vergangenheit wurden Natriumkanalblocker, Phenobarbital und Levetiracetam eingesetzt, aktuell fanden diese Antiepileptika nur selten Verwendung. Die Lebensqualität der Patienten war niedriger als die der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Die Erkrankung eines Familienmitglieds mit DS beeinflusst Eltern und Geschwister in hohem Maße.

Diskussion

Trotz individueller Kombinationstherapien sind die meisten Patienten mit DS nicht anfallsfrei. Insgesamt hat sich der Einsatz von beim DS wenig wirksamer Medikamente und der kontraindizierten Natriumkanalblocker zugunsten von wirksameren Medikamenten verschoben. Neue Therapie- und Versorgungskonzepte sind notwendig, um die Versorgung der Patienten mit DS zu verbessern und Eltern und Geschwister zu entlasten.
Negativemissionstechnologien und ihre Verortung im Regelsystem internationaler Klimapolitik
Authors: Markus Till , Schaller Romina , Gawel Erik , Korte Klaas
Published: March 2021

Der Weltklimarat IPCC zeigt in seinem Sonderbericht “1,5  C globale Erwärmung”
aus dem Jahr 2018, dass das Erreichen der im Pariser Übereinkommen vereinbarten Klimaziele nach wie
vor möglich ist. Dies erfordere allerdings nicht nur einen grundlegenden Wandel unserer Lebens- und
Wirtschaftsweise sowie die Reduktion von Treibhausgasemissionen auf Null (spätestens in der zweiten
Hälfte dieses Jahrhunderts), sondern auch die dauerhafte Entnahme erheblicher Mengen von CO2 aus der
Atmosphäre. Letzteres kann durch eine Reihe unterschiedlicher Verfahren und Technologien erreicht
werden, sogenannte Negativemissionstechnologien (NETs). Im diesem Beitrag werden NETs im internationalen
Klimaregime verortet. Insbesondere soll ihre potentielle Funktion als Senke im Sinne der Klimarahmenkonvention
und des Pariser Übereinkommens untersucht werden.
Gefahren rechtlicher Verschlechterungen des Schutzes von Trink-, Mineral- und Heilwasserressourcen und Rechtsschutzmöglichkeiten
Authors: Spannowsky Willy
Published: March 2021

Daseinsvorsorge im Bereich des Schutzes der Trinkwasserressourcen beginnt mit der Pflege des Wasserdargebots.
In Anbetracht der sich in tatsächlicher und rechtlicher Hinsicht ändernden Gegebenheiten beim
Schutz von Trink-, Mineral- und Heilwasservorkommen (Klimawandel, “Wasserstress” infolge qualitativer
und quantitativer Verschlechterungen bis hin zur Trinkwasserknappheit) stellt sich die Frage, wie den Gefahren
der zunehmenden Verschlechterung dieser Ressourcen begegnet werden kann. Der nachfolgende Beitrag belegt
die These, dass auch bei einer gut gemeinten von Beschleunigungs- und Deregulierungsbestrebungen getragenen
landesgesetzlichen Änderung risikovorsorgender, rechtssystematischer Schutzkomponenten der abwägungsrelevante
Belang nicht außer Acht bleiben darf, dass es dadurch zu einer systematischen Verschlechterung des
rechtlichen und umweltplanerischen Kontroll- und Schutzsystems mit nachteiligen Folgewirkungen für
diese Schutzgüter kommen kann. Insofern sollte der Stellenwert, welcher der objektiv-rechtliche Rechtsschutz
bei der Erhaltung der besonderen “Naturschätze”, der Trink-, Mineral- und Heilwasservorkommen,
einnimmt, nicht unterschätzt werden.
Using extended siamese networks to provide decision support in aquaculture operations
Authors: Mathisen Bjørn Magnus , Bach Kerstin , Aamodt Agnar
Published: March 2021

Aquaculture as an industry is quickly expanding. As a result, new aquaculture sites are being established at more exposed locations previously deemed unfit because they are more difficult and resource demanding to safely operate than are traditional sites. To help the industry deal with these challenges, we have developed a decision support system to support decision makers in establishing better plans and make decisions that facilitate operating these sites in an optimal manner. We propose a case-based reasoning system called aquaculture case-based reasoning (AQCBR), which is able to predict the success of an aquaculture operation at a specific site, based on previously applied and recorded cases. In particular, AQCBR is trained to learn a similarity function between recorded operational situations/cases and use the most similar case to provide explanation-by-example information for its predictions. The novelty of AQCBR is that it uses extended Siamese neural networks to learn the similarity between cases. Our extensive experimental evaluation shows that extended Siamese neural networks outperform state-of-the-art methods for similarity learning in this task, demonstrating the effectiveness and the feasibility of our approach.
Where do university graduates live? – A computer vision approach using satellite images
Authors: Koch David , Despotovic Miroslav , Thaler Simon , Zeppelzauer Matthias
Published: March 2021

In this article, we examine to what extent the settlement of university graduates can be derived from satellite images. We apply a convolutional neural network (CNN) to grid images of a city and predict five density classes of university graduates at a micro level (250 m × 250 m grid size). The CNN reaches an accuracy rate of 40.5% (random approach: 20%). Furthermore, the accuracy increases to 78.3% when considering a one-class deviation compared to the true class. We also examine the predictability of inhabited and uninhabited grid cells, where we achieve an accuracy of 95.3% using the same CNN. From this, we conclude that there is information that correlates with graduate density that can be derived by analysing only satellite images. The findings show the high potential of computer vision for urban and regional economics. Particularly in data-poor regions, the approach utilised facilitates comparative analytics and provides a possible solution for the modifiable aerial unit (MAU) problem. The MAU problem is a statistical bias that can influence the results of a spatial data analysis of point-estimate data that is aggregated in districts of different shapes and sizes, distorting the results.
A novel human donor cornea preservation cocktail incorporating a thermo-reversible gelation polymer (TGP), enhancing the corneal endothelial cell density maintenance and explant culture of corneal limbal cells
Authors: Namitha Bhuvaneshwari , Chitra Munusamy Rajendran , Bhavya Mathevan , Parikumar Periasamy , Katoh Shojiro , Yoshioka Hiroshi , Iwasaki Masaru , Senthilkumar Rajappa , Rajmohan Mathaiyan , Karthick Ramalingam , Preethy Senthilkumar , Abraham Samuel J. K.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

McCarey-Kaufman’s (MK) medium and Optisol-GS medium are the most commonly employed media for human donor corneal preservation. In this study, we evaluated the preservation efficacy of discarded human donor corneas using a Thermo-reversible gelation polymer (TGP) added to these two media.

Methods

Thirteen human corneal buttons collected from deceased donors, which were otherwise discarded due to low endothelial cell density (ECD) were used. They were stored in four groups: MK medium, MK medium with TGP, Optisol-GS and Optisol-GS with TGP at 4 °C for 96 h. Slit lamp examination and specular microscopy were performed. Corneal limbal tissues from these corneas were then cultured using explant methodology one with and the other without TGP scaffold, for 21 days.

Results

MK + TGP and Optisol-GS + TGP preserved corneas better than without TGP, which was observed by maintenance of ECD which was significantly higher in Optisol-GS + TGP than MK + TGP (p-value = 0.000478) and corneal thickness remaining the same for 96 h. Viable corneal epithelial cells could be grown from the corneas stored only in MK + TGP and Optisol-GS + TGP. During culture, the TGP scaffold helped maintain the native epithelial phenotype and progenitor/stem cell growth was confirmed by RT-PCR characterization.

Conclusion

TGP reconstituted with MK and Optisol—GS media yields better preservation of human corneal buttons in terms of relatively higher ECD maintenance and better in vitro culture outcome of corneal limbal tissue. This method has the potential to become a standard donor corneal transportation-preservation methodology and it can also be extended to other tissue or organ transportation upon further validation.
Cytotoxic and radiosensitising effects of a novel thioredoxin reductase inhibitor in breast cancer
Authors: Abdullah Nurul A , Inman Martyn , Moody Christopher J. , Storr Sarah J , Martin Stewart G
Published: March 2021

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment modality for breast cancer but, unfortunately, not all patients respond fully with a significant number experiencing local recurrences. Overexpression of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase has been reported to cause multidrug and radiation resistance - their inhibition may therefore improve therapeutic efficacy. Novel indolequinone compounds have been shown, in pancreatic cancer models, to inhibit thioredoxin reductase activity and exhibit potent anticancer activity. The present study evaluates, using in vitro breast cancer models, the efficacy of a novel indolequinone compound (IQ9) as a single agent and in combination with ionising radiation using a variety of endpoint assays including cell proliferation, clonogenic survival, enzyme activity, and western blotting. Three triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MDA-MB-436) and two luminal (MCF-7 and T47D) breast cancer cell lines were used. Results show that treatment with IQ9 significantly inhibited thioredoxin reductase activity, and inhibited cell growth and colony formation of breast cancer cells with IC50 values in the low micromolar ranges. Enhanced radiosensitivity of triple-negative breast cancer cells was observed, with sensitiser enhancement ratios of 1.20–1.43, but with no evident radiosensitisation of luminal breast cancer cell lines. IQ9 upregulated protein expression of thioredoxin reductase in luminal but not in triple-negative breast cancer cells which may explain the observed differential radiosensitisation. This study provides important evidence of the roles of the thioredoxin system as an exploitable radiobiological target in breast cancer cells and highlights the potential therapeutic value of indolequinones as radiosensitisers.

***This study was not part of a clinical trial. Clinical trial registration number: N/A
Chemical and biological control of Fusarium species involved in garlic dry rot at early crop stages
Authors: Mondani Letizia , Chiusa Giorgio , Battilani Paola
Published: March 2021

The aim of the study was to test in vitro and in vivo the efficacy of triazoles and biocontrol agents (BCAs) against Fusarium proliferatum and F. oxysporum, the former signaled as the main causal agent of garlic dry rot and the latter also involved. In vitro trials were organized using potato dextrose agar with added chemicals or BCAs inoculated with selected F. proliferatum and F. oxysporum. Garlic cloves were dipped before sowing in suspensions prepared with the fungicides showing the best performances in vitro; then they were dipped in Fusaria suspension before sowing. In in vitro trials, the maximum Fusaria growth inhibition was performed by Propiconazole + Prochloraz (100%), followed by Tebuconazole (88.9%). BCAs showed great capacity to control Fusaria, with a maximum growth inhibition of 80% (Trichoderma harzianum + T. gamsii). In vivo bacterial BCAs showed a similar capacity to control F. proliferatum and F. oxysporum compared to chemical products (mean of severity index 18.6% and 11.7%, respectively). In vivo results confirmed the in vitro performances, except for Trichoderma, which had the worst performances in vivo. Therefore, the results are preliminary but promising for future field application.
An empirical investigation of organic software product lines
Authors: Cashman Mikaela , Firestone Justin , Cohen Myra B. , Thianniwet Thammasak , Niu Wei
Published: March 2021

Software product line engineering is a best practice for managing reuse in families of software systems that is increasingly being applied to novel and emerging domains. In this work we investigate the use of software product line engineering in one of these new domains, synthetic biology. In synthetic biology living organisms are programmed to perform new functions or improve existing functions. These programs are designed and constructed using small building blocks made out of DNA. We conjecture that there are families of products that consist of common and variable DNA parts, and we can leverage product line engineering to help synthetic biologists build, evolve, and reuse DNA parts. In this paper we perform an investigation of domain engineering that leverages an open-source repository of more than 45,000 reusable DNA parts. We show the feasibility of these new types of product line models by identifying features and related artifacts in up to 93.5% of products, and that there is indeed both commonality and variability. We then construct feature models for four commonly engineered functions leading to product lines ranging from 10 to 7.5 × 1020 products. In a case study we demonstrate how we can use the feature models to help guide new experimentation in aspects of application engineering. Finally, in an empirical study we demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of automated reverse engineering on both complete and incomplete sets of products. In the process of these studies, we highlight key challenges and uncovered limitations of existing SPL techniques and tools which provide a roadmap for making SPL engineering applicable to new and emerging domains.