bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of GFLV, GFkV, GLRaV-1, and GLRaV -3 grapevine viruses transport toward developing tissues
Authors: Crespo-Martínez Sara , Ramírez-Lacunza Asier , Miranda Carlos , Urrestarazu Jorge , Santesteban Luis Gonzaga
Published: June 2023

Viral diseases in grapevine cause large economic losses due to decreased irregular yield and unbalanced ripening, and can even lead to plant mortality. There is a large number of grapevine viral agents, and a few of them have a prominent impact due to their worldwide distribution, virulence, and incidence. Although previous research has evaluated variations in viral load between organs and time since infection, there is still a lack of knowledge on how the viruses are transported toward developing tissues. In this work, we present the results of two experiments that contribute to understanding the spread dynamics of four major grapevine viruses (GFLV, GFkV, GLRaV-1, and GLRaV -3). Bud and leaf tissues were sampled from shoots obtained from cv. ‘Garnacha’ cuttings known to be infected with one of these viruses. Bud samples taken at early development stages were used to understand short-distance transport, while leaves taken from young shoots represented long-distance transport, driven mainly through the phloem. Our results show that all viruses were able to invade tissues from the beginning of development. The dissemination ability of GFLV was considerable, as the viral load detected in young organs was as high as in the dormant shoot. Furthermore, for GFLV and GFkV, it was shown that the viral load in young shoots does not follow the general assumption of older tissues accumulating a higher viral load but, conversely, a higher viral load closer to the shoot tip might be driven by the sink strength.
Ecosystem degradation and the spread of Covid-19
Authors: Castelli Chiara , Castellini Marta , Comincioli Nicola , Parisi Maria Laura , Pontarollo Nicola , Vergalli Sergio
Published: June 2023

The linkages between the emergence of zoonotic diseases and ecosystem degradation have been widely acknowledged by the scientific community and policy makers. In this paper we investigate the relationship between human overexploitation of natural resources, represented by the Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production Index (HANPP) and the spread of Covid-19 cases during the first pandemic wave in 730 regions of 63 countries worldwide. Using a Bayesian estimation technique, we highlight the significant role of HANPP as a driver of Covid-19 diffusion, besides confirming the well-known impact of population size and the effects of other socio-economic variables. We believe that these findings could be relevant for policy makers in their effort towards a more sustainable intensive agriculture and responsible urbanisation.
Three major chlorotype lineages in chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L., Asteraceae)
Authors: Ruzicka Joana , Baumschlager Gerald , Jovanovic Dijana , Novak Johannes
Published: June 2023

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L., Asteraceae) is one of the most important medicinal plants with antiphlogistic, spasmolytic, carminative, antibacterial and antimycotic properties. Thirty-one chloroplast markers were developed, optimised for high-resolution melting analysis. Subsequently, 23 M. chamomilla accessions (247 individuals) complemented with 2 individuals of the closely related species M. discoidea were analysed with this marker set. The marker set can practically be reduced to 20 markers without information loss due to the linkage of 16 markers. In total, 20 chlorotypes (multilocus genotypes) were identified, organised in three evolutionary main lineages. Only 8 accessions were monomorphic, the other 15 accessions had between 2 and 6 chlorotypes per accession. The high number of polymorphic accessions and the high number of chlorotypes within many accessions indicate already a high degree of variability within accessions, confirmed by the 66% variation within by AMOVA. Gene diversity of the polymorphic accessions ranged between 0.069 and 0.261. Since many cultivars had their origin in wild populations of the countries where breeding took place, a first hypothetical indication of the geographic origin of chamomile could point to Albania and adjacent countries. The ‘ancient chlorotype’ was identified by comparing published plastome sequences of Artemisia annua and Lactuca sativa. The ‘ancient chlorotype’ was present only in the closely related M. discoidea but not in any of the M. chamomilla accessions. Two commercially important tetraploid cultivars proofed to be unrelated to their presumed diploid parents.
The prognostic value of right ventricular longitudinal strain in heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Anastasiou Vasileios , Papazoglou Andreas S. , Moysidis Dimitrios V. , Daios Stylianos , Tsalikakis Dimitrios , Giannakoulas George , Karamitsos Theodoros , Delgado Victoria , Ziakas Antonios , Kamperidis Vasileios
Published: June 2023

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a well-recognized adverse prognostic feature in patients with heart failure (HF). Recently, many single-center studies have demonstrated that RV longitudinal strain assessed using speckle tracking echocardiography might be a powerful prognosticator in HF. Objectives: To systematically appraise and quantitatively synthesize the evidence of the prognostic value of echocardiographic RV longitudinal strain, across the entire spectrum of left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) in HF. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in electronic databases to identify every study reporting the predictive role of RV global longitudinal strain (RV GLS) and RV free wall longitudinal strain (RV FWLS) in HF subjects. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the adjusted and unadjusted hazard ratios [(a)HRs] for all-cause-mortality and for the composite outcome of all-cause mortality or HF-related hospitalization for both indices. Results: Twenty-four studies were deemed eligible and 15 of these provided appropriate quantitative data for the meta-analysis, encompassing 8,738 patients. Each 1% worsening in RV GLS and RV FWLS was independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (pooled aHR = 1.08 [1.03–1.13]; p < 0.01; I2 = 76% and 1.05 [1.05–1.06]; p < 0.01; I2 = 0%, respectively) and the composite outcome (pooled aHR = 1.10 [1.06–1.15]; p < 0.01; I2 = 0% and 1.06 [1.02–1.10]; p < 0.01; I2 = 69%, respectively) for patients with HF. The subgroup analysis of HF patients with LVEF < 45% yielded similar results, with worsening in RV GLS and RV FWLS retaining strong association with the two outcomes. Conclusion: Echocardiographic RV GLS and RV FWLS appear to have powerful prognostic value across the range of HF.
Understanding the Rights of Nature: Working Together Across and Beyond Disciplines
Authors: Gilbert Jeremie , Soliev Ilkhom , Robertson Anne , Vermeylen Saskia , Williams Neil W. , Grabowski Robert C.
Published: June 2023

Recognising the rights of nature is seen by many as the paradigm shift needed to truly embed ecology and the environment into nature-based policy and management solutions to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development. However, despite its potential, research across and beyond disciplinary boundaries remains very limited, with most located in the humanities and social sciences and often lacking connection with environmental sciences. Based on a multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary project, we identify some critical common themes among the humanities, social sciences, and environmental sciences to support future research on the potential of the rights of nature to address contemporary social-environmental challenges. We argue that future research needs to be not only interdisciplinary but also transdisciplinary since the movement of rights of nature is often driven by and based on knowledge emerging outside of academic disciplines.
Edge colourings and qualitative representations of chromatic algebras
Authors: Al-Juaid Badriah , Jackson Marcel , Koussas James , Kowalski Tomasz
Published: June 2023

Conventional Ramsey-theoretic investigations for edge-colourings of complete graphs are framed around avoidance of certain configurations. Motivated by considerations arising in the field of Qualitative Reasoning, we explore edge colourings that in addition to forbidding certain triangle configurations also require others to be present. These conditions have natural combinatorial interest in their own right, but also correspond to qualitative representability of certain nonassociative relation algebras, which we will call chromatic.
Moving Together: Social Motor Synchrony in Autistic Peer Partners Depends on Partner and Activity Type
Authors: Glass Devyn , Yuill Nicola
Published: June 2023

Some suggest autistic people display impaired Interpersonal Synchrony. However, partners of different neurotypes can struggle to connect and empathise with one another. We used Motion Energy Analysis to examine Social Motor Synchrony (SMS) in familiar partners of the same neurotype: pairs of autistic and of neurotypical children. Partners played two shared tablet activities, one to support collaboration by facilitating engagement and other-awareness (Connect), and one with no additional design features to facilitate collaboration (Colours). The neurotypical group showed similar SMS to the autistic group in Colours but lower SMS in Connect. The autistic group displayed similar levels of SMS in each activity. Autistic children can synchronise to a similar, or greater, degree than neurotypical children when the social context and type of task are considered.
OFraMP: a fragment-based tool to facilitate the parametrization of large molecules
Authors: Stroet Martin , Caron Bertrand , Engler Martin S. , van der Woning Jimi , Kauffmann Aude , van Dijk Marc , El-Kebir Mohammed , Visscher Koen M. , Holownia Josef , Macfarlane Callum , Bennion Brian J. , Gelpi-Dominguez Svetlana , Lightstone Felice C. , van der Storm Tijs , Geerke Daan P. , Mark Alan E. , Klau Gunnar W.
Published: June 2023

An Online tool for Fragment-based Molecule Parametrization (OFraMP) is described. OFraMP is a web application for assigning atomic interaction parameters to large molecules by matching sub-fragments within the target molecule to equivalent sub-fragments within the Automated Topology Builder (ATB, atb.uq.edu.au) database. OFraMP identifies and compares alternative molecular fragments from the ATB database, which contains over 890,000 pre-parameterized molecules, using a novel hierarchical matching procedure. Atoms are considered within the context of an extended local environment (buffer region) with the degree of similarity between an atom in the target molecule and that in the proposed match controlled by varying the size of the buffer region. Adjacent matching atoms are combined into progressively larger matched sub-structures. The user then selects the most appropriate match. OFraMP also allows users to manually alter interaction parameters and automates the submission of missing substructures to the ATB in order to generate parameters for atoms in environments not represented in the existing database. The utility of OFraMP is illustrated using the anti-cancer agent paclitaxel and a dendrimer used in organic semiconductor devices.

Graphical abstract

OFraMP applied to paclitaxel (ATB ID 35922).
Influence of extrinsic induced tensile stress on the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of nanosized Al/Ni multilayers
Authors: Matthes Sebastian , Glaser Marcus , Vardo Emina , Camposano Yesenia Haydee Sauni , Jaekel Konrad , Bergmann Jean Pierre , Schaaf Peter
Published: June 2023

Reactive multilayer systems consisting of alternating nanoscale Al and Ni layers are applicable in joining, various pyrotechnic applications and thermal batteries. Since diffusion based high-temperature synthesis occurs without the presence of air, efforts have focused on investigating the understanding of the fundamental reaction processes and characteristics. The aim of this study is to expose the reactive multilayers to extrinsic induced tensile stress so that the self-propagating synthesis can proceed under these conditions. Further, the properties during and after the reaction will be investigated. Multilayers deposited by sputtering on Kapton® substrates with different bilayer– and total thicknesses as well as commercial Nanofoils® with thicknesses of 40 µm and 60 µm were used as samples. The investigations focused on the propagation velocity measured with a high-speed camera, the temperature regime determined with a high-speed pyrometer, and the formed phases after the synthesis examined via X-ray diffraction. The gained results of this study reveal important insights for the application of the reactive Al/Ni multilayer system in terms of stability or reliability related to propagation front velocity, maximum temperature and formed phases under induced external tensile stresses.

Graphical abstract
E. coli “Stablelabel” S30 lysate for optimized cell-free NMR sample preparation
Authors: Levin Roman , Löhr Frank , Karakoc Betül , Lichtenecker Roman , Dötsch Volker , Bernhard Frank
Published: June 2023

Cell-free (CF) synthesis with highly productive E. coli lysates is a convenient method to produce labeled proteins for NMR studies. Despite reduced metabolic activity in CF lysates, a certain scrambling of supplied isotope labels is still notable. Most problematic are conversions of 15N labels of the amino acids L-Asp, L-Asn, L-Gln, L-Glu and L-Ala, resulting in ambiguous NMR signals as well as in label dilution. Specific inhibitor cocktails suppress most undesired conversion reactions, while limited availability and potential side effects on CF system productivity need to be considered. As alternative route to address NMR label conversion in CF systems, we describe the generation of optimized E. coli lysates with reduced amino acid scrambling activity. Our strategy is based on the proteome blueprint of standardized CF S30 lysates of the E. coli strain A19. Identified lysate enzymes with suspected amino acid scrambling activity were eliminated by engineering corresponding single and cumulative chromosomal mutations in A19. CF lysates prepared from the mutants were analyzed for their CF protein synthesis efficiency and for residual scrambling activity. The A19 derivative “Stablelabel” containing the cumulative mutations asnA, ansA/B, glnA, aspC and ilvE yielded the most useful CF S30 lysates. We demonstrate the optimized NMR spectral complexity of selectively labeled proteins CF synthesized in “Stablelabel” lysates. By taking advantage of ilvE deletion in "Stablelabel", we further exemplify a new strategy for methyl group specific labeling of membrane proteins with the proton pump proteorhodopsin.
Experimental and Modeling Optimization of Strontium Adsorption on Microbial Nanocellulose, Eco-friendly Approach
Authors: Abd Elkader Rofaida S. , Mohamed Mokhtar K. , Hasanien Yasmeen A. , Kandeel Eman M.
Published: June 2023

Green synthesized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was prepared using Neurospora intermedia, characterized, and used to remove Strontium ions (Sr2+) from an aqueous solution with high efficiency. The characterization of CNCs was performed using a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential (ZP), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) mapping, EDX elemental analysis and BET surface analyzer. In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was successfully applied for the first time to optimize the dynamic adsorption conditions for the maximum removal of Sr2+ ions from aqueous solutions using CNCs as adsorbent. The effects of parameters, such as initial concentration of Sr2+ (50–500 ppm), adsorbent dosage (0.05–0.2 g/50ml), and contact time (15–120 min.) on removal efficiency were investigated. A mathematical model was studied to predict the removal performance. The significance and adequacy of the model were surveyed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the second-order polynomial model is suitable for the prediction removal of Sr2+ with regression coefficient (R2 = 97.41%). The highest sorption capacity value of Sr2+ was obtained (281.89 mg/g) at the adsorbent dosage of 0.05 g/50 ml, contact time of 120 min., and the pollutant (Sr2+) concentration of 275 ppm.
High-Throughput SARS-CoV-2 Antiviral Testing Method Using the Celigo Image Cytometer
Authors: St Clair Laura A. , Chan Leo Li-Ying , Boretsky Adam , Lin Bo , Spedding Michael , Perera Rushika
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a worldwide public health crisis that has since resulted in 6.8 million reported deaths. The pandemic prompted the immediate response of researchers around the world to engage in rapid vaccine development, surveillance programs, and antiviral testing, which resulted in the delivery of multiple vaccines and repurposed antiviral drug candidates. However, the emergence of new highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants has renewed the desire for discovering new antiviral drug candidates with high efficacy against the emerging variants of concern. Traditional antiviral testing methods employ the plaque-reduction neutralization tests (PRNTs), plaque assays, or RT-PCR analysis, but each assay can be tedious and time-consuming, requiring 2–3 days to complete the initial antiviral assay in biologically relevant cells, and then 3–4 days to visualize and count plaques in Vero cells, or to complete cell extractions and PCR analysis. In recent years, plate-based image cytometers have demonstrated high-throughput vaccine screening methods, which can be adopted for screening potential antiviral drug candidates. In this work, we developed a high-throughput antiviral testing method employing the Celigo Image Cytometer to investigate the efficacy of antiviral drug candidates on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity using a fluorescent reporter virus and their safety by measuring the cytotoxicity effects on the healthy host cell line using fluorescent viability stains. Compared to traditional methods, the assays defined here eliminated on average 3–4 days from our standard processing time for antiviral testing. Moreover, we were able to utilize human cell lines directly that are not typically amenable to PRNT or plaque assays. The Celigo Image Cytometer can provide an efficient and robust method to rapidly identify potential antiviral drugs to effectively combat the rapidly spreading SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants during the pandemic.
Thinking in Terms of Change over Time: Opportunities and Challenges of Using System Dynamics Models
Authors: Eidin Emil , Bielik Tom , Touitou Israel , Bowers Jonathan , McIntyre Cynthia , Damelin Dan , Krajcik Joseph
Published: June 2023

Understanding the world around us is a growing necessity for the whole public, as citizens are required to make informed decisions in their everyday lives about complex issues. Systems thinking (ST) is a promising approach for developing solutions to various problems that society faces and has been acknowledged as a crosscutting concept that should be integrated across educational science disciplines. However, studies show that engaging students in ST is challenging, especially concerning aspects like change over time and feedback. Using computational system models and a system dynamics approach can support students in overcoming these challenges when making sense of complex phenomena. In this paper, we describe an empirical study that examines how 10th grade students engage in aspects of ST through computational system modeling as part of a Next Generation Science Standards-aligned project-based learning unit on chemical kinetics. We show students’ increased capacity to explain the underlying mechanism of the phenomenon in terms of change over time that goes beyond linear causal relationships. However, student models and their accompanying explanations were limited in scope as students did not address feedback mechanisms as part of their modeling and explanations. In addition, we describe specific challenges students encountered when evaluating and revising models. In particular, we show epistemological barriers to fruitful use of real-world data for model revision. Our findings provide insights into the opportunities of a system dynamics approach and the challenges that remain in supporting students to make sense of complex phenomena and nonlinear mechanisms.
How the Welfare State Tries to Protect Itself Against the law: Luhmann and new Forms of Social Immune Mechanism
Authors: Andersen Niels Åkerstrøm , Stenner Paul
Published: June 2023

Sociologist Niklas Luhmann argued that the law functions as society’s immune system by regulating conflicts that threaten the certainty of expectation structures. In this article, we argue that law itself has become a target of new social immune mechanisms. Since the 1980s, welfare states have increasingly seen their own structures as a threat. Today, the ideal is a public sector consisting of organizations that constantly emerge anew by selecting the structures that fit each specific moment, case, and citizen. To protect public sector organizations against their own structures, ‘potentialization’ now functions as a social autoimmune mechanism by initiating a constant search for new openings and possibilities. This critique of structures includes a critique of legal structures like rights. Looking at the Danish law of early retirement as our empirical case, this paper analyzes, how the tension between law and ‘potentialization’ is built into the law itself. While the law gives citizens certain rights to early retirement, it simultaneously ‘protects’ against the same rights by potentializing citizens. ‘Potentialization’ here functions as a mechanism that protects the operations of a system against its legal structures. It functions by ‘un-relating’ those operations from the structures. This means that when citizens claim their right to pensions, the social workers can reject them on the grounds of a right to a future that is not foreclosed and ‘parked’ on a pension. The paper’s contribution is to show how potentialization works by dissolving even fundamental legal expectations. This profoundly transforms the relationship between the citizen and the public sector.
The influence of stress on the neural underpinnings of disinhibited eating: a systematic review and future directions for research
Authors: Giddens Emily , Noy Brittany , Steward Trevor , Verdejo-García Antonio
Published: June 2023

Disinhibited eating involves overconsumption and loss of control over food intake, and underpins many health conditions, including obesity and binge-eating related disorders. Stress has been implicated in the development and maintenance of disinhibited eating behaviours, but the mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. In this systematic review, we examined how the impact of stress on the neurobiological substrates of food-related reward sensitivity, interoception and cognitive control explains its role in disinhibited eating behaviours. We synthesised the findings of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies including acute and/or chronic stress exposures in participants with disinhibited eating. A systematic search of existing literature conducted in alignment with the PRISMA guidelines identified seven studies investigating neural impacts of stress in people with disinhibited eating. Five studies used food-cue reactivity tasks, one study used a social evaluation task, and one used an instrumental learning task to probe reward, interoception and control circuitry. Acute stress was associated with deactivation of regions in the prefrontal cortex implicated in cognitive control and the hippocampus. However, there were mixed findings regarding differences in reward-related circuitry. In the study using a social task, acute stress associated with deactivation of prefrontal cognitive control regions in response to negative social evaluation. In contrast, chronic stress was associated with both deactivation of reward and prefrontal regions when viewing palatable food-cues. Given the small number of identified publications and notable heterogeneity in study designs, we propose several recommendations to strengthen future research in this emerging field.
Expressions of emotion as perceptual media
Authors: Rowson Rebecca
Published: June 2023

Expressions of emotion pose a serious challenge to the view that we perceive other people’s emotions directly. If we must perceive expressions in order to perceive emotions, then it is only ever the expressions that we are directly aware of, not emotions themselves. This paper develops a new response to this challenge by drawing an analogy between expressions of emotion and perceptual media. It is through illumination and sound, the paradigmatic examples of perceptual media, that we can see and hear objects around us. Instead of screening these objects from view, however, they enable our perception while being transparent to us. With reference to perceptual constancy and transparency, I show how expressions show up in our experience of emotions in a surprisingly similar way. Given this, we can understand expressions as the media through which we perceive emotions and overcome the above challenge to an otherwise attractive view.
Efficient and rapid system of plant regeneration via protoplast cultures of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench
Authors: Zaranek Magdalena , Pérez-Pérez Reneé , Milewska-Hendel Anna , Grzebelus Ewa , Betekhtin Alexander
Published: June 2023

In the present study, a high yield of isolated protoplasts from the agronomically important crop Fagopyrum esculentum was obtained by applying a mixture of cellulase, pectolyase, and driselase. We demonstrated that the yield of morphogenic callus-derived protoplasts was 1 × 106 protoplasts per g of fresh tissue. For hypocotyls used as the protoplast source, the number of released cells was twice lower. The protoplasts, embedded in an agarose matrix and cultured in a modified Kao and Michayluk media supplemented with phytosulfokine, re-enter the cell cycle and start to develop, forming microcalli. The plating efficiency was about 20% in the case of hypocotyl- and morphogenic callus-derived protoplasts. For plant regeneration, the medium was supplemented with different combinations of cytokinin. Somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis occur during the cultivation of the protoplast-derived tissues, depending on the applied protoplast source. For the first time, an effective protoplast-to-plant system for F. esculentum has been developed.
On Experiential Loneliness
Authors: Schmidt Philipp
Published: June 2023

Presumably, everyone has, at some point in their lives, felt lonely. Loneliness is, in that particular sense, omnipresent. What it feels like to be lonely can, however, vary significantly. Loneliness is far from being a homogeneous phenomenon. Different kinds of loneliness need to be distinguished, considering its causes, contexts, a person’s capacities to cope with it, and many other factors. This paper introduces the notion of a specific kind of loneliness: experiential loneliness. Experiential loneliness, it will be argued, consists in particular ways of experiencing the world, oneself, and others. Although feelings of being lonely in one way or another can emanate from one’s experience of the world being structured in a particular manner, such kinds of loneliness need not—at least, not always and the whole time—lead to emotional feelings that are concerned with one’s loneliness or the lack of meaningful social relationship. Loneliness can give rise to quite different emotional feelings that sometimes even cover up their provenience from underlying experiential loneliness. The notion of experiential loneliness, it is suggested, helps to tie back certain styles of thinking, desires, feelings, and behaviors to contexts of loneliness. Moreover, it will be argued that the notion can also elucidate the development of feelings of being lonely in contexts in which others are not only around but also available. To develop and enrich the notion of experiential loneliness as well as to exemplify its usefulness, a closer look will be taken at the case of borderline personality disorder, a condition in which sufferers are often plagued by loneliness.
Phytophthora, Nothophytophthora and Halophytophthora diversity in rivers, streams and riparian alder ecosystems of Central Europe
Authors: Corcobado Tamara , Cech Thomas L. , Daxer Andreas , Ďatková Henrieta , Janoušek Josef , Patra Sneha , Jahn Daniella , Hüttler Christine , Milenković Ivan , Tomšovský Michal , Jung Marília Horta , Jung Thomas
Published: June 2023

Waterways are ideal pathways forPhytophthoradispersal and potential introduction to terrestrial ecosystems. While manyPhytophthoraspecies from phylogenetic clades 6, 9 and 10 are predominant oomycetes in watercourses due to their adaptation to a lifestyle as saprotrophs and opportunistic pathogens of riparian plants, species from clades 2, 7 and 8 are predominantly soil- or airborne using aquatic habitats as temporal niches for spreading and invading terrestrial sites along the watercourses. In contrast to forest ecosystems, knowledge ofPhytophthoradiversity in watercourses in Central Europe is limited. Between 2014 and 2019 extensive surveys of streams and rivers were undertaken across Austria, in South Moravia, Czech Republic and Žilina province, Slovakia to unveil the diversity and distribution ofPhytophthoraand related oomycetes. In addition, in Austria riparian forests of black alder (Alnus glutinosa) and grey alder (A. incana) in lowlands and in the Alps were examined. A variety ofPhytophthoraspecies from clades 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 were isolated, with clade 6 species showing the widest distribution and abundance. Furthermore, interspecific clade 6 hybrids and other oomycetes such asHalophytophthora fluviatilisand undescribedNothophytophthoraspp. were also obtained. In riparian alders, symptoms ofPhytophthorainfections were associated with species from theP. × alnicomplex andP. plurivora.Phytophthora plurivorawas most common in alder stands whereasP. uniformiswas the oomycete species occurring at the highest altitude in alpine riparian areas.
Klimawandel ganz nah: Hitzewellen
Authors: Nidens N. , Huber V. , Matthies-Wiesler F. , Schneider A.
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Zunehmende Temperaturextreme und Hitzewellen stellen eines der wichtigsten klimawandelbedingten Gesundheitsrisiken für Menschen in Deutschland dar. Sie haben Auswirkungen auf die Mortalität und Morbidität, den Schwangerschaftsverlauf sowie die mentale Gesundheit. Zu den besonders gefährdeten Bevölkerungsgruppen zählen ältere Menschen, Vorerkrankte sowie Säuglinge, Schwangere und Personen, die im Freien körperlich schwer arbeiten oder Sport treiben. Obwohl sich die Mehrheit der hitzebedingten Sterbefälle auf kardiovaskuläre und respiratorische Erkrankungen zurückführen lässt, sind auch nierenbedingte Todesursachen möglich.

Problemstellung

Während Hitzewellen steigt das Risiko für nierenbedingte Morbidität und Mortalität an. Insbesondere treten akute Nierenschädigungen, Harnsteine, Elektrolytentgleisungen und Harnwegsinfektionen auf. Auch chronische Nierenerkrankungen werden als eine mögliche Folge des Klimawandels diskutiert. Für Nierenpatient:innen stellt das Zusammenspiel von Hitze, Luftschadstoffen und anderen Umweltfaktoren eine besondere Belastung dar.

Schlussfolgerung

Nephrolog:innen können durch hitzespezifische Beratung und Behandlung maßgeblich zum Schutz von vulnerablen Patient:innen beitragen. Es ist daher wichtig, dass sie sich entsprechend informieren und weiterbilden und so Hitzeschutzmaßnahmen zum Schutz ihrer Patient:innen und Mitarbeiter:innen in Praxen und Kliniken adäquat umsetzen können.
Utility of eco-friendly microwave-assisted nitrogen-doped carbon dots as a luminescent nano-sensor for the ultra-sensitive analysis of tigecycline in dosage form and biological samples
Authors: Salman Baher I.
Published: June 2023

In the presented work, simple, green, sensitive, and selective nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) were developed as nano-sensor for quantification of tigecycline (TIG) in different matrices. The proposed method is based on microwave synthesis of green nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots with a high quantum yield (41.39%) and size diameter equal to 2.0 nm from the green juice of Eruca sativa leaves. The relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) of the green synthesized quantum dots (N-CQDs) was quenched at emission 512 nm (excitation 445 nm) after the addition of TIG drug. A good linear range between TIG concentration and quenched fluorescence intensity of N-CQDs in the range 20–300 ng mL−1, with the lower limit of quantitation (LOQ) equal to 8.51 ng mL−1. The proposed method was validated using the international conference of harmonization (ICH) recommendation and bio-analytical validation using U.S. food and drug administration (US-FDA) guidelines. The N-CQDs have been fully characterized using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The suggested technique is a straightforward analytical procedure that can be used in clinical laboratories. Under the optimum condition, TIG was estimated in human plasma with a high percentage of recovery ranging from 96.95 to 98.54%. In addition, the proposed method was applied effectively in milk samples with percentage of recovery equal to 98.90 ± 1.55.
Does national culture impact management control systems? A systematic literature review
Authors: Mitter Christine , Kuttner Michael , Duller Christine , Sommerauer Petra
Published: June 2023

This paper reviews findings on how different dimensions of national culture influence management control systems (MCS). It is based on a comprehensive sample of 43 peer-reviewed journal articles that were identified in a systematic literature search. For the categorization of the results, we refer to Malmi and Brown’s (Manag Account Res;19:287–300, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mar.2008.09.003) frequently quoted framework. Our systematic literature review offers a detailed analysis of the sample’s bibliographical characteristics, including the chronological order of publications, journal metrics, article type, and country focus. Our results reveal that the research field is dominated by Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory and that the majority of the sample articles explicitly mention or confirm the influence of national culture on MCS. We demonstrate that the cultural influences on a wide range of different MCS practices, tools and methods are examined, and show that a holistic and comprehensive analysis of the interplay of national culture and the elements of the MCS is mostly missing. Moreover, diverging research designs and contextual factors, different understandings of national culture and especially the often too superficial classification of national culture complicates and inhibits the comparability of the different results. Findings show that the underlying motivations and effectiveness of MCSs differ across national cultures, suggesting that MCSs require adaptation to different national cultures.
Encapsulation of Hydrophobic Apigenin into Small Unilamellar Liposomes Coated with Chitosan Through Ethanol Injection and Spray Drying
Authors: Ang San-San , Thoo Yin Yin , Siow Lee Fong
Published: June 2023

Despite the multiple health benefits, natural flavonoid apigenin has poor aqueous solubility that restricts its delivery in foods. This study investigated the potential of spray-dried chitosan-coated liposomes prepared from scalable methods for the food industry as the delivery carriers for apigenin. Apigenin-loaded small unilamellar liposomes produced from ethanol injection had an encapsulation efficiency of 74.88 ± 5.31%. They were electrostatically stabilised via chitosan coating (0.25% w/v) and spray-dried. Spray-dried chitosan-coated apigenin liposomes (SCAL) exhibited the following powder characteristics: yield 66.62 ± 3.08%, moisture content 4.33 ± 0.56%, water activity 0.2242 ± 0.0548, particle size 10.97 ± 1.55 μm, nearly spherical morphology with wrinkles and dents under microscopic observation. Compared with the unencapsulated apigenin, SCAL demonstrated improved aqueous solubility (10.22 ± 0.18 mg/L), higher antioxidant capacity, and stability against simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The chitosan coating gave a slower in-vitro release of apigenin in SCAL (77.0 ± 6.2%) than that of uncoated apigenin liposomes (94.0 ± 5.3%) at 12 h. The apigenin release kinetics from SCAL could be represented by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model (R2 = 0.971). These findings suggest that SCAL could be a promising delivery system of apigenin for functional food applications.
Telepresence in live-stream shopping: An experimental study comparing Instagram and the metaverse
Authors: Barta Sergio , Gurrea Raquel , Flavián Carlos
Published: June 2023

Advances in digital platforms allow influencers to use live shows to showcase products, which has given rise to live-stream shopping. Moreover, new communication forms have emerged, such as the metaverse. The social interactions that occur in these immersive environments foster influencer-follower interactions. This research compares the impact of live-stream shopping on followers’ experiences and behaviors on two communication channels (live shows on Instagram and in the metaverse) and analyses the moderating role of content involvement in telepresence. Data were collected in a between-subjects quasi-field experiment. Two scenarios that differed in degree of telepresence were created, a live show on Instagram and a live show in the metaverse. The results showed that telepresence is an important part of the user experience and in the success of live shows. Telepresence was seen to have a major influence on experiential value, but not on instrumental value. Both values provided followers with satisfaction with the experience. This satisfaction generated stickiness intention and intention to recommend the influencers’ live shows. The effect of telepresence on experiential value was greater for followers less involved with the influencer’s content. This research is pioneering in comparing an established platform, Instagram, with the metaverse. Despite the greater experiential value provided by the metaverse, to increase its instrumental value metaverse spaces needs to be further developed.
Experiencing Data on Location: A Case Study of Visualizing Air Quality for Citizens
Authors: Huber Christoph , Nagel Till , Stuckenschmidt Heiner
Published: June 2023

Visualizing urban data has different purposes. Besides more traditional goals such as supporting experts to decide on smart city policies, supporting citizens to understand aspects of the city relevant to one’s everyday life needs different visualization approaches. In contrast to urban dashboards, which typically show various data sources in a more or less unified way, visualizations tailored for one specific task may be more appropriate for citizens. This paper introduces data experience points where people can experience data on location on their own device, and explore and understand urban phenomena through visualizations. Based on an expert workshop, we propose a set of design goals for these data experience points, and demonstrate the concept through a case study of visualizing air quality data. We designed and implemented multiple prototypes in this case study, and gathered feedback at a public outreach event.
Freedom and Anxiety: A Psychoanalytic Exploration of the Super-ego in the Postmodern Era
Authors: Jesus Sofia
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study is to explore how the postmodern era may have altered the functioning of the Freudian super-ego. The aim of this paper is to create a discussion about which super-ego features may have disappeared, which may have been modified and which may have remained unaltered. Some of the hypotheses are illustrated through the discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis suggests that postmodernity has modified aspects of the super-ego, promoting emancipation and the reduction of repression, while it generated uncertainty, new anxieties and an unconditional obligation to conform to unrealistic ideals of happiness and freedom.
Changes in tropospheric air quality related to the protection of stratospheric ozone in a changing climate
Authors: Madronich S. , Sulzberger B. , Longstreth J. D. , Schikowski T. , Andersen M. P. Sulbæk , Solomon K. R. , Wilson S. R.
Published: June 2023

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation drives the net production of tropospheric ozone (O3) and a large fraction of particulate matter (PM) including sulfate, nitrate, and secondary organic aerosols. Ground-level O3 and PM are detrimental to human health, leading to several million premature deaths per year globally, and have adverse effects on plants and the yields of crops. The Montreal Protocol has prevented large increases in UV radiation that would have had major impacts on air quality. Future scenarios in which stratospheric O3 returns to 1980 values or even exceeds them (the so-called super-recovery) will tend to ameliorate urban ground-level O3 slightly but worsen it in rural areas. Furthermore, recovery of stratospheric O3 is expected to increase the amount of O3 transported into the troposphere by meteorological processes that are sensitive to climate change. UV radiation also generates hydroxyl radicals (OH) that control the amounts of many environmentally important chemicals in the atmosphere including some greenhouse gases, e.g., methane (CH4), and some short-lived ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). Recent modeling studies have shown that the increases in UV radiation associated with the depletion of stratospheric ozone over 1980–2020 have contributed a small increase (~ 3%) to the globally averaged concentrations of OH. Replacements for ODSs include chemicals that react with OH radicals, hence preventing the transport of these chemicals to the stratosphere. Some of these chemicals, e.g., hydrofluorocarbons that are currently being phased out, and hydrofluoroolefins now used increasingly, decompose into products whose fate in the environment warrants further investigation. One such product, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), has no obvious pathway of degradation and might accumulate in some water bodies, but is unlikely to cause adverse effects out to 2100.

Graphical abstract
Patient Waiting Time at Primary Healthcare Centers in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Almusawi Mona Ahmed , Radwan Nashwa Mohammed , Mahmoud Nagla Eltigani , Haji Alhan Mohammedamin , Alabdulkareem Khaled Ibrahim
Published: June 2023

Background

Patient waiting time can adversely affect health services utilization and continuity of care, impacting patient satisfaction. In Saudi Arabia, there is limited information about the average waiting time at primary healthcare centers. Therefore, this study quantifies patient waiting time for services offered in Ministry of Health primary healthcare centers in Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study utilizing secondary data from the Health Information System at primary healthcare centers in Riyadh was conducted in December 2020. Ten primary healthcare centers were selected. All patients visiting the selected centers during the study period were included, except those who needed emergency care or came for services without seeing the physician. Data regarding patient waiting time in minutes for different stages of primary healthcare services were collected.

Results

The median total waiting time was 23 min. The median waiting time for pre-consultation and consultation were 6.00 and 6.78 min, respectively. The waiting time for pharmacies in rural primary healthcare centers was 22.1 min, while there was no recorded information regarding pharmacy waiting time in urban primary healthcare centers. The total waiting time at urban primary healthcare centers was longer than at rural primary healthcare centers, with a significant difference between both groups (t =  − 15.5, P < 0.001). Patient age, marital status, educational level, occupation, and weekdays were significant factors influencing waiting time (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study reveals positive outcomes regarding the average waiting time in primary healthcare centers in the Riyadh region. Further primary research is recommended.
The Investment Case for E-Government Procurement: A Cost–Benefit Analysis
Authors: Bosio Erica , Hayman Gavin , Dubosse Nancy
Published: June 2023

In almost every country, government is the largest buyer of works, goods, and services from the private sector. Through the laws and practice of public procurement, governments create competition among firms, thus optimizing public expenditure. However, public procurement is often associated with inefficient allocation of resources and corruption. One method to reduce inefficiencies and abuse in public procurement is the use of e-government procurement (e-GP) platforms. Yet nearly 40% of countries—mostly low- and lower-middle income countries—do not have functioning e-GP platforms. Cost–benefit analysis is used to make the investment case for the development and integration of e-procurement systems in low- and lower middle-income countries. The costs of setting up an e- GP system include an initial investment of $9.03 million, on average, for the planning, design, and build phases spread over a 5-year period. Annual operating and maintenance expenses during pilot and deployment phases are estimated at $1.1 million annually. In total, it is estimated that the net present value of costs to design, build, test, deploy, and operate a robust e-GP system is $16.7 million for a typical low- and middle-income country (at an 8% discount rate). While there are many tangible benefits of e-GP, the benefit assessed here is the reduction in the prices of goods, works, and services paid by government buyers. Using the average percentage reduction in procurement prices of 6.75%, the savings from an e-procurement system are valued at $637.9 million and $5.2 billion for low- and lower middle-income countries, respectively. The benefit–cost ratio of implementing an e-GP system in the average low-income country ranges from 8 to 58 and is 142 to 473 for a lower middle-income country. The size of the procurement market, the reduction in procurement prices, the duration of the implementation process, and the penetration rate of e-GP throughout government are principal determinants in the return on investment.
Conditionalities in International Organization Accession Processes: Spreading Business and Human Rights Norms in Central and Eastern Europe?
Authors: Higham Ian
Published: June 2023

Governments sometimes adopt policies that are not aligned with their preferences or have not come onto their agendas when doing so is linked to a reward. International organizations can therefore set conditions for coveted membership that include adopting new human rights and regulatory policies. As international organizations increasingly converge around the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, how might they promote national uptake of these guidelines? This article considers the prospects of accession conditionality in answering this question. The focus of the article is on European Union and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) expansion in Central and Eastern Europe, where uptake of business and human rights policies remains comparatively low. The article argues that while these organizations increasingly include business and human rights conditionalities in accession negotiations, there remains significantly greater scope for promoting the Guiding Principles.