bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning from Flint: How Matter Imposes Itself in the Anthropocene and What That Means for Education
Authors: Milne Catherine , Elliott Colin Hennessy , Devitt Adam , Scantlebury Kathryn
Published: December 2021

In this chapter, we explore one aspect of the Anthropocene, the vital, vibrant connections between life and matter (Whatmore, Cultural Geographies 13(4):600–609, 2006.). Drawing on the effectivity of water as a solution and the “Flint water crisis,” we explore how humans tend not to notice matter unless it brings an effect upon them. Our approach follows Melinda Benson, (Natural Resources Journal 59:251–280, 2019) in seeking to decenter human exceptionalism and explore the chemical and biological actors relationally engaged in a system with humans engendering phenomena that are unpredictable as we demonstrate in a case study of the City of Flint and its access to drinking water for humans. As this case highlights, often matter only becomes noticed when it establishes an ontological disturbance forcing itself on human experience and becoming noticed in the process. Important elements of such “noticing” are tied up with the human-material intra-actions engendering phenomena that is shaped by race and geographic history. Rather than constructing Flint and other examples as emergencies or crises that need to be solved, education should explore the dynamic nature of these events and the intra-actions of all elements. This approach offers one strategy for transforming what K–12 science education looks like for both developing scientists and everyday citizens.
Watchmen, Scientific Imaginaries, and the Capitalocene: The Media and Their Messages for Science Educators
Authors: Gough Noel , Gough Simon
Published: December 2021

This chapter explores the generativity of comics/graphic novels and their filmic adaptations as contributions to the “cultural literacy” of science educators by examining: (i) representations of science in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ graphic novel Watchmen; (ii) the unique capability of sequential art to depict key scientific imaginaries, such as complexity and simultaneity; (iii) the treatment of these imaginaries in Zack Snyder’s (Watchmen. Universal Pictures, 2009) filmic adaptation of Watchmen; and (iv) the shift from the novel’s threats of Cold War nuclear annihilation toward the film’s concern with contemporary fears of a climate crisis. Many science educators treat comics/graphic novels (and much science fiction) with suspicion, tending to focus on their fidelity (or lack thereof) with canonical “textbook science” and the im/plausibility of their narratives. We argue that both versions of Watchmen constitute distinctively generative media resources (with cross-generational relevance) for rethinking science education in the Capitalocene.
Tracing a Black Hole: Probing Cosmic Darkness in Anthropocenic Times
Authors: Beier Jessie
Published: December 2021

In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) project released an unprecedented image of a supermassive black hole at the centre of galaxy Messier 87. The image, which shows a dark disc outlined by swirling hot gas circling the black hole’s event horizon, exhibits a 55 million-year-old cosmic event in the Virgo galaxy cluster—a void of stellar mass measuring some 6.5 billion times that of our sun. Situated within today’s (Good) Anthropocene scenario, characterized as it is by both the rise of an inhospitable planet but also a range of good vibes and affirmative mantras, this tracing explores this newly “discovered” black hole in terms of the unthinkable questions and speculative trajectories it raises for education and its futures. Through a series of forays into astrophysics, historical examples of cosmic imaging, and further exploration of the image created by EHT, this tracing outlines the black hole and its apparent horizons in order to propose a strange vantage point from which pedagogical problem-posing might be interrupted, mutated, and relaunched. By turning to that which lies outside of the traditional science classroom—beyond the school, beyond curriculum, indeed, beyond the planet itself—this tracing seeks to probe this black hole event in terms of its weird and weirding pedagogical trajectories so as to speculate on unthought possibilities for resituating (science) education in the age of the Anthropocene.
Technology Innovations in Green Transport
Authors: Bikam Peter Bitta
Published: December 2021

The paper uses the case study of Limpopo province to discuss technology innovations in green transport in South Africa with respect to the reduction of global greenhouse emission through technology innovation. South Africa’s emission from fuel combustion is the world’s 15th largest in forms of CO emission because it contributes about 1.2% of global emissions. In a submission from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on the impact of greenhouse emissions stated that companies are required to be innovative to reduce the carbon emission levels in South Africa. Literature on road transport in South Africa shows that road transport is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 19% of global energy consumption. The policy to promote an integrated public transport in municipalities is in line with the National Development Plan and the White Paper on National Climate Change Response. This requires innovative technology that promotes carbon trading markets such as taxi recapitalisation programmes and carbon tax on new vehicles. The study analysed the factors influencing green technology innovations in South Africa with specific reference to Limpopo province green transportation study. The methodology used to unpack innovative technology in South Africa discusses green technology in Limpopo province in the context of greenhouse gases emission reduction innovative technologies in the transport sector with respect to sustainable fuels, energy efficient systems and smart information as well as hybrid technologies. The study advances arguments on technologies for engine and propulsion systems, alternative energy sources, navigation technologies, cargo handling systems, heating and cooling vehicles, road and rail vehicles and maritime transportation with respect to innovations as well as battery charging systems, engine oil disposal etc. The findings shows that no single trajectory of technology innovation in green transport will suffice but technological innovations that improve fuel economy and transition from fossil fuels to cleaner fuel alternatives. The study in Limpopo province showed that green transport innovations must not obscure the role of non-technological innovations in reducing emissions, but the two should be tackled with green transport value chain as a whole.
Markov Perfect Equilibria in Multi-Mode Differential Games with Endogenous Timing of Mode Transitions
Authors: Dawid Herbert , Gezer Serhat
Published: December 2021

We study Markov perfect equilibria (MPE) of two-player multi-mode differential games with controlled state dynamics, where one player controls the transition between modes. Different types of MPE are characterized distinguishing between delay equilibria, inducing for some initial conditions mode switches after a positive finite delay, and now or never equilibria, under which, depending on the initial condition, a mode switch occurs immediately or never. These results are applied to analyze the MPE of a game capturing the dynamic interaction between two incumbent firms among which one has to decide when to extend its product range by introducing a new product. The market appeal of the new product can be influenced over time by both firms through costly investments. Under a wide range of market introduction costs a now or never equilibrium coexists with a continuum of delay equilibria, each of them inducing a different time of product introduction.
Numerical investigations of vortex formation on a generic multiple-swept-wing configuration
Authors: Sedlacek D. , Biechele S. , Breitsamter C.
Published: December 2021

For an improvement of the flight stability characteristics of high-agility aircraft, the comprehension of the vortex development, behavior and break down is important. Therefore, numerical investigations on low aspect ratio, multiple-swept-wing configurations are performed in this study to analyze the influence of the numerical method on the vortex formation. The discussed configurations are based on a triple- and double-delta wing planform. Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) simulations and delayed detached eddy simulations (DDES) are performed for both configurations. The simulations are executed at Re $$= 3.0\times 10^6$$

=
3.0
×

10
6

, symmetric freestream conditions, and an angle of attack of $$\alpha = 16^\circ$$

α
=

16
∘

, for consistency with reference wind tunnel data. For the triple-delta-wing configuration, the results of the DDES show a satisfying accordance to the experiments compared to URANS, especially for the flow field and the pitching moment coefficient. For the double-delta-wing configuration, the URANS simulation provides reliable results with low deviation of the aerodynamic coefficients and high precision for the flow field development with respect to the experimental data.
Hyphenation of aqueous two-phase and microwave extraction of solasonine and solamargine from leaves of Solanum mauritianum characterized by UHPLC-qTOF-MS
Authors: Mokgehle Tebogo Mphatlalala , Madala Ntakadzeni Edwin , Gitari Wilson Mugera , Tavengwa Nikita Tawanda
Published: December 2021

The biomass Solanum mauritianum (S. mauritianum) is an invasive weed specie; however, it is a source of medicinally important metabolites, as reported in literature, such as solasonine and solamargine. The study was directed at the optimization of microwave and aqueous two-phase-based extraction techniques which involved microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), aqueous two-phase extraction followed by microwave-assisted extraction (ATPE + MAE), and the “one-pot” microwave-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction (MA-ATPE) for extraction of solasonine and solamargine from leaves of S. mauritianum which was evaluated. The microwave-assisted extraction of solasonine and solamargine yielded optimums at 5.00 min, microwave power of 270 W, and solid/liquid of 0.1 g L−1 at an ethanol concentration of 60%. Application of a two-stage extraction (MAE + ATPE) in CaO-dried alcohol resulted in decreased amounts of solasonine and solamargine extracted. The best yields of solasonine and solamargine were achieved in the MA-ATPE method. Extraction of solamargine and solasonine using Na2CO3 in CaO-dried ethanol during MA-ATPE was approximately threefold and twofold greater than that of MAE + ATPE, respectively. Furthermore, extraction of solamargine and solasonine using NaCl in CaO-dried ethanol during MA-ATPE was approximately twofold greater than that of MAE + ATPE. The synergy of microwaves and salting-out in the “one-pot” MA-ATPE technique was shown to be a contributing factor for enhanced extraction of solamargine and solasonine from leaves of S. mauritianum. Application of this time- and energy-efficient extraction method could potentially be expanded for enrichment of medicinally important compounds from biomass of other medicinal plants.
Zwischen neuer Solidarität und Entsolidarisierung – Der Sozialstaat angesichts des digitalen Wandels
Authors: Ellerich-Groppe Niklas
Published: December 2021

Der Solidaritätsbegriff gilt für den deutschen Sozialstaat als essentieller, aber inhaltlich umstrittener normativer Bezugspunkt, der durch Prozesse der Digitalisierung auf den Prüfstand gestellt wird. Der vorliegende Beitrag geht der Frage nach, wie der digitale Wandel sich auf Solidarität als Strukturmerkmal und Praxis im deutschen Sozialstaat auswirkt und wie er so gestaltet werden kann, dass Solidarität dennoch im Sozialstaat in der digitalen Konstellation zur Geltung gebracht werden kann.

So wird mit einem Fokus auf die Sozialversicherungen zunächst aufgezeigt, wie Solidarität als Strukturmerkmal und als konkrete Praxis im Sozialstaat Bedeutung erlangt. Sodann wird eine machttheoretische Perspektive eingeführt, auf deren Grundlage sich vier Minimalbedingungen für Solidarität formulieren lassen. Diese müssen erfüllt sein, damit legitimerweise von Solidarität in sozialstaatlichen Strukturen gesprochen werden kann. Sie dienen im Folgenden als kritische Heuristik um aufzuzeigen, wie sich die Solidarität im Sozialstaat angesichts des digitalen Wandels darstellt. Hier werden das Self-Tracking und die Gig Economy als Beispiele genutzt, um paradigmatisch die Veränderungen im Gesundheitswesen und in der Arbeitswelt aufzuzeigen. Dabei werden sowohl Risiken einer Entsolidarisierung wie auch Potenziale für neue Solidaritäten deutlich. In einem letzten Schritt wird skizziert, wie der digitale Wandel gestaltet werden kann, um Solidarität als Strukturmerkmal und als Praxis im Sozialstaat in der digitalen Konstellation zu erhalten.
Description of antibiotic use variability among US nursing homes using electronic health record data
Authors: Kabbani Sarah , Wang Stanley W. , Ditz Laura L. , Gouin Katryna A. , Palms Danielle , Rowe Theresa A. , Hyun David Y. , Chi Nancy W. , Stone Nimalie D. , Hicks Lauri A.
Published: December 2021

Background:

Antibiotics are frequently prescribed in nursing homes; national data describing facility-level antibiotic use are lacking. The objective of this analysis was to describe variability in antibiotic use in nursing homes across the United States using electronic health record orders.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study of antibiotic orders for 309,884 residents in 1,664 US nursing homes in 2016 were included in the analysis. Antibiotic use rates were calculated as antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) per 1,000 resident days and were compared by type of stay (short stay ≤100 days vs long stay >100 days). Prescribing indications and the duration of nursing home-initiated antibiotic orders were described. Facility-level correlations of antibiotic use, adjusting for resident health and facility characteristics, were assessed using multivariate linear regression models.

Results:

In 2016, 54% of residents received at least 1 systemic antibiotic. The overall rate of antibiotic use was 88 DOT per 1,000 resident days. The 3 most common antibiotic classes prescribed were fluoroquinolones (18%), cephalosporins (18%), and urinary anti-infectives (9%). Antibiotics were most frequently prescribed for urinary tract infections, and the median duration of an antibiotic course was 7 days (interquartile range, 5–10). Higher facility antibiotic use rates correlated positively with higher proportions of short-stay residents, for-profit ownership, residents with low cognitive performance, and having at least 1 resident on a ventilator. Available facility-level characteristics only predicted a small proportion of variability observed (Model R2 version 0.24 software).

Conclusions:

Using electronic health record orders, variability was found among US nursing-home antibiotic prescribing practices, highlighting potential opportunities for targeted improvement of prescribing practices.
Constitutional Democracy and Electoral Commissions: A Reflection from Asia
Authors: Dixon Rosalind , Tushnet Mark
Published: December 2021

This symposium explores the role of “fourth branch” institutions, and specifically the role of independent electoral commissions (IECs) in protecting and promoting constitutional democracy. It does so by focusing on the global South, and Asia in particular. It aims to go beyond the “usual suspects” in comparative constitutional law, and put the constitutional experiences of countries such as Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka at the centre of a decolonized constitutional project and understanding, supplementing them with an examination of more-often-studied systems such as Australia and India.
Kármán–Howarth solutions of homogeneous isotropic turbulence
Authors: Djenidi L. , Antonia R.A.
Published: December 2021

The Kármán–Howarth equation (KHEq) is solved using a closure model to obtain solutions of the second-order moment of the velocity increment,

$S_2$

, in homogeneous isotropic turbulence (HIT). The results are in good agreement with experimental data for decaying turbulence and are also consistent with calculations based on the three-dimensional energy spectrum for decaying HIT. They differ, however, from those for forced HIT, the difference occurring mainly at large scales. This difference is attributed to the fact that the forcing generates large-scale motions which are not compatible with the KHEq. As the Reynolds number increases, the impact of forcing on the small scales decreases, thus allowing the KHEq and spectrally based solutions to agree well in the range of scales unaffected by forcing. Finally, the results show that the two-thirds law is compatible with the KHEq solutions as the Reynolds number increases to very large, if not infinite, values.
“We Go on Our Own Boats!”: Korean Migrants and the Politics of Transportation Infrastructure in the Japanese Empire
Authors: Kramer Derek
Published: December 2021

This paper examines transportation infrastructure in the Japanese empire and its role in positioning Korean migrants in the labor markets of the metropole. To do so, it focuses on the Pusan–Shimonoseki ferry which, between 1905 and 1945, transferred over 30 million people between Japan and Korea. During this time, the ships that comprised this ferry line helped articulate new borders between the metropole and its annexed colony. In this capacity, the vessels helped constitute and control the flow of a new class of colonial migrants as they entered the labor markets of Japan. Historically, transportation networks have been looked on as modes of conveyance or as symbols of political amalgamation. Colonial era descriptions of the Pusan-Shimonoseki ferry commonly maintained this view. However, rather than stress the spatial integration brought by the line, this paper highlights its function as a source of delineation. The ferries connecting Japan to its closest colony not only served as a conduit for Korean workers, but also introduced forms of constraint and contingency that shaped their ability to sell their labor in Japan. Transportation thus became an issue of political contestation and resistance. Korean workers and union activists employed an array of tactics to undermine the borders imposed through the regulation of transportation. Doing so was part of an attempt to assert greater control over the migrant's position in regional markets and mitigate the unevenness of the colonial system.
DOUBLE-NUMBER MARKING MATTERS FOR BOTH L1 AND L2 PROCESSING OF NONLOCAL AGREEMENT SIMILARLY
Authors: Cheng Yesi , Cunnings Ian , Miller David , Rothman Jason
Published: December 2021

The present study uses event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine nonlocal agreement processing between native (L1) English speakers and Chinese–English second language (L2) learners, whose L1 lacks number agreement. We manipulated number marking with determiners (the vs. that/these) to see how determiner-specification influences both native and nonnative processing downstream for verbal number agreement. Behavioral and ERP results suggest both groups detected nonlocal agreement violations, indexed by a P600 effect. Moreover, the manipulation of determiner-number specification revealed a facilitation effect across the board in both grammaticality judgment and ERP responses for both groups: increased judgment accuracy and a larger P600 effect amplitude for sentences containing violations with demonstratives rather than bare determiners. Contrary to some claims regarding the potential for nonnative processing, the present data suggest that L1 and L2 speakers show similar ERP responses when processing agreement, even when the L1 lacks the relevant distinction.
When Saturday comes: football, public disorder and Liverpool's urban crisis, c. 1965–1985
Authors: Warner Daniel
Published: December 2021

This article uses oral histories, media representations and local archives to examine how football-related disorder in Liverpool impacted the lived experiences of local communities and informed perceptions, reactions and solutions to the city's unfolding urban crisis. It traces how the aggressive architectural transformation of the city's stadiums wrought significant and unintended consequences upon supporters and inner-city communities alike. By conceptualizing the stadium as a succinct example through which to view the anxieties that surrounded problematic urban spaces, it examines the relationship between the governance, materiality and use of the inner city during the urban crisis.
Less is not more: 401(k) plan information and retirement planning choices
Authors: Cardella Eric , Kalenkoski Charlene M. , Parent Michael
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the results of a choice experiment that is designed to examine whether changing how plan information is presented affects planned retirement-savings behavior. The main hypothesis is that providing plan information in a more concise format with helpful recommendations, rather than providing lengthy and detailed information, will alter retirement-planning choices. The specific choices examined include: whether to enroll, how much to contribute, and how to structure (broadly) the asset allocation. The choice experiment is conducted on three different samples: (i) a Qualtrics panel of new employees, (ii) a Qualtrics panel of job seekers, and (iii) a sample of business-school students. Our results suggest that, controlling for demographic and other factors, our main hypothesis was not supported by the data in any of the samples. Thus, the data cast some doubt on the notion that simplifying and condensing the retirement-plan information presented to employees will result in vastly different retirement-planning choices.
WISDOM IN INVERTED COMMAS: GREEK COMEDY AND THE QUOTABLE MAXIM
Authors: Wright Matthew
Published: December 2021

Greek comedy is full of quotable maxims. According to a literal reading, the comedians might be seen as custodians of traditional gnomic wisdom, along with their tragic counterparts. Nevertheless, it is argued here that maxims in comedy are different from maxims in other contexts. Comic maxims typically appear ‘within inverted commas’, not just in a literal sense (because of their inherent ‘quotationality’) but in a figurative sense (because of their pervasive irony and self-consciousness). Examples from Menander, Antiphanes, Diphilus and others are used to demonstrate that the comedians can be seen as playing around with the content and form of traditional wisdom. Sometimes they seem to be poking fun at the maxim as a medium of expression, or at tragic maxims, or at the habit of quotation itself.
Ibrutinib as a potential therapeutic for cocaine use disorder
Authors: Huggett Spencer B. , Hatfield Jeffrey S. , Walters Joshua D. , McGeary John E. , Welsh Justine W. , Mackay Trudy F. C. , Anholt Robert R. H. , Palmer Rohan H. C.
Published: December 2021

Cocaine use presents a worldwide public health problem with high socioeconomic cost. No current pharmacologic treatments are available for cocaine use disorder (CUD) or cocaine toxicity. To explore pharmaceutical treatments for tthis disorder and its sequelae we analyzed gene expression data from post-mortem brain tissue of individuals with CUD who died from cocaine-related causes with matched cocaine-free controls (n = 71, Mage = 39.9, 100% male, 49% with CUD, 3 samples/brain regions). To match molecular signatures from brain pathology with potential therapeutics, we leveraged the L1000 database honing in on neuronal mRNA profiles of 825 repurposable compounds (e.g., FDA approved). We identified 16 compounds that were negatively associated with CUD gene expression patterns across all brain regions (padj < 0.05), all of which outperformed current targets undergoing clinical trials for CUD (all padj > 0.05). An additional 43 compounds were positively associated with CUD expression. We performed an in silico follow-up potential therapeutics using independent transcriptome-wide in vitro (neuronal cocaine exposure; n = 18) and in vivo (mouse cocaine self-administration; n = 12–15) datasets to prioritize candidates for experimental validation. Among these medications, ibrutinib was consistently linked with the molecular profiles of both neuronal cocaine exposure and mouse cocaine self-administration. We assessed the therapeutic efficacy of ibrutinib using the Drosophila melanogaster model. Ibrutinib reduced cocaine-induced startle response and cocaine-induced seizures (n = 61–142 per group; sex: 51% female), despite increasing cocaine consumption. Our results suggest that ibrutinib could be used for the treatment of cocaine use disorder.
Neurocognition and social cognition in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders with and without a history of violence: results of a multinational European study
Authors: Iozzino Laura , Harvey Philip D. , Canessa Nicola , Gosek Pawel , Heitzman Janusz , Macis Ambra , Picchioni Marco , Salize Hans Joachim , Wancata Johannes , Koch Marlene , Ferrari Clarissa , de Girolamo Giovanni
Published: December 2021

Objective

Neurocognitive impairment has been extensively studied in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and seems to be one of the major determinants of functional outcome in this clinical population. Data exploring the link between neuropsychological deficits and the risk of violence in schizophrenia has been more inconsistent. In this study, we analyse the differential predictive potential of neurocognition and social cognition to discriminate patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders with and without a history of severe violence.

Methods

Overall, 398 (221 cases and 177 controls) patients were recruited in forensic and general psychiatric settings across five European countries and assessed using a standardized battery.

Results

Education and processing speed were the strongest discriminators between forensic and non-forensic patients, followed by emotion recognition. In particular, increased accuracy for anger recognition was the most distinctive feature of the forensic group.

Conclusions

These results may have important clinical implications, suggesting potential enhancements of the assessment and treatment of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders with a history of violence, who may benefit from consideration of socio-cognitive skills commonly neglected in ordinary clinical practice.
Minimalist module analysis for fault detection and localization
Authors: Lou Zhijiang , Wang Youqing , Lu Shan , Sun Pei
Published: December 2021

Traditional multivariate statistical-based process monitoring (MSPM) methods are effective data-driven approaches for monitoring large-scale industrial processes, but have a shortcoming in handling the redundant correlations between process variables. To address this shortcoming, this study proposes a new MSPM method called minimalist module analysis (MMA). MMA divides process data into several different minimalist modules and one more independent module. All variables in the minimalist module are strongly correlated, and no redundant variables exist; therefore, the extracted feature components in one minimalist module will not be disturbed by noise from the other modules. This study also proposes new monitoring indices and a fault localization strategy for MMA, and simulation tests demonstrate that MMA achieves superior performance in fault detection and localization.
The evolution of moral rules in a model of indirect reciprocity with private assessment
Authors: Perret Cedric , Krellner Marcus , Han The Anh
Published: December 2021

Moral rules allow humans to cooperate by indirect reciprocity. Yet, it is not clear which moral rules best implement indirect reciprocity and are favoured by natural selection. Previous studies either considered only public assessment, where individuals are deemed good or bad by all others, or compared a subset of possible strategies. Here we fill this gap by identifying which rules are evolutionary stable strategies (ESS) among all possible moral rules while considering private assessment. We develop an analytical model describing the frequency of long-term cooperation, determining when a strategy can be invaded by another. We show that there are numerous ESSs in absence of errors, which however cease to exist when errors are present. We identify the underlying properties of cooperative ESSs. Overall, this paper provides a first exhaustive evolutionary invasion analysis of moral rules considering private assessment. Moreover, this model is extendable to incorporate higher-order rules and other processes.
The improved thermal efficiency of Prandtl–Eyring hybrid nanofluid via classical Keller box technique
Authors: Jamshed Wasim , Baleanu Dumitru , Nasir Nor Ain Azeany Moh , Shahzad Faisal , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Shoaib Muhammad , Ahmad Sohail , Ismail Khadiga Ahmed
Published: December 2021

Prandtl–Eyring hybrid nanofluid (P-EHNF) heat transfer and entropy generation were studied in this article. A slippery heated surface is used to test the flow and thermal transport properties of P-EHNF nanofluid. This investigation will also examine the effects of nano solid tubes morphologies, porosity materials, Cattaneo–Christov heat flow, and radiative flux. Predominant flow equations are written as partial differential equations (PDE). To find the solution, the PDEs were transformed into ordinary differential equations (ODEs), then the Keller box numerical approach was used to solve the ODEs. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) using Engine Oil (EO) as a base fluid are studied in this work. The flow, temperature, drag force, Nusselt amount, and entropy measurement visually show significant findings for various variables. Notably, the comparison of P-EHNF's (MWCNT-SWCNT/EO) heat transfer rate with conventional nanofluid (SWCNT-EO) results in ever more significant upsurges. Spherical-shaped nano solid particles have the highest heat transport, whereas lamina-shaped nano solid particles exhibit the lowest heat transport. The model's entropy increases as the size of the nanoparticles get larger. A similar effect is seen when the radiative flow and the Prandtl–Eyring variable-II are improved.
Quantitative proteomic screen identifies annexin A2 as a host target for Salmonella pathogenicity island-2 effectors SopD2 and PipB2
Authors: Knuff-Janzen Katelyn , Serapio-Palacios Antonio , McCoy James , Krekhno Zakhar , Moon Kyung-Mee , Deng Wanyin , Foster Leonard J. , Finlay B. Brett
Published: December 2021

Intracellular pathogens need to establish an intracellular replicative niche to promote survival and replication within the hostile environment inside the host cell. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) initiates formation of the unique Salmonella-containing vacuole and an extensive network of Salmonella-induced tubules in order to survive and thrive within host cells. At least six effectors secreted by the type III secretion system encoded within Salmonella pathogenicity island-2 (SPI-2), namely SifA, SopD2, PipB2, SteA, SseJ, and SseF, purportedly manipulate host cell intracellular trafficking and establish the intracellular replicative niche for S. Typhimurium. The phenotypes of these effectors are both subtle and complex, complicating elucidation of the mechanism underpinning host cell manipulation by S. Typhimurium. In this work we used stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) and a S. Typhimurium mutant that secretes increased amounts of effectors to identify cognate effector binding partners during infection. Using this method, we identified the host protein annexin A2 (AnxA2) as a binding partner for both SopD2 and PipB2 and were able to confirm its binding to SopD2 and PipB2 by reciprocal pull down, although there was a low level of non-specific binding of SopD2-2HA and PipB2-2HA to the Ni-Sepharose beads present. We further showed that knockdown of AnxA2 altered the intracellular positioning of the Salmonella containing vacuole (SCV). This suggests that AnxA2 plays a role in the subcellular positioning of the SCV which could potentially be mediated through protein–protein interactions with either SopD2 or PipB2. This demonstrates the value of studying effector interactions using proteomic techniques and natural effector delivery during infection rather than transfection.
Nuclear Transport Factor 2 (NTF2) suppresses WM983B metastatic melanoma by modifying cell migration, metastasis, and gene expression
Authors: Vuković Lidija D. , Chen Pan , Mishra Sampada , White Karen H. , Gigley Jason P. , Levy Daniel L.
Published: December 2021

While changes in nuclear structure and organization are frequently observed in cancer cells, relatively little is known about how nuclear architecture impacts cancer progression and pathology. To begin to address this question, we studied Nuclear Transport Factor 2 (NTF2) because its levels decrease during melanoma progression. We show that increasing NTF2 expression in WM983B metastatic melanoma cells reduces cell proliferation and motility while increasing apoptosis. We also demonstrate that increasing NTF2 expression in these cells significantly inhibits metastasis and prolongs survival of mice. NTF2 levels affect the expression and nuclear positioning of a number of genes associated with cell proliferation and migration, and increasing NTF2 expression leads to changes in nuclear size, nuclear lamin A levels, and chromatin organization. Thus, ectopic expression of NTF2 in WM983B metastatic melanoma abrogates phenotypes associated with advanced stage cancer both in vitro and in vivo, concomitantly altering nuclear and chromatin structure and generating a gene expression profile with characteristics of primary melanoma. We propose that NTF2 is a melanoma tumor suppressor and could be a novel therapeutic target to improve health outcomes of melanoma patients.
Isoliquiritigenin, a potent human monoamine oxidase inhibitor, modulates dopamine D1, D3, and vasopressin V1A receptors
Authors: Prajapati Ritu , Seong Su Hui , Park Se Eun , Paudel Pradeep , Jung Hyun Ah , Choi Jae Sue
Published: December 2021

Isoliquiritigenin (= 4,2′,4′-Trihydroxychalcone) (ILG) is a major constituent of the Glycyrrhizae Rhizoma that has significant neuroprotective functions. In the present study, we re-examined the potential of ILG to inhibit human monoamine oxidase (hMAO) in vitro and established its mechanism of inhibition through a kinetics study and molecular docking examination. ILG showed competitive inhibition of hMAO-A and mixed inhibition of hMAO-B with IC50 values of 0.68 and 0.33 µM, respectively, which varied slightly from the reported IC50 values. Since ILG has been reported to reduce dopaminergic neurodegeneration and psychostimulant-induced toxicity (both of which are related to dopamine and vasopressin receptors), we investigated the binding affinity and modulatory functions of ILG on dopamine and vasopressin receptors. ILG was explored as an antagonist of the D1 receptor and an agonist of the D3 and V1A receptors with good potency. An in silico docking investigation revealed that ILG can interact with active site residues at target receptors with low binding energies. These activities of ILG on hMAO and brain receptors suggest the potential role of the compound to ameliorate dopaminergic deficits, depression, anxiety, and associated symptoms in Parkinson’s disease and other neuronal disorders.
Modulation of TCR signalling components occurs prior to positive selection and lineage commitment in iNKT cells
Authors: Dinh Xuyen T. , Stanley Dragana , Smith Letitia D. , Moreau Morgane , Berzins Stuart P. , Gemiarto Adrian , Baxter Alan G. , Jordan Margaret A.
Published: December 2021

iNKT cells play a critical role in controlling the strength and character of adaptive and innate immune responses. Their unique functional characteristics are induced by a transcriptional program initiated by positive selection mediated by CD1d expressed by CD4+CD8+ (double positive, DP) thymocytes. Here, using a novel Vα14 TCR transgenic strain bearing greatly expanded numbers of CD24hiCD44loNKT cells, we examined transcriptional events in four immature thymic iNKT cell subsets. A transcriptional regulatory network approach identified transcriptional changes in proximal components of the TCR signalling cascade in DP NKT cells. Subsequently, positive and negative selection, and lineage commitment, occurred at the transition from DP NKT to CD4 NKT. Thus, this study introduces previously unrecognised steps in early NKT cell development, and separates the events associated with modulation of the T cell signalling cascade prior to changes associated with positive selection and lineage commitment.
Flow cytometry analysis of immune and glial cells in a trigeminal neuralgia rat model
Authors: Lin Junjin , Zhou Luxi , Luo Zhaoke , Adam Madeha Ishag , Zhao Li , Wang Feng , Luo Daoshu
Published: December 2021

Microvascular compression of the trigeminal root entry zone (TREZ) is the main cause of most primary trigeminal neuralgia (TN), change of glial plasticity was previously studied in the TREZ of TN rat model induced by chronic compression. To better understand the role of astrocytes and immune cells in the TREZ, different cell markers including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), complement C3, S100A10, CD45, CD11b, glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST), Iba-1 and TMEM119 were used in the TN rat model by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. On the post operation day 28, GFAP/C3-positive A1 astrocytes and GFAP/S100A10-positive A2 astrocytes were activated in the TREZ after compression injury, there were no statistical differences in the ratios of A1/A2 astrocytes between the sham and TN groups. There was no significant difference in Iba-1-positive cells between the two groups. The ratios of infiltrating lymphocytes (CD45+CD11b−) (p = 0.0075) and infiltrating macrophages (CD45highCD11b+) (p = 0.0388) were significantly higher than those of the sham group. In conclusion, different subtypes A1/A2 astrocytes in the TREZ were activated after compression injury, infiltrating macrophages and lymphocytes increased, these neuroimmune cells in the TREZ may participate in the pathogenesis of TN rat model.
Flow cytometric analysis reveals culture condition dependent variations in phenotypic heterogeneity of Limosilactobacillus reuteri
Authors: Rao Nikhil Seshagiri , Lundberg Ludwig , Palmkron Shuai , Håkansson Sebastian , Bergenståhl Björn , Carlquist Magnus
Published: December 2021

Optimisation of cultivation conditions in the industrial production of probiotics is crucial to reach a high-quality product with retained probiotic functionality. Flow cytometry-based descriptors of bacterial morphology may be used as markers to estimate physiological fitness during cultivation, and can be applied for online monitoring to avoid suboptimal growth. In the current study, the effects of temperature, initial pH and oxygen levels on cell growth and cell size distributions of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 were measured using multivariate flow cytometry. A pleomorphic behaviour was evident from the measurements of light scatter and pulse width distributions. A pattern of high growth yielding smaller cells and less heterogeneous populations could be observed. Analysis of pulse width distributions revealed significant morphological heterogeneities within the bacterial cell population under non-optimal growth conditions, and pointed towards low temperature, high initial pH, and high oxygen levels all being triggers for changes in morphology towards cell chain formation. However, cell size did not correlate to survivability after freeze-thaw or freeze-drying stress, indicating that it is not a key determinant for physical stress tolerance. The fact that L. reuteri morphology varies depending on cultivation conditions suggests that it can be used as marker for estimating physiological fitness and responses to its environment.
Plasma-derived candidate biomarkers for detection of gallbladder carcinoma
Authors: Priya Ratna , Jain Vaishali , Akhtar Javed , Chauhan Geeta , Sakhuja Puja , Goyal Surbhi , Agarwal Anil Kumar , Javed Amit , Jain Ankit P. , Polisetty Ravindra Varma , Sirdeshmukh Ravi , Kar Sudeshna , Gautam Poonam
Published: December 2021

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a major cancer of the gastrointestinal tract with poor prognosis. Reliable and affordable biomarker-based assays with high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of this cancer are a clinical need. With the aim of studying the potential of the plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), we carried out quantitative proteomic analysis of the EV proteins, using three types of controls and various stages of the disease, which led to the identification of 86 proteins with altered abundance. These include 29 proteins unique to early stage, 44 unique to the advanced stage and 13 proteins being common to both the stages. Many proteins are functionally relevant to the tumor condition or have been also known to be differentially expressed in GBC tissues. Several of them are also present in the plasma in free state. Clinical verification of three tumor-associated proteins with elevated levels in comparison to all the three control types—5′-nucleotidase isoform 2 (NT5E), aminopeptidase N (ANPEP) and neprilysin (MME) was carried out using individual plasma samples from early or advanced stage GBC. Sensitivity and specificity assessment based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated a significant association of NT5E and ANPEP with advanced stage GBC and MME with early stage GBC. These and other proteins identified in the study may be potentially useful for developing new diagnostics for GBC.
Determination of murine norovirus aerosol concentration during toilet flushing
Authors: Boles Corey , Brown Grant , Nonnenmann Matthew
Published: December 2021

Murine norovirus (MNV) was used as a surrogate for human viral pathogens (e.g.,norovirus) to determine if toilet flushing resulted in the aerosolization of virus. A flushometer type toilet was seeded with a viral solution of 105and 106PFU mL-1of MNV and then flushed. Upon flushing, two bioaerosol samplers were activated to collect aerosolized MNV. Prior to the experiment, two optical particle counters monitored particle size and number distribution of aerosol produced from flushing a toilet across height, position, and side. The location with the highest mean particle concentration, was behind the toilet and 0.15 m above the toilet bowl rim, which is where bioaerosol sampling occurred. Bioaerosol and toilet water samples were collected, extracted and then quantified using RT-ddPCR. The concentration of MNV collected after seeding the toilet water ranged from 2.18 × 105to 9.65 × 106total copies of MNV. Positive samples of airborne MNV were detected with collected concentrations ranging from 383 to 684 RNA copies/m3of air. This study provides evidence that viral pathogens may be aerosolized when a toilet is flushed. Furthermore, the MNV used in this study is a model organism for human norovirus and may be generalizable to other viral pathogens (e.g., coronavirus). This study suggests that virus is aerosolized from toilet flushing and may contribute to human exposure to viral pathogens.
Association of circulating leptin, adiponectin, and resistin concentrations with long-term breast cancer prognosis in a German patient cohort
Authors: Obi Nadia , Jung Audrey Y. , Maurer Tabea , Huebner Marianne , Johnson Theron , Behrens Sabine , Jaskulski Stefanie , Becher Heiko , Chang-Claude Jenny
Published: December 2021

Adipokines including leptin, adiponectin and resistin have been linked to risk of obesity-related cancers potentially through low-grade chronic inflammation pathways. We aimed to assess the role of post-diagnosis circulating adipokines on long-term prognosis in a prospective breast cancer cohort. Adipokines were measured in blood collected at baseline shortly after diagnosis (2002–2005) and at follow-up (2009) from 3112 breast cancer patients enrolled in the population-based MARIE study. Half of the patients had measurements at both time-points. All-cause mortality, breast cancer specific mortality and recurrences were ascertained up to June 2015 (11 years median follow-up). Associations with time-varying adipokine concentrations overall and stratified by estrogen and progesterone receptor (ERPR) were evaluated using adjusted proportional hazard regression. At baseline (n = 2700) and follow-up (n = 2027), median concentrations for leptin, adiponectin and resistin were 4.6 and 2.7 ng/ml, 24.4 and 30.0 mg/l, 15.4 and 26.2 ng/ml, respectively. After adjustment, there was no evidence for associations between adipokines and any outcome overall. In ERPR negative tumors, highest vs. lowest quintile of adiponectin was significantly associated with increased breast cancer specific mortality (HR 2.51, 95%CI 1.07–5.92). Overall, post-diagnosis adipokines were not associated with long-term outcomes after breast cancer. In patients with ERPR negative tumors, higher concentrations of adiponectin may be associated with increased breast cancer specific mortality and warrant further investigation.
A geostatistical approach to estimating source apportionment in urban and peri-urban soils using the Czech Republic as an example
Authors: Agyeman Prince Chapman , JOHN Kingsley , Kebonye Ndiye Michael , Borůvka Luboš , Vašát Radim , Drábek Ondřej
Published: December 2021

Unhealthy soils in peri-urban and urban areas expose individuals to potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which have a significant influence on the health of children and adults. Hundred and fifteen (n = 115) soil samples were collected from the district of Frydek Mistek at a depth of 0–20 cm and measured for PTEs content using Inductively coupled plasma—optical emission spectroscopy. The Pearson correlation matrix of the eleven relevant cross-correlations suggested that the interaction between the metal(loids) ranged from moderate (0.541) correlation to high correlation (0.91). PTEs sources were calculated using parent receptor model positive matrix factorization (PMF) and hybridized geostatistical based receptor model such as ordinary kriging-positive matrix factorization (OK-PMF) and empirical Bayesian kriging-positive matrix factorization (EBK-PMF). Based on the source apportionment, geogenic, vehicular traffic, phosphate fertilizer, steel industry, atmospheric deposits, metal works, and waste disposal are the primary sources that contribute to soil pollution in peri-urban and urban areas. The receptor models employed in the study complemented each other. Comparatively, OK-PMF identified more PTEs in the factor loadings than EBK-PMF and PMF. The receptor models performance via support vector machine regression (SVMR) and multiple linear regression (MLR) using root mean square error (RMSE), R square (R2) and mean square error (MAE) suggested that EBK-PMF was optimal. The hybridized receptor model increased prediction efficiency and reduced error significantly. EBK-PMF is a robust receptor model that can assess environmental risks and controls to mitigate ecological performance.