bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavior and adrenal physiology of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) serving as ambassador animals
Authors: Hartell‐DeNardo Julie , Kozlowski Corinne , Baskir Eli , Macek Michael , Dorsey Candice , Powell David M.
Published: September 2022

Ambassador animals are part of many zoo programs, but studies assessing their impact on these animals are relatively rare. This study validated an excrement glucocorticoid metabolite (GCM) assay for Magellanic penguins and used GCM measures in conjunction with behavioral observations to evaluate individual responses to participation in an ambassador animal program. Excrement samples and behavioral observations were collected daily from each bird during two phases, 1 week during which it participated in a twice‐daily ambassador program and 1 week in which it did not. We found no differences in GCMs between phases or in comparisons between penguins with 5 or 10 years of program experience. GCM also did not show significant individual variation and did not increase over time during the program phase. There were no significant correlations between bird experience and behavior frequencies, nor GCM concentrations and behavior, across birds. We observed significant positive correlations between the penguins' engagement with novel objects during programs and their unguided approach to guests. Our results suggest that there is no adverse physiological effect of program participation on these penguins, that behavioral and physiological responses may be decoupled, and that choice and control can increase desired behaviors behavior during ambassador programs.
Values for a Post-Pandemic Future
Authors: Dennis Matthew J. , Ishmaev Georgy , Umbrello Steven , van den Hoven Jeroen
Published: September 2022

The costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are yet to be calculated, but they include the loss of millions of lives and the destruction of countless livelihoods. What is certain is that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has changed the way we live for the foreseeable future. It has forced many to live in ways they would have previously thought impossible. As well as challenging scientists and medical professionals to address urgent value conflicts in the short term, COVID-19 has raised slower-burning value questions for corporations, public institutions, governments, and policymakers. In simple terms, the pandemic has brought what we care about into sharp relief, both collectively and individually. Whether this revaluation of our values will last beyond the current pandemic is unknown. Once COVID-19 has been tamed, will the desire to return to our previous lives be irresistible? Or will living under pandemic conditions have taught us something that will be incorporated into how we design our future lives and technologies? These are hard questions for the ethics of technology, which this volume aims to explore and address.
Uncertainty, Vaccination, and the Duties of Liberal States
Authors: Huang Pei-Hua
Published: September 2022

It is widely accepted that a liberal state has a general duty to protect its people from undue health risks. However, the unprecedented emergent measures against the COVID-19 pandemic taken by governments worldwide give rise to questions regarding the extent to which this duty may be used to justify suspending a vaccine rollout on marginal safety grounds. In this chapter, I use the case of vaccination to argue that while a liberal state has a general duty to protect its people’s health, there is a limit to the measures this duty can be used to justify. First, I argue that since every available option involves different risks and benefits, the incommensurability of the involved risks and benefits forbids the prioritisation of a particular vaccine. Second, I argue that given epistemic limitations and uncertainty, policies that favour certain vaccines are not only epistemically ill-founded but also morally unacceptable. I conclude that in a highly uncertain situation such as the unfolding pandemic, the duty a liberal state ought to uphold is to properly communicate the knowns and unknowns to the general public and help people decide which option to choose for themselves. I call this duty the duty to facilitate risk-taking.
The Backstory
Authors: Jinnah Zaheera
Published: September 2022

This chapter provides an introduction and overview of the book. It discusses the concept of informal mining in Johannesburg and places this within a historical context of gold mining and labour migration in Southern Africa. The main conceptual framework of informality and exclusion are discussed, and an overview of the research methods presented. Finally, some key contemporary socio-economic indicators that provide context to informal and precariously livelihoods such as informal mining are shared.
Future Direction of Travel (De Lege Ferenda)
Authors: Frischhut Markus
Published: September 2022

Based on the previous chapters, this chapter addresses the need of an additional EU narrative, complementing and not replacing the initial narrative of safeguarding peace. This chapter also argues for an additional value of environmental protection, shifting from an anthropocentric to a more bio-centric approach. The EU has initially focussed on humans, the ECJ has recently added ‘animal welfare’ as an additional value, and following the ‘one health’ approach, this book argues for also adding environmental protection as a new EU value. The book also argues for a more communitarian Union, not replacing rights of individuals, but at the same time strengthening the sense of community. Finally, as various values mainly address the EU and/or the EU Member States, this book also suggests certain virtues (character traits that also need to be practiced), drawing on inspiration from other parts of the world.
Invariant traces of the flat space chiral higher-spin algebra as scattering amplitudes
Authors: Ponomarev Dmitry
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We sum up two- and three-point amplitudes in the chiral higher-spin theory over helicities and find that these quite manifestly have the form of invariant traces of the flat space chiral higher-spin algebra. We consider invariant traces of products of higher numbers of on-shell higher-spin fields and interpret these as higher-point scattering amplitudes. This construction closely mimics its anti-de Sitter space counterpart, which was considered some time ago and was confirmed holographically.
Maximally non-integrable almost complex structures: an h-principle and cohomological properties
Authors: Coelho R. , Placini G. , Stelzig J.
Published: September 2022

We study almost complex structures with lower bounds on the rank of the Nijenhuis tensor. Namely, we show that they satisfy an h-principle. As a consequence, all parallelizable manifolds and all manifolds of dimension $$2n\ge 10$$

2
n
≥
10

(respectively $$\ge 6$$

≥
6

) admit a almost complex structure whose Nijenhuis tensor has maximal rank everywhere (resp. is nowhere trivial). For closed 4-manifolds, the existence of such structures is characterized in terms of topological invariants. Moreover, we show that the Dolbeault cohomology of non-integrable almost complex structures is often infinite dimensional (even on compact manifolds).
Identification of Cavities and Inclusions in Linear Elasticity with a Phase-Field Approach
Authors: Aspri Andrea , Beretta Elena , Cavaterra Cecilia , Rocca Elisabetta , Verani Marco
Published: September 2022

In this paper we deal with the inverse problem of determining cavities and inclusions embedded in a linear elastic isotropic medium from boundary displacement’s measurements. For, we consider a constrained minimization problem involving a boundary quadratic misfit functional with a regularization term that penalizes the perimeter of the cavity or inclusion to be identified. Then using a phase field approach we derive a robust algorithm for the reconstruction of elastic inclusions and of cavities modelled as inclusions with a very small elasticity tensor.
Optimal Control of a Quasilinear Parabolic Equation and its Time Discretization
Authors: Blank Luise , Meisinger Johannes
Published: September 2022

In this paper we discuss the optimal control of a quasilinear parabolic state equation. Its form is leaned on the kind of problems arising for example when controlling the anisotropic Allen–Cahn equation as a model for crystal growth. Motivated by this application we consider the state equation as a result of a gradient flow of an energy functional. The quasilinear term is strongly monotone and obeys a certain growth condition and the lower order term is non-monotone. The state equation is discretized implicitly in time with piecewise constant functions. The existence of the control-to-state operator and its Lipschitz-continuity is shown for the time discretized as well as for the time continuous problem. Latter is based on the convergence proof of the discretized solutions. Finally we present for both the existence of global minimizers. Also convergence of a subsequence of time discrete optimal controls to a global minimizer of the time continuous problem can be shown. Our results hold in arbitrary space dimensions.
Aesthetic Evaluation of Breast Reconstruction with Autologous Fat Transfer vs. Implants
Authors: Wederfoort Jamilla L. M. , Kleeven Alieske , Hommes Juliette E. , Van Kuijk Sander M. J. , van der Hulst René R. W. J. , Piatkowski Andrzej ,   M.D for The Breast trial investigators, Piatkowski Andrzej , Wederfoort Jamilla L. M. , Hommes Juliette E. , Schop Sander J. , Krastev Todor K. , van Kuijk Sander M. J. , van der Hulst René R. W. J. , Derks Daniëlle , Larsen Mikko , Rakhorst Hinne , Schmidbauer Ute , Maerten Smit Jan , Tan Liang T. , Wehrens Kim M. E. , de Wit Thijs
Published: September 2022

Background

Autologous fat transfer (AFT) seems to be a new minimal invasive method for total breast reconstruction, yet how patients, surgeons, and laymen evaluate cosmesis is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the aesthetic outcome of AFT (intervention group) for total breast reconstruction post-mastectomy, as compared to implant-based reconstruction (IBR) (control group).

Methods

A random and blinded 3D photographic aesthetic outcome study was performed on a selection of 50 patients, scored by three panels: plastic surgeons, breast cancer patients, and laymen. Secondary outcomes included agreement within groups and possible patient characteristics influencing scoring.

Results

Breast cancer patients and plastic surgeons did not differ in the aesthetic scores between the treatment groups. In contrast, the laymen group scored AFT patients lower than IBR patients (− 1.04, p < 0.001). Remarkably, mean given scores were low for all groups and overall agreement within groups was poor (ICC < 0.50). Higher scores were given when subjects underwent a bilateral reconstruction and if a mamilla was present.

Conclusion

Evaluation of aesthetic outcomes varies greatly. Hence, aesthetic outcome remains a very personal measure and this emphasizes the importance of thorough patient counseling including information on achievable aesthetic results before starting a reconstructive procedure.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Web-based gene expression analysis—paving the way to decode healthy and diseased ocular tissue
Authors: Wolf Julian , Lapp Thabo , Reinhard Thomas , Agostini Hansjürgen , Schlunck Günther , Lange Clemens
Published: September 2022

Background

Gene expression analysis using RNA sequencing has helped to improve the understanding of many diseases. Databases, such as the Gene Expression Omnibus database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information provide RNA sequencing raw data from various diseased tissue types but their analysis requires advanced bioinformatics skills. Therefore, specific ocular databases provide the transcriptional profiles of different ocular tissues and in addition enable intuitive web-based data analysis.

Objective

The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of ocular transcriptome databases and to compare them with the Human Eye Transcriptome Atlas newly established in Freiburg.

Methods

PubMed literature search.

Results

A total of nine ocular transcriptome databases focusing on different aspects were identified. The iSyTE and Express platforms specialize in gene expression during lens and retinal development in mice, whereas retina.tigem.it, Eye in a Disk, and Spectacle focus on selected ocular tissues such as the retina. Spectacle, UCSC Cell Browser and Single Cell Portal allow intuitive exploration of single cell RNA sequencing data derived from retinal, choroid, cornea, iris, trabecular meshwork and sclera specimens. The microarray profiles of a variety of healthy ocular tissues are included in the Ocular Tissue Database. The Human Eye Transcriptome Atlas provides the largest collection of different ocular tissue types, contains the highest number of ocular diseases and is characterized by a high level of quality achieved by methodological consistency.

Conclusion

Ocular transcriptome databases provide comprehensive and intuitive insights into the transcriptional profiles of a variety of healthy and diseased ocular tissues. Thus, they improve our understanding of the underlying molecular mediators, support hypothesis generation and help in the search for new diagnostic and therapeutic targets for various ocular diseases.
Exosome secretion and cellular response of DU145 and PC3 after exposure to alpha radiation
Authors: Pszczółkowska Beata , Olejarz Wioletta , Filipek Mateusz , Tartas Adrianna , Kubiak-Tomaszewska Grażyna , Żołnierzak Aleksandra , Życieńska Katarzyna , Ginter Józef , Lorenc Tomasz , Brzozowska Beata
Published: September 2022

Exosomes are spherical membrane nanovesicles secreted from cells, and they play an important role in tumor immune response, metastasis, angiogenesis, and survival. Studies investigating exosomes isolated from cells exposed to photon radiation commonly used in conventional radiotherapy demonstrate the influence of this type of radiation on exosome characteristics and secretion. There is currently no research investigating the effects of densely ionizing particles such as protons and alpha radiation on exosomes. Thus we have evaluated the cellular response of human prostate cancer cells exposed to 0, 2, and 6 Gy of alpha radiation emitted from the Am-241 source. Irradiated PC3 and DU145 cell lines, characterized by differences in radiosensitivity, were studied using apoptosis, LDH, and IL-6 assays. Additionally, the corresponding concentration and size of isolated exosomes were measured using NTA. We found that exposure to ionizing radiation resulted in gross changes in viability and cell damage. There were increased amounts of apoptotic or necrotic cells as a function of radiation dose. We demonstrated that irradiated PC3 cells secrete higher quantities of exosomes compared to DU145 cells. Additionally, we also found no statistical difference in exosome size for control and irradiated cells.
A concept of copula robustness and its applications in quantitative risk management
Authors: Zähle Henryk
Published: September 2022

In financial and actuarial applications, marginal risks and their dependence structure are often modelled separately. While it is sometimes reasonable to assume that the marginal distributions are ‘known’, it is usually quite involved to obtain information on the copula (dependence structure). Therefore copula models used in practice are quite often only rough guesses. For many purposes, it is thus relevant to know whether certain characteristics derived from$d$d-variate risks are robust with respect to (at least small) deviations in the copula. In this article, a general concept of copula robustness is introduced and criteria for copula robustness are presented. These criteria are illustrated by means of several examples from quantitative risk management. The concept of aggregation robustness introduced by Embrechts et al. (Finance Stoch. 19:763–790, 2015) can be embedded in our framework of copula robustness.
Rapid, non-contact multifocal visual assessment in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Maddess Ted , van Kleef Joshua P. , Rohan Emilie M. F. , Carle Corinne F. , Baird-Gunning Jonathan , Rai Bhim B. , Bruestle Anne , Lane Jo , Lueck Christian J.
Published: September 2022

Objective

Previous work on temporally sparse multifocal methods suggests that the results are correlated with disability and progression in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Here, we assess the diagnostic power of three cortically mediated sparse multifocal pupillographic objective perimetry (mfPOP) methods that quantified response-delay and light-sensitivity at up to 44 regions of both visual fields concurrently.

Methods

One high-spatial-resolution mfPOP method, P129, and two rapid medium-resolution methods, W12 and W20, were tested on 44 PwMS and controls. W12 and W20 took 82 s to test both visual fields concurrently, providing response delay and sensitivity at each field location, while P129 took 7 min. Diagnostic power was assessed using areas under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves and effect-size (Hedges’ g). Linear models examined significance. Concurrent testing of both eyes permitted assessment of between-eye asymmetries.

Results

Per-region response delays and asymmetries achieved AUROCs of 86.6% ± 4.72% (mean ± SE) in relapsing–remitting MS, and 96.5% ± 2.30% in progressive MS. Performance increased with increasing disability scores, with even moderate EDSS 2 to 4.5 PwMS producing AUROCs of 82.1 to 89.8%, Hedge’s g values up to 2.06, and p = 4.0e − 13. All tests performed well regardless of any history of optic neuritis. W12 and W20 performed as well or better than P129.

Conclusion

Overall, the 82-s tests (W12 and W20) performed better than P129. The results suggest that mfPOP assesses a correlate of disease severity rather than a history of inflammation, and that it may be useful in the clinical management of PwMS.
Rechtliche Einordnung von Grünbrücken bei Aus- und Neubauten sowie bestehenden Bundesfernstraßen
Authors: Weiß Katharina V.
Published: September 2022

Angesichts der enormen Zerschneidungswirkung von Bundesfernstraßen werden Grünbrücken
in der Bundesrepublik vermehrt errichtet, sodass sich die Frage der rechtlichen Einordnung dieser bei Aus-
und Neubau, aber auch bei bestehenden Bundesfernstraßen stellt. Der Beitrag geht dabei auf ausgewählte
naturschutzrechtliche Instrumente ein, beleuchtet fachplanungsrechtliche Besonderheiten und stellt die Frage
der (finanziellen) Verhältnismäßigkeit von Grünbrücken.
A New Contact Paradox
Authors: Pérez Laraudogoitia Jon
Published: September 2022

There is a well-known variety of contact paradoxes which are significantly linked to topology. The aim of this paper is to present a new paradox concerning contact with bodies composed of a denumerable infinity of parts. This paradox establishes the logical necessity, in a Newtonian context, of contact forces (herein called “phantom forces”) that violate what is probably our most basic causal intuition, embodied in what I call the Principle of Influence: any force exerted on a body B induces (causes) change of movement of B or (inclusive disjunction) the emergence of internal forces in B. However, the above paradox can be made strictly compatible with a Newtonian framework by introducing phantom forces as ideal elements in the Hilbert sense, though it will be seen that this does not solve all the problems.
Comparative investigation between complex energy and transfer matrix techniques for quasi-energy states in heterostructure materials
Authors: Elkenany Elkenany B. , Elabsy A. M.
Published: September 2022

A comparative analysis is performed to study the resonant tunneling through symmetric multiple double-barrier resonant tunneling heterostructure materials composed of nanoscale semiconductors ZnSe/BeTe, AlAs/GaAs, InGaAs/AlInAs, and AlGaAs/GaAs. Two techniques are applied in the present investigation for calculating the quasi-resonant energy states and their associated lifetimes in nanoscale double-barrier quantum well heterostructures. The first technique is based on the complex energy solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation with the time–energy uncertainty condition. The second one is employing the transfer matrix method. The quasi-resonant energies, lifetimes, and frequencies in nanoscale double-barrier quantum well heterostructures are calculated by both methods and compared. The validity and accuracy of both techniques are tested and compared extensively with various current numerical methods. Excellent agreements are obtained between our results and the available experimental and theoretical values. It is also found that the complex energy technique is recommended when handling the quasi-energy states and quasi-lifetimes of novel nanoscale devices.
Trait responses of a grassland shrub invader to altered moisture regimes
Authors: Rutherford William A. , Archer Steven R.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

We sought to identify plant traits important for initial establishment of a globally invasive shrub, Prosopis spp. (mesquite), by quantifying morphological and ecophysiological responses of seedlings to contrasting moisture regimes. Our model plant was Prosopis velutina, a prominent invader of North American semi-desert grasslands.

Methods

Seedlings received one of three watering levels corresponding to regional ‘ambient’ (100%), ‘dry’ (−65%; 65% reduction of ambient), and ‘wet’ (+165%; 65% increase above ambient) growing season precipitation regimes. A total of 32 plant performance (e.g., biomass and growth) and functional (e.g., morphological and physiological) traits were assessed when seedlings reached 11- and 22-days old.

Results

Germination under dry conditions was high (72%) and only slightly reduced compared to ambient and wet conditions with subsequent seedling survival unaffected. High trait variation enabled early recruitment over the range of soil moisture conditions, including extreme drought. Root volume, surface area, tips, tap root length, and leaf length functional traits were top predictors of seedling performance, with fresh weight, absolute growth rate, and root mass secondarily contributing to establishment.

Conclusion

No physiological functional traits were significant in predicting performance or discriminating between moisture regimes; suggesting morphological traits for maintaining metabolic and hydraulic function are key to early establishment. Dry conditions reduced germination and slowed P. velutina seedling growth but did not prevent early establishment. Thus, recruitment of certain dryland shrubs may not be episodic with respect to above-average rainfall. Indeed, early recruitment of P. velutina and functionally similar species can potentially occur even in moisture conditions well below-average.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Solar Green-Line Corona for Solar Cycles 18 – 24
Authors: Takalo Jouni
Published: September 2022

The homogeneous coronal data set (HCDS) of the green corona (Fe xiv) and the coronal index of solar activity (CI) have been used to study the time–latitudinal distribution in Solar Cycles 18 – 24 and compared with similar distribution of sunspots, the magnetic fields, and the solar 10.7 cm radio flux. The most important results are: i) the distribution of coronal intensities related to the cycle maximum are different for individual cycles, ii) the poleward migration of the HCDS from mid-latitudes in each cycle exists, even in the extremely weak Cycle 24, and the same is valid for the equatorward migration, iii) the overall values of HCDS are slightly stronger for the northern hemisphere than for the southern one, iv) the distribution of the HDCS is in coincidence with the strongest photospheric magnetic fields ($B>$
B
>
50 Gauss) and histograms of the sunspot groups, v) the Gnevyshev gap was confirmed with at least 95% confidence in the CI, however with different behavior for odd and even cycles. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first and second components account for 87.7% and 7.3% of the total variation of the CI. Furthermore, the second PCA component of the green corona was quite different for Cycle 21, compared with other cycles.
Teachers’ dysfunctional feedback to students from immigrant and non-immigrant backgrounds: A pilot study
Authors: Zeeb Helene , Hunecke Johannes , Voss Thamar
Published: September 2022

Teachers often provide more positive feedback to ethnic minority students than to ethnic majority students in order to compensate for potential discrimination. However, even feedback that sounds positive can have unwanted effects on the students, such as reinforcing negative beliefs and reducing motivation. In this experimental pilot study, we investigated whether teachers were more likely to convey such dysfunctional feedback to students from immigrant backgrounds than to students from non-immigrant backgrounds. Teachers (N = 186) read descriptions of classroom situations and indicated the feedback they would provide to the fictive students. The students’ names implied either an immigrant background associated with low competence stereotypes or no immigrant background. For the most part, feedback did not differ according to immigrant status. Yet, there were some situation-specific differences: When immigrant students failed despite effort, teachers used a simpler language in their feedback. In one of two scenarios describing students who succeeded easily without effort, teachers were more likely to provide dysfunctional ability feedback, dysfunctional effort feedback, and inflated praise to a student from an immigrant background than to a student from a non-immigrant background. A subsequent expert survey (N = 12) was conducted to evaluate the scenario-based feedback test. In sum, the study contributes to the field by providing first signs that students from immigrant backgrounds might be at risk of receiving not only more positive but actually more dysfunctional feedback. Furthermore, the study presents a practice-oriented, standardized, and economic instrument to assess teachers’ dysfunctional feedback, which may be used in future research.
On unique recovery of finite-valued integer signals and admissible lattices of sparse hypercubes
Authors: Alasmari Abdullah , Aliev Iskander
Published: September 2022

The paper considers the problem of unique recovery of sparse finite-valued integer signals using a single linear integer measurement. For l-sparse signals in $${\mathbb {Z}}^n$$

Z

n

, $$2l<n$$

2
l
<
n

, with absolute entries bounded by r, we construct an $$1\times n$$

1
×
n

measurement matrix with maximum absolute entry $$\Delta =O(r^{2l-1})$$

Δ
=
O
(

r

2
l
-
1

)

. Here the implicit constant depends on l and n and the exponent $$2l-1$$

2
l
-
1

is optimal. Additionally, we show that, in the above setting, a single measurement can be replaced by several measurements with absolute entries sub-linear in $$\Delta$$
Δ
. The proofs make use of results on admissible $$(n-1)$$

(
n
-
1
)

-dimensional integer lattices for m-sparse n-cubes that are of independent interest.
Visual assessment of pancreatic fat deposition: useful grading system and the relation to BMI and diabetes
Authors: Ookura Ryusuke , Usuki Noriaki
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To establish a simple and clinically useful method for the visual assessment of pancreatic fat deposition using computed tomography (CT) images, and to evaluate the relationship of the pancreatic fat deposition with body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Materials and methods

We used a four-scale grading system as the visual assessment criteria for pancreatic fat deposition using CT images. Pancreatic fat deposition was assessed for 200 patients and the results were compared with the CT attenuation-based assessment. In addition, the relationships of pancreatic fat deposition with BMI and type 2 DM were investigated.

Results

The visual and CT attenuation-based assessments were considered consistent. The results of the visual assessment suggested that mild and moderate pancreatic fat deposition correlated with BMI and presence of type 2 DM while severe fat deposition did not correlate with them. No correlation between pancreatic fat deposition and HbA1c level was found.

Conclusion

The visual assessment criteria we used were consistent with CT attenuation-based assessment and may be useful for clinical application of pancreatic fat deposition. According to the visually assessment, mild or moderate pancreatic fat deposition correlated with BMI and the presence of type 2 DM, but severe fat deposition did not correlate with them.
Reciprocal regulation of CIP2A and AR expression in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Chuang Hao-Wen , Pan Jian-Hua , Cai Yi-Xuan , Rupa Darius , Huang Ting-Syuan , Kuo Tzu-Chien , Lin Chiao-Wen , Chen Chi-Wei , Lin Chia-Chin , Lee Herng-Sheng , Yuan Ta-Chun
Published: September 2022

Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) is an oncoprotein overexpressed in human malignancies, including prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we aimed to explore the oncogenic function of CIP2A in PCa cells and its underlying mechanism. We showed that 63.3% (38/60 cases) of PCa tissues exhibited a high CIP2A immunostaining, compared to 25% (3/12 cases) of BPH samples (p = 0.023). Furthermore, the protein level of CIP2A was positively correlated with patients’ short survival time and nuclear AR levels in PCa tissues. Compared to PZ-HPV-7, an immortalized prostate cell line, androgen-sensitive LNCaP C-33, androgen-independent LNCaP C-81, or 22Rv1 cells exhibited a high CIP2A level, associated with high protein and phosphorylation levels of AR. While AR expression and activity modulated CIP2A expression, manipulating CIP2A expression in PCa cells regulated their AR protein levels and proliferation. The reduction of CIP2A expression also enhanced the sensitivity of PCa cells toward Enzalutamide treatment. Our data further showed that depletion of polo-kinase 1 (PLK1) expression or activity in C-81 or 22Rv1 cells caused reduced protein levels of c-Myc and AR. Notably, inhibition of PLK1 activity could abolish CIP2A-promoted expressions in c-Myc, AR, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in C-33 cells under an androgen-deprived condition, suggesting the role of PLK1 activity in CIP2A-promoted AR expression. In summary, our data showed the existence of a novel regulation between CIP2A and AR protein levels, which is critical for promoting PCa malignancy. Thus, CIP2A could serve as a therapeutic target for PCa.
Protect peanut kernels from Aspergillus spp and their mycotoxins during storage by aqueous extract of carob pulp
Authors: El-Desouky Tarek A.
Published: September 2022

Recently, the trend of many studies to replace synthetic antifungal commonly used during storage with natural antifungal; Plant extracts has been one of the most promising strategies for this purpose. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the aqueous extract of the carob pulp (AECP) at 1.5, 2.5, and 5 mg/ml on the growth of some toxigenic Aspergillus species, and its effectiveness as an anti-mycotoxigenic (aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) during storage red peanut kernels (RPKs) for 90 days. The results indicate that the increased concentration of AECP, the area of inhibition zone increased with all treatments. As well, the strain of Aspergillus ochraceus was more affected by AECP than Aspergillus aflatoxiformans followed by Aspergillus parasiticus which recorded (15.7 ± 0.4 mm), (13.4 ± 0.5 mm), and (11.9 ± 0.4 mm) at 5 mg/ml. Respectively. While, the lowest inhibition was shown with Aspergillus flavus at three concentrations of AECP. The impact of AECP on the accumulation of total AFs and OTA during storage of RPKs infected by A. parasiticus and A. ochraceus, respectively, for 90 days. The results showed that the active compounds in the AECP at 5 mg/ml can protect RPKs for 45 days without detecting any amounts of AFs and OTA. After 90 days, the inhibition percentages for the four types of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFG1, AFB2, AFG2) and OTA compared with positive control samples were 85.1, 76.5, 86.5, 84.2, and 87.5%, respectively. Finally, AFB1 recorded the lowest inhibition percentages of all treatments; on the contrary, it was OTA.
Critical cluster cascades
Authors: Kirchner Matthias
Published: September 2022

We consider a sequence of Poisson cluster point processes on
$\mathbb{R}^d$
: at step
$n\in\mathbb{N}_0$
of the construction, the cluster centers have intensity
$c/(n+1)$
for some
$c>0$
, and each cluster consists of the particles of a branching random walk up to generation n—generated by a point process with mean 1. We show that this ‘critical cluster cascade’ converges weakly, and that either the limit point process equals the void process (extinction), or it has the same intensity c as the critical cluster cascade (persistence). We obtain persistence if and only if the Palm version of the outgrown critical branching random walk is locally almost surely finite. This result allows us to give numerous examples for persistent critical cluster cascades.
What role do aesthetics and sensory qualities play in biotechnology design?
Authors: Dade-Robertson Martyn , Kolodkin-Gal Ilana , Parker Brenda
Published: September 2022

The form and function of human-made objects has borrowed extensively from the natural world. Living systems can serve as the departure point for biomimicry, or as part of the experience in the case of biophilic design. However, bio-inspired design approaches often focus on an idealised and perfected representation of biology. As we design as we integrate biology into products, infrastructure, our conventional thinking on aesthetics may need to change. Real biological systems are subject to imperfections and may be visceral in ways that are not compatible with common conceptions of taste and beauty.
New Directions in the European Union’s Regulatory Framework for Corporate Reporting, Due Diligence and Accountability: The Challenge of Complexity
Authors: Villiers Charlotte
Published: September 2022

Climate change and the pursuit of sustainability and sustainable business might be regarded as among the world’s “wicked problems”, especially as they are multi-dimensional problems. Achieving corporate accountability in this context is also difficult when corporate structures are complex as they operate globally and through supply chains. At the European level, under the Green Deal, the Sustainable Finance Initiative and the Sustainable Corporate Governance Initiative include new reporting requirements to amend and expand the scope and application of the 2014 Non-Financial Reporting Directive, alongside changes to directors’ duties to ensure they take account of stakeholders’ needs and environmental and human rights due diligence requirements. This paper will argue that these legislative and regulatory efforts are to be welcomed, but the complexity of the regulation threatens to undermine its potential impact. It may therefore be necessary to reduce some of the complexity of the regulatory arrangements. However, some complexity may increase resilience and adaptability for responding to the risks involved in the uncertainty and unpredictability of climate change and in dealing with complex corporate structures. The answer is to provide robust regulation that will prompt the corporate behaviours required to avoid the catastrophic trajectory we currently face.
Ownership Matters: French Governments and Automotive Industrialists Facing the Japanese Challenge, 1974–1986
Authors: Milor Alice
Published: September 2022

Between 1974 and 1986, the intervention of various French governments on both the right and the left—in addition to corporate maneuvering and increased focus on competitiveness and lean production—resulted in foreign direct investment, mergers, plant closures, and bankruptcies among struggling French automotive suppliers. This article will explore why these efforts were unsuccessful by revisiting the first Japanese attempts to enter the European automobile industry. It does so not only through the case of Nissan in the United Kingdom in 1984 but also through the essentially unfamiliar and contemporaneous example of French automotive suppliers.
Cultural evolutionary theory is not enough: Ambiguous culture, neglect of structure, and the absence of theory in behavior genetics
Authors: Burt Callie H.
Published: September 2022

Uchiyama et al. propose a unified model linking cultural evolutionary theory to behavior genetics (BG) to enhance generalizability, enrich explanation, and predict how social factors shape heritability estimates. A consideration of culture evolution is beneficial but insufficient for purpose. I submit that their proposed model is underdeveloped and their emphasis on heritability estimates misguided. I discuss their ambiguous conception of culture, neglect of social structure, and the lack of a general theory in BG.
From the trajectory of heritability to the heritability of trajectories
Authors: Kievit Rogier A. , Logan Jessica A. , Hart Sara A.
Published: September 2022

Although compelling and insightful, the proposal by Uchiyama et al. largely neglects within-person change over time, arguably the central topic of interest within their framework. Longitudinal behavioural genetics modelling suggests that the heritability of trajectories is low, in contrast to high and increasing cross-sectional heritability across development. Better understanding of the mechanisms of trajectories remains a crucial outstanding challenge.
Cultural evolution and behavior genetic modeling: The long view of time
Authors: Markon Kristian E. , Krueger Robert F. , South Susan C.
Published: September 2022

We advocate for an integrative long-term perspective on time, noting that culture changes on timescales amenable to behavioral genetic study with appropriate design and modeling extensions. We note the need for replications of behavioral genetic studies to examine model invariance across long-term timescales, which would afford examination of specified as well as unspecified cultural moderators of behavioral genetic effects.
Cultural dynamics add multiple layers of complexity to behavioural genetics
Authors: Fogarty Laurel , Creanza Nicole
Published: September 2022

As emphasized in early cultural evolutionary theory, understanding heritability of human traits – especially, behavioural traits – is difficult. The target article describes important ways that culture can enhance, or obscure, signatures of heritability in genetic studies. Here, we discuss the utility of calculating heritability for behavioural traits influenced by cultural evolution and point to conceptual and technical complications to consider in future models.
Crystal structure from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data, DFT-D calculations, and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (S)-dapoxetine hydrochloride
Authors: Dugarte-Dugarte Analio J. , Toro Robert A. , van de Streek Jacco , Henao José Antonio , Díaz de Delgado Graciela , Delgado José Miguel
Published: September 2022

The previously unreported crystal structure of (S)-Dapoxetine hydrochloride (DAPHCl), the only active pharmaceutical ingredient specially developed for the treatment of premature ejaculation in men, has been determined from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data with DASH and refined by the Rietveld method with TOPAS-Academic. The structure was evaluated and optimized by dispersion-corrected DFT calculations. This compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic cell, space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a= 6.3208(3) Å, b = 10.6681(5) Å, c = 28.1754(10) Å, V = 1899.89(14) Å3, Z = 4. The refinement converged to Rp= 0.0442, Rwp= 0.0577, and GoF = 2.440. The crystal structure is a complex 3D arrangement of DAPHCl moieties held together by hydrogen bonds, π⋯π, and C–H⋯π interactions. The chloride ions form layers parallel to the ab plane and are connected by dapoxetinium moieties through N–H⋯Cl and C–H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. These layers stack along the c-axis, which are connected by C–H⋯π interactions. Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plot calculations have been performed.
A transactional mediation model of risk for the intergenerational transmission of depression: The role of maternal criticism
Authors: Israel Elana S. , Gibb Brandon E.
Published: September 2022

In this study, we sought to combine two lines of research to better understand risk for the intergenerational transmission of depression. The first focuses on the role of maternal criticism as a potential mechanism of risk for depression in youth while the second builds from interpersonal and stress generation models regarding the potential impact of youth depression on future escalations in maternal criticism. Specifically, we examined the role of maternal criticism within a transactional mediation model using data from a multi-wave study. Participants were 251 mother–offspring pairs consisting of mothers with (n = 129) and without (n = 122) a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) during their child’s lifetime who completed assessments every 6 months for 2 years. We found support for the hypothesized transactional mediational model in which maternal expressed emotion-criticism (EE-Crit) mediated the link between maternal history of MDD and residual change in youth’s depressive symptoms over the previous 6 months and, reciprocally, youth depressive symptoms mediated the relation between maternal MDD history and residual change in EE-Crit 6 months later. These results indicate that maternal criticism and offspring depressive symptoms may contribute to a vicious cycle of depression risk, which should be considered for interventions targeted toward youth at risk of developing MDD.
Catholic intellectuals in modern China and their Bible translation: Li Wenyu and Ma Xiangbo
Authors: Hong Xiaochun
Published: September 2022

Li Wenyu and Ma Xiangbo were two influential Catholic intellectuals in modern China who each undertook a translation of the Bible into Chinese. This article surveys their participation in contemporary ideological debates and investigates their thoughts on the inculturation of Catholicism, including ‘evangelisation by writing’ and ‘scholastic mission’, as well as their beliefs and practices regarding Bible translation. An in-depth comparison of their translations is also provided, illuminating the different approaches taken by Li and Ma in dealing with terminology, sentence structure, linguistic style, and theological implications. Li conformed to Chinese biblical terminology established by the Catholic missionaries who preceded him and adhered to the syntax of Classical Chinese; in contrast, Ma's linguistic style is approximate to Easy Wenli, and he adopted words and phrases from traditional Chinese culture to transmit the Catholic faith. The two translators demonstrated two choices of indigenising Catholicism and the Bible in China: ‘mirror-type’ and ‘bridge-type’.
Urban–rural disparities in the association between long-term exposure to high altitude and malnutrition among children under 5 years old: evidence from a cross-sectional study in Tibet
Authors: Li Xianzhi , Li Yajie , Xing Xiangyi , Liu Yu , Zhou Zonglei , Liu Shunjin , Tian Yunyun , Nima Qucuo , Yin Li , Yu Bin
Published: September 2022

Objective:

To assess urban–rural disparities in the association between long-term exposure to high altitude and malnutrition among children under 5 years old.

Design:

A three-stage, stratified, cluster sampling was used to randomly select eligible individuals from July to October 2020. The data of participants, including demographic characteristics, altitude of residence, and nutritional status, were collected via questionnaire and physical examination.

Setting:

Tibet, China.

Participants:

Children under 5 years old in Tibet.

Results:

Totally, 1975 children under 5 years old were included in this study. We found that an additional 1000 m increase in altitude was associated with decreased Z-scores of height-for-age (β = –0·23, 95 % CI: –0·38, –0·08), Z-scores of weight-for-age (β = –0·24, 95 % CI: –0·39, –0·10). The OR for stunting and underweight were 2·03 (95 % CI: 1·51 to 2·73) and 2·04 (95 % CI: 1·38 to 3·02) per 1000 m increase in altitude, respectively; and OR increased rapidly at an altitude above 3500 m. The effects of long-term exposure to high altitudes on the prevalence of underweight in rural children were higher than that in urban children (P < 0·05).

Conclusions:

High-altitude exposure is tightly associated with malnutrition among children under 5 years old. Improving children’s nutrition is urgently needed in areas above 3500 m, especially in rural ones.
Understanding the Influence of Receptive Field and Network Complexity in Neural Network-Guided TEM Image Analysis
Authors: Sytwu Katherine , Groschner Catherine , Scott Mary C
Published: September 2022

Trained neural networks are promising tools to analyze the ever-increasing amount of scientific image data, but it is unclear how to best customize these networks for the unique features in transmission electron micrographs. Here, we systematically examine how neural network architecture choices affect how neural networks segment, or pixel-wise separate, crystalline nanoparticles from amorphous background in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. We focus on decoupling the influence of receptive field, or the area of the input image that contributes to the output decision, from network complexity, which dictates the number of trainable parameters. For low-resolution TEM images which rely on amplitude contrast to distinguish nanoparticles from background, we find that the receptive field does not significantly influence segmentation performance. On the other hand, for high-resolution TEM images which rely on both amplitude and phase-contrast changes to identify nanoparticles, receptive field is an important parameter for increased performance, especially in images with minimal amplitude contrast. Rather than depending on atom or nanoparticle size, the ideal receptive field seems to be inversely correlated to the degree of nanoparticle contrast in the image. Our results provide insight and guidance as to how to adapt neural networks for applications with TEM datasets.
Does democracy cause gender equality?
Authors: Andersen Thomas Barnebeck
Published: September 2022

Does democracy cause gender equality? To address this question, I use the unexpected Second Vatican Council (1962–65) as part of a shock-based identification strategy. The Second Vatican Council brought forward in time transitions to democracy that would have happened anyway and triggered transitions to democracy that would not otherwise have occurred. I use this plausibly exogenous variation in democracy to offer a causal estimate. According to my baseline specification, one standard deviation increase in democracy leads to three-fifths of a standard deviation increase in gender equality. I also peruse qualitative evidence to sketch a causal mechanism.