bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of the linear viscoelastic material behaviour of interlayers with semi-crystalline structures shown by the example of a semi-crystalline ionomer
Authors: Schuster Miriam
Published: August 2022

The temperature dependent linear viscoelastic material behaviour of the most commonly used interlayer PVB is typically determined by means of Dynamic-Mechanical-Thermal-Analysis (DMTA). By horizontally shifting the isothermal modulus curves, a mastercurve is created at a certain reference temperature, which can then be mathematically approximated with a Prony series. A time–temperature superposition principle can be derived from the shift factors. In contrast to PVB, EVA and ionomer (or ionoplastic) interlayers have semi-crystalline structures that melt when the melting temperature is reached and form again when the sample is cooled below the crystallization temperature. The exact structure and number of crystallites depend e.g. on the cooling rate and the physical age (or thermal prehistory) of the sample. These factors must be taken into account in the experimental determination of the material parameters with DMTA. Using the example of SentryGlas®, this article shows that the stiffness of semi-crystalline interlayers is affected by the crystallinity. Mastercurves from DMTA with different temperature programs are created. The degrees of crystallization for the different temperature programs are determined with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). A time–temperature superposition principle, which applies to the purely amorphous material, and a time-crystallinity superposition principle are derived, which enable the determination of the material parameters for different temperatures and degrees of crystallization.
Virtuelle Unterrichtsszenarien in der Lehrpersonenbildung – eine Studie zur Akzeptanz, Immersion und zum Präsenzerleben mit Studierenden der Berufs- und Technikpädagogik
Authors: Kunz Katharina , Zinn Bernd
Published: August 2022

Virtuelle Realitäten ermöglichen neue Lernumgebungen in der Lehrpersonenbildung. Der Beitrag geht hierzu der Frage nach, inwiefern 360°-Videos in Virtual Reality geeignet sind, um realitätsnahe handlungsorientierte Lernsituationen im Lehramtsstudium abzubilden. Zur Abschätzung einer technologie- und zielgruppenbezogenen Eignung wurden virtuelle Unterrichtsszenarien auf der Basis von 360°-Videos entwickelt und mit Studierenden im Lehramt an berufsbildenden Schulen sowie Studierenden der Berufspädagogik in einem quasi-experimentellen Setting getestet. Die Ergebnisse belegen eine hohe Akzeptanz gegenüber der virtuellen Technologie. Bei den Teilnehmenden wurden ein hohes Immersions- und Präsenzerleben festgestellt. Zudem liefert die Studie mit ihren qualitativen Befunden Hinweise zur Konzeptionierung und Optimierung für die Nutzung virtueller Lernumgebungen in der Lehrpersonenbildung und liefert Forschungsdesiderata.
Consumer motivations and desired product attributes for 2.0 plant-based products: a conceptual model of consumer insight for market-oriented product development and marketing
Authors: Beacom Emma , Repar Lana , Bogue Joe
Published: August 2022

The plant-based product (PBP) market sector is rapidly growing, but there is a noted lack of qualitative data examining consumers’ perceptions of these products. This study aimed to examine consumers perceptions and usage of plant-based products and brands to further refine and extend our understanding of the different layers of contemporary plant-based consumption. Online consumer focus groups (n = 6) were used to gather qualitative data from consumers (n = 20) in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Qualitative analysis was conducted using NVivo v.26 where a content analysis procedure was used to reduce data into categories and sub-categories, after which data within categories was analysed to identify themes. Six overarching themes were identified: (1) Pro-social and moral motivations as most prominent in influencing PBP consumption; (2) Personal and sociocultural reasons as emerging motivators on PBP consumption; (3) Brand, ingredients, flavour and price as key attributes; (4) Natural, unprocessed PBPs as most appealing; (5) Replicating functional and nutritional properties of animal protein as more important than replicating sensory properties; and (6) Locally produced products and brands as preferred. A conceptual model of consumer insights required for market-oriented PBP development and marketing is produced. This model is consumer led, and confirms and extends/refines knowledge on motivations for consumption, evaluation of product attributes, and market gaps and improvements for a new generation of PBPs.
Surveillance of COVID-19 outbreaks in prisons in the US South: The role of economic distress in the communities surrounding prison facilities
Authors: Gu Mofan , Pro George , Zaller Nickolas
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

The US South is the epicenter of the epidemic of mass incarceration. Prisons have experienced substantial challenges in preventing COVID-19. Incarcerated individuals and prison staff are at a high risk for infection due to minimal available preventive measures. Prisons are not closed systems and many staff come from communities in close proximity to the facility. Characteristics of the communities immediately surrounding prisons are an overlooked but critical factor to better understand the role prisons play in pandemics.

Methods:

We used facility-level COVID-19 data from the COVID Prison Project to identify the number of unique outbreaks between May 2019 and May 2020. We used a county-level composite indicator of economic distress (DCI score) to identify the environment surrounding each prison (2015–2019). We modeled the number of outbreaks to DCI scores using negative binomial regression, adjusting for race/ethnicity (African American and Latino/Hispanic), age (65 and older), and rurality level.

Results:

Our sample included 570 prisons in 368 counties across 13 Southern states. We found that score was positively and significantly associated with prison COVID-19 outbreaks (aRR, 1.012; p < 0.0001), and rurality was potentially a stronger surrogate measure of economic distress (aRR, 1.35; p, 0.02). Economic stability is a key precursor to physical health. Poorer communities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and we found that prisons located in these communities were more susceptible to recurring outbreaks. Prison-based disease prevention interventions should consider the impact that the outside world has on the health of incarcerated individuals.
Being a Nurse During a Worldwide Pandemic: A Qualitative Study Exploring Nurses’ Perceived Challenges and Expectations During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey
Authors: Evgin Derya , Şener Taplak Ayşe
Published: August 2022

Background:

Determining the health-care experiences, problems, and difficulties of nurses during a pandemic is important to shape the measures of nursing care management. This study aimed to better understand clinical nurses’ challenges and expectations surrounding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods:

A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted. The study sampling comprised of 48 clinical nurses who have worked in pandemic hospitals. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and evaluated based on the content analysis method.

Results:

In this study, 6 main themes were determined as intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional/organizational, community, policies and system challenges, and expectations. Based on the results, nurses’ perceived challenges were psychological distress, dilemma, safety and security issues, workload increased, disruption in family and social relationships, stigmatization encountered, and not making their voices heard enough due to the lack of nurses in the scientific advisory board. Nurses’ expectations were determined as improvement of their personal rights and institutional psychosocial support.

Discussion:

The results of this study can be used as a guide for action plans to support nurses, develop health-care protocols for safe patient care, and create family and pandemic support systems.
Finding the Epistocrats
Authors: Kogelmann Brian
Published: August 2022

Concerned about widespread incompetence among voters in democratic societies, epistocrats propose quasi-democratic electoral systems that amplify the voices of competent voters while silencing (or perhaps just subduing) the voices of those deemed incompetent. In order to amplify the voices of the competent we first need to know what counts as political competence, and then we need a way of identifying those who possess the relevant characteristics. After developing an account of what it means to be politically competent, I argue that there is no way for the epistocrat to identify such persons. Therefore, epistocracy cannot be implemented.
Social environment as a modulator of immunosenescence
Authors: Garrido A. , Martínez de Toda I. , Díaz del Cerro E. , Félix J. , Ceprián N. , González-Sánchez M. , De la Fuente M.
Published: August 2022

Immune system aging, a process known as immunosenescence, involves a striking rearrangement affecting all immune cells, resulting in an increased rate of infections and a major incidence of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Nonetheless, differences in how individuals of the same chronological age carry out this immunosenescence establishment and thus the aging rate have been reported. In the context of neuroimmunoendocrine communication and its role in the response to stress situations, growing evidence suggests that social environments profoundly influence all physiological responses, especially those linked to immunity. Accordingly, negative contexts (loneliness in humans/social isolation in rodents) were associated with immune impairments and decreased lifespan. However, positive social environments have been correlated with adequate immunity and increased lifespan. Therefore, the social context in which an individual lives is proposed as a decisive modulator of the immunosenescence process and, consequently, of the rate of aging. In this review, the most important findings regarding how different social environments (negative and positive) modulate immunosenescence and therefore the aging rate, as well as the role of stress responses, hormesis, and resilience in these environments will be explained. Finally, several possible molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of negative and positive environments on immunosenescence will be suggested.
Analytical Democratic Theory: A Microfoundational Approach
Authors: FARRELL HENRY , MERCIER HUGO , SCHWARTZBERG MELISSA
Published: August 2022

A prominent and publicly influential literature challenges the quality of democratic decision making, drawing on political science findings with specific claims about the ubiquity of cognitive bias to lament citizens’ incompetence. A competing literature in democratic theory defends the wisdom of crowds, drawing on a cluster of models in support of the capacity of ordinary citizens to produce correct outcomes. In this Letter, we draw on recent findings in psychology to demonstrate that the former literature is based on outdated and erroneous claims and that the latter is overly sanguine about the circumstances that yield reliable collective decision making. By contrast, “interactionist” scholarship shows how individual-level biases are not devastating for group problem solving, given appropriate conditions. This provides possible microfoundations for a broader research agenda similar to that implemented by Elinor Ostrom and her colleagues on common-good provision, investigating how different group structures are associated with both success and failure in democratic decision making. This agenda would have implications for both democratic theory and democratic practice.
Facing Change: Gender and Climate Change Attitudes Worldwide
Authors: BUSH SARAH SUNN , CLAYTON AMANDA
Published: August 2022

Gender differences in concern about climate change are highly correlated with economic development: when countries are wealthier, a gap emerges whereby women are more likely than men to express concern about our changing climate. These differences stem from cross-national variation in men’s attitudes. Men, more than women, tend to be less concerned about climate change when countries are wealthier. This article develops a new theory about the perceived costs and benefits of climate mitigation policy to explain this pattern. At the country level, the perceived benefits of mitigation tend to decrease with economic development, whereas the perceived costs increase. At the individual level, the perceived costs of mitigation tend to increase with economic development for men more than for women. Evidence from existing surveys from every world region, an original 10-country survey in the Americas and Europe, and focus groups in Peru and the United States support the theory.
Long-term home parenteral nutrition and profile of amino acids in serum and their loss in urine
Authors: Dastych Milan , Šenkyřík Michal , Mikušková Alena , Dastych Milan
Published: August 2022

Amino acids are an essential part of parenteral nutrition. This study aimed to determine the serum profile of amino acids and their loss in urine in patients with long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) during 12 h of infusion in comparison with similar parameters in the remaining 12 h as well as in healthy participants. We enrolled forty-five patients with long-term HPN for 6–75 (median, 33) months. The indication for HPN was short bowel syndrome secondary to radical resection of the small intestine following complications of Crohn’s disease. HPN was administered via two-chamber all-in-one bags prepared in a hospital pharmacy overnight for 12 h each day. The average dose of amino acids, carbohydrates and fats administered was 1·5, 3·4 and 0·68 g/kg per d, respectively, at an infusion rate of 0·11, 0·28 and 0·06 g/kg per h, respectively. The levels of essential amino acids in the serum of the patients were not significantly different from those in healthy individuals; however, of the non-essential amino acids, cystine and glutamine levels were lower and glycine and ornithine levels were higher in the patients (P < 0·05). Excretion of amino acids in the urine during 12 h of infusion at an infusion rate of 0·11 g/kg per h was 301 mg, while it was 104 mg during the remaining 12 h (P < 0·0001). Our patients on long-term HPN had a normal serum profile of essential amino acids. The total urinary excretion of amino acids during 12 h of infusion accounted for only 0·34 % (0·23–0·46) of the administered dose.
Dietary fat quantity and quality in early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese women: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Feng Qiuyu , Yang Mengtong , Dong Hongli , Sun Hong , Chen Sijia , Chen Cong , Zhang Yiqi , Lan Xi , Su Danping , Zeng Guo
Published: August 2022

We aimed to examine the association between the quantity and quality of dietary fat in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk. In total, 1477 singleton pregnant women were included from Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children, Southwest China. Dietary information was collected by a 3-d 24-h dietary recall. GDM was diagnosed based on the results of a 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 gestational weeks. Log-binomial models were used to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% CI. The results showed that total fat intake was positively associated with GDM risk (Q4 v. Q1: RR = 1·40; 95 % CI 1·11, 1·76; Ptrend = 0·001). This association was also observed for the intakes of animal fat and vegetable fat. After stratified by total fat intake (< 30 %E v. ≥ 30 %E), the higher animal fat intake was associated with higher GDM risk in the high-fat group, but the moderate animal fat intake was associated with reduced risk of GDM (T2 v. T1: RR = 0·65; 95 % CI 0·45, 0·96) in the normal-fat group. Vegetable fat intake was positively associated with GDM risk in the high-fat group but not in the normal-fat group. No association between fatty acids intakes and GDM risk was found. In conclusion, total fat, animal and vegetable fat intakes were positively associated with GDM risk, respectively. Whereas when total fat intake was not excessive, higher intakes of animal and vegetable fat were likely irrelevant with increased GDM risk, even the moderate animal fat intake could be linked to lower GDM risk.
High phosphorus supply enhances leaf gas exchange and growth of young Arabica coffee plants under water deficit
Authors: Rakocevic Miroslava , Marchiori Paulo Eduardo R. , Zambrosi Fernando C. B. , Machado Eduardo C. , Maia Aline de Holanda N. , Ribeiro Rafael V.
Published: August 2022

Drought is considered as the major environmental stress affecting coffee production, and high phosphorus (P) supply may alleviate the drought effects on crop metabolism. Here, we hypothesized that high P supply would mitigate the impacts of drought on Arabica coffee physiology, morphology, and biomass accumulation. Potted Arabica coffee plants were grown under two P levels: the recommended P fertilization (P), and twice the recommended fertilization (+P), and two water regimes: well-watered and water withholding for 32 days. Leaf, stem, and root P concentrations were increased under +P, with plants showing higher photosynthesis and growth than the ones receiving the recommended P dose. Higher plant growth under high P supply seems to upregulate leaf photosynthesis through the source–sink relationship. Under the water deficit, the reduction of leaf photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, water use efficiency, carboxylation efficiency, chlorophyll content, number of plagiotropic branches, plant leaf area, and vegetative biomass production was similar comparing plants fertilized with the recommended P to those supplied with +P. However, Arabica coffee trees under high P supply and water deficit presented morphological and physiological traits similar to plants under well-watered and recommended P fertilization.
Effect of inherited structural highs on the structure and kinematics of the South Dezful Embayment, SW Iran
Authors: Shamszadeh Aref , Sarkarinejad Khalil , Ferrer Oriol , Mukherjee Soumyajit , Seraj Mohammad
Published: August 2022

Understanding the structural evolution of the South Dezful Embayment (SDE) in the Zagros Fold-and-Thrust Belt (ZFTB) is significant for hydrocarbon exploration and production. The structural evolution of this area has been controlled by the reactivation of basement structures related to the oblique convergence along the ZFTB. In this work, we study the effect of the pre-contractional interaction between the basement step and overlaid salt layer superimposed by the Zagros shortening on the structural style and evolution of the sedimentary basin in the SDE. We use multidisciplinary approaches involving surface and subsurface data and analogue models. Disharmonic folds with small wavelength formed over the Kharg-Mish Palaeo-high (KMPH) where the sedimentary cover is thinner. On the other hand, faulted detachment folds with large wavelengths developed in the adjacent depocenters. Furthermore, the KMPH affected the geometry and kinematics of the frontal part of the Zagros Belt, which is characterized by the Mountain Front Flexure (MFF) topographic step. Long-lasting active deformation of the sedimentary cover over the frontal ramp of the KMPH developed the South Izeh Promontory (SIP). Localized contraction in the SIP was accommodated temporally by trishear fault-propagation folding and resulted in > 5 km elevation difference between this promontory and two adjacent local basins. Supporting scaled analogue models show that structural evolution, folding and along-strike variations in fold style of the SDE have been controlled by thickness variations of the sedimentary cover and the geometry of the inherited pre-salt structure. Based on the results of this study, the effect of inherited structural highs on the structure and kinematics of the SDE provide important insights for hydrocarbon entrapment, migration and exploration.
Economic evaluation of genomic/genetic tests: a review and future directions
Authors: Bouttell Janet , Heggie Robert , Oien Karin , Romaniuk Amy , VanSteenhouse Harper , von Delft Stephan , Hawkins Neil
Published: August 2022

It has been suggested that health economists need to improve their methods in order to meet the challenges of evaluating genomic/genetic tests. In this article, we set out twelve challenges identified from a rapid review of the literature and suggest solutions to the challenges identified. Two challenges were common to all economic evaluations: choice of perspective and time-horizon. Five challenges were relevant for all diagnostic technologies: complexity of analysis; range of costs; under-developed evidence base; behavioral aspects; and choice of outcome metrics. The final five challenges were pertinent for genomic tests and only these may require methodological development: heterogeneity of tests and platforms, increasing stratification, capturing personal utility; incidental findings; and spillover effects. Current methods of economic evaluation are generally able to cope with genomic/genetic tests, although a renewed focus on specific decision-makers’ needs and a willingness to move away from cost-utility analysis may be required. Certain analysts may be constrained by reference cases developed primarily for the assessment of pharmaceuticals. The combined impact of multiple challenges may require analysts to be particularly careful in setting the scope of their analysis in order to ensure that feasibility is balanced with usefulness to the decision maker. A key issue is the under-developed evidence-base and it may be necessary to rethink translation processes to ensure sufficient, relevant evidence is available to support economic evaluation and adoption of genomic/genetic tests.
Best references for the QPA of Portland cement
Authors: Fawcett T. G. , Blanton J. R. , Kabekkodu S. N. , Blanton T. N. , Lyza J. , Broton D.
Published: August 2022

Cement references were reviewed and whole pattern methods were developed for the quantitative phase analysis (QPA) of Type I Portland Cements. A set of control references were established for phase identification and quantitative analysis using laboratory diffractometers. Both RIR and Rietveld whole pattern fitting methods were used in the analyses. A block refined, parameter restricted, Rietveld method produced the best QPA results by comparison with known mixtures. Similar to prior literature findings, care has to be taken because of the severe peak overlap of the major calcium silicate and calcium aluminate phases in Portland cement and the complexity of the chemistry and structures involved. Two of the four major phases identified are doped supercells and the major C3S phase is also disordered.
Rescue high-frequency oscillatory ventilation combined with intermittent mandatory ventilation for infants with acute respiratory distress syndrome after congenital heart surgery
Authors: Zheng Yi-Rong , Lin Shi-Hao , Chen Yu-Kun , Cao Hua , Chen Qiang
Published: August 2022

Background:

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-frequency oscillation ventilation combined with intermittent mandatory ventilation in infants with acute respiratory distress syndrome after congenital heart surgery.

Methods:

We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 32 infants who were ventilated due to acute respiratory distress syndrome after congenital heart surgery between January, 2020 and January, 2022. We adopted high-frequency oscillation ventilation combined with intermittent mandatory ventilation as the rescue ventilation mode for infants who were failing conventional mechanical ventilation.

Results:

After rescue high-frequency oscillation ventilation combined with intermittent mandatory ventilation, the dynamic compliance (Cdyn), PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 ratio of the infants improved compared with conventional mechanical ventilation (p < 0.05). Moreover, high-frequency oscillation ventilation combined with intermittent mandatory ventilation resulted in a significant decrease in arterial-alveolar oxygen difference (AaDO2), FiO2, and oxygenation index (p < 0.05). No significant effect on haemodynamic parameters was observed. Moreover, no serious complications occurred in the two groups.

Conclusion:

Rescue high-frequency oscillation ventilation combined with intermittent mandatory ventilation significantly improved oxygenation in infants who failed conventional mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory distress syndrome after congenital heart surgery. Thus, this strategy is considered safe and feasible. However, further studies must be conducted to confirm the efficacy and safety of high-frequency oscillation ventilation combined with intermittent mandatory ventilation as a rescue perioperative respiratory support strategy for CHD.
End-of-life dreams and visions: A systematic integrative review
Authors: Hession Alison , Luckett Tim , Chang Sungwon , Currow David , Barbato Michael
Published: August 2022

Objectives

End-of-life dreams and visions (ELDVs) have been reported throughout history. We aimed to synthesize the research literature on ELDVs to determine the proportions of patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, and volunteers reporting ELDVs; ELDV content, timing, and interpretation; and any evidence-based approaches to ELDV-related care.

Methods

A systematic review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD4021282929). CINAHL, Medline, Embase, Emcare, and APA PsycInfo were searched for peer-reviewed English language articles reporting qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods studies that explored reports of ELDVs by patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, or volunteers. Synthesis used both meta-analysis and a narrative approach.

Results

Of 2,045 papers identified by searches, 22 were included, describing 18 studies in a variety of settings. Meta-analyses indicated that 77% (95% confidence intervals [CIs] 69–84%) of patients (n = 119) reported an ELDV compared with 32% (95% CIs 21–44%) of bereaved relatives (n = 2,444) and that 80% (95% CIs 59–94%) of healthcare professionals (n = 171) reported either witnessing or being told of an ELDV in the preceding 5 years. Studies of volunteers reported 34% (95% CIs 20–48%) (n = 45) either witnessing or being told of an ELDV over their entire period of service, with 49% of volunteers (95% CIs 33–64%) (n = 39) reporting events occurring in the preceding year. ELDVs reported by patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, and volunteers were perceived as being a source of comfort. Healthcare professionals and volunteers expressed a need for further education on how to support patients experiencing ELDVs and their families.

Significance of results

ELDVs are experienced by the majority of dying patients and need consideration in delivering holistic end-of-life care. Little if any research has been conducted in acute care facilities.
Can farmers' participation in contract farming promote the application of organic fertilizer? Empirical evidence from a sample of vegetable farmers in Shandong province of China
Authors: Gao Yang , Yao Xue , Chen Chen , Niu Ziheng
Published: August 2022

Determining an effective approach to replacing chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer is a difficult challenge for the Chinese government. This paper constructs a dynamic analysis framework with broader application than previous statistical and case studies by theoretically deriving the impact of farmers' participation in contract farming on their organic fertilizer application behavior. The framework analyzes farmers' intertemporal organic fertilizer application behavior under the two scenarios of participation and nonparticipation in contract farming. Participation in contract farming positively impacts organic fertilizer application behavior in both the short and long terms. Survey data from 473 vegetable farmers in Shandong province of China were used to conduct an empirical analysis, and the endogenous switching probit model was used to solve the endogeneity problem of farmers' participation in contract farming. The empirical analysis supports the above results: farmers' participation in contract farming increases their probability of applying organic fertilizer by 50.7%. Robustness tests conducted using the recursive bivariate probit model and replacing the dependent variable (the intensity with which farmers replace chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer) confirm the research results. Further heterogeneity analysis shows that farmers' participation in contract farming has a more obvious promoting effect on organic fertilizer application behavior in the older group, the group with an education level of primary school or below and the small-scale farming group. Therefore, the government should promote participation in contract farming, especially among elderly, low-education and small-scale farmers, to improve the adoption level of organic fertilizer in China.
Accelerating integration of social needs into mainstream healthcare to achieve health equity in the COVID-19 era
Authors: Kulkarni Aparna , Davey-Rothwell Melissa , Mossialos Elias
Published: August 2022

It is known that social inequities result in health disparities in outcomes, highlighted in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This commentary discusses the actionable initiatives that have been implemented to address social inequities in healthcare in the United States. The publicly available social needs screening tools and International Classification of Disease Systems-10 Z codes for social determinants of health are introduced. In this context, policies, health system strategies and the larger role of implementation science in recognizing and alleviating the social needs are discussed.
Endothall and florpyrauxifen-benzyl behavior in hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) when applied in combination
Authors: Ortiz Mirella F. , Nissen Scott J. , Dayan Franck E.
Published: August 2022

Hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle] is often called the “perfect aquatic weed,” as it has numerous physiological adaptations that make it highly aggressive and competitive. Hydrilla verticillata has historically been managed effectively using fluridone; however, the overreliance on this single mechanism of action (MOA) resulted in evolved fluridone resistance in the late 1990s. Where fluridone-resistant H. verticillata populations evolved, endothall became widely used for H. verticillata control. In 2018, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, a highly active auxin-mimic herbicide, was registered for H. verticillata control, and its use has increased since its introduction. Endothall and florpyrauxifen-benzyl provide two effective MOAs for H. verticillata management, and combining these two MOAs would be an effective strategy to delay further resistance evolution. The objective of this research was to determine whether combining endothall and florpyrauxifen-benzyl would significantly impact the behavior of either herbicide in dioecious (DHV) or monoecious (MHV) H. verticillata compared with their behavior when applied alone. Endothall and florpyrauxifen-benzyl absorption and accumulation alone and in combination were measured over a 192-h time course. Translocation patterns were also determined. Herbicide accumulation in MHV and DHV was not impacted when these herbicides were applied in combination. Endothall translocation from shoots to roots in DHV was not impacted (alone = 18.7 ± 1.4%; combination = 23.2 ± 2.2%); however, endothall shoot-to-root translocation in MHV was reduced from 16.2 ± 1.3% applied alone to 2.2 ± 0.1% when applied in combination with florpyrauxifen-benzyl. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl shoot-to-root translocation was reduced in both MHV and DHV when applied in combination with endothall. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl translocation was reduced by 16- and 6-fold in DHV and MHV, respectively. These data do not suggest that there would be operational impacts from endothall and florpyrauxifen-benzyl mixtures. Still, there appear to be changes in herbicide behavior, primarily shoot-to-root translocation, when these two herbicides are applied in combination.
A homozygous loss-of-function variant in BICD2 is associated with lissencephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia
Authors: Abdel-Salam Ghada M. H. , Girgis Marian , Eid Maha M. , Sayed Inas S. M. , Abdel-Hamid Mohamed S.
Published: August 2022

Developmental brain malformations are rare but are increasingly reported features ofBICD2-related disorders. Here, we report a 2-year old boy with microcephaly, profound delay and partial seizures. His brain MRI showed lissencephaly, hypogenesis of corpus callosum, dysplastic hipocampus and cerebellar hypoplasia. Whole-exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous likely pathogenic variant in theBICD2gene, c.229 C > T p.(Gln77Ter). This is the first report of lissencephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia seen in a patient with homozygous loss-of-function variant inBICD2that recapitulated the animal model. Our report supports thatBICD2should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients with lissencephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia Additional clinical features ofBICD2are likely to emerge with the identification of additional patients.
Targeted inhibition of osteoclastogenesis reveals the pathogenesis and therapeutics of bone loss under sympathetic neurostress
Authors: Sui Bingdong , Liu Jin , Zheng Chenxi , Dang Lei , Chen Ji , Cao Yuan , Zhang Kaichao , Liu Lu , Dang Minyan , Zhang Liqiang , Chen Nan , He Tao , Xuan Kun , Jin Fang , Zhang Ge , Jin Yan , Hu Chenghu
Published: August 2022

Sympathetic cues via the adrenergic signaling critically regulate bone homeostasis and contribute to neurostress-induced bone loss, but the mechanisms and therapeutics remain incompletely elucidated. Here, we reveal an osteoclastogenesis-centered functionally important osteopenic pathogenesis under sympatho-adrenergic activation with characterized microRNA response and efficient therapeutics. We discovered that osteoclastic miR-21 was tightly regulated by sympatho-adrenergic cues downstream the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) signaling, critically modulated osteoclastogenesis in vivo by inhibiting programmed cell death 4 (Pdcd4), and mediated detrimental effects of both isoproterenol (ISO) and chronic variable stress (CVS) on bone. Intriguingly, without affecting osteoblastic bone formation, bone protection against ISO and CVS was sufficiently achieved by a (D-Asp8)-lipid nanoparticle-mediated targeted inhibition of osteoclastic miR-21 or by clinically relevant drugs to suppress osteoclastogenesis. Collectively, these results unravel a previously underdetermined molecular and functional paradigm that osteoclastogenesis crucially contributes to sympatho-adrenergic regulation of bone and establish multiple targeted therapeutic strategies to counteract osteopenias under stresses.
Early life adversity shapes neural circuit function during sensitive postnatal developmental periods
Authors: Malave Lauren , van Dijk Milenna T. , Anacker Christoph
Published: August 2022

Early life adversity (ELA) is a major risk factor for mental illness, but the neurobiological mechanisms by which ELA increases the risk for future psychopathology are still poorly understood. Brain development is particularly malleable during prenatal and early postnatal life, when complex neural circuits are being formed and refined through an interplay of excitatory and inhibitory neural input, synaptogenesis, synaptic pruning, myelination, and neurogenesis. Adversity that influences these processes during sensitive periods of development can thus have long-lasting and pervasive effects on neural circuit maturation. In this review, we will discuss clinical and preclinical evidence for the impact of ELA on neural circuit formation with a focus on the early postnatal period, and how long-lasting impairments in these circuits can affect future behavior. We provide converging evidence from human and animal studies on how ELA alters the functional development of brain regions, neural circuits, and neurotransmitter systems that are crucial for cognition and affective behavior, including the hippocampus, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neural networks of fear responses and cognition, and the serotonin (5-HT) system. We also discuss how gene-by-environment (GxE) interactions can determine individual differences in susceptibility and resilience to ELA, as well as molecular pathways by which ELA regulates neural circuit development, for which we emphasize epigenetic mechanisms. Understanding the molecular and neurobiological mechanisms underlying ELA effects on brain function and psychopathology during early postnatal sensitive periods may have great potential to advance strategies to better treat or prevent psychiatric disorders that have their origin early in life.
Peer-assessment ability of trainees in clinical restorative dentistry: can it be fostered?
Authors: Alfakhry Ghaith , Mustafa Khattab , Alagha M. Abdulhadi , Zayegh Obada , Milly Hussam , Shwikani Feras Al , Jamous Issam
Published: August 2022

Objectives

The study was conducted to investigate whether peer-assessment among dental students at the clinical stage can be fostered and become closer to that of experienced faculty assessors.

Methods

A prospective pilot study was conducted in 2021 at the Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University. Sixteen 5th year clinical students volunteered to participate in the study. A modified version of the validated Peer Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (Peer-DOPS) assessment form was used together with a grading rubric. Participants undertook peer-assessment on their colleagues across three encounters. The difference between peers and faculty assessment was the main variable.

Results

The mean difference between peers and faculty assessment decreased after each encounter with a significant difference and a medium effect size between the first and third encounters (p = 0.016, d = 0.67). Peer-assessment was significantly higher than faculty, however, the overestimation declined with each encounter reducing the difference between peer- and faculty assessment. Peers’ perception of the educational benefit of conducting assessment was overwhelmingly positive, reporting improvements in their own performance.

Conclusion

This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that dental students assessment ability of their peers can be fostered and become closer to that of experienced faculty assessment with practice and assessment-specific instruction.
Hypoxia-responsive circRNAs: A novel but important participant in non-coding RNAs ushered toward tumor hypoxia
Authors: Jiao Benzheng , Liu Shanshan , Zhao Hongguang , Zhuang Yuying , Ma Shumei , Lin Chenghe , Hu Jifan , Liu Xiaodong
Published: August 2022

Given the rapid developments in RNA-seq technologies and bioinformatic analyses, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have gradually become recognized as a novel class of endogenous RNAs, characterized by covalent loop structures lacking free terminals, which perform multiple biological functions in cancer genesis, progression and metastasis. Hypoxia, a common feature of the tumor microenvironments, profoundly affects several fundamental adaptive responses of tumor cells by regulating the coding and non-coding transcriptomes and renders cancer’s phenotypes more aggressive. Recently, hypoxia-responsive circRNAs have been recognized as a novel player in hypoxia-induced non-coding RNA transcriptomics to modulate the hypoxic responses and promote the progression and metastasis of hypoxic tumors. Moreover, via extracellular vesicles-exosomes, these hypoxia-responsive circRNAs could transmit hypoxia responses from cancer cells to the cells of surrounding matrices, even more distant cells of other organs. Here, we have summarized what is known about hypoxia-responsive circRNAs, with a focus on their interaction with hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), regulation of hypoxic responses and relevance with malignant carcinoma’s clinical features, which will offer novel insights on the non-coding RNAs’ regulation of cancer cells under hypoxic stress and might aid the identification of new theranostic targets and define new therapeutic strategies for those cancer patients with resistance to radiochemotherapy, because of the ubiquity of tumoral hypoxia.
Adaptive wireless millirobotic locomotion into distal vasculature
Authors: Wang Tianlu , Ugurlu Halim , Yan Yingbo , Li Mingtong , Li Meng , Wild Anna-Maria , Yildiz Erdost , Schneider Martina , Sheehan Devin , Hu Wenqi , Sitti Metin
Published: August 2022

Microcatheters have enabled diverse minimally invasive endovascular operations and notable health benefits compared with open surgeries. However, with tortuous routes far from the arterial puncture site, the distal vascular regions remain challenging for safe catheter access. Therefore, we propose a wireless stent-shaped magnetic soft robot to be deployed, actively navigated, used for medical functions, and retrieved in the example M4 segment of the middle cerebral artery. We investigate shape-adaptively controlled locomotion in phantoms emulating the physiological conditions here, where the lumen diameter shrinks from 1.5 mm to 1 mm, the radius of curvature of the tortuous lumen gets as small as 3 mm, the lumen bifurcation angle goes up to 120°, and the pulsatile flow speed reaches up to 26 cm/s. The robot can also withstand the flow when the magnetic actuation is turned off. These locomotion capabilities are confirmed in porcine arteries ex vivo. Furthermore, variants of the robot could release the tissue plasminogen activator on-demand locally for thrombolysis and function as flow diverters, initiating promising therapies towards acute ischemic stroke, aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, dural arteriovenous fistulas, and brain tumors. These functions should facilitate the robot’s usage in new distal endovascular operations.
Aβ42 oligomers trigger synaptic loss through CAMKK2-AMPK-dependent effectors coordinating mitochondrial fission and mitophagy
Authors: Lee Annie , Kondapalli Chandana , Virga Daniel M. , Lewis Tommy L. , Koo So Yeon , Ashok Archana , Mairet-Coello Georges , Herzig Sebastien , Foretz Marc , Viollet Benoit , Shaw Reuben , Sproul Andrew , Polleux Franck
Published: August 2022

During the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in both mouse models and human patients, soluble forms of Amyloid-β 1–42 oligomers (Aβ42o) trigger loss of excitatory synapses (synaptotoxicity) in cortical and hippocampal pyramidal neurons (PNs) prior to the formation of insoluble amyloid plaques. In a transgenic AD mouse model, we observed a spatially restricted structural remodeling of mitochondria in the apical tufts of CA1 PNs dendrites corresponding to the dendritic domain where the earliest synaptic loss is detected in vivo. We also observed AMPK over-activation as well as increased fragmentation and loss of mitochondrial biomass in Ngn2-induced neurons derived from a new APPSwe/Swe knockin human ES cell line. We demonstrate that Aβ42o-dependent over-activation of the CAMKK2-AMPK kinase dyad mediates synaptic loss through coordinated phosphorylation of MFF-dependent mitochondrial fission and ULK2-dependent mitophagy. Our results uncover a unifying stress-response pathway causally linking Aβ42o-dependent structural remodeling of dendritic mitochondria to synaptic loss.
Temporally divergent regulatory mechanisms govern neuronal diversification and maturation in the mouse and marmoset neocortex
Authors: Yuan Wen , Ma Sai , Brown Juliana R. , Kim Kwanho , Murek Vanessa , Trastulla Lucia , Meissner Alexander , Lodato Simona , Shetty Ashwin S. , Levin Joshua Z. , Buenrostro Jason D. , Ziller Michael J. , Arlotta Paola
Published: August 2022

Mammalian neocortical neurons span one of the most diverse cell type spectra of any tissue. Cortical neurons are born during embryonic development, and their maturation extends into postnatal life. The regulatory strategies underlying progressive neuronal development and maturation remain unclear. Here we present an integrated single-cell epigenomic and transcriptional analysis of individual mouse and marmoset cortical neuron classes, spanning both early postmitotic stages of identity acquisition and later stages of neuronal plasticity and circuit integration. We found that, in both species, the regulatory strategies controlling early and late stages of pan-neuronal development diverge. Early postmitotic neurons use more widely shared and evolutionarily conserved molecular regulatory programs. In contrast, programs active during later neuronal maturation are more brain- and neuron-specific and more evolutionarily divergent. Our work uncovers a temporal shift in regulatory choices during neuronal diversification and maturation in both mice and marmosets, which likely reflects unique evolutionary constraints on distinct events of neuronal development in the neocortex.
Associated bacterial microbiome responds opportunistic once algal host Scenedesmus vacuolatus is attacked by endoparasite Amoeboaphelidium protococcarum
Authors: Hoeger Anna-Lena , Jehmlich Nico , Kipping Lydia , Griehl Carola , Noll Matthias
Published: August 2022

The interactions of microalgae and their associated microbiomes have come to the fore of applied phycological research in recent years. However, the functional mechanisms of microalgal interactions remain largely unknown. Here, we examine functional protein patterns of the microalgaeScenedesmus vacuolatusand its associated bacterial community during algal infection by the endoparasiteAmoeboaphelidium protococcarum. We performed metaproteomics analyses of non-infected (NI) and aphelid-infected (AI)S.vacuolatuscultures to investigate underlying functional and physiological changes under infectious conditions. We observed an increase in bacterial protein abundance as well as a severe shift of bacterial functional patterns throughout aphelid-infection in comparison to NI treatment. Most of the bacterial proteins (about 55%) upregulated in AI were linked to metabolism and transport of amino acids, lipids, coenzymes, nucleotides and carbohydrates and to energy production. Several proteins associated with pathogenic bacterial-plant interactions showed higher protein abundance levels in AI treatment. These functional shifts indicate that associated bacteria involved in commensalistic or mutualistic interactions in NI switch to opportunistic lifestyles and facilitate pathogenic or saprotrophic traits in AI treatment. In summary, the native bacterial microbiome adapted its metabolism to algal host die off and is able to metabolize nutrients from injured cells or decompose dead cellular material.
An experimental study: effects of boulder placement on hydraulic metrics of instream habitat complexity
Authors: Golpira Amir , Baki Abul B. M. , Ghamry Haitham , Katopodis Christos , Withers Jonah , Minkoff David
Published: August 2022

Boulder placement is a common method to restore degraded instream habitats by enhancing habitat complexity. This experimental study is the foremost attempt to systematically investigate the influence of rock-ramp boulder placement with varying boulder concentration and flow rate on habitat hydraulic complexity metrics, including the kinetic energy gradient and modified recirculation metrics. By adding boulders to a reach, the modified recirculation metric increased by one order of magnitude for all boulder concentrations. Based on the studied metrics, boulder placement with the highest boulder concentration (λ = 8.3%) resulted in the greatest habitat hydraulic complexity. A set of relationships of moderate strength were proposed to predict the metrics in reaches with boulders by having information about only boulder concentration, habitat characteristic size, and reach-averaged flow characteristics. Based on the available data from the literature, boulder placement especially at higher concentrations may provide suitable habitats for several riverine fish species. Further studies are needed to establish a reliable linkage between the metrics and instream species, to test a wider variety of parameters for verifying and improving the range of applicability of the proposed relationships, and to find the structural configuration at which the habitat complexity is maximized or optimized for a certain species.