bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Update South Africa; Cooptation Versus Confrontation
Authors: Carter Gwendolen M.
Published: August 2021

May 1983 saw two diametrically opposed efforts to change some fundamental features of contemporary South Africa. On May 3, Prime Minister Botha’s new Constitutional Bill was introduced in the House of Assembly providing for the first time for the inclusion of Coloured and Indians in the previously all white national legislature. Minor as the role of these two minorities will be should the new structure be adopted, the provisions signaled two white objectives: to split the black front, such as it is, and to underline the permanent exclusion of the majority Africans from any share in making national decisions.

On May 20, what might be considered the response to that formal exclusion came with the use for the first time by the seventy-year-old African National Congress of a new and deadly tactic when it exploded a car bomb outside airforce headquarters in Pretoria, killing eighteen people.
People’s Education for People’s Power
Authors: Zwelakhe Sisulu , Karis Thomas
Published: August 2021

When the 35-year-old Zwelakhe Sisulu arose to deliver the keynote address reproduced below, he stepped into a spotlight of national leadership toward which he had been moving for a decade. From an important role in the Black Consciousness Movement, he had become a leading strategic thinker for the United Democratic Front, South Africa’s most widely representative, nonracial coalition. Described by a colleague as “a charismatic, handsome figure with a resonant voice,” a man of “sharp intellect” and “sharp wit,” he is now recognized as one of the country’s outstanding younger leaders, comparable to Steve Biko, who died at the hands of the security police in 1977.
Prospects for Change in South Africa: Lessons from Rhodesia
Authors: Sithole Masipula
Published: August 2021

Southern Africa has been in a state of crisis since the fall of the Portuguese empire in Angola and Mozambique in 1974. The MPLA and FRELIMO governments established in Angola and Mozambique, respectively, in the mid-1970’s have been under pressure from internal opposition groups that have been increasingly drawn into the armpits of South African sponsorship in its destabilization policy towards its neighbors. Zimbabwe, independent only six years ago, seems to have fallen into a similar pattern.
Development Politics and the Politics of Development in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia
Authors: Thomas Barbara P.
Published: August 2021

To the casual observer and the experienced scholar alike, the complexity of the African continent defies imagination. Two of the complicated-and troubled-areas are Southern Africa and the Horn. These two regions with their extraordinary mix of ethnic groups, races, political loyalties, new states, varying colonial experiences, economic concerns and environmental problems challenge the most astute analyst of African affairs. Recently, I had an opportunity to return to Zimbabwe and Ethiopia for a brief visit after a three-year absence. I was intrigued with the possibiltiy of looking more closely at some of the pieces of the Southern Africa and Horn puzzles. I wondered what changes there would be in these two countries since I had last visited them in the summer of 1982.
Ideology and Praxis in Thomas Sankara’s Populist Revolution of 4 August 1983 in Burkina Faso
Authors: Martin Guy
Published: August 2021

This article is an inquiry into the origins, the ideological basis, political and economic organization and prospects of the Populist Revolution ushered in Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) by the military coup d’état of 4 August 1983 led by Captain Thomas Sankara. Set against an inauspicious background of scarce resources, dismal poverty, recurrent drought and regional and international hostility, and occurring at a time when Socialism is on the wane in Africa, the coup initially seemed doomed to failure. The very fact that it has been able to survive for almost three years in such an unfavourable context is in itself intriguing. We venture the hypothesis that the relative longevity and temporary success of the Sankara regime is to be explained by the fact that-contrary to many similar socialists experiments-it has actually managed to actively and durably mobilize genuine and significant popular support for its policies.
Common infectious morbidity and white blood cell count in middle childhood predict behavior problems in adolescence
Authors: Beer Rachael J. , Dent Kallisse R. , Robinson Sonia L. , Oliveros Henry , Mora-Plazas Mercedes , Marin Constanza , Villamor Eduardo
Published: August 2021

We examined the associations of middle childhood infectious morbidity and inflammatory biomarkers with adolescent internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. We recruited 1018 Colombian schoolchildren aged 5–12 years into a cohort. We quantified white blood cell (WBC) counts and C-reactive protein at enrollment and prospectively recorded incidence of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and fever-associated morbidity during the first follow-up year. After a median 6 years, we assessed adolescent internalizing and externalizing behavior problems using child behavior checklist (CBCL) and youth self-report (YSR) questionnaires. Behavior problem scores were compared over biomarker and morbidity categories using mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from multivariable linear regression. Compared with children without symptoms, CBCL internalizing problem scores were an adjusted 2.5 (95% CI: 0.1, 4.9; p = .04) and 3.1 (95% CI: 1.1, 5.2; p = .003) units higher among children with moderate diarrhea with vomiting and high cough with fever rates, respectively. High cough with fever and high fever rates were associated with increased CBCL somatic complaints and anxious/depressed scores, respectively. WBC >10,000/mm3 was associated with both internalizing problem and YSR withdrawn/depressed scores. There were no associations with externalizing behavior problems. Whether or not decreasing the burden of common infections results in improved neurobehavioral outcomes warrants further investigation.
Building a New Humanism for a Globalised World: The Contribution of Religion
Authors: Vega Gutiérrez Ana María
Published: August 2021

Humanity's challenges have become more acute in recent decades. The international environment has been characterised by rapid change, uncertainty, increased complexity and new trends. Despite the seeming unanimity of the international community in accepting human dignity and human rights as the foundation of a just society, the gap between systems and reality is widening around the world, exacerbated at the same time by globalisation and a liberal, individualistic and consumerist model of democracy. This article seeks to identify a new humanism that can be seen in UNESCO's work in the multifaceted field of culture, with culture as an enabler of sustainable development, peace and economic progress. On the one hand, it examines the confrontation between the politics of recognition and the politics of resentment in dealing with the management of diversity in increasingly complex societies. On the other hand, it analyses the relevance of religion, and particularly the work of the Holy See and successive popes, in culture, public ethics and social cohesion.
NOTE: BOETHUS FR. 44 RASHED
Authors: Bamballi Nicolás
Published: August 2021

The Arabic text of Boethus fr. 44 Rashed has, pace Rashed (p. 266), a parallel in a Greek scholium to Galen's De elementis ex Hippocratis sententia. The scholium occurs in the sets of scholia to De elem. in Paris BNF suppl. gr. 634 (= Π; saec. xii) and in El Escorial Φ.II.15 (= Σ; saec. xiii). The former set was edited by G. Helmreich in Handschriftliche Studien zu Galen, vol. I. The relevant passage occurs in Π fol. 21 r ult. – v 3 (= schol. 34 p. 12 Helmr.) and in Σ fol. 136 r 7-11. The polysyllogism ascribed to Boethus reads:
τὸ ὅμοιον ὑπὸ τοῦ ὁμοίου γινώσκεται. ἡ αἴσθησις τὰ στοιχεῖα γινώσκει. ἡ αἴσθησις ἄρα ὁμοία τοῖς στοιχείοις … ἡ αἴσθησις ὁμοία τοῖς στοιχείοις. τὸ ὅμοιον ἐκ τοῦ ὁμοίου [γινώσκεται]. ἡ αἴσθησις ἄρα ἐκ τῶν στοιχείων [γινώσκεται].
AN ANALYTICAL OPTION PRICING FORMULA FOR MEAN-REVERTING ASSET WITH TIME-DEPENDENT PARAMETER
Authors: NONSOONG P. , MEKCHAY K. , RUJIVAN S.
Published: August 2021

We present an analytical option pricing formula for the European options, in which the price dynamics of a risky asset follows a mean-reverting process with a time-dependent parameter. The process can be adapted to describe a seasonal variation in price such as in agricultural commodity markets. An analytical solution is derived based on the solution of a partial differential equation, which shows that a European option price can be decomposed into two terms: the payoff of the option at the initial time and the time-integral over the lifetime of the option driven by a time-dependent parameter. Finally, results obtained from the formula have been compared with Monte Carlo simulations and a Black–Scholes-type formula under various kinds of long-run mean functions, and some examples of option price behaviours have been provided.
Will the Real Conspiracy Please Stand Up: Sources of Post-Communist Democratic Failure
Authors: Marinov Nikolay , Popova Maria
Published: August 2021

At the start of the pandemic, it looked like the biggest COVID-related threat to democracy, in Eastern Europe and elsewhere, was executive aggrandizement. This focus, however, may lead us to overlook a bigger threat to Eastern European democracy. We argue that Eastern European democracies’ original sin of state capture has been exacerbated by the rise of conspiracy theories, whose stock has only increased with the addition of COVID misinformation. Eastern European voters struggle to differentiate between the true political conspiracy that enables private interests to control the state and conspiracies without empirical basis, such as COVID denialism, world government, or political correctness as a tyrannical plot. As a result, conspiracy theories enable the state capture camp to divide the reformist opposition and maintain their grip, while simultaneously claiming that they are governing competently and in line with European values. We use an original survey from Bulgaria and a GLOBSEC 2020 cross-national survey to explore this hypothesis. Finally, we draw some theoretical implications from the empirical evidence for assessing the nature of democratic backsliding in Eastern Europe. We call for more research on the conspiracy cleavage as a factor in explaining backsliding processes.
Beyond #WithYou: The New Generation of Feminists and the #MeToo Movement in South Korea
Authors: Shin Ki-young
Published: August 2021

The #MeToo movement has shaken Korea over the last two years (Hasunuma and Shin 2019). Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun's public testimony in January 2018 charged a former Ministry of Justice official with sexual harassment and catalyzed the #MeToo movement. Hundreds of Korean women came forward and spoke up about being sexually abused by powerful men. Social media platforms were flooded with hashtags such as #WithYou to support the movement and to express solidarity with victims of sexual violence. Women have taken to the streets for months demanding government action to prevent and punish sexual violence.
Determination of electromagnetic source localization with factorization method
Authors: Karakiraz Nuri Gokmen , Ertay Agah Oktay , Göse Ersin
Published: August 2021

The factorization method (FM) is an attractive qualitative inverse scattering technique for the detection of geometrical features of unknown objects. This method depends on the selection of regularization parameters slightingly and has low calculation necessities. The aim of this work is to present a near-field FM for inverse source problems that have many applications. A modified test equation is obtained by converting the far-field term to Hankel's function. A different method has been proposed by manipulating the asymptotic approximation of Hankel's function in order to obtain near-field equations with incident angle and distance parameters. The novelty of this study is an integral equation based on the FM, which consists of multifrequency sparse near-field electric field measurements. We proved that the solution of the proposed integral equation gives information about the location of scatterers. The proposed algorithm is validated with simulation results and the capabilities of the presented method are assessed with several frequency regions and sources. Additionally, the presented method is compared with the direct sampling method in order to understand the performance of the proposed approach over a given scenario. The developed FM provides accurate results for electromagnetic source problems.
Magnetic Signatures of Ionospheric Disturbance Dynamo for CME and HSSWs Generated Storms
Authors: Younas Waqar , Amory‐Mazaudier C. , Khan Majid , Le Huy M.
Published: August 2021

Ionospheric disturbance dynamo is one of the main processes that causes perturbations in the upper atmosphere during a magnetic storm. We present a new method, based on the least square fitting, for estimation of the magnetic signatures associated with ionospheric disturbance currents. Using a wavelet semblance analysis, the durations of disturbance dynamo electric fields have been investigated at three longitudinal sectors. For that we have analyzed the disturbance dynamo (Ddyn) for 19 magnetic storms. It has been found that during CME generated storms magnetic signature of Ddyn may be observed—depending on strength of the storm as well as on the duration of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz southward—in one, two or all three longitudes. The Oscillatory behavior of IMF Bz during the high‐speed solar wind streams (HSSWs) generates Ddyn globally and the corresponding effects are observed at all low latitude magnetic observatories. In this regard, the Joule heating estimation shows that CME and HSSWs generated storms have very different patterns. The Ddyn duration is found to be maximum for the storms occurring during equinox season. Moreover, the HSSWs events are more likely to cause—because of the oscillatory IMF Bz—long lasting Ddyn as compared to CME generated counterpart. This study presents a detailed analysis of disturbance dynamo as affected by longitudinal and seasonal variations. In this regard the difference in magnetic signatures, of CME and HSSWs originated storms, have been highlighted.
Deletion of Glut1 in early postnatal cartilage reprograms chondrocytes toward enhanced glutamine oxidation
Authors: Wang Cuicui , Ying Jun , Niu Xiangfeng , Li Xiaofei , Patti Gary J. , Shen Jie , O’Keefe Regis J.
Published: August 2021

Glucose metabolism is fundamental for the functions of all tissues, including cartilage. Despite the emerging evidence related to glucose metabolism in the regulation of prenatal cartilage development, little is known about the role of glucose metabolism and its biochemical basis in postnatal cartilage growth and homeostasis. We show here that genetic deletion of the glucose transporter Glut1 in postnatal cartilage impairs cell proliferation and matrix production in growth plate (GPs) but paradoxically increases cartilage remnants in the metaphysis, resulting in shortening of long bones. On the other hand, articular cartilage (AC) with Glut1 deficiency presents diminished cellularity and loss of proteoglycans, which ultimately progress to cartilage fibrosis. Moreover, predisposition to Glut1 deficiency severely exacerbates injury-induced osteoarthritis. Regardless of the disparities in glucose metabolism between GP and AC chondrocytes under normal conditions, both types of chondrocytes demonstrate metabolic plasticity to enhance glutamine utilization and oxidation in the absence of glucose availability. However, uncontrolled glutamine flux causes collagen overmodification, thus affecting extracellular matrix remodeling in both cartilage compartments. These results uncover the pivotal and distinct roles of Glut1-mediated glucose metabolism in two of the postnatal cartilage compartments and link some cartilage abnormalities to altered glucose/glutamine metabolism.
Highlights from ASCO-GI 2021 from EORTC Gastrointestinal tract cancer group
Authors: Koessler Thibaud , Alsina Maria , Arnold Dirk , Ben-Aharon Irit , Lutz Manfred P. , Obermannova Radka , Peeters Mark , Sclafani Francesco , Smyth Elizabeth , Valle Juan W. , Wagner Anna Dorothea , Wyrwicz Lucjan , Fontana Elisa , Moehler Markus
Published: August 2021

Last year the field of immunotherapy was finally introduced to GI oncology, with several changes in clinical practice such as advanced hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic colorectal MSI-H. At the virtual ASCO-GI symposium 2021, several large trial results have been reported, some leading to a change of practice. Furthermore, during ASCO-GI 2021, results from early phase trials have been presented, some with potential important implications for future treatments. We provide here an overview of these important results and their integration into routine clinical practice.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Alternaria species from tomato and potato in North Carolina and Wisconsin
Authors: Adhikari Tika B. , Muzhinji Norman , Halterman Dennis , Louws Frank J.
Published: August 2021

Early blight (EB) caused by Alternaria linariae or Alternaria solani and leaf blight (LB) caused by A. alternata are economically important diseases of tomato and potato. Little is known about the genetic diversity and population structure of these pathogens in the United States. A total of 214 isolates of A. alternata (n = 61), A. linariae (n = 96), and A. solani (n = 57) were collected from tomato and potato in North Carolina and Wisconsin and grouped into populations based on geographic locations and tomato varieties. We exploited 220 single nucleotide polymorphisms derived from DNA sequences of 10 microsatellite loci to analyse the population genetic structure between species and between populations within species and infer the mode of reproduction. High genetic variation and genotypic diversity were observed in all the populations analysed. The null hypothesis of the clonality test based on the index of association $$\left( {\overline{r}_{d} } \right)$$

r
¯

d

was rejected, and equal frequencies of mating types under random mating were detected in some studied populations of Alternaria spp., suggesting that recombination can play an important role in the evolution of these pathogens. Most genetic differences were found between species, and the results showed three distinct genetic clusters corresponding to the three Alternaria spp. We found no evidence for clustering of geographic location populations or tomato variety populations. Analyses of molecular variance revealed high (> 85%) genetic variation within individuals in a population, confirming a lack of population subdivision within species. Alternaria linariae populations harboured more multilocus genotypes (MLGs) than A. alternata and A. solani populations and shared the same MLG between populations within a species, which was suggestive of gene flow and population expansion. Although both A. linariae and A. solani can cause EB on tomatoes and potatoes, these two species are genetically differentiated. Our results provide new insights into the evolution and structure of Alternaria spp. and can lead to new directions in optimizing management strategies to mitigate the impact of these pathogens on tomato and potato production in North Carolina and Wisconsin.
A case–control study in France showing that a pro-inflammatory diet is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer
Authors: Hajji-Louati Mariem , Cordina-Duverger Emilie , Laouali Nasser , Mancini Francesca-Romana , Guénel Pascal
Published: August 2021

Dietary regimens promoting inflammatory conditions have been implicated in breast cancer development, but studies on the association between pro-inflammatory diet and breast cancer risk have reported inconsistent results. We investigated the association between the inflammatory potential of diet and breast cancer risk in a case–control study in France including 872 breast cancer cases and 966 population controls. All women completed a food frequency questionnaire that was used to compute a Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) based on the inflammatory weight of 33 dietary components. The DII ranged from a median of − 3.22 in the lowest quartile (anti-inflammatory) to + 2.96 in the highest quartile (pro-inflammatory). The odds ratio contrasting quartile 4 to quartile 1 was 1.31 (95% CI 1.00, 1.73; p-trend = 0.02). Slightly higher odds ratios were observed in post-menopausal women, particularly those with body mass index > 25 kg/m2 (odds ratio 1.62; 95% CI 0.92, 2.83; p-trend = 0.02), and among ever smokers (odds ratio 1.71; 95% CI 1.11, 2.65; p-trend 0.01). The analyses by breast cancer subtype showed that the DII was associated with breast tumors that expressed either the estrogen (ER) or progesterone (PR) hormone receptors or the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2), but no association was seen for the triple negative breast tumor subtype. Our results add further evidence that a pro-inflammatory diet is associated with breast cancer risk with possible effect variation according to tumor subtype.
The association of disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus with cognitive deficit in a general population: the Ohasama study
Authors: Nishikawa Tomofumi , Akiguchi Ichiro , Satoh Michihiro , Hara Azusa , Hirano Mikio , Hosokawa Aya , Metoki Hirohito , Asayama Kei , Kikuya Masahiro , Nomura Kyoko , Hozawa Atsushi , Miyamatsu Naomi , Imai Yutaka , Ohkubo Takayoshi
Published: August 2021

Disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH) is the characteristic feature of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. We aimed to characterize the prevalence, development, and association of DESH to cognitive deficit in a large population. We reviewed the data of 1384 subjects eligible for the present study among 1590 participants who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the Ohasama Study, a population-based study in Ohasama, Japan. The participants with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score <  = 25 were assumed to have cognitive deficit and DESH was evaluated by reviewing the MRIs. We assessed the association between DESH, Evans index (EI), and cognitive deficit using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for relevant confounders. Furthermore, we evaluated the new development of DESH and the deterioration of cognitive function in the participants with DESH. There were nine participants with DESH (0.65%), seven of whom showed cognitive deficit. DESH was significantly associated with cognitive deficit in multivariate regression analyses (odds ratio; 8.50 [95% confidence interval: 1.61–44.88]). In the 669 participants who underwent follow-up MRI, we found four participants newly presenting with DESH; the development of DESH was observed before/after the presence of EI > 0.3. We also found two participants with existing DESH showing no remarkable worsening in MMSE and EI. The present study demonstrated a positive association between the presence of DESH and cognitive deficit. DESH can develop independently of EI > 0.3, and ventricular enlargement in combination with DESH may be an important factor in the worsening of cognitive deficit.
Association between glaucoma surgery and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among elderly patients with glaucoma: a nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Lee Sang Yeop , Lee Hun , Lee Ji Sung , Han Sol Ah , Kim Yoon Jeon , Kim Jae Yong , Tchah Hungwon
Published: August 2021

This population-based, retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the association between glaucoma surgery and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among Korean elderly patients with glaucoma. A total of 16210 elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) diagnosed with glaucoma between 2003 and 2012 were included, and their insurance data were analyzed. The participants were categorized into a glaucoma surgery cohort (n = 487), which included individuals who had diagnostic codes for open angle glaucoma (OAG) or angle closure glaucoma (ACG) and codes for glaucoma surgery, and a glaucoma diagnosis cohort (n = 15,723), which included patients who had codes for OAG and ACG but not for glaucoma surgery. Sociodemographic factors, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and ocular comorbidities were included as covariates. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between glaucoma surgery and mortality. The incidence of all-cause mortality was 34.76/1,000 person-years and 27.88/1,000 person-years in the glaucoma surgery and diagnosis groups, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality associated with glaucoma surgery was 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.62, P = 0.014). The adjusted HR for mortality due to a neurologic cause was significant (HR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.18–6.00, P = 0.018). The adjusted HRs for mortality due to cancer (HR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.07–3.83, P = 0.029) and accident or trauma (HR = 4.00, 95% CI 1.55–10.34, P = 0.004) associated with glaucoma surgery for ACG were significant as well. Glaucoma surgery was associated with an increase of mortality in elderly patients with glaucoma. In particular, the risk of mortality associated with glaucoma surgery due to neurologic causes was significant.
Early warming stress on rainbow trout juveniles impairs male reproduction but contrastingly elicits intergenerational thermotolerance
Authors: Butzge Arno Juliano , Yoshinaga Tulio Teruo , Acosta Omar David Moreno , Fernandino Juan Ignacio , Sanches Eduardo Antônio , Tabata Yara Aiko , de Oliveira Claudio , Takahashi Neuza Sumico , Hattori Ricardo Shohei
Published: August 2021

The exposure of adult fish to warm or high temperatures is known to impair reproduction, yet the long-term reproductive impacts for treatments at early life are not well clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of warm temperature (WT) during juvenile stage on gonad maturation, gamete quality, and offspring thermotolerance in rainbow trout. While the comparison of basic reproductive parameters in WT females did not reveal any kind of impairment, many WT males showed an atrophied, undeveloped gonad, or a smaller testis with lower milt volume; sperm quality parameters in WT males and deformity rates in the respective progeny were also highly affected. However, despite of such negative effects, many of the remaining progeny presented better rates of survival and growth when exposed to the same conditions as those of parental fish (WT), suggesting that thermal stress in parr stage males elicited intergenerational thermotolerance after a single generation. The present results support that prolonged warming stress during early life stages can adversely affect key reproductive aspects, but contrastingly increase offspring performance at upper thermal ranges. These findings have implications on the capacity of fish to adapt and to cope with global warming.
Optimized protocol for the extraction of RNA and DNA from frozen whole blood sample stored in a single EDTA tube
Authors: Yamagata Hirotaka , Kobayashi Ayumi , Tsunedomi Ryouichi , Seki Tomoe , Kobayashi Masaaki , Hagiwara Kosuke , Chen Chong , Uchida Shusaku , Okada Go , Fuchikami Manabu , Kamishikiryo Toshiharu , Iga Jun-ichi , Numata Shusuke , Kinoshita Makoto , Kato Takahiro A. , Hashimoto Ryota , Nagano Hiroaki , Okamoto Yasumasa , Ueno Shuichi , Ohmori Tetsuro , Nakagawa Shin
Published: August 2021

Cryopreservation of whole blood is useful for DNA collection, and clinical and basic research. Blood samples in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA) tubes stored at − 80 °C are suitable for DNA extraction, but not for high-quality RNA extraction. Herein, a new methodology for high-quality RNA extraction from human blood samples is described. Quickly thawing frozen whole blood on aluminum blocks at room temperature could minimize RNA degradation, and improve RNA yield and quality compared with thawing the samples in a 37 °C water bath. Furthermore, the use of the NucleoSpin RNA kit increased RNA yield by fivefold compared with the PAXgene Blood RNA Kit. Thawing blood samples on aluminum blocks significantly increased the DNA yield by ~ 20% compared with thawing in a 37 °C water bath or on ice. Moreover, by thawing on aluminum blocks and using the NucleoSpin RNA and QIAamp DNA Blood kits, the extraction of RNA and DNA of sufficient quality and quantity was achieved from frozen EDTA whole blood samples that were stored for up to 8.5 years. Thus, extracting RNA from frozen whole blood in EDTA tubes after long-term storage is feasible. These findings may help advance gene expression analysis, as well as biomarker research for various diseases.
Tau K321/K353 pseudoacetylation within KXGS motifs regulates tau–microtubule interactions and inhibits aggregation
Authors: Xia Yuxing , Bell Brach M. , Giasson Benoit I.
Published: August 2021

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia and a defining hallmark is the progressive brain deposition of tau aggregates. The insidious accumulation of brain tau inclusions is also involved in a group of neurodegenerative diseases termed frontotemporal dementias. In all of these disorders, tau aggregates are enriched in post-translational modifications including acetylation, which has recently been identified at multiple sites. While most evidence suggest that tau acetylation is detrimental and promotes tau aggregation, a few studies support that tau acetylation within the KXGS motif can be protective and inhibit tau aggregation. To model site-specific acetylation at K259, K290, K321, and K353, acetylmimetics were created by mutating lysine to glutamine residues, which approximates size and charge of acetylation. HEK293T cells were transfected to express wild type tau, tau pathogenic mutations (P301L and P301L/S320F) or tau acetylmimetics and assessed by cell-based assays for microtubule binding and tau aggregation. Acetylmimetics within the KXGS motif (K259Q, K290Q, K321Q, K353Q) leads to significant decreased tau–microtubule interactions. Acetylmimetics K321Q and K353Q within the context of the pathogenic P301L tau mutation strongly inhibited prion-like seeded aggregation. This protective effect was confirmed to decrease intrinsic aggregation of P301L/S320F tau double mutation. Surprisingly, K321Q and K353Q acetylmimetics altered the conformational structure of P301L/S320F tau to extensively impair Thioflavin S binding. Site-specific acetylation of tau at K321 and K353 could represent a natural protective mechanism against tau aggregation and could be a potential therapeutic target.
The effect of charge transfer transition on the photostability of lanthanide-doped indium oxide thin-film transistors
Authors: He Penghui , Xu Hua , Lan Linfeng , Deng Caihao , Wu Yongbo , Lin Yilong , Chen Siting , Ding Chunchun , Li Xiao , Xu Miao , Peng Junbiao
Published: August 2021

Amorphous oxide semiconductors are promising for their use in thin-film transistor (TFT) devices due to their high carrier mobility and large-area uniformity. However, their commercialization is limited by the negative gate bias stress experienced under continuous light illumination. Here, we report an approach to improve the negative bias illumination stress (NBIS) stability of amorphous oxide semiconductors TFTs by using lanthanide-doped indium oxide semiconductors as the channel layer. The effect of different lanthanide dopants on performances of solution-processed Ln:In2O3 TFTs are investigated. All lanthanides exhibit strong suppression of oxygen vacancy, which shift the Von from −13.5 V of pure In2O3 TFT to −1~1 V of Ln:In2O3 TFTs (except Ce). However, only Pr:In2O3 and Tb:In2O3 TFTs exhibit much better NBIS stability with same ΔVon of −3.0 V, compared to much higher ΔVon of −7.9~−15.6 V for other Ln:In2O3 TFTs. Our comprehensive study reveals that praseodymium and terbium act as a blue light down-conversion medium with low charge transfer transition energy for lowing photosensitivity of oxide semiconductors.
Different functional groups modified porous organic polymers used for low concentration CO2 fixation
Authors: Dai Zhifeng , Bao Yuanfei , Yuan Jindong , Yao Jinzhong , Xiong Yubing
Published: August 2021

Different functional groups modified porous organic polymers were constructed for the low concentration (15% v/v) CO2 chemical fixation.
Key to C2 production: selective C–C coupling for electrochemical CO2 reduction on copper alloy surfaces
Authors: Zhi Xing , Jiao Yan , Zheng Yao , Qiao Shi-Zhang
Published: August 2021

The OC–COH coupling is kinetically facilitated compared to OC–CHO coupling, which is induced by the optimized composition and electronic structures of copper alloys.
Weak base-promoted selective rearrangement of oxaziridines to amides via visible-light photoredox catalysis
Authors: Park Jin , Park Sehoon , Jang Gwang Seok , Kim Ran Hui , Jung Jaehoon , Woo Sang Kook
Published: August 2021

The photocatalytic single-electron oxidation of oxaziridines increases their acidity, thus facilitating the application of a weak base feasible for converting oxaziridines to amides.
Initiation reactions in the high temperature decomposition of styrene
Authors: Sikes Travis , Banyon Colin , Schwind Rachel A. , Lynch Patrick T. , Comandini Andrea , Sivaramakrishnan Raghu , Tranter Robert S.
Published: August 2021

A combined theoretical and experimental study showing styrene primarily decomposes to styryl radicals + H.
Endohedral group-14-element clusters TM@E9(TM = Co, Ni, Cu; E = Ge, Sn, Pb) and their low-dimensional nanostructures: a first-principles study
Authors: Zhao Xintian , Pei Gerui , Xu Song , Kong Chuncai , Yang Zhimao , Yang Tao
Published: August 2021

Geometries, electronic structures, and bonding properties of [TM@E9]n−clusters are explored and precise original low-dimensional nanostructures based on them are predicted to possess excellent thermodynamic stability.
Efficient photocatalytic conversion of benzene to phenol on stabilized subnanometer WO3 quantum dots
Authors: Ohno Akihide , Watanabe Hiroto , Matsui Takahiro , Somekawa Shoichi , Tomisaki Mai , Einaga Yasuaki , Oaki Yuya , Imai Hiroaki
Published: August 2021

Subnanometer WO3 quantum dots are spontaneously produced in a mesoporous silica matrix. Efficient photocatalytic conversion of benzene to phenol without decomposition of the product is realized by band engineering with a strong quantum size effect.
A tris-oxovanadium pyrogallate complex: synthesis, structure, and magnetic and electronic properties
Authors: Mkhadder Hassan , Denis Morgane , Giménez-Marqués Mónica , Cañón-Mancisidor Walter , Humbert Bernard , Deunf Elise , Poizot Philippe , Devic Thomas
Published: August 2021

A robust tris-oxovanadium tris-anion showing interesting electrochemical and magnetic properties due to the combination of V(iv) with a non-innocent pyrogallate ligand.
An inverting TENG to realize the AC mode based on the coupling of triboelectrification and air-breakdown
Authors: Shan Chuncai , Liu Wenlin , Wang Zhao , Pu Xianjie , He Wencong , Tang Qian , Fu Shaoke , Li Gui , Long Li , Guo Hengyu , Sun Jianfeng , Liu Anping , Hu Chenguo
Published: August 2021

An inverting TENG realizes the AC mode based on triboelectrification and air-breakdown by setting alternating polarity distribution areas, and exhibits unique feature in that both the width ratio and amplitude ratio of AC signals can be tuned.
Nanoparticle-assisted metal–organic framework (MOF) enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the detection of heavy metal ions in liquid samples
Authors: Liu Xiaojiao , Liu Jiao , Lin Qingyu , Liao Wenlong , Yang Tao , Qian Cheng , Duan Yixiang
Published: August 2021

In recent years, the low sensitivity caused by plasma quenching has restricted the development of LIBS technology in practical applications.
Structural, QSAR, machine learning and molecular docking studies of 5-thiophen-2-yl pyrazole derivatives as potent and selective cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonists
Authors: Hanachi Riadh , Ben Said Ridha , Allal Hamza , Rahali Seyfeddine , Alkhalifah Mohammed A. M. , Alresheedi Faisal , Tangour Bahoueddine , Hochlaf Majdi
Published: August 2021

We performed a structural study followed by theoretical analysis of the chemical descriptors and biological activity of a series of 5-thiophen-2-yl pyrazole derivatives as potent and selective cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor antagonists.
A sustainable strategy for the remediation of oil/water separation using polybenzoxazine/stearic acid functionalized porous carbon
Authors: Thirukumaran Periyasamy , Parveen Asrafali Shakila , Ramkumar Vanaraj , Santhamoorthy Madhappan , Kim Seong-Cheol
Published: August 2021

Fabrication of superhydrophobic and superoleophilic polybenzoxazine-stearic acid based melamine sponge for industrial oil/water pollution treatments.
Allosteric binding properties of a 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene-based receptor having phenylthiourea and 2-pyridylmethyl moieties on opposite faces
Authors: Rahman Shofiur , Tomiyasu Hirotsugu , Wang Chuan-Zeng , Georghiou Paris E. , Alodhayb Abdullah , Carpenter-Warren Cameron L. , Elsegood Mark R. J. , Teat Simon J. , Redshaw Carl , Yamato Takehiko
Published: August 2021

Thiacalix[4]arene receptors with two thiourea moieties and two 2-pyridyl moieties exhibited a heteroditopic dinuclear receptor with F−and Ag+ions by a positive allosteric effect.
Introduction of the acylamino group to bridged bis(nitroamino-1,2,4-triazole): a strategy for tuning the sensitivity of energetic materials
Authors: Chen Dongxu , Zhao Jiangshan , Yang Hongwei , Gu Hao , Cheng Guangbin
Published: August 2021

Introduction of the acylamino group into energetic material compounds will contribute to balancing the sensitivity and the energy.
Current trends in MXene research: properties and applications
Authors: De Shrabani , Acharya Sourav , Sahoo Sumanta , Nayak Ganesh Chandra
Published: August 2021

A critical survey on current trends, status, and possibilities of MXenes based materials have been represented for various applications.
Solvent-free C–H alkynylation of azulenes
Authors: Jarszak-Tyl Agata , Pigulski Bartłomiej , Szafert Sławomir
Published: August 2021

Simple grinding of azulenes with 1-haloalkynes and solid Al2O3 in a mortar leads to alkynylated azulenes without the use of solvents or precious metal catalysts. Such a method was used for the synthesis of azulene end-capped carbon molecular wires.
Preparation of TiO2/porous glass-H with the coupling of photocatalysis oxidation–adsorption system in the initial position and its desulfurization performance on model fuel
Authors: Liu Yue , Tian Jing-zhi , Hao Xin , Zheng Yong-jie , Jing Tao , Zhao Yun-peng , Yang Wan-li
Published: August 2021

TiO2/porous glass-H as composite catalysts were synthesized hydrothermally in the presence of H2O2 using porous glass microspheres as carriers.
Rapid separation and purification of lead halide perovskite quantum dots through differential centrifugation in nonpolar solvent
Authors: Zhou Shu
Published: August 2021

We introduce differential separation as an efficient method for preparing monodisperse fractions of versatile halide perovskite quantum dots with tunable sizes, enabling investigations of their size-dependent electronic band structure properties.
DNA interfaces with dimensional materials for biomedical applications
Authors: Asefifeyzabadi Narges , Das Prabhangshu Kumer , Onorimuo Avokerie Hillary , Durocher Grace , Shamsi Mohtashim Hassan
Published: August 2021

DNA interfaces with 0–3 dimensional materials through physisorption and chemisorption mechanisms acquire unique interfacial character for novel biomedical applications.
Synthesis of 3-aryl-1-phosphinoimidazo[1,5-a]pyridine ligands for use in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions
Authors: Tran Ryan Q. , Dinh Long P. , Jacoby Seth A. , Harris Nekoda W. , Swann William A. , Williamson Savannah N. , Semsey Rebecca Y. , Yet Larry
Published: August 2021

3-Aryl-1-phosphinoimidazo[1,5-a]pyridine ligands were synthesized from 2-aminomethylpyridine as the initial substrate via two complementary routes and were evaluated in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions.
Palladium-catalyzed bisthiolation of terminal alkynes for the assembly of diverse (Z)-1,2-bis(arylthio)alkene derivatives
Authors: Lai Yin-Long , Yan Shaoxi , He Dan , Zhou Li-Zhen , Chen Zi-Shen , Du Yu-Long , Li Jianxiao
Published: August 2021

An efficient palladium-catalyzed bisthiolation of terminal alkynes and arylhydrazines with Na2S2O3 as the sulfur source for the assembly of (Z)-1,2-bis(arylthio)alkene derivatives is described.
Investigating students’ argumentation when judging the plausibility of alternative reaction pathways in organic chemistry
Authors: Lieber Leonie , Graulich Nicole
Published: August 2021

Building scientific arguments is a central ability for all scientists regardless of their specific domain. In organic chemistry, building arguments is a necessary skill to estimate reaction processes in consideration of the reactivities of reaction centres or the chemical and physical properties. Moreover, building arguments for multiple reaction pathways might help students overcome the tendency toward one-reason decision-making and offer them an authentic perspective on organic processes. Reasoning about multiple alternative organic reaction pathways requires students to build arguments and then judge and weigh the plausibility of these pathways. However, students often struggle to build strong arguments and use scientific principles appropriately to justify their claims. In the present study, the argumentation patterns of 29 chemistry majors students were analysed using a simplified version of Toulmin's argumentation model (claim–evidence–reasoning). The students solved various tasks related to alternative reaction pathways of a substitution reaction. They supported their claims with evidence and justified the evidence through reasoning. We investigated (a) the extent to which the students use evidence and reasoning in their argumentation (referred to as their argumentation approach), (b) how students with different argumentation approaches rationalised changes in their initial claims, and (c) how students used reasoning to justify their arguments. The results indicate that students need further support to appropriately use evidence and reasoning and to apply conceptual knowledge to build well-grounded arguments.
Facile and green one-step synthesis of Ni3S2@CN carbon nanosheets from sodium lignosulfonate for a supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Wu Dichao , Chen Changzhou , Guo Qi , Wang Ao , Sun Kang , Jiang Jianchun
Published: August 2021

A green and facile strategy was designed to fabricate Ni3S2-doped carbon nanosheets (Ni3S2@CN).
High loading of NiFe active sites on a melamine formaldehyde carbon-based aerogel towards efficient bi-functional electrocatalysis for water splitting
Authors: Chen Zhi , Zhang Shu , Yang Jian , Chen Cheng , Song Yaochen , Xu Caili , Wu Mengqiang , Liao Jiaxuan
Published: August 2021

Compared with precious metals, base metals have large abundance in the earth's crust and a much lower price.
A green water-induced spinel heterostructure interface enabling high performance lithium and manganese rich oxides
Authors: Tu Wenqiang , Wang Xianshu , Tian Wenying , Zhou Yunan , Han Cuiping , Li Chuan , Kang Feiyu , Li Baohua
Published: August 2021

Lithium and manganese rich oxides (LMROs) are promising candidates for next-generation high-energy lithium-ion batteries.
The rise of metal–organic frameworks for electrolyte applications
Authors: Hu Xia , Liu Qi , Lin Kui , Han Cuiping , Li Baohua
Published: August 2021

This review highlights the advances and challenges in MOF-derived electrolytes for energy storage applications.
Multifunctional Ca–Zn–Si-based micro-nano spheres with anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and dentin regenerative properties for pulp capping application
Authors: Li Zhengmao , Xie Kunke , Yang Shuang , Yu Ting , Xiao Yin , Zhou Yinghong
Published: August 2021

Zn-doped bioactive glass (BGz) micro–nano spheres for dental pulp capping to control infection and inflammation and promote tissue regeneration.
A screening of properties and application based on dimerized fused-ring non-fullerene acceptors: influence of CC, C–C, spiro-C linkers
Authors: Sui Ming-Yue , Xiao Song , Wang Fei , Sun Guang-Yan
Published: August 2021

A domino effect, based on CC, C–C, and spiro-C linkers of DFMs, from structure, function to applicability was investigated. The results explained and extracted the principal factors for molecular specificity (linker type) and applicability (ω).
Molecular basis of a redox switch: molecular dynamics simulations and surface plasmon resonance provide insight into reduced and oxidised angiotensinogen
Authors: Crowther Jennifer M. , Gilmour Letitia H. , Porebski Benjamin T. , Heath Sarah G. , Pattinson Neil R. , Owen Maurice C. , Fredericks Rayleen , Buckle Ashley M. , Fee Conan J. , Göbl Christoph , Dobson Renwick C. J.
Published: August 2021

Angiotensinogen fine-tunes the tightly controlled activity of the renin-angiotensin system by modulating the release of angiotensin peptides that control blood pressure. One mechanism by which this modulation is achieved is via angiotensinogen's Cys18–Cys138 disulfide bond that acts as a redox switch. Molecular dynamics simulations of each redox state of angiotensinogen reveal subtle dynamic differences between the reduced and oxidised forms, particularly at the N-terminus. Surface plasmon resonance data demonstrate that the two redox forms of angiotensinogen display different binding kinetics to an immobilised anti-angiotensinogen monoclonal antibody. Mass spectrometry mapped the epitope for the antibody to the N-terminal region of angiotensinogen. We therefore provide evidence that the different redox forms of angiotensinogen can be detected by an antibody-based detection method.
StormPav Green Pavement the environmentally friendly pavement
Authors: Eka Putri Elsa , Yuliet Rina , Cheh Hoo Seng , Mannan Md Abdul , Silas Larry , Wan Ibrahim Wan Hashim , Raduan Kabit Mohamad , Ron  , Tasnim Sadia
Published: August 2021

Growth of economy and population density, open space is being converted to roads or other infrastructures such as buildings or parking lots reducing green space. This paper demonstrates a new type of green pavement designed to replace flexible and rigid pavements which are water impermeable and have a short design life. This type of green pavement helps reduce runoff problems in urban areas. StormPav GP is an innovative Industrialised Building System (IBS) Green Pavement which has been shown to have structural, environmental and economic advantages. However, its susceptibility to distress has yet to be analyzed. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the mechanistic properties and evaluating distress of StormPav GP as compared to flexible and rigid pavements. WinJULEA, KenPave and Circly 6.0 were used for this analysis which also investigated the effects of different tire pressures on deflections. StormPav GP was found to have lower deflection due to a tandem axle dual wheel load on any pavement surface and provided a more uniform settlement with higher elastic modulus and shear modulus than flexible and rigid pavement.