bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher education language policies for mobility and inclusion
Authors: Conceição Manuel Celio , Caruso Elisa
Published: January 2022

As a consequence of internationalisation, higher education has become multilingual and, at the same time, one common language, English, has become a sort of lingua franca for research, teaching and even governance. In this chapter, we will analyse how language policies of higher education institutions deal with the trade-off between mobility and inclusion. Language practices in teaching, research, governance and knowledge transfer to society are elements of the language landscape in higher education as multilingual and multicultural learning spaces. In these spaces there is a huge diversity of linguistic repertoires and there is also an uniformisation required by the reduction to a (wanted) common language justified by the need for visibility, parameterisation and comparison with others. On an epistemological level, from a language sciences perspective, we will analyse the concept of language emerging from language practices and used in higher education. Data collection from desk research and case studies will allow us to discuss the various roles given to languages. Despite the relevance of local/national languages, a lingua franca is often promoted. The idea that knowledge is independent of language and discourse is also evident from the data analysed; the aimed-for trade-off between mobility and research is far from being achieved with existing language policies.
Portraying linguistic exclusion
Authors: Ayvazyan Nune , Pym Anthony
Published: January 2022

Social inclusion is often used as an ideal aim in many policy statements at all levels. The ideal is nevertheless very imprecise and is interpreted in different ways. Here we attempt to define linguistic inclusion from its negation, by identifying moments of felt linguistic exclusion. When just over 50 members of the Russian-speaking population in the province of Tarragona, Spain, were asked if they had felt excluded because of language or culture, a surprising 53% of them said they had. In order to portray the background and motivations for those feelings, we explore the cases of six interviewees from this community. The interviewees were selected to represent different lengths of intended stay in Spain and thus different reasons for mobility. The results show that linguistic exclusion is certainly felt in official situations where Spanish or Catalan are required and no mediation services are available, but also in more general situations set up by the policy-based promotion of Catalan and, in one instance, because of the low levels of English spoken in the region. The instances of exclusion help motivate immigrants to learn the dominant language, Spanish, but they to nevertheless express little interest in the territory’s traditional language of inclusion, Catalan.
The role of intercomprehension in short-term mobility experiences in multilingual contexts
Authors: Fiorentino Alice , Meulleman Machteld
Published: January 2022

Intercomprehension is a common and well-known mediation choice in established contexts of multilingualism such as bilingual families or neighbouring languages. However, in the context of mobility experiences this multilingual communication strategy is relatively rarely used and almost unstudied. The aim of this chapter is to verify if and how oral intercomprehension is used in non-established multilingual contexts. The study covers the very specific case of two Italian adoptive families whose parents are involved in a short-term mobility experience to the child’s home country (Chile) before going back to Italy together as a family. The conversational analysis of the families’ interactions in Chile reveal that both families spontaneously resort to intercomprehension as one of their main mediation strategies, especially in the family where mutual intelligibility between Italian and Spanish had been reinforced by previous language learning. In addition, our findings show that the use of intercomprehension favours the children’s participation in family interactions over the use of other mediation choices. Since the use of intercomprehension spontaneously decreases over time in favour of the child’s use of the parents’ language, this mediation choice can be considered as a transitional and propaedeutic communication strategy whose cooperative character creates strong cohesion between speech participants.
Language, mobility and inclusion
Authors: Dunbar Robert , McKelvey Róisín
Published: January 2022

The most significant way in which states regulate mobility is through laws and policies on immigration and naturalisation. Increasingly, states are requiring that migrants demonstrate specified levels of competence in the official language at various points in the immigration process. Frequently, such requirements can pose a barrier to many migrants, and may have a negative impact that affects members of certain groups disproportionately. States justify such language requirements on the basis that fluency in the official language promotes greater inclusion, and enhances life chances of migrants in the new country. However, by frequently failing to provide any form of mother tongue education for children of migrants, states themselves frustrate the achievement of such levels of fluency. Inclusion is also facilitated by ensuring that migrant have effective access to crucial public services such as health care, social services, and so forth. However, for many migrants, language is a barrier to accessing such services as effectively as other members of society. In most of these areas, international obligations do not provide sufficient responses, although important principles in international human rights law, particularly the principle of non-discrimination and equal protection of the law, and the principle of proportionality, may provide a more adequate response.
‘Learning all from all’
Authors: Pop Lia
Published: January 2022

This study focuses on the possible resource represented by the traditional Roma method of acquiring ‘marginal’ multilingualism. This is a special form of multilingualism that has gone unnoticed in the thematic literature devoted to this topic: invented by the Roma, it is oral, simplified, acquired quickly, and informal. Roma traditional methods for accomplishing this include ‘Learning all from all’ and ‘Learning by doing,’; this study focuses on ‘Learning all from all,’ a Roma group language-learning method that involves simplifying, selecting, and validating teaching contents in order to facilitate group goals; adopting with total flexibility the roles of teacher and student; and developing playful and joyful learning practices inside the group, in the context of shared responsibility to contribute to group survival. The method – which does not involve any pre-requisites and has been effective for centuries – could possibly be transferable to other marginal groups, if specific policies with such aims were to be developed in Europe. The first generation of Roma skilled in traditional and formal methods of learning languages could represent a resource for such policies, especially at the micro and meso levels.
Multilingualism and creativity
Authors: Fürst Guillaume , Grin François
Published: January 2022

This chapter investigates the relations between multilingualism, multicultural experience and creativity at both a theoretical and an empirical level. Starting with a general discussion about the cost and benefits of linguistic diversity, we argue that one of the benefits of multilingualism is enhanced creativity and, hence, a greater potential for innovation. After introducing formal definitions of multilingualism and creativity, both of which are complex and can prove difficult to conceptualize and operationalize, we discuss previous research on bilingualism and creativity, as well as on multicultural experience and creativity. We synthesize this literature and identify its strengths and limitations. A key issue is that the impact of bilingualism/multilingualism and multicultural experience on creativity had never been studied jointly so far. The empirical section of the paper then estimates multivariate models with a large sample (n = 596). Results shows that both multilingualism and multicultural experience are positively associated with creativity, with standardized effect sizes ranging from .20 to .50 depending on specification. These results are discussed in methodological and theoretical perspective. We discuss implications for language policy, as well as the challenges related to causal inference and the possible generalization of these results at the group level.
Does global English influence the perception of professional ethical dilemmas?
Authors: Dembinski Paul H. , Rudaz Philippe , Soissons Hannah , Chesney Marc
Published: January 2022

For many multilinguals, the use of a given language is specific to certain areas of life, such as family, social or professional life. This may mean that, for a given person, lexical precision does not imply fluency, and vice-versa. Therefore, having a certain type of skills in a second language does not guarantee a successful use of this second language in all circumstances. This may be especially true with respect to emotional versus factual communication and contents. When a language normally only employed for factual communication is used to express emotional content, the level of precision or understanding may suffer. This research asks the following question: does the use of Global English in the workplace affects the alertness of non-native English speakers in perceiving ethical dilemmas? The hypothesis we explore is that non-native English-speaking employees of organisations in which Global English is the main communication tool, or one of them, may suffer from such communicational, or linguistic, asymmetry, as defined in the paper. In doing so, this study contributes to the ‘Global English’ research agenda and examines the consequences of the use of English. Our statistical results suggest that the importance of linguistic asymmetry becomes acute in situations where ethical issues – with their blend of emotional and technical aspects – emerge in contexts in which otherwise only professional, i.e. factual and technical, contents prevail. The linguistic asymmetry may impair the level of ethical alertness of non-native English-speakers working in organisations where English dominates.
Clebsh–Gordan coefficients for the algebra 𝔤𝔩₃ and hypergeometric functions
Authors: Artamonov D.
Published: January 2022

The Clebsh–Gordan coefficients for the Lie algebra

g
l

3

\mathfrak {gl}_3

in the Gelfand–Tsetlin base are calculated. In contrast to previous papers, the result is given as an explicit formula. To obtain the result, a realization of a representation in the space of functions on the group

G

L
3

GL_3

is used. The keystone fact that allows one to carry the calculation of Clebsh–Gordan coefficients is the theorem that says that functions corresponding to the Gelfand–Tsetlin base vectors can be expressed in terms of generalized hypergeometric functions.
Symmetries of double ratios and an equation for Möbius structures
Authors: Buyalo S.
Published: January 2022

Orthogonal representations

η
n

:

S
n

↷

R

N

\eta _n\colon S_n\curvearrowright \mathbb {R}^N

of the symmetric groups

S
n

S_n

,

n
≥
4

n\ge 4

, with

N
=
n
!

/

8

N=n!/8

, emerging from symmetries of double ratios are treated. For

n
=
5

n=5

, the representation

η
5

\eta _5

is decomposed into irreducible components and it is shown that a certain component yields a solution of the equations that describe the Möbius structures in the class of sub-Möbius structures. In this sense, a condition determining the Möbius structures is implicit already in symmetries of double ratios.
Implementation of a practical Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling algorithm in PyBioNetFit
Authors: Neumann Jacob , Lin Yen Ting , Mallela Abhishek , Miller Ely F , Colvin Joshua , Duprat Abell T , Chen Ye , Hlavacek William S , Posner Richard G
Published: January 2022

Bayesian inference in biological modeling commonly relies on Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling of a multidimensional and non-Gaussian posterior distribution that is not analytically tractable. Here, we present the implementation of a practical MCMC method in the open-source software package PyBioNetFit (PyBNF), which is designed to support parameterization of mathematical models for biological systems. The new MCMC method, am, incorporates an adaptive move proposal distribution. For warm starts, sampling can be initiated at a specified location in parameter space and with a multivariate Gaussian proposal distribution defined initially by a specified covariance matrix. Multiple chains can be generated in parallel using a computer cluster. We demonstrate that am can be used to successfully solve real-world Bayesian inference problems, including forecasting of new Coronavirus Disease 2019 case detection with Bayesian quantification of forecast uncertainty.

Availability and implementation

PyBNF version 1.1.9, the first stable release with am, is available at PyPI and can be installed using the pip package-management system on platforms that have a working installation of Python 3. PyBNF relies on libRoadRunner and BioNetGen for simulations (e.g. numerical integration of ordinary differential equations defined in SBML or BNGL files) and Dask.Distributed for task scheduling on Linux computer clusters. The Python source code can be freely downloaded/cloned from GitHub and used and modified under terms of the BSD-3 license (https://github.com/lanl/pybnf). Online documentation covering installation/usage is available (https://pybnf.readthedocs.io/en/latest/). A tutorial video is available on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aRqpqFOiS4&t=63s).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SLC13A5/sodium-citrate co-transporter overexpression causes disrupted white matter integrity and an autistic-like phenotype
Authors: Rigby Michael J. , Orefice Nicola Salvatore , Lawton Alexis J. , Ma Min , Shapiro Samantha L. , Yi Sue Y. , Dieterich Inca A. , Frelka Alyssa , Miles Hannah N. , Pearce Robert A. , Yu John Paul J. , Li Lingjun , Denu John M. , Puglielli Luigi
Published: January 2022

Endoplasmic reticulum-based Nɛ-lysine acetylation serves as an important protein quality control system for the secretory pathway. Dysfunctional endoplasmic reticulum-based acetylation, as caused by overexpression of the acetyl coenzyme A transporter AT-1 in the mouse, results in altered glycoprotein flux through the secretory pathway and an autistic-like phenotype. AT-1 works in concert with SLC25A1, the citrate/malate antiporter in the mitochondria, SLC13A5, the plasma membrane sodium/citrate symporter and ATP citrate lyase, the cytosolic enzyme that converts citrate into acetyl coenzyme A. Here, we report that mice with neuron-specific overexpression of SLC13A5 exhibit autistic-like behaviours with a jumping stereotypy. The mice displayed disrupted white matter integrity and altered synaptic structure and function. Analysis of both the proteome and acetyl-proteome revealed unique adaptations in the hippocampus and cortex, highlighting a metabolic response that likely plays an important role in the SLC13A5 neuron transgenic phenotype. Overall, our results support a mechanistic link between aberrant intracellular citrate/acetyl coenzyme A flux and the development of an autistic-like phenotype.
The PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone exerts proinflammatory effects in bronchial epithelial cells during acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia
Authors: Ferreira Bianca L , Ramirez-Moral Ivan , Otto Natasja A , Salomão Reinaldo , de Vos Alex F , van der Poll Tom
Published: January 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common respiratory pathogen that causes injurious airway inflammation during acute pneumonia. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ is involved in the regulation of metabolic and inflammatory responses in different cell types and synthetic agonists of PPAR-γ exert anti-inflammatory effects on myeloid cells in vitro and in models of inflammation in vivo. We sought to determine the effect of the PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone on airway inflammation induced by acute P. aeruginosa pneumonia, focusing on bronchial epithelial cells. Mice pretreated with pioglitazone or vehicle (24 and 1 h) were infected with P. aeruginosa via the airways. Pioglitazone treatment was associated with increased expression of chemokine (Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Ccl20) and cytokine genes (Tnfa, Il6, and Cfs3) in bronchial brushes obtained 6 h after infection. This pro-inflammatory effect was accompanied by increased expression of Hk2 and Pfkfb3 genes encoding rate-limiting enzymes of glycolysis; concurrently, the expression of Sdha, important for maintaining metabolite flux in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, was reduced in bronchial epithelial cells of pioglitazone treated-mice. Pioglitazone inhibited bronchoalveolar inflammatory responses measured in lavage fluid. These results suggest that pioglitazone exerts a selective proinflammatory effect on bronchial epithelial cells during acute P. aeruginosa pneumonia, possibly by enhancing intracellular glycolysis.
End to side circular stapled anastomosis during robotic-assisted Ivor Lewis minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE)
Authors: Capovilla Giovanni , Hadzijusufovic Edin , Tagkalos Evangelos , Froiio Caterina , Berlth Felix , Mann Carolina , Staubitz Julia , Uzun Eren , Lang Hauke , Grimminger Peter P
Published: January 2022

Robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) represents an established approach for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of our technique for performing the intrathoracic anastomosis during RAMIE.All the procedures were performed by the same surgeon using the same technique for performing the intrathoracic anastomosis. Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Postoperative complications were classified according to the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG); the primary outcome was the evaluation of the feasibility and safety of our technique. From 2016 to 2021, 204 patients underwent Ivor Lewis RAMIE at our Center. Two patients (0.9%) were converted during the thoracic phase. The anastomosis was completed in all the other patients forming complete anastomotic rings. The median duration for the robotic-assisted thoracoscopic phase was 224 minutes. Twenty-two of the RAMIE-Ivor Lewis patients had an anastomotic leakage (10.3%). The overall 90-day postoperative mortality was 1.9%. The procedure resulted to be feasible and safe in our cohort of patients.
Development of activity recognition models for mechanical fuel treatments using consumer-grade GNSS-RF devices and lidar
Authors: Becker Ryer M , Keefe Robert F
Published: January 2022

Mobile technologies are rapidly advancing the field of forest operations and providing opportunities to quantify management tasks in new ways through increased digitalization. For instance, devices equipped with global navigation satellite system and radio frequency transmission (GNSS-RF) enable real-time data collection and sharing of positional data in remote, off-the-grid environments where cellular and internet availability are otherwise inaccessible. In this study, consumer-grade GNSS-RF data were evaluated to determine their effectiveness in developing activity recognition models for excavator-based mastication operations. The ability to automate the classification of cycle elements for operations is valuable for quickly and efficiently quantifying production rates for research and industry applications. The GNSS-RF-based activity recognition model developed successfully classified productive elements versus delay with over 95 per cent accuracy. Individual cycle elements were classified with an overall model accuracy of 73.6 per cent, with individual element classification accuracy ranging from 51.3 per cent for walk/reposition to 95.6 per cent for mastication elements. Reineke’s stand density index, basal area (m2 ha−1) of treated areas and the duration of cycle elements impacted the classification accuracy of the activity recognition model. Impacts of forest stand characteristics on the production rate of mastication treatments were also assessed. Production rates (ha·hr−1) for mastication treatments were affected by the basal area of treated areas. However, the degree to which this would impact operations in practice is minimal. Determining the proper application and capabilities of mobile technologies and remote sensing for quantifying forest operations is valuable in continuing the innovation and advancement of forest digitalization.
A conditional glutamatergic synaptic vesicle marker forDrosophila
Authors: Certel Sarah J , Ruchti Evelyne , McCabe Brian D , Stowers R Steven
Published: January 2022

Glutamate is a principal neurotransmitter used extensively by the nervous systems of all vertebrate and invertebrate animals. It is primarily an excitatory neurotransmitter that has been implicated in nervous system development, as well as a myriad of brain functions from the simple transmission of information between neurons to more complex aspects of nervous system function including synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Identification of glutamatergic neurons and their sites of glutamate release are thus essential for understanding the mechanisms of neural circuit function and how information is processed to generate behavior. Here, we describe and characterize smFLAG-vGlut, a conditional marker of glutamatergic synaptic vesicles for the Drosophila model system. smFLAG-vGlut is validated for functionality, conditional expression, and specificity for glutamatergic neurons and synaptic vesicles. The utility of smFLAG-vGlut is demonstrated by glutamatergic neurotransmitter phenotyping of 26 different central complex neuron types of which nine were established to be glutamatergic. This illumination of glutamate neurotransmitter usage will enhance the modeling of central complex neural circuitry and thereby our understanding of information processing by this region of the fly brain. The use of smFLAG for glutamatergic neurotransmitter phenotyping and identification of glutamate release sites can be extended to any Drosophila neuron(s) represented by a binary transcription system driver.
Lung Function Decline in Relation to COVID-19 in the General Population: A Matched Cohort Study With Prepandemic Assessment of Lung Function
Authors: Iversen Katrine K , Afzal Shoaib , Ahlström Magnus G , Nordestgaard Børge G , Schneider Uffe V , Nielsen Lene , Kofoed Klaus , Benfield Thomas , Ronit Andreas
Published: January 2022

Background

To quantify the potential decline in dynamic lung volumes following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the general population.

Methods

A prospective matched cohort study of adult Copenhagen General Population Study (CGPS) participants with a prepandemic spirometry available. CGPS individuals with positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test performed repeat spirometry, a questionnaire regarding respiratory symptoms, and diffusing capacity test for carbon monoxide. A matched uninfected CGPS control sample was used, and simple regression and linear mixed effect models were computed to study lung function decline.

Results

A total of 606 individuals were included; 92/107 (85.9%) with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test experienced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms and 12 (11.2%) were hospitalized. Spirometry was performed at median 5.6 months (interquartile range, 3.9–12.8) after positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. COVID-19 was associated with adjusted 7.3 mL (95% confidence interval [CI], .3–14.3) and 22.6 mL (95% CI, 13.1–32.0) steeper decline in annual forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) and FVC or total 113.8 and 301.3 mL lower FEV1 and FVC from baseline to follow-up. Results were robust in analyses restricted to individuals not requiring hospitalization.

Conclusions

COVID-19–related declines of dynamic lung volume in the general population not requiring hospitalization were small but measurable.
Five-Year Retrospective Analysis of a Vented Mobility Algorithm in the Burn ICU
Authors: O’Neil Audrey M , Rush Cassandra , Griffard Laura , Roggy David , Boyd Allison , Hartman Brett C
Published: January 2022

Early mobilization with mechanically ventilated patients has received significant attention within recent literature; however, limited research has focused specifically on the burn population. The purpose of this single-center, retrospective analysis was to review the use of a burn critical care mobility algorithm, to determine the safety and feasibility of a burn vented mobility program, share limitations preventing mobility progression at our facility, and discuss unique challenges to vented mobility with intubated burn patients. A retrospective review was completed for all intubated burn center admissions between January 2015 and December 2019. Burn therapy notes were then reviewed for data collection, during the intubation period, using stages of the mobility algorithm. In the 5-year period following initial implementation, the vented mobility algorithm was utilized on 127 patients with an average TBSA of 22.8%. No adverse events occurred. Stage 1 (range of motion) was completed with 100% of patients (n = 127). Chair mode of bed, stage 2a, was utilized in 39.4% (n = 50) of patients, while 15.8% (n = 20) of patients were dependently transferred to the cardiac chair in stage 2b. Stage 3 (sitting on the edge of the bed) was completed with 25% (n = 32) of patients, with 11% (n = 14) progressing to stage 5 (standing), and 3.9% (n = 5) actively transferring to a chair. In the 5 years, only 4.7% (n = 6) reached stage 6 (ambulation). The most common treatment limitations were medical complications (33%) and line placement (21%). Early mobilization during mechanical ventilation is safe and feasible within the burn population, despite challenges, including airway stability, sedation, and line limitations.
Liquid biopsy detection of genomic alterations in pediatric brain tumors from cell-free DNA in peripheral blood, CSF, and urine
Authors: Pagès Mélanie , Rotem Denisse , Gydush Gregory , Reed Sarah , Rhoades Justin , Ha Gavin , Lo Christopher , Fleharty Mark , Duran Madeleine , Jones Robert , Becker Sarah , Haller Michaela , Sinai Claire E , Goumnerova Liliana , Golub Todd R , Love J Christopher , Ligon Keith L , Wright Karen D , Adalsteinsson Viktor A , Beroukhim Rameen , Bandopadhayay Pratiti
Published: January 2022

Background

The ability to identify genetic alterations in cancers is essential for precision medicine; however, surgical approaches to obtain brain tumor tissue are invasive. Profiling circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in liquid biopsies has emerged as a promising approach to avoid invasive procedures. Here, we systematically evaluated the feasibility of profiling pediatric brain tumors using ctDNA obtained from plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine.

Methods

We prospectively collected 564 specimens (257 blood, 240 urine, and 67 CSF samples) from 258 patients across all histopathologies. We performed ultra-low-pass whole-genome sequencing (ULP-WGS) to assess copy number variations and estimate tumor fraction and developed a pediatric CNS tumor hybrid capture panel for deep sequencing of specific mutations and fusions.

Results

ULP-WGS detected copy number alterations in 9/46 (20%) CSF, 3/230 (1.3%) plasma, and 0/153 urine samples. Sequencing detected alterations in 3/10 (30%) CSF, 2/74 (2.7%) plasma, and 0/2 urine samples. The only positive results were in high-grade tumors. However, most samples had insufficient somatic mutations (median 1, range 0-39) discoverable by the sequencing panel to provide sufficient power to detect tumor fractions of greater than 0.1%.

Conclusions

Children with brain tumors harbor very low levels of ctDNA in blood, CSF, and urine, with CSF having the most DNA detectable. Molecular profiling is feasible in a small subset of high-grade tumors. The level of clonal aberrations per genome is low in most of the tumors, posing a challenge for detection using whole-genome or even targeted sequencing methods. Substantial challenges therefore remain to genetically characterize pediatric brain tumors from liquid biopsies.
In-plane and vertical heterostructures from 1T′/2H transition-metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Ma Yang , Xu Shiyu , Wei Juntian , Zhou Bin , Gong Yongji
Published: January 2022

An avalanche of research has been carried out on two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) due to their potential applications in advanced electronics and flexible devices. To take full use of the emerging 2D TMDs materials, their in-plane/vertical heterostructures have been explored, enabling effective tuning of their physical and chemical properties. However, structural differences between the various phases impede the formation of functional heterostructures. Therefore, robust synthesis strategies for heterostructures with different phases have been explored in this study. A chemical vapor deposition process has been proposed in which the key parameters like reaction sources and deposition sites have been carefully adjusted, trying to achieve simultaneous synthesis of 1T′/2H in-plane and vertical heterostructures. Consequently, 2D in-plane RexMo1−xS2/MoS2 and vertical ReS2/MoS2 heterostructures have been produced in different regions at the same time. Atomic-resolution Z-contrast images reveal the detailed atomic structure of the 1T′/2H interfaces. The lateral interface is found to contain Mo atoms with only 5-fold coordination with S due to the phase mismatch. This work demonstrates a route to exploit heterostructures of different phases and opens the possibility to build more complicated 2D heterostructures using CVD.
Silicon Reduces Aluminum-Induced Suberization by Inhibiting the Uptake and Transport of Aluminum in Rice Roots and Consequently Promotes Root Growth
Authors: Xiao Zhuoxi , Ye Mujun , Gao Zixiang , Jiang Yishun , Zhang Xinyuan , Nikolic Nina , Liang Yongchao
Published: January 2022

Silicon (Si) can alleviate aluminum (Al) toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.), but the mechanisms underlying this beneficial effect have not been elucidated, especially under long-term Al stress. Here, the effects of Al and Si on the suberization and development of rice roots were investigated. The results show that, as the Al exposure time increased, the roots accumulated more Al, and Al enhanced the deposition of suberin in roots, both of which ultimately inhibited root growth and nutrient absorption. However, Si restricted the apoplastic and symplastic pathways of Al in roots by inhibiting the uptake and transport of Al, thereby reducing the accumulation of Al in roots. Meanwhile, the Si-induced drop in Al concentration reduced the suberization of roots caused by Al through down-regulating the expression of genes related to suberin synthesis and then promoted the development of roots (such as longer and more adventitious roots and lateral roots). Moreover, Si also increased nutrient uptake by Al-stressed roots and thence promoted the growth of rice. Overall, these results indicate that Si reduced Al-induced suberization of roots by inhibiting the uptake and transport of Al in roots, thereby amending root growth and ultimately alleviating Al stress in rice. Our study further clarified the toxicity mechanism of Al in rice and the role of Si in reducing Al content and restoring root development under Al stress.
Exotic species of rotifers in Mexico
Authors: Nandini S , Sarma S S S , Wallace R L
Published: January 2022

Mexico is a megadiverse country, with 10% of all known species found within its borders. The CONABIO catalogue registers rotifers as one of the best-studied groups of animals in Mexico, with the number of species recorded representing 18% of the total global rotifer fauna. However, this registry does not record a single exotic species of Rotifera in Mexico. Here, we confirm the presence of six species of exotic rotifers in Mexican inland waters, highlighting the case of Kellicottia bostoniensis, recorded in Mexico since the 1990’s, but never as an exotic species.
Effectiveness of Specific Exercise for Deep Cervical Muscles in Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Garzonio Stefano , Arbasetti Chiara , Geri Tommaso , Testa Marco , Carta Giacomo
Published: January 2022

Objective

Objective

The purpose of this review, focused on people with nonspecific neck pain (NSNP), was to assess the effectiveness of specific exercises that recruit the deep cervical muscles compared with other types of exercises or interventions and minimal or no treatment.

Methods

This systematic review with meta-analysis screened 5 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and The Cochrane Library). Randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of this type of exercise on the intensity of pain were included. Data for each included trial were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool was adopted to assess the internal validity of the included trials. The overall quality of evidence was layered with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations system.

Results

The review identified a total of 2397 records. Sixteen articles were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 9 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results found moderate- to very low-quality evidence that deep cervical muscle exercise protocols are not superior to other types of active exercises in reducing the intensity of pain in people with NSNP. Studies not included in the meta-analysis suggest that specific exercises induce better effects that are superior to those of nontreatment with clinically relevant results.

Conclusion

Clinicians can share this information with their patients through shared decision-making to determine a more tailored approach to adopt. Future studies with high methodological quality are necessary to reach firm conclusions.

Impact

There has been no consensus on exercise type and dosage for the management of NSNP. This study shows that exercises are a useful tool and that the effect of an exercise program that recruits deep cervical muscles seems to be comparable with the effect of other types of active exercises on pain intensity reduction.

Lay summary

If you have neck pain, exercises designed by a physical therapist can be a useful treatment tool. An exercise program that targets specific deep cervical muscles may be just as good as other types of active exercises to reduce the intensity of pain intensity; you and your therapist can work together to develop a program.
Prx1
+ and Hic1+ Mesenchymal Progenitors Are Present Within the Epidural Fat and Dura Mater and Participate in Dural Injury Repair
Authors: Shah Sophia , Mudigonda Sathvika , Underhill Tully Michael , Salo Paul T , Mitha Alim P , Krawetz Roman J
Published: January 2022

Epidural fat is commonly discarded during spine surgery to increase the operational field. However, mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) have now been identified in human epidural fat and within the murine dura mater. This led us to believe that epidural fat may regulate homeostasis and regeneration in the vertebral microenvironment. Using two MPC lineage tracing reporter mice (Prx1 and Hic1), not only have we found that epidural fat MPCs become incorporated in the dura mater over the course of normal skeletal maturation, but have also identified these cells as an endogenous source of repair and regeneration post-dural injury. Moreover, our results reveal a partial overlap between Prx1+ and Hic1+ populations, indicating a potential hierarchical relationship between the two MPC populations. This study effectively challenges the notion of epidural fat as an expendable tissue and mandates further research into its biological function and relevance.
Alterations in Hematopoietic and Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Components of the Osteopetrotic Bone Marrow Niche
Authors: Zeytin Inci Cevher , Alkan Berna , Ozdemir Cansu , Cetinkaya Duygu Uckan , Okur Fatma Visal
Published: January 2022

Osteopetrosis is a rare inherited disease characterized by impaired osteoclast activity causing defective bone resorption and bone marrow aplasia. It is fatal in early childhood unless hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is performed. But, the transplant course is complicated with engraftment failure. Recently, osteoclasts have been described as the potential regulators of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche. Here we investigated the alterations in the HSC and mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) components of osteopetrotic niche and their interactions to mimic the stem cell dynamics/trafficking in the BM niche after HSC transplantation. Induced pluripotent stem cells were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with osteopetrosis carrying TCIRG1 mutation. iPSC lines were differentiated into hematopoietic and myeloid progenitors, then into osteoclasts using a step-wise protocol. We first demonstrated a shift toward monocyte-macrophages lineage regarding hematopoietic differentiation potential of osteopetrotic iPSC-derived hematopoietic progenitors (HPCs) and phenotypically normal and functionally defective osteoclast formation. The expression of the genes involved in HSC homing and maintenance (Sdf-1, Jagged-1, Kit-L, and Opn) in osteopetrotic MSCs recovered significantly after coculture with healthy HPCs. Similarly, the restoration of phenotype, impaired differentiation, and migratory potential of osteopetrotic iHPCs were observed upon interaction with healthy MSCs. Our results establish significant alterations in both MSC and HPC compartments of the osteopetrotic niche, and support the impact of functionally impaired osteoclasts in defective niche formation.
Analysis of Outer Membrane Vesicles Indicates That Glycerophospholipid Metabolism Contributes to Early Symbiosis Between Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 and Soybean
Authors: Li Dongzhi , Li Ziqi , Wu Jing , Tang Zhide , Xie Fuli , Chen Dasong , Lin Hui , Li Youguo
Published: January 2022

Gram-negative bacteria can produce outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), and most functional studies of OMVs have been focused on mammalian-bacterial interactions. However, research on the OMVs of rhizobia is still limited. In this work, we isolated and purified OMVs from Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 under free-living conditions that were set as control (C-OMVs) and symbiosis-mimicking conditions that were induced by genistein (G-OMVs). The soybean roots treated with G-OMVs displayed significant deformation of root hairs. G-OMVs significantly induced the expression of nodulation genes related to early symbiosis, while they inhibited that of the defense genes of soybean. Proteomics analysis identified a total of 93 differential proteins between C-OMVs and G-OMVs, which are mainly associated with ribosome synthesis, flagellar assembly, two-component system, ABC transporters, oxidative phosphorylation, nitrogen metabolism, quorum sensing, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. A total of 45 differential lipids were identified through lipidomics analysis. Correlation analysis of OMV proteome and lipidome data revealed that glycerophospholipid metabolism is the enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes metabolic pathway, and the expression of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase was significantly up-regulated in G-OMVs. The changes in three lipids related to symbiosis in the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway were verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results indicate that glycerophospholipid metabolism contributes to rhizobia-soybean symbiosis via OMVs.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Soil Disinfestation: From Soil Treatment to Soil and Plant Health
Authors: Gullino M. Lodovica , Garibaldi Angelo , Gamliel Abraham , Katan Jaacov
Published: January 2022

This feature article tracks 100 years of soil disinfestation, from the goal of eradicating soilborne pathogens and pests to much milder approaches, aimed at establishing a healthier soil, by favoring or enhancing the beneficial soil microflora and introducing biological control agents. Restrictions on the use of many chemical fumigants is favoring the adoption of nonchemical strategies, from soilless cultivation to the use of physical or biological control measures, with more focus on maintaining soil microbial diversity, thus enhancing soil and plant health. Such approaches are described and discussed, with special focus on their integrated use.
Feeding Selectivity ofAphelenchoides besseyiandA. pseudogoodeyion Fungi Associated with Florida Strawberry
Authors: Oliveira Clemen J. , Schumacher Lesley A. , Peres Natalia A. , Brito Janete A. , Suarez Marco , Desaeger Johan
Published: January 2022

Aphelenchoides besseyi and A. pseudogoodeyi are foliar nematodes associated with commercial strawberry production in Florida, United States. The reproductive and feeding habits of these two nematode species were assessed on Florida isolates of the fungi Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Neopestalotiopsis rosae, which are pathogenic to strawberry, and nonpathogenic isolates of Fusarium oxysporum and Monilinia fructicola grown on potato dextrose agar in Petri dishes. Each culture was inoculated with six specimens of mixed life stages of A. besseyi or A. pseudogoodeyi and incubated at 24°C under axenic and nonaxenic conditions 23 and 31 days after inoculation, respectively. A. besseyi reproduction rates were greater on strawberry-pathogenic isolates of B. cinerea, C. gloeosporioides, and N. rosae than on the nonpathogenic isolates of F. oxysporum and M. fructicola. In contrast, reproductive rates of A. pseudogoodeyi did not vary among fungi cultures. For both nematode species, M. phaseolina was a poor host because it did not produce mycelium on the media used. Our findings indicate that A. besseyi is more selective in its fungal-feeding preference than A. pseudogoodeyi. Additionally, A. pseudogoodeyi eggs and juveniles were significantly more numerous than adults. Yet, for A. besseyi, adult stages were more abundant. Fungi aid in the maintenance of soil-dwelling populations of these two nematode species. Removing fungus-infected strawberry plant residues is both a desirable and effective management practice to limit A. besseyi in central Florida commercial strawberry fields.
Remediation in Practice: A Polarity to be Managed
Authors: Bourgeois-Law Gisèle , Varpio Lara , Teunissen Pim , Regehr Glenn
Published: January 2022

Originally developed in the business literature, a polarity is a concept where 2 distinctive and opposing characteristics (poles), each presenting advantages and disadvantages or opportunities and pitfalls, must both be taken into account to ensure effective management of a challenging problem. Managing a polarity is a thorny endeavor because it entails striving to maximize the benefits of both poles while simultaneously minimizing or controlling the downsides of each. Previous investigations into stakeholder conceptualizations of remediation led us to suggest that remediation is framed in stakeholders' minds simultaneously as an educational endeavor (ie, the remediatee needs educational support to regain full competence) and a regulatory act (ie, the revocation of the individual’s professional right to self-regulate their practice and learning). In this article, we argue that viewing remediation for practicing physicians as a polarity to be managed offers a framework that can further the conversation about how to address some of remediation’s challenges.
Modelling of hemodynamics in bifurcation lesions of coronary arteries before and after myocardial revascularization
Authors: Starodumov Ilya O. , Sokolov Sergey Yu. , Alexandrov Dmitri V. , Zubarev Andrey Yu. , Bessonov Ivan S. , Chestukhin Vasily V. , Blyakhman Felix A.
Published: January 2022

Modelling of patient-specific hemodynamics for a clinical case of severe coronary artery disease with the bifurcation stenosis was carried out with allowance for standard angiographic data obtained before and after successfully performed myocardial revascularization by stenting of two arteries. Based on a non-Newtonian fluid model and an original algorithm for fluid dynamics computation operated with a limited amount of initial data, key characteristics of blood flow were determined to analyse the features of coronary disease and the consequences of its treatment. The results of hemodynamic modelling near bifurcation sites are presented with an emphasis on physical, physiological and clinical phenomena to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. The main limitations and ways to minimize them are the subjects of discussion as well.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Transport phenomena in complex systems (part 2)’.
Coloured-noise-induced transport in a model of the thermochemical reactor
Authors: Ryashko L. B. , Pisarchik A. N.
Published: January 2022

In this paper, effects of coloured noise on the stochastic excitement in a model of the thermochemical flow reactor are studied. Transport phenomena associated with noise-induced generation of large-amplitude oscillations are investigated depending on the correlation time of coloured noise. We study how probability of the noise-induced excitement is related to the stochastic sensitivity of the system to coloured noise with certain correlation characteristics. Parameter zones of the high stochastic sensitivity are found and discussed in connection with occurrence of resonance.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Transport phenomena in complex systems (part 2)’.
Structure diagram and dynamics of formation of hexagonal boron nitride in phase-field crystal model
Authors: Ankudinov V. , Galenko P. K.
Published: January 2022

The phase-field crystal (PFC-model) is a powerful tool for modelling of the crystallization in colloidal and metallic systems. In the present work, the modified hyperbolic phase-field crystal model for binary systems is presented. This model takes into account slow and fast dynamics of moving interfaces for both concentration and relative atomic number density (which were taken as order parameters). The model also includes specific mobilities for each dynamical field and correlated noise terms. The dynamics of chemical segregation with origination of mixed pseudo-hexagonal binary phase (the so-called ‘triangle phase’) is used as a benchmark in two spatial dimensions for the developing model. Using the free energy functional and specific lattice vectors for hexagonal crystal, the structure diagram of co-existence of liquid and three-dimensional hexagonal phase for the binary PFC-model was carried out. Parameters of the crystal lattice correspond to the hexagonal boron nitride (BN) crystal, the values of which have been taken from the literature. The paper shows the qualitative agreement between the developed structure diagram of the PFC model and the previously known equilibrium diagram for BN constructed using thermodynamic functions.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Transport phenomena in complex systems (part 2)’.