bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectral, Molecular Modeling, and Biological Activity Studies on New Schiff’s Base of Acenaphthaquinone Transition Metal Complexes
Authors: Abou Melha Khlood S. , Al-Hazmi Gamil A. , Althagafi Ismail , Alharbi Arwa , Keshk Ali A. , Shaaban Fathy , El-Metwaly Nashwa
Published: March 2021

The newly synthesized Schiff’s base derivative, N-allyl-2-(2-oxoacenaphthylen-1(2H)-ylidene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide, has been characterized by different spectral techniques. Its reaction with Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) acetate led to the formation of 1 : 1 (M:L) complexes. The IR and NMR spectral data revealed keto-thione form for the free ligand. On chelation with Co(II) and Ni(II), it behaved as mononegative and neutral tridentate via O, N1, and S donors, respectively, while it showed neutral bidentate mode via O and N1 atoms with Zn(II). The electronic spectra indicated that all the isolated complexes have an octahedral structure. The thermal gravimetric analyses confirmed the suggested formula and the presence of coordinated water molecules. The XRD pattern of the metal complexes showed that both Co(II) and Ni(II) have amorphous nature, while Zn(II) complex has monoclinic crystallinity with an average size of 9.10 nm. DFT modeling of the ligand and complexes supported the proposed structures. The calculated HOMO-LUMO energy gap, ΔEH-L, of the ligand complexes was 1.96–2.49 eV range where HAAT < Zn(II) < Ni(II) < Co(II). The antioxidant activity investigation showed that the ligand and Zn(II) complex have high activity than other complexes, 88.5 and 88.6%, respectively. Accordingly, the antitumor activity of isolated compounds was examined against the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), where both HAAT and Zn(II) complex exhibited very strong activity, IC50 6.45 ± 0.25 and 6.39 ± 0.18 μM, respectively.
Overexpression of mfpA Gene Increases Ciprofloxacin Resistance in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Falco Aura , Aranaga Carlos , Ocampo Ivan , Takiff Howard
Published: March 2021

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are antibiotics useful in the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis, but FQ-resistant mutants can be selected rapidly. Although mutations in the DNA gyrase are the principal cause of this resistance, pentapeptide proteins have been found to confer low-level FQ resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. MfpA is a pentapeptide repeat protein conserved in mycobacterial chromosomes, where it is adjacent to a group of four highly conserved genes termed a conservon. We wished to characterize the transcriptional regulation of the mfpA gene and relate its expression to ciprofloxacin resistance in M. smegmatis. Reverse transcription PCR showed that mfpA gene is part of an operon containing the conservon genes. Using a transcriptional fusion, we showed that a promoter was located 5′ to the mfpEA operon. We determined the promoter activity under different growth conditions and found that the expression of the operon increases slightly in late growth phases in basic pH and in subinhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin. Finally, by cloning the mfpA gene in an inducible vector, we showed that induced expression of mfpA increases the ciprofloxacin Minimal Inhibitory Concentration. These results confirm that increased expression of the mfpA gene, which is part of the mfpEA operon, increases ciprofloxacin resistance in M. smegmatis.
Experimental Study on Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking Sensitivity of 316L Stainless Steel
Authors: Chen Fei
Published: March 2021

The slow–strain-rate tensile test was used to study the chloride stress corrosion cracking (SSC) behavior of 316L stainless steel under the simulated condition of a CO2 gas field in the Tarim Basin, and the effects of CO2, Cl− concentration, and temperature on the sensitivity of SCC were discussed. The results show that the increase of CO2 content has no apparent influence on the chloride SCC sensitivity of 316L stainless steel. With the rise in temperature, chloride SCC’s sensitivity increases, and the change in the SCC sensitivity index Iscc is noticeable. When the concentration of Cl− increases, the sensitivity of chloride SCC also increases. The degree of influence of the three factors on the experimental results can be ranked as follows: temperature>Cl− > CO2. In this experiment, when the partial pressure of CO2 is 0.1 MPa, the temperature is 65°C, the concentration of Cl− is 1,20,000 mg/L, and Iscc of 316L tensile samples has a maximum of 26.8%.
[Retracted] Alleviation of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Pressure Overload‐Induced Cardiac Remodeling and Heart Failure via IL‐6/STAT3 Inhibition by Raloxifene
Authors: Huo Shengqi , Shi Wei , Ma Haiyan , Yan Dan , Luo Pengcheng , Guo Junyi , Li Chenglong , Lin Jiayuh , Zhang Cuntai , Li Sheng , Lv Jiagao , Lin Li
Published: March 2021

Background. Inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in the initiation and progress of heart failure (HF). However, the role of the IL6/STAT3 pathway in the pressure overload‐induced HF remains controversial. Methods and Results. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was used to induce pressure overload‐HF in C57BL/6J mice. 18 mice were randomized into three groups (Sham, TAC, and TAC+raloxifene, n = 6, respectively). Echocardiographic and histological results showed that cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and left ventricular dysfunction were manifested in mice after TAC treatment of eight weeks, with aggravation of macrophage infiltration and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) expression in the myocardium. TAC (four and eight weeks) elevated the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p‐STAT3) and prohibitin2 (PHB2) protein expression. Importantly, IL‐6/gp130/STAT3 inhibition by raloxifene alleviated TAC‐induced myocardial inflammation, cardiac remodeling, and dysfunction. In vitro, we demonstrated cellular hypertrophy with STAT3 activation and oxidative stress exacerbation could be elicited by IL‐6 (25 ng/mL, 48 h) in H9c2 myoblasts. Sustained IL‐6 stimulation increased intracellular reactive oxygen species, repressed mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), decreased intracellular content of ATP, and led to decreased SOD activity, an increase in iNOS protein expression, and increased protein expression of Pink1, Parkin, and Bnip3 involving in mitophagy, all of which were reversed by raloxifene. Conclusion. Inflammation and IL‐6/STAT3 signaling were activated in TAC‐induced HF in mice, while sustained IL‐6 incubation elicited oxidative stress and mitophagy‐related protein increase in H9c2 myoblasts, all of which were inhibited by raloxifene. These indicated IL‐6/STAT3 signaling might be involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial hypertrophy and HF.
A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Tai Chi on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Middle-Aged and Elderly Diabetic Patients: Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Liu Ya-nv , Wang Lin , Fan Xin , Liu Shijie , Wu Qi , Qian You-Ling
Published: March 2021

This research review aimed to evaluate the effect of practicing Tai Chi on glucose and lipid metabolism in middle-aged and elderly diabetic patients. Furthermore, it aimed to provide a theoretical basis for the practice of Tai Chi as a way to improve glucose and lipid metabolism in middle-aged and elderly diabetic patients. Therefore, we searched for randomized controlled trials on the practice of Tai Chi in middle-aged and elderly diabetic patients in Chinese- and English-language electronic databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Google Scholar, CNKI, Wanfang Database, and Weipu. We collected articles published no later than August 1, 2020. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the standards of the Cochrane Collaboration System Evaluation Manual (version 5.1.0). Finally, 14 articles were included, showing an average Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale score of 6.57. The articles were meta-analyzed using Stata 14.0 software, showing that practicing Tai Chi improved middle-aged and elderly diabetic patients’ fasting blood glucose (WMD = −0.60, 95% CI [−1.08, −0.12],

p
=
0.015

), glycosylated hemoglobin (WMD = −0.87, 95% CI [−1.60, −0.14],

p
=
0.019

), total cholesterol (WMD = −0.48, 95% CI [−0.83, −0.14],

p
=
0.006

), triglycerides (WMD = −0.21, 95% CI [−0.37, −0.04],

p
=
0.014

), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level significantly (WMD = −0.32, 95% CI [−0.63,−0.00],

p
=
0.050

). Conversely, patients’ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (WMD = 0.09, 95% CI [−0.01, 0.17],

p
=
0.136

) showed no obvious improvement. In conclusion, practicing Tai Chi in sessions lasting longer than 50 minutes (at least three times per week, for at least 12 weeks) can effectively improve glucose and lipid metabolism in middle-aged and elderly diabetic patients. However, several other factors affect glucose and lipid metabolism; therefore, further high-quality research is needed. Protocol registration number: INPLASY2020120107.
Mechanism of Electroacupuncture Regulating IRS-1 Phosphorylation in Skeletal Muscle to Improve Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Song Shanshan , Li Rui , Cao Bingyan , Zhang Jingyi , Kim Youngcho , Kim Bonggyu , Yu Xue
Published: March 2021

Objective. To explore the possible mechanism of electroacupuncture to improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes rats. Methods. Fourteen Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats were randomly divided into two groups: a model group and an electroacupuncture group, with 7 rats in each group. Seven Zucker Lean (ZL) rats served as a control group. All rats were fed with Purina #5008 for 4 weeks, and the electroacupuncture group received 4-week electroacupuncture intervention, while the control group and model group received no intervention. We measured fasting blood glucose (FBG) on the fourth weekend. After 4 weeks of intervention, the expression levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) tyrosine phosphorylation, IRS-1 serine/threonine phosphorylation, and GLUT4 in quadriceps femoris muscles were detected by western Blot. Results. Compared with the model group, the electroacupuncture group had a lower level of fasting blood glucose, serum insulin level, and insulin resistance index (

P
<
0.05

). The electroacupuncture group had lower IRS-1 serine/threonine phosphorylation than the model group, with the difference showing statistical significance (

P
<
0.05

). Furthermore, the mean score (MS) of the control group showed the lowest phosphorylation expression, followed by the electroacupuncture group, while the model group had the highest level of phosphorylated protein expression. The level of IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation at Tyr895 sites was compared, and the result showed that there was no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the control group (

P
>
0.05

), and the electroacupuncture group had higher phosphorylation expression than the model group (

P
<
0.05

). Compared with the control group and the model group, the expression level of GLUT4 protein in the electroacupuncture group was significantly increased (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. Electroacupuncture has the effect to improve the insulin sensitivity of type 2 diabetic ZDF rats by reducing fasting blood glucose, insulin level, and insulin resistance index, effectively up regulating the expression of GLUT4 protein in quadriceps femoris muscle. The mechanism is related to the regulation of skeletal muscle IRS-1 serine/threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation levels.
Rebate Strategy Selection and Channel Coordination of Competing Two‐Echelon Supply Chains
Authors: Wang Ziling , Zhang Rong , Liu Bin
Published: March 2021

Rebate has long been a crucial tool that has attracted researchers from a diverse range of fields including marketing and supply chain management. When a manufacturer uses a retailer for reaching end customers, the rebate strategy undertakes an additional dimension. Here we show whether the two rebate strategies, manufacturer rebate and channel rebate, can be the optimal choice for the manufacturer and the retailer. And we aim at full coordination with rebate. Game theory is exploited to identify the equilibrium rebate decisions, which are fully characterized with two rebate strategies considering rebate sensitivity. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the decisions depend on parameters, such as market size, rebate redemption rate, and competition intensity in monopoly and duopoly supply chain systems. Our work also coordinates the supply chain with two coordination policies and examines if they can achieve full coordination. Counterintuitive findings suggest that the channel rebate with sensitivity and discrimination is not effective and the manufacturer rebate is the unique optimal option. Besides, the coordination can be realized with a centralized rebate in monopoly setting when the manufacturer forgoes her own interest. Then full coordination can be achieved in duopoly setting with a new coordination policy, rebate combination, given the redemption rate for the channel rebate is lower compared with the manufacturer rebate. Managerial insights are suggested that offering rebates with discrimination can have significant inventory and coordination policy implications and can lead to a double win under a well‐controlled redemption rate.
Acceleration Breaks the Cells Defense Mechanisms against Vibration in Anthemis gilanica Calli
Authors: Hassanpour Halimeh , Niknam Vahid , Salami Sadaf
Published: March 2021

Vibration is a mechanical stress which happens in nature and affects many biological aspects of plants. In this research, the effect of acceleration and vibration was investigated on some physiological and biochemical responses of Anthemis gilanica in vitro. Calli were induced from leaf (LS) and root segments (RS) and were applied to different frequencies of vibrations (0, 50, and 100 Hz) and accelerations (1, 2, and 4 g) on the A. gilanica calli for 30 min. Results showed that vibration significantly increased relative water content (RWC), growth parameters, protein and proline contents, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and decreased total carbohydrate, malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2 contents, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in both LS and RS calli. Inversely, increase of acceleration in vibrated calli decreased growth parameters, RWC, protein content, and POX activity and induced proline and carbohydrate accumulations, SOD, APX, and PPO activities as compared to vibration alone. Different responses of two callus types were observed, and the highest growth, protein content, and membrane stability were observed in LS calli as compared to RS calli. It found that high acceleration amplitude intensified the resonance effect of vibration by induction of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress damage in A. gilanica.
A Meta-Analysis on the Effect and Safety of LCZ696 in the Treatment of Hypertension
Authors: Zheng Li , Xia Binbin , Zhang Xuqian , Zhao Yan
Published: March 2021

Objectives. To systematically evaluate the differences in effect and safety of LCZ696 and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in the treatment of hypertension. Methods. We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Ovid, collected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the effect and safety of LCZ696 and ARBs in hypertensive patients, extracted relevant data and evaluated the quality of the included literature according to the RCT quality evaluation standard recommended by Cochrane Reviewer’s Handbook, using RevMan 5.3, and performed meta-analysis. Results. Eight RCTs studies were included, with a total of 4313 patients. Compared with ARBs, LCZ696 can better reduce systolic blood pressure (msSBP) (WMD −4.29 mmHg; 95% CI: −5.37 to −3.21;P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (msDBP) (WMD −1.87 mmHg; 95% CI:−2.38 to −1.36;P < 0.01), ambulatory systolic blood pressure (maSBP) (WMD −3.37 mmHg; 95% CI:−4.26 to −2.47;P < 0.01), and ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (maDBP) (WMD −1.47 mmHg; 95% CI: −1.97 to −0.97;P < 0.01). In terms of safety, LCZ696 is basically the same as ARBs, but LCZ696 is more likely to cause cough than ARBs (OR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.27 to 4.47;P < 0.01). Conclusion. LCZ696 can significantly reduce the blood pressure level of patients with hypertension, but it is necessary to pay attention to whether the patient will experience coughing after taking the drug.
Renal Metastasis of Osteosarcoma with IVC Thrombus
Authors: Sigdel Prem Raj , Gnyawali Diwas , Parajuli Purushottam , Chudal Sampanna , Pandit Durga , Guragain Bipin , Pradhan Manish Man , Poudyal Sujeet , Chapagain Suman , Luitel Bhoj Raj , Chalise Pawan Raj , Sharma Uttam Kumar
Published: March 2021

Renal metastasis from osteosarcoma is a rare entity, and tumour thrombus is even rarer. To date, only 15 cases of osteosarcoma with tumour thrombus have been reported in the literature. We present a case of an 18-year-old female diagnosed as having right distal femur osteosarcoma, later presenting with renal osteosarcoma with IVC thrombus.
Correlation between Serum Platelet Count and Cognitive Function in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sun Dandan , Wang Quanliang , Kang Jie , Zhou Jie , Qian Ruijuan , Wang Wenqing , Wang Haichen , Zhang Qingyun
Published: March 2021

Background. The risk of cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation is significantly increased. Its occurrence may be related to blood hypercoagulable state and immune inflammatory reaction. Platelets can mediate immune inflammatory response, but there is no evidence about the relationship between platelet count and cognitive function in patients with atrial fibrillation. Purpose. To explore whether there is a certain correlation between platelet count and cognitive function in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a single center in China, including 254 patients with atrial fibrillation. Cognitive function assessment and clinical and laboratory examinations were performed on all participants. After adjusting the related confounding factors, the relationship between platelet count and cognitive function was analyzed. Results. A total of 254 subjects with an average age of 59.71 ± 11.14 years were included. The average platelet count was 208.15 ± 68.30, and the average score of cognitive function was 19.29 ± 6.78. Result of fully adjusted binary logistic regression showed platelet count was negatively associated with the cognitive function score after adjusting confounders (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.000, 95%CI −0.01, 0.01). A nonlinear relationship was detected between platelet count and the cognitive function score, whose point was 230. The effect sizes and the confidence intervals of the left and right sides of the inflection point were 0.03 (0.01–0.05, P for nonlinearity = 0.011) and −0.03 (−0.05–0.00, P for nonlinearity = 0.023), respectively. Conclusion. Platelets have a nonlinear relationship with cognitive function in patients with atrial fibrillation. This finding suggests that, in patients with atrial fibrillation, platelets should be maintained at about 230.
Significance of Broken
μ
−
τ
Symmetry in Correlating

δ

CP

,

θ

13

, Lightest Neutrino Mass, and Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay
0
ν
β
β
Authors: Ghosh Gayatri
Published: March 2021

Leptonic CP violating phase

δ

CP

in the light neutrino sector and leptogenesis via present matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe entails each other. Probing CP violation in light neutrino oscillation is one of the challenging tasks today. The reactor mixing angle

θ

13

measured in reactor experiments, LBL, and DUNE with high precision in neutrino experiments indicates towards the vast dimensions of scope to detect

δ

CP

. The correlation between leptonic Dirac CPV phase

δ

CP

, reactor mixing angle

θ

13

, lightest neutrino mass

m

1

, and matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe within the framework of

μ
−
τ

symmetry breaking assuming the type I seesaw dominance is extensively studied here. Here, a SO(10) GUT model with flavor

μ
−
τ

symmetry is considered. In this work, the idea is to link baryogenesis through leptogenesis and the hint of CP violation in the neutrino oscillation data to a breaking of the mu-tau symmetry. Small tiny breaking of the

μ
−
τ

symmetry allows a large Dirac CP violating phase in neutrino oscillation which in turn is characterized by awareness of measured value of

θ

13

and to provide a hint towards a better understanding of the experimentally observed near-maximal value of

ν

μ

−

ν

τ

mixing angle

θ

23

≃

π
/
4

. Precise breaking of the

μ
−
τ

symmetry is achieved by adding a 120-plet Higgs to the

10
+
1

2
¯

6

-dimensional representation of Higgs. The estimated three-dimensional density parameter space of the lightest neutrino mass

m

1

,

δ

CP

, and reactor mixing angle

θ

13

is constrained here for the requirement of producing the observed value of baryon asymmetry of the Universe through the mechanism of leptogenesis. Carrying out numerical analysis, the allowed parameter space of

m

1

,

δ

CP

, and

θ

13

is found out which can produce the observed baryon to photon density ratio of the Universe.
GLUT1 Expression in Tumor-Associated Neutrophils Promotes Lung Cancer Growth and Resistance to Radiotherapy
Authors: Ancey Pierre-Benoit , Contat Caroline , Boivin Gael , Sabatino Silvia , Pascual Justine , Zangger Nadine , Perentes Jean Yannis , Peters Solange , Abel E. Dale , Kirsch David G. , Rathmell Jeffrey C. , Vozenin Marie-Catherine , Meylan Etienne
Published: March 2021

Neutrophils are the most abundant circulating leucocytes and are essential for innate immunity. In cancer, pro- or antitumor properties have been attributed to tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN). Here, focusing on TAN accumulation within lung tumors, we identify GLUT1 as an essential glucose transporter for their tumor supportive behavior. Compared with normal neutrophils, GLUT1 and glucose metabolism increased in TANs from a mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma. To elucidate the impact of glucose uptake on TANs, we used a strategy with two recombinases, dissociating tumor initiation from neutrophil-specific Glut1 deletion. Loss of GLUT1 accelerated neutrophil turnover in tumors and reduced a subset of TANs expressing SiglecF. In the absence of GLUT1 expression by TANs, tumor growth was diminished and the efficacy of radiotherapy was augmented. Our results demonstrate the importance of GLUT1 in TANs, which may affect their pro- versus antitumor behavior. These results also suggest targeting metabolic vulnerabilities to favor antitumor neutrophils.

Significance:

Lung tumor support and radiotherapy resistance depend on GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake in tumor-associated neutrophils, indicating that metabolic vulnerabilities should be considered to target both tumor cells as well as innate immune cells.
FDA Approval Summary: Fam-Trastuzumab Deruxtecan-Nxki for the Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Narayan Preeti , Osgood Christy L. , Singh Harpreet , Chiu Haw-Jyh , Ricks Tiffany K. , Chiu Yuen Chow Edwin , Qiu Junshan , Song Pengfei , Yu Jingyu , Namuswe Frances , Guiterrez-Lugo Maria , Hou Sherry , Pierce William F. , Goldberg Kirsten B. , Tang Shenghui , Amiri-Kordestani Laleh , Theoret Marc R. , Pazdur Richard , Beaver Julia A.
Published: March 2021

On December 20, 2019, the FDA granted accelerated approval to fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki [DS-8201a; T-DXd; tradename ENHERTU (Daiichi Sankyo)] for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2–based regimens in the metastatic setting. Approval was based on data from study DS8201-A-U201 (DESTINY-Breast01) with supportive safety data from study DS8201-A-J101. The primary efficacy endpoint in DESTINY-Breast01 was overall response rate (ORR) based on confirmed responses by blinded independent central review (ICR) using RECIST v1.1 in all participants who were assigned to receive the recommended dose of 5.4 mg/kg while secondary endpoints included duration of response (DoR). The confirmed ORR based on ICR in these 184 patients was 60.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 52.9–67.4] and the median DoR was 14.8 months (95% CI: 13.8–16.9). Interstitial lung disease, including pneumonitis, was experienced in patients treated with T-DXd and can be severe, life threatening, or fatal. In addition, neutropenia and left ventricular dysfunction were included as Warnings and Precautions in labeling. Other important common adverse reactions were nausea, fatigue, vomiting, alopecia, constipation, decreased appetite, anemia, diarrhea, and thrombocytopenia. Overall, the totality of efficacy and safety data supported the accelerated approval of T-DXd for the intended indication.
4-Methylumbelliferone Attenuates Macrophage Invasion and Myocardial Remodeling in Pressure-Overloaded Mouse Hearts
Authors: Hackert Katarzyna , Homann Susanne , Mir Shakila , Beran Arne , Gorreßen Simone , Funk Florian , Fischer Jens W. , Grandoch Maria , Schmitt Joachim P.
Published: March 2021

Cardiac wall stress induces local and systemic inflammatory responses that are increasingly recognized as key modulators of extracellular matrix remodeling. Hyaluronic acid interacts with immune cells and mesenchymal cells thereby modulating profibrotic signals. Here we tested the hypothesis that 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), an inhibitor of hyaluronic acid synthesis, would attenuate inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling of pressure-overloaded myocardium in C57BL/6J male mice fed with 4-MU and subjected to TAC (transverse aortic constriction) surgery. Flow cytometry of immune cells showed TAC-induced leukocytosis due to an increase of neutrophils and monocytes. 4-MU strongly attenuated both circulating and cardiac leukocyte numbers 3 days after TAC. In the hearts, 4-MU reduced the number of CCR2
−
resident macrophages. At later time points, 4-MU also prevented the infiltration of heart tissue by bone marrow-derived circulating monocytes leading to reduced cardiac macrophage counts even 7 weeks after TAC. The long-term attenuation of macrophage-driven inflammation was associated with less myocardial fibrosis in 4-MU-treated compared with untreated mice. Unexpectedly, 4-MU also reduced the development of left ventricular hypertrophy and increased cardiac output after TAC without affecting blood pressure. The data demonstrate that 4-MU reduces both resident and invading cardiac macrophages and may be a promising agent to alleviate pressure-overload induced myocardial damage.
The genus Coelichneumon Thomson in Japan (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae)
Authors: RIEDEL MATTHIAS , WATANABE KYOHEI
Published: March 2021

In this taxonomic study, 29 species of the genus Coelichneumon Thomson, 1893 found in Japan are described in detail. For some species, other East Palaearctic material is also mentioned.                Five of the species are new to science: Coelichneumon caerulogaster nov. sp. (from Hokkaido and Honshu), C. carinator nov. sp. (from Honshu; also Russia and Korea), C. cyanator nov. sp. (from Honshu), C. terebrator nov. sp. (from Honshu) and C. uchidai nov. sp. (from Honshu). Four species are newly reported from Japan: C. clypeatus (Uchida, 1955), C. decemguttatus Uchida, 1932, C. maritimensis Heinrich, 1980 and C. nobilis (Wesmael, 1857). C. femoralis Uchida, 1927 is newly recorded from Far East Russia and C. rufibasalis (Uchida, 1927) from China and Mongolia.                C. birmanicus Heinrich, 1966 is newly synonymized under Ichneumon bivittatus Matsumura, 1912. C. coxalis Uchida, 1926 is newly synonymized under Ichneumon sinister Wesmael, 1848, and Ichneumon flavitarsis Smith, 1874 is newly synonymized under Ichneumon deliratorius Linnaeus, 1758. The female of C. rufibasalis (Uchida, 1927) and the male of C. maritimensis Heinrich, 1980 are described for the first time. For C. flavitarsis sensu Lee et al. non Smith, a new name, C. flavitarsator, is established and a lectotype designated.                The genus Aglaojoppa Cameron, 1901 is newly synonymized under Coelichneumon. Hence, A. centummaculata (Christ, 1791) is transferred to Coelichneumon (rev. stat.). The specific names of A. rufofemoratus Cameron, 1903 and A. victoriae Heinrich, 1968 are preoccupied in Coelichneumon and two replacement names are proposed, Coelichneumon cameroni nom. nov. for the former and C. paravictoriae nom. nov. for the latter species.
Pygidiapion De Sousa & Mermudes, a new genus of Apioninae (Brentidae: Apioninae: Apionini) associated with Fabaceae from Brazil, with the description of a new species and transfer of Apion zikani Heller, 1922
Authors: DE SOUSA WESLEY OLIVEIRA , MERMUDES JOSÉ RICARDO M.
Published: March 2021

The genus Pygidiapion De Sousa & Mermudes gen. n., described and illustrated here, includes two species from Brazil: the type-species Pygidiapion zeppelinii De Sousa & Mermudes sp. n. (type-locality: João Pessoa, Paraiba state), which develops in flower buds of Pterocarpus violaceus Vogel (Fabaceae); and Pygidiapion zikani (Heller, 1922) comb. n. (from Apion) (type-locality: Passa Quatro, Minas Gerais state), which develops in flower buds of Dalbergia foliolosa Benth. (Fabaceae). Pygidiapion is defined by the following set of characters: rostrum of males with two elongate longitudinal and punctate latero-ventral sulci; hind wings with small radial window; hypomeral lobes divided by median suture and sternellum distinctly exposed; meso- and metatibiae mucronate; pygidium of the apionine incomplete type; and tegminal plate fused with basal piece. Pygidiapion zeppelinii is diagnosed by: meso- and metatibiae mucronate; pygidium distinctly modified, with deep transverse dorsal sulcus, medially deeper and rounded, and proximal marginal rim angulate (apical flange), corresponding to the distal margin, which is emarginate; tegminal plate fused to basal piece, apical portion of parameroid lobes weakly notched medially, each side of suprafenestral plate with five macrochaetae, fenestral width 1.25 times length, separated by about 3.2 times fenestral width, linea arquata visible, prostegium protruding medially, tegminal apodeme 0.76 as long as basal piece, with apex narrow and rounded. Pygidiapion zikani is distinguished from P. zeppelinii by smaller size; head, rostrum and antennae brownish; scutellum subquadrate; and by association with Dalbergia spp. (Fabaceae). Association principally with the papilionoid group of Fabaceae suggest allocation of the new taxon to the subtribe Oxystomatina.
Improving Communication of Uncertainty and Risk of High-Impact Weather through Innovative Forecaster Workshops
Authors: Colle Brian A. , Auld Rosemary , Johnson Kenneth , O’Connell Christine , Taylor Temis G. , Rice Joshua
Published: March 2021

It is challenging to communicate uncertainty for high-impact weather events to the public and decision-makers. As a result, there is an increased emphasis and training within the National Weather Service (NWS) for “impact-based decision support.” A Collaborative Science, Technology, And Research (CSTAR) project led by Stony Brook University (SBU) in collaboration with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, several NWS forecast offices, and NWS operational centers held two workshops at SBU on effective forecast communication of probabilistic information for high-impact weather. Trainers in two 1.5-day workshops helped 15–20 forecasters learn to distill their messages, engage audiences, and more effectively communicate risk and uncertainty to decision-makers, media, and the general public. The novel aspect of the first workshop focused on using improvisational techniques to connect with audiences along with exercises to improve communication skills using short, clear, conversational statements. The same forecasters participated in the second workshop, which focused on matching messages to intended audiences and stakeholder interaction. Using a recent high-impact weather event, representatives in emergency management, TV media, departments of transportation, and emergency services provided feedback on the forecaster oral presentations (2–3 min) and a visual slide. This article describes our innovative workshop approach, illustrates some of the techniques used, and highlights participant feedback.
Striving for Improvement: The Perceived Value of Improving Hurricane Forecast Accuracy
Authors: Molina Renato , Letson David , McNoldy Brian , Mozumder Pallab , Varkony Matthew
Published: March 2021

Hurricanes are the costliest type of natural disaster in the United States. Every year, these natural phenomena destroy billions of dollars in physical capital, displace thousands, and greatly disrupt local economies. While this damage will never be eliminated, the number of fatalities and the cost of preparing and evacuating can be reduced through improved forecasts. This paper seeks to establish the public’s willingness to pay for further improvement of hurricane forecasts by integrating atmospheric modeling and a double-bounded dichotomous choice method in a large-scale contingent valuation experiment. Using an interactive survey, we focus on areas affected by hurricanes in 2018 to elicit residents’ willingness to pay for improvements along storm track, wind speed, and precipitation forecasts. Our results indicate improvements in wind speed forecast are valued the most, followed by storm track and precipitation, and that maintaining the current annual rate of error reduction for another decade is worth between $90.25 and $121.86 per person in vulnerable areas. Our study focuses on areas recently hit by hurricanes in the United States, but the implications of our results can be extended to areas vulnerable to tropical cyclones globally. In a world where the intensity of hurricanes is expected to increase and research funds are limited, these results can inform relevant agencies regarding the effectiveness of different private and public adaptive actions, as well as the value of publicly funded hurricane research programs.
Topographic Rossby Waves in the Abyssal South China Sea
Authors: QUAN QI , CAI ZHONGYA , JIN GUANGZHEN , LIU ZHIQIANG
Published: March 2021

Topographic Rossby waves (TRWs) in the abyssal South China Sea (SCS) are investigated using observations and high-resolution numerical simulations. These energetic waves can account for over 40% of the kinetic energy (KE) variability in the deep western boundary current and seamount region in the central SCS. This proportion can even reach 70% over slopes in the northern and southern SCS. The TRW-induced currents exhibit columnar (i.e., in-phase) structure in which the speed increases downward. Wave properties such as the period (5–60 days), wavelength (100–500 km), and vertical trapping scale (102–103 m) vary significantly depending on environmental parameters of the SCS. The TRW energy propagates along steep topography with phase propagation offshore. TRWs with high frequencies exhibit a stronger climbing effect than low-frequency ones and hence can move further upslope. For TRWs with a certain frequency, the wavelength and trapping scale are dominated by the topographic beta, whereas the group velocity is more sensitive to the internal Rossby deformation radius. Background circulation with horizontal shear can change the wavelength and direction of TRWs if the flow velocity is comparable to the group velocity, particularly in the central, southern, and eastern SCS. A case study suggests two possible energy sources for TRWs: mesoscale perturbation in the upper layer and large-scale background circulation in the deep layer. The former provides KE by pressure work, whereas the latter transfers the available potential energy (APE) through baroclinic instability.
Visiting Out-of-Home Places When Living With Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study: Visiter des lieux hors du domicile lorsque l'on vit avec une démence: étude transversale observationnelle
Authors: Margot-Cattin Isabel , Ludwig Catherine , Kühne Nicolas , Eriksson Gunilla , Berchtold André , Nygard Louise , Kottorp Anders
Published: March 2021

Background.

Persons living with dementia face a reduction of their life space outside home and disengagement from participation, linked to places visited.

Purpose.

This study explored stability and change in perceived participation in places visited outside home and its relationship with occupational gaps among older adults.

Method.

Older adults living with ( n = 35) or without ( n = 35) dementia were interviewed using the Participation in ACTivities and Places OUTside Home (ACT-OUT) questionnaire and the Occupational Gaps Questionnaire (OGQ). Data analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings.

The group of people living with dementia reported significantly fewer places ( p < .001) visited than the comparison group and having abandoned more places visited ( p < .001) than the comparison group. The number of occupational gaps was significantly different between groups ( p < .001).

Implications.

Participation outside home is not influenced in a uniform and straightforward way for persons living with dementia; the shrinking world effect appears differently in relation to types of places.
Effect of Web-Based Time-Use Intervention on Occupational Balance During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pekçetin Serkan , Günal Ayla
Published: March 2021

Background.

Restrictions implemented to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic may lead to disruptions in occupational balance among university students.

Purpose.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based time-use intervention on the occupational balance of university students.

Method.

A total of 60 participants were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received eight sessions of web-based time management intervention, while the control group received a single-session web-based time management intervention. Pre-and post-intervention occupational balance of the participants was evaluated with Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ).

Findings.

The eight-session intervention was more effective than the single-session intervention in improving OBQ total scores and all individual OBQ item scores except for “Having sufficient things to do during a regular week.”

Implications.

Occupational therapists can implement web-based time management interventions to promote the occupational balance of university students during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Flexibility and Informalisation of Labour: Intangible Assets, Family and the Informal Economy in India
Authors: Yadav Smytta
Published: March 2021

In this article, I demonstrate, through the use of the life course perspective, how informal work in the form of verbal wage contracts might lead to dignity and autonomy amongst the rural poor. The article draws attention to a broader comparative context of how indigenous autonomies are produced. In that they have the relative freedom to engage in a range of informal work as discussed, the Gonds’ autonomy in a neoliberal sense consists of self-governance, which draws attention to the indigenous community’s conception of the self as an economic and autonomous entity that is sustained by a range of social networks.
Research on trajectory tracking control of 7-DOF picking manipulator
Authors: Cong Sun , Liang Cao
Published: March 2021

In order to solve the problem of poor robustness of the traditional method of calculating torque in the mechanical model of 7-DOF picking manipulator, this paper proposes a control strategy of calculating torque plus fuzzy compensation by using adaptive fuzzy logic system to compensate the uncertain part of the mechanical model of 7-DOF picking manipulator. By using Lagrange method, the dynamic model of 7-DOF manipulator is established, and the relationship between joint motion and applied torque (force) is obtained. Using ADAMS and MATLAB to establish a co-simulation platform, the manipulator and trajectory tracking control system are simulated. The results show that the trajectory tracking error of each joint in the algorithm is obviously reduced and the convergence trend is obvious. The average trajectory tracking accuracy of joint 1 to joint 7 was improved by 70.22%, 94.78%, 0.62%, 74.23%, 89.78%, 86.45%, and 67.15%, respectively. In this control scheme, the control force (moment) of each joint changes regularly, and the output force (moment) does not appear chattering and mutation when the disturbance signal is added. The research results can provide support for the further study of picking manipulator trajectory tracking control system.
Method for determining load magnitude and location from the plastic deformation of fixed beams using a neural network
Authors: Yin Junqing , Gu Jinyu , Chen Yongdang , Tang Wenbin , Zhang Feng
Published: March 2021

Fixed beam structures are widely used in engineering, and a common problem is determining the load conditions of these structures resulting from impact loads. In this study, a method for accurately identifying the location and magnitude of the load causing plastic deformation of a fixed beam using a backpropagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN). First, a load of known location and magnitude is applied to the finite element model of a fixed beam to create plastic deformation, and a polynomial expression is used to fit the resulting deformed shape. A basic data set was established through this method for a series of calculations, and it consists of the location and magnitude of the applied load and polynomial coefficients. Then, a BP-ANN model for expanding the sample data is established and the sample set is expanded to solve the common problem of insufficient samples. Finally, using the extended sample set as training data, the coefficients of the polynomial function describing the plastic deformation of the fixed beam are used as input data, the position and magnitude of the load are used as output data, a BP-ANN prediction model is established. The prediction results are compared with the results of finite element analysis to verify the effectiveness of the method.
A non-overshooting controller for vehicle path following
Authors: Xu Tong , Wang Dong , Zhang Weigong
Published: March 2021

Unmanned pavement construction is of great significance in China, and one of the most important issues is how to follow the designed path near the boundary of the pavement construction area to avoid curbs or railings. In this paper, we raise a simple yet effective controller, named the proportional-integral-radius and improved particle swarm optimization (PIR-IPSO) controller, for fast non-overshooting path-following control of an unmanned articulated vehicle (UAV). Firstly, UAV kinematics model is introduced and segmented UAV steering dynamics model is built through field experiments; then, the raw data collected by differential global positioning system (DGPS) is used to build the measurement error distribution model that simulates positioning errors. Next, line of sight (LOS) guidance law is introduced and the LOS initial parameter is assigned based on human driving behavior. Besides, the initial control parameters tuned by the Ziegler-Nichols (ZN) method are used as the initial iterative parameters of the PSO controller. An improved PSO fitness function is also designed to achieve fast non-overshoot control performance. Experiments show that compared with the PSO, ZN and ZN-PSO controller, the PIR-PSO-based controller has significantly less settling time and almost no overshoot in various UAV initial states. Furthermore, compared with other controllers, the proposed PIR-IPSO-based controller achieves precise non-overshoot control, relatively less settling time and centimeter-level positioning error in various initial deviations.
Teachers’ Interactive Cognitions of Differentiated Instruction: An Exploration in Regular and Talent Development Lessons
Authors: Stollman Saskia , Meirink Jacobiene , Westenberg Michiel , van Driel Jan
Published: March 2021

Differentiated instruction (DI) is an effective instructional strategy to maximize individual students’ abilities; in practice, however, its implementation appears to be problematic. To better understand teachers’ perspectives on DI and the effect different teaching contexts can have, we explored teachers’ interactive cognitions of DI in their regular lessons and in “talent lessons.” Four stimulated recall interviews were conducted with a sample of secondary school teachers ( n = 4) in the Netherlands. We found that teachers’ interactive cognitions varied depending on the context. More specifically, it appeared that in the “talent lessons,” teachers focused more on small groups or on individual students than they did in the regular lessons. Also, regardless of context, teachers often take student characteristics into account, but how they do this varies among teachers. This study provides a valuable starting point for professional development trajectories and aimed to develop teachers’ implementation of DI while taking individual differences among teachers into account.
What Drives Migration to Europe? Survey Experimental Evidence from Lebanon
Authors: Hager Anselm
Published: March 2021

What drives people to migrate? Amid a stark increase in international migration at the global scale, we lack individual-level evidence that causally adjudicates between migration’s many drivers. We implement a survey experiment in Northern Lebanon—a hotbed of international migration—to a random sample of 1,000 Syrian refugees and 1,000 Lebanese residents. Respondents were shown the profile of a hypothetical Syrian refugee and asked whether they recommended that the refugee migrate to the European Union. The vignette randomly primed five prominent causes of migration, including push factors (political instability and poverty) and pull factors (open borders, employment opportunities, and cultural openness). We find that pull factors outweighed push factors, suggesting that migrants carefully weigh their chances in Europe. Still, all five primes yielded positive effect sizes, which underlines that prominent theories of migration are complements, not substitutes. Taken together, the evidence suggests that empirical models of migration can be improved if they take into consideration both pull and push factors, rather than prioritizing one over the other.
Pathways to connection: An intensive longitudinal examination of state and dispositional hope, day quality, and everyday interpersonal interaction
Authors: Merolla Andy J. , Bernhold Quinten , Peterson Christina
Published: March 2021

Building on hope theory, this study demonstrates that state and trait hope are associated with daily interpersonal experiences. Multilevel modeling of daily diary data ( N = 127 adults) indicated that state hope—composed of the dual factors of pathways (i.e., the ability to devise routes toward goals) and agency (i.e., motivation to pursue devised routes)—was negatively associated with amount of daily interpersonal conflict, positively associated with constructive conflict management when conflict occurred, and negatively associated with daily challenges in maintaining relationships. These relationships were found largely at the within-person level. Further, and consistent with central tenets of hope theory, moderated multilevel models showed that within-person state pathways and agency thinking were more strongly associated with day quality on days when individuals experienced higher-than-usual levels of relational maintenance challenges. Finally, in an extension of hope theory, multilevel models showed that dispositional pathways and between-person state agency were positively linked to momentary feelings of connection as captured by experience sampling over a 7-day period. Overall, the findings contribute to the continued expansion of hope theory into the study of social and personal relationships.