bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Native Planar Asymmetric Suspended Membrane for Single‐Molecule Investigations: Plasma Membrane on a Chip
Authors: Kalyana Sundaram Ramalingam Venkat , Bera Manindra , Coleman Jeff , Weerakkody Jonathan S. , Krishnakumar Shyam S. , Ramakrishnan Sathish
Published: November 2022

Cellular plasma membranes, in their role as gatekeepers to the external environment, host numerous protein assemblies and lipid domains that manage the movement of molecules into and out of cells, regulate electric potential, and direct cell signaling. The ability to investigate these roles on the bilayer at a single‐molecule level in a controlled, in vitro environment while preserving lipid and protein architectures will provide deeper insights into how the plasma membrane works. A tunable silicon microarray platform that supports stable, planar, and asymmetric suspended lipid membranes (SLIM) using synthetic and native plasma membrane vesicles for single‐molecule fluorescence investigations is developed. Essentially, a “plasma membrane‐on‐a‐chip” system that preserves lipid asymmetry and protein orientation is created. By harnessing the combined potential of this platform with total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, the authors are able to visualize protein complexes with single‐molecule precision. This technology has widespread applications in biological processes that happen at the cellular membranes and will further the knowledge of lipid and protein assemblies.
A validated square‐wave voltammetric method for simultaneous determination of two insecticide metabolites: 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol and malathion diacid and their binding constants with human serum albumin
Authors: Abo El‐Maali Nagwa , Shafea Naglaa Sayed , Mahmoud Hamada Mohamed , Nassar Hossam Fathy
Published: November 2022

A proposed validated square‐wave voltammetric method and high‐performance liquid chromatography, as a comparative method, are applied to measure simultaneously two metabolites‐ of current use pesticides‐ namely 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol and malathion dicarboxylic acid. Method validation and quality control parameters are studied. Method detection limits are found to be 0.043 and 0.061 μg/ml for 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol and malathion dicarboxylic acid, respectively whereas the practical quantification limits are found to be 0.135 and 0.193 μg/ml (voltammetry), 0.05 and 0.1 μg/ml (high‐performance liquid chromatography) for 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol and malathion dicarboxylic acid, respectively. The application of the proposed method for the analysis of water samples collected from different sources has been assessed. The interaction of these metabolites with human serum albumin was studied, a 1:1 association complex was formed and their binding constants were evaluated through the calculation to be 0.30 × 102/M for 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol and 8.414 × 103/M for malathion dicarboxylic acid. The low value of the binding of 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol metabolite indicates that this metabolite is more likely to be more toxic than the other metabolite.
Validity aspects in measuring evolution acceptance: Evidence from surveys of preservice biology teachers and creationists
Authors: Beniermann Anna , Moormann Alexandra , Fiedler Daniela
Published: November 2022

Over the past decades, a large body of research has examined students' magnitudes of evolution acceptance and related measurement issues resulting in questions concerning instruments' validity and operationalization. Until now, several studies investigated validity aspects of often‐used evolution acceptance instruments and came to diverging conclusions about instruments' scores comparability. Within the last years, religious identity was identified as a significant predictor for magnitudes of evolution acceptance. However, religious identity can also point to validity issues if aspects of the content under investigation are interpreted differently based on specific religious identity. Additionally, self‐identified creationists could serve as a source of validity evidence due to the assumption that creationists should score lower on an evolution acceptance instrument than groups with more scientifically adequate views. Thus, we aim to provide additional validity evidence for often‐used evolution acceptance instruments within a European context (i.e., Germany) by comparing two groups of particular interest for research in science education: preservice biology teachers and self‐identified creationists. Exploring evidence based on (1) internal structure, (2) relationships with other variables, and (3) test content provides arguments for test interpretations' validity. A total of 286 persons (206 preservice biology teachers and 81 self‐identified creationists) participated in a survey comprised of six often‐used evolution acceptance measures (i.e., MATE, GAENE, I‐SEA, ATEVO, Gallup question, and 100 point questions). Overall, our findings indicate that the six applied instruments demonstrate differences concerning their evidence for sound interpretation. In particular, the DIF and dimensionality analyses lead to the assumption that the GAENE may be multidimensional other than theoretically expected. In general, the multi‐item measures were stronger related to each other than to the general public polls. Using an instrument that differentiates between microevolution and macroevolution is advisable for creationist samples or samples with a remarkable share of creationists' views.
The role and mechanism of unfolded protein response signaling pathway in methylmercury‐induced apoptosis of mouse spermatocytes germ cell‐2 cells
Authors: Zhang Xiayu , Hao Huifang , Ma Kai , Pang Huan , Li Xinyue , Tian Tiantian , Hou Shanshan , Ning Xiaofan , Wu Hao , Hou Qiaohong , Li Meng , Sun Yunxiang , Song Xiuling , Jin Minghua
Published: November 2022

The study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of unfolded protein response (UPR) in methylmercury (MeHg)‐induced Mouse Spermatocytes (GC‐2spd[ts]) apoptosis. Methods such as MTT, flow cytometry, and Western Blot were used to evaluate the cell viability, membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium ion (Ca2+), rate of cell apoptosis, and the expression of apoptosis‐related and UPR‐related protein. The results showed that with the increase of MeHg concentration, cell viability and MMP decreased, ROS, Ca2+, rate of cell apoptosis, and the expression of apoptosis‐related protein and UPR‐related protein increased. To further explore the effect of ROS‐induced oxidative damage on it, the ROS inhibitor N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) was used. The effects of MeHg on germ cell (GC‐2) cells were partially inhibited after NAC pretreatment. Our present study proved that MeHg might induce cell apoptosis by activating the UPR signaling pathway in GC‐2 cells and affect normal reproductive function.
Leaking the IPCC: A question of responsibility?
Authors: Hartz Friederike
Published: November 2022

In August 2021, while the world was grappling with the release of the IPCC WGI report, a group of activist scientists called Scientist Rebellion leaked parts of the Working Group III contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) prior to intergovernmental approval. Although Scientist Rebellion are not the first to leak an IPCC report, they are the most vocal leaker with a particular political agenda: to generate disruptive climate action by curtailing the carefully orchestrated intergovernmental process of the IPCC. I take this case of science in activism involving the IPCC interface as an example to examine the increasingly intricate relationship between science, activism and responsibility. The salient sense of urgency around climate action, the growing prevalence of the climate crisis narrative in both public and scientific spheres, and the increased policy‐relevance of science‐policy interfaces put strong pressures on (climate) scientists that need to be disentangled to be understood without premature judgment. I show that the leak is symptomatic of the novel responsibility to act(ivism) scientists are increasingly confronted with and I highlight some of the tensions that come with this responsibility. Emphasizing the centrality of the question of responsibility in, and of, science, I discuss the (ir)responsibility of leaking IPCC draft materials. I end on a call for more interdisciplinary attentiveness to the nexus of science, activism and responsibility and the cases in which they become entangled.

This article is categorized under:

The Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Climate Science and Social Movements

The Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Knowledge and Practice

The Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Climate Science and Decision Making
Grease in the Nucleus: Insights into the Dynamic Life of Nuclear Membranes
Authors: Anand Deepak , Chaudhuri Arunima
Published: November 2022

Nucleus is at the center stage of cellular drama orchestrated in the life of a cell and the nucleoplasm is surrounded by a double membranous compartment constituting the Nuclear membrane/envelope (NE) that separates it from the cytoplasm in nucleated cells. The initial understanding of the NE was that of a border security entity between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, separating gene regulation and transcription in the nucleus from translation in the cytoplasm. However, the discovery of a wide array of inherited diseases caused by mutations in genes encoding proteins that reside or interact with NE diverted the interest into deciphering the lipid-protein-rich environment of the NE. Today, the NE is considered a dynamic organelle which forms a functional linkage between the nucleus and the rest of the cell. The exposure of NE to constant mechanical constraints by its connectivity to the large polymer network of the lamina and chromatin on one side, and to the cytoskeleton on the other side results, in a variety of shape changes. We discuss two such deformation, the formation of nuclear blebs and nucleoplasmic reticulum (NER). Although the protein and the lipid composition of NE comprises a small fraction of the total lipid-protein load of the cell, the ability to define the lipid-protein composition of Inner nuclear membrane (INM) and Outer nuclear membrane (ONM) with precision is crucial for obtaining a deeper mechanistic understanding of their lipid-protein interaction and the various signaling pathways that are triggered by them. In addition, this allows us to further understand the direct and indirect roles of NE machinery in the chromosomal organization and gene regulation.

Graphical Abstract
Swallowing-related quality of life in children with oesophageal atresia: a national cohort study
Authors: Bergmann Sandra , Ritz Laura Antonia , Widenmann-Grolig Anke , Jechalke Stephan , von Schweinitz Dietrich , Hubertus Jochen , Lurz Eberhard
Published: November 2022

Swallowing and feeding disorders are a major concern for children with oesophageal atresia (OA) after primary or staged OA repair. Primary OA repair is associated with higher rates of short-term complications in preterm infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) or extreme low birth weight (ELBW). On the other hand, primary repair may have the benefit of early commencement of oral feedings. We hypothesize that also in the medium-term, swallowing-related quality of life is better after primary oesophageal repair. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study on swallowing quality in a national cohort of former VLBW and ELBW children with OA, using the structured paediatric swallowing quality of life (pedSWAL-QOL) questionnaire. Results were correlated with surgical approach and baseline clinical data. Principal component analysis of pedSWAL-QOL domains was performed. In total, 44 complete data sets of 78 children were available. The mean age of children was 8.5 years (SD = 7.4), and 23 children (52%) had primary OA repair. The overall median pedSWAL-QOL score was 2 (IQR = 0–3), representing a high swallowing-related quality of life, independent of surgical technique (p = 0.086). Children with a history of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) (p = 0.002) and those with VACTERL association (p = 0.008) had significantly decreased enjoyment with eating. In addition, children with VACTERL association had problems to find suitable foods (p = 0.04).

Conclusion: In this national cohort of VLBW and ELBW preterm-born children with OA, swallowing-related quality of life is good, mostly independent of initial surgery. Children with OA and ICH or VACTERL association may require more intense support with feeding.

What is Known:• Dysphagia, resembling feeding and swallowing disorders, is common in children and adults with repaired oesophageal atresia. Nevertheless, dysphagia in children with oesophageal atresia decreases with age.• Parents of younger children suffer from increased anxiety and fear regarding eating and swallowing abilities of their children.

What is New:• Swallowing-related quality of life in former preterm children with oesophageal atresia is good, independent of initial surgical approach (primary vs. staged repair), even in very low birth weight or extreme low birth weight infants. • Children suffering from VACTERL association or intracranial haemorrhage show decreased enjoyment with eating.
What makes a student feel vital? Links between teacher-student relatedness and teachers’ engaging messages
Authors: Santana-Monagas Elisa , Núñez Juan L. , Loro Juan F. , Moreno-Murcia Juan A. , León Jaime
Published: November 2022

Recent studies suggest that teacher messages can affect students’ well-being. Using a multilevel, variable, and person-centred approach, this study aimed to identify profiles of students according to their teachers’ use of engaging messages and analyse the relation among these profiles and teacher-student relatedness and students’ subjective vitality. A total of 1209 students participated in the study. At the student-level, profile analysis indicated the existence of four different profiles: the few messages profile, the autonomous motivational appeals profile, the loss-framed messages profile, and the gain-framed messages profile. At the teacher level, profile analysis indicated the existence of two profiles: the variant and the invariant profiles. Results showed that overall, at both levels of analysis, teachers’ engaging messages related with teacher-student relatedness (either positively or negatively) with clear differences among profiles. Moreover, also at both levels of analysis, teacher-student relatedness related with students’ subjective vitality. Main findings and implications for practice are discussed.
Numerical study of opposed zero-net-mass-flow jet-induced erythrocyte mechanoporation
Authors: Liu Xinyue , Ai Jinfang , Xie Jun , Hu Guohui
Published: November 2022

With the advantages of biosafety and efficiency, increasing attention has been paid to the devices for gene and macromolecular drug delivery based on mechanoporation. The transient pore formation on the cell membrane allows cargo transportation when the membrane areal strain is beyond the critical pore value and below the lysis tension threshold. Based on this principle, we propose a method to apply the proper fluid stress on cells moving in a microchannel under the action of zero-net-mass-flux (ZNMF) jets. In this study, an immersed finite element method (IFEM) is adopted to simulate the interaction between the cells and the fluid fields so as to investigate the cell movement and deformation in this mechanoporation system. To evaluate the efficiency of the cargo delivery, a pore integral is defined as the mean pore rate when the cell passes through the jet region. By analyzing the effects of the parameters, including the pressure gradient along the microchannel, the jet amplitude, and the jet frequency, on the pore integrals, a group of optimized parameters for cargo delivery efficiency are obtained. Additionally, the stability and safety of this system are analyzed in detail. These results are helpful in designing the mechanoporation devices and improving their efficiency of drug delivery.
Causal Influences of Same-Sex Attraction on Psychological Distress and Risky Sexual Behaviors: Evidence for Bidirectional Effects
Authors: Oginni Olakunle Ayokunmi , Lim Kai Xiang , Purves Kirstin Lee , Lu Yi , Johansson Ada , Jern Patrick , Rijsdijk Frühling Vesta
Published: November 2022

Although health disparities among same-sex attracted compared to heterosexual individuals are typically explained by minority stress, there is limited evidence for a causal effect. This study investigated whether same-sex attraction was causally associated with psychological distress and risky sexual behavior using sociosexual behavior as a proxy. The sample comprised monozygotic and dizygotic twins and their non-twin siblings (n = 2036, 3780 and 2356, respectively) genotyped and assessed for same-sex attraction, psychological distress (anxiety and depressive symptoms), and risky sexual behavior. Causal influences were investigated with same-sex attraction as the predictor and psychological distress and risky sexual behavior as the outcomes in two separate Mendelian Randomization-Direction of Causation (MRDoC) models using OpenMx in R. The MRDoC model improves on the Mendelian Randomization and Direction of Causation twin models by allowing analyses of variables with similar genetic architectures, incorporating polygenic scores as instrumental variables and specifying pleiotropy and residual covariance. There were significant causal influences flowing from same-sex attraction to psychological distress and risky sexual behavior (standardized coefficients = 0.13 and 0.16; 95% CIs 0.03–0.23 and 0.08–0.25, respectively). Further analyses also demonstrated causal influences flowing from psychological distress and risky sexual behavior toward same-sex attraction. Causal influences from same-sex attraction to psychological distress and risky sexual behavior may reflect minority stress, which reinforces ongoing measures to minimize social disparities. Causal influences flowing in the opposite direction may reflect rejection sensitivity, stigma-inducing outcomes of risky sexual behavior, and recall bias; however, further research is required to specifically investigate these processes.
Near-source ground motion estimation for assessing the seismic hazard of critical facilities in central Italy
Authors: Moratto Luca , Santulin Marco , Tamaro Alberto , Saraò Angela , Vuan Alessandro , Rebez Alessandro
Published: November 2022

We apply the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) and compute Physics-Based Simulations (PBS) of ground motion for three dams in the Campotosto area (Central Italy). The dams, which confine an artificial water reservoir feeding hydroelectric power plants, are located in an active seismic zone between the areas that experienced the 2009 L’Aquila and 2016–2017 Central Italy seismic sequences. The probabilistic disaggregation estimated for a return period of 2475 years, corresponding to the collapse limit state for critical facilities, indicates that the most dangerous fault is associated with a maximum magnitude of 6.75 ± 0.25 within a distance of 10 km. This fault is used in PBS to emulate the Maximum Credible Earthquake scenario. To capture the ground motion variability, we input a pseudo-dynamic source model to encompass spatial and temporal variations in the slip, rise time and rupture propagation, heavily affecting the near-source ground motion. Indeed, the ground motion above the rupture volume is mainly influenced by the epistemic uncertainties of rupture nucleation and slip distribution. The computed broadband seismograms are consistent with the near-source shaking recorded during the 2016 MW6.6 Norcia earthquake and constrain the upper bound of the simulated ground motion at specific sites. Our modelling reinforces the importance of considering vertical ground motion near the source in seismic design. It could reach shaking values comparable to or larger than those of the horizontal components. This approach can be applied in other areas with high seismic hazard to evaluate the seismic safety of existing critical facilities.
A ‘Lens of Labor’: Re-Conceptualizing Young People’s Involvement in Organized Crime
Authors: Atkinson-Sheppard Sally
Published: November 2022

Millions of the world’s children engage in labor, often exploitative and essential to their survival. Child labor is closely related to crime; global discourse illustrates how young people are victims of forced and bonded labor and recent studies from the global South demonstrate how young people are hired as the ‘illicit laborers’ of organized crime groups. Despite this, there is a tendency to consider young people, not as laborers but as victims of trafficking or as offenders (often in relation to gangs). To address this lacuna, the article draws on data from 3 studies conducted in the global South to develop a conceptual framework suitable for understanding the intersection between labor and crime. The article develops a metaphorical ‘labor lens’, a lens which centers and prioritizes labor and instrumental drivers for crime, embedded within wider structures of illicit markets, established organized crime, state:crime collaboration and the need for children to work to survive. The article integrates economic drivers for involvement in organized crime with the moral economy, within the context of ecological frameworks of crime, embedded with wider issues of coloniality. In doing so, the article develops a new conceptual framework for considering young people’s involvement in organized crime.
Factors affecting the Acceptance of Video Games as a Tool to improve students’ academic performance in Physical Education
Authors: Merino-Campos Carlos , del-Castillo Héctor , Medina-Merodio José-Amelio
Published: November 2022

Using commercial videogames as learning objects for the development of 21st century skills in secondary schools has been a relevant topic of study in recent years. But its use in the field of physical education is especially interesting considering its nature. The aim of this article is to explore how elements like technological competence, game-based learning, accessibility, and enjoyment are relevant factors that influence the acceptance of the use of video games as a learning aid in the context of physical education, as well as their influence on academic performance in the subject itself. The study enlisted the participation of 166 secondary school students. A quasi-experimental pre-post design with a non-equivalent control group was used. The intervention consisted of a specific training program entailing nine one-hour sessions once a week. To develop the model, the data was analysed using the optimisation technique of partial least squares (PLS). Our findings show that the factors studied, which are accessibility, enjoyment, technological competence and learning through video games, have an impact on students’ acceptance of video games as an educational tool and how this positive relationship leads to enhanced academic performance in physical education.
Emerging imbalance in the development of TPACK - A challenge for teacher training
Authors: Valtonen Teemu , Eriksson Miikka , Kärkkäinen Sirpa , Tahvanainen Ville , Turunen Anni , Vartiainen Henriikka , Kukkonen Jari , Sointu Erkko
Published: November 2022

This research continues the tradition of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) studies aimed at better understanding the development of pre-service teachers’ TPACK. The aim of the study is to show what are the areas of TPACK that pre-service teachers perceived as important and relevant for them, from a teacher training course. This course can be seen as a one of the many teacher training courses within teacher training. The course is not specially designed for mere educational technology, instead the course focuses on biology, using inquiry-based learning activities supported with various technologies. This study was conducted using qualitative methods. The research data consists of pre-service teachers’ (n = 165) answers to two short questions focusing on the elements that pre-service teachers gained from a teacher training science course for building their TPACK. The aim of this method was to highlight only the area that pre-service teachers felt important and relevant without providing any guiding structures. Results show the important role of Pedagogical content Knowledge (PCK) as the core area that respondents gained from the course. The results indicate that the role of Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK) remained modest, the number of responses focusing on TPK was low, and the responses remained at a very general level. The results suggest that in order to provide pre-service teachers with better and more balanced support for the development of their TPACK, we need to highlight technology and make its role more explicit, especially from the perspectives of teachers.
Evaluation of natural products and chemical compounds to improve the control strategy against cucumber powdery mildew
Authors: Elagamey Eman , Abdellatef Magdi A. E. , Haridy Maha S. A. , Abd El-aziz El-Sayed A. E.
Published: November 2022

Powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera xanthii, is a devastating disease that can wipe out a cucumber crop in optimal weather conditions. Disease control management depends mainly on fungicides to inhibit the pathogen. However, they have fatal side effects on most organisms. This study evaluated the use of natural products as safe alternatives to fungicides for controlling cucumber powdery mildew. The effectiveness and phytotoxicity of the studied products, as well as their effects on leaf anatomy and pollen fertility, were evaluated. Although the fungicide tested (Score 25% EC) was the most effective treatment, it caused the highest phytotoxicity, leaf morphological changes, and pollen sterility. All the treatments used significantly reduced disease severity under greenhouse and field conditions, except for Spirulina, which recorded the lowest efficacy rate. Lemon oil, garlic oil, and Blight stop achieved the desired goal of controlling the disease and improving the plant’s physiological state. Therefore, we recommend using any of them to control cucumber powdery mildew, except for Spirulina, which we recommend as a biofertilizer.
Why Limitarianism Fails on its Own Premises – an Egalitarian Critique
Authors: Halldenius Lena
Published: November 2022

This article is a critical analysis of Ingrid Robeyns’ “economic limitarianism” (2017, 2019, 2022), the suggestion that there is a moral case against allowing people to be richer than they need to be in order to achieve full flourishing. Wealth above a certain “riches line” lacks value and should be capped at that level. Robeyns claims that limitarianism is justified as a partial theory of economic justice, since vast wealth is a threat to political equality and the revenue raised from taxing wealth can be used to meet urgent needs. She also claims that limitarianism is problem-driven philosophy and should be judged by its capacity to address problems in the world as it is. The argument in this article is that limitarianism fails on its own premises, both as partial theory of justice and as guide to decision-making. The arguments invoked in its favour as theory does not provide reasons to support it over other redistributive schemes. As guide to practical action, it runs counter to what empirical research reveals about how attitudes to economic inequality works in that people’s acceptance of inequality adjusts: the more unequal a society is, the more inequality is accepted as fair. By disregarding inequalities below the riches-line as well as the economic system that produces them, limitarianism has no tools for countering this adjustment and risks legitimating a politics of inequality. Anyone who shares Robeyns’ concerns about economic inequality have reason to be wary of limitarianism.
Lightening the academic burden on Chinese children: A discourse analysis of recent education policies
Authors: Jiang Weiqi , Saito Eisuke
Published: November 2022

There is increasing acknowledgement of the need to lighten the academic burden on Chinese primary and secondary students because it affects the quality of their education and well-being. This study investigates recent education policies to analyse how the problem of academic burden is framed in these policies and how they attempt to solve it. In this study, Carol Bacchi’s theory of the construction of policy problems and Paul Preuss’ theory of root cause analysis were utilised to provide a productive way to interpret the problem and causes of the academic burden. The data reveal larger social issues related to Chinese educational values perceived by different stakeholders and educational equity necessitating the lightening of academic burden. Therefore, policymakers need to consider the complexity of educational change to effectively reduce the academic burden.
What do monarchs feed on in winter? Nectar sources at hibernation sites
Authors: Sánchez-Tlacuahuac Nancy , Pimentel-Equihua José Luis , Espinosa-Hernández Vicente , Vibrans Heike
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The steep population decline of the emblematic monarch butterfly is caused mainly by the reduction of food sources for caterpillars and adults, as well as disturbance in its overwintering forests. Although feeding at the overwintering sites in Mexico has long been considered unimportant, observations show that butterflies feed inside and outside of their forests on sunny days. Nectaring close to the hibernation colonies may be relevant for their conservation, as their reserves decline faster in disturbed forests. However, there are no systematic studies on nectar sources in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Michoacán, Mexico.

Aims

In this study, we identified and quantified the main plant species visited by butterflies for nectaring in the Reserve.

Methods

We collected systematic observational data on the flora and butterfly visits in three sanctuaries, around colonies formed between February and March of the 2019–2020 season.

Results

Butterflies fed on 29 plant species from 10 families. Most had white, yellow or blue flowers, were somewhat synanthropic and had their main flowering season in winter. The most visited species were Salvia mexicana and S. plurispicata, which were also the most abundant. By individual plant, Prunus serotina, Crataegus mexicana, Buddleja sessiliflora, Verbesina oncophora and Roldana albonervia were the most visited.

Discussion/Implications for insect conservation

The results point to possible interventions in support of the butterflies. The visited species are generally easy to encourage or cultivate and could be promoted in the surrounding agricultural areas.
Combination of WFDC2, CHI3L1, and KRT19 in Plasma Defines a Clinically Useful Molecular Phenotype Associated with Prognosis in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Ebihara Takeshi , Matsubara Tsunehiro , Togami Yuki , Matsumoto Hisatake , Tachino Jotaro , Matsuura Hiroshi , Kojima Takashi , Sugihara Fuminori , Seno Shigeto , Okuzaki Daisuke , Hirata Haruhiko , Ogura Hiroshi
Published: November 2022

Background

COVID-19 is now a common disease, but its pathogenesis remains unknown. Blood circulating proteins reflect host defenses against COVID-19. We investigated whether evaluation of longitudinal blood proteomics for COVID-19 and merging with clinical information would allow elucidation of its pathogenesis and develop a useful clinical phenotype.

Methods

To achieve the first goal (determining key proteins), we derived plasma proteins related to disease severity by using a first discovery cohort. We then assessed the association of the derived proteins with clinical outcome in a second discovery cohort. Finally, the candidates were validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a validation cohort to determine key proteins. For the second goal (understanding the associations of the clinical phenotypes with 28-day mortality and clinical outcome), we assessed the associations between clinical phenotypes derived by latent cluster analysis with the key proteins and 28-day mortality and clinical outcome.

Results

We identified four key proteins (WFDC2, GDF15, CHI3L1, and KRT19) involved in critical pathogenesis from the three different cohorts. These key proteins were related to the function of cell adhesion and not immune response. Considering the multicollinearity, three clinical phenotypes based on WFDC2, CHI3L1, and KRT19 were identified that were associated with mortality and clinical outcome.

Conclusion

The use of these easily measured key proteins offered new insight into the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and could be useful in a potential clinical application.
Neural networks for estimation of facial palsy after vestibular schwannoma surgery
Authors: Rampp Stefan , Holze Magdalena , Scheller Christian , Strauss Christian , Prell Julian
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Facial nerve damage in vestibular schwannoma surgery is associated with A-train patterns in free-running EMG, correlating with the degree of postoperative facial palsy. However, anatomy, preoperative functional status, tumor size and occurrence of A-trains clusters, i.e., sudden A-trains in most channels may further contribute. In the presented study, we examine neural networks to estimate postoperative facial function based on such features.

Methods

Data from 200 consecutive patients were used to train neural feed-forward networks (NN). Estimated and clinical postoperative House and Brackmann (HB) grades were compared. Different input sets were evaluated.

Results

Networks based on traintime, preoperative HB grade and tumor size achieved good estimation of postoperative HB grades (chi2 = 54.8), compared to using tumor size or mean traintime alone (chi2 = 30.6 and 31.9). Separate intermediate nerve or detection of A-train clusters did not improve performance. Removal of A-train cluster traintime improved results (chi2 = 54.8 vs. 51.3) in patients without separate intermediate nerve.

Conclusion

NN based on preoperative HB, traintime and tumor size provide good estimations of postoperative HB. The method is amenable to real-time implementation and supports integration of information from different sources. NN could enable multimodal facial nerve monitoring and improve postoperative outcomes.
Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse: A Qualitative Exploration of UK Military Personnel and Civilian Partner Experiences
Authors: Lane Rebecca , Gribble Rachael , Alves-Costa Filipa , Taylor Anna , Howard Louise M , Fear Nicola T , MacManus Deirdre
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPVA) perpetration and victimisation has been found to be higher in serving and ex-serving military samples compared to civilians. Despite this, there is a lack of qualitative research exploring the IPVA experiences of couples in which one or both partners are serving or have served in the military. This qualitative study aimed to explore IPVA experiences within the UK military community from the perspective of serving and ex-serving military personnel and civilian partners of UK military personnel.

Method

One-to-one telephone interviews were conducted with 40 serving and ex-serving military personnel (29 male, 11 female) and 25 female civilian partners. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four superordinate themes were derived: (1) patterns and directions of IPVA, (2) types of IPVA, (3) perceived drivers of IPVA and (4) perceived impact of IPVA. The findings point to frequent bidirectional abuse in part driven by poor communication and emotion regulation, whilst also highlighting the experiences of severe IPVA victimisation of civilian partners by military personnel motivated by power and control. Perceived drivers of both IPVA perpetration and victimisation include military factors borne of military culture or training, alcohol and mental health difficulties.

Conclusion

These results highlight the role of cultural norms, as well as the role of emotion dysregulation, poor communication skills and mental health difficulties in explaining and perpetuating abuse within ecological theoretical frameworks of violence among couples within which one or both partners are serving or ex-serving military personnel.
Te Pou: An Indigenous Framework to Evaluate the Inclusion of Family Voice in Family Violence Homicide Reviews
Authors: Roguski Michael , Grennell Dennis , Dash Synthia , De’Haan Irene , Cram Fiona , Gulliver Pauline
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Within this paper we evaluate the inclusion of the family voice in the domestic homicide review process. We use an Indigenous rubric (Te Pou) developed to ensure a culturally appropriate framework for conducting fatality reviews. We further draw on the creative potential of Indigenous knowledge systems, applying them alongside Western understandings of the engagement of family in homicide reviews, to seed new knowledge. This review has been undertaken early in the process of implementing family interviews to learn from current practices, seeking to improve them and, thereby, be better hosts for those invited to be part of a review.

Methods

The process of including family input into the in-depth reviews of family violence homicide reviews, conducted between October 2019 and November 2021, was reviewed against the guidelines specified within Te Pou.

Results

While there were strengths within the current process, the review established that further work is required to fully embed cultural understandings and processes within homicide reviews. Indeed, the current process and legislative framework in which it is based, works against relational obligations of reciprocity and a duty to care.

Conclusions

Using indigenous frameworks and research methods, it is possible to determine how homicide review processes have the potential to embed trauma rather than providing an opportunity for critical reflection and healing. Repositioning homicide reviews will require a reconceptualization of the legislative framework and support system requirements for review panels.
Adversarial examples for extreme multilabel text classification
Authors: Qaraei Mohammadreza , Babbar Rohit
Published: November 2022

Extreme Multilabel Text Classification (XMTC) is a text classification problem in which, (i) the output space is extremely large, (ii) each data point may have multiple positive labels, and (iii) the data follows a strongly imbalanced distribution. With applications in recommendation systems and automatic tagging of web-scale documents, the research on XMTC has been focused on improving prediction accuracy and dealing with imbalanced data. However, the robustness of deep learning based XMTC models against adversarial examples has been largely underexplored. In this paper, we investigate the behaviour of XMTC models under adversarial attacks. To this end, first, we define adversarial attacks in multilabel text classification problems. We categorize attacking multilabel text classifiers as (a) positive-to-negative, where the target positive label should fall out of top-k predicted labels, and (b) negative-to-positive, where the target negative label should be among the top-k predicted labels. Then, by experiments on APLC-XLNet and AttentionXML, we show that XMTC models are highly vulnerable to positive-to-negative attacks but more robust to negative-to-positive ones. Furthermore, our experiments show that the success rate of positive-to-negative adversarial attacks has an imbalanced distribution. More precisely, tail classes are highly vulnerable to adversarial attacks for which an attacker can generate adversarial samples with high similarity to the actual data-points. To overcome this problem, we explore the effect of rebalanced loss functions in XMTC where not only do they increase accuracy on tail classes, but they also improve the robustness of these classes against adversarial attacks. The code for our experiments is available at https://github.com/xmc-aalto/adv-xmtc.
Robust Optimal Well Control using an Adaptive Multigrid Reinforcement Learning Framework
Authors: Dixit Atish , Elsheikh Ahmed H.
Published: November 2022

Reinforcement learning (RL) is a promising tool for solving robust optimal well control problems where the model parameters are highly uncertain and the system is partially observable in practice. However, the RL of robust control policies often relies on performing a large number of simulations. This could easily become computationally intractable for cases with computationally intensive simulations. To address this bottleneck, an adaptive multigrid RL framework is introduced which is inspired by principles of geometric multigrid methods used in iterative numerical algorithms. RL control policies are initially learned using computationally efficient low-fidelity simulations with coarse grid discretization of the underlying partial differential equations (PDEs). Subsequently, the simulation fidelity is increased in an adaptive manner towards the highest fidelity simulation that corresponds to the finest discretization of the model domain. The proposed framework is demonstrated using a state-of-the-art, model-free policy-based RL algorithm, namely the proximal policy optimization algorithm. Results are shown for two case studies of robust optimal well control problems, which are inspired from SPE-10 model 2 benchmark case studies. Prominent gains in computational efficiency are observed using the proposed framework, saving around 60-70% of the computational cost of its single fine-grid counterpart.
Infantilization across the life span: A large-scale internet study suggests that emotional abuse is especially damaging
Authors: Epstein Robert , Bock Sara D. , Drew Megan J. , Scandalis Zoë
Published: November 2022

When competent adults are treated like children, negative outcomes sometimes follow. We used a concurrent study design to conduct an internet-based study to determine how infantilization varies by demographic category and which types of infantilization might be most harmful. The test, which measured 15 types of infantilization, was taken by 32,118 people (mean age 27.6) from 153 countries (most from the United States). Test scores were correlated with self-reported happiness, depression, anger, sense of control, and personal and professional success, and regression analyses consistently showed that of the 15 types of infantilization we measured, emotional abuse was by far the best predictor of adverse outcomes. Infantilization was highest during the teen years and decreased gradually throughout adulthood. Effects were found for gender, education, and sexual orientation, with vulnerable groups more subject to infantilization. Our data, collected between 2011 and 2020, appear to parallel recent increases in authoritarianism and intolerance, with total infantilization scores increasing by 30.1% over this period.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Anti-Tumor Mechanism of Eucalyptol Treatment on Neuroblastoma Cell Line SH-SY5Y
Authors: Gao Kai , Wu Congying , Li Yanlong , Lu Jian , Jiang Yuwu
Published: November 2022

Eucalyptol (1.8-cineole), an active component in traditional Chinese medicine Artemisia argyi for moxibustion. Previous studies have shown that eucalyptol has anti-tumor effects on leukemia and colon cancer. Nonetheless, the effect and mechanism of eucalyptol on neuroblastoma remains unclear. In the present study, we intended to reveal the effect and mechanism of eucalyptol treatment on the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y through transcriptome analysis. In the group treated with eucalyptol, 566 brain genes were up-regulated, while 757 genes were down-regulated. GO function analysis showed that positive regulation of cell cycle was down-regulated in biological processes. Meanwhile, cancer-related pathways were identified in KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analysis, including pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, and additional pathways. Furthermore, we found a key gene, such as MYC, by constructing a network of cancer related pathways with differentially expressed genes and transcription factor analysis. In conclusion, our research indicates that MYC might play a central role in the anit-tumor mechanisms of eucalyptol.
Phenology of grassland plants responds to urbanization
Authors: Christmann Tina , Kowarik Ingo , Bernard-Verdier Maud , Buchholz Sascha , Hiller Anne , Seitz Birgit , Lippe Moritz von der
Published: November 2022

Understanding phenological responses of plants to changing temperatures is important because of multiple associated ecological consequences. Cities with their urban heat island can be used as laboratories to study phenological adaptation to climate change. However, previous phenology studies focused on trees and did not disentangle the role of micro-climate and urban structures.

We studied reproductive phenology of dry grassland species in response to micro-climate and urbanization in Berlin, Germany. Phenological stages were recorded weekly at the individual plant level for five native grassland species across 30 dry grassland sites along an urbanization and temperature gradient. We estimated 50% onset probabilities for flowering and seed maturation of populations, and analysed variation in onset dates using regression models.

Early flowering species significantly advanced flowering phenology with increasing mean air temperature but were little influenced by urbanization. By contrast, late-flowering species showed significant phenological responses to both air temperature and urbanization, possibly because micro-climate was most affected by urbanization in late summer. Surprisingly, not all grassland species showed an advanced phenology with increasing intensity of urbanization.

This contradicts observed patterns for urban trees, indicating that phenological shifts in urban areas cannot be generalized from the observation of one growth form or taxonomic group. Growth form appears as a possible determinant of phenological responses. Results suggest that the phenology of dry grassland species may directly respond to the urban heat island, albeit with variable direction and magnitude. This has implications for ecosystem services, shifted allergy seasons, changes of biogeochemical cycles and potential ecological mismatches.
Presence and localization of apelin and its cognate receptor in canine testes using immunohistochemical and RT-PCR techniques
Authors: Troisi Alessandro , Dall’Aglio Cecilia , Maranesi Margherita , Orlandi Riccardo , Suvieri Chiara , Pastore Sara , Bazzano Marilena , Martínez-Barbitta Marcelo , Polisca Angela
Published: November 2022

Apelin, a member of the adipokine family, is a novel endogenous peptide which regulates the male reproductive system of mammals by interacting with a specific receptor. Recent studies have highlighted that apelin may play a role in the regulation of reproduction by reducing testosterone production and inhibiting LH secretion. To the best of our knowledge, there is no available data on the presence of the apelin and its receptor in canine testes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the presence of apelin and evaluate its distribution in the canine testes using immunohistochemical and RT-PCR techniques. For this purpose, five fertile and healthy male dogs were subjected to elective orchiectomy. The immunohistochemical reaction revealed the presence of apelin and its receptor in the canine testes. Apelin was localized in spermatids and spermatozoa with a positive signal in the “acrosomal bodies”. As regards the apelin receptor, a positive immunoreaction was detected in the cytoplasm of the cells localized near to the basal membrane of the seminiferous tubules and in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells. The RT-PCR analysis showed the presence of transcripts for apelin and apelin receptor in all of the samples under study. A 35kDa band confirmed apelin receptor protein expression in all of the samples analysed. In conclusion, the paracrine and endocrine role of apelin and its cognate receptor on male reproduction reported in humans and laboratory animals could also be hypothesized in dogs.