bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Arab Spring and the International Defense Market
Authors: Klomp Jeroen
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of the political violence during the Arab Spring on the stock market return of international defense firms. The direction of this impact is not directly straightforward as the civil unrests influence the expectations of investors in two opposite ways. On the one hand, investors might expect that when the peaceful demonstrations were turned into violent events, the Arab governments involved will start acquiring more military-strategic goods to repress the protests or send a strong signal of power to ensure their stay in office. However, on the other hand, when the popular protests escalated, investors, perhaps, became more concerned about the possible imposition of international military sanctions against the Arab Spring countries to restore peace and protect human rights. The main empirical findings of a dynamic panel model clearly confirm this pattern and point out that when the Arab Spring originated, the abnormal return of international defense stocks starts to rise immediately. However, in the course of time, the concerns of the introduction of arms embargoes become stronger and eventually start to dominate, causing the abnormal return to fall again, while the idiosyncratic risk began to fall due to enhanced diversification. It turns out that firm-specific factors can explain a substantial part of the effect found. For instance, the reaction of investors to the Arab Spring is significantly larger for firms that produce predominantly military goods.
Disability, violence, and mental health among Somali refugee women in a humanitarian setting
Authors: Hossain Mazeda , Pearson Rachel , McAlpine Alys , Bacchus Loraine , Muuo Sheru W. , Muthuri Stella K , Spangaro Jo , Kuper Hannah , Franchi Giorgia , Pla Cordero Ricardo , Cornish-Spencer Sarah , Hess Tim , Bangha Martin , Izugbara Chimaraoke
Published: October 2020

Background

There is limited evidence on the relationship between disability, experiences of gender-based violence (GBV), and mental health among refugee women in humanitarian contexts.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of baseline data (n = 209) collected from women enrolled in a cohort study of refugee women accessing GBV response services in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya. Women were surveyed about GBV experiences (past 12 months, before the last 12 months, before arriving in the refugee camps), functional disability status, and mental health (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress), and we explored the inter-relationship of these factors.

Results

Among women accessing GBV response services, 44% reported a disability. A higher proportion of women with a disability (69%) reported a past-year experience of physical intimate partner violence and/or physical or sexual non-partner violence, compared to women without a disability (54%). A higher proportion of women with a disability (32%) experienced non-partner physical or sexual violence before arriving in the camp compared to women without a disability (16%). Disability was associated with higher scores for depression (1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54–3.33), PTSD (2.26, 95% CI 0.03–4.49), and anxiety (1.54, 95% CI 0.13–2.95) after adjusting for age, length of encampment, partner status, number of children, and GBV indicators.

Conclusions

A large proportion of refugee women seeking GBV response services have disabilities, and refugee women with a disability are at high risk of poor mental health. This research highlights the need for mental health and disability screening within GBV response programming.
A survey of preparedness against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitals in Tokyo, Japan, with healthcare personnel with COVID-19 and in-facility transmission
Authors: Tagashira Yasuaki , Takamatsu Akane , Hasegawa Shinya , Uenoyama Yuki , Honda Hitoshi
Published: October 2020

A questionnaire was distributed to hospitals in Tokyo (N = 38) regarding their preparedness against and in-facility transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As of May 31, 2020, 284 HCP had contracted COVID-19, and in-facility COVID-19 transmission occurred at 13 hospitals, negatively impacting hospital functions and patient care.
United by History: Government Appropriation of Everyday Nationalism During Vladimir Putin’s Third Term
Authors: McGlynn Jade
Published: October 2020

During Vladimir Putin’s third presidential term, the Russian government and media’s rhetorical embrace of illiberalism, patriotism, and chauvinism was accompanied and partly facilitated by the invocation of historical precedent and “correct” historical understanding. Politicians stressed the importance of a shared historical memory to Russian national identity, rendering the interpretation of history a question of patriotism. The government and state-supportive media then used “patriotic” historical memories to legitimize government policies. Through framing analysis of three significant episodes—namely, the Ukraine Crisis, imposition of sanctions, and Russian intervention in Syria—I outline how the government and state-supportive media conflated these events with supposed historical precedents. This conflation made “patriotic” (or government-approved) history an everyday topic of discussion, but it also confused supporting government policy with celebrating historical triumph (or condemning historical tragedy). In this way, the government co-opted the emotional power of the history they invoked for the purposes of legitimizing their policies. This was compounded by the government and state-supportive media using and citing images and descriptions of ordinary people performing their patriotism in a manner that simultaneously demonstrated awareness of Russian history and support for the government.
Use of stable isotopes in the evaluation of fish trophic guilds from a tropical hypersaline lagoon
Authors: Franco Marcos A. L. , Santos Alejandra F. G. N. , Gomes Abílio S. , de Almeida Marcelo G. , de Rezende Carlos E.
Published: October 2020

Environmental factors, size-related isotopic changes of the most abundant species and isotopic niche overlap were investigated using stable isotopes in order to evaluate spatial changes of fish trophic guilds in the Araruama Lagoon. Based on 440 muscle samples, 17 fish species were grouped into five trophic guilds. Mean salinity was above 40 at both sites sampled and a significant spatial difference was observed. The highest δ13C mean value was observed for an omnivorous species, whereas the lowest carbon signatures were found for the three fish species belonging to the planktivorous guild. Analysis of the carbon signature of fish species in lower trophic levels showed influence of salinity variation, whilst size appeared to play a role for others. A narrow δ15N difference was observed, but the piscivorous fish species showed the highest δ15N values. The Standard Ellipses Analysis (SEA) detected spatial differences and varying degrees of isotopic niche overlap among trophic guilds, but the percentages of most overlaps (<60%) suggest that, to some extent, the guilds had a unique isotopic niche space. These results are in agreement with data previously reported for the Araruama Lagoon, that found the same prey items with varying relative importance among the most abundant species. Further studies are necessary to understand how the interaction between salinity and other factors, such as migration patterns, changes in prey availability, changes in contribution of primary sources and changes in baseline isotopic signatures could affect the stable isotope signatures shown here.
Stress responses of the green microalga, Dunaliella salina to PEG-induced drought
Authors: Tafvizi Fatemeh , Hosseini Tafreshi Seyed Ali , Toluei Zeinab , Toghyani Mohammad Amin
Published: October 2020

Drought stress was evaluated with polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) treatment in Dunaliella salina, a microalga known for its great ability to withstand salinities of more than 30%. The aim was to explore the acclimation mechanisms used by the microalga to regulate its growth and physiology during coping with drought stress. The microalga was subjected to culture mediums containing 2 and 5% PEG for 25 days and was compared with a control culture medium. Significant decrease in growth parameters such as specific growth rate, biomass and number of divisions per day was demonstrated in PEG-treated algae. During PEG treatment, chlorophylls slightly increased, while β-carotene and total protein were not affected. Osmolytes, as well as carbohydrates, were found to be significantly higher in PEG-treated algae than in control. Increased catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities were proportionally related to PEG concentrations in the cultures. The PEG-treated cells accumulated a considerable amount of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, especially at higher PEG concentrations. Electrolyte leakage increased, regardless of the PEG concentrations applied, while DNA fragmentation was not observed after 25 days of treating with PEG. It was concluded that Dunaliella cells could respond to the drought stress, probably by using a higher accumulation of a range of osmolytes and also more stimulation of the antioxidant enzymatic system.
How nonshared environmental factors come to correlate with heredity
Authors: Beam Christopher R. , Pezzoli Patrizia , Mendle Jane , Burt S. Alexandra , Neale Michael C. , Boker Steven M. , Keel Pamela K. , Klump Kelly L.
Published: October 2020

Conventional longitudinal behavioral genetic models estimate the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to stability and change of traits and behaviors. Longitudinal models rarely explain the processes that generate observed differences between genetically and socially related individuals. We propose that exchanges between individuals and their environments (i.e., phenotype–environment effects) can explain the emergence of observed differences over time. Phenotype–environment models, however, would require violation of the independence assumption of standard behavioral genetic models; that is, uncorrelated genetic and environmental factors. We review how specification of phenotype–environment effects contributes to understanding observed changes in genetic variability over time and longitudinal correlations among nonshared environmental factors. We then provide an example using 30 days of positive and negative affect scores from an all-female sample of twins. Results demonstrate that the phenotype–environment effects explain how heritability estimates fluctuate as well as how nonshared environmental factors persist over time. We discuss possible mechanisms underlying change in gene–environment correlation over time, the advantages and challenges of including gene–environment correlation in longitudinal twin models, and recommendations for future research.
Meal and snack patterns of 7–13-year-old schoolchildren in southern Brazil
Authors: Cezimbra Vanessa Guimarães , Assis Maria Alice Altenburg de , de Oliveira Marina Tissot , Pereira Luciana Jeremias , Vieira Francilene Gracieli Kunradi , Di Pietro Patrícia Faria , Roberto Denise Miguel Teixeira , Geraldo Ana Paula Gines , Soar Claudia , Rockenbach Gabriele , Hansen Fernanda , Hinnig Patrícia de Fragas
Published: October 2020

Objective:

The aim of the current study was to identify and describe the meal and snack patterns (breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner and evening snack) of public schoolchildren.

Design:

Cross-sectional study. Information on the previous day’s food intake was obtained through the Web-CAAFE (Food Intake and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren), an interactive questionnaire, which divides daily food consumption into three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and three snacks (mid-morning, mid-afternoon and evening). Each meal contains thirty-one food items and the schoolchildren clicked on the food items consumed in each meal. Factor analysis was used to identify meal and snack patterns. The descriptions of the dietary patterns (DP) were based on food items with factor loads ≥ 0·30 that were considered representative of each DP.

Setting:

Schoolchildren, Florianopolis, Brazil.

Participants:

Children (n 1074) aged 7–13 years.

Results:

Lunch was the most consumed meal (96·0 %), followed by dinner (86·4 %), breakfast (85·3 %) and mid-afternoon snack (81·7 %). Four DP were identified for breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, dinner and evening snack, and three for mid-afternoon snack. Breakfast, lunch and dinner patterns included traditional Brazilian foods. DP consisting of fast foods and sugary beverages were also observed, mainly for the evening snack.

Conclusions:

The results of the current study provide important information regarding the meal and snack patterns of schoolchildren to guide the development of nutrition interventions in public health.
ONE-LEVEL DENSITY OF LOW-LYING ZEROS OF QUADRATIC HECKE L-FUNCTIONS OF IMAGINARY QUADRATIC NUMBER FIELDS
Authors: GAO PENG , ZHAO LIANGYI
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we prove a one level density result for the low-lying zeros of quadratic Hecke L-functions of imaginary quadratic number fields of class number 1. As a corollary, we deduce, essentially, that at least

$(19-\cot (1/4))/16 = 94.27\ldots \%$
of the L-functions under consideration do not vanish at 1/2.
Church leaders and parishioners speak out about the role of the church in advance care planning and end-of-life care
Authors: Sloan Danetta Hendricks , Gray Tamryn F. , Harris Darriel , Peters Theodora , Belcher Anne , Aslakson Rebecca , Bowie Janice
Published: October 2020

Objective

Despite the increased focus on improving advance care planning (ACP) in African Americans through community partnerships, little published research focused on the role of the African American church in this effort. This study examines parishioner perceptions and beliefs about the role of the church in ACP and end-of-life care (EOLC).

Method

Qualitative interviews were completed with 25 church members (parishioners n = 15, church leader n = 10). The coding of data entailed a direct content analysis approach incorporating team experts for final themes.

Results

Seven themes emerged: (1) church role on end-of-life, (2) advocacy for health and well-being, (3) health literacy in EOLC, (4) lay health training on ACP and EOLC, (5) church recognized as a trusted source, (6) use of church ministries to sustain programs related to ACP and EOLC, and (7) community resources for EOLC needs.

Significance of results

The church has a central role in the African American Community. These findings suggest that involving African American churches in ACP and EOLC training can have a positive effect on facilitating planning and care during illness, dying, and death for their congregants.
Expression of existential suffering in two patients with advanced cancer in an acute palliative care unit
Authors: Tang Michael , Nguyen Nhu-Nhu , Bruera Eduardo , Tanco Kimberson , Delgado-Guay Marvin
Published: October 2020

Background

Recognizing and managing existential suffering remains challenging. We present two cases demonstrating how existential suffering manifests in patients and how to manage it to alleviate suffering.

Case description

Case 1: A 69-year-old man with renal cell carcinoma receiving end-of-life care expressed fear of lying down “as he may not wake up.” He also expressed concerns of not being a good Christian. Supportive psychotherapy and chaplain support were provided, with anxiolytic medications as needed. He was able to express his fear of dying and concern about his family, and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System scores improved. He died peacefully with family at bedside. Case 2: A 71-year-old woman presented with follicular lymphoma and colonic obstruction requiring nasogastric drain of fecaloid matter. Initially, she felt that focusing on comfort rather than cure symbolized giving up but eventually felt at peace. Physical symptoms were well-controlled but emotionally she became more distressed, repeatedly asking angrily, “Why is it taking so long to die?.” She was supported by her family through Bible readings and prayers, but she was distressed about being a burden to them. An interdisciplinary approach involving expressive supportive counseling, spiritual care, and integrative medicine resulted in limited distress relief. Owing to increasing agitation, the patient and family agreed to titrate chlorpromazine to sedation. Her family was appreciative that she was restful until her death.

Conclusion

Existential suffering manifests through multiple domains in each patient. A combination of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic techniques may be needed to relieve end-of-life suffering.
Implantation of vascular mimetic implants in challenging chronic	total occlusions – SuperaTM Extreme
Authors: Blessing Erwin , Antaredja Muliadi , Tilemann Lisa , Oberacker Ralph
Published: October 2020

Summary: Standard nitinol stents (SNS), with or without drug eluting technology, are an essential tool within the interventional armamentarium in the treatment of patients with peripheral arterial disease. However, they are plagued by a number of limitations: a.) stent fractures, although observed predominately in first-generation stents, do still occur in state-of-the art stent platforms, b.) lack of radial strength, resulting in inadequate stent expansion, c.) kinking up to a complete collapse of the stent, therefore compromising its use in areas of high mechanical stress such as bending zones. In contrast, the interwoven design of the SuperaTM stent, also referred to as “vascular mimetic implant”, overcomes all of the above limitations of SNS. Several registries and studies not only confirmed its mechanical superiority (lack of stent fractures etc.) but also demonstrated remarkable clinical performance (patency and freedom from target lesion revascularization), despite its use in challenging lesions (calcification etc.) and territories (popliteal arteries etc.). Increasing confidence in the mechanical properties of the SuperaTM stent platform prompted interventionalists to further “push the limits” of this unique implant. The present article summarizes the clinical data and shows examples of “extreme” applications of this dedicated stent platform.
Nitrate in Streams During Winter Low‐Flow Conditions as an Indicator of Legacy Nitrate
Authors: Johnson H. M. , Stets E. G.
Published: October 2020

Winter low‐flow (LF) conditions in streams provide a potential opportunity to evaluate the importance of legacy nitrate in catchments due to the dominance of slow‐flow transport pathways and lowered biotic activity. In this study, the concentration, flux, and trend of nitrate in streams during winter low‐flow conditions were analyzed at 320 sites in the conterminous United States. LF flow‐normalized nitrate concentrations varied from <0.1 to >20 mg‐N L−1 and LF conditions contributed between 2% and 98% of the winter nitrate flux. LF nitrate concentrations generally exceeded 2.5 mg‐N L−1 in the upper Midwest, with smaller regions of high LF nitrate concentrations in eastern Texas and along the northern mid‐Atlantic coast. Groundwater was inferred to be the primary or sole contributor of nitrate to streams during winter LF conditions at 140 of our 320 sites. Among these 140 sites, nitrate from groundwater comprised 45% or more of the winter nitrate flux at a quarter of the sites. Among the same 140 sites, concentrations of nitrate in streams during winter LF conditions generally increased between 2002 and 2012 at sites where 40% or more of the winter flux was from groundwater, suggesting that concentrations of nitrate in the contributing groundwater system were increasing. Using metrics developed herein, we characterize the potential importance of legacy nitrate at sites in this study and discuss methods to characterize sites with fewer samples than required by our models or at sites without continuous stream discharge measurements.
Projected Changes in Reference Evapotranspiration in California and Nevada: Implications for Drought and Wildland Fire Danger
Authors: McEvoy Daniel J. , Pierce David W. , Kalansky Julie F. , Cayan Daniel R. , Abatzoglou John T.
Published: October 2020

Recent high impact wildfires and droughts in California and Nevada have been linked to extremes in the Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), respectively. Both indices are dependent on reference evapotranspiration (ET0). Future changes in ET0 for California and Nevada are examined, calculated from global climate model simulations downscaled by Localized Constructed Analogs (LOCA). ET0 increases of 13–18% at seasonal timescales are projected by late century (2070–2099), with greatest relative increases in winter and spring. Seasonal ET0 increases are most strongly driven by warmer temperatures, with increasing specific humidity having a smaller, but noteworthy, counter tendency. Extreme (95th percentile) EDDI values on the 2‐week timescale have coincided with recent large wildfires in the area. Two‐week EDDI extremes are projected to increase by 6–10 times during summer and 4–6 times during autumn by the end of the century. On multiyear timescales, the occurrence of extreme droughts based on 3‐year SPEI below the historical fifth percentile, similar to that experienced during the 2012–2016 drought across the region, is projected to increase 3–15 times by late century. Positive trends in extreme multiyear droughts will further increase seasonal fire potential through degraded forests and increased fuel loads and flammability. Understanding how these drought metrics change on various climate timescales at the local level can provide fundamental information to support the development of long‐term adaptation strategies for wildland fire and water resource management.
Geomagnetic Storms Probably Don’t Cause Mass Cetacean Strandings
Authors: Rehnberg Morgan
Published: October 2020

Solar-induced geomagnetic activity and mass strandings of whales and dolphins on shorelines both show seasonal patterns, but the beachings likely result from multiple environmental factors.
Why Do Equatorial Plasma Bubbles Bifurcate?
Authors: Carrasco A. J. , Pimenta A. A. , Wrasse C. M. , Batista I. S. , Takahashi H.
Published: October 2020

Ionospheric plasma bubble observations using all‐sky airglow imagers in the OI 630‐nm emission show bifurcations with complex patterns. Bifurcation is the division of one channel of the plasma bubble into two that grow vertically in the magnetic equator. Several theories have been suggested to explain the bifurcation mechanism. In this work we use a plasma bubble simulation code to examine these theories. The model used shows that the height where the bifurcation occurs is conditioned by the polarization electric fields inside the bubble. The numerical simulation produced plasma bubbles with complex ramifications which agree with the observations taken at São João do Cariri (7.4°S, 36.5°W).
Tree Ring‐Based Historic Hydroclimatic Variability of the Baja California Peninsula
Authors: Gutierrez‐Garcia Genaro , Leavitt Steven W. , Trouet Valerie , Carriquiry Jose D.
Published: October 2020

The Baja California Peninsula is one of the most arid regions in Mexico, receiving an average of only 168 mm of precipitation annually. Climate change scenarios project drier and warmer conditions in the region at the end of this century driven by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. The growing demand for limited water supplies and the impacts of climate change pose a challenge to manage the already scarce water resources in the Peninsula. Analysis of historical hydroclimatic variability in the Peninsula is limited because most of the early instrumental climate data collection started only in the 1950s. In this study, we reconstruct past precipitation variability for the Peninsula using two tree ring chronologies from northern (Pinus monophylla) and southern (Pinus lagunae) Baja California. Our two reconstructions document multicentury hydroclimatic variability in the Peninsula, including events that turned out to be more extreme than those captured by modern instrumental records. Drought episodes are longer, more frequent, and more intense in the northern peninsula compared to the southern region. Multiyear dry and wet events in our two reconstructions exhibit broad spatial extent, affecting most of northwest Mexico and the western United States, which are mainly caused by broad‐scale atmospheric circulation patterns such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The results of this study allow framing current and projected droughts in a longer‐term context, thus providing a better understanding of past climate variability and a basis for robust water resource management in the region.
Influence of Elevated Nd Fluxes on the Northern Nd Isotope End Member of the Atlantic During the Early Holocene
Authors: Pöppelmeier Frerk , Scheen Jeemijn , Blaser Patrick , Lippold Jörg , Gutjahr Marcus , Stocker Thomas F.
Published: October 2020

The neodymium (Nd) isotopic composition of seawater is a valuable tool for the reconstruction of past water mass provenance and hence deep water geometry. A meaningful interpretation of Nd isotope down‐core records requires knowledge of potential variations of water mass end member characteristics. While often assumed temporally constant, recent investigations revealed glacial‐interglacial variability of the northern and southern Nd isotope end members in the Atlantic. These new constraints have a strong influence on the interpretation of the Atlantic deep water mass evolution, yet the processes responsible for the end member shifts remain uncertain. Here we combine a new compilation of Atlantic Nd isotope reconstructions of the early Holocene with the Nd‐enabled Bern3D model to quantify the recently proposed hypothesis of a northern Nd isotope end member shift during the early Holocene. We achieve the best model‐data fit with a strong increase of the Nd flux in the northern high latitudes by a factor of 3 to 4, which lowers the northern end member signature by about 1 ε‐unit. Our findings thus agree with the rationale that glacially weathered material entered the northern Northwest Atlantic after the ice sheets retreated late in the deglaciation and released substantial amounts of unradiogenic Nd as suggested previously. Further, we find that variations in the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) cannot reproduce the observed Nd isotope excursions of the compiled data, ruling out an early Holocene AMOC “overshoot.”
Calculation of GIC in the North Island of New Zealand Using MT Data and Thin‐Sheet Modeling
Authors: Mukhtar K. , Ingham M. , Rodger C. J. , Mac Manus D. H. , Divett T. , Heise W. , Bertrand E. , Dalzell M. , Petersen T.
Published: October 2020

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in the North Island New Zealand power transmission network during two large magnetic storms are calculated from both magnetotelluric (MT) data and a thin‐sheet conductance model of New Zealand previously used to study GIC in the South Island. We focus on the 2015 St. Patrick's Day magnetic storm and the storm of 20 November 2003. Lack of MT data in the northwestern part of the Island means that the transmission network in this region is represented by an equivalent circuit. Lack of GIC observations in the North Island means that results cannot be directly compared with measured GIC. However, our calculation of GIC shows that substations and individual transformers in the lower part of the Island with significant currents are generally the same as those where total harmonic distortion has been observed during periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity. MT data in the period range 2–30 min are used to predict GIC associated with the sudden storm commencement and rapid variations in the magnetic field. In contrast, the thin‐sheet modeling approach shows that GIC may be expected to occur in conjunction with longer‐period variations. Calculations for the 2003 storm suggest that at some locations GIC in excess of 10 A may persist for long periods of time and may produce significant harmonic distortion which could lead to localized transformer heating. It is concluded that despite its relatively low latitude the North Island power network is potentially at risk from significant GIC during extreme storms.
Mutualistic networks emerging from adaptive niche-based interactions
Authors: Cai Weiran , Snyder Jordan , Hastings Alan , D’Souza Raissa M.
Published: October 2020

Mutualistic networks are vital ecological and social systems shaped by adaptation and evolution. They involve bipartite cooperation via the exchange of goods or services between actors of different types. Empirical observations of mutualistic networks across genres and geographic conditions reveal correlated nested and modular patterns. Yet, the underlying mechanism for the network assembly remains unclear. We propose a niche-based adaptive mechanism where both nestedness and modularity emerge simultaneously as complementary facets of an optimal niche structure. Key dynamical properties are revealed at different timescales. Foremost, mutualism can either enhance or reduce the network stability, depending on competition intensity. Moreover, structural adaptations are asymmetric, exhibiting strong hysteresis in response to environmental change. Finally, at the evolutionary timescale we show that the adaptive mechanism plays a crucial role in preserving the distinctive patterns of mutualism under species invasions and extinctions.
Control of self-assembly pathways toward conglomerate and racemic supramolecular polymers
Authors: Wehner Marius , Röhr Merle Insa Silja , Stepanenko Vladimir , Würthner Frank
Published: October 2020

Homo- and heterochiral aggregation during crystallization of organic molecules has significance both for fundamental questions related to the origin of life as well as for the separation of homochiral compounds from their racemates in industrial processes. Herein, we analyse these phenomena at the lowest level of hierarchy – that is the self-assembly of a racemic mixture of (R,R)- and (S,S)-PBI into 1D supramolecular polymers. By a combination of UV/vis and NMR spectroscopy as well as atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate that homochiral aggregation of the racemic mixture leads to the formation of two types of supramolecular conglomerates under kinetic control, while under thermodynamic control heterochiral aggregation is preferred, affording a racemic supramolecular polymer. FT-IR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations reveal unique packing arrangements and hydrogen-bonding patterns within these supramolecular polymers. Time-, concentration- and temperature-dependent UV/vis experiments provide further insights into the kinetic and thermodynamic control of the conglomerate and racemic supramolecular polymer formation.
Antibiotic sensitivity in correlation to the origin of secondary peritonitis: a single center analysis
Authors: Grotelüschen Rainer , Heidelmann Lena M. , Lütgehetmann Marc , Melling Nathaniel , Reeh Matthias , Ghadban Tarik , Dupree Anna , Izbicki Jakob R. , Bachmann Kai A.
Published: October 2020

Despite improvements in diagnosis, intensive-care medicine and surgical technique, the mortality of patients with secondary peritonitis is still high. Early and aggressive empiric antibiotic treatment has strong impact on the outcome. This retrospective study investigates bacterial and fungal pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity in patients with secondary peritonitis. All patients that underwent emergency laparotomy due to secondary peritonitis at the Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed and overall 414 patients were included. We correlated the intra-abdominal localization of the organ perforation with intraoperative microbiological findings and corresponding sensitivities to relevant antibiotics. Overall, the most common findings were Escherichia coli (39%) and other Enterobacterica (24%). Depending on the location of the perforation, Cefuroxime/Metronidazole and Cefutaxime/Metronidazole were effective (based on in vitro susceptibility testing) in only 55–73% of the patients, while Meropenem/Vancomycin was able to control the peritonitis in more than 98% of the patients; independent of the location. Besides early source control, appropriate empiric treatment plays a pivotal role in treatment of secondary peritonitis. We are able to show that the frequently used combinations of second or third generation Cephalosporins with Metronidazole are not always sufficient, which is due to the biological resistance of the bacteria. Further clinical studies are needed to determine whether calculated use of broad-spectrum antibiotics with a sensitivity rate > 99%, such as Carbapenem plus Vancomycin, can improve overall survival rates in critically ill patients with secondary peritonitis.
Eco friendly silver nanoparticles synthesis by Brassica oleracea and its antibacterial, anticancer and antioxidant properties
Authors: Ansar Sabah , Tabassum Hajera , Aladwan Norah S. M. , Naiman Ali Mir , Almaarik Basmah , AlMahrouqi Salma , Abudawood Manal , Banu Naheed , Alsubki Roua
Published: October 2020

Production of environmentally amenable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has garnered the interest of the scientific community owing to their broad application primarily in the field of optronics, sensing and extensively in pharmaceuticals as promising antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer agents. The current study emphases on production of ecofriendly silver nanoparticles from Brassica oleracea (BO) and investigated their antibacterial, anticancer and antioxidant activity. The characteristics of synthesized BO-AgNPs were studied by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, particle size analysis, electro kinetic/zeta potential analysis, and Transmission electron microscope (TEM). A distinctive absorption maximum at 400 nm confirmed the formation of BO-AgNPs and data on TEM analysis have shown that the synthesized nanoparticles were predominantly spherical in shape. The BO-AgNPs obtained were assessed for antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic ability in MCF-7 cells. The antibacterial activity expressed was maximum against Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram negative) with DIZ of 14.33 ± 0.57 and 12.0 ± 0.20 mm respectively. Furthermore, the ability of the synthesized green nanoparticles to scavenge free radicals revealed a strong antioxidant activity. The cytotoxicity increased proportionately with increasing concentration of the green synthesized BO-AgNPs with maximum effect at 100 μg/ml and IC50 of 55 μg/ml. In conclusion, the data obtained in the study is reflective of the role of BO-AgNPs as potential and promising antimicrobial agent against bacterial infections and potential anticancer agent in cancer therapy.
Biorheology of occlusive thrombi formation under high shear: in vitro growth and shrinkage
Authors: van Rooij Britt J. M. , Závodszky Gábor , Hoekstra Alfons G. , Ku David N.
Published: October 2020

Occlusive thrombi formed under high flow shear rates develop very rapidly in arteries and may lead to myocardial infarction or stroke. Rapid platelet accumulation (RPA) and occlusion of platelet-rich thrombi and clot shrinkage have been studied after flow arrest. However, the influence of margination and shear rate on occlusive clot formation is not fully understood yet. In this study, the influence of flow on the growth and shrinkage of a clot is investigated. Whole blood (WB) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were perfused at high shear rates (> 3,000 s−1) through two microfluidic systems with a stenotic section under constant pressure. The stenotic section of the two devices are different in stenotic length (1,000 vs 150 μm) and contraction angle of the stenosis (15° vs 80°). In all experiments, the flow chamber occluded in the stenotic section. Besides a significantly increased lag time and decreased RPA rate for PRP compared to WB (p < 0.01), the device with a shorter stenotic section and steeper contraction angle showed a shear-dependent occlusion and lag time for both PRP and WB. This shear-dependent behavior of the platelet aggregate formation might be caused by the stenotic geometry.
Photodetecting properties of single CuO–ZnO core–shell nanowires with p–n radial heterojunction
Authors: Costas Andreea , Florica Camelia , Preda Nicoleta , Kuncser Andrei , Enculescu Ionut
Published: October 2020

CuO–ZnO core–shell radial heterojunction nanowire arrays were obtained by a simple route which implies two cost-effective methods: thermal oxidation in air for preparing CuO nanowire arrays, acting as a p-type core and RF magnetron sputtering for coating the surface of the CuO nanowires with a ZnO thin film, acting as a n-type shell. The morphological, structural, optical and compositional properties of the CuO–ZnO core–shell nanowire arrays were investigated. In order to analyse the electrical and photoelectrical properties of the metal oxide nanowires, single CuO and CuO–ZnO core–shell nanowires were contacted by employing electron beam lithography (EBL) and focused ion beam induced deposition (FIBID). The photoelectrical properties emphasize that the p–n radial heterojunction diodes based on single CuO–ZnO core–shell nanowires behave as photodetectors, evidencing a time-depending photoresponse under illumination at 520 nm and 405 nm wavelengths. The performance of the photodetector device was evaluated by assessing its key parameters: responsivity, external quantum efficiency and detectivity. The results highlighted that the obtained CuO–ZnO core–shell nanowires are emerging as potential building blocks for a next generation of photodetector devices.
Self-formed compositional superlattices triggered by cation orderings in m-plane Al1−xInxN on GaN
Authors: Chichibu Shigefusa F. , Shima Kohei , Kojima Kazunobu , Kangawa Yoshihiro
Published: October 2020

Immiscible semiconductors are of premier importance since the source of lighting has been replaced by white light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) composed of thermodynamically immiscible InxGa1−xN blue LEDs and yellow phosphors. For realizing versatile deep-ultraviolet to near-infrared light-emitters, Al1−xInxN alloys are one of the desirable candidates. Here we exemplify the appearance and self-formation sequence of compositional superlattices in compressively strained m-plane Al1−xInxN films. On each terrace of atomically-flat m-plane GaN, In- and Al-species diffuse toward a monolayer (ML) step edge, and the first and second uppermost < $$\stackrel{-}{1}\stackrel{-}{1}20$$

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> cation-rows are preferentially occupied by Al and In atoms, respectively, because the configuration of one In-N and two Al-N bonds is more stable than that of one Al-N and two In-N bonds. Subsequent coverage by next < $$\stackrel{-}{1}\stackrel{-}{1}20$$

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> Al-row buries the < $$\stackrel{-}{1}\stackrel{-}{1}20$$

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> In-row, producing nearly Al0.5In0.5N cation-stripe ordering along [0001]-axis on GaN. At the second Al0.72In0.28N layer, this ordinality suddenly lessens but In-rich and In-poor < $$\stackrel{-}{1}\stackrel{-}{1}20$$

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>-rows are alternately formed, which grow into respective {0001}-planes. Simultaneously, approximately 5-nm-period Al0.70In0.30N/Al0.74In0.26N ordering is formed to mitigate the lattice mismatch along [0001], which grow into approximately 5-nm-period Al0.70In0.30N/Al0.74In0.26N {$$10\stackrel{-}{1}2$$

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} superlattices as step-flow growth progresses. Spatially resolved cathodoluminescence spectra identify the emissions from particular structures.
Risk factors and evaluation of keratoconus progression after penetrating keratoplasty with anterior segment optical coherence tomography
Authors: Yoshida Junko , Toyono Tetsuya , Shirakawa Rika , Miyai Takashi , Usui Tomohiko
Published: October 2020

To determine the risk factors and unique characteristics of keratoconus (KC) progression after penetrating keratoplasty (PK), anterior segment optical coherence tomography parameters were statistically analyzed in comparison with eyes undergoing PK for other diseases as a control. Ninety-one eyes maintaining clear PK grafts for over 10 years were divided into 2 groups according to the primary indication for PK (KC vs Others groups). Corneal thinning indicators (inferior host thinnest corneal thickness/central corneal thickness [IHT/CCT], inferior graft thinnest corneal thickness/CCT [IGT/CCT]), were smaller whereas anterior chamber depth, and steepest corneal power (Ks), and maximum corneal power (Kmax) were larger in the KC group with statistical significance. Graft size, Kmax and Ks correlated with IHT/CCT and IGT/CCT in the KC group. These correlations were not detected in controls. Graft size and postoperative period were selected by multivariate regression analysis as factors for corneal ectatic changes in the KC group. In conclusion, KC eyes long after PK show inferior graft and host corneal thinning, and corneal protrusion. Corneal power parameters such as Kmax or Ks can be used to monitor KC progression after PK. A small graft might lead to KC progression after PK.
Long-term survey of sea turtles (Caretta caretta) reveals correlations between parasite infection, feeding ecology, reproductive success and population dynamics
Authors: Lockley Emma C. , Fouda Leila , Correia Sandra M. , Taxonera Albert , Nash Liam N. , Fairweather Kirsten , Reischig Thomas , Durão Jandira , Dinis Herculano , Roque Silvana Monteiro , Lomba João Pina , dos Passos Leno , Cameron Sahmorie J. K. , Stiebens Victor A. , Eizaguirre Christophe
Published: October 2020

Long-term monitoring of host-parasite interactions is important for understanding the consequences of infection on host fitness and population dynamics. In an eight-year survey of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) population nesting in Cabo Verde, we determined the spatiotemporal variation of Ozobranchus margoi, a sanguivorous leech best known as a vector for sea turtle fibropapilloma virus. We quantified O. margoi association with turtles’ δ15N and δ13C stable isotopes to identify where infection occurs. We then measured the influence of infection on reproduction and offspring fitness. We found that parasite prevalence has increased from 10% of the population in 2010, to 33% in 2017. Stable isotope analysis of host skin samples suggests transmission occurs within the host’s feeding grounds. Interestingly, we found a significant interaction between individual size and infection on the reproductive success of turtles. Specifically, small, infected females produced fewer offspring of poorer condition, while in contrast, large, infected turtles produced greater clutch sizes and larger offspring. We interpret this interaction as evidence, upon infection, for a size-dependent shift in reproductive strategy from bet hedging to terminal investment, altering population dynamics. This link between infection and reproduction underscores the importance of using long-term monitoring to quantify the impact of disease dynamics over time.
Transcriptome wide SSR discovery cross-taxa transferability and development of marker database for studying genetic diversity population structure of Lilium species
Authors: Biswas Manosh Kumar , Bagchi Mita , Nath Ujjal Kumar , Biswas Dhiman , Natarajan Sathishkumar , Jesse Denison Michael Immanuel , Park Jong-In , Nou Ill-Sup
Published: October 2020

Lily belongs to family liliaceae, which mainly propagates vegetatively. Therefore, sufficient number of polymorphic, informative, and functional molecular markers are essential for studying a wide range of genetic parameters in Lilium species. We attempted to develop, characterize and design SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers using online genetic resources for analyzing genetic diversity and population structure of Lilium species. We found di-nucleotide repeat motif were more frequent (4684) within 0.14 gb (giga bases) transcriptome than other repeats, of which was two times higher than tetra-repeat motifs. Frequency of di-(AG/CT), tri-(AGG/CTT), tetra-(AAAT), penta-(AGAGG), and hexa-(AGAGGG) repeats was 34.9%, 7.0%, 0.4%, 0.3%, and 0.2%, respectively. A total of 3607 non-redundant SSR primer pairs was designed based on the sequences of CDS, 5′-UTR and 3′-UTR region covering 34%, 14%, 23%, respectively. Among them, a sub set of primers (245 SSR) was validated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, of which 167 primers gave expected PCR amplicon and 101 primers showed polymorphism. Each locus contained 2 to 12 alleles on average 0.82 PIC (polymorphic information content) value. A total of 87 lily accessions was subjected to genetic diversity analysis using polymorphic SSRs and found to separate into seven groups with 0.73 to 0.79 heterozygosity. Our data on large scale SSR based genetic diversity and population structure analysis may help to accelerate the breeding programs of lily through utilizing different genomes, understanding genetics and characterizing germplasm with efficient manner.
Water strider females use individual experience to adjust jumping behaviour to their weight within physical constraints of water surface tension
Authors: Baek Minjung , Lawin Katherine M. , Codden Christina J. , Lim Hangkyo , Yang Eunjin , Kim Ho-Young , Lee Sang-im , Jablonski Piotr G.
Published: October 2020

Different species of water striders match leg speeds to their body sizes to maximize their jump take off velocity without breaking the water surface, which might have aided evolution of leg structures optimized for exploitation of the water surface tension. It is not understood how water striders achieve this match. Can individuals modify their leg movements based on their body mass and locomotor experience? Here we tested if water striders, Gerris latiabdominis, adjust jumping behaviour based on their personal experience and how an experimentally added body weight affects this process. Females, but not males, modified their jumping behaviour in weight-dependent manner, but only when they experienced frequent jumping. They did so within the environmental constraint set by the physics of water surface tension. Females’ ability to adjust jumping may represent their adaptation to frequent increases or decreases of the weight that they support as mating bouts, during which males ride on top of females, start or end, respectively. This suggests that natural selection for optimized biomechanics combined with sexual selection for mating adaptations shapes this ability to optimally exploit water surface tension, which might have aided adaptive radiation of Gerromorpha into a diversity of semiaquatic niches.