bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Standardization and validation of phytometabolites by UHPLC and high‐performance thin layer chromatography for rapid quality assessment of ancient ayurvedic medicine, Mahayograj Guggul
Authors: Balkrishna Acharya , Tomer Meenu , Joshi Monali , Gujral Seema , Kumar Mishra Rajesh , Srivastava Jyotish , Varshney Anurag
Published: February 2022

Mahayograj Guggul is an ancient ayurvedic medicine, prescribed for various joint disorders like arthritis, gout, and rheumatism. The present research was envisaged to develop a simple, sensitive, and comprehensive analytical method for standardization of Mahayograj Guggul. The analysis was conducted for gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, cinnamic acid, piperine, guggulsterone‐E, and guggulsterone‐Z by high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography, and additionally ferulic acid, ellagic acid, and picroside I by ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography. These developed methods were validated as per international guidelines, and were found linear (r2 > 0.99), sensitive, precise (relative standard deviation < 5%), and accurate with recovery values (85–105%). The limit of detection and quantification were in the range of 0.11–23.6 and 0.33–71.51 μg/g. Gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to develop Mahayograj Guggul fingerprinting profile and to identify mid‐polar or nonpolar compounds. Proximate analysis was used to ascertain the functional groups present in Mahayograj Guggul. Ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry were further employed to authenticate quality reproducibility in the active ingredients of Mahayograj Guggul in six commercial batches. Taken together, these analytical methods provide a scientific basis and reference for quality control evaluation of Mahayograj Guggul and similar traditional broad‐spectrum formulations.
Synthesis and Characterization of Cationic Hydrogels from Thiolated Copolymers for Independent Manipulation of Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Cell Substrates
Authors: Pätzold Florian , Stamm Nils , Kamps Dominic , Specht Maria , Bolduan Patrick , Dehmelt Leif , Weberskirch Ralf
Published: February 2022

Cells sense both mechanical and chemical properties in their environment and respond to these inputs with altered phenotypes. Precise and selective experimental manipulations of these environmental cues require biocompatible synthetic materials, for which multiple properties can be fine‐tuned independently from each other. For example, cells typically show critical thresholds for cell adhesion as a function of substrate parameters such as stiffness and the degree of functionalization. However, the choice of tailor‐made, defined materials to produce such cell adhesion substrates is still very limited. Here, a platform of synthetic hydrogels based on well‐defined thiolated copolymers is presented. Therefore, four disulfide crosslinked hydrogels of different composition by free radical polymerization are prepared. After cleavage with dithiothreitol, four soluble copolymers P1–P4 with 0–96% cationic monomer content are obtained. P1 and P4 are then combined with PEGDA3500 as a crosslinker, to fabricate 12 hydrogels with variable elasticity, ranging from 8.1 to 26.3 kPa and cationic group concentrations of up to 350 µmol cm−3. Systematic analysis using COS7 cells shows that all of these hydrogels are nontoxic. However, successful cell adhesion requires both a minimal elasticity and a minimal cationic group concentration.
Evaluation of improved CT‐based hardware attenuation correction in PET/MRI: Application to a 16‐channel RF breast coil
Authors: Lindemann Maike E. , Oehmigen Mark , Lanz Titus , Grafe Hong , Bruckmann Nils Martin , Umutlu Lale , Quick Harald H.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate three different bilinear conversion curves for attenuation correction (AC) of a 16‐channel radiofrequency (RF) coil in positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) breast cancer imaging.

Methods

The quantitative impact of three different bilinear conversions of computed tomography (CT) data for the AC of a 16‐channel RF breast coil was systematically evaluated in phantom measurements and on n = 20 PET/MR patients with breast cancer. PET data were reconstructed four times: (1) no coil AC (C‐NAC) serving as a reference, (2) established bilinear conversion by Carney et al., (3) bilinear conversion by Paulus et al., and (4) bilinear conversion by Oehmigen et al. Relative differences in PET data were calculated.

Results

Independent of the choice of bilinear conversion, significant gains in PET signal, compared to C‐NAC, were measurable in all phantom and patient measurements. Mean relative differences of ca. 10% in SUVmean (i.e., standardized uptake value; maximal relative differences up to 30%) due to the integration of the coil AC were calculated, compared to C‐NAC in phantom and patient measurements. Relative difference images depict that the quantitative impact of coil AC is highest in regions close to the RF coil when compared to no AC data. Bilinear conversion by Carney et al. shows a slightly overcorrection (2.9%), whereas the conversion by Paulus et al. provides a slight undercorrection of the PET images (−1.6%) in comparison to the no‐coil measurement. The bilinear conversion proposed by Oehmigen et al. provides the most appropriate AC for the breast coil in this phantom experiment (−0.2%). A total of 23 congruent lesions could be detected in all patients. All lesions could be detected in all reconstructions.

Conclusions

For the best possible PET image quality and accurate PET quantification in breast PET/MRI, the AC of MR hardware components is important. The bilinear conversion proposed by Oehmigen et al. provides the most appropriate AC for the breast coil in this study.
Multisectoral actions of mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Mazandaran province of Iran
Authors: Ahmadi Livani Abdolkarim , Gohardehi Farzad , Azizi Marzieh , Hashemvarzi Mahmoud Reza , Taghavi Somayeh , Tonekaboni Sara , Golchobi Ramzanali , Zarghami Mehran , Aarabi Mohsen , Elyasi Forouzan
Published: February 2022

Aim

A widespread outbreak of COVID‐19 is followed by adverse effects on the mental health of the general population. Therefore, this study is an audit to investigate the activities of various organizations during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Mazandaran Province, Iran.

Methods

The aim of the study was to collect the data, the relevant officials in various organizations and units were contacted to collect the statistics of actions taken in psychology and psychiatry wards. Moreover, databases such as Google Scholar and Iranian resources were searched.

Results

According to the results, different healthcare systems worked in parallel during the peak of the COVID‐19 pandemic. For example, Mazandaran University of Medical Science [MAZUMS] Health Vice‐Chancellor performed the following activities during this crisis: establishing a virtual crisis management working group, holding a provincial educational committee to train the crisis management teams, organizing virtual psychological intervention teams in the healthcare systems, and so forth. In addition, the mental health activities by Mazandaran Welfare Organization during the COVID‐19 outbreak included providing hostelry free psychological counseling, quarantine boarding and rehabilitation centers, and providing harm prevention protocols of COVID‐19, especially for marginalized regions. In the third level of medical centers, including hospitals, consultation‐liaison psychiatry or psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, therapeutic interventions for comorbid psychiatric disorders with COVID‐19 disease, and online workshops for mental health were conducted to reduce burnout of medical staff and nurses.

Conclusion

This study can provide a good guideline for different service providers by using the experiences of other centers to achieve better results.
Ferrostatin‐1 modulates dysregulated kidney lipids in acute kidney injury
Authors: Martín‐Saiz Lucía , Guerrero‐Mauvecin Juan , Martín‐Sanchez Diego , Fresnedo Olatz , Gómez Manuel J , Carrasco Susana , Cannata‐Ortiz Pablo , Ortiz Alberto , Fernandez José A , Sanz Ana B
Published: February 2022

Ferroptosis, a form of regulated necrosis characterized by peroxidation of lipids such as arachidonic acid‐containing phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), contributes to the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). We have characterized the kidney lipidome in an experimental nephrotoxic AKI induced in mice using folic acid and assessed the impact of the ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin‐1. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) was used to assess kidney lipidomics and it discriminated between glomeruli, medulla, and cortex in control kidneys, AKI kidneys, and AKI + Ferrostatin‐1 kidneys. Out of 139 lipid species from 16 classes identified, 29 (20.5%) showed significant differences between control and AKI at 48 h. Total PE and lyso‐sulfatide species decreased, while phosphatidylinositol (PI) species increased in AKI. Dysregulated mRNA levels for Pemt, Pgs1, Cdipt, and Tamm41, relevant to lipid metabolism, were in line with the lipid changes observed. Ferrostatin‐1 prevented AKI and some AKI‐associated changes in lipid levels, such as the decrease in PE and lyso‐sulfatide species, without changing the gene expression of lipid metabolism enzymes. In conclusion, changes in the kidney lipid composition during nephrotoxic AKI are associated with differential gene expression of lipid metabolism enzymes and are partially prevented by Ferrostatin‐1. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the activation mechanism of mutations G12V and Q61L of Cdc42
Authors: Chen Shiyao , Shu Liang , Zhao Rong , Zhao Yaxue
Published: February 2022

Cell division control protein 42 homolog (Cdc42), which contributes to multiple cellular processes including cell proliferation and migration, is a potential target for cancer therapy, especially in the intervention of tumor migration. Cdc42's mutants G12V and Q61L are discovered constitutively active, and the overexpression of them exhibits oncogenic activities. Here, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and dynamic analysis, we illustrated the activation mechanism of Cdc42G12V and Cdc42Q61L. Without GAP, the two mutations differently elicited state transition from the wild‐type's open “inactive” state 1 to the closed “active” state 2, induced by the introduction of a newly formed water‐mediated T35‐γ‐phosphate hydrogen bond in G12V system and the additional hydrophobic interactions between L61 and T35 together with the direct T35‐γ‐phosphate hydrogen bond in Q61L system. When binding with GAP, both mutations weakened the hydrogen bond interactions between Cdc42‐GTP and GAP's finger loop, and disturbed the catalytically competent organizations of GAP's catalytic R305/R306 and Cdc42's Q61, thereby impairing the GAP‐mediated GTP hydrolysis. Our findings first reveal the activation mechanism of Cdc42's G12V and Q61L mutants on a molecular basis, which provide new insights into the structural and dynamical characteristics of Cdc42 and its mutants and can be exploited in the further development of novel therapies targeting Cdc42‐related cancers.
Antigen Capture and Immune Modulation by Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles as In Situ Vaccine for Cancer Immunotherapy Post‐Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Li Yao , Zhang Kaiyue , Wu Yao , Yue Yale , Cheng Keman , Feng Qingqing , Ma Xiaotu , Liang Jie , Ma Nana , Liu Guangna , Nie Guangjun , Ren Lei , Zhao Xiao
Published: February 2022

Tumor antigens released from tumor cells after local photothermal therapy (PTT) can activate the tumor‐specific immune responses, which are critical for eliminating the residual lesions and distant metastases. However, the limited recognition efficiency of released tumor antigens by the immune system and the immunosuppressive microenvironment lead to ineffective antitumor immunity. Here, an in situ multifunctional vaccine based on bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs, 1‐MT@OMV‐Mal) is developed by surface conjunction of maleimide groups (Mal) and interior loading with inhibitor of indoleamine 2, 3‐dioxygenase (IDO), 1‐methyl‐tryptophan (1‐MT). 1‐MT@OMV‐Mal can bind to the released tumor antigens after PTT, and be efficiently recognized and taken up by dendritic cells. Furthermore, in situ injection of 1‐MT@OMV‐Mal simultaneously overcomes the immune inhibition of IDO on tumor‐infiltrating effector T cells, leading to remarkable inhibition on both primary and distant tumors. Together, a promising in situ vaccine based on OMVs to facilitate immune‐mediated tumor clearance after PTT through orchestrating antigen capture and immune modulation is presented.
Boosting Fast Sodium Ion Storage by Synergistic Effect of Heterointerface Engineering and Nitrogen Doping Porous Carbon Nanofibers
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zeng Yaping , Ling Changsheng , Wang Liu , Wang Zhiyong , Fan Tian‐E , Wang Heng , Xiao Jianrong , Li Xinyu , Qu Baihua
Published: February 2022

Heterointerface engineering with multiple electroactive and inactive supporting components is considered an efficient approach to enhance electrochemical performance for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Nevertheless, it is still a challenge to rationally design heterointerface engineering and understand the synergistic effect reaction mechanisms. In this paper, the two‐phase heterointerface engineering (Sb2S3 and FeS2) is well designed to incorporate into N‐doped porous hollow carbon nanofibers (Sb‐Fe‐S@CNFs) by proper electrospinning design. The obtained Sb‐Fe‐S@CNFs are used as anode in SIBs to evaluate the electrochemical performance. It delivers a reversible capacity of 396 mA h g–1 after 2000 cycles at 1 A g–1 and exhibits an ultra‐long high rate cycle life for 16 000 cycles at 10 A g–1. The admirable electrochemical performance is mainly attributed to the following reasons: The porous carbon nanofibers serve as an accelerator of the electrons/ions and a buffer to alleviate volume expansion upon long cyclic performance. The abundant phase boundaries of Sb2S3/FeS2 exert low Na+ adsorption energy and greatly promote the charge transfer in the internal electric field calculated by first‐principle density functional theory. Therefore, the as‐prepared Sb‐Fe‐S@CNFs represents a promising candidate for an efficient anode electrode material in SIBs.
Resistant‐Type Starch in Sorghum Foods—Factors Involved and Health Implications
Authors: Taylor John R. N. , Duodu Kwaku G.
Published: February 2022

Sorghum grain has a higher content of resistant starch (RS) than other cereals and seems to be more slowly digestible. However, people consume foods where the grain has been processed by thermal and other treatments. This review addresses whether sorghum foods generally have unusually high levels of RS and slowly digestible starch (SDS), what intrinsic factors are responsible and how processing conditions affect RS and SDS, and the health‐related implications of sorghum food consumption. With non‐tannin type sorghums, if the endosperm structure is little disrupted during food processing, as with conventional wet cooking, then the food can exert positive health effects on glycemic response related to its high RS content. Thermally induced cross‐linking of the kafirin matrix proteins appears to be responsible for the low starch digestibility. However, when non‐tannin sorghum is processed using high‐shear technologies like extrusion cooking, the endosperm, and starch granule structure are disrupted, rendering the starch fully digestible. Regarding tannin‐type sorghums, the tannins have a strong inhibitory effect on starch digestibility, notably by binding with the starch, which can improve glycemic response and other health related parameters. Future research on RS in sorghum foods must focus on the mechanisms responsible and interactions between intrinsic‐ and processing‐related factors.
Molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from seafood samples
Authors: Noroozi Neda , Momtaz Hassan , Tajbakhsh Elahe
Published: February 2022

Background

Enterococcus faecalis is considered an opportunistic foodborne pathogen. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, virulence characters, and molecular typing of E. faecalis strains isolated from seafood samples.

Methods

Two hundred and seventy‐six seafood samples were collected. E. faecalis was isolated from samples using bacterial culture. Furthermore, the disk diffusion assessed their antimicrobial resistance. Also, the distribution of virulence factors was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method was used for their molecular typing.

Results

Fifty‐six of 276 (20.2%) seafood samples were contaminated with E. faecalis. Fish harboured the highest contamination rate (30.0%). Isolates harboured the highest resistance rate towards oxacillin (100%), tetracycline (100%), erythromycin (100%), cefoxitin (89.2%), cefazolin (87.5%), trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (85.7%), rifampin (69.6%), clindamycin (69.6%), and gentamicin (64.2%) antimicrobials. Efa (100%), ebpA (89.2%), ebpB (58.9%), ebpC (53.5%), and esp (51.7%) were the most commonly detected virulence factors among E. faecalis isolates. RAPD–PCR analysis showed 11 different molecular clusters considering the closeness of more than 80%.

Conclusion

Seafood samples were considered reservoirs of virulence and resistant E. faecalis strains. Different molecular clusters of isolates may reflect their diverse sources of contamination.
The disposition of trimethoprim and sulfadiazine in neonatal foals after intravenous administration
Authors: Ekstrand Carl , Nostell Katarina , Gehring Ronette , Bondesson Ulf , Bröjer Johan
Published: February 2022

Background

Septicaemia in the neonatal foal is caused by both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The life‐threatening nature of this condition requires treatment to be initiated with broad spectrum antimicrobial drugs pending antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Potentiated sulphonamides, for example, trimethoprim combined with sulfadiazine, could be clinically relevant options but their pharmacokinetics in the neonatal foal are unknown.

Objectives

To describe the plasma disposition of trimethoprim and sulfadiazine in neonatal foals and to relate the results to patterns in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Escherichia coli, a recognized pathogen in neonatal foal sepsis.

Method

A total of five doses of trimethoprim (2.5 mg/kg) and sulfadiazine (12.5 mg/kg) were administered intravenously every 12 h to eight neonatal foals that were 3 days old at inclusion. A non‐linear mixed effects model was fitted to the trimethoprim and sulfadiazine experimental data. The 24 h area under the free plasma trimethoprim and sulfadiazine concentration‐time curves (fAUC) and the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamik (PK/PD)‐index fAUC/MIC was calculated to evaluate the potential clinical benefits of the administered dose.

Results

For trimethoprim, the typical values were 1.99 L/kg, 0.33 L/h·kg and 4.2 h for the apparent volume of distribution, clearance and terminal half‐life, respectively. The 24 h fAUC for trimethoprim was 11.3 μg·h/ml (7.2–15.2) and the fAUC/MIC ratio for E. coli was 23 (16.4–29.2) (population mean (range)). For sulfadiazine, the typical values were 0.61 L/kg, 0.09 L/h·kg and 5.3 h for the apparent volume of distribution, clearance and terminal half‐life, respectively. The 24 h fAUC for sulfadiazine was 246.8 μg·h/ml (175.6–335.4).

Conclusion

For trimethoprim, the plasma exposure is insufficient in some foals to successfully treat bacterial infections with an MIC‐value of 0.5 μg/ml using the studied dosing regimen.
Clinical and diagnostic approach of male pseudo hermaphroditism with os‐clitoris in French bulldog: A case report
Authors: Hendawy Hanan , Yoshida Tomohiko , Ma Danfu , Takeuchi Aki , Ozai Yusuke , Hamabe Lina , Tanaka Ryou
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Hermaphroditism is less frequently reported in dogs and is often associated with infertility.

Case report

An 8‐month‐old French bulldog weighing 5 kg with an enlarged structure protruding from the vulva was clinically diagnosed with hermaphroditism. Physical, hormonal assay, computed tomography, and gross and histological studies were done in addition to successfully detailed surgical correction. On physical examination, the dog showed the presence of an os‐clitoris protruded from the vulvar labia. Hormonal levels of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone were 6.39 pg/ml, 0.4 ng/ml, and 8.67ng/ml, respectively. Surgical removal of internal gonadal tissues and os clirectomy operations were conducted after the exploratory laparotomy. The removed gonadal tissues were identical to that of a female with testicles instead of ovaries, according to a gross examination. Histological examination confirmed gonads as testis, with inactive seminiferous tubules and epididymis attached to uterine horns.

Conclusion

The congenital anomalies in the present case were diagnosed as male pseudohermaphroditism (MPH). Surgical correction was performed, and the owner's satisfaction was achieved.
An objective index for spinal cord compression on computed tomography in Thoroughbred horses
Authors: Kondo Taro , Sato Fumio , Tsuzuki Nao , Chen Chun‐Jen , Yamada Kazutaka
Published: February 2022

Background

Computed tomographic myelography can be a useful tool for evaluating vertebral canal stenosis. However, an index of spinal cord compression is yet to be established.

Objectives

This observational descriptive study aimed to establish an index for spinal cord compression using computed tomography (CT).

Methods

Twenty‐three Thoroughbred horses (age, 155–717 days; weight, 205–523 kg) with suspected cervical vertebral malformation were subjected to computed tomographic myelography in dorsal recumbency using large‐bore gantry CT to define the entire cervical vertebrae from C1 to C7. Subsequently, the height of the spinal cord was measured in the sagittal plane reformatted using curved multi‐planar reformation (MPR), thereby comparing it with stenotic ratio (i.e. dividing the area of spinal cord by that of the subarachnoid space) measured in the transverse plane. The measurement was performed at the level of each of six intervertebral spaces, for a total of 138 sites. Accordingly, the appropriate cut‐off value for spinal cord height was determined using the receiver‐operating characteristic curve, from which the area under the curve with 95% confidence interval was estimated.

Results

The spinal cord compression cut‐off value was 7.06 mm, with an area under curve of 0.84. A weak relationship was observed between spinal cord height and stenotic ratio (R2 = 0.08, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Following curved MPR, a cut‐off value of 7.06 mm may serve as an index for spinal cord compression.
Electric vehicle adoption in small island economies: Review from a technology transition perspective
Authors: Shah Kalim U. , Awojobi Mohammed , Soomauroo Zakia
Published: February 2022

Small Island States present features, such as compact road networks, low commuter distances, and often large tourism service sectors, that could make the adoption of electric vehicles for transportation which is an attractive way to reduce their costly dependence on imported fossil fuel and their greenhouse gas emissions. Through the transition theory lens, we review the national policy measures and broad clean transportation targets that small island countries are implementing to encourage electric mobility deployment. From information compiled for 18 small island countries, we find a growing trend in electric vehicle and infrastructure development incentives among broader clean transportation transformation policies and nationally determined contribution targets; and large country‐to‐country variations in enabling conditions to smoothen EV transition. Small island countries are not uniform but instead are very dispersed across the transition S‐curve. The review, therefore, finds that the mobility transition requires island‐specific approaches and solutions that will accentuate critical policy and management elements for fostering transitions.

This article is categorized under:

Policy and Economics > Energy Transitions

Sustainable Development > Sustainable Development Goals
Identification of synthetic cathinones in seized materials: A review of analytical strategies applied in forensic chemistry
Authors: G. de Campos Eduardo , Krotulski Alex J. , S. De Martinis Bruno , Costa José Luiz
Published: February 2022

Synthetic cathinones are a class of novel psychoactive substances, commonly tested in seized materials by forensic chemistry laboratories. These drugs have been found in different types of seized materials including powders, tablets, liquids, herbs, and blotters. A comprehensive review of the literature shows that the analyses of synthetic cathinones have been performed by a diverse repertoire of techniques, from more traditional to emerging methods. Techniques commonly used in the analysis of “traditional” illicit drugs, such as color and microcrystalline tests, chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry (MS), and infrared (IR), and Raman spectroscopies, have been used for screening and/or confirmatory purposes, depending on the technique and laboratories preference. However, other emerging techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, high‐resolution MS, direct analysis in real‐time MS, gas chromatography with IR detection, and so on, have been drawing the attention of forensic scientists due to the advantages of these techniques in providing important structural data. It is important to consider that each technique presents analytical benefits and limitations, which should be considered when analyzing synthetic cathinones in seized materials. Furthermore, the combination of more than one analytical technique is always recommended, especially when an unknown synthetic cathinone is suspected and/or encountered in the sample.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Controlled and Emerging Drug Compounds

Toxicology > New Psychoactive Substances

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Emerging Technologies and Methods
Cultural Transmission in Slovak Mountain Regions: Local Knowledge as Symbolic Argumentation
Authors: Murin Ivan
Published: February 2022

Anthropological findings and symbolic activities of native populations can be argumentative tools in environmental communication. This chapter presents the ethnography research and assistance of anthropologists in the re-adaptation of the new mountain generation in Vrchár communities in Slovakia, Central Europe. Here, in the second half of twentieth century, several generations were evicted from their original surroundings. The anthropologists compiled an inventory of the current state of local culture in outlying locations. They subsequently used a mixed method to analyze the consequences of interrupting generational transmission and created a model for sustainable transmission of local culture. The new generation adapts Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as lived heritage and periodically presents newly learned knowledge of symbolic events. This symbolic reference to sustainability constitutes important argumentation in environmental communication with multiple stakeholders.
Community Voices, Practices, and Memories in Environmental Communication: Iliamna Lake Yup’ik Place Names, Alaska
Authors: Kugo Yoko
Published: February 2022

This chapter discusses an environmental communication approach, using certain Indigenous place names as examples of how residents of communities around Iliamna Lake, Alaska, not only use place names to convey environmental and spatial information, but also to emphasize the temporal and spiritual relationships between the people and the land. Place names and stories about these places often reveal local histories and affirm cultural ethics. Elders sharing their feelings and stories about these places with younger generations affirm the residents’ connection to the streams, lakes, and other landmarks in the Iliamna Lake area. Participating in daily activities and sharing oral traditions of the landscape are at the core of the environmental communication used by residents of Iliamna Lake communities to live in harmony with nature.
Identifying Values Through Discourse Analysis
Authors: Kivle Benedicte Maria Tveter , Espedal Gry
Published: February 2022

The aim of this chapter is to show how values can be identified through discourse analysis. To elaborate on this, we describe what discourse analysis is by drawing on theoretical contributions and earlier writings on the approach. Discourse analysis is presented here by three traditions with different theoretical and methodological connotations. The three approaches are structural-semantic discourse analysis, critical discourse analysis and discursive psychology. The different approaches are analysed and presented through an example text discussing the managerial model of trust-based leadership within the public sector in Scandinavia. The description of the approaches to discourse analysis gives the reader an understanding of the available choices of approaches within discourse analysis and how the different theoretical groundings make way for identifying values differently. In this chapter, readers are offered a framework for placing their own research projects within the three traditions of discourse analysis.
Exploring the phenomenology of weak adjoint scalars in minimal R-symmetric models
Authors: Carpenter Linda M. , Smylie Matthew J.
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We examine the phenomenology of the scalar fields in weak and Higgs sectors of minimal R-symmetric models, in particular the ‘swino’ and ‘sbino’, the scalar partners to the chiral fields that marry the electroweak gauge bosons in Dirac gaugino models. These fields are in adjoint representations of SU(2) and U(1) and have both CP-even and CP-odd components. The interactions of these new states are summarized, and decay widths are computed analytically to one loop order. We discuss the tree level contributions of these new states to the mass spectrum of MSSM sfermions. We also explore production cross sections and decay signatures at colliders for several chosen benchmarks. We find that large regions of parameter space are unconstrained by present collider data.
Non-resonant new physics search at the LHC for the b → cτν anomalies
Authors: Endo Motoi , Iguro Syuhei , Kitahara Teppei , Takeuchi Michihisa , Watanabe Ryoutaro
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Motivated by the $$ b\to c\tau \overline{v} $$
b
→
cτ

v
¯

anomalies, we study non-resonant searches for new physics at the large hadron collider (LHC) by considering final states with an energetic and hadronically decaying τ lepton, a b-jet and large missing transverse momentum $$ \left( pp\to {\tau}_h\overline{b}+{E}_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}}\right) $$

pp
→

τ
h

b
¯

+

E
T
miss

. Such searches can be useful to probe new physics contributions to $$ b\to c\tau \overline{v} $$
b
→
cτ

v
¯

. They are analyzed not only within the dimension-six effective field theory (EFT) but also in explicit leptoquark (LQ) models with the LQ non-decoupled. The former is realized by taking a limit of large LQ mass in the latter. It is clarified that the LHC sensitivity is sensitive to the LQ mass for 𝒪(1) TeV even in the search of $$ pp\to {\tau}_h\overline{b}+{E}_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}} $$
pp
→

τ
h

b
¯

+

E
T
miss

. Although the LQ models provide a weaker sensitivity than the EFT limit, it is found that the non-resonant search of $$ pp\to {\tau}_h\overline{b}+{E}_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}} $$
pp
→

τ
h

b
¯

+

E
T
miss

can improve the sensitivity by ≈ 40% versus a conventional mono-τ search $$ \left( pp\to {\tau}_h+{E}_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}}\right) $$

pp
→

τ
h

+

E
T
miss

in the whole LQ mass region. Consequently, it is expected that most of the parameter regions suggested by the $$ b\to c\tau \overline{v} $$
b
→
cτ

v
¯

anomalies can be probed at the HL-LHC. Also, it is shown that R2 LQ scenario is accessible entirely once the LHC Run 2 data are analyzed. In addition, we discuss a charge selection of τh to further suppress the standard-model background, and investigate the angular correlations among b, τ and the missing transverse momentum to discriminate the LQ scenarios.
Freezing-in a hot bath: resonances, medium effects and phase transitions
Authors: Bringmann Torsten , Heeba Saniya , Kahlhoefer Felix , Vangsnes Kristian
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Relic density calculations of dark matter freezing out from the primordial plasma have reached a high level of sophistication, with several numerical tools readily available that match the observationally required accuracy. Dark matter production via the freeze-in mechanism, on the other hand, is sensitive to much higher temperatures than in the freeze-out case, implying both technical and computational difficulties when aiming for the same level of precision. We revisit the formulation of freeze-in production in a way that facilitates the inclusion of in-medium corrections like plasma effects and the spin statistics of relativistic quantum gases, as well as the temperature dependence of dark matter production rates induced by the electroweak and strong phase transitions, and we discuss in detail the additional complications arising in the presence of s-channel resonances. We illustrate our approach in the context of Higgs portal models, and provide the most accurate calculation to date of the freeze-in abundance of Scalar Singlet dark matter. We explore in particular the case of small reheating temperatures, for which the couplings implied by the freeze-in mechanism may be testable at the LHC. Together with this article we present a major update 6.3 of DarkSUSY with the added capability of performing general freeze-in calculations, including all complications mentioned above.
Quality traits of plantation Eucalyptus nitens logs impacting volume and value recovery of structural sawn boards
Authors: Balasso Michelle , Hunt Mark , Jacobs Andrew , O’Reilly-Wapstra Julianne
Published: February 2022

Plantations of Eucalyptus species are planted and grown worldwide for short rotations and with limited silvicultural treatments mostly to produce pulplogs for the pulp and paper industry. These resources could be used as raw material for construction timber, to support the increasing need of renewable resources from the building sector. To use fast-grown Eucalyptus logs as a source of sawn timber log grading standards are needed, which can be developed accounting for log characteristics impacting sawn timber recovery. This study aims to examine the quality of fast-grown Eucalyptus logs and relate relevant log quality traits to sawn timber characteristics. Wood quality and log characteristics of forty-nine fast-grown Eucalyptus logs and the characteristics and structural properties of 268 sawn boards milled from those logs were investigated. Significant differences were found in wood quality characteristics from logs sourced from different positions in the stem. However, sawn boards did not differ in their wood quality traits according to log position, which influenced only the amount and type of knots on the board surface and some structural properties. Moreover, log characteristics including volume, taper, log end splits and stiffness significantly impacted important board recovery traits. The results of this study show that log characteristics such as volume, taper, log end splits and stiffness should be accounted for in log grading standards seeking to grade fast-grown Eucalyptus resources for different product classes.
Fear of relapse in schizophrenia: a mixed-methods systematic review
Authors: Zukowska Zofia , Allan Stephanie , Eisner Emily , Ling Li , Gumley Andrew
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Fears of relapse in people diagnosed with schizophrenia have long been recognised as an impediment to recovery and wellbeing. However, the extent of the empirical basis for the fear of relapse concept is unclear. A systematic review is required to collate available evidence and define future research directions.

Methods

A pre-registered systematic search (PROSPERO CRD42020196964) of four databases (PubMED, MEDLINE-Ovid, PsycINFO-Ovid, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) was conducted from their inception to 05/04/2021.

Results

We found nine eligible studies. Five were quantitative (4 descriptive and 1 randomised controlled trial), and four were qualitative. The available quantitative evidence suggests that fear of relapse may have concurrent positive relationships with depression (r = 0.72) and suicide ideation (r = 0.48), and negative relationship with self-esteem (r = 0.67). Qualitative synthesis suggests that fear of relapse is a complex phenomenon with behavioural and emotional components which has both direct and indirect effects on wellbeing.

Conclusions

Evidence in this area is limited and research with explicit service user and carer involvement is urgently needed to develop new and/or refine existing measurement tools, and to measure wellbeing rather than psychopathology. Nonetheless, clinicians should be aware that fear of relapse exists and appears to be positively associated with depression and suicide ideation, and negatively associated with self-esteem. Fear of relapse can include fears of losing personal autonomy and/or social/occupational functioning. It appears to impact carers as well as those diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The Feminisation U, cultural norms, and the plough
Authors: Uberti Luca J. , Douarin Elodie
Published: February 2022

The Feminisation U describes the tendency of female labour force participation (FLFP) to first decline and then rise in the process of economic development. While the Feminisation U is often presented as a ‘stylised fact’ of development, empirical support for it is mixed. Here, we show that cultural norms inherited from ancestral plough use exert a moderating influence on the shape of the Feminisation U. Specifically, we find a significantly U-shaped path of FLFP only in countries whose ancestors employed a plough-based agricultural technology. The shape of the U-curve becomes progressively more muted as the share of a country's ancestors that practiced plough agriculture decreases. In countries with little or no legacy of historical plough use, the time path of FLFP is effectively flat. This pattern of results is robust to correcting for dynamic panel bias, instrumenting for per-capita income, and controlling for other potential effect modifiers. Our findings are compatible with a nuanced reading of the main theoretical models proposed in the literature to explain the Feminisation U.
Regime-switching empirical similarity model: a comparison with baseline models
Authors: Bahromov Jamol
Published: February 2022

In this paper, I extend the standard specification of the empirical similarity (ES) model of Gilboa et al. (Rev Econ Stat 88:433–444, 2006) to account for changes in parameters. I implement this by allowing for a combination of component ES models in the spirit of Gaussian mixture models. The predictive power of the modified model, along with that of the standard specification, will be assessed and compared to the baseline models consisting of autoregressions and Markov-switching autoregressions within a simulation exercise. Finally, we also compare the predictive ability of models using data on quarterly US real GDP growth. The results indicate that in situations of a more complex regime-switching behavior and a moderate to high autocorrelation in series, modified ES model demonstrates a better empirical fit. In addition, results of the empirical example show that modified ES models can better predict more extreme observations.
Communicating Absolute Fracture Risk Reduction and the Acceptance of Treatment for Osteoporosis
Authors: Ralston Katherine A. P. , Phillips Jonathan , Krause Amrey , Hauser Barbara , Ralston Stuart H.
Published: February 2022

Healthcare professionals frequently communicate the benefits of treatments as a relative risk reduction (RRR) in the likelihood of an event occurring. Here we evaluated whether presenting the benefits of osteoporosis treatment as a RRR in fractures compared with an absolute risk reduction (ARR) changed the patient’s attitudes towards accepting treatment. We surveyed 160 individuals attending a specialised osteoporosis clinic for face-to-face consultations between May 2018 and Jan 2021. They were presented with information on RRR for the treatment being considered followed by ARR and after each question were asked about how likely they would be to start treatment on a 5-point scale (1 = very likely, 5 = very unlikely). Participants were less likely to accept treatment when it was presented as ARR (mean score 2.02 vs. 2.67, p < 0.001, 95% CI for difference − 0.82 vs − 0.47) and thirty-eight participants (23.7%) declined treatment with knowledge of their ARR when they would have accepted the same treatment based on the RRR. Individuals who declined treatment had a lower 5-year risk of fracture than those who accepted treatment (9.0 vs. 12.5%, p < 0.001, 95% CI − 5.0 to − 1.6) and as fracture risk decreased, the participant was less likely to accept treatment (Spearman r − 0.32, 95% CI − 0.46 to − 0.17, p ≤ 0.001). Whilst presentation of data as ARR more accurately reflects individual benefit and helps facilitate shared decision-making, clinicians should be aware that this will lead to a proportion of patients with lower fracture risk declining treatment for osteoporosis.
The ultrastructural development and 3D reconstruction of the transparent carapace of the ostracod Skogsbergia lerneri
Authors: Rumney Benjamin M. , Malik F. Tegwen , Morgan Siân R. , Parker Andrew R. , Holden Simon , Albon Julie , Lewis Philip N. , Meek Keith M.
Published: February 2022

The Skogsbergia lerneri is a marine ostracod which possesses a carapace that is both protective and transparent. Since development of this carapace and how it is maintained in the adult is not known, the aim of this investigation was to carry out an in-depth ultrastructural study of the ostracod carapace at different developmental stages. Standard transmission electron microscopy and novel serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) were undertaken to discern carapace ultrastructure in both two and three dimensions. Analysis revealed a carapace consisting of the same basic layer structure as other myodocopid ostracods, namely an epicuticle, exocuticle, endocuticle and membranous layer, but with a thinner adult carapace of mean thickness of 19.2 ± 1.78 µm, n = 5. The carapace layers, except for instar 1 ostracods, had similar relative proportions throughout development. The endocuticle and membranous layer thickened through advancing developmental stages due to an increase in calcified crystalline polyhedrons and a greater number of chitinous lamellae in the membranous layer. Crystalline polyhedron dimensions were significantly smaller near the boundary with the membranous layer. The borders between the carapace layers were indistinct; SBF-SEM revealed an abundance of epicuticle projections into the exocuticle and apparent gradual merging at the boundary of the exocuticle and the endocuticle. Here, we discuss how the S. lerneri carapace layer structure has evolved to serve a specific mechanical function, allowing surface protection and rigidity. In addition, we suggest that the lack of pigment and graduated layer boundaries contribute to the transparency of the carapace.
Establishment of prediction models of trapped sediment mass and total filtration efficiency of pre-pump micro-pressure filter
Authors: Li Qiao , Wu Zijing , Tao Hongfei , Aihemaiti Mahemujiang , Jiang Youwei , Yang Wenxin
Published: February 2022

The filter before a pump is a key piece of equipment of a micro-irrigation system, which can ensure safe and stable operation. This paper examines a pre-pump micro-pressure filter, using the trapped sediment mass and total filtration efficiency as the assessment indicators. Orthogonal experiments of the physical model of the inlet flow, sediment content, water separator type, and filter area were conducted. The experimental results were processed by analysis of variance, dimensional analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The influences of the factors affecting the trapped sediment mass in descending order were the sediment content, filter area, water separator type, and inlet flow. The influences of the factors affecting the total filtration efficiency in descending order were the filter area, sediment content, water separator type, and inlet flow. While the water separator type significantly affected the trapped sediment mass and total filtration efficiency, the difference between the different treatments was insignificant. The prediction model for the trapped sediment mass (total filtration efficiency) was established with an R2 of 0.998 (0.889). Since the relative errors between the predicted and measured values were less than 6%, these models could produce accurate predictions. These results provide technical support for the structural optimization and filtration mechanism of the filter and advance the theory of micro-pressure filtration.
Prior residency improves the performance of a habitat specialist in a degrading environment
Authors: Poulos Davina E. , McCormick Mark I.
Published: February 2022

The effect of habitat loss on the decline of habitat specialists has been well documented in coral reef fishes, since they have a restricted habitat preference. However, the different competitive advantages of specialists and generalists can impact their performance within varying habitat conditions. The order in which species arrive into a community influences competitive outcomes; these ‘priority effects’ may modify communities within degrading resource scenarios as individuals migrate in search of higher quality resources. In this study, we investigated: how sequence and timing of arrival affects interactions between a habitat generalist and a specialist in healthy and degrading environments, and how prior residency interacts with habitat quality and species identity to affect propensity to migrate. We conducted manipulative field studies using the damselfishes Pomacentrus amboinensis, a habitat generalist, and Pomacentrus moluccensis, a live coral specialist, on live or dead coral habitats, with timing of arrival differing between early and late arrivers (residents and intruders, respectively) by 1, 3 or 24 h. Our results demonstrated that the strength of priority effects (i.e., aggression intensity) increased with increasing timing of arrival when the P. moluccensis arrived after P. amboinensis, suggesting that as the perceived value of the habitat patch increased (owing to increasing ownership duration and defence investment), the tendency to defend it increased. Propensity to migrate from dead to live coral was greater for P. moluccensis compared to P. amboinensis; however, arriving after P. amboinensis significantly reduced willingness to migrate to its preferred live coral habitat, indicating an inhibitory priority effect, directly affecting future persistence. The degree that ecological versatility and priority effects combine to modify competitive outcomes in coral reef fishes has important consequences for the persistence of specialist species in the face of environmental degradation, and has implications for predicting how our changing environment will affect fish communities.