bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demarcating transdisciplinary research in sustainability science—Five clusters of research modes based on evidence from 59 research projects
Authors: Jahn Stephanie , Newig Jens , Lang Daniel J. , Kahle Judith , Bergmann Matthias
Published: December 2021

The discourse revolving around “new modes of knowledge production”—particularly in sustainability‐oriented research—seems to suggest a duality of transdisciplinary versus non‐transdisciplinary research. Yet, in reality, a spectrum of transdisciplinary research modes may be expected. This article offers an empirically grounded distinction of five research modes, based on a cluster analysis of 59 completed sustainability‐oriented research projects. Projects in one cluster approximate a transdisciplinary ideal type, while another cluster combines almost purely practice‐oriented projects. Among the three remaining clusters with varying degrees of practitioner interaction, one cluster assembles projects with strictly academic research, while realizing substantial societal impact. Furthermore, our analyses indicate that the choice of research mode strongly depends on the funding context, with mission‐oriented funding encouraging more collaborative modes. Overall, clusters with more practitioner interaction display stronger societal outputs and impacts at the cost of academic outputs and impacts. Beyond the demarcation of transdisciplinary research modes in sustainability science, our empirical analysis revealed three important tensions related to the theory and practice of this research approach: the duality of science and society (and scholars and practitioners); imbalances in the involvement and influence of different societal actor groups; and tensions between societal and academic outputs and impacts.
The Evolution of the Charge Transport Mechanism in Single‐Molecule Break Junctions Revealed by Flicker Noise Analysis
Authors: Pan Zhichao , Chen Lichuan , Tang Chun , Hu Yong , Yuan Saisai , Gao Tengyang , Shi Jie , Shi Jia , Yang Yang , Hong Wenjing
Published: December 2021

The electronic noise characterization of single‐molecule devices provides insights into the mechanisms of charge transport. In this work, it is reported that flicker noise can serve as an indicator of the time‐dependent evolution of charge transport mechanisms in the single‐molecule break junction process. By introducing time‐frequency analysis, the authors find that flicker noise components of the molecule junction show time evolution behavior in the dynamic break junction process. A further investigation of the power‐law dependence of flicker with conductance during the dynamic break junction process reveals that the mechanism of charge transport transits from the through‐space transport to the through‐bond transport, and is dominated by through‐space transport again when the junction is about to rupture. The authors’ results provide a flicker noise‐based way to characterize the time‐dependent evolution of charge transport mechanisms in single‐molecule break junctions.
Phylogenomic analysis confirms polyphyly of Leptospermum and delineates five major clades that warrant generic recognition
Authors: Binks Rachel M. , Heslewood Margaret , Wilson Peter G. , Byrne Margaret
Published: December 2021

Leptospermum is an ecologically and economically important genus with a long unresolved taxonomic issue concerning polyphyly, as indicated from early molecular analysis on two chloroplast regions. To resolve this, we used genome skimming to obtain high‐copy chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA for a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of 110 accessions comprising of 38 Leptospermum taxa, 6 closely allied genera and 5 outgroup genera. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses resolved congruent clades for the chloroplast (132,143 bp: 80 CDSs, 4 rRNA genes, 29 tRNA genes, 17 introns and 97 IGSs) and nuclear (1219 bp: ITS1, ITS2, ETS, 5.8S) alignments to provide a robust interpretation of evolutionary relationships. Together, these data confirmed extensive polyphyly of Leptospermum that separated the genus into five monophyletic clades spread amongst clades representing six closely allied genera: Agonis, Asteromyrtus, Homalospermum, Kunzea, Neofabricia and Pericalymma. These five Leptospermum clades share some similarities with morphological and genetic groupings identified previously but provide greater resolution to inform a clear pathway to taxonomic revision. The evidence presented here provides support for resolution of the current polyphyly of Leptospermum through the recognition of five genera, while retaining all other genera of Leptospermeae in their current circumscription.
A high-protein total diet replacement alters the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis in healthy, normal-weight adults
Authors: Oliveira Camila L. P. , Boulé Normand G. , Elliott Sarah A. , Sharma Arya M. , Siervo Mario , Berg Aloys , Ghosh Sunita , Prado Carla M.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Dietary intake can affect energy homeostasis and influence body weight control. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of high-protein total diet replacement (HP-TDR) versus a control (CON) diet in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis in healthy, normal-weight adults.

Methods

In this acute randomized controlled, cross-over study, participants completed two isocaloric arms: a) HP-TDR: 35% carbohydrate, 40% protein, and 25% fat; b) CON: 55% carbohydrate, 15% protein, and 30% fat. The diets were provided for 32 h while inside a whole-body calorimetry unit. Appetite sensations, appetite-related hormones, and energy metabolism were assessed.

Results

Forty-three healthy, normal-weight adults (19 females) participated. Appetite sensations did not differ between diets (all p > 0.05). Compared to the CON diet, the change in fasting blood markers during the HP-TDR intervention was smaller for peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY; − 18.9 ± 7.9 pg/mL, p = 0.02) and greater for leptin (1859 ± 652 pg/mL, p = 0.007). Moreover, postprandial levels of glucagon-like peptide 1 (1.62 ± 0.36 pM, p < 0.001) and PYY (31.37 ± 8.05 pg/mL, p < 0.001) were higher in the HP-TDR. Significant correlations were observed between energy balance and satiety (r = − 0.41, p = 0.007), and energy balance and PFC (r = 0.33, p = 0.033) in the HP-TDR.

Conclusion

Compared to the CON diet, the HP-TDR increased blood levels of anorexigenic hormones. Moreover, females and males responded differently to the intervention in terms of appetite sensations and appetite-related hormones.

Trial registration

NCT02811276 (retrospectively registered on 16 June 2016) and NCT03565510 (retrospectively registered on 11 June 2018).
Immunohistochemistry study of tumor vascular normalization and anti-angiogenic effects of sunitinib versus bevacizumab prior to dose-dense doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in HER2-negative breast cancer
Authors: Yadav Kritika , Lim Joline , Choo Joan , Ow Samuel Guan Wei , Wong Andrea , Lee Matilda , Chan Ching Wan , Hartman Mikael , Lim Siew Eng , Ngoi Natalie , Tang Siau Wei , Ang Yvonne , Chan Gloria , Chong Wan Qin , Tan Hon Lyn , Tan Sing Huang , Goh Boon Cher , Lee Soo Chin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Tumor angiogenesis controlled predominantly by vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor (VEGF-VEGFR) interaction plays a key role in the growth and propagation of cancer cells. However, the newly formed network of blood vessels is disorganized and leaky. Pre-treatment with anti-angiogenic agents can “normalize” the tumor vasculature allowing effective intra-tumoral delivery of standard chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis was applied to investigate and compare the vascular normalization and anti-angiogenic effects of two commonly used anti-angiogenic agents, Sunitinib and Bevacizumab, administered prior to chemotherapy in HER2-negative breast cancer patients.

Methods

This prospective clinical trial enrolled 38 patients into a sunitinib cohort and 24 into a bevacizumab cohort. All received 4 cycles of doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide chemotherapy and pre-treatment with either sunitinib or bevacizumab. Tumor biopsies were obtained at baseline, after cycle 1 (C1) and cycle 4 (C4) of chemotherapy. IHC was performed to assess the tumor vascular normalization index (VNI), lymphatic vessel density (LVD), Ki67 proliferation index and expression of tumor VEGFR2.

Results

In comparison to Bevacizumab, Sunitinib led to a significant increase in VNI post-C1 and C4 (p < 0.001 and 0.001) along with decrease in LVD post-C1 (p = 0.017). Both drugs when combined with chemotherapy resulted in significant decline in tumor proliferation after C1 and C4 (baseline vs post-C4 Ki67 index p = 0.006 for Sunitinib vs p = 0.021 for Bevacizumab). Bevacizumab resulted in a significant decrease in VEGFR2 expression post-C1 (p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Sunitinib, in comparison to Bevacizumab showed a greater effect on tumor vessel modulation and lymphangiogenesis suggesting that its administration prior to chemotherapy might result in improved drug delivery.

Trial registry

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02790580 (first posted June 6, 2016).
Two N-of-1 self-trials on readability differences between anonymous inner classes (AICs) and lambda expressions (LEs) on Java code snippets
Authors: Hanenberg Stefan , Mehlhorn Nils
Published: December 2021

In Java, lambda expressions (LEs) were introduced at a time where the similar language construct anonymous inner class (AIC) already existed for years. But while LEs became quite popular in mainstream programming languages in general, their usability is hardly studied. From the Java perspective the need to study the relationship between LEs and AICs was and is quite obvious, because both language constructs co-exist. However, it is quite usual that new language constructs are introduced although they are not or hardly studied using scientific methods – and an often heard argument from programming language designers is that the effort or the costs for the application of the scientific method on language constructs is too high. The present paper contributes in two different ways. First, with respect to LEs in comparison to AICs, this paper presents two N-of-1 studies (i.e. randomized control trials executed on a single subject) where LEs and AICs are used as listeners in Java code. Both experiments had two similar and rather simple tasks (“count the number of parameters”, respectively “count the number of used parameters”) with the dependent variable being reaction time. The first experiment used the number of parameters, the second the number of used parameters as the controlled, independent variable (in addition to the technique LE and AIC). Other variables (LOC, etc.) were randomly generated within given boundaries. The main result of both experiments is that LEs without type annotations require less reading time (phs .2, reduction of reaction time of at most 35%). The results are based on 9,600 observations (one N-of-1 trial with eight replications). This gives evidence that the readability of LEs without type annotations improves the readability of code. However, the effect seems to be so small, that we do not expect this to have a larger impact on daily programming. Second, we see the contribution of this paper in the application of N-of-1 trials. Such experiments require relatively low effort in the data selection but still permit to analyze results in a non-subjective way using commonly accepted analysis techniques. Additionally, they permit to increase the number of selected data points in comparison to traditional multi–subject experiments. We think that researchers should take such experiments into account before planning and executing larger experiments.
Release of 3H and 14C during sampling and speciation in activated concrete
Authors: Leskinen Anumaija , Hokkinen Jouni , Kärkelä Teemu , Kekki Tommi
Published: December 2021

Characterisation of contaminated and activated decommissioning waste require sampling of the studied material for the analysis of different radionuclides. The volatility of 3H and 14C can lead to the loss of the analytes in sampling of solid materials since most often at least some heat is involved in the sampling technique. Especially 3H can be lost in cases when it is present as tritiated water (HTO) due to the evaporation of water even at low temperatures. Therefore, in this study, the 3H and 14C speciations are discussed. Consequently, a drilling sampling technique was developed in order to capture the released 3H and 14C in absorption solutions and measured using liquid scintillation counting. The sampling technique was tested on an activated concrete core. The collected samples were analysed for 3H and 14C (activity concentration and speciation) using a thermal oxidation technique. The results showed that a significant amount of 3H was released during sampling even though the majority of 3H was strongly bound in the activated concrete. The studied activated concrete did not contain measurable amount of 14C and therefore speciation studies were not possible.
Reassessment of contact restrictions and testing campaigns against COVID-19 via spatio-temporal modeling
Authors: Ganegoda Naleen Chaminda , Wijaya Karunia Putra , Páez Chávez Joseph , Aldila Dipo , Erandi K. K. W. Hasitha , Amadi Miracle
Published: December 2021

Since the earliest outbreak of COVID-19, the disease continues to obstruct life normalcy in many parts of the world. The present work proposes a mathematical framework to improve non-pharmaceutical interventions during the new normal before vaccination settles herd immunity. The considered approach is built from the viewpoint of decision makers in developing countries where resources to tackle the disease from both a medical and an economic perspective are scarce. Spatial auto-correlation analysis via global Moran’s index and Moran’s scatter is presented to help modulate decisions on hierarchical-based priority for healthcare capacity and interventions (including possible vaccination), finding a route for the corresponding deployment as well as landmarks for appropriate border controls. These clustering tools are applied to sample data from Sri Lanka to classify the 26 Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) divisions into four clusters by introducing convenient classification criteria. A metapopulation model is then used to evaluate the intra- and inter-cluster contact restrictions as well as testing campaigns under the absence of confounding factors. Furthermore, we investigate the role of the basic reproduction number to determine the long-term trend of the regressing solution around disease-free and endemic equilibria. This includes an analytical bifurcation study around the basic reproduction number using Brouwer Degree Theory and asymptotic expansions as well as related numerical investigations based on path-following techniques. We also introduce the notion of average policy effect to assess the effectivity of contact restrictions and testing campaigns based on the proposed model’s transient behavior within a fixed time window of interest.
A supersingular coincidence
Authors: Sankaran G. K.
Published: December 2021

The 15 primes 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 41, 47, 59, 71 are called the supersingular primes: they occur in several contexts in number theory and also, strikingly, they are the primes that divide the order of the Monster. It is also known that the moduli space of (1, p)-polarised abelian surfaces is of general type for these primes. In this note, we explain that apparently coincidental fact by relating it to other number-theoretic occurences of the supersingular primes.
A Symplectic Dynamics Proof of the Degree–Genus Formula
Authors: Albers Peter , Geiges Hansjörg , Zehmisch Kai
Published: December 2021

We classify global surfaces of section for the Reeb flow of the standard contact form on the 3-sphere (defining the Hopf fibration), with boundaries oriented positively by the flow. As an application, we prove the degree-genus formula for complex projective curves, using an elementary degeneration process inspired by the language of holomorphic buildings in symplectic field theory.
Peace, Protest and Precarity: Making Conceptual Sense of Young People’s Non-violent Dissent in a Period of Intersecting Crises
Authors: Bowman Benjamin , Pickard Sarah
Published: December 2021

The current young generation are living through socio-historically situated intersecting crises, including precarity and climate change. In these times of crisis, young people are also bearing witness to a distinctive global wave of youth-led activism involving protest actions. Much of this activism can be deemed dissent because many young activists are calling for systemic change, including the radical disruption, reimagining and rebuilding of the social, economic and political status quo. In this interdisciplinary article, between politics and peace studies, we investigate how the concept of peace plays an important role in some young dissent, and specifically the dissent of young people taking action on climate change. We observed that these young environmental activists often describe their actions in careful terms of positive peace, non-violence, kindness and care, in order to express their dissent as what we interpret as positive civic behaviour. They also use concepts grounded in peace and justice to navigate their economic, political and social precarity. Based on a youth-centred study, drawing on insightful face to face semi-structured interviews in Britain and France with school climate strikers, Friday For Future (FFF) and Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists, we explore how young environmental activists themselves related their dissent, and especially how they attached importance to it being non-violent and/or peaceful. Stemming from our findings, we discuss how young environmental activists’ vision of violence and non-violence adapted to the structural and personal violence they face at the complex intersections of young marginalization, global inequalities and injustices in the lived impact of climate change and the policing of protest.
Feasibility of an adjunctive cognitive task in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Badawi Amalia , Steel Zachary , Mahoney Christopher , Berle David
Published: December 2021

Visuospatial cognitive tasks that influence memory reconsolidation may be of benefit in reducing intrusive memories for traumatic events when used as an adjunct to trauma-focused psychotherapy. We conducted a feasibility assessment of a protocol that involved the use of a visuospatial cognitive task, the Tetris intervention, alongside routine exposure-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants were inpatients attending for PTSD treatment at a psychiatric hospital. The Tetris intervention was administered on three occasions when imaginal exposure had formed part of the treatment session. Using a phone app, participants also monitored intrusive memories over a 3-week period. Feasibility outcomes were fully met for the demand, implementation, practicality and adaptability criteria. Only a single criterion was not met for each of the acceptability and implementation criteria. Limited-efficacy testing outcomes are also discussed. Overall, the findings from our feasibility study indicated viability of the protocol, which involved implementation of the Tetris intervention alongside routine exposure-based treatment for PTSD, in a clinical inpatient setting.
Impact of the War in Croatia (1991-1995) on the Differentiation of Age Structure between Serbs and Croats: A Case Study of the Banija Region
Authors: Kovjanić Aleksandar , Pavlović Mila , Živanović Vedran , Krstić Filip
Published: December 2021

Aging is the subject of various studies by the scientific community and monitoring by responsible institutions. The intensity of aging and the proportion of age groups among various communities differ due to different socio-economic conditions and characteristics. This article researches the impact of the war in Croatia 1991–1995 and postwar living conditions on the divergence of population aging in the ethnically heterogeneous Banija region. The first postwar census in 2001 recorded a population decline of 44.9% compared to the 1991 census. We analyze the effects of the war on changes in ethnic and age structure, as well as their interrelations. The quantitative and qualitative magnitude of these demographic changes in the inter-census period had a decisive influence on the correlation of age and ethnic structure. The article examines whether the relative share of Serbs or Croats in the total population of a settlement affects the average age of the settlement. The results confirmed that the Serbs are older than the Croats, and are in the phase of the most advanced demographic age. These changes raise the question of the demographic future and the biological viability of the Serbs, who were the majority in the region before the war.
Writing on Death: Plague Narratives. A Review Essay
Authors: Meng Michael
Published: December 2021

This essay discusses several books, ancient and recent, on plagues to ask the question: Can we face death without turning away from it through historical narration? Can we write about death, which only afflicts individuals, without stripping death of its individuality? After briefly addressing these questions, I discuss five books, one from the ancient period (Thucydides’s Peloponnesian War), one from the late medieval period (Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron), one from the early modern period (Daniel Defoe’s A Journal of the Plague Year), and two from the modern period (Mary Shelley’s The Last Man, and Frank Snowden’s Epidemics and Society). These books not only come from different eras but also reflect different written responses to death—ancient history, story/fable, reportage, futuristic novel, and contemporary history. The essay concludes by considering a counterargument to its focus on death, an argument developed by Baruch Spinoza which claims that humans should think nothing less than of death.
Childhood adversity predicts black young adults’ DNA methylation-based accelerated aging: A dual pathway model
Authors: Beach Steven R. H. , Gibbons Frederick X. , Carter Sierra E. , Ong Mei Ling , Lavner Justin A. , Lei Man-Kit , Simons Ronald L. , Gerrard Meg , Philibert Robert A.
Published: December 2021

We expand upon prior work (Gibbons et al., 2012) relating childhood stressor effects, particularly harsh childhood environments, to risky behavior and ultimately physical health by adding longer-term outcomes – deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation-based measures of accelerated aging (DNAm-aging). Further, following work on the effects of early exposure to danger (McLaughlin et al., 2014), we also identify an additional pathway from harsh childhood environments to DNAm-aging that we label the danger/FKBP5 pathway, which includes early exposure to dangerous community conditions that are thought to impact glucocorticoid regulation and pro-inflammatory mechanisms. Because different DNAm-aging indices provide different windows on accelerated aging, we contrast effects on early indices of DNAm-aging based on chronological age with later indices that focused on predicting biological outcomes. We utilize data from Family and Community Health Study participants (N = 449) from age 10 to 29. We find that harshness influences parenting, which, in turn, influences accelerated DNAm-aging through the risky cognitions and substance use (i.e., behavioral) pathway outlined by Gibbons et al. (2012). Harshness is also associated with increased exposure to threat/danger, which, in turn, leads to accelerated DNAm-aging through effects on FKBP5 activity and enhanced pro-inflammatory tendencies (i.e., the danger/FKBP5 pathway).
The ransom of high-ranking captives, tributary relationships and the practice of diplomacy in northern Syria 442-522/1050-1128
Authors: WILSON JAMES
Published: December 2021

This article examines how the introduction of western European crusaders and settlers to northern Syria from 490/1097 onwards impacted upon two important mechanisms of regional diplomacy; the ransom of prominent political prisoners and tributary relationships. Discussion begins with a comparison of the capture and ransom of high-ranking captives in northern Syria between 442-522/1050-1128, where it is argued that the establishment of the crusader states led to an increase in both the rate at which prisoners of elite status were ransomed and the financial sums involved in these interactions. This is followed by a reassessment of the various peace treaties, tributary arrangements and condominia or munāṣafa agreements concluded between the rulers of Antioch and Aleppo during the late fifth/eleventh and early sixth/twelfth centuries. Ultimately, this article seeks to place key features of northern Syrian diplomacy from the early crusading period within the context of regional norms in the decades preceding the crusaders’ arrival.
Fantastic Fauna in a Global Perspective: understanding composites in early Eurasian Antiquity
Authors: Andreeva Petya
Published: December 2021

Ancient tombs and hoards across the Eurasian steppe call for a thorough revision of art-historical categories associated with pastoral societies from Mongolia to Crimea. This study focuses on one such category. “Animal style” is an umbrella term traditionally used to categorise portable precious metalwork ornamented with dynamic scenes of vigorous animal fights and entwined zoomorphic designs. With its emphasis on irregular animal anatomies and deeply rooted in a “pars-pro-toto” mode of expression, steppe imagery of fantastic fauna presents a useful case study in broader investigations of composites in the ancient world and their diffusion across cultural spheres. This study views beasts through a binary lens, the structured monsters of Greco-Roman thinkers and the organic composites of nomadic steppe artisans. In the Western canon, “composites” existed within a politically-manufactured framework of governable “otherness”, in which fantastic fauna conveys a certain tension with the exotic, unknown and uncontrollable East. Meanwhile, in the visual rhetoric of steppe artisans, monsters represented a tension with the (cyclical) shifts occurring in one's biota rather than the tumultuous events in one's constructed environment. This paper explores how the contrasting steppe pastoralist and sedentary imperial world-views came to define the various functions and meanings of “composites” in Eurasian Antiquity.
Du Bois and Brazil
Authors: Góes Juliana
Published: December 2021

In this article, I discuss Black transnational solidarity and liberation in the Americas by analyzing the historical relationship between W. E. B. Du Bois and Brazil from 1900 to 1940. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Du Bois was studying, writing, and publishing about Brazil. He was interested in creating international solidarity and cooperation among Black people. However, Du Bois (as well as other African Americans) promoted the idea that Brazil was a place without racism, a racial paradise. This idea served as a basis for a theory that oppressed Afro-Brazilians—the myth of racial democracy. In this article, I explore Du Bois’s relationship with Brazil, highlighting possible reasons why Du Bois engaged with the myth of racial democracy. In addition, I argue that this historical event teaches us that an Afro-diasporic liberation project must seriously consider global and material inequalities among Black people.
Partisan Strategy and the Adoption of Same-Day Registration in the American States
Authors: Caron Christian
Published: December 2021

This study seeks to explain state adoptions of same-day registration (SDR), with a focus on determining whether the Democratic (Republican) Party’s support of (resistance to) this impactful voting reform is driven by strategic electoral considerations. I find that states have an increased probability of enacting the reform when legislative Democrats are in the precarious position that comes with having just experienced minority status in one or both chambers. Relatedly, I demonstrate that the presence of a Republican legislature does not make adoption less likely until the size of the Black population reaches a certain threshold. In fact, provided the Black population is small enough, Republican control of the legislature encourages reform. The results offer conflicting evidence, however, that large Latino populations deter the GOP from establishing SDR. Considered together, the results cast doubt on the claim that either party’s position is informed by principle alone.
Weight-based stereotype threat in the workplace: consequences for employees with overweight or obesity
Authors: Zacher Hannes , von Hippel Courtney
Published: December 2021

Background/Objectives

Employees with overweight or obesity are often stereotyped as lazy, unmotivated, and less competent than employees with normal weight. As a consequence, employees with overweight or obesity are susceptible to stereotype threat, or the concern about confirming, or being reduced to, a stereotype about their group. This survey study examined whether employees with overweight or obesity experience stereotype threat in the workplace, whether it is associated with their perceived ability to meet their work demands (i.e., work ability), and whether high levels of knowledge about one’s self (i.e., authentic self-awareness) can offset a potential negative association.

Subjects/Methods

Using a correlational study design, survey data were collected from N = 758 full-time employees at three measurement points across 3 months. Employees’ average body mass index (BMI) was 26.36 kg/m² (SD = 5.45); 34% of participants were employees with overweight (BMI between 25 and <30), and 18% of participants were employees with obesity (BMI > 30).

Results

Employees with higher weight and higher BMI reported more weight-based stereotype threat (rs between 0.17 and 0.19, p < 0.001). Employees who experienced higher levels of weight-based stereotype threat reported lower work ability, while controlling for weight, height, and subjective weight (β = −0.27, p < 0.001). Authentic self-awareness moderated the relationship between weight-based stereotype threat and work ability (β = 0.14, p < 0.001), such that the relationship between stereotype threat and work ability was negative among employees with low authentic self-awareness (β = −0.25, p < 0.001), and non-significant among employees with high authentic self-awareness (β = 0.08, p = 0.315).

Conclusions

The findings of this study contribute to the literature by showing that weight-based stereotype threat is negatively associated with employees’ perceived ability to meet their work demands, particularly among those employees with low authentic self-awareness.
TMEM165 a new player in proteoglycan synthesis: loss of TMEM165 impairs elongation of chondroitin- and heparan-sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains of proteoglycans and triggers early chondrocyte differentiation and hypertrophy
Authors: Khan Sajida , Sbeity Malak , Foulquier François , Barré Lydia , Ouzzine Mohamed
Published: December 2021

TMEM165 deficiency leads to skeletal disorder characterized by major skeletal dysplasia and pronounced dwarfism. However, the molecular mechanisms involved have not been fully understood. Here, we uncover that TMEM165 deficiency impairs the synthesis of proteoglycans by producing a blockage in the elongation of chondroitin-and heparan-sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains leading to the synthesis of proteoglycans with shorter glycosaminoglycan chains. We demonstrated that the blockage in elongation of glycosaminoglycan chains is not due to defect in the Golgi elongating enzymes but rather to availability of the co-factor Mn2+. Supplementation of cell with Mn2+ rescue the elongation process, confirming a role of TMEM165 in Mn2+ Golgi homeostasis. Additionally, we showed that TMEM165 deficiency functionally impairs TGFβ and BMP signaling pathways in chondrocytes and in fibroblast cells of TMEM165 deficient patients. Finally, we found that loss of TMEM165 impairs chondrogenic differentiation by accelerating the timing of Ihh expression and promoting early chondrocyte maturation and hypertrophy. Collectively, our results indicate that TMEM165 plays an important role in proteoglycan synthesis and underline the critical role of glycosaminoglycan chains structure in the regulation of chondrogenesis. Our data also suggest that Mn2+ supplementation may be a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of TMEM165 deficient patients.
BNIP3L/NIX-mediated mitophagy: molecular mechanisms and implications for human disease
Authors: Li Yue , Zheng Wanqing , Lu Yangyang , Zheng Yanrong , Pan Ling , Wu Xiaoli , Yuan Yang , Shen Zhe , Ma Shijia , Zhang Xingxian , Wu Jiaying , Chen Zhong , Zhang Xiangnan
Published: December 2021

Mitophagy is a highly conserved cellular process that maintains the mitochondrial quantity by eliminating dysfunctional or superfluous mitochondria through autophagy machinery. The mitochondrial outer membrane protein BNIP3L/Nix serves as a mitophagy receptor by recognizing autophagosomes. BNIP3L is initially known to clear the mitochondria during the development of reticulocytes. Recent studies indicated it also engages in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. In this review, we provide an overview of how BNIP3L induces mitophagy and discuss the biological functions of BNIP3L and its regulation at the molecular level. We further discuss current evidence indicating the involvement of BNIP3L-mediated mitophagy in human disease, particularly in cancer and neurological disorders.
MYCL promotes iPSC-like colony formation via MYC Box 0 and 2 domains
Authors: Akifuji Chiaki , Iwasaki Mio , Kawahara Yuka , Sakurai Chiho , Cheng Yu-Shen , Imai Takahiko , Nakagawa Masato
Published: December 2021

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can differentiate into cells of the three germ layers and are promising cell sources for regenerative medicine therapies. However, current protocols generate hiPSCs with low efficiency, and the generated iPSCs have variable differentiation capacity among different clones. Our previous study reported that MYC proteins (c-MYC and MYCL) are essential for reprogramming and germline transmission but that MYCL can generate hiPSC colonies more efficiently than c-MYC. The molecular underpinnings for the different reprogramming efficiencies between c-MYC and MYCL, however, are unknown. In this study, we found that MYC Box 0 (MB0) and MB2, two functional domains conserved in the MYC protein family, contribute to the phenotypic differences and promote hiPSC generation in MYCL-induced reprogramming. Proteome analyses suggested that in MYCL-induced reprogramming, cell adhesion-related cytoskeletal proteins are regulated by the MB0 domain, while the MB2 domain regulates RNA processes. These findings provide a molecular explanation for why MYCL has higher reprogramming efficiency than c-MYC.
Evaluation of reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Quino Willi , Flores-León Diana , Caro-Castro Junior , Hurtado Carmen V. , Silva Iris , Gavilan Ronnie G.
Published: December 2021

The main strategy for response and control of COVID-19 demands the use of rapid, accurate diagnostic tests aimed at the first point of health care. During the emergency, an increase in asymptomatic and symptomatic cases results in a great demand for molecular tests, which is promoting the development and application of rapid diagnostic technologies. In this study, we describe the development and evaluation of RT-LAMP to detect SARS-CoV-2 based on three genes (ORF1ab, M and N genes) in monoplex and triplex format. RT-LAMP assays were compared with the gold standard method RT-qPCR. The triplex format (RdRp, M and N genes) allowed obtaining comparable results with de RT-qPCR (RdRp and E genes), presented a sensitivity of 98.9% and a specificity of 97.9%, opening the opportunity to apply this method to detect SARS-CoV-2 at primary health-care centers.
Estimated plasma volume status is a modest predictor of true plasma volume excess in compensated chronic heart failure patients
Authors: Ahlgrim Christoph , Birkner Philipp , Seiler Florian , Grundmann Sebastian , Bode Christoph , Pottgiesser Torben
Published: December 2021

Plasma volume and especially plasma volume excess is a relevant predictor for the clinical outcome of heart failure patients. In recent years, estimated plasma volume based on anthropometric characteristics and blood parameters has been used whilst direct measurement of plasma volume has not entered clinical routine. It is unclear whether the estimation of plasma volume can predict a true plasma volume excess. Plasma volume was measured in 47 heart failure patients (CHF, 10 female) using an abbreviated carbon monoxide rebreathing method. Plasma volume and plasma volume status were also estimated based on two prediction formulas (Hakim, Kaplan). The predictive properties of the estimated plasma volume status to detect true plasma volume excess > 10% were analysed based on logistic regression and receiver operator characteristics. The area under the curve (AUC) to detect plasma volume excess based on calculation of plasma volume by the Hakim formula is 0.65 (with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.62 at a threshold of − 16.5%) whilst the AUC for the Kaplan formula is 0.72 (PPV = 0.67 at a threshold of − 6.3%). Only the estimated plasma volume status based on prediction of plasma volume by the Kaplan formula formally appears as an acceptable predictor of true plasma volume excess, whereas calculation based on the Hakim formula does not sufficiently predict a true plasma volume excess. The low positive predictive values for both methods suggest that plasma volume status estimation based on these formulas is not suitable for clinical decision making.
Uncovering mechanisms of RT-LAMP colorimetric SARS-CoV-2 detection to improve assay reliability
Authors: Suarez Gianmarco D. , Suarez Domenick A. , Kiu Tang Yuki Yu , Zhang Jing-Xuan , Li Jun , Nagl Stefan , Cheung Peter Pak-Hang
Published: December 2021

In this study, we enhanced the color changes and sensitivity of colorimetric SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP assays based on triarylmethane dyes. We determined a mechanism for the color changes and obtained sensitivities of 10 RNA copies per microliter.
Unorthodox cascade reaction of arynes and N-nitrosamides leading to indazole scaffolds
Authors: Sureshbabu Popuri , Bhajammanavar Vinod , Choutipalli Venkata Surya Kumar , Subramanian Venkatesan , Baidya Mahiuddin
Published: December 2021

A cascade annulation of arynes with N-alkyl-N-nitrosamides is developed by leveraging aryne σ-insertion and C(sp3)–H bond functionalization strategies under transition-metal-free conditions to access indazoles in high yields and regioselectivity.
Reactive separation of β-bromoethylbenzene from α-β-bromoethylbenzene mixtures: a Zn2+-mediated radical polymerization mechanism
Authors: Deng Tianyu , Tian Jiaming , Zhu Junqiu , Yan Binhang
Published: December 2021

Reactive separation of β-bromoethylbenzene from α-β-bromoethylbenzene mixtures is achieved by the radical polymerization of α-bromoethylbenzene catalyzed by Zn2+, enabling the separation of molecular isomers with almost identical physical properties.
Metal-free transfer hydrochlorination of internal C–C triple bonds with a bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-based surrogate releasing two molecules of hydrogen chloride
Authors: Weidkamp Andreas J. , Oestreich Martin
Published: December 2021

A non-protic surrogate that contains two molecules of HCl for the synthesis of alkenyl chlorides from internal alkynes is reported. The HCl transfer is catalyzed by B(C6F5)3 and driven by release of strain and aromatization.
A family of powerful halogen-bond donors: a structural and theoretical analysis of triply activated 3-iodo-1-phenylprop-2-yn-1-ones
Authors: Panikkattu Vinu V. , Sinha Abhijeet S. , Aakeröy Christer B.
Published: December 2021

A new group of powerful halogen-bond donors have been synthesized and evaluated using structural and computational tools.
Nanowell-enhanced Raman spectroscopy enables the visualization and quantification of nanoplastics in the environment
Authors: Chang Lin , Jiang Shan , Luo Jie , Zhang Jianfa , Liu Xiaohong , Lee Chong-Yew , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2021

We fabricated a novel nanowell enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate that can capture and detect nanoplastics with the aid of the coffee ring effect. Single polystyrene nanoplastics down to 200 nm can be directly visualized.
Crosstalk between gut microbiota and host lipid metabolism in a mouse model of alcoholic liver injury by chronic baijiu or ethanol feeding
Authors: Fang Cheng , Zhou Qingwu , Liu Qingyang , Jia Wei , Xu Yan
Published: December 2021

This study demonstrates that compounds in baijiu, a traditional Chinese alcoholic beverage, can attenuate the development of ethanol-induced liver injury by regulating the crosstalk between gut microbiota and host lipid metabolism.
Theabrownin-targeted regulation of intestinal microorganisms to improve glucose and lipid metabolism in Goto-Kakizaki rats
Authors: Yue Suijuan , Shan Bo , Peng Chunxiu , Tan Chao , Wang Qiuping , Gong Jiashun
Published: December 2021

TB-targeted regulation of intestinal microorganisms Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (BT), Lactobacillus murinus (LM), Parabacteroides distasonis (PD) and Bacteroides acidiciens (BA) to improve glucolipid metabolism in Goto-Kakizaki rats.
Design, synthesis, characterization,in vitroscreening, molecular docking, 3D-QSAR, and ADME-Tox investigations of novel pyrazole derivatives as antimicrobial agents
Authors: Chalkha Mohammed , Akhazzane Mohamed , Moussaid Fatima Zahrae , Daoui Ossama , Nakkabi Asmae , Bakhouch Mohamed , Chtita Samir , Elkhattabi Souad , Housseini Abdelilah Iraqi , El Yazidi Mohamed
Published: December 2021

Novel pyrazoles were synthesized and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. Molecular docking, 3D-QSAR, drug-likeness property and ADME-Tox studies were performed.
An efficient O-phthalaldehyde-amine coupling reaction for the synthesis of a bottlebrush polymer under physiological conditions
Authors: Huang Jianbing , Shi Mao , Liang Hui , Lu Jiang
Published: December 2021

A robust method for the preparation of a bottlebrush polymer under physiological buffer conditions was developed via the combination of a grafting onto strategy and an o-phthalaldehyde-amine coupling reaction.
Stable room temperature ferroelectricity in hydrogen-bonded supramolecular assemblies of ambipolar π-systems
Authors: Mukherjee Anurag , Barman Shubhankar , Ghosh Anupam , Chakraborty Saptarshi , Datta Ayan , Datta Anuja , Ghosh Suhrit
Published: December 2021

H-bonded supramolecular polymers of ambipolar π-conjugated chromophores exhibit stable room temperature ferroelectricity withTc∼ 361 K andPs∼ 2.0 μC cm−2(Ec≤ 2.0 kV cm−1).
Halide-containing organic persistent luminescent materials for environmental sensing applications
Authors: Li Feiyang , Wang Mengzhu , Liu Shujuan , Zhao Qiang
Published: December 2021

This review presents a summary of the molecular design of halide-containing organic persistent luminescent materials, and their environmental sensing applications.
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of chitosan-modified bioactive glass paste for wound healing
Authors: Wu Shuai , Cheng Xiaoyang , Xu Xiaomu , Wu Jiacheng , Huang Zhiqiang , Guo Zhenzhao , He Ping , Zhou Changren , Li Hong
Published: December 2021

In this work, the role of chitosan (CS) in improving the properties of bioactive glass (BG) paste for wound healing was studied.
Zwitterionic choline phosphate conjugated folate-poly (ethylene glycol): a general decoration of erythrocyte membrane-coated nanoparticles for enhanced tumor-targeting drug delivery
Authors: Zhang Yuyue , Wang Yuemin , Xin Qiangwei , Li Mingjing , Yu Peng , Luo Jun , Xu Xinyuan , Chen Xingyu , Li Jianshu
Published: December 2021

A general decoration of erythrocyte membrane-coated nanoparticles for enhanced tumor-targeting drug delivery based on the “CP–PC” interaction of MCP-PEG-FA and erythrocyte membranes.
Ferroelectricity driven by orbital resonance of protons in CH3NH3Cl and CH3NH3Br
Authors: Peng Chu Xin , Meng Lei , Xu Yi Yang , Xing Tian Tian , Zhao Miao Miao , Ren Peng , Yen Fei
Published: December 2021

The β and γ phases of methylammonium chloride CH3NH3Cl and methylammonium bromide CH3NH3Br are identified to be ferroelectric via pyroelectric current and dielectric constant measurements.
Solution-processed and high-performance ionic-paper gated field-effect transistors from two-dimensional layered semiconductor nanosheets with high thermal resolution
Authors: Liu Guokeng , Jin Chunyang , Hu Binlai , Zhang Lihua , Zeng Guozheng , Xu Haihua
Published: December 2021

The remarkable properties of layered semiconductor nanosheets (LSNs), such as scalable production, bandgap tunability and mechanical flexibility, have promoted them as promising building blocks for nanoelectronics and bioelectronics.
Taxonomic analysis of soil phytopathogenic mycocomplexes of different varieties of faba beans in the Central Black Earth Region of the Russian Federation
Authors: Kurkina Yulia , Kieu Isabelle Ngo T. Z.
Published: December 2021

The species composition and structure of soil complexes of micromycetes under faba beans were studied. The indices of the frequency of occurrence and abundance of microscopic fungi species in soils under ten varieties of faba beans were analyzed in comparison with the control soil (pure fallow). The control revealed 20 species of micromycetes from 10 genera. The species from 16 genera were identified under the varieties of beans in the soils. Most micromycetes belong to the Ascomycota division (classes Dothideomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, Saccharomycetes, and Sordariomycetes). In the soil of faba beans, the number of micromycete propagules is significantly higher (30.6 ± 2.5 thousand CFU / g soil) than in the control (12.5 ± 2.3 thousand CFU / g). The biodiversity of micromycete complexes in the control soil was maximal (Pielu index 0.75). An increase in the dominance index under the studied varieties of beans (Simpson’s index 0.09-0.24) was noted in comparison with the control soil, with a dominance index of 0.07. Phytopathogenic species of micromycetes were found: fungiAscochyta fabaе,Alternaria tenuissima,Cladosporium herbarum,Fusarium culmorum,F. oxysporum,F. solani, andUlocladium botrytis.
Application of instrumental methods for quality control of lactoferrin and raw materials for its production
Authors: Zhilyakova Elena , Chernyshova Maria , Spichak Irina , Fadeeva Dariya , Sherstyukov Vladimir , Kazakova Valentina , Khmyrov Alexey , Ivanova Veronica
Published: December 2021

Bovine cattle milk lactoferrin is industrially produced from cow’s milk and used in a variety of functional products, including baby food, nutritional supplements, dairy products, and veterinary drugs. The possibility of obtaining lactoferrin from lactic acid milk wheyrises a particular interest. The purpose of this study is to assess the possibility of using and adapting existing spectrophotometric methods for determining the concentration of total protein and an electrophoretic method for analyzing the protein composition of whey fractions and lactoferrin substances. A comparative study of two methods for determining the total protein in whey fractions and lactoferrin preparations biuret and Bradford method was carried out. The validation parameters of both methods were defined. An analytical range from 30 μg / ml to 1000 μg / ml characterizes the linearity of the Bradford method. The electrophoretic profile of milk, milk whey, whey fractions and substances of lactoferrinwere analyzed. The results obtained indicate a high information content of the electrophoretic method for characterizing the purification efficiency of whey fractions.