bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A generalized fractional (q, h)–Gronwall inequality and its applications to nonlinear fractional delay (q, h)–difference systems
Authors: Du Feifei , Jia Baoguo
Published: April 2021

In this paper, a generalized fractional (q, h)–Gronwall inequality is investigated. Based on this inequality, the uniqueness theorem and the finite–time stability criterion of nonlinear fractional delay (q, h)–difference systems are derived. Finally, several examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical result.
Non‐syndromic thoracic aortic aneurysm: cellular and molecular insights
Authors: Martin‐Blazquez Ariadna , Heredero Angeles , Aldamiz‐Echevarria Gonzalo , Martin‐Lorenzo Marta , Alvarez‐Llamas Gloria
Published: April 2021

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) develops silently and asymptomatically and is a major cause of mortality. TAA prevalence is greatly underestimated, it is usually diagnosed incidentally, and its treatment consists mainly of prophylactic surgery based on the aortic diameter. The lack of effective drugs and biological markers to identify and stratify TAAs by risk before visible symptoms results from scant knowledge of its pathophysiological mechanisms. Here we integrate the structural impairment affecting non‐syndromic non‐familial TAA with the main cellular and molecular changes described so far and consider how these changes are interconnected through specific pathways. The ultimate goal is to define much‐needed novel markers of TAA, and so the potential of previously identified molecules to aid in early diagnosis/prognosis is also discussed. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Reducing classroom transition time using a music‐infused video modeling intervention
Authors: Mercurio Melyssa A. , Schmitt Ara J. , Loftus‐Rattan Susan M. , McCallum Elizabeth
Published: April 2021

This study sought to reduce the within classroom transition time of eight students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For the first known time in an experimental study, music (song) was deliberately used within a video modeling intervention to reduce the time taken for all students to transition from a daily morning meeting to learning centers. An A‐B‐A‐B withdrawal with follow‐up design was used to measure intervention effects. Results indicate that the intervention effectively reduced student transition time given that no overlapping data points were present between the baseline phases and then intervention and maintenance phases. Study conclusions are provided, as well as implications for practice and study limitations. Future researchers are encouraged to conduct a component analysis to establish the differential effects of the visual versus the musical component of the intervention.
Monitoring therapeutic processes using risk‐adjusted multivariate Tukey's CUSUM control chart
Authors: Kazemi Sina , Noorossana Rassoul , Rasouli Mohammad , Nayebpour Mohamad R. , Heidari Kamran
Published: April 2021

Using control charts for monitoring therapeutic processes has become popular lately. As the application of traditional control charts in the therapeutic processes may be misleading due to the inherent differences between patients, a multifactor correlated risk measure is considered in monitoring of these processes. Therefore, using risk‐adjusted control charts for monitoring the therapeutic processes is of interest to practitioners. Furthermore, in health care monitoring, statistical models should account for abnormal distributions and outlier data to minimize misinterpretations of monitoring schemes. This study proposes a risk‐adjusted multivariate Tukey's cumulative sum (RA‐MTCUSUM) control chart. The proposed method is a combination of the accelerated failure time (AFT) regression model, the Tukey's control chart (TCC) featuring robustness against abnormality, and the multivariate cumulative sum (MCUSUM) control chart for monitoring multivariable process. Simulation experiments are performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed control chart using the average run length (ARL) measure. Results show that the RA‐MTCUSUM control chart has better performance in comparison with traditional ones for monitoring various distributions (normal and non‐normal). Based on the simulation results, outlier data do not disturb the proposed control chart's performance. Moreover, applying the RA‐MTCUSUM control chart to a real‐world dataset related to sepsis patients of a hospital located in Tehran, Iran indicates that the control chart has more reasonable performance than the traditional control charts in the real applications due to its robustness.
Salivirus infection: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of association with gastrointestinal symptoms in children
Authors: Kesheh Mina Mobini , Khatami Alireza , Saadati Hassan , Jabbari Mahdi , Razizadeh Mohammad Hossein , Fatemipour Maryam , Ghorbani Saied , Soleimani Alireza
Published: April 2021

Salivirus (SaV) is a newly described member of the family Picornaviridae that has been associated with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, particularly in children. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of SaV in symptomatic children and its potential association with GI complications. A systematic search was conducted from 01 December 2009 to 10 December 2020, in three major English databases, including Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science as well as Google scholar search engine. Random effect model‐based overall prevalence and odds ratio (OR) were assessed in cross‐sectional and case‐control studies by STATA 14.1. The random effect model‐based pooled prevalence of SaV was 1.6% (95% CI, 0.010–0.022%) and overall OR for all eight case‐control studies indicated an association (3.19 with 95% confidence interval 1.35–7.57) that was not statistically significant, due to the small number of studies available. More comprehensive case‐control studies in multiple geographies should be conducted on the prevalence of SaV in children.
Modular Platform for Synthesis of Poly(Ionic Liquid) Electrolytes for Electrochemical Applications in Supercapacitors
Authors: Kalinova Radostina , Dimitrov Ivaylo , Novakov Christo , Veleva Svetlana , Stoyanova Antonia
Published: April 2021

Pyrrolidinium based poly(ionic liquids) (PIL) are successfully obtained and characterized. Special attention is paid to the detailed characterization of the polymer products to determine their molecular‐mass characteristics and to establish the composition‐property relationship when selecting polymer electrolytes suitable for electrochemical tests. Characterization is performed using: chromatographic methods‐combined gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with triple detection‐refractometry, UV and laser light scattering; spectroscopy methods‐Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), proton (1H) NMR spectroscopy; thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and TGA/gas chromatography (GC)/mass selective detection (MSD). Supercapacitors based on commercial activated carbon, with electrolyte containing PIL dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) have been developed and preliminary charge/discharge galvanostatic tests in a two‐electrode supercapacitor cell as well as an assessment of electrodes material and its stability in the polymeric ionic electrolyte were conducted. The PIL supercapacitor demonstrates stable capacitance characteristics and is promising for further studies in this direction.
3D Porous Bi2‐xGdxWO6/rGO Composite for Efficient Adsorption‐Enrichment and Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes
Authors: Zhan Weiwu , Wu Zhifeng , Tang Yanren , Ding Yu , Ma Cheng , Ding Xute , Chen Dianyu
Published: April 2021

Bi2‐xGdxWO6/rGO was prepared by a two‐step process. Firstly, Bi2−xGdxWO6 (BGWO‐x) nanomaterials were synthesized via a hydrothermal method, and then BGWO‐x was homogenously implanted as a filler into the rGO nanosheets to obtain a novel 3D porous composite. The physical‐chemical properties were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, UV‐vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and N2 adsorption‐desorption isotherm analysis. The photocatalytic activity of samples was envaulted by degrading three organic dyes (rhodamine B (Rh B), methyl orange (MO), and methylene blue (MB)) under visible‐light irradiation (300 W mercury lamp). Doping of Gd 3+ ions could reduce the bandgap of Bi2WO6, thus improving its light absorption range. The BGWO‐0.25 with the best photocatalytic performance was selected to construct the BGWO‐0.25/rGO (BGWO/G) nanocomposite, which exhibited the excellent synergistic effect of adsorption‐enrichment and photocatalytic degradation. The removal rates of Rh B, MB, and MO by BGWO/G were about 1.96, 2.94, 2.82 times as that of the pure Bi2WO6. And the proposed mechanism of photocatalytic degradation was deduced, in which the photo‐generated O2.− and h+ (active species on the surface of BGWO/G) played the roles of active species during the reaction.
Facile Synthesis of Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots and Application for Iron (III) Detection, Patterning and Cell Imaging
Authors: Bi Xiaoyan , Hou Xiaoyu , Zhang Xueyun , Liu Wen , Ren Guodong , Xu Shuming , Wang Haojiang , Wei Wenlong
Published: April 2021

Carbon dots (CDs) as a novel type of nanomaterials have attracted significant attention in various scientific communities because of their excellent fluorescence. Herein, green fluorescent CDs (G‐CDs) were obtained using one‐pot hydrothermal treatment of Lonicera maackii fruit and exhibited excellent fluorescence characteristic and good bio‐compatibility. The as‐synthesized G‐CDs displayed strong green fluorescence, which was specifically quenched by Fe3+. And we develop a method for excellent sensitive and selective detection of Fe3+ with a linear range of 0.1–10 μM and a limit of detection of 0.08 μM. The method was further extended to measure the concentration of Fe3+ in actual water samples which the result is satisfactory. The synthesized G‐CDs were applied for drawing fluorescent patterns, which may be used for anti‐counterfeit. Finally, the prepared G‐CDs were used in cell imaging and detection of Fe3+ in live cells.
A Gas‐Phase Migration Strategy to Synthesize Atomically Dispersed Mn‐N‐C Catalysts for Zn–Air Batteries
Authors: Zhou Qingyan , Cai Jiajun , Zhang Zhen , Gao Rui , Chen Bo , Wen Guobin , Zhao Lei , Deng Yaping , Dou Haozhen , Gong Xiaofei , Zhang Yunlong , Hu Yongfeng , Yu Aiping , Sui Xulei , Wang Zhenbo , Chen Zhongwei
Published: April 2021

Mn and N codoped carbon materials are proposed as one of the most promising catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) but still confront a lot of challenges to replace Pt. Herein, a novel gas‐phase migration strategy is developed for the scale synthesis of atomically dispersed Mn and N codoped carbon materials (g‐SA‐Mn) as highly effective ORR catalysts. Porous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks serve as the appropriate support for the trapping and anchoring of Mn‐containing gaseous species and the synchronous high‐temperature pyrolysis process results in the generation of atomically dispersed Mn‐Nx active sites. Compared to the traditional liquid phase synthesis method, this unique strategy significantly increases the Mn loading and enables homogeneous dispersion of Mn atoms to promote the exposure of Mn‐Nx active sites. The developed g‐SA‐Mn‐900 catalyst exhibits excellent ORR performance in the alkaline media, including a high half‐wave potential (0.90 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode), satisfactory durability, and good catalytic selectivity. In the practical application, the Zn–air battery assembled with g‐SA‐Mn‐900 catalysts shows high power density and prominent durability during the discharge process, outperforming the commercial Pt/C benchmark. Such a gas‐phase synthetic methodology offers an appealing and instructive guide for the logical synthesis of atomically dispersed catalysts.
Tailoring the Structure of Low‐Dimensional Halide Perovskite through a Room Temperature Solution Process: Role of Ligands
Authors: Yoo Young‐Taek , Heo Do Yeon , Bae Sa‐Rang , Park Jinwoo , Lee Tae‐Woo , Jang Ho Won , Ahn Sang Hyun , Kim Soo Young
Published: April 2021

In this study, halide perovskite nanocrystals are synthesized by controlling the ligand length and amount, and investigated the effects on the change in the ligand length and amount on the shape, size, crystal structure, and optical properties of the perovskite nanocrystals. The results reveal the tendency and respective effects of amine and acid ligands on perovskite nanocrystals. The amine ligands bind directly to the perovskite nanocrystals. Consequently, the amine ligands with longer chains interfere with the aggregation of the initially formed nanocrystals, thus limiting the size of the halide perovskite nanocrystals. Similar to the amine ligands, the acid ligands directly bond with the perovskite nanocrystals; however, they are also indirectly distributed around the nanocrystals, thus affecting their structure and dispersion. Consequently, the acid ligands affect the assembly of the initially formed nanocrystals, which determine the shape and crystal structure of the nanocrystals. It is believed that the report will provide useful insight on the synthesis of halide perovskites for application in optoelectronic devices.
A Biological Take on Halogen Bonding and Other Non‐Classical Non‐Covalent Interactions
Authors: Czarny Ryan S. , Ho Alexander N. , Shing Ho P.
Published: April 2021

Classical hydrogen bonds have, for many decades, been the dominant non‐covalent interaction in the toolbox that chemists and chemical engineers have used to design and control the structures of compounds and molecular assemblies as novel materials. Recently, a set of non‐classical non‐covalent (NC−NC) interactions have emerged that exploit the properties of the Group IV, V, VI, and VII elements of the periodic table (the tetrel, pnictogen, chalcogen, and halogen bonds, respectively). Our research group has been characterizing the prevalence, geometric constraints, and structure‐function relationship specifically of the halogen bond in biological systems. We have been particularly interested in exploiting the biological halogen bonds (or BXBs) to control the structures, stabilities, and activities of biomolecules, including the DNA Holliday junction and enzymes. In this review, we first provide a set of criteria for how to determine whether BXBs or any other NC−NC interactions would have biological relevance. We then navigate the trail of studies that had led us from an initial, very biological question to our current point in the journey to establish BXBs as a tool for biomolecular engineering. Finally, we close with a perspective on future directions for this line of research.
Enantioselective Preparation of Planar‐Chiral Transition Metal Complexes by Asymmetric Olefin‐Metathesis Reactions in Metal Coordination Spheres
Authors: Ogasawara Masamichi
Published: April 2021

Planar‐chiral transition metal complexes are useful chiral auxiliaries in organic and organometallic chemistry, and they have been utilized as chiral ligands, chiral catalysts, or chiral building blocks, etc. Despite the importance of such planar‐chiral species in asymmetric synthesis, their preparation in optically active forms is still a challenging problem. Indeed, reported examples of catalytic enantioselective synthesis of planar‐chiral complexes have been rare, and this has been a developing area in this field. In this personal account, recent results from our research group on the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of various planar‐chiral transition metal complexes are summarized. The asymmetric ring‐closing metathesis reactions catalyzed by the well‐defined molybdenum‐alkylidene species are powerful methods to control the planar chirality in ferrocenes, ruthenocenes, (η6‐arene)chromium complexes, and (η5‐cyclopentadienyl)manganese(I) complexes. Application of the enantiomerically enriched complexes obtained by our methods is described as well.
Gut fermentation syndrome: A systematic review of case reports
Authors: Bayoumy Ahmed B. , Mulder Chris J. J. , Mol Jaap J. , Tushuizen Maarten E.
Published: April 2021

Background

The gut fermentation syndrome (GFS), also known as the endogenous alcohol fermentation syndrome or auto brewery syndrome, is a rare and underdiagnosed medical condition where consumed carbohydrates are converted to alcohol by the microbiota in the gastrointestinal or urinary tract. The symptoms of GFS can have severe impact on patients' wellbeing and can have social and legal consequences. Unfortunately, not much is reported about GFS. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the evidence for GFS, causal micro‐organisms, diagnostics, and possible treatments.

Methods

A protocol was developed prior to initiation of the systematic review (PROSPERO 207182).

We performed a literature search for clinical studies on 1 September 2020 using PubMed and Embase. We included all clinical studies, including case reports that described the GFS.

Results

In total, 17 case reports were included, consisting of 20 patients diagnosed with GFS. The species that caused the GFS included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans, C. glabrata, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, C. intermedia, C. parapsilosis, and C. kefyr.

Conclusions

GFS is a rare but underdiagnosed disease in daily practice. The disease is mostly reported by Saccharomyces and Candida genera, and some cases were previously treated with antibiotics. Studies in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver disease suggest a bacterial origin of endogenous alcohol‐production, which might also be causal micro‐organisms in GFS. Current treatments for GFS include antibiotics, antifungal medication, low carbohydrate diet, and probiotics. There might be a potential role of fecal microbiota transplant in the treatment of GFS.
Becoming Undocumented: Legislation and Asylum Processes in Finland
Authors: Jauhiainen Jussi S. , Tedeschi Miriam
Published: April 2021

The phenomenon of irregular migration is very complex in the EU, including Finland. Definitions and practices regarding asylum seekers, refugees, and undocumented migrants are blurred. The laws and immigration policies also attempt to define and enact fixed categories by which to classify undocumented migrants, but these people always escape such legal boundaries through their actions, decisions, and migratory behaviours.

In this chapter, we study the asylum-related legislation and processes from the viewpoints of both the authorities who decide whether to grant international protection, and the undocumented migrants who request asylum. The chapter describes the Finnish asylum process in detail, and explains how the undocumented migrants (mostly former asylum seekers) we studied experienced it. Some countries tolerate undocumented migrants, allowing them to work and have access to many public services. In other countries, such as Finland, they are denied the right to work and barely have access to healthcare. Being an undocumented migrant is simultaneously about becoming an undocumented migrant, and failing the asylum process is the most common path to becoming an undocumented migrant. We also indicate how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of new asylum applications in Finland decreased by more than half.
Introduction
Authors: Nishi Maiko , Subramanian Suneetha M. , Gupta Himangana , Yoshino Madoka , Takahashi Yasuo , Miwa Koji , Takeda Tomoko
Published: April 2021

This chapter introduces the idea of transformative change for sustainability and its relevance to the concept and practices of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS). First, it lays out the context where transformative change has been described as a way of fundamental, system-wide reorganisation of technological, economic and social factors to achieve the global goals of sustainability and nature conservation. Following a literature review, which offers the current state of knowledge concerning transformative change, the chapter discusses how SEPLS management relates to the idea of transformative change. In particular, it highlights the potentials of integrated approaches to managing SEPLS that can result in multiple benefits beyond biodiversity conservation and facilitate transformative change while addressing well-being needs and challenges specific to the local contexts. With this background and conceptual underpinning, the chapter provides the scope and objectives of the book as well as the key questions followed by the case study chapters. Finally, it introduces the organisation of the book and presents an overview of the case studies.
Traditional Landscape Appropriation of Afro-Descendants and Collective Titling in the Colombian Pacific Region: Lessons for Transformative Change
Authors: Quintero-Ángel Mauricio , Quintero-Ángel Andrés , Mendoza-Salazar Diana M. , Orjuela-Salazar Sebastian
Published: April 2021

The Colombian Pacific region is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, but several anthropic pressures threaten its ecosystems and the ethnic groups who live there. Since the colonial era, the region has experienced two different key strategies of landscape appropriation: (1) diversification of activities in the landscape; and (2) specialisation focusing on a few landscape products. These two strategies fall at opposite ends of a modified continuum over time, including a range of intermediate situations that combine elements of the diversified and specialised strategies. The first strategy is characteristic of Afro-descendant communities, based on harmony with nature and favoring human well-being, while providing multiple ecosystem services and cultural or spiritual values.

In this context, this chapter reviews the relationship of Afro-descendants with their environment in the Colombian Pacific region, taking as an example the San Marcos locality. Through interviews with key informants and participant observation, we investigate the productive and extractive practices in San Marcos. Results show that the appropriation strategy combines different sources of income. This denotes a great local ecological knowledge geared to maintenance of biodiversity. Despite Law 70 (1993) stipulating Afro-descendant communities to have guaranteed autonomy and the right to collectively manage their ancestral lands, this socio-ecological production landscape is endangered due to pressures from the dominant society towards conversion to a specialised strategy. Finally, we also analyse “transformative change” in the context of governance of San Marcos. Such change could guide a profound transformation in conservation strategies based on a fundamental reorientation of human values.
Synthesis: Conception, Approaches and Strategies for Transformative Change
Authors: Nishi Maiko , Subramanian Suneetha M. , Gupta Himangana , Yoshino Madoka , Takahashi Yasuo , Miwa Koji , Takeda Tomoko
Published: April 2021

This chapter synthesises major findings from the eleven case studies from different countries across the world (i.e. Kenya and Madagascar from Africa; Chinese Taipei, India, Nepal and the Philippines from Asia; Italy, Spain and UK from Europe; Antigua and Barbuda and Colombia from Latin America) concerning SEPLS management in relation to transformative change. It distils key messages in regard to how to understand, assess and take action on transformative change. Implications for science, policy and practice, as well as interfaces between them, are drawn out to address the following questions: (1) what is transformative change? (2) how do we know if we are moving towards a sustainable society? and (3) what are challenges, opportunities and “seeds of change” in the SEPLS context to bring about transformative change? The chapter concludes with five common principles identified across the case studies, while revising the notion of transformative change to reconceptualise it as a radical change that is built on niche innovations of local initiatives and can be fostered through adaptive co-management in the SEPLS context.
Long-Term Tracking of Multiple Benefits of Participatory Forest Restoration in Marginal Cultural Landscapes in Himalaya
Authors: Saxena Krishna G. , Rao Kottapalli S. , Maikhuri Rakesh K.
Published: April 2021

The literature is abound with references to the potential of indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) for sustainable landscape management, but empirical on-the-ground efforts that demonstrate this potential are still lacking. To identify interventions for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of forest restoration, participatory trials were set out in the Indian Himalaya, where per capita degraded land far exceeds per capita cropped/healthy forest land. Treatments were designed based on pooled indigenous and scientific knowledge taking into account farm-forest-livelihood interactions in cultural landscapes. The multipurpose tree-bamboo-medicinal herb mixed restoration plantation reached a state of economic benefit/cost ratio >1 in the eighth year and recovered 30–50% of flowering plant species and carbon stock in intact forest. The communities maintained but did not expand restoration in the absence of policies addressing their genuine needs and aspirations. Transformative change for sustainable restoration would include (1) nesting restoration in participatory, long-term, adaptive and integrated landscape development programmes, (2) formally involving communities in planning, monitoring, bioprospecting, and financial management, (3) assuring long-term funding but limited to the inputs unaffordable for local people, (4) stimulating the inquisitive minds of local people by enriching ILK and cultural heritage, (5) convincing policymakers to provide the scientific rationale behind policy stands, to support the regular interactions of communities with researchers, traders, and industrialists, to commit to genuine payment for ecosystem services in unambiguous terms at multiple spatial (household, village and village cluster) and temporal (short, medium and long-term) scales, and to support long-term participatory action research for development of “landscape restoration models” in varied socio-ecological scenarios.
Sustainable Rural Development and Water Resources Management on a Hilly Landscape: A Case Study of Gonglaoping Community, Taichung, ROC (Chinese Taipei)
Authors: Wu Chen-Fa , Lee Chen Yang , Huang Chen-Chuan , Chuang Hao-Yun , Weng Chih-Cheng , Chen Ming Cheng , Chang Choa-Hung , Chen Szu-Hung , Zhang Yi-Ting , Lu Kuan Chuan
Published: April 2021

The Gonglaoping community is located in Central Western Taiwan, with approximately 700 residents. The hilly landscape contains farmlands and sloping areas with abundant natural resources. Locals rely on the Han River system and seasonal rainfall for water supply for domestic use and irrigation. Uneven rainfall patterns and high demand for water has led to the overuse of groundwater and conflicts among the people. The surrounding natural forests provide important ecosystem services, including wildlife habitats and water conservation, among others; however, overlap with human activities has brought threats to biodiversity conservation. Considering these challenges, locals were determined to transform their community towards sustainability. The Gonglaoping Industrial Development Association (GIDA) and the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau (SWCB) joined hands to initiate the promotion of the Satoyama Initiative, playing catalytic roles in several implementations, such as establishing water management strategies based on mutual trust, rebuilding the masonry landscape, and economic development, forming partnerships with other stakeholders. This multi-stakeholder and co-management platform allowed the community to achieve transformative change, particularly in resolving conflicts of water use, restoring the SEPL, enhancing biodiversity conservation, and developing a self-sustaining economy.

Achieving sustainability in a SEPL requires the application of a holistic approach and a multi-sector collaborating (community-government-university) platform. This case demonstrates a practical, effective framework for government authorities, policymakers and other stakeholders in terms of maintaining the integrity of ecosystems. With the final outcome of promoting a vision of co-prosperity, it is a solid example showing a win-win strategy for both the human population and the farmland ecosystem in a hilly landscape.
Transformative Change in Peri-Urban SEPLS and Green Infrastructure Strategies: An Analysis from the Local to the Regional Scales in Galicia (NW Spain)
Authors: Díaz-Varela Emilio , Fernández-Villar Guillermina , Diego-Fuentes Alvaro
Published: April 2021

Transformative change involves the integration of different social dimensions and the involvement of a multiplicity of actors resulting in high levels of complexity. Considering all this, our work addresses the development of green infrastructure (GI) to improve the conservation of biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services from two different approaches and scales: regional and local.

From the regional level, a GI strategy was promoted by the regional government of Galicia (NW Spain) through institutional efforts following a multidisciplinary approach including public participation processes. On the other hand, a local, participative perspective is exemplified in the Neighbourhood Association of the Parish of Chapela (Redondela, Galicia), a peri-urban, coastal area where intensive forestry and urban expansion threatens the availability of accessible multifunctional ecosystems for the local communities.

Both approaches are indicative of seeds for a transformative change yet to happen. Nevertheless, they differ in their visions, values and goals: the regional level is statutory-oriented and focused on the accomplishment of administrative objectives; the local level is based on the communities’ wellbeing aims and calls-for-action. Differences are also detected in the risks and barriers to transformative processes, from the inertia of administrative procedures to the limitations of local action to face environmental and developmental problems. Exploration of these contrasting perspectives leads to the identification of needs for institutional change, the emergence of new governance systems, and the development of new perspectives for strategic planning and management.
Water with Integrated Local Delivery (WILD) for Transformative Change in Socio-Ecological Management
Authors: Black Jasmine E. , Short Chris , Phelps Jenny
Published: April 2021

An innovative approach towards transformative change through multi-stakeholder participation for socio-ecological practices—Integrated Local Delivery (ILD)—has been used to restore the water quality and biodiversity across a catchment in the Cotswolds, South West England. This was triggered by the need to improve the Ecological Status of water as a part of the European Union’s Water Framework Directive. On a landscape scale of roughly 25,000 hectares, multi-stakeholders collaborated through a bottom-up approach to carry out environmental restoration of the catchment.

Over 3 years, an iterative learning loop of reflection and evolution created increased engagement. Twenty farmers have been empowered as ‘guardians’ to be key contacts between institutions and ensure the sustained environmental quality of the area. Both farmers and communities acted to reduce chemical use, protect river banks from livestock damage and clear waterways to enhance water quality and biodiversity. Local communities fed into the development of a ‘Community Water Guide’ which can be applied internationally for similar projects. Within the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) transformative change framework, the ILD model can also be applied by facilitators to access levers and leverage points in order to enable change.

Important take home messages from the project include having well-trained facilitators who ensure active engagement, connections and continuity over the long term. Likewise, ensuring all stakeholders feel listened to and clearly communicated with is essential to build trust and motivation.
Fermion mass hierarchies, large lepton mixing and residual modular symmetries
Authors: Novichkov P. P. , Penedo J. T. , Petcov S. T.
Published: April 2021

Abstract

In modular-invariant models of flavour, hierarchical fermion mass matrices may arise solely due to the proximity of the modulus τ to a point of residual symmetry. This mechanism does not require flavon fields, and modular weights are not analogous to Froggatt-Nielsen charges. Instead, we show that hierarchies depend on the decomposition of field representations under the residual symmetry group. We systematically go through the possible fermion field representation choices which may yield hierarchical structures in the vicinity of symmetric points, for the four smallest finite modular groups, isomorphic to S3, A4, S4, and A5, as well as for their double covers. We find a restricted set of pairs of representations for which the discussed mechanism may produce viable fermion (charged-lepton and quark) mass hierarchies. We present two lepton flavour models in which the charged-lepton mass hierarchies are naturally obtained, while lepton mixing is somewhat fine-tuned. After formulating the conditions for obtaining a viable lepton mixing matrix in the symmetric limit, we construct a model in which both the charged-lepton and neutrino sectors are free from fine-tuning.
Higher genus correlators for tensionless AdS3 strings
Authors: Knighton Bob
Published: April 2021

Abstract

It was recently shown in [1] that tree-level correlation functions in tensionless string theory on AdS3 × S3 × $$ {\mathbbm{T}}^4 $$

T
4

match the expected form of correlation functions in the symmetric orbifold CFT on $$ {\mathbbm{T}}^4 $$

T
4

in the large N limit. This analysis utilized the free-field realization of the $$ \mathfrak{psu}{\left(1,\left.1\right|2\right)}_1 $$
psu

1

1

2

1

Wess-Zumino-Witten model, along with a surprising identity directly relating these correlation functions to a branched covering of the boundary of AdS3. In particular, this identity implied the unusual feature that the string theory correlators localize to points in the moduli space for which the worldsheet covers the boundary of AdS3 with specified branching near the insertion points. In this work we generalize this analysis past the tree-level approximation, demonstrating its validity to higher genus worldsheets, and in turn providing strong evidence for this incarnation of the AdS/CFT correspondence at all orders in perturbation theory.
Residues, modularity, and the Cardy limit of the 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 superconformal index
Authors: Goldstein Kevin , Jejjala Vishnu , Lei Yang , van Leuven Sam , Li Wei
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We compute the superconformal index of the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SU(N) Yang-Mills theory through a residue calculation. The method is similar in spirit to the Bethe Ansatz formalism, except that all poles are explicitly known, and we do not require specialization of any of the chemical potentials. Our expression for the index allows us to revisit the Cardy limit using modular properties of four-dimensional supersymmetric partition functions. We find that all residues contribute at leading order in the Cardy limit. In a specific region of flavour chemical potential space, close to the two unrefined points, in fact all residues contribute universally. These universal residues precisely agree with the entropy functions of the asymptotically AdS5 black hole and its “twin saddle” respectively. Finally, we discuss how our formula is suited to study the implications of four-dimensional modularity for the index beyond the Cardy limit.
Generalized elastic positivity bounds on interacting massive spin-2 theories
Authors: Wang Zi-Yue , Zhang Cen , Zhou Shuang-Yong
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We use generalized elastic positivity bounds to constrain the parameter space of multi-field spin-2 effective field theories. These generalized bounds involve inelastic scattering amplitudes between particles with different masses, which contain kinematic singularities even in the t = 0 limit. We apply these bounds to the pseudo-linear spin-2 theory, the cycle spin-2 theory and the line spin-2 theory respectively. For the pseudo-linear theory, we exclude the remaining operators that are unconstrained by the usual elastic positivity bounds, thus excluding all the leading (or highest cutoff) interacting operators in the theory. For the cycle and line theory, our approach also provides new bounds on the Wilson coefficients previously unconstrained, bounding the parameter space in both theories to be a finite region (i.e., every Wilson coefficient being constrained from both sides). To help visualize these finite regions, we sample various cross sections of them and estimate the total volumes.
Correlation functions and quantum measures of descendant states
Authors: Brehm Enrico M. , Broccoli Matteo
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We discuss a computer implementation of a recursive formula to calculate correlation functions of descendant states in two-dimensional CFT. This allows us to obtain any N-point function of vacuum descendants, or to express the correlator as a differential operator acting on the respective primary correlator in case of non-vacuum descendants. With this tool at hand, we then study some entanglement and distinguishability measures between descendant states, namely the Rényi entropy, trace square distance and sandwiched Rényi divergence. Our results provide a test of the conjectured Rényi QNEC and new tools to analyse the holographic description of descendant states at large c.
Slaughter pigs as carrier of Listeria monocytogenes in Germany
Authors: Oswaldi Verena , Dzierzon Janine , Thieme Susann , Merle Roswitha , Meemken Diana
Published: April 2021

Listeria (L.) monocytogenes as the cause of human listeriosis is widespread in the environment and a hazard considering food safety. Almost all animal species as well as humans can be asymptomatic carriers of this bacterium. In pigs, the tonsils are identified as the organ with the highest detection rate compared to other sample matrices. We sampled 430 pigs in total in two slaughterhouses in Northwest and East Germany, two structurally different and important regions in pig production, to re-examine pigs as a possible source of Listeria-contamination of pork products. We detected a low prevalence of L. monocytogenes in tonsil samples of 1.6% (7/430) on single animal level and of 11.6% (5/43) on herd level with no significant difference between the two German regions. Apart from L. monocytogenes, the usually non-pathogenic L. innocua had a prevalence of 1.2% (5/430) on single animal level. From 200 pigs from Northwest Germany, intestinal content samples were analysed in addition to tonsil samples from the same animals, but no positive sample was found for L. monocytogenes (0.0%, 0/200), while four pigs were positive for L. innocua (2.0%, 4/200). Although the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in tonsils is low, the risk of cross-contaminating meat with the pathogen is still given.
Focused ultrasound radiosensitizes human cancer cells by enhancement of DNA damage
Authors: Zhang Xinrui , Bobeica Mariana , Unger Michael , Bednarz Anastasia , Gerold Bjoern , Patties Ina , Melzer Andreas , Landgraf Lisa
Published: April 2021

Purpose

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU/FUS) has expanded as a noninvasive quantifiable option for hyperthermia (HT). HT in a temperature range of 40–47 °C (thermal dose CEM43 ≥ 25) could work as a sensitizer to radiation therapy (RT). Here, we attempted to understand the tumor radiosensitization effect at the cellular level after a combination treatment of FUS+RT.

Methods

An in vitro FUS system was developed to induce HT at frequencies of 1.147 and 1.467 MHz. Human head and neck cancer (FaDU), glioblastoma (T98G), and prostate cancer (PC-3) cells were exposed to FUS in ultrasound-penetrable 96-well plates followed by single-dose X‑ray irradiation (10 Gy). Radiosensitizing effects of FUS were investigated by cell metabolic activity (WST‑1 assay), apoptosis (annexin V assay, sub-G1 assay), cell cycle phases (propidium iodide staining), and DNA double-strand breaks (γH2A.X assay).

Results

The FUS intensities of 213 (1.147 MHz) and 225 W/cm2 (1.467 MHz) induced HT for 30 min at mean temperatures of 45.20 ± 2.29 °C (CEM43 = 436 ± 88) and 45.59 ± 1.65 °C (CEM43 = 447 ± 79), respectively. FUS improves the effect of RT significantly by reducing metabolic activity in T98G cells 48 h (RT: 96.47 ± 8.29%; FUS+RT: 79.38 ± 14.93%; p = 0.012) and in PC-3 cells 72 h (54.20 ± 10.85%; 41.01 ± 11.17%; p = 0.016) after therapy, but not in FaDu cells. Mechanistically, FUS+RT leads to increased apoptosis and enhancement of DNA double-strand breaks compared to RT alone in T98G and PC-3 cells.

Conclusion

Our in vitro findings demonstrate that FUS has good potential to sensitize glioblastoma and prostate cancer cells to RT by mainly enhancing DNA damage.
Frühkindliche Karies und Untergewicht
Authors: Wölfle U. C. , Hickel R. , Kühnisch J.
Published: April 2021

Frühkindliche Karies gehört zu den prävalenten Erkrankungen des Kindesalters. Ursächlich kann neben frequenter Zufuhr kariogener Getränke und Lebensmittel ein häufiges, prolongiertes Stillen sein. Zusätzlich führt ausschließliches Stillen über das erste Lebenshalbjahr hinaus zu einer Mangelversorgung. Im vorliegenden Fall wird ein 2-jähriges Kind mit frühkindlicher Karies (ECC Typ II) und erheblichem Untergewicht vorgestellt, welches ausschließlich gestillt wurde. Eine Zahnsanierung in Allgemeinanästhesie mit begleitender Ernährungsumstellung führte zur Normalisierung des Körpergewichts.
On the ~ 7 year periodic signal in length of day from a frequency domain stepwise regression method
Authors: Hsu Can-Can , Duan Peng-Shuo , Xu Xue-Qing , Zhou Yong-Hong , Huang Cheng-Li
Published: April 2021

The intradecadal variations in length-of-day (LOD) and their time-varying characteristics still need to be further studied. Given that the corresponding signal periods on the intradecadal scales are quite close to each other and the span of currently observed ΔLOD data (i.e., 1962–2019, only 57 years) is not long enough, accurate detection of these signals depends on using effective mathematical method. On the basis of the traditional harmonic retrieval model, this work proposes a frequency domain stepwise regression method, which can well identify the periodic components with close periods and recognize the weaker signals to estimate the relevant harmonic parameters (i.e., amplitude, frequency and phase). Furthermore, we apply this method to detection of the actual LOD intradecadal variations, the result of which shows that there are three components (i.e., the ~ 5.9 years, ~ 8.3 years and ~ 7.3 years) existing in LOD intradecadal variations. Here, we firstly give the time-domain harmonic expression of the ~ 7.3 years signal, i.e., $$y\left(t\right)=A\mathrm{cos}\left(\frac{2\pi }{T}\left(t-1962+\psi \right)\right)$$

y

t

=
A
cos

2
π

T

t
-
1962
+
ψ

, where the period $$T=7.33$$

T
=
7.33

years, amplitude $$A=0.0413(\pm 0.0099)$$

A
=
0.0413
(
±
0.0099
)

ms, phase $$\psi =-1.58(\pm 0.30)$$

ψ
=
-
1.58
(
±
0.30
)

years. The mechanism of this ~ 7.3 years signal needs to be further studied.
Strain-specific interaction of Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis with yeasts in the sourdough fermentation
Authors: Rogalski Esther , Ehrmann Matthias A. , Vogel Rudi F.
Published: April 2021

Fructilactobacillus (F.) sanfranciscensis is a key bacterium in traditional (type 1) sourdough fermentations. It typically occurs in combination with the sourdough yeast Kazachstania (K.) humilis or the generalist Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae. Previous studies revealed intra-species diversity in competitiveness or dominance in sourdoughs of F. sanfranciscensis, as well as preferences for a life with or without a specific yeast. In this study representative, differently behaving strains were studied in media with different sugars and electron acceptors, and in rye sourdough fermentations in the presence and absence of K. humilis or S. cerevisiae. Strain-specific differences were observed in sugar and organic acids spectra in media, and in sourdoughs with F. sanfranciscensis strains in combination with K. humilis or S. cerevisiae. F. sanfranciscensis TMW 1.1150 proved dominant in the presence and absence of any yeast because it most effectively used maltose. Its maltose fermentation was unaffected by electron acceptors. F. sanfranciscensis TMW 1.2138 was the weakest maltose fermenter and incapable of glucose fermentation, and evidently not competitive against the other strains. F. sanfranciscensis TMW 1.392 was the most versatile strain regarding the utilization of different carbohydrates and its ability to exploit electron acceptors like fructose and oxygen. In sourdoughs without yeasts, it outcompeted other strains. The metabolism of F. sanfranciscensis TMW 1.907 was stimulated in combination with S. cerevisiae. In competitive trials, it was assertive only with S. cerevisiae. The intra-species differences in carbohydrate metabolism can widely explain the differences in their behavior in sourdough fermentation. Interaction between F. sanfranciscensis and the yeasts was strain specific and supposedly commensal with K. humilis and rather competitive with S. cerevisiae.
Evaluation of a curved surgical prototype in a human larynx
Authors: Schild L. R. , Boehm F. , Kienle L. , Seitz A. , Kahrs L. A. , Boeckers T. M. , Greve J. , Hoffmann T. K. , Schuler P. J.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

It is not always possible to create linear access to the larynx using a rigid operating laryngoscope for microlaryngoscopy. In this study, we evaluate the usability of a novel curved surgical prototype with flexible instruments for the larynx (sMAC) in a simulation dummy and human body donor.

Methods

In a user study (n = 6), head and neck surgeons as well as medical students tested the system for visualization quality and accessibility of laryngeal landmarks on an intubation dummy and human cadaver. A biopsy of the epiglottis was taken from the body donor. Photographic and time documentation was carried out.

Results

The sMAC system demonstrated general feasibility for laryngeal surgery. Unlike conventional microlaryngoscopy, all landmarks could be visualized and manipulated in both setups. Biopsy removal was possible. Visibility of the surgical field remained largely unobstructed even with an endotracheal tube in place. Overall handling of the sMAC prototype was satisfactorily feasible at all times.

Conclusion

The sMAC system could offer an alternative for patients, where microlaryngoscopy is not applicable. A clinical trial has to clarify if the system benefits in clinical routine.