bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In this article, the authors address the problem of the correlation of laughing culture and religious experience. The complex dialectics of the relationship between religion and cultural laughter originates in the ritual activity of early forms of religions. The authors, tracing the main stages of the development of the laughing culture, dwell in detail on the current stage of socio-cultural development associated with the design of the digital space. The main methodological approach in the analysis of religious experience in cyberspace is the hermeneutical-phenomenological method of M. Eliade, implying that every person has religious feelings. The empirical basis of the study was the results of a sociological study of the dynamics of the value consciousness of young people, conducted from 2006 to 2019, as well as the information content of websites, groups in social networks, messenger channels and video hosting. В As a result of the study, the authors conclude that a special laughing culture is developing in modern digital society: a cybersmech culture that performs a number of important social functions. Cybersmech culture can rightfully be considered popular. It is characterized by genre and style originality: thus, visual genres appear, expressed in comic media objects (for example, memes). Cybersmech culture is becoming one of the factors in the formation of religious experience in the digital environment. This is expressed in the active gamerization of religious relations observed in the Internet space, the production of new myths, "religious making", changing the boundaries of the Sacred and the mundane in a digital society.
Authors: Fedorova Marina , Rotanova Mira Borisovna
Published: April 2022

Religion and Laughter in a Digital Society
On the problem of the structure-forming elements of Utopian Discourse and its specifics
Authors: Gudilina Ekaterina Nikolaevna , Poroshkov Mikhail Mikhailovich
Published: April 2022

The subject of the research is utopian discourse, which unites all the variety of concepts related in one way or another to utopia, utopian dimension of reality and understanding of the Future (utopian element, utopian impulse, utopian optics, utopianism, utopian consciousness, utopian thinking, dystopia, etc.). Special attention is paid to the study of the explanatory and predictive potential of utopian discourse, identifying its boundaries and analysis of the relationship with ideological discourse. The conceptualization of utopian discourse is based on an instrumental approach to utopia, which is complemented by the communicative approach and the interpretive concept of culture by K. Geertz, which justifies the possibility of considering utopian discourse as a semantic and symbolic matrix.   The novelty of the research is to identify and substantiate the exaggerated dichotomy of thinking and otherness as the structure-forming elements of utopian discourse. This contributed to the assessment of utopian discourse as a peculiar but viable form of reflection of political reality and the construction, consolidation and comprehension of values. The proposed algorithm of thinking with dichotomies made it possible to trace the process of constructing utopian discourse on the basis of a pyramid of dichotomies, consisting of system-forming, key and peripheral dichotomies. The article clarifies that the otherness of utopian discourse is manifested in the historicity, radicality and inextricable connection of utopian discourse with the Present. The indicated specificity of utopian discourse has led to the clarification of the reasons for the negative and/or skeptical attitude towards utopia and utopian discourse, as well as to the definition of its strengths and weaknesses. The authors conclude that despite the identified shortcomings, which often lead utopias to periodic displacement from the framework of actual political life, utopian discourse can have a significant impact on the change and development of society.
Short-term plasticity in the human visual thalamus
Authors: Kurzawski Jan W , Lunghi Claudia , Biagi Laura , Tosetti Michela , Morrone Maria Concetta , Binda Paola
Published: April 2022

While there is evidence that the visual cortex retains a potential for plasticity in adulthood, less is known about the subcortical stages of visual processing. Here, we asked whether short-term ocular dominance plasticity affects the human visual thalamus. We addressed this question in normally sighted adult humans, using ultra-high field (7T) magnetic resonance imaging combined with the paradigm of short-term monocular deprivation. With this approach, we previously demonstrated transient shifts of perceptual eye dominance and ocular dominance in visual cortex (Binda et al., 2018). Here, we report evidence for short-term plasticity in the ventral division of the pulvinar (vPulv), where the deprived eye representation was enhanced over the nondeprived eye. This vPulv plasticity was similar as previously seen in visual cortex and it was correlated with the ocular dominance shift measured behaviorally. In contrast, there was no effect of monocular deprivation in two adjacent thalamic regions: dorsal pulvinar and Lateral Geniculate Nucleus. We conclude that the visual thalamus retains potential for short-term plasticity in adulthood; the plasticity effect differs across thalamic subregions, possibly reflecting differences in their corticofugal connectivity.
Late-life fitness gains and reproductive death in Cardiocondyla obscurior ants
Authors: Jaimes-Nino Luisa Maria , Heinze Jürgen , Oettler Jan
Published: April 2022

A key hypothesis for the occurrence of senescence is the decrease in selection strength due to the decrease in the proportion of newborns from parents attaining an advanced age – the so-called selection shadow. Strikingly, queens of social insects have long lifespans and reproductive senescence seems to be negligible. By lifelong tracking of 99 Cardiocondyla obscurior (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) ant colonies, we find that queens shift to the production of sexuals in late life regardless of their absolute lifespan or the number of workers present. Furthermore, RNAseq analyses of old queens past their peak of reproductive performance showed the development of massive pathology while queens were still fertile, leading to rapid death. We conclude that the evolution of superorganismality is accompanied by ‘continuusparity,’ a life history strategy that is distinct from other iteroparous and semelparous strategies across the tree of life, in that it combines continuous reproduction with a fitness peak late in life.
Extent of Participation and Decision Making Pattern of Women in Family Related Activities in Rural Areas of Telangana
Authors: Priyanka Vavilala , Ghadei Kalyan
Published: April 2022

Women are the backbone of the family. They work day and night to fulfill the requirements of their family besides having an active participation in agriculture and allied activities. This study mainly aims at identifying the “Extent of participation and decision making of women in family related activities in the rural areas of Telangana” for a total of 150 respondents selected from 12 villages of Karimnagar, Jagityal and Mancherial districts of Telangana using exploratory research design. The data revealed that the extent of participation was high in purchasing of groceries (88.67 %) and household activities (88.00%) incase of home related activities. While in self related activities, full participation was observed in selection of the institute (74.00%) and incase of children related activities, feeding of the children (86.67%) and recreation of the children (81.34%). Majority of the women had self decision in  purchasing of groceries (62.67 %), purchasing of appliances (62.67%) and household activities (60.67%) whereas decisions for occupation of the children (70.00%) and education (68.67%) were made with husband/father and had no decision in their marriage (30.00%) and family planning (26.67%). The study revealed that the participation of women was high but their decision making was limited and most of the decisions were taken with husband/father/friends.
Oil-price Shocks and Economic Growth: A Review of Literature
Authors: DADA Oluwabunmi , AJAYI Foluso Isaac , DARAMOLA Kehinde Omolade
Published: April 2022

This study reviews oil-price shocks and economic growth with the aim of providing an in-depth knowledge based on the existing literature. The study uses content analysis coupled with trends analysis from 1981-2020. Brent crude oil price which represents a uniform substitute for oil price at the international oil market is used. Six (6) theories that links oil price and economic growth are considered. Out of the theories, the study anchors its theoretical framework on Dutch Disease Theory because the neglect of other sectors especially the developing oil-exporting/producing countries due to the discovery of natural resources (crude oil) has affected their economic growth. Documented evidences show that shocks in oil price hinder economic growth. The trend analysis also indicates unexpected movements in oil price (increase/decrease) whenever there is a shock. Based on this, necessitates the need for most oil-producing developing countries to look beyond the oil sector to prevent their economies from being mono-culturally based by developing indigenous products and in this process reduce the importation of those goods that can be produced locally.
Properties of Boards Prepared from Mixture of Mineral Adducts with Bark and Cone of Calabrian Pine (Pinus brutia)
Authors: Sahin Halil Turgut , Yalcin Omer Umit , Kaya Ali Ihsan
Published: April 2022

Olivine and dolomite addition with some formulations clearly retarded the water absorption change in both bark (Type 1 boards) and cone (Type 2 boards) based experimental panels. However, the lowest water absorption value of 15.20% was found in dolomite contain (40:60, dolomite-bark chip, w/w, %) sample which show approximately 169.6% lower than olivine contain sample at similar proportions. However, it is important to note that Type 1 boards show considerably lower water absorption than Type 2 boards at similar experimental conditions. The boards which produced with 10-, 20-, and 30% dolomite and 90-, 80-, 70% bark chips (XBI, XBII and XBIII) proportions, show higher thickness swelling (TS, %) than control (B0) while rest of show lower TS than control samples, regardless of type of mineral or experimental conditions. The highest TS improvement of -79.1% was found with sample of YBV which produced with equally (1:1, w/w) proportions olivine and pine cone chips in matrix. It is noticeable that dolomite addition to Type 1 boards are usually effects higher IB values than olivine added samples while the highest IB value of 0.72 MPa was found with sample of XBV. Moreover, only sample of XBII (20% dolomite and 80% pine bark chip in boards proportions, w/w) show higher MOR strength value (4.42 MPa) than control (B0: 3.63 MPa), regardless of mineral content. In Type 2 boards, all experimental panels that prepared with two different mineral addition at five loading levels show lower MOR values than control (C0: 6.59 Mpa). It is also realized that both Type 1 and 2 type experimental panels show lower elastic property (MOE) than control samples (B0: 1129.3 MPa: C0: 820.1).
Optimization of Chlorella-Biomass Production Using Domestic and Restaurant Waste Water as a Potential Feedstock
Authors: Williams K. F. , Agwa O. K.
Published: April 2022

The quest to invent a cost-effective media for commercial cultivation of microalgae biomass has remained a cause for motivation for quite some time now. In this study domestic and restaurant wastewater were obtained from Choba, Rivers State Nigeria. The biosafety of the wastewater was ascertained and prepared as a media for the cultivation of microalgae. The samples were prepared in 180:20, 160:40, 140:60, 120:80, and 100:100 ratios using pond water and mixture of domestic and restaurant wastewater respectively. The blooming process was observed for seven days and biomass was monitored by cell optical density and dry weight. The result revealed that biosafety evaluation saw a reduction from 120cfu/ml to 0cfu/ml on the third day. The optimal wavelength selected for growth monitoring was 620nm while growth media ratio selected was 120:80 for restaurant:domestic wastewater. The optimization revealed pH 6.0, temperature 300C, salinity 10ppm and photoperiod 12:12 day:night as optimal condition. Domestic wastewater can be a veritable medium for cultivation of Chlorella sp as a means of integrated waste management; the Chlorella biomass can be used as a feedstock for various biotechnological applications such as source of biochemical, nutraceuticals and for use in biofuel generation.
Assessment of Aquifer Protective Capacity, Against the Surface Contamination. A Case Study of Kaduna Industrial Village, Nigeria
Authors: Alao J. O. , Ahmad M. S. , Danjumo T. T. , Ango A. , Jaiyeoba Emmanuel
Published: April 2022

Geo-electric soundings was carried out in 22 different locations at Kaduna Refinery Petrochemical Corporation (KRPC) and White Oil and Gas Layout, Mahuta, Kaduna. The aquifer protective capacity and Hydraulic characteristics of the study area was computed from the Geoelectric parameters using Dar-Zarrouk and hydrological parameters. The interpreted data were presented in tabular form, Geoelectric/geology soil profiles and contoured maps. The results show that the study area aquifer is relatively protected with an average value of 0.5 mhos with an indication of infiltration of contaminant in some location. The hydraulic parameter values also show that the study area aquifer has the capacity to produce water non-stopping if the wells are sited based the geophysical investigation. The computed hydraulic characteristics and transmissivity of the area has an average value of 5.5 m/day and 6.1 /hour, which implies that, the study area has the capacity to transmit groundwater through a distance of 5.5 m in 24-hour and can covers 6.1  in one hour.
Mitigation of heat strain by wearing a long-sleeve fan-attached jacket in a hot or humid environment
Authors: Mori Kimiyo , Nagano Chikage , Fukuzawa Kimie , Hoshuyama Natsuko , Tanaka Riho , Nishi Kento , Hashimoto Kahori , Horie Seichi
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study examined whether a fan-attached jacket (FAJ) may mitigate the heat strain in hot or humid environment.

Methods

Nine healthy men engaged in 60-min sessions on a bicycle ergometer (4 metabolic equivalents [METs] workload) in hot-dry (40°C and 30% relative humidity) and warm-humid (30°C and 85% relative humidity) environments. Both are equivalent to an approximately 29°C wet-bulb globe temperature. The experiment was repeated—once wearing an ordinal jacket (control condition) and once wearing a long-sleeve FAJ that transfers ambient air at a flow rate of 12 L/s (FAJ condition)—in both environments.

Results

Increases in core temperatures in hot-dry environment were not statistically different between control and FAJ; however, that in the warm-humid environment were significantly different between control and FAJ (0.96 ± 0.10°C and 0.71 ± 0.11°C in rectal temperature, P < .0001; and 0.94 ± 0.09°C and 0.61 ± 0.09°C in esophageal temperature, P < .0001). Changes in heart rate were different between control and FAJ in both environments (62 ± 3 bpm and 47 ± 7 bpm, P < .0001 in hot-dry environment; and 61 ± 3 bpm and 46 ± 5 bpm, P < .0001 in the warm-humid environment) and decrease of %weight change was different in hot-dry environment (1.59 ± 0.12% and 1.25 ± 0.05%, P = .0039), but not in the warm-humid environment.

Conclusions

Wearing a FAJ may mitigate heat strain both in hot or humid environments.
A Perspective: Molecular Detections of New Agents in Finfish—Interpreting Biological Significance for Fish Health Management
Authors: Meyers Theodore R. , Hickey Nora
Published: April 2022

The increased sensitivity of advanced molecular techniques greatly exceeds the sensitivities of traditional detection methods for infectious agents. This sensitivity causes difficulty in interpreting the biological significance of such detections in fish (and shellfish), especially when the agent(s) cannot be cultured in the laboratory. In the Pacific Northwest, including Canada and Alaska, molecular detections of “new” (unknown or known but discovered in a different geographic location or fish host) potentially infectious agents in fish have received extensive media attention and misinterpretation that call for resource agencies to change current fish health surveillance practices or policies to include these agents. Fish health specialists from several of these agencies and organizations (see Acknowledgments) advise that any policy changes should be made only after further investigations to avoid wasting resources to conduct surveillance for organisms that are not significant to fish health or for noninfectious genetic material that does not represent a viable agent. Molecular detection is not proof of agent viability within or on host tissues and requires further investigation regarding the agent's ability to replicate and evidence that the agent causes substantial risk of disease to exposed fish populations. This document provides examples of molecularly detected agents causing public concern that were accompanied by little or no data to provide context and assessment of biological significance, highlights important questions to be answered regarding these detections, and provides a suggested pathway of investigative criteria to determine viability and pathogenicity of such agents that are necessary for consideration of any changes to aquatic animal health practices and policies.
Teacher victimization and teachers' subjective well‐being: Does school climate matter?
Authors: Yang Chunyan , Chan Mei‐ki , Nickerson Amanda B. , Jenkins Lyndsay , Xie Jia‐Shu , Fredrick Stephanie S.
Published: April 2022

Guided by the job demands‐resources model, we examined the multilevel associations between victimization experience with student violence directed against teachers, school climate, and teachers' subjective well‐being (i.e., school connectedness and teaching efficacy) among 1711 teachers (7th–12th grade) from 58 middle and high schools in China. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses revealed that teachers who reported more frequent teacher victimization perceived a lower level of teaching efficacy; however, teachers in schools with a higher level of teacher victimization scores at the school level perceived a higher level of teaching efficacy. Although school climate was positively related to teacher well‐being at both teacher and school levels, the negative association between teacher victimization and teachers' subjective well‐being at the teacher level was exacerbated in schools with a more positive school climate at the school level. The significant cross‐level moderating effect of school‐level school climate in the association between teacher‐level victimization and subjective well‐being was consistent with the "healthy context paradox" but contradicted with the "emotion contagion hypothesis.” Our findings support the risk influence of teacher victimization and the promotive role of positive school climate on teachers' subjective well‐being. Our results also indicate that teachers in schools with a more positive and collective perception of school climate tend to be more attuned to the negative influences of teacher victimization on their subjective well‐being than teachers in schools with a less positive and collective perception of school climate.
Carboxylic Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Reinforcing Fillers in Ionic Polymer–Metal Composite Actuators with Enhanced Driving Performance
Authors: Qin Liguo , Gong Chaoyong , Hafezi Mahshid , Mawignon Fagla Jules , Huang Xiaodong , Zeng Qunfeng , Zhang Yali , Dong Guangneng
Published: April 2022

Although huge attentions are paid to the bionic robot research, preparing flexible actuators with high sensitivity, fast response, and long lifespan are still in great challenge. Herein, an enhanced actuator based on the ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) and carboxylic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CMWCNTs) is presented. The nanoscale decoration of MWCNT materials leads to the effectively application of doped and decorated carbon‐based devices for actuators. In the study, morphologies of CMWCNTs are evaluated with transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). By the home‐setup platform, the electrical conductivity and driving performance are evaluated. Using tensile‐testing machine, mechanical properties, such as the elastic modulus and tensile strength, are assessed. Results show that performances including electronic, mechanical, and driving activities of the ionic polymer–metal composite actuator are significantly improved. The maximum output force and sensitivity of the actuators are increased at rates of 24% and 130%, respectively. The mechanism is attributed to carboxylic groups in the acceleration of hydrated cations movement. Additionally, the surface conductivity, mechanical strength, and dispersion are far superior to those walled carbon nanotubes (WCNT)‐doped actuators reported previously. IPMC‐embedded nanotube designs provide a high potential for the development of robotic‐assisted manipulations, such as biomedical robots and microelectromechanical systems.
Low‐Temperature Carrier Transport Mechanism of Wafer‐Scale Grown Polycrystalline Molybdenum Disulfide Thin‐Film Transistor Based on Radio Frequency Sputtering and Sulfurization
Authors: Baek Seungho , Kim Junil , Choo Sooho , Sen Anamika , Jang Bongho , Pujar Pavan , Kim Sunkook , Kwon Hyuk‐Jun
Published: April 2022

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) synthesis methods have become diverse and enable wafer‐scale growth for high‐performance optoelectronic applications. However, there has been limited research on the carrier transports of wafer‐scale deposited MoS2 thin‐film transistors (TFTs). In this paper, the first demonstration of the electron transport mechanism in top‐gated polycrystalline crystalline MoS2 (poly‐MoS2) TFTs grown by a wafer‐scale deposition method is presented. The MoS2 is synthesized via radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and gas flow chemical vapor sulfurization. A surface analysis is performed to determine the basic ingredients and grain size of the grown MoS2. Furthermore, the electrical properties and charge transport behaviors of the poly‐MoS2 TFTs are characterized using current–voltage measurement at low temperatures (93–273 K). The extracted parameters (e.g., field‐effect mobility, contact and channel resistance, activation energy, and hopping distance) and 2D Mott variable range hopping (VRH) of the poly‐MoS2 TFTs support the notion that the primary mechanism of carrier transport in the poly‐MoS2 TFTs involves thermally active hopping and grain effects. For advanced poly‐MoS2‐based devices, an increase of grain size will be the principal factor using the relationship between the grain size and electron hopping distance of poly‐MoS2.
Tunable Plasmonic Random Laser Based on Emitters Coupled to Plasmonic Resonant Nanocavities of Silver Nanorod Arrays
Authors: Zhang Junxi , Wang Fei , Ghafoor Sonia , Wang Haoyu , Zhang Wei , Xie Kang , Cheng Rui , Yan Jian , Niu Lijie , Wang Pei , Zhang Lin , Hu Zhijia
Published: April 2022

Random lasers are generated by multiple light scattering in disordered optically gain medium, which are fundamentally different from conventional lasers. Control of emission properties, especially emission wavelength for random lasers is still challenging due to absence of optical cavity. Although plasmonic random lasers exhibit well‐controlled properties, most of studies on plasmonic random lasers to date are still focused on scattering amplification by disorder metal nanoparticles. Here, a tunable random laser based on emitters of Nile red/poly‐methyl methacrylate (PMMA) coupled to plasmonic resonant nanocavities of silver nanorod arrays is presented. The plasmonic random laser has very strong and narrow emission peaks and a very low lasing threshold of 22.8 µJ, resulting from plasmon resonance energy transfer (PRET), the enhanced absorption, scattering, and excitation rates of Nile red/PMMA due to strong localized electric fields in the nanocavities, and enhanced multiple light scattering from the disorder–order hybrid silver nanorod arrays. Furthermore, the lasing wavelength can be tuned in a wide range from 623 to 654 nm by different order harmonic modes of the plasmonic resonant nanocavities. This work not only provides a new strategy to design tunable random lasers, but also opens up their potential applications in medicine and sensing.
Direct Alkylation and Acylation of 2H‐Indazoles Using Aldehydes under Metal‐Free Conditions
Authors: Wang Bingqing , Zhong Xiaoyang , Yao Hua , Deng Ruihong , Yan Zhaohua , Gao Mengjiao , Lin Sen
Published: April 2022

A simple, effective, and direct alkylation and acylation of indazoles using aldehydes under metal‐free conditions has been developed. This regioselective alkylation/acylation protocol can proceed under mild conditions, tolerate a wide range of functional groups, and deliver multifunctional 2H‐indazole derivatives with high efficiency. Mechanism studies indicated that a radical process was involved.
A Reputation Game Simulation: Emergent Social Phenomena from Information Theory
Authors: Enßlin Torsten , Kainz Viktoria , Bœhm Céline
Published: April 2022

Reputation is a central element of social communications, be it with human or artificial intelligence (AI), and as such can be the primary target of malicious communication strategies. There is already a vast amount of literature on trust networks and their dynamics using Bayesian principles and involving Theory of Mind models. An issue for these simulations can be the amount of information that can be stored and managed using discretizing variables and hard thresholds. Here a novel approach to the way information is updated that accounts for knowledge uncertainty and is closer to reality is proposed. Agents use information compression techniques to capture their complex environment and store it in their finite memories. The loss of information that results from this leads to emergent phenomena, such as echo chambers, self‐deception, deception symbiosis, and freezing of group opinions. Various malicious strategies of agents are studied for their impact on group sociology, like sycophancy, egocentricity, pathological lying, and aggressiveness. Our set‐up already provides insights into social interactions and can be used to investigate the effects of various communication strategies and find ways to counteract malicious ones. Eventually this work should help to safeguard the design of non‐abusive AI systems.
Strukturbasierte Entwicklung von G‐Protein bevorzugenden μ‐Opioidrezeptor Agonisten
Authors: Wang Haoqing , Hetzer Florian , Huang Weijiao , Qu Qianhui , Meyerowitz Justin , Kaindl Jonas , Hübner Harald , Skiniotis Georgios , Kobilka Brian K. , Gmeiner Peter
Published: April 2022

Der μ‐Opioidrezeptor (μOR) ist das Haupt‐Angriffsziel für opioide Analgetika. Die Aktivierung des μORs initiiert die Signaltransduktion über G‐Protein‐vermittelte Wege und durch β‐Arrestin‐Rekrutierung. μOR‐Agonisten, die bevorzugt die G‐Protein‐vermittelte Signalübertragung aktivieren, weisen deutlich geringere Nebenwirkungen auf. Der Wirkstoff PZM21, welcher durch computergestütztes Docking entdeckt wurde, ist ein solcher funktionell‐selektiver Agonist (biased agonist) des μORs. In dieser Publikation stellen wir die Kryoelektronenmikroskopie‐Struktur (Cryo‐EM‐Struktur) des PZM21 gebundenen μOR im Komplex mit einem Gi Protein vor. Strukturbasiertes Wirkstoffdesign brachte eine Vielzahl an PZM21‐Analoga hervor, die einerseits eine noch deutlichere Gi‐Bevorzugung und andererseits, durch ihre höhere Lipophile, eine verbesserte ZNS‐Gängigkeit aufweisen. Darunter zeigt FH210 eine sehr geringe Wirkstärke bei der Arrestin‐Rekrutierung. Wir haben außerdem die Kryo‐EM‐Struktur von FH210, das an den μOR im Komplex mit dem Gi‐Protein gebunden ist, bestimmt und die erwartete Bindungsposition bestätigt. Die strukturellen und pharmakologischen Studien offenbaren einen potenziellen Mechanismus zur Verringerung der β‐Arrestin‐Rekrutierung durch den μOR und versprechen die Entwicklung von Analgetika der nächsten Generation mit weniger Nebenwirkungen.
Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Framework (HOF)‐Based Single‐Neural Stem Cell Encapsulation and Transplantation to Remodel Impaired Neural Networks
Authors: Yu Dongqin , Zhang Haochen , Liu Zhenqi , Liu Chun , Du Xiubo , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: April 2022

Herein we present a new way to encapsulate neural stem cells (NSCs) by using hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) to overcome the common causes of low therapeutic efficacy during NSC transplantation: 1) loss of fundamental stem cell properties, “stemness”, before transplantation, 2) cytomembrane damage during transplantation, and 3) apoptosis due to oxidative stress after transplantation. Porous carbon nanospheres (PCNs) are doped into the HOF shell during the process of mineralization to endow the cellular exoskeletons with hierarchical hydrogen bonds, and the ability to resist oxidative stress due to the catalase and superoxide dismutase‐like activities of PCN. Under NIR‐II irradiation, thermal‐responsive hydrogen bonds dissociate to release NSCs. Stereotactic transplanting encapsulated NSC into the brain of an Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model further verifies that our design can enhance NSC viability, promote neurogenesis, and ameliorate cognitive impairment. As the first example of using HOFs to encapsulate NSCs, this work may inspire the design of HOF‐based exoskeletons to ameliorate neurogenesis and cognitive behavioral symptoms associated with AD.
Protocellular CRISPR/Cas‐Based Diffusive Communication Using Transcriptional RNA Signaling
Authors: Yang Shuo , Joesaar Alex , Bögels Bas W. A. , Mann Stephen , de Greef Tom F. A.
Published: April 2022

Protocells containing enzyme‐driven biomolecular circuits that can process and exchange information offer a promising approach for mimicking cellular features and developing molecular information platforms. Here, we employ synthetic transcriptional circuits together with CRISPR/Cas‐based DNA processing inside semipermeable protein‐polymer microcompartments. We first establish a transcriptional protocell that can be activated by external DNA strands and produce functional RNA aptamers. Subsequently, we engineer a transcriptional module to generate RNA strands functioning as diffusive signals that can be sensed by neighboring protocells and trigger the activation of internalized DNA probes or localization of Cas nucleases. Our results highlight the opportunities to combine CRISPR/Cas machinery and DNA nanotechnology for protocellular communication and provide a step towards the development of protocells capable of distributed molecular information processing.
Population status and genetic diversity of two endangered giant clams (Tridacna squamosa and Tridacna maxima) on the fringing reefs of Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
Authors: Lee Li Keat , Neo Mei Lin , Lim Zhen Fei , Hii Kieng Soon , Lim Hong Chang , Chan Albert Apollo , Gu Haifeng , Lim Po Teen , Leaw Chui Pin
Published: April 2022

With the increasing demand for giant clams in the ornamental trade as well as habitat destruction of coral reefs, giant clam populations have been threatened across the Indo‐Pacific. This study documents the population status and genetic diversity of giant clams in Perhentian Islands Marine Park (PMP), a Marine Protected Area (MPA) on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, plus Rhu Island, an adjacent island outside the MPA.

Of the 13 reef sites surveyed across an area of 11,200 m2, two giant clam species were recorded: Tridacna squamosa and Tridacna maxima, with average densities of 1.5 ± 2.2 and 5.2 ± 6.0 ind. 100 m−2, respectively. The size‐class survey revealed a higher number of T. maxima recruits (88 recruits) as compared to T. squamosa (only three recruits), suggesting a disparity in recruitment in the area.

The genetic diversity of T. squamosa (n = 83) and T. maxima (n = 104) was explored using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and 16S rRNA gene markers. Interestingly, a higher genetic diversity was detected in COI than 16S for both species. No significant genetic differentiation was detected between the populations of PMP and Rhu Island, while a low but significant genetic structure was detected in both species across the sites of PMP (COI datasets, AMOVA, T. squamosa, FCT = 0.14, P < 0.05; T. maxima, FCT = 0.11, P < 0.05).

In general, the results of this study revealed healthy giant clam populations in PMP, but the decline warrants urgent attention to integrating conservation strategies such as restoration programmes in conjunction with a sustainable giant clam fishery. Given the relatively high genetic diversity of T. maxima at Rhu Island, expansion of the current MPA is needed for better conservation coverage.
Suppression of PBAN receptor expression reduces fecundity in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Park Youngjin , Vatanparast Mohammad
Published: April 2022

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, native to the tropical and subtropical areas of the American continent is one of the world's most destructive insect pests. In most insects, sex pheromone production is initiated following the activation of a pheromone‐biosynthesis‐activating neuropeptide (PBAN) receptor, which belongs to G protein‐coupled receptor. We explored expression level of S. frugiperda PBAN receptor (Sf‐PBANr) gene and validated the physiological function by assessing the fecundity of adult females subjected to its specific RNA interference (RNAi). Sf‐PBANr was predicted from a transcriptome of S. frugiperda. Reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction assay showed its expression in all developmental stages of S. frugiperda. Specific suppression of Sf‐PBANr by RNAi in either sex significantly reduced the total number of laid eggs per adult female. Matings between both RNAi‐treated males and female resulted in 63.3% reduction in fecundity. In contrast, the RNAi effect was less 47.5%–49.5% at the matings from single‐parent RNAi treatment. These results suggest that the Sf‐PBANr is associated with female of S. frugiperda.
Integrating Superlattice to Regulate P2‐O2 Phase Transition and Improve Cycling Stability in Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Feng Jiameng , Yang Zhe , Zhong Jianjian , Zheng Chaoliang , Wei Zhicheng , Li Jianling
Published: April 2022

P2‐Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 is a promising cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), but it faces the rapid capacity decay due to P2‐O2 phase transition. The superlattice is a stable structure, compositing it can effectively eliminate the P2‐O2 phase transition. Based on superlattice of NaLi1/3Mn2/3O2, a series of xNaLi1/3Mn2/3O2 ⋅ (1‐x)Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 (x=0, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) were first synthesized by compounding NaLi1/3Mn2/3O2 into Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 in this article. The XRD and SAED show that special superlattice guarantees the structure stable of materials, resulting in a first order phase transformation to a solid solution reaction in high voltage. The composite cathode materials realize excellent cycle performance and discharge specific capacity. When x=0.4, the capacity retention rate is 82.64 % after 100 cycles, which is greatly improved compared with 30.60 % of Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2. This paper provides a new idea for using superlattice to stabilize the structure and improve the electrochemical performance for SIBs.
In Situ Hydrogen Evolution Monitoring During the Electrochemical Formation and Cycling of Pressed‐Plate Carbonyl Iron Electrodes in Alkaline Electrolyte
Authors: Weinrich Henning , Pleie Jan , Schmid Bernhard , Tempel Hermann , Kungl Hans , Eichel Rüdiger‐A.
Published: April 2022

Invited for this month's cover picture is the institute of Rüdiger‐A. Eichel. The cover picture illustrates the hydrogen evolution on carbonyl iron electrodes, with the latter being a resource‐efficient option to store renewable electricity for stationary applications effectively, if an appropriate charging protocol is applied. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/batt.202100415.
An intensive anatomy by whole‐body dissection elective: A longitudinal study
Authors: Burgess Annette W. , Luscombe Georgina M. , Ramsey‐Stewart George
Published: April 2022

Whole body dissection, once a long‐held method of learning and teaching in anatomy medical education, has largely been replaced by cost and time‐reduced methods of teaching. This paper reports on a longitudinal study of student knowledge acquisition and retention, following six annual intensive eight‐week elective anatomy by whole body dissection (AWBD) courses implemented between 2010 and 2015, utilizing a modified team‐based learning (TBL) pedagogy. A total of 160 students completed the intensive full‐time courses. During each course, students, in groups of five or six, completed the dissection of a whole cadaver. Students were assessed by a standardized practical test involving the accurate identification of 20 different tagged anatomical structures. All students (n = 160) completed pre‐course and end‐course individual assessments. Seventy students were assessed again 1 month after the course ended. A further 71 students were assessed 7 months later. A marked increase in topographical relational anatomical knowledge was demonstrated. The median pre‐course score was 9/20 (interquartile range 5). The median end‐course score was 19/20 (IQR 2), a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001). The assessments for the 70 students reassessed 1 month after the course ended showed no significant statistical change. The assessments for the further 71 students assessed 7 months later also showed no significant statistical change. The results of this study demonstrate that AWBD, provides significant acquisition and maintenance of three‐dimensional regional relational anatomical knowledge. As an elective, AWBD has a place in the medical curricula, particularly for students interested in a surgical or procedural based specialty career.
Whole‐Cell Biotransformation of Penicillin G by a Three‐Enzyme Co‐expression System with Engineered Deacetoxycephalosporin C Synthase
Authors: Song Shiyi , Jiang Yingying , Chen Ruidong , Su Wencheng , Liang Weinan , Yang Dameng , Li Jincheng , Zhang Wuyuan , Gao Shushan , Yuan Bo , Qu Ge , Sun Zhoutong
Published: April 2022

Deacetoxycephalosporin C synthase (DAOCS) catalyzes the transformation of penicillin G to phenylacetyl‐7‐aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic acid (G‐7‐ADCA) for which it depends on 2‐oxoglutarate (2OG) as co‐substrate. However, the low activity of DAOCS and the expense of 2OG restricts its practical applications in the production of G‐7‐ADCA. Herein, a rational design campaign was performed on a DAOCS from Streptomyces clavuligerus (scDAOCS) in the quest to construct novel expandases. The resulting mutants showed 25∼58 % increase in activity compared to the template. The dominant DAOCS variants were then embedded into a three‐enzyme co‐expression system, consisting of a catalase and an L‐glutamic oxidase for the generation of 2OG, to convert penicillin G to G‐7‐ADCA in E. coli. The engineered whole‐cell enzyme cascade was applied to an up‐scaled reaction, exhibiting a yield of G‐7‐ADCA up to 39.21 mM (14.6 g ⋅ L−1) with a conversion of 78.42 mol %. This work highlights the potential of the integrated whole‐cell system that may inspire further research on green and efficient production of 7‐ADCA.
Auswirkungen eines erhöhten Wassergehalts auf lösliche Staubkuchenbestandteile in der Oberflächenfiltration – Teil 2: Experimentelle Untersuchungen
Authors: Schwarz Almuth D. , Horst David , Meyer Jörg , Zhang Qian , Dittler Achim , Schmidt Eberhard
Published: April 2022

Es wird ein erhöhter Wassergehalt im Trägergas in der Oberflächenfiltration und dessen Einfluss auf lösliche und unlösliche Partikeln im Filterkuchen untersucht. Der erste Teil beschrieb die gemeinsamen Grundlagen und den Stand des Wissens. Die Beeinflussung von Haftkräften und der mögliche Stofftransport von Partikelmaterial in gelöster und ungelöster Form wurden als Auswirkungen eines erhöhten Wassergehalts diskutiert. Der zweite Teil behandelt eine Reihe von experimentellen Untersuchungen und schildert hierfür das Vorgehen und exemplarische Ergebnisse für unterschiedliche Wasserbeaufschlagung im Hinblick auf Menge und Aggregatzustand, erhöhte relative Feuchte zum einen und flüssige Wassertropfen zum anderen.
Length‐Dependent Collective Vibrational Dynamics in Alpha‐Helices
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Chen Mu , Zhan Lijian , Zheng Fei , Si Wei , Sha Jingjie , Chen Yunfei
Published: April 2022

Functions of protein molecules in nature are closely associated with their well‐defined three‐dimensional structures and dynamics in body fluid. So far, many efforts have been made to reveal the relation of protein structure, dynamics, and function, but the structural origin of protein dynamics, especially for secondary structures as building blocks of conformation transition, is still ambiguous. Here we theoretically uncover the collective vibrations of elastic poly‐alanine α‐helices and find vibration patterns that are distinctively different over residue numbers ranging from 20 to 80. Contrary to the decreasing vibration magnitude from ends to the middle region for short helices, the vibration magnitude for long helices takes the minimum at approximately 1/5 of helix length from ends but reaches a peak at the center. Further analysis indicates that major vibrational modes of helical structures strongly depend on their lengths, where the twist mode dominates in the vibrations of short helices while the bend mode dominates the long ones analogous to an elastic Euler beam. The helix‐coil transition pathway is also affected by the alternation of the first‐order mode in helices with different lengths. The dynamic properties of the helical polypeptides are promising to be harnessed for de novo design of protein‐based materials and artificial biomolecules in clinical treatments.
Competition between Intra and Intermolecular Pnicogen Bonds: Complexes between Naphthalene Derivatives and Neutral or Anionic Bases
Authors: Wysokiński Rafał , Zierkiewicz Wiktor , Michalczyk Mariusz , Scheiner Steve
Published: April 2022

The PnF2(Pn=P,As,Sb,Bi) on a naphthalene scaffold can engage in an internal pnicogen Pn⋅⋅⋅N bond (PnB) with an NH2group placed close to it on the adjoining ring. An approaching neutral NH3molecule can engage in a second PnB with the central Pn, which tends to weaken the intramolecular bond. The presence of the latter in turn weakens the intermolecular PnB with respect to that formed in its absence. Replacement of the external NH3by a CN−anion causes a fundamental change in the bonding pattern, producing a fourth covalent bond with Pn, which rearranges into a trigonal bipyramidal motif. This addition disrupts the internal Pn⋅⋅⋅N pnicogen bond, recasting the PnF2⋅⋅⋅NH2interaction into an NH⋅⋅⋅F H‐bond.
The small and medium enterprises' green human resource management and green transformational leadership: A sustainable moderated‐mediation practice
Authors: Chen Yu‐Shan , Yan Xin
Published: April 2022

This study explores how green human resource management (GHRM) and green transformational leadership (GTL) affect green organizational pride (GOP). We conduct a survey study of moderated‐mediation sustainable practice in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in “Hokkien Golden Triangle” of China based on the combination of resource‐based view, social exchange theory, positive psychology, and social cognitive theory. Especially, we develop two new concepts, “green organizational pride” and “green psychological capital” (GPC) to verify that the positive relationships between GHRM/GTL and GOP are mediated by GPC. Besides, we expand the research of environmental culture (EC) by further predicting that it could amplify the indirect effects of GHRM/GTL on GOP via GPC. The findings contribute to sustainability literature by highlighting the importance of GHRM and GTL in Chinese sustainable practice. Moreover, the results can advance the prior literature in the area of sustainability and create a new green path for developing countries.
Precision and bias of spatial capture–recapture estimates: A multi‐site, multi‐year Utah black bear case study
Authors: Schmidt Greta M. , Graves Tabitha A. , Pederson Jordan C. , Carroll Sarah L.
Published: April 2022

Spatial capture–recapture (SCR) models are powerful analytical tools that have become the standard for estimating abundance and density of wild animal populations. When sampling populations to implement SCR, the number of unique individuals detected, total recaptures, and unique spatial relocations can be highly variable. These sample sizes influence the precision and accuracy of model parameter estimates. Testing the performance of SCR models with sparse empirical data sets typical of low‐density, wide‐ranging species can inform the threshold at which a more integrated modeling approach with additional data sources or additional years of monitoring may be required to achieve reliable, precise parameter estimates. Using a multi‐site, multi‐year Utah black bear (Ursus americanus) capture–recapture data set, we evaluated factors influencing the uncertainty of SCR structural parameter estimates, specifically density, detection, and the spatial scale parameter, sigma. We also provided some of the first SCR density estimates for Utah black bear populations, which ranged from 3.85 to 74.33 bears/100 km2. Increasing total detections decreased the uncertainty of density estimates, whereas an increasing number of total recaptures and individuals with recaptures decreased the uncertainty of detection and sigma estimates, respectively. In most cases, multiple years of data were required for precise density estimates (<0.2 coefficient of variation [CV]). Across study areas there was an average decline in CV of 0.07 with the addition of another year of data. One sampled population with very high estimated bear density had an atypically low number of spatial recaptures relative to total recaptures, apparently inflating density estimates. A complementary simulation study used to assess estimate bias suggested that when <30% of recaptured individuals were spatially recaptured, density estimates were unreliable and ranged widely, in some cases to >3 times the simulated density. Additional research could evaluate these requirements for other density scenarios. Large numbers of individuals detected, numbers of spatial recaptures, and precision alone may not be sufficient indicators of parameter estimate reliability. We provide an evaluation of simple summary statistics of capture–recapture data sets that can provide an early signal of the need to alter sampling design or collect auxiliary data before model implementation to improve estimate precision and accuracy.