bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical 0D NiSe2/2D ZnIn2S4 Nanosheet‐Assembled Microflowers for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Lai Lijuan , Xing Fangshu , Cheng Chuchu , Huang Caijin
Published: March 2021

Hierarchical structure design and use of cocatalyst are effective strategies to improve the photocatalytic performance of semiconductor catalysts. Herein, 0D NiSe2 nanoparticles decorated 2D ZnIn2S4 ultrathin nanosheet‐assembled microflowers using a facile solvothermal approach are synthesized. The as‐obtained NiSe2/ZnIn2S4 nanocomposites exhibit enhanced visible‐light photocatalytic H2‐evolution activity of 1487 µmol (g h)–1, three times higher than that of pure ZnIn2S4. The hierarchical structure of ZnIn2S4 microflowers exposes more surface‐active sites and enhances light harvesting. Meanwhile, the formation of heterojunctions between ZnIn2S4 nanosheets and NiSe2 nanoparticles creates a space‐charge separation region that facilitates the transfer and separation of photoinduced electrons and holes, resulting in improved photocatalytic H2 production. This work provides a promising strategy for designing and constructing 0D/2D heterojunctions for efficient solar‐driven energy conversion.
Neutrophil Phospholipase Cγ2 Drives Autoantibody‐Induced Arthritis Through the Generation of the Inflammatory Microenvironment
Authors: Futosi Krisztina , Kása Orsolya , Szilveszter Kata P. , Mócsai Attila
Published: March 2021

Objective

Gain‐of‐function mutations and genome‐wide association studies have linked phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2) to various inflammatory diseases, including arthritis in humans and mice. PLCγ2‐deficient (Plcg2–/–) mice are also protected against experimental arthritis. This study was undertaken to test how PLCγ2 triggers autoantibody‐induced arthritis in mice.

Methods

PLCγ2 was deleted from various mouse cellular lineages. Deletion efficacy and specificity were tested by immunoblotting and intracellular flow cytometry. Autoantibody‐induced arthritis was triggered by K/BxN serum transfer. The role of neutrophil PLCγ2 was further investigated by analysis of the inflammatory exudate, competitive in vivo migration assays, and in vitro functional studies.

Results

PLCγ2 deficiency in the entire hematopoietic compartment completely blocked autoantibody‐induced arthritis. Arthritis development was abrogated by deletion of PLCγ2 from myeloid cells or neutrophils but not from mast cells or platelets. Neutrophil infiltration was reduced in neutrophil‐specific PLCγ2‐deficient (Plcg2ΔPMN) mice. However, this was not due to an intrinsic migration defect since Plcg2ΔPMN neutrophils accumulated normally when wild‐type cells were also present in mixed bone marrow chimeras. Instead, the Plcg2ΔPMN mutation blocked the accumulation of interleukin‐1β, macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP‐2), and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in synovial tissues and reduced the secondary infiltration of macrophages. These findings were supported by in vitro studies showing normal chemotactic migration but defective immune complex–induced respiratory burst and MIP‐2 or LTB4 release in PLCγ2‐deficient neutrophils.

Conclusion

Neutrophil PLCγ2 is critical for arthritis development, supposedly through the generation of the inflammatory microenvironment. PLCγ2‐expressing neutrophils exert complex indirect effects on other inflammatory cells. PLCγ2‐targeted therapies may provide particular benefit in inflammatory diseases with a major neutrophil component.
Recapture failure in transcatheter aortic valve replacement with CoreValve Evolut R
Authors: Ito Nobuyasu , Zen Kan , Kuwabara Kensuke , Matoba Satoaki
Published: March 2021

Self‐expanding prostheses for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which can be recaptured, provide us the option of repositioning for a more accurate placement. We report a very rare case in which the recapture of CoreValve Evolut R (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota) to correct the implantation depth during the deployment could not be achieved. We planned TAVR with a 23 mm Evolut R prosthesis for a 92‐year‐old female with severe aortic stenosis and tightly bent thoracic aorta. During the first deployment attempt, the implantation depth was greater than we expected at 2/3 deployment. They tried to recapture and reposition the prosthesis, but the prosthesis was not re‐sheathed into the capsule of the delivery system. The prosthesis could not be recaptured despite a repeat attempt, and they were forced to deploy the device as it was. The prosthesis was deployed very carefully and implanted successfully without a pop‐up into the ascending aorta. At a later date, this situation was replicated in vitro and was found that the distal segment of the capsule became deformed, increasing the resistance to rotating the grip handle.
Combining Electrosynthesis with Thermolysis: A Safe/Scalable Route to Multinary Oxide Semiconductor Films
Authors: Vali Abbas , Jee Hyung‐Woo , Myung Noseung , Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: March 2021

Adding a thermolysis step to electrosynthesis (as in “electrothermosynthesis”) considerably enhances the scope of electrochemical film deposition and affords multinary compositions previously inaccessible by this otherwise versatile and mild synthetic approach. Copper pyrovanadate (β−Cu2V2O7), a member of the Cu−V−O family of ternary oxide semiconductors that are of considerable interest to the solar fuel community, is shown herein to be an exemplar of this approach. Finally, the generality of the hybrid approach is discussed for a variety of ternary metal oxides.
Performance of smoothly clipped absolute deviation as a variable selection method in the artificial neural network‐based QSAR studies
Authors: Mozafari Zeinab , Arab Chamjangali Mansour , Arashi Mohammad , Goudarzi Nasser
Published: March 2021

A hybrid of smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) and Levenberg‐ Marquardt artificial neural network (LM‐ANN) was used as an efficient approach (SCAD‐LM‐ANN) in the ANN‐based quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) studies. The proposed technique (SCAD‐LM‐ANN) exploits the useful shrinkage nature of SCAD in the reduction of high dimensional data prior to modeling by the robust LM‐ANN method. The performance of the method was examined by establishing a QSAR model between about 3224 Dragon‐derived descriptors and biological activities (pEC50) for a set of thioacetamide/acetanilide derivatives as HIV inhibitors. SCAD method with the tenfold random splitting of data was applied to the data set in the absence of compounds in the external test set. A number of 11 descriptors were selected at a λ with the lowest cross‐validation error (λmin). The selected descriptors were used as inputs of the LM‐ANN modeling method. All parameters affecting model performance were optimized, and the LM‐ANN model with the architecture of 5‐5‐1 was selected as the optimal QSAR model. Several statistical parameters such as determination coefficient (R2) and mean square error (MSE) were calculated for the predicted pEC50values for the external test set and the whole data set through the leave one out (LOO) technique. The results (= 0.92,MSEtest= 0.12,= 0.81, andMSELOO= 0.12) prove the generalizability and predictability of the proposed SCAD‐LM‐ANN model. According to the established relationship in the recommended QSAR model, new derivatives were designed and suggested as new active HIV inhibitors for further studies. The accuracy of the suggested compounds was studied and confirmed by analyzing the ligand–receptor (LR) interactions derived from the molecular docking studies.
Effect of the internal structure on color changes in wood by painting transparent
Authors: Ohshima Kazushi , Sugimoto Hiroyuki , Sugimori Masatoshi , Sawada Emika
Published: March 2021

To clarify the mechanism of how the color of wood changes after being painted with oil, we measured the internal structure and optical properties in the visible light region of end‐grain linseed oil‐painted hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) by X‐ray computed tomography and spectrophotometry, respectively. To compare the color measurements of different types of incident light, the color changes were measured with a spectral colorimeter. Quantitative analysis using X‐ray computed tomography images showed a positive correlation between oil penetration and the amount of oil applied. Optical property measurements showed that the largest change in reflectance was in the 430 to 480 nm region, which was affected by both absorption and transmission. We also inferred from a lack of increment in the absorption with increasing amounts of applied oil that the increase in the absorption was influenced by the increase in light passing through the walls of the wood cells.
Chaotic approach for improving global optimization in Yellow Saddle Goatfish
Authors: Kashyap Davinder , Singh Birmohan , Kaur Manpreet
Published: March 2021

Yellow Saddle Goatfish Algorithm (YSGA) is an optimization model inspired by the hunting behavior of yellow saddle goatfish which emulates their collaborative behaviors with chaser fish and blocker fish. To improve the global convergence, chaotic maps have been combined with YSGA in this paper. Chaotic is a nonlinear deterministic system that displays complex, noisy‐like, and unpredictable behavior. Due to its non‐repetitive nature, an overall search can be carried out at a higher speed. The proposed algorithm is based on the excellence of the chaotic searching using a multi‐chaotic approach and the YSGA optimization, which has been applied to 68 benchmark functions. The results of the proposed Multi‐Chaotic Yellow Saddle Goatfish algorithm are compared with YSGA and also with nine other states of art meta‐heuristic algorithms. The results show that the proposed algorithm improves the performance of the YSGA algorithm.
Effect of methylglyoxal on the alteration in structure and digestibility of α‐lactalbumin, and the formation of advanced glycation end products under simulated thermal processing
Authors: Wu Yuekun , Dong Lu , Wu Yajing , Wu Dongyan , Zhang Yan , Wang Shuo
Published: March 2021

α‐Dicarbonyl compounds (α‐DCs) are a class of compounds generated during the thermal processing of food. Due to the high reactivity, α‐DCs were endowed with the ability to react with food components thus lowering nutrition value and even leading to a potential risk for food safety. In this study, methylglyoxal (MG), the most abundant α‐DCs, was selected to investigate the alteration effects on the structure and digestibility of α‐lactalbumin (αLA) under thermal processing (60–100°C). The results showed that the modification degree of αLA by MG increased with the rise of processing temperature, accompanied by the significant changes in molecular weight, intrinsic fluorescence, and secondary structures of αLA. High‐resolution mass spectrometry analysis identified that lysine (Lys) and arginine (Arg) are the modification sites, and Nε‐(carboxyethyl)‐L‐lysine is the main modification type. Since the Lys and Arg are also the cleavage sites of trypsin, the digestibility of MG modified αLA (MG‐αLA) by trypsin correspondingly decreased with an increase of processing temperature. The reacted Lys and Arg residues, and the protein‐bound AGEs were quantified, and the contents were found to be highly dependent on the temperature.
Hybrid classification with meta‐heuristic‐enabled optimal feature selection for thyroid detection
Authors: N. Rajole Bhausaheb , J. Gond Vitthal
Published: March 2021

Thyroid is a widespread disease, affecting most victims. The diagnosis of thyroid remains a complex process, as its detection in patients is highly intricate. Hence, the doctors are needed to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms of the disease. This paper aims to propose a novel thyroid diagnosis scheme, involving three major phases: (a) feature extraction, (b) optimal feature selection, and (c) classification. Initially, the thyroid image and the related data serve as input for diagnosing the disease. In the first phase, the features like, gray level co‐occurrence matrix (GLCM), gray level run length matrix (GLRM), local binary pattern (LBP), local vector pattern (LVP), and local tetra patterns (LTrP) are extracted from the input image. Additionally, the features from data are extracted using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for resolving the issue of “curse of dimensionality.” The optimal features are then selected using a hybrid optimization approach. The optimally selected features of the image and the data are then subjected to the classification process via convolutional neural network (CNN) and neural network (NN), respectively. Both the classified outputs undergo “AND” binary operation to yield the final classified output. To yield effective classification, the NN model is trained by tuning its weights using the proposed algorithm. Further, this paper introduces a new hybrid algorithm, termed firefly updated lion optimization (SLnO) algorithm (FU‐SLnO), for attaining optimal outcomes. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed work is compared over few other conventional approaches and its superiority is proven.
Feeding artery ablation before radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma may reduce critical recurrence
Authors: Shimizu Ryo , Tamai Hideyuki , Ida Yoshiyuki , Maeshima Shuya , Shingaki Naoki , Maekita Takao , Iguchi Mikitaka , Kitano Masayuki
Published: March 2021

Background and Aim

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive and curative local treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, serious concerns remain regarding critical recurrences such as metastasis, dissemination, and/or seeding due to RFA. In August 2006, we introduced selective feeding artery ablation before tumor ablation to reduce the risk of critical recurrence by blocking tumor blood flow. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether feeding artery ablation before tumor ablation can reduce the risk of critical recurrence after RFA.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 279 patients with primary, solitary, and hypervascular HCC ≤5 cm in diameter who were treated with RFA alone between April 2001 and August 2013. Critical recurrence was defined as intra‐ or extrahepatic metastasis, dissemination, or seeding that was difficult to treat radically.

Results

Of the 279 HCC patients, 157 patients were treated with conventional RFA alone, and 122 patients underwent RFA with prior feeding artery ablation. Although no significant differences were seen in the rates of local tumor progression‐free survival, overall recurrence‐free survival, or overall survival between a conventional RFA group and a prior feeding artery ablation group, significant differences were seen in rates of critical recurrence‐free survival and cancer‐specific survival (5‐year, 69 vs 81%, P = 0.01 and 76 vs 88%, P = 0.03, respectively). On multivariate analysis, prior feeding artery ablation, tumor diameter, and alpha‐fetoprotein were independent factors related to critical recurrence.

Conclusions

Feeding artery ablation before tumor ablation may reduce the risk of critical recurrence.
Joint‐adjacent Adipose Tissue by MRI is Associated With Prevalence and Progression of Knee Degenerative Changes: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Bodden Jannis , Ok Ahmet H. , Joseph Gabby B. , Nevitt Michael C. , McCulloch Charles E. , Lane Nancy E. , Link Thomas M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Adipose tissue has recently gained interest as an independent imaging biomarker for osteoarthritis.

Purpose

To explore 1) cross‐sectional associations between local subcutaneous fat (SCF) thickness at the knee and the extent of degenerative changes in overweight and obese individuals and 2) associations between local fat distribution and progression of osteoarthritis over 4 years.

Study Type

Retrospective cohort study.

Population

338 obese and overweight participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort without radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis.

Field Strength

3T: 3D‐FLASH‐WE; 3D‐DESS‐WE; T1w‐SE; MSME.

Assessment

Baseline SCF thickness was measured in standardized locations medial, lateral and anterior to the knee and the average joint‐adjacent SCF (ajSCF) was calculated. Right thigh SCF cross‐sectional area was assessed. Quantitative cartilage T2 relaxation times and semi‐quantitative whole organ MRI scores (WORMS) were obtained at baseline and 4‐year follow‐up. WORMSsum was calculated as sum of cartilage, bone marrow edema, subchondral cyst, and meniscal scores.

Statistical Tests

Associations of SCF measures with baseline, and 4‐year change in T2 and WORMS were analyzed using regression models. SCF measurements were standardized using the equation . Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, physical activity, and BMI.

Results

Cross‐sectionally, significant associations between lateral SCF, lateral compartment WORMS and T2 were found (, [95% CI]: 0.53, [0.12–0.95], P < 0.05; ΔT2: 0.50, [0.02–0.98], P < 0.05). Moreover, greater lateral SCF was associated with faster progression of lateral WORMSsum gradings (OR = 1.50, [1.05–2.15], P < 0.05). No significant positive associations were found for thigh SCF and WORMSsum (P = 0.44) or T2 measurements (medial: P = 0.15, lateral: 0.39, patellar: P = 0.75).

Data Conclusion

Joint‐adjacent SCF thickness was associated with imaging parameters of knee osteoarthritis, both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally, while thigh SCF was not, suggesting a spatial association of SCF and knee osteoarthritis. Based on these findings, joint‐adjacent SCF may play a role in the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 5
Understanding the Critical Role of Sequential Fluorination of Phenylene Units on the Properties of Dicarboxylate Bithiophene‐Based Wide‐Bandgap Polymer Donors for Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Kini Gururaj P. , Lee Eui Jin , Jeon Sung Jae , Moon Doo Kyung
Published: March 2021

Design and development of wide bandgap (WBG) polymer donors with low‐lying highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) are increasingly gaining attention in non‐fullerene organic photovoltaics since such donors can synergistically enhance power conversion efficiency (PCE) by simultaneously minimizing photon energy loss (Eloss) and enhancing the spectral response. In this contribution, three new WBG polymer donors, P1, P2, and P3, are prepared by adding phenylene cores with a different number of fluorine (F) substituents (n = 0, 2, and 4, respectively) to dicarboxylate bithiophene‐based acceptor units. As predicted, fluorination effectively aides in the lowering of HOMO energy levels, tailoring of the coplanarity and molecular ordering in the polymers. Thus, fluorinated P2 and P3 polymers show higher coplanarity and more intense interchain aggregation than P1, leading to higher charge carrier mobilities and superior phase‐separated morphology in the optimized blend films with IT‐4F. As a result, both P2:IT‐4F and P3:IT‐4F realize the best PCEs of 6.89% and 7.03% (vs 0.16% for P1:IT‐4F) with lower Eloss values of 0.65 and 0.55 eV, respectively. These results signify the importance of using phenylene units with sequential fluorination in polymer backbone for modifying the optoelectronic properties and realizing low Eloss values by synergistically lowering the HOMO energy levels.
Salinity‐ and Heat‐Tolerant VES (Viscoelastic Surfactant) Clean Fracturing Fluids Strengthened by a Hydrophobic Copolymer with Extremely Low Damage
Authors: Tian Jizhen , Mao Jincheng , Zhang Wenlong , Yang Xiaojiang , Lin Chong , Cun Meng
Published: March 2021

As good thickeners for clean fracturing fluids, high salt‐tolerant surfactants have received increasing attention. Based on previous studies, we have further studied the performances of four surfactants, EDAS (JS‐SO), EHSB (JS‐OH‐SO), ETAC (JN) and EDHB (JS‐OH), in monovalent (NaCl) and divalent (CaCl2) salts. This is of great significance for the application of high‐salinity formation water to directly prepare fracturing fluids. The results showed that in high‐salinity aqueous solutions, both zwitterionic surfactants and cationic surfactants can exhibit extremely strong salt tolerance. The addition of the counter ion salt can destroy the internal salt, thus increasing water solubility of zwitterionic surfactants. Cationic surfactants have strong water solubility, and the counter ion Cl− will weaken the electrostatic shielding effect between the head groups. Surfactants can still maintain excellent network structures under high‐salinity conditions. This is mainly owing to the extreme insensitivity of zwitterionic surfactants to salts and the large initial head group area of cationic surfactants. In actual applications, the formation water from the Tahe Oilfield was used directly to prepare the fracturing fluids. Testing the rheological properties of fracturing fluid systems found that adding a small amount of hydrophobic associating polymers can increase the temperature resistance from 100 °C to 140 °C, and the final viscosity can be maintained above 30 mPa S. At the same time, they all showed excellent proppant suspension properties and extremely low core damage rates. The results indicated that even in high‐salinity formation water and high‐temperature formation, these fracturing fluid systems still have good performances, extremely low damage and meet fracturing fluid industry standards.
Photocatalyzed Chemo‐Selective Alkylation of Quinones and Phenothiazinones with Alkyl Amides: Photophysical and Cytotoxic Activity Studies
Authors: Sakthivel Pandaram , Adarsh Krishna T. P. , Ilangovan Andivelu
Published: March 2021

Alkylation of naphthoquinones (NQs) and phenothiazinone (PTZs) was achieved through chemo‐selective functionalization of different mono/di‐alkyl amides in the presence of photocatalyst eosin‐y and TBHP under the influence of blue light (Blue LEDs) as an energy source, at room temperature to get the products in moderate to good yield. These highly conjugated alkylated compounds displays absorption and emission in the visible region, has potential to be used as fluorescent probes and other light harvesting materials. Insilico study revealed that some of these compounds are potential phosphodiesterase‐4B (PDE4B) inhibitors and has excellent drug like properties. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of alkylated quinones toward human lung cancer cell line (A549) was studied.
Oxidation of Bio‐Aldehyde and Bio‐Alcohol to Carboxylic Acid by Water over Modified CuZnAl Catalysts
Authors: Ye Yuewen , Chen Bao , Li Xin , Ai Yue , Sun Jia , Ni Gang , Qin Ling , Ye Tongqi
Published: March 2021

A series of NiCuZnAl catalysts with various Cu/Ni molar ratios and XCuZnAl (X=Ni, Co, Mn, Mg, La) catalysts were prepared and used in the aldehyde‐water shift (AWS) reaction with propanal as model compound. Although copper is the main site for AWS reaction, some additives also showed some effects on enhancing the catalytic activity to varying degrees. Mn promoted catalyst showed the highest propanal conversion of 22 % at 260 °C, much better than Co, La etc. Among the Ni promoted catalysts, NCZA‐33 with Ni/(Ni+Cu) molar ratio of 33 % showed the best activity. The trend of activity happened to match the catalyst reducibility expressed by reduction peak temperature in TPR analysis, thus an MVK mechanism was suggested. Introduction of Ni decreases the proportion of Cu0/Cu+ in surface Cu species, thus suppressed the hydrogenation activity and decreased the selectivity of corresponding alcohols. The carboxylic acid selectivity increased from 86.3 % of pristine CuZnAl to more than 90 % on modified catalysts, even 99.6 % on NCZA‐83 catalyst. Both pristine and modified CuZnAl catalysts showed good stability under AWS reaction conditions and carbon deposition is not responsible for the deactivation. AWS reaction was also extended to other aliphatic aldehydes and alcohols, but it's invalid for furfural and Cinnamaldehyde under the employed reaction conditions. The results indicate AWS reaction is very sensitive to the nature of reactants.
Infection prevention and control practices of ambulatory veterinarians: A questionnaire study in Finland
Authors: Verkola Marie , Järvelä Terhi , Järvinen Asko , Jokelainen Pikka , Virtala Anna‐Maija , Kinnunen Paula M. , Heikinheimo Annamari
Published: March 2021

Background

Veterinarians face the risk of contracting zoonotic pathogens. Infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines stress the importance of proper hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent transmission of these pathogens.

Objectives

We aimed to assess how ambulatory livestock and equine veterinarians follow IPC guidelines, when working on farms and in stables.

Methods

We studied hygiene practices of livestock and equine ambulatory veterinarians (n = 129) in Finland. A web‐based questionnaire was used to obtain demographic information and information regarding hand‐hygiene facilities and practices, use and cleaning of PPE and cleaning of medical equipment.

Results

According to 66.9% of the respondents, hand‐washing facilities were often adequate on livestock farms, but only 21.4% reported that this was the case in stables (p < .001). While 75.0% reported washing their hands or using hand sanitizer always before moving on to the next farm, only 42.5% reported doing this before moving on to the next stables (p < .001). Universal protective coat or coverall use was more common in livestock practice than in equine practice (91.6% vs. 27.7%, p < .001). Stethoscope cleaning was reported to happen less frequently than once a week by 30.0% of the respondents.

Conclusions

Finnish veterinarians’ self‐reported IPC adherence was far from uniform. IPC was more commonly followed in ambulatory livestock practice perhaps facilitated by better hand‐washing facilities on farms than in stables. The study suggests that education of veterinarians is still needed and that hand‐washing facilities need to be improved even in a high‐income country.
Adjoint SU(5) GUT model with modular S4 symmetry
Authors: Zhao Ya , Zhang Hong-Hao
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We study the textures of SM fermion mass matrices and their mixings in a supersymmetric adjoint SU(5) Grand Unified Theory with modular S4 being the horizontal symmetry. The Yukawa entries of both quarks and leptons are expressed by modular forms with lower weights. Neutrino sector has an adjoint SU(5) representation 24 as matter superfield, which is a triplet of S4. The effective light neutrino masses is generated through Type-III and Type-I seesaw mechanism. The only common complex parameter in both charged fermion and neutrino sectors is modulus τ . Down-type quarks and charged leptons have the same joint effective operators with adjoint scalar in them, and their mass discrepancy in the same generation depends on Clebsch-Gordan factor. Especially for the first two generations the respective Clebsch-Gordan factors made the double Yukawa ratio 𝒴d𝒴μ/𝒴e𝒴s = 12, in excellent agreement with the experimental result. We reproduce proper CKM mixing parameters and all nine Yukawa eigenvalues of quarks and charged leptons. Neutrino masses and MNS parameters are also produced properly with normal ordering is preferred.
Patterns of floral allocation along an elevation gradient: variation in Senecio subalpinus growing in the Tatra Mountains
Authors: Kiełtyk Piotr
Published: March 2021

This study examined the morphological variation inSenecio subalpinusW.D.J. Koch. (Asteraceae) along a 950-m elevation gradient in the Tatra Mountains, Central Europe, with emphasis on floral allocation patterns. Fifteen morphological traits were measured in 200 plants collected in the field from 20 sites then the findings were modelled by elevation using linear mixed-effects models. Plant aboveground biomass and height decreased steadily with increasing elevation; however, the most distinctive feature was the elevational shift in floral allocation patterns. Low-elevation plants had greater numbers of smaller flower heads with a lower overall number of flowers, while high-elevation plants had smaller numbers of bigger flower heads and a greater overall number of flowers. Accordingly, the mean individual flower mass increased significantly with increasing elevation. Interestingly, the width of the outer ligulate flowers also increased considerably with increasing elevation, increasing the fill of the overall circumference of the flower head. Results of this study confirmed that elevation is an important ecological gradient driving variation in vegetative and floral traits ofS. subalpinus. Possible causes of the observed variations are subsequently discussed, including the varying effects of both abiotic and biotic factors with elevation gradients.
Multi‐country investigation of the diversity and associated microorganisms isolated from tick species from domestic animals, wildlife and vegetation in selected african countries
Authors: Olivieri Emanuela , Kariuki Edward , Floriano Anna Maria , Castelli Michele , Tafesse Yohannes Mulatu , Magoga Giulia , Kumsa Bersissa , Montagna Matteo , Sassera Davide
Published: March 2021

In many areas of Africa, recent studies highlighted the great impact of ticks on animal and human health throughout the continent. On the other hand, very limited information on the bacterial endosymbionts of the African ticks and their pattern of co-infections with other bacteria are found in literature, notwithstanding their pivotal role in tick survival and vector efficiency. Thus, we investigated the distribution of selected pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria in hard ticks collected from wild, domestic animals and from vegetation in various ecological zones in Africa and their co-occurrence in the same tick host. Overall, 339 hard ticks were morphologically identified as belonging to the genera Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus. Molecular screening provided information on pathogens circulation in Africa, detecting spotted fever group rickettsiae, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia ruminantium, Borrelia garinii, Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Coxiella burnetii. Furthermore, our work provides insights on the African scenario of tick-symbiont associations, revealing the presence of Coxiella, Francisella and Midichloria across multiple tick populations. Coxiella endosymbionts were the most prevalent microorganisms, and that with the broadest spectrum of hosts, being detected in 16 tick species. Francisella was highly prevalent among the Hyalomma species tested and correlated negatively with the presence of Coxiella, showing a potential competitive interaction. Interestingly, we detected a positive association of Francisella with Rickettsia in specimens of Hy. rufipes, suggesting a synergistic interaction between them. Finally, Midichloria was the most prevalent symbiont in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato from Egypt.
Technologies, challenges and perspectives of biogas production within an agricultural context. The case of China and Africa
Authors: Tagne Rufis Fregue Tiegam , Dong Xiaobin , Anagho Solomon G. , Kaiser Serena , Ulgiati Sergio
Published: March 2021

The use of fossil fuels in modern economies has been a success because of the low cost of fossil resources. However, the depletion of fossil reserves, the increase in waste production and global warming concerns have led to increased research on the production of biofuels from renewable resources. Waste production is steadily increasing in quantity and constantly changing in quality, creating enormous risks for the environment and, consequently, for the health of the population. This situation is much more worrying in developing countries, in particular because of the considerable delay in the field of the conversion and recovery of biomaterials, due to their difficulty in approaching the problem in a way that fits their context. The composition of such wastes and residues, rich in organic matter, allows their conversion via biochemical mechanisms, thus constituting an effective solution to address the environmental problems of their disposal. Anaerobic digestion remains a valuable and effective technology for transforming these biomaterials into biogas. The present review focuses on technologies, challenges and areas of application of biogas, especially in China and some African countries, in order to promote the large-scale use of biogas for electricity generation and biofuels. Results point out that China is more used to this technology, while African countries still rely on traditional and less advanced technologies, thus hampering the potential derived from the large availability of biomaterials. Both realities, however, share similar backgrounds about the dimension of the biogas plants and their non-commercial purposes, even if China is recently shifting toward the adoption of a different model. These considerations are used in the article to open an interesting new scenario of political alternatives which may provide a way out from poverty and economic dependence, within the framework of a wider circularity.
A call for governments to pause Twitter censorship: using Twitter data as social-spatial sensors of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 research diffusion
Authors: Patel Vanash M. , Haunschild Robin , Bornmann Lutz , Garas George
Published: March 2021

In this study we determined whether Twitter data can be used as social-spatial sensors to show how research on COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 diffuses through the population to reach the people that are affected by the disease. We performed a cross-sectional bibliometric analysis between 23rd March and 14th April 2020. Three sources of data were used: (1) deaths per number of population for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 retrieved from John Hopkins University and Worldometer, (2) publications related to COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 retrieved from World Health Organisation COVID-19 database, and (3) tweets of these publications retrieved from Altmetric.com and Twitter. In the analysis, the number of publications used was 1761, and number of tweets used was 751,068. Mapping of worldwide data illustrated that high Twitter activity was related to high numbers of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 deaths, with tweets inversely weighted with number of publications. Regression models of worldwide data showed a positive correlation between the national deaths per number of population and tweets when holding number of publications constant (coefficient 0.0285, S.E. 0.0003,p < 0.001). Twitter can play a crucial role in the rapid research response during the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, especially to spread research with prompt public scrutiny. Governments are urged to pause censorship of social media platforms to support the scientific community’s fight against COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.
Novel CRISPR/Cas applications in plants: from prime editing to chromosome engineering
Authors: Huang Teng-Kuei , Puchta Holger
Published: March 2021

In the last years, tremendous progress has been made in the development of CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing tools. A number of natural CRISPR/Cas nuclease variants have been characterized. Engineered Cas proteins have been developed to minimize PAM restrictions, off-side effects and temperature sensitivity. Both kinds of enzymes have, by now, been applied widely and efficiently in many plant species to generate either single or multiple mutations at the desired loci by multiplexing. In addition to DSB-induced mutagenesis, specifically designed CRISPR/Cas systems allow more precise gene editing, resulting not only in random mutations but also in predefined changes. Applications in plants include gene targeting by homologous recombination, base editing and, more recently, prime editing. We will evaluate these different technologies for their prospects and practical applicability in plants. In addition, we will discuss a novel application of the Cas9 nuclease in plants, enabling the induction of heritable chromosomal rearrangements, such as inversions and translocations. This technique will make it possible to change genetic linkages in a programmed way and add another level of genome engineering to the toolbox of plant breeding. Also, strategies for tissue culture free genome editing were developed, which might be helpful to overcome the transformation bottlenecks in many crops. All in all, the recent advances of CRISPR/Cas technology will help agriculture to address the challenges of the twenty-first century related to global warming, pollution and the resulting food shortage.
An Inspection Regime for Cyber Weapons: A Challenge Too Far?
Authors: Roguski Przemysław
Published: March 2021

Two of the most pressing questions concerning international peace and security today are how to avoid an escalation of conflicts in cyberspace and how to ensure responsible behavior and accountability of states in their use of information and communication technologies. With more than thirty states now possessing offensive cyber capabilities and cybersecurity incidents such as Stuxnet, WannaCry, and NotPetya causing significant physical effects or financial damage, there is a clear need to find a better way to manage security risks connected with the use of increasingly sophisticated cyber means by states. At present, this issue is on the agenda of two United Nations groups and is mainly addressed through a “framework for responsible behavior of states” consisting of international law, voluntary and non-binding norms, and confidence-building measures for states’ use of information and communication technologies. What the current discussions do not address, however, is whether the security risks could also be regulated through an arms control and inspection regime for cyber weapons. While such a regime has been proposed by scholars, states remain skeptical or even actively opposed to efforts to impose traditional arms control measures on offensive cyber capabilities. This essay examines why a cyber weapons inspection regime is so difficult to devise. It argues that due to their nature and mode of functioning, cyber weapons significantly differ from traditional nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, such that mechanisms established by traditional arms control treaties either will not work or will not be agreed to by states. Instead, new regulatory approaches are necessary.
Rights of Nature and Legal Personhood to Bison in Canada
Authors: Lynes Laura Shay
Published: March 2021

Laura Shay Lynes's presentation focused on the rights of nature and the extent to which it could be used in climate change litigation. One prominent example is the grant of legal personhood to the Whanganui River in New Zealand.
Introductory Remarks by Kate Jastram
Authors: Jastram Kate
Published: March 2021

Some governments, including but not limited to the United States, are taking ever more draconian measures to prevent asylum seekers from gaining access to territory and status determination procedures. An unknown number die in the attempt to reach safety. Asylum seekers who are intercepted at sea and even those who succeed in reaching a land border may simply be turned back. If allowed to present a claim, they may face detention, family separation, criminal prosecution, and/or bars to eligibility for refugee status based on their lack of documentation, irregular entry, or other supposed legal fault, such as failure to apply for asylum in another country. In opposing policies that criminalize seeking asylum and in defending individual asylum seekers, attorneys have pointed to Article 31 of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, which, subject to certain limitations, prohibits states from imposing penalties on refugees on account of their illegal entry or presence.
Reforming Investment Law and Arbitration and the “New Economic World Order”: Between Myth and Reality
Authors: De Brabandere Eric
Published: March 2021

Investment law and arbitration are currently the subject of profound reform discussions. Whether the investment law and arbitration reforms and reform proposals can properly be categorized as “old tools” that are used in “new ways,” and more generally whether the reforms in the end will result in a “new economic world order” remains however to be seen. I argue that the “old tools” in international investment law and arbitration are not always simply “old tools” or an exercise in conservativism. Notably when one looks at substantive norms in investment treaties, the apparent “old tools” have been perfected and modernized. In other instances, such as the proposal for an “investment court,” which could hardly be considered an “old tool,” reform proposals do not seem to radically shift the investment regime toward a “new economic world order.”
Remarks by Jennifer Trahan
Authors: Trahan Jennifer
Published: March 2021

Thank you for having me on this esteemed panel. My first two sets of comments are based on views articulated in my book, published by Cambridge University Press, Existing Legal Limits to Security Council Veto Power in the Face of Atrocity Crimes. The third set of comments responds to remarks by other panelists.
Remarks by Bhaven Sampat
Authors: Sampat Bhaven
Published: March 2021

Thanks to Rochelle and the organizers for inviting me to join this distinguished panel. And, of course, to Ana for a very nice and thought provoking paper. I have two major questions for Ana: the first is empirical and the second about framing.
Introduction: Interlocking Pandemics
Authors: Powell Catherine
Published: March 2021

We are at a moment. An inflection point. We are in a moment of interlocking pandemics. Not only the health pandemic sparked by the COVID-19 crisis. But a pandemic of policing, poverty, and protest. George Floyd and Eric Garner were arrested for crimes of poverty. We live in a time of record-breaking unemployment and economic fragility caused by the global health emergency—a crisis that has unmasked structural inequalities baked into the foundation.
COVID-19, Gender, and Intersectional Discrimination: Can the Promise of International Human Rights Meet the Moment?
Authors: Klasing Amanda M.
Published: March 2021

Human rights documentation around the world has shown that crises disproportionately or distinctly impacts women and girls, whether conflict or natural disaster-related. This is true for disease outbreaks as well. Human Rights Watch has raised the concerns about the gendered impacts of the Ebola virus outbreaks in West Africa, or the human rights dimensions of the Zika virus impacts in northeast Brazil. The COVID-19 pandemic and response are no different. We are already seeing the disproportionate and gendered ways government responses to the pandemic are generating harm to women and girls and reinforcing longstanding gender inequity.
Introductory Remarks by Priya Pillai
Authors: Pillai Priya
Published: March 2021

2020 is a significant year for the International Criminal Court (ICC). Nearly two decades have passed since the entry into force of the Rome Statute and the establishment of the ICC, and there are valid questions being asked about the efficacy and value of the court. This is impelled in part by the track-record of the ICC. There are currently nine open preliminary examinations, thirteen examinations that have been granted the authorization to proceed to the investigation stage, and four investigations that have been closed without any further proceedings. Of the few cases that have eventually gone to trial, there have been four convictions and three acquittals. There have also been allegations of bias in the selection of situations and cases, and the politicization of justice. However, the complexities that need to be navigated by the court also must not be overlooked. These include the lack of cooperation by states, difficulties in accessing information and evidence, as well as mismatched expectations from the court and what it can achieve.
Introductory Remarks by Pablo Arrocha
Authors: Arrocha Pablo , Graziano Kenna , Perkins Nancy L. , Ferstman Carla , Lindstrom Beatrice , Okeke Edward Chukwuemeke
Published: March 2021

Good afternoon, and welcome to this panel. My name is Pablo Arrocha. I am the Legal Adviser of the Mexican Mission to the United Nations, and I am thrilled to be moderating a very exciting conversation in this year's ASIL conference which, as we all know, is happening under these new circumstances that are becoming our new normality and our new reality. It is a pity that we are not able to be all together in the same room, but it is very fortunate that we can at least do this virtually.
The World Is Open to Climate Change Litigation
Authors: Sindico Francesco
Published: March 2021

There is no doubt that the discourse around climate change has matured over the years and has become one of the central features of international relations. We all know of the international legal regime that has developed to deal with climate change, starting from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and finishing with the Paris Agreement. Climate change is also either at the core or on the fringes of many other international debates, from international security to international economic relations. In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a (yet again) stark warning alerting to the risks of not moving towards a 1.5 degrees goal, rather than a 2.0 degrees as the Paris Agreement seems to be suggesting. The truth is that the trend countries are moving toward with their pledges in their nationally determined contributions is not going to meet the 2.0 objective, let alone the 1.5 degrees objective. Against this background, it is not surprising that sectors of society interested in pursuing stronger climate change policies have explored multiple governance routes to take forward their agenda. This has led to the emergence of a polycentric and multilevel governance in the field of climate change. It is within this greater picture that climate change litigation has become a key facet in the fight against climate change.
International migration and the gender wage gap
Authors: Campos-Vazquez Raymundo M. , Lara Jaime
Published: March 2021

This article analyzes the effect of international migration on the wage gap between women and men who remain in Mexico. We use historical distance to the U.S. border over early twentieth-century railroad networks as an exogenous factor causing changes in the relative supply of men and women, due to predominately male migration. A 10% decrease in the relative labor supply of men tends to increase the wage gap between women and men by approximately 1.1 percentage points, suggesting that they are not perfect substitutes. However, the results imply a greater elasticity of substitution between men and women than that suggested by previous studies.
Actuarial deductions for early retirement
Authors: Knell Markus
Published: March 2021

This paper studies how the rates of deduction for early retirement have to be determined in pay-as-you-go (PAYG) systems in order to keep their budget stable. The derivation of these deductions requires the use of a multiperiod intertemporal budget constraint that involves assumptions about the retirement behavior of past, present, and future cohorts. In general, it is not possible to calculate budget-neutral deductions from the budget constraint of a single individual who retires before the target retirement age—an approach that dominates the related literature. Only for specific cases one can use this second approach but then one has to adjust the discount rate to the assumption about collective retirement. If there is only one deviating individual, then the right choice is the market interest rate while for a stationary retirement distribution it is the internal rate of return of the PAYG system. In this case, the necessary deductions are lower than under the standard approach. This is also true for retirement ages that fluctuate randomly around a stationary distribution. Various long-run developments (e.g., increases in life expectancy or permanent changes in the average retirement age) might cause challenges for the sustainability of the pension system. These developments, however, can only be dealt with by adequate adjustments to the basic pension formulas and not by the use of deduction rates.