bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal iron status during early pregnancy and school‐age, lung function, asthma, and allergy: The Generation R Study
Authors: Quezada‐Pinedo Hugo G. , Mensink‐Bout Sara M. , Reiss Irwin K. , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Vermeulen Marijn J. , Duijts Liesbeth
Published: March 2021

Background

Iron deficiency during early life could affect the developing lung and immune system, and influence child's respiratory or allergy outcomes in later life.

Objective

To examine the associations of maternal iron status during early pregnancy with child's lung function, asthma, inhalant allergic sensitization, and physician‐diagnosed inhalant allergy at school‐age.

Methods

In a population‐based cohort study, among 3825 mother–child pairs, ferritin, transferrin concentrations, and transferrin saturation were measured from maternal venous blood samples during early pregnancy. In children at the age of 10 years, spirometry was used to determine child's lung function, current asthma and physician‐diagnosed inhalant allergy were assessed by questionnaires, and inhalant allergic sensitization was measured by skin prick tests. We used multivariable regression models to examine the associations.

Results

After adjustment for gestational age at maternal iron status measurement and sociodemographic or lifestyle‐related confounders, a higher maternal transferrin concentration was associated with a higher risk of physician‐diagnosed inhalant allergy (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.13 [1.01 to1.26]), but not with lung function, asthma, or inhalant allergic sensitization. This association did not attenuate after further adjustment for maternal hemoglobin levels or early growth factors. We observed no consistent association of maternal ferritin concentrations or transferrin saturation with child's respiratory or allergy outcomes.

Conclusion

Higher maternal transferrin concentrations during pregnancy, reflecting lower serum iron levels, were associated with an increased risk of child's physician‐diagnosed inhalant allergy but not lung outcomes. Underlying mechanisms and clinical implications need to be explored.
Reflex zone stimulation reduces ventilation inhomogeneity in cystic fibrosis: A randomised controlled cross‐over study
Authors: Pleskova Jana , Koucky Vaclav , Medunova Katerina , Vlckova Blanka , Smolikova Libuse , Pohunek Petr
Published: March 2021

Background

The reflex zone stimulation technique (RST) activates complex motor responses and has a positive impact on the locomotor system. This technique may also indirectly affect breathing; however, the use of this technique as adjunct of the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) has not yet been characterised.

Methods

We performed a randomised controlled single‐centre interventional trial to evaluate the short‐term effects of RST on lung function in 21 paediatric CF patients with normal baseline spirometry. The effect of 30 min of RST was compared to that of sham therapy in a crossover design. The interventions were performed in random order and planned 6 months apart. The primary outcome was a change in global ventilation inhomogeneity after intervention, assessed by lung clearance index (LCI2.5) derived from a nitrogen multiple breath washout test. Secondary outcomes included changes in regional ventilation inhomogeneity (indices of acinar [Sacin*Vt] and conductive airway [Scond*Vt] inhomogeneity) and spirometry parameters (inspiratory capacity, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s). Trunk deformity was assessed by physiotherapists at study entry.

Results

After the RST intervention, the LCI2.5 (p = .004) and Scond*Vt (p = .009) decreased significantly, while inspiratory capacity increased (p = .012). In the sham‐therapy group, none of the parameters changed significantly. Trunk deformity was seen in 76.5% of all patients, and 92.9% of those with trunk deformity showed a decrease in LCI2.5 after RST.

Conclusion

RST has multiple positive short‐term effects on lung function, especially in CF patients with trunk deformities.
Sterilization of Objects, Products, and Packaging Surfaces and Their Characterization in Different Fields of Industry: The Status in 2020
Authors: Jildeh Zaid B. , Wagner Patrick H. , Schöning Michael J.
Published: March 2021

The treatment method to deactivate viable microorganisms from objects or products is termed sterilization. There are multiple forms of sterilization, each intended to be applied for a specific target, which depends on—but not limited to—the thermal, physical, and chemical stability of that target. Herein, an overview on the currently used sterilization processes in the global market is provided. Different sterilization techniques are grouped under a category that describes the method of treatment: radiation (gamma, electron beam, X‐ray, and ultraviolet), thermal (dry and moist heat), and chemical (ethylene oxide, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide). For each sterilization process, the typical process parameters as defined by regulations and the mode of antimicrobial activity are summarized. Finally, the recommended microorganisms that are used as biological indicators to validate sterilization processes in accordance with the rules that are established by various regulatory agencies are summarized.
Nature and Shape of Stacking Faults in 3C‐SiC by Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Barbisan Luca , Sarikov Andrey , Marzegalli Anna , Montalenti Francesco , Miglio Leo
Published: March 2021

Classical molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the 3D evolution of stacking faults (SFs), including the partial dislocation (PD) loops enclosing them, during growth of 3C‐SiC layers on Si(001). It is shown that the evolution of single PD loops releasing tensile strain during the initial carbonization stage, commonly preceding 3C‐SiC deposition, leads to the formation of experimentally observed V‐ or Δ‐shaped SFs, the key role being played by the differences in the mobilities between Si‐ and C‐terminated PD segments. Nucleation in the adjacent planes of PD loops takes place at later stage of 3C‐SiC deposition, when slightly compressive‐strain conditions are present. It is shown that such a process very efficiently decreases the elastic energy of the 3C‐SiC crystal. The maximum energy decrease is obtained via the formation of triple SFs with common boundaries made up by PD loops yielding a zero total Burgers vector. Obtained results explain the experimentally observed relative abundance of compact microtwin regions in 3C‐SiC layers as compared with the other SF‐related defects.
Biosorption of copper from aqueous solutions utilizing agricultural wastes
Authors: Rizzuti Anthony M. , Winston Regina J. , Orr Isheka S.
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the copper (Cu) biosorption capacities of several agricultural wastes from aqueous solutions. Samples of agricultural wastes were tested unaltered and after hydrochloric acid (HCl) treatment. Additional parameters tested include sample dose, contact time, particle size, mixing temperature, and the concentrations and pH of the Cu solutions. Desorption studies were performed to determine if the removed Cu could be recovered. In addition, tests were conducted to determine if the agricultural waste samples (AWS) could be reused for additional Cu biosorption cycles. The results of this study demonstrate a wide range of Cu biosorption proficiencies ranging from 0% to 100% removal. The parameters that resulted in higher Cu removal include higher pH and lower Cu solution concentration. Desorption results showed a 58% to 86% Cu recovery rate. Three of the five reused AWS were effective at removing Cu during subsequent trials. Therefore, these AWS types can be reused for additional Cu biosorption cycles. Hence, it is possible that using those AWS for metal treatment could reduce hazardous waste disposal inefficiencies and costs by avoiding disposing of spent AWS following each Cu biosorption cycle.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Hantzsch 1,4‐Dihydropyridines by a Series of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Putative Synthetic TRPV6 Calcium Channel Blockers
Authors: Jafari‐Chermahini Mohammad T. , Tavakol Hossein
Published: March 2021

Various spinel iron oxide nanoparticles (MFe2O4, M: Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sn and Zn) have been prepared using a single step coprecipitation method. Nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, FESEM, FT‐IR and UV‐Vis diffuse‐reflectance spectroscopy. The catalytic activities of the synthesized nanoparticles in Hantzsch reaction have been studied. HgFe2O4 NPs exhibits the highest catalytic activity than others. The structural properties of synthesized 1,4‐dihydropyridine were characterized by mass spectrometry, FT‐IR and 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR. Finally, the in silico molecular simulations for screening of blocking ability of synthesized 1,4‐dihydropyridine against various TRPV6 proteins were performed. These studies revealed that examined 1,4‐dihydropyridines are promising TRPV6 calcium channel blockers. As a result, molecular modeling confirmed that synthesized 1,4‐DHPs are docked on the pore region of the examined TRPV6 channels.
Facilitating the Deprotonation of OH to O through Fe4+‐Induced States in Perovskite LaNiO3 Enables a Fast Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Fu Gaoliang , Li Weiwei , Zhang Jia‐Ye , Li Mengsha , Li Changjian , Li Ning , He Qian , Xi Shibo , Qi Dongchen , MacManus‐Driscoll Judith L. , Cheng Jun , Zhang Kelvin Hongliang
Published: March 2021

Aliovalent doping is widely adopted to tune the electronic structure of transition‐metal oxides for design of low‐cost, active electrocatalysts. Here, using single‐crystalline thin films as model electrocatalysts, the structure‐activity relationship of Fe states doping in perovskite LaNiO3 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is studied. Fe4+ state is found to be crucial for enhancing the OER activity of LaNiO3, dramatically increasing the activity by six times, while Fe3+ has negligible effect. Spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations indicate Fe4+ states enhance the degree of Ni/Fe 3d and O 2p hybridization, and meanwhile produce down‐shift of the unoccupied density of states towards lower energies. Such electronic features reduce the energy barrier for interfacial electron transfer for water oxidization by 0.2 eV. Further theoretical calculations and H/D isotope experiments reveal the electronic states associated with Fe4+‐O2−‐Ni3+ configuration accelerate the deprotonation of *OH to *O (rate‐determining step), and thus facilitate fast OER kinetics.
Anwendung von Zwang in der Intensivmedizin
Authors: Jöbges S. , Biller-Andorno N.
Published: March 2021

Zwangsbehandlungen in der Medizin umfassen Maßnahmen, die gegen eine aktuelle oder frühere Willensäußerung der betroffenen Person durchgeführt werden. Hierunter fällt auch die Überwindung manifestierter Widerstände z. B. bei nicht einwilligungsfähigen Patienten. Zwang gibt es nicht nur in der Psychiatrie, sondern kann auch auf der Intensivstation ausgeübt werden. Im Spannungsfeld zwischen intensivmedizinischer Behandlung, Fürsorge und Patientenwille besteht ein hohes Risiko für Zwangsbehandlungen sowie freiheitseinschränkende Maßnahmen. Häufig ist dem Team dieses moralische Spannungsfeld nur zum Teil bewusst. Vom Patienten wird Zwang als Kontrollverlust beschrieben und kann als traumatisierend, entwürdigend und stressauslösend wahrgenommen werden. Die Herausforderung für das Team einer hochspezialisierten Intensivstation besteht darin, den Patienten in seiner Individualität zu sehen und so weit wie möglich einzubinden. Um Zwang auf Intensivstation zu vermeiden und dem individuellen Patienten gerecht zu werden, muss die Problematik zuallererst wahrgenommen werden. Hilfreich zur Vermeidung von Zwang auf einer Intensivstation können Ausbildungskonzepte, eine ethische Reflexion im Team (Teamkultur), Supervision und psychologische Begleitung für Patienten und das Team sowie klinikinternen Standards sein. Diese Arbeit beschreibt Ursachen, verschiedene Formen und Häufigkeiten von Zwangsbehandlungen auf der Intensivstation sowie juristische Vorgaben. Es wird eine Annäherung versucht, welche intensivmedizinischen Maßnahmen mit der Ausübung von Zwang einhergehen können und wie Zwang von Patienten und dem Team wahrgenommen wird.
Erratum zu: Immuntherapie und Tyrosinkinaseinhibitoren beim metastasierten Nierenzellkarzinom in der First-line-Therapie – Wann welche Strategie?
Authors: Mickisch G. , Peters I. , Grüllich C. , Mudra T. , Doehn C.
Published: March 2021

Ein Erratum zu dieser Publikation wurde veröffentlicht: 10.1007/s00120-020-01320-8
Next Stop: Postheteronormativität
Authors: Busche Mart
Published: March 2021

Die Möglichkeiten, Geschlecht, Sexualität und Beziehungen auf vielfältige Weise zu leben, erweitern sich beständig und stellen die Offene Kinder- und Jugendarbeit wie auch die Kinder- und Jugendhilfe vor alte und neue Herausforderungen. Wie kann die Arbeit möglichst integrativ und wenig ausschließend umgesetzt werden? Unter dem Stichwort der „Postheteronormativität“ bietet der Beitrag einige Reflexionsimpulse an, wie eine zeitgemäße Pädagogik sich entsprechend aufstellen und positionieren kann.
Arthritis anders? – Neues zu seronegativen Spondarthritiden
Authors: Peichl Peter
Published: March 2021

Unter dem Begriff der Spondyloarthritiden wird eine Vielzahl von klinisch unterschiedlichen Krankheitsbildern zusammengefasst. Neben der klassischen ankylosierenden Spondylitis geht es über die Psoriasis, Psoriasis-Arthritis, zu einer akuten anterioren Uveitis, reaktiven Arthritis oder einer Arthritis in Verbindung mit Colitis ulcerosa oder Colitis ulcerosa und Morbus Crohn.
The genetic background and vitamin D supplementation can affect irisin levels in Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Faienza M. F. , Brunetti G. , Grugni G. , Fintini D. , Convertino A. , Pignataro P. , Crinò A. , Colucci S. , Grano M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is associated to distinctive clinical symptoms, including obesity, cognitive and behavioral disorders, and bone impairment. Irisin is a myokine that acts on several target organs including brain adipose tissue and bone. The present study was finalized to explore circulating levels of irisin in children and adult PWS patients.

Methods

Seventy-eight subjects with PWS, 26 children (15 females, mean age 9.48 ± 3.6 years) and 52 adults (30 females, mean age 30.6 ± 10.7) were enrolled. Irisin serum levels were measured in patients and controls. Its levels were related with anthropometric and metabolic parameters, cognitive performance and bone mineral density either in pediatric or adult PWS. Multiple regression analysis was also performed.

Results

Irisin serum levels in PWS patients did not show different compared with controls. A more in-depth analysis showed that both pediatric and adult PWS with DEL15 displayed significantly reduced irisin levels compared to controls. Otherwise, no differences in irisin concentration were found in UPD15 patients with respect to controls. Our study revealed that in pediatric PWS the 25(OH) vitamin-D levels affected irisin serum concentration. Indeed, patients who were not supplemented with vitamin D showed lower irisin levels than controls and patients performing the supplementation. Multiple regression analysis showed that irisin levels in pediatric and adult PWS were predicted by the genetic background and 25(OH)-vitamin D levels, whereas in a group of 29 adult PWS also by intelligent quotient.

Conclusion

We demonstrated the possible role of genetic background and vitamin-D supplementation on irisin serum levels in PWS patients.
Design Concepts for NiTiNOL Wires to Function as a Sensor
Authors: Ruth D. Josephine Selvarani
Published: March 2021

Nickel Titanium Naval Ordinance Laboratory (NiTiNOL) is widely called as a shape memory alloy (SMA), a class of nonlinear smart material inherited with the functionally programmed property of varying electrical resistance during the transformation enabling to be positioned as a sensing element. The major challenge to instrument the SMA wires is to suppress the wires’ nonlinearity by proper selection of two important factors. The first factor is influenced by the mechanical biasing element and the other is to identify the sensing current for the sensing device (SMA wires + biasing). This paper focuses on developing SMA wires for sensing in different orientation types and configurations by removing the non-linearity in the system’s output by introducing inverse hysteresis to the wires through the passive mechanical element.
Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by chemical and green synthesis methods and their multifaceted properties
Authors: Aravind M. , Amalanathan M. , Mary M. Sony Michael
Published: March 2021

In this present work, Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) successfully synthesized using the chemical as well as the green synthesis routine. The ethanol provoked the chemical reduction of ions. In the green synthesis, jasmine flower extract was used as a reducing and stabilizing agent because it contains alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids. The Rutile phase of TiO2NPs with an average crystalline size of 31–42 nm was revealed from the XRD pattern. From the UV–Visible spectroscopy, the optically active region of TiO2NPs at 385 nm represents the visible region spectrum. The Ti–O–Ti and Ti–O vibration bond formation confirms the formation of TiO2NPs. The SEM image of TiO2NPs reveals that the spherical shaped NPs with randomly arranged manner. The obtained results have revealed that the property of TiO2nanoparticles was similar in both processes. The Photodegradation of methylene blue dye was investigated and resulted in the maximum degradation efficiency of 92% is achieved at 120 min of irradiation. The Photodegradation study shows the biosynthesized TiO2NPs exhibits a higher degradation efficiency compared to chemically synthesized TiO2NPs. The antibacterial activity of prepared TiO2NP’s was studied using grams-positive and gram-negative strains. The biological activities of green synthesized TiO2NPs are enhanced compared to the chemically synthesized TiO2NPs. Hence the degradation efficiency and zone inhibition layer indicate that the prepared TiO2NPs are the potential candidate for environmental and biomedical applications.

Graphic abstract
Topic Analysis of Traditional and Social Media News Coverage of the Early COVID-19 Pandemic and Implications for Public Health Communication
Authors: Chipidza Wallace , Akbaripourdibazar Elmira , Gwanzura Tendai , Gatto Nicole M.
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To characterize and compare early coverage of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in newspapers, television, and social media, and discuss implications for public health communication strategies that are relevant to an initial pandemic response.

Methods:

Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), an unsupervised topic modeling technique, analysis of 3271 newspaper articles, 40 cable news shows transcripts, 96,000 Twitter posts, and 1000 Reddit posts during March 4-12, 2020, a period chronologically early in the timeframe of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results:

Coverage of COVID-19 clustered on topics such as epidemic, politics, and the economy, and these varied across media sources. Topics dominating news were not predominantly health-related, suggesting a limited presence of public health in news coverage in traditional and social media. Examples of misinformation were identified, particularly in social media.

Conclusions:

Public health entities should use communication specialists to create engaging informational content to be shared on social media sites. Public health officials should be attuned to their target audience to anticipate and prevent spread of common myths likely to exist within a population. This may help control misinformation in early stages of pandemics.
Transformations of the transfinite plane
Authors: Rinot Assaf , Zhang Jing
Published: March 2021

We study the existence of transformations of the transfinite plane that allow one to reduce Ramsey-theoretic statements concerning uncountable Abelian groups into classical partition relations for uncountable cardinals.

To exemplify: we prove that for every inaccessible cardinal

$\kappa $

, if

$\kappa $

admits a stationary set that does not reflect at inaccessibles, then the classical negative partition relation

$\kappa \nrightarrow [\kappa ]^2_\kappa $

implies that for every Abelian group

$(G,+)$

of size

$\kappa $

, there exists a map

$f:G\rightarrow G$

such that for every

$X\subseteq G$

of size

$\kappa $

and every

$g\in G$

, there exist

$x\neq y$

in X such that

$f(x+y)=g$

.
Ecological turnover in neotropical freshwater and terrestrial communities during episodes of abrupt climate change
Authors: Pérez Liseth , Correa-Metrio Alex , Cohuo Sergio , González Laura Macario , Echeverría-Galindo Paula , Brenner Mark , Curtis Jason , Kutterolf Steffen , Stockhecke Mona , Schenk Frederik , Bauersachs Thorsten , Schwalb Antje
Published: March 2021

The last 85,000 years were characterized by high climate and environmental variability on the Yucatán Peninsula. Heinrich stadials are examples of abrupt climate transitions that involved shifts in regional temperatures and moisture availability. Thus, they serve as natural experiments to evaluate the contrasting responses of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We used ostracodes and pollen preserved in a 75.9-m-long sediment core (PI-6, ~85 ka) recovered from Lake Petén Itzá, Guatemala, to assess the magnitude and velocity of community responses. Ostracodes are sensitive to changes in water temperature and conductivity. Vegetation responds to shifts in temperature and the ratio of evaporation to precipitation. Ostracodes display larger and more rapid community changes than does vegetation. Heinrich Stadial 5-1 (HS5-1) was cold and dry and is associated with lower ostracode and vegetation species richness and diversity. In contrast, the slightly warmer and dry conditions during HS6 and HS5a are reflected in higher ostracode species richness and diversity. Our paleoecological study revealed the greatest ecological turnover for ostracodes occurred from 62.5 to 51.0 ka; for pollen, it was at the Pleistocene/Holocene transition. Future studies should use various climate and environmental indicators from lake and marine sediment records to further explore late glacial paleoclimate causes and effects in the northern neotropics.
Investigating cow−calf contact in cow-driven systems: behaviour of the dairy cow and calf
Authors: Johnsen Julie Føske , Johanssen Juni Rosann Engelien , Aaby Anna Vøien , Kischel Stine Grønmo , Ruud Lars Erik , Soki-Makilutila Augustin , Kristiansen Therese Bjørklund , Wibe Anne Gladsø , Bøe Knut Egil , Ferneborg Sabine
Published: March 2021

Research is needed on how technology can facilitate cow−calf contact (CCC). This research communication describes the behaviour of dairy cow−calf pairs in two cow-driven CCC-systems differing in cows' access to the calves through computer-controlled access gates (smart gates, SG). Specifically, cow traffic through SG when visiting their calves, allogrooming, suckling and cross-suckling, cows' eating and resting behaviour and finally vocal response to separation were assessed. After 3 d in an individual calving pen, pairs (n = 8) were moved to the CCC compartment with a cow area, a calf creep and a meeting area. During the next 31 d calves could suckle the cows whenever they visited the meeting area (suckling phase). Cows had free (group 1, n = 4 pairs) or restricted access to the calves based on previous activity in the automatic milking system (group 2, n = 4 pairs). SG's controlled cow traffic between the meeting area and the cow area, in which the cows could access resources such as feed, cubicles, and the automatic milking system. Following the suckling phase cow access into the meeting area was gradually decreased over 9 d (separation phase). During the suckling phase, cows paid frequent and short visits to their calves. Pairs spent in total approximately one h/d suckling and allogrooming. However, the duration and frequencies of these events varied among pairs and groups, as did the vocal response to separation. Restricted access − cows performed more (unrewarded) attempts to visit the calves who cross-suckled more. Collectively, free access to the calves may have been more intuitive and welfare friendly. Although a low sample size limits interpretation beyond description and enabling hypothesis formulation for future research, the results indicate that the cow is motivated to visit her calf, albeit through a SG, thus facilitating particular behaviours for which cow-calf pairs are highly motivated.
Acoustic characteristics and placement within vowel space of full schwa in the world’s languages: A survey
Authors: Recasens Daniel
Published: March 2021

Data from about one hundred languages reveal that, in spite of resulting typically from articulatory reduction of peripheral vowels in unstressed position, full schwa may also occur in stressed position in stress languages and in unreduced syllables in languages lacking stress. Formant frequency data reveal that this vowel is mid central, though somewhat shifted to the mid back unrounded area (particularly if long and placed in open syllables and at the edges of words), and exhibits a higher or lower realization depending on the number of mid vowels in the vowel system. In spite of occurring in stressed position, full schwa resembles unstressed schwa in being very short, highly variable and possibly low intensity, which accounts for why it is prone to occur in closed syllables and longer words, and may receive stress only if the remaining vowel nuclei in the word are central and/or short peripheral. Moreover, variability in the F1 and F2 dimensions increases with the number of peripheral mid vowels, which appears to obey symmetry and dispersion principles of vowel space organization.
Changes in peripheral blood compounds following psychopharmacological treatment in drug-naïve first-episode patients with either schizophrenia or major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis
Authors: Çakici Nuray , Sutterland Arjen L. , Penninx Brenda W. J. H. , de Haan Lieuwe , van Beveren Nico J. M.
Published: March 2021

Background

This meta-analysis on peripheral blood compounds in drug-naïve first-episode patients with either schizophrenia or major depressive disorder (MDD) examined which compounds change following psychopharmacological treatment.

Methods

The Embase, PubMed and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched for longitudinal studies reporting measurements of blood compounds in drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenia or MDD.

Results

For this random-effects meta-analysis, we retrieved a total of 31 studies comprising 1818 schizophrenia patients, and 14 studies comprising 469 MDD patients. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increased following treatment in schizophrenia (Hedges' g (g): 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39–0.70; p < 0.001) and MDD (g: 0.51; CI 0.06–0.96; p = 0.027). Interleukin (IL)-6 levels decreased in schizophrenia (g: −0.48; CI −0.85 to −0.11; p = 0.011), and for MDD a trend of decreased IL-6 levels was observed (g: −0.39; CI −0.87 to 0.09; p = 0.115). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) also decreased in schizophrenia (g: −0.34; CI −0.68 to −0.01; p = 0.047) and in MDD (g: −1.02; CI −1.79 to −0.25; p = 0.009). Fasting glucose levels increased only in schizophrenia (g: 0.26; CI 0.07–0.44; p = 0.007), but not in MDD. No changes were found for C-reactive protein, IL-1β, IL-2 and IL-4.

Conclusions

Psychopharmacological treatment has modulating effects on BDNF and TNFα in drug-naïve first-episode patients with either schizophrenia or MDD. These findings support efforts for further research into transdiagnostic preventive strategies and augmentation therapy for those with immune dysfunctions.
Using seed respiration as a tool for calculating optimal soaking times for ‘on-farm’ seed priming of barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Authors: Carrillo-Reche Javier , Newton Adrian C. , Quilliam Richard S.
Published: March 2021

A low-cost technique named ‘on-farm’ seed priming is increasingly being recognized as an effective approach to maximize crop establishment. It consists of anaerobically soaking seeds in water before sowing resulting in rapid and uniform germination, and enhanced seedling vigour. The extent of these benefits depends on the soaking time. The current determination of optimal soaking time by germination assays and mini-plot trials is resource-intensive, as it is species/genotype-specific. This study aimed to determine the potential of the seed respiration rate (an indicator of metabolic activity) and seed morphological changes during barley priming as predictors of the priming benefits and, thus, facilitate the determination of optimal soaking times. A series of germination tests revealed that the germination rate is mostly attributable to the rapid hydration of embryo tissues, as the highest gains in the germination rate occurred before the resumption of respiration. Germination uniformity, however, was not significantly improved until seeds were primed for at least 8 h, that is, after a first respiration burst was initiated. The maximum seedling vigour was attained when the priming was stopped just before the beginning of the differentiation of embryonic axes (20 h) after which vigour began to decrease (‘over-priming’). The onset of embryonic axis elongation was preceded by a second respiration burst, which can be used as a marker for priming optimization. Thus, monitoring of seed respiration provides a rapid and inexpensive alternative to the current practice. The method could be carried out by agricultural institutions to provide recommended optimal soaking times for the common barley varieties within a specific region.
ON EXISTENCE AND UNIQUENESS OF SOLUTIONS TO A PANTOGRAPH TYPE EQUATION
Authors: MOHSIN M. , ZAIDI A. A.
Published: March 2021

We show existence and uniqueness of solutions to an initial boundary value problem that entails a pantograph type functional partial differential equation with two advanced nonlocal terms. The problem models cell growth and division into two daughter cells of different sizes. There is a paucity of information about the solution to the problem for an arbitrary initial cell distribution.
Chinese dream, emerging statecraft, and Chinese influence in the Mekong region
Authors: Siriphon Aranya , Li Jiangyu
Published: March 2021

It has become known that the Confucius Institute (CI) and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (Qiaoban) are operated as tools of state-led mechanism, or Chinese statecraft with the ultimate goal of expanding China's cultural soft power. Following the direction, Xi Jinping has been pushing the notion of the “Chinese dream,” focusing on the realm of Chinese traditional culture and launching a new state-led mechanism. This article examines an emerging state-led mechanism known as “Chinese Homeland Bookstores” (CHBs), which was proposed by a provincial government-financed state-owned enterprise, and recently expanded to Thailand and various Mekong countries. I contend that the entities, such as CHBs and also CI and Qiaoban, are being extensively utilized as part of a larger state apparatus supporting the regime's Chinese traditional culture campaign. However, the CHB case and those of other government-led institutions illustrate how they combine nation-state work with market-oriented business strategies, to effectively promote Chinese culture “going out” with a focus on financial sustainability.
Eight-shaped polarization-dependent electromagnetic bandgap structure and its application as polarization reflector
Authors: Dalal Priyanka , Dhull Sanjeev Kumar
Published: March 2021

In this paper, an eight-shaped polarization-dependent electromagnetic bandgap (ES-PDEBG) structure is proposed. The unit cell of ES-PDEBG structure consists of an outer eight-shaped EBG patch with two inner square patches and three vias. Surface wave bandgap and reflection phase characteristics have been studied for the proposed structure. From the measurement results, two surface wave bandgaps with center frequencies 3.42 and 5.88 GHz are observed along the X-direction, and one surface wave bandgap with center frequency 3.69 GHz is observed along the Y-direction. The refection phase bandgap of the proposed structure is centered at 5.61 and 3.31 GHz for x- and y-polarized incident plane waves, respectively. Furthermore, the application of the proposed structure as polarization reflector is presented. The study demonstrates that the structure can act as dual-band in-polarization reflector for circularly polarized waves. In addition, incident linearly polarized waves are reflected as circularly polarized waves in four operating bands.
Species identification and morphological trait diversity assessment in ryegrass (Lolium spp.) populations from the Texas Blackland Prairies
Authors: Maity Aniruddha , Singh Vijay , Martins Matheus Bastos , Ferreira Paulo José , Smith Gerald Ray , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar
Published: March 2021

Ryegrass (Lolium spp.) is a troublesome weed in major wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production regions in the United States. High diversity and adaptive potential are known to contribute to its success as a weed species and also create difficulties in correct species identification in fields. The objective of this research was to characterize diversity for 16 different morphological traits among 56 Lolium populations collected from wheat production fields across the Texas Blackland Prairies region and identify Lolium species based on taxonomic characteristics. Populations were highly diverse (both at inter- and intrapopulation levels) for the traits studied, and a taxonomic comparison with USDA-GRIN reference samples revealed that all the populations were variants of Italian ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot] with a few offtypes of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) or probable hybrids between the two species. Hierarchical clustering grouped the populations into six clusters based on their similarities for the morphological traits investigated. Principal component analysis showed that the variability for yield traits greatly contributed to the total diversity. Pre-flowering plant height (stage 10 on Feekes scale) was positively correlated with tiller count, shoot biomass, and spike count, but not with total seed count per plant, whereas plant height at maturity (stage 11.3 to 11.4 on Feekes scale) was highly correlated with total seeds per plant. Further, basal node color was positively correlated with plant growth habit, regrowth rate, and leaf color. Leaf blade width was positively correlated with survival to pinoxaden and multiple herbicides, whereas, spike count was negatively correlated with survival to mesosulfuron. The high levels of intra- as well as interpopulation variability documented in this study indicate the potential of this species to rapidly adapt to herbicides and emphasize the need for implementing diverse management tactics, including the integration of harvest weed seed control.
Bewusstseinsstörung am Steuer – Nützliches für den klinischen Alltag zur Unterstützung der Beurteilung von Fahrfähigkeit und Fahreignung
Authors: Krenn Nicole , Keller Kristina
Published: March 2021

Zusammenfassung. Nach Verkehrsunfällen kommt es durch die Unfallverursacher häufig zur Angabe eines «Blackouts» am Steuer. Obwohl diese Angabe häufig als Schutzbehauptung eingesetzt wird, gibt es auch zahlreiche Erkrankungen, die tatsächlich zu einer plötzlichen Bewusstseinsstörung am Steuer führen können. Hierbei kann die richtige Anamneseerhebung durch den Kliniker/die Klinikerin sowie das Veranlassen von spezifischen Untersuchungen im Vorfeld der verkehrsmedizinischen Untersuchung die spätere Beurteilung der Fahrfähigkeit beziehungsweise Fahreignung durch den Verkehrsmediziner/die Verkehrsmedizinerin unterstützen. Dieser Artikel soll hierfür als Anleitung dienen.
Nitrite isotope characteristics and associated soil N transformations
Authors: Lewicka-Szczebak Dominika , Jansen-Willems Anne , Müller Christoph , Dyckmans Jens , Well Reinhard
Published: March 2021

Nitrite (NO2−) is a crucial compound in the N soil cycle. As an intermediate of nearly all N transformations, its isotopic signature may provide precious information on the active pathways and processes. NO2−analyses have already been applied in15N tracing studies, increasing their interpretation perspectives. Natural abundance NO2−isotope studies in soils were so far not applied and this study aims at testing if such analyses are useful in tracing the soil N cycle. We conducted laboratory soil incubations with parallel natural abundance and15N treatments, accompanied by isotopic analyses of soil N compounds (NO3−, NO2−, NH4+). The double15N tracing method was used as a reference method for estimations of N transformation processes based on natural abundance nitrite dynamics. We obtained a very good agreement between the results from nitrite isotope model proposed here and the15N tracing approach. Natural abundance nitrite isotope studies are a promising tool to our understanding of soil N cycling.
A predictive internet-based model for COVID-19 hospitalization census
Authors: Turk Philip J. , Tran Thao P. , Rose Geoffrey A. , McWilliams Andrew
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained hospital resources and necessitated the need for predictive models to forecast patient care demands in order to allow for adequate staffing and resource allocation. Recently, other studies have looked at associations between Google Trends data and the number of COVID-19 cases. Expanding on this approach, we propose a vector error correction model (VECM) for the number of COVID-19 patients in a healthcare system (Census) that incorporates Google search term activity and healthcare chatbot scores. The VECM provided a good fit to Census and very good forecasting performance as assessed by hypothesis tests and mean absolute percentage prediction error. Although our study and model have limitations, we have conducted a broad and insightful search for candidate Internet variables and employed rigorous statistical methods. We have demonstrated the VECM can potentially be a valuable component to a COVID-19 surveillance program in a healthcare system.
An integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approach to identify the main Torymus sinensis venom components
Authors: Scieuzo Carmen , Salvia Rosanna , Franco Antonio , Pezzi Marco , Cozzolino Flora , Chicca Milvia , Scapoli Chiara , Vogel Heiko , Monti Maria , Ferracini Chiara , Pucci Pietro , Alma Alberto , Falabella Patrizia
Published: March 2021

During oviposition, ectoparasitoid wasps not only inject their eggs but also a complex mixture of proteins and peptides (venom) in order to regulate the host physiology to benefit their progeny. Although several endoparasitoid venom proteins have been identified, little is known about the components of ectoparasitoid venom. To characterize the protein composition of Torymus sinensis Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) venom, we used an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approach and identified 143 venom proteins. Moreover, focusing on venom gland transcriptome, we selected additional 52 transcripts encoding putative venom proteins. As in other parasitoid venoms, hydrolases, including proteases, phosphatases, esterases, and nucleases, constitute the most abundant families in T. sinensis venom, followed by protease inhibitors. These proteins are potentially involved in the complex parasitic syndrome, with different effects on the immune system, physiological processes and development of the host, and contribute to provide nutrients to the parasitoid progeny. Although additional in vivo studies are needed, initial findings offer important information about venom factors and their putative host effects, which are essential to ensure the success of parasitism.
B2M overexpression correlates with malignancy and immune signatures in human gliomas
Authors: Zhang Hao , Cui Biqi , Zhou Yulai , Wang Xinxing , Wu Wantao , Wang Zeyu , Dai Ziyu , Cheng Quan , Yang Kui
Published: March 2021

Because of the limited treatment strategy of gliomas, the key of diagnosis and treatment is finding new molecular biomarkers. Here, we explored the potential of β2-microglobulin (B2M) to serve as a hopeful candidate for immunotherapy or diagnostic biomarker in gliomas. The genomic profiles, clinical characteristics, and immune signatures were analyzed based on TCGA and CGGA databases. We carried out the whole statistical analyses using R project. High B2M expression correlated with worse prognosis. Somatic mutations of gliomas with high B2M expression are associated with PTEN deletion and EGFR amplification. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations accounted for 82% in gliomas with low B2M expression. In addition, B2M positively correlated with ESTIMATE scores, interacted with infiltrating immune and stromal cell types. B2M also suppressed anti-tumor immunity through immune related processes. Meanwhile, B2M was associated with immune checkpoint molecules and inflammatory activities. Finally, functional annotation of the identified B2M related genes verified that B2M was a potential candidate for immunotherapy. We confirmed that B2M played a critical role in tumor progression, patient prognosis and immunotherapy of gliomas.
Prognostic value of circulating markers of neutrophil activation, neutrophil extracellular traps, coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with terminal cancer
Authors: Rosell Axel , Aguilera Katherina , Hisada Yohei , Schmedes Clare , Mackman Nigel , Wallén Håkan , Lundström Staffan , Thålin Charlotte
Published: March 2021

Predicting survival accurately in patients with advanced cancer is important in guiding interventions and planning future care. Objective tools are therefore needed. Blood biomarkers are appealing due to their rapid measurement and objective nature. Thrombosis is a common complication in cancer. Recent data indicate that tumor-induced neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are pro-thrombotic. We therefore performed a comprehensive investigation of circulating markers of neutrophil activation, NET formation, coagulation and fibrinolysis in 106 patients with terminal cancer. We found that neutrophil activation and NET markers were prognostic in terminal cancer patients. Interestingly, markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis did not have a prognostic value in this patient group, and there were weak or no correlations between these markers and markers of neutrophil activation and NETs. This suggest that NETs are linked to a poor prognosis through pathways independent of coagulation. Additional studies are needed to determine the utility of circulating neutrophil activation and NET markers, alone or in concert with established clinical parameters, as objective and reliable prognostic tools in advanced cancer.
Cryptic-site binding mechanism of medium-sized Bcl-xL inhibiting compounds elucidated by McMD-based dynamic docking simulations
Authors: Bekker Gert-Jan , Fukuda Ikuo , Higo Junichi , Fukunishi Yoshifumi , Kamiya Narutoshi
Published: March 2021

We have performed multicanonical molecular dynamics (McMD) based dynamic docking simulations to study and compare the binding mechanism between two medium-sized inhibitors (ABT-737 and WEHI-539) that bind to the cryptic site of Bcl-xL, by exhaustively sampling the conformational and configurational space. Cryptic sites are binding pockets that are transiently formed in the apo state or are induced upon ligand binding. Bcl-xL, a pro-survival protein involved in cancer progression, is known to have a cryptic site, whereby the shape of the pocket depends on which ligand is bound to it. Starting from the apo-structure, we have performed two independent McMD-based dynamic docking simulations for each ligand, and were able to obtain near-native complex structures in both cases. In addition, we have also studied their interactions along their respective binding pathways by using path sampling simulations, which showed that the ligands form stable binding configurations via predominantly hydrophobic interactions. Although the protein started from the apo state, both ligands modulated the pocket in different ways, shifting the conformational preference of the sub-pockets of Bcl-xL. We demonstrate that McMD-based dynamic docking is a powerful tool that can be effectively used to study binding mechanisms involving a cryptic site, where ligand binding requires a large conformational change in the protein to occur.
Brain structure changes associated with sexual orientation
Authors: Votinov Mikhail , Goerlich Katharina S. , Puiu Andrei A. , Smith Elke , Nickl-Jockschat Thomas , Derntl Birgit , Habel Ute
Published: March 2021

Biological sex differences in brain function and structure are reliably associated with several cortico-subcortical brain regions. While sexual orientation (hetero- versus homosexuality) has been similarly linked to functional differences in several phylogenetically-old brain areas, the research on morphological brain phenotypes associated with sexual orientation is far from conclusive. We examined potential cerebral structural differences linked to sexual orientation in a group of 74 participants, including 37 men (21 homosexual) and 37 women (19 homosexual) using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Gray matter volumes (GMV) were compared with respect to sexual orientation and biological sex across the entire sample using full factorial designs controlling for total intracranial volume, age, handedness, and education. We observed a significant effect of sexual orientation for the thalamus and precentral gyrus, with more GMV in heterosexual versus homosexual individuals, and for the putamen, with more GMV in homosexual + than heterosexual individuals. We found significant interactions between biological sex and sexual orientation, indicating that the significant effect for the putamen cluster was driven by homosexual women, whereas heterosexual women had increased precentral gyrus GMV. Heterosexual men exhibited more GMV in the thalamus than homosexual men. This study shows that sexual orientation is reflected in brain structure characteristics and that these differ between the sexes. The results emphasize the need to include or control for potential effects of participants’ sexual orientation in neuroimaging studies. Furthermore, our findings provide important new insights into the brain morphology underlying sexual orientation and likely have important implications for understanding brain functions and behavior.