bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A NONSYMMETRIC VERSION OF OKOUNKOV’S BC-TYPE INTERPOLATION MACDONALD POLYNOMIALS
Authors: DISVELD NIELS , KOORNWINDER TOM H. , STOKMAN JASPER V.
Published: October 2021

Nonsymmetric interpolation Laurent polynomials innvariables are introduced, with the interpolation points depending onqand on an-tuple of parametersτ = (τ1, …, τn). Whenτi = stn − 1, Okounkov’s 3-parameter BCn-type interpolation Macdonald polynomials are recovered from the nonsymmetric interpolation Laurent polynomials through Hecke algebra symmetrisation with respect to a type CnHecke algebra action. In the Appendix we give some conjectures about extra vanishing, based on Mathematica computations in rank two.
Clinical features and long-term prognosis of patients with congestive heart failure taking tolvaptan: a comparison of patients with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Seki Toshiki , Kubota Yoshiaki , Matsuda Junya , Tokita Yukichi , Iwasaki Yu-ki , Shimizu Wataru
Published: October 2021

Few studies have investigated the clinical benefit of the long-term use of tolvaptan (TLV) for heart failure (HF). This study evaluated the long-term prognosis of patients administered TLV for > 1 year among patients who had HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and those who had HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Overall, 591 consecutive patients were admitted to our hospital and administered TLV for HF between 2011 and 2018. We retrospectively enrolled 147 patients who were administered TLV for > 1 year. We divided them into the HFpEF group (n = 77, 52.4%) and the HFrEF group (n = 70; 47.6%). Their clinical backgrounds and long-term prognosis were examined. Compared with the patients in the HFrEF group, the patients in the HFpEF group were significantly older and included more women. Moreover, the HFpEF group showed significantly lower all-cause mortality (38.6% vs. 24.7%; log-rank, P = 0.014) and cardiovascular mortality during the average 2.7-year follow-up. Univariate analysis revealed that all-cause mortality was correlated with male sex, HFpEF, and changes in serum creatinine levels from baseline. Multivariate analysis revealed that HFpEF was an independent influencing factor for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.23–0.86; P = 0.017). Long-term administration of TLV may be more beneficial for HFpEF than for HFrEF.
Nighttime lights and wealth in very small areas:
Authors: Määttä Ilari , Ferreira Thomas , Leßmann Christian
Published: October 2021

Nighttime lights observed from satellites are a widely accepted proxy measure for economic development. This is mainly based on cross-country evidence that finds strong correlations between lights and Gross Domestic Product. Yet, the evidence on the correlations at local levels is scarce, and it often relies on randomly sampled survey data. We contribute by enhancing the understanding of the relationship between light and development at local levels. First, we use complete (non-publicly available) census data from Namibia to evaluate the findings based on the randomly sampled Demographic and Health Surveys data. We find that the census data provides a stronger association between light and wealth at local levels. Second, we criticize the practice of aggregating light from buffers around survey cluster locations. Instead, we recommend aggregating data in grid cells, and studying the relationship in different grid sizes. In our study correlations based on grid cells remain significant from a 0.5 degree grid to the smallest 0.0083 degree grid (~1 km2) allowed by the nighttime light data. Third, we supplement the commonly used relative wealth index by using individual asset variables as proxies for the total stock of wealth. The stock variables reveal a significant association between changes in light and wealth which cannot be found using our relative wealth index. Altogether, our results show that nighttime lights provide an even stronger signal of economic development at local levels than the current survey-based results in the literature suggest.
Listen to Me: Parents’ Satisfaction with Special Needs Services in Syria – A Descriptive and Exploratory Study
Authors: Mounzer Wissam , Stenhoff Donald M.
Published: October 2021

Parents’ involvement in their child’s educational and therapy choices is an important aspect of their therapy. This involvement may be related to their satisfaction with their child’s service providers’ direct child services family-related involvement. Additionally, civil unrest may influence parents’ satisfaction. For example, the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has influenced families with children in schools, and specifically children who have disabilities. The purpose of this descriptive and exploratory study was to investigate parents’ perceptions of current services provided in Syria for their children with disabilities, and to identify the services provided to Syrian children with ASD and other developmental disabilities. A total of 466 parents completed the study’s survey, with about half of the participants reporting that their child received early intervention and fewer that their child received other therapies (e.g., speech, behavioral, counseling). Parents also reported feeling unwelcome to contribute to their child’s individualized education program (IEP), and were not satisfied with the services their child received. In addition, some demographic factors, such as place of residence, the child’s current age, the child’s diagnosis, the child’s attending age at school, and which program the child was enrolled in, increased the parents’ satisfaction level. Implications and future research are discussed.
Imagery in action. G. H. Mead’s contribution to sensorimotor enactivism
Authors: Baggio Guido
Published: October 2021

The aim of the article is to outline several valuable elements of Mead’s pragmatist theory of perception in action developed in hisThe Philosophy of the Act(1938), in order to strengthen the pragmatist legacy of the enactivist approach. In particular, Mead’s theory of perception in action turns out to be a forerunner of sensorimotor enactivist theory. Unlike the latter, however, Mead explicitly refers to imagery as an essential capacity for agency. Nonetheless, the article argues that the ways in which Mead refers to this capacity do not necessarily place it in opposition to enactivist non-representationalism. On the contrary, as a synthetic process ofre-presentingof present and past sensorimotor elements, imagery can be seen as the hallmark of a pragmatically inspired sensorimotor enactivist approach that bypasses the opposition between representationalists and non-representationalists.
Examining Family Living Arrangements, Economic Development, Education Expenditure and Children’s Weight from the Welfare Mix in China
Authors: Qi Lin , Peng Huamin , Sun Ruiwen
Published: October 2021

There is increased social concern regarding children’s weight in China, but there is a relative lack of research concerning its social determinants. Based on 1,656 school-age children’s samples in mainland China from the Chinese Nutrition and Health Database (CHNS 2011), we analyzed the impact of multiple factors on children’s weight using a welfare mix framework that integrated factors including family living arrangements, economic development, and educational spending. School-age children’s weight was measured using body mass index (BMI). The independent variables were factors developed based on the social determinants of health perspective in conjunction with a welfare mix framework. These variables included family living arrangements to reflect the family welfare factor, average government educational expenditure per student to reflect the state welfare factor, and GDP per capita to reflect the market welfare factor. Multiple regression models were used to analyze the influences of each factor on children’s weight. The results showed that the factors were significant, with different directions of influence on weight. The results also showed that the factors considered in the welfare mix framework sometimes serve as risk factors rather than solely protective factors within the Chinese context. According to this study, a reasonable geographical distribution of health service resources and child-oriented health policies are needed to promote children’s well-being.
Experimental derivation of a condition monitoring test cycle for machine tool feed drives
Authors: Benker Maximilian , Junker Sebastian , Ellinger Johannes , Semm Thomas , Zaeh Michael F.
Published: October 2021

Due to their critical influence on manufacturing accuracy, machine tool feed drives and the monitoring of their condition has been a research field of increasing interest for several years already. Accurate and reliable estimates of the current condition of the machine tool feed drive’s components ball screw drive (BSD) and linear guide shoes (LGSs) are expected to significantly enhance the maintainability of machine tools, which finally leads to economic benefits and smoother production. Therefore, many authors performed extensive experiments with different sensor signals, features and components. Most of those experiments were performed on simplified test benches in order to gain genuine and distinct insights into the correlations between the recorded sensor signals and the investigated fault modes. However, in order to build the bridge between real use cases and scientific findings, those investigations have to be transferred and performed on a more complex test bench, which is close to machine tools in operation. In this paper, a condition monitoring test cycle is developed for such a test bench. The developed test cycle enables the recording of a re-producible data basis, on which models for the condition monitoring of BSDs and LGSs can be based upon.
Oral Lipid-Lowering Treatments Beyond Statins: Too Old and Outdated or Still Useful?
Authors: Parhofer Klaus G.
Published: October 2021

Purpose of Review

For many years, the lipid-lowering armamentarium consisted of statins and/or ezetimibe and/or bile acid sequestrants and/or fibrates. Now, with the availability of new drugs mostly injectables, the field has changed and the role of oral non-statin drugs (including bempedoic acid) must be reevaluated.

Recent Findings

Ezetimibe remains a very important combination partner for statins with continuously increasing treatment numbers. Bempedoic acid is another interesting combination partner for statin/ezetimibe or ezetimibe alone but lacks in contrast to ezetimibe evidence from outcome trials. The role of fibrates is less clear as they have shown disappointing results in outcome trials but may still be used in selected, high-risk patients with combined dyslipidemia. Bile acid sequestrants are now rarely used as there are stronger, better tolerable ways to lower LDL-cholesterol.

With the introduction of new injectable lipid-lowering drugs, some oral drugs such as ezetimibe and bempedoic acid still have an important spot in our treatment algorithm others such as fibrates have a less clear role while again others are now rarely used.
Pancreaticobiliary Malignancies in the Emergency Room: Management of Acute Complications and Oncological Emergencies
Authors: Kamposioras Konstantinos , Geraghty Joe , Appleyard Jordan , Dawod Mohammed , Papadimitriou Konstantinos , Lamarca Angela , Anthoney Alan
Published: October 2021

Background

Management of pancreaticobiliary (PB) malignancies remains a clinical challenge. In this review, we focus on the management of oncological emergencies in PB malignancies and the potential complication of associated therapeutic interventions.

Methods

Biobliographic review of current evidence on the management of oncological emergencies, their potential complications, as well as synthesis of recommendations was performed. The pathogenesis, frequency, related symptoms as well as appropriate investigations are presented.

Results

The oncologic emergencies in PB patients were summarised in six categories: (1) hematological (including febrile neutropaenia, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathies), (2) gastrointestinal (gastric outlet and biliary obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding), (3) thromboembolic events, (4) ascites, (5) metabolic disorders and (6) neurologic complications. The pathogenesis, frequency, related symptoms as well as appropriate investigations are also presented.

Conclusion

Patients with PB malignancies are at increased risk of a wide variation of medical emergencies. Clinical knowledge, early recognition and collaboration with the relevant specialties are critical to manage these complications effectively, tailoring overall management around the actual prognosis and individuals’ expectations.
Do Hospital Workers Feel They Are Ready to Manage a Sanitary Crisis in a Pre-Crisis Context?
Authors: Bossard Marie , Weiss Karine , Dusserre Gilles
Published: October 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to measure the perception of readiness to manage a sanitary crisis for hospital workers and to study the factors related to this perception.

Methods:

This study was a cross-sectional study; 408 French hospital workers responded to an online questionnaire. The variables studied concerned the perceived personal preparedness, the perception of colleagues’ and hospital’s preparedness, perception of the situation, and preparatory behavioral acts. Correlations, partial correlations, and multiple linear regressions were applied.

Results:

Based on Pearson’s correlations, the higher the participants’ sense of personal efficacy and control over their behavior, the more ready they feel (rp= 0.77*** and rp= 0.55***). The more participants perceive their colleagues as ready and their hospital as prepared, the more ready they feel (rp= 0.52*** and rp= 0.46***). Based on Pearson’s partial correlations, upon controlling the effect of preparedness perception, declared preparedness is not significantly correlated with personal readiness perception (rp= 0.01).

Conclusion:

The perception of personal readiness does not depend only on actual preparedness but also on individual and collective variables. Technically, these results confirm the value of relying on psychosocial variables during training. It would be interesting to propose empowerment in training courses. It also seems necessary to demonstrate crisis management efficacy at different levels: institutional, collective, and individual.
COVID-19 Death in Novi Pazar - “Serbian Bergamo”
Authors: Nurković Jasmin S.
Published: October 2021

Serbia was one of the countries in Europe and the world that were most affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. City Novi Pazar was the greatest coronavirus hotspot in Europe on July 1, 2020, due to several hundred infected people. Even though united data were published at the state level, there are no data by region or city, so the interpretation of the COVID-19 epidemic in Serbia at the regional level is difficult. Different levels of health care and health education of citizens and the degree of respect for the proposed epidemiological measures have led to significant differences in the number of tests, a large number of infected, and several deaths by regions and cities. Insufficiently precise and up-to-date keeping of records and statistical data on COVID-19 at the state and local level also complicates the pandemic’s scientific and epidemiological analysis. Novi Pazar is a city in southwestern Serbia with a population of 100,000. It is similar in population to the city of Bergamo, in northern Italy in the Lombardy region. As of July 1, 2020, Novi Pazar had 300% higher mortality per 100,000 population compared with the same month last year, and almost 10 times higher mortality than the rest of Serbia.
Comparison of physiological response to growth stage-based supplemental and conventional irrigation management of wheat
Authors: Al-ghawry Adnan , Yazar Attila , Unlu Mustafa , Barutcular Celaleddin , Bozkurt Çolak Yeşim
Published: October 2021

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different conventional and supplemental irrigation strategies on leaf stomatal conductance (gs) and chlorophyll content (SPAD) yield and irrigation water productivity (IWP) of wheat using sprinkler line source in 2014 and 2015 in the Mediterranean region. The irrigation strategies were, supplemental irrigation (SI) during flowering and grain filling (SIFG), SI during grain filling (SIG), SI during flowering (SIF) and conventional irrigation (CI). These strategies were conducted under four irrigation levels 25, 50, 75, 100% and a rain-fed as control. The results indicated that CI100 and CI75 produced the greater grain yield and IWP, respectively. CI100 resulted in the increased chlorophyll content by 8.8% over rain-fed. The results confirmed that the SPAD and stomatal conductance values were not equally sensitive to water stress during growth stages. The wheat crop suffered a greater SPAD and gs reductions when the water stress occurred during the grain filling stage (SIF strategy) compared to other strategies, which means that the grain filling stage is more sensitive and effective to decrease the yield of winter wheat. The higher grain yields were achieved when the seasonal mean gs reached 207.4 mmol/m2s in CI and 169.2 mmol/m2s in SI, and the stomatal closure responded well to low, moderate and severe drought treatments. The leaf stomatal conductance (gs) was correlated linearly with grain yield. These relations could be used as a physiological indicator to evaluate water stress effect on the growth and productivity of wheat.
Agency Costs of Debt in Conglomerate Firms
Authors: Altieri Michela
Published: October 2021

I use an accounting reform to assess the agency cost of debt in diversified firms. Those firms that switch from single to multiple segments following the reform suffer a 12% increase in their bond spread when compared with their stand-alone peers. Consistent with lenders anticipating underinvestment and asset-substitution incentives, diversified firms with high cash-flow volatility across divisions suffer the highest increase in borrowing costs. I employ a novel approach that allows abstracting from unobservable characteristics that would otherwise influence the pricing of diversified firms’ debt.
Effectiveness of a Dispatcher-Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Program Developed by the Thailand National Institute of Emergency Medicine (NIEMS)
Authors: Angkoontassaneeyarat Chuenruthai , Yuksen Chaiyaporn , Jenpanitpong Chetsadakon , Rukthai Pemika , Seanpan Marisa , Pongprajak Dumrongsak , Laksanamapune Thanakorn
Published: October 2021

Background:

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a life-threatening condition with an overall survival rate that generally does not exceed 10%. Several factors play essential roles in increasing survival among patients experiencing cardiac arrest outside the hospital. Previous studies have reported that implementing a dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) program increases bystander CPR, quality of chest compressions, and patient survival. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a DA-CPR program developed by the Thailand National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEMS).

Methods:

This was an experimental study using a manikin model. The participants comprised both health care providers and non-health care providers aged 18 to 60 years. They were randomly assigned to either the DA-CPR group or the uninstructed CPR (U-CPR) group and performed chest compressions on a manikin model for two minutes. The sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelope method was used for randomization in blocks of four with a ratio of 1:1.

Results:

There were 100 participants in this study (49 in the DA-CPR group and 51 in the U-CPR group). Time to initiate chest compressions was statistically significantly longer in the DA-CPR group than in the U-CPR group (85.82 [SD = 32.54] seconds versus 23.94 [SD = 16.70] seconds; P <.001). However, the CPR instruction did not translate into better performance or quality of chest compressions for the overall sample or for health care or non-health care providers.

Conclusion:

Those in the CPR-trained group applied chest compressions (initiated CPR) more quickly than those who initiated CPR based upon dispatch-based CPR instructions.
THE GERMAN ANTI-KEYNES? ON WALTER EUCKEN’S MACROECONOMICS
Authors: Feld Lars P. , Köhler Ekkehard A. , Nientiedt Daniel
Published: October 2021

The work of Walter Eucken (1891–1950), founder of German ordoliberalism, is often described as being in direct opposition to that of John Maynard Keynes. Our paper challenges this claim by making two main arguments. First, we show that Eucken supported a proto-Keynesian stimulus program at the height of the Great Depression, the so-called Lautenbach plan of 1931. Second, we analyze his critique of full employment policy, which reveals that Eucken’s approach to solving macroeconomic problems is fundamentally different from, if not necessarily contrary to, that of Keynes.
The Influence of Neuroticism on the Muscle Response in the Trapezius and Frontalis Muscles to Anticipatory Stress
Authors: Wagenblast Florestan , Seibt Robert , Läubli Thomas , Rieger Monika A. , Steinhilber Benjamin
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Objective quantification of mental stress in the workplace would be beneficial for designing work tasks to avoid the negative consequences of mental stress. Methods such as surface electromyography have proven to be sensitive to mental demands. However, there is little knowledge about the muscle response and moderating factors during anticipatory stress paradigms. This study examined whether the personality dimension neuroticism moderates the muscle response to the expectation of an unpredictable electrical shock. Forty-seven subjects underwent three expectation phases, in which they could expect a pleasant audio signal (NoShock) or an electric shock in two conditions (anticipation of the first: Shock1, and second electric shock: Shock2) at an unpredictable moment. The frontalis muscle activity and the upper and upper/middle parts of the trapezius muscle were recorded using surface electromyography. Neuroticism was surveyed using the Big Five Inventory to assign the subjects to a group with lower or higher neuroticism. Shock1 only induced higher trapezius muscle activity in the higher neuroticism group, which vanished during Shock2, while the frontalis muscle showed no significant effects. The results suggest that neuroticism should be considered a moderating factor in assessing anticipatory stress using surface electromyography at the trapezius muscle.
In Identifying the Source of the Incongruent Effect
Authors: Chen Tingji , Sun Yanting , Feng Chengzhi , Feng Wenfeng
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Emotional signals from the face and body are normally perceived as an integrated whole in everyday life. Previous studies have revealed an incongruent effect which refers to distinctive behavioral and neural responses to emotionally congruent versus incongruent face-body compounds. However, it remains unknown which kind of the face-body compounds caused the incongruence effect. In the present study, we added neutral face and neutral body stimuli to form new face-body compounds. Forty subjects with normal or corrected-to-normal vision participated in this experiment. By comparing the face-body compounds with emotional conflict and face-body compounds with neutral stimuli, we could investigate the source of the incongruent effect. For both behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) data, a 2 (bodily expression: happiness, fear) × 2 (congruence: congruent, incongruent) repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to re-investigate the incongruent effect and a 3 (facial expression: fearful, happy, neutral) × 3 (bodily expression: fearful, happy, neutral) repeated-measure ANOVA was performed to clarify the source of the incongruent effect. As expected, both behavioral and ERP results have successfully repeated the incongruent effect. Specifically, the behavioral data showed that emotionally congruent versus incongruent face-body compounds were recognized more accurately ( p < .05). The ERP component of N2 was modulated by the emotional congruency between the facial and bodily expression showing that the emotionally incongruent compounds elicited greater N2 amplitudes than emotionally congruent compounds ( p < .05). No incongruent effect was found for P1 or P3 component ( p = .079, p = .99, respectively). Furthermore, by comparing the emotionally incongruent pairs with the neutral baseline, the present study suggests that the source of the incongruent effect might be from the happy face-fearful body compounds. We speculate that the emotion expressed by the fearful body was much more intensive than the emotion expressed by the happy body and thus caused a stronger interference in judging the facial expressions.
The dopamine transporter gene SLC6A3: multidisease risks
Authors: Reith Maarten E. A. , Kortagere Sandhya , Wiers Corinde E. , Sun Hui , Kurian Manju A. , Galli Aurelio , Volkow Nora D. , Lin Zhicheng
Published: October 2021

The human dopamine transporter geneSLC6A3has been consistently implicated in several neuropsychiatric diseases but the disease mechanism remains elusive. In this risk synthesis, we have concluded thatSLC6A3represents an increasingly recognized risk with a growing number of familial mutants associated with neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. At least five loci were related to common and severe diseases including alcohol use disorder (high activity variant), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (low activity variant), autism (familial proteins with mutated networking) and movement disorders (both regulatory variants and familial mutations). Association signals depended on genetic markers used as well as ethnicity examined. Strong haplotype selection and gene-wide epistases support multimarker assessment of functional variations and phenotype associations. Inclusion of its promoter region’s functional markers such as DNPi (rs67175440) and 5’VNTR (rs70957367) may help delineate condensate-based risk action, testing a locus-pathway-phenotype hypothesis for one gene-multidisease etiology.
Acute social isolation and regrouping cause short- and long-term molecular changes in the rat medial amygdala
Authors: Lavenda-Grosberg Danit , Lalzar Maya , Leser Noam , Yaseen Aseel , Malik Assaf , Maroun Mouna , Barki-Harrington Liza , Wagner Shlomo
Published: October 2021

Social isolation poses a severe mental and physiological burden on humans. Most animal models that investigate this effect are based on prolonged isolation, which does not mimic the milder conditions experienced by people in the real world. We show that in adult male rats, acute social isolation causes social memory loss. This memory loss is accompanied by significant changes in the expression of specific mRNAs and proteins in the medial amygdala, a brain structure that is crucial for social memory. These changes particularly involve the neurotrophic signaling and axon guidance pathways that are associated with neuronal network remodeling. Upon regrouping, memory returns, and most molecular changes are reversed within hours. However, the expression of some genes, especially those associated with neurodegenerative diseases remain modified for at least a day longer. These results suggest that acute social isolation and rapid resocialization, as experienced by millions during the COVID-19 pandemic, are sufficient to induce significant changes to neuronal networks, some of which may be pathological.
Kin discrimination drives territorial exclusion during Bacillus subtilis swarming and restrains exploitation of surfactin
Authors: Kraigher Barbara , Butolen Monika , Stefanic Polonca , Mandic Mulec Ines
Published: October 2021

Swarming is the collective movement of bacteria across a surface. It requires the production of surfactants (public goods) to overcome surface tension and provides an excellent model to investigate bacterial cooperation. Previously, we correlated swarm interaction phenotypes with kin discrimination between B. subtilis soil isolates, by showing that less related strains form boundaries between swarms and highly related strains merge. However, how kin discrimination affects cooperation and territoriality in swarming bacteria remains little explored. Here we show that the pattern of surface colonization by swarming mixtures is influenced by kin types. Closely related strain mixtures colonize the surface in a mixed swarm, while mixtures of less related strains show competitive exclusion as only one strain colonizes the surface. The outcome of nonkin swarm expansion depends on the initial ratio of the competing strains, indicating positive frequency-dependent competition. We find that addition of surfactin (a public good excreted from cells) can complement the swarming defect of nonkin mutants, whereas close encounters in nonkin mixtures lead to territorial exclusion, which limits the exploitation of surfactin by nonkin nonproducers. The work suggests that kin discrimination driven competitive territorial exclusion may be an important determinant for the success of cooperative surface colonization.
Aluminum depletion induced by co-segregation of carbon and boron in a bcc-iron grain boundary
Authors: Ahmadian A. , Scheiber D. , Zhou X. , Gault B. , Liebscher C. H. , Romaner L. , Dehm G.
Published: October 2021

The local variation of grain boundary atomic structure and chemistry caused by segregation of impurities influences the macroscopic properties of polycrystalline materials. Here, the effect of co-segregation of carbon and boron on the depletion of aluminum at a Σ5 (3 1 0 )[0 0 1] tilt grain boundary in a α − Fe-4 at%Al bicrystal is studied by combining atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, atom probe tomography and density functional theory calculations. The atomic grain boundary structural units mostly resemble kite-type motifs and the structure appears disrupted by atomic scale defects. Atom probe tomography reveals that carbon and boron impurities are co-segregating to the grain boundary reaching levels of >1.5 at%, whereas aluminum is locally depleted by approx. 2 at.%. First-principles calculations indicate that carbon and boron exhibit the strongest segregation tendency and their repulsive interaction with aluminum promotes its depletion from the grain boundary. It is also predicted that substitutional segregation of boron atoms may contribute to local distortions of the kite-type structural units. These results suggest that the co-segregation and interaction of interstitial impurities with substitutional solutes strongly influences grain boundary composition and with this the properties of the interface.
Morc3 silences endogenous retroviruses by enabling Daxx-mediated histone H3.3 incorporation
Authors: Groh Sophia , Milton Anna Viktoria , Marinelli Lisa Katherina , Sickinger Cara V. , Russo Angela , Bollig Heike , de Almeida Gustavo Pereira , Schmidt Andreas , Forné Ignasi , Imhof Axel , Schotta Gunnar
Published: October 2021

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) comprise a significant portion of mammalian genomes. Although specific ERV loci feature regulatory roles for host gene expression, most ERV integrations are transcriptionally repressed by Setdb1-mediated H3K9me3 and DNA methylation. However, the protein network which regulates the deposition of these chromatin modifications is still incompletely understood. Here, we perform a genome-wide single guide RNA (sgRNA) screen for genes involved in ERV silencing and identify the GHKL ATPase protein Morc3 as a top-scoring hit. Morc3 knock-out (ko) cells display de-repression, reduced H3K9me3, and increased chromatin accessibility of distinct ERV families. We find that the Morc3 ATPase cycle and Morc3 SUMOylation are important for ERV chromatin regulation. Proteomic analyses reveal that Morc3 mutant proteins fail to interact with the histone H3.3 chaperone Daxx. This interaction depends on Morc3 SUMOylation and Daxx SUMO binding. Notably, in Morc3 ko cells, we observe strongly reduced histone H3.3 on Morc3 binding sites. Thus, our data demonstrate Morc3 as a critical regulator of Daxx-mediated histone H3.3 incorporation to ERV regions.
Direct genome-wide identification of G-quadruplex structures by whole-genome resequencing
Authors: Tu Jing , Duan Mengqin , Liu Wenli , Lu Na , Zhou Yue , Sun Xiao , Lu Zuhong
Published: October 2021

We present a user-friendly and transferable genome-wide DNA G-quadruplex (G4) profiling method that identifies G4 structures from ordinary whole-genome resequencing data by seizing the slight fluctuation of sequencing quality. In the human genome, 736,689 G4 structures were identified, of which 45.9% of all predicted canonical G4-forming sequences were characterized. Over 89% of the detected canonical G4s were also identified by combining polymerase stop assays with next-generation sequencing. Testing using public datasets of 6 species demonstrated that the present method is widely applicable. The detection rates of predicted canonical quadruplexes ranged from 32% to 58%. Because single nucleotide variations (SNVs) influence the formation of G4 structures and have individual differences, the given method is available to identify and characterize G4s genome-wide for specific individuals.
Introducing dorsoventral patterning in adult regenerating lizard tails with gene-edited embryonic neural stem cells
Authors: Lozito Thomas P. , Londono Ricardo , Sun Aaron X. , Hudnall Megan L.
Published: October 2021

Lizards regenerate amputated tails but fail to recapitulate the dorsoventral patterning achieved during embryonic development. Regenerated lizard tails form ependymal tubes (ETs) that, like embryonic tail neural tubes (NTs), induce cartilage differentiation in surrounding cells via sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. However, adult ETs lack characteristically roof plate-associated structures and express Shh throughout their circumferences, resulting in the formation of unpatterned cartilage tubes. Both NTs and ETs contain neural stem cells (NSCs), but only embryonic NSC populations differentiate into roof plate identities when protected from endogenous Hedgehog signaling. NSCs were isolated from parthenogenetic lizard embryos, rendered unresponsive to Hedgehog signaling via CRISPR/Cas9 gene knockout ofsmoothened(Smo), and implanted back into clonally-identical adults to regulate tail regeneration. Here we report thatSmoknockout embryonic NSCs oppose cartilage formation when engrafted to adult ETs, representing an important milestone in the creation of regenerated lizard tails with dorsoventrally patterned skeletal tissues.
Fluorescent glycan fingerprinting of SARS2 spike proteins
Authors: Wu Zhengliang L. , Ertelt James M.
Published: October 2021

Glycosylation is the most common post-translational modification and has myriad of biological functions. However, glycan analysis has always been a challenge. Here, we would like to present new techniques for glycan fingerprinting based on enzymatic fluorescent labeling and gel electrophoresis. The method is illustrated on SARS2 spike (S) glycoproteins. SARS2, a novel coronavirus and the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has had significant social and economic impacts since the end of 2019. To obtain the N-glycan fingerprint of an S protein, glycans released from the protein are first labeled through enzymatic incorporation of fluorophore-conjugated sialic acid or fucose, then separated by SDS-PAGE, and finally visualized with a fluorescent imager. To identify the labeled glycans of a fingerprint, glycan standards and glycan ladders are enzymatically generated and run alongside the samples as references. By comparing the mobility of a labeled glycan to that of a glycan standard, the identity of glycans maybe determined. O-glycans can also be fingerprinted. Due to the lack of an enzyme for broad O-glycan release, O-glycans on the S protein can be labeled with fluorescent sialic acid and digested with trypsin to obtain labeled glycan peptides that are then separated by gel electrophoresis. Glycan fingerprinting could serve as a quick method for globally assessing the glycosylation of a specific glycoprotein.
Concentric ballooned catheterization to the fractional non-newtonian hybrid nano blood flow through a stenosed aneurysmal artery with heat transfer
Authors: Mehmood Obaid Ullah , Bibi Sehrish , Jamil Dzuliana F. , Uddin Salah , Roslan Rozaini , Akhir Mohd Kamalrulzaman Md
Published: October 2021

The current work analyzes the effects of concentric ballooned catheterization and heat transfer on the hybrid nano blood flow through diseased arterial segment having both stenosis and aneurysm along its boundary. A fractional second-grade fluid model is considered which describes the non-Newtonian characteristics of the blood. Governing equations are linearized under mild stenosis and mild aneurysm assumptions. Precise articulations for various important flow characteristics such as heat transfer, hemodynamic velocity, wall shear stress, and resistance impedance are attained. Graphical portrayals for the impact of the significant parameters on the flow attributes have been devised. The streamlines of blood flow have been examined as well. The present finding is useful for drug conveyance system and biomedicines.
Self-assembled organic homostructures with tunable optical waveguides fabricated via “cocrystal engineering”
Authors: Ma Ying-Xin , Wei Guo-Qing , Chen Song , Lin Hong-Tao , Wang Xue-Dong
Published: October 2021

We modulated the optical properties of cocrystals without changing the unit cell parameters and crystal morphology by simply changing the relative position of the cyan group on the electron acceptor molecule.
Organic co-crystal semiconductors: a crystal engineering perspective
Authors: Dar Aijaz A. , Rashid Shahida
Published: October 2021

Organic semiconductors are being pursued with vigor for the development of efficient and smart electronics. As a brief tutorial account, we traverse the fundamentals and advancements in the area and provide a crystal engineering perspective.
Ultraviolet photodissociation circular dichroism spectroscopy of protonatedl-phenylalanyl-l-alanine in a cryogenic ion trap
Authors: Yoo Il Tae , Eun Han Jun , Min Ahreum , Jeon Chang Wook , Jeong Jinho , Heo Jiyoung , Kim Nam Joon
Published: October 2021

The circular dichroism spectrum of protonatedl-phenylalanyl-l-alanine near the S0–S1origin band is strongly influenced by the side-chain conformation of the phenylalanine residue.
Low-dimensional HfS2as SO2adsorbent and gas sensor: effect of water and sulfur vacancies
Authors: Bouheddadj Amina , Ouahrani Tarik , Kanhounnon Wilfried G. , Reda Boufatah M. , Bedrane Sumeya , Badawi Michael , Morales-García Ángel
Published: October 2021

First-principles based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to investigate the interaction of two-dimensional (2D) HfS2with SO2, a harmful gas with implications for climate change.
Reply to the ‘Comment on “Tremendously enhanced photocurrent enabled by triplet–triplet annihilation up-conversion for high-performance perovskite solar cells”’ by L. Nienhaus and T. W. Schmidt, Energy Environ. Sci., 2021, 14, 10.1039/D1EE01446C
Authors: Sheng Wangping , Yang Jia , Li Xiang , Xiao Shuqin , Tan Licheng , Chen Yiwang
Published: October 2021

The photocurrent improvement of perovskite solar cells is mainly attributed to the synergistic effects including triplet–triplet annihilation up-conversion and rubrene-assisted defect passivation.
High-areal-capacity conversion type iron-based hybrid redox flow batteries
Authors: Shi Yang , Wang Zengyue , Yao Yanxin , Wang Wanwan , Lu Yi-Chun
Published: October 2021

The high-loading solid conversion electrodes are employed to replace conventional metal deposition electrodes to achieve high cycling stability at high areal capacities and high current densities in hybrid redox flow batteries.
Organocatalytic epoxidation and allylic oxidation of alkenes by molecular oxygen
Authors: Petsi Marina , Orfanidou Maria , Zografos Alexandros L.
Published: October 2021

A pseudodipeptide is enough to initiate the reduction of dioxygen to a powerful oxidant. How to control it is now in your hands for achieving highly chemoselective epoxidation and allylic oxidation of electron-rich alkenes.
Optical detection of sulfur mustard contaminated surfaces based on a sprayable fluorescent probe
Authors: Ma Bin , Zuo Guomin , Dong Bin , Gao Shi , You Lijuan , Wang Xuefeng
Published: October 2021

A water-based sprayable functional polymer was immobilized with the fluorescent probe DPXT and was used as a chemo-sensor for rapid localization of surface contamination by sulfur mustard.
Understanding the behaviour of carnosine in aqueous solution: an experimental and quantum-based computational investigation on acid–base properties and complexation mechanisms with Ca2+and Mg2+
Authors: Abate Chiara , Cassone Giuseppe , Cordaro Massimiliano , Giuffrè Ottavia , Mollica-Nardo Viviana , Ponterio Rosina Celeste , Saija Franz , Sponer Jiri , Trusso Sebastiano , Foti Claudia
Published: October 2021

Thermodynamic parameters together with unprecedented quantum-based molecular dynamics simulations contribute to the macroscopic and microscopic understanding of the mechanisms of action of carnosine in aqueous solution.
Rapid preparation and characterization of a bridged bis(β-cyclodextrin) functionalized urea–formaldehyde monolithic column by a “one-pot” approach
Authors: Liu Yue , Su Zhiping , Jiang Shuangcheng , Sun Haoran , Lyu Haixia , Xie Zenghong
Published: October 2021

A new bridged-CD monolith was prepared by “one-pot” method within 30 minutes. The obtained bridged-CD monolith showed satisfactory enantioselectivity compared to a native-CD monolith.
Uncovering an oxide ion substitution for the OH− + CH3F reaction
Authors: Tasi Domonkos A. , Czakó Gábor
Published: October 2021

Reaction dynamics simulations on a high-level ab initio analytical potential energy surface reveal a novel oxide ion substitution channel for the OH− + CH3F reaction.
Preparing your figures for…
Authors: Aquino Erika , Jabban Leen , Leese Hannah
Published: October 2021

Taking your data and creating a figure to illustrate your findings is a key part of scientific research dissemination; images can convey complex ideas far more easily than language. But when putting your figures together, you should consider the audience you are preparing your images for – here we outline how you can prepare your figures to best address their individual needs.
Exposome chimique et approches « non ciblées »
Authors: David Arthur , Chaker Jade , Multigner Luc , Bessonneau Vincent
Published: October 2021

Les avancées techniques en spectrométrie de masse à haute résolution (SMHR), concomitantes au développement d’outils bio-informatiques, permettent aujourd’hui la détection simultanée de plusieurs dizaines de milliers de signaux chimiques dans des matrices biologiques, correspondant à des molécules d’origine exogène (dont les xénobiotiques) et à des molécules endogènes. Ces nouvelles approches reposant sur la SMHR, dites « non ciblées » car sans a priori, représentent une opportunité unique pour caractériser à grande échelle l’exposition de populations humaines aux composés chimiques (ce que l’on appelle exposome chimique interne), et ainsi mieux appréhender leur rôle dans la survenue de maladies chroniques.
Les chimères « systémiques » homme/animal
Authors: Savatier Pierre , Aksoy Irène
Published: October 2021

Les chimères inter-espèces sont à la fois les créatures fantastiques et monstrueuses des mythologies grecque ou égyptienne, et un outil de recherche établi de longue date. Des avancées récentes dans le domaine des cellules souches pluripotentes ont permis d’élargir le répertoire des chimères inter-espèces aux chimères « systémiques » dans lesquelles le mélange des cellules des deux espèces concerne tous les organes, y compris la lignée germinale. Ces embryons et fœtus chimériques ouvrent de nouvelles voies de recherches et des applications médicales potentielles. Dans cette revue, nous ferons le point sur les dernières avancées dans ce domaine. Nous discuterons les concepts de complémentation et d’équivalence développementale. Nous évoquerons également les verrous méthodologiques à débloquer, ainsi que les limites biologiques et éthiques de ces nouvelles techniques.
On the derivative-free quasi-Newton-type algorithm for separable systems of nonlinear equations
Authors: Mohammad Hassan , Muhammed Awwal Aliyu , Bala Abubakar Auwal , Salihu Ben Musa Ahmad
Published: October 2021

A derivative-free quasi-Newton-type algorithm in which its search direction is a product of a positive definite diagonal matrix and a residual vector is presented. The algorithm is simple to implement and has the ability to solve large-scale nonlinear systems of equations with separable functions. The diagonal matrix is simply obtained in a quasi-Newton manner at each iteration. Under some suitable conditions, the global and R-linear convergence result of the algorithm are presented. Numerical test on some benchmark separable nonlinear equations problems reveal the robustness and efficiency of the algorithm.
Radioablation of Upper Abdominal Malignancies by CT-Guided, Interstitial HDR Brachytherapy: A Multivariate Analysis of Catheter Placement Assisted by Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Damm Robert , Damm Romy , Heinze Constanze , Surov Alexey , Omari Jazan , Pech Maciej , Powerski Maciej
Published: October 2021

Purpose To evaluate the use of ultrasound (US) during catheter placement in interstitial brachytherapy (iBT) of abdominal malignancies as an alternative to computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy.

Materials and Methods Catheter placement for CT-guided iBT was, if US visibility was sufficient, assisted by sonography in 52 consecutive patients with 82 lesions (liver N = 62; kidney N = 16; peritoneum N = 4) of various malignancies. We collected data on lesion visibility, location, depth, size, and dosimetry. Comparison of CT fluoroscopy versus US-assisted catheter placement was performed by Fisher’s exact test for frequencies and U-test for lesion visibility and dosimetric data. Factors predicting the utility of sonography were determined in a lesion-based multivariate regression analysis. A p-value < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.

Results 150 catheters (1 to 6 per lesion; mean diameter 3.6 ± 2.4 cm) were implanted. CT fluoroscopy was used for 44 catheters, and US was used for 106 catheters. Lesion visibility assessed by 5-point Likert scale was significantly better in US (median 2 vs. 3; p = 0.011) and effective dose was significantly reduced if US guidance was applicable (median 1.75 vs. 8.19 mSv; p = 0.014). In a multivariate regression analysis, we identified increased lesion size and caudal location within the target organ to independently predict the utility of ultrasound in catheter placement for iBT.

Conclusion Sonography is a helpful technique to assist CT-guided interstitial brachytherapy of upper abdominal malignancies. Especially for larger lesions localized in the lower liver segments or lower half of the kidney, superior visibility can be expected. As the effective dose of the patient is also reduced, radiation exposure of the medical staff may be indirectly lowered.

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