bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
K‐12 education in biochemistry and molecular biology: A parallel session at the IUBMB/PSBMB 2019 “Harnessing Interdisciplinary Education in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” conference
Authors: Ortiz Phillip A. , Ramos John Donnie A. , Yarden Anat , Yu Gracia Fe B. , Macaulay Janet O.
Published: October 2020

Biochemistry and molecular biology education starts before our students get to university. From a very early age, they start learning informally about science beginning with the basics of science and as they progress through their school years they should be exposed to more advanced topics such as biochemistry and molecular biology. This session at the conference focused on three very different examples of engaging school students with biochemistry and molecular biology.
Dermoscopy of nipple adenoma
Authors: Ansari Mahshid Sadat , Taghizadeh Fazli Jafar , Ehsani Amirhooshang
Published: October 2020

Characteristic finding of nipple adenoma (NA) in dermoscopy (red dots in linear, radial, or semicircular patterns) can help in accurate clinicopathologic diagnosis of NA vs other inflammatory, benign, and especially malignant nipple lesions.
The changing prospects of corporate social responsibility in the decade of action: Do personal values matter?
Authors: Sepasi Sahar , Rexhepi Gadaf , Rahdari Amir
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study is to consider the role of personal values in shaping the prospects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the decade of action (2020–2030). Partial Least Squares was used to examine the research question. The study makes three contributions by examining Schwartz's theory in an international context, the prospects of social responsibility, and providing insights into the dynamics of values and social responsibility. The results placed corporate transparency and environmental protection as the emerging themes of CSR in the decade of action. The study found that values do not significantly explain the changes in the perception of CSR in the decade of action. The study furthers the research agenda on the prospects of CSR and attempts to compensate for the dearth of research on CSR futurology.
Noninvasive body contouring by dermal fillers, radiofrequency, and focused ultrasound: A review
Authors: Alhaddad Marwan , Boen Monica , Fabi Sabrina , Goldman Mitchel P.
Published: October 2020

There has been a current trend in aesthetic medicine for patients to seek procedures with minimal downtime. To meet this demand, in the past few years, there have been several new energy‐based devices in the market to treat unwanted fat noninvasively. Noninvasive body contouring involves almost no epidermal damage and minimal downtime. This review will focus on the use of dermal fillers to improve skin texture abnormalities, radiofrequency, and ultrasound devices for body contouring. Cryolipolysis, a popular body contouring technology, will be addressed in a separate paper by the authors due to a large amount of data on this topic.
Mediofrontal theta‐band oscillations reflect top‐down influence in the ventriloquist illusion
Authors: Kaiser Mathis , Senkowski Daniel , Keil Julian
Published: October 2020

In the ventriloquist illusion, spatially disparate visual signals can influence the perceived location of simultaneous sounds. Previous studies have shown asymmetrical responses in auditory cortical regions following perceived peripheral sound shifts. Moreover, higher‐order cortical areas perform inferences on the sources of disparate audiovisual signals. Recent studies have also highlighted top‐down influence in the ventriloquist illusion and postulated a governing function of neural oscillations for crossmodal processing. In this EEG study, we analyzed source‐reconstructed neural oscillations to address the question of whether perceived sound shifts affect the laterality of auditory responses. Moreover, we investigated the modulation of neural oscillations related to the occurrence of the illusion more generally. With respect to the first question, we did not find evidence for significant changes in the laterality of auditory responses due to perceived sound shifts. However, we found a sustained reduction of mediofrontal theta‐band power starting prior to stimulus onset when participants perceived the illusion compared to when they did not perceive the illusion. We suggest that this effect reflects a state of diminished cognitive control, leading to reliance on more readily discriminable visual information and increased crossmodal influence. We conclude that mediofrontal theta‐band oscillations serve as a neural mechanism underlying top‐down modulation of crossmodal processing in the ventriloquist illusion.
The role of insecure attachment and cognitive biases in the social functioning of schizophrenia spectrum patients
Authors: Kielan‐Cebo Joanna , Krężołek Martyna , Pionke Renata , Gawęda Łukasz
Published: October 2020

Objective

The study investigates the relationship between cognitive biases and attachment styles and social functioning.

Method

Fifty‐three patients (28 females, age M = 41.73, SD = 11.71) with the diagnosis of schizophrenia participated in the study. We measured attachment styles, cognitive biases, and social functioning using self‐report questionnaires. Relationships among variables were investigated with correlational and regression analyses.

Results

Correlation analysis indicated that social engagement, interpersonal behavior, pro‐social activities, and independence‐performance significantly correlate with both attachment styles and cognitive biases. However, in regression analysis, after controlling for attachment styles, only subjective cognitive problems turned out to be a significant predictor of social functioning.

Conclusions

These preliminary findings might suggest that both attachment styles and cognitive biases are associated with social functioning. Nonetheless, when considered together it might suggest attachment styles have a higher contribution than cognitive biases to social engagement, interpersonal behavior, and pro‐social activities decline in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Genetic aberrations ofNLRC5are associated with downregulated MHC‐I antigen presentation and impaired T‐cell immunity in follicular lymphoma
Authors: Gunawardana Jay , Lee Justina N. , Bednarska Karolina , Murigneux Valentine , de Long Lilia Merida , Sabdia Muhammed B. , Birch Simone , Tobin Joshua W. D. , Gandhi Maher K.
Published: October 2020

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. Twenty to twenty‐five percent of FL patients have progression of disease within 24 months. These patients may benefit from immunotherapy if intact antigen presentation is present. Molecular mechanisms impairing major histocompatibility complex class‐I (MHC‐I) in FL remain undefined. Here, by sequencing of 172 FL tumours, we found the MHC‐I transactivator NLRC5 was the most frequent gene abnormality in the MHC‐I pathway. Pyrosequencing showed that epigenetic silencing of theNLRC5promoter occurred in 30% of cases and was mutually exclusive to copy number loss (CNL) inNLRC5(∼6% of cases). Hypermethylation and CNLs (“NLRC5aberrant”) had reducedNLRC5gene expression compared to wild‐type (WT) cases. By NanoString, there was reduced gene expression of the MHC‐I pathway in aberrant tissues, including immunoproteasome components (PSMB8andPSMB9), peptide transporters of antigen processing (TAP1), and MHC‐I (HLA‐A), compared to WT. By immunofluorescent microscopy, fewer NLRC5 protein‐expressing malignant B‐cells were observed in NLRC5 aberrant tissue sections compared to NLRC5 WT (P < .01). Consistent with a pivotal role in the activation of CD8+T‐cells, bothCD8andCD137strongly correlated with NLRC5 expression (bothr > 0.7;P < .0001). Further studies are required to determine whether patients with aberrant NLRC5 have a diminished response to immunotherapy.
LEADING FROM VALUES
Authors: Pesky Alan D.
Published: October 2020

The author discusses the mission, goals, and operation of the Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC), a nonprofit founded in Idaho in 1997. It is named after the author's son Lee, who grew up with undiagnosed learning disabilities and died of brain cancer at the age of 30. The author experienced success in business and other fields before establishing LPLC. He recounts how it started small, with a staff of two in a modest space and offered two services: diagnostic evaluations and evidence‐based remediation. LPLC grew organically as its expertise, client demand, and resources allowed. It has helped more than 100,000 children, has trained thousands of teachers to improve reading outcomes in their classrooms, and is recognized today as a research leader in the fields of learning disabilities and early literacy. It makes a sustainable difference every day in the lives of individual children and their families. The article focuses on such touchstones as mission/daily compass, the value of collaboration and being a “learning institution”— meaning, “an institution that learns.” Organizational takeaways are provided, as the author asserts that LPLC's experience has relevance for institutions beyond the field of education and for leaders who seek to effect meaningful change in their communities.
Modeling the strain‐dependent electrical resistance and strain sensitivity factor of CNT‐polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Xia Xiaodong , Zhao Shijun , Fang Chao , Weng George J.
Published: October 2020

Recent experiments have revealed the strain‐dependent phenomenon of electrical resistance for CNT‐polymer nanocomposites, but at present, no theory seems to exist to explain such observations. In this paper, a strain‐dependent homogenization scheme with considerations of volume change of the nanocomposite and strain‐dependent electron tunneling is developed to this end. The effective electrical conductivity and secant moduli of the nanocomposite are selected as the two homogenization parameters. The thermodynamic driving force and the corresponding evolution equation of the progressive degradation process of the interface are also derived. It is demonstrated that the predicted resistance change ratio and strain sensitivity factor of CNT‐polymer nanocomposites are in close agreement with the experimental results over a wide range of strain loading. With the addition of CNT nanofillers, both theory and experiments show a decrease of resistance change ratio and strain sensitivity factor. As the strain loading increases, the resistance change ratio first increases slightly and then increases rapidly. Among other novel features of the theory, it is also shown that CNT‐polymer nanocomposites can attain a very high strain sensitivity factor even at a low CNT loading. It is believed that this research can provide a practical guidance to the design of high‐sensitivity strain sensors.
Offer online orientation to set graduate students up for success
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: October 2020

From child care and work obligations to proximity to campus, there are a variety of reasons why incoming graduate students can't make it to an in‐person orientation. That's why the University of Southern Mississippi decided to try a different approach in 2018.
Interpreting mortuary treatment from histological bone diagenesis: A case study from Neolithic Çatalhöyük
Authors: Goren Haley P. , Agarwal Sabrina C. , Beauchesne Patrick
Published: October 2020

This study examines the evidence for differential mortuary practices at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, in Anatolia, Turkey, using the histological examination of bacterial microbioerosion in archaeological human bone. In order to analyse bacterial microbioerosion, thin sections were prepared from the midshaft of thoracic ribs 6–8, of n = 162 individuals (adults and juveniles) and analysed using qualitative analysis of microscopic focal destructive changes with polarized light microscopy. The extent of destructive change was assessed, and the degree of preservation was examined using the Oxford Histological Index. Individual, in situ interment was assessed using burial and skeletal data. Results show no differences in histological bacterial microbioerosion between male and female burials, but histological preservation was seen to differ between juveniles and adults, findings that are interpreted as the result of differential mortuary practices at the time of death. The challenges and potential of examining recurring taphonomic signatures in bone histology and their relationship to differential burial practices are discussed.
Factors influencing adoption of online teaching by school teachers: A study during COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sangeeta  , Tandon Urvashi
Published: October 2020

The research develops a theoretical model that highlights the determinants of adoption of online teaching at the time of the outbreak of COVID 19. Empirical data was gathered from 643 school teachers by means of an online survey. The proposed conceptual framework was investigated empirically by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings of the study revealed performance expectancy, and facilitating conditions had a positive impact on behavioural intention as well as attitude. However, effort expectancy failed to drive teachers' adoption to online teaching. On the other hand, social influence had insignificant relationship with attitude but significant relationship with behavioural intention. Attitude had a significant impact on behavioural intention as well as actual use. This study contributes to the literature by presenting and validating a theory‐driven framework that accentuates the factors influencing online teaching during outbreak of a pandemic.
Self‐supervised learning for outlier detection
Authors: Diers Jan , Pigorsch Christian
Published: October 2020

The identification of outliers is mainly based on unannotated data and therefore constitutes an unsupervised problem. The lack of a label leads to numerous challenges that do not occur or only occur to a lesser extent when using annotated data and supervised methods. In this paper, we focus on two of these challenges: the selection of hyperparameters and the selection of informative features. To this end, we propose a method to transform the unsupervised problem of outlier detection into a supervised problem. Benchmarking our approach against common outlier detection methods shows clear advantages of our method when many irrelevant features are present. Furthermore, the proposed approach also scores very well in the selection of hyperparameters, i.e., compared to methods with randomly selected hyperparameters.
Optimized parameters using Box–Behnken design methodology facilitate enhanced phenol degradation of Bacillus cereus PB1 by immobilization and adsorption
Authors: Radhathirumalaiarasu Selvaraj , Mahalakshmi Graham Karthikeyan
Published: October 2020

Phenolic compounds are toxic organic pollutants that are released into the environment through wastewater discharged from several industries. Biodegradation is considered as a most suitable ecofriendly approach for the removal of phenolic waste. Experiments were conducted based on response surface methodology in the batch system to evaluate the requirement of optimum inoculum density, phenol concentration, and incubation period for degradation phenol by strain Bacillus cereus PB1 isolated from polluted site. Box–Behnken design used to analyze the interactions among variables for maximum phenol degradation. Results show optimized parameters of 1% (v/v) initial inoculums, 650 mg L−1 of phenol concentration, and 36 hours of incubation period enhance phenol degradation (402 mg L−1). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted, and the F‐value was 302.77, which implies that the model is significant. The predicted R‐squared of 0.9590 is close to the adjusted R‐squared of 0.9941, and the P value gives the significance of the coefficient and also indicates the pattern of interactions between the coefficients. Further immobilization experiments performed under an optimized condition infer improved phenol degradation by immobilized cells (464.52 mg L−1). An attempt to investigate the supplementation of culture for increasing adsorption efficiency along with thermally treated rice straw proven about 96.56% of phenol removal.
On the Crystal Structure and Conductivity of Na3P
Authors: Eickhoff Henrik , Dietrich Christian , Klein Wilhelm , Zeier Wolfgang. G. , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: October 2020

As a potential material for Na‐ion battery systems and on the basis of a structural discussion of compounds formerly believed to crystallize in the so‐called Na3As type the structure of Na3P has been reinvestigated. Na3P is found to crystallize in the Cu3P type, analogous to Na3As and is described by a three times larger unit cell [P63cm, a = 8.61224(10) Å and c = 8.81949(10) Å] compared to the former model [P63/mmc, a = 4.9512(5) Å and c = 8.7874(13) Å]. As a structural manifestation of this symmetry reduction corrugated layers of Na and P atoms are observed which had formerly to be described as planar. The high purity of the material further enables the determination of its properties, showing mainly semiconducting behavior with a conductivity of 12 S·cm–1 at room temperature.
Multimodal Acting and Performing
Authors: Lavender Andy
Published: October 2020

This chapter considers how one might understand the work of actors and performers with reference to ideas of multimodality. The actor is not a ‘medium’ in the way of the media types in which she performs (theatre, film, radio drama, etc.). Yet, the actor does have a communicative function. It is argued that the modes of communicative media operate in a contemporary field of modal expansion, interrelation and transposition and that an account of acting and performing that considers such a field amends the longstanding focus on the actor’s ‘intention’ and ‘presence’. Instead, such an account delineates a technical infrastructure that suggests new insights into the actor’s work. Is the actor’s mode of performing expressed, shaped or constrained by the shifting media modalities in which her or his work is conveyed? The chapter examines instances of performances in theatre, in film, in ‘reality trend’ events and online.
The Impact of Digital Text
Authors: Pae Hye K.
Published: October 2020

This chapter discusses reading on screen and in print, as the emergence of digital age has transformed our reading and attention. Digital reading reshapes the concept of reading with the use of various forms of social media that are full of acronyms and emoticons or emoji. Advantages and disadvantages of reading on screen and in print are reviewed. The effects of digitally-mediated text on information processing and reading comprehension are also discussed. Although reading online has merits, such as convenience, low cost, and easy accessibility, readers are likely to scan through an F-shaped gaze pattern. The use of digital media may have a significant influence on brain networks due to the brain’s adaptability and accommodating abilities. Digital text that includes more images and visual aids than hardcopy text may lead to more balanced brain functions. This may have implications for reduced script relativity in the future.
The Consequences of Reading: The Reading Brain
Authors: Pae Hye K.
Published: October 2020

This chapter discusses the consequences of reading in terms of the reading brain. As a holistic view of the mind’s software, the ecosystem of reading is used as a theoretical framework, which includes microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem. The ecological system of reading particularly focuses on the reader’s mind as the microsystem and on language and script (i.e., oracy and literacy) as the mesosystem within the interrelated networks of the biological basis, cognitive characteristics, and the sociocultural dimensions of learning and reading. The discussion continues to cover the similarities and differences between oracy and literacy. Finally, the reading brain is discussed with respect to the cognitive impact of reading. The literate brain shows a stable cerebral architecture and neural networks specifically attuned to reading in the left occipito-temporal region.
Linguistic Evidence for Script Relativity
Authors: Pae Hye K.
Published: October 2020

Using theuniversal grammar of readingand thesystem accommodation hypothesis(Perfetti, 2003) as theoretical frameworks, this chapter reviews a wide range of linguistic evidence that supportsscript relativity. Universality and specificity found according to script features are discussed with respect to the operating principle (alphabet vs. logography), psycholinguistic gran size (phoneme vs. syllable), graph configuration (linearity vs. block), symbolic representation (arbitrariness vs. iconic quality), graph complexity (traditional characters vs. simplified characters), and multi-script representation (phonogram Kana vs. Ideogram Kanji). Linguistic skills associated with reading in terms of orthography, phonology, morphology as well as cross-linguistic and cross-scriptal transfer are reviewed. Next, based on the reviewed literature, each criterion for causality from script to cognition through reading as a multifaceted cognitive activity is checked. Although the existing literature did not aim to directly test script relativity, research findings collectively suggest script effects on readers’ thought and cognition.
Pathway Activity Score Learning for Dimensionality Reduction of Gene Expression Data
Authors: Karagiannaki Ioulia , Pantazis Yannis , Chatzaki Ekaterini , Tsamardinos Ioannis
Published: October 2020

Molecular gene-expression datasets consist of samples with tens of thousands of measured quantities (e.g., high dimensional data). However, there exist lower-dimensional representations that retain the useful information. We present a novel algorithm for such dimensionality reduction called Pathway Activity Score Learning (PASL). The major novelty of PASL is that the constructed features directly correspond to known molecular pathways and can be interpreted as pathway activity scores. Hence, unlike PCA and similar methods, PASL’s latent space has a relatively straight-forward biological interpretation. As a use-case, PASL is applied on two collections of breast cancer and leukemia gene expression datasets. We show that PASL does retain the predictive information for disease classification on new, unseen datasets, as well as outperforming PLIER, a recently proposed competitive method. We also show that differential activation pathway analysis provides complementary information to standard gene set enrichment analysis. The code is available athttps://github.com/mensxmachina/PASL.
Pseudo-Goldstone dark matter: gravitational waves and direct-detection blind spots
Authors: Alanne Tommi , Benincasa Nico , Heikinheimo Matti , Kannike Kristjan , Keus Venus , Koivunen Niko , Tuominen Kimmo
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Pseudo-Goldstone dark matter is a thermal relic with momentum-suppressed direct-detection cross section. We study the most general model of pseudo-Goldstone dark matter arising from the complex-singlet extension of the Standard Model. The new U(1) symmetry of the model is explicitly broken down to a CP-like symmetry stabilising dark matter. We study the interplay of direct-detection constraints with the strength of cosmic phase transitions and possible gravitational-wave signals. While large U(1)-breaking interactions can generate a large direct-detection cross section, there are blind spots where the cross section is suppressed. We find that sizeable cubic couplings can give rise to a first-order phase transition in the early universe. We show that there exist regions of the parameter space where the resulting gravitational-wave signal can be detected in future by the proposed Big Bang Observer detector.
Cumulants of multiple conserved charges and global conservation laws
Authors: Vovchenko Volodymyr , Poberezhnyuk Roman V. , Koch Volker
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We analyze the behavior of cumulants of conserved charges in a subvolume of a thermal system with exact global conservation laws by extending a recently developed subensemble acceptance method (SAM) [1] to multiple conserved charges. Explicit expressions for all diagonal and off-diagonal cumulants up to sixth order that relate them to the grand canonical susceptibilities are obtained. The derivation is presented for an arbitrary equation of state with an arbitrary number of different conserved charges. The global conservation effects cancel out in any ratio of two second order cumulants, in any ratio of two third order cumulants, as well as in a ratio of strongly intensive measures Σ and ∆ involving any two conserved charges, making all these quantities particularly suitable for theory-to-experiment comparisons in heavy-ion collisions. We also show that the same cancellation occurs in correlators of a conserved charge, like the electric charge, with any non-conserved quantity such as net proton or net kaon number. The main results of the SAM are illustrated in the framework of the hadron resonance gas model. We also elucidate how net-proton and net-Λ fluctuations are affected by conservation of electric charge and strangeness in addition to baryon number.
Automatic balance mechanisms for notional defined contribution pension systems guaranteeing social adequacy and financial sustainability: an application to the Italian pension system
Authors: Devolder Pierre , Levantesi Susanna , Menzietti Massimiliano
Published: October 2020

Since the mid 1990s some European countries (including Italy) implemented a Notional Defined Contribution (NDC) pension system. Such a system is based on pay-as-you-go funding, while the pension amount is a function of the individual lifelong contribution. Despite many appealing features, the NDC system presents some drawbacks: first, it is vulnerable to demographic and economic shocks compromising the financial sustainability; second, it could fail to guarantee adequate pension benefits to pensioners. In order to reduce the first limit, automatic balance mechanisms (ABMs) have been proposed in literature and also implemented in Sweden, while solutions that combine financial sustainability and social adequacy have been applied only in a pay-as-you-go point system. The aim of this paper is to insert into the Italian NDC architecture ABMs that preserve social adequacy under financial sustainability constraints. Godinez-Olivares et al. (Insur Math Econ 69:117–126, 2016) built ABMs for a Defined Benefit pension system using nonlinear optimization techniques to calculate the optimal paths of the control variables representing the main drivers of the system: contribution rate, retirement age and indexation of pensions. Following this line of research, we have developed a nonlinear optimization model for the Italian NDC system based on three control variables: pensions indexation, notional rate and contribution rate. The objective function considers both social adequacy and contribution rate sustainability, under liquidity and sustainability constraints. In the numerical application we apply the model to the Italian pension system and test the sensitivity of the results to different economic scenarios and objective function parameters.
Norms of Testimony in Broad Interdisciplinarity: The Case of Quantum Mechanics in Critical Theory
Authors: Jaksland Rasmus
Published: October 2020

While much interdisciplinarity brings together proximate fields, broad interdisciplinarity sees integration between disciplines that are perceived to be non-neighboring. This paper argues that the heterogeneity among disciplines in broad interdisciplinarity calls for stricter epistemic norms of testimony for experts that act as translators between the disciplines than those suggested for intra-scientific testimony. The paper is structured around two case studies: the affective turn in social theorizing and the use of quantum mechanics in critical theory as exemplified by Vicky Kirby’s use of work by Karen Barad. These are argued to be instances of broad interdisciplinary borrowing where few translators have joint expertise in both disciplines. For most, therefore, the engagement with for instance the integration between quantum mechanics and critical theory is possible only by the aid of translators. For those without sufficient interactional expertise, however, the epistemic credentials of the translations they inevitably rely upon are inscrutable. Furthermore, any comparison between translations is challenged since translations are argued to be few due to the cognitive divergence between disciplines in broad interdisciplinarity. Consequently, the epistemic integrity of broad interdisciplinarity can only be secured through additional norms of testimony for translators. The paper proposes that (a) all translator’s testimony in broad interdisciplinarity must aim to be neutral with respect to disputed issues within the relevant disciplines and (b) any deviation from (a) must be clearly highlighted.
Stress macht Zellen resistent gegen Folsäure-basierte Chemotherapeutika
Authors: Ahrends Robert , Medenbach Jan
Published: October 2020

The unfolded protein response (UPR), a cellular stress response pathway, is broadly implicated in disease and resistance to therapy. The molecular mechanisms that drive stress-mediated chemoresistance are, however, only poorly understood. We have employed a multiomics approach to determine UPR-induced gene regulation, revealing the UPR regulon. We further observe metabolic rewiring upon stress and resistance to Methotrexate, a widely-employed therapeutic reagent. The precise molecular characterization of the pathway driving resistance might lead to novel concepts in cancer therapy.
Schnellnachweis von SARS-CoV-2 mit recombinase polymerase amplification
Authors: Behrmann Ole , Bachmann Iris , Hufert Frank , Dame Gregory
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for fast and simple assays for nucleic acid detection. As an isothermal alternative to RT-qPCR, we outline the development of a detection scheme for SARS-CoV-2 RNA based on reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) technology. RPA uses recombination proteins in combination with a DNA polymerase for rapid amplification of target DNA at a constant temperature (39–42 °C) within 10 to 20 minutes and can be monitored in real-time with fluorescent probes.
Nutrient-dense protein as a primary dietary strategy in healthy ageing: please sir, may we have more?
Authors: Nunes E. A. , Currier B. S. , Lim C. , Phillips S. M.
Published: October 2020

A progressive decrement in muscle mass and muscle function, sarcopoenia, accompanies ageing. The loss of skeletal muscle mass and function is the main feature of sarcopoenia. Preventing the loss of muscle mass is relevant since sarcopoenia can have a significant impact on mobility and the quality of life of older people. Dietary protein and physical activity have an essential role in slowing muscle mass loss and helping to maintain muscle function. However, the current recommendations for daily protein ingestion for older persons appear to be too low and are in need of adjustment. In this review, we discuss the skeletal muscle response to protein ingestion, and review the data examining current dietary protein recommendations in the older subjects. Furthermore, we review the concept of protein quality and the important role that nutrient-dense protein (NDP) sources play in meeting overall nutrient requirements and improving dietary quality. Overall, the current evidence endorses an increase in the daily ingestion of protein with emphasis on the ingestion of NDP choices by older adults.
Paths to resettlement: understanding the interplay of work and other factors in journeys out of homelessness
Authors: MCNEILL JENNY , BOWPITT GRAHAM
Published: October 2020

Paid employment has been viewed by successive governments in the UK as critical in making transitions out of homelessness, even when combined with problems like substance misuse, criminality or mental ill health. This article presents evidence from a study that sought to subject this belief to critical examination by exploring the relationship between promoting employability and other aspects of resettlement in the lives of a sample of thirty people experiencing homelessness and complex needs. Participants were interviewed twice at six to nine-month intervals to explore their changing motivations and perceptions of housing, work, relationships and hopes for the future.

Analysis used ‘pathways’ imagery to locate participants along an integrated pathway to understand how these factors related to one another in the pursuit of resettlement. We conclude that all respondents valued work, but its pursuit depended on the structural obstacles that participants faced. People’s location along a resettlement pathway was determined by their sense of control over circumstances, their success in overcoming barriers and the presence of significant others in their lives, and the pursuit of employment among homeless people needs to take account of progress in their resettlement journeys and the place of work in their aspirations.
CME-Antworten: Crowned- Dens-Syndrom – das Chamäleon der Nackenschmerzen
Authors: Semmel Botond , Huber Ursula , Wildi Lukas
Published: October 2020

Zusammenfassung. Das Crowned-Dens-Syndrom (CDS) ist eine seltene, unterdiagnostizierte Differenzialdiagnose der akuten Nackenschmerzen. Die Diagnosefindung stellt im klinischen Alltag eine Herausforderung dar aufgrund der Ähnlichkeit der Symptome zu anderen Krankheitsbildern. In Kenntnis dieser Differenzialdiagnose von akuten Nackenschmerzen können bei zielgerichtetem Vorgehen unnötige Untersuchungen und teure Therapieversuche vermieden werden. Mit diesem Artikel möchten wir dazu beitragen, die Kolleginnen und Kollegen entsprechend zu sensibilisieren.
CME: Das Linksschenkelblockbild und die Ausschlussdiagnose «Painful Left Bundle Branch Block»
Authors: Oechslin Luca , Hofer Daniel , Hermann Matthias
Published: October 2020

Zusammenfassung. Der Linksschenkelblock (LSB) ist das elektrokardiografische Korrelat einer pathologischen Reizweiterleitung am Herzen, die zu einer dyssynchronen Erregung des Ventrikelmyokards und somit zu einer ineffizienten Kontraktion der Ventrikel führen kann. Meist ist der LSB assoziiert mit einer zugrundeliegenden Kardiopathie und stellt einen unabhängigen Risikofaktor der kardiovaskulären Mortalität dar, weswegen eine weitere Abklärung in jedem Fall indiziert ist. Neben der Behandlung einer möglichen Grunderkrankung steht im Falle einer bestehenden systolischen Herzinsuffizienz seit der Einführung der kardialen Resynchronisationstherapie (CRT) zudem eine spezifische elektrische Therapie zur Verfügung. Ein selteneres Phänomen ist der symptomatische und belastungsabhängige LSB bei strukturell gesundem Herzen.
CME-EKG 66/Antworten: Torsade de pointes: die Gefahr der rotierenden Herzachse
Authors: Markendorf Susanne , Saguner Ardan M. , Brunckhorst Corinna
Published: October 2020

Zusammenfassung. Die Torsade-de-pointes-Tachykardie ist eine maligne Herzrhythmusstörung, der eine Verlängerung des QT-Intervalls zugrunde liegt. Diese Verlängerung der QT-Zeit ist entweder angeboren oder erworben. Die erworbene Form wird meist durch medikamentöse Therapie verursacht. Die Torsade-de-pointes-Tachykardie ist durch einen stetigen Achsenwechsel und Undulation der QRS-Amplitude um die Grundlinie charakterisiert und meist selbstlimitierend. Dennoch kann sie in einigen Fällen auch in ein Kammerflimmern degenerieren und damit zum Herzkreislaufstillstand führen. Dieser Artikel soll einen Einblick in Ätiologie, Diagnostik, Prävention und Management dieser Herzrhythmusstörung geben.
Atmospheric Warming Drives Growth in Arctic Sea Ice: A Key Role for Snow
Authors: Bigdeli A. , Nguyen A. T. , Pillar H. R. , Ocaña V. , Heimbach P.
Published: October 2020

A number of feedbacks regulate the response of Arctic sea ice to local atmospheric warming. Using a realistic coupled ocean‐sea ice model and its adjoint, we isolate a mechanism by which significant ice growth at the end of the melt season may occur as a lagged response to Arctic atmospheric warming. A series of perturbation simulations informed by adjoint model‐derived sensitivity patterns reveal the enhanced ice growth to be accompanied by a reduction of snow thickness on the ice pack. Detailed analysis of ocean‐ice‐snow heat budgets confirms the essential role of the reduced snow thickness for persistence and delayed overshoot of ice growth. The underlying mechanism is a snow‐melt‐conductivity feedback, wherein atmosphere‐driven snow melt leads to a larger conductive ocean heat loss through the overlying ice layer. Our results highlight the need for accurate observations of snow thickness to constrain climate models and to initialize sea ice forecasts.
Applicability of a duplex and four singleplex real-time PCR assays for the qualitative and quantitative determination of wild boar and domestic pig meat in processed food products
Authors: Kaltenbrunner Maria , Mayer Walter , Kerkhoff Kirsten , Epp Rita , Rüggeberg Hermann , Hochegger Rupert , Cichna-Markl Margit
Published: October 2020

Appropriate analytical methods are needed for the detection of food authentication. We investigated the applicability of a duplex real-time PCR assay targeting chromosome 1 and two singleplex real-time PCR assays targeting chromosome 9, both published recently, for the qualitative and quantitative determination of wild boar and domestic pig in processed food products. In addition, two singleplex real-time PCR assays targeting chromosome 7 were tested for their suitability to differentiate the two subspecies. Even by targeting the three genome loci, the probability of misclassification was not completely eliminated. Application of the real-time PCR assays to a total of 35 commercial meat products, including 22 goulash products, revealed that domestic pig DNA was frequently present, even in 14 out of 15 products declared to consist of 100% wild boar. Quantitative results obtained with the real-time PCR assays for wild boar (p < 0.001) and those for domestic pig (p < 0.001) were significantly different. However, the results obtained with the real-time PCR assays for wild boar (r = 0.673; p < 0.001) and those for domestic pig (r = 0.505; p = 0.002) were found to be significantly correlated. If the rules given in the paper are followed, the real-time PCR assays are applicable for routine analysis.
Second magnetization peak, rhombic-to-square Bragg vortex glass transition, and intersecting magnetic hysteresis curves in overdoped BaFe2(As1−xPx)2 single crystals
Authors: Miu L. , Ionescu A. M. , Miu D. , Burdusel M. , Badica P. , Batalu D. , Crisan A.
Published: October 2020

The second magnetization peak (SMP) in the fourfold symmetric superconducting single crystals (such as iron pnictides and tetragonal cuprates) has been attributed to the rhombic-to-square transition (RST) of the quasi-ordered vortex solid (the Bragg vortex glass, BVG). This represents an alternative to the pinning-induced BVG disordering as the actual SMP mechanism. The analysis of the magnetic response of BaFe2(As1−xPx)2 specimens presented here shows that the SMP is not generated by the RST. However, the latter can affect the pinning-dependent SMP onset field if this is close to the (intrinsic) RST line, through the occurrence of a “shoulder” on the magnetic hysteresis curves m(H), and a maximum in the temperature variation of the DC critical current density. These features disappear in AC conditions, where the vortex system is dynamically ordered in the RST domain, emphasizing the essential role of vortex dislocations for an efficient accommodation of the vortex system to the pinning landscape and the SMP development. The m(H) shoulder is associated with a precipitous pinning-induced proliferation of dislocations at the RST, where the BVG elastic “squash” modulus softens. The DC magnetization relaxation indicates that the pinning-induced vortex system disordering continues above the RST domain, as the basic SMP mechanism.
Long-acting antibody ligand mimetics for HER4-selective agonism
Authors: Shan Lu , Cook Kimberly M. , Haskins Nantaporn , Omar Bilal , Jiang Yu , Garcia Andrew , Koksal Adem , Oganesyan Vaheh , Rosenthal Kim , Wu Herren , Dall’Acqua William F. , Damschroder Melissa M.
Published: October 2020

Neuregulin protein 1 (NRG1) is a large (> 60–amino-acid) natural peptide ligand for the ErbB protein family members HER3 and HER4. We developed an agonistic antibody modality, termed antibody ligand mimetics (ALM), by incorporating complex ligand agonists such as NRG1 into an antibody scaffold. We optimized the linker and ligand length to achieve native ligand activity in HEK293 cells and cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and used a monomeric Fc-ligand fusion platform to steer the ligand specificity toward HER4-dominant agonism. With the help of selectivity engineering, these enhanced ALM molecules can provide an antibody scaffold with increased receptor specificity and the potential to greatly improve the pharmacokinetics, stability, and downstream developability profiles from the natural ligand approach. This ligand mimetic design and optimization approach can be expanded to apply to other cardiovascular disease targets and emerging therapeutic areas, providing differentiated drug molecules with increased specificity and extended half-life.
Toward an effective use of laser-driven very high energy electrons for radiotherapy: Feasibility assessment of multi-field and intensity modulation irradiation schemes
Authors: Labate Luca , Palla Daniele , Panetta Daniele , Avella Federico , Baffigi Federica , Brandi Fernando , Di Martino Fabio , Fulgentini Lorenzo , Giulietti Antonio , Köster Petra , Terzani Davide , Tomassini Paolo , Traino Claudio , Gizzi Leonida A.
Published: October 2020

Radiotherapy with very high energy electrons has been investigated for a couple of decades as an effective approach to improve dose distribution compared to conventional photon-based radiotherapy, with the recent intriguing potential of high dose-rate irradiation. Its practical application to treatment has been hindered by the lack of hospital-scale accelerators. High-gradient laser-plasma accelerators (LPA) have been proposed as a possible platform, but no experiments so far have explored the feasibility of a clinical use of this concept. We show the results of an experimental study aimed at assessing dose deposition for deep seated tumours using advanced irradiation schemes with an existing LPA source. Measurements show control of localized dose deposition and modulation, suitable to target a volume at depths in the range from 5 to 10 cm with mm resolution. The dose delivered to the target was up to 1.6 Gy, delivered with few hundreds of shots, limited by secondary components of the LPA accelerator. Measurements suggest that therapeutic doses within localized volumes can already be obtained with existing LPA technology, calling for dedicated pre-clinical studies.
New Pd/Co–Ni electrocatalysts for formic acid electrooxidation and their fabrication from inorganic precursor [Co0.14Ni1.86(dipic)2(phen)2(H2O)2]·4H2O
Authors: Saheli Sania , Rezvani Ali Reza , Yavari Zahra , Dusek Michal , Kucerakova Monika
Published: October 2020

Novel Pd/Co–Ni oxide composites were developed as electrocatalysts for formic acid electro-oxidation as a process that can be utilised in fuel cells and electrochemical sensors.
Resorufin-based responsive probes for fluorescence and colorimetric analysis
Authors: Tian Lu , Feng Huan , Dai Zhichao , Zhang Run
Published: October 2020

Resorufin has been widely used in the design of responsive probes for various bioactive species due to its excellent properties. This work summarized the advances in the development of resorufin-based probes for fluorescent and colorimetric analysis.
Cellulose-based dispersants and flocculants
Authors: Koshani Roya , Tavakolian Mandana , van de Ven Theo G. M.
Published: October 2020

Various cellulosic derivatives ranging from nanoparticles to macromolecular compounds were studied as biodegradable and renewable dispersants and flocculants.
Influence of dopant size and doping method on the structure and thermoelectric properties of PBTTT films doped with F6TCNNQ and F4TCNQ
Authors: Vijayakumar Vishnu , Durand Pablo , Zeng Huiyan , Untilova Viktoriia , Herrmann Laurent , Algayer Patrick , Leclerc Nicolas , Brinkmann Martin
Published: October 2020

Better ordering of dopants in PBTTT is achieved by progressive intercalation, leading to improved thermoelectric power factors in oriented films.
Utilizing an electron-deficient thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD) unit as a π-bridge to improve the photovoltaic performance of A–π–D–π–A type acceptors
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Sun Chenkai , Tang Ailing , Zhang Bao , Guo Qiang , Zhou Erjun , Li Yongfang
Published: October 2020

Thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD) was used as a π-bridge to synthesize A–π–D–π–A type NFAs, which realized a PCE of 10.4% by using PTQ10 as the electron donor.
Long non-conding RNA LOXL1-AS1 sponges miR-589-5p to up-regulate CBX5 expression in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Chunlei , Zhang Jiange
Published: October 2020

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignant tumor that seriously endangers people’s health. In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been discovered to play vital roles in diverse cancers, including RCC. LncRNA lysyl oxidase like 1 antisense RNA 1 (LOXL1-AS1) has been found to exert carcinogenic functions in several cancers, but its role and mechanism in RCC have not been investigated.

Methods: qRT-PCR was utilized for testing RNA expression and Western blot for protein expression in RCC tissues or cells. Then, we assessed cell function by conducting a series of functional experiments, such as 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine staining, colony formation, flow cytometry, JC-1, Western blot and transwell migration experiments. Following, RNA immunoprecipitation, pull down and luciferase reporter experiments were carried out to explore the regulatory mechanisms of LOXL1-AS1 in RCC.

Results: LOXL1-AS1 was highly expressed in RCC tissues and cells. Moreover, knockdown of LOXL1-AS1 hampered RCC cell proliferation and migration. Importantly, miR-589-5p that was lowly expressed and worked as a tumor-inhibitor in RCC was found to bind with LOXL1-AS1. Furthermore, chromobox 5 (CBX5) targeted by miR-589-5p could expedite cell proliferation and migration in RCC. Finally, overexpressed CBX5 or inhibited miR-589-5p reversed the repressive impacts of silenced LOXL1-AS1 on RCC malignant phenotypes.

Conclusions: LncRNA LOXL1-AS1 sequestered miR-589-5p to augment CBX5 expression in RCC cells, opening a new way for potential development in RCC treatment.
The potential of timber-based buildings in terms of energy efficiency
Authors: Švajlenka Jozef , Kozlovská Mária
Published: October 2020

The topic of energy efficiency is currently under discussion. One of the areas of energy efficiency is the energy efficiency of buildings. The thermo-technical requirements for building envelope structures are gaining increasing importance due to new legislation and technical regulations regarding the reduction of heating and energy demands of buildings over time and because of continuously increasing energy prices. Building construction and the operational costs of buildings are among the largest consumers of material and energy resources and environmental pollutants. Ecological constructions are a response to the current state of the environment. A suitable solution that represents ecological construction, operation and comfortable living is the construction of low-energy and passive houses based on wood. Wood-based buildings have many benefits that are particularly timely in the context of sustainability today. The aim of this paper is to introduce selected aspects of wood-based buildings in the context of energy efficiency and thus to reduce the adverse effects of construction on the surrounding environment.