bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infant Survival Among Free-Living Bonnet Macaques (Macaca radiata) in South India
Authors: Arlet Małgorzata E. , Balasubramaniam Krishna N. , Saha Rajarshi , Beisner Brianne , Marty Pascal R. , Kaburu Stefano S. K. , Bliss-Moreau Eliza , Kaasik Ants , Kodandaramaiah Ullasa , McCowan Brenda
Published: March 2021

Female reproductive success depends to a large extent on infants’ ability to survive to maturity. While most studies of female reproductive success have focused on the effects of individuals’ sociodemographic factors (e.g., age/parity, dominance rank) on offspring survival among wild primates living in less disturbed habitats, little research has focused on offspring survival in urban or periurban animals. Here we investigated sociodemographic and anthropogenic determinants of infant survival (up to 1 yr of age) in free-ranging bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) living in a periurban environment in Southern India. We conducted the study from November 2016 to May 2018, on two groups of bonnet macaques at the Thenmala tourist site in the state of Kerala. Fifty infants were born across two birth seasons. Of these infants, 29.2% died or disappeared in 2017 and 26.9% died or disappeared in 2018. We found that infant survival was strongly influenced by the mother’s parity: infants of experienced mothers had a better chance of survival than those of first-time mothers. We also found that male infants were more likely to die than female infants. However, we found no effects of mothers’ dominance rank, or of frequency of mothers’ interactions with humans and time spent foraging on anthropogenic food, on infant survival. Our results, consistent with findings from other wild primate species, show that even in challenging human-impacted environments, experienced bonnet macaque mothers have greater success than inexperienced ones.
Thymopoiesis, Alterations in Dendritic Cells and Tregs, and Reduced T Cell Activation in Successful Extracorporeal Photopheresis Treatment of GVHD
Authors: Flinn Aisling M. , Ehrlich Anna , Roberts Catherine , Wang Xiao Nong , Chou Janet , Gennery Andrew R.
Published: March 2021

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a significant complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and negatively affects T cell reconstitution. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) reduces aGVHD, but the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Our objective was to examine the impact of ECP on thymopoiesis in pediatric aGVHD and the mechanisms at a cellular and transcriptional level. Sixteen pediatric HSCT patients were recruited: 6 with ECP-treated aGVHD, 5 without aGVHD, and 5 with aGVHD treated with corticosteroids only. Thymopoiesis was evaluated by measuring naive T cells, TRECs, IL-7, and T cell receptor repertoire diversity. Regulatory T cell (Treg) enumeration and function and dendritic cell (DC) enumeration and phenotype were analyzed using flow cytometry. T cell transcriptome analysis was performed on ECP patients after treatment and responders pre- and post-treatment. Four ECP responders demonstrated thymic-dependent T cell recovery, and superior median naïve T cell numbers at 8 and 12 months post-HSCT compared to the aGVHD corticosteroid group. Increased Tregs and Treg suppressive function, reduced cDC/pDC and DC co-stimulatory marker expression in ECP responders suggest upregulated peripheral tolerance; these findings were not observed in partial responders. Responder post-ECP CD3+ T cell transcriptional profile demonstrated 3333 downregulated and 364 upregulated genes, with significant downregulation of ERRα and GαS pathways, and reduced expression of pro-inflammatory and adhesion proteins.

Thymic function improves with successful ECP treatment. ECP reduces T cell activation and impacts peripheral tolerance via DCs and Tregs. Differences in thymic recovery, DC, and Treg cellular patterns and the T cell transcriptome were observed between ECP responders and partial responders and require further validation and investigation in additional patients.
Toleration as the Balance Between Liberty and Security
Authors: Galeotti Anna Elisabetta , Liveriero Federica
Published: March 2021

Traditionally, an adequate strategy to deal with the tension between liberty and security has been toleration, for the latter allows the maximization of individual liberty without endangering security, since it embraces the limits set by the harm principle and the principle of self-defense of the liberal order. The area outside the boundary clearly requires repressive measures to protect the security and the rights of all. In this paper, we focus on the balance of liberty and security afforded by toleration, analyzing how this strategy works in highly conflictual contexts and sorting out the different sets of reason that might motivate individual to assume a tolerant attitude. We contend that toleration represents a reliable political solution to conflicts potentially threatening social security when it is coupled with social tolerance. Hence, we examine the reasons the agents may have for endorsing toleration despite disagreement and disapproval. In the range of these reasons, we argue that the right reasons are those preserving the moral and epistemic integrity of the agent. The right reasons are however not accessible to everyone, as for example is the case with (non-violent) religious fundamentalists. Only prudential reasons for toleration seem to be available to them. And yet, we argue that an open and inclusive democracy should in principle be hospitable towards prudential and pragmatic reasons as well, which may potentially lay the grounds for future cooperation. We conclude therefore that the tolerant society has room for the fundamentalists, granted that they do not resort to violence.
Implications of response shift for micro-, meso-, and macro-level healthcare decision-making using results of patient-reported outcome measures
Authors: Sawatzky Richard , Kwon Jae-Yung , Barclay Ruth , Chauhan Cynthia , Frank Lori , van den Hout Wilbert B. , Nielsen Lene Kongsgaard , Nolte Sandra , Sprangers Mirjam A. G. ,   the Response Shift – in Sync Working Group
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Results of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used to inform healthcare decision-making. Research has shown that response shift can impact PROM results. As part of an international collaboration, our goal is to provide a framework regarding the implications of response shift at the level of patient care (micro), healthcare institute (meso), and healthcare policy (macro).

Methods

Empirical evidence of response shift that can influence patients’ self-reported health and preferences provided the foundation for development of the framework. Measurement validity theory, hermeneutic philosophy, and micro-, meso-, and macro-level healthcare decision-making informed our theoretical analysis.

Results

At the micro-level, patients’ self-reported health needs to be interpreted via dialogue with the clinician to avoid misinterpretation of PROM data due to response shift. It is also important to consider the potential impact of response shift on study results, when these are used to support decisions. At the meso-level, individual-level data should be examined for response shift before aggregating PROM data for decision-making related to quality improvement, performance monitoring, and accreditation. At the macro-level, critical reflection on the conceptualization of health is required to know whether response shift needs to be controlled for when PROM data are used to inform healthcare coverage.

Conclusion

Given empirical evidence of response shift, there is a critical need for guidelines and knowledge translation to avoid potential misinterpretations of PROM results and consequential biases in decision-making. Our framework with guiding questions provides a structure for developing strategies to address potential impacts of response shift at micro-, meso-, and macro-levels.
Deservingness for "Family 500 +" Benefit in Poland: Qualitative Study of Internet Debates
Authors: Michoń Piotr
Published: March 2021

The need for qualitative research of deservingness perception is strongly emphasised in the literature. This article studies the perception of deservingness for a "Family 500 +"—cash benefit in Poland. For the first time, data from online forums was used in the studies of deservingness and welfare attitudes. It allowed to avoid numerous limitations associated with social surveys. The qualitative analysis showed how participants of Internet debates perceive the criteria of deservingness: control, attitude, reciprocity, identity, need, and what are the relations between the criteria. The impurity of all deservingness criteria was indicated and a new criterion “adequacy” was proposed. Moreover due to the fact that the study concerned a concrete, non-abstract family cash benefit addressed the relationship between the perceived deservingness of children and their parents was pointed out. The vast majority of posts on Internet forums referred to deservingness of parents, not children. This is particularly evident in relation to the criteria of control and reciprocity. Presenting the hypothesis of jealousy and scapegoat strategy, the article also shows the direction of future research on deservingness.
Minimal-invasive management of urological complications after kidney transplantation
Authors: Deininger Susanne , Nadalin Silvio , Amend Bastian , Guthoff Martina , Heyne Nils , Königsrainer Alfred , Strohäker Jens , Stenzl Arnulf , Rausch Steffen
Published: March 2021

Kidney transplantation represents the gold standard treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease. Improvements in surgical technique and pharmacologic treatment have continuously prolonged allograft survival in recent years. However, urological complications are frequently observed, leading to both postoperative morbidity and putative deterioration of allograft function. While open redo surgery in these patients is often accompanied by elevated surgical risk, endoscopic management of urological complications is an alternative, minimal-invasive option. In the present article, we reviewed the literature on relevant urological postoperative complications after kidney transplantation and describe preventive approaches during the pre-transplantation assessment and their management using minimal-invasive approaches.
Decomposition of Reaching Movements Enables Detection and Measurement of Ataxia
Authors: Oubre Brandon , Daneault Jean-Francois , Whritenour Kallie , Khan Nergis C. , Stephen Christopher D. , Schmahmann Jeremy D. , Lee Sunghoon Ivan , Gupta Anoopum S.
Published: March 2021

Technologies that enable frequent, objective, and precise measurement of ataxia severity would benefit clinical trials by lowering participation barriers and improving the ability to measure disease state and change. We hypothesized that analyzing characteristics of sub-second movement profiles obtained during a reaching task would be useful for objectively quantifying motor characteristics of ataxia. Participants with ataxia (N=88), participants with parkinsonism (N=44), and healthy controls (N=34) performed a computer tablet version of the finger-to-nose test while wearing inertial sensors on their wrists. Data features designed to capture signs of ataxia were extracted from participants’ decomposed wrist velocity time-series. A machine learning regression model was trained to estimate overall ataxia severity, as measured by the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale (BARS). Classification models were trained to distinguish between ataxia participants and controls and between ataxia and parkinsonism phenotypes. Movement decomposition revealed expected and novel characteristics of the ataxia phenotype. The distance, speed, duration, morphology, and temporal relationships of decomposed movements exhibited strong relationships with disease severity. The regression model estimated BARS with a root mean square error of 3.6 points, r2 = 0.69, and moderate-to-excellent reliability. Classification models distinguished between ataxia participants and controls and ataxia and parkinsonism phenotypes with areas under the receiver-operating curve of 0.96 and 0.89, respectively. Movement decomposition captures core features of ataxia and may be useful for objective, precise, and frequent assessment of ataxia in home and clinic environments.
Opposing effects of input control and clan control for sellers on e-marketplace platforms
Authors: Croitor Evgheni , Werner Dominick , Adam Martin , Benlian Alexander
Published: March 2021

E-marketplace platforms focus on attracting and retaining sellers to secure the platform’s long-term viability and success. Although sellers’ behavioral intentions have been linked to control modes deployed on e-marketplace platforms, little is known about how and why perceptions of input control and clan control affect sellers’ crucial behavioral outcomes. Drawing on IS control literature, we conducted two online surveys with sellers on Amazon (n = 286) and Etsy (n = 185). Our results revealed that perceived input control had a negative effect on sellers’ perceived usefulness, satisfaction, and continuance intentions, whereas positive effects were observed with perceived clan control. In addition, we find that intrinsic motivation mediates the observed direct effects. Our study contributes to the literature by introducing control modes in the context of e-marketplace platforms and examining the effects of input control and clan control on sellers’ beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Furthermore, our study has important practical implications for platform providers in how to apply different control mechanisms and increase complementors’ willingness to keep contributing to e-marketplace platforms, thereby nurturing platform health and sustainability.
Pressuremeter test in unsaturated soils: a numerical study
Authors: Keshmiri Ehsan , Ahmadi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: March 2021

The paper presents a numerical analysis of pressuremeter test in unsaturated cohesive soils. In practice, pressuremeter is commonly expanded up to 10–15% cavity strains. At these strains, limit pressure is not usually reached, and its value is estimated by extrapolation. Accordingly, authors suggest using cavity pressure at 10% strain (P10) for the interpretation of pressuremeter test rather than limit pressure. At this strain, it is also assured that plastic strain occurs around the cavity, which is crucial for the interpretations. In unsaturated soils, the moisture at which a soil is tested has a noticeable influence on the pressuremeter cavity pressure, and consequently, on the magnitude of P10. In this paper, unsaturated soil behaviour has been captured by Barcelona basic model (BBM), and the influence of each BBM parameter on the P10 value is explored. Next, relative weight analysis technique is performed to investigate the relative importance of BBM parameters in prediction of P10. Artificial intelligence technique of genetic programming is used to develop a relationship to predict the P10 value in unsaturated soils from BBM parameters. Finally, the application of the proposed equation is shown through illustrative examples.
Differences between male and female university students in sleepiness, weekday sleep loss, and weekend sleep duration
Authors: Putilov Arcady A. , Sveshnikov Dmitry S. , Bakaeva Zarina B. , Yakunina Elena B. , Starshinov Yuri P. , Torshin Vladimir I. , Alipov Nikolay N. , Sergeeva Olga V. , Trutneva Elena A. , Lapkin Michael M. , Lopatskaya Zhanna N. , Budkevich Roman O. , Budkevich Elena V. , Puchkova Alexandra N. , Dorokhov Vladimir B.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Women and men experience sleep differently and the difference in intrinsic desire for sleep might underlie some of the observed male‐female differences. The objective of this cross‐sectional questionnaire study of university students was to determine male‐female differences in self‐reported sleepiness and sleep‐wake patterns.

Methods

Five questionnaires were completed by 1650 students at four Russian universities.

Results

Compared to male students, female students reported a lower subjective sleep quality score, had a higher morning sleepability score and lower nighttime and daytime wakeability scores. They more often reported excessive daytime sleepiness and expected to be sleepier at any time of the day with the largest male‐female difference around the times of sleep onset and offset. On free days, they reported a longer sleep duration and an earlier sleep onset. Free‐weekday difference was larger for sleep duration and smaller for sleep onset. Such male‐female differences showed similarity to the differences observed in university and high school students from different countries around the globe. There was no significant male‐female difference in weekly averaged sleep duration, weekday sleep duration, hours slept, midpoint of sleep on free days, free‐weekday difference in sleep offset, social jetlag, and morningness‐eveningness score. Therefore, when studies rely on these self‐reports, the most salient male‐female differences might not be immediately evident.

Conclusions

It seems that the intrinsic desire for longer sleep duration might contribute to a higher susceptibility of female students to weekday sleep loss. Among these students, negative effects of reduced sleep duration might be more common and more detrimental.
Meningioma with transcalvarial extension and malignant transformation presenting as a frontoparietal scalp swelling
Authors: Esmat Habib Ahmad , Naseri Mohammad Wali , Shirzai Asadullah
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Meningiomas are the slow-growing and most common benign CNS tumors. They usually behave as expansive lesions, compressing the brain tissue, but some are invasive with malignant potential, causing direct invasion of the neighboring structures with extracranial extension. Malignant meningioma (MM) is rare and accounts for about 1% of all intracranial meningiomas. Computed tomography (CT) and MRI imaging are useful diagnostic tools for an accurate diagnosis. However, biopsy or resection is the only method to definitively confirm the diagnosis through histopathologic analysis and revealing the grade of meningiomas.

Case presentation:

A 79-year-old male presented to our neurosurgery outpatient clinic 5 years ago, complaining of a left frontal swelling. His brain MRI revealed a mass in the frontal region of the brain with minimal extracranial transcalvarial extension into the frontoparietal scalp region. During the 5 years follow up no significant progression was observed in the mass size and extension. In July 2020, he complained of speech disorder, indicating an increase in mass size and transcalvarial extension as documented by brain imaging. Surgical intervention and mass resection was done. The pathologic exam revealed a meningioma with malignant transformation.

Discussion:

Most of the meningiomas are benign tumors and consider grade 1. However, 1–3% of these lesions are known as malignant meningiomas, which have a high recurrence and mortality rate even after the surgery.

Conclusion: Intracranial malignant meningioma with transcalvarial extension is an exceedingly rare entity. Computed tomography and MRI imaging are useful diagnostic tools for an accurate diagnosis. However, biopsy or resection is the only method to definitively confirm the diagnosis, through histopathologic analysis and revealing the grade of meningiomas. Complete surgical resection is the mainstay of the treatment and preoperative embolization is a proven ancillary management technique for intracranial meningiomas, leading to decreased operative blood loss, increased visualization of the operative field, and better resection of the tumor.

Highlights
Criticism, Performance, and the Passions in the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Harriman-Smith James
Published: March 2021

Great art is about emotion. In the eighteenth century, and especially for the English stage, critics developed a sensitivity to both the passions of a performance and what they called the transitions between those passions. It was these pivotal transitions, scripted by authors and executed by actors, that could make King Lear beautiful, Hamlet terrifying, Archer hilarious and Zara electrifying. James Harriman-Smith recovers a lost way of appreciating theatre as a set of transitions that produce simultaneously iconic and dynamic spectacles; fascinating moments when anything seems possible. Offering fresh readings and interpretations of Shakespearean and eighteenth-century tragedy, historical acting theory and early character criticism, this volume demonstrates how a concern with transition binds drama to everything, from lyric poetry and Newtonian science, to fine art and sceptical enquiry into the nature of the self.
Hydrodynamic damping of an oscillating cylinder at small Keulegan–Carpenter numbers
Authors: Ren Chengjiao , Lu Lin , Cheng Liang , Chen Tingguo
Published: March 2021

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of oscillatory flow around a cylinder show that the Stokes–Wang (S–W) solution agrees exceptionally well with DNS results over a much larger parameter space than the constraints of

$\beta K^2\ll 1$

and

$\beta \gg 1$

specified by the S–W solution, where

$K$

is the Keulegan–Carpenter number and

$\beta$

is the Stokes number. The ratio of drag coefficients predicted by DNS and the S–W solution,

$\varLambda _K$

, mapped out in the

$K\text {--}\beta$

space, shows that

$\varLambda _K < 1.05$

for

$K\leq {\sim }0.8$

and

$1 \leq \beta \leq 10^6$

, which contradicts its counterpart based on experimental results. The large

$\varLambda _K$

values are primarily induced by the flow separation on the cylinder surface, rather than the development of three-dimensional (Honji) instabilities. The difference between two-dimensional and three-dimensional DNS results is less than 2 % for

$K$

smaller than the corresponding

$K$

values on the iso-line of

$\varLambda _K = 1.1$

with

$\beta = 200\text {--}20\,950$

. The flow separation actually occurs over the parameter space where

$\varLambda _K\approx 1.0$

. It is the spatio-temporal extent of flow separation rather than separation itself that causes large

$\varLambda _K$

values. The proposed measure for the spatio-temporal extent, which is more sensitive to

$K$

than

$\beta$

, correlates extremely well with

$\varLambda _K$

. The conventional Morison equation with a quadratic drag component is fundamentally incorrect at small

$K$

where the drag component is linearly proportional to the incoming velocity with a phase difference of

${\rm \pi} /4$

. A general form of the Morison equation is proposed by considering both viscous and form drag components and demonstrated to be superior to the conventional equation for

$K < {\sim }2.0$

.
A Dynamic Model of Speech for the Social Sciences
Authors: KNOX DEAN , LUCAS CHRISTOPHER
Published: March 2021

Speech and dialogue are the heart of politics: nearly every political institution in the world involves verbal communication. Yet vast literatures on political communication focus almost exclusively on what words were spoken, entirely ignoring how they were delivered—auditory cues that convey emotion, signal positions, and establish reputation. We develop a model that opens this information to principled statistical inquiry: the model of audio and speech structure (MASS). Our approach models political speech as a stochastic process shaped by fixed and time-varying covariates, including the history of the conversation itself. In an application to Supreme Court oral arguments, we demonstrate how vocal tone signals crucial information—skepticism of legal arguments—that is indecipherable to text models. Results show that justices do not use questioning to strategically manipulate their peers but rather engage sincerely with the presented arguments. Our easy-to-use R package,communication, implements the model and many more tools for audio analysis.
Investigating the effect of national government physical distancing measures on depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic through meta-analysis and meta-regression
Authors: Castaldelli-Maia João M. , Marziali Megan E. , Lu Ziyin , Martins Silvia S.
Published: March 2021

Background

COVID-19 physical distancing measures can potentially increase the likelihood of mental disorders. It is unknown whether these measures are associated with depression and anxiety.

Objectives

To investigate meta-analytic global levels of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the implementation of mitigation strategies (i.e. public transportation closures, stay-at-home orders, etc.) impacted such disorders.

Data sources

PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, BIOSIS Citation Index, Current Content Connect, PsycINFO, CINAHL, medRxiv, and PsyArXiv databases for depression and anxiety prevalences; Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker for the containment and closure policies indexes; Global Burden of Disease Study for previous levels of depression and anxiety.

Study eligibility criteria

Original studies conducted during COVID-19 pandemic, which assessed categorical depression and anxiety, using PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales (cutoff ⩾10).

Participants and interventions

General population, healthcare providers, students, and patients. National physical distancing measures.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

Meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Results

In total, 226 638 individuals were assessed within the 60 included studies. Global prevalence of both depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic was 24.0% and 21.3%, respectively. There were differences in the prevalence of both anxiety and depression reported across regions and countries. Asia (17.6% and 17.9%), and China (16.2% and 15.5%) especially, had the lowest prevalence of both disorders. Regarding the impact of mitigation strategies on mental health, only public transportation closures increased the prevalence of anxiety, especially in Europe.

Limitations

Country-level data on physical distancing measures and previous anxiety/depression may not necessarily reflect local (i.e. city-specific) contexts.

Conclusions and implications of key findings

Mental health concerns should not be viewed only as a delayed consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also as a concurrent epidemic. Our data provide support for policy-makers to consider real-time enhanced mental health services, and increase initiatives to foster positive mental health outcomes.
Percutaneous management of a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in an infant
Authors: Palma Andreia , Silva Patrícia V. , Pires António
Published: March 2021

Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a rare entity in children. To our knowledge, this is the youngest child reported in the literature with a sinus of Valsalva ruptured aneurysm being successfully treated percutaneously using an AmplatzerTM Duct Occluder II Additional Sizes device.
Habraken, Jacobs, and Ostrom on governing the built environment: the case of common interest developments
Authors: Horowitz John B.
Published: March 2021

Habraken's Structure of the Ordinary (SOTO), Jacobs' view of cities, and Ostrom's Design Principles and Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework focus on essential elements and relationships for the effective governance of the environment. However, they have different perspectives about what is necessary for successful governance. This article compares and contrasts Habraken's, Jacobs', and Ostrom's views and applies them to Common Interest Developments (CIDs). Habraken, Jacobs, and Habraken discuss the importance of public territory. Habraken views public territory as relative: a territory in a built environment can be private relative to a larger, or higher level, territory, and public relative to an included, lower level, territory. Jacobs discusses the importance of connections and accommodating strangers without sacrificing safety. Ostrom views common-pool resources as goods whose use causes less to be available to others. For their part, CIDs represent a particular governance vehicle for defining what is public and private in large residential developments. For both Habraken and Ostrom, the transformation of the physical environment reflects agents' common values constrained by material, technical, cultural, and economic conditions. Rather than one mutual understanding, Jacobs wrote that balancing the commercial and the guardian values is crucial for society's health and survival.
Effect of soybean crop structure on large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) growth and seed dormancy
Authors: Oreja Fernando H. , Batlla Diego , de la Fuente Elba B.
Published: March 2021

Crop–weed interactions are affected by environmental alterations resulting from a crop’s presence, such as modifications in temperature, light quality and quantity, and moisture conditions that could modify weed performance. The objectives of this work were to study (1) how soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] crop structure modifies the environment under the canopy and large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis(L.) Scop.] plant structure, biomass, and seed production and dormancy; and (2) the relative importance of these environmental changes on the weed’s characteristics. A field experiment in a completely randomized block design with five replicates was performed to evaluate narrow and wide interrow spacing and soybean maturity groups 3 and 4. Measured variables were intercepted solar radiation (RAD); red–far red (R-FR) ratio; humidity; minimum, maximum, and alternating temperatures; and weed biomass, tillers per plant, height, and seed dormancy. Crop canopy reduced solar radiation, R-FR ratio, and daily average maximum and alternating temperatures. Soybean presence reduced the weed biomass, tillers and seeds per plant, and seed dormancy. High solar radiation intercepted by the crop during the reproductive phase was the main environmental variable related to reductions in weed biomass, tillers per plant, and fecundity. The combination of low temperature and solar radiation received by developing seeds was more related to seed dormancy than the rest of the variables. Crop management decisions focused on the fact that keeping the crop canopy alive for a longer time at the end of the season would not only reduce the weed growth but also seed dormancy.
The Self-Concept and Identity Measure in Adolescents
Authors: Bogaerts Annabel , Claes Laurence , Buelens Tinne , Gandhi Amarendra , Kiekens Glenn , Bastiaens Tim , Luyckx Koen
Published: March 2021

Abstract. Identity difficulties have been associated with various psychiatric conditions and are considered a central issue in personality pathology. Following the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders, measures of self- and interpersonal functioning have been developed. Although these measures were intended to be separate ratings of self-other deficits, only a global rating was obtained. Moreover, these measures fall short in bridging the gap between developmental and clinical identity work. To capture both adaptive and disturbed identity dimensions, Kaufman et al. (2015) developed the Self-Concept and Identity Measure (SCIM) that assesses consolidated identity, disturbed identity, and lack of identity. Using two-wave longitudinal data (2,150 adolescents; 54.2% girls; age range = 12–19), this study investigated the factor structure and reliability of the Dutch SCIM, its measurement invariance across time, its longitudinal measurement invariance across gender and age groups, and associations of the SCIM with identity synthesis and confusion, Big-Five personality traits, and borderline personality disorder features. Consolidated identity scores were positively related to identity synthesis and adaptive Big-Five traits, whereas negatively related to identity confusion, neuroticism, and borderline features. Opposite associations were obtained for disturbed identity and lack of identity scores. The Dutch SCIM appeared to produce valid and reliable scores and seemed suited to assess longitudinal identity functioning in Belgian adolescents.
The role of miR-200b/c in balancing EMT and proliferation revealed by an activity reporter
Authors: Gollavilli Paradesi Naidu , Parma Beatrice , Siddiqui Aarif , Yang Hai , Ramesh Vignesh , Napoli Francesca , Schwab Annemarie , Natesan Ramakrishnan , Mielenz Dirk , Asangani Irfan Ahmed , Brabletz Thomas , Pilarsky Christian , Ceppi Paolo
Published: March 2021

Since their discovery, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been widely studied in almost every aspect of biology and medicine, leading to the identification of important gene regulation circuits and cellular mechanisms. However, investigations are generally focused on the analysis of their downstream targets and biological functions in overexpression and knockdown approaches, while miRNAs endogenous levels and activity remain poorly understood. Here, we used the cellular plasticity-regulating process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a model to show the efficacy of a fluorescent sensor to separate cells with distinct EMT signatures, based on miR-200b/c activity. The system was further combined with a CRISPR-Cas9 screening platform to unbiasedly identify miR-200b/c upstream regulating genes. The sensor allows to infer miRNAs fundamental biological properties, as profiling of sorted cells indicated miR-200b/c as a molecular switch between EMT differentiation and proliferation, and suggested a role for metabolic enzymes in miR-200/EMT regulation. Analysis of miRNAs endogenous levels and activity for in vitro and in vivo applications could lead to a better understanding of their biological role in physiology and disease.
Lymph node metastasis-derived gastric cancer cells educate bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells via YAP signaling activation by exosomal Wnt5a
Authors: Wang Mei , Zhao Xinxin , Qiu Rong , Gong Zheng , Huang Feng , Yu Wanjun , Shen Bo , Sha Xin , Dong Haibo , Huang Jiaying , Wang Lin , Zhu Wei , Xu Wenrong
Published: March 2021

Lymph node metastasis (LNM), a common metastatic gastric-cancer (GC) route, is closely related to poor prognosis in GC patients. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) preferentially engraft at metastatic lesions. Whether BM-MSCs are specifically reprogrammed by LNM-derived GC cells (LNM-GCs) and incorporated into metastatic LN microenvironment to prompt GC malignant progression remains unknown. Herein, we found that LNM-GCs specifically educated BM-MSCs via secretory exosomes. Exosomal Wnt5a was identified as key protein mediating LNM-GCs education of BM-MSCs, which was verified by analysis of serum exosomes collected from GC patients with LNM. Wnt5a-enriched exosomes induced YAP dephosphorylation in BM-MSCs, whereas Wnt5a-deficient exosomes exerted the opposite effect. Inhibition of YAP signaling by verteporfin blocked LNM-GC exosome- and serum exosome-mediated reprogramming in BM-MSCs. Analysis of MSC-like cells obtained from metastatic LN tissues of GC patients (GLN-MSCs) confirmed that BM-MSCs incorporated into metastatic LN microenvironment, and that YAP activation participated in maintaining their tumor-promoting phenotype and function. Collectively, our results show that LNM-GCs specifically educated BM-MSCs via exosomal Wnt5a-elicited activation of YAP signaling. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of LNM in GC and BM-MSC reprogramming, and will provide potential therapeutic targets and detection indicators for GC patients with LNM.
Germline FFPE inherited cancer panel testing in deceased family members: implications for clinical management of unaffected relatives
Authors: Bennett Sarah , Alexander Elizabeth , Fraser Harry , Bowers Naomi , Wallace Andrew , Woodward Emma R. , Lalloo Fiona , Quinn Anne Marie , Huang Shuwen , Schlecht Helene , Evans D. Gareth
Published: March 2021

Where previously, germline genetic testing in deceased affected relatives was not possible due to the absence of lymphocytic DNA, the North-West-Genomic-Laboratory Hub (NWGLH) has developed and validated next-generation sequencing based gene panels utilising formalin-fixed-paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue DNA from deceased individuals. This technology has been utilised in the clinical setting for the management of unaffected relatives seen in the Clinical Genetics Service (CGS). Here we assess the clinical impact. At the time of data collection, the NWGLH had analysed 180 FFPE tissue samples from deceased affected individuals: 134 from breast and/or ovarian cancer cases for germline variants in the BRCA1/BRCA2 genes and 46 from colorectal, gastric, ovarian and endometrial cancer cases for germline variants in a panel of 13 genes implicated in inherited colorectal cancer and gastric cancer conditions. Successful analysis was achieved in 140/180 cases (78%). In total, 29 germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were identified in autosomal dominant cancer predisposition genes where the gene was pertinent to the cancer family history (including BRCA1/BRCA2, the mismatch-repair genes and APC). Of the 180 cases, the impact of the result on clinical management of unaffected relatives was known in 143 cases. Of these, the results in 54 cases (38%) directly impacted the clinical management of relatives seen by the CGS. This included changes to risk assessments, screening recommendations and the availability of predictive genetic testing to unaffected relatives. Our data demonstrate how FFPE testing in deceased relatives is an accurate and informative tool in the clinical management of patients referred to the CGS.
Selection of reference genes for gene expression analysis in Liriodendron hybrids’ somatic embryogenesis and germinative tissues
Authors: Li Tingting , Yuan Weigao , Qiu Shuai , Shi Jisen
Published: March 2021

The differential expression of genes is crucial for plant somatic embryogenesis (SE), and the accurate quantification of gene expression levels relies on choosing appropriate reference genes. To select the most suitable reference genes for SE studies, 10 commonly used reference genes were examined in synchronized somatic embryogenic and subsequent germinative cultures of Liriodendron hybrids by using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR. Four popular normalization algorithms: geNorm, NormFinder, Bestkeeper and Delta-Ct were used to select and validate the suitable reference genes. The results showed that elongation factor 1-gamma, histone H1 linker protein, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and α-tubulin were suitable for SE tissues, while elongation factor 1-gamma and actin were best for the germinative organ tissues. Our work will benefit future studies of gene expression and functional analyses of SE in Liriodendron hybrids. It is also serves as a guide of reference gene selection in early embryonic gene expression analyses for other woody plant species.
Physical fitness reference standards for Chinese children and adolescents
Authors: Zhang Feng , Bi Cunjian , Yin Xiaojian , Chen Qi , Li Yuqiang , Liu Yuan , Zhang Ting , Li Ming , Sun Yi , Yang Xiaofang
Published: March 2021

To develop age- and sex-specific physical fitness reference standards and express the age- and sex-related differences using standardized effect sizes for Chinese children and adolescents. A total of 85,535 children and adolescents (48.7% girls) aged 7–18 years were recruited from six geographical divisions of China using a stratified randomized cluster sampling method. Seven physical fitness items including grip strength, standing long jump, 30-s sit-ups, sit and reach, 50-m dash, 20-s repeated straddling, and 20-m SRT were measured following a standardized procedure. Percentile curves for each physical fitness test were calculated using the LMS. Age- and sex-related differences were expressed as standardized effect sizes. We observed that the performance improved with age along with the analyzed percentiles in all tests. Boys had higher values compared to girls in all the physical fitness items except for sit and reach test, where girls showed better performance in all analyzed percentiles. Also, the sex differences increased with ages except sit and reach. There is a need for a differentiated approach in the physical education class in terms of adjustment of physical activity based on sex, level of fitness abilities in China.
Publisher Correction: Pancreatic duct ligation reduces premalignant pancreatic lesions in a Kras model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in mice
Authors: Cáceres Marta , Quesada Rita , Iglesias Mar , Real Francisco X. , Villamonte Maria , de Villarreal Jaime Martinez , Pérez Mónica , Andaluz Ana , Moll Xavier , Berjano Enrique , Dorcaratto Dimitri , Sánchez-Velázquez Patricia , Grande Luís , Burdío Fernando
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Publisher Correction: Single-cell analysis of childhood leukemia reveals a link between developmental states and ribosomal protein expression as a source of intra-individual heterogeneity
Authors: Caron Maxime , St-Onge Pascal , Sontag Thomas , Wang Yu Chang , Richer Chantal , Ragoussis Ioannis , Sinnett Daniel , Bourque Guillaume
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Entropy differences between hydrides and other elements
Authors: Kojima Yoshitsugu , Yamaguchi Masakuni
Published: March 2021

We firstly demonstrated that the standard entropy differences between hydrides and other elements ΔS correlate with the volume differences ΔV.
Targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by stapled hACE2 peptides
Authors: Maas Marijn N. , Hintzen Jordi C. J. , Löffler Philipp M. G. , Mecinović Jasmin
Published: March 2021

Stapled hACE2 peptides inhibit the formation of the SARS-CoV-2-hACE2 complex, providing the basis for the development of anti-COVID-19 therapeutics.
Experimental and theoretical study on the impact of a nitrate group on the chemistry of alkoxy radicals
Authors: Novelli A. , Cho C. , Fuchs H. , Hofzumahaus A. , Rohrer F. , Tillmann R. , Kiendler-Scharr A. , Wahner A. , Vereecken L.
Published: March 2021

The chemistry of nitrated alkoxy radicals, and its impact on RO2 measurements using the laser induced fluorescence (LIF) technique, is examined by a combined theoretical and experimental study.
Lithium tracer diffusion in LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2cathode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Uxa Daniel , Holmes Helen J. , Meyer Kevin , Dörrer Lars , Schmidt Harald
Published: March 2021

Lithium tracer diffusivities in LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2cathode material for lithium-ion batteries follows the Arrhenius law with an activation energy of 0.85 eV.
Understanding the structure, bonding and reactions of nanocrystalline semiconductors: a novel high-resolution instrumental method of solid-state synchronous luminescence spectroscopy
Authors: Samokhvalov Alexander
Published: March 2021

Solid-state synchronous luminescence spectroscopy (SS-SLS) is a novel high-resolution method to study the absorption and emission of light, electronic structure, and reactions of nanocrystalline semiconductors.
Large-scale culture as a complementary and practical method for discovering natural products with novel skeletons
Authors: Hu Zhengxi , Ye Ying , Zhang Yonghui
Published: March 2021

Large-scale culture is a complementary and practical method for genome mining and OSMAC approaches to discover natural products of unprecedented skeletal classes from fungi.
A rapid and highly sensitive paper-based colorimetric device for the on-site screening of ammonia gas
Authors: Khachornsakkul Kawin , Hung Kuen-Hau , Chang Jung-Jung , Dungchai Wijitar , Chen Chih-Hsin
Published: March 2021

A rapid and highly sensitive paper-based colorimetric device for the on-site detection of ammonia (NH3) gas is presented in this study.
A metal–organic framework with multienzyme activity as a biosensing platform for real-time electrochemical detection of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Ling Ping-hua , Zang Xiao-na , Qian Cai-hua , Gao Feng
Published: March 2021

A metal–organic framework with multienzyme activity was designed as an electrochemical material for real-time electrochemical detection of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide.
DNA nanolantern-based split aptamer probes for in situ ATP imaging in living cells and lighting up mitochondria
Authors: Wang Ya-Xin , Wang Dong-Xia , Ma Jia-Yi , Wang Jing , Du Yi-Chen , Kong De-Ming
Published: March 2021

We designed DNA nanolantern-based split aptamer nanoprobes for in situ ratiometric analysis of ATP expression in living cells.
Chromo-fluorogenic sensors for chemical warfare agents in real-time analysis: journey towards accurate detection and differentiation
Authors: Kumar Vinod
Published: March 2021

This article describes our journey and success stories in the development of chemical warfare detection, detailing the range of unique chemical probes and methods explored to achieve the specific detection of individual agents in realistic environments.
Single gold nanoparticle-driven heme cofactor nanozyme as an unprecedented oxidase mimetic
Authors: Liu Yan , Chen Zhen , Shao Zhifang , Guo Rong
Published: March 2021

Gold nanoparticle-induced elicitation of the oxidase-like activity of a heme cofactor nanozyme and cysteine-induced inhibition of the oxidase-like activity.
Reverse synthesis of yolk–shell metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Zhang Songwei , Fan Yaqi , Luo Lianshun , Li Conger , Ma Yanhang , Li Tao
Published: March 2021

The first two examples of yolk–shell metal–organic framework (MOF) heterostructures based on topologically distinct MOFs: ZIF-8/ZIF-67 and UiO-66.
Chiral recognition of amino-acid esters by a glucose-derived macrocyclic receptor
Authors: Dominique Pit , Schnurr Martin , Lewandowski Bartosz
Published: March 2021

Highly enantioselective binding of amino-acid esters in water by a small molecule receptor based on a glucose scaffold.
Sensitive RHEED signature of Ti-excess enabling enhanced cationic composition control during the molecular beam epitaxy of SrTiO3 based solid solutions
Authors: Razaghi Pey Ghaleh Masoumeh , d'Esperonnat Marc , Botella Claude , Cueff Sébastien , Bachelet Romain , Saint-Girons Guillaume
Published: March 2021

Monitoring the appearance of half-order streaks along the [210] RHEED azimuths instead of along the [100] azimuths during the MBE growth of SrTiO3 thin layers provides an improved accuracy of ±6.7% on the control of the cationic composition.
Sustainable electrochemical decarboxylative acetoxylation of aminoacids in batch and continuous flow
Authors: Köckinger Manuel , Hanselmann Paul , Roberge Dominique M. , Geotti-Bianchini Piero , Kappe C. Oliver , Cantillo David
Published: March 2021

Continuous synthesis of organic acetates via oxidative decarboxylative acetoxylation has been achieved with an electrochemical method that avoids the use of metal oxidants.
N-Doped zinc oxide as an effective fluorescence sensor for urea detection
Authors: Soundharraj Prabha , Dhinasekaran Durgalakshmi , Rajendran Ajay Rakkesh , Prakasarao Aruna , Ganesan Singaravelu
Published: March 2021

This paper reports on the development of N-doped zinc oxide nanoparticle (N–ZnO) based optical biosensor for selective urea detection.
Rare proximity enforced copper hydrogen interactions in copper(i)-chalcogenones
Authors: Mannarsamy Maruthupandi , Prabusankar Ganesan
Published: March 2021

Homoleptic tetra-coordinated copper(i)-chalcogenone complexes have been reported with rare proximity-enforced intramolecular Cu⋯H–C(sp3) hydrogen bonding interactions.
PdAg alloy nanoparticles immobilized on functionalized MIL-101-NH2: effect of organic amines on hydrogenation of carbon dioxide into formic acid
Authors: Xu Lingfei , Cui Tianchen , Zhu Juan , Wang Xinkui , Ji Min
Published: March 2021

Organic amine functionalized MIL-101-NH2 was proposed for forming highly dispersed and electron-rich PdAg-based catalysts and its activity was improved.
A detailed quantum chemical investigation on the hydrolysis mechanism of osmium(iii) anticancer drug, (ImH)[trans-OsCl4(DMSO)(Im)] (Os-NAMI-A; Im = imidazole)
Authors: Pradhan Amit Kumar , Shyam Abhijit , Mondal Paritosh
Published: March 2021

Detailed hydrolysis mechanism of osmium(iii) anticancer drug, (ImH)[trans-OsCl4(DMSO)(Im)] (Os-NAMI-A; Im = imidazole, DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide) has been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) in combination with CPCM solvation model.