bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retention properties of acetone‐water mobile phases on a biphenylsiloxane‐bonded silica stationary phase in reversed‐phase liquid chromatography
Authors: Atapattu Sanka N.
Published: February 2022

The solvation parameter model system constants and retention factors were used to interpret retention properties of 39 calibration compounds on a biphenylsiloxane‐bonded stationary phase (Kinetex biphenyl) for acetone‐water binary mobile phase systems containing 30–70% v/v. Variation in system constants, phase ratios, and retention factors of acetone‐water binary mobile phases systems were compared with more commonly used acetonitrile and methanol mobile phase systems. Retention properties of acetone mobile phases on a Kinetex biphenyl column were more similar to that of acetonitrile than methanol mobile phases except with respect to selectivity equivalency. Importantly, selectivity differences arising between acetone and acetonitrile systems (the lower hydrogen‐bond basicity of acetone‐water mobile phases and differences in hydrogen‐bond acidity, cavity formation and dispersion interactions) could be exploited in reversed‐phase liquid chromatography method development on a Kinetex biphenyl stationary phase.
Effect of Ultrasound‐Stimulated Microbubbles and Hyperthermia on Tumor Vasculature of Breast Cancer Xenograft
Authors: Sharma Deepa , Cartar Holliday , Quiaoit Karina , Law Niki , Giles Anoja , Czarnota Gregory J.
Published: February 2022

Objective

The objective of the present study was to investigate the treatment effects of ultrasound‐stimulated microbubbles (USMB) and hyperthermia (HT) on breast tumor vasculature.

Methods

Tumor‐bearing mice with breast cancer xenografts (MDA‐MB‐231), were exposed to different treatment conditions consisting of control (no treatment), USMB alone, HT alone, USMB with HT exposures of 10 and 50 minutes. Quantitative 3D Doppler ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging were used to detect tumor blood flow and oxygen saturation, respectively. In addition, histopathological analysis including TUNEL staining for cell death, and CD31 staining for the vessel count, was performed to complement the results of power Doppler and photoacoustic imaging.

Results

Results demonstrated a decrease in tumor blood flow as well as oxygenation level following 50 minutes HT treatment either alone or combined with USMB. In contrast, 10 minutes HT alone or combined with USMB had minimal effects on blood flow and tumor oxygenation level. Treatment with HT for 50 minutes caused drops in tumor oxygenation, which were not evident with USMB treatment alone. Additionally, results revealed an increase in cell death after 10 minutes HT with or without USMB and a decrease in vessel count compared to control. Unlike previous studies which demonstrated synergistic treatment effects combining USMB with other modalities such as radiation or chemotherapy, USMB and HT effects were not synergistic in the present study.

Conclusion

The results here demonstrated HT and USMB both alone or together resulted in a significant reduction in tumor blood flow, tumor oxygenation, and vessel count with observed increases in cell death response.
Ecological restoration of degraded lands with alternate land use systems improves soil functionality in semiarid tropical India
Authors: Baradwal Hansa , Ghosh Avijit , Kumar Awanish , Singh Prashant Deo , Sannagoudar Manjanagouda Siddanagouda , Ahamad Safik , Jha Pramod , Singh Amit Kumar , Bhattacharyya Ranjan , Manna Madhab Chandra , Kumar Sunil , Kumar Ram Vinod
Published: February 2022

To test the applicability of alternate land use systems for improving soil functionality in restored ecologies, soils were sampled from 0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm deep layers ofLeucaena leucocephala(LL),Hardwickia binata(HB),Emblica officinalis(EO),Azadiracta indica (AI)‐based silviculture systems;Acacia nilotica‐based silvipasture systems (AN); and natural grassland (NG). These were compared with samples from fallow land (F). They were evaluated for their carbon management index (CMI), nutrient supply capacity (NSC), soil functionality (SF), ecorestoration efficiency (ERE) and 21‐day cumulative microbial respiration (CO2‐21) to assess their applicability in semiarid India. Soil functionality and functional diversity as impacted by restoration have remained largely overlooked. The LL had ~12, 7 and 11% higher CMI than fallow in sampled soil layers. ERE of LL was ~ 55, 65 and 79% higher than fallow land in sampled soil layers, respectively. However, ERE in surface layer was poorer than subsequent soil layers for all systems. The LL, HB and AN improved NSC and SF by: a) ~ 2.5‐, 2.2‐ and 1.6‐times; and b) 9.3‐, 5.3‐ and 5.1‐times over fallow land in the surface soil layer. A similar trend was observed for SF in lower layers. However, the topsoil layer had >16% mean SF values than subsequent layers. LL, HB and AN systems had ~4.2‐, 2.3‐ and 1.9‐times higher CO2‐21 than fallow land in the top layer. CO2‐21 was positively correlated with NSC and SF but could not predict ERE well. Hence, legume tree‐based restoration tactics might be useful for improving land restoration and soil functionality in semiarid regions.
Spatiotemporal changes in cropland soil organic carbon in a rapidly urbanizing area of southeastern China from 1980 to 2015
Authors: Xie Enze , Zhang Xiu , Lu Fangyi , Peng Yuxuan , Zhao Yongcun
Published: February 2022

Understanding the spatiotemporal changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and their driving factors is an important prerequisite in decision‐making for maintaining sustainable agricultural development and addressing climate change. However, the impacts of urbanization‐induced changes in cropland management practices on the spatiotemporal changes in SOC and their implications remain unclear, in particular over different time periods. In this study, a total of 1219 cropland topsoil SOC data (0–20 cm) were collected from a rapidly urbanizing area of southeastern China (southern Jiangsu Province) in 1980, 2000, and 2015, and geostatistical sequential Gaussian simulations were used to identify the changes in the spatiotemporal patterns of SOC during the period of 1980–2015. Results showed that the changes in SOC within the different time periods were significantly different, with a net increment of 3.65 g kg−1during the period of 1980–2000 and a net decrement of 2.32 g kg−1during the period of 2000–2015. Significant SOC accumulation occurred throughout the study area during 1980–2000, while SOC decline became predominant in the southeast during 2000–2015. Overall, the SOC contents for 60% of the study area increased significantly over the entire 35‐year period. The SOC increase during the first two decades (1980–2000) was largely attributed to the increasing soil C input that resulted from the enhanced crop productivity by chemical fertilizers, while the stagnant soil carbon inputs associated with the rapid urban expansion were the primary reason for constraining cropland SOC accumulation in the subsequent 15 years (2000–2015). These findings highlight the importance of balancing agricultural development and urbanization processes to maintain SOC levels, and may also provide some guidance for planning cropland soil C management strategies in many areas that are undergoing similar urbanization processes.
Molecular Design of Isocyanurate Core‐Based Acrylates Undergoing Volume Expansion on Radical Photo‐Polymerization
Authors: Okamoto Shusuke , Shinozuka Toyofumi , Endo Takeshi
Published: February 2022

The synthesis of acrylates with an isocyanurate substituent that show significant volume expansion on radical photo‐polymerization is reported. The acrylate consisting of benzyl bisurethane moieties exhibits the largest volume expansion among them and contributes to restrict volume change upon its radical photo‐copolymerization with a diacrylate exhibiting volume shrinkage. Furthermore, a correlation is revealed between the volume change behavior and the polymer structure through the radical photo‐polymerization of the isocyanurate core‐based diacrylate with benzyl bisurethane moieties under various concentration conditions.
Genistein Stimulation of White Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis Is Partially Dependent on GPR30 in Mice
Authors: Vásquez‐Reyes Saraí , Vargas‐Castillo Ariana , Noriega Lilia G. , Velázquez‐Villegas Laura A. , Pérez Berenice , Sánchez‐Tapia Mónica , Ordaz Guillermo , Suárez‐Monroy Renato , Ulloa‐Aguirre Alfredo , Offner Halina , Torres Nimbe , Tovar Armando R.
Published: February 2022

Scope

Genistein increases whole body energy expenditure by stimulating white adipose tissue (WAT) browning and thermogenesis. G‐Coupled receptor GPR30 can mediate some actions of genistein, however, it is not known whether it is involved in the activation of WAT‐thermogenesis. Thus, the aim of the study is to determine whether genistein activates thermogenesis coupled to an increase in WAT browning and mitochondrial activity, in GPR30+/+ and GPR30−/− mice.

Methods and Results

GPR30+/+ and GPR30−/− mice are fed control or high fat sucrose diets containing or not genistein for 8 weeks. Body weight and composition, energy expenditure, glucose tolerance, and browning markers in WAT, and oxygen consumption rate, 3’, 5’‐cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentration and browning markers in adipocytes are evaluated. Genistein consumption reduces body weight and fat mass gain in a different extent in both genotypes, however, energy expenditure is lower in GPR30−/− compared to GPR30+/+ mice, accompanied by a reduction in browning markers, maximal mitochondrial respiration, cAMP concentration, and browning markers in cultured adipocytes from GPR30−/− mice. Genistein improves glucose tolerance in GPR30+/+, but this is partially observed in GPR30−/− mice.

Conclusion

The results show that GPR30 partially mediates genistein stimulation of WAT thermogenesis and the improvement of glucose tolerance.
An NHC‐Mediated Metal‐Free Approach towards an NHC‐Coordinated Endocyclic Disilene
Authors: Lainer Thomas , Dange Deepak , Pillinger Michael , Fischer Roland C. , Kelterer Anne‐Marie , Jones Cameron , Haas Michael
Published: February 2022

A convenient metal‐free approach towards an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐coordinated disilene 2 is described. Compound 2, featuring the disilene incorporated in cyclopolysilane framework, was obtained in good yield and characterized using NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the reaction mechanism provide a rationale for the observed reactivity and give detailed information on the bonding situation of the base‐stabilized disilene. Compound 2 undergoes thermal or light‐ induced (λ=456 nm) NHC loss, and a dimerization process to give a corresponding dimer with a Si10 skeleton. In order to shed light on the dimerization mechanism, DFT calculations were performed. Moreover, the reactivity of 2 was examined with selected examples of transition metal carbonyl compounds.
A practical technique for rapid characterisation of ent‐kaurane diterpenoids in Isodon serra (Maxim.) Hara by UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS
Authors: Xie Weiwei , Zhang Dedong , Wen Xuqing , Zhang Yuqian , Zhang Zhiqing , Jin Yiran , Du Yingfeng
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The diterpenoids are the most important active constituents that contribute to the pharmacological efficacy of Isodon serra (Maxim.) Hara. Clinical studies have revealed that diterpenoids possess multiple features, e.g. antitumour, antitubercular and anti‐ischemic activities. Therefore, the identification and detection of diterpenoids may be equally important for understanding the pharmacological basis of diterpenoids and enhancing the product quality control of I. serra.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to develop a practical analysis approach of rapid characterisation using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) for the structure characterisation of the ent‐kaurane diterpenoids from I. serra.

Methodology

The analytical strategy was as follows: first, ent‐kaurane diterpenoids were detected by a novel on‐line data acquisition approach, i.e. sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment‐ion spectra (SWATH). Second, the MS of eight ent‐kaurane diterpenoids was explored, and their mass spectrum cleavage pathways were summarised and determined. Finally, the methanol extract of I. serra was studied using SWATH and identified by extracted ion chromatography (XIC).

Results

Compared to the traditional information‐dependent acquisition (IDA) method, SWATH significantly improved the hit rate of ent‐kaurane diterpenoids. With support from UHPLC separation and specific detection by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), 48 ent‐kaurane diterpenoids were successfully characterised and classified as ent‐kaurane diterpenoids from a complex matrix.

Conclusions

These combined qualitative methods were used to provide a potential approach for the characterisation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its preparations. Meanwhile, the SWATH provided a novel and reliable method for the structural characterisation of ent‐kaurane diterpenoids from other complicated TCMs.
Proteomics in antibiotic resistance and tolerance research: Mapping the resistome and the tolerome of bacterial pathogens
Authors: Sulaiman Jordy Evan , Lam Henry
Published: February 2022

Antibiotic resistance, the ability of a microbial pathogen to evade the effects of antibiotics thereby allowing them to grow under elevated drug concentrations, is an alarming health problem worldwide and has attracted the attention of scientists for decades. On the other hand, the clinical importance of persistence and tolerance as alternative mechanisms for pathogens to survive prolonged lethal antibiotic doses has recently become increasingly appreciated. Persisters and high‐tolerance populations are thought to cause the relapse of infectious diseases, and provide opportunities for the pathogens to evolve resistance during the course of antibiotic therapy. Although proteomics and other omics methodology have long been employed to study resistance, its applications in studying persistence and tolerance are still limited. However, due to the growing interest in the topic and recent progress in method developments to study them, there have been some proteomic studies that yield fresh insights into the phenomenon of persistence and tolerance. Combined with the studies on resistance, these collectively guide us to novel molecular targets for the potential drugs for the control of these dangerous pathogens. In this review, we surveyed previous proteomic studies to investigate resistance, persistence, and tolerance mechanisms, and discussed emerging experimental strategies for studying these phenotypes with a combination of adaptive laboratory evolution and high‐throughput proteomics.
Synthesis, Characterization, and DFT studies of Praseodymium (III) Octanoyl‐DL‐aminocarboxylate Complexes
Authors: Zhang Ying , Naren Gerile , Bao Tana , Shi Yifeng , Han Jiakang
Published: February 2022

Rare‐earth amino acid complexes have attracted much attention for their unique properties and potential applications in various fields. In this study, we synthesized and characterized the praseodymium(III) complexes with octanoyl‐DL‐alaninates (Pr(oct‐ala)3), octanoyl‐DL‐phenylalaninate (Pr(oct‐phe)3), and octanoyl‐DL‐serinates (Pr(oct‐ser)3) ligands. Elemental analysis, NMR, and FT‐IR spectra confirmed the elemental content, and functional groups information in the synthesized complexes. The XRD profile demonstrated the amorphous structure of praseodymium(III) complexes. Polarized optical microscopy gave insight into the liquid crystal properties of the praseodymium(III) complexes. UV‐Vis and PL emission spectra illustrated the excellent optical absorption properties and emitted white light. DFT calculation confirming the chelating bidentate mode of praseodymium(III) complexes. The atoms in molecules theory calculated the topological properties of praseodymium(III) complexes. The ▿2ρ and ρc values are in the range of 0.1966–0.2019 a.u and 0.0583–0.0608 a.u, respectively, illustrating closed‐shell interactions between ligands and Pr3+.
Laser Fabricated Cu2O‐CuO/Ag Nanocomposite Films for SERS Application**
Authors: Yao Yu , Guo Wei , Hui Zhuang , Jin Chao , Peng Peng
Published: February 2022

Noble metals are widely used in surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) because of the electromagnetic enhancement, which is from the surface plasma resonance on noble metal surface under the action of an electromagnetic field that can greatly enhance the Raman signal of the molecule. However, high cost limits their widespread use in realistic applications. Therefore, semiconductor nanomaterials have been introduced in SERS substrate. Here, we fabricate Cu2O‐CuO film on glass by direct laser writing and then mix with Ag NWs to form Cu2O‐CuO/Ag nanocomposite substrate. The composite substrate shows strong Raman resonance for both Rhodamine 6G (R6G) and 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid (4‐MBA), good uniformity and stability. LOD of R6G and 4‐MBA is 10−10 and 10−6 M, respectively. We further discuss the charge transfer process of metal‐semiconductor‐molecule (Ag‐Cu2O‐MBA and Ag‐CuO‐MBA) and Raman enhancement mechanism with XPS and UV‐vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy validation. This work provides a facile and low‐cost method of fabricating Cu2O‐CuO/Ag SERS nanocomposite substrate.
Functional Nanomaterials Based on Self‐Assembly of Endogenic NIR‐Absorbing Pigments for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Zou Qianli , Bao Jianwei , Yan Xuehai
Published: February 2022

Endogenic pigments derived from hemoglobin have been successfully applied in the clinic for both imaging and therapy based on their inherent photophysical and photochemical properties, including light absorption, fluorescence emission, and producing reactive oxygen species. However, the clinically approved endogenic pigments can be excited only by UV/vis light, restricting the penetration depth of in vivo applications. Recently, endogenic pigments with NIR‐absorbing properties have been explored for constructing functional nanomaterials. Here, the overview of NIR‐absorbing endogenic pigments, mainly bile pigments, and melanins, as emerging building blocks for supramolecular construction of diagnostic and therapeutic nanomaterials is provided. The endogenic origins, synthetic pathways, and structural characteristics of the NIR‐absorbing endogenic pigments are described. The self‐assembling approaches and noncovalent interactions in fabricating the nanomaterials are emphasized. Since bile pigments and melanins are inherently photothermal agents, the resulting nanomaterials are demonstrated as promising candidates for photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy. Integration of additional diagnostic and therapeutic agents by the nanomaterials through chemical conjugation or physical encapsulation toward synergetic effects is also included. Especially, the degradation behaviors of the nanomaterials in biological environments are summarized. Along with the challenges, future perspectives are discussed for accelerating the ration design and clinical translation of NIR‐absorbing nanomaterials.
A numerical model capable of accurately simulating the punching shear behavior of a reinforced concrete slab
Authors: de Azevedo Palhares Rodolfo , Weitzel Rossignoli Felipe , Sales de Melo Guilherme , Jorge Nery de Lima Henrique
Published: February 2022

The paper presents the tridimensional numeric model of an inner slab‐column connection of reinforced concrete, which was previously tested against the punching shear in the lab of the University of Brasília. The numerical analysis has been carried out by the finite element method, using the software ABAQUS. To evaluate the sensitivity of the main factors that influence the responses of the model, a parametric investigation was conducted as per the finite element mesh, mechanical properties of the concrete and plastic parameters of the assumed model for the concrete, named by concrete damaged plasticity model (CDPM). The results of the resistance capacity, displacements, strains, cracking pattern, and failure mode were compared with those obtained experimentally. From this comparison, it was concluded that the numerical model was able to reproduce the punching shear phenomenon with a high level of precision.
Inorganic arsenic promotes apoptosis of human immortal keratinocytes through the TGF‐β1/ERK signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Liping , Yang Fan , Du Sufei , Hu Ting , Wei Shaofeng , Wang Guoze , Zeng Qibing , Luo Peng
Published: February 2022

Chronic exposure to high‐dose inorganic arsenic through groundwater, air, or food remains a major environmental public health issue worldwide. Apoptosis, a method of cell death, has recently become a hot topic of research in biology and medicine. Previous studies have demonstrated that extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) is related to arsenic‐induced apoptosis. However, the reports are contradictory, and the knowledge of the above‐mentioned mechanisms and their mutual regulation remains limited. In this study, the associations between the TGF‐β1/ERK signaling pathway and arsenic‐induced cell apoptosis were confirmed using the HaCaT cell model. The relative expressions of the indicators of the TGF‐β1/ERK signaling pathway, apoptosis‐related genes (cytochrome C, caspase‐3, caspase‐9, cleaved caspase‐3, cleaved caspase‐9, and Bax), the mitochondrial membrane potential, and the total apoptosis rate were significantly increased (P < .05), while the expression of the antiapoptosis gene Bcl‐2 was significantly decreased (P < .05) in cells of the group exposed to arsenic. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the ERK inhibitor (PD98059) and TGF‐β1 inhibitor (LY364947) could inhibit the activation of the ERK signaling pathway, thereby reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential, the total apoptosis rate, and the expression of pro‐apoptosis‐related genes in the cells, while the expression of the antiapoptosis gene Bcl‐2 was significantly increased (P < .05). By contrast, the recombinant human TGF‐β1 could promote apoptosis of the HaCaT cells by increasing the activation of the ERK signaling pathway (P < .05). These results indicate that inorganic arsenic promotes the apoptosis of human immortal keratinocytes through the TGF‐β1/ERK signaling pathway.
Beyond Multimodality to Multiplicity: Developing More Equitable and Relevant Literacy Learning Spaces for Young Children
Authors: Forzani Elena E. , Ly Chu N.
Published: February 2022

The authors argue for an expansive and inclusive approach to literacy instruction that moves beyond multimodality to embrace multiplicity in readers, texts, mediums, activities, environments, and contexts aligned to our 21st century world. In particular, rather than privileging the linguistic mode, the authors argue for using all modes and centering multimodality. Such an expansive and inclusive approach to literacy instruction promotes criticality and allows students to engage in relevant instruction that can help students address social issues that matter to them while also preparing them to engage with the varied forms of text that we use today.
Relationships among water and gas transport properties in soils from natural and induced clay gradients
Authors: Yang Ting , Xing Xuguang , Deepagoda T. K. K. Chamindu , Fu Wei , Ma Xiaoyi , M. M. T. Lakshani
Published: February 2022

Clay content in soil potentially has strong influence on soil structure and thereby controls soil physical, hydraulic, and gas transport properties. Only few studies have investigated the effect of clay content on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and gas transport parameters such relative gas diffusivity (Dp/D0) and air permeability (Ka) under varying conditions of clay contents. In this study, two clay gradients were investigated: a natural clay gradient and an induced (clay mineral attapulgite‐controlled) clay gradient. We determined the effect of the two clay gradients on soil air and water parameters and identified the potential relationships between these parameters and other physical properties. The results indicated that all Dp/D0, Ka, and Ks decreased with increasing clay content. The differences among the various treatments were dependent on the soil pore characteristics (air‐filled porosity, ε; pore continuity, POA; pore tortuosity, τ; and pore size distribution). Under the natural clay gradient, the increased clay content resulted in 52.8% more micropores and 35.2% fewer macropores. The slope of τ vs. clay content under the induced clay gradient was found to be higher than that under the natural gradient. Statistically meaningful correlations could be found between Ks and Ka (|r| = .904) and also between Ks and Dp/D0 (|r| = .810), whereas Dp/D0 was evidenced to be better correlated with Ks regardless of the type of clay gradient (P < .01). The results thus provide a valuable experimental and numerical insight to develop useful correlations among Ks, Ka, and Dp/D0 under differing clay gradients.
Introduction
Authors: Cleland Silva Tricia , de Tarso Fonseca Silva Paulo
Published: February 2022

Collaborative Storytelling is a theory of social and cultural change. The theory itself advocates for space and time to reflect on social identities and embodied lived experiences through stories. In this chapter, we introduce how metaphors, narratives and stories powerfully impact organisational change in exclusive or inclusive ways.
Making Sense of Work through Collaborative Storytelling
Authors: Cleland Silva Tricia , de Tarso Fonseca Silva Paulo
Published: February 2022

Similar to social identities, each story and its narration is unique and yet relational and situated in a context of history, culture, and materiality. In this chapter, we explore local and global systems of narratives and their powerful influence on the stories and metaphors we tell and we are told to make sense of our embodied lived experiences. Through our theory ofCollaborative Storytelling, we discuss howCollaborative Storytelling Activity, with the toolCollaborative Story Craft, expands individual and collective sensemaking at work to build inclusive narratives in organisational change.
Crafting the Future Story Together
Authors: Cleland Silva Tricia , de Tarso Fonseca Silva Paulo
Published: February 2022

In this chapter, we discuss how after the Collaborative Story Craftintervention, practitioners can continue crafting and building their future stories together at work. Work engagement requests material resources and support, a sense of psychological and physical safety to be oneself, and meaningful rewards and recognition.

Although narratives and stories, on the surface, may seem fixed, raising awareness of the stories through Collaborative Storytelling provides an opportunity to create and maintain an organisational culture which strives for inclusion through responsible and sustainable practices of change.
Infrastructure for Digital Connectivity
Authors: Lynn Theo , Rosati Pierangelo , Conway Edel , Curran Declan , Fox Grace , O’Gorman Colm
Published: February 2022

This chapter provides an overview of the growing body of evidence that now documents the positive impact of infrastructure for digital connectivity, as policymakers seek to harness its potential to drive economic development and improve standards of living. However, significant challenges continue to impede the delivery of comprehensive digital connectivity across all social groups and geographical contexts. As ever greater technological advances continue to shape our everyday lives, policymakers must ensure that the existing social and economic digital divide is not exacerbated. This chapter defines infrastructure for digital connectivity, as well as key concepts and terms. This is followed by a review of the economic impact of infrastructure for digital connectivity, most notably broadband, and a discussion of free and municipal Wi-Fi and rural digital hubs. The chapter concludes with an overview of how digital connectivity is measured in international frameworks and composite indices for measuring digital society and the digital economy.
The Governance of Digital Town Initiatives
Authors: Lynn Theo , Rosati Pierangelo , Conway Edel , Curran Declan , Fox Grace , O’Gorman Colm
Published: February 2022

Realising the potential of digital technologies in smaller and rural towns is a significant organisational and management challenge involving a diverse range of stakeholders, who may have conflicting motivations. It requires substantial horizontal integration at a local level to leverage local contextual knowledge and relationships to increase participation in initiatives, while at the same time requiring vertical integration with political, social, and economic institutions and agencies, to facilitate the flow of resources. This chapter explores some of the governance challenges and mechanisms for building rural community resilience to digital technology evolution. It concludes with a discussion of how the governance of digital initiatives are measured by intergovernmental and international organisations, to the limited extent that they are at all.
Bringing It All Together: The Digital Town Readiness Framework
Authors: Lynn Theo , Rosati Pierangelo , Conway Edel , Curran Declan , Fox Grace , O’Gorman Colm
Published: February 2022

Digital technologies are an increasingly important part of societies and economies. International benchmarks suggest that countries and cities worldwide are progressing in their digitalisation efforts. Unfortunately, some parts of society and the economy are under-represented in extant measurement frameworks and composite indices and are in danger of being left behind. This chapter presents an integrated framework for measuring and benchmarking the evolution and development of digital towns. The Digital Town Readiness Framework can be used to obtain an initial characterisation and understanding of key sectors and enabling infrastructure in smaller and rural towns, develop plans for the digital transformation of towns, and benchmark progress against regional, national and international indicators. Methodology and implementation considerations are also presented.
Analysing the Conceptualisation of Remedial Actions Towards the “Migration Crisis” at the EU Level
Authors: Stępka Maciej
Published: February 2022

The chapter is concerned with the conceptualisation of remedial actions, which have been deployed in response to the “migration crisis”. It discusses how the EU frame-narrative has shifted in favour of risk, resilience, and “exceptionality”, leaving human security dispersed among different types of policy actions. With this in mind, the chapter discusses at length the framing and development of specific policy instruments such as the so-called “EU-Turkey deal”, dataveillance systems, the “hot-spot approach”, or reform of Frontex and Europol, to name a few. It also discusses the emergence of resilience as an important security logic. In this respect, it analyses how this relatively new security narrative has heavily influenced EU security and policy discourse on migration and migrants, calling for increased administrative resilience of the EU asylum system, or border security system, to name a few. Further, the chapter discusses how risk management, resilience, “exceptionality” and human security have been intertwining in policy responses to terrorism, trans-border organised crime, as well as in the utilisation of EU military means in increasing resilience outside EU borders. In this respect, it looks into EUFOR “Sophia”, Frontex Joint Operations and EU capacity building and border assistance missions, discussing their securitising features.
Exploring the relationship between loneliness, spirituality, and health-related quality of life in Hispanic cancer caregivers
Authors: King Jennifer J. , Segrin Chris , Badger Terry A. , Thomson Cynthia A.
Published: February 2022

Caregivers of cancer patients find it challenging to perform their roles and to meet the demands of caregiving. Spirituality has been investigated as a potential coping strategy employed by caregivers, yet spirituality and related practices vary among cultural groups. In this study, we investigated the relationship between spirituality and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and evaluated mediation effects of loneliness on this relationship. The sample was 234 lower socioeconomic status (SES) Hispanic caregivers of breast cancer survivors using existing data from the Support for Latinas with Breast Cancer and Their Intimate and Family Partners study, funded by the American Cancer Society (Badger, PI). A cross-sectional analysis was conducted at baseline, using self-reported spirituality, loneliness, and HRQOL data collected from 2012 to 2017. The exposures and outcomes were assessed using the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the Social Isolation—Short Form 8a PROMIS Item Bank v2.0 scale, and the Global Health Scale PROMIS v.1.0/1.1 scale. Descriptive and mediation analyses using the Preacher and Hayes’ approach were conducted to estimate the direct effect of spirituality on HRQOL and the indirect effect of spirituality through mediation of loneliness in relation to HRQOL. A positive association between spirituality and HRQOL was found, whereas loneliness was inversely associated with HRQOL (b =  − .18, SE = .03, p < .0001). Age did not function as a moderator of the spirituality-HRQOL association in any of the models tested, but in the model testing mediation, loneliness was shown to mediate the association between spirituality and HRQOL (b =  − .17, p < .0001). These results suggest that spirituality may be beneficial to HRQOL in caregivers of Hispanic breast cancer survivors, due in part to reduced loneliness among more spiritual caregivers.
The Influence of Social Desirability on Sexual Behavior Surveys: A Review
Authors: King Bruce M.
Published: February 2022

Research in fields for which self-reported behaviors can be compared with factual data reveals that misreporting is pervasive and often extreme. The degree of misreporting is correlated with the level of social desirability, i.e., the need to respond in a culturally appropriate manner. People who are influenced by social desirability tend to over-report culturally desired behaviors and under-report undesired behaviors. This paper reviews socially desirable responding in sexual behavior research. Given the very private nature of the sexual activity, sex researchers generally lack a gold standard by which to compare self-reported sexual behaviors and have relied on the anonymity of participants as the methodology to assure honest answers on sexual behavior surveys. However, indirect evidence indicates that under-reporting (e.g., of a number of sexual partners, receptive anal intercourse, condom use) is common. Among the general population, several studies have now reported that even with anonymous responding, there are significant correlations between a variety of self-reported sexual behaviors (e.g., use of condoms, sexual fantasies, exposure to pornography, penis size) and social desirability, with evidence that extreme under- or over-reporting is as common as is found in other fields. When asking highly sensitive questions, sex researchers should always include a measure of social desirability and take that into account when analyzing their results.
Rapid nitrate reduction produces pulsed NO and N2O emissions following wetting of dryland soils
Authors: Krichels Alexander H. , Homyak Peter M. , Aronson Emma L. , Sickman James O. , Botthoff Jon , Shulman Hannah , Piper Stephanie , Andrews Holly M. , Jenerette G. Darrel
Published: February 2022

Soil drying and wetting cycles can produce pulses of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions with substantial effects on both regional air quality and Earth’s climate. While pulsed production of N emissions is ubiquitous across ecosystems, the processes governing pulse magnitude and timing remain unclear. We studied the processes producing pulsed NO and N2O emissions at two contrasting drylands, desert and chaparral, where despite the hot and dry conditions known to limit biological processes, some of the highest NO and N2O flux rates have been measured. We measured N2O and NO emissions every 30 min for 24 h after wetting soils with isotopically-enriched nitrate and ammonium solutions to determine production pathways and their timing. Nitrate was reduced to N2O within 15 min of wetting, with emissions exceeding 1000 ng N–N2O m−2 s−1 and returning to background levels within four hours, but the pulse magnitude did not increase in proportion to the amount of ammonium or nitrate added. In contrast to N2O, NO was emitted over 24 h and increased in proportion to ammonium addition, exceeding 600 ng N–NO m−2 s−1 in desert and chaparral soils. Isotope tracers suggest that both ammonia oxidation and nitrate reduction produced NO. Taken together, our measurements demonstrate that nitrate can be reduced within minutes of wetting summer-dry desert soils to produce large N2O emission pulses and that multiple processes contribute to long-lasting NO emissions. These mechanisms represent substantial pathways of ecosystem N loss that also contribute to regional air quality and global climate dynamics.
Comparison of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor on the Risks of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke and Mortality in Diabetic Patients: A Propensity Score-Matched Study in Hong Kong
Authors: Lee Sharen , Zhou Jiandong , Leung Keith Sai Kit , Wai Abraham Ka Chung , Jeevaratnam Kamalan , King Emma , Liu Tong , Wong Wing Tak , Chang Carlin , Wong Ian Chi Kei , Cheung Bernard Man Yung , Tse Gary , Zhang Qingpeng
Published: February 2022

Objective

To compare the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4Is) on adverse outcomes in diabetic patients in Hong Kong.

Methods

This was a retrospective population-based cohort study of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (n = 72,746) treated with SGLT2I or DPP4I between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, in Hong Kong. Patients with exposure to both DPP4I and SGLT2I therapy, without complete demographics or mortality data, or who had prior atrial fibrillation (AF) were excluded. The study outcomes were new-onset AF, stroke/transient ischemic attack, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality. Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) between SGLT2I and DPP4I users was performed.

Results

The unmatched study cohort included ﻿21,713 SGLT2I users and 39,510 DPP4I users (total: n = 61,233 patients; 55.37% males, median age: 62.7 years [interquartile range (IQR): 54.6–71.9 years]). Over a median follow-up of 2030 (IQR: 1912–2117) days, 2496 patients (incidence rate [IR]: 4.07%) developed new-onset AF, 2179 patients (IR: 3.55%) developed stroke/transient ischemic attack, 1963 (IR: 3.20%) died from cardiovascular causes and 6607 patients (IR: 10.79%) suffered from all-cause mortality. After propensity score matching (SGLT2I: n = 21,713; DPP4I: n = 21,713), SGLT2I users showed lower incidence of new-onset AF (1.96% vs. 2.78%, standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.05), stroke (1.80% vs. 3.52%, SMD = 0.11), cardiovascular mortality (0.47% vs. 1.56%, SMD = 0.11) and all-cause mortality (2.59% vs. 7.47%, SMD = 0.22) compared to DPP4I users. Cox regression found that SGLT2I users showed lower risk of new-onset AF (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.56, 0.83], P = 0.0001), stroke (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: [0.53, 0.79], P < 0.0001), cardiovascular mortality (HR: 0.39, 95% CI: [0.27, 0.56], P < 0.0001) and all-cause mortality (HR: 0.44, 95% CI: [0.37, 0.51], P < 0.0001) after adjusting for significant demographics, past comorbidities, medications and laboratory tests.

Conclusions

Based on real-world data of type 2 diabetic patients in Hong Kong, SGLT2I use was associated with lower risk of incident AF, stroke/transient ischemic attack, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality outcomes compared to DPP4I use.
Immortalization-upregulated protein promotes pancreatic cancer progression by regulating NPM1/FHL1-mediated cell-cycle-checkpoint protein activity
Authors: Luo Qiankun , Pan Yanfeng , Fu Qiang , Zhang Xu , Zhou Shuai , Yu Pengfei , Tian Huiyuan , Liu Pan , Chen Song , Zhang Hongwei , Qin Tao
Published: February 2022

Immortalization-upregulated protein (IMUP) plays a vital role in cell proliferation and tumor progression. However, its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear. Here, we select IMUP as an alternative gene based on GeneChip analysis of clinical PDAC tissues and transcriptome data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. IMUP expression is upregulated in PDAC tumor tissues. Moreover, high IMUP expression correlates with poor prognosis, while IMUP depletion inhibits PDAC cell proliferation and colony formation capacity in vitro, and decreases xenograft tumor growth in vivo. IMUP downregulation leads to cell-cycle arrest in the S phase. IMUP knockdown increases the expression of four-and-a-half LIM domain protein 1 (FHL1), which regulates the phosphorylation of cell division cycle 25A (CDC25A) by cycle checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) and promotes cytoplasmic distribution of CDC25A by interaction with 14–3-3ξ. Furthermore, FHL1 knockdown restores the effects induced by IMUP depletion. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation analysis further show that IMUP interacts directly with nucleophosmin (NPM1) and enhances its stability. DNA methylation sequencing shows that FHL1 promoter methylation decreases when IMUP is downregulated. Overexpression of NPM1 can increase the methylation level of FHL1, thereby decreasing its expression. Our study provides a novel perspective on IMUP/NPM1/FHL1-mediated cell-cycle arrest by regulating CDC25A phosphorylation in PDAC. These findings may provide a new therapeutic target for PDAC.

Graphical abstract
A study of different actions of glucanases to modulate microfibrillated cellulose properties
Authors: Sharma Rahul , Garnier Gil , Haritos Victoria
Published: February 2022

Glucanases provide an excellent option for pre-treatment of cellulose and improvement in properties of microfibrillated cellulose. In our research, we have used two different enzyme formulations, a purified β-1,4-endoglucanase, and an β-1,4-exoglucanase rich mixture and the focus of the study is on effect of high protein applications on PFI refined-microfibrillated cellulose (2,500 rev). At high protein applications, cellulose fibers showed improved fibrillation after endoglucanase treatment with 20.4% improvement over PFI-only refined fibers while the exoglucanase mix showed 6.8% improvement. At low protein applications, the purified endoglucanase treatment resulted in improved tensile, compression, Scott ply bond, extensional stiffness of microfibrillated cellulose compared with the exoglucanase mix or untreated refined fibers. Scott Ply Bond measurements are an indicator of hydroxyl groups on the fiber surface whose value increased with enzyme pre-treatment. Mechanical properties changed with enzyme treatment and suggest the bonding between fibers increases with endoglucanase treatment providing improved surface functionalization.
Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Relatives of Adults with Serious Mental Illness: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lima-Rodríguez Joaquín Salvador , de Medina-Moragas Alejandro Jesús , Fernández-Fernández María José , Lima-Serrano Marta
Published: February 2022

Caring for a family member with a serious mental illness often has an impact on the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers. This could have negative repercussions on their caring skills and thus affect the care provided to that individual. The aim of this paper is to identify current evidence on QoL factors affecting relatives of individuals suffering from serious mental illness. A systematic review related to the research question was conducted in six databases by two independent reviewers. The QoL factors of relatives include sociodemographic, contextual, psychological, physical, and patient factors. The findings are consistent with the results of previous research. Mental health professionals may support a family with a member diagnosed with a serious mental illness by enhancing their education about QoL factors, which would trigger and promote protective factors so that family members could assess and act on them on an ongoing basis.
Time-resolved 3D characterisation of early-age microstructural development of Portland cement
Authors: Vigor James E. , Bernal Susan A. , Xiao Xianghui , Provis John L.
Published: February 2022

Time-resolved in-situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography reveals new levels of detail about the chemical and physical processes that take place as Portland cement hardens. The conversion of a fluid paste into a hardened product can be monitored on a sub-minute time-scale, and with sample movement/settlement corrections applied to enable individual particles to be tracked as they react, hydrate, and become interconnected into a single strong monolith. The growth of the strength-giving hydrate phases surrounding cement grains, and of the fluid-filled pore network that surrounds them, is able to be directly viewed at the level of individual cement particles through the application of this tracking protocol. When cement is brought into contact with water, a layer which differs in density from the bulk of the cement grains becomes observable on the grain surfaces during the induction period (during which time the heat evolution from the paste is relatively low). As hydration continues, reaction products grow both from particle surfaces into the initially fluid-filled region, and also into the space originally occupied by the cement particles, forming a density gradient within the microstructure. As the reaction accelerates and larger volumes of solid phases precipitate, the newly-formed solid structure percolates via interconnection of agglomerated low-density outer hydrates, which then densify as hydration continues. This eventually leads to solidification of the structure into a hardened porous matrix.

Graphical abstract
Resolution-promoting autacoids demonstrate promising cardioprotective effects against heart diseases
Authors: Hiram Roddy
Published: February 2022

Chronic heart diseases have in common an unresolved inflammatory status. In atherosclerosis, myocarditis, myocardial infarction, or atrial fibrillation, mounting evidence suggests that unresolved inflammation contributes to the chronicity, aggravation, and morbidity of the disease. Following cardiac injury or infection, acute inflammation is a normal and required process to repair damaged tissues or eliminate pathogens and promote restoration of normal functions and structures. However, if acute inflammation is not followed by resolution, a chronic and deleterious inflammatory status may occur, characterized by the persistence of inflammatory biomarkers, promoting aggravation of myocardial pathogenesis, abnormal structural remodeling, development of cardiac fibrosis, and loss of function. Although traditional antiinflammatory strategies, including the use of COX-inhibitors, to inhibit the production of inflammation promotors failed to promote homeostasis, mounting evidence suggests that activation of specific endogenous autacoids may promote resolution and perpetuate cardioprotective effects. The recent discovery of the active mechanism of resolution suggests that proresolving signals and cellular processes may help to terminate inflammation and combat the development of its chronic profile in cardiac diseases. This review discussed (I) the preclinical and clinical evidence of inflammation-resolution in cardiac disorders including atrial fibrillation; (II) how and why many traditional antiinflammatory treatments failed to prevent or cure cardiac inflammation and fibrosis; and (III) whether new therapeutic strategies may interact with the resolution machinery to have cardioprotective effects.

Graphical abstract

RvD D-series resolving, RvE E-series resolving, LXA4 lipoxin A4, MaR1 maresin-1