bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living the spiral curriculum: using the Swanwick/Tillman sequence of musical development to support music in primary schools in the 1980s
Authors: Hanke Maureen
Published: March 2022

This article aims to capture how the Swanwick and Tillman (1986) spiral model of musical development influenced my work as an Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) music coordinator (advisory teacher). It discusses my professional position in a period of teaching prior to the implementation of the National Curriculum for Music, to illustrate dichotomous pedagogical approaches in a developing re-positioning of aesthetic knowledge in music education. Using the example of two Key Stage 2 (KS2) music projects, a brief reflection concludes how the model of musical development and an adapted pedagogic approach facilitated my work in supporting music teachers to embrace music teaching with confidence and to consider what meaningful musical activity for musical learning is and how this might be planned.
Homozygous variants in the GDF1 gene related to recurrent right isomerism and complex CHD in two Indian families
Authors: Krishna Mani Ram , Sennaiyan Usha Nandhini
Published: March 2022

Disorders of laterality are often associated with complex CHD. There is considerable debate about the appropriate terminology to describe these conditions. As our understanding of the genetic basis of these disorders improves, it is likely that terminology will be dictated by the genetic aetiology. The genetic basis of laterality disorders in the Indian population has not been studied. We report two families with autosomal recessive inheritance of isomerism and homozygous variants in the GDF1 gene in affected family members.
The Making of an Imagined ‘Community of Law’: Law, Market and Democracy in the Early Constitutional Imaginaries of European Integration
Authors: Canihac Hugo
Published: March 2022

Invention and promotion of the concept of ‘Community of law’ in the EEC – The role and thought of Walter Hallstein – Moving beyond the traditional opposition between ‘constitutionalists’ and ‘internationalists’ – The diversity and struggles among the ‘constitutionalists’ – Constitutional imaginaries as different conceptions of the relation of law, market, and democracy – Social processes at work in the elaboration of a transnational constitutional imaginary – Political and academic making of the imaginary of the ‘Community of law’
METTL14 promotes prostate tumorigenesis by inhibiting THBS1 via an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent mechanism
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Chen Junfei , Gao Wei-Qiang , Yang Ru
Published: March 2022

N6-methyladenine (m6A) is the most predominant RNA modification, which has been shown to be related to many types of cancers. However, understanding of its role in prostate cancer (PCa) is largely unknown. Here, we report an upregulation of METTL14 that was correlated with poor prognosis in PCa patients. Functionally, knocking down METTL14 inhibited tumor proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq analyses identified THBS1 as the downstream target of METTL14 in PCa. METTL14 downregulated THBS1 expression in an m6A-dependent manner, which resulted in the recruitment of YTHDF2 to recognize and degrade Thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) mRNA. Thus, our findings revealed that METTL14 acted as an oncogene by inhibiting THBS1 expression via an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent manner. METTL14 could be a potential prognosis marker and a therapeutic target.
Hsa_circ_0007967 promotes gastric cancer proliferation through the miR-411-5p/MAML3 axis
Authors: Zha Quanbin , Wu Xi , Zhang Jingxin , Xu Tingting , Shi YongKang , Sun Yayun , Fang Yuan , Gu Yunru , Ma Pei , Shu Yongqian , Tian Shengwang
Published: March 2022

Circular RNAs are an important kind of noncoding RNAs and involved in cancerogenesis, but the specific mechanism between gastric cancer and circRNAs needs further study. Hsa_circ_0007967 was selected by RNA sequencing. Here, hsa_circ_0007967 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues than adjacent normal tissues. Overexpressing hsa_circ_0007967 promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, while suppression of hsa_circ_0007967 inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0007967 sponged miR-411-5p to increase MAML3 expression. Overall, hsa_circ_0007967 is a promising biomarker for gastric cancer diagnosis and a potential molecule for gastric cancer treatment.
A risk scoring system to predict progression to severe pneumonia in patients with Covid-19
Authors: Lee Ji Yeon , Nam Byung-Ho , Kim Mhinjine , Hwang Jongmin , Kim Jin Young , Hyun Miri , Kim Hyun Ah , Cho Chi-Heum
Published: March 2022

Rapid outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) raised major concern regarding medical resource constraints. We constructed and validated a scoring system for early prediction of progression to severe pneumonia in patients with Covid-19. A total of 561 patients from a Covid-19 designated hospital in Daegu, South Korea were randomly divided into two cohorts: development cohort (N = 421) and validation cohort (N = 140). We used multivariate logistic regression to identify four independent risk predictors for progression to severe pneumonia and constructed a risk scoring system by giving each factor a number of scores corresponding to its regression coefficient. We calculated risk scores for each patient and defined two groups: low risk (0 to 8 points) and high risk (9 to 20 points). In the development cohort, the sensitivity and specificity were 83.8% and 78.9%. In the validation cohort, the sensitivity and specificity were 70.8% and 79.3%, respectively. The C-statistics was 0.884 (95% CI 0.833–0.934) in the development cohort and 0.828 (95% CI 0.733–0.923) in the validation cohort. This risk scoring system is useful to identify high-risk group for progression to severe pneumonia in Covid-19 patients and can prevent unnecessary overuse of medical care in limited-resource settings.
Distributionally robust optimization for fire station location under uncertainties
Authors: Ming Jinke , Richard Jean-Philippe P. , Qin Rongshui , Zhu Jiping
Published: March 2022

Emergency fire service (EFS) systems provide rescue operations for emergencies and accidents. If properly designed, they can decrease property loss and mortality. This paper proposes a distributionally robust model (DRM) for optimizing the location of fire stations, the number of fire trucks, and demand assignment for long term planning in an EFS system. This is achieved by minimizing the worst-case expected total cost, including fire station construction cost, purchase cost for fire trucks, transportation cost, and penalty cost for not providing adequate service. The ambiguity in demands and travel durations distributions are captured through moment information and mean absolute deviation. A cutting plane method is used to solve the problem. Due to fact that it is computationally intensive for larger problems, two approximate methods are introduced; one that uses linear decision rules (LDRs), and another that adopts three-point approximations of the distributions. The results show that the heuristic method is especially useful for solving large instances of DRM. Extensive numerical experiments are conducted to analyze the model’s performance with respect to different parameters. Finally, data obtained from Hefei (China) demonstrates the practical applicability and value of the model in designing an EFS system in a large metropolitan setting.
Knot formation of dsDNA pushed inside a nanochannel
Authors: Rothörl Jan , Wettermann Sarah , Virnau Peter , Bhattacharya Aniket
Published: March 2022

Recent experiments demonstrated that knots in single molecule dsDNA can be formed by compression in a nanochannel. In this manuscript, we further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms by carrying out a compression experiment in silico, where an equilibrated coarse-grained double-stranded DNA confined in a square channel is pushed by a piston. The probability of forming knots is a non-monotonic function of the persistence length and can be enhanced significantly by increasing the piston speed. Under compression knots are abundant and delocalized due to a backfolding mechanism from which chain-spanning loops emerge, while knots are less frequent and only weakly localized in equilibrium. Our in silico study thus provides insights into the formation, origin and control of DNA knots in nanopores.
Justice sensitivity is undergirded by separate heritable motivations to be morally principled and opportunistic
Authors: Eftedal Nikolai Haahjem , Kleppestø Thomas Haarklau , Czajkowski Nikolai Olavi , Sheehy-Skeffington Jennifer , Røysamb Espen , Vassend Olav , Ystrom Eivind , Thomsen Lotte
Published: March 2022

Injustice typically involves some people benefitting at the expense of others. An opportunist might then be selectively motivated to amend only the injustice that is harmful to them, while someone more principled would respond consistently regardless of whether they stand to gain or lose. Here, we disentangle such principled and opportunistic motives towards injustice. With a sample of 312 monozygotic- and 298 dizygotic twin pairs (N = 1220), we measured people’s propensity to perceive injustice as victims, observers, beneficiaries, and perpetrators of injustice, using the Justice Sensitivity scale. With a biometric approach to factor analysis, that provides increased stringency in inferring latent psychological traits, we find evidence for two substantially heritable factors explaining correlations between Justice Sensitivity facets. We interpret these factors asprincipled justice sensitivity(h2 = 0.45) leading to increased sensitivity to injustices of all categories, andopportunistic justice sensitivity(h2 = 0.69) associated with increased sensitivity to being a victim and a decreased propensity to see oneself as a perpetrator. These novel latent constructs share genetic substrate with psychological characteristics that sustain broad coordination strategies that capture the dynamic tension between honest cooperation versus dominance and defection, namely altruism, interpersonal trust, agreeableness, Social Dominance Orientation and opposition to immigration and foreign aid.
Blood KL-6 predicts prognosis in primary Sjögren’s syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Kim Yun Jae , Choe Jooae , Moon Su-Jin , Song Jin Woo
Published: March 2022

Interstitial lung disease associated with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SJS-ILD) has a variable clinical course. We aimed to investigate the role of blood biomarkers in predicting prognosis for SJS-ILD. Clinical data of 46 SJS-ILD patients were retrospectively reviewed. Plasma biomarker levels, including Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18), chitinase-3-like-1 (YKL-40), interleukin-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Ra), and matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) were measured using the multiplex Luminex assays (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, USA). The median follow-up period was 69.0 months. The mean age of the patients was 59.4 years; 17.4% were men. The KL-6 level was significantly higher in non-survivors (n = 12; 119.6 vs. 59.5 pg/mL, P = 0.037) than survivors (n = 34), while the levels of the other biomarkers did not differ. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that KL-6 shows the best performance for predicting survival (area under the curve = 0.705, P = 0.037; best cut-off value = 53.5 pg/mL). Multivariable Cox analysis that was adjusted by age and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide suggested a high KL-6 level (> 53.5 pg/mL) as an independent prognostic factor for survival (hazard ratio = 5.939, 95% confidence interval 1.312–26.881, P = 0.021). Our results suggest that blood KL-6 might be a useful in predicting the prognosis for patients with SJS-ILD.
NU-9 improves health of hSOD1G93A mouse upper motor neurons in vitro, especially in combination with riluzole or edaravone
Authors: Genç Barış , Gautam Mukesh , Helmold Benjamin R. , Koçak Nuran , Günay Aksu , Goshu Gashaw M. , Silverman Richard B. , Hande Ozdinler P.
Published: March 2022

Even though amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease of the upper and lower motor neurons, to date none of the compounds in clinical trials have been tested for improving the health of diseased upper motor neurons (UMNs). There is an urgent need to develop preclinical assays that include UMN health as a readout. Since ALS is a complex disease, combinatorial treatment strategies will be required to address the mechanisms perturbed in patients. Here, we describe a novel in vitro platform that takes advantage of an UMN reporter line in which UMNs are genetically labeled with fluorescence and have misfolded SOD1 toxicity. We report that NU-9, an analog of the cyclohexane-1,3-dione family of compounds, improves the health of UMNs with misfolded SOD1 toxicity more effectively than riluzole or edaravone, -the only two FDA-approved ALS drugs to date-. Interestingly, when NU-9 is applied in combination with riluzole or edaravone, there is an additive effect on UMN health, as they extend longer axons and display enhanced branching and arborization, two important characteristics of healthy UMNs in vitro.
The Pseudomonas syringae type III effector HopG1 triggers necrotic cell death that is attenuated by AtNHR2B
Authors: Rodríguez-Puerto Catalina , Chakraborty Rupak , Singh Raksha , Rocha-Loyola Perla , Rojas Clemencia M.
Published: March 2022

The plant pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000) has become a paradigm to investigate plant-bacteria interactions due to its ability to cause disease in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Pst DC3000 uses the type III secretion system to deliver type III secreted effectors (T3SEs) directly into the plant cytoplasm. Pst DC3000 T3SEs contribute to pathogenicity by suppressing plant defense responses and targeting plant’s physiological processes. Although the complete repertoire of effectors encoded in the Pst DC3000 genome have been identified, the specific function for most of them remains to be elucidated. Among those effectors, the mitochondrial-localized T3E HopG1, suppresses plant defense responses and promotes the development of disease symptoms. Here, we show that HopG1 triggers necrotic cell death that enables the growth of adapted and non-adapted pathogens. We further showed that HopG1 interacts with the plant immunity-related protein AtNHR2B and that AtNHR2B attenuates HopG1- virulence functions. These results highlight the importance of HopG1 as a multi-faceted protein and uncover its interplay with AtNHR2B.
Novel probiotic treatment of autism spectrum disorder associated social behavioral symptoms in two rodent models
Authors: Mintál Kitti , Tóth Attila , Hormay Edina , Kovács Anita , László Kristóf , Bufa Anita , Marosvölgyi Tamás , Kocsis Béla , Varga Adorján , Vizvári Zoltán , Cserjési Renáta , Péczely László , Ollmann Tamás , Lénárd László , Karádi Zoltán
Published: March 2022

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has rapidly increased in the past decades, and several studies report about the escalating use of antibiotics and the consequent disruption of the gastrointestinal microbiome leading to the development of neurobehavioral symptoms resembling to those of ASD. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate whether depletion of the gastrointestinal microbiome via antibiotics treatment could induce ASD-like behavioral symptoms in adulthood. To reliably evaluate that, validated valproic acid (VPA) ASD animal model was introduced. At last, we intended to demonstrate the assessed potential benefits of a probiotic mixture (PM) developed by our research team. Male Wistar rats were used to create antibiotics treated; antibiotics and PM treated; PM treated, VPA treated; VPA and PM treated; and control groups. In all investigations we focused on social behavioral disturbances. Antibiotics-induced microbiome alterations during adulthood triggered severe deficits in social behavior similar to those observed in the VPA model. Furthermore, it is highlighted that our PM proved to attenuate both the antibiotics- and the VPA-generated antisocial behavioral symptoms. The present findings underline potential capacity of our PM to improve social behavioral alterations thus, indicate its promising therapeutic power to attenuate the social-affective disturbances of ASD.
Engineering nonlinear epileptic biomarkers using deep learning and Benford’s law
Authors: Caffarini Joseph , Gjini Klevest , Sevak Brinda , Waleffe Roger , Kalkach-Aparicio Mariel , Boly Melanie , Struck Aaron F.
Published: March 2022

In this study, we designed two deep neural networks to encode 16 features for early seizure detection in intracranial EEG and compared them and their frequency responses to 16 widely used engineered metrics to interpret their properties: epileptogenicity index (EI), phase locked high gamma (PLHG), time and frequency domain Cho Gaines distance (TDCG, FDCG), relative band powers, and log absolute band powers (from alpha, beta, theta, delta, low gamma, and high gamma bands). The deep learning models were pretrained for seizure identification on the time and frequency domains of 1 s, single-channel clips of 127 seizures (from 25 different subjects) using “leave-one-out” (LOO) cross validation. Each neural network extracted unique feature spaces that were interpreted using spectral power modulations before being used to train a Random Forest Classifier (RFC) for seizure identification. The Gini Importance of each feature was calculated from the pretrained RFC, enabling the most significant features (MSFs) for each task to be identified. The MSFs were extracted to train another RFC for UPenn and Mayo Clinic’s Seizure Detection Kaggle Challenge. They obtained an AUC score of 0.93, demonstrating a transferable method to identify and interpret biomarkers for seizure detection.
The impact of CCR8+ regulatory T cells on cytotoxic T cell function in human lung cancer
Authors: Haruna Miya , Ueyama Azumi , Yamamoto Yoko , Hirata Michinari , Goto Kumiko , Yoshida Hiroshi , Higuchi Naoko , Yoshida Tetsuya , Kidani Yujiro , Nakamura Yamami , Nagira Morio , Kawashima Atsunari , Iwahori Kota , Shintani Yasushi , Ohkura Naganari , Wada Hisashi
Published: March 2022

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress the host immune response and maintain immune homeostasis. Tregs also promote cancer progression and are involved in resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments. Recent studies identified selective CCR8 expression on tumor-infiltrating Tregs; CCR8+ Tregs have been indicated as a possible new target of cancer immunotherapy. Here, we investigated the features of CCR8+ Tregs in lung cancer patients. CCR8+ Tregs were highly activated and infiltration of CCR8+ Tregs in tumors was associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. We also investigated their immune suppressive function, especially the influence on cytotoxic T lymphocyte cell function. The Cancer Genome Atlas analysis revealed that CD8 T cell activities were suppressed in high CCR8-expressing tumors. Additionally, depletion of CCR8+ cells enhanced CD8 T cell function in an ex vivo culture of lung tumor-infiltrating cells. Moreover, CCR8+ Tregs, but not CCR8− Tregs, induced from human PBMCs markedly suppressed CD8 T cell cytotoxicity. Finally, we demonstrated the therapeutic effect of targeting CCR8 in a murine model of lung cancer. These findings reveal the significance of CCR8+ Tregs for immunosuppression in lung cancer, especially via cytotoxic T lymphocyte cell suppression, and suggest the potential value of CCR8-targeted therapy for cancer treatment.
Ecological and societal effects of Central Asian streamflow variation over the past eight centuries
Authors: Chen Feng , Yuan Yujiang , Trouet Valerie , Büntgen Ulf , Esper Jan , Chen Fahu , Yu Shulong , Shen Miaogen , Zhang Ruibo , Shang Huaming , Chen Youping , Zhang Heli
Published: March 2022

Understanding changes in water availability is critical for Central Asia; however, long streamflow reconstructions extending beyond the period of instrumental gauge measurements are largely missing. Here, we present a 785-year-long streamflow reconstruction from spruce tree rings from the Tien Shan Mountains. Although an absolute causal relationship can not be established, relatively high streamflow rates coincided roughly with the period of Mongol expansion from 1225 to 1260 CE and the rise of the Timurid Empire from 1361 to 1400 CE. Since overall wetter conditions were further found during the Zunghar Khanate period 1693–1705 CE, we argue that phases of streamflow surplus likely promoted oasis and grassland productivity, which was an important factor for the rise of inner Eurasian steppe empires. Moreover, we suggest that the streamflow variation might be critical for plague outbreaks in Central Asia, and propose several explanations for possible links with Europe’s repeated Black Death pandemics. We demonstrate that 20th-century low streamflow is unprecedented in the past eight centuries and exacerbated the Aral Sea crisis, which is one of the most staggering ecological disasters of the twentieth century.
Phonon-dressed states in an organic Mott insulator
Authors: Sono Naoki , Otaki Takashi , Kitao Takayuki , Yamakawa Takashi , Sakai Daiki , Morimoto Takeshi , Miyamoto Tatsuya , Okamoto Hiroshi
Published: March 2022

In an electronic system of solids excited by a femtosecond laser pulse, new quantum states called photon-dressed states are created via the coupling of original electron wavefunctions and periodic electric fields of light. The study of photon-dressed states is a central issue in nonlinear optical science, as a coherent response associated with a photon-dressed state can cause ultrafast optical-switching phenomena. In general, however, phase-sensitive dynamics of photon-dressed states are difficult to observe due to their short lifetime. Here, we show that excitation of the organic Mott insulator potassium-tetracyanoquinodimethane with a strong mid-infrared pulse induces a couple of intramolecular vibrations, which add temporally periodic potentials to the electronic system, giving rise to phonon-dressed states in the picosecond time domain. Through sub-cycle spectroscopy using a phase-stable mid-infrared pulse as an excitation and an ultrashort visible pulse as a probe, we observe optical radiation consisting of four kinds of coherent oscillations with double, sum, and differential frequencies of two intramolecular vibrations. The probe-energy dependence of each oscillation can be well interpreted with phonon-dressed states in the framework of Floquet theory. These findings open a possibility for Floquet engineering in correlated electron materials with strong charge–phonon couplings.
The effect of quercetin on diabetic nephropathy (DN): a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies
Authors: Hu Tingyan , Yue Junlun , Tang Qiuwen , Cheng Ka-Wing , Chen Feng , Peng Mijun , Zhou Qian , Wang Mingfu
Published: March 2022

Quercetin, a flavonoid possessing numerous biological activities, is reported to improve renal injury in diabetic animals.
A genome-wide association study revealed the genetic variation and candidate genes for grain copper content in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Ma Jianhui , Qi Siyuan , Yuan Meng , Zhao Dongyang , Zhang Daijing , Feng Jinyuan , Wang Jianing , Li Wei , Song Chengxiang , Wang Tianlin , Zeng Qingdong , Wu Jianhui , Han Dejun , Jiang Lina
Published: March 2022

As an essential microelement, copper plays a crucial role in the human body, and should be improved in wheat grain.
A study on the viscosity reduction mechanism of high-filled silicone potting adhesive by the formation of Al2O3 clusters
Authors: Wang Jing , Ma Haihong , Ren Fengmei , Zhou Zhengfa , Xu Weibing
Published: March 2022

Surface-modified Al2O3-epoxy reacts with Al2O3–NH2 to form clusters that reduce the viscosity of electronic potting composites.
Thienoviologen anolytes for aqueous organic redox flow batteries with simultaneously enhanced capacity utilization and capacity retention
Authors: Liu Xu , Zhang Xuri , Li Guoping , Zhang Sikun , Zhang Bingjie , Ma Wenqiang , Wang Zengrong , Zhang Yueyan , He Gang
Published: March 2022

Thienoviologen derivatives were prepared successfully as anolytes for neutral aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) with simultaneously enhanced capacity utilization and capacity retention paired with FcNCl as the catholyte.
GaN LEDs with in situ synthesized transparent graphene heat-spreading electrodes fabricated by PECVD and penetration etching
Authors: Xiong Fangzhu , Sun Jie , Cole Matthew T. , Guo Weiling , Yan Chunli , Dong Yibo , Wang Le , Du Zaifa , Feng Shiwei , Li Xuan , Guo Tailiang , Yan Qun
Published: March 2022

High-quality and patterned graphene is grown directly on GaN LED arrays for transparent and heat-spreading electrodes. The CVD is done at 600 °C for 2 min. Sacrificial Co acts both as GaN mesa etching mask and transfer-free graphene growth catalyst.
Confirmation of pore formation mechanisms in biochars and activated carbons by dual isotherm analysis
Authors: Blankenship L. Scott , Jagiello Jacek , Mokaya Robert
Published: March 2022

Subtle changes in PSDs of carbons are better observed using dual isotherm O2/H2 porosimetry.
Kinetics and mechanisms of flumequine degradation by sulfate radical based AOP in different water samples containing inorganic anions
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Huang Kunling , Zhu Yunjie , Chen Xuan , Wei Min , Yu Kefu
Published: March 2022

Many studies have reported that hydroxyl radical (HO˙) driven advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) could degrade fluoroquinolones (FQs) antibiotics effectively.
Distinctive conductivity improvement by embedding Cu nanoparticles in the carbon shell of submicron Si@C anode materials for LIBs
Authors: Chen Si , Zheng Songsheng , Shi Aodi , Zheng Leiming , Zhang Yehan , Wang Zhaolin
Published: March 2022

Cu nanoparticles were successfully embedded in the Si@C to remarkably improve the conductivity. Under the catalysis of Cu nanoparticles, the carbon shell was partly converted to graphite to better withstand the volume expansion of the Si@C anode.
Emerging conjugated radical polymer cathodes with ultra-long cycle life for an entire polymer rechargeable battery
Authors: Ou Ying , Xiong Yufeng , Hu Zhengfei , Zhang Yang , Dong Lijie
Published: March 2022

A crosslinked conjugated radical copolymer cathode with ultrafast rate performance and long cycle life was developed. Exceptional performance was also achieved in the assembled entire polymer rechargeable batteries.
A femtosecond optical switch using molecular two-photon absorption with multi-step charge dissociation
Authors: Fu Yulan , Wang Jiawei , Zhang Yiwei , Zhang Xinping
Published: March 2022

An ultrafast optical switch is reported with a response time shorter than 300 fs in a single-layer PFB, where the unique band structure of PFB that allows strong transient two-photon absorption with high contrast is the main responsible mechanism.
Mechanically tunable PDMS-based polyHIPE acoustic materials
Authors: McKenzie Tucker J. , Rost Kathryn , Smail Soren , Mondain-Monval Olivier , Brunet Thomas , Ayres Neil
Published: March 2022

Porous PDMS elastomers were synthesized using emulsion templated thiol–ene “click” reactions to obtain materials with tunable storage moduli at a single porosity value that achieve low sound speed values of ∼40 m s−1.
Controllable metastable growth of perovskite single crystals for highly sensitive X-ray detection
Authors: Zhu Zhihao , Li Wen , Deng Wen , He Weidong , Yan Cheng , Peng Xiaodong , Zeng Xiankan , Gao Yue , Fu Xuehai , Lin Na , Gao Bo , Yang Weiqing
Published: March 2022

MAPbBr3 single crystals (SCs) were obtained by a low-temperature controllable metastable crystallization method, which regulates the growth process to low temperature and ensures excellent optoelectronic properties of the as-prepared SCs.
Physically soft magnetic films and devices: fabrication, properties, printability, and applications
Authors: Dhamsania Anjali , Mah William , Sivarajan Arjun , Ting John , Chung Stephen , Carlson Elizabeth , Wang Alex , Lee Gillian , Huynh Bryan , Chen Anson , Mueller Lillian , Kim Caius , Subudhi Swarup Kumar , Zhao Beihan , Chava Bhargav Sai , Das Siddhartha
Published: March 2022

This review covers the materials selection, different fabrication methods, mechanical and magnetic characterization, printability, and subsequent applications of physically soft magnetic films and devices.
Single-entity coccolithophore electrochemistry shows size is no guide to the degree of calcification
Authors: Yang Minjun , Batchelor-McAuley Christopher , Barton Samuel , Rickaby Rosalind E. M. , Bouman Heather A. , Compton Richard G.
Published: March 2022

Controlled electrochemistry induced acid dissolution of calcifying marine phytoplankton reveals their degree of calcification.
Preparation of in-situ ZrB2/A356 composites and high-temperature tribological studies
Authors: Li Hui , Li Chuying , Qiao Yuanpeng , Lu Shengbo , Wang Feng , Sun Caizhi , Jiao Lei , Andrii Zatulovskiy , Volodymyr Shcheretskyi
Published: March 2022

The ZrB2/A356 composite material was prepared by using chemical in situ reaction technology. The high-temperature friction and wear test of ZrB2/A356 aluminum matrix composites was carried out. The friction and wear test temperatures were normal temperatures, 50 °C, 100 °C, 150 °C, 200 °C, 250 °C, and 300 °C. XRD, TEM, SEM, and XPS were used to analyze the microstructure, phase and the formation of surface compounds of the composites under different wear temperatures. The results show that the composite phase is composed of ZrB2 and ɑ-Al, and there is a small amount of Al-Si eutectic phase; ZrB2 particles are small, hexagonal nearly elliptical, flocculent and well bonded to the matrix; Combined with the stress-strain curve and tensile fracture morphology analysis, the composite material is a ductile fracture, and the plasticity of the A356 alloy is higher than that of the composite material; The wear properties of composites are susceptible to temperature changes, and the wear rate is small below 200 °C. The wear mechanism is mainly oxidative wear and abrasive wear. When the temperature reaches above 250 °C, the wear rate begins to rise sharply, and a large number of plastic deformation traces and wear debris appear on the surface of the wear spot, and the surface of the wear debris adheres to the protrusions. The primary wear mechanism is adhesive wear. In the stages of oxidative wear, and abrasive wear, although the friction coefficient changes, it is stable. But in the adhesive wear stage, the friction coefficient becomes very unstable and a sharp peak appears. XPS analysis showed that the compounds formed in the wear scar were mainly Al2O3.
Effect of MOSFET dosimeters’ calibration method on calibration factors and radiation doses measured with the dosimeters in radiology
Authors: Happonen Emilia , Husso Minna , Matikka Hanna
Published: March 2022

MOSFET dosimeters have widely been used to measure radiation doses caused by x-rays. When using the MOSFET dosimeters, calibration factors (CFs) have a direct effect on reliability of dose measurements. The aim of this paper was to study the effect of various calibration methods on the CFs of the MOSFET dosimeters. The CFs were measured on clinical digital x-ray angiography (XA) and computed tomography (CT) devices using a calibrated CT ionization chamber and a standard polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom. The measurements were conducted by having the dosimeters (1) in air, (2) on the surface of the PMMA phantom and (3) inside the phantom. A statistically significant difference was seen between the CFs measured on the XA and CT devices. The CFs measured on the CT device were 20%–165% higher than those measured with the XA device (p < 0.001) in every calibration geometry. Furthermore, the calibration geometry had a notable effect on the CFs on CT. The CFs on the surface of the phantom were 18%–25% higher than in air (p < 0.05), and the CFs inside the phantom were 32%–39% smaller than in air (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the calibration of the MOSFET dosimeters should be conducted with the same device that is used in actual dose measurements. Also, the scattering conditions and the calibration geometry should be similar in the calibration and subsequent dose measurements.
Fast and parallel nanoscale three-dimensional tracking of heterogeneous mammalian chromatin dynamics
Authors: Gustavsson Anna-Karin , Ghosh Rajarshi P. , Petrov Petar N. , Liphardt Jan T. , Moerner W. E.
Published: March 2022

A method is presented for fast and parallel 3D tracking of multiple chromosomal loci of choice over many thousands of frames. The combination of nanobody arrays, engineered point spread functions, and light sheet illumination results in gentle live-cell 3D tracking with excellent spatiotemporal resolution throughout the mammalian cell nucleus.
Gated Tomographic Radionuclide Angiography Using 3D-Ring CZT StarGuide SPECT/CT Head-To-Head Comparison With a Cardiac-Dedicated CZT Camera
Authors: Carsuzaa Thibaut , Thibault Frédérique , Bailly Matthieu
Published: March 2022

Gated tomographic radionuclide angiography can assess and monitor left cardiac function. Dedicated cardiac CZT cameras have enabled dose reduction and quicker acquisitions. New 3D-ring CZT general purpose systems are now available. We report 50 patients who underwent a 7-minute acquisition on a cardiac-dedicated CZT camera and 9 minutes on a new 3D-ring CZT system after mean injection of 321.4 ± 55.9 MBq 99mTc-labelled human serum albumin. There was no significant difference in left ventricular volumes, and left and right ventricular ejection fractions. These preliminary results seem to validate the use of 3D-ring CZT system for LEVF and cardiac function evaluation.
Killing the competition: a theoretical framework for liver-stage malaria
Authors: Arias Clemente F. , Acosta Francisco J. , Fernandez-Arias Cristina
Published: March 2022

The first stage of malaria infections takes place inside the host's hepatocytes. Remarkably,
Plasmodium
parasites do not infect hepatocytes immediately after reaching the liver. Instead, they migrate through several hepatocytes before infecting their definitive host cells, thus increasing their chances of immune destruction. Considering that malaria can proceed normally without cell traversal, this is indeed a puzzling behaviour. In fact, the role of hepatocyte traversal remains unknown to date, implying that the current understanding of malaria is incomplete. In this work, we hypothesize that the parasites traverse hepatocytes to actively trigger an immune response in the host. This behaviour would be part of a strategy of superinfection exclusion aimed to reduce intraspecific competition during the blood stage of the infection. Based on this hypothesis, we formulate a comprehensive theory of liver-stage malaria that integrates all the available knowledge about the infection. The interest of this new paradigm is not merely theoretical. It highlights major issues in the current empirical approach to the study of
Plasmodium
and suggests new strategies to fight malaria.
The broken-wing display across birds and the conditions for its evolution
Authors: de Framond Léna , Brumm Henrik , Thompson Wren I. , Drabing Shane M. , Francis Clinton D.
Published: March 2022

The broken-wing display is a well-known and conspicuous deceptive signal used to protect birds' broods against diurnal terrestrial predators. Although commonly associated with shorebirds, it remains unknown how common the behaviour is across birds and what forces are associated with the evolution of the display. Here, we use the broken-wing display as a paradigmatic example to study the evolution of a behaviour across Aves. We show that the display is widespread: it has been described in 52 families spread throughout the phylogeny, suggesting that it independently evolved multiple times. Further, we evaluated the association with 16 ecological and life-history variables hypothesized to be related to the evolution of the broken-wing display. Eight variables were associated with the display. We found that species breeding farther from the equator, in more dense environments, with shorter incubation periods, and relatively little nest cover were more likely to perform the display, as were those in which only one parent incubates eggs, species that mob nest predators and species that are altricial or multi-brooded. Collectively, our comprehensive approach identified forces associated with the repeated evolution of this conspicuous display, thereby providing new insights into how deceptive behaviours evolve in the context of predator–prey interactions.
Acoustic signatures in cavefish populations inhabiting different caves
Authors: Hyacinthe Carole , Attia Joël , Schutz Elisa , Casane Didier , Rétaux Sylvie
Published: March 2022

Complex patterns of acoustic communication exist throughout the animal kingdom, including underwater. The river-dwelling and the Pachón cave-adapted morphs of the fish Astyanax mexicanus share a repertoire of sounds, but their trigger, use and meaning has changed in cavefish after their recent colonization of the subterranean environment. Here, we explored whether and how sounds produced by blind cavefishes inhabiting different Mexican caves may have evolved, too. We compared acoustic parameters of sounds produced by wild cavefish, recorded in their natural settings, in six different caves located in three mountains ranges in North-East Mexico. Multi-parametric analyses show that the six cavefish populations sampled present cave-specific acoustic signatures, as well as possible individual signatures. The variations in acoustic parameters do not seem related to fish phenotypes, phylogeography or ecological conditions. We propose that the evolution of such acoustic signatures would be neutral and occur by drift, progressively leading to the differentiation of local accents that may prevent interbreeding and thus contribute to speciation.
Organizational learning and knowledge performance at middle-cost Pakistani schools: implications for leaders
Authors: Thomas Martin , Machado Crystal
Published: March 2022

Purpose

There is limited research in Pakistan that describes how organizational learning, which is not contingent on funding, can be used to improve the quality of education in developing countries. This study addresses this gap in the literature with a study that examines the perceptions of educators at medium-cost schools in Karachi, Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of a larger mixed-method QUAN-qual study, this study used an instrument based on Watkins and Marsick’s Dimensions of the Learning Organization, to collect survey data from 21 head teachers/coordinators, 653 teachers at 32 urban schools. This paper presents an analysis of survey data and findings related to two research questions. This paper used exploratory factor analysis and simultaneous regression analysis to test four hypotheses.

Findings

The findings suggest that of the four levels of learning, global and school level learning predict knowledge performance at medium-cost urban schools in Karachi, Pakistan.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for both school leaders and the education leadership faculty who prepare them to play a vital role in schools.

Originality/value

The paper adds to a limited body of literature that describes how organizational learning can be used to improve the quality of education in developing countries such as Pakistan.
The relative performance of ex‐ante and ex‐post measures to mitigate hypothetical and strategic bias in a stated preference study
Authors: Colombo Sergio , Budziński Wiktor , Czajkowski Mikołaj , Glenk Klaus
Published: March 2022

Bias related to the hypothetical setting remains controversial regarding the reliability and validity of value estimates from discrete choice experiments (DCEs). This has motivated a large body of literature to investigate approaches for mitigating hypothetical and strategic bias. Our study provides further evidence to inform this debate by testing whether a combination of ex‐ante or ex‐post mitigation strategies might be effective in reducing bias in DCEs. Specifically, we employ individual and multiple ex‐ante reminders alongside an ex‐post data treatment and analyse how their individual or joint use affects willingness to pay (WTP) estimates. The econometric analysis makes use of innovative semi‐parametric logit‐mixed logit in addition to the state‐of‐the‐art mixed logit model. The empirical case study focuses on preferences for the environmental and social impacts of organic olive production. By comparing the three experimental treatments with a control treatment, we test whether ex‐ante cheap talk, a reminder of the project's relative spatial extent, or a combination of both affect stated WTP. In addition, we use an ex‐post data treatment to correct WTP estimates. WTP estimates of treatments related to ex‐ante mitigation strategies did not differ significantly from those obtained from a control treatment with standard budget constraint reminders. However, the ex‐post approach results in a significant reduction in mean WTP estimates and is used to investigate whether the observed choice inconsistencies are due to unintentional errors or strategic behaviour. We argue that ex‐post mechanisms deserve greater attention and highlight the need to distinguish strategic behaviour from other sources of hypothetical bias.
Submarine volcanic eruption of esophageal varices induced by failed variceal ligation and identified by the gel immersion method
Authors: Hasebe Takumu , Sawada Koji , Fujiya Mikihiro
Published: March 2022

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Factors influencing parental functioning and satisfaction for veteran mothers during civilian transition
Authors: Morgan Nicole R. , Karre Jennifer K. , Aronson Keith R. , McCarthy Kimberly J. , Bleser Julia A. , Perkins Daniel F.
Published: March 2022

Objective

Risk and protective factors associated with parental functioning (i.e., meeting child's emotional needs) and satisfaction (i.e., closeness) were examined among post‐9/11 veteran mothers during their civilian transition.

Background

Post–military‐separation stressors (e.g., relocation, benefit changes) can strain well‐being and familial relationships. Stress, particularly in the presence of unresolved trauma from military‐specific risks, can impinge upon parental functioning and satisfaction, negatively influencing child outcomes (e.g., social–emotional, academic, behavioral).

Method

A prospective cohort was identified from all active duty service members who separated in May–September 2016. Logistic regression analyses of surveys completed by post‐9/11 veteran mothers (n = 711) assessed effects of protective (i.e., resilience) and military‐specific risk factors (i.e., deployments) on parental functioning and satisfaction. Interactions between protective factors and deployments and combat (patrols and corollaries) were explored.

Results

Coping characteristics (e.g., healthy behaviors), absence of mental health conditions, and social supports were positively associated with parental functioning and satisfaction. Household financial security was not. Mothers who had deployed reported higher parental functioning and satisfaction. Mothers experiencing combat patrols were less likely to report high parental functioning.

Conclusion

Malleable protective factors positively influence parenting but do not buffer against combat exposure.

Implications

Interventions bolstering protective factors for veteran mothers can foster coping, reintegration, and positive child outcomes.
Effective learning activity to facilitate post‐graduate nursing students' utilization of nursing theories – Using the fundamentals of care framework
Authors: Jangland Eva , Gunnarsson Anna‐Karin , Hauffman Anna , Edfeldt Katarina , Nyholm Lena , Fröjd Camilla
Published: March 2022

Aims

To explore how postgraduate nursing students used the Fundamentals of Care framework in a written assignment based on a clinical situation, and describe their learning process in using the framework.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study design applying the Fundamentals of Care framework.

Methods

Postgraduate nursing students' theoretical written assignments (n = 35) based on self‐experienced clinical cases were included. The data were collected in 2021 in five specialties in a postgraduate nursing programme in Sweden. The data were analysed using content analysis.

Results

Applying the framework to a self‐experienced clinical case illuminated the importance of nurse–patient relationships and clarified the meaning of person‐centred care. The students assessed the framework as easy‐to‐use bedside as a guide to providing nursing care. By using the framework, the students were aided in reasoning about the fundamental values of care such as ethics, equality in healthcare and patient rights. When students reflected on their learning process, they stated that the assignment taught them how to use the framework, as well as paving the way for finding and applying other theories of nursing.

Conclusion

Learning activities with an opportunity to practice analysing nursing care guided by a theory, combined with a self‐evaluating element, are conducive to deepening students' learning and improving their ability to use theories in clinical practice.

Impact

The framework illuminated the importance of the nurse–patient relationship in nursing care to the students and made them recognize and value the clinical use of theories. It is the responsibility of leaders in nurse education and healthcare to provide the next generation of specialist nurses—future nursing leaders—with regular opportunities to analyse nursing care through theories and frameworks. Nurses call for continuous learning on theories; leaders in nurse education and healthcare must meet these needs.