bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fernando Botero and the theme of violence in Colombian art
Authors: Cruz Fajardo Yulli Marley
Published: January 2022

The subject of this research is the theme of violence in Colombia in the works of the Colombian artist Fernando Botero, mainly of the XX century. Attention is given to determination of the prerequisites for the emergence of the theme of violence in his painting. For this purpose, analysis is conducted on the indirect presence of this theme in Botero’s works since the very beginning of his career to paintings of mature and later periods. It is demonstrated that the artist approached the reflection of the theme of violence from different perspectives, depicting massacres, tortures, death, and involuntary relocation. The article employs the method based on iconographic analysis of the artist’s works, as well as artistic and stylistic analysis. The scientific novelty lies in examination of the topic relevant to the culture and history of the Latin American country, revealed in the works of Fernando Botero, who distanced himself from comprehension of art as resistance throughout his entire career. The author concludes that the Botero’s paintings may be called a form of depicting the slaughterous history of the country, without adherence of the painter to any political or party ideology. The manner used by Botero in the series “Violence in Colombia” is identical the artist resorts to throughout his career, which leads to distortion and caricaturing of the artistic form, in combination with the tragedy of storylines, which aggravates the dramatic character of the chosen themes. The works of Botero of the late XX century are of invaluable cultural value for Colombia.
Self-employed persons as the actors of tax legal relations: problems of normative legal regulation
Authors: Shvets Alexandra
Published: January 2022

This article examines the normative legal regulation of certain provisions of the legal status of self-employed persons who are the payers of self-employment tax in the Russian Federation. Attention is given to the analysis of such characteristics of the legal structure of this special tax regime as taxpayers, object of taxation and tax rate (in the aspect of social security of the actors of these tax legal relations, alongside other categories of self-employed persons). Assessment is given to the content of Russian legislation considering the legal norms of foreign countries (France, Germany, the United States, and Canada) that have positive and long-term experience in the questions of taxation of income of this category of taxpayers. The conclusion is made on the existence of flaws in naming this special tax regime proposed by the legislator, determination of the range of persons who qualify as the taxpayers in such tax legal relations, and the object of taxation. In view of this, the author formulates the original revision of the norms of the Part 1 of the Article 4 and the Paragraph 4 of the Part 2 of the Article 6 of the Federal Law “On Carrying out Experiment on the Establishment of Special Tax Regime – Self-Employment Tax”; as well as advances the opinion on the need to implement the progressive scale of taxation of income of self-employed persons with a mandatory non-taxable minimum and guarantees of their social security on equal terms with other persons engaged in work and professional activity.
Męskość i homofobia oraz ich przedstawienia we współczesnym dyskursie nacjonalistycznym w Polsce
Authors: Majka-Rostek Dorota
Published: January 2022

Celem artykułu jest zaprezentowanie relacji pomiędzy kulturowym konstruktem męskości i homofobią oraz tego, jak wyrażane są one we współczesnym polskim dyskursie nacjonalistycznym. Homofobia ujęta jest tu nie tylko w kontekście postaw związanych z seksualnością, ale również w kontekście kontroli genderowej oraz tendencji neopatriarchalnych. Dyskursywne ilustracje powiązań między tymi zjawiskami zaczerpnięte są z tekstów największego polskiego portalu narodowo-radykalnego Nacjonalista.pl.
Dual-sided illumination light-sheet fluorescence microscopy with virtual single-pixel imaging deconvolution
Authors: Hu Jin-Hu , Lin Dan-Ying , Zhang Wei , Zhang Chen-Shuang , Qu Jun-Le , Yu Bin ,   Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China,   College of Electromechanical Engineering, Foshan Polytechnic, Foshan 528137, China
Published: January 2022

In light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) a thin light sheet is used to excite the specimen from the side and imaging is performed in the direction perpendicular to the light-sheet. It has the advantages of fast imaging speed, high optical sectioning capability and low photobleaching and phototoxicity to samples. Therefore, it is suitable for high-quality, long-term three-dimensional dynamic observation of large living biological samples. However, the traditional Gaussian light sheet illumination microscopy technology has the problems of small imaging field of view and low spatial resolution. Based on the existing dual-sided illumination LSFM, a large field of view and high resolution LSFM combined with virtual single-pixel imaging deconvolution is presented in this paper, which improves the field of view and resolution of LSFM simultaneously. The relevant microscope is designed and built, and three-dimensional optical sectioning imaging experiments on fluorescent beads and transgenic zebrafish standard samples are carried out. The experimental results prove the three-dimensional high resolution imaging capability of the microscope, which is of great significance in developing the large field of view and high resolution LSFM.
RNA binding to human METTL3-METTL14 restricts N6-deoxyadenosine methylation of DNA in vitro
Authors: Qi Shan , Mota Javier , Chan Siu-Hong , Villarreal Johanna , Dai Nan , Arya Shailee , Hromas Robert A , Rao Manjeet K , Corrêa Jr Ivan R , Gupta Yogesh K
Published: January 2022

Methyltransferase like-3 (METTL3) and METTL14 complex transfers a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to N6 amino group of adenosine bases in RNA (m6A) and DNA (m6dA). Emerging evidence highlights a role of METTL3-METTL14 in the chromatin context, especially in processes where DNA and RNA are held in close proximity. However, a mechanistic framework about specificity for substrate RNA/DNA and their interrelationship remain unclear. By systematically studying methylation activity and binding affinity to a number of DNA and RNA oligos with different propensities to form inter- or intra-molecular duplexes or single-stranded molecules in vitro, we uncover an inverse relationship for substrate binding and methylation and show that METTL3-METTL14 preferentially catalyzes the formation of m6dA in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), despite weaker binding affinity to DNA. In contrast, it binds structured RNAs with high affinity, but methylates the target adenosine in RNA (m6A) much less efficiently than it does in ssDNA. We also show that METTL3-METTL14-mediated methylation of DNA is largely restricted by structured RNA elements prevalent in long noncoding and other cellular RNAs.
A δ-cell subpopulation with a pro-β-cell identity contributes to efficient age-independent recovery in a zebrafish model of diabetes
Authors: Carril Pardo Claudio Andrés , Massoz Laura , Dupont Marie A , Bergemann David , Bourdouxhe Jordane , Lavergne Arnaud , Tarifeño-Saldivia Estefania , Helker Christian SM , Stainier Didier YR , Peers Bernard , Voz Marianne M , Manfroid Isabelle
Published: January 2022

Restoring damaged β-cells in diabetic patients by harnessing the plasticity of other pancreatic cells raises the questions of the efficiency of the process and of the functionality of the new Insulin-expressing cells. To overcome the weak regenerative capacity of mammals, we used regeneration-prone zebrafish to study β-cells arising following destruction. We show that most new insulin cells differ from the original β-cells as they coexpress Somatostatin and Insulin. These bihormonal cells are abundant, functional and able to normalize glycemia. Their formation in response to β-cell destruction is fast, efficient, and age-independent. Bihormonal cells are transcriptionally close to a subset of δ-cells that we identified in control islets and that are characterized by the expression of somatostatin 1.1 (sst1.1) and by genes essential for glucose-induced Insulin secretion in β-cells such as pdx1, slc2a2 and gck. We observed in vivo the conversion of monohormonal sst1.1-expressing cells to sst1.1+ ins + bihormonal cells following β-cell destruction. Our findings support the conclusion that sst1.1 δ-cells possess a pro-β identity enabling them to contribute to the neogenesis of Insulin-producing cells during regeneration. This work unveils that abundant and functional bihormonal cells benefit to diabetes recovery in zebrafish.
Parallel processing in speech perception with local and global representations of linguistic context
Authors: Brodbeck Christian , Bhattasali Shohini , Cruz Heredia Aura AL , Resnik Philip , Simon Jonathan Z , Lau Ellen
Published: January 2022

Speech processing is highly incremental. It is widely accepted that human listeners continuously use the linguistic context to anticipate upcoming concepts, words, and phonemes. However, previous evidence supports two seemingly contradictory models of how a predictive context is integrated with the bottom-up sensory input: Classic psycholinguistic paradigms suggest a two-stage process, in which acoustic input initially leads to local, context-independent representations, which are then quickly integrated with contextual constraints. This contrasts with the view that the brain constructs a single coherent, unified interpretation of the input, which fully integrates available information across representational hierarchies, and thus uses contextual constraints to modulate even the earliest sensory representations. To distinguish these hypotheses, we tested magnetoencephalography responses to continuous narrative speech for signatures of local and unified predictive models. Results provide evidence that listeners employ both types of models in parallel. Two local context models uniquely predict some part of early neural responses, one based on sublexical phoneme sequences, and one based on the phonemes in the current word alone; at the same time, even early responses to phonemes also reflect a unified model that incorporates sentence-level constraints to predict upcoming phonemes. Neural source localization places the anatomical origins of the different predictive models in nonidentical parts of the superior temporal lobes bilaterally, with the right hemisphere showing a relative preference for more local models. These results suggest that speech processing recruits both local and unified predictive models in parallel, reconciling previous disparate findings. Parallel models might make the perceptual system more robust, facilitate processing of unexpected inputs, and serve a function in language acquisition.
Equity distribution of quality evaluation reports to doctors in health care organizations
Authors: Jemmali Mahdi , B. Melhim Loai Kayed , Alourani Abdullah , Alam Md Moddassir
Published: January 2022

There are volumes of patient reports generated in any healthcare organization daily. The reports can be very lengthy or of few pages. Maintaining records of patients is essential for ensuring quality medical care. Doctors, apart from their routine activities, are also responsible to sort, examine and archive the generated reports. However, this process consumes doctors’ time, who are already hard-pressed for time. The objective of this study is to search for a method that can assign reports to doctors to ensure equitable and fair distribution of the overall workload. As a part of the solution, a mathematical model will be proposed to perform different developed heuristics. An experimental evaluation using different classes with a total of 2,450 different instances will be tested to measure the performance of the developed heuristics in terms of, elapsed time and gap value calculations. The clustering heuristics which is based on two groups is the best heuristic with 96.1% for the small instances and 98% for the big scale instances. The contribution of this work is based on employing dispatching rules with several variants; randomization approach, clustering methods; probabilistic method, and iterative methods approach to assign all given reports to doctors while ensuring the equitable distribution of the paper workload.
Chondrochelia Guţu, 2016 (Crustacea, Peracarida, Tanaidacea, Leptocheliidae) from North America: new species, redescription and distribution using morphological and molecular data
Authors: Jarquín-González Jani , Carrera-Parra Luis F.
Published: January 2022

Until now, four species of the genus Chondrochelia Guţu, 2016 have been recorded from America. Using morphological and molecular data, we were able to recognize and describe two new species, Chondrochelia caribensis sp. nov. from the Mexican Caribbean and Chondrochelia winfieldi sp. nov. from the Gulf of Mexico. We found significant genetic divergence values between species based on the nucleotide sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit I to support the morphological data. Also, the range of distribution of two species: Chondrochelia mexicana (Jarquín-González, García-Madrigal & Carrera-Parra, 2015) and Chondrochelia ortizi (Jarquín-González, 2016), were expanded within their described geographic regions. In contrast, the supposed distribution of the Brazilian C. dubia in the Mexican Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico was rejected. Additionally, Chondrochelia algicola (Harger, 1878) was redescribed based upon type material. Minute details and ornamentation of some structures of three species were examined using SEM.
Measuring mass: variation among 3,161 species of Canadian Coleoptera and the prospects of a mass registry for all insects
Authors: Hu Jingchan , Pentinsaari Mikko , Hebert Paul D.N.
Published: January 2022

Although biomass values are critical for diverse ecological and evolutionary analyses, they are unavailable for most insect species. Museum specimens have the potential to address this gap, but the variation introduced by sampling and preservation methods is uncertain. This study quantifies species-level variation in the body mass of Canadian Coleoptera based on the analysis of 3,744 specimens representing 3,161 Barcode Index Number (BIN) clusters. Employing the BIN system as a proxy for species allows the inclusion of groups where the taxonomic impediment prevents the assignment of specimens to a Linnaean species. By validating the reproducibility of measurements and evaluating the error introduced by operational complexities such as curatorial practice and the loss of body parts, this study demonstrates that museum specimens can speed the assembly of a mass registry. The results further indicate that congeneric species of Coleoptera generally have limited variation in mass, so a genus-level identification allows prediction of the body mass of species that have not been weighed or measured. Building on the present results, the construction of a mass registry for all insects is feasible.
The prevalence of suicide prevention training and suicide-related terminology in United States chiropractic training and licensing requirements
Authors: Cupler Zachary A. , Price Morgan , Daniels Clinton J.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To summarize the prevalence of suicide-related terminology in US doctor of chiropractic educational programs, residency programs, continuing education training, diplomate training programs, and state licensure requirements. The secondary objective was to provide next-step recommendations to enhance suicide prevention education and training for the profession.

Methods

A review of public-facing electronic documents and websites occurred from April to May 2020 for doctor of chiropractic program course catalogs, residency program curriculum overviews, state licensing requirements, candidate handbooks for the chiropractic specialties, and continuing education training. Data were extracted to tables reflecting the state of suicide prevention training and suicide-related terminology. Descriptive statistics were used to report the findings.

Results

Of 19 doctor of chiropractic programs, 54 relevant courses were identified. No course catalogs specifically mentioned suicide prevention education, but specific risk factor-related terminology was highlighted. For the 10 doctor of chiropractic residency programs, all required mandatory trainee training, which included suicide prevention education. Two states required suicide prevention education training as part of the state re-licensure process and are available through 4 continuing education courses. No diplomate training program handbooks included a requirement of suicide prevention education though suicide risk-factor terminology was described in some handbooks.

Conclusion

The state of suicide prevention training in the chiropractic profession documented in handbooks is largely lacking and widely varied at this time. The development of profession-specific suicide prevention continuing education may be beneficial for practicing chiropractors, and suicide prevention curriculum development at the doctor of chiropractic programs may prepare future doctors of chiropractic.
Analyses of the complex formation of staphylococcal enterotoxin A and the human gp130 cytokine receptor
Authors: Uzunçayır Sibel , Vera‐Rodriguez Arturo , Regenthal Paulina , Åbacka Hannah , Emanuelsson Cecilia , Bahl Christopher D. , Lindkvist‐Petersson Karin
Published: January 2022

Superantigens (SAgs) are bacterial enterotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcal enterotoxin type A (SEA), a staphylococcal superantigen, has been shown to bind to the cytokine signalling receptor glycoprotein 130 (gp130). The structural details, as well as the exact physiological role of this interaction, remain unclear. Here, we describe the structural details of the SEA–gp130 complex by combining crosslinking mass spectrometry and computational modelling. Interestingly, SEA is not able to bind gp130‐homologues from rat and mouse. Our data suggest that SEA may interact with human gp130 in a different manner than other known gp130‐ligands. Moreover, the fact that SEA does not bind mouse or rat gp130 suggests that SAgs have additional mechanisms of action in humans.
Study shows buprenorphine pre‐release decreases recidivism
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2022

A study published last week and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the first to show that medications to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) — in this case, buprenorphine — reduce recidivism.
More details about JCOIN
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2022

Through the NIH HEAL Initiative, NIH awarded 15 grants to form JCOIN. The awards, which total approximately $105.4 million, will support the innovation network over multiple years. JCOIN consists of research institutions and two centers that will provide supportive infrastructure — the Coordination and Translation Center and the Methodology and Advanced Analytic Resource Center.
Electronic Tattoo with Transferable Printed Electrodes and Interconnects for Wireless Electrophysiology Monitoring
Authors: Huttunen Olli‐Heikki , Behfar Mohammad H. , Hiitola‐Keinänen Johanna , Hiltunen Jussi
Published: January 2022

The increasing need for wearable electrophysiological monitoring devices has motivated significant amount of research to develop electronic tattoos (e‐tattoo) enabling high comfortability and unobtrusive usage. Despite considerable advancements, challenges still remain that limit the device testing under clinical settings and consequently, the uptake to practical usage. A key challenge is the robust full signal pathway from the skin to the electronics device. Another factor limiting the concept testing with high number of test devices is the lack for scalable materials and processes comprising all manufacturing steps. The study presents a scalable manufacturing of self‐adhering tattoo electrodes and interconnects on transferable breathable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate with the thickness of 30 µm. Transfer tattoo enables two‐sided signal pathway from the skin, in to the encapsulated conductor traces and provides exposed connection points to electronics. The e‐tattoos withstand repeated one thousand, 10% elongation cycles and the transfer substrate showed breathability comparable to commercial medical patches. The integration of flexible wireless ECG module with the skin‐mounted e‐tattoo is also demonstrated. The results enable the up‐scaled fabrication of robust e‐tattoos with integrated electronic modules that is prerequisite for the scientific studies relying on high number of test devices and industrial uptake of e‐tattoo concepts.
Conjugated Polymer‐Wrapped Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes for High‐Mobility Photonic/Electrical Fully Modulated Synaptic Transistor
Authors: Mburu Maina Moses , Lu Kuan‐Ting , Prine Nathaniel L. , Au‐Duong Ai‐Nhan , Chiang Wei‐Hung , Gu Xiaodan , Chiu Yu‐Cheng
Published: January 2022

Although synaptic devices have already demonstrated their operability through electric or photonic signals or a combination thereof, current challenges include developing a single hardware synaptic device that is independently fully operational through either photonic or electric signals to improve device versatility. Additionally, most previously reported devices are fabricated using multiple technical processes—which impede device implementation—while the low‐output current triggered in most such devices limits the possible integration of auxiliary gadgets. Therefore, by spontaneously wrapping a conjugated block copolymer around single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), a thin‐film transistor memory device comprising single‐layered poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)‐b‐polyisoprene (PF‐b‐PI)‐wrapped‐SWCNTs—which function as both a semiconductor and an electret layer—to simplify the device structure and fabrication is designed. Owing to the robust SWCNT charge carrier mobility (≈11.3 cm2 V−1 s−1), a high output current (10−4 to 10−3 A) can be achieved and because PF is a photoactive conjugated polymer, the photonic signal can also be modulated. The designed memory device independently exhibits both voltage‐ and light‐controllable switching, thereby mimicking biological synaptic behavior such as short‐ and long‐term plasticity, spike‐time, and spike‐rate‐dependent plasticity. This study may provide a suitable basis for developing more‐convenient, economical, highly versatile synaptic devices.
Taxonomic rarity and functional originality of freshwater fishes and their responses to anthropogenic habitat alterations
Authors: Tóth Rita , Czeglédi István , Takács Péter , Tedesco Pablo A. , Erős Tibor
Published: January 2022

The human alteration of habitats is a major driver in the decline of biodiversity worldwide. However, the relationships between different forms of rarity, including both taxonomic and functional aspects, are poorly known. Two relationships were examined in this study: (i) between the different forms of taxonomic rarity and functional originality of lotic fishes; and (ii) between rarity indices and the degree of human alterations.

Stream fish communities at 429 stream and river sites were sampled between 2013 and 2018. The taxonomic rarity of fishes was characterized based on their local rarity, habitat specificity and geographical restrictedness. The functional originality of each species was also quantified by using ecomorphological traits, and the relationships between the different indices and their responses to human habitat degradation were explored.

Only weak or medium level correlations were found among the indices of taxonomic rarity. A combined taxonomic rarity index showed that overall taxonomic rarity was determined most strongly by local rarity, followed by habitat specificity, and finally, geographical restrictedness. Functional originality was not related either to individual rarity indices or the combined taxonomic rarity index. Mean taxonomic rarity of species was correlated with the degree of habitat degradation of the sites. Contrary to taxonomic rarity, mean functional originality of species increased with the degree of human alteration.

This study shows that a more exact characterization of species rarity requires multiple metrics, including functional ones, because these indices respond differently to human alterations. Combined indices of rarity can help to prioritize species level conservation actions, although single rarity metrics are still needed to adapt these actions to species attributes (e.g. endemism or unique functions). Species level conservation would benefit from including the evaluation of functional rarity into conservation policy.
Case: Unexpected development of severe penicillin allergy and review of literature
Authors: Harvima Rauno J. , Harvima Ilkka T.
Published: January 2022

A 54‐year‐old man developed a severe anaphylactic penicillin allergy after 16 years and 5 standard erysipelas treatments by intravenous benzylpenicillin and/or oral phenoxymethylpenicillin without any symptoms of allergy. It is recommended to analyze specific IgE antibodies for phenoxymethylpenicillin, benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, and cefaclor to select an appropriate antibiotic.
Common low back pain hiding tuberculous sacroiliitis
Authors: Miladi Saoussen , Ben Ayed Hiba , Fazaa Alia , Sellami Meriem , Ouenniche Kmar , Souabni Leila , Kassab Selma , Chekili Selma , Ben Abdelghani Kaouther , Laatar Ahmed
Published: January 2022

The sacroiliac joint is rarely affected by tuberculosis. Only few cases have been reported. Consequently, the diagnosis is often delayed. This case report highlights the importance of continued awareness for early detection and treatment of a tuberculous sacroiliac joint infection.
Dispensing Single Drops as Electrochemical Reactors
Authors: Rastgar Shokoufeh , Pleis Sebastian , Zhang Yanzhen , Wittstock Gunther
Published: January 2022

A strategy is proposed to generate single microdrops with femtoliter to microliter volumes as a liquid reactor and to guide them towards a reactive surface within a viscous carrier liquid. Reactions of the drop content with the surface are exemplified by exhaustive electrolysis of the reactor content, making use of an ion‐conducting pathway through the carrier liquid. The mechanisms by which the redox‐active species from the aqueous drop reach the electrode surface were established by a combination of time‐lapse microscopy of the drop shape, chronoamperometric recording of the single drop electrolysis, and modelling of the reaction‐transport problem, showing that partitioning over the liquid‐liquid interface must be a key step in this mechanism. The possibilities of reagent delivery and external triggering of a reaction are expanded by the possibility for controlled addition of further dissolved reactants to the liquid microreactor.
Covalent Fragment Screening Identifies Rgl2 RalGEF Cysteine for Targeted Covalent Inhibition of Ral GTPase Activation
Authors: Bum‐Erdene Khuchtumur , Ghozayel Mona K. , Xu David , Meroueh Samy O.
Published: January 2022

Ral GTPases belong to the RAS superfamily, and they are directly activated by K‐RAS. The RalGEF pathway is one of the three major K‐RAS signaling pathways. Ral GTPases do not possess a cysteine nucleophile to develop a covalent inhibitor following the strategy that led to a K‐RAS G12C therapeutic agent. However, several cysteine amino acids exist on the surface of guanine exchange factors that activate Ral GTPases, such as Rgl2. Here, we screen a library of cysteine electrophile fragments to determine if covalent bond formation at one of the Rgl2 surface cysteines could inhibit Ral GTPase activation. We found several chloroacetamide and acrylamide fragments that inhibited Ral GTPase exchange by Rgl2. Site‐directed mutagenesis showed that covalent bond formation at Cys‐284, but not other cysteines, leads to inhibition of Ral activation by Rgl2. Follow‐up time‐ and concentration‐dependent studies of derivatives identified by substructure search of commercial libraries further confirmed Cys‐284 as the reaction site and identified the indoline fragments as the most promising series for further development. Cys‐284 is located outside of the Ral ⋅ Rgl2 interface on a loop that has several residues that come in direct contact with Ral GTPases. Our allosteric covalent fragment inhibitors provide a starting point for the development of small‐molecule covalent inhibitors to probe Ral GTPases in animal models.
Numerical Analysis of Dislocation Density of SiC Crystals Tilted from [0001] Toward [12¯10]$[ {1\bar 210} ]$ and [11¯00]$[ {1\bar 100} ]$ Grown by Physical Vapor Transport
Authors: Kakimoto Koichi , Nakano Satoshi
Published: January 2022

A 3D and time‐dependent analysis of dislocation density using the Alexander–Haasen model to estimate the plastic deformation of tilted angle growth of 4H–SiC single crystals during crystal growth and cooling processes grown using the physical vapor transport method is performed. The growth direction is set to tilt from [0001] toward and to fabricate wafers to stabilize polytype during crystal growth of the epitaxial layer. The maximum dislocation density in SiC crystals increases as the tilted angle increases, whereas von Mises stress, which is one of the measures of dislocation density, decreases. The calculated results show dislocation density distribution in the crystal grown in [0001] exhibits six‐folded symmetry, whereas that in the crystal grown in the tilt direction from [0001] toward and exhibits asymmetric distribution.
High‐Performance Mg−Li Hybrid Batteries Based on Pseudocapacitive Anatase Ti1‐xCoxO2‐y Nanosheet Cathodes
Authors: Vincent Mewin , Avvaru Venkata Sai , Haranczyk Maciej , Etacheri Vinodkumar
Published: January 2022

Despite the proposed safety, performance, and cost advantages, practical implementation of Mg−Li hybrid batteries is limited due to the unavailability of reliable cathodes compatible with the dual‐ion system. Herein, a high‐performance Mg−Li dual ion battery based upon cobalt‐doped TiO2 cathode was developed. Extremely pseudocapacitance‐type Ti1‐xCoxO2‐y nanosheets consist of an optimum 3.57 % Co‐atoms. This defective cathode delivered exceptional pseudocapacitance (maximum of 93 %), specific capacities (386 mAh g−1 at 25 mA g−1), rate performance (191 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1), cyclability (3000 cycles at 1 A g−1), and coulombic efficiency (≈100 %) and fast charging (≈11 min). This performance was superior to the TiO2‐based Mg−Li dual‐ion battery cathodes reported earlier. Mechanistic studies revealed dual‐ion intercalation pseudocapacitance with negligible structural changes. Excellent electrochemical performance of the cation‐doped TiO2 cathode was credited to the rapid pseudocapacitance‐type Mg/Li‐ion diffusion through the disorder generated by lattice distortions and oxygen vacancies. Ultrathin nature, large surface area, 2D morphology, and mesoporosity also contributed as secondary factors facilitating superior electrode‐electrolyte interfacial kinetics. The demonstrated method of pseudocapacitance‐type Mg−Li dual‐ion intercalation by introducing lattice distortions/oxygen vacancies through selective doping can be utilized for the development of several other potential electrodes for high‐performance Mg−Li dual‐ion batteries.
Multi‐omics analysis of intra‐tumoural and inter‐tumoural heterogeneity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Xiaoqian , Wang Wenqian , Liu Xiaoding , Zhang Zhiwen , Yu Lianyuan , Li Ruiyu , Guo Dan , Cai Weijing , Quan Xueping , Wu Huanwen , Dai Menghua , Liang Zhiyong
Published: January 2022

The poor prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with the tumour heterogeneity. To explore intra‐ and inter‐tumoural heterogeneity in PDAC, we analysed the multi‐omics profiles of 61 PDAC lesion samples, along with the matched pancreatic normal tissue samples, from 19 PDAC patients. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining revealed that diversely differentiated lesions coexisted both within and across individual tumours. Whole exome sequencing (WES) of samples from multi‐region revealed diverse types of mutations in diverse genes between cancer cells within a tumour and between tumours from different individuals. The copy number variation (CNV) analysis also showed that PDAC exhibited intra‐ and inter‐tumoural heterogeneity in CNV and that high average CNV burden was associated poor prognosis of the patients. Phylogenetic tree analysis and clonality/timing analysis of mutations displayed diverse evolutionary pathways and spatiotemporal characteristics of genomic alterations between different lesions from the same or different tumours. Hierarchical clustering analysis illustrated higher inter‐tumoural heterogeneity than intra‐tumoural heterogeneity of PDAC at the transcriptional levels as lesions from the same patients are grouped into a single cluster. Immune marker genes are differentially expressed in different regions and tumour samples as shown by tumour microenvironment (TME) analysis. TME appeared to be more heterogeneous than tumour cells in the same patient. Lesion‐specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP‐seq). Furthermore, the integration analysis of multi‐omics data showed that the mRNA levels of some genes, such as PLCB4, were significantly correlated with the gene copy numbers. The mRNA expressions of potential PDAC biomarkers ZNF521 and KDM6A were correlated with copy number alteration and methylation, respectively. Taken together, our results provide a comprehensive view of molecular heterogeneity and evolutionary trajectories of PDAC and may guide personalised treatment strategies in PDAC therapy.
Acute Toxicity of Fungicide–Insecticide–Adjuvant Combinations Applied to Almonds During Bloom on Adult Honey Bees
Authors: Walker Emily K. , Brock Guy N. , Arvidson Ryan S. , Johnson Reed M.
Published: January 2022

Beekeepers report significant honey bee deaths during and after almond bloom. These losses pose a major problem for the California almond industry because of its dependence on honey bees as pollinators. The present study aimed to determine if combinations of pesticides applied during almond bloom during daylight hours were a possible explanation for these losses. In this study we aimed to mimic the spray application route of exposure to pesticides using a Potter Spray Tower to treat adult honey bees with commonly encountered pesticides and pesticide combinations at multiples of the maximum recommended field application rates. Tested insecticides included Altacor® and Intrepid®, and tested fungicides included Tilt®, Pristine®, Luna Sensation®, and Vangard®. Synergistic toxicity was observed when the fungicide Tilt (active ingredient propiconazole) was applied with the insecticide Altacor (chlorantraniliprole), though neither caused significant mortality when applied independently. The study also looked at the effect of adding a spray adjuvant, Dyne-Amic®, to pesticide mixtures. Dyne-Amic was toxic to honey bees at concentrations above the maximum recommended field application rate, and toxicity was increased when combined with the fungicide Pristine (pyraclostrobin and boscalid). Addition of Dyne-Amic also increased toxicity of the Tilt and Altacor combination. These results suggest that application of Altacor and Tilt in combination with an adjuvant at the recommended field application rates could cause mortality in adult honey bees. These findings highlight a potential explanation for honey bee losses around almond bloom, emphasize that the safety of spray adjuvants to bees should not be assumed, and provide support for recommendations to protect bees from pesticides through application at night when bees are not foraging. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1042–1053. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Pesticide and pesticide adjuvant treatments are applied on almonds as mixtures. Common treatments were converted from acre-sized field application rates to Petri dish–sized rates and applied as a spray on honey bees using a Potter Spray Tower. Results from acute toxicity assays were related back to field exposure in California almonds.
Biophysical regulations of transpiration and water use strategy in a mature Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) forest in a semiarid urban environment
Authors: Chen Shengnan , Chen Zuosinan , Xu Hang , Kong Zhe , Xu Zhibin , Liu Qingquan , Liu Pingsheng , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: January 2022

Urban trees and forests provide multiple ecosystem services for urban dwellers. However, forest water use for these benefits has become one of the critical concerns in dryland regions where water is limited. Negative forest water use impacts could be reduced by selecting tree species with low rates of transpiration. However, the possible changes of urban tree transpiration and its biophysical controls are still unclear. This study monitored the sap flow of a 58‐year‐old Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) plantation in a semiarid urban environment of northern China. Soil moisture played an important role in stand transpiration (Ec). Ec had a strong positive relationship with vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and solar radiation (Rs) when soil water was sufficient. In addition, the sensitivity of leaf stomata to VPD was not related to leaf and branch water potential. Under soil water stress, Ec was significantly reduced by 63.1% (p < 0.001) and was weakly related to VPD and Rs. Canopy conductance (gc) was reduced (p < 0.001) by 74.3% due to leaf stomatal closure, and the sensitivity of leaf stomata to VPD was significantly increased (p < 0.05) with increasing leaf and branch water potential. Wind speed had no significant effects on Ec. P. tabulaeformis tended to be isohydric with a relatively constant midday leaf water potential (i.e. −2.46 to −2.92 MPa) and strong stomatal regulation as a function of soil water stress. However, slopes (0.53–0.56) of the linear relationship between m (dgc/dlnVPD) and reference canopy conductance were significantly lower than the widely recognized 0.6 (p < 0.001). Therefore, urban tree transpiration drivers and forest impacts need to be clarified to better understand the proper tradeoff between water consumption and ecological services for urban areas.
Influence of Cation Size and Polarity on Charge Transport in Ionic Liquid Based Electrolytes
Authors: Aydin Banu , Oner Saliha , Zafer Ceylan , Varlikli Canan
Published: January 2022

Imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (ILs) with allyl and ether side chains were synthesized and characterized. Comprehensive structural and photoelectrochemical characterizations were performed, transport properties of ILs were also examined as electrolyte components in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The properties of synthesized materials and DSSC performances were compared with 1‐propyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium iodide (PMII) and 1‐allyl‐3‐ethyl imidazolium iodide (AEII) as reference ILs. Ionic conductivities, diffusion coefficients and charge transfer resistances of synthesized ionic liquids were investigated on DSSCs by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The diffusion coefficient values of triiodide ions in different ionic liquid‐based electrolytes were measured by the means of diffusion limited current density method and found to be 1.75×10−7 cm2 s−1 and 2.05×10−7 cm2 s−1 with corresponding photocurrent densities of 10.38 mAcm−2 and 12.13 mAcm−2 for the reference AEII and PMII based electrolytes, respectively. However, for the electrolytes of 1‐(2‐methoxyethyl)‐3‐allyl imidazolium iodide and 1‐allyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium iodide ionic liquids, these values were found to be 0.86×10−7 cm2 s−1 and 0.57×10−7 cm2 s−1 with photocurrent densities of 9.53 mAcm−2 and 8.98 mAcm−2, respectively. Allyl and ether substituted imidazolium ILs exhibited promising results as potential alternative electrolyte materials for DSSCs.
Health facilities’ capability to provide comprehensive postabortion care in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Evidence from a cross‐sectional survey across 210 high‐volume facilities
Authors: Compaoré Rachidatou , Mehrtash Hedieh , Calvert Clara , Qureshi Zahida , Bello Folasade Adenike , Baguiya Adama , Msusa Ausbert Thoko , Idi Nafiou , Govule Philip , Tunçalp Ӧzge , Kouanda Seni
Published: January 2022

Objective

To evaluate the capability of high‐volume comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC) health facilities on the provision of comprehensive postabortion care (PAC) in Sub‐Saharan Africa and to determine the frequency of women with severe abortion‐related complications in high capability facilities.

Methods

A cross‐sectional analysis conducted across 11 countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa, using facility‐level information from the World Health Organization (WHO) Multi‐Country Survey on Abortion‐related morbidity (MCS‐A) between 2017 and 2018. PAC signal functions were adapted to assess facilities’ capability to deliver comprehensive PAC through infrastructure, standard comprehensive capability, and extended comprehensive capability to provide PAC. The percentage of facilities with each signal function and distribution of facilities by number of signal functions were calculated for the three capability categories. Distribution of severe abortion complications by facility capability score was assessed.

Results

Of 210 high‐volume CEmOC facilities included, 47.9% (n = 100) had capability to provide all facility infrastructure signal functions, 54.4% (n = 105) for standard comprehensive PAC, reducing to 17.7% (n = 34) for extended comprehensive PAC capability. Overall, there were gaps in extended capabilities including availability of a functioning ICU (available in 37.3% of facilities) and providers 24/7 (65.5% of facilities reported an obstetrician available 24/7 dropping to 41.3% for anesthesiologists). Facilities’ PAC capability varied across regions. Overall, 34.6% (n = 614) of women with severe abortion‐related complications were treated in facilities with the maximum capability score for extended comprehensive PAC.

Conclusion

Although high levels of capability to provide abortion‐related care for most signal functions were evident, significant gaps that impact on the management of severe abortion‐related complications remain, particularly related to extended facility capabilities including specialized human resources and ICU.
Photoacoustic identification of blood authenticity based on quantum‐behaved particle swarm optimized wavelet neural network
Authors: Liu Tao , Ren Zhong , Wu Junli , Xiong Chengxin , Peng Wenping
Published: January 2022

To accurately identify the blood authenticity, a set of photoacoustic detection system was established. In experiments, five kinds of blood in total of 125 groups were used, the time‐resolved photoacoustic signals and peak‐to‐peak spectra were obtained in 700 to 1064 nm. Experimental results showed the accurate identification of blood authenticity was limited due to overlap of signals and spectra. To solve the problem, wavelet neural network (WNN) was employed to supervised train peak‐to‐peak spectra of 100 samples. The correct rate was 72% for 25 test samples. To improve correct rate, the parameters of WNN were optimized by quantum‐behaved particle swarm optimization (QPSO) algorithm. Meanwhile, the effects of neurons number, learning rate factors, iteration times and training times on correct rate were studied and compared with WNN and WNN‐PSO algorithms. Results showed the correct rate of WNN‐QPSO was increased to 96%. Then, three kinds of dynamic contraction‐expansion coefficients were used. Under the optimal dynamic coefficient, the correct rate reached 100%. Moreover, the truncated mean stabilization strategy (TMSS) was coupled to improve the convergent speed. Finally, 10 algorithms were compared. Results demonstrated that photoacoustic spectroscopy combined with WNN‐QPSO coupled with TMSS and dynamic contraction‐expansion coefficient had an excellent performance in the identification of blood authenticity.
Frequency of serological markers of rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients with active celiac disease
Authors: Ghozzi Mariam , Melayah Sarra , Adaily Najeh , Ghedira Ibtissem
Published: January 2022

Background

Celiac disease (CD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are multisystem autoimmune diseases affecting 1% of general populationa. Both diseases share genetic and immunological features.

Aim

In this retrospective study, we aim to determine the frequency of auto‐antibodies of RA in adult patients with CD.

Materials and methods

Seventy seven adult patients with active CD were included in the present study. Ninety healthy blood donors (HBD) served as control group. Anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies (CCP‐Ab) and rheumatoid factors (RF; IgA, IgG and IgM) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for patients and control group. For statistical analysis, we used Chi‐square or Fisher's exact test.

Results

Our study included 77 adult patients with active celiac disease (57 female, 20 male). Twenty‐four (31.2%) active celiac patients and 7 (7.8%) blood donors had CCP‐Ab or RF (31.2% vs 7.8%, p < 10–4). Only two patients (2.6%) had both CCP‐Ab and RF. IgA was the predominant isotype of RF in celiac patients (n = 18; 23.4%) while none of healthy blood donors had RF‐IgA (23.4% vs 0.0%, p < 10–4).

Conclusion

The current study has shown that CD is associated with a high frequency of RF‐IgA suggesting that celiac patients could be at a higher risk of developing RA.
Reconsidering Max Weber's journey to the United States: Sociological connections between race relations and American capitalism
Authors: Segre Sandro
Published: January 2022

This article sets out to investigate Weber's major sources of interest in his American journey, namely, rampant capitalism as most evident in some large cities, the presence of Calvinism and of a bourgeois ethos in some Northern areas of the United States, and the persisting relevance of a precapitalist status order in the South. As Weber argued, in these distinct settings different status groups and anthropological types were all connected, each in its own way, with modern formally rational capitalism. The significance of Weber's journey in the Unites States lied in the opportunity this journey offered him to delineate in ideal‐typical terms a number of status groups and anthropological types to which he paid attention in the course of this travel.
Ultrastructure of sonic muscles of piranhas (Serrasalmidae)
Authors: Raick Xavier , Thelen Nicolas , Compère Philippe , Parmentier Eric
Published: January 2022

Among piranhas, different species are able to produce sounds but not all of them use the same mechanism. In all species, the sound‐producing muscle originates on the second vertebra, but the insertion differs. Pygopristis denticulata can produce two kinds of pulsed sounds emitted in trains. Its sound production mechanism is mainly based on a muscle bundle that inserts between the two first ribs. In Catoprion mento, the anterior part of the sonic muscle inserts directly on the swim bladder. The most derived species (Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus) make all harmonic tonal sounds. Their sonic muscles constitute a single functional unit transversally surrounding the swim bladder. This study aims to study the ultrastructure of sonic muscles in nine species from these four genera. Epaxial muscles were compared with sonic muscles, and the sonic muscles of the different species were compared between them. Results confirmed ultrastructure modifications in the sonic muscles in comparison to epaxial muscles. Fibers of the sonic muscle are thinner and possess a thicker subsarcolemmal ring housing mitochondria. In sonic muscles, myofibrils are also proportionally less abundant, and their sarcomeres are longer and thinner. Some of these differences allows to separate basal species (e.g., P. denticulata) from more derived species (genera Pygocentrus and Serrasalmus) and supposedly support the observed differences in the acoustic abilities.