bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Placement agencies for care-domestic labour: Everyday mediation, regimes of punishment, civilizing missions, and training in globalized India
Authors: Grover Shalini
Published: February 2022

Survey data on Indian labour points to a rapid expansion of the care-domestic economy, currently the main employment avenue for urban women. Hitherto, studies on domestic service portray the unequal class structures of master–servant relationships and the escalating phenomenon of live-out and part-time hired help. This article shifts the focus to under-researched, yet increasingly visible, placement agencies, which regulate care-domestic markets and provide diverse services, from specialized ‘patient care’ to the training of subaltern communities. The article discusses how these service providers denote prominent shifts in skill sets, intra-household care arrangements, forms of medical assistance, and new (and old) mechanisms of authority. The ethnography expands our knowledge of everyday mediations around hiring and training between agencies, employers, and care-domestic workers in New Delhi. The article puts forward innovative conceptualizations of service provider approaches through juxtaposing the informal practices of local (or Indian) agencies with formalized and ‘civilizing’ agendas developed by Euro-American intermediaries. The formal–informal dichotomized framework of service provider relationships adds to critical scholarship that contrived dualisms which need historical scaffolding and nuanced engagement. I argue that, while informal and formal approaches appear markedly different for the care-domestic economy, they also overlap. Significantly, both approaches are unjustly weighted against the workers who lack the potential to democratize labour relations. Local agencies reinforce exploitative care-domestic relationships, while Euro-American intermediaries, who espouse modern values, formalization, and civilizing experiments, promulgate punitive regimes and stigmatized futures for their Indian subjects.
Meanings of-nomicsin English: FromNixonomicstocoronanomics
Authors: Lalić–Krstin Gordana , Silaški Nadežda , Đurović Tatjana
Published: February 2022

Blends have long been a source of new lexical elements in English word formation. Classic examples of such elements include-burgerin words likesoyburgeroroysterburger,-furterin words liketurkeyfurterorchickenfurterand-scapeincloudscapeormanscape. Among more recent examples are-zilla(bridezilla,momzilla),-cation(staycation,mancation) or-splain(ing)(mansplaining,whitesplaining). Some of these have been studied in greater or lesser detail, highlighting various researchers’ interests in the topic, such as regularities in blend formation, formal and semantic patterns of blends, or the emergence of new combining forms from lexical blends (see in particular Baldi & Dawar, 2000; Frath, 2005; Kemmer, 2003; Lalić–Krstin, 2014; Lehrer, 1998; Mattiello, 2017a, 2017b; Panić–Kavgić & Kavgić, 2009).
Theatre Exhibitions, Models and the Quest for Anschauung
Authors: SCHÜẞLER LOTTE
Published: February 2022

The large-scale theatre exhibitions in Vienna (1892), Berlin (1910) and Magdeburg (1927) contained extensive displays on the history of German-language theatre. This article analyses the pedagogical and epistemological discussions about different ways of mediating theatre history that formed part of the context of the three exhibitions. Curators and scholars used the German term Anschauung to measure the transfer of knowledge in historical exhibitions, reconstruction models and historiography books. This article contributes to the recent scholarship on forms of exhibiting, collecting and archiving theatre, dance and performance. It shows that theatre became an area of focus within the culture of national and international large-scale exhibitions around 1900. This was accompanied by discussions about the appropriate medium to present the history of theatre. Informed by museum pedagogy and humanities hermeneutics, curators and scholars conceived of divergent concepts of theatre history Anschauung.
Undesirable and unreturnable individuals: Rethinking the International Criminal Court’s human rights obligations towards detained witnesses
Authors: Pulvirenti Rossella
Published: February 2022

In March 2011, three defence witnesses, who were in detention in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were transferred to The Hague to testify before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the trial against Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui. Once the witnesses had testified, they were returned to the DRC, even though they feared for their lives, and had lodged an asylum request with the Dutch authorities.

This article argues that the ICC is bound by the principle of non-refoulement: a prohibition on returning or extraditing an individual to a country where there is a real risk, or substantial grounds, they might be subjected to torture or other human rights violations. Like other individuals, ICC witnesses should enjoy protection from refoulement. This conclusion is based on analysis of the relationship between the ICC and international human rights law through two different approaches. The ICC, as an international organization, is obliged to respect the principle of non-refoulement but additional obligations stem from the Rome Statute. Article 21(3) obligates the ICC to interpret and apply the law governing protective measures in conformity with ‘internationally recognized’ human rights. In concluding that the ICC has not fully acknowledged the extent of witnesses’ rights, this article proposes strengthening the role of the witness protection programme to address the evident deficiencies in the ICC’s current practice.
An atypical cause of chest pain
Authors: Erdogan Emrah , Kilic Yakup
Published: February 2022

Congenital coronary artery anomalies are of major significance in clinical cardiology and cardiac surgery due to their association with myocardial ischaemia and sudden death. Having a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex congenital conditions and including patients in the management decisions is essential for good doctor–patient relationship. Here within, we describe a complex coronary artery fistula leading to myocardial steal.
Assessing the educational needs of physicians in the management of patients with Tourette syndrome: results of a United States survey on practicing clinicians and caregivers
Authors: Stacy Sylvie , Salinas Gregory D. , Belcher Emily , Wilhelm Amanda , Alexander Jessica K. , Mattingly Gregory W.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To better understand current practices of U.S.-based physicians in the management of Tourette syndrome (TS) and identify gaps that may be addressed by future education.

Methods

Two survey instruments were developed to gather data on management of TS and perceptions from physicians and caregivers of children with TS. The clinician survey was developed in consultation with a TS physician expert and utilized clinical vignettes to assess and quantify practice patterns. The caregiver survey was adapted from the clinician survey and other published studies and gathered details on diagnosis, treatment, and perceptions regarding management.

Results

Data included responses from 138 neurologists (including 57 pediatric neurologists), 162 psychiatrists (including 42 pediatric psychiatrists), and 67 caregivers. Most (65%) pediatric neurologists rely solely on clinical findings to make a diagnosis, whereas the majority of other specialists utilize additional testing (eg, neuroimaging, lab testing, and genetics). Most psychiatrists (96%) utilize standardized criteria to make a diagnosis, whereas 22% of neurologists do not. Many physicians (44% of psychiatrists and 20% of neurologists) use pharmacotherapy to treat a patient with “slightly bothersome” tics and no functional impairment, whereas caregivers favored behavioral therapy. Most (76%) caregivers preferred to make the final treatment decision, whereas 80% of physicians preferred equal or physician-directed decision-making.

Conclusions

This study provides insight into practice patterns and perceptions of U.S.-based neurologists and psychiatrists in managing TS. Results highlight the potential value of physician education, including diagnostic approach, tic management and monitoring, involvement of caregivers in decision-making, and updates on TS management.
Kant, Wood and Moral Arguments
Authors: Chignell Andrew
Published: February 2022

In this article I discuss the moral-coherence reading of Kant’s moral argument offered by Allen Wood in his recent book Kant and Religion, display some of the challenges that it faces and suggest that a moral-psychological formulation is preferable.
Dementia and primary care teams: obstacles to the implementation of Portugal’s Dementia Strategy
Authors: Balsinha Conceição , Iliffe Steve , Dias Sónia , Freitas Alexandre , Barreiros Filipa F. , Gonçalves-Pereira Manuel
Published: February 2022

Background:

Portugal has a Dementia Strategy that endorses care coordination in the community, but the strategy is not implemented despite there being a network of multidisciplinary primary care clinics that could support it. Recent research into barriers to dementia management in primary care has focused essentially on general practitioners’ (GPs) factors and perspectives. A comprehensive triangulated view on the barriers to dementia management emphasising teamwork is missing.

Aim:

To explore the barriers to the implementation of the Portuguese Dementia Strategy by primary care teams, from the perspectives of service users and professionals.

Methods:

Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 GPs, 8 practice nurses, 4 social workers, 8 people with dementia and 10 family carers from 6 practices in different social contexts within the Lisbon metropolitan area. The analytical framework combined codes derived from the transcripts with codes from the available literature. Themes focused on the access to professionals/community services, care coordination within healthcare teams, and between health and community services.

Findings:

Several system barriers were identified (undefined roles/coordination within teams, time constraints, insufficient signposting to community services) along with individual barriers (limited competence in dementia, unrecognised autonomy, limited views on social health and quality of life (QoL)), hindering users access to dementia services.

Conclusion:

Enhanced competence in dementia, and nurse-led systematic care of people with dementia and their carers, are necessary. They can be effective in improving the QoL in dementia, but only if associated with better community support.
Health promotion in an Australian Aboriginal community: the Growing Strong Brains® toolkit
Authors: Simpson Wendy , Robinson Darlene , Bennett Elaine , Strange Cecily , Banham Vicki , Allen Jenny , Marriott Rhonda
Published: February 2022

Aim:

The aim of this paper is to describe the implementation and evaluation of the Growing Strong Brains® (GSB) toolkit in a remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia (WA) over a 2-year period, 2018–2019.

Background:

Ngala, a community service organisation in WA, developed the GSB toolkit in 2014, a culturally appropriate and interactive resource to build knowledge of early childhood development within Aboriginal communities. This was in response to evidence that a higher percentage of children in Aboriginal communities were developmentally vulnerable compared to the rest of the population. The GSB toolkit promotes awareness and understanding of early brain development pre-birth and in the early years of a child’s life.

Methods:

The project was underpinned by participatory action research (PAR). Reflective PAR review cycles (n = 5) monitored local community engagement, navigated challenges and utilised community strengths. Fifty-nine local service providers attended a 2-day formal training. Data were collected by using various methods throughout the project, including feedback following training, focus groups, surveys, one-on-one interviews using yarning techniques and reflective feedback from the Project Lead.

Findings:

Establishing local Aboriginal project staff was pivotal to the success of the project. When delivering services for and with Aboriginal people, it is essential that cultural competence, safety and decision-making is carried through from planning to implementation and evaluation, and involves genuine, respectful and authentic relationships. Sufficient time allocation directed towards building relationships with other service providers and local community members needs to be considered and built into future projects.

The Growing Strong Brains® project is embedded within the local community, and anticipated implementation outcomes were achieved. The support of the local people and service providers was beyond expectation, enabling the building of local capacity, and the development of a common understanding of the key messages from the GSB toolkit to allow integration throughout all levels of the community. This project has been important to build on the strategies necessary to introduce, implement and evaluate the GSB toolkit in other remote Aboriginal communities.
The Index to Foreign Legal Periodicals: an Essential Tool for Researchers and Practitioners
Authors: Rowlett Kristen
Published: February 2022

The Index to Foreign Legal Periodicals is an essential tool for locating credible secondary sources on foreign, comparative, and international law topics in multiple languages. This article, by Kristen Rowlett, gives a brief overview of the history of the Index. Then, the article explores the Index's search functionally and the importance of the humans behind the Index. Finally, the article previews future enhancements for the Index.
DeviceD: Audience–dancer interaction via social media posts and wearable for haptic feedback
Authors: Moriaty Manoli , Sykes Lucie
Published: February 2022

The performative installation DeviceD utilizes a network of systems toward facilitating interaction between dancer, digital media, and audience. Central to the work is a wearable haptic feedback system able to wirelessly deliver vibrotactile stimuli, with the latter initiated by the audience through posting on Twitter social media platform; the system in use searches for specific mentions, hashtags, and keywords, with positive results causing the system to trigger patterns of haptic biofeedback across the wearable’s four actuator motors. The system acts as the intermediator between the audience’s online actions and the dancer receiving physical stimuli; the dancer interprets these biofeedback signals according to Laban’s Effort movement qualities, with the interpretation informing different states of habitual and conscious choreographic performance. In this article, the authors reflect on their collaborative process while developing DeviceD alongside a multidisciplinary team of technologists, detailing their experience of refining the technology and methodology behind the work while presenting it in three different settings. A literature review is used to situate the work among contemporary research on interaction over internet and haptics in performance practice; haptic feedback devices have been widely used within artistic work for the past 25 years, with more recent practice and research outputs suggesting an increased interest for haptics in the field of dance research. The authors detail both technological and performative elements making up the work, and provide a transparent evaluation of the system, as means of providing a foundation for further research on wearable haptic devices.
Frontal Dynamics in the Alboran Sea: 2. Processes for Vertical Velocities Development
Authors: Garcia‐Jove Maximo , Mourre Baptiste , Zarokanellos Nikolaos D. , Lermusiaux Pierre F. J. , Rudnick Daniel L. , Tintoré Joaquín
Published: February 2022

Significant lateral density gradients occur throughout the year in the Alboran Sea, giving rise to two main fronts: the Western Alboran Gyre Front (WAGF) and Eastern Alboran Gyre Front (EAGF), where large vertical velocities often develop. To improve the understanding of the processes that underlie the development of the vertical velocities in the fronts, the periods of development were analyzed in the perspective of the frontogenesis, instabilities, non‐linear Ekman, and filamentogenesis mechanisms, using multi‐platform in‐situ observations and a high‐resolution realistic simulation in spring 2018. The spatio‐temporal characteristics of the WAGF indicate a wider, deeper, and longer‐lasting front than the EAGF. Additionally, the WAGF shows stronger and deeper upwelling and downwelling regions. The WAGF vertical velocities (up to |55| m/day) are amplified by an across‐front ageostrophic secondary circulation generated by: (a) frontal intensification explained by frontogenesis, which shows a sharpening of buoyancy gradients associated with the Atlantic Jet, (b) nonlinear Ekman effects, that are enhanced by the persistent western wind blowing along the frontal direction, and (c) submesoscale instabilities (symmetric and ageostrophic baroclinic instabilities). The EAGF vertical velocities (up to |38| m/day) are amplified by two asymmetrical ageostrophic cells developed across the front with a narrow upwelling region in the middle. The cell's circulation is explained by frontal intensification produced by filamentogenesis through a cold filament advection to the Mediterranean Sea interior, that is characterized by pointy isopycnals at the center of the filament. This mechanism is observed in both the model and glider observations.
Sediment Transport on a Sand Bed With Dunes: Deformation and Translation Fluxes
Authors: Terwisscha van Scheltinga R. C. , Coco G. , Kleinhans M. G. , Friedrich H.
Published: February 2022

As dunes move along the riverbed, they change in size, shape, and arrangement. This involves sediment fluxes on top of the net downstream motion of the dune field, but how much dune dynamics affect total sediment flux remains unclear. In this study, we obtain high‐resolution and high‐frequency digital elevation models of migrating submerged dunes in the laboratory. We use the measurements to identify three‐dimensional dune sediment fluxes and characterize dune interaction processes. We show how variations in dune migration lead to flux variations. Varying bed and water surface slopes and time‐varying sizes and shapes of dunes are imprinted in the observed flux variations, with a corresponding time lag. Feedback between bed morphology and water surface slope causes (some) dunes with high crests to lengthen into long dunes (of about twice the mean dune length), until a breakup of this dune into shorter dunes occurs, typically facilitated by merging of superposed bedforms until the primary dune splits. A large number of short dunes have high overall transport rates. Dune interaction causes patterns in the dune deformation flux. Dune splitting, defect creation and defect repulsion cause a peak in the deformation flux, whilst merging triggers a temporal increase of the total flux. Estimating the fluxes with spatially varying dune migration, and contributing fluxes to either deformation or translation processes continues to be a challenge, even for the detailed data set we have presented. Our analysis suggests that sediment transport variability over dune‐covered riverbeds is best described by considering the topography of multiple dunes.
Risk of cancer following primary care presentation with fatigue: a population-based cohort study of a quarter of a million patients
Authors: White Becky , Rafiq Meena , Gonzalez-Izquierdo Arturo , Hamilton Willie , Price Sarah , Lyratzopoulos Georgios
Published: February 2022

Background

The management of adults presenting with fatigue presents a diagnostic challenge, particularly regarding possible underlying cancer.

Methods

Using electronic health records, we examined cancer risk in patients presenting to primary care with new-onset fatigue in England during 2007–2013, compared to general population estimates. We examined variation by age, sex, deprivation, and time following presentation.

Findings

Of 250,606 patients presenting with fatigue, 12-month cancer risk exceeded 3% in men aged 65 and over and women aged 80 and over, and 6% in men aged 80 and over. Nearly half (47%) of cancers were diagnosed within 3 months from first fatigue presentation. Site-specific cancer risk was higher than the general population for most cancers studied, with greatest relative increases for leukaemia, pancreatic and brain cancers.

Conclusions

In older patients, new-onset fatigue is associated with cancer risk exceeding current thresholds for urgent specialist referral. Future research should consider how risk is modified by the presence or absence of other signs and symptoms. Excess cancer risk wanes rapidly after 3 months, which could inform the duration of a ‘safety-netting’ period. Fatigue presentation is not strongly predictive of any single cancer, although certain cancers are over-represented; this knowledge can help prioritise diagnostic strategies.
Two novel heterozygous variants in ATP1A3 cause movement disorders
Authors: Furukawa Shogo , Miyamoto Sachiko , Fukumura Shinobu , Kubota Kazuo , Taga Toshiaki , Nakashima Mitsuko , Saitsu Hirotomo
Published: February 2022

Variants inATP1A3cause neuropsychiatric disorders, especially those characterized by movement disorders. In this study, we performed whole exome sequencing for two patients with movement disorders and identified two novel heterozygousATP1A3variants, a missense c.2408G>A variant and an indel c.2672_2688+10delinsCAG variant. The unique indel variant occurred at the exon-intron boundary at the 3′ end of exon 19, and mRNA analysis revealed that this variant caused in-frame indel alteration at the Ser891_Trp896 residue.
PIK3CA co-occurring mutations and copy-number gain in hormone receptor positive and HER2 negative breast cancer
Authors: Migliaccio Ilenia , Paoli Marta , Risi Emanuela , Biagioni Chiara , Biganzoli Laura , Benelli Matteo , Malorni Luca
Published: February 2022

We aim to elucidate the prognostic value of PIK3CA mutations and copy number (CN) gain (PIK3CA-mut/gain) in hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative (HR + /HER2−) breast cancer (BC). We analyzed primary HR + /HER2− BC from three publicly available datasets comprising over 2000 samples and assessed the associations with tumoral and clinical characteristics and outcome. Clinical benefit (CB) in alpelisib-treated patients from two studies including 46 patients was analyzed. About 8–10% of HR + /HER2− primary BC had PIK3CA-mut/gain. In two of the datasets analyzed, among patients with PIK3CA mutant tumors, those with mut/gain had significantly worse outcome compared to those with CN neutral (PIK3CA-mut/neut) and PIK3CA-mut/gain remained an independent prognostic factor. CB of alpelisib-treated patients with PIK3CA-mut/gain and PIK3CA-mut/neut tumors was comparable. PIK3CA CN might help clarifying the prognostic and predictive role of PIK3CA mutations. Further studies are warranted.
Disease characterization in liquid biopsy from HER2-mutated, non-amplified metastatic breast cancer patients treated with neratinib
Authors: Shishido Stephanie N. , Masson Rahul , Xu Liya , Welter Lisa , Prabakar Rishvanth Kaliappan , D’ Souza Anishka , Spicer Darcy , Kang Irene , Jayachandran Priya , Hicks James , Lu Janice , Kuhn Peter
Published: February 2022

Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients have a high risk of progression and face poor prognosis overall, with about one third (34%) surviving five years or more. In rare instances (2–4% of cases) patients with mBC have ERBB2 (HER2) activating mutations but are ERBB2 non-amplified. Neratinib is a potent, irreversible inhibitor that binds HER2 and inhibits downstream signaling. We used the previously validated high-definition single cell assay (HDSCA) workflow to investigate the clinical significance of the liquid biopsy in ERBB2 mutant, non-amplified, post-menopausal mBC patients starting neratinib and fulvestrant combination therapy. Characterization with a comprehensive liquid biopsy methodology (HDSCA) included genomic analysis of both the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and single circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to monitor tumor evolution and identify potential mutational variants unique to the patient’s clinical response. A limited series of five sequentially enrolled patients presented here were from the MutHER (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01670877) or SUMMIT (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01953926) trials. Patients had an average of 5.4 lines of therapy before enrollment, variable hormone receptor status, and ERBB2 mutations at diagnosis and during treatment. CTC enumeration alone was not sufficient to predict clinical response. Treatment pressure was shown to lead to an observable change in CTC morphology and genomic instability (GI), suggesting these parameters may inform prognosis. Single cell copy number alteration (CNA) analysis indicated that the persistence or development of a clonal population of CTCs during treatment was associated with a worse response. Hierarchical clustering analysis of the single cells across all patients and timepoints identified distinct aberrant regions shared among patients, comprised of 26 genes that are similarly affected and may be related to drug resistance. Additionally, the genomic analysis of the cfDNA, identified new mutations in ERBB2, PIK3CA, and TP53 that arose likely due to treatment pressure in a patient with poor response, further providing insights on the dynamics of the cancer genome over the course of therapy. The data presented in this small cohort study demonstrates the feasibility of real-time molecular profiling of the cellular and acellular fractions of the liquid biopsy using the HDSCA methodology. Additional studies are necessary to determine the potential use of morphometric and genomic analysis as a prognostic tool to advance personalized oncology.
Altered activity of pain processing brain regions in association with hip osteoarthritis
Authors: Railton P. , Delaney A. J. , Goodyear B. G. , Matyas J. , Lama S. , Sutherland G. R. , Powell J. N.
Published: February 2022

Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by chronic pain, but there remains a mismatch between symptoms and radiological findings. Recently, brain connectivity has been implicated in the modulation of chronic peripheral pain, however its association with perceived pain in hip OA is not understood. We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine functional connectivity associated with pain in hip OA patients. Thirty participants with hip OA and 10 non-OA controls were recruited. Using the visual analogue scale (VAS), pain scores were obtained before and after performing a painful hip activity. All participants underwent 3.0 T resting-state fMRI, and functional connectivity of brain regions associated with pain was determined and compared between participants, and before and after hip activity. Relative to controls, functional connectivity between the secondary somatosensory cortex and left posterior insula was increased, and functional connectivity between the bilateral posterior insula and motor cortices was significantly decreased in hip OA participants. In response to painful hip activity, functional connectivity increased between the thalamus, periaqueductal grey matter and brainstem. Functional connections between brain regions associated with pain are altered in hip OA patients, and several connections are modulated by performing painful activity. Unique lateralization of left posterior insula and linked brain functional connectivity patterns allows assessment of pain perception in hip OA providing an unbiased method to evaluate pain perception and pain modulation strategies.
Imaging arbitrary incoherent source distributions with near quantum-limited resolution
Authors: Matlin Erik F. , Zipp Lucas J.
Published: February 2022

We demonstrate an approach to obtaining near quantum-limited far-field imaging resolution of incoherent sources with arbitrary distributions. Our method assumes no prior knowledge of the source distribution, but rather uses an adaptive approach to imaging via spatial mode demultiplexing that iteratively updates both the form of the spatial imaging modes and the estimate of the source distribution. The optimal imaging modes are determined by minimizing the estimated Cramér-Rao bound over the manifold of all possible sets of orthogonal imaging modes. We have observed through Monte Carlo simulations that the manifold-optimized spatial mode demultiplexing measurement consistently outperforms standard imaging techniques in the accuracy of source reconstructions and comes within a factor of 2 of the absolute quantum limit as set by the quantum Cramér-Rao bound. The adaptive framework presented here allows for a consistent approach to achieving near quantum-limited imaging resolution of arbitrarily distributed sources through spatial mode imaging techniques.
Syndecan-2 regulates PAD2 to exert antifibrotic effects on RA-ILD fibroblasts
Authors: Tsoyi Konstantin , Esposito Anthony J. , Sun Bo , Bowen Ryan G. , Xiong Kevin , Poli Fernando , Cardenas Rafael , Chu Sarah G. , Liang Xiaoliang , Ryter Stefan W. , Beeton Christine , Doyle Tracy J. , Robertson Matthew J. , Celada Lindsay J. , Romero Freddy , El-Chemaly Souheil Y. , Perrella Mark A. , Ho I.-Cheng , Rosas Ivan O.
Published: February 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is the most common pulmonary complication of RA, increasing morbidity and mortality. Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies have been associated with the development and progression of both RA and fibrotic lung disease; however, the role of protein citrullination in RA-ILD remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of peptidylarginine deiminase 2 (PAD2), an enzyme that catalyzes protein citrullination, is increased in lung homogenates from subjects with RA-ILD and their lung fibroblasts. Chemical inhibition or genetic knockdown of PAD2 in RA-ILD fibroblasts attenuated their activation, marked by decreased myofibroblast differentiation, gel contraction, and extracellular matrix gene expression. Treatment of RA-ILD fibroblasts with the proteoglycan syndecan-2 (SDC2) yielded similar antifibrotic effects through regulation of PAD2 expression, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling, and Sp1 activation in a CD148-dependent manner. Furthermore, SDC2-transgenic mice exposed to bleomycin-induced lung injury in an inflammatory arthritis model expressed lower levels of PAD2 and were protected from the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Together, our results support a SDC2-sensitive profibrotic role for PAD2 in RA-ILD fibroblasts and identify PAD2 as a promising therapeutic target of RA-ILD.
DCB dissolution of iron oxides in aeolian dust deposits controlled by particle size rather than mineral species
Authors: Yang Qianqian , Li Xusheng , Han Zhiyong , Wang Xiaoyong , Zhao Wancang , Yi Shuangwen , Lu Huayu
Published: February 2022

Dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) treatment is a classical method for removing iron oxides from soil. The DCB-induced dissolution effects on iron oxides are controversial. In this paper, samples from a typical loess-paleosol sequence in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) and from other aeolian dust deposits in southern China were collected, and changes in the grain size composition and magnetic properties of the samples after DCB treatment were analyzed. The results show that the dissolution of iron oxides in loess-paleosol samples from the CLP is highly grain size dependent. In addition to completely dissolving nanometer-sized pedogenic iron oxides (< 0.2 μm), the standard DCB procedure can also dissolve submicron- and micron-sized aeolian iron oxides (0.2–6 μm). For these aeolian iron oxides, the submicron-sized (0.2–1 μm) iron oxides are sufficiently dissolved, and the solubility of the micron-sized (1–6 μm) iron oxides decreases with increasing particle size. The dissolution of > 6 μm aeolian iron oxides is negligible. DCB can neither separate pedogenic iron oxides from aeolian iron oxides nor selectively dissolve magnetite or maghemite. Although the total amount of dissolved iron oxides in the profiles from southern China is higher than that in the LC profile from northern China, the submicron- and micron-sized aeolian iron oxides in the latter are more easily dissolved.
Distinguish between typical non-Hermitian quantum systems by entropy dynamics
Authors: Zheng Chao , Li Daili
Published: February 2022

Non-Hermitian (NH) quantum systems attract research interest increasingly in recent years, among which the PT-symmetric, P-pseudo-Hermitian and their anti-symmetric counterpart systems are focused much more. In this work, we extend the usage of entropy to distinguish time-evolutions of different classes and phases of typical NH-systems. In detail, we investigate the entropy dynamics of two-level NH-systems after quantum decoherence induced by single-qubit projective measurements, finding that it depends on both the initial states and the selection of the computational bases of the measurements. In a general case, we show how to distinguish all the eight phases of the above NH-systems step by step, in which process three different initial states are necessary if the basis of measurement is fixed. We propose how the distinguishing process is realized in quantum simulation, in which quantum tomography is not needed. Our investigations can be applied to judge phase transitions of non-Hermitian systems.
A comparative analysis of single cell small RNA sequencing data reveals heterogeneous isomiR expression and regulation
Authors: Smith Christopher Michael , Hutvagner Gyorgy
Published: February 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs which play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression in cells. It is known that miRNAs are often expressed as multiple isoforms, called isomiRs, which may have alternative regulatory functions. Despite the recent development of several single cell small RNA sequencing protocols, these methods have not been leveraged to investigate isomiR expression and regulation to better understand their role on a single cell level. Here we integrate sequencing data from three independent studies and find substantial differences in isomiR composition that suggest that cell autonomous mechanisms may drive isomiR processing. We also find evidence of altered regulatory functions of different classes of isomiRs, when compared to their respective wild-type miRNA, which supports a biological role for many of the isomiRs that are expressed.
Effectiveness of Gamma Oryzanol on prevention of surgical induced endometriosis development in rat model
Authors: Eisalou Mohammad Yari , Farahpour Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2022

Infertility is believed to be triggered by endometriosis whose pathophysiology and the etiology is still unknown. Certain genes play pivotal roles in pathogenesis of endometriosis. Natural products and plants are used as important sources for production of new drugs. The current study assesses the effects of gamma-oryzanol (GO) in a rat model with surgically induced endometriosis. The experimental endometriosis was induced in 24 wistar rats, and the animals were subsequently subdivided into endometriosis-sole (endom group), 3000 and 6000 µg/kg GO (GO-3000 and GO-6000) and Vit C groups. The protein levels of estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α), Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1), Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO1), light chain 3 (LC3B) and Beclin1 (BECN1) were assessed. TUNEL staining was used for detecting the apoptosis rate. The results revealed that protein levels of SF1, HO1, and total LC3B significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in GO-6000-treated groups compared to endom group. Moreover, the protein level of BECN1 and SIRT-1 significantly (P < 0.05) increased in GO-6000-treated groups compared to endom group. GO treatment did not imply any significant difference (P > 0.05) concerning the protein levels of ER-α. The TUNEL staining results showed higher TUNEL-positive cells reactions in the rats treated with GO-6000 and Vit C. Thus, GO is involved in improving condition rats involved with endometriosis through modulation in the protein levels of some molecules and also induction of apoptosis.
Deep water inflow slowed offshore expansion of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet at the Eocene-Oligocene transition
Authors: Uenzelmann-Neben Gabriele , Gohl Karsten , Hochmuth Katharina , Salzmann Ulrich , Larter Robert D. , Hillenbrand Claus-Dieter , Klages Johann P. ,   Science Team of Expedition PS104, Afanasyeva V. , Arndt J. E. , Bickert T. , Bohaty S. M. , Dziadek R. , Ebermann B. , Ehrmann W. , Esper O. , Frederichs T. , Freudenthal T. , Gebhardt C. , Küssner K. , Kuhn G. , Najman Y. , Pälike H. , Riefstahl F. , Ronge T. , Scheinert M. , Simoes Pereira P. , Smith J. A. , Spiegel C. , Van de Flierdt T. , Zundel M.
Published: February 2022

The stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is threatened by the incursion of warm Circumpolar Deepwater which flows southwards via cross-shelf troughs towards the coast there melting ice shelves. However, the onset of this oceanic forcing on the development and evolution of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet remains poorly understood. Here, we use single- and multichannel seismic reflection profiles to investigate the architecture of a sediment body on the shelf of the Amundsen Sea Embayment. We estimate the formation age of this sediment body to be around the Eocene-Oligocene Transition and find that it possesses the geometry and depositional pattern of a plastered sediment drift. We suggest this indicates a southward inflow of deep water which probably supplied heat and, thus, prevented West Antarctic Ice Sheet advance beyond the coast at this time. We conclude that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet has likely experienced a strong oceanic influence on its dynamics since its initial formation.
The CSY-protecting group in the microwave-assisted synthesis of aggregation-prone peptides
Authors: Pham Truc Lam , Zilke Jennifer , Müller Christine Charlotte , Thomas Franziska
Published: February 2022

Difficult peptide sequences can be synthesized in high quality by combining the polar CSY aspartate protecting group and selective microwave irradiation.
A first-principles study of water adsorbed on flat and stepped silver surfaces
Authors: Lin Xiaohang , Shao Anchen , Hua Minghao , Tian Xuelei
Published: February 2022

The vibrational properties of the water layer on Ag(511) have been studied by AIMD. A three-fold splitting of the O–H stretch mode was observed, which is explained by the special water structure at the stepped Ag surface.
Temperature-dependent Li vacancy diffusion in Li4Ti5O12 by means of first principles molecular dynamic simulations
Authors: Henkel Pascal , Zahn Stefan , Lorenz Janine , Jacob Timo , Janek Jürgen , Mollenhauer Doreen
Published: February 2022

Li vacancy diffusion steps in Li4Ti5O12 mainly occur as 8ainit ↔ 16c ↔ 8afinal or the corresponding back diffusion step 8ainit ↔ 16c ↔ 8ainit depending on the 16c lifetime.
Application of W-band19F electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy to distance measurement using a trityl spin probe and a fluorine label
Authors: Asanbaeva N. B. , Sukhanov A. A. , Diveikina A. A. , Rogozhnikova O. Y. , Trukhin D. V. , Tormyshev V. M. , Chubarov A. S. , Maryasov A. G. , Genaev A. M. , Shernyukov A. V. , Salnikov G. E. , Lomzov A. A. , Pyshnyi D. V. , Bagryanskaya E. G.
Published: February 2022

The distance measurement by W-band19F ENDOR for pairs of TAM -19F, and study the process of a thiol exchange.
Interfacial TiN bonding of a g-C3N4/TiH1.92 type-II heterojunction photocatalyst significantly enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water splitting
Authors: Tahir Warisha , Cheang Tuck-Yun , Li Jing-Han , Ling Cong , Lu Xiao-Jie , Ullah Ikram , Wang Gang , Xu An-Wu
Published: February 2022

An efficient interfacial TiN interaction of g-C3N4/TiH1.92 type-II heterojunctions photocatalyst facilitates an enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water splitting with improved photoinduced electron-hole pairs separation and transport ability.
Lewis acid protection turns cyanide containing [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimics into proton reduction catalysts
Authors: Redman Holly J. , Huang Ping , Haumann Michael , Cheah Mun Hon , Berggren Gustav
Published: February 2022

Mimicking the hydrogen-bonding interactions of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase active-site using Lewis acids transforms an otherwise unstable cyanide containing hydrogenase mimic into a proton reduction catalyst.
Tailoring TiO2/Al2O3 heterolayers as optical filters for the visible region
Authors: Anwar Nadia , Hussain Naveed , Ao Shen , Amjad Saira , Arshad Javaria , Anwar Tauseef , Faiza Hafiza Syeeda , Hussain Syed Sajjad , Fu Wangyang , Zhang Zhengjun
Published: February 2022

Optical filters operating in the visible region of the spectrum are highly desired for applications ranging from optical communication and sensing to fluorescence microscopy and skin therapy.
Facile design of a WO3 nanorod-decorated graphene oxide 1D–2D nanocatalyst for the synthesis of quinoline and its derivatives
Authors: Nayak Pratap S. , Barik Bapun , Achary L. Satish K. , Maji Banalata , Sahoo Shital Jyotsna , Dash Priyabrat
Published: February 2022

Graphene oxide supported WO3 nanorod as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for synthesis of Quinoline and its derivatives under solventless condition.
Synthesis of bright water-soluble circularly polarized luminescence emitters as potential sensors
Authors: Adewuyi Joseph A. , Schley Nathan D. , Ung Gaël
Published: February 2022

Complexes exhibiting strong circularly polarized luminescence in water were synthesized and used as CPL probes sensing pH and metal ions.
Highly efficient photosynthesis of H2O2via two-channel pathway photocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Sun Peipei , Mo Zhao , Chen Hanxiang , Song Yanhua , Liu Jinyuan , Yin Weiqing , Dai Hongliang , Chen Zhigang , Li Huaming , Xu Hui
Published: February 2022

Highly efficient production of hydrogen peroxide via two-channel pathway and organic electron donor-free photocatalytic water splitting.
An efficient modulated synthesis of zirconium metal–organic framework UiO-66
Authors: Chen Xia , Li Yongjie , Fu Qiang , Qin Hongyun , Lv Junnan , Yang Kun , Zhang Qicheng , Zhang Hui , Wang Ming
Published: February 2022

The use of large amounts of deleterious solvents in the synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is one of the important factors limiting their application in industry.
Cross-linked β-CD-CMC as an effective aqueous binder for silicon-based anodes in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Hao-wen , Yang Yan , Nie Yi-ming , Su Zhi-fang , Long Yun-fei , Wen Yan-xuan , Su Jing
Published: February 2022

A three-dimensional mesh β-CD-CMC adhesive was designed based on the structure of fishing nets. This cross-linked binder has the ability to disperse the stress at the anchor point and moderate the significant volume changes of the Si anode.
Bio-AgNPs-based electrochemical nanosensors for the sensitive determination of 4-nitrophenol in tomato samples: the roles of natural plant extracts in physicochemical parameters and sensing performance
Authors: Le Nhat Trang Nguyen , Thi Nguyet Nga Dao , Hoang Van-Tuan , Ngo Xuan-Dinh , Tuyet Nhung Pham , Le Anh-Tuan
Published: February 2022

In this work, we systematically investigated and compared the electrochemical sensing performances of three electrodes modified with various bio-AgNPs toward 4-NP detection in tomato samples.
Synergistic effect between PPy:PSS copolymers and biomass-derived activated carbons: a simple strategy for designing sustainable high-performance Li–S batteries
Authors: Luna-Lama Fernando , Caballero Alvaro , Morales Julián
Published: February 2022

A synergistic combination between a biomass carbon derived from avocado seeds and a conductive copolymer has been employed to obtain high-energy and sustainable lithium–sulfur batteries.
The mechanism and impact of mono/bis(iodoimidazolium) halogen bond donor catalysts on Michael addition of indole with trans-crotonophenone: DFT calculations
Authors: Sun Yuanyuan , Li Ying , Li Xiaoyan , Zeng Yanli
Published: February 2022

The catalytic mechanism of halogen bond donor catalysts in the Michael addition reaction was investigated by DFT calculations. Bis(iodoimidazolium) halogen bond donor catalysts show a better catalytic performance than the mono(iodoimidazolium) one.
Direct atomic-scale imaging of a screw dislocation core structure in inorganic halide perovskites
Authors: Song Kepeng , Liu Jiakai , Lu Ning , Qi Dongqing , Qin Wei
Published: February 2022

Screw dislocation core structures are characterized with helicoid structures at atomic resolution along a viewing direction perpendicular to the dislocation lines and the screw dislocation line locates at a plane containing Cs and Br atoms in orthorhombic CsBrBr3.
Conjugation length effect on the conducting behavior of single-crystalline oligo(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (nEDOT) radical cation salts
Authors: Kameyama Ryohei , Fujino Tomoko , Dekura Shun , Mori Hatsumi
Published: February 2022

Extension of “conjugation length” in doped π-conjugated oligomers effectively improved the conductivity owing to the reduced intramolecular Coulomb repulsion energy.
Explorations into the sustainable synthesis of cyclic and polymeric carbonates and thiocarbonates from eugenol-derived monomers and their reactions with CO2, COS, or CS2
Authors: Sengoden Mani , Bhat Gulzar A. , Darensbourg Donald J.
Published: February 2022

The natural product, eugenol, which can be acquired from the flower buds of clove, was converted to an epoxide in excellent yield and examined for its reactivity with CO2 and its sulfur congeners in the presence of metal and organo-catalysts.
Catalytic confinement effects in nanochannels: from biological synthesis to chemical engineering
Authors: Shen Yigang , Wang Xin , Lei Jinmei , Wang Shuli , Hou Yaqi , Hou Xu
Published: February 2022

The minireview summarizes the latest progress on catalytic confinement effects associated with biological synthesis in bio-nanochannels and catalytic reactions in artificial nanochannels in chemical engineering.
Autonomous polymer synthesis delivered by multi-objective closed-loop optimisation
Authors: Knox Stephen T. , Parkinson Sam J. , Wilding Clarissa Y. P. , Bourne Richard A. , Warren Nicholas J.
Published: February 2022

An artificially intelligent flow-reactor platform equipped with online NMR and GPC enables autonomous polymerisation optimisation utilising a machine learning algorithm to map the trade-off between monomer conversion and dispersity.
Towards a mechanistic understanding of the sol–gel syntheses of ternary carbides
Authors: Siebert Jan P. , Juelsholt Mikkel , Günzing Damian , Wende Heiko , Ollefs Katharina , Birkel Christina S.
Published: February 2022

The formation mechanism during the sol–gel synthesis of MAX phase Cr2GaC is unraveled using a combination of complementary techniques.
Correction: Mechanism unravelling for highly efficient and selective 99TcO4− sequestration utilising crown ether based solvent system from nuclear liquid waste: experimental and computational investigations
Authors: Patra Kankan , Sengupta Arijit , Boda Anil , Ali Musharaf , Mittal V. K. , Valsala T. P. , Kaushik C. P.
Published: February 2022

Correction for ‘Mechanism unravelling for highly efficient and selective 99TcO4− sequestration utilising crown ether based solvent system from nuclear liquid waste: experimental and computational investigations’ by Kankan Patra et al., RSC Adv., 2022, 12, 3216–3226. DOI: 10.1039/D1RA07738D.
Application of rich-defect expanded graphite with improved ion transport and kinetics for sodium storage at low temperature
Authors: Zhou Li-Feng , Wang Yi-Song , Jia He , Gong He , Liu Li-Ying , Du Tao
Published: February 2022

N-doped graphite with uniform defects as ion channels exhibits improved kinetics and sodium storage at low temperatures.
Excitation-wavelength-dependent anti-thermal quenching of upconversion luminescence in hexagonal NaGdF4:Nd3+/Yb3+/Er3+ nanocrystals
Authors: Pang Tao , Wu Yanyan , Zhang Yujian , Jian Ronghua , Mao Junwen , Wang Hong , Guo Hai
Published: February 2022

Anti-thermally-quenched upconversion luminescence is achieved by designing the composition of the phosphor and matching the appropriate excitation wavelength.