bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial cellulose an effective material in the treatment of chronic venous ulcers of the lower limbs
Authors: Silva Liliada G. , Albuquerque Amanda V. , Pinto Flávia C. M. , Ferraz-Carvalho Rafaela S. , Aguiar José L. A. , Lins Esdras M.
Published: June 2021

Chronic venous ulcers (CVU) of the lower limbs (LL) are common and cause psychological changes and significant social impact, as they make the patient susceptible to pain, absence from work and social bonds. Some materials are suggested as dressings for the treatment of CVU, but they are expensive and are generally not available for use in public health services. To evaluate the efficacy of the treatment for lower limbs (LL) chronic venous ulcer (CVU) using bacterial cellulose (BC), gel and multi-perforated film associated. A randomized controlled clinical-intervention study was performed among participants with LL CVU, divided into two groups: experimental (EG), treated with BC wound dressing and control (CG), treated with a cellulose acetate mesh impregnated with essential fatty acids (Rayon®). The participants were followed for 180 days, evaluated according to the MEASURE methodology. Thirty-nine patients were treated, 20 from the EG and 19 from the CG. In both groups, the wound area decreased significantly (p < 0.001), the healing rate was similar to the CG. The mean number of dressing changes in the SG was 18.33 ± 11.78, while in the CG it was 55.24 ± 25.81, p < 0.001. The healing dressing of bacterial cellulose, gel and associated film, when stimulating the epithelization of the lesions, showed a significant reduction in the initial area, with a percentage of cure similar to the Rayon® coverage. In addition to requiring less direct manipulation of ulcers.
Stable sol–gel hydroxyapatite coating on zirconia dental implant for improved osseointegration
Authors: Kim Jinyoung , Kang In-Gu , Cheon Kwang-Hee , Lee Sungmi , Park Suhyung , Kim Hyoun-Ee , Han Cheol-Min
Published: June 2021

Aside from being known for its excellent mechanical properties and aesthetic effect, zirconia has recently attracted attention as a new dental implant material. Many studies have focused on hydroxyapatite (HA) coating for obtaining improved biocompatibility, however the coating stability was reduced by a byproduct produced during the high-temperature sintering process. In this study, to overcome this problem, we simply coated the zirconia surface with a sol–gel-derived hydroxyapatite (HA) layer and then sintered it at a varied temperature (<1000 °C). The surface showed a nanoporous structure, and there was no crystalline phase other than HA and zirconia when the sintering temperature was 800 °C. The adhesion strength of the HA layer (>40 MPa) was also appropriate as a dental implant application. In addition, in vitro cell experiments using a preosteoblast cell line revealed that the HA-coated zirconia surface acts as a preferable surface for cell attachment and proliferation than bare zirconia surface. In vivo animal experiments also demonstrated that the osteoconductivity of zirconia were dramatically enhanced by HA coating, which was comparable to that of Ti implant. These results suggest that the sol–gel-based HA-coated zirconia has a great potential for use as a dental implant material.
Effect of Energy Degeneracy on the Transition Time for a Series of Metastable States
Authors: Bet Gianmarco , Jacquier Vanessa , Nardi Francesca R.
Published: June 2021

We consider the problem of metastability for stochastic dynamics with exponentially small transition probabilities in the low temperature limit. We generalize previous model-independent results in several directions. First, we give an estimate of the mixing time of the dynamics in terms of the maximal stability level. Second, assuming the dynamics is reversible, we give an estimate of the associated spectral gap. Third, we give precise asymptotics for the expected transition time from any metastable state to the stable state using potential-theoretic techniques. We do this in a general reversible setting where two or more metastable states are allowed and some of them may even be degenerate. This generalizes previous results that hold for a series of only two metastable states. We then focus on a specific Probabilistic Cellular Automata (PCA) with configuration space$${\mathcal {X}}=\{-1,+1\}^\varLambda $$X={-1,+1}Λwhere$$\varLambda \subset {\mathbb {Z}}^2$$Λ⊂Z2is a finite box with periodic boundary conditions. We apply our model-independent results to find sharp estimates for the expected transition time from any metastable state in$$\{\underline{-1}, {\underline{c}}^o,{\underline{c}}^e\}$${-1̲,c̲o,c̲e}to the stable state$$\underline{+1}$$+1̲. Here$${\underline{c}}^o,{\underline{c}}^e$$c̲o,c̲edenote the odd and the even chessboard respectively. To do this, we identify rigorously the metastable states by giving explicit upper bounds on the stability level of every other configuration. We rely on these estimates to prove a recurrence property of the dynamics, which is a cornerstone of the pathwise approach to metastability.
The role of rebound spikes in the maintenance of self-sustained neural spiking activity
Authors: Santos Bruno Andre , Gomes Rogerio Martins , Husbands Phil
Published: June 2021

In general, the mechanisms that maintain the activity of neural systems after a triggering stimulus has been removed are not well understood. Different mechanisms involving at the cellular and network levels have been proposed. In this work, based on analysis of a computational model of a spiking neural network, it is proposed that the spike that occurs after a neuron is inhibited (the rebound spike) can be used to sustain the activity in a recurrent inhibitory neural circuit after the stimulation has been removed. It is shown that, in order to sustain the activity, the neurons participating in the recurrent circuit should fire at low frequencies. It is also shown that the occurrence of a rebound spike depends on a combination of factors including synaptic weights, synaptic conductances and the neuron state. We point out that the model developed here is minimalist and does not aim at empirical accuracy. Its purpose is to raise and discuss theoretical issues that could contribute to the understanding of neural mechanisms underlying self-sustained neural activity.
Reformulation of knowledge: epistemological reading of Soviet Marxism in the post-Soviet times
Authors: Chehonadskih Maria
Published: June 2021

The paper questions an official narrative of Soviet Marxism that had been formulated both by the Bolshevik leaders and the Western European Marxists. It proposes to shift the discussion from a historically constituted understanding of Soviet Marxism as a partisanship of theory to the epistemic conditions of Marxism after the October Revolution. The paper argues that a post-revolutionary Soviet logic assumes that theory should start where Marx ended and that it should act in a Marxist fashion across all conceptual and practical realms. Instead of asking ‘how’, the Soviet thought returns to the old pre-critical question of ‘what is’, and reformulates this ‘what is’ in the Marxist post-critical terms. Constructing a new critical concept of Soviet Marxism, the paper proceeds with the analysis of the post-critical status of knowledge after the revolution and recovers forgotten and repressed epistemological alternatives to orthodox Bolshevism.
Neither mindful nor mindless, but minded: habits, ecological psychology, and skilled performance
Authors: Segundo-Ortin Miguel , Heras-Escribano Manuel
Published: June 2021

A widely shared assumption in the literature about skilled motor behavior is that any action that is not blindly automatic and mechanical must be the product of computational processes upon mental representations. To counter this assumption, in this paper we offer a radical embodied (non-representational) account of skilled action that combines ecological psychology and the Deweyan theory of habits. According to our proposal, skilful performance can be understood as composed of sequences of mutually coherent, task-specific perceptual-motor habits. Such habits play a crucial role in simplifying both our exploration of the perceptual environment and our decision-making. However, we argue that what keeps habits situated, precluding them from becoming rote and automatic, are not mental representations but the agent's conscious attention to the affordances of the environment. It is because the agent is not acting on autopilot but constantly searching for new information for affordances that she can control her behavior, adapting previously learned habits to the current circumstances. We defend that our account provides the resources needed to understand how skilled action can be intelligent (flexible, adaptive, context-sensitive) without having any representational cognitive processes built into them.
Flower-visiting and pollen-carrying arthropods of Leucojum aestivum L. (Amaryllidaceae) in wild, reintroduced and ex situ populations
Authors: Maggi Livilla Angela , Abeli Thomas , Rossi Graziano , Gobbi Mauro
Published: June 2021

Leucojum aestivum L. is a wetland-dependent perennial geophyte occurring in Europe and western Asia. It is self-incompatible, with high level of fruit-set and seed-set. Yet, its pollinators are poorly known. Here, we present the most recent research on potential pollinators of L. aestivum. We collected data on flower-visiting and pollen-carrying arthropods in three populations of the species in the River Po plain (N-Italy), where L. aestivum occurs mainly in forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus sp. pl. close to rivers. We studied a wild population, a new reintroduced population and an ex situ population located at the Botanical Garden of the University of Pavia. Our study identified 18 arthropod taxa carrying L. aestivum pollen; the soft-winged flower beetle Dasytes plumbeus (Coleoptera: Melyridae) and the sac-spider Clubiona sp. pl. (Araneae: Clubionidae) were the most frequent visitors. Hymenoptera only occasionally visited L. aestivum flowers (e.g. the sweat bee Lasioglossum punctatissimum). D. plumbeus, the long-horned beetle Grammoptera ruficornis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Clubiona sp. pl. and L. punctatissimum resulted in the taxa with the highest average abundance of pollen grains on their body suggesting a potential role in L. aestivum pollination. Differences in flower-visiting and pollen-carrying arthropods were observed between the three populations, with a decreasing taxonomic diversity of visiting species from the wild population to the ex situ population. Our results, based on direct observation in the field, are partially in contrast with a previous study on L. aestivum pollinators that suggested diurnal and nocturnal Lepidoptera and occasionally bees as main pollinators for the species.
Estimating Finite Mixtures of Ordinal Graphical Models
Authors: Lee Kevin H. , Chen Qian , DeSarbo Wayne S. , Xue Lingzhou
Published: June 2021

Graphical models have received an increasing amount of attention in network psychometrics as a promising probabilistic approach to study the conditional relations among variables using graph theory. Despite recent advances, existing methods on graphical models usually assume a homogeneous population and focus on binary or continuous variables. However, ordinal variables are very popular in many areas of psychological science, and the population often consists of several different groups based on the heterogeneity in ordinal data. Driven by these needs, we introduce the finite mixture of ordinal graphical models to effectively study the heterogeneous conditional dependence relationships of ordinal data. We develop a penalized likelihood approach for model estimation, and design a generalized expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm to solve the significant computational challenges. We examine the performance of the proposed method and algorithm in simulation studies. Moreover, we demonstrate the potential usefulness of the proposed method in psychological science through a real application concerning the interests and attitudes related to fan avidity for students in a large public university in the United States.
Effect of bioactive compounds released from Brassicaceae defatted seed meals on bacterial load in pig manure
Authors: Ugolini Luisa , Scarafile Donatella , Matteo Roberto , Pagnotta Eleonora , Malaguti Lorena , Lazzeri Luca , Modesto Monica , Checcucci Alice , Mattarelli Paola , Braschi Ilaria
Published: June 2021

Animal manure application to soils is considered to be one of the main cause of antibiotic and bacterial pathogen spread in the environment. Pig livestock, which is the source of one of the most used fertilizer for cultivated land, is also a hotspot for antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Besides harsh chemical and physical sanitization treatments for the abatement of antibiotics and bacterial load in livestock waste, more sustainable and environmentally friendly strategies need to be considered. In this context, the use of natural substances which are proved useful for pest and disease control is currently under exploration for their role in the reduction of bacterial pathogen population. Among these, plants and derived products from the Brassicaceae family, characterized by the presence of a defensive glucosinolate-myrosinase enzymatic system, have been successfully exploited for years in agriculture using the so-called biofumigation technique against crop diseases. Although the application of biofumigation to suppress a range of soil borne pests has been well documented, no studies have been examined to reduce bacterial population in animal waste. In the present study, the release and the antibacterial activity of bioactive compounds deriving from different Brassicaceae defatted seed meals against pathogens and bacterial population in pig manure is addressed. Rapistrum rugosum and Brassica nigra defatted seed meals were found to be the most active products against tested pathogens and able to significantly reduce the bacterial load in the manure.
Genome-wide Identification and Abiotic Stress Response Pattern Analysis of NF-Y Gene Family in Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.)
Authors: Wan Qian , Luo Lu , Zhang Xiurong , Lv Yuying , Zhu Suqing , Kong Lingrang , Wan Yongshan , Liu Fengzhen , Zhang Kun
Published: June 2021

The nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) transcription factor (TF) family consists of three subfamilies NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC. Many studies have proven that NF-Y complex plays multiple essential roles in stress response in Arabidopsis and other plant species. However, little attention has been given to these genes in peanut. In this study, thirty-three AhNF-Y genes were identified in cultivated peanut and they were distributed on 16 chromosomes. A phylogenetic analysis of the NF-Y amino acid sequences indicated that the peanut NF-Y proteins were clustered in pairs at the end of the branches and showed high conservation with previous reported plant NF-Ys. Evolutionary history analysis showed that only segmental duplication contributed to expansion of this gene family. Analysis of the 1500-bp regulatory regions upstream the start codon showed that, except for AhNF-YB6, peanut NF-Ys contained at least one abiotic stress response element in their regulatory region. Expression patterns of peanut NF-Ys in 22 tissues and developmental stages were analyzed. A few NF-Ys showed universal expression patterns, while most NF-Ys showed specific expression patterns. Through RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses, expression of six AhNF-Y genes was induced under salt stress in leaves or roots. In addition, AhNF-YA4/8/11, NF-YB4 and NF-YC2/8 also responded to osmotic stress, ABA (abscisic acid) and salicylic acid (SA) treatment.
Urban correction of global DEMs using building density for Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Olajubu Victor , Trigg Mark A. , Berretta Christian , Sleigh Andrew , Chini Marco , Matgen Patrick , Mojere Stephen , Mulligan Joe
Published: June 2021

Urban flood models that use Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to simulate extent and depth of flood inundation rely on the accuracy of DEMs for predicting flood events. Despite recent advances in developing vegetation corrected DEMs, the effect of building height and density errors in global DEMs in urban areas are still poorly understood, and their correction remains a challenge. In this research we developed a methodology for building error correction that can be applied to any other case study, where building density data and a local reference DEM data are available. This methodology was applied to Nairobi, Kenya using six global DEMs (SRTM, MERIT, ALOS, NASADEM, TanDEM-X 12 m, and TanDEM-X 90 m DEM). Our results show building error at highest building density varying between 1.25 m and 5.07 m for the DEMs used, with the MERIT DEM showing the smallest vertical height error from the reference DEM. The six DEMs were corrected by deriving a linear relationship between building density and DEM error. Our findings show that the removal of building density error resulted in the improvement of the vertical height accuracy of the global DEMs of up to 45% for MERIT and 40% for ALOS. This methodology was also applied to the Central Business District (CBD) area of Nairobi, characterized by taller buildings and high building density. The error parameters in the CBD area resulted to be between 15 to 45% higher than those of the Nairobi city wide area for the six global DEMs, thus providing further insights into the contribution of building heights to errors in global DEMs. Building height data is still unavailable on a global scale and our results show that global DEMs can be usefully corrected for building density errors in urban areas, even where specific building height data are not available.
An Evaluation System for the Conservation of Geomorphological Assets: Landforms in South Korea
Authors: Kang Jihyun , Lee Jaeho
Published: June 2021

Landforms are spaces for human life, habitats for animals and plants, and areas that provide various ecological services. However, human development has undermined landform where it should be kept as an important human asset. In South Korea, to reduce this damage, a system was created to evaluate the conservation value of landforms, and either designate them as conservation areas or obtain permission for their development in advance. However, the general public, who demands the development of landforms continuously, have frequently questioned the subjectivity of the evaluation criteria used for the conservation of landforms. National Institute of Ecology (NIE) in South Korea was carried out a project which was to increase the reliability of these criteria by modifying the conservation evaluation system into a quantitative system. This paper aims to introduce the geomorphological survey as a part of the Investigation of National Environment (INE), and an improved evaluation system via the Delphi, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), on-site verification, etc. As a result of this quantitative evaluation using detailed scoring indicators, specific criteria, and weights for evaluation, there is a low correlation between the indicators, and this confirmed that each indicator was evaluated correctly. In addition, as the quantitative evaluation results and the experts’ opinions generally coincided with the final evaluation grades and values, this indirectly confirmed that the experts who participated in the 4th INE agreed with the evaluation results. This research demonstrates a method that can be used to improve the objective assessment of landforms by experts’ opinion surveys. Future research could use the assessment system developed in this research and apply it to other surveys or countries.
Harmful algal blooms and environmentally friendly control strategies in Japan
Authors: Imai Ichiro , Inaba Nobuharu , Yamamoto Keigo
Published: June 2021

The presence and status of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Japan are reviewed, revealing a decrease in red tides; however, toxic blooms are found to be increasing in western Japan. Environmentally friendly control strategies against HABs are also compared with integrated agricultural pest management. Very high densities (105–108 CFU/g) of algicidal and growth-inhibiting bacteria were found in biofilm on seagrass and seaweed surfaces and in surrounding coastal seawater. The situation in freshwater ecosystems is similar to coastal seas for toxic cyanobacterium,Microcystis aeruginosa, and aquatic plants. These findings offer new insights into the ecology of influential bacteria and harmful algae, suggesting that protection and restoration of native seagrasses and seaweeds in coastal marine environments should be implemented to suppress HABs. Diatom blooms were successfully induced with bottom sediment perturbation to prevent the occurrence of harmful flagellates such asChattonellaspp. andAlexandrium catenellain the Seto Inland Sea; however, this method requires robust and reproducible verification. “Sato-Umi” is a helpful concept for HAB control in the sea and freshwater ecosystems when adequately managed by people (e.g., appropriate bottom perturbation; protection and restoration of seaweeds, seagrasses, and aquatic plants; application of polycultures of fish, seaweeds, etc.).
Fractured reservoir distribution characterization using folding mechanism analysis and patterns recognition in the Tabnak hydrocarbon reservoir anticline
Authors: Sarkheil Hamid , Hassani Hossein , Alinia Firuz
Published: June 2021

Naturally, fractured reservoirs play a considerable part in the study, production, and development of hydrocarbon fields because most hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Zagros Basin are naturally fractured. Production from those reservoirs is usually affected by the presence of a system of connected fractures. In this study, the Tabnak hydrocarbon field on the fold–thrust belt at the Zagros zone in the Persian plate has been analyzed by the facies models, folding mechanism analysis to identify fracture reservoir patterns. The results show a flexural fold with similarity in the folding mechanism and some open fracture potential made by limestone, shale, clay, and anhydrite in the study area's facies models. Consequently, the stress pattern and type of fracture issue on the fold's upper and lower layers will be similar. On the Tabnak anticline reservoir using image processing techniques in MATLAB R2019 software and kriging geostatistical methods, fracture surface patterns as a block model extended to the depth. Using the model results, fractures’ orientation distribution in adjacent wells 11, 14, and 15 is appropriate. The results also have similarities with the facies models, folding mechanism assessment, well test, and mud loss data analysis. These results can affect the development plans’ primary approach by drilling horizontal and sleep wells and hydrocarbon reservoir management strategies.
Porous Carbon Architecture Assembled by Cross-Linked Carbon Leaves with Implanted Atomic Cobalt for High-Performance Li–S Batteries
Authors: Wang Ruirui , Wu Renbing , Ding Chaofan , Chen Ziliang , Xu Hongbin , Liu Yongfeng , Zhang Jichao , Ha Yuan , Fei Ben , Pan Hongge
Published: June 2021

The practical application of lithium–sulfur batteries is severely hampered by the poor conductivity, polysulfide shuttle effect and sluggish reaction kinetics of sulfur cathodes. Herein, a hierarchically porous three-dimension (3D) carbon architecture assembled by cross-linked carbon leaves with implanted atomic Co–N4 has been delicately developed as an advanced sulfur host through a SiO2-mediated zeolitic imidazolate framework-L (ZIF-L) strategy. The unique 3D architectures not only provide a highly conductive network for fast electron transfer and buffer the volume change upon lithiation–delithiation process but also endow rich interface with full exposure of Co–N4 active sites to boost the lithium polysulfides adsorption and conversion. Owing to the accelerated kinetics and suppressed shuttle effect, the as-prepared sulfur cathode exhibits a superior electrochemical performance with a high reversible specific capacity of 695 mAh g−1 at 5 C and a low capacity fading rate of 0.053% per cycle over 500 cycles at 1 C. This work may provide a promising solution for the design of an advanced sulfur-based cathode toward high-performance Li–S batteries.
A Social Enterprise Company in EU Organisational Law?
Authors: LIPTRAP J S
Published: June 2021

This article explores the European Parliament's July 2018 non-legislative resolution proposing to the European Commission a directive for facilitating social enterprise companies’ cross-border activities. The proposal is first situated within the context of the social economy and how the sector has grown in importance to European integration. The proposal and the European Commission's response are then examined. Although the European Commission was not convinced that Member States would be amenable to the proposal, a consensus may already exist that is sufficient to garner their support. Even if this prediction is wrong, however, it is argued that there are reasons to surmise that the proposal will likely be reassessed and ultimately successful at some future point. Finally, the proposal is viewed with a reflexive harmonisation lens. Through the analysis, regulatory issues are identified, and a solution is then suggested.
Outside/inside: social determinants of mental health
Authors: Gnanapragasam Sam Nishanth , Astill Wright Laurence , Pemberton Max , Bhugra Dinesh
Published: June 2021

Individuals’ mental health and wellbeing are dependent on many social factors including housing, employment, education and adequate nutrition among others. These factors can influence at personal, family and community levels. The interlinked and cumulative impact of these social determinants needs to be ascertained to aid appropriate patient management, as well as to establish prevention and health education programmes. Some of these determinants also have to be recognised at policy level. It is crucial for clinicians to understand the role social determinants play in the genesis and perpetuation of mental and physical illnesses, so that appropriate social interventions can be set in place. Clinicians have a role to play in their clinical practice, as well as advocates for their patients and policy leaders. In order to ensure that health is joined up with other sectors, such as education, employment, judiciary and housing, policy-makers must avoid silos. Every policy must have an impact assessment on physical health and mental health. Policy-makers need to understand scientific evidence and must work with researchers, clinicians, communities and patients to help develop and implement rights-based policies.
Genetic diversity and haplotypes of paediatric hydatid cyst isolates and first occurrence of E. canadensis (G6/G7) in paediatric cases in Turkey
Authors: Bakal Unal , Celik Figen , Simsek Sami , Kesik Harun Kaya , Gunyakti Kilinc Seyma
Published: June 2021

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic tropical disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variation of hydatid cyst isolates obtained from surgically confirmed paediatric cases originating from two different regions in eastern Turkey. Seventeen paediatric cases aged between 6 and 16 were operated by open surgery, and the germinal layers of their cysts were obtained for further molecular analyses. After genomic DNA isolation, 875 bp mt-CO1 gene fragments were amplified in all samples by PCR. Then, the unidirectional sequence analyses of the PCR products were carried out. According to the BLAST analyses of 17 sequences, 16 of these sequences were matched with E. granulosus sensu stricto, while one sequence was identified as E. canadensis (G6/G7) for the first time in paediatric cases in Turkey. High haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity were observed in the E. granulosus s.s. sequences.
The excretory–secretory antigen HcADRM1 to generate protective immunity against Haemonchus contortus
Authors: Lu Mingmin , Tian Xiaowei , Wang Wenjuan , Zhang Yang , Aimulajiang Kalibixiati , Tian Ai-Ling , Li Charles , Yan Ruofeng , Xu Lixin , Song Xiaokai , Li Xiangrui
Published: June 2021

The prevention, treatment and control of Haemonchus contortus have been increasingly problematic due to its widespread occurrence and anthelmintic resistance. There are very few descriptions of recombinant antigens being protective for H. contortus, despite the success of various native antigen preparations, including Barbervax. We recently identified an H. contortus excretory–secretory antigen, H. contortus adhesion-regulating molecule 1 (HcADRM1), that served as an immunomodulator to impair host T-cell functions. Given the prophylactic potential of HcADRM1 protein as a vaccine candidate, we hereby assessed the efficacies of HcADRM1 preparations against H. contortus infection. Parasitological and immunological parameters were evaluated throughout all time points of the trials, including fecal egg counts (FEC), abomasal worm burdens, complete blood counts, cytokine production profiles and antibody responses. Active vaccination with recombinant HcADRM1 (rHcADRM1) protein induced protective immunity in inoculated goats, resulting in reductions of 48.9 and 58.6% in cumulative FEC and worm burdens. Simultaneously, passive administration of anti-HcADRM1 antibodies generated encouraging levels of protection with 46.7 and 56.2% reductions in cumulative FEC and worm burdens in challenged goats. In addition, HcADRM1 preparations-immunized goats showed significant differences in mucosal and serum antigen-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, total mucosal IgA levels, haemoglobin values and circulating interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17A production compared to control goats in both trials. The preliminary data of these laboratory trials validated the immunoprophylactic effects of rHcADRM1 protein. It can be pursued as a potential vaccine antigen to develop an effective recombinant subunit vaccine against H. contortus under field conditions.
Three Men in a Boat? How the Suminokura, Caron, and the Zheng Experienced the Regime Changes in East Asia (1600–1670): An Essay in Global Microhistory
Authors: Blussé Leonard
Published: June 2021

This article, originally presented as a public lecture at the occasion of the Fukuoka Prize Ceremony in September 2019, approaches from biographical and microhistorical perspectives the careers of three early-modern protagonists, Suminokura Ryōi, François Caron, and Zheng Zhilong, who were all involved in the maritime trade of the Eastern Seas. It shows how these Japanese, Dutch, and Chinese entrepreneurs became entangled with the epochal changes of regime in China and Japan in the first half of the seventeenth century, and concludes with remarks on their agency, loyalty, and legacy.
Making Sense of the Transformation of Religious Practices: A Critical Long-term Perspective from Pre- and Proto-historic Japan
Authors: Mizoguchi Koji
Published: June 2021

This paper proposes a novel procedural framework for the archaeological study of the long-term transformation of religious practices by heuristically defining the religious in terms of their functional-effective elements. Thus, religious activities constitute a distinct communicative domain that responds to and processes theuncertaintiesandrisksof the world. Drawing on this re-definition, this paper proposes a procedure comprising the following units of investigation: (A) what uncertainties and risks of the world were generated in and differentiated by a certain social formation; (B) how were they responded to and processed; and (C) how is the mode of the responding and processing changed as social formations are transformed? The applicability of this procedure is examined through a case study from the pre- and proto-historic periods of the Japanese archipelago. It is hoped that the framework reintroduces causally explanatory, comparative and long-term perspectives to the archaeological study of religious practices.
Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Peace, Equanimity, and Acceptance in the Cancer Experience (PEACE) questionnaire
Authors: Okamura Masako , Fujimori Maiko , Hata Kotone , Mori Masanori , Mack Jennifer W. , Prigerson Holly G. , Uchitomi Yosuke
Published: June 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Peace, Equanimity, and Acceptance in the Cancer Experience questionnaire (PEACE-J) and to evaluate the association between the PEACE subscales and Japanese patient characteristics.

Methods

A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among 412 patients with cancer. This survey assessed medical and demographic factors, such as the PEACE, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy — Spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp). The forward–backward translation method was used to develop the PEACE-J. The validity of PEACE-J was evaluated by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and correlation analysis between each subscale of PEACE and FACIT-Sp and CISS. The Cronbach's α and the item-total correlation of each subscale of the PEACE questionnaire were calculated to assess internal consistency reliability.

Results

The factor analysis yielded two subscales corresponding to the original version: Cronbach's α coefficients were 0.84 and 0.86 for the Peaceful Acceptance of Illness subscale and the Struggle with Illness subscale, respectively. The PEACE subscales and the FACIT-Sp subscales and the CISS subscales were moderately associated with each other, including the Peaceful Acceptance to each subscale of FACIT (r = 0.22–0.55, p < 0.01); and the Peaceful Acceptance and the Struggle with Illness to CISS emotion-oriented coping (r = −0.36 and r = 0.45, p < 0.01, respectively). Married patients showed higher levels of peaceful acceptance than unmarried patients (p < 0.001). Poorer performance status, chemotherapy use, and recurrence or metastasis were significantly associated with higher levels of struggle with illness (p < 0.001).

Significance of results

This study indicated that the PEACE-J is a valid and reliable measure of the patient's sense of acceptance, calmness or equanimity, and peace, as well as their sense of struggle or desperation concerning their illness.
Surfactant-guided spatial assembly of nano-architectures for molecular profiling of extracellular vesicles
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Zhao Haitao , Zhang Yan , Natalia Auginia , Ong Chin-Ann J. , Teo Melissa C. C. , So Jimmy B. Y. , Shao Huilin
Published: June 2021

The controlled assembly of nanomaterials into desired architectures presents many opportunities; however, current preparations lack spatial precision and versatility in developing complex nano-architectures. Inspired by the amphiphilic nature of surfactants, we develop a facile approach to guide nanomaterial integration – spatial organization and distribution – in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Named surfactant tunable spatial architecture (STAR), the technology leverages the varied interactions of surfactants with nanoparticles and MOF constituents, respectively, to direct nanoparticle arrangement while molding the growing framework. By surfactant matching, the approach achieves not only tunable and precise integration of diverse nanomaterials in different MOF structures, but also fast and aqueous synthesis, in solution and on solid substrates. Employing the approach, we develop a dual-probe STAR that comprises peripheral working probes and central reference probes to achieve differential responsiveness to biomarkers. When applied for the direct profiling of clinical ascites, STAR reveals glycosylation signatures of extracellular vesicles and differentiates cancer patient prognosis.
Fast-field-cycling ultralow-field nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion
Authors: Bodenstedt Sven , Mitchell Morgan W. , Tayler Michael C. D.
Published: June 2021

Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) based on alkali-atom vapors are ultra-sensitive devices for dc and low-frequency ac magnetic measurements. Here, in combination with fast-field-cycling hardware and high-resolution spectroscopic detection, we demonstrate applicability of OPMs in quantifying nuclear magnetic relaxation phenomena. Relaxation rate dispersion across the nT to mT field range enables quantitative investigation of extremely slow molecular motion correlations in the liquid state, with time constants > 1 ms, and insight into the corresponding relaxation mechanisms. The 10-20 fT/$$\sqrt{{\rm{H}}}{\rm{z}}$$

H

z
sensitivity of an OPM between 10 Hz and 5.5 kHz 1H Larmor frequency suffices to detect magnetic resonance signals from ~ 0.1 mL liquid volumes imbibed in simple mesoporous materials, or inside metal tubing, following nuclear spin prepolarization adjacent to the OPM. High-resolution spectroscopic detection can resolve inter-nucleus spin-spin couplings, further widening the scope of application to chemical systems. Expected limits of the technique regarding measurement of relaxation rates above 100 s−1 are discussed.
An epidemic Zika virus isolate suppresses antiviral immunity by disrupting antigen presentation pathways
Authors: Pardy Ryan D. , Valbon Stefanie F. , Cordeiro Brendan , Krawczyk Connie M. , Richer Martin J.
Published: June 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as an important global health threat, with the recently acquired capacity to cause severe neurological symptoms and to persist within host tissues. We previously demonstrated that an early Asian lineage ZIKV isolate induces a highly activated CD8 T cell response specific for an immunodominant epitope in the ZIKV envelope protein in wild-type mice. Here we show that a contemporary ZIKV isolate from the Brazilian outbreak severely limits CD8 T cell immunity in mice and blocks generation of the immunodominant CD8 T cell response. This is associated with a more sustained infection that is cleared between 7- and 14-days post-infection. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that infection with the Brazilian ZIKV isolate reduces the cross-presentation capacity of dendritic cells and fails to fully activate the immunoproteasome. Thus, our study provides an isolate-specific mechanism of host immune evasion by one Brazilian ZIKV isolate, which differs from the early Asian lineage isolate and provides potential insight into viral persistence associated with recent ZIKV outbreaks.
Neoantigens elicit T cell responses in breast cancer
Authors: Morisaki Takafumi , Kubo Makoto , Umebayashi Masayo , Yew Poh Yin , Yoshimura Sachiko , Park Jae-Hyun , Kiyotani Kazuma , Kai Masaya , Yamada Mai , Oda Yoshinao , Nakamura Yusuke , Morisaki Takashi , Nakamura Masafumi
Published: June 2021

Neoantigens are tumour-specific antigens that arise from non-synonymous mutations in tumour cells. However, their effect on immune responses in the tumour microenvironment remains unclear in breast cancer. We performed whole exome and RNA sequencing of 31 fresh breast cancer tissues and neoantigen prediction from non-synonymous single nucleotide variants (nsSNVs) among exonic mutations. Neoantigen profiles were determined by predictive HLA binding affinity (IC50 < 500 nM) and mRNA expression with a read count of ≥ 1. We evaluated the association between neoantigen load and expression levels of immune-related genes. Moreover, using primary tumour cells established from pleural fluid of a breast cancer patient with carcinomatous pleurisy, we induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by coculturing neoantigen peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) with autologous peripheral lymphocytes. The functions of CTLs were examined by cytotoxicity and IFN-γ ELISpot assays. Neoantigen load ranged from 6 to 440 (mean, 95) and was positively correlated to the total number of nsSNVs. Although no associations between neoantigen load and mRNA expression of T cell markers were observed, the coculture of neoantigen-pulsed DCs and lymphocytes successfully induced CTLs ex vivo. These results suggest that neoantigen analysis may have utility in developing strategies to elicit T cell responses.
Validating quantitative PCR assays for cfDNA detection without DNA extraction in exercising SLE patients
Authors: Neuberger Elmo W. I. , Brahmer Alexandra , Ehlert Tobias , Kluge Katrin , Philippi Keito F. A. , Boedecker Simone C. , Weinmann-Menke Julia , Simon Perikles
Published: June 2021

Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has been investigated as a screening tool for many diseases. To avoid expensive and time-consuming DNA isolation, direct quantification PCR assays can be established. However, rigorous validation is required to provide reliable data in the clinical and non-clinical context. Considering the International Organization for Standardization, as well as bioanalytical method validation guidelines, we provide a comprehensive procedure to validate assays for cfDNA quantification from blood plasma without DNA isolation. A 90 and 222 bp assay was validated to study the kinetics of cfDNA after exercise in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The assays showed ultra-low limit of quantification (LOQ) with 0.47 and 0.69 ng/ml, repeatability ≤ 11.6% (95% CI 8.1–20.3), and intermediate precision ≤ 12.1% (95% CI 9.2–17.7). Incurred sample reanalysis confirmed the precision of the procedure. The additional consideration of pre-analytical factors shows that centrifugation speed and temperature do not change cfDNA concentrations. In SLE patients cfDNA increases ~ twofold after a walking exercise, normalizing after 60 min of rest. The established assays allow reliable and cost-efficient quantification of cfDNA in minute amounts of plasma in the clinical setting. Additionally, the assay can be used as a tool to determine the impact of pre-analytical factors and validate cfDNA quantity and quality of isolated samples.
Multipotent adult progenitor cells induce regulatory T cells and promote their suppressive phenotype via TGFβ and monocyte-dependent mechanisms
Authors: Valentin-Torres Alice , Day Cora , Taggart Jennifer M. , Williams Nicholas , Stubblefield Samantha R. , Roobrouck Valerie D. , Beyens Jelle , Ting Anthony E.
Published: June 2021

Dysregulation of the immune system can initiate chronic inflammatory responses that exacerbate disease pathology. Multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC cells), an adult adherent bone-marrow derived stromal cell, have been observed to promote the resolution of uncontrolled inflammatory responses in a variety of clinical conditions including acute ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), graft vs host disease (GvHD), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). One of the proposed mechanisms by which MAPC cells modulate immune responses is via the induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs), however, the mechanism(s) involved remains to be fully elucidated. Herein, we demonstrate that, in an in vitro setting, MAPC cells increase Treg frequencies by promoting Treg proliferation and CD4+ T cell differentiation into Tregs. Moreover, MAPC cell-induced Tregs (miTregs) have a more suppressive phenotype characterized by increased expression of CTLA-4, HLA-DR, and PD-L1 and T cell suppression capacity. MAPC cells also promoted Treg activation by inducing CD45RA+ CD45RO+ transitional Tregs. Additionally, we identify transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) as an essential factor for Treg induction secreted by MAPC cells. Furthermore, inhibition of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) resulted in decreased Treg induction by MAPC cells demonstrating IDO involvement. Our studies also show that CD14+ monocytes play a critical role in Treg induction by MAPC cells. Our study describes MAPC cell dependent Treg phenotypic changes and provides evidence of potential mechanisms by which MAPC cells promote Treg differentiation.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by real-time PCR under challenging pre-analytical conditions reveals independence of swab media and cooling chain
Authors: Summer Sabrina , Schmidt Ralf , Herdina Anna Nele , Krickl Isabella , Madner Julia , Greiner Georg , Mayer Florian J. , Perkmann-Nagele Nicole , Strassl Robert
Published: June 2021

With global demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing ever rising, shortages in commercially available viral transport media pose a serious problem for laboratories and health care providers. For reliable diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, executed by Real-time PCR, the quality of respiratory specimens, predominantly determined by transport and storage conditions, is crucial. Therefore, our aim was to explore the reliability of minimal transport media, comprising saline or the CDC recommended Viral Transport Media (HBSS VTM), for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses (influenza A, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus) compared to commercial products, such as the Universal Transport Media (UTM). We question the assumptions, that the choice of medium and temperature for storage and transport affect the accuracy of viral detection by RT-PCR. Both alternatives to the commercial transport medium (UTM), HBSS VTM or saline, allow adequate detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, regardless of storage temperatures up to 28 °C and storage times up to 28 days. Our study revealed the high resilience of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, enabling proper detection in clinical specimens even after long-time storage at high temperatures, independent of the transport medium’s composition.
Metal-catalysed C–Het (F, O, S, N) and C–C bond arylation
Authors: Zhao Binlin , Rogge Torben , Ackermann Lutz , Shi Zhuangzhi
Published: June 2021

The formation of C–aryl bonds has been the focus of intensive research over the last decades for the construction of complex molecules from simple, readily available feedstocks.
Screening of high-efficiency and low-toxicity antitumor active components in Macleaya cordata seeds based on the competitive effect of drugs on double targets by a new laminar flow chip
Authors: Gao Yan , Peng Huaidong , Li Lisi , Wang Feng , Meng Jiang , Huang Hongling , Wang Shumei , Li Paul C. H. , Sun Yue
Published: June 2021

An integrated technology for the competitive affinity of two targets using three-phase laminar flow chips. A method for rapid screening of active components with high efficiency and low toxicity from an extract of a traditional Chinese medicine.
Exploring the contribution of charged species at the outer surface to the ion current signal of nanopores: a theoretical study
Authors: Mao Haowei , Ma Qun , Xu Hongquan , Xu Lei , Du Qiujiao , Gao Pengcheng , Xia Fan
Published: June 2021

Nanopores attached to charged species realize the artificial regulation of ion transport by the electrostatic effect in nanoconfines, produce a sensitive ion current signal and play a critical role in nanopore-based analyses.
Construction of a near-infrared fluorescent probe for ratiometric imaging of peroxynitrite during tumor progression
Authors: Li Zan , Lu Jiao , Pang Qing , You Jinmao
Published: June 2021

Endogenous ONOO− generation at the early stage of solid tumors was visualized and confirmed assisted by ratiometric fluorescent probe CDMS.
Smartphone digital image colorimetric determination of the total monomeric anthocyanin content in black rice via the pH differential method
Authors: Bennett Chonlada , Sookwong Phumon , Jakmunee Jaroon , Mahatheeranont Sugunya
Published: June 2021

Colour detection using smartphone digital image colorimetry for the determination of the total monomeric anthocyanin content obtained results comparable to those of spectrophotometry and HPLC-DAD.
Cumulene-like bridged indeno[1,2-b]fluorene π-conjugated polymers synthesized on metal surfaces
Authors: Martín-Fuentes Cristina , Urgel José I. , Edalatmanesh Shayan , Rodríguez-Sánchez Eider , Santos José , Mutombo Pingo , Biswas Kalyan , Lauwaet Koen , Gallego José M. , Miranda Rodolfo , Jelínek Pavel , Martín Nazario , Écija David
Published: June 2021

Synthesis and characterization by scanning probe microscopy of cumulene-like bridged indeno[1,2-b]fluorene π-conjugated polymers on coinage metals.