bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Landscape connectivity as a strategy to mitigate the risk of zoonoses from deforestation and defaunation
Authors: G. Leija Edgar , Mendoza Manuel E.
Published: December 2021

Actualmente, el ser humano ha rebasado la capacidad de resistencia de los ecosistemas ante disturbios ecológicos a nivel mundial. Los impactos antropogénicos sobre el planeta durante siglos han ocasionado la transformación de bosques y selvas a un ritmo acelerado y sin precedentes a diferentes escalas, principalmente por los cambios en el uso del suelo, particularmente la deforestación. El crecimiento exponencial de la población y la enorme desigualdad social que prevalece, así como el desperdicio exorbitante de alimentos representan desafíos importantes para alcanzar los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible en el mundo, debido al incremento en el uso de los recursos para satisfacer las necesidades humanas. Además, aumentan el riesgo de desencadenar enfermedades zoonóticas emergentes trasmitidas por animales silvestres en regiones tropicales, las cuales representan una amenaza para la salud pública. Ante este tipo de eventos, la conectividad del paisaje juega un papel clave en la conservación de la biodiversidad y en el mantenimiento de las funciones ecológicas, a través del desarrollo de herramientas para el análisis y planificación territorial. Lo que permitiría la restauración de los ecosistemas, la creación de corredores ecológicos principalmente para la protección de la fauna silvestre de mayor tamaño, así como disminuir el riesgo potencial de zoonosis y el desarrollo de estudios multidisciplinarios
Biocrust restoration: a key tool to recover degraded arid ecosystem functioning
Authors: Canton Castilla Yolanda , Roncero-Ramos Beatriz , Román Fernández Raul , Rodríguez Caballero Emilio , Chamizo de la Piedra Sonia
Published: December 2021

Las biocostras son comunidades de organismos autótrofos y heterótrofos que viven en la superficie del 12% de los suelos de la Tierra, donde actúan como ingenieras del ecosistema. Son muy sensibles al cambio climático y a las alteraciones ocasionadas por diferentes actividades antrópicas. En este trabajo, revisamos los impactos de ambos tipos de perturbaciones, que afectan negativamente a los ciclos biogeoquímicos, al balance de agua y al de energía, aceleran los procesos erosivos y la emisión de polvo y reducen la biodiversidad disminuyendo la capacidad de los ecosistemas para proveer servicios. Exploramos la capacidad de estas comunidades para recuperarse naturalmente, que, en general, requiere mucho tiempo el establecimiento de las comunidades de etapas sucesionales más tardías. Por ello, han surgido nuevas biotecnologías para acelerar su restauración, basadas en la inoculación de organismos formadores de biocostra. Se revisan los principales resultados de dos grupos de estrategias atendiendo al origen de los propágulos de biocostras: a) la translocación de fragmentos de biocostras de un área donante en favor de una degradada. Se recomienda para alteraciones planificadas en las que se use la biocostra existente antes de la alteración; b) cultivo a gran escala de organismos formadores de biocostra (cianobacterias, líquenes, musgos o la comunidad completa) en laboratorio o vivero para ser inoculados, posteriormente, en áreas degradadas. Finalmente, se identifican los retos futuros para maximizar el éxito de la restauración y conservación de las biocostras.
Monitoring and assessment of desertification using remote sensing
Authors: Hernandez-Clemente Rocío , Hornero Alberto
Published: December 2021

El análisis de cambio de los ecosistemas representa un aspecto clave para evaluar los impactos producidos por la desertificación. La desertificación afecta a suelos con gran inestabilidad y, en algunos casos, produce respuestas de cambio abruptas e irreversibles. Por ello, la evaluación y modelización de la dinámica espacio-temporal de la desertificación con teledetección es una gran prioridad de la investigación. Es importante evaluar cómo la desertificación afecta al porcentaje de la cubierta vegetal. Pero también es muy importante conocer cómo afecta a la distribución de especies y a su estado funcional. No obstante, existen aún muchos retos que debemos abarcar para optimizar la información obtenida de suelos degradados o tierras secas. Una de las principales limitaciones radica en la baja relación señal/ruido de la vegetación caracterizada por tener alta reflectancia de suelo y vegetación relativamente escasa y heterogénea. En este trabajo, identificamos algunos aspectos que mejorarían la fiabilidad de los análisis realizados con teledetección. En concreto recomendamos i) intensificar el estudio de indicadores incluyendo cambios de estructura, funcionalidad y composición, ii) mejorar la estimación de indicadores estructurales y funcionales usando modelos físicos y modelos avanzados de computación, iii) mejorar el estudio de cambios en diversidad incluyendo el efecto multiescala de muestreo y la resolución espacial de las imágenes, iv) analizar los procesos de cambio en estructura, funcionalidad y composición a partir de modelos dinámicos que contemplen los procesos de cambio y permitan mejorar la compresión del impacto de la desertificación en los servicios ecosistémicos.
An Introspective Overview of the Dynamics of Recurrent Events Data Analysis
Authors: Turkson Anthony Joe , Simpson Timothy , Addor John Awuah
Published: December 2021

A recurrent event remains the outcome variable of interest in many biometric studies. Recurrent events can be explained as events of defined interest that can occur to same person more than once during the study period. This study presents an overview of different pertinent recurrent models for analyzing recurrent events.

Aims: To introduce, compare, evaluate and discuss pros and cons of four models in analyzing recurrent events, so as to validate previous findings in respect of the superiority or appropriateness of these models.

Study Design:  A comparative studies based on simulation of recurrent event models applied to a tertiary data on cancer studies. 

Methodology: Codes in R were implemented for simulating four recurrent event models, namely; The Andersen and Gill model; Prentice, Williams and Peterson models; Wei, Lin and Weissferd; and Cox frailty model. Finally, these models were applied to analyze the first forty subjects from a study of Bladder Cancer Tumors. The data set contained the first four repetitions of the tumor for each patient, and each recurrence time was recorded from the entry time of the patient into the study. An isolated risk interval is defined by each time to an event or censoring.

Results: The choice and usage of any of the models lead to different conclusions, but the choice depends on: risk intervals; baseline hazard; risk set; and correlation adjustment or simplistically, type of data and research question. The PWP-GT model could be used if the research question is focused on whether treatment was effective for the  event since the previous event happened. However, if the research question is designed to find out whether treatment was effective for the  event since the start of treatment, then we could use the PWP- TT. The AG model will be adequate if a common baseline hazard could be assumed, but the model lacks the details and versatility of the event-specific models. The WLW model is very suitable for data with diverse events for the same person, which underscores a potentially different baseline hazard for each type.

Conclusion: PWP-GT has proven to be the most useful model for analyzing recurrent event data.
Study of Parental Polymorphism and Allelic Variation for Grain Quality and Yield Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Using SSR Markers
Authors: Rathi Sanket , Upadhyay Sameer , Singh P. K. , Kumar Rajesh , . Pallavi , Bisen Prashant , Loitongbam Bapsila , Snehi Sanchika
Published: December 2021

Aim: Identification of polymorphic markers is prerequisite for conducting any QTL mapping experiment because if the parents are polymorphic for the traits of interest, then further selection of plants in the progenies becomes easy. Hence, the objective of the present study was to identify polymorphic markers for grain quality and yield traits among the parental lines Improved Samba Mahsuri and Badshabhog.

Place and Duration of Study: It was carried out at Molecular Breeding Lab, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221 005, India, during 2019.

Methodology: Two parents Improved Samba Mahsuri and Badshabhog were used for the present study. The DNA extraction was done as per the CTAB method suggested by Murray and Thompson. Standard PCR protocol was followed.

Results: For parental polymorphism survey, a total of 576 randomly selected SSR markers including 26 gene specific markers related to aroma, cooking and eating quality, grain dimension and yield related traits distributed across the 12 chromosomes of rice were used. Overall, 96 markers including 4 gene specific markers were found to be polymorphic between the two genotypes indicating a total polymorphism percentage of 16.67%. The highest polymorphism percentage was recorded on chromosome 6 (26.67%) followed by chromosome 4 (21.43%) and the lowest polymorphism percentage was observed on chromosome 10 (8.93%). The gene specific markers nksbad2, ARO7, BADEX7_5 and SSI were found to be polymorphic.

Conclusion: Based on the present study it may be concluded that the polymorphic markers identified will further be utilized in genotyping of F2:3 population, linkage analysis and mapping QTL’s for grain quality and yield traits.
Estimating Genetic Parameters for DSSAT CROPGRO-Cotton Model Calibration and Validation
Authors: Srinivasan G. , Pazhanivelan S. , Krishnasamy S. Murali , Sudarmanian N. S. , Rajeswari S. , Kannan Balaji
Published: December 2021

DSSAT CROPGRO-Cotton Model (version 4.7.5) was generally used to forecast the effect of climate change on productivity. The objective of this study was to calibrate and validate this model in Tamil Nadu, India for simulation of development, growth and seed cotton yield of Suraj cotton cultivars under varied planting dates viz., 28th July, 11th August, 18th August, 25th August, 8th September and 15th September. The model was calibrated with data (phenology, biomass and yield components) collected during 2019. Calibration of CROPGRO-Cotton model with genetic coefficients of cultivar Suraj for seed cotton yield (kg ha-1). Simulation of days to flowering, days from planting to first pod and physiological maturity, LAI and seed cotton yield with normalized RMSE (NRMSE) values of less than 10% across all the various planting dates densities were considered excellent. Finally, we discovered that planting at the right time can mitigate many of the negative effects of fluctuating weather on cotton productivity. As a result conclude that DSSAT model will be used to make decision on cotton planting in changing climates.
Alternations in Biochemical Components in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Plants Infected with Chilli Leaf Curl Viral Disease
Authors: Chaubey A. N. , Mishra R. S.
Published: December 2021

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is an important spice crop grown all over the world. Chilli leaf curl, a viral disease outbreak in almost every chilli grown area causing significant yield losses. An experiment was conducted to analyze the biochemical changes in infected and healthy plant of chilli. The chlorophyll a, b and total were highest in healthy leaves then infected leaves. Moreover, severely infected leaves have lower amounts of chlorophyll contents. Out of nine cultivars total phenol and tannin contents were found maximum in Gucchedar, POL-75 and Byddagi Kaddi in comparison to highly susceptible cultivars Musa Badi, Phuley Joyti and NPKT-2.
Surgical Management of Acute Sphenoid Sinusitis: A Review
Authors: Abood Hashem Bark Awadh , Alshammari Talal Habib , AlMutairi Majed Mubarak , Alkhaldi Abdulaziz Abdulrazaq , Alessa Othman Saleh , Almutairi Hussain Ali , Elkheder Abdelkhalig Rhamtalla Mohammed , K. Alenzi Majed Mahmoud , Ageeli Fatimah Essa , F. Ramadan Yousuf Loai , Almaslouk Mohammed Saleh , Alanaziy Dnya Saleh Affat , Zarei Mohammad Ali Hassan
Published: December 2021

Sphenoidal sinusitis is usually described as acute inflammation of the sphenoid sinuses - either one or both - (the two large cavities just behind the nose and between the eyes). The disease is relatively uncommon—comparatively, chronic sphenoid sinusitis is more common—and may be limited to the sphenoid sinus or, more commonly, may involve multiple sinuses or pansinusitis.  Acute sphenoid sinusitis can lead to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and even complications in the orbit. For low vision, early diagnosis and treatment is essential to preserve vision and life. This study aims Learn about surgical approaches to the treatment of acute sinusitis
Relaxation Effect of Extract Ethanol Curcuma Longa on Isolated Guine Pig Trachea
Authors: Yanita Hidayati , Ginting Chrismis Novalinda , Chiuman Linda , Ferdinand Sahna
Published: December 2021

Aims: Asthma is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which is a world health problem that is not only infected in developed countries but also in developing countries. According to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP), asthma can be defined as a chronic inflammatory disorder that occurs in the airways, which involves inflammatory cells. curcumin reduces allergic airway inflammation in mice through inhibition of a specific pathway aimed at investigating the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin in acute allergic asthma and its underlying mechanisms in mice.

Study Design: This study is experimental study.

Methodology: The experimental animals were divided into 2 groups, each group consisting of 4 animals. Group 1 gave theophline as a positive control group and group 2 was given extracts with concentrations (1 mg / ml, 2 mg / ml, 3 mg / ml, 4 mg / ml, 5 mg / ml, 6 mg / ml, 7 mg / ml and 8 mg / ml). These animals are acclimatized for 1 (one) week with the aim of homogenizing their food and life with the same conditions so that they are considered eligible for research.

Results: The ethanol extract of curcuma longa has no different ability from atropine sulfate 1 x 10-6 M in reducing the smooth muscle contraction of isolated guinea pig tracheal induced by acetylcholine, the strength of acetylcholine without incubation contraction compared to acetylcholine with EETH incubation showed statistically different results (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The mechanism of the relaxing effect of curcuma longa on isolated mouse smooth muscle is mediated through inhibition of the PDE enzyme.
Does Financial Deepening Cause Liquidity Problems for Banks? Evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Peter Akinyemi Kayode, , Adelagun Ajayi, David , Temitope Awosusi, Charles
Published: December 2021

Attempt to facilitate economic growth makes the Central Banks to formulate monetary policies that seek to deepen the provision of financial resources to target sectors. Since Banks are the main channels through which monetary policies are executed, we attempted to examine whether financial deepening cause liquidity problem among Nigerian banks in this study. We employed time series analytical techniques to analyze selected financial deepening indicators and data for banking system liquidity between 1981 and 2019. The financial deepening variables used include of broad money to the gross domestic product (GDP) ratio; credit to private sector to the GDP ratio; ratio of commercial banks liabilities to the GDP; financial sector contribution to the GDP and ratio of market capitalization to the GDP. On the other hand, the liquidity of the banking system is proxy by its loan/deposit ratio for the period under study. We estimated the statistical properties of the variables examined and conducted some pre-estimation tests (stationarity and co-integration) to ascertain choice estimation techniques. We used a vector error correction mechanism to investigate long and short-run effects of financial deepening on Nigerian banking system liquidity. Both the long run vector autoregressive (VAR) and the short run and vector error correction (VEC) models results showed that there is a positive but statistically insignificant relationship between banking system liquidity and financial deepening variables. In addition, the results of the Granger causality between the dependent and independent variables revealed that there exists no causal relationship between the liquidity of the banking system and financial deepening. These findings imply that financial deepening did not impair banks’ liquidity position in Nigeria during the years under review. The study concluded that financial deepening does not cause liquidity problem for banks in Nigeria; rather, if well managed, can have positive effect on it. In the light of this, the study recommends that banks should re-strategize in the implementation of financial deepening policies that are liquidity friendly and that the Central Bank of Nigeria, should formulate policies that will not only focus on credit and loan beneficiaries, but also on the banks.
Multicolor Transparent‐Conductive‐Electrode Free Electronic Paper based on Steel Foil and Water Electrolyte with pH Indicator Dyes
Authors: Rozman Martin
Published: December 2021

Electronic paper devices, also known as electrochromic devices, are known for their ability to change color and remain in a particular color state even after the electric power is turned off. Traditional devices such as electrochromic windows use mechanisms such as electrophoresis or intercalation and use special materials such as anhydrous electrolytes and transparent conductive materials (TCMs). As a result, these devices can sometimes be relatively difficult to assemble, especially in developing countries where such materials are difficult to obtain. Recently, some improvements are made by using alternative electrode positioning that do not require TCM. Here, a novel multicolor display module that is recyclable, can be fabricated from readily available materials, and can be scaled according to the desired screen size is presented. The presented device is a semi‐open electrochemical device that uses pH indicator dyes and an aqueous electrolyte solution in combination with readily available stainless steel sheet.
Weather permitting: Increased seasonal efficiency of nonshivering thermogenesis through brown adipose tissue activation in the winter
Authors: Niclou Alexandra , Ocobock Cara
Published: December 2021

Objectives

We investigated seasonal changes in brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation and metabolism in a temperate‐climate Albany, NY population.

Methods

Data were collected among 58 participants (21 males, 37 females, ages: 18–51) in the summer and 59 participants (23 males, 36 females, ages: 18–63) in the winter in Albany, New York. BAT activity was inferred by comparing metabolic rate, heat dissipation in the supraclavicular area, and respiratory quotient at room temperature and cold exposure. Seasonal variation in BAT was determined by comparing these measurements from summer and winter.

Results

At mild cold exposure, heat dissipation of the supraclavicular area was significantly greater in the winter compared to summer (p < .001); however, no significant differences were found between seasons in metabolic rate measurements. This suggests BAT activation may be metabolically more efficient in the winter, due to prolonged lower seasonal temperatures relative to summer. Respiratory quotient significantly increased upon mild cold exposure in the winter compared to summer (p < .001). While carbohydrate utilization increased in the winter, fat remained the primary metabolic substrate for BAT activity across both seasons.

Conclusion

The seasonal variations in the effects of nonshivering thermogenesis on metabolic rate and substrate metabolism suggest a buffering of energy expenditure and an increased use of glucose as fuel by BAT as a result of acclimatization to cold in the winter. These findings point towards a potential role of BAT in human whole‐body mediated glucose disposal and cold adaptation.
Electrically Conductive MoS2 Reinforced Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Balasubramaniam Bhuvaneshwari , Arun Kumar Shreedevi , Singh Kanwar Abhay , Bhunia Sukanya , Verma Kartikey , Tian Limei , Gupta Raju Kumar , Gaharwar Akhilesh K.
Published: December 2021

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanostructures are layered 2D transition metal dichalcogenide with unique physical, chemical, and biological properties. These properties can further be optimized during the synthesis process by introducing atomic defects within the layered nanostructure of MoS2. Herein, MoS2 nanostructure with varying defect density is synthesized and highly hydrophilic MoS2 nanostructure is shown to be obtained by increasing the atomic defects. This hydrophilic MoS2 nanostructure is further incorporated within electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers to improve the physical and chemical properties. Uniform distribution of MoS2 nanoassemblies is observed within the PAN nanofibers. Significant increase in electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical strength of PAN nanofibers are obtained due to MoS2 addition. Interestingly, the addition of MoS2 nanostructure resulted in enhanced protein adsorption as well as cytocompatibility of these hybrid PAN‐MoS2 nanofibers due to hydrophilic characteristics of MoS2 nanoassemblies. It is expected that these hybrid PAN‐MoS2 nanofibers can potentially be used for a variety of biomedical applications including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing.
A lipidomic approach for profiling and distinguishing seed oils of Hibiscus manihot L., flaxseed, and oil sunflower
Authors: Yang Feiyun , Zhang Bao , Chen Baiting , Yang Nafei , Wang Ruigang , Zhang Xiujuan , Li Guojing
Published: December 2021

As important oil crops in Inner Mongolia, sunflower, and flaxseed had distinct lipid profiles in seeds. As an emerging cash crop, Hibiscus manihot L. has strong potential market competitiveness. In this study, the lipidome, fatty acid composition and quality characteristics of flaxseed, H. manihot L., and sunflower seed oils were analyzed and compared. A total of 270 distinct lipids were identified and analyzed with an emerging detection approach—lipidomics, which illustrated the tremendous difference among the samples. triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol and polar lipids were the most abundant lipids in all samples. H. manihot L. seeds contained higher saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and lower polyunsaturated fatty acids. H. manihot L. seed oil had the longest oxidative stability index time, high content of vitamin E and total phenolics, while flaxseed oil embodied the lowest oxidative stability. The peroxide value and acid value of the three oils were within the allowable range of Chinese national standards.
Governance networks in the delivery of public healthcare services in the Pacific: Implementation of the Bougainville Healthy Communities Programme
Authors: Ugyel Lhawang
Published: December 2021

Networks play a vital role in the delivery of public services, especially in countries where governments are constrained by capacity and funds. This study develops a framework of governance networks based on two dimensions: at the national and community levels, and within the governmental and non‐governmental sectors. Based on the framework, this article analyses the governance networks of the Bougainville Healthy Communities Programme (BHCP) and their nature of integration and collaboration. BHCP mainly operates as a public healthcare advocacy program in Bougainville, an underdeveloped autonomous region of Papua New Guinea. BHCP’s success reveals that the nature of interaction among the various actors is key to making governance networks work. Its experience demonstrates that governance networks are important in the effective delivery of services, particularly in countries where the governments face financial and human resources shortages.
Impact of Cytokine Inhibitor Therapy on the Prevalence, Seroconversion Rate, and Longevity of the Humoral Immune Response Against SARS–CoV‐2 in an Unvaccinated Cohort
Authors: Simon David , Tascilar Koray , Kleyer Arnd , Fagni Filippo , Krönke Gerhard , Meder Christine , Dietrich Peter , Orlemann Till , Kliem Thorsten , Mößner Johanna , Liphardt Anna‐Maria , Schönau Verena , Bohr Daniela , Schuster Louis , Hartmann Fabian , Leppkes Moritz , Ramming Andreas , Pachowsky Milena , Schuch Florian , Ronneberger Monika , Kleinert Stefan , Hueber Axel J. , Manger Karin , Manger Bernhard , Atreya Raja , Berking Carola , Sticherling Michael , Neurath Markus F. , Schett Georg
Published: December 2021

Objective

To investigate the impact of biologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) treatment on the prevalence, seroconversion rate, and longevity of the humoral immune response against SARS–CoV‐2 in patients with immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs).

Methods

Anti–SARS–CoV‐2 IgG antibodies were measured in a prospective cohort of health care professional controls and non–health care controls and IMID patients receiving no treatment or receiving treatment with conventional or biologic DMARDs during the first and second COVID‐19 waves. Regression models adjusting for age, sex, sampling time, and exposure risk behavior were used to calculate relative risks (RRs) of seropositivity. Seroconversion rates were assessed in participants with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–positive SARS–CoV‐2 infection. Antibody response longevity was evaluated by reassessing participants who tested positive during the first wave.

Results

In this study, 4,508 participants (2,869 IMID patients and 1,639 controls) were analyzed. The unadjusted RR (0.44 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.31–0.62]) and adjusted RR (0.50 [95% CI 0.34–0.73]) for SARS–CoV‐2 IgG antibodies were significantly lower in IMID patients treated with bDMARDs compared to non–health care controls (P < 0.001), primarily driven by treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) inhibitors, and IL‐23 inhibitors. Adjusted RRs for untreated IMID patients (1.12 [95% CI 0.75–1.67]) and IMID patients receiving conventional synthetic DMARDs (0.70 [95% CI 0.45–1.08]) were not significantly different from non–health care controls. Lack of seroconversion in PCR‐positive participants was more common among bDMARD‐treated patients (38.7%) than in non–health care controls (16%). Overall, 44% of positive participants lost SARS–CoV‐2 antibodies by follow‐up, with higher rates in IMID patients treated with bDMARDs (RR 2.86 [95% CI 1.43–5.74]).

Conclusion

IMID patients treated with bDMARDs have a lower prevalence of SARS–CoV‐2 antibodies, seroconvert less frequently after SARS–CoV‐2 infection, and may exhibit a reduced longevity of their humoral immune response.
Association of placental pathology and gross morphology with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Soullane Safiya , Spence Andrea R. , Abenhaim Haim A.
Published: December 2021

This study evaluated the association between placental pathology and gross morphology and the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We conducted a matched case–control study of children with confirmed ASD who were born between 2000 and 2017 at one of three university‐affiliated hospitals in Montreal, Quebec. Cases, who were identified through the Montreal Children's Hospital Autism Spectrum Disorders Program, were matched to babies (1:5) born at the same hospital and on the same day. Multi‐fetal births were excluded. Maternal demographics, pregnancy characteristics and placental pathologies were collected from hospital charts by abstractors blind to autism diagnoses. This current study consisted of data from a single‐site that had pathology reports available. Pearson chi‐square and Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests were used to estimate p‐values. Our study consisted of 107 ASD cases and 526 matched controls. Mothers of cases and controls were similar in terms of parity, gravidity, smoking status, BMI, rates of clinical chorioamnionitis, chronic hypertension, and gestational diabetes. Age at delivery of <25 years was more common among mothers of controls. Compared with controls, cases were more likely born male, <32 weeks of gestation, and weighing <1500 g. Cases and controls had similar rates of placental inflammation, vasculitis, and other placental pathologies. There were no differences in placental weight, placental thickness, umbilical cord length, and umbilical cord insertion between the two groups. In conclusion, placental pathology and gross morphology do not appear to be associated with ASD, suggesting that any perinatal determinants of autism are not likely to be mediated through placental pathology.

Lay Summary

Data from a matched case–control study consisting of neonates born between 2000 and 2017 at one of three McGill‐affiliated hospitals were used to examine the relationship between placental pathology and morphology and the development of autism. No differences in placental pathology and gross morphology were found between those with and without autism, which suggests that placental abnormalities are unlikely to either cause or mediate the development of autism.
A preliminary examination of social preference across assessors
Authors: Huntington Rachelle , Schwartz Ilene
Published: December 2021

Three assessors conducted paired stimulus preference assessments with an adult with autism spectrum disorder, his mother, a staff member, and an unknown researcher. Results indicated that the participant preferred different social interactions with his mother, as compared to the other assessors. In a follow‐up reinforcer assessment, the social interactions identified as most preferred for each assessor produced higher frequency responding when compared to no consequence or nonmatching preference conditions. Results suggest that preference for social interactions may vary based on the assessor. Implications regarding the impact of the assessor in social preference assessments are discussed.
Knowledge and use of prognostic scales by oncologists and palliative care physicians in adult patients with advanced cancer: A national survey (ONCOPRONO study)
Authors: Dantigny Raphaëlle , Ecarnot Fiona , Economos Guillaume , Perceau‐Chambard Elise , Sanchez Stéphane , Barbaret Cécile
Published: December 2021

Background

Prognostic scales exist to estimate patient survival in advanced cancer. However, there are no studies evaluating their use and practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate in a nationwide study the proportion of oncologists and palliative care physicians who had knowledge of these scales.

Methods

A descriptive, national, cross‐sectional study was conducted via an online questionnaire to oncologists and palliative care physicians across France.

Results

Palliative care physicians had better knowledge of the scales than oncologists (42.3% (n = 74) vs. 27.8% (n = 33), p = 0.015). The Palliative Performance Status (PPS) and Pronopall Scale were the best‐known (51.4% (n = 55) and 65.4% (n = 70), respectively) and the most widely used (35% (n = 28) and 60% (n = 48), respectively). Improved training in the use of these scales was requested by 85.4% (n = 251) of participants, while 72.8% (n = 214) reported that they did not use them at all. Limited training and lack of consensus on which scale to use were cited as the main obstacles to use.

Conclusion

This is the first national study on the use of prognostic scales in advanced cancer. Our findings highlight a need to improve training in these scales and to reach a consensus on scale selection.
Proteome analysis of NRF2 inhibition in melanoma reveals CD44 up‐regulation and increased apoptosis resistance upon vemurafenib treatment
Authors: Weitzenböck Hans Peter , Gschwendtner Anna , Wiesner Christoph , Depke Maren , Schmidt Frank , Trautinger Franz , Hengstschläger Markus , Hundsberger Harald , Mikula Mario
Published: December 2021

Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and NRF2 has been proposed as a main regulator of tumor cell malignancy. Still the mechanisms how NRF2 is contributing to melanoma progression are incompletely understood. Here we analyzed the effects of either NRF2 induction or depletion, and we also quantified changes on the whole cell proteome level. Our results showed that inhibition of NRF2 leads to a loss of reactive oxygen species protection, but at the same time to an induction of an epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and an up‐regulation of the stem cell marker CD44. Additionally, cells devoid of NRF2 showed increased cell viability after treatment with a MYC and a BRAF inhibitor. Importantly, survival upon vemurafenib treatment was dependent on CD44 expression. Finally, analysis of archival melanoma patient samples confirmed a vice versa relationship of NRF2 and CD44 expression. In summary, we recorded changes in the proteome after NRF2 modulation in melanoma cells. Surprisingly, we identified that NRF2 inhibition lead to induction of an EMT phenotype and an increase in survival of cells after apoptosis induction. Therefore, we propose that it is important for future therapies targeting NRF2 to consider blocking EMT promoting pathways in order to achieve efficient tumor therapy.
High‐Energy Aqueous Asymmetric Supercapacitors via Synergistic Design of Electrodes Derived from Hierarchical Vanadium Dioxide Nanocomposites
Authors: He Qichang , Peng Zhongyou , Li Shulong , Tan Licheng , Chen Yiwang
Published: December 2021

The energy density of aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) is confined by the narrow voltage and the mismatching between cathode and anode. Vanadium dioxide (VO2) can contemporaneously operate in both negative and positive potential windows for efficient aqueous ASCs. Nonetheless, their intrinsically inferior cycling stability and capacity seriously restrain the overall capacitive properties. Herein, a novel manganese dioxide (MnO2) coated VO2 (VO2@MnO2) with hierarchical structure is firstly fabricated as cathode with enlarged potential (0 to 1.2 V) and superb specific capacitance (608.9 F g−1 at 1.0 A g−1). Subsequently, VO2 coated by a thin layer of carbon (VO2@C) owning high electric conductivity and superb structure stability is designed to match with VO2@MnO2 cathode. Eventually, the VO2@C//VO2@MnO2 aqueous ASCs exhibit stable voltage (2.2 V), maximal energy density (77.1 Wh kg−1) and favourable cycling stability. This research inspires the design and preparation of matchable electrode materials, providing a feasible method for the development of aqueous ASCs with broad voltage.
Morphology of human ear canal and its effect on sound transmission
Authors: Zhou Lei , Shen Na , Feng Miaolin , Liu Houguang , Duan Maoli , Huang Xinsheng
Published: December 2021

The ear canal (EC) is essential for sound transfer and crucial for hearing. Some pathological conditions may modify its morphology, leading to EC sound pressure redistribution, and stapes footplate displacement (FPD) gain alteration. However, no consensus regarding pathological EC and its impact on sound transfer has yet been achieved. To address the effect of morphology of EC on sound pressure redistribution and FPD gain. Varied pathological EC finite element (FE) models were constructed and analyzed based on FE analysis. The results indicated that canal wall down mastoidectomy decreases the second resonance frequency of the EC. The canal wall down mastoidectomy, with conchaplasty increased the first resonance frequency, but decreased the second along with the interval sound pressure gain increased, following which the FPD gain was altered. Stenosis of the EC at the internal portion decreased the second resonance frequency with minimal effect to the first part. When the stenosis moved to the outer portion of the EC, the first resonance frequency decreased, and the second one increased, along with the interval sound pressure gain decreased and FPD gain. Finally, the simplified EC model exerted a minimal effect on sound transfer. The minimal change in EC, such as simplification, straightening, canal wall down mastoidectomy, or enlargement, moderately affects the sound transfer; however, the EC stenosis deteriorates the sound transfer remarkably.
Dyad integrative behavior and negotiation outcomes
Authors: McGuire Stephen J. J. , Reilly Peter R. , Zhang Yang , Prabhu Veena P.
Published: December 2021

The study's goal was to examine the relationship between dyad integrative behavior and the frequency and quality of negotiated outcomes: achieving a negotiated agreement (“getting to yes”), the quality of the agreement and the parties' satisfaction with the deal reached. We hypothesized that integrative behavior mediated the relationship between dyad personal characteristics and negotiation outcomes after controlling for negotiation skill. Data were collected from 134 MBA dyads. We found that dyad integrative behavior predicted arriving at a negotiated agreement, satisfaction with outcomes and the creativity, practicality, and quality of agreements. Integrative behavior mediated the relationship between dyad personal characteristics (homogeneity in gender, country of origin, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and competing preference) and some negotiation outcomes. In conclusion, as a social exchange, negotiation is largely successful to the extent that negotiators demonstrate behavior that is fair, straightforward and rational. The study contributes to the evidence of the predictive power of dyad integrative behavior on negotiation outcomes.
Variability of the essential oil composition of cultivated populations of Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl
Authors: Sánchez‐Vioque Raúl , Herraiz‐Peñalver David , Melero Bravo Enrique , Ortiz de Elguea‐Culebras Gonzalo , Herrero Baudilio , Santiago Yolanda , Bueno Marta , Pérez‐Magarino Silvia , del Carmen Asensio S. Manzanera María
Published: December 2021

Spanish sage or lavender sage (Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl) is an aromatic plant with a high economic potential in agriculture because of its rusticity and low chemical inputs. However, the presence of numerous chemotypes hinders the supply of homogeneous crops to the industry and makes the selection and the standardising of the plant material necessary. With this aim, our group achieved an extensive population survey of this species across the Iberian Peninsula to investigate the variability of this species and started a selection program based in multienvironment trials. Thus, 12 wild populations of S. lavandulifolia have been grown in two different localities and their dry biomass production, yield, and composition of essential oil have been monitored during 2 yr of cultivation to evaluate the effect of the genotype × environment interaction on these traits. Each population presented a clearly differentiated composition of the essential oil, although camphor (15.3% average), 1,8‐cineole (15.0%), α‐pinene (11.3%), β‐pinene (8.5%), and limonene (7.5%) were the main compounds. Other compounds like p‐cymene, γ‐terpinene, bornyl acetate, spathulenol, or viridiflorol were only present in some samples. The yield of essential oil ranged from 0.9 to 2.3 g per 100 g dry biomass, and the dry biomass from 76 to 322 g plant−1. Despite the high variability of these traits, we inferred that the essential oil composition in S. lavandulifolia is chiefly determined by genetics which suggests that individual plants (clones) with a favorable composition for a specific application could be selected and bred with a homogeneous quality over time.
Electrochemically mediated multi‐modal detection strategy‐driven sensor platform to detect and quantify pesticides
Authors: Dhamu Vikram Narayanan , Poudyal Durgasha C. , Telang Chaitra Milan , Paul Anirban , Muthukumar Sriram , Prasad Shalini
Published: December 2021

With the emergence of modern agronomy practices and the use of multiple synthetic pesticide agents to keep control over crop and field throughput, there lies a broad requirement for smart, accessible technologies to track pesticide contaminants in food, water, and other environmental matrices. In this work, we report at a proof of feasibility level, a sensor system to perform pesticide detection in aqueous buffers for two pesticides at the opposite ends of polarity (Atrazine and Glyphosate) in a serially combinatorial manner. The sensor construct employs a universal FR‐4 substrate gold interdigitated electrodes with active sensing elements based on selective antibodies (proteins) and polymeric network structures – poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene). Further, to determine metrics of sensor deployment in real‐case scenarios: multi‐modal (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry) and multi‐approach strategies (affinity‐binding and receptor‐free) were used to obtain sensing measurements. Higher specificity repeatable outputs were obtained with the affinity‐based method while greater sensitivity by means of dynamic range (0.5 ng/ml–10 μg/ml for Glyphosate and 10 fg/ml–1 ng/ml for Atrazine) and limit of detection (0.5 ng/ml for Glyphosate and 1 fg/ml for Atrazine) was determined via receptor‐free direct approach for both pesticides. This serves as a first‐step study to perform potential combinatorial assessment and subsequently‐multiplexed analysis of pesticide antigens.
The mid‐point Green‐Gauss gradient method and its efficient implementation in a 3D unstructured finite volume solver
Authors: Athkuri Sai Saketha Chandra , Nived Mammavalappil Rajan , Eswaran Vinayak
Published: December 2021

To achieve consistent second‐order spatial accuracy in cell‐centered finite volume methods using the divergence theorem, the gradient computation at the cell‐centers should at least be first‐order accurate, which is not assured by the Traditional Green‐Gauss (TGG) method on irregular meshes. The Circle Green‐Gauss (CGG) method, however, achieves this by constructing a new auxiliary volume (AV) around the cell of interest using a circle and then employs linear interpolation to obtain estimates of the solution at the face centers of this AV, which are then used to compute the cell‐center gradients. We propose a modified method, which we call the mid‐point Green‐Gauss method (mpGG), that alleviates the complexity in the implementation while maintaining the same accuracy as the CGG method. We offer detailed construction of the three‐dimensional AV for the most commonly used multi‐hydral elements in unstructured meshes, that is, hexahedral, pyramidal, prism, and tetrahedral cells, using an in‐house finite volume solver that reads and writes data based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) General Notation System (CGNS). Accuracy analysis of the proposed method is carried out in comparison with the TGG, CGG, and weighted least squares methods. The proposed method is further validated using the case of laminar flow over a sphere at a Reynolds number of 100. An inviscid vortex dissipation study is performed to compare the level of numerical dissipation produced by these methods. Further, we study the performance of these methods in a problem that involves turbulent shock‐wave boundary layer interaction.
First fossil foliage record in the red beds from the Upper Jurassic in the Sichuan Basin, southern China
Authors: Zhang Li , Wang Yongdong , Cui Yiming , Tian Ning , Xie Xiaoping , Xie Aowei , Dong Chong , Xi Shuna
Published: December 2021

Terrestrial red beds are extensively developed in the Upper Jurassic of the Sichuan Basin, southern China, where few fossils have been documented. Recently, abundant silicified wood specimens were found in the central Sichuan Basin, but no plant foliage fossils have been recorded from the same strata. Here, we report the first leafy shoot fossils collected from the red beds of the Upper Jurassic Penglaizhen Formation in Shehong City, central Sichuan Basin. Based on careful comparisons with potential Mesozoic conifer fossils, they were assigned to Pagiophyllum, an extinct conifer taxon of the family Cheirolepidicaceae. The generic classification agreed with the palaeovegetation features of the Penglaizhen Formation which were represented by gymnosperms of Araucariaceae (Agathoxylon‐type wood) and Cheirolepidiaceae (Brachyoxylon‐type wood). The non‐coexistence between the leafy shoot fossil and the petrified wood depicted a unique process of fossil preservation, which may be related to the palaeo‐flood events in this area. The palaeoclimate background during the Late Jurassic of Shehong was suggested to be a hot and semi‐arid or arid condition, supported by the Classopollis‐dominated (75–90%) pollen assemblage from the Penglaizhen Formation. The fossil foliage was collected from lacustrine or fluvial sediments. This suggests that the rainy season is a key factor in the development of regional lakes or rivers and flood events, which offered a suitable local environment for plant growth and helped construct a more complex ecological system, allowing a variety of creatures to survive in the central Sichuan Basin area.
Influence of liver stiffness heterogeneity on staging fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Kawamura Nobuyoshi , Imajo Kento , Kalutkiewicz Kyle J. , Nagai Koki , Iwaki Michihiro , Kobayashi Takashi , Nogami Asako , Honda Yasushi , Kessoku Takaomi , Ogawa Yuji , Higurashi Takuma , Hosono Kunihiro , Takahashi Hirokazu , Yoneda Masato , Saito Satoru , Aishima Shinichi , Toyoda Hidenori , Hayashi Hideki , Sumida Yoshio , Ehman Richard L. , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: December 2021

Background and Aims

Despite that hepatic fibrosis often affects the liver globally, spatial distribution can be heterogeneous. This study aimed to investigate the effect of liver stiffness (LS) heterogeneity on concordance between MR elastography (MRE)‐based fibrosis staging and biopsy staging in patients with NAFLD.

Approach and Results

We retrospectively evaluated data from 155 NAFLD patients who underwent liver biopsy and 3 Tesla MRE and undertook a retrospective validation study of 169 NAFLD patients at three hepatology centers. Heterogeneity of stiffness was assessed by measuring the range between minimum and maximum MRE‐based LS measurement (LSM). Variability of LSM was defined as the stiffness range divided by the maximum stiffness value. The cohort was divided into two groups (homogenous or heterogeneous), according to whether variability was below or above the average for the training cohort. Based on histopathology and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, optimum LSM thresholds were determined for MRE‐based fibrosis staging of stage 4 (4.43, kPa; AUROC, 0.89) and stage ≥3 (3.93, kPa; AUROC, 0.89). In total, 53 had LSM above the threshold for stage 4. Within this group, 30 had a biopsy stage of <4. In 86.7% of these discordant cases, variability of LSM was classified as heterogeneous. In MRE‐based LSM stage ≥3, 88.9% of discordant cases were classified as heterogeneous. Results of the validation cohort were similar to those of the training cohort.

Conclusions

Discordance between biopsy‐ and MRE‐based fibrosis staging is associated with heterogeneity in LSM, as depicted with MRE.