bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Frailty Screening: a Domain Mapping Exercise
Authors: Van Damme Jill K. , Lemmon Kassandra , Oremus Mark , Neiterman Elena , Stolee Paul
Published: June 2021

Background

Many definitions and operationalisations of frailty exclude psychosocial factors, such as social isolation and mental health, despite considerable evidence of the links between frailty and these factors. This study aimed to investigate the health domains covered by frailty screening tools.

Methods

A systematic search of the literature was conducted in ac­cordance with PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycInfo were searched from inception to December 31, 2018. Data related to the domains of each screening tool were extracted and mapped onto a framework based on the biopsychosocial model of Lehmans et al. (2009) and Wade & Halligans (2017).

Results

Sixty-seven frailty screening tools were captured in 79 arti­cles. All screening tools assessed biological factors, 73% assessed psychological factors, 52% assessed social factors, and 78% assessed contextual factors. Under half (43%) of the tools evaluated all four domains, 33% evaluated three of four domains, 12% reported two of four domains, and 13% reported one domain (biological).

Conclusion

This review found considerable variation in the assessment domains covered by frailty screening tools. Frailty is a broad construct, and frailty screening tools need to cover a wide var­iety of domains to enhance screening and outcomes assessment.
Aging in Place: Challenges of Older Adults with Self-Reported Cognitive Decline
Authors: Mayo Chantel D. , Kenny Rebecca , Scarapicchia Vanessa , Ohlhauser Lisa , Syme Robin , Gawryluk Jodie R.
Published: June 2021

Background

An emergent concern related to the aging and the increased risk of cognitive decline is the institutionalization of older adults. Evidence has shown that aging in place leads to many benefits, including higher quality of life. In order to support older adults, it is imperative that we understand the challenges people with changes in cognition face while aging in place.

Methods

A total of sixteen older adults with self-reported cognitive decline and six informal caregivers of individuals reporting cognitive decline, all of whom are living in independent residences, participated. Focus group sessions with semi-structured interviews were conducted, followed by thematic qualitative data analyses.

Results

Thematic analyses led to the identification of six challenges to aging in place, including: 1) memory decline, 2) emotional challenges/low mood, 3) social isolation/loneliness, 4) difficulty with mobility and physical tasks, 5) difficulties with activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living, and 6) lack of educational resources on cognitive change.

Conclusion

The themes identified in the current study represent common challenges in aging in place for older adults with self-reported cognitive decline. Identification of these themes allows for important next steps, which can focus on supports through targeted interventions.
Social Connection is Essential in Long-Term Care Homes: Considerations During COVID-19 and Beyond
Authors: Bethell Jennifer , O'Rourke Hannah M. , Eagleson Heather , Gaetano Daniel , Hykaway Wayne , McAiney Carrie
Published: June 2021

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on long-term care (LTC) homes in Canada. But the measures put in place to control infection within LTC homes have also had devastating impacts on the health and well-being of residents through the effects on social connection. Here, we offer guiding principles to enable social connection and promote health and quality of life for LTC residents during COVID-19 and beyond. These principles were generated by a working group of the CO­VID-19 and Dementia Task Force, convened by the Alzheimer Society of Canada to identify the urgent and emerging issues raised by COVID-19 for Canadians with dementia.
Cross Reality (XR) in Deutschland
Authors: Zabel Christian , Telkmann Verena , Heisenberg Gernot
Published: June 2021

This book examines the structure and development of the German XR industry. Where are the companies that produce VR, AR and MR located and why? What do they produce and for whom? Where do they see the potential of XR and the hurdles it presents, especially during the current coronavirus pandemic?

Based on the first nationwide representative survey on this topic (carried out in 2020) and previous studies, the book examines findings from the perspective of cluster theory or agglomeration research.

In addition, the authors analyse acceptance of these new technologies by users (end users and companies) through case studies of the adoption of XR in companies and a survey on VR usage by individuals.
Der Ausschluss verfassungsfeindlicher Parteien von der staatlichen Parteienfinanzierung nach Art. 21 Abs. 3 GG
Authors: Jores Malaika
Published: June 2021

Since 2017, Germany’s Basic Law has allowed anti-constitutional parties to be excluded from state party funding. Such exclusion from funding is at odds with the right to equal political opportunities, which derives from the principle of democracy. This thesis examines whether such exclusion from funding is permissible under German constitutional law. In particular, it takes account of the principle of democracy—guaranteed by the ‘eternity clause’—and the concept of ‘militant democracy’. The thesis also considers the issue in question from a European law perspective and, in addition to conducting a legal analysis, examines whether distorting the competition among political parties is justifiable with respect to democratic theory.
Estrutura de uma Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana com dominância de Euterpe edulis Mart.
Authors: Fávaro Letícia Bonifácio , Souza Agostinho Lopes de , Maia Renato Totti , Gaspar Ricardo de Oliveira
Published: June 2021

O presente trabalho analisou as estruturas horizontal, vertical, interna e paramétrica de uma Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana, com dominância da espécie Euterpe edulis Mart. Foram inventariadas, aleatoriamente, 20 parcelas de 10 m x 50 m, totalizando 1,0 ha de área amostral. O critério de inclusão foi o diâmetro do tronco, medido a 1,30 m do solo (DAP) igual ou superior a 5,0 cm, que resultou em 2.394 indivíduos.ha-1, 2.594 fustes.ha-1, dominância total de 42,20 m2.ha-1, sendo que 7,81 m2.ha-1 corresponderam a 642 indivíduos.ha-1 de Euterpe edulis. Os diâmetros médios foram de 12,33 cm e de 11,48 cm para a comunidade e para a população de Euterpe edulis, respectivamente. No estrato médio da floresta, definido entre 5 a 12 metros de altura total, encontram-se 65% dos indivíduos de Euterpe edulis. A estrutura diamétrica da comunidade florestal apresentou distribuição em forma de "J-invertido", mas desbalanceada. No tocante à estrutura interna, 96,4% dos indivíduos apresentaram epífitas, 57,8% com ausência de trepadeiras e 62,5% dos indivíduos com ausência de cipós. Essas características, associadas ao efeito edafoclimático da área de estudo e à ausência do fenômeno de caducifoliedade, permitiram classificar o fragmento em Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana em estágio médio avançado de regeneração. Quanto à população de Euterpe edulis, a representação da espécie pela área basal demonstrou sua dominância na comunidade florestal, sendo observada uma população madura, apesar da subestimação dos indivíduos adultos.
Relação entre características fisiológicas, bioquímicas e de coloração das folhas no crescimento inicial de clones de Eucalyptus sp.
Authors: Silva Aderbal Gomes da , Pandolfi Flávia , Penchel Filho Ricardo Miguel , Reis Edvaldo Fialho dos , Gonçalves Elzimar de Oliveira
Published: June 2021

O trabalho objetivou quantificar variáveis fisiológicas e bioquímicas, com potencial de aplicação operacional em viveiros de mudas clonais de eucalipto na fase de expedição e estudar sua relação com variáveis biométricas avaliadas durante o crescimento inicial em campo. Foram utilizadas mudas produzidas por miniestaquia apical de dois clones comerciais híbridos de Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla, cultivadas em tubetes de 53 cm³ com substrato orgânico. O estudo se consistiu de avaliações em viveiro, laboratório e em campo aos 0, 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias, após o plantio. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e quando significativos submetidos ao teste Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Variáveis relativas ao padrão de rusticidade de mudas, utilizadas de forma subjetiva por viveiristas, foram quantificadas e validadas no viveiro e no campo. Diferenças entre clones foram observadas para as variáveis avaliadas. O teor de carboidratos e o índice de fluorescência foliar não variaram significativamente entre as classes de índice de clorofila. O teor de nitrogênio foliar, proteínas e o potencial hídrico foram diretamente proporcionais ao índice de clorofila. Concluiu-se que a tonalidade da copa das mudas pode ser relacionada com a rusticidade e que a tonalidade esverdeada é mais indicada por possuir uma maior rusticidade.
Fragmentação da paisagem no entorno e na Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Nascentes das Geraizeiras, Minas Gerais
Authors: Cerqueira Marizete Chaves , Matricardi Eraldo Aparecido Trondoli , Scariot Aldicir Osni , Oliveira Carlos Henke de
Published: June 2021

A expansão de áreas de pastagens e cultivos agrícolas foi responsável pela maior parte do desmatamento no norte do estado de Minas Gerais. No presente estudo, avaliou-se a dinâmica do uso e cobertura da terra ocorrida nas últimas décadas (1986 a 2015) na Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Nascentes das Geraizeiras (RDS-NG) e em uma zona de 10 km do seu entorno no estado de Minas Gerais. Avaliaram-se também os efeitos do desmatamento sobre a fragmentação da vegetação natural usando dados de sensoriamento remoto e análise da paisagem. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que o desmatamento afetou mais da metade da vegetação natural até 2015, agravando a integridade dos fragmentos de vegetação nativa na área de estudo. A RDS-NG contribuiu para mitigar a fragmentação da vegetação natural ocorrida no entorno daquela Reserva com a regeneração natural de algumas áreas degradadas. Observou-se que a maior ameaça ambiental à reserva é a ocorrência do fogo, que varia anualmente em extensão e danos socioambientais. O uso sustentado das terras na RDS-NG pode ser melhorado com a ampliação das práticas de atividades econômicas sustentáveis, como o aproveitamento de produtos florestais não madeireiros, a implantação de consórcios agroflorestais e outras atividades econômicas de forma moderada. Essas práticas contribuirão para garantir a manutenção dos recursos naturais, a produção econômica e a geração de renda e trabalho à comunidade local, com inclusão de todos os segmentos sociais da população da Reserva e seu entorno.
Fenofases vegetativas e reprodutivas de Trema micrantha (L.) Blume no sudoeste do estado do Paraná
Authors: Lubke Lucas , Corrêa Bruno Jan Schramm , Filippi Marciele
Published: June 2021

O estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar o comportamento dos ciclos vegetativos e reprodutivos de Trema micrantha (L.) Blume (grandiúva) em área de reflorestamento na região sudoeste do estado do Paraná, Brasil. Foram monitoradas, quinzenalmente, as fenofases vegetativas e reprodutivas de 12 indivíduos, sendo três por parcela de plantio. Em seguida, foram analisadas a sincronia das fenofases, a correlação com as variáveis meteorológicas e a periodicidade dos eventos. A espécie apresentou alto índice de queda foliar no período de inverno (junho-agosto), ocorrendo a retomada de brotação em setembro, sendo esta influenciada pelo aumento de temperatura e volume de precipitação pluviométrica. Para as fenofases reprodutivas, a floração tem início na primavera (setembro-outubro) e atinge seu máximo em dezembro; a maturação de frutos e dispersão de sementes inicia em novembro, concentrando-se no período de janeiro a abril. A floração e a frutificação da espécie apresentam padrão anual estendido e alta sincronia. A intensidade dos botões florais, flores e frutos imaturos se correlacionam de forma significativa com a variação de temperatura e fotoperíodo no sudoeste Paranaense, demonstrando a interação de Trema micrantha com o ambiente, bem como sua adaptação em florestas subtropicais da Mata Atlântica, estando a fenologia da espécie condicionada mais fortemente pelo fotoperíodo e pela temperatura do que pela precipitação.
Estimation of wood volume of Eucalyptus dunnii and urograndis of different ages using TM/Landsat 5i
Authors: Goergen Laura Camila de Godoy , Narvaes Igor da Silva , Adami Marcos
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was the generation of trade volume models with bark (VB) in Eucalyptus dunnii and urograndis stands at different growth site conditions, using reflectance data from different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and vegetation indices. The multiple linear regressions generated, resulting in three predictive models, being the most significant ones, in decreasing order were for the species of Eucalyptus dunnii and Eucalyptus urograndis of 50 and 59 months of age, respectively, followed by the model for 25-month old Eucalyptus urograndis. Although, the regression equation for 34-month old Eucalyptus dunnii was not significant. The vegetation index adjusted to the soil (SAVI 0.5) was relevant in the construction of the three models dueto the different degrees of contribution of the soil component, as a result the non-closure of the crowns in young stands at different ages. The short wave-infrared region (SWIR 1 – TM5) also composed the models of Eucalyptus dunnii and Eucalyptus urograndis, analyzed together and the predictive model for Eucalyptus dunnii, demonstrating the importance of the forest canopy structure because this region of the electromagnetic spectrum is related to increased lignin content and because of the evolution of its productive capacity.
objeto artístico, o objeto artesanal e o objeto de design
Authors: Held Maria Sílvia Barros de
Published: June 2021

Há várias interseções, em vários aspectos, entre arte, artesanato e design, as quais contribuem para a evolução conceitual de cada um dos setores e, ao mesmo tempo, para a interação entre eles. Neste estudo, levam-se em conta os conceitos referentes à arte, ao artesanato e ao design, suas ambiguidades, inter-relações e conexões em suas respectivas atualizações no decorrer de diferentes épocas, que envolvem ações, termos técnicos e materiais, a partir das transformações sociais e contextualizações. A metodologia utilizada opta por uma síntese e adaptação dos autores Löbach, Munari e Baxter, além de Dijon De Moraes. A imagem, como comunicação visual, tem valores diferentes, segundo o contexto onde ela está inserida, e oferece informações diferentes, da mesma forma que permanecerá com maior ou menor intensidade, condensando-se ou diluindo-se, por um tempo maior ou menor no repertório de imagens das pessoas. Todas essas possibilidades integrativas se oferecem em relação aos elementos já existentes e também às possibilidades de “conexões”. Seu aviso de permanência será aquele de pregnância na memória, ou seja, o tempo real de sua verdadeira existência, não o tempo físico, mas, pelo contrário, o de sua pregnância psicofísica, o que dá consistência às leis da Gestalt, sobretudo no tocante à sua lei básica da pregnância da forma. O criador, com sua comunicação não verbal no universo artístico, também irá utilizar o mesmo recurso como seu arquivo de significados representantativos que traz na memória, em conformidade com o ethos de um corpo coletivo, como define Maffesoli.
Contribuições da Teoria das Representações Sociais para (re)pensar o upcycling na área da Moda
Authors: Salgueiro Rafaela de Souza , Lima Rita de Cássia Pereira
Published: June 2021

O estudo, de natureza teórica, tem como objetivo propor reflexões sobre as contribuições da Teoria das Representações Sociais (TRS) para a abordagem do upcycling na área da Moda. A fundamentação teórica está pautada em elementos conceituais do upcycling e da TRS. O recorte do artigo se define por revisão de literatura não exaustiva sobre os dois temas, buscando mostrar sua articulação. A literatura mostra a relação do upclycling com o desenvolvimento sustentável, se contrapondo ao que se conhece por “reciclagem”. Na perspectiva psicossocial da TRS, a maneira como sujeitos/grupos elaboram representações sobre upclycling, particularmente na área da Moda, indicam compreensões sobre significados que são construídos por meio das comunicações, expondo interesses específicos e revelando identidades culturais. O artigo busca despertar reflexões que poderão respaldar futuros estudos empíricos, uma vez que temas relativos à sustentabilidade estão cada vez mais presentes na formação e no mundo do trabalho da Moda, e a compreensão de significados construídos por diversos grupos envolvidos se torna relevante nesse contexto.
Analysis of the Respiratory Tract Morbidity in Children Living in Big Cities
Authors: Trotskyy Hryhoriy M. , Lisnyy Andriy Y. , Pakulova-Trotska Yuliya V. , Kamut Nataliya V.
Published: June 2021

Upper and lower respiratory tract pathology is an urgent problem of modern paediatrics since it is the most common paediatric disease. The aim was to conduct a retrospective analysis of the structure of respiratory diseases in children. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 5,615 medical records of patients undergoing inpatient treatment at the non-profit municipal enterprise City Children's Clinical Hospital in 2018 for respiratory system pathology. Retrospective analysis is performed using the electronic program "Doctor Eleks", which allows us to search and form a group of case histories by keyword. The age characteristics and the structure of the respiratory tract morbidity were defined, seasonal prevalence and duration of treatment, and the medical conditions requiring the longest inpatient treatment were determined. A judicious approach is required to the question of hospitalisation of a patient with respiratory pathology - it must be timely and well-founded because the presence of a respiratory pathology does not always require hospitalisation. There is a necessity in studying the causes of hospitalisation of children for respiratory pathology and retrospectively study the history and causes of re-hospitalisations to develop recommendations for reducing the incidence of hospitalisation. It is also planned to study the structure of hospitalised patients according to other nosologies (pathology of the digestive tract, urinary system, etc.) in the nearest future in order to propose an algorithm for optimising the processes of hospitalisation by differentiating visitors who actually need hospitalisation and those who may be in outpatient treatment.
Current Approaches to Improve Balance in Down Syndrome Population-A Systematic Review
Authors: Adeeb Nazia , Farooqui Sumaira Imran , Khan Abid , Rizvi Jaza , Kazmi Syed Abid Mehdi
Published: June 2021

Down syndrome is one of the most common chromosomal disorders in pediatrics characterized by variable intellectual disability, generalized joint laxity, and hypotonia that compromises their function and causes a delay in developing gross motor skills, poor balance, and coordination. Thus, this study aims to determine the current yet effective treatment approaches to improve balance in the Down syndrome population. The studies were explored across seven electronic databases that include MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Scopus, PEDro, and Web of Science from inception till October 2020 comprised of experimental studies published in English language investigating the effects on balance in children and adults diagnosed with DS considering different interventions. A total of 1,570 records were retrieved from seven electronic databases published between the year's tenure of 2013-2020. 144 full-text papers were extracted to be reviewed, of which only 18 experimental studies were selected on the basis of inclusion criteria that involved 493 Down syndrome patients, investigated the effects of therapeutic exercises, manual therapy techniques, and patient-related instructions on standardized balance scales/tests. It was concluded that all the included trials demonstrated significantly profound effects in improving the static and dynamic balance of Down syndrome patients. Therefore, none of the interventions is declared as superior to another in terms of obtained results. Furthermore, these diverse interventions need to be investigated more for better understating and generalizability of outcomes.
The Impact of Covid-19 on Nigerian Education System
Authors: Anyika Vincent Okwudiba , Anikelechi Ijeoma Genevieve , Thobejane T. D.
Published: June 2021

At a time when the Nigerian schools are on a temporary closure following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper looked inwards and reflected on the nature of the education system and revealed its myriads of problems. The COVID-19 pandemic indeed had a huge impact on the educational system in Nigeria. It brought about the cessation of all learning activities in Nigeria except for private universities and secondary schools that swiftly switched to virtual learning platforms. It also illuminated the digital divide between the Nigerian student and his counterparts in other climes. COVID-19 pandemic outbreak also offered an opportunity for the nation to realise the poor status of its educational system. Some of the major problems that have confronted the Nigerian education system, as revealed by this paper, include poor funding, inadequate and dilapidating infrastructure, inadequate teaching facilities, poor teachers' welfare, poor research funding, poor quality of teachers, unconducive learning environment, and the like. The study recommends for the exhibition of sufficient political will by the political leadership for the transformation of the education system as well as the sustained commitment of other stakeholders such policymakers and educational administrators for the transformation of the system to give it its rightful place in our national life.
Model independent feature attributions: Shapley values that uncover non-linear dependencies
Authors: Fryer Daniel Vidali , Strumke Inga , Nguyen Hien
Published: June 2021

Shapley values have become increasingly popular in the machine learning literature, thanks to their attractive axiomatisation, flexibility, and uniqueness in satisfying certain notions of ‘fairness’. The flexibility arises from the myriad potential forms of the Shapley value game formulation. Amongst the consequences of this flexibility is that there are now many types of Shapley values being discussed, with such variety being a source of potential misunderstanding. To the best of our knowledge, all existing game formulations in the machine learning and statistics literature fall into a category, which we name the model-dependent category of game formulations. In this work, we consider an alternative and novel formulation which leads to the first instance of what we call model-independent Shapley values. These Shapley values use a measure of non-linear dependence as the characteristic function. The strength of these Shapley values is in their ability to uncover and attribute non-linear dependencies amongst features. We introduce and demonstrate the use of the energy distance correlations, affine-invariant distance correlation, and Hilbert–Schmidt independence criterion as Shapley value characteristic functions. In particular, we demonstrate their potential value for exploratory data analysis and model diagnostics. We conclude with an interesting expository application to a medical survey data set.
Optimized nitrogen fertilizer application strategies under supplementary irrigation improved winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and grain protein yield
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Yu Zhenwen , Zhang Yongli , Shi Yu
Published: June 2021

Background

Exploring suitable split nitrogen management is essential for winter wheat production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China (HPC) under water-saving irrigation conditions, which can increase grain and protein yields by improving nitrogen translocation, metabolic enzyme activity and grain nitrogen accumulation.

Methods

Therefore, a 2-year field experiment was conducted to investigate these effects in HPC. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at a constant total rate (240 kg/ha), split between the sowing and at winter wheat jointing growth stage in varying ratios, N1 (0% basal and 100% dressing fertilizer), N2 (30% basal and 70% dressing fertilizer), N3 (50% basal and 50% dressing fertilizer), N4 (70% basal and 30% dressing fertilizer), and N5 (100% basal and 0% dressing fertilizer).

Results

We found that the N3 treatment significantly increased nitrogen accumulation post-anthesis and nitrogen translocation to grains. In addition, this treatment significantly increased flag leaf free amino acid levels, and nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activities, as well as the accumulation rate, active accumulation period, and accumulation of 1000-grain nitrogen. These factors all contributed to high grain nitrogen accumulation. Finally, grain yield increase due to N3 ranging from 5.3% to 15.4% and protein yield from 13.7% to 31.6%. The grain and protein yields were significantly and positively correlated with nitrogen transport parameters, nitrogen metabolic enzyme activity levels, grain nitrogen filling parameters.

Conclusions

Therefore, the use of split nitrogen fertilizer application at a ratio of 50%:50% basal-topdressing is recommended for supporting high grain protein levels and strong nitrogen translocation, in pursuit of high-quality grain yield.
Nicotine smoking is associated with impaired cognitive performance in Pakistani young people
Authors: Riaz Tuba , Murtaza Ghulam , Arif Areej , Mahmood Shahid , Sultana Razia , Al-Hussain Fawaz , Bashir Shahid
Published: June 2021

Nicotine smoking is the most common mode of tobacco smoking among young people. It affects the areas of the brain associated with memory, attention, and learning. This study has investigated the effect of nicotine smoking on cognitive performance. One hundred male volunteers (50 nicotine smokers and 50 nonsmokers) aged 18–30 years with similar socioeconomic backgrounds were recruited for this study. Clinical history of participants was obtained using a questionnaire. Their brain health and handedness were determined using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI), respectively. The dependent variables examined in the study were attention-switching tasks (AST), pattern recognition memory (PRM), and choice reaction time (CRT). These parameters were assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Battery (CANTAB). The average ages of participating smokers and nonsmokers were 24.02 ± 3.41 years (mean ± standard deviation) and 22.68 ± 1.87 years, respectively. MMSE and EHI scores of smokers were 28.42 ± 1.09 and 99.75 ± 1.77, respectively; for nonsmokers, these scores were 28.54 ± 1.34 and 98 ± 1.91, respectively. The mean score for AST correct latency/delay was significantly higher (p = 0.050) in smokers (620.26 ± 142.03) than in nonsmokers (570.11 ± 108.39). The percentage of correct AST trials was significantly higher (p = 0.000) in nonsmokers (96.95 ± 2.18) than in smokers (83.75 ± 11.22). The PRM percent correct were significantly higher (p = 0.000) of nonsmokers (93.42 ± 8.34) than of smokers (79.75 ± 13.44). The mean correct latency for CRT was significantly higher (p = 0.009) in smokers (509.87 ± 129.83) than in nonsmokers (455.20 ± 65.73). From this data, it can be concluded that nicotine smoking is linked with impaired cognitive functions in smokers.
The gut microbiome of the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) reveals its adaptation to specialized myrmecophagy
Authors: Zhang Fuhua , Xu Na , Wang Wenhua , Yu Yishuang , Wu Shibao
Published: June 2021

Background

The gut microbiomes of mammals are closely related to the diets of their hosts. The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is a specialized myrmecophage, but its gut microbiome has rarely been studied.

Methods

Using high-throughput Illumina barcoded 16S rRNA amplicons of nine fecal samples from nine captive Sunda pangolins, we investigated their gut microbiomes.

Results

The detected bacteria were classified into 14 phyla, 24 classes, 48 orders, 97 families, and 271 genera. The main bacterial phyla were Firmicutes (73.71%), Proteobacteria (18.42%), Actinobacteria (3.44%), and Bacteroidetes (0.51%). In the PCoA and neighbor-net network (PERMANOVA: pangolins vs. other diets, weighted UniFrac distance p < 0.01, unweighted UniFrac distance p < 0.001), the gut microbiomes of the Sunda pangolins were distinct from those of mammals with different diets, but were much closer to other myrmecophages, and to carnivores, while distant from herbivores. We identified some gut microbiomes related to the digestion of chitin, including Lactococcus, Bacteroides, Bacillus, and Staphylococcus species, which confirms that the gut microbiome of pangolins may help them to digest chitin.

Significance

The results will aid studies of extreme dietary adaption and the mechanisms of diet differentiation in mammals, as well as metagenomic studies, captive breeding, and ex situ conservation of pangolins.
Aquaculture Recovery in Shizugawa Bay, Japan: Post Tsunami Recovery
Authors: Wilson Peter W. , Park Tanya L. , Harrison-Day Beatrice , Hinton Davis , Nilssen Laura , Rose Matthew , Isles Stuart
Published: June 2021

This report outlines a study undertaken at Minamisanriku, a small coastal village on the East Coast of Honshu, Japan, in late 2018.  The area relies heavily on fisheries and aquaculture for economic stability. While there, scientists, community leaders and individuals involved in the fisheries and aquaculture industry were interviewed to gain a qualitative understanding of the impacts of the 2011 tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, particularly on the oyster industry and aquaculture in general in the region.

The tsunami completely disrupted aquaculture operations, with a 93% loss of infrastructure. Consequently, stakeholders were presented with an opportunity to restructure in some way as they rebuilt the industry.  The resulting 66% reduction in some species densities within aquaculture lots has subsequently led to increased sustainability and increased product quality.  Those gains, paired with reduced material cost and efforts, have together resulted in a more socio-ecologically responsible aquaculture operation. This operation now generates at least same amount of revenue as pre-tsunami.
Isolation and Identification of Resistant Bacteria from Petroleum Producing Vicinity by Gene Amplification and Sequencing
Authors: Aleruchi O. , Obire O.
Published: June 2021

This investigation focuses on molecular identification of antibiotic resistant bacteria isolated from petroleum producing vicinity using 16S rRNA sequencing based technique. The bacterial 16s rRNA gene sequences were amplified using polymerase chain reaction, sequenced,  characterized and compared by using primers which has been compared to national center for biotechnology information (NCBI) sequence database. The presence of the plasmid mediated antibiotic resistance determinants CTX-M and QNRB genes in the bacterial isolates were analyzed. A total of four bacterial isolates that were resistant to all the antibiotic agents used were identified molecularly. The BLAST results showed 100 % similarity and phylogenetic study indicated that the genes were evolutionarily related to Morganella morganii, Pseudomonas xiamenensis, Chryseobacterium cucumeris and Staphylococcus sp., respectively. The genes obtained were submitted to the NCBI gene bank and were assigned accession number; MN094330, MN094331, MN094332 and MN094333, respectively. CTX-M and QNRB genes were however absent in the bacterial isolates. The result identified some peculiar abilities of the bacterial isolates to be resistant to antibiotics and suggests a correlation with resistance and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria. The level of resistance could be as a result of the disinfection process during wastewater treatment procedure or the same adaptive mechanisms possessed by the isolates to control the hydrocarbon concentration in their cell. The study also clearly indicates that these wastewaters, when discharged into the environment directly may pose a risk for the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Reviving lost binding sites: Exploring calcium‐binding site transitions between human and murine CD23
Authors: Ilkow Veronica F. , Davies Anna M. , Dhaliwal Balvinder , Beavil Andrew J. , Sutton Brian J. , McDonnell James M.
Published: June 2021

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a central regulatory and triggering molecule of allergic immune responses. IgE’s interaction with CD23 modulates both IgE production and functional activities.CD23 is a noncanonical immunoglobulin receptor, unrelated to receptors of other antibody isotypes. Human CD23 is a calcium‐dependent (C‐type) lectin‐like domain that has apparently lost its carbohydrate‐binding capability. The calcium‐binding site classically required for carbohydrate binding in C‐type lectins is absent in human CD23 but is present in the murine molecule. To determine whether the absence of this calcium‐binding site affects the structure and function of human CD23, CD23 mutant proteins with increasingly “murine‐like” sequences were generated. Restoration of the calcium‐binding site was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, and structures of mutant human CD23 proteins were determined by X‐ray crystallography, although no electron density for calcium was observed. This study offers insights into the evolutionary differences between murine and human CD23 and some of the functional differences between CD23 in different species.
Composite Separators for Robust High Rate Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Yuan Botao , Wen Kechun , Chen Dongjiang , Liu Yuanpeng , Dong Yunfa , Feng Chao , Han Yupei , Han Jiecai , Zhang Yongqi , Xia Chuan , (Xueliang) Sun Andy , He Weidong
Published: June 2021

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are one of the most potential energy storage devices among various rechargeable batteries due to their high energy/power density, long cycle life, and low self‐discharge properties. However, current LIBs fail to meet the ever‐increasing safety and fast charge/discharge demands. As one of the main components in LIBs, separator is of paramount importance for safety and rate performance of LIBs. Among the various separators, composite separators have been widely investigated for improving their thermal stability, mechanical strength, electrolyte uptake, and ionic conductivity. Herein, the challenges and limitations of commercial separators for LIBs are reviewed, and a systematic overview of the state‐of‐the‐art research progress in composite separators is provided for safe and high rate LIBs. Various combination types of composite separators including blending, layer, core–shell, and grafting types are covered. In addition, models and simulations based on the various types of composite separators are discussed to comprehend the composite mechanism for robust performances. At the end, future directions and perspectives for further advances in composite separators are presented to boost safety and rate capacity of LIBs.
Recent Developments in Nanomaterial‐Based Shear‐Sensitive Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Wang Yi , Pisapati Avani V. , Zhang X. Frank , Cheng Xuanhong
Published: June 2021

Nanomaterial‐based drug delivery systems (DDSs) increase the efficacy of various therapeutics, and shear stress has been shown to be a robust modulator of payload release. In the past few decades, a deeper understanding has been gained of the effects of flow in the body and its alteration in pathological microenvironments. More recently, shear‐responsive nanomaterial DDSs have been developed. Studies on this subject mainly from the last decade are reviewed here, focusing on innovations of the material design and mechanisms of the shear response. The two most popular shear‐controlled drug carriers distinguished by different release mechanisms, that is, shear‐deformable nanoparticles (NPs) and shear‐dissociated NP aggregates (NPAs), are surveyed. The influence of material structures on their properties such as drug loading, circulation time, and shear sensitivity are discussed. The drug development stages, therapeutic effects, limitations, and potential of these DDSs are further inspected. The reviewed research emphasizes the advantages and significance of nanomaterial‐based shear‐sensitive DDSs in the field of targeted drug delivery. It is also believed that efforts to rationally design nanomaterial DDSs responsive to shear may prompt a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics for signaling and rectifying pathological flows in the body.
Size‐Tunable Gold Aerogels: A Durable and Misfocus‐Tolerant 3D Substrate for Multiplex SERS Detection
Authors: Zhou Lin , Peng Yunyi , Zhang Na , Du Ran , Hübner René , Wen Xinglin , Li Dehui , Hu Yue , Eychmüller Alexander
Published: June 2021

The research on surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) continuously draws wide attention because of its high detection sensitivity. However, the commonly investigated 2D SERS substrates cannot fully utilize the 3D active focal volume and require a tight focus on the correct plane, retarding signal enhancement and flexible use. Here, self‐supported gold aerogels of centimeter‐dimension with tunable ligament sizes are designed as 3D SERS substrates, featuring hot spots throughout the entire network. Unveiling a universal ligament‐size‐effect, the optimized gold aerogel showcases much larger enhancement factors compared to a 8 nm Au film toward dyes, pesticides, and carcinogens (up to 109). Aside from an excellent reusability and an exceptional stability (> 1 month), an outstanding misfocus tolerance (>300 µm along the z‐axis) is also demonstrated for such aerogel‐based SERS substrates for multiplex detection. This work may expand the application scope of metal aerogels and lay the foundation for designing next‐generation 3D SERS substrates.
Polarization‐Sensitive Photodetector Using Patterned Perovskite Single‐Crystalline Thin Films
Authors: Zhang Jinshuai , Zhao Jiajia , Zhou Yongfeng , Wang Yufei , Blankenagel Karen Silva , Wang Xuechun , Tabassum Madeeha , Su Lei
Published: June 2021

Hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite single crystals, compared with their polycrystalline counterparts in thin films, are free from grain boundaries and have fewer defects, and therefore are promising in high‐performance optoelectronic devices. Recently, the crystal‐structure anisotropy in perovskites has been utilized to achieve polarization‐sensitive photodetectors. Here, it is shown that under 532 nm linearly polarized illumination, although MAPbBr3 (MA=CH3NH3+1) single crystals possess weak in‐plane anisotropy, nanogratings made on the crystal surface lead to high polarization photodetection sensitivity of ≈2.2 comparable with that of the isotropic perovskite crystals and nanowires, while enhancing both the photodetection responsivity and external quantum efficiency. The surface nanopattern induced polarization sensitivity may find interesting applications in future optoelectronic devices.
Uniform and Anisotropic Solid Electrolyte Membrane Enables Superior Solid‐State Li Metal Batteries
Authors: Guo Zumin , Pang Yuepeng , Xia Shuixin , Xu Fen , Yang Junhe , Sun Lixian , Zheng Shiyou
Published: June 2021

Rational structure design is a successful approach to develop high‐performance composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) for solid‐state Li metal batteries. Herein, a novel CSE membrane is proposed, that consists of interwoven garnet/polyethylene oxide‐Li bis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)imide (LLZO/PEO‐LiTFSI) microfibers. This CSE exhibits high Li‐ion conductivity and exceptional Li dendrite suppression capability, which can be attributed to the uniform LLZO dispersion in PEO‐LiTFSI and the vertical/horizontal anisotropic Li‐ion conduction in the CSE. The uniform LLZO particles can generate large interaction regions between LLZO and PEO‐LiTFSI, which thus form continuous Li‐ion transfer pathways, retard the interfacial side reactions and strengthen the deformation resistance. More importantly, the anisotropic Li‐ion conduction, that is, Li‐ion transfers much faster along the microfibers than across the microfibers, can effectively homogenize the electric field distribution in the CSE during cycling, which thus prevents the excessive concentration of Li‐ion flux. Finally, solid‐state Li||LiFePO4 cells based on this CSE show excellent electrochemical performances. This work enriches the structure design strategy of high‐performance CSEs and may be helpful for further pushing the solid‐state Li metal batteries towards practical applications.
Sandwiched Cathodes Assembled from CoS2‐Modified Carbon Clothes for High‐Performance Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Xu Jun , Yang Likun , Cao Shoufu , Wang Jingwen , Ma Yuanming , Zhang Junjun , Lu Xiaoqing
Published: June 2021

Structural design of advanced cathodes is a promising strategy to suppress the shuttle effect for lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs). In this work, the carbon cloth covered with CoS2 nanoparticles (CC‐CoS2) is prepared to function as both three‐dimensional (3D) current collector and physicochemical barrier to retard migration of soluble lithium polysulfides. On the one hand, the CC‐CoS2 film works as a robust 3D current collector and host with high conductivity, high sulfur loading, and high capability of capturing polysulfides. On the other hand, the 3D porous CC‐CoS2 film serves as a multifunctional interlayer that exhibits efficient physical blocking, strong chemisorption, and fast catalytic redox reaction kinetics toward soluble polysulfides. Consequently, the Al@S/AB@CC‐CoS2 cell with a sulfur loading of 1.2 mg cm−2 exhibits a high rate capability (≈823 mAh g−1 at 4 C) and delivers excellent capacity retention (a decay of ≈0.021% per cycle for 1000 cycles at 4 C). Moreover, the sandwiched cathode of CC‐CoS2@S/AB@CC‐CoS2 is designed for high sulfur loading LSBs. The CC‐CoS2@S/AB@CC‐CoS2 cells with sulfur loadings of 4.2 and 6.1 mg cm−2 deliver high reversible capacities of 1106 and 885 mAh g−1, respectively, after 100 cycles at 0.2 C. The outstanding electrochemical performance is attributed to the sandwiched structure with active catalytic component.
Assessing factors related to yield gaps in flooded rice in southern Brazil
Authors: Ghisleni Ribas Giovana , Streck Nereu Augusto , da Rosa Ulguim André , Selau Carlos Filipe , Maus Alberto Cleber , Mazzuco de Souza Pablo , Bercellos Tuira , Puntel Simone , Zanon Alencar Junior
Published: June 2021

Identifying the causes of the yield gap (Yg) is essential to understand and take proactive measures to improve crop management factors. Brazil is the country in the Americas with the highest area of flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) and the Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state accounts for 73% of the Brazilian rice production. The objective was to determine yield potential (Yp) and Yg in flooded rice and identify key factors associated with high yield (HY) and low yield (LY) farms across the rice production regions in RS, Brazil. Yield and management practices data from farmers were collected by a survey that included 324 site‐year observations fields covering the five major RS production regions during three growing seasons (2016–2018). The Yp was simulated by Oryza crop model. The Yg was calculated as the difference between Yp and the average yield from farmers. Factors related between tertiles were studied by identifying management practices that were associated with high‐ and low‐yielding fields. Rice Yp ranged from 14.2 to 15.9 Mg ha−1 and the Yg was 48% of the estimated average Yp (15.1 Mg ha–1). Our findings indicated that HY fields had 33% higher productivity, rotated more area with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (77%), controlled pre‐sowing weeds by only herbicides (56%), sowed 20 d early with lower seeding rate (6%) and had early onset irrigation (5 d) compared to LY fields. These findings are applicable to rice farmers worldwide, and can help to define priorities in research and extension programs at both local and regional levels.
Adapting natural language processing for technical text
Authors: Dima Alden , Lukens Sarah , Hodkiewicz Melinda , Sexton Thurston , Brundage Michael P.
Published: June 2021

Despite recent dramatic successes, natural language processing (NLP) is not ready to address a variety of real‐world problems. Its reliance on large standard corpora, a training and evaluation paradigm that favors the learning of shallow heuristics, and large computational resource requirements, makes domain‐specific application of even the most successful NLP techniques difficult. This paper proposes technical language processing (TLP) which brings engineering principles and practices to NLP specifically for the purpose of extracting actionable information from language generated by experts in their technical tasks, systems, and processes. TLP envisages NLP as a socio‐technical system rather than as an algorithmic pipeline. We describe how the TLP approach to meaning and generalization differs from that of NLP, how data quantity and quality can be addressed in engineering technical domains, and the potential risks of not adapting NLP for technical use cases. Engineering problems can benefit immensely from the inclusion of knowledge from unstructured data, currently unavailable due to issues with out of the box NLP packages. We illustrate the TLP approach by focusing on maintenance in industrial organizations as a case‐study.
Demographic, clinical, and ancestry characterization of a large cluster of mucopolysaccharidosis IV A in the Brazilian Northeast region
Authors: dos Santos‐Lopes Simone Silva , de Oliveira Jessica Maria Florêncio , de Queiroga Nascimento Denise , Montenegro Yorran Hardman Araújo , Leistner‐Segal Sandra , Brusius‐Facchin Ana Carolina , Eufrazino Gondim Cátia , Giugliani Roberto , de Medeiros Paula Frassinetti Vasconcelos
Published: June 2021

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IVA is a rare autosomal recessive disease with a highly variable distribution worldwide. Discrepancies in the incidence of MPS IVA among populations of different ethnicities are mostly attributed to founder effects. Demographic and clinical data from 28 MPS IVA patients, followed at a single center, and ancestry (Y chromosome and mitochondrial markers) of a subsample of 17 patients, most with the p.Ser341Arg (c.1023C>G) mutation were analyzed. Parental consanguinity was observed in 15/20 couples; a rare homozygous N‐acetylgalactosamine‐6‐sulfatase (GALNS) mutation was found in 7/16 families with intra‐familial phenotypic heterogeneity. Paternal ancestry was 94.2% (16/17) European, 5.8% (1/17) African, and 0% Amerindian. The European paternal haplogroups R1a, R1b, and R* accounted for 94.2% (16/17) of the patients. The R1b haplogroup, identified in 59% (10/17) of the patients, is frequently found in populations from the Iberian Peninsula. European, Amerindian, and African maternal ancestry was observed in 46.9% (8/17), 35.4% (6/17), and 17.7% (3/17) of the patients, respectively. Study of a cluster of MPS IVA patients from Northeastern Brazil, with high parental consanguinity and phenotypic heterogeneity showed predominantly European parental ancestry. This ancestry finding corroborates historical data on the local settlement, formed predominantly by European men.