bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen fertilization strategies to reduce the risk of nitrate leaching in open field cultivation of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)#
Authors: Frerichs Christian , Key Georgina , Broll Gabriele , Daum Diemo
Published: February 2022

Background

Spinach is a nitrogen (N) demanding crop with a weekly N uptake of up to 60 kg ha–1. Consequently, a high N supply is required, which can temporarily lead to high quantities of nitrate (NO3–) being at risk of leaching.

Aims

The objective of this study was to develop a N fertilization approach to reduce the risk of NO3– leaching in field‐grown spinach production without adversely affecting crop yield and quality at an early and late harvest stage.

Methods

Ten fertilization trials were conducted to compare different base fertilization rates and splits of top dressings. For top dressings, granulated fertilizers or foliar sprays were used. In a further treatment, N supply was reduced by withholding the second top dressing of 50–70 kg ha−1.

Results

Nitrate concentration at risk of leaching was considerably reduced by decreasing the base fertilizer rate as well as by splitting the top dressing. However, at an early harvest stage, total aboveground dry mass was reduced by, on average, 6% by these measures across all seasons. In contrast, at a later harvest stage, spinach was less affected by the fertilizer schedule. Urea foliar sprays proved to be insufficient in promoting plant growth and caused leaf necrosis. A reduced N supply led to impaired plant growth and yellowish leaves in both spring and winter.

Conclusions

Base N fertilization of spinach is only required in spring, but not in other seasons. Despite slight yield reduction, the top dressing should be split to reduce the risk of NO3− leaching after an early harvest.
Study of the effect of enzymatic washing parameters on the bagging properties of denim fabric with Taguchi method
Authors: Ben Fraj Abir , Jaouachi Boubaker
Published: February 2022

This study aims to evaluate the effect of neutral enzyme washing on the bagging behavior of denim garments and optimize the conditions of this treatment using the Taguchi design. Six types of fabrics were selected with the same weaves and different characteristics. These samples were washed with a neutral cellulase enzyme under different conditions such as enzyme concentration (0.3%, 2%, and 4%), temperature (30, 45, and 65°C), time (15, 45, 75 min), and material to liquor ratio (1:5, 1:8, and 1:10). To evaluate the effect of enzymatic washing on the bagging behavior, we investigated the residual bagging height, the bagging fatigue percentage, the bagging resistance, and the bagging recovery percentage. Thanks to the main effects plots the influencing factors were obtained and using the signal‐to‐noise ratio diagram, the optimum conditions were determined. The obtained results showed that these bagging properties were affected by the washing conditions and that the most important factors are the characteristics of the samples such as the percentage of elastane and polyester fibers, weight and weft density, and enzyme concentration. The process parameters were optimized and the optimized washing conditions for the best value were 0.3% enzyme concentration at 45°C for 75 min, in material to liquor ratio of 1:8. Concerning the factor of the sample, the results show that the increase of the percentage of elastane or polyester fibers in the composition of denim fabric decreases the problem of deformation and bagging. Therefore it is recommended to add a percentage of these fibers in the construction of the denim to improve the bagging recovery. Thus, the increase in the weft density minimizes that bagging phenomen appears.
AlGaN multiple quantum well deep‐ultraviolet micro‐light‐emitting diodes for high color conversion efficiency quantum dots display
Authors: Feng Feng , Liu Yibo , Zhang Ke , Lin Yonghong , Chan Ka‐Wah , Kwok Hoi‐Sing , Liu Zhaojun
Published: February 2022

Displays based on inorganic micro‐light‐emitting diodes (micro‐LEDs) are highly anticipated for next‐generation technologies. AlGaN‐based deep‐ultraviolet (deep‐UV) micro‐LED as the excitation source for quantum dots display with high efficiency was reported in this paper. To achieve optimized electro‐optical performance, deep‐UV micro‐LEDs with different electrodes were fabricated and analyzed in sizes from 200 × 200 to 10 × 10 μm2. At the same forward bias, the devices with Ti/Al‐based electrodes achieved 10 times injection current and three times electroluminescence intensity than those with Cr/Al‐based electrodes. The blueshift phenomenon of deep‐UV light was observed from 292 nm at 2 A/cm2 to 287 nm at 200 A/cm2 with the increasing current density. By the excitation of deep‐UV micro‐LED, quantum dot film achieved high light conversion efficiency and optimized color rendering, as the converted color emission peak was separate from the pumping source. The high energy of deep‐UV photons and the narrow emission bandwidth of QDs resulted in prominent color purity. The forward voltage and electroluminescence intensity uniformity of a 250 × 250 micro‐LED array with each pixel size of 30 × 30 μm2 were further discussed. The optical microscope images of green QD film pumped by a deep‐UV micro‐LED demonstrated its competitive application in the color‐converted display.
Learning to forget: Hippocampal–amygdala connectivity partially mediates the effect of sexual trauma severity on verbal recall in older women undiagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: McIntosh Roger , Lobo Judith D. , Carvalho Nicole , Ironson Gail
Published: February 2022

Verbal learning deficits are common among sexually traumatized women who have not been formally diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Aberrant resting‐state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the amygdala and hippocampus are implicated in PTSD and verbal memory impairment. We tested rsFC between bilateral dentate gyrus (DG) and both centromedial (CM) and basolateral (BL) nuclei of the amygdala as statistical mediators for the effect of sexual trauma–related symptom severity on delayed verbal recall performance in 63 older women (age: 60‐85 years) undiagnosed with PTSD. Participant data were drawn from the NKI‐Rockland Study. Individuals completed a 10‐min resting‐state scan, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and the Sexual Abuse Trauma Index (SATI) from the Trauma Symptom Checklist. Z‐scores indicating rsFC of DG with BL and CM amygdala seeds were evaluated in two separate mediation models. Higher SATI scores were associated with lower RAVLT after controlling for age, β = −.23, 95% CI [.48, .03], p = .039. This effect was negated upon adding a negative path from SATI to rsFC of left DG and right CM, β = −.29, 95% CI [−.52, ‐.02], p = .022, and a positive path from that seed pair to RAVLT List A recall, β = .28, 95% CI [.03, 0.48], p = .015. Chi‐square fit indices supported partial mediation by this seed pair, p = .762. In the absence of PTSD sexual trauma symptoms partially relate to verbal learning deficits as a function of aberrant rsFC between left hippocampus DG and right amygdala CM nuclei.
Coexistence of acrokeratoelastoidosis and knuckle pad‐like lesions
Authors: Navarro‐Bielsa Alba , Gracia‐Cazaña Tamara , Abadías‐Granado Isabel , Conejero del Mazo Raquel , Gilaberte Yolanda
Published: February 2022

Acrokeratoelastoidosis (AKE) is a marginal papular keratoderma. It is a rare autosomal dominant condition that may also present in childhood or adulthood in sporadic cases. AKE is distinguished by its histological findings, with dermal elastorrhexis and an overlying epithelial dell. We report a 55‐year‐old woman with AKE and knuckle pads on the palms and soles, which are considered as an extension of AKE papules to the interphalangeal joints.
A novel optimal data set approach for erosion‐impacted soil quality assessments—A case‐study of an agricultural catchment in the Chernozem region of Northeast China
Authors: Zhang Jiaqiong , Zheng Fenli , Li Zhi , Feng Zhizhen
Published: February 2022

Because soil erosion is a primary cause of land degradation globally, it has received increasing attention in food production regions, such as the Chernozem region of Northeast China. This study assessed soil quality under soil erosion degradation using a novel optimal data set (ODS) approach and a comparative minimum data set (MDS) approach to derive soil quality indices (SQIs) within an agricultural watershed in Heilongjiang Province, China. The selection of SQIs was contingent on 15 physical, chemical, and microbial properties measured at 52 grids. Soil erosion rates were determined using the Cs‐137 technique. Results showed that SQIs derived from the ODS and MDS approaches were strongly correlated (r = 0.91, p < 0.01). However, soil quality inferred by SQIs varied significantly between erosion and deposition sites, namely, increasing from upstream to midstream to downstream areas. Changes in SQIs and erosion rates exhibited spatially opposing trends, reflecting the impact of soil erosion on soil quality, which was also confirmed by comparing representative soil properties at erosion and deposition sites. The ODS approach using the optimal fingerprinting factor screening procedure of the composite fingerprinting approach is a cause‐related method that uses a relatively strict indicator selection procedure, which mainly includes sample groupings, Kruskal–Wallis H test, discriminant function analysis, and conservative behaviour tests of factors. Thus, it can theoretically obtain more reliable results compared to MDS. Further studies are nevertheless needed to assess the feasibility of this novel approach in other cases.
A stratified environmental reference system for better understanding of the relationship between remote sensing observations and ground monitoring of karst rocky desertification
Authors: Xu Erqi , Zhang Hongqi
Published: February 2022

Quickly and accurately monitoring karst rocky desertification via remote sensing could assist in its mitigation. Yet this is limited by high environmental heterogeneity that introduces uncertainty into satellite observations' relationships with ground‐based karst rocky desertification. Influenced by variations of environmental factors, the relevance of satellite data for karst rocky desertification is questionable, especially at a large geographic scale. Here a novel stratified degradation reference system was built to describe this complex relationship. The method was applied in Guizhou–Guangxi Karst Mountainous Region, a typical karst region in China undergoing severe karst rocky desertification. A stratified procedure of elevation‐based initial division and sub‐division of lithology and land use was designed using moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. MODIS values of surface vegetation, albedo, and temperature products were standardized by percentiles to reveal their relevance for evaluating each environmental stratification of land degradation. We found a substantial spatial variation of MODIS observations across elevation gradients and different land uses. This was corrected using our proposed reference method, wherein standardized MODIS observations show a nonlinear but clear downward trend with increasing karst rocky desertification intensities. Most areas affected by karst rocky desertification had lower MODIS values. Using the stratified environmental reference approach between MODIS observations and karst rocky desertification can enable the cost‐effective screening of high‐heterogeneity karst areas, to better support monitoring and identify desertification hotspots.
Efficient Second‐Harmonic Generation from Silicon Slotted Nanocubes with Bound States in the Continuum
Authors: Fang Cizhe , Yang Qiyu , Yuan Qingchen , Gu Linpeng , Gan Xuetao , Shao Yao , Liu Yan , Han Genquan , Hao Yue
Published: February 2022

Optical materials with centrosymmetry, such as silicon and germanium, are unfortunately absent of second‐order nonlinear optical responses, hindering their developments in efficient nonlinear optical devices. Here, a design with an array of slotted nanocubes is proposed to realize remarkable second harmonic generation (SHG) from the centrosymmetric silicon, which takes advantage of enlarged surface second‐order nonlinearity, strengthened electric field over the surface of the air‐slot, as well as the resonance enhancement by the bound states in the continuum. Compared with that from the array of silicon nanocubes without air‐slots, SHG from the slotted nanocube array is improved by more than two orders of magnitude. The experimentally measured SHG efficiency of the silicon slotted nanocube array is high as 1.8 × 10−4 W−1, which is expected to be further engineered by modifying the air‐slot geometries. The result can provide a new strategy to expand nonlinear optical effects and devices of centrosymmetric materials.
Negotiation and bargaining power in the determination of administrative wages in academe
Authors: Faria João Ricardo , Caudill Steven B. , Gropper Daniel M. , Mixon Franklin G.
Published: February 2022

We develop a sequential game representing bargaining between a public university and a professor over a vacant administrative position, such as an academic deanship. We find that the administrative salary is an increasing function of the job candidate's salary, the prior dean's salary, the price of undergraduate courses, elasticity of the wage differential, and faculty productivity. The game also indicates that if the new dean is female or minority, and if the previous dean's salary is important, then one can conclude that the professor is able to circumvent wage discrimination given that the salaries of public university officials are publicly available.
Deep learning‐based body part recognition algorithm for three‐dimensional medical images
Authors: Ouyang Zihui , Zhang Peng , Pan Weifan , Li Qiang
Published: February 2022

Background

The automatic recognition of human body parts in three‐dimensional medical images is important in many clinical applications. However, methods presented in prior studies have mainly classified each two‐dimensional (2D) slice independently rather than recognizing a batch of consecutive slices as a specific body part.

Purpose

In this study, we aim to develop a deep learning‐based method designed to automatically divide computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans into five consecutive body parts: head, neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis.

Methods

A deep learning framework was developed to recognize body parts in two stages. In the first preclassification stage, a convolutional neural network (CNN) using the GoogLeNet Inception v3 architecture and a long short‐term memory (LSTM) network were combined to classify each 2D slice; the CNN extracted information from a single slice, whereas the LSTM employed rich contextual information among consecutive slices. In the second postprocessing stage, the input scan was further partitioned into consecutive body parts by identifying the optimal boundaries between them based on the slice classification results of the first stage. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, 662 CT and 1434 MRI scans were used.

Results

Our method achieved a very good performance in 2D slice classification compared with state‐of‐the‐art methods, with overall classification accuracies of 97.3% and 98.2% for CT and MRI scans, respectively. Moreover, our method further divided whole scans into consecutive body parts with mean boundary errors of 8.9 and 3.5 mm for CT and MRI data, respectively.

Conclusions

The proposed method significantly improved the slice classification accuracy compared with state‐of‐the‐art methods, and further accurately divided CT and MRI scans into consecutive body parts based on the results of slice classification. The developed method can be employed as an important step in various computer‐aided diagnosis and medical image analysis schemes.
Pareto‐scheduling with double‐weighted jobs to minimize the weighted number of tardy jobs and total weighted late work
Authors: Guo Shuen , Lu Lingfa , Yuan Jinjiang , Ng Chi To , Cheng Tai Chiu Edwin
Published: February 2022

We consider the single‐machine Pareto‐scheduling problem to minimize the weighted number of tardy jobs and total weighted late work simultaneously. The problem is to find the set of all the Pareto‐optimal points, that is, the Pareto frontier, and their corresponding Pareto‐optimal schedules. We consider the corresponding weighted‐sum scheduling problem and primary‐secondary scheduling problems, being subproblems of the general Pareto‐scheduling problem. The NP‐hardness of the general problem follows directly from the NP‐hardness of the two constituent single‐criterion problems. We present a pseudo‐polynomial algorithm and a fully polynomial‐time approximation scheme (FPTAS) running in weakly polynomial time to deal with the general problem. When all the jobs have a common due date, we further provide an FPTAS running in strongly polynomial time. We also study some special cases of the general problem where the jobs have equal processing times, a common due date, or a common weight, and analyze their computational complexity status.
Exploring nursing students' need for social presence and its relevance to their learning preferences
Authors: Grech Joseph
Published: February 2022

Aim

To explore nursing students’ need for social presence in online learning, looking at its relevance to the adopted sensory modality learning styles.

Design

A qualitative descriptive design.

Methods

Two semi‐structured online focus groups were held with five second‐year and seven third‐year undergraduate nursing students, purposively recruited from the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology. Using a structured guide based on the Social Presence Model, participants were asked about their perceived need for social presence (a construct used to understand online interactions), and its relevance to their learning preferences using the VARK (Visual, Aural/Auditory, Read/write and Kinesthetic) learning styles.

Results

Despite varying learning preferences, all participants remarked on the need for social presence. Social presence was required for their perceived learning and for actively participating in online lectures. Several participants expressed the need for social presence for a collaborative constructivist learning experience, drawing on their diverse learning styles for a better learning experience.
The safety and feasibility of early cardiorespiratory fitness testing after stroke
Authors: Machado Natasha , Williams Gavin , Olver John , Johnson Liam
Published: February 2022

Background

Cardiorespiratory fitness testing is recommended as part of a pre‐exercise evaluation to aid the programming of safe, tailored cardiorespiratory fitness training after stroke. But there is limited evidence for its safety and feasibility in people with stroke with varying impairment levels in the early subacute phase of stroke recovery.

Objective

To assess the safety and feasibility of cardiorespiratory fitness testing in the early subacute phase after stroke.

Design

A sub‐study of a larger single service, multi‐site, prospective cohort feasibility study (Cardiac Rehabilitation in Stroke Survivors to Improve Survivorship [CRiSSIS]).

Setting

Private subacute inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Participants

Consecutive admissions of people with ischemic stroke admitted to subacute rehabilitation facilities.

Intervention

Not applicable.

Main Outcome(s)

Safety was determined by the occurrence of adverse or serious adverse events. Feasibility was determined by assessing the (1) number of participants recruited and (2) number of participants able to complete the fitness test.

Results

Between April 2018 and December 2019, a total of 165 people with stroke were screened to participate; 109 were eligible and 65 were recruited. Of the 62 who completed testing, 41 participants were able to complete a submaximal fitness test at a median of 12 days post‐stroke. One minor adverse event was recorded. Of the 21 participants unable to complete the fitness test; 4 declined to complete the test, 9 were unable to commence the test, and 8 were unable to complete the first stage of the protocol due to stroke‐related impairments. Participants with mild stroke, greater motor and cognitive function, and fewer depressive symptoms were more likely to be able to complete the cardiorespiratory fitness test.

Conclusion

Cardiorespiratory fitness testing was safe for most people with mild‐to‐moderately severe ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack in the early subacute phase, but only two‐thirds of the participants could complete the test.
Electron reflectivity from clean and oxidized steel surface
Authors: Mikmeková Šárka , Aoyama Tomohiro , Paták Aleš , Zouhar Martin
Published: February 2022

This paper aims to elucidate the effect of an air‐formed native oxide covering mild steel surface on the contrast in the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images obtained with the landing energy from 5 keV down to 0 eV. Part of the mild steel surface was in‐situ cleaned by Ar+ ion sputtering process in order to remove native oxide from the surface. It enabled us to observe the oxide‐free and the naturally oxidized area on the mild steel surface simultaneously in the SEM micrographs. Presence of the native oxide starts to play a role in the SEM images acquired at landing energy below roughly 3 keV. Contrast between differently oriented grains situated inside the area covered by the native oxide starts to be negligible with landing energy decreasing below 3 keV, up to some ultra‐low values where the contrast increases again. Total reflectivity contrast between the clean and the oxidized area increases exponentially with landing energy decreasing below 3 keV. The reflectivity‐versus‐energy curves of the cleaned and the naturally oxidized mild steel surface are markedly different. The reflectivity of the electrons is correlated with the density of states (DOS), as is demonstrated at very low landing energies. Sensitivity of the very low‐energy electrons to the electronic structure was verified by comparison of the experimental data with the simulations of reflectivities, band structure, and DOS. The theoretical predictions are based on the density‐functional theory calculations and they have been performed in energy range corresponding to specular reflectivities of the Fe‐BCC (001) orientation. We have also observed that close to the mirror condition, that is, near‐zero landing energies, the primary electrons become sensitive to the surface potential differences caused by the work function differences of clean and native oxide‐covered steel surfaces.
Glutamate potentiates heterologously expressed homomeric acid‐sensing ion channel 1a
Authors: Shteinikov Vasilii , Evlanenkov Konstantin , Bolshakov Konstantin , Tikhonov Denis
Published: February 2022

Acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs) participate in synaptic transmission due to the acidic content of synaptic vesicles, but their contribution to postsynaptic currents is small. This has stimulated attempts to find endogenous ASIC potentiators that could enhance ASIC‐mediated currents to physiologically relevant values. Here we demonstrate that glutamate, which serves as a neurotransmitter, potentiates recombinant ASIC1a in the submillimolar concentration range. The effect of glutamate is especially interesting as ASIC’s presence has been shown in glutamatergic synapses. At pH=6.5 glutamate had maximum potentiation of 87% with an EC50 value of 0.65 mM. The mechanism of potentiation is due to a shift of pH‐dependent activation to less acidic values, with 0.5 mM glutamate increasing pH50 from 6.04 to 6.43. Due to this mechanism, ASIC1a in glutamatergic synapses might be intrinsically potentiated. Furthermore, this effect could compensate for the inhibition of ionotropic glutamate receptors by extracellular acidification during synaptic transmission.
Recent insights into the structure, function, and regulation of the eukaryotic transfer RNA splicing endonuclease complex
Authors: Hayne Cassandra K. , Lewis Tanae A. , Stanley Robin E.
Published: February 2022

The splicing of transfer RNA (tRNA) introns is a critical step of tRNA maturation, for intron‐containing tRNAs. In eukaryotes, tRNA splicing is a multi‐step process that relies on several RNA processing enzymes to facilitate intron removal and exon ligation. Splicing is initiated by the tRNA splicing endonuclease (TSEN) complex which catalyzes the excision of the intron through its two nuclease subunits. Mutations in all four subunits of the TSEN complex are linked to a family of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases known as pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH). Recent studies provide molecular insights into the structure, function, and regulation of the eukaryotic TSEN complex and are beginning to illuminate how mutations in the TSEN complex lead to neurodegenerative disease. Using new advancements in the prediction of protein structure, we created a three‐dimensional model of the human TSEN complex. We review functions of the TSEN complex beyond tRNA splicing by highlighting recently identified substrates of the eukaryotic TSEN complex and discuss mechanisms for the regulation of tRNA splicing, by enzymes that modify cleaved tRNA exons and introns. Finally, we review recent biochemical and animal models that have worked to address the mechanisms that drive PCH and synthesize these studies with previous studies to try to better understand PCH pathogenesis.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > tRNA Processing

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Recognition
Commentary
Authors: Sandström Camilla , Rønningen Katrina
Published: February 2022

How to turn the different “ways of seeing” and “ways of knowing” into “ways of making” legitimate regulations, processes, and legal frameworks for the potential sharing of benefits and burdens of natural resources and places? Political science, geography, and anthropology are all concerned with power and its structuring effects; anthropology, however, provides a vital sensitivity toward contextual, cultural, and historical factors.

Environmental communication exercises power as a tool in processes of decolonization and struggles for self-determination, but also through the many mandatory requirements of planning and licensing processes, EIAs, participatory processes, and so on. Environmental communication may thus be used to understand power struggles and conflicts, while also itself shaping these struggles. These processes generally lack the tools to take multi-generational experiences, oral narratives, and local knowledge into consideration, while employing very narrow time perspectives. Anthropology thus provides a sorely needed approach that is crucial to mapping land use and meanings properly.
Demographic Change and Local Community Sustainability: Heritagization of Land Abandonment Symbols
Authors: Murin Ivan , Horský Jan , Aláč Ján
Published: February 2022

This is a study of a group of people living in south-central Slovakia who wish to reconnect with their ancestral land. This group has decided to return to the abandoned cultural landscape in former hamlets. The area they are returning to, like many other similar areas around Europe, is characterized by demographic change through outmigration by young generations and aging populations. To facilitate their return, a group of anthropologists have conducted research of original adaptation strategies, historical migrations, and demographic changes in selected localities. At the same time, the areas’ last inhabitants began to revitalize cemeteries—symbolic places. The anthropologists facilitated this restoration process by conducting oral histories, developing maps of traditional areas, and compiling ethnohistorical research data. The abandoned cemeteries acquired a new function after their restoration—they speak to the public as an environmental argument for the fragility of landscape sustainability.
“The Sea Has No Boundaries”: Collaboration and Communication Between Actors in Coastal Planning on the Swedish West Coast
Authors: Larsson Simon , Sjölander-Lindqvist Annelie
Published: February 2022

This chapter investigates a collaborative project aimed at strengthening cooperation and establishing common objectives regarding the planning of a coastal zone on the Swedish West Coast. The project included participants from municipalities, government authorities, and other relevant actors involved in planning and management of the coastal area. The aim of this chapter is to explore how the actors involved in the project understand the objectives of the collaborative approach, and how the project played out in practice. The chapter points to difficulties in agreeing upon joint goals in an institutional setting of an established division of responsibilities, but it also demonstrates how the collaborative project has several positive outcomes not formulated in its deliverables. The chapter also makes an argument that much communication within a project is only possible to observe if one studies it for a longer duration, becoming a natural element in the environment and getting to know the participants.
Power, Conflicts, and Environmental Communication in the Struggles for Water Justice in Rural Chile: Insights from the Epistemologies of the South and the Anthropology of Power
Authors: Alarcón Ferrari Cristian
Published: February 2022

This chapter elaborates conceptual and theoretical insights to advance a conflict- and power-oriented perspective for a critical conceptualization of environmental communication. To this purpose, the chapter develops and builds upon insights from the anthropology of power and the epistemologies of the South. Within this context, the chapter focuses on the theoretical contributions of Paulo Freire and Eric Wolf to critically approach the relations between communication, power, and conflicts within social-ecological relations. Empirically, the chapter offers an analysis of struggles for water justice and water democracy in Chile which is based on interviews, observations, and analysis of documents conducted during fieldwork in three regions and rural areas of Chile. The chapter argues for a critical theorizing of environmental communication to better understand and explain the meanings of normative views of environmental communication, and to also understand how such normative views cannot be separated from the interests of subjects situated in contingent social-ecological relations and conflicts.
Radiological Evaluation Criteria for Chronic Subdural Hematomas
Authors: Bechstein Matthias , McDonough Rosalie , Fiehler Jens , Zanolini Umberto , Rai Hamid , Siddiqui Adnan , Shotar Eimad , Rouchaud Aymeric , Goyal Mayank , Gellissen Susanne
Published: February 2022

Background

The methodology of measuring chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) extent and its effect on intracranial structures is relevant for patient classification and outcome measurements and affects the external validity of cSDH studies. With embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) as a possible treatment of cSDHs, the topic has gained substantial interest. We sought to summarize the heterogeneity of radiologic measurements, specifically in the evaluation of cSDHs based on literature review.

Methods

In this review, we identified and described the most common radiological methodologies for measurements of cSDH thickness, cSDH volume and of midline shift.

Conclusion

There are numerous published methods on how to evaluate cSDH thickness, cSDH volume and midline shift but no common standard. The definition of measurement methods and reporting standards for MMA embolization in cSDH patients and their validation needs to be addressed.
Results of sole postoperative interstitial, high-dose-rate brachytherapy of T1–2 tongue tumours
Authors: Takácsi-Nagy Zoltán , Ferenczi Örs , Major Tibor , Akiyama Hironori , Fröhlich Georgina , Oberna Ferenc , Révész Mónika , Poósz Márton , Polgár Csaba
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To describe the results of treating tongue cancer patients with single postoperative interstitial, high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) after resection.

Methods

Between January 1998 and April 2019, 45 patients with squamous cell histology, stage T1–2N0–1M0 tongue tumours were treated by surgery followed by a single HDR BT in case of negative prognostic factors (close or positive surgical margin, lymphovascular and/or perineural invasion). The average dose was 29 Gy (range: 10–45 Gy) and rigid metal needles were used in 11 (24%) and flexible plastic catheters in 34 cases (76%). Survival parameters, toxicities and the prognostic factors influencing survival were analysed.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 103 months (range: 16–260 months) for surviving patients, the 10-year local and regional control (LC, RC), overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) probabilities were 85, 73, 34 and 63%, respectively. The incidence of local grade 1, 2 and 3 mucositis was 23, 73 and 4%, respectively. As a serious (grade 4), late side effect, soft tissue necrosis developed in 3 cases (7%). In a univariate analysis, there was a significant correlation between lymphovascular invasion and RC (p = 0.0118) as well as cervical recurrence and DSS (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Sole postoperative HDR brachytherapy can be an effective method in case of negative prognostic factors in the treatment of early, resectable tongue tumours. Comparing the results of patients treated with postoperative BT to those who were managed with surgery or BT alone known from the literature, a slightly more favourable LC can be achieved with the combination therapy, demonstrating the potential compensating effect of BT on adverse prognostic factors, while the developing severe, grade 4 toxicity rate remains low.
Influence of thread parameters on the withdrawal capacity of wood screws to optimize the thread geometry
Authors: Hoelz Kevin , Dörner Philipp-Tobias , Hohlweg Julian , Matthiesen Sven
Published: February 2022

For wood screw connections, the withdrawal capacity is essential and is therefore an optimization target for wood screws. The withdrawal capacity is based on the composite action between the screw thread and the wood. Optimizing thread geometry requires knowledge of how thread parameters influence the withdrawal capacity. Up to now, this knowledge is largely unknown. Therefore, the objective is to determine the influence of thread height (1 mm; 1.48 mm), flank distance (3.04 mm; 6.08 mm), lead angle (6.8°; 13.6°), and thread angle (30°; 55°) on the withdrawal capacity. The influences are investigated for a tangential screw-in direction in spruce. For this, flat ribbed bars, so-called threaded test objects, are used. The effect on the withdrawal capacity is measured using an experimental setup based on test standard EN 1382 in two different planes of the flat thread to the wood fiber. 242 tests in RT plane and 286 in TL plane were analyzed with multifactorial analyses of variance. The thread height, flank distance, and thread angle show significant effects in both planes. A larger thread height, a smaller thread pitch, and a more acute thread angle increase the withdrawal capacity. Only in RT plane, a larger lead angle shows higher withdrawal capacity. The determined effects can be used to design the thread geometry of wood screws with higher withdrawal capacities. The accuracy of calculation models for the withdrawal capacity of wood screw connections can also be improved based on the findings. With the results, confirmation could be found for known models based on the theory of compression cones explaining the influences of the flank distance and thread angle.
Global risks, the macroeconomy, and asset prices
Authors: Costola Michele , Donadelli Michael , Gerotto Luca , Gufler Ivan
Published: February 2022

We propose a novel index of global risks awareness (GRAI) based on the most concerning risks—classified in five categories (economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological)—reported by the World Economic Forum (WEF) according to the potential impact and likelihood occurrence. The degree of public concern toward these risks is captured by Google search volumes on topics having the same or similar wording of that one of the WEF Global Risk Report. The dynamics of our GRAI exhibits several spillover episodes and indicates that concerns on the five different categories of global risks are—on average—highly interconnected. We further examine the interconnection between global risks perceptions and the macroeconomy and find that concerns on economic-, geopolitical-, and societal-related risks are net shock transmitters, whereas the macroeconomic variables are largely net receivers. Finally, we perform standard cross-sectional asset pricing tests and provide evidence that rising interconnection among global risks awareness commands a positive and statistically significant risk premium.
An ex vivo perfused ventilated murine lung model suggests lack of acute pulmonary toxicity of the potential novel anticancer agent (−)-englerin A
Authors: Schremmer Christian , Steinritz Dirk , Gudermann Thomas , Beech David J. , Dietrich Alexander
Published: February 2022

(−)-Englerin A (EA), a potential novel anti-cancer drug, is a potent selective activator of classical transient receptor potential 4 and 5 (TRPC4, TRPC5) channels. As TRPC4 channels are expressed and functional in the lung endothelium, possible side effects such as lung edema formation may arise during its administration. Well-established in vivo rodent models for toxicological testing, however, rapidly degrade this compound to its inactive derivative, englerin B. Therefore, we chose an ex vivo isolated perfused and ventilated murine lung (IPVML) model to detect edema formation due to toxicants, which also reduces the number of incriminating animal experiments required. To evaluate the sensitivity of the IPVML model, short-time (10 min) drops of the pH from 7.4 down to 4.0 were applied, which resulted in linear changes of tidal volumes, wet-to-dry weight ratios and incorporation of FITC-coupled dextran particles from the perfusate. As expected, biological activity of EA was preserved after perfusion in the IPVML model. Concentrations of 50–100 nM EA continuously perfused through the IPVML model did not change tidal volumes and lung weights significantly. Wet-to-dry weight ratios were increased after perfusion of 100 nM EA but permeation of FITC-coupled dextran particles from the perfusate to the lung tissues was not significantly different. Therefore, EA shows little or no significant acute pulmonary toxicity after application of doses expected to activate target ion channels and the IPVML is a sensitive powerful ex vivo model for evaluating acute lung toxicity in accordance with the 3R rules for animal experimentation.
Risk assessment tools for QT prolonging pharmacotherapy in older adults: a systematic review
Authors: Skullbacka Simone , Airaksinen Marja , Puustinen Juha , Toivo Terhi
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Many drugs are associated with the risk of QT prolongation and torsades de pointes (TdP), and different risk assessment tools (RATs) are developed to help clinicians to manage related risk. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence of different RATs for QT prolonging pharmacotherapy.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. Studies concerning risk assessment tools for QT prolonging pharmacotherapy, including older adults, were included. Screening and selection of the studies, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were undertaken.

Results

A total of 21 studies were included, involving different risk assessment tools. Most commonly used tools were risk scores (n = 9), computerized physician order entry systems (n = 3), and clinical decision support systems (n = 6). The tools were developed mainly for physicians and pharmacists. Risk scores included a high number of risk factors, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, for QT prolongation and TdP. The inclusion of patients’ risk factors in computerized physician order entry and clinical decision support systems varied.

Conclusion

Most of the risk assessment tools for QT prolonging pharmacotherapy give a comprehensive overview of patient-specific risks of QT prolongation and TdP and reduce modifiable risk factors and actual events. The risk assessment tools could be better adapted to different health information systems to help in clinical decision-making. Further studies on clinical validation of risk assessment tools with randomized controlled trials are needed.
Biological cellulose saccharification using a coculture of Clostridium thermocellum and Thermobrachium celere strain A9
Authors: Nhim Sreyneang , Waeonukul Rattiya , Uke Ayaka , Baramee Sirilak , Ratanakhanokchai Khanok , Tachaapaikoon Chakrit , Pason Patthra , Liu Ya-Jun , Kosugi Akihiko
Published: February 2022

An anaerobic thermophilic bacterial strain, A9 (NITE P-03545), that secretes β-glucosidase was newly isolated from wastewater sediments by screening using esculin. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain A9 had 100% identity with that of Thermobrachium celere type strain JW/YL-NZ35. The complete genome sequence of strain A9 showed 98.4% average nucleotide identity with strain JW/YL-NZ35. However, strain A9 had different physiological properties from strain JW/YL-NZ35, which cannot secrete β-glucosidases or grow on cellobiose as the sole carbon source. The key β-glucosidase gene (TcBG1) of strain A9, which belongs to glycoside hydrolase family 1, was characterized. Recombinant β-glucosidase (rTcBG1) hydrolyzed cellooligosaccharides to glucose effectively. Furthermore, rTcBG1 showed high thermostability (at 60°C for 2 days) and high glucose tolerance (IC50 = 0.75 M glucose), suggesting that rTcBG1 could be used for biological cellulose saccharification in cocultures with Clostridium thermocellum. High cellulose degradation was observed when strain A9 was cocultured with C. thermocellum in a medium containing 50 g/l crystalline cellulose, and glucose accumulation in the culture supernatant reached 35.2 g/l. In contrast, neither a monoculture of C. thermocellum nor coculture of C. thermocellum with strain JW/YL-NZ35 realized efficient cellulose degradation or high glucose accumulation. These results show that the β-glucosidase secreted by strain A9 degrades cellulose effectively in combination with C. thermocellum cellulosomes and has the potential to be used in a new biological cellulose saccharification process that does not require supplementation with β-glucosidases.

Key points

• Strain A9 can secrete a thermostable β-glucosidase that has high glucose tolerance

• A coculture of strain A9 and C. thermocellum showed high cellulose degradation

• Strain A9 achieves biological saccharification without addition of β-glucosidase
Analytical model for predicting activation pressure and flow rate of pressure-compensating inline drip emitters and its use in low-pressure emitter design
Authors: Sokol Julia , Narain Jaya , Costello Jeffrey , McLaurin Tristan , Kumar Dheekshita , Winter Amos G.
Published: February 2022

Drip irrigation has the potential to help farmers increase crop production with lower on-farm water consumption than flood or sprinkler irrigation; yet, its high costs keep it out of reach for many smallholder farmers, who make up about 20$$\%$$
%
of the world’s population. Pressure-compensating (PC) drip emitters enable uniform water delivery to all crops in a field by regulating the emitter flow rate, but typically require high pumping pressures, contributing to high capital and operating costs for the pump and power system. Redesigning PC emitters for lower pressure operation could enable more energy-efficient and affordable drip systems. However, the current lack of published design theory for PC emitters hinders the development of emitters with desired hydraulic performance. To address this gap, we present an analytical, parametric model for the hydraulic behavior (i.e., the flow rate versus pressure curve) of inline PC emitters before the flow-regulating regime. We combine this model with a validated prototyping method to demonstrate its utility in the design of PC emitters with target activation pressures and flow rates, and demonstrate a sample design that achieves 38$$\%$$
%
lower activation pressure than commercial emitters with similar flow rates. The proposed model sheds light on the parametric relationships between PC emitter geometry and performance. It may inform R&D efforts in the irrigation industry and lead to improved emitter designs with low operating pressures, helping reduce drip system costs and increase access to drip irrigation among smallholder farmers.
The effect of regulated deficit irrigation on growth, yield, and berry quality of grapevines (cv. Sangiovese) grafted on rootstocks with different resistance to water deficit
Authors: Caruso Giovanni , Palai Giacomo , Gucci Riccardo , D’Onofrio Claudio
Published: February 2022

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of full irrigation (FI), pre-veraison water deficit (RDI 1), or post-veraison water deficit (RDI 2) on growth, yield, and berry quality in container-grown, mature vines of cv. Sangiovese grafted onto either 1103P or SO4 rootstock over two consecutive growing seasons. Deficit irrigation regimes significantly affected vine water status of both rootstocks before and after veraison. Trunk diameter (TD) increment was markedly affected when water was restricted early, but not in the post-veraison period. Deficit irrigation from fruit set to veraison inhibited vegetative growth (TD, canopy volume, and weight of pruned wood) more than that applied from veraison to harvest. Yield was unaffected by either irrigation or rootstock in both years. Irrigation had a marked effect on berry and juice quality: the RDI 1 treatment induced the highest berry anthocyanin concentration, and the lowest titratable acidity (TA), which, instead, increased in the RDI 2 treatment. RDI treatments did not modify berry dry weight, soluble solid content, TA, anthocyanins, and epicarp total phenols in vines on both rootstocks.
Performance of polarization-sensitive neurons of the locust central complex at different degrees of polarization
Authors: Hensgen Ronja , Zittrell Frederick , Pfeiffer Keram , Homberg Uwe
Published: February 2022

The polarization pattern of the sky is exploited by many insects for spatial orientation and navigation. It derives from Rayleigh scattering in the atmosphere and depends directly on the position of the sun. In the insect brain, the central complex (CX) houses neurons tuned to the angle of polarization (AoP), that together constitute an internal compass for celestial navigation. Polarized light is not only characterized by the AoP, but also by the degree of polarization (DoP), which can be highly variable, depending on sky conditions. Under a clear sky, the DoP of polarized sky light may reach up to 0.75 but is usually much lower especially when light is scattered by clouds or haze. To investigate how the polarization-processing network of the CX copes with low DoPs, we recorded intracellularly from neurons of the locust CX at different stages of processing, while stimulating with light of different DoPs. Significant responses to polarized light occurred down to DoPs of 0.05 indicating reliable coding of the AoP even at unfavorable sky conditions. Moreover, we found that the activity of neurons at the CX input stage may be strongly influenced by nearly unpolarized light, while the activity of downstream neurons appears less affected.