bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Power and Epistemologies in the Scientific Field: Why a Rapid Reconciliation Between Functional and Evolutionary Biology is Unlikely
Authors: Benz Pierre , Bühlmann Felix
Published: January 2024

The past decade has been marked by a series of global crises, presenting an opportunity to reevaluate the relationship between science and politics. The biological sciences are instrumental in understanding natural phenomena and informing policy decisions. However, scholars argue that current scientific expertise often fails to account for entire populations and long-term impacts, hindering efforts to address issues such as biodiversity loss, global warming, and pandemics. This article explores the structural challenges of integrating an evolutionary perspective, historically opposed to functional determinants of health and disease, into current biological science practices. Using data on Swiss biology professors from 1957, 1980, and 2000, we examine the structural power dynamics that have led to the division between these competing epistemologies, and how this division has influenced resource allocation and career trajectories. Our analysis suggests that this cleavage presents a significant obstacle to achieving fruitful reconciliations, and that increased academicization and internationalization may benefit functional biologists at the expense of evolutionary biologists. While evolutionary biologists have gained symbolic recognition in recent years, this has not translated into valuable expertise in the political domain.
Design of a liposome with the property to induce CD16 on cervical cancer cells with a purified spermidine-cholesterol
Authors: Weiss-Steider Benny , Marcelín-Jiménez Gabriel , Soto-Vázquez Ramón , Reyes-Rodríguez Adelfo N. , Rangel-Corona Rosalva , Vargas-Ángeles Carlos Adrián , Corona-Ortega María Teresa
Published: January 2024

The purpose of the study is to investigate the use of a purified cationic lipid for fabricate liposomes capable of inducing the appearance of CD16 receptors on the membranes of cervical carcinoma cells. The methods used in this study are chemical synthesis of purified spermidine-cholesterol, liposome fabrication, UPLC-MS analysis, cell culture, and flow cytometry. This study reveals the construction of a liposomal system with a highly purified spermidine-cholesterol with CD16 inducing capacity on cervical cancer cells. We were able to synthetize a highly purified spermidine-cholesterol to fabricate a liposomal system capable to induce CD16 on cervical cancer cells.
Searching in an unfamiliar environment: a phenomenologically informed experiment
Authors: Alcock Madeleine , Wiener Jan M. , Hardman Doug
Published: January 2024

Wayfinding is generally understood as the process of purposefully navigating to distant and non-visible destinations. Within this broad framework, uninformed searching entails finding one’s way to a target destination, in an unfamiliar environment, with no knowledge of its location. Although a variety of search strategies have been previously reported, this research was largely conducted in the laboratory or virtual environments using simplistic and often non-realistic situations, raising questions about its ecological validity. In this study, we explored how extant findings on searching translate to a real-world environment, using a phenomenologically informed experiment. Our findings demonstrate a previously undescribed complex and dynamic interplay of different search strategies. Importantly, our results reveal that: (i) the presence of other people is importantly entangled with the process of searching; and (ii) people frequently probe and switch between search strategies based on local environmental characteristics. Together, our results reveal that search behaviour is critically dependent on environmental features and that searching in complex real-world settings should not be conceptualised as depending on a simple singular strategy. This raises questions about the dominance of laboratory-based experiments and their narrow cognitivist framework, highlighting the value of studying wayfinding in the real world.
Fighting Political Corruption with the Citizens
Authors: Valsangiacomo Chiara
Published: January 2024

Political Corruption by Emanuela Ceva and Maria Paola Ferretti (2021) presents a deontological account of political corruption, understood as an interactive injustice. The aim of the present contribution is to contextualize the authors’ arguments in relation to democracies and through the lens of democracy theory. In particular, it proposes to expand on one of the book’s main theses—namely, that public officials have a moral duty of office accountability towards their colleagues that stems from the nature of public institutions as systems of embodied and interrelated rule-governed roles. In a democratic context, however, officeholders should be accountable not only to their colleagues, but also to citizens, since the latter also occupy an embodied and interrelated rule-governed role in democratic institutions. Consequently, the moral burden of ensuring that public authorities and the public administration operate in a way that conforms with public ethics does not lie exclusively with officeholders or oversight agencies, but, at least in part, with the citizenry. Finally, this contribution shows how democratic innovations could contribute to fighting corruption and to realizing the conception of public ethics advanced in the book.
New geographic location data on the occurrence and abundance of carrion insects of forensic interest
Authors: Morris Beryl
Published: January 2024

The world’s forensic entomologists have much in common. They face similar research challenges, apply the same scientific methodology, study the same kinds of evidence, and access global research databases. Nevertheless, some regional heterogeneity inevitably exists. For most countries, and particularly those that have complex and diverse ecosystems, the current priority is to stimulate use of forensic entomology by establishing open access databases with time series data using standardised protocols for occurrence, abundance, distribution, niche preferences, life cycle, and identification characteristics for the key regional species that may be encountered in forensic entomology cases. Even in countries where forensic entomology is routinely used as a tool in reconstructing the history of corpses found on crime scenes in accordance with principles found in the rapidly developing body of literature, there is still much to learn about forensically useful insects. Examples of regional gaps include the taxonomy of lesser-known carrion insect species, seasonal occurrence of carrion species in the country’s various geographical regions, and rates of development of the local species modeled in the many site situations of forensic interest. The first published study of carrion insects found in Athens, Greece published in this journal is an example of entomologists in a region taking the necessary first step towards establishing baseline data about native and introduced species and hence, physiological and behavioural responses to local environmental conditions, including life cycles and likelihood of occurrence or absence in the region.
Death and injuries caused by cattle: A forensic overview
Authors: Byard Roger W.
Published: January 2024

Lethal episodes arising from interactions with cattle may be the result of a response of the animals to simple handling and herding, or from reactions to deliberate provocation or goading intended to incite aggressive behavior for public entertainment purposes. Deaths may be considered to be unprovoked and unanticipated, or provoked and predictable. Cattle cause significant numbers of deaths globally and are considered the most dangerous large animal in Britain. Behavior may be unpredictable even in apparently docile domesticated animals, and attacks may be by a single animal or a herd and result in injuries from kicking, head/butting/charging, stomping, goring, and crushing. Craniofacial injuries may involve fractures of the spine or skull with cerebral contusions and lacerations associated with subarachnoid, subdural, and extradural hemorrhages. Chest injuries are also characterized by fractures which may be multiple with flail chest, hemo- and pneumothoraces, and organ disruption. Injuries to the abdomen and perineum include intestinal perforations, splenic rupture, perineal and vaginal tears, urethral lacerations and avulsions, and bladder and rectal perforations. Significant vascular injuries include complete and partial transections and lacerations. Males living in rural areas are most at risk of a fatal encounter.
Contributions of Perennial Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) Invasion to Rarity of the Endangered Suisun Thistle (Cirsium hydrophilum var. hydrophilum)
Authors: Schneider Rosa S. , Buchbinder Margot V. , Boyer Katharyn E.
Published: January 2024

Invasive species exert disproportionate impacts in wetlands and pose particular challenges for rare species persisting at small spatial scales. In the urbanized San Francisco Estuary (SFE), which contains 90% of California’s remaining coastal wetlands, invasive and rare species often co-occur. One narrow endemic taxon, the federally listed Suisun thistle (Cirsium hydrophilum var. hydrophilum) is restricted to two or three locations where the invasive perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) has an increasing presence. Perennial pepperweed has invaded salt, brackish, and freshwater wetlands around the SFE, leading to high management concern. In this study, we investigated how perennial pepperweed may contribute to further rarity of the Suisun thistle, by conducting a removal experiment and surveying soil-plant relationships. Removing pepperweed led to a doubling of native species relative cover and an increase in native species richness by an average of one species per plot, positive effects on Suisun thistle cover, number, and reproductive output, and shifts in soil properties. Combined with survey data inside and outside of pepperweed stands, we conclude that pepperweed competes with Suisun thistle via competition for space, nutrients, and light, interferes with the Suisun thistle’s reproductive success, and alters brackish marsh soil physicochemical characteristics to further favor pepperweed. We recommend local control of pepperweed to prevent further loss of Suisun thistle. Further, the wide range of mechanisms by which this invasion may proceed if unchecked should be considered in other settings where rare or uncommon species are at risk from invaders.
Towards efficient strain engineering of 2D materials: A four-points bending approach for compressive strain
Authors: Li Hao , Carrascoso Félix , Borrás Ana , Moreno Gloria P. , Aparicio Francisco J. , Barranco Ángel , Gómez Andrés Castellanos
Published: January 2024

Strain engineering, as a powerful strategy to tune the optical and electrical properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials by deforming their crystal lattice, has attracted significant interest in recent years. 2D materials can sustain ultra-high strains, even up to 10%, due to the lack of dangling bonds on their surface, making them ideal brittle solids. This remarkable mechanical resilience, together with a strong strain-tunable band structure, endows 2D materials with a broad optical and electrical response upon strain. However, strain engineering based on 2D materials is restricted by their nanoscale and strain quantification troubles. In this study, we have modified a homebuilt three-points bending apparatus to transform it into a four-points bending apparatus that allows for the application of both compressive and tensile strains on 2D materials. This approach allows for the efficient and reproducible construction of a strain system and minimizes the buckling effect caused by the van der Waals interaction by adamantane encapsulation strategy. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of introducing compressive strain on 2D materials and the potential for tuning their optical and physical properties through this approach.
The new approach to establish a better match between obtained electrofacies and hydraulic flow units for oligo-Miocene reservoir rocks, North of Dezful Embayment, SW Iran
Authors: Jamilpour Mahmood , Mahboubi Asadollah , Moussavi-Harami Reza , Khanehbad Mohammad , Hooshmand-Koochi Hamed
Published: January 2024

Routine core analysis data (porosity and permeability)—used in various methods for hydraulic flow unit (HFU) determination of reservoir rocks—are unavailable in all drilled wells. On the other hand, raw petrophysical wireline logs—applied to determine reservoir electrofacies (EF)—are usually available in all wells. Since cores provide accurate data on reservoir characteristics, the lack of cores has always interested petroleum geologists and engineers. Therefore, introducing a new method to give almost accurate data about reservoir rocks in uncored wells has always interested petroleum geologists and engineers. As the type of input data that was used to determine HFUs and reservoir EFs are fundamentally different from each other, providing an approach that can create a better match between the results of these two rock typing methods is always one of significant interest for researchers. In this research, capillary pressure (Pc) test results are vital in obtaining reservoir EFs compatible with HFUs for the Oligo-Miocene Asmari Formation in Qale Nar Oilfield. So that only EFs that are compatible with Pc test results are approved. Flow zone indicator (FZI) method was applied to determine five HFU including A (Log FZI > − 0.05, average of core porosity and permeability are 5.8% and 0.37 mD) to E (Log FZI < − 0.65, average of core porosity and permeability are 0.07% and 0.03 mD). Furthermore, based on raw petrophysical wireline logs and MRGC algorithm in Geolog software, five electrofacies (EF) were indicated containing EF 1 (average of core porosity and permeability are 5.91% and 0.38 mD) to EF 5 (average of core porosity and permeability are 0.08% and 0.02 mD). The correlation between HFUs and EFs shows that HFU A to HFU E is compatible with EF 1 to EF 5. Also, examining the obtained electrofacies in the modified Lorenz plot indicates that EF 1 and 2 perfectly match intervals with a high fluid flow regime. By this method, it is possible to provide an almost accurate estimation of hydraulic flow unit distribution for wells and intervals without cores.
Clustering and Geodesic Scaling of Dissimilarities on the Spherical Surface
Authors: Fernando Vera J. , Subiabre Ricardo , Macías Rodrigo
Published: January 2024

Spherical embedding is an important tool in several fields of data analysis, including environmental data, spatial statistics, text mining, gene expression analysis, medical research and, in general, areas in which the geodesic distance is a relevant factor. Many data acquisition technologies are related to massive data acquisition, and these high-dimensional vectors are often normalised and transformed into spherical data. In this representation of data on spherical surfaces, multidimensional scaling plays an important role. Traditionally, the methods of clustering and representation have been combined, since the precision of the representation tends to decrease when a large number of objects are involved, which makes interpretation difficult. In this paper, we present a model that partitions objects into classes while simultaneously representing the cluster centres on a spherical surface based on geodesic distances. The model combines a partition algorithm based on the approximation of dissimilarities to geodesic distances with a representation procedure for geodesic distances. In this process, the dissimilarities are transformed in order to optimise the radius of the sphere. The efficiency of the procedure described is analysed by means of an extensive Monte Carlo experiment, and its usefulness is illustrated for real data sets. Supplementary material to this paper is provided online.
Arbitral Award of Oct. 3, 1899 (Guy. v. Venez.) (Preliminary Objections) (I.C.J.)
Authors: Ramcharan Bertrand
Published: January 2024

On March 29, 2018, the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana (hereinafter Guyana) filed in the Registry of the Court an application instituting proceedings against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (hereinafter Venezuela) with respect to a dispute concerning “the legal validity and binding effect of the Award regarding the Boundary between the Colony of British Guiana and the United States of Venezuela, of 3 October 1899” (hereinafter the 1899 Award or the Award).
A nomenclatural note on Mosasaurus hoffmanni (Squamata, Mosasauroidea)
Authors: Schulp Anne S. , Slootjes Daniëlle , Jagt John W.M. , Mulder Eric W.A. , Bardet Nathalie
Published: January 2024

The historically important mosasaur fossil (known as ‘le grand animal fossile des carrières de Maestricht’) has been known as Mosasaurus hoffmanni for almost two centuries now. Recently, it has been proposed to amend the spelling of the species name, by adding a second ‘i’ to the species epithet. We present historical evidence to the contrary, and recommend, following article 33.2.3.1 of the ICZN, to retain the specific epithet hoffmanni.
Spicy food consumption reduces the risk of ischaemic stroke: a prospective study
Authors: Li Jiale , Xie Changping , Lan Jian , Tan Jinxue , Tan Xiaoping , Chen Ningyu , Wei Liuping , Liang Jiajia , Pan Rong , Zhu Tingping , Pei Pei , Sun Dianjianyi , Su Li , Zhou Lifang
Published: January 2024

Previous studies revealed that consuming spicy food reduced mortality from CVD and lowered stroke risk. However, no studies reported the relationship between spicy food consumption, stroke types and dose–response. This study aimed to further explore the association between the frequency of spicy food intake and the risk of stroke in a large prospective cohort study. In this study, 50 174 participants aged 30–79 years were recruited. Spicy food consumption data were collected via a baseline survey questionnaire. Outcomes were incidence of any stroke, ischaemic stroke (IS) and haemorrhagic stroke (HS). Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models estimated the association between the consumption of spicy food and incident stroke. Restricted cubic spline analysis was used to examine the dose–response relationship. During the median 10·7-year follow-up, 3967 strokes were recorded, including 3494 IS and 516 HS. Compared with those who never/rarely consumed spicy food, those who consumed spicy food monthly, 1–2 d/week and 3–5 d/week had hazard ratio (HR) of 0·914 (95 % CI 0·841, 0·995), 0·869 (95 % CI 0·758, 0·995) and 0·826 (95 % CI 0·714, 0·956) for overall stroke, respectively. For IS, the corresponding HR) were 0·909 (95 % CI 0·832, 0·994), 0·831 (95 % CI 0·718, 0·962) and 0·813 (95 % CI 0·696, 0·951), respectively. This protective effect showed a U-shaped dose–response relationship. For obese participants, consuming spicy food ≥ 3 d/week was negatively associated with the risk of IS. We found the consumption of spicy food was negatively associated with the risk of IS and had a U-shaped dose–response relationship with risk of IS. Individuals who consumed spicy food 3–5 d/week had a significantly lowest risk of IS.
Variation of subclinical psychosis across 16 sites in Europe and Brazil: findings from the multi-national EU-GEI study
Authors: D'Andrea Giuseppe , Quattrone Diego , Malone Kathryn , Tripoli Giada , Trotta Giulia , Spinazzola Edoardo , Gayer-Anderson Charlotte , Jongsma Hannah E , Sideli Lucia , Stilo Simona A , La Cascia Caterina , Ferraro Laura , Lasalvia Antonio , Tosato Sarah , Tortelli Andrea , Velthorst Eva , de Haan Lieuwe , Llorca Pierre-Michel , Rossi Menezes Paulo , Santos Jose Luis , Arrojo Manuel , Bobes Julio , Sanjuán Julio , Bernardo Miguel , Arango Celso , Kirkbride James B , Jones Peter B , Rutten Bart P , Van Os Jim , Selten Jean-Paul , Vassos Evangelos , Schürhoff Franck , Szöke Andrei , Pignon Baptiste , O'Donovan Michael , Richards Alexander , Morgan Craig , Di Forti Marta , Tarricone Ilaria , Murray Robin M
Published: January 2024

Background

Incidence of first-episode psychosis (FEP) varies substantially across geographic regions. Phenotypes of subclinical psychosis (SP), such as psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and schizotypy, present several similarities with psychosis. We aimed to examine whether SP measures varied across different sites and whether this variation was comparable with FEP incidence within the same areas. We further examined contribution of environmental and genetic factors to SP.

Methods

We used data from 1497 controls recruited in 16 different sites across 6 countries. Factor scores for several psychopathological dimensions of schizotypy and PLEs were obtained using multidimensional item response theory models. Variation of these scores was assessed using multi-level regression analysis to estimate individual and between-sites variance adjusting for age, sex, education, migrant, employment and relational status, childhood adversity, and cannabis use. In the final model we added local FEP incidence as a second-level variable. Association with genetic liability was examined separately.

Results

Schizotypy showed a large between-sites variation with up to 15% of variance attributable to site-level characteristics. Adding local FEP incidence to the model considerably reduced the between-sites unexplained schizotypy variance. PLEs did not show as much variation. Overall, SP was associated with younger age, migrant, unmarried, unemployed and less educated individuals, cannabis use, and childhood adversity. Both phenotypes were associated with genetic liability to schizophrenia.

Conclusions

Schizotypy showed substantial between-sites variation, being more represented in areas where FEP incidence is higher. This supports the hypothesis that shared contextual factors shape the between-sites variation of psychosis across the spectrum.
‘Not so much thought out as danced out’: expanding philosophy of religion in the light of Candomblé
Authors: Burley Mikel
Published: January 2024

When the anthropologist R. R. Marett affirmed that certain forms of religion are ‘not so much thought out as danced out’ (1914, xxxi), he was, in effect, anticipating a criticism that has been levelled at philosophy of religion in recent decades – namely, the criticism that this branch of philosophy has frequently underplayed the extent to which religions often prioritize ritual activities (including dance) over intellectual matters. Taking Marett's observation as a point of departure, this article reflects philosophically on the Afro-Brazilian tradition of Candomblé as an exemplary case. Special attention is given to the themes of (a) dance as a mode of ‘gestural language’ (Wafer 1991, 178) and (b) ‘embodied knowledge’ (Daniel 2005). It is argued that these themes supply opportunities to enrich our understanding not only of a significant dimension of religion – that is, the dimension of dance – but also of what communication and knowledge can amount to in both religious and non-religious contexts.
Knuth–Morris–Pratt illustrated
Authors: MOY CAMERON
Published: January 2024

The Knuth–Morris–Pratt (KMP) algorithm for string search is notoriously difficult to understand. Lost in a sea of index arithmetic, most explanations of KMP obscure its essence. This paper constructs KMP incrementally, using pictures to illustrate each step. The end result is easier to comprehend. Additionally, the derivation uses only elementary functional programming techniques.
Population status of the endemic Pitcairn Reed Warbler Acrocephalus vaughani on Pitcairn Island, South Pacific
Authors: Oppel Steffen , Eisler Robert , Aspey Nik
Published: January 2024

Reed warblers are widespread throughout Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia, and many species undertake long seasonal migrations. By contrast, other species of the genus Acrocephalus are sedentary and endemic to single oceanic islands. The Pitcairn Reed Warbler Acrocephalus vaughani is confined to the small volcanic island of Pitcairn in the South Pacific Ocean, and no population assessments have ever been conducted for this species. Due to its restricted range, the presence of invasive species, and the loss of natural habitat, the species is considered as globally “Endangered”, but its actual conservation status is entirely speculative. We conducted transect surveys and nest monitoring in the austral summer of 2022/23 and present abundance estimates for the species. We counted between 51 and 158 reed warblers along 54 transects that were each 100 m long and covered all habitats and roughly 13% of the vegetated island area. Using binomial mixture models accounting for imperfect detection and habitat variation in abundance, we estimated that Pitcairn may hold 1,568 (95% confidence interval 812–3,237) Pitcairn Reed Warblers, and that the species appeared to be most abundant in introduced Rose Apple Syzygium jambos stands. Based on the monitoring of 49 nests, of which only four failed to fledge any young, we estimated that Mayfield nest survival rate was 0.69 and estimated productivity was 1.07 (± 0.39 standard deviation) fledglings per nest. Assuming that Pitcairn Reed Warblers have similar annual survival probabilities as other island reed warblers, the productivity appears sufficient to maintain the population and there is no indication that the species has decreased significantly over the past three generations. Given the limited extent of occurrence, and the stable current population size between 442 and 2,774 mature individuals, we recommend that the global conservation status of the Pitcairn Reed Warbler be classified as “Vulnerable”.
“Quality of life” analysis in the long-term follow-up after “Fontan” palliation for CHDs—a single-centre experience
Authors: Brosig Susann , Wagner Robert , Twal Rabie , Meier Sabine , Vollroth Marcel , Markel Franziska , Dähnert Ingo , Kostelka Martin , Paech Christian
Published: January 2024

Background:

Complex CHDs are life threatening, and surgical treatment is needed for survival. Fontan palliation led to a significant increase in survival rates during the last decades. Consequently, quality of life became more essential. While a reduced quality of life compared to healthy children has been reported, detailed knowledge about individual quality of life and particular areas is lacking. Furthermore, the effect of different risk factors on quality of life is only rarely evaluated.

Method and Results:

Database of the department for pediatric cardiology, Heart Center Leipzig, was screened for children after total cavopulmonary connection palliation. n = 39 patients were included in the study, the outcome after total cavopulmonary connection was analysed in detail and quality of life data were collected and analysed using the standardised questionnaire “Pediatric quality of life inventory”, version 4.0. We compared the total health score of our patients to the mean score of healthy children in the literature. The mean follow-up time was 6.4 ± 3.2 years, the overall survival was 100% after maximal follow-up time of 11.1 years. We could not find any age or gender dependence, nor an influence of age at total cavopulmonary connection on the later quality of life. Yet, patients with three-staged surgery exhibited a worse quality of life than patients with two-staged palliation. Late complications might influence quality of life, but patient number is too small, to find universal results.

Conclusion:

The total cavopulmonary connection palliation affects physical and psychological quality of life as well as cardiac health independently from age and gender. More patients and longer observation should be examined to confirm the results.
Einsatz partizipationsförderlicher Elemente in Bilderbuchbetrachtungen mit Krippenkindern und die Einstellungen pädagogischer Fachkräfte zur Partizipation
Authors: Schönfeld Romy , Range Anna-Katharina , Lonnemann Jan , Walter-Laager Catherine , Hildebrandt Frauke
Published: January 2024

Zusammenfassung: Pädagogischen Fachkräften in Kindertagesstätten kommt die Verantwortung zu, den Kindern altersunabhängig umfassende Beteiligungsmöglichkeiten zu gewähren. Das Erleben von Selbst- und Mitbestimmung in alltäglichen Angelegenheiten der Kinder, ihre Teilhabe an kognitiv anregenden partizipativen Interaktionen, wird als besonders entwicklungsförderlich betrachtet. Es fehlen allerdings weitgehend Forschungsergebnisse zur Frequenz einzelner Elemente dieser Interaktionsformate insbesondere für Krippenkinder. Es wurde daher in Krippen das Vorkommen einzelner Elemente partizipationsförderlicher sprachlicher Interaktionen in einer Buchbetrachtungssituation bei 72 Fachkräften erfasst und weiter überprüft, ob diese mit den Einstellungen der Fachkräfte zur Partizipation korrelieren. Pädagogischen Fachkräften ist es vermehrt – in 87,4% der Lesesituationen – gelungen, epistemische Markierungen als bedeutsames Element partizipationsförderlicher kognitiv anregender Interaktionen zu zeigen. Hingegen verbalisierten Fachkräfte emotionale Innenwelten anderer in lediglich 29,9% der Situationen und deren Überzeugungen gar nur in 2,3% der Situationen. Es zeigt sich außerdem, dass pädagogische Fachkräfte eher nicht den pessimistischen Aussagen über Partizipation zustimmen. Des Weiteren konnte ein signifikanter negativer Zusammenhang zwischen einer pessimistischen Einstellung zu Partizipation und der partizipationsförderlichen Strategie des Aufgreifens kindlicher Themen und dem Folgen des kindlichen Fokus gefunden werden. Insgesamt gibt diese Studie Aufschluss über die Präsenz von Elementen sprachlichen partizipationsförderlichen Handelns von Fachkräften wie das Einsetzen epistemischer Markierungen, das Begründen von Sprechakten oder das Verbalisieren innerer Zustände im pädagogischen Alltag von Krippenkindern und nimmt Fortbildungsbedarfe für eine weitere Professionalisierung des Feldes in den Blick.
A Rapid, Simple, and Low‐Blank Pumped Ion‐Exchange Column Chromatography Technique for Boron Purification From Carbonate and Seawater Matrices
Authors: Xu Chen , Jurikova Hana , Nuber Sophie , Steele Robert C. J. , Trudgill Molly , Barker Stephen , Lear Caroline H. , Burke Andrea , Rae James
Published: January 2024

Boron isotope ratios (δ11B) are used across the Earth Sciences and are increasing analyzed by Multi‐Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MC‐ICPMS). Accurate δ11B MC‐ICPMS analysis requires boron purification from the sample matrix using ion‐exchange column chromatography. However, the traditional gravity‐drip column method is time‐consuming and prone to airborne contamination due to its long duration and open resin surface. To address these issues, we designed a novel, simple, and reliable column chromatography technique called “peri‐columns.” This method uses a peristaltic pump to generate vacuum on a commonly used column set up. This method uses sealed collection beakers and does not require solutions to pass through pump tubing, minimizing contamination. The duration is reduced by eight‐fold, processing 12 samples in just 1.5 hr. It also yields low and consistent total procedural blanks, averaging 11 pg. The efficiency and efficacy of this method were tested by repeated boron purification from calcium carbonate and high‐sodium matrices with international and in‐house reference materials. The results matched those obtained using the gravity column method and fell within our laboratory long‐term and international certified values. The mean δ11B and 2SD (standard deviation) of repeatedly processed NIST 8301f were 14.57 ± 0.26‰ (n = 31), NIST 8301c was 24.19 ± 0.33‰ (n = 10), STAiG‐F1 was 16.20 ± 0.26‰ (n = 13), and seawater was 39.52 ± 0.32‰ (n = 10). All the components of our techniques are commercially available, and it is easily adaptable to other laboratories and isotope systems.
Identification of Shortcomings in Simulating the Subseasonal Reversal of the Warm Arctic–Cold Eurasia Pattern
Authors: Xu Tianbao , Yin Zhicong , Zhang Yijia , Zhou Botao
Published: January 2024

Subseasonal reversal of warm Arctic–cold Eurasia (SR‐WACE) pattern has significant impacts on transitions of weather and climate extremes in Eurasia. This study explored the performances of climate models to simulate the main features of SR‐WACE. For real‐time predictions, most of the state‐of‐the‐art climate models showed limited ability to accurately forecast SR‐WACE in advance. Furthermore, most of the historical simulations from Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) had also difficulties in well simulating the SR‐WACE. Further exploration showed that the simultaneous reversal of the Ural blocking high (UB) and Siberian high (SH) is the key atmospheric driver of the SR‐WACE occurrences, which were verified by both of the real‐time predictions and historical simulations. Our results implied that the simulation of SR‐WACE was a huge challenge and the critical solutions included improving simulation of subseasonal reversals of UB and SH in the atmosphere.
Power Spectra and Diurnal Variation of Low‐Level Horizontal Winds Observed by a Wind Profiler Radar Network Over China
Authors: Wang Yinjun , Zeng Xubin , Xu Xiangde , Galarneau Thomas J. , Li Feng , Zhao Yang
Published: January 2024

Understanding the diurnal variation of horizontal wind in the atmospheric boundary layer is important for weather and climate research and wind energy applications. Here we analyze the hourly data from 91 wind profiler radar sites in China and observe that the power spectral density of horizontal wind in lower troposphere approximately follows the −5/3 power law in the mesoscale range over the ocean and coastal areas. However, in inland areas, the slopes of the power spectra are significantly greater than −5/3. We characterize the temporal and spatial variations of maximum wind speed and low level jets and find that the thermal wind effect may partially contribute to the high percentage of low‐level jets observed in the southeastern coast of China and Hainan Island. While the ERA5 reanalysis reproduces wind spectrum well for time scales >1 day, its spectrum diverges significantly from that of profiler data at shorter time scales.
Statistical Study on the Azimuthal Mode Number of Pc5 ULF Wave in the Inner Magnetosphere
Authors: Tong Xin , Liu Wenlong , Zhang Dianjun , Sarris Theodore , Li Xinlin , Zhang Zhao , Yan Li
Published: January 2024

The azimuthal mode number, m, of ultra‐low frequency (ULF) waves is a significant contributing factor for radiation belt electron energization, because it determines the conditions for resonant interaction between waves and particles. Based on multi‐point magnetic field measurements of GOES satellites from January to September of 2011, we statistically analyze the distributions of the characteristics of m of Pc5 ULF waves. In the dayside, the local peaks in the distributions of wave power spectra density locate at ∼10 and ∼13 MLT for m < 0 (westward propagation) and m > 0 (eastward propagation) waves respectively, suggesting the waves generally propagate anti‐sunward. In the nightside, the local peaks are at 22–23 MLT for both m < 0 and m > 0 waves, suggesting possible relation to substorm activities. Further investigation shows that, with increasing solar wind activities, the enhancements of dayside peaks are primarily contributed by |m| ≤ 3 waves, whereas the enhancements of nightside peak are contributed by both |m| ≤ 3 and |m| > 3 waves. With increasing AE index, the enhancements are more significant for the nightside peaks comparing to dayside peaks, and for |m| > 3 waves comparing to |m| ≤ 3 waves. The results of this study provide inputs for further investigation on the radial diffusion coefficient of radiation belt electrons with considering mode number information.
Vectorial adaptive optics: expanding the frontiers of optical correction
Authors: Zhang Qiming , Gu Min
Published: January 2024

Researchers at the University of Oxford have introduced a groundbreaking technique called vectorial adaptive optics (V-AO), which extends the capabilities of traditional adaptive optics to correct for both polarization and phase aberrations. This novel approach opens new possibilities for manipulating the complex vectorial field in optical systems, enabling higher-dimensional feedback correction.
Necroptosis does not drive disease pathogenesis in a mouse infective model of SARS-CoV-2 in vivo
Authors: M. Bader Stefanie , Cooney James P. , Bhandari Reet , Mackiewicz Liana , Dayton Merle , Sheerin Dylan , Georgy Smitha Rose , Murphy James M. , Davidson Kathryn C. , Allison Cody C. , Pellegrini Marc , Doerflinger Marcel
Published: January 2024

Necroptosis, a type of lytic cell death executed by the pseudokinase Mixed Lineage Kinase Domain-Like (MLKL) has been implicated in the detrimental inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. We minimally and extensively passaged a single clinical SARS-CoV-2 isolate to create models of mild and severe disease in mice allowing us to dissect the role of necroptosis in SARS-CoV-2 disease pathogenesis. We infected wild-type and MLKL-deficient mice and found no significant differences in viral loads or lung pathology. In our model of severe COVID-19, MLKL-deficiency did not alter the host response, ameliorate weight loss, diminish systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, or prevent lethality in aged animals. Our in vivo models indicate that necroptosis is dispensable in the pathogenesis of mild and severe COVID-19.
VEXAS syndrome is characterized by inflammasome activation and monocyte dysregulation
Authors: Kosmider Olivier , Possémé Céline , Templé Marie , Corneau Aurélien , Carbone Francesco , Duroyon Eugénie , Breillat Paul , Chirayath Twinu-Wilson , Oules Bénédicte , Sohier Pierre , Luka Marine , Gobeaux Camille , Lazaro Estibaliz , Outh Roderau , Le Guenno Guillaume , Lifermann François , Berleur Marie , Le Mene Melchior , Friedrich Chloé , Lenormand Cédric , Weitten Thierry , Guillotin Vivien , Burroni Barbara , Boussier Jeremy , Willems Lise , Aractingi Selim , Dionet Léa , Tharaux Pierre-Louis , Vergier Béatrice , Raynaud Pierre , Ea Hang-Korng , Ménager Mickael , Duffy Darragh , Terrier Benjamin
Published: January 2024

Acquired mutations in the UBA1 gene were recently identified in patients with severe adult-onset auto-inflammatory syndrome called VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic). However, the precise physiological and clinical impact of these mutations remains poorly defined. Here we study a unique prospective cohort of VEXAS patients. We show that monocytes from VEXAS are quantitatively and qualitatively impaired and display features of exhaustion with aberrant expression of chemokine receptors. In peripheral blood from VEXAS patients, we identify an increase in circulating levels of many proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and IL-18 which reflect inflammasome activation and markers of myeloid cells dysregulation. Gene expression analysis of whole blood confirms these findings and also reveals a significant enrichment of TNF-α and NFκB signaling pathways that can mediate cell death and inflammation. This study suggests that the control of the nflammasome activation and inflammatory cell death could be therapeutic targets in VEXAS syndrome.
Mask-inspired moisture-transmitting and durable thermochromic perovskite smart windows
Authors: Liu Sai , Li Yang , Wang Ying , Du Yuwei , Yu Kin Man , Yip Hin-Lap , Jen Alex K. Y. , Huang Baoling , Tso Chi Yan
Published: January 2024

Thermochromic perovskite smart windows (TPWs) are a cutting-edge energy-efficient window technology. However, like most perovskite-based devices, humidity-related degradation limits their widespread application. Herein, inspired by the structure of medical masks, a unique triple-layer thermochromic perovskite window (MTPW) that enable sufficient water vapor transmission to trigger the thermochromism but effectively repel detrimental water and moisture to extend its lifespan is developed. The MTPW demonstrates superhydrophobicity and maintains a solar modulation ability above 20% during a 45-day aging test, with a decay rate 37 times lower than that of a pristine TPW. It can also immobilize lead ions and significantly reduce lead leakage by 66 times. Furthermore, a significant haze reduction from 90% to 30% is achieved, overcoming the blurriness problem of TPWs. Benefiting from the improved optical performance, extended lifespan, suppressed lead leakage, and facile fabrication, the MTPW pushes forward the wide applications of smart windows in green buildings.
A fast ceramic mixed OH−/H+ ionic conductor for low temperature fuel cells
Authors: Zou Peimiao , Iuga Dinu , Ling Sanliang , Brown Alex J. , Chen Shigang , Zhang Mengfei , Han Yisong , Fortes A. Dominic , Howard Christopher M. , Tao Shanwen
Published: January 2024

Low temperature ionic conducting materials such as OH− and H+ ionic conductors are important electrolytes for electrochemical devices. Here we show the discovery of mixed OH−/H+ conduction in ceramic materials. SrZr0.8Y0.2O3-δ exhibits a high ionic conductivity of approximately 0.01 S cm−1 at 90 °C in both water and wet air, which has been demonstrated by direct ammonia fuel cells. Neutron diffraction confirms the presence of OD bonds in the lattice of deuterated SrZr0.8Y0.2O3-δ. The OH− ionic conduction of CaZr0.8Y0.2O3-δ in water was demonstrated by electrolysis of both H218O and D2O. The ionic conductivity of CaZr0.8Y0.2O3-δ in 6 M KOH solution is around 0.1 S cm−1 at 90 °C, 100 times higher than that in pure water, indicating increased OH− ionic conductivity with a higher concentration of feed OH− ions. Density functional theory calculations suggest the diffusion of OH− ions relies on oxygen vacancies and temporarily formed hydrogen bonds. This opens a window to discovering new ceramic ionic conducting materials for near ambient temperature fuel cells, electrolysers and other electrochemical devices.
Omicron Spike confers enhanced infectivity and interferon resistance to SARS-CoV-2 in human nasal tissue
Authors: Shi Guoli , Li Tiansheng , Lai Kin Kui , Johnson Reed F. , Yewdell Jonathan W. , Compton Alex A.
Published: January 2024

Omicron emerged following COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, displaced previous SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern worldwide, and gave rise to lineages that continue to spread. Here, we show that Omicron exhibits increased infectivity in primary adult upper airway tissue relative to Delta. Using recombinant forms of SARS-CoV-2 and nasal epithelial cells cultured at the liquid-air interface, we show that mutations unique to Omicron Spike enable enhanced entry into nasal tissue. Unlike earlier variants of SARS-CoV-2, our findings suggest that Omicron enters nasal cells independently of serine transmembrane proteases and instead relies upon metalloproteinases to catalyze membrane fusion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this entry pathway unlocked by Omicron Spike enables evasion from constitutive and interferon-induced antiviral factors that restrict SARS-CoV-2 entry following attachment. Therefore, the increased transmissibility exhibited by Omicron in humans may be attributed not only to its evasion of vaccine-elicited adaptive immunity, but also to its superior invasion of nasal epithelia and resistance to the cell-intrinsic barriers present therein.
Longitudinal quantification of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis reveals late colonization in the infant gut independent of maternal milk HMO composition
Authors: Ennis Dena , Shmorak Shimrit , Jantscher-Krenn Evelyn , Yassour Moran
Published: January 2024

Breast milk contains human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) that cannot be digested by infants, yet nourish their developing gut microbiome. While Bifidobacterium are the best-known utilizers of individual HMOs, a longitudinal study examining the evolving microbial community at high-resolution coupled with mothers’ milk HMO composition is lacking. Here, we developed a high-throughput method to quantify Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (BL. infantis), a proficient HMO-utilizer, and applied it to a longitudinal cohort consisting of 21 mother-infant dyads. We observed substantial changes in the infant gut microbiome over the course of several months, while the HMO composition in mothers’ milk remained relatively stable. Although Bifidobacterium species significantly influenced sample variation, no specific HMOs correlated with Bifidobacterium species abundance. Surprisingly, we found that BL. infantis colonization began late in the breastfeeding period both in our cohort and in other geographic locations, highlighting the importance of focusing on BL. infantis dynamics in the infant gut.
The interplay of field-tunable strongly correlated states in a multi-orbital moiré system
Authors: Campbell Aidan J. , Vitale Valerio , Brotons-Gisbert Mauro , Baek Hyeonjun , Borel Antoine , Ivanova Tatyana V. , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Lischner Johannes , Gerardot Brian D.
Published: January 2024

The interplay of charge, spin, lattice and orbital degrees of freedom leads to a variety of emergent phenomena in strongly correlated systems. In transition-metal-dichalcogenide-based moiré heterostructures, recent observations of correlated phases can be described by triangular-lattice single-orbital Hubbard models based on moiré bands derived from the Brillouin-zone corners—the so-called K valleys. Richer phase diagrams described by multi-orbital Hubbard models are possible with hexagonal lattices that host moiré bands at the zone centre—called Γ valleys—or an additional layer degree of freedom. Here we report the tunable interaction between strongly correlated hole states hosted by Γ- and K-derived bands in a heterostructure of monolayer MoSe2 and bilayer 2H WSe2. We characterize the behaviour of exciton–polarons to distinguish the layer and valley degrees of freedom. The Γ band gives rise to a charge-transfer insulator described by a two-orbital Hubbard model. An out-of-plane electric field re-orders the Γ- and K-derived bands and drives the redistribution of carriers to the layer-polarized K orbital, generating Wigner crystals and Mott insulating states. Finally, we obtain degeneracy of the Γ and K orbitals at the Fermi level and observe interacting correlated states with phase transitions dependent on the doping density. Our results establish a platform to investigate multi-orbital Hubbard model Hamiltonians.
In vitro reconstitution of chromatin domains shows a role for nucleosome positioning in 3D genome organization
Authors: Oberbeckmann Elisa , Quililan Kimberly , Cramer Patrick , Oudelaar A. Marieke
Published: January 2024

Eukaryotic genomes are organized into chromatin domains. The molecular mechanisms driving the formation of these domains are difficult to dissect in vivo and remain poorly understood. Here we reconstitute Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromatin in vitro and determine its 3D organization at subnucleosome resolution by micrococcal nuclease-based chromosome conformation capture and molecular dynamics simulations. We show that regularly spaced and phased nucleosome arrays form chromatin domains in vitro that resemble domains in vivo. This demonstrates that neither loop extrusion nor transcription is required for basic domain formation in yeast. In addition, we find that the boundaries of reconstituted domains correspond to nucleosome-free regions and that insulation strength scales with their width. Finally, we show that domain compaction depends on nucleosome linker length, with longer linkers forming more compact structures. Together, our results demonstrate that regular nucleosome positioning is important for the formation of chromatin domains and provide a proof-of-principle for bottom-up 3D genome studies.