bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the potential neuroprotective effect of Dunaliella salina extract in SH-SY5Y cell model
Authors: Gallego Rocío , Valdés Alberto , Sánchez-Martínez José David , Suárez-Montenegro Zully J. , Ibáñez Elena , Cifuentes Alejandro , Herrero Miguel
Published: December 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia caused by a progressive loss of neurons from different regions of the brain. This multifactorial pathophysiology has been widely characterized by neuroinflammation, extensive oxidative damage, synaptic loss, and neuronal cell death. In this sense, the design of multi-target strategies to prevent or delay its progression is a challenging goal. In the present work, different in vitro assays including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cholinergic activities of a carotenoid-enriched extract from Dunaliella salina microalgae obtained by supercritical fluid extraction are studied. Moreover, its potential neuroprotective effect in the human neuron-like SH-SY5Y cell model against remarkable hallmarks of AD was also evaluated. In parallel, a comprehensive metabolomics study based on the use of charged-surface hybrid chromatography (CSH) and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS/MS) was applied to evaluate the effects of the extract on the metabolism of the treated cells. The use of advanced bioinformatics and statistical tools allowed the identification of more than 314 metabolites in SH-SY5Y cells, of which a great number of phosphatidylcholines, triacylglycerols, and fatty acids were significantly increased, while several phosphatidylglycerols were decreased, compared to controls. These lipidomic changes in cells along with the possible role exerted by carotenoids and other minor compounds on the cell membrane might explain the observed neuroprotective effect of the D. salina extract. However, future experiments using in vivo models to corroborate this hypothesis must be carried out.

Graphical abstract
Olfactory adaptation: recordings from the human olfactory epithelium
Authors: Mignot Coralie , Schunke Anica , Sinding Charlotte , Hummel Thomas
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Olfactory adaptation is a peripheral (at the epithelium level) or a central (at the brain level) mechanism resulting from repeated or prolonged odorous exposure that can induce a perceptual decrease. The aim of this study was to assess whether a peripheral adaptation occurs when an odor is repeated ten times. Moreover, the specificity of the peripheral adaptation to the nature of the odorant was investigated.

Methods

Four odorants (eugenol, manzanate, ISO E Super and phenylethanol) were presented using precisely controlled air-dilution olfactometry. They differed in terms of their physicochemical properties. Electrophysiological recordings were made at the level of the olfactory mucosa, the so-called electro-olfactogram (EOG). Thirty-five right-handed participants were recruited.

Results

Sixty-nine percent of the participants presented at least one EOG, whatever the odor condition. The EOG amplitude did not significantly decrease over 10 repeated exposures to any odorant. The intensity ratings tended to decrease over stimulations for manzanate, PEA, and eugenol. No correlation was found between the mean EOG amplitudes and the mean intensity ratings. However, the presence of EOG amplitude decreases over stimulations for few subjects suggests that peripheral adaptation might exist.

Conclusion

Overall, our results did not establish a clear peripheral adaptation measured with EOG but indicate the eventuality of such an effect.
Analytical findings in a non-fatal intoxication with the synthetic cannabinoid 5F-ADB (5F-MDMB-PINACA): a case report
Authors: Gaunitz Franziska , Andresen-Streichert Hilke
Published: December 2021

The case report centres on analytical findings from a spice sample (mixed with tobacco (as a cigarette) for consumption), and its corresponding plasma sample, smoked by a 31-year-old man who was attended by emergency services following collapse. The man was fully conscious and cooperative during initial medical treatment. Suddenly, he suffered a complete loss of self-control, whereupon the police was notified. The man encountered the police officers when exiting the apartment, at which point he threatened them with clenched fists and reached for a plant bucket in order to strike out in the direction of the officers. At the trial, he described himself as confused and as being completely overwhelmed, having lost self-control, suffered a panic attack and “just wanted to get out the situation”. Furthermore, he stated that he had no recollection of the incident. He feared death due to palpitations, heart pain, dizziness and repetitive anxiety states. Routine systematic as well as extended toxicological analysis of the plasma sample, taken approximately 2 h after the incident, confirmed the use of cannabis and spice. Plasma concentrations of THC, OH-THC and THC-COOH were 8.0 μg/L, 4.0 μg/L and 147 μg/L, respectively. Furthermore, analysis confirmed uptake of 5F-ADB (5F-MDMB-PINACA) via detection of both 5F-ADB and the 5F-ADB N-(5-OH-pentyl) metabolite. The spice sample additionally contained 5F-MDMB-PICA, which was not detected in the plasma sample. A differentiation between a possible co-use and a recent use of cannabis was not possible. In summary, this case once more underlines the health risks of spice use.
Sundering of earthworms by the Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha): an unexplored strategy of prey preparation for brood provisioning by avian vermivores
Authors: Park Jinseok , Kim Woojoo , Ha Jungmoon , Lee Sang-im , Jablonski Piotr Grzegorz
Published: December 2021

Ecological specialists utilize a restricted range of resources and have evolved adaptations to exploit their specialized resources. For example, avian insectivores that feed nestlings with grasshoppers, beetles, or moths perform insect prey preparation before feeding nestlings so that the nestlings are able to swallow the prey. This behavior is generally not expected for soft prey such as earthworms. However, an overview of photographic evidence available online suggested that earthworms are sundered by parents before bringing the prey to the nestlings in a range of species from several families of vermivores worldwide. Reports on the provisioning of nestlings by the vermivores are relatively scant and no report on earthworm sundering has been published. We studied earthworm sundering performed by parents provisioning their broods at four nests of the Fairy Pitta in Korea. The birds sundered earthworms more often when nestlings were smaller and when the earthworm was longer. This is the first quantitative description of earthworm sundering in avian vermivores. We present and evaluate four hypotheses for the function of sundering: provisioning of small nestlings, decreased detectability, hunting multiple prey, and transport of prey. Among these, provisioning of small nestlings seems the most feasible explanation of sundering by the Fairy Pitta as sundering the earthworm allows parents to efficiently provision the younger/smaller nestlings who would have difficulties swallowing unsundered earthworms. This specialized prey preparation technique of vermivores suggests a tight adaptive match between their parental behaviors and their diet (vermivory).
Do good psychosocial working conditions prolong working lives? Findings from a prospective study in Sweden
Authors: Stengård Johanna , Leineweber Constanze , Virtanen Marianna , Westerlund Hugo , Wang Hui-Xin
Published: December 2021

Due to an ageing population, governments in European countries are striving to keep older workers longer in the workforce. Remarkably few studies have paid attention to the influence of psychosocial working conditions on timing of retirement for older workers in and beyond normative retirement age. The aim of the present study was to examine whether good psychosocial working conditions contribute to prolonged working lives among older workers (59 years and above). A particular question was whether such conditions increase in importance with age. Seven waves (2006–2018) of the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) were used (N = 6000, observations = 10,632). Discrete-time event history analyses showed that higher levels of job resources (decision authority [OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.06–1.22], skill use [OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07–1.29], learning opportunities [OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.13–1.31], social support [OR 1.29 (95% CI 1.16–1.42], work-time control [OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.13], and reward [OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.24–1.57])—but not lower levels of job demands (quantitative and emotional demands or effort)—were associated with working longer (continued work two years later). Also, low effort-reward imbalance (OR 0.84 [95% CI 0.73–0.96]) was associated with working longer. In addition, skill use, work-time control, reward, and low effort-reward imbalance increased in importance with age for continued work. These results suggest that providing older workers with control over their work tasks, giving opportunities for learning and using their skills, as well as rewarding and acknowledging their achievements, may keep them in the workforce longer. Especially, job resources may grow in importance with age.
Understanding of RF Cloud Interference Measurement and Modeling
Authors: Pahlavan Kaveh
Published: December 2021

Importance of spectrum regulation and management was first revealed on May of 1985 after the release of unlicensed ISM bands resulting in emergence of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and many other wireless technologies that has affected our daily lives by enabling the emergence of the smart world and IoT era. Today, the idea of a liberated spectrum is circulating around, which can potentially direct wireless networking industry into another revolution by enabling a new paradigm in intelligent spectrum regulation and management. The RF signal radiated from IoT devices as well as other wireless technologies create an RF cloud causing co- and cross-interference to each other. Lack of a science and technology for understanding, measurement, and modeling of the RF cloud interference in near real-time results in inefficient utilization of the precious spectrum, a unique natural resource shared among all wireless devices of the universe in frequency, time, and space. Near real time forecasting of the RF cloud interference is essential to pursue the path to the optimal utilization of spectrum and a liberated spectrum management. This paper presents a historical perspective on the evolution of spectrum regulation and management, explains the diversified meanings of interference for different sectors of the wireless industry, and presents a path for implementing a theoretical foundation for interference monitoring and forecasting to enable the emergence of a liberated spectrum industry and a new paradigm in spectrum management and regulations.
Qualitative Investigation into Pre- and Post-Natal Experience of Parents of Triplets
Authors: Kotera Yasuhiro , Kaluzeviciute Greta , Bennett-Viliardos Laura
Published: December 2021

Although parents of triplets experience substantial mental distress, research about this increasing population has primarily focused on physical health risks of triplets and mothers, failing to capture the subjective wellbeing of parents. Accordingly, this study aimed to understand first-hand experience of parents of triplets, using thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews participated by eight parents (four couples: Age M = 48.63, SD = 10.61 years). Six themes were identified: (1) Negative and (2) Positive experiences of raising triplets prenatally and postnatally, (3) Social, psychological, and material support, (4) Experiences and challenges specific to mothers and (5) fathers, and (6) Advice for future parents. These themes suggest that being reassured and accepting support from others are particularly essential in reducing stress and anxiety. Self-compassion interventions were recommended to support the wellbeing of parents of triplets. Our findings will help parents of triplets, their social circles, and healthcare workers to develop effective approaches to reduce the mental health difficulties that this under-researched population experiences.
Has previous loan rejection scarred firms from applying for loans during Covid-19?
Authors: Cowling Marc , Liu Weixi , Calabrese Raffaella
Published: December 2021

The concept of the ‘discouraged’ borrower is well documented. In this paper, we consider whether smaller firms in the UK who have been previously rejected for bank loans have been scarred by the experience so badly that even in the presence of two exceptionally generous Covid-19 loan guarantee schemes, they still refuse to make an application. Furthermore, we also consider what happens when they do. As banks have either zero or minimal loss exposure, do they still maintain their normal strict lending protocols or do they relax their standards to fulfil the governments’ objective of supporting struggling businesses through the crisis? Our findings show that 72% of previously rejected borrowers are reluctant to request loans. We find some evidence that previously scarred firms faced such severe liquidity problems that they relaxed their distrust of banks during the Covid-19 crisis. However, their share of the government-guaranteed loan portfolio was slightly lower suggesting that banks were treating each new loan application on its merits.

Plain English Summary

The Covid-19 crisis hit smaller businesses so hard that even previously rejected borrowers were forced to apply for loans to keep them afloat. Previous loan rejections have not discouraged small businesses in the UK in applying for Covid-19 government-guaranteed loans. Banks have used the loan guarantee schemes to continue to supply loans to small business during the pandemic. Our paper analyses the important phenomenon of borrower scarring and discouragement, when potential debtors are self-excluded from the lending market because they have previous rejections or expect a negative bank response. We consider around 45,000 UK small businesses from 2018 to 2020. On the demand side, we find that the economic shock for small businesses during the pandemic dissipates the scarring effect. Specifically, we find that micro and small businesses had the highest loan demand in the first two quarters of the pandemic (from March 2020). On the supply side, we show that scarred borrowers were not routed onto Covid-19 government-guaranteed loan schemes. These findings show the importance of government-backed lending schemes for small businesses during crisis period.
Research articles promoted in embargo e-mails receive higher citations and altmetrics
Authors: Lemke Steffen , Brede Max , Rotgeri Sophie , Peters Isabella
Published: December 2021

In order to be able to provide thorough and timely coverage on the most recent scientific research, science journalists frequently rely on embargoed information sent to them by publishers of scientific journals. In such embargo e-mails, publishers purposefully bring selected upcoming releases to the journalists’ attention a few days in advance of their publication. Little is known on how this early highlighting of certain research articles affects their later citations or altmetrics. We present an exploratory case study with the aim of assessing the effects of such promotion activities on scientific articles’ bibliometric and altmetric indicators. In a treatment–control design, we analyze citation counts and eight types of altmetrics of 715 articles published between 2016 and 2017 whose DOIs have been mentioned in embargo e-mails and compare these to articles from the same journal issues that have not been highlighted in embargo e-mails. Descriptive statistics and Mann–Whitney-U tests reveal significant advantages for promoted articles across all regarded metrics three to four years after their publication. Particularly large differences can be seen regarding numbers of mentions in mainstream media, in blogs, on Twitter, and on Facebook. Our findings suggest that scholarly publishers exert significant influence over which research articles will receive attention and visibility in various (social) media. Also, regarding utilizations of metrics for evaluative purposes, the observed effects of promotional activities on indicators might constitute a factor of undesirable influence that currently does not receive the amount of consideration in scientometric assessments that it should receive.
Gammarinema scyllae sp. n. and Monhystrium mangrovi sp. n. (Nematoda: Monhysteridae) from land crabs from New Caledonia
Authors: Westerman Rickard , Ahmed Mohammed , Holovachov Oleksandr
Published: December 2021

Two new species of nematodes associated with crabs are described from New Caledonia. Gammarinema scyllaesp. n. from the gill chambers of Scylla serrata (Forsskål) is characterised by 3–4 mm long body, small outer labial and cephalic sensilla, distinct ocelli, short straight spicules and sub-cylindrical tail. Monhystrium mangrovisp. n. from the gill chambers and body cavity of mangrove crab Neosarmatium sp. is characterised by 1–1.4 mm long body; outer labial sensilla longer than cephalic sensilla, amphid located at level with posterior stoma chamber, denticles in posterior stoma chamber and five pairs of genital papilla on tail. Phylogenetic relationships of two new species and other nematodes from the family Monhysteridae are analysed based on 18S and partial 28S rDNA sequences.
Responsible Innovation Definitions, Practices, and Motivations from Nanotechnology Researchers in Food and Agriculture
Authors: Kokotovich Adam E. , Kuzma Jennifer , Cummings Christopher L. , Grieger Khara
Published: December 2021

The growth of responsible innovation (RI) scholarship has been mirrored by a proliferation of RI definitions and practices, as well as a recognition of the importance of context for RI. This study investigates how researchers in the field of nanotechnology for food and agriculture (nano-agrifoods) define and practice RI, as well as what motivations they see for pursuing RI. We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with nano-agrifood researchers from industry and academia in the USA, where we asked them to describe their RI definitions, practices, and motivations. We analyzed the emergent themes from these interviews, including how the themes aligned with four prominent RI principles (anticipation, inclusion, reflexivity, responsiveness). We found that nano-agrifood researchers largely focused their descriptions of RI definitions, practices, and motivations around a narrow envisioning of the RI principle of anticipation — emphasizing product safety, efficacy, and efficiency. We also found noteworthy tensions surrounding the less frequently mentioned RI principles. For example, some researchers envisioned inclusion as a way to align products with industry interests while others saw it as a way to align products with the public good. Concerning motivations for RI, some researchers viewed RI as a way to protect one’s reputation and avoid lawsuits while others viewed it as a way to improve human well-being and solve societal problems. Given these findings, future efforts to foster RI within nano-agrifoods should promote discussions among researchers concerning what it means to responsibly innovate and what practices this could entail, particularly beyond ensuring product safety, efficacy, and efficiency.
The social dynamics in establishing complex community climate change initiatives: the case of a community fridge in Scotland
Authors: Carmen E. , Fazey I. , Caniglia G. , Anthony J. , Penny L.
Published: December 2021

Multiple factors are involved in community change processes, yet understanding how factors interact to shape these complex social processed is limited. This has important implications for both research and sustainability practice. This study examines key social dynamics in establishing complex community change initiatives using an in-depth action-oriented transdisciplinary approach with a case study of the development of a community fridge. Four critical social dynamics were identified: reinforcing interpretations, reinforcing interconnections, re-alignment of identities, and quality social relations involving multiple normative facets converging and diverging in different ways as the process unfolded. Initially, this led to a degenerative dynamic that heightened tensions between actors; however, re-alignment with wider social identities and expressions of the underlying normative dimensions involved in the initiative, a regenerative dynamic was created. This strengthened the conditions to support shared understanding, learning and enhanced relationships to enable different actors to work together to shape aspects of the initiative. Overall, the study highlights that future community-based change initiatives need to be guided by explicit approaches that work with social relationships, but where these relationships are conceptualised as dynamic normative spaces of interaction and exploration. This can inform understanding on how to develop beneficial reinforcing regenerative dynamics, where advances in one aspect of social relationships within initiatives can begin to reinforce others and ways that increase collective capacity as a whole. Developing this regenerative potential through social relationships within initiatives is thus critical for engaging with complex challenges across communities.
Clinical Significance of the Prealbumin Level in Gastric Cancer Patients Who Receive Curative Treatment
Authors: Aoyama Toru , Nakazono Masato , Segami Kenki , Nagasawa Shinsuke , Kano Kazuki , Hara Kentaro , Maezawa Yukio , Hashimoto Itaru , Suematsu Hideaki , Watanabe Hayato , Komori Keisuke , Tamagawa Hiroshi , Yukawa Norio , Rino Yasushi , Ogata Takashi , Oshima Takashi
Published: December 2021

Background

We investigated the clinical influence of the prealbumin level on the gastric cancer survival and recurrence after curative treatment.

Methods

This study included 447 patients who underwent curative treatment for gastric cancer between 2013 and 2017. The risk factors for the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were identified.

Results

A prealbumin level of 20 mg/dl was regarded as the optimal point of classification, considering the 3- and 5-year survival rates. The OS rates at 3 and 5 years after surgery were 80.7% and 65.0% in the low-prealbumin group, respectively, and 93.1% and 87.9% in the high-prealbumin group, respectively, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). The RFS rates at 3 and 5 years after surgery were 71.7% and 68.0% in the low-prealbumin group, respectively, and 90.1% and 84.7% in the high-prealbumin group, respectively, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.031). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the prealbumin level was a significant independent risk factor for the OS and RFS. In addition, the rate of introduction of adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly lower and the frequency of peritoneal recurrence and lymph node recurrence significantly higher in the low-prealbumin group than in the high-prealbumin group.

Conclusion

Prealbumin is a risk factor for the survival in patients who undergo curative treatment for gastric cancer. It is necessary to develop an effective plan of perioperative care and surgical strategy according to the prealbumin level.
Deployment dynamics analysis of CALLISTO’s approach and landing system
Authors: Schneider Anton , Desmariaux Jean , Klevanski Josef , Schröder Silvio , Witte Lars
Published: December 2021

Prior to landing of reusable space transportation systems, the vehicle’s landing legs needs to be fully deployed to enable a safe landing and further re-use of the space vehicle. During that phase the deployment system has to overcome harsh and challenging environmental conditions. In this study, a numerical simulator is developed in order to investigate these influences on the landing leg deployment dynamics. By means of an extensive aerodynamic database and a broad approach flight domain, the influence of aerodynamics, exhaust plume, and vehicle’s attitude on the deployment dynamics is analyzed. This study shows on the example of the first stage demonstrator CALLISTO (Cooperative Action Leading to Launcher Innovation in Stage Toss back Operations), that thrust level, vehicle attitude, and the deployment system parameters affect the deployment performance.
Building stone quarries: resource evaluation by block modelling and unmanned aerial photogrammetric surveys
Authors: Bogdanowitsch Maxim , Sousa Luís , Siegesmund Siegfried
Published: December 2021

The production of building stones shown an exponential growth in last decades as consequences of the demand and developments in the extraction and processing techniques. From the several conditioning factors affecting this industry, the geological constrains at quarry scale stands out as one of most important. Globalization and increasing competition in the building stone market require large raw material blocks to keep further processing as cost-effective as possible. Therefore, the potential extraction volume of in-situ stone blocks plays an important role in the yield of a dimensional stone quarry. The full characterization of the fracturing in the quarries comes up as fundamental in the assessment of the in-situ blocks volume/shape and potential extracted raw blocks. Identify the joint sets present, their spacing and the differences across the quarry demands a continuous assess during the quarry live span. Information from unmanned aerial vehicles helps in the field survey, namely trough digital surface models, orthophotos, and three-dimensional models. Also, the fracturing modelling by specific software programs is crucial to improve the block size assessment and the increase the quarry yield. In this research fracturing of twenty-one quarries of granite, limestone, marble, and slate from Portugal were assessed by combining field surveys with new techniques. From the studied quarries several cases were selected and presented to highlight the importance of this combined methodology in the fracturing assessment and how they can be helpful in the maximization of the resources and quarry management.
Do Young Children Consider Similarities or Differences When Responding to Referential Questions?
Authors: Waters Gillian M. , Dunning Peter L. , Kapsokavadi Marcella M. , Morris Stephan L. , Pepper Lisa B.
Published: December 2021

Young children often struggle with referential communications because they fail to compare all valid referents. In two studies, we investigated this comparison process. In Study 1, 4–7 year-olds (N = 114) were asked to categorize pairs of objects according to their similarities or differences, and then identified a unique quality of one of the objects by responding to a referential question. Children found it easier to judge the differences between objects than similarities. Correct judgments of differences predicted accurate identifications. In Study 2, 4–5 year-olds (N = 36) again categorized according to similarities or differences, but this time were asked for verbal explanations of their decisions. Recognition of differences was easier than recognition of similarities. Explanations of errors were either: (a) ambiguous; (b) color error: (c) thematic (creative imaginative explanations). Children offered thematic explanations when they failed to recognize similarities between objects, but not for errors of difference.
Energy-efficient bioethanol recovery process using deep eutectic solvent as entrainer
Authors: Lee Seong Chan , Oh Hyeon Woo , Woo Hee Chul , Kim Young Han
Published: December 2021

Bioethanol is commonly recovered from fermentation broth via distillation because it is the most economical and reliable process for large-scale industrial operations. Because extraction is a highly energy-efficient process applicable to low-composition bio-product separation, high-performance solvents are necessary for efficient bioethanol recovery. 2-Methyl pentanol, a branched long-chain alcohol, which was used as the extraction solvent, and a deep eutectic solvent, choline chloride and ethylene glycol (1:2), was employed as an entrainer for product refinement. Thermodynamic models of vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) and liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) systems were derived using molecular simulations and experimental results to develop the bioethanol extraction and refinement processes. The heat duty of the designed process was reduced by a quarter compared to that of previous recovery processes.

Graphic abstract
The Pitfalls of Abnormal Laboratory Value Interpretation in Vaccine Clinical Trials: The Example of Asymptomatic Transient Neutropenia
Authors: Vella Venanzio , Schmidt Johannes E. , Cilio Giulia Luna , De Ryck Iris , Podda Audino , Conti Valentino , Auerbach Joachim
Published: December 2021

Hematological and clinical chemistry measurements are an integral part of vaccine safety monitoring. While adopting a conservative approach is important to exclude potential risks for patients, the rationale and methodology underlying the assessment of given adverse events have to be well grounded to avoid raising unfounded concerns. Using asymptomatic transient neutropenia as an example, this paper aims to address the complexity of interpreting abnormal hematological values in vaccine clinical trials and to evaluate the validity of using neutrophil count cut-off points to assess neutropenia in the context of safety monitoring. The validity of the neutrophil count cut-off point methodology was assessed in terms of content validity (i.e., the extent to which a single neutrophil count below the cut-off point corresponds to a clinically significant adverse event), criterion validity (i.e., the extent to which a neutrophil count below a given cut-off point correlates with another manifestation of neutropenia, namely bacteremia), and construct validity (i.e., the exactness of the assumption that a neutrophil count below a given cut-off point corresponds to a reactogenic event caused by the vaccination). We argue that, because of within-individual physiological fluctuations, variations according to population demographics, and poor predictive potential with regard to neutropenia-associated infection, the application of the cut-off point methodology to neutropenia safety monitoring presents major limitations. Based on this assessment, we conclude that hematological laboratory values must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by investigators to determine their clinical significance.
Second Hankel Determinant of Logarithmic Coefficients of Convex and Starlike Functions of Order Alpha
Authors: Kowalczyk Bogumiła , Lecko Adam
Published: December 2021

In the present paper, we found sharp bounds of the second Hankel determinant of logarithmic coefficients of starlike and convex functions of order $$\alpha $$
α
.
Strategies and progress in synthetic textile fiber biodegradability
Authors: Egan Jeannie , Salmon Sonja
Published: December 2021

The serious issue of textile waste accumulation has raised attention on biodegradability as a possible route to support sustainable consumption of textile fibers. However, synthetic textile fibers that dominate the market, especially poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), resist biological degradation, creating environmental and waste management challenges. Because pure natural fibers, like cotton, both perform well for consumer textiles and generally meet certain standardized biodegradability criteria, inspiration from the mechanisms involved in natural biodegradability are leading to new discoveries and developments in biologically accelerated textile waste remediation for both natural and synthetic fibers. The objective of this review is to present a multidisciplinary perspective on the essential bio-chemo-physical requirements for textile materials to undergo biodegradation, taking into consideration the impact of environmental or waste management process conditions on biodegradability outcomes. Strategies and recent progress in enhancing synthetic textile fiber biodegradability are reviewed, with emphasis on performance and biodegradability behavior of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as an alternative biobased, biodegradable apparel textile fiber, and on biological strategies for addressing PET waste, including industrial enzymatic hydrolysis to generate recyclable monomers. Notably, while pure PET fibers do not biodegrade within the timeline of any standardized conditions, recent developments with process intensification and engineered enzymes show that higher enzymatic recycling efficiency for PET polymer has been achieved compared to cellulosic materials. Furthermore, combined with alternative waste management practices, such as composting, anaerobic digestion and biocatalyzed industrial reprocessing, the development of synthetic/natural fiber blends and other strategies are creating opportunities for new biodegradable and recyclable textile fibers.

Article Highlights

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) leads other synthetic textile fibers in meeting both performance and biodegradation criteria.

Recent research with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) polymer shows potential for efficient enzyme catalyzed industrial recycling.

Synthetic/natural fiber blends and other strategies could open opportunities for new biodegradable and recyclable textile fibers.
Drones and Crowdsourced Science Aid Great Lakes Data Collection
Authors: Crawford Iris
Published: December 2021

Important data collection can aid coastal monitoring and management.
Dunes Dance to a New Rhythm in Climate Change
Authors: Duncombe Jenessa
Published: December 2021

Dunes may morph or creep in new directions in a warming world.
Investigation of Forest Fire Activity Changes Over the Central India Domain Using Satellite Observations During 2001–2020
Authors: Jain Madhavi , Saxena Pallavi , Sharma Som , Sonwani Saurabh
Published: December 2021

Recurrent and large forest fires negatively impact ecosystem, air quality, and human health. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer fire product is used to identify forest fires over central India domain, an extremely fire prone region. The study finds that from 2001 to 2020, ∼70% of yearly forest fires over the region occurred during March (1,857.5 counts/month) and April (922.8 counts/month). Some years such as 2009, 2012, and 2017 show anomalously high forest fires. The role of persistent warmer temperatures and multiple climate extremes in increasing forest fire activity over central India is comprehensively investigated. Warmer period from 2006 to 2020 showed doubling and tripling of forest fire activity during forest fire (February–June; FMAMJ) and non‐fire (July–January; JASONDJ) seasons, respectively. From 2015 JASONDJ to 2018 FMAMJ, central India experienced a severe heatwave, a rare drought and an extremely strong El Niño, the combined effect of which is linked to increased forest fires. Further, the study assesses quinquennial spatiotemporal changes in forest fire characteristics such as fire count density and average fire intensity. Deciduous forests of Jagdalpur‐Gadchiroli Range and Indravati National Park in Chhattisgarh state are particularly fire prone (>61 fire counts/grid) during FMAMJ and many forest fires are of high intensity (>45 MW). Statistical associations link high near surface air temperature and low precipitation during FMAMJ to significantly high soil temperature, low soil moisture content, low evapotranspiration and low normalized difference vegetation index. This creates a significantly drier environment, conducive for high forest fire activity in the region.
The North Equatorial Countercurrent and the Zonality of the Intertropical Convergence Zone
Authors: Sun Zhikuo , Lu Jianhua
Published: December 2021

The zonality of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) denotes the appearance of the ITCZ precipitation as a continuous band across a vast zonal span, say, the whole Pacific. Here, we emphasize the essential role of the North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) in maintaining the zonality of the ITCZ. By transporting warm water eastward and hence reducing the zonal contrast of sea surface temperature (SST), the NECC induces a narrow but continuous band of SST maxima, over which the ITCZ is formed. It is found in observation that the stronger the eastward NECC is, the more uniform the zonal distribution of the ITCZ precipitation between 150°E and 135°W is. Modeling simulation suggests that the zonality of the ITCZ may well be broken when contribution of the NECC to the SST maxima is largely removed. The importance of two‐way interaction between the NECC and the ITCZ is highlighted.
On the Limitations of Using Polarimetric Radar Sounding to Infer the Crystal Orientation Fabric of Ice Masses
Authors: Rathmann Nicholas M. , Lilien David A. , Grinsted Aslak , Gerber Tamara A. , Young Tun Jan , Dahl‐Jensen Dorthe
Published: December 2021

We introduce a transfer matrix model for radio‐wave propagation through layered anisotropic ice that permits an arbitrary dielectric permittivity tensor in each layer. The model is used to investigate how crystal orientation fabrics without a vertical principal direction affect polarimetric radar returns over glaciers and ice sheets. By expanding the c‐axis orientation distribution in terms of a spherical harmonic series, we find that radar returns from synthetic fabric profiles are relatively insensitive to the harmonic mode responsible for a nonvertical principal direction; however, only for normally incident waves. Consequently, the strength of this mode might be relatively difficult to infer in glaciers and ice sheets, which in turn has implications for the ability to determine the full second‐order structure tensor, needed to infer the local flow regime, flow history, or to represent the directional viscosity structure of glacier ice for ice‐flow modeling.
Intermittent Dissipation at Kinetic Scales in the Turbulent Reconnection Outflow
Authors: Huang S. Y. , Zhang J. , Yuan Z. G. , Jiang K. , Wei Y. Y. , Xu S. B. , Xiong Q. Y. , Zhang Z. H. , Lin R. T. , Yu L.
Published: December 2021

Based on the unprecedented high‐resolution data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, we investigate the energy dissipation in turbulent reconnection outflow during turbulent magnetic reconnection in the terrestrial magnetotail. It is found that this reconnection outflow has plenty of intermittent structures at kinetic scales accompanied by abundant current filaments. Strong energy dissipation occurs in the intermittent structures with a high partial variance of increments index, and the regions with strong current filaments. Further analyses reveal that electron heating with the presence of increase in electron temperature occurs in the intermittent structures and the regions with strong currents. This electron heating is more significant in the component parallel to the magnetic field. Our observations demonstrate that intermittent dissipation at kinetic scales occurs in the turbulent reconnection outflow.
Generation of Proxy GIM‐TEC for Extreme Storms Before the Era of GNSS Observations
Authors: Gulyaeva Tamara , Shubin Valentin , Haralambous Haris , Hernández‐Pajares Manuel , Stanislawska Iwona
Published: December 2021

For the first time, we reconstructed global distribution of both the total electron content disturbance W index and TEC values for eight extreme storms (Dst < −250 nT) occurred before the epoch of GNSS observations in solar cycle 22. We created a model based on superposed epoch analysis of the training set of GIM‐W maps of nine SC23 extreme storms. Global GIM‐W index maps are calculated from 15‐min UPC GIM‐TEC (UQRG) as the logarithmic deviation of instantaneous TEC from the monthly median GIM‐MTEC empirical model. We introduced the storm phase metrics for main and recovery phases of the positive ionosphere disturbance (the WU‐index), the negative disturbance (the WL‐index) and the ring current (the Dst‐index). The probabilistic forecasting model (Pmodel) for SC22 GIM‐Wx maps is developed based on GIM‐W maps of the SC23 training set. The storm phase distribution Φx for the eight SC22 extreme storms is calculated from the proxy time shift (lag) of peak WUmax and WLmin relative to Dstmin. Proxy GIM‐TECx maps are calculated by adjusting the GIM‐MTEC median to the GIM‐Wx prediction. Validation of the technique based on data of UPC and JPL for four intense ionospheric storms showed a root‐mean‐square error less than 3 TECU. The proposed technique can be applied for both the past and future forecasting of GIM‐W index and GIM‐TEC maps.
Oceanic Fronts Structure Phytoplankton Distributions in the Central South Indian Ocean
Authors: Guo Mingxian , Xiu Peng , Xing Xiaogang
Published: December 2021

In the South Indian Ocean (SIO), high surface chlorophyll concentrations are often observed in mesoscale anticyclonic eddy cores. Yet the role of submesoscale dynamics in modulating phytoplankton distributions remains largely unknown in the region. By using a biogeochemical‐Argo float and a high‐resolution model, we show that elevated chlorophyll concentrations were evident in a frontal region, and the depth‐integrated chlorophyll in this frontal region can be higher than that in the anticyclonic eddy core. Submesoscale frontogenesis was shown to inject nutrients vertically and enhance phytoplankton growth in the frontal region. Frontal dynamics tend to facilitate large phytoplankton such as diatom growth, which consequently increases diatom fraction. Over the entire central SIO, we found a significant correlation between the phytoplankton composition index and frontogenesis. However, the correlation between total phytoplankton biomass and frontogenesis was not significant. These results demonstrate the complex role of frontal dynamics in structuring phytoplankton distributions in the central SIO.
Seasonal Instability of the Western Equatorial Indian Ocean
Authors: Zavala‐Garay Javier , Theiss Jürgen
Published: December 2021

This work identifies and characterizes the seasonal changes in the instability properties of the Western Equatorial Indian Ocean using a regional ocean model that is first validated with satellite and in situ observations. The instability properties of the region exhibit a marked seasonal behavior due to the seasonal changes of the background state, which are regulated by the interaction of the northward‐flowing East Africa Coastal Current (EACC) and the seasonal reversal of the Somali Current (SC). The SC has a stabilizing effect on the background flow during the mature stages of both phases of the monsoon. These two background states of low intrinsic instability are (a) the state during the late northeast monsoon when the then southward flowing SC crosses the equator and converges with the EACC, and (b) the state during the late southwest monsoon when the EACC crosses the equator and supplies the then northward flowing SC. The background flow becomes barotropically unstable twice a year during the transition phases of the monsoon when the EACC crosses the equator and then bends offshore toward the equatorial waveguide, resulting in the biannual excitation of Yanai waves. During these times the internal instability can contribute between 30% and 35% of the total mesoscale energy.
Validation analysis of the novel imaging-based prognostic radiomic signature in patients undergoing primary surgery for advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC)
Authors: Fotopoulou Christina , Rockall Andrea , Lu Haonan , Lee Philippa , Avesani Giacomo , Russo Luca , Petta Federica , Ataseven Beyhan , Waltering Kai-Uwe , Koch Jens Albrecht , Crum William R. , Cunnea Paula , Heitz Florian , Harter Philipp , Aboagye Eric O. , du Bois Andreas , Prader Sonia
Published: December 2021

Background

Predictive models based on radiomics features are novel, highly promising approaches for gynaecological oncology. Here, we wish to assess the prognostic value of the newly discovered Radiomic Prognostic Vector (RPV) in an independent cohort of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) patients, treated within a Centre of Excellence, thus avoiding any bias in treatment quality.

Methods

RPV was calculated using standardised algorithms following segmentation of routine preoperative imaging of patients (n = 323) who underwent upfront debulking surgery (01/2011-07/2018). RPV was correlated with operability, survival and adjusted for well-established prognostic factors (age, postoperative residual disease, stage), and compared to previous validation models.

Results

The distribution of low, medium and high RPV scores was 54.2% (n = 175), 33.4% (n = 108) and 12.4% (n = 40) across the cohort, respectively. High RPV scores independently associated with significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 1.69; 95% CI:1.06–2.71; P = 0.038), even after adjusting for stage, age, performance status and residual disease. Moreover, lower RPV was significantly associated with total macroscopic tumour clearance (OR = 2.02; 95% CI:1.56–2.62; P = 0.00647).

Conclusions

RPV was validated to independently identify those HGSOC patients who will not be operated tumour-free in an optimal setting, and those who will relapse early despite complete tumour clearance upfront. Further prospective, multicentre trials with a translational aspect are warranted for the incorporation of this radiomics approach into clinical routine.
Loss of miR-24-3p promotes epithelial cell apoptosis and impairs the recovery from intestinal inflammation
Authors: Soroosh Artin , Fang Kai , Hoffman Jill M. , Law Ivy K. M. , Videlock Elizabeth , Lokhandwala Zulfiqar A. , Zhao Jonathan J. , Hamidi Sepehr , Padua David M. , Frey Mark R. , Pothoulakis Charalabos , Rankin Carl R.
Published: December 2021

While apoptosis plays a significant role in intestinal homeostasis, it can also be pathogenic if overactive during recovery from inflammation. We recently reported that microRNA-24-3p (miR-24-3p) is elevated in the colonic epithelium of ulcerative colitis patients during active inflammation, and that it reduced apoptosis in vitro. However, its function during intestinal restitution following inflammation had not been examined. In this study, we tested the influence of miR-24-3p on mucosal repair by studying recovery from colitis in both novel miR-24-3p knockout and miR-24-3p-inhibited mice. We observed that knockout mice and mice treated with a miR-24-3p inhibitor had significantly worsened recovery based on weight loss, colon length, and double-blinded histological scoring. In vivo and in vitro analysis of miR-24-3p inhibition in colonic epithelial cells revealed that inhibition promotes apoptosis and increases levels of the pro-apoptotic protein BIM. Further experiments determined that silencing of BIM reversed the pro-apoptotic effects of miR-24-3p inhibition. Taken together, these data suggest that miR-24-3p restrains intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis by targeting BIM, and its loss of function is detrimental to epithelial restitution following intestinal inflammation.