bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Support and Adjustment During COVID-19 Epidemic: A Community-Based Study in Iran
Authors: Torkian Samaneh , Akhlaghi Elham , Khosravi Vahid , Etesami Reza , Ahmadi Ali , Khanjani Narges , Nazari Abozar
Published: October 2020

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic is neither the first nor the last epidemic in human societies. Epidemic control requires cooperation and adherence to health and prevention protocols in the whole community. Social support and social adjustment may be effective in epidemic control. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the level of social support, social adjustment, and related factors during the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study, including 1,145 individuals, was conducted from April to May 2020 in Iran. Social adjustment and social support were measured using the Bell Adjustment Inventory and Philips Social Support questionnaires. Each province was assumed as a cluster, and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models were used to determine the demographic variables that were related to social support and social adjustment during the COVID-19 outbreak. All analyses were conducted with SPSS26. Results: In this study, 58.9% of people were in the moderate and 39.9% in the high social support group. About 57.6% of people were in moderate and 30.8% in the high social adjustment group. People with a good (OR = 3.81, 95% CI: 2.29, 6.34) and moderate (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.40, 2.92) financial situation had significantly higher social support scores. Master or doctorate graduates (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.80, 3.15), and people with a good (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.79) and moderate (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.69) financial situation had significantly higher social adjustment scores. Conclusions: The participants of this study had mainly moderate to high levels of social support and adjustment; however, they may not represent the whole Iranian society. Social support and adjustment are low in people with a poor financial situation and low education. These groups need more attention in epidemics.
A strikingly coloured new giant millipede from Vietnam has copycat in Borneo (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Harpagophoridae)
Authors: Pimvichai Piyatida , Akkari Nesrine , Semenyuk Irina , Constant Jerôme , Enghoff Henrik
Published: October 2020

A new giant species of the subfamily Rhynchoproctinae with strikingly bi-coloured, red-yellow legs contrasting with a black body is described: Alienostreptus bicoloripes sp. nov. from Vietnam. The new species is assigned to the genus Alienostreptus Pimvichai, Enghoff & Panha, 2010 hitherto comprising one species, A. alienus (Attems, 1936), and differing from other rhynchoproctine genera by having the femoral spine duplicated. Species of this genus share three synapomorphic characters of the subfamily, viz (1) anterior coxal fold forms deep concavity in posterior view, (2) posterior coxal fold very low, and (3) posterior coxal fold with mesal flap. A superficially very similar colourful species from Borneo, also with bi-coloured legs but clearly not belonging to Alienostreptus due to the position of ventral soft pads on male legs, is documented based on photographs.
Family practices during the pandemic and the state of emergency: The female perspective
Authors: Čikić Jovana , Bilinović-Rajačić Ana
Published: October 2020

Increased risks are inspiring context for family practices' analysis as they can impact changes in practices, thus changing family functioning and relations. The aim of the paper is to identify features of the main family practices (reproduction of everyday life, partnership, parenthood) during pandemic and state of emergency in Serbian society. It is assumed that these conditions led to practices' changes. The issue is analysed based on data collected on a sample of 265 female respondents using a combined research plan. The results showed that the state of emergency and the pandemic of COVID-19 virus induced changes in main family practices. The most common were changes in the reproduction of everyday life (especially, groceries shopping), while pre-pandemic partnership practices were the most resistant to change. Traditional and egalitarian practices showed greater resilience to change, while masculine practices are usually newly established. There is continuity in the use of "female" resources in family practices, but with a shift from this pattern towards more frequent engagement of "male" resources, due to changes in the professional roles during the state of emergency.
Are there competition issues associated with fake news during COVID-19?
Authors: Rakić Ivana
Published: October 2020

Fake news is getting more attention because of the Internet and the rise of the online platforms and social networks, particularly in the age of COVID-19. Its sudden popularization creates important issues regarding how this phenomenon affects the society and democracy, as well as the consumers, competition and market. The question is what happens when fake news are spread (online) and misused during pandemic - whether to apply the European Union competition law in such cases? The author considers that European Commission should not deal with fake news challenges in the context of potential anticompetitive conducts. It is pointed out that fake news problem is not a competitive problem because the struggle against fake news is about the content not the competition and market power.
The image of COVID-19 in the Serbian daily newspapers
Authors: Jevtović Zoran , Bajić Predrag
Published: October 2020

This work is focused on reporting of daily newspapers in Serbia during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and specifics of dominant narratives and relationship between the government and popular press. The content research includes the first half of 2020, when 1,271 from eight influential daily papers were analysed. While the representatives of the quality press have tried to steer the attention of citizens and introduce serious questions most tabloids trivialised the danger as another spectacle which will secure larger sales irrespective of social consequences and ethical norms of journalistic profession. Objectivity and unbiasedness are sacrificed for sensationalism, spectacle and political clientelism. Celebritization of medical profession has only led to spread of confusion in public opinion, while revealing how political elites eagerly use crisis for promotion of their own ideas and programs, instead of professional debate.
I en medarbejders fodspor. Poul Rovsing Olsens samling i Dansk Folkemindesamling
Authors: Agerskov Nina
Published: October 2020

Komponist – jurist – etnolog; en sjælden kombination, der gav sig udslag i en sjælden karriere – gerne med mikrofon i hånd, parat til at dokumentere de mange musikalske universer, der trives udenfor Europa.
Kronik
Authors: Meile Jakob Kyril
Published: October 2020

KRONIKKEN fortæller om det forgangne kvartal på Det Kongelige Bibliotek: Begivenheder, foredrag, udstillinger, koncerter, erhvervelser m.m. Indhold: Bette Thomas udnævnt til ny kulturchef ved Det Kongelige Bibliotek; Det Kongelige Bibliotek på nettet; Kierkegaard-udstilling hos Google Cultural Institute; Netarkivet åbnes for centraladministrationens dokumenter; Netarkivet & Eurovision Song Contest; Udstillinger; Pressefoto 2014; 101 danske digtere; Formanden for Europa-Parlamentet, Martin Schulz, mødte de studerende;  liT.house;  Iran & Danmark 80 år; “Kendiskulturen” – stjernestund med lektor Klaus Kjøller; Foredragsrække Danmark-Norge; Seminarer; International Forfatterscene;  DiamantEnsembletsJubilæumssæson; Erhvervelser;
“Pop op”-bøger … eller to tidlige bevægelige bøger i Det Kongelige Bibliotek
Authors: Schlichtkrull Torsten
Published: October 2020

Bøger kan bevæge læseren, men læseren kan også bevæge bogen! På Kulturnatten sætter biblioteket fokus på bøger, der sprænger papirets flade rammer, bl.a. disse to perler fra naturvidenskabens barndom.
De russiske statsformer og krigsfangenskab under og efter Første Verdenskrig, 1914-1922
Authors: Frederichsen Kim
Published: October 2020

I dag tager vi det for givet, at krigsfanger bliver behandlet anstændigt. Det kan vi takke bl.a. den russiske krigsminister Aleksej Kuropatkin for. Men fredskonferencernes pæne hensigter overlever ikke altid mødet med krigens brutale kaos.
Hvem var morderen? Helene Strange og ‘den uskrevne histories dom’ om et giftmord i 1755
Authors: Andersen Lene Vinther
Published: October 2020

Folkemindesamleren og forfatteren Helene Strange (1874-1943) skrev flere gange om et giftmord på en præst på Nordfalster i 1755. Hun satte spørgsmålstegn ved højesteretsdommen og hævdede, at en uskyldig pige blev dømt, mens den virkelige morder slap fri. Det var folkets uskrevne dom, som i over hundrede år var blevet fortalt mundtligt videre på egnen, og hun forsøgte – med forskellige midler – at få bragt denne version af historien frem i offentligheden.
Monarkiet i Norden 1814-1914
Authors: Møller Jes Fabricius
Published: October 2020

I anledning af 200-året for freden i Kiel i januar 1814, hvor Danmark-Norge under Frederik 6. måtte afstå Norge til Sverige, hvorved unionen imellem de to lande fra 1380 sprængtes, afholdt Det Kongelige Bibliotek en foredragsrække om “Danmark-Norge før og efter 1814”. Disse foredrag bringes i let redigeret udgave i Magasin. Denne artikel om Monarkiet i Norden 1814-1914 er den syvende i rækken.
Tysk skønlitteratur i Danmark
Authors: Holm Louise
Published: October 2020

Udsnit af en udviklingshistorie fra 1980’erne til i dag

Med afsæt i især forlaget Gyldendals katalog af tyske udgivelser, giver artiklen et forsøg på et indblik i den tyske litteraturs plads i den danske offentlighed i den sidste generations tid.
Kronik
Authors: Meile Jakob Kyril
Published: October 2020

KRONIKKEN fortæller om det forgangne kvartal på Det Kongelige Bibliotek: Begivenheder, foredrag, udstillinger, koncerter, erhvervelser m.m. Indhold: Dåbsattesten for Norges selvstændighed – genskabelse af Kielertraktaten; Kulturministeriets Forskningspulje: Mindekultur i nettet, Skaberen på scenen og Arkiveringen af det simultane; Gæsteprofessoratet falder inden for musikvidenskab: professor, dr.phil. et habil. Siegfried Oechsle, Christian-Albrechts-Universitetet i Kiel; Foredragsbørs; Brødremenigheden i Christiansfeld i Sønderjylland kom på Unescos verdensarvsliste; Erhvervelser; Koncerter; Udstillinger;
#Bookstagram. Bogkultur blandt teenagere og kulturarvsinstitutioner på Instagram
Authors: Eklund-Jürgensen Lene
Published: October 2020

Det sociale medie Instagram er specielt kendt for talrige selfies, madbilleder og solnedgange. Men på Instagram er der også en særlig sfære med billeder, der vidner om en online bogkultur. Bag hashtagget #bookstagram gemmer sig et fællesskab for bogelskere med mere end 2,7 mio. billeder, der på den ene eller anden måde afbilleder bøger eller har relation til læsekultur. Nogle instagrambrugere har specialiseret sig som bookstagrammers, hvor de udelukkende poster billeder af bøger og læsning. Bookstagrammerne er ofte teenagere eller unge under 25 år, og hovedparten er kvinder. Mange af disse books only-profiler giver et indblik i en ung, iscenesat læsekultur, hvor man bliver inviteret ind i teenageværelset og følger bloggerens læsevaner. Som bookstagrammer opbygger bloggeren en særlig identitet, og mange italesætter sig selv som bibliofil, nørd, bogelsker eller læser.
Retrodigitaliseringen på Det Kongelige Bibliotek – dengang og nu
Authors: Thiesen Peter
Published: October 2020

Med etableringen af et digitaliseringscenter til den nyoprettede Digitaliseringsafdeling på Lergravsvej råder Det Kongelige Bibliotek for første gang over specialindrettede lokaler til formålet, hvor alle bibliotekets formidlingsdigitaliseringer er samlet.
Den dansk-amerikanske forbindelse og Karen Blixens debut
Authors: Røder Allan
Published: October 2020

I 1934 fik Karen Blixen sin første bog på tryk: Seven Gothic Tales. Denne debut varresultatet af en længere proces, hvor ikke mindst venskabet mellem hendes moster, MaryBess Westenholz, og den amerikanske forfatter Dorothy Canfield Fisher spillede enbetydelig rolle.
Nissens udviklingshistorie: Da Gårdboen blev hyggelig
Authors: Pedersen Niels Peder
Published: October 2020

Et casestudie af familier med børnehavebørn viser, hvordan nissen har ændret sig fra den landbrugsbundne sagnnisse til børnenes julenisse anno 2016.
Erland Kolding Nielsen
Authors: Larsen Svend
Published: October 2020

Nekrolog: Erland Kolding Nielsen
Three Faces of Restitution
Authors: STOCKMEYER NORMAN OTTO
Published: October 2020

During the first half of the 20th century, three mainstays of the required first-year law school curriculum were Contracts, Torts, and Restitution. Today Restitution has disappeared as a separate course and is offered, if at all, only as part of an optional Remedies course. This disappearance is particularly ironic to Michiganders, as two leading mid-20th-century Restitution scholars were from our state.

The purpose of this article is to re-introduce Restitution by illustrating three of its principal advantages: as an alternative to Tort remedies, as an alternative to Contract remedies, and as a remedy in cases where neither body of law provides relief. It has been said, “The lawyer who doesn't know remedies is like a physician without a cure.” To provide complete relief, lawyers need to know the benefits of Restitution. Welcome to a look into three faces of Restitution.
Mercury Stories
Authors: Selin Henrik , Selin Noelle E.
Published: October 2020

An interdisciplinary analysis of human interactions with mercury through history that sheds light on efforts to promote and achieve sustainability.

In Mercury Stories, Henrik Selin and Noelle Eckley Selin examine sustainability through analyzing human interactions with mercury over thousands of years. They explore how people have made beneficial use of this volatile element, how they have been harmed by its toxic properties, and how they have tried to protect themselves and the environment from its damaging effects. Taking a systems approach, they develop and apply an analytical framework that can inform other efforts to evaluate and promote sustainability.

After introducing the framework, which uses the lens of a human-technical environmental system and a matrix-based approach to analyze mercury use and exposure, the authors examine five topical mercury systems that each illustrate important issues in mercury science and governance: global cycling of mercury through the atmosphere, land, oceans, and societies; mercury's dangers to human health, including from occupational, medical, and dietary exposure; mercury emissions to the atmosphere from industrial sources; mercury in commercial products and production processes; and mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Finally, looking across the five mercury systems, they distill insights for sustainability analysis more broadly, and draw lessons for researchers, decision-makers, and concerned citizens.
Salt Wars
Authors: Jacobson Michael F.
Published: October 2020

How food industry lobbyists and a small group of scientists have successfully fought government efforts to reduce dangerous levels of sodium in our food.

A high-sodium diet is deadly; studies have linked it to high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks. It's been estimated that excess sodium in the American diet causes as many as 100,000 deaths and many billions of dollars in avoidable health-care costs each year. And yet salt is everywhere in our diets—in packaged foods, fast foods, and especially meals at table-service restaurants. Why hasn't salt received the sort of public attention and regulatory action that sugar and fat have? In Salt Wars, Michael Jacobson explains how the American food industry and a small group of scientists have successfully fought government efforts to reduce dangerous levels of sodium in our food.

Despite an abundance of research going back more than half a century showing that high-sodium diets lead to hypertension and other ills, a few scientists argue the opposite—that Americans consume a healthy amount of salt and that eating less would increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This “man bites dog” take on sodium confused consumers and was enthusiastically taken up by food industry lobbyists. Jacobson, a salt wars combatant for more than forty years, explains what science actually says about salt intake and rebuts “sodium skeptics.” He discusses what other countries are doing to cut dietary salt, and describes some recent victories in the United States. He advises readers how to reduce salt—warning them against “salt bombs” (Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup, for example, packs an entire day's worth of sodium in one can)—and calls on them to suit up for the next battle in the salt wars.
Photosynthetic sea slugs induce protective changes to the light reactions of the chloroplasts they steal from algae
Authors: Havurinne Vesa , Tyystjärvi Esa
Published: October 2020

Sacoglossan sea slugs are able to maintain functional chloroplasts inside their own cells, and mechanisms that allow preservation of the chloroplasts are unknown. We found that the slug Elysia timida induces changes to the photosynthetic light reactions of the chloroplasts it steals from the alga Acetabularia acetabulum. Working with a large continuous laboratory culture of both the slugs (>500 individuals) and their prey algae, we show that the plastoquinone pool of slug chloroplasts remains oxidized, which can suppress reactive oxygen species formation. Slug chloroplasts also rapidly build up a strong proton-motive force upon a dark-to-light transition, which helps them to rapidly switch on photoprotective non-photochemical quenching of excitation energy. Finally, our results suggest that chloroplasts inside E. timida rely on oxygen-dependent electron sinks during rapid changes in light intensity. These photoprotective mechanisms are expected to contribute to the long-term functionality of the chloroplasts inside the slugs.
Functional links between sensory representations, choice activity, and sensorimotor associations in parietal cortex
Authors: Chang Ting-Yu , Doudlah Raymond , Kim Byounghoon , Sunkara Adhira , Thompson Lowell W , Lowe Meghan E , Rosenberg Ari
Published: October 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) representations of the environment are often critical for selecting actions that achieve desired goals. The success of these goal-directed actions relies on 3D sensorimotor transformations that are experience-dependent. Here we investigated the relationships between the robustness of 3D visual representations, choice-related activity, and motor-related activity in parietal cortex. Macaque monkeys performed an eight-alternative 3D orientation discrimination task and a visually guided saccade task while we recorded from the caudal intraparietal area using laminar probes. We found that neurons with more robust 3D visual representations preferentially carried choice-related activity. Following the onset of choice-related activity, the robustness of the 3D representations further increased for those neurons. We additionally found that 3D orientation and saccade direction preferences aligned, particularly for neurons with choice-related activity, reflecting an experience-dependent sensorimotor association. These findings reveal previously unrecognized links between the fidelity of ecologically relevant object representations, choice-related activity, and motor-related activity.
Multiscale cardiac imaging spanning the whole heart and its internal cellular architecture in a small animal model
Authors: Rykiel Graham , López Claudia S , Riesterer Jessica L , Fries Ian , Deosthali Sanika , Courchaine Katherine , Maloyan Alina , Thornburg Kent , Rugonyi Sandra
Published: October 2020

Cardiac pumping depends on the morphological structure of the heart, but also on its subcellular (ultrastructural) architecture, which enables cardiac contraction. In cases of congenital heart defects, localized ultrastructural disruptions that increase the risk of heart failure are only starting to be discovered. This is in part due to a lack of technologies that can image the three-dimensional (3D) heart structure, to assess malformations; and its ultrastructure, to assess organelle disruptions. We present here a multiscale, correlative imaging procedure that achieves high-resolution images of the whole heart, using 3D micro-computed tomography (micro-CT); and its ultrastructure, using 3D scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In a small animal model (chicken embryo), we achieved uniform fixation and staining of the whole heart, without losing ultrastructural preservation on the same sample, enabling correlative multiscale imaging. Our approach enables multiscale studies in models of congenital heart disease and beyond.
Sex-specific effects of cooperative breeding and colonial nesting on prosociality in corvids
Authors: Horn Lisa , Bugnyar Thomas , Griesser Michael , Hengl Marietta , Izawa Ei-Ichi , Oortwijn Tim , Rössler Christiane , Scheer Clara , Schiestl Martina , Suyama Masaki , Taylor Alex H , Vanhooland Lisa-Claire , von Bayern Auguste MP , Zürcher Yvonne , Massen Jorg JM
Published: October 2020

The investigation of prosocial behavior is of particular interest from an evolutionary perspective. Comparisons of prosociality across non-human animal species have, however, so far largely focused on primates, and their interpretation is hampered by the diversity of paradigms and procedures used. Here, we present the first systematic comparison of prosocial behavior across multiple species in a taxonomic group outside the primate order, namely the bird family Corvidae. We measured prosociality in eight corvid species, which vary in the expression of cooperative breeding and colonial nesting. We show that cooperative breeding is positively associated with prosocial behavior across species. Also, colonial nesting is associated with a stronger propensity for prosocial behavior, but only in males. The combined results of our study strongly suggest that both cooperative breeding and colonial nesting, which may both rely on heightened social tolerance at the nest, are likely evolutionary pathways to prosocial behavior in corvids.
A feedback loop governs the relationship between lipid metabolism and longevity
Authors: Littlejohn Nicole K , Seban Nicolas , Liu Chung-Chih , Srinivasan Supriya
Published: October 2020

The relationship between lipid metabolism and longevity remains unclear. Although fat oxidation is essential for weight loss, whether it remains beneficial when sustained for long periods, and the extent to which it may attenuate or augment lifespan remain important unanswered questions. Here, we develop an experimental handle in theCaenorhabditis elegansmodel system, in which we uncover the mechanisms that connect long-term fat oxidation with longevity. We find that sustained β-oxidation via activation of the conserved triglyceride lipase ATGL-1, triggers a feedback transcriptional loop that involves the mito-nuclear transcription factor ATFS-1, and a previously unknown and highly conserved repressor of ATGL-1 called HLH-11/AP4. This feedback loop orchestrates the dual control of fat oxidation and lifespan, and shields the organism from life-shortening mitochondrial stress in the face of continuous fat oxidation. Thus, we uncover one mechanism by which fat oxidation can be sustained for long periods without deleterious effects on longevity.
Conditional protein tagging methods reveal highly specific subcellular distribution of ion channels in motion-sensing neurons
Authors: Fendl Sandra , Vieira Renee Marie , Borst Alexander
Published: October 2020

Neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels shape the biophysical properties of neurons, from the sign of the response mediated by neurotransmitter receptors to the dynamics shaped by voltage-gated ion channels. Therefore, knowing the localizations and types of receptors and channels present in neurons is fundamental to our understanding of neural computation. Here, we developed two approaches to visualize the subcellular localization of specific proteins in Drosophila: The flippase-dependent expression of GFP-tagged receptor subunits in single neurons and ‘FlpTag’, a versatile new tool for the conditional labelling of endogenous proteins. Using these methods, we investigated the subcellular distribution of the receptors GluClα, Rdl, and Dα7 and the ion channels para and Ih in motion-sensing T4/T5 neurons of the Drosophila visual system. We discovered a strictly segregated subcellular distribution of these proteins and a sequential spatial arrangement of glutamate, acetylcholine, and GABA receptors along the dendrite that matched the previously reported EM-reconstructed synapse distributions.
Soil organic matter dynamics in semiarid agroecosystems transitioning to dryland
Authors: Ghimire Rajan , Khanal Babu Ram
Published: October 2020

Recent interest in improving soil health and agricultural sustainability recognizes the value of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and nutrient cycling. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the response of various SOC and nitrogen (N) components in semiarid cropping systems transitioning from limited-irrigation to dryland and a restored grassland in the Southern High Plains of USA. Cropping systems evaluated include dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)–fallow with conventional tillage (DLCTF) and no-tillage (DLNTF), limited-irrigation winter wheat–sorghum–fallow with no-tillage and cover cropping (LINTC) and no-tillage fallow (LINTF), and an undisturbed grassland (NG). Soil samples were collected from 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths and analyzed for SOC, total N, inorganic N, and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) contents. The CO2 and N2O release during a eight-weeks long laboratory incubation were also analyzed. Results show 14% and 13% reduction in SOC and total N from 0–30 cm depth with the transition from limited-irrigation to dryland cropping systems while 51% more SOC and 41% more total N with the transition to grassland. The SMBC was 42% less in dryland cropping systems and 100% more in NG than the limited-irrigation cropping systems. However, the grassland was N limited, with 93% less inorganic N in NG compared to only 11% less in dryland cropping systems than in limited-irrigation cropping systems. The microbial respiration measured as CO2-C was highest in NG, followed by limited-irrigation and dryland cropping systems. The N2O-N release showed the lowest rate of N loss from dryland cropping systems, followed by NG and limited-irrigation cropping systems. This study demonstrated loss of SOC and N in agroecosystems transitioned to dryland crop-fallow systems, with greater magnitude of change observed in the biologically active fraction of soil organic matter. Grassland restoration could be an important strategy to increase SOC and nutrients in hot, dry, semiarid agroecosystems transitioning to dryland.
Effect of Tiger Nut Meal on PSA, Relative Organ Weight Sperm Cell and Histological Changes in Androgen-induced Benign Prostate Hyperplasia in Adult Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Izunwanne D. I. , Egwurugwu J. N. , Emegano C. L.
Published: October 2020

Introduction: It is generally believed that Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) has some fertility boosting effects. However, scientific validation of some the fertility boosting belief concerning tiger nut is lacking.

Objective: The aim of this project was to study the effects of tiger nuts on PSA, Sperm midpiece, relative organ weight and histological changes in BPH induced rats.

Method: A total of sixty (60) male rats weighing between 160 – 200 g were used in this study. They were divided into six groups of ten rats per group. Benign prostate hyperplasia was induced in three groups of the rats (as stated in methodology) with 30 mg/kg sub-cutaneous injections of hormones containing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol valerate dissolved in olive oil in the ratio of 10:1 (three times in a week, one day interval). Administration of tiger nut meal commenced immediately and lasted for two months. At the end of administration, blood sample was collected from the rat via cardiac puncture for the determination of PSA. Semen sample was also collected for semen morphological studies. Internal organs notably, the prostate and the testes of the rats were also removed for histological examination.

Results: The study showed that the induction of BPH brought about some adverse effects. On PSA, the administration of the tiger nut meal ameliorated the BPH by significantly reducing the increased level of the PSA which is a biomarker for prostate hyperplasia (P<0.05). The effect of the tiger nut on sperm morphological toxicities were also examined. Sperm abnormalities like those with bent midpiece was examined. The result showed that the administration of tiger nut meal significantly ameliorated the abnormality and thus, restored the morphology of the sperm cells such that it can enhance fertility. A significant difference was also seen in the relative weight of the prostate. The enlarged prostate in the induced + treated group was later observed through histological studies to have reduced significantly following the administration of the tiger nut.

Conclusion: Tiger nut meal ameliorates BPH by reducing the PSA and enlarged prostate. It also ameliorates semen toxicities in the BPH induced + treated rats.
Optic, trigeminal, and facial neuropathy related to anti‐neurofascin 155 antibody
Authors: Ogata Hidenori , Zhang Xu , Inamizu Saeko , Yamashita Ken‐ichiro , Yamasaki Ryo , Matsushita Takuya , Isobe Noriko , Hiwatashi Akio , Tobimatsu Shozo , Kira Jun‐ichi
Published: October 2020

Objective

To characterize the frequency and patterns of optic, trigeminal, and facial nerve involvement by neuroimaging and electrophysiology in IgG4 anti‐neurofascin 155 antibody‐positive (NF155+) chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Methods

Thirteen IgG4 NF155+ CIDP patients with mean onset age of 34 years (11 men) were subjected to neurological examination, blink reflex, and visual‐evoked potential (VEP) testing, and axial and/or coronal T2‐weighted head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results

Among 13 patients, facial sensory impairment, facial weakness, and apparent visual impairment were observed in three (23.1%), two (15.4%), and two (15.4%) patients, respectively. All 12 patients tested had blink reflex abnormalities: absent and/or delayed R1 in 11 (91.7%), and absent and/or delayed R2 in 10 (83.3%). R1 latencies had strong positive correlations with serum anti‐NF155 antibody levels (r = 0.9, P ≤ 0.0001 on both sides) and distal and F wave latencies of the median and ulnar nerves. Absent and/or prolonged VEPs were observed in 10/13 (76.9%) patients and 17/26 (65.4%) eyes. On MRI, hypertrophy, and high signal intensity of trigeminal nerves were detected in 9/13 (69.2%) and 10/13 (76.9%) patients, respectively, whereas optic nerves were normal in all patients. The intra‐orbital trigeminal nerve width on coronal sections showed a significant positive correlation with disease duration.

Interpretation

Subclinical demyelination frequently occurs in the optic, trigeminal, and facial nerves in IgG4 NF155+ CIDP, suggesting that both central and peripheral myelin structures of the cranial nerves are involved in this condition, whereas nerve hypertrophy only develops in myelinated peripheral nerve fibers.
Euryhaline Hydrogel with Constant Swelling and Salinity‐Enhanced Mechanical Strength in a Wide Salinity Range
Authors: Gao Hainan , Mao Jiale , Cai Yudong , Li Shuhong , Fu Ye , Liu Xiaolan , Liang Haiyan , Zhao Tianyi , Liu Mingjie , Jiang Lei
Published: October 2020

In nature, many biological organisms possess a unique osmoregulation feature that enables them to survive in environments of different salinity, which is called euryhaline characteristics (e.g., salmon that can survive in freshwater and seawater). Drawing inspiration from these salinity‐tolerant organisms, here a strategy that integrates two polymer chain segments with different salinity tolerances is reported to produce a euryhaline hydrogel with stable water retention, constant swelling properties, superoleophobicity, and low‐adhesion to oil in aqueous environments over a wide range of salinity. The formation of internal dynamic complementary crosslinks is a key structural factor of the euryhaline attributes. The euryhaline hydrogel‐coated meshes can be successfully utilized in various oil/aqueous phase separation in a wide range of salinity. Furthermore, by creating a double network with dynamic bonds, superior euryhaline hydrogel with unique salinity‐enhanced mechanical strength can be obtained. It is anticipated that the euryhaline hydrogel will have broad application prospects in complex and variable ionic environments.
Oxide‐Based Electrolyte‐Gated Transistors for Spatiotemporal Information Processing
Authors: Li Yue , Lu Jikai , Shang Dashan , Liu Qi , Wu Shuyu , Wu Zuheng , Zhang Xumeng , Yang Jianguo , Wang Zhongrui , Lv Hangbing , Liu Ming
Published: October 2020

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) sharing large similarity with biological nervous systems are promising to process spatiotemporal information and can provide highly time‐ and energy‐efficient computational paradigms for the Internet‐of‐Things and edge computing. Nonvolatile electrolyte‐gated transistors (EGTs) provide prominent analog switching performance, the most critical feature of synaptic element, and have been recently demonstrated as a promising synaptic device. However, high performance, large‐scale EGT arrays, and EGT application for spatiotemporal information processing in an SNN are yet to be demonstrated. Here, an oxide‐based EGT employing amorphous Nb2O5 and LixSiO2 is introduced as the channel and electrolyte gate materials, respectively, and integrated into a 32 × 32 EGT array. The engineered EGTs show a quasi‐linear update, good endurance (106) and retention, a high switching speed of 100 ns, ultralow readout conductance (<100 nS), and ultralow areal switching energy density (20 fJ µm−2). The prominent analog switching performance is leveraged for hardware implementation of an SNN with the capability of spatiotemporal information processing, where spike sequences with different timings are able to be efficiently learned and recognized by the EGT array. Finally, this EGT‐based spatiotemporal information processing is deployed to detect moving orientation in a tactile sensing system. These results provide an insight into oxide‐based EGT devices for energy‐efficient neuromorphic computing to support edge application.
Intrinsic Detectivity Limits of Organic Near‐Infrared Photodetectors
Authors: Gielen Sam , Kaiser Christina , Verstraeten Frederik , Kublitski Jonas , Benduhn Johannes , Spoltore Donato , Verstappen Pieter , Maes Wouter , Meredith Paul , Armin Ardalan , Vandewal Koen
Published: October 2020

Organic photodetectors (OPDs) with a performance comparable to that of conventional inorganic ones have recently been demonstrated for the visible regime. However, near‐infrared photodetection has proven to be challenging and, to date, the true potential of organic semiconductors in this spectral range (800–2500 nm) remains largely unexplored. In this work, it is shown that the main factor limiting the specific detectivity (D*) is non‐radiative recombination, which is also known to be the main contributor to open‐circuit voltage losses. The relation between open‐circuit voltage, dark current, and noise current is demonstrated using four bulk‐heterojunction devices based on narrow‐gap donor polymers. Their maximum achievable D* is calculated alongside a large set of devices to demonstrate an intrinsic upper limit of D* as a function of the optical gap. It is concluded that OPDs have the potential to be a useful technology up to 2000 nm, given that high external quantum efficiencies can be maintained at these low photon energies.
HClO‐Activated Fluorescence and Photosensitization from an AIE Nanoprobe for Image‐Guided Bacterial Ablation in Phagocytes
Authors: Wu Min , Wu Wenbo , Duan Yukun , Liu Xingang , Wang Meng , Phan Chi Uyen , Qi Guobin , Tang Guping , Liu Bin
Published: October 2020

Bacteria hiding in host phagocytes are difficult to kill, which can cause phagocyte disorders resulting in local and systemic tissue damage. Effective accumulation of activatable photosensitizers (PSs) in phagocytes to realize selective imaging and on‐demand photodynamic ablation of bacteria is of great scientific and practical interests for precise bacteria diagnosis and treatment. Herein, HClO‐activatable theranostic nanoprobes, DTF‐FFP NPs, for image‐guided bacterial ablation in phagocytes are introduced. DTF‐FFP NPs are prepared by nanoprecipitation of an HClO‐responsive near‐infrared molecule FFP and an efficient PS DTF with aggregation‐induced emission characteristic using an amphiphilic polymer Pluronic F127 as the encapsulation matrix. As an energy acceptor, FFP can quench both fluorescence and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of DTF, thus eliminating the phototoxicity of DTF‐FFP NPs in normal cells and tissues. Once delivered to the infection sites, DTF‐FFP NPs light up with red fluorescence and efficiently generate ROS owing to the degradation of FFP by the stimulated release of HClO in phagocytes. The selective activation of fluorescence and photosensitization is successfully confirmed by both in vitro and in vivo results, demonstrating the effectiveness and theranostic potential of DTF‐FFP NPs in precise bacterial therapy.
A Low Cost Aqueous Zn–S Battery Realizing Ultrahigh Energy Density
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Kangli , Jiang Kai
Published: October 2020

Rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries are enabled by the (de)intercalation chemistry, but bottlenecked by the limited energy density due to the low capacity of cathodes. In this work, carbon nanotubes supported 50 wt% sulfur (denoted as S@CNTs‐50), as a conversional cathode, is employed and a high energy density aqueous zinc–sulfur (Zn–S) battery is constructed . In the electrolyte of 1 m Zn(CH3COO)2 (pH = 6.5) with 0.05 wt% I2 additive where I2 can serve as medium of Zn2+ ions to reduce the voltage hysteresis of S@CNTs‐50 and stabilize Zn stripping/plating, S@CNTs‐50 delivers a high capacity of 1105 mAh g−1 with a flat discharge voltage of 0.5 V, realizing an energy density of 502 Wh kg−1 based on sulfur, which is one of the highest values reported in aqueous Zn‐based batteries that use mild electrolyte. Moreover, the chemical materials cost of this aqueous Zn–S battery can be lowered to be $45 kWh−1 due to the cheap raw materials, reaching to the level of pumped energy storage. Ex situ X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectrum, and transmission electron microscopy measurements reveal that sulfur cathode undergoes a conversion reaction between S and ZnS.
Intercropping wheat between walnut trees reduced yield and improved quality
Authors: Qiao Xu , Gao Yonghong , Xiao Li , Lyu Xinkai , Zhang Caihong , Zhang Yongqiang , Sai Lihan , Xue Lihua , Lei Junjie
Published: October 2020

Agroforestry is a common traditional practice in southern Xinjiang, northwest China. However, intercropping productivity has failed to meet expectations in many agroforestry systems as tree aged. Therefore, this study invested why this occurred. We chose walnut (Juglans regia L. Wen‐185) tree‐based agroforestry systems to investigate the influence of walnut tree shade intensity on the grain yield and quality of intercropped wheat (Triticum aestivum). This replicated study was conducted in Southern Xinjiang China in 2011 and 2012. Walnut tree canopy reduced understory photosynthetically active radiation, decreased photosynthetic rates of intercropped wheat, decreased grain yield, spike number, grains per spike, and thousand‐grain weight. However, grain protein and wet gluten contents were improved. Significant negative linear correlations were detected between grain yield and N content with walnut tree age, but significant positive correlations were found between protein and wet gluten contents with walnut tree age. Protein and wet gluten contents were negatively correlated with grain yield, and with thousand‐grain weight. In conclusion, although grain yield was significantly decreased, grain quality was enhanced in walnut tree‐based agroforestry systems. The competition for light between walnut trees and intercrops could be alleviated by pruning, selective felling, and wider tree spacing.
A copper diimine‐based honeycomb‐like porous network as an efficient reduction catalyst
Authors: Ahmad Abrar , Shah Syed Niaz Ali , Arshad Mehwish , Bélanger‐Gariepy Francine , Tiekink Edward R.T. , ur Rehman Zia
Published: October 2020

Nitrophenols are among the widely used industrial chemicals worldwide; however, their hazardous effects on environment are a major concern nowadays. Therefore, the conversion of environmentally detrimental p‐nitrophenol (PNP) to industrially valuable p‐aminophenol (PAP), a prototype reaction, is an important organic transformation reaction. However, the traditional conversion of PNP to PAP is an expensive and environmentally unfriendly process. Here, we report a honeycomb‐like porous network with zeolite‐like channels formed by the self‐organization of copper, 1,10‐phenanthroline, 4,4′‐bipyridine, and water. This porous network effectively catalyzed the transformation of hazardous PNP to pharmaceutically valued PAP. In the presence of complex, PNP to PAP conversion occurred in a few minutes, which is otherwise a very sluggish process. To assess the kinetics, the catalytic conversion of PNP to PAP was studied at five different temperatures. The linearity of lnCt/Co versus temperature plot indicated pseudo‐first‐order kinetics. The copper complex with zeolite like channels may find applications as a reduction catalyst both on laboratory and industrial scales and in green chemistry for the remediation of pollutants.
Gold nanoparticles induced apoptosis via oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells
Authors: Kowsalya Elumalai , MosaChristas Kithiyon , Jaquline Chinna Rani Inbaraj , Balashanmugam Pannerselvam , Devasena Thiyagarajan
Published: October 2020

Green synthesis of functionalized gold nanoparticles has been considered to be more biocompatible and has gained much attention in recent years. The eco‐friendly synthesis, long half‐life of drugs, low cost, and nontoxicity make them an appealing potential option for the biomedical field. The leaf aqueous extract of 10 different plants, namely,Araucaria heterophylla(Ah),Lagerstroemia indica(Li),Combretum indicum(Ci),Melia azedarach(Ma),Muntingia calabura(Mc),Hygrophila auriculata(Ha),Rivina humilis(Rh),Callistemon lanceolatus(Cl),Pterygota alata(Pa), andVateria indica(Vi) was used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Among them, six plants supported the synthesis of stable AuNPs. The generation of ruby red from pale yellow color proved AuNPs synthesis and which was further confirmed by the absorption peak in UV–Vis spectroscopy. Enhanced antioxidant activity was found with Pa–AuNPs compared with other phytosynthesized AuNPs. Pa–AuNPs were thus characterized by HR‐TEM, EDX, XRD, and FTIR. Pa–AuNPs exhibited potent dose‐dependent anticancer efficacy and an effective dose of IC50mediated apoptosis and necrosis in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. Pa–AuNPs significantly enhanced the generation of ROS, in effect inducing mitochondrial membrane sensitization to trigger the cascade of apoptosis. The research highlights the effectiveness of AuNPs on cancer cells in vitro and, in turn, a progressive step toward novel biomedical applications. These findings indicate that phytosynthesized AuNPs may be an enticing anti‐cancer strategy for breast cancer without eliciting toxicity to normal cells.
Encapsulation of Rhodopseudomonas palustrisKTSSR54 using beads from alginate/starch blends
Authors: Rohman Saefur , Kaewtatip Kaewta , Kantachote Duangporn , Tantirungkij Manee
Published: October 2020

Alginate beads are a promising carrier for biofertilizer delivery, but still possess drawbacks of low mechanical strength and bead shrinkage that result in poor appearance and inadequate cell protection. Blending alginate with starch was proposed as a solution to these problems, and here alginate hydrogels were prepared using a 2% (w/v) alginate dispersion blended with varying contents of gelatinized starch (0–5% w/v). The interaction produced a viscosity synergism that increased the complexity of the matrix network in the alginate/starch blends, producing a more suitable matrix for cell entrapment. Hydrogen bonding between alginate and starch influenced the viscosity of the various solutions in a way that was consistent with the FTIR spectra. The starch content also helped beads retain their spherical shape after drying. The starch supported the entrapment of bacterial cells (plant growth‐promoting bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris KTSSR54 as biofertilizer) in the matrix, which reduced cell loss. The highest entrapment efficiency of 70.83% was obtained at 4% (w/v) starch, while the entrapment efficiency of control beads was 50.56%. Overall, the appropriate content of starch mixed with alginate is conducive to changes in the morphology of microcapsules and increases in the amount of biological encapsulation.
Robust fault tolerant optimal predictive control of hybrid actuators with time‐varying delay for industrial robot arm
Authors: Zahaf Abdelmalek , Bououden Sofiane , Chadli Mohammed , Chemachema Mohamed
Published: October 2020

This paper presents a robust hybrid fault‐tolerant optimal predictive control (HFTPC), for an industrial robot arm under hybrid (electric and pneumatic) actuator faults and/or varying time‐delays. Based on the error dynamics, estimated states, and a predictive controller, a new state feedback control law is proposed and implemented for the reformulation of the optimal control problem of a nonlinear faulty hybrid actuator system based on predictive control via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). First, a robust MPC scheme is performed in which the future control sequence is used to compensate the varying time‐delays. Then, a robust stable hybrid fault tolerant predivtive control is implemented to handle actuators faults to effect robust trajectory tracking. In fact, the stability of hybrid systems based on the proposed control scheme is a very sensitive criterion. Therefore, stability conditions are required for controlling the industrial arm under faulty hybrid (electric and pneumatic) actuator, based on the Lyapunov‐Krasovskii (L‐K) theory, less conservative stable conditions in terms of LMIs are given and used to ensure the asymptotically robust stability of closed‐loop constrained system that dependent delay‐range. To highlight the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed approach, a simulation study of an industrial robot arm example is proved, where the results showed the prompt and the accuracy of the proposed scheme.