bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intergenerational influence of paternal physical activity on the offspring’s brain: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Goli Parvin , Yazdi Maryam , Poursafa Parnian , Kelishadi Roya
Published: November 2020

Background

It is well established that parents can influence their offspring's neurodevelopment. It is shown that paternal environment and lifestyle is beneficial for the progeny's fitness and might affect their metabolic mechanisms; however, the effects of paternal exercise on brain in the offspring have not been explored in detail.

Objective

This study aims to review the impact of paternal physical exercise on memory and learning, neuroplasticity, as well as DNA methylation levels in the offspring's hippocampus.

Study design

In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, electronic literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eligible studies were those with an experimental design, including an exercise intervention arm, with assessment of any type of memory function, learning ability, or any type of brain plasticity as the outcome measures. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed as effect size.

Results

The systematic review revealed the important role of environmental enrichment in the behavioral development of next generation. Also, offspring of exercised fathers displayed higher levels of memory ability, and lower level of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor. A significant effect of paternal exercise on the hippocampal volume was also reported in the few available studies.

Conclusion

These results suggest an intergenerational effect of paternal physical activity on cognitive benefit, which may be associated with hippocampal epigenetic programming in offspring. However, the biological mechanisms of this modulation remain to be determined.
A postlarval instar of Phoxichilidium femoratum (Pycnogonida, Phoxichilidiidae) with an exceptional malformation
Authors: Brenneis Georg , Scholtz Gerhard
Published: November 2020

Individuals of the marine chelicerate lineage Pycnogonida (sea spiders) show considerable regenerative capabilities after appendage injury or loss. In their natural habitats, especially the long legs of sea spiders are commonly lost and regenerated, as is evidenced by the frequent encounter of specimens with missing or miniature legs. In contrast to this, the collection of individuals with abnormally developed appendages or trunk regions is comparably rare. Here, we studied a remarkable malformation in a postlarval instar of the species Phoxichilidium femoratum (Rathke, 1799) and describe the external morphology and internal organization of the specimen using a combination of fluorescent histochemistry and scanning electron microscopy. The individual completely lacks the last trunk segment with leg pair 4 and the normally penultimate trunk segment bears only a single aberrant appendage resembling an extension of the anteroposterior body axis. Externally, the proximal units of the articulated appendage are unpaired, but further distally a bifurcation into two equally developed leg‐like branches is found. Three‐dimensional reconstruction of the musculature reveals components of two regular leg muscle sets in several of the proximal articles. This confirms interpretation of the entire appendage as a malformed leg and reveals an externally hidden paired organization along its entire proximodistal axis. To explain the origin of this unique malformation, early pioneering studies on the regenerative potential of pycnogonids are evaluated and (a) an injury‐induced partial fusion of the developing limb buds of leg pair 3, as well as (b) irregular leg regeneration following near complete loss of trunk segments 3 and 4 are discussed. Which of the two hypotheses is more realistic remains to be tested by dedicated experimental approaches. These will have to rely on pycnogonid species with established laboratory husbandry in order to overcome the limitations of the few short‐term regeneration studies performed to date.
Is load control necessary to produce physiological AP displacement and axial rotation in wear testing of TAR?
Authors: Ho Nathan C. , McCarty Colin P. , Park Sang‐Hyun , Williams Joan R. , Gilmartin Neda F. , Ebramzadeh Edward , Sangiorgio Sophia N.
Published: November 2020

The International Standard Organization, ISO 22622, specifies two options for joint wear simulator evaluation of total ankle replacements (TARs): load‐controlled and displacement‐controlled. In the present study, the load‐controlled testing parameters were applied to cadaveric specimens to quantify and compare the observed sagittal translations and axial rotations to those specified under the displacement‐controlled option. Twelve cadaveric specimens were stripped of extraneous tissues, keeping surrounding ankle ligaments. A halo was used to produce plantarflexion and dorsiflexion of the talus through two screws, while a baseplate resisted axial loads. The axial force and torque were applied to the tibia and fibula under force and torque feedback control. An anterior–posterior force was applied to the tibia. Plantarflexion‐dorsiflexion were applied using rotation control. To protect the cadaveric specimens, loads were applied at 50% of the specified load profile while plantarflexion–dorsiflexion rotation was applied as specified. There was variation among specimens in magnitudes of anterior–posterior displacement with peaks ranging from 3.3 mm posteriorly to 3.0 mm anteriorly. Likewise, there was variation among specimens in magnitude of axial rotation, with peaks ranging from 11° external rotation to 4.5° internal rotation. However, the mean magnitudes of AP displacement and axial rotation did not exceed those specified by ISO 22622.
Preserved Cochlear Implant Function After Multiple Electroconvulsive Therapy Treatments
Authors: Jiam Nicole T. , Li Descartes , Kramer Kurt , Limb Charles J.
Published: November 2020

This case report presents the successful use of multiple treatments of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in a patient with a cochlear implant (CI). A 60‐year‐old man with a left‐sided CI and bipolar disorder presented with severe depression. A total of 9 separate sessions of unilateral ECT was administered to the contralateral side of the existing CI. We collected subjective, clinical, and audiological assessment of the patient and the CI prior, during, and after ECT therapy. The patient tolerated ECT well and there were no complications. Unilateral ECT was performed contralateral to the CI without any harm to the patient or implant. Laryngoscope, 131:E1695–E1698, 2021
Ideal triangulations of 3‐manifolds up to decorated transit equivalences
Authors: Benedetti Riccardo
Published: November 2020

We consider 3‐dimensional pseudo‐manifolds with a given set of marked point V such that is the interior of a compact 3‐manifold with boundary M. An ideal triangulation T of has V as set of vertices. A branching enhances T to a Δ‐complex. Branched triangulations of are considered up to the b‐transit equivalence generated by isotopy and ideal branched moves which keep V pointwise fixed. We extend a well known connectivity result for “naked” ideal triangulations by showing that branched ideal triangulations of are equivalent to each other. A pre‐branching is a system of transverse orientations at the 2‐facets of T verifying a certain global constraint; pre‐branchings are considered up to a natural ‐transit equivalence. If M is oriented, every branching induces a pre‐branching and every b‐transit induces a ‐transit. The quotient set of pre‐branchings up to transit equivalence is far to be trivial; we get some information about it and we characterize the pre‐branchings of the type . Pre‐branched and branched moves are naturally organized in subfamilies which give rise to restricted transit equivalences. In the branching setting we revisit, with some complement, early results about the sliding transit equivalence and outline a (partially conjectural) conceptually different approach to the branched ideal connectivity and eventually also to the naked one. The basic idea is to point out some structures of differential topological nature on M which are carried by every branched ideal triangulation of , are preserved by the sliding transits and can be modified by the full branched transits. The non ambiguous transit equivalence already widely studied on pre‐branchings lifts to a specialization of the sliding equivalence on branched triangulations; we point out a few specific insights, again in terms of carried structures preserved by the non ambiguous and which can be modified by the whole sliding transits.
Preparation of Near‐Infrared Emissive π‐Conjugated Polymer Films Based on Boron‐Fused Azobenzene Complexes with Perpendicularly Protruded Aryl Substituents
Authors: Gon Masayuki , Wakabayashi Junko , Nakamura Masashi , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: November 2020

Most organic luminescent dyes usually show poor emission in solid due to aggregation‐caused quenching due to nonspecific intermolecular interaction, such as π–π stacking. Furthermore, since commodity molecules having near‐infrared (NIR) emission properties tend to have extended π‐conjugated systems, development of luminescent organic materials with solid‐state NIR emission has been still challenging. Herein, the series of the azobenzene complexes with the perpendicularly‐protruded aryl derivative at the boron atom toward π‐conjugated system is synthesized. From the optical measurements, it is shown that these complexes can show crystallization‐induced emission enhancement behaviors. The donor–acceptor type π‐conjugated polymers composed of the azobenzene complexes are also synthesized. Highly‐efficient NIR emission from the phenyl‐substituted polymers both in solution (λPL = 742 nm, ΦPL = 15%) and film states (λPL = 793 nm, ΦPL = 9%) is obtained. Furthermore, emission wavelengths can be tuned by changing the substituent at the boron atom to the modified aryl groups. From mechanistic studies including theoretical calculations, it is shown that electronic interaction is allowable between the aryl substituent to the π‐conjugated system through the tetradentate boron.
Unveiling the Mechanism of Polymer Grafting on Graphene for Functional Composites: The Behavior of Radicals
Authors: Hori Yuki , Kubo Koichiro , Nishina Yuta
Published: November 2020

Polymer–graphene composites have attracted significant attention; however, their formation mechanisms are a focus of debate. This work tries to clarify how grafting occurs on graphene by electron spin resonance techniques. As a result, two pathways are found. One passes through the radicals formed by cleaving CO bonds on graphene are transferred to monomers, then grafting and polymerization proceed. Another mechanism passes through the oxy‐radicals, which react with monomers in solution and finally react with carbon radicals on graphene. Based on the mechanism, various types of polymer–graphene composites are prepared, and applied to electrical conductive sheets, basic catalysts, and acidic catalysts.
Maturity of Hairtail Varies with Latitude and Environment in the East China Sea
Authors: Jin Yan , Liu Zun-lei , Yan Li-ping , Yuan Xing-wei , Cheng Jia-Hua
Published: November 2020

Early maturity of economically important fish has become a global issue, which might affect the reproductive potential of fish stocks. We used the samples that were collected in a fisheries-independent survey in the East China Sea annually around the end of August from 2002 to 2017 to investigate the maturation progress of female Hairtail Trichiurus japonicus in response to (1) spatial variation, (2) environmental variation, and (3) CPUE. The preliminary analysis indicated that the gonads of Hairtail in the southern area and the northern area began to develop at similar anal length (around 140–150 mm), but the development was faster in the southern area than in the northern area. The proportion of matured fish was significantly higher in the southern area than in the northern area in the group of fish with 170–210 mm anal length. Based on generalized additive models, we found that temperature and CPUE could affect the maturation schedules of female Hairtail in the East China Sea. The relationship between sea surface temperature and the probability of maturity was close to an s-curve, while the stock density had an approximately negative effect on the degree of precocious puberty.
A Distinct EEG Marker of Celiac Disease‐Related Cortical Myoclonus
Authors: Swinkin Emily , Lizárraga Karlo J. , Algarni Musleh , Garcia Dominguez Luis , Baarbé Julianne K. , Saravanamuttu James , Chen Robert , Slow Elizabeth , Lang Anthony E. , Wennberg Richard A.
Published: November 2020

Background

Celiac disease is associated with motor cortex hyperexcitability and neurological manifestations including cortical myoclonus. Electroencephalography abnormalities have been described, but no distinct pattern has been reported.

Methods

We describe the neurophysiological characteristics of 3 patients with celiac‐associated cortical myoclonus using electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, and transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Results

Electroencephalography in all cases demonstrated lateralized low‐amplitude, electropositive beta‐frequency polyspike activity over the central head region, corresponding to motor cortex contralateral to the myoclonic limb. Jerk‐locked back‐averaging demonstrated a preceding cortical potential; magnetoencephalography source localization revealed a cortical generator in the posterior wall of the precentral gyrus for the back‐averaged potential and oscillatory abnormality. In 1 patient, cerebellar inhibition of the motor cortex was physiologically normal.

Conclusions

Central head oscillatory, low‐amplitude, electropositive electroencephalography polyspike activity may be a distinct marker of celiac‐related cortical myoclonus and is consistent with celiac‐related motor cortex hyperexcitability, which may not necessarily result from cerebellar disinhibition. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Multi‐organ comparison of flow‐based arterial spin labeling techniques: Spatially non‐selective labeling for cerebral and renal perfusion imaging
Authors: Franklin Suzanne L. , Bones Isabell K. , Harteveld Anita A. , Hirschler Lydiane , van Stralen Marijn , Qin Qin , de Boer Anneloes , Hoogduin Johannes M. , Bos Clemens , van Osch Matthias J. P. , Schmid Sophie
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Flow‐based arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques provide a transit‐time insensitive alternative to the more conventional spatially selective ASL techniques. However, it is not clear which flow‐based ASL technique performs best and also, how these techniques perform outside the brain (taking into account eg, flow‐dynamics, field‐inhomogeneity, and organ motion). In the current study we aimed to compare 4 flow‐based ASL techniques (ie, velocity selective ASL, acceleration selective ASL, multiple velocity selective saturation ASL, and velocity selective inversion prepared ASL [VSI‐ASL]) to the current spatially selective reference techniques in brain (ie, pseudo‐continuous ASL [pCASL]) and kidney (ie, pCASL and flow alternating inversion recovery [FAIR]).

Methods

Brain (n = 5) and kidney (n = 6) scans were performed in healthy subjects at 3T. Perfusion‐weighted signal (PWS) maps were generated and ASL techniques were compared based on temporal SNR (tSNR), sensitivity to perfusion changes using a visual stimulus (brain) and robustness to respiratory motion by comparing scans acquired in paced‐breathing and free‐breathing (kidney).

Results

In brain, all flow‐based ASL techniques showed similar tSNR as pCASL, but only VSI‐ASL showed similar sensitivity to perfusion changes. In kidney, all flow‐based ASL techniques had comparable tSNR, although all lower than FAIR. In addition, VSI‐ASL showed a sensitivity to B1‐inhomogeneity. All ASL techniques were relatively robust to respiratory motion.

Conclusion

In both brain and kidney, flow‐based ASL techniques provide a planning‐free and transit‐time insensitive alternative to spatially selective ASL techniques. VSI‐ASL shows the most potential overall, showing similar performance as the golden standard pCASL in brain. However, in kidney, a reduction of B1‐sensitivity of VSI‐ASL is necessary to match the performance of FAIR.
Use of Acoustic Telemetry to Identify Spawning River and Spawning Migration Patterns of American Shad in the Albemarle Sound, North Carolina
Authors: Mack Kevin , White Holly , Rohde Fred C.
Published: November 2020

American Shad Alosa sapidissima is an economically, culturally, and ecologically important anadromous species that undertakes a significant spawning migration, swimming from the ocean into areas far upstream in coastal rivers to reproduce. The species has a large range in the western Atlantic, occurring from Nova Scotia to Florida. However, because American Shad generally return to their natal rivers to spawn, each major river likely has its own spawning stock. Fish that are entering the Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, to spawn primarily ascend one of two rivers at the far western end of the estuary: the Roanoke River or the Chowan River. Determining the current primary spawning river for American Shad in the Albemarle Sound would help inform research efforts and resource management decisions to improve stocks. American Shad were captured in the Albemarle Sound, tagged with sonic transmitters, and tracked using an array of acoustic receivers. Of the 62 fish that made detectable migrations during the six study years, 55 ascended the Chowan River, while only 5 ascended the Roanoke River and 2 entered other rivers. These telemetry results suggest that the Chowan River and its tributaries are the major spawning rivers for American Shad in the Albemarle Sound.
Supplemental Feeding as a Tool in the Development of a Quality Wild Rainbow Trout Fishery
Authors: Owens Stephen J.
Published: November 2020

Southwest Virginia offers a plethora of fishing opportunities for wild trout (Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis, Brown Trout Salmo trutta, and Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss) in headwater and large valley floor streams. However, low productivity in most area streams, including the South Fork Holston River, limits growth leading to populations where individuals seldom exceed 25 cm. The Buller Fish Hatchery, located in Smyth County, Virginia, offers anglers a unique 1.6-km special-regulation catch-and-release trout fishery on the South Fork Holston River limited to single-hook artificial lures. Historically, this section was dominated by wild Rainbow Trout that seldom reached 25 cm. A supplemental feeding program was initiated by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources in March 2015 in hopes of significantly increasing the size distribution of Rainbow Trout. This limited feeding program improved the size distribution within the first year, and 24% of Rainbow Trout exceeded 30 cm. Annual monitoring (2015–2018) documented that 17–34% of Rainbow Trout collected at the treatment reach exceeded 30 cm, with densities varying from 215 to 554 fish/km for fish greater than 30 cm. Relative weight greater than 100 shifted from 0% of the population in 2014 to 8–25% of the population in 2015–2018. Rainbow Trout size structure and relative weight remained unchanged during the survey period at the control reach and were lower than at the treatment reach once supplemental feeding began. Annual costs associated with supplemental feeding at this reach were calculated at US$1,271/year and averaged $2.34/fish (>30 cm) within the catch-and-release area. Results suggest that supplemental feeding can be an effective tool for improving wild trout size structure in low-productivity waters. Feeding was not cost prohibitive and was within Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources budget guidelines.
Assessment of Two Techniques for Remediation of Lacustrine Rocky Reef Spawning Habitat
Authors: Gatch Alexander J. , Koenigbauer Scott T. , Roseman Edward F. , Höök Tomas O.
Published: November 2020

Rocky reef habitats in lacustrine systems constitute important areas for lithophilic-spawning fishes. Interstitial spaces created by the structure of rocky reefs form microenvironments where incubating embryos and juvenile fish are potentially protected from predators and physical displacement. However, if interstitial spaces are filled or blocked by sediment or biofouling, the reef structure may lose these benefits. Common practices to restore reef habitat include augmentation of existing reef structures or construction of new reefs, though these practices can be costly. We explored an alternative approach for reef remediation. In 2018, we developed two benthic sled cleaning devices that used either propulsion or pressurized water jets and were towed behind a small vessel to clean reefs. We used the devices to clean two impaired natural rocky reefs in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. We indexed effectiveness of cleaning by measured changes in substrate relative hardness before and after cleaning. A biological response to reef cleaning was also measured by egg deposition of fall (Lake Whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis) and spring (Walleye Sander vitreus) lithophilic spawners. We found that our propulsion cleaning device was more effective in increasing substrate relative hardness than was the water jet device, although this was not consistent among all study locations. We also found that egg deposition on study plots was variable, but in general, egg deposition was highest on study plots that had the greatest increases in relative hardness post-cleaning. The practicality of cleaning devices is likely related to the magnitude of site-specific degradation. Our results indicate that the use of these or similar devices can potentially increase the quality of spawning habitat by displacing sediments that have deposited on reef structures.
Who comes when the world goes Code Blue? A novel method of exploring job advertisements for COVID‐19 in health care
Authors: Watts Rory D. , Bowles Devin C. , Fisher Colleen , Li Ian W.
Published: November 2020

Aim

To explore the health workforce responses to COVID‐19.

Design

Analysis of job advertisements.

Methods

We collected advertisements for healthcare jobs which were caused by and in response to COVID‐19 between 4 March–17 April 2020 for the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. We collected information on the date of the advertisement, position advertised and location. We categorized job positions into three categories: frontline, coordination and decision support.

Results

We found 952 job advertisements, 72% of which were from the United States. There was a lag period between reported COVID‐19‐confirmed cases and job advertisements by several weeks. Nurses were the most advertised position in every country. Frontline workers were substantially more demanded than coordination or decision‐support roles. Job advertisements are a novel data source which leverages a readily available information about how workforces respond to a pandemic. The initial phases of the response emphasise the importance of frontline workers, especially nurses.
Assessing the Quality of Care Delivered to Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients with Cancer in Ireland: A Case Series
Authors: Moloney Carolyn , Allen Margaret , Power Derek G. , M. Bambury Richard , O'Mahony Deirdre , O'Donnell Dearbhaile M. , O'Reilly Seamus , Collins Dearbhaile C.
Published: November 2020

Introduction

“Transgender” and “gender diverse” are umbrella terms encompassing those whose gender identities or expressions differ from those typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. There is scant global information on cancer incidence, outcome, and mortality for this cohort. This group may present with advanced cancer, have mistrust in health care services and report anxiety and depression at higher frequencies, a finding often seen in marginalized groups because of minority stress.

Materials and Methods

Medical oncologists were contacted by secure email to identify patients who self-identify as transgender and gender diverse in three Irish hospitals. Five patients were identified. A retrospective chart review was conducted and a pseudonymized patient survey was distributed.

Results

All patients included in our chart review (n = 5) were diagnosed with advanced disease on initial diagnosis. Two patients identified as men, two as women, and one as a transwoman. Two of five patients' health record charts reflected a name or gender change. Three patients had gender transitioning treatment postponed. Assessing comorbidities, it was seen that four patients required psychiatry input. Predominant issues noted in our patient survey by the two respondents (n = 2) were “mis-gendering,” lack of a gender-neutral hospital environment, lack of inclusion in cancer groups, and barriers in changing name and/or sex on hospital records.

Conclusion

Components of care requiring revision include patient accessible pathways to change names and gender on health records, earlier access to psychological support and targeted screening and support groups. Resources for hospital staff to improve awareness of correct terminology and to provide gender neutral facilities are worthwhile.

Implications for Practice

The implications for practice on an international level include patient-friendly pathways for changing hospital name and gender so that patients may feel comfortable using wristbands. The need for international screening guidelines for transgender patients and national transgender cancer support groups is highlighted. On a day-to-day level for providers, the correct use of pronouns makes a big difference to patients. Asking about preferred pronoun on first visit and noting on patient's file is worthwhile. It is important for providers to know that increased psychological support should be offered early on first clinic visit and engaged with as necessary when patient has a history of anxiety or depression. Providers should discuss openly that some gender transitioning treatment will be postponed because of cancer care and refer to both the physical and psychological sequelae of this. Asking transgender patients which room or bathroom they would prefer when rooms are gendered is essential.
Trisomy 8 mosaicism in the placenta: A Danish cohort study of 37 cases and a literature review
Authors: Thomsen Simon Horsholt , Lund Ida Charlotte Bay , Fagerberg Christina , Bache Iben , Becher Naja , Vogel Ida
Published: November 2020

Objective

To evaluate the risk of fetal involvement when trisomy 8 mosaicism (T8M) is detected in chorionic villus samples (CVS).

Methods

A retrospective descriptive study of registered pregnancies in Denmark with T8M in CVS identified through a database search and a review of published cases of T8M found through a systematic literature search and inclusion of cross references. Pregnancies with T8M in CVS and no additional numerical chromosomal aberrations were included.

Results

A total of 37 Danish cases and 60 published cases were included. T8M detected in a CVS was associated with fetal involvement in 18 out of 97 pregnancies (18.6% [95%CI: 11.4–27.7]). Eight out of 70 (11.4% [95%CI: 5.1–21.3]) interpreted prenatally to be confined placental mosaicism (CPM) were subsequently found to be true fetal mosaicisms (TFM).

Conclusion

T8M detected in CVS poses a significant risk of fetal involvement, and examination of amniotic fluid (AF) and/or fetal tissue should be offered. However, a normal result of AF still has a considerable residual risk of fetal involvement. Genetic counselling at an early gestational age is essential, and follow‐up ultrasonography should be performed to predict fetal involvement if possible.
Characterization and in‐vitro analysis of poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐“Jackfruit” Mucilage blends for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Prakash Anshu , Lata Roselyn , Martens Penny J. , Rohindra David
Published: November 2020

Jackfruit mucilage (JM) obtained from the fruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus was melt blended with poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL). The physical properties of the blends with more than 60 wt% PCL were investigated. Depression in the equilibrium melting temperature () and the presence of extinction rings in the spherulites of PCL in the blends confirmed miscibility of the two components. The carbonyl and the COC groups of PCL and JM were responsible for the interactions as identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal stability of PCL decreased marginally in the blends with increasing JM content. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that no phase separation occurred. Porosity and the mechanical strength of the blends decreased with increasing JM content. Blends exposed to porcine pancreatic lipase showed enzymatic degradation of JM but not PCL and SEM images showed holes in the sample indicative of selective degradation of JM. Cell growth inhibition technique using the L929 fibroblasts cells showed the degree of inhibition was dependent on the increasing JM content in the blends. Blends with low JM content have the potential to be used for increased cell viability while blends with high JM content can be used for the treatment of cancer.
Purpurin: A natural anthraquinone with multifaceted pharmacological activities
Authors: Singh Jyoti , Hussain Yusuf , Luqman Suaib , Meena Abha
Published: November 2020

Purpurin is a naturally occurring anthraquinone isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia. Historically, it has been used as a red dye. However, its photosensitizing property and biological effects have deciphered its novel application. Purpurin shows antigenotoxic, anticancer, neuromodulatory, and antimicrobial potential associated with antioxidant action in in vivo and in vitro experiments. A robust antioxidant nature of purpurin is responsible for the majority of its pharmacological effects. It produces anti‐inflammatory activity by reducing oxidative stress, which is a fundamental property to target diseases involving endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial stress. It can cross the blood–brain barrier and produce neuroprotective effects, including antidepressant and anti‐Alzheimer action. It shows antimutagenic property via inhibiting essential CYP‐450 enzymes. Interestingly, it gets photosensitized by UV‐light and produces target‐specific ROS‐dependent apoptosis in cancer cells. Therefore, it owns cell killing and cell survival potential subject to the influence of external conditions. Hitherto, limited research studies are performed with purpurin to understand its therapeutic potential. Hence, this review describes and discusses different in vivo, in vitro, and in silico studies performed using purpurin. It also covers physicochemical, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology aspects of purpurin. Moreover, in the end, the prospect of purpurin in the management of cancer has also been proposed.
First‐principles investigations on the ground‐state bulk properties and lattice constant dependent half‐metallic ferrimagnetism of Mn2NbSi full‐Heusler compound
Authors: Liu Lili , Hu Lei , Liu Shanshan , Xiong Jing , Liao Qin , Wen Yufeng
Published: November 2020

The ground‐state bulk properties and lattice constant dependent half‐metallic ferrimagnetism of L21 Mn2NbSi were systematically investigated using first‐principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory. The calculated ground‐state bulk properties are found to be in good agreement with the available values. The calculated elastic constants and related properties showed that the compound is mechanically stable, intrinsically ductile and elastically anisotropic. The calculations of the electronic structures and magnetic properties at different lattice constants showed that the half‐metallic ferrimagnetism of the compound is maintained in the lattice constant range from 6.2 to 6.6 Å. These results showed that the L21 Mn2NbSi has a potential application in spintronic devices due to its half‐metallic ferrimagnetism with low total magnetic moment.
Regulating electronic properties of BiOBr to enhance visible light response via 3d transition metals doping: DFT + U calculations
Authors: Guan Meihua , Ren Guangmin , Zhang Xiaochao , Zhang Qirui , Zhang Changming , Li Rui , Fan Caimei
Published: November 2020

In our work, the formation energies, band structures, densities of states, effective masses and optical absorption properties of pure BiOBr and 3d transition metals‐doped BiOBr have been calculated using DFT + U method. Ti, V, Fe, Cr, Co, Ni and Cu doping can induce impurity energy levels, originating from spin‐up or ‐down orbits of 3d transition metals (TMs), within the forbidden band of BiOBr, but Sc, Mn and Zn atoms only change the electronic delocalization in the valence band or conduction band region of BiOBr. Furthermore, with introduction of 3d TMs atoms, there exist the redshift phenomena for optical absorption band edge of BiOBr to different extents. The photo response priority order, structural stability and recombination probability of photoinduced carriers for 3d TMs‐doped BiOBr are summarized. Our theoretical findings should well explain the experimental observations in the previous literatures, and provide promising prediction and significant guidance for the well‐construction of BiOBr‐based photocatalyst systems.
Direct Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing on Clinical Urine Samples by Optical Tracking of Single Cell Division Events
Authors: Zhang Fenni , Jiang Jiapei , McBride Michelle , Yang Yunze , Mo Manni , Iriya Rafael , Peterman Joseph , Jing Wenwen , Grys Thomas , Haydel Shelley E. , Tao Nongjian , Wang Shaopeng
Published: November 2020

With the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance, the need to develop antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) technologies is urgent. The current challenge has been to perform the antibiotic susceptibility testing in short time, directly with clinical samples, and with antibiotics over a broad dynamic range of clinically relevant concentrations. Here, a technology for point‐of‐care diagnosis of antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria in urinary tract infections, by imaging the clinical urine samples directly with an innovative large volume solution scattering imaging (LVSi) system and analyzing the image sequences with a single‐cell division tracking method is developed. The high sensitivity of single‐cell division tracking associated with large volume imaging enables rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing directly on the clinical urine samples. The results demonstrate direct detection of bacterial infections in 60 clinical urine samples with a 60 min LVSi video, and digital AST of 30 positive clinical samples with 100% categorical agreement with both the clinical culture results and the on‐site agar plating validation results. This technology provides opportunities for precise antibiotic prescription and proper treatment of the patient within a single clinic visit.
Simply closing the reactor improves the electron efficiency of zerovalent iron toward various metal(loid)s removal
Authors: Fan Peng , Guan Xiaohong , Wei Guangfeng , Li Lina
Published: November 2020

The controlled corrosion of zerovalent iron (ZVI) is crucial for the favorable performance of ZVI toward metal(loid)s removal, and dissolved oxygen (DO) plays an important role in the process of ZVI corrosion. However, few efforts have been made to control the concentration of DO in real practice. In this study, we found that the electron efficiency and the specific removal capacity of ZVI toward the removal of four metal(loid)s were increased by 1.2–9.1 times and 1.2–3.6 times, respectively, by simply closing the reactor, while the removal kinetics of metal(loid)s was slightly influenced. The rate constants obtained under open condition were always greater than those obtained under closed condition, and the removal amounts of metal(loid)s by ZVI at the reaction equilibrium under closed condition were nearly equivalent to those under open condition. Compared with the case under open condition, the consumption‐redissolution process of DO was decelerated under closed condition, and the rapid corrosion of ZVI was alleviated subsequently. Although closing the reactor is simple, it does contribute much to the favorable electron efficiency of ZVI toward metal(loid)s sequestration and can be easily adopted in real practice. © 2021 Water Environment Federation

Practitioner points

Closing the reactor promoted the selectivity of ZVI towards four metal(loid)s removal.

The consumption‐redissolution process of DO and corrosion of ZVI were decelerated by closing the reactor.

Metal(loid)s were reduced to lower valence by ZVI under closed condition.

Effect of DO was different when ZVI was applied to remove different metal(loid)s.
Correction to: Aquaponics Food Production Systems
Authors: Goddek Simon , Joyce Alyssa , Kotzen Benz , Burnell Gavin M.
Published: November 2020

Correction to: S. Goddek et al. (eds.), Aquaponics Food Production Systems, 10.1007/978-3-030-15943-6_3
Correction to: An Efficient Index for Reachability Queries in Public Transport Networks
Authors: Tesfaye Bezaye , Augsten Nikolaus , Pawlik Mateusz , Böhlen Michael H. , Jensen Christian S.
Published: November 2020

The chapter was originally published without open access. With the author(s)’ decision to opt for retrospective open access the copyright of the chapter changed to © The Author(s) 2020 and the chapter is now available under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com
The Making Stage of the Modern Palestinian Arabic Novel in the Experiences of the udabāʾ Khalīl Baydas (1874–1949) and Iskandar al-Khūri al-BeitJāli (1890–1973)
Authors: Agsous Sadia
Published: November 2020

In 1946, the first Palestinian book fair took place at the Arab Orthodox Union Club in Jerusalem. What lay behind this event was a process that paralleled the political life revolving around the formation of local nationalism, a complex process of cultural and literary development within the Arab Nahda (‘Awakening’ or Renaissance) movement in which the Palestinians left their imprint through the press, literature, translation and other cultural fields. This chapter discusses the cultural environment of Khalīl Baydas and Iskandar al-Khūrī al-BeitJālī who initiated the modern Palestinian Arabic novel, both publishing in 1920. It addresses the Palestinian Nahda and the Russian educational enterprise as the formative context of these two authors and propose that Khalīl Baydas should be recognised as the architect of Palestinian literary realism.
Cultural Diplomacy in Mandatory Haifa: The Role of Christian Communities in the Cultural Transformation of the City
Authors: Hilel Maayan
Published: November 2020

The formative years of the British Mandate over Palestine marked a period of profound changes, in which cultural transformation manifested in a rapid growth of modern leisure, new recreation sites and cultural patterns in the urban centres of Palestine. These processes were significantly evident in Haifa as the city had been chosen by the British as the economic and effectively political capital of Palestine. This chapter scrutinises the rapid cultural changes that unfolded, analysing the significant role of Christian communities in this process. It examines the ways in which Christians’ connections with European powers contributed to their crucial involvement in developing the city’s cultural life and how Christians’ engagement in cultural activities strengthened their Palestinian identity in a period of intensive nation-building.
Conceptualising Ideational Convergence of China and OECD Donors: Coalition Magnets in Development Cooperation
Authors: Janus Heiner , Tang Lixia
Published: November 2020

This chapter analyses the development discourse on foreign aid to explore areas of convergence between the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) donors and Chinese development cooperation. We apply the concept of “coalition magnets”—the capacity of an idea to appeal to a diverse set of individuals and groups, and to be used strategically by policy entrepreneurs to frame interests, mobilise support, and build coalitions. Three coalition magnets are identified: mutual benefit, development results, and the 2030 Agenda. The chapter finds that coalition magnets can be used to influence political change and concludes that applying a discursive approach provides a new conceptual opportunity for fostering closer engagement between OECD-DAC and Chinese development cooperation actors.
Measuring Development Cooperation and the Quality of Aid
Authors: Mitchell Ian
Published: November 2020

Countries and governments are divided on the fora and mechanisms for agreeing on effective development cooperation. But progress can be made onmeasuringwhat countries are doing in different areas of cooperation. This chapter looks at how we can assess the quality of development cooperation. It sets out a framework for measuring development cooperation across three areas: development finance; country policies affecting the exchange of goods, people, ideas, and capital; and global public goods. It considers the availability of measures against that framework and concludes on how these measures can be developed, or where new measures are needed, to provide a holistic assessment of development cooperation.
Interest-Based Development Cooperation: Moving Providers from Parochial Convergence to Principled Collaboration
Authors: Gulrajani Nilima , Calleja Rachael
Published: November 2020

The motives for providing development assistance change according to historical and political trajectories but always combine varying degrees of altruism and selfishness. Currently, we are witnessing disruptive change in development cooperation as political leaders forward an increasingly self-regarding rationale for international assistance. In an empirical analysis of Northern donors’ narratives and aid allocation strategies, we define the meaning of the “national interest” in development cooperation and distinguish its principled and parochial formats. Our empirical analysis suggests Northern donors continue to allocate based on principled norms, though there is a noticeable deterioration in their public spiritedness as they simultaneously seek short-term domestic benefits from overseas giving. Calls for a principled national interest narrative may, however, enable normative collaboration across Northern and Southern actors.
Counting the Invisible: The Challenges and Opportunities of the SDG Indicator Framework for Statistical Capacity Development
Authors: Avendano Rolando , Jütting Johannes , Kuhm Manuel
Published: November 2020

Rolando Avendano (Asian Development Bank), Johannes Jütting, and Manuel Kuhm (PARIS21) focus on the challenges and opportunities of the SDG indicator framework. They analyse three core problems associated with the data demands of the framework: the overburdening of national statistical systems, the increasing number of coordination failures between different actors of the data ecosystem, and a persistent lack of funding for statistical modernisation. The authors argue that the alignment of global requirements with national priorities; new forms of inclusive cooperation fostering trust, mutual learning, and accountability; and a global financing facility for development data are possible solutions to overcome key challenges of tracking progress towards the 2030 Agenda. The chapter concludes with an outlook on the role of data in the future of development cooperation.
Russia’s Approach to Official Development Assistance and Its Contribution to the SDGs
Authors: Zaytsev Yury K.
Published: November 2020

The chapter looks at the current developments in Russia’s official development assistance (ODA). In spite of its international isolation, the Russian government has expanded its ODA allocations since 2015, which total to about $1 billion annually. The chapter describes the sectoral and channel distribution of Russian aid. Moreover, it identifies the key challenges of the Russian government in the framework of its ODA activities, such as monitoring and evaluation (M&E), achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and its engagement with the business sector. Under consideration of the government’s undertakings in its striving to address these issues, the author reflects in conclusion on the prospects of establishing a national ODA M&E system, and options to contribute towards the achievement of the SDGs by 2030.
Achieving the SDGs in Africa Through South-South Cooperation on Climate Change with China
Authors: Weigel Moritz , Demissie Alexander
Published: November 2020

Climate change poses a significant threat to socio-economic development in Africa. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be possible without fostering low-emission development and addressing the adverse impacts of climatic changes on the continent. China has emerged as a key development partner and is increasingly cooperating with African countries on climate change adaptation and mitigation. This chapter looks at the evolution of South-South cooperation on climate change between African countries and China over the past decades. We argue that South-South cooperation with China has a tremendous potential for African countries to realise their climate action priorities, and thus enable the achievement of their SDGs. However, to realise this potential, both sides need a more ambitious and targeted approach.
Theoretical Background
Authors: Mariel Petr , Hoyos David , Meyerhoff Jürgen , Czajkowski Mikolaj , Dekker Thijs , Glenk Klaus , Jacobsen Jette Bredahl , Liebe Ulf , Olsen Søren Bøye , Sagebiel Julian , Thiene Mara
Published: November 2020

This chapter starts by briefly presenting the theoretical background of welfare economics and introducing key aspects such as the indirect utility function, the expenditure function, or the concepts of compensating surplus or equivalent surplus. Next, it draws attention to willingness to pay and willingness to accept, essential measures in environmental valuation. Finally, the chapter summarises the basic mathematical notation of the random utility maximisation models used throughout the book.
Klimawandel – Auswirkungen mit Blick auf den Tourismus
Authors: Olefs Marc , Formayer Herbert , Gobiet Andreas , Marke Thomas , Schöner Wolfgang , Fischer Andrea , Aigner Günther
Published: November 2020

Das Klimasystem der Erde besteht aus dem komplexen Zusammenspiel der verschiedenen Sphären, bei dem Energieund Stoffströme zwischen den Weltmeeren, den Landmassen und der Atmosphäre ausgetauscht werden. Dieser Austausch wird durch die Energie der Sonne angetrieben, wobei die Energieumsetzung noch zusätzlich durch Wechselwirkungen mit der Erdoberfläche (z. B. Eis, Schnee und Wasser) sowie den Lebewesen modifiziert wird. Grundsätzlich versucht das Klimasystem ein Gleichgewicht – sowohl über Zeit als auch Raum – der Energieverteilung auf der Erde herzustellen. Durch die unterschiedlichen Reaktionszeiten der verschiedenen Sphären kommt es jedoch zu Überlagerungen von verschiedenen Prozessen und periodischen Schwankungen (Stephenson et al. 2004).
Kreislaufwirtschaft als Säule des EU Green Deal
Authors: Schaller Florian , Randhahn Annette , Bösche Eyk , Michelmann Jakob
Published: November 2020

Die Nutzung erneuerbarer Energien und Energieeffizienz sind bislang die zentralen Ansätze zur Minderung der anthropogenen Ursachen des Klimawandels. Zudem übt der weltweite Ressourcenverbrauch enormen Änderungsdruck auf unser bestehendes überwiegend lineares Wirtschaftssystem aus. Um Emissionen und Ressourcenverbrauch weiter zu reduzieren, setzt der im November 2019 von der EU-Kommission vorgestellte Green Deal auf die Etablierung einer Kreislaufwirtschaft. Hat sie das Potenzial, das Paradigma der linearen Wirtschaft abzulösen?