bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
InSTREAM 7: Instream flow assessment and management model for stream trout
Authors: Railsback Steven F. , Ayllón Daniel , Harvey Bret C.
Published: August 2021

Mechanistic, individual‐based simulation models have been used for >25 years to overcome well‐known limitations of “habitat suitability” models. InSTREAM 7 is the latest of our individual‐based models for predicting the effects of flow and temperature regimes on stream salmonid populations. Unlike PHABSIM (or other methods based on habitat “quality,” e.g., as net rate of energy intake), inSTREAM mechanistically represents specific effects of flow and temperature on all life stages, and how those effects combine into testable predictions of population measures such as abundance, relative abundance of multiple trout species, and persistence. InSTREAM 7 is the first version to also represent the daily light cycle (dawn, day, dusk, and night) and how feeding, predation risk, and individual behavior vary among light phases. An example assessment illustrates the importance of inSTREAM's multiple mechanisms: predicted trout population response to flow and temperature regimes depended on the effects of sub‐lethal temperatures on feeding behavior and effects of temperature on egg survival and development, as well as how depth and velocity affected growth and predation risk. While its input data requirements are comparable to PHABSIM's, inSTREAM provides a more comprehensive framework for thinking about and predicting specific, well‐known effects of flow and temperature. It has also proven useful for designing and evaluating restoration projects and for prioritizing alternative management actions. InSTREAM 7 is free, open‐source, completely updated with recent literature, and implemented in the popular NetLogo software platform that makes customization easy.
Trialling camera traps to determine occupancy and breeding in burrowing seabirds
Authors: Bird Jeremy P. , Fuller Richard A. , Pascoe Penny P. , Shaw Justine D. S.
Published: August 2021

Burrowing seabirds are important in ecological and conservation terms. Many populations are in flux due to both negative and positive anthropogenic impacts, but their ecology makes measuring changes difficult. Reliably recording key metrics, the proportion of burrows with breeding pairs and the success of breeding attempts requires burrow‐level information on occupancy. We investigated the use of camera traps positioned at burrow entrances for determining the number of breeding pairs in a sample to inform population estimates, and for recording breeding success. The performance of two cameras makes we tested differed markedly, with Spypoint Force 10 trail cameras prone to malfunction while Reconyx HC600 Hyperfire cameras performed well. Nevertheless, both makes yielded season‐long activity patterns for individual burrows, eliminating uncertainty around successful fledging attempts. Dimensionality reduction of activity metrics derived from camera time series suggests breeding and non‐breeding burrows may be identifiable using linear discriminant analyses but sample sizes from our trial were low and group means were only significantly different during certain breeding stages (permutational multivariate analysis of variance: early chick‐rearing f = 3.64, P = 0.06; late chick‐rearing f = 8.28, P = 0.009). Compared with traditional techniques for determining burrow occupancy (e.g. manual burrow inspection and playback of conspecific calls at burrow entrances), camera traps can reduce uncertainty in estimated breeding success and potentially breeding status of burrows. Significant up‐front investment is required in terms of equipment and human resources but for long‐term studies, camera traps may deliver advantages, particularly when unanticipated novel observations and the potential for calibrating traditional methods with cameras are factored in.
Shear Stress on the Structure Control of a Supported Fly Ash‐Based Catalyst and Its Application in SCR* Denitration
Authors: Hao Shu , Yuling Liu , Yang Jia
Published: August 2021

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are one of the air pollutants, mainly from coal‐fired power plants, industrial furnaces, etc. In order to control NOx, reduce the preparation cost of denitration catalyst. Selective catalytic reduction is currently the most effective and mature technology for removing NOx. In this paper, solid waste fly ash was used as catalyst carrier, shear reactor was used to prepare Mn−Ce/FA catalyst, and successfully applied to SCR denitration. The catalyst was characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS. The results showed that the catalyst prepared by shearing had more dispersed active components. When the power was 80 W, time was 20 min, rotation speed was 120 r/min, and the molar ratio of Mn−Ce was 1 : 1, the optimal catalyst was prepared. Under these conditions, the catalyst had the best activity and strong stability, the denitration performance was the best, up to 82.6 % within 30 min. The introduction of SO2 still showed high catalytic activity and stability, and the removal rate reduced to 73.21 %. After SO2 was stopped, the removal rate rebounded to 77.89 %. Also, Mn−Ce/FA catalyst had good cyclability and stability in the denitration process.
Molecular Level Dissection of Critical Spike Mutations in SARS‐CoV‐2 Variants of Concern (VOCs): A Simplified Review
Authors: Joshi Nilesh , Tyagi Adish , Nigam Sandeep
Published: August 2021

SARS‐CoV‐2 virus during its spread in the last one and half year has picked up critical changes in its genetic code i.e. mutations, which have leads to deleterious epidemiological characteristics. Due to critical role of spike protein in cell entry and pathogenesis, mutations in spike regions have been reported to enhance transmissibility, disease severity, possible escape from vaccine‐induced immune response and reduced diagnostic sensitivity/specificity. Considering the structure‐function impact of mutations, understanding the molecular details of these key mutations of newly emerged variants/lineages is of urgent concern. In this review, we have explored the literature on key spike mutations harbored byalpha,beta,gammaanddelta‘variants of concern’ (VOCs) and discussed their molecular consequences in the context of resultant virus biology. Commonly all these VOCs i.e.B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1andB.1.617.2lineages have decisive mutation in Receptor Binding Motif (RBM) region and/or region around Furin cleavage site (FCS) of spike protein. In general, mutation induced disruption ofintra‐molecular interaction enhances molecular flexibility leading to exposure of spike protein surface in these lineages to make it accessible forinter‐molecular interaction with hACE2. A disruption of spike antigen‐antibodyinter‐molecular interactions in epitope region due to the chemical nature of substituting amino acid hampers the neutralization efficacy. Simplified surveillance of mutation induced changes and their consequences at molecular level can contribute in rationalizing mutation‘s impact on virus biology. It is believed that molecular level dissection of these key spike mutation will assist the future investigations for a more resilient outcome against severity of COVID‐19.
Highly sensitive Ni2+ sensors based on polyurethane‐derived, label‐free carbon dots with high adsorption capacity
Authors: Phetcharee Kulpriya , Sirisit Natee , Manyam Jedsada , Paoprasert Peerasak
Published: August 2021

In this work, the novel, simple Ni2+ sensors with high sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy, practicality, and adsorption capacity were developed from the label‐free carbon dots. The carbon dots were prepared from polyurethane through a one‐step pyrolysis method. They exhibited excitation‐independent photoluminescence and offered a fluorescence quantum yield of 24 %. They were then tested for metal ion sensing, showing selectivity towards Ni2+ against a range of metal ions with a detection limit of 3.14 μM, the best for the carbon dots reported to date. A carbon dot‐loaded paper‐based sensor was also fabricated for Ni2+ detection, showing a limit of detection of 43.3 μM. The detection of Ni2+ in real water samples showed excellent recovery of 95.6 to 99.2 %. The selective detection of Ni2+ by the carbon dots arose from the inner filter effect and complex formation, leading to fluorescence quenching of the carbon dots. X‐ray absorption analysis further confirmed the unique interaction and electron transfer from the carbon dots to Ni2+. In addition to high‐performance sensing, the carbon dots demonstrated high adsorbent capacity towards Ni2+, in which one nanoparticle could accommodate up to 182 Ni2+ ions, equivalent to 234.8 mg g−1. This work demonstrates the unique sensing and adsorbent properties of polyurethane‐derived carbon dots towards Ni2+, which can be applied for simultaneous monitoring and cleaning.
Low‐dose cadmium exposure facilitates cell proliferation by promoter hypermethylation of RASSF1A and DAPK1 genes
Authors: Zhang Xingjie , Ma Lin , Tang Yue , Han Jiangyuan , Qi Yongmei , Huang Dejun
Published: August 2021

Cadmium (Cd) at low concentrations has a potential to promote cell proliferation. However, the molecular mechanisms of Cd‐induced proliferation are not well understood. Here, we reported that Cd (0–500 nM) significantly promoted the proliferation of HepG2 cells as demonstrated by elevated cell viability, more EdU‐positive cells and increased gene expression of KI‐67 and COX‐2. Meanwhile, the gene expression of DNA methyltransferases was found to be elevated while that of tumor suppressor genes DAPK1 and RASSF1A were decreased under Cd exposure. Correspondingly, the methylation level of promoters in DAPK1 and RASSF1A were increased. Specifically, the CpG sites at −461 (Chr3:50, 374, 481) of RASSF1A promoter, and that at −260 (Chr9:90, 113, 207), −239 (Chr9:90, 113, 228), and −68 (Chr9:90, 113, 399) of DAPK1 promoter, were significantly hypermethylated. Moreover, 5‐azacytidine (an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase) partly impaired Cd‐induced promoter hypermethylation of RASSF1A and DAPK1 genes, increased their expressions and slowed down Cd‐induced cell proliferation, suggesting that DNA methylation play an essential part in Cd‐boosted proliferation. The study showed that Cd caused promoter hypermethylation of RASSF1A and DAPK1, decreasing their expression and leading to higher level of cell proliferation. Furthermore, Cd at low concentrations could influence DNA methylation, which may serve as the proliferative mechanism of Cd.
Computational studies of protein–drug binding affinity changes upon mutations in the drug target
Authors: Friedman Ran
Published: August 2021

Mutations that lead to drug resistance limit the efficacy of antibiotics, antiviral drugs, targeted cancer therapies, and other treatments. Accurately calculating protein–drug binding affinity changes upon mutations in the drug target is of high interest as this can yield a better understanding into how such mutations drive drug‐resistance, especially when the mutation in question does not directly interfere with binding of the drug. The main aim of this article is to provide an up‐to‐date reference on the computational tools that are available for the calculation of Gibbs energy (free energy) changes upon mutation, their strengths, and limitations. The methods that are discussed include free energy calculations (free energy perturbation, thermodynamic integration, multistate Bennett acceptance ratio), analysis of molecular dynamics simulations (linear interaction energy, molecular mechanics [MM]/Poisson–Boltzmann solvated area, and MM/generalized Born solvated area), and methods that involve quantum mechanical calculations (including QM/MM). The possibility to use machine learning is also introduced. Given that the benefit of accurately calculating binding affinity changes upon mutation depends on comparing calculated values with experimental measurements, a brief survey on experimental methods and observables is provided. Examples of computational studies that go beyond calculating the Gibbs energy changes are given. Factors that need to be addressed by the computational chemist and potential pitfalls are discussed at length.

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Free Energy Methods

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Interactions
The use of stable isotopes in postconflict forensic identification
Authors: Chesson Lesley A. , Berg Gregory E.
Published: August 2021

Stable isotope ratio analysis is becoming an extremely important tool for the forensic investigator. It can be particularly useful in missing persons investigations to help establish an unknown's identity by potentially reconstructing an individual's geolocational history, determining the number of individuals present in a case, and linking/separating remains from commingled assemblages. In this review article, we explore several main themes related to the use of stable isotopes in postconflict forensic identification. First, we describe what stable isotopes are and how global isotopic variation arises in human tissues via natural processes and cultural practices. Next, we discuss the selection of appropriate human tissue samples for examination based on testable hypotheses. We provide guidance on the options that exist for isotope sample preparation, analysis, and data handling; and finally, we examine which sample quality measures and quality assurance approaches should be used in isotope data reporting and interpretation. These themes are primarily presented to help the isotope data consumer understand the benefits and limitations of the technique that might not be apparent when sending samples to and receiving results from a high throughput, contract isotope testing laboratory. Real world examples of forensic stable isotope ratio analysis are provided within the article to highlight many of the concepts, particularly in regard to identification applications.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Anthropology > Anthropology in Mass Disaster & War Crime Contexts

Forensic Biology > Interpretation of Biological Evidence

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Emerging Technologies and Methods
Conceptions of Infinity and Set in Lorenzen’s Operationist System
Authors: Antos Carolin
Published: August 2021

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Lorenzen developed his operative logic and mathematics, a form of constructive mathematics. Nowadays this is mostly seen as a precursor of the better-known dialogical logic (Notable exceptions are the works of Schroeder-Heister 2008; Coquand and Neuwirth 2017; Kahle and Oitavem 2020.), and one might assume that the same philosophical motivations were present in both works. However, we want to show that this is not everywhere the case. In particular, we claim that Lorenzen’s well-known rejection of the actual infinite, as stated in Lorenzen (1957), was not a major motivation for operative logic and mathematics. Rather, we argue that a shift happened in Lorenzen’s treatment of the infinite from the early to the late 1950s. His early motivation for the development of operationism is concerned with a critique of the Cantorian notion of set and with related questions about the notions of countability and uncountability; it is only later that his motivation switches to focusing on the concept of infinity and the debate about actual and potential infinity.
Lorenzen and Constructive Mathematics
Authors: Coquand Thierry
Published: August 2021

The goal of this paper is to present a short survey of some of Lorenzen’s contributions to constructive mathematics, and its influence on recent developments in mathematical logic and constructive algebra. We also present some work in measure theory which uses these contributions in an essential way.
Lorenzen Between Gentzen and Schütte
Authors: Kahle Reinhard , Oitavem Isabel
Published: August 2021

We discuss Lorenzen’s consistency proof for ramified type theory without reducibility, published in 1951, in its historical context and highlight Lorenzen’s contribution to the development of modern proof theory, notably by the introduction of the $$\omega $$
ω
-rule.
Syntax for Semantics: Krull’s Maximal Ideal Theorem
Authors: Schuster Peter , Wessel Daniel
Published: August 2021

Krull’s Maximal Ideal Theorem (MIT) is one of the most prominent incarnations of the Axiom of Choice (AC) in ring theory. For many a consequence of AC, constructive counterparts are well within reach, provided attention is turned to the syntactical underpinning of the problem at hand. This is one of the viewpoints of the revised Hilbert Programme in commutative algebra, which will here be carried out for MIT and several related classical principles.
What Do We Know About the Knowledge of Older Workers?
Authors: Hilsen Anne Inga , Olsen Dorothy Sutherland
Published: August 2021

In this chapter we give a brief presentation of relevant findings on senior competence and learning abilities from national and international studies. We include studies which have tried to assess the knowledge of older employees, studies which consider the abilities and potential of older employees to continue to develop their knowledge and studies which address the value or advantages of having knowledgeable older employees.
Research Design
Authors: Hilsen Anne Inga , Olsen Dorothy Sutherland
Published: August 2021

In this chapter we will present the research design and explain the methods used to select, gather and analyse data. The empirical data for this exploration is based on findings from two case studies: One in a large Norwegian hospital and the other in Government agency. In addition, we will draw on data from a project in another Government organisation, a state department, where some of the same questions about age and competence were asked.
The Wise Worker
Authors: Hilsen Anne Inga , Olsen Dorothy Sutherland
Published: August 2021

In this chapter we consider the competence of older employees and how it has been developed and refined throughout their careers. We consider this competence in the light of earlier findings on the development of work-related knowledge and we suggest some new ways of interpreting the particular kind of competence older employees often have. We suggest that the concept of wisdom can be used to supplement our understanding of long career competence and based on our interview data we present a concept of the wise worker.
How HIV Clients Find Their Way Back to the ART Clinic: A Qualitative Study of Disengagement and Re-engagement with HIV Care in Malawi
Authors: Chamberlin Stephanie , Mphande Misheck , Phiri Khumbo , Kalande Pericles , Dovel Kathryn
Published: August 2021

Retention in antiretroviral therapy (ART) services is critical to achieving positive health outcomes for individuals living with HIV, but accumulating evidence indicates that individuals are likely to miss ART appointments over time. Thus, it is important to understand why individuals miss appointments and how they re-engage in HIV care. We used in-depth interviews with 44 ART clients in Malawi who recently missed an ART appointment (> 14 days) but eventually re-engaged in care (within 60 days) to explore reasons for missed appointments and barriers and facilitators to re-engagement. We found that most individuals missed ART appointments due to unexpected life events such as funerals, work, and illness for both clients and their treatment guardians who were also unable to attend facilities. Several reasons differed by gender—work-related travel was common for men, while caring for sick family members was common for women. Barriers to re-engagement included continued travel, illness, and restricted clinic schedules and/or staff shortages that led to repeat facility visits before being able to re-engage in care. Strong internal motivation combined with social support and reminders from community health workers facilitated re-engagement in HIV care.
The effect of sulfate half-ester groups on cellulose nanocrystal periodate oxidation
Authors: Llàcer Navarro Saül , Nakayama Koyuru , Idström Alexander , Evenäs Lars , Ström Anna , Nypelö Tiina
Published: August 2021

Periodate oxidation introduces aldehyde functionality to cellulose. The use of dialdehyde cellulose has been demonstrated for crosslinking and as a chemical intermediate towards functionalized cellulose. Commercially available cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) typically carry a surface sulfate half-ester functionality, which results from their manufacture via sulfuric acid hydrolysis and subsequent esterification. The sulfate half-ester group is a bulky group carrying a net negative charge above pH 2 that modifies the colloidal and electro-chemical properties of the CNCs. Periodate oxidation is regioselective to the bond between carbons in positions 2 and 3 in the anhydroglucose unit while the sulfate half-ester groups are mostly considered to be located in carbon in position 6. This regioselectivity could be the reason why the role played by the sulfate half-ester group on modification by periodate oxidation has not previously been elucidated. Here, the influence of the sulfate half-ester on the oxidation of CNCs, which is shown to steer the oxidation kinetics and the properties of the resulting materials, is studied. Conventional physicochemical analysis of the oxidant consumption is accompanied by elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and wide-angle x-ray scattering analyses; the zeta potential is used to characterize the colloidal properties of the suspensions and atomic force microscopy for determining particle dimensions. The presence of the sulfate half-ester group decreases the rate of oxidation. However, the content of the sulfate half-ester groups decreases when degree of oxidation reaches approx. 50%. We demonstrate that the CNC surfaces are affected by the oxidation beyond the C2–C3 bond cleavage: insight into the kinetics of the oxidation process is a prerequisite for optimizing CNC oxidation.
Quantitative assessment of environmental impacts at the urban scale: the ecological footprint of a university campus
Authors: Genta C. , Favaro S. , Sonetti G. , Fracastoro G. V. , Lombardi P.
Published: August 2021

This paper explores the consumption-based ecological footprint method and its application aiming at a quantitative assessment of the sustainability of a university campus. The goal is to inform the planning decision-making process and evaluate the socio-technical solutions implemented in local urban settings for reducing energy consumption, decreasing environmental impacts and improving the quality of life of the campus' inhabitants. The case study taken for the analysis is the Politecnico di Torino, a Higher Education Institution (HEI) located in Northern Italy counting around 33,000 enrolled students in 2016. Data were collected from departments and administrative units of the Politecnico di Torino to identify the pressure exerted by the campus activities on the ecosystem during a reference year (2016). The study identified six main categories of consumption that were associated with their ecological footprint, i.e. the amount of land needed to produce the required resources and to absorb the generated waste, including CO2 emissions. Total footprint resulted in 6,200 gha: about half of the total city area, meaning that the campus would need a 310 times larger area to be self-sufficient. Normalizing this result with the number of students yields 0.19 gha/student. Transports had the highest share, with 49.4% out of the total campus impact, whereas energy covered 40.1%. Food, waste, land use and water counted, respectively, for 5.7%, 3.7%, 0.7% and 0.5%. This study presents the most comprehensive analysis to date of the environmental impact associated with an Italian HEI. This methodology and its implementation for the specific case of HEIs contribute to gain a better understanding of the overall impact of a university campus, as well as to create thresholds for comparative analysis, decision-making tools and policymaking to reduce the ecological footprint of the educational sector.
Evaluation of the SPARK Child Mentoring Program: A Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum for Elementary School Students
Authors: Green Amy L. , Ferrante Stephen , Boaz Timothy L. , Kutash Krista , Wheeldon-Reece Brooke
Published: August 2021

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs seek to enhance social and emotional competencies in children, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. By means of direct instruction regarding social and emotional competencies, SEL programs have the potential to strengthen resilience in children and thus their capacity to effectively cope with life’s challenges. Strengthening resilience in children who are repeatedly exposed to adverse experiences, particularly those from economically disadvantaged minority backgrounds, is of particular importance and has implications for the prevention of a multitude of problems later in life. Our study reports the result of an investigation of the SPARK Child Mentoring program, a resilience-focused SEL program designed to reduce risk factors, uncover innate resilience, promote natural emotional well-being, and facilitate school success. We employed a randomized controlled trial comprising 94 elementary school students that included pre- and post-intervention measurements. After controlling for pre-intervention levels, we found a significant difference between students’ understanding of underlying program principles; communication, decision making, and problem-solving skills; emotional regulation; and resilience for students who received the intervention compared to students who did not receive the intervention. These results provide initial evidence for the efficacy of the SPARK Child Mentoring program with a diverse sample of elementary school students and adds to the existing literature base concerning positive outcomes associated with SEL programs. We discuss implications for future research focused on long-term preventive effects of the program and the characteristics of students most likely to benefit from it.
Green IoT for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Smart Cities: Future Directions and Opportunities
Authors: Almalki Faris. A. , Alsamhi S. H. , Sahal Radhya , Hassan Jahan , Hawbani Ammar , Rajput N. S. , Saif Abdu , Morgan Jeff , Breslin John
Published: August 2021

The development of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology and their integration in smart cities have changed the way we work and live, and enriched our society. However, IoT technologies present several challenges such as increases in energy consumption, and produces toxic pollution as well as E-waste in smart cities. Smart city applications must be environmentally-friendly, hence require a move towards green IoT. Green IoT leads to an eco-friendly environment, which is more sustainable for smart cities. Therefore, it is essential to address the techniques and strategies for reducing pollution hazards, traffic waste, resource usage, energy consumption, providing public safety, life quality, and sustaining the environment and cost management. This survey focuses on providing a comprehensive review of the techniques and strategies for making cities smarter, sustainable, and eco-friendly. Furthermore, the survey focuses on IoT and its capabilities to merge into aspects of potential to address the needs of smart cities. Finally, we discuss challenges and opportunities for future research in smart city applications.
Clinical pharmacists’ interventions across German hospitals: results from a repetitive cross-sectional study
Authors: Langebrake Claudia , Hohmann Carina , Lezius Susanne , Lueb Michael , Picksak Gesine , Walter Wencke , Kaden Sandra , Hilgarth Heike , Ihbe-Heffinger Angela , Leichenberg Katja
Published: August 2021

Background Pharmacists’ interventions (PI) are suitable to improve medication safety and optimise patient outcome. However, in Germany, clinical pharmacy services are not yet available nationwide. Aim To gain prospective data on the extent and the composition of routine PI with special focus on intervention rates among German hospital pharmacists during two intervention weeks. Methods Within a repetitive cross-sectional study, clinical pharmacists documented all PIs on five days during a one-month period (intervention week) in 2017 and 2019 using the validated online-database ADKA-DokuPIK. Additionally, data regarding the supply structure/level of medical care, the extent of clinical pharmacy services and their professional experience were collected. All data were anonymised before analysis. Results In total, 2,282 PI from 62 pharmacists (2017) and 2578 PI from 52 pharmacists (2019) were entered. Intervention rate increased from 27.5 PI/100 patient days in 2017 to 38.5 PI/100 patient days in 2019 (p = 0.0097). Frequency of clinical pharmacy services on a daily basis significantly increased from 60% (2017) to 83% (2019). Reasons for PIs from the categories “drugs” (e.g. indication, choice, documentation/transcription) and “dose” were most common in both intervention weeks. The vast majority of underlying medication errors in both intervention weeks were categorised as “error, no harm” (80.3 vs. 78.6%), while the proportion of errors which did not reach the patient, doubled to 39.8% in IW-2019. Conclusion Regular and daily clinical pharmacy services become more established in Germany and clinical pharmacists are increasingly involved in solving drug related problems proactively and early during the medication management process.
The problem of insignificant hands
Authors: Hindriks Frank
Published: August 2021

Many morally significant outcomes can be brought about only if several individuals contribute to them. However, individual contributions to collective outcomes often fail to have morally significant effects on their own. Some have concluded from this that it is permissible to do nothing. What I call ‘the problem of insignificant hands’ is the challenge of determining whether and when people are obligated to contribute. For this to be the case, I argue, the prospect of helping to bring about the outcome has to be good enough. Furthermore, the individual must be in a position to increase the probability of its being brought about to an appropriate extent. Finally, I argue that when too few are willing to contribute, people may have a duty to increase their number. Thus, someone can be obligated to contribute or to get others to contribute. This prospect account is consistent with Kantianism, contractualism and rule consequentialism but inconsistent with act consequentialism.
Hormonal treatments for endometriosis: The endocrine background
Authors: Vannuccini Silvia , Clemenza Sara , Rossi Margherita , Petraglia Felice
Published: August 2021

Endometriosis is a benign uterine disorder characterized by menstrual pain and infertility, deeply affecting women’s health. It is a chronic disease and requires a long term management. Hormonal drugs are currently the most used for the medical treatment and are based on the endocrine pathogenetic aspects. Estrogen-dependency and progesterone-resistance are the key events which cause the ectopic implantation of endometrial cells, decreasing apoptosis and increasing oxidative stress, inflammation and neuroangiogenesis. Endometriotic cells express AMH, TGF-related growth factors (inhibin, activin, follistatin) CRH and stress related peptides. Endocrine and inflammatory changes explain pain and infertility, and the systemic comorbidities described in these patients, such as autoimmune (thyroiditis, arthritis, allergies), inflammatory (gastrointestinal/urinary diseases) and mental health disorders.

The hormonal treatment of endometriosis aims to block of menstruation through an inhibition of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis or by causing a pseudodecidualization with consequent amenorrhea, impairing the progression of endometriotic implants. GnRH agonists and antagonists are effective on endometriosis by acting on pituitary-ovarian function. Progestins are mostly used for long term treatments (dienogest, NETA, MPA) and act on multiple sites of action. Combined oral contraceptives are also used for reducing endometriosis symptoms by inhibiting ovarian function. Clinical trials are currently going on selective progesterone receptor modulators, selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors. Nowadays, all these hormonal drugs are considered the first-line treatment for women with endometriosis to improve their symptoms, to postpone surgery or to prevent post-surgical disease recurrence. This review aims to provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art on the current and future hormonal treatments for endometriosis, exploring the endocrine background of the disease.
Increasing Water System Robustness in the Netherlands: Potential of Cross-Sectoral Water Reuse
Authors: Pronk G. J. , Stofberg S. F. , Van Dooren T. C. G. W. , Dingemans M. M. L. , Frijns J. , Koeman-Stein N. E. , Smeets P. W. M. H. , Bartholomeus R. P.
Published: August 2021

Water reuse has the potential to substantially reduce the demand on groundwater and surface water. This study presents a method to evaluate the potential of water reuse schemes in a regional context and demonstrates how water reuse propagates through the water system and potentially reduces pressure on groundwater resources. The use of Sankey diagram visualisation provides a valuable tool to explore and evaluate regional application of water reuse, its potential to reduce groundwater and surface water demand, and the possible synergies and trade-offs between sectors. The approach is demonstrated for the Dutch anthropogenic water system in the current situation and for a future scenario with increased water demand and reduced water availability due to climate change. Four types of water reuse are evaluated by theoretically upscaling local or regional water reuse schemes based on local reuse examples currently in operation in the Netherlands or Flanders: municipal and industrial wastewater effluent reuse for irrigation, effluent reuse for industrial applications, and reuse for groundwater replenishment. In all cases, water reuse has the potential to significantly reduce groundwater extraction volume, and thus to alleviate the pressure on the groundwater system. The water-quantity based analysis is placed in the context of water quality demands, health and safety aspects, technological requirements, regulations, public perception, and its net impact on the environment. This integrative context is essential for a successful implementation of water reuse in practice.
Comparative Effectiveness of Biogas Residue Acidification and Nitrification Inhibitors in Mitigating CO2 and N2O Emissions from Biogas Residue-Amended Soils
Authors: Guo Yafei , Anjum Anjum , Khan Ahmad , Naeem Asif , Mühling Karl H.
Published: August 2021

Owing to their high carbon and nitrogen contents, biogas residues may lead to higher carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soils. Acidification of biogas slurry and application of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) could mitigate the emission of these gases. An incubation experiment was therefore carried out to investigate the effect of NIs, DMPP (3, 4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate), and PIADIN (active ingredients: 3.00–3.25% 1,2,4-triazole and 1.50–1.65% 3-methylpyrazole), on CO2 and N2O emissions from soils fertilized with biogas residues and acidified biogas residues. Biogas residues produced higher ammonium-nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3−-N) concentrations in soils which resulted in higher emissions of CO2-C and N2O-N than that from acidified biogas residues. Both DMPP and PIADIN significantly decreased the emissions of CO2-C (8.1–55.8%) and N2O-N (87–98%) and maintained lower NH4+-N and NO3−-N concentrations when compared to control (without nitrification inhibitors). However, the DMPP had a higher reduction capability for CO2-C emissions than PIADIN in acidified biogas residue applied soil. In conclusion, the acidification of biogas residues and application of NIs are effect in reducing gaseous emission from biogas residue fertilized soils and thus could improve the fertilizer effectiveness of the residues.
RNA sequencing and functional studies of patient-derived cells reveal that neurexin-1 and regulators of this pathway are associated with poor outcomes in Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Roundhill Elizabeth Ann , Chicon-Bosch Mariona , Jeys Lee , Parry Michael , Rankin Kenneth S , Droop Alastair , Burchill Susan Ann
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The development of biomarkers and molecularly targeted therapies for patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES) in order to minimise morbidity and improve outcome is urgently needed. Here, we set out to isolate and characterise patient-derived ES primary cell cultures and daughter cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) to identify biomarkers of high-risk disease and candidate therapeutic targets.

Methods

Thirty-two patient-derived primary cultures were established from treatment-naïve tumours and primary ES-CSCs isolated from these cultures using functional methods. By RNA-sequencing we analysed the transcriptome of ES patient-derived cells (n = 24) and ES-CSCs (n = 11) to identify the most abundant and differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Expression of the top DEG(s) in ES-CSCs compared to ES cells was validated at both RNA and protein levels. The functional and prognostic potential of the most significant gene (neurexin-1) was investigated using knock-down studies and immunohistochemistry of two independent tumour cohorts.

Results

ES-CSCs were isolated from all primary cell cultures, consistent with the premise that ES is a CSC driven cancer. Transcriptional profiling confirmed that these cells were of mesenchymal origin, revealed novel cell surface targets for therapy that regulate cell-extracellular matrix interactions and identified candidate drivers of progression and relapse. High expression of neurexin-1 and low levels of regulators of its activity, APBA1 and NLGN4X, were associated with poor event-free and overall survival rates. Knock-down of neurexin-1 decreased viable cell numbers and spheroid formation.

Conclusions

Genes that regulate extracellular interactions, including neurexin-1, are candidate therapeutic targets in ES. High levels of neurexin-1 at diagnosis are associated with poor outcome and identify patients with localised disease that will relapse. These patients could benefit from more intensive or novel treatment modalities. The prognostic significance of neurexin-1 should be validated independently.
A professional knowledge base for collaborative reflection education: a qualitative description of teacher goals and strategies
Authors: Van Braak Marije , Veen Mario , Muris Jean , Van den Berg Pieter , Giroldi Esther
Published: August 2021

Introduction For several decades, educational experts have promoted reflection as essential to professional development. In the medical setting, collaborative reflection has gained significant importance across the curriculum. Collaborative reflection has a unique edge over individual reflection, but many medical teachers find facilitating group reflection sessions challenging and there is little documentation about the didactics of teaching in such collaborative reflection settings. To address this knowledge gap, we aim to capture the professional knowledge base for facilitating collaborative reflection by analyzing the formal and perceived goals and strategies of this practice.
Methods The professional knowledge base consists of formal curricular materials as well as individual teacher expertise. Using Template Analysis, we analyzed the goals and strategies of collaborative reflection reported in institutional training documents and video-stimulated interviews with individual teachers across all Dutch general practitioner training institutes.
Results The analysis resulted in a highly diverse overview of educational goals for residents during the sessions, teacher goals that contribute to those educational goals, and a myriad of situation-specific teacher strategies to accomplish both types of goals. Teachers reported that the main educational goal was for residents to learn and develop and that the teachers’ main goal was to facilitate learning and development by ensuring everyone’s participation in reflection. Key teacher strategies to that end were to manage participation, to ensure a safe learning environment, and to create conditions for learning.
The influence of entrepreneurial orientation on firm growth among Iranian agricultural SMEs: the mediation role of entrepreneurial leadership and market orientation
Authors: Karimi Asef , Daryani Mahmood Ahmadpour , Rahmani Soma
Published: August 2021

Entrepreneurship orientation is a fundamental topic both in entrepreneurship and in management that has a critical role in the development of the firm. The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm growth, specifically, how entrepreneurial leadership and market orientation mediate the relationship between EO and firm growth. The population of this study is agricultural small- and medium-sized enterprises (ASMEs) across Tehran Province. The survey instrument is questionnaires that were sent to 240 owners and/or top managers of ASMEs as a sample. Validity of the questionnaires has been verified in two ways of face and construct, and its reliability has been verified using Cronbach’s alpha. The collected data has been analyzed by using the structural equation modeling. The results reveal that EO significantly influences firm growth in ASMEs. Notably, entrepreneurial leadership (EL) and market orientation (MO) perform a mediating role in the relationships between EO and firm’s growth in ASMEs.
Electrolyte/Structure-Dependent Cocktail Mediation Enabling High-Rate/Low-Plateau Metal Sulfide Anodes for Sodium Storage
Authors: Tang Yongchao , Wei Yue , Hollenkamp Anthony F. , Musameh Mustafa , Seeber Aaron , Jin Tao , Pan Xin , Zhang Han , Hou Yanan , Zhao Zongbin , Hao Xiaojuan , Qiu Jieshan , Zhi Chunyi
Published: August 2021

As promising anodes for sodium-ion batteries, metal sulfides ubiquitously suffer from low-rate and high-plateau issues, greatly hindering their application in full-cells. Herein, exemplifying carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-stringed metal sulfides superstructure (CSC) assembled by nano-dispersed SnS2 and CoS2 phases, cocktail mediation effect similar to that of high-entropy materials is initially studied in ether-based electrolyte to solve the challenges. The high nano-dispersity of metal sulfides in CSC anode underlies the cocktail-like mediation effect, enabling the circumvention of intrinsic drawbacks of different metal sulfides. By utilizing ether-based electrolyte, the reversibility of metal sulfides is greatly improved, sustaining a long-life effectivity of cocktail-like mediation. As such, CSC effectively overcomes low-rate flaw of SnS2 and high-plateau demerit of CoS2, simultaneously realizes a high rate and a low plateau. In half-cells, CSC delivers an ultrahigh-rate capability of 327.6 mAh g−1anode at 20 A g−1, far outperforming those of monometallic sulfides (SnS2, CoS2) and their mixtures. Compared with CoS2 phase and SnS2/CoS2 mixture, CSC shows remarkably lowered average charge voltage up to ca. 0.62 V. As-assembled CSC//Na1.5VPO4.8F0.7 full-cell shows a good rate capability (0.05 ~ 1.0 A g−1, 120.3 mAh g−1electrode at 0.05 A g−1) and a high average discharge voltage up to 2.57 V, comparable to full-cells with alloy-type anodes. Kinetics analysis verifies that the cocktail-like mediation effect largely boosts the charge transfer and ionic diffusion in CSC, compared with single phase and mixed phases. Further mechanism study reveals that alternative and complementary electrochemical processes between nano-dispersed SnS2 and CoS2 phases are responsible for the lowered charge voltage of CSC. This electrolyte/structure-dependent cocktail-like mediation effect effectively enhances the practicability of metal sulfide anodes, which will boost the development of high-rate/-voltage sodium-ion full batteries.
Fifteen Minutes per Day Keeps the Violence Away: a Crossover Randomised Controlled Trial on the Impact of Foot Patrols on Serious Violence in Large Hot Spot Areas
Authors: Bland Matthew , Leggetter Michelle , Cestaro David , Sebire Jacqueline
Published: August 2021

Research Question

Did a 15-min patrol delivery over 1 day reduce serious violent crime in large hot spots (mean size = 2 km × 2 km), without displacing such crimes to nearby areas?

Data

We tracked daily official crime reports in a sample of 21 high-crime Bedfordshire (UK) Lower-layer Super Output areas (LSOAs). We measured time spent by two-person police foot patrols in those areas with daily GPS data from handheld devices given to officers working on overtime. We also counted proactively initiated arrests.

Methods

We used a crossover randomised controlled trial on the 21 “hot spot” LSOAs, each of which was randomly assigned daily to be either in a treatment condition of 15-min of patrol (as one of seven each day) or a control condition of no patrol (as one of 14 each day) for each of 90 days. We used an intention-to-treat framework to analyse the impact of patrols on the outcome measures overall, on consecutive days of assignment to the same condition, and in 100-m ‘buffer’ zones around each hot spot.

Findings

We found that on treatment days the hot spots had 44% lower Cambridge crime harm index scores from serious violence than on control days, as well as 40% fewer incidents across all public crimes against personal victims. Statistically significant differences in lower prevalence, counts and harm of both non-domestic violent crime and robbery and other non-domestic crimes against personal victims were also found. We found no evidence of either displacement of serious crime into a 100-m buffer zone, nor any evidence of residual deterrence on no-patrol days following patrol days. We did find evidence of a cumulative effect: the largest differences in crime harm on control days were found in treatment days that came after 3 days of consecutive patrol in the same LSOA.

Conclusions

Even minimal amounts of foot patrol can prevent serious violent crime across a large area, and repeated patrols over several days help even more. Our findings suggest that, to reduce both violent and other forms of crime, uniformed officers need to patrol hot spots for short amounts of times on consecutive days.
Effects on carrion consumption in a mammalian scavenger community when dominant species are excluded
Authors: Tobajas Jorge , Descalzo Esther , Ferreras Pablo , Mateo Rafael , Margalida Antoni
Published: August 2021

Carrion is a valuable resource exploited not only by obligate scavengers but also by a wide variety of facultative scavengers. These species provide several important ecosystem services which can suffer if the scavenger community composition is altered, thus reducing the ecosystem provided. We studied the response of the Mediterranean facultative scavenger community to the exclusion of larger scavenger species (red foxVulpes vulpes, European badgerMeles meles, and wild boarSus scrofa) using an exclusion fence permeable to small scavenger species (mainly Egyptian mongooseHerpestes ichneumon, common genetGenetta genetta, and stone martenMartes foina). The exclusion of dominant facultative scavengers led to a significant reduction in the amount of carrion consumed and an increase in carrion available for smaller species and decomposers, over a longer period of time. Although carrion consumption by the non-excluded species increased inside the exclusion area relative to the control area, it was insufficient to compensate for the carrion not eaten by the dominant scavengers. Of the small scavenger species, only the Egyptian mongoose significantly increased its carrion consumption in the exclusion area, and was the main beneficiary of the exclusion of dominant facultative scavengers. Therefore, altering the facultative scavenger community in Mediterranean woodlands can reduce the efficiency of small carcass removal and benefit other opportunistic species, such as the Egyptian mongoose, by increasing the carrion available to them. This interaction could have substantial implications for disease transmission, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem function.