bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Labour law reform and labour market outcomes in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Kieu‐Dung , Nguyen Duc‐Thanh , Nguyen Duy‐Dat , Tran Van‐Anh Thi
Published: July 2021

Although there has been substantial literature on the economic impact of labour legislation in the world, the number of studies related to Vietnam is, surprisingly, very small. Our article provides the first evidence on the link between labour law and various labour market outcomes using the Vietnamese context. We examine how labour supply, earnings and social protection outcomes adjusted to labour contract reform under the 2012 Labour Code. The study uses three waves of the Vietnam Labour Force Survey to examine both medium‐term and short‐term impacts of the reform. Difference‐in‐differences and fixed‐effect techniques are utilised. Overall, we find that the law change significantly affected hours worked, work absenteeism, monthly allowance and incidence of bonuses among contracted workers. However, the effects on workers’ monthly wages, overtime remuneration and other allowances, and the social protection‐related outcomes were not clear in the short run.
Knowledge gaps and challenges for conservation of Mediterranean wetlands: Evidence from a comprehensive inventory and literature analysis for Sardinia
Authors: Fois Mauro , Cuena‐Lombraña Alba , Bacchetta Gianluigi
Published: July 2021

Wetlands are some of the most important ecosystems on Earth. They play a key role in mitigating climate change‐related events and filtering polluted water, and provide habitats for a wide range of species. Despite their importance, and numerous regulations that support their conservation, wetlands continue to be destroyed. Recent reports have indicated a progressive decline in ecological character of remaining wetlands.

This research reviews and extends the present status of wetland knowledge in Sardinia, the second largest Mediterranean island. For the first time, Sardinian wetlands were comprehensively mapped using satellite images and field validation. Impacts were also assessed. Trends in literature published about Sardinian wetlands since 1900 were then analysed, mainly according to the location(s) and topic(s) studied.

In total, 2,501 Sardinian wetland sites were identified. The most common impacts observed in the field were vegetative degradation and water pollution. Of these wetlands, 2,274 have never been the subject of a research paper. Despite recent increases in publication rates, there was a lack of even basic knowledge about many wetlands, especially smaller ones. Larger wetlands have been studied from a range of viewpoints.

In the light of these results, suggestions for improved awareness, effective management and conservation of Mediterranean wetlands were established. Future work should be directed to filling gaps in basic information, and to improvements in research and conservation, which might include multidisciplinary approaches in support of more comprehensive conservation management plans.
Enhanced ammonia detoxification to urea in hepatocytes transduced with human aquaporin‐8 gene
Authors: Capiglioni Alejo M. , Müller Gabriela L. , Marrone Julieta , Alvarez Maria L. , Marinelli Raúl A.
Published: July 2021

Hepatic ammonia detoxification to urea is critical for the prevention of hyperammonemia and neurological damage. Hepatocyte mitochondrial aquaporin‐8 (AQP8) channels have been involved in ammonia‐derived ureagenesis. Herein, we studied whether the adenoviral gene transfer of human AQP8 (hAQP8) to hepatocyte mitochondria enhances ammonia conversion to urea. Using primary cultured rat hepatocytes, we first confirmed the mitochondrial expression of hAQP8 and then, using unlabeled or 15N‐labeled ammonia, we demonstrated that the urea synthesis was significantly enhanced in hAQP8‐transduced hepatocytes. Studies using isolated hAQP8‐expressing mitochondria also showed an increased ammonia metabolism. hAQP8 transduction was able to recover the impaired ammonia‐derived ureagenesis in hepatotoxin‐treated hepatocytes. Our data suggest that mitochondrially‐expressed hAQP8 enhances and improves hepatocyte ammonia conversion to urea, a finding with potential therapeutic implications for liver disease with impaired ammonia detoxification.
Theoretical Study on Geometry and Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding in 8‐Hydroxy‐1‐Naphthaldehyde
Authors: El‐Rayyes Ali A. , Umar Yunusa
Published: July 2021

Calculated geometrical parameters in the gas phase and solvents for 8‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde (8H1N) were carried out using density functional theory (DFT) at the 6‐311++G(d,p) level, and the Time Dependent‐DFT/6‐311++G(d,p) method was used for the excited state calculations. 8H1N is found to exist in two main conforms, the cis‐cis conformer (where the dihedral angels C3C2‐OH is 0°, C3C8‐CO is 0°) was found to be more stable than the trans‐trans form (where the dihedral angels C3C2‐OH is 180°, C3C8 ‐CO is 180.0°) by about 6.47 kcal/mol. The possibility of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl (OH) and aldehyde (CHO) moieties is predicted. The hydrogen bond becomes stronger in polar solvents and in the excited state. Energies of 8H1N‐one water molecule complexes are calculated using the DFT‐D3 level of theory and results indicate that at least one solvent molecule is required to assist the proton transfer process.
miR‐485's anti‐drug resistant epilepsy effects by regulating SV2A/PSD‐95 and targeting ABCC1 and neuronal signaling‐transduction proteins in hippocampus of rats
Authors: Wang Kaixuan , Wu Jing , Wang Jiangping , Jiang Kewen
Published: July 2021

Aim

Drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE), most subsequently developing refractory epilepsy, causes a significant burden to the society. microRNAs have been demonstrated as key regulators and therapeutic targets in epilepsy. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to test whether miR‐485 could be a potential target for DRE.

Methods and results

An in vivo DRE model was developed in Sprague–Dawley rats by lithium chloride‐pilocarpine and screened by antiepileptic drugs. We found that miR‐485‐5p in hippocampus was significant downregulated at early stage and recovered to normal level at late stage of DRE. Overexpression of miR‐485‐5p in dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampus in DRE rats could significantly decrease the frequency of seizures and the numbers of epileptiform spikes of hippocampal DG neuron, and could specifically decrease SV2A expression without affecting PSD‐95 expression in DG. Furthermore, miR‐485‐5p overexpression could significantly downregulate the expression of efflux transporter related to multidrug resistance (ABCC1) in hippocampus at late stage of DRE. Finally, a specific expression pattern of neuronal signaling‐transduction proteins (LRP4, MDM4, p53, and TMBIM1) for DRE was observed, and miR‐485‐5p overexpression could modulate these proteins’ expression levels toward normal in hippocampus both at early and late stage of DRE.

Conclusion

Collectively, these results suggest that miR‐485 was a potential target for anti‐DRE, and this effects might be partially via miR‐485‐5p/homeostatic‐synaptic plasticity‐molecule axis and/or targeting efflux transporter (ABCC1) and other neuronal signaling‐transduction proteins (LRP4, MDM4, p53, and TMBIM1).
Cognition and transcranial sonography in Parkinson's disease patients with or without orthostatic hypotension
Authors: Wu Jia‐jing , Jin Hong , Shao Ying‐qi , Mao Cheng‐jie , Chen Jing , Liu Chun‐feng
Published: July 2021

Background

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common nonmotor symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), with an incidence ranging from 14% to 54%.

Aims

This study explored changes in cognition and transcranial sonography (TCS) findings in patients with PD and OH.

Methods

We enrolled PD patients who visited the outpatient or inpatient department from 2017 to 2020. Blood pressure was measured in different positions, and demographic data were collected. Motor and nonmotor symptoms were evaluated using standard scales. A subset of 107 patients underwent TCS.

Results

We enrolled 66 PD‐OH patients and 92 PD‐no orthostatic hypotension (NOH) patients. There were no significant differences in gender, age, disease duration, or Hoehn and Yahr stage between groups. Binary logistic regression revealed age as an independent risk factor for OH in PD patients. There were statistically significant group differences in visuospatial and executive function and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) I and II scores (p < .05). Among PD‐OH patients, there was a statistically significant difference in UPDRS II and III scores between patients with or without clinical symptoms (p < .05). The substantia nigra (SN) area was significantly larger in PD‐NOH patients (0.45 ± 0.18 cm2) than PD‐OH patients (0.34 ± 0.16 cm2) (p < .05).

Conclusions

PD‐OH patients had poorer visuospatial and executive function and lower UPDRS I and II scores compared with PD‐NOH patients. Within the PD‐OH group, there was no significant difference in cognition between patients with or without clinical symptoms. The difference in the SN area may indicate different subtypes of PD or a tendency to develop parkinsonism syndrome.
Migraine and gastrointestinal disorders in middle and old age: A UK Biobank study
Authors: Welander Nike Zoe , Olivo Gaia , Pisanu Claudia , Rukh Gull , Schiöth Helgi Birgir , Mwinyi Jessica
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Migraine is a prevalent condition causing a substantial level of disability worldwide. Despite this, the pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. Migraine often co‐occurs with gastrointestinal disorders, but the direction of a potential causal link is unclear. The aim of this project was to investigate the associations between migraine and several gastrointestinal disorders in the same cohort in order to determine the relative strengths of these associations.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study examined whether migraine is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), peptic ulcers, Helicobacter pylori (HP) infections, celiac disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Baseline data covering 489,753 UK Biobank participants (migraine group: n = 14,180) were analyzed using Pearson's chi‐square tests and adjusted binary logistic regression models.

Results

Migraine was significantly associated with IBS (odds ratio [OR] 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.08–2.40, p <.001) and peptic ulcers (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.35–1.77, p <.001). Migraine was not associated with HP infection (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.04–1.73, p = .024), celiac disease (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04–1.60, p = .023), Crohn's disease (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.80–1.45, p = .617) or ulcerative colitis (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.79–1.27, p = .979) after adjusting for multiple testing.

Conclusions

Migraine was associated with IBS and peptic ulcers in this large population‐based cohort. The associations with HP infection, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis did not reach significance, suggesting a weaker link between migraine and autoimmune gastrointestinal conditions or HP infection.
Type O blood group associates with higher anti‐JC polyomavirus antibody levels
Authors: Frenken Pia , Hartung Hans‐Peter , Olsson Tomas , Adams Ortwin , Warnke Clemens
Published: July 2021

Background

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and high anti‐JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) antibodies in blood have an increased risk for the development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) when treated for MS. To test the hypothesis that type O blood group associates with anti‐JCPyV antibody levels and the risk of developing PML, we characterized ABO blood group antigen on blood samples of 62 patients with PML, and 64 MS controls without PML.

Methods

Monocentric retrospective cohort study. Anti‐JCPyV antibody levels in arbitrary units (AU) were determined in sera using an ELISA‐based method, and blood group specific antibodies using standardised test erythrocytes.

Results

Anti‐JCPyV antibody levels were higher in individuals with blood group O compared with all other blood groups (O: median AU: 129; not O: median AU: 53; p = .005). This association was not observed for the closely related BK virus. Of the 62 patients with PML, 29 (47%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 35%–59%) were of blood group O, which showed a nonsignificant trend to differ from the expected distribution in the German population (41%), and the MS controls studied (36%, 95% CI 25%–48%).

Conclusion

The ABO blood group O antigen associates with higher anti‐JCPyV antibody levels and may impact the risk of the later development of PML. The overrepresentation of blood group O in cases with PML was in line with a previous publication. Larger studies are warranted to assess a potential value of host genetic markers, such as the ABO status, for PML risk prediction during immunotherapy.
Clinical and etiological profile of epilepsy at the regional hospital center of Tahoua (Niger): A 4‐year retrospective study
Authors: Toudou‐Daouda Moussa , Ibrahim‐Mamadou Abdoul Kadir
Published: July 2021

Objective

We aimed to evaluate epilepsy management at the regional hospital center (RHC) of Tahoua (Niger) to determine the intrahospital deficiencies to optimize to improve the management of people with epilepsy.

Methods

A descriptive retrospective study was carried out at the Psychiatric Unit of the RHC of Tahoua between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019. We collected from the registers of consultation all patients followed by nurse technicians in mental health for epilepsy whose diagnosis was made by nonspecialist physicians or internists. The study included patients with epilepsy who had a medical follow‐up at least 6 months.

Results

Of the 2022 patients seen during the period of the study, 246 patients were consulted for epilepsy with a hospital frequency of 12.2%. The mean age was 22.38 years, with a slight predominance of men (57.7%). Only generalized tonic‐clonic seizures (95.1%) and focal‐aware seizures (4.9%) were reported. The main etiologies were cerebral malaria (18.7%), bacterial meningitis (8.1%), and head trauma (4.9%). In 60.2% of cases, the etiology was undetermined, but the etiological diagnosis investigation was incomplete (CT scan not done). Only the first‐generation antiepileptic drugs were used. Only 2.8% of the patients had drug‐resistant epilepsy, and 97.2% of the patients had controlled seizures.

Conclusion

The study shows a predominance of infectious causes, particularly cerebral malaria. We found a high proportion of epilepsies with unknown etiologies with incomplete workup. The RHC of Tahoua should facilitate access to the CT scan for people with epilepsy to improve etiological diagnosis investigation.
Early detection of metastatic uveal melanoma by the analysis of tumor‐specific mutations in cell‐free plasma DNA
Authors: Le Guin Claudia H. D. , Bornfeld Norbert , Bechrakis Nikolaos E. , Jabbarli Leyla , Richly Heike , Lohmann Dietmar R. , Zeschnigk Michael
Published: July 2021

Background

Eye salvaging therapy of malignant melanomas of the uvea can preserve the eye in most cases, but still about half of patients die from metastatic disease. Previous analyses of cell‐free DNA from plasma had shown detectable levels of tumor‐specific GNAQ/GNA11 mutations in patients with the clinical diagnosis of progressive disease. However, data on the time span that elapses from the detection of ctDNA in plasma to the clinical detection of metastases (diagnostic lead time) are missing.

Methods

We examined 135 patients with uveal melanoma. Cell‐free DNA was isolated from a total of 807 blood samples which were taken over a period of up to 41 months and analyzed for the presence of GNAQ/GNA11 mutations by deep amplicon sequencing.

Results

Twenty‐one of the 135 patients developed metastases or recurrence. A ctDNA signal was identified in the plasma of 17 of the 21 patients. In 10 patients, this ctDNA signal preceded the clinical diagnosis of metastasis by 2–10 months. In 10 other patients, a ctDNA signal was only detected in samples obtained shortly before or after radiotherapy. The presence of a ctDNA signal in 16 of the remaining 125 patients was linked to clinical manifestation of metastases (n = 14) or tumor recurrence (n = 2) with a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 96%, respectively.

Conclusion

Detection of ctDNA in plasma can provide a diagnostic lead time over the clinical diagnosis of metastases or tumor recurrence. Longer lead times are to be expected if intervals between sampling are shortened.
Moderately Concentrated Acetonitrile‐containing Electrolytes with High Ionic Conductivity for Durability‐oriented Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Matsuoka Naoki , Kamine Hirokazu , Natsume Yutaka , Yoshino Akira
Published: July 2021

Electrode protection additives for acetonitrile (AN)‐containing electrolytes play an important role for the usability of such electrolytes since it is decomposed reductively and electrochemically on the negative electrode of lithium‐ion batteries. The durability of electrolytes containing AN with low concentration of lithium salt was investigated by electrochemical measurements to achieve the desired battery performance derived from high ionic conductivity. The reductive decomposition of AN was suppressed by adding vinylene carbonate and ethylene sulfite as solid electrolyte interface formation additives. The high temperature durability performance with various positive electrode chemistries was improved by applying pyridine as a stabilizer for LiPF6. The AN‐containing electrolyte enhances low temperature performance and long‐term performance at high temperatures due to higher molecular mobility and a low electrode interface barrier. This electrolyte not only increases the capacity by enabling the usage of thicker electrodes, but also reduces the total cost of battery production.
Research progress on methane conversion coupling photocatalysis and thermocatalysis
Authors: Zhu Zengzan , Guo Wenyi , Zhang Ying , Pan Chengsi , Xu Jing , Zhu Yongfa , Lou Yang
Published: July 2021

Conversion of methane into value‐added chemicals is of significance for methane utilization and industrial demand of primary chemical products. The barrier associated with the nonpolar structure of methane and the high bond energy C–H bond (4.57 eV) makes it difficult to realize methane conversion and activation under mild conditions. The photothermal synergetic strategy by combining photon energy and thermo energy provides an advanced philosophy to achieve efficient methane conversion. In this review, we overview the current pioneering studies of photothermal methane indirect conversion and present the methane direct conversion by the way of photocatalysis and thermocatalysis to provide a fundamental understanding of methane activation. Finally, we end this review with a discussion on the remaining challenges and perspectives of methane direct conversion over single‐atom catalysts via photothermal synergetic strategy.
Shaking Lithium‐Ion Cells on a Rocker – Temperature‐Dependent Influence of Mechanical Movement on Lithium‐Ion Battery Lifetime
Authors: Boerger Elisabeth Maria , Gottschalk Felix , Drescher Laura , Boerger Alexander
Published: July 2021

The aim of this study is to evaluate the mechanical influence of motion on the aging behavior of automotive lithium‐ion battery cells. The battery cells were aged by galvanostatic cycling at different temperatures and currents. During the galvanostatic cycling, the cells were shaken on a rocker to simulate the movement of a vehicle. Over lifetime, changes were measured in capacity, temperature, and internal resistance.
Phoszination Feuer
Authors: Jacobs Erik , Rossa Jan , Geue Niklas
Published: July 2021

Die folgende Aufgabe widmet sich den Funden von weißem Phosphor an der Ostseeküste, bei denen durch die Verwechslungsgefahr mit Bernstein regelmäßig schlimme Verletzungen auftreten. Dabei wird zunächst die Reaktivität von weißem Phosphor anhand dessen Verbrennungsreaktion diskutiert, bevor auf die zivile Nutzung von Phosphor in Form von Streichhölzern eingegangen wird. Am Ende wird die Aufgabe durch einen praktischen Exkurs zu verschiedenen Streichholzarten abgerundet.
Greenhouse gases emissions in liquified natural gas as a marine fuel: Life cycle analysis and reduction potential
Authors: Al‐Douri Ahmad , Alsuhaibani Abdulrahman S. , Moore Margaux , Nielsen Rasmus B. , El‐Baz Amro A. , El‐Halwagi Mahmoud M.
Published: July 2021

Substantial increases in shale gas production due to advances in hydraulic fracturing have created tremendous monetization and sustainable development opportunities, one of which is liquified natural gas (LNG). The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has targeted reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping by 50% by 2050. Conventional shipping fuels currently used are heavy fuel oil (HFO) and marine gas/diesel oil (MGO/MDO). There has been growing interest in using LNG as a shipping fuel because of its competitive cost, availability, and the presence of bunkering infrastructure. A thorough literature review of LNG life cycle GHG emissions shows variation depending on the following factors: shale gas extraction, pretreatment, pipeline transportation distance, liquefaction plant capacity/technology, and ship propulsion system. Compared to conventional fuels, LNG can reduce life cycle emissions up to 18%. Incorporating renewables‐based power generation in liquefaction can reduce emissions by a further 5%–10% (renewable‐assisted LNG). The reduction potential and economic effects of this modification on LNG cost are examined and it is shown that low wind‐based electricity prices can make renewable‐assisted LNG competitive. A comprehensive understanding of the factors impacting LNG emissions help identify the current and future potential of LNG in reducing shipping industry emissions and providing a short‐term transitional fuel until it is supplanted with decarbonized fuels. This paper also uses water‐energy nexus to examine the impact of responsible water management on the carbon footprint of LNG.
Dynamic estimation with random forests for discrete‐time survival data
Authors: Moradian Hoora , Yao Weichi , Larocque Denis , Simonoff Jeffrey S. , Frydman Halina
Published: July 2021

Time‐varying covariates are often available in survival studies, and estimation of the hazard function needs to be updated as new information becomes available. In this article, we investigate several different easy‐to‐implement ways that random forests can be used for dynamic estimation of the survival or hazard function from discrete‐time survival data. Results from a simulation study indicate that all methods can perform well, and that none dominates the others. In general, situations that are more difficult from an estimation point of view (such as weaker signals and less data) favour a global fit, pooling over all time points, while situations that are easier from an estimation point of view (such as stronger signals and more data) favour local fits.
Molecular cancer cell responses to solid compressive stress and interstitial fluid pressure
Authors: Purkayastha Purboja , Jaiswal Manish K. , Lele Tanmay P.
Published: July 2021

Alterations to the mechanical properties of the microenvironment are a hallmark of cancer. Elevated mechanical stresses exist in many solid tumors and elicit responses from cancer cells. Uncontrolled growth in confined environments gives rise to elevated solid compressive stress on cancer cells. Recruitment of leaky blood vessels and an absence of functioning lymphatic vessels causes a rise in the interstitial fluid pressure. Here we review the role of the cancer cell cytoskeleton and the nucleus in mediating both the initial and adaptive cancer cell response to these two types of mechanical stresses. We review how these mechanical stresses alter cancer cell functions such as proliferation, apoptosis, and migration.
Design of bimetallic Au/Cu nanoparticles in ionic liquids: Synthesis and catalytic properties in 5‐(hydroxymethyl)furfural oxidation
Authors: Uzunidis Georgios , Schade Oliver , Schild Dieter , Grunwaldt Jan‐Dierk , Behrens Silke
Published: July 2021

In alloyed nanoparticles, synergistic electronic and/or geometric effects may enhance the catalytic properties compared to their monometallic counterparts. Herein, we address the synthesis of bimetallic Au/Cu nanoparticles with different compositions by wet chemical reduction in ionic liquids. The nanoparticles were successively supported on carbon. The ionic liquid could be recycled after synthesis. Annealing of the carbon‐supported NPs at 400 °C led to NPs of the ordered intermetallic L10 AuCu phase. The nanoparticle‐derived catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and optical emission spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma. Oxidation of biomass‐derived furans is a prominent process for biomass transformation into value‐added chemicals. Herein, the oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐furfural (HMF) to 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) was chosen as a model reaction to evaluate the effect of Cu addition and intermetallic structure on the catalytic performance. Particularly Au/Cu nanoparticles with an Au/Cu ratio of 3 : 1 showed very high conversion to FDCA.
Metastable Nanoporous Palladium Evolving from Palladium Nanocrystals
Authors: Teraji Satoshi , Samitsu Sadaki , Tran‐Cong‐Miyata Qui , Norisuye Tomohisa , Nakanishi Hideyuki
Published: July 2021

Nanoporous metals can be used in many technological applications, and continuous interest has been focused on their preparation. In this study, we describe a different type of preparation method, in which nanoporous palladium (Pd) is prepared from Pd nanocrystals by the elimination of stabilizers. The resulting nanoporous Pd has a bimodal pore structure with an extensive surface area, and its surfaces are electrochemically accessible and exhibit higher catalytic activity toward ethanol electrooxidation than that of the commercial Pd black catalyst. An interesting feature is that the atomic surface structure can be sensitively altered by the preparation temperature and solvent, thereby increasing the catalytic activity of nanoporous Pd. The proposed method is simple and available for mass production and is expected to be a new alternative for producing electrochemically active nanoporous Pd.
Asymptotic Stability of Harmonic Maps on the Hyperbolic Plane under the Schrödinger Maps Evolution
Authors: Lawrie Andrew , Lührmann Jonas , Oh Sung‐Jin , Shahshahani Sohrab
Published: July 2021

We consider the Cauchy problem for the Schrödinger maps evolution when the domain is the hyperbolic plane. An interesting feature of this problem compared to the more widely studied case on the Euclidean plane is the existence of a rich new family of finite energy harmonic maps. These are stationary solutions, and thus play an important role in the dynamics of Schrödinger maps. The main result of this article is the asymptotic stability of (some of) such harmonic maps under the Schrödinger maps evolution. More precisely, we prove the nonlinear asymptotic stability of a finite energy equivariant harmonic map under the Schrödinger maps evolution with respect to non‐equivariant perturbations, provided obeys a suitable linearized stability condition. This condition is known to hold for all equivariant harmonic maps with values in the hyperbolic plane and for a subset of those maps taking values in the sphere. One of the main technical ingredients in the paper is a global‐in‐time local smoothing and Strichartz estimate for the operator obtained by linearization around a harmonic map, proved in the companion paper [36]. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Moderately Discontinuous Homology
Authors: de Bobadilla Javier Fernández , Heinze Sonja , Pereira María Pe , Sampaio José Edson
Published: July 2021

We introduce a new metric homology theory, which we call Moderately Discontinuous Homology, designed to capture Lipschitz properties of metric singular subanalytic germs. The main novelty of our approach is to allow “moderately discontinuous” chains, which are specially advantageous for capturing the subtleties of the outer metric phenomena. Our invariant is a finitely generated graded abelian group for any and homomorphisms for any . Here is a “discontinuity rate”. The homology groups of a subanalytic germ with the inner or outer metric are proved to be finitely generated and only finitely many homomorphisms are essential. For Moderately Discontinuous Homology recovers the homology of the tangent cone for the outer metric and of the Gromov tangent cone for the inner one. In general, for ‐Homology recovers the homology of the punctured germ. Hence, our invariant can be seen as an algebraic invariant interpolating from the germ to its tangent cone. Our homology theory is a bi‐Lipschitz subanalytic invariant, is invariant by suitable metric homotopies, and satisfies versions of the relative and Mayer‐Vietoris long exact sequences. Moreover, fixed a discontinuity rate b we show that it is functorial for a class of discontinuous Lipschitz maps, whose discontinuities are b‐moderated; this makes the theory quite flexible. In the complex analytic setting we introduce an enhancement called Framed MD homology, which takes into account information from fundamental classes. As applications we prove that Moderately Discontinuous Homology characterizes smooth germs among all complex analytic germs, and recovers the number of irreducible components of complex analytic germs and the embedded topological type of plane branches. Framed MD homology recovers the topological type of any plane curve singularity and relative multiplicities of complex analytic germs. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Genome‐wide association mapping for kernel shape and its association with β‐glucan content in oats
Authors: Zimmer Cristiano M. , McNish Ian G. , Esvelt Klos Kathy , Eickholt David P. , Arruda Klever M. A. , Pacheco Marcelo T. , Smith Kevin P. , Federizzi Luiz C.
Published: July 2021

Kernel shape and β‐glucan content are important attributes for oat (Avena sativa L.) millers. The identification of genomic regions controlling these traits, as well as their effect on phenotype, will enable rapid gain from selection. The objectives of this study were (a) to identify the genomic regions associated with kernel shape in an oat panel adapted to subtropical environments and (b) to clarify the relationship between kernel shape and β‐glucan content in oat. An elite oat panel comprising 406 inbred lines was assessed in Londrina and Eldorado do Sul, Southern Brazil. Genome‐wide association analyses were performed for each environment separately and also in a multi‐environment analysis. Phenotypic and genetic correlation coefficients were estimated between kernel shape traits and β‐glucan content. Genomic regions influencing kernel length were identified on Mrg06, Mrg21, and Mrg24. Kernel width and kernel thickness were genetically correlated and shared a quantitative trait locus, located on Mrg13 of the oat consensus map. Phenotypic and genetic correlations were found between kernel shape traits and β‐glucan content, indicating a negative relationship between kernel width or kernel thickness and β‐glucan content. Oat breeding programs that aim to maintain minimum levels of β‐glucan for nutrition and minimum kernel widths for milling will need to screen for both traits; otherwise, indirect selection will lead to unfavorable results. However, the negative correlation was not too strong (–0.4), suggesting that improvement for both traits can be made simultaneously.
Upgrading of Ethanol to 1,1‐Diethoxyethane by Proton‐Exchange Membrane Electrolysis
Authors: Kawaguchi Daisuke , Ogihara Hitoshi , Kurokawa Hideki
Published: July 2021

The direct acetalization of ethanol is a significant challenge for upgrading bioethanol to value‐added chemicals. In this study, 1,1‐diethoxyethane (DEE) is selectively synthesized by the electrolysis of ethanol using a proton‐exchange membrane (PEM) reactor. In the PEM reactor, a Pt/C catalyst promoted the electro‐oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. The Nafion membrane used as the PEM served as a solid acid catalyst for the acetalization of ethanol and electrochemically formed acetaldehyde. DEE was obtained at high faradaic efficiency (78 %) through sequential electrochemical and nonelectrochemical reactions. The DEE formation rate through PEM electrolysis was higher than that of reported systems. At the cathode, protons extracted from ethanol were reduced to H2. The electrochemical approach can be utilized as a sustainable process for upgrading bioethanol to chemicals because it can use renewable electricity and does not require chemical reagents (e. g., oxidants and electrolytes).
Smooth muscle actin immunostain is useful for the diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis in vaginal smears
Authors: Fang Ni , Tang Deng , Zhang Hanjie , Zeng Jie
Published: July 2021

Objective

The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) causes one of the most common non‐viral sexually transmitted infections in humans. T. vaginalis is notorious for its inconspicuous appearance in vaginal smears. It can be missed under the microscope.

Method

In the present study, we investigate the immunoreactivity of T. vaginalis to smooth muscle actin (SMA) in the vaginal smear.

Result

T. vaginalis trophozoite and pseduocyst are immunoreactive for SMA in all of the study group cases (n = 21) and in none of the control group cases (n = 21). Thus, SMA immunostain is a sensitive method for the demonstration of T. vaginalis. Moreover, the protozoan attains a conspicuous and unique appearance. By SMA immunohistochemical stain, the apperance of T. vaginalis floated freely or located in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells is easily identified.

Conclusion

We recommend performing SMA immunostain in every vaginal smear with clinical or pathologic suspicion of trichomoniasis.
Associations between infant–mother physiological synchrony and 4‐ and 6‐month‐old infants’ emotion regulation
Authors: Abney Drew H. , daSilva Elizabeth B. , Bertenthal Bennett I.
Published: July 2021

In this study we assessed whether physiological synchrony between infants and mothers contributes to infants’ emotion regulation following a mild social stressor. Infants between 4 and 6 months of age and their mothers were tested in the face‐to‐face‐still‐face paradigm and were assessed for behavioral and physiological self‐regulation during and following the stressor. Physiological synchrony was calculated from a continuous measure of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) enabling us to cross‐correlate the infants’ and mothers’ RSA responses. Without considering physiological synchrony, the evidence suggested that infants’ distress followed the prototypical pattern of increasing during the Still Face episode and then decreasing during the reunion episode. Once physiological synchrony was added to the model, we observed that infants’ emotion regulation improved if mother–infant synchrony was positive, but not if it was negative. This result was qualified further by whether or not infants suppressed their RSA response during the Still Face episode. In sum, these findings highlight how individual differences in infants’ physiological responses contribute significantly to their self‐regulation abilities.
Using different methods for calculating frontal alpha asymmetry to study its development from infancy to 3 years of age in a large longitudinal sample
Authors: Vincent Katherine M. , Xie Wanze , Nelson Charles A.
Published: July 2021

Frontal electroencephalography (EEG) alpha asymmetry (FAA), defined as the difference in frontal alpha power observed over the right and left frontal scalp regions, has been widely used in developmental research as a measure of multiple aspects of child behavior, such as temperament. Studies have used different equations to calculate FAA, which renders comparison of results across studies challenging. Furthermore, few studies have examined FAA's longitudinal stability across infancy and early childhood, which is a desirable feature of a temperament measure. We investigated the cross‐sectional and the longitudinal correlations of FAA values from four different equations to calculate FAA used in the literature. We used baseline EEG data from a longitudinal sample of 321 infants and 168 3‐year‐old children (149 of whom had data at both timepoints). Consistent with previous work, FAA values calculated using two commonly used equations were highly correlated with each other cross‐sectionally but not with values from a different equation that used log‐transformed relative power. The log‐transformed relative power FAA values were the only values that showed significant longitudinal stability. These findings suggest that researchers interested in FAA as a trait‐like measure in children should consider using the relative power equation that renders stability across ages.
Maternal trait anxiety symptoms, frontolimbic resting‐state functional connectivity, and cognitive development in infancy
Authors: Dufford Alexander J. , Salzwedel Andrew P. , Gilmore John H. , Gao Wei , Kim Pilyoung
Published: July 2021

Exposure to maternal anxiety symptoms during infancy has been associated with difficulties in development and greater risk for developing anxiety later in life. Although previous studies have examined associations between prenatal maternal distress, infant brain development, and developmental outcomes, it is still largely unclear if there are associations between postnatal anxiety, infant brain development, and cognitive development in infancy. In this study, we used resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the association between maternal anxiety symptoms and resting‐state functional connectivity in the first year of life. We also examine the association between frontolimbic functional connectivity and infant cognitive development. The sample consisted of 21 infants (mean age = 24.15 months, SD = 4.17) that were scanned during their natural sleep using. We test the associations between maternal trait anxiety symptoms and amygdala–anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) functional connectivity, a neural circuit implicated in early life stress exposure. We also test the associations between amygdala–ACC connectivity and cognitive development. We found a significant negative association between maternal trait anxiety symptoms and left amygdala–right ACC functional connectivity (p < .05, false discovery rate corrected). We found a significant negative association between left amygdala–right ACC functional connectivity and infant cognitive development (p < .05). These findings have potential implications for understanding the role of postpartum maternal anxiety symptoms in functional brain and cognitive development in infancy.
Irritability‐related neural responses to frustrative nonreward in adolescents with trauma histories: A preliminary investigation
Authors: Hodgdon Elizabeth A. , Yu Qiongru , Kryza‐Lacombe Maria , Liuzzi Michael T. , Aspe Gabriela Ibarra , Menacho Valeria Cordeiro , Bozzetto Lauren , Dougherty Lea , Wiggins Jillian Lee
Published: July 2021

Irritability, conceptualized as a lowered frustration response threshold to blocked goal attainment (i.e., frustrative nonreward), is a common, detrimental symptom in adolescence. Yet, neural mechanisms of irritability are not well understood. This preliminary study aims to identify irritability‐related neural patterns using a novel frustrative nonreward paradigm. Our study used a diverse sample of N = 31 non‐White adolescent participants (mean age 14.53 years, SD = 1.74; 83.87% Hispanic/Latinx) to improve generalizability. During fMRI acquisition, participants performed a child‐friendly monetary incentive delay task, modified to provide incorrect, negative feedback on performance. Irritability was associated with alterations in amygdala connectivity with basal ganglia, prefrontal, temporal, and parietal regions, and in activation of prefrontal and posterior cortical structures. Across clusters, youths with greater irritability showed activation/connectivity differences between reward blocked versus received conditions in the opposite direction compared to youths with lowered irritability. Alterations in amygdala‐temporoparietal connectivity and lingual gyrus activation demonstrated an altered irritability‐related recovery effect from the previous trial. These findings support the central role of frustrative nonreward as a key irritability pathway. Our work is one of the first to document neural correlates of difficult recovery from frustration characteristic of irritability and provides insight into novel treatment targets for irritability in diverse populations.
Parasympathetic response to challenge in infancy moderates the effects of sociodemographic risk on academic achievement at school entry
Authors: Propper Cathi B. , Gustafsson Hanna C. , Holochwost Steven J. , Coffman Jennifer L.
Published: July 2021

Exposure to higher levels of sociodemographic risk is associated with lower levels of academic achievement among young children. However, there is variability in the strength of this association, which may be traced to individual differences in physiological processes underlying self‐regulation. In the current study, we examined whether the response of the parasympathetic nervous system to challenge, indexed by change in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), moderated the association between risk and school readiness at 5 years of age in a diverse sample of young children. We found that parasympathetic response to the Still‐Face Paradigm moderated the effects of risk on a measure of school readiness, such that there was no association between risk and school readiness among children who exhibited RSA decreases during challenge at 6 months of age, a purported index of self‐regulation at this age. For those infants who did not exhibit RSA withdrawal during this challenge, exposure to early cumulative risk was associated with lower scores on achievement assessment. These results speak to the possibility that certain patterns of parasympathetic response can serve as a protective factor for young children growing up in disadvantaged environments.
Is the grass always greener? Land surface phenology reveals differences in peak and season‐long vegetation productivity responses to climate and management
Authors: Wood David J. A. , Powell Scott , Stoy Paul C. , Thurman Lindsey L. , Beever Erik A.
Published: July 2021

Vegetation phenology—the seasonal timing and duration of vegetative phases—is controlled by spatiotemporally variable contributions of climatic and environmental factors plus additional potential influence from human management. We used land surface phenology derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer and climate data to examine variability in vegetation productivity and phenological dates from 1989 to 2014 in the U.S. Northwestern Plains, a region with notable spatial heterogeneity in climate, vegetation, and land use. We first analyzed interannual trends in six phenological measures as a baseline. We then demonstrated how including annual‐resolution predictors can provide more nuanced insights into measures of phenology between plant communities and across the ecoregion. Across the study area, higher annual precipitation increased both peak and season‐long productivity. In contrast, higher mean annual temperatures tended to increase peak productivity but for the majority of the study area decreased season‐long productivity. Annual precipitation and temperature had strong explanatory power for productivity‐related phenology measures but predicted date‐based measures poorly. We found that relationships between climate and phenology varied across the region and among plant communities and that factors such as recovery from disturbance and anthropogenic management also contributed in certain regions. In sum, phenological measures did not respond ubiquitously nor covary in their responses. Nonclimatic dynamics can decouple phenology from climate; therefore, analyses including only interannual trends should not assume climate alone drives patterns. For example, models of areas exhibiting greening or browning should account for climate, anthropogenic influence, and natural disturbances. Investigating multiple aspects of phenology to describe growing‐season dynamics provides a richer understanding of spatiotemporal patterns that can be used for predicting ecosystem responses to future climates and land‐use change. Such understanding allows for clearer interpretation of results for conservation, wildlife, and land management.
Feeding ecology and diet of the southern geladas (Theropithecus gelada obscurus) in human‐modified landscape, Wollo, Ethiopia
Authors: Kifle Zewdu , Bekele Afework
Published: July 2021

Studying the dietary flexibility of primates that live in human‐modified environments is crucial for understanding their ecological adaptations as well as developing management and conservation plans. Southern gelada (Theropithecus gelada obscurus) is an endemic little‐known subspecies of gelada that inhabits human‐modified landscapes in the northern central highlands of Ethiopia. During an 18‐month period, we conducted this intensive study in an unprotected area of a human‐modified landscape at Kosheme in Wollo to investigate the feeding ecology of southern geladas and their dietary responses to seasonal variations. We quantified the monthly and seasonal diet data from a band of southern geladas using instantaneous scan sampling method at 15‐min intervals, and green grass phenology and availability using visual inspection from the randomly selected permanent plots. The overall average diet of southern geladas at Kosheme constituted grass blades 55.4%, grass undergrounds 13.2%, grass bulbs 5.6%, grass seeds 5.4%, herb leaves 4.0, fruits 7.3%, and cereal crops 5.6%. Grass blade consumption increased with increasing green grass availability, while underground food consumption increased with decreasing green grass availability, and vice versa. Southern geladas spent significantly more time feeding on the grass blades and herb leaves and significantly less time on bulbs during the wet season than the dry season. Underground grass items (rhizomes and corms) were not consumed during the wet season, but made up 22.3% of the dry season diet. Thus, although grass blades are staple diet items for geladas, underground diet items are important “fallback foods” at Kosheme. Our result shows insights into the dietary flexibility southern geladas adopt to cope with human‐modified landscapes of the north‐central Ethiopian Highlands. Thus, the study contributes to a better understanding of how changing environments shape primate ecology and evolution.