bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein intake and outcome of critically ill patients: analysis of a large international database using piece-wise exponential additive mixed models
Authors: Hartl Wolfgang H. , Kopper Philipp , Bender Andreas , Scheipl Fabian , Day Andrew G. , Elke Gunnar , Küchenhoff Helmut
Published: January 2022

Background

Proteins are an essential part of medical nutrition therapy in critically ill patients. Guidelines almost universally recommend a high protein intake without robust evidence supporting its use.

Methods

Using a large international database, we modelled associations between the hazard rate of in-hospital death and live hospital discharge (competing risks) and three categories of protein intake (low: < 0.8 g/kg per day, standard: 0.8–1.2 g/kg per day, high: > 1.2 g/kg per day) during the first 11 days after ICU admission (acute phase). Time-varying cause-specific hazard ratios (HR) were calculated from piece-wise exponential additive mixed models. We used the estimated model to compare five different hypothetical protein diets (an exclusively low protein diet, a standard protein diet administered early (day 1 to 4) or late (day 5 to 11) after ICU admission, and an early or late high protein diet).

Results

Of 21,100 critically ill patients in the database, 16,489 fulfilled inclusion criteria for the analysis. By day 60, 11,360 (68.9%) patients had been discharged from hospital, 4,192 patients (25.4%) had died in hospital, and 937 patients (5.7%) were still hospitalized. Median daily low protein intake was 0.49 g/kg [IQR 0.27–0.66], standard intake 0.99 g/kg [IQR 0.89– 1.09], and high intake 1.41 g/kg [IQR 1.29–1.60]. In comparison with an exclusively low protein diet, a late standard protein diet was associated with a lower hazard of in-hospital death: minimum 0.75 (95% CI 0.64, 0.87), and a higher hazard of live hospital discharge: maximum HR 1.98 (95% CI 1.72, 2.28). Results on hospital discharge, however, were qualitatively changed by a sensitivity analysis. There was no evidence that an early standard or a high protein intake during the acute phase was associated with a further improvement of outcome.

Conclusions

Provision of a standard protein intake during the late acute phase may improve outcome compared to an exclusively low protein diet. In unselected critically ill patients, clinical outcome may not be improved by a high protein intake during the acute phase.

Study registrationID numberISRCTN17829198
Epigenome-wide epidemiologic studies of human immunodeficiency virus infection, treatment, and disease progression
Authors: Titanji Boghuma K. , Gwinn Marta , Marconi Vincent C. , Sun Yan V.
Published: January 2022

Despite significant advances in the treatment and care of people with HIV (PWH), several challenges remain in our understanding of disease pathogenesis to improve patient care. HIV infection can modify the host epigenome and as such can impact disease progression, as well as the molecular processes driving non-AIDS comorbidities in PWH. Epigenetic epidemiologic studies including epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) offer a unique set of tools to expand our understanding of HIV disease and to identify novel strategies applicable to treatment and diagnosis in this patient population. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge from epigenetic epidemiologic studies of PWH, identify the main challenges of this approach, and highlight future directions for the field. Emerging epigenetic epidemiologic studies of PWH can expand our understanding of HIV infection and health outcomes, improve scientific validity through collaboration and replication, and increase the coverage of diverse populations affected by the global HIV pandemic. Through this review, we hope to highlight the potential of EWAS as a tool for HIV research and to engage more investigators to explore its application to important research questions.
Role of airway smooth muscle cell phenotypes in airway tone and obstruction in guinea pig asthma model
Authors: Álvarez-Santos Mayra D. , Álvarez-González Marisol , Eslava-De-Jesus Elizabeth , González-López Angel , Pacheco-Alba Ivonne , Pérez-Del-Valle Yazmín , Rojas-Madrid Rodrigo , Bazán-Perkins Blanca
Published: January 2022

Background

Airway obstruction (AO) in asthma is driven by airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction. AO can be induced extrinsically by direct stimulation of ASM with contractile agonists as histamine, or by indirect provocation with antigens as ovalbumin, while the airway tone is dependent on intrinsic mechanisms. The association of the ASM phenotypes involved in different types of AO and airway tone in guinea pigs was evaluated.

Methods

Guinea pigs were sensitized to ovalbumin and challenged with antigen. In each challenge, the maximum OA response to ovalbumin was determined, and before the challenges, the tone of the airways. At third challenge, airway responsiveness (AR) to histamine was evaluated and ASM cells from trachea were disaggregated to determinate: (a) by flow cytometry, the percentage of cells that express transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin-13 (IL-13) and sarco-endoplasmic Ca2+ ATPase-2b (SERCA2b), (b) by RT-PCR, the SERCA2B gene expression, (c) by ELISA, reduced glutathione (GSH) and, (d) Ca2+ sarcoplasmic reticulum refilling rate by microfluorometry. Control guinea pig group received saline instead ovalbumin.

Results

Antigenic challenges in sensitized guinea pigs induced indirect AO, AR to histamine and increment in airway tone at third challenge. No relationship was observed between AO induced by antigen and AR to histamine with changes in airway tone. The extent of antigen-induced AO was associated with both, TGF-β1 expression in ASM and AR degree. The magnitude of AR and antigen-induced AO showed an inverse correlation with GSH levels in ASM. The airway tone showed an inverse association with SERCA2b expression.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that each type of AO and airway tone depends on different ASM phenotypes: direct and indirect AO seems to be sensitive to the level of oxidative stress; indirect obstruction induced by antigen appears to be influenced by the expression of TGF-β1 and the SERCA2b expression level plays a role in the airway tone.
Targeted gene suppression through double-stranded RNA application using easy-to-use methods in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Park Minsu , Um Tae Young , Jang Geupil , Choi Yang Do , Shin Chanseok
Published: January 2022

RNA interference (RNAi) is an RNA-dependent gene silencing process that is regulated by the interaction between the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Exogenous dsRNAs are imported directly into the cytoplasm, where they are cleaved by Dicer into short dsRNA fragments of 20–25 base pairs. These short dsRNA fragments, called small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have sequence-specific interaction with target genes. The guide strand, onto which siRNAs are incorporated in the RISC interacts with the target mRNA sequence, thereby inducing cleavage and degradation of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) by ribonucleases. Recent studies have shown that plant dsRNA treatments can induce RNAi. However, the dsRNA application methods and delivery systems involved have not been well examined. In this study, dsRNA was introduced to Arabidopsis thaliana by two methods: dipping and spray. We synthesized two dsRNAs designed to target mRNAs encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). After applying dsRNAs that target EGFP, we found an obvious reduction in GFP expression. This was determined using fluorescence microscopy and quantitative reverse transcription PCR to assess the mRNA levels of the auxin-sensitive reporter DR5-EGFP Arabidopsis thaliana. Our data revealed that applying target gene-specific exogenous dsRNAs can induce suppression of target genes of interest whether the dipping or spray method is used. This study therefore provides a foundation for understanding how to apply and deliver dsRNAs in plants.
The materialization of the Buen Vivir and the Rights of Nature: Rhetoric and Realities of Guayaquil Ecológico urban regeneration project
Authors: Ordóñez María Fernanda , Shannon Kelly , d’Auria Viviana
Published: January 2022

In 2008, Ecuador became the first country in the world to declare nature as a subject of rights based on the ‘Buen Vivir’ (Good Living) philosophy which is premised on an indigenous principle that envisions a world where humans are part-and-parcel of a larger natural and social environment. Although Ecuador’s constitution is groundbreaking from a legal standpoint, the question arises of how the rights of nature is spatially manifested beyond the designation of protected areas? To shed light on such interrogation, this article, based on qualitative research, focuses on the linear park component of the mega-project Guayaquil Ecológico heralded as a first materialization which champions the “Rights of Nature” under the vision of the Buen Vivir. It unravels the contested rhetoric and realities of the Guayaquil Ecológico linear park in a critical review of the as-built project in relation to the larger objectives of Buen Vivir. The Guayaquil Ecologico linear park promised to simultaneously upgrade both social and environmental dimensions. However, it did not fully address the complexity of Guayaquil’s socio-ecological context and some of the structural injustices of the estuarine territory. Buen Vivir was rhetorically mobilised to implement a project where aesthetic dimensions dominated, further perpetuating socio-ecological vulnerabilities through relocation and evictions. Furthermore, its implementation was dependent on a specific political moment, leaving it in a state of abandonment and neglect. The Buen Vivir philosophy—as a decolonial stance that challenges western forms of development—can offer a fundamental base to question current modes of territorial occupation based on extractivist planning and design strategies. It holds significant potential to serve as base to re-think the relationship between forms of settlement, natural dynamics, and worldviews.
Response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars to drought stress under in vitro and field conditions
Authors: Zaki Haitham E. M. , Radwan Khlode S. A.
Published: January 2022

Background

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), the world’s third most important crop, is frequently thought to be sensitive to moderately sensitive to drought, and yield has fallen considerably over consecutive stress periods. Drought produces a wide range of responses in potato, from physiological alterations to variations in growth rates and yield. Knowledge about these responses is essential for getting a full understanding of drought-tolerance mechanism in potato plants which will help in the identification of drought-tolerant cultivars.

Results

A set of 21 commercial potato cultivars representing the genetic diversity in the Middle East countries market were screened for drought tolerance by measuring morpho-physiological traits and tuber production under in vitro and field trials. Cultivars were exposed to drought stress ranging from no drought to 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mol L−1 sorbitol in in vitro-based screening and 60, 40 and 20% soil moisture content in field-based screening. Drought stress adversely affected plant growth, yield and cultivars differed for their responses. Shoots and roots fresh weights, root length, surface area of root, no. of roots, no. of leaves, leaf area, plant water content %, K+ content, under in vitro drought treatments and shoots fresh and dry weights, no. of tubers and tuber yield under field drought treatments were examined and all decreased due to drought. The stress tolerance index decreased with increasing drought in examined cultivars; nevertheless, it revealed a degree of tolerance in some of them. Grouping cultivars by cluster analysis for response to drought resulted in: (i) a tolerant group of five cultivars, (ii) a moderately tolerant group of 11 cultivars, and (iii) a sensitive group of five cultivars. Furthermore, stress-related genes, i.e., DRO, ERECTA, ERF, DREB and StMYB were up-regulated in the five cultivars of the tolerant group. Likewise, the stomatal conductance and transpiration explained high correlation with the tuber yield in this group of cultivars.

Conclusion

The diversity in germplasm indicated that potato cultivars can be developed for production under certain degrees of drought. Some cultivars are good candidates to be included in drought-tolerant breeding programs and recommended for cultivation in drought-stricken regions.

Graphical Abstract
Application of melatonin-mediated modulation of drought tolerance by regulating photosynthetic efficiency, chloroplast ultrastructure, and endogenous hormones in maize
Authors: Ahmad Shakeel , Wang Guo Yun , Muhammad Ihsan , Farooq Saqib , Kamran Muhammad , Ahmad Irshad , Zeeshan Muhammad , Javed Tehseen , Ullah Saif , Huang Jing Hua , Zhou Xun Bo
Published: January 2022

Background

Melatonin played an essential role in numerous vital life processes of animals and captured the interests of plant biologists because of its potent role in plants as well. As far as its possible contribution to photoperiodic processes, melatonin is believed to act as a growth regulator and a direct free radical scavenger/indirect antioxidant. The objective of this study to identify a precise melatonin concentration for a particular application method to improve plant growth requires identification and clarification.

Methods

This work establishes unique findings by optimizing melatonin concentration in alleviating the detrimental effects of drought stress in maize. Maize plants were subjected to drought stress (40–45% FC) after treatments of melatonin soil drenching at different concentrations (50, 100, and 150 µM) to consider the changes of growth attribute, chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic rate, relative water content (RWC), chloroplast ultrastructure, endogenous hormonal mechanism, and grain yield.

Results

Our results showed that the application of melatonin treatments remarkably improved the plant growth attributes, chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic rate, RWC, hormonal mechanism, and grain yield plant−1 under drought conditions at a variable rate.

Conclusion

Our current findings hereby confirmed the mitigating potential of melatonin application 100 µM for drought stress by maintaining plant growth, hormone content, and grain yield of maize. We conclude that the application of melatonin to maize is effective in reducing drought stress tolerance.

Graphical Abstract
Teaching through urban sensorium: urban spatiality as a smart learning environment
Authors: Jayagopalan Gaana , Mukherjee Sweta
Published: January 2022

This paper qualitatively analyses the implication of urban sensorium as a pedagogic mode in the teaching of Urban Studies. Underpinned by the frames of smart learning environments, the paper reiterates experiencing urban ontologies as spatial learning environments. By drawing from a range of transdisciplinary and experiential modes of learning, this paper maps how an undergraduate course on Bangalore city in India served learners to critically engage with and experience spatial urban ontologies both digitally, and in real-world experiences of learning, furthering learner autonomy and reflection. The methodological prisms of this paper are autoethnography and critical reflection. It is organised around enabling learners recognize the experiential, embodied urban spaces through the urban sensorium via real-life engagements with urban spaces, and creation of digital portfolios that map this learning. Findings from the learners’ knowledge of sensory learning, the city’s intersectional aspects, and the student’s embodied and emplaced self in built environments and digital spaces are analysed via cognitive and affective-reflection levels; the course instructor's reflection is analysed via a process-reflection level. These reflections hold implications for the pedagogy of urban studies in undergraduate classrooms by foregrounding spatiality and urban sensorium as significant critical and affective pedagogic tools. The paper has also accommodated critical engagement with an external faculty member as a co-author, in order to manage any bias or researcher subjectivity in the design.
The dependence of upper ocean gyres on wind and buoyancy forcing
Authors: Liu Tongya , Ou Hsien-Wang , Liu Xiaohui , Qian Yu-Kun , Chen Dake
Published: January 2022

A series of numerical simulations with different forcing conditions are carried out, to investigate the roles played by buoyancy and wind forcing on the upper ocean gyres, and to contrast the laminar and eddying regimes. Model experiments show that the buoyancy-driven eastward geostrophic flow tends to suppress the formation of the wind-driven subpolar gyre, but the northward eddy heat transport can homogenize the subpolar water and reduce the meridional temperature gradient by about two-third, thus counteracting the buoyancy effect and saving the subpolar gyre. For the subtropical gyre, its transport is enhanced by eddy mixing, and the role of buoyancy forcing is very sensitive to the choice of diapycnal diffusivity. Our results suggest that eddy effects must be considered in the dynamics of the subpolar gyre, and vertical diffusivity should be selected carefully in simulating the basin-wide circulations.
Knockout of caspase-7 gene improves the expression of recombinant protein in CHO cell line through the cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase
Authors: Safari Fatemeh , Akbari Bahman
Published: January 2022

Background

Chinese hamster ovary cell line has been used routinely as a bioproduction factory of numerous biopharmaceuticals. So far, various engineering strategies have been recruited to improve the production efficiency of this cell line such as apoptosis engineering. Previously, it is reported that the caspase-7 deficiency in CHO cells reduces the cell proliferation rate. But the effect of this reduction on the CHO cell productivity remained unclear. Hence, in the study at hand the effect of caspase-7 deficiency was assessed on the cell growth, viability and protein expression. In addition, the enzymatic activity of caspase-3 was investigated in the absence of caspase-7.

Results

Findings showed that in the absence of caspase-7, both cell growth and cell viability were decreased. Cell cycle analysis illustrated that the CHO knockout (CHO-KO) cells experienced a cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. This cell cycle arrest resulted in a 1.7-fold increase in the expression of luciferase in CHO-KO cells compared to parenteral cells. Furthermore, in the apoptotic situation the enzymatic activity of caspase-3 in CHO-KO cells was approximately 3 times more than CHO-K1 cells.

Conclusions

These findings represented that; however, caspase-7 deficiency reduces the cell proliferation rate but the resulted cell cycle arrest leads to the enhancement of recombinant protein expression. Moreover, increasing in the caspase-3 enzymatic activity compensates the absence of caspase-7 in the caspase cascade of apoptosis.
Innovative application of full-waveform inversion applied to extended wide-azimuth marine streamer seismic data in a complex salt environment
Authors: Lanzarone Peter , Shen Xukai , Brenders Andrew , Xia Ganyuan , Dellinger Joe , Ritter Gabriel , Etgen John
Published: January 2022

We demonstrate the application of full-waveform inversion (FWI) guided velocity model building to an extended wide-azimuth towed streamer (EWATS) seismic data set in the Gulf of Mexico. Field data are collected over a historically challenging imaging area, colloquially called the “grunge zone” due to the formation of a compressional allosuture emplaced between two colliding salt sheets. These data have a poor subsalt image below the suture with conventional narrow-azimuth data. Additional geologic complexities are observed including high-velocity carbonate carapace near the top of salt and multiple intrasalt sedimentary inclusions. As such, improved seismic imaging is required to plan and execute wells targeting subsalt strata. Significant improvements to the velocity model and subsalt image have been evident with wide-azimuth towed streamer and later EWATS data using conventional top-down velocity model building approaches. Subsequently, high-impact improvements have been made using EWATS data with an FWI velocity model building workflow; this study represents an early successful application of FWI used to update salt body geometries from streamer seismic data, wherein many prior applications were limited to improving sedimentary velocities. Later petrophysical data have verified the new FWI-derived model, which has significantly increased confidence in the structural and stratigraphic interpretation of subsalt reservoir systems below the grunge zone.
Predicting relapse or recurrence of depression: systematic review of prognostic models
Authors: Moriarty Andrew S. , Meader Nicholas , Snell Kym I. E. , Riley Richard D. , Paton Lewis W. , Dawson Sarah , Hendon Jessica , Chew-Graham Carolyn A. , Gilbody Simon , Churchill Rachel , Phillips Robert S. , Ali Shehzad , McMillan Dean
Published: January 2022

Background

Relapse and recurrence of depression are common, contributing to the overall burden of depression globally. Accurate prediction of relapse or recurrence while patients are well would allow the identification of high-risk individuals and may effectively guide the allocation of interventions to prevent relapse and recurrence.

Aims

To review prognostic models developed to predict the risk of relapse, recurrence, sustained remission, or recovery in adults with remitted major depressive disorder.

Method

We searched the Cochrane Library (current issue); Ovid MEDLINE (1946 onwards); Ovid Embase (1980 onwards); Ovid PsycINFO (1806 onwards); and Web of Science (1900 onwards) up to May 2021. We included development and external validation studies of multivariable prognostic models. We assessed risk of bias of included studies using the Prediction model risk of bias assessment tool (PROBAST).

Results

We identified 12 eligible prognostic model studies (11 unique prognostic models): 8 model development-only studies, 3 model development and external validation studies and 1 external validation-only study. Multiple estimates of performance measures were not available and meta-analysis was therefore not necessary. Eleven out of the 12 included studies were assessed as being at high overall risk of bias and none examined clinical utility.

Conclusions

Due to high risk of bias of the included studies, poor predictive performance and limited external validation of the models identified, presently available clinical prediction models for relapse and recurrence of depression are not yet sufficiently developed for deploying in clinical settings. There is a need for improved prognosis research in this clinical area and future studies should conform to best practice methodological and reporting guidelines.
Impact of COVID-19 on Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Programs: A Quantitative and Qualitative Survey Assessment of Fellowship Program Directors
Authors: Velazquez Ana I. , Durani Urshila , Weeks Lachelle D. , Major Ajay , Reynolds Robby , Kumbamu Ashok , Das Devika G. , Murphy Martina C. , Henry Elizabeth , Lee Alfred I. , Marshall Ariela L.
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE:

The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented challenges in medical training, and we sought to assess the specific impact of COVID-19 on hematology-oncology (HO) fellowship programs.

METHODS:

We conducted a cross-sectional anonymous online survey of 103 HO program directors (PDs) in conjunction with the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and ASCO. We sought to assess the specific impact of COVID-19 on HO fellowship programs' clinical, educational, and research activities, evaluate perceptions regarding PD and trainee emotional and mental health, and identify ways to support programs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric tests, and multivariable logistic regression models. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed with thematic analysis.

RESULTS:

Significant changes to fellowship activities included transitioning fellow training from outpatient clinics to telehealth (77.7%), shifting to virtual education (94.2%), and moving to remote research work (63.1%). A minority (21.4%) of PDs reported that their fellows were redeployed to cover non-HO services. Most PDs (54.4%) believed COVID-19 had a slight negative impact on fellowship training. PD self-reported burnout increased significantly from 15.5% prepandemic to 44.7% during the pandemic, and most PDs witnessed minor signs of fellow burnout (52.4%). Common PD concerns included inadequate supervision for telehealth activities, reduced opportunities for fellow advancement and promotion, lack of professional development activities, limited research operations and funding, program financial constraints, and virtual recruitment.

CONCLUSION:

We encourage institutions and national societies to allocate resources and develop programs that can support fellowships and mitigate the potential negative effects of COVID-19 on trainee and PD career development.
Dynamic body acceleration as a proxy to predict the cost of locomotion in bottlenose dolphins
Authors: Allen Austin S. , Read Andrew J. , Shorter K. Alex , Gabaldon Joaquin , Blawas Ashley M. , Rocho-Levine Julie , Fahlman Andreas
Published: January 2022

Estimates of the energetic costs of locomotion (COL) at different activity levels are necessary to answer fundamental eco-physiological questions and to understand the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance to marine mammals. We combined estimates of energetic costs derived from breath-by-breath respirometry with measurements of overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) from biologging tags to validate ODBA as a proxy for COL in trained common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). We measured resting metabolic rate (RMR); mean individual RMR was 0.71–1.42 times that of a similarly sized terrestrial mammal and agreed with past measurements that used breath-by-breath and flow-through respirometry. We also measured energy expenditure during submerged swim trials, at primarily moderate exercise levels. We subtracted RMR to obtain COL, and normalized COL by body size to incorporate individual swimming efficiencies. We found both mass-specific energy expenditure and mass-specific COL were linearly related with ODBA. Measurements of activity level and cost of transport (the energy required to move a given distance) improve understanding of the COL in marine mammals. The strength of the correlation between ODBA and COL varied among individuals, but the overall relationship can be used at a broad scale to estimate the energetic costs of disturbance and daily locomotion costs to build energy budgets, and investigate the costs of diving in free-ranging animals where bio-logging data are available. We propose that a similar approach could be applied to other cetacean species.
An insect antifreeze protein fromAnatolica politaenhances the cryoprotection ofXenopus laeviseggs and embryos
Authors: Jevtić Predrag , Elliott K. Wade , Watkins Shelby E. , Sreter Jonathan A. , Jovic Katarina , Lehner Ian B. , Baures Paul W. , Tsavalas John G. , Levy Daniel L. , Varga Krisztina
Published: January 2022

Cryoprotection is of interest in many fields of research, necessitating a greater understanding of different cryoprotective agents. Antifreeze proteins have been identified that have the ability to confer cryoprotection in certain organisms. Antifreeze proteins are an evolutionary adaptation that contributes to the freeze resistance of certain fish, insects, bacteria and plants. These proteins adsorb to an ice crystal's surface and restrict its growth within a certain temperature range. We investigated the ability of an antifreeze protein from the desert beetle Anatolica polita, ApAFP752, to confer cryoprotection in the frog Xenopus laevis. Xenopus laevis eggs and embryos microinjected with ApAFP752 exhibited reduced damage and increased survival after a freeze–thaw cycle in a concentration-dependent manner. We also demonstrate that ApAFP752 localizes to the plasma membrane in eggs and embryonic blastomeres and is not toxic for early development. These studies show the potential of an insect antifreeze protein to confer cryoprotection in amphibian eggs and embryos.
Luminescent Eu(III)-based Coordination Polymers for Photonic Materials
Authors: Hasegawa Yasuchika , Shoji Sunao , Kitagawa Yuichi
Published: January 2022

Eu(III) coordination polymers show red luminescence based on the 4f-4f transitions. The emission spectra are observed by excitation at a π–π* transition band of organic ligands in coordination polymers. The characteristic luminescence is dependent on their coordination geometry, vibrational structures and energy levels of organic ligands. In this review, their photophysical properties are introduced for future photonic materials.
Isolation and Structure Analysis of a Ni(II) Norcorrole Radical Anion
Authors: Ukai Shusaku , Fukui Norihito , Ikeue Takahisa , Shinokubo Hiroshi
Published: January 2022

A radical anion of Ni(II) meso-dimesitylnorcorrole was prepared and isolated upon chemical reduction of the corresponding neutral species with cobaltocene (CoIICp2). The radical anion was substantially stable under degassed solution conditions. X-ray crystal analysis of the radical anion revealed that the structural change by one-electron reduction is marginal. DFT calculations demonstrated that the reorganization energy of Ni(II) norcorrole upon one-electron reduction is smaller than those of Zn(II) porphyrin and C60 fullerenes.
Neonatal osteofibrous dysplasia: Synchronous tibial and fibular involvement is common
Authors: Laidlow-Singh Harsimran , Buddhdev Pranai , Latimer Mark , Wou Pearl , Offiah Amaka C.
Published: January 2022

Osteofibrous dysplasia is a rare non-malignant fibro-osseous bone tumour, first described and characterised under this name by Campanacci in 1976. It is most commonly encountered in the tibia of children and young adults, but less frequently seen in the neonate with only few prior reports in the literature. We report a case of neonatal congenital osteofibrous dysplasia, presenting with unilateral limb deformity at birth. Radiographs demonstrated well-defined mixed lytic-sclerotic lesions, in a previously unreported distribution in this age-group, confined to the distal metadiaphysis of the affected tibia and fibula. Open surgery was performed for deformity correction, with tissue biopsy confirming the radiographically-suspected diagnosis. We present the up-to-date clinical, radiological and pathological findings in this case of a rare pathology with some novel features, within this age group, in disease distribution and consequent radiographic appearances. OFD should be considered in the differential of similar congenital deforming bone lesions of the lower limb. We also review the small number of previously published cases of congenital OFD in the neonate, noting in particular that the frequency of ipsilateral fibular involvement appears to be higher than that observed in older patients.
Review of the research programme on the Mortella III wreck (2010-2020, Corsica, France): A contribution to the knowledge of the Mediterranean naval architecture and material culture of the Renaissance.
Authors: Cazenave de la Roche Arnaud , Ciacchella Fabrizio , Langenegger Fabien , Guérout Max , Milanese Marco , Crespo Solana Ana
Published: January 2022

The Mortella wrecks are the remains of twonavi, Genoese seagoing merchant ships, sunk in 1527 in the Bay of Saint-Florent (Upper-Corsica, France) during the Seventh Italian War. A programme of archaeological excavations and historical research has been held on one of them,  Mortella III, between 2010 and 2020. It has involved a multidisciplinary team around a European research project calledModernShip(Horizon 2020), whose objective is to shed light on Mediterranean shipbuilding during the Renaissance, a field still little known to this day.

At the end of these 10 years, the aim of the present article is to conclude this research programme with the presentation of a scientific review that complements a recently published monograph on theMortella IIIwreck. This study presents the latest results on the ship's architecture obtained during the excavation of the wreck in 2019, including a study of the wood of the framework.

Finally, this article broadens our understanding of thenavepresenting the results of a collaborative line of research on material culture with three studies in close connection with the ship architecture: artillery, anchors and ceramics.
Valuation of copyrights to audiovisual works: transparency practices of the copyright management organizations in the European Union
Authors: Kossecki Paweł , Akin Oguzhan
Published: January 2022

Motivation: The functioning of the audiovisual sector strongly depends on the use of copyrights and related rights. Problems with their clearing could harm the functioning of companies and might even lead to strong financial problems. The distribution of copyright-protected audiovisual works requires the licensing of rights by different rightsholders. Some of them are represented by Copyright Management Organizations (CMOs), which allow users to clear rights for many works without individual negotiations. Fees paid to CMOs for copyright-protected content constitute a significant part of operating costs for companies like TV stations, cable operators, VoD (Video on Demand) platforms. In case of intellectual properties for audiovisual works, CMOs make the valuation. They have been facing legal challenges due to subjective valuations as a result of being monopolies in the local market of the represented country and lack of transparency.

Aim: This work explores the transparency of 21 CMOs in 4 EU countries due to their expected to be an integrated market status as the result of political and economic amalgamation. In addition to the adoption of The European Union Directive on collective management of copyright and multi-territorial licensing of rights, as part of the EU’s Digital Single Market project, this exploratory research, with comparative analysis of CMOs using the linear ordering methods, explains the necessity of an epagogic approach to creating correct institutions besides directives and laws, such as central observation, an ombudsman for conflict management, or an official body to employ these features in one structure to actively govern the market.

Results: The conducted analysis allowed us to reflect on the importance of transparency and taxonomic mapping of the audiovisual market landscape will be the guideline to flatten the copyright valuation divergence in the EU and eventually will pave the way for fewer disputes and more innovations.
Eastern enlargement: analysis of development processes in the EU15 in the context of creative destruction
Authors: Szczepkowska-Flis Agnieszka , Kozłowska Anna
Published: January 2022

Motivation: Studies on the impact of the Eastern enlargement on economies of the EU15 indicate that the new member states could not be a significant engine for development processes. However, this does not exclude that the Eastern enlargement and acceding countries could have a significant impact on the mechanisms of the development of the EU15. If we consider Eastern enlargement as a Schumpeterian innovation, its long-term effects should be evident in the way creative destruction affects economic development.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the Eastern enlargement on the economic development of the EU15 in the context of creative destruction. In particular, the aim of the empirical analyzes was to determine whether and to what extent the enlargement of the EU was a factor modifying the impact of creative destruction on the development of “old” members countries, and to identify the role of the new member states in these processes.

Results: Econometric analysis confirmed that creative destruction influenced economic development in the EU15, and that Eastern enlargement was a factor modifying the relationship between creation, destruction, and the rate of change of GDP per capita. The Eastern enlargement has mobilized two opposing forces. The “internal” force resulting from market selection in the EU15, which after 2004 became an active component of creative destruction, contributing however to a lower rate of change in GDP per capita. The “external” force, related to the mechanism of transmission of impulses within the grouping: synergy effects from destruction in new member countries were a catalyst for the development processes of the EU15, and synergy effects from creation were inhibitors for these processes. In the context of our research the “development leaders” can be considered the largest beneficiaries of Eastern enlargement in the EU15.
Better understanding of the labour market using Big Data
Authors: Vankevich Alena , Kalinouskaya Iryna
Published: January 2022

Motivation: As the result of digitalisation of the economy, the number of Internet users is increasing, which leads to an increase in the number of vacancies posted on online platforms and services. The description of vacancies includes information about skills and competencies, which is the source of additional data for the labour market analysis. This information cannot be received through the analysis of statistical and administrative data. Therefore, it is important: — to learn how to evaluate new information sources, and use the data they generate; — to develop tools that people and organizations will use for finding an employee or a vacant post. The study focuses on the analysis and forecast of labour demand in the context of skills and competencies, which significantly enriches and adds to the information about the labour market and facilitates effective decision-making.

Aim: The main goals of this article are the following: (1) identification of the methodological approaches in the labour market analyses using Big Data; (2) assessment of the labour demand and labour supply in the context of skills and competencies listed in the vacancy description posted on job portals; and (3) determination of the matches (mismatches) between skills and competencies in order to help the companies and individuals get better employment and education. Empirical data used in the research were collected from the description of job vacancies (16 401 vacancies) and CVs (227 215 CVs) from the most popular open job portals in Belarus through the scraping approach and classified according to the ESCO and ISCO codes. Quantitative analysis by the means of artificial intelligence was used in the research.

Results: The study results revealed that the information about the volume and structure of skills and competencies obtained by scraping data from vacancy descriptions and Cvs, which are posted on online portals, allows for more precise diagnostics of labour demand and supply and overcoming of bilateral information asymmetry in the labour market. Based on the analysis, the parameters of scarcity and excess in competencies for individual occupations in the labour market are determined (the level of the correlation ratio between applicants’ competencies and those requested by employers in the context of occupations (four digits according to the ISCO classification) is less 0.8; the deviation of the ranks of competencies listed in CVs and vacancy descriptions according to the ESCO groups of skills/competencies and a sign of revealed deviations). The methodology is developed to set areas for necessary knowledge acquisition (by the analysis of competencies listed in CVs and vacancy descriptions at the 3rd and 4th digit level of ISCED classification) and skills (by the analysis of competencies at the 2nd digit level in ESCO groups). The paper illustrates limitations in using Big Data as an empirical database and explains the measures to eliminate those limitations.
Counterparts, Essences and Quantified Modal Logic
Authors: Bigaj Tomasz
Published: January 2022

It is commonplace to formalize propositions involving essential properties of objects in a language containing modal operators and quantifiers. Assuming David Lewis’s counterpart theory as a semantic framework for quantified modal logic, I will show that certain statements discussed in the metaphysics of modality de re, such as the sufficiency condition for essential properties, cannot be faithfully formalized. A natural modification of Lewis’s translation scheme seems to be an obvious solution but is not acceptable for various reasons. Consequently, the only safe way to express some intuitions regarding essential properties is to use directly the language of counterpart theory without modal operators.
El transhogar: la fusión entre lo público y lo privado por las nuevas tecnologías / The trans- home: the fusion between the public and the private ambit through the new technologies.
Authors: Fernández Bascones Elisa
Published: January 2022

Hoy día se han roto los límites métricos y topológicos en las formas de interrelación entre el ser humano y su entorno. Como consecuencia de esta disolución de la distancia se produciría la transformación del Hogar en Transhogar. Este Trans-hogar se manifestaría, por un lado, en la intromisión de lo privado en lo público, y por otro, en la intromisión de lo público en lo privado. La clave de este fenómeno radicaría en la distorsión del Aquí-Allí. Reflexionaremos sobre la posibilidad de una devaluación de la experiencia como consecuencia de esta distorsión: que la ausencia de desplazamiento no solo se produzca en un sentido físico sino también en un sentido experiencial o existencial, que el Trans-hogar (más allá de sus múltiples beneficios, que también comentaremos) conlleve una pérdida de intimidad y recogimiento como posibilidad de Des-conexión.
A Severe Case of Molluscum Contagiosum Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Siddiqui Nida , Mansfield Brett Stephen , Olmesdahl Nine-Paula , Swart Peter , Nel Jeremy
Published: January 2022

Paradoxical immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients initiating antiretroviral treatment (ART) is caused by restored immunity to specific antigens, resulting in worsening of a pre-existing infection. Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is commonly noted in HIV-positive individuals but ART alone is usually sufficient to bring about resolution. We present a rare case of severe MC-IRIS that worsened despite immune reconstitution.
Healthwise, Part 5. Prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: January 2022

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the importance of public health in the UK and globally. The UK's death rates and obesity rates are related and many people in the UK experience poor health because they are overweight or obese ( Lobstein, 2021 ; Mohammad et al, 2021 ). Obesity increases the risks of developing type 2 diabetes.

People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at greater risk of developing severe COVID symptoms, of requiring hospital treatment and of poor outcomes and death ( Barron et al, 2020 ). This article, the fifth in a series, examines risk factors for type 2 diabetes and explains how readers can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Topological Imbert–Fedorov shifts in silicene
Authors: Akbar Ali , Shah Mudasir , Shah Muzamil
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we study the topological Imbert–Fedorov (IF) shifts of a light beam reflected from a silicene–substrate system in the presence of an externally applied electric field and circularly polarized beam. Silicene is a topological material and due to the strong spin–orbit interaction has a rich phase diagram. Using the famous Kubo formalism, we derive analytical expressions for the longitudinal and transverse Hall conductivities of silicene. By employing angular spectrum analysis, the analytical expression of the spatial IF shift is obtained. We show that electric field/circularly polarized light beam modulated positive and negative spatial beam shifts can be obtained by tuning the angle of incidence near the Brewster angle and the incident photonic energy in the terahertz regime. Furthermore, we also investigate the IF shifts in different topological phases of the silicene by driving the system through distinct topological quantum phase transitions (TQPTs), i.e., from topologically nontrivial to a semi-metallic state and further to a band insulating state by manipulating the interplay between the electric field and circularly polarized light beam. We believe these results are helpful for developing novel optoelectronic, spintronic, and valleytronic devices and may provide a possible technique for probing Berry curvature, topological Chern numbers, and TQPTs by direct optical measurement.
High-efficiency tunable femtosecond solitons generation from 1.9 to 2.35 µm in a thulium-doped fiber amplifier via precise seed-pulse management
Authors: Ge Siyu , Wang Juan , Ren Hongfei , Huang Tao , Yang Peilong , Xia Kai , Mo Shaohui , Qiu Miao , Xu Peipeng , Bai Shengchuang , Dai Shixun , Nie Qiuhua
Published: January 2022

We demonstrate the tunable Raman femtosecond solitons generation with a record-breaking power of 1.2 W at 2.3 µm and an ever-reported highest Raman soliton energy conversion efficiency of 99% via precise seed-pulse management in the thulium-doped single-mode fiber amplifier. We find that the central wavelength and the chirp of the incident pulses could dramatically affect the red-shifted soliton energy, locations, conversion efficiency, and the threshold power in fundamental Raman soliton generation. For the first time, we experimentally illustrated how the seed pulse with Kelly sidebands could affect the Raman solitons generation in this amplifier, and obtained the detailed regularity between the parameters of incident pulses and the properties of the generated solitons. This work provides useful guidance for Raman soliton-based high-power mid-infrared femtosecond laser fabrication.
Femtosecond laser nanostructuring on a 4H-SiC surface by tailoring the induced self-assembled nanogratings
Authors: Xie Xuhuan , Lei Liang , Zhao Xinjie , Ma Lin , Tang Guowu , Qiu Jianrong , Zhang Fangteng , Nie Zhaogang
Published: January 2022

Ultrafast laser micromachining of crystalline silicon carbide (SiC) has great perspectives in aerospace industry and integrated circuit technique. In this report, we present a study of femtosecond laser nanostructuring on the surface of an n-type 4H-SiC single crystal. Except for uniform nanogratings, new types of large-area periodic structures including nanoparticle array and nanoparticle-nanograting hybrid structures were induced on the surface of 4H-SiC by scanning irradiation. The effects of pulse energy, scan speed, and the polarization direction on the morphology and periodicity of nanogratings were systematically explored. The proper parameter window for nanograting formation in pulse energy-scan speed landscape is depicted. Both the uniformity and the periodicity of the induced nanogratings are polarization dependent. A planar light attenuator for linear polarized light was demonstrated by aligning the nanogratings. The transition between different large-area periodic structures is achieved by simultaneous control of pulse energy and scan interval using a cross scan strategy. These results are expected to open up an avenue to create and manipulate periodic nanostructures on SiC crystals for photonic applications.