bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Discovery of the Bazaar of Heracleides of Damascus and the Reassessment of the Christology of Nestorius of Constantinople
Authors: Lu James ,   Academic Publishing
Published: December 2021

Nestorius and his relationship with his eponymous heresy, Nestorianism, has been a controversial topic in religious studies and in Christian theology. Largely thought to have been condemned for professing Nestorianism, the discovery of the Bazaar of Heracleides of Damascus (written by him in exile) led to a wide-reaching reassessment of this very relationship. Despite Nestorius’ protestations in defence of his own perceived orthodoxy, his rejection of the stronger term henosis for the weaker synapheia to describe the union of the natures of Christ and criticism of the use of the term “hypostatic union” both demonstrate that, implicitly, he did profess a two-person Christology. The authenticity of the Bazaar’s authorship and other historiographical issues came to the fore soon after its discovery. The dating of certain key events and the silence of Nestorius in other parts have led to a consensus of sorts amongst scholars in accepting the Bazaar, in large part, as being the work of Nestorius whilst still admitting of later additions and emendations. This article examines the relationship between Nestorius and Nestorianism, explains key theological terminology used in the Christological debates of the First Council of Ephesus and the Council of Chalcedon, situates Ephesus I and Chalcedon in their proper context and their relationship to Nestorius, provides an overview of the key arguments for and against the acceptance of the authorship of the Bazaar, and includes a concise summary of the most compelling arguments in favour of the acceptance of the Bazaar’s authorship.
Heights We Live By
Authors: Mitrović Todor ,   Gnomon Center for the Humanities
Published: December 2021

This paper deals with the latent religious aspects of the tremendous impact that the Inter­net manifests in every single segment of contemporary culture. Through comparative research of the ways primordial, archetypal cognitive matrices migrated throughout different modalities of our thinking and behavior in the 20th and 21st centuries, the following research argues that deep religious longings might have been hidden (ignored, even abused) in the various ways the planetary informational network is exploited in our times. As a consequence, an alarming need for philosophical and theological rethinking and re-inspiring of this prodigious, unprecedented and omnipresent social prosthesis is recognized.
Hamlet of ʽAin el-Gedida in Dakhla Oasis
Authors: Aravecchia Nicola
Published: December 2021

This article discusses archaeological and documentary evidence from the late Roman settlement of ʽAin el-Gedida (located in the Dakhla Oasis of Upper Egypt), with a particular focus on the site’s likely identification as an epoikion, i.e., a small rural center associated with the management of a large agricultural estate. ʽAin el-Gedida was first excavated by an Egyptian mission in 1993–1995 and immediately raised interest among scholars working in the oasis, with the site being preliminarily identified either as a rural village or a monastic settlement. More recent excavations and study seasons, conducted (from 2006 to 2010) by a Columbia University (then New York University) mission directed by Roger Bagnall, has allowed investigators to gather a substantial amount of new data. This evidence, published in 2018 and more recently in 2020, supports the likely identification of ʽAin el-Gedida as an epoikion over other types of settlements. In this article, the data from ʽAin el-Gedida are discussed in light of what is known from documentary sources about epoikia, as well as modern Egyptian ezab. Worthy of note is that not many other agricultural hamlets of a comparable size have been extensively excavated and published thus far. It is also remarkable that, while written evidence on epoikia abounds, the site of ʽAin el-Gedida may provide the first available archaeological evidence for this type of settlement; therefore, it may offer new and useful data on the layout and organization of epoikia in late antique Egypt.
Educational Context of a Literary Text
Authors: Jurjens Judith
Published: December 2021

This article presents an analysis of two paratextual features which are occasionally found on material objects (ostraca and papyri) containing The Teaching of Khety, namely drawings and marginalia, in other words, hieratic signs written in the margin representing writing exercises or corrections. Inspired by Material Philology, the various examples are discussed in order to gain insights into the scribal environment in which Khety was produced. The paper focuses especially on the educational context of this literary text.
Review of Ethnic Identities in the Land of the Pharaohs
Authors: De Souza Aaron M.
Published: December 2021

Uroš Matić, Ethnic Identities in the Land of the Pharaohs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020. Elements in Ancient Egypt in Context 2. ISBN 978-1108885577. 82 pp. with B&W and colour images. $20 Paperback; $16 eBook.
MSA: The forgotten index for identifying inappropriate items before computing exploratory item factor analysis
Authors: Lorenzo-Seva Urbano , Ferrando Pere J.
Published: December 2021

Kaiser’s single-variable measure of sampling adequacy (MSA) is a very useful index for debugging inappropriate items before a factor analysis (FA) solution is fitted to an item-pool dataset for item selection purposes. For reasons discussed in the article, however, MSA is hardly used nowadays in this context. In our view, this is unfortunate. In the present proposal, we first discuss the foundation and rationale of MSA from a ‘modern’ FA view, as well as its usefulness in the item selection process. Second, we embed the index within a robust approach and propose improvements in the preliminary item selection process. Third, we implement the proposal in different statistical programs. Finally, we illustrate its use and advantages with an empirical example in personality measurement.
Integrating informative hypotheses into the EffectLiteR framework
Authors: Keck Caroline , Mayer Axel , Rosseel Yves
Published: December 2021

Using the EffectLiteR framework, researchers can test classical null hypotheses about effects of interest via Wald and F-tests, while taking into account the stochastic nature of group sizes. This paper aims at extending EffectLiteR to test informative hypotheses, assuming for example that the average effect of a new treatment is greater than the average effect of an old treatment, which in turn is greater than zero. We present a simulated data example to show two methodological novelties. First, we illustrate how to use the Fbar- and generalized linear Wald test to assess informative hypotheses. While the classical test did not reach significance, the informative test correctly rejected the null hypothesis, indicating the need to take into account the order of the treatment groups. Second, we demonstrate how to account for stochastic group sizes in informative hypotheses using the generalized non-linear Wald statistic. The paper concludes with a short data example.
Editorial
Authors: Martínez-Pérez Carlos , Ros-Franch Sonia , Zamora Samuel , Ferrón Humberto G.
Published: December 2021

The present issue of the Spanish Journal of Palaeontology - SJP represents the fi rst one entirely produced by the new editorial team. At this point, it is necessary to acknowledge the work done by our predecessors, led by our colleague Julio Aguirre, who have been able to maintain the scientifi c quality and periodicity of the Journal. This is especially remarkable given the problems related to the fact that SJP is entirely produced by our society and not by a big editorial. Their selfl essly work has set the bases and high-quality standards of our Journal, warning us about the diffi culty of our new commitment. We hope not to disappoint the trust that the Spanish Palaeontology Society has placed in this editorial team, the main goal of which being to continue with and improve the work done so far.
Intermediary Liability in the EU Digital Common Market
Authors: Hoffmann Thomas , Sagar Sander
Published: December 2021

The European Union is committed to its transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership, and synergies to be created in the EU Digital Common Market provide ample opportunities to achieve these goals: While from an economic perspective, the maximisation of market opportunities and the creation of a globally competitive digital economy are desirable, the transition must be technologically and ecologically sustainable and additionally compatible with established EU consumer protection standards. The latter is especially relevant in terms of the liability of online intermediaries for digital services, taking into account the rapid transformation of the digital architecture and the emergence of new major digital platforms for sales and services. This chapter, which is based on the Bachelor thesis handed in by Sander Sagar and supervised by Thomas Hoffmann for graduation at TalTech Law School, Tallinn University of Technology, intends to elucidate how the transition towards a common digital market is legally established in practice using as an example the adoption of the intermediaries’ liability regime to a digitalized environment from the E-Commerce Directive to the Digital Services Act.
Europe facing the digital challenge: obstacles and solutions
Authors: Ramiro Troitino David , Kerikmäe Tanel
Published: December 2021

Introductions to the dossier “Europe facing the digital challenge: obstacles and solutions
Tools for peer assessment in an e-learning environment
Authors: Nordseth Hugo , Ekker Sonja , Munkvold Robin
Published: December 2021

Our exploration of peer assessment in the formative feedback of themes within ITL111 Digital Competence for teachers (15 ECTS) and GEO102 Physical Geography (15 ECTS) is based on support from tools within the LMS, sets of learning based outcomes, rubrics and Six Thinking Hats. The overall effect is improved quality of the student assignments and deeper learning. The best results were registered with the use of rubrics where the students were presented with clearly defined criteria for expected performance on a sample of different themes within the course. In order to perform the peer review, the students had to acquire the basic knowledge of the various themes. In addition, seeing how others solved the assignment provided the student with reflections on the themes that would improve the student's own final portfolio.
Digital storytelling as an emerging documentary form
Authors: Sanchez-Laws Ana Luisa
Published: December 2021

This contribution presents the idea that digital storytelling can be fruitfully studied using concepts and perspectives from documentary theory. Two definitions of digital storytelling are analysed and compared to how documentary filmmaking has been characterized. From this comparison, it is possible to argue that digital storytelling works within a contextual contract similar to that of documentary filmmaking, especially in regard to the positioning of the audience and the media product. The study of digital storytelling might accordingly benefit from the ongoing discussions in documentary theory about authorial responsibility and claims of realism and truthfulness.
Developing Voice in Digital Storytelling Through Creativity, Narrative and Multimodality
Authors: Nilsson Monica
Published: December 2021

For Simon, who is nine years old, reading and writing are obstacles rather than tools. However, when offered the opportunity to create digital stories, Simon becomes deeply engaged. He creates complex stories within different genres based on a variety of subjects. He both expresses and creates meaning through his digital storytelling. He develops what Elbow calls ´voice.´ In the paper I argue that digital storytelling became a resource for Simon which triggered his interest in literacy because of two specific features: multimodality and narrative. Vygotsky’s work on development of  literacy and creativity comprise a theoretical point of departure and I claim that new media has the potential to play a significant role in this realm.
Poetic reflection through digital storytelling – a methodology to foster professional health worker identity in students
Authors: Jamissen Grete , Skou Goro
Published: December 2021

In the field of digital storytelling research there is a focus on personal narratives, multimedia and the creative process in developing identity and voice. The project introduced in this paper has identified contexts in higher education where digital storytelling may be used as a promising tool to support students’ learning, assisting them to combine theory and practical experience in their field of study. Students in the health professions need to develop a professional identity based on both social and technical competencies. Technical competencies concord with what students expect to be taught in a university college. The development of social competence and professional identity, however, requires a different approach, involving students reflecting on their experiences from working in health institutions. We suggest that a particular mode of reflection, a poetic mode, exemplified by digital storytelling, may serve as a tool for students in this process of learning from practice. Three characteristics of digital storytelling are discussed: the narrative approach, multimodality and creativity, all in search of defining characteristics of a personal professional story. A model is described through a three cycle development project, illustrated by the terms pioneers and pathfinders for the first two cohorts of students and digital storytellers for the changes planned for the third cohort in the light of our experiences.
Creating and Reading Images: Towards a Communication Framework for Higher Education Learning
Authors: Lackovic Natasa
Published: December 2021

This article offers theoretical underpinnings that can support an image-based communication framework for Higher Education. This framework targets students in higher education for the purposes of their productive engagement with curriculum content through visual materials and accompanying narratives. Its structure is presented in the concluding part of the article and arises from the reviewed literature throughout the article. Within this structure, blogs are suggested to serve the purpose of an image and narrative repository. The main argument in the article is that image-based communication provides a tool for externalizing students’ process of concept understanding. That understanding is seen to surface while students create, explain in writing and then discuss the created images with their peers and teacher. In that respect, the suggested framework might provide a channel for expressing students’ prior knowledge and cultural background alongside being an alternative way of communication method in Higher Education.
Gender Profiles of Internet and Mobile Phone Use among Norwegian Adolescents
Authors: Watten Reidulf G. , Kleiven Jo , Fostervold Knut Inge , Fauske Halvor , Volden Frode
Published: December 2021

The aim of this current project was to investigate gender profiles in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), primarily the Internet and mobile phones, and problems encountered in the use of these technologies. The sample survey consisted of teenagers, 4294 15-16 year olds (2067 females and 2227 males) from two counties in Eastern Norway, who had participated in a nationwide survey administered by the National Institute of Public Health. The results showed that Norwegian girls used the Internet far more often social activities such as chatting and e-mail while boys preferred to use it for entertainment and computational activities, such as Gaming, E-commerce, viewing multimedia, and for programming. Girls used their mobile phones far more often for Text messaging (Short Message Service - SMS) than boys, who more frequently used their mobile phones for technical functions (alarm, gaming, Internet, etc.). There was no gender gap in everyday phone usage. Both genders experienced few of the problems associated with ICT use. The most frequent problem encountered by both genders was increased economic costs.
Cooperative Online Education
Authors: Paulsen Morten Flate
Published: December 2021

Cooperative learning seeks to develop virtual learning environments that allow students to have optimal individual freedom within online learning communities. The pedagogical and administrative challenges with regard to accommodating both individual freedom and cooperation are explained in the Theory of Cooperative Freedom. This article shows that cooperative learning can be implemented successfully through a set of instruments or means. To illustrate this with current examples, the article presents NKI Distance Education’s surveys and experiences with cooperative learning. The article also discusses how issues such as web 2.0, transparency, learning partners and individual progression plans relate to cooperative online education.
Identifying Needs: A Missing Part in Teacher Training Programs
Authors: Moeini Hosein
Published: December 2021

Diverse compositions of student populations, changing paradigms in teaching and learning, and changing expectations about the quality of education occur in every society at an unexpected rate. In the absence of well designed professional development programs, teachers have been expected to learn how to improve their teaching on their own, learn from trial and error, and individually seek the required professional development. In the new educational era, the trial and error teaching, and take it or leave it professional development programs cannot be accepted anymore. Teacher training is more than the matter of only mastery of certain practical knowledge, pedagogical skills, and techniques. It has to concern teachers’ own perception about the fields in which they don’t feel knowledgeable. This article is a theoretical study intended to give an insight into teachers’ training, their professional development, importance of needs analysis, and integration of needs analysis and information and communication technology in teacher preparation programs. It emphasizes that information and communication technology can enhance teachers’ learning and their professional developments by giving opportunities to initiate new ideas through their training programs.
Digitalized story-making in the classroom- A social semiotic perspective on gender, multimodality and learning
Authors: Skaar Håvard
Published: December 2021

The article takes the case of pupils in a fifth-year primary school class (10-11 years old) who use text and pictures in their creative writing on the classroom computers. The study confirms what the research literature indicates, that girls show more interest than boys in writing and story-telling, while boys show greater interest than girls in using computer technology. Social semiotics is used as a theoretical basis for analysing the connection between these differences and relating them to what girls and boys learn.  In a social semiotic perspective, learning can be related to the experience of the difference between what we intend to express and what we actually manage to express or mean. In the article, it is argued that social semiotics provides a theoretical basis for asserting that the girls in this case learn more than the boys because they associate themselves with the signs they use through more choices than the boys. The girls, we could say, put their own mark on the signs by coding or creating them themselves while the boys tend more to choose ready-made signs. Ready-made signs require fewer choices than the signs we make or code ourselves. Fewer choices means less experience of the difference between what we wish to mean and what we actually mean, and hence less learning. A pedagogical consequence of this is that boys may be better served by having online work with multimodality of expression organised in such a way that it combines as far as possible the use of ready-made signs with signs they code or create themselves.
SISTEMA FEMININO: RESISTÊNCIAS FEMININAS NO RAP
Authors: Sampaio Carolina Ofranti
Published: December 2021

Durante anos a mídia e a cultura insistiam em representações femininas que valorizavam a submissão das mulheres negras, em imagens de controle estereotipadas. Indo de encontro a estes retratos dissimulados, muitas mulheres começaram a assumir o papel de protagonistas e utilizaram de ferramentas culturais para expressar suas demandas e exercer suas resistências. Dessa forma, por meio da análise de conteúdo das letras do álbum de rap Sistema Feminino, este artigo busca estudar o rap como espaço de luta ideológica de gênero e utilizam um discurso de resistência em suas músicas, questionando as relações de poder e ressignificando os papeis sociais de gênero.
A NOÇÃO DE CULTURA EM APROPRIAÇÃO CULTURAL
Authors: Casella Cesar Augusto de Oliveira
Published: December 2021

Resenha de WILLIAM, Rodney. Apropriação cultural. São Paulo, SP: Pólen, 2019.
p53 mutations define the chromatin landscape to confer drug tolerance in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Zampieri Carlotta , Panatta Emanuele , Corbo Vincenzo , Mauriello Alessandro , Melino Gerry , Amelio Ivano
Published: December 2021

Somatic inactivation of p53 (TP53) mainly occurs as missense mutations that lead to the acquisition of neomorphic mutant protein forms. p53 mutants have been postulated to exert gain‐of‐function (GOF) effects, including promotion of metastasis and drug tolerance, which generally contribute to the acquisition of the lethal phenotype. Here, by integrating a p53R270H‐dependent transcriptomic analysis with chromatin accessibility (ATAC‐seq) profiling, we shed light on the molecular basis of a p53 mutant‐dependent drug‐tolerant phenotype in pancreatic cancer. p53R270H finely tunes chromatin accessibility in specific genomic loci, orchestrating a transcriptional programme that participates in phenotypic evolution of the cancer. We specifically focused on the p53R270H‐dependent regulation of the tyrosine kinase receptor macrophage‐stimulating protein receptor (MST1r). MST1r deregulation substantially impinged on drug response in the experimental model, recapitulating the p53R270H‐dependent phenotype, and strongly correlated with p53 mutant and aggressive phenotype in pancreatic cancer patients. As cellular plasticity in the final stages of the evolution of pancreatic cancer seems to predominantly originate from epigenetic mechanisms, we propose that mutant p53 participates in the acquisition of a lethal phenotype by fine‐tuning the chromatin landscape.
Androgen receptor‐mediated transcriptional repression targets cell plasticity in prostate cancer
Authors: Erdmann Éva , Ould Madi Berthélémy Pauline , Cottard Félicie , Angel Charlotte Zoe , Schreyer Edwige , Ye Tao , Morlet Bastien , Negroni Luc , Kieffer Bruno , Céraline Jocelyn
Published: December 2021

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling remains the key therapeutic target in the management of hormone‐naïve‐advanced prostate cancer (PCa) and castration‐resistant PCa (CRPC). Recently, landmark molecular features have been reported for CRPC, including the expression of constitutively active AR variants that lack the ligand‐binding domain. Besides their role in CRPC, AR variants lead to the expression of genes involved in tumor progression. However, little is known about the specificity of their mode of action compared with that of wild‐type AR (AR‐WT). We performed AR transcriptome analyses in an androgen‐dependent PCa cell line as well as cross‐analyses with publicly available RNA‐seq datasets and established that transcriptional repression capacity that was marked for AR‐WT was pathologically lost by AR variants. Functional enrichment analyses allowed us to associate AR‐WT repressive function to a panel of genes involved in cell adhesion and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. So, we postulate that a less documented AR‐WT normal function in prostate epithelial cells could be the repression of a panel of genes linked to cell plasticity and that this repressive function could be pathologically abrogated by AR variants in PCa.
Methods and Instrumentation in Energy Storage
Authors: Mishra Abhiroop , Gossage Zachary T. , Sarbapalli Dipobrato , Zhao Yuanya , Rodríguez‐López Joaquín
Published: December 2021

Electrochemical energy storage systems (EESS), such as batteries, rely on a plethora of dynamic processes including electron and ion transfer, phase transformations, and side reactions, that make their characterization critical toward improving device performance. Both traditional and advanced electroanalytical methods are applied to investigate and evaluate phenomena from the bulk electrode behavior to key interfacial processes, and beyond. Understanding the complexity of energy storage chemistry involves measurements across wide timescales and different spatial dimensions, with high chemical resolution. These demanding characteristics continue to push the development of new analytical instrumentation and methods for better assessment and further improvement of EESS. We discuss the working principles, methods, and instruments needed to evaluate their characteristics and performance. We provide a broad coverage of the electroanalytical principles (e.g. equations, instrumental design, etc.) available for evaluating Li‐ion, redox flow, and other popular EESS. Classical techniques covered include galvanostatic and potentiostatic (dis)charge, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy. We discuss traditional and advanced tools for
in situ
,
operando
, and coupled methods to evaluate energy storage materials and the interfacial chemistry under real operating conditions. These include electrochemical methods coupled to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), neutron‐based methods, X‐ray methods, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to name a few. We hope this introduction to instrumental analysis of EESS is didactical to the novice practitioner and informative to those wishing to expand their knowledge of energy storage.
Waste‐Derived Biocarbons as Nonnoble Metal Catalysts and Supports for Nanocatalysts for Fuel Cells Reactions in Alkaline Media
Authors: Rodríguez‐Varela Javier , Alonso‐Lemus Ivonne L.
Published: December 2021

Encouraging results have been obtained from the characterization and testing of biocarbons derived from widely available waste biomass, foreseeing their use in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC). Pyrolysis is the most common route to synthetize biocarbons from biomass, but hydro‐ and solvothermal treatments have gained attention because of the possibility of developing hierarchically ordered structures. In most cases, biocarbons from biomass are self‐doped with heteroatoms, although the relative concentration of those species can be increased by doping during the thermal treatment of the biomass. Moreover, their surface chemistry can be modified to create functional groups that act as centers for the adsorption of molecules and the anchorage of nanoparticles. The most common application of the structurally disorder and amorphous biocarbons is as self‐standing metal‐free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). To a lesser extent, biocarbons have been investigated as supports of noble metal and nonnoble metal nanoparticles. In the first case, the application has been mostly as anodes for the oxidation of organic molecules, since Pt and Pd are highly active for such reactions. In the second, the impregnation of biocarbons mainly with Co and Fe nanoparticles has promoted a high catalytic activity for the ORR. Being produced from cheap biomass resources, the technological challenge of biocarbons is to achieve the high electrocatalytic performance required to contend with, and eventually replace, the benchmark Pt/C (as electrocatalysts) and Vulcan XC‐72 (as support).
Opioid Use Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Knee Osteoarthritis: Prevalence and Correlates of Chronic Use
Authors: Losina Elena , Song Shuang , Bensen Gordon P. , Katz Jeffrey N.
Published: December 2021

Objective

To determine the prevalence of chronic and occasional opioid use and identify risk factors of opioid use among persons with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

We used the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey to select a knee OA cohort. We obtained data on demographics characteristics, marital status, comorbidities, insurance, and prescription medication coverage from survey data and linked Medicare claims. We included all prescribed medication records classified as opioid under the First Databank therapeutic antiarthritics or analgesics categories. We stratified individuals with knee OA into 3 opioid use groups: 1) nonusers (0 prescriptions/year), 2) occasional users (1–5 prescriptions/year), and 3) chronic users (6+ prescriptions/year). We built multivariable logistic regression models using a generalized estimating equation to determine correlates of chronic opioid use.

Results

Among 3,549 Medicare beneficiaries with knee OA and a mean ± SD age of 78 ± 7 years, 68% were female, 9% were chronic users, and 21% used opioids occasionally. Multivariable analysis showed that non‐Hispanic ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] 4.8, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.2–10.2), divorced status (vs. married; OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.5–3.5), Medicaid eligibility (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3–2.7), depression (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5–2.5), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4–2.5), and inability to walk without assistive devices (vs. no difficulty walking; OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5–3.7) were independently associated with chronic opioid use.

Conclusion

A total of 9% of persons with knee OA use opioids chronically. Efforts to find nonopioid regimens for treating knee OA pain should be tailored to patients at high risk for chronic use.
Examination of the Validity of Skin Ultrasound to Quantitate Skin Involvement for Multicenter Clinical Trials in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc): A Systematic Literature Review (SLR)
Authors: Aly Omar M. , Kafaja Kevin L. , Suliman Yossra A. , Furst Daniel E.
Published: December 2021

Objective

The study objective was to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) of ultrasound of the skin in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to establish the degree to which ultrasound of the skin has been validated, using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Filter.

Methods

We conducted an SLR of publications between 1950 and 2018, using PubMed and Cochrane library, to examine ultrasound validity to quantitate SSc skin involvement. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) in English; (2) used the 1980 or 2013 classification criteria for SSc criteria; (3) either a randomized controlled trial, an observational study, or a case study including more than 15 patients; (4) subjects 18 years of age or older; (5) for mixed patient populations, SSc results were separable; and (6) the ultrasound machine was clearly described. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) not in English; (2) data did not record at least one of the validation criteria; (3) subjects aged less than 18 years; (4) subjects had disease other than SSc (eg, localized scleroderma or scleroderma‐like disease); (5) a letter to the editor or an editorial; and (6) involved a modified Rodnan skin score of less than 2. Descriptive statistics were generated for each criterion.

Results

From an initial 292 citations, 14 articles (1,055 patients) met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The status of validation for ultrasound was evaluated by using the OMERACT criteria of truth, discrimination, and feasibility (in turn divided into nine different criteria). Face, criterion, content, construct, reliability, and responsiveness criteria were met, and the feasibility criterion was partially met, whereas discrimination and reproducibility criteria were not met.

Conclusion

Based on an SLR through December 31, 2018, ultrasound of the skin met some but not all validation criteria for use in clinical trials.
Teen substance use showed record declines in 2021: MTF
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: December 2021

According to the Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) last week, the percentage of adolescents reporting substance use decreased significantly in 2021.
Synthesis of Tostadas‐Shaped Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Remitting Capacity Fading of Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Cai Yueji , Wang Weikang , Cao Xuanxuan , Wei Lingfei , Ye Caichao , Meng Chunfeng , Yuan Aihua , Pang Huan , Yu Chao
Published: December 2021

Electrode design strategies that aim to increase the electrochemical performance of Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) play a key role in tapping into the power of the energy transformations involved. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted scientific interest as electrode materials for LIBs, while the utilization of pristine MOFs is hindered by limited conductivity and stability, partly due to their lack of hierarchically structured pores. Herein a hydrothermal‐mechanical synthesis is reported by combining the one‐pot chemical fabrication of Ni3(2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexaiminotriphenylene)2 sheets and particles, and the mechanical assembly of these building blocks to improve electrical conductivity is also described. The as‐prepared ensemble (denoted as NHM) exhibits a Tostadas‐shaped structure with enriched ultramicropores and micropores. The charge‐discharge profile of NHM gives a superior reversible capacity of 1280 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at the rate of 0.1 A g−1, surpassing the state‐of‐art pristine MOFs‐based anodes. Moreover, NHM is capable of maintaining 392 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles, the completion of a stability test in coin cell‐powered light emitting diodes further visualizes the remitted capacity fading of NHM. This work breaks through the limitation of capacity for pristine MOFs, providing a new pathway for achieving better energy conversion and storage.
From Crystalline to Partially Amorphous: A Facile Strategy toward Sulfur Vacancy‐Enriched CoNi2S4 Nanosheets with Improved Supercapacitor Performance
Authors: Xu Yazhou , Peng Mengke , Zhang Kaiyang , Wang Li , Chen Jierui , Hu Ting , Yuan Kai
Published: December 2021

Supercapacitors (SCs) are considered to be a promising energy storage technology due to their superior electrochemical properties. However, to meet the continuously rising demands of energy density, SCs need to be equipped with high specific capacitance. For this purpose, partially amorphous CoNi2S4 nanosheets grown directly on nickel foam (PA‐CoNi2S4/NF) are successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal method combined with follow‐up KBH4 treating. The nanosheets structure optimizes the ion transport path and the amorphous crystals endow PA‐CoNi2S4/NF with numerous sulfur vacancies. Therefore, the as‐prepared PA‐CoNi2S4/NF possess high specific capacitance (3305 F g–1 at 2 A g–1) and excellent capacitance retention of 66.4% when the current density increases from 2 to 100 A g–1. In addition, an asymmetric supercapacitor device composed of PA‐CoNi2S4/NF as a positive electrode and activated carbon as a negative electrode exhibits a high energy density of 43.4 Wh kg–1 at a power density of 800.4 W kg–1, as well as excellent long‐term cyclic stability. This work offers a simple approach for the fabrication of transition metal sulfide materials with high electrochemical activities in SCs and other electrochemical energy‐related fields.
Cultivating trust in technology‐mediated sustainable agricultural research
Authors: Raturi Ankita , Thompson Jennifer J. , Ackroyd Victoria , Chase Carlene A. , Davis Brian W. , Myers Robert , Poncet Aurelie , Ramos‐Giraldo Paula , Reberg‐Horton Chris , Rejesus Roderick , Robertson Alison , Ruark Matthew D. , Seehaver‐Eagen Sarah , Mirsky Steven
Published: December 2021

We formed the Precision Sustainable Agriculture (PSA) team to conduct interdisciplinary research and technology development to improve adoption and practice of knowledge‐intensive sustainable agricultural practices such as cover cropping. In this paper, we share our approach to cultivating trust among diverse stakeholders (researchers, farmers, extensionists, agricultural and information specialists, private and public entities) vested in agricultural data collection, management, and use. Our trust framework describes how we aim to be trusted with data (through preserving privacy and increasing stakeholder agency) and trusted in the process (through practicing transparency and accountability). It is operationalized through a series of social and technical infrastructures. Our project governance, stakeholder engagement tools and activities, and technology development methods aim to promote transparency and accountability in our process. We use a maturity model to govern data acquisition to ensure that only robust, privacy‐preserving technologies are deployed on our partner farms and describe evolving mechanisms for handling data with varying sensitivity. Finally, we share preliminary work aimed at anticipating data use, and identify challenges on the horizon for cultivating trust in agricultural technologies and data‐driven agriculture.
Feasibility of distraction osteogenesis maxillary expansion in patients with persistent nasal obstruction after septoplasty
Authors: Liu Stanley Yung‐Chuan , Yoon Audrey , Abdelwahab Mohamed , Yu Myeong Sang
Published: December 2021

Background

Distraction osteogenesis maxillary expansion (DOME) is an emerging surgical concept for obstructive sleep apnea patients with a high‐arched and narrow hard palate presenting with nasal obstruction. Herein we demonstrate the feasibility of DOME in the treatment of patients with persistent nasal obstruction after primary septoplasty.

Methods

A total of 32 consecutive patients with persistent nasal obstruction after septoplasty who underwent DOME were enrolled in this study. The efficacy of DOME in treating persistent nasal obstruction in septoplasty failure patients was evaluated using the validated Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale. Pre‐ and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were performed to measure the change of nasal floor width after surgery.

Results

NOSE score improved significantly from 13.62 ± 4.74 to 5.15 ± 3.50 (p < 0.001) after DOME. The postoperative CT scan showed a significant increase of the nasal floor width from 22.4 ± 4.21 to 28.06 ± 4.52 (p < 0.01). No patient had major complications such as wound infection, oronasal fistula, sinusitis, loss of incisor teeth, or malunion.

Conclusion

We found that DOME appears to improve persistent nasal obstruction after septoplasty in patients with a narrow and high‐arched hard palate.
Transforming Rhodamine Dyes for (d)STORM Super‐Resolution Microscopy via 1,3‐Disubstituted Imidazolium Substitution
Authors: Wang Bowen , Xiong Michael , Susanto Josephine , Li Xue , Leung Wai‐Yee , Xu Ke
Published: December 2021

We introduce a strategy to optimize the photoswitching behavior of rhodamines for (d)STORM super‐resolution microscopy. By replacing the benzene ring in the rhodamine core with a permanently charged 1,3‐disubstituted imidazolium, the resultant dyes are markedly sensitized toward photoswitching, and exhibit outstanding (d)STORM performance with fast on‐off switching, long‐lasting blinking, and bright single‐molecule emission. We thus attain excellent (d)STORM images under green excitation that are on par with the “ideal” red‐excited dyes, including for difficult structures such as the mammalian actin cytoskeleton, and demonstrate high‐quality two‐color three‐dimensional (d)STORM.
Aquimarins, Peptide Antibiotics with Amino‐Modified C‐Termini from a Sponge‐DerivedAquimarinasp. Bacterium
Authors: Dieterich Cora L. , Probst Silke I. , Ueoka Reiko , Sandu Ioana , Schäfle Daniel , Molin Michael Dal , Minas Hannah A. , Costa Rodrigo , Oxenius Annette , Sander Peter , Piel Jörn
Published: December 2021

Genome mining and bioactivity studies suggested the sponge‐derived bacteriumAquimarinasp. Aq135 as a producer of new antibiotics. Activity‐guided isolation identified antibacterial peptides, named aquimarins, featuring a new scaffold with an unusual C‐terminal amino group and chlorine moieties. Responsible for the halogenation is the FeII/α‐ketoglutarate‐dependent chlorinase AqmA that halogenates up to two isoleucine residues in a carrier protein‐dependent fashion. Total syntheses of two natural aquimarins and eight non‐natural variants were developed. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies with these compounds showed that the synthetically more laborious chlorinations are not required for antibacterial activity but enhance cytotoxicity. In contrast, variants lacking the C‐terminal amine were virtually inactive, suggesting diamines similar to the terminal aquimarin residue as candidate building blocks for new peptidomimetic antibiotics.
Influence of co‐ligand on the biological properties of Schiff base metal complexes: Synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial studies
Authors: Vijayan Thamilarasan , Kim Jinheung , Azam Mohammad , Al‐Resayes Saud I. , Stalin Antony , Kannan Balakrishnan Senthamarai , Jayamani Arumugam , Ayyakannu Arumugam , Nallathambi Sengottuvelan
Published: December 2021

In this work, six new mixed ligand Schiff base metal complexes of [M2(L1)(X)2Cl4] type, (where, M = CoII, NiII, CuII, L1 = Schiff base ligand derived from 1‐pyrenecarboxaldehyde and 1,4‐bis[3‐aminopropyl]piperazine and X = pyrazine‐2‐carboxylic acid or 2,2′‐biimidazole) were synthesized and studied their biological activity and cytotoxicity. The synthesized Schiff base ligands, their metal complexes were characterized by Infrared, UV‐Visible spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Density functional theory calculations were performed to examine the molecular geometry and frontier molecular orbital properties of complexes (1–6). The DNA binding ability of these complexes (1–6) was evaluated by in vitro spectroscopic (absorption and fluorescence) titrations, viscosity measurements, and in silica by molecular docking measurements. The results showed a good binding propensity with the binding constant from 2.65 × 104 to 3.38 × 105 M−1 in the order 6 > 5 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 1, respectively. All complexes exhibited a good binding affinity to BSA proteins with relatively higher binding constant values similar to the trend of DNA binding studies and where Cu (II) complexes have greater efficiency than Co (II) and Ni (II) complexes. The in vitro cytotoxic study of all the complexes was investigated in the cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line, which displayed IC50 values of 1.36–24.2 μM, signifying the potential of complexes for an operative anticancer drug. Metal complexes were also screened for antimicrobial properties, which showed virtuous inhibition than the free ligands.
Facile Azabenz‐Annulations through UV‐induced Photocyclization: A Promising Method for Perylenediimide‐Based Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Sun Hua , Mu Zifeng , Yang Canglei , Zhang Kai , Ji Xingyu , Zhang Tianshu , Ding Huanda , Wang Shifan , Dong Liming , Zhang Jing , Zhang Qichun
Published: December 2021

The derivatization of perylenediimides (PDIs) by bay decoration is essential for the development of PDI‐based semiconductors owing to their excellent photoelectric properties. Herein, four bis‐azabenz‐annulated PDIs (bis‐AzaBPDIs) are concisely synthesized in high yields through ultraviolet‐induced photocyclization, where the reaction processes including aldimine condensation, cyclization, and oxidative re‐aromatization are investigated. The optical characterizations and theoretical simulation reveal that the unique properties of the four bis‐AzaBPDIs are comparable to their parent PDI. Organic field effect transistors with compounds 2, 3, or 4 as active layers indicated that all compounds showed unipolar electron transport properties with the mobilities of 1.1×10−3, 5.8×10−4, and 8.5×10−6 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. These results suggest the great potential of bis‐AzaBPDIs as organic semiconductors. The easy preparation approach reported in this work would renew research interest in developing bis‐AzaBPDI‐based optoelectronic molecules.
Semen and serum platinum levels in cisplatin‐treated survivors of germ cell cancer
Authors: Malone Eoghan R. , Lewin Jeremy , Li Xuan , Zhang Wen‐Jiang , Lau Susan , Jarvi Keith , Hamilton Robert J. , Hansen Aaron R. , Chen Eric X. , Bedard Philippe L.
Published: December 2021

Background

Testicular cancer survivors often have impaired gonadal function possibly related to chemotherapy. Platinum is a heavy metal that can be detected at low levels in serum many years after treatment, it is not known whether platinum also persists in semen and if platinum persistence in semen is associated with impaired fertility.

Methods

Adult cisplatin‐treated testicular cancer survivors were enrolled. High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure semen and serum platinum levels. Semen quality and DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) were assessed.

Results

From 11/2017 to 12/2019, 38 patients (median age 32 years; range: 19–52) were enrolled. Median cumulative cisplatin dose was 301 mg/m2 (range: 274–404). Platinum levels were higher in semen than in blood (p = 0.03). Semen platinum levels were not significantly associated with time from last cisplatin dosing (r = −0.34; p = 0.09) nor cumulative dose (r = −0.10, p = 0.63). Sperm concentration was correlated with time from last cisplatin dosing (r = 0.58, p < 0.001) but not with semen platinum level (r = −0.15, p = 0.46). DFI was not significantly associated with time from last cisplatin dosing (r = 0.55, p = 0.08) or semen platinum level (r = −0.32, p = 0.33). In four patients with serial semen samples, platinum level decreased and sperm concentration and motility increased over time.

Conclusions

Platinum is detected in semen of testicular cancer survivors at higher levels than matched blood samples. These preliminary findings may have important implications for the reproductive health of survivors of advanced testicular cancer, further study is needed to assess the relationship between platinum persistence in semen and recovery of fertility postchemotherapy.
Why do cells need oxygen? Insights from mitochondrial composition and function
Authors: Manoj Kelath Murali , Gideon Daniel Andrew , Jaeken Laurent
Published: December 2021

Mitochondrial membrane‐embedded redox proteins are classically perceived as deterministic “electron transport chain” (ETC) arrays cum proton pumps; and oxygen is seen as an “immobile terminal electron acceptor.” This is untenable because: (1) there are little free protons to be pumped out of the matrix; (2) proton pumping would be highly endergonic; (3) ETC‐chemiosmosis‐rotary ATP synthesis proposal is “irreducibly complex”/”non‐evolvable” and does not fit with mitochondrial architecture or structural/distribution data of the concerned proteins/components; (4) a plethora of experimental observations do not conform to the postulates/requisites; for example, there is little evidence for viable proton‐pumps/pH‐gradient in mitochondria, trans‐membrane potential (TMP) is non‐fluctuating/non‐trappable, oxygen is seen to give copious “diffusible reactive (oxygen) species” (DRS/DROS) in milieu, etc. Quite contrarily, the newly proposed murburn model's tenets agree with known principles of energetics/kinetics, and builds on established structural data and reported observations. In this purview, oxygen is needed to make DRS, the principal component of mitochondrial function. Complex V and porins respectively serve as proton‐inlet and turgor‐based water‐exodus portals, thereby achieving organellar homeostasis. Complexes I to IV possess ADP‐binding sites and their redox‐centers react/interact with O2/DRS. At/around these complexes, DRS cross‐react or activate/oxidize ADP/Pi via fast thermogenic one‐electron reaction(s), condensing to form two‐electron stabilized products (H2O2/H2O/ATP). The varied architecture and distribution of components in mitochondria validate DRS as (i) the coupling agent of oxidative reactions and phosphorylations, and (ii) the primary reason for manifestation of TMP in steady‐state. Explorations along the new precepts stand to provide greater insights on mitochondrial function and pathophysiology.