bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Well-defined manganese complex catalyzed dehydrogenative synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides
Authors: Pal Debjyoti , Mondal Avijit , Srimani Dipankar
Published: March 2022

The synthesis of N-heterocycles has been considered an emerging topic of chemical research due to its widespread usage in medicinal chemistry, materials science, and natural product synthesis.
Tracking the in situ generation of hetero-metal–metal bonds in phosphide electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Tung Ching-Wei , Huang Yu-Ping , Hsu Chia-Shuo , Chen Tai-Lung , Chang Chia-Jui , Chen Hao Ming , Chen Hsiao-Chien
Published: March 2022

The in situ EXAFS experiments indicated that the Co–Ru moiety suppresses the formation of metallic Co under acidic conditions and dominates the catalytic activity of Rux@CoP electrocatalysts.
Aldehyde N,N-dimethylhydrazone-based fluorescent substrate for peroxidase-mediated assays
Authors: Yoo Soyeon , Kim Sudeok , Jeon Sangyeon , Han Min Su
Published: March 2022

A fluorescent peroxidase substrate is devised based on aldehyde N,N-dimethylhydrazone with no over-oxidation by excess H2O2, high photo stability, and wide operating pH.
Functional group divergence and the structural basis of acridine photocatalysis revealed by direct decarboxysulfonylation
Authors: Nguyen Vu T. , Haug Graham C. , Nguyen Viet D. , Vuong Ngan T. H. , Karki Guna B. , Arman Hadi D. , Larionov Oleg V.
Published: March 2022

Carboxylic acids can now serve as a single point of entry to several sulfonyl functional groups by a one-step organophotocatalytic sulfonylation, revealing structural effects that enable the photocatalysis.
Catalyst-controlled selective borocarbonylation of benzylidenecyclopropanes: regiodivergent synthesis of γ-vinylboryl ketones and β-cyclopropylboryl ketones
Authors: Wu Fu-Peng , Wu Xiao-Feng
Published: March 2022

A novel procedure for regiodivergent borocarbonylation of benzylidenecyclopropanes has been developed. A variety of valuable γ-vinylboryl ketones and β-cyclopropylboryl ketones can be obtained selectively in excellent yields.
Cascading verification initiated by switching attacks through compromised digital relays
Authors: Yamashita Koji , Yang Zhiyuan , Ten Chee‐Wooi , Kar Soummya , Ginter Andrew
Published: March 2022

Attackers are able to enumerate all devices and computers within a compromised substation network. Digital relays deployed in the substation are the devices with IP addresses that can be discovered in the process of trial‐and‐error search. This paper is concerned with studies of cyberattacks manipulating digital relays to disruptively disconnect the associated breakers. The plausible enumeration of such disruptive attack for each relay in a substation is verified with the dynamic simulation studies with the special protection system for frequency, voltage, and rotor angle stability. A pertinent approach with smaller scale contingency analysis results is proposed to reduce the enormous computation burden. The devised enumeration reduction method is evaluated using IEEE test cases. The proposed method provides an extensive enumeration strategy that can be used by utility engineers to identify the pivotal relays in the system and can be further strengthened with security protection.
Strength or Ductility Seismic Design? A case study in Sabah using the Eurocode 8 Malaysian National Annex
Authors: Ngui M.F.T. , Looi D.T.W.
Published: March 2022

This paper shares the experience of a building project which piloted seismic design using Eurocode 8, with the Malaysian National Annex legislated in 2017. The 23-storey reinforced concrete building features geometric irregularity with podium and two towers, located in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah, Malaysia. Sabah had experienced a magnitude-6 earthquake in 2015, where the epicentre Ranau was just 50 km away from Kota Kinabalu. Conventional Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment has indicated that Kota Kinabalu has a peak ground acceleration (PGA) on rock of only 0.04g for a 475-year return period, which appears to be counter-intuitive for such a potentially destructive near-field magnitude 6 earthquake. Hence, four possible scenarios are postulated, i.e., PGA of 0.04g, 0.08g and 0.12g designed with ductility class low (DCL), assuming force-based non-dissipative mechanism and 0.12g designed with ductility class medium (DCM), engaging seismic detailing to form plastic hinges. This paper is written to give local engineering practitioners, who have either no prior experience in seismic design or have been using the basic equivalent force method, to develop a better sense of response spectrum seismic analysis, code-based design and choice of strength or ductility seismic design in low-to-moderate seismicity regions.
Effects of RH-WMA Additive on the Design Binder Content (DBC) of Warm Porous Asphalt (WPA)
Authors: Samat M. M. , Ahmad J. , Omar b N. , Mohammad Hanapi N. , Mohd Kamal M. M.
Published: March 2022

Warm mix asphalt (WMA) in a pavement construction is a technology that is beneficial and contributes towards reduction of the global warming issues. In this research, WMA was used to design porous asphalt pavement with addition of organic additive which is known as RH-WMA. A Dutch modified gradation to suit Malaysian quarry practice was used to prepare the WMA. The RH-WMA additive ranges between 2 to 5 percent was added to base binder of penetration 60/70 to determine the design binder content (DBC) of the RH-WMA mix. The DBC was then determined based on the binder drainage and Cantabrian tests. The binder drainage test was used to set an upper limit while the Cantabrian test for abrasion loss was adopted to determine the lower limit of the DBC. The results for Cantabrian test indicate significant contribution of incorporating RH-WMA additive into WMA to minimize abrasion loss as compared to unmodified mixes. The binder drainage test results showed that the mixes incorporating RH-WMA additive exhibited higher drainage in varying degrees depending on the quantity of RH-WMA. The discussion was made based on target binder content, critical binder content, maximum binder content and the maximum retained binder content of the of the resulted mixes obtained from the binder drainage test.
A Review of Eggshell Powder and Fly Ash-Based Geopolymers Concrete
Authors: Moison I.C. , Gungat L. , Asrah H. , Chiew F.H.
Published: March 2022

This is a review of the current research on the development of geopolymer based of eggshell powder (ESP) and fly ash (FA). This paper observes the mechanical properties which are the compressive strength and tensile strength of eggshell powder (ESP) and fly ash (FA) based geopolymer that is formed by an alkali activation method. It is shown that the mechanical properties of alkaline activated geopolymer is significantly affected by its proportion of raw material in concrete; specifically, the fly ash (FA) to eggshell powder (ESP) ratio and the alkali activator ratio. Moreover, it is shown that curing temperature also may be a very influential factor towards the mechanical properties of the concrete. However, more experimental studies are required for eggshell powder (ESP) and fly ash (FA) based geopolymer as there are not many studies yet in this field have been conducted till date.
Quantum computation of phase transition in the massive Schwinger model
Authors: Thompson Shane , Siopsis George
Published: March 2022

As pointed out by Coleman, physical quantities in the Schwinger model depend on a parameter θ that determines the background electric field. There is a phase transition for θ = π only. We develop a momentum space formalism on a lattice and use it to perform a quantum computation of the critical point of this phase transition on the NISQ device IMB Q Lima. After error mitigation, our results give strong indication of the existence of a critical point at m/e ≃ 0.32, where m is the bare fermion mass and e is the coupling strength, in good agreement with the classical numerical result m/e ≃ 0.3335.
Inverse Satake isomorphism and change of weight
Authors: Abe N. , Herzig F. , Vignéras M. F.
Published: March 2022

Let

G
G

be any connected reductive

p
p

-adic group. Let

K
⊂
G

K\subset G

be any special parahoric subgroup and

V
,

V
′

V,V’

be any two irreducible smooth

F

p

¯

[
K
]

\overline {\mathbb {F}_p}[K]

-modules. The main goal of this article is to compute the image of the Hecke bimodule
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper E n d Subscript ModifyingAbove double-struck upper F Sub Subscript p Subscript With bar left-bracket upper K right-bracket Baseline left-parenthesis c minus upper I n d Subscript upper K Superscript upper G Baseline upper V comma c minus upper I n d Subscript upper K Superscript upper G Baseline upper V prime right-parenthesis">

End

F

p

¯

[
K
]

⁡
(
c
−
I
n

d
K
G

V
,
c
−
I
n

d
K
G

V
′

)

\operatorname {End}_{\overline {\mathbb {F}_p}[K]}(c-Ind_K^G V, c-Ind_K^G V’)

by the generalized Satake transform and to give an explicit formula for its inverse, using the pro-

p
p

Iwahori Hecke algebra of

G
G

. This immediately implies the “change of weight theorem” in the proof of the classification of mod

p
p

irreducible admissible representations of

G
G

in terms of supersingular ones. A simpler proof of the change of weight theorem, not using the pro-

p
p

Iwahori Hecke algebra or the Lusztig-Kato formula, is given when

G
G

is split and in the appendix when

G
G

is quasi-split, for almost all

K
K

.
Short-term social dynamics following anthropogenic and natural disturbances in a free-living mammal
Authors: Gall Gabriella E C , Evans Julian C , Silk Matthew J , Ortiz-Jimenez Chelsea A , Smith Jennifer E
Published: March 2022

Anthropogenic disturbances are widely recognized for their far-reaching consequences on the survival and reproduction of wildlife, but we understand comparatively little about their effects on the social lives of group-living animals. Here we examined these short-term changes in affiliative behavior as part of a long-term study on a human-tolerant and socially flexible population of California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi). We used social network analysis to examine short-term changes in affiliative behavior and individual consistency in response to disturbances by humans, domestic dogs, or a natural predator (the coyote). Overall, juveniles were more involved than adults in affiliative interactions, but the short-term directional effects of these acute disturbances on social cohesion varied by disturbance type. Human and dog presence reduced aboveground connectivity, particularly for juveniles, whereas disturbances by coyotes generally promoted it. Beyond these effects, we also detected non-random responses to disturbances, though individuals were not very consistent in their directional response to different disturbance types. Our results demonstrate the flexible changes in social behavior triggered by short-term disturbances imposed by humans and other threats. More generally, our findings elucidate the underappreciated sensitivity of animal social interactions to short-term ecological disturbances, raising key questions about their consequences on the social lives of animals.
“e-breakout”? Weaponised Interdependence and the Strategic Dimensions of China’s Digital Currency
Authors: Lanteigne Marc
Published: March 2022

The government of China has touted the development of a digital version of its currency as a watershed moment in its ongoing financial modernisation processes. The experimental digital renminbi or eCNY is expected to be fully implemented in the next few years, and thus far its initial benefits have been seen primarily on the domestic level. Yet Beijing is also open to the eventual use of the eCNY for international transactions, which in light of the many governments seeking to develop their own central bank digital currencies raises the question of whether or not this e-currency could develop into a global standard. The concept of “weaponised interdependence”, meaning the ability of states to gain bargaining advantages from global networks through the collection of data and to deny others access and benefits, is an ideal method of gauging the potential of the digital renminbi for enhancing Beijing’s power in global financial markets.
Inoculum effects of cefepime/zidebactam (WCK 5222) and ertapenem/zidebactam (WCK 6777) for Enterobacterales in relation to β-lactamase type and enhancer effect, as tested by BSAC agar dilution
Authors: Mushtaq Shazad , Vickers Anna , Chaudhry Aiysha , Woodford Neil , Livermore David M
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Combinations of PBP3-active β-lactams with developmental diazabicyclooctanes (DBOs), e.g. zidebactam, remain active against many MBL producers via an enhancer effect. We explored how this activity is affected by inoculum.

Materials and methods

MICs of zidebactam and its cefepime and ertapenem combinations (WCK 5222 and WCK 6777, respectively) were determined by BSAC agar dilution at inocula from 3–6 × 103 to 3–6 × 105 cfu/spot. Isolates, principally Klebsiella spp., were chosen as having previously tested resistant to zidebactam or its cefepime combination, and by β-lactamase type.

Results

MICs of zidebactam, tested alone, were strongly inoculum dependent regardless of β-lactamase type; MICs of its cefepime and ertapenem combinations likewise were strongly inoculum dependent—rising ≥32-fold across the inoculum range tested—but only for MBL producers. Combination MICs for isolates with non-MBLs, including those with OXA-48 (where the enhancer effect remains critical for ertapenem/zidebactam) were much less inoculum dependent, particularly for cefepime/zidebactam. MBL producers frequently moved between putative ‘susceptible’ (MIC ≤ 8 + 8 mg/L) and ‘resistant’ (MIC > 8 + 8 mg/L) categories according to whether the inoculum was at the high or low end of BSAC’s acceptable (1–4 × 104 cfu/spot) range.

Conclusions

The activity of zidebactam combinations against MBL producers, which strongly depends on the enhancer effect, is inoculum dependent. Animal data suggest consistent in vivo activity even in high-inoculum pneumonia models. Contingent on this being supported by clinical experience, the combination behaviour may be best represented by the MICs obtained at the lower end of BSAC’s inoculum range.
Incomplete degradation products of galactomannan from Sesbania cannabina modulated the cecal microbial community of laying hens
Authors: Tao Yuheng , Wang Ting , Huang Caoxing , Lai Chenhuan , Ling Zhe , Zhou Yanmin , Yong Qiang
Published: March 2022

Galactomannan and its degradation products have been gaining attention based on their possible means for improving the natural defense of the host through modulation of the bacterial population in the gut. Herein, incomplete degradation products of galactomannan (IDPG) was supplemented into the diet of aged laying hens to investigate the efficacy of IDPG on the gut microbiome. Four treatments with six replicates of twelve 68-wk-old laying hens (Hy-Line variety brown) each were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0%, 0.01%, 0.025%, and 0.05% IDPG for 8 wk. Results showed that the propionate concentration significantly increased in laying hens fed a diet supplemented with 0.025% or 0.05% IDPG relative to the control diet (P < 0.05). Moreover, the results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that there was a notable elevation of microbiome species diversity due to the addition of IDPG, with a noted enrichment to phyla Bacteroidetes at the expense of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Metabolic prediction of the cecal microbiome suggested significant improvements to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and a significant depletion for energy metabolism and infectious diseases. More importantly, a strong positive correlation between levels of genera Bacteroides, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 with high production of propionate was found using multivariate analysis. Our study demonstrated that IDPG acted by mainly enriching the phyla Bacteroidetes in the cecum, increasing species diversity, and cecal propionate concentrations. It seems that IDPG can be used as feed additives in laying hen farming due to its capacity to positively modulate the cecal microbiome and aid improve overall health.
Pediatric Burn Care: How Burn Camps Survived and Thrived During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Saquib Syed F , Slinkard-Barnum Samantha , Navis Irene L , Chacon Daniel W , Quinn Kristen C , Palmieri Tina A , Newman Annette , Kuhls Deborah A
Published: March 2022

Burn camps play a vital role in the recovery of burn survivors by allowing them to develop the confidence and skill sets needed to reintegrate back into society. During the COVID-19 pandemic, burn camps across the United States and Canada could not hold any in-person activities. They had to either pause burn camps or quickly adapt to a virtual online platform. A 37-item electronic survey was developed and emailed to burn camp directors in the United States and Canada to determine what adaptations were necessary during the pandemic. This survey allowed directors to provide details on many facets such as camp format, successes observed, and challenges encountered. Twenty-one of 34 (62%) burn camp organizations completed the survey. Thirteen of the 21 (62%) respondents held virtual burn camps in 2020 while everyone else canceled their camps in 2020. The mean number of camps offered per organization decreased from 6.3 in 2019 to 4.7 in 2020. The average number of burn survivors and family members participating also dropped in that same period (2019 aggregate mean = 229.2 vs 2020 aggregate mean = 151.4). Components of virtual camp included video conferencing platforms, “camp-in-a-box” activities, and some prerecorded sessions. Most camp directors believed that their campers were satisfied with the virtual format. Factors allowing for a successful virtual camp included an effective online platform, scheduling adequate duration of programs, and appropriate staffing levels. Most common barriers to an effective virtual camp were participant engagement, special needs/accessibility concerns, and staff effectiveness in this format. While challenging, burn camps can be held in a virtual format successfully with proper planning, staff training, and support of campers and their families.
Optimality Versus Opportunity: The Recurrent Evolution of Similar Sex Determination Mechanisms
Authors: Roy Scott William
Published: March 2022

Sex determination mechanisms vary widely across animals, but show remarkable degrees of recurrent evolution. Recurrent features of sex determination have largely been attributed to recurrent cooption of shared ancestral regulatory circuits. However, a new study on sex determination in Daphnia magna reveals both recurrent evolution of specific regulatory logic and apparently recurrent recruitment of a regulator, suggesting a role for optimization in recurrent patterns of sex determination mechanisms.
High-efficiency chromosomal integrative amplification strategy for overexpressing α-amylase in Bacillus licheniformis
Authors: Shen Peili , Niu Dandan , Liu Xuelian , Tian Kangming , Permaul Kugen , Singh Suren , Mchunu Nokuthula Peace , Wang Zhengxiang
Published: March 2022

Bacillus licheniformis is a well-known platform strain for production of industrial enzymes. However, the development of genetically stable recombinant B. licheniformis for high-yield enzyme production is still laborious. Here, a pair of plasmids, pUB-MazF and pUB'-EX1, were firstly constructed. pUB-MazF is a thermosensitive, self-replicable plasmid. It was able to efficiently cure from the host cell through induced expression of an endoribonuclease MazF, which is lethal to the host cell. pUB′-EX1 is a nonreplicative and integrative plasmid. Its replication was dependent on the thermosensitive replicase produced by pUB-MazF. Transformation of pUB′-EX1 into the B. licheniformis BL-UBM harboring pUB-MazF resulted in both plasmids coexisting in the host cell. At an elevated temperature, and in the presence of isopropyl-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside and kanamycin, curing of the pUB-MazF and multiple-copy integration of pUB′-EX1 occurred, simultaneously. Through this procedure, genetically stable recombinants integrated multiple copies of amyS, from Geobacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 31195 were facilely obtained. The genetic stability of the recombinants was verified by repeated subculturing and shaking flask fermentations. The production of α-amylase by recombinant BLiS-002, harboring five copies of amyS, in a 50-l bioreactor reached 50 753 U/ml after 72 hr fermentation. This strategy therefore has potential for production of other enzymes in B. licheniformis and for genetic modification of other Bacillus species.
Human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Saito Yuki , Homma Akihiro , Kiyota Naomi , Tahara Makoto , Hanai Nobuhiro , Asakage Takahiro , Matsuura Kazuto , Ota Ichiro , Yokota Tomoya , Sano Daisuke , Kodaira Takeshi , Motegi Atsushi , Yasuda Koichi , Takahashi Shunji , Tanaka Kaoru , Onoe Takuma , Okano Susumu , Imamura Yoshinori , Ariizumi Yosuke , Hayashi Ryuichi
Published: March 2022

It was not until around 2000 that human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal carcinoma was recognized as carcinoma with clinical presentations different from nonrelated head and neck carcinoma. Twenty years after and with the revision of the tumor–node–metastasis classification in 2017, various clinical trials focused on human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal carcinoma to improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with this disease. However, the incidence of human papillomavirus-related cancers is increasing, which is expected to be particularly prominent in Japan, where human papillomavirus vaccination is not widely available. In this review, we describe the current status of clinical trials (mainly focused on initial surgery and radiation dose reduction) for, primary and secondary prevention of, and the present status of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal carcinoma in Japan.
Rare case of an adenomatoid tumor cyst of liver
Authors: Seok David , Nagarkatti Sushruta , Cousineau Craig , Patil Sachin , Jacobs Michael
Published: March 2022

Adenomatoid tumors are incidentally found, rare tumors that are usually benign. They usually originate from mesothelial cells and have been reported to occur in the genital tract, though occasionally occur in extra-genital locations. A 33-year-old African–American female was found to have a large multiloculated cystic lesion in segments IV and V of the liver. The patient underwent a laparoscopic central hepatectomy and the tumor was resected en bloc. On pathologic analysis, the specimen showed multiple cysts of variable sizes lined by a single layer of low cuboidal cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed cells staining positive for WT-1 and calretinin, indicative of a tumor of mesothelial origin. Adenomatoid tumors are rarely, if ever found to occur in the liver. Their malignant potential and biology in the liver is unknown, however given their benign behavior in other organs, resection was considered curative.
Death and Decline
Authors: Thieme Aaron
Published: March 2022

In this paper, I investigate backward-looking accounts of death's badness. I begin by reviewing deprivationism—the standard, forward-looking account of death's badness. On deprivationism, death is bad for its victims when it deprives them of a good future. This account famously faces two problems—Lucretius’s symmetry problem and the preemption problem. This motivates turning to backward-looking accounts of death's badness on which death is bad for its victim (in a respect) when it involves a decline from a good life. I distinguish three different backward-looking accounts of death's badness in terms of decline, and I argue for the attractiveness of one in particular. I conclude by considering how the backward-looking consideration of decline might factor into our overall account of death's badness.
Transient Inhibition of the JNK Pathway Promotes Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Quiescence and Engraftment
Authors: Xie Huangfan , Sun Zhongjie , Xiao Xiong , Liu Defang , Qi Hailong , Tian Guoxiong , Chen Miao , Chen Ligong , Su XunCheng
Published: March 2022

The widespread clinical application of cord blood (CB) for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is limited mainly by the inadequate number of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in single CB units, which results in unsuccessful or delayed engraftment in recipients. The identification of agents to promote CB HSPC engraftment has significant therapeutic value. Here, we found that transient inhibition of the JNK pathway increased the HSC frequency in CB CD34+ cells to 13.46-fold. Mechanistic studies showed that inhibition of the JNK pathway upregulated the expression of quiescence-associated and stemness genes in HSCs, preventing HSCs from entering the cell cycle, increasing glucose uptake and accumulating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Importantly, transient inhibition of the JNK pathway during CB CD34+ cell collection also enhanced long-term HSC (LT-HSC) recovery and engraftment efficiency. Collectively, these findings suggest that transient inhibition of the JNK pathway could promote a quiescent state in HSCs by preventing cell cycle entry and metabolic activation, thus enhancing the HSC number and engraftment potential. Together, these findings improve the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing HSC quiescence and stemness and have the potential to improve HSC collection and transplantation.
Integrating a physical activity coaching intervention into diabetes care: a mixed-methods evaluation of a pilot pragmatic trial
Authors: Huebschmann Amy G , Glasgow Russell E , Leavitt Ian M , Chapman Kristi , Rice John D , Lockhart Steven , Stevens-Lapsley Jennifer E , Reusch Jane E B , Dunn Andrea L , Regensteiner Judith G
Published: March 2022

Physical activity (PA) counseling is under-utilized in primary care for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), despite improving important health outcomes, including physical function. We adapted evidence-based PA counseling programs to primary care patients, staff, and leader’s needs, resulting in “Be ACTIVE” comprised of shared PA tracker data (FitBit©), six theory-informed PA coaching calls, and three in-person clinician visits. In a pilot randomized pragmatic trial, we evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of Be ACTIVE. Sedentary patients with T2D were randomized to Be ACTIVE versus an enhanced control condition. Mixed methods assessments of feasibility and acceptability included costs. Objective pilot effectiveness outcomes included PA (primary outcome, accelerometer steps/week), the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) physical function measure, and behavioral PA predictors. Fifty patients were randomized to Be ACTIVE or control condition. Acceptability was >90% for patients and clinic staff. Coaching and PA tracking costs of ~$90/patient met Medicare reimbursement criteria. Pre–post PA increased by ~11% (Be ACTIVE) and ~6% in controls (group difference: 1574 ± 4391 steps/week, p = .72). As compared to controls, Be ACTIVE participants significantly improved SPPB (0.9 ± 0.3 vs. −0.1 ± 0.3, p = .01, changes >0.5 points prevent falls clinically), and PA predictors of self-efficacy (p = .02) and social-environmental support (p < .01). In this pilot trial, Be ACTIVE was feasible and highly acceptable to stakeholders and yielded significant improvements in objective physical function consistent with lower fall risk, whereas PA changes were less than anticipated. Be ACTIVE may need additional adaptation or a longer duration to improve PA outcomes.
Agromyces archimandritae sp. nov., isolated from the cockroach Archimandrita tessellata
Authors: Guzman Juan , Ortúzar Maite , Poehlein Anja , Daniel Rolf , Trujillo Martha E. , Vilcinskas Andreas
Published: March 2022

A Gram-stain-positive bacterial strain, designated G127ATT, was isolated as soft small white colonies from the hindgut of the cockroach Archimandrita tesselata. Examination of the complete 16S rRNA sequence mapped the strain to the genus

Agromyces

. The type strain with the highest pairwise similarity was

Agromyces marinus

H23-8T (97.3%). The genome of G127ATT was sequenced by a combination of Illumina and Nanopore methods and consisted of a single circular DNA molecule with a size of 3.45 Mb. The DNA G+C content was 71.3 mol%. A phylogenomic tree based on conserved single copy housekeeping genes, placed G127ATT among the ancestral species of the genus

Agromyces

, and only

Agromyces atrinae

P27T was found to diverge earlier than G127ATT. Genome distance metrics average nucleotide identity (ANI) (76–78 %) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) (20.2–21.5 %) of the isolate against available genomes of several type strains of species of the genus

Agromyces

indicated that G127ATT represented a previously undescribed species of the genus

Agromyces

. Morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, including lipid profile, cellular fatty acids and peptidoglycan type were in accordance with usual attributes of members of the genus

Agromyces

. The novel isolate could be differentiated from the most closely related species by extracellular expression of acid and alkaline phosphatases, trypsin and α-chymotrypsin, and utilization of l-arabinose and salicin as sole carbon sources. On the basis of the combined genomic and phenotypic features, isolate G127ATT (=DSM 111850T=LMG 32099T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Agromyces

, for which we propose the name Agromyces archimandritae sp. nov.
“Effectiveness of whole virus COVID-19 vaccine at protecting health care personnel against SARS-CoV-2 infections in Lima, Peru”
Authors: Arriola Carmen S , Soto Giselle , Westercamp Matthew , Bollinger Susan , Espinoza Angelica , Grogl Max , Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro , Matos Eduardo , Romero Candice , Silva Maria , Smith Rachel , Olson Natalie , Prouty Michael , Azziz-Baumgartner Eduardo , Lessa Fernanda C.
Published: March 2022

In February 2021, Peru launched a vaccination campaign among healthcare personnel using BBIBP-CorV inactivated whole virus (BBIBP-CorV) COVID-19 vaccine. Two doses of BBIBP-CorV vaccine are recommended, 21 days apart. Data on BBIBP-CorV vaccine effectiveness will inform the use and acceptance of vaccination with BBIBP-CorV vaccine.

We evaluated BBIBP-CorV vaccine effectiveness among an existing multi-year influenza cohort at two hospitals in Lima. We analyzed data on 290 participants followed between February and May 2021. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire and provided weekly self-collected anterior nasal swabs tested for SARS-CoV-2 by rRT-PCR for sixteen weeks. We performed multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for pre-selected characteristics (age, sex, exposure to COVID-19 patients, work in intensive care unit or emergency department, BMI, and exposure time in days). BBIBP-CorV vaccine effectiveness was calculated after the two-week post-vaccination period as (1-Odds Ratio for testing SARS-CoV-2 positive)x100%.

SARS-CoV-2 was detected by rRT-PCR among 25 (9%) participants during follow-up (February-May 2021). Follow-up period ranged 1-11 weeks (median: 2 weeks). Among cohort participants who were fully vaccinated the adjusted vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection was estimated as 95% (95% CI: 70%, 99%) and 100% (95% CI: 88%, 100%) for those partially vaccinated.

During the study period, vaccination of healthcare personnel with BBIBP-CorV vaccine was effective at reducing SARS-CoV-2 infections in the weeks immediately following vaccination. This information can be used to support vaccination efforts in the region, especially among those who could be concerned about their effectiveness.
Integrated single-cell profiling dissects cell-state-specific enhancer landscapes of human tumor-infiltrating T cells
Authors: Riegel Dania , Romero-Fernández Elena , Simon Malte , Adenugba Akinbami Raphael , Singer Katrin , Mayr Roman , Weber Florian , Imbusch Charles D. , Kreutz Marina , Brors Benedikt , Ugele Ines , Werner Jens M. , Siska Peter J. , Schmidl Christian
Published: March 2022

Despite extensive studies on the chromatin landscape of exhausted T cells, the transcriptional wiring underlying the heterogeneous functional and dysfunctional states of human tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is incompletely understood. Here, we identify tissue-specific and general gene-regulatory landscapes in the wide breadth of CD8+ TIL functional states covering four cancer entities using single-cell chromatin profiling. We map enhancer-promoter interactions in human TILs by integrating single-cell chromatin accessibility with single-cell RNA-seq data from tumor entity-matching samples, and prioritize key elements by super-enhancer analysis. Our results reveal a human core chromatin trajectory to TIL dysfunction and identify involved key enhancers, transcriptional regulators, and deregulated target genes in this process. Finally, we validate enhancer regulation at immunotherapeutically relevant loci by targeting non-coding regulatory elements with potent CRISPR activators and repressors. In summary, our study provides a framework for understanding and manipulating cell-state-specific gene-regulatory cues from human tumor infiltrating lymphocytes.
Novel Murine models of Mania and Depression
Authors: Chen Binjie , Xia Maosheng , Ji Ming , Gong Wenliang , Zhang Dianjun , Li Xinyu , Wang Siman , Feng Yuliang , Wu Xiafang , Cui Lulu , Verkhratsky Alexei , Li Baoman
Published: March 2022

Neuropathological mechanisms triggering manic syndrome or manic episodes in bipolar disorder remain poorly characterised, as the research progress is severely limited by the paucity of appropriate animal models. Here we developed a novel manic mice model by combining a series of chronic unpredictable rhythm disturbances (CURD), which include disruption of circadian rhythm, sleep deprivation, exposure to cone light, with subsequent interference of followed spotlight, stroboscopic illumination, high temperature stress, noise disturbance and foot shock. To validate this novel manic model, we used multiple behavioural and cell biology approaches comparing the CURD-model with healthy controls and depressed mice. The depression model was created by an exposure to an improved chronic unpredictable mild stress, which we defined as chronic unpredictable mild restraint (CUMR). A novel manic mice model induced by environmental stressors and free from genetic or pharmacological interventions will benefit research into pathological mechanisms of mania.
No evidence of induced skin cancer or other skin abnormalities after long term (66 week) chronic exposure to 222-nm far-UVC radiation
Authors: Welch David , Kleiman Norman J. , Arden Peter C. , Kuryla Christine L. , Buonanno Manuela , Ponnaiya Brian , Wu Xuefeng , Brenner David J.
Published: March 2022

Far-UVC radiation, typically defined as 200-235 nm, has similar or greater anti-microbial efficacy compared to conventional 254-nm germicidal radiation. In addition, biophysical considerations of the interaction of far-UVC with tissue, as well as multiple short-term safety studies in animal models and humans, suggest that far-UVC exposure may be safe for skin and eye tissue. Nevertheless, the potential for skin cancer after chronic long-term exposure to far-UVC has not been studied. Here, we assessed far-UVC induced carcinogenic skin changes and other pathological dermal abnormalities in 96 SKH-1 hairless mice of both sexes that were exposed to average daily dorsal skin doses of 396 mJ/cm2, 126 mJ/cm2 or 56 mJ/cm2 of 222 nm far-UVC radiation for 66 weeks, 5 days per week, 8 hours per day, as well as similarly-treated unexposed controls. No evidence for increased skin cancer, abnormal skin growths, or incidental skin pathology findings was observed in the far-UVC exposed mice. In addition, there were no significant changes in morbidity or mortality. The findings from this study support the long-term safety of long-term chronic exposure to far-UVC radiation, and therefore its potential suitability as a practical anti-microbial approach to reduce airborne viral and bacterial loads in occupied indoor settings.
Humans trade-off whole-body energy cost to avoid overburdening muscles while walking
Authors: McDonald Kirsty A. , Cusumano Joseph P. , Hieronymi Andrew , Rubenson Jonas
Published: March 2022

Metabolic cost minimization is thought to underscore the neural control of locomotion. Yet, avoiding high muscle activation, a cause of fatigue, often outperforms energy minimization in computational predictions of human gait. Discerning the relative importance of these criteria in human walking has proved elusive, in part, because they have not been empirically decoupled. Here we explicitly decouple whole-body metabolic cost and ‘fatigue-like’ muscle activation costs (estimated from electromyography) by pitting them against one another using two distinct gait tasks. When experiencing these competing costs, participants (N=10) chose the task that avoided overburdening muscles (fatigue avoidance) at the expense of higher metabolic power (p<0.05). Muscle volume-normalized activation more closely models energy use and was also minimized by the participants’ decision (p<0.05), demonstrating that muscle activation was, at best, an inaccurate signal for metabolic energy. Energy minimization was only observed when there was no adverse effect on muscle activation costs. By decoupling whole-body metabolic and muscle activation costs, we provide among the first empirical evidence of humans embracing non-energetic optimality in favor of a clearly defined neuromuscular objective. This finding indicates that local muscle fatigue and effort may well be key factors dictating human walking behavior and its evolution.
Immunogenomic profiling of lung adenocarcinoma reveals high-grade growth patterns are associated with an immunogenic tumor microenvironment
Authors: Akhave Neal , Bayley Erin M. , Frank Meredith , Behrens Carmen , Zhang Jiexin , Chen Runzhe , Hu Xin , Parra Edwin Roger , Lee Won-Chul , Swisher Stephen , Solis Luisa , Weissferdt Annikka , Moran Cesar , Kalhor Neda , Zhang Jianhua , Scheet Paul , Vaporciyan Ara A. , Sepesi Boris , Gibbons Don L. , Heymach John V. , Lee Jack J. , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Futreal P. Andrew , Zhang Jianjun , Fujimoto Junya , Reuben Alexandre
Published: March 2022

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common subtype and the most epidemiologically and genetically heterogeneous. Pathologists have routinely observed phenotypic heterogeneity among LUAD primary tumors as reflected by distinct patterns of tumor growth. However, despite prior implications on the association of immune-genomic environment and prognosis, this information is not utilized clinically. Herein, applying multiplatform immune-genomic analysis, we investigate two distinct classification systems and demonstrate that high-grade patterns of growth are associated with a distinct immunogenic tumor microenvironment that is predicted with a favorable response to immunotherapy, a finding with growing importance in the era of adjuvant and neoadjuvant immunotherapy.
Characterizing brain imaging features associated with ADAS-Cog13 sub-scores with 3D convolutional neural networks
Authors: Ning Kaida , Cannon Pascale B. , Yu Jiawei , Shenoi Srinesh , Wang Lu ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Sarkar Joydeep
Published: March 2022

To date, few advanced machine learning models have been developed for investigating the associations between features from brain imaging and individual Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related cognitive functional changes. Additionally, how these associations differ among different imaging modalities is unclear. Here we investigated 3D convolutional neural network (CNN) models which were trained to predict sub-scores in 13-item Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog13) based on MRI and FDG-PET brain imaging data obtained from the ADNI database. We found that each key ADAS-Cog13 sub-score was associated with a specific set of brain features within an imaging modality. Overall, sub-scores were strongly associated with structural changes of subcortical regions including amygdala, hippocampus, and putamen, and were associated with metabolic changes of cortical regions including the cingulated gyrus, occipital cortex, middle front gyrus, precuneus cortex, and the cerebellum. Our findings provided insights into complex AD etiology. Our analytical pipeline can also be utilized to study other brain diseases.
Does family size matter to investors? Evidence from mutual fund flow in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alsubaiei Bader Jawid
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of fund family size on the money flow of Saudi Arabian open-end equity mutual funds. The author also investigates whether the relationship between fund flow and past return varies based on the fund's family size.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyses 256 equity funds that operated in Saudi Arabia from 2006 until 2017. Pooled and fixed-effect regression models are used to test the relationship between mutual fund flow and family size.

Findings

The results indicate that fund flow is higher for large size family funds. The results also show that the relationship between mutual fund flow and past performance is more pronounced for large size families, which supports the concept that investors pay extra attention to funds' return and size.

Research limitations/implications

The author provides evidence of the significant effect of family size of mutual funds on future money flow, which helps fund managers to understand investors' motivations for allocating their cash.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by examining the impact of family size level on the interaction between fund flow and past performance. This study is believed to be the first to investigate the family size factor in Saudi Arabia using a comprehensive data set.
Organizational decision-making behaviour related to ethical issues, developing scale with special reference to “inter-variable circular causality and religious (Islamic) discourse”
Authors: Shamsudheen Shinaj Valangattil , Rosly Saiful Azhar
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to seek to develop and validate the scale for organizational decision-making behaviour related to ethical issues, which addresses the issue of framing the dependent variable in a dichotomous way in organizational ethical decision-making (EDM) models and complementing the inter-variable circular causality model within the purview of Islamic banking with Quranic orientations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted both exploratory and confirmatory approaches. A total of 362 responses were collected from banking practitioners in the United Arab Emirates using a self-administered questionnaire. Content validity test (CVT) and factor analysis were used to refine measurement items and define as well as validate the scale, respectively. Further, the validated factors/scales were tested using the theoretical underpinning of the inter-variable circular causality model with Quranic orientations.

Findings

CVT refined the measurement items, and it enhanced the qualitative aspect of the proposed scale. Total three dimensions extracted, i.e. “awareness,” “attitude” and “standards” through exploratory factor analysis and evidence of validation of measurement scale/construct reported through confirmatory factor analysis. Further, a significant inter-variable circular causal relationship was found among the validated dimensions and analysed with an Islamic perspective.

Research limitations/implications

Study constraints the population into a single industry and a single country. Future studies are suggested to use the newly developed scale/construct in decision-making models and obtain the overall model fit by considering population from diversified organizations and multi countries.

Practical implications

Comprehensibility of organizational behaviour has always been critical for the efficient functioning of organizations, especially where the situation involves ethical concerns. The proposed scale can be used as a tool to assess the organizational decision-making behaviour related to ethical issues, particularly where the studies intended to examine the determinants of organizational decision-making behaviour related to ethical issues through decision-making models.

Originality/value

While there is ample literature attempted to examine the organizational EDM, particularly on evaluating determinants of EDM, the majority of the studies have failed to frame the dependent variable of the EDM models adopted for the study in such a manner that is in line with the objective of the study. Although some of the literature suggest the theoretical aspects to address this issue, to date, no work has been done that attempted to develop and validate the scale for the theoretical aspects recommended and confirm with the inter-variable circular causality model. These serve as justification for undertaking this study.
Intellectual capital in nonprofit organizations: a focus on social capital as a marketing enabler
Authors: Civitillo Renato , Festa Giuseppe , Priporas Constantinos-Vasilios , Rossi Matteo
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The research has the aim of exploring whether and how relevant studies about nonprofit organizations (NPOs) have so far investigated the fruitful effects that can be generated by proactive governance, management and marketing of their IC – particularly when considering its extension to SC – with relation to the promotion of corporate reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

After a literature review about the intellectual capital (IC) and the social capital (SC) in the nonprofit sector (NPS), at either national or international level, the study presents a bibliometric-systematic literature review (B-SLR) of the field in question.

Findings

According to a quantitative (more bibliometric) perspective, the scientific interest on this specific issue has not always been constant and methodical, while three themes (institutional scope, human resources and operational functioning) have so far mostly been analyzed according to a qualitative (and therefore more systematic) perspective.

Originality/value

Despite some recent trends aimed at re-evaluating the effect of intangible assets in any organization, there is still some reticence within the NPS to consider the importance of these resources. This orientation also extends to IC, and more specifically to SC, which should now be considered as relevant factors in the creation of value for any socio-economic organization, both nationally and internationally.
Adversative Conjunction and Neighboring Discourse Features in Old Church Slavic (Codex Marianus), with Comparative Notes on the Same Phenomena in Greek, Gothic and Classical Armenian*
Authors: Klein Jared S.
Published: March 2022

The system of adversative conjunction in the Old Church Slavic Gospels is characterized by two pure adversatives, nŭ and the much less frequent obače, together with two other forms, a and že, which are employed with equal or greater frequency in non‐adversative conjunctive roles. The relationship between nŭ and a is complex. The role of the former is primarily corrective following a negated constituent, while the latter signals a change of topic. The relationship of a and že is primarily one of scope, with the latter serving as the outermost discourse articulator of the language. The purpose of this article is to determine explicitly and in detail the relationships among nŭ, a, and že and to state the syntactic and discourse conditions under which each occurs. However, because the last two appear in non‐adversative value, they infringe upon the domain of i, the basic ‘and’‐word of Old Church Slavic, necessitating also, an analysis of this latter item, which signals a neighbouring discourse category. The final adversative is tŭk(ŭ) mo, which stands on the borderline between an adverb and a conjunction and is best considered a polarity item with both delimitative and liminal semantics.