bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La théorie révisionniste de la guerre juste et la dépolitisation de la guerre
Authors: Dos Santos Matthes Da Costa Maíra
Published: March 2023

Au cours des dernières décennies, l’approche walzérienne de la guerre juste fit l’objet de vives critiques de la part de l’école révisionniste, qui est devenue l’approche dominante dans le débat universitaire portant sur ce sujet. Sa révision de la philosophie walzérienne de la guerre englobe deux points fondamentaux, à savoir : 1) le refus de comprendre la guerre comme une situation exceptionnelle dans laquelle nos jugements moraux se distingueraient significativement de ceux que l’on formule dans des contextes de paix ; 2) le refus du dualisme moral et de l’indépendance entre des ordres de jugements concernant le jus ad bellum et le jus in bello. Dans cet article, nous allons nous pencher sur ces deux points fondamentaux, pour en conclure qu’ils proposent une conception apolitique de la guerre.
La photographie : une image exemplaire ?
Authors: Anne-Braun Alexis
Published: March 2023

Dans cet article, je présente quelques-uns des enjeux du débat en philosophie contemporaine sur la photographie. Ce débat, comme cela a déjà été noté dans un certain nombre de publications récentes, est en fait hanté par une question sceptique, qui fut posée à la photographie dès son invention : si l’image photographique s’excepte du régime traditionnel de la représentation et si elle est bien le résultat d’une prise de vue automatique, en quel sens pouvons-nous encore dire qu’elle est artistique ? Il me semble que le concept goodmanien d’exemplification permet de répondre au défi lancé par le sceptique. J’essaie de montrer pourquoi. Plus encore, je m’emploie à montrer comment le concept goodmanien d’exemplification pourrait s’accommoder assez bien de la spécificité du médium photographique.
La thanatologie du catholicisme québécois. Variantes et limites contemporaines
Authors: Laniel Jean-François
Published: March 2023

Cet article explore les variantes ainsi que les limites de ce qu’il nomme la thanatologie du catholicisme canadien-français et québécois. Il recense trois de ces thèses, celles que l’on trouve le plus fréquemment dans la littérature intellectuelle. Pour chacune d’elles, il étudie les indicateurs retenus pour poser le diagnostic, la période de référence utilisée pour mesurer le déclin et, en cela, la norme religieuse retenue comme barème. Il s’agit, chemin faisant, d’étudier la construction intellectuelle contemporaine de l’objet catholique. En creux de cet article, le lecteur trouvera un plaidoyer pour l’étude du catholicisme tel qu’il existe ici et maintenant.
Incertitudes et temporalités : du rôle de la sérendipité dans le contexte de l’anthropologie en entreprise
Authors: Gallenga Ghislaine , Wathelet Olivier
Published: March 2023

Le terrain de l’entreprise fédère de multiples approches et constitue un lieu d’innovation méthodologique pour l’anthropologie. Il est investi par des anthropologues de différents horizons, qu’ils travaillent comme praticiens ou dans le monde académique. Pour autant, l’ethnographie comme méthode de recueil des données peut effrayer les entrepreneurs et les commanditaires d’une étude, car les caractéristiques d’une recherche anthropologique seraient fondées sur des régimes de temporalités qui se télescopent avec ceux de l’entreprise. Outre la durée même d’une enquête selon les canons de la discipline, l’incertitude quant au résultat d’une démarche de terrain et au type de livrable qu’il est possible de proposer au terme d’une intervention constitue un double frein à la rencontre entre ces deux univers. L’objectif de cet article est d’interroger le rôle de la sérendipité, entendu ici comme résultant d’une temporalité caractérisée par l’incertitude, dans le champ de l’anthropologie de l’entreprise. Après un bref état de l’art sur l’usage et le recours à la sérendipité en anthropologie, nous déplaçons la focale dans le champ de l’entreprise. Nous analysons ainsi, à travers des exemples ethnographiques issus principalement du champ dudesign, le rôle de la sérendipité en entreprise en contexte d’anthropologie appliquée et fondamentale à la fois comme risque mais aussi comme levier pour valoriser une intervention anthropologique. Cette valence positive accordée à l’incertitude et donc à la sérendipité permet de renforcer le lien entre une anthropologie académique et une anthropologie opérationnelle dans le champ de l’entreprise en privilégiant la démarche spécifique de l’ethnographie.
A survey of open questions in adaptive therapy: Bridging mathematics and clinical translation
Authors: West Jeffrey , Adler Fred , Gallaher Jill , Strobl Maximilian , Brady-Nicholls Renee , Brown Joel , Roberson-Tessi Mark , Kim Eunjung , Noble Robert , Viossat Yannick , Basanta David , Anderson Alexander RA
Published: March 2023

Adaptive therapy is a dynamic cancer treatment protocol that updates (or ‘adapts’) treatment decisions in anticipation of evolving tumor dynamics. This broad term encompasses many possible dynamic treatment protocols of patient-specific dose modulation or dose timing. Adaptive therapy maintains high levels of tumor burden to benefit from the competitive suppression of treatment-sensitive subpopulations on treatment-resistant subpopulations. This evolution-based approach to cancer treatment has been integrated into several ongoing or planned clinical trials, including treatment of metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and BRAF-mutant melanoma. In the previous few decades, experimental and clinical investigation of adaptive therapy has progressed synergistically with mathematical and computational modeling. In this work, we discuss 11 open questions in cancer adaptive therapy mathematical modeling. The questions are split into three sections: (1) integrating the appropriate components into mathematical models (2) design and validation of dosing protocols, and (3) challenges and opportunities in clinical translation.
X-chromosome target specificity diverged between dosage compensation mechanisms of two closely related Caenorhabditis species
Authors: Yang Qiming , Lo Te-Wen , Brejc Katjuša , Schartner Caitlin , Ralston Edward J , Lapidus Denise M , Meyer Barbara J
Published: March 2023

An evolutionary perspective enhances our understanding of biological mechanisms. Comparison of sex determination and X-chromosome dosage compensation mechanisms between the closely related nematode species Caenorhabditis briggsae (Cbr) and Caenorhabditis elegans (Cel) revealed that the genetic regulatory hierarchy controlling both processes is conserved, but the X-chromosome target specificity and mode of binding for the specialized condensin dosage compensation complex (DCC) controlling X expression have diverged. We identified two motifs within Cbr DCC recruitment sites that are highly enriched on X: 13 bp MEX and 30 bp MEX II. Mutating either MEX or MEX II in an endogenous recruitment site with multiple copies of one or both motifs reduced binding, but only removing all motifs eliminated binding in vivo. Hence, DCC binding to Cbr recruitment sites appears additive. In contrast, DCC binding to Cel recruitment sites is synergistic: mutating even one motif in vivo eliminated binding. Although all X-chromosome motifs share the sequence CAGGG, they have otherwise diverged so that a motif from one species cannot function in the other. Functional divergence was demonstrated in vivo and in vitro. A single nucleotide position in Cbr MEX can determine whether Cel DCC binds. This rapid divergence of DCC target specificity could have been an important factor in establishing reproductive isolation between nematode species and contrasts dramatically with the conservation of target specificity for X-chromosome dosage compensation across Drosophila species and for transcription factors controlling developmental processes such as body-plan specification from fruit flies to mice.
Cylicins are a structural component of the sperm calyx being indispensable for male fertility in mice and human
Authors: Schneider Simon , Kovacevic Andjela , Mayer Michelle , Dicke Ann-Kristin , Arévalo Lena , Koser Sophie A. , Hansen Jan N. , Young Samuel , Brenker Christoph , Kliesch Sabine , Wachten Dagmar , Kirfel Gregor , Strünker Timo , Tüttelmann Frank , Schorle Hubert
Published: March 2023

Cylicins are testis specific proteins which are exclusively expressed during spermiogenesis. In mice and humans, two Cylicins, the gonosomal X-linked Cylicin 1 (
Cylc1/CYLC1
) and the autosomal Cylicin 2 (
Cylc2/CYLC2)
genes have been identified. Cylicins are cytoskeletal proteins with an overall positive charge due to lysine-rich repeats. While Cylicins have been localized in the acrosomal region of round spermatids, they resemble a major component of the calyx within the perinuclear theca at the posterior part of mature sperm nuclei. However, the role of Cylicins during spermiogenesis has not yet been investigated. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene-editing in zygotes to establish
Cylc1-
and
Cylc2
-deficient mouse lines as a model to study the function of these proteins.
Cylc1
-deficiency resulted in male subfertility whereas
Cylc2
−/-
,
Cylc1
−/y
Cylc2
+/-
, and
Cylc1
−/y
Cylc2
−/-
males were infertile. Phenotypical characterization revealed that loss of Cylicins prevents proper calyx assembly during spermiogenesis. This results in decreased epididymal sperm counts, impaired shedding of excess cytoplasm, and severe structural malformations, ultimately resulting in impaired sperm motility. Furthermore, exome sequencing identified an infertile man with a hemizygous variant in
CYLC1
and a heterozygous variant in
CYLC2
, displaying morphological abnormalities of the sperm including the absence of the acrosome. Thus, our study highlights the relevance and importance of Cylicins for spermiogenic remodeling and male fertility in human and mouse, and provides the basis for further studies on unraveling the complex molecular interactions between perinuclear theca proteins required during spermiogenesis.
Hydrogels improved parsley (Petroselinium crispum(Mill.) Nyman) growth and development under water deficit stress
Authors: Karipçin M. Zeki
Published: March 2023

Water scarcity is one of the most pressing problems facing countries in the semi-arid and arid regions of the world. Data predicts that by 2030, global water consumption will increase by 50%, leading to severe water shortages. Today, agricultural production consumes more than 70% of fresh water in many parts of the world, increasing the pressure on water scarcity. For these reasons, agricultural production models and approaches should be developed to reduce water consumption. One developed approach is the use of hydrogel to reduce water consumption and have a positive effect on plant growth. This study investigated the use of hydrogels as chemical components that can be used in water shortage conditions and against the expected water scarcity. Parsley was used as the model organism. The method used was as follows: two different water treatments (50% and 100%) and four different hydrogel concentrations (0%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) were applied, and root width and length, leaf width and length, main stem length, and the number of tillers were measured. According to the results, while no improvement was observed in the plants with 100% hydrogel concentration, the best results were obtained from 50% hydrogel application. The results obtained from 75% hydrogel application were found to be higher than those of 100% hydrogel but lower than 0% hydrogel application. With 50% hydrogel (water-restricted), all plant growth parameters were higher compared to the plants with 100% (full irrigation) water application. It was determined that the average value of the I1 (50%) irrigation was the highest (3.6), and the average value of the I2 (100%) irrigation (2.4) was the lowest. It was determined that the highest average value (6.2) in all measured traits was the average value of the H1 (50%) application, and the lowest average value (0.0) was in the H3 hydrogel applications (100%). In conclusion, this study suggested that hydrogel application is beneficial on a large scale, can optimize water resource management for higher yields in agriculture, and has a positive effect on agricultural yield under water deficit stress.
Environmental and individual determinants of burrow-site microhabitat selection, occupancy, and fidelity in eastern chipmunks living in a pulsed-resource ecosystem
Authors: Gaudreau-Rousseau Camille , Bergeron Patrick , Réale Denis , Garant Dany
Published: March 2023

Background

Habitat selection has major consequences on individual fitness, particularly selection for breeding sites such as nests or burrows. Theory predicts that animals will first use optimal habitats or rearrange their distribution by moving to higher-quality habitats whenever possible, for instance when another resident disperses or dies, or when environmental changes occur. External constraints, such as predation risk or resource abundance, and interindividual differences in age, sex and body condition can lead to variation in animals’ perception of habitat quality. Following habitat use by individuals over their lifetime is thus essential to understand the causes of variation in habitat selection within a population.

Methods

We used burrow occupancy data collected over eight years to assess burrow-site selection in a population of wild eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) relying on pulsed resources. We first compared characteristics of burrow microhabitats with those of equivalent unused plots. We then investigated the factors influencing the frequency of burrow occupation over time, and the individual and environmental causes of annual burrow fidelity decisions.

Results

Our results indicate that chipmunks select microhabitats with a greater number of woody debris and greater slopes. Microhabitats of burrows with higher occupancy rates had a lower shrub stratum, were less horizontally opened and their occupants’ sex-ratio was skewed towards males. Burrow fidelity was higher in non-mast years and positively related to the occupant’s age, microhabitat canopy cover and density of large red maples.

Conclusion

The quality of a burrow microhabitat appears to be determined in part by characteristics that favour predation avoidance, but consideration of occupancy and fidelity patterns over several years also highlighted the importance of including individual and contextual factors in habitat selection studies.
Visibility Detection Based on Object Region Selection
Authors: Xu Tao , Zhang Jie , Fu Rong
Published: March 2023

In response to the shortcomings of the dark channel prior and optimization methods in window selection and object depth variation, this paper proposes a visibility detection algorithm based on object region selection. The algorithm introduces superpixel segmentation to divide the image into superpixel blocks and extracts the superpixel blocks containing the target object for visibility calculation. In the visibility calculation, the dark channel and transmission rate extraction can be obtained only from the target object region, without the need to process the entire image region. This improves the accuracy of the target object parameter calculation and speeds up the computation.
ZASTOSOWANIE PROSZKÓW LUMINESCENCYJNYCH W CYFROWEJ FOTOGRAFII PLAMKOWEJ
Authors: KUŁAK A. , SUPRYNOWICZ Karol , PISAREK Jerzy
Published: March 2023

Do generacji obrazów plamkowych wykorzystano proszek luminescencyjny naniesiony w niewielkiej ilości na powierzchnię próbki i pobudzany do świecenia promieniowaniem UV. Uzyskano drobnoziarniste struktury plamkowe (speckle pattern) o bardzo wysokim kontraście i małym rozmiarze plamek, których kształt w przeciwieństwie do speckli laserowych jest kołowy, co ma istotne znaczenie dla skuteczności zastosowanych metod cyfrowej analizy obrazu. Pomiaru przemieszczeń i odkształceń dokonano poprzez cyfrową rejestrację obrazu i jego analizę przy użyciu procedur korelacyjnych. Wyniki zostały przedstawione poglądowo w postaci bitmap oraz w sposób bezpośredni w postaci tablic i wykresów. Opracowana metoda badawcza została przetestowana na płaskich próbkach drewnianych poddanych zginaniu trójpunktowemu.
SPRAWNOŚĆ CIEPLNA LASERA TRUDISK 4002
Authors: JĘDRUSIK Agnieszka , OPIEKUN Zenon , LENIK Magdalena
Published: March 2023

W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań sprawności cieplnej spawania laserem Trudisk 4002, zainstalowanego w stanowisku TruLaser 50204 cienkich blach ze stopu żaroodpornego na osnowie niklu Inconel 718. Sprawność cieplną ηe lasera określono przy użyciu kalorymetru przepływowego chłodzonego wodą. Próbki blach o grubości 0,7 i 0,9 mm instalowane w kalorymetrze poddawano strumieniowi światła lasera o mocy od 400 do 700 W, przemieszczanemu wzdłuż linii ze stałą prędkością Vs = 25 mm/s. Sprawność cieplną obliczono jako iloraz ciepła przejętego przez spawane blachy określonego kalorymetrycznie do całkowitej ilości ciepła generowanej przez laser. Z przeprowadzonych badań wynika, że sprawność cieplna spawania zależy nieliniowo od mocy lasera. Grubość spawanych blach nie ma wpływu na sprawność. Ze wzrostem wartości mocy lasera od 400 do 600 W, sprawność cieplna maleje trzykrotnie, od ok 21% do 7%, by przy wzroście jego mocy do 700 W, sprawność cieplna wzrosła do 18%.
Observations of Reproductive Biology and the Gonadal Cycle of Endangered Nandus nandus (Hamilton, 1822)
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Lutfar , Mallik Md. Khaled Monsur , Sinha Anukul Chandra , Rashid Ibrahim , Salam Mohammad Abdus
Published: March 2023

A study was conducted to determine the breeding season of endangered Nandus nandus by observing fecundity, somatic indexes, and gonadal cycle development year-round. Samples were collected from different fish landing centers of Sadar Upazila of Gazipur district. GSI values of N. nandus ranged from 4.26 ± 0.45 to 10.28 ± 0.39 while the maximum and the minimum GSI values were observed in July and in October, respectively. However, GaSI values showed an inverse relationship between them. The fecundity of this fish varied from 11176 ±593 to 18030 ± 1704 with the mean fecundity value of 13534.87 ± 87.53. Interestingly the highest fecundity was 18030 ± 1704 in July and the lowest fecundity was 11176 ± 593 in March, implying that the fecundity increased with the increment of time. Histological observation of ovary confirmed the presence of undeveloped oocyte (UO) to mature (M) stages of oocytes in fishes from March to November. The mature stages of oocytes including yolk vesicle’s (YV), yolk granule’s (YG), and in the case of the male predominance of spermatozoids were found high in proportion during June to July indicating the peak breeding season of N. nandus. Finally, these results suggest that N. nandus may breed from March with the peak in July and this information may help to provide a guideline for induced breeding and proper management of this fish in a controlled system as well as for conservation from being extinct.
“And Then He Died”
Authors: Yager Joel
Published: March 2023

In this narrative medicine essay, an emeritus professor of psychiatry ponders the preparation for and circumstances of achieving a good death and what burdens or benefits are left behind for loved ones.
Association of Antibiotic Receipt With Survival Among Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Receiving Chemotherapy
Authors: Fulop Daniel J. , Zylberberg Haley M. , Wu Y. Linda , Aronson Anne , Labiner Arielle J. , Wisnivesky Juan , Cohen Deirdre J. , Sigel Keith M. , Lucas Aimee L.
Published: March 2023

Importance

The prognosis for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is dismal, due in part to chemoresistance. Bacteria-mediated mechanisms of chemoresistance suggest a potential role for antibiotics in modulating response to chemotherapy.

Objective

To evaluate whether use of peritreatment antibiotics is associated with survival among patients with metastatic PDAC treated with first-line gemcitabine or fluorouracil chemotherapy.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Using the population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare linked database, this retrospective cohort study analyzed data for patients diagnosed with PDAC between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. Data analysis was conducted between September 1, 2021, and January 15, 2023. The population-based sample included 3850 patients with primary metastatic PDAC treated with first-line gemcitabine or fluorouracil chemotherapy. Patients who received antibiotics were matched based on propensity scores to patients who did not receive antibiotics.

Exposures

Receipt of 5 or more days of oral antibiotics or 1 injectable antibiotic in the month before or after beginning first-line chemotherapy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Overall survival and cancer-specific survival. The end of follow-up was December 31, 2019, for overall survival and December 31, 2018, for cancer-specific survival.

Results

Of the 3850 patients treated with first-line gemcitabine (3150 [81.8%]) or fluorouracil (700 [18.2%]), 2178 (56.6%) received antibiotics. The mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 74.2 (5.8) years and patients were predominantly women (2102 [54.6%]), White (3396 [88.2%]), and from metropolitan areas (3393 [88.1%]) in the northeastern or western US (2952 [76.7%]). In total, 1672 propensity-matched pairs were analyzed. Antibiotic receipt was associated with an 11% improvement in overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.96;P = .003) and a 16% improvement in cancer-specific survival (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77-0.92;P < .001) among patients treated with gemcitabine. In contrast, there was no association between antibiotic receipt and overall survival (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.90-1.29;P = .41) or cancer-specific survival (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.90-1.36;P = .29) among patients treated with fluorouracil. In a subgroup of gemcitabine-treated patients who received antibiotics, nonpenicillin β-lactams were associated with an 11% survival benefit (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81-0.97;P = .01).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, receipt of perichemotherapy antibiotics was associated with improved survival among patients treated with gemcitabine, but not fluorouracil, suggesting that antibiotics may modulate bacteria-mediated gemcitabine resistance and have the potential to improve PDAC outcomes.
Self‐Assembled Carrier‐Free Nanodrugs for Starvation Therapy‐Amplified Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer
Authors: Zhang Dong‐Yang , Liang Yuqin , Wang Mingcheng , Younis Muhammad Rizwan , Yi Huixi , Zhao Xiaoya , Chang Jishuo , Zheng Yue , Guo Weisheng , Yu Xiyong
Published: March 2023

Traditional starvation treatment strategies, which involve glucose oxidase and drug‐induced thrombi, often suffer from aggravated tumor hypoxia and have failed to improve antitumor efficacy in combination with oxygen‐dependent photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, glucose transporter 1 inhibitor genistein (Gen) and photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) are integrated to construct carrier‐free self‐assembled nanoparticles defined as GC NPs, for starvation therapy‐amplified PDT of tumor. GC NPs with regular morphology and stability are screened out by component adjustment, while the function of each component is preserved. On the one hand, Gen released from GC NPs can cut off tumor glucose uptake by inhibiting the glucose transporter 1 to restrict tumor growth, achieving starvation therapy. On the other hand, they are able to decrease the amount of oxygen consumed by tumor respiration and amplify the therapeutic effect of PDT. In vitro and in vivo experiments verify the excellent synergistic antitumor therapeutic efficacy of GC NPs without any apparent toxicity. Moreover, fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging provide guidance for in vivo PDT, demonstrating the excellent tumor enrichment efficiency of GC NPs. It is believed that this starvation therapy‐amplified PDT strategy by carrier‐free self‐assembled GC NPs holds promising clinical prospects.
Ultra‐Rapid Synthesis of Perovskite Micro/Nanocubes Induced by Nanoporous Surface for Micro/Nanolasers
Authors: Zhou Fengxian , Chen Zhuocheng , Hu Zhiping , Huang Sihao , Li Qian , Zhan Zijun , Liu Zhengzheng , Zhang Zeyu , He Jin , Du Juan
Published: March 2023

Perovskite micro/nanostructure with regular compact structure and high optical gain has provided a viable route toward the miniaturization of micro/nanolaser without an external cavity. Herein, a new process for the ultra‐rapid room‐temperature synthesis of perovskite micro/nanocubes with controllable size by combining surface‐induced crystallization with the perovskite solution route is described. At first, the perovskite precursors PbBr2 are encapsulated into the nanoporous glass monolith and then react with CsBr solution on a glass surface, where nanoscopic pores facilitate heterogeneous nucleation significantly. The whole synthesis process of micro/nanocubes is ultra‐rapid and complete within 20 s. Based on the synthetic perovskite micro/nanocubes, low‐threshold upconversion lasing is successfully realized with a high‐quality factor of 2845, which further confirms the high quality and excellent optical performance of perovskite micro/nanocubes. This powerful solution route provides an ultra‐rapid and facile method for the synthesis of perovskite micro/nanostructure toward miniaturized optoelectronic devices.
Mechanochemical Approach for Air‐Tolerant and Extremely Fast Lithium‐Based Birch Reductions in Minutes
Authors: Gao Yunpeng , Kubota Koji , Ito Hajime
Published: March 2023

Birch reduction has been widely used in organic synthesis for over half a century as a powerful method to dearomatize arenes into 1,4‐cyclohexadiene derivatives. However, the conventional Birch reduction reaction using liquid ammonia requires laborious procedures to ensure inert conditions and low temperatures. Although several ammonia‐free modifications have been reported, the development of an operationally simple, efficient, and scalable protocol remains a challenge. Herein, we report an ammonia‐free lithium‐based Birch reduction in air without special operating conditions using a ball‐milling technique. This method is characterized by its operational simplicity and an extremely short reaction time (within 1 min), probably owing to the in situ mechanical activation of lithium metal, broad substrate scope, and no requirement for dry bulk solvents. The potential of our flash Birch reaction is also demonstrated by the efficient reduction of bioactive target molecules and gram‐scale synthesis.
Approaching Theoretical Performances of Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Generation by Cobalt‐Nitrogen Moieties
Authors: Lin Runjia , Kang Liqun , Lisowska Karolina , He Weiying , Zhao Siyu , Hayama Shusaku , Hutchings Graham J. , Brett Dan J. L. , Corà Furio , Parkin Ivan P. , He Guanjie
Published: March 2023

Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been intensively studied for environmentally benign applications. However, insufficient understanding of ORR 2 e−‐pathway mechanism at the atomic level inhibits rational design of catalysts with both high activity and selectivity, causing concerns including catalyst degradation due to Fenton reaction or poor efficiency of H2O2 electrosynthesis. Herein we show that the generally accepted ORR electrocatalyst design based on a Sabatier volcano plot argument optimises activity but is unable to account for the 2 e−‐pathway selectivity. Through electrochemical and operando spectroscopic studies on a series of CoNx/carbon nanotube hybrids, a construction‐driven approach based on an extended “dynamic active site saturation” model that aims to create the maximum number of 2 e− ORR sites by directing the secondary ORR electron transfer towards the 2 e− intermediate is proven to be attainable by manipulating O2 hydrogenation kinetics.
Piloting an interprofessional virtual cadaveric dissection course: Responding to COVID‐19
Authors: Oliveira Ana , Wainman Bruce , Palombella Andrew , Rockarts Jasmine , Wojkowski Sarah
Published: March 2023

Interprofessional learning improves students' clinical and interprofessional competencies. COVID‐19 prevented delivering in‐person education and motivated the development of a virtual interprofessional cadaveric dissection (ICD) course. This study reports on the effects of a virtual ICD course compared to a previously delivered in‐person course, on students' readiness for, and perceptions about, interprofessional learning. Students attending the ICD course in‐person (2019–2020) or virtually (2020–2021) completed the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) and the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS). Students in the virtual course also provided written feedback. Thirty‐two (24 women; Median: 24 [Q1‐Q3: 22–25] years) and 23 students (18 women; 22 [21–23] years) attended the in‐person and virtual courses, respectively. In the virtual cohort, the RIPLS total score (82 [76–87] vs. 85 [78–90]; p = 0.034) and the roles and responsibilities sub‐score (11 [9–12] vs. 12 [11–13]; p = 0.001) improved significantly. In the in‐person cohort, the roles and responsibilities sub‐score improved significantly (12 [10–14] vs. 13 [11–14]; p = 0.017). No significant differences were observed between cohorts (p < 0.05). Themes identified in the qualitative analysis were advantages and positive experiences, competencies acquired, disadvantages and challenges, and preferences and suggestions. In‐person and virtual ICD courses seem to have similar effects on students' interprofessional learning. However, students reported preferring the in‐person setting for learning anatomy‐dissection skills.
Protective effect of Pueraria lobata leaves on doxorubicin‐induced myocardial infarction in experimental Wistar rats
Authors: Li Lei , Vijayalakshmi Annamalai
Published: March 2023

The present study intended to explore the preventive effects of Pueraria lobata leaves against doxorubicin (DOX)‐induced myocardial infarction (MI) in Wistar rats. The rats were separated into four groups, with each group containing six rats. Group I control rats; group II received DOX‐alone in six equivalent injections for 2 weeks; group III received DOX as abovementioned with P. lobata oral administration for 2 weeks; group IV received P. lobata alone for 2 weeks. At the end of the experiment, postcervical dislocation and MI induced by DOX were determined on the basis of the variations in the animal body and heart weight and further instabilities in cardiac marker enzymes aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, creatine kinase‐myoglobin binding, and cardiac troponin I in the serum. At the same time, for group III animals, which were exposed to P. lobata, all the above‐denoted marker levels were maintained. Levels of some crucial heart‐binding proteins like heart fatty acid binding protein, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, and transforming growth factor beta were elevated in DOX‐alone treated rats. Additionally, group III animals treated with P. lobata showed some preventive downregulated expressions of these binding proteins. Histopathological observations also revealed the preventive effect of P. lobata. Ultimately proteins tangled in the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/protein kinase B pathway were studied by Western blot. P. lobata treatment downregulated the inflammatory markers. The findings suggest that P. lobata exhibits cardioprotective effect on MI.
Striving for sustainable development at the top: Exploring the interplay of director and CEO values on environmental sustainability focus
Authors: Prömpeler Julia , Veltrop Dennis B. , Stoker Janka I. , Rink Floor A.
Published: March 2023

Drawing from research on strategic management and environmental psychology, this study investigates the role of independent directors' and CEOs' values in promoting sustainable development. We propose that their values may interactively shape directors' focus on environmental sustainability. We test our propositions with survey data from 176 directors and matching CEOs. Our results confirm that there is a significant positive relationship between directors' biospheric values and their environmental sustainability focus, which is further amplified by CEO egoistic values. In contrast to our expectations—and regardless of CEO values—directors' egoistic values appear to be unrelated to their environmental sustainability focus. As such, this research points to the importance of director and CEO values acting as substitutes rather than complements in shaping directors' environmental sustainability focus. Taken together, this study highlights the importance of considering both director and CEO values in promoting environmental policy at the top of the organization.
Access to Benzo‐ and Naphtho‐Azaphospholes via C−H Bond Activation of Aryl‐Substituted Isonitriles
Authors: Pilopp Yannic , Bresien Jonas , Gschwind Daniel T. , Villinger Alexander , Michalik Dirk , Schulz Axel
Published: March 2023

Differently substituted phenyl isonitriles (with C−H bonds in ortho‐position) and naphthyl isonitriles were reacted with the cyclic biradical [⋅P(μ‐N‐Ter)2P⋅] (1). Insertion of the isonitrile formed a cyclic five‐membered biradical [⋅P(NTer)2C(R)P⋅] (2R, R=phenyl, naphthyl) in the first step, followed by C−H activation at the aryl substituent, resulting in novel azaphospholes (5R), which could be isolated and fully characterized. The formation of the azaphospholes can be prevented by the addition of a second equivalent of isonitrile, which causes the blocking of the radical centers in 2R by adduct formation (3R). Quantum mechanical calculations showed that a significant increase in the aromaticity of the benzo‐ and naphtho‐azaphospholes is one of the driving forces for the activation process leading to the formation of thermodynamically favored azaphospholes. Targeted activation of C−H bonds using biradical systems represents a new synthetic approach to generate benzo‐ and naphtho‐azaphospholes.
A Photoswitchable Solvatochromic Dye for Probing Membrane Ordering by RESOLFT Super‐resolution Microscopy**
Authors: Frawley Andrew T. , Leslie Kathryn G. , Wycisk Virginia , Galiani Silvia , Shrestha Dilip , Eggeling Christian , Anderson Harry L.
Published: March 2023

A switchable solvatochromic fluorescent dyad can be used to map ordering of lipids in vesicle membranes at a resolution better than the diffraction limit. Combining a Nile Red fluorophore with a photochromic spironaphthoxazine quencher allows the fluorescence to be controlled using visible light, via photoswitching and FRET quenching. Synthetic lipid vesicles of varying composition were imaged with an average 2.5‐fold resolution enhancement, compared to the confocal images. Ratiometric detection was used to probe the membrane polarity, and domains of different lipid ordering were distinguished within the same membrane.
A miniaturized highly selective MTM‐inspired filter for lowpass and triple‐band bandpass performance with configurable transmission zeros and bandwidth
Authors: Singh Raghvenda Kumar , Gupta Ashish
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a novel, compact, and highly selective metamaterial inspired filter with low insertion loss, lowpass, and triple‐band bandpass characteristics. The presence of five transmission zeros and seven poles facilitates highly selective filtering performance. The improved impedance matching and transmission characteristics have been achieved by embedding complementary split ring resonator as defected ground structure. The filter circuit area excluding 50 Ω feed lines is merely 0.17λg × 0.05λg at 3‐dB cut‐off frequency of lowpass passband (1.11 GHz). The 3‐dB fractional bandwidths of the three bandpass regions are 39.50% (1.3–1.94 GHz), 21.20% (3.12–3.86 GHz), and 21.06% (4.04–4.99 GHz) at the center frequencies of 1.62, 3.49, and 4.51 GHz, respectively. Intended filter also offers a wide stopband extending from 2.15 to 2.96 GHz at close to 20 dB attenuation level. Further, position of transmission zeros and 3‐dB passband bandwidths can be adjusted by carefully choosing structural design parameters. The metamaterial effect of the proposed filter has been demonstrated by plotting refractive index followed by validating the performance with the help of experimental measurements. No filter shows lowpass characteristic along with three bandpass performances as found by the authors exploring literature, which presents the novelty of the proposed work.
Identification of hydrodynamic changes in rivers by means of freshwater mussels' behavioural response: An experimental investigation
Authors: Termini Donatella , Benistati Nina , Tosato Luca , Pilbala Ashkan , Modesto Vanessa , Fraccarollo Luigi , Manca Dario , Moramarco Tommaso , Riccardi Nicoletta
Published: March 2023

The present work concerns the interaction between hydraulic processes and biological communities in rivers. In particular, the aim of this study is to investigate the interactions between flow dynamics and the freshwater mussels (FMs) to verify if the mussels' behavioural response to the hydrodynamic stress could be used to monitor natural extreme events in rivers. Although the influence of mussels on the kinematic characteristics of flow at the water–sediment interface was investigated by a certain number of studies, their behavioural response to flow, both in static and dynamic conditions, remains understudied. Laboratory experiments were performed in an artificial flume exposing Unio elongatulus to different values of flow discharge, both in steady and in unsteady conditions either with or without sediment transport. Mussels' behavioural responses were detected by using Hall sensor technology to measure gaping frequency, amplitude and duration, both in static conditions and under the effect of hydrodynamic stresses. Five categories of behavioural response were identified: Normal Activity (NA), Resting (Re), Transition (Tr), Adaptation (Ad) and Avoidance (Av). During NA (standard feeding and moving), FMs presented valve gaping, while during Re valves were kept constantly opened for water filtration. After a variation of flow discharge (ΔQ), FMs promptly reacted showing a transition from their normal behaviour, with constant gaping frequency (below 0.01 Hz), to higher valve gaping frequencies. The mean valves' gaping frequency increased as a function of ΔQ, and the highest values were reached in the presence of sediment transport. The mean valve opening amplitude was less sensitive to ΔQ. Its range of variation was very narrow with the highest values corresponding to the protrusion/retraction of the animals' foot to move or anchor to the substrate. The percentage of mussels responding to the discharge variation (Transition behaviour) increases with ΔQ confirming that mussels' behavioural response represents a promising tool for monitoring the occurrence of hydrodynamic stressors in fluvial systems.
Synthesis of Diastereomeric 8‐Fluoro‐ABC‐Steroid Building Blocks
Authors: Essers Michael , Haufe Günter
Published: March 2023

An eight‐step linear sequence for the preparation of two diastereomers of an 8‐fluoro‐ABC‐steroid building block was developed. Key step was an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction of an intermediate o‐quinodimethane formed from a benzocyclobutene substituted with a 5‐fluorohex‐5‐en‐4‐one chain. This side chain was prepared from 6‐chlorohex‐1‐ene by bromofluorination, elimination of HBr, Finkelstein reaction and alkylation of a literature‐known benzocyclobutene derivative with the thus‐formed 6‐iodo‐2‐fluorohex‐1‐ene. Allylic oxidation of side chain's fluorovinyl moiety to an α‐fluoro‐α,β‐unsaturated ketone completed the preparation of the precursor for the [4+2]‐cycloaddition.
Personalized pain management: The relationship between clinical relevance and reliability of measurements
Authors: Mista Christian Ariel , Intelangelo Leonardo , Biurrun Manresa José
Published: March 2023

Reliability is a topic in health science in which a critical appraisal of the magnitudes of the measurements is often left aside to favour a formulaic analysis. Furthermore, the relationship between clinical relevance and reliability of measurements is often overlooked. In this context, the aim of the present article is to provide an overview of the design and analysis of reliability studies, the interpretation of the reliability of measurements and its relationship to clinical significance in the context of pain research and management. The article is divided in two sections: the first section contains a step‐by‐step guide with simple and straightforward recommendations for the design and analysis of a reliability study, with a relevant example involving a commonly used assessment measure in pain research. The second section provides deeper insight about the interpretation of the results of a reliability study and the association between the reliability of measurements and their experimental and clinical relevance.

Significance

Reliability studies quantify the measurement error in experimental or clinical setups and should be interpreted as a continuous outcome. The assessment of measurement error is useful to design and interpret future experimental studies and clinical interventions. Reliability and clinical relevance are inextricably linked, as measurement error should be considered in the interpretation of minimal detectable change and minimal clinically important differences.
Nutritional importance and industrial uses of pomegranate peel: A critical review
Authors: Ain Huma Bader Ul , Tufail Tabussam , Bashir Shahid , Ijaz Nabia , Hussain Muzzamal , Ikram Ali , Farooq Muhammad Adil , Saewan Shamaail A.
Published: March 2023

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), commonly known as a seeded or granular apple, is a delectable fruit eaten worldwide. Pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits, with a high concentration of phenolic compounds. Large quantities of byproducts, such as seeds and peels, are produced during the pomegranate juice extraction process, which causes disposal problems and environmental contamination. Pomegranate peel (PoP), which accounts for around 30%–40% of the fruit component, is a byproduct of the fruit juice manufacturing industry. PoP is a rich source of polyphenols including phenolic acids, tannins, and flavonoids, especially anthocyanin. These peels offer several functional and nutraceutical qualities owing to their bioactive ingredients, including lowering blood pressure, reducing oxidative stress, lowering cholesterol levels, and restoring heart health. PoPs have a variety of biological effects, including the ability to resist pathogenic microbes effectively, and used as an additive in various food applications. The current review focuses on the PoP's nutritional and practical attributes, as well as their functions as food additives and functional food preparations.
Fengycin produced by Bacillus subtilis XF‐1 plays a major role in the biocontrol of Chinese cabbage clubroot via direct effect and defense stimulation
Authors: He Pengjie , Cui Wenyan , Munir Shahzad , He Pengbo , Huang Ruirong , Li Xingyu , Wu Yixin , Wang Yuehu , Yang Jing , Tang Ping , He Yueqiu , He Pengfei
Published: March 2023

Bacillus subtilis XF‐1 is a well‐investigated biocontrol agent against the biotrophic Plasmodiophora brassicae Woron., the causal agent of clubroot disease of cruciferous crops. The present study demonstrates that XF‐1 could efficiently control clubroot disease via leaf spraying and provides an understanding of the biocontrol mechanisms. High‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HTPLC) analysis indicated the presence of fengycin‐type cyclopeptides in the supernatant. A ppsB deletion mutant of XF‐1 resulted in no fengycin production, significantly reduced the lysis rate of testing spores in vitro and the primary infection rate of root hair in vivo, and decreased the protection value against clubroot disease under the greenhouse conditions. Confocal laser scanning microscopy proved that fengycin was not required for leaf internalization and root colonization. Moreover, the expression level of the ppsB gene in XF‐1 was regulated by its cell density in root during interaction with P. brassicae. In addition, the ΔppsB mutant of XF‐1 could not efficiently control disease because it led to a lower activation level of the jasmonic acid and salicylic acid signaling pathways in roots, which are necessary for the plant defense reaction upon pathogen invasion. Altogether, the present study provides a new understanding of specific cues in the interaction between B. subtilis and P. brassicae as well as insights into the application of B. subtilis in agriculture.
SARS‐CoV‐2 infection alters the gut microbiome in diabetes patients: A cross‐sectional study from Bangladesh
Authors: Mannan Adnan , Hoque M. Nazmul , Noyon Sajjad Hossain , Mehedi H. M. Hamidullah , Foysal Md Javed , Salauddin Asma , Islam S. M. Rafiqul , Sharmen Farjana , Tanni Afroza Akter , Siddiki AMAM Zonaed , Tay Alfred , Siddique Md Moradul , Rahman M. Shaminur , Galib Syed Md. , Akter Farhana
Published: March 2023

Populations of different South Asian nations including Bangladesh reportedly have a high risk of developing diabetes in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the differences in the gut microbiome of COVID‐19‐positive participants with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared with healthy control subjects. Microbiome data of 30 participants with T2DM were compared with 22 age‐, sex‐, and body mass index (BMI)‐matched individuals. Clinical features were recorded while fecal samples were collected aseptically from the participants. Amplicon‐based (16S rRNA) metagenome analyses were employed to explore the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and its correlation with genomic and functional features in COVID‐19 patients with or without T2DM. Comparing the detected bacterial genera across the sample groups, 98 unique genera were identified, of which 9 genera had unique association with COVID‐19 T2DM patients. Among different bacterial groups, Shigella (25%), Bacteroides (23.45%), and Megamonas (15.90%) had higher mean relative abundances in COVID‐19 patients with T2DM. An elevated gut microbiota dysbiosis in T2DM patients with COVID‐19 was observed while some metabolic functional changes correlated with bidirectional microbiome dysbiosis between diabetes and non‐diabetes humans gut were also found. These results further highlight the possible association of COVID‐19 infection that might be linked with alteration of gut microbiome among T2DM patients.
Comparison of common human respiratory pathogens among hospitalized children aged ≤ 6 years in Hainan Island, China, during spring and early summer in 2019–2021
Authors: Mai Wenhui , Ren Yi , Tian Xiuying , Al‐Mahdi Abdullah Y. , Peng Ruoyan , An Jing , Lin Qiuyu , Hu Xiaoyuan , Wang Gaoyu , Sun Changjia , Lu Zhe , Du Jiang , Xiao Meifang , Yin Feifei
Published: March 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and related public health intervention measures have been reported to have resulted in the reduction of infections caused by influenza viruses and other common respiratory viruses. However, the influence may be varied in areas that have different ecological, economic, and social conditions. This study investigated the changing epidemiology of 8 common respiratory pathogens, including Influenza A (IFVA), Influenza B (IFVB), Respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), rhinovirus (RV), Human metapneumovirus Adenovirus, Human bocavirus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, among hospitalized children during spring and early summer in 2019–2021 in two hospitals in Hainan Island, China, in the COVID‐19 pandemic era. The results revealed a significant reduction in the prevalence of IFVA and IFVB in 2020 and 2021 than in 2019, whereas the prevalence of HRSV increased, and it became the dominant viral pathogen in 2021. RV was one of the leading pathogens in the 3 year period, where no significant difference was observed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close relationships among the circulating respiratory viruses. Large scale studies are needed to study the changing epidemiology of seasonal respiratory viruses to inform responses to future respiratory virus pandemics.