bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Modular Synthesis of Substituted Cycloparaphenylenes
Authors: Kohrs Daniel , Becker Jonathan , Wegner Hermann A.
Published: January 2022

Herein, we report a modular synthesis providing access to substituted cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) of different sizes. A key synthon introducing two geminal ester units was efficiently prepared by [2+2+2] cycloaddition. This building block can be conveniently converted to macrocyclic precursors controlling the ring size of the final CPP. Efficient reductive aromatization through single‐electron transfer provided the substituted nanohoops in a straightforward manner. The tBu ester substitution pattern enables a tube‐like arrangement in the solid‐state governed by van der Waals interactions that exhibits one of the tightest packings of CPPs in tube direction, thus opening new avenues in the crystal design of CPPs.
Multi‐Level Approach for Comprehensive Enamel Phenotyping
Authors: Aranaz‐Novaliches Goretti , Spoutil Frantisek , Bukova Ivana , Krejzova Irena , Olsinova Marie , Dalecka Marketa , Benda Ales , Rozman Jan , Sedlacek Radislav , Prochazka Jan
Published: January 2022

Enamel is the hardest tissue in mammalian organisms and is the layer covering the tooth. It consists of hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystallites, which mineralize on a protein scaffold known as the enamel matrix. Enamel matrix assembly is a very complex process mediated by enamel matrix proteins (EMPs). Altered HAP deposition or disintegration of the protein scaffold can cause enamel defects. Various methods have been established for enamel phenotyping, including MicroCT scanning with various resolutions from 9 µm for in vivo imaging to 1.5 µm for ex vivo imaging. With increasing resolution, we can see not only the enamel layer itself but also a detailed map of mineralization. To study enamel microstructure, we combine the MicroCT analysis with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which enables us to perform element analyses such as calcium‐carbon ratio. However, the methods mentioned above only show the result—already formed enamel. Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy provides extra information about protein structure in the form of EMP localization and position before enamel mineralization. A combination of all these methods allows analyzing the same sample on multiple levels—starting with the live animal being scanned harmlessly and quickly, followed by sacrifice and high‐resolution MicroCT scans requiring no special sample preparation. The biggest advantage is that samples remain in perfect condition for SEM or STED microscopic analysis. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: In vivo MicroCT scanning of mouse

Basic Protocol 2: Ex vivo HR‐MicroCT of the teeth

Basic Protocol 3: SEM for teeth microstructure

Basic Protocol 4: Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy
Experimental study on power generation plant of a 1 kW small‐scale Organic Rankine Cycle system using R290
Authors: Wang Feng , Gao Wenzhong , Li Gen , Tian Zhen , Wang Xiaozhong
Published: January 2022

This work presents an experimental investigation of a small‐scale cryogenic Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power generation plant for cold energy utilization using scroll expander and R290. The fresh water and liquid nitrogen were used as heat source and heat sink, respectively. Furthermore, expander gross output power and isentropic efficiency, system thermal efficiency, and cold energy utilization efficiency were calculated as a principle to evaluate the overall system performance. The experimental results demonstrate that increasing pressure drop and heat source temperature will benefit the system performance in some extent, and the pressure drop exhibits a relative sensitivity to heat source temperature about the system performance. Moreover, the expander gross output power will get the peak value while the heat source and heat sink in the best matching. When the mass flow rate of liquid nitrogen at 120 kg/h, optimum pressure drop is 1.02 Mpa, and the corresponding expander gross output power, thermal efficiency, and cold energy utilization efficiency were 638.2W, 0.0586, and 0.0976, respectively. The optimum heat source temperature is 50℃ under liquid nitrogen mass flow rate of 120 kg/h, and the corresponding expander gross output power, thermal efficiency, and cold energy utilization efficiency were 674.2 W, 0.0594, and 0.099, respectively.
Citation
Authors: Mariner Kathryn A.
Published: January 2022

This experimental essay examines citation as a multifaceted feminist keyword and praxis that is political, epistemological, mathematical, personal, temporal, navigational, correctional, capital, methodological, and aspirational. The piece itself is a performative journey through the myriad processes, politics, and poetics of citation, an attempt to embody citation's inherently in/elegant awkwardness, the way it can serve as a deeply personal window into the process of writing, living, and being. This journey reveals how citation, though often portrayed as a neat kind of resolution, remains splayed open and unresolved in numerous ways. It is an attempt to lay bare the process of building toward something that is not entirely one's own, a process routinely contained in a tidy footnote or cradled between two parentheses. Intentionally raising more questions than it answers, the following prompts the reader to interrogate various assumptions about how certain words become keywords, the boundaries of their definitions, and the emotional, epistemological, and conceptual baggage that accompanies them.
A photoelicitation exploration on formally homeless people experience with Universal Credit: System error and 'the government don't care'
Authors: B. De Oliveira Bruno
Published: January 2022

This article explores the impact of Universal Credit (UC) on a group of formerly homeless people who were forcibly made to experience a system of full of errors and government that, in their view, did not care. The experience of a marginalised and vulnerable group with complex needs allows one to consider the impacts of welfare reforms on vulnerable people. The research was conducted with formerly homeless contacted via organisations that support people who experienced homelessness in Brighton, Southeast of the UK. Five people (32 years and older) participated. Qualitative data were obtained in photo‐elicitation interviews and were thematically analysed. Findings were that they faced a system of error as well as experiencing a sense the government did not care about their situation. The participants expressed their views on how the UC process made them ‘struggle’ and caused them to have to ‘use food banks’, and argued that the staff did not know the policy. The system is singled out as the cause of UC claimants' destitution. For the participants, policymakers' negligence, contempt, and detachment were not hard to understand. The article provides implications for practice and research.
Closing the gap: did delivery approaches complementary to home‐based testing reach men with HIV testing services during and after the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in Zambia?
Authors: Phiri Mwelwa Muleba , Schaap Ab , Simwinga Musonda , Hensen Bernadette , Floyd Sian , Mulubwa Chama , Simuyaba Melvin , Chiti Bwalya , Bond Virginia , Shanaube Kwame , Fidler Sarah , Hayes Richard , Ayles Helen ,   the HPTN 071 (PopART) Study team
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The HPTN 071 (PopART) trial demonstrated that universal HIV testing‐and‐treatment reduced community‐level HIV incidence. Door‐to‐door delivery of HIV testing services (HTS) was one of the main components of the intervention. From an early stage, men were less likely to know their HIV status than women, primarily because they were not home during service delivery. To reach more men, different strategies were implemented during the trial. We present the relative contribution of these strategies to coverage of HTS and the impact of community hubs implemented after completion of the trial among men.

Methods

Between 2013 and 2017, three intervention rounds (IRs) of door‐to‐door HTS delivery were conducted in eight PopART communities in Zambia. Additional strategies implemented in parallel, included: community‐wide “Man‐up” campaigns (IR1), smaller HTS campaigns at work/social places (IR2) and revisits to households with the option of HIV self‐testing (HIVST) (IR3). In 2018, community “hubs” offering HTS were implemented for 7 months in all eight communities. Population enumeration data for each round of HTS provided the denominator, allowing for calculation of the proportion of men tested as a result of each strategy during different time periods.

Results

By the end of the three IRs, 65–75% of men were reached with HTS, primarily through door‐to‐door service delivery. In IR1 and IR2, “Man‐up” and work/social place campaigns accounted for ∼1 percentage point each and in IR3, revisits with the option of self‐testing for ∼15 percentage points of this total coverage per IR. The yield of newly diagnosed HIV‐positive men ranged from 2.2% for HIVST revisits to 9.9% in work/social places. At community hubs, the majority of visitors accepting services were men (62.8%). In total, we estimated that ∼36% (2.2% tested HIV positive) of men resident but not found at their household during IR3 of PopART accessed HTS provided at the hubs after trial completion.

Conclusions

Achieving high coverage of HTS among men requires universal, home‐based service delivery combined with an option of HIVST and delivery of HTS through community‐based hubs. When men are reached, they are willing to test for HIV. Reaching men thus requires implementers to adapt their HTS delivery strategies to meet men's needs.

Clinical Trial Number

NCT01900977
Differential expression of inhibitory receptor NKG2A distinguishes disease‐specific exhausted CD8+ T cells
Authors: Chen Xiangyu , Lin Yao , Yue Shuai , Yang Yang , Wang Xinxin , Pan Zhiwei , Yang Xiaofan , Gao Leiqiong , Zhou Jing , Li Zhirong , Hu Li , Tang Jianfang , Wu Qing , Wang Yifei , Tian Qin , Hao Yaxing , Xu Lifan , Zhu Bo , Huang Qizhao , Ye Lilin
Published: January 2022

Exhausted CD8+ T (Tex) cells are caused by persistent antigenic stimulation during chronic viral infection or tumorigenesis. Tex cells upregulate and sustain the expressions of multiple immune inhibitory receptors (IRs). Blocking IRs of Tex cells, exemplified by PD‐1, can partially restore their effector functions and thus lead to viral suppression or tumor remission. Tex cells derived from chronic viral infections share the expression spectrum of IRs with Tex cells derived from tumors; however, whether any IRs are selectively expressed by tumor‐derived Tex cells or virus‐derived Tex cells remains to be learnt. In the study, we found that Tex cells upregulate IR natural killer cell lectin‐like receptor isoform A (NKG2A) specifically in the context of tumor but not chronic viral infection. Moreover, the NKG2A expression is attributed to tumor antigen recognition and thus bias expressed by tumor‐specific Tex cells in the tumor microenvironment instead of their counterparts in the periphery. Such dichotomous NKG2A expression further dictates the differential responsiveness of Tex cells to NKG2A immune checkpoint blockade. Therefore, our study highlighted NKG2A as a disease‐dependent IR and provided novel insights into the distinct regulatory mechanisms underlying T cell exhaustion between tumor and chronic viral infection.
Structural insights into the catalytic and inhibitory mechanisms of the flavin transferase FmnB in Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Zheng Yanhui , Yan Weizhu , Dou Chao , Zhou Dan , Chen Yunying , Jin Ying , Yang Lulu , Zeng Xiaotao , Cheng Wei
Published: January 2022

Listeria monocytogenes, a food‐borne Gram‐positive pathogen, often causes diseases such as gastroenteritis, bacterial sepsis, and meningitis. Newly discovered extracellular electron transfer (EET) from L. monocytogenes plays critical roles in the generation of redox molecules as electron carriers in bacteria. A Mg2+‐dependent protein flavin mononucleotide (FMN) transferase (FmnB; UniProt: LMRG_02181) in EET is responsible for the transfer of electrons from intracellular to extracellular by hydrolyzing cofactor flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and transferring FMN. FmnB homologs have been investigated in Gram‐negative bacteria but have been less well studied in Gram‐positive bacteria. In particular, the catalytic and inhibitory mechanisms of FmnB homologs remain elusive. Here, we report a series of crystal structures of apo‐FmnB and FmnB complexed with substrate FAD, three inhibitors AMP, ADP, and ATP, revealing the unusual catalytic triad center (Asp301‐Ser257‐His273) of FmnB. The three inhibitors indeed inhibited the activity of FmnB in varying degrees by occupying the binding site of the FAD substrate. The key residue Arg262 of FmnB was profoundly affected by ADP but not AMP or ATP. Overall, our studies not only provide insights into the promiscuous ligand recognition behavior of FmnB but also shed light on its catalytic and inhibitory mechanisms.
Technique of Augmenting Molecular Graph Data by Perturbating Hidden Features
Authors: Inoue Takahiro , Tanaka Kenichi , Funatsu Kimito
Published: January 2022

Quantitative structure‐property relationship models are useful in efficiently searching for molecules with desired properties in drug discovery and materials development. In recent years, many such models based on graph neural networks, showing good prediction performance, have been reported. Training graph neural networks generally require many samples, but by using a training method for a small dataset, it is possible to extract features that enable successful prediction. Herein, we design a method of augmenting graph data. In this method, random perturbations are added with a certain probability to some vertex features during message passing. We verify the proposed method's effectiveness in regression and classification tasks. It is confirmed that the proposed method is effective when the perturbation is added immediately before the readout of the graph neural network, and the effect of the data augmentation is most evident for small datasets of approximately 1000 samples.
T1D‐weighted ihMT imaging – Part II. Investigating the long‐ and short‐T1D components correlation with myelin content. Comparison with R1 and the macromolecular proton fraction
Authors: Hertanu Andreea , Soustelle Lucas , Buron Julie , Le Priellec Julie , Cayre Myriam , Le Troter Arnaud , Varma Gopal , Alsop David C. , Durbec Pascale , Girard Olivier M. , Duhamel Guillaume
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To investigate the long‐ and short‐T1D components correlation with myelin content using inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) high‐pass and band‐pass T1D‐filters and to compare ihMT, R1, and the macromolecular proton fraction (MPF) for myelin specific imaging.

Methods

The 3D ihMT rapid gradient echo (ihMTRAGE) sequences with increasing switching times (Δt) were used to derive ihMT high‐pass T1D‐filters with increasing T1D cutoff values and an ihMT band‐pass T1D‐filter for components in the 100 µs to 1 ms range. 3D spoiled gradient echo quantitative MT (SPGR‐qMT) protocols were used to derive R1 and MPF maps. The specificity of R1, MPF, and ihMT T1D‐filters was evaluated by comparison with two histological reference techniques for myelin imaging.

Results

The higher contribution of long‐T1Ds as compared to the short components as Δt got longer led to an increase in the specificity to myelination. In contrast, focusing on the signal originating from a narrow range of short‐T1Ds (< 1 ms) as isolated by the band‐pass T1D‐filter led to lower specificity. In addition, the significantly lower r2 correlation coefficient of the band‐pass T1D‐filter suggests that the origin of short‐T1D components is mostly associated with non‐myelin protons. Also, the important contribution of short‐T1Ds to the estimated MPF, explains its low specificity to myelination as compared to the ihMT high‐pass T1D‐filters.

Conclusion

Long‐T1D components imaging by means of ihMT high‐pass T1D‐filters is proposed as an MRI biomarker for myelin content. Future studies should enable the investigation of the sensitivity of ihMT T1D‐filters for demyelinating processes.
Development of a questionnaire set to evaluate adaptations to COVID era: The ICS TURNOVER project (Transition of fUnctional uRology to New COVID ERa)
Authors: Hajebrahimi Sakineh , López‐Fando Luis , Arlandis Salvador , Ghojazadeh Morteza , Salehi‐Pourmehr Hanieh , Hashim Hashim
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has caused a massive cutdown in outpatient urological investigations, procedures, and interventions. Female and functional urology (FFU) has been probably the most affected subspecialty in urology. Several scientific societies have published guidelines to manage this new situation, providing general recommendations. The aim of this study was to devise a robust questionnaire covering every different aspect of FFU to obtain recommendations on COVID‐19 adaptations.

Methods

Delphi methodology was adapted to devise the survey questionnaires for male/female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), chronic pelvic pain (CPP), and neuro‐urological disease. Content validity, face validity, and internal consistence were assessed to establish the final questionnaire. This study was ethically approved by the Local Research Ethics Committee.

Results

A total 97, 59, 79, 85, and 84 items for female and male LUTS, POPs, CPP, and neuro‐urology respectively were approved by the participants. Content validity over 0.70 was obtained which seemed reasonable content validity scores. Internal consistency obtains values of Cronbach's alpha was between 0.70 and 0.90 which was acceptable.

Conclusions

The collective wisdom obtained through a global survey using validated questionnaires covering every different aspect of FFU patient management is necessary. We have developed a robust and validated tool consisting of five questionnaires covering the most prevalent pathologies in FFU.
Penalization techniques for fatigue‐based topology optimizations of structures with embedded functionally graded lattice materials
Authors: Trudel Eric , ElSayed Mostafa S. A.
Published: January 2022

Topology optimization is widely used in industry to determine optimal load paths while satisfying stringent constraints. Recently, functionally graded lattice materials have been integrated into structural design for weight minimization, performance improvements, among others. One subject of interest is the long‐lasting designs with high fatigue failure resistance. The focus of this article is twofold, namely, to present readers with a step‐by step guide to derive sensitivities for various fatigue performances in gradient based topology optimization and to present and compare new and old methods for cumulative damage objectives. New formulations for cumulative damage assessment that modify local damage in topology optimizations by influencing local stress, yield strength or SN‐curve intercept are presented. Effects of functionally graded materials are also investigated to measure potential improvements in damage resistance. Methods of gradient descent such as moving asymptotes and sequential quadratic programming are included to compare solutions of fatigue minimization problems. The analysis shows that traditional method of stress penalization is the most effective to obtain satisfactory load paths for fatigue minimization when compared to yield and SN‐intercept penalization. Multiple benchmark tests provided results which showed slower convergence when yield strength penalization is activated which also required significantly more computation time than other methods.
Thermomechanical fatigue life prediction of metallic materials by a gradient‐enhanced viscoplastic damage approach
Authors: Yin Bo , Zreid Imadeddin , Zhao Dong , Ahmed Raasheduddin , Lin Guoyu , Kaliske Michael
Published: January 2022

Fatigue failure plays an important role in engineering applications, especially when structural components experience significant cyclic thermal loading and complex force loading simultaneously. During the last decades, several post‐processing techniques have been developed based on empirical investigations of experimental evidence to predict the fatigue life of materials. The work at hand postulates a conventional continuum damage theory for thermomechanical fatigue failure modeling. In particular, an implicit gradient‐enhanced approach is employed to address the ill‐posedness of the partial differential equation system when the damage onsets. An internal fatigue variable is phenomenologically defined based on the accumulation of viscoplasticity. In the sequel, a regularized fatigue variable is obtained to further yield the damage softening function, which straightforwardly applies to the stress, material tangent, and viscoplastic dissipation. A multi‐field problem, consisting of the strain field, the temperature, and the non‐local variable, is taken into consideration, leading to a fully coupled system. This numerical methodology is consistently derived and implemented into the context of the finite element method. Several representative and demonstrative examples are performed, which yield good numerical stability and agreement with experimental data. Conclusive findings and further perspectives close this article.
Behavioural insights for improved uptake of agricultural sustainability assessment tools
Authors: MacLeod Catriona J. , Brandt Angela J. , Collins Kevin , Moller Henrik , Manhire Jon
Published: January 2022

Changing human behaviour to enhance agricultural sustainability outcomes is an ongoing challenge that urgently needs addressing. It requires identifying the mechanisms for the successful uptake and application of tools and behavioural interventions to mitigate the detrimental impacts of farm activities on the environment.

We combined a participatory action research and mixed‐methods approach (via online surveys, workshops, seminars, meetings and emails) to work with diverse stakeholders to understand their perspectives on the following: (a) sharing farm biodiversity data; (b) behavioural factors likely to influence farmer uptake and use of a farm‐level sustainability assessment tool developed for New Zealand farms; and (c) how to improve the tool.

Respondents (n = 133) to an online survey were most willing to share data to gain advice on improving farm practices, but least willing when farmers were paid for the data, or companies used it to market products to farmers. Respondents were most comfortable with sharing data when an independent board decided the data‐use policies, or the contributor could change their sharing preferences and data were anonymised.

Feedback on the tool prototypes was elicited via 27 events and more than 133 individual interactions. Of the 529 alignments between 255 discussion points and 14 behavioural factors, almost half were centred on the material context (e.g. infrastructures, technologies, time and schedules) but were often coupled with individual and social factors.

Overall, a strong desire for a tool that empowers individual farmers to enhance their farm's biodiversity outcomes emerged, although, during the initial prototype tests, the tool's strengths were rarely acknowledged and concerns about weaknesses were more common.

Ten strategies were identified for enhancing the tool. These aligned closely with three human‐thinking principles: four strategies focused on thinking automatically, three on thinking socially and seven on thinking using mental models. The system transformations required to implement such an integrated package of interventions to change behaviour at scale include a collective approach to developing a stronger evidence base for conservation actions, and behavioural interventions to enhance social and environmental capital in production landscapes.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Symphony for the native wood(s): Global reforestation as an opportunity to develop a culture of conservation
Authors: Axelsson E. Petter , Grady Kevin C.
Published: January 2022

The stewardship of forests across multiple human generations has potential to lead to cultural innovations fostering sustainable uses. Nevertheless, positive culture–nature interactions are often disrupted due to colonial exploitation and a lack of intrinsic value ascribed to nature in capitalist economies. There is global recognition that restoring degraded ecosystems is critical to promote the welfare of people and nature by reducing the negative impacts of global climate change and diminishing biodiversity. However, with a focus on technical remedies, restoration and reforestation efforts generally fail to address the root causes of ecosystem degradation.

In this perspective paper, we call for explicit incorporation of cultural values into global reforestation efforts. We focus on music as a cultural ecosystem service as music has been a prominent part of human history with clear sociological and psychological attributes that may invite mass interest and participation. We illustrate the value of musical linkages via three case studies from Europe, Africa and Hawaii focusing on native tree species, their wood, musical ecology and their interaction with culture.

We show that multi‐generational stewardship of native ecosystems in Europe has allowed the refinement of the violin to its current form, one that is culturally significant for millions of people and has created a multi‐million dollar industry. This development stems from a 500‐year tradition of craftsmanship handed down across generations and illustrates that ecocultural interactions can be a strong dynamo for development of unique commodities.

In contrast, in regions where extirpation of native plant species was used as a deliberate colonization strategy, many ecocultural linkages face risk of extinction. Our case studies from Africa and Hawaii illustrate how native tree species of particular value for musical expression were nearly lost and along with loss of music, important cultural connections to nature.

In the context of restoration, there is also evidence that music‐based linkages can revitalize nature–culture interactions and promote restoration of native ecosystems. Incorporating native trees in global reforestation efforts is critical for ensuring that reforestation efforts capture the synergies needed for developing new ideologies that promote the well‐being of co‐dependent humans and all life.
Itaconic‐acid‐based superabsorbent polymer with high gel strength and biocompatibility
Authors: Kwon Yong Rok , Kim Hae Chan , Kim Jung Soo , Chang Young‐Wook , Park Hansoo , Kim Dong Hyun
Published: January 2022

An elaborate surface‐crosslinking method was introduced to enhance the low absorbency under load (AUL) and liquid permeability of itaconic‐acid‐based superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The effects of the surface‐crosslinking reaction parameters of the absorption properties of the SAP were investigated. An increase in the content of distilled water and 1,4‐butanediol used as the surface‐crosslinking solution improved the AUL and liquid permeability of the SAP, whereas an increase in the distilled water content resulted in a sharp decrease in the centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of the SAP. Therefore, controlling the content of 1,4‐butanediol is an effective strategy to improve the AUL while maintaining the CRC of the SAP to some extent. Increasing the surface‐crosslinking temperature tends to decrease the CRC of the SAP. The AUL of the SAP is the highest at a reaction temperature of 160 °C. As a result, the SAP prepared under optimal surface‐crosslinking conditions showed a CRC, AUL and liquid permeability of 36.0, 27.2 g g–1and 80 s, respectively. The cell viability and cytotoxicity of the SAP on human dermal fibroblasts were confirmed using a live/dead assay and the adapted method from the ISO 10993‐5 protocol. These investigations suggested that itaconic‐acid‐based SAPs could be potential materials for diaper products. © 2022 The Authors.Polymer Internationalpublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plant roots and rhizosphere soil from different arid land environment of Qatar
Authors: Alrajhei Khazna , Saleh Iman , Abu‐Dieyeh Mohammed H.
Published: January 2022

Recently more attention has been observed toward the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant growth. Qatar belongs to the Arabian Gulf region with hot and dry climatic conditions. The study aims to investigate the species composition and abundance of AMF in Qatar, rhizosphere soil samples, and roots of plants from 12 families and 8 different locations. The AMF were identified based on the sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of the amplified conserved ITS region. The reported AMF infection rate was found to vary with location and plant species. Tamarix aphylla recorded the highest AMF infection rate (100%), followed by Blepharis ciliaris (98%) and Sporobolus ioclados (92%). AMF spore counts ranged from 29.3 spores in Blepharis ciliaris to 643 spores/100 g soil in Fagonia indica. No correlation was detected between colonization rate and spore counts. While all AMF identified at species levels were reported in other regions, new species are still expected since some were identified only at higher taxonomic levels. Claroideoglomus drummondii and Rhizophagus irregularis were the most widespread while Claroideoglomus claroideum and Diversispora aurantia were the least present. Our results fill the gap of knowledge of AMF in the region and opens new research toward its future applications for sustainable agriculture.
“The obligation of a promise” as a problem of double contingency: David Hume's ground‐breaking investigation into basic forms of social coordination
Authors: Büscher Christian
Published: January 2022

David Hume's work on “the obligation of promises” is the precursor of many ideas in contemporary sociology. Hume's analysis provides insight into problems of basic social coordination, which in modern theories are characterized as a problem of double contingency. His work has also paved the way for theories of social mechanisms such as trust and of operational principles such as self‐reference. In his writings about the inner workings of promises, Hume even lays the foundation for ideas concerning structure building via communication and the emergence of social systems. In his time, this kind of thinking must have been bold—arguing, for example, against religious beliefs or social contracts as constituting binding motives. In our time, Hume's work is astonishing in how nuanced he already exposed social problems that have to be solved continuously, from moment‐to‐moment, in every social situation anew. Hume's thinking paves the way for later system thinking, especially regarding the ways we can think about the “beginning” of social systems.
Behavior of new types of flange connectors of precast double‐tees
Authors: Li Hao , Zhou Wei
Published: January 2022

Double‐tees are often used as roof and floor systems in commercial buildings and parking garages, and they are often joined with mechanical connectors to form a floor system. The properties of flange‐type connectors directly affects the in‐plane behavior of double‐tee diaphragms; however, most of them have been developed through field experience with undependable capacities, despite such connectors having been extensively applied in practice. Five new types of connectors were constructed, and a total of 15 connector tests were conducted under a variety of loading conditions with both monotonic and cyclic reversing in‐plane shear. The load–deformation relationship, stiffness, energy consumption capacity, and shear capacity of the five new types of mechanical connectors were obtained. The results show that the seismic performance of new types of mechanical connectors deviated from each other by large margins, and they are satisfactory for vertical loading. The test results also show that the pre‐toppings can effectively improve the strength and deformation capacity for all kinds of connectors.
Multi‐ and transgenerational biochemical effects of low‐dose exposure to bisphenol A and 4‐nonylphenol on testicular interstitial (Leydig) cells
Authors: Xia Bin‐Tong , He Yan , Guo Yang , Huang Jiao‐Long , Tang Xiao‐Juan , Wang Jian‐Ru , Tan Yan , Duan Peng
Published: January 2022

Bisphenol A (BPA) and 4‐nonylphenol (NP) are well‐known endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that have been proven to affect Leydig cell (LC) functions and testosterone production, but whether BPA and NP have multi‐ and transgenerational biochemical effects on Leydig cells (LCs) is unknown. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique that enables label‐free and non‐destructive analysis of the tissue specimen. Herein we employed FTIR coupled with chemometrics analysis to identify biomolecular changes in testicular interstitial (Leydig) cells of rats after chronic exposure to low doses of BPA and NP. Cluster segregations between exposed and control groups were observed based on the fingerprint region of 1800–900 cm−1 in all generations. The main biochemical alterations for segregation were amide I, amide II and nucleic acids. BPA and NP single and co‐exposure induced significant differences in the ratio of amide I to amide II compared to the corresponding control group in all generations. BPA exposure resulted in remarkable changes of cellular gene transcription and DNA oxidative damage across all generations. Direct exposure to BPA, NP, and BPA&NP of F0 and F1 generations could significantly decrease lipid accumulation in LCs in the F2 and F3 generations. The overall findings revealed that single or co‐exposure to BPA and NP at environmental concentrations affects the biochemical structures and properties of LCs.
Capability in Research on Cognition and Well-being in Ageing and Retirement
Authors: Johansson Boo , Berg Anne Ingeborg , Bjälkebring Pär , Praetorius Björk Marcus , Brehmer Yvonne , Buratti Sandra , Hansson Isabelle , Hassing Linda , Henning Georg , Kivi Marie , König Stefanie , Lindwall Magnus , Rolstad Sindre , Skoog Johan , Thorvaldsson Valgeir , Elena Zulka Linn
Published: January 2022

In this chapter, we outline our thoughts on capability in relation to previous and ongoing research projects conducted by the Adult Development and Ageing (ADA-Gero) Research Group located at the Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. More specifically, we relate our research on cognitive ageing and subjective well-being to the overarching capability framework implemented as a theoretical platform in the AgeCap research consortium.
The Capability Approach in Research on Ageing Well at Home for Frail Older People
Authors: Dahlin-Ivanoff Synneve , Lood Qarin , Wilhelmson Katarina , Eklund Kajsa , Barenfeld Emmelie , Häggblom-Kronlöf Greta , Westgård Theresa , Andersson Hammar Isabelle
Published: January 2022

This chapter describes the work of the Frail Elderly Support Research Group (FRESH) in relation to the capability approach as a theoretical framework. The FRESH research group works with people who are at risk of developing frailty, as well as those who are already frail or very frail. In this chapter, FRESH aims to utilise the capability approach as a theoretical framework for research with and for frail older people, and to focus on the older people’s opportunities to realise their goals in relation to contextual factors that may influence them. A broad understanding of the concept of frailty in general is also presented. The capability approach makes a fundamental contribution to the understanding of the process of becoming frail, and how it may influence people as they age, because it focuses on people’s real opportunities, what it is possible to achieve and what people have reason to value, in relation to the resources that they have at hand. This chapter will hopefully encourage future researchers to consider evaluating the capability approach and implementing it in their own research.
On directors’ compensation: a multilevel analysis of Spanish listed companies
Authors: Núñez Fernando , Arcos-Vargas Ángel , Usabiaga Carlos , Álvarez-de-Toledo Pablo
Published: January 2022

This study analyzes the determinants of the annual compensation of directors belonging to the boards of the Spanish companies that constitute the IBEX 35 stock index. We investigate the importance of observed and unobserved heterogeneity in explaining director compensation. Based on a three-level mixed effect model, our analysis includes time-invariant random effects at company and manager level as determinants of director pay. We find that company effects explain 30% of the variation in director pay, while company and director effects taken together explain 77% of that variation. Our findings suggest that the characteristics of the company, in terms of activity sector, size and financial performance, and the professional attributes of the director (especially the role within the board), influence the compensation received. In addition, some directors and companies show random effects (either positive or negative) that significantly separate them from the expected compensation estimated from the fixed part of the model.
Augmented Reality‐Based Visual Cue for Guiding Central Catheter Insertion in Pediatric Oncologic Patients
Authors: Youn Joong Kee , Lee Dongheon , Ko Dayoung , Yeom Inhwa , Joo Hyun‐Jin , Kim Hee Chan , Kong Hyoun‐Joong , Kim Hyun‐Young
Published: January 2022

Background

Pediatric hemato‐oncologic patients require central catheters for chemotherapy, and the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium is considered the ideal location for catheter tips. Skin landmarks or fluoroscopic supports have been applied to identify the cavoatrial junction; however, none has been recognized as the gold standard. Therefore, we aim to develop a safe and accurate technique using augmented reality technology for the location of the cavoatrial junction in pediatric hemato‐oncologic patients.

Methods

Fifteen oncology patients who underwent chest computed tomography were enrolled for Hickman catheter or chemoport insertion. With the aid of augmented reality technology, three‐dimensional models of the internal jugular veins, external jugular veins, subclavian veins, superior vena cava, and right atrium were constructed. On inserting the central vein catheters, the cavoatrial junction identified using the three‐dimensional models were marked on the body surface, the tip was positioned at the corresponding location, and the actual insertion location was confirmed using a portable x‐ray machine. The proposed method was evaluated by comparing the distance from the cavoatrial junction to the augmented reality location with that to the conventional location on x‐ray.

Results

The mean distance between the cavoatrial junction and augmented reality location on x‐ray was 1.2 cm, which was significantly shorter than that between the cavoatrial junction and conventional location (1.9 cm; P = 0.027).

Conclusions

Central catheter insertion using augmented reality technology is more safe and accurate than that using conventional methods and can be performed at no additional cost in oncology patients.
Different mechanisms of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice response to ocean heat transport
Authors: Aylmer Jake , Ferreira David , Feltham Daniel
Published: January 2022

Understanding drivers of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice on multidecadal timescales is key to reducing uncertainties in long-term climate projections. Here we investigate the impact of ocean heat transport (OHT) on sea ice, using pre-industrial control simulations of 20 models participating in the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). In all models and in both hemispheres, sea ice extent is negatively correlated with poleward OHT. However, the similarity of the correlations in both hemispheres hides radically different underlying mechanisms. In the northern hemisphere, positive OHT anomalies primarily result in increased ocean heat convergence along the Atlantic sea ice edge, where most of the ice loss occurs. Such strong, localised heat fluxes ($$\sim {}100~\text {W}~\text {m}^{-2}$$

∼

100

W

m

-
2

) also drive increased atmospheric moist-static energy convergence at higher latitudes, resulting in a pan-Arctic reduction in sea ice thickness. In the southern hemisphere, increased OHT is released relatively uniformly under the Antarctic ice pack, so that associated sea ice loss is driven by basal melt with no direct atmospheric role. These results are qualitatively robust across models and strengthen the case for a substantial contribution of ocean forcing to sea ice uncertainty, and biases relative to observations, in climate models.
SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Schlage Sandy , Lehrnbecher Thomas , Berner Reinhard , Simon Arne , Toepfner Nicole
Published: January 2022

The outbreak of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 in Wuhan challenges pediatric oncologists in an unexpected way. We provide a comprehensive overview, which systematically summarizes and grades evidence (QoE) on SARS-CoV-2 infections in pediatric cancer patients at 1.5 years of pandemic. A systematic literature search in PubMed combined with an additional exploratory literature review in other international databases was conducted to identify studies on children (aged < 18 years) with a malignant disease and COVID-19 infections. In total, 45 reports on 1003 pediatric cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections were identified out of 1397 reports analyzed. The clinical course of COVID-19 was reported mild or moderate in 358 patients (41.7%), whereas 11.1% of patients showed severe COVID-19. In 12.7% of patients, chemotherapy was postponed, whereas 19% of patients with different underlying malignancies received chemotherapy during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Twenty-five patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections died, potentially related to COVID-19.

Conclusion: Despite a favorable COVID-19 outcome in most pediatric cancer patients, the morbidity is reported higher than in children without comorbidities. However, no severe COVID-19 complications were associated to the continuation of chemotherapy in some cohort studies and reports on two patients. Therefore, the risk of cancer progress or relapse due to interruption of chemotherapy has carefully to be weighed against the risk of severe COVID-19 disease with potentially fatal outcome.

What is Known:• Most of pediatric patients with malignant diseases show an asymptomatic, mild or moderate clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. • Current need for a basis for decision-making, whether to stop or interrupt cancer treatment in a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2, and when to continue chemotherapy.

What is New:• Review results comprising over 1000 pediatric COVID-19 cancer patients confirm mild courses of SARS-CoV-2 infection in most patients but also show the attributable mortality is at least 10 times higher compared to reports on hospitalized children without comorbidities.• Review identifies that chemotherapy was continued despite SARS-CoV-2 positivity in 18% of patients with individual chemotherapy modification according to the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection and existing comorbidities. On this basis, no severe COVID-19 complications were associated to the continuation of chemotherapy in several cohort studies and two case reports.
A qPCR to quantify Wolbachia from few Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae as a surrogate for adult worm histology in clinical trials of antiwolbachial drugs
Authors: Schlabe Stefan , Korir Patricia , Lämmer Christine , Landmann Frederic , Dubben Bettina , Koschel Marianne , Albers Anna , Debrah Linda Batsa , Debrah Alexander Yaw , Hübner Marc P. , Pfarr Kenneth , Klarmann-Schulz Ute , Hoerauf Achim
Published: January 2022

The filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus causes onchocerciasis (river blindness), a neglected tropical disease affecting 21 million people, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Targeting the endosymbiont Wolbachia with antibiotics leads to permanent sterilization and killing of adult worms. The gold standard to assess Wolbachia depletion is the histological examination of adult worms in nodules beginning at 6 months post-treatment. However, nodules can only be used once, limiting the time points to monitor Wolbachia depletion. A diagnostic to longitudinally monitor Wolbachia depletion from microfilariae (MF) at more frequent intervals < 6 months post-treatment would accelerate clinical trials of antiwolbachials. We developed a TaqMan qPCR amplifying the single-copy gene wOvftsZ to quantify Wolbachia from as few as one MF that had migrated from skin biopsies and compared quantification using circular and linearized plasmids or synthetic dsDNA (gBlock®). qPCR for MF from the rodent nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis was used to support the reproducibility and validate the principle. The qPCR using as few as 2 MF from O. volvulus and L. sigmodontis reproducibly quantified Wolbachia. Use of a linearized plasmid standard or synthesized dsDNA resulted in numbers of Wolbachia/MF congruent with biologically plausible estimates in O. volvulus and L. sigmodontis MF. The qPCR assay yielded a median of 48.8 (range 1.5–280.5) Wolbachia/O. volvulus MF. The qPCR is a sensitive tool for quantifying Wolbachia in a few MF from skin biopsies and allows for establishing the qPCR as a surrogate parameter for monitoring Wolbachia depletion in adult worms of new antiwolbachial candidates.
An updated view of the pathogenesis of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Horinouchi Tomoko , Nozu Kandai , Iijima Kazumoto
Published: January 2022

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common childhood glomerular disease. Most forms of this syndrome respond to corticosteroids at standard doses and are, therefore, defined as steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). Immunological mechanisms and subsequent podocyte disorders play a pivotal role in SSNS and have been studied for years; however, the precise pathogenesis remains unclear. With recent advances in genetic techniques, an exhaustive hypothesis-free approach called a genome-wide association study (GWAS) has been conducted in various populations. GWASs in pediatric SSNS peaked in the human leukocyte antigen class II region in various populations. Additionally, an association of immune-related CALHM6/FAM26F, PARM1, BTNL2, and TNFSF15 genes, as well as NPHS1, which encodes nephrin expressed in podocytes, has been identified as a locus that achieves genome-wide significance in pediatric SSNS. However, the specific mechanism of SSNS development requires elucidation. This review describes an updated view of SSNS pathogenesis from immunological and genetic aspects, including interactions with infections or allergies, production of circulating factors, and an autoantibody hypothesis.