bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing ground‐based and aerial data at field scale during dry down on golf course fairways
Authors: Friell Joshua , Straw Chase
Published: March 2021

Spatiotemporal data and analyses are gaining traction in the turfgrass industry as valuable tools to enable data‐driven management practices, but to date there has been minimal research in practical settings. The objective of this work was to quantify relationships between soil volumetric water content (VWC), proximal normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and several aerial measurements (visible, NDVI, and thermal infrared) collected in a real‐world application at field scale during a dry down. Data collection surveys were conducted in 2020 the morning of 25 Feb, afternoon of 25 Feb, and morning of 27 February on three golf course fairways in CA, USA. The first survey was initiated following an irrigation event, and then no additional irrigation or rainfall occurred prior to the second and third surveys. Ground‐based data were collected using the Precision Sense 6000™ (The Toro Company, Bloomington, MN) and aerial data were collected using an unmanned aerial vehicle (GreenSight Inc., Boston, MA). Data were appropriately georeferenced and analyzed to determine correlation between VWC and proximal NDVI, proximal and aerial NDVI, and VWC and aerial measurements. A significant, weak correlation (r = –0.21, p < .05) was found between VWC and proximal NDVI measurements, but only for the first survey immediately following the irrigation event. Significant, moderate to strong correlations were found between proximal and aerial NDVI during all three surveys (r = 0.63, p < .001; r = 0.64, p < .001; r = 0.85, p < .001), respectively]. Volumetric water content was significantly correlated with aerial NDVI measurements (r = –0.26, p < .001) but the relationship was weak and only existed for the first survey following the irrigation event. This study demonstrates the complexity of scaling remote sensing technologies from small plots to real‐world applications and identifies several barriers to providing quantitatively predictive and actionable data to turfgrass managers.
Low‐input golf course putting green performance of fine‐textured inter‐ and intra‐specific zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.)
Authors: Meeks Meghyn , Kong Siew Teck , Genovesi A. Dennis , Smith Brian , Chandra Ambika
Published: March 2021

Thirty fine‐textured inter‐ and intra‐specific zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) hybrids and eight Z. pacifica (Goudsw.) M. Hotta & S. Kuroki genotypes were tested in comparison to Z. matrella (L.) Merr. cultivars, ‘Diamond’ and ‘L1F’, for their performance under low‐input golf course putting green management practices from 2014 to 2018 in Dallas, TX. Turfgrass quality, shoot density, genetic color, fall color, spring greenup, and winter survival were visually rated on a 1 to 9 scale (9 = high quality, dark green, very dense, and complete greenup). Seedheads were rated in spring, summer, and fall as a percentage of plot cover. Thirteen elite hybrids from seven different pedigrees were selected, and ball roll distance was measured 8 times between 15 August and 14 September in 2017. Clear statistical differences were not observed among pedigrees for most traits except seedhead production under the low‐input management conditions. However, strong genotype differences were evident. The results suggest under‐utilized species could be exploited by plant breeders to use as parental lines and develop hybrids with desirable traits such as finer leaf texture, low seedhead production, fall color retention and early spring green up. One Z. minima (Colenso) Zotov × Z. matrella hybrid and one (Z. minima × Z. matrella) × Z. japonica Steud. hybrid have been advanced to the 2019 National Warm‐Season Putting Green Trial conducted by the National Turfgrass Evaluation Progra (NTEP) for multi‐location and multi‐year performance testing.
Tolerance of face coverings for children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Halbur Mary , Kodak Tiffany , McKee Marisa , Carroll Regina , Preas Elizabeth , Reidy Jessi , Cordeiro Maria Clara
Published: March 2021

Healthcare professionals and government officials have advised the use of personal protective equipment, such as face masks and face shields, to assist with limiting the spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19). Due to the prevalence of challenging behavior associated with other medical routines, the present study evaluated a treatment package composed of graduated exposure, prompts, reinforcement, and escape extinction on tolerance of wearing a face covering for up to 5 min for 12 children with ASD in a systematic replication of Cox et al. (2017) and Sivaraman et al. (2020). We also extended previous research by measuring generalization of face covering type (i.e., face shield) and the efficacy of a treatment extension for tolerating a face covering for up to 15 min during the participants' trial‐based instruction and play periods.
Design of two natural deproteinized bovine bone scaffolds and evaluation of the effect of initial cell seeding density on repairing bone defects
Authors: Chen Peng , Xie Jie , Zhu Jianxi , Hu Yihe
Published: March 2021

Engineering functional bone using combinations of cells, scaffolds, and bioactive factors is a promising strategy for the bone‐tissue regeneration, while challenge remains. Chemical methods deproteinizing natural bovine cancellous bone to remove immunogenic are poorly understood, and the cell seeding density to promote bone formation still needs to be clarified. In this study, 8.0 × 8.0 × 2.0 mm bovine cancellous bones were either treated with H2O2 for 8 hr or pepsin for 24 hr and then inoculated with MC3T3‐E1 osteoblasts with two cell densities (1 × 106 cells/ml or 4 × 106 cells/ml)separately. We compared the appearance of the bones treated by the two chemical deproteinizing methods, as well as the proliferation ability of the inoculating cell density at 1 × 106 cells/ml. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was done to analyze the growth of cells on the surface of the material, and an alkaline phosphatase assay was performed to assess osteogenic differentiation. We showed that both treated bones treatments are biocompatible, but bones treated with H2O2 were more conducive to osteoblast differentiation and ALP secretion, especially when seeded at the higher cell density at 4 × 106 cells/ml. We concluded that chemical deproteinized bovine cancellous bones met the basic bone graft material requirements. Cell seeding density is an important factor to promote the material's osteogenic ability, with H2O2‐deproteinized bones exhibiting enhanced osteoblast differentiation.
Functional assessment of the genetic findings indicating mucopolysaccharidosis type II in the prenatal setting
Authors: Fuller Maria , Ketteridge David
Published: March 2021

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) is a multi‐systemic disorder arising due to pathogenic variants in the gene located on chromosome Xq28 encoding the lysosomal enzyme, iduronate 2‐sulfatase (IDS). The broad clinical heterogeneity of MPS II can be partly ascribed to the high level of molecular diversity in the gene locus with the majority of variants localised within one family. Here, we describe a case of fetal hepatomegaly that was causatively investigated for 151 genes associated with fetal hydrops and lysosomal diseases. Sequence analysis identified a novel hemizygous variant, pAsp532Gly, in exon 9 of the IDS gene. Determination of IDS activity in cultured amniotic fluid cells returned 8% of normal activity and analysis of a second sulfatase was normal, the latter virtually excluding multiple sulfatase deficiency. Together, these data supported a diagnosis of MPS II in the fetus. Additional measurement of a signature disaccharide in the amniotic fluid was normal, conflicting with enzymology indications. The baby was unremarkable at birth and 3 years later shows no clinical suspicion of MPS II, normal urinary disaccharide concentrations, and reduced IDS activity in leukocytes. His 5‐year‐old brother was subsequently shown to carry the same pAsp532Gly variant, with normal urinary disaccharide concentrations, reduced leukocyte IDS activity and normal phenotype. This case highlights the importance of thorough biochemical investigations, clinical and family correlation in determining the significance of genetic variants in IDS.
Enriching neural stem cell and anti‐inflammatory glial phenotypes with electrical stimulation after traumatic brain injury in male rats
Authors: Park Eunyoung , Lyon Johnathan G. , Alvarado‐Velez Melissa , Betancur Martha I. , Mokarram Nassir , Shin Jennifer H. , Bellamkonda Ravi V.
Published: March 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) by an external physical impact results in compromised brain function via undesired neuronal death. Following the injury, resident and peripheral immune cells, astrocytes, and neural stem cells (NSCs) cooperatively contribute to the recovery of the neuronal function after TBI. However, excessive pro‐inflammatory responses of immune cells, and the disappearance of endogenous NSCs at the injury site during the acute phase of TBI, can exacerbate TBI progression leading to incomplete healing. Therefore, positive outcomes may depend on early interventions to control the injury‐associated cellular milieu in the early phase of injury. Here, we explore electrical stimulation (ES) of the injury site in a rodent model (male Sprague–Dawley rats) to investigate its overall effect on the constituent brain cell phenotype and composition during the acute phase of TBI. Our data showed that a brief ES for 1 hr on day 2 of TBI promoted anti‐inflammatory phenotypes of microglia as assessed by CD206 expression and increased the population of NSCs and Nestin+ astrocytes at 7 days post‐TBI. Also, ES effectively increased the number of viable neurons when compared to the unstimulated control group. Given the salience of microglia and neural stem cells for healing after TBI, our results strongly support the potential benefit of the therapeutic use of ES during the acute phase of TBI to regulate neuroinflammation and to enhance neuroregeneration.
FundAl Retroflexion (FAR) Angle is a Novel Sonographic Marker Associated With Cesarean Scar Pregnancies in the First Trimester
Authors: Zhang‐Rutledge Kathy , Pinson Kelsey , Perez Mishella , Adami Rebecca R , Melber Dora , Jacobs Marni , Parast Mana , Lamale‐Smith Leah , Averbach Sarah , Hahn Michael , Pretorius Dolores , Ballas Jerasimos
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Early diagnosis of Cesarean scar pregnancies (CSP) remains difficult. This study describes a novel sonographic marker, the FundAl Retroflexion (FAR) angle, that may be used in the first trimester. The objective of the study is to compare the FAR angle between CSP and normal pregnancies.

Methods

For this case–control study, we reviewed images from our institution's database that were acquired from January 2016 to December 2019. All cases of CSP and randomly selected controls, defined as patients with history of Cesarean delivery and normal implantation, that underwent ultrasound evaluation at <14 weeks were included. The FAR angle, defined as the acute angle created between the endometrial echo and cervical canal, was measured. The mean FAR angle was then compared between the two groups and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated.

Results

We identified 15 cases of CSP during the study period and were able to measure the FAR angle in 14 of the cases. The mean FAR angle was larger in CSP than in normal control pregnancies (45° versus 27°, respectively, P < 0.001). Using an ROC curve, a FAR angle cut off of 40° maximizes the ability to distinguish between CSP from normal pregnancies.

Conclusions

The FAR angle provides an easily obtainable and numerical measurement. CSP have larger FAR angle compared to normal controls with a distinguishing cut off of 40°. Larger studies are needed to determine if using the FAR angle can improve first trimester diagnosis for CSP.
Fetal Trigonocephaly (Strawberry Skull) in Early Pregnancy
Authors: Gover Ayala , Khatib Nizar , Beloosesky Ron , Bronshtein Moshe
Published: March 2021

Trigonocephaly was previously described prenatally in association with severe abnormalities, mostly observed after 18 weeks of gestation. We describe our experience with this finding in early pregnancy, between 14 and 17 weeks of gestation. Our series includes 18 cases of trigonocephaly with several etiologies; trisomy 18, de novo translocation, thanatophoric dysplasia, and open spina bifida without hydrocephalus. Two fetuses had no other significant abnormalities and a spontaneous normalization of the skull shape was observed on follow‐up. Both had normal genetic testing and postnatal outcome. These two cases represent a new phenomenon of an isolated transient form with normal outcome.
Treatment of head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary: Cracking a nut with a sledgehammer?
Authors: Berzenji Diako , Monserez Dominiek A. , Verduijn Gerda M. , Dronkers Emilie A.C. , Jansen Peter P. , Keereweer Stijn , Sewnaik Aniel , Baatenburg de Jong Robert J. , Hardillo Jose A.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To compare the impact on survival and late radiation toxicity of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary who were treated with ipsilateral neck dissection and ipsilateral postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) and patients treated with ipsilateral neck dissection and PORT to both sides of the neck plus the pharyngeal axis.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study performed at the Erasmus University Medical Center in which 78 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary were identified. Thirty‐nine patients received PORT to both sides of the neck plus the pharyngeal axis (BILAX) and another 39 patients were irradiated on the ipsilateral neck (IPSI) only. The endpoints of the present study were 3‐year overall survival (OS), 3‐year disease‐free survival (DFS), and overall late radiation toxicity.

Results

The 3‐year OS rate of the entire group of 78 patients was 74.2% and the 3‐year DFS rate was 72.7%. The 3‐year OS rates for the IPSI and the BILAX groups were 74.4% and 74.1%, respectively (P = .654). The most common late radiation toxicity experienced was xerostomia (64.8%), which was significantly more often seen in the BILAX group than in the IPSI group (83.8% and 44.1%, respectively, P = .001). Overall late radiation toxicity was significantly higher in the BILAX group (P = .003).

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in OS and DFS rates between the IPSI and the BILAX group. Late radiation toxicity was significantly higher in the BILAX group.

Level of Evidence

Level 2b: Individual retrospective cohort study.
Resources and Practices to Improve Diatom Data Quality
Authors: Alers‐García Janice , Lee Sylvia S. , Spaulding Sarah A.
Published: March 2021

Environmental programs in the United States face technical challenges that inhibit the ability to use diatoms in water quality monitoring and assessment projects. Specifically, inconsistent taxonomy can obscure diatom responses to environmental variables. Problems are the result of (1) limited access to a common set of taxonomic references, especially those that are geographically relevant, (2) inefficient enumeration protocols, (3) lack of complete and transparent documentation of taxa, and (4) limited opportunities for continued education, training, and knowledge sharing. However, robust resources and practices are available to improve diatom data quality and interpretation. Several resources improve diatom data quality, including a publicly accessible taxonomic reference (diatoms.org) and recommended practices. These practices include adoption of the voucher floras, random sample assignment, replicate microscope slides, and improved quality control. Finally, the Society for Freshwater Science Diatom Taxonomic Certification Committee is developing educational materials and certification exams to support practitioner training and to increase the diatom research knowledge base. The resources and practices in this article are broadly applicable to improving basic and applied research on diatoms worldwide.
Heterogeneous synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives via cascade Povarov reaction catalyzed by sulfonic acid functionalized metal‐organic frameworks
Authors: Liu Mingjie , Chen Xiaoling , Zhou Kai , Chen Jingwen , Bao Zongbi , Yang Qiwei , Ren Qilong , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: March 2021

We report a facile synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives via heterogeneous cascade Povarov reaction catalyzed by sulfonic acid functionalized metal‐organic frameworks (MIL‒101(Cr)‒SO3H). The porous MIL‒101(Cr)‒SO3H demonstrates superior catalytic activities and stabilities for this reaction in comparison either to homogeneous sulfonic acids or heterogeneous sulfonic acid resins. Experimental investigations reveal that the high catalytic performance is attributed to the cooperative action of dual Lewis‐ and Brønsted acid sites within the pores of MIL‒101(Cr)‒SO3H. In addition, this reaction proceeds smoothly at room temperature with a broad substrate scope, which provides an alternative approach in the construction of tetrahydroquinoline skeletons.
Implicit and explicit discrete‐time realizations of homogeneous differentiators
Authors: Carvajal‐Rubio Jose Eduardo , Sánchez‐Torres Juan Diego , Defoort Michael , Djemai Mohamed , Loukianov Alexander G.
Published: March 2021

This article presents explicit and implicit discrete‐time realizations for a class of homogeneous sliding mode‐based differentiators. The proposed approach relies on the method of exact discretization for linear systems with a zero‐order holder. The two discrete‐time schemes present the homogeneity property and, after a finite time, the accuracy of its continuous‐time counterpart, even in the presence of bounded noise. In comparison to the explicit realization, which makes it possible to determine the state of the system later from the state at present, for this case, the implicit method requires finding a solution by solving generalized equations that involve the current state of the system and two support variables. Therefore, this document proves that the polynomial's unique positive root defines the required solution as part of the main results. Hence, it is possible to introduce a non‐anticipative method to implement the implicit discrete‐time realization, including an appropriate root‐finding method for the polynomial. Finally, the simulation results include comparisons between the proposed implicit and explicit discrete methods with other existing schemes. Numerical studies clearly show that the implicit method supersedes the explicit one, consistent with the implicit and explicit time discretization of other continuous‐time algorithms.
Highly Efficient Synthesis of N‐Alkyl‐α‐amino Acid Methyl Esters by Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Ghaffari Saeedeh , Kazemi Foad
Published: March 2021

In this report at first we prepared N‐nosyl‐α‐amino acid methyl esters from α‐amino acids in a simple method, with short reaction times and good yields. Then, N‐nosyl‐α‐amino acid methyl esters were N‐alkylated using alkyl tosylates under microwave irradiation to produce N‐alkyl‐N‐nosyl‐α‐amino acid methyl esters in convenient times and with good yields. At the end, efficient and convenient deprotection of o‐nitrobenzenesulfonyl group with use of HSCH2CH2OH/K2CO3 was done to produced N‐alkyl‐α‐amino acid methyl esters.
Riveting Hydroxyl Ionic Liquids onto Melem Oligomers for CO2 Cycloaddition into Cyclic Carbonates
Authors: Ding Hui , He Yuting , Ding Jing , Wan Hui , Guan Guofeng
Published: March 2021

The product of cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide (CO2) and epoxides under solvent‐free and co‐catalyst‐free conditions is an environmental‐friendly and economical route. However, the core of this route lies in the design and preparation of efficient and low‐cost catalysts. In this work, hydroxyl ionic liquids (HEIMBr) modified melem oligomers (CN‐HEIMBr) was fabricated and used for the cycloaddition of CO2 into cyclic carbonates. The characterizations for these catalysts, such as XPS, TGA, SEM, FT‐IR, etc, all confirmed that HEIMBr was successfully grafted onto melem oligomers. The synergistic effects of edge defects (−NH and −NH2) of melem oligomers, hydroxyl groups and halogen anions of ionic liquids were conductive to promoting CO2 cycloaddition. The influences of CO2 pressure, catalyst dosage, reaction time and temperature on the conversion and yield were investigated in detailed. In the conditions of co‐catalyst‐free and solvent‐free, the conversion of epichlorohydrin (ECH) was 99 % and the yield of chloropronene carbonate (CPC) was 97 % under optimal conditions (140 °C, 2.0 MPa, 2 h, catalyst 0.1 g, ECH 30 mmol). Moreover, the catalyst was reused at least five runs without any significantly loss of catalytic performance. Furthermore, a credible multi‐synergetic catalytic mechanism was proposed. An originality idea was provided for designing high‐efficiency catalysts for coupling of CO2 and epoxides, and put forward the multi‐synergistic effects of catalysts on CO2 conversion.
Nanovaccine‐Based Strategies to Overcome Challenges in the Whole Vaccination Cascade for Tumor Immunotherapy
Authors: Qin Lin , Zhang Huilin , Zhou Yang , Umeshappa Channakeshava Sokke , Gao Huile
Published: March 2021

Nanovaccine‐based immunotherapy (NBI) has received greater attention recently for its potential to prime tumor‐specific immunity and establish a long‐term immune memory that prevents tumor recurrence. Despite encouraging results in the recent studies, there are still numerous challenges to be tackled for eliciting potent antitumor immunity using NBI strategies. Based on the principles that govern immune response, here it is proposed that these challenges need to be addressed at the five critical cascading events: Loading tumor‐specific antigens by nanoscale drug delivery systems (L); Draining tumor antigens to lymph nodes (D); Internalization by dendritic cells (DCs) (I); Maturation of DCs by costimulatory signaling (M); and Presenting tumor‐peptide‐major histocompatibility complexes to T cells (P) (LDIMP cascade in short). This review provides a detailed and objective overview of emerging NBI strategies to improve the efficacy of nanovaccines in each step of the LDIMP cascade. It is concluded that the balance between each step must be optimized by delicate designing and modification of nanovaccines and by combining with complementary approaches to provide a synergistic immunity in the fight against cancer.
Superhydrophilic Ni‐based Multicomponent Nanorod‐Confined‐Nanoflake Array Electrode Achieves Waste‐Battery‐Driven Hydrogen Evolution and Hydrazine Oxidation
Authors: Li Yapeng , Li Jianming , Qian Qizhu , Jin Xu , Liu Yi , Li Ziyun , Zhu Yin , Guo Yiming , Zhang Genqiang
Published: March 2021

The low thermodynamic potential (−0.33 V) and safe by‐product of N2/H2O, make utilizing hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR) to replace thermodynamically‐unfavorable and kinetically‐sluggish oxygen evolution reaction a promising tactic for energy‐efficient hydrogen production. However, the complexity of bifunctionality increases difficulties for effective material design, thus hindering the large‐scale hydrogen generation. Herein, we present the rationally designed synthesis of superhydrophilic Ni‐based multicomponent arrays (Ni NCNAs) composed of 1D nanorod‐confined‐nanoflakes (2D), which only needs −26 mV of working potential and 47 mV of overpotential to reach 10 mA cm−2 for HzOR and HER, respectively. Impressively, this Ni NCNA electrode exhibits the top‐level bifunctional activity for overall hydrazine splitting (OHzS) with an ultralow voltage of 23 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a record‐high current density of 892 mA cm−2 at just 0.485 V, also achieves the high‐speed hydrogen yield driven by a waste AAA battery for OHzS.
S‐Scheme Photocatalytic Systems
Authors: Bao Yujie , Song Shaoqing , Yao Guojian , Jiang Shujuan
Published: March 2021

Recently, step‐scheme (S‐scheme) photocatalysts have received widespread attention in the field of solar fuel development and transformation because of efficient charge spatial separation along with strong redox capabilities. Herein, the development history of S‐scheme photocatalysts is summarized and reviewed, from Z‐scheme photocatalysts to S‐scheme photocatalysts. Advantages of S‐scheme photocatalysts are also discussed in depth and detail, including design principles and construction strategies as well as charge transfer mechanisms. In addition, identification characterizations for S‐scheme photocatalysts and their solar energy conversion applications are also reviewed. Finally, conclusions and outlooks for solar energy conversion challenges are demonstrated. It provides insights and up‐to‐date information to enable the scientific community to fully tap into the potential of S‐scheme photocatalysts in renewable energy generation and environmental remediation.
The effects of gene × environment interactions on silver nanoparticle toxicity in the respiratory system: An adverse outcome pathway
Authors: Nicholas Tyler P. , Boyes William K. , Scoville David K. , Workman Tomomi W. , Kavanagh Terrance J. , Altemeier William A. , Faustman Elaine M.
Published: March 2021

The Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework is serving as a basis to integrate new data streams in order to enhance the power of predictive toxicology. AOP development for engineered nanomaterials (ENM), including silver nanoparticles (AgNP), is currently lagging behind other chemicals of regulatory interest due to our limited understanding of the mechanism by which underlying genetics or diseases directly modify host response to AgNP exposures. This also highlights the importance of considering the Aggregate Exposure Pathway (AEP) framework, which precedes the AOP framework and outlines source to target site exposure. The AEP and AOP frameworks interface at the target site, where a molecular initiating event (MIE) occurs and is followed by key events (KE) for adverse cellular and organ responses along a biological pathway and ends with the adverse organism response. The primary goal of this study is to use AgNP to interrogate the AEP‐AOP framework by organizing and integrating in vitro dose–response data and in vivo exposure‐response data from previous studies to evaluate the effects of interactions between host genetic and acquired factors, or gene × environment interactions (G × E), on AgNP toxicity in the respiratory system. Using this framework will help us to identify plausible key event relationships (KER) between MIE and adverse organism responses when KE are not measured using the same assay in order to derive future predictive models, guide research, and support development of tools for making risk‐based, regulatory decisions on ENM.

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine
An Introduction to Dialogue for Intercultural Understanding: Placing Cultural Literacy at the Heart of Learning
Authors: Maine Fiona , Vrikki Maria
Published: March 2021

This book is a result of an extensive, ambitious and wide-ranging pan-European project focusing on the development of children and young people’s cultural literacy and what it means to be European in the twenty-first century, prioritizing intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. The book explores themes underpinning this unique interdisciplinary project, drawing together scholars from cultural studies, civics education and linguistics, psychologists, socio-cultural literacy researchers, teacher educators and digital learning experts. This chapter sets the context for the book by introducing the DIALLS project (Dialogue and Argumentation for cultural Literacy Learning in Schools) and its core aims and themes. It sets the tone of interdisciplinarity and its importance for an educational future where issues of living together, social responsibility and sustainable development transcend traditional categories of learning. DIALLS is seen as an opportunity for a synthesis of thinking, but our book allows each author to explore the goals of the project from their own interdisciplinary angle.
Educating Cultural Literacy with Open Educational Resources: Opportunities and Obstacles of Digital Teacher Collaborations
Authors: Mayweg-Paus Elisabeth , Zimmermann Maria
Published: March 2021

In this chapter, we set the context for how teachers can use the CLLP and its resources sustainably by introducing why it is important for teachers to engage in long-term collaboration to implement the core aims and themes of DIALLS in a meaningful way. In the following chapter, we will introduce research on the opportunities and obstacles of online collaboration among teachers. Considering that the goals of DIALLS deal with issues of living together, social responsibility, and sustainable development, we will emphasize how effective online collaboration not only among students but also among teachers can help make DIALLS have a long-lasting impact that shapes the educational future of Europe. Thus, we will emphasize how to promote a long-lasting community of practice for DIALLS teachers and how this community may enable them to become professional DIALLS teachers.
Intercultural Education for the Twenty-First Century: A Comparative Review of Research
Authors: Rapanta Chrysi , Trovão Susana
Published: March 2021

Based on the assumption that globalization should not imply homogenization, it is important for education to promote dialogue and intercultural understanding. The first appearance of the term ‘intercultural education’ in Europe dates back to 1983, when European ministers of education at a conference in Berlin, in a resolution for the schooling of migrant children, highlighted the intercultural dimension of education (Portera in Intercultural Education 19:481–491, 2008). One of the mandates of intercultural education is to promote intercultural dialogue, meaning dialogue that is “open and respectful” and that takes place between individuals or groups “with different ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds and heritage on the basis of mutual understanding and respect” (Council of Europe in White paper on intercultural dialogue: Living together as equals in dignity. Council of Europe, Strasbourg, p. 10, 2008). Such backgrounds and heritages form cultural identities, not limited to ethnic, religious and linguistic ones, as culture is a broader concept including several layers such as “experience, interest, orientation to the world, values, dispositions, sensibilities, social languages, and discourses” (Cope and Kalantzis in Pedagogies: An International Journal 4:173, 2009). As cultural identities are multi-layered, so is cultural diversity, and therefore it becomes a challenge for educators and researchers to address it (Hepple et al. in Teaching and Teacher Education 66:273–281, 2017). Referring to Leclercq (The lessons of thirty years of European co-operation for intercultural education, Steering Committee for Education, Strasbourg, 2002), Hajisoteriou and Angelides (International Journal of Inclusive Education 21:367, 2017) argue that “intercultural education aims to stress the dynamic nature of cultural diversity as an unstable mixture of sameness and otherness.” This challenge relates to the dynamic concept of culture itself, as socially constructed, and continuously shaped and reshaped through communicative interactions (Holmes et al. in Intercultural Education 26:16–30, 2015).
Social Responsibility Through the Lens of an Agenda for Cultural Literacy Learning: Analyses of National Education Policy Documentation
Authors: Kairė Sandra , Duoblienė Lilija , Zaleskienė Irena
Published: March 2021

The contemporary world is marked by numerous new challenges: growth of inequality, migration, development of new technologies, climate change. All of them create tensions among nations, social groups or cultures. In the face of growing multiculturalism and need for dialogue, social responsibility as a concept in the educational field has received due attention. For instance, Berman (Educational Leadership, November:75–80, 1990; Children’s social consciousness and the development of social responsibility, University of New York Press, New York,1997; Leadership for social justice and democracy in our schools, Corwin Press, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp. 123–144, 2011) emphasized the importance of education for social responsibility in school and classroom and defined it as personal investment in the well-being of others. Vallaeys (GUNI Report of Higher Education in the World 5:88–96, 2014) discussed social responsibility as a matter of university mission and function. Berman (Leadership for social justice and democracy in our schools, Corwin Press, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp. 123–144, 2011) related the concept of social responsibility to the development of social consciousness that meant balancing on personal self-realization and personal achievement with equal focus on social self-realization and collective achievement. In particular, a person becomes conscious that personal development (i.e. How will I lead my life?) is interrelated with the development of others (i.e. What does the way I lead my life mean for the life of others?). In this case, social responsibility embraces cultural values and creates empowerment, cooperation, compassion, and respect.
Using Wordless Picturebooks as Stimuli for Dialogic Engagement
Authors: Maine Fiona , McCaughran Beci
Published: March 2021

In this chapter we explore how collaborative meanings can be made as teachers and young children (six-year-olds) engage together in reading wordless picturebooks. The activity of talking about these visual texts was a central part of the DIALLS project as children joined together not only to make meaning from them, but also use them as stimuli for deeper philosophical thinking about themes around living together and social responsibility. The discussions gave children the opportunity to engage in ‘genuine dialogue’ (Buber in Between man and man, trans. R.G. Smith. Routledge, London, 1947), as they co-constructed meaning from the narratives and as they then related the themes within them to their own lives, values and identities.
The DIALLS Platform: Supporting Cultural Literacy and Understanding of European Values Over the Internet
Authors: Bietti Lucas M. , Slakmon Ben Zion , Baker Michael J. , Détienne Françoise , Safin Stéphane , Schwarz Baruch B.
Published: March 2021

In this chapter we present the process of designing and developing a novel online platform for supporting cultural literacy learning, involving the elaboration and understanding of European values in collaborative dialogue between students, with teacher-led reflection on wordless texts. Wordless texts are books or videos that comprise sequences of pictures which stimulate student readers to reconstruct the attendant narratives (see Chapters 10.1007/978-3-030-71778-0_5 and 10.1007/978-3-030-71778-0_6, this volume). The narratives in question, available publicly, are designed to stimulate discussions relating to European values, notably tolerance, empathy and inclusion (Lähdesmäki et al. in Intercultural dialogue in European education policies: A conceptual approach. Palgrave Macmillan, New York, 2020). The main questions for platform design were therefore how to facilitate productive discussions involving European values, on or around such wordless texts, and to structure such discussions in a way that is closely anchored in the texts.
Being (Un)safe Together: Student Group Dynamics, Facework and Argumentation
Authors: Brummernhenrich Benjamin , Baker Michael J. , Bietti Lucas M. , Détienne Françoise , Jucks Regina
Published: March 2021

Small group work offers the opportunity for students to engage in many-sided discussions. Students can learn how to argue standpoints and develop argumentative competence (i.e.learning to argue) but may also, by using argumentative structures, learn about and tease apart relevant facets of the topic at hand (i.e.arguing to learn). Although these processes can be beneficial for both arguing to learn as well as learning to argue, their success is predicated on the characteristics of the group enacting them. Discussions happen in a social, interpersonal context. Especially in small group collaborative learning, the social relationships between students should have a stronger and more direct impact on the form and content of their contributions than in more direct, teacher-led instruction. In this chapter, we will seek to specify the relations between cognitive and social aspects of collaborative argumentation and illustrate them with an example from the DIALLS lesson recordings.
Review of Haptic and Computerized (Simulation) Games on Climate Change
Authors: Gerber Andreas , Ulrich Markus , Wäger Patrick
Published: March 2021

Climate change imposes tremendous, complex challenges on humanity. Thoughtfully designed games can support solving them. This article presents a review of climate games and thereby updates the review conducted by Reckien and Eisenack in 2011. It provides an overview of published climate games and reveals the development of the field over the last years. A total of 119 climate games were found whereof 52 were already part of the review of 2011. The broad variety of discovered games indicates a lively community and different settings where such tools are being applied. A substantial number of games addressed topics such as international climate conferences, global impacts of global decisions, and effects of individual decisions on their local environment. Other topics, however, were largely absent. They included - amongst others - the connection between climate change and health, and games that bride local and global levels. Furthermore, the game types “video games” and “alternate reality games” were not applied frequently. Both, the absent topics and the scarcely used game types open up possibilities to develop the field. Forty-six per cent of the games listed by Reckien and Eisenack seem to have disappeared and could not be found for this review, an observation that may need further attention.
Island in charged black holes
Authors: Ling Yi , Liu Yuxuan , Xian Zhuo-Yu
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We study the information paradox for the eternal black hole with charges on a doubly-holographic model in general dimensions, where the charged black hole on a Planck brane is coupled to the baths on the conformal boundaries. In the case of weak tension, the brane can be treated as a probe such that its backreaction to the bulk is negligible. We analytically calculate the entanglement entropy of the radiation and obtain the Page curve with the presence of an island on the brane. For the near-extremal black holes, the growth rate is linear in the temperature. Taking both Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati term and nonzero tension into account, we obtain the numerical solution with backreaction in four-dimensional spacetime and find the quantum extremal surface at t = 0. To guarantee that a Page curve can be obtained in general cases, we propose two strategies to impose enough degrees of freedom on the brane such that the black hole information paradox can be properly described by the doubly-holographic setup.
Finite Sequentiality of Unambiguous Max-Plus Tree Automata
Authors: Paul Erik
Published: March 2021

We show the decidability of the finite sequentiality problem for unambiguous max-plus tree automata. A max-plus tree automaton is called unambiguous if there is at most one accepting run on every tree. The finite sequentiality problem asks whether for a given max-plus tree automaton, there exist finitely many deterministic max-plus tree automata whose pointwise maximum is equivalent to the given automaton.
The rigid hybrid number for two phylogenetic trees
Authors: Huber Katharina T. , Linz Simone , Moulton Vincent
Published: March 2021

Recently there has been considerable interest in the problem of finding a phylogenetic network with a minimum number of reticulation vertices which displays a given set of phylogenetic trees, that is, a network with minimum hybrid number. Such networks are useful for representing the evolution of species whose genomes have undergone processes such as lateral gene transfer and recombination that cannot be represented appropriately by a phylogenetic tree. Even so, as was recently pointed out in the literature, insisting that a network displays the set of trees can be an overly restrictive assumption when modeling certain evolutionary phenomena such as incomplete lineage sorting. In this paper, we thus consider the less restrictive notion of rigidly displaying which we introduce and study here. More specifically, we characterize when two trees can be rigidly displayed by a certain type of phylogenetic network called a temporal tree-child network in terms of fork-picking sequences. These are sequences of special subconfigurations of the two trees related to the well-studied cherry-picking sequences. We also show that, in case it exists, the rigid hybrid number for two phylogenetic trees is given by a minimum weight fork-picking sequence for the trees. Finally, we consider the relationship between the rigid hybrid number and three closely related numbers; the weak, beaded, and temporal hybrid numbers. In particular, we show that these numbers can all be different even for a fixed pair of trees, and also present an infinite family of pairs of trees which demonstrates that the difference between the rigid hybrid number and the temporal-hybrid number for two phylogenetic trees on the same set of n leaves can grow at least linearly with n.
Assessment of Xpert Bladder Cancer Monitor test performance for the detection of recurrence during non-muscle invasive bladder cancer follow-up
Authors: Cancel-Tassin G. , Roupret M. , Pinar U. , Gaffory C. , Vanie F. , Ondet V. , Compérat E. , Cussenot Olivier
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To assess the performance of the Xpert Bladder Cancer (BC) Monitor during the follow-up of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Methods

Patients with previously diagnosed NMIBC and followed up in clinical practice settings in two French urology departments between September 2017 and July 2019 were consecutively enrolled in this prospective observational study. Patients with a positive cystoscopy or computed tomography urogram underwent subsequent transurethral resection of the bladder, and/or biopsy, and the specimens were pathologically assessed. Cytology and Xpert BC Monitor tests were performed on urine samples. Xpert BC Monitor performance was assessed versus cystoscopy for disease-negative patients or versus histology for disease-positive patients, and was compared to that of cytology.

Results

Overall, 500 patients with a median age of 70.0 years were included. NMIBC recurrence was diagnosed in 44 cases (8.8%). Overall sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values (NPVs) were 72.7% (32/44), 73.7% (330/448) and 96.5% (330/342) for the Xpert BC Monitor, and 7.7% (2/26), 97.8% (310/317) and 92.8% (310/334) for cytology, respectively. The Xpert BC Monitor detected 92.3% (12/13) of the high-grade tumours and ruled out their presence in 99.7% (330/331) of cases. Analysis of the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated the superior performance of the Xpert BC Monitor over that of cytology.

Conclusion

Xpert BC Monitor performance was superior to that of cytology in the follow-up of NMIBC. The exclusion of aggressive tumours with a very high NPV (99.7%) supports the use of this urinary test in daily practice.
Dermoscopy of early melanomas: variation according to the anatomic site
Authors: Tognetti Linda , Cartocci Alessandra , Cinotti Elisa , Moscarella Elvira , Farnetani Francesca , Carrera Cristina , Lallas Aimilios , Tiodorovic Danica , Longo Caterina , Puig Susana , Perrot Jean Luc , Argenziano Giuseppe , Pellacani Giovanni , Cataldo Gennaro , Balistreri Alberto , Cevenini Gabriele , Rubegni Pietro
Published: March 2021

To date, is yet to be elucidated whether the body location of cutaneous melanoma can significantly affect an early dermoscopic diagnosis and, consequently, if it can be regarded as a prognostic factor. To investigate the dermoscopic appearance of early melanomas (EMs) at different body sites; to test the ability of dermoscopists in recognizing specific dermoscopic features in EMs. A pool of 106 experienced dermoscopists evaluated the presence of 10 dermoscopic features assumed as suggestive of malignancy among 268 images of EMs with ambiguous appearance located at 16 body sites. According to 720 evaluations, EMs of the “upper extremities” showed a prevalence of early atypical lentiginous features. EMs of the “anterior trunk” exhibited the lower rate of recognition for all features. EMs of the “rear trunk” can be regarded as an intermediate area, showing high recognition rates of regression-related and chronic-traumatism-related features.
Gremlin-1 for the Differential Diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Versus Other Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Clinical and Pathophysiological Analysis
Authors: Aoshima Yoichiro , Enomoto Yasunori , Muto Shigeki , Meguro Shiori , Kawasaki Hideya , Kosugi Isao , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Inui Naoki , Nakamura Yutaro , Suda Takafumi , Iwashita Toshihide
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The differential diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), particularly idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) versus other non-IPF ILDs, is important for selecting the appropriate treatment. This retrospective study aimed to explore the utility of gremlin-1 for the differential diagnosis.

Methods

Serum gremlin-1 concentrations were measured using an ELISA in 50 patients with IPF, 42 patients with non-IPF ILD, and 30 healthy controls. The baseline clinical data, including pulmonary functions, prognosis, and three serum biomarkers (Krebs von den Lungen-6 [KL6], surfactant protein-D [SP-D], and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]), were obtained through a medical record review for analyzing their associations with serum gremlin-1 concentrations. To evaluate the origin of gremlin-1, we performed immunostaining on lung sections.

Results

Serum gremlin-1 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with IPF (mean concentration, 14.4 ng/mL), followed by those with non-IPF ILD (8.8 ng/mL) and healthy controls (1.6 ng/mL). The area under the curve for IPF versus non-IPF ILDs was 0.759 (95% confidence interval, 0.661–0.857), which was superior to that of KL6/SP-D/LDH. The sensitivity and specificity for gremlin-1 (cutoff, 10.4 ng/mL) was 72 and 69%, respectively. By contrast, serum gremlin-1 concentrations were not associated with the pulmonary functions nor the prognosis in all patients with ILDs. In immunostaining, the gremlin-1 was broadly upregulated in IPF lungs, particularly at myofibroblasts, bronchiolar/alveolar epithelium, and CD163-positive M2-like macrophages.

Conclusions

Gremlin-1 may be a useful biomarker to improve the diagnostic accuracy for IPF compared to non-IPF ILDs, suggesting a role of this molecule in the pathogenesis of IPF.