bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyanide removal from aqueous environment by resting cells and PTFE immobilized cells of Sphingobacterium spp.
Authors: Ahmed Essam M. , F. Alsanie Walaa , Alhomrani Majid
Published: December 2021

Microbial detoxification of cyanide offered an inexpensive, safe, and viable alternative to physiochemical processes for the treatment of cyanide in industrial effluents or contaminated sites. This study involved isolation of novel strain with high resistance against cyanide toxicity and able to degrade the cyanide radical. The strain was isolated from rocky area and identified as Sphingobacterium multivorium using 16S ribosomal RNA. Resting pregrown cells were used in simple reaction mixture to avoid the complication associated with the media. One‐gram fresh weight of this bacteria was able to remove 98.5% from 1.5 g/L cyanide which is a unique result. Factor affecting the biochemical process such as pH, temperature, agitation, glucose concentration was examined. The optimum conditions were, pH 6–7, 30–40°C, and 100–150 rpm shaking speed and 0.25% glucose. Furthermore, the cells were used after immobilization in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer. The PTFE is very safe carrier and the cells withstand the entrapment process and were able to remove 92% (1 g/L cyanide). The immobilized cells were used for six successive cycles with about 50% removal efficiency. The storage life extended to 14 days. No previous work studied the cyanide removal by Sphingobacterium spp. The strain showed good applicable characters.
Intraseasonal descriptors and extremes in South African rainfall. Part I: Summer climatology and statistical characteristics
Authors: Ullah Asmat , Pohl Benjamin , Pergaud Julien , Dieppois Bastien , Rouault Mathieu
Published: December 2021

Rainfall extremes are of major and increasing importance in semi‐arid countries and their variability has strong implications for water resource and climate impacts on the local societies and environment. Here, we examine intraseasonal descriptors (ISDs) and wet extremes in austral summer rainfall (November–February) over South Africa (SA). Using daily observations from 225 rain gauges and ERA5 reanalysis between 1979 and 2015, we propose a novel typology of wet extreme events based on their spatial fraction, thus differentiating large‐ and small‐scale extremes. Long‐term variability of both types of extreme rainfall events is then extensively discussed in the context of ISDs. The results demonstrate that using 7% of spatial fraction simultaneously exceeding the local threshold of the 90th percentile produces remarkable results in characterizing rainfall extremes into large‐ and small‐scale extremes. Austral summer total rainfall is found to be primarily shaped by large‐scale extremes which constitute more than half of the rainfall amount under observation, and nearly half in ERA5. Observation (ERA5) shows an average of 8 ± 5 (20 ± 7) days per season associated with large‐scale extremes, which are comprised in 5 ± 3 (10 ± 3) spells with an average persistence of at least 2 days. Overall, we find a strong dependence of total rainfall on the number of wet days and wet spells that are associated with large‐scale extremes. We also find that large‐ and small‐scale extremes are well‐organized and spatially coherent in nature yet extreme conditions during small‐scale events are found sporadic over the region, contrasting with large‐scale events for which extreme conditions are found over a larger and coherent region.
Recovery of balance control in bilateral medial knee osteoarthritis after total knee arthroplasty during level walking
Authors: Lee Pei‐An , Liu Hwa‐Chang , Chen Tsan‐Yang , Wang Ting‐Ming , Lu Tung‐Wu
Published: December 2021

Older adults are at higher risk of falling following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, it remains unclear how long a full recovery of the balance control during gait post‐TKA will take. The current study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap via long‐term follow‐up gait analyses. Twelve older adults with severe bilateral medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) before, 3 and 12 months after TKA, and twelve healthy controls were evaluated for their balance control during level walking, in terms of the inclination angle (IA) of the center of pressure to center of mass vector, and the rate of change of IA (RCIA). The patients before TKA showed significantly increased sagittal IA but decreased RCIA throughout the gait cycle (p < 0.04) compared to controls, suggesting a compromised balance control. Three months post‐TKA, deviations in IA remained, although those in RCIA were improved to normal. One‐year post‐TKA, no significant differences were found in any of the IA‐ and RCIA‐related variables between patient and Control groups. The results show that TKA surgery was effective in reducing the deviations in the center of mass‐center of pressure control in patients with severe bilateral knee OA, and full recovery of balance control can be expected 1 year after surgery.
Randomised, multicentre, prospective interventional study to evaluate the efficacy of immediate diet in addition to standard mouth rinsing in reducing local adverse events of inhaled corticosteroid among asthmatic patients: a pilot study
Authors: Ng Yee Mei , Ng Yen Ping , Heng Wei Kai , Hat Habshoh Bt , Jamil Ahmad Kamal Ariffin bin Abdul , Choo Jin Yi , Husin Wan Nurul Farihan Binti Wan , Hoh Jocelyn Shu Lin , Tan Yee Suan , Cheong Kin Man
Published: December 2021

Background

Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is recommended as first‐line therapy for all asthmatic patients. However, regular use of ICS is always associated with occurrence of local adverse events (LAEs) in the oropharyngeal area that may compromise asthma control. This study introduced a new intervention, namely immediate diet in addition to standard mouth rinsing (ID‐SMR), for better preventing LAEs.

Aim

To investigate the efficacy of the new intervention, in terms of reducing occurrence of ICS‐induced LAEs, as compared to standard mouth rinsing. To compare the level of asthma control between standard mouth rinsing method and the new intervention in the participants.

Methods

Two public health clinics and two public hospitals in the Kedah area participated in this study. Participants were randomised into a control arm (standard mouth rinsing) and interventional arm (new intervention) to complete four visits with one‐month intervals. In each visit, participants were interviewed on incidences of LAEs and asthma control levels were assessed. This study (NMRR‐18‐3113‐44829‐IIR) was approved by the Medical Research and Ethics Committee, Malaysia.

Results

Twelve participants per arm completed this study. Participants with one or more LAEs in the control group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the interventional group at last visit. Incidence of each LAE showed a declining trend in the interventional group but remained almost the same in the control group. A similar increment was observed in participants with good asthma control from baseline visit to last visit with non‐significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

Immediate diet in addition to mouth rinsing method can effectively minimise the occurrence of LAEs, but is not better in improving asthma control.
Air Pollution Exposure Affects Severity and Cellular Endotype of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
Authors: Yang Xiaozhe , Shen Shen , Deng Yuzhoujia , Wang Chengshuo , Zhang Luo
Published: December 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

Air pollution has emerged as an important environmental risk factor for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) progression. This study assessed exposure to five types of air pollution (PM2.5/10, SO2, NO2, CO, O3) and explored their effects on CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) severity and endotype.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Air pollution data from monitoring sites in Beijing were obtained to assess individual air pollution exposure. Outcomes of CRSwNP (n = 282) including Lund‐Mackay (L‐M) score, Lund‐Kennedy (L‐K) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score and nasal patency/airflow resistance and so on were measured to analyze correlations with air pollution and compare groups with different exposure types. Multivariable‐adjusted binary logistic regression was used to determine potential air pollution risk factors of the endotype of eosinophilic CRSwNP (ECRSwNP).

Results

Short‐term exposures to PM2.5/10, SO2, CO, NO2, and O3 were weak but significantly associated with increased L‐M scores. Short‐term exposures to PM10, CO, and NO2 were correlated with increased VAS headache/facial pain scores. The L‐M scores of the group of the highest PM2.5 (≥150 μg/m3) exposure were significantly higher than those of control group. For each increased unit of the average concentration of PM2.5, there was a 1.047‐fold (95% confidence interval, 1.005–1.091) increased risk of the endotype of ECRSwNP.

Conclusions

Air pollution exposure exacerbated CRSwNP severity and PM2.5 could be a risk factor for endotype of ECRSwNP, suggesting the role of air pollution in CRSwNP pathogenesis.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 132:2103–2110, 2022
A subject‐specific assessment of measurement errors and their correction in cerebrospinal fluid velocity maps using 4D flow MRI
Authors: Yavuz Ilik Selin , Otani Tomohiro , Yamada Shigeki , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Wada Shigeo
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Phase‐contrast MRI (PC‐MRI) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) velocity is used to evaluate the characteristics of intracranial diseases, such as normal‐pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Nevertheless, PC‐MRI has several potential error sources, with eddy‐current‐based phase offset error being non‐negligible in CSF measurement. In this study, we assess the measurement error of CSF velocity maps obtained using 4D flow MRI and evaluate correction methods.

Methods

CSF velocity maps of 10 patients with NPH were acquired using 4D flow MRI (velocity‐encoding = 5 cm/s). Distributed phase offset error was estimated for a whole 3D background field by polynomial fitting using robust regression analysis. This estimated phase offset error was then used to correct the CSF velocity maps. The estimated error profiles were compared with those obtained using an existing 2D correction approach involving local background information near the region of interest.

Results

The residual standard error of the polynomial fitting against the phase offset error extracted from the measured velocities was within 0.2 cm/s. The spatial dependencies of the phase offset errors showed similar tendencies in all cases, but sufficient differences in these values were found to indicate requirement of velocity correction. Differences of the estimated errors among other correction approaches were in the order of 10−2 cm/s, and the estimated errors were in good agreement with those obtained using existing approaches.

Conclusion

Our method is capable of estimating the measurement error of CSF velocity maps obtained from 4D flow MRI and provides quantitatively reasonable characteristics for the main CSF profile in the cerebral aqueduct in patients with NPH.
Echo planar imaging–induced errors in intracardiac 4D flow MRI quantification
Authors: Westenberg Jos J. M. , van Assen Hans C. , van den Boogaard Pieter J. , Goeman Jelle J. , Saaid Hicham , Voorneveld Jason , Bosch Johan , Kenjeres Sasa , Claessens Tom , Garg Pankaj , Kouwenhoven Marc , Lamb Hildo J.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To assess errors associated with EPI‐accelerated intracardiac 4D flow MRI (4DEPI) with EPI factor 5, compared with non‐EPI gradient echo (4DGRE).

Methods

Three 3T MRI experiments were performed comparing 4DEPI to 4DGRE: steady flow through straight tubes, pulsatile flow in a left‐ventricle phantom, and intracardiac flow in 10 healthy volunteers. For each experiment, 4DEPI was repeated with readout and blip phase‐encoding gradient in different orientations, parallel or perpendicular to the flow direction. In vitro flow rates were compared with timed volumetric collection. In the left‐ventricle phantom and in vivo, voxel‐based speed and spatio‐temporal median speed were compared between sequences, as well as mitral and aortic transvalvular net forward volume.

Results

In steady‐flow phantoms, the flow rate error was largest (12%) for high velocity (>2 m/s) with 4DEPI readout gradient parallel to the flow. Voxel‐based speed and median speed in the left‐ventricle phantom were ≤5.5% different between sequences. In vivo, mean net forward volume inconsistency was largest (6.4 ± 8.5%) for 4DEPI with nonblip phase‐encoding gradient parallel to the main flow. The difference in median speed for 4DEPI versus 4DGRE was largest (9%) when the 4DEPI readout gradient was parallel to the flow.

Conclusions

Velocity and flow rate are inaccurate for 4DEPI with EPI factor 5 when flow is parallel to the readout or blip phase‐encoding gradient. However, mean differences in flow rate, voxel‐based speed, and spatio‐temporal median speed were acceptable (≤10%) when comparing 4DEPI to 4DGRE for intracardiac flow in healthy volunteers.
Broadband selective excitation radiofrequency pulses for optimized localization in vivo
Authors: Kaiser Lana G. , Veshtort Mikhail , Pappas Ioannis , Deelchand Dinesh K. , Auerbach Edward J. , Marjańska Małgorzata , Inglis Ben A.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim of the study is to optimize the performance of localized 1H MRS sequences at 3T, using the entire spin system of N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA) as an example of the large chemical shift spread of all the metabolites routinely detected in vivo, including the amide region. We specifically focus on the design of the suitable broadband excitation radiofrequency (RF) pulses to minimize chemical shift artifacts.

Methods

The performance of the excitation and refocusing pulse shapes is evaluated with respect to NAA localization. Two new excitation RF pulses are developed to achieve optimized performance in the brain using single‐voxel 1H MRS at 3T. Numerical simulations and in vivo experiments are carried out to demonstrate the performance of the RF pulses.

Results

New excitation RF pulses with the same B1 requirements but larger excitation bandwidth (up to a factor of 2) are shown to significantly reduce localization artifacts. The large frequency spread of the entire NAA spin system necessitates the use of broadband excitation and refocusing pulses for MRS at 3T.

Conclusion

To minimize chemical shift artifacts of metabolic compounds with spins in the amide area (>5 ppm) at 3T it is important to use broadband excitation and refocusing pulses.
Recommended scoring approach for the pediatric patient‐reported outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events
Authors: Hinds Pamela S. , Pinheiro Laura C. , McFatrich Molly , Waldron Mia , Baker Justin N. , Mowbray Catriona , Maurer Scott H. , Cheng Yao , Reeve Bryce B. , Wang Jichuan
Published: December 2021

Background

Collecting symptom, function, and adverse event (AE) data directly from children and adolescents undergoing cancer care is more comprehensive and accurate than relying solely on their caregivers or clinicians for their interpretations. We developed the pediatric patient‐reported outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (Ped‐PRO‐CTCAE) measurement system with input from children, parents, and clinicians. Here, we report how we determined the recommended Ped‐PRO‐CTCAE item scoring approach.

Methods

Data from 271 patients were analyzed using three scoring approaches: (a) at the AE attribute (frequency, severity, interference) using ordinal and dichotomous measures; (b) a weighted composite AE item score by AE attribute (0.5 ‐ frequency; 1.0 ‐ severity; 1.5 ‐ interference); and (c) overall number of AEs endorsed. Associations of each AE attribute, AE item score, and overall AE score with the Patient‐Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric measures were examined. The ability of the overall Ped‐PRO‐CTCAE AE score to identify patients with PROMIS symptom T‐scores worse than reference population scores was assessed. Clinician preference for score information display was elicited through interviews with five pediatric oncology clinical trialists.

Results

The diverse scoring approaches yielded similar outcomes, including positive correlations of the Ped‐PRO‐CTCAE attributes, AE item score, and the overall AEs score with the PROMIS Pediatric measures. Clinicians preferred the most granular display of scoring information (actual score reported by the child and corresponding descriptive term).

Conclusions

Although three scoring approaches yielded similar results, we recommend the AE attribute level of one score per Ped‐PRO‐CTCAE AE attribute for its simplicity of use in care and research.
Change in 9/11‐related post‐traumatic stress symptoms following cancer diagnosis
Authors: Yung Janette , Takemoto Erin , Cone James , Li Jiehui
Published: December 2021

Objective

Cancer can be a life‐threatening stressor that may evoke pre‐existing post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We assessed change in 9/11‐related PTSD symptoms following cancer diagnosis in a 9/11‐exposed cohort, the World Trade Center Health Registry.

Methods

We examined enrollees who had a first‐time post‐9/11 invasive cancer diagnosis and at least one pre‐ and two post‐diagnosis 9/11‐related PTSD assessments from enrolment through 2015. PTSD symptoms were measured using 17‐item PTSD Checklist (PCL, range 17‐85). Cancer was identified from New York State Cancer Registry and categorized as localized or advanced stage. We used piecewise spline linear mixed‐effects models to examine rate of change in PCL scores from pre‐ to post‐diagnosis periods, and whether the change differed by gender or stage, with time as fixed and random effects, adjusting for baseline age, race, and education.

Results

9/11‐related PTSD symptoms were slightly increasing in the pre‐diagnosis period, while this trend reversed in the post‐diagnosis period (β: −0.38; 95% CI: −0.60, −0.15). This trend was driven by male rescue/recovery workers (RRW), among whom significant decrease in rate of change in PCL scores was observed for those with advanced stage (slope change difference [95% CI]: −1.81 [−2.73, −0.90]). No significant difference in rate of change was observed among non‐RRW. Among females, PCL scores tended to decrease slightly, with no significant difference in rate of change between pre‐ and post‐diagnosis periods.

Conclusions

We observed significant reduction in the rate of change in 9/11‐related PTSD symptoms among male RRW. The underlying mechanism is unknown, necessitating future research.
Transnational, translocal, and transient: Economic communities of Arab entrepreneurs in Yiwu, China
Authors: Yang Xin , Wang Qingfang
Published: December 2021

Despite an accumulation of literature on ethnic, immigrant, and transnational entrepreneurship, we still know very little about transnational entrepreneurship among less‐developed countries especially when culture and religion are concerned. Based on long‐term ethnographic work in immigrant Arab communities, this study examines the economic communities of transnational Arab entrepreneurs in Yiwu, a global wholesale hub city in China. We find that the motivation of profit‐seeking and transitional chain migration set the premise and foundation for Arab immigrant communities. The transnational networks of kinship and geo‐relationship are further integrated with Arab entrepreneurs' translocal networks based on religion, culture, profession, and educational experiences in shaping the economic activities of Arab entrepreneurs. At the same time, taking profit‐seeking as the primary goal instead of evident political and religious pursuits, their experiences also feature with transiency under the current institutional constraints. This study provides different evidence of transnational mixed embeddedness of immigrant ethnic entrepreneurship from a less‐developed economy where the state has a dominant role in economic, cultural, and political control.
Investigation of the binding site of ruthenium complexes to short single‐stranded oligodeoxynucleotides using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Starke Ines , Fürstenberg Sylvia
Published: December 2021

Rationale

In order to elucidate the nature of the interaction between metal complexes and DNA, use was made of short telomere single‐stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) strand 5′‐T1T2A3G4G5G6–3′ (1) and strands 5′‐T1C2A3G4G5G6–3′ (2), 5′‐T1T2A3C4G5G6‐3′ (3) and 5′‐T1C2C3C4C5G6‐3′ (4) for the verification of the binding site with four different ruthenium complexes as possible anticancer drug candidates.

Methods

The ability to form adducts between ruthenium complexes with short single‐stranded 6‐mers was investigated through the use of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). Full scan ESI mass spectra and collision‐induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra were recorded on a high‐resolution quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. The elemental compositions of the adducts and the most important product ions were calculated by exact mass measurements.

Results

ESI‐MS measurements showed that the mono‐ruthenated ODNs were the main products produced under the conditions for the four ruthenium complexes and each of the ODNs. The CID results revealed that thymine and guanine are the preferred binding sites depending on the different compositions in the ODNs. However, for the ODN of the type: 5′‐T1C2C3C4C5G6‐3′ the coordination site on cytosine was observed as well. The different ruthenium complexes interacted in the same way.

Conclusions

This study showed that the characterization of new ruthenium complexes with short single‐stranded telomeric DNA (TTAGGG) and further different ODNs is possible with positive ESI‐MS/MS measurement. The identification of thymine and cytosine besides guanine as possible binding sites suggests that the interaction site is highly affected by the ODN's structure.
Extracellular Vimentin as a Target Against SARS‐CoV‐2 Host Cell Invasion
Authors: Suprewicz Łukasz , Swoger Maxx , Gupta Sarthak , Piktel Ewelina , Byfield Fitzroy J. , Iwamoto Daniel V. , Germann Danielle , Reszeć Joanna , Marcińczyk Natalia , Carroll Robert J. , Janmey Paul A. , Schwarz J. M. , Bucki Robert , Patteson Alison E.
Published: December 2021

Infection of human cells by pathogens, including SARS‐CoV‐2, typically proceeds by cell surface binding to a crucial receptor. The primary receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2 is the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), yet new studies reveal the importance of additional extracellular co‐receptors that mediate binding and host cell invasion by SARS‐CoV‐2. Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein that is increasingly recognized as being present on the extracellular surface of a subset of cell types, where it can bind to and facilitate pathogens’ cellular uptake. Biophysical and cell infection studies are done to determine whether vimentin might bind SARS‐CoV‐2 and facilitate its uptake. Dynamic light scattering shows that vimentin binds to pseudovirus coated with the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein, and antibodies against vimentin block in vitro SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus infection of ACE2‐expressing cells. The results are consistent with a model in which extracellular vimentin acts as a co‐receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein with a binding affinity less than that of the spike protein with ACE2. Extracellular vimentin may thus serve as a critical component of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein‐ACE2 complex in mediating SARS‐CoV‐2 cell entry, and vimentin‐targeting agents may yield new therapeutic strategies for preventing and slowing SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
An Empirical Study on How Sapienz Achieves Coverage and Crash Detection
Authors: Arcuschin Iván , Galeotti Juan Pablo , Garbervetsky Diego
Published: December 2021

Several tools for automatically testing Android applications have been proposed. In particular, Sapienz is a search‐based tool that has been recently deployed in an industrial setting. Although it has been shown that Sapienz outperforms several state‐of‐the‐art tools, it is still to be seen what features of SAPIENZ impact the most on its effectiveness. We conducted an extensive empirical study where we compare the impact of the search algorithm and the usage of motif genes, a more compact representation of individuals. Our empirical study shows that the usage of motif genes improves coverage both for Evolutionary Algorithms and random approaches. In particular, it also shows that NSGA‐II, the multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm used by Sapienz, does not have a clear improvement over other algorithms. In terms of number of crashes detected, our study shows that both NSGA‐II and Random Search perform similarly. While the usage of motif genes improves the crash detection of algorithms, it is not enough to make it statistically significant. These facts cast doubts about the use of Evolutionary Algorithms in the context of Android test generation and suggest that motif genes can have a great impact on the overall effectiveness.
Gallate ester of castor oil as a multifunctional additive in HAF carbon black–filled natural rubber composites
Authors: Kandil Heba , Samy Moshera , El‐Nashar Doaa E.
Published: December 2021

A multifunctional additive based on castor oil (gallate ester of castor oil [GECO]) for rubber composites was synthesized via esterification between castor oil (CO) and gallic acid (GA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the GECO. GECO was applied at different loadings (1, 2, and 4 phr) in high abrasion furnace (HAF) carbon black–filled natural rubber (NR) composite to study its effect on the curing, swelling, mechanical, and aging properties of the resulting composite. It was found that the use of GECO accelerated the curing process effectively and endowed the resulting composites with significantly better antiaging properties than the control composite containing the traditional antioxidant, N‐isopropyl‐N′‐phenyl‐1,4‐phenylenediamine (IPPD). Additionally, it was found that the use of 1 phr of GECO enhanced the swelling and mechanical properties of the resulting composite, and after this level, a slight decrease in the properties was observed. Scanning electron microscopy results confirmed that the use of 1 phr of GECO caused a better dispersion of HAF within the NR matrix which resulted in an enhancement in the HAF reinforcement.
Review of threatened Malagasy freshwater fishes in zoos and aquaria: The necessity of an ex situ conservation network—A call for action
Authors: Leiss Laura , Rauhaus Anna , Rakotoarison Andolalao , Fusari Charles , Vences Miguel , Ziegler Thomas
Published: December 2021

Madagascar's biota is characterized by an extraordinary species richness, with a high degree of endemism. The island's freshwater habitats harbor numerous micro‐endemic species, restricted to particular regions and thus particularly at risk of extinction, due to deforestation, overfishing, and introduction of exotic species. The present study investigates for which threatened Malagasy freshwater fish species ex situ populations have already been established, as a baseline to prioritize actions to develop an effective ex situ conservation breeding network. Populations in zoos and aquaria were primarily determined using the Zoological Information System. Of 173 fish species recorded from Malagasy freshwater habitats, 123 exclusively inhabit freshwater; 79 of these are endemic to Madagascar, and 50 are classified as threatened. Our survey found 21 Malagasy freshwater fish species kept in zoos worldwide, of which 19 are endemic and threatened (22 if counting species kept by private breeders). Nine of the 19 Malagasy freshwater fish species kept in zoos have successfully reproduced within the 12 months preceding our survey. The ex situ conservation activities for threatened Malagasy freshwater fishes thus have not improved significantly since the strong start in the early 2000s. More than half of the 50 threatened endemic Malagasy freshwater fish species (viz. 31 species) are not kept ex situ, including 11 species ranked as Critically Endangered. Based on these findings we call for a better distribution of offspring among institutions, including private breeders in the framework of citizen conservation initiatives; a closer connection of ichthyological field research in Madagascar with conservation breeding efforts to set up ex situ populations—both in Madagascar and abroad—of species not yet kept in captivity; and the development of effective, integrated in situ and ex situ conservation strategies.
Reasons for unfulfilled breeding and transfer recommendations in zoos and aquariums
Authors: Gray Steven M. , Faust Lisa J. , Kuykendall Nicole A. , Bladow Rachel A. , Schad Eebes Kristine , Che‐Castaldo Judy P.
Published: December 2021

One of the primary tools for cooperatively managing animal populations within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is through Breeding and Transfer Plan (BTP) recommendations. These recommendations consider population demographics, genetics, husbandry, and institutional needs and aim to improve population viability and long‐term sustainability. However, fulfilling (i.e., completing) recommendations can be complicated by biological and logistical challenges. We examined institutional reasons for unfulfilled Breed With, Do Not Breed, Hold, and Send To recommendations collected in surveys in PMCTrack, software for tracking recommendation fulfillment, using descriptive and text‐mining methods. Overall, 73 Animal Programs used PMCTrack to distribute 2335 surveys and accrued responses from 167 zoos and aquariums from 2007 to 2019, with a response rate of 56% (n = 1307). For Breed With recommendations, common reasons were related to an individual animal's status and a pair's breeding behavior; for all other recommendation types, reasons were often management or logistical factors. Most Breed With recommendations were attempted (≥55%) but did not result in detectable pregnancy/eggs or offspring, due to pair incompatibility or not enough time to successfully produce offspring. Hold and Do Not Breed recommendations were often unfulfilled because the BTP recommendation was replaced with an interim (i.e., updated) recommendation during the inter‐planning period. Our results support the importance of some common population management practices, such as maintaining breeding pairs/groups for multiple BTPs to improve mate familiarity, examining husbandry mechanisms to promote breeding success, and making a concerted effort to adhere to planning timelines to facilitate transfers in alignment with breeding seasons.
Introduction: New Paths in Civil Defence History
Authors: Cronqvist Marie , Farbøl Rosanna , Sylvest Casper
Published: December 2021

The introduction to the volume lays out the rationale and ambitions of the book, delineates its chronological and geographical focus and situates it in the existing historiography of civil defence. One central ambition is to advance civil defence history by attuning it more explicitly to the study of science and technology and to pave the way for transnational and comparative efforts. We do so in two steps. We introduce and explore the concept of sociotechnical imaginaries developed by Sheila Jasanoff and Sang-Hyun Kim, before applying and adjusting it to civil defence history. Finally, the introduction provides a brief overview of the chapters in the volume.
Order on Their Home Fronts: Imagining War and Social Control in 1950s NATO
Authors: Bjørnsson Iben
Published: December 2021

This chapter looks at deliberations about control of the population in NATO’s Civil Defence Committee and the Senior Committee for Civil Emergency Planning, and their roots in modern culture and science. Treating fear emerged as an important part of the modern psychological sciences in the twentieth century. Applied to military medicine with the World Wars, it became its own scientific field. The results were transported to civil defence research, where the question of panic became a feature of the nuclear reality. As maintenance of government control and control of the population became top priorities in the aforementioned committees, visions of the panicked mob came to be its own dystopic image. Underpinned by psychological sciences, a sociotechnical imaginary of preparedness emerged.
Normalising Nuclear War: Narrative Scenarios, Imaginative Geographies and Sites of Leisure in 1950s Britain
Authors: Hogg Jonathan
Published: December 2021

This chapter offers an interpretation of British regional civil defence activities in the 1950s. I argue that the persistent social impact of nationwide sociotechnical imaginaries of nuclear weapons cannot be fully understood without considering the localised social, geographical and discursive contexts in which civil defence was located and enacted. This chapter traces the ways in which a wider (officially maintained) sociotechnical imaginary appears to have been embedded in and intertwined with these localised contexts. After discussing the bespoke narrative scenarios created to frame civil defence exercises and offering analysis of their public representation, I focus on sites of leisure and forms of civic engagement linked to civil defence activity. Lastly, I turn to imaginative geographies to explore how sociotechnical imaginaries became localised in this era.
Embedding Preparedness, Assigning Responsibility: The Role of Film in Sociotechnical Imaginaries of Civil Defence
Authors: Bennesved Peter , Sylvest Casper
Published: December 2021

This chapter examines the role of film and television in embedding sociotechnical imaginaries of civil defence during the early nuclear age (c. 1949–1965) by zooming in on Sweden and Denmark, two neighbouring countries that differed both in terms of their political position in the Cold War and in the scale of their civil defence efforts. Following a theoretical discussion of the psychosocial effects of films and their manner of circulation, we analyse Swedish and Danish films in two periods demarcated by the thermonuclear disruption of civil defence during the mid-1950s. The analysis highlights how films were used to frame technologies and script and perform social norms. We argue that films constitute an important source for understanding the difficulties of embedding sociotechnical imaginaries of civil defence.
Being Somewhere
Authors: Tjostheim Ingvar , Waterworth John A.
Published: December 2021

To understand the experience of being present somewhere else, via a digital environment, we start by considering how we can experience being anywhere. We present several different philosophical and psychological perspectives on this, stressing the importance of perception. Each has something to offer and add to our understanding of digital travel. We compare four philosophical views: representationalism, relationism, enactivism and the sense-data view. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but relationism is best placed to accommodate perceptual illusions, which is a prevalent view of the psychological nature of telepresence experiences. As suggested by enactivism and the direct perception approach, the possibilities for action in the world are important to the nature of our experience of places. This, in turn, is influenced by the characteristics of the world in which we act, through affordances.
When the Virtual Becomes Real?
Authors: Tjostheim Ingvar , Waterworth John A.
Published: December 2021

In the first part of this final chapter, we look at several current trends in technologies used to enable various forms of digital travel, and some recent innovations—including social telepresence robots, drones, holograms and immersive VR. We briefly describe the approach and evaluate the pros and cons and potential of each, then move on to speculations about future directions and new possibilities. We present a method of stimulating new design ideas for digital travel, based on metaphors and blending theory. We illustrate the method using the metaphor: “To use my device is to travel”. In the second part of the chapter, we recap and finalise our journey through the book.
Relative Entropy of Coherent States on General CCR Algebras
Authors: Bostelmann Henning , Cadamuro Daniela , Del Vecchio Simone
Published: December 2021

For a subalgebra of a generic CCR algebra, we consider the relative entropy between a general (not necessarily pure) quasifree state and a coherent excitationthereof. We give a unified formula for this entropy in terms of single-particle modular data. Further, we investigate changes of the relative entropy along subalgebras arising from an increasing family of symplectic subspaces; here convexity of the entropy (as usually considered for the Quantum Null Energy Condition) is replaced with lower estimates for the second derivative, composed of “bulk terms” and “boundary terms”. Our main assumption is that the subspaces are in differential modular position, a regularity condition that generalizes the usual notion of half-sided modular inclusions. We illustrate our results in relevant examples, including thermal states for the conformal U(1)-current.
Development of secondary vortex structures in rotor wakes
Authors: Schwarz Clemens , Bodling Andrew , Wolf C. Christian , Brinkema Robert , Potsdam Mark , Gardner Anthony D.
Published: December 2021

The blade tip vortex system is a crucial feature in the wake of helicopter rotors, and its correct prediction represents a major challenge in the numerical simulation of rotor flows. A common phenomenon in modern high-fidelity CFD simulations is the breakdown of the primary vortex system in hover due to secondary vortex braids. Since they are strongly influenced by the numerical settings, the degree to which these secondary vortex structures actually physically occur is still discussed and needs experimental validation. In the current work, the development of secondary vortex structures in the wake of a two-bladed rotor in hover conditions was investigated by combining stereoscopic particle image velocimetry measurements in different measurement planes and high-fidelity simulations. Secondary vortex structures were detected and quantified at different axial locations in the wake by applying an identical scheme to the measured and simulated velocity data. In agreement, it was found that the number of secondary vortices is maximum at a distance of$$0.8\,R$$0.8Rbelow the rotor. The more intense secondary vortex structures were quantitatively well captured in the simulation, whereas in the experiment a larger number of weaker vortices were detected. No distinct preferential direction of rotation was found for the secondary vortices, but they tended to develop in vortex pairs with alternating sense of rotation. A clustered occurrence of secondary vortices was observed close to the primary tip vortices, where the rolled-up blade shear layer breaks down into coherent vortex structures.

Graphical abstract
Law of large numbers for the drift of the two-dimensional wreath product
Authors: Erschler Anna , Zheng Tianyi
Published: December 2021

We prove the law of large numbers for the drift of random walks on the two-dimensional lamplighter group, under the assumption that the random walk has finite$$(2+\epsilon )$$(2+ϵ)-moment. This result is in contrast with classical examples of abelian groups, where the displacement afternsteps, normalised by its mean, does not concentrate, and the limiting distribution of the normalisedn-step displacement admits a density whose support is$$[0,\infty )$$[0,∞). We study further examples of groups, some with random walks satisfying LLN for drift and other examples where such concentration phenomenon does not hold, and study relation of this property with asymptotic geometry of groups.
Significance of current weather conditions for foliar traits of old-growth sessile oak (Quercus petraea Liebl) trees
Authors: Arab Leila , Seegmueller Stefan , Kreuzwieser Jürgen , Eiblmeier Monika , Dannenmann Michael , Rennenberg Heinz
Published: December 2021

Key message

Sessile oak leaves showed a high degree of plasticity to atmospheric and pedospheric conditions.

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the significance of current weather conditions for foliar traits of adult sessile oak (Quercus petraea), one of the most valuable forest tree species in Central Europe. For this purpose, structural and functional traits were analysed in fully expanded, sun exposed leaves collected in south-west Germany from five old-growth forest stands, representing the meteorological and pedospheric conditions in the growing region, but differing in aridity during the 12 days before harvest in two consecutive years. Across the forest stands, most foliar traits differed significantly between wet and dry weather conditions before harvest as indicated by partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). These traits included fresh weight/dry weight ratio, leaf hydration, leaf-C content, leaf-C/N ratio, structural N, soluble protein-N, total amino acid-N, cell wall composition, numerous specific amino acids as well as soluble sugar content. Structural biomass, δ13C signature, total N and total C as well as H2O2 contents were not affected by the weather before harvest. These results indicate a high plasticity of the foliar metabolism of drought-tolerant sessile oak to current weather conditions. They also suggest that sessile oak is characterized by a high potential to cope with the growth conditions expected as a consequence of future climate change.
Empirical modelling of snow cover duration patterns in complex terrains of Italy
Authors: Diodato Nazzareno , Ljungqvist Fredrik Charpentier , Bellocchi Gianni
Published: December 2021

Snow cover duration is a crucial climate change indicator. However, measurements of days with snow cover on the ground (DSG) are limited, especially in complex terrains, and existing measurements are fragmentary and cover only relatively short time periods. Here, we provide observational and modelling evidence that it is possible to produce reliable time-series of DSG for Italy based on instrumental measurements, and historical documentary data derived from various sources, from a limited set of stations and areas in the central-southern Apennines (CSA) of Italy. The adopted modelling approach reveals that DSG estimates in most settings in Italy can be driven by climate factors occurring in the CSA. Taking into account spatial scale-dependence, a parsimonious model was developed by incorporating elevation, winter and spring temperatures, a large-scale circulation index (the Atlantic Multidecadal Variability, AMV) and a snow-severity index, with in situ DSG data, based on a core snow cover dataset covering 97 years (88% coverage in the 1907–2018 period and the rest, discontinuously from 1683 to 1895, from historical data of the Benevento station). The model was validated on the basis of the identification of contemporary snow cover patterns and historical evidence of summer snow cover in high massifs. Beyond the CSA, validation obtained across terrains of varying complexity in both the northern and southern sectors of the peninsula indicate that the model holds potential for applications in a broad range of geographical settings and climatic situations of Italy. This article advances the study of past, present and future DSG changes in the central Mediterranean region.
Quantitative Evaluation of Phase Distribution in UHMWPE as Derived from a Combined Use of NMR FID Analysis and Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Hansen Eddy , Hassani Alireza
Published: December 2021

A new and robust statistical approach is explored with the objective to derive quantitative and reliable information on the molecular dynamics within distinct domains (crystalline, intermediate and amorphous domains) of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The method consists of a critical evaluation of the free induction decay (FID) model, which is used to generate synthetic FID with a predefined signal-to-noise ratio by Monte Carlo simulations. The application of the method is demonstrated for three UHMWPE samples. A subsequent model fitting of their synthetic FIDs revealed a unique correlation between the error, i.e., standard deviation, of the derived parameters and the FID signal-to-noise ratio (SNRFID). Moreover, it was found that the method can be used to estimate the minimum required sampling time to obtain reliable parameter estimation of the FID model to experimental data.
Psychosoziale Versorgung von Kindern und Jugendlichen im ersten Corona-Lock-Down unter Zuhilfenahme von Telefon und Online-Tools. Möglichkeiten und Grenzen
Authors: Haslinger Michaela , Weindl Dina , Peper-Bösenkopf Jessica , Haiderer Martina , Singer Verena , Zajec Karin
Published: December 2021

Die vorliegende Studie widmet sich der Analyse einer Befragung von 20 Fachkräften des Gesundheits- und Sozialbereichs, die während des ersten „Lock-Downs“ aufgrund der Covid-19-Pandemie zur Sicherstellung der psychosozialen Versorgung von Kindern und Jugendlichen Telefon und Onlinemedien benutzten. Veränderte Rahmenbedingungen, das Fehlen des persönlichen Kontakts sowie Auswirkungen auf die Behandlung (u. a. Beziehung, Inhalt, Methodik) wurden als negative Aspekte der distanzierten Behandlung beschrieben. Eine Veränderung der Privatsphäre sowie des Settings wurden sowohl als Vor- als auch Nachteil betrachtet. Als positiv wurden insbesondere Kontinuität, Flexibilität und Anonymität hervorgehoben.
Stress-Related Herpesvirus Reactivation in Badgers Can Result in Clostridium Proliferation
Authors: Tsai Ming-shan , Newman Chris , Macdonald David W. , Buesching Christina D.
Published: December 2021

Clostridium perfringens is an important food-borne zoonotic pathogen and a member of the commensal gut microbiome of many mammals. Predisposing factors such as coinfection with other pathogens or diet change can, however, cause overgrowth and subsequent disease development. Here we investigated the occurrence of C. perfringens in a free-ranging badger population with up to 100% prevalence of herpesvirus infection. Herpesvirus reactivation is known to be associated with increased susceptibility bacterial infections. PCR screening of rectal swabs from 69 free-ranging badgers revealed 15.9% (11/69, 95% CI = 9.1–26.3%) prevalence of detectable C. perfringens (Type A) DNA in the digestive tracts of assymptomatic animals. The results of Fisher’s exact test revealed C. perfringens detection was not biased by age, sex and seasons. However, badgers with genital tract gammaherpesvirus (MusGHV-1) reactivation (p = 0.007) and infection with a specific MusGHV-1 genotype (p = 0.019) were more prone to of C. perfringens proliferation, indicating coinfection biased dynamics of intestinal C. perfringens. An inclusion pattern analysis further indicated that, causally, MusGHV-1 reactivation potentiated C. perfringens detection. Whether or not specific MusGHV-1 genotype infection or reactivation plays a role in C. perfringens overgrowth or disease development in badgers will require further investigation. Nevertheless, a postmortem examination of a single badger that died of fatal disease, likely associated with C. perfringens, revealed MusGHV-1 detection in the small intestine.