bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The migratory whale herd concept: A novel unit to conserve under the ecological paradigm
Authors: Martien Karen K. , Taylor Barbara L. , Lang Aimée R. , Clapham Phillip J. , Weller David W. , Archer Frederick I. , Calambokidis John
Published: May 2023

Photographic and genetic studies have revealed the complex population structure of migratory large whales. Most research and management are geographically based, focusing on either wintering or summering areas, which in most cases fails to capture this complexity. We use examples from humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) to illustrate the concept of migratory herds, defined here as conspecific whales that migrate between the same wintering and feeding ground. In cases where individuals show strong fidelity to both feeding and wintering grounds, and therefore to a herd, dispersal between herds can be low enough to render them as demographically independent populations, where population dynamics are determined more by net internal recruitment (births minus deaths) than by immigration from outside sources. In these cases, the migratory whale herd is the appropriate unit to conserve under the ecological paradigm that focuses on groups united by demographic forces. We suggest that when addressing questions focused on ecological timescales for whale species with strong fidelity to migratory destinations, the migratory whale herd is a better initial working hypothesis rather than one based on geographically defined strata.
‘In Contemplation only’: Revisiting the Debate between the Chalcedonians and Anti‐Chalcedonians on the Reality of the Natures of Christ
Authors: Mateiescu Sebastian
Published: May 2023

Although a theological exchange of ideas between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians flourished at the end of the twentieth century, the ecumenical achievements of these discussions have been met with notable objections and critiques by theologians. This article focuses on one key notion that was highlighted for having been left unresolved in the ecumenical discussions, namely the concept of the difference of the natures of Christ ‘in contemplation only’ (ἐν ϑεωρίᾳ μόνῃ). The essay revises the traditional Chalcedonian perspective with regard to the interpretation of difference in contemplation, which considers it to be based on the assumption of a real distinction between the natures after Incarnation. The argument shows that this view was intended to form a response to the anti‐Chalcedonian notionalist interpretation, according to which the natures are only conceptually differentiated. By reconstructing the philosophical background of some notable sixth‐century Chalcedonian theologians, along with Cyril of Alexandria as the main theological source for the anti‐Chalcedonians, the essay will suggest that they bear the influence of opposing philosophical perspectives on conceptualization. The argument will show how some of the theological differences between the Chalcedonians and Cyril follow closely opposing attitudes in ancient philosophy towards fictional entities and conceptual constructivism. The conclusion will advocate that future ecumenical dialogues should take into account the relevance of these epistemological differences.
NODULE INCEPTION: a direct regulator of gibberellin biosynthesis during symbiotic nodulation
Authors: Fonouni‐Farde Camille , Frugier Florian
Published: May 2023

This article is a Commentary on Gao et al. (2023), 239: 459–465.
Meiotic pairing irregularity and homoeologous chromosome compensation cause rapid karyotype variation in synthetic allotetraploid wheat
Authors: Zhao Jing , Li Juzuo , Lv Ruili , Wang Bin , Zhang Zhibin , Yu Tingting , Liu Shuhan , Xun Hongwei , Xu Chunming , Wendel Jonathan F. , Liu Bao
Published: May 2023

Allopolyploidization may initiate rapid evolution due to heritable karyotypic changes. The types and extents of these changes, the underlying causes, and their effects on phenotype remain to be fully understood.

Here, we designed experimental populations suitable to address these issues using a synthetic allotetraploid wheat.

We show that extensive variation in both chromosome number (NCV) and structure (SCV) accumulated in a selfed population of a synthetic allotetraploid wheat (genome SbSbDD). The combination of NCVs and SCVs generated massive organismal karyotypic heterogeneity. NCVs and SCVs were intrinsically correlated and highly variable across the seven sets of homoeologous chromosomes. Both NCVs and SCVs stemmed from meiotic pairing irregularity (presumably homoeologous pairing) but were also constrained by homoeologous chromosome compensation. We further show that homoeologous meiotic pairing was positively correlated with sequence synteny at the subtelomeric regions of both chromosome arms, but not with genic nucleotide similarity per se. Both NCVs and SCVs impacted phenotypic traits but only NCVs caused significant reduction in reproductive fitness.

Our results implicate factors influencing meiotic homoeologous chromosome pairing and reveal the type and extent of karyotypic variation and its immediate phenotypic manifestation in synthetic allotetraploid wheat. This has relevance for our understanding of allopolyploid evolution.
Refugees' and asylum seekers' experiences of individual psychological therapy: A qualitative meta‐synthesis
Authors: Khairat Mariam , Hodge Suzanne , Duxbury Anna
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The current review aimed to synthesise qualitative literature exploring adult refugees' and asylum seekers' experiences of individual psychological therapy.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic search of the following databases led to the identification of eight studies for inclusion in this review: PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Academic Search Ultimate. All selected studies used qualitative methodology to explore refugees' and asylum seekers' experiences of individual psychological therapy. Studies were appraised using an adapted version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Tool. The data from these selected studies were then synthesised using a meta‐ethnographic approach.

Results

The synthesis of selected studies resulted in the development of five themes; (i) the importance of recognition and validation within therapy, (ii) building a human connection within the therapeutic relationship and the importance of cultural competency, (iii) revisiting trauma, managing difficult emotions from therapy and regaining hope, (iv) the value of practical interventions, (v) ‘one should not wake up the djinns (demons)’—cultural stigma and accessing therapy. These themes illustrated the complexities of working therapeutically with asylum seekers and refugees and the vital role of building trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship prior to engagement in therapeutic work. The results also highlighted varied responses to engaging in trauma work ranging from participants finding the experience transformative to others finding it unhelpful, some participants preferred more practical interventions. Participants' cultural backgrounds and pre‐conceptions around therapy impacted on engagement and the therapist's cultural competency was a significant factor in therapeutic engagement.

Conclusions

Working therapeutically with asylum seekers and refugees involves a number of factors for consideration. Forced migrants' socio‐political context was seen as central to their experiences of distress and recognition of these factors was imperative for positive therapeutic engagement. This review highlights a number of clinical implications to guide practitioners working therapeutically with this community.
Parental history of dementia and the risk of dementia: A cross‐sectional analysis of a global collaborative study
Authors: Oh Dae Jong , Bae Jong Bin , Lipnicki Darren M. , Han Ji Won , Sachdev Perminder S. , Kim Tae Hui , Kwak Kyung Phil , Kim Bong Jo , Kim Shin Gyeom , Kim Jeong Lan , Moon Seok Woo , Park Joon Hyuk , Ryu Seung‐Ho , Youn Jong Chul , Lee Dong Young , Lee Dong Woo , Lee Seok Bum , Lee Jung Jae , Jhoo Jin Hyeong , Skoog Ingmar , Najar Jenna , Sterner Therese R. , Guaita Antonio , Vaccaro Roberta , Rolandi Elena , Scarmeas Nikolaos , Yannakoulia Mary , Kosmidis Mary H. , Riedel‐Heller Steffi G. , Roehr Susanne , Dominguez Jacqueline , De Guzman Ma Fe , Fowler Krizelle Cleo , Lobo Antonio , Saz Pedro , Lopez‐Anton Raul , Anstey Kaarin J. , Cherbuin Nicolas , Mortby Moyra E. , Brodaty Henry , Trollor Julian , Kochan Nicole , Kim Ki Woong ,   for Cohort Studies of Memory in an International Consortium (COSMIC)
Published: May 2023

Background

Parental history of dementia appears to increase the risk of dementia, but there have been inconsistent results. We aimed to investigate whether the association between parental history of dementia and the risk of dementia are different by dementia subtypes and sex of parent and offspring.

Methods

For this cross‐sectional study, we harmonized and pooled data for 17,194 older adults from nine population‐based cohorts of eight countries. These studies conducted face‐to‐face diagnostic interviews, physical and neurological examinations, and neuropsychological assessments to diagnose dementia. We investigated the associations of maternal and paternal history of dementia with the risk of dementia and its subtypes in offspring.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 72.8 ± 7.9 years and 59.2% were female. Parental history of dementia was associated with higher risk of dementia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15–1.86) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.31–2.26), but not with the risk of non‐AD. This was largely driven by maternal history of dementia, which was associated with the risk of dementia (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.15–1.97) and AD (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.33–2.43) whereas paternal history of dementia was not. These results remained significant when males and females were analyzed separately (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.28–3.55 in males; OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.16–2.44 for females).

Conclusions

Maternal history of dementia was associated with the risk of dementia and AD in both males and females. Maternal history of dementia may be a useful marker for identifying individuals at higher risk of AD and stratifying the risk for AD in clinical trials.
Abortion—Reactionary theocracy rises in America, while declining elsewhere
Authors: Skidmore Max J.
Published: May 2023

Abortion suddenly dominated politics when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a half‐century of constitutional protection for reproductive choices. The issue varies around the world but is especially powerful in the United States because Protestant fundamentalists and Catholics cooperated to capture one of America's two major political parties. That Republican Party has now packed the courts. The result is the decision that melded political and religious ideologies into the radical Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. This article contends that anti‐abortion arguments are flawed and that an effective anti‐abortion policy requires a harsh authoritarian, if not totalitarian, government, fueled by misogyny and disregard for human rights. Such policies force pregnant women into what must be described as a condition of slavery. With Dobbs, the restrictions on individual freedom immediately began. There have been significant counter‐reactions, also, such as the referendum in Kansas on August 2, 2022, that overwhelmingly rejected a church‐led effort to strip abortion protections from the Kansas State Constitution.

Related Articles

Carmines, Edward G., Jessica C. Gerrity, and Michael W. Wagner. 2010. “How Abortion Became a Partisan Issue: Media Coverage of the Interest Group‐Political Party Connection.” Politics & Policy 38(6): 1135–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00272.x.

Doan, Alesha E., and Corinne Schwarz. 2020. “Father Knows Best: ‘Protecting’ Women through State Surveillance and Social Control in Anti‐Abortion Policy.” Politics & Policy 48(1): 6–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12337.

Medoff, Marshall H. 2010. “State Abortion Policy and the Long‐Term Impact of Parental Involvement Laws.” Politics & Policy 38(2): 193–221. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00235.x.
Giovanni Battista Ratti's Critique of Principles Theory
Authors: Alexy Robert
Published: May 2023

Ratti has attacked principles theory in two respects. The first is that it is impossible to distinguish between rules and principles. The second is that the main thesis of principles theory, which says that balancing is the specific way of applying principles, is wrong. The result of Ratti's critique is his thesis that principles theory founders on a contradiction or, as Ratti calls it, an antinomy. All of this is based on two arguments: Ratti's disapplication argument and his law of concretization. I attempt to reject this analysis, for it is incomplete. It claims to be an analysis of balancing, but it misses the decisive point of balancing. Informed by this background, I defend the distinction between rules and principles as a distinction of the real and the ideal “ought.”
Prioritize grassland restoration to bend the curve of biodiversity loss
Authors: Staude Ingmar R. , Segar Josiane , Temperton Vicky M. , Andrade Bianca O. , de Sá Dechoum Michele , Weidlich Emanuela W. A. , Overbeck Gerhard E.
Published: May 2023

In times of unprecedented climate change, ecological restoration efforts have a strong focus on forests for the purpose of carbon sequestration. Grasslands, in contrast, remain relatively neglected in global restoration policies. Concurrently, we are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis—it is estimated that 1 million species are globally threatened with extinction. Here, we present analyses from central Europe and southern Brazil that show that the majority of our endangered plant species are in fact found in open ecosystems. Using Germany as an example, we show that we could reduce plant extinction risk by up to 82% if we restore open, grassy ecosystems. This also holds true for southern Brazil, where grassland species constitute the single largest share of endangered species, but where grassy ecosystems continue to be systematically neglected by restoration policies. We further expand on our biodiversity argument to include the role that grassland restoration can play in mitigating climate change. We posit that ramping up grassland restoration efforts may not only be our best bet to bend the curve of biodiversity loss, but it will also make a critical contribution to the resilience of ecosystems in the dynamic decades to come. It is time for grassland restoration to receive higher priority in global restoration efforts and policy.
Mepolizumab attenuates ILC2s proliferation and activity in adults with severe eosinophilic asthma
Authors: Brusselle Guy , Riemann Sebastian , Maes Tania
Published: May 2023

See related article
The role of elected politicians in donor‐led social protection: Insights from Zambia
Authors: Kuss Maria Klara , Gerstenberg Anne
Published: May 2023

Elected politicians sit at the interface between the state and the citizens and play a critical role in shaping the social contract. This article presents rare insights into the participation of elected politicians in donor‐led social protection policy processes in Africa. Taking the case of Zambia, it uncovers the assigned and de facto roles and perceptions of Members of Parliament (MPs) in social cash transfers policy processes. The analysis reveals the agency of MPs, despite intense efforts of donors to influence and control them. Specifically, it demonstrates that donors' advocacy and learning initiatives largely failed to influence their views and values of social justice which underpin state‐society relations. Instead, MPs learned about the policy narratives of donors, enabling them to strategically employ those narratives to sustain donor relations. The article suggests that for donor‐led social protection to modify state‐society relations, MPs' active participation, full support, and deliberation are indispensable.
Whole genome scanning of a Mediterranean basin hotspot collection provides new insights into olive tree biodiversity and biology
Authors: Bazakos Christos , Alexiou Konstantinos G. , Ramos‐Onsins Sebastián , Koubouris Georgios , Tourvas Nikolaos , Xanthopoulou Aliki , Mellidou Ifigeneia , Moysiadis Theodoros , Vourlaki Ioanna‐Theoni , Metzidakis Ioannis , Sergentani Chrysi , Manolikaki Ioanna , Michailidis Michail , Pistikoudi Adamantia , Polidoros Alexios , Kostelenos George , Aravanopoulos Filippos , Molassiotis Athanassios , Ganopoulos Ioannis
Published: May 2023

Olive tree (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea var. europaea) is one of the most important species of the Mediterranean region and one of the most ancient species domesticated. The availability of whole genome assemblies and annotations of olive tree cultivars and oleaster (O. europaea subsp. europaea var. sylvestris) has contributed to a better understanding of genetic and genomic differences between olive tree cultivars. However, compared to other plant species there is still a lack of genomic resources for olive tree populations that span the entire Mediterranean region. In the present study we developed the most complete genomic variation map and the most comprehensive catalog/resource of molecular variation to date for 89 olive tree genotypes originating from the entire Mediterranean basin, revealing the genetic diversity of this commercially significant crop tree and explaining the divergence/similarity among different variants. Additionally, the monumental ancient tree ‘Throuba Naxos’ was studied to characterize the potential origin or routes of olive tree domestication. Several candidate genes known to be associated with key agronomic traits, including olive oil quality and fruit yield, were uncovered by a selective sweep scan to be under selection pressure on all olive tree chromosomes. To further exploit the genomic and phenotypic resources obtained from the current work, genome‐wide association analyses were performed for 23 morphological and two agronomic traits. Significant associations were detected for eight traits that provide valuable candidates for fruit tree breeding and for deeper understanding of olive tree biology.
In vitro comparison of cold‐stored whole blood and reconstituted whole blood
Authors: Susila Sanna , Helin Tuukka , Lauronen Jouni , Joutsi‐Korhonen Lotta , Ilmakunnas Minna
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives

Cold‐stored whole blood (CSWB) is increasingly used in damage control resuscitation. Haemostatic function of CSWB seems superior to that of reconstituted whole blood, and it is sufficiently preserved for 14–21 days. To provide evidence for a yet insufficiently studied aspect of prehospital CSWB use, we compared in vitro haemostatic properties of CSWB and currently used in‐hospital and prehospital blood component therapies.

Materials and Methods

Blood was obtained from 24 O RhD positive male donors. Three products were prepared: CSWB, in‐hospital component therapy (red blood cells [RBCs], OctaplasLG and platelets 1:1:1) and prehospital component therapy (RBCs and lyophilized plasma 1:1). Samples were drawn on days 1 and 14 of CSWB or RBC cold storage. On day 14, platelet concentrates at their expiry (5 days) were used for 1:1:1 mixing. Conventional clotting assays, rotational thromboelastometry, thrombin formation and platelet function were assessed.

Results

Haemoglobin, platelet count, fibrinogen and coagulation factor levels remained closest to physiological in CSWB. Factor VIII activity decreased markedly by day 14 in CSWB. The decline in platelet function was prominent in CSWB. However, CSWB on day 14 yielded physiological EXTEM MCF, suggesting haemostatically sufficient platelet function. Despite haemodilution and lower coagulation factor levels, in‐hospital component therapy was haemostatically adequate. Prehospital component therapy formed the weakest clots. Thrombin formation potential remained comparable and stable in all groups.

Conclusion

Current prehospital component therapy fails to offer the clotting potential that CSWB does. CSWB and current in‐hospital 1:1:1 component therapy show similar haemostatic potential until 14 days of storage.
Bounds on bilinear forms with Kloosterman sums
Authors: Kerr Bryce , Shparlinski Igor E. , Wu Xiaosheng , Xi Ping
Published: May 2023

We prove new bounds on bilinear forms with Kloosterman sums, complementing and improving a series of results by É. Fouvry, E. Kowalski and Ph. Michel (2014), V. Blomer, É. Fouvry, E. Kowalski, Ph. Michel and D. Milićević (2017), E. Kowalski, Ph. Michel and W. Sawin (2019, 2020) and I. E. Shparlinski (2019). These improvements rely on new estimates for Type II bilinear forms with incomplete Kloosterman sums. We also establish new estimates for bilinear forms with one variable from an arbitrary set by introducing techniques from additive combinatorics over prime fields. Some of these bounds have found a crucial application in the recent work of Wu (2020) on asymptotic formulas for the fourth moments of Dirichlet ‐functions. As new applications, an estimate for higher moments of averages of Kloosterman sums and the distribution of divisor function in a family of arithmetic progressions are also given.
Cell-autonomous immune dysfunction driven by disrupted autophagy in
C9orf72
-ALS iPSC-derived microglia contributes to neurodegeneration
Authors: Banerjee Poulomi , Mehta Arpan R. , Nirujogi Raja S. , Cooper James , James Owen G. , Nanda Jyoti , Longden James , Burr Karen , McDade Karina , Salzinger Andrea , Paza Evdokia , Newton Judith , Story David , Pal Suvankar , Smith Colin , Alessi Dario R. , Selvaraj Bhuvaneish T. , Priller Josef , Chandran Siddharthan
Published: May 2023

Although microglial activation is widely found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the underlying mechanism(s) are poorly understood. Here, using human-induced pluripotent stem cell–derived microglia-like cells (hiPSC-MG) harboring the most common ALS/FTD mutation (
C9orf72
, mC9-MG), gene-corrected isogenic controls (isoC9-MG), and
C9orf72
knockout hiPSC-MG (C9KO-MG), we show that reduced C9ORF72 protein is associated with impaired phagocytosis and an exaggerated immune response upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Analysis of the C9ORF72 interactome revealed that C9ORF72 interacts with regulators of autophagy and functional studies showed impaired initiation of autophagy in mC9-MG and C9KO-MG. Coculture studies with motor neurons (MNs) demonstrated that the autophagy deficit in mC9-MG drives increased vulnerability of mC9-MNs to excitotoxic stimulus. Pharmacological activation of autophagy ameliorated both cell-autonomous functional deficits in hiPSC-MG and MN death in MG-MN coculture. Together, these findings reveal an important role for C9ORF72 in regulating immune homeostasis and identify dysregulation in myeloid cells as a contributor to neurodegeneration in ALS/FTD.
Delivering a toxic metal to the active site of urease
Authors: Nim Yap Shing , Fong Ivan Yu Hang , Deme Justin , Tsang Ka Lung , Caesar Joseph , Johnson Steven , Pang Longson Tsz Hin , Yuen Nicholas Man Hon , Ng Tin Long Chris , Choi Tung , Wong Yakie Yat Hei , Lea Susan M. , Wong Kam-Bo
Published: May 2023

Urease is a nickel (Ni) enzyme that is essential for the colonization of
Helicobacter pylori
in the human stomach. To solve the problem of delivering the toxic Ni ion to the active site without diffusing into the cytoplasm, cells have evolved metal carrier proteins, or metallochaperones, to deliver the toxic ions to specific protein complexes. Ni delivery requires urease to form an activation complex with the urease accessory proteins UreFD and UreG. Here, we determined the cryo–electron microscopy structures of
H. pylori
UreFD/urease and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
UreD/urease complexes at 2.3- and 2.7-angstrom resolutions, respectively. Combining structural, mutagenesis, and biochemical studies, we show that the formation of the activation complex opens a 100-angstrom-long tunnel, where the Ni ion is delivered through UreFD to the active site of urease.
Miniscope-LFOV: A large-field-of-view, single-cell-resolution, miniature microscope for wired and wire-free imaging of neural dynamics in freely behaving animals
Authors: Guo Changliang , Blair Garrett J. , Sehgal Megha , Sangiuliano Jimka Federico N. , Bellafard Arash , Silva Alcino J. , Golshani Peyman , Basso Michele A. , Blair Hugh Tad , Aharoni Daniel
Published: May 2023

Imaging large-population, single-cell fluorescent dynamics in freely behaving animals larger than mice remains a key endeavor of neuroscience. We present a large-field-of-view open-source miniature microscope (MiniLFOV) designed for large-scale (3.6 mm × 2.7 mm), cellular resolution neural imaging in freely behaving rats. It has an electrically adjustable working distance of up to 3.5 mm ± 100 μm, incorporates an absolute head orientation sensor, and weighs only 13.9 g. The MiniLFOV is capable of both deep brain and cortical imaging and has been validated in freely behaving rats by simultaneously imaging >1000 GCaMP7s-expressing neurons in the hippocampal CA1 layer and in head-fixed mice by simultaneously imaging ~2000 neurons in the dorsal cortex through a cranial window. The MiniLFOV also supports optional wire-free operation using a novel, wire-free data acquisition expansion board. We expect that this new open-source implementation of the UCLA Miniscope platform will enable researchers to address novel hypotheses concerning brain function in freely behaving animals.
Human adaptation to diverse biomes over the past 3 million years
Authors: Zeller Elke , Timmermann Axel , Yun Kyung-Sook , Raia Pasquale , Stein Karl , Ruan Jiaoyang
Published: May 2023

To investigate the role of vegetation and ecosystem diversity on hominin adaptation and migration, we identify past human habitat preferences over time using a transient 3-million-year earth system-biome model simulation and an extensive hominin fossil and archaeological database. Our analysis shows that early African hominins predominantly lived in open environments such as grassland and dry shrubland. Migrating into Eurasia, hominins adapted to a broader range of biomes over time. By linking the location and age of hominin sites with corresponding simulated regional biomes, we also find that our ancestors actively selected for spatially diverse environments. The quantitative results lead to a new diversity hypothesis:
Homo
species, in particular
Homo sapiens
, were specially equipped to adapt to landscape mosaics.
A macroevolutionary pathway to megaherbivory
Authors: Sanisidro Oscar , Mihlbachler Matthew C. , Cantalapiedra Juan L.
Published: May 2023

Several scenarios have been proposed to explain rapid net size increases in some early Cenozoic mammalian lineages: sustained and gradual directional change, successive occupation of adaptive zones associated with progressively larger body sizes, and nondirectional evolution associated with branching events in combination with higher diversification potential of the larger lineages. We test these hypotheses in brontotheres, which are among the first radiations of mammals that consistently evolved multitonne sizes. Body-mass evolution in brontotheres mainly occurred during speciation and had no preferential direction. Long-term directional change stemmed from the higher survival of larger lineages in less-saturated herbivore guilds. Our study emphasizes the role of differential species proliferation in explaining the long-term phenotypic trends observed in the fossil record, which are more than an accumulation of steady microevolutionary changes.
Regio-controllable [2+2] benzannulation with two adjacent C(sp
3
)–H bonds
Authors: Yang Ji-Min , Lin Yu-Kun , Sheng Tao , Hu Liang , Cai Xin-Pei , Yu Jin-Quan
Published: May 2023

Regiocontrol in traditional cycloaddition reactions between unsaturated carbon compounds is often challenging. The increasing focus in modern medicinal chemistry on benzocyclobutene (BCB) scaffolds indicates the need for alternative, more selective routes to diverse rigid carbocycles rich in C(sp
3
) character. Here, we report a palladium-catalyzed double C–H activation of two adjacent methylene units in carboxylic acids, enabled by bidentate amide-pyridone ligands, to achieve a regio-controllable synthesis of BCBs through a formal [2+2] cycloaddition involving σ bonds only (two C–H bonds and two aryl–halogen bonds). A wide range of cyclic and acyclic aliphatic acids, as well as dihaloheteroarenes, are compatible, generating diversely functionalized BCBs and hetero-BCBs present in drug molecules and bioactive natural products.
Interaction of the Hemagglutinin Stalk Region with Cell Adhesion Molecule (CADM) 1 and CADM2 Mediates the Spread between Neurons and Neuropathogenicity of Measles Virus with a Hyperfusogenic Fusion Protein
Authors: Takemoto Ryuichi , Hirai Yuichi , Watanabe Shumpei , Harada Hidetaka , Suzuki Tateki , Hashiguchi Takao , Yanagi Yusuke , Shirogane Yuta
Published: May 2023

Measles is an acute febrile illness with skin rash. Despite the availability of highly effective vaccines, measles is still an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in many countries.
Community Synergy of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Cleaner Fermentation of Oat Silage Prepared with a Multispecies Microbial Inoculant
Authors: Sun Lin , Xue Yanlin , Xiao Yanzi , Te Rigele , Wu Xiaoguang , Na Na , Wu Nier , Qili Moge , Zhao Yi , Cai Yimin
Published: May 2023

Oat natural silage is rich in
Enterobacteriaceae
, increasing gas production and fermentation loss. Lactic acid bacteria interact synergistically to form a dominant community during ensiling. Pediococci grow vigorously in the early stage of fermentation and create an anaerobic environment. Lactobacilli inhibit the harmful microorganisms and result in cleaner fermentation of oat silage.
Does routine spirometry impact on clinical decisions and patient-related outcome measures of children seen in respiratory clinics: an open-label randomised controlled trial
Authors: Boonjindasup Wicharn , Marchant Julie M , McElrea Margaret S , Yerkovich Stephanie T , Masters Ian B , Chang Anne B
Published: May 2023

Introduction

There is limited evidence on the efficacy of using spirometry routinely in paediatric practice for improving outcomes.

Objective

To determine whether the routine use of spirometry alters clinical decisions and patient-related outcome measures for children managed by respiratory paediatricians.

Methods

We undertook a parallel open-label randomised controlled trial involving children (aged 4–18 years) able to perform spirometry in a specialist children’s hospital in Australia. Children were randomised to either routine use of spirometry (intervention) or clinical review without use of spirometry (control) for one clinic visit. The primary outcomes were the (a) proportion of children with ‘any change in clinical decisions’ and (b) ‘change score’ in clinical decisions. Secondary outcomes were change in patient-related outcome measures assessed by State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Parent-Proxy QoL questionnaire for paediatric chronic cough (PC-QoL).

Results

Of 136 eligible children, 106 were randomised. Compared with controls, the intervention group had significantly higher proportion of children with ‘any change in clinical decisions’ (n=54/54 (100%) vs n=34/52 (65.4%), p<0.001) and higher clinical decision ‘change score’ (median=2 (IQR 1–4) vs 1 (0–2), p<0.001). Also, improvement was significantly greater in the intervention group for overall STAI score (median=−5 (IQR −10 to –2) vs −2.5 (−8.5, 0), p=0.021) and PC-QoL social domain (median=3 (IQR 0 to 5) vs 0 (−1, 1), p=0.017).

Conclusion

The routine use of spirometry in children evaluated for respiratory issues at clinical outpatient review is beneficial for optimising clinical management and improving parent psychosocial well-being.

Registration

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001686190
Gillick competence: an inadequate guide to the ethics of involving adolescents in decision-making
Authors: Bart Avraham , Hall Georgina Antonia , Gillam Lynn
Published: May 2023

Developmentally, adolescence sits in transition between childhood and adulthood. Involving adolescents in their medical decision-making prompts important and complex ethical questions. Originating in the UK, the concept of Gillick competence is a dominant framework for navigating adolescent medical decision-making from legal, ethical and clinical perspectives and is commonly treated as comprehensive. In this paper, we argue that its utility is far more limited, and hence over-reliance on Gillick risks undermining rather than promoting ethically appropriate adolescent involvement. We demonstrate that Gillick only provides guidance in the limited range of cases where legal decisional authority needs to be clarified. The range of cases where use of Gillick actually promotes adolescent involvement is narrower still, because several features must be present for Gillick to be enacted. Each of these features can, and do, act as barriers to adolescent involvement. Within these limited situations, we argue that Gillick is not specific or strong enough and is reliant on ethically contestable principles. Moreover, in most situations in adolescent healthcare, Gillick is silent on the ethical questions around involving adolescents. This is because it focuses on decisional authority—having the final say in decision-making—which is one small subset of the many ways adolescents could be involved in decision-making. The implication of our analysis is that use of Gillick competence tends to limit or undermine adolescent involvement opportunities. We propose that those working with adolescents should be judicious in seeking Gillick’s guidance, instead drawing on and developing alternative frameworks that provide a comprehensive model for adolescent involvement.
Seasonal variation of the shaft resistance of CFA piles in unsaturated soil: a case study
Authors: Zacarin João Gabriel Mercio Xavier , da Silva Bruno Oliveira , Tsuha Cristina de Hollanda Cavalcanti , Vilar Orêncio Monje
Published: May 2023

Excessive settlements or failure of piles observed in some Brazilian unsaturated soil sites indicates that the shaft resistance can vary with the seasonal variability of top soil water content, especially in the case of foundations of transmission towers or installed at the periphery of buildings, situations in which the soil is more susceptible to suction fluctuation due to the higher exposure to rainfall action. The objective of the research described in this paper was to provide field evidence with the purpose of alerting practising engineers and to help researchers to better understand the contribution of matric suction on pile capacity. For this aim, the seasonal variability of the shaft resistance of Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles in a typical Brazilian unsaturated tropical soil was evaluated by performing axial tensile load tests on eight instrumented CFA piles in different periods of the year. Soil suction was monitored throughout the period of tests, and the results indicate that the shaft resistance of the pile upper part varies considerably during the year and tends to decrease with decreasing soil suction. This work provides valuable insights into the application of unsaturated soil mechanics, which is usually disconnected to classical geotechnical practice.
Digestibility of western Canadian finishing beef cattle diets when short-season, high-moisture shelled corn and snaplage partially replace dry-rolled barley grain and barley silage
Authors: Carey Rachel E. , Paddock Zachary D. , Ribeiro Gabriel O. , McAllister Tim A. , Penner Gregory B.
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of substituting barley grain with short-season, high-moisture shelled corn, and barley grain and barley silage with snaplage on ruminal fermentation and the site and extent of digestion in beef cattle fed finishing diets. Six ruminally and duodenally cannulated heifers (420 ± 16.4 kg body weight) were fed a barley grain and silage finishing diet (BG), a diet where half of the barley grain was replaced with high-moisture shelled corn (HC), or a diet where the barley silage and a portion of grain were replaced with snaplage (SN) in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. While dry matter and starch intake were unaffected, feeding SN resulted in greater ( P = 0.02) ruminal but not total tract starch digestibility than BG. Ruminal pH did not differ between HC and BG, but SN reduced ( P = 0.02) minimum ruminal pH relative to BG. Feeding BG increased ( P = 0.04) ruminal ammonia concentrations over HC. In conclusion, high-moisture shelled corn can partially replace barley grain with minimal impact on nutrient digestibility or ruminal fermentation, but replacement of barley silage and some barley grain with snaplage may increase the risk of ruminal acidosis.
Radioactive decays of stored highly charged ions
Authors: Litvinov Yury A. , Chen Rui Jiu
Published: May 2023

Decay properties known in neutral atoms can be altered significantly if all or most bound electrons are removed. Straightforwardly, in fully-ionised nuclei, the decay channels involving electrons are simply disabled. Also decay modes, that are hindered or completely blocked in neutral atoms, may, respectively, become dominant or open up in highly charged ions. Few-electron ions are by themselves clean systems with well-defined quantum numbers, in which the interactions within the remaining electrons can either be excluded or treated precisely, thereby allowing for investigations of the influence of atomic shell on nuclear decay properties. Violent stellar environments characterised by high temperatures and densities lead to high ionisation degrees of nuclides involved in nucleosynthesis processes. In spite of the rich motivation for studying radioactive decays of highly charged ions, intensive measurements became possible only after heavy-ion storage rings coupled to radioactive-ion beam facilities became available. Presented here is a compact review of the relevant experimental techniques and experiments.
A viable $$L_e-L_\mu $$ model with $$\mu \rightarrow e$$ violation
Authors: Ardu Marco , Kirk Fiona
Published: May 2023

We extend the Standard Model gauge group by $$U(1)_{L_e-L_\mu }$$

U

(
1
)

L
e

-

L
μ

and introduce two scalars, a doublet and a singlet, that are charged under this new group and have lepton flavour violating couplings. Since in this model $$\mu \rightarrow e$$

μ
→
e

processes can only be mediated by $$\mu \rightarrow \tau \times \tau \rightarrow e$$

μ
→
τ
×
τ
→
e

interactions, bounds from $$\mu \rightarrow e$$

μ
→
e

transitions can be avoided while allowing for accessible new physics. We consider the case of a $$Z'$$

Z
′

boson with a mass of $$M_{Z'}\simeq 10~$$

M

Z
′

≃
10

GeV and a gauge coupling $$g'\simeq 10^{-4}$$

g
′

≃

10

-
4

, which is in reach of Belle-II, and a long-lived $$Z'$$

Z
′

boson with a mass of $$\text {MeV}\lesssim M_{Z'}\lesssim m_\mu -m_e$$

MeV
≲

M

Z
′

≲

m
μ

-

m
e

which can be probed by searching for $$\ell \rightarrow \ell ' +\mathrm {inv.}$$

ℓ
→

ℓ
′

+

inv
.

. Neutrino masses and mixing angles can also be accounted for if sterile neutrinos are added to the spectrum.
Thermodynamics of the glueball resonance gas
Authors: Trotti Enrico , Jafarzade Shahriyar , Giacosa Francesco
Published: May 2023

We study the thermodynamic properties – pressure, entropy and trace anomaly – of a gas of glueballs that includes the glueball states obtained by various lattice simulations. We show that this model, called glueball resonance gas (GRG) approach, describes well the thermal properties of the Yang–Mills sector of QCD below the critical temperature $$T_c$$

T
c

, provided that $$T_c$$

T
c

is properly matched to the corresponding determination of the glueball masses, obtaining $$T_c \sim 320 \pm 20$$

T
c

∼
320
±
20

MeV. The inclusion into the GRG of heavier glueballs not yet seen on the lattice, assuming that glueballs follow Regge trajectories as quark-antiquark states do, leads only to a small correction. We consider the contribution to the pressure of the interactions between scalar-scalar and tensor-tensor glueballs, which turn out to be also negligible.
Charged strange star model in Tolman–Kuchowicz spacetime in the background of 5D Einstein–Maxwell–Gauss–Bonnet gravity
Authors: Rej Pramit , Errehymy Abdelghani , Daoud Mohammed
Published: May 2023

In this article, we provide a new model of static charged anisotropic fluid sphere made of a charged perfect fluid in the context of 5D Einstein–Maxwell–Gauss–Bonnet (EMGB) gravity theory. To generate exact solutions of the EMGB field equations, we utilize the well-behaved Tolman–Kuchowicz (TK) ansatz together with a linear equation of state (EoS) of the form $$p_r=\beta \rho -\gamma $$

p
r

=
β
ρ
-
γ

, (where $$\beta $$
β
and $$\gamma $$
γ
are constants). Here the exterior space-time is described by the EGB Schwarzschild metric. The Gauss–Bonnet Lagrangian term $$\mathcal {L}_{GB}$$

L

GB

is coupled with the Einstein–Hilbert action through the coupling constant $$\alpha $$
α
. When $$\alpha \rightarrow 0$$

α
→
0

, we obtain the general relativity (GR) results. Here we present the solution for the compact star candidate EXO 1785-248 with mass$$=(1.3 \pm 0.2)M_{\odot }$$

=

(
1.3
±
0.2
)

M
⊙

; radius $$= 10_{-1}^{+1}$$

=

10

-
1

+
1

km. respectively. We analyze the effect of this coupling constant $$\alpha $$
α
on the principal characteristics of our model, such as energy density, pressure components, anisotropy factor, sound speed etc. We compare these results with corresponding GR results. Moreover, we studied the hydrostatic equilibrium of the stellar system by using a modified Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff (TOV) equation and the dynamical stability through the critical value of the radial adiabatic index.The mass-radius relationship is also established to determine the compactness factor and surface redshift of our model. In this way, the stellar model obtained here is found to satisfy the elementary physical requirements necessary for a physically viable stellar object.
Cargo Cult AI
Authors: Levine Edlyn V.
Published: May 2023

Evidence abounds that the human brain does not innately think scientifically; however, it can be taught to do so. The same species that forms cargo cults around widespread and unfounded beliefs in UFOs, ESP, and anything read on social media also produces scientific luminaries such as Sagan and Feynman. Today's cutting-edge LLMs are also not innately scientific. But unlike the human brain, there is good reason to believe they never will be unless new algorithmic paradigms are developed.
Comparison of Lithium Diffusion Coefficient Measurements in Tellurium Electrodes via Different Electrochemical Techniques
Authors: Wang Jing , Koenig Gary M.
Published: May 2023

Both thin (55 μm) composite and thick (350 μm) all active material battery porous electrodes were prepared for estimating the diffusion coefficient of Li+ (

D

Li

+

)

in tellurium (Te) during electrochemical lithiation. Galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were applied to quantify the chemical lithium solid-state diffusion coefficient within the Te active material in the electrodes. Multiple methods of GITT and EIS were assessed. For the composite Te electrodes, the

D

Li

+

was on the order of 10−11 cm2 s−1 from both CV and GITT methods, but 10−9 cm2 s−1 from EIS. For the thick tellurium electrodes, both GITT and EIS resulted in lithium diffusion coefficient estimates in the range of 10−11–10−12 cm2 s−1. The general trend across all methods that quantified the diffusion coefficient as a function of lithiation of tellurium was that the

D

Li

+

decreased rapidly when the Te material was initially lithiated. The

D

Li

+

at the phase transition voltage plateau (∼1.7 V, vs Li/Li+, where both Te and Li2Te were expected) had the lowest

D

Li

+

,

while the

D

Li

+

both before and after the plateau was generally higher. Among all the electrochemical measurements of

D

Li

+

,

the modified GITT method with modelling the relaxation region resulted in relatively low scatter in the data, provided values as a function of lithiation, and was well suited to thick electrodes with a flat discharge plateau as was the case herein.
Chemo-Mechanical Analysis of Lithiation/Delithiation of Ni-rich Single Crystals
Authors: Pandurangi Shrinidhi S. , Hall David S. , Grey Clare P. , Deshpande Vikram S. , Fleck Norman A.
Published: May 2023

Single crystal, Ni-rich layered lithium metal oxides are promising candidates for next-generation cathodes in lithium-ion batteries. However, these Ni-rich materials display anisotropic swelling and contraction during cycling, and this may lead to the generation of internal stresses and thereby to fracture and capacity loss. In this work, the spatio-temporal evolution of lithium concentration and stress state within a

LiNi

0.8

Mn

0.1

Co

0.1

O

2

(NMC811) single crystal are predicted using a fully coupled chemo-mechanical model. The stress state in the crystal arises from a spatially non-uniform distribution of Li concentration, and from a non-linear dependence of intercalation strain upon lithium concentration. The peak tensile stress is greatest near top-of-charge, due to the high sensitivity of intercalation strain upon lithium occupancy at low concentrations, and the peak tensile stress increases with both cycling rate and particle dimension. Significantly, the predicted peak tensile stress is insufficient to cause basal plane fracture of single crystals when their diameter is below 2.5 μm and the charging and discharging rates are below 5C. This suggests that intraparticle fracture is not a significant degradation mode for well-designed NMC811 single crystals.
Performance of a Leaf-Galling Phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) on Roots of Diverse Vitis spp. Rootstocks in North East Victoria, Australia
Authors: Clarke C. W. , Powell K. S. , Norng S. , Carmody B. M. , Walpole M. , Cunningham J. P.
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims. Grape phylloxera in Australia comprises diverse genetic strains that feed on roots and leaves of Vitis spp. The G38 phylloxera strain was detected on roots of Vitis spp., for the first time in North East Victoria in 2015. Prior to 2015, G38 phylloxera was only known to feed on leaves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival and development of G38 phylloxera on roots of diverse Vitis spp. under field, controlled laboratory, and greenhouse conditions. Methods and Results. In the field, emergence traps quantified first instars and alates emerging from roots of diverse rootstocks and Vitis vinifera L. High numbers of phylloxera were collected in traps placed at vines of rootstocks 101-14, 3309 Courderc and Schwarzmann. Nodosity were also observed on roots of 101-14, 3309 Courderc and Schwarzmann in the field and in-pot vines experiments. The better performance of G38 phylloxera on these three rootstocks compared to V. vinifera in the field and in potted vines parallelled the excised roots experiments. Conclusions. The relatively high performance of G38 phylloxera on the 101-14, 3309 Courderc and Schwarzmann rootstocks suggest a susceptible response and could be associated with rootstock parentage. Further investigation is warranted to determine implications for rootstocks development. Significance of the Study. These findings are fundamental for decision-making in phylloxera risk assessment and rootstock selection. The study reaffirms the need for triphasic (in vitro, in planta, and in-field) rootstock screening protocols for phylloxera.