bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
n-Propyl 6-amino-2,6-dideoxy-2,2-difluoro-β-d-glucopyranoside is a good inhibitor for the β-galactosidase from E. coli
Authors: Serbian Immo , Prell Erik , Fischer Claudia , Deigner Hans-Peter , Csuk René
Published: March 2021

A convenient route has been developed for the synthesis of novel 6-amino-2,2-(or 3,3-difluoro)-2-(or 3),6-dideoxy-hexopyranoses. Biological screening showed these compounds as good inhibitors for several glycosidases. Especially n-propyl 6-amino-2,6-dideoxy-2,2-difluoro-β-d-glucopyranoside (8) was an excellent competitive inhibitor for the β-galactosidase from E. coli holding a Ki of 0.50 μM.
Aktuelle dermatologische Leitlinien in Deutschland und Europa
Authors: Nast A. , Werner R. N. , Dressler C. , Zidane M. , Heratizadeh A. , Gaskins M.
Published: March 2021

Medizinische Leitlinien sind systematisch entwickelte Entscheidungshilfen für die angemessene Vorgehensweise bei speziellen gesundheitlichen Problemen. Dermatologische Leitlinien in Deutschland werden führend von der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft in Kooperation mit dem Berufsverband Deutscher Dermatologen herausgegeben. Darüber hinaus werden auch europäische und internationale dermatologische Leitlinien erstellt, u. a. durch das im Jahr 2018 vom European Dermatology Forum gegründete European Centre for Guidelines Development. In den Jahren 2019 und 2020 wurden unter anderem deutsche Leitlinien zu den Themen pathologische Narben (hypertrophe Narben und Keloide), kutaner Lupus erythematodes, Pyoderma gangraenosum, analer Pruritus, Analekzem, Analkanal- und Analrandkarzinome, Impfprävention HPV(humane Papillomviren)-assoziierter Neoplasien sowie Syphilis und Systemtherapie bei Neurodermitis überarbeitet oder neu erstellt. Auf der europäischen Ebene schließt die Leitlinie zum Lichen planus eine in Deutschland noch bestehende Lücke der vorhandenen Leitlinien. Schlüsselempfehlungen und wesentliche Neuerungen in den Leitlinien werden hier vorgestellt.
Tool wear monitoring in roughing and finishing processes based on machine internal data
Authors: Xi Tiandong , Benincá Igor Medeiros , Kehne Sebastian , Fey Marcel , Brecher Christian
Published: March 2021

Data analytics plays a significant role in the realization of Industry 4.0. By generating context-related persistent datasets, every manufacturing process in real production becomes an experiment. The vision of Internet of Production (IoP) is to enable real-time diagnosis and prediction in smart productions by acquiring datasets seamlessly from different data silos. This requires interdisciplinary collaboration and domain-specific expertise. In this paper, we present a novel tool wear monitoring system for milling process developed in the context of IoP. This system is based on high-frequency data from the numerical control of the production machine without additional sensors. The novelty of this paper lies in the introduction of virtual workpiece quality and fusion of multiple build-in sensor signals and a force model as decision support. This bridges the time gap between quality inspection and production at the shop floor level, establishes an automated statistical process control system, and provides a more plausible prediction of tool lifetime. The monitoring of two different milling processes in a real production environment is exemplary demonstrated in this paper. The first case is a face roughing process with the aim of rapidly removing large amounts of material. The second case is a face finishing operation that follows roughing and aims to achieve the desired surface quality.
Bedeutung der Fertilitätschirurgie bei Kinderwunsch
Authors: Toth B. , Feil K. , Zippl A. L. , Vomstein K. , Strowitzki T.
Published: March 2021

Die Bedeutung der Fertilitätschirurgie bei Kinderwunsch kann vielfach aufgrund fehlender eigener Erfahrung während der Facharztweiterbildung nicht erfasst werden, da nur an wenigen Zentren eine spezifische operative Ausbildung erfolgt. Neben der Abklärung anatomischer Fehlbildungen mittels Hysteroskopie bzw. Laparoskopie gehört die operative Myom- und Endometriosebehandlung zu den Standardverfahren der Fertilitätschirurgie. Hier ist die Erfahrung der Reproduktionsmediziner gefragt, damit unter maximaler Schonung der Ovarreserve ein bestmöglichstes Ergebnis hinsichtlich Endometriosesanierung bzw. Myomenukleation erreicht wird. Die Abklärung der Tubendurchgängigkeit mit Chromopertubation ist nach wie vor Goldstandard, auch wenn im ambulanten Sektor vorwiegend nichtoperative Verfahren zum Einsatz kommen. Die diagnostische und gegebenenfalls operative Hysteroskopie dient der Beurteilung des Endometriums und erlaubt den Ausschluss von Entzündungsprozessen oder dem Vorliegen von Polypen.
Larval response to frass and guaiacol: detection of an attractant produced by bacteria from Spodoptera littoralis frass
Authors: Revadi Santosh V. , Giannuzzi Vito Antonio , Vetukuri Ramesh R. , Walker William B. , Becher Paul G.
Published: March 2021

Larval frass in herbivorous lepidopterans is mainly composed of plant-derived material and microbes from the gut. Despite the fact that frass from conspecific larvae repels female moths in Spodoptera littoralis from oviposition, the role of frass volatiles on larval foraging behavior is largely unknown. Here, we show that larvae of S. littoralis walk upwind to larval frass volatiles in a wind tunnel assay. We identified the frass volatile guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol) as key ligand for the S. littoralis odorant receptor (OR) SlitOr59 which we expressed heterologously. We isolated guaiacol-producing bacteria identified as Serratia marcescens from frass of larvae that were fed on cotton, and Enterobacter cloacae, E. ludwigii and Klebsiella sp. from frass derived from cabbage-fed larvae. In addition to guaiacol, we also identified volatiles acetoin, 3-methyl-1-butanol and dimethyl disulfide, in large proportions in headspace collections from the bacteria. A Y-tube olfactometer assay showed that fourth instar S. littoralis larvae are attracted to guaiacol. Moreover, cotton leaves treated with the insecticide Spinosad and guaiacol were highly attractive to the larvae. Our results provide a basis for management of the pest by directly targeting larvae, based on an attract-and-kill strategy. Further studies are needed to test the application of guaiacol for semiochemical-based pest management of Spodoptera pest species.
A new diatom training set for the reconstruction of past water pH in the Tatra Mountain lakes
Authors: Sienkiewicz Elwira , Gąsiorowski Michał , Hamerlík Ladislav , Bitušík Peter , Stańczak Joanna
Published: March 2021

Lakes located in the Polish and Slovak parts of the Tatra Mountains were included in the Tatra diatom database (POL_SLOV training set). The relationship between the diatoms and the water chemistry in the surface sediments of 33 lakes was the basis for the statistical and numerical techniques for quantitative pH reconstruction. The reconstruction of the past water pH was performed using the alpine (AL:PE) and POL_SLOV training sets to compare the reliability of the databases for the Tatra lakes. The results showed that the POL_SLOV training set had better statistical parameters (R2 higher by 0.16, RMSE and max. bias lower by 0.2 and 0.36, respectively) compared to the AL:PE training set. The better performance of the POL_SLOV training set is particularly visible in the case of Przedni Staw Polski where the curve of the inferred water pH shows an opposite trend for the period from the 1960s to 1990 compared to that based on the AL:PE dataset. The reliability of the inferred pH was confirmed by the comparison with current instrumental measurements.
Direct Reprogramming of Somatic Cells to Neurons: Pros and Cons of Chemical Approach
Authors: Mollinari Cristiana , Merlo Daniela
Published: March 2021

Translating successful preclinical research in neurodegenerative diseases into clinical practice has been difficult. The preclinical disease models used for testing new drugs not always appear predictive of the effects of the agents in the human disease state. Human induced pluripotent stem cells, obtained by reprogramming of adult somatic cells, represent a powerful system to study the molecular mechanisms of the disease onset and pathogenesis. However, these cells require a long time to differentiate into functional neural cells and the resetting of epigenetic information during reprogramming, might miss the information imparted by age. On the contrary, the direct conversion of somatic cells to neuronal cells is much faster and more efficient, it is safer for cell therapy and allows to preserve the signatures of donors’ age. Direct reprogramming can be induced by lineage-specific transcription factors or chemical cocktails and represents a powerful tool for modeling neurological diseases and for regenerative medicine. In this Commentary we present and discuss strength and weakness of several strategies for the direct cellular reprogramming from somatic cells to generate human brain cells which maintain age‐related features. In particular, we describe and discuss chemical strategy for cellular reprogramming as it represents a valuable tool for many applications such as aged brain modeling, drug screening and personalized medicine.
A comparative study of national variations of the European WEEE directive: manufacturer’s view
Authors: Andersen Terje
Published: March 2021

We are facing the challenge of rapid growth in waste from electrical products (e-waste). In Europe, handling e-waste is regulated by the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, which is based on the extended producer responsibility (EPR) model as a regulatory tool forcing manufacturers and importers to take responsibility for their products throughout their lifecycles. However, the directive allows for great variations in implementations in each country, causing e-manufacturers and e-waste handling operators to face challenges in their transition to more sustainable operations. To identify the challenges involved, this study investigates the effect of the WEEE directive from a manufacturer’s perspective. A case study of an e-manufacturer operating subsidiaries in several European countries and the associated producer responsibility organizations (PROs) is presented. The case study includes interviews from 17 stakeholders in 12 organizations in eight European countries. Key findings are as follows. First, the WEEE data reported are not harmonized. Second, the calculations of the environmental fee differ across countries. Third, following up on different national WEEE obligations sometimes leads to over-reporting to avoid negative effects on environmental corporate social responsibility, brand reputation, and profitability. Fourth, outsourcing end-of-life (EoL) treatment responsibility to PROs is seen as positive by the manufacturer but results in a decoupling of the EPR and the operational EoL treatment, which may reduce efforts to transfer to a higher circularity level of its EEE products. Fifth, WEEE is considered a way for e-manufacturers to handle waste not to adopt a circular focus. This paper contributes to both practitioners and researchers within reverse logistics and sustainability by adding knowledge from real-life context of how EPR is implemented in WEEE.
Employment of an Extended Double-Integrating-Sphere System to Investigate Thermo-optical Material Properties for Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Schuffenhauer Thomas , Stichel Thomas , Schmidt Michael
Published: March 2021

The optical energy input during laser-based powder bed fusion of polymers (PBF-LB/P) is influenced by a variety of process parameters (e.g., energy density) and powder material properties (e.g. optical properties, additives). Qualification of newly developed and/or modified powder materials still requires extensive, empirical parameter studies to assess processibility and find suitable process strategies. For powder characterization, a double-integrating-sphere system with an intervening hot stage, which allows accurate sample heating during the measurement of the optical properties, is presented and described. For qualification of the system and the associated characterization method for the PBF-LB/P process, the interaction of a collimated CO2 laser beam with selected polyamide powder materials during heating and cooling is investigated. The obtained results illustrate the suitability of the presented thermo-optical characterization technique, i.e., the temperature-dependent measurement of radiation reflected by and transmitted through the samples, for the systematical investigation of material-related (i.e., additives) and process-related (i.e., preheating temperature, layer height) influences on the beam-matter interaction.
Lives that Matter: Criminology and Global Security Inequality
Authors: Franko Katja
Published: March 2021

Ideals of universalism and the idea that all lives are equally valuable, and should be equally worthy of protection, form a standard narrative for human rights regimes and international legal instruments. However, realities on the ground are marked by social arrangements where lives are de facto unequally protected. The article addresses one of the central criminological concepts and perspectives—that of inequality—and examines possible avenues for theorizing the dynamics of global security inequality. How well equipped is criminology to address the underlying processes of social stratification which shape decisions about whose life gets to be protected, and by what means? What might a global understanding of inequality look like? To what extent do existing concepts for analyzing inequality enhance or impede our understanding of global social cleavages?
Measuring the Rural Continuum in Political Science
Authors: Nemerever Zoe , Rogers Melissa
Published: March 2021

Recent accounts of American politics focus heavily on urban–rural gaps in political behavior. Rural politics research is growing but may be stymied by difficulties defining and measuring which Americans qualify as “rural.” We discuss theoretical and empirical challenges to studying rurality. Much existing research has been inattentive to conceptualization and measurement of rural geography. We focus on improving estimation of different notions of rurality and provide a new dataset on urban–rural measurement of U.S. state legislative districts. We scrutinize construct validity and measurement in two studies of rural politics. First, we replicate Flavin and Franko (2020,Political Behavior, 845–864) to demonstrate empirical results may be sensitive to measurement of rural residents. Second, we use Mummolo and Nall’s (2017,The Journal of Politics, 45–59) survey data to show rural self-identification is not well-captured with objective, place-based classifications, suggesting a rethinking of theoretical and empirical accounts of rural identity. We conclude with strategies for operationalizing rurality using readily available tools.
Maximal prime homomorphic images of mod-p Iwasawa algebras
Authors: WOODS WILLIAM
Published: March 2021

Let k be a finite field of characteristic p, and G a compact p-adic analytic group. Write kG for the completed group ring of G over k. In this paper, we describe the structure of the ring kG/P, where P is a minimal prime ideal of kG. We give an explicit isomorphism between kG/P and a matrix ring with coefficients in the ring
${(k'G')_\alpha }$
, where
$k'/k$
is a finite field extension,
$G'$
is a large subquotient of G with no finite normal subgroups, and (–)α is a “twisting” operation that preserves many desirable properties of the ring structure. We demonstrate the usefulness of this isomorphism by studying the correspondence induced between certain ideals of kG and those of
${(k'G')_\alpha }$
, and showing that this preserves many useful “group-theoretic” properties of ideals, in particular almost-faithfulness and control by a closed normal subgroup.
Food availability, accessibility and dietary practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-country survey
Authors: Jafri Ali , Mathe Nonsikelelo , Aglago Elom K , Konyole Silvenus O , Ouedraogo Moussa , Audain Keiron , Zongo Urbain , Laar Amos K , Johnson Jeffrey , Sanou Dia
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To investigate the perceived effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown measures on food availability, accessibility, dietary practices and strategies used by participants to cope with these measures.

Design:

We conducted a cross-sectional multi-country online survey between May and July 2020. We used a study-specific questionnaire mainly based on the adaptation of questions to assess food security and coping strategies from the World Food Programme’s ‘Emergency Food Security Assessment’ and ‘The Coping Strategy Index’.

Setting:

The questionnaire was hosted online using Google Forms and shared using social media platforms.

Participants:

A total of 1075 adult participants from eighty-two countries completed the questionnaire.

Results:

As a prelude to COVID-19 lockdowns, 62·7 % of the participants reported to have stockpiled food, mainly cereals (59·5 % of the respondents) and legumes (48·8 %). An increase in the prices of staples, such as cereals and legumes, was widely reported. Price increases have been identified as an obstacle to food acquisition by 32·7 % of participants. Participants reported having lesser variety (50·4 %), quality (30·2 %) and quantity (39·2 %) of foods, with disparities across regions. Vulnerable groups were reported to be facing some struggle to acquire adequate food, especially people with chronic diseases (20·2 %), the elderly (17·3 %) and children (14·5 %). To cope with the situation, participants mostly relied on less preferred foods (49 %), reduced portion sizes (30 %) and/or reduced the number of meals (25·7 %).

Conclusions:

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted food accessibility and availability, altered dietary practices and worsened the food insecurity situation, particularly in the most fragile regions.
France's response to the Covid-19 pandemic: between a rock and a hard place
Authors: Or Zeynep , Gandré Coralie , Durand Zaleski Isabelle , Steffen Monika
Published: March 2021

France is one of the European countries hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought into light structural weaknesses of the health system, including its governance and decision-making process, but also provoked changes that helped to improve its resilience. We analyse the French experience of Covid-19 in 2020 by critically reviewing major policy measures implemented during the first two waves of the pandemic. France has struggled to find the right balance between the rock of economic and social damage caused by containment measures and the hard alternative of a rapidly spreading pandemic. The response to the first wave, including a full lock-down, was an emergency response that revealed the low level of preparedness for pandemics and the overly hospital-centred provision of health care in France. During the second wave, this response evolved into a more level strategy trying to reconcile health needs in a broader perspective integrating socio-economic considerations, but without fully managing to put in place an effective health strategy. We conclude that to achieve the right balance, France will have to strengthen health system capacity and improve the cooperation between actors at central and local levels with greater participatory decision-making that takes into account local-level realities and the diversity of needs.
Global Warming Could Rob Liquors of Their Flavor
Authors: Kish Stacy
Published: March 2021

A new study examines the impact of glacial extinction on biodiversity in alpine regions.
Hsa_circ_0110757 upregulates ITGA1 to facilitate temozolomide resistance in glioma by suppressing hsa-miR-1298-5p
Authors: Li Haoyu , Liu Qing , Chen Zihua , Wu Ming , Zhang Chao , Su Jun , Li Yue , Zhang Chi
Published: March 2021

Temozolomide (TMZ) is the internationally recognized and preferred drug for glioma chemotherapy treatment. However, TMZ resistance in glioma appears after long-term use and is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs and play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of tumors. Hsa_circ_0110757 was identified in TMZ-resistant glioma cells by high-throughput sequencing analysis and was derived from reverse splicing of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) exons. The role of hsa_circ_0110757 in TMZ-resistant glioma was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. It was found that hsa_circ_0110757 and ITGA1 are more highly expressed in TMZ-resistant glioma than in TMZ-sensitive glioma. The overexpression of hsa_circ_0110757 in glioma patients treated with TMZ was obviously associated with tumor invasion. This study indicates that hsa_circ_0110757 inhibits glioma cell apoptosis by sponging hsa-miR-1298-5p to promote ITGA1 expression. Thus, hsa_circ_0110757/hsa-miR-1298-5p/ITGA could be a potential therapeutic target for reversing the resistance of glioma to TMZ.
Influence of TiO2 pigment particles on chromate ion transport in epoxy films
Authors: Kopeć Małgorzata , Rossenaar Brenda D. , van Leerdam Kees , Janssen Arne , Davies Antony N. , Lyon Stuart B. , Visser Peter , Gibbon Simon R.
Published: March 2021

Transport of active species (i.e., ions) leaching from pigment particles incorporated in a polymer matrix is the main mechanism behind the anticorrosive performance of protective coatings. Understanding this mechanism is necessary for the effective design of the systems utilizing pigments less toxic than the most efficient chromate salts. It was demonstrated that anticorrosive pigment particles can themselves facilitate the transport of active species via the pathways formed after pigment leaching from a coating. It was also suggested that other paint components, e.g., certain additives, pigments, and fillers can be involved in the formation of transport pathways. Investigation of the possible influence of inert pigment (TiO2) on creating the pathways for chromate ion transport in polymer coatings was the primary objective of this work. In an experiment mimicking the transport of pigment species (i.e., chromate ions), a model epoxy coating containing particles of a single pigment (TiO2) was exposed to a chromate solution (aqueous, or with the addition of acetone as a polymer swelling agent). It was shown that the chromate ions can be transported in the epoxy film preferentially via the TiO2 particles/polymer matrix interface.
Compatibility of Bt biopesticides and adjuvants for Spodoptera frugiperda control
Authors: dos Santos Cicero Antônio Mariano , do Nascimento Joacir , Gonçalves Kelly Cristina , Smaniotto Giovani , de Freitas Zechin Leonardo , da Costa Ferreira Marcelo , Polanczyk Ricardo Antônio
Published: March 2021

Spodoptera frugiperda is a pest of economic importance for several crops with resistance reports to Bt crops and pesticides. Eco-friendly Bt biopesticides may be an alternative to chemical insecticides due to their selectivity and specificity. However, the efficacy of Bt biopesticides may be influenced by the association with other chemicals, such as adjuvants. This study evaluated the compatibility and toxicity of Bt biopesticides mixed with adjuvants for the control of S. frugiperda. The treatments included the association of Dipel SC and Dipel PM with adjuvants. Compatibility tests were used to evaluate the Bt mixture. Bt suspensions obtained from mixtures of Bt and adjuvants at 106 and 3 × 108 spores/mL−1 were used to evaluate S. frugiperda mortality and distilled water was used as the control. The addition of the adjuvant LI increased growth and sporulation, indicating compatibility with Bt biopesticides. The other adjuvants were toxic to reducing Bt growth and sporulation. Only the mixture of Bt with LI and Bt alone was effective to S. frugiperda. The addition of adjuvants to Bt biopesticide affect the Bt sporulation, growth and mortality.
Ultra-thin 2D transition metal monochalcogenide crystals by planarized reactions
Authors: Chin Hao-Ting , Hofmann Mario , Huang Su-Yu , Yao Song-Fu , Lee Jian-Jhang , Chen Chia-Chun , Ting Chu-Chi , Hsieh Ya-Ping
Published: March 2021

We here present a planarized solid-state chemical reaction that can produce transition metal monochalcogenide (TMMC) 2D crystals with large lateral extent and finely controllable thickness down to individual layers. The enhanced lateral diffusion of a gaseous reactant at the interface between a solid precursor and graphene was found to provide a universal route towards layered TMMCs of different compositions. A unique layer-by-layer growth mechanism yields atomically abrupt crystal interfaces and kinetically controllable thickness down to a single TMMC layer. Our approach stabilizes 2D crystals with commonly unattainable thermodynamic phases, such as β-Cu2S and γ-CuSe, and spectroscopic characterization reveals ultra-large phase transition depression and interesting electronic properties. The presented ability to produce large-scale 2D crystals with high environmental stability was applied to highly sensitive and fast optoelectronic sensors. Our approach extends the morphological, compositional, and thermodynamic complexity of 2D materials.
lncRNA transcription induces meiotic recombination through chromatin remodelling in fission yeast
Authors: Senmatsu Satoshi , Asada Ryuta , Oda Arisa , Hoffman Charles S. , Ohta Kunihiro , Hirota Kouji
Published: March 2021

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in various biological processes, including gene expression, development, and disease. Here, we identify a novel consensus sequence of a cis-element involved in long ncRNA (lncRNA) transcription and demonstrate that lncRNA transcription from this cis-element activates meiotic recombination via chromatin remodeling. In the fission yeast fbp1 gene, glucose starvation induces a series of promoter-associated lncRNAs, referred to as ﻿metabolic-stress-induced lncRNAs (mlonRNAs), which contribute to chromatin remodeling and fbp1 activation. Translocation of the cis-element required for mlonRNA into a well-characterized meiotic recombination hotspot, ade6-M26, further stimulates transcription and meiotic recombination via local chromatin remodeling. The consensus sequence of this cis-element (mlon-box) overlaps with meiotic recombination sites in the fission yeast genome. At one such site, the SPBC24C6.09c upstream region, meiotic double-strand break (DSB) formation is induced in an mlon-box-dependent manner. Therefore, mlonRNA transcription plays a universal role in chromatin remodeling and the regulation of transcription and recombination.
Reduction in organ–organ friction is critical for corolla elongation in morning glory
Authors: Shimoki Ayaka , Tsugawa Satoru , Ohashi Keiichiro , Toda Masahito , Maeno Akiteru , Sakamoto Tomoaki , Kimura Seisuke , Nobusawa Takashi , Nagao Mika , Nitasaka Eiji , Demura Taku , Okada Kiyotaka , Takeda Seiji
Published: March 2021

In complex structures such as flowers, organ–organ interactions are critical for morphogenesis. The corolla plays a central role in attracting pollinators: thus, its proper development is important in nature, agriculture, and horticulture. Although the intraorgan mechanism of corolla development has been studied, the importance of organ–organ interactions during development remains unknown. Here, using corolla mutants of morning glory described approximately 200 years ago, we show that glandular secretory trichomes (GSTs) regulate floral organ interactions needed for corolla morphogenesis. Defects in GST development in perianth organs result in folding of the corolla tube, and release of mechanical stress by sepal removal restores corolla elongation. Computational modeling shows that the folding occurs because of buckling caused by mechanical stress from friction at the distal side of the corolla. Our results suggest a novel function of GSTs in regulating the physical interaction of floral organs for macroscopic morphogenesis of the corolla.
Variable crab camouflage patterns defeat search image formation
Authors: Troscianko Jolyon , Nokelainen Ossi , Skelhorn John , Stevens Martin
Published: March 2021

Understanding what maintains the broad spectrum of variation in animal phenotypes and how this influences survival is a key question in biology. Frequency dependent selection – where predators temporarily focus on one morph at the expense of others by forming a “search image” – can help explain this phenomenon. However, past work has never tested real prey colour patterns, and rarely considered the role of different types of camouflage. Using a novel citizen science computer experiment that presented crab “prey” to humans against natural backgrounds in specific sequences, we were able to test a range of key hypotheses concerning the interactions between predator learning, camouflage and morph. As predicted, switching between morphs did hinder detection, and this effect was most pronounced when crabs had “disruptive” markings that were more effective at destroying the body outline. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence for variability in natural colour patterns hindering search image formation in predators, and as such presents a mechanism that facilitates phenotypic diversity in nature.
Ultrafast dynamics of heme distortion in the O2-sensor of a thermophilic anaerobe bacterium
Authors: Petrova Olga N. , Yoo Byung-Kuk , Lamarre Isabelle , Selles Julien , Nioche Pierre , Negrerie Michel
Published: March 2021

Heme-Nitric oxide and Oxygen binding protein domains (H-NOX) are found in signaling pathways of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and share sequence homology with soluble guanylate cyclase, the mammalian NO receptor. In bacteria, H-NOX is associated with kinase or methyl accepting chemotaxis domains. In the O2-sensor of the strict anaerobe Caldanaerobacter tengcongensis (Ct H-NOX) the heme appears highly distorted after O2 binding, but the role of heme distortion in allosteric transitions was not yet evidenced. Here, we measure the dynamics of the heme distortion triggered by the dissociation of diatomics from Ct H-NOX using transient electronic absorption spectroscopy in the picosecond to millisecond time range. We obtained a spectroscopic signature of the heme flattening upon O2 dissociation. The heme distortion is immediately (<1 ps) released after O2 dissociation to produce a relaxed state. This heme conformational change occurs with different proportions depending on diatomics as follows: CO < NO < O2. Our time-resolved data demonstrate that the primary structural event of allostery is the heme distortion in the Ct H-NOX sensor, contrastingly with hemoglobin and the human NO receptor, in which the primary structural events are respectively the motion of the proximal histidine and the rupture of the iron-histidine bond.
Photovoltaic retinal prosthesis restores high-resolution responses to single-pixel stimulation in blind retinas
Authors: Chenais Naïg Aurelia Ludmilla , Airaghi Leccardi Marta Jole Ildelfonsa , Ghezzi Diego
Published: March 2021

Retinal prostheses hold the promise of restoring vision in totally blind people. However, a decade of clinical trials highlighted quantitative limitations hampering the possibility of reaching this goal. A key challenge in retinal stimulation is to independently activate retinal neurons over a large portion of the subject’s visual field. Reaching such a goal would significantly improve the perception accuracy in retinal implants’ users, along with their spatial cognition, attention, ambient mapping and interaction with the environment. Here we show a wide-field, high-density and high-resolution photovoltaic epiretinal prosthesis for artificial vision (POLYRETINA). The prosthesis embeds 10,498 physically and functionally independent photovoltaic pixels, allowing for wide retinal coverage and high-resolution stimulation. Single-pixel illumination reproducibly induced network-mediated responses from retinal ganglion cells at safe irradiance levels. Furthermore, POLYRETINA allowed response discrimination with a high spatial resolution equivalent to the pixel pitch (120 µm) thanks to the network-mediated stimulation mechanism. This approach could allow mid-peripheral artificial vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.
Winter seal-based observations reveal glacial meltwater surfacing in the southeastern Amundsen Sea
Authors: Zheng Yixi , Heywood Karen J. , Webber Benjamin G. M. , Stevens David P. , Biddle Louise C. , Boehme Lars , Loose Brice
Published: March 2021

Determining the injection of glacial meltwater into polar oceans is crucial for quantifying the climate system response to ice sheet mass loss. However, meltwater is poorly observed and its pathways poorly known, especially in winter. Here we present winter meltwater distribution near Pine Island Glacier using data collected by tagged seals, revealing a highly variable meltwater distribution with two meltwater-rich layers in the upper 250 m and at around 450 m, connected by scattered meltwater-rich columns. We show that the hydrographic signature of meltwater is clearest in winter, when its presence can be unambiguously mapped. We argue that the buoyant meltwater provides near-surface heat that helps to maintain polynyas close to ice shelves. The meltwater feedback onto polynyas and air-sea heat fluxes demonstrates that although the processes determining the distribution of meltwater are small-scale, they are important to represent in Earth system models.
Negative thermal expansion triggered anomalous thermal upconversion luminescence behaviors in Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Y2Mo3O12 microparticles for highly sensitive thermometry
Authors: Lv Huocheng , Du Peng , Luo Laihui , Li Weiping
Published: March 2021

Thermally enhanced UC emission is observed in Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Y2Mo3O12 NTE microparticles and they are pormising candidates for optical thermometry.
An innovative FPGA‐based low‐complexity and multi‐constellations compatible GNSS acquisition scheme
Authors: Qiu Tongsheng , Wang Xianyi , Du Qifei , Sun Yueqiang
Published: March 2021

There is a strong demand for the multi‐constellations compatible Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) acquisition scheme, since it is able to acquire signals from different constellations to increase availability of satellites. However, the presence of multiple modulation modes and diverse Pseudo‐Random‐Noise (PRN) code lengths makes the design challenging. Moreover, existing schemes consume a lot of hardware resources. Hence, we present an innovative Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)‐based low‐complexity and multi‐constellation compatible GNSS acquisition scheme to provide a solution for the above‐mentioned challenges. This scheme is based on the proposed Improved Serial‐Parallel Matched Filter structure that not only requires less hardware resources than conventional structures but also performs all operations in a pipeline to simplify the implementation in FPGA. Additionally, the maximum likelihood criterion is used to obtain decision statistics, which ensures the compatibility between BPSK and sBOC(1,1) signals. Furthermore, a three‐step method to acquire signals with a long PRN code is proposed. This also guarantees the compatibility among signals with different PRN code lengths. Finally, a new aided acquisition method to accelerate the acquisition process of signals with a long PRN code is proposed. Experimental results show this scheme is capable of acquiring multi‐constellations civil GNSS signals, and therefore it has high practical value.
Friend or Patron? Social Relations Across the National NGO–Donor Divide in Ghana
Authors: Kumi Emmanuel , Copestake James
Published: March 2021

The article examines the institutions governing relations between grant using national NGOs and grant giving international donors in three regions of Ghana (Upper West, Northern and Greater Accra Region). Formal procedural rules and professional norms can be viewed as necessary to minimise opportunities for informal patronage, rent-seeking and corruption made possible by the unequal access to resources. However, semi-structured interviews, life histories and observation highlight the positive role informal networks, connections, personal contacts and friendship play in enhancing collaboration between donors and national NGOs. Friendships originating in kinship and ethnicity, school links and past collaboration offer opportunities for influencing and resource mobilisation, but can also weaken NGO sustainability. Informal contacts and face-to-face interactions also build trust and strengthen lines of accountability, with non-adherence to shared norms resulting in sanctions and reputation loss. These findings affirm the positive role of informal relations, and highlight how they can complement formal rules and professional norms governing NGO–donor relations rather than undermining them. It throws a very different light on the role of informal institutions than that fostered by a discourse of clientelism and provides a more nuanced conceptual foundation for assessing ‘formalisation’ as a normative strategy.
Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) supersedes the turgor loss point (TLP) as an important adaptation across a precipitation gradient, in the genus
Authors: Leverett Alistair , Hurtado Castaño Natalia , Ferguson Kate , Winter Klaus , Borland Anne M.
Published: March 2021

As future climates continue to change, precipitation deficits are expected to become more severe across tropical ecosystems. As a result, it is important that we identify plant physiological traits that act as adaptations to drought, and determine whether these traits act synergistically or independently of each other. In this study, we assessed the role of three leaf-level putative adaptations to drought: crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), the turgor loss point (TLPΨ) and water storage hydrenchyma tissue. Using the genus Clusia as a model, we were able to explore the extent to which these leaf physiological traits co-vary, and also how they contribute to species’ distributions across a precipitation gradient in Central and South America. We found that CAM is independent of the TLPΨ and hydrenchyma depth in Clusia. In addition, we provide evidence that constitutive CAM is an adaptation to year-long water deficits, whereas facultative CAM appears to be more important for surviving acute dry seasons. Finally, we find that the other leaf traits tested did not correlate with environmental precipitation, suggesting that the reduced transpirational rates associated with CAM obviate the need to adapt the TLPΨ and hydrenchyma depth in this genus.
Rewilding watersheds: using nature’s algorithms to fix our broken rivers
Authors: Rideout Natalie K. , Wegscheider Bernhard , Kattilakoski Matilda , McGee Katie M. , Monk Wendy A. , Baird Donald J.
Published: March 2021

Rewilding is an ecological restoration concept that promotes the natural recovery of ecosystems, through (initial) active or passive removal of human influence. To support the application of rewilding approaches in rivers and their watersheds, we propose a framework to assess ‘rewilding potential’ based on measurement of basic river ecosystem functions (e.g. restoring flood and nutrient pulses), including examples of specific indicators for these processes. This includes a discussion of the challenges in implementing rewilding projects, such as lack of spatio-temporal data coverage for certain ecosystem functions or tackling ongoing problems once active management is removed. We aim to stimulate new thinking on the restoration of wild rivers, and also provide an annotated bibliography of rewilding studies to support this.
Corrigendum to: A strengths-based analysis of social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia
Authors: Whitford Kate , Mitchell Elke , Lazuardi Elan , Rowe Emily , Tasya Irma Anintya , Wirawan Dewa N. , Wisaksana Rudi , Subronto Yanri W. , Prameswari Hellen D. , Kaldor John M. , Bell Stephen
Published: March 2021

Background: HIV prevalence among female sex workers in Indonesia remains high and large proportions of female sex workers have never been tested for HIV. International research highlights the importance of community-led strategies to increase HIV testing in this population. Little qualitative research has been conducted to address these issues in Indonesia or other Asia-Pacific countries. This paper documents social influences that enhance HIV testing among female sex workers in urban Indonesia. Methods: This was an interpretive qualitative study in Yogyakarta, Denpasar and Bandung. In total, 57 female sex workers participated in 11 focus group discussions, and four participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Deductive and inductive thematic analysis techniques were used to identify narratives of strengths pertaining to uptake of HIV testing. Results: Participants described supportive relationships with peers, community-based organisations and ‘bosses’. Participants reported trusted networks with peers within which to share information about HIV testing and receive emotional support. Relationships with community outreach workers facilitated HIV testing through reminders, accompanied visits, and emotional/informational support. Community-based organisations worked with health services to facilitate mobile, community-based testing to overcome employment- and family-related constraints that inhibited women’s clinic attendance. ‘Bosses’ employed a variety of practices to encourage HIV testing among their workers. Conclusions: Relationships, practices and action in community- and workplace-based settings outside formal health service spaces enhanced HIV testing among female sex workers. Community- or workplace-based HIV testing with outreach support from health services, peer-led HIV testing within existing social and work-based networks, and working with bosses to implement HIV prevention strategies can address low HIV testing rates in this key population.
Binomial adverbs in Germanic and Romance Languages
Authors: Graën Johannes , Volk Martin
Published: March 2021

As a special type of multiword expressions, binomials are a frequent phenomenon in many languages. We focus on binomial adverbs that are coordinations of two adverbial constituents. Their syntactic contribution to a sentence is adverbial as well and their semantic contribution is idiomatic. They have many uses, such as to intensify (first and foremost), express tendency (more and more), frequency (over and over [again]), vagueness (more or less), determination (sooner or later) etc.

In this work, we describe our approaches to identify binomial adverbs in a large multiparallel corpus. Alongside the well-known measure of reversibility, we also calculate measures of statistical association and look for single-word translation equivalents in other languages. Combining these features facilitates the identification of binomial adverbs.
Examining the role of specialist palliative care in geriatric care to inform collaborations: a survey on the knowledge, practice and attitudes of geriatricians in providing palliative care
Authors: Runacres Fiona , Poon Peter , King Scott , Lustig Julie , Ugalde Anna
Published: March 2021

Background

The global population is ageing, and rates of multimorbidity and chronic illness are rapidly rising. Given specialist palliative care has been shown to improve overall care and reduce health care costs, how best to provide this care to older people is internationally significant.

Aim

To examine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of geriatricians in providing palliative care and working with specialist palliative care services. We also aimed to capture self-reported barriers, confidence and satisfaction in providing palliative care.

Design

A prospective cross-sectional study surveying Australasian geriatricians was conducted.

Setting/Participants

This was a voluntary anonymous online survey, distributed to all full members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Geriatric Medicine.

Results

A total of 168 completed responses were received; 58.3% were female and 36.6% had over 20 years of clinical experience. Most geriatricians (85%) reported caring for patients in their last 12 months of life represented a substantial aspect or most of their practice. Geriatricians overwhelmingly believed they should coordinate care (84%) and derived satisfaction from providing palliative care (95%). The majority (69%) believed all patients with advanced illness should receive concurrent specialist palliative care. Regarding knowledge, participants scored an average of 13.5 correct answers out of 18 in a Modified Palliative Care Knowledge Test.

Conclusions

Geriatricians find reward in providing generalist palliative care to their patients; however, potential exists for improved collaborations with specialist palliative care services. An evidence base for geriatric patients who benefit most from specialist palliative care services is needed to improve resourcing, collaborative practice and ultimately palliative care delivery.
Reward sensitivity and action in Parkinson’s disease patients with and without apathy
Authors: Muhammed Kinan , Ben Yehuda Michael , Drew Daniel , Manohar Sanjay , Husain Masud
Published: March 2021

Clinical apathy results in dysfunction of goal directed behaviour, a key component of which is the initiation of action. Previous work has suggested that blunting of reward sensitivity is an important mechanism underlying apathy. However, an additional component might be impoverished initiation of action itself. This study aims to investigate the link between motivation and motor output and its association with apathy and dopamine. An oculomotor task that measures pupillary and saccadic response to monetary incentives was used to assess reward sensitivity, first in 23 young and 18 elderly controls, and then in 22 patients with Parkinson’s disease tested ON and OFF dopaminergic medication. To distinguish between pupillary responses to anticipated reward alone versus responses associated with motor preparation, a saccadic ‘go/no-go’ task was performed. Half of the trials required a saccade to be initiated to receive a reward and in the remaining trials no action was required but reward was still obtained. No significant difference in pupil response was demonstrated between the two conditions in all groups tested, suggesting pupillary responses to rewards are not contingent upon motor preparation in Parkinson’s disease. Being ON or OFF dopamine did not influence this response either. Previous work demonstrated associations between apathy and pupillary reward insensitivity in Parkinson’s disease. Here we observed this effect only when an action was required to receive a reward, and only in the ON state. These findings suggest that apathy in Parkinson’s disease is linked to reduced reward sensitivity and that this is most prominently observed when actions have to be initiated to rewarding goals, with the effect modulated by being ON dopaminergic medication. OFF medication, there was no such strong relationship, and similarly in the ‘no-go’ conditions, either ON or OFF dopaminergic drugs. The results provide preliminary data which suggest that apathy in Parkinson’s disease is associated with a reduction in reward sensitivity and this is most evident when associated with initiation of goal directed actions in the presence of adequate dopamine.