bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of binaural and monaural beat stimulation on attention and EEG
Authors: Engelbregt Hessel , Barmentlo Marinda , Keeser Daniel , Pogarell Oliver , Deijen Jan Berend
Published: July 2021

Nowadays a popular technique to improve mood and cognition is auditory beat stimulation (ABS), which is thought to induce a frequency-following response of brainwaves. The main types of ABS are monaural beats (MB) and binaural beats (BB). BB involves the presentation of a specific frequency to one ear and another frequency to the other ear which may induce neural entrainment. A difference between the frequencies of 40 Hz is assumed to improve cognition. The present study examined the effect of 40 Hz binaural beats (BB) and monaural beats (MB) on attention and electroencephalography (EEG). A total of 25 first-year psychology students (11 males, 14 females) performed a Flanker task while EEG was recorded during the 5 min-presentation of pink noise (PN), MB and BB. With respect to attention, as measured by the Flanker task, the number of false responses in the BB condition was smaller than that in the PN condition while the number of false responses in the MB condition was larger as compared to the PN condition. As there was no association of BB with a consistent increase in absolute 40 or 45 Hz power compared to PN or MB, EEG recordings could not confirm the hypothesized neural entrainment in the brain. Overall, the current findings show that listening to 40 Hz BB improves attention but do not show the occurrence of neural entrainment. Future research is recommended to include a larger sample, to use a broader cognitive test battery and to present auditory beats with a longer duration.
TSPO imaging in animal models of brain diseases
Authors: Van Camp Nadja , Lavisse Sonia , Roost Pauline , Gubinelli Francesco , Hillmer Ansel , Boutin Hervé
Published: July 2021

Over the last 30 years, the 18-kDa TSPO protein has been considered as the PET imaging biomarker of reference to measure increased neuroinflammation. Generally assumed to image activated microglia, TSPO has also been detected in endothelial cells and activated astrocytes. Here, we provide an exhaustive overview of the recent literature on the TSPO-PET imaging (i) in the search and development of new TSPO tracers and (ii) in the understanding of acute and chronic neuroinflammation in animal models of neurological disorders. Generally, studies testing new TSPO radiotracers against the prototypic [11C]-R-PK11195 or more recent competitors use models of acute focal neuroinflammation (e.g. stroke or lipopolysaccharide injection). These studies have led to the development of over 60 new tracers during the last 15 years. These studies highlighted that interpretation of TSPO-PET is easier in acute models of focal lesions, whereas in chronic models with lower or diffuse microglial activation, such as models of Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, TSPO quantification for detection of neuroinflammation is more challenging, mirroring what is observed in clinic. Moreover, technical limitations of preclinical scanners provide a drawback when studying modest neuroinflammation in small brains (e.g. in mice). Overall, this review underlines the value of TSPO imaging to study the time course or response to treatment of neuroinflammation in acute or chronic models of diseases. As such, TSPO remains the gold standard biomarker reference for neuroinflammation, waiting for new radioligands for other, more specific targets for neuroinflammatory processes and/or immune cells to emerge.
Heat acclimation enhances the cold-induced vasodilation response
Authors: Ciuha Urša , Sotiridis Alexandros , Mlinar Tinkara , Royal Joshua T. , Eiken Ola , Mekjavic Igor B.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

It has been reported that the cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) response can be trained using either regular local cold stimulation or exercise training. The present study investigated whether repeated exposure to environmental stressors, known to improve aerobic performance (heat and/or hypoxia), could also provide benefit to the CIVD response.

Methods

Forty male participants undertook three 10-day acclimation protocols including daily exercise training: heat acclimation (HeA; daily exercise training at an ambient temperature, Ta = 35 °C), combined heat and hypoxic acclimation (HeA/HypA; daily exercise training at Ta = 35 °C, while confined to a simulated altitude of ~ 4000 m) and exercise training in normoxic thermoneutral conditions (NorEx; no environmental stressors). To observe potential effects of the local acclimation on the CIVD response, participants additionally immersed their hand in warm water (35 °C) daily during the HeA/HypA and NorEx. Before and after the acclimation protocols, participants completed hand immersions in cold water (8 °C) for 30 min, followed by 15-min recovery phases. The temperature was measured in each finger.

Results

Following the HeA protocol, the average temperature of all five fingers was higher during immersion (from 13.9 ± 2.4 to 15.5 ± 2.5 °C; p = 0.04) and recovery (from 22.2 ± 4.0 to 25.9 ± 4.9 °C; p = 0.02). The HeA/HypA and NorEx protocols did not enhance the CIVD response.

Conclusion

Whole-body heat acclimation increased the finger vasodilatory response during cold-water immersion, and enhanced the rewarming rate of the hand, thus potentially contributing to improved local cold tolerance. Daily hand immersion in warm water for 10 days during HeA/Hyp and NorEx, did not contribute to any changes in the CIVD response.
Simultaneous changes in visual acuity, cortical population receptive field size, visual field map size, and retinal thickness in healthy human aging
Authors: Silva Maria Fatima , Harvey Ben M. , Jorge Lília , Canário Nádia , Machado Fátima , Soares Mário , d’Almeida Otília C. , Castelo-Branco Miguel
Published: July 2021

Healthy human aging is associated with a deterioration of visual acuity, retinal thinning, visual field map shrinkage and increasing population receptive field sizes. Here we ask how these changes are related to each other in a cross-sectional sample of fifty healthy adults aged 20–80 years. We hypothesized that age-related loss of macular retinal ganglion cells may lead to decreased visual field map sizes, and both may lead to increased pRF sizes in the cortical central visual field representation. We measured our participants’ perceptual corrected visual acuity using standard ophthalmological letter charts. We then measured their early visual field map (V1, V2 and V3) functional population receptive field (pRF) sizes and structural surface areas using fMRI, and their retinal structure using high-definition optical coherence tomography. With increasing age visual acuity decreased, pRF sizes increased, visual field maps surface areas (but not whole-brain surface areas) decreased, and retinal thickness decreased. Among these measures, only functional pRF sizes predicted perceptual visual acuity, and Bayesian statistics support a null relationship between visual acuity and cortical or retinal structure. However, pRF sizes were in turn predicted by cortical structure only (visual field map surface areas), which were only predicted by retinal structure (thickness). These results suggest that simultaneous disruptions of neural structure and function throughout the early visual system may underlie the deterioration of perceptual visual acuity in healthy aging.
Sleep problems and their interaction with physical activity and fatigue in hematological cancer patients during onset of high dose chemotherapy
Authors: Castelli Lucia , Elter Thomas , Wolf Florian , Watson Matthew , Schenk Alexander , Steindorf Karen , Bloch Wilhelm , Hallek Michael , Joisten Niklas , Zimmer Philipp
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Sleep problems reported by hematological cancer patients are usually linked to higher levels of cancer-related fatigue. Although the awareness of sleep problems in solid cancer patients is rising, there has been less attention to the issue in hematological cancer patients.

The present study assesses the differences in sleep by comparing physical activity and fatigue levels among hematological cancer patients during the onset of chemotherapy. Furthermore, it investigates the relationship between sleep, physical activity, and fatigue through mediation analysis.

Methods

The recruited sample consists of 58 newly diagnosed hematological cancer patients (47.1 ± 15.4 yrs; 51.7% males). Subjects completed questionnaires assessing sleep (PSQI), physical activity (visual analogue scale), fatigue (MFI-20), anxiety, depression (HADS), and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) within two weeks from starting treatment.

Results

The sample reported more sleep problems in comparison to the German population norm. The classification as good (ca 25%) or bad sleepers (ca 75%) showed less frequent physical activity (p = .04), higher fatigue (p = .032), anxiety (p = .003), depression (p = .011) and pain (p = .011) in bad sleepers. The mediation analysis revealed significant indirect effects of sleep on fatigue through physical activity habits.

Conclusions

This study highlights the combined action of sleep problems and physical activity on fatigue during the onset of induction chemotherapy. These two parameters could represent meaningful intervention targets to improve a patient’s status during chemotherapy.

Trial registration

The study was registered on the WHO trial register (DRKS00007824).
Correction to: Process-property correlations in laser-induced graphene electrodes for electrochemical sensing
Authors: Behrent Arne , Griesche Christian , Sippel Paul , Baeumner Antje J.
Published: July 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00604-021-04792-3
Assessing the environmental impacts of agrifood production
Authors: Jirapornvaree Ittisak , Suppadit Tawadchai , Kumar Vikas
Published: July 2021

Agriculture, forestry, and other land use approximately contribute to 24 percent of 2010 global greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. This study, therefore, focuses on assessing the environmental impacts of jasmine rice production. The life cycle assessment method is used to find the hotspots that are of high environmental impacts. Face-to-face interviewing was conducted with 49 rice producers engaged in chemical, organic, and good agricultural practices in farming activities. The results show that most of the emissions were caused during the post-harvest management stage. Following eco-efficiency, organic jasmine rice production offers a reduction in the consumption of resources, reduced impact on the environment, and increased product value. Furthermore, our study shows that crop residue is a key to increase rice yields and decrease GHGs emissions. Our findings thus add to the limited literature on organic jasmine rice production and propose a recommendation for policymakers to promote sustainable agricultural practices to reduce the environmental impact.

Graphic abstract
Dynamics of soil organic carbon in the steppes of Russia and Kazakhstan under past and future climate and land use
Authors: Rolinski Susanne , Prishchepov Alexander V. , Guggenberger Georg , Bischoff Norbert , Kurganova Irina , Schierhorn Florian , Müller Daniel , Müller Christoph
Published: July 2021

Changes in land use and climate are the main drivers of change in soil organic matter contents. We investigated the impact of the largest policy-induced land conversion to arable land, the Virgin Lands Campaign (VLC), from 1954 to 1963, of the massive cropland abandonment after 1990 and of climate change on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in steppes of Russia and Kazakhstan. We simulated carbon budgets from the pre-VLC period (1900) until 2100 using a dynamic vegetation model to assess the impacts of observed land-use change as well as future climate and land-use change scenarios. The simulations suggest for the entire VLC region (266 million hectares) that the historic cropland expansion resulted in emissions of 1.6⋅ 1015 g (= 1.6 Pg) carbon between 1950 and 1965 compared to 0.6 Pg in a scenario without the expansion. From 1990 to 2100, climate change alone is projected to cause emissions of about 1.8 (± 1.1) Pg carbon. Hypothetical recultivation of the cropland that has been abandoned after the fall of the Soviet Union until 2050 may cause emissions of 3.5 (± 0.9) Pg carbon until 2100, whereas the abandonment of all cropland until 2050 would lead to sequestration of 1.8 (± 1.2) Pg carbon. For the climate scenarios based on SRES (Special Report on Emission Scenarios) emission pathways, SOC declined only moderately for constant land use but substantially with further cropland expansion. The variation of SOC in response to the climate scenarios was smaller than that in response to the land-use scenarios. This suggests that the effects of land-use change on SOC dynamics may become as relevant as those of future climate change in the Eurasian steppes.
HIT-6 and EQ-5D-5L in patients with migraine: assessment of common latent constructs and development of a mapping algorithm
Authors: Oliveira Gonçalves Ana Sofia , Panteli Dimitra , Neeb Lars , Kurth Tobias , Aigner Annette
Published: July 2021

Objective

The aims of this study were to assess whether there is a conceptual overlap between the questionnaires HIT-6 and EQ-5D and to develop a mapping algorithm allowing the conversion of HIT-6 to EQ-5D utility scores for Germany.

Methods

This study used data from an ongoing randomised controlled trial for patients suffering from migraine. We assessed the conceptual overlap between the two instruments with correlation matrices and exploratory factor analysis. Linear regression, tobit, mixture, and two-part models were used for mapping, accounting for repeated measurements, tenfold cross-validation was conducted to validate the models.

Results

We included 1010 observations from 410 patients. The EQ-5D showed a substantial ceiling effect (47.3% had the highest score) but no floor effect, while the HIT-6 showed a very small ceiling effect (0.5%). The correlation between the instruments’ total scores was moderate (− 0.30), and low to moderate among each domain (0.021–0.227). The exploratory factor analysis showed insufficient conceptual overlap between the instruments, as they load on different factors. Thus, there is reason to believe that the instruments’ domains do not capture the same latent constructs. To facilitate future mapping, we provide coefficients and a variance–covariance matrix for the preferred model, a two-part model with the total HIT-6 score as the explanatory variable.

Conclusion

This study showed that the German EQ-5D and the HIT-6 lack the conceptual overlap needed for appropriate mapping. Thus, the estimated mapping algorithms should only be used as a last resort for estimating utilities to be employed in economic evaluations.
Extensive cosmic showers detection: the importance of timing and the role of GPS in the EEE experiment
Authors: Cerretto Giancarlo , Calonico Davide , Cantoni Elena , Levi Filippo , Mura Alberto , Sellone Marco
Published: July 2021

Extreme Energy Events (EEE) is an extended Cosmic Rays (CRs) Observatory, composed of about 60 tracking telescopes spread over more than 10 degrees in Latitude and Longitude. We present the metrological characterization of a representative set of actually installed EEE GPS receivers, their calibration and their comparison with respect to dual-frequency receivers for timing applications, as well as plans for a transportable measurement system to calibrate the currently deployed GPS receivers. Finally, the realization of an INRIM Laboratory dedicated to EEE, aimed at hosting reference telescopes and allowing timing studies for Particle Physics/Astrophysics experiments, is presented, as well as the possibility of synchronizing already deployed telescopes utilizing White Rabbit Technique, over optical fiber links, directly with the Universal Time Coordinated time scale, as realized by INRIM (UTC(IT)).
A Scheme for Jointly Trading off Costs and Risks of Solar Radiation Management and Mitigation Under Long-Tailed Climate Sensitivity Probability Density Distributions
Authors: Roshan Elnaz , Khabbazan Mohammad M. , Held Hermann
Published: July 2021

Side effects of “solar-radiation management” (SRM) might be perceived as an important metric when society decides on implementing SRM as a climate policy option to alleviate anthropogenic global warming. We generalize cost-risk analysis that originally trades off expected welfare loss from climate policy costs and risks from transgressing climate targets to also include risks from applying SRM. In a first step of acknowledging SRM risks, we represent global precipitation mismatch as a prominent side effect of SRM under long-tailed probabilistic knowledge about climate sensitivity. We maximize a social welfare function for the following three scenarios, considering alternative relative weights of risks: temperature-risk-only, precipitation-risk-only, and equally-weighted both-risks. Our analysis shows that in the temperature-risk-only scenario, perfect compliance with the 2 °C-temperature target is attained for all numerically represented climate sensitivities, a unique feature of SRM, but the 2 °C-compatible precipitation corridor is violated. The precipitation-risk-only scenario exhibits an approximate mirror-image of this result. In addition, under the both-risks scenario, almost 90% and perfect compliance can be achieved for the temperature and precipitation targets, respectively. Moreover, in a mitigation-only analysis, the welfare loss from mitigation cost plus residual climate risks, compared to the no-climate-policy option, is approximately 4.3% (in terms of balanced growth equivalent), while being reduced more than 90% under a joint-mitigation-SRM analysis.
No-Thing and Causality in Realistic Non-Standard Interpretations of the Quantum Mechanical Wave Function: Ex Nihilo Aliquid?
Authors: Tarozzi Gino , Macchia Giovanni
Published: July 2021

It has been shown that quantum mechanics in its orthodox interpretation violates four different formulations of causality principle endowed with empirical meaning. The present work aims to highlight how even a realistic non-standard interpretation of the theory conflicts with causality in its Cartesian formulation of the principle of the non-inferiority of causes over effects. Such an interpretation, which attributes some form of weak physical reality to the wave function (called empty wave, regarded as a zero-energy wave-like phenomenon), is a sort of precursor of the more recent so-called wavefunction realism. We also discuss a more radical realistic interpretation according to which physical properties can also be assigned to non-metaphysical relative nothing, seen as the simple absence of a particle such as a photon, but not of its corresponding state (no-photon), which is considered real. By interpreting the wave function collapse as a consequence of an interaction with empty waves or of a detection of the no-photon, we will highlight how more real physical effects can derive from lower causes, including relative nothing. Finally, we will show how these interpretations, while violating Cartesian causality in its two variants, do not seem to affect the validity of the principle of a rational explanation that nothing can derive from (absolute) nothing, which does not seem satisfied by the orthodox interpretation.
Group Psychoeducational Intervention for Grandparents of Young Children with ASD: An Open Feasibility Study
Authors: Zakirova-Engstrand Rano , Roll-Pettersson Lise , Andersson Kristina , Larsson Helena , Allodi Westling Mara , Hirvikoski Tatja
Published: July 2021

This initial open feasibility trial reports on feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the manualized, group-based psychoeducational intervention for grandparents of preschool-aged children with ASD provided by the outpatient habilitation services in Stockholm, Sweden. One hundred and twenty non-custodial grandparents participated in a 6-h intervention program. The study demonstrated good feasibility: 114 (95%) grandparents completed both pre- and post-intervention measures and evaluations and reported high intervention acceptability. The results also indicated that grandparents increased their knowledge about ASD from pre-intervention to post-intervention, gained skills about strategies of supporting their grandchildren and adult children, and appreciated the opportunity to meet and share experiences with other grandparents. Follow-up with a randomized controlled trial design is needed to firmly establish efficacy of this intervention.
Prediction of n-octanol/water partition coefficients and acidity constants (pKa) in the SAMPL7 blind challenge with the IEFPCM-MST model
Authors: Viayna Antonio , Pinheiro Silvana , Curutchet Carles , Luque F. Javier , Zamora William J.
Published: July 2021

Within the scope of SAMPL7 challenge for predicting physical properties, the Integral Equation Formalism of the Miertus-Scrocco-Tomasi (IEFPCM/MST) continuum solvation model has been used for the blind prediction ofn-octanol/water partition coefficients and acidity constants of a set of 22 and 20 sulfonamide-containing compounds, respectively. The logPand pKawere computed using the B3LPYP/6-31G(d) parametrized version of the IEFPCM/MST model. The performance of our method for partition coefficients yielded a root-mean square error of 1.03 (logPunits), placing this method among the most accurate theoretical approaches in the comparison with both globally (rank 8th) and physical (rank 2nd) methods. On the other hand, the deviation between predicted and experimental pKavalues was 1.32 log units, obtaining the second best-ranked submission. Though this highlights the reliability of the IEFPCM/MST model for predicting the partitioning and the acid dissociation constant of drug-like compounds compound, the results are discussed to identify potential weaknesses and improve the performance of the method.
Outcome in patients with open abdomen treatment for peritonitis: a multidomain approach outperforms single domain predictions
Authors: Petersen Sven , Huber Markus , Storni Federico , Puhl Gero , Deder Alice , Prause Axel , Schefold Joerg C. , Doll Dietrich , Schober Patrick , Luedi Markus M.
Published: July 2021

Numerous patient-related clinical parameters and treatment-specific variables have been identified as causing or contributing to the severity of peritonitis. We postulated that a combination of clinical and surgical markers and scoring systems would outperform each of these predictors in isolation. To investigate this hypothesis, we developed a multivariable model to examine whether survival outcome can reliably be predicted in peritonitis patients treated with open abdomen. This single-center retrospective analysis used univariable and multivariable logistic regression modeling in combination with repeated random sub-sampling validation to examine the predictive capabilities of domain-specific predictors (i.e., demography, physiology, surgery). We analyzed data of 1,351 consecutive adult patients (55.7% male) who underwent open abdominal surgery in the study period (January 1998 to December 2018). Core variables included demographics, clinical scores, surgical indices and indicators of organ dysfunction, peritonitis index, incision type, fascia closure, wound healing, and fascial dehiscence. Postoperative complications were also added when available. A multidomain peritonitis prediction model (MPPM) was constructed to bridge the mortality predictions from individual domains (demographic, physiological and surgical). The MPPM is based on data of n = 597 patients, features high predictive capabilities (area under the receiver operating curve: 0.87 (0.85 to 0.90, 95% CI)) and is well calibrated. The surgical predictor “skin closure” was found to be the most important predictor of survival in our cohort, closely followed by the two physiological predictors SAPS-II and MPI. Marginal effects plots highlight the effect of individual outcomes on the prediction of survival outcome in patients undergoing staged laparotomies for treatment of peritonitis. Although most single indices exhibited moderate performance, we observed that the predictive performance was markedly increased when an integrative prediction model was applied. Our proposed MPPM integrative prediction model may outperform the predictive power of current models.
Experimental performance comparison between circular and elliptical tubes in evaporative condensers
Authors: Starace Giuseppe , Falcicchia Lorenzo , Panico Pierpaolo , Fiorentino Maria , Colangelo Gianpiero
Published: July 2021

In refrigeration systems, evaporative condensers have two main advantages compared to other condensation heat exchangers: They operate at lower condensation temperature than traditional air-cooled condensers and require a lower quantity of water and pumping power compared to evaporative towers. The heat and mass transfer that occur on tube batteries are difficult to study. The aim of this work is to apply an experimental approach to investigate the performance of an evaporative condenser on a reduced scale by means of a test bench, consisting of a transparent duct with a rectangular test section in which electric heaters, inside elliptical pipes (major axis 32 mm, minor axis 23 mm), simulate the presence of the refrigerant during condensation. By keeping the water conditions fixed and constant, the operating conditions of the air and the inclination of the heat transfer geometry were varied, and this allowed to carry out a sensitivity analysis, depending on some of the main parameters that influence the thermo-fluid dynamic phenomena, as well as a performance comparison. The results showed that the heat transfer increases with the tube surface exposed directly to the air as a result of the increase in their inclination, that has been varied in the range 0–20°. For the investigated conditions, the average increase, resulting by the inclination, is 28%.
Examining positive emotions, autonomy support and learning strategies: Self-directed versus teacher-directed learning environments
Authors: Schweder Sabine , Raufelder Diana
Published: July 2021

An increasing number of German schools have suspended teacher-directed learning (TL) in favor of self-directed learning (SL) modules. We used the broaden-and-build theory and self-determination theory as a theoretical framework to determine whether students in self-directed and teacher-directed learning environments differ in the interplay of positive emotions and learning strategies of students in secondary education. The study also compares the mediating role of autonomy support on the relationship between positive emotions and learning strategies. Questionnaire data from 787 German secondary school students in the sixth and seventh grades were analyzed. The results of the latent mean comparison indicated that students in the self-directed learning environment demonstrated more adaptive learning behaviors. Further, a multigroup structural equation model identified strong differences in the interplay of the variables between students in the self-directed and teacher-directed learning environments. In the teacher-directed learning environment, autonomy support was not found to mediate the relationship between positive emotions and learning strategies.
Can we trust the phenomenological interview? Metaphysical, epistemological, and methodological objections
Authors: Høffding Simon , Martiny Kristian , Roepstorff Andreas
Published: July 2021

The paper defends the position that phenomenological interviews can provide a rich source of knowledge and that they are in no principled way less reliable or less valid than quantitative or experimental methods in general. It responds to several skeptic objections such as those raised against introspection, those targeting the unreliability of episodic memory, and those claiming that interviews cannot address the psychological, cognitive and biological correlates of experience. It argues that the skeptic must either heed the methodological and epistemological justification of the phenomenological interview provided, or embrace a more fundamental skepticism, a “deep mistrust”, in which scientific discourse can have no recourse to conscious processes as explananda, with ensuing dire consequences for our conception of science.
Arbitrary grounding
Authors: Werner Jonas
Published: July 2021

The aim of this paper is to introduce, elucidate and defend the usefulness of a variant of grounding, or metaphysical explanation, that has the feature that the grounds explain of some states of affairs that one of them obtains without explaining which one obtains. I will dub this variantarbitrary grounding. After informally elucidating the basic idea in the first section, I will provide three metaphysical hypotheses that are best formulated in terms of arbitrary grounding in the second section. The third section will be concerned with the relation between arbitrary grounding and non-arbitrary grounding. The fourth section will compare arbitrary grounding to two extant proposals in the literature.
Lsi2: A black box in plant silicon transport
Authors: Coskun Devrim , Deshmukh Rupesh , Shivaraj S. M. , Isenring Paul , Bélanger Richard R.
Published: July 2021

Background

Silicon (Si) is widely considered a non-essential but beneficial element for higher plants, providing broad protection against various environmental stresses (both biotic and abiotic), particularly in species that can readily absorb the element. Two plasma-membrane proteins are known to coordinate the radial transport of Si (in the form of Si(OH)4) from soil to xylem within roots: the influx channel Lsi1 and the efflux transporter Lsi2. From a structural and mechanistic perspective, much more is known about Lsi1 (a member of the NIP-III subgroup of the Major Intrinsic Proteins) compared to Lsi2 (a putative Si(OH)4/H+ antiporter, with some homology to bacterial anion transporters).

Scope

Here, we critically review the current state of understanding regarding the physiological role and molecular characteristics of Lsi2. We demonstrate that the structure–function relationship of Lsi2 is largely uncharted and that the standing transport model requires much better supportive evidence. We also provide (to our knowledge) the most current and extensive phylogenetic analysis of Lsi2 from all fully sequenced higher-plant genomes. We end by suggesting research directions and hypotheses to elucidate the properties of Lsi2.

Conclusions

Given that Lsi2 is proposed to mediate xylem Si loading and thus root-to-shoot translocation and biosilicification, it is imperative that the field of Si transport focus its efforts on a better understanding of this important topic. With this review, we aim to stimulate and advance research in the field of Si transport and thus better exploit Si to improve crop resilience and agricultural output.
How Does a Relative Economy Affect Voter Turnout?
Authors: Park Brandon Beomseob
Published: July 2021

Existing studies offer conflicting analyses of the effect of the economy on voter turnout; some studies suggest that a poor economy leads to lower turnout while other studies find the opposite, or no significant effects. One reason for this ambiguity might be rooted in a limited understanding of how voters form attitudes about economic performance. Previous research implicitly presumes that voters’ economic assessments are based solely on information about the retrospective domestic economy. In contrast, this study suggests that voters compare their nation’s economy with the economies of other nations. If the economy has an effect on turnout, the relative economy will affect voters’ evaluations, and consequently their decision to turn out. Employing ‘relative economy’ variables measured by media-identified spatial reference points across elections and countries from 29 democracies since the 1980s, this paper finds that a poor relative economy leads to lower turnout, while a good relative economy appears to have no effect. The finding has significant implications for the electoral effect of turnout, and thus on democratic accountability.
Connectivity matrix model of quantum circuits and its application to distributed quantum circuit optimization
Authors: Ghodsollahee Ismail , Davarzani Zohreh , Zomorodi Mariam , Pławiak Paweł , Houshmand Monireh , Houshmand Mahboobeh
Published: July 2021

As quantum computation grows, the number of qubits involved in a given quantum computer increases. But due to the physical limitations in the number of qubits of a single quantum device, the computation should be performed in a distributed system. In this paper, a new model of quantum computation based on the matrix representation of quantum circuits is proposed. Then, using this model, we propose a novel approach for reducing the number of teleportations in a distributed quantum circuit. The proposed method consists of two phases: the pre-processing phase and the optimization phase. In the pre-processing phase, it considers the bi-partitioning of quantum circuits by Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-III) to minimize the number of global gates and to distribute the quantum circuit into two balanced parts with equal number of qubits and minimum number of global gates. In the optimization phase, two heuristics named Heuristic I and Heuristic II are proposed to optimize the number of teleportations according to the partitioning obtained from the pre-processing phase. Finally, the proposed approach is evaluated on many benchmark quantum circuits. The results of these evaluations show an average of 22.16% improvement in the teleportation cost of the proposed approach compared to the existing works in the literature.
Link-based approach to study scientific software usage: the case of VOSviewer
Authors: Orduña-Malea Enrique , Costas Rodrigo
Published: July 2021

Scientific software is a fundamental player in modern science, participating in all stages of scientific knowledge production. Software occasionally supports the development of trivial tasks, while at other instances it determines procedures, methods, protocols, results, or conclusions related with the scientific work. The growing relevance of scientific software as a research product with value of its own has triggered the development of quantitative science studies of scientific software. The main objective of this study is to illustrate a link-based webometric approach to characterize the online mentions to scientific software across different analytical frameworks. To do this, the bibliometric software VOSviewer is used as a case study. Considering VOSviewer’s official website as a baseline, online mentions to this website were counted in three different analytical frameworks: academic literature via Google Scholar (988 mentioning publications), webpages via Majestic (1,330 mentioning websites), and tweets via Twitter (267 mentioning tweets). Google scholar mentions shows how VOSviewer is used as a research resource, whilst mentions in webpages and tweets show the interest on VOSviewer’s website from an informational and a conversational point of view. Results evidence that URL mentions can be used to gather all sorts of online impacts related to non-traditional research objects, like software, thus expanding the analytical scientometric toolset by incorporating a novel digital dimension.
Metals in Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum, Festuca vivipara and Thymus praecox ssp. arcticus in the geothermal areas of Iceland
Authors: Rajsz Adam , Wojtuń Bronisław , Samecka-Cymerman Aleksandra , Wąsowicz Paweł , Mróz Lucyna , Rudecki Andrzej , Kempers Alexander J.
Published: July 2021

This investigation was conducted to identify the content of metals inCalluna vulgaris(familyEricaceae),Empetrum nigrum(familyEricaceae),Festuca vivipara(familyPoaceae) andThymus praecoxsubsp.arcticus(familyLamiaceae), as well as in the soils where they were growing in eight geothermal heathlands in Iceland. Investigation into the vegetation of geothermal areas is crucial and may contribute to their proper protection in the future and bring more understanding under what conditions the plants respond to an ecologically more extreme situation. Plants from geothermally active sites were enriched with metals as compared to the same species from non-geothermal control sites (at an average from about 150 m from geothermal activity). The enriched metals consisted of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe and Ni inC. vulgaris; Cd, Mn and Ti inE. nigrum; Hg and Pb inF. vivipara; and Cd, Fe and Hg inT. praecox. Notably,C. vulgaris,E. nigrum,F. viviparaandT. praecoxhad remarkably high concentrations of Ti at levels typical of toxicity thresholds. Cd and Pb (except forC. vulgarisandF. vivipara) were not accumulated in the shoots of geothermal plants.C. vulgarisfrom geothermal and control sites was characterised by the highest bioaccumulation factor (BF) of Ti and Mn;E. nigrumandF. viviparaby the highest BF of Ti and Cr; andT. praecoxby the highest BF of Ti and Zn compared to the other elements. In comparison with the other examined species,F. viviparafrom geothermal sites had the highest concentration of Ti in above-ground parts at any concentration of plant-available Ti in soil.
Design and synthesis of analogues of RA-VII—an antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide from Rubiae radix
Authors: Hitotsuyanagi Yukio
Published: July 2021

The 14-membered cycloisodityrosine is the core structure of RA-series antitumor bicyclic peptides obtained from Rubia plants (Rubiaceae). In this study, an efficient method for the synthesis of cycloisodityrosines from commercially available l-tyrosine derivatives was developed. Using synthetic cycloisodityrosines and cycloisodityrosines with modified structures, several RA-VII analogues were designed and synthesized to explore structure–activity relationships of the cycloisodityrosine moiety of the RA-series peptides, and newly isolated natural peptides were synthesized to establish their structures.

Graphic abstract
How bountiful is the ocean? Participatory valuation of human–nature relationships in Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan
Authors: Sugimoto Aoi , Sugino Hiroaki , Hori Juri
Published: July 2021

Valuations of nature are vital for effective conservation planning, and discussions are underway globally on improving the valuation process. Plural valuations of human–nature relationships are the key for better, more inclusive decision-making, which is demonstrated in this research using a case study on human–ocean relationships on Ishigaki Island, a part of the Yaeyama archipelago, Japan. We applied a network analysis to text data obtained from answers on questionnaires with open-ended questions to quantify the importance of values with respect to the pluralities among local people. Therefore, five core elements encompassing the values of the human–ocean relationships on Ishigaki Island were proposed as follows: “Livelihood,” “Attachment and inspiration,” “Local marine culture,” “Respect and fear for nature,” and “Anthropocene environmental problems.” The “Anthropocene environmental problems” element included social and environmental problems caused by various human activities including excessive tourism development, and the data collected through tourism market value analysis implied that past ecosystem service assessments may have over-valued or even triggered this issue. The “Respect and fear for nature” element was found to be important as a potentially unique value in these regions, but this is currently understudied within the literature related to ecosystem services and nature’s contributions to people. This study is among the first works to extract and visualize place-based human–ocean relations in an Asian country. We hope that our methods and findings will be applied to other areas, especially to the local communities of understudied countries and regions, to drive the transformative change of coral reef governance in the Anthropocene.
Incidence of and risk factors for hip fracture in Nagasaki, Japan from 2005 to 2014
Authors: Koseki Hironobu , Sunagawa Shinya , Noguchi Chieko , Yonekura Akihiko , Matsumura Umi , Watanabe Kaho , Nishiyama Yuta , Osaki Makoto
Published: July 2021

The annual incidence of new hip fractures increased from 2005 to 2014 in Nagasaki and females were much more affected. High-risk factors were identified as age ≥ 80 years, winter, indoors, living room, Monday, and early morning. Seven days after admission, most patients remained hospitalized and had been treated surgically.

Introduction

Hip fractures are major osteoporotic fractures that reduce quality of life. In Japan, the incidence of hip fractures increased steadily from 1986 to 2014 and the number of hip fractures could be 7.3–21.3 million by 2050. This study aimed to determine the incidence of hip fractures from 2005 to 2014 in Nagasaki Prefecture and to analyze the characteristics of and risk factors for hip fracture.

Methods

Hip fractures that occurred in Nagasaki Prefecture between 2005 and 2014 were analyzed using emergency transportation records. Fracture type, age, sex, location in which fracture occurred, and risk factors for hip fracture were clarified.

Results

The total number of new hip fractures among individuals ≥ 35 years old was 17,395 (mean age, 82.6 years old) and the annual incidence per 100,000 population increased from 147.9 in 2005 to 235.0 in 2014. Females (79.6%) were much more commonly affected than males (20.4%) and cervical fractures were more common than trochanteric fractures in all age groups. Hip fracture tended to be associated with age ≥ 80 years, winter rather than summer, indoors rather than outdoors, and living room rather than the bathroom or toilet. Other high-risk factors were Monday as day of the week, and early morning as the time of day. Seven days after admission, 97.3% of patients were hospitalized and 78.1% of hip fractures had been treated surgically.

Conclusion

Information on actual situations and valid preventive measures relevant to hip fracture are urgently needed.
Poor speech recognition, sound localization and reorganization of brain activity in children with unilateral microtia-atresia
Authors: Liu Qiang , Wang Yibei , Yang Tengyu , Fan Yue , Hou Bo , Chen Yushan , Wang Jian , Chen Xiaowei
Published: July 2021

Microtia-atresia is a congenital malformation of the external ear, often affecting one side and being associated with severe-to-profound unilateral conductive hearing loss (UCHL). Although the impact of unilateral hearing loss (UHL) on speech recognition, sound localization and brain plasticity has been intensively investigated, less is known about the subjects with unilateral microtia-atresia (UMA). Considering these UMA subjects have hearing loss from birth, we hypothesize it has a great effect on brain organization. A questionnaire on speech recognition and spatial listening ability was administered to 40 subjects with UMA and 40 age- and sex-matched controls. UMA subjects showed poorer speech recognition in laboratory and poorer spatial listening ability. However, cognitive scores determined by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) did not differ significantly in these two groups. The impact of hearing loss in UMA on brain functional organization was examined by comparing resting-state fMRIs (rs-fMRI) in 27 subjects with right-sided UMA and 27 matched controls. UMA subjects had increased nodal betweenness in visual networks and DMN but decreases in auditory and attention networks. These results indicate that UCHL in UMA causes significant abnormalities in brain organization. The impact of UCHL on cognition should be further examined with a battery of tests that are more challenging and better focused on the cognitive networks identified.
DXA parameters, Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) and Bone Mineral Density (BMD), in fracture risk prediction in endocrine-mediated secondary osteoporosis
Authors: Shevroja Enisa , Cafarelli Francesco Pio , Guglielmi Giuseppe , Hans Didier
Published: July 2021

Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass and alterations of bone microarchitecture, leading to an increased risk for fragility fractures and, eventually, to fracture; is associated with an excess of mortality, a decrease in quality of life, and co-morbidities. Bone mineral density (BMD), measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), has been the gold standard for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Trabecular bone score (TBS), a textural analysis of the lumbar spine DXA images, is an index of bone microarchitecture. TBS has been robustly shown to predict fractures independently of BMD. In this review, while reporting also results on BMD, we mainly focus on the TBS role in the assessment of bone health in endocrine disorders known to be reflected in bone.
A Multi-scale Approach to Interculturalism: From Globalised Politics to Localised Policy and Practice
Authors: Zapata-Barrero Ricard , Mansouri Fethi
Published: July 2021

Interculturalism (IC) is presently discussed as a foundational basis for local public policy aimed at managing migration-related diversity within ethno-culturally plural societies, especially at the local level. Despite its increased saliency over the last decade, IC is neither theoretically new nor was it always intended for mere application in strictly city contexts of diversity. Rather, it has a global origin as a political basis for international relations and negotiations. In discussing these origins, this article has two main interrelated aims. Firstly, it provides an overview of the multi-scale approach of IC, with the purpose of disentangling analytically the different empirical bases where it can frame the diversity agenda. Secondly, it explores whether a lack of appreciation and awareness of this multi-scale orientation may affect IC’s capacity to address the challenges of diversity governance at the local level. Methodologically, the article will undertake a textual analysis of a select number of leading documents framing its practice within the broader policy literature produced by the four main institutions that have advocated the intercultural approach within a global agenda. These are the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations University, on one hand, and the European Union and the Council of Europe on the other. The main findings show us the importance of a multi-scale thinking in diversity and IC studies, to avoid contributing to greater confusion in its applications.
Learning or Leaving? Individual and Environmental Factors Related to Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention
Authors: Puhakka Ilmari J. A. , Nokelainen Petri , Pylväs Laura
Published: July 2021

In addition to well-being, workplace learning has gained increasing interest in supporting employee and organizational development and success. Focusing on specific factors affecting workplace learning and well-being, this study examines the links between individual factors (basic psychological need satisfaction) and environmental factors (expansiveness of the workplace as a learning environment), job satisfaction, and turnover intention. Survey data were collected from the employees (N = 153) of two Finnish engineering companies from 2018 to 2019. The data were analyzed with correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (observed and latent variable path analysis). Results show that a more expansive workplace learning environment is associated with higher satisfaction of basic psychological needs. High levels of autonomy and competence need satisfaction, versatile work, promotion of learning, and acknowledgment of skills are positively associated with job satisfaction. Higher levels of autonomy and non-routine work tasks are associated with lower turnover intention. The results indicate that turnover intention is not necessarily associated with only negative conditions or perceptions, as high levels of competence and participation and understanding of the workplace are positively associated with turnover intention. The findings provide information about workplace factors that are relevant to improving employees’ workplace learning and well-being. The results also highlight the ambiguous nature of turnover intention.