bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ask the shark: blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) as a sentinel of plastic waste on the seabed
Authors: Sbrana Alice , Cau Alessandro , Cicala Davide , Franceschini Simone , Giarrizzo Tommaso , Gravina Maria Flavia , Ligas Alessandro , Maiello Giulia , Matiddi Marco , Parisi Antonio , Sartor Paolo , Sbrana Mario , Scacco Umberto , Valente Tommaso , Viva Claudio , Russo Tommaso
Published: July 2022

The presence of plastic waste in the marine environment has driven the scientific community to make significant efforts to study and mitigate its possible effects. One of the critical aspects is to determine if and how an increase in ingestion events may occur as a result of the accumulation of plastic waste on the seabed. In this study, G. melastomus is examined for its ability to indirectly provide information on the amount of macroplastics accumulating on the seafloor. Plastic ingestion is explored by describing the feeding habits of the species, which have the potential to provide very useful information regarding biological or ecological issues. The diet of G. melastomus mainly consisted of cephalopods, bathypelagic fishes, and decapod crustaceans, increasing in diversity during growth. The generalist-opportunistic feeding behaviour of this species leads to the incidental ingestion of plastic particles (N = 47, with a mean (± SD) of 1.47 ± 0.28 per specimen) which can be indirectly associated to the presence of macroplastics on the seafloor. Indeed, our results indicate a significant relationship between the amount of macroplastics present on the seabed and the frequency of ingestion of plastic particles by blackmouth catshark. We propose G. melastomus as an excellent candidate for developing a valid monitoring strategy for the presence of plastics on the seabed, as requested by the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Microbial community development during syngas methanation in a trickle bed reactor with various nutrient sources
Authors: Cheng George , Gabler Florian , Pizzul Leticia , Olsson Henrik , Nordberg Åke , Schnürer Anna
Published: July 2022

Microbial community development within an anaerobic trickle bed reactor (TBR) during methanation of syngas (56% H2, 30% CO, 14% CO2) was investigated using three different nutrient media: defined nutrient medium (241 days), diluted digestate from a thermophilic co-digestion plant operating with food waste (200 days) and reject water from dewatered digested sewage sludge at a wastewater treatment plant (220 days). Different TBR operating periods showed slightly different performance that was not clearly linked to the nutrient medium, as all proved suitable for the methanation process. During operation, maximum syngas load was 5.33 L per L packed bed volume (pbv) & day and methane (CH4) production was 1.26 L CH4/Lpbv/d. Microbial community analysis with Illumina Miseq targeting 16S rDNA revealed high relative abundance (20–40%) of several potential syngas and acetate consumers within the generaSporomusa,Spirochaetaceae,RikenellaceaeandAcetobacteriumduring the process. These were the dominant taxa except in a period with high flow rate of digestate from the food waste plant. The dominant methanogen in all periods was a member of the genusMethanobacterium, whileMethanosarcinawas also observed in the carrier community. As in reactor effluent, the dominant bacterial genus in the carrier wasSporomusa. These results show that syngas methanation in TBR can proceed well with different nutrient sources, including undefined medium of different origins. Moreover, the dominant syngas community remained the same over time even when non-sterilised digestates were used as nutrient medium.

Key points

•Independent of nutrient source, syngas methanation above 1 L/Lpbv/D was achieved.

•Methanobacterium and Sporomusa were dominant genera throughout the process.

•Acetate conversion proceededviaboth methanogenesis and syntrophic acetate oxidation.

Graphical abstract
Case Control Study of Risk Factors for Occurrence of Postoperative Hematoma After Thyroid Surgery: Ten Year Analysis of 6938 Operations in a Tertiary Center in Serbia
Authors: Tausanovic Katarina , Zivaljevic Vladan , Grujicic Sandra Sipetic , Jovanovic Ksenija , Jovanovic Vesna , Paunovic Ivan
Published: July 2022

Background

Post‐thyroidectomy bleeding is rare, but potentially life‐threatening complication. Early recognition with immediate intervention is crucial for the management of this complication. Therefore, it is very important to identify possible risk factors of postoperative hemorrhage as well as timing of postoperative hematoma occurrence.

Methods

Retrospective review of 6938 patients undergoing thyroidectomy in a tertiary center in a ten year period (2009–2019) revealed 72 patients with postoperative hemorrhage requiring reoperation. Each patient who developed postoperative hematoma was matched with four control patients that did not develop postoperative hematoma after thyroidectomy. The patients and controls were matched by the date of operation and surgeon performing thyroidectomy.

Results

The incidence of postoperative bleeding was 1.04%. On univariate analysis older age, male sex, higher BMI, higher ASA score, preoperative use of anticoagulant therapy, thyroidectomy for retrosternal goiter, larger thyroid specimens, larger dominant nodules, longer operative time, higher postoperative blood pressure and the use of postoperative subcutaneous heparin were identified as risk factors for postoperative bleeding. Sixty‐nine patients (95.8%) bled within first 24 h after surgery.

Conclusion

The rate of postoperative bleeding in our study is consistent with recent literature. Male sex, the use of preoperative anticoagulant therapy, thyroidectomy for retrosternal goiter and the use of postoperative subcutaneous heparin remained statistically significant on multivariate analysis (p < 0.001). When identified, these risk factors may be an obstacle to the outpatient thyroidectomy in our settings.
Flow structure and grain motion assessments of large river widening in a physical model using ultrasonic Doppler velocity measurements
Authors: Saugy Jean-Noël , Amini Azin , De Cesare Giovanni
Published: July 2022

Local river widening aims to reduce the flood risk and enable the self-morphodynamic development of the river. However, a large amount of transported sediments settles due to the flow velocity reduction in the widening. Assessing the flow and the grain motion is therefore a key factor to the sustainability of a local river widening project. The grain motion depends on the ratio between tractive forces and resisting forces, which can be evaluated through the local shear stress. The most common method to estimate shear stress in uniform flows is to determine the shear velocity based on the logarithmic distribution of velocity over depth. This involves knowing the velocity profile and in turn the flow structure. In the present study, morphodynamic tests are conducted to explore the hydrodynamics and the grain motion of a local river widening in the framework of the 3rd correction of the Rhone River, the largest flood protection project in Switzerland so far. The ultrasonic velocity profiler method is used to measure velocity profiles at two selected cross-sections. The obtained velocity profiles allow for the assessment of local shear stress on the mobile riverbed. The results show a non-uniform distribution of the flow and the shear stresses. The flow conditions at the preferential channel are more favorable to grain motion compared to those at the river’s edges.

Graphical abstract
Percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy for posterior ring apophyseal fracture accompanied with lumbar disc herniation in a 12-year pediatric diver: a case report
Authors: Wu Hui , Zheng Sikuan , He Dingwen , Cheng Xigao
Published: July 2022

Background

Posterior ring apophysis fracture (PRAF), accompanied with lumbar disc herniation (LDH), is a rare occurrence. Owing to its rarity, there is no consensus on the treatment strategy for this condition. Differences mainly encompass the type of decompression method, the need for additional spinal fusion, the need for apophysis fragments or/and disc materials removal, and long-term efficacy, particularly, compared to LDH alone. Hence, the aim of this study was to describe a rare instance of PRAF with LDH in a 12-year-old professional diver, who was successfully treated with percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID), and to initiate a discussion involving several meaningful and related factors.
The first step into phenolic metabolism in the hornwort Anthoceros agrestis: molecular and biochemical characterization of two phenylalanine ammonia-lyase isoforms
Authors: Pezeshki Soheil , Warmbier Ina , Busch Tobias , Bauerbach Elke , Szövenyi Peter , Petersen Maike
Published: July 2022

Main conclusion

Two isoforms of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) have been isolated as cDNA sequences from the hornwort Anthoceros agrestis. The encoded enzymes convert l-phenylalanine and to lower extents l-tyrosine and l-histidine. Thus, the functional presence of the general phenylpropanoid pathway in one of the earliest land plant groups is established.

The hornwort Anthoceros agrestis has an elaborated phenolic metabolism resulting in phenolic compounds, such as rosmarinic acid or megacerotonic acid. The general phenylpropanoid pathway is involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds. Two phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) genes, AaPAL1 and AaPAL2, have been identified in Anthoceros agrestis and the protein with an N-terminal 6xHis-tag heterologously synthesized in Escherichia coli for a full biochemical characterization. Both PAL proteins accept l-phenylalanine, l-tyrosine as well as l-histidine as substrates, although the activity is explicitly the highest with l-phenylalanine. Km values as well as catalytic efficiencies were determined for phenylalanine (Km AaPAL1 39 µM, AaPAL2 18 µM) and tyrosine (Km AaPAL1 3.3 mM, AaPAL2 3.5 mM). In suspension cultures of Anthoceros agrestis, PAL genes were transcribed in parallel to rosmarinic acid (RA) accumulation and both showed highest abundance in the early growth phase. In a phylogenetic tree, both AaPAL amino acid sequences grouped within a clade with PAL amino acid sequences of diverse origin ranging from non-vascular to vascular plants, while most PALs from eudicots and monocots were mainly found in two other clades. The similarity of the hornwort PAL amino acid sequences to PAL sequences from vascular plants is more than 80% showing a strong conservation within the land plants. With this characterization of PALs from Anthoceros agrestis together with former investigations concerning cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase and 4-coumaric acid CoA-ligase, the functional presence of the general phenylpropanoid pathway in this hornwort is proven.
Lessons learned: the first consecutive 1000 patients of the CCCMunichLMU Molecular Tumor Board
Authors: Heinrich Kathrin , Miller-Phillips Lisa , Ziemann Frank , Hasselmann Korbinian , Rühlmann Katharina , Flach Madeleine , Biro Dorottya , von Bergwelt-Baildon Michael , Holch Julian , Herold Tobias , von Baumgarten Louisa , Greif Philipp A. , Jeremias Irmela , Wuerstlein Rachel , Casuscelli Jozefina , Spitzweg Christine , Seidensticker Max , Renz Bernhard , Corradini Stefanie , Baumeister Philipp , Goni Elisabetta , Tufman Amanda , Jung Andreas , Kumbrink Jörg , Kirchner Thomas , Klauschen Frederick , Metzeler Klaus H. , Heinemann Volker , Westphalen C. Benedikt
Published: July 2022

Purpose

In 2016, the University of Munich Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) was implemented to initiate a precision oncology program. This review of cases was conducted to assess clinical implications and functionality of the program, to identify current limitations and to inform future directions of these efforts.

Methods

Charts, molecular profiles, and tumor board decisions of the first 1000 consecutive cases (01/2016–03/2020) were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were applied to describe relevant findings.

Results

Of the first 1000 patients presented to the MTB; 914 patients received comprehensive genomic profiling. Median age of patients was 56 years and 58% were female. The most prevalent diagnoses were breast (16%) and colorectal cancer (10%). Different types of targeted or genome-wide sequencing assays were used; most of them offered by the local department of pathology. Testing was technically successful in 88%. In 41% of cases, a genomic alteration triggered a therapeutic recommendation. The fraction of patients receiving a tumor board recommendation differed significantly between malignancies ranging from over 50% in breast or biliary tract to less than 30% in pancreatic cancers. Based on a retrospective chart review, 17% of patients with an MTB recommendation received appropriate treatment.

Conclusion

Based on these retrospective analyses, patients with certain malignancies (breast and biliary tract cancer) tend to be more likely to have actionable variants. The low rate of therapeutic implementation (17% of patients receiving a tumor board recommendation) underscores the importance of meticulous follow-up for these patients and ensuring broad access to innovative therapies for patients receiving molecular tumor profiling.
Modulation of matrix metalloproteases by ciliary neurotrophic factor in human placental development
Authors: Tossetta Giovanni , Fantone Sonia , Busilacchi Elena Marinelli , Di Simone Nicoletta , Giannubilo Stefano R. , Scambia Giovanni , Giordano Antonio , Marzioni Daniela
Published: July 2022

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that signals through a receptor complex containing a specific subunit, CNTF receptor α (CNTFRα). The two molecules are constitutively expressed in key structures for human placental growth and differentiation. The possible role of CNTF in enhancing cell proliferation and/or invasion during placental development and remodelling was investigated using HTR-8/SVneo and BeWo cells, taken respectively as cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast models. In both cell lines, treatment with human recombinant (hr) CNTF activated JAK2/STAT3 signalling and inhibited the ERK pathway. Interestingly, in HTR-8/SVneo cells, 50 ng hrCNTF induced significant downregulation of matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-1 and significant upregulation of MMP-9. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signalling by AG490 and curcumin resulted in MMP-9 downregulation; it activated the ERK signalling pathway and upregulated MMP-1 expression. Collectively, these data suggest a role for CNTF signalling in extravillous cytotrophoblast invasion through the modulation of specific MMPs.
Distal radius malunion: outcomes following an ulnar shortening osteotomy
Authors: Stirling Paul H. C. , Oliver William M. , Ng Nathan , Oliver Christopher W. , McQueen Margaret M. , Molyneux Samuel G. , Duckworth Andrew D.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Positive ulnar variance following a distal radius malunion can lead to ulnar-sided wrist pain, loss of grip strength, and distal radioulnar joint impingement. The primary aim of this study is to describe upper limb-specific functional outcomes following ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) for ulnar-sided wrist pain associated with malunion of the distal radius.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 40 adult patients from a single centre over a 9-year period that had undergone an USO for symptomatic malunion of the distal radius. The primary outcome was the patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE). Secondary outcomes were the QuickDASH, EQ-5D-5L, complications, and net promoter score (NPS).

Results

Outcomes were available for 37 patients (93%). The mean age was 56 years and 25 patients were female (68%). At a mean follow-up of 6 years (range 1–10 years) the median PRWE was 11 (IQR 0–29.5), the median QuickDASH 6.8 (IQR 0–29.5), and the median EQ-5D-5L index was 0.88 (IQR 0.71–1). The NPS was 73. Complications occurred in nine patients (24%) and included non-union (n = 4), early loss of fixation requiring revision surgery (n = 1), superficial wound infection (n = 2), neurological injury (n = 1), and further surgery for symptomatic hardware removal (n = 1).

Conclusions

For patients with a symptomatic distal radius malunion where the predominant deformity is ulnar positive variance, this study has demonstrated that despite 1 in 4 patients experiencing a complication, USO can result in excellent patient reported outcomes with high levels of satisfaction.

Level of Evidence

III (Cohort Study).
Psychiatric symptoms in Salla disease
Authors: Aulanko Ida , Rahikkala Elisa , Moilanen Jukka
Published: July 2022

Salla disease (SD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder characterised by intellectual disability ataxia, athetosis, nystagmus, and central nervous system demyelination. Although the neurological spectrum of SD’s clinical phenotype is well defined, psychotic symptoms in SD remain unreported. We reviewed the presence of psychiatric symptoms in patients diagnosed with SD. Medical records of all SD patients at Oulu University Hospital during the years 1982–2015 were systematically reviewed to evaluate the presence of psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms were frequently associated with SD (10/24, 42%), and two patients were described as developing psychosis as adolescents. We reported their clinical characteristics in detail and assessed the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in a cohort of 24 patients. Other psychiatric factors associated with SD were sleeping disorders (8/24, 32%), aggressive behaviour disorders or restlessness (6/24, 25%), and off-label antipsychotic medication (4/24, 17%). This report expands the knowledge of the phenotypic spectrum of SD and demonstrates the importance of recognising the possibility of psychiatric symptoms, including psychosis, in persons with SD.
Mid-term treatment-related cognitive sequelae in glioma patients
Authors: Schlömer Sabine , Felsberg Jörg , Pertz Milena , Hentschel Bettina , Löffler Markus , Schackert Gabriele , Krex Dietmar , Juratli Tareq , Tonn Joerg Christian , Schnell Oliver , Vatter Hartmut , Simon Matthias , Westphal Manfred , Martens Tobias , Sabel Michael , Bendszus Martin , Dörner Nils , Fliessbach Klaus , Hoppe Christian , Reifenberger Guido , Weller Michael , Schlegel Uwe , Network for the German Glioma
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Cognitive functioning represents an essential determinant of quality of life. Since significant advances in neuro-oncological treatment have led to prolonged survival it is important to reliably identify possible treatment-related neurocognitive dysfunction in brain tumor patients. Therefore, the present study specifically evaluates the effects of standard treatment modalities on neurocognitive functions in glioma patients within two years after surgery.

Methods

Eighty-six patients with World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1–4 gliomas were treated between 2004 and 2012 and prospectively followed within the German Glioma Network. They received serial neuropsychological assessment of attention, memory and executive functions using the computer-based test battery NeuroCog FX. As the primary outcome the extent of change in cognitive performance over time was compared between patients who received radiotherapy, chemotherapy or combined radio-chemotherapy and patients without any adjuvant therapy. Additionally, the effect of irradiation and chemotherapy was assessed in subgroup analyses. Furthermore, the potential impact of the extent of tumor resection and histopathological characteristics on cognitive functioning were referred to as secondary outcomes.

Results

After a median of 16.8 (range 5.9–31.1) months between post-surgery baseline neuropsychological assessment and follow-up assessment, all treatment groups showed numerical and often even statistically significant improvement in all cognitive domains. The extent of change in cognitive functioning showed no difference between treatment groups. Concerning figural memory only, irradiated patients showed less improvement than non-irradiated patients (p = 0.029, η2 = 0.06). Resected patients, yet not patients with biopsy, showed improvement in all cognitive domains. Compared to patients with astrocytomas, patients with oligodendrogliomas revealed a greater potential to improve in attentional and executive functions. However, the heterogeneity of the patient group and the potentially selected cohort may confound results.

Conclusion

Within a two-year post-surgery interval, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or their combination as standard treatment did not have a detrimental effect on cognitive functions in WHO grade 1–4 glioma patients. Cognitive performance in patients with adjuvant treatment was comparable to that of patients without.
Participatory Systems Mapping for Municipal Prioritization and Planning
Authors: Pomeroy–Stevens Amanda , Goldman Bailey , Grattan Karen
Published: July 2022

Rapidly growing cities face new and compounding health challenges, leading governments and donors to seek innovative ways to support healthier, more resilient urban growth. One such approach is the systems mapping process developed by Engaging Inquiry (EI) for the USAID-funded Building Healthy Cities project (BHC) in four cities in Asia. This paper provides details on the theory and methods of the process. While systems mapping is not new, the approach detailed in this paper has been uniquely adapted to the purpose of municipal planning. Strategic stakeholder engagement, including participatory workshops with a diverse group of stakeholders, is at the core of this approach and led to deeper insights, greater buy-in, and shared understanding of the city’s unique opportunities and challenges. This innovative mapping process is a powerful tool for defining municipal priorities within growing cities across the globe, where the situation is rapidly evolving. It can be used to provide evidence-based information on where to invest to gain the biggest impact on specific goals. This paper is part of a collection in this issue providing a detailed accounting of BHC’s systems mapping approach across four project cities.
Studies on the secondary metabolism of Rosellinia and Dematophora strains (Xylariaceae) from Iran
Authors: Pourmoghaddam Mohammad Javad , Ekiz Güner , Lambert Christopher , Surup Frank , Primahana Gian , Wittstein Kathrin , Khodaparast Seyed Akbar , Voglmayr Hermann , Krisai-Greilhuber Irmgard , Stradal Theresia E. B. , Stadler Marc
Published: July 2022

The xylariaceous genus Dematophora has recently been resurrected and segregated from Rosellinia based on a molecular phylogeny and morphological characters. This was an important taxonomic change because Dematophora in the current sense contains several important pathogens, while Rosellinia is limited to mainly saprotrophic species that have an endophytic stage in their life cycle and may even have beneficial effects on the host plants. During our ongoing work on the functional biodiversity of the Xylariales, we have encountered new strains of rosellinoid Xylariaceae from Iran and have studied their mycelial cultures for secondary metabolites in an attempt to establish further chemotaxonomic affinities. In the process, we isolated and identified 13 compounds, of which rosellisteroid (1), the cichorine derivative 2, and the alkaloid 3 are new. Out of these, nine were tested for their antimicrobial affinities with cytochalasin E (6) exhibiting weak activity against Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The cytotoxicity of three cytochalasin derivatives was examined and their effects on the F-actin cytoskeletal organization studied by fluorescence microscopy using fluorescent phalloidin. Cytochalasin E (6) and Δ6,12-cytochalasin E (7) showed strong and irreversible action on actin, while cytochalasin K (8) exhibited weaker, reversible effects.
COVID-19 pandemic and capital markets: the role of government responses
Authors: Beer Christian , Maniora Janine , Pott Christiane
Published: July 2022

This paper analyzes the moderation effect of government responses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, proxied by the daily growth in COVID-19 cases and deaths, on the capital market, i.e., the S&P 500 firm’s daily returns. Using the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker, we monitor 16 daily indicators for government actions across the fields of containment and closure, economic support, and health for 180 countries in the period from January 1, 2020 to March 15, 2021. We find that government responses mitigate the negative stock market impact and that investors’ sentiment is sensitive to a firm’s country-specific revenue exposure to COVID-19. Our findings indicate that the mitigation effect is stronger for firms that are highly exposed to COVID-19 on the sales side. In more detail, containment and closure policies and economic support mitigate negative stock market impacts, while health system policies support further declines. For firms with high revenue exposure to COVID-19, the mitigation effect is stronger for government economic support and health system initiatives. Containment and closure policies do not mitigate stock price declines due to growing COVID-19 case numbers. Our results hold even after estimating the spread of the pandemic with an epidemiological standard model, namely, the susceptible-infectious-recovered model.
Allopodocotyle palmi sp. nov. and Prosorhynchus maternus Bray & Justine, 2006 (Digenea: Opecoelidae & Bucephalidae) from the Orange-Spotted Grouper Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822) off Bali, Indonesia, Described Using Modern Techniques
Authors: Theisen Stefan , Neitemeier-Duventester Xaver , Kleinertz Sonja , Suthar Jaydipbhai , Bray Rodney A. , Unger Patrick
Published: July 2022

Background

The most convincing species ofAllopodocotylePritchard, 1966 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) are known overwhelmingly from groupers (Serranidae: Epinephelinae). Six species ofAllopodocotylehave been reported, collectively, from species ofCromileptesSwainson, 1839,EpinephelusBloch, 1793 andPlectropomusOken, 1817. These areA. epinepheli(Yamaguti, 1942),A.heronensisDownie & Cribb, 2011,A.manteri(Saoud & Ramadan, 1984),A.mecopera(Manter, 1940),A.plectropomi(Manter, 1963) andA.serrani(Yamaguti, 1952). In addition, a not yet fully described and unnamed seventh species, morphologically and phylogenetically close toA.epinepheli, was isolated from the orange-spotted grouperEpinephelus coioides(Hamilton, 1822) off Bali, Indonesia in 2016. An eighth species, again fromE.coioidesoff Bali is described herein.

Methods

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses justify the recognition ofA.palmisp. nov., which is also genetically different from the as yet unnamed congener from the same host and locality. For the first time, 3D confocal laser scanning microscopy was applied to study and distinguish Digenea taxonomically. We introduce the ‘Palm pattern’, a new simplified way to visualise morphometric differences of related digenean taxa.

Results

Allopodocotyle palmisp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners that infect groupers by its elongate body with a size > 2.7 mm and diagonal testes. The ovary is located mainly, and the anterior testis completely, in the posterior half of the body; the uterine coils are in the fourth eighth of the body. The cirrus-sac is 0.75–1.4 (1.1) mm long, its posterior extremity is well separated from the anterior extent of the vitelline fields, just reaching the anterior border of uterine coils. In addition,Prosorhynchus maternusBray & Justine, 2006 (Bucephalidae) was isolated fromE. coioides, representing the first record in Indonesia and the third record for this fish species.

Conclusion

The biodiversity research in Indonesia is enhanced with a new species description based on modern and newly applied techniques.
Evolvability and Macroevolution: Overview and Synthesis
Authors: Jablonski David
Published: July 2022

Evolvability is best addressed from a multi-level, macroevolutionary perspective through a comparative approach that tests for among-clade differences in phenotypic diversification in response to an opportunity, such as encountered after a mass extinction, entering a new adaptive zone, or entering a new geographic area. Analyzing the dynamics of clades under similar environmental conditions can (partially) factor out shared external drivers to recognize intrinsic differences in evolvability, aiming for a macroevolutionary analog of a common-garden experiment. Analyses will be most powerful when integrating neontological and paleontological data: determining differences among extant populations that can be hypothesized to generate large-scale, long-term contrasts in evolvability among clades; or observing large-scale differences among clade histories that can by hypothesized to reflect contrasts in genetics and development observed directly in extant populations. However, many comparative analyses can be informative on their own, as explored in this overview. Differences in clade-level evolvability can be visualized in diversity-disparity plots, which can quantify positive and negative departures of phenotypic productivity from stochastic expectations scaled to taxonomic diversification. Factors that evidently can promote evolvability include modularity—when selection aligns with modular structure or with morphological integration patterns; pronounced ontogenetic changes in morphology, as in allometry or multiphase life cycles; genome size; and a variety of evolutionary novelties, which can also be evaluated using macroevolutionary lags between the acquisition of a trait and phenotypic diversification, and dead-clade-walking patterns that may signal a loss of evolvability when extrinsic factors can be excluded. High speciation rates may indirectly foster phenotypic evolvability, and vice versa. Mechanisms are controversial, but clade evolvability may be higher in the Cambrian, and possibly early in the history of clades at other times; in the tropics; and, for marine organisms, in shallow-water disturbed habitats.
The benefits of guide training for sustainable cetacean-based tourism in developing countries, case study – Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve, Mozambique
Authors: Rocha Diana , Marley Sarah A. , Drakeford Benjamin , Potts Jonathan , Gullan Angie
Published: July 2022

Tour guides represent the forefront of responsible Cetacean-Based Tourism (CBT), client satisfaction and product development. How an operation and specifically the guide facilitates the activity can shape tourists’ attitudes and change their behaviour towards the environment, turning consumers into stewards of the environment. This study examined the validity and success of a guide training workshop for CBT operators in the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve (PPMR), Mozambique. A questionnaire survey was implemented pre- and post-training to measure the operators’ knowledge of aspects related to CBT and attitudes towards sustainable tourism and local regulations. Results suggest that the training workshop improved guide knowledge, which in some cases showed significant variations according to demographic variables namely, gender, education, and years of experience in the current job position. Mandatory guide training is recommended and should include not only product knowledge but also content on visitors’ expectations, interpretive guiding, and experience brokering. Presential training, refresher sessions, and English lessons are also advised. If these recommendations are put in place, then there is the potential for sustainable CBT to flourish in Mozambique, bringing much needed environmental and economic sustainability to this developing country.
Diagnosis of Parkinson syndrome and Lewy-body disease using 123I-ioflupane images and a model with image features based on machine learning
Authors: Nakajima Kenichi , Saito Shintaro , Chen Zhuoqing , Komatsu Junji , Maruyama Koji , Shirasaki Naoki , Watanabe Satoru , Inaki Anri , Ono Kenjiro , Kinuya Seigo
Published: July 2022

Objectives

123I-ioflupane has been clinically applied to dopamine transporter imaging and visual interpretation assisted by region-of-interest (ROI)-based parameters. We aimed to build a multivariable model incorporating machine learning (ML) that could accurately differentiate abnormal profiles on 123I-ioflupane images and diagnose Parkinson syndrome or disease and dementia with Lewy bodies (PS/PD/DLB).

Methods

We assessed 123I-ioflupane images from 239 patients with suspected neurodegenerative diseases or dementia and classified them as having PS/PD/DLB or non-PS/PD/DLB. The image features of high or low uptake (F1), symmetry or asymmetry (F2), and comma- or dot-like patterns of caudate and putamen uptake (F3) were analyzed on 137 images from one hospital for training. Direct judgement of normal or abnormal profiles (F4) was also examined. Machine learning methods included logistic regression (LR), k-nearest neighbors (kNNs), and gradient boosted trees (GBTs) that were assessed using fourfold cross-validation. We generated the following multivariable models for the test database (n = 102 from another hospital): Model 1, ROI-based measurements of specific binding ratios and asymmetry indices; Model 2, ML-based judgement of abnormalities (F4); and Model 3, features F1, F2 and F3, plus patient age. Diagnostic accuracy was compared using areas under receiver-operating characteristics curves (AUC).

Results

The AUC was high with all ML methods (0.92–0.96) for high or low uptake. The AUC was the highest for symmetry or asymmetry with the kNN method (AUC 0.75) and the comma-dot feature with the GBT method (AUC 0.94). Based on the test data set, the diagnostic accuracy for a diagnosis of PS/PD/DLB was 0.86 ± 0.04 (SE), 0.87 ± 0.04, and 0.93 ± 0.02 for Models 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The AUC was optimal for Model 3, and significantly differed between Models 3 and 1 (p = 0.027), and 3 and 2 (p = 0.029).

Conclusions

Image features such as high or low uptake, symmetry or asymmetry, and comma- or dot-like profiles can be determined using ML. The diagnostic accuracy of differentiating PS/PD/DLB was the highest for the multivariate model with three features and age compared with the conventional ROI-based method.
Measuring pedagogical quality in children’s sports: validity and reliability of the classroom assessment scoring system K–3 in extracurricular sports training
Authors: Kohake Kathrin , Richartz Alfred , Maier Jessica
Published: July 2022

The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)—a systematic observation instrument for the assessment of generic pedagogical teaching characteristics—was transferred to the context of extracurricular sports training. The CLASS follows a hierarchical structure with three domains: Emotional Support, Classroom Organisation and Instructional Support. Each domain comprises three to four dimensions, from which eight seem applicable for the context of sports coaching. To test the suitability of CLASS for sports training, 26 coaches were video-recorded in their training session with children aged approximately 8–12 years. In all, 221 sequences were independently rated by two certified observers in 8 dimensions on a 7-point scale. Confirmatory factor analysis supports a three-factorial structure of the quality dimensions thus confirming the assumed “Teaching Through Interactions Framework”. Moreover, interrater reliability was determined using several measures including Percent Within One (PWO), Cohen’s κ, weighted κ and intraclass correlation (ICC). PWO across the eight dimensions are very good to excellent, ranging from 88–98%. Values for more stringent reliability measures are also acceptable to good, with individual exceptions. ICC consistently reach the statistical significance level (p < 0.01) and range between 0.54 and 0.87. Overall, the results support the transfer of the CLASS to sports contexts.
What Next After MBSR/MBCT? An Open Trial of an 8-Week Follow-on Program Exploring Mindfulness of Feeling Tone (vedanā)
Authors: Williams J. Mark G. , Baer Ruth , Batchelor Martine , Crane Rebecca S. , Cullen Chris , De Wilde Kath , Fennell Melanie J. V. , Kantor Linda , Kirby Janine , Ma S. Helen , Medlicott Emma , Gerber Barbara , Johnson Mandy , Ong Ee-Lin , Peacock John W. , Penman Danny , Phee Andy , Radley Lucy , Watkin Matthew , Taylor Laura
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) has been established in many randomized controlled trials. However, effect sizes are often modest, and there remains ample scope to improve their effectiveness. One approach to this challenge is to offer a “follow-on” course to people who have completed an MBP and are interested in further skill development. We developed and tested a new 8-week course for this purpose based on awareness of feeling tone (vedanā), an understudied aspect of mindfulness in many current MBPs, incorporating new developments in neuroscience and trauma sensitivity. We examined its effectiveness and the frequency and severity of unpleasant experience and harm.

Methods

In an open trial, 83 participants, 78 of whom had previously taken part in an MBP (majority MBSR or MBCT), completed the program in nine groups. Participants completed questionnaires before and after and gave qualitative written feedback at completion.

Results

Participants reported significantly reduced depression (d = 0.56), stress (d = 0.36), and anxiety (d = 0.53) and increased well-being (d = 0.54) and mindfulness (d = 0.65) with 38% meeting criteria for reliable change on anxiety and depression. As expected, about three-quarters of participants reported some unpleasant experiences associated with mindfulness practice during the course, but none reported harm. Five participants showed “reliable deterioration” (an increase) in either depression or anxiety, but four of these five also gave anonymous qualitative feedback describing benefits of the course.

Conclusions

Findings support the added value of a follow-on course based on the exploration of feeling tone for participants who have a range of previous mindfulness experience.
A mosaic of conserved and novel modes of gene expression and morphogenesis in mesoderm and muscle formation of a larval bivalve
Authors: Schulreich Stephan M. , Salamanca-Díaz David A. , Zieger Elisabeth , Calcino Andrew D. , Wanninger Andreas
Published: July 2022

The mesoderm gives rise to several key morphological features of bilaterian animals including endoskeletal elements and the musculature. A number of regulatory genes involved in mesoderm and/or muscle formation (e.g., Brachyury (Bra), even-skipped (eve), Mox, myosin II heavy chain (mhc)) have been identified chiefly from chordates and the ecdysozoans Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans, but data for non-model protostomes, especially those belonging to the ecdysozoan sister clade, Lophotrochozoa (e.g., flatworms, annelids, mollusks), are only beginning to emerge. Within the lophotrochozoans, Mollusca constitutes the most speciose and diverse phylum. Interestingly, however, information on the morphological and molecular underpinnings of key ontogenetic processes such as mesoderm formation and myogenesis remains scarce even for prominent molluscan sublineages such as the bivalves. Here, we investigated myogenesis and developmental expression of Bra, eve, Mox, and mhc in the quagga mussel Dreissena rostriformis, an invasive freshwater bivalve and an emerging model in invertebrate evodevo. We found that all four genes are expressed during mesoderm formation, but some show additional, individual sites of expression during ontogeny. While Mox and mhc are involved in early myogenesis, eve is also expressed in the embryonic shell field and Bra is additionally present in the foregut. Comparative analysis suggests that Mox has an ancestral role in mesoderm and possibly muscle formation in bilaterians, while Bra and eve are conserved regulators of mesoderm development of nephrozoans (protostomes and deuterostomes). The fully developed Dreissena veliger larva shows a highly complex muscular architecture, supporting a muscular ground pattern of autobranch bivalve larvae that includes at least a velum muscle ring, three or four pairs of velum retractors, one or two pairs of larval retractors, two pairs of foot retractors, a pedal plexus, possibly two pairs of mantle retractors, and the muscles of the pallial line, as well as an anterior and a posterior adductor. As is typical for their molluscan kin, remodelling and loss of prominent larval features such as the velum musculature and various retractor systems appear to be also common in bivalves.
Hope speech detection in YouTube comments
Authors: Chakravarthi Bharathi Raja
Published: July 2022

Recent work on language technology has tried to recognize abusive language such as those containing hate speech and cyberbullying and enhance offensive language identification to moderate social media platforms. Most of these systems depend on machine learning models using a tagged dataset. Such models have been successful in detecting and eradicating negativity. However, an additional study has lately been conducted on the enhancement of free expression through social media. Instead of eliminating ostensibly unpleasant words, we created a multilingual dataset to recognize and encourage positivity in the comments, and we propose a novel custom deep network architecture, which uses a concatenation of embedding from T5-Sentence. We have experimented with multiple machine learning models, including SVM, logistic regression, K-nearest neighbour, decision tree, logistic neighbours, and we propose new CNN based model. Our proposed model outperformed all others with a macro F1-score of 0.75 for English, 0.62 for Tamil, and 0.67 for Malayalam.
Iron Removal from Kaolin Waste Dumps by Chemical (Oxalic and Citric Acids) and Biological (Bacillus Strain) Leaching
Authors: Sánchez-Palencia Yolanda , Bolonio David , Ortega Marcelo F. , García-Martínez María-Jesús , Ortiz José Eugenio , Rayo Fernando , Arregui Lucía , Serrano Susana , Llamas Juan F. , Canoira Laureano
Published: July 2022

Kaolin waste dumps contain a huge volume of material that cannot be commercialized due to the presence of variable amounts of iron minerals, which impart a yellowish color to the kaolin. Elimination of iron from kaolin using either a chemical or a biological method was the aim of this study. The chemical leaching of iron from kaolin was carried out using response surface methodology to optimize the reaction conditions. Time was found to be the most influential variable, although oxalic acid must be present to leach 32% of the iron. Biological leaching was also assayed for 14 days using a Bacillus strain. The results of bacterial leaching of iron from kaolin showed <1% iron elimination.
Helium ion microscopy for low-damage characterization and sub-10 nm nanofabrication
Authors: Ogawa Shinichi
Published: July 2022

This review introduces the technique of helium ion microscopy along with some unique applications of this technology in the fields of electronics and biology, as performed at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan, over the last several years. Observations of large-scale integrated circuits, analyses of low-dielectric-constant films with minimal damage, and assessments of copper metal in insulating films are discussed. The special characteristics of this technique are explained, including low-energy input to the material and minimal secondary electron energy resulting from helium ion irradiation. Applications to electronic materials, such as tuning the electrical conductivity of graphene films by helium ion beam irradiation and the formation of nanopore arrays on graphene films with nanometer-scale control, are presented. The use of helium ion microscopy to examine cellular tissues based on the low damage imparted by the ion beam is also evaluated.
Generalized Ricci Solitons of Three-Dimensional Lorentzian Lie Groups Associated Canonical Connections and Kobayashi-Nomizu Connections
Authors: Azami Shahroud
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we study the affine generalized Ricci solitons on three-dimensional Lorentzian Lie groups associated canonical connections and Kobayashi-Nomizu connections and we classifying these left-invariant affine generalized Ricci solitons with some product structure.
The effect of experimental conditions on the formation of dixanthogen by triiodide oxidation in the determination of ethyl xanthate by HPLC–ICP-MS/MS
Authors: Suvela Ronja , Genevrais Simon , Niemelä Matti , Perämäki Paavo
Published: July 2022

The rising concern over the environmental impact of xanthates, especially in the arctic region, has increased the need to study these traditional flotation reagents in greater detail. The environmental concern relates mostly to the formation of carbon disulfide (CS2) and the heavy metal complexes of xanthates. Due to the unstable nature and multiple reaction mechanisms of xanthates, their reliable determination at low concentration levels is difficult. In this study, a xanthate pretreatment method was optimized and applied for the determination of ethyl xanthate (EX−) by high performance liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–ICP-MS/MS). Ethyl xanthate was oxidized to diethyl dixanthogen ((EX)2) by triiodide (I3
−) in aqueous solution and the formed (EX)2 was extracted into n-hexane. Important experimental parameters, including pH, I3
− amount, and oxidation time, were optimized and the detection limit of 0.29 mg L−1 for potassium ethyl xanthate was obtained. During the optimization experiments, it was found that the oxidation reaction resulted in multiple products, decreasing the efficiency of (EX)2 formation and, therefore, the sensitivity of the method. The proposed method was applied to wastewater samples with recoveries of 105–106%. This study provides a selective method for the determination of ethyl xanthate and introduces novel information on the parameters affecting the oxidation of xanthates.

Graphical abstract
Law as an Instrument
Authors: Wang Shucheng
Published: July 2022

How can the law be employed pragmatically to facilitate development and underpin illiberal principles? The case of contemporary China shows that the law plays an increasingly important role in the country's illiberal approach to both domestic and China-related global affairs, which has posed intellectual challenges in understanding it with reference to conventional, Western legal concepts and theories. This book provides a systematic exploration of the sources of Chinese law as pragmatically reconfigured in context, aiming to fill the gap between written and practised law. In combination with fieldwork investigations, it conceptualises various formal and informal laws, including the Constitution, congressional statutes, supreme court interpretations, judicial documents, guiding cases and judicial precedents. Moreover, it engages a theoretical analysis of legal instrumentalism, illuminating how and why the law works as an instrument for authoritarian legality in China, with international reflections on other comparable regimes.
War of Words
Authors: Chin Rachel
Published: July 2022

War of Words argues that the conflicts that erupted over French colonial territory between 1940 and 1945 are central to understanding British, Vichy and Free French policy-making throughout the war. By analysing the rhetoric that surrounded these clashes, Rachel Chin demonstrates that imperial holdings were valued as more than material and strategic resources. They were formidable symbols of power, prestige and national legitimacy. She shows that having and holding imperial territory was at the core of competing Vichy and Free French claims to represent the true French nation and that opposing images of Franco-British cooperation and rivalry were at the heart of these arguments. The selected case studies show how British-Vichy-Free French relations evolved throughout the war and demonstrate that the French colonial empire played a decisive role in these shifts.