bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating applied drought in Miscanthus sinensis; sensitivity, response mechanisms, and subsequent recovery
Authors: Al Hassan Mohamad , van der Cruijsen Kasper , Dees Dianka , Dolstra Oene , Trindade Luisa M.
Published: March 2022

Miscanthus is renowned for its excellent water‐use efficiency and good adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions, making it suitable for cultivation on marginal soils. Drought is a major cause of this marginality, and its occurrence is becoming more frequent and prolonged due to climatic change. Developing drought tolerant genotypes of miscanthus would ensure the maintenance of economically viable yields on lands prone to periodic water‐deficiency. To better understand the underlying response and tolerance mechanisms, pre‐screen for better survivability at plot setup on marginal lands, and identifying early biomarkers of stress, we explored the genetic diversity present in Miscanthus sinensis under applied drought. Young plants of 23 genotypes underwent 3 weeks of water‐deprivation in glasshouse‐controlled conditions, followed by an equal period of recovery. Leaves harvested at the end of both experimental phases were the focus of extensive biochemical analyses. Coupled with monitoring several growth and yield parameters, this was instrumental in evaluating stress impact and responses. The most productive genotypes suffered the most in terms of yield reduction and chlorophyll degradation when stress was applied. In parallel, proline and simple soluble sugars accumulated to readjust the osmotic potential in the cytosol and vacuoles, respectively. The necessary carbon skeletons for this buildup were partially acquired from resources diverted away from cell wall synthesis and maintenance, whose content dropped under stress in parallel to increasing drought‐sensitivity. Correspondingly, expressional and biochemical analyses revealed a dynamic turnover of starch and soluble sugars in stressed leaves. Meanwhile, better avoidance of stress enabled a more efficient post‐drought recovery, which was characterized by restoring pre‐stress hydraulic status and unplugging stress response mechanisms.
Introduction history mediates naturalization and invasiveness of cultivated plants
Authors: Kinlock Nicole L. , Dehnen‐Schmutz Katharina , Essl Franz , Pergl Jan , Pyšek Petr , Kreft Holger , Weigelt Patrick , Yang Qiang , van Kleunen Mark
Published: March 2022

Aim

Species characteristics and cultivation are both associated with alien plant naturalization and invasiveness. Particular species characteristics are favoured for cultivation, obscuring the relationship between traits and naturalization success. We sought to better understand the drivers of naturalization and invasiveness by analysing relationships with species characteristics and cultivation and by disentangling the direct effects of characteristics from the indirect effects mediated by cultivation.

Location

Great Britain.

Time period

c. 1000–present.

Major taxa studied

Seed plants.

Methods

We used a comprehensive dataset of 17,396 alien plant taxa introduced to Great Britain before 1850, a country with one of the most well‐documented histories of plant introductions. We integrated this with cultivation data from historical and modern records from botanic gardens and commercial nurseries and with trait data. Accounting for time since introduction, we quantified the influences of cultivation and species characteristics on present‐day naturalization and invasiveness in Great Britain.

Results

Larger native range size, earlier flowering, long‐lived herbaceous growth form, and outdoor cultivated habitat were all associated with naturalization. However, these relationships between characteristics and naturalization largely reflected cultivation patterns. The indirect, mediating influence of cultivation on naturalization varied among species characteristics, and was relatively strong for growth form and weak for native range size. Cultivation variables, particularly availability in present‐day nurseries, best explained invasiveness, while species characteristics had weaker associations.

Main conclusions

Human influence on species introduction and cultivation is associated with increased probability of naturalization and invasiveness, and it has measurable indirect effects by biasing the distribution of species characteristics in the pool of introduced species. Accounting for human cultivation preferences is necessary to make ecological interpretations of the effects of species characteristics on invasion.
Of rivers, law and justice in the Anthropocene
Authors: Page John , Pelizzon Alessandro
Published: March 2022

Beginning in the 2010s, rivers have captured the legal imagination of judges, legislators and activists alike, as part of a rapidly growing phenomenon described by UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, David Boyd as ‘a legal revolution that could save the world’. Investigating river cases in jurisdictions as diverse as Aotearoa New Zealand, Colombia, India, the United States and Australia, and following Nicole Graham's suggestion that the non‐human world is constantly reconstituted within an all‐encompassing legal cosmology for which any observable ‘thing’, any ‘object’, any landscape, is always, inherently, and inevitably a ‘lawscape’, this paper explores the legal and the ontological nature of ‘the river’. By casting traditional riparian doctrines against novel rights of Nature judgments, the paper highlights the interconnected and interdependent legal relationship between artificially construed human and non‐human worlds, and observes a series of perceptible generational shifts in the legal and ontological treatment of rivers, from an abstract near‐neglect, to a rights‐based discourse, and ending (for the moment at least) in a deeply relational re‐conceptualisation.
Tooth loss severity and core and non‐core food consumption among older Brazilian adults
Authors: Cascaes Andreia Morales , Constante Helena Mendes , Vaz Juliana dos Santos , Ferreira de Mello Ana Lúcia Schaefer , Bomfim Rafael Aiello
Published: March 2022

Objective

To investigate the association between tooth loss severity and core and non‐core food consumption in the older Brazilian population.

Methods

We analysed data from 20 756 people aged 60 years or older who participated in the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey. The average consumption days a week of core (8‐item) and non‐core (4‐item) foods were the outcomes, measured using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Tooth loss severity was the main exposure, using a four‐category ordinal variable: mild (1‐12 teeth missing), moderate (13‐22), severe (23‐31) and edentulous (all 32). Sociodemographic, tobacco smoking, use of dental prosthesis, difficulty in chewing and systemic conditions were among the covariates. Linear regression models estimated the association between tooth loss and food consumption.

Results

Almost two‐thirds of participants had moderate or worse levels of tooth loss. Older adults with more severe tooth loss reported an overall lower consumption of core and higher non‐core foods than those with mild tooth loss. Worse tooth loss severity was associated with lower consumption of vegetables and/or legumes and fruits, and higher consumption of beans, artificial fruit juices and confectionery.

Conclusions

Older Brazilian adults with more severe tooth loss are consuming lower core and higher non‐core foods. Our findings reinforce the importance of the common risk factor approach to tackle the adverse effects of tooth loss on diet.
Endodontic pulp revitalization in traumatized necrotic immature permanent incisors: Early failures and long‐term outcomes—A longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Wikström Alina , Brundin Malin , Romani Vestman Nelly , Rakhimova Olena , Tsilingaridis Georgios
Published: March 2022

Aim

This prospective cohort study evaluates clinical and radiographical outcomes of endodontic pulp revitalization (PR) of traumatized necrotic incisors.

Methodology

Pulp revitalization was performed in 75 traumatized necrotic immature incisors from 71 patients. The radiographic outcome measures were continued root formation (width and length), root resorption, apex closure, periapical index, and root development stage. The clinical outcome measures were percussion pain, palpation pain, pathological tooth mobility, swelling, sinus tract, ankylosis, crown discolouration, response to pulp sensitivity test, and subjective pain. Treatment outcomes were categorized as a success based on the absence of clinical symptoms and when radiographic evidence was present for apical healing and continued root development. The performed statistical tests were repeated measures anova, pairwise comparisons of interactions (t‐test), McNemar's test, and linear regression model.

Results

In 45 of 75 teeth (60%), PR was successful with the resolution of clinical and radiographic signs and continued root development. PR failed due to the absence of bleeding (n = 19) and persistent infection (n = 11). PR showed statistically significant increases in root length (11%), and dentinal wall thickness (30%), root maturation (pre‐operative 3.38 [CI 1.88; 4.88]; post‐operative 4.04, [CI 2.56; 5.52]) apical closure (71.4%), healing of pre‐operative apical periodontitis (100%), and healing of pre‐operative inflammatory root resorptions (100%). Three predictive variables for continued root maturation were identified – root development stage at entry (p = .0001, β 0.649), [CI 0.431; 0.867], trauma to the soft tissues (p = .026, β −0.012), [CI −0.0225; −0.015], and pre‐operative dentinal wall thickness (p = .009, β −0.001); [CI −0.001; 0.0001].

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that PR provides satisfactory clinical and radiographical outcomes in traumatized necrotic incisors. The failed cases were related to lack of bleeding and persistent infections, indicating that new techniques are needed to improve the predictability of PR.
Understanding digital consumer: A review, synthesis, and future research agenda
Authors: Sağkaya Güngör Ayşegül , Ozansoy Çadırcı Tuğçe
Published: March 2022

In the last 20 years, the proliferation of digital technologies has significantly impacted both businesses' operations and how consumers get information, engage, and buy. Through the analysis of 74 marketing journals, this article identifies the current situation and possible gaps within digital consumer behavior research. By combining bibliometric analysis and machine learning algorithms, the authors have identified key topics in 5‐year intervals and their evolution over time. The study results show that digitalization has overreached its original subsistence and has become an essential aspect of mainstream consumption patterns. The study reveals three domains within digital consumer behavior: (1) the use of classical consumption theories and their application to digital context; (2) transactional subjects within consumers’ digitalization; and (3) digital marketing's impact on the consumption of specific product groups. Regression‐based time series applied to 42 topics discovered by text mining to define possible future research directions. Within 42 topics, significant growth is expected in mobile channel use, sustainable consumption, user‐generated content, and social media engagement. In general, the results exhibit a shift from a transactional point of view to a more theoretical and strategic perspective. Possible research gaps are expected to emerge from: (1) the impact of interactive and immersive technologies on consumption practices; (2) the possible outcomes of the pandemic on digital consumption patterns; (3) enhancing brand engagement through consumer‐to‐consumer interactions; (4) enhancing the understanding on issues like consumer collaboration, consumer trust, and service satisfaction.
1,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D3 suppresses CD4+ T‐cell effector functionality by inhibition of glycolysis
Authors: Bishop Emma L. , Gudgeon Nancy H. , Mackie Gillian M. , Chauss Daniel , Roberts Jennie , Tennant Daniel A. , Maslowski Kendle M. , Afzali Behdad , Hewison Martin , Dimeloe Sarah
Published: March 2022

In CD4+ T helper cells, the active form of vitamin D3, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) suppresses production of inflammatory cytokines, including interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), but the mechanisms for this are not yet fully defined. In innate immune cells, response to 1,25D has been linked to metabolic reprogramming. It is unclear whether 1,25D has similar effects on CD4+ T cells, although it is known that antigen stimulation of these cells promotes an anabolic metabolic phenotype, characterized by high rates of aerobic glycolysis to support clonal expansion and effector cytokine expression. Here, we performed in‐depth analysis of metabolic capacity and pathway usage, employing extracellular flux and stable isotope‐based tracing approaches, in CD4+ T cells treated with 1,25D. We report that 1,25D significantly decreases rates of aerobic glycolysis in activated CD4+ T cells, whilst exerting a lesser effect on mitochondrial glucose oxidation. This is associated with transcriptional repression of Myc, but not repression of mTOR activity under these conditions. Consistent with the modest effect of 1,25D on mitochondrial activity, it also did not impact CD4+ T‐cell mitochondrial mass or membrane potential. Finally, we demonstrate that inhibition of aerobic glycolysis by 1,25D substantially contributes to its immune‐regulatory capacity in CD4+ T cells, since the suppression of IFN‐γ expression was significantly blunted in the absence of aerobic glycolysis. 1,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) suppresses the production of inflammatory cytokines such as interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) by CD4+ T cells, but the underpinning mechanisms are not yet fully defined. Here, we identify that 1,25D inhibits aerobic glycolysis in activated CD4+ T cells, associated with decreased c‐Myc expression. This mechanism appears to substantially contribute to the suppression of IFN‐γ by 1,25D, since this is significantly blunted in the absence of aerobic glycolysis.
Why reducing avoidable hospital readmissions is a ‘wicked’ problem for leaders: A qualitative exploration of nursing and allied health perceptions
Authors: Feo Rebecca , Urry Kristi , Conroy Tiffany , Kitson Alison L.
Published: March 2022

Aims

To investigate nursing and allied health professional perceptions of the interrelationship between avoidable hospital readmissions and fundamental care delivery.

Design

A qualitative, exploratory study using a critical realist approach.

Method

One‐to‐one semi‐structured interviews with 14 nursing and allied health professionals conducted between May and September 2019.

Results

Several tensions and contradictions were identified in the data, which demonstrated clinicians' perceptions about the priority of both fundamental care and two avoidable readmission conditions (aspiration pneumonia and constipation). These tensions are illustrated in two major themes: Avoidable versus inevitable; and everyone versus no one. The first theme demonstrates clinicians' perceptions that readmissions for aspiration pneumonia and constipation are not common, despite acknowledging that they generally lacked knowledge on readmission rates; and that these conditions may not be preventable in acute settings. The second theme demonstrates clinicians' perception that preventing readmissions is everyone's responsibility, however, this was coupled with a lack of articulation around how this multidisciplinary approach could be achieved, leading to a distinct lack of agency for care delivery.

Conclusion

Articulating the tensions described in the results provides vital knowledge for understanding how clinicians may respond to initiatives designed to reduce avoidable readmissions. Avoidable hospital readmissions may be usefully understood as a wicked problem: one that is complex and requires adaptive, not linear, solutions. Wicked problems pose a challenge for leaders and managers in healthcare because top‐down, hierarchical strategies are unlikely to be successful. Effective prevention of avoidable readmissions requires leaders to enable facilitator‐led change through relational leadership strategies.

Impact

Avoidable hospital readmissions are a global problem increasingly addressed via funding changes and the introduction of penalties to hospitals. This study provides insights on clinicians' perspectives of avoidable hospital readmissions and their prevention, demonstrating the complexity of this challenge and the need for healthcare leaders to enable individual and organizational readiness for change.
Genetic association study of intron variants in the forkhead box protein P3 gene in Chinese patients diagnosed with cervical cancer
Authors: Shi Feng , Pang Xiao‐xia , Li Guang‐jing , Chen Zhi‐hong , Dong Ming‐you , Wang Jun‐li
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) intron single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in high‐risk human papilloma virus (HR‐HPV) infection and cervical cancer (CC) malignant lesions. We performed FOXP3 genotyping in 350 patients with CC and 350 healthy controls using the ImLDR multiple single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping technology. The heterozygous mutation TC in rs2294021 decreased the risk of HR‐HPV infection and CC malignant lesions (TC vs. TT: OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.51–0.99); the dominant model TC+CC and allele C in rs2294021 decreased the risk of CC malignant lesions (TC+CC vs. TT: OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.50–0.95; C vs. T: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.63–0.97). The heterozygous mutation GA, dominant model GA+AA and allele A in rs3761549 also decreased the risk of HR‐HPV infection and CC malignant lesions (GA vs. GG: OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.51–0.96; GA+AA vs. GG: OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.51–0.94; A vs. G: OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.58–0.96). Patients with CC and HR‐HPV infection carrying rs2294021 TC and rs3761549 GA had lower expression of FOXP3 protein. Haplotype analysis revealed that T‐C‐A decreased the risk of HR‐HPV infection. Furthermore, we found a significant association between immune cells infiltration and prognosis in patients with CC. Our findings demonstrated that rs2294021 and rs3761549 variants may protect against HR‐HPV and CC malignant lesions by downregulating FOXP3 and that FOXP3 was associated with immune cells infiltration, which affected the prognosis of CC.
Effects of domestication on quality control parameters of the Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Gaire Sushil K. , Pokhrel Saluna , Biswas Md Jamil Hossain , Mainali Bishwo P. , Mendez Vivian , Pérez Jeanneth , Taylor Phillip W. , Rempoulakis Polychronis
Published: March 2022

The Queensland fruit fly (Q‐fly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), is a major horticultural pest in Australia. Sterile insect technique (SIT) is increasingly used in area‐wide integrated management of Q‐fly, as well as for eradication of outbreaks in Q‐fly‐free regions. Quality control (QC) procedures are important to monitor and maintain high standards of mass‐reared insects for SIT. Effective use of QC procedures, and the setting of meaningful standards, requires a clear understanding of the short‐term factors that can cause changes in key parameters, such as failures in production systems, and also of the longer‐term effects of domestication on the performance of mass‐reared colonies. Artificial rearing conditions impose substantial selection pressures that can lead to changes in performance, and hence changes in the expected baseline values in QC assays. We investigated the effects of domestication on QC parameters of old and young Q‐fly colonies originating from three distant geographical locations in Australia: Sydney (Generation >100 and 7), Brisbane (Generation 59 and 14) and Cairns (Generation 29 and 9). Standard QC parameters including development time, pupal recovery, pupal weight, adult emergence, sex ratio, flight ability, fecundity, egg hatchability and longevity were assessed. Regardless of their origin, older Q‐fly colonies had lower egg hatchability, shorter developmental time, higher fecundity, higher survival under stress and greater longevity. We emphasize the importance of understanding the effects of continued domestication on QC measures when setting standards for assessment of fruit fly strains used in SIT programmes, particularly when using strains that are regularly replaced or infused with wild stock.
Newly designed foraminifera primers identify habitat‐specific lineages through metabarcoding analyses
Authors: Thakur Rabindra , Collens Adena B. , Greco Mattia , Sleith Robin S. , Grattepanche Jean‐David , Katz Laura A.
Published: March 2022

Foraminifera include diverse shell‐building lineages found in a wide array of aquatic habitats from the deep‐sea to intertidal zones to brackish and freshwater ecosystems. Recent estimates of morphological and molecular foraminifera diversity have increased the knowledge of foraminiferal diversity, which is critical as these lineages are used as bioindicators of past and present environmental perturbation. However, a comparative analysis of foraminiferal biodiversity between their major habitats (freshwater, brackish, intertidal, and marine) is underexplored, particularly using molecular tools. Here, we present a metabarcoding survey of foraminiferal diversity across different ecosystems using newly designed foraminifera‐specific primers that target the hypervariable regions of the foraminifera SSU‐rRNA gene (~250–300 bp long). We tested these primer sets on four foraminifera species and then across several environments: the intertidal zone, coastal ecosystems, and freshwater vernal pools. We retrieved 655 operational taxonomic units (OTUs); the majority of which are undetermined taxa that have no closely matching sequences in the reference database. Furthermore, we identified 163 OTUs with distinct habitat preferences. Most of the observed OTUs belonged to lineages of single‐chambered foraminifera, including poorly explored freshwater foraminifera which encompass a clade of Reticulomyxa‐like forms. Our pilot study provides the community with an additional set of newly designed and taxon‐specific primers to elucidate foraminiferal diversity across different habitats.
Giant pilomatrixoma with bullous appearance on the back: A case report and discussion of misdiagnosis
Authors: Yu Nanze , Zhang Mingzi , Chen Cheng , Liang Zhengyun , Meng Tian , Pan Deli , Zhang Hailin , Zhang Qing
Published: March 2022

Pilomatrixoma is a benign, asymptomatic skin tumor that forms from hair follicle matrix cells. Most are under 3 cm in diameter and occur on the head, face, or neck. Bullous appearance is very rare in pilomatrixoma. In this case report, we present a case of bullous pilomatrixoma of unusual size, region, symptoms, and patient age. It had been misdiagnosed as a keloid and as dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Early treatments were ineffective. The patient approached our outpatient facility and underwent excision. He was then diagnosed with pilomatrixoma by pathological examination. The clinical appearance of this case was quite difficult to diagnose, even MRI and B‐ultrasonic examinations provided limited diagnostic evidence. Given the revelations from this case, we reemphasize the importance of performing a biopsy (if patients refused operation or preferred conservative treatment) before any invasive treatment to minimize economic or time loss of patients who have difficulties in diagnosis.
Post‐discharge care needs of the older people with hospital‐associated disability: A longitudinal study
Authors: Yin Zhiqin , Ying Yisha , Li Xiuyue , Jiang Yuqi , He Buxin , Zheng Enjie , Huang Lili , Li Hui , Zhang Chunmei , Fu Liyan
Published: March 2022

Aims

To investigate the change and associated factors of care needs within 6 months post‐discharge in older people with hospital‐associated disability, and the relationship between time‐varying care needs and physical function.

Background

Older people with hospital‐associated disability will have various care needs post‐discharge. Understanding their care needs will help to improve their health. However, studies on this population are still limited.

Design

A longitudinal study.

Methods

The older people who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected in 2 tertiary hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China. The questionnaire survey method was used to collect data about socio‐demographic characteristics, physical function and care needs. The data of 375 older people who completed follow‐up were analysed using logistic regression analysis, generalised estimating equations and generalised additive mixed model. We followed STROBE checklist for reporting the study.

Results

The care needs of the older people with hospital‐associated disability declined unevenly, it decreased rapidly in the first three months, and then flattening out. The percentage of people with care needs in each dimension decreased over time, but daily care and rehabilitation needs were consistently more important. Socio‐demographic factors and physical function had different effects on need at different time points, the physical function was the main factor among them. There were non‐linear relationships between the physical function and different care needs with different inflection points.

Conclusion

This research revealed change patterns of the care needs of older people with hospital‐associated disability post‐discharge and the non‐linear relationship between physical function and care needs. These findings may help healthcare professionals and caregivers to provide accurate care.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings can be used to identify effective approaches to address the care needs of older people with hospital‐associated disability based on the time of discharge, in conjunction with age, education, and especially physical function, which will promote the justify allocation of nursing resources.

What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?
Maternal micronutrient status and its association with sociodemographic, maternal, and dietary factors in a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kangalgil Melda , Şahinler Ayhan , Özçelik Ayşe Özfer
Published: March 2022

Aim

Maternal serum micronutrient status can have a significant impact on short‐ and long‐term outcomes for mother and offspring. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of maternal serum folate, ferritin, and vitamin B12 status with maternal and dietary factors.

Methods

This observational cross‐sectional study was carried out with 165 healthy pregnant women at least 18 years of age with a singleton pregnancy. Maternal nutrient intake was determined by 24‐hour dietary recall method and supplement records. Multivariable analyses using stepwise linear regression models were performed to associations of dietary intakes and maternal serum status.

Results

There was a difference between the lowest and highest quartile of maternal serum folate, ferritin, and vitamin B12 status and maternal characteristics and dietary, and total intakes of nutrients (p < 0.05). Multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis showed the predictors of serum folate status were dietary folate equivalent, dietary folate, total vitamin B6 and iron intake. Primer predictors of serum ferritin and vitamin B12 status were dietary protein intake (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings support existing recommendations that folic acid supplementation should be prescribed to achieve optimal serum folate status during pregnancy. However, dietary protein intake is important to provide optimal maternal serum vitamin B12 and ferritin status.
Centering the Heterogeneity of Black Adolescents' Experiences: Guidance for Within‐Group Designs among African Diasporic Communities
Authors: Volpe Vanessa V. , Smith Naila A. , Skinner Olivenne D. , Lozada Fantasy T. , Hope Elan C. , Del Toro Juan
Published: March 2022

Despite notable improvements in theory and methods that center the lived experiences of Black adolescents, White supremacy endures in developmental science. In this article, we focus on one methodological manifestation of White supremacy—sampling decisions that assume Black adolescents are a homogeneous group. We examine overlooked concerns about within‐group designs with Black adolescents, such as the erasure of some African diasporic communities in the United States. We first describe the homogeneity assumption and join other scholars in advocating for within‐group designs. We next describe challenges with current approaches to within‐group designs. We then provide recommendations for antiracist research that makes informed within‐group design sampling decisions. We conclude by describing the implications of these strategies for researchers and developmental science.
COMPOSITION OF LIGHT HYDROCARBONS IN JURASSIC TIGHT OILS IN THE CENTRAL SICHUAN BASIN, CHINA: ORIGIN AND SOURCE ROCK CORRELATION
Authors: Lu Xiaolin , Li Meijun , Wei Tengqiang , Wu Changjiang , Tang Youjun , Wang Xiaojuan , Hong Haitao , Liu Yuan , Ran Zichao
Published: March 2022

Crude oil reserves in tight Middle and Lower Jurassic reservoirs are of increasing exploration interest in the central Sichuan Basin, SW China. However, the origin of these “tight oils” is poorly understood. In this study, sixteen samples of light oils/condensates from tight Middle and Lower Jurassic reservoir rocks were analysed using gas chromatography (GC) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry to investigate the oils’ origin and to classify them into genetic families. The tight oils can be divided into two families. Family I oils occur in the Gongshanmiao oilfield where reservoir units comprise the Da'anzhai Member of the Lower Jurassic Ziliujing Formation, the Lower Jurassic Lianggaoshan Formation, and the First Member of the Middle Jurassic Shaximiao Formation. Family I oils are characterized by relatively low values of the methylcyclohexane (MCH) and cyclohexane (CH) indexes, low values of Mango's parameter K2 for light hydrocarbon composition, and relatively negative δ13C values ranging from ‐30.8‰ to ‐28.9‰. Family I oils are inferred to be self‐sourced by lacustrine shales in the Da'anzhai Member and the Lianggaoshan Formation in the study area, both of which are rich in sapropelic organic matter. These source rocks also charged reservoirs in the First Member of the Shaximiao Formation. By contrast, the newly discovered Family II oils, which occur at the Jinhua oilfield and the as‐yet undeveloped Qiulin and Bajiaochang structures, are reservoired in the Second Member of Shaximiao Formation. Family II oils have higher values of the MCH index, CH index and Mango's K2 parameter, and δ13C values varying from ‐27.5‰ to ‐25.4‰. These oils have similar light hydrocarbon compositions and δ13C values to oils derived from source rocks in the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation which contain dominantly humic organic matter. Family II oils are therefore inferred to be derived from the coaly mudstones in the Xujiahe Formation.

The different compositions of the tight oils in the First and Second Members of the Shaximiao Formation appear to be controlled by the distribution and thickness of source rocks in the study area. Thus, the Gongshanmiao oilfield where Family I oils occur in the First Member is close to the depocentre of source rocks in the Da'anzhai Member and Lianggaoshan Formation. These source rocks are inferred to have charged the First Member reservoirs which may also be present in nearby oil‐ and gas‐bearing structures such as Nanchong and Yingshan. By contrast, Family II oils occur in tight reservoirs in the Second Member in areas with thick successions of Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation mudstone source rocks, such as the Jinhua oilfield. In areas where both source rocks are present such as the Zhongtaishan and Lianchi oilfields, Shaximiao Formation reservoirs appear to contain both Family I and Family II oils.
Patent law failure: A systematic literature review
Authors: Farooq Muzamil , Bashir Abid , Altaf Nufazil
Published: March 2022

This paper provides the systematic literature review of the literature on patent law failure. Specifically, we focus on both theoretical and empirical studies on patent law, its framework and evolution of its failure. We also explain the influence of TRIPS agreement on developing countries. Additionally, this paper also provides a broader overview of patent law in various settings. Further, to provide a broader framework and future aspects of the patent law in developing countries we tried to mostly mention and interpret the data in relation to the development of those countries. The article also covers different reasons of patent law failure.
EhRho6‐mediated actin degradation in Entamoeba histolytica is associated with compromised pathogenicity
Authors: Narooka Anil Raj , Apte Achala , Yadav Pooja , Murillo Jimmy Rodriguez , Goto‐Silva Livia , Junqueira Magno , Datta Sunando
Published: March 2022

Entamoeba histolytica causes amoebiasis which is a major health concern in developing countries. E. histolytica pathogenicity has been implicated to a large repertoire of small GTPases which switch between the inactive GDP bound state and the active GTP bound state with the help of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating protein (GAPs). Rho family of small GTPases are well known to modulate the actin cytoskeletal dynamics which plays a major role in E. histolytica pathogenicity. Here, we report an atypical amoebic RhoGEF, and its preferred substrate EhRho6, which, upon overexpression abrogated the pathogenic behavior of the amoeba such as adhesion to host cell, monolayer destruction, erythrophagocytosis, and formation of actin dots. A causative immunoblot analysis revealed actin degradation in the EhRho6 overexpressing trophozoites that could be inhibited by blocking the amoebic proteasomal pathway. A careful analysis of the results from a previously published transcriptomics study, in conjunction with our observations, led to the identification of a clade of Rho GTPases in this pathogenic amoeba which we hypothesize to have implications during the amoebic encystation.
Thymine‐starvation‐induced chromosomal fragmentation is not required for thymineless death in Escherichia coli
Authors: Khan Sharik R. , Kuzminov Andrei
Published: March 2022

Thymine or thymidine starvation induces robust chromosomal fragmentation in Escherichia coli thyA deoCABD mutants and is proposed to be the cause of thymineless death (TLD). However, fragmentation kinetics challenges the idea that fragmentation causes TLD, by peaking before the onset of TLD and disappearing by the time TLD accelerates. Quantity and kinetics of fragmentation also stay unchanged in hyper‐TLD‐exhibiting recBCD mutant, making its faster and deeper TLD independent of fragmentation as well. Elimination of fragmentation without affecting cellular metabolism did not abolish TLD in the thyA mutant, but reduced early TLD in the thyA recBCD mutant, suggesting replication‐dependent, but undetectable by pulsed‐field gel, double‐strand breaks contributed to TLD. Chromosomal fragmentation, but not TLD, was eliminated in both the thyA and thyA recBCD mutants harboring deoCABD operon. The expression of a single gene, deoA, encoding thymidine phosphorylase, was sufficient to abolish fragmentation, suggesting thymidine‐to‐thymine interconversion during T‐starvation being a key factor. Overall, this study reveals that chromosomal fragmentation, a direct consequence of T‐starvation, is either dispensable or redundant for the overall TLD pathology, including hyper‐TLD in the recBCD mutant. Replication forks, unlike chromosomal fragmentation, may provide a minor contribution to TLD, but only in the repair‐deficient thyA deoCABD recBCD mutant.
Comparison of the Newborn Infant Parasympathetic Evaluation (NIPE™) index to changes in heart rate to detect intraoperative nociceptive stimuli in healthy and critically ill children below 2 years: An observational study
Authors: Neumann Claudia , Babasiz Tamara , Straßberger‐Nerschbach Nadine , Schindler Ehrenfried , Reuter Christian , Weinhold Leonie , Wittmann Maria , Hilbert Tobias , Klaschik Sven
Published: March 2022

Background

The validity of current tools for intraoperative objective assessment of nociception/antinociception balance during anesthesia in young and very young surgery children is unknown.

Aim

Primary aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the Newborn Infant Parasympathetic Evaluation (NIPE) index performs better in indicating nociception in anesthetized children below 2 years than changes in heart rate. Secondary aims were to evaluate associations between intraoperative changes in NIPE index values and postoperative pain and emergence delirium.

Methods

Fifty‐one children aged <2 years who underwent surgery were included in this prospective observational study. Patients were assigned to either group 1 (healthy children, n = 31) or group 2 (critically ill, ventilated premature infants and neonates, n = 20). The NIPE index and heart rate in response to three defined nociceptive stimuli were continuously recorded. Two different scales, Kindliche Unbehagens‐ und Schmerzskala (KUS) and Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) as well as a Pain Questionnaire were used to assess postoperative pain levels and emergence delirium.

Results

In total, 110 nociceptive events were evaluated. The analysis revealed a statistically significant association between a decrease in the NIPE index and all nociceptive stimuli, with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 96%. The mean percentage decrease ranged from approx. 15%–30% and was highly statistically significant in both groups and for each of the nociceptive events except for venous puncture (p = .004). In contrast, no consistent change in heart rate was demonstrated. The KUS and PAED scale scores were significantly associated with the duration of anesthesia (p = .04), but not with intraoperative NIPE depression.

Conclusion

The NIPE index was reliable for assessing intraoperative nociception in children aged <2 years and was more reproducible for detecting specific nociceptive stimuli during general anesthesia than heart rate. An effect on postoperative outcome is still elusive.
Delivering public services to the underserved: Nonprofits and the Latino threat narrative
Authors: Tremblay‐Boire Joannie , Prakash Aseem , Calderon Maria Apolonia
Published: March 2022

Some politicians employ harsh rhetoric demanding that government deny public services such as food, housing, and medical care to immigrants. While nonprofits assist immigrants in this regard, their work is sustainable only if private donors support them. Using a survey experiment, this article examines whether donors' willingness to support a charity depends on the legal status of its beneficiaries, and the region from which they have come. We find that, in relation to a charity that serves low‐income families (control group), donors are less willing to support a charity serving immigrants, but the region from which beneficiaries emigrated is irrelevant. Donor willingness diminishes substantially when beneficiaries are undocumented or face deportation. While shared ethnicity between donors and beneficiaries does not increase charitable support, bilingualism does. In addition, support for the charity rises substantially among Latinx donors who were born outside the US and do not speak English at home.
Implementation and evaluation of a virtual dental home educational program
Authors: Ray Melissa , Rogo Ellen , Williams Rachelle
Published: March 2022

Aims

A Virtual Dental Home (VDH) is an alternative care model using teledentistry technology to provide care in community settings for special care populations. The Dental Hygiene Department at Idaho State University developed a VDH educational program to deliver preventive and therapeutic care at an assisted‐living (AL) facility for memory care residents.

The purpose of the educational program was to design and implement a VDH model for AL residents, and subsequently to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational program through students’ knowledge, clinical confidence, and perspectives.

Methods and results

Senior dental hygiene students (n = 32) completed didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences on implementing an VDH. Using a pretest/posttest design, data were collected using a self‐generated questionnaire; validity and reliability of the questionnaire were established prior to administration. Likert data were analyzed (n = 22, 69%) using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test and Bonferroni correction.

The change in scores of all three variables was statistically significant. The educational program was effective for increasing knowledge, clinical confidence, and perspectives of the dental hygiene students.

Conclusion

Educational programs that include didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences prepare graduates for using alternative care models, thereby, enhancing the potential to improve access to care for vulnerable populations in community settings.
For a Du Boisian economic sociology
Authors: Reyes Victoria
Published: March 2022

The discipline is at a crossroads. Will sociology answer ASA past president Aldon Morris' call for an emancipatory sociology? Or will sociology, as Morris puts it, “continue pretending to be an aloof, objective, detached science”? Recently, Hirschman and Garbes issued a call for an economic sociology of race, wherein they contend that race and racism are not central to economic sociology and that economic sociologists don't engage with contemporary race scholarship. In this paper, I assess and build upon their call. I argue that while the article importantly calls for understanding race and racism in economic sociology, in practice, it—used here as an example of a broader pattern within economic sociology—re‐centers whiteness and men, reifies elitism, and erases marginalized scholars and their contributions. I set forth an alternative perspective. To rise to the Du Boisian challenge, scholars need to critique racialized modernity as Itzigsohn and Brown importantly argue. We must also root our sociological consciousness, citation practices, and conversations in existing, yet marginalized, research. Failure to do so means future research risks reproducing inequities in the discipline and continuing to marginalize the very people, theories, and research that an emancipatory sociology is meant to address.
Efficacy and safety of a reduced dose of plerixafor in combination with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor in healthy haploidentical stem cell donors
Authors: Kurnikova Elena , Trakhtman Pavel , Balashov Dmitry , Garloeva Juliya , Kumukova Irina , Khismatullina Rimma , Pershin Dmitriy , Shelikhova Larisa , Novichkova Galina , Maschan Alexey
Published: March 2022

Background and Objectives

Implementation of the technique of immunomagnetic selection requires the procurement of a large number of CD34+ cells from haploidentical donors within a single apheresis procedure. The release of stem cells with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) alone is unsatisfactory in a number of donors, and plerixafor, a CXCR4 chemokine receptor antagonist, could be used as an additional mobilization agent. The aim of our study was to examine whether a lower dose of plerixafor (0.12 mg/kg) can provide sufficient increase in CD34+ cells in the peripheral blood of allogeneic healthy donors in comparison with a historical control group. In addition, we assessed the risk of inability to provide the recipient with a transplant containing the optimal dose of 8–10 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg body weight of the recipient.

Materials and Methods

In a prospective, single‐arm study, we examined the results of 105 mobilizations in healthy adult haploidentical donors with G‐CSF and plerixafor at a dose of 0.12 mg/kg. The historical control group consisted of 106 mobilizations with G‐CSF and plerixafor at 0.24 mg/kg.

Results

The median increase in the number of CD34+ cells from day 4 to day 5 of mobilization was 69 cells/μl (range, 28–240) versus 77 cells/μl (24–217) in the groups of 0.12 and 0.24 mg/kg of plerixafor, respectively (p‐value 0.255). The apheresis products contained a median of 14.4 × 106/kg recipient body weight CD34+ cells versus 12.9 × 106/kg in the groups that received 0.12 and 0.24 mg/kg of plerixafor, respectively (p‐value 0.118). The obtained differences were not significant, which means the application of a decreased dose of plerixafor did not affect the results of mobilization.

Conclusion

The obtained differences in collection were not significant, and thus the application of a decreased dose of plerixafor did not affect the results of mobilization.
Developing climate risk assessments for World Heritage: the Climate Vulnerability Index
Authors: Jones Rebecca , Davies Mairi , Day Jon , Heron Scott
Published: March 2022

Climate change is recognised as the fastest growing threat to World Heritage (WH) properties by ICOMOS and the IUCN. The Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) was first piloted at the Natural WH property of Shark Bay, Western Australia in 2018; the first application to a Cultural WH property took place in April 2019 at the Heart of Neolithic Orkney in Scotland. This paper outlines the results of the Orkney workshop together with one for Edinburgh conducted in May-June 2021 and looks at the benefits of the CVI assessment process.
Development of an Air-Cooled Induction Manifold for Diesel Engines in Hot and Humid Climate
Authors: Elrentisy Mohamed H. , Abdellatif Yasser M. , Elbashir Aboubaker M. , Ahmed Samer F.
Published: March 2022

Extreme weather conditions in the Gulf, Qatar, have been taken as an example in this study, tend to be hot and humid mostly throughout the year, especially in the summer. Such weather negatively affects the performance and emissions of all combustion engines, in particular diesel engines. In this work, a modified air-conditioning system was designed for controlling the inlet air temperature and humidity of a naturally aspirated single-cylinder diesel engine. The study investigated the effect of running the engine at different controlled inlet air temperatures on the engine performance and emission characteristics. It was found that running the diesel engine at 20 °C inlet air temperature compared with 45 °C, the average ambient air temperature during summer in Qatar could increase the in-cylinder peak pressure by 10%, and the volumetric efficiency of the engine by 8.5%. Moreover, the air-to-fuel (A/F) ratio has increased by 27.5% with 20 °C compared with 45 °C, while a minor effect was observed on the specific fuel consumption. For the emissions, there was a considerable reduction rate in NOx emissions with about 83% at 20 °C as well as a 50% reduction in hydrocarbon (HC) emissions compared with 45 °C. Furthermore, the smoke emission has decreased by 40% at the engine full load. It was also proved that using the air-conditioning system of a vehicle to cool the intake air temperature is visible, as the net gained the power of the engine has increased by 14.5% when running at 20 °C compared with 45 °C.
Physics-Based Reduced-Order Model for Liquid Ring Pumps
Authors: Pandey Ashutosh , Shih Tom I-P.
Published: March 2022

Liquid-ring vacuum pumps, by not having solid-solid contacts at interfaces where moving and stationary parts meet, are efficient and robust with considerable potential for further improvements on efficiency, performance, and range of operations. In this study, a physics-based reduced order model was developed for the preliminary design of liquid-ring pumps. The model developed accounts for the dominant physical processes created by the pump's key design and operating parameters: eccentricity, impeller-tip radius, impeller-hub radius, pressure at the pump's inlet and exit, and the impeller's rotational speed. The model developed can predict the shape of the liquid ring, the amount of air ingested and discharged by the pump, the power consumed by the pump as well as the pressure of the gas and liquid in the pump between the blades of the impeller as a function of those design and operating parameters. The predictions made by the model on the flow rates of the gas ingested by the pump and the power consumed by the pump were compared with experimental data, and good agreements were found.