bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Actin depolymerizing factor ADF7 inhibits actin bundling protein VILLIN1 to regulate root hair formation in response to osmotic stress in Arabidopsis
Authors: Bi Shuangtian , Li Mingyang , Liu Caiyuan , Liu Xiaoyu , Cheng Jianing , Wang Lu , Wang Jinshu , Lv Yanling , He Ming , Cheng Xin , Gao Yue , Wang Che
Published: September 2022

Actin cytoskeleton is essential for root hair formation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of actin dynamics in root hair formation in response to abiotic stress are largely undiscovered. Here, genetic analysis showed that actin-depolymerizing protein ADF7 and actin-bundling protein VILLIN1 (VLN1) were positively and negatively involved in root hair formation of Arabidopsis respectively. Moreover, RT-qPCR, GUS staining, western blotting, and genetic analysis revealed that ADF7 played an important role in inhibiting the expression and function of VLN1 during root hair formation. Filament actin (F-actin) dynamics observation and actin pharmacological experiments indicated that ADF7-inhibited-VLN1 pathway led to the decline of F-actin bundling and thick bundle formation, as well as the increase of F-actin depolymerization and turnover to promote root hair formation. Furthermore, the F-actin dynamics mediated by ADF7-inhibited-VLN1 pathway was associated with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in root hair formation. Finally, ADF7-inhibited-VLN1 pathway was critical for osmotic stress-induced root hair formation. Our work demonstrates that ADF7 inhibits VLN1 to regulate F-actin dynamics in root hair formation in response to osmotic stress, providing the novel evidence on the F-actin dynamics and their molecular mechanisms in root hair formation and in abiotic stress.
How women’s empowerment influences fertility-related outcomes and contraceptive practices: A cross-sectional study in Mozambique
Authors: Castro Lopes Sofia , Constant Deborah , Fraga Sílvia , Harries Jane
Published: September 2022

Women’s empowerment could be a crucial step for tackling gender inequality and improve women’s reproductive health and rights in Mozambique. This study aims to examine how different domains of women’s empowerment influence fertility-related outcomes and contraceptive practices in Mozambique. We used the 2015 Demographic Health Survey (DHS) conducted in Mozambique from which a sample of 2072 women aged 15 to 49 years were selected and included in this analysis. A principal component analysis was performed, and the components retained were identified as the domains of empowerment. These were: Beliefs about violence against women, Decision-making, and Control over sexuality and safe sex. A multinomial logistic regression was run to estimate the association between levels of empowerment for each domain and the study outcomes. Crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR) were calculated, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Beliefs about violence against women and Control over sexuality and safe sex were positively associated with having 1 to 4 children. Control over sexuality and safe sex also increased likelihood of women wanting to space childbearing over more than 2 years. Decision-making increased the odds of women not wanting more children. Middle to high empowerment levels for Control over sexuality and safe sex also increased the chances of using any type of contraceptive method and using it for longer periods. All domains, from the middle to high levels of empowerment, decreased the chances of women not wanting to use contraception. Our study confirmed the multidimensional nature of empowerment showing that each domain had a different effect over specific fertility and contraceptive outcomes and reinforced the importance of a domain approach for estimating and understanding empowerment. It also revealed the critical role of Control over sexuality and safe sex domain for improving women’s ability to decide over fertility and contraceptive practices in Mozambique.
Proteomic analysis of rat colonic mucosa following acupuncture treatment for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
Authors: Liu Jing , Peng Rui , Tan Qian , Li Bocun , Chen Jianyi , Liu Guangya , Wang Yawen , Li Chao , Li Jia , Wang Hua
Published: September 2022

To investigate the molecular pathological mechanisms of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and elucidate the effects of acupuncture on IBS-D colonic mucosa protein abundance in rats, a label-free high-throughput liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based proteomics analysis was used to survey the global changes of colonic mucosa proteins between different groups. Sixteen Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (C); the IBS-D model group (M); the syndrome differentiation acupuncture group (SD) and the traditional acupuncture group (T). IBS-D model rats were obtained using the CAS (chronic acute combining stress model) method. Comparative bioinformatics analysis of the proteomic data was analyzed using MaxQuant software, Perseus software, online tools DAVID, VENNY and STRING. Functional enrichment and network analyses revealed a close relationship between IBS-D and several biological processes including energy metabolism, muscular excitation/contraction, and both traditional acupuncture and syndrome differentiation acupuncture can reverse the impairments of normal energy metabolism. Moreover, the syndrome differentiation acupuncture can regulate the protein cluster relating inflammation, wound repair and cell protection against oxidative stress which is associated with acupuncture analgesic effect. Differentially expressed proteins Atp5a1 and Bpnt1 were selected as representative proteins and subjected to western blotting. In conclusion, our study provides further insight into the pathological and molecular mechanisms of IBS-D and acupuncture treatments, and serves as an experimental basis for clinical applications.
Evaluating immunohaematological profile among COVID-19 active infection and recovered patients in Ghana
Authors: Konlaan Yatik , Asamoah Sakyi Samuel , Kumi Asare Kwame , Amoah Barnie Prince , Opoku Stephen , Nakotey Gideon Kwesi , Victor Nuvor Samuel , Amoani Benjamin
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has been a global public health problem and it is yet to be put under control. Active COVID-19 is associated with unrestrained secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and imbalances in haematological profile including anaemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopaenia. However, the haematological profile and immune status following recovery from COVID-19 has not been recognized. We evaluated the immunohaematological profile among COVID-19 patients with active infection, recovered cases and unexposed healthy individuals in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

Methodology

A total of 95 adult participants, consisting of 35 positive, 30 recovered and 30 unexposed COVID-19 negative individuals confirmed by RT-PCR were recruited for the study. All the patients had the complete blood count performed using the haematological analyzer Sysmex XN-1500. Their plasma cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were analysed using ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed on R statistical software.

Result

The Patients with COVID-19 active infection had significantly higher levels of IL10 (181±6.14 pg/mL vs 155.00±14.32 pg/mL vs 158.80±11.70 pg/mL,p= 0.038), WBC count (5.5±0.4 x109/L vs 4.5±0.6 x109/L vs 3.8±0.5,p< 0.0001) and percentage basophil (1.8±0.1% vs 0.8±0.3% vs 0.7±0.2%,p =0.0040) but significantly lower levels of IFN-γ (110.10±9.52 pg/mL vs 142.80±5.46 pg/mL vs 140.80±6.39 pg/mL,p =0.021), haematocrit (24.1±3.7% vs 38.3± 3.0% vs 38.5±2.2%,p< 0.0001), haemoglobin concentration (9.4±0.1g/dl vs 12.5± 5.0g/dl vs 12.7±0.8,p< 0.0001) and MPV (9.8±0.2fL vs 11.1±0.5fL vs 11.6±0.3fL,p< 0.0001) compared to recovered and unexposed controls respectively. There were significant association between IL-1β & neutrophils (r= 0.42,p<0.05), IL-10 & WBC (r= 0.39,p<0.05), IL-10 & Basophils (r= -0.51,p<0.01), IL-17 & Neutrophil (r= 0.39,p<0.05) in the active COVID-19 cases.

Conclusion

COVID-19 active infection is associated with increased IL-10 and WBC with a concomitant decrease in IFN-γ and haemoglobin concentration. However, recovery from the disease is associated with immune recovery with appareantly normal haematological profile.
Some performance considerations when using multi-armed bandit algorithms in the presence of missing data
Authors: Chen Xijin , Lee Kim May , Villar Sofia S. , Robertson David S.
Published: September 2022

When comparing the performance of multi-armed bandit algorithms, the potential impact of missing data is often overlooked. In practice, it also affects their implementation where the simplest approach to overcome this is to continue to sample according to the original bandit algorithm, ignoring missing outcomes. We investigate the impact on performance of this approach to deal with missing data for several bandit algorithms through an extensive simulation study assuming the rewards are missing at random. We focus on two-armed bandit algorithms with binary outcomes in the context of patient allocation for clinical trials with relatively small sample sizes. However, our results apply to other applications of bandit algorithms where missing data is expected to occur. We assess the resulting operating characteristics, including the expected reward. Different probabilities of missingness in both arms are considered. The key finding of our work is that when using the simplest strategy of ignoring missing data, the impact on the expected performance of multi-armed bandit strategies varies according to the way these strategies balance the exploration-exploitation trade-off. Algorithms that are geared towards exploration continue to assign samples to the arm with more missing responses (which being perceived as the arm with less observed information is deemed more appealing by the algorithm than it would otherwise be). In contrast, algorithms that are geared towards exploitation would rapidly assign a high value to samples from the arms with a current high mean irrespective of the level observations per arm. Furthermore, for algorithms focusing more on exploration, we illustrate that the problem of missing responses can be alleviated using a simple mean imputation approach.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals Aspergillus oryzae responds to temperature stress by regulating sugar metabolism and lipid metabolism
Authors: Jiang Chunmiao , Ge Jinxin , He Bin , Zhang Zhe , Hu Zhihong , Li Yongkai , Zeng Bin
Published: September 2022

Aspergillus oryzaeis widely used in industrial applications, which always encounter changes within multiple environmental conditions during fermentation, such as temperature stress. However, the molecular mechanisms by whichA.oryzaeprotects against temperature stress have not been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the fermentative behavior, transcriptomic profiles, and metabolic changes ofA.oryzaein response to temperature stress. Both low and high temperatures inhibited mycelial growth and conidial formation ofA.oryzae. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in sugar metabolism and lipid metabolism under temperature stress. Specifically, the DEGs in trehalose synthesis and starch metabolism were upregulated under low-temperature stress, while high temperatures inhibited the expression of genes involved in fructose, galactose, and glucose metabolism. Quantitative analysis of intracellular sugar further revealed that low temperature increased trehalose accumulation, while high temperature increased the contents of intracellular trehalose, galactose, and glucose, consistent with transcriptome analysis. In addition, most DEGs involved in lipid metabolism were significantly downregulated under low-temperature stress. Furthermore, the metabolomic analysis revealed that linoleic acid, triacylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphoribosyl were significantly decreased in response to low-temperature stress. These results increase our understanding of the coping mechanisms ofA.oryzaein response to temperature stress, which lays the foundation for future improvements through genetic modification to enhanceA.oryzaeagainst extreme temperature stress.
Food insecurity among African Americans in the United States: A scoping review
Authors: Dennard Elizabeth , Kristjansson Elizabeth , Tchangalova Nedelina , Totton Sarah , Winham Donna , O’Connor Annette
Published: September 2022

In 2019, the estimated prevalence of food insecurity for Black non-Hispanic households was higher than the national average due to health disparities exacerbated by forms of racial discrimination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Black households have experienced higher rates of food insecurity when compared to other populations in the United States. The primary objectives of this review were to identify which risk factors have been investigated for an association with food insecurity, describe how food insecurity is measured across studies that have evaluated this outcome among African Americans, and determine which dimensions of food security (food accessibility, availability, and utilization) are captured by risk factors studied by authors. Food insecurity related studies were identified through a search of Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE®, PsycINFO, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and Web of Science™ (Clarivate), on May 20, 2021. Eligible studies were primary research studies, with a concurrent comparison group, published in English between 1995 and 2021. Ninety-eight relevant studies were included for data charting with 37 unique measurement tools, 115 risk factors, and 93 possible consequences of food insecurity identified. Few studies examined factors linked to racial discrimination, behaviour, or risk factors that mapped to the food availability dimension of food security. Infrequently studied factors, such as lifetime racial discrimination, socioeconomic status (SES), and income insecurity need further investigation while frequently studied factors such as age, education, race/ethnicity, and gender need to be summarized using a systematic review approach so that risk factor impact can be better assessed. Risk factors linked to racial discrimination and food insecurity need to be better understood in order to minimize health disparities among African American adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Is it too late now to say we’re sorry? Examining anxiety contagion and crisis communication strategies using machine learning
Authors: Gruda Dritjon , Ojo Adegboyega
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we explore the role of perceived emotions and crisis communication strategies via organizational computer-mediated communication in predicting public anxiety, the default crisis emotion. We use a machine-learning approach to detect and predict anxiety scores in organizational crisis announcements on social media and the public’s responses to these posts. We also control for emotional and language tones in organizational crisis responses using a separate machine learning algorithm. Perceived organizational anxiety positively influences public anxiety, confirming the occurrence of emotional contagion from the organization to the public. Crisis response strategies moderated this relationship, so that responsibility acknowledgment lowered public anxiety the most. We argue that by accounting for emotions expressed in organizational crisis responses, organizations may be able to better predict and manage public emotions.
SIRT5 is a proviral factor that interacts with SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 protein
Authors: Walter Marius , Chen Irene P. , Vallejo-Gracia Albert , Kim Ik-Jung , Bielska Olga , Lam Victor L. , Hayashi Jennifer M. , Cruz Andrew , Shah Samah , Soveg Frank W. , Gross John D. , Krogan Nevan J. , Jerome Keith R. , Schilling Birgit , Ott Melanie , Verdin Eric
Published: September 2022

SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein Nsp14 is a highly conserved enzyme necessary for viral replication. Nsp14 forms a stable complex with non-structural protein Nsp10 and exhibits exoribonuclease and N7-methyltransferase activities. Protein-interactome studies identified human sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) as a putative binding partner of Nsp14. SIRT5 is an NAD-dependent protein deacylase critical for cellular metabolism that removes succinyl and malonyl groups from lysine residues. Here we investigated the nature of this interaction and the role of SIRT5 during SARS-CoV-2 infection. We showed that SIRT5 interacts with Nsp14, but not with Nsp10, suggesting that SIRT5 and Nsp10 are parts of separate complexes. We found that SIRT5 catalytic domain is necessary for the interaction with Nsp14, but that Nsp14 does not appear to be directly deacylated by SIRT5. Furthermore, knock-out of SIRT5 or treatment with specific SIRT5 inhibitors reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral levels in cell-culture experiments. SIRT5 knock-out cells expressed higher basal levels of innate immunity markers and mounted a stronger antiviral response, independently of the Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling Protein MAVS. Our results indicate that SIRT5 is a proviral factor necessary for efficient viral replication, which opens novel avenues for therapeutic interventions.
Evaluating a typology of signals for automatic detection of complementarity
Authors: Souza Jackson Wilke da Cruz , Di Felippo Ariani
Published: September 2022

In a cluster of news texts on the same event, two sentences from different documents might express different multi-document phenomena (redundancy, complementarity, and contradiction). Cross-Document Structure Theory (CST) provides labels to explicitly represent these phenomena. The automatic identification of the multi-document phenomena and their correspondent CST relations is definitely handy for Automatic Multi-Document Summarization since it helps computers understand text meaning. In this paper, we evaluated a typology of (textual) signals for the automatic detection of the CST relations of complementarity (i.e., Historical background, Follow-up and Elaboration) in a multi-document corpus of news texts in Brazilian Portuguese. Using algorithms from different machine-learning paradigms, we obtained classifiers that achieved high general accuracy (higher than 90%), indicating the potential of the signals.
A Gramateca e a Literateca como macroscópios linguísticos
Authors: Santos Diana Maria de Sousa Marques Pinto dos
Published: September 2022

Neste artigo exploramos várias potencialidades que os ambientes da Gramateca e da Literateca permitem aos usuários interessados na pesquisa em língua portuguesa. Por um lado, apresentamos estes ambientes dando conta de novas funcionalidades acessíveis; por outro, trazemos dez exemplos de perguntas de pesquisa para demonstrar a utilidade da existência destes serviços, que pretendem ser uma espécie de macroscópio para observar a língua, nas vertentes semântica e morfossintática, assim como para a leitura distante de textos literários e a extração de informação em português.
O cinema como uma forma de se colocar no mundo
Authors: Silva Carolina de Oliveira Silva
Published: September 2022

Este artigo pretende discutir o cinema compreendido como uma das formas de se colocar no mundo, entremeado às questões de gênero e a presença das mulheres no cinema brasileiro. Para isso, destacamos a trajetória de Gilda Bojunga – apontando o gênero como uma categoria de análise que, a partir da práxis cinematográfica e sua reflexão, aponta para o feminino no cinema e suas potencialidades educativas. Ao partir de uma metodologia qualitativa, o presente trabalho abordará questões sobre a biografia de Gilda Bojunga, a partir dos estudos históricos de Sheila Schvarzman (2017) em cotejo com autores como Rosália Duarte (2002), Joan Scott (1989), Paulo Freire (1987) e Enrique Dussel (1977), a fim de compreender as relações entre cinema, gênero e educação dentro do contexto brasileiro.
Resultados da Nostalgia das Ruínas em Da Colina Kokuriko e no mundo
Authors: Silva Tainá Andrade da , Monlevad Gustavo Requião Correa de
Published: September 2022

Este trabalho analisa o filme “Da Colina Kokuriko” através da teoria de Andreas Huyssen sobre a Nostalgia das Ruínas e, assim, compara a luta do longa de animação com mobilizações reais e atuais em prol de patrimônios brasileiros. Analisa-se a metragem considerando o contexto vivido no Japão que se preparava para receber as Olimpíadas de Tóquio em 1964. Tendo em vista a especulação imobiliária higienista levada às cidades-sede de megaeventos, é possível comparar com o Rio de Janeiro, onde ocorreram as Olimpíadas de 2016. Então, o movimento do Quartier Latin e o Movimento Cine Guaraci Vive entram em foco, tanto pelas semelhanças, quanto pelos afastamentos – que vão muito além de realidade/ficção, Japão/Brasil etc. Portanto, há uma perspectiva metodológica multisituada e comparativa em que a análise fílmica e a linguagem cinematográfica se somam a teorias filosóficas e à observação participante vinda da antropologia.
Impactos do Isolamento Social Decorrentes da Pandemia de COVID-19 na Criminalidade Urbana em Belo Horizonte -MG
Authors: FARIA ANTONIO HOT PEREIRA DE , Diniz Alexandre Magno Alves , Alves Diego Filipe Cordeiro
Published: September 2022

O objetivo do trabalho é analisar os impactos das medidas de distanciamento social no comportamento da criminalidade em Belo Horizonte, notadamente nos crimes contra o patrimônio (furto, roubo e extorsão). Para tanto, comparou-se as estatísticas criminais do período de 18 de março a 25 de julho de 2020 (período de distanciamento social decretado pela Prefeitura Municipal de Belo Horizonte) com o mesmo período no ano de 2019. Verificou-se ainda o período do início da flexibilização do distanciamento, ocorrido entre os dias 25 de julho e 24 de setembro. Como parâmetro de mobilidade comunitária utilizou-se dados disponibilizados pelo Google®.  Os resultados indicam que houve menor quantidade absoluta de crimes, com redução média de 34%, sendo 36% no período de distanciamento e 25% de flexibilização. A distribuição temporal dos eventos acompanha o padrão do período sem distanciamento social, tanto por dia da semana, quanto por faixa horária. Registrou-se, ainda, a redução da mobilidade comunitária em locais de comércio (varejo), lazer e parques concomitantes com a redução criminal, corroborando a abordagem das atividades de rotina. A distribuição espacial dos eventos mantém o mesmo padrão espacial do período sem distanciamento, influenciado pelos atratores de crimes, conforme uso e ocupação do solo.  Houve correlação dos locais (equipamentos urbanos) com a concentração de crimes em ambos os períodos. A influência da mobilidade social para locais de comércio/lazer e parques corroboram com a Teoria das Atividades Rotineiras e Teoria do Padrão do Crime, bem como da distribuição de facilities que conformam a paisagem urbana.
The Challenges and Solutions of State Islamic Universities Post Remuneration Implementation
Authors: Yayu Putri Senjani
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The remuneration is a working reward system applied to the BLU-Satker. 15 of 19 PTKIN-BLU have already implemented remuneration. This research aims to identify the challenges of PTKIN BLU after implementing remuneration.
Methodology: The research method used a qualitative method descriptive by adding quantitative data analysis. UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta and UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin of Banten are the samples in this research. They are representative of PTKIN BLU in big size and small size.
Findings: Managers and employees of BLU who became the informant in this study stated that PTKIN BLU has challenges. BLU income has not been optimal, and an unobjective and measurable performance assessment system and have differences of opinion among BLU managers. However, some efforts have been made by PTKIN BLU to succeed in the implementation of remuneration. They are the strengthening of the business unit, the addition of a postgraduate department, and establishing and developing an adequate performance assessment system. 
Novelty: This study identifies in more detail what challenges are faced when remuneration is applied so that it can affect the performance of employees and organizations. In addition, this study also identified the efforts of BLU managers to overcome these challenges and obstacles.
Keywords: Remuneration, Public Service Agency (BLU), Performance.
Auditor Professionalism: Management Performance Analysis in Corporate Financial Reporting
Authors: Aditya Riky Nugroho
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Internal auditors are expected to have a high professionalism attitude that can encourage management performance in a positive direction. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out how the effect of auditor professionalism on management performance and in the company's financial reporting.
Methodology : The research method used is explanatory research method. The sample used in this study is an internal audit who works for companies and government agencies in the Jakarta area. Data were obtained using a questionnaire that was distributed directly and compiled using a Likert scale. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. The research data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques, testing data quality by conducting internal consistency tests and construct validity tests, as well as classical assumption tests, namely multicollinearity, autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity. To test the hypothesis used linear and stratified regression techniques using the SPSS statistical program.
Findings: Based on the research data, it can be concluded that there is a positive influence between auditor professionalism on performance management in the company's financial reporting system.
Novelty: The previous study focused on organizational and professional commitment on the job satisfaction of accountants. This study tries to examining how internal audit professionals relate to financial reporting management.
 
Keywords: Auditor, Performance Management, Financial Report
Public Procurement Regulation in Africa Bibliography
Authors: APLU
Published: September 2022

This bibliography lists all academic materials published in English on matters relating to public procurement law in Africa. It is up to date to 31 December 2021.
An experimental study on vibration isolation by open and in-filled trenches
Authors: Ajel Hasan A. , Al-Jubair Haider S. , Ali Jaafar K.
Published: September 2022

The mitigation of vibrations due to a harmonic load induced by a mechanical oscillator is studied experimentally. The vertical components of soil particle velocities are measured (via geophones) at different locations apart from the source, where various frequencies (30–70 Hz) are generated. For normal conditions where no mitigation means are used, it is found that the measured peak particle velocities are proportional to the excitation frequencies. The mitigation effect of constructing an active (near source) open (0.4 m wide × 3 m long × 2 m deep) trench barrier is also studied. The measurements revealed velocity increase at the points in front of the trench due to the reflected waves. This increase is proportional to the vibration frequency. Although the presence of the barrier greatly reduced the peak particle velocities beyond it, it is found that the efficiency of screening is more pronounced at high vibration frequencies. Increased and fluctuated trends of the amplitude reduction ratio are reported away from the barrier. It is realized that passive (near target) screening is less effective for all frequencies except at 30 Hz. Active and passive trenches, filled with native soil–rubber mixture at various ratios (20–40% rubber), are also considered. The rubber material is in a form of tire chips purchased from the Unit of Recycling Scrap Tires in Al-Diwaniyah Tires Factory. Although the in-filled trenches are less effective in screening the vibrations, similar trends and behavior to the open trenches are noted. It is found that the mitigation efficacy is increased with the rubber content.
Volume fractal and surface fractal analysis of the pore structure of natural and heat-treated spruce wood using the mercury intrusion porosimetry test
Authors: Gao Yiqin , Wang Mingjie , Li Yuanyuan , Li Li , Chen Yao
Published: September 2022

Fractal geometry describes the complex pore structure in natural and heat-treated wood and the relationship between pore structure and wood properties, such as strength, heat conductivity, and transport properties. However, the fractal types and the scale-dependent properties of natural and heat-treated wood remain unclear. In this study, comprehensive fractal analysis of the pore structure of natural and heat-treated spruce wood was carried out based on mercury intrusion porosimetry data. Both the volume fractal and surface fractal of natural and heat-treated wood were determined. The results showed that the two fractal types had different scale-dependent fractal properties. Four regions were identified in the pore structures. A volume fractal region was identified for pores in the region of 2–90 μm, while a surface fractal region was identified for pores in the region of 90 nm–7 μm. The pore structure in the region of 2–90 μm that corresponded to the large pore (the lumina in the cell) range showed strong volume fractal properties, and the fractal dimensions were 2.645–2.884. The pore structure in the region of 90 nm–7 μm that corresponded to the small pore (voids on or in cell walls) range showed strong surface fractal properties, and the fractal dimensions were 2.323–2.999. The range of fractal regions was hardly affected by the heat treatment atmospheres. These results showed that fractal geometry can be used to characterize the pore structures of natural and heat-treated wood. These findings are expected to explain the differences in properties between natural and heat-treated wood in the future.
The Mitochondrial Enzyme 17βHSD10 Modulates Ischemic and Amyloid-β-Induced Stress in Primary Mouse Astrocytes
Authors: Metodieva Vanya , Smith Terry , Gunn-Moore Frank
Published: September 2022

Severe brain metabolic dysfunction and amyloid-β accumulation are key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While astrocytes contribute to both pathologic mechanisms, the role of their mitochondria, which is essential for signaling and maintenance of these processes, has been largely understudied. The current work provides the first direct evidence that the mitochondrial metabolic switch 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 (17βHSD10) is expressed and active in murine astrocytes from different brain regions. While it is known that this protein is overexpressed in the brains of AD patients, we found that 17βHSD10 is also upregulated in astrocytes exposed to amyloidogenic and ischemic stress. Importantly, such catalytic overexpression of 17βHSD10 inhibits mitochondrial respiration during increased energy demand. This observation contrasts with what has been found in neuronal and cancer model systems, which suggests astrocyte-specific mechanisms mediated by the protein. Furthermore, the catalytic upregulation of the enzyme exacerbates astrocytic damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial network alterations during amyloidogenic stress. On the other hand, 17βHSD10 inhibition through AG18051 counters most of these effects. In conclusion, our data represents novel insights into the role of astrocytic mitochondria in metabolic and amyloidogenic stress with implications of 17βHSD10 in multiple neurodegenerative mechanisms.
Axon Initial Segments Are Required for Efficient Motor Neuron Axon Regeneration and Functional Recovery of Synapses
Authors: Teliska Lindsay H. , Dalla Costa Irene , Sert Ozlem , Twiss Jeffery L. , Rasband Matthew N.
Published: September 2022

The axon initial segment (AIS) generates action potentials and maintains neuronal polarity by regulating the differential trafficking and distribution of proteins, transport vesicles, and organelles. Injury and disease can disrupt the AIS, and the subsequent loss of clustered ion channels and polarity mechanisms may alter neuronal excitability and function. However, the impact of AIS disruption on axon regeneration after injury is unknown. We generated male and female mice with AIS-deficient multipolar motor neurons by deleting AnkyrinG, the master scaffolding protein required for AIS assembly and maintenance. We found that after nerve crush, neuromuscular junction reinnervation was significantly delayed in AIS-deficient motor neurons compared with control mice. In contrast, loss of AnkyrinG from pseudo-unipolar sensory neurons did not impair axon regeneration into the intraepidermal nerve fiber layer. Even after AIS-deficient motor neurons reinnervated the neuromuscular junction, they failed to functionally recover because of reduced synaptic vesicle protein 2 at presynaptic terminals. In addition, mRNA trafficking was disrupted in AIS-deficient axons. Our results show that, after nerve injury, an intact AIS is essential for efficient regeneration and functional recovery of axons in multipolar motor neurons. Our results also suggest that loss of polarity in AIS-deficient motor neurons impairs the delivery of axonal proteins, mRNAs, and other cargoes necessary for regeneration. Thus, therapeutic strategies for axon regeneration must consider preservation or reassembly of the AIS.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDisruption of the axon initial segment is a common event after nervous system injury. For multipolar motor neurons, we show that axon initial segments are essential for axon regeneration and functional recovery after injury. Our results may help explain injuries where axon regeneration fails, and suggest strategies to promote more efficient axon regeneration.
Human–Wildlife Competition for Space:Opportunistic Rare Birds Colonise a Disaster Recovery Zone in Christchurch, New Zealand
Authors: Conrow Lindsey , Brower Ann
Published: September 2022

In 2019, a colony of rare, protected gulls established a nesting ground in the ruins of a building demolished after the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand (NZ). Authorities intended to move the colony from their ad hoc centre-city location to a more suitable habitat to be constructed in the wetlands in the city’s eastern suburbs. This new habitat was to resemble the gulls’ natural habitat in NZ’s vast braided river plains. But after numerous delays, it seemed like the gulls were preparing for a third breeding season at the site. The conflict between conserving a protective habitat for the rare gulls to breed and progressing city renewal has called into question who belongs in a city and how science should be considered in urban and wildlife policy. Readers will be able to discuss and debate issues with balancing ecological and urban development interests, conflict that leads to contested spaces, and how these influence urban and biodiversity policy decisions.
A youthful take on community-based healthcare
Authors: Cameron Hanna , Bray Connor , Wong Tania , Blake Kim
Published: September 2022

Youth are at a unique developmental stage, presenting with experiences and needs that can be challenging to address through traditional medical models. Youth health clinics (YHCs) have taken varying approaches to solving this problem; however, there is a paucity of research on adolescents’ perspectives of these clinics. We conducted four focus groups to ask high school students how YHCs could better serve them. Participants identifiedfive essential elements for YHCs. They requested accessibility, reliability, and confidentiality, desiring private access with trusted healthcare professionals that was simple to access. They also emphasized the importance of a range of point-of-care services and proactive advertising of YHC services. Finally, youth prioritized mental health services that were both longitudinal and equipped for crises. Overall, our cohort of youth felt that YHCs could fill an important gap in meeting their healthcare needs.
Workers’ compensation board claims and emergency department diagnostic management of non-specific low back pain
Authors: Courville Julien , Ogilvie Rachel , Hayden Jill A.
Published: September 2022

Background: Low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide and results in enormous healthcare and lost productivity costs. Guidelines exist to guide the management of low back pain, but guideline adherence varies.Objective: This study assessed whether initial presentation to the emergency department for non-specific low back pain with a Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia claim was associated with different diagnostic management from non-claimants.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed administrative data from four emergency departments in Nova Scotia on 18,337 adult patients who presented for non-specific low back pain between July 15, 2009 and May 1, 2019. All data were retrieved from the Nova Scotia Health Authority Emergency Department Information System.Results: Patients had a mean age of 43 years and 51.3% were female. Most patients were assigned a Canadian Triage Acuity Scale score of 3 (51.9%) and reported moderate (51.2%) to severe pain (41.5%). Occupational injuries consisted of 11.6% of visits. More than 37% of patients received one or more diagnostic test. Patients with occupational injuries were less likely to receive diagnostic tests (odds ratio [OR] = 0.52, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.58), imaging (OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.67), and laboratory tests (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.43). These results remained consistent when controlling for covariates.Conclusion: Patients who presented to the emergency department for occupational non-specific low back pain were less likely to receive diagnostic tests compared to non-occupational non-specific low back pain patients.
The effect of funding non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) on invasive procedures performed to identify trisomy 21 pregnancies: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Levesque Marianne , Allen Victoria M. , Woolcott Christy G. , Brock Jo-Ann K.
Published: September 2022

Background: Screening for Trisomy 21 in Nova Scotia has traditionally included serum integrated prenatal screening (SIPS, maternal serum screening), and integrated prenatal screening (maternal serum screening with nuchal translucency, IPS) for those patients considered to be at high risk. In 2016, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) became available as a funded second tier screen for pregnancies at high risk for Trisomy 21 in Nova Scotia.Objective: To compare pregnancy characteristics and number of diagnostic procedures performed for high risk of Trisomy 21 before and after introduction of funded NIPT in Nova Scotia.Methods: This population-based retrospective cohort study evaluated pregnancies with diagnostic testing and/or NIPT which were identified through the IWK Health Clinical Genomics Laboratory Database. Maternal chart review was performed for each pregnancy to confirm eligibility and collect demographic data. Descriptive statistics comparing number of diagnostic procedures and pregnancy characteristics were performed among two epochs – pre-NIPT (2012-2015) and post-NIPT (2016-2019) using Fisher’s exact test, and rates of Trisomy 21 confirmed by diagnostic testing between the two epochs were described.Results: The population incidence of Trisomy 21 remained stable and maternal demographics were similar between the two epochs; after the introduction of funded NIPT, the number of diagnostic procedures decreased, and when diagnostic testing was performed, the procedures were 6-fold more likely to confirm Trisomy 21 (95% CI 2.6-12.9) following high risk screening.Conclusion: The decrease in diagnostic procedures with an increase in the prenatal detection of Trisomy 21 demonstrated in this study illustrates the value of NIPT in a population with limited resources for first trimester  screening.
Levelized Product Cost
Authors: Schilling Lukas
Published: September 2022

Levelized Product Cost sind ein Konzept der Lebenszykluskosten und stellen, betrachtet über den Lebenszyklus einer Anlage, die gesamten Kosten inklusive der durch die Anfangsinvestition entstehenden und allen während des Betriebs der Anlage anfallenden Kosten einer Produkteinheit dar. Das Konzept wird häufig bei der Ermittlung der Stromgestehungskosten angewandt, um die Rentabilität verschiedener Technologien zur Energiegewinnung, wie Wind- und Solarkraftwerke, miteinander zu vergleichen. Ein Vergleich der Stromgestehungskosten erneuerbarer Energieanlagen mit konventionellen Kraftwerken für das Jahr 2021 zeigt bezogen auf Deutschland auch heute schon teilweise Kostenvorteile bei den erneuerbaren Energien. Es wird erwartet, dass sich dieser Kostenvorteil in den nächsten Jahren noch vergrößern wird.
Product Carbon Footprints - zur Vergleichbarkeit der Produkte die wir kaufen?
Authors: Kurtz Jochen
Published: September 2022

BASF hat für ihre 45.000 Verkaufsprodukte den sogenannten Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) berechnet – darunter viele Vorprodukte für Konsumgüter. Das BASF-Team hat unter dem Namen „SCOTT“ eine ISO-konforme Methodik mit einem detaillierten Regelwerk sowie eine Kalkulationssoftware entwickelt. BASFs Ziel: Maximale Transparenz für ihre Kunden und letztlich für den Endverbraucher.
Führt Digitalisierung zu Rollenstress bei Controlling-Leitern?
Authors: Mischer Melanie , Börner Xenia , Günther Thomas
Published: September 2022

Die Nutzung von Business Analytics-Tools im Controlling bietet vielfältige Vorteile. Mit der Nutzung einhergehen kann jedoch auch eine Veränderung der Aufgaben und Rollen der Controlling-Leiter, wodurch Unsicherheiten entstehen können. In einer empirischen Studie wurde nun erstmalig untersucht, wie sich die Gestaltung und Nutzung von Business Analytics-Tools auf Rollenstressoren von Controlling-Leitern auswirken und inwiefern dies auf Unterschiede im Digitalisierungsfortschritt zurückzuführen ist.
Krisenmanagement bei BENTELER und seine Unterstützung durch das Controlling
Authors: Jehle Frank , Pedell Burkhard
Published: September 2022

Das 1876 gegründete Familienunternehmen BENTELER ist Spezialist im Bereich der Metallverarbeitung. Das Unternehmen ist in zwei Geschäftsbereiche gegliedert. Das Produktspektrum von BENTELER Automotive umfasst insbesondere Strukturteile, Aufhängungen, Rohre, Abgas- und Crash Management-Systeme sowie Nockenwellen. Produkte von BENTELER sind in nahezu jedem Auto weltweit verbaut und tragen zur Sicherheit und, z. B. durch Leichtbaukonzepte, zur Ressourcenschonung bei. Für die Energiewirtschaft und die Industrie produziert BENTELER Steel/Tube insbesondere Rohre, Leitungen und hydraulische Zylinder für eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen. BENTELER ist mit ca. 25.000 Mitarbeitenden an 92 Standorten in 27 Ländern vertreten, die im Geschäftsjahr 2021 einen Umsatz von 7.285 Mio. Euro und ein EBITDA von 332 Mio. Euro erwirtschafteten.
Performance of PES Membrane Contactor on the Separation of Dilute Acetic Acid from Aqueous Forms
Authors: Sofiya Karunanithi , Prabhakar Sivaraman
Published: September 2022

The azeotropic characteristics of acetic acid between water make its separation from its aqueous phase essential. Many methods are studied for separating such a mixture. Solvent extraction using membrane contactors can increase the contact surface area. The dilute aqueous acetic acid extraction with the solvents petroleum ether and diisopropyl ether in a Poly Ether Sulfone (PES) hollow fiber membrane contactor was studied. The solvents and membrane extraction abilities are evaluated by exchanging the fluids on the shell and tube sides based on the distribution coefficients and total mass transfer coefficient at various flow rates. The findings show that when the solvent flow is increased, whether on the shell side or the tube side, the concentration of acetic acid increases in its solvent phase. As the shell side Reynolds number increased, it was noticed that the distribution coefficient value also increased. Both solvents' extraction ability was minimal, but diisopropyl ether gave better results when compared with the petroleum ether in terms of distribution coefficient. Three film resistance parameters in the series model have determined the overall mass transfer coefficient. The Reynolds number values showed that the mass transfer occurs in a laminar zone. Changes in the petroleum ether's Reynolds number on the tube side resulted in a maximum mass transfer coefficient of 11.41x10-6 m/s. Data on such hydrodynamics studies on membrane solvent extraction can help recover value-added material studies.
Corporeal vision and contemplation in the epistemological context: a comparison of the “Homilies on the Psalms” by Origen and saint Basil of Caesarea
Authors: Grünert Anna
Published: September 2022

The article considers on the material of the “Homilies on the Psalms” of Origen and saint Basil of Caesarea the use of vocabulary of visual sense in an epistemological context, including the concept of “contemplation”, which goes back to the ancient philosophical tradition. Thus, the aim of the paper is to explain the philosophical meaning of this concept as the highest stage on the path of knowledge as well as its place in the epistemological systems of both authors. On the basis of the description of cognitive processes by early Christian writers we discovered a number of patterns in the composition of the semantic field of vision as the sense that participates in the act of knowledge. At the same time, our study demonstrates that the use of both the concept of “contemplation” and the vocabulary of visual sense partially fits into the philosophical division of the neoplatonic curriculum: while the study by bodily vision of the sensuous world created by God is associated with physics, the contemplation as a study of the supersensuous world by supersensory vision is associated with epoptics. However, in the explanations we have examined, these three steps are never mentioned in a row, in contrast to other texts where Origen and saint Basil follow the scheme of ethics-physics-epoptics. As texts that serves as the basis for comparing the Christian reception of the vocabulary of visual sense in patristic literature of the 3rd and 4th centuries AD we choosed not only the exegetic sermons of individual psalms by Origen and saint Basil of Caesarea, but also a selection of other texts of the same authors representing relevant parallels in their use of vocabulary of visual sense. From the point of view of its scientific relevance, this study is also important because it shows the dependence of the “Homilies on the Psalms” by saint Basil of Caesarea upon the “Homilies on the Psalms” by Origen discovered in 2012 in the Codex Monacensis Graecus 314.