bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic stabilization of von Willebrand factor A1 domain induces protein loss of function
Authors: Sandoval‐Pérez Angélica , Mejía‐Restrepo Valeria , Aponte‐Santamaría Camilo
Published: July 2022

The von Willebrand disease (vWD) is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder caused by defects of the von Willebrand Factor (vWF), a large extracellular protein in charge of adhering platelets to sites of vascular lesions. vWF performs this essential homeostatic task via specific protein–protein interactions between the vWF A1 domain and the platelet receptor, the glycoprotein Ib alpha (GPIBα). The two naturally occurring vWF A1 domain mutations G1324A and G1324S, near the GPIBα binding site, induce a dramatic decrease in platelet adhesion, resulting in a bleeding disorder classified as type 2M vWD. However, the reason for the drastic phenotypic response induced by these two supposedly minor modifications remains unclear. We addressed this question using a combination of equilibrium‐molecular dynamics (MD) and nonequilibrium MD‐based free energy simulations. Our data confirms that both mutations maintain the highly stable Rossmann fold of the vWF A1 domain. G1324A and G1324S mutations hardly changed the per‐residue flexibility of the A1 domain but induced a global conformational change affecting the region near the binding site to GPIBα. Furthermore, we observed two significant changes in the vWF A1 domain upon mutation, the global redistribution of the internal mechanical stress and the increased thermodynamic stability of the A1 domain. These observations are consistent with previously reported mutations increasing the melting temperature. Overall, our results support the idea of thermodynamic conformational restriction of A1—before the binding to GPIBα—as a crucial factor determining the loss‐of‐function of the G1324A(S) vWD mutants.
Integrating cybersecurity into the risk‐based process safety (RBPS) program
Authors: Chastain‐Knight Denise , Dharmavaram Seshu , Lodal Peter N.
Published: July 2022

With the industry's increasing reliance on computer systems for basic process control and safety functions, industrial processes have become more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. The recently released CCPS book, Managing Cybersecurity in the Process Industries, A Risk‐based Approach, discusses the need for proactive and effective cybersecurity management in the interest of process safety. This paper will share some of the highlights from the book illustrating areas where cybersecurity considerations parallel and complement the key principles of Risk‐Based Process Safety (RBPS) elements. This paper will share some lessons from recent cybersecurity incidents impacting process safety and identify avenues where cyberattacks can gain access to the control or safety instrumented systems to cause harm. Finally, we will discuss a sampling of the RBPS elements in more detail to illustrate how cybersecurity can be integrated into the RBPS program.
Back Cover Image, Volume 78, Issue 8
Authors: Guo Shuang , Yao Weixiang , Xu Tongyu , Ma Hui , Sun Mujun , Chen Chunling , Lan Yubin
Published: July 2022

The back cover image is based on the Research Article Assessing the application of spot spray in Nanguo pear orchards: Effect of nozzle type, spray volume rate and adjuvant by Shuang Guo et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6999.

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Threonyl‐tRNA synthetase gene, a potential target for RNAi‐based control of three rice planthoppers
Authors: Li Han‐Jing , Zhang Hou‐Hong , Lu Jia‐Bao , Zhang Chuan‐Xi
Published: July 2022

Background

RNA interference (RNAi) has potential as a new strategy for pest control. However, the current overemphasis on the control of a single pest increased control costs. The aim of this study was to find a green method of controlling several pests without affecting the natural enemies with a single target gene. One possible RNAi target is the threonyl‐tRNA synthetase (ThrRS), which is conserved and plays a significant role in protein biosynthesis.

Results

In this study, one threonyl‐tRNA synthetase gene (NlthrS) was identified from the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens). Spatio‐temporal expression pattern analysis showed that NlthrS was highly expressed in the ovary, late embryogenesis, nymphs and female adults. In addition, RNAi‐mediated knockdown of NlthrS caused 85.6% nymph mortality, 100% female infertility, molting disorder, extended nymph duration and shortened adult longevity. Target‐specific results were obtained when dsNlthrS was used to interfere with the whiteback planthopper (Sogatella furcifera), small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus), zig‐zag winged leafhopper (Inazuma dorsalis) and their natural enemy (green mirid bug, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis). In addition, dsNlthrS could cause high mortalities of three species of planthoppers (85.6–100%), while only dsNlthrS‐1 led to the death (97.3%) of I. dorsalis that was not affected by dsNlthrS‐2. Furthermore, neither dsNlthrS‐1 nor dsNlthrS‐2 could influence the survival of C. lividipennis.

Conclusion

The results reveal the biological functions of ThrRS in N. lugens in addtion to its protein synthesis, deepening our understanding of tRNA synthase in insects and providing a new method for the control of several rice pests via one dsRNA design. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Enhanced Field Emission Properties of ZnO:Al/SrTiO3 Perovskite Composite Films by ZnO:Al Film
Authors: Wang Jun-Zheng , Wang Xiao-Ping , Wang Li-Jun , Bao Jian , Zhao Meng-Yang , Xie Pei-Ying
Published: July 2022

ZnO:Al(Al‐doped zinc oxide)/SrTiO3 composite thin film field emission (FE) devices are fabricated on heavily doped n‐type silicon substrates using a vacuum electron beam evaporation vapor deposition technique and hydrogen plasma treated technique. The morphology and thickness of SrTiO3 film and ZnO:Al film are controlled by adjusting and optimizing the growth conditions, deposition time, and post‐treatment conditions. FE experimental results show that the addition of ZnO:Al films can significantly improve the FE properties of ZnO:Al/SrTiO3 composite film. The maximum current density of the FE sample increases from 230 μA cm−2 of the monolayer SrTiO3 film sample, which is treated by hydrogen plasma (H–SrTiO3) to 951 μA cm−2 of the ZnO:Al/H–SrTiO3 composite film sample, which increases by more than 4 times. Meanwhile, at the applied electric field intensity of 3.6 V μm−1, the FE current density of ZnO:Al/H–SrTiO3 composite film is 48 times that of monolayer H–SrTiO3 film. Each field emission sample device has good working stability and experimental repeatability.
CUSUMIN: A cumulative sum interval design for cancer phase I dose finding studies
Authors: Hatayama Tomoyoshi , Yasui Seiichi
Published: July 2022

Recently, model‐assisted designs, including the Bayesian optimal interval (BOIN) design with optimal thresholds to determine the dose for the next cohort, have been proposed for cancer phase I studies. Model‐assisted designs are useful because of their good performance as model‐based designs in addition to their algorithm‐based simplicity. In BOIN, escalation and de‐escalation based on boundaries can be understood as a type of change point detection based on a sequential test procedure. Notably, the sequential test procedure is used in a wide range of fields and is known for its application to control charts, statistical monitoring methods used for detecting abnormalities in manufacturing processes. In control charts, abnormalities are detected if the control chart statistics are observed to be outside of the optimal boundaries. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) statistic, which is developed for control chart applications, derives higher power under the same erroneous judgment rate. Hence, it is expected that a more efficient model‐assisted design can be achieved by the application of CUSUM statistics. In this study, a model‐assisted design based on the CUSUM statistic is proposed. In the proposed design, the dose for the next cohort is decided by CUSUM statistics calculated from the counts of the dose‐limiting toxicity and pre‐defined boundaries, based on the CUSUM control chart scheme. Intensive simulation shows that our proposed method performs better than BOIN, and other representative model‐assisted designs, including modified toxicity probability interval (mTPI) and Keyboard, in terms of controlling over‐dosing rates while maintaining similar performance in the determination of maximum tolerated dose.
Nootkatone alleviates rotenone‐induced Parkinson's disease symptoms through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Yao Ziwei , Li Jiayuan , Bian Lihua , Li Qiuyu , Wang Xiaomei , Yang Xue , Wei Xiaojia , Wan Guohui , Wang Yuqing , Shi Jinli , Guo Jianyou
Published: July 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Nootkatone (NKT) has been shown to have neuroprotective, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant effects and in this study, we systematically studied the efficacy and mechanism of action of NKT in rotenone (ROT)‐induced PD rats. Firstly, through behavioral experiments and brain tissue staining, we found that NKT alleviated behavioral dysfunction and protected dopaminergic neurons associated with ROT‐induced PD rats. Next, target prediction, protein–protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and pathway enrichment analyses were used to obtain potential targets, specific biological processes, and molecular mechanisms of NKT for the potential treatment of PD. Furthermore, we also applied molecular docking to predict the binding capacity of NKT and related targets. Additionally, in vivo experiments confirmed that NKT could inhibit the expression of Mitogen‐activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, reducing neuroinflammation, and ultimately ameliorating ROT‐induced PD symptoms. Taken together, the results of the study provide a clear explanation for the remission of PD symptoms by NKT, suggesting that it may be a promising candidate for the treatment of PD.
Total flavonoids from the dried root ofTetrastigma hemsleyanumDiels et Gilg inhibit colorectal cancer growth throughPI3K/AKT/mTORsignaling pathway
Authors: Zhai Yufei , Sun Jing , Sun Chengtao , Zhao Huan , Li Xuan , Yao Jiaxiong , Su Jiajia , Xu Xiaoqian , Xu Xiukun , Hu Jiangning , Daglia Maria , Han Bing , Kai Guoyin
Published: July 2022

The dried root ofTetrastigma hemsleyanumDiels et Gilg is used as a traditional Chinese medicine in southern China, as a folk remedy for carcinomas and gastrointestinal diseases. The total flavonoids ofT. hemsleyanum(THTF) provide its main bioactive constituents. However, the mechanisms underlying its potential activity on colorectal cancer are still unknown. Here, we investigated the antitumor effect of THTF on colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo. It was found that THTF inhibited HCT‐116 and HT‐29 cell growth, with an IC50of 105.60 and 140.80 μg/mL, respectively. THTF suppressed clonogenicity and promoted apoptosis in HCT‐116. In vivo, THTF (120 mg/kg) delayed tumor growth in HCT‐116 xenografts without influencing on body weight, organ pathology and indexes, and blood routine level. Mechanistically, THTF inhibited the expression of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR at the protein level and transcriptional levels. Molecular docking indicated eight compounds in THTF (kaempferol 3‐rutinoside, rutinum, isoquercitrin, L‐epicatechin, quercetin, astragalin, kaempferol 3‐sambubioside, and catechin) strongly bound with amino acid sites of PI3K and mTOR proteins, indicating a high affinity. The results suggest that THTF delayed colorectal tumor growth by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and might be a potential candidate for colorectal cancer prevention.
Changes in industry and corporate effects in the United States, 1978–2019
Authors: Wang Ming zhu
Published: July 2022

Research Summary

I present evidence of a shift in the relative contributions of industry and corporate effects to heterogeneity in business performance in the United States. In a systematic analysis of sequential timeframes between 1978 and 2019, I find a persistent rise in the explanatory power of corporate effects, which has grown to surpass that of industry effects. Consistent with these trends, I also find that an increasing share of multi‐business firms is operating only high‐performing or only low‐performing businesses, which coincides with refocusing efforts that began in the 1980s. This temporal perspective provides an explanation for why prior studies estimating industry and corporate effects have reached different conclusions.

Managerial Summary

I present evidence that how much industry and corporate parentage each matter to business performance among diversified firms in the United States has changed over time in a systematic way. Specifically, my analyses show that while factors at the industry level may have mattered more than those at the corporate level from the late 1970s through most of the 1990s, this has since reversed and corporate parentage likely explained more of business profitability throughout the 2000s and 2010s than industry membership. These changes coincide with a trend that began in the 1980s toward greater focus and relatedness among the operations of diversified firms.
Presynaptic nigral GPR55 receptors stimulate [3H]‐GABA release through [3H]‐cAMP production and PKA activation and promote motor behavior
Authors: Sánchez‐Zavaleta Rodolfo , Ávalos‐Fuentes José Arturo , González‐Hernández Antonio Valentín , Recillas‐Morales Sergio , Paz‐Bermúdez Francisco Javier , Leyva‐Gómez Gerardo , Cortés Hernán , Florán Benjamín
Published: July 2022

Striatal medium‐sized spiny neurons express mRNA and protein of GPR55 receptors that stimulate neurotransmitter release; thus, GPR55 could be sent to nigral striatal projections, where it might modulate GABA release and motor behavior. Here, we study the presence of GPR55 receptors at striato‐nigral terminals, their modulation of GABA release, their signaling pathway, and their effect on motor activity. By double immunohistochemistry, we found the colocation of GPR55 protein and substance P in the dorsal striatum. In slices of the rat substantia nigra, the GPR55 agonists LPI and O‐1602 stimulated [3H]‐GABA release induced by high K+ depolarization in a dose‐dependent manner. The antagonists CID16020046 and cannabidiol prevented agonist stimulation in a dose‐dependent way. The effect of GPR55 on nigral [3H]‐GABA release was prevented by lesion of the striatum with kainic acid, which was accompanied by a decrement of GPR55 protein in nigral synaptosomes, indicating the presynaptic location of receptors. The depletion of internal Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin did not prevent the effect of LPI on [3H]‐GABA release, but the remotion or chelation of external calcium did. Blockade of Gi, Gs, PLC, PKC, or dopamine D1 receptor signaling proteins did not prevent the effect of GPR55 on release. However, the activation of GPR55 stimulated [3H]‐cAMP accumulation and PKA activity. Intranigral unilateral injection of LPI induces contralateral turning. This turning was prevented by CID16020046, cannabidiol, and bicuculline but not by SCH 23390. Our data indicate that presynaptic GPR55 receptors stimulate [3H]‐GABA release at striato‐nigral terminals through [3H]‐cAMP production and stimulate motor behavior.
Polystyrene nanoplastics exacerbated lipopolysaccharide‐induced necroptosis and inflammation via the ROS/MAPK pathway in mice spleen
Authors: Tang Xinyu , Fan Xue , Xu Tong , He Yujiao , Chi Qianru , Li Zhe , Li Shu
Published: July 2022

Plastics are novel environmental pollutants with potential threats to the ecosystem. At least 5.25 trillion plastic particles in the environment, of which nanoplastics are <100 nm in diameter. Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS‐NPs) exposure damaged the spleen's immune function. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced other toxicants to damage cells and organs, triggering inflammation. However, the mechanism of PS‐NPs aggravated LPS‐induced spleen injury remains unclear. In this study, the PS‐NPs or/and LPS mice exposure model was replicated by intraperitoneal injection of PS‐NPs or/and LPS, and PS‐NPs or/and LPS were exposed to RAW264.7 cells. The histopathological and ultrastructural changes of the mice spleen were observed by H&E staining and transmission electron microscope. Western Blot, qRT‐PCR, and fluorescent probes staining were used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress indicators, inflammatory factors, and necroptosis‐related indicators in mice spleen and RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that PS‐NPs or LPS induced oxidative stress, activated the MAPK pathway, and eventually caused necroptosis and inflammation in mice spleen and RAW264.7 cells. Compared with the single treatment group, the changes in PS‐NPs + LPS group were more obvious. Furthermore, ROS inhibitor N‐Acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) significantly inhibited the activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway caused by co‐treatment of PS‐NPs and LPS, reducing necroptosis and inflammation. The results demonstrated that PS‐NPs promoted LPS‐induced spleen necroptosis and inflammation in mice through the ROS/MAPK pathway. This study increases the data on the damage of PS‐NPs to the organism and expands the research ideas and clues.
Sharp stability of a string with local degenerate Kelvin–Voigt damping
Authors: Han Zhong‐Jie , Liu Zhuangyi , Zhang Qiong
Published: July 2022

This paper is on the asymptotic behavior of the elastic string equation with localized degenerate Kelvin–Voigt damping

where on , and on for . It is known that the optimal decay rate of solution is in the limit case and exponential for . When , the damping coefficient is continuous, but its derivative has a singularity at the interface . In this case, the best known decay rate is , which fails to match the optimal one at . In this paper, we obtain a sharper polynomial decay rate . More significantly, it is consistent with the optimal polynomial decay rate at and uniform boundedness of the resolvent operator on the imaginary axis at (consequently, the exponential decay rate at as ). This is a big step toward the goal of obtaining eventually the optimal decay rate.
Indigenous and Customary Land Tenure Security: History, Trends, and Challenges in the Latin American Context
Authors: Sauls Laura Aileen , Galeana Fernando , Lawry Steven
Published: July 2022

This chapter explores Indigenous and customary tenure regimes, considering the differing historical trends in the statutory recognition of customary tenure arrangements. Indigenous and customary land tenure regimes are dynamic, responding to changes in local-to-global socio-ecological conditions and political and market influences, as well as context-specific and based on historic socio-environmental relations. Despite trends toward legal recognition, a disconnect remains between titling or recognition and thesecurityof these regimes. After defining Indigenous and customary land tenure regimes, we discuss their evolution from colonial encounters through the post-colonial era, on to trends in customary tenure recognition today. Finally, drawing primarily on evidence from Latin America, we explore how tenureinsecurity of Indigenous and customary lands remains a significant challenge to realizing sustainable development across diverse landscapes.
The Anthropocene Contract. What Kind of Historian–Reader Agreement Does Environmental Historiography Need?
Authors: Muchowski Jakub
Published: July 2022

The paper is an attempt to reply to the question on how environmental history can participate in public debates on contemporary world concerns in a reliable and socially relevant way. I argue that the answer to this question lies in environmental history's reading pact, which I call the Anthropocene contract. Its most important element is the principle of equality, which concerns the relationship between historians and their readers. In the first step, I invoke Graeme Wynn's statement to point to important questions about the challenges that the Anthropocene posed to environmental history. Next I critically discuss the answers to these questions provided by historical theory. I then formulate a proposal for a reading pact of environmental history using the theoretical insights of Kalle Pihlainen and the philosophy of Jacques Rancière.
History and Utopian Thinking in the Era of the Anthropocene
Authors: Brzeziński Dariusz
Published: July 2022

The text analyzes the different ways in which historical narratives can contribute to changing human sensitivity and social practices in relation to climate threats. The term “utopian thinking” is problematized here as a combination of relativization of the existing reality with the desire to develop alternatives to it. Three types of historical discourses devoted to the Anthropocene will be analyzed and juxtaposed in the paper: post-naturalism (represented by Dipesh Chakrabarty), eco-Marxism (analyzed on the example of Jason W. Moore's theory of the Capitalocene) and eco-catastrophism (illustrated in relation to the works of Naomi Oreskes and Eric Conway).
Potentials and Risks of Futurology: Lessons from Late Socialist Poland
Authors: Becht Lukas
Published: July 2022

In the decades after 1945, the future gained unprecedented prominence as an object of scientific anticipation and state planning in both capitalist and socialist countries of the Cold War world. In Poland, future studies or futurology emerged in the course of the 1960s in reaction to Western intellectual trends, the post-stalinist political Thaw, as well as the domestic socio-economic situation. The Polish futurology turned out to be one of the most productive, institutionally and personally stable research collectives when compared to other socialist countries. This research community generated various approaches to the problem of how to anticipate the unknown future. This chapter examines three of them: making the future an object of knowledge; subjecting it to conscious (political) control; imagining alternatives to the status quo. Re-examining these historical examples of anticipatory knowledge provides a mirror to discuss our current efforts at predicting and controlling the future.
Globalization as Adaptive Complexity: Learning from Failure
Authors: Centeno Miguel , Callahan Peter , Larcey Paul , Patterson Thayer
Published: July 2022

Our modern global civilization has been facilitated by increasingly technologically-advanced, interconnected, and interdependent systems. These systems have been constructed at an ever-increasing scale and level of complexity without an awareness of the risky mechanisms inherent in their design. At first glance, one may find few similarities between our modern globalized present and ancient civilizations. When we see past civilizations as complex adaptive systems, however, we can begin to recognize patterns, structures, and dynamics that have remained consistent through the centuries. Mechanisms like tipping points, feedback loops, contagions, cascades, synchronous failures, and cycles that can be responsible for systemic collapse are fundamental characteristics of any complex adaptive system, and can therefore serve as an effective common denominator from which to examine collapses through the ages. We argue for an analytical framework that incorporates these systemic characteristics for the study of historical collapse with the belief that these common mechanisms will help illuminate and expose relevant vulnerabilities in historical systems. In the end, we hope to learn from past societies and civilizations and allow our modern systems to benefit from lessons of systemic failures that historians may share with us. We believe these insights could inform how we see our systemic vulnerabilities and help to build a more resilient future.
Correction to: Extreme Citizen Science Contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals: Challenges and Opportunities for a Human-Centred Design Approach
Authors: Skarlatidou Artemis , Fraisl Dilek , Wu Yaqian , See Linda , Haklay Muki
Published: July 2022

Chapter “Extreme Citizen Science Contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals: Challenges and Opportunities for a Human-Centred Design Approach” was previously published non-open access. It has now been changed to open access under a CC BY 4.0 license and the copyright holder updated to ‘The Author(s)’. The book has also been updated with this change.
Lessons Learned in the Digital Earth Project
Authors: Greinert Jens , Henkel Daniela , Dransch Doris , Bouwer Laurens M. , Brix Holger , Dietrich Peter , Frickenhaus Stephan , Petzold Andreas , Rechid Diana , Ruhnke Roland , zu Castell Wolfgang
Published: July 2022

The Digital Earth project aimed for the integration of data science and Earth science. Here, we reflect on the main lessons learned that include the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, thinking out of the box, the concept of ‘thinking in workflows’ and models for the sustainable implementation of scientific software, data infrastructure and policies.
Gluon-mediated inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering from Regge to Bjorken kinematics
Authors: Boussarie Renaud , Mehtar-Tani Yacine
Published: July 2022

Abstract

We revisit high energy factorization for gluon mediated inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering (DIS) for which we propose a new semi-classical approach that accounts systematically for the longitudinal extent of the target in contrast with the shockwave limit. In this framework, based on a partial twist expansion, we derive a factorization formula that involves a new gauge invariant unintegrated gluon distribution which depends explicitly on the Feynman x variable. It is shown that both the Regge and Bjorken limits are recovered in this approach. We reproduce in particular the full one loop inclusive DIS cross-section in the leading twist approximation and the all-twist dipole factorization formula in the strict x = 0 limit. Although quantum evolution is not discussed explicitly in this work, we argue that the proper treatment of the x dependence of the gluon distribution encompasses the kinematic constraint that must be imposed on the phase-space of gluon fluctuations in the target to ensure stability of small-x evolution.
Non-commutative Ring Learning with Errors from Cyclic Algebras
Authors: Grover Charles , Mendelsohn Andrew , Ling Cong , Vehkalahti Roope
Published: July 2022

The Learning with Errors (LWE) problem is the fundamental backbone of modern lattice-based cryptography, allowing one to establish cryptography on the hardness of well-studied computational problems. However, schemes based on LWE are often impractical, so Ring LWE was introduced as a form of ‘structured’ LWE, trading off a hard to quantify loss of security for an increase in efficiency by working over a well-chosen ring. Another popular variant, Module LWE, generalizes this exchange by implementing a module structure over a ring. In this work, we introduce a novel variant of LWE over cyclic algebras (CLWE) to replicate the addition of the ring structure taking LWE to Ring LWE by adding cyclic structure to Module LWE. We show that the security reductions expected for an LWE problem hold, namely a reduction from certain structured lattice problems to the hardness of the decision variant of the CLWE problem (under the condition of constant rank d). As a contribution of theoretic interest, we view CLWE as the first variant of Ring LWE which supports non-commutative multiplication operations. This ring structure compares favorably with Module LWE, and naturally allows a larger message space for error correction coding.
Common EOFs: a tool for multi-model comparison and evaluation
Authors: Hannachi Abdel , Finke Kathrin , Trendafilov Nickolay
Published: July 2022

With the increase in the volume of climate model simulations for past, present and future climate, from various institutions across the globe, there is a need for efficient and robust methods for model comparison and/or evaluation. This manuscript discusses common empirical orthogonal function analysis with a step-wise algorithm, which can be used for the above objective. The method looks for simultaneous diagonalisation of several covariance matrices in a step-wise fashion ensuring thus simultaneous monotonic decrease of the eigenvalues in all groups, and allowing therefore for dimension reduction. The method is applied to a number of tropospheric and stratospheric fields from the main four reanalysis products, and also to several historical climate model simulations from CMIP6, the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (Phase 6). Monthly means as well as winter daily gridded data are considered over the Northern Hemisphere. The method shows consistency between mass fields as well as mid-tropospheric and stratospheric fields of the reanalyses, but also reveals significant differences in the 2 m surface-air temperature in terms of explained variance. CMIP6 models, on the other hand, show differences reflected in the percentage of explained variance of the leading common EOFs with inter-group variation ranging from 5–10% in the troposphere to about 25% in the stratosphere. Higher order statistics within the leading common modes of variability, in addition to further merits of the method are also discussed.
Crossover patterning in plants
Authors: Lloyd Andrew
Published: July 2022

Key message

Chromatin state, and dynamic loading of pro-crossover protein HEI10 at recombination intermediates shape meiotic chromosome patterning in plants.

Meiosis is the basis of sexual reproduction, and its basic progression is conserved across eukaryote kingdoms. A key feature of meiosis is the formation of crossovers which result in the reciprocal exchange of segments of maternal and paternal chromosomes. This exchange generates chromosomes with new combinations of alleles, increasing the efficiency of both natural and artificial selection. Crossovers also form a physical link between homologous chromosomes at metaphase I which is critical for accurate chromosome segregation and fertility. The patterning of crossovers along the length of chromosomes is a highly regulated process, and our current understanding of its regulation forms the focus of this review. At the global scale, crossover patterning in plants is largely governed by the classically observed phenomena of crossover interference, crossover homeostasis and the obligatory crossover which regulate the total number of crossovers and their relative spacing. The molecular actors behind these phenomena have long remained obscure, but recent studies in plants implicate HEI10 and ZYP1 as key players in their coordination. In addition to these broad forces, a wealth of recent studies has highlighted how genomic and epigenomic features shape crossover formation at both chromosomal and local scales, revealing that crossovers are primarily located in open chromatin associated with gene promoters and terminators with low nucleosome occupancy.
Der aktuelle Umsetzungsstand von Wiederbelebungsunterricht in Schulen in Deutschland – Umfrageergebnisse einer Abfrage der Ministerien aller Bundesländer
Authors: Rücker Gernot , Wingen Sabine , Rott Nadine , Böttiger Bernd W.
Published: July 2022

Im April 2019 stellte der Bundesgerichtshof in einem Urteil (III ZR 35/18) klar, dass Lehrkräften die Pflicht zur Ersten Hilfe im Sportunterricht obliegt. Schon 2014 hatte der Schulausschuss der Kulturministerkonferenz den Bundesländern empfohlen, Wiederbelebungsunterricht in den Schulunterricht zu implementieren und dafür Lehrkräfte auszubilden. In einer Umfrage wurden jetzt die zuständigen Ministerien aller Bundesländer vom Deutschen Rat für Wiederbelebung (German Resuscitation Council, GRC), gebeten, ihren diesbezüglichen Projektstand mitzuteilen. Nur 2 der 16 Bundesländer (Baden-Württemberg und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) meldeten hierbei eine weitgehende Flächendeckung. In 75 % der Fälle führen Lehrerinnen und Lehrer den Wiederbelebungsunterricht durch. Jeweils zur Hälfte wurden hierbei größere professionelle Wiederbelebungspuppen und einfache Wiederbelebungspuppen benutzt, die speziell für den Schulunterricht konzipiert wurden. Die Lehrkräfte wurden in der Ausbildung von Ärztinnen und Ärzten, Hilfsorganisationen und Rettungsdienstpersonal ausgebildet, das teilweise auch selbst Unterrichtseinheiten übernahm. Im Ergebnis befinden sich 6 Jahre nach der Publikation der Empfehlungen der Kultusministerkonferenz zum Wiederbelebungsunterricht an deutschen Schulen fast alle Bundesländer noch in der Aufbauphase. Es muss daher nachdrücklich auf eine zeitnahe Umsetzung der Empfehlung zur Implementierung von Wiederbelebungsunterricht bei Schulen und Kultusministerien hingewirkt werden, um so die Überlebensrate nach einem Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand auch in Deutschland deutlich zu verbessern. Ziel ist es, dass alle Schulen bundesweit Wiederbelebungsunterricht durchführen und Lehrkräfte entsprechend qualifiziert werden.
Mitochondrial Transfusion Improves Mitochondrial Function Through Up-regulation of Mitochondrial Complex II Protein Subunit SDHB in the Hippocampus of Aged Mice
Authors: Adlimoghaddam A. , Benson T. , Albensi B. C.
Published: July 2022

The mitochondrial theory of aging is characterized by mitochondrial electron transport chain dysfunction. As a hallmark of aging, an increasing number of investigations have attempted to improve mitochondrial function in both aging and age-related disease. Emerging from these attempts, methods involving mitochondrial isolation, transfusion, and transplantation have taken center stage. In particular, mitochondrial transfusion refers to the administration of mitochondria from healthy tissue into the bloodstream or into tissues affected by injury, disease, or aging. In this study, methods of mitochondrial isolation and transfusion were developed and utilized. First, we found a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the expression of mitochondrial complex proteins (I-V) in aged (12 months old) mouse brain tissue (C57BL/6 mice) in comparison to healthy young brain tissue (1 month old). To investigate whether healthy young mitochondria taken from the liver could improve mitochondrial function in older animals, we intravenously injected mitochondria isolated from young C57BL/6 mice into aged mice from the same strain. This study, for the first time, demonstrates that mitochondrial transfusion significantly (p < 0.05) improves mitochondrial function via the up-regulation of the mitochondrial complex II protein subunit SDHB in the hippocampus of aged mice. This result has identified a role for mitochondrial complex II in the aging process. Therefore, mitochondrial complex II could serve as a putative target for therapeutic interventions against aging. However, more importantly, methods of mitochondrial transfusion should be further tested to treat a variety of human diseases or disorders and to slow down or reverse processes of aging.
Harmonising Incompatible Datasets to Enable GIS Use to Study Non-communicable Diseases in Tonga
Authors: Jione Siu I. Fanga , Norman Paul
Published: July 2022

We investigated the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to study the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in association with area deprivation within Tongatapu, the largest island in Tonga. This is a case study to determine what is possible to achieve since various data issues influenced by institutional and organizational barriers exist, affecting data integration and GIS use. A data conversion framework was developed using geographic conversion tables (GCTs) to process existing data into a compatible format and create new geographies to analyse the prevalence of NCDs and area deprivation across different levels of geography. Area deprivation was higher in the rural district and was associated with the prevalence of NCDs. However, at lower levels of geography, the distribution and patterns of NCDs, and area deprivation were unclear. This was influenced by the methods of data collection, recording and dissemination. There is a need for a national action plan outlining the standard operating procedures for all stakeholders to adhere to, and thereby produce and disseminate comprehensive, reliable, and high-quality data. Otherwise, data will be collected for basic reporting but impractical for sophisticated analysis and research. We suggest an investigation into dasymetric mapping to disaggregate population data and develop automating processes for large national datasets.
Das christliche Profil der Caritas und Diakonie aus Sicht ihrer Fachkräfte
Authors: Karić Senka
Published: July 2022

Der Deutsche Caritasverband und die Diakonie Deutschland sind zwei tiefgreifend in der wohlfahrtsstaatlichen Infrastruktur verwurzelte, weltanschauliche Akteure, deren christliches Profil in jüngerer Zeit zunehmend hinterfragt wird. Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit ebenjenem Profil und nimmt dabei insbesondere die Perspektive der Fachkräfte in den Blick.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials of vitamin D supplementation in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Xuan Sun , Jin Zhang , Zhe Wang , Huai-en Bu , Chun-ying Tian , Dong-jun Wang , Yuan-yuan Guan , Hong-wu Wang
Published: July 2022

Objective

The aim of this study is to explore the correlation between vitamin D and diabetic nephropathy.

Methods

Relevant evidences were searched from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Ovid and China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform databases (WANFANG), and VIP dating from inception to December 2019 to obtain the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of included studies. Rev Man 5.3 software was used to conduct statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 10 studies involving 651 patients were identified. These studies were finally included into the meta-analysis. A meta-analysis results showed that vitamin D is the protection factor in diabetic nephropathy, the group treated with vitamin D did better than the traditional drug and the placebo group. After taking vitamin D, the level of vitamin D in the patient’s body increased significantly. Pooled results showed that there was a significant difference for vitamin D (MD = 38.24, 95%CI = 32.69–43.79, p < 0.001.) The patient had a significant decrease in urinary protein; the difference was statistically significant (MD = − 180.92, 95%CI = − 212.67 to − 149.16, p < 0.001). The blood creatinine content decreased obviously (MD = − 17.13, 95%CI = − 27.88 to − 6.37, p < 0.01). However, most of the included studies did not report the quality of life and adverse reactions of patients, making it impossible to analyze these measures.

Conclusion

This study showed that vitamin D played an active role in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy and can be used in future clinical applications. However, there are still some studies of low quality in the included studies, so it is suggested that clinical and scientific researchers carry out more high-quality, large sample, multi-center randomized controlled trials (RCTS) to provide more evidence-based medical evidence for future studies on vitamin D treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Arbeitsplatzbezogene Gesundheitsbelastungen am Beispiel von Lastkraftwagenfahrer/innen im Fernverkehr
Authors: Holzgreve Fabian , Lenk Andreas , Troebs Paul A. , Oremek Gerhard , Wanke Eileen M.
Published: July 2022

Der Beruf des Lastkraftwagenfahrers im Fernverkehr bringt verschiedene arbeitsplatzbezogene Anforderungen, Belastungen und Gesundheitsrisiken mit sich. So ist das Risiko für Rückenschmerzen durch die Kombination von langer sitzender Haltung und Ganzkörpervibrationen um ein Vielfaches erhöht. Neben physischen Faktoren bürgen auch psychische Faktoren, wie Stress und Schlafqualität, Gesundheitsrisiken für Lastkraftwagenfahrer/innen. Hier spielen beispielsweise zusätzliche äußere Lärm- und Umgebungseinflüsse beim Schlafen in der Schlafkabine im Lastkraftwagen eine wichtige Rolle. Des Weiteren ist der Anteil an Adipositas Leidenden unter Lastkraftwagenfahrer/innen deutlich höher als in der Normalbevölkerung. Lastkraftwagenfahrer/innen verbringen den Großteil des Tages allein und haben wenig Zeit für persönliche Belange. Hierzu zählen neben geregelten Schlafphasen und Arbeitspausen insbesondere die Zeit für Ernährung, sportliche Betätigung und nicht zuletzt Behörden- oder Arztbesuche.
On the simplicial volume and the Euler characteristic of (aspherical) manifolds
Authors: Löh Clara , Moraschini Marco , Raptis George
Published: July 2022

A well-known question by Gromov asks whether the vanishing of the simplicial volume of oriented closed aspherical manifolds implies the vanishing of the Euler characteristic. We study various versions of Gromov’s question and collect strategies towards affirmative answers and strategies towards negative answers to this problem. Moreover, we put Gromov’s question into context with other open problems in low- and high-dimensional topology. A special emphasis is put on a comparative analysis of the additivity properties of the simplicial volume and the Euler characteristic for manifolds with boundary. We explain that the simplicial volume defines a symmetric monoidal functor (TQFT) on the amenable cobordism category, but not on the whole cobordism category. In addition, using known computations of simplicial volumes, we conclude that the fundamental group of the four-dimensional amenable cobordism category is not finitely generated. We also consider new variations of Gromov’s question. Specifically, we show that counterexamples exist among aspherical spaces that are only homology equivalent to oriented closed connected manifolds.
Hydrodynamic approach to two-dimensional electron systems
Authors: Narozhny Boris N.
Published: July 2022

The last few years have seen an explosion of interest in hydrodynamic effects in interacting electron systems in ultra-pure materials. One such material, graphene, is not only an excellent platform for the experimental realization of the hydrodynamic flow of electrons, but also allows for a controlled derivation of the hydrodynamic equations on the basis of kinetic theory. The resulting hydrodynamic theory of electronic transport in graphene yields quantitative predictions for experimentally relevant quantities, e.g., viscosity, electrical conductivity, etc. Here I review recent theoretical advances in the field, compare the hydrodynamic theory of charge carriers in graphene with relativistic hydrodynamics and recent experiments, and discuss applications of hydrodynamic approach to novel materials beyond graphene.
Humour Against Binge Drinking During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cartoon-Based Anti-Alcohol Health Campaign Targeting Women-Who-Have-Sex-With-Women
Authors: Greijdanus Hedy , van der Voorn Maaike
Published: July 2022

This study focuses on the role of humour in health and well-being of women-who-have-sex-with-women (WSW) during COVID-19. This group has been shown to be vulnerable to alcohol abuse, especially as self-medication coping with social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the potential usefulness of WSW-inclusive (i.e., depicting a female-female romantic couple) versus hetero-normative (i.e., depicting a male-female romantic couple) humorous cartoons in an anti-alcohol health campaign against excessive drinking among WSW. One-hundred-and-twenty-seven self-categorized WSW of diverse genders (woman, non-binary) and sexual orientations (e.g., lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, heterosexual) participated in a 2 × 2 factorial between-participants design. Data were collected during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in The Netherlands. Humorous cartoons explicitly referring to lockdown measures systematically varied the humour subject (punchline about excessive drinking versus staying sober) and the couple (male-female, female-female) that were depicted. Although the (very brief) health message did not influence binge drinking determinants, the humorous health campaign depicting a female-female couple was perceived as more inclusive and evoked more amusement and less anger than when the cartoons depicted a male-female couple. High WSW identifiers were less amused about the health campaign text (but not the cartoons), less likely to share campaign materials offline (but not online), and had more positive binge drinking attitudes but lower binge drinking intentions than low identifiers. Implications are discussed.
Developing and Evaluating Simplified Tools for Image Processing in a Problem-Based Learning Environment for Earth Observation
Authors: Hodam Henryk , Rienow Andreas , Juergens Carsten
Published: July 2022

Earth observation is an interdisciplinary field of application. This makes it ideal for supporting natural science education in schools. Understanding satellite data can enable students to see more than just “beautiful images”. They can gain insights into an exciting field of application of many natural- and computer science fundamentals. In recent years, interactive lessons have been produced by our working group. They address the prospects and challenges connected with the teaching of earth observation topics in schools. The principles upon which the lessons are built promote a problem-based style of learning combined with a low impact in extraneous cognitive load for the students. Advances in web technology have made it necessary for interactive lessons to be redesigned and rethought. Contemporary web technologies have been selected and combined into an application framework to fulfill the requirements of our design principles and put a greater emphasis on usability during the content creation process. To allow offline usage of the learning modules it was tested whether this can be achieved using strictly client-side image processing. This article shows that, based on the technology stack used, lessons can be created that enable pupils to analyze remote sensing data in a much-simplified way. Using those simplified methods, a classification with an overall accuracy of 78.66% was achieved. The comparison of another simplified classification using just threshold values resulted in up to 89% probability to predict the outcome of a professionally produced dataset, making the simplified methods applicable in real-world examples presented in problem-based teaching scenarios.
CAM: an achievement model of celebrity
Authors: Boman Björn
Published: July 2022

This article does partly extend Duckworth’s achievement model and the significance of beauty, which appears to be linked to celebrity achievement. It presents a revised version of the grit model with an added attractiveness feature, labelled CAM (Celebrity Achievement Model), which may be useful when measuring, predicting, or explaining celebrity achievement, including both ‘macro-celebrities’ and ‘micro-celebrities’. Then, the results of a survey study on celebrity attractiveness (N = 183 respondents on 10 celebrities) and another similar study (N = 121 respondents on 55 celebrities) are highlighted. The findings suggest that beauty is moderately linked to higher achievement among celebrities and that rather different celebrities have higher-than-average levels of attractiveness. Celebrity net worth and Instagram following are highly intercorrelated.