bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Special issue on ‘Shifting Borders of European (In)Securities: Human Security, Border (In)Security and Mobility in Security’﻿
Authors: Panebianco Stefania , Tallis Benjamin
Published: February 2022

Over the past decade, the European Union (EU) has faced a severe migration crisis that brought to the fore the issues of borders and security—including security at borders and the borders of security. This article introduces the special issue ‘Shifting Borders of European (In)Securities: Human Security, Border (In)Security and Mobility in Security’ going beyond the traditional dichotomy vision of borders, namely inclusion versus exclusion (Panebianco 2016). It sets the scene to examine the proliferating insecurities at and in reference to EU borders, suggesting a migrant-centred understanding of human security and mobility and its complex relations to—and tensions with—more traditional conceptions of border security. In particular, this introductory paper opens up the possibility of disentangling the complexity of (in)securities and (im)mobilities. Like the rest of the special issue, it shows that state security and human security are not mutually exclusive and can in fact be mutually reinforcing, even if this unfortunately remains the exception rather than the norm in practice. The paper (and the special issue) seeks to elaborate a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the challenges of shifting borders of European (in)securities, thus shedding light on complex migration phenomena and contributing to better understanding of these issues and what can be done about them in, but also beyond, academia.
Evaluation of the evaporation route of a liquid droplet on Au coated and non-coated glass surfaces
Authors: Akpe Victor , Biddle Timothy J. , Cock Ian E.
Published: February 2022

The contact angle was used to estimate the rate of evaporation of liquid droplets on bare glass or gold (Au) sputtered glass surfaces. The rate of evaporation of water (a pure liquid) was higher than non-pure liquid composed of a 3 wt% solution of silica nanoparticles (SNP) on these two solid supports. Despite using the same initial drop volume (1 µL) throughout the experiment, the base diameter of the liquid droplet after evaporation on the different surfaces interestingly showed variations. While the liquid–solid interface displayed slip-length and contact angle variations throughout the evaporation time, the slip-length variations were more pronounced with colloidal SNP on Au-sputtered glass surfaces than pure liquid on bare glass surface. Potential application of this study was also investigated in the surface control of uniform silica microwires from colloidal SNP on Au-sputtered glass surface under low temperature conditions.
Impact of the 2Fe2P core geometry on the reduction chemistry of phosphido-bridged diiron hexacarbonyl compounds
Authors: Selan Odi Th. E. , Cheah Mun Hon , Abrahams Brendan F. , Gable Robert W. , Best Stephen P.
Published: February 2022

The effect of core geometry constraints of hydrogenase H-cluster analogues on reduction chemistry have been explored by a combination of structural, electrochemical and IR spectroelectrochemical (IR-SEC) studies. A series of phosphido-bridged diiron hexacarbonyl complexes, Fe2(µ2-PPh2(CH2)xPPh2)(CO)6, x = 2 (2P) and 4 (4P) and previously reported with x = 3 (3P) and the unlinked bis-diphenylphosphido (DP) analogues were investigated. The X-ray structures of the neutral complexes demonstrate the effect of the linking group on the Fe2P2 core geometry with P–Fe–Fe–P torsion angles of 95 (2P), 101 (3P), 108 (4P) and 109° (DP) and a twisting of the Fe(CO)3 fragments from an eclipsed geometry (2P, 3P and DP) for 4P. For all four compounds the primary reduction process involves two close-spaced one-electron reactions (E1 and E2) with a systematic trend to more negative reduction potentials with a shorter link between the bridging phosphorus atoms. This reflects the greater constraint that the bridging group places on the adoption of a planar 2Fe2P geometry. The sensitivity of the core geometry is greater for E2 than E1 and this impacts the stability of the monoanion with respect to disproportion (Kdisp(298 K) = 0.02 (2P), 2.4 (3P) and 3540 (4P and DP)). 4P has a stable dianion and gives reversible cyclic voltammetry at 298 K and is quasi-reversible at 253 K, whereas the response of 2P is irreversible at 298 K, with two distinct daughter products, but becomes quasi-reversible at 253 K. IR-SEC measurements enabled elucidation of the spectra and time evolution of the reduction products. These results are consistent with a bimolecular reaction giving a distinct reduced product modelled as a dimeric, 4Fe species. The sensitivity of the reduction chemistry of the bridged diiron compounds underpins their utility as catalytic proton reduction catalysts and the systematic trends delineated in this investigation provide the framework for charting the path of their redox-coupled chemical reactions.
Cerium cyclotrisilazides
Authors: Werner Daniel , Anwander Reiner
Published: February 2022

The 6-membered 3,5-bis(dimethylsilyl)-2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethyl-1,3,5,2,4,6-triazatrisilinan-1-ido ligand (dhts) was accessed in the potassium dimer [K(dhts)(thf)]2 (1thf), when treating KH with excess HN(SiHMe2)2 in the presence of THF. 1thf engaged in salt metathesis with CeCl3(thf)1.05 in THF, giving Ce(dhts)3(thf) (2thf). An attempted metathesis reaction in toluene failed, leading only to the recovery of 1thf. Attempts at generating potassium-ate complex {KCe(dhts)4} from salt metathesis between CeCl3(thf)1.05 and four equivalents of 1thf in THF, followed by crystallisation from toluene, resulted in the formation of both 2thf and [K(dhts)(toluene)]2 (1tol). Oxidation of 2thf with trityl chloride led to the isolation of the metastable tetravalent heteroleptic cerium complex Ce(dhts)3Cl (3), characterised by both 1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Compound 3 is a new addition to a prominent class of cerium(IV) silylamides, and an understudied class of triazatrisilinanides.
The history and evolution of Vietnam tourism.
Authors: Bui Huong T. , Bui He T.
Published: February 2022

This chapter offers a comprehensive view of the evolution of tourism in Vietnam against the backdrop of the long and complicated history of the country. The history of Vietnam tourism divides into four major periods, tourism in: (1) the monarchical period (from the 10th century to the 18th century); (2) French colonial Vietnam; (3) post colonial divided Vietnam; and (4) contemporary Vietnam.
Tourism policies and governance.
Authors: Bui Huong T. , Tran Thanh D. , Pham Long H. , Nghiem-Phu Binh
Published: February 2022

The current chapter focuses on tourism development post 1975. An analysis of tourism policy and governance in Vietnam cannot set aside the evolution of the Marxist political economic doctrine regulating the socio-economic system of the country since 1975. The transition from the central plan to the market-driven economy has been reflected in tourism policy making and implementation. Owing to its high international integration, its exceptional vulnerability to changes in global trends while being well connected to domestic consumption and mobilization of resources for post-war development, tourism mirrors the notion of a transitional economy better than any other sector. Current trends towards environmental and cultural protection also clearly imprint on the policy of tourism development.
Heritage conservation and tourism: the present and future of the past.
Authors: Bui Huong T. , Le Andrew , Jones Thomas E.
Published: February 2022

This chapter examines the symbiosis of heritage conservation and tourism development at a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) cultural heritage site, one of the most popular touristic sites in Vietnam. Bui, Le and Jones present findings derived from a longitudinal study over 5 years spanning before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (from 2016 to 2020). Although Hoi An has dramatically benefited from mass tourism, the excessive increase in visitor numbers and concentration in the core heritage zone of the city has negatively impacted the economic wealth of the residents of the ancient town. COVID-19 halted the development of tourism, which attracts attention to the overdependence of the city on tourism, and offers an opportunity for administrators to rethink and revise Hoi An's existing tourism policies.
Vietnam tour operators and responsible tourism: a behavioural approach.
Authors: Bui Quynh N. , Phi Giang T. , Le Andrew
Published: February 2022

The essence of responsible tourism (RT) is that it is not merely a solution to sustainable development either by the types of products or by the scale of operation, but a fundamental change in a set of values and actions that results in an improvement of tourism activities involving all stakeholders including tourists, tourism service suppliers, the local community and tourism managers. With their unique position in the tourism system, tour operators serve as the hub for connecting diverse stakeholders in tourism, ranging from tourists to the local community to local destination authorities. A tour operator can offer RT products and services to motivate and educate tourists in consuming tourism in responsible ways and can concurrently improve awareness in local communities as well as contributing benefits to the tourism destination across the three aspects of the economy, society and the environment. Furthermore, these tourism enterprises know how to reach visitors through publications and the media, thereby connecting sustainable tourism destinations with customers. Despite tour operators' essential role, there exists a gap in the literature regarding their RT behaviours and implementation in the context of Vietnam. This chapter thus seeks to bridge this gap through a qualitative research approach.
Characteristic studies on positive and negative streamers of double-sided pulsed surface dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: JIANG Yan , PENG Bangfa , LIU Zhengyan , JIANG Nan , LU Na , SHANG Kefeng , LI Jie
Published: February 2022

The mechanisms of streamer generation and propagation in double-sided pulsed surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) on both sides have been analyzed and investigated by experiment and numerical simulation. The fully exposed asymmetric SDBD has two discharge processes located on the high voltage electrode (HVE) side and the ground electrode (GE) side. Discharge images of the HVE side and GE side are taken by a digital camera under continuous pulse and ICCD (Intensified Charge Coupled Device) is utilized to diagnose the generation and propagation of streamers in single pulse discharge. In order to understand the physical mechanisms of streamer evolution more deeply, we establish a 2D simulation model and analyze it from the aspects of electron density, ion density, reduced electric field and electron impact ionization source term. The results show that the primary and secondary discharges on the HVE side and the GE side of the double-sided SDBD are composed of positive streamer and negative streamer, respectively. On the HVE side, the accumulation of positive charges on the dielectric surface causes the direction of the electric field to reverse, which is the principal factor for the polarity reversal of the streamer. On the GE side, both the negative charges accumulated on the dielectric surface and the falling voltage are the key factors for the streamer polarity switch.
Temporal dissonance between group size and its benefits requires whole-of-lifecycle measurements
Authors: Hearn Lucas R , Parslow Ben A , Stevens Mark I , Schwarz Michael P
Published: February 2022

The benefits of living in groups drive the evolution of sociality, and these benefits could vary across a life-cycle. However, there may be experimental problems in linking group size at one time in a life-cycle to benefits that only become apparent later on when group size has changed, leading to what we call “temporal dissonance”. In the only known social colletid bee, Amphylaeus morosus, parasite pressures arise at various times throughout the life-cycle from different parasitoid species. Amphylaeus morosus is impacted by eight different parasitoid species operating at different host-colony phenology phases, including five species of Gasteruption wasps, a bombyliid fly and two mutillid wasp species. We found that, as the reproductive season progressed, the number of host adults in a nest declined, often to zero, but the presence of even one adult host female during late brood-rearing stages appeared to offer substantial brood protection against mutillids. We propose that the apparent benefits of colony size at one point in time may not reflect the benefits that become apparent at a later point in the season, leading to a temporal dissonance between group size and its later fitness benefits. We also show that A. morosus is strongly protogynous, with variation in parasitoid pressure across the reproductive phenology distorting operational sex ratios away from initial investment ratios. Combined, our data suggest that seasonal variation in parasitoid pressure may have major consequences for understanding social evolution, but these kinds of consequences are largely unexplored in current studies of insect social evolution.
MRI tumour regression grade in locally recurrent rectal cancer
Authors: Voogt Eva L.K. , Nordkamp Stefi , van Zoggel Desley M.G.I. , Daniëls-Gooszen Alette W. , Nieuwenhuijzen Grard A.P. , Bloemen Johanne G. , Creemers Geert-Jan , Cnossen Jeltsje S. , van Lijnschoten Gesina , Burger Jacobus W.A. , Rutten Harm J.T. , Nederend Joost
Published: February 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate the agreement between magnetic resonance tumour regression grade (mrTRG) and pathological regression grade (pTRG) in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC). Also, the reproducibility of mrTRG was investigated.

Methods

All patients with LRRC who underwent a resection between 2010 and 2018 after treatment with induction chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemo(re)irradiation in whom a restaging MRI was available were retrospectively selected. All MRI scans were reassessed by two independent radiologists using the mrTRG, and the pTRG was reassessed by an independent pathologist. The interobserver agreement between the radiologists as well as between the radiologists and the pathologist was assessed with the weighted kappa test. A subanalysis was performed to evaluate the influence of the interval between imaging and surgery.

Results

Out of 313 patients with LRRC treated during the study interval, 124 patients were selected. Interobserver agreement between the radiologists was fair (k = 0.28) using a two-tier grading system (mrTRG 1–2 versus mrTRG 3–5). For the lead radiologist, agreement with pTRG was moderate (k = 0.52; 95 per cent c.i. 0.36 to 0.68) when comparing good (mrTRG 1–2 and Mandard 1–2) and intermediate/poor responders (mrTRG 3–5 and Mandard 3–5), and the agreement was fair between the other abdominal radiologist and pTRG (k = 0.39; 95 per cent c.i. 0.22 to 0.56). A shorter interval (less than 7 weeks) between MRI and surgery resulted in an improved agreement (k = 0.69), compared with an interval more than 7 weeks (k = 0.340). For the lead radiologist, the positive predictive value for predicting good responders was 95 per cent (95 per cent c.i. 71 per cent to 99 per cent), whereas this was 56 per cent (95 per cent c.i. 44 per cent to 66 per cent) for the other radiologist.

Conclusion

This study showed that, in LRRC, the reproducibility of mrTRG among radiologists is limited and the agreement of mrTRG with pTRG is low. However, a shorter interval between MRI and surgery seems to improve this agreement and, if assessed by a dedicated radiologist, mrTRG could predict good responders.
Efficacy of endoscopic clip closure for nonperforated muscle layer exposure during esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Yamaguchi Hayato , Fukuzawa Masakatsu , Kawai Takashi , Uchida Kumiko , Koyama Yohei , Madarame Akira , Morise Takashi , Sugimoto Akihiko , Kono Shin , Naito Sakiko , Itoi Takao
Published: February 2022

Exposure of the muscle layer during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the esophagus can lead to complications such as fever and pain. Although closure with endoscopic clips is widely used when perforation is a major complication, its value when the exposed muscle layer is not perforated is unclear. Data for 104 lesions in 104 patients who underwent esophageal ESD between 2008 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with multiple tumors, those who experienced procedure-related adverse events such as aspiration pneumonitis, perforation during ESD, or delayed bleeding, and those in whom the muscle layer was not exposed were excluded. The clinical course of inflammation after ESD in patients in whom the muscle layer was exposed was examined according to whether endoscopic clips were used for closure. A significantly greater number of patients had a temperature ≤ 37.5°C in the clip closure group than in the nonclip closure group (≤37.5°C/≥37.6°C, 47/14 vs. 25/18, respectively, P = 0.040). Furthermore, significantly more patients in the clip closure group had a white blood cell count ≤10,000/μL (≤10,000/μL/>10,000/μL, 51/10 vs. 21/22, P < 0.001) and a C-reactive protein level < 1.0 mg/dL (<1.0 mg/dL/≥1.0 mg/dL, 40/21 vs. 36/7, P = 0.040) in the 24 hour post-ESD. The results were not changed after propensity score matching. Closure with endoscopic clips reduces inflammation after esophageal ESD with nonperforated muscle layer exposure. Even if there is no obvious perforation during ESD, closure of the exposed muscle layer with endoscopic clips may contribute to the clinical course post-ESD.
Cardiorenal risk of celecoxib compared with naproxen or ibuprofen in arthritis patients: insights from the PRECISION trial
Authors: Obeid Slayman , Libby Peter , Husni Elaine , Wang Qiuqing , Wisniewski Lisa M , Davey Deborah A , Wolski Katherine E , Xia Feng , Bao Weihang , Walker Chris , Ruschitzka Frank , Nissen Steven E , Lüscher Thomas F
Published: February 2022

Aims

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently used drugs, both prescribed and over the counter. The long-term cardiovascular safety of NSAIDs in patients with arthritis has engendered controversy. Concerns remain regarding the relative incidence and severity of adverse cardiorenal effects, particularly in arthritis patients with established cardiovascular (CV) disease or risk factors for disease as illustrated by the PRECISION (Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Celecoxib Integrated Safety vs. Ibuprofen Or Naproxen) trial participants (NCT00346216).

We further investigated whether the selective COX-2 Inhibitor celecoxib has a superior cardiorenal safety profile compared with ibuprofen or naproxen in the PRECISION population.

Methods and results

Twenty-four thousand eighty-one patients who required NSAIDs for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and had increased CV risk randomly received celecoxib, ibuprofen, or naproxen. The current pre-specified secondary analysis assessed the incidence, severity, and NSAID-related risk of the pre-specified composite cardiorenal outcome (adjudicated renal event, hospitalization for congestive heart failure, or hospitalization for hypertension) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. An on-treatment analysis assessed safety in those taking the study medication. Following a mean treatment duration of 20.3 ± 16.0 months and a mean follow-up of 34.1 ± 13.4 months, the primary cardiorenal composite outcome occurred in 423 patients (1.76%) in the ITT population. Of these 423 patients, 118 (28%) were in the celecoxib, 166 (39%) in the ibuprofen, and 139 (33%) in the naproxen group. In a multivariable Cox regression model adjusted for independent clinical variables, celecoxib showed a significantly lower risk compared with ibuprofen [hazard ratio (HR) 0.67, confidence interval (CI) 0.53–0.85, P = 0.001) and a trend to lower risk compared with naproxen (HR 0.79, CI 0.61–1.00, P = 0.058). In the ITT analysis, clinically significant renal events occurred in 220 patients with events rates of 0.71%, 1.14%, and 0.89% for celecoxib, ibuprofen, and naproxen, respectively (P = 0.052), while in the on-treatment analysis the rates were 0.52%, 0.91%, and 0.78% (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In the current era, long-term NSAID use was associated with few cardiorenal events in arthritis patients. At the doses studied, celecoxib displayed fewer renal events and hence more favourable cardiovascular safety compared with ibuprofen or naproxen. These results have considerable clinical implications for practitioners managing individuals with chronic arthritis pain and high risk of impaired renal function and/or heart failure.

Clinical Trial Registration: NCT00346216
Multi-lead pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Elliott Mark K , Mehta Vishal , Wijesuriya Nadeev , Sidhu Baldeep S , Gould Justin , Niederer Steven , Rinaldi Christopher A
Published: February 2022

Aims

Multi-lead pacing is a potential therapy to improve response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by providing rapid activation of the myocardium from multiple sites. Here, we perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the efficacy of multi-lead pacing.

Methods and results

A literature search was performed which identified 251 unique records. After screening, 6 studies were found to meet inclusion criteria, with 415 patients included in the meta-analysis. Four studies performed multi-lead pacing with two left ventricular (LV) leads and one right ventricular (RV) lead. One study used two RV leads and one LV lead, and one study used both configurations. There was no difference between multi-lead pacing and conventional CRT in LV end-systolic volume [mean difference (MD) −0.54 mL, P = 0.93] or LV ejection fraction (MD 1.42%, P = 0.40). There was a borderline significant improvement in Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire score for multi-lead pacing vs. conventional CRT (MD −4.46, P = 0.05), but the difference was not significant when only patients receiving LV-only multi-lead pacing were included (MD −3.59, P = 0.25). There was also no difference between groups for 6-min walk test (MD 15.06 m, P = 0.38) or New York Heart Association class at follow-up [odds ratio (OR) 1.49, P = 0.24]. There was no difference in mortality between groups (OR 1.11, P = 0.77).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis does not support the use of multi-lead pacing for CRT delivery. However, significant variation between studies was noted, and therefore a benefit for multi-lead pacing in select patients cannot be excluded, and further investigation may be warranted.
Mid-term outcomes of isolated tricuspid valve surgery according to preoperative clinical and functional staging
Authors: Sala Alessandra , Lorusso Roberto , Zancanaro Edoardo , Carino Davide , Bargagna Marta , Bisogno Arturo , Lapenna Elisabetta , Ruggeri Stefania , Meneghin Roberta , Schiavi Davide , Buzzatti Nicola , Denti Paolo , Monaco Fabrizio , Agricola Eustachio , Maisano Francesco , Alfieri Ottavio , Castiglioni Alessandro , De Bonis Michele
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed at assessing mid-term outcomes of patients undergoing isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery based on a preoperative baseline clinical and functional classification.

METHODS

All patients treated with isolated TV repair or replacement from March 1997 to May 2020 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed and assessed for mid-term postoperative outcome according to a novel classification [stages 1–5 related to the absence or presence and extent of right heart failure (RHF)]. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to estimate mid-term survival. Competing risk analysis for time to cardiac death and hospitalizations for RHF were also carried out.

RESULTS

Among the 172 patients included, 129 (75%) underwent TV replacement and 43 (25%) TV repair. At follow-up (median 4.2 years [2.1–7.5]), there were 23 late deaths. At 5 years, overall survival was 100% in stage 2, 88 ± 4% in stage 3 and 60 ± 8% in stages 4–5 (P = 0.298 and P = 0.001, respectively). Cumulative incidence function of cardiac death at 5 years was 0%, 8.6 ± 3.76% and 13.2 ± 5% for stages 2, 3 and 4 and 5, respectively. At follow-up, cumulative incidence function of re-hospitalizations for RHF was 0% for stage 2, 20 ± 5% for stage 3 and 20 ± 6.7% for stages 4 and 5 (P = 0.118 and P = 0.039, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Both short- and mid-term outcomes support early referral for surgery in isolated TV disease, with excellent survival at 5 years and no further hospitalizations for RHF.
Impact of changes in imports and farmed salmon on wild-caught fish prices in Australia
Authors: Pascoe Sean , Schrobback Peggy , Hoshino Eriko , Curtotti Robert
Published: February 2022

In this study, we develop a dynamic Inverse Almost Ideal Demand System model to derive own- and cross-price flexibilities for wild-caught fish, Australian farmed salmon and imports of fresh and frozen fish. We find that the growth of fresh fish imports and Australian farmed salmon production have both individually had a significant negative impact on the prices received for Australian wild-caught species, particularly the lower valued species. Continued growth in imports and the farmed salmon sector may negatively impact prices and hence profitability in wild-caught fisheries in Australia in the future.
Responding to the Needs of Persons Living With Dementia and Their Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons From the Care Ecosystem
Authors: Merrilees Jennifer , Robinson-Teran Joanne , Allawala Mahnoor , Dulaney Sarah , Rosenbloom Michael , Lum Hillary D , Sawyer Robert John , Possin Katherine L , Bernstein Sideman Alissa
Published: February 2022

Background and Objectives

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created challenges for persons with dementia, their caregivers, and programs that support them. The Care Ecosystem (CE) is a model of dementia care designed to support people with dementia and their family caregiver dyads through ongoing contact with a care team navigator (CTN) and an expert clinical team. CTNs provide support, education, and resources and help dyads manage dementia-related concerns as they evolve over the course of the disease. We aimed to understand how the CE responded to the needs of dyads during the initial 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Design and Methods

We conducted a survey and qualitative interviews with staff members from 4 established CE programs located in 4 different states to explore (a) challenges dyads voiced during the pandemic, (b) CE staff approaches to addressing the needs of dyads, and (c) programmatic challenges faced and lessons learned.

Findings

Nine staff members from 4 CE programs with an active collective caseload of 379 dyads were interviewed. Themes were identified that included dyad concerns regarding fear of illness, changing attitudes toward long-term care, decreased availability of services and resources, and impacts on patient and caregiver health and well-being. Programmatic challenges included maintaining effective communication with dyads and program staff, technological readiness, workflow restructuring, and program sustainability.

Discussion and Implications

Approaches in supporting people with dementia and their caregivers should demonstrate flexibility, responsivity, and creativity, and these findings provide insight for understanding how dementia care programs can be positioned to offer continuous support for this vulnerable population.
Assessing species coverage and assembly quality of rapidly accumulating sequenced genomes
Authors: Feron Romain , Waterhouse Robert M
Published: February 2022

Background

Ambitious initiatives to coordinate genome sequencing of Earth's biodiversity mean that the accumulation of genomic data is growing rapidly. In addition to cataloguing biodiversity, these data provide the basis for understanding biological function and evolution. Accurate and complete genome assemblies offer a comprehensive and reliable foundation upon which to advance our understanding of organismal biology at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. However, ever-changing sequencing technologies and analysis methods mean that available data are often heterogeneous in quality. To guide forthcoming genome generation efforts and promote efficient prioritization of resources, it is thus essential to define and monitor taxonomic coverage and quality of the data.

Findings

Here we present an automated analysis workflow that surveys genome assemblies from the United States NCBI, assesses their completeness using the relevant BUSCO datasets, and collates the results into an interactively browsable resource. We apply our workflow to produce a community resource of available assemblies from the phylum Arthropoda, the Arthropoda Assembly Assessment Catalogue. Using this resource, we survey current taxonomic coverage and assembly quality at the NCBI, examine how key assembly metrics relate to gene content completeness, and compare results from using different BUSCO lineage datasets.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate how the workflow can be used to build a community resource that enables large-scale assessments to survey species coverage and data quality of available genome assemblies, and to guide prioritizations for ongoing and future sampling, sequencing, and genome generation initiatives.
Transapical beating heart mitral valve repair versus conventional surgery: a propensity-matched study
Authors: D’Onofrio A , Mastro F , Nadali M , Fiocco A , Pittarello D , Aruta P , Evangelista G , Lorenzoni G , Gregori D , Gerosa G
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVES

Transapical Neochordae implantation (NC) allows beating heart mitral valve repair in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation. The aim of this single-centre, retrospective study was to compare outcomes of NC versus conventional surgical (CS) mitral valve repair.

METHODS

Data of patients who underwent isolated mitral valve repair with NC or CS from January 2010 to December 2018 were collected. A propensity score matching analysis was performed to reduce confounding due to baseline differences between groups. The primary end point was overall all-cause mortality; secondary end points were freedom from reoperation, freedom from moderate (2+) and from severe (3+) mitral regurgitation (MR) and New York Heart Association functional class in the overall population and in patients with isolated P2 prolapse (type A anatomy).

RESULTS

Propensity analysis selected 88 matched pairs. There was no 30-day mortality in the 2 groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed similar 5-year survival in the 2 groups. Patients undergoing NC showed worse freedom from moderate MR (≥2+) (57.6% vs 84.6%; P < 0.001) and from severe MR (3+) at 5-year follow-up: 78.1% vs 89.7% (P = 0.032). In patients with type A anatomy, freedom from moderate MR and from severe MR was similar between groups (moderate: 63.9% vs 74.6%; P = 0.21; severe: 79.3% vs 79%; P = 0.77 in NC and FS, respectively). Freedom from reoperation was lower in the NC group: 78.9% vs 92% (P = 0.022) but, in type A patients, it was similar: 79.7% and 85% (P = 0.75) in the NC and CS group, respectively. More than 90% of patients of both groups were in New York Heart Association class I and II at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Transapical beating-heart mitral chordae implantation can be considered as an alternative treatment to CS, especially in patients with isolated P2 prolapse
Cervicotomy using a hemi-clamshell approach for a rare enlarged substernal goitre
Authors: Machboua Alia , Thumerel Mathieu , Hustache-Castaing Romain , Jougon Jacques
Published: February 2022

The substernal goitre is defined as a goitre for which >50% of the mass is located below the superior orifice of the thorax, surgical resection remains the reference treatment, the approach used is the cervicotomy, which often allows to extract the mediastinal portion of the plunging goitre, and we report a rare case of a huge cancerous plunging goitre whose complete resection required the enlargement of the cervicotomy in right hemi-clamshell, for the carcinological, vascular and recurrent control.
Indigenous Lexicography: A Review of Recent Dictionaries and Works Relating to Lexicography
Authors: Turin Mark , Oliveira Ferreira Natália
Published: February 2022

In this review essay, we compare five recent publications relating to dictionary work with Indigenous languages. The review covers three dictionaries, one monograph about lexicography in service of Indigenous language revitalization and the second volume of a two-volume dictionary-cum-encyclopedia. The structure of this review essay is as follows: following a brief introduction to each of the languages covered in these five publications, we include sections comparing orthographic choices and representations, internal structure and entry design, an examination of each dictionary’s approach to the incorporation of neologisms and the software choices made by compilers. In addition, we offer an analysis of each dictionary’s intended audience and access requirements, some structured reflections on authorship and ownership, an exploration of each project’s commitment to community engagement, strategies for the representation of dialectal variation and finally, relevant information about how each dictionary project was funded and resourced.
Novel Spectrophotometric Approaches for the Simultaneous Quantification of Ternary Common Cold Mixture Containing Paracetamol with a Challenging Formulation Ratio: Greenness Profile Evaluation
Authors: Soliman Rabab M , Mostafa Nadia M , Fayez Yasmin M , Monir Hany H , Rostom Yasmin
Published: February 2022

Background

Common cold and cough preparations represent a huge segment of the global pharmaceutical market. Recently, cold/cough formulations containing paracetamol (PAR) have attracted significant attention as PAR has been implemented into the supportive treatment of mild cases of COVID-19 as the first-line antipyretic. From a literature review, no method has been reported yet for simultaneous estimation of PAR, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PSE) and carbinoxamine maleate (CRX) in any matrix. Thus, there is an urgent need for smart and green methods that would enable quantification of the cited components in their challenging ratio.

Objectives

The aim of this work is to develop and validate the first UV spectrophotometric methods for simultaneous determination of the selected drugs taking into consideration the list of challenges including the highly overlapping features and spectral interferences in the cited mixture.

Methods

Namely, the proposed methods are: direct spectrophotometry, dual wavelength, first derivative, derivative ratio, ratio difference, constant center coupled with spectrum subtraction, and the constant multiplication method paired with spectrum subtraction.

Results

These methods were linear over the concentration range of 2.5–35, 1.5–20, and 4.5–35 μg/mL for PAR, PSE and CRX, respectively. These methods fulfill the validity parameters according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The results obtained were statistically benchmarked to the official ones where no significant difference was noticed.

Conclusion

The developed methods are successfully applied for concurrent quantification of the studied components in the marketed dosage form without interference from matrix excipients. The impact on the environment was assessed by five green metrics, namely a recent Analytical greenness (AGREE) metric algorithm based on the green analytical chemistry framework, Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), Eco-Scale, Assessment of Green Profile (AGP), and National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI).

Highlights

Eco-friendly and successive spectrophotometric methods were firstly developed in this work, for the simultaneous quantification of PAR, PSE and CRX. These approaches incorporate a simple enrichment-aided technique to augment their spectrophotometric signals, facilitating the accurate quantitation of the minor component in the cited mixture.
Debauchery and Original Sin: The Currency Composition of Sovereign Debt
Authors: Engel Charles , Park JungJae
Published: February 2022

We present a model that accounts for the “mystery of original sin” and the surge in local-currency borrowing by emerging economies in the recent decade. We quantitatively investigate the currency composition of sovereign debt in the presence of two types of limited enforcement frictions arising from a government's monetary and debt policy: strategic currency debasement and default on sovereign debt. Local-currency debt obligations act as a better consumption hedge against income shocks than foreign-currency debt because their real value can be affected by monetary policy. However, this provides a government with more temptation to deviate from disciplined monetary policy, thus restricting borrowing in local currency more than in foreign currency. Our model predicts that a country with a less credible monetary policy borrows mainly in foreign currency as a substitute for monetary credibility. An important extension demonstrates that in the presence of an expectational Phillips curve, local-currency debt improves the ability of monetary policymakers to commit.
Clonal integration affects growth and sediment properties of the first ramet generation, but not later ramet generations under severe light stress
Authors: Ma Xiaowen , Li Yang , Yu Weicheng , Wang Junnan , Liu Chunhua
Published: February 2022

Clonal integration benefits clonal plants by buffering environmental stress and increasing resource extraction efficiency. However, the number of connected ramet generations that benefit from clonal integration in a clonal system has received relatively little attention. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the extent of physiological integration within the clonal system of Vallisneria natans consisting of a mother ramet and three sequentially connected offspring ramets. Mother ramets were grown in full sunlight, and offspring ramets were heavily shaded with limited light availability. Stolons between mother ramets and offspring ramets were severed or connected, but connection among the three offspring ramets remained. The photosynthetic ability of unshaded mother ramets of V. natans was significantly enhanced, but their biomass accumulation was greatly reduced when connected to shaded offspring ramets. Clonal integration significantly increased biomass accumulation, C and N availabilities, extracellular enzyme activities and microbial biomass of the first ramet generation (adjacent ramet), but not later ramet generations. Our results indicate that support from the mother ramet of V. natans may be limited to the adjacent offspring ramet in a clonal system under severe light stress, implying an effect of ramet generation. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the hierarchy and segmentation of clonal plants. These findings suggest that the extent of clonal integration plays a vital role in ecological interactions of the ramet population.
Radix Ranunculi ternati: review of its chemical constituents, pharmacology, quality control and clinical applications
Authors: Wang Changlin , Wang Jieqiong , Gao Mingzhou , Gao Peng , Gao Dongmei , Zhang Hao , Mu Xiangyu , Qiao Mingqi
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Radix ranunculi ternati (RRT) is widely used as traditional and folk medicine distributed in China, as well as in Kyushu and Shikoku in Japan. Although RRT has a short history of use as medicine, it has a high medicinal value. This study summarizes the research progress on the chemical constituents, pharmacological activity, quality control measures and clinical applications to provide a valuable and exhaustive reference for the development and application of RRT.

Key findings

Phytochemical studies showed that this plant mainly contains glycosides, organic acids, esters, sterols, flavonoids, alkaloids and volatile oils. The pharmacological activity of RRT includes immune regulation, anti-tumour, anti-tuberculosis, antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. This plant is especially effective in the treatment of cancer, tuberculosis, thyroid and nasopharynges disorders.
Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine—a wave of news
Authors: Steffen Robert , Schmitt Heinz-Josef , Zavadska Dace
Published: February 2022

Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine efficacy approximates 90% after the initial two doses, but the duration of protection is unknown. Emerging evidence indicates that vaccine effectiveness does not depend on the seropersistence of antibodies but on the boostability. Thus, conventional recommendations with booster doses every 3 or 5 years need to be reconsidered.
Implementing the Reichsbürgergesetz: Registration, Statistics, and the Deportations of German Jews
Authors: Boberg Stefan
Published: February 2022

This article reconsiders the process by which Jews were excluded from the National Socialist state in the 1940s by analysing its administrative preconditions. It focuses on the identification of those individuals in the ‘Altreich’—pre-war German territory—who were defined as Jewish or of ‘mixed blood’ by the 1935 Reichsbürgergesetz (Reich Citizenship Law). Due to the prior absence of criteria, the number and identities of this group were unknown to the authorities. After summarizing historiographical discussions about the involvement of statisticians in the identification and registration of German Jews, this article argues that the hitherto neglected Volkskartei (People’s Card Index) was as important for the localization of Germany’s Jews prior to the deportations as the 1939 census was for their identification. Only the coordinated interaction of both devices made it possible to aggregate and provide the required information to facilitate National Socialist deportations.
Pilot-WINGS: An extended MUSE view of the structure of Abell 370
Authors: Lagattuta David J , Richard Johan , Bauer Franz Erik , Cerny Catherine , Claeyssens Adélaïde , Guaita Lucia , Jauzac Mathilde , Jeanneau Alexandre , Koekemoer Anton M , Mahler Guillaume , Prieto Lyon Gonzalo , Acebron Ana , Meneghetti Massimo , Niemiec Anna , Zitrin Adi , Bianconi Matteo , Connor Thomas , Cen Renyue , Edge Alastair , Faisst Andreas L , Limousin Marceau , Massey Richard , Sereno Mauro , Sharon Keren , Weaver John R
Published: February 2022

We investigate the strong-lensing cluster Abell 370 (A370) using a wide Integral Field Unit (IFU) spectroscopic mosaic from the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE). IFU spectroscopy provides significant insight into the structure and mass content of galaxy clusters, yet IFU-based cluster studies focus almost exclusively on the central Einstein-radius region. Covering over 14 arcmin2, the new MUSE mosaic extends significantly beyond the A370 Einstein radius, providing, for the first time, a detailed look at the cluster outskirts. Combining these data with wide-field, multi-band Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging from the BUFFALO project, we analyse the distribution of objects within the cluster and along the line of sight. Identifying 416 cluster galaxies, we use kinematics to trace the radial mass profile of the halo, providing a mass estimate independent from the lens model. We also measure radially averaged properties of the cluster members, tracking their evolution as a function of infall. Thanks to the high spatial resolution of our data, we identify six cluster members acting as galaxy–galaxy lenses, which constrain localized mass distributions beyond the Einstein radius. Finally, taking advantage of MUSE’s 3D capabilities, we detect and analyse multiple spatially extended overdensities outside of the cluster that influence lensing-derived halo mass estimates. We stress that much of this work is only possible thanks to the robust, extended IFU coverage, highlighting its importance even in less optically dense cluster regions. Overall, this work showcases the power of combining HST + MUSE, and serves as the initial step towards a larger and wider program targeting several clusters.
The dynamics and outcome of star formation with jets, radiation, winds, and supernovae in concert
Authors: Grudić Michael Y , Guszejnov Dávid , Offner Stella S R , Rosen Anna L , Raju Aman N , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André , Hopkins Philip F
Published: February 2022

We analyse the first giant molecular cloud (GMC) simulation to follow the formation of individual stars and their feedback from jets, radiation, winds, and supernovae, using the STARFORGE framework in the GIZMO code. We evolve the GMC for $\sim 9 \rm Myr$, from initial turbulent collapse to dispersal by feedback. Protostellar jets dominate feedback momentum initially, but radiation and winds cause cloud disruption at $\sim 8{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ star formation efficiency (SFE), and the first supernova at $8.3\, \rm Myr$ comes too late to influence star formation significantly. The per-free-fall SFE is dynamic, accelerating from 0 per cent to $\sim 18{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ before dropping quickly to <1 per cent, but the estimate from YSO counts compresses it to a narrower range. The primary cluster forms hierarchically and condenses to a brief ($\sim 1\, \mathrm{Myr}$) compact ($\sim 1\, \rm pc$) phase, but does not virialize before the cloud disperses, and the stars end as an unbound expanding association. The initial mass function resembles the Chabrier (2005) form with a high-mass slope α = −2 and a maximum mass of 55 M⊙. Stellar accretion takes $\sim 400\, \rm kyr$ on average, but $\gtrsim 1\,\rm Myr$ for >10 M⊙ stars, so massive stars finish growing latest. The fraction of stars in multiples increase as a function of primary mass, as observed. Overall, the simulation much more closely resembles reality, compared to previous versions that neglected different feedback physics entirely. But more detailed comparison with synthetic observations will be needed to constrain the theoretical uncertainties.
GroEL/S Overexpression Helps to Purge Deleterious Mutations and Reduce Genetic Diversity during Adaptive Protein Evolution
Authors: Iyengar Bharat Ravi , Wagner Andreas
Published: February 2022

Chaperones are proteins that help other proteins fold. They also affect the adaptive evolution of their client proteins by buffering the effect of deleterious mutations and increasing the genetic diversity of evolving proteins. We study how the bacterial chaperone GroE (GroEL+GroES) affects the evolution of green fluorescent protein (GFP). To this end, we subjected GFP to multiple rounds of mutation and selection for its color phenotype in four replicate Escherichia coli populations, and studied its evolutionary dynamics through high-throughput sequencing and mutant engineering. We evolved GFP both under stabilizing selection for its ancestral (green) phenotype, and to directional selection for a new (cyan) phenotype. We did so both under low and high expression of the chaperone GroE. In contrast to previous work, we observe that GroE does not just buffer but also helps purge deleterious (fluorescence reducing) mutations from evolving populations. In doing so, GroE helps reduce the genetic diversity of evolving populations. In addition, it causes phenotypic heterogeneity in mutants with the same genotype, helping to enhance their fluorescence in some cells, and reducing it in others. Our observations show that chaperones can affect adaptive evolution in more than one way.