bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polynomial degeneracy for the first $m$ energy levels of the antiferromagnetic Ising model
Authors: Jiménez Andrea
Published: March 2021

In this work, we continue our investigation on the antiferromagnetic Ising model on triangulations of closed Riemann surfaces. On the one hand, according to R. Moessner and A. P. Ramirez [11], the antiferromagnetic Ising model on triangulations exhibits geometrical frustration, a well-studied concept in condensed matter physics. Typical geometrically frustrated systems present an exponential ground state degeneracy. On the other hand, the dual graph of a triangulation of a closed Riemann surface is a cubic graph. Cubic bridgeless graphs have exponentially many perfect matchings [3, 5], which implies in the case of planar triangulations, an exponential ground state degeneracy. However, this phenomenon does not persist for triangulations of higher genus surfaces.

A possible explanation for a geometrically frustrated system with a low ground state degeneracy is that exponentially many states exist at a low energy level. In this work, we constructively show that this explanation does not match with the behavior of all triangulations of closed Riemann surfaces. To be more specific, for each integer

m \geq 1

, we construct a collection of triangulations

\{T_n\}_{n > N(m)}

of a fixed closed Riemann surface with the property that the degeneracy of each of the first

m

energy levels of

T_n

is a polynomial in the order

n

of

T_n

.
Absceso hepático asociado a absceso pulmonar y endoftalmitis
Authors: Cordero Chen Jairo , Catalán Sánchez Eduardo , Padilla Cuadra Juan Ignacio , Ramírez Arce Jorge
Published: March 2021

"El absceso hepático piógeno producido por Klebsiella pneumoniae es relativamente raro y puede complicarse con lesiones sépticas a distancia. Esto se relaciona con características propias del germen que incluyen el genotipo K1, resistencia a la fagocitosis y la presencia del gen mag-A. Tales metástasis sépticas contemplan absceso pulmonar, meningitis, endocarditis bacteriana y, muy especialmente, endoftalmitis. Esta última ocurre con mayor frecuencia en pacientes diabéticos, y puede causar ceguera. Se reporta caso de absceso hepático por K. pneumoniae asociado a absceso pulmonar y endoftalmitis, y se revisa epidemiología, fisiopatología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la entidad"
Tamizaje neonatal masivo: complejidad y beneficios actuales - amenazas y oportunidades futuras
Authors: Montealegre Carlos de Céspedes
Published: March 2021

A través de los últimos 50 años, en los Estados Unidos / Europa, y de los últimos 25 en Costa Rica, varios hitos históricos, detonantes de innovaciones tecnológicas impresionantes, marcan el inicio y desarrollo de los programas de tamizaje neonatal masivo (TNM), de enfermedades metabólicas hereditarias y trastornos relacionados. El objetivo principal de estos programas es la prevención de retardo mental, otras discapacidades y muerte, mediante la detección, confirmación diagnóstica y tratamiento temprano de un grupo característico de enfermedades.
DESENVOLVIMENTO ECONÔMICO E MUDANÇA CULTURAL: ARMAZÉNS DE SECOS E MOLHADOS NA CULTURA E MEMÓRIA BRASILEIRA
Authors: Grassi Vieira Karime Massignan , Antunes Hardt Letícia Peret
Published: March 2021

A investigação é voltada à análise de processos de transformação urbana contribuintes no desenvolvimento e posterior decadência do modelo comercial dos armazéns de secos e molhados no Brasil. Com o objetivo de discutir dinâmicas temporais de práticas cotidianas de dependência entre cultura e economia, a pesquisa parte dos deslocamentos humanos em caminhos tropeiros, que promoveram relações sociais favoráveis a esse tipo de negócio nos anos 1800 no contexto sul-brasileiro. Com estrutura múltipla de métodos, abordagem qualitativa e natureza interpretativa, o estudo foi baseado em revisão bibliográfica e levantamento documental, além de registros pessoais in loco. Os resultados são sistematizados sob três dimensões: recorte identitário, revelando mudanças urbanísticas derivadas do dinamismo econômico; perspectiva cultural, identificando permanências e alterações das atividades diárias; e preservação memorial, reconhecendo valores interdependentes da cultura e da economia. Essas condições produzem respostas à questão investigativa sobre as formas pelas quais as dinâmicas envolvendo o comércio que propiciaram a popularização daqueles estabelecimentos coloniais contribuíram para a formação de áreas urbanizadas no país em períodos anteriores ao século XXI, considerando o seu legado material. Conclui-se, assim, que a “cidade-memória” tem capacidade de expressar interações, no espaço e no tempo, do patrimônio tangível e intangível de determinada sociedade.
DISEÑO DE UNA PROPUESTA DE MARKETING TURÍSTICO PARA EL MUSEO HERMANO JOAQUÍN LIÉBANA CALLE DEL CANTÓN PALTAS COMO DESTINO TURÍSTICO. PROVINCIA DE LOJA
Authors: León Abarca Rodrigo Medardo
Published: March 2021

El plan de marketing es una herramienta importante en la actualidad prestadores turísticos han implantado para atraer mayor cantidad de turistas y así generar mayor rentabilidad y acogida. La investigación tiene como objetivo diseñar una propuesta de marketing turístico para el Museo Hermano Joaquín Liébana Calle del cantón Paltas como destino turístico de la provincia de Loja; para lo cual la metodología empleada consistió en realizar la observación directa, revisión de literatura relacionada al tema, encuestas a los visitantes y entrevistas con cuestionarios estructurados a los responsables de la gestión del museo; lo que permitió realizar el diagnóstico general del museo, determinando: estado actual, ubicación geográfica, características, objetos exhibidos, servicios, infraestructura, aspectos culturales; que conjuntamente con el diagnóstico turístico del cantón bajo la metodología y fichas de inventario del MINTUR, tabulación e interpretación de encuestas y entrevistas dio paso al análisis FODA con las matrices de evaluación interna y externa que conformaron metodología, resultados y conceptos que aportaron al desarrollo de la investigación, pudiendo así determinar los componentes de la tangibilidad e intangibilidad turística del museo, organización y atractivos turísticos cantonales de los cuales 3 son atractivos naturales y 12 manifestaciones culturales. Finalizando con el planteamiento de los cuatro objetivos estratégicos de la propuesta del plan de marketing: 1) publicidad, 2) servicios, 3) capacitación, 4) infraestructura. Cada uno de estos objetivos cuenta con metas, estrategias definidas y resultados esperados, que beneficien al mejoramiento actual del museo cuyos resultados esperados serán el lograr el posicionamiento del museo como destino turístico.
Modelling global solar radiation to optimise agricultural production
Authors: Domínguez-Álvarez Agustín , De-Tena-Rey María-Teresa , García-Moruno Lorenzo
Published: March 2021

Aim of study: To present a complete global radiation model that includes direct, diffuse sky and ground-reflected radiation, and compare the values with those obtained by the pyranometers.Area of study: The data were analyzed at the meteorological station network in Extremadura, Spain, to validate the results calculated by the model.Material and methods: The method uses the maps from meteorological station data are based on a single piece of daily solar radiation data for an area of 8,000 to 9,000 ha, whereas the maps created by the models are obtained using the spatial resolution of the digital elevation model, in this case 25 × 25m.Main results: The analytical model used in the study obtained global radiation values with a difference of 1.44% relative to the values captured by the meteorological stations in Extremadura. Analysis of the data indicates that on days with a specific type of fog or very diffuse cloud, the global radiation captured by sensors is greater than it would be on clear-sky days in the same area. The method was suitable for calculating global solar radiation on any type of terrain with its corresponding diversity of crop types.Research highlights: The research highlights the importance of understanding and modelling solar radiation for efficient use of water resources in agriculture. Adding these global radiation models to a GIS would provide a very valuable tool for developing regions.
Memórias de um regresso anunciado
Authors: Torres Moreira Fernando Alberto
Published: March 2021

Ryszard Kapuscinski, jornalista polaco, convocado para testemunhar e relatar a “ponte aérea” do império colonial português, em Luanda, no ano de 1975, publica Mais um dia de vida, Angola 1975 ([1976] 2015), uma narração dos primeiros movimentos dos desterrados de Angola e dos primeiros passos para a descolonização, sob a ótica jornalística de alguém estrangeiro à trama colonial portuguesa. Trata-se de um “documento único” e de um “relato de viagem por uma cidade que apenas existiu três meses: a Luanda entre o êxodo português e a proclamação da independência pelo MPLA” (Kapuscinski 7). Mais de 40 anos depois do 25 de abril, Dulce Maria Cardoso, na obra ficcional O retorno (2012), apresenta o jovem Rui, nos mesmos últimos dias de Luanda em trânsito para uma pátria que não reconhece como sua, onde a problemática identitária é central. Numa análise das obras de Kapuscinski e de Cardoso, sob a ótica dos conceitos de memória e “desmemória”, indaga-se sobre a relação entre história e literatura e as repercussões que esta possa ter no entendimento do passado colonial, ainda doloroso e controverso, nos tempos atuais.
Nanoscale Configuration of Clay-Interlayer Chemistry: A Precursor to Enhancing Flame Retardant Properties
Authors: Sonkaria Sanjiv , Joong Kim Hyun
Published: March 2021

Nanomaterials are proving to be pivotal to the evolution of controllable, cost-effective and environmentally safe technologies. An important concern is the impact of low-dimensional compositional materials and their ability to significantly reduce the hazardous nature of flame retardants that are reputably harmful through unchecked inhalation. While eco-friendly and recyclable alternatives are necessary requirements to function as replacements for the ‘Next Generation’ of flame retardants, the underlying ‘Chemistry’ at the nanoscale is unfolding unlocking vital clues enabling the development of more effective retardants. In this direction, the dimensional order of particles in naturally occurring nanoclay materials and their associated properties as composites are gaining increasing attention as important constituents of flame retardants. In this review, we examine closer the compositional importance of intercalated/exfoliated nanoclay networks essential to retardant functionality exploring the chemical significance and discussing underlying mechanisms where possible.
Contraste de experiencias de estudiantes universitarios en dos escenarios educativos: enseñanza en línea vs. enseñanza remota de emergencia
Authors: Niño Carrasco Shamaly Alhelí , Castellanos-Ramírez Juan Carlos , Patrón Espinosa Felipe
Published: March 2021

El objetivo del trabajo fue explorar las experiencias de estudiantes universitarios entorno a la acción instruccional recibida en un escenario de enseñanza en línea, antes de la Covid-19, y en un escenario de enseñanza remota de emergencia, durante la pandemia. Para ello, se optó por realizar un estudio transversal-correlacional con muestreo no probabilístico de participantes voluntarios; la muestra estuvo conformada por 301 estudiantes matriculados en una universidad mexicana. Para contrastar las experiencias de un mismo grupo de estudiantes en los dos escenarios, se diseñó un cuestionario autoaplicado de escala tipo Likert compuesto de 24 ítems; el análisis de los datos se realizó mediante el cálculo de frecuencias porcentuales y, además, se aplicó la prueba t de Student para muestras relacionadas. Se constató que las medias fueron mayores para el escenario de enseñanza en línea en comparación con el escenario de enseñanza remota de emergencia, aunque solo se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entorno al diseño instruccional, la evaluación de los aprendizajes y la participación de los estudiantes en las asignaturas. Los resultados también ponen de manifiesto un par de limitaciones metodológicas y, a la vez, un conjunto de preguntas que abren líneas futuras de trabajo.

The objective of these work was to explore the experiences of university students about the instructional action in an online teaching setting, before Covid-19, and in emergency remote teaching setting, during the pandemic. For this, a cross sectional-correlational study with non-probabilistic sampling of voluntary participants was carried out; the sample consisted of 301 students enrolled in a Mexican university. To contrast the experiences of the same group of students in the two scenarios, a self-applied Likert-type questionnaire was designed, composed of 24 items; the data analysis was performed calculating percentage frequencies, and in addition Student's t test was applied for related samples. It was found that the means were higher for the online teaching scenario compared to the emergency remote teaching scenario, although statistically significant differences were only found regarding the instructional design, the evaluation of learning and the participation of students in the subjects. The results also reveal a couple of methodological limitations and, at the same time, a set of questions that open future lines of work.
Parabrachial opioidergic projections to preoptic hypothalamus mediate behavioral and physiological thermal defenses
Authors: Norris Aaron J , Shaker Jordan R , Cone Aaron L , Ndiokho Imeh B , Bruchas Michael R
Published: March 2021

Maintaining stable body temperature through environmental thermal stressors requires detection of temperature changes, relay of information, and coordination of physiological and behavioral responses. Studies have implicated areas in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (POA) and the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) as nodes in the thermosensory neural circuitry and indicate that the opioid system within the POA is vital in regulating body temperature. In the present study we identify neurons projecting to the POA from PBN expressing the opioid peptides dynorphin and enkephalin. Using mouse models, we determine that warm-activated PBN neuronal populations overlap with both prodynorphin (Pdyn) and proenkephalin (Penk) expressing PBN populations. Here we report that in the PBN Prodynorphin (Pdyn) and Proenkephalin (Penk) mRNA expressing neurons are partially overlapping subsets of a glutamatergic population expressing Solute carrier family 17 (Slc17a6) (VGLUT2). Using optogenetic approaches we selectively activate projections in the POA from PBN Pdyn, Penk, and VGLUT2 expressing neurons. Our findings demonstrate that Pdyn, Penk, and VGLUT2 expressing PBN neurons are critical for physiological and behavioral heat defense.
Microbiota functional activity biosensors for characterizing nutrient metabolism in vivo
Authors: Wesener Darryl A , Beller Zachary W , Peters Samantha L , Rajabi Amir , Dimartino Gianluca , Giannone Richard J , Hettich Robert L , Gordon Jeffrey I
Published: March 2021

Methods for measuring gut microbiota biochemical activities in vivo are needed to characterize its functional states in health and disease. To illustrate one approach, an arabinan-containing polysaccharide was isolated from pea fiber, its structure defined, and forward genetic and proteomic analyses used to compare its effects, versus unfractionated pea fiber and sugar beet arabinan, on a human gut bacterial strain consortium in gnotobiotic mice. We produced ‘Microbiota Functional Activity Biosensors’ (MFABs) consisting of glycans covalently linked to the surface of fluorescent paramagnetic microscopic glass beads. Three MFABs, each containing a unique glycan/fluorophore combination, were simultaneously orally gavaged into gnotobiotic mice, recovered from their intestines, and analyzed to directly quantify bacterial metabolism of structurally distinct arabinans in different human diet contexts. Colocalizing pea-fiber arabinan and another polysaccharide (glucomannan) on the bead surface enhanced in vivo degradation of glucomannan. MFABs represent a potentially versatile platform for developing new prebiotics and more nutritious foods.
Wearable Dosimeters for Medical and Defence Applications: A State of the Art Review
Authors: Dhanekar Saakshi , Rangra Kamaljit
Published: March 2021

Wearable dosimeters form an essential part of the personnel protection scheme in work spaces such as defence, nuclear establishments, and medical fields with radiation hazard. In the current scenario where use of high energy ionizing radiation sources (nuclear sources) is indispensable, the need of radiation detectors is mandatory for measuring the dose received by the person exposed in his work space and also measure the dose for patients where nuclear radiation is used for treatment. Wearable dosimeters need to have some special requirements apart from being accurate, precise, and robust. These need to be light in weight and should cause no harm to the human body while it is touching the body or apparels. This paper comprises an introduction to dosimeters, key characteristics, important techniques used for detection of neutrons and X‐rays and also mentions about a few potential companies involved in developing wearable dosimeters in these application areas. The techniques have been collated, described, compared and the need to detect neutrons and X‐rays has been expressed keeping in mind the demand from the defence and medical disciplines. This review also contains artificial intelligence and internet of things which form the basis of trending and upcoming wearable dosimeters.
The P‐graph approach for systematic synthesis of wastewater treatment networks
Authors: Yenkie Kirti M. , Pimentel Jean , Orosz Ákos , Cabezas Heriberto , Friedler Ferenc
Published: March 2021

Wastewater treatment consists of three or four sequential stages: preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary. Each stage can comprise multiple alternative technologies that can perform the same tasks with different efficiencies, operating times, and costs. Thus, we propose a systematic approach for designing wastewater treatment networks by utilizing principles of mathematical modeling and generating an exhaustive enumeration of all the possible technologies and their connections during the early stages of designing a treatment facility. Some of these structures are nonintuitive and include recycling, reprocessing, bypasses, and multiple technologies in parallel or series to remove the same contaminant. The nonintuitive structures with multiple technologies may provide a measure of resilience compared to typical heuristic designs. Thus, the combination of P‐graph methodology and the sequence of treatment technologies predicted via the optimization algorithm from the maximal structure is based on holistic considerations and does not lead to suboptimal solutions.
Using the Mechanical Bond to Tune the Performance of a Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitter**
Authors: Rajamalli Pachaiyappan , Rizzi Federica , Li Wenbo , Jinks Michael A. , Gupta Abhishek Kumar , Laidlaw Beth A. , Samuel Ifor D. W. , Penfold Thomas J. , Goldup Stephen M. , Zysman‐Colman Eli
Published: March 2021

We report the characterization of rotaxanes based on a carbazole‐benzophenone thermally activated delayed fluorescence luminophore. We find that the mechanical bond leads to an improvement in key photophysical properties of the emitter, notably an increase in photoluminescence quantum yield and a decrease in the energy difference between singlet and triplet states, as well as fine tuning of the emission wavelength, a feat that is difficult to achieve when using covalently bound substituents. Computational simulations, supported by X‐ray crystallography, suggest that this tuning of properties occurs due to weak interactions between the axle and the macrocycle that are enforced by the mechanical bond. This work highlights the benefits of using the mechanical bond to refine existing luminophores, providing a new avenue for emitter optimization that can ultimately increase the performance of these molecules.
Plasticizing effect of biodegradable dipropylene glycol bibenzoate and epoxidized linseed oil on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A based epoxy resin
Authors: Okoro Chinedu , Mohammed Zaheeruddin , Jeelani Shaik , Rangari Vijaya
Published: March 2021

Major limitation for use of epoxy thermosets in engineering applications is its sudden brittle failure. In the present study dipropylene glycol dibenzoate (DPGDB) based plasticizer is used to modify diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DEGEBA) based epoxy resin system via simple blending technique. Bio‐based epoxidized linseed oil was also used to modify epoxy resin system and compared with DPGDB modified resin. For DPGDB modified resin storage modulus and loss modulus of the epoxy system modified with 10% plasticizer increased by 7.54% and 12.24%, respectively. The primary mechanism responsible for such behavior is improved crosslinking density. With 5% plasticizer loading, flexural strength increased by 21%. There was an improvement of 312.74% in strain at failure for 10% plasticizer loading, while preserving its mechanical strength. It was found that DPGDB based modification was better than epoxidized linseed oil modification.
Controlling the Formation of Sodium/Black Phosphorus IntercalationCompounds Towards High Sodium Content
Authors: Werbach Katharina , Neiss Christian , Müllner Alexander , Abellán Gonzalo , Setman Daria , Lloret Vicent , Wild Stefan , Hauke Frank , Pichler Thomas , Hirsch Andreas , Peterlik Herwig
Published: March 2021

The solid‐state synthesis of pure sodium‐black phosphorus intercalation compounds (Na‐BPICs) has been optimized in bulk for two stoichiometric ratios. Specifically, in‐situ X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) allowed the precise identification of the optimal temperature range for the formation of Na‐BPICs: 94 °C–96 °C. Moreover, as the undesired formation of Na3P takes place at this very same range, we succeeded in introducing a new synthetic route based on a fast‐thermal ball milling implementation that results in the bulk production of BPIC without Na3P in 9 out of 10 cases. Finally, by combining XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and DFT calculations we developed a new structural model for Na‐based BPICs showing an increase of BP's unit cell with Na atoms incorporated in every second layer. These results will pave the way for the large‐scale synthesis and application of pure BPICs, which are of great interest in fields such as optoelectronics or energy storage.
On the use of the term, “discriminative stimulus,” in behavior analytic practice
Authors: Axe Judah B. , McCarthy‐Pepin Melanie
Published: March 2021

We have seen behavior analysts use the term, “discriminative stimulus (SD)” incorrectly, often equating it with an instruction in discrete trial training (DTT). We posit this incorrect use is because (1) the definition of “SD” is complex and (2) because the term is defined and used incorrectly in DTT manuals. We provide correct definitions of “SD” from textbooks, incorrect definitions and uses in DTT manuals, and recommendations for use of the term and other antecedent variable terms in behavior analytic practice.
Dynamic response of Aspergillus niger to periodical glucose pulse stimuli in chemostat cultures
Authors: Liu Peng , Wang Shuai , Li Chao , Zhuang Yingping , Xia Jianye , Noorman Henk
Published: March 2021

In industrial large‐scale bioreactors, microorganisms encounter heterogeneous substrate concentration conditions, which can impact growth or product formation. Here we carried out an extended (12 h) experiment of repeated glucose pulsing with a 10‐min period to simulate fluctuating glucose concentrations with Aspergillus niger producing glucoamylase, and investigated its dynamic response by rapid sampling and quantitative metabolomics. The 10‐min period represents worst‐case conditions, as in industrial bioreactors the average cycling duration is usually in the order of 1 min. We found that cell growth and the glucoamylase productivity were not significantly affected, despite striking metabolomic dynamics. Periodical dynamic responses were found across all central carbon metabolism pathways, with different time scales, and the frequently reported ATP paradox was confirmed for this A. niger strain under the dynamic conditions. A thermodynamics analysis revealed that several reactions of the central carbon metabolism remained in equilibrium even under periodical dynamic conditions. The dynamic response profiles of the intracellular metabolites did not change during the pulse exposure, showing no significant adaptation of the strain to the more than 60 perturbation cycles applied. The apparent high tolerance of the glucoamylase producing A. niger strain for extreme variations in the glucose availability presents valuable information for the design of robust industrial microbial hosts.
Partitioning metabolism between growth and product synthesis for coordinated production of wax esters in Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1
Authors: Santala Suvi , Santala Ville , Liu Nian , Stephanopoulos Gregory
Published: March 2021

Microbial storage compounds, such as wax esters (WE), are potential high‐value lipids for the production of specialty chemicals and medicines. Their synthesis, however, is strictly regulated and competes with cell growth, which leads to trade‐offs between biomass and product formation. Here, we use metabolic engineering and synergistic substrate cofeeding to partition the metabolism of Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 into two distinct modules, each dedicated to cell growth and WE biosynthesis, respectively. We first blocked the glyoxylate shunt and upregulated the WE synthesis pathway to direct the acetate substrate exclusively for WE synthesis, then we controlled the supply of gluconate so it could be used exclusively for cell growth and maintenance. We show that the two modules are functionally independent from each other, allowing efficient lipid accumulation while maintaining active cell growth. Our strategy resulted in 7.2‐ and 4.2‐fold improvements in WE content and productivity, respectively, and the product titer was enhanced by 8.3‐fold over the wild type strain. Notably, during a 24‐h cultivation, a yield of 18% C‐WE/C‐total‐substrates was achieved, being the highest reported for WE biosynthesis. This study provides a simple, yet powerful, means of controlling cellular operations and overcoming some of the fundamental challenges in microbial storage lipid production.
Vocational Identity Resources in Emerging Adulthood: Associations With Facets of Dispositional Mindfulness
Authors: Feldt Ronald , Bejar Matthew , Lee Jen , Louison Rebecca
Published: March 2021

The processes of career development and forming a crystallized identity can be fraught with emotional turmoil. One multidimensional construct known to reduce emotional reactivity is dispositional mindfulness (DM). We used canonical correlation analysis to examine relationships involving measures of resources for establishing a vocational identity (Hirschi, 2012a) and facets of DM in emerging adults (134 women, 38 men). Observing, describing, and nonreactivity to inner experiences contributed uniquely to the first canonical function with career agency and occupational engagement. Observing, describing, and nonjudging contributed uniquely to the second function with occupational engagement and negative career outlook. These results shed light on key facets of DM that help emerging adults to effectively utilize emotion within the context of career‐life planning. Future research should examine relationships between DM facets and additional constructs subsumed within the career resources model. Counselors may find utility in understanding how clients conceptualize conscious emotional experience and use it in career‐life planning.
The Kroof experiment: realization and efficacy of a recurrent drought experiment plus recovery in a beech/spruce forest
Authors: Grams Thorsten E. E. , Hesse Benjamin D. , Gebhardt Timo , Weikl Fabian , Rötzer Thomas , Kovacs Benedikt , Hikino Kyohsuke , Hafner Benjamin D. , Brunn Melanie , Bauerle Taryn , Häberle Karl‐Heinz , Pretzsch Hans , Pritsch Karin
Published: March 2021

Forest ecosystems play a central role in global water and carbon cycles, yet the impact of global climate change, in particular drought, on trees and forests is poorly understood. Therefore, there is an urgent need for forest‐scale experiments in improving our understanding of trees’ responses to extreme drought events and subsequent recovery under field conditions. Here, we present the design and efficacy of a novel throughfall exclusion experiment with retractable roofs in a mature forest allowing for flexible drought and recovery periods. A total of 12 plots (144 ± 26 m2 on average) with 3–7 European beech and Norway spruce trees each were established by root trenching to a depth of one meter, four years prior to the experiment. Subsequent installation of roofs (n = 6) allowed for the removal of throughfall precipitation and almost a complete non‐availability of soil water in the upper 70 cm during five subsequent growing seasons, that is, 2014–2018. This reduction in available soil water resulted in pre‐dawn leaf water potentials down to −1.8 MPa in mature trees. Stem diameter growth decreased by 30% in beech and 70% in spruce, and fine root abundance was reduced by 57% in beech and 73% in spruce compared with controls. After only one growing season, the mycorrhizal community composition changed in response to drought. Careful watering of hydrophobic forest soils in early summer of 2019 resulted in recovered pre‐dawn leaf water potentials of drought‐stressed trees within one week. Recovery of stem diameter growth, however, did not occur within the same growing season and remained reduced by 33% in beech and 69% in spruce compared with controls. The implemented throughfall exclusion system imposed recurrent seasonal drought events on a mature beech/spruce forest with high efficacy. Shifts in community composition of mycorrhizae in parallel to tree growth decline advocate for a more holistic view on forest‐scale drought and watering experiments, particularly in light of more frequently predicted drought events in future. The perennial nature of mature trees and their subsequent slow recovery from drought, that is, over multiple growing seasons, argues for more long‐term experiments that span several years.
Evaporation behavior of a thinning liquid film in a spin coating setup: Comparison between calculation and experiment
Authors: Danglad‐Flores José , Eickelmann Stephan , Riegler Hans
Published: March 2021

We present and analyze comprehensive measurements of the evaporation behavior, E, of a thinning liquid film during a hydrodynamic‐evaporative spin coating experiment. E, (the rotation speed), and (the liquid viscosity) are the main control parameters of the process. The entire film thinning process can be described theoretically quite well if these parameters are known. Values of are easily accessible in advance (calculations, literature values, measurements). Values for E can essentially not be found in the literature. They are hard to measure and specific for the experimental conditions. There is also no generally accepted strategy to calculate E. Our experimental results are compared with a theoretical prediction for E based on ideas by Bornside, Macosco, and Scriven, which were presented long ago. Their approach was never tested experimentally. Theory and experiment agree well for many solvents and different . This approach permits in advance the quantitative calculation of the evolution of the entire hydrodynamic‐evaporative film thinning process. We also derive a general formula to predict ab initio, with literature data only, the amount of final deposit (film thickness) of solute in the case of spin coating mixtures of volatile solvents and nonvolatile solutes.
Examining the Accuracy of a Conversation‐Based Assessment in Interpreting English Learners' Written Responses
Authors: Lopez Alexis A. , Guzman‐Orth Danielle , Zapata‐Rivera Diego , Forsyth Carolyn M. , Luce Christine
Published: March 2021

Substantial progress has been made toward applying technology enhanced conversation‐based assessments (CBAs) to measure the English‐language proficiency of English learners (ELs). CBAs are conversation‐based systems that use conversations among computer‐animated agents and a test taker. We expanded the design and capability of prior conversation‐based instructional and assessment systems and developed a CBA designed to measure the English language skills and the mathematics knowledge of middle school ELs. The prototype CBA simulates an authentic and engaging mathematics classroom where the test taker interacts with two virtual agents to solve math problems. We embedded feedback and supports that are triggered by how the CBA interprets students' written responses. In this study, we administered the CBA to middle school ELs (N = 82) residing in the United States. We examined the extent to which the CBA system was able to consistently interpret the students' responses (722 responses for the 82 students). The study findings helped us to understand the factors that affect the accuracy of the CBA system's interpretations and shed light on how to improve CBA systems that incorporate scaffolding.
Future trends in synthetic biology in Asia
Authors: Mao Ning , Aggarwal Nikhil , Poh Chueh Loo , Cho Byung Kwan , Kondo Akihiko , Liu Chenli , Yew Wen Shan , Chang Matthew Wook
Published: March 2021

Synthetic biology research and technology translation has garnered increasing interest from the governments and private investors in Asia, where the technology has great potential in driving a sustainable bio‐based economy. This Perspective reviews the latest developments in the key enabling technologies of synthetic biology and its application in bio‐manufacturing, medicine, food and agriculture in Asia. Asia‐centric strengths in synthetic biology to grow the bio‐based economy, such as advances in genome editing and the presence of biofoundries combined with the availability of natural resources and vast markets, are also highlighted. The potential barriers to the sustainable development of the field, including inadequate infrastructure and policies, with suggestions to overcome these by building public‐private partnerships, more effective multi‐lateral collaborations and well‐developed governance framework, are presented. Finally, the roles of technology, education and regulation in mitigating potential biosecurity risks are examined. Through these discussions, stakeholders from different groups, including academia, industry and government, are expectantly better positioned to contribute towards the establishment of innovation and bio‐economy hubs in Asia.
Noncontingent reinforcement: Arbitrary versus maintaining reinforcers for escape‐maintained problem behavior
Authors: Newman Zoe A. , Roscoe Eileen M. , Errera Nancy P. , Davis Caleb R.
Published: March 2021

Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) involves the delivery of maintaining reinforcers on a time‐dependent schedule and often includes extinction. However, arbitrary reinforcers may be equally efficacious during NCR without extinction for treating escape‐maintained problem behavior. The purpose of this study was to extend previous research on NCR by evaluating the relative efficacy of NCR without extinction and comparing maintaining versus arbitrary reinforcers for 4 individuals with escape‐maintained problem behavior. Two different NCR conditions, NCR using the maintaining reinforcer (escape) and NCR using an arbitrary reinforcer (an edible), were evaluated using multielement and reversal designs. Treatment effects varied across participants. Results for 2 participants showed a reduction in problem behavior during NCR without extinction with both the arbitrary and maintaining reinforcers. For 1 participant, results showed a reduction in problem behavior with both the arbitrary and maintaining reinforcers only when extinction was added to NCR. For the 4th participant, the maintaining reinforcer was effective during NCR without extinction, but the arbitrary reinforcer was ineffective.
A novel homozygous variant in C1QBP causes severe IUGR, edema, and cardiomyopathy in two fetuses
Authors: Alstrup Morten , Vogel Ida , Sandager Puk , Blechingberg Jenny , Becher Naja , Østergaard Elsebet
Published: March 2021

The C1QBP protein (complement component 1 Q subcomponent‐binding protein), encoded by the C1QBP gene, is a multifunctional protein predominantly localized in the mitochondrial matrix. Biallelic variants have previously been shown to give rise to combined respiratory‐chain deficiencies with variable phenotypic presentation, severity, and age at onset, from intrauterine with a mostly lethal course, to a late‐onset mild myopathy. We present two fetuses, one male and one female, of first‐cousin parents, with severe intrauterine growth retardation, oligo/anhydramnios, edema, and cardiomyopathy as the most prominent prenatal symptoms. Both fetuses showed no copy number variants by chromosome microarray analysis. Analysis of a fibroblast culture from one of the fetuses showed deficiency of respiratory chain complex IV, and using exome sequencing, we identified homozygosity for a novel variant in C1QBP in both fetuses. To our knowledge, only six patients with pathogenic variants in C1QBP have been reported previously and with this report, we add a novel pathogenic variant in C1QBP found in two related fetuses.
Healthcare disparities among anticoagulation therapies for severe COVID‐19 patients in the multi‐site VIRUS registry
Authors: Kirkup Christian , Pawlowski Colin , Puranik Arjun , Conrad Ian , O'Horo John C. , Gomaa Dina , Banner‐Goodspeed Valerie M , Mosier Jarrod M , Zabolotskikh Igor Borisovich , Daugherty Steven K. , Bernstein Michael A. , Zaren Howard A. , Bansal Vikas , Pickering Brian , Badley Andrew D. , Kashyap Rahul , Venkatakrishnan A. J. , Soundararajan Venky
Published: March 2021

Here we analyze hospitalized andintensive care unit coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patient outcomes from the international VIRUS registry (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04323787). We find that COVID‐19 patients administered unfractionated heparin but not enoxaparin have a higher mortality‐rate (390 of 1012 = 39%) compared to patients administered enoxaparin but not unfractionated heparin (270 of 1939 = 14%), presenting a risk ratio of 2.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: [2.42, 3.16]; p = 4.45e−52). This difference persists even after balancing on a number of covariates including demographics, comorbidities, admission diagnoses, and method of oxygenation, with an increased mortality rate on discharge from the hospital of 37% (268 of 733) for unfractionated heparin versus 22% (154 of 711) for enoxaparin, presenting a risk ratio of 1.69 (95% CI: [1.42, 2.00]; p = 1.5e−8). In these balanced cohorts, a number of complications occurred at an elevated rate for patients administered unfractionated heparin compared to patients administered enoxaparin, including acute kidney injury, acute cardiac injury, septic shock, and anemia. Furthermore, a higher percentage of Black/African American COVID patients (414 of 1294 [32%]) were noted to receive unfractionated heparin compared to White/Caucasian COVID patients (671 of 2644 [25%]), risk ratio 1.26 (95% CI: [1.14, 1.40]; p = 7.5e−5). After balancing upon available clinical covariates, this difference in anticoagulant use remained statistically significant (311 of 1047 [30%] for Black/African American vs. 263 of 1047 [25%] for White/Caucasian, p = .02, risk ratio 1.18; 95% CI: [1.03, 1.36]). While retrospective studies cannot suggest any causality, these findings motivate the need for follow‐up prospective research into the observed racial disparity in anticoagulant use and outcomes for severe COVID‐19 patients.
Registration of Tx3440 through Tx3482 sorghum germplasm
Authors: Rosenow D. T. , Clark L. E. , Peterson G. C. , Odvody G. N. , Rooney W. L.
Published: March 2021

The sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] germplasm lines Tx3440–Tx3482 (Reg. no. GP‐900–GP‐942, PI 695271–PI 695313) were developed and released by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Lubbock, TX, in 2020. Breeding crosses from these lines were made in Lubbock, TX, with grow‐out and selection of subsequent generations completed in breeding nurseries throughout Texas over a period of years. Once selected, these lines were test for agronomic performance in replicated trials across multiple locations and years. Within the set, Tx3340–Tx3482 represent diverse pedigrees and an array of combinations of grain color, plant color, and other agronomic traits. The lines are individually resistant to selected abiotic (pre‐ and/or post‐flowering drought) stress and biotic stress (grain weathering caused by diverse genera that include Fusarium spp., Curvularia spp., and Alternaria spp.; and anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum sublineola). These lines provide the sorghum industry with sources of drought tolerance, grain weathering, and anthracnose resistance in a diverse array of elite genetic backgrounds for use as seed parent lines for hybrid production and for new line development.
Proteomic profiling in extracellular vesicles for cancer detection and monitoring
Authors: Xue Vivian Weiwen , Yang Chenxi , Wong Sze Chuen Cesar , Cho William Chi Shing
Published: March 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanometer‐size lipid vesicles released by cells, which play essential biological functions in intercellular communication. Increasing evidence indicates that EVs participate in cancer development, including invasion, migration, metastasis, and cancer immune modulation. One of the key mechanisms is that EVs affect different cells in the tumor microenvironment through surface‐anchor proteins and protein cargos. Moreover, proteins specifically expressed in tumor‐derived EVs can be applied in cancer diagnosis and monitoring. Besides, the EV proteome also helps to understand drug resistance in cancers and to guide clinical medication. With the development of mass spectrometry and array‐based multi‐protein detection, the research of EV proteomics has entered a new era. The high‐throughput parallel proteomic profiling based on these new platforms allows us to study the impact of EV proteome on cancer progression more comprehensively and to describe the proteomic landscape in cancers with more details. In this article, we review the role and function of different types of EVs in cancer progression. More importantly, we summarize the proteomic profiling of EVs based on different methods and the application of EV proteome in cancer detection and monitoring.
Phytotherapy and food applications from Brassica genus
Authors: Salehi Bahare , Quispe Cristina , Butnariu Monica , Sarac Ioan , Marmouzi Ilias , Kamle Madhu , Tripathi Vijay , Kumar Pradeep , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Capanoglu Esra , Ceylan Fatma Duygu , Singh Laxman , Bhatt Indra D. , Sawicka Barbara , Krochmal‐Marczak Barbara , Skiba Dominika , El Jemli Meryem , El Jemli Yousra , Coy‐Barrera Ericsson , Sharifi‐Rad Javad , Kamiloglu Senem , Cádiz‐Gurrea María de la Luz , Segura‐Carretero Antonio , Kumar Manoj , Martorell Miquel
Published: March 2021

Plants of the genus Brassica occupy the top place among vegetables in the world. This genus, which contains a group of six related species of a global economic significance, three of which are diploid: Brassica nigra (L.) K. Koch, Brassica oleracea L., and Brassica rapa L. and three are amphidiploid species: Brassica carinata A. Braun, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., and Brassica napus L. These varieties are divided into oily, fodder, spice, and vegetable based on their morphological structure, chemical composition, and usefulness of plant organs. The present review provides information about habitat, phytochemical composition, and the bioactive potential of Brassica plants, mainly antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer activities, and clinical studies in human. Brassica vegetables are of great economic importance around the world. At present, Brassica plants are grown together with cereals and form the basis of global food supplies. They are distinguished by high nutritional properties from other vegetable plants, such as low fat and protein content and high value of vitamins, fibers along with minerals. In addition, they possess several phenolic compounds and have a unique type of compounds namely glucosinolates that differentiate these crops from other vegetables. These compounds are also responsible for numerous biological activities to the genus Brassica as described in this review.
More robust estimation of average treatment effects using kernel optimal matching in an observational study of spine surgical interventions
Authors: Kallus Nathan , Pennicooke Brenton , Santacatterina Michele
Published: March 2021

Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), which has been used to estimate average treatment effects (ATE) using observational data, tenuously relies on the positivity assumption and the correct specification of the treatment assignment model, both of which are problematic assumptions in many observational studies. Various methods have been proposed to overcome these challenges, including truncation, covariate‐balancing propensity scores, and stable balancing weights. Motivated by an observational study in spine surgery, in which positivity is violated and the true treatment assignment model is unknown, we present the use of optimal balancing by kernel optimal matching (KOM) to estimate ATE. By uniformly controlling the conditional mean squared error of a weighted estimator over a class of models, KOM simultaneously mitigates issues of possible misspecification of the treatment assignment model and is able to handle practical violations of the positivity assumption, as shown in our simulation study. Using data from a clinical registry, we apply KOM to compare two spine surgical interventions and demonstrate how the result matches the conclusions of clinical trials that IPTW estimates spuriously refute.
Efficient Hydrogen Evolution on Nanoscale Graphdiyne
Authors: Hui Lan , Xue Yurui , Liu Yuxin , Li Yuliang
Published: March 2021

Self‐active metal‐free graphdiyne (GDY) is used, which has a precise chemical structure, as a model carbon‐based metal‐free electrocatalyst to assess its activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and to understand the origin of electrocatalytic performance at the atomic level. The studies reveal that the unusual electrocatalytic properties of GDY originate from its unique nanostructure, which can simultaneously provide highly active sites for hydrogen adsorption and facilitate the electron‐transfer process for proton reduction. Accordingly, GDY can act as a metal‐free efficient HER electrocatalyst with Pt‐like HER activity, but with long‐term durability superior to that of Pt/C under the wide pH range (from acidic to basic). To the best of knowledge, such HER performance is better than that of other reported metal‐free electrocatalysts and most transition‐metal electrocatalysts—even Pt‐based ones.
Using worm egg count data to detect and counter trends in equine helminth abundance
Authors: van Dijk Jan
Published: March 2021

Jan van Dijk, RCVS specialist in veterinary parasitology, describes how data can be used to both increase understanding of trends in equine helminth abundance and drive better treatment of individual horses.
Linkage Between Agriculture, Poverty and Malnutrition in India
Authors: Gulati Ashok , Roy Ranjana
Published: March 2021

Despite the high economic growth rate over the last 10–15 years, a large section of the population remains undernourished. This has raised questions regarding the quality of India’s growth story, especially in terms of its inclusiveness, and its impact on the poor and the malnourished.