bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continued obstacles to wood‐based biomass production in the southeastern United States
Authors: North Benjamin W. , Pienaar Elizabeth F.
Published: May 2021

International demand for wood‐based biomass for bioenergy production is growing, and private forestlands in the southeastern United States have the potential to supply that demand. The southeastern United States (Southeast) is the world's largest exporter of wood pellets for bioenergy, primarily to the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU). However, wood‐based biomass production accounts for only a small share of total wood removals from private forestlands in the Southeast. There is sufficient wood‐based biomass in the Southeast to support greater production of wood pellets for domestic and international markets without redirecting timber from sawtimber and pulpwood production. In 2018–19, we conducted 39 semi‐structured interviews with private forest landowners, foresters, loggers, and biomass production facility managers in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia to obtain their views on wood‐based biomass production in the Southeast. Although landowners were interested in supplying wood for biomass as a byproduct of timber harvesting, they seldom participated in wood‐based biomass production because of limited and unreliable access to biomass markets. Loggers and production facility managers had not invested in biomass production because they remain skeptical about the financial viability of wood‐based biomass. Continued obstacles to biomass production include: price competition with fossil fuels and conventional wood products; inconsistent domestic government support for biomass production; concerns about meeting the sustainability requirements to export wood‐based biomass to the UK and EU; and the high costs associated with harvesting low‐grade wood for biomass. The barriers to biomass expansion in the southeastern United States remain primarily economic and political rather than biophysical.
Transformative perspectives on labour geographies – The role of labour agency in processes of socioecological transformations
Authors: Grenzdörffer Sinje Marlene
Published: May 2021

Both geographical research on socioecological transformations and labour geography see decisive deficiencies in current capitalist structures centred around growth. To highlight possibilities of economic pluralism, both fields analyse diverse economic spaces within, next to and beyond capitalist structures. A basic assumption in transformation perspectives is that economic structures are not fixed, but can be transformed by people as economic actors. This corresponds to the concept of ‘labour agency’ from labour geography, i.e. that workers as active agents are able to (re)shape the structures they are embedded in. Despite those common perspectives, these threads of research coexist without having been intertwined. With a focus on wage labour, this paper addresses the potential for an integrative perspective illustrated by the example of companies owned/managed by workers. In charge of their own skills, time and resources, workers can actively break with prevalent market logics, which incentivise trading (human) resources at the lowest price possible. By rejecting core dynamics of capitalist structures, these companies illustrate the workers' potential key role in processes of socioecological transformations. Thus, the derived objectives of this paper are (1) to analyse and accentuate existing parallels between labour geography and research on socioecological transformations, (2) to illustrate the potential transformative impact of labour agency exemplified by companies in worker's hands and (3) to enrich the field of labour geography by an understanding of labour geographies as transformative spaces. This paper serves as a cornerstone and invitation for further research at this interface.
Built‐up land expansion simulation with combination of naive Bayes and cellular automaton model—A case study of the Shanghai‐Hangzhou Bay agglomeration
Authors: Xiao Rui , Yu Xiaoyu , Zhang Zhonghao , Wang Xue
Published: May 2021

Simulating and predicting the urban land use change can provide deeper spatial insights into dynamics and sustainable developments of urban planning. This research takes the Shanghai‐Hangzhou Bay (SHB) agglomeration as a study area and selects natural, economic, social, and policy variables as restraint conditions. A cellular automaton (CA) model and the naive Bayes‐cellular automaton (NB‐CA) model are employed and compared to simulate the built‐up land in SHB. Results show that the NB‐CA model greatly improves the simulation accuracy of built‐up land compared to CA model. Specifically, the simulation accuracy of the NB‐CA model is 14.68%, 14.03%, 7.43%, 6.00%, 5.32%, and 2.65% higher than that of the traditional CA model in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Huzhou, Jiaxing, Ningbo, and Shaoxing, respectively. Among the four restraint conditions, the least influential variable is the natural variable and the most influential is the policy variable in Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shaoxing and the social variable in Hangzhou, Huzhou, and Jiaxing. It is the first usage of naive Bayes and CA to simulate built‐up expansion and this new combination method highlights the improvement of simulation accuracy. The naive Bayes technology implies that government policy is an unstable factor that can influence the simulation of built‐up land change. The methodology will be applicable to other regions experiencing rapid built‐up land expansion under government policy.
The versatility of petrological modeling: Thermobarometry of high‐pressure metabasites from the Renge and Sanbagawa belts and phase evolution during warm subduction at Nankai
Authors: Hernández‐Uribe David , Gutiérrez‐Aguilar Fabián
Published: May 2021

Petrological modeling is a powerful technique to address different types of geological problems via phase‐equilibria predictions at different pressure–temperature‐composition conditions. Here, we show the versatility of this technique by (1) performing thermobarometrical calculations using phase equilibrium diagrams to explore the petrological evolution of high‐pressure (HP) metabasites from the Renge and Sanbagawa belts, Japan and (2) forward‐modeling the mineral–melt evolution of the subducted fresh and altered oceanic crust along the Nankai subduction zone geotherm at the Kii peninsula, Japan. In the first case, we selected three representative samples from these metamorphic belts: a glaucophane eclogite and a garnet glaucophane schist from the Renge belt (Omi area) and a quartz eclogite from the Sanbagawa belt (Besshi area). We calculated the peak metamorphic conditions at ~2.0–2.3 GPa and ~550–630 °C for the HP metabasites from the Renge belt, whereas for the quartz eclogite, the peak equilibrium conditions were calculated at 2.5–2.8 GPa and ~640–750 °C. According to our models, the quartz eclogite experienced partial melting after peak metamorphism. In terms of the petrological evolution of the subducted uppermost portion of the oceanic crust along the warm Nankai geotherm, our models show that fluid release occurs at ~20–60 km, likely promoting high pore‐fluid pressure, and thus, seismicity at these depths; dehydration is controlled by chlorite breakdown. Our petrological models predict partial melting at >60 km, mainly driven by phengite and amphibole breakdown. According to our models, the melt proportion is relatively small, suggesting that slab anatexis is not an efficient mechanism for generating voluminous magmatism at these conditions. Modeled melt compositions correspond to high‐SiO2 adakites; these are similar to compositions found in the Daisen and Sambe volcanoes, in southwest Japan, suggesting that the modeled melts may serve as an analog to explain adakite petrogenesis.
High hydrostatic pressure assisted extraction of pectin from sugar beet pulp
Authors: Kaya Burcu , Okur Ilhami , Alpas Hami , Oztop Mecit Halil
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to investigate the effect of high hydrostatic pressure assisted extraction (HHPE) (250, 350 and 450 MPa at 40 °C for 5 min with/without acid addition) of pectin from sugar beet pulp and compare its properties with pectin obtained from conventional extraction (CE). Degree of esterification (DE), galacturonic acid (Gal‐A) content, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry experiments were performed on the obtained pectin powder. HHPE (12.23 ± 0.13%) doubled extraction yield compared to CE (6.43 ± 0.07%). Also, HHPE and acid addition were found to have a synergetic effect on the extraction. HHPE resulted in degradations in the polymer structure and reduced Gal‐A content and DE. Pectin extracted with both methods was classified as low methoxyl pectin (LMP). According to the NMR Relaxometry results, HHPE decreased water holding capacity (WHC). In brief, HHP was shown to increase the pectin extraction yield and no changes in viscosity were observed at the concentrations studied (2 g/L).
Technological and functional properties of reduced‐salt pork batter incorporated with soy protein isolate after pressure treatment
Authors: Li Yan‐ping , Kang Zhuang‐li , Sukmanov Valerii , Ma Hanjun
Published: May 2021

To investigate the effects of different pressures (0.1–400 MPa), the techno‐functional properties, water distribution and mobility of reduced‐salt pork batters (1% NaCl) supplemented with soy protein isolate (SPI, 2%) were examined. Compared with the batters treated at 0.1 MPa, those treated at 100–300 MPa showed significantly increased the cooking yield, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and G′ values of gel and reduced the initial relaxation times of T2b, T21 and T22, as observed from the results of low‐field NMR. Among all samples, those treated at 200 and 300 MPa had the highest L* value, cooking yield, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness and G′ value of gel, with the largest peak ratio of P21 and the smallest peak ratio of P22. Overall, treatments at 200 and 300 MPa improved the gel properties and lowered the water mobility of reduced‐salt pork batters supplemented with SPI.
CD11c participates in triggering acute graft‐versus‐host disease during bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Su Xiuhua , He Yi , Wang Mei , Yang Donglin , Zhang Rongli , Wei Jialin , Ma Qiaoling , Zhai Weihua , Pang Aiming , Huang Yong , Feng Sizhou , Ballantyne Christie M. , Wu Huaizhu , Pei Xiaolei , Feng Xiaoming , Han Mingzhe , Jiang Erlie
Published: May 2021

CD11c is a canonical dendritic cell (DC) marker with poorly defined functions in the immune system. Here, we found that blocking CD11c on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell‐derived DCs (MoDCs) inhibited the proliferation of CD4+ T cells and the differentiation into IFN‐γ‐producing T helper 1 (Th1) cells, which were critical in acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) pathogenesis. Using allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo‐BMT) murine models, we consistently found that CD11c‐deficient recipient mice had alleviated aGVHD symptoms for the decreased IFN‐γ‐expressing CD4+ Th1 cells and CD8+ T cells. Transcriptional analysis showed that CD11c participated in several immune regulation functions including maintaining antigen presentation of APCs. CD11c‐deficient bone marrow‐derived DCs (BMDCs) impaired the antigen presentation function in coculture assay. Mechanistically, CD11c interacted with MHCII and Hsp90 and participated in the phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 in DCs after multiple inflammatory stimulations. Therefore, CD11c played crucial roles in triggering aGVHD and might serve as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of aGVHD.
Dual effect of IL‐7/IL‐7R signalling on the osteoimmunological system: a potential therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Xu Haiyan , Cai Li , Li Zijian , Zhang Lili , Wang Guojue , Xie Rongli , Jiang Yongshuai , Yuan Yuanyang , Nie Hong
Published: May 2021

The IL‐7/IL‐7R pathway plays a vital role in the immune system, especially in the inflammatory response. Monocytes/macrophages (osteoclast precursors) have been recently recognized as important participants in the osteoclastogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Here, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of IL‐7/IL‐7R pathway in RA and to determine whether it could restrain osteoclastogenic functions and therefore ameliorate RA. Firstly, collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) mice were administered with IL‐7Rα‐target antibodies to assess their therapeutic effect on arthritis. We found that blockade of the IL‐7/IL‐7R pathway protected CIA mice from bone destruction in addition to inducing inflammatory remission, by altering the RANKL/RANK/OPG ratio and consequently decreasing osteoclast formation. To explore the effect and mechanism of this pathway, bone marrow cells were induced to osteoclasts and treated with IL‐7, a STAT5 inhibitor or supernatants from T cells. The results showed that the IL‐7/IL‐7R pathway played a direct inhibitory role in osteoclast differentiation via STAT5 signalling pathway in a RANKL‐induced manner. We applied flow cytometry to analyse the effect of IL‐7 on T‐cell RANKL expression and found that IL‐7/IL‐7R pathway had an indirect role in the osteoclast differentiation process by enhancing the RANKL expression on T cells. In conclusion, the IL‐7/IL‐7R pathway exhibited a dual effect on osteoclastogenesis of CIA mice by interacting with osteoimmunology processes and could be a novel therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases such as RA.
Maize is stressed by salt rather than water under drip irrigation with soil matric potential higher than −50 kPa in an arid saline area
Authors: Zhang Tibin , Ji Xiangxiang , Zhan Xiaoyun , Ding Yuntao , Zou Yufeng , Kisekka Isaya , Chau Henry Wai , Feng Hao
Published: May 2021

Water scarcity and soil salinization are the top abiotic stresses impeding agricultural production in arid and semi‐arid regions. To evaluate maize growth is depressed by water stress or salt stress independently as well as in combination under drip irrigation, a 3‐year field experiment was conducted in the Hetao Irrigation District, north‐west China. The soil was moderately saline with ECe (electrical conductivity of saturated extract) of 7.1 dS/m. Five threshold values of soil matric potential (SMP): −10 kPa (S1), −20 kPa (S2), −30 kPa (S3), −40 kPa (S4), and −50 kPa (S5), were used to trigger a 10‐mm drip irrigation. With triplicate for each treatment, 15 plots were arranged in a randomized block design permanently during the experimental period. Results showed that the higher SMP facilitated the formation of low‐salinity zone. The water holding depths in root zone were generally above the refill point (threshold of readily available water, 0.23 cm3/cm3 for maize) during the growing seasons for all treatments, indicating maize could extract water easily from soil. Controlling SMP > −30 kPa (S1, S2, S3) produced the higher leaf area index, specific leaf area, biomass and grain yield significantly than S4 and S5; however, no significant difference in relative chlorophyll contents was detected among treatments. Grain yield was reduced by 6.8% per dS/m increase in soil ECe beyond salt tolerance of maize. Based on the soil readily available water for maize growth, crop's responses and data analysis, it could be concluded that salt stress, rather than water stress, was the key factor causing the reduced grain yield in this study. Taking into account the grain yield and water‐use efficiency, SMP threshold of −30 kPa was recommended for drip irrigation maize in this saline soil. These findings are conducive to the extension of drip irrigation, and increasing the resilience of crop production under the arid saline condition.
Appraisal for organic amendments and plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria to enhance crop productivity under drought stress: A review
Authors: Ullah Naseer , Ditta Allah , Imtiaz Muhammad , Li Xiaomin , Jan Amin Ullah , Mehmood Sajid , Rizwan Muhammad Shahid , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: May 2021

Plants are sessile organisms, frequently face unfavourable growth conditions such as drought, salinity, chilling, freezing and high‐temperature stresses, inhibiting growth and development, and ultimately reducing crop productivity. Among these stresses, drought stress has been a major challenge for sustainable crop production and a hot area of research under the current climate change scenario. Organic amendments such as biochar (BC) and compost along with plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could be a sustainable strategy to improve crop growth and productivity under drought stress environment. There are several reports about compost, BC, and PGPR application as a single or combined treatment to enhance crop productivity under drought stress. Compost and BC act as conditioners to improve soil physicochemical and biological properties thereby enhancing water holding capacity (WHC) and nutrient retention and availability to the plants. Both BC and compost also serve as carbon sources and suitable environment for PGPR and endogenous microbes to enhance their growth promotion activities under drought stress. PGPR alleviate drought stress via ACC‐deaminase and P‐solubilizing activities, production of phytohormones, secretion of organic acids, acting as biocontrol agents,etc. In the present review, the individual and combined effect of compost, BC, and PGPR to alleviate drought stress in plants has been critically summarized. Moreover, research gaps and future research directions have been identified and discussed in depth.
Transport of potassium ions in niobium phosphate glasses
Authors: Razum Marta , Pavić Luka , Ghussn Luciana , Moguš‐Milanković Andrea , Šantić Ana
Published: May 2021

The influence of Nb2O5 on the structure and ionic conductivity of potassium phosphate glasses was investigated in glasses with composition xNb2O5–(100‐x)[0.45K2O–0.55P2O5], x = 10–47 mol%. The Raman spectra of glasses reveal a transition from predominantly orthophosphate to predominantly niobate glass network with increasing Nb2O5 content. In the glass structure, niobium forms NbO6 octahedra which are interlinked with phosphate units for the glass containing 10 mol% Nb2O5, but for higher Nb2O5 content they become mutually interconnected via Nb‐O‐Nb bonds. The transport of potassium ions was found to be strongly dependent on the structural characteristics of the glass network. While the mixed niobate‐phosphate glass network hinders the diffusion of potassium ions by providing traps that immobilize them and/or by blocking the conduction pathways, predominantly niobate glass network exhibits a rather facilitating effect which is evidenced in the trend of DC conductivity as well as in the features of the frequency‐dependent conductivity and typical hopping lengths of potassium ions.
Numerical simulation and experimental verification of dry pressed MgTiO3ceramic body during pressureless sintering
Authors: Wang Jiang , Ni Yu , Liu Kai , Du Yanying , Liu Wei , Wang Zijian , Huang Shangyu , Sun Huajun
Published: May 2021

To clarify the densification law of dry pressed MgTiO3ceramic body during pressureless sintering, SOVS model (Skorohod‐Olevsky Viscous Sintering model) modified with creep characteristics was embedded into finite element software Abaqus. The selected model can effectively express the grain boundary characteristics and densification mechanism. The change law of relative density, shrinkage rate, sintering stress, and grain size of MgTiO3cylindrical specimens was investigated by the above numerical simulation method. It showed that the average relative density of ceramic body rose from 60% to 97%, and the shrinkage rate respectively reached 17.28% and 11.99% in axial and radial direction. The average grain size increased from 1 to 6 μm. In order to verify the accuracy of the simulation results, corresponding sintering experiments on cylindrical specimens were carried out to obtain actual sintering densities and shrinkage rates. It showed that the errors of relative density and shrinkage were below 5% and 2%. Grain growth trend was also basically consistent with the simulation results. After that, the above numerical simulation method was applied into the prediction of fabricating MgTiO3filter with complex structure. Therefore, the present work provided a reliable numerical simulation method to predict the densification behavior of MgTiO3ceramics during the pressureless sintering process, which was helpful to design and fabricate microwave dielectric products.
Single phase multi color emitting Ca2LuTaO6: Dy3+/Eu3+ double perovskite oxide phosphors
Authors: Khan Noor Zamin , Khan Sayed Ali , Sohail Muhammad , Khan M. A. Majeed , Ahmed Jahangeer , Zhan Li , Wang Feihong , Abbas Muhammad Tahir , Xu Xin
Published: May 2021

The trivalent rare‐earth (RE3+) doped phosphors show tremendous achievement in narrow band multicolor line emission for various applications. However, the 4f–4f absorption transition of these ions is forbidden in UV and blue light excitation. Usually, a sensitizer having spin allowed transition was used as a co‐dopant to excite these ions via the energy transfer phenomenon. Another approach promisingly using to excite these ions by efficient energy transfer from the intrinsic emission of the Ca2LuTaO6 double perovskite phosphors host lattice. Phosphors of Ca2LuTaO6 with double perovskite structure were synthesized by using a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction method. The produced Ca2LuTaO6 double perovskite phosphors show an intrinsic broad band emission centered at 424 nm under the excitation of 313 nm UV light. The origin of this broad band blue emission was deeply investigated by using computation and experimental approaches. The trivalent activator Dy3+ and Eu3+ were doped is a single and co‐dopant in the produced Ca2LuTaO6 phosphors to check their excitation in UV and near‐UV spectral region. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the structure and phase analysis. Various characterizations such as photoluminescence excitation, emission, and CIE chromaticity coordinates were measured which illustrate the potential of Dy3+ and Eu3+ activated Ca2LuTaO6 double perovskite phosphors for narrow band multicolor line emission for various applications.
Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility trends of periodontal pathogens in the subgingival microbiota of German periodontitis patients: A retrospective surveillance study
Authors: Jepsen Karin , Falk Wolfgang , Brune Friederike , Fimmers Rolf , Jepsen Søren , Bekeredjian‐Ding Isabelle
Published: May 2021

Objective

This retrospective surveillance study aimed to follow periodontitis‐associated bacterial profiles and to identify time‐dependent changes in antibiotic susceptibility patterns.

Materials and Methods

From 2008 to 2015, bacterial specimen from deep periodontal pockets were collected from a total of 7804 German adults diagnosed with periodontitis. Presence of selected bacteria was confirmed by anaerobic culture and nucleic acid amplification. Antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates was tested by disc diffusion with antibiotics used for the treatment of periodontitis and oral infections. The prevalences of periodontal pathogens were calculated and temporal evolution of antimicrobial susceptibility towards amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, metronidazole, doxycycline, clindamycin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin was analysed with logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of patients harbouring bacteria was 95.9% Fusobacterium nucleatum, 88.0% Tannerella forsythia, 76.4% Treponema denticola, 76.5%, Campylobacter rectus, 76.0% Eikenella corrodens, 75.0% Capnocytophaga spp., 68.2% Porphyromonas gingivalis, 57.7% Peptostreptococcus micros, 43.1% Prevotella intermedia, 30.4% Eubacterium nodatum and 21.5% Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. In 63.5% of patients, one or more isolates were not susceptible to at least one of the antibiotics tested. The data further revealed a trend towards decreasing susceptibility profiles (p < 0.05) with antibiotic non‐susceptibilities in 37% of patients in 2008 and in 70% in 2015.

Conclusions

The present study confirmed a high prevalence of periodontal pathogens in the subgingival microbiota of German periodontitis patients. The data revealed an incremental increase in isolates displaying resistance to some antibiotics but no relevant change in susceptibility to amoxicillin and metronidazole.
Realistic genetic architecture enables organismal adaptation as predicted under the folk definition of inclusive fitness
Authors: Garcia‐Costoya Guillermo , Fromhage Lutz
Published: May 2021

A fundamental task of evolutionary biology is to explain the pervasive impression of organismal design in nature, including traits benefiting kin. Inclusive fitness is considered by many to be a crucial piece in this puzzle, despite ongoing discussion about its scope and limitations. Here, we use individual‐based simulations to study what quantity (if any) individual organisms become adapted to maximize when genetic architectures are more or less suitable for the presumed main driver of biological adaptation, namely cumulative multi‐locus evolution. As an expository device, we focus on a hypothetical situation called Charlesworth’s paradox, in which altruism is seemingly predicted to evolve, yet altruists immediately perish along with their altruistic genes. Our results support a recently proposed re‐definition of inclusive fitness, which is concerned with the adaptive design of whole organisms as shaped by multi‐locus evolution, rather than with selection for any focal gene. They also illustrate how our conceptual understanding of adaptation at the phenotypic level should inform our choice of genetic assumptions in abstract simplified models.
Ultra‐acute exposure to cadmium does not impair whitefish sperm motility
Authors: Yaripour Sareh , Kekäläinen Jukka , Huuskonen Hannu , Janhunen Matti , Kortet Raine
Published: May 2021

Cadmium (Cd) exposure can impair the traits of aquatic animals associated with reproduction. In natural lakes Cd is typically detected at concentrations below 0.001 mg l−1. The authors investigated the impact of ultra‐acute Cd exposure on sperm motility in European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus). They activated sperm with water containing various nominal concentrations of Cd and recorded sperm motility parameters. Only the highest Cd concentration (500 mg l−1) was associated with decreased sperm swimming velocity and increases in both the percentage of static cells and curvature of the sperm swimming trajectory. The results indicate that environmentally realistic concentrations of Cd during the sperm motility activation are not critically harmful to male C. lavaretus fertilization potential.
A meta‐synthesis exploring caregiver experiences of home enteral tube feeding
Authors: Serjeant Sarah , Tighe Bernice
Published: May 2021

Background

It is estimated that 18,232 people received home enteral tube feeding (HETF) in the UK in 2013 and HETF often requires reliance on a caregiver. Caregivers are an essential resource, and so research is needed to explore their perspectives to inform how best to support them. Therefore, this meta‐synthesis aimed to explore caregiver experiences of HETF.

Methods

A systematic search and a meta‐synthesis of the literature relating to caregiver experiences of HETF were undertaken. Ethical approval was obtained from Coventry University Ethics. A comprehensive search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete and SCOPUS databases was conducted, followed by a reference list search of included studies. Studies were screened for eligibility using a priori inclusion criteria. Included studies used qualitative methodology, were in English, and explored caregivers’ experiences of supporting an adult or child receiving HETF for at least 1 month. The meta‐synthesis was conducted using a thematic‐synthesis method. Included studies were assessed for quality, and rigour was ensured via transparent reporting of methodology, peer review and reflexivity.

Results

In total, 328 records were screened, with 10 studies included and a total of 97 caregivers’ experiences were reported. Four analytical themes were developed: loss of a normal life, psychological impact, practical challenges and becoming the ‘expert’. Overall quality of the included studies was assessed as good.

Conclusions

This meta‐synthesis highlighted the challenges experienced by caregivers, and revealed the need for improved HETF training for caregivers and psychological support from healthcare professionals, with the aim of providing personalised advice and regimes as part of holistic care.
Creation of aromatic maize by CRISPR/Cas
Authors: Wang Yanxiao , Liu Xiaoqin , Zheng Xiuxiu , Wang Wenxia , Yin Xunqing , Liu Haifeng , Ma Changle , Niu Xiaomu , Zhu Jian‐Kang , Wang Fei
Published: May 2021

Aroma is an important quality parameter for breeding in rice (Oryza sativa). For example, the aromatic rice varieties basmati and jasmine rice, with a popcorn‐like scent, are popular worldwide and routinely command a price premium. 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline (2AP) is a key flavor compound among over 200 volatiles identified in fragrant rice. A naturally fragrant germplasm exists in multiple plant species besides rice, which all exhibit lower activity of BETAINE ALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE 2 (BADH2). However, no equivalent aromatic germplasm has been described in maize (Zea mays). Here, we characterized the two maize BADH2 homologs, ZmBADH2a and ZmBADH2b. We generated zmbadh2a and zmbadh2b single mutants and the zmbadh2a‐zmbadh2b double mutant by CRISPR/Cas in four inbred lines. A popcorn‐like scent was only noticeable in seeds from the double mutant, but not from either single mutant or in wild type. In agreement, we only detected 2AP in fresh kernels and dried mature seeds from the double mutant, which accumulated between 0.028 and 0.723 mg/kg 2AP. These results suggest that ZmBADH2a and ZmBADH2b redundantly participate in 2AP biosynthesis in maize, and represent the creation of the world's first aromatic maize by simultaneous genome editing of the two BADH2 genes.
Time‐Consistent Management of a Liquidity Trap with Government Debt
Authors: MATVEEV DMITRY
Published: May 2021

I show that debt maturity considerations affect the optimal conduct of monetary and fiscal policy in the presence of lower bound episodes. I consider a New Keynesian model where the lower bound on nominal interest rates binds occasionally. I study optimal monetary and fiscal policy under discretion, characterizing the strategic use of government debt as a tool to affect expectations of real interest rates and inflation. During lower bound episodes, the presence of long‐term bonds makes it optimal to temporarily consolidate debt. In addition, the long‐run level of debt increases with both the likelihood of reaching the lower bound and the maturity of debt.
Topical oil formulation of plant extracts and vitamins as effective treatment for stretch marks and xerosis—An observational longitudinal study
Authors: Cantelli Mariateresa , Camela Elisa , Marasca Claudio , Fontanella Giuseppina , Blasio Chiara , Fabbrocini Gabriella
Published: May 2021

Background

Stretch marks are linear scars that result from elastic fiber destruction. They usually occur as the consequence of rapid change in the body mass (weight gain and loss, pregnancy, weightlifting), long‐term steroid use, or endocrinopathies. Treatment is challenging and mainly based on topical and procedural therapies, although the standard of care is still under debate.

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a topical oil formulation of plant extracts and vitamins on the aesthetic improvement of stretch marks and xerosis.

Materials and methods

Fifty male and female patients, aged between 14 and 45 years, with stretch marks referring at the University Hospital Federico II, Naples, were enrolled between March and November 2019. Topical application of plant extracts and vitamin‐rich oil was performed twice daily on affected skin for 4 months. Patients were monitored at baseline (T0), and at two‐month (T1) and 4‐month (T2) follow‐ups, through clinical and dermoscopic assessment, confocal microscopy, cutaneous ultrasound, MoistureMeterEpiD, and X‐Rite spectrocolorimeter. Primary endpoints were as follows: 70% clinical improvement of stretch marks and 3‐point decrease in clinical score from baseline to T2. Secondary endpoints were as follows: change in the T0 parallel pattern of collagen fibers at confocal microscopy, cutaneous thickness increase at ultrasounds, cutaneous hydration increase at MoistureMeterEpiD, erythema reduction at X‐Rite spectrocolorimeter, and safety and adverse events (AEs).

Results

At 4‐month follow‐up, stretch marks improved objectively and subjectively in all patients (p < 0.001). In detail, there was a 29% and 71% improvement in clinical appearance of stretch marks at T1 and T2, respectively, as documented dermoscopically and by the 3‐point reduction in the assessor's mean clinical score at each follow‐up visits [from 8.1±0.7 at baseline to 5.7±1.0 at T1 and 2.3 ±0.5 at T2 (p < 0.001)]. Erythema decreased by 15% and 30% and in parallel hydration increased by 25% and 71%, at T1 and T2, respectively (p < 0.001). At T2 confocal microscopy of stretch marks, dermal collagenous fibers assumed casual disposition with reticular pattern and refractivity, as signs of collagen remodeling and neocollagenesis, and also the T2 cutaneous ultrasound revealed increased epidermal thickness and decreased dermal hypoechogenicity as for a higher skin hydration.

Conclusion

Our study showed that a topical oil formulation rich in plant extracts and vitamins appears to be effective and safe in treating stretch marks and xerosis.
Capryloyl glycine and soy isoflavonoids in hypertrichosis: An experimental and placebo‐controlled clinical study
Authors: Barbareschi Mauro , Benetti Federico , Gaio Elisa , Angileri Luisa , Veraldi Stefano
Published: May 2021

Background

The management of acquired hypertrichosis (HT) is based on the search of the causes and subsequent specific treatment. However, simultaneous hair removal is important. No single method for hair removal is appropriate for all patients and skin areas. Treatment options are actually limited and clinical results are often unsatisfactory. Ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1), an enzyme present in hair follicles, is considered as a potential target to inhibit hair growth. Only eflornithine hydrochloride, an inhibitor of ODC1, showed to be partially effective in the management of acquired HT.

Aims

The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential inhibition of ODC1 activity by a cream containing 4% capryloyl glycine, an ODC1 inhibitor, and 1% glycine soy‐fermented extract (soy isoflavonoids). Furthermore, we present the results of a placebo‐controlled clinical study that evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of this cream.

Methods

The ODC1 activity was detected by measuring absorbance at 340 nm. In the presence of ODC1 inhibitors, absorbance decreases as a function of inhibition. Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) was provided as an inhibitor control. ODC1 activity inhibition was expressed as percentage of control (untreated sample). All data were presented as mean ± standard deviation of three independent experiments. To determine if statistically significant differences between treatments were present, a t test analysis was performed. The differences between groups were considered significant at p < 0.05. Twelve Caucasian female adult patients, with HT located on the forearms, were enrolled. The study cream (product A) was applied twice/day for four months on the right forearm. A placebo cream (product B) was applied twice/day for four months on the left forearm. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by means of macrophotography.

Results

The cream significantly inhibited ODC1 activity (35.1 ± 0.5% inhibition, equivalent to a 64.9 ± 0.5% ODC1 activity). DFMO completely abolished the enzymatic activity (100 ± 5% inhibition, equivalent to 0 ± 5% ODC1 activity). All patients were considered evaluable. In 11 out of 12 patients (91.7%), who were treated with product A, an improvement was observed. No improvement was observed in patients treated with product B. The global assessment showed good efficacy in 7 patients (58.3%) and moderate efficacy in 5 patients (41.7%) treated with the product A. No efficacy was detected in patients treated with product B.

Conclusions

The study cream showed to be effective in Caucasian, adult, female patients with hypertrichosis located on the forearms.
Effects of food supplements and a topical solution containing nanosilicon on skin hydration, barrier function, and elasticity
Authors: Cameli Norma , Silvestri Martina , Mariano Maria , Berardesca Enzo
Published: May 2021

Background

Silicon is an abundant element in the human body and plays an important role in the skin, taking part in the synthesis of collagen and glycosaminoglycans. The use of nanotechnology methods, which processes materials at an atomic and molecular scale, has allowed the development of nanosilicons.

Aims

The study evaluates the effectiveness of a food supplement and a topical solution containing nanosilicon in improving skin hydration and elasticity.

Methods

A total of 30 female subjects were randomized to receive the placebo (n = 15) and the active compound (n = 15). All enrolled subjects took the food supplement twice a day for 20 days and then once a day for the next 20 days, and they also had to apply the nanosilicon solution on the right forearm four times a day. Evaluation of several parameters was performed after 20 and 40 days through the use of non‐invasive instrumental methods (Corneometer® CM 825, Cutometer® MPA 580, Visioscan® VC, Tewameter® TM 200).

Results

Both treatment groups showed a statistically significant improvement in barrier function and in skin hydration on the right forearm after 20 days; increase in skin elasticity was observed only in the group taking the active compound.

Conclusions

The study showed that the administration of a food supplement and a topical solution, both containing nanosilicon, improves hydration, elasticity, and skin barrier function.
Study on the properties of Dendrobiumofficinale fermentation broth as functional raw material of cosmetics
Authors: Lin Yuanyuan , Yang Ting , Shen Luoyi , Zhang Jie , Liu Liping
Published: May 2021

Background

With the trend that cosmetics containing natural extracts are favored by consumers, many natural herbs are used in cosmetics to enhance the moisturizing and whitening properties of cosmetics. Dendrobium officinale is the stem of the orchid Dendrobium officinale. In China, it is considered as a tonic beneficial to human health. Its main components are Dendrobium polysaccharides, alkaloids, phenanthrene, etc. Its extract has good skin coating comfort and has the potential to be developed as cosmetic raw materials.

Objective

To investigate the antioxidant activity, tyrosinase inhibitory activity, and ultraviolet absorption capacity of the fermentation extract of Dendrobium officinale fermented by different microorganisms, so as to provide the basis for Dendrobium officinale as functional cosmetic raw materials.

Methods

The fermentation of Dendrobium officinale was carried out by yeast, Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis, and the mixed bacteria (prepared according to the mass ratio of 1:1:1). Compared with the non‐fermentation group, the contents of polysaccharides, flavonoids, and polyphenols in the fermentation broth of Dendrobium officinale were determined by spectrophotometry, and the antioxidant activity to common free radicals, inhibition to tyrosinase, and absorption to ultraviolet B were determined.

Results

The fermentation effect of mixed strains on Dendrobium officinale was better than that of a single strain. The content of polysaccharide decreased, while the content of flavonoids and polyphenols increased in the fermentation broth of Dendrobium officinale. With the extension of fermentation time, the scavenging rate of ·OH, DPPH, ABTS free radical, the inhibition rate of tyrosinase, and the absorption of ultraviolet B of Dendrobium officinale fermentation broth first increased (0–3 days), and then decreased (4 days). On the third day of mixed fermentation, the contents of polysaccharides, flavonoids, and polyphenols in the fermentation broth of Dendrobium officinale were ‐ 22.15%, + 118.20%, and +128.17%, respectively. The scavenging rate of ·OH, DPPH, ABTS free radical, tyrosinase inhibition rate and SPF value were increased by 43.03%, 60.05%, 94.87%, 340.85%, and 31.73%, respectively.

Conclusions

The fermentation broth of Dendrobium officinale is superior to the non‐fermentation group in active ingredients, antioxidant activity, tyrosinase inhibition, and ultraviolet B absorption. It has the potential as a functional cosmetic raw material.
Mirror of shame: Patients experiences of late‐stage COPD. A qualitative study
Authors: Jerpseth Heidi , Knutsen Ingrid R. , Jensen Kari T. , Halvorsen Kristin
Published: May 2021

Aims and objectives

This study aims to shed light on patients with late‐stage COPD and their experiences of shame.

Background

Patients with COPD often experience shame for bringing the disease into their lives due to smoking. Knowledge about patients with COPD and their feelings of shame is crucial, but limited, however.

Design

The study has a qualitative and explorative design. We interviewed twelve patients with late‐stage COPD. The data were analysed using Kvale and Brinkmann's three interpretative contexts. The COREQ checklist was used.

Results

Three main themes were defined; the body as a mirror of shame; a sense of being unworthy, invisible and powerless; and that sharing the burden is too difficult. The participants experienced that the disease defined their value as human beings and that made them feel vulnerable, ashamed and more socially isolated.

Conclusions

The participants experienced feelings of shame, guilt and self‐blame due to their own perceptions of themselves. They were in doubt about whether they were worthy to receive care and comfort from both health professionals and, their family and friends. The participants seemed to have internalised the moral norms of contemporary society and the understanding that the disease, and especially a ‘self‐inflicted’ disease, is a personal weakness.

Relevance for clinical practice

Findings from this study show that patients struggle with feelings such as shame and misery. The nurses who work bedside are in continuous contact with the patients and have an opportunity to gain knowledge of these feelings in order to meet the patients’ needs for comfort and care. They have an obligation to ask patients about their feelings and meet them with empathy and respect. Moreover, it is necessary to have interdisciplinary fora in clinical practice where health professionals reflect, discuss and challenge themselves according to attitudes towards patients with so‐called ‘self‐inflicted’ diseases.
Outcomes of treatments for keratomalacia in dogs and cats: a systematic review of the published literature including non‐randomised controlled and non‐controlled studies
Authors: Hartley C.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The aim of this review was to interrogate the evidence base for treatment of keratomalacia in dogs and cats, through examination of the applicable literature.

Materials and Methods

Studies were screened for evidence to answer the following question Which of the treatment options for keratomalacia in dogs and cats offers the best chance of globe survival, the fastest time to resolution with globe survival, and the best visual outcome. The search utilised the PubMed (http://www.pubmed.gov/) and ISI Web of Science (http://wok.mimas.ac.uk/) databases. Databases were searched using the following terms: (keratomalacia OR corneal melt OR corneal malacia) AND (dog OR canine OR canid OR cat OR feline OR felid) AND (treatment OR outcome OR morbidity OR complications). Studies were assessed by one author (CH) and excluded if they related to less than three keratomalacia cases, experimental treatments, in vitro studies, or did not provide information regarding outcome. Studies were classified to a level of evidence according to the system described by the Oxford Centre for EvidenceBased Medicine.

Results

Eighteen (18) studies were identified as providing information to answer the proposed question, one as level 3, 10 as level 4 and seven as level 5 evidence. Only one study compared two treatments, the remaining were prospective or retrospective case series of a single treatment intervention. Study design was highly variable with respect to population size, followup and outcome assessment, making direct comparison difficult, and metaanalysis was not applied.

Clinical Significance

Overall, the evidence for improved outcome of one proposed treatment over another proposed treatment for keratomalacia in dogs and/or cats is very weak.
Morphological distinctiveness of Ligularia tongolensis and L. cymbulifera is maintained between habitats despite bidirectional and asymmetrical introgression in multiple hybrid zones
Authors: Hu Li , Yang Rui , Yang Guo‐Qian , Sun Gui‐Ling , Gong Xun
Published: May 2021

Natural hybridization is a crucial evolutionary process and a long‐standing topic of study in evolutionary biology. Hybrid zones, where two congeneric species interact, can provide insight into the process of natural hybridization, especially with respect to how taxon diversity is maintained. In this study, we used double digest restriction‐site associated DNA sequencing technology (ddRAD‐seq) to examine genetic structure and estimate introgression in four hybrid zones of Ligularia tongolensis and Ligularia cymbulifera. Our analysis demonstrated that parental species were highly differentiated, whereas pairwise FST between parents and their hybrids was low, indicating that sympatric sites can form hybrid zones. As most F1 hybrid individuals were observed within these zones, our finding also implied the presence of substantial barriers to interbreeding. Furthermore, some individuals that possessed the typical morphology of the parental species belonged to the F1 generation. Genomic clines analysis revealed that a large fraction of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) deviated from a model of neutral introgression in the four hybrid zones, and most SNPs exhibited selection favoring the L. cymbulifera genotype. Bidirectional but asymmetric introgression was revealed as evident in the four hybrid zones. Habitat differences between the four hybrid zones may affect isolation barriers between both species. Taken together, these findings suggest that where incomplete reproductive barriers allow natural hybridization, the introgression between species generates rich genetic recombination that contributes to the fast adaptation and diversification of the widespread Ligularia in the Hengduan Mountains Region (HMR).