bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The crosstalk between the Notch, Wnt, and SHH signaling pathways in regulating the proliferation and regeneration of sensory progenitor cells in the mouse cochlea
Authors: Wu Jingfang , Li Wen , Guo Luo , Zhao Liping , Sun Shan , Li Huawei
Published: July 2021

Sensory hair cells (HCs) are highly susceptible to damage by noise, ototoxic drugs, and aging. Although HCs cannot be spontaneously regenerated in adult mammals, previous studies have shown that signaling pathways are involved in HC regeneration in the damaged mouse cochlea. Here, we used a Notch antagonist (DAPT), a Wnt agonist (QS11), and recombinant Sonic hedgehog (SHH) protein to investigate their concerted actions underlying HC regeneration in the mouse cochlea after neomycin-induced damage both in vivo and in vitro. With DAPT, the numbers of HCs increased, and supporting cell (SC) proliferation was seen in both the intact and damaged cochlear sensory epithelia, while these numbers were unchanged in the presence of QS11. When simultaneously treated with DAPT and QS11, the number of HCs increased dramatically, and much greater SC proliferation was seen in the cochlear epithelium. In transgenic mice with both Notch1 conditional knockout and β-catenin over-expression, cochlear SC proliferation and HC regeneration were more obvious than in either Notch1 knockout or β-catenin over-expressing mice separately. When cochleae were treated with DAPT, QS11, and SHH together, SC proliferation was even greater, and this proliferation was seen in both the HC region and the greater epithelial ridge. High-throughput RNA sequencing was used to identify the differentially expressed genes between all groups, and the results showed that the SHH and Wnt signaling pathways are involved in SC proliferation. Our study suggests that co-regulation of the Notch, Wnt, and SHH signaling pathways promotes extensive cell proliferation and regeneration in the mouse cochlea.
Development of an integrated model of care for allogeneic stem cell transplantation facilitated by eHealth—the SMILe study
Authors: Leppla Lynn , Schmid Anja , Valenta Sabine , Mielke Juliane , Beckmann Sonja , Ribaut Janette , Teynor Alexandra , Dobbels Fabienne , Duerinckx Nathalie , Zeiser Robert , Engelhardt Monika , Gerull Sabine , De Geest Sabina ,   the SMILe study team, Bolliger Dora , Chalandon Yves , De DGeest Sabina , Degen Sabine , Dobbels Fabienne , Duerinckx Nathalie , Engelhardt Monika , Fürmann Margerita , Gerull Sabine , Grossmann Florian , Hasemann Monika , Heidegger Philipp , Hermann Anja , Hobelsberger Sandra , Husel Mylen , Koehly Katharina , Lemcke Marina , Leppla Lynn , Maier Birgit , Mamez Anne-Claire , Masouridi Stavoula , Mielke Juliane , Nair Gyathri , Neupert Daniela , Passweg Jakob , Pschenitza Stefan , Reitwiessner Sigrun , Ribaut Jannette , Rockstein Dennis , Schanz Urs , Schmid Anja , Schoemans Helen , Schulz Tobias , Schumacher Vanessa , Senft Yulia , Teynor Alexandra , Valenta Sabine , Werlitz Viktor , Witzig-Brändli Verena , Zeiser Robert
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation would benefit from re-engineering care towards an integrated eHealth-facilitated care model. With this paper we aim to: (1) describe the development of an integrated care model (ICM) in allogeneic SteM-cell-transplantatIon faciLitated by eHealth (SMILe) by combining implementation, behavioral, and computer science methods (e.g., contextual analysis, Behavior Change Wheel, and user-centered design combined with agile software development); and (2) describe that model’s characteristics and its application in clinical practice.

Methods

The SMILe intervention’s development consisted of four steps, with implementation science methods informing each: (1) planning its set-up within a theoretical foundation; (2) using behavioral science methods to develop the content; (3) choosing and developing its delivery method (human/technology) using behavioral and computer science methods; and (4) describing its characteristics and application in clinical practice.

Results

The SMILe intervention is embedded within the eHealth enhanced Chronic Care Model, entailing four self-management intervention modules, targeting monitoring and follow-up of important medical and symptom-related parameters, infection prevention, medication adherence, and physical activity. Interventions are delivered partly face-to-face by a care coordinator embedded within the transplant team, and partly via the SMILeApp that connects patients to the transplant team, who can monitor and rapidly respond to any relevant changes within 1 year post-transplant.

Conclusion

This paper provides stepwise guidance on how implementation, behavioral, and computer science methods can be used to develop interventions aiming to improve care for stem cell transplant patients in real-world clinical settings. This new care model is currently being tested in a hybrid I effectiveness-implementation trial.
Alteration of protein expression and spliceosome pathway activity during Barrett’s carcinogenesis
Authors: Stingl Christoph , Bureo Gonzalez Angela , Güzel Coşkun , Phoa Kai Yi Nadine , Doukas Michail , Breimer Gerben Eise , Meijer Sybren Lodewijk , Bergman Jacques Johannes , Luider Theo Marten
Published: July 2021

Background

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a known precursor lesion and the strongest risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a common and lethal type of cancer. Prediction of risk, the basis for efficient intervention, is commonly solely based on histologic examination. This approach is challenged by problems such as inter-observer variability in the face of the high heterogeneity of dysplastic tissue. Molecular markers might offer an additional way to understand the carcinogenesis and improve the diagnosis—and eventually treatment. In this study, we probed significant proteomic changes during dysplastic progression from BE into EAC.

Methods

During endoscopic mucosa resection, epithelial and stromal tissue samples were collected by laser capture microdissection from 10 patients with normal BE and 13 patients with high-grade dysplastic/EAC. Samples were analyzed by mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. Expressed proteins were determined by label-free quantitation, and gene set enrichment was used to find differentially expressed pathways. The results were validated by immunohistochemistry for two selected key proteins (MSH6 and XPO5).

Results

Comparing dysplastic/EAC to non-dysplastic BE, we found in equal volumes of epithelial tissue an overall up-regulation in terms of protein abundance and diversity, and determined a set of 226 differentially expressed proteins. Significantly higher expressions of MSH6 and XPO5 were validated orthogonally and confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that disease-related proteomic alterations can be determined by analyzing minute amounts of cell-type-specific collected tissue. Further analysis indicated that alterations of certain pathways associated with carcinogenesis, such as micro-RNA trafficking, DNA damage repair, and spliceosome activity, exist in dysplastic/EAC.
Medication use and risk of proximal colon cancer: a systematic review of prospective studies with narrative synthesis and meta-analysis
Authors: Harewood Rhea , Disney Ruth , Kinross James , von Wagner Christian , Cross Amanda J.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Evidence of differences in the etiology of, and poorer survival from, proximal colon compared to the distal colorectum, necessitates research into its risk factors. This systematic review summarizes the evidence on medication use and proximal colon cancer risk.

Methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for prospective studies investigating nine medication groups, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), exogenous hormones, i.e., hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptives (OCs), statins, proton pump inhibitors, anti-hypertensives, metformin (an antidiabetic), antidiarrheals or laxatives, and the risk of proximal colon cancer. Narrative synthesis and meta-analyses, using random effects models to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were conducted.

Results

Twenty nine publications investigating NSAIDs (n = 13), exogenous hormones [HRT (n = 9) or OCs (n = 4)] statins (n = 5), anti-hypertensives (n = 1), and metformin (n = 1) were included. Summary RRs reported a protective effect of aspirin use (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73–0.89) but no associations between HRT (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.83–1.02), OC (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.98–1.14) or statin use (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.67–1.31), and proximal colon cancer incidence compared to never/non-use. One study on metformin and one on anti-hypertensives reported no association. Sources of between-study heterogeneity included study design, period of exposure ascertainment, exposure source, and exposure comparison, but this exploration was hindered by the small numbers of studies.

Conclusion

Despite some studies on NSAID or HRT use, evidence on the impact of a range of medications on proximal colon cancer risk is limited. This highlights the need for more research to inform chemoprevention strategies.
Revisiting a Three-Player Pursuit-Evasion Game
Authors: Szőts János , Savkin Andrey V. , Harmati István
Published: July 2021

We consider the game of a holonomic evader passing between two holonomic pursuers. The optimal trajectories of this game are known. We give a detailed explanation of the game of kind’s solution and present a computationally efficient way to obtain trajectories numerically by integrating the retrograde path equations. Additionally, we propose a method for calculating the partial derivatives of the Value function in the game of degree. This latter result applies to differential games with homogeneous Value.
Arch bridges subject to pier settlements: continuous vs. piecewise rigid displacement methods
Authors: Malena Marialaura , Angelillo Maurizio , Fortunato Antonio , de Felice Gianmarco , Mascolo Ida
Published: July 2021

Settlements severely affect historic masonry arch bridges worldwide. There are countless examples of structural dislocations and ruins in recent years due to severe settlements at the base of pier foundations, often caused by shipworm infestation of wooden foundations or scouring and riverbed erosion phenomena. The present paper proposes an original way to approach the failure analysis of settled masonry arch bridges. The proposed method combines two different 2D numerical models for the prediction of masonry arch bridge capacity against settlements and for safety assessment. The first one is the Piecewise Rigid Displacement method, i.e. a block-based limit analysis approach using the well known Heyman's hypotheses; the second one is a continuous Finite Element approach. The case study of the four-span Deba Bridge (Spain, 2018) failure is presented with the aim to illustrate how the methods work. The failure analysis produced satisfactory results by applying both methods separately, in confirmation of their reliability. Their combination also allowed to obtain a significantly reduction in computational cost and an improvement of prediction accuracy. A sensitivity and a path-following analysis were also performed with the aim to demonstrate the robustness of the presented method. The obtained simulations highlighted that the results do not depend on the friction angle and that a proper prediction of the evolution of the structural behavior can be obtained only taking into account geometric nonlinearities. Such results demonstrate once again that in settled masonry arches geometry prevails over the mechanical parameters. The current study paves the way for the fruitful use of the proposed approaches for a wider range of applications, as, for example, the mechanism identification or the displacement capacity assessment of masonry structures under overloading as seismic loads.
Hard versus soft impact modeling of vibro-impact systems with a moving base
Authors: Okolewski Andrzej , Blazejczyk-Okolewska Barbara
Published: July 2021

Soft and hard impact models applied to modeling of vibro-impact systems with a moving base are discussed. The conditions under which two collision models are equivalent in terms of equal energy dissipation are derived. These conditions differ from those presented in the literature. It is shown that in the case of a stiff, harmonically moving base with a low rate of energy dissipation, both methods yield the same results, but an application of the soft impact model to either the base with low stiffness or even the stiff base with a high rate of energy dissipation leads to different results from the ones for the hard impact model.
Finding the Gap: Immigrant Integration Outcomes and Settlement Service Provision in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Gilmartin Mary , Dagg Jennifer
Published: July 2021

Immigrant integration is increasingly assessed through integration outcomes, which assess the degree of convergence of the experiences of immigrants and non-immigrants within a country. Integration processes – for example, settlement services in key areas such as employment, education and social inclusion – help to enhance integration outcomes. In this paper, we use the example of the Republic of Ireland to show that the relationship between desired integration outcomes and the provision of settlement services needs considerably more attention. We present immigrant integration outcomes for specific regions and groups of immigrants derived from existing large-scale data sets. We then use publicly available data on existing settlement services to assess the extent to which settlement services address key areas of immigrant integration outcomes. We demonstrate that there are considerable gaps in the provision of appropriate settlement services that could support the enhancement of key integration outcomes, such as the quality of work, language proficiency and housing. If immigrant integration outcomes are to be improved, the relationship between outcomes and settlement service provision has to be better coordinated and targeted to address the structural barriers faced by particular groups of immigrants and by immigrants living in particular regions.
Ruelle Zeta Functions of Hyperbolic Manifolds and Reidemeister Torsion
Authors: Müller Werner
Published: July 2021

This paper is concerned with the behavior of twisted Ruelle zeta functions of compact hyperbolic manifolds at the origin. Fried proved that for an orthogonal acyclic representation of the fundamental group of a compact hyperbolic manifold, the twisted Ruelle zeta function is holomorphic at $$s=0$$

s
=
0

and its value at $$s=0$$

s
=
0

equals the Reidemeister torsion. He also established a more general result for orthogonal representations, which are not acyclic. The purpose of the present paper is to extend Fried’s result to arbitrary finite dimensional representations of the fundamental group. The Reidemeister torsion is replaced by the complex-valued combinatorial torsion introduced by Cappell and Miller.
Developments in Biological Mechanisms and Treatments for Negative Symptoms and Cognitive Dysfunction of Schizophrenia
Authors: Wu Qiongqiong , Wang Xiaoyi , Wang Ying , Long Yu-Jun , Zhao Jing-Ping , Wu Ren-Rong
Published: July 2021

The causal mechanisms and treatment for the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia are the main issues attracting the attention of psychiatrists over the last decade. The first part of this review summarizes the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, especially the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction from the perspectives of genetics and epigenetics. The second part describes the novel medications and several advanced physical therapies (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation) for the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction that will optimize the therapeutic strategy for patients with schizophrenia in future.
Predicting the substituent effects in the optical and electrochemical properties of N,N′-substituted isoindigos
Authors: Kiss Ferdinand L. , Corbet Brian P. , Simeth Nadja A. , Feringa Ben L. , Crespi Stefano
Published: July 2021

Isoindigo, the structural isomer of the well-known dye indigo, has seen a major revival recently because of the increasing interest of its use as a potential drug core structure and for the development of organic photovoltaic materials. Highly beneficial for diverse applications are its facile synthesis, straightforward functionalisation and the broad absorption band in the visible range. Moreover, its intrinsic electron deficiency renders isoindigo a promising acceptor structure in bulk heterojunction architectures. Here we present new insights into the substituent effects of N-functionalised isoindigos, developing a reliable and fast in silico screening approach of a library of compounds. Using experimental UV–Vis and electrochemical data increased the accuracy of the TD-DFT method employed. This procedure allowed us to accurately predict the optical and electrochemical properties of N-functionalised isoindigos and the elucidation of the relationship between substituent effects and electronic properties.

Graphic abstract
OnabotulinumtoxinA Improves Quality of Life in Chronic Migraine: The PREDICT Study
Authors: Boudreau Guy , Finkelstein Ian , Graboski Corrie , Ong May , Christie Suzanne , Sommer Katherine , Bhogal Meetu , Davidovic Goran , Becker Werner J.
Published: July 2021

Background:

The PREDICT study assessed real-world, long-term health-related quality of life in adults with chronic migraine (CM) receiving onabotulinumtoxinA.

Methods:

Canadian, multicenter, prospective, observational study in adults naïve to onabotulinumtoxinA for CM. OnabotulinumtoxinA (155–195 U) was administered every 12 weeks over 2 years (≤7 treatment cycles). Primary endpoint: mean change in Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ) at treatment 4 (Tx4) versus baseline. Secondary endpoints: mean change in MSQ at final visit versus baseline, and headache days.

Results:

184 participants (average age 45 years; 84.8% female; 94.6% Caucasian) received ≥1 onabotulinumtoxinA treatment; 150 participants completed 4 treatments (1 year) and 123 completed all 7 treatment cycles (2 years). Mean (SD) onabotulinumtoxinA dose per treatment cycle was 171 (18) U and treatment interval was 13.2 (1.8) weeks. Baseline mean (SD) 20.9 (6.7) headache days/month decreased (Tx1: −3.5 [6.3]; Tx4: −6.5 [6.6]; p < 0.0001 versus baseline). Mean (SD) increased from baseline in MSQ at Tx4 (restrictive: 21.5 [24.3], preventive: 19.5 [24.7], emotional: 22.9 [32.9]) and the final visit (restrictive: 21.3 [23.0], preventive: 19.2 [23.7], emotional: 27.4 [30.7]), exceeding minimal important differences (all p < 0.0001). Seventy-seven (41.8%) participants reported 168 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs); 38 TEAEs (12.0%) were considered treatment-related. Four (2.2%) participants reported six serious TEAEs; none were considered treatment-related. No new safety signals were identified.

Conclusions:

Real-world evidence from PREDICT demonstrates that onabotulinumtoxinA for CM in Canada improved MSQ scores and reduced headache frequency and severity, adding to the body of evidence on the long-term safety and effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxinA for CM.
Assessing the effects of Bt maize on the non-target pest Rhopalosiphum maidis by demographic and life-history measurement endpoints
Authors: Lanzoni Alberto , Bosi Sara , Bregola Valeria , Camastra Francesco , Ciaramella Angelo , Staiano Antonino , Dinelli Giovanni , Burgio Giovanni
Published: July 2021

The most commercialized Bt maize plants in Europe were transformed with genes which express a truncated form of the insecticidal delta-endotoxin (Cry1Ab) from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) specifically against Lepidoptera. Studies on the effect of transgenic maize on non-target arthropods have mainly converged on beneficial insects. However, considering the worldwide extensive cultivation of Bt maize, an increased availability of information on their possible impact on non-target pests is also required. In this study, the impact of Bt-maize on the non-target corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis, was examined by comparing biological traits and demographic parameters of two generations of aphids reared on transgenic maize with those on untransformed near-isogenic plants. Furthermore, free and bound phenolics content on transgenic and near-isogenic plants were measured. Here we show an increased performance of the second generation of R. maidis on Bt-maize that could be attributable to indirect effects, such as the reduction of defense against pests due to unintended changes in plant characteristics caused by the insertion of the transgene. Indeed, the comparison of Bt-maize with its corresponding near-isogenic line strongly suggests that the transformation could have induced adverse effects on the biosynthesis and accumulation of free phenolic compounds. In conclusion, even though there is adequate evidence that aphids performed better on Bt-maize than on non-Bt plants, aphid economic damage has not been reported in commercial Bt corn fields in comparison to non-Bt corn fields. Nevertheless, Bt-maize plants can be more easily exploited by R. maidis, possibly due to a lower level of secondary metabolites present in their leaves. The recognition of this mechanism increases our knowledge concerning how insect-resistant genetically modified plants impact on non-target arthropods communities, including tritrophic web interactions, and can help support a sustainable use of genetically modified crops.
Analysis of malaria clinical−epidemiological predictors in individuals from Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Lisbôa Paulo Guilherme Souza , Medeiros Janaina Maria Rodrigues , de Souza Arthur Vinícius , dos Santos Bruno Fernando Barros , Sanches Henrique Otávio Coutinho , da Rocha Juliane Lúcia Gomes , Correa Junior Wender de Jesus Pena , Costa Gabriela Góes , Chaves Tania do Socorro Souza , da Silva Ventura Ana Maria Revoredo , Libonati Rosana Maria Feio
Published: July 2021

This research aims to determine whether the combination of epidemiological and clinical features can predict malaria. Diagnostic investigation detected 22.3% of individuals with Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria, with significant predominance of the male gender. The malaria triad (fever, chills and headache) had a more expressive frequency (81.1%) in individuals with positive thick blood than those with negative thick blood smear (65.1%), although there was no statistical significance. Among the variables analysed as predictive for positive thick blood smear, it was observed that personal history of travel to an endemic malaria area and past malaria infection (PMI) were significantly associated with malaria, even in multiple logistic regression. Fever had the higher sensitivity (94.6%) and past malaria history had the greater specificity (68.2%), with accuracy of 23.5% and 67.5%, respectively. In combined analysis, fever with chills had the highest sensitivity (91.9%), but low accuracy (38.5%). High specificity (91.5%) was found in the association of malaria triad, PMI and history of travel to endemic malaria area (which along with anorexia, was higher 94.6%), with good accuracy (80.7%), suggesting that the screening of patients for performing thick blood smear can be based on these data. The epidemiological features and the malaria triad (fever, chills and headache) can be predictors for identification of malaria patients, concurring to precocious diagnosis and immediate treatment of individuals with malaria.
Diagnostic accuracy of somatic and excretory−secretory antigens from Strongyloides venezuelensis infective larvae for the immunodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis
Authors: Roldán Gonzáles William Henry , Meisel Dirce Mary Correia Lima , de Paula Fabiana Martins , Gryschek Ronaldo Cesar Borges
Published: July 2021

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of three types of antigenic preparations from Strongyloides venezuelensis infective larvae for detection of serum IgG anti-Strongyloides antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Soluble somatic fractions (SSF) and membrane somatic fractions (MSF) and excretory−secretory (E/S) products from S. venezuelensis infective larvae were evaluated against 71 sera from individuals with strongyloidiasis, 105 sera from healthy individuals, and 84 sera from individuals with other helminth infections. Using an ELISA cut-off for 100% sensitivity, E/S products were 97.88% specific followed by MSF (93.12%) and then by SSF (85.2%). The occurrence of cross-reactivity with other helminths was 4.76% (4/84) with E/S products, 8.33% (7/84) with MSF, and 17.86% (15/84) with SSF. For a cut-off for 100% specificity, E/S products showed a sensitivity of 88.73% whereas MSF and SSF showed sensitivities of 59.15% and 53.52%, respectively. In conclusion, E/S products were the best antigenic option for the serodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis.
True Believers? – Sincerity and Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights
Authors: Wolff Tim
Published: July 2021

Sincerity of belief as a condition for the protection of Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights – Three types of insincerity in the context of freedom of belief – Parody religions – Fraudulent religions – Conceptual linkage between insincerity and ulterior motive – Insincerity defined as demanding to practise one’s ‘belief’ while solely having an ulterior motive – Circumstances that should not be considered evidence of insincerity: implausible manifestations, inconsistency with co-believers – Circumstances that should be considered evidence of insincerity: obvious unseriousness, ignorance, personal inconsistency – Comparison to rejected and accepted forms of evidence of insincerity in the case law of the European Court of Human Rights – Burden of proof in the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
Innovation, on-the-job learning, and labor contracts: an organizational equilibria approach
Authors: Dughera Stefano , Quatraro Francesco , Vittori Claudia
Published: July 2021

An established tenet of the literature is that the use of flexible labor leads to less innovation. Yet, less attention has been paid to the possibility that it is the decision to innovate that generates the incentive to hire on a permanent basis. The goal of this paper is to show the existence of interlocking complementarities between the firm's technological and hiring strategies. To do so, we develop a simple model where the workers’ decision to invest in human capital is affected by the type of employment contract (temporaryversuspermanent) and by the type of technological investments (routineversusinnovative). When the firm is unable to coordinate its actions across these different domains, two equilibria simultaneously exist: in the ‘high-road’ equilibrium, firms invest more in innovative projects and hire on a permanent basis; in the ‘low-road’ equilibrium, they invest more in routine projects and hire on a temporary basis.
Convolutional neural network for 2D adaptive beamforming of phased array antennas with robustness to array imperfections
Authors: Sallam Tarek , Attiya Ahmed M.
Published: July 2021

Achieving robust and fast two-dimensional adaptive beamforming of phased array antennas is a challenging problem due to its high-computational complexity. To address this problem, a deep-learning-based beamforming method is presented in this paper. In particular, the optimum weight vector is computed by modeling the problem as a convolutional neural network (CNN), which is trained with I/O pairs obtained from the optimum Wiener solution. In order to exhibit the robustness of the new technique, it is applied on an 8 × 8 phased array antenna and compared with a shallow (non-deep) neural network namely, radial basis function neural network. The results reveal that the CNN leads to nearly optimal Wiener weights even in the presence of array imperfections.
A Cross-Level Theoretical and Empirical Model of Positive Emotions, Leader Identification, and Leader–Member Exchange
Authors: Liu Chongrui , Wang Cong , Liu Yan , Liu Xuran , Ni Yuan
Published: July 2021

Abstract. Although leader–member exchange (LMX) has been widely studied, knowledge about how followers influence the LMX process remains unknown. By integrating the broaden-and-build theory (BBT) with the emotion as social information (EASI) theory, we develop a follower-centric multilevel model to investigate how followers' positive emotions have an impact on LMX via the mediating role of leader identification and the moderating role of leaders' positive emotions. We conducted a survey with 319 Chinese employees from 67 teams. The results indicated that leader identification served as a mediating factor in the relationship between followers' positive emotions and LMX. The work unit leaders' positive emotions strengthened the relationship between leader identification and LMX and moderated the mediated relationship among followers' positive emotions, leader identification, and LMX. Altogether, our findings inform new knowledge in terms of how followers may influence the development of LMX. We also help to extend the BBT and the EASI theory to the leadership context.
Limited Influence of Nutrient Additions to the Transformation of Dissolved and Particulate Organic Matter From a Peatland Headwater
Authors: Moody C. S. , Worrall F.
Published: July 2021

Peatlands are typically rich in labile dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOM and POM) but poor in nutrients; as these peatland waters flow through a catchment they mix with more nutrient‐rich but organic matter (OM) poor waters. These new sources of nutrients may lead to increased OM degradation, driving further release of CO2 to the atmosphere. The aim of this study was to discover if the addition of nutrients changed the rates of peat‐derived dissolved and particulate organic carbon (DOC and POC) degradation, or if the additional nutrients were incorporated into the OM structure. The DOM and POM extracted from a peatland stream was characterised at the beginning of the experiment, and after 70‐h and 10‐days, from water with and without additional nutrients. Results showed adding nutrients to the water had no significant impact on the rate of degradation of DOC or POC over a 10 day period. There were significant differences in the N content and C:N ratios, as well as other composition variables, of the DOM in the treatments with additional nutrients showing that N was incorporated into the DOM structure, but that nutrient addition did not stimulate significant extra DOM or DOC loss. The N content of POM was not impacted, and isotope analysis, supported the conclusion that DOM turnover was occurring even if there was no net change in DOC concentration due to nutrient addition.
Further confirmation of the association of SLC12A2 with non-syndromic autosomal-dominant hearing impairment
Authors: Adadey Samuel M. , Schrauwen Isabelle , Aboagye Elvis Twumasi , Bharadwaj Thashi , Esoh Kevin K. , Basit Sulman , Acharya Anushree , Nouel-Saied Liz M. , Liaqat Khurram , Wonkam-Tingang Edmond , Mowla Shaheen , Awandare Gordon A. , Ahmad Wasim , Leal Suzanne M. , Wonkam Ambroise
Published: July 2021

Congenital hearing impairment (HI) is genetically heterogeneous making its genetic diagnosis challenging. Investigation of novel HI genes and variants will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and to aid genetic diagnosis. We performed exome sequencing and analysis using DNA samples from affected members of two large families from Ghana and Pakistan, segregating autosomal-dominant (AD) non-syndromic HI (NSHI). Using in silico approaches, we modeled and evaluated the effect of the likely pathogenic variants on protein structure and function. We identified two likely pathogenic variants in SLC12A2, c.2935G>A:p.(E979K) and c.2939A>T:p.(E980V), which segregate with NSHI in a Ghanaian and Pakistani family, respectively. SLC12A2 encodes an ion transporter crucial in the homeostasis of the inner ear endolymph and has recently been reported to be implicated in syndromic and non-syndromic HI. Both variants were mapped to alternatively spliced exon 21 of the SLC12A2 gene. Exon 21 encodes for 17 residues in the cytoplasmatic tail of SLC12A2, is highly conserved between species, and preferentially expressed in cochlear tissues. A review of previous studies and our current data showed that out of ten families with either AD non-syndromic or syndromic HI, eight (80%) had variants within the 17 amino acid residue region of exon 21 (48 bp), suggesting that this alternate domain is critical to the transporter activity in the inner ear. The genotypic spectrum of SLC12A2 was expanded and the involvement of SLC12A2 in ADNSHI was confirmed. These results also demonstrate the role that SLC12A2 plays in ADNSHI in diverse populations including sub-Saharan Africans.
Genomic methods reveal independent demographic histories despite strong morphological conservatism in fish species
Authors: Neves Jessika M. M. , Nolen Zachary J. , Fabré Nidia N. , Mott Tamí , Pereira Ricardo J.
Published: July 2021

Human overexploitation of natural resources has placed conservation and management as one of the most pressing challenges in modern societies, especially in regards to highly vulnerable marine ecosystems. In this context, cryptic species are particularly challenging to conserve because they are hard to distinguish based on morphology alone, and thus it is often unclear how many species coexist in sympatry, what are their phylogenetic relationships and their demographic history. We answer these questions using morphologically similar species of the genus Mugil that are sympatric in the largest coastal Marine Protected Area in the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic marine province. Using a sub-representation of the genome, we show that individuals are assigned to five highly differentiated genetic clusters that are coincident with five mitochondrial lineages, but discordant with morphological information, supporting the existence of five species with conserved morphology in this region. A lack of admixed individuals is consistent with strong genetic isolation between sympatric species, but the most likely species tree suggests that in one case speciation has occurred in the presence of interspecific gene flow. Patterns of genetic diversity within species suggest that effective population sizes differ up to two-fold, probably reflecting differences in the magnitude of population expansions since species formation. Together, our results show that strong morphologic conservatism in marine environments can lead to species that are difficult to distinguish morphologically but that are characterized by an independent evolutionary history, and thus that deserve species-specific management strategies.
Adiponectin as a novel biomarker of disease severity in alopecia areata
Authors: Stochmal Anna , Waśkiel-Burnat Anna , Chrostowska Sylwia , Zaremba Michał , Rakowska Adriana , Czuwara Joanna , Rudnicka Lidia
Published: July 2021

The frequent coexistence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in patients with alopecia areata may indicate the common pathogenetic pathway in these conditions with an important role of adipokines. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum level of adiponectin, resistin and leptin in patients with alopecia areata in comparison to healthy controls. The study included 65 patients with alopecia areata and 71 healthy controls. The concentration of adipokines was determined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean concentrations of adiponectin and resistin were significantly lower in the sera of patients with alopecia areata when compared to healthy controls (7966 $$\pm$$
±
4087 vs 9947 $$\pm$$
±
5692 ng/ml; p = 0.0312 and 11.04 $$\pm$$
±
3.88 vs 14.11 $$\pm$$
±
8.69 ng/ml; p = 0.0176, respectively). A negative correlation between the serum level of adiponectin and severity of alopecia tool (SALT) score was observed (r = − 0.26; p < 0.05). The concentration of adiponectin was significantly lower in patients with alopecia universalis than in patients with patchy alopecia areata (4951 $$\pm$$
±
2499 vs 8525 $$\pm$$
±
4085 ng/ml; p = 0.0135). No significant difference in the serum concentration of leptin was observed between patients with alopecia areata and healthy controls. The negative correlation between the serum level of adiponectin and hair loss severity indicates that adiponectin may be considered a marker of hair loss severity in alopecia areata. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of resistin in patients with alopecia areata and its decreased level irregardless of severity or activity of the disease.
The impact of infection complications after trauma differs according to trauma severity
Authors: Komori Akira , Iriyama Hiroki , Kainoh Takako , Aoki Makoto , Naito Toshio , Abe Toshikazu
Published: July 2021

The impact of infection on the prognosis of trauma patients according to severity remains unclear. We assessed the impact of infection complications on in-hospital mortality among patients with trauma according to severity. This retrospective cohort study used a nationwide registry of trauma patients. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with blunt or penetrating trauma who were admitted to intensive care units or general wards between 2004 and 2017 were included. We compared the baseline characteristics and outcomes between patients with and without infection and conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to investigate the impact of infection on in-hospital mortality according to trauma severity, which was classified as mild [Injury Severity Score (ISS) < 15], moderate (ISS 15–29), or severe (ISS ≥ 30). Among the 150,948 patients in this study, 10,338 (6.8%) developed infections. Patients with infection had greater in-hospital mortality than patients without infection [1085 (10.5%) vs. 2898 (2.1%), p < 0.01]. After adjusting for clinical characteristics, in-hospital mortality differed between trauma patients with and without infection according to trauma severity [17.1% (95% CI 15.2–18.9%) vs. 2.9% (95% CI 2.7–3.1%), p < 0.01, in patients with mild trauma; 14.8% (95% CI 13.3–16.3%) vs. 8.4% (95% CI 7.9–8.8%), p < 0.01, in patients with moderate trauma; and 13.5% (95% CI 11.2–15.7%) vs. 13.7% (95% CI 12.4–14.9%), p = 0.86, in patients with severe trauma]. In conclusion, the effect of infection complications in patients with trauma on in-hospital mortality differs by trauma severity.
Risk factors associated with progression of diabetic retinopathy in eyes treated with panretinal photocoagulation
Authors: Baek Sung Uk , Park Min Seon , Cho Bum-Joo , Park In Won , Kwon Soonil
Published: July 2021

Uncontrolled diabetes has been associated with progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in several studies. Therefore, we aimed to investigate systemic and ophthalmic factors related to worsening of DR even after completion of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). We retrospectively reviewed DR patients who had completed PRP in at least one eye with a 3-year follow-up. A total of 243 eyes of 243 subjects (mean age 52.6 ± 11.6 years) were enrolled. Among them, 52 patients (21.4%) showed progression of DR after PRP (progression group), and the other 191 (78.6%) patients had stable DR (non-progression group). The progression group had higher proportion of proliferative DR (P = 0.019); lower baseline visual acuity (P < 0.001); and higher platelet count (P = 0.048), hemoglobin (P = 0.044), and hematocrit, (P = 0.042) than the non-progression group. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis for progression of DR, baseline visual acuity (HR: 0.053, P < 0.001) and platelet count (HR: 1.215, P = 0.031) were identified as risk factors for progression. Consequently, we propose that patients with low visual acuity or high platelet count are more likely to have progressive DR despite PRP and require careful observation. Also, the evaluation of hemorheological factors including platelet counts before PRP can be considered useful in predicting the prognosis of DR.
Overcoming barriers in photodynamic therapy harnessing nano-formulation strategies
Authors: Xie Jianlei , Wang Yingwei , Choi Wonseok , Jangili Paramesh , Ge Yanqi , Xu Yunjie , Kang Jianlong , Liu Liping , Zhang Bin , Xie Zhongjian , He Jun , Xie Ni , Nie Guohui , Zhang Han , Kim Jong Seung
Published: July 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been extensively investigated for decades for tumor treatment because of its non-invasiveness, spatiotemporal selectivity, lower side-effects, and immune activation ability.
A strategy of asymmetric local structure based on mesoporous MoO2 toward efficient electrocatalysis
Authors: Zheng Xinyue , Wang Wenjing , Jia Gan , Li Zhaosheng , Zou Zhigang
Published: July 2021

Combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, a substitutional heteroatom-doping approach is employed to design asymmetric local structures based on highly ordered mesoporous MoO2 nanostructures.
Transformable upconversion metal–organic frameworks for near-infrared light-programmed chemotherapy
Authors: Wang Fang , Li Zhen , Zhang Xiaobo , Luo Rengan , Hou Hanlin , Lei Jianping
Published: July 2021

A transformable upconversion MOF comprising UCNPs and an azobenzene-based MOF is designed for programmed chemotherapy via dual Förster resonance energy transfers.
Sulfur valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy study of lithium sulfur batteries
Authors: Petric Marko , Rajh Ava , Vizintin Alen , Talian Sara Drvarič , Dominko Robert , Kavčič Matjaž
Published: July 2021

Ab initio quantum chemical calculations were used to generate sulfur valence-to-core (VtC) X-ray emission spectra of the lithium polysulfides. The theoretical spectra are then compared with the experimental spectra.
Preferred penetration of active nano-rods into narrow channels and their clustering
Authors: Wang Zhengjia , Chu Kang-Ching , Tsao Heng-Kwong , Sheng Yu-Jane
Published: July 2021

Active rods can overcome the entropic barrier and show favorable partition toward narrow channels.
Self-standing, conducting and capacitive biomimetic hybrid nanomembranes for selective molecular ion separation
Authors: Puiggalí-Jou Anna , Molina Brenda G. , Lopes-Rodrigues Maximilien , Michaux Catherine , Perpète Eric A. , Zanuy David , Alemán Carlos
Published: July 2021

Robust and flexible three-layered polymer nanomembranes with a porin immobilized at the nanoperforations behave as electrochemical supercapacitors and exhibit selective responses against molecular ions as a function of their charge and concentration.
Thermal decomposition of spherically granulated malachite: physico-geometrical constraints and overall kinetics
Authors: Aoki Yuta , Yamamoto Yui , Koga Nobuyoshi
Published: July 2021

Thermal decomposition of granular solids is significantly regulated by physico-geometrical constrains.
A multifunctional magnetic material based on a solid solution of Fe(ii)/Co(ii) complexes with a macrocyclic cyclam-based ligand
Authors: Drahoš Bohuslav , Šalitroš Ivan , Císařová Ivana , Herchel Radovan
Published: July 2021

A multifunctional magnetic material based on a solid solution of Fe(ii)/Co(ii) complexes with a cyclam-based ligand combines spin crossover with field-induced single-molecule magnetism.
Controlled synthesis of P-Co3O4@NiCo-LDH/NF nanoarrays as binder-free electrodes for water splitting
Authors: Du Xiaoqiang , Dai Zhixin , Wang Yanhong , Han Xinghua , Zhang Xiaoshuang
Published: July 2021

The P-Co3O4@NiCo-LDH/NF material was firstly used as a robust Earth-abundant electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
‘Eye’ of the molecule—a viewpoint
Authors: Lee Seungkyu , Yaghi Omar M.
Published: July 2021

MOF-711 is constructed from zirconium oxide SBUs and benzenedicarboxylate linkers. Rotational distortion differentiates the Zr ions into three types. We show the complexity of these crystals, which are best described from the ‘eye’ of the molecule.
Decatungstate-mediated solar photooxidative cleavage of CC bonds using air as an oxidant in water
Authors: Xie Pan , Xue Cheng , Luo Junfei , Shi Sanshan , Du Dongdong
Published: July 2021

Using air as the oxidant and water as the solvent, a green and sustainable photooxidative strategy was developed for the synthesis of carbonyl compoundsviadirectly harvesting solar energy.
Structure–property relationship of novel supramolecular gels based on coumarins
Authors: Márquez-Gutiérrez Jesús Roberto , Mojica-Sánchez Juan Pablo , Macias-López Elizabeth Guadalupe , Martínez-Martínez Francisco Javier , Magaña-Vergara Nancy Evelyn , Mendoza-Muñoz Néstor
Published: July 2021

LMWGs based on coumarins could form supramolecular gels with unusual mechanical properties explained by its interactions at theoretical level.
Recent developments in the synthesis of polysubstituted pyridinesviamulticomponent reactions using nanocatalysts
Authors: Majidi Arlan Fatemeh , Poursattar Marjani Ahmad , Javahershenas Ramin , Khalafy Jabbar
Published: July 2021

This review describes the evolution and application of active metal-based and heterometallic NPs as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of pyridine derivatives by multicomponent reactions in the last decade (2010–2020).
Tuning the electronic structures of self-supported vertically aligned CoFe LDH arrays integrated with Ni foam toward highly efficient electrocatalytic water oxidation
Authors: Li Meng-Yang , Zhang Jun-Jun , Li Xiang , Bao Wei-Wei , Yang Chun-Ming , Jin Chang-Qing , Li Meng , Wang Su-Min , Zhang Nan-Nan
Published: July 2021

The developed Ni/CoFe LDH as an anode can provide a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at 1.532 V vs. RHE, as well as remarkable operational stability, representing the best yet reported noble-metal-free water oxidation electrode.
The synergistic effect of carbon nanotubes and graphitic carbon nitride on the enhanced supercapacitor performance of cobalt diselenide-based composites
Authors: Li Mingjie , Zheng Xuan , Xie Lixiang , Yu Youjun , Jiang Jinlong
Published: July 2021

Carbon nanotubes and g-C3N4 synergistically optimize the electrical conductivity and spatial structure of CoSe2, thus improving the performance of supercapacitors.
Development of a novel reinforced film based on gellan gum/cellulose nanofiber/soy protein for skin tissue engineering application
Authors: Mohebian Zahra , Yavari Maroufi Leila , Ghorbani Marjan
Published: July 2021

Recently, the importance of using biocompatible nanocomposite film with suitable properties has attracted interest for use in potential applications in the biomedical area.
Chalcogen bonding mediates the formation of supramolecular helices of azapeptides in crystals
Authors: Shi Di , Cao Jinlian , Weng Peimin , Yan Xiaosheng , Li Zhao , Jiang Yun-Bao
Published: July 2021

Supramolecular M- and P-helices are formed via intermolecular S⋯S and S⋯O chalcogen bonding of alanine-based azapeptides containing a β-turn structure and equipped with a thiophene group at the N- or C-terminus, respectively.
Lewis acid-promoted formation of benzoselenazole derivatives using SeO2 as a selenium source
Authors: Hu Minhui , Ren Yaokun
Published: July 2021

A new method using SeO2 to synthesize benzoselazoles was developed, and this method was more simple to operate and gram-scale operations could also be achieved efficiently.
Gem-dimethyl peptide nucleic acid (α/β/γ-gdm-PNA) monomers: synthesis and the role of gdm-substituents in preferential stabilisation of Z/E-rotamers
Authors: Kulkarni Pradnya , Datta Dhrubajyoti , Ramabhadran Raghunath O. , Ganesh Krishna
Published: July 2021

The flexible backbone of aminoethylglycine (aeg) PNA upon substitution becomes sterically constrained to enable conformational pre-organization for preferential binding to DNA or RNA.
Superhelical DNA liquid crystals from dendrimer-induced DNA compaction
Authors: Mansel Bradley W. , Su Chun-Jen , Chen Chun-Yu , Young Chih-Mei , Huang Yen-Chih , Yang Cheng-Che , Chen Hsin-Lung
Published: July 2021

Electrostatic compaction of dsDNA induced by a positively charged poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM) of generation four produced two unique types of DNA mesophases, in which the DNA bent into superhelices packed in a tetragonal or hexagonal lattice.
Thermodynamic stability versus kinetic accessibility: Pareto fronts for programmable self-assembly
Authors: Trubiano Anthony , Holmes-Cerfon Miranda
Published: July 2021

An analysis of Pareto fronts for programmable self-assembly.