bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The repetitive local sampling and the local distribution theory
Authors: Tian Pu
Published: November 2021

Molecular simulation is a mature and versatile tool set widely utilized in many subjects. However, its methodology development has been struggling with a tradeoff between accuracy and speed, significant improvement of both is necessary to reliably substitute many expensive and laborious experiments in molecular biology and nanotechnology. Previously, the ubiquitous severe wasting of computational resources in molecular simulations due to repetitive local sampling was raised, and the local free energy landscape approach was proposed to address it. The core idea is to first learn local distributions, and followed by dynamic assembly of which to infer global joint distribution of a target molecular system. When compared with conventional explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations, a simple and approximate implementation of this theory in protein structural refinement harvested acceleration of about six orders of magnitude without loss of accuracy. While this initial test revealed tremendous benefits for addressing repetitive local sampling, there are some implicit assumptions need to be articulated. Here, I present a more thorough discussion of repetitive local sampling; potential options for learning local distributions; a more general formulation with potential extension to simulation of near equilibrium molecular systems; the prospect of developing computation driven molecular science; the connection to mainstream residue pair distance distribution based protein structure studies; and the fundamental difference of the averaging strategy from potential of mean force. This more general development is termed the local distribution theory to release the limitation of strict thermodynamic equilibrium in its potential wide application in general soft condensed molecular systems.

This article is categorized under:

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Free Energy Methods

Data Science > Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
Modeling of wastewater treatment processes with hydrosludge
Authors: Iserte Sergio , Carratalà Pablo , Arnau Rosario , Martínez‐Cuenca Raúl , Barreda Paloma , Basiero Luís , Climent Javier , Chiva Sergio
Published: November 2021

The pressure for Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRF) operators to efficiently treat wastewater is greater than ever because of the water crisis, produced by the climate change effects and more restrictive regulations. Technicians and researchers need to evaluate WRRF performance to ensure maximum efficiency. For this purpose, numerical techniques, such as CFD, have been widely applied to the wastewater sector to model biological reactors and secondary settling tanks with high spatial and temporal accuracy. However, limitations such as complexity and learning curve prevent extending CFD usage among wastewater modeling experts. This paper presents HydroSludge, a framework that provides a series of tools that simplify the implementation of the processes and workflows in a WRRF. This work leverages HydroSludge to preprocess existing data, aid the meshing process, and perform CFD simulations. Its intuitive interface proves itself as an effective tool to increase the efficiency of wastewater treatment.

Practitioner points

This paper introduces a software platform specifically oriented to WRRF, named HydroSludge, which provides easy access to the most widespread and leading CFD simulation software, OpenFOAM.

Hydrosludge is intended to be used by WRRF operators, bringing a more wizard‐like, automatic, and intuitive usage.

Meshing assistance, submersible mixers, biological models, and distributed parallel computing are the most remarkable features included in HydroSludge.

With the provided study cases, HydroSludge has proven to be a crucial tool for operators, managers, and researchers in WRRF.
Chapter 2: Russia’s Development as a Top Player in World Grain Trade
Authors: Liefert William M. , Liefert Olga
Published: November 2021

During the late Soviet period, Russia (along with the Soviet Union as a whole) was a major importer of grain, as well as soybeans and soybean meal, which were used to help feed the country’s growing livestock sector. The substantial reform-driven contraction in the livestock sector during the 1990s largely eliminated the need for grain imports. Beginning around 2000, Russia began to export grain, and into the 2010s it became major supplier on the world market. During 2016–2019, Russia exported on average 44 million metric tonnes a year, 10–14 percent of total world grain exports. The country’s dominant grain export is wheat, with Russia providing in the late 2010s around 20 percent of world market sales, thereby supplanting the United States as the world’s top wheat supplier. This chapter examines how Russia has developed into a major grain exporter, with the focus on how growing grain production since 2000 has generated surpluses for foreign sale.
Zwanziger’s pairwise little group on the celestial sphere
Authors: Lippstreu Luke
Published: November 2021

Abstract

We generalize Zwanziger’s pairwise little group to include a boost subgroup. We do so by working in the celestial sphere representation of scattering amplitudes. We propose that due to late time soft photon and graviton exchanges, matter particles in the asymptotic states in massless QED and gravity transform under the Poincaré group with an additional pair of pairwise celestial representations for each pair of matter particles. We demonstrate that the massless abelian and gravitational exponentiation theorems are consistent with the proposed pairwise Poincaré transformation properties. For massless QED we demonstrate that our results are consistent with the effects of the Faddeev-Kulish dressing and the abelian exponentiation theorem for celestial amplitudes found in arXiv:2012.04208. We discuss electric and magnetic charges simultaneously as it is especially natural to do so in this formalism.
Complement in ischaemia–reperfusion injury and transplantation
Authors: Howard Mark C. , Nauser Christopher L. , Farrar Conrad A. , Sacks Steven H.
Published: November 2021

Until recently, the only known condition in which complement could mediate transplant injury was the rare occurrence of antibody-mediated rejection, in which the original concept of antibody immunity against the transplant was supported by complementary proteins present in the serum. This has changed within the last two decades because of evidence that the processes of ischaemia–reperfusion injury followed by T cell–mediated rejection are also critically dependent on components generated by the complement system. We now have a clearer understanding of the complement triggers and effectors that mediate injury, and a detailed map of their local sites of production and activation in the kidney. This is providing helpful guidelines as to how these harmful processes that restrict transplant outcomes can be targeted for therapeutic benefit. Here we review some of the recent advances highlighting relevant therapeutic targets.
Cost-effectiveness and budget impact of venetoclax in combination with rituximab in relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Switzerland
Authors: Barbier Michaela , Durno Nicholas , Bennison Craig , Örtli Mathias , Knapp Christian , Schwenkglenks Matthias
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Venetoclax in combination with rituximab (VEN + R) demonstrated prolonged overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in comparison to standard chemoimmunotherapy [bendamustine + rituximab (BR)]. We conducted a cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis comparing VEN + R versus six comparators from the Swiss healthcare payer perspective.

Methods

A three-state partitioned survival model, developed in accordance with NICE and ISPOR decision modelling guidelines, was adapted to Switzerland. Model inputs were informed by the MURANO trial (survival data, patient characteristics), publicly available Swiss sources (drug prices, inpatient and outpatient costs), Swiss National Institute of Cancer Epidemiology and Registration data (incidence and prevalence values), and Swiss medical expert feedback. We used published (dis-)utility values and adverse event probabilities.

Results

Over a lifetime, VEN + R resulted in an expected gain of 2.60 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per patient and incremental costs of Swiss Francs (CHF) 147,851 compared to BR, leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CHF 56,881/QALY gained. Other treatment strategies (for example ibrutinib versus VEN + R) resulted in higher costs and lower QALYs. Results were not different for subgroups of patients with/without deletion of chromosome 17p/tumour protein 53 mutation. In scenario analysis, changes in post-progression treatment costs demonstrated a high impact on results. We estimated an expected value of perfect information of CHF 3,318/patient. A moderate VEN + R uptake was estimated to save CHF 12.3 million during 5 years.

Conclusions

Using a threshold of CHF 100,000 per QALY, VEN + R was projected to be cost-effective vs BR.
Clover in agriculture: combined benefits for bees, environment, and farmer
Authors: Harris Ciaran , Ratnieks Francis L. W.
Published: November 2021

Concerns over the increasing cost and environmental impact of high inorganic nitrogen (N) inputs have led to a reappraisal of the role of legumes, particularly clover, in maintaining soil fertility in improved grasslands. Clover and other legumes host the symbiotic root bacteria Rhizobium that fix N, reducing the need for N fertiliser application. Grass plus clover swards are comparable to grass monocultures given medium to high inorganic N inputs in terms of companion grass growth, livestock performance and, yield of subsequently planted crops. Reduced N fertiliser input also reduces associated N leaching into water and greenhouse gas emissions during manufacture, transport, and application. In addition, increased use of clover in grasslands also benefit flower-visiting insects by providing an abundant source of nectar and pollen in summer. This is a critical period due to high levels of competition for these in summer. Because temporary and improved grassland covers almost half (47%) of UK land area this habitat type has great potential in wildlife conservation. Further research is needed on the agronomic and conservation benefits of more diverse swards, as incorporation of additional forb species may complement clovers and legumes to benefit a wider range of flower-visiting insect species. In addition, more information on the attitudes of farmers for or against using clover and legumes in grasslands is needed, as they make the management decisions for most agricultural land in the UK. Implications for insect conservation: increased use of clover is a low-cost way to improve the food supply for flower-visiting insects, while to sustaining agricultural productivity and reducing environmental impact.
The Impact of Clients’ and Therapists’ Characteristics on Therapeutic Alliance and Outcome
Authors: Tschuschke Volker , Koemeda-Lutz Margit , von Wyl Agnes , Crameri Aureliano , Schulthess Peter
Published: November 2021

This article investigates distances between therapists and their clients in their experience of the therapeutic alliance across the duration of the psychotherapeutic treatments in a naturalistic study. We looked at the working alliances from different vantage points—rupture, repair of ruptures, distances in the alliance impressions of both clients and therapists—and their correlation with treatment outcome. The only predictive variable of alliance ruptures was the inability of therapists to bond sufficiently with their clients regarding a sustainable working atmosphere, which could be identified through a continuous distant alliance rating by the therapists. Alliance ruptures in turn significantly predicted premature termination of treatments, whereas alliance ruptures per se did not necessarily predict treatment outcome. The paper discusses the possible role of the quality of therapists’ attachment styles as a potentially crucial variable in an effective working alliance in psychotherapy.
MiR-539-5p inhibits the inflammatory injury in septic H9c2 cells by regulating IRAK3
Authors: Hu Xiaochen , Miao Hongjun
Published: November 2021

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been confirmed to play a potential role in sepsis, but little is known about their role in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC).

Methods

The model of septic cardiomyopathy was constructed with H9c2 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the expression of miR-539-5p was detected by qRT-PCR assay. ELISA, CCK-8, EdU TUNEL analysis were performed to evaluate the role of miR-539-5p in inflammation response, viability, proliferation and apoptosis of LPS-treated H9c2 cells. Moreover, miRWalk and TargetScan prediction, and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were carried out to predict and confirm the target of miR-539-5p. Furthermore, the effects of target on inflammation response, proliferation and apoptosis of LPS-induced H9c2 cells mediated by miR-539-5p was further explored.

Results

The expression of miR-539-5p was obviously down-regulated in LPS-induced H9c2 cells. In addition, over-expression of miR-539-5p significantly inhibited the inflammation response, promoted viability and proliferation, and suppressed apoptosis of LPS-treated H9c2 cells. Moreover, interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 3 (IRAK3) was verified as a target of miR-539-5p by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Besides, IRAK3 was highly expressed in H9c2 cells transfected with miR-539-5p inhibitor detected with qRT-PCR and western blot assays. Furthermore, over-expression of IRAK3 partially weakened the effects of miR-539-5p mimic on the inflammation response, proliferation and apoptosis of LPS-induced H9c2 cells.

Conclusions

MiR-539-5p potentially plays an important role in the pathogenesis of LPS-induced sepsis by targeting IRAK3, suggesting that miR-539-5p may be a potential new target for the treatment of LPS-induced sepsis.
Independently validated sex-specific nomograms for predicting survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma: NRG Oncology RTOG 0525 and 0825
Authors: Patil Nirav , Somasundaram Eashwar , Waite Kristin A. , Lathia Justin D. , Machtay Mitchell , Gilbert Mark R. , Connor James R. , Rubin Joshua B. , Berens Michael E. , Buerki Robin A. , Choi Serah , Sloan Andrew E. , Penas-Prado Marta , Ashby Lynn S. , Blumenthal Deborah T. , Werner-Wasik Maria , Hunter Grant K. , Flickinger John C. , Wendland Merideth M. , Panet-Raymond Valerie , Robins H. Ian , Pugh Stephanie L. , Mehta Minesh P. , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S.
Published: November 2021

Background/purpose

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor. Sex has been shown to be an important prognostic factor for GBM. The purpose of this study was to develop and independently validate sex-specific nomograms for estimation of individualized GBM survival probabilities using data from 2 independent NRG Oncology clinical trials.

Methods

This analysis included information on 752 (NRG/RTOG 0525) and 599 (NRG/RTOG 0825) patients with newly diagnosed GBM. The Cox proportional hazard models by sex were developed using NRG/RTOG 0525 and significant variables were identified using a backward selection procedure. The final selected models by sex were then independently validated using NRG/RTOG 0825.

Results

Final nomograms were built by sex. Age at diagnosis, KPS, MGMT promoter methylation and location of tumor were common significant predictors of survival for both sexes. For both sexes, tumors in the frontal lobes had significantly better survival than tumors of multiple sites. Extent of resection, and use of corticosteroids were significant predictors of survival for males.

Conclusions

A sex specific nomogram that assesses individualized survival probabilities (6-, 12- and 24-months) for patients with GBM could be more useful than estimation of overall survival as there are factors that differ between males and females. A user friendly online application can be found here—https://npatilshinyappcalculator.shinyapps.io/SexDifferencesInGBM/.
Variation in floristic and trait composition along environmental gradients in the herb layer of temperate forests in the transition zone between Central and SE Europe
Authors: Kermavnar Janez , Kutnar Lado , Marinšek Aleksander
Published: November 2021

Species- and trait-environment linkages in forest plant communities continue to be a frequent topic in ecological research. We studied the dependence of floristic and functional trait composition on environmental factors, namely local soil properties, overstory characteristics, climatic parameters and other abiotic and biotic variables. The study area comprised 50 monitoring plots across Slovenia, belonging to the EU ICP Forests monitoring network. Vegetation was surveyed in accordance with harmonized protocols, and environmental variables were either measured or estimated during vegetation sampling. Significant predictors of species composition were identified by canonical correspondence analysis. Correlations between plant traits, i.e. plant growth habit, life form, flowering features and CSR signature, were examined with fourth-corner analysis and linear regressions. Our results show that variation in floristic composition was mainly explained by climatic parameters (mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation), soil properties (pH) and tree layer-dependent light conditions. Trait composition was most closely related with tree layer characteristics, such as shade-casting ability (SCA, a proxy for light availability in the understory layer), tree species richness and tree species composition. Amongst soil properties, total nitrogen content and soil texture (proportion of clay) were most frequently correlated with different species traits or trait states. The CSR signature of herb communities was associated with tree layer SCA, soil pH and mean annual temperature. The floristic composition of the studied herb-layer vegetation depended on temperature and precipitation, which are likely to be influenced by ongoing climate change (warming and drying). Trait composition exhibited significant links to tree layer characteristics and soil conditions, which are in turn directly modified by forest management interventions.
Measuring Residual Strain and Stress in Thermal Spray Coatings Using Neutron Diffractometers
Authors: Faisal N. H. , Ahmed R. , Prathuru A. K. , Paradowska A. , Lee T. L.
Published: November 2021

Background

During thermal spray coating, residual strain is formed within the coating and substrates due to thermo-mechanical processes and microstructural phase changes.

Objective

This paper provides a comprehensive guide to researchers planning to use neutron diffraction technique for thermal spray coatings, and reviews some of these studies.

Methods

ENGIN-X at the ISIS spallation source is a neutron diffractometer (time-of-flight) dedicated to materials science and engineering with high resolution testing. The focus is on the procedure of using ENGIN-X diffractometer for thermal spray coatings with a view that it can potentially be translated to other diffractometers.

Results

Number of studies involving neutron diffraction analysis in thermal spray coatings remain limited, partly due to limited number of such strain measurement facilities globally, and partly due to difficulty is applying neutron diffraction analysis to measure residual strain in the thermal spray coating microstructure.

Conclusions

This technique can provide a non-destructive through-thickness residual strain analysis in thermally sprayed components with a level of detail not normally achievable by other techniques. Neutron sources have been used to measure strains in thermal spray coatings, and here, we present examples where such coatings have been characterised at various neutron sources worldwide, to study residual strains and microstructures.

Graphic Abstract
Is limited external rotation after reverse shoulder arthroplasty associated with glenoidal notching?
Authors: Grob Alexandra , Bouaicha Samy , Germann Marco , Germann Sabra , Gerber Christian , Wieser Karl
Published: November 2021

Background

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a valuable solution for patients with shoulder pain or injury primarily due to a rotator cuff tear or secondary to traumatic events. Nevertheless, several complications are known to appear, with the most frequent being scapular notching (SN) on the inferior and posterior scapular neck. Controversial data exist about the clinical relevance of SN. Since further consequences are still not clearly understood, we aimed to provide more clarity on which factors, especially external rotation (ER), contribute to the appearance and progress of notching.

Methods

Constant Score (CS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), flexion, abduction, and ER were evaluated retrospectively in 153 shoulders of 147 patients (mean age 79±7.7 years; 62% women) who underwent RSA between 2005 and 2010. Anteroposterior radiographs were evaluated before and 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after RSA for SN according to the Sirveaux classification. The evaluation was performed by two independent surgeons. Spearman’s coefficient andt-test were used.

Results

CS, SSV, flexion, and abduction increased significantly 1 year after RSA compared to before (allp < 0.0001). No improvement was shown for ER between the same timepoints. Between 2 and 5 years of follow-up, only flexion decreased by 5°(p = 0.02) while CS, SSV, abduction, and ER remained constant. After RSA, notching increases over time. There was no association between SN and CS, SSV, flexion, abduction or ER at any of the measured timepoints. Higher flexion correlated with higher abduction after RSA at every follow-up (1 yearr = 0.88, 2 yearsr = 0.89, 3 yearsr = 0.86, 5 yearsr = 0.86). The interrater correlation test showed a strong correlation (r = 0.7).

Conclusion

We verified the functional benefits of RSA for patients. Additionally, our findings show that despite radiographic progression of notching and unchanged limited ER, the postoperative improvements in CS, SSV, flexion, and abduction are preserved over 5 years.
Rethinking implementation science for health professions education: A manifesto for change
Authors: Thomas Aliki , Ellaway Rachel H.
Published: November 2021

Implementation science approaches the challenges of translating evidence into practice as a matter of scientific inquiry. This conceptual paper uses an implementation science lens to examine the ways in which evidence from health professions education research is brought to bear on decision-making. The authors describe different decision-making contexts and the kinds of evidence they consider, and from this, they outline ways in which research findings might be better presented to support their translation into policy and practice. Reflecting on the nature of decision-making in health professions education and how decisions are made and then implemented in different health professions education contexts, the authors argue that researchers should align their work with the decision-making contexts that are most likely to make use of them. These recommendations reflect implementation science principles of packaging and disseminating evidence in ways that are meaningful for key stakeholders, that stem from co-creation of knowledge, that require or result in meaningful partnerships, and that are context specific and relevant.
Rituals, Runaways, and the Haitian Revolution
Authors: Eddins Crystal Nicole
Published: November 2021

The Haitian Revolution was perhaps the most successful slave rebellion in modern history; it created the first and only free and independent Black nation in the Americas. This book tells the story of how enslaved Africans forcibly brought to colonial Haiti through the trans-Atlantic slave trade used their cultural and religious heritages, social networks, and labor and militaristic skills to survive horrific conditions. They built webs of networks between African and 'creole' runaways, slaves, and a small number of free people of color through rituals and marronnage - key aspects to building the racial solidarity that helped make the revolution successful. Analyzing underexplored archival sources and advertisements for fugitives from slavery, Crystal Eddins finds indications of collective consciousness and solidarity, unearthing patterns of resistance. Considering the importance of the Haitian Revolution and the growing scholarly interest in exploring it, Eddins fills an important gap in the existing literature.
Fehras Publishing Practices: an email interview
Authors: Rustom Sami , Nicolas Omar , Darwich Kenan , Grandal Montero Gustavo
Published: November 2021

Gustavo Grandal Montero (ALJ): The three of you founded Fehras Publishing Practices in 2015 in Berlin and since then have been working together in a series of long-term art projects focused on archives and publishing. Collectives, collaboration and networks are central to your practice, how much is this connected to an expanded understanding of publishing as a quintessentially collaborative cultural activity?
The concreteness of social knowledge and the quality of democratic choice
Authors: Ou Kai , Tyson Scott A.
Published: November 2021

Democracy relies on citizens who are politically knowledgeable and engaged. However, when a voter gains political knowledge regarding important issues, through television, town halls, or social media, she also learns that there are many other politically knowledgeable voters, highlighting the importance of social knowledge in political participation. Will a voter with concrete—as opposed to hypothetical—knowledge about other voters’ political knowledge have an increased incentive to participate? Or instead, will concrete social knowledge about other voters actually inhibit participation? In this article, we develop a novel experimental design that focuses on whether concrete knowledge about other voters’ political knowledge influences political participation. Our main result shows that concrete social knowledge decreases individual voters’ willingness to vote, and thereby reduces the probability democracy chooses the majority preferred alternative, i.e. the quality of democratic choice.
The Autonomy-Representation Dilemma: Indigenous Groups and Distributive Benefits in the Americas
Authors: Carter Christopher L.
Published: November 2021

Autonomy carries the promise of resolving longstanding distributive inequalities between indigenous and non-indigenous groups. Yet, contemporary autonomy arrangements have often been associated instead with a reduction in native communities' access to needed public goods and services. I situate these negative effects within a broader autonomy-representation dilemma: autonomy provides indigenous groups with more responsive coethnic leaders, but these leaders frequently face difficulties in collecting and deploying revenue. These capacity constraints often arise from the way national governments have recognized autonomy. As such, pursuing coethnic representation within the state might—under certain conditions—be more likely to provide indigenous groups with needed goods and services. Drawing on natural experimental evidence and an original survey of indigenous community presidents from Peru, I first demonstrate that achieving coethnic political representation within the state can expand indigenous groups' access to the public good they most need: water. I then illustrate how capacity constraints that arise from autonomy have prevented native groups in Bolivia's autonomous municipalities from achieving similar distributive gains. Ultimately, the findings provide insights for understanding the sources of—and potential institutional remedies for—indigenous groups' unequal access to local public goods in the Americas and beyond.
POLITICS AND PLAY IN THE LAVS PISONIS
Authors: Leventhal Max
Published: November 2021

This article examines the first-century c.e.Laus Pisonis, an anonymous panegyric for a certain Piso that lays particular emphasis on his skill at lyre-playing, ball games and the board game, the ludus latrunculorum (155–210). Whereas this focus has often been a cause of consternation among critics, this article argues that play is a crucial element of the poem's poetic and political operations. The first section shows that the poem employs images of poetic maturity and of temporality in order to justify a light or ludic topic for an allegedly young poet. The second section identifies a hitherto unobserved telestich (M-O-R-A) in the passage describing the ludus latrunculorum and argues that this letter game defines a positive period of play within the poem. The third section further demonstrates that this letter game is aimed specifically at the patron Piso as he is represented within the poem. That is, the poet parallels Piso's potential to uncover the telestich in the text and his ability to uncover the poet's hidden talent. The concluding fourth section explores the wider impact of this reinterpretation of the Laus Pisonis for the literary history of the Early Principate. It proposes that the poem's playfulness should not be seen as reflecting the progressive disempowerment of the political elite. Rather, the poem is an early case of Roman political discourse encroaching on the value of the trivial and the boundaries of otium. The Laus Pisonis makes play political.
Surface culture of Steinernema sp. on two solid media and their pathogenicity against Galleria mellonella
Authors: Cortés-Martínez C.I. , Rodríguez-Hernández A.I. , López-Cuellar M.R. , Chavarría-Hernández N.
Published: November 2021

The use of native entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents is a strategy to decrease the environmental impact of insecticides and achieve sustainable agriculture crops. In this study, the effect of the surface culture of Steinernema sp. JAP1 over two solid media at 23–27°C on infective juvenile (IJ) production and pathogenicity against Galleria mellonella larvae were investigated. First, the bacterial lawn on the surface of the media with egg yolk (P2) or chicken liver (Cl) were incubated in darkness at 30°C for 48 and 72 h, and 100 surface-sterilized IJs were added. Four harvests were conducted within the next 35 days and the mean accumulated production was superior on Cl (210 × 103 IJs) than on P2 (135 × 103 IJs), but the productivity decreased up to 10% when the incubation time of the bacterial lawn was of 72 h. The mean pathogenicity of in vitro- and in vivo-produced IJs were of 47–64% and 31%, respectively. It is worth noting that none of the two solid media had a statistically significant difference in IJ pathogenicity. Considering that the maximum multiplication factor of IJs on solid media was 2108 and that the pathogenicity against G. mellonella was outstanding, Steinernema sp. has a good potential for in vitro mass production.
The interplay of spatial scale and landscape transformation modulates the abundance and intraspecific variation in the ecomorphological traits of a phyllostomid bat
Authors: Ramírez-Mejía Andrés F. , Urbina-Cardona J. Nicolás , Sánchez Francisco
Published: November 2021

Land use intensification imposes selective pressures that systematically change the frequency of wild population phenotypes. Growing evidence is biased towards the comparison of populations from discrete categories of land uses, ignoring the role of landscape emerging properties on the phenotype selection of wild fauna. Across the largest urban–rural gradient of the Colombian Orinoquia, we measured ecomorphological traits of 216 individuals of the flat-faced fruit-eating batArtibeus planirostris.We did this to evaluate the scale of effect at which landscape transformation better predicts changes in phenotype and abundance of an urban-tolerant species. Forest percentage at 1.25 km was the main predictor affecting negatively bat abundance and positively its wing aspect ratio and body mass. Landscape variables affected forearm length at all spatial scales, this effect appeared to be sex-dependent, and the most important predictor, forest percentage at 0.5 km, had a negative effect on this trait. Our results indicate that landscape elements and spatial scale interact to shape ecomorphological traits and the abundance ofA. planirostris. Interestingly, the scale of effect coincided at 1.25 km among all biological responses, suggesting that species’ abundance can be linked to the variation on phenotype under different environmental filters across landscape scenarios.
Constructing Fascist Hagiographies: The Genealogy of the Prison Saints Movement in Contemporary Romania
Authors: Biliuță Ionuț
Published: November 2021

The paper focuses on the ideological roots of the prison saints movement in contemporary Romania. The text uncovers the interwar and communist conceptual premises upon which the biographies of fascist martyrs for canonisation as saints by the Romanian Orthodox Church were shaped. As martyrs for the Christian faith, those deceased were depicted as respectable figures, showcasing their martyrdom on the same moral footing as the dissidents of former democratic parties opposing communism. Furthermore, the narrative strategies in shaping a fascist hagiography from the interwar up to the post-communist years stand as another critical issue for the present article.
Have the Diagnoses of Patients Transported by Ambulances Changed in the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Authors: Gulen Muge , Satar Salim , Acehan Selen , Bozkurt Mehmet , Aslanturkiyeli Ebru Funda , Sevdimbas Sarper , Esen Cemre Ipek , Balcik Muhammet , Uzucek Mehmet Durdu , Sahin Gonca Koksaldi , Firat Basak Toptas
Published: November 2021

Introduction:

Since December 2019, emergency services and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems have been at the forefront of the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic world-wide.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to examine the reasons and the necessity of transportation to the emergency department (ED) by ambulance and the outcomes of these cases with the admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic period and during the same period in 2019.

Methods:

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in which patients transported to the ED by ambulance in April 2019 and April 2020 were compared. The primary outcomes were the changes in the number and diagnoses of patients who were transferred to the ED by ambulance during the COVID-19 period. The secondary outcome was the need for patients to be transferred to the hospital by ambulance.

Results:

A total of 4,466 patients were included in the study. During the COVID-19 period, there was a 41.6% decrease in ED visits and a 31.5% decrease in ambulance calls. The number of critically ill patients transported by ambulance (with diagnoses such as decompensated heart failure [P <.001], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] attack (P = .001), renal failure [acute-chronic; P = .008], angina pectoris [P <.001], and syncope [P <.001]) decreased statistically significantly in 2020. Despite this decrease in critical patient calls, non-emergency patient calls continued and 52.2% of the patients transported by ambulance in 2020 were discharged from the ED.

Conclusions:

Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting EMS use is important for evaluating the current state of emergency health care and planning to manage possible future outbreaks.
Development and Validation of the Multidimensional Procrastination	Scale in Chinese
Authors: Li Haoran , Luo Wen , Xi Juzhe , Peng Yanan
Published: November 2021

Abstract. Procrastination is a complicated phenomenon with many thoughts, behaviors, and feelings that may characterize different subgroups of procrastinators. Such phenomenon has not been well studied in an integrated theoretical framework. This study aims to establish a theory about the behavioral, cognitive, and affective aspects of procrastination and to develop and validate an operational instrument. In Study 1, we conducted qualitative research based on grounded theories and generated seven initial categories with 22 themes associated with the components in procrastination. In Study 2, we developed an instrument, the Multidimensional Procrastination Scale (MPS), and established a five-dimension structure for the MPS using explanatory factor analysis (EFA; N = 435) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; N = 387). In Study 3, we established construct validity and predictive validity for the MPS by building a nomological framework and predicting behavioral procrastination, respectively. The theoretical framework of procrastination included maladaptive (i.e., impulsive and unorganized, hesitation, lack of incentives, avoidance) and adaptive (i.e., arousal and rationalization) components. The MPS demonstrated acceptable reliability, factorial validity, construct validity, and predictive validity. The findings of this study have implications for further studies on the typology of procrastination and the development of tailored interventions to alleviate maladaptive aspects of procrastination.
Academic Citations Evolve to Include Indigenous Oral Teachings
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: November 2021

A librarian has developed citation templates for oral teachings shared by members of Indigenous communities.
Analysis of Whistler‐Mode and Z‐Mode Emission in the Juno Primary Mission
Authors: Menietti J. D. , Averkamp T. F. , Kurth W. S. , Imai M. , Faden J. B. , Hospodarsky G. B. , Santolik O. , Clark G. , Allegrini F. , Elliott S. S. , Sulaiman A. H. , Bolton S. J.
Published: November 2021

At the end of the Juno primary mission, we report observations of whistler mode chorus and Z‐mode emission. The Juno orbits are evolving and much better coverage of the whistler mode chorus source region has resulted since the earlier surveys. Bursty chorus emission extending to ∼30° latitude and to frequencies less than the lower hybrid frequency near the source region imply high electron energies (>100 keV). Average chorus intensity levels peak at ∼10−3 nT2 near M‐shell of 8–9 and magnetic latitude of ∼5°. Z‐mode emission is identified at higher latitudes generally near and inward of the Io torus with intensity levels as much as two orders of magnitude higher than Z‐mode emissions observed at Saturn. Inferred source regions for the Z‐mode are consistent with the inner edge of the Io torus and with auroral field lines that may also support Jovian kilometric and decametric emission. Parametric fitting functions are evaluated for both whistler mode chorus and Z‐mode, describing wave intensity as a function of frequency, magnetic latitude, and M‐shell. Both whistler mode and Z‐mode waves may have significant impact on electron scattering and acceleration at Jupiter as recent models indicate.
Spatiotemporal Variations of Sediment Discharge and In‐Reach Sediment Budget in the Yellow River From the Headwater to the Delta
Authors: Yin Shihua , Gao Guangyao , Ran Lishan , Lu Xixi , Fu Bojie
Published: November 2021

Strong anthropogenic activities and climate change have caused distinct hydrology and sediment dynamics in river systems worldwide. Yet, the integrated picture of sediment discharge changes and quantitative attribution of these changes from a basin‐wide perspective were limitedly understood. In this study, we quantified the variations of sediment discharge and in‐reach sediment budget in the Yellow River basin (YRB) during 1956–2019 and examined the underlying reasons. Both streamflow and sediment load in the YRB have substantially decreased during 1956–2000 except the headwater, and the reduction rate increased along the mainstem. However, the streamflow has significantly increased (p < 0.05) since 2000 due to increased precipitation, and the sediment load at most stations tended to stabilize. The contribution of soil conservation measures (SCMs, including check‐dams, terraces, grass plantation, and afforestation) and reservoirs to sediment load reduction was more than 50% in the headwater and middle reaches and over 90% in the upper and lower reaches. The sediment yield coefficient decreased linearly with reservoir capacity and exponentially with the proportional area of SCMs (p < 0.01). With continuous dam construction, the channel erosion in the headwater decreased to nearly zero, and the sediment deposition in the upper and middle reaches increased linearly with storage capacity of reservoirs. In contrast, the sediment deposition in the lower reaches displayed a linear correlation with the concentration of sediment derived from the middle reaches (p < 0.05). This study provides quantitative results for sediment dynamics of entire river system, which facilitates development of sustainable watershed management strategies.
Comparative analysis of default mode networks in major psychiatric disorders using resting-state EEG
Authors: Choi Kang-Min , Kim Jeong-Youn , Kim Yong-Wook , Han Jung-Won , Im Chang-Hwan , Lee Seung-Hwan
Published: November 2021

Default mode network (DMN) is a set of functional brain structures coherently activated when individuals are in resting-state. In this study, we constructed multi-frequency band resting-state EEG-based DMN functional network models for major psychiatric disorders to easily compare their pathophysiological characteristics. Phase-locking values (PLVs) were evaluated to quantify functional connectivity; global and nodal clustering coefficients (CCs) were evaluated to quantify global and local connectivity patterns of DMN nodes, respectively. DMNs of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia (SZ), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were constructed relative to their demographically-matched healthy control groups. Overall DMN patterns were then visualized and compared with each other. In global CCs, SZ and AD showed hyper-clustering in the theta band; OCD, MCI, and AD showed hypo-clustering in the low-alpha band; OCD and MDD showed hypo-clustering and hyper-clustering in low-beta, and high-beta bands, respectively. In local CCs, disease-specific patterns were observed. In the PLVs, lowered theta-band functional connectivity between the left lingual gyrus and the left hippocampus was frequently observed. Our comprehensive comparisons suggest EEG-based DMN as a useful vehicle for understanding altered brain networks of major psychiatric disorders.
Introduction to force transmission by nonlinear biomaterials
Authors: Mao Xiaoming , Shokef Yair
Published: November 2021

Xiaoming Mao and Yair Shokef introduce the Soft Matter themed collection on force transmission by nonlinear biomaterials.
Peculiar X-ray transient SRGA J043520.9+552226/AT2019wey discovered with SRG/ART-XC
Authors: Mereminskiy I. A. , Dodin A. V. , Lutovinov A. A. , Semena A. N. , Arefiev V. A. , Atapin K. E. , Belinski A. A. , Burenin R. A. , Burlak M. V. , Eselevich M. V. , Fedotieva A. A. , Gilfanov M. R. , Ikonnikova N. P. , Krivonos R. A. , Lapshov I. Yu. , Lyapin A. R. , Medvedev P. S. , Molkov S. V. , Postnov K. A. , Pshirkov M. S. , Sazonov S. Yu. , Shakura N. I. , Shtykovsky A. E. , Sunyaev R. A. , Tatarnikov A. M. , Tkachenko A. Yu. , Zheltoukhov S. G.
Published: November 2021

Context. During its ongoing all-sky survey, the Mikhail Pavlinsky ART-XC (Astronomical Roentgen Telescope - X-ray Concentrator) telescope on board the Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) observatory is set to discover new X-ray sources, many of which can be transient. Here we report the discovery and multiwavelength follow-up of a peculiar X-ray source SRGA J043520.9+552226 = SRGe J043523.3+552234. This is the high-energy counterpart of the optical transient AT2019wey.

Aims. Through its sensitivity and the survey strategy, the Mikhail Pavlinsky ART-XC telescope uncovers poorly studied weak transient populations. Using the synergy with current public optical surveys, we aim to reveal the nature of these transients to study their parent populations. SRGA J043520.9+552226 is the first transient detected by ART-XC that has a bright optical counterpart suitable for further studies.

Methods. We used available public X-ray and optical data and observations with SRG, INTEGRAL, NuSTAR, NICER, Swift, and ground-based telescopes to investigate the spectral energy distributions of the source in different phases of the outburst.

Results. Based on X-ray spectral and timing properties derived from space observations, optical spectroscopy, and photometry obtained with the 2.5 m and RC600 telescopes of the Caucasian Mountain Observatory of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute of Moscow State University, we propose that the source is a black hole in a low-mass close X-ray binary system.
Multi-threaded prominence oscillations triggered by a coronal shock wave
Authors: Jerčić V. , Keppens R. , Zhou Y.
Published: November 2021

Context. Understanding the interplay between ubiquitous coronal shock waves and the resulting prominence oscillations is a key factor in improving our knowledge of prominences and the solar corona overall. In particular, prominences are a key element of the solar corona and represent a window into an as yet unexplained processes in the Sun’s atmosphere.

Aims. To date, most studies on oscillations of prominences have ignored their finer structure and analyzed them strictly as monolithic bodies. In this work, we study the causal relations between a localised energy release and a remote prominence oscillation, where the prominence has a realistic thread-like structure.

Methods. In our work, we used an open source magnetohydrodynamic code known as MPI-AMRVAC to create a multi-threaded prominence body. In this domain, we introduced an additional energy source from which a shock wave originates, thereby inducing prominence oscillation. We studied two cases with different source amplitudes to analyze its effect on the oscillations.

Results. Our results show that the frequently used pendulum model does not suffice to fully estimate the period of the prominence oscillation, in addition to showing that the influence of the source and the thread-like prominence structure needs to be taken into account. Repeated reflections and transmissions of the initial shock wave occur at the specific locations of multiple high-temperature and high-density gradients in the domain. This includes the left and right transition region located at the footpoints of the magnetic arcade, as well as the various transition regions between the prominence and the corona. This results in numerous interferences of compressional waves propagating within and surrounding the prominence plasma. They contribute to the restoring forces of the oscillation, causing the period to deviate from the expected pendulum model, in addition to leading to differences in attributed damping or even growth in amplitude between the various threads. Along with the global longitudinal motion that result from the shock impact, small-scale transverse oscillations are also evident. Multiple high-frequency oscillations represent the propagation of magnetoacoustic waves. The damping we see is linked to the conversion of energy and its exchange with the surrounding corona. Our simulations demonstrate the exchange of energy between different threads and their different modes of oscillation.