bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Valkyries' Loom
Authors: Smith Michèle Hayeur
Published: November 2021

In The Valkyries’ Loom, Michèle Hayeur Smith examines Viking textiles as evidence of the little-known work of women in the Norse colonies that expanded from Scandinavia across the North Atlantic in the ninth century AD. While previous researchers have overlooked textiles as insignificant artifacts, Hayeur Smith is the first to use them to understand gender and economy in Norse societies of the North Atlantic.This groundbreaking study is based on the author’s systematic comparative analysis of the vast textile collections in Iceland, Greenland, Denmark, Scotland, and the Faroe Islands, materials that are largely unknown even to archaeologists and span 1,000 years. Through these garments and fragments, Hayeur Smith provides new insights into how the women of these island nations influenced international trade by producing cloth (vaðmál); how they shaped the development of national identities by creating clothing; and how they helped their communities survive climate change by reengineering clothes during the Little Ice Age. She supplements her analysis by revealing societal attitudes about weaving through the poem “Darraðarljoð” from Njál’s Saga, in which the Valkyries—Óðin’s female warrior spirits—produce the cloth of history and decide the fates of men and nations.Bringing Norse women and their labor to the forefront of research, Hayeur Smith establishes the foundation for a gendered archaeology of the North Atlantic that has never been attempted before. This monumental and innovative work contributes to global discussions about the hidden roles of women in past societies in preserving tradition and guiding change.
Empowering Natural Language Interfaces to Databases with Aggregations
Authors: F. Novello Alexandre , Casanova Marco A.
Published: November 2021

A Natural Language Interface to Database (NLIDB) refers to a database interface that translates a question asked in natural language into a structured query. Aggregation questions express aggregation functions, such as count, sum, average, minimum and maximum, and optionally a group by clause and a having clause. NLIDBs deliver good results for standard questions but usually do not deal with aggregation questions. The main contribution of this article is a generic module, called GLAMORISE (GeneraL Aggregation MOdule using a RelatIonal databaSE), that extends NLIDBs to cope with aggregation questions. GLAMORISE covers aggregations with ambiguities, timescale differences, aggregations in multiple attributes, the use of superlative adjectives, basic recognition of measurement units, and aggregations in attributes with compound names.
Semantic Search to Foster Scientific Findability: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Gottardi Thiago , Bauzer Medeiros Claudia , Dos Reis Julio Cesar
Published: November 2021

One of the main goals of the Open Science movement is to leverage scientific collaboration through, among others, promoting the sharing and reuse of research outputs, such as publications, data and software. Sharing is enabled by public and accessible scientific repositories where these outputs are managed throughout their lifecycle. In this context, finding these digital artifacts has become a key problem. Semantic search mechanisms have risen as a means to solve this issue. However, implementing and integrating them into scientific repositories presents many challenges. This article presents a systematic literature review of research efforts on mechanisms for supporting search for scientific papers, data and processes. Our investigation is based on extracting and analyzing the entire contents of nine digital libraries using the associated search engines – in alphabetical order: ACM Digital Library, arXiV, Engineering Village, IEEE Xplore, SBC OpenLib, Springer Link, Scopus, Wiley Online Library and Web of Science. After retrieving a combined amount of 5012 documents, we identified 2054 unique papers that were used as a basis for our analysis. Our findings provide, among others, a new categorization of literature on search and discuss unexplored gaps, thereby contributing to advancing research on semantic search mechanisms to support Open Science.
Multimodal Provenance-based Analysis of Collaboration in Business Processes
Authors: Falci Maria Luiza , Magalhães Andréa , Paes Aline , Braganholo Vanessa , De Oliveira Daniel
Published: November 2021

Modeling business processes as a set of activities to accomplish goals naturally makes them be executed several times. Usually, such executions produce a large portion of provenance data in different formats such as text, audio, and video. Such a multiple-type nature gives origin to multimodal provenance data. Analyzing multimodal provenance data in an integrated form may be complex and error-prone when manually performed as it requires extracting information from free-text, audio, and video files. However, such an analysis may generate valuable insights into the business process. The present article presents MINERVA (Multimodal busINEss pRoVenance Analysis). This approach focuses on identifying improvements that can be implemented in business processes, as well as in collaboration analysis using multimodal provenance data. MINERVA was evaluated through a feasibility study that used data from a consulting company.
Holacracy: A New Way of Organizing?
Authors: Farkhondeh Maria , Müller Barbara
Published: November 2021

Organizations have to act in environments that are constantly becoming more insecure, dynamic, and competitive. Practitioner and scholar literature continue to call for and explore new work arrangements. The concept of Holacracy - often referred to as a ‘new form of organizing’ - represents a reaction to the increasing complexity and environmental dynamics that organizations have to deal with. It promises a new way to run organizations and aims to replace traditional hierarchical and bureaucratic structures in organizations with decentralized authority and self-organization. This article looks beyond the recent hype about Holacracy and analyses what is actually novel about the concept. In specific, we aim at identifying the core principles of the concept and discuss them against the background of bureaucratic and post-bureaucratic approaches to review whether and how Holacracy deviates from these two approaches. We do so by applying a qualitative analysis method where the book ‘Holacracy’ was subjected to content analysis. The results of this paper demonstrate that - given the high degree of formal standardization - the concept itself is still bureaucratic, although with certain modifications, especially regarding participative decision-making processes. Further, our results demonstrate that Holacracy has a very unique and unprecedented interpretation of power and authority, which requires more intensive empirical research and analysis.
INTERLIGAÇÕES GEOPOÉTICAS ENTRE SIMÕES LOPES NETO E JACK KEROUAC
Authors: Duarte Flávia Alexandra Radeucker
Published: November 2021

O presente artigo apresenta as interligações entre dois contos regionalistas de grande destaque a partir da linguagem desenvolvida em ambos, conhecida como geopoética, responsável por expressar através de descrições do ambiente seu sentimento de admiração e pertencimento ao lugar onde vivem. Os referidos contos são "Trezentas onças", de Simões Lopes Neto e "Sozinho no topo da montanha", de Jack Kerouac, que apesar de haverem sido publicados em contextos e épocas distantes, possuem similaridades muito significativas no que tange à poética da terra. A partir de referenciais teóricos como Milton Santos e Regina Zilberman, é primeiro esclarecido os conceitos de ambiente e espaço e a relação com o ser humano, observando como a literatura gaúcha e Beatnik vem incorporando a imagética ao longo da sua história. As interligações aqui analisadas entre os contos mostram que a geopoética aproxima as obras por trazerem a natureza e o homem como figuras centrais que dialogam seus papéis e difundem sua expressão pela literatura.
The cult of the tree as a remainder of paganism in the folk tradition of Kosovo and Metohija: Memory of the 'holy pine' in Gornje Nerodimlje in the tradition of the convocation
Authors: Mihajlović Verica
Published: November 2021

Folk tradition in general is very often associated with natural entities, drawing its strength from believing in their magical properties. The cult of tree is one of the remnants of pagan elements that the Church accepted, because the people resisted all church proclamations, prohibitions and with their perseverance in respecting the cult of tree in all segments of life managed to preserve it. In that endeavor, the tree was given a new semantic meaning, which resulted in its partial imposition on the church. There are numerous examples of respect for the cult of the tree, which is noticeable within the multitude of customs and rituals that are still performed in rural areas throughout Serbia. In the Serbian folk tradition, a pine tree is often considered sacred if it is planted in a significant place or by an important person. A prominent example of such a belief can be found in the village of Gornje Nerodimlje, where the pillar of parliamentary customs was a pine tree, which, according to the beliefs of today's population, was personally planted by King Milutin and sung in the folk song "Oj, bore sabore." Given the current circumstances in which the Serb population was completely evicted from Gornje Nerodimlje, thus preventing them from accessing their long-guarded and respected sanctities, the Easter gathering, which many locals describe as the happiest holiday of their lives in Kosovo and Metohija, is destroyed along with the trees which represented a central elements of this tradition. Therefore, it is especially important to preserve this tradition from the memory of older locals. The semantic connection of the song to the pine tree certainly opens the possibility of analyzing the melodies in which the musical elements of depicting the meaning of the text can be noticed. In the minds of the displaced population of Gornji Nerodimlje, the song "Oj, bore sabore" is dedicated to King Milutin's pine tree. Although according to the dilemmas presented, we cannot claim that this tree has always been known as a handicraft of this historical figure, nor that the song was sung in the honor of that tree, we cannot deny that ancient tradition to people who lived in Gornje Nerodmlje or their descendants.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Updates in the Management of Relapsed/Refractory Disease
Authors: Shadman Mazyar
Published: November 2021

Mantle cell lymphoma remains incurable despite recent treatment advances, and most patients experience relapsed/refractory disease. BTK inhibitors are the preferred choice in the relapsed setting, especially in patients with early relapse. For patients with high-risk features such as TP53 mutation, early referral for CAR T-cell therapy should be considered, even in those with stable disease on a BTK inhibitor. Patients without high-risk features may be monitored and initiate CAR T-cell therapy after clinical disease progression. CAR T-cell therapy is an effective treatment with high rate of complete remissions. For patients who do not achieve a complete remission 3 months after CAR-T therapy, bridging therapy with chemotherapy or targeted therapy agents and referral for allogeneic transplant are recommended.
Factors that Determine the Class Consciousness and Life Satisfaction of Unmarried Adult Children Living with Their Parents: Focusing on the Effects of Parents' Socio- Economic Resources according to the Gender
Authors: Lee Sujin
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this study is to clarify the influence of parents’ socio-economic resources on the class consciousness and life satisfaction of unmarried adult children living with their parents. Data from the 2nd year (1999) and 22nd year (2019) of the Korean Labor & Income Panel Study (KLIPS) were used. The study included individuals aged under 25-44 who were unmarried, lived with their parents, and had graduated out of final school. From the 2nd year (1999), data for 491 people were extracted, and from the 22nd year (2019), data for 978 people were extracted. The information on the fathers and mothers was obtained from the information on the households data, it was responded by the unmarried children. The main results are as follows. First, one of the characteristics of unmarried children living with their parents is that the average age was higher in 2019 than in 1999. Additionally, although they work and have their own income, they live in houses owned by their parents. Their levels of satisfaction with both the living environment and family relationships were high. It was found that the influence of parents’ income increased in 2019 compared with 1999 in the class consciousness. As a factor that influences life satisfaction, the employment status of the father has a positive effect on the life satisfaction for men, whereas the employment status of the mother has a positive effect on the life satisfaction for women.
A CASE STUDY OF THE INCREASE OF CARBON DIOXIDE DUE TO THE APPLICATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY REGULATIONS IN SERBIA
Authors: Nikolić Topalović Marina , Stanković Milenko
Published: November 2021

In order to demonstrate the environmental impact of the increased flow of thermal insulation materials and facade joinery with improved thermal characteristics, the analysis of the carbon footprint for two scenarios for the needs of the research was done as a consequence of the new regulations on the energy efficiency of the facilities. For each of the analyzed scenarios, a project and an overview of works on the basis of which quantities of construction materials, activities and processes that participate in the construction of the analyzed scenarios were calculated (S1 and S2), were made. The reference object (S1) is designed without thermal insulation layers, the energy class „G“, and the scenario (S2) is designed in the energy class „C“, which according to the new regulations is a condition for the construction of new facilities. The study uses the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), a methodology that is the basis for Carbon Lifecycle Analysis (LCACO2), or calculation of the carbon footprint of the facility. Construction carbon calculator, Environmental Protection Agency UK, is used to calculate the carbon footprint, and for the calculation of operational energy, the URSA Construction Physics 2 program. The study showed that the embodied carbon for the scenario (S1) is 138,40 tonnes CO2 e, with less impact on the environment. The higher values of the embodied carbon have a scenario (S2) of 148,20 tonnes CO2 e. The carbon imprint from the phase of construction, or less impact on the environment, has a scenario (S1). However, after ten years of using the facility, the scenario (S1) due to the larger carbon footprint from the operational phase becomes a scenario with a higher environmental impact, with a total carbon footprint of 186,16 tonnes CO2 e, and the scenario (S2) after ten years of use of the facility has a total carbon footprint of 163,86 tonnes CO2 e. The scenario (S1) and (S2) achieve the same values of the total carbon footprint after 3,05 years of use of the facility and (S2) has since then become a better choice from the aspect of the environment. The research has shown that the embodied carbon is neglected in the calculation of the environmental impact of the facility, as well as the average when the benefits can be expected from the application of measures for energy-efficient buildings. The research also points to the need for low-carbon thermal insulation materials to bridge the gap between the demand for the extinguishing of buildings on the one hand and the efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change.
Long-term follow-up of applying autologous bone grafts for reconstructing tympanomastoid defects in functional cholesteatoma surgery
Authors: Lan Wei-Che , Wang Ching-Yuan , Tsai Ming-Hsui , Lin Chia-Der
Published: November 2021

Objectives

This study investigated the long-term surgical outcomes of functional cholesteatoma surgery with canal wall reconstruction using autologous bone grafts as the primary material in patients with acquired cholesteatoma.

Subjects and Methods

Medical charts were retrospectively reviewed for all patients admitted to one institution for surgical intervention between 2010 and 2018. We analyzed 66 patients (66 ears) who underwent functional tympanomastoidectomy involving the use of autologous bone grafts for canal wall defect reconstruction. Surgical outcomes were evaluated by comparing preoperative audiometric results with follow-up data (at least 36 months after surgery). Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors related to long-term hearing success. These factors included classification and stage of cholesteatoma, stapes condition, ossicular chain damage, active infection of the middle ear, state of the contralateral ear, preoperative hearing thresholds, gender, and age.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 49.2 months. The recidivism rate was 6% (four of 66 ears). The pure-tone average significantly improved from 50.78 ± 19.98 to 40.81 ± 21.22 dB hearing level (HL; p < 0.001). Air–bone gaps significantly improved from 26.26 ± 10.53 to 17.58 ± 8.21 dB HL (p < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, early-stage disease (p = 0.021) and pars flaccida cholesteatoma (p = 0.036) exhibited statistically significant correlations with successful hearing preservation.

Conclusion

Functional cholesteatoma surgery with autologous bone grafts reconstruction is an effective approach to significantly improve hearing with low recidivism rates. Localized disease and pars flaccida cholesteatoma were two independent predictors of successful hearing preservation.
Imbalanced Randomization (Rationales for)
Authors: Sverdlov Oleksandr , Ryeznik Yevgen , Wong Weng K.
Published: November 2021

Most randomized controlled trials use balanced randomization to achieve approximately or exactly equal sample sizes per group. However, in some settings imbalanced (unequal) randomization designs may be more powerful, less costly, and/or more ethically appealing to study participants. This article examines some important statistical rationales for unequal randomization designs. It covers both two‐arm and multi‐arm trial designs with either fixed or response‐adaptive randomization.
School victimization and self‐esteem: Reciprocal relationships and the moderating roles of peer support and teacher support
Authors: Guo Xiaolin , Zhang Yunyun , Chen Yuxuan , Zhang Libin
Published: November 2021

The current study investigated the dynamic reciprocal relationships between adolescents’ school victimization and self‐esteem during the first 2 years in secondary schools and how the relationships varied by social support. Participants were 2550 Chinese adolescents (52% males; 48% females) aged 11–16 years (Mage = 12.99 years, SDage = 0.58) who had just entered secondary school and were followed for 2 years. A cross‐lagged path analysis was used to examine the reciprocal relationships between school victimization and self‐esteem, and a multiple‐group analysis was used to examine the moderating roles of peer support and teacher support. The results showed that from the fall semester to the spring semester in Grade 7, adolescents’ victimization predicted subsequent low self‐esteem, while from the spring semester in Grade 7 to the fall semester in Grade 8 and from the fall semester in Grade 8 to the spring semester in Grade 8, adolescents’ low self‐esteem predicted subsequent victimization. Furthermore, teacher support moderated the relationship between victimization and self‐esteem, such that the above negative associations existed only when adolescents’ perceived teacher support was low. However, this protective effect was not found with peer support. The findings highlight the transactional dynamics between school victimization and self‐esteem and the protective role of teacher support, which has implications for effectively preventing and intervening school bullying.
Auxiliary model‐based multi‐innovation recursive identification algorithms for an input nonlinear controlled autoregressive moving average system with variable‐gain nonlinearity
Authors: Fan Yamin , Liu Ximei
Published: November 2021

For the parameter estimation problem of an input nonlinear controlled autoregressive moving average system with variable‐gain nonlinearity, this article gives an analytical form of the variable‐gain nonlinearity by introducing an appropriate switching function and derives an auxiliary model‐based extended stochastic gradient algorithm with a forgetting factor and an auxiliary model‐based recursive extended least‐squares algorithm. For the sake of improving the parameter estimation accuracy, an auxiliary model‐based multi‐innovation extended stochastic gradient algorithm with a forgetting factor and an auxiliary model‐based multi‐innovation recursive extended least‐squares algorithm are presented by utilizing the multi‐innovation identification theory. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms and show that the auxiliary model‐based multi‐innovation recursive identification algorithms have higher identification accuracy compared with the other two algorithms.
Alleviating Oxidative Injury of Myocardial Infarction by a Fibrous Polyurethane Patch with Condensed ROS‐Scavenging Backbone Units
Authors: Xie Jieqi , Yao Yuejun , Wang Shuqin , Fan Linge , Ding Jie , Gao Yun , Li Shifen , Shen Liyin , Zhu Yang , Gao Changyou
Published: November 2021

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated after myocardial infarction (MI) result in the oxidative injury in myocardium. Implantation of antioxidant biomaterials, without the use of any type of drugs, is very appealing for clinical translation, leading to the great demand of novel biomaterials with high efficiency of ROS elimination. In this study, a segmented polyurethane (PFTU) with a high density of ROS‐scavenging backbone units is synthesized by the reaction of poly(thioketal) dithiol (PTK) and poly(propylene fumarate) diol (PPF) (soft segments), thioketal diamine (chain extender), and 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). Its chemical structure is verified by gel permeation chromatography (GPC),1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The electrospun composite PFTU/gelatin (PFTU/Gt) fibrous patches show good antioxidation capacity and ROS‐responsive degradation in vitro. Implantation of the PFTU/gelatin patches on the heart tissue surface in MI rats consistently decreases the ROS level, membrane peroxidation, and cell apoptosis at the earlier stage, which are not observed in the non‐ROS‐responsive polyurethane patch. Inflammation and fibrosis are also reduced in the PFTU/gelatin‐treated hearts, resulting in the reduced left ventricular remodeling and better cardiac functions postimplantation for 28 d.
A Chiral Copper Catalyzed Site‐Selective O‐Alkylation of Carbohydrates
Authors: Ren Bo , Wang Jiaxi , Zhang Mengyao , Chen Yue , Zhao Wei
Published: November 2021

Highly regioselective alkylation of sugar hydroxyl groups has always been an important challenge in carbohydrate chemistry, especially for the selective alkylation of trans diols, there is no direct and efficient catalytic method so far. A chiral copper catalyzed universal highly site‐selective alkylation of trans‐diols method is realized. This reaction is performed under mild conditions and has broad substrate scope. The selectivity of the reactions can be controlled by adjusting the copper reagents and the chiral ligands. This method was also applied to the site‐selective modification of drugs and natural products.

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Heteroatom‐Embedded Approach to Vinylene‐Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks with Isoelectronic Structures for Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Bi Shuai , Zhang Zixing , Meng Fancheng , Wu Dongqing , Chen Jie‐Sheng , Zhang Fan
Published: November 2021

Embedding heteroatoms into the main backbones of polymeric materials has become an efficient tool for tailoring their structures and improving their properties. However, owing to comparatively harsh heteroatom‐doping conditions, this has rarely been explored in covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Herein, upon aldol condensation of a trimethyl‐substituted pyrylium salt with a tritopic aromatic aldehyde, a two‐dimensional oxonium‐embedded COF with vinylene linkages was achieved, which was further converted to a neutral pyridine‐cored COF by in situ replacement of oxonium ions with nitrogen atoms under ammonia treatment. The two heteroatom‐embedded COFs are conceptually isoelectronic with each other, featuring similar geometric structures but different electronic structures, rendering them capable of catalyzing the visible‐light‐promoted multi‐component synthesis of tri‐substituted pyridine derivatives with good recyclability.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Multifunctional Carbon‐Based Nanoparticle‐Supported Dispersed Cu2+Disrupts Redox Homeostasis to Enhance CDT
Authors: Lu Jun , Jiang Zhongyao , Ren Jie , Zhang Wei , Li Ping , Chen Zhenzhen , Zhang Wen , Wang Hui , Tang Bo
Published: November 2021

In chemodynamic therapy (CDT), the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production plays an important role for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy. However, the high levels of glutathione (GSH) in tumor cells consume the ROS, directly reducing the therapeutic efficiency. Herein, we synthesized carbon‐based nanoparticle (Cu‐cys CBNPs) using one‐pot strategy, which consume GSH via redox reactions to produce Cu+that catalyze H2O2to produce.OH, thus the ROS level was observably increased through this synergistic effect. In vivo experiments further revealed that Cu‐cys CBNPs could effectively inhibit tumor growth. Additionally, Cu‐cys CBNPs can affect the activity of some protein sulfhydryl groups in cells, which was assessed by rdTOP‐ABPP assay. In general, this study not only provides a potential CDT drug, but also provides a strategy for one‐pot synthesis of multifunctional nanomaterials.
A mobile robot controller using reinforcement learning under scLTL specifications with uncertainties
Authors: Mi Jian , Kuze Naomi , Ushio Toshimitsu
Published: November 2021

The control of a mobile robot is a well‐studied problem in robotics that can be solved easily when performing simple tasks without uncertainties. However, uncertainties always exist when a mobile robot performs a series of tasks in the real‐world. In this paper, we proposed a reinforcement learning (RL)‐based controller for a mobile robot to perform a task with uncertainties. We consider the case where a task consists of several subtasks described by syntactically co‐safe linear temporal logic (scLTL) specifications and each scLTL specification is transformed into a finite state automaton (FSA) that accepts all behavior satisfying the scLTL specification. A reinforcement learning with an FSA‐encoder (RLwF) method is proposed to learn an optimal control policy in performing tasks in an environment with uncertainties. We propose an RL‐based control method with uncertainties to learn rapidly an optimal policy against the uncertainties such as jammers that prevent a mobile robot from performing specified tasks. By simulation, we demonstrate that the proposed controller can learn an optimal policy and generate an optimal path to perform the designed tasks.
Identification of intrinsically disordered regions in hub genes of acute myeloid leukemia: A bioinformatics approach
Authors: Ameri Mehrdad , Alipour Maedeh , Madihi Mobina , Nezafat Navid
Published: November 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. Over the past decades, there has been a great challenge in the treatment of AML. A combination of gene expression profiling with computational approaches can lead to the identification of hub genes in AML. However, it is important to study the structure of these hub genes considering their importance in the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of specific cancer. In this study, we designed an integrated method to analyze the presence of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in selected hub genes of AML. A gene expression profile of AML was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Further analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in AML. Additionally, the top 15 hub genes following construction and analysis of the PPI network of DEGs were selected. Validation of hub genes revealed that there is a reverse relationship between overexpression of FLT3, PPBP, and PF4 genes and the survival of AML patients. Based on IDRs investigation, FLT3 and PF4 are partially disordered, while PPBP is mostly disordered. Through clustering the network into structural modules, we identified two important modules in the PPI network of DEGs that showed the important position of PPBP in module 1. Based on further analysis of protein flexibility and its important role in biological processes, we suggest that PPBP can be considered as a potential drug target in AML.
The SARS‐CoV‐2 origin dilemma: Zoonotic transfer or laboratory leak?
Authors: Ruiz‐Medina Blanca E. , Varela‐Ramirez Armando , Kirken Robert A. , Robles‐Escajeda Elisa
Published: November 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide yet its origin remains unclear. Two potential scenarios of how infection of humans initially occurred include zoonotic transfer from wild animals and a leak of the pathogen from a research laboratory. The Wuhan wet markets where wild animals are sold represent a strong scenario for zoonotic transfer. However, isolation of SARS‐CoV‐2 or its immediate predecessor from wild animals in their natural environment has yet to be documented. Due to incomplete evidence for a zoonotic origin, a laboratory origin is plausible. The Wuhan Institute of Virology is at the epicenter of the pandemic and their work has included manipulation of wild‐type coronavirus to enable infection of human cells. Although stronger evidence supports the zoonotic transfer, inconclusive reports maintain the laboratory leak hypothesis alive. It is imperative to reach a factual conclusion to prevent future pandemics.
Physicochemical, anti‐nutritional, and functional properties of air‐classified protein concentrates from commercially grown Canadian yellow pea (Pisum sativum) varieties with variable protein levels
Authors: Fenn Dora , Wang Ning , Maximiuk Lisa
Published: November 2021

Background and objectives

Air classification is a physical process based on particle size and density used to separate pulse flours into protein and starch concentrates. Little information is available on how variety and crude protein content affect physicochemical and functional properties of the air‐classified yellow pea proteins. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of flour protein content on particle size (PS), yield, protein separation efficiency (PSE), composition, anti‐nutritional factors, and functionality of the air‐classified protein concentrates derived from commercially grown yellow pea varieties.

Findings

Pea protein concentrates obtained from high‐protein flours had lower PS, PSE, starch, insoluble and total dietary fiber (IDF and TDF), sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose, but higher protein, foaming capacity (FC), and foaming stability (FS) at 30–120 min than that from low‐protein flours. Crude protein of the pea flours had no significant effect on yield, ash, soluble dietary fiber (SDF), phytic acid (PA), trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA), water‐holding capacity (WHC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), and oil emulsion capacity (OEC) of the corresponding protein concentrates. Among pea varieties, PS, yield, starch, IDF, TIA, sucrose, oligosaccharides, and FS at 30 min of the protein concentrates varied significantly but their PSE, protein, ash, SDF, PA, WHC, OAC, OEC FC, and FS at 10, 60–120 min remained similar.

Conclusions

Air classification is better suited to using high‐protein pea flour due to low oligosaccharides, high‐protein concentration, and foaming properties of resulting protein fractions compared to concentrates derived from low‐protein peas. However, lower PSE could be a concern due to presence of more small starch particles in the high‐protein pea samples.

Significance and novelty

This study showed the relationships between flour protein content and characteristics of the air‐classified protein concentrates from yellow peas and identified areas for improvement.
Erosive cheilitis as an early manifestation in DRESS syndrome
Authors: Ben Salha Wahbi , Moussaoui Eya , Oualha Lamia , Anoun Jihed , Douki Nabiha
Published: November 2021

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a distinct part of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs). It is characterized by fever, rash, hematologic abnormalities, lymphadenopathy, or/and different degrees of visceral organ involvement. Its diagnosis is particularly challenging due to the variability of its clinical presentations and its long latency period (2–6 weeks). Allopurinol, an uric acid‐lowering drug, has been incriminated in several cases of allopurinol‐induced DRESS syndrome. Through this paper, we present a case of allopurinol‐induced DRESS syndrome with initial oral mucosal involvement. A 69‐year‐old female patient presented with an erosive cheilitis that started 1 week prior to his presentation. The cheilitis was associated with maculopapular rash and fever. She started taking allopurinol, as treatment of Gout, 6 weeks before hospitalization. The histologic findings obtained from skin biopsy were consistent with a toxic drug reaction. A complete blood count (CBC) showed a moderate eosinophilia. Alteration of renal function was also noted, and the diagnosis of allopurinol‐induced DRESS syndrome was made. Systemic corticosteroid therapy was therefore started. The patient completely recovered and had been healthy for 3 years before developing a recurrence after re‐challenge with allopurinol.
Penetrating vertebral artery injury treated by combining the “zone” approach and imaging tests: A case report
Authors: Ichibayashi Ryo , Suzuki Ginga , Nakamichi Yoshimi , Yamamoto Saki , Serizawa Hibiki , Watanabe Masayuki , Harada Masashi , Harada Naoyuki , Honda Mitsuru
Published: November 2021

Patients with vertebral artery injury from penetrating neck trauma may not present with signs of vascular injury because of anatomical characteristics and concomitant conditions, such as hypothermia and shock. If patients are hemodynamically stable, imaging tests should be performed to examine the posterior components, including the vertebral artery.
Two‐dimensional Metal‐organic Frameworks for Electrochemical CO2Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhan Tingting , Zou Yingbing , Yang Ying , Ma Xiuling , Zhang Zhangjing , Xiang Shengchang
Published: November 2021

To lower CO2emissions and address the current energy crisis, one of the most promising approaches that converting the captured CO2into valuable chemicals and fuels via electrocatalysis is proposed recently. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) as an emerging multifunctional material have been extensively designed for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2. In terms of chemical and structural properties, 2D MOFs have obvious superiority over 3D bulk MOFs. Specifically, the large porosity and ultrathin structure of the 2D materials contribute to exotic properties such as enhanced electrical conductivity and rapid mass transport during reactions, which are in favor of electrocatalysis. In this review, the design strategies of 2D MOFs are discussed. Then, the recent advances of MOFs and their derivative catalysts with unique 2D structures for CO2reduction are introduced. These examples are expected to provide clues to rational design strategies and synthesis of high‐performance CO2electroreduction, beyond the bulk MOFs.
Challenges in the Electrochemical Synthesis of Si2Cl6 Starting from Tetrachlorosilane and Trichlorosilane
Authors: Beck Alexander D. , Haufe Stefan , Tillmann Jan , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: November 2021

The strongly increasing demand for nano‐ and microelectronics calls for new and environmentally benign reaction pathways for the preparation of one of the most important substrates in the production of semiconductor materials: Si2Cl6. We present a comprehensive study of the opportunities and challenges for the selective electrochemical formation of higher halo‐functionalized silanes to Si2Cl6 achieved by cyclic voltammetry measurements and electrochemical synthesis. Cathodic dehalo‐dimerization reaction of SiCl4 and the approach to halogen exchange for better substrate reduction are envisioned. An anodic halide‐free dimerization pathway by dehydrogenation of HSiCl3 is investigated, including Lewis acid activation of the Si−H bond. In addition, tertiary amine‐driven, Benkeser‐like in‐situ formation of a SiCl3− anion was tested as well. The target molecule Si2Cl6 is strongly promoted to direct electro‐conversions making the anodic and cathodic electrosynthesis very challenging.
Visible‐Light‐Mediated Synthesis of α‐Halomethyl Ketones from Terminal Alkynes
Authors: Shah Iftkhar Hussain , Kumar Sourav , Kumar Jaswant , Raheem Shabnam , Rizvi Masood Ahmad , Shah Bhahwal Ali
Published: November 2021

A visible‐light‐assisted approach for the synthesis of α‐halomethyl ketones from terminal alkynes has been developed. The reaction introduces halogen at the α‐position of terminal alkynes using N‐halosuccinimides as the halogen source. It relies on the photodegradation of N‐halosuccinimides obviating the requirement for a photocatalyst. The procedure enables the synthesis of a diverse range of α‐haloketones from different aromatic bromo‐ and iodoalkynes.
Cryogel‐based Injectable 3D Microcarrier Co‐culture for Support of Hematopoietic Progenitor Niches
Authors: Tavakol Daniel Naveed , Bonini Fabien , Tratwal Josefine , Genta Martina , Brefie‐Guth Joé , Braschler Thomas , Naveiras Olaia
Published: November 2021

Although hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation can restore functional hematopoiesis upon immune or chemotherapy‐induced bone marrow failure, complications often arise during recovery, leading to up to 25% transplant‐related mortality in treated patients. In hematopoietic homeostasis and regeneration, HSCs in the bone marrow give rise to the entirety of cellular blood components. One of the challenges in studying hematopoiesis is the ability to successfully mimic the relationship between the stroma and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). This study and the described protocols propose an advantageous method for culturing and assessing stromal hematopoietic support in three dimensions, representing a simplified in vitro model of the bone marrow niche that can be transplanted in vivo by injection. By co‐culturing OP9 bone marrow–derived stromal cells (BMSCs) and cKit+ Sca‐1+ Lin– (KLS+) HSPCs on collagen‐coated carboxymethylcellulose scaffolds for 2 weeks in the absence of cytokines, we established a methodology for in vivo subcutaneous transplantation. With this model we were able to detect early signs of extramedullary hematopoiesis. This work can be useful for studying various stromal cell populations in co‐culture, as well as simple transfer by injection of these scaffolds in vivo for heterotopic regeneration of the marrow microenvironment. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

[Correction added on May 17, 2022, after first online publication: CSAL funding statement has been added.]

Basic Protocol 1: Isolation of HSPCs from mice

Basic Protocol 2: Co‐seeding of HSPCs and BMSCs on collagen‐coated CCMs

Basic Protocol 3: Maintenance, real‐time imaging, and analysis of co‐seeded scaffolds

Basic Protocol 4: End‐point analysis of co‐seeded scaffolds using flow cytometry and CFU assays

Basic Protocol 5: Transplantation of scaffolds by subcutaneous injection

Support Protocol: Preparation of custom scaffold drying device
The evolution of the shared societies concept: The theoretical concept's application in practice
Authors: McCartney Clem
Published: November 2021

The concept of a Shared Society emerged around 2007. The paper describes the evolution of the concept from a statement of intent and a rallying call to mobilize interest, then a framework for exploring the costs of social exclusion and how to overcome them, until today it is a coherent analytical framework which can guide practice and evaluation. It considers the ways in which the Concept differs from other approaches to overcoming social divisions, and in particular the distinctive nature of the relationship between the society and the people living in it. Consideration is given to the usefulness of the Concept and how it can guide the policy process from development through implementation to monitoring and finally evaluation, to ensure progress towards a society that works for all and overcomes division and conflict.
Understanding the causes and consequences of variability in infant ERP editing practices
Authors: Monroy Claire , Domínguez‐Martínez Estefanía , Taylor Benjamin , Marin Oscar Portolés , Parise Eugenio , Reid Vincent M.
Published: November 2021

The current study examined the effects of variability on infant event‐related potential (ERP) data editing methods. A widespread approach for analyzing infant ERPs is through a trial‐by‐trial editing process. Researchers identify electroencephalogram (EEG) channels containing artifacts and reject trials that are judged to contain excessive noise. This process can be performed manually by experienced researchers, partially automated by specialized software, or completely automated using an artifact‐detection algorithm. Here, we compared the editing process from four different editors—three human experts and an automated algorithm—on the final ERP from an existing infant EEG dataset. Findings reveal that agreement between editors was low, for both the numbers of included trials and of interpolated channels. Critically, variability resulted in differences in the final ERP morphology and in the statistical results of the target ERP that each editor obtained. We also analyzed sources of disagreement by estimating the EEG characteristics that each human editor considered for accepting an ERP trial. In sum, our study reveals significant variability in ERP data editing pipelines, which has important consequences for the final ERP results. These findings represent an important step toward developing best practices for ERP editing methods in infancy research.
Anhedonia in eating disorders: A meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Dolan Sarah C. , Khindri Ruchika , Franko Debra L. , Thomas Jennifer J. , Reilly Erin E. , Eddy Kamryn T.
Published: November 2021

Objective

Anhedonia, or loss of pleasure, is related to deficits in reward processing across a variety of psychiatric disorders. In light of research suggesting abnormal reward processing in eating disorders (EDs), the study of anhedonia in EDs may yield important insights into the role of reward in eating pathology. This meta‐analysis and review aimed to provide both a quantitative and qualitative synthesis of the existing literature on this topic.

Method

We conducted this research (or these meta‐analyses) according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched four databases for both peer‐reviewed and unpublished literature, and included studies only if a self‐report or clinical interview measure of anhedonia was administered to a sample with an ED diagnosis.

Results

We included 21 studies in the systematic review, and 10 studies in two meta‐analyses that compared anhedonia between ED and control samples (n = 9 studies) and within different ED diagnoses (n = 5 studies). Meta‐analyses revealed that anhedonia was significantly higher in ED groups compared to healthy controls, but there was no significant difference in anhedonia between ED diagnostic groups. A qualitative review of the literature also suggested that anhedonia may be correlated with increased ED symptom severity.

Discussion

Findings indicated that anhedonia is elevated in EDs and may be a relevant treatment target. Future research should examine how self‐reported anhedonia may correlate with components of reward processing in EDs in order to improve theoretical models as well as targeted interventions.
Dual function and associated costs of a highly exaggerated trait in a cichlid fish
Authors: Rometsch Sina J. , Torres‐Dowdall Julián , Machado‐Schiaffino Gonzalo , Karagic Nidal , Meyer Axel
Published: November 2021

Exaggerated secondary sexual characteristics are apparently costly and seem to defy natural selection. This conundrum promoted the theory of sexual selection. Accordingly, exaggerated secondary sexual characteristics might be ornaments on which female choice is based and/or armaments used during male–male competition. Males of many cichlid fish species, including the adaptive radiation of Nicaraguan Midas cichlids, develop a highly exaggerated nuchal hump, which is thought to be a sexually selected trait. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a series of behavioral assays in F2 hybrids obtained from crossing a species with a relatively small hump and one with an exaggerated hump. Mate‐choice experiments showed a clear female preference for males with large humps. In an open‐choice experiment with limited territories, couples including large humped males were more successful in acquiring these territories. Therefore, nuchal humps appear to serve dual functions as an ornament for attracting mates and as an armament for direct contest with rivals. Although being beneficial in terms of sexual selection, this trait also imposes fitness costs on males possessing disproportionally large nuchal humps since they exhibit decreased endurance and increased energetic costs when swimming. We conclude that these costs illustrate trade‐offs associated with large hump size between sexual and natural selection, which causes the latter to limit further exaggeration of this spectacular male trait.
Non‐targeted metabolomics identify polyamine metabolite acisoga as novel biomarker for reduced left ventricular function
Authors: Puetz Andreas , Artati Anna , Adamski Jerzy , Schuett Katharina , Romeo Francesco , Stoehr Robert , Marx Nikolaus , Federici Massimo , Lehrke Michael , Kappel Ben A.
Published: November 2021

Aims

Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction remains a major health issue. To date, no reliable biomarker is available to predict reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LV‐EF). We aimed to identify novel circulating biomarkers for reduced left ventricular function using untargeted serum metabolomics in two independent patient cohorts.

Methods and results

Echocardiography and non‐targeted serum metabolomics were conducted in two patient cohorts with varying left ventricular function: (1) 25 patients with type 2 diabetes with established cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk (LV‐EF range 20–66%) (discovery cohort) and (2) 37 patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction (LV‐EF range 25–60%) (validation cohort). In the discovery cohort, untargeted metabolomics revealed seven metabolites performing better than N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide in the prediction of impaired left ventricular function shown by LV‐EF. For only one of the metabolites, acisoga, the predictive value for LV‐EF could be confirmed in the validation cohort (r = −0.37, P = 0.02). In the discovery cohort, acisoga did not only correlate with LV‐EF (r = −60, P = 0.0016), but also with global circumferential strain (r = 0.67, P = 0.0003) and global longitudinal strain (r = 0.68, P = 0.0002). Similar results could be detected in the discovery cohort in a 6 month follow‐up proofing stability of these results over time. With an area under the curve of 0.86 in the receiver operating characteristic analysis, acisoga discriminated between patients with normal EF and LV‐EF < 40%. Multivariate analysis exposed acisoga as independent marker for impairment of LV‐EF (Beta = −0.71, P = 0.004).

Conclusions

We found the polyamine metabolite acisoga to be elevated in patients with impaired LV‐EF in two independent cohorts. Our analyses suggest that acisoga may be a valuable biomarker to detect patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.