bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detrital zircon age and biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic constraints on the Ediacaran–Cambrian transitional interval in the Irkutsk Cis–Sayans Uplift, southwestern Siberian Platform
Authors: Marusin Vasiliy V. , Kolesnikova Alena A. , Kochnev Boris B. , Kuznetsov Nikolay B. , Pokrovsky Boris G. , Romanyuk Tatiana V. , Karlova Galina A. , Rud’ko Sergey V. , Shatsillo Andrey V. , Dubenskiy Alexander S. , Sheshukov Victor S. , Lyapunov Sergey M.
Published: December 2020

A number of ecological and geochemical transformations occurred during late Ediacaran and early Cambrian time, the effects of which are difficult to overestimate. However, the strong linkage of biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic methods with lithofacies makes the localization of the Precambrian–Cambrian boundary and its correlation with lithologically contrasting sections highly debatable. We analyse the taxonomy and stratigraphic distribution of small skeletal fossils and trace fossils, the carbonate carbon and oxygen isotope composition, and U–Pb detrital zircon age in the Ediacaran–Cambrian transitional interval of the Irkutsk Cis–Sayans Uplift (southwestern Siberian Platform). This interval (Moty Group) comprises a transgressive succession with red-coloured alluvial to deltaic siliciclastic deposits (Shaman Formation) and overlying shallow-marine carbonates (Irkut Formation). The lower Irkut Formation hosts sporadic and poorly preserved tubularCambrotubulusfossils, which are known from both the terminal Ediacaran Period (c. 550–541 Ma) and the Terreneuvian Epoch (541–521 Ma), and typical Fortunian trace fossils, including an index ichnotaxon of the Cambrian boundaryTreptichnus pedum. The biostratigraphic and carbonate carbon isotope data and U–Pb concordia ages of 531.1 ± 5.2 Ma (mean weighted, 530.6 ± 5.3 Ma) of the five youngest zircon grains from the lower Irkut Formation indicate that at least the shallow-marine carbonates of the upper Moty Group correspond to the Cambrian Stage 2 (c. 529–521 Ma). In the Irkutsk Cis–Sayans Uplift, the Cambrian Period tentatively began before or during the accumulation of the alluvial to deltaic siliciclastic Khuzhir and Shaman formations, and this crucial divide remained unmarked in the palaeontological and isotopic records.
Does Securitization Weaken Screening Incentives?
Authors: Choi Dong Beom , Kim Jung-Eun
Published: December 2020

We test whether lenders’ screening incentives weaken when faced with the possibility of loan sales. We adopt a new measure of lending standards, the processing time for mortgage applications at the loan level, and use the collapse of the nonagency mortgage-backed securities issuance market as a natural experiment. Secondary market liquidity for nonconforming loans decreased significantly at the end of 2007, but the market for securitizing conforming loans did not experience the same breakdown. Following this event, lenders spent significantly more time screening applications for loans larger than the conforming loan limits than for those below the limits. The processing-time gap widened more for banks with lower capital, greater involvement in the originate-to-distribute model, and larger assets.
The nominative technique: a simple tool for assessing illegal wildlife consumption
Authors: Davis Elizabeth Oneita , Crudge Brian , Glikman Jenny Anne
Published: December 2020

The aim of our study was to test the efficacy of the nominative technique for estimating the prevalence of wildlife part use within a small sample. We used the domestic consumption of bear Ursus thibetanus and Helarctos malayanus parts in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) as a case study and performed 179 semi-structured interviews in Luang Prabang, northern Laos, in August 2017 and April 2019. We also assessed whether the specialized questioning of the nominative technique could be used for qualitative data collection methods, such as semi-structured interviews. The technique theoretically ensures more accurate statements of illegal wildlife consumption by maintaining the anonymity of an individual's sensitive behaviour through asking about the behaviour of peers. We also directly asked about participants’ use of bear parts. The nominative technique suggested that c. 11% of the participants’ peers used bear parts, whereas respondents’ direct admittance of using bear parts was approximately double, at 23%. Use of bear parts appears not to be sensitive in northern Laos. In addition, we found a strong association between responses to questioning using the nominative technique and direct questioning, indicating that users of bear parts have social networks with higher levels of use. This lends supports to theories that use of wildlife products is directly influenced by social group. The underreporting resulting from use of the nominative technique indicates the high variability of response that can occur within small samples. However, our results show that the nominative technique may be a simple, useful tool for triangulating data, assessing users’ integration into social networks of use, and assessing changes in behaviour prevalence.
Incidental capture of seabirds in Argentinean side-haul trawlers
Authors: TAMINI L. L. , CHAVEZ L. N. , DELLACASA R. F. , CRAWFORD R. , FRERE E.
Published: December 2020

Between April 2008 and July 2015, we conducted a total of 18 trips on five different side-haul trawlers fishing within the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone, monitoring 486 hauls. We observed 100% of the hauls and monitored trawl cables for 136.7 hours, about 5% of the trawl effort, to identify the levels of seabird bycatch from net entanglements and collisions with trawl cables. A total of 35 net entanglements of White-chinned Petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis, Great Shearwaters Ardenna gravis, Black-browed Albatrosses Thalassarche melanophris and Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora were recorded, all of which occurred during the autumn and winter. Additionally, 656 seabird collisions against trawl cables were recorded including 39 heavy, 96 medium and 521 light. Further, we recorded nine Black-browed Albatrosses and two Great Shearwaters potentially dead. Although in the study fishery the number of deaths in the trawl cables could surpass the number of birds incidentally killed in nets, the mortality rate caused by the latter type of interaction far exceeds those observed in nets from other trawl fisheries operating in the Patagonian Shelf. Fortunately, 26% of the seabirds entangled in the net were recovered and released alive, which indicates that awareness and training in safe bird handling and release may improve captured seabird survival rates. The main objectives of this work is to highlight a little-studied source of seabird mortality by entanglement, to generate discussion on potential technical mitigation measures for side-haul trawl fisheries, and to propose crew training in safe handling and release of seabirds as an immediate mitigation measure.
Sudden cardiac arrest in an epicardial paced-dependent child: watch out, it’s a pitfall!
Authors: Haddad Raymond N. , Malekzadeh-Milani Sophie , Bonnet Damien , Maltret Alice
Published: December 2020

Coronary artery compression by epicardial leads is a rare complication in children and can be difficult to identify with potentially lethal outcomes. Herein, we report the case of a previously asymptomatic paced-dependant 5-year-old girl who presented to our institution with resuscitated cardiac arrest. We describe the atypical sequence of clinical findings misleading initial diagnosis. Hardware failure and the commonly occurring lead fracture were incriminated in the mechanism of cardiac arrest, precipitating implantation of a new pacing system while concealing dynamic compression of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
Feeling and Orientation in Action: A Reply to Alix Cohen
Authors: Merritt Melissa M.
Published: December 2020

Alix Cohen argues that the function of feeling in Kantian psychology is to appraise and orient activity. Thus she sees feeling and agency as importantly connected by Kant’s lights. I endorse this broader claim, but argue that feeling, on her account, cannot do the work of orientation that she assigns to it.
The case for integrated health and community literacy to achieve transformational community engagement and improved health outcomes: an inclusive approach to addressing rural and remote health inequities and community healthcare expectations
Authors: Jones Debra , Lyle David , McAllister Lindy , Randall Sue , Dyson Robert , White Danielle , Smith Aimee , Hampton Denise , Goldsworthy Mariah , Rowe Alesha
Published: December 2020

Context:

Despite the substantial investment by Australian health authorities to improve the health of rural and remote communities, rural residents continue to experience health care access challenges and poorer health outcomes. Health literacy and community engagement are both considered critical in addressing these health inequities. However, the current focus on health literacy can place undue burdens of responsibility for healthcare on individuals from disadvantaged communities whilst not taking due account of broader community needs and healthcare expectations. This can also marginalize the influence of community solidarity and mobilization in effecting healthcare improvements.

Objective:

The objective is to present a conceptual framework that describes community literacy, its alignment with health literacy, and its relationship to concepts of community engaged healthcare.

Findings:

Community literacy aims to integrate community knowledge, skills and resources into the design, delivery and adaptation of healthcare policies, and services at regional and local levels, with the provision of primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare that aligns to individual community contexts. A set of principles is proposed to support the development of community literacy. Three levels of community literacy education for health personnel have been described that align with those applied to health literacy for consumers. It is proposed that community literacy education can facilitate transformational community engagement. Skills acquired by health personnel from senior executives to frontline clinical staff, can also lead to enhanced opportunities to promote health literacy for individuals.

Conclusions:

The integration of health and community literacy provides a holistic framework that has the potential to effectively respond to the diversity of rural and remote Australian communities and their healthcare needs and expectations. Further research is required to develop, validate, and evaluate the three levels of community literacy education and alignment to health policy, prior to promoting its uptake more widely.
Re-conceptualizing Machiavellianism and Social-Cognitive	Skills
Authors: Hart William , Breeden Christopher J. , Kinrade Charlotte
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Machiavellianism is presumed to encompass advanced social-cognitive skill, but research has generally suggested that Machiavellian individuals are rather deficient in social-cognitive skill. However, previous research on the matter has been limited to measures of (a) Machiavellianism that are unidimensional and saturated with both antagonism and disinhibition and measures (b) only one type of social-cognitive skill. Using a large college sample ( N = 461), we examined how various dimensions of Machiavellianism relate to two types of social-cognitive skill: person-perception skill and general social prediction skill. Consistent with some prior theorizing, the planful dimension of Machiavellianism was positively related to both person-perception and general social prediction skills; antagonistic dimensions of Machiavellianism were negatively related to both skills; either agentic or cynical dimensions of Machiavellianism were generally unrelated to both skills. Overall, the current evidence suggests a complicated relationship between Machiavellianism and social-cognitive skill because Machiavellianism encompasses features that blend deficiency, proficiency, and average levels of social-cognitive skills.
Planetary Cave Exploration Progresses
Authors: Titus Timothy , Phillips-Lander Charity , Boston Penelope , Wynne J. , Kerber Laura
Published: December 2020

Terrestrial caves offer scientific and engineering insights and serve as testing grounds for future forays by humans and robots into caves on other worlds.
Effects of long-term cocaine self-administration on brain resting-state functional connectivity in nonhuman primates
Authors: Kohut Stephen J. , Mintzopoulos Dionyssios , Kangas Brian D. , Shields Hannah , Brown Kelly , Gillis Timothy E. , Rohan Michael L. , Bergman Jack , Kaufman Marc J.
Published: December 2020

Long-term cocaine use is associated with a variety of neural and behavioral deficits that impact daily function. This study was conducted to examine the effects of chronic cocaine self-administration on resting-state functional connectivity of the dorsal anterior cingulate (dACC) and putamen—two brain regions involved in cognitive function and motoric behavior—identified in a whole brain analysis. Six adult male squirrel monkeys self-administered cocaine (0.32 mg/kg/inj) over 140 sessions. Six additional monkeys that had not received any drug treatment for ~1.5 years served as drug-free controls. Resting-state fMRI imaging sessions at 9.4 Tesla were conducted under isoflurane anesthesia. Functional connectivity maps were derived using seed regions placed in the left dACC or putamen. Results show that cocaine maintained robust self-administration with an average total intake of 367 mg/kg (range: 299–424 mg/kg). In the cocaine group, functional connectivity between the dACC seed and regions primarily involved in motoric behavior was weaker, whereas connectivity between the dACC seed and areas implicated in reward and cognitive processing was stronger. In the putamen seed, weaker widespread connectivity was found between the putamen and other motor regions as well as with prefrontal areas that regulate higher-order executive function; stronger connectivity was found with reward-related regions. dACC connectivity was associated with total cocaine intake. These data indicate that functional connectivity between regions involved in motor, reward, and cognitive processing differed between subjects with recent histories of cocaine self-administration and controls; in dACC, connectivity appears to be related to cumulative cocaine dosage during chronic exposure.
Neurotensin pathway in digestive cancers and clinical applications: an overview
Authors: Christou Niki , Blondy Sabrina , David Valentin , Verdier Mireille , Lalloué Fabrice , Jauberteau Marie-Odile , Mathonnet Muriel , Perraud Aurélie
Published: December 2020

Initially, NEUROTENSIN (NTS) has been shown to play physiological and biological functions as a neuro-transmitter/modulator in the central nervous system and as an endocrine factor in the periphery, through its binding to two kinds of receptors: NTSR1 and 2 (G protein-coupled receptors) and NTSR3/sortilin (a vacuolar protein-sorting 10-domain receptor). NTS also plays oncogenic roles in many types of cancer, including digestive cancers. In tumor tissues, NTS and NTSR1 expression is higher than in healthy ones and is associated with poor prognosis. NTS and NTRS1 promote cancer progression and play key functions in metastatic processes; they modulate several signaling pathways and they contribute to changes in the tumor microenvironment. Conversely, NTRS2 involvement in digestive cancers is poorly understood. Discovered for mediating NTS biological effects, sortilin recently emerged as a promising target as its expression was found to be increased in various types of cancers. Because it can be secreted, a soluble form of sortilin (sSortilin) appears as a new serum biomarker which, on the basis of recent studies, promises to be useful in both the diagnosis and tumor progression monitoring. More precisely, it appears that soluble sortilin can be associated with other receptors like TRKB. These associations occur in exosomes and trigger the aggressiveness of cancers like glioblastoma, leading to the concept of a possible composite theranostic biomarker. This review summarizes the oncogenic roles of the NTS signaling pathways in digestive cancers and discusses their emergence as promising early diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Ethanol abolishes vigilance-dependent astroglia network activation in mice by inhibiting norepinephrine release
Authors: Ye Liang , Orynbayev Murat , Zhu Xiangyu , Lim Eunice Y. , Dereddi Ram R. , Agarwal Amit , Bergles Dwight E. , Bhat Manzoor A. , Paukert Martin
Published: December 2020

Norepinephrine adjusts sensory processing in cortical networks and gates plasticity enabling adaptive behavior. The actions of norepinephrine are profoundly altered by recreational drugs like ethanol, but the consequences of these changes on distinct targets such as astrocytes, which exhibit norepinephrine-dependent Ca2+ elevations during vigilance, are not well understood. Using in vivo two-photon imaging, we show that locomotion-induced Ca2+ elevations in mouse astroglia are profoundly inhibited by ethanol, an effect that can be reversed by enhancing norepinephrine release. Vigilance-dependent astroglial activation is abolished by deletion of α1A-adrenergic receptor from astroglia, indicating that norepinephrine acts directly on these ubiquitous glial cells. Ethanol reduces vigilance-dependent Ca2+ transients in noradrenergic terminals, but has little effect on astroglial responsiveness to norepinephrine, suggesting that ethanol suppresses their activation by inhibiting norepinephrine release. Since abolition of astroglia Ca2+ activation does not affect motor coordination, global suppression of astroglial networks may contribute to the cognitive effects of alcohol intoxication.
Key activity descriptors of nickel-iron oxygen evolution electrocatalysts in the presence of alkali metal cations
Authors: Görlin Mikaela , Halldin Stenlid Joakim , Koroidov Sergey , Wang Hsin-Yi , Börner Mia , Shipilin Mikhail , Kalinko Aleksandr , Murzin Vadim , Safonova Olga V. , Nachtegaal Maarten , Uheida Abdusalam , Dutta Joydeep , Bauer Matthias , Nilsson Anders , Diaz-Morales Oscar
Published: December 2020

Efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts are pivotal for sustainable fuel production, where the Ni-Fe oxyhydroxide (OOH) is among the most active catalysts for alkaline OER. Electrolyte alkali metal cations have been shown to modify the activity and reaction intermediates, however, the exact mechanism is at question due to unexplained deviations from the cation size trend. Our X-ray absorption spectroelectrochemical results show that bigger cations shift the Ni2+/(3+δ)+ redox peak and OER activity to lower potentials (however, with typical discrepancies), following the order CsOH > NaOH ≈ KOH > RbOH > LiOH. Here, we find that the OER activity follows the variations in electrolyte pH rather than a specific cation, which accounts for differences both in basicity of the alkali hydroxides and other contributing anomalies. Our density functional theory-derived reactivity descriptors confirm that cations impose negligible effect on the Lewis acidity of Ni, Fe, and O lattice sites, thus strengthening the conclusions of an indirect pH effect.
Building genomes to understand biology
Authors: Coradini Alessandro L. V. , Hull Cara B. , Ehrenreich Ian M.
Published: December 2020

Genetic manipulation is one of the central strategies that biologists use to investigate the molecular underpinnings of life and its diversity. Thus, advances in genetic manipulation usually lead to a deeper understanding of biological systems. During the last decade, the construction of chromosomes, known as synthetic genomics, has emerged as a novel approach to genetic manipulation. By facilitating complex modifications to chromosome content and structure, synthetic genomics opens new opportunities for studying biology through genetic manipulation. Here, we discuss different classes of genetic manipulation that are enabled by synthetic genomics, as well as biological problems they each can help solve.
In vivo biomolecular imaging of zebrafish embryos using confocal Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Høgset Håkon , Horgan Conor C. , Armstrong James P. K. , Bergholt Mads S. , Torraca Vincenzo , Chen Qu , Keane Timothy J. , Bugeon Laurence , Dallman Margaret J. , Mostowy Serge , Stevens Molly M.
Published: December 2020

Zebrafish embryos provide a unique opportunity to visualize complex biological processes, yet conventional imaging modalities are unable to access intricate biomolecular information without compromising the integrity of the embryos. Here, we report the use of confocal Raman spectroscopic imaging for the visualization and multivariate analysis of biomolecular information extracted from unlabeled zebrafish embryos. We outline broad applications of this method in: (i) visualizing the biomolecular distribution of whole embryos in three dimensions, (ii) resolving anatomical features at subcellular spatial resolution, (iii) biomolecular profiling and discrimination of wild type and ΔRD1 mutant Mycobacterium marinum strains in a zebrafish embryo model of tuberculosis and (iv) in vivo temporal monitoring of the wound response in living zebrafish embryos. Overall, this study demonstrates the application of confocal Raman spectroscopic imaging for the comparative bimolecular analysis of fully intact and living zebrafish embryos.
Nanoscale imaging of bacterial infections by sphingolipid expansion microscopy
Authors: Götz Ralph , Kunz Tobias C. , Fink Julian , Solger Franziska , Schlegel Jan , Seibel Jürgen , Kozjak-Pavlovic Vera , Rudel Thomas , Sauer Markus
Published: December 2020

Expansion microscopy (ExM) enables super-resolution imaging of proteins and nucleic acids on conventional microscopes. However, imaging of details of the organization of lipid bilayers by light microscopy remains challenging. We introduce an unnatural short-chain azide- and amino-modified sphingolipid ceramide, which upon incorporation into membranes can be labeled by click chemistry and linked into hydrogels, followed by 4× to 10× expansion. Confocal and structured illumination microscopy (SIM) enable imaging of sphingolipids and their interactions with proteins in the plasma membrane and membrane of intracellular organelles with a spatial resolution of 10–20 nm. As our functionalized sphingolipids accumulate efficiently in pathogens, we use sphingolipid ExM to investigate bacterial infections of human HeLa229 cells by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Simkania negevensis with a resolution so far only provided by electron microscopy. In particular, sphingolipid ExM allows us to visualize the inner and outer membrane of intracellular bacteria and determine their distance to 27.6 ± 7.7 nm.
The transcriptome of circulating sexually committed Plasmodium falciparum ring stage parasites forecasts malaria transmission potential
Authors: Prajapati Surendra K. , Ayanful-Torgby Ruth , Pava Zuleima , Barbeau Michelle C. , Acquah Festus K. , Cudjoe Elizabeth , Kakaney Courage , Amponsah Jones A. , Obboh Evans , Ahmed Anwar E. , Abuaku Benjamin K. , McCarthy James S. , Amoah Linda E. , Williamson Kim C.
Published: December 2020

Malaria is spread by the transmission of sexual stage parasites, called gametocytes. However, with Plasmodium falciparum, gametocytes can only be detected in peripheral blood when they are mature and transmissible to a mosquito, which complicates control efforts. Here, we identify the set of genes overexpressed in patient blood samples with high levels of gametocyte-committed ring stage parasites. Expression of all 18 genes is regulated by transcription factor AP2-G, which is required for gametocytogenesis. We select three genes, not expressed in mature gametocytes, to develop as biomarkers. All three biomarkers we validate in vitro using 6 different parasite lines and develop an algorithm that predicts gametocyte production in ex vivo samples and volunteer infection studies. The biomarkers are also sensitive enough to monitor gametocyte production in asymptomatic P. falciparum carriers allowing early detection and treatment of infectious reservoirs, as well as the in vivo analysis of factors that modulate sexual conversion.
A bacteriocin-based antimicrobial formulation to effectively disrupt the cell viability of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms
Authors: Kranjec Christian , Ovchinnikov Kirill V. , Grønseth Torstein , Ebineshan Kumar , Srikantam Aparna , Diep Dzung B.
Published: December 2020

Antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-associated infections brought about by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains is a pressing issue both inside as well as outside nosocomial environments worldwide. Here, we show that a combination of two bacteriocins with distinct structural and functional characteristics, garvicin KS, and micrococcin P1, showed a synergetic antibacterial activity against biofilms produced in vitro by S. aureus, including several MRSA strains. In addition, this bacteriocin-based antimicrobial combination showed the ability to restore the sensitivity of the highly resilient MRSA strain ATCC 33591 to the β-lactam antibiotic penicillin G. By using a combination of bacterial cell metabolic assays, confocal and scanning electron microscopy, we show that the combination between garvicin KS, micrococcin P1, and penicillin G potently inhibit cell viability within S. aureus biofilms by causing severe cell damage. Together these data indicate that bacteriocins can be valuable therapeutic tools in the fight against biofilm-associated MRSA infections.
Present value of the Urethral mobility test as a tool to assess Stress urinary incontinence due to Intrinsic sphincteric deficiency
Authors: Robledo Daniela , Zuluaga Laura , Bravo-Balado Alejandra , Domínguez Cristina , Trujillo Carlos Gustavo , Caicedo Juan Ignacio , Rondón Martín , Azuero Julián , Plata Mauricio
Published: December 2020

Q-tip test offers a simple approach for identifying urethral hypermobility. Considering surgical treatment, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) must be classified and the contribution of intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) and/or urethral hypermobility must be determine. We believe there's a correlation between abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP) and urethral mobility degree, and the aim of this study is to explore it using Q-tip. We conducted a prospective study, between years 2014 and 2016. Females over 18 years presenting with signs and symptoms of SUI according to the 2002 ICS Standardization of Terminology were included. Assessment was made with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), the Q-tip test and invasive urodynamics. Urethral mobility (UM) and ALPP were analyzed. We built two composite variables based on reported risk factors for ISD, defined as composite variable A (equal to a Q-tip test < 30° AND ICIQ-SF ≥ 10 points) and composite variable B (equal to low urethral mobility AND/OR hypoestrogenism AND/OR history of radiotherapy AND/OR previous pelvic surgery). Correlation analyzes were made according to the type of variable. A total of 221 patients were included. Incontinence was rated as moderate and severe by 65.3% and 6.8%, respectively. The analysis showed a 61.75%, 51.61% and 70.6% agreement between ALPP and UM, ALPP and composite variable A and ALPP and composite variable B respectively. Correlation and concordances were low (r = 0.155, r_s = − 0.053 and r_s = − 0.008), (rho_c = 0.036, k = 0.116 and k = 0.016). Neither the degree of UM, nor the composite variables, correlate or agree with urethral function tests in UDS, suggesting that the ALPP cannot be predicted using the Q-tip test or the ICIQ-SF for classifying patients with SUI.
Competing ferro- and antiferromagnetic exchange drives shape-selective $$\hbox{Co}_3\hbox{O}_4$$ nanomagnetism
Authors: Shepit Michael , Paidi Vinod K. , Roberts Charles A. , van Lierop Johan
Published: December 2020

We have synthesized three different shapes of $$\hbox{Co}_{3}\hbox{O}_{4}$$

Co
3

O
4

nanoparticles to investigate the relationships between the surface Co$$^{2+}$$

2
+

and Co$$^{3+}$$

3
+

bonding quantified by exploiting the known exposed surface planes, terminations, and coordiations of $$\hbox{Co}_{3}\hbox{O}_{4}$$

Co
3

O
4

nanoparticle spheres, cubes and plates. Subsequently this information is related to the unusual behaviour observed in the magnetism. The competition of exchange interactions at the surface provides the mechanism for different behaviours in the shapes. The cubes display weakened antiferromagnetic interactions in the form of a spin-flop that occurs at the surface, while the plates show distinct ferromagnetic behaviour due to the strong competition between the interactions. We elucidate the spin properties which are highly sensitive to bonding and crystal field environments. This work provides a new window into the mechanisms behind surface magnetism.
An introduction to the themed issue on RNA biology in China
Authors: Wu Zhe
Published: December 2020

The year 2019 marked the fortieth anniversary of the Chinese Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (CSBMB), whose mission is to promote biomolecular research and education in China. The last 40 years have witnessed tremendous growth and achievements in biomolecular research by Chinese scientists and Essays in Biochemistry is delighted to publish this themed issue that focuses on exciting areas within RNA biology, with each review contributed by key experts from China.
Decision support system for individual athlete’s diet based on optimization modeling’ development
Authors: Kotciuba Igor , Ermakov Evgenii , Shikov Alexey
Published: December 2020

The article discusses the main areas of information technology tools application in the training of athletes, analyzes the types of expert systems that can be applied for this subject area, indicating the features of their use, including the tasks of supporting the plans preparation for individual diets of athletes. The formulated mathematical model is considered as a decision-making model in an optimization formulation for seeking the optimal ratio of food components from the space of admissible decisions of the various food products ratio. The recommendations regarding the daily needs of athletes in the necessary vital components for various sports activity categories, considering the norms of daily calorie intake in accordance with the Mifflin-San Geor formula, indicating the maximum norms of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, are analyzed. A mathematical model is presented in an optimization formulation from the class of discrete programming, on which the developed intelligent decision support system is based. The implementation components of the software system in the pseudocode format and examples of the implementation of the model for the formation of individual diet plans in the optimization setting are presented. The developed software package can be used for automatic generation of basic recommendations for the proposal of individual diets as an auxiliary means of supporting the activities of a dietitian to find the optimal plan in terms of maximizing individual preferences for food in the area of permissible values for the restrictions on the type of sports activities and the maximum norms of food components.
Foreword
Authors: Toros Professor Karmen
Published: December 2020

The second part of the 7th International Interdisciplinary Scientific Conference “Society. Health. Welfare” Proceedings addresses challenging discussions on urban and rural social development dynamics and welfare internationally from an interdisciplinary perspective. During the editing process of the Proceedings, the novel Coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 was discovered. Due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, which has had a global and multi-layered impact with far-reaching physical and mental health implications, the conference scientific committee decided to include COVID-19 related papers in the proceedings to contribute to responding to the challenges of the pandemic. The Proceedings presents 31 papers from various international authors, including Latvia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Croatia, Lithuania and the Russian Federation.
Comparative legal analysis of the Directive 2019/1152 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union with the current labour law of all its Member States
Authors: Bozhko Volodymyr , Kulchii Inna , Zadorozhnyy Volodymyr
Published: December 2020

The article deals with the comparative legal research of the current labour legislation of each of the 28 EU member states with the Directive 2019/1152 of 20 June 2019 on transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union. The relevance of the research topic is because after the adoption of Council Directive 91/533/EEC in the EU, a number of acts of primary and secondary legislation were adopted that significantly change the content and scope of labour rights of workers. These are, in particular, The Maastricht Treaty, The Treaty of Amsterdam, The Treaty of Nice and the Treaty of Lisbon. Furthermore, on December 7, 2000, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union was signed, and on December 17, 2017, The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission solemnly proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights. As a result, collisions arose between the above Acts and Directive 91/533/EEC, which required the adoption of a new Directive 2019/1152 and a comparative legal analysis of this Directive with the current labour legislation of each of the 28 EU member states.
Skin cancer screening – better safe than sorry
Authors: Lange Marta , Plorina Emilija Vija , Lihacova Ilze , Derjabo Aleksandrs , Spigulis Janis
Published: December 2020

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancers. In Latvia, on average there are approximately 200 new melanoma and 1300 non-melanoma cancer cases per year. Non-melanoma cancers are: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and others. It is essential to discover skin cancer at an early stage when it is treatable. For this reason, a reliable, non-invasive and quantitative skin cancer screening method is necessary in order to discover skin cancer as early as possible and to help physicians such as general practitioners and dermatologists assign patients to the best treatment as soon as possible. In this article, the current skin cancer incidence as well as the screening situation in Latvia is described and a non-invasive skin screening method is proposed. The results show that this multispectral imaging method with a parameter p′ can distinguish melanoma from melanocytic nevi with sensitivity 75% and specificity 100%. Recommendations on distinguishing henangioma, seborrheic keratosis are described as well.
Music therapy for emotion regulation skills and better psychological well-being for cancer patients: Making of a therapeutic programme
Authors: Duhovska Jana , Millere Inga
Published: December 2020

Objective of this research is to explore the subjective experience and perceived benefits of 60 cancer patients participating in the music therapy based and Expressive Therapies Continuum and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy informed psychosocial support programme. The data was obtained by means of questionnaire and focus group discussions. All participants (n = 60) performed written evaluation of the programme: a) of their overall experience, b) its specific benefits for addressing pain, anxiety as well as social support, emotion regulation and overall quality of life issues, c) its most/least enjoyable/helpful elements. Participants (n = 20) of the four focus group discussions, on their turn, explored the specific elements (contents, organisation, instructions, timetable) of the programme to provide the grounds for future amendments. Results reveal that 70% of participants rated their overall experience as “very valuable” or “valuable”, 24% indicated as “neutral”, whereas 6% admitted that their participation has not led to “substantial gains”. The top five benefits included: improved mood, reduced stress, received support, improved communication, coping with negative emotions linked with disease or treatment. Among the most enjoyable and helpful elements, participants emphasized the ones that were linked with the acquired ability to face and survive difficult emotions (n = 43), discovering inner strength (n = 58), gaining more confidence by acquiring new skills or experience (n = 29), gaining connectedness with group and music (n = 32), musically beautiful moments and transcendence (n = 58) as well as normalization of their experience (n = 50). Focus group discussion provided with valuable recommendations regarding the inclusion of psycho-education elements, size of the group, format of task instructions, pace of the work and necessity for balance between the safety and novelty. It can be concluded that participation in the programme positively affected psychological and social well-being of the cancer patients. Results of this research provide valuable input for the further development of the programme – both organisation and content-wise.
Die kardiale Resynchronisationstherapie (CRT)
Authors: Aichberger Maria
Published: December 2020

Die Implantation eines Rhythmusaggregates mit CRT kann eine Verbesserung der Lebensqualität für Patienten mit fortgeschrittener Herzschwäche bedeuten. Die Komplexität dieses Eingriffs verursacht jedoch oftmals enorme Strahlenbelastung für Patient und Personal. Daher sind eine moderne, hochauflösende Röntgeneinrichtung und das Fachwissen des beteiligten Personals grundlegende Voraussetzungen für einen strahlenhygienischen Ablauf.
Studien analysieren und verstehen
Authors: Rojahn J.
Published: December 2020

Um auf dem Laufenden zu bleiben, muss man regelmäßig wissenschaftliche Veröffentlichungen lesen. Dabei gilt es, relevante Studien möglichst schnell als solche zu erkennen und deren Ergebnisse richtig zu beurteilen. Von besonderer Bedeutung ist, dass Unsicherheiten, Variabilität und Fehler zu den unvermeidlichen Bestandteilen der medizinischen Wissenschaft gehören. Es lohnt sich daher, Veröffentlichungen systematisch zu prüfen und Studiendaten kritisch zu hinterfragen.
Photocatalytic Stoichiometric Oxidant-Free Synthesis of Linear Unsaturated Ketones from 1,2-Disubstituted Cyclopropanols
Authors: Hurski Alaksiej L. , Laktsevich-Iskryk Marharyta V. , Krech Anastasiya V. , Zhabinskii Vladimir N. , Khripach Vladimir A.
Published: December 2020

A one-step catalytic oxidant-free synthesis of unsaturated ketones from 1,2-disubstituted cyclopropanols is reported. Previously for this transformation, only two- and three-step protocols have been developed. The reaction proceeds under irradiation with visible light in the presence of catalytic amounts of both an acridinium photocatalyst and a cobaloxime complex. 2-Aryl-substituted cyclopropanols react giving α,β-unsaturated ketones, while dehydrogenative ring opening of 2-alkyl-substituted substrates affords mixtures of α,β- and β,γ-enones. The reaction starts with one-electron oxidation of a cyclopropanol to cyclopropyloxy radical, presumably, by the photoexcited acridinium catalyst. We also found that Co(dmgBF2)2(MeCN)2 complex under an air atmosphere and irradiation with blue LEDs or upon heating can serve as a hydroxycyclopropane oxidant.
Dissecting Aneurysm of the Anterior Temporal Artery: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Hou Kun , Guo Yunbao , Chen Hao , Yu Jinlu
Published: December 2020

Dissecting aneurysm located at the trunk of the anterior temporal artery (ATA) is an extremely rare entity of which only a few cases have ever been reported. As a result of the small caliber and supposed non-competency of the ATA, sacrificing of the artery distal to the aneurysm is the mainstay of treatment. In this report, we present a 28-year-old man who was admitted for a ruptured fusiform aneurysm of the left ATA. He underwent resection of the aneurysm combined with superficial temporal artery (STA)-ATA anastomosis. Histopathological study showed that the aneurysm was compliant with an artery dissection. The postoperative process was unremarkable and he was discharged with no neurological deficit. Follow-up angiography showed the anastomosis was patent. ATA is considered a non-competent intracranial artery. Although recently some investigators have conducted cadaveric studies using the ATA as a donor vessel for intracranial-intracranial (IC-IC) bypass, clinical consequences of ATA occlusion have not been reported yet. The supposed safety of ligation of ATA for IC-IC bypass was based on the fact that the anterior temporal lobectomy for temporal lobe epilepsy does not lead to major neurological deficits. This extrapolation could not be arbitrarily used in ATA occlusion for IC-IC bypass. STA-ATA anastomosis is a reasonable option in case of the ATA dissecting aneurysm.
Gingival-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell from Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): Isolation, Culture, and Characterization
Authors: Nugraha Alexander Patera , Rantam Fedik Abdul , Narmada Ida Bagus , Ernawati Diah Savitri , Ihsan Igo Syaiful
Published: December 2020

Objective This study aims to confirm whether the GDMSCs isolated from rabbit’s (Oryctolagus cuniculus) gingiva are mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Materials and Methods This study design was partly quasi-experimental with an observational design. GDMSCs were isolated from the gingiva of healthy male rabbits (O. cuniculus) (n = 2), 6 months old, and 3 to 5 kg of body weight. The specific cell surface markers of MSCs; clusters of differentiation (CD), namely, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD200 expressions; and hematopoietic stem cell surface markers CD34 and CD45 were examined using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry with immunofluorescence. The osteogenic differentiation of isolated GDMSCs was examined using alizarin red staining.

Results GDMSCs in the fourth passage showed a spindle-like formation and fibroblast-like cells that attached to the base of the culture plate. GDMSCs were MSCs that positively expressed CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD200 but did not express CD34 and CD45 when examined using flow cytometry and immunohistochemical analysis. GDMSCs had osteogenic differentiation confirmed by calcified deposits in vitro with a red–violet and brownish color after alizarin red staining.

Conclusion GDMSCs isolated from the rabbits (O. cuniculus) were confirmed as MSCs in vitro documented using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. GDMSCs can differentiate into osteogenic lineage in vitro that may be suitable for regenerative dentistry.
Analysis of 20th century surface air temperature using linear dynamical modes
Authors: Gavrilov A. , Kravtsov S. , Mukhin D.
Published: December 2020

A Bayesian Linear Dynamical Mode (LDM) decomposition method is applied to isolate robust modes of climate variability in the observed surface air temperature (SAT) field. This decomposition finds the optimal number of internal modes characterized by their own time scales, which enter the cost function through a specific choice of prior probabilities. The forced climate response, with time dependence estimated from state-of-the-art climate-model simulations, is also incorporated in the present LDM decomposition and shown to increase its optimality from a Bayesian standpoint. On top of the forced signal, the decomposition identifies five distinct LDMs of internal climate variability. The first three modes exhibit multidecadal scales, while the remaining two modes are attributable to interannual-to-decadal variability associated with El Niño–Southern oscillation; all of these modes contribute to the secular climate signal—the so-called global stadium wave—missing in the climate-model simulations. One of the multidecadal LDMs is associated with Atlantic multidecadal oscillation. The two remaining slow modes have secular time scales and patterns exhibiting regional-to-global similarities to the forced-signal pattern. These patterns have a global scale and contribute significantly to SAT variability over the Southern and Pacific Oceans. In combination with low-frequency modulation of the fast LDMs, they explain the vast majority of the variability associated with interdecadal Pacific oscillation. The global teleconnectivity of the secular climate modes and their possible crucial role in shaping the forced climate response are the two key dynamical questions brought about by the present analysis.
Structural and dynamic properties of soda–lime–silica in the liquid phase
Authors: Serva Alessandra , Guerault Allan , Ishii Yoshiki , Gouillart Emmanuelle , Burov Ekaterina , Salanne Mathieu
Published: December 2020

Soda–lime–silica is a glassy system of strong industrial interest. In order to characterize its liquid state properties, we performed molecular dynamics simulations employing an aspherical ion model that includes atomic polarization and deformation effects. They allowed us to study the structure and diffusion properties of the system at temperatures ranging from 1400 K to 3000 K. We show that Na+ and Ca2+ ions adopt a different structural organization within the silica network, with Ca2+ ions having a greater affinity for non-bridging oxygens than Na+. We further link this structural behavior to their different diffusivities, suggesting that escaping from the first oxygen coordination shell is the limiting step for the diffusion. Na+ diffuses faster than Ca2+ because it is bonded to a smaller number of non-bridging oxygens. The formed ionic bonds are also less strong in the case of Na+.
Which form of the molecular Hamiltonian is the most suitable for simulating the nonadiabatic quantum dynamics at a conical intersection?
Authors: Choi Seonghoon , Vaníček Jiří
Published: December 2020

Choosing an appropriate representation of the molecular Hamiltonian is one of the challenges faced by simulations of the nonadiabatic quantum dynamics around a conical intersection. The adiabatic, exact quasidiabatic, and strictly diabatic representations are exact and unitary transforms of each other, whereas the approximate quasidiabatic Hamiltonian ignores the residual nonadiabatic couplings in the exact quasidiabatic Hamiltonian. A rigorous numerical comparison of the four different representations is difficult because of the exceptional nature of systems where the four representations can be defined exactly and the necessity of an exceedingly accurate numerical algorithm that avoids mixing numerical errors with errors due to the different forms of the Hamiltonian. Using the quadratic Jahn–Teller model and high-order geometric integrators, we are able to perform this comparison and find that only the rarely employed exact quasidiabatic Hamiltonian yields nearly identical results to the benchmark results of the strictly diabatic Hamiltonian, which is not available in general. In this Jahn–Teller model and with the same Fourier grid, the commonly employed approximate quasidiabatic Hamiltonian led to inaccurate wavepacket dynamics, while the Hamiltonian in the adiabatic basis was the least accurate, due to the singular nonadiabatic couplings at the conical intersection.