bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
During COVID‐19, impact of subjective and objective financial knowledge and economic insecurity on financial management behavior: Mediating role of financial wellbeing
Authors: Ali Shahzad , Talha Nighat
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this research is to look into financial management behavior during the COVID‐19. Without a doubt, financial knowledge is an important, but in the COVID‐19, the majority of people are experiencing economic insecurity, which is regarded as unique contribution when testing financial management behavior. Furthermore, Pakistan is an Islamic country, so, financial knowledge, is further subdivided into objective, subjective, and Islamic financial knowledge, with financial wellbeing serving as mediating variable. Pakistan has a diverse population of respondents, this model was tested on university students in Pakistan between the ages of 20 and 40, with the majority of respondents experiencing job and food insecurity as a result of COVID‐19. The research employs a two‐stage method, PLS‐SEM, for reliability checking via composite reliability and average variance extract, and discriminant validity checking via HTMT ratio. According to the findings, Islamic financial knowledge as positive, and other financial knowledge as negative, and economic insecurity (food and job insecurity) also has negative and significant impact on students' financial management behavior. Financial well‐being significantly acts as a bridge between independents and dependent variables. The findings imply that financial knowledge has a significant impact on financial management behavior. Policymakers and administrators should improve information disclosure while promoting financial education in order to foster trust and responsible financial conduct among people.
Clinical implications of cell‐of‐origin epigenetic characteristics in non‐functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Dreijerink Koen MA , Hackeng Wenzel M , Singhi Aatur D , Heaphy Christopher M , Brosens Lodewijk AA
Published: November 2021

Primary non‐functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF‐PanNETs) are a heterogeneous group of neuroendocrine neoplasms that display highly variable clinical behavior. Therefore, NF‐PanNETs often present clinical teams with a dilemma: the uncertain metastatic potential of the tumor has to be weighed against the morbidity associated with surgical resection. Thus, rather than utilizing current radiologic thresholds, there is an urgent need for improved prognostic biomarkers. Recent studies aimed at understanding the epigenetic underpinnings of NF‐PanNETs have led to the identification of tumor subgroups based on histone modification and DNA methylation patterns. These molecular profiles tend to resemble the cellular origins of PanNETs. Subsequent retrospective analyses have demonstrated that these molecular signatures are of prognostic value and, importantly, may be useful in the preoperative setting. These studies have highlighted that sporadic NF‐PanNETs displaying biomarkers associated with disease progression and poor prognosis, such as alternative lengthening of telomeres, inactivating alpha thalassemia/mental retardation X‐linked (ATRX) or death domain‐associated protein (DAXX) gene mutations, or copy number variations, more often display alpha cell characteristics. Conversely, NF‐PanNETs with beta cell characteristics often lack these unfavorable biomarkers. Alternative lengthening of telomeres, transcription factor protein expression, and possibly DNA methylation can be assessed in endoscopic ultrasound‐guided tumor biopsies. Prospective studies focusing on cell‐of‐origin and epigenetic profile‐driven decision making prior to surgery are likely to be routinely implemented into clinical practice in the near future. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Structure and morphology of thermoplastic polyamide 6 elastomers with different soft segment content and their foaming behavior using supercriticalCO2
Authors: Li Xiuping , Lai Jun , Wei Jiedong , Peng Xiangfang , Wu Jianming , Geng Lihong
Published: November 2021

Thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPAEs) were synthesized using polyamide 6 (PA6) as hard segments and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as soft segments. The prepared TPAEs showed a superior mechanical property and thermal property, which the strength and elongation‐at‐break reached 35.50 ± 3.54 MPa and (316.05 ± 20.58)%, respectively, when the molecular weight of soft segment was 600. Furthermore, crystallization property and microphase separation of TPAEs were also investigated in detail, having a significant influence on the foaming behavior of the obtain elastomers. Owing to the restriction of crystalline hard segments, only a few cells formed in the amorphous soft segment regions at foaming temperature of 140°C, while it transformed to larger cells with a thin cell wall at foaming temperature of 160°C and above. When the molecular weight of soft segment increased from 300 to 1000, the average cell size of the foamed TPAEs at 160°C enlarged from 28.73 to 42.17 μm, while the cell density decreased from 5.26 × 108#/cm3to 4.25 × 108#/cm3, both expansion ratio and shrinkage ratio increased gradually.
Psychiatric pathology potentially induced by COVID‐19 vaccine
Authors: Roberts Kris , Sidhu Nittu , Russel Melanie , Abbas Mohammed J
Published: November 2021

Vaccines are the predominant biological management measure for controlling the COVID‐19 pandemic, and aim to break the chain between disease status and hospitalisation. Unseen or rare side‐effects are being reported via the COVID‐19‐specific Yellow Card reporting site, including mania, psychosis and encephalitis of various subtypes. This article presents a patient displaying a range of psychiatric pathologies that occurred within 10 days of AstraZeneca COVID‐19 vaccination and resolved spontaneously without antipsychotic medication. The possibility of a vaccine‐related autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is tentatively raised.
DIALS as a toolkit
Authors: Winter Graeme , Beilsten‐Edmands James , Devenish Nicholas , Gerstel Markus , Gildea Richard J. , McDonagh David , Pascal Elena , Waterman David G. , Williams Benjamin H. , Evans Gwyndaf
Published: November 2021

The DIALS software for the processing of X‐ray diffraction data is presented, with an emphasis on how the suite may be used as a toolkit for data processing. The description starts with an overview of the history and intent of the toolkit, usage as an automated system, command‐line use, and ultimately how new tools can be written using the API to perform bespoke analysis. Consideration is also made to the application of DIALS to techniques outside of macromolecular X‐ray crystallography.
Numerical Simulations of Variable‐Range Hopping
Authors: Ortuño Miguel , Estellés-Duart Francisco , Somoza Andrés M.
Published: November 2021

Numerical simulations of variable‐range hopping in 2D and 3D systems with states localized by the disorder are reviewed. Both interacting and noninteracting systems are considered. After reviewing the main theories for variable‐range hopping, Mott's and Efros and Shkolvskii's, the numerical techniques are presented that are employed for this problem. Existing results are presented and some new ones obtained for this contribution, concentrating on the value of the proportionality constant on the characteristic temperatures of the different conduction laws and on the form of the pre‐exponential factor.
A heterogeneous decision criteria system evaluating sustainable infrastructure development: From the lens of multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement
Authors: Xue Bin , Liu Bingsheng , Liang Tao , Zhao Dong , Wang Tao , Chen Xingbin
Published: November 2021

The evaluation of urban infrastructure development is a decision‐making process with multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement assessing sustainability metrics in different dimensions. However, there are uncertainties in such an evaluation caused by the heterogeneity between different stakeholders' preferences and the difficulty in differentiating sustainability decision criteria (DC). This study aims to formalize a multidisciplinary DC system to evaluate sustainable infrastructure development, which represents the preferences to DC metrics heterogeneously weighted by stakeholders. An empirical survey was conducted to collect the stakeholders' preferences to 50 sustainability DC metrics in which 91 infrastructure professionals from six disciplines (i.e., owner, architect, engineer, contractor, supplier, and consultant) were invited to participate. As a result, this study identified one common and six disciplinary DC sets and defined 20 DC factors with weights information structuring the multidisciplinary decision‐making process, which indicates the multidisciplinary DC system is formal to be leveraged on assessing the sustainability performance of infrastructure development. In addition, the proposed multidisciplinary DC system is comprehensive in reducing uncertainties through determining the weights of DC metrics across various disciplines. Theoretically, the multidisciplinary DC system advances the knowledge of sustainability measurement by not only integrating the planet–people–prosperity framework and the product–organization–process framework but mitigating evaluation uncertainty through representing stakeholders' heterogeneity. For practical significance, such a multidisciplinary DC system will serve as a precursor for managers and policymakers in decision‐making processes to enhance sustainability performances of infrastructure development.
Cu(II) and Co(II) Schiff‐Base Complexes Immobilized on Layered Double Hydroxide: Synthesis, Characterizations, DFT Calculations and Catalytic Activity
Authors: Kirar Jagat Singh , Khare Savita , Tiwari Neha
Published: November 2021

In this study, we are reporting the synthesis, characterization, theoretical studies, and catalytic activity of Cu(II), and Co(II) Schiff base complexes immobilized on layered double hydroxide abbreviated as LDH‐[NAPABA‐M] {where M=Cu(II), and Co(II)}. The Schiff base ligand (E)‐4‐((2‐hydroxynaphthalen‐1‐yl)methyleneamino)benzoic acid have been synthesized from the condensation of 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde and 4‐amino benzoic acid. The complexes were characterized using Inductively coupled plasma‐Atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐ AES), X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X‐Ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)  spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) etc. and the geometry of the ligand has been calculated using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31G level of theory. The catalytic activity of synthesized catalysts was tested for toluene oxidation with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide under solvent‐free conditions. The LDH‐[NAPABA‐Cu(II)] catalyst was recycled up to seven cycles. Hot filtration experiments demonstrate that the catalyst was heterogeneous in nature and stable.
Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Ethanol: A Review
Authors: Dongare Saudagar , Singh Neetu , Bhunia Haripada , Bajpai Pramod K. , Das Asit Kumar
Published: November 2021

Converting CO2 to renewable fuels via clean and cost‐effective chemical processes is very desirable for the sustainable development of green civilization. The electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECO2R) to ethanol using renewable energy is a green and effective strategy for addressing global warming and energy shortage issues. But, simultaneous generation of multiple gaseous & liquid products and low catalytic activities are limiting the technology‘s practical use in the short term. In this study, recent scientific developments in ECO2R for selective production of ethanol are reviewed which include both theoretical and experimental aspects. The reported electro‐catalysts are categorized into different groups and the performance of these electro‐catalysts/electrodes is summarized. The effect of electro‐catalysts’ composition & its morphology, applied potential, type of electrolyte, metal loading, reactor configuration, etc. are comprehensively summarized. Furthermore, the present status & challenges and future prospects are presented to help in future design and planning of high‐performance electro‐catalysts for ethanol.
Centri‐Voltammetric GSH Detection with PDI‐C4SH as a Carrier Material
Authors: Perk Benay , Büyüksünetçi Yudum Tepeli , Hakli Özgül , Xue Chenming , Li Quan , Anik Ülkü
Published: November 2021

In this study, we developed a centri‐voltammetric electrochemical sensor for glutathione (GSH) detection. For this purpose, N,N′‐2‐octyloxy‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoethyl)‐(‐2,4‐thiolbutyloxy)‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoethyl)‐3,4 : 9,10‐perylenetetracarboxyldiimide (PDI‐C4SH) molecule was used as a carrier molecule for the first time. This molecule, interacted with the thiol ends of GSH and formed a disulfide bridge. By this way, PDI‐C4SH improved the accumulation of GSH onto the electrode surface and increased the sensitivity of the detection protocol. All the electrochemical measurements were carried out with differential pulse voltammetry by using a carbon paste electrode. The linear response was obtained in the range of 0.05 mM and 5 mM for GSH concentration (R2=0.9966) while limit of detection value was calculated as 0.017 mM. For the sample application experiments, developed system was applied to the determination of GSH in red wine samples by using the standard addition method, and an acceptable recovery value of 99.03 % was obtained.
Benzyl Glycosides of Thiodisaccharides. Influence of C‐2 Configuration of the Reducing End and Substitution at Benzyl on the Inhibition of the E. coli β‐Galactosidase.
Authors: Dada Lucas , Manzano Verónica E. , Varela Oscar
Published: November 2021

Analogues of 4‐thiolactose having the 4‐thioglucose at the reducing end replaced by a benzyl 3‐deoxy‐4‐thiopentopyranoside are potent inhibitors of the β‐galactosidase from E. coli. As already proved, the glycosidic benzyl substituent shows interactions within the enzyme active site. Therefore, we synthesized this type of thiodisaccharides having the benzyl group substituted by an electron withdrawing (NO2) or donating (NHAc) groups, which may also participate in hydrogen bonding. The key step in the synthesis was the conjugate addition of a 1‐thiogalactose derivative to a pentose‐derived enone to give diastereoselectively the 2‐ketothiodisaccaride (C‐4 was S). Reduction of the keto group led to the pair of isomers with opposite configuration at C‐2. These derivatives were useful to assess the influence of the C‐2 stereochemistry on the activity. All the thiodisaccharides acted as inhibitors of the β‐galactosidase. The extent of the inhibition depends mostly on the configuration at C‐2. Those having the β‐1,2‐cis relationship were the strongest inhibitors (Ki ≈ 10 μM). However, the substituent on the benzyl had a small incidence on the inhibitory activity. The type of inhibition of the glycomimetic was determined.
Does refugee inflow affect urban crime? Evidence from the U.S. Indochinese refugee resettlement
Authors: Chung Seung‐hun , Bae Jung
Published: November 2021

We study the city‐level crime effects of immigration using a large migratory episode in U.S. cities: the resettlement of postwar Indochinese refugees in the 1970s–1980s. We examine the impact of these migratory inflows, where the destination of refugees was largely exogeneously determined, on the incidence of various types of crime by aggregating county‐level crime data. Results from a difference‐in‐differences analysis imply that the cities receiving the heaviest inflows of refugees did not experience differential trends in property crime or violent crime rates following this period; while there is an upward impact on murder rates, pre‐trends do not match for this variable, and further analysis via the synthetic control method show that any upward impact is driven primarily by a temporary (5 years at most) surge in three metropolitan statistical areas. Our results suggest that consistent with prior literature, even a large refugee inflow may not by itself generate persistent crime increases.
Gold‐Catalyzed Reactions Towards Diversity: From Simple Substrates to Functionalized Carbo‐ and Heterocycles
Authors: Michelet Véronique
Published: November 2021

The field of gold catalysis has been in constant expansion during the last twenty years. Based on the precept of π‐activation of unsaturated simple substrates, several new rearrangements have been discovered, implying aryl, alkyne, alkene or keto derivatives as key partners. In this personal account, the main contributions in the field of gold catalysis from our group will be highlighted, emphasizing the recent reports, starting from 1,6‐ and 1,5‐enynes and then moving to keto‐ynes derivatives. The gold‐catalyzed reactions will be presented starting from classical skeletal rearrangements (cycloisomerization) and then domino processes. In each part, the presentation of asymmetric versions will be highlighted.
Epistemic uncertainty and the support of productive struggle during scientific modeling for knowledge co‐development
Authors: Chen Ying‐Chih
Published: November 2021

There is a considerable amount of research on the nature and effectiveness of modeling as applied to student learning in science. However, few studies have examined the role of students' epistemic uncertainty in modeling and how teachers collaborate with students to recognize and utilize it as a pedagogical resource to support productive struggle for the co‐development of scientific knowledge. This single case study focuses on how one fifth‐grade teacher and her students used epistemic uncertainty as a resource to engage in modeling as they co‐developed knowledge through building, revising, and finalizing models. Data were collected 16 lessons across 4 weeks when students learned the role of the respiratory system in the breathing process. Multiple strategies to manage students' epistemic uncertainty for productive struggle were identified across four phases of modeling. Phase 1, Problematizing a phenomenon: using student epistemic uncertainty to contextualize and format a problem, Phase 2, Material practice: recognizing and supporting student epistemic uncertainty that may cause struggle, failure, and opportunity for rebuilding a model, Phase 3, Argumentative practice: critiquing and decomposing student epistemic uncertainty to find possible solutions, and Phase 4, Conceptualizing theory and application of final models: having students use different representations of their final models to theoretically explain the target phenomenon. By providing an empirical account of the evolution of students' knowledge co‐development, this study suggests that productive modeling should encompass the variation of student epistemic uncertainties as an effective resource to cumulatively engage students through the different phases of modeling in the productive struggle to sense‐make and develop a coherent understanding of scientific knowledge and practice. As such, students have opportunities to reflect on and generate their own knowledge in the sensemaking process, rather than just replicate knowledge from textbooks or authorities.
Investigation of the effects of hesperidin administration on abamectin‐induced testicular toxicity in rats through oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and JAK2/STAT3 pathways
Authors: Gur Cihan , Kandemir Ozge , Kandemir Fatih Mehmet
Published: November 2021

In this study, the potential effects of hesperidin (HES) on chronic toxicity caused by abamectin (ABM) in the testicular tissue were investigated through oxidative stress, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), apoptosis, and autophagy pathways. Male Sprague Dawley rats were used in the study. Animals in the ABM group were orally administered 1 mg/kg ABM every other day for 28 days, while HES used against ABM was given at 100 or 200 mg/kg 30 min after ABM administration for 28 days. Markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, ERS, apoptosis, and autophagy in the testicular tissues removed after the animals are sacrificed were analyzed using biochemical, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), or western blot techniques. The results obtained showed that ABM caused oxidative stress, and triggered ERS, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy. On the other hand, HES showed antioxidant effect by increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities, and glutathione levels in testis tissue and attenuated lipid peroxidation. Accordingly, MAPK14 reduced the NF‐κB, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 expression levels, presenting an anti‐inflammatory effect. In addition, Bax protected against apoptosis and autophagy by reducing the caspase‐3, beclin‐1, LC3A, and LC3B expressions, and increasing Bcl‐2 expression. It was observed that HES also interrupted the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway by suppressing IL‐6 expression. Taken into consideration together, HES provided significant protection against the destruction caused by ABM in testicular tissue with antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and anti‐autophagic effects. Thus, it was revealed that HES has the potential to serve as an alternative treatment option in ABM toxicity.
The continuum and leading twist limits of parton distribution functions in lattice QCD
Authors: Karpie Joseph , Orginos Kostas , Radyushkin Anatoly , Zafeiropoulos Savvas ,   for the HadStruc collaboration
Published: November 2021

Abstract

In this study, we present continuum limit results for the unpolarized parton distribution function of the nucleon computed in lattice QCD. This study is the first continuum limit using the pseudo-PDF approach with Short Distance Factorization for factorizing lattice QCD calculable matrix elements. Our findings are also compared with the pertinent phenomenological determinations. Inter alia, we are employing the summation Generalized Eigenvalue Problem (sGEVP) technique in order to optimize our control over the excited state contamination which can be one of the most serious systematic errors in this type of calculations. A crucial novel ingredient of our analysis is the parameterization of systematic errors using Jacobi polynomials to characterize and remove both lattice spacing and higher twist contaminations, as well as the leading twist distribution. This method can be expanded in further studies to remove all other systematic errors.
Long Time Behaviour of a Local Perturbation in the Isotropic XY Chain Under Periodic Forcing
Authors: Corsi Livia , Genovese Giuseppe
Published: November 2021

We study the isotropic XY quantum spin chain with a time-periodic transverse magnetic field acting on a single site. The asymptotic dynamics is described by a highly resonant Floquet–Schrödinger equation, for which we show the existence of a periodic solution if the forcing frequency is away from a discrete set of resonances. This in turn implies the state of the quantum spin chain to be asymptotically a periodic function synchronised with the forcing, also at arbitrarily low non-resonant frequencies. The behaviour at the resonances remains a challenging open problem.
Congruence Normality of Simplicial Hyperplane Arrangements via Oriented Matroids
Authors: Cuntz Michael , Elia Sophia , Labbé Jean-Philippe
Published: November 2021

A catalogue of simplicial hyperplane arrangements was first given by Grünbaum in 1971. These arrangements naturally generalize finite Coxeter arrangements and also the weak order through the poset of regions. The weak order is known to be a congruence normal lattice, and congruence normality of lattices of regions of simplicial arrangements can be determined using polyhedral cones called shards. In this article, we update Grünbaum’s catalogue by providing normals realizing all known simplicial arrangements with up to 37 lines and key invariants. Then we add structure to this catalogue by determining which arrangements always/sometimes/never lead to congruence normal lattices of regions. To this end, we use oriented matroids to recast shards as covectors to determine congruence normality of large hyperplane arrangements. We also show that lattices of regions coming from finite Weyl groupoids of any rank are always congruence normal.
Taxonomically and Functionally Distinct Ciliophora Assemblages Inhabiting Baltic Sea Ice
Authors: Majaneva Markus , Rintala Janne-Markus , Blomster Jaanika
Published: November 2021

Ciliophora is a phylum of unicellular eukaryotes that are common and have pivotal roles in aquatic environments. Sea ice is a marine habitat, which is composed of a matrix of solid ice and pockets of saline water in which Ciliophora thrive. Here, we used phylogenetic placement to identify Ciliophora 18S ribosomal RNA reads obtained from wintertime water and sea ice, and assigned functions to the reads based on this taxonomic information. Based on our results, sea-ice Ciliophora assemblages are poorer in taxonomic and functional richness than under-ice water and water-column assemblages. Ciliophora diversity stayed stable throughout the ice-covered season both in sea ice and in water, although the assemblages changed during the course of our sampling. Under-ice water and the water column were distinctly predominated by planktonic orders Choreotrichida and Oligotrichida, which led to significantly lower taxonomic and functional evenness in water than in sea ice. In addition to planktonic Ciliophora, assemblages in sea ice included a set of moderately abundant surface-oriented species. Omnivory (feeding on bacteria and unicellular eukaryotes) was the most common feeding type but was not as predominant in sea ice as in water. Sea ice included cytotrophic (feeding on unicellular eukaryotes), bacterivorous and parasitic Ciliophora in addition to the predominant omnivorous Ciliophora. Potentially mixotrophic Ciliophora predominated the water column and heterotrophic Ciliophora sea ice. Our results highlight sea ice as an environment that creates a set of variable habitats, which may be threatened by the diminishing extent of sea ice due to changing climate.
Efficient adoptive transfer of autologous modified B cells: a new humanized platform mouse model for testing B cells reprogramming therapies
Authors: Page Audrey , Laurent Emilie , Nègre Didier , Costa Caroline , Pierre Véronique , Defrance Thierry , Cosset François-Loïc , Fusil Floriane
Published: November 2021

Here, we report a novel experimental setup to perform adoptive transfer of gene-edited B cells using humanized immune system mice by infusing autologous HIS mouse-derived human B cells “educated” in a murine context and thus rendered tolerant to the host. The present approach presents two advantages over the conventional humanized PBMC mouse models: (i) it circumvents the risk of xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction and (ii) it mimics more closely human immune responses, thus favoring clinical translation. We show that the frequencies and numbers of transduced B cells in recipient’s spleens one week post-transfer are within the range of the size of the pre-immune B cell population specific for a given protein antigen in the mouse. They are also compatible with the B cell numbers required to elicit a sizeable immune response upon immunization. Altogether, our findings pave the way for future studies aiming at assessing therapeutic interventions involving B cell reprogramming for instance by an antibody transgene in a “humanized” hematopoietic setting.
Translocation of non-lytic antimicrobial peptides and bacteria penetrating peptides across the inner membrane of the bacterial envelope
Authors: Frimodt-Møller Jakob , Campion Christopher , Nielsen Peter E. , Løbner-Olesen Anders
Published: November 2021

The increase in multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria has become a problem worldwide. Currently there is a strong focus on the development of novel antimicrobials, including antimicrobial peptides (AMP) and antimicrobial antisense agents. While the majority of AMP have membrane activity and kill bacteria through membrane disruption, non-lytic AMP are non-membrane active, internalize and have intracellular targets. Antimicrobial antisense agents such as peptide nucleic acids (PNA) and phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO), show great promise as novel antibacterial agents, killing bacteria by inhibiting translation of essential target gene transcripts. However, naked PNA and PMO are unable to translocate across the cell envelope of bacteria, to reach their target in the cytosol, and are conjugated to bacteria penetrating peptides (BPP) for cytosolic delivery. Here, we discuss how non-lytic AMP and BPP-PMO/PNA conjugates translocate across the cytoplasmic membrane via receptor-mediated transport, such as the cytoplasmic membrane transporters SbmA, MdtM/YjiL, and/or YgdD, or via a less well described autonomous process.
Laissez-faire versus Pareto
Authors: Bosmans Kristof , Öztürk Z. Emel
Published: November 2021

Consider two principles for social evaluation. The first, “laissez-faire”, says that mean-preserving redistribution away from laissez-faire incomes should be regarded as a social worsening. This principle captures a key aspect of libertarian political philosophy. The second, weak Pareto, states that an increase in the disposable income of each individual should be regarded as a social improvement. We show that the combination of the two principles implies that total disposable income ought to be maximized. Strikingly, the relationship between disposable incomes and laissez-faire incomes must therefore be ignored, leaving little room for libertarian values.
Voltammetric study of cefotaxime at the macroscopic and miniaturized interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions
Authors: Rudnicki Konrad , Sobczak Karolina , Kaliszczak Magdalena , Sipa Karolina , Powałka Emilia , Skrzypek Sławomira , Poltorak Lukasz , Herzog Gregoire
Published: November 2021

The electrochemical behavior of cefotaxime (CTX+) was investigated at the polarized macro- and micro-interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) by cyclic voltammetry and alternating current voltammetry. Miniaturization was achieved with fused silica microcapillary tubing entrapped in a polymeric casing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed for the fabricated LLI support characterization. Voltammetric investigation of CTX+ at macro- and μ-ITIES allowed the determination of many physicochemical parameters, such as formal Galvani potential of the ion transfer reaction ($${\Delta }_{org}^{aq}{\varPhi}^{\prime }$$

Δ

org

aq

Φ

′

), diffusion coefficients (D), formal free Gibbs energy of the ion transfer reaction (∆G′aq → org), and water-1,2-dichloroethane partition coefficient ($${\log}{P}_{water/ DCE}^{CTX+}$$

log

P

w
a
t
e
r
/
D
C
E

C
T
X
+

). Additionally, based on the results obtained the analytical parameters including voltammetric sensitivity, limits of detection and the limits of quantification (in micromolar range) were calculated. The applicability of the developed procedures was verified in spiked still mineral and tap water samples.

Graphical abstract
Psychopathologies and socioeconomic status as risk indicators for periodontitis: a survey-based investigation in German dental practices
Authors: Lenk Maria , Noack Barbara , Weidner Kerstin , Lorenz Katrin
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent multifactorial disease associated with various mental disorders. However, study results about this association are still contradictory. One methodological reason could be the neglect of potential confounders, such as socioeconomic factors or mental comorbidity. Our study examined a wide range of potential psychosocial risk indicators to identify those with relevant associations to periodontitis.

Materials and methods

In a cross-sectional study, 111 patients with periodontitis (PERIO) (> 30% teeth with approximal attachment loss ≥ 5 mm) and 110 patients without periodontitis (NON-PERIO) were recruited in four dental practices in Germany. Clinical attachment loss, pocket depth, plaque, bleeding on probing, and DMFT were measured. Psychopathologic symptoms and socioeconomic status were recorded using self-report questionnaires (DAS, PHQ-8, GAD-7, CTS, SCOFF, AUDIT, FTND, SSS-8, SES).

Results

The PERIO group reported significantly lower socioeconomic status (Cohen’s d = 0.49) and higher psychopathological symptom burden than the NON-PERIO regarding dental anxiety (d = 0.86) and avoidance behavior, nicotine dependency (d = 0.84), depressiveness (d = 0.46), general anxiety (d = 0.45), somatic symptoms (d = 0.42), and childhood traumatization (d = 0.34). No significant group differences existed for alcohol abuse and eating disorders. Dental anxiety was the strongest predictor of periodontitis and showed significant correlations with other psychopathologies and social status.

Conclusions

Out of all psychosocial factors, socioeconomic status and dental anxiety showed the greatest association with periodontitis.

Clinical relevance

Dentists should encourage socially disadvantaged and dentally anxious patients in the utilization of prevention and dental care. Furthermore, physicians and psychotherapists can contribute to the early detection of dental anxiety, oral diseases, and avoidance behavior.
The acceptability of a therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy program for the treatment of anxiety disorders in adolescents: a qualitative study
Authors: Smart Katy , Smith Lydia , Harvey Kate , Waite Polly
Published: November 2021

Computerized treatments have been shown to be effective in young people with anxiety disorders. However, there has been limited investigation into the experiences of adolescents in undertaking this treatment. This qualitative study explored adolescents’ experiences of being treated for an anxiety disorder, using an online intervention with therapist support, as part of a randomised controlled trial. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years, who had received the online intervention. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two cross-cutting themes were identified: (i) Usability of the program, and (ii) Putting techniques into practice. Although the convenience of online sessions was recognised as positive, many of the adolescents expressed a preference for face-to-face sessions. The length of sessions and the large amount of reading involved was highlighted by most participants. The transdiagnostic nature of the content meant some elements of the programme were seen as less relevant. While many participants appreciated the ‘fun’ aspect of the program, others felt that certain aspects of the program were not suitable for their age group. Exposure, psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring were generally received positively, whereas responses to the use of relaxation and rewards were much more mixed. Our findings highlight the potential utility for online treatments delivered with therapist support. However, they also highlight how issues with both the format and treatment components can impact the acceptability of a program. As such, further work is warranted to improve the acceptability of online treatments for adolescents with anxiety disorders.
Economic tradeoff between domestic well impact and reduced agricultural production with groundwater drought management: Tulare County, California (USA), case study
Authors: Stone Kathleen M. , Gailey Robert M. , Lund Jay R.
Published: November 2021

Formal policy analysis can aid resource management where groundwater is used intensively. Approaches for developing equitable and effective pumping allocations for drought are evaluated in the context of the 2012–2016 drought in Tulare County, California, USA. Potential economic impacts of policy alternatives on two user groups with conflicting interests are considered. Tradeoffs between losses of agricultural profit and response costs for domestic wells that run dry are estimated for various maximum groundwater depth policies. A welfare maximizing approach for identifying policies that limit depth to groundwater is evaluated and found to be ineffective because agricultural opportunity costs are much larger than domestic well costs. Adding a fee for additional drought groundwater pumping is proposed as a more impactful and balanced management policy approach. For the case study presented, a fee range of $300 to $600/acre-foot ($300–$600/1,233 m3) yielded an effective groundwater management policy for reducing domestic well impacts from drought and balancing agricultural impacts of drought with the need to replenish additional drought pumping in wetter years. Recent management policies enacted in the study area agree with this finding. These results may provide a useful perspective for analytically examining and developing groundwater management policies near the study area and elsewhere.
Schoolchildren’s autobiographical memory: COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism effects on emotional content and quality of first memories
Authors: Tõugu Pirko , Tulviste Tiia , Veidebaum Toomas , Harro Jaanus
Published: November 2021

Autobiographical memory is a cognitive function strongly related to emotional processing as autobiographical memory often includes emotional content. The COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism is associated with both cognitive and emotional processing. COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism effects on the emotional content and quality of Estonian schoolchildren’s first autobiographical memories were investigated in the present study. In addition, gender effects were considered and the emotional valence of the first memory was taken into account. Schoolchildren’s (N = 234) first memories were coded for valence, emotion words, specificity, and details. Girls were more likely to provide specific memories and recollections with an emotional valence than boys were. Children described memories with a positive or a negative valence in more detail than neutral memories. Interactions between the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism and gender and valence of the events were detected: Val/Met heterozygotes provided fewer details for emotional events; Val/Met heterozygote boys reported fewer details for their first memories than Val/Met heterozygote girls did; Met/Met homozygote children provided fewer evaluative details for emotional events.
Ring Constructions and Generation of the Unbounded Derived Module Category
Authors: Cummings Charley
Published: November 2021

We consider the smallest triangulated subcategory of the unbounded derived module category of a ring that contains the injective modules and is closed under set indexed coproducts. If this subcategory is the entire derived category, then we say that injectives generate for the ring. In particular, we ask whether, if injectives generate for a collection of rings, do injectives generate for related ring constructions, and vice versa. We provide sufficient conditions for this statement to hold for various constructions including recollements, ring extensions and module category equivalences.
Seismic performance evaluation and risk assessment of typical reinforced concrete frame buildings with masonry infill and conventional vertical extension in Nepal
Authors: Pradhan Sujan , Li Yuebing , Sanada Yasushi
Published: November 2021

Many reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings in Nepal were significantly damaged by the 7.8 magnitude (Mw) earthquake in Nepal on April 25, 2015. To contribute to mitigate future earthquake disasters, the current study focuses on two specific characteristics of residential RC frame buildings in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu: the application of brick masonry infill to exterior and partition walls, and the conventional vertical extension of building stories different from the design. Although these factors are likely to significantly affect the seismic performance, their effects are frequently neglected in practical design and construction management in developing countries. Hence, the main objective of this research is to investigate and clarify the seismic performance of RC frame buildings considering the above factors through experimental and numerical investigations. The present paper (1) briefly introduces the characteristics of a typical residential RC frame building in Kathmandu, (2) illustrates the numerical modeling parametrically considering three different contributions of brick masonry infill walls and (3) investigates the seismic performance of the RC frame building considering the effects of the infill wall modeling and the vertical extension through numerical analyses. Consequently, it was found that the consideration of the in-plane stiffness and strength of the infill walls resulted in both positive and negative contributions to the seismic performance of low-rise (up to three stories) and medium-rise (more than three stories) buildings respectively, quantitatively clarifying significant effects of the presence of infill and the vertical extension. These findings contribute to provide realistic solutions to upgrade the seismic performance by utilizing or removing the brick masonry infill walls or by managing the building stories to mitigate future earthquake disasters on typical RC frame buildings not only in Nepal but also in other countries with similar backgrounds.
A Widening Gap Between Official Teacher Training and Professional Life in Norway
Authors: Smeplass Eli , Leiulfsrud Håkon
Published: November 2021

A sociological case study of Norwegian teachers reveals how teacher education reforms have inadequate definitions of teacher competence. Legislators, officials and the media continue to uphold the image of a school system and teaching profession in crisis in several OECD countries. For the Nordic welfare states, education is a public good. Mediocre results in international comparisons cause public debate regarding the quality of the educational system. This has led to a devaluation of teachers and teacher education. The aim of this article is to analyze and discuss how teacher education is valued and converted by Norwegian teachers. Interviews and written accounts from novice teachers and persons with teacher training working outside of the school environment suggest an alternative narrative in which teachers’ competences are in high demand. The results and discussion reveal a more nuanced way to view teachers’ expertise as an asset in a multitude of careers.
MP-RRT#: a Model Predictive Sampling-based Motion Planning Algorithm for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Authors: Primatesta Stefano , Osman Abdalla , Rizzo Alessandro
Published: November 2021

This paper introduces a kinodynamic motion planning algorithm for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), called MP-RRT#. MP-RRT#joins the potentialities of RRT#with a strategy based on Model Predictive Control to efficiently solve motion planning problems under differential constraints. Similar to other RRT-based algorithms, MP-RRT#explores the map constructing an asymptotically optimal graph. In each iteration the graph is extended with a new vertex in the reference state of the UAS. Then, a forward simulation is performed using a Model Predictive Control strategy to evaluate the motion between two adjacent vertices, and a trajectory in the state space is computed. As a result, the MP-RRT#algorithm eventually generates a feasible trajectory for the UAS satisfying dynamic constraints. Simulation results obtained with a simulated drone controlled with the PX4 autopilot corroborate the validity of the MP-RRT#approach.
Influence of Second-Order Effects on Thermoelastic Behaviour in the Proximity of Crack Tips on Titanium
Authors: Palumbo D. , De Finis R. , Di Carolo F. , Vasco-Olmo J. , Diaz F. A. , Galietti U.
Published: November 2021

Background

The Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) is used to describe the stress state and the mechanical behaviour of a material in the presence of cracks. SIF can be experimentally assessed using contactless techniques such as Thermoelastic Stress Analysis (TSA). The classic TSA theory concerns the relationship between temperature and stress variations and was successfully applied to fracture mechanics for SIF evaluation and crack tip location. This theory is no longer valid for some materials, such as titanium and aluminium, where the temperature variations also depend on the mean stress.

Objective

The objective of this work was to present a new thermoelastic equation that includes the mean stress dependence to investigate the thermoelastic effect in the proximity of crack tips on titanium.

Methods

Westergaard’s equations and Williams’s series expansion were employed in order to express the thermoelastic signal, including the second-order effect. Tests have been carried out to investigate the differences in SIF evaluation between the proposed approach and the classical one.

Results

A first qualitative evaluation of the importance of considering second-order effects in the thermoelastic signal in proximity of the crack tip in two loading conditions at two different loading ratios, R = 0.1 and R = 0.5, consisted of comparing the experimental signal and synthetic TSA maps. Moreover, the SIF, evaluated with the proposed and classical approaches, was compared with values from the ASTM standard formulas.

Conclusions

The new formulation demonstrates its improved capability for describing the stress distribution in the proximity of the crack tip. The effect of the correction cannot be neglected in either Williams’s or Westergaard’s model.
Impact of diatomite addition on lead immobilization in air pollution control residues from a municipal solid waste incinerator
Authors: Kitamura Hiroki , Ueshima Masato , Back Seungki , Sutthasil Noppharit , Sakanakura Hirofumi , Ishigaki Tomonori , Yamada Masato
Published: November 2021

Air pollution control (APC) residues, which are known to be the byproducts of incineration treatment, exhibit a high leaching potential of toxic metals. Calcium silicate hydrate (C-S–H), which is a major hydration product of hardened cement and immobilizes toxic metal, can be formed by the reaction of Ca with pozzolanic Si in a highly alkaline environment. Toxic metals might be immobilized by the addition of pozzolanic material to APC residues (instead of using cement), which is a Ca source and provides an alkaline condition. In this study, diatomite, which mainly comprises amorphous silica (SiO2·nH2O), was investigated as a pozzolanic material for Pb immobilization in APC residues obtained from a municipal solid waste incinerator. APC residues were cured with and without the addition of diatomite at different temperatures. When diatomite was added to APC residues, pozzolanic phases such as C-S–H gel were formed via the consumption of Ca(OH)2 and CaClOH. Compared to APC residues cured without diatomite, the leaching of Pb decreased by 99% for APC residues cured for 14 days with 10% diatomite at 70 °C. The results of sequential chemical extraction showed that water-soluble Pb in APC residues was reduced from 10.3% to nearly zero by the pozzolanic reaction. Consequently, the leaching amount of Pb dropped below 0.3 mg/L (Japanese criteria for landfill disposal). Overall, these experiments provide promising results regarding the possibility of using diatomite for pretreating APC residues.