bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micropore‐Forming Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) Bioink Toolbox 2.0: Designable Tunability and Adaptability for 3D Bioprinting Applications
Authors: Yi Sili , Liu Qiong , Luo Zeyu , He Jacqueline Jialu , Ma Hui‐Lin , Li Wanlu , Wang Di , Zhou Cuiping , Garciamendez Carlos Ezio , Hou Linxi , Zhang Jin , Zhang Yu Shrike
Published: May 2022

It is well‐known that tissue engineering scaffolds that feature highly interconnected and size‐adjustable micropores are oftentimes desired to promote cellular viability, motility, and functions. Unfortunately, the ability of precise control over the microporous structures within bioinks in a cytocompatible manner for applications in 3D bioprinting is generally lacking, until a method of micropore‐forming bioink based on gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) was reported recently. This bioink took advantage of the unique aqueous two‐phase emulsion (ATPE) system, where poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) droplets are utilized as the porogen. Considering the limitations associated with this very initial demonstration, this article has furthered the understanding of the micropore‐forming GelMA bioinks by conducting a systematic investigation into the additional GelMA types (porcine and fish, different methacryloyl‐modification degrees) and porogen types (PEO, poly(vinyl alcohol), and dextran), as well as the effects of the porogen concentrations and molecular weights on the properties of the GelMA‐based ATPE bioink system. This article exemplifies not only the significantly wider range of micropore sizes achievable and better emulsion stability, but also the improved suitability for both extrusion and digital light processing bioprinting with favorable cellular responses.
Unraveling the Structural Instability of Li(Ni0.80Co0.15Al0.05)O2 as a Cathode Material Due to Operating a Li‐ion Battery
Authors: Lee Eun Cheol , Park Junghwan
Published: May 2022

The change of the crystal structure for Li(Ni0.80Co0.15Al0.05)O2 as a cathode material in a Li‐ion battery is traced. During charging and discharging, the crystallographic change of Lix(Ni0.80Co0.15Al0.05)O2 (x ≈ 1.0–0.25) is confirmed with in situ X‐ray diffraction, an electrochemical measurement, and the density functional theory calculation. Li atoms after cycling do not completely return to the initial state and defects in the Li‐layer generate about 5%. The effect of defects in the Li‐layer reveals the transformation of crystal structure and the change of lattice constants. Upon increasing the temperature, the instability of Li0.95(Ni0.80Co0.15Al0.05)O2 is clearly shown as the movement of transition metals using X‐ray and neutron diffraction. The crystallographic values dramatically change upon increasing from 373 to 423 K, but linearly vary upon decreasing temperature. Furthermore, the result of the calculation demonstrates that the possible atom for mixing is Ni. The evolution of magnetic properties explicitly certifies the atomic movement that gives rise to a spin‐glass state through the induction of ferromagnetism. In conclusion, defects are created in crystal structure during operation of the Li‐ion battery and generate structural instability. The results provide the cause and mechanism of the degradation of cathode material in a Li‐ion battery.
Sub‐Nanoporous Engineered Fibrous Aerogel Molecular Sieves with Nanogating Channels for Reversible Molecular Separation
Authors: Zhang Feng , Si Yang , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: May 2022

Gating molecular separation using artificial sub‐nanoporous molecular sieves is highly desirable in large‐scale chemical and energy processing, such as gas separation, hydrogen recovery, carbon dioxide capture, seawater desalination, etc. However, it has remained an insurmountable challenge to create such materials. Herein, a binary meso‐reconstruction strategy to develop biomimetic sub‐nanoporous engineered aerogel molecular sieves (NAMSs) with reversible nanogating channels is demonstrated, in which sub‐1 nm pores (≈7 Å) provide coupling size‐thermodynamic gated functions that enable molecule discrimination and trapping in a reversible manner. The NAMSs show polarity‐reversible adsorption in which adsorbate molecules are discriminated by each gate‐admission sponge‐fiber molecular sieve, facilitating size/interface synergistically induced selective separation of 1,3,5‐trimethyl benzene/ethylene glycol with high separation factor and fast adsorption rate. The nanogating aerogel molecular sieves with molecularly defined sub‐1 nm nanoporous architecture (≈7 Å), Murray's law hierarchical channels, ultrahigh surface area (686 m2 g−1), and robust self‐supporting characteristics define a new benchmark for both aerogels and molecular sieves, exhibiting great potential in diversified on‐demand molecular separations that are prevalent in chemical, energy, and environmental processes.
Antimicrobial drug resistance against Escherichia coli and its harmful effect on animal health
Authors: Arbab Safia , Ullah Hanif , Wang Weiwei , Zhang Jiyu
Published: May 2022

Multidrug resistance among pathogenic bacteria is imperilling the worth of antibiotic infection, which has become an emerging problem, which previously transformed the veterinary sciences. Since its discovery, many antibiotics have been effective in treating bacterial infections in animals. Escherichia coli, a bacterium, is one of the reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes in a community. The current use of antibiotics and demographic factors usually increase multidrug resistance. Genetically, the continuous adoption of environmental changes by E. coli allows it to acquire many multidrug resistance. During the host's life, antimicrobial resistance rarely poses a threat to the E. coli strain and pressure, similar to that of a flexible animal lower intestine. In this review, we describe the E. coli antibiotic drug–resistance mechanism driving transmission, the causes of transmission and the harmful effects on animal health.
Selective IgA deficiency and presumptive polyclonal spike in the beta fraction in a dog with leishmaniosis
Authors: Villanueva‐Saz Sergio , Martinez‐Lostao Luis , Yzuel Andres , Fernández Antonio , Verde Maite
Published: May 2022

A 1‐year‐old, entire, crossbred, female dog examined for apathy, lethargy, unilateral nosebleed of 2‐month duration and the presence of symmetrical ulcerative dermatitis (small ulcers covered by a haemorrhagic crust and surrounded by alopecia on the tip of the ear pinna). Laboratory alterations included anaemia and hyperglobulinemia with a presumptive polyclonal spike in the beta fraction. High antibody levels to Leishmania infantum were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. An anti‐Leishmania therapeutic protocol was established and a reduction of the anti‐Leishmania antibodies was detected by an end point sera dilution enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay during the first weeks of therapeutic protocol, while C‐reactive protein concentration was reduced during the period of time when meglumine antimoniate was administered. A good clinical response to the treatment was detected after initiating the anti‐Leishmania treatment. Quantitative serology is useful in the short‐term, because using a two‐fold serial dilution technique correlates with the clinical response.
The gap in technology for visitor experience in a zoo: A case study in Indonesia
Authors: Prakoso Wahyu Catur , Boonchai Chantinee , Beeton Robert J. S.
Published: May 2022

Technology has routinely been used in zoos to enhance the visitor experience, for public education and for conservation awareness. However, studies into technology‐aided exhibits in zoos have thus far been limited to zoos in western society. This article reports on an Indonesian zoo deploying new technology in its exhibits and how visitors interacted with these exhibits. A case study guided both an investigation of the visitors' technology usage of zoo exhibits and zoo implementation of technological processes. Interviews with visitors, zoo staff, and managers were conducted and analyzed and these were supplemented with on‐site observations. The results indicated that the majority of zoo visitors did not use the technological applications provided by the zoo. In addition, there was found to be a significant lack of staff engagement in the consultation, design, implementation, and maintenance of the technology. Correlations were found between visitors' level of technology usage, their reading of signage, their day‐to‐day technology usage, and their conservation knowledge. The findings suggest that an understanding of visitor' behavior, active staff engagement in the development and implementation of new technology, in addition to emotion‐inducing interpretation, and purposefully guided interactions, could increase the use of technology at a zoo and thus enhance positive visitor engagement, ultimately resulting in heightened educational as well as conservational outcomes.
Impact of animal programming on children's attitudes toward local wildlife
Authors: Jerger Ashton D. , Acker Michele , Gibson Stormy , Young Anna M.
Published: May 2022

Attitudes toward wildlife can have direct implications on children's interest in conservation behaviors. Animal programs are an example of interactive, educational experiences that have the potential to change attitudes by providing individuals the opportunity to get close to animal ambassadors and participate in engaging conversations about them. We conducted an animal program assessment with summer camps at the Ohio Wildlife Center to quantify changes in children's affiliation with local wildlife and their willingness to live near local wildlife. Campers showed an overall increase in affiliation and willingness scores from before to after an animal program, although with a small effect size. Overall willingness scores were lower than affiliation scores, but there was a significantly larger increase in willingness following the program. We found a strong correlation between affiliation and willingness scores. Overall, the study found that these animal programs positively influenced children's attitudes toward local wildlife and increased their willingness to live near them, suggesting animal programming could be used to decrease human‐wildlife conflict. Visually seeing animals in the programs improved attitude scores, even for those not seen in this study, which suggests that program animals can act as an ambassador for other species. This opens the potential for utilizing animal ambassadors as powerful tools in conservation education about threatened and endangered species.
Media Discourses on Gender in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic in Zimbabwe
Authors: Tshuma Bhekizulu Bethaphi , Tshuma Lungile Augustine , Ndlovu Nonhlanhla
Published: May 2022

Media institutions always have a public obligation to disseminate news that is fair, balanced and gender sensitive, more so in times of crisis. Within the context of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, it is important that media provide a diverse, balanced and gender sensitive coverage that reflects existing inequalities in a society rather than merely prioritising statistics of the infection and its death rates. Informed by poststructuralist feminist theory and normative roles of the media, this chapter investigates the discursive parameters of gendered media discourses within the context of COVID-19. This chapter presents results from a case study of two main daily newspapers—theChronicleandNewsDay—circulating in the country by investigating their representation of gender. Findings indicate that while there was generally more coverage of issues affecting women, both newspapers reinforced deeply rooted biases in their reporting. The findings further show that the emphasis was on gender-based violence with statistics indicating that it was on the rise during lockdown. We argue that newspapers must always strive for sensitive reporting that challenges hierarchical gender relations if the transformative potential of the media is to be realised.
Face-to Face with COVID-19: Experiences of Ghanaian Frontline Journalists Infected with the Virus
Authors: Boateng Kodwo Jonas Anson , Buatsi Redeemer
Published: May 2022

Journalists around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, media houses have had to make drastic adjustments to the impact of challenges wrought by the pandemic on their operations. Ghanaian media houses also faced similar challenges and disruptions. News reporters and journalists felt the impact of these disruptions with many Ghanaian journalists losing their jobs. This study used affective-emotive theoretical perspective to examine how the possibility of contracting COVID-19 could affect or trigger emotions of fear and anxiety among Ghanaian journalists. The study set two main objectives (1) what workplace safety policies and protocol guidelines were established in newsrooms to mitigate the spread of the virus and (2) to what extent did journalists fear for the safety and well-being of close family members because of their journalism work. The study conducted in-depth unstructured interviews with five journalists who had recovered from the COVID-19 infections. The study found that despite high degrees of fear and anxiety among respondents about on-assignments and workplace infections, respondents still maintained ‘emotional detachment’ to attain objectivity in news reporting. Respondents also expressed high degrees of fear of exposing family members to the virus.
Landscapes of Lifelong Learning Policies Across Europe: Conceptual Lenses
Authors: Benasso Sebastiano , Cefalo Ruggero , Tikkanen Jenni
Published: May 2022

The chapter provides an overview of the main theoretical perspective applied in the analysis of the case studies presented in second part of the book. The frameworks of life course research, Cultural Political Economy, and governance are thus reconstructed considering their integration with the opportunity structures perspective. Specifically, the notions of discursive and institutional opportunity structure are questioned, introducing the third dimension of relational opportunity structure.
Exploring Young Adults’ Lifelong Learning Policy Participation Styles: Comparative Perspectives from Finland, Scotland, and Spain
Authors: Tikkanen Jenni , Jacovkis Judith , Vanderhoven Ellen
Published: May 2022

In this chapter, we explore the meanings and motivations young adults attach to their participation in lifelong learning (LLL) policies and aim to identify LLL policy “participation styles” among young people in three functional regions across Europe: Kainuu in Finland, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Region in Scotland, and Girona in Catalonia, Spain. We examine the participation styles in relation to young adults’ displayed agency, social background and resources, and previous life course progression, as well as the different policies and regional opportunity structures. The analysis is based on biographical interviews with young adults and thematic interviews with LLL policy experts. We identified four distinct participation styles based on the examined dimensions at both individual and policy levels. Furthermore, an additional pattern emerged from the data, as some young adults were able to alter the conditions of a given policy to meet their individual needs in a way that was not institutionally foreseen. In general, the ways in which young adults orient to LLL policies and adopt particular participation styles relate to two key dimensions: young adults’ agentic capacities and the levels of (formal or hidden) leeway policies offer to young people for adapting participation to their subjective needs and goals.
The Assault on Reason, Part Two: A Deeper Analysis
Authors: Mitroff Ian I.
Published: May 2022

This chapter analyzes the same set of arguments that were presented in Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-99808-0_1 but from a very different perspective. Namely, we’re dealing with forces that lie much deeper in the human Psyche. They are fundamentally the products of Disturbed and Distorted Thinking. For instance, the assertion that “I and I alone know what’s best for me and my body” is the quintessence of Narcissism. For another, the contention that the Government has surreptitiously placed microchips in the vaccines so that it can track our every whereabouts and thoughts, and thereby control them, is a clear-cut case of outright Paranoia.
Neurowissenschaften
Authors: Dreher Lena
Published: May 2022

Nachdem wir in Kapitel 3 die Verhaltensökonomie betrachtet haben, werfen wir nun einen Blick auf die andere Seite der Neuroökonomie, auf die kognitiven Neurowissenschaften. Zunächst beschäftigen wir uns kurz mit der Historie der kognitiven Neurowissenschaften, die uns Einblick in die Entwicklung der Fragestellungen gewähren wird. Dieser Überblick wird uns dabei helfen, in Abschnitt 4.2 zu verstehen, was die kognitiven Neurowissenschaftler heute antreibt. Abschnitt 4.3 liefert dann einen Überblick über heute gebräuchliche empirische Methoden, mit deren Hilfe diese Fragen beantwortet werden sollen.
Die neuroökonomische Zusammenarbeit
Authors: Dreher Lena
Published: May 2022

In diesem Kapitel werden wir sehen, wie die Verhaltensökonomie und die kognitiven Neurowissenschaften in der Neuroökonomie zusammenarbeiten. Welchen Beitrag bringen die Verhaltensökonomen ein, welchen die kognitiven Neurowissenschaftler? Wie arbeiten sie zusammen, wie profitieren sie gegenseitig? Diese Fragen werden wir, wieder getrennt nach den Ursprungswissenschaften, in den folgenden beiden Unterkapiteln betrachten.
Schluss
Authors: Dreher Lena
Published: May 2022

Nachdem wir uns einige Kritikpunkte und Probleme der Neuroökonomie angeschaut haben, bleibt die Frage, wie sich das Verhältnis von Ökonomen und Neurowissenschaftlern entwickeln wird. Denn davon hängt die künftige Entwicklung der Neuroökonomie als Wissenschaft ab. Werfen wir also einen Blick auf zukünftige Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten für die neuroökonomische Zusammenarbeit.
A Model for Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM in Higher Education Institutions
Authors: García-Holgado Alicia , García-Peñalvo Francisco José
Published: May 2022

Women present a historic and worrying gap in science and technology-related disciplines, generally knowns as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), except in the case of health professions. A holistic approach is needed to support policymakers worldwide in bridging the gender gap in STEM, in which higher education institutions have a crucial role. Promoting this active implication of the universities in this problem, in the European project Building the future of Latin America: engaging women into STEM (W-STEM), a model to modernise the government, management and operation of higher education institutions in Latin America to improve attraction, access to and retention of women in STEM programs has been developed. This situation is not exclusive to Latin American countries, it is a global problem, so the results of the W-STEM project are also applicable to European partners and transferrable worldwide. The main goal of this chapter is to describe the W-STEM model based on three years of working on strategies and mechanisms to improve the attraction, access, guidance, and retention processes to engage more women in STEM programs. The model has been thoroughly tested in eleven institutions in Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico, involving public and private institutions with different gender equality situations.
Making and Taking Leadership in the Promotion of Gender Desegregation in STEM
Authors: Heikkinen Mervi , Harmoinen Sari , Keiski Riitta , Matinmikko-Blue Marja , Pihlajaniemi Taina
Published: May 2022

In 2016, the United Nations (UN) Member States adopted a decision on the role of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in encouraging girls and women to be leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). This decision poses a special challenge for many sectors in society and posits unique opportunities for women’s leadership in higher education institutions (HEIs). This chapter opens by presenting views on overcoming gender segregation in STEM. The roles of women in leadership positions in the higher education STEM research areas of a large multidisciplinary university in a Nordic country are explored. The unique paths in which four of these women have progressed in their profession, position, and promotion of equality through their diverse and multiple roles within their HEI are examined. From this collection, intertwined opportunities in assuming leadership in the promotion of gender desegregation in STEM are identified on a micropolitical levels. The chapter concludes by elaborating institutional strategies and synergies for overcoming gender segregation in higher education STEM fields from the perspective of leadership. This chapter ends with an annexed declaration useful for local policy development and practical action.
Observations on holographic aspects of four-dimensional asymptotically flat $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 black holes
Authors: Aniceto Pedro , Cardoso Gabriel Lopes , Nampuri Suresh
Published: May 2022

Abstract

In this note, we explore holographic attributes of four-dimensional near-extremal Reissner-Nordstrom black hole solutions in ungauged $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supergravity theories at the two-derivative level by recasting them as a specific first-order deformation in solution space, associated with an infinitesimal Harrison transformation, of black holes in an AdS2 space-time. Specifically, we use this link to exhibit how bulk properties, such as mass and entropy, of four-dimensional near-extremal black holes are holographically encoded in the one-dimensional boundary theory dual to gravity in an infinitesimally deformed AdS2 space-time. We do so for the case of four-dimensional near-extremal black holes that arise as deformations in solution space of BPS black holes by changing the non-extremality parameter. For these near-extremal black holes, we further show that the nAdS2 attractor mechanism can be recast as a specific deformation of the BPS flow equations in four dimensions. Additionally, we also discuss time-dependent perturbations of the four-dimensional near-extremal Reissner-Nordstrom solutions from a two-dimensional point of view.
Refined topological amplitudes from the Ω-background in string theory
Authors: Angelantonj Carlo , Antoniadis Ignatios , Florakis Ioannis , Jiang Hongliang
Published: May 2022

Abstract

It was recently shown that the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 string topological amplitudes in the heterotic weak coupling limit generate a six-dimensional Melvin space, providing a description of the Ω-background in string theory, where string propagation can be exactly studied. In this work, we generalise the analysis to the refined case of the Ω-background with two independent deformation parameters. The Melvin space is now ten-dimensional and is extended by an action on the internal K3 compactification manifold of the heterotic superstring, corresponding to an SU(2)R rotation in the field theory description. We identify the class of heterotic topological amplitudes realising this background as the scattering of two anti-self-dual gravitons and arbitrary numbers of anti-self-dual graviphotons, self-dual vector fields of the dilaton multiplet, together with self-dual magnetic fluxes along the K3. In the field theory limit, our result correctly reproduces the perturbative part of the Nekrasov free energy in the case where both equivariant parameters are turned on.
Novel semi-circle law and Hall sliding in a strongly interacting electron liquid
Authors: Jokela Niko , Järvinen Matti , Lippert Matthew
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We study a strongly interacting, fermionic fluid in the presence of an applied magnetic field using a holographic framework. At low temperatures, translation symmetry is spontaneously broken and the resulting phase is a striped Hall fluid. Due to the magnetic field, an electric field applied parallel to the stripes causes the stripes to slide, a phenomenon we coin “Hall sliding.” We also investigate the magneto-transport of the system in the presence of an explicit translation symmetry-breaking lattice which pins the stripes. Electrical properties are well represented by a hydrodynamical model, which gives us further insight into particle-like cyclotron and pseudo-Goldstone excitations we observe. The DC conductivities obey a novel semi-circle law, which we derive analytically in the translationally invariant ground state at low temperature.
Models for self-resonant dark matter
Authors: Kim Seong-Sik , Lee Hyun Min , Zhu Bin
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We consider a new mechanism for enhancing the self-scattering and annihilation cross sections for dark matter with multiple components but without a light mediator. The lighter dark matter component plays a role of the u-channel pole in the elastic co-scattering for dark matter, leading to a large self-scattering cross section and a Sommerfeld enhancement for semi-annihilation processes. Taking the effective theory approach for self-resonant dark matter, we present various combinations of multiple dark matter components with spins and parities, showing a u-channel pole in the co-scattering processes. Adopting dark photon and dark Higgs portals for self-resonant dark matter, we impose the relic density condition as well as indirect detection bounds on semi-annihilation channels with a Sommerfeld enhancement and discuss potential signals for direct detection experiments.
The volumes of Miyauchi subgroups
Authors: Lesesvre Didier , Petrow Ian
Published: May 2022

Miyauchi described the L and $$\varepsilon $$
ε
-factors attached to generic representations of the unramified unitary group of rank three in terms of local newforms defined by a sequence of subgroups. We calculate the volumes of these Miyauchi groups.
The effect of neighbourhood and spatial crime rates on mental wellbeing
Authors: Pak Anton , Gannon Brenda
Published: May 2022

This paper attempts to provide new evidence on the indirect cost of neighbourhood crime rates on mental wellbeing of residents. Crime places a heavy burden on the economy, and it receives significant attention from the public. Yet, the connection between crime and health for victims and non-victims is not well captured in the literature. Using spatial methodology, we differentiate the effect on mental wellbeing of residents due to the crime rates in their immediate neighbourhood (local) and crime rates in the surrounding areas (spatial). The main innovation of the paper is to use these crime rates at small geographical level (around 8500 residents) to better translate the changes in crime in the neighbourhoods and their effects on a person’s mental wellbeing. This is different to other studies that looked at crime incidences in larger geographical units. Our estimation results show that the increase in local and spatial crime rates against the property negatively affect the mental wellbeing of residents. The negative impact of spatial crime rates against the person is also present and is 6.7 times larger than the effect of property crime rates.
Bioassay-directed analysis-based identification of relevant pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Authors: Louisse Jochem , Mulder Patrick P. J. , Gerssen Arjen , Stoopen Geert , Rijkers Deborah , van de Schans Milou G. M. , Peijnenburg Ad A. C. M.
Published: May 2022

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are produced by various plant species and have been detected as contaminants in food and feed. Monitoring programmes should include PAs that are present in relevant matrices and that exhibit a high toxic potential. The aim of the present study was to use a bioassay-directed analysis approach to identify relevant PAs not yet included in monitoring programmes. To that end, extracts ofHeliotropium europaeumandH. popoviiwere prepared and analysed with LC–MS/MS for the presence of 35 PAs included in monitoring programmes, as well as for genotoxic activity in the HepaRG/γH2AX assay. Europine, heliotrine and lasiocarpine were found to be the most abundant PAs. The extracts showed a higher γH2AX activity than related artificial mixtures of quantified known PAs, which might point to the presence of unknown toxic PAs. TheH. europaeumextract was fractionated and γH2AX activities of individual fractions were determined. Fractions were further analysed applying LC–Orbitrap-MS analysis and Compound Discoverer software, identifying various candidate PAs responsible for the non-explained genotoxic activity. Altogether, the results obtained show that bioassay-directed analysis allows identification of candidate PAs that can be included in monitoring programmes.
Efficient workflow for suspect screening analysis to characterize novel and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids
Authors: Dickman Rebecca A. , Aga Diana S.
Published: May 2022

Land application of treated sewage sludge (also known as biosolids) is considered a sustainable route of disposal because it reduces waste loading into landfills while improving soil health. However, this waste management practice can introduce contaminants from biosolids, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), into the environment. PFAS have been observed to be taken up by plants, accumulate in humans and animals, and have been linked to various negative health effects. There is limited information on the nature and amounts of PFAS introduced from biosolids that have undergone different treatment processes. Therefore, this study developed analytical techniques to improve the characterization of PFAS in complex biosolid samples. Different clean-up techniques were evaluated and applied to waste-activated sludge (WAS) and lime-stabilized primary solids (PS) prior to targeted analysis and suspect screening of biosolid samples. Using liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry, a workflow was developed to achieve parallel quantitative targeted analysis and qualitative suspect screening. This study found that concentrations of individual PFAS (27 targeted analytes) can range from 0.6 to 84.6 ng/g in WAS (average total PFAS = 241.4 ng/g) and from 1.6 to 33.8 ng/g in PS (average total PFAS = 72.1 ng/g). The suspect screening workflow identified seven additional PFAS in the biosolid samples, five of which have not been previously reported in environmental samples. Some of the newly identified compounds are a short-chain polyfluorinated carboxylate (a PFOS replacement), a diphosphate ester (a PFOA precursor), a possible transformation product of carboxylate PFAS, and an imidohydrazide which contains a sulfonate and benzene ring.
Enhancement of cranial nerves in Lyme neuroborreliosis: incidence and correlation with clinical symptoms and prognosis
Authors: Lindland Elisabeth S. , Solheim Anne Marit , Dareez Muhammad Nazeer , Eikeland Randi , Ljøstad Unn , Mygland Åse , Reiso Harald , Lorentzen Åslaug R. , Harbo Hanne F. , Beyer Mona K.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Symptoms of cranial neuritis are a common presentation of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). Imaging studies are scarce and report contradictory low prevalence of enhancement compared to clinical studies of cranial neuropathy. We hypothesized that MRI enhancement of cranial nerves in LNB is underreported, and aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical impact of cranial nerve enhancement in early LNB.

Methods

In this prospective, longitudinal cohort study, 69 patients with acute LNB were examined with MRI of the brain. Enhancement of cranial nerves III–XII was rated. MRI enhancement was correlated to clinical findings of neuropathy in the acute phase and after 6 months.

Results

Thirty-nine of 69 patients (57%) had pathological cranial nerve enhancement. Facial and oculomotor nerves were most frequently affected. There was a strong correlation between enhancement in the distal internal auditory canal and parotid segments of the facial nerve and degree of facial palsy (gamma = 0.95, p < .01, and gamma = 0.93, p < .01), despite that 19/37 nerves with mild-moderate enhancement in the distal internal auditory canal segment showed no clinically evident palsy. Oculomotor and abducens nerve enhancement did not correlate with eye movement palsy (gamma = 1.00 and 0.97, p = .31 for both). Sixteen of 17 patients with oculomotor and/or abducens nerve enhancement had no evident eye movement palsy.

Conclusions

MRI cranial nerve enhancement is common in LNB patients, but it can be clinically occult. Facial and oculomotor nerves are most often affected. Enhancement of the facial nerve distal internal auditory canal and parotid segments correlate with degree of facial palsy.
Conventional MRI features can predict the molecular subtype of adult grade 2–3 intracranial diffuse gliomas
Authors: Lasocki Arian , Buckland Michael E. , Drummond Katharine J. , Wei Heng , Xie Jing , Christie Michael , Neal Andrew , Gaillard Frank
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Molecular biomarkers are important for classifying intracranial gliomas, prompting research into correlating imaging with genotype (“radiogenomics”). A limitation of the existing radiogenomics literature is the paucity of studies specifically characterizing grade 2–3 gliomas into the three key molecular subtypes. Our study investigated the accuracy of multiple different conventional MRI features for genotype prediction.

Methods

Grade 2–3 gliomas diagnosed between 2007 and 2013 were identified. Two neuroradiologists independently assessed nine conventional MRI features. Features with better inter-observer agreement (κ ≥ 0.6) proceeded to consensus assessment. MRI features were correlated with genotype, classified as IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted (IDHmut/1p19qcodel), IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-intact (IDHmut/1p19qint), or IDH-wildtype (IDHwt). For IDHwt tumors, additional molecular markers of glioblastoma were noted.

Results

One hundred nineteen patients were included. T2-FLAIR mismatch (stratified as > 50%, 25–50%, or < 25%) was the most predictive feature across genotypes (p < 0.001). All 30 tumors with > 50% mismatch were IDHmut/1p19qint, and all seven with 25–50% mismatch. Well-defined margins correlated with IDHmut/1p19qint status on univariate analysis (p < 0.001), but this related to correlation with T2-FLAIR mismatch; there was no longer an association when considering only tumors with < 25% mismatch (p = 0.386). Enhancement (p = 0.001), necrosis (p = 0.002), and hemorrhage (p = 0.027) correlated with IDHwt status (especially “molecular glioblastoma”). Calcification correlated with IDHmut/1p19qcodel status (p = 0.003). A simple, step-wise algorithm incorporating these features, when present, correctly predicted genotype with a positive predictive value 91.8%.

Conclusion

T2-FLAIR mismatch strongly predicts IDHmut/1p19qint even with a lower threshold of ≥ 25% mismatch and outweighs other features. Secondary features include enhancement, necrosis and hemorrhage (predicting IDHwt, especially “molecular glioblastoma”), and calcification (predicting IDHmut/1p19qcodel).
Interactions of Fungi and Algae from the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Perini L. , Gostinčar C. , Likar M. , Frisvad J. C. , Kostanjšek R. , Nicholes M. , Williamson C. , Anesio A. M. , Zalar P. , Gunde-Cimerman N.
Published: May 2022

Heavily pigmented glacier ice algae Ancylonema nordenskiöldii and Ancylonema alaskanum (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta) reduce the bare ice albedo of the Greenland Ice Sheet, amplifying melt from the largest cryospheric contributor to eustatic sea-level rise. Little information is available about glacier ice algae interactions with other microbial communities within the surface ice environment, including fungi, which may be important for sustaining algal bloom development. To address this substantial knowledge gap and investigate the nature of algal-fungal interactions, an ex situ co-cultivation experiment with two species of fungi, recently isolated from the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet (here proposed new species Penicillium anthracinoglaciei Perini, Frisvad and Zalar, Mycobank (MB 835602), and Articulospora sp.), and the mixed microbial community dominated by glacier ice algae was performed. The utilization of the dark pigment purpurogallin carboxylic acid-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (C18H18O12) by the two fungi was also evaluated in a separate experiment. P. anthracinoglaciei was capable of utilizing and converting the pigment to purpurogallin carboxylic acid, possibly using the sugar moiety as a nutrient source. Furthermore, after 3 weeks of incubation in the presence of P. anthracinoglaciei, a significantly slower decline in the maximum quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm, inverse proxy of algal stress) in glacier ice algae, compared to other treatments, was evident, suggesting a positive relationship between these species. Articulospora sp. did uptake the glycosylated purpurogallin, but did not seem to be involved in its conversion to aglycone derivative. At the end of the incubation experiments and, in conjunction with increased algal mortality, we detected a substantially increasing presence of the zoosporic fungi Chytridiomycota suggesting an important role for them as decomposers or parasites of glacier ice algae.
Preclinical evaluation of FAP-2286 for fibroblast activation protein targeted radionuclide imaging and therapy
Authors: Zboralski Dirk , Hoehne Aileen , Bredenbeck Anne , Schumann Anne , Nguyen Minh , Schneider Eberhard , Ungewiss Jan , Paschke Matthias , Haase Christian , von Hacht Jan L. , Kwan Tanya , Lin Kevin K. , Lenore Jan , Harding Thomas C. , Xiao Jim , Simmons Andrew D. , Mohan Ajay-Mohan , Beindorff Nicola , Reineke Ulrich , Smerling Christiane , Osterkamp Frank
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a membrane-bound protease that has limited expression in normal adult tissues but is highly expressed in the tumor microenvironment of many solid cancers. FAP-2286 is a FAP-binding peptide coupled to a radionuclide chelator that is currently being investigated in patients as an imaging and therapeutic agent. The potency, selectivity, and efficacy of FAP-2286 were evaluated in preclinical studies.

Methods

FAP expression analysis was performed by immunohistochemistry and autoradiography on primary human cancer specimens. FAP-2286 was assessed in biochemical and cellular assays and in in vivo imaging and efficacy studies, and was further evaluated against FAPI-46, a small molecule–based FAP-targeting agent.

Results

Immunohistochemistry confirmed elevated levels of FAP expression in multiple tumor types including pancreatic, breast, and sarcoma, which correlated with FAP binding by FAP-2286 autoradiography. FAP-2286 and its metal complexes demonstrated high affinity to FAP recombinant protein and cell surface FAP expressed on fibroblasts. Biodistribution studies in mice showed rapid and persistent uptake of 68Ga-FAP-2286, 111In-FAP-2286, and 177Lu-FAP-2286 in FAP-positive tumors, with renal clearance and minimal uptake in normal tissues. 177Lu-FAP-2286 exhibited antitumor activity in FAP-expressing HEK293 tumors and sarcoma patient-derived xenografts, with no significant weight loss. In addition, FAP-2286 maintained longer tumor retention and suppression in comparison to FAPI-46.

Conclusion

In preclinical models, radiolabeled FAP-2286 demonstrated high tumor uptake and retention, as well as potent efficacy in FAP-positive tumors. These results support clinical development of 68Ga-FAP-2286 for imaging and 177Lu-FAP-2286 for therapeutic use in a broad spectrum of FAP-positive tumors.
Natural variation MeMYB108 associated with tolerance to stress-induced leaf abscission linked to enhanced protection against reactive oxygen species in cassava
Authors: Wang Bin , Li Shuxia , Zou Liangping , Guo Xin , Liang Jiaxin , Liao Wenbin , Peng Ming
Published: May 2022

Key Message

Natural variation of the MeMYB108 exon was associated with reactive oxygen scavengers led to alleviate leaf abscission under drought in cassava.

The reactive oxygen scavengers play important roles in regulating the cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) leaf abscission induced by stresses. To date, the relationship between natural variations of MYB genes and reactive oxygen scavengers under drought in cassava genotypes remains unclear. Here, we reported the transcription factor MeMYB108 played an important role in regulating leaf abscission exposed to drought in cassava. The expression levels of MeMYB108 in abscission zones of cassava leaf pulvinus were higher in cassava genotype SC124, which were less easy to shed leaves under stress than cassava genotype SC8 when the leaf abscission induced by the same drought condition. Compared with wild type and interference expression plants, overexpression of MeMYB108 significantly reduced the drought-induced leaf abscission rate under drought. The consecutively 2-year analysis of reactive oxygen scavengers showed significant differences among different cassava genotypes under drought-induced leaf abscission, indicating the relevance between reactive oxygen scavengers and leaf abscission. Correlation analysis revealed the natural variation of the MeMYB108 exon was associated with reactive oxygen scavengers during drought-induced leaf abscission. Association analysis between pairwise LD of DNA polymorphism indicated the MeMYB108 allele enhanced the tolerance of cassava to drought-induced leaf abscission. Complementation transgenic lines containing the elite allele of MeMYB108SC124 decreased the leaf abscission rate induced by drought conditions, demonstrating natural variation in MeMYB108 contributed to leaf abscission tolerance induced by drought in cassava. Further studies showed MeMYB108 played an active role in the tolerance of cassava to drought-induced leaf abscission by inducing scavenging of reactive oxygen species.
Changes of T lymphocyte subpopulations and their roles in predicting the risk of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: He Yijing , Peng Kangwen , Li Ruoyu , Zhang Zhuoyu , Pan Lizhen , Zhang Tianyu , Lin Ao , Hong Ronghua , Nie Zhiyu , Guan Qiang , Jin Lingjing
Published: May 2022

T lymphocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), while the heterogeneity of T-cell subpopulations remains elusive. In this study, we analyzed up to 22 subpopulations of T lymphocytes in 115 PD patients and 60 matched healthy controls (HC) using flow cytometry. We found that PD patients exhibited decreased naïve CD8+ T cells (CD3+ CD8+ CD45RA+ CD45RO−) and increased late-differentiated CD4+ T cells (CD3+ CD4+ CD28− CD27−), compared to HC, which were not affected by anti-parkinsonism medication administration. The proportion of naïve CD8+ T cells in PD patients was positively correlated with their severity of autonomic dysfunction and psychiatric complications, but negatively associated with the severity of rapid eye movement and sleep behavior disorder. The proportion of late-differentiated CD4+ T cells was negatively correlated with the onset age of the disease. We further developed individualized PD risk prediction models with high reliability and accuracy on the base of the T lymphocyte subpopulations. These data suggest that peripheral cellular immunity is disturbed in PD patients, and changes in CD8+ T cells and late-differentiated CD4+ T cells are representative and significant. Therefore, we recommend naïve CD8 + and late-differentiated CD4+ T cells as candidates for multicentric clinical study and pathomechanism study of PD.
Temporal patterns of weekly births and conceptions predicted by meteorology, seasonal variation, and lunar phases
Authors: Gudziunaite Sandra , Moshammer Hanns
Published: May 2022

Background

Data reporting the number of births given by women resident in Vienna for each week between 1999 and 2019, and the duration (in weeks) of their pregnancies, were used to estimate the week of conception. When preliminary examinations detected cyclical patterns for births and conceptions, a series of Poisson regressions for births and conceptions were performed to assess whether these cycles could be associated with lunar or solar phases.

Methods

To that end 2 sine-cosine functions, 1 with a wavelength of 1 year (365.25 days) and 1 with a wavelength of 29.529 days, the latter resembling the average length of a lunar cycle, were constructed. In addition, also average weekly temperatures were included in the models.

Results

Same week temperature was a strong non-linear predictor for both births and conceptions. Extreme temperatures, especially hot temperatures, increased the number of births while the numbers of successful conceptions were decreased by extreme temperatures. Regarding annual variation in conceptions, the lowest values were found in May and the highest in late autumn and early winter. Therefore, the highest numbers of births are observed in the summer. As per lunar variations, the highest numbers of conceptions occurred at the full moon and the highest numbers of births at the waxing crescent to first quarter moon.

Discussion

The latter results should be treated with caution, as they are not hypothesis driven. Furthermore, literature reports on this topic are conflicting. Nevertheless, these findings will be useful in further analyses examining air pollution effects.
Therapeutic opportunities and clinical outcome measures in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Ricci Giulia , Bello Luca , Torri Francesca , Schirinzi Erika , Pegoraro Elena , Siciliano Gabriele
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastatingly severe genetic muscle disease characterized by childhood-onset muscle weakness, leading to loss of motor function and premature death due to respiratory and cardiac insufficiency.

Discussion

In the following three and half decades, DMD kept its paradigmatic role in the field of muscle diseases, with first systematic description of disease progression with ad hoc outcome measures and the first attempts at correcting the disease-causing gene defect by several molecular targets. Clinical trials are critical for developing and evaluating new treatments for DMD.

Conclusions

In the last 20 years, research efforts converged in characterization of the disease mechanism and development of therapeutic strategies. Same effort needs to be dedicated to the development of outcome measures able to capture clinical benefit in clinical trials.
Lower serum triglyceride levels linked to more severe motor performance in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Zhang Meimei , Chen Huimin , Liu Genliang , Wang Xuemei , Wang Zhan , Feng Tao , Zhang Yumei
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Emerging evidence has suggested that lipid metabolism is correlated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) onset and progression. However, the effect of lipid metabolism on motor performance in PD patients is still unknown. This study estimated the association between lipid profiles and the severity of motor performance in PD.

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled 279 idiopathic PD patients from the Department of Neurology of Beijing Tiantan Hospital from May 2016 to August 2018. Serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1), and apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) levels were detected in fast serum samples. Motor performance was assessed by Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (MDS-UPDRS III) total scores and subscores in these patients. The associations of lipid profiles with motor performance were analyzed using multivariable linear regression models.

Results

Compared to males, females with PD exhibited significantly higher serum TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo-A1, and Apo-B levels. When accounting for covariates, lower serum TG levels were significantly associated with higher MDS-UPDRS III total scores and gait/postural instability subscores. Additionally, the univariate linear regression model showed that in males with PD, serum HDL-C or Apo-A1 levels were significantly associated with tremor subscores.

Conclusion

Lower serum TG levels were associated with more severe motor performance in patients with PD and TG may be a potential predictive biomarker for motor performance in PD patients.