bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of nutrient availability and light intensity on the sterol content of Saccharina latissima (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae)
Authors: de Jong Dylan L. C. , Timmermans Klaas R. , de Winter José M. , Derksen Goverdina C. H.
Published: January 2021

Seaweed phytosterols are associated with potential health benefits, affording them and the seaweeds that produce them commercial interest. However, little is known about how their production is affected by the cultivation environment, limiting the efficiency with which these compounds can be exploited. Therefore, we performed a pilot study on the effect of nutrient availability and light stress on the sterol content of Saccharina latissima, a rapid growing brown alga of increasing interest in western mariculture. Individuals of S. latissima were subjected to a nutrient-replete and nutrient-depleted regime for 5 weeks, followed by the introduction of light-limited and light-saturated conditions in the sixth week; sampling occurred each week. No significant inter-treatment differences were found in the sterol content in week 1–5. However, significant intra-treatment differences were found in weeks 3–5 regardless of nutrient treatment, wherein the fucosterol, 24-methylenecholesterol, and squalene contents of both treatment groups were found to correlate inversely with photosynthetic performance. Factorial treatment of differential nutrient availability and light stress resulted in marked differences between the sterol content of all groups in week 6. Here, squalene and cycloartenol increased in concentration with increasing irradiance regardless of nutrient treatment. Concentrations of all other sterolic components increased with increasing irradiance and low nutrient conditions while decreasing or remaining unchanged with increasing irradiance and high nutrient conditions. Our data shows that within our cultivation conditions and time frame, the sterol content of S. latissima is unaffected by nutrient availability alone but changes with combined alterations in irradiance and nutrient availability.

Graphical abstract
Thermal modification of wood—a review: chemical changes and hygroscopicity
Authors: Hill Callum , Altgen Michael , Rautkari Lauri
Published: January 2021

Thermal modification is a well-established commercial technology for improving the dimensional stability and durability of timber. Numerous reviews of thermally modified timber (TMT) are to be found in the scientific literature, but until now a review of the influence of cell wall moisture content during the modification process on the properties of TMT has been lacking. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the hygroscopic and dimensional behaviour of TMT modified under dry (cell wall at nearly zero moisture content) and wet (cell wall contains moisture) conditions. After an overview of the topic area, the review explores the literature on the thermal degradation of the polysaccharidic and lignin components of the cell wall, as well as the role of extractives. The properties of TMT modified under wet and dry conditions are compared including mass loss, hygroscopic behaviour and dimensional stability. The role of hydroxyl groups in determining the hygroscopicity is discussed, as well as the importance of considering the mobility of the cell wall polymers and crosslinking when interpreting sorption behaviour. TMT produced under wet processing conditions exhibits behaviour that changes when the wood is subjected to water leaching post-treatment, which includes further weight loss, changes in sorption behaviour and dimensional stability, but without any further change in accessible hydroxyl (OH) content. This raises serious questions regarding the role that OH groups play in sorption behaviour.

Graphical abstract
Quantum Statistical Learning via Quantum Wasserstein Natural Gradient
Authors: Becker Simon , Li Wuchen
Published: January 2021

In this article, we introduce a new approach towards the statistical learning problem $$\mathrm{argmin}_{\rho (\theta ) \in {\mathcal {P}}_{\theta }} W_{Q}^2 (\rho _{\star },\rho (\theta ))$$

argmin

ρ

(
θ
)

∈

P
θ

W

Q

2

(

ρ
⋆

,
ρ

(
θ
)

)

to approximate a target quantum state $$\rho _{\star }$$

ρ
⋆

by a set of parametrized quantum states $$\rho (\theta )$$

ρ
(
θ
)

in a quantum $$L^2$$

L
2

-Wasserstein metric. We solve this estimation problem by considering Wasserstein natural gradient flows for density operators on finite-dimensional $$C^*$$

C
∗

algebras. For continuous parametric models of density operators, we pull back the quantum Wasserstein metric such that the parameter space becomes a Riemannian manifold with quantum Wasserstein information matrix. Using a quantum analogue of the Benamou–Brenier formula, we derive a natural gradient flow on the parameter space. We also discuss certain continuous-variable quantum states by studying the transport of the associated Wigner probability distributions.
Interdisciplinary education and authentic development
Authors: Ciferri Alberto , Soldi Angelaurelio
Published: January 2021

Whereas economists do not traditionally address social harmony, and sociologists or political scientists do not usually tackle economic development, the interaction of social harmony and economic development has recently become an object of intense concern. In their aim to foster evolved rather than uprooted cultural values, the authors of this research note suggest an educational approach to promote the concept and the implementation of what they refer to as authentic development. They propose interdisciplinary courses that include notions of history, sociology and economy. Their methodology is based on two main resources: (1) a textbook providing a broad historical survey tracing the development of 28 nations in the Americas; and (2) analytical parameters related to the extent of social interaction and income generation.  Students carry out digital and group research and elaborate the conditions that generate social harmony, economic well-being and a better balance between them. The authors have already piloted their educational approach in four secondary schools in Antigua, Guatemala with 50 students aged 17–19. Most of them are now enrolled at local universities, but the impact of this course on their performance will only emerge over time.
Strong client orientation, little leverage in nonprofit firms?
Authors: Fedele Alessandro , Miniaci Raffaele , Tortia Ermanno
Published: January 2021

Nonprofit firms can be multi-stakeholder organizations, in which employees, clients, volunteers, public institutions, and funders can have formal or informal power to affect corporate strategy. This paper focuses on nonprofit firms’ orientation toward clients and investigates its role in shaping capital structure. We first develop a theoretical framework and derive conditions under which the relationship between leverage and client orientation—measured by how much nonprofit firms weigh clients’ utility relative to earnings—is either positive or first negative and then positive. We then provide an empirical analysis of social cooperatives in the Italian social care sector and find a negative relationship between leverage and client orientation—proxied by the ratio of voluntary workers to total workforce.
A multi-centre case series of alectinib-related erythrocyte membrane changes and associated haemolysis
Authors: Gullapalli Veena , Xu Wen , Lewis Craig R. , Anazodo Antoinette , Gerber Giselle Kidson
Published: January 2021

Alectinib is an orally bioavailable anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor indicated for ALK mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This case series documents the development of significant erythrocyte membrane changes associated with alectinib use in six patients. Morphological findings found on blood film examination include moderate-marked acanthocytes, spheroacanthocytes, and one case demonstrated moderate schistocytes. Two patients in this multi-centre case series developed grade 1 anaemia, and four patients developed grade 2 anaemia. Two patients suffered significant non-immune-related haemolysis. One patient had a co-existing β thalassaemia trait and required treatment cessation due to severe haemolysis. Low-grade anaemia was seen in 22% of patients using alectinib in the ALEX trial and 5% developed ≥ grade 3 anaemia. Alterations in erythrocyte morphology and membrane structure have not been reported in the safety data and clinical trials to date. Drug-induced acanthocytosis is a rare phenomenon and has previously been reported with high-dose prostaglandin administration only. This case series highlights this important laboratory finding with alectinib use and associated clinical sequelae. Alectinib-associated acanthocytosis is likely to be more prevalent than previously recognised. We also highlight the need for vigilance in haematopathology departments for unexpected laboratory findings associated with novel therapies. These findings can be detected in the post-marketing surveillance phase and may have serious clinical implications for patients.
Plagiarism in articles published in journals indexed in the Scientific Periodicals Electronic Library (SPELL): a comparative analysis between 2013 and 2018
Authors: Krokoscz Marcelo
Published: January 2021

This study analyzes the possible occurrence of plagiarism and self-plagiarism in a sample of articles published in the Scientific Periodicals Electronic Library (SPELL), an open database that indexes business journals in Brazil. The author compared one sample obtained in 2013 (n = 47 articles) and another selected from 2018 (n = 118 articles). In both samples, we verified the guidelines that each of the journals provided to authors regarding plagiarism and the adoption of software to detect textual similarities. In the analysis conducted in 2013, it was found that only one journal (2%) mentioned the word “plagiarism” in its policies, although the majority of the directives required guarantees that no type of violation of authors’ rights was contained in the manuscript. In the analysis conducted in 2013, it was determined that there were literal reproductions in 31 published articles (65.9%), and no relevant similarities with other publications were encountered in 16 articles (34.1%). In the 2018 analysis, 69 of the publications (58%) included observations and guidelines related to plagiarism and self-plagiarism. In the analysis conducted in 2018, it was found that similarities (plagiarism and self-plagiarism) occurred in 52 articles (44%), and no relevant evidence of plagiarism or self-plagiarism was found in 66 (56%) manuscripts. Although a reduction in the index of the occurrence of plagiarism was observed, as was an increase in the instructions on the prevention of plagiarism by authors, practices directed at guiding authors by means of directives concerning the importance of preventing plagiarism in manuscripts submitted for publication can be recommended.
Capacity Evaluation of AC/DC Hybrid Micro-grid-Distributed Generation Considering V2G
Authors: Gong Xuan , Li Wenyi
Published: January 2021

The increasing number of DC loads, such as electric vehicles (EVs), has resulted in micro-grid undergoing difficulty in satisfying the various demands of such loads. The study develops a multi-objective capacity optimization allocation model for hybrid micro-grid on the bases of users’ satisfaction and the orderly charging/discharging of EVs. The proposed model aims to reduce the cost of the capacity allocation of AC/DC hybrid micro-grid and improve users’ satisfaction. Particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to address the capacity optimization of hybrid micro-grid in EVs across scenarios. This study verified the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed capacity optimization model by comparing and analyzing the influence of capacity optimization on the orderly/disorderly charging/discharging of EVs and users’ satisfaction.
Applying Mathematical Optimization in Practice
Authors: Schulz Jens
Published: January 2021

Applying mathematical optimization (MO) in industry is still very often done by MO experts. In this contribution, we use an outside-in approach to describe the key requirements for optimization projects to be successfully instantiated within the businesses. We focus on the development and usage of decision support tools for operational, tactical, and strategic planning. They are to be used by business experts with little or no background in mathematical optimization. These people are still experts, e.g., in planning and managing complex supply chains or global production assets. While they are open to new tools and methods, in reality, many optimization projects fail to be handed over to them. We discuss the requirements and best practices for MO projects to overcome the underlying challenges. Several of the findings can be transferred to future applications of MO. These arise around the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), particularly focused on real-time applications, large, connected, and interdependent systems.
Development, (Dual) Citizenship and Its Discontents in Africa
Authors: Pailey Robtel Neajai
Published: January 2021

Drawing on rich oral histories from over two hundred in-depth interviews in West Africa, Europe, and North America, Robtel Neajai Pailey examines socio-economic change in Liberia, Africa's first black republic, through the prism of citizenship. Marking how historical policy changes on citizenship and contemporary public discourse on dual citizenship have impacted development policy and practice, she reveals that as Liberia transformed from a country of immigration to one of emigration, so too did the nature of citizenship, thus influencing claims for and against dual citizenship. In this engaging contribution to scholarly and policy debates about citizenship as a continuum of inclusion and exclusion, and development as a process of both amelioration and degeneration, Pailey develops a new model for conceptualising citizenship within the context of crisis-affected states. In doing so, she offers a postcolonial critique of the neoliberal framing of diasporas and donors as the panacea to post-war reconstruction.
Today's Medieval University
Authors: Toswell M. J.
Published: January 2021

Just how medieval is the modern university? From their medieval beginnings in Western Europe, universities have remained monolithic and static entities, renovating themselves just enough to avoid massive interventions by the state or the church. Like parliamentary democracies, they function just well enough that while feelings of despair are frequent, and anticipation of imminent collapse constant, they continue. In the modern era, as universities face a new set of challenges, this book asks if there is not some value in pondering the medieval university, and the continuities that exist as much as do the fractures.
Europe Byzantium and the "Intellectual Silence" of Rus Culture
Authors: Ostrowski Donald
Published: January 2021

This book sets out to answer the question of why Eastern Church writers showed no interest in analytical reasoning - the so-called 'intellectual silence' of Rus' culture - while Western Church writers, by the time of the Scholastics, routinely incorporated analytical reasoning into their defences of the faith.Donald Ostrowski suggests that Western, post-Enlightenment- trained, analytical scholars often miss the point, not because of an inability to comprehend cultural ideas which seem abstract and ineffable, but because the agenda is different.
States, firms, and security: How private actors implement sanctions, lessons learned from the Netherlands
Authors: Giumelli Francesco , Onderco Michal
Published: January 2021

While the current practice of the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, and the United States leans towards imposing only targeted sanctions in most of the cases, private actors often complain about inability to process financial transactions, ship goods, or deliver services in countries where sanctions targets are located. The impact of sanctions often ends up being widespread and indiscriminate because sanctions are implemented by for-profit actors. This article investigates how for-profit actors relate to the imposition of sanctions, how they reflect them in their decisions, and how they interact with the public authorities. The findings of our research show that for-profit actors, with the possible exception of the largest multinationals, do not engage with public authorities before the imposition of sanctions. The behaviour of for-profit actors in the implementation phase is in line with the assumption of firms and business as profit-maximisers. Weighting the profits from business against the costs of (non-)compliance and make the decisions that in their view maximise their profit. Indeed, de-risking seems to be the most common approach by the companies due to the uncertainties produced by the multiple and overlapping sanctions regimes imposed by the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States.
Trouble Genders: “LGBT” Collapse and Trans Fundamentality
Authors: Bey Marquis
Published: January 2021

This essay considers how deployments of the acronym “LGBT” often obscure and flatten the specificity of the terms the letters reference. Also of concern here is how the “T” might be the more fundamental letter, as reactions to “LGBT identity” are indexed in gender transgression, to which the “T” refers. I argue for holding the trouble of the acronym in the “T” and that the trans underlies how “LGBT,” as a marker of subjectivity or violence, becomes legible. To carry this out, the essay makes a parallel to how “LGBT” functions similarly to “people of color” as the terms obscure the fundamentality of the trans and the black, respectively; clarifies the distinction between queer and trans, and subsequently trans and transgender; and demonstrates how transphobic readings are integral to homophobic responses.
Beaten ballots: political participation dynamics amidst police interventions
Authors: Rodon Toni , Guinjoan Marc
Published: January 2021

What is the effect of violence on political mobilization? Taking the repression-mobilization nexus debate as a starting point, we study the effects of police interventions on political participation, focusing on the Spanish police crackdown on Catalonia's independence referendum on 1 October 2017. We analyze the effect of police actions on turnout using detailed aggregate data, as well as a survey conducted a few days after the referendum. The two empirical approaches show that police interventions had both deterrent and inverse spatial spillover effects. Although police raids had a local negative impact on turnout, they induced positive spillover effects in the surrounding areas. Our findings also indicate heterogeneity in the spatial dynamics, with police actions encouraging people to go to vote in nearby areas, but also mobilizing residents in neighboring areas to participate, especially those individuals with fewer incentives to turn out to vote.
Transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange (‘THRIVE’) in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: Hey S Y , Milligan P , Adamson R M , Nixon I J , McNarry A F
Published: January 2021

Background

Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange (‘THRIVE’) has been classified as a high-risk aerosol-generating procedure and is strongly discouraged, despite a lack of conclusive evidence on its safety.

Methods

This study aimed to investigate the safety of transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange usage and its impact on staff members. A prospective study was conducted on all transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange cases performed in our unit between March and July 2020.

Results

During the study period, 18 patients with a variety of airway pathologies were successfully managed with transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange. For each case, 7–10 staff members were present. Appropriate personal protective equipment protocols were strictly implemented and adhered to. None of the staff involved reported symptoms or tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019, up to at least a month following their exposure to transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange.

Conclusion

With strictly correct personal protective equipment use, transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange can be safely employed for carefully selected patients in the current pandemic, without jeopardising the health and safety of the ENT and anaesthetic workforce.
The relation between serum D-dimer, ferritin and vitamin D levels, and dysgeusia symptoms, in patients with coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Elibol E , Baran H
Published: January 2021

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum D-dimer, ferritin and vitamin D levels, and dysgeusia symptoms, in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Methods

The present study was conducted with the medical records of 300 patients positive for coronavirus disease 2019, hospitalised between 28 March and 15 August 2020. The patients were divided into two groups regarding the presence or absence of dysgeusia symptoms.

Results

Fever and sore throat rates, and the mean D-dimer level, were considerably higher in the dysgeusia group than in the non-dysgeusia group (32.1 vs 21.6 per cent, p = 0.04; 43.6 vs 20.7 per cent, p < 0.001; and 0.54 ± 0.32 vs 0.49 ± 0.51 mg/l FEU, p = 0.008, respectively). The mean age was significantly lower in the dysgeusia group than in the non-dysgeusia group (42.83 ± 12.31 vs 50.51 ± 13.67 years, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Younger age, fever and shortness of breath could be observed in patients with dysgeusia symptoms. In addition, the D-dimer level was significantly higher in the dysgeusia group.
Unveiling the dynamics of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae, through reproductive and population characteristics on the south-eastern coast of Brazil
Authors: Sousa Aline Nonato de , Bernardes Veronica Pereira , Bernardo Camila Hipolito , Teixeira Gustavo Monteiro , Marques Alexandre de Oliveira , Fransozo Adilson
Published: January 2021

We investigated the population dynamics of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae, focusing on the frequency distribution of individuals in size classes, sex ratio and the action of environmental variables (temperature, salinity, texture and organic matter content in the sediment) on reproduction and recruitment. Monthly collections were made in the Ubatuba region from January 1998 to December 2000. A total of 222 individuals were collected, including 123 juveniles (males and females), 43 adult males, 25 non-ovigerous adult females and 31 ovigerous females. Unlike most adult brachyurans, there was no significant size difference between sexes, and sexual dimorphism seems to be a varying characteristic for this crab genus. The reproductive period and recruitment were continuous with peaks that could be related to water mass dynamics and higher food availability in the Ubatuba region. In addition, our results increase knowledge about part of the life cycle of L. ferreirae, which could be useful for comparative studies.
Setaria cervi(Filarioidea, Onchocercidae) undressing in ungulates: altered morphology of developmental stages, their molecular detection and complete sequencecox1 gene
Authors: Lanková Sylva , Vejl Pavel , Melounová Martina , Čílová Daniela , Vadlejch Jaroslav , Miklisová Dana , Jankovská Ivana , Langrová Iva
Published: January 2021

This work introduces new morphological and molecular information on the filaroid nematodeSetaria cervi(Rudolphi, 1819) obtained from 13 infected game ungulates out of 96 dissected. The hosts comprised the following: a single moose (Alces alces), ten red deer (Cervus elaphus) and two sika deer (Cervus nippon) originating from the western and northern regions of the Czech Republic. Based on the complete sequences of the gene encoding mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), all 20 females and four males belonged to the speciesS. cervi. We detected three developmental female stages (adult fertile females, juvenile L5 females and L4 female larvae) differing in size and some morphological traits as the subtle structure of peribuccal crown and shape and features of tail knob. Such differences were described in detail for the first time. The phylogenetic relationships within the family Onchocercidae have been evaluated using new information on thecox1 sequence ofS. cervi(maximum likelihood method, GTR + I + G model). In accordance with the latest phylogenetic studies, the present analysis confirmed the ancient separation of the subclass Setariinae from the remaining two onchocercid lineages Dirofilariinae and Onchocerinae.
Is part of ageism actually ableism?
Authors: van der Horst Mariska , Vickerstaff Sarah
Published: January 2021

Ageism is a widely used term that is not (yet) well understood. We propose a redefinition of ageism and to separate it from ableism. We believe this to be important as remedies may depend on whether someone is experiencing ageism or ableism. While focusing the discussion on older workers as a sub-group of older people who (can) experience ageism, we assess the usefulness of critical (feminist) disability studies for ageism research. We hope that redefining ageism and analytically separating it from ableism (without suggesting that both concepts should be studied independently from one another) will provide guidance for researchers who study ageism and will allow for more specific policy guidance on how to solve difficulties experienced by older workers.
ADAM SMITH AND THE ORIGINS OF POLITICAL ECONOMY
Authors: Paganelli Maria Pia
Published: January 2021

The method of analysis Adam Smith uses is relatively similar to the method economics generally uses today, especially the subfield of experimental economics. The method of analysis that Smith uses is coherent and consistent throughout his whole work. He searches for constant variables and then sees what variables are changed by exogenous changes. In particular, Smith looks for the constancy in human nature, and analyzes how historical and material circumstances change the incentives that the constant human nature faces. This method, applied to human conduct in all its aspects, makes it easy for many economists today to see some continuity between Smith’s political economy and today’s economic science.
THE LEVELLERS AND THE BIRTH OF LIBERAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
Authors: Otteson James R.
Published: January 2021

When did liberal political theory, or perhaps liberal political economy, begin? Although many would trace their beginnings to the writings of Adam Smith, David Hume, or perhaps John Locke, in fact many of the propositions we today recognize as forming the core of liberalism were articulated in the first half of the seventeenth century by an unduly neglected group called the Levellers and their leader John Lilburne. In this essay, I first give some historical background and context to the Levellers and Lilburne. Next, I articulate several of their liberal positions, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of commerce and trade, and I examine their justifications for these positions, which I argue were both novel and radical. I conclude by exploring the contemporary relevance of the Levellers and argue that they should be considered as among liberalism’s most important founders.
POLITY AND ECONOMY IN PLATO’SREPUBLIC
Authors: Lomasky Loren
Published: January 2021

Although the architectonic of Plato’s best city is dazzling, some critics find its detailed prescriptions inimical to human freedom and well-being. Most notably, Karl Popper in The Open Society and its Enemies sees it as a proto-totalitarian recipe, choking all initiative and variety out of the citizenry. This essay does not directly respond to Popper’s critique but instead spotlights a strand in the dialogue that positions Plato as an advocate of regulatory relaxation and economic liberty to an extent otherwise unknown in the ancient world and by no means unopposed in ours. His contribution to liberal political economy thereby merits greater attention and respect.
Access to Justice in Higher Education: The Student as Consumer in China
Authors: Zhou Ling
Published: January 2021

With the massive expansion of higher education in China from the late 1990s onwards, private (“social”) forces have increasingly funded higher education institutions. In today's competitive and commercialized environment, private universities are under increasing pressure to make themselves more attractive to potential students. As a result, private HEIs sometimes resort to misleading marketing practices in order to entice prospective students and hike up tuition fees, despite often providing substandard education. The handling of student–university disputes by the courts and other bodies tends to remain administrative in nature. Students are to be regulated rather than seen as consumers with rights and interests to be protected. The system fails to provide adequate redress for the shoddy treatment and educational service that students in private institutions often receive. This paper suggests that a more “consumer welfare” approach would complement the current institutionally focused, academic administration approach found in mainland China today. Given the problems with many private HEIs in China, it would also reflect more realistically the needs of the emerging “student-consumer.”
DRAPING WOVEN SHEETS
Authors: HOWELL P. D. , OCKENDON H. , OCKENDON J. R.
Published: January 2021

Motivated by the manufacture of carbon fibre components, this paper considers the smooth draping of loosely woven fabric over rigid obstacles, both smooth and nonsmooth. The draped fabric is modelled as the continuum limit of a Chebyshev net of two families of short rigid rods that are freely pivoted at their joints. This approach results in a system of nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations whose characteristics are the fibres in the fabric. The analysis of this system gives useful information about the drapability of obstacles of many shapes and also poses interesting theoretical questions concerning well-posedness, smoothness and computability of the solutions.
Four-element MIMO antenna for X-band applications
Authors: Eslami Ali , Nourinia Javad , Ghobadi Changiz , Shokri Majid
Published: January 2021

This study presents a new design of a four-element multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna, which is suitable for X-band applications. The circular polarization (CP) operation in this work is attained by using Tai Chi-shaped patches and L-shaped feeds. The proposed four-element MIMO antenna achieves two resonant frequencies, the first one at around 7.75 GHz and the second one with CP radiation is at approximately 10.15 GHz frequency. The measured isolations between ports with 46.7 × 46.7 mm2 total dimensions are <−20 dB. Due to the experiments, the envelop correlation coefficient for the orthogonal and parallel ports of the proposed MIMO antenna is <0.003 and 0.005, respectively. Additionally, the presented antenna has a circularly polarized performance in the frequency band of 9.75–10.41 GHz and the average realized peak gain almost 2 dBic. The investigated antenna in this work is fabricated and tested in which the results are in a good agreement.
CME/Answers: Obstructive Sleep Apnea: How to Deal with Night- To-Night Variability of Respiratory Events?
Authors: Roeder Maurice , Schwarz Esther I. , Gaisl Thomas , Kohler Malcolm
Published: January 2021

Abstract.According to current recommendations, the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is established by a single-night sleep study. However, recent reports suggest a remarkable night-to-night variability of OSA severity. We report on a 76-year-old man with suspected OSA who underwent six sleep studies within 13 months. Sleep studies demonstrated a remarkable variability of respiratory events based on an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) varying between 1.1 and 43.1/h. There were no changes in body weight, alcohol intake, medication or comorbidities during the evaluation period. Due to diagnostic uncertainty and missing subjective benefit, the initially implemented CPAP therapy was stopped after one year of therapy. Considering night-to-night variability of OSA severity, single-night sleep studies might not be accurate enough in order to reliably diagnose or exclude OSA.
CME: Die erhöhte Kreatininkinase als diagnostischer Parameter der Rhabdomyolyse
Authors: Hadzalic Hasan , Herzog Aline , Keller Dagmar I.
Published: January 2021

Zusammenfassung. Erhöhte CK-Werte mit oder ohne Symptome sind abklärungsbedürftig, um mögliche Folgekomplikationen auszuschliessen. Eine ausreichende Hydrierung, Absetzen von möglichen auslösenden Medikamenten und Noxen und engmaschige Laborkontrollen sind dabei für den Outcome ausschlaggebend. Eine akute Rhabdomyolyse kann dabei diverse Ursachen haben, die allgemein in traumatisch und atraumatisch eingeteilt werden können. Bei rezidivierendem Auftreten müssen auch genetische oder autoimmunologische Krankheiten ausgeschlossen werden. Neben ausführlicher Anamnese, körperlicher Untersuchung, Labor- und Urinuntersuchung steht eine Vielzahl an Diagnostik zur Verfügung, diese sollte dabei gezielt eingesetzt werden. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, auf mögliche Abklärungsstrategien, Ursachen und Differenzialdiagnosen einer Erhöhung der Kreatininkinase und Rhabdomyolyse einzugehen. Dies illustrieren wir mit einem Fall.
Warmer Climates Speed Breakdown of Rocks
Authors: Lee Jack
Published: January 2021

Researchers listened to boulders for thousands of hours to investigate how they weathered.
Countering impaired glucose homeostasis during catch-up growth with essential polyunsaturated fatty acids: is there a major role for improved insulin sensitivity?
Authors: Calonne Julie , Marcelino Helena , Veyrat-Durebex Christelle , Scerri Isabelle , Dulloo Abdul G.
Published: January 2021

Background/Objectives

Catch-up growth, an important risk factor for later obesity and type 2 diabetes, is often characterized by a high rate of fat deposition associated with hyperinsulinemia and glucose intolerance. We tested here the hypothesis that refeeding on a high-fat diet rich in essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (ePUFA) improves glucose homeostasis primarily by enhancing insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscles and adipose tissues.

Methods

Rats were caloric restricted for 2 weeks followed by 1–2 weeks of isocaloric refeeding on either a low-fat (LF) diet, a high-fat (HF) diet based on animal fat and high in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (HF SMFA diet), or a HF diet based on vegetable oils (1:1 mixture of safflower and linseed oils) and rich in the essential fatty acids linoleic and α-linolenic acids (HF ePUFA diet). In addition to measuring body composition and a test of glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity was assessed during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps at the whole-body level and in individual skeletal muscles and adipose tissue depots.

Results

Compared to animals refed the LF diet, those refed the HF-SMFA diet showed a higher rate of fat deposition, higher plasma insulin and glucose responses during the test of glucose tolerance, and markedly lower insulin-stimulated glucose utilization at the whole body level (by a-third to a-half) and in adipose tissue depots (by 2–5 folds) during insulin clamps. While refeeding on the ePUFA diet prevented the increases in fat mass and in plasma insulin and glucose, the results of insulin clamps revealed that insulin-stimulated glucose utilization was not increased in skeletal muscles and only marginally higher in adipose tissues and at the whole-body level.

Conclusions

These results suggest only a minor role for enhanced insulin sensitivity in the mechanisms by which diets high in ePUFA improves glucose homeostasis during catch-up growth.
Neurotrophic factor-α1, a novel tropin is critical for the prevention of stress-induced hippocampal CA3 cell death and cognitive dysfunction in mice: comparison to BDNF
Authors: Xiao Lan , Sharma Vinay Kumar , Toulabi Leila , Yang Xuyu , Lee Cheol , Abebe Daniel , Peltekian Areg , Arnaoutova Irina , Lou Hong , Loh Y. Peng
Published: January 2021

Stress leads to brain pathology including hippocampal degeneration, cognitive dysfunction, and potential mood disorders. Hippocampal CA3, a most stress-vulnerable region, consists of pyramidal neurons that regulate cognitive functions e.g. learning and memory. These CA3 neurons express high levels of the neuroprotective protein, neurotrophic factor-α1 (NF-α1), also known as carboxypeptidase E (CPE), and receive contacts from granule cell projections that release BDNF which has neuroprotective activity. Whether NF-α1-CPE and/or BDNF are critical in protecting these CA3 neurons against severe stress-induced cell death is unknown. Here we show that social combined with the physical stress of maternal separation, ear tagging, and tail snipping at weaning in 3-week-old mice lacking NF-α1-CPE, led to complete hippocampal CA3 degeneration, despite having BDNF and active phosphorylated TrkB receptor levels similar to WT animals. Mice administered TrkB inhibitor, ANA12 which blocked TrkB phosphorylation showed no degeneration of the CA3 neurons after the weaning stress paradigm. Furthermore, transgenic knock-in mice expressing CPE-E342Q, an enzymatically inactive form, replacing NF-α1-CPE, showed no CA3 degeneration and exhibited normal learning and memory after the weaning stress, unlike NF-α1-CPE-KO mice. Mechanistically, we showed that radio-labeled NF-α1-CPE bound HT22 hippocampal cells in a saturable manner and with high affinity (Kd = 4.37 nM). Subsequently, treatment of the HT22cpe−/− cells with NF-α1-CPE or CPE-E342Q equivalently activated ERK signaling and increased BCL2 expression to protect these neurons against H2O2-or glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. Our findings show that NF-α1-CPE is more critical compared to BDNF in protecting CA3 pyramidal neurons against stress-induced cell death and cognitive dysfunction, independent of its enzymatic activity.
Towards in vivo imaging of functionally active 5-HT1A receptors in schizophrenia: concepts and challenges
Authors: Razakarivony Oriane , Newman-Tancredi Adrian , Zimmer Luc
Published: January 2021

The serotonin 5-HT1A receptor has attracted wide attention as a target for treatment of psychiatric disorders. Although this receptor is important in the pharmacological mechanisms of action of new-generation antipsychotics, its characterization remains incomplete. Studies based on in vitro molecular imaging on brain tissue by autoradiography, and more recently in vivo PET imaging, have not yielded clear results, in particular due to the limitations of current 5-HT1A radiotracers, which lack specificity and/or bind to all 5-HT1A receptors, regardless of their functional status. The new concept of PET neuroimaging of functionally active G-protein-coupled receptors makes it possible to revisit PET brain exploration by enabling new research paradigms. For the 5-HT1A receptor it is now possible to use [18F]-F13640, a 5-HT1A receptor radioligand with high efficacy agonist properties, to specifically visualize and quantify functionally active receptors, and to relate this information to subjects’ pathophysiological or pharmacological state. We therefore propose imaging protocols to follow changes in the pattern of functional 5-HT1A receptors in relation to mood deficits or cognitive processes. This could allow improved discrimination of different schizophrenia phenotypes and greater understanding of the basis of therapeutic responses to antipsychotic drugs. Finally, as well as targeting functionally active receptors to gain insights into the role of 5-HT1A receptors, the concept can also be extended to the study of other receptors involved in the pathophysiology or therapy of psychiatric disorders.
Chronic unpredictable mild stress produces depressive-like behavior, hypercortisolemia, and metabolic dysfunction in adolescent cynomolgus monkeys
Authors: Teng Teng , Shively Carol A. , Li Xuemei , Jiang Xiaofeng , Neigh Gretchen N. , Yin Bangmin , Zhang Yuqing , Fan Li , Xiang Yajie , Wang Mingyang , Liu Xueer , Qin Mengchang , Zhou Xinyu , Xie Peng
Published: January 2021

Adolescent depression is a common and serious mental disorder with unique characteristics that are distinct from adult depression. The adult non-human primate stress-induced model of depressive-like behavior is an excellent model for the study of mechanisms; however, an adolescent nonhuman primate model is still lacking. Ten male adolescent cynomolgus monkeys were divided into a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS, n = 5) group and a control (CON, n = 5) group by age and weight-matched pairs. The CUMS group was exposed to multiple unpredictable mild stressors for five cycles over 55 days. At baseline, there were no differences between CUMS and CON groups. At endpoint, the CUMS group demonstrated significantly higher depressive-like behavior (huddle posture), and significantly lower locomotion compared with the CON group. Furthermore, depressive-like behavior increased from baseline to endpoint in the CUMS group, but not changed in the CON group. In the attempt for apple test, the CUMS group made significantly fewer attempts for the apple than the CON group. In the human intruder test, the CUMS group showed significantly higher anxiety-like behaviors in the stare phase than the CON group. Hair cortisol level was significantly higher in the CUMS group than the CON group at endpoint, and was also elevated from baseline to endpoint. Metabolic profiling of plasma at endpoint identified alterations in metabolite pathways which overlapped with those of adolescent depression patients. CUMS can induce depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors, hypercortisolemia, and metabolic perturbations in adolescent cynomolgus monkeys. This is a promising model to study the mechanisms underlying adolescent depression.
Transcription factor 4 and its association with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Teixeira José R. , Szeto Ryan A. , Carvalho Vinicius M. A. , Muotri Alysson R. , Papes Fabio
Published: January 2021

The human transcription factor 4 gene (TCF4) encodes a helix–loop–helix transcription factor widely expressed throughout the body and during neural development. Mutations in TCF4 cause a devastating autism spectrum disorder known as Pitt–Hopkins syndrome, characterized by a range of aberrant phenotypes including severe intellectual disability, absence of speech, delayed cognitive and motor development, and dysmorphic features. Moreover, polymorphisms in TCF4 have been associated with schizophrenia and other psychiatric and neurological conditions. Details about how TCF4 genetic variants are linked to these diseases and the role of TCF4 during neural development are only now beginning to emerge. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the functions of TCF4 and its protein products at both the cellular and organismic levels, as well as a description of pathophysiological mechanisms associated with this gene.
Cholinergic modulation of disorder-relevant human defensive behaviour in generalised anxiety disorder
Authors: Perkins Adam , Patrick Fiona , Wise Toby , Meyer Nicholas , Mazibuko Ndaba , Oates Alice E. , van der Bijl Anne H. M. , Danjou Philippe , O’Connor Susan M. , Doolin Elizabeth , Wooldridge Caroline , Rathjen Deborah , Macare Christine , Williams Steven C. R. , Young Allan H.
Published: January 2021

Drugs that are clinically effective against anxiety disorders modulate the innate defensive behaviour of rodents, suggesting these illnesses reflect altered functioning in brain systems that process threat. This hypothesis is supported in humans by the discovery that the intensity of threat-avoidance behaviour is altered by the benzodiazepine anxiolytic lorazepam. However, these studies used healthy human participants, raising questions as to their validity in anxiety disorder patients, as well as their generalisability beyond GABAergic benzodiazepine drugs. BNC210 is a novel negative allosteric modulator of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and we recently used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to show it reduced amygdala responses to fearful faces in generalised anxiety disorder patients. Here we report the effect of BNC210 on the intensity of threat-avoidance behaviour in 21 female GAD patients from the same cohort. We used the Joystick Operated Runway Task as our behavioural measure, which is a computerised human translation of the Mouse Defense Test Battery, and the Spielberger state anxiety inventory as our measure of state affect. Using a repeated-measures, within-subjects design we assessed the effect of BNC210 at two dose levels versus placebo (300 mg and 2000 mg) upon two types of threat-avoidance behaviour (Flight Intensity and Risk Assessment Intensity). We also tested the effects of 1.5 mg of the benzodiazepine lorazepam as an active control. BNC210 significantly reduced Flight Intensity relative to placebo and the low dose of BNC210 also significantly reduced self-reported state anxiety. Risk Assessment Intensity was not significantly affected. Results show both human defensive behaviour and state anxiety are influenced by cholinergic neurotransmission and there provide converging evidence that this system has potential as a novel target for anxiolytic pharmacotherapy.
Knockout serotonin transporter in rats moderates outcome and stimulus generalization
Authors: Guo Chao Ciu-Gwok , He Tao , Grandjean Joanes , Homberg Judith
Published: January 2021

Understanding the common dimension of mental disorders (such as anxiety, depression, and drug addiction) might contribute to the construction of biological frameworks (Research Domain Criteria, RDoC) for novel ways of treatment. One common dimension at the behavioral level observed across these disorders is a generalization. Testing generalization in serotonin transporter (5-HTT) knockout (KO) rats, an animal model showing depression/anxiety-like behaviors and drug addiction-like behaviors, could therefore provide more insights into this framework. We tested the outcome and stimulus generalization in wild-type (WT) and 5-HTT KO rats. Using a newly established touchscreen-based task, subjects directly responded to visual stimuli (Gabor patch images). We measured the response time and outcome in a precise manner. We found that 5-HTT KO rats processed visual information faster than WT rats during outcome generalization. Interestingly, during stimulus generalization, WT rats gradually responded faster to the stimuli as the sessions progressed, while 5-HTT KO rats responded faster than WT in the initial sessions and did not change significantly as the sessions progressed. This observation suggests that KO rats, compared to WT rats, may be less able to update changes in information. Taken together, KO 5-HTT modulates information processing when the environment changes.