bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel homozygous nonsense NDNF variant in Kallmann syndrome
Authors: Kotan Leman Damla , Yildiz Melek , Turan Ihsan , Celiloglu Can , Yuksel Bilgin , Topaloglu Ali Kemal
Published: December 2022

Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a rare genetic disease characterized by pubertal failure and olfactory defects. Although many genes associated with KS have been reported, most are rare. Recently, heterozygous inactivating mutations in the neuron‐derived neurotrophic factor gene (NDNF) were reported to cause KS. Here, we present a 14‐year‐old Kurdish boy with KS who has a novel homozygous nonsense c.1251C>A (p.Tyr417Ter) variant in NDNF. The variant was not observed in reference population databases and was predicted to be deleterious. Segregation analysis performed with Sanger sequencing indicated the autosomal recessive inheritance of the clinical phenotype. His heterozygous parents have experienced timely pubertal development and normal reproductive features. This study reported the first homozygous truncating NDNF variant, enabling the direct observation of the clinical consequences of predictively absent NDNF function. These results support the contention that the inactivating mutations in NDNF cause KS, and provide additional evidence for the complex inheritance of KS.
Benign goiters requiring thyroidectomy as the signal for PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome diagnosis
Authors: Wang Xia , Moore Colin , Bao Yong
Published: December 2022

PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) is a rare genetic cancer and tumor predisposition syndrome. Due to the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and variable age at onset, the pathways leading to a PHTS diagnosis are difficult and highly variable. Many patients were found to have PHTS after a cancer diagnosis, missing the opportunity of prevention or enhanced cancer screening. This retrospective study evaluated a PHTS cohort followed in a high‐risk surveillance clinic in a comprehensive cancer institution. A significant portion of the patients (60.9%, 14/23) had at least one cancer diagnosis (average age 34.6 years at diagnosis). A significant portion (78.3%, 18/23) were affected with clinically significant goiters (age 27.9 years), and many (60.9%, 14/23) had partial or total thyroidectomy (age 27.1 years). The average age at goiter diagnosis or thyroidectomy is younger than a cancer diagnosis. In 12 individuals who were affected with clinically significant goiter and cancer, all cancers were diagnosed after the thyroid disease (6.3 years). As clinically significant thyroid nodules in childhood or early young adulthood are common in PHTS, but uncommon for general population, these early onset thyroid nodules may alert the clinician to initiate PHTS‐targeted evaluation and genetic testing.
Engineering of Interfaces with Tetrahedra DNA Nanostructures for Biosensing Applications
Authors: Xuan Jinnan , Wang Zhen , Xiao Mingshu , Pei Hao
Published: December 2022

The probe‐target interactions in the interfaces are significantly critical to biosensing. However, the disordered arrangement of probes and nonspecific adsorption of proteins in the biosensing interfaces for conventional biosensors often restricted the accessibility and recognition efficiency of probes towards targets, leading to poor detection performances (e. g., sensitivity and selectivity). Engineering of biosensing interfaces with functional molecules or nanomaterials has provided a promising molecular toolkit for enhanced accessibility and efficient recognition of biosensing probes. Among them, DNA has been an appealing material for interface engineering, because of its unique merits of biocompatible, predictable hybridization, and unparallel self‐assembly ability. In particular, employing tetrahedra DNA nanostructures (TDNs) to engineer interfaces has been a powerful means to improve biosensor performance. Here, this review introduces the recent progress in TDN‐based interface engineering. Then, we summarize the roles of TDNs in tailoring the properties of different interfaces, including electrode surface, channel surface, cell surface, etc., and highlight their biosensing applications. Finally, scientific challenges and future perspectives of TDN‐engineered biosensing interface are also discussed.
Characteristics and sensory assessment of extra virgin olive oils produced in two different zones of Brazil
Authors: Garavaglia Juliano , da Costa Jadson Romualdo Oliveira , Menezes Rafaella Câmara Rocha , Dal Bosco Simone Morelo , Machado Isabel Cristina Kasper , Olivares Merino Inmaculada , Sánchez Villasclaras Sebastián
Published: December 2022

The Brazilian olive oil production has been growing in recent decades and largest plantations are on two different zones, from Serra da Mantiqueira (states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo) and Campanha Gaúcha (state of Rio Grande do Sul). The total planted area, in 2022, reached approximately 6500 hectares. The aim of the present study was to characterize the sensory and analytical parameters of extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) from Southwestern (Serra da Mantiqueira) and Southern (Campanha Gaúcha) Brazil regions. Twenty‐two EVOO samples were obtained from different cultivars of unlike regions. Quality parameters, oxidative stability, phenolic compounds ortho‐diphenols and fatty acids were analyzed and relationships with olive variety or region. From the chemical perspective, the EVOO exhibited all parameters within the necessary to be qualified as extra virgin, according to international standard definitions. All samples showed a good quality of sensory perceptions and a high level of polyphenols, which are varied among samples but was more intense in Campanha Gaúcha olive oils.
Structural and functional analyses of GH51 alpha‐L‐arabinofuranosidase of Geobacillus vulcani GS90 reveal crucial residues for catalytic activity and thermostability
Authors: Sürmeli Yusuf , Şanlı‐Mohamed Gülşah
Published: December 2022

Alpha‐L‐arabinofuranosidase (Abf) is of big interest in various industrial areas. Directed evolution is a powerful strategy to identify significant residues underlying Abf properties. Here, six active variants from GH51 Abf of Geobacillus vulcani GS90 (GvAbf) by directed evolution were overproduced, extracted, and analyzed at biochemical and structural levels. According to the activity and thermostability results, the most‐active and the least‐active variants were found as GvAbf51 and GvAbf52, respectively. GvAbf63 variant was more active than parent GvAbf by 20% and less active than GvAbf51. Also, the highest thermostability belonged to GvAbf52 with 80% residual activity after 1 h. Comparative sequence and structure analyses revealed that GvAbf51 possessed L307S displacement. Thus, this study suggested that L307 residue may be critical for GvAbf activity. GvAbf63 had H30D, Q90H, and L307S displacements, and H30 was covalently bound to E29 catalytic residue. Thus, H30D may decrease the positive effect of L307S on GvAbf63 activity, preventing E29 action. Besides, GvAbf52 possessed S215N, L307S, H473P, and G476C substitutions and S215 was close to E175 (acid–base residue). S215N may partially disrupt E175 action. Overall effect of all substitutions in GvAbf52 may result in the formation of the C–C bond between C171 and C213 by becoming closer to each other.
Improving Electrochemical Activity of P2‐type Na2/3Mn2/3Ni1/3O2 by Controlling its Crystallinity
Authors: Kataoka Riki , Taguchi Noboru , Tada Kohei , Machida Akihiko , Takeichi Nobuhiko
Published: December 2022

Layered P2‐type Na containing manganese‐nickel oxide (Na2/3(Mn2/3Ni1/3)O2) materials show relatively higher electrochemical capacity. The electrochemical performance of Na2/3(Mn2/3Ni1/3)O2 decreases during cycling when more than 1/2 of Na was extracted owing to the structural change with large volume change and oxygen emission. We found that smaller crystallite size and introduction of the defects at transition metal site of Na2/3(Mn2/3Ni1/3)O2 plays a key role to improve its cycling performance. The structural analysis observations using X‐ray total scattering analysis, X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), revealed that the length and numbers of stacks of the MO2 layers were shortened and decreased, respectively, compared to that of P2‐type layered Na2/3(Mn2/3Ni1/3)O2. This short‐range ordering of the layered structure restricts the structural change during cycling resulting in mitigating large volume changes. Moreover, the metal defects at the transition metal site of the Na2/3(Mn2/3Ni1/3)O2 increases the contribution of the oxygen redox which confirmed by the density functional theory calculation, without showing significant overpotential and capacity fading during cycling.
Impact of silica pore structure on the performance of metallocene catalysts in ethylene gas‐phase polymerization
Authors: Bolner Felipe Morais , Blazzio Yashmin Rafante , Lara Bárbara Rezende , Machado Fabricio , McKenna Timothy F. L.
Published: December 2022

Several commercial silicas were used to support metallocene active centres, and the resulting precatalysts were used to study the impact of the pore size and pore size distribution of the support on the polymerization kinetics and resulting polymer properties. Pore volume distribution played a major role in the fragmentation of silica‐supported catalysts, where mesoporous silicas with a narrow distribution in the region obtained higher activities and faster fragmentation than silicas with a broad pore volume distribution. Therefore, it is shown that care must be taken when using standard information on particle porosity, as this quantity can be misleading. It appears that the minimum pore size, particularly on the particle surface, can be a very important parameter even if it does not impact the estimate of the porosity.
Deep ecomorphological and genetic divergence in Steller's Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri, Aves: Corvidae)
Authors: Cicero Carla , Mason Nicholas A. , Oong Zheng , Title Pascal O. , Morales Melissa E. , Feldheim Kevin A. , Koo Michelle S. , Bowie Rauri C. K.
Published: December 2022

The relationship between ecology and morphology is a cornerstone of evolutionary biology, and quantifying variation across environments can shed light on processes that give rise to biodiversity. Three morphotypes of the Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) occupy different ecoregions in western North America, which vary in climate and landcover. These morphotypes (Coastal, Interior, Rocky Mountain) differ in size, plumage coloration, and head pattern. We sampled 1080 Steller's Jays from 68 populations (plus 11 outgroups) to address three main questions using data on morphology, plumage, genetics (mtDNA, microsatellites), and ecological niches: (1) How do phenotypic and genetic traits vary within and among populations, morphotypes, and ecoregions? (2) How do population‐level differences in Steller's Jays compare with other sister species pairs of North American birds? (3) What can we infer about the population history of Steller's Jays in relation to past climates, paleoecology, and niche evolution? We found substantial morphological, genetic, and ecological differentiation among morphotypes. The greatest genetic divergence separated Coastal and Interior morphotypes from the Rocky Mountain morphotype, which was associated with warmer, drier, and more open habitats. Microsatellites revealed additional structure between Coastal and Interior groups. The deep mtDNA split between Coastal/Interior and Rocky Mountain lineages of Steller's Jay (ND2 ~ 7.8%) is older than most North American avian sister species and dates to approximately 4.3 mya. Interior and Rocky Mountain morphotypes contact across a narrow zone with steep clines in traits and reduced gene flow. The distribution of the three morphotypes coincides with divergent varieties of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Species distribution models support multiple glacial refugia for Steller's Jays. Our integrative dataset combined with extensive geographic sampling provides compelling evidence for recognizing at least two species of Steller's Jay.
Defining biologically relevant and hierarchically nested population units to inform wildlife management
Authors: O'Donnell Michael S. , Edmunds David R. , Aldridge Cameron L. , Heinrichs Julie A. , Monroe Adrian P. , Coates Peter S. , Prochazka Brian G. , Hanser Steve E. , Wiechman Lief A.
Published: December 2022

Wildlife populations are increasingly affected by natural and anthropogenic changes that negatively alter biotic and abiotic processes at multiple spatiotemporal scales and therefore require increased wildlife management and conservation efforts. However, wildlife management boundaries frequently lack biological context and mechanisms to assess demographic data across the multiple spatiotemporal scales influencing populations. To address these limitations, we developed a novel approach to define biologically relevant subpopulations of hierarchically nested population levels that could facilitate managing and conserving wildlife populations and habitats. Our approach relied on the Spatial “K”luster Analysis by Tree Edge Removal clustering algorithm, which we applied in an agglomerative manner (bottom‐to‐top). We modified the clustering algorithm using a workflow and population structure tiers from least‐cost paths, which captured biological inferences of habitat conditions (functional connectivity), dispersal capabilities (potential connectivity), genetic information, and functional processes affecting movements. The approach uniquely included context of habitat resources (biotic and abiotic) summarized at multiple spatial scales surrounding locations with breeding site fidelity and constraint‐based rules (number of sites grouped and population structure tiers). We applied our approach to greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of conservation concern, across their range within the western United States. This case study produced 13 hierarchically nested population levels (akin to cluster levels, each representing a collection of subpopulations of an increasing number of breeding sites). These closely approximated population closure at finer ecological scales (smaller subpopulation extents with fewer breeding sites; cluster levels ≥2), where >92% of individual sage‐grouse's time occurred within their home cluster. With available population monitoring data, our approaches can support the investigation of factors affecting population dynamics at multiple scales and assist managers with making informed, targeted, and cost‐effective decisions within an adaptive management framework. Importantly, our approach provides the flexibility of including species‐relevant context, thereby supporting other wildlife characterized by site fidelity.
Setting up of a hospital Covid‐19 vaccination center: A descriptive study
Authors: Wise Scarlett , Lanternier Fanny , Cotteret Camille , Chasport Céline , Juin‐Leonard Virginie , Cantat Amélie , Scemla Anne , Delage Claire , Mantz Barbara , Telion Caroline , Carli Pierre , Frange Pierre , Cisternino Salvatore
Published: December 2022

Background and Aims

The coronavirus pandemic challenged countries worldwide in a race against contaminations and variants. Vaccination campaigns were the answer to such an infectious spread. This descriptive study presents the organizational process of the setting up of a Covid‐19 vaccination center in a French University Hospital in January 2021, the issues encountered along the way and assessment of adaptability.

Methods

Three major stakeholders: SARS CoV‐2 crisis referent, referring vaccination medical doctor and referring vaccination pharmacist retraced key moments and identified issues encountered during the setting up of the vaccination center and its long term maintenance, threw a series of meetings. Records of crisis and periodic meetings that took place threw out the vaccination campaign were consulted.

Results

A multidisciplinary crisis steering committee with nine different professionals was created January 3. Logistics for the vaccination center opening were discussed: location, informatics, appointment‐scheduling, pharmaceutical circuit, internal circuit, human resources, and information communication. The vaccination center was ready to welcome healthcare workers in less than 24 h on January 4. The first month, 2757 1st shots were administered, leading up to a total of 9167 1st shots during 6 months of activity. From January to June 2021, the multidisciplinary group dealt and adapted its processes to challenging and unexpected situations. Indeed, issues encountered with Pfizer BioNTech's and AstraZeneca's vaccine, were: supply shortages, vaccine manipulation, targeted populations, pharmacovigilance, and general communication.

Conclusion

This descriptive study provides an exclusive insight on how a hospital vaccination center was organized and adapted during Covid‐19 pandemic to ensure healthcare workers' security and resilience, and to protect high risk patients of severe Covid‐19 infection.
Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis after combination therapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab for postoperative pancreatic and liver metastases from renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Nishimura Yuki , Yamanaka Kazuaki , Kato Taigo , Hatano Koji , Kawashima Atsunari , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Uemura Motohide , Imamura Ryoichi , Nonomura Norio
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Since the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors for renal cell carcinoma treatment, therapeutic efficacy has been enhanced. However, although autoimmune‐related side effects may occur, rheumatoid immune‐related adverse events seldom develop.

Case presentation

A 78‐year‐old Japanese man with renal cell carcinoma developed pancreatic and liver metastases after bilateral partial nephrectomy and was treated with ipilimumab and nivolumab. After 22 months, he developed arthralgia in limbs and knee joints, accompanied by limb swelling. The diagnosis was seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Nivolumab was discontinued, and prednisolone was initiated, quickly improving symptoms. Although nivolumab was resumed after 2 months, arthritis did not recur.

Conclusion

Immune checkpoint inhibitors may cause a wide variety of immune‐related adverse events. When arthritis is encountered during immune checkpoint inhibitor administration, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis should be differentiated from other types of arthritis, despite being less frequent.
Stage‐dependent localization of F‐actin and Na+/K+‐ATPase in zebrafish embryos detected using optimized cryosectioning immunostaining protocol
Authors: Karaica Dean , Mihaljević Ivan , Vujica Lana , Bošnjak Arvena , Dragojević Jelena , Otten Cecile , Babić Nency , Lončar Jovica , Smital Tvrtko
Published: December 2022

The increasing use of the zebrafish model in biomedical and (eco)toxicological studies aimed at understanding the function of various proteins highlight the importance of optimizing existing methods to study gene and protein expression and localization in this model. In this context, zebrafish cryosections are still underutilized compared with whole‐mount preparations. In this study, we used zebrafish embryos (24–120 hpf) to determine key factors for the preparation of high‐quality zebrafish cryosections and to determine the optimal protocol for (immuno)fluorescence analyses of Na+/K+‐ATPase and F‐actin, across developmental stages from 1 to 5 dpf. The results showed that the highest quality zebrafish cryosections were obtained after the samples were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) for 1 h, incubated in 2.5% bovine gelatin/25% sucrose mixture, embedded in OCT, and then sectioned to 8 μm thickness at −20°C. Fluorescence microscopy analysis of phalloidin‐labeled zebrafish skeletal muscle revealed that 1‐h‐4% PFA‐fixed samples allowed optimal binding of phalloidin to F‐actin. Further immunofluorescence analyses revealed detailed localization of F‐actin and Na+/K+‐ATPase in various tissues of the zebrafish and a stage‐dependent increase in their respective expression in the somitic muscles and pronephros. Finally, staining of zebrafish cryosections and whole‐mount samples revealed organ‐specific and zone‐dependent localizations of the Na+/K+‐ATPase α1‐subunit.

Research Highlights

This study brings optimization of existing protocols for preparation and use of zebrafish embryos cryosections in (immuno)histological analyses. It reveals stage‐dependent localization/expression of F‐actin and Na+/K+‐ATPase in zebrafish embryos.
Immune and stress physiology of two captively‐housed tortoise species
Authors: Hartzheim Alyssa M. , Terry Jennifer L. , Field Emily K. , Haydt Natalie T. , Poo Sinlan , Neuman‐Lee Lorin A.
Published: December 2022

Ecoimmunology affords us the ability to better understand immunological processes through consideration of external factors, such as the thermal microenvironment. This consideration is imperative when examining the immunological processes of ectothermic organisms like reptiles. Reptiles uniquely rely heavily on their innate immune function but remain poorly understood in immunological studies. In this study, we examined innate immunity in two zoo‐housed tortoise species, the Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans, Schoepff, 1795) and northern spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides brygooi, Vuillemin & Domergue, 1972). Bacterial killing assays (BKAs) were optimized and used to assess the monthly immunocompetence of these tortoises to three different bacteria: Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Staphylococcus aureus. We evaluated differences in blood biochemistry values (lactate and glucose) among months and species as well as fecal corticosterone (CORT) between species. Lastly, we examined the potential influences of individual thermal microenvironments on bactericidal ability. Both G. elegans and P. a. brygooi demonstrated immunocompetence against all bacterial challenges, but only bactericidal ability against E. coli varied over months. Optimal BKA serum dilutions, blood glucose levels, and fecal CORT concentrations differed between the two species. Finally, there was evidence that the thermal microenvironment influenced the tortoises’ bactericidal ability against E. coli. Through use of nonmodel organisms, such as tortoises, we are given insight into the inner workings of innate immunity and a better understanding of the complexities of the vertebrate immune system.
血糖2,105mg/dLを呈した糖尿病性ケトアシドーシスによる心静止に対し，脳酸素飽和度測定とVA ECMO導入にて神経学的後遺症なく救命した1症例(A case of cardiac arrest due to diabetic ketoacidosis with blood glucose of 2,105mg/dL was saved without neurological deficits by measurement of cerebral oxygen saturation and introduction of VA ECMO)
Authors: 将樹 長間 , 恒 鹿野 , 祐貴 安武 , 将敬 大平 , 広一 大西 , 美希 向井 , 秀明 吉原
Published: December 2022

糖尿病性ケトアシドーシス（DKA）はインスリンの作用不足を原因とし，高血糖，ケトン体の上昇により代謝性アシドーシスが進行し，高カリウム血症により心停止に至る可能性がある。DKAにて心肺停止に陥った若年者に対し，早期にECPRを実施することにより神経学的後遺症なく蘇生された症例を報告する。35歳，女性。1型糖尿病であり持続皮下インスリン注入療法を行っていた。意識障害で発見され，救急車内収容後にasystoleとなり，直ちに心肺蘇生が開始されたが，当院に到着後もasystoleが持続していた。脳酸素飽和度が高値を示していたためVA ECMOを導入し，同時に体温管理療法も開始。その後，血糖2,105mg/dLと著明な高血糖が判明し，また，尿中ケトン体（＋）の結果も含めてDKAによる心停止と診断した。心拍再開後，代謝性アシドーシスおよび血清カリウム値の補正を行い，循環状態が改善したため同日VA ECMOを離脱した。第5病日には意識が回復し，神経学的後遺症は見られず，第13病日に糖尿病内科に転科した。DKAによる心肺停止に対する早期のECPRは神経学的予後の面でも効果的である。蘇生に対するECPR実施は心電図波形により検討される傾向にあるが，心電図波形に関わらず脳酸素飽和度はそのECPR実施決定の一助となるかもしれない。
Development of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy evidence swabs using a silver nanoparticle biosynthesis for the detection of animal blood
Authors: Bruner Erin , Monjardez Geraldine
Published: December 2022

Identifying the type of body fluid recovered from crime scenes before DNA typing may be critical to qualify its relevancy to the case. Presumptive tests are often used first to detect blood traces; however, they require confirmation, are destructive, and are susceptible to false positives. This study aims to develop a method of collection and identification for nonhuman blood using biosynthesized SERS swabs as a more accurate, specific, and nondestructive detection technique. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized directly on nylon swabs using a biosynthesis reaction and curcumin as the reducing agent to form the nanoparticles. The detection of bovine blood was investigated by analyzing decreasing volumes of blood swabbed with the surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) swabs. Although swabbing 30 and 20 μl of blood resulted in the most resolved spectra, swabbing 10 μl of blood still produced identifiable peaks. Wetted swabs were used to analyze dried bovine bloodstains on cotton fabrics and glass slides: The spectra collected when swabbing the bloodstain on the glass sides had a higher signal‐to‐noise ratio than on fabrics. The SERS swabs were subsequently used to collect and analyze horse and sheep blood. Although Raman bands characteristic of blood were identifiable for each specie, showing that the SERS swabs allowed the successful detection of the three animal blood species, the spectra from the three species could not be differentiated. This study demonstrates the efficiency of the biosynthesis to grow nanoparticles on the swabs and shows their viability to be used as SERS substrates to collect and identify animal blood.
Mapping the hair density, thickness, and volume in normal and androgenetic alopecia subjects with the digital microscope
Authors: Chang W. C. , Chen K. Y. , Cheng S. Y. , Hsu C. K. , Yang C. C.
Published: December 2022

Background

Scalp hair density and hair diameters were the two key parameters to the diagnosis of hair loss diseases, including androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

Objectives

To comprehensively map the hair density and the ratio of terminal‐to‐vellus hair numbers (T/V ratio) on different scalp sites in subjects of different genders, ages, body mass index, and stages of AGA. The impact of the two parameters on visual perception of the hair volume was evaluated.

Methods

Normal and AGA subjects of both genders were included. Trichosopic pictures were taken by a hand‐held digital microscope at the 11 designed anatomical sites on the scalp and the hair density and T/V ratio were measured based on the pictures. The T/V ratio was defined as the ratio of non‐vellus (terminal or intermediate) hair count to vellus hair count.

Results

In subjects with normal scalp (n = 49), the hair density and T/V ratio were highest at the parietal and vertex sites in men and women, respectively. In AGA subjects (n = 111), the hair density was significantly decreased at the frontal, parietal and vertex sites in both genders. The hair density at the occipital sites was not significantly changed in alopecia subjects of both genders, but in female alopecia subjects the occipital hair density showed a steadily decreasing trend as the AGA severity increased. The perception of hair volume was impacted more greatly by the T/V ratio than the hair number density.

Conclusion

The hand‐held digital microscope (videodermoscope) was an easily accessible and noninvasive tool to evaluate hair parameters, in which hair diameters better determined the visual perception of alopecia in AGA.
Cascaded Photon Confinement‐Mediated Orthogonal RGB‐Switchable NaErF4‐Cored Upconversion Nanoarchitectures for Logicalized Information Encryption and Multimodal Luminescent Anti‐Counterfeiting
Authors: Zhou Shuai , Wang Yang , Hu Po , Zhong Wei , Jia Hong , Qiu Jianrong , Fu Jiajun
Published: December 2022

Orthogonal upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have received increasing research attention due to their unique optical performance. However, the establishment of the orthogonal UCNPs emitting primary red/green/blue (RGB) UCL remains a great challenge. Herein, RGB‐switchable NaErF4‐cored core–multishell UCNPs (RGB‐UCNPs) are constructed through the coordinative implementation of outside‐in cascaded photon harvesting and interfacial energy‐transfer (IET) inhibition. By modulating several constructional factors, the power‐density‐independent red, green, and blue luminescence in high color purity is readily available in the elaborated RGB‐UCNPs under 1550, 808, and 980 nm excitations, respectively. Notably, full‐color emissions, involving red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, magenta and white, are dynamically implemented in this single architecture through manipulating the excitation power of the combined 1550/808/980 nm lasers. These emission profiles of RGB‐UCNPs make them promising in broad photonic applications. As a proof of concept, the viability of the logicalized information encryption strategy and smartphone APP‐assisted multimodal luminescent QR code anti‐counterfeiting technique is demonstrated, which are both established based on directly useable RGB‐UCNPs with assistance of a self‐built combined laser system. This work not only opens up a new avenue to gain RGB‐switchable UCL and flexible full‐color output in a single nanostructure, but also provides enlightenment for developing the application scenarios of multicolor‐tunable UCNPs.
Ampicillin enhanced the resistance of Myzus persicae to imidacloprid and cyantraniliprole
Authors: Li Zengxin , Li Wenhong , Qin Weiwei , Liu Jingyou , He Yueping
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that symbionts are involved in regulating insecticide detoxification in insects. However, there are few studies on the relationship between the symbionts found in Myzus persicae and the mechanism underlying host detoxification of insecticides. In this study, antibiotic ampicillin treatment was used to investigate the possible relationship between symbiotic bacteria and the detoxification of insecticides in the host, M. persicae.

RESULTS

Bioassays showed that ampicillin significantly reduced the susceptibilities of M. persicae to imidacloprid and cyantraniliprole. Synergistic bioassays and RNAi assays showed that the susceptibilities of M. persicae to imidacloprid and cyantraniliprole were related to metabolic detoxification enzyme activities and the expression level of the cytochrome P450 gene, CYP6CY3. Also, treatment to a combination of ampicillin and enzyme inhibitors or dsCYP6CY3 showed that the negative effect of ampicillin on the susceptibility of M. persicae was effectively inhibited bydetoxification enzyme inhibitors and dsCYP6CY3. Additionally, ampicillin treatment resulted in significant increases in the activities of multifunctional oxidases and esterases, the expression level of CYP6CY3 and fitness of M. persicae. Further, ampicillin significantly reduced the total bacterial abundance and changed symbiont diversity in M. persicae. The abundance of Pseudomonadaceae decreased significantly, while the abundance of Rhodococcus and Buchnera increased significantly.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that ampicillin enhanced the resistance levels to imidacloprid and cyantraniliprole of M. persicae, which might be related to the selective elimination of symbiotic bacteria, the upregulated activities of detoxification enzymes and the increased fitness. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Optimal river flow management to reduce flood risks: A case study in northeastern Thailand
Authors: Luangwilai Thiansiri , Thammawichai Mason
Published: December 2022

Floods during the rainy or monsoon season are typical for Thailand. Flooding occurs when a significant amount of water overflows a shoreline and floods cities and agricultural areas. Losses can be substantially reduced if the flow of the river system is managed appropriately. The objective of this work is to solve the flood forecast problem by formulating a time‐varying optimization problem with ODE constraints to manage the river flow. We demonstrate our concept in the province of Ubon Ratchathani, one of the most flooded areas in northeastern Thailand. The results illustrate that our proposed method will enable operators to efficiently forecast, monitor, and operate the entire river system to mitigate flood risk. Our method is simple and computationally inexpensive, which means that it can be applied to real‐time monitoring systems. Moreover, it is a generalized model that can be extended to a more complicated river system.
Experiences with the automotive SPICE for cybersecurity assessment model and tools
Authors: Messnarz Richard , Ekert Damjan , Macher Georg , Much Alexander , Zehetner Tobias , Aschbacher Laura
Published: December 2022

In August 2021 the ISO 21434:2021 standard for Road vehicles—Cybersecurity Engineering has been published. At the same time the blue book from VDA (Verein der Deutschen Automobilgesellschaft; German Automotive Association) for Automotive SPICE cybersecurity assessments has been released. In addition in the period September–December 2021 the training material for iNTACS (INTernational Assessor Certification Schema) certified Automotive SPICE for cybersecurity assessors has been developed. Since February 2022 the upgrade training of assessors worldwide has started. Beside the ASPICE (Automotive SPICE) for cybersecurity blue book also a red book from VDA has been published. The red book describes the questions to check in an ACSMS (Automotive CyberSecurity Management System) audit. This paper explains the main strategy and content for ASPICE for Cybersecurity assessments and how such assessments are integrated to the overall ACSMS strategy. Also, the paper outlines an example method and tool used in ASPICE for cybersecurity assessments and how such assessment results will look like.
Peak factor estimation method of non‐Gaussian wind pressures on long‐span tri‐centered cylindrical roof structures
Authors: Wu Yanru , Wen Zhang , Wu Xiaohong , Lv Hang , Sun Qing
Published: December 2022

Claddings are susceptible to damage due to underestimation of extreme wind‐induced surface pressures. Commonly accepted methods for estimating the peak factor (an input used to determine cladding design loads) involve complex calculation‐intensive procedures. This research develops a four‐parameter unified auto‐spectral model of wind pressure to simplify peak factor estimation of wind‐induced surface pressure via analysis of wind tunnel wind load data on tri‐centered cylindrical roofs. Values of the model parameters were identified via statistical analysis of wind tunnel wind pressure measurement on two long‐span tri‐centered cylindrical roof structures with different curvatures. The study identified roof regions with non‐Gaussian features by inspecting probabilistic density functions of the standardized wind‐induced roof pressures and the third‐ and fourth‐order statistical moments of wind pressure time histories. The paper ultimately proposed and evaluated a simplified method for estimating the peak factors in the non‐Gaussian regions, the Three‐parameter Hermite Model, derived through the moment‐based Hermite Model, the Revised Hermite Model, and the parameter simplification accomplished in this study. The results show that the auto‐spectral model of wind‐induced roof pressures can accurately estimate the zero‐ and second‐order spectral moments, which reflects the wind pressure fluctuating characteristics and geometric features of spectral curves. Compared with the peak factors of the moment‐based Hermite Model and the Revised Hermite Model, the peak factor errors estimated by the Three‐parameter Hermite Model are all less than 10%. These results suggest that the Three‐parameter Hermite Model simplifies the calculation with acceptable accuracy.
How Gender Quotas Work in Switzerland
Authors: Fuchs Gesine
Published: December 2022

As a democratic latecomer, Switzerland enfranchised women in 1971. In 2019, the Swiss elected 42% women to the lower chamber (Nationalrat) with no legal quota in force and only few parties with list quota. How did this happen? In Switzerland with its crosscutting cleavages, several institutionalized mechanisms to cope with divisive aspects of diversity have been developed, among others, informal quota and proportional representation. They seem to have spilled over to the question of gender in politics. This chapter analyses the workings of (formal) gender quota on party lists and the significance of (informal) gender quota for the election of national ministers: when parties nominate candidates for legislative and executive office, gender is one feature among others (like region, age, profession or party wing) that should be addressed. It discusses in which respect informal quotas can serve as institutional equivalents to legal gender quota in politics and if this solution is sustainable.
Integrated Farming Management Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: Toward a Sustainable African Green Revolution
Authors: Muraoka Rie
Published: December 2022

This study investigates the possibilities and limitations of integrated farming management practices, such as sustainable intensification, integrated soil fertility management, climate-smart agriculture (CSA), and conservation agriculture (CA) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), based on a literature review. We first introduce the concept of these practices as a means to improve land productivity while maintaining agricultural sustainability. Subsequently, we show the adoption determinants and their effects based on recently published empirical studies in SSA. Finally, we conclude with the policy implications and research agenda to disseminate optimum integrated farming management practices and achieve a sustainable African Green Revolution in SSA.
Facilitating Inclusive Use of ICTs in Rural China
Authors: Huang Jikun , Su Lanlan , Liu Xinyu
Published: December 2022

The usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is increasingly becoming an important driving force for transforming the rural economy in China. Using a unique nationally-representative household survey dataset in 2015–2019, this study documents the overall trends of internet access, computer and smartphone usage, and e-commerce adoption in rural China and examines the main factors affecting farmers’ adoption of major ICTs. The results show that the increase in usage of ICTs has been impressive. Empirical analyses suggest that human capital, resource endowment, ICT infrastructure, and neighborhood influence are the main determinants of households’ or individuals’ adoption of ICTs. However, a digital divide has emerged across regions and among farmers. This study concludes with several policy implications for fostering rapid and inclusive usage of ICTs in rural areas in the coming digital era.
EdTech for Equity in China: Can Technology Improve Teaching for Millions of Rural Students?
Authors: Abbey Cody , Yue Ma , Li Guirong , Loyalka Prashant , Rozelle Scott
Published: December 2022

Despite major advancements in China’s K-12 educational outcomes over the past several decades, large regional inequities in academic achievement still exist, a proximal cause of which are gaps in teaching quality. Although conventional approaches to improving teaching quality for disadvantaged populations have overall been unsuccessful in China (i.e., student relocation to better-resourced urban schools, attracting high-quality teachers to low-resource rural schools, and rural teacher training), technology-assisted instruction may play a role in bridging these gaps. This paper explores why conventional approaches to improving teaching have not been effective in rural China and then describes the potential applications of technology-assisted instruction based on the small but growing body of empirical literature evaluating such interventions in other low- and middle-income countries. The paper concludes that while other (non-tech) interventions have thus far been ineffective at raising teaching quality, China may be uniquely positioned to harness technology-assisted instruction due to a favorable ecosystem for the scaling of EdTech in rural areas, though much more experimental research is necessary to assess which approaches and technologies are most cost-effective and how to best scale them.
Mobile Revolution and Rural Development
Authors: Matsumoto Tomoya , Munyegera Ggombe Kasim
Published: December 2022

Mobile phones have spread rapidly over the last two decades and are now being used even in rural areas of low-income countries, where the poor are concentrated. The number of mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people in the Sub-Saharan Africa region went from 1.7 in 2000 to 82.4 in 2018, meaning that mobile phones have spread to almost all regions and all social classes. The widespread use of mobile phones has made it possible to deliver voice and text information to remote areas at a low cost and has also triggered a variety of services using mobile phones as a platform. Particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, electronic payment services on mobile phones or ‘mobile money’ rapidly spread and changed people’s lives. This significant change involves not only the urban wealthy but also the rural farmers who previously had little access to financial services. This essay summarizes the findings from the authors’ recent research on the impact of the mobile revolution on the lives of rural residents in developing economies.
Structural Transformation and Development Experience from Asian Countries
Authors: Sawada Yasuyuki
Published: December 2022

Structural transformation is one of the critical drivers of growth and development worldwide. In all countries that achieved development success, agriculture’s share of output and employment declined as industry’s share grew, followed by ‘deindustrialization,’ as services became dominant. Also, we observed productivity upgrading from low to high within each of the three sectors. Asia achieved structural transformation at a much faster speed than other developed regions partly because of the continuous deterioration of agricultural terms of trade. At the same time, the manufacturing industry drives Asia’s rapid growth because it has a number of essential features, such as a large scope for innovation and technological progress, scale economies, and the creation of better-paying jobs for a broad population. Yet, a few countries in Asia, such as the Philippines, face a critical question: can industrialization be bypassed for development? This chapter approaches these trends and issues by looking at aggregate statistics and long household panel data to discuss the Asian type of ‘canonical industrialization’ and ‘premature deindustrialization
Competition, Antitrust, and Agricultural Development in Asia
Authors: Balisacan Arsenio M.
Published: December 2022

Competition law—also known as antitrust in some jurisdictions—has become part of governments’ policy arsenal to achieve efficient and welfare-improving market outcomes. From only a handful of economies in North America and Europe, the adoption of competition law and policy has spread rapidly to Asian economies since 1990. Like their Western counterparts several decades earlier, most Asian jurisdictions have exempted agriculture, albeit in varying degrees, from the prohibitions of competition law, such as those involving the exercise of market power by farmers’ associations. Public choice considerations suggest that the exemption serves as a countervailing force for the farmers’ comparatively weak position in the balance of political influence for agricultural policy and in bargaining power over the more concentrated wholesale-retail segments of the agri-food value chain. Farm heterogeneity and farm-operation consolidation, induced in part by the economy’s structural transformation, weaken the case for broad exemption.
The Central Luzon Loop Survey: Rice Farming in the Philippines from 1966 to 2021
Authors: Kajisa Kei , Moya Piedad , Gascon Fe
Published: December 2022

The Central Luzon Loop Survey in the Philippines is one of the longest-running and ongoing household-level farm surveys in tropical Asia. This chapter reviews the changes in rice farming from 1966 to 2021, with a particular focus on the past decade. The data show that rice yields have stagnated and become more variable despite a prompt and continuous switch to newer modern varieties with an appropriate nitrogen application level since the Green Revolution. This implies that the Green Revolution-type agricultural development is at a crossroads. As background factors, this chapter reviews how the adoption of labor-saving technologies, mechanization, and farm size have changed over time under increasing rural labor scarcity. A subjective assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on rice farming is also discussed.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Poststroke Epilepsy: Where Do We Stand?
Authors: Mauritz Matthias , Poppert Kai-Nicolas , Trinka Eugen , Mutzenbach Sebastian
Published: December 2022

Purpose of Review

Stroke is the most common cause of seizures and epilepsy in older adults. This educational paper aims to give an update on current clinical aspects of diagnosis and treatment of poststroke epilepsy.

Recent Findings

Regarding epileptic seizures related to stroke, it is important to distinguish between acute symptomatic seizures and unprovoked seizures as they differ in their risk for seizure recurrence. In fact, after a single unprovoked poststroke seizure, a diagnosis of epilepsy can be made because there is a greater than 60% risk for further seizures. Clinical models that can predict the development of epilepsy after a stroke have been successfully established. However, treatment with anti-seizure medications is advised only after a first unprovoked poststroke seizure, as current treatments are not known to be effective for primary prevention. The management of poststroke epilepsy requires consideration of aspects such as age, drug-drug interactions and secondary vascular prophylaxis, yet evidence for the use of anti-seizure medications specifically in poststroke epilepsy is limited.

This text reviews the epidemiology and risk factors for poststroke epilepsy, explains the role of EEG and neuroimaging in patients with stroke and seizures and provides an overview on the clinical management of stroke-related acute symptomatic seizures and poststroke epilepsy.
Dissipative Kerr single soliton generation with extremely high probability via spectral mode depletion
Authors: Zhang Boqing , Chen Nuo , Lu Xinda , Chen Yuntian , Zhang Xinliang , Xu Jing
Published: December 2022

Optical Kerr solitons generation based on microresonators is essential in nonlinear optics. Among various soliton generation processes, the single soliton generation plays a pivotal role since it ensures rigorous mode-locking on each comb line whose interval equals the free spectral range (FSR) of the microresonator. Current studies show that single soliton generation is challenging due to cavity instability. Here, we propose a new method to greatly improve single soliton generation probalility in the anomalous group velocity dispersion (GVD) regime in a micro-ring resonator based on silicon nitride. The improvement is realized by introducing mode depletion through an integrated coupled filter. It is convenient to introduce controllable single mode depletion in a micro-ring resonator by adjusting the response function of a coupled filter. We show that spectral mode depletion (SMD) can significantly boost the single soliton generation probability. The effect of SMD on the dynamics of optical Kerr solitons generation are also discussed. The proposed method offers a straightforward and simple way to facilitate robust single soliton generation, and will have an impact on the research development in optical Kerr soliton generation and on-chip optical frequency mode manipulation.

Graphical abstract
Essen in Kindertageseinrichtungen
Authors: Klein Alexandra , Landhäußer Sandra
Published: December 2022

Immer mehr Kinder besuchen täglich pädagogische Einrichtungen und verbringen dort zunehmend mehr Zeit; dies führt dazu, dass sie auch vermehrt in pädagogischen Einrichtungen essen. Als Qualitätsmerkmal von Kindertageseinrichtungen wird dabei zunehmend das Thema Essen alsgesundeErnährung zentral. Gleichzeitig liegen bislang erst wenige Studien vor, die auch die Beteiligungs- und Selbstbestimmungsmöglichkeiten von Kindern beim Essen im Alltag der Kindertageseinrichtung betrachten. Auf der empirischen Basis der Frankfurter Kinderbefragung 2018 fragt der vorliegende Beitrag danach, mit welchen kollektiven Orientierungsmustern pädagogische Fachkräfte in Kindertageseinrichtungen die Mahlzeiten gestalten und welche Rolle sie den beteiligten Akteur*innen darin zuweisen. Während in den Gruppendiskussionen einerseits disparate Orientierungen an Ernährungserziehung und Ernährungsbildung sichtbar werden, eint sie andererseits, dass den Kindern selbst kaum substanzielle Einflussmöglichkeiten auf die soziale Gestaltung der Mahlzeit eröffnet werden.