bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two-step functional screen on multiple proteinaceous substrates reveals temperature-robust proteases with a broad-substrate range
Authors: García-Moyano Antonio , Diaz Yuleima , Navarro José , Almendral David , Puntervoll Pål , Ferrer Manuel , Bjerga Gro Elin Kjæreng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
To support the bio-based industry in development of environment-friendly processes and products, an optimal toolbox of biocatalysts is key. Although functional screen of (meta)genomic libraries may potentially contribute to identifying new enzymes, the discovery of new enzymes meeting industry compliance demands is still challenging. This is particularly noticeable in the case of proteases, for which the reports of metagenome-derived proteases with industrial applicability are surprisingly limited. Indeed, proteolytic clones have been typically assessed by its sole activity on casein or skim milk and limited to mild screening conditions. Here, we demonstrate the use of six industry-relevant animal and plant by-products, namely bone, feather, blood meals, gelatin, gluten, and zein, as complementary substrates in functional screens and show the utility of temperature as a screening parameter to potentially discover new broad-substrate range and robust proteases for the biorefinery industry. By targeting 340,000 clones from two libraries of pooled isolates of mesophilic and thermophilic marine bacteria and two libraries of microbial communities inhabiting marine environments, we identified proteases in four of eleven selected clones that showed activity against all substrates herein tested after prolonged incubation at 55 °C. Following sequencing, in silico analysis and recombinant expression in Escherichia coli, one functional protease, 58% identical at sequence level to previously reported homologs, was found to readily hydrolyze highly insoluble zein at temperatures up to 50 °C and pH 9–11. It is derived from a bacterial group whose ability to degrade zein was unknown. This study reports a two-step screen resulting in identification of a new marine metagenome-derived protease with zein-hydrolytic properties at common biomass processing temperatures that could be useful for the modern biorefinery industry.

Key points
• A two-step multi-substrate strategy for discovery of robust proteases.
• Feasible approach for shortening enzyme optimization to industrial demands.
• A new temperature-tolerant protease efficiently hydrolyzes insoluble zein.
No effect of passive stretching on neuromuscular function and maximum force-generating capacity in the antagonist muscle
Authors: Cè Emiliano , Coratella Giuseppe , Doria Christian , Rampichini Susanna , Borrelli Marta , Longo Stefano , Esposito Fabio 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The present study investigated whether or not passive stretching increases the force-generating capacity of the antagonist muscle, and the possible neuromuscular mechanisms behind.

Methods
To this purpose, the neuromuscular function accompanying the force-generating capacity was assessed in 26 healthy male volunteers after passive stretching and in a control session. Before and after passive intermittent static stretching of the plantar flexors consisting of five sets × 45 s + 15 s-rest, maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) and surface electromyographic root mean square (sEMG RMS) were measured in the tibialis anterior (the antagonist muscle). Additionally, evoked V wave, H-reflex, and M wave were elicited by nerve stimulation at rest and during MVC. Ankle range of motion (ROM) and plantar flexors MVC and EMG RMS were measured to check for the effectiveness of the stretching manoeuvre.

Results
No change in MVC [p = 0.670; effect size (ES) − 0.03] and sEMG RMS/M wave during MVC (p = 0.231; ES − 0.09) was observed in the antagonist muscle after passive stretching. Similarly, no change in V wave (p = 0.531; ES 0.16), H-reflex at rest and during MVC (p = 0.656 and 0.597; ES 0.11 and 0.23, respectively) and M wave at rest and during MVC (p = 0.355 and 0.554; ES 0.04 and 0.01, respectively) was observed. An increase in ankle ROM (p < 0.001; ES 0.55) and a decrease in plantar flexors MVC (p < 0.001; ES − 1.05) and EMG RMS (p < 0.05; ES − 1.72 to − 0.13 in all muscles) indicated the effectiveness of stretching protocol.

Conclusion
No change in the force-generating capacity and neuromuscular function of the antagonist muscle after passive stretching was observed.
Testing olfactory dysfunction in acute and recovered COVID-19 patients: a single center study in Italy
Authors: Pasquini Jacopo , Maremmani Carlo , Salvadori Stefano , Silani Vincenzo , Ticozzi Nicola 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Olfactory dysfunction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is common during acute illness and appears to last longer than other symptoms. The aim of this study was to objectively investigate olfactory dysfunction in two cohorts of patients at two different stages: during acute illness and after a median recovery of 4 months.

Methods
Twenty-five acutely ill patients and 26 recovered subjects were investigated. Acute patients had a molecular diagnosis of COVID-19; recovered subjects had a positive antibody assay and a negative molecular test. A 33-item psychophysical olfactory identification test tailored for the Italian population was performed.

Results
Median time from symptoms onset to olfactory test was 33 days in acute patients and 122 days in recovered subjects. The former scored a significantly higher number of errors at psychophysical testing (median [IQR]: 8 [13] vs 3 [2], p < 0.001) and were more frequently hyposmic (64% vs 19%, p = 0.002). Recovered subjects reported a variable time to subjective olfactory recovery, from days up to 4 months. Participants included in the study reported no significant nasal symptoms at olfactory testing. Among recovered subject who reported olfactory loss during acute COVID-19, four (27%) were still hyposmic. Demographic and clinical characteristics did not show significant associations with olfactory dysfunction.

Conclusion
Moderate-to-severe hospitalized patients showed a high level and frequency of olfactory dysfunction compared to recovered subjects. In the latter group, subjects who reported persisting olfactory dysfunction showed abnormal scores on psychophysical testing, indicating that, at least in some subjects, persistent hyposmia may represent a long-term sequela of COVID-19.
In vivo efficacy of combination therapy with albendazole and atovaquone against primary hydatid cysts in mice
Authors: Enkai Shigehiro , Kouguchi Hirokazu , Inaoka Daniel Ken , Irie Takao , Yagi Kinpei , Kita Kiyoshi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAlveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis. Chemotherapy for AE involves albendazole (ABZ), which has shown insufficient efficacy. More effective chemotherapy for AE is needed. Previously, we have demonstrated that atovaquone (ATV), an antimalarial, inhibits mitochondrial complex III of E. multilocularis and restricts the development of larval cysts in in vivo experiments. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the efficacy of ABZ and ATV combination therapy on E. multilocularis in culture and in vivo experiments. Protoscoleces were treated with 50 μM ABZ and/or ATV in the medium; the duration of parasite elimination was determined under aerobic and anaerobic culture. In the in vivo experiment, the effects of ABZ and ATV combination treatment in BALB/c mice infected orally with eggs from the feces of an adult-stage E. multilocularis-infected dog were compared with those of standard oral ABZ therapy. In the culture assay, the duration of elimination associated with ABZ and ATV combination treatment was shorter than that associated with ATV alone under aerobic conditions. Protoscolex viability progressively reduced owing to the combination treatment under anaerobic conditions; however, either drug used singly did not exhibit antiparasitic effects under hypoxia. Furthermore, compared with ABZ alone, the combination treatment significantly reduced the growth of the primary cyst in the liver of mice infected orally with parasite eggs (P = .011). ATV enhances the effect of ABZ in the treatment of AE in mice.
Character-Infused Ethical Decision Making
Authors: Nguyen Brenda , Crossan Mary 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDespite a growing body of research by management scholars to understand and explain failures in ethical decision making (EDM), misconduct prevails. Scholars have identified character, founded in virtue ethics, as an important perspective that can help to address the gap in organizational misconduct. While character has been offered as a valid perspective in EDM, current theorizing on how it applies to EDM has not been well developed. We thus integrate character, founded in virtue ethics, into Rest’s (1986) EDM model to reveal how shifting attention to the nature of the moral agent provides critical insights into decision making more broadly and EDM specifically. Virtue ethics provides a perspective on EDM that acknowledges and anticipates uncertainties, considers its contextual constraints, and contemplates the development of the moral agent. We thus answer the call by many scholars to integrate character in EDM in order to advance the understanding of the field and suggest propositions for how to move forward. We conclude with implications of a character-infused approach to EDM for future research.
Evaluation of Ac-Lys0(IRDye800CW)Tyr3-octreotate as a novel tracer for SSTR2-targeted molecular fluorescence guided surgery in meningioma
Authors: Dijkstra Bianca M. , de Jong Marion , Stroet Marcus C. M. , Andreae Fritz , Dulfer Sebastiaan E. , Everts Marieke , Kruijff Schelto , Nonnekens Julie , den Dunnen Wilfred F. A. , Kruyt Frank A. E. , Groen Rob J. M. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Meningioma recurrence rates can be reduced by optimizing surgical resection with the use of intraoperative molecular fluorescence guided surgery (MFGS). We evaluated the potential of the fluorescent tracer 800CW-TATE for MFGS using in vitro and in vivo models. It targets somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2), which is overexpressed in all meningiomas.

Methods
Binding affinity of 800CW-TATE was evaluated using [177Lu] Lu-DOTA-Tyr3-octreotate displacement assays. Tumor uptake was determined by injecting 800CW-TATE in (SSTR2-positive) NCI-H69 or (SSTR2-negative) CH-157MN xenograft bearing mice and FMT2500 imaging. SSTR2-specific binding was measured by comparing tumor uptake in NCI-H69 and CH-157MN xenografts, blocking experiments and non-targeted IRDye800CW-carboxylate binding. Tracer distribution was analyzed ex vivo, and the tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) was calculated. SSTR2 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Lastly, 800CW-TATE was incubated on frozen and fresh meningioma specimens and analyzed by microscopy.

Results
800CW-TATE binding affinity assays showed an IC50 value of 72 nM. NCI-H69 xenografted mice showed a TBR of 21.1. 800CW-TATE detection was reduced after co-administration of non-fluorescent DOTA-Tyr3-octreotate or administration of IRDye800CW. CH-157MN had no tumor specific tracer staining due to absence of SSTR2 expression, thereby serving as a negative control. The tracer bound specifically to SSTR2-positive meningioma tissues representing all WHO grades.

Conclusion
800CW-TATE demonstrated sufficient binding affinity, specific SSTR2-mediated tumor uptake, a favorable biodistribution, and high TBR. These features make this tracer very promising for use in MFGS and could potentially aid in safer and a more complete meningioma resection, especially in high-grade meningiomas or those at complex anatomical localizations.
Kongruenz der Anlassauswahl als Indikator für die Journalismusforschung: Eine Exploration
Authors: Lehmkuhl Markus , Promies Nikolai 
Published: March 2021

ZusammenfassungMit einer Inhaltsanalyse untersucht der Beitrag ressortvergleichend: 1. wie häufig dieselben nachrichtlichen Anlässe von mehreren Medientiteln zur Berichterstattung ausgewählt werden und 2. ob diesen (in-)kongruenten Auswahlentscheidungen eine Gesetzmäßigkeit zugrunde liegt. Das Interesse gilt dabei besonders der Kongruenz der Nachrichtenauswahl in Wissenschaftsressorts. Argumentiert wird, dass die Verteilung der Auswahlkongruenz Rückschlüsse auf ressortspezifisch unterschiedliche Bedingungen der Nachrichtengebung erlaubt. Diese wirken sich auf die Leistungsfähigkeit des Journalismus aus, die öffentliche Aufmerksamkeit auf besonders relevante Ereignisse zu lenken.Analysiert wurden gut 4000 Artikel, die 2018 und 2019 in einem Zeitraum von einer bzw. zwei Wochen in fünf deutschsprachigen Zeitungen erschienen sind und 2521 verschiedene Anlässe hatten. Der Anteil der Anlässe, die kongruent von mehreren Zeitungen zugleich ausgewählt wurden, nimmt mit dem Grad der Kongruenz exponentiell ab, was frühere Ergebnisse bestätigt. Im Vergleich der verschiedenen Ressorts ist der Anteil exklusiver Anlässe im Wissenschaftsressort deutlich höher. Wissenschaftsredaktionen wählen wesentlich inkongruenter aus als beispielsweise Politikredaktionen. Diese Ergebnisse wecken Zweifel daran, ob es speziell dem Wissenschaftsjournalismus gelingt, das öffentliche Interesse an einem Kernbestand von wichtigen Ereignissen zu befördern.
Generalized or general mixed-effect modelling of tree morality of Larix gmelinii subsp. principis-rupprechtii in Northern China
Authors: Zhou Xiao , Fu Liyong , Sharma Ram P. , He Peng , Lei Yuancai , Guo Jinping 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTree mortality models play an important role in predicting tree growth and yield, but existing mortality models for Larix gmelinii subsp. principis-rupprechtii, an important species used for regeneration and afforestation in northern China, have overlooked potential regional influences on tree mortality. This study used data acquired from 102 temporary sample plots (TSPs) in natural stands of Prince Rupprecht larch in the state-owned Guandi Mountain Forest (n = 67) and state-owned Boqiang Forest (n = 35) in northern China. To model stand-level tree mortality, we compared seven model forms of county data. Three continuous (dominant height, plot mean diameter, and basal area per hectare) and one dummy variable with two levels (region) were used as fixed effects variables. Tree morality variations caused by forest blocks were accounted for using forest blocks as a random effect in selected models. Results showed that tree mortality significantly positively correlated with stand basal area and dominant height, but negatively correlated with stand mean diameter. Incorporating both the dummy variables and random effects into the tree mortality models significantly increased the fitting improvements, and Hurdle Poisson mixed-effects model showed the most attractive fit statistics (largest R2 and smallest RMSE) when employing leave-one-out cross-validation. These mixed-effects dummy variable models will be useful for accurately predicting Larix tree mortality in different regions.
Two new species from the mountains of southern Malawi and northern Mozambique
Authors: Darbyshire Iain , Polhill Roger M. , Magombo Zacharia , Timberlake Jonathan R. 
Published: March 2021

SummaryTwo new species are described from the proposed Mulanje-Namuli-Ribáuè Centre of Endemism. Isoglossa perdita I.Darbysh. (Acanthaceae) is apparently restricted to the submontane forests of southeastern Mt Mulanje in Malawi, and is assessed as Critically Endangered. Agelanthus patelii Polhill & Timberlake (Loranthaceae) is recorded from the montane forests of Mt Mulanje and from Mt Namuli in Mozambique, and the earlier assessment of this species as Endangered is confirmed. The habitat preferences and taxonomic affinities of these species are discussed. This work contributes to the ongoing assessment of the biodiversity and endemism of this montane region, and to the identification of Important Plant Areas in Mozambique.
The Power of Belonging: Interactions and Values in Children’s Group Play in Early Childhood Programs
Authors: Eidsvåg Gunnar Magnus , Rosell Yngve 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis article explores belonging as social interaction in relation to power and values. Power has both positive and negative aspects. We view children as active agents with the power to include or exclude others, create space for each other or set boundaries. The article shows how children’s powers are limited by education staff’s structural power and discusses the ethical and pedagogical implications of children’s and staff’s use of power. We find that well-considered use of power may widen children’s horizons and provide them with social opportunities that they would otherwise miss. The data consist of video observation and interviews with children and teachers in three Early Childhood Education and Care settings in Norway. The article uses a lifeworld hermeneutical approach to study children’s belonging as a complex and sometimes ambiguous phenomenon. The article shows that children’s possibilities to position themselves and belong are made possible and limited by their social group via relational and structural power. By becoming aware of these contradictory tendencies, teachers can provide children with a variety of social experiences that promote belonging, which requires knowledge of how groups are formed by dynamic power relations that condition different social experiences.
Stance Detection Benchmark: How Robust is Your Stance Detection?
Authors: Schiller Benjamin , Daxenberger Johannes , Gurevych Iryna 
Published: March 2021

AbstractStance detection (StD) aims to detect an author’s stance towards a certain topic and has become a key component in applications like fake news detection, claim validation, or argument search. However, while stance is easily detected by humans, machine learning (ML) models are clearly falling short of this task. Given the major differences in dataset sizes and framing of StD (e.g. number of classes and inputs), ML models trained on a single dataset usually generalize poorly to other domains. Hence, we introduce a StD benchmark that allows to compare ML models against a wide variety of heterogeneous StD datasets to evaluate them for generalizability and robustness. Moreover, the framework is designed for easy integration of new datasets and probing methods for robustness. Amongst several baseline models, we define a model that learns from all ten StD datasets of various domains in a multi-dataset learning (MDL) setting and present new state-of-the-art results on five of the datasets. Yet, the models still perform well below human capabilities and even simple perturbations of the original test samples (adversarial attacks) severely hurt the performance of MDL models. Deeper investigation suggests overfitting on dataset biases as the main reason for the decreased robustness. Our analysis emphasizes the need of focus on robustness and de-biasing strategies in multi-task learning approaches. To foster research on this important topic, we release the dataset splits, code, and fine-tuned weights.
Injectable hyaluronic acid-based antibacterial hydrogel adorned with biogenically synthesized AgNPs-decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Makvandi Pooyan , Ashrafizadeh Milad , Ghomi Matineh , Najafi Masoud , Hossein Hamid Heydari Sheikh , Zarrabi Ali , Mattoli Virgilio , Varma Rajender S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInjectable materials have shown great potential in tissue engineering applications. However, bacterial infection is one of the main challenges in using these materials in the field of regenerative medicine. In this study, biogenically synthesized silver nanoparticle-decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Ag/MWCNTs) were deployed for adorning biogenic-derived AgNPs which were subsequently used in the preparation of thermosensitive hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid encompassing these green-synthesized NPs. The antibacterial capacity of AgNPs decorated on MWCNTs synthesized through Camellia sinensis extract in an organic solvent-free medium displayed a superior activity by inhibiting the growth of Gram-negative (E. coli and Klebsiella) and Gram-positive (S. aureus and E. faecalis). The injectable hydrogel nanocomposites demonstrated good mechanical properties, as well. The thermosensitive hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels also exhibited Tgel below the body temperature, indicating the transition from liquid-like behavior to elastic gel-like behavior. Such a promising injectable nanocomposite could be applied as liquid, pomade, or ointment to enter wound cavities or bone defects and subsequently its transition in situ to gel form at human body temperature bodes well for their immense potential application in the biomedical sector.
Post-Hospital Discharge Strategy for COVID-19 Treatment and Control: Focus on Fangcang Hospitals
Authors: Kassaeian Saeed , Gohari Ali , Masoumi Gholamreza , Ghomian Zohreh , Dehghani Arezoo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjective:One of the concerns of health managers in Iran in case COVID-19 reached a new peak is a shortage of hospital beds. In response, the country designed and created intermediate treatment centers, known as fangcang hospitals, which are prepared quickly at low cost and with high capacity. The aim of this study is to provide health managers with an effective post-hospital discharge strategy for COVID-19 patients.Method:The study was conducted from April 2020 to June 2020, with a narrative case study design. Setting up a fangcang hospital was based on a narrative analysis of 2 in-depth interviews with 4 fangcang hospital managers in Iran, a field visit of these places, and a review of their protocols and guidelines.Result:The patient flow for screening, treatment, and follow-up includes the following: Patients will be hospitalized if their symptoms are severe. If they are infected with mild symptoms, they will be referred to a fangcang hospital and admitted there if necessary, to prevent further spread of the disease. Patients will be monitored regularly and treated with routine health services. At the end of the 14-day quarantine period, patients approved for discharge are sent home.Conclusion:Traditional hospitals and fangcang hospitals are working together under the supervision of the Iran University of Medical Sciences. Our experience can serve as guidance for other clinics and recovery shelters. Having guidelines in place assists health care workers and managers in responding quickly to patients' needs during times of a disaster.
Burnt by the sun: disaggregating temperature’s current and future impact on mortality in the Turkish context
Authors: Özen Ilhan Can 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOur study plans to quantify the effect of higher temperatures on different critical Turkish health outcomes mainly to chart future developments and to identify locations in Turkey that may be potential vulnerable hotspots. The general structure of the temperature mortality function was estimated with different fixed-level effects, with a specific focus on the mortality effect of maximum apparent temperature. Regional models were fitted to pinpoint the thresholds where the temperature–mortality relation changes, thus investigating whether the thresholds are determined nationally or regionally. The future patterns were estimated by extrapolating from future temperature trends: analyzing possible future mortality trends under the restricting assumption of minimal acclimation. Using the fixed effect regression structure, social and developmental variables acting as heat effect modifiers were also identified. In the largest dataset, the initial fixed effect regression specification supports the hypothesis summarized by the U-shaped relationship between temperature and mortality. This is a first corroboration for Turkish climate and health research. In addition, intermediation effects were substantiated for the level of urbanization and population density, and the human development and health development within provinces. Regional heterogeneity is substantiated by the mortality–temperature relationship and the significant threshold deviations from the national average.