bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genotype–phenotype correlation of CACNA1A variants in children with epilepsy
Authors: Niu Xueyang , Yang Ying , Chen Yi , Cheng Miaomiao , Liu Ming , Ding Changhong , Tian Xiaojuan , Yang Zhixian , Jiang Yuwu , Zhang Yuehua 
Published: July 2021

AimTo explore the genotypes and phenotypes of CACNA1A variants in children with epilepsy.MethodEighteen children (six males, 12 females) with CACNA1A variants were identified using next‐generation sequencing.ResultsThere were 14 missense variants, two nonsense variants, one frameshift variant, and one splice site variant. Sixteen variants were de novo. Age at seizure onset ranged from 1 day to 8 years; median age was 8 months. Multiple seizure types were observed, including focal, generalized tonic–clonic, myoclonic, and absence seizures, as well as epileptic spasms and tonic seizures. Focal motor status epilepticus occurred in 10 individuals and generalized motor status epilepticus occurred in two individuals. All 18 children showed developmental delay. Focal motor status epilepticus resulted in cerebral atrophy in five individuals, mainly on the contralateral side. Interictal electroencephalogram showed focal discharges in 12 individuals, whereas five individuals had generalized discharges. Three individuals were seizure‐free, whereas 15 still had seizures and five had recurrent status epilepticus at last follow‐up.InterpretationMost children with epilepsy and CACNA1A variants had early seizure onset and developmental delay. Focal seizure was the most common seizure type. Most patients experienced status epilepticus. Unilateral cerebral atrophy could occur after focal motor status epilepticus. Patients with CACNA1A variants located in the transmembrane region may be at high risk of status epilepticus.
Scaling up sustainable investment through blockchain‐based project bonds
Authors: Chen Yushi , Volz Ulrich 
Published: July 2021

SummaryMotivationMost low‐ and middle‐income countries face an urgent need to scale up sustainable finance for low‐carbon and climate‐resilient infrastructure investment, yet underdeveloped capital markets tend to inhibit domestic resource mobilization for infrastructure investment. At the same time, domestic savers face a scarcity of “safe” local‐currency assets, resulting in the export of capital.PurposeThis article explores options for mobilizing domestic savings through financial technology (fintech) solutions to scale up sustainable investment.Methods and approachThe article discusses how fintech can help to complement conventional capital markets and mobilize financial resources for sustainable infrastructure investments.FindingsThe article puts forward a proposal for blockchain‐based project bonds to raise finance through a digital crowdfunding platform which is able to record transparently and certify the use of proceeds, sustainability impact, and revenue streams of projects by combining timestamp, public and private key mechanisms, and smart contract technologies.Policy implicationsThe proposed approach would not only provide investors of different sizes with the opportunity to purchase local‐currency assets and issuers such as municipalities to raise funds for sustainable infrastructure investment, it would also facilitate project management once the project is operational, for example through metering and billing, and create full transparency over the life cycle of the investment, reducing problems concerning the misuse of funds.
Elevated atmospheric CO2adversely affects a dung beetle’s development: Another potential driver of decline in insect numbers?
Authors: Tocco Claudia , Foster James , Venter Nic , Cowie Blair , Marlin Danica , Byrne Marcus 
Published: July 2021

AbstractInsect declines have been attributed to several drivers such as habitat loss, climate change, invasive alien species and insecticides. However, in the global context, these effects remain patchy, whereas insect losses appear to be consistent worldwide. Increases in atmospheric CO2concentrations are known to have indirect effects on herbivorous insects, but the effects on other insects are largely unexplored. We wondered if elevated atmospheric CO2(eCO2) could influence the growth and survival of insects, not via rising temperature, nor through their changes in food quality, but by other means. Rearing tunnelling dung beetleEuoniticellus intermedius(Reiche, 1848) at pre‐industrial (250 parts per million [ppm]), current (400 ppm) and eCO2levels (600 and 800 ppm), we found that exposure to eCO2resulted in longer developmental times and increased mortality. Elevated CO2also caused reduction of adult size and mass which is detrimental to dung beetle fitness. Additional results showed associated increases in CO2levels inside dung brood balls, dung pH and respiration rates of the soil surrounding the developing dung beetles (CO2flux). We thus hypothesize that elevated CO2increases competition for O2and nutrients between soil microbiota and subterranean insects. Given that many insect orders spend at least part of their life underground, our findings indicate the possibility of a negative ubiquitous effect of eCO2on a large portion of the earth's insect biota. These findings therefore suggest an important area for future research on the soil community in the context of atmospheric change.
Effects of grassland converted to cropland on soil microbial biomass and community from agro‐pastoral ecotone in Northern China
Authors: Tang Shi‐ming , Li Shu‐cheng , Wang Zhen , Zhang Yu‐juan , Wang Kun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGrassland converted to cropland affected soil physical and chemical properties and soil microbes. However, these parameters were often studied separately and their combined responses to grassland reclaim remain unclear. To evaluate the impacts of grassland cultivation on soil microbial communities (based on phospholipid fatty acids, PLFAs) and the links between soil microbes and physicochemical properties, we performed a paired field experiment following the conversion from native grasslands to 30‐ to 60‐year‐old cropland in the agro‐pastoral ecotone of northern China. The concentrations of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) and the soil microbial biomass consistently decreased with grassland conversion to cropland. Grassland conversion also significantly decreased the relative abundance of bacterial and fungal PLFAs and the fungal to bacterial ratio (F:B) at 0–10 cm soil layer, but those parameters remained unchanged below 10 cm soil layers. Grassland conversion affected the microbial biomass mainly through soil C and N content rather than soil pH, moisture and aggregation. These findings revealed that cultivation‐induced soil nutrient loss may enhance soil microbe depletion and affect microbial community assembly (shifts in fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), actinomycete (Act), gram‐positive (GP) and gram‐negative (GN) bacteria). This implies that conversion of grassland to cropland should be avoided because of the risk of degradation of soil nutrient and microbes.
DEVIL, VAAD and vLSC constitute a spectrum of HPV‐independent, p53‐independent intra‐epithelial neoplasia of the vulva
Authors: Roy Simon F , Wong Jahg , Le Page Cécile , Tran‐Thanh Danh , Barkati Maroie , Pina Annick , Trinh Vincent Quoc‐Huy , Rahimi Kurosh 
Published: July 2021

AimsWe aimed to characterise a large cohort of non‐invasive, human papillomavirus (HPV) and p53‐independent verruciform lesions, such as ‘vulvar acanthosis with altered differentiation’ (VAAD), ‘differentiated exophytic vulvar intra‐epithelial lesion’ (DEVIL) and ‘verruciform lichen simplex chronicus’ (vLSC).Methods and resultsFrom January 2008 to December 2020 we retrospectively identified 36 eligible patients with verruciform non‐invasive lesions (n = 36) and collected clinical, histological and follow‐up parameters. Verruciform non‐invasive lesions occurred at a median age of 71 years, with a median follow‐up of 33.5 months. Clinically, pruritus was only reported in patients with VAAD (n = 3, 21%). Lesion colour was significantly different across categories (P = 0.028). Apart from the histopathological criteria already known to distinguish these entities (hypogranulosis, epithelial pallor and low‐magnification architecture), no other significant criteria were discovered and significant overlap was observed, particularly between VAAD and DEVIL. Patients with vLSC trended towards longer survival without recurrence compared to VAAD and DEVIL (P = 0.082), but showed comparable invasion‐free survival interval (P = 0.782). Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) associated with either VAAD, DEVIL or vLSC displayed similar clinical, histopathological and biological parameters. In non‐invasive precursor lesions, stromal oedema was associated with invasion (P = 0.015) and remained so upon Cox regression analysis (P = 0.009).ConclusionOur study of HPV and p53 independent non‐invasive verruciform lesions of the vulva highlights significant clinical, histopathological and biological overlap between VAAD, DEVIL and vLSC, suggesting that these pre‐invasive lesions should be viewed as a spectrum. We also show that stromal features such as oedema might play an import role in progression to invasion.
Determinants of having severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 neutralizing antibodies in Egypt
Authors: El Rifay Amira S. , Mahmoud Sara H. , Marouf Mohamed A. , Gomaa Mokhtar R. , El Taweel Ahmed , Abo Shama Noura M. , GabAllah Mohamed , Abd El Dayem Soha M. , Kandeil Ahmed , Mostafa Ahmed , El‐Shesheny Rabeh , Kayali Ghazi , Ali Mohamed A. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundReported laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 cases underestimate the true burden of disease as cases without laboratory confirmation, and asymptomatic and mild cases are missed by local surveillance systems. Population‐based seroprevalence studies can provide better estimates of burden of disease by taking into account infections that were missed by surveillance systems. Additionally, little is known about the determinants of seroconversion in community settings.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional serologic survey among 888 participants in Egypt.ResultsNeutralizing antibodies were detected in 30% of study volunteers. Age and educational level were associated with being seropositive as people older than 70 years and people with graduate degrees had lower seroprevalence. Self‐reporting cases having COVID‐19‐related symptoms such as fever, malaise, headache, dyspnea, dry cough, chest pain, diarrhea, and loss of taste or smell were all associated with having antibodies. Fever and loss of taste or smell were strong predictors with odds ratios of 2.1 (95% confidence interval: 1.3–3.5) and 4.5 (95% confidence interval: 2.6–7.8), respectively.ConclusionsOur results can guide COVID‐19 prevention and control policies and assist in determining the immunity level in some Egyptian communities.
The influence of a biofilm‐dispersing wound gel on the wound healing process
Authors: Bounds Kayla , Colmer‐Hamood Jane A. , Myntti Matthew , Jeter Randall M. , Hamood Abdul N. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTopical antimicrobials that reduce the bacterial bioburden within a chronically‐infected wound may have helpful or harmful effects on the healing process. We used murine models of full‐thickness skin wounds to determine the effects of the novel biofilm‐dispersing wound gel (BDWG) and its gel base on the healing of uninfected wounds. The rate of wound closure over 19 days was comparable among the BDWG‐treated (BT) wounds and the controls. Compared with the controls, histology of the BT wounds showed formation of a stable blood clot at day 1, more neovascularisation and reepithelialisation at day 3, and more organised healing at day 7. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis showed a lower percentage of neutrophils in wounded tissues of the BT group at days 1 and 3, and significantly more M2 macrophages at day 3. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were increased over the uninjured baseline within the wounds of all treatment groups but the levels were significantly lower in the BT group at day 1, modulating the inflammatory response. Our results suggest that BDWG does not interfere with the wound healing process and may enhance it by lowering inflammation and allowing transition to the proliferative stage of wound healing by day 3.
Hydrogen isotope dissolution and release behavior in Y‐doped BaCeO3
Authors: Hossain M. Khalid , Iwasa Tadahiro , Hashizume Kenichi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOxides having a perovskite structure are known to exhibit good proton conductivity in a high‐temperature region, which makes them potential candidates in the tritium recovery and purification system of the electrochemical devices of fusion reactors such as hydrogen pumps, hydrogen sensors, and tritium monitoring systems. But the dissolution of hydrogen into the proton conductor and its release behavior is not well known yet. In this study, the dissolution and release behavior of hydrogen was investigated in BaCe0.9Y0.1O3−αproton conductor by exposing deuterium gas (D2) and heavy water vapor (D2O) at 600 or 700°C for 5 h. The dissolved deuterium amount in the sample was measured using a temperature‐programmed desorption analysis (TDS) method. The relationship between the amount of deuterium dissolved in the sample with the exposure pressure was also investigated. At room temperature (RT), the diffusivity of hydrogen (e.g., deuterium) was calculated from the change of the amount of residual hydrogen in the exposed sample due to the change of storage time. The Tritium Migration Analysis Program, Version 4 (TMAP4) simulation code was used to simulate and compare the experimental value of the obtained diffusivity. Although diffusivity at RT has not been reported in the past, the diffusivity is close to the extrapolation value of the literature data. From the comparison of this research results with literature, it may consider that the dominant diffusion mechanism does not change regardless of the temperature range.
Using fermentation waste of ethanol-producing yeast for bacterial riboflavin production and recycling of spent bacterial mass for enhancing the growth of oily plants
Authors: Bashandy Shymaa Ryhan , Abd-Alla Mohamed Hemida , Mahmoud Ghada Abd-Elmonsef 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Aim
This study aims to use fermentation waste of ethanol production (solid and liquid) for riboflavin and recycling of bacterial biomass as biofertilizers to enhance the growth of some oily crop plants.

Methods and Results
Out of 10 yeast isolates from fresh milk, Clavispora lusitaniae ASU 33 (MN583181) was able to ferment different concentrations of glucose (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) into ethanol with high efficiency at 10%. Among seven non-Lactobacillus bacterial isolates recovered from cheese samples, two bacterial isolates Bacillus subtlis-SR2 (MT002768) and Novosphingobium panipatense-SR3 (MT002778) were selected for their high riboflavin production. Different media (control medium, fermentation waste medium and a mixture of the fermentation waste medium and control medium [1:1]) were used for riboflavin production. These media were inoculated by a single or mixture of B. subtlis-SR2, N. panipatense-SR3. The addition of the waste medium of ethanol production to the control medium (1:1) had a stimulatory effect on riboflavin production whether inoculated with either a single strain or a mixture of B. subtlis-SR2 and N. panipatense-SR3. A mixture of fermentation waste and control media inoculated with N. panipatense produced a high riboflavin yield in comparison with other media. Inoculation of Zea mays and Ocimum basilicum plants with either the bacterial biomass waste of riboflavin production (B. subtlis or N. panipatense) or a mixture of B. subtlis and N. panipatense) shows a stimulatory effect on the plant growth in comparison with control (uninoculated plants).

Conclusions
These results demonstrate the possibility of minimizing the cost of riboflavin and biofertilizer manufacturing via interlinking ethanol and riboflavin with the biofertilizer production technology.

Significance and Impact of Study
This study outlines the methods of evaluating the strength of spent media by applying procedures developed in the vitamin production industries. Furthermore, bacterial biomass waste can act as an environmentally friendly alternative for agrochemicals.
Testing tropical biogeographical regions using the palm family as a model clade
Authors: Hansen Lars Emil S. F. , Baker William J. , Tietje Melanie , Eiserhardt Wolf L. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimSince Wallace's and Engler's 19th‐century biogeographical schemes, biogeographers have sought to classify the world into biogeographical regions according to patterns in biotic distribution. Yet, while most of the world's plant biodiversity can be found in the tropics, basic phytogeographical relationships and boundaries within this zone remain debated. We investigated whether palms, a species‐rich, well‐studied pantropical family, reflect traditional floristic schemes or support a recently published phylogenetic regionalisation that contests the traditional views on phytogeographical tropical regions.LocationTropics and subtropics.TaxonPalm family (Arecaceae).MethodsWe use a species‐level dated phylogenetic tree of palms along with a dataset of all palm species distributions to calculate pairwise phylogenetic beta diversity among palm assemblages. From these pairwise dissimilarity values, we compute the relationship between assemblages in NMDS ordination space and use hierarchical clustering to define biogeographical units for palms.ResultsWe found a Neotropical versus Palaeotropical division of palm assemblages as the major biogeographical split. Two Neotropical and four Palaeotropical clusters were identified with the following relationships: ((Southern Neotropical, Northern Neotropical), ((Indian Ocean), ((African), (Eurasian‐Australian, Melanesian‐Pacific)))).Main ConclusionsOur analysis supports many delineations suggested in traditional floristic schemes, most importantly a clear Neotropical versus Palaeotropical division and units resembling Takhtajan's African, Indo‐Malesian, New Caledonian and Polynesian Palaeotropical subkingdoms. However, as recently suggested in phylogenetic regionalisation, our results also show a clustering of Southeast Asian and Australian assemblages, substantiating the suggestion of a combined Asian‐Australian region. Biogeographical regionalisation for palms does not support the existence of trans‐continental dry tropical or subtropical phytogeographical clusters that have recently been found in dicot trees, despite known Northern Hemisphere connections for palms. Further modern regionalisations based on multiple datasets with complementary strengths are needed to establish a credible set of phytogeographical regions for the tropics.
Back to the Future in EU Social Policy? Endogenous Critical Junctures and the Case of the European Pillar of Social Rights
Authors: Carella Beatrice , Graziano Paolo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe launch of the European Pillar of Social Rights occurred at a phase of endogenous critical juncture for Social Europe. By analyzing the Pillar's formulation and adoption process, we investigate to what extent the European Commission used the involvement of civil society and policy responsiveness to foster change in the modes of governance and legitimize stronger intervention in the social sphere, by re‐launching the methods of coordination introduced in the 1990s. Methodologically, we rely on a content analysis of EU policy documents before and after the public consultations, a content analysis of over 60 position papers and on interviews with policy actors. We find that despite increased openness and responsiveness, the Pillar initiative did not allow to alter the predominance of ‘soft law’ routes and patterns of intergovernmentalism characterizing the governance of EU social policy, a result that further qualifies the conditions that lead (endogenous) critical junctures to generate change.
A test of the photoprotection hypothesis for the evolution of autumn colours: Chlorophyll resorption, not anthocyanin production, is correlated with nitrogen translocation
Authors: Pena‐Novas Ines , Archetti Marco 
Published: July 2021

AbstractA prominent hypothesis for the adaptive value of anthocyanin production in the autumn leaves of trees and shrubs is that anthocyanins protect leaves from photooxidative stress at low temperatures, allowing a better resorption of nutrients—in particular, nitrogen—before leaf fall. While there is evidence that anthocyanins enable photoprotection, it is not clear whether this translates to improved nitrogen translocation and how this can explain inter‐specific variation in autumn colours. A recent comparative analysis showed no correlation between temperature and anthocyanin production across species but did not analyse nitrogen content and nitrogen resorption efficiency. Here, we provide this comparison by analysing the nitrogen content of mature and senescent leaves and their autumn colours in 55 species of trees. We find no correlation between the presence of anthocyanins and the efficiency of nitrogen resorption. We find, instead, that nitrogen resorption is more efficient in species with yellow autumn colours, pointing to chlorophyll resorption, rather than anthocyanin synthesis, as the main determinant of nitrogen translocation efficiency. Hence, our results do not corroborate the photoprotection hypothesis for the evolution of autumn colours.
Effects of Chronic Care Model‐based interventions on self‐management, quality of life and patient satisfaction in patients with ischemic stroke: A single‐blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kalav Simge , Bektas Hicran , Ünal Ali 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimThis study was designed to evaluate the effect of Chronic Care Model (CCM)‐based interventions on primary outcomes (self‐efficacy, quality of life/QoL, patient satisfaction) and secondary outcomes (activities of daily living/ADL, metabolic control variables, stroke knowledge level, healthy eating habits, physical activity, taking regular medication, measuring blood pressure regularly, living in harmony with the disease, outcomes regarding telephone interviews) in patients with ischemic stroke.MethodThe intervention group (IG) received a 12‐week StrokeCARE intervention protocol based on the four components of the CCM. The control group (CG) received only routine patient care. Changes between scores at two time points regarding self‐efficacy, QoL, ADL, and metabolic control variables were calculated for each group, and then the mean changes were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe mean ages of the patients were 55.9 ± 11.44 and 58.9 ± 13.82 years (respectively IG; CG), and 64.7% of the patients were male in both groups. Most patients had other chronic diseases accompanying ischemic stroke. No significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to self‐efficacy and QoL. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the IG. Positive feedback percentages of the patients in the IG regarding stroke knowledge level and consuming whole‐grain food at the end of the 12 weeks increased significantly. This protocol had no significant effects on the secondary outcomes.ConclusionThe CCM‐based interventions may increase the satisfaction level of the patients and help to raise awareness of the risk of a secondary stroke. More studies are needed to examine the effects of these interventions (ClinicalTrials.gov‐Identifier Number:NCT04161820).