bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparing individuals buried in flexed and extended positions at the Greek colony of Chersonesos (Crimea) using cranial metric, dental metric, and dental nonmetric traits
Authors: Rathmann Hannes , Stoyanov Roman , Posamentir Richard 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe Greek colony of Chersonesos was founded in the 5th century BC on the coast of the Crimean Peninsula in the northern Black Sea region. Extensive archeological research has investigated the timing and mode of the Greek land seizure and the responses of the local Taurian tribes, focusing on a large necropolis dating to the earliest period of the colony, somewhere between the 5th and the 4th century BC. Relying on burial traditions as an indicator of the biogeographic origin of the deceased, it was hypothesized that individuals buried in flexed positions were Taurian whereas individuals buried in extended positions were Greek. Here, we test the hypothesis that individuals in flexed and extended burial positions are biologically different by directly analyzing the human skeletal remains. For this, we collected three different types of phenotypic data commonly used for biodistance analysis, namely, (1) cranial measurements, (2) dental measurements, and (3) dental nonmetric traits, recorded for 47 individuals. Using Gower distance coefficients, we combine the three data types in a single analysis and estimate biological relationships among a subset of well‐preserved individuals with documented flexed (n = 8) and extended (n = 13) burial position. The estimated distances show a large amount of overlap between the two groups, with the exception of two individuals that are more divergent. To statistically corroborate this finding, we use distance‐based permutational multivariate analyses of variance (PERMANOVA) and dispersion (PERMDISP). Both analyses reveal no statistically significant differences between the groups, neither in group centroids nor in group dispersions. Our results therefore contradict the idea that burial position was determined by ancestry of the deceased. This has implications for future archeological research at Chersonesos and other Greek colonies of the northern Black Sea region.
Land degradation in South Africa: Justice and climate change in tension
Authors: Mani Suma , Osborne Colin P. , Cleaver Frances 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Land degradation is a global problem impacting biodiversity and livelihoods, with profound effects on resource‐based livelihoods. As such, it impedes progress towards sustainable development goals (SDGs) and overcoming climate‐related poverty. Interrelated biophysical and social factors are driving further land degradation, and, internationally, there is a range of policies and initiatives designed to address these.

In this paper, we argue that analysis of land degradation must encompass three key dimensions: firstly, that the causes are both physical and social; secondly, that they are shaped by historically unjust land tenure and resource allocations; and thirdly, that outcomes are the result of entwined processes at the global, national and local levels. To do this, we modify an analytical framework derived from structuration theory and populate it with illustrative material from the case of rangeland management in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. In this way, we show how understanding land degradation requires an analytical approach that is simultaneously bio‐social, historically informed and multiscalar.

Land degradation caused by woody encroachment is a major bio‐social issue for the rangelands of South Africa, exacerbated by intersecting factors including climate change, historical land tenure policies and post‐apartheid reforms. However, contemporary land use policies in South Africa designed to redress historic land injustices and enhance rural livelihoods are not directly connected with those which prioritise the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, or climate mitigation. Finally, South African policymakers face the challenge of reconciling political commitments to improve the lives of local populations whilst meeting international targets to address degradation, carbon emissions and SDGs.

Whilst the South African case is unique, many countries face the simultaneous challenges of trying to prevent ecological degradation whilst mitigating historical patterns of unjust access to land and natural resources. More broadly, this talks of the global challenge of reconciling goals of poverty alleviation with climate mitigation.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Exploring parity in female authorship of pharmacoepidemiology articles: A case study of the Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies and its citing articles
Authors: Sketris Ingrid S. , Traynor Robyn L. , Helwig Melissa , Burland Elaine , Stewart Samuel A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPurposeThe Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES) studies the benefits and risks of post‐market drugs and evaluates its research mobilization efforts for accountability, demonstrating value, and learning. As part of these evaluation efforts, and acknowledging gender disparity in authorship across many academic disciplines, CNODES examined the relationship between gender and authorship in its own journal articles and the literature citing them.MethodsCNODES articles (published 2012–2017) and all citing articles were identified and extracted using Scopus. Scopus author IDs were used to extract full names and a web service (www.genderapi.com) was used to estimate gender, converting all probabilities <80% to “indeterminate.” T‐tests and visualizations were used to compare the proportion of females between CNODES and the citing literature.ResultsTwenty‐eight CNODES articles and 463 citing articles were identified. The mean number of authors per article was 9.5 in CNODES articles and 5.7 in the citing literature. CNODES articles had a female authorship rate of 36%, compared to 29% in the citing literature (7% difference, 95% CI: [1%, 13%]). There were no female authors in 14% of CNODES articles versus 36% of the citing literature. Women were first authors in 25% and corresponding authors in 14% of CNODES articles.ConclusionsThis analysis provides a benchmark and method to monitor progress in female parity in pharmacoepidemiology authorship. Further work is needed to determine and address barriers and facilitators to women's recruitment and advancement in the field of pharmacoepidemiology.
NR3C2 genotype is associated with response to spironolactone in diastolic heart failure patients from the Aldo‐DHF trial
Authors: Dumeny Leanne , Vardeny Orly , Edelmann Frank , Pieske Burkert , Duarte Julio D. , Cavallari Larisa H. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractStudy ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine if variants in NR3C2, which codes the target protein of spironolactone, or CYP11B2, which is involved in aldosterone synthesis, were associated with spironolactone response, focused on the primary end point of diastolic function (E/e′), in Aldosterone Receptor Blockade in Diastolic Heart Failure (Aldo‐DHF) participants.DesignPost‐hoc genetic analysis.Data SourceData and samples were derived from the multi‐center, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled Aldo‐DHF trial.PatientsAldo‐DHF participants treated with spironolactone (n = 184) or placebo (n = 178) were included.InterventionParticipants were genotyped for NR3C2 rs5522, NR3C2 rs2070951 and CYP11B2 rs1799998 via pyrosequencing.MeasurementsIn the placebo and spironolactone arms, separate multivariable linear regression analyses were performed for change in E/e′ with each single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), adjusted for age, sex, and baseline E/e′. To discern potential mechanisms of a genotype effect, associated SNPs were further examined for their association with change in blood pressure, circulating procollagen type III N‐terminal peptide (PIIINP), and left atrial area.Main ResultsCarriers of the rs5522 G allele in the placebo arm had a greater increase in E/e′ over the 12‐month course of the trial compared to noncarriers (β = 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05–2.16; p = 0.04). No corresponding E/e′ worsening by rs5522 genotype was observed in the spironolactone arm. None of the other genotypes were associated with change in E/e′. Compared to noncarriers, rs5522 G carriers also had a greater increase in left atrial area with placebo (β = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.17–1.48; p = 0.01) and a greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure with spironolactone (β = −3.56; 95% CI: −6.73 to −0.39; p = 0.03). Serum PIIINP levels were similar across rs5522 genotypes.ConclusionsOur results suggest that spironolactone attenuates progression of diastolic dysfunction associated with the NR3C2 rs5522 G allele. Validation of our findings is needed.
Light management of PERC solar cell with the front and back dielectric multilayers
Authors: Ding Jianming , Zou Shuai , Wu Chengkun , Shen Leilei , Choi Jonghyung , Cui Junhu , Yuan Dichun , Sun Hua , Zhang Xiaohong , Su Xiaodong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractLight management is one of the important methods to increase the efficiency of passivated emitter and rear cells (PERCs). With the help of simulation, we designed and fabricated the industrial Ga‐doped single‐crystalline silicon (sc‐Si) PERC solar cells by integrating the silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy) with the traditional silicon nitride (SiNx) dielectric films on both the front and rear surfaces. In the front, the SiOxNy capping effectively decreased the reflectance in the short‐wavelength light range, thus increased the cells' short circuit current (Isc) by ~50 mA. In the back, the SiOxNy layer was inserted into the rear SiNx film, thus increased the internal reflection at the rear surface in the long‐wavelength light range, resulting in an about 24‐mA Isc gain. Totally, with the front and rear light management, the champion samples showed the significant improvement with an about 80‐mA increment in Isc of cells compared with the baseline group.
On the use of intra‐molecular distance and angle constraints to lengthen the time step in molecular and stochastic dynamics simulations of proteins
Authors: Pechlaner Maria , van Gunsteren Wilfred F. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractComputer simulation of proteins in aqueous solution at the atomic level of resolution is still limited in time span and system size due to limited computing power available and thus employs a variety of time‐saving techniques that trade some accuracy against computational effort. An example of such a time‐saving technique is the application of constraints to particular degrees of freedom when integrating Newton's or Langevin's equations of motion in molecular dynamics (MD) or stochastic dynamics (SD) simulations, respectively. The application of bond‐length constraints is standard practice in protein simulations and allows for a lengthening of the time step by a factor of three. Applying recently proposed algorithms to constrain bond angles or dihedral angles, it is investigated, using the protein trypsin inhibitor as test molecule, whether bond angles and dihedral angles involving hydrogen atoms or even stiff proper (torsional) dihedral angles as well as improper ones (maintaining particular tetrahedral or planar geometries) may be constrained without generating too many artificial side effects. Constraining the relative positions of the hydrogen atoms in the protein allows for a lengthening of the time step by a factor of two. Additionally constraining the improper dihedral angles and the stiff proper (torsional) dihedral angles in the protein does not allow for an increase of the MD or SD time step.
Evaluating the pesticidal impact of plant protease inhibitors: lethal weaponry in the co‐evolutionary battle
Authors: Pandey Ankesh , Yadav Reena , Sanyal Indraneel 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn the arsenal of plant defense, protease inhibitors (PIs) are well‐designed defensive products to counter field pests. PIs are produced in plant tissues by means of ‘stable defense metabolite’ and triggered on demand as the perception of the signal and well established as a part of plant active defense. PIs have been utilized for approximately four decades, initially as a gene‐alone approach that was later replaced by multiple gene pyramiding/gene stacking due to insect adaptability towards the PI alone. By considering the adaptive responses of the pest to the single insecticidal gene, the concept of gene pyramiding gained continuous appreciation for the development of transgenic crops to deal with co‐evolving pests. Gene pyramiding approaches are executed to bypass the insectʼs adaptive responses against PIs. Stacking PIs with additional insecticidal proteins, plastid engineering, recombinant proteinase inhibitors, RNAi‐based methods and CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing are the advanced tools and methods for next‐generation pest management. Undoubtedly, the domain associated with the mechanism of PIs in the course of plant–pest interactions will occupy a central role for the advancement of more efficient and sustainable pest control strategies. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Accuracy of cancer diagnostic probe for intra‐surgical checking of cavity side margins in neoadjuvant breast cancer cases: A human model study
Authors: Dabbagh Najmeh , Abbasvandi Fereshteh , Miripour Zohreh Sadat , Hoseinpour Parisa , Jahanbakhshi Fahimeh , Moradi Afshin , Riazi Hooman , Moradian Farid , Zanjani Fatemeh Shojaeian , Parniani Mohammad , Akbari Mohammad Esmaeil , Abdolahad Mohammad 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundBackground Recently, a real‐time system, named cancer diagnostic probe (CDP), has been developed to diagnose the presence of pre‐neoplastic/neoplastic cells in breast cavity side margins. Detecting mechanism is real‐time determination of the ROS/H2O2 released from cancer or atypical cells, through reverse Warburg effect and hypoxia glycolysis pathways.AimsHere, we designed a human model study based on real‐time checking of 387 internal margins (IM) from 39 neoadjuvant breast cancer cases by CDP.Materials & MethodsEach lesion was checked by entered needle sensor and electrical scores were recorded. The permanent pathology result of each tested lesion was our gold standard to evaluate CDP scoring. CDP results were compared with permanent pathology of tumour side margins (as a conventional margin evaluation procedure).ResultsResults showed that the sensitivity of CDP in scoring the cavity side margins of those cases is 91%. A total of 18 involved IM which had been detected by CDP were declared as free margins in pathology section of tumour side samples. Just five involved IM were missed by CDP.DiscussionsSuch sensitivity revealed that metabolism based (here: hypoxia glycolysis) tracing of cancer cells show distinct electrochemical responses between clear and involved cavity side margin evaluation.ConclusionThis human study showed the promising role of CDP to achieve clear margins after BCS of neoadjuvant cases.
Residual's influence index (RINFIN), bad leverage and unmasking in high dimensionalL2‐regression
Authors: Yatracos Yannis G. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn linear regression ofYonX(∈Rp) with parametersβ(∈Rp+1), statistical inference is unreliable when observations are obtained from gross‐error model,Fϵ,G = (1 − ϵ)F + ϵG, instead of the assumed probabilityF;Gis gross‐error probability, 0 < ϵ < 1. Residual's influence index (RINFIN) at (x,y) is introduced,with components measuring also the local influence ofxin the residualand large valueflagginga bad leverage case (fromG), thus causing unmasking. Large sample properties ofRINFINare presented to confirm significance of the findings, but often the large difference in theRINFINscores of the data is indicative.RINFINis successful with microarray data, simulated, high dimensional data and classic regression data sets.RINFIN's performance improves aspincreases and can be used in multiple response linear regression.
Additive Destabilization of Porous Magnesium Borohydride Framework with Core‐Shell Structure
Authors: Dun Chaochao , Jeong Sohee , Liu Yi‐Sheng , Leick Noemi , Mattox Tracy M. , Guo Jinghua , Lee Joo‐Won , Gennett Thomas , Stavila Vitalie , Urban Jeffrey J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDesign of interfaces with thermodynamic and kinetic specificity is of great importance for hydrogen storage from both an applied and fundamental perspective. Here, in order to destabilize the metal hydride and protect the dehydrogenated products from oxidizing, a unique core‐shell structure of porous Mg(BH4)2‐based framework with a thin layer (no more than 5 nm) of MgCl2 additives on the surface, has been proposed and synthesized via a wet‐chemical method. The local structure and electronic state of the present complex system are systematically investigated to understand the correlation between the distribution of additives and dehydrogenation property of Mg(BH4)2. A significant improvement is achieved for hydrogen desorption with chlorides: initial hydrogen release from MgCl2 decorated γ‐phase Mg(BH4)2 particles commences at 100 °C and reaches a maximum of 9.4 wt% at 385 °C. Besides the decreased decomposition temperature, an activation barrier of about 76.4 kJ mol−1 lower than that of Mg(BH4)2 without MgCl2 is obtained. Moreover, MgCl2 decoration can also prevent the whole decomposed system (both Mg‐ and B‐ elements) from oxidizing, which is a necessary condition to reversibility.
Characteristics, Protein Engineering, Heterologous Production, and Industrial Applications of Microbial Isoamylases
Authors: Dong Zixing , Yang Shuangshuang , Dong Xiaoxiao , Yang Yongna , Yan Xueting , Su Jiejie , Tang Cunduo , Yao Lunguang , Kan Yunchao 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIsoamylase (EC 3.2.1.68), belonging to glycoside hydrolase subfamily GH13_11, catalyzes the hydrolysis of the α‐1,6‐D‐glucosidic linkages in amylopectin, glycogen, and derived oligosaccharides. The high debranching efficiency and transglycosylation activity enable its use in food, feed, detergent, and other industries. However, the low catalytic efficiency and insufficient stability of currently known isoamylases prevent their widespread applications. To meet the requirements set by specific applications, therefore, there is a continuing demand to obtain isoamylases with good stabilities and high expression levels by protein engineering and development of novel fermentation strategies. Herein, the microbial sources, biochemical properties, and distinct sequence and structural features of microbial isoamylases are summarized. Current developments in the protein engineering, heterologous expression, and industrial applications of isoamylases are also discussed. Finally, the future research perspectives of microbial isoamylases are provided.
Effect of inorganic mercury exposure on reproductive system of male mice: Immunosuppression and fibrosis in testis
Authors: Li Siyu , Han Bing , Wu Pengfei , Yang Qingyue , Wang Xiaoqiao , Li Jiayi , Liao Yuge , Deng Ning , Jiang Huijie , Zhang Zhigang 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTMercury as a toxic heavy metal will accumulate in the body and induce various diseases through the food chain. However, it is unknown that the detailed mechanism of reproductive disorder induced by inorganic mercury in male mice to date. This study investigated the toxicological effect of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) exposure on reproductive system in male mice. Male Kunming mice received normal saline daily or HgCl2 (3 mg/kg bodyweight) by intraperitoneal injection for a week. The reproductive function was evaluated, and the HgCl2 exposure induced the decline of sperm quality, pregnancy rate, mean litter size, and survival rate. Notably, we firstly found the HgCl2‐induced immunosuppression and fibrosis in mice testis according to the results of RNA sequencing. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that HgCl2 exposure disrupts the reproductive system and induces testicular immunosuppression and fibrosis via inhibition of the CD74 signaling pathway in male mice.
Municipal wastewater sludge rheology: Impact of temperature, solid content, and settling solids
Authors: Infusino Ernesto , Caloiero Tommaso 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe analysis of the rheological properties of the sludge produced in biological purification plants is paramount for the design of equipment (pumping, mixing, conditioning, aeration, filtration, etc.) and the management of these plants. In particular, solid content in the sludge plays a significant role in the rheological quantities. In this study, an investigation of the sludge rheology produced in different sectors of an activated sludge plant (aerated sludge, recirculation sludge, and thickened sludge) has been performed. Specifically, for each sludge sample, various physical–chemical parameters have been analyzed, and rheological tests have been performed at different temperatures (10°C, 20°C, 30°C, and 40°C ± 0.1). The sludge was considered as a non‐Newtonian Bingham fluid. Viscosity and critical stress were determined, and their dependence at different temperatures, on some physical parameters, such as solid content and settling solids, has been studied. Results evidenced that viscosity and critical stress increase with increasing solid concentration. Moreover, at the same concentration, as the temperature increases, the viscosity decreases, whereas the critical stress decreases until temperature values of about 30°C and then increases again.Practitioner Points

An investigation of the sludge rheology produced in different sectors of an activated sludge plant has been performed.
For each sludge sample, various physical–chemical parameters have been analyzed, and rheological tests have been performed at different temperatures.
Viscosity and critical stress were determined, and their dependence at different temperatures, on some physical parameters, has been studied.
Results evidenced that viscosity and critical stress increase with increasing solid concentration.
Medium-induced radiative kernel with the Improved Opacity Expansion
Authors: Barata João , Mehtar-Tani Yacine , Soto-Ontoso Alba , Tywoniuk Konrad 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
We calculate the fully differential medium-induced radiative spectrum at next-to-leading order (NLO) accuracy within the Improved Opacity Expansion (IOE) framework. This scheme allows us to gain analytical control of the radiative spectrum at low and high gluon frequencies simultaneously. The high frequency regime can be obtained in the standard opacity expansion framework in which the resulting power series diverges at the characteristic frequency ωc ∼ $$ \hat{q} $$

q
̂

L2. In the IOE, all orders in opacity are resumed systematically below ωc yielding an asymptotic series controlled by logarithmically suppressed remainders down to the thermal scale T « ωc, while matching the opacity expansion at high frequency. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the IOE at NLO accuracy reproduces the characteristic Coulomb tail of the single hard scattering contribution as well as the Gaussian distribution resulting from multiple soft momentum exchanges. Finally, we compare our analytic scheme with a recent numerical solution, that includes a full resummation of multiple scatterings, for LHC-inspired medium parameters. We find a very good agreement both at low and high frequencies showcasing the performance of the IOE which provides for the first time accurate analytic formulas for radiative energy loss in the relevant perturbative kinematic regimes for dense media.