bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Encapsulation and Delivery of Dimethylcurcumin by Using Nanoparticles of a Polyethylene‐Glycol‐Based Dimethylcurcumin Prodrug
Authors: Lai Chao , Hu Hang , Xu Defeng 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDimethylcurcumin (DMC) is a synthetic curcuminoid which can enhance androgen receptor (AR) degradation to suppress AR‐associated cancers. However, the extremely poor water solubility and low biocompatibility of DMC significantly limit its biomedical applications. Herein, a water soluble DMC prodrug mPEG‐DMC (7.4 %) with DMC loading content of 7.4 % was synthesized and further used for preparation of free DMC loaded nanoparticles (NPs) for delivery of both covalently bound and free DMC. mPEG‐DMC (7.4 %) can self‐assemble into nanoparticles in aqueous solution and can encapsulate free DMC with high drug loading content and encapsulation efficiency. The average hydrodynamic diameters of the prepared NPs are between 90 and 140 nm, and increase with increasing DMC loading content. The in vitro drug release study shows that the DMC@mPEG‐DMC (15.5 %) and DMC@mPEG‐DMC (18.6 %) NPs exhibit pH‐triggered DMC release behaviors. The cellular uptake study shows that DMC@mPEG‐DMC (18.6 %) NPs exhibit enhanced cellular uptake as compared to free DMC and DMC@mPEG‐DMC (15.5 %) NPs. DMC@mPEG‐DMC (15.5 %) and DMC@mPEG‐DMC (18.6 %) NPs exhibit similar cytotoxicity and AR protein suppression effect on HepG2 cells and 22Rv1 cells as compared to free DMC. The DMC@mPEG‐DMC (15.5 %) and DMC@mPEG‐DMC (18.6 %) NPs developed in this work provide two water soluble and effective nanoformulations of DMC.
The Formation and Conducting Mechanism of Imidazole‐Gold Molecular Junctions
Authors: Li Shi , Jiang Yuxuan , Wang Yongfeng , Hou Shimin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe formation mechanism and electronic transport properties of imidazole sandwiched between gold electrodes are investigated using the non‐equilibrium Green's function formalism combined with density functional theory. Our calculations show that the imidazole radical bridges the gold electrodes and the covalent Au−N bonds formed at the molecule‐electrode interfaces enhance the junction stability. In contrast, adding one more electron to the junction, which corresponds to the imidazole radical anion, will increase the antibonding orbital population and thus weaken the junction stability. The calculated low‐bias conductance values of junctions with a single imidazole radical and two imidazole radicals linked in series through one gold atom are in excellent agreement with the experimental measurements, which are mainly contributed by the σ‐type Au−N bonds. These findings deepen our understanding of the structure‐property relationship of imidazole‐gold molecular junctions and facilitate the design of future imidazole‐based molecular electronic devices.
Battling COVID‐19 with dysfunctional federalism: Lessons from India
Authors: Choutagunta Abishek , Manish G. P. , Rajagopalan Shruti 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe Indian federation is highly centripetal, and historically, this has left states without the requisite legislative and fiscal authority to take independent action and initiate policies of significance. Consequently, India's response to the global COVID‐19 pandemic was to impose a very severe countrywide lockdown using the mandate of the Union (federal) government. This centralized one‐size‐fits‐all diktat was imposed despite high variations across states in resources, healthcare capacity, and incidence of COVID‐19 cases. We argue that India's dysfunctional federalism is the reason for the centralized lockdown, preventing state and local governments from tailoring a policy response to suit local needs. Using mobility data, we demonstrate the high variation in curtailing mobility in different states through the centralized lockdown. We find that India's centralized lockdown was at best a partial success in a handful of states, while imposing enormous economic costs even in areas where few were affected by the pandemic.
Examining student environmental science agency across school science contexts
Authors: Harris Emily M. , Ballard Heidi L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTo address the limited time and support for elementary science, science instruction is sometimes distributed among classroom teachers, science specialists, and informal science educators, creating a complex school science culture. We investigate how student agency may be enabled and constrained when school science learning happens simultaneously across multiple school contexts. Using a social practice theory lens, we examine how three third‐grade students with a strong interest in science attempt to pursue their own interest‐driven inquiries across the classroom, school garden, and science lab and how the culture and resources of those contexts may enable or constrain students' understanding and use of environmental science in their lives and communities, or environmental science agency (ESA). Drawing on observations, videos, and interview data, we found that the particular culture of the different science learning settings appeared to enable or constrain students' ESA. The classroom teacher allowed for narrow forms of participation in science practice, and both she and the students reinforced these norms, which seemed to constrain ESA across all three settings. The science teacher allowed for broader forms of student participation, which appeared to support student ESA in the science lab. Students drew on flexible activity structures as well as access to scientific tools, living organisms, and citizen science resources to take actions to pursue their own inquiries. We found ESA for students in the garden was supported by garden resources but narrow forms of participation reinforced by the classroom teacher, garden teacher, and students transferred to the garden context. While this study explored student agency over 2 months, these findings have broader application because students receiving conflicting messages about who one can be in science can have implications for possible futures they might imagine for themselves.
Prediction of salting‐out in liquid‐liquid two‐phase systems with ePC‐SAFT: Effect of the Born term and of a concentration‐dependent dielectric constant
Authors: Ascani Moreno , Held Christoph 
Published: March 2021

AbstractKnowledge on phase equilibria is of crucial importance in designing industrial processes. However, modeling phase equilibria in liquid‐liquid two‐phase systems (LLTPS) containing electrolytes is still a challenge for electrolyte thermodynamic models and modeling still requires a lot of experimental input data. Further, modeling electrolyte solutions requires accounting for different physical effects in the electrolyte theory, especially the change of the dielectric properties of the medium at different compositions and the related change of solvation free energy of the dissolved ions. In a previous work, the Born term was altered by combining it with a concentration‐dependent dielectric constant within the framework of electrolyte Perturbed‐Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (ePC‐SAFT), and hence called ‘ePC‐SAFT advanced’. In the present work, ePC‐SAFT advanced was validated against liquid‐liquid equilibria (LLE) of LLTPS water+organic solvents+alkali halides as well as aqueous two‐phase systems containing the phase formers poly (propylene glycol) and an ionic liquid. All the ePC‐SAFT parameters were used as published in the literature, and each binary interaction parameter between ion‐solvent was set to zero. ePC‐SAFT advanced allowed quantitatively predicting the salt effect on LLTPS without adjusting binary interaction parameters, while classical ePC‐SAFT or meaningless mixing rules for the dielectric constant term failed in predicting the phase behavior of the LLTPS.
First yield in the Maugis‐adhesive contact of elastic spheres
Authors: Leroy Jean‐Emmanuel , Willert Emanuel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe analyze the onset of plastic yield in the Maugis‐adhesive contact of elastic spheres. Written in proper dimensionless variables, the problem solution depends on Poisson's ratio, the Tabor parameter and a non‐dimensional adhesion strength. The influences of adhesion range and strength are studied in detail. First yield can either occur inside the bodies on the axis of symmetry (for long range adhesion) or at the contact boundary (for short range adhesion). Adhesion significantly reduces the external load necessary to initiate plastic yield. A simple analytic solution for the critical load in the DMT‐limit of adhesion is being derived. Our results are quantitatively similar to previously published findings based on the double Hertz model of adhesion and can for example be applied to study an adhesive spherical microcontact in the contact of rough surfaces.
Amino Acid Nutrition and Metabolism in Chickens
Authors: He Wenliang , Li Peng , Wu Guoyao 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBoth poultry meat and eggs provide high-quality animal protein [containing sufficient amounts and proper ratios of amino acids (AAs)] for human consumption and, therefore, play an important role in the growth, development, and health of all individuals. Because there are growing concerns about the suboptimal efficiencies of poultry production and its impact on environmental sustainability, much attention has been paid to the formulation of low-protein diets and precision nutrition through the addition of low-cost crystalline AAs or alternative sources of animal-protein feedstuffs. This necessitates a better understanding of AA nutrition and metabolism in chickens. Although historic nutrition research has focused on nutritionally essential amino acids (EAAs) that are not synthesized or are inadequately synthesized in the body, increasing evidence shows that the traditionally classified nutritionally nonessential amino acids (NEAAs), such as glutamine and glutamate, have physiological and regulatory roles other than protein synthesis in chicken growth and egg production. In addition, like other avian species, chickens do not synthesize adequately glycine or proline (the most abundant AAs in the body but present in plant-source feedstuffs at low content) relative to their nutritional and physiological needs. Therefore, these two AAs must be sufficient in poultry diets. Animal proteins (including ruminant meat & bone meal and hydrolyzed feather meal) are abundant sources of both glycine and proline in chicken nutrition. Clearly, chickens (including broilers and laying hens) have dietary requirements for all proteinogenic AAs to achieve their maximum productivity and maintain optimum health particularly under adverse conditions such as heat stress and disease. This is a paradigm shift in poultry nutrition from the 70-year-old “ideal protein” concept that concerned only about EAAs to the focus of functional AAs that include both EAAs and NEAAs.
Engaging Teachers in Dialogic Teaching as a Way to Promote Cultural Literacy Learning: A Reflection on Teacher Professional Development
Authors: Hofmann Riikka , Vrikki Maria , Evagorou Maria 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEffective teacher professional development (PD) is an important part of successfully implementing educational innovations. However, research has shown that not all PD is effective, largely because it has not been developed based on theoretical understandings around teacher professional learning, such as reflective practice, teacher collaboration and teacher agency and inquiry. This chapter concerns the PD program developed as part of the DIALLS project. The chapter places particular emphasis on the ways in which the PD program was informed by the literature on teacher professional learning and effective features of PD, as well as the literature on promoting dialogic pedagogy.
Creative Ways to Approach the Theme of Cultural Diversity in Wordless Picturebooks Through Visual Reading and Thinking
Authors: Rodosthenous-Balafa Marina , Chatzianastasi Maria , Stylianou-Georgiou Agni 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCultural diversity, as one of the most important characteristics of European community in the framework of the DIALLS project (see Chapter 10.1007/978-3-030-71778-0_1 for overview), is integral to notions of cultural identity and cultural literacy. The acknowledgement of identity formation as an ongoing, dynamic process through interaction rather than a pre‐conceived characteristic arises as an imperative need, in order to encourage democracy to thrive through constructive confrontation and integration (Rapanta et al. in The Curriculum Journal, 2020). According to Bland, picturebooks that authentically reflect cultural diversity can move even young readers towards “flexibility of perspective” (CLELE Journal, 4(2):45, 2016). Bishop (Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom, 6(3):ix–xi, 1990) highlights the need for young readers to recognise themselves in books they read, learn about the lives of other people, and be able to cross between groups and worlds. However, reading wordless picturebooks can be a challenging task, because of the ambiguity and open nature of their visually rendered narratives. The affordances of wordless picturebooks and the challenges embedded in their reading are discussed by the authors in Chapter 10.1007/978-3-030-71778-0_5 of this volume. This chapter presents several creative ways to analyze and approach the theme of cultural diversity in class, through various disciplinary lenses and methodological approaches.
Dialogue on Ethics, Ethics of Dialogue: Microgenetic Analysis of Students’ Moral Thinking
Authors: Cedar Talli , Baker Michael J. , Bietti Lucas M. , Détienne Françoise , Nir Erez , Pallarès Gabriel , Schwarz Baruch B. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this chapter we propose a methodological approach: we intend to explore the relations between children’s representations of moral issues as elaborated in dialogue (dialogue on ethics, DoE) and the ethical dimension of the children’s moral conduct towards each other (ethics of dialogue, EoD), where we expect to find interesting relations to explore. For example, if a child expresses tolerance towards a character in a video, to what extent does that child express tolerance towards the ideas and utterances of other children present in the interactive situation? The values we intend to focus on are the three main values at the heart of DIALLS: tolerance, empathy, and inclusion. We will examine the possible reciprocity between talking and doing, form and content, meta-dialogue and dialogue.
Catheter ablation of short-coupled variant of torsade de pointes
Authors: Steinfurt Johannes , Nazer Babak , Aguilar Martin , Moss Joshua , Higuchi Satoshi , Zarse Markus , Trolese Luca , Gressler Alexander , Faber Thomas S. , Odening Katja E. , Zehender Manfred , Bode Christoph , Scheinman Melvin M. , Tedrow Usha B. , Bogossian Harilaos 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
The short-coupled variant of torsade de pointes (sc-TdP) is a malignant arrhythmia that frequently presents with ventricular fibrillation (VF) electrical storm. Verapamil is considered the first-line therapy of sc-TdP while catheter ablation is not widely adopted. The aim of this study was to determine the origin of sc-TdP and to assess the outcome of catheter ablation using 3D-mapping.

Methods and results
We retrospectively analyzed five patients with sc-TdP who underwent 3D-mapping and ablation of sc-TdP at five different institutions. Four patients initially presented with sudden cardiac arrest, one patient experienced recurrent syncope as the first manifestation. All patients demonstrated a monomorphic premature ventricular contraction (PVC) with late transition left bundle branch block pattern, superior axis, and a coupling interval of less than 300 ms. triggering recurrent TdP and VF. In four patients, the culprit PVC was mapped to the free wall insertion of the moderator band (MB) with a preceding Purkinje potential in two patients. Catheter ablation using 3D-mapping and intracardiac echocardiography eliminated sc-TdP in all patients, with no recurrence at mean 2.7 years (range 6 months to 8 years) of follow-up.

Conclusion
3D-mapping and intracardiac echocardiography demonstrate that sc-TdP predominantly originates from the MB free wall insertion and its Purkinje network. Catheter ablation of the culprit PVC at the MB free wall junction leads to excellent short- and long-term results and should be considered as first-line therapy in recurrent sc-TdP or electrical storm.

Graphic abstract
Targeted sequencing panels in Italian ALS patients support different etiologies in the ALS/FTD continuum
Authors: Bartoletti-Stella Anna , Vacchiano Veria , De Pasqua Silvia , Mengozzi Giacomo , De Biase Dario , Bartolomei Ilaria , Avoni Patrizia , Rizzo Giovanni , Parchi Piero , Donadio Vincenzo , Chiò Adriano , Pession Annalisa , Oppi Federico , Salvi Fabrizio , Liguori Rocco , Capellari Sabina ,   BoReALS
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
5–10% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients presented a positive family history (fALS). More than 30 genes have been identified in association with ALS/frontotemporal dementia (FTD) spectrum, with four major genes accounting for 60–70% of fALS. In this paper, we aimed to assess the contribution to the pathogenesis of major and rare ALS/FTD genes in ALS patients.

Methods
We analyzed ALS and ALS/FTD associated genes by direct sequencing or next-generation sequencing multigene panels in ALS patients.

Results
Genetic abnormalities in ALS major genes included repeated expansions of hexanucleotide in C9orf72 gene (7.3%), mutations in SOD1 (4.9%), FUS (2.1%), and TARDBP (2.4%), whereas variants in rare ALS/FTD genes affected 15.5% of subjects overall, most frequently involving SQSTM1 (3.4%), and CHMP2B (1.9%). We found clustering of variants in ALS major genes in patients with a family history for “pure” ALS, while ALS/FTD related genes mainly occurred in patients with a family history for other neurodegenerative diseases (dementia and/or parkinsonism).

Conclusions
Our data support the presence of two different genetic components underlying ALS pathogenesis, related to the presence of a family history for ALS or other neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, family history may help in optimizing the genetic screening protocol to be applied.
The resurgence of business process re-engineering in public sector transformation efforts: exploring the systemic challenges and unintended consequences
Authors: Weerakkody Vishanth , Janssen Marijn , El-Haddadeh Ramzi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe realisation of citizen-centric services in the public sector requires breaking traditional silos and transforming existing institutional structures and processes. Recent transformation efforts undertaken in government institutions have embraced business process re-engineering (BPR) concepts championed by the private sector over decades ago to facilitate such change. While public opinion continues to differ about these transformation efforts' success, there is little evidence to explain the influence of BPR on their success or failure. This paper explores BPR led public sector transformation efforts in two local authorities in Europe to evaluate the outcomes realised for both government and citizens. Empirical evidence reveals that while transformation efforts contributed towards improving efficiency and integrating processes across functions in the public sector, the institutional structures evolved into a collection of reshaped and newly formed siloes, which were distinctly focused on delivering a citizen-centric service.
Annual abundance of common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) is negatively associated with second generation anticoagulant rodenticides
Authors: Roos Staffan , Campbell Steve T. , Hartley Gill , Shore Richard F. , Walker Lee A. , Wilson Jeremy D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRats and mice can damage food and agricultural products as well as transmit diseases, thereby requiring control of their numbers. Application of Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) often reduces rodent numbers locally. However, predators eating rodents, including non-target species, that have consumed SGARs may be secondarily exposed and potentially lethally poisoned. Here we study whether SGARs may have contributed to the widespread population declines of a rodent-eating raptor, the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in the UK. We show that 161 (66.8%) of the 241 Kestrels submitted for ecotoxicology tests between 1997 and 2012 had detectable levels of at least one SGAR in their livers. Adult Kestrels had significantly higher prevalence of SGARs than juveniles, suggesting accumulation of SGARs through time. The prevalence and concentrations of individual SGARs in Kestrels were significantly higher in England than in Scotland. SGAR prevalence in Kestrels were positively associated with some land cover types, primarilyarable cerealsandbroad-leaved woodland, and negatively associated with mainlymean elevation, probably reflecting variation in SGAR usage across land cover types. By using volunteer-collected data on national Kestrel abundance 1997–2012, we show that there is a negative correlation between the Kestrel population index in a specific year and the concentration of bromadialone as well as the total SGAR concentration in the same year. Although correlative, this is the first study to provide evidence for a potential population-limiting effect of SGARs on a raptor.
HAYDN
Authors: Miglio Andrea , Girardi Léo , Grundahl Frank , Mosser Benoit , Bastian Nate , Bragaglia Angela , Brogaard Karsten , Buldgen Gaël , Chantereau William , Chaplin William , Chiappini Cristina , Dupret Marc-Antoine , Eggenberger Patrick , Gieles Mark , Izzard Robert , Kawata Daisuke , Karoff Christoffer , Lagarde Nadège , Mackereth Ted , Magrin Demetrio , Meynet Georges , Michel Eric , Montalbán Josefina , Nascimbeni Valerio , Noels Arlette , Piotto Giampaolo , Ragazzoni Roberto , Soszyński Igor , Tolstoy Eline , Toonen Silvia , Triaud Amaury , Vincenzo Fiorenzo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn the last decade, theKeplerand CoRoT space-photometry missions have demonstrated the potential of asteroseismology as a novel, versatile and powerful tool to perform exquisite tests of stellar physics, and to enable precise and accurate characterisations of stellar properties, with impact on both exoplanetary and Galactic astrophysics. Based on our improved understanding of the strengths and limitations of such a tool, we argue for a new small/medium space mission dedicated to gathering high-precision, high-cadence, long photometric series in dense stellar fields. Such a mission will lead to breakthroughs in stellar astrophysics, especially in the metal poor regime, will elucidate the evolution and formation of open and globular clusters, and aid our understanding of the assembly history and chemodynamics of the Milky Way’s bulge and a few nearby dwarf galaxies.