bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food availability, accessibility and dietary practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-country survey
Authors: Jafri Ali , Mathe Nonsikelelo , Aglago Elom K , Konyole Silvenus O , Ouedraogo Moussa , Audain Keiron , Zongo Urbain , Laar Amos K , Johnson Jeffrey , Sanou Dia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjective:To investigate the perceived effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown measures on food availability, accessibility, dietary practices and strategies used by participants to cope with these measures.Design:We conducted a cross-sectional multi-country online survey between May and July 2020. We used a study-specific questionnaire mainly based on the adaptation of questions to assess food security and coping strategies from the World Food Programme’s ‘Emergency Food Security Assessment’ and ‘The Coping Strategy Index’.Setting:The questionnaire was hosted online using Google Forms and shared using social media platforms.Participants:A total of 1075 adult participants from eighty-two countries completed the questionnaire.Results:As a prelude to COVID-19 lockdowns, 62·7 % of the participants reported to have stockpiled food, mainly cereals (59·5 % of the respondents) and legumes (48·8 %). An increase in the prices of staples, such as cereals and legumes, was widely reported. Price increases have been identified as an obstacle to food acquisition by 32·7 % of participants. Participants reported having lesser variety (50·4 %), quality (30·2 %) and quantity (39·2 %) of foods, with disparities across regions. Vulnerable groups were reported to be facing some struggle to acquire adequate food, especially people with chronic diseases (20·2 %), the elderly (17·3 %) and children (14·5 %). To cope with the situation, participants mostly relied on less preferred foods (49 %), reduced portion sizes (30 %) and/or reduced the number of meals (25·7 %).Conclusions:The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted food accessibility and availability, altered dietary practices and worsened the food insecurity situation, particularly in the most fragile regions.
France's response to the Covid-19 pandemic: between a rock and a hard place
Authors: Or Zeynep , Gandré Coralie , Durand Zaleski Isabelle , Steffen Monika 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFrance is one of the European countries hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought into light structural weaknesses of the health system, including its governance and decision-making process, but also provoked changes that helped to improve its resilience. We analyse the French experience of Covid-19 in 2020 by critically reviewing major policy measures implemented during the first two waves of the pandemic. France has struggled to find the right balance between the rock of economic and social damage caused by containment measures and the hard alternative of a rapidly spreading pandemic. The response to the first wave, including a full lock-down, was an emergency response that revealed the low level of preparedness for pandemics and the overly hospital-centred provision of health care in France. During the second wave, this response evolved into a more level strategy trying to reconcile health needs in a broader perspective integrating socio-economic considerations, but without fully managing to put in place an effective health strategy. We conclude that to achieve the right balance, France will have to strengthen health system capacity and improve the cooperation between actors at central and local levels with greater participatory decision-making that takes into account local-level realities and the diversity of needs.
Hsa_circ_0110757 upregulates ITGA1 to facilitate temozolomide resistance in glioma by suppressing hsa-miR-1298-5p
Authors: Li Haoyu , Liu Qing , Chen Zihua , Wu Ming , Zhang Chao , Su Jun , Li Yue , Zhang Chi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTemozolomide (TMZ) is the internationally recognized and preferred drug for glioma chemotherapy treatment. However, TMZ resistance in glioma appears after long-term use and is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs and play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of tumors. Hsa_circ_0110757 was identified in TMZ-resistant glioma cells by high-throughput sequencing analysis and was derived from reverse splicing of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) exons. The role of hsa_circ_0110757 in TMZ-resistant glioma was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. It was found that hsa_circ_0110757 and ITGA1 are more highly expressed in TMZ-resistant glioma than in TMZ-sensitive glioma. The overexpression of hsa_circ_0110757 in glioma patients treated with TMZ was obviously associated with tumor invasion. This study indicates that hsa_circ_0110757 inhibits glioma cell apoptosis by sponging hsa-miR-1298-5p to promote ITGA1 expression. Thus, hsa_circ_0110757/hsa-miR-1298-5p/ITGA could be a potential therapeutic target for reversing the resistance of glioma to TMZ.
Influence of TiO2 pigment particles on chromate ion transport in epoxy films
Authors: Kopeć Małgorzata , Rossenaar Brenda D. , van Leerdam Kees , Janssen Arne , Davies Antony N. , Lyon Stuart B. , Visser Peter , Gibbon Simon R. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTransport of active species (i.e., ions) leaching from pigment particles incorporated in a polymer matrix is the main mechanism behind the anticorrosive performance of protective coatings. Understanding this mechanism is necessary for the effective design of the systems utilizing pigments less toxic than the most efficient chromate salts. It was demonstrated that anticorrosive pigment particles can themselves facilitate the transport of active species via the pathways formed after pigment leaching from a coating. It was also suggested that other paint components, e.g., certain additives, pigments, and fillers can be involved in the formation of transport pathways. Investigation of the possible influence of inert pigment (TiO2) on creating the pathways for chromate ion transport in polymer coatings was the primary objective of this work. In an experiment mimicking the transport of pigment species (i.e., chromate ions), a model epoxy coating containing particles of a single pigment (TiO2) was exposed to a chromate solution (aqueous, or with the addition of acetone as a polymer swelling agent). It was shown that the chromate ions can be transported in the epoxy film preferentially via the TiO2 particles/polymer matrix interface.
Compatibility of Bt biopesticides and adjuvants for Spodoptera frugiperda control
Authors: dos Santos Cicero Antônio Mariano , do Nascimento Joacir , Gonçalves Kelly Cristina , Smaniotto Giovani , de Freitas Zechin Leonardo , da Costa Ferreira Marcelo , Polanczyk Ricardo Antônio 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSpodoptera frugiperda is a pest of economic importance for several crops with resistance reports to Bt crops and pesticides. Eco-friendly Bt biopesticides may be an alternative to chemical insecticides due to their selectivity and specificity. However, the efficacy of Bt biopesticides may be influenced by the association with other chemicals, such as adjuvants. This study evaluated the compatibility and toxicity of Bt biopesticides mixed with adjuvants for the control of S. frugiperda. The treatments included the association of Dipel SC and Dipel PM with adjuvants. Compatibility tests were used to evaluate the Bt mixture. Bt suspensions obtained from mixtures of Bt and adjuvants at 106 and 3 × 108 spores/mL−1 were used to evaluate S. frugiperda mortality and distilled water was used as the control. The addition of the adjuvant LI increased growth and sporulation, indicating compatibility with Bt biopesticides. The other adjuvants were toxic to reducing Bt growth and sporulation. Only the mixture of Bt with LI and Bt alone was effective to S. frugiperda. The addition of adjuvants to Bt biopesticide affect the Bt sporulation, growth and mortality.
Ultra-thin 2D transition metal monochalcogenide crystals by planarized reactions
Authors: Chin Hao-Ting , Hofmann Mario , Huang Su-Yu , Yao Song-Fu , Lee Jian-Jhang , Chen Chia-Chun , Ting Chu-Chi , Hsieh Ya-Ping 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe here present a planarized solid-state chemical reaction that can produce transition metal monochalcogenide (TMMC) 2D crystals with large lateral extent and finely controllable thickness down to individual layers. The enhanced lateral diffusion of a gaseous reactant at the interface between a solid precursor and graphene was found to provide a universal route towards layered TMMCs of different compositions. A unique layer-by-layer growth mechanism yields atomically abrupt crystal interfaces and kinetically controllable thickness down to a single TMMC layer. Our approach stabilizes 2D crystals with commonly unattainable thermodynamic phases, such as β-Cu2S and γ-CuSe, and spectroscopic characterization reveals ultra-large phase transition depression and interesting electronic properties. The presented ability to produce large-scale 2D crystals with high environmental stability was applied to highly sensitive and fast optoelectronic sensors. Our approach extends the morphological, compositional, and thermodynamic complexity of 2D materials.
lncRNA transcription induces meiotic recombination through chromatin remodelling in fission yeast
Authors: Senmatsu Satoshi , Asada Ryuta , Oda Arisa , Hoffman Charles S. , Ohta Kunihiro , Hirota Kouji 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNoncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in various biological processes, including gene expression, development, and disease. Here, we identify a novel consensus sequence of a cis-element involved in long ncRNA (lncRNA) transcription and demonstrate that lncRNA transcription from this cis-element activates meiotic recombination via chromatin remodeling. In the fission yeast fbp1 gene, glucose starvation induces a series of promoter-associated lncRNAs, referred to as ﻿metabolic-stress-induced lncRNAs (mlonRNAs), which contribute to chromatin remodeling and fbp1 activation. Translocation of the cis-element required for mlonRNA into a well-characterized meiotic recombination hotspot, ade6-M26, further stimulates transcription and meiotic recombination via local chromatin remodeling. The consensus sequence of this cis-element (mlon-box) overlaps with meiotic recombination sites in the fission yeast genome. At one such site, the SPBC24C6.09c upstream region, meiotic double-strand break (DSB) formation is induced in an mlon-box-dependent manner. Therefore, mlonRNA transcription plays a universal role in chromatin remodeling and the regulation of transcription and recombination.
Reduction in organ–organ friction is critical for corolla elongation in morning glory
Authors: Shimoki Ayaka , Tsugawa Satoru , Ohashi Keiichiro , Toda Masahito , Maeno Akiteru , Sakamoto Tomoaki , Kimura Seisuke , Nobusawa Takashi , Nagao Mika , Nitasaka Eiji , Demura Taku , Okada Kiyotaka , Takeda Seiji 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn complex structures such as flowers, organ–organ interactions are critical for morphogenesis. The corolla plays a central role in attracting pollinators: thus, its proper development is important in nature, agriculture, and horticulture. Although the intraorgan mechanism of corolla development has been studied, the importance of organ–organ interactions during development remains unknown. Here, using corolla mutants of morning glory described approximately 200 years ago, we show that glandular secretory trichomes (GSTs) regulate floral organ interactions needed for corolla morphogenesis. Defects in GST development in perianth organs result in folding of the corolla tube, and release of mechanical stress by sepal removal restores corolla elongation. Computational modeling shows that the folding occurs because of buckling caused by mechanical stress from friction at the distal side of the corolla. Our results suggest a novel function of GSTs in regulating the physical interaction of floral organs for macroscopic morphogenesis of the corolla.
Variable crab camouflage patterns defeat search image formation
Authors: Troscianko Jolyon , Nokelainen Ossi , Skelhorn John , Stevens Martin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUnderstanding what maintains the broad spectrum of variation in animal phenotypes and how this influences survival is a key question in biology. Frequency dependent selection – where predators temporarily focus on one morph at the expense of others by forming a “search image” – can help explain this phenomenon. However, past work has never tested real prey colour patterns, and rarely considered the role of different types of camouflage. Using a novel citizen science computer experiment that presented crab “prey” to humans against natural backgrounds in specific sequences, we were able to test a range of key hypotheses concerning the interactions between predator learning, camouflage and morph. As predicted, switching between morphs did hinder detection, and this effect was most pronounced when crabs had “disruptive” markings that were more effective at destroying the body outline. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence for variability in natural colour patterns hindering search image formation in predators, and as such presents a mechanism that facilitates phenotypic diversity in nature.
Ultrafast dynamics of heme distortion in the O2-sensor of a thermophilic anaerobe bacterium
Authors: Petrova Olga N. , Yoo Byung-Kuk , Lamarre Isabelle , Selles Julien , Nioche Pierre , Negrerie Michel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHeme-Nitric oxide and Oxygen binding protein domains (H-NOX) are found in signaling pathways of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and share sequence homology with soluble guanylate cyclase, the mammalian NO receptor. In bacteria, H-NOX is associated with kinase or methyl accepting chemotaxis domains. In the O2-sensor of the strict anaerobe Caldanaerobacter tengcongensis (Ct H-NOX) the heme appears highly distorted after O2 binding, but the role of heme distortion in allosteric transitions was not yet evidenced. Here, we measure the dynamics of the heme distortion triggered by the dissociation of diatomics from Ct H-NOX using transient electronic absorption spectroscopy in the picosecond to millisecond time range. We obtained a spectroscopic signature of the heme flattening upon O2 dissociation. The heme distortion is immediately (<1 ps) released after O2 dissociation to produce a relaxed state. This heme conformational change occurs with different proportions depending on diatomics as follows: CO < NO < O2. Our time-resolved data demonstrate that the primary structural event of allostery is the heme distortion in the Ct H-NOX sensor, contrastingly with hemoglobin and the human NO receptor, in which the primary structural events are respectively the motion of the proximal histidine and the rupture of the iron-histidine bond.
Photovoltaic retinal prosthesis restores high-resolution responses to single-pixel stimulation in blind retinas
Authors: Chenais Naïg Aurelia Ludmilla , Airaghi Leccardi Marta Jole Ildelfonsa , Ghezzi Diego 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRetinal prostheses hold the promise of restoring vision in totally blind people. However, a decade of clinical trials highlighted quantitative limitations hampering the possibility of reaching this goal. A key challenge in retinal stimulation is to independently activate retinal neurons over a large portion of the subject’s visual field. Reaching such a goal would significantly improve the perception accuracy in retinal implants’ users, along with their spatial cognition, attention, ambient mapping and interaction with the environment. Here we show a wide-field, high-density and high-resolution photovoltaic epiretinal prosthesis for artificial vision (POLYRETINA). The prosthesis embeds 10,498 physically and functionally independent photovoltaic pixels, allowing for wide retinal coverage and high-resolution stimulation. Single-pixel illumination reproducibly induced network-mediated responses from retinal ganglion cells at safe irradiance levels. Furthermore, POLYRETINA allowed response discrimination with a high spatial resolution equivalent to the pixel pitch (120 µm) thanks to the network-mediated stimulation mechanism. This approach could allow mid-peripheral artificial vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.
Winter seal-based observations reveal glacial meltwater surfacing in the southeastern Amundsen Sea
Authors: Zheng Yixi , Heywood Karen J. , Webber Benjamin G. M. , Stevens David P. , Biddle Louise C. , Boehme Lars , Loose Brice 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDetermining the injection of glacial meltwater into polar oceans is crucial for quantifying the climate system response to ice sheet mass loss. However, meltwater is poorly observed and its pathways poorly known, especially in winter. Here we present winter meltwater distribution near Pine Island Glacier using data collected by tagged seals, revealing a highly variable meltwater distribution with two meltwater-rich layers in the upper 250 m and at around 450 m, connected by scattered meltwater-rich columns. We show that the hydrographic signature of meltwater is clearest in winter, when its presence can be unambiguously mapped. We argue that the buoyant meltwater provides near-surface heat that helps to maintain polynyas close to ice shelves. The meltwater feedback onto polynyas and air-sea heat fluxes demonstrates that although the processes determining the distribution of meltwater are small-scale, they are important to represent in Earth system models.
An innovative FPGA‐based low‐complexity and multi‐constellations compatible GNSS acquisition scheme
Authors: Qiu Tongsheng , Wang Xianyi , Du Qifei , Sun Yueqiang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThere is a strong demand for the multi‐constellations compatible Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) acquisition scheme, since it is able to acquire signals from different constellations to increase availability of satellites. However, the presence of multiple modulation modes and diverse Pseudo‐Random‐Noise (PRN) code lengths makes the design challenging. Moreover, existing schemes consume a lot of hardware resources. Hence, we present an innovative Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)‐based low‐complexity and multi‐constellation compatible GNSS acquisition scheme to provide a solution for the above‐mentioned challenges. This scheme is based on the proposed Improved Serial‐Parallel Matched Filter structure that not only requires less hardware resources than conventional structures but also performs all operations in a pipeline to simplify the implementation in FPGA. Additionally, the maximum likelihood criterion is used to obtain decision statistics, which ensures the compatibility between BPSK and sBOC(1,1) signals. Furthermore, a three‐step method to acquire signals with a long PRN code is proposed. This also guarantees the compatibility among signals with different PRN code lengths. Finally, a new aided acquisition method to accelerate the acquisition process of signals with a long PRN code is proposed. Experimental results show this scheme is capable of acquiring multi‐constellations civil GNSS signals, and therefore it has high practical value.
Friend or Patron? Social Relations Across the National NGO–Donor Divide in Ghana
Authors: Kumi Emmanuel , Copestake James 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe article examines the institutions governing relations between grant using national NGOs and grant giving international donors in three regions of Ghana (Upper West, Northern and Greater Accra Region). Formal procedural rules and professional norms can be viewed as necessary to minimise opportunities for informal patronage, rent-seeking and corruption made possible by the unequal access to resources. However, semi-structured interviews, life histories and observation highlight the positive role informal networks, connections, personal contacts and friendship play in enhancing collaboration between donors and national NGOs. Friendships originating in kinship and ethnicity, school links and past collaboration offer opportunities for influencing and resource mobilisation, but can also weaken NGO sustainability. Informal contacts and face-to-face interactions also build trust and strengthen lines of accountability, with non-adherence to shared norms resulting in sanctions and reputation loss. These findings affirm the positive role of informal relations, and highlight how they can complement formal rules and professional norms governing NGO–donor relations rather than undermining them. It throws a very different light on the role of informal institutions than that fostered by a discourse of clientelism and provides a more nuanced conceptual foundation for assessing ‘formalisation’ as a normative strategy.
Binomial adverbs in Germanic and Romance Languages
Authors: Graën Johannes , Volk Martin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
As a special type of multiword expressions, binomials are a frequent phenomenon in many languages. We focus on binomial adverbs that are coordinations of two adverbial constituents. Their syntactic contribution to a sentence is adverbial as well and their semantic contribution is idiomatic. They have many uses, such as to intensify (first and foremost), express tendency (more and more), frequency (over and over [again]), vagueness (more or less), determination (sooner or later) etc.
In this work, we describe our approaches to identify binomial adverbs in a large multiparallel corpus. Alongside the well-known measure of reversibility, we also calculate measures of statistical association and look for single-word translation equivalents in other languages. Combining these features facilitates the identification of binomial adverbs.
Examining the role of specialist palliative care in geriatric care to inform collaborations: a survey on the knowledge, practice and attitudes of geriatricians in providing palliative care
Authors: Runacres Fiona , Poon Peter , King Scott , Lustig Julie , Ugalde Anna 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
The global population is ageing, and rates of multimorbidity and chronic illness are rapidly rising. Given specialist palliative care has been shown to improve overall care and reduce health care costs, how best to provide this care to older people is internationally significant.

Aim
To examine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of geriatricians in providing palliative care and working with specialist palliative care services. We also aimed to capture self-reported barriers, confidence and satisfaction in providing palliative care.

Design
A prospective cross-sectional study surveying Australasian geriatricians was conducted.

Setting/Participants
This was a voluntary anonymous online survey, distributed to all full members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Geriatric Medicine.

Results
A total of 168 completed responses were received; 58.3% were female and 36.6% had over 20 years of clinical experience. Most geriatricians (85%) reported caring for patients in their last 12 months of life represented a substantial aspect or most of their practice. Geriatricians overwhelmingly believed they should coordinate care (84%) and derived satisfaction from providing palliative care (95%). The majority (69%) believed all patients with advanced illness should receive concurrent specialist palliative care. Regarding knowledge, participants scored an average of 13.5 correct answers out of 18 in a Modified Palliative Care Knowledge Test.

Conclusions
Geriatricians find reward in providing generalist palliative care to their patients; however, potential exists for improved collaborations with specialist palliative care services. An evidence base for geriatric patients who benefit most from specialist palliative care services is needed to improve resourcing, collaborative practice and ultimately palliative care delivery.