bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunomodulatory activity of semen Ziziphi Spinosae protein: a potential plant protein functional food raw material
Authors: Zhang Hongyin , Xiao Fengqin , Li Jia , Han Rongxin , Li Guangzhe , Wan Zhiqiang , Shao Shuai , Zhao Daqing , Yan Mingming
Published: June 2023

Semen Ziziphi Spinosae protein (SZSP) is a new plant protein resource with good food functional properties and health care function. However, the biological activity of SZSP has not been further studied, which greatly limits the development and utilization of SZSP in the food industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of SZSP on immunosuppressed mice and its inhibitory effect on immune-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The results demonstrated that SZSP remarkably improved the immunomodulatory secretion in serum (interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interferon-γ, immunoglobulin-A, immunoglobulin-G, immunoglobulin-M) and primary macrophages (nitric oxide, interleukin-1β, TNF-α) and promoted the NK-cell killing activity of primary splenocytes in CTX-induced immunosuppression mice. Immunohistochemical analysis results indicated that the secretion of CD4+ and CD8+ in the spleen and thymus can be regulated by SZSP, leading to inhibition of the damage induced by cyclophosphamide in mice. Meanwhile, in order to clarify the immunomodulatory mechanism of SZSP, we showed that SZSP significantly inhibited the secretion of NO, interleukin-6, and TNF-α and reduced the phosphorylation expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-IκBα in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Therefore, the immunomodulatory effect of SZSP may be related to the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. Based on the above studies, the preliminary purification of SZSP was continued, and S1F2G1 with immunomodulatory activity was obtained. Taken together, SZSP has an immunoregulatory effect in vivo and in vitro and may be a favorable candidate of functional food raw material for regulating immune responses.
Identification of novel putative alleles related to important agronomic traits of wheat using robust strategies in GWAS
Authors: Abdi Hossein , Alipour Hadi , Bernousi Iraj , Jafarzadeh Jafar , Rodrigues Paulo Canas
Published: June 2023

Principal component analysis (PCA) is widely used in various genetics studies. In this study, the role of classical PCA (cPCA) and robust PCA (rPCA) was evaluated explicitly in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We evaluated 294 wheat genotypes under well-watered and rain-fed, focusing on spike traits. First, we showed that some phenotypic and genotypic observations could be outliers based on cPCA and different rPCA algorithms (Proj, Grid, Hubert, and Locantore). Hubert’s method provided a better approach to identifying outliers, which helped to understand the nature of these samples. These outliers led to the deviation of the heritability of traits from the actual value. Then, we performed GWAS with 36,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) based on the traditional approach and two robust strategies. In the conventional approach and using the first three components of cPCA as population structure, 184 and 139 marker-trait associations (MTAs) were identified for five traits in well-watered and rain-fed environments, respectively. In the first robust strategy and when rPCA was used as population structure in GWAS, we observed that the Hubert and Grid methods identified new MTAs, especially for yield and spike weight on chromosomes 7A and 6B. In the second strategy, we followed the classical and robust principal component-based GWAS, where the first two PCs obtained from phenotypic variables were used instead of traits. In the recent strategy, despite the similarity between the methods, some new MTAs were identified that can be considered pleiotropic. Hubert's method provided a better linear combination of traits because it had the most MTAs in common with the traditional approach. Newly identified SNPs, including rs19833 (5B) and rs48316 (2B), were annotated with important genes with vital biological processes and molecular functions. The approaches presented in this study can reduce the misleading GWAS results caused by the adverse effect of outlier observations.
Anomalous excess noise behavior in thick Al0.85Ga0.15As0.56Sb0.44 avalanche photodiodes
Authors: Lewis Harry I. J. , Jin Xiao , Guo Bingtian , Lee Seunghyun , Jung Hyemin , Kodati Sri Harsha , Liang Baolai , Krishna Sanjay , Ong Duu Sheng , Campbell Joe C. , David John P. R.
Published: June 2023

Al0.85Ga0.15As0.56Sb0.44 has recently attracted significant research interest as a material for 1550 nm low-noise short-wave infrared (SWIR) avalanche photodiodes (APDs) due to the very wide ratio between its electron and hole ionization coefficients. This work reports new experimental excess noise data for thick Al0.85Ga0.15As0.56Sb0.44 PIN and NIP structures, measuring low noise at significantly higher multiplication values than previously reported (F = 2.2 at M = 38). These results disagree with the classical McIntyre excess noise theory, which overestimates the expected noise based on the ionization coefficients reported for this alloy. Even the addition of ‘dead space’ effects cannot account for these discrepancies. The only way to explain the low excess noise observed is to conclude that the spatial probability distributions for impact ionization of electrons and holes in this material follows a Weibull–Fréchet distribution function even at relatively low electric-fields. Knowledge of the ionization coefficients alone is no longer sufficient to predict the excess noise properties of this material system and consequently the electric-field dependent electron and hole ionization probability distributions are extracted for this alloy.
EEG alpha band functional connectivity reveals distinct cortical dynamics for overt and covert emotional face processing
Authors: Maffei Antonio , Coccaro Ambra , Jaspers-Fayer Fern , Goertzen Jennifer , Sessa Paola , Liotti Mario
Published: June 2023

Current knowledge regarding how the focus of our attention during face processing influences neural responses largely comes from neuroimaging studies reporting on regional brain activations. The present study was designed to add novel insights to this research by studying how attention can differentially impact the way cortical regions interact during emotional face processing. High-density electroencephalogram was recorded in a sample of fifty-two healthy participants during an emotional face processing task. The task required participants to either attend to the expressions (i.e., overt processing) or attend to a perceptual distractor, which rendered the expressions task-irrelevant (i.e., covert processing). Functional connectivity in the alpha band was estimated in source space and modeled using graph theory to quantify whole-brain integration and segregation. Results revealed that overt processing of facial expressions is linked to reduced cortical segregation and increased cortical integration, this latter specifically for negative expressions of fear and sadness. Furthermore, we observed increased communication efficiency during overt processing of negative expressions between the core and the extended face processing systems. Overall, these findings reveal that attention makes the interaction among the nodes involved in face processing more efficient, also uncovering a connectivity signature of the prioritized processing mechanism of negative expressions, that is an increased cross-communication within the nodes of the face processing network.
Comorbidity genetic risk and pathways impact SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes
Authors: Jaros Rachel K. , Fadason Tayaza , Cameron-Smith David , Golovina Evgeniia , O’Sullivan Justin M.
Published: June 2023

Understanding the genetic risk and mechanisms through which SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes and comorbidities interact to impact acute and long-term sequelae is essential if we are to reduce the ongoing health burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we use a de novo protein diffusion network analysis coupled with tissue-specific gene regulatory networks, to examine putative mechanisms for associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes and comorbidities. Our approach identifies a shared genetic aetiology and molecular mechanisms for known and previously unknown comorbidities of SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes. Additionally, genomic variants, genes and biological pathways that provide putative causal mechanisms connecting inherited risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease are identified for the first time. Our findings provide an in depth understanding of genetic impacts on traits that collectively alter an individual’s predisposition to acute and post-acute SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes. The existence of complex inter-relationships between the comorbidities we identify raises the possibility of a much greater post-acute burden arising from SARS-CoV-2 infection if this genetic predisposition is realised.
Near-surface termination of upward-propagating strike-slip ruptures on the Yangsan Fault, Korea
Authors: Cheon Youngbeom , Kim Chang-Min , Choi Jin-Hyuck , Ha Sangmin , Lee Seongjun , Kim Taehyung , Kang Hee-Cheol , Son Moon
Published: June 2023

We present a new example of the termination of strike-slip paleoearthquake ruptures in near-surface regions on the Yangsan Fault, Korea, based on multi-scale structural observations. Paleoearthquake ruptures occur mostly along the boundary between the inherited fault core and damage zone (N10–20°E/> 75°SE). The ruptures propagated upward to the shallow subsurface along a < 3-cm-wide specific slip zone with dextral-slip sense, along which the deformation mechanism is characterized mainly by granular flow in near-surface region. The ruptures either reach the surface or are terminated in unconsolidated sediment below the surface. In the latter case, the rupture splays show westward bifurcation, and their geometry and kinematics show a change to NNW-strike with low-angle dip and dextral-reverse oblique-slip sense in the strata. We suggest that the upward termination of the contractional strike-slip ruptures is controlled by the inherited fault geometry that is unfavorable with respect to the stress field (ENE–WSW σHmax) at basement depths in terms of movement on the fault, and the lack of extension of the fault into shallow subsurface; a depth-dependent change in stress from σHmax > σv > σHmin to σHmax > σHmin > σv at depth of a ~ 200 m; and the physical properties of unconsolidated sediment, which have low inter-granular cohesion, resulting in distributed deformation.
Muscle strength rather than appendicular skeletal muscle mass might affect spinal sagittal alignment, low back pain, and health-related quality of life
Authors: Tanaka Yoshihide , Miyagi Masayuki , Inoue Gen , Hori Yusuke , Inage Kazuhide , Murata Kosuke , Fujimaki Hisako , Kuroda Akiyoshi , Yokozeki Yuji , Inoue Sho , Mimura Yusuke , Takahashi Shinji , Ohyama Shoichiro , Terai Hidetomi , Hoshino Masatoshi , Suzuki Akinobu , Tsujio Tadao , Toyoda Hiromitsu , Orita Sumihisa , Eguchi Yawara , Shiga Yasuhiro , Furuya Takeo , Maki Satoshi , Ikeda Shinsuke , Shirasawa Eiki , Imura Takayuki , Nakazawa Toshiyuki , Uchida Kentaro , Ohtori Seiji , Nakamura Hiroaki , Takaso Masashi
Published: June 2023

Sarcopenia is defined as decreasing in muscle strength and mass, and dynapenia is defined as decreasing in muscle strength and maintained muscle mass. This study elucidated the prevalence and characteristics of sarcopenia and dynapenia and evaluate in elderly spinal disorders patients. 1039 spinal disorders patients aged ≥ 65 years were included. We measured age, grip strength, muscle mass, spinal sagittal alignment parameters, low back pain (LBP) scores and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) scores. Based on the previous reports, patients were categorised into normal group: NG, pre-sarcopenia group: PG, dynapenia group: DG, and sarcopenia group: SG. Pre-sarcopenia, dynapenia, and sarcopenia were found in 101 (9.7%), 249 (19.2%), and 91 (8.8%) patients, respectively. The spinal sagittal alignment parameters, trunk muscle mass, LBP, and HR-QoL scores were significantly worse in DG and SG compared with those in PG and NG. Spinal alignment, trunk muscle mass, and clinical outcomes, including LBP and HR-QoL scores, were maintained in the PG and poor in the DG and SG. Thus, intervention for muscle strength may be a treatment option for changes of spinal sagittal alignment and low back pain.
Identification of macrophage-related genes in sepsis-induced ARDS using bioinformatics and machine learning
Authors: Li Qiuyue , Zheng Hongyu , Chen Bing
Published: June 2023

Sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the leading causes of death in critically ill patients, and macrophages play very important roles in the pathogenesis and treatment of sepsis-induced ARDS. The aim of this study was to screen macrophage-related biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis-induced ARDS by bioinformatics and machine learning algorithms. A dataset including gene expression profiles of sepsis-induced ARDS patients and healthy controls was downloaded from the gene expression omnibus database. The limma package was used to screen 325 differentially expressed genes, and enrichment analysis suggested enrichment mainly in immune-related pathways and reactive oxygen metabolism pathways. The level of immune cell infiltration was analysed using the ssGSEA method, and then 506 macrophage-related genes were screened using WGCNA; 48 showed differential expression. PPI analysis was also performed. SVM-RFE and random forest map analysis were used to screen 10 genes. Three key genes, SGK1, DYSF and MSRB1, were obtained after validation with external datasets. ROC curves suggested that all three genes had good diagnostic efficacy. The nomogram model consisting of the three genes also had good diagnostic efficacy. This study provides new targets for the early diagnosis of sepsis-induced ARDS.
The Pacific Decadal Oscillation modulated marine heatwaves in the Northeast Pacific during past decades
Authors: Ren Xianglin , Liu Wei , Capotondi Antonietta , Amaya Dillon J. , Holbrook Neil J.
Published: June 2023

The Pacific Decadal Oscillation has been suggested to play an important role in driving marine heatwaves in the Northeast Pacific during recent decades. Here we combine observations and climate model simulations to show that marine heatwaves became longer, stronger and more frequent off the Northeast Pacific coast under a positive Pacific Decadal Oscillation scenario, unlike what is found during a negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation scenario. This primarily results from the different mean-state sea surface temperatures between the two Pacific Decadal Oscillation phases. Compared to the cool (negative) phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, warmer coastal sea surface temperatures occur during the positive Pacific Decadal Oscillation phase due to reduced coastal cold upwelling and increased net downward surface heat flux. Model results show that, relative to the background anthropogenic global warming, the positive Pacific Decadal Oscillation in the period 2013–2022 prolongs marine heatwaves duration by up to 43% and acts to increase marine heatwaves annual frequency by up to 32% off the Northeast Pacific coast.
Uptake without inactivation of human adenovirus type 2 by Tetrahymena pyriformis ciliates
Authors: Olive Margot , Daraspe Jean , Genoud Christel , Kohn Tamar
Published: June 2023

Infectious adenovirus type 2 is internalized by Tetrahymena pyriformis and persists within the ciliates for at least 2 days.
Doping density, not valency, influences catalytic metal-assisted plasma etching of silicon
Authors: Sun Julia B , Peimyoo Namphung , Douglas James O , Almquist Benjamin D
Published: June 2023

Gold catalyses Si etching in dry plasmas via Metal-Assisted Plasma Etching (MAPE). Here, MAPE is shown to be uniquely inhibited by both heavily doped n- and p-type Si, in contrast with reactive ion etching and metal assisted chemical etching (MACE).
One dimensional ferroelectric nanothreads with axial and radial polarization
Authors: Huang Jiawei , Ke Changming , Zhu Wei , Liu Shi
Published: June 2023

A one-dimensional ferroelectric nanothread and its novel features.
A strong metal–support interaction strategy for enhanced binder-free electrocatalytic nitrate reduction
Authors: Luo Hongxia , Wang Chuqi , Wang Jiaqiao , Ma Yuanyuan , Yang Jianping
Published: June 2023

Fe/support catalysts exhibit excellent electrochemical NO3RR performance owing to the strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) between Fe active sites and supports.
Facile access to mid-valent Group 5 and 6 metal synthons
Authors: Shaw Thomas E. , Stern Charlotte L. , Sattelberger Alfred P. , Jurca Titel
Published: June 2023

Group 5 and 6 metal chlorides, MClx (M = Nb, Ta, Mo, W) are easily and controllably reduced, in a stepwise fashion, by stoichiometric PhMe2SiH, yielding only PhMe2SiCl, a useful reagent, and H2 as the byproducts.
The role of attractive dispersion interaction in promoting the catalytic activity of asymmetric hydrogenation
Authors: Yang Limin , Li Bo , Houk K. N.
Published: June 2023

This study proves Wanbin Zhang's finding that weak attractive interactions between substrate and ligand play an important role in metal-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenations and shows that the dispersion interaction is the major attractive interaction.
Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange by a diethylenetriamine modified chitosan/bentonite composite
Authors: Gao Xiangpeng , Yin Huiqing , Li Mingyang , Xin Lili , Zhang Hao , Long Hongming
Published: June 2023

Synthesis of a novel organic composite photocatalyst (CCS/Bent-DETA) for the degradation of methyl orange under UV light irradiation.
Nonspeech7k dataset: Classification and analysis of human non‐speech sound
Authors: Rashid Muhammad Mamunur , Li Guiqing , Du Chengrui
Published: June 2023

Human non‐speech sounds occur during expressions in a real‐life environment. Realising a person's incapability to prompt confident expressions by non‐speech sounds may assist in identifying premature disorder in medical applications. A novel dataset named Nonspeech7k is introduced that contains a diverse set of human non‐speech sounds, such as the sounds of breathing, coughing, crying, laughing, screaming, sneezing, and yawning. The authors then conduct a variety of classification experiments with end‐to‐end deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) to show the performance of the dataset. First, a set of typical deep classifiers are used to verify the reliability and validity of Nonspeech7k. Involved CNN models include 1D‐2D deep CNN EnvNet, deep stack CNN M11, deep stack CNN M18, intense residual block CNN ResNet34, modified M11 named M12, and the authors’ baseline model. Among these, M12 achieves the highest accuracy of 79%. Second, to verify the heterogeneity of Nonspeech7k with respect to two typical datasets, FSD50K and VocalSound, the authors design a series of experiments to analyse the classification performance of deep neural network classifier M12 by using FSD50K, FSD50K + Nonspeech7k, VocalSound, VocalSound + Nonspeech7k as training data, respectively. Experimental results show that the classifier trained with existing datasets mixed with Nonspeech7k achieves the highest accuracy improvement of 15.7% compared to that without Nonspeech7k mixed. Nonspeech7k is 100% annotated, completely checked, and free of noise. It is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6967442.
Prospects for future binary black hole gravitational wave studies in light of PTA measurements
Authors: Ellis John , Fairbairn Malcolm , Hütsi Gert , Raidal Martti , Urrutia Juan , Vaskonen Ville , Veermäe Hardi
Published: June 2023

NANOGrav and other Pulsar Timing Arrays (PTAs) have discovered a common-spectrum process in the nHz range that may be due to gravitational waves (GWs): if so, they are likely to have been generated by black hole (BH) binaries with total masses > 109 M⊙. Using the Extended Press-Schechter formalism to model the galactic halo mass function and a simple relation between the halo and BH masses suggests that these binaries have redshifts z = 𝒪(1) and mass ratios ≳10, and that the GW signal at frequencies above 𝒪(10) nHz may be dominated by relatively few binaries that could be distinguished experimentally and would yield observable circular polarization. Extrapolating the model to higher frequencies indicates that future GW detectors such as LISA and AEDGE could extend the PTA observations to lower BH masses ≳103 M⊙.
XRBcats: Galactic low-mass X-ray binary catalogue
Authors: Avakyan A. , Neumann M. , Zainab A. , Doroshenko V. , Wilms J. , Santangelo A.
Published: June 2023

We present a new catalogue of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) in the Galaxy. The catalogue contains source names, coordinates, source types, fluxes, distances, system parameters, and other characteristic properties of 349 LMXBs, including systems that have been newly discovered or reclassified since the most recently reported LMXB catalogues. The aim of this catalogue is to provide a list of all currently known Galactic objects identified as LMXBs with some basic information on each system (including X-ray and optical/IR properties where possible). Literature published before May 2023 has been taken into account where possible when compiling this information. References for all reported properties as well as object-finding charts in several energy bands are provided as part of the catalogue. We plan to update the catalogue regularly, in particular to reflect new objects discovered in the ongoing large-scale surveys such as Gaia and eROSITA.
On the Convergence of “Estimated Flow Rate” Method for Hydraulic Network Flow Rate Distribution Analysis
Authors: Korelstein Leonid
Published: June 2023

The article contains prove that Estimate Flow Rate (EFR) method of hydraulic network flow rate distribution analysis described in [1-3], converges from any initial point for some class of hydraulic networks with odd functions of losses on edges. Method modification was proposed which provide such convergence for more wide class of hydraulic networks.
An Approach for Efficient Heat Source Selection in Long-Term Expansion Planning of Urban District Heating Systems
Authors: Edeleva Olga , Mikheev Alexei , Stennikov Valery
Published: June 2023

This study proposes an approach to selecting efficient heat sources in the context of long-term expansion planning for urban district heating systems. The approach includes two stages: synthesis and optimization. During the synthesis stage, potential heat source structures are generated using graph grammars. In the optimization stage, the most effective combination of heat source equipment is selected based on minimum construction costs, heat network costs, and pollutant emissions fees. Iterative linking of these two stages provides a coherent solution for determining the structure and parameters of heat sources, for streamlining the process of performing computational studies. The proposed approach is a comprehensive and cost-effective method for selecting heat source structures for urban district heating systems.
Actual directions of digitalization of pipeline systems and methods of analysis of their properties as cyber-physical objects
Authors: Novitsky Nikolay
Published: June 2023

The characteristics of the goals and objectives of digitalization of pipeline systems (PS) are given, during which they acquire new properties of cyber-physical objects. A structure of tasks of general importance for PS of various types and purposes (heat, water, oil, gas supply, etc.) is proposed. The characteristic of probabilistic state models is given. On this basis, a system of indicators for analyzing the controllability, identifiability and observability of PS is proposed, and their relationship is disclosed. For the first time, analytical dependences of the parametric identifiability of PS on the composition of measurements have been obtained.
Investigation of monitoring tasks of the dynamics of heating networks temperature states
Authors: Grebneva Oksana
Published: June 2023

In order to monitor heat supply systems for the purpose of uninterrupted heat supply to consumers, it is necessary to create full-scale monitoring systems that would improve the quality of decisions on controlling the development and functioning of systems based on the information coming from continuously operating measuring systems. The main result and purpose of monitoring in this case will be the assessment of the current regime and its compliance with the established requirements. The article investigates the task of monitoring the dynamics of temperature states of heating networks. As the closing equation in the thermal-hydraulic model, it is proposed to use the equation based on the energy conservation law, describing physical processes related to heat transfer through the walls of pipelines and heat transfer into the environment.
Estimating the coordinate error for leak location in oil pipelines
Authors: Chionov Anton , Korshunov Sergei
Published: June 2023

This paper discusses the method of hydraulic location for leak detection. A statistical criterion for leakage incident detection has been developed. A series of simulation experiments conducted has confirmed that the developed criteria are adequate. An algorithm has been developed to evaluate the sensitivity of a leak detection algorithm based on the availability of pressure instruments at the process section.
The current state of district heating processes in China and directions for the development of the methodological and instrumental base to support them
Authors: Alekseev Aleksandr , Novitsky Nikolay , Tokarev Vyacheslav , Wang Richard
Published: June 2023

The article assesses the current state of district heating systems covering more than 100 cities in northern China. The main features of such systems, as well as the problems that arise during their design and operation, are disclosed. The relevance of the development and application of independent methods of mathematical and computer modeling to solve these problems is disclosed. As a methodological basis, it is proposed to use the modern achievements of the theory of hydraulic circuits developed at the Energy System Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The characteristics of the possibilities of the software tools available here are given. The main directions and prospects for the development of these scientific, methodological and software developments are disclosed.
Digital monitoring system of the Baikal natural water area based on IIS “Kumir-Resource”
Authors: Nikolaev Andrey , Fiskin Eugene , Fiskina Margarita , Belousov Roman
Published: June 2023

In this article, the solution to the problem of ensuring the ecological improvement of water bodies, including the Volga River, and the preservation of unique water systems, including lakes Baikal and Teletskoye, is reduced to the creation of a digital monitoring system capable of organizing communication with a large number of devices for monitoring the environmental parameters of lakes and rivers. On such a scale, a well-planned platform will avoid problems in data exchange, provide fast and timely access to information. When creating a platform of this type, a number of requirements and tasks arise, the solution of which can cause certain problems and limitations. To organize a stable connection with monitoring devices in the amount of several million pieces, the IT platform must be scalable and performant. These and other tasks are being solved by the Irkutsk National Research Technical University together with the STC “Kumir”.
Degenerative Vorfußerkrankungen – Metatarsalgie und
Kleinzehendeformitäten
Authors: Schilde Sebastian , Delank Karl-Stephan , Gutteck Natalia
Published: June 2023

„Mein Fuß tut weh.“ Dieser Satz stellt täglich
eine Vielzahl von ÄrztInnen vor eine differenzialdiagnostische und
therapeutische Herausforderung. Die Schmerzen im Vorfuß werden unter dem
Begriff „Metatarsalgie“ subsumiert, welcher keine Diagnose,
sondern vielmehr einen Symptomkomplex beschreibt. Die oftmals parallele
Involvierung verschiedener Fachabteilungen unterstreicht die Schwierigkeit, die
richtige Ursache zu identifizieren und kausal zu behandeln. Eine strukturierte
Untersuchung und Einordnung der häufigsten Vorfußpathologien ist
für den Therapieerfolg entscheidend.
Künstliche Intelligenz und Wissenschaft
Authors: Liebl Max Emanuel , Best Norman , Sturm Christian
Published: June 2023

Chat-GPT hat in verschiedenen Bereichen, allen voran in der Text- und
Bildbearbeitung, einen kaum zu überbietenden Hype kreiert. Weitere
Entwickler haben bereits ihre Konkurrenzprodukte platziert. Als Künstliche
Intelligenz (KI)-basierte Technik mit einfach anwendbarer Benutzeroberfläche
verspricht eine Technik alltagstauglich zu werden, die in der Tat ein ungeahntes
Potenzial zu haben scheint, für tiefgreifende Veränderung unserer
Lebens- und Arbeitswelt zu sorgen. Häufig werden programmbasierte
Algorithmen als KI bezeichnet, was aber nicht korrekt ist.
Outcomes of recurrent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation according to presumed etiology
Authors: Pedreira Bruno Bacellar , Zachrison Korilyn Sauser , Singhal Aneesh , Yan Zhiyu , Oliveira-Filho Jamary , Schwamm Lee H.
Published: June 2023

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a potent risk factor for stroke. The presence of competing etiologies can modify disease outcomes and demand different treatment strategies.

Objectives The primary purpose of the study was to examine the differences in outcomes for patients with AF admitted with a recurrent stroke, stratified according to the presumed etiology of the stroke.

Methods We analyzed AF patients admitted for a recurrent ischemic stroke in an academic comprehensive stroke center. Recurrent strokes were categorized as “Cardioembolic”, meaning AF without any competing mechanism, versus “Undetermined” etiology due to competing mechanisms. We used logistic regression to test the association between recurrent stroke etiology and favorable outcome (discharge home), after accounting for important covariates.

Results We included 230 patients, with a mean age 76.9 (SD ± 11.3), 52.2% male, median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 7 (IQR 2–16). Patients with cardioembolic stroke (65.2%) had higher median NIHSS 8.5 (3–18) versus 3 (1–8) and were more likely to be treated with reperfusion therapies. The favorable outcome was reached by 64 patients (27.8%), and in-hospital mortality was 15.2% overall. After adjustment, there was no difference in outcome between patients with cardioembolic versus undetermined stroke etiology (odds ratio for discharge home: 1.41; 95% CI: 0.65–3.15).

Conclusions In this single-center sample of AF patients with history of stroke, there was no difference in discharge outcomes between those with cardioembolic and those with undetermined stroke etiology. This question warrants examination in larger samples to better understand the importance of the stroke mechanism and secondary prophylaxis.
Neonatal Status Epilepticus Secondary to Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia: Efficacy of Low-Dose Dextromethorphan
Authors: Vila-Bedmar Sara , La-Vega Talbott Maite
Published: June 2023

Nonketotic hyperglycinemia is a severe form of early onset epileptic encephalopathy caused by disturbances in the glycine cleavage system, leading to neurological damage attributed to overstimulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Although there are no interventions known to be effective in altering the natural history of nonketotic hyperglycinemia, it is very important that the clinician recognizes this disease and initiates early evaluation and treatment to attain the best possible outcome. Here we present a newborn diagnosed with a severe form of nonketotic hyperglycinemia with frequent myoclonic seizures, which were resistant to phenobarbital, levetiracetam, ketogenic diet, sodium benzoate, and perampanel. Dextromethorphan reduced epileptic myoclonic jerks and improved the background activity on the electroencephalogram.
Prevalence of Cerebral Palsy among Children Aged 2 to 5 Years in a Rural District in Sri Lanka: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Wanigasinghe Jithangi , Jasotharan Velappody , Thilaxshan Thevsingam , Murugupillai Roshini , Arambepola Carukshi
Published: June 2023

The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) in the 2- to 5-year age group in a rural setting in Sri Lanka and describe the type, topography, severity, functional status of CP, and associated comorbidities. A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in the district of Ampara, which represents a typical rural setting in Sri Lanka. A house-to-house survey was performed in 60 geographically defined areas to screen 2- to 5-year-old children for motor disability or any developmental delay. Those who were positive underwent face-to-face interviews for confirmation of the diagnosis of CP. This was followed by an evaluation of the features of the CP. A total of 1,090 children aged 2 to 5 years were screened for CP. Among them, there were four children with confirmed CP, resulting in an overall prevalence of 3.7 per 1,000 children aged 2 to 5 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0, 9.4%). Male dominance was noted (75%). The most common single type of CP was spastic (75%). The other was of the mixed type (25%). A severe level of disability (level V) based on gross motor function and manual ability and communication function was seen in 75% of cases. The two most common comorbidities were cerebral visual impairment (75%) and epilepsy (50%). Gastrointestinal-related problems (75%) and contractures (75%) were the most common complications. The burden of CP is relatively high among children in rural settings in Sri Lanka in comparison to reported rates in developed countries. However, these rates are comparable to reported rates from similar rural settings in other regional countries. The majority suffered from a severe degree of impairment.
Stuck in the Dark: No Association between Light, Sound, and Delirium in the PICU
Authors: Greenfield Kara D. , Karam Oliver , Iqbal O'Meara A.M.
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between sound and light variables and development of delirium in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients within the subsequent 3 days. Light and sound were continuously measured, and patient-specific data were collected daily. Outcomes included presence of delirium, determined by Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) score ≥ 9 on at least 1 day, and development of delirium in the subsequent 3 days. One hundred and forty-two patients were enrolled, totaling 896 study days. Delirium prevalence was 31%. Neurologic diagnosis, younger age, longer PICU stay, restraints, benzodiazepines, opiate infusion, and dexmedetomidine were associated with delirium. Nighttime sound peaks (>70 and >80 dB) were not associated with delirium (p = 0.94 and 0.36, respectively). Light intensity during midday hours (12:00, 1:00, 2:00 pm) was not associated with the development of delirium (p=0.93, 0.81, 0.83, respectively), nor was maximum light at night, difference between maximum daytime and nighttime light, or between maximum and minimum daytime light (p = 0.15, 0.46, and 0.96, respectively). When adjusting for covariables, none of the sound or light variables was associated with delirium. Despite increasing awareness of pediatric delirium, data surrounding modifiable risk factors and concrete treatment strategies are lacking. We found no significant association between light or sound and development of delirium in PICU patients. However, there was little difference between daytime and nighttime light and sound, which may have impacted findings. As the etiology of delirium is multifactorial and potentially different for individual patients, targeted light/dark cycles warrant further study as they relate to delirium and critical illness.
Decentralisation by military regimes and challenges to citizen participation: an empirical reflection from Pakistan
Authors: Ali Aijaz , Analoui Farhad
Published: June 2023

It is often assumed that in developing countries there is a substantial link between the local governments and community participation. However, what is hardly ever highlighted is what happens when an authoritarian government uses decentralisation reforms to strengthen its power, interfering with not only public development but also the international community. On that account, this study argues that if an authoritarian regime focuses on using elaborate façades of representative institutions such as local government reforms rather than trusting the persuasive force of representative institutions, the local governments of a non-democratic centralised state will have similar authoritarian policies towards civic engagement. The study was based on fieldwork research and the data obtained from the responses to seventy qualitative questionnaires with seven open-ended questions in two districts of Sindh. The findings suggest that the various local governments of Pakistan acted as a medium of recentralisation and created alienation instead of bringing the marginalised communities closer to local power. This article shows that if local governments are used by an authoritarian regime with the purpose of misleading the international community and stifling development, such a system will create alienation between the state and the ordinary citizens.
Self-experience consistency and life satisfaction: The mediating role of the need for relatedness and the moderating role of Zhong-yong thinking
Authors: Zhang Jiali , Deng Huamei , Liu Tiantian , Mu Shoukuan
Published: June 2023

Self-experience consistency has an important effect on life satisfaction; however, the underlying mechanism of this relationship remains unclear. This study aims to examine why self-experience consistency is related to increased life satisfaction. To do so, we investigated the relationships between self-experience consistency, the need for relatedness, Zhong-yong thinking, and life satisfaction in a sample of 456 undergraduate students. We also tested a moderated mediation model examining Zhong-yong thinking as a moderator. The results suggest that self-experience consistency related to life satisfaction was due, in part, to an increased need for relatedness. However, interpretation of this finding is limited by the use of cross-sectional data. Furthermore, Zhong-yong thinking moderated the self-experience consistency—need for relatedness link, such that the link was stronger for individuals with high/moderate levels of Zhong-yong thinking. Overall, these findings address a major gap in the positive psychology literature. Finally, implications for research are discussed.
Tasmanian bandicoots as fungal dispersers: A comparison in mycophagy between the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) and the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii)
Authors: Elliott Todd F. , Rainbird Judy , Vernes Karl
Published: June 2023

Mycophagous mammals perform important ecosystem services through their dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi (particularly truffles). In order to better understand the role of Tasmanian bandicoots in these associations, we examined the stomach and scat contents of specimens of southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus) and eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) preserved in the mammal collections of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. Our study shows that fungi are consumed by both species and that these mammals likely play a key role in ecosystem function through their dispersal of mycorrhizal fungal spores.
Production and perception of voicing contrast in assimilation contexts in Hungarian
Authors: Bárkányi Zsuzsanna , Kiss Zoltán G.
Published: June 2023

This paper explores to what extent lexical factors, such as minimal pairhood and wordedness, affect the realisation of laryngeal features of the word-final fricatives /s/ and /z/ in Hungarian in potentially neutralising contexts, and whether the observed acoustic differences are perceptually salient enough to distinguish underlying voicing in non-minimal pairs and in minimal pairs in semantically ambiguous contexts. We show that in devoicing contexts the contrast between /s/ and /z/ in minimal pairs is more likely to be upheld than in non-minimal pairs in production, and this difference seems to map onto perceptual contrast, also that complete neutralisation can be prevented in devoicing contexts by durational cues. In the voicing environment, the acoustic difference between the fricatives is less likely to map onto a contrast in perception, indicating neutralisation. In the devoicing context, little voicing is enough to categorise the fricative as voiced: listeners compensate for phonological changes that correspond to existing rules in their language rather than for those that are only coarticulatory in nature.
Linguistic terminology in Swedish and Danish with comparison of
Icelandic
Authors: Tarsi Matteo
Published: June 2023

This article examines the acquisition of Swedish and Danish
linguistic terminology. Onomasiological in nature, the data gathering for these
two languages follows that carried out for Icelandic in an earlier study (Tarsi 2022a). The analytical model used
builds on that employed in Tarsi
(2022b), and the major innovation introduced here is a categorization
of loanword typology based on intralexical chronology rather than on external
factors (primary vs. secondary borrowings instead of necessity vs. prestige borrowings, respectively). The main findings of the article are: (1) Shared borrowings tend to be
primary in Swedish but secondary in Danish; (2) the two languages show differing
degrees of adaptation for loanwords, especially seen in the case of Latinate
terminology, a phenomenon not found in Icelandic; (3) Swedish and Danish
model their linguistic terminology to a great extent on the same languages,
Latin and German, whereas Latin and Danish are the most prominent model
languages for Icelandic; finally (4) in both languages there is a flourishing of
native terminology in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, comparable in
quantity and quality to that appearing in contemporary Icelandic data.
Diagnosing Causes of Pine Forest Decline: The Cases of a Production Forest and a Protected Area
Authors: Pimentel Carla S. , Calvão Teresa
Published: June 2023

The pine wood nematode (PWN)
Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
is maybe the most consequential invasive pine pathogen in Eurasia, causing the pine wilt disease (PWD). It was introduced in Portugal (and in Europe) in 1999, leading to the enforcement of strict regulations attempting to control its dispersion. However, the system put in place to deal with this epidemic does not account with other factors affecting pine forest health and decline and gets easily overwhelmed by natural disturbances in ecosystem dynamics, such as severe drought and forest megafires. It also fails to consider diverse local contexts, such as nature preserves, ownership and liability. Presented here are the cases of a protected and a production forest, discussing the different causes of forest decline and their different management strategies according to the objectives of the stakeholders, in a region under quarantine since the introduction of the PWN in the country.

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© The Authors 2023
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experience of the Therapeutic Relationship between Service Users and Staff after Physical Restraint in a Secure Mental Health Service
Authors: Duffy Megan , Lawrence Daniel , Nicholas Suzanne , Jenkins Rosemary , Samuel Victoria
Published: June 2023

Restrictive interventions, such as physical restraint, should be a last resort for managing imminent risk. There has been growing recognition of the harmful effects of them, for both staff and service users. Limited research has considered the impact of physical restraint on the therapeutic relationship between staff and service users. The aim of this research was to address this gap in the literature and explore both service user and staff perspectives of the therapeutic relationship after physical restraint, in a UK-based service that provides low and medium secure care for adults. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with five service users and five staff members. All participants had been involved in at least one incident of physical restraint. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyze the data. Three master themes emerged from the service user experiences: emotional impact; changes to the therapeutic relationship; and appraisal of the necessity of physical restraint. A further three master themes were produced from the staff member experiences: emotional response; balancing professional roles and responsibilities within the relationship; and moving forward with the therapeutic relationship after physical restraint. Findings support the need to continue to reduce restrictive interventions including physical restraint in secure mental health services and consider the impact upon those involved, both emotionally and relationally. Contemporary approaches to reducing power imbalances between staff and services users, as well as those that would reduce the likelihood of (re)traumatising service users, are also recommended.
First survey of centimeter-scale AC-LGAD strip sensors with a 120 GeV proton beam
Authors: Madrid C. , Heller R. , San Martín C. , Nanda S. , Apresyan A. , Brooks W.K. , Chen W. , Giacomini G. , Kamer Köseyan O. , Los S. , Peña C. , Rios R. , Tricoli A. , Xie S. , Ye Z.
Published: June 2023

We present the first beam test results with centimeter-scale AC-LGAD strip sensors, using
the Fermilab Test Beam Facility and sensors manufactured by the Brookhaven National
Laboratory. Sensors of this type are envisioned for applications that require large-area precision
4D tracking coverage with economical channel counts, including timing layers for the Electron Ion
Collider (EIC), and space-based particle experiments. A survey of sensor designs is presented,
with the aim of optimizing the electrode geometry for spatial resolution and timing
performance. Several design considerations are discussed towards maintaining desirable signal
characteristics with increasingly larger electrodes. The resolutions obtained with several
prototypes are presented, reaching simultaneous 18 μm and 32 ps resolutions from
strips of 1 cm length and 500 μm pitch. With only slight modifications, these
sensors would be ideal candidates for a 4D timing layer at the EIC.
Design and simulation of a cylindrical μRWELL inner tracker for the experiment at the Super Tau-Charm Facility
Authors: Zhou H. , Fang Z. , Liu J. , Zhou Y.
Published: June 2023

The Super Tau-Charm Facility (STCF) is a future electron-positron collider operating in a center-of-mass energy range from 2 to 7 GeV with a peak luminosity of 0.5 × 1035 cm-2s-1. A high-performance detector is required for the STCF experiment to meet the STCF physics goals. A low-material cylindrical inner tracker based on the micro-resistive well detector (μRWELL) is proposed for the STCF experiment. In this paper, the design of the μRWELL inner tracker is presented. A good balance between material budget, structural strength, and detector performance is achieved in the design where the material budget of the μRWELL inner tracker is estimated to be 0.29% X/X0, a 40% reduction w.r.t. that of the cylindrical gas electron multiplier (CGEM) detector used at the KLOE experiment. The hit position of the detector is reconstructed using an algorithm combing the micro-time projection chamber (μ-TPC) method and the charge center-of-gravity method. The detector performance was studied in detail using simulation with Garfield and Geant4. With the optimum working gas of Ar: CO2 = 85:15, this detector can obtain a spatial resolution better than 100 μm and 400 μm in 1 T magnetic field in rφ and beamline direction, respectively. The simulated momentum resolution and vertex resolution of the whole STCF tracking system including the μRWELL inner tracker and a large drift chamber can meet the requirements for the STCF detector, benefiting from the optimized inner tracker design.