bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How well do antimicrobial mouth rinses prevent dysbiosis in an in vitro periodontitis biofilm model?
Authors: Zayed Naiera , Vertommen Rik , Simoens Kenneth , Bernaerts Kristel , Boon Nico , Srivastava Mrinal Gaurav , Braem Annabel , Van Holm Wannes , Castro Ana B. , Teughels Wim
Published: July 2024

Background

Periodontal diseases are associated with dysbiosis in the oral microbial communities. Managing oral biofilms is therefore key for preventing these diseases. Management protocols often include over‐the‐counter antimicrobial mouth rinses, which lack data on their effects on the oral microbiome's ecology, bacterial composition, metabolic activity, and dysbiosis resilience. This study examined the efficacy of antimicrobial mouth rinses to halt dysbiosis in in vitro oral biofilms under periodontitis‐simulating conditions.

Methods

Multispecies oral biofilms were grown on hydroxyapatite discs (HADs) and rinsed daily with one of six mouth rinses. Positive and negative controls were included. After three rinses, biofilms were analyzed with viability quantitative polymerase chain reaction and visualized using scanning electron microscopy. Supernatants of rinsed biofilms were used for metabolic activity analysis. In addition, human oral keratinocytes were exposed to rinsed biofilms to assess their inflammatory response. All outputs were analyzed for correlation using Spearman coefficient.

Results

Product‐related changes were observed in the rinsed biofilms. Three of the six tested mouth rinses could significantly prevent dysbiosis with ≥30% reduction in pathobiont abundance relative to the control. These biofilms had lower metabolic activity, and the exposed human oral keratinocyte produced less interleukin‐8. Interleukin‐8 production correlated to both pathobiont quantity and the metabolic activity of the biofilms.

Conclusion

Some mouth rinses could support biofilm resilience and stop dysbiosis evolution in the biofilm model, with a clear product‐related effect. Such mouth rinses can be considered for patients under maintenance/supportive periodontal therapy to prevent/delay disease recurrence. Others are more useful for different periodontal therapy stages.
Liver enzyme profiles after initiating biological treatment in children with inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Räisänen Laura , Nikkonen Anne , Kolho Kaija‐Leena
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Biological treatments (BTs) are essential in managing pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (PIBDs). Elevated liver enzymes sometimes succeed BT, yet elucidating studies are scarce. We addressed liver biochemistry after introducing BT and searched for their determinants.

Methods

We identified PIBD patients receiving infliximab, adalimumab, vedolizumab, or ustekinumab at the Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland, in 2000–2023, and followed their alanine transaminase (ALT) and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GT) levels for 24 months. ALT was categorized based on the age‐ and sex‐specific upper limit of normal. We disregarded 46 patients with underlying primary sclerosing cholangitis with/without autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), pretreatment AIH diagnosis, and elevated liver enzymes at the beginning of BT from the analyses.

Results

Of 618 BT episodes in 403 patients, 22.2% exhibited increased ALT or GT (ALT in 117, GT in 4, and both ALT/GT in 16 episodes). Of all ALT elevations (n = 133), 41.4% occurred within the first 3 months. ALT elevation was more common after infliximab (representing 59.5% of BTs) than other BTs (25.9% vs. 14.2%, adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–4.72). AIH followed 1.5% (n = 9) of BT episodes. Ninety‐five percent of ALT elevations resolved within 6 months. Antibiotic exposure (particularly to metronidazole) was associated with ALT elevation in general (adjusted OR: 5.76, 95% CI: 2.40–13.9) and short disease duration before starting BT with notable ALT elevation (adjusted OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.22).

Conclusions

Benign ALT elevation is common within 3 months after starting BT (especially infliximab) and scarcely led to cessation of the treatment. AIH is a rare finding during the first year of BT.
Hausdorff–Zhu operators on the unit ball in ℂn
Authors: Karapetyants Alexey , Mirotin Adolf R.
Published: July 2024

We introduce and study Hausdorff–Zhu operators over the unit ball in
. We give sufficient conditions for boundedness of such operators in Möbius invariant spaces, weighted Lebesgue and Bergman spaces, and Hardy spaces on the unit ball. In the framework of the Lebesgue spaces, we also provide necessity conditions for boundedness. Approximation of the identity by Hausdorff operators is also considered within Lebesgue space with a Möbius invariant Haar measure.
Extraocular muscle volume on time‐of‐flight magnetic resonance angiography in patients with myasthenia gravis
Authors: Chen Pei , Zhou Qin , Zhao Xiaoxiao , Chen Yingqian , Lin Zhongqiang , Wang Mengzhu , Yang Zhiyun , Liu Weibin
Published: July 2024

Introduction/Aims

Despite being a prominent feature of myasthenia gravis (MG), extraocular muscle (EOM) has received little attention in clinical research. The aim of this study was to examine EOM volume in patients with MG and controls using time‐of‐flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF‐MRA).

Methods

EOM volumes (overall and individual rectus muscles) were calculated using TOF‐MRA images and compared between MG patients (including subgroups) and controls. The correlation between EOM volume and disease duration was examined. Predictive equations for the selected parameters were developed using multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

EOM volume was lower in MG patients than controls, especially in MG patients with ophthalmoparesis (MG‐O). MG‐O exhibited a moderate negative correlation between EOM volume and disease duration. Multiple linear regression showed that disease duration and EOM status (ophthalmoparesis or not) account for 48.4% of EOM volume.

Discussion

Patients with MG show atrophy of the EOMs, especially those with ophthalmoparesis and long disease duration.
Regional fat distribution and hepatic fibrosis and steatosis severity in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mansour Asieh , Pourhassan Saeed , Gerami Hadis , Mohajeri‐Tehrani Mohammad Reza , Salahshour Marziye , Abbasi Ali , Madreseh Elham , Sajjadi‐Jazi Sayed Mahmoud
Published: July 2024

Background

Epidemiologic findings suggest that measures of body fat distribution predict health outcomes independent of the overall body fat assessed by body mass index (BMI). This study aimed to evaluate the associations of overall and regional body fat with the severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in type 2 diabetic patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methods

Bioelectric impedance analysis and two newly developed anthropometric indices, namely, A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Body Roundness Index (BRI), were used to estimate the body fat. Based on fibroscan parameters, significant hepatic fibrosis and severe steatosis were defined as ≥F2 and >66%, respectively.

Results

Higher total body fat (odds ratio [OR] 1.107, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.038–1.182, p = 0.002), trunk fat (OR 1.136, 95% CI 1.034–1.248, p = 0.008) and leg fat (OR 1.381, 95% CI 1.139–1.674, p = 0.001) were associated with liver fibrosis. However, in contrast to the total body fat (OR 1.088, 95% CI 1.017–1.164, p = 0.014) and leg fat (OR 1.317, 95% CI 1.066–1.628, p = 0.011), the trunk fat was not associated with severe hepatic steatosis. BRI performed better than trunk, leg and total body fat in predicting hepatic steatosis (OR 2.186, 95% CI 1.370–3.487, p = 0.001) and fibrosis (OR 2.132, 95% CI 1.419–3.204, p < 0.001). Moreover, the trunk to leg fat ratio and ABSI were not independent predictors of either steatosis or fibrosis (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

BRI revealed a superior predictive ability for identifying the degree of hepatic steatosis and stiffness than other obesity indices. Additionally, higher levels of adiposity in the trunk, legs, and overall body were linked to an increased risk of developing liver fibrosis. Although trunk fat did not show an association with severe hepatic steatosis, an increase in leg and total fat was related to liver steatosis.
A simulation‐assisted point cloud segmentation neural network for human–robot interaction applications
Authors: Lin Jingxin , Zhong Kaifan , Gong Tao , Zhang Xianmin , Wang Nianfeng
Published: July 2024

With the advancement of industrial automation, the frequency of human–robot interaction (HRI) has significantly increased, necessitating a paramount focus on ensuring human safety throughout this process. This paper proposes a simulation‐assisted neural network for point cloud segmentation in HRI, specifically distinguishing humans from various surrounding objects. During HRI, readily accessible prior information, such as the positions of background objects and the robot's posture, can generate a simulated point cloud and assist in point cloud segmentation. The simulation‐assisted neural network utilizes simulated and actual point clouds as dual inputs. A simulation‐assisted edge convolution module in the network facilitates the combination of features from the actual and simulated point clouds, updating the features of the actual point cloud to incorporate simulation information. Experiments of point cloud segmentation in industrial environments verify the efficacy of the proposed method.
Compounding effects of human activities and climatic changes on the river water temperature evolution mechanism for ecological effects
Authors: He Ning , Guo Wenxian , Jiao Xuyang , Wang Hongxiang
Published: July 2024

Understanding the drivers and ecological effects of river water temperature (Tw) change remains a complex and challenging task in the field of ecohydrology. We developed the extreme‐point symmetric mode decomposition to quantitatively identify the trend, period and mutation of water temperature (Tw). The sparrow search algorithm‐long short‐term memory model was constructed to reconstruct the historical Tw to quantitatively identify the effects of human activities (HA) and climate change (CC) at different time scales. The random forest method was used to analyse the contribution rates of different meteorological factors and to clarify the main factors. Our results demonstrate that the Tw had a cooling trend in the 1980s, and the other decades have a warming trend, and the annual Tw distribution shows an obvious ‘unimodal’ distribution. The interannual Tw has a short period of 2–3a, 6–12a and a long period of 10–15a. At the interannual scale, as the distance from estuaries decreases, the influence of HA gradually diminishes, and only the great Tw is governed by CC. Contributions from HA and CC to Tw vary at the seasonal and monthly scales due to geographical differences. In Cuntan, the contribution of HA to Tw is greater than that of climatic factors. The contribution rates of climatic and HA in the three regions of Yichang, Hankou and Datong also exhibit their respective characteristics and fluctuation patterns. The maximum temperature is the most important factor affecting the change of Tw. Abnormal Tw changes result in delayed spawning and characteristic reproduction Tw attainment dates for the Four Major Chinese Carps and Acipenser sinensis.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Process to [1,2,3]Triazolo [1,5‐c]quinazolines
Authors: Li Jianxin , Zhang Shuitao , Xiao Tiebo , Yang Baomin , Jiang Yubo
Published: July 2024

An efficient palladium‐catalyzed three‐component reaction for the synthesis of tricyclic fused 1,2,3‐triazole derivatives from amino‐NH‐1,2,3‐triazoles, isocyanide and iodoarenes has been developed, involving three new bonds formation by one manipulation in moderate to good yields with excellent functional group tolerance. Moreover, it is also suitable for other N‐heterocyclic substrates including pyrazole, imidazole, indole, tetrazole and its derivatives.
Carbon Structure Regulation Strategy for the Electrode of Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Cheng Tukang , Qi Shaotian , Jiang Yingqiao , Wang Ling , Zhu Qingjun , Zhu Jing , Dai Lei , He Zhangxing
Published: July 2024

Vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is a type of energy storage device known for its large‐scale capacity, long‐term durability, and high‐level safety. It serves as an effective solution to address the instability and intermittency of renewable energy sources. Carbon‐based materials are widely used as VRFB electrodes due to cost‐effectiveness and well‐stability. However, pristine electrodes need proper modification to overcome original poor hydrophilicity and fewer reaction active sites. Adjusting the carbon structure is recognized as a viable method to boost the electrochemical activity of electrodes. This review delves into the advancements in research related to ordered and disordered carbon structure electrodes including the adjusting methods, structural characteristics, and catalytic properties. Ordered carbon structures are categorized into nanoscale and macroscale orderliness based on size, leading to improved conductivity and overall performance of the electrode. Disordered carbon structures encompass methods such as doping atoms, grafting functional groups, and creating engineered holes to enhance active sites and hydrophilicity. Based on the current research findings on carbon electrode structures, this work puts forth some promising prospects for future feasibility.
Engineered Lipids for Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging in Steatotic Hepatocytes
Authors: Westensee Isabella N. , de Dios Andres Paula , Brodszkij Edit , Descours Pierre‐Louis , Perez‐Rodriguez Diego , Spinazzola Antonella , Mookerjee Rajeshwar Prosad , Städler Brigitte
Published: July 2024

Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in steatotic cells pose a problem due to their potential to cause oxidative stress and cellular damage. Delivering engineered phospholipids to intracellular lipid droplets in steatotic hepatic cells, using the cell's inherent intracellular lipid transport mechanisms are investigated. Initially, it is shown that tail‐labeled fluorescent lipids assembled into liposomes are able to be transported to intracellular lipid droplets in steatotic HepG2 cells and HHL‐5 cells. Further, an antioxidant, an EUK salen–manganese derivative, which has superoxide dismutase‐like and catalase‐like activity, is covalently conjugated to the tail of a phospholipid and formulated as liposomes for administration. Steatotic HepG2 cells and HHL‐5 cells incubated with these antioxidant liposomes have lower intracellular ROS levels compared to untreated controls and non‐covalently formulated antioxidants. This first proof‐of‐concept study illustrates an alternative strategy to equip native organelles in mammalian cells with engineered enzyme activity.
Reduction of Oxidative Stress and Excitotoxicity by Mesenchymal Stem Cell Biomimetic Co‐Delivery System for Cerebral Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury Treatment
Authors: Zhang Qi , Li Shengnan , Chen Hua , Yin Jiaqing , Chen Yuqin , Liu Linfeng , He Weichong , Min Zhiyi , Gong Yue , Xu Jiangna , Song Kefan , Lv Wei , Xin Hongliang
Published: July 2024

A cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury is ensued by an intricate interplay between various pathological processes including excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. For a long time, drug intervention policies targeting a single signaling pathway have failed to achieve the anticipated clinical efficacy in the intricate and dynamic inflammatory environment of the brain. Moreover, inadequate targeted drug delivery remains a significant challenge in cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury therapy. In this study, a multifunctional nanoplatform (designated as PB‐006@MSC) is developed using ZL006‐loaded Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) camouflaged by a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) membrane (MSCm). ZL006 is a neuroprotectant. It can be loaded efficiently into the free radical scavenger PBNP through mesoporous adsorption. This can simultaneously modulate multiple targets and pathways. MSCm biomimetics can reduce the nanoparticle immunogenicity, efficiently enhance their homing capability to the cerebral ischemic penumbra, and realize active‐targeting therapy for ischemic stroke. In animal experiments, PB‐006@MSC integrated reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and neuroprotection. Thereby, it selectively targeted the cerebral ischemic penumbra (about fourfold higher accumulation at 24 h than in the non‐targeted group), demonstrated a remarkable therapeutic efficacy in reducing the volume of cerebral infarction (from 37.1% to 2.3%), protected the neurogenic functions, and ameliorated the mortality.
Creation of Grooved Tissue Engineering Scaffolds from Architectured Multilayer Polymer Composites by a Tuneable One‐Step Degradation Process
Authors: Vellayappan Muthu Vignesh , Duarte Francisco , Sollogoub Cyrille , Dirrenberger Justin , Guinault Alain , Frith Jessica E. , Parkington Helena C. , Molotnikov Andrey , Cameron Neil R.
Published: July 2024

The surface properties of biomaterials interact directly with biological systems, influencing cellular responses, tissue integration, and biocompatibility. Surface topography plays a critical role in cardiac tissue engineering by affecting electrical conductivity, cardiomyocyte alignment, and contractile function. Current methods for controlling surface properties and topography in cardiac tissue engineering scaffolds are limited, expensive, and lack precision. This study introduces a low‐cost, one‐step degradation process to create scaffolds with well‐defined micro‐grooves from multilayered 3D printed poly(lactic acid)/thermoplastic polyurethane composites. The approach provides control over erosion rate and surface morphology, allowing easy tuning of scaffold topographical cues for tissue engineering applications. The findings reported in this study provide a library of easily tuneable scaffold topographical cues. A strong dependence of neonatal rat cardiomyocyte (NRCM) contact guidance with the multilayers' dimension and shape in partially degraded polylactic acid (PLA)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) samples is observed. NRCMs cultured on samples with a layer thickness of 13 ± 2 µm and depth of 4.7 ± 0.2 µm demonstrate the most regular contractions. Hence, the proposed fabrication scheme can be used to produce a new generation of biomaterials with excellent controllability determined by multilayer thickness, printing parameters, and degradation treatment duration.
Microfluidic Continuous Synthesis of Size‐ and Facet‐Controlled Porous Bi2O3 Nanospheres for Efficient CO2 to Formate Catalysis
Authors: Han Zhenze , Chang Yuan , Gao Jiaxuan , Liu Taolue , Li Jialuo , Liu Jinxuan , Liu Jiaxu , Gao Yan , Gao Junfeng
Published: July 2024

Bismuth‐based catalysts are effective in converting carbon dioxide into formate via electrocatalysis. Precise control of the morphology, size, and facets of bismuth‐based catalysts is crucial for achieving high selectivity and activity. In this work, an efficient, large‐scale continuous production strategy is developed for achieving a porous nanospheres Bi2O3‐FDCA material. First‐principles simulations conducted in advance indicate that the Bi2O3 (111)/(200) facets help reduce the overpotential for formate production in electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (ECO2RR). Subsequently, using microfluidic technology and molecular control to precisely adjust the amount of 2, 5‐furandicarboxylic acid, nanomaterials rich in (111)/(200) facets are successfully synthesized. Additionally, the morphology of the porous nanospheres significantly increases the adsorption capacity and active sites for carbon dioxide. These synergistic effects allow the porous Bi2O3‐FDCA nanospheres to stably operate for 90 h in a flow cell at a current density of ≈250 mA cm−2, with an average Faradaic efficiency for formate exceeding 90%. The approach of theoretically guided microfluidic technology for the large‐scale synthesis of finely structured, efficient bismuth‐based materials for ECO2RR may provide valuable references for the chemical engineering of intelligent nanocatalysts.
Compressively Strained Fe3O4 in Core—Shell Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalyst Boosts Zinc—Air Battery Performance
Authors: Wu Haihua , Li Yudan , Li Haobo , Wu Feng , Li Lihong , Xu Xin , Gao Yunfang
Published: July 2024

Fe3O4 is barely taken into account as an electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), an important reaction for metal—air batteries and fuel cells, due to its sluggish catalytic kinetics and poor electron conductivity. Herein, how strain engineering can be employed to regulate the local electronic structure of Fe3O4 for high ORR activity is reported. Compressively strained Fe3O4 shells with 2.0% shortened Fe─O bond are gained on the Fe/Fe4N cores as a result of lattice mismatch at the interface. A downshift of the d‐band center occurs for compressed Fe3O4, leading to weakened chemisorption energy of oxygenated intermediates, and lower reaction overpotential. The compressed Fe3O4 exhibits greatly enhanced electrocatalytic ORR activity with a kinetic current density of 27 times higher than that of pristine one at 0.80 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode), as well as potential application in zinc‐air batteries. The findings provide a new strategy for tuning electronic structures and improving the catalytic activity of other metal catalysts.
An Impressive Open‐Circuit Voltage of 1.223 V and High Humidity Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells with MgO Buffer Layer Deposited by Low‐Temperature Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Guli Mina , Zhang Yujing , Li Ran , He Wenkai , Lan Cheng , Zhou Yancheng
Published: July 2024

The performance of perovskite solar cells has been continuously improving. However, humidity stability has become a key problem that hinders its promotion in the process of commercialization. A buffer layer deposited by atomic layer deposition is a very helpful method to solve this problem. In this work, MgO film is deposited between Spiro‐OMeTAD and electrode by low‐temperature atomic layer deposition at 80 °C, which resists the erosion of water vapor, inhibits the migration of electrode metal ions and the decomposition products of perovskite, then finally improves the stability of the device. At the same time, the MgO buffer layer can passivate the defects of porous Spiro, thus enhancing carrier transport efficiency and device performance. The Cs0.05(FAPbI3)0.85(MAPbBr3)0.15 perovskite device with a MgO buffer layer has displayed PCE of 22.74%, also with a high Voc of 1.223 V which is an excellent performance in devices with same perovskite component. Moreover, the device with a MgO buffer layer can maintain 80% of the initial efficiency after 7200 h of storage at 35% relative humidity under room temperature. This is a major achievement for humidity stability in the world, providing more ideas for further improving the stability of perovskite devices.
Molecular Design and High‐Throughput Virtual Screening of Electron Donor and Non‐fullerene Acceptors for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Cao Rui , Zhang Cai‐Rong , Li Ming , Liu Xiao‐Meng , Zhang Mei‐Ling , Gong Ji‐Jun , Chen Yu‐Hong , Liu Zi‐Jiang , Wu You‐Zhi , Chen Hong‐Shan
Published: July 2024

The complicated trilateral relationships among molecular structures, properties, and photovoltaic performances of electron donor and acceptor materials hinder the rapid improvement of power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, the database of 310 donor and non‐fullerene acceptor pairs is constructed and 39 molecular structure descriptors are selected. Four kinds of machine learning (ML) algorithms random forest (RF), extra trees regression, gradient boosting regression trees, and adaptive boosting are applied to predict photovoltaic parameters. The coefficient of determination, Pearson correlation coefficient, mean absolute error, and root mean square error are adopted to evaluate ML performance. The results show that the RF model exhibits the best prediction accuracy. The Gini important analysis suggests the fused ring and aromatic heterocycles are critical fragments in determining PCE. The molecular unit sets are constructed by cutting each donor and acceptor molecules in database. The 31 752 D‐π‐A‐π type donor molecules and 5 455 164 A‐π‐D‐π‐A type acceptor molecules are designed by recombination of molecular units, and 173 212 367 328 donor–acceptor pairs are generated by combining the newly designed donor and acceptor molecules. Based on the predicted PCE using the trained RF model, 42 donor–acceptor pairs exhibit the predicted PCE > 16%, in which the highest PCE is 16.24%.
An Ab Initio Journey toward the Molecular‐Level Understanding and Predictability of Subnanometric Metal Clusters
Authors: de Lara‐Castells María Pilar
Published: July 2024

Current advances in synthesizing and characterizing atomically precise monodisperse metal clusters (AMCs) at the subnanometer scale have opened up new possibilities in quantum materials research. Their quantizied “molecule‐like” electronic structure showcases unique stability, and physical and chemical properties differentiate them from larger nanoparticles. When integrated into inorganic materials that interact with the environment and sunlight, AMCs serve to enhance their (photo)catalytic activity and optoelectronic properties. Their tiny size makes AMCs isolated in the gas phase amenable to atom‐scale modeling using either density functional theory (DFT) or methods at a high level of ab initio theory, even addressing nonadiabatic (e.g., Jahn–Teller) effects. Surface‐supported AMCs can be routinely modeled using DFT, enabling long real‐time molecular dynamics simulations. Their optical properties can also be addressed using time‐dependent DFT or reduced density matrix (RDM) theory. These theoretical–computational efforts aim to achieve predictability and molecular‐level understanding of the stability and properties of AMCs as function of their composition, size, and structural fluxionality in different thermodynamical conditions (temperature and pressure). In this perspective, the potential of ab initio and DFT‐based modeling is illustrated through recent studies of unsupported and surface‐supported AMCs. Future directions of research are also discussed, including applications and methodological enhancements beyond the state‐of‐the‐art.
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of salmonellae isolated from eggs of local chicken in selected towns of Ethiopia
Authors: Tadesse Belege , Ali Destaw Asfaw
Published: July 2024

Background

Salmonellosis is one of the most common food‐borne diseases in industrialised and developing countries. In recent year, an increase in antimicrobial resistance among different Salmonella serotypes has been observed.

Objective

A cross‐sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella isolated from local chicken eggs in four selected towns in Ethiopia.

Methods

A total of 115 eggs were examined to detect Salmonella by using standard microbiological methods. The susceptibilities of the isolates to nine antimicrobials were tested by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method.

Result

The study revealed that of the 115 eggs examined, 22 (19.1%) were positive for Salmonella of which 14 (12.2%) and 8 (7%) of the isolates were from shells and contents, respectively. The occurrence of Salmonella in egg shells and content and between different altitudes did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). Most isolates were resistant to more than three antimicrobials with a high resistance to kanamycin, ampicillin, nalidixic acid, cotrimoxazole, oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol.

Conclusion

The results indicate the potential importance of local chicken eggs as source of multiple antimicrobial‐resistant salmonellae and the need for proper cooking before consumption. Further studies are required to describe the epidemiology of Salmonella in various agroclimatic zones of Ethiopia.
Model Construction for Modal Clauses
Authors: Hustadt Ullrich , Papacchini Fabio , Nalon Cláudia , Dixon Clare
Published: July 2024

We present deterministic model construction algorithms for sets of modal clauses saturated with respect to three refinements of the modal-layered resolution calculus implemented in the prover
"Image missing". The model construction algorithms are inspired by the Bachmair-Ganzinger method for constructing a model for a set of ground first-order clauses saturated with respect to ordered resolution with selection. The challenge is that the inference rules of the modal-layered resolution calculus for modal operators are more restrictive than an adaptation of ordered resolution with selection for these would be. While these model construction algorithms provide an alternative means to proving completeness of the calculus, our main interest is the provision of a ‘certificate’ for satisfiable modal formulae that can be independently checked to assure a user that the result of
"Image missing" is correct. This complements the existing provision of proofs for unsatisfiable modal formulae.
A Proof Theory of ($$\omega $$-)Context-Free Languages, via Non-wellfounded Proofs
Authors: Das Anupam , De Abhishek
Published: July 2024

We investigate the proof theory of regular expressions with fixed points, construed as a notation for ($$\omega $$
ω
-)context-free grammars. Starting with a hypersequential system for regular expressions due to Das and Pous [15], we define its extension by least fixed points and prove the soundness and completeness of its non-wellfounded proofs for the standard language model. From here we apply proof-theoretic techniques to recover an infinitary axiomatisation of the resulting equational theory, complete for inclusions of context-free languages. Finally, we extend our syntax by greatest fixed points, now computing $$\omega $$
ω
-context-free languages. We show the soundness and completeness of the corresponding system using a mixture of proof-theoretic and game-theoretic techniques.
A Dependency Pair Framework for Relative Termination of Term Rewriting
Authors: Kassing Jan-Christoph , Vartanyan Grigory , Giesl Jürgen
Published: July 2024

Dependency pairs are one of the most powerful techniques for proving termination of term rewrite systems (TRSs), and they are used in almost all tools for termination analysis of TRSs. Problem #106 of the RTA List of Open Problems asks for an adaption of dependency pairs for relative termination. Here, infinite rewrite sequences are allowed, but one wants to prove that a certain subset of the rewrite rules cannot be used infinitely often. Dependency pairs were recently adapted to annotated dependency pairs (ADPs) to prove almost-sure termination of probabilistic TRSs. In this paper, we develop a novel adaption of ADPs for relative termination. We implemented our new ADP framework in our tool and evaluate it in comparison to state-of-the-art tools for relative termination of TRSs.
Mechanised Uniform Interpolation for Modal Logics K, GL, and iSL
Authors: Férée Hugo , Giessen Iris van der , Gool Sam van , Shillito Ian
Published: July 2024

The uniform interpolation property in a given logic can be understood as the definability of propositional quantifiers. We mechanise the computation of these quantifiers and prove correctness in the Coq proof assistant for three modal logics, namely: (1) the modal logic K, for which a pen-and-paper proof exists; (2) Gödel-Löb logic GL, for which our formalisation clarifies an important point in an existing, but incomplete, sequent-style proof; and (3) intuitionistic strong Löb logic iSL, for which this is the first proof-theoretic construction of uniform interpolants. Our work also yields verified programs that allow one to compute the propositional quantifiers on any formula in this logic.
A Logic for Repair and State Recovery in Byzantine Fault-Tolerant Multi-agent Systems
Authors: van Ditmarsch Hans , Fruzsa Krisztina , Kuznets Roman , Schmid Ulrich
Published: July 2024

We provide novel epistemic logical language and semantics for modeling and analysis of byzantine fault-tolerant multi-agent systems, with the intent of not only facilitating reasoning about the agents’ fault status but also supporting model updates for repair and state recovery. Besides the standard knowledge modalities, our logic provides additional agent-specific hope modalities capable of expressing that an agent is not faulty, and also dynamic modalities enabling change to the agents’ correctness status. These dynamic modalities are interpreted as model updates that come in three flavors: fully public, more private, and/or involving factual change. Tailored examples demonstrate the utility and flexibility of our logic for modeling a wide range of fault-detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) approaches in mission-critical distributed systems. By providing complete axiomatizations for all variants of our logic, we also create a foundation for building future verification tools for this important class of fault-tolerant applications.
Enhancement of p-wave dark matter annihilation by quasi-bound states
Authors: Beneke Martin , Binder Tobias , De Ros Lorenzo , Garny Mathias
Published: July 2024

We scrutinize the Sommerfeld enhancement in dark matter pair annihilation for p-wave and higher-ℓ partial waves. For the Yukawa potential these feature a super-resonant Breit-Wigner peak in their velocity-dependence close to Sommerfeld resonances as well as a universal scaling with velocity for all ℓ ≥ 1 that differs from the s-wave case. We provide a quantum mechanical explanation for these phenomena in terms of quasi-bound states sustained by the centrifugal barrier of the partial-wave potential, and give approximate WKB expressions capturing the main effects. The impact of quasi-bound states is exemplified for wino dark matter and models with light mediators, with a focus on indirect detection signals. We note that quasi-bound states can also explain similar peaks in the bound-state formation and self-scattering cross sections.
Hadronic mono-W′ probes of dark matter at colliders
Authors: Holder Ryan , Reddick John , Cremonesi Matteo , Berry Doug , Cheng Kun , Low Matthew , Tait Tim M. P. , Whiteson Daniel
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Particle collisions at the energy frontier can probe the nature of invisible dark matter via production in association with recoiling visible objects. We propose a new potential production mode, in which dark matter is produced by the decay of a heavy dark Higgs boson radiated from a heavy W′ boson. In such a model, motivated by left-right symmetric theories, dark matter would not be pair produced in association with other recoiling objects due to its lack of direct coupling to quarks or gluons. We study the hadronic decay mode via W′ → tb and estimate the LHC exclusion sensitivity at 95% confidence level to be 102 − 105 fb for W′ boson masses between 250 and 1750 GeV.
Off-lightcone Wilson-line operators in gradient flow
Authors: Brambilla Nora , Wang Xiang-Peng
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Off-lightcone Wilson-line operators are constructed using local operators connected by time-like or space-like Wilson lines, which ensure gauge invariance. Off-lightcone Wilson-line operators have broad applications in various contexts. For instance, space-like Wilson-line operators play a crucial role in determining quasi-distribution functions (quasi-PDFs), while time-like Wilson-line operators are essential for understanding quarkonium decay and production within the potential non-relativistic QCD (pNRQCD) framework. In this work, we establish a systematic approach for calculating the matching from the gradient-flow scheme to the $$ \overline{\textrm{MS}} $$

MS
¯

scheme in the limit of small flow time for off-lightcone Wilson-line operators. By employing the one-dimensional auxiliary-field formalism, we simplify the matching procedure, reducing it to the matching of local current operators. We provide one-loop level matching coefficients for these local current operators. For the case of hadronic matrix element related to the quark quasi-PDFs, we show at one-loop level that the finite flow time effect is very small as long as the flow radius is smaller than the physical distance z, which is usually satisfied in lattice gradient flow computations. Applications include lattice gradient flow computations of quark/gluon quasi-PDFs, gluonic correlators related to quarkonium decay and production in pNRQCD, and spin-dependent potentials in terms of chromoelectric and chromomagnetic field insertions into a Wilson loop.
A Birkhoff–Kellogg Type Theorem for Discontinuous Operators with Applications
Authors: Calamai Alessandro , Infante Gennaro , Rodríguez-López Jorge
Published: July 2024

By means of fixed point index theory for multivalued maps, we provide an analogue of the classical Birkhoff–Kellogg Theorem in the context of discontinuous operators acting on affine wedges in Banach spaces. Our theory is fairly general and can be applied, for example, to eigenvalues and parameter problems for ordinary differential equations with discontinuities. We illustrate in detail this fact for a class of second-order boundary value problem with deviated arguments and discontinuous terms. In a specific example, we explicitly compute the terms that occur in our theory.
Multiplier-less Broadband and Linear Phase Digital Hilbert Transformers
Authors: Brachtendorf Hans Georg , Dalpiaz Christoph , Steiger Martin
Published: July 2024

The Hilbert transformation for generating the analytic signal or signal envelope is widely used in modern communication receivers, in radar and sonar systems. It introduces a$$90^{\circ }$$90∘ phase shift of the input signal. Since the impulse response of the ideal Hilbert transformer is non-causal, it must be approximated by an FIR or IIR filter. This paper shows results of novel algorithms for designing broadband digital IIR Hilbert transformers and its implementation. The designs employ Galerkin or collocation techniques. The transfer function of the Hilbert transformer is a rational polynomial of low order and exhibits approximately linear phase. The filters match the$$90^{\circ }$$90∘ phase shift requirement of Hilbert transformers almost perfectly and exhibit approximately constant group delay in the passband. The achieved image rejection ratio is typically larger than 50 dB. The quantization of the filter coefficients is realized by a Canonical Signed Digit (CSD) representation, reducing the hardware resources compared with two’s complement. The resulting filters are multiplier-less, which is crucial for high-speed signal processing and low power consumption. The design techniques and the CSD representation are realized in a toolbox. The filters were moreover implemented in VHDL and SystemC. Additionally, a tool for automatically generating a VHDL package containing the filter parameters has been implemented.
The integration of performance management and risk management in the public sector: an empirical case
Authors: Bracci E. , Bruno A. , D’Amore G. , Ievoli R.
Published: July 2024

Performance management and risk management in the public sector have undergone significant improvements; however, few empirical studies have conceptualised the integration of performance management and risk management. This study aimed to understand why it fails in practice and turns into disintegration. To do this, we analyse the role of different actors involved in the integration between performance management and risk management. We have conducted our analysis at the organisational level in a regional context, adopting two different research methods, documentary analysis and collections of interviews. This paper contributes to the theoretical debate with interesting new insights about organisational practices in the public sector. In this research, we adopted the disintegration framework, broadly used as a research methodology in the ontological and social paradigm as reported (Täubig in Totale Institution Asyl, Juventa Verlag, Munich, 2009) for analysing the integration and disintegration between performance management and risk management. This approach presumes the collective engagement of researchers and practitioners, which can help bring to the surface the knowledge embedded in practice and transform it into actionable knowledge to produce practice changes. This study contributes to the public accounting literature by providing empirical evidence about organisational practices in the public sector. It offers a practical and general understanding of performance management and risk management practices functioning in public government. It shows the fundamental role played by key actors when performance management and risk management practices are implemented. This empirical research also has practical implications, creating the basis for the implementation of an integrated system of performance management and risk management in regional governments.
Eine Untersuchung der Gegenübertragung in der psychosozialen Arbeit mit Geflüchteten
Authors: Verhülsdonk Lukas , Petzold Moritz Bruno
Published: July 2024

In Deutschland lebt inzwischen die weltweit drittgrößte Flüchtlingspopulation. Infolgedessen haben in Bereichen psychosozialer Arbeit Berührungspunkte mit Geflüchteten deutlich zugenommen. Erste Forschungsergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass mit Geflüchteten Tätige in der Arbeit spezifische Erlebensmuster aufzeigen. Solche Erlebensmuster lassen sich aus psychodynamischer Perspektive als Gegenübertragungsreaktionen auffassen. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurde ermittelt, ob in der psychosozialen Arbeit mit Geflüchteten typische Gegenübertragungsreaktionen auftreten, wodurch diese Gegenübertragungsreaktionen gekennzeichnet sind, und mit welchen Faktoren diese zusammenhängen. Dazu wurden qualitative Leitfadeninterviews mit fünf in diesem Bereich Tätigen durchgeführt. Die Interviews wurden anschließend mithilfe der zusammenfassenden Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet. Dadurch konnte eine Reihe von Gegenübertragungsreaktionen, welche bei den Befragten in der Arbeit mit Geflüchteten auftreten und für die Arbeit mit dieser Gruppe typisch sein könnten, beobachtet werden. Ebenso traten Gefühle von Verantwortung für die Perspektiven Geflüchteter, Rollenunsicherheiten sowie Abwehr und Ablehnung wiederholt in der Gegenübertragung auf. Diese Gegenübertragungsreaktionen wurden durch die Befragten mit interindividuell bedeutsamen Faktoren wie Traumatisierungen oder Asylrecht in Verbindung gebracht. Diese eher hypothesengenerierenden Ergebnisse bieten Ansatzpunkte für weitere Forschung und für die Anwendung in Schulung und Supervision. Sie könnten zudem als Denkanstoß für strukturelle Verbesserungen in der Geflüchtetenversorgung dienen.
Side-specific factors for intraoperative hemodynamic instability in laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: a comparative study
Authors: Habeeb Tamer A. A. M. , Araujo-Castro Marta , Chiaretti Massimo , Podda Mauro , Aiolfi Alberto , Kryvoruchko Igor A. , Manangi Mallikarjuna N. , Shelat Vishal , Kalmoush Abd-Elfattah , Labib Mohamed Fathy , Elshafey Mohammed Hassan , Ibrahim Sameh Mohamed Mahmoud , Abo Alsaad Mohamed Ibrahim , Elbelkasi Hamdi , Mansour Mohamed Ibrahim , Elshahidy Tamer Mohamed , Heggy Ibrahim A. , Elsayed Rasha S. , Fiad Alaa A. , Yehia Ahmed M. , Yassin Mahmoud Abdou , Elballat Mahmoud R. , Hebeishy Mohamed H. , AboZeid Ahmed Khaled , Saleh Mohamed Adel Ahmed , Hamed Abd Elwahab M. , Abdelghani Amr A. , Mousa Bassam
Published: July 2024

Background

Adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma (PHEO) is challenging because of the high risk of intraoperative hemodynamic instability (HDI). This study aimed to compare the incidence and risk factors of intraoperative HDI between laparoscopic left adrenalectomy (LLA) and laparoscopic right adrenalectomy (LRA).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed two hundred and seventy-one patients aged > 18 years with unilateral benign PHEO of any size who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy at our hospitals between September 2016 and September 2023. Patients were divided into LRA (N = 122) and LLA (N = 149) groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to predict intraoperative HDI. In multivariate analysis for the prediction of HDI, right-sided PHEO, PHEO size, preoperative comorbidities, and preoperative systolic blood pressure were included.

Results

Intraoperative HDI was significantly higher in the LRA group than in the LLA (27% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate regression analysis, right-sided tumours showed a higher risk of intraoperative HDI (odds ratio [OR] 5.625, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.147–27.577, p = 0.033). The tumor size (OR 11.019, 95% CI 3.996–30.38, p < 0.001), presence of preoperative comorbidities [diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary heart disease] (OR 7.918, 95% CI 1.323–47.412, p = 0.023), and preoperative systolic blood pressure (OR 1.265, 95% CI 1.07–1.495, p = 0.006) were associated with a higher risk of HDI in both LRA and LLA, with no superiority of one side over the other.

Conclusion

LRA was associated with a significantly higher intraoperative HDI than LLA. Right-sided PHEO was a risk factor for intraoperative HDI.
A methodological approach for filling the gap in extreme daily temperature data: an application in the Calabria region (Southern Italy)
Authors: Barca Emanuele , Guagliardi Ilaria , Caloiero Tommaso
Published: July 2024

Regional studies are crucial for monitoring and managing the impacts of extreme climatic events. This phenomenon is particularly important in some areas, such as the Mediterranean region, which has been identified as one of the most responsive regions to climate change. In this regard, the analysis of large space-time sets of climatic data can provide potentially valuable information, although the datasets are commonly affected by the issue of missing data. This approach can significantly reduce the reliability of inferences derived from space-time data analysis. Consequently, the selection of an effective missing data recovery method is crucial since a poor dataset reconstruction could lead to misleading the decision makers’ judgments. In the present paper, a methodology that can enhance the confidence of the statistical analysis performed on the reconstructed data is presented. The basic assumption of the proposed methodology is that missing data within certain percentages cannot significantly change the shape or parameters of the complete data distribution. Therefore, by applying several missing data recovery methods whose reconstructed dataset better overlaps the original dataset, larger confidence is needed. After the gap filling procedure, the temporal tendencies of the annual daily minimum temperature (T < 0 °C) were analysed in the Calabria region (southern Italy) by applying a test for trend detection to 8 temperature series over a 30-year period (1990–2019). The results showed that there was a constant reduction in the duration of frosty days, indicating the reliability of the effect of climate change.