bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D‐printed intracoronal restorations, occlusal and laminate veneers: Clinical relevance, properties, and behavior compared to milled restorations; a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Alghauli Mohammed Ahmed , Alqutaibi Ahmed Yaseen
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of producing 3D‐printed intracoronal restorations, thin and ultrathin veneers, and to compare their mechanical behavior, accuracy, biological, and stain susceptibility to the currently applied milled restorations.

Materials and Methods

The databases were comprehensively searched for relevant records up to January 2024 without language restrictions. All studies that assessed 3D‐printed partial coverage restorations including inlays, onlays, laminate, and occlusal veneers were retrieved.

Results

The web search yielded a total of 1142 records, with 8 additional records added from websites at a later stage. Only 17 records were ultimately included in the review. The included records compared 3D‐printed; alumina‐based‐ and zirconia ceramics, lithium disilicate ceramics, polymer infiltrated ceramics, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), resin composites, and acrylic resins to their CNC milled analogs. The pooled data indicated that it is possible to produce ultrathin restorations with a thickness of less than 0.2 mm. 3D‐printed laminate veneers and intracoronal restorations exhibited superior trueness, as well as better marginal and internal fit compared to milled restorations (p < 0.05). However, it should be noted that the choice of materials and preparation design may influence these outcomes. In terms of cost, the initial investment and production expenses associated with 3D printing were significantly lower than those of CNC milling technology. Additionally, 3D printing was also shown to be more time‐efficient.

Conclusions

Using additive manufacturing technology to produce restorations with a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 mm is indeed feasible. The high accuracy of these restorations, contributes to their ability to resist caries progression, surpassing the minimum clinical threshold load of failure by a significant margin and reliable adhesion. However, before 3D‐printed resin restorations can be widely adopted for clinical applications, further improvements are needed, particularly in terms of reducing their susceptibility to stains.

Clinical Significance

3D‐printed intracoronal restorations and veneers are more time and cost‐efficient, more accurate, and could provide a considerable alternative to the currently applied CNC milling. Some limitations still accompany the resin materials, but this could be overcome by further development of the materials and printing technology.
Dietary and quality‐of‐life outcomes of the FoodFix intervention for addictive eating: a short report
Authors: Collins Rebecca , Skinner Janelle , Leary Mark , Burrows Tracy L.
Published: March 2024

Background

Interest in addictive eating continues to grow from both a research and clinical perspective. To date, dietary assessment alongside food addiction status is limited, with management options for addictive eating behaviours variable, given the overlap with myriad conditions. The aim of this study was to report the dietary intake and quality‐of‐life outcomes from a personality‐targeted motivational interviewing intervention delivered by dietitians using telehealth.

Methods

The study was conducted in adults exceeding their healthy‐weight range with symptoms of addictive eating, as defined by the Yale Food Addiction Scale. The 52 participants were randomised to either intervention or control, with 49 participants commencing the intervention. Individuals participated in the 3‐month, three‐session FoodFix interventions, with dietary outcomes assessed by the Australian Eating Survey and quality of life assessed using the SF‐36 at baseline and 3 months.

Results

There were small‐to‐moderate effect sizes, specifically in the intervention group for decreased added sugar intake, increased protein intake, increased meat quality and increased vegetable servings per day. Six out of eight quality‐of‐life domains had small‐to‐moderate effect sizes.

Conclusions

This intervention has highlighted the need for further research in larger sample sizes to assess dietary behaviour change by those who self‐report addictive eating.
Transient loss of satiety effects of leptin in middle‐aged male mice
Authors: Khant Aung Zin , Ladyman Sharon R. , Brown Rosemary S. E.
Published: March 2024

Extensive research is undertaken in rodents to determine the mechanism underlying obesity‐induced leptin resistance. While body weight is generally tightly controlled in these studies, the effect of age of experimental animals has received less attention. Specifically, there has been little investigation into leptin regulation of food intake in middle‐aged animals, which is a period of particular relevance for weight gain in humans. We investigated whether the satiety effects of leptin remained constant in young (3 months), middle‐aged (12 months) or aged (18–22 months) male mice. Although mean body weight increased with age, leptin concentrations did not significantly increase in male mice beyond 12 months of age. Exogenous leptin administration led to a significant reduction in food intake in young mice but had no effect on food intake in middle‐aged male mice. This loss of the satiety effect of leptin appeared to be transient, with leptin administration leading to the greatest inhibition of food intake in the aged male mice. Subsequently, we investigated whether these differences were due to changes in leptin transport into the brain with ageing. No change in leptin clearance from the blood or transport into the brain was observed, suggesting the emergence of central resistance to leptin in middle age. These studies demonstrate the presence of dynamic and age‐specific changes in the satiety effects of leptin in male mice and highlight the requirement for age to be carefully considered when undertaking metabolic studies in rodents.
Lack of effect from genetic deletion of Hdac6 in a humanized mouse model of CMT2D
Authors: Tadenev Abigail L. D. , Hatton Courtney L. , Burgess Robert W.
Published: March 2024

Background

Inhibition of HDAC6 has been proposed as a broadly applicable therapeutic strategy for Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT). Inhibition of HDAC6 increases the acetylation of proteins important in axonal trafficking, such as α‐tubulin and Miro, and has been shown to be efficacious in several preclinical studies using mouse models of CMT.

Aims

Here, we sought to expand on previous preclinical studies by testing the effect of genetic deletion of Hdac6 on mice carrying a humanized knockin allele of Gars1, a model of CMT‐type 2D.

Methods

Gars1ΔETAQ mice were bred to an Hdac6 knockout strain, and the resulting offspring were evaluated for clinically relevant outcomes.

Results

The genetic deletion of Hdac6 increased α‐tubulin acetylation in the sciatic nerves of both wild‐type and Gars1ΔETAQ mice. However, when tested at 5 weeks of age, the Gars1ΔETAQ mice lacking Hdac6 showed no changes in body weight, muscle atrophy, grip strength or endurance, sciatic motor nerve conduction velocity, compound muscle action potential amplitude, or peripheral nerve histopathology compared to Gars1ΔETAQ mice with intact Hdac6.

Interpretation

Our results differ from those of two previous studies that demonstrated the benefit of the HDAC6 inhibitor tubastatin A in mouse models of CMT2D. While we cannot fully explain the different outcomes, our results offer a counterexample to the benefit of inhibiting HDAC6 in CMT2D, suggesting additional research is necessary.
Efficacy and tolerability of a depigmenting gel serum comprising tranexamic acid, niacinamide, 4‐butylresorcinol, phytic acid, and a mixture of hydroxy acids that targets the biological processes regulating skin melanogenesis
Authors: Furmanczyk Marta , Brown Anthony , Bustos Javier , de Henestrosa Antonio R. Fernández , Trullas Carles , Granger Corinne , Jourdan Eric
Published: March 2024

Background

The diverse causes of hyperpigmentation and complex nature of melanogenesis make it a challenge to manage. Current approaches either fail to deliver effective pigmentation control or have undesirable safety profiles that preclude their long‐term use.

Aims

To evaluate the capacity of a cosmetic gel serum comprising tranexamic acid, niacinamide, 4‐butylresorcinol, phytic acid, and a mixture of hydroxy acids that was designed to target the biological processes regulating skin melanogenesis to attenuate melanin production in vitro and reduce hyperpigmentation clinically.

Methods

Capacity to reduce melanin production in vitro was determined in melanocyte‐containing reconstructed human epidermis (RHEm). Clinical efficacy and skin tolerability following twice daily application were assessed in 35 subjects with slight to moderate facial hyperpigmentation by instrumental (VISIA®‐CR, Mexameter®) and clinical (mMASI, clinical score, IGA for hyperpigmentation) evaluation on D14, D28, D56, and D84. Maintenance of pigmentation control was followed up 1 month after cessation of treatment on D112.

Results

In RHEm in vitro, melanin production was reduced by 50.0% from baseline (D0) on D14 (p < 0.001) and by 67.0% on D21 (p < 0.001). Clinical reductions from baseline in brown spots count (−9.0%; p < 0.05), brown spots area (−16.7%; p < 0.001), and the melanin index (−11.4%; p < 0.001) were observed within 14 days of use. Statistically significant improvements in all clinical parameters were achieved by D28. By the end of treatment on D84, the number and surface area of brown spots were reduced by 28.4% and 40.3% compared to D0, respectively (p < 0.001, both), the melanin index was reduced by 31.1% (p < 0.001), mMASI was reduced by 63.0% (p < 0.001), and skin luminosity was increased by 79.0% (p < 0.001). IGA was reduced from 2.3 on D0 to 1.3 on D84 (p < 0.001). Improvements to all these parameters were maintained until D112, 1 month after termination of treatment. The product also demonstrated very good skin tolerability.

Conclusion

A gel serum comprising tranexamic acid, niacinamide, 4‐butylresorcinol, and hydroxy acids, designed to target the biological processes regulating skin melanogenesis, demonstrates rapid, robust, and sustained pigmentation control in this cohort.
Isolation, identification, and pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia spp. recovered from soil samples of the greenhouse tomato growing area of the West Mediterranean region, Türkiye
Authors: Eken Cafer , Demir Dudu , Uysal Gülsüm , Çalışkan Selda , Sevindik Emre , Çağlayan Kardelen
Published: March 2024

This study's objective was to identify the anastomosis groups and pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia species from soil samples in tomato production areas of Antalya, Burdur, and Isparta provinces in the West Mediterranean Region of Türkiye during the 2022 season. Soil samples were gathered from tomato plant rhizospheres in 223 different greenhouses, and isolations were done from the soil using the baiting technique. According to the results of morphological characterization and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacers of the ribosomal DNA, 47 Rhizoctonia isolates were defined as binucleate and 21 isolates as multinucleate. The collection of binucleate Rhizoctonia (Ceratobasidium sp.) isolates included representatives of Anastomosis Group‐F (61.76%), AG‐A (1.47%), and an unidentified binucleate Rhizoctonia (Ceratobasidium sp.) (5.88%). Multinucleate R. solani included AG 4 HG‐I (26.47%) and AG 4 HG‐II (4.41%). Pathogenicity tests showed statistically significant differences in virulence between binucleate Rhizoctonia (Ceratobasidium sp.) isolates and multinucleate Rhizoctonia isolates. All R. solani AG 4 HG‐II isolates and most of the AG 4 HG‐I isolates were pathogenic, causing severe necrosis symptoms and damping off in tomato seedlings, but binucleate AG‐A and AG‐F isolates were nonpathogenic. This study is the first detailed report about Rhizoctonia species isolated from the soil of tomato plants grown in greenhouse production areas in Türkiye.
Evaluation of a smoking cessation program for adults with severe mental illness in a public mental health service
Authors: Fibbins Hamish , Ward Philip B. , Morell Rachel , Lederman Oscar , Teasdale Scott , Davies Kimberley , McGuigan Bernadette , Curtis Jackie
Published: March 2024

Accessible Summary

What Is Known on the Subject

Smoking rates have decreased in the general population but remain high among people with severe mental illness (SMI).

What the Paper Adds to Existing Knowledge

An individualized smoking cessation program was tested with 99 adults with SMI.

The program showed it is possible to help people with SMI smoke fewer cigarettes and reduce nicotine addiction.

Customized smoking cessation programs are essential for those with high nicotine dependence and mental health challenges.

Implications for Practice

Mental health services should offer tailored tobacco cessation programs because these programs can improve the health of people with mental illness who smoke.

It is important for mental health services to follow government guidelines and provide evidence‐based support.

Introduction

Despite significant reductions in smoking rates in the general population over recent decades, smoking rates remain relatively unchanged among people with SMI.

Aim

To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the Keep Quitting in Mind pilot program, an individualized smoking cessation program for people experiencing SMI.

Methods

In total, 99 adult participants with SMI and engaged with a community mental health service, participated in the intervention. The intervention included motivational interviewing and goal setting, in addition to provision of pharmaceutical aids (including nicotine replacement therapy).

Results

Analysis determined that the Keep Quitting in Mind pilot program was feasible in a public adult mental health service and participation in the program was associated with reductions in the number of cigarettes smoked daily and level of nicotine addiction.

Discussion

This real‐world pilot program demonstrated feasibility and potential effectiveness in reducing smoking among adults with mental illness. Aligning with government guidelines, tailored smoking cessation programs are crucial due to high nicotine dependence and mental health complexities.

Implications for Practice

Given the high rates of cigarette smoking by people with mental illness and the cardiometabolic health risks associated with this, mental health services should consider adding evidence‐based and bespoke tobacco cessation programs as part of core business.
Willingness to Communicate, Speaking Self‐Efficacy, and Perceived Communicative Competence as Predictors of Second Language Spoken Task Production
Authors: Leeming Paul , Vitta Joseph P. , Hiver Phil , Hicks Dillon , McLean Stuart , Nicklin Christopher
Published: March 2024

This study investigated how students’ self‐reported individual differences predicted second language (L2) spoken discussion task output, an objective behavioral outcome, in the Japanese university English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. Although numerous psychological theories are used as a rationale for task‐based language teaching (TBLT), few studies have investigated the impact of individual differences variables on task performance. To address this gap, a cross‐validation procedure was used with students (N = 439) from two different universities. They completed questionnaires to measure willingness to communicate (WTC), speaking self‐efficacy (SSE), and perceived communicative competence (PCC). They also engaged in a quasiacademic eight‐minute group discussion task (TBLT design). This discussion was recorded and transcribed, with the number of words produced used as an objective measure of L2 task production. In the better fitting mediation structural equation model, the influences of SSE and PCC on spoken L2 task production were fully mediated by WTC (R2 = .21).
Medical education in Syria at a time of crisis: Analysis of the results of the knowledge‐based National Medical Examination
Authors: Soqia Jameel , Ataya Jamal , Saadoun Rakan , Nahas Lujain , Yazbek Albaraa , Al‐shafie Mohammed , Hanifa Hamdah , Dakak Muhialdein , Izzat Ahmad Walid , Izzat Mohammad Bashar
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study explored how the Syrian crisis, training conditions, and relocation influenced the National Medical Examination (NME) scores of final‐year medical students.

Methods

Results of the NME were used to denote the performance of final‐year medical students between 2014 and 2021. The NME is a mandatory standardised test that measures the knowledge and competence of students in various clinical subjects. We categorised the data into two periods: period‐I (2014–2018) and period‐II (2019–2021). Period‐I represents students who trained under hostile circumstances, which refer to the devastating effects of a decade‐long Syrian crisis. Period‐II represents post‐hostilities phase, which is marked by a deepening economic crisis.

Results

Collected data included test scores for a total of 18 312 final‐year medical students from nine medical schools (from six public and three private universities). NME scores improved significantly in period‐II compared with period‐I tests (p < 0.0001). Campus location or relocation during the crisis affected the results significantly, with higher scores from students of medical schools located in lower‐risk regions compared with those from medical schools located in high‐risk regions (p < 0.0001), both during and in the post‐hostilities phases. Also, students of medical schools re‐located to lesser‐risk regions scored significantly less than those of medical schools located in high‐risk regions (p < 0.0001), but their scores remained inferior to that of students of medical schools that were originally located in lower‐risk regions (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Academic performance of final year medical students can be adversely affected by crises and conflicts, with a clear tendency to recovery upon crises resolution. The study underscores the importance of maintaining and safeguarding the infrastructure of educational institutions, especially during times of crisis. Governments and educational authorities should prioritise resource allocation to ensure that medical schools have access to essential services, learning resources, and teaching personnel.
Automated building damage assessment and large‐scale mapping by integrating satellite imagery, GIS, and deep learning
Authors: Braik Abdullah M. , Koliou Maria
Published: March 2024

Efficient and accurate building damage assessment is crucial for effective emergency response and resource allocation following natural hazards. However, traditional methods are often time consuming and labor intensive. Recent advancements in remote sensing and artificial intelligence (AI) have made it possible to automate the damage assessment process, and previous studies have made notable progress in machine learning classification. However, the application in postdisaster emergency response requires an end‐to‐end model that starts with satellite imagery as input and automates the generation of large‐scale damage maps as output, which was rarely the focus of previous studies. Addressing this gap, this study integrates satellite imagery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and deep learning. This enables the creation of comprehensive, large‐scale building damage assessment maps, providing valuable insights into the extent and spatial variation of damage. The effectiveness of this methodology is demonstrated in Galveston County following Hurricane Ike, where the classification of a large ensemble of buildings was automated using deep learning models trained on the xBD data set. The results showed that utilizing GIS can automate the extraction of subimages with high accuracy, while fine‐tuning can enhance the robustness of the damage classification to generate highly accurate large‐scale damage maps. Those damage maps were validated against historical reports.
Dermatophytes and skin dermatophytoses in Southeast Asia—First epidemiological survey from Cambodia
Authors: Uhrlaß Silke , Mey Sithach , Koch Daniela , Mütze Hanna , Krüger Constanze , Monod Michel , Nenoff Pietro
Published: March 2024

Background

Dermatomycoses count to the most frequent dermatoses in Cambodia.

Objectives

The aim of this survey was to investigate the occurrence of dermatophytes in this Southeast Asian country.

Methods

From June 2017 to July 2018, skin scrapings were taken from 67 patients with superficial dermatophytosis for mycological diagnostics. Identification of dermatophytes was confirmed by sequencing of the ‘internal transcribed spacer’—(ITS) region of the rDNA, and the gene of the Translation Elongation Factor (TEF)‐1α.

Results

Patients were suffering from tinea corporis and tinea inguinalis/cruris 42/67 (63%), tinea capitis/faciei 14/67 (21%), tinea corporis/capitis/faciei 6/67 (9%), tinea manuum/pedis 2/67 (3%), tinea pedis 2/67 (3%) and tinea manuum 1/67 (1%). Both, by culture and/or PCR, a dermatophyte was detected in 52 (78%) out of 67 samples. Culture positive were 42 (81%) of 52, PCR positive were 50 (96%). The following dermatophytes were found: Trichophyton (T.) rubrum, 36/52 strains (69%, 29 by culture), T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale (TM/TI) 9/52 (17%, six by culture) and Microsporum (M.) canis 5/52 strains (10%, by culture). One strain of Nannizzia (N.) incurvata 1/52 (2%) and N. nana 1/52 (2%) was isolated. Based on sequencing, we demonstrated that two T. mentagrophytes strains out of the nine TM/TI represented the new ITS genotype XXV Cambodia. We found one T. mentagrophytes strain genotype VIII (now, reclassified as T. indotineae). This isolate was terbinafine resistant, and it exhibited the amino acid substitution Phe397Leu in the squalene epoxidase. Three strains of T. interdigitale genotype II* were isolated.

Conclusion

This is the first survey on epidemiology of dermatophytes in Cambodia. Currently, T. rubrum represents the most frequent species in Cambodia. One Indian strain genotype VIII T. mentagrophytes was found. A highlight was the first description of the new T. mentagrophytes genotype XXV Cambodia.
Deep hanging out, mixed methods toolkit, or something else? Current ethnographic practices in US anthropology
Authors: Snodgrass Jeffrey G. , Lacy Michael G. , Wutich Amber , Bernard H. Russell , Oths Kathryn S. , Beresford Melissa , Bendeck Shawna , Branstrator Julia R. , Dengah H. J. François , Nelson Robin G. , Ruth Alissa , Sagstetter Seth I. , SturtzSreetharan Cindi , Zhao Katya Xinyi
Published: March 2024

We use a mix of qualitative and quantitative analyses to examine 1354 survey responses from members of the American Anthropological Association about their practice and teaching of cultural anthropology research methods. Latent profile analysis and an examination of responses to open‐ended survey questions reveal distinctive methodological clustering among anthropologists. However, two historical approaches to ethnography remain prominent: deep hanging out and a mixed methods toolkit, with the former remaining central to the practice and teaching of all forms of contemporary cultural anthropology. Further, many anthropologists are committed to advancing research methods that account for power imbalances in fieldwork, such as through community‐based and participatory approaches. And a substantial number also teach a wider array of methods and techniques that open new career pathways for anthropologists. Overall, our study reveals a core set of ethnographic practices—loosely, participant‐observation, informal interviews, and the experiential immersion of the ethnographer—while also highlighting the great breadth of cultural anthropological research practice and pedagogy. The findings presented here can help inform how current and future anthropological practitioners and educators position themselves to meet the ever‐changing demands of community members, funders, clients, collaborators, and students.
Primary Rosai‐Dorfman disease of the central nervous system: A clinical, histological, and molecular appraisal
Authors: Parkhi Mayur , Chatterjee Debajyoti , Kashyap Dharambir , Aggarwal Ashish , Radotra Bishan
Published: March 2024

Rosai‐Dorfman disease (RDD) is characterized by clonal proliferation of S‐100 positive histiocytes and variable emperipolesis. It commonly affects cervical lymph nodes. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is extremely rare. We attempted to evaluate the Cyclin D1 expression and frequency of KRAS and BRAF mutations in the RDD involving the CNS. All patients with histopathologically diagnosed RDD involving CNS were recruited from 2011 to 2022. All cases were subjected to immunohistochemistry for CD68, CD163, S100, CD1a, GFAP, CD207, EMA, ALK, BRAFV600E, IgG4, IgG, and CyclinD1. The real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for hotspot mutation analysis of KRAS (exons 2, 3, and 4) and BRAF (V600E) was conducted on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue using a commercial kit (EntroGen). A total of seven cases were included. The median age was 31 years, with six men and one woman. It showed spinal cord (n = 4) and intracranial (n = 3) involvement. Histologically, all cases showed histiocyte‐rich inflammation with evidence of emperipolesis. These histiocytes were positive for S100, CD68, CD163, and Cyclin D1, whereas negative for CD1a, CD207, and EMA. BRAF V600E was expressed in a single case. None of the control cases (demyelination and infarction) with histiocytic infiltrate showed Cyclin D1 expression. Four RDD cases showed increased IgG4‐positive plasma cells (>10/HPF) and IgG4/IgG ratio (>40%). BRAF V600E mutation was detected in one case (14.28%), while none showed KRAS mutation. RDD involving CNS is extremely rare and diagnostically challenging. Nuclear Cyclin D1 expression along with S‐100 positivity in the tumor cells is a strong diagnostic clue. BRAF and KRAS mutations are rare in CNS RDD.
Unravelling the internal connections of plants
Authors: Burian Agata , Kierzkowski Daniel
Published: March 2024

This article is a Commentary on Owens et al. (2024), 243: 423–439.
Ocular effects of exposure to low‐humidity environment with contact lens wear: A pilot study
Authors: Vaughan Megan , García‐Porta Nery , Tabernero Juan , Gantes‐Nuñez Javier , Artal Pablo , Pardhan Shahina
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To compare the ocular effects of exposure to a low‐humidity environment with and without contact lens (CL) wear using various non‐invasive tests.

Methods

Fourteen habitual soft CL wearers were exposed to controlled low humidity (5% relative humidity [RH]) in an environmental chamber for 90 min on two separate occasions. First, when wearing their habitual spectacles and then, on a separate visit, when wearing silicone hydrogel CLs that were fitted specifically for this purpose. All participants had adapted to the new CL prior to data collection. Three non‐invasive objective measurements were taken at each visit: blinking rate, objective ocular scatter (measured using the objective scatter index) and ocular surface cooling rate (measured using a long‐wave infrared thermal camera). At each visit, measurements were taken before the exposure in comfortable environmental conditions (RH: 45%), and after exposure to environmental stress (low humidity, RH: 5%).

Results

CL wearers showed increased blinking rate (p < 0.005) and ocular scatter (p = 0.03) but similar cooling rate of the ocular surface (p = 0.08) when compared with spectacle wear in comfortable environmental conditions. The exposure to low humidity increased the blinking rate significantly with both types of corrections (p = 0.01). Interestingly, ocular scatter (p = 0.96) and cooling rate (p = 0.73) were not significantly different before and after exposure to low humidity. There were no significant two‐way interactions between correction and exposure in any of the measurements.

Conclusions

CLs significantly increased the blinking rate, which prevented a quick degradation of the tear film integrity as it was refreshed more regularly. It is hypothesised that the increased blinking rate in CL wearers aids in maintaining ocular scatter quality and cooling rate when exposed to a low‐humidity environment. These results highlight the importance of blinking in maintaining tear film stability.
Elucidating left atrial electrical potential with microelectrode catheter: A case of coronary sinus ostial atresia with small persistent left superior vena cava
Authors: Kimura Kohki , Harita Takeshi , Haruna Tetsuya
Published: March 2024

A 51‐year‐old woman presented with recurring palpitations. Electrocardiography revealed narrow QRS tachycardia with short RP configuration. Computed tomography showed coronary sinus (CS) ostial atresia along with a small persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). Electrophysiological study identified the retrograde earliest atrial activation site (EAAS) at the CS ostium without decremental properties, and para‐Hisian pacing suggested retrograde atrioventricular nodal conduction. Using a 1.6‐Fr microelectrode catheter distally placed in the CS via the PLSVC, EAAS was confirmed within the left atrium, not the CS ostium. Transseptal approach revealed a left lateral accessory pathway, which was successfully eliminated.
Transvenous lead advancement in pediatric pacing to overcome growth‐induced lead straightening and stretching
Authors: Silvetti Massimo Stefano , Porco Luigina , Campisi Marta , Pazzano Vincenzo , Tamburri Ilaria , Saputo Fabio Anselmo , Silvetti Giacomo , Ravà Lucilla , Drago Fabrizio
Published: March 2024

Background

The stretching of the lead caused by somatic growth may lead to complications (dislodgement, fracture, failure) of transvenous leads implanted in pediatric patients. Atrial loop and absorbable ligatures may prevent it. Periodical lead advancement with lead pushing from the pocket may be an option to growth‐induced stretching. Our aim was to analyze retrospectively the outcome of periodical transvenous lead advancement in children with pacemaker (PM).

Methods

A procedure of lead advancement was performed in patients with a single‐chamber PM implanted for isolated congenital complete atrioventricular block or sinus node dysfunction with growth‐induced lead straightening/stretching. The PM pocket was opened, the lead was released from subcutaneous adherences and was gently advanced to shape again a loop/semi‐loop in the atrium without dislodging the tip. Lead data (threshold, sensing, impedance) were compared before and after the procedure. Data are described as median (25th–75th centiles).

Results

14 patients with 13 VVIR and 1 AAIR PM implanted at 6.8 (5.9–8.0) years of age, 23 (19–26) kg, 118 (108–124) cm, underwent 30 advancement procedures, 1.5 (1.0–2.3) per patient, during follow‐up [45 (35–63) months]. Delta between procedures was: 18 (14–25) months, 11 (7–13) cm, 6 (4–9) kg; 90% of leads were successfully advanced without complications. Three unsuccessful procedures occurred with longer times [30 (14–37) months]. Electrical lead parameters did not show significant differences pre‐/post‐procedures.

Conclusion

the advancement of transvenous leads in children seems safe and effective. This procedure may be another possible choice to preserve transvenous lead position and function until growth has completed.
Rice bundle sheath cell shape is regulated by the timing of light exposure during leaf development
Authors: Plackett Andrew R. G. , Hibberd Julian M.
Published: March 2024

Plant leaves contain multiple cell types which achieve distinct characteristics whilst still coordinating development within the leaf. The bundle sheath possesses larger individual cells and lower chloroplast content than the adjacent mesophyll, but how this morphology is achieved remains unknown. To identify regulatory mechanisms determining bundle sheath cell morphology we tested the effects of perturbing environmental (light) and endogenous signals (hormones) during leaf development of Oryza sativa (rice). Total chloroplast area in bundle sheath cells was found to increase with cell size as in the mesophyll but did not maintain a ‘set‐point’ relationship, with the longest bundle sheath cells demonstrating the lowest chloroplast content. Application of exogenous cytokinin and gibberellin significantly altered the relationship between cell size and chloroplast biosynthesis in the bundle sheath, increasing chloroplast content of the longest cells. Delayed exposure to light reduced the mean length of bundle sheath cells but increased corresponding leaf length, whereas premature light reduced final leaf length but did not affect bundle sheath cells. This suggests that the plant hormones cytokinin and gibberellin are regulators of the bundle sheath cell‐chloroplast relationship and that final bundle sheath length may potentially be affected by light‐mediated control of exit from the cell cycle.
Dynamic measurement of a long‐distance moving object using multi‐binocular high‐speed videogrammetry with adaptive‐weighting bundle adjustment
Authors: Tong Xiaohua , Gao Yi , Ye Zhen , Xie Huan , Chen Peng , Shi Haibo , Liu Ziqi , Liu Xianglei , Xu Yusheng , Huang Rong , Liu Shijie
Published: March 2024

The dynamic measurement of position and attitude information of a long‐distance moving object is a common demand in ground testing of aerospace engineering. Due to the movement from far to near and the limitations of camera resolution, it is necessary to use multi‐binocular cameras for segmented observation at different distances. However, achieving accurate and continuous position and attitude estimation is a challenging task. Therefore, this paper proposes a dynamic monitoring technique for long‐distance movement based on a multi‐binocular videogrammetric system. Aiming to solve the problem that the scale in images changes constantly during the moving process, a scale‐adaptive tracking method of circular targets is presented. Bundle adjustment (BA) with joint segments using an adaptive‐weighting least‐squares strategy is developed to enhance the measurement accuracy. The feasibility and reliability of the proposed technique are validated by a ground testing of relative measurement for spacecraft rendezvous and docking. The experimental results indicate that the proposed technique can obtain the actual motion state of the moving object, with a positioning accuracy of 3.2 mm (root mean square error), which can provide a reliable third‐party verification for on‐orbit measurement systems in ground testing. Compared with the results of BA with individual segments and vision measurement software PhotoModeler, the accuracy is improved by 45% and 30%, respectively.
Investigating the role of corrole as an excitation energy relay in light‐induced processes in closely connected N,N'‐bis(biphenyl‐4‐yl)aniline functionalized corrole donor–acceptor dyad
Authors: Chuncha Vijaykumar , Achary Balahoju Shivaprasad , Dutta Snigdha , Giribabu Lingamallu , Chitta Raghu
Published: March 2024

A photosynthetic antenna‐reaction center model, BBA‐PFCor comprised of N,N'‐bis(biphenyl‐4‐yl)aniline (BBA) covalently functionalized to bis(pentafluoro)corrole moiety has been prepared and the contribution of the BBA as the photoinduced energy transfer antenna was investigated. UV–visible studies have shown that integrating the electron‐rich BBA chromophore into the corrole core has broadened the soret band of the corrole moiety with the absorption spanning from 300 to 700 nm. Electrochemical studies, in corroboration with the computational calculations, revealed that, BBA moiety can act as an electron reservoir and, in the excited state, it would transfer the excited energy to the corrole moiety in the dyad. Steady‐state fluorescence studies have demonstrated that, upon photoexcitation of the BBA moiety of BBA‐PFCor at 310 nm in solvents of varied polarity, the BBA emission centered at 400 nm was observed to be quenched, with the concomitant appearance of the corrole emission from 500 to 700 nm, indicating the happening of photoinduced energy transfer (PEnT) from 1BBA* to corrole moiety. Parallel control experiments involving the excitation of the corrole moiety at 410 nm did not result in the diminishing of the corrole emission, suggesting that the quenching of the BBA emission in BBA‐PFCor is majorly due to intramolecular PEnT from 1BBA* to corrole moiety leading to the formation of singlet excited corrole, that is, 1BBA*‐PFCor ➔ BBA‐1PFCor*. The free energy changes of PEnT, ΔGEnT, were found to be thermodynamically feasible in all the solvents used for the study. Parallel time‐resolved fluorescence studies were congruent with the steady‐state fluorescence results and provided further evidence for the occurrence of ultrafast PEnT from 1BBA*➔corrole in the dyad with the rates of energy transfer (kEnT) of ~108 s−1.
Mathematical practices are everywhere: The intersections of pre‐service teacher claims, non‐mathematics‐education faculty claims, and observable actions
Authors: Lloyd Mary Elizabeth R.
Published: March 2024

Mathematics traditionally has been taught in a way that reifies the cultural belief that it is discrete in nature and, therefore, irrelevant to other content areas and the real world. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, inclusive of mathematics teacher educators, views this belief as unproductive to learning and has stressed the need for students to make connections between mathematical content areas, to other disciplines, and to the real world. Unfortunately, many teacher‐preparation programs (TPPs) structurally are organized with overt divisions between content areas, which likely perpetuates the belief that mathematics is disconnected and irrelevant. Nonetheless, this project was motivated by the hope that at the individual classroom level within such TPPs, non‐mathematics teacher educators (TEs) were integrating mathematical practices and, thus, assisting in changing this unproductive belief. An analysis was completed of a three‐part, data‐collection process of (a) 180 pre‐service teachers' assignments requiring that they align activities from non‐mathematics education courses with mathematical practices; (b) 16 TEs' questionnaire data on how they use mathematical practices in their instruction; and (c) 11 full‐class, video‐taped observations of TEs teaching. Findings revealed that TEs do implement mathematical practices but do not claim always that this is what they are doing.
A new approach for modelling weed suppression of cover crops
Authors: Gerhards Roland , Schumacher Matthias , Merkle Michael , Malik Waqas Ahmed , Piepho Hans‐Peter
Published: March 2024

Cover cropping plays an important role in Integrated Weed Management (IWM). Weed suppression of cover crops occurs by competition, physical barrier on the soil and allelopathy. Under favourable growing conditions, cover crops can provide similar weed suppression in the autumn‐to‐spring period as repeated stubble tillage and non‐selective herbicides. The objective of this study was to test if cover crop species with higher allelopathic potential can suppress weeds in the field with less shoot biomass than cover crop species with lower allelopathic effects. Data of cover crop shoot biomass, percentage of weed suppression in the field and reduction of weed seed germination in petri‐dish bioassays treated with cover crop extracts were analysed from 11 experiments. Weed suppression in relation to cover crop biomass was better predicted by a Weibul three‐parameter model than with the Cousens model. Raphanus sativus var. oleiferus, Sinapis alba, Fagopyrum esculentum and Phacelia tanacetifolia needed at least three‐fold more biomass than Avena strigosa for 80% weed suppression. Vicia sativa had the lowest weed reduction of only 62%. Aqueous extracts of A. strigosa had the highest inhibiting effect on weed seed germination followed by R. sativus. The lowest effect was observed for P. tanacetifolia. It is assumed that for A. strigosa allelopathy strongly contributes to weed suppression whereas for P. tanacetifolia and other cover crops, competition plays the major role for weed suppression. The model can help growers and consultants to mix cover crop species for the autumn‐to‐spring period. Under dry conditions, species such as A. strigosa can provide high weed suppression with low biomass. Under moist conditions, rapidly growing cover crops such as S. alba suppress most weeds and deliver high biomass.
A notion of seminormalization for real algebraic varieties
Authors: Bernard François
Published: March 2024

The seminormalization of an algebraic variety is the biggest variety linked to by a finite, birational, and bijective morphism. In this paper, we introduce a variant of the seminormalization, suited for real algebraic varieties, called the R‐seminormalization. This object has a universal property of the same kind as the one of the seminormalization but related to the real closed points of the variety. In a previous paper, the author studied the seminormalization of complex algebraic varieties using rational functions that extend continuously to the closed points for the Euclidean topology. We adapt some of those results here to the R‐seminormalization, and we provide several examples. We also show that the R‐seminormalization modifies the singularities of a real variety by normalizing the purely complex points and seminormalizing the real ones.
Definite example of negative entropy production in the Rolie Poly model
Authors: Drucker Charles T. , Peterson Joseph D.
Published: March 2024

While it is known that the Rolie Poly model is not guaranteed to be thermodynamically consistent, definite examples of a thermodynamically inconsistent prediction have not yet been published. Additionally, the source of the problem (and its historical context) may not be widely known. This work provides additional background information and a definite example of negative entropy production in an experimentally relevant flow, including a discussion of the implications in terms of an experimentally measurable quantity like recoverable strain.
Risk scores, label bias, and everything but the kitchen sink
Authors: Zanger-Tishler Michael , Nyarko Julian , Goel Sharad
Published: March 2024

In designing risk assessment algorithms, many scholars promote a “kitchen sink” approach, reasoning that more information yields more accurate predictions. We show, however, that this rationale often fails when algorithms are trained to predict a proxy of the true outcome, for instance, predicting arrest as a proxy for criminal behavior. With this “label bias,” one should exclude a feature if its correlation with the proxy and its correlation with the true outcome have opposite signs, conditional on the other model features. This criterion is often satisfied when a feature is weakly correlated with the true outcome, and, additionally, that feature and the true outcome are both direct causes of the proxy outcome. For example, criminal behavior and geography may be weakly correlated and, due to patterns of police deployment, direct causes of one’s arrest record—suggesting that excluding geography in criminal risk assessment will weaken an algorithm’s performance in predicting arrest but will improve its capacity to predict actual crime.
Growth and mortality of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
Authors: Koblížek Michal , Ferrera Isabel , Kolářová Eva , Duhamel Solange , Popendorf Kimberly J. , Gasol Josep M. , Van Mooy Benjamin A. S.
Published: March 2024

Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic (AAP) bacteria harvest light energy using bacteriochlorophyll-containing reaction centers to supplement their mostly heterotrophic metabolism. While their abundance and growth have been intensively studied in coastal environments, much less is known about their activity in oligotrophic open ocean regions. Therefore, we combined
in situ
sampling in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, north of O'ahu island, Hawaii, with two manipulation experiments. Infra-red epifluorescence microscopy documented that AAP bacteria represented approximately 2% of total bacteria in the euphotic zone with the maximum abundance in the upper 50 m. They conducted active photosynthetic electron transport with maximum rates up to 50 electrons per reaction center per second. The
in situ
decline of bacteriochlorophyll concentration over the daylight period, an estimate of loss rates due to predation, indicated that the AAP bacteria in the upper 50 m of the water column turned over at rates of 0.75–0.90 d
−1
. This corresponded well with the specific growth rate determined in dilution experiments where AAP bacteria grew at a rate 1.05 ± 0.09 d
−1
. An amendment of inorganic nitrogen to obtain N:P = 32 resulted in a more than 10 times increase in AAP abundance over 6 days. The presented data document that AAP bacteria are an active part of the bacterioplankton community in the oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and that their growth was mostly controlled by nitrogen availability and grazing pressure.

IMPORTANCE

Marine bacteria represent a complex assembly of species with different physiology, metabolism, and substrate preferences. We focus on a specific functional group of marine bacteria called aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs. These photoheterotrophic organisms require organic carbon substrates for growth, but they can also supplement their metabolic needs with light energy captured by bacteriochlorophyll. These bacteria have been intensively studied in coastal regions, but rather less is known about their distribution, growth, and mortality in the oligotrophic open ocean. Therefore, we conducted a suite of measurements in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre to determine the distribution of these organisms in the water column and their growth and mortality rates. A nutrient amendment experiment showed that aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs were limited by inorganic nitrogen. Despite this, they grew more rapidly than average heterotrophic bacteria, but their growth was balanced by intense grazing pressure.