bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial diversity from soil-feeding termite gut and their potential application
Authors: Korsa Gamachis , Beyene Abera , Ayele Abate
Published: November 2023

Purpose

High population growth and the expansion of industry from time to time produce a large amount of waste/pollution, which harms global environmental health. To overcome the above problems, soil feeding (mound/nest) builders of termite gut bacteria execute thriving since they can be obtained easily, available, and at low costs. The purpose of this review is to provide evidence of bacteria in the soil feeding termite gut and its potential role in various applications including reduction of methane gas emission, bio bocks/production of bricks, biomedicine, biocontrol (promising tool for sustainable agriculture), and bio-fertilizer (improve the fertility of the soil) and plant growth promote effectiveness all year.

Methods

This review was progressive in that it assessed and produced peer-reviewed papers related to bacteria in the soil feeding termite gut and its potential role in different applications for an environmentally sound. Based on the findings of reputable educational journals, articles were divided into four categories: methods used to distributions of soil-feeding termites, termite caste system, bacterial diversity, and strain improvement of bacteria in the termite guts for enhanced multipurpose and techniques.

Results

The bacterial diversity from termite guts of soil feeding termite caste systems/differentiations is vital for snowballing day to day due to their low cost and no side effect on the public health and environment becoming known improvement of the microbial bacteria rather than other microbes. So termites function as “soil engineers” in tropical agroforestry ecosystems that are of great benefit for economic importance to greener approach.

Conclusion

The present findings indicate that recovery was chosen as an appreciable bring out the bacteria in the soil feeding termite gut and its potential application of termite mounds/nests biotechnological applications. Because of the large amount of nutrients that have built up in termite embankment soil feeding, this type of termite is now known as a “gold-leaf excavation” for bacterial concentrations. This provides the assertion that termite insects are important from an ecological standpoint since they aid in nutrient flows in the ecosystem as a useful tool for various species.
Assessment of hypoxia and oxidative-related changes in a lung-derived brain metastasis model by [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] PET and proteomic studies
Authors: Fantin Jade , Toutain Jérôme , Pérès Elodie A. , Bernay Benoit , Mehani Sarina Maya , Helaine Charly , Bourgeois Mickael , Brunaud Carole , Chazalviel Laurent , Pontin Julien , Corroyer-Dulmont Aurélien , Valable Samuel , Cherel Michel , Bernaudin Myriam
Published: November 2023

Background

Brain metastases (BM) are the most frequent malignant brain tumors. The aim of this study was to characterize the tumor microenvironment (TME) of BM and particularly hypoxia and redox state, known to play a role in tumor growth and treatment resistance with multimodal PET and MRI imaging, immunohistochemical and proteomic approaches in a human lung cancer (H2030-BrM3)-derived BM model in rats.

Results

First, in vitro studies confirmed that H2030-BrM3 cells respond to hypoxia with increasing expression of HIF-1, HIF-2 and their target genes. Proteomic analyses revealed, among expression changes, proteins associated with metabolism, oxidative stress, metal response and hypoxia signaling in particular in cortical BM. [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] PET revealed a significant uptake by cortical BM (p < 0.01), while no uptake is observed in striatal BM 23 days after tumor implantation. Pimonidazole, HIF-1α, HIF-2α, CA-IX as well as GFAP, CTR1 and DMT1 immunostainings are positive in both BM.

Conclusion

Overall, [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] imaging and proteomic results showed the presence of hypoxia and protein expression changes linked to hypoxia and oxidative stress in BM, which are more pronounced in cortical BM compared to striatal BM. Moreover, it emphasized the interest of [64Cu][Cu(ATSM)] PET to characterize TME of BM and depict inter-metastasis heterogeneity that could be useful to guide treatments.
Volatile Kernel Rootkit hidden process detection in cloud computing
Authors: S Suresh Kumar , T Sudalai Muthu
Published: November 2023

The rootkit industry has advanced significantly in the last decade. Attackers want to leave a backdoor for quick reoccurring exploits rather than launching the traditional one-time worm/virus attacks. Meanwhile, as intrusion detection technologies improve, rootkits have grown in popularity. For the attackers to succeed, stealth becomes critical. The primary function of rootkits is to provide stealth. The modifications a rootkit makes conceal the presence of a rootkit. Determining the presence of mutation rootkits was quite challenging. Attackers can silently alter volatile (processes) and non-volatile (files) with the aid of rootkits without being noticed. We suggested the VKRHPDV (Volatile Kernel Rootkit Hidden Process Detection) framework to find the hidden techniques. This system includes process monitors, process comparison analysts, and contaminated process data gathering. Process monitoring is nothing more than clean process collection in the absence of rootkits, whereas pure process collection has been corrupted by rootkit injection. The process analyzer compares clean and tainted processes, some of which were concealed. VKRHPDV can identify process hiding behaviors in all datasets in the shortest period, according to the findings of an extensive performance analysis carried out on 64 rootkit datasets for each UNIX and Windows kernel in a cloud environment.
The impact of entrepreneurship knowledge on students' e-entrepreneurial intention formation and the moderating role of technological innovativeness
Authors: Pham Minh , Nguyen Anh Tuyet Thi , Tran Duy Thien , Mai Tam Toai , Nguyen Vinh Trung
Published: November 2023

In the era of Industry 4.0, online entrepreneurship is gradually seen as an essential tool that brings innovative values to the integration and development of a country. The rapid failure of nascent businesses stemming from a lack of human capital directed this study to explore the role of students' knowledge and technological innovativeness in motivating students to form e-entrepreneurial intentions. Information collected from 405 students from universities in Vietnam via online questionnaires was analysed using SmartPLS 4 to test the relationships among seven factors proposed in the research model. The results show that entrepreneurial education and prior experiences are the foundation for improving students' perceived feasibility and usefulness, forming their entrepreneurial motivation. Next, entrepreneurial motivation becomes an important premise for promoting students' entrepreneurial intentions more effectively. Furthermore, the study found that students' technological innovativeness moderated the relationship between their entrepreneurial motivation and intention to set up a digital business.
Metagenome-assembled genomes reveal greatly expanded taxonomic and functional diversification of the abundant marine Roseobacter RCA cluster
Authors: Liu Yanting , Brinkhoff Thorsten , Berger Martine , Poehlein Anja , Voget Sonja , Paoli Lucas , Sunagawa Shinichi , Amann Rudolf , Simon Meinhard
Published: November 2023

Background

The RCA (Roseobacter clade affiliated) cluster belongs to the family Roseobacteracea and represents a major Roseobacter lineage in temperate to polar oceans. Despite its prevalence and abundance, only a few genomes and one described species, Planktomarina temperata, exist. To gain more insights into our limited understanding of this cluster and its taxonomic and functional diversity and biogeography, we screened metagenomic datasets from the global oceans and reconstructed metagenome-assembled genomes (MAG) affiliated to this cluster.

Results

The total of 82 MAGs, plus five genomes of isolates, reveal an unexpected diversity and novel insights into the genomic features, the functional diversity, and greatly refined biogeographic patterns of the RCA cluster. This cluster is subdivided into three genera: Planktomarina, Pseudoplanktomarina, and the most deeply branching Candidatus Paraplanktomarina. Six of the eight Planktomarina species have larger genome sizes (2.44–3.12 Mbp) and higher G + C contents (46.36–53.70%) than the four Pseudoplanktomarina species (2.26–2.72 Mbp, 42.22–43.72 G + C%). Cand. Paraplanktomarina is represented only by one species with a genome size of 2.40 Mbp and a G + C content of 45.85%. Three novel species of the genera Planktomarina and Pseudoplanktomarina are validly described according to the SeqCode nomenclature for prokaryotic genomes. Aerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis (AAP) is encoded in three Planktomarina species. Unexpectedly, proteorhodopsin (PR) is encoded in the other Planktomarina and all Pseudoplanktomarina species, suggesting that this light-driven proton pump is the most important mode of acquiring complementary energy of the RCA cluster. The Pseudoplanktomarina species exhibit differences in functional traits compared to Planktomarina species and adaptations to more resource-limited conditions. An assessment of the global biogeography of the different species greatly expands the range of occurrence and shows that the different species exhibit distinct biogeographic patterns. They partially reflect the genomic features of the species.

Conclusions

Our detailed MAG-based analyses shed new light on the diversification, environmental adaptation, and global biogeography of a major lineage of pelagic bacteria. The taxonomic delineation and validation by the SeqCode nomenclature of prominent genera and species of the RCA cluster may be a promising way for a refined taxonomic identification of major prokaryotic lineages and sublineages in marine and other prokaryotic communities assessed by metagenomics approaches.
Clec7a drives gut fungus-mediated host lipid deposition
Authors: Ma Jie , Zhou Miao , Song Zehe , Deng Yuankun , Xia Siting , Li Yunxia , Huang Xingguo , Xiao Dingfu , Yin Yulong , Yin Jie
Published: November 2023

Background

Compared to that of bacteria, the role of gut fungi in obesity development remains unknown.

Results

Here, alterations in gut fungal biodiversity and composition were confirmed in obese pig models and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Antifungal drugs improved diet-induced obesity, while fungal reconstruction by cohousing or fecal microbiota transplantation maintained the obese phenotype in HFD-fed mice. Fungal profiling identified 5 fungal species associated with obesity. Specifically, Ascomycota_sp. and Microascaceae_sp. were reduced in obese mice and negatively correlated with fat content. Oral supplementation with fungi was sufficient to prevent and treat diet-induced obesity. Clec7a, which is involved in fungal recognition, was highly expressed in HFD-fed mice. The Clec7a agonist accelerated diet-induced obesity, while Clec7a deficieny in mice resulted in resistance to diet-induced obesity and blocked the anti-obese effect of antifungal drugs and fungi.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results indicate that gut fungi/Clec7a signaling is involved in diet-induced obesity and may have therapeutic implications as a biomarker for metabolic dysregulation in humans.
Gut microbiota-bile acid crosstalk regulates murine lipid metabolism via the intestinal FXR-FGF19 axis in diet-induced humanized dyslipidemia
Authors: Xu Hongtao , Fang Fang , Wu Kaizhang , Song Jiangping , Li Yaqian , Lu Xingyu , Liu Juncheng , Zhou Liuyang , Yu Wenqing , Yu Fei , Gao Jie
Published: November 2023

Background

Diet-induced dyslipidemia is linked to the gut microbiota, but the causality of microbiota-host interaction affecting lipid metabolism remains controversial. Here, the humanized dyslipidemia mice model was successfully built by using fecal microbiota transplantation from dyslipidemic donors (FMT-dd) to study the causal role of gut microbiota in diet-induced dyslipidemia.

Results

We demonstrated that FMT-dd reshaped the gut microbiota of mice by increasing Faecalibaculum and Ruminococcaceae UCG-010, which then elevated serum cholicacid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), and deoxycholic acid (DCA), reduced bile acid synthesis and increased cholesterol accumulation via the hepatic farnesoid X receptor-small heterodimer partner (FXR-SHP) axis. Nevertheless, high-fat diet led to decreased Muribaculum in the humanized dyslipidemia mice induced by FMT-dd, which resulted in reduced intestinal hyodeoxycholic acid (HDCA), raised bile acid synthesis and increased lipid absorption via the intestinal farnesoid X receptor-fibroblast growth factor 19 (FXR-FGF19) axis.

Conclusions

Our studies implicated that intestinal FXR is responsible for the regulation of lipid metabolism in diet-induced dyslipidemia mediated by gut microbiota-bile acid crosstalk.
In-silico and in-vitro screening of Asiatic acid and Asiaticoside A against Cathepsin S enzyme
Authors: Ajani Temitope Akinwumi , Obikeze Kenechukwu , Magwebu Zandisiwe E. , Egieyeh Samuel , Chauke Chesa G.
Published: November 2023

Background

Atherosclerosis is a form of cardiovascular disease that affects the endothelium of the blood vessel. Series of events are involved in the pathophysiology of this disease which includes the breaking down of the connective tissue elastin and collagen responsible for the tensile strength of the arterial wall by proteolytic enzyme. One of these enzymes called Cathepsin S (CatS) is upregulated in the progression of the disease and its inhibition has been proposed to be a promising pharmacological target to improve the prognosis of the disease condition. Asiatic acid and asiaticoside A are both pentacyclic triterpenoids isolated from Centella asiatica. Their use in treating various cardiovascular diseases has been reported.

Methods

In this study through in silico and in vitro methods, the pharmacokinetic properties, residue interaction, and inhibitory activities of these compounds were checked against the CatS enzyme. The SwissADME online package and the ToxTree 3.01 version of the offline software were used to determine the physicochemical properties of the compounds.

Result

Asiatic acid reported no violation of the Lipinski rule while asiaticoside A violated the rule with regards to its molecular structure and size. The molecular docking was done using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) and the S-score of − 7.25988, − 7.08466, and − 4.147913 Kcal/mol were recorded for LY300328, asiaticoside A, and asiatic acid respectively. Asiaticoside A has a docking score value (− 7.08466Kcal/mol) close to the co-crystallize compound. Apart from the close docking score, the amino acid residue glycine69 and asparagine163 both interact with the co-crystallized compound and asiaticoside A. The in vitro result clearly shows the inhibitory effect of asiaticoside and asiatic acid. Asiaticoside A has an inhibitory value of about 40% and asiatic acid has an inhibitory value of about 20%.

Conclusion

This clearly shows that asiaticoside will be a better drug candidate than asiatic acid in inhibiting the CatS enzyme for the purpose of improving the outcome of atherosclerosis. However, certain modifications need to be made to the structural make-up of asiaticoside A to improve its pharmacokinetics properties.
What does my appearance have to do with my job? Vocational students on the sexual harassment from guests in the hospitality industry
Authors: Hedlin Maria , Klope Eva
Published: November 2023

Sexual harassment by guests is part of the vocational culture in many workplaces within the hospitality industry. In this study, we investigate vocational students' descriptions of sexual harassment by guests in the hospitality industry and how these instances can be understood in terms of objectification. The empirical material consists of focus group interviews with upper secondary school students who are training to work in the hospitality industry. The students describe four categories of sexual harassment: appearance comments, private and intrusive questions, leering, and physical contact. In the descriptions, men are sexually harassing female students or employees. The types of objectification in the descriptions are reduction to appearance, reduction to body, instrumental approach, denial of autonomy, denial of bodily integrity, and denial of subjectivity. Regardless of the type of objectification involved, a dilemma arises for the girls who have been taught that being courteous to guests is part of the professional role, while the guests are treating them as sexual objects.
Biomechanical evaluation of the spring ligament and the posterior tibial tendon by shear‐waves elastography: validation of a reliable and reproducible measurement protocol
Authors: Rougereau Grégoire , Marty‐Diloy Thibault , Vigan Marie , Donadieu Kalinka , Vialle Raphaël , Langlais Tristan , Hardy Alexandre
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The anatomy of the spring ligament complex, as well as its pathology, is not well known in daily clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shear‐wave elastography properties of the spring ligament and the posterior tibial tendon in healthy adults, and to assess the reliability and reproducibility of these measurements.

Methods

Shear‐wave elastography was used to evaluate both ankles in 20 healthy patients (10 females/10 males) resting on a hinge support with their ankles in neutral, valgus 20° and varus 30° positions. The stiffness of the spring ligament and posterior tibial tendon was assessed by measuring the speed of shear wave propagation through each structure.

Results

Posterior tibial tendon and spring ligament reach a maximum estimated stiffness in valgus 20° position (7.43 m/s vs 5.73 m/s, respectively). Flat feet were associated with greater spring ligament stiffness in the 20° valgus position (p = 0.01), but not for the posterior tibial tendon (p = 0.71). The physiologic weightbearing hindfoot attitude had no impact on the stiffness of the posterior tibial tendon or the spring ligament, regardless of the analysis position. Intra‐ and inter‐observer agreements were all excellent for spring ligament stiffness, regardless of ankle position, and were good or excellent for posterior tibial tendon.

Conclusions

This study describes a protocol to assess the stiffness of tibialis posterior and the spring ligament by shear‐wave elastography, which is reliable, reproducible, and defines a corridor of normality. Further studies should be conducted to define the role of elastography for diagnosis/ evaluation of pathology, follow‐up, or surgical strategies.
Targeting GPR65 alleviates hepatic inflammation and fibrosis by suppressing the JNK and NF-κB pathways
Authors: Zhang Kun , Zhang Meng-Xia , Meng Xiao-Xiang , Zhu Jing , Wang Jia-Jun , He Yi-Fan , Li Ye-Hua , Zhao Si-Cong , Shi Zhe-Min , Zheng Li-Na , Han Tao , Hong Wei
Published: November 2023

Background

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are recognized as attractive targets for drug therapy. However, it remains poorly understood how GPCRs, except for a few chemokine receptors, regulate the progression of liver fibrosis. Here, we aimed to reveal the role of GPR65, a proton-sensing receptor, in liver fibrosis and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

Methods

The expression level of GPR65 was evaluated in both human and mouse fibrotic livers. Furthermore, Gpr65-deficient mice were treated with either bile duct ligation (BDL) for 21 d or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 8 weeks to investigate the role of GPR65 in liver fibrosis. A combination of experimental approaches, including Western blotting, quantitative real-time reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), confocal microscopy and rescue studies, were used to explore the underlying mechanisms of GPR65’s action in liver fibrosis. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of GPR65 inhibitor in the development of liver fibrosis was investigated.

Results

We found that hepatic macrophages (HMs)-enriched GPR65 was upregulated in both human and mouse fibrotic livers. Moreover, knockout of Gpr65 significantly alleviated BDL- and CCl4-induced liver inflammation, injury and fibrosis in vivo, and mouse bone marrow transplantation (BMT) experiments further demonstrated that the protective effect of Gpr65 knockout is primarily mediated by bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Additionally, in vitro data demonstrated that Gpr65 silencing and GPR65 antagonist inhibited, while GPR65 overexpression and application of GPR65 endogenous and exogenous agonists enhanced the expression and release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), all of which subsequently promoted the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the damage of hepatocytes (HCs). Mechanistically, GPR65 overexpression, the acidic pH and GPR65 exogenous agonist induced up-regulation of TNF-α and IL-6 via the Gαq-Ca2+-JNK/NF-κB pathways, while promoted the expression of TGF-β through the Gαq-Ca2+-MLK3-MKK7-JNK pathway. Notably, pharmacological GPR65 inhibition retarded the development of inflammation, HCs injury and fibrosis in vivo.

Conclusions

GPR65 is a major regulator that modulates the progression of liver fibrosis. Thus, targeting GPR65 could be an effective therapeutic strategy for the prevention of liver fibrosis.
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura after influenza vaccine administration; a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Elsaid Mohamed , Nune Arvind , Brakat Aml M. , Anand Ayush , Alashwah Mahmoud , Maher Ahmed , Lama Nitu , Peñamante Criselle Angeline C.
Published: November 2023

Background

The American Society of Haematology defines immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) as a common hematologic disorder characterized by a transient or long-term decrease in platelet counts (< 100 × 109/L.), purpura, and haemorrhagic episodes caused by antiplatelet autoantibodies, with the exclusion of other clinical conditions. We aimed to systematically determine the incidence of ITP in adults and children following influenza vaccination, the duration between vaccination and the occurrence of ITP, and to identify predictors of ITP after the vaccine.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct. We included primary studies that assessed the occurrence of immune thrombocytopenia in individuals who had received any influenza vaccine (primary or booster dose), regardless of the dosage, preparation, time of administration, or age of the participants. We excluded studies that were (a) Narrative, scoping, and umbrella reviews ;(b) studies with no accessible full text, abstract-only studies, or (c) Overlapping or unreliable data. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool. We categorized studies for qualitative analysis based on study design. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize quantitative data, including the incidence of ITP after influenza vaccination.

Results

Out of 729 articles retrieved from the database search, we included 24 studies. All patients identified and included in this systematic review presented with immune thrombocytopenia, determined by their platelet count. The period between vaccination and the occurrence of ITP ranged from (2:35 days). The mean duration was 13.5 days. The analysis revealed a statistically significant incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.85,95% CI [1.03–3.32] of ITP occurrence after 42 days.

Conclusions

Influenza-associated ITP is uncommon, self-limiting, non-life-threatening, and curable. None of the patients reported having severe adverse events or death. Further studies are required to confirm the exact incidence of the ITP to better understand the pathophysiology of ITP development post-influenza vaccination.
Three Cases of Carney-Stratakis Syndrome: A Genetically Heterogeneous Disease
Authors: Lobato Eduardo C , Castro Felipe F , Santana Lucas S , Soares Ibere C , Fagundes Gustavo F C , Almeida Madson Q
Published: November 2023

Carney-Stratakis syndrome (CSS) is an autosomal dominant rare syndrome, with incomplete penetrance, characterized by the association of paragangliomas and/or pheochromocytomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). CSS is caused by germline heterozygous loss-of-function pathogenic variants (PVs) in the succinate dehydrogenase subunit genes (SDHB, SDHC, SDHD), with SDHB and SDHD being the most frequent. To date, only 2 germline SDHC PVs (c.43 C > T; c.405 + 1G > A) have been described in 3 patients with CSS. Three patients with CSS and very distinct clinical presentations are reported here: 1 caused by a germline SDHC large deletion and the others with metastatic GIST and negative genetic investigation for SDHx defects. Two cases (1 and 2) presented with pheochromocytoma (case 1 also with abdominal paraganglioma) and metastatic GIST. Although these 2 cases fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for CSS, the genetic investigation for SDHx PVs by next-generation sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was negative. Case 3 had a large abdominal paraganglioma and a small low-grade GIST not associated with recurrence or metastasis. This case harbored a germline SDHC exon 3 deletion, not previously reported. In conclusion, CSS is a rare and morbid disease with distinct clinical presentations and genetic heterogeneity, which can contribute to underdiagnosis.
Efficacy of Oral Furosemide Test for Primary Aldosteronism Diagnosis
Authors: Freitas Thais C , Maciel Ana Alice W , Fagundes Gustavo F C , Petenuci Janaina , Santana Lucas S , Guimaraes Augusto G , Freitas-Castro Felipe , Srougi Victor , Tanno Fabio Y , Chambo Jose L , Pereira Maria Adelaide A , Brito Luciana P , Pio-Abreu Andrea , Bortolotto Luiz A , Latronico Ana Claudia , Fragoso Maria Candida B V , Drager Luciano F , Mendonca Berenice B , Almeida Madson Q
Published: November 2023

Context

Confirmatory tests represent a fundamental step in primary aldosteronism (PA) diagnosis, but they are laborious and often require a hospital environment due to the risks involved.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of oral furosemide as a new confirmatory test for PA diagnosis.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic performance of 80 mg of oral furosemide in 64 patients with PA and 22 with primary hypertension (controls). Direct renin concentration (DRC) was measured before, and 2 hours and 3 hours after the oral furosemide. In addition, the oral furosemide test was compared with 2 other confirmatory tests: the furosemide upright test (FUT) and saline infusion test (SIT) or captopril challenge test (CCT) in all patients with PA.

Results

The cut-off of 7.6 µU/mL for DRC at 2 hours after oral furosemide had a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 82%, and accuracy of 90% for PA diagnosis. In 5 out of 6 controls with low-renin hypertension, which might represent a PA spectrum, renin remained suppressed. Excluding these 6 controls with low-renin hypertension, the DRC cut-off of 10 µU/mL at 2 hours after oral furosemide had a sensitivity of 95.3%, specificity of 93.7% and accuracy of 95% for PA diagnosis. DRC after 3 hours of oral furosemide did not improve diagnostic performance. Using the cut-off of 10 µU/mL, the oral furosemide test and the FUT were concordant in 62 out of 64 (97%) patients with PA. Only 4 out of 64 cases with PA (6.4%) ended the oral furosemide test with potassium <3.5 mEq/L. Hypotension was not evidenced in any patient with PA during the test.

Conclusion

The oral furosemide test was safe, well-tolerated and represents an effective strategy for PA investigation.
The health literacy and patient discharge experience dyad after cardiac surgery: an exploratory study
Authors: Dimech Nadine , Cassar Maria , Carabott James
Published: November 2023

Health literacy concerns the ability to access, appraise and use information to maintain good health. The purpose of this study was to explore the health literacy of older adults and their experiences after cardiac surgery. A purposive sample of eight patients (aged ≥65 years) who had undergone cardiac surgery participated in this qualitative study. A validated health literacy assessment instrument was used to gather data on their health literacy levels. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant to explore the experiences of recovery in the immediate and medium-term post-discharge period. The data from the assessment instrument and the interviews were analysed and collated. Data analysis gave rise to seven themes: aftermath of cardiac surgery; settling in; whirlwind of emotions; shifting perspective; faith and hope; sense of community; and COVID-19 experience. The findings suggest health literacy plays a part in a patient's cardiac surgical discharge experience, along with other factors. As patients' responses and experiences vary, health professionals need to adopt a context-sensitive approach when discharging patients after surgery.
Futurity-led platform capitalism: the regulation of inclusive insurtech platforms
Authors: Perticone Yannick
Published: November 2023

This article investigates international and national regulation of the recent foray by inclusive insurance firms into platform capitalism. It contributes to current debates on the governance of Fintech/insurtech in digital financial inclusion and platform capitalism. Drawing on Global Political Economy scholarship and John Commons’ concept of futurity, I argue that futurity drives the inclusive insurance market mediated by insurtech platforms. This process is performed within the regulatory sandbox, a dedicated legal framework allowing private firms to test innovative products and business models in a small-scale and controlled environment. The article draws on the analysis of legal documents, semi-structured interviews with key international and national insurance supervisors as well as participant observation in online conferences. The analysis offers empirical insights into the complexities of regulatory institutions to deepen our understanding of the global expansion of platform capitalism in inclusive insurance.
Westernwear: Postwar American Fashion and Culture, Sonya Abrego (2022)
Authors: Brewster Maureen Lehto
Published: November 2023

Review of: Westernwear: Postwar American Fashion and Culture, Sonya Abrego (2022)

London and New York: Bloomsbury Visual Arts, 310 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-35014-767-6, p/bk, $37.95
Dressed in Time, Margaret Maynard (2022)
Authors: Mackinney Maria
Published: November 2023

Review of: Dressed in Time, Margaret Maynard (2022)

London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 206 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-35003-275-0, p/bk, $31.39
The Fashioned Body: Fashion, Dress and Modern Social Theory, 3rd ed., Joanne Entwistle (2023)
Authors: Reddy-Best Kelly L.
Published: November 2023

Review of: The Fashioned Body: Fashion, Dress and Modern Social Theory, 3rd ed., Joanne Entwistle (2023)

Cambridge: Polity Press, 281 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-50954-789-0, p/bk, $28.95
Neuropeptide stimulation of physiological and immunological responses in precision‐cut lung slices
Authors: Patlin B. , Schwerdtfeger L. , Tobet S.
Published: November 2023

Organotypic lung slices, sometimes known as precision‐cut lung slices (PCLS), provide an environment in which numerous cell types and interactions can be maintained outside the body (ex vivo). PCLS were maintained ex vivo for up to a week and demonstrated health via the presence of neurons, maintenance of tissue morphology, synthesis of mucopolysaccharides, and minimal cell death. Multiple phenotypes of neuronal fibers were present in lung slices with varied size, caliber, and neurotransmitter immunoreactivity. Of the neuropeptides present in fibers, calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) was the most prevalent. Exposing PCLS to recombinant CGRP resulted in the proliferation and dispersion of CD19+ B cells in slices taken selectively from females. The number of granules containing immunoreactive (ir) surfactant protein C (SPC), which are representative of alveolar type 2 cells, increased in slices from females within 24 h of exposure to CGRP. Additionally, ir‐SPC granule size increased in slices from males and females across 48 h of exposure to CGRP. Exposure of PCLS to exogenous CGRP did not alter the number of solitary pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNEC) but did result in neuroendocrine bodies that had significantly more cells. Neuronal fiber numbers were unchanged based on ir‐peripherin; however, ir‐CGRP became non‐detectable in fibers while unchanged in PNECs. The effects of exogenous CGRP provide insight into innate immune and neuroendocrine responses in the lungs that may be partially regulated by neural fibers. The sex‐dependent nature of these changes may point to the basis for sex‐selective outcomes among respiratory diseases.
Perceived ankle instability and cutaneous reflex modulation during gait
Authors: Friedman Annalee M. H. , Madsen Leif P.
Published: November 2023

Cutaneous reflex modulation during rhythmic ambulation is an important motor control mechanism to help minimize stumbling following an unexpected perturbation. Previous literature found individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) experience altered reflex patterns compared to healthy controls. Considering CAI is characterized by intermittent feelings of ankle instability, researchers have speculated that these alterations are related to perceived instability. Our purpose was to determine whether variability and magnitude of cutaneous reflex amplitudes can predict perceived instability levels following sural nerve stimulation during gait. Forty subjects walked while receiving random stimulations and reported their perceived instability. Middle latency reflexes among lower leg muscles were calculated using data derived from surface electromyography. Hierarchical logistical regressions revealed a positive relationship between reflex variability of the peroneus longus and lateral gastrocnemius muscles and perceived instability during midstance. This suggests subjects with consistent reflexes following sural nerve stimulation develop a certain level of perceptual expectation resulting in generally lower feelings of ankle instability, while subjects with more variable motor outputs perceive greater instability at the supraspinal level. Cutaneous reflex variability during stance may be an important objective outcome measure to monitor neuromuscular recovery throughout a rehabilitation or as a potential predictor of future lateral ankle sprains.
Zur Notwendigkeit von Stabilitätsbetrachtungen von Umrichterinteraktionen bei der Sicherheitsbewertung in Verteilnetzen
Authors: Krahmer Sebastian , Ecklebe Stefan , Schegner Peter , Röbenack Klaus
Published: November 2023

Die Grundlage eines resilienten Energieversorgungssystems bildet u. a. eine zuverlässige Netzsicherheitsbewertung. Der Abstand des aktuellen Netzbetriebspunktes zu den Grenzen des ihn umgebenden sicheren Betriebsbereiches kann hierbei durch die Optimierung von Blindleistungsarbeitspunkten verbessert werden. Bei der Wahl einer spannungsabhängigen Blindleistungsbereitstellung, der sogenannten Q(U)-Regelung, müssen Umrichterinteraktionen von dezentralen Energieanlagen berücksichtigt werden. Dieser Beitrag widmet sich der Bewertung von Q(U)-Charakteristiken in Hinblick auf veränderliche Netztopologien (N-1-Fälle) und Betriebsfälle. Im ersten Teil wird ein Stabilitätskriterium aus Vorarbeiten aufgegriffen, das auf einem zeitdiskreten Modell der Q(U)-Regelung beruht, um zu beurteilen, wie Anstiege und Filterzeitkonstanten der einzelnen Energieanlagen gewählt werden können. Das Verfahren wird um die Berücksichtigung relevanter Netzzustände erweitert, die sich aus der Kombination von Topologiestörungen und Betriebsfällen ergeben. Der zweite Teil des Beitrages widmet sich der Applikation des Kriteriums unter Berücksichtigung dieser vielseitigen Netzzustände. Dabei werden Strategien zur Auswahl einer hinreichenden Anzahl an Netzzuständen hinsichtlich ihrer Kritikalität diskutiert. Als Bewertungsgröße wird dann die Filterkonstante einer Anlagenregelung eingeführt und die Kritikalität der Netzzustände anhand dieser verglichen. Abschließend erfolgt die Anwendung auf Benchmarknetze der Mittel- und Hochspannungsebene.
Analyse der tragenden Rolle von Elementen mit netzbildender Regelung für einen stabilen Stromnetzbetrieb
Authors: Schöll Christian , Lens Hendrik
Published: November 2023

Ein stabiler Stromnetzbetrieb ist heute ohne die Synchrongeneratoren der konventionellen Kraftwerke nicht möglich, weil die derzeit dominierende Art der Wechselrichterregelung erneuerbarer Energien auf eine extern gebildete Netzspannung angewiesen ist. Ein grundlegender Paradigmenwechsel in der Wechselrichterregelung ist daher nötig, um in Zukunft rein wechselrichterbasierte und klimaneutrale Stromnetze zu ermöglichen. Dieser Beitrag zeigt die zukünftige Bedeutung dieser neuen Art der Regelung von Wechselrichtern für die Systemstabilität und damit verbundene Einschränkungen auf.
Comparison of fuzzy and crisp decision matrices: An evaluation on PROBID and sPROBID multi-criteria decision-making methods
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , Baydaş Mahmut , Stević Željko , Özçil Abdullah , Irfan Sayed Ameenuddin , Wu Zhe , Rangaiah Gade Pandu
Published: November 2023

The use of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods to select the most appropriate one from a range of alternatives considering multiple criteria is a suitable methodology for making informed decisions. When constructing a decision or objective matrix (DOM) for MCDM procedure, either crisp numerical values or fuzzy linguistic terms can be used. A review of relevant literature indicates that decision experts often prefer to give linguistic terms (instead of crisp numerical values) based on their domain knowledge, to establish a fuzzy DOM. However, previous research articles have not adequately studied the selection between fuzzy and crisp DOM in MCDM, especially under the context of assessing the financial performance (FP) of listed firms – a notably complex decision-making problem. As such, the primary motivation of this study is to bridge this research gap through comparative analyses of fuzzy and crisp DOM in MCDM. Along this path, and in order to handle fuzzy DOM, this work also proposes two new fuzzy MCDM methods: fuzzy preference ranking on the basis of ideal-average distance (PROBID) and fuzzy sPROBID (simpler PROBID), extending the applicability of the original crisp PROBID and sPROBID methods. Moreover, for the first time in the literature, this work compares the FP rankings obtained using fuzzy MCDM methods with an objective benchmark we have identified, i.e., the real-life stock return (SR)-based ranking. The case study of ranking the FP of 32 listed firms demonstrates that the fuzzy MCDM methods produce higher correlation results with the SR-based ranking. The results also suggest that the proposed fuzzy sPROBID method with triangular fuzzy DOM performs the best for assessing the FP of firms in terms of Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient with the SR-based ranking. Overall, the contributions of this work are three-fold: first, it proposes two new fuzzy MCDM methods (i.e., fuzzy PROBID and fuzzy sPROBID); second, it advances the application of fuzzy MCDM methods in assessing and ranking the FP of listed firms to make rational investment decisions in the financial market; third, it studies the selection between fuzzy and crisp DOM through comparisons with an objective benchmark.
Simple function to find base pressure under triangular and trapezoidal footing with two eccentric loads
Authors: Shaaban Mohammed Qasim , Al-kuaity Adnan Sadiq , Aliakbar Mohammed Redha Mahdi
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this article is to create a simple general function to find the maximum base pressure of biaxial eccentric loads under a trapezoidal and triangular footing. Base pressure is the load per unit area below the foundation. The first step is to derive a function linking variables to the specific status by determining what variables can be observed in it and which variables are expected to be extracted from it. This research will focus on a specific status in foundation science and, thereafter, will produce a factor named k that is multiplied by the load divided by the area to find the maximum base pressure.
Who Cares About Caregiving?: Identity and Caregiving Policy Perspectives
Authors: VanSickle-Ward Rachel , Merolla Jennifer L. , Hayes Sarah V. , Greenlee Jill S. , Cargile Ivy A. M.
Published: November 2023

Using original data collected from YouGov panelists in July of 2021, we examine caregiving experiences and attitudes toward caregiving policies, taking into consideration how intersecting identities shape the perspectives of caregivers. We examine the racial, ethnic and gender dimensions of who provides care, and how the pandemic affected caregiving commitments. We find that communities of color, especially women of color, experienced pandemic caregiving pressures differently than their White counterparts. We further consider public opinion on caregiving policies and explore whether and how these attitudes vary between men and women and across racial, ethnic groups and partisan groups. We find that while interesting differences do exist among different populations, and these differences are worth reflection, policies that support caregivers and caregiving recipients are, on balance, very popular.
Influence of zinc oxide and graphene nanoparticles on diesel engine’s emission and vibration while fuelled with waste mango seed oil biodiesel
Authors: Rami Reddy Seelam , Sarangi Saroj Kumar
Published: November 2023

Nowadays, the world is facing critical situations such as fossil fuel decline and global warming due to the gradual increase in consumption and release of harmful gases from engines. Therefore, there has been a need for alternative fuels to improve the efficiency of compression ignition (CI) engines and reduce harmful pollutants. Mango seed methyl ester (MSME), obtained from mango seed oil waste through transesterification processes, was used as biodiesel. For best results, 20 % MSME is mixed with 80 % diesel. However, in this experiment, the nanoparticles zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene were used to improve the emission and vibration properties of MSME20 biodiesel. The results showed about 0.23 % less CO emissions from MSME20 with 100 ppm and 200 ppm ZnO blend than regular diesel. In addition, the graphene nanoparticles in MSME20 also reduced NO
x
emissions. At full load (100 %), very high NO
x
emissions of 1235 ppm were observed for the graphene mixture MSME20 at 200 ppm, about 6 % lower than MSME20. Better performance was recorded for the MSME20 100 ppm ZnO and MSME20 200 ppm graphene blends. All other blends, including MSME20, were found to have a higher vibration frequency than conventional diesel at a compression ratio (CR) of 18.
Ringing Tone and Drumming Sages in the Crevice Cave of Pirunkirkko, Koli, Finland
Authors: Rainio Riitta , Hytönen-Ng Elina
Published: November 2023

Pirunkirkko (“Devil’s Church”) is one of the famous caves in Finland. Tradition says that this crevice leading into the mountain was a meeting place for sages, who typically used sound to contact the spirit world. Today, the place is visited by practitioners of shamanism, who organise drumming sessions at the back of the cave. This article examines Pirunkirkko and the related traditions from the perspective of acoustics, hypothesising that the acoustic characteristics of the crevice might have played a role in the ritualisation of the place and the power of its rituals. Methods employed include impulse response recording, spectrum analysis, archival research, and interview of a shamanic practitioner. The results indicate that the back of the cave houses a distinct resonance phenomenon. A standing wave between the parallel walls generates a ringing tone at 219–232 Hz that stays audible after sharp impulses or vocalisations at the same frequency. The local folklore or the interviewed practitioner does not mention this phenomenon at all. Instead, they speak about the “spirit of the cave,” “special energy,” or “new horizons” opened up by drumming. This leads to reflection on cultural frameworks of thought that guide sensory perceptions leading to differing experiences and interpretations.
Leadership style by metaphor in crisis political discourse
Authors: Arcimavičienė Liudmila
Published: November 2023

This study aims to show how different political leaders ideologically position themselves in the discourse of ‘problem frame’ in their first national response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To analyse the ideological nature of the ‘problem frame’, 17 leaders’ national lockdown speeches from different countries were collected and analysed within the theoretical framework of critical metaphor studies and frame semantics. Procedurally, metaphors in the collected speeches were identified by applying Pragglejaz Group’s MIP (2007) and MIPVU (2010), and coded into thematic categories via NVivo 12.0. Overall, 19 thematic codes (1,045 metaphorical expressions) were established, and their content analysis demonstrated specific differences in gender performance of a national health policy during the pandemic. It has been clarified that crisis political discourse is not that much affected by gender double bind, and female speakers openly display their femininity by focusing a lot on sensitivity and nurturance. By contrast, male speakers overwhelmingly follow a standardised competitive frame with emotional moments aimed at a more aggressive response to the pandemic and focusing on populist sentiment.
Location-controlled crazing in polyethylene using focused electron beams and tensile strain
Authors: Toocharoen Sirorat , Yokota Daisuke , Suzuki Michihito , Shimojo Masayuki
Published: November 2023

This study explores the use of focused electron beam (FEB) dot irradiation and tensile stress to control crazing formation in polymers at the microscale. Polyethylene (PE) containing carbon was subjected to FEB dot irradiation at 5–20 kV of accelerating voltage, followed by nominal strains of 0–70 %. The results revealed that FEB irradiation affects the structure and mechanical properties of PE. The Raman spectroscopy showed a glassy polymer of amorphous structure with the intensity changed after irradiation, which led to craze formation at the location of the electron beam dot irradiation after the tensile deformation. Rhombus-shaped crazes were observed at the locations of the electron beam irradiation in the dot area, which were evenly distributed and sized. Our findings provide insights into the control of crazing location in polymers and provide a promising approach to controlling the different shapes and sizes of crazing in polymers for future applications.
Non-pharmacological management in a neonatal intensive care unit- a systematic review
Authors: Elizabeth Pereira Freire Machado Maria , Navarro Paiva Taís , Soares De Paiva Isaias
Published: November 2023

Introduction: For many years it was thought that newborn babies could not feel pain due to their incomplete nervous system. Since 1980, there has been a revolution in the understanding of neonatal pain and more concern about this issue. Newborns (NBs) hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit are commonly exposed to numerous stressful and painful events capable of causing physiological and behavioral disorganization. The reduction and prevention of these stimuli through non-pharmacological measures are essential to avoid harmful effects in the short and long term. Many studies address non-pharmacological management in the neonatal ICU; however, there is still doubt about the effectiveness of these methods. The objective of this study is evaluating the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods used in the NICU to manage newborns.