bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Larval morphology of Amazonia foam‐nesting frogs of the genus Engystomops (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae)
Authors: do Nascimento Filipe A. C. , de Sá Rafael O. , Garcia Paulo C. de A.
Published: August 2022

The highly differentiated anuran larvae make them an interesting and complementary source of information to understand anuran evolution. Among neotropical foam‐nesting frogs, the available information on tadpole morphology for the subfamily Leiuperinae remains largely incomplete and variably reported among genera; in the monophyletic genus Engystomops it is still incipient. Herein, we summarize available information on larval morphology for five of the nine known species of Engystomops, three of them for the first time, reporting external morphology, buccopharyngeal cavity, and skeleton. The tadpoles of the genus have an overall generalized morphology and many traits are conserved across species. Nevertheless, many characters are systematically informative and some are diagnostic for some species, as the paravertebral gland in Engystomops petersi and the dorsally directed spiracle in Engystomops puyango. Other characters provide support for some subclades within the genus. Moreover, some traits, such as the direction of the vent tube, supports the close relationship between Engystomops and Physalaemus, whereas other support the existence of these two as distinct genera, such as the overall shape of the lateral ridge papillae and the presence of a processus pseudopterygoideus.
COVID‐19 and inflammatory bowel disease crosstalk: From emerging association to clinical proposal
Authors: Tao Sha‐Sha , Wang Xin‐Yi , Yang Xiao‐Ke , Liu Yu‐Chen , Fu Zi‐Yue , Zhang Li‐Zhi , Wang Zhi‐Xin , Ni Jing , Shuai Zong‐Wen , Pan Hai‐Feng
Published: August 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection can cause coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), an acute respiratory inflammation that has emerged worldwide since December 2019, and it quickly became a global epidemic. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic nonspecific intestinal inflammatory diseases whose etiology has not been elucidated. The two have many overlapping symptoms in clinical presentation, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, pneumonia, etc. Imbalance of the autoimmune system in IBD patients and long‐term use of immunosuppressive drugs may increase the risk of infection; and systemic symptoms caused by COVID‐19 may also induce or exacerbate intestinal inflammation. It has been found that the SARS‐CoV‐2 receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2, which is highly expressed in the lung and intestine, is an inflammatory protective factor, and is downregulated and upregulated in COVID‐19 and IBD, respectively, suggesting that there may be a coregulatory pathway. In addition, the immune activation pattern of COVID‐19 and the cytokine storm in the inflammatory response have similar roles in IBD, indicating that the two diseases may influence each other. Therefore, this review aimed to address the following research questions: whether SARS‐CoV‐2 infection leads to the progression of IBD; whether IBD increases the risk of COVID‐19 infection and poor prognosis; possible common mechanisms and genetic cross‐linking between the two diseases; new treatment and care strategies for IBD patients, and the feasibility and risk of vaccination in the context of the COVID‐19 epidemic.
The contribution of human activities to runoff and sediment changes in the Mang River basin of the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Zhao Longshan , Meng Ping , Zhang Jinsong , Zhang Jinxin , Li Jianxia , Wang Xiuming
Published: August 2022

Soil erosion changes after China's Grain‐for‐Green Program (GGP) have attracted widespread attention. Many studies have reported positive contributions of the GGP to sediment reduction; however, GGP effects on runoff remain under debate. The objective of this study was to identify runoff and sediment changes and estimate the contribution of human activities to soil erosion decreases in the Mang River basin (MRB) in the southeastern Loess Plateau. The temporal trends of the rainfall‐runoff‐sediment series between 1960 and 2017 and the contribution of human effects to runoff and sediment changes were determined using time‐series analysis methods. The main transformations in land‐use types were from farmland to forestland in the upstream MRB and farmland to built‐up land in the downstream MRB. Rainfall remained in a relatively steady state, while runoff and sediment had descending trends, both of which began to mutate in 1990 and 1994, respectively. The average runoff (sediment load) decreased by 33 × 104 m3 (5 × 104 t yr−1), of which the human effect contributed to 79% (93%) of the decreases. During the descending period, the human effects on runoff and sediment increased with time. Sediment experienced a much larger reduction effect than runoff because of increased forestland area, which can greatly reduce soil erosion, in the MRB upstream of our study site; however, runoff was increased in the MRB downstream of our study site because urbanization led to the expansion of impervious surfaces. Our results provide new lessons for assessing the reduction effects of the GGP on soil erosion in an urbanized basin.
The Potential of an Itaconic Acid Diester as Environmentally Friendly Plasticizer for Injection‐Molded Polylactide Parts
Authors: Ivorra‐Martinez Juan , Peydro Miguel Angel , Gomez‐Caturla Jaume , Boronat Teodomiro , Balart Rafa
Published: August 2022

This work reports on the use of dibutyl itaconate (DBI) as an environmentally friendly plasticizer for polylactide (PLA) with different proportions of DBI in the 2.5–20 wt% (weight content) range. A co‐rotating twin‐screw extrusion process followed by injection molding is employed for the manufacturing of the samples. The results show that the plasticized PLA formulation with 10 wt% DBI offers the most balanced overall properties, with a noticeable increase in the elongation at break from 4.6% (neat PLA) up to 322%, with a tensile modulus of 1572 MPa, and a tensile strength of 23.8 MPa. In the case of 15 and 20 wt% DBI formulations, PLA reaches the saturation point with no more increase in the elongation at break and a clear decrease in the tensile modulus. DBI also decreases the glass transition temperature (Tg) from 61.3 °C (neat PLA) down to 23.4 °C for plasticized PLA formulation containing 20 wt% DBI, thus showing the high plasticization efficiency of DBI.
Recent Advances in Peptide Engineering of PEG Hydrogels: Strategies, Functional Regulation, and Biomedical Applications
Authors: Xiao Zixuan , Zhao Shujing , Zhang Xiaoyuan , Wei Gang , Su Zhiqiang
Published: August 2022

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is hydrophilic, biocompatible, and electrically neutral in an aqueous solution due to its unique internal structure. PEG is widely used to prepare hydrogels for applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. In addition, PEG can be used as a functionalization agent of biomaterials to prolong the presence of drug systems in vivo in biomedical applications. The functionalization of PEG hydrogels using functional peptides gives PEG hydrogels the advantages of better biocompatibility, higher loading efficiency, more adjustable lifetime, and lower cost, which have exhibited promising applications in biomedical fields. In this review, recent advances in the functionalization of PEG hydrogels with peptides for biomedical applications are presented. For this aim, first, the basic properties of PEG hydrogels are described by introducing various preparation methods, and then, the functional regulation of PEG hydrogels is demonstrated with different motif‐designed peptides to achieve specific properties. Finally, biomedical applications of peptide‐engineered PEG hydrogels in controlled drug delivery, tissue engineering, medical diagnostics, bioimaging, and biosensing are described in detail. This work provides a systematic literature review on this promising topic and facilitates readers in the design of composite materials and functional tailoring of PEG hydrogels with biomolecules.
Sub‐lineages of the SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variants: Characteristics and prevention
Authors: Xu Ailan , Hong Bixia , Lou Fuxing , Wang Shuqi , Li Wenye , Shafqat Amna , An Xiaoping , Zhao Yunwei , Song Lihua , Tong Yigang , Fan Huahao
Published: August 2022

Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) have emerged, accelerating the spread of the virus. Omicron was defined by the World Health Organization in November 2021 as the fifth “variant of concern” after Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. In recent months, Omicron has become the main epidemic strain. Studies have shown that Omicron carries more mutations than Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and wild‐type, facilitating immune escape and accelerating its transmission. This review focuses on the Omicron variant's origin, transmission, main biological features, subvariants, mutations, immune escape, vaccination, and detection methods. We also discuss the appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures that should be taken to address the new challenges posed by the Omicron variant. This review is valuable to guide the surveillance, prevention, and development of vaccines and other therapies for Omicron variants. It is desirable to develop a more efficient vaccine against the Omicron variant and take more effective measures to constrain the spread of the epidemic and promote public health.
Repeat‐Associated Non‐AUG Translation of AGAGGG Repeats that Cause X‐Linked Dystonia‐Parkinsonism
Authors: Reyes Charles Jourdan , Asano Katsura , Todd Peter K. , Klein Christine , Rakovic Aleksandar
Published: August 2022

Background

X‐linked dystonia‐parkinsonism (XDP) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the intronic insertion of a SINE‐VNTR‐Alu (SVA) retrotransposon carrying an (AGAGGG)n repeat expansion in the TAF1 gene. The molecular mechanisms by which this mutation causes neurodegeneration remain elusive.

Objectives

We investigated whether (AGAGGG)n repeats undergo repeat‐associated non‐AUG (RAN) translation, a pathogenic mechanism common among repeat expansion diseases.

Methods

XDP‐specific RAN translation reporter plasmids were generated, transfected in HEK293 cells, and putative dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) were detected by Western blotting. Immunocytochemistry was performed in COS‐7 cells to determine the subcellular localization of one DPR.

Results

We detected putative DPRs from two reading frames, supporting the translation of poly‐(Glu‐Gly) and poly‐(Arg‐Glu) species. XDP RAN translation initiates within the (AGAGGG)n sequence and poly‐(Glu‐Gly) DPRs formed nuclear inclusions in transfected cells.

Conclusions

In summary, our work provides the first in‐vitro proof of principle that the XDP‐linked (AGAGGG)n repeat expansions can undergo RAN translation. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Skin dose distributions between Stanford and rotational techniques in total skin electron therapy (TSET)
Authors: Ding George X. , Chen Zhe J. , Zhong Weili , Zhu Timothy C.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Total skin electron therapy (TSET) has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for advanced‐stage cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma. Two most used techniques are the Stanford six‐field and rotational techniques. This study compares patient skin dose distributions as a function of depth between these two techniques.

Methods

The EGSnrc system was used to simulate electron beams and calculate patient dose distributions. The calculations assumed the same patient standing on a platform, and the patient's different postures were ignored for the Stanford technique in the comparison of dose distributions. The skin doses were analyzed as a function of skin depth‐dose coverage and evaluated using dose‐volume‐histograms (DVH). The comparisons were performed in three realistic clinical settings in which dual‐field were used for patients treated at extended distances of 316 and 500 cm, and a single field was used at 700 cm. In all cases the realistic patient treatment beam delivery geometry was simulated.

Results

Although small dose differences were observed in some local areas, no clinically significant differences were found in the patient 3D dose distributions between the Stanford and rotational techniques. Virtually the same DVH curves between two the techniques were observed for mean dose to skin depth of 0–5, 5–10, and 10–15 mm from the skin surface, respectively. It is found that the skin depth dose coverage is 2 mm shallower for patient treatment at 500 cm compared to at 316 cm due to the additional air attenuation. However, very similar dose coverage and uniformity can be achieved at these two different extended treatment distances by adjusting the thickness of acrylic scatter plate. Adequate thickness of a scattering plate improves the skin dose uniformity.

Conclusion

Both the Stanford and rotational techniques deliver very similar skin dose coverage in DVH plots, and only small differences are seen in local areas. It is worth to emphasize that the DVH is a graphical representation of the distribution of dose within a structure, and it does not contain spatial information. Therefore, comparison of entire skin dose using DVH may mask some variations at different locations of the surface area. In addition, the comparison did not consider different patient postures of the Stanford technique. Including the different patient postures in the calculation may affect the result of doses to the limbs.
Investigation of the surfactant distribution in oil‐in‐water emulsions during the crystallization of the dispersed phase via nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry and diffusometry
Authors: Kaysan Gina , Kräling Raphael , Meier Manuel , Nirschl Hermann , Guthausen Gisela , Kind Matthias
Published: August 2022

The crystallization of melt emulsions is of great interest to the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Surfactants are used in emulsions and suspensions to stabilize the dispersed phase; thus, questions arise about the liquid–liquid and solid–liquid interfaces of the droplets or particles and the distribution of the surfactant in the different phases (continuous and dispersed phase, interface). Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation and diffusion measurements revealed that the internal and rotational mobility of surfactant molecules at the liquid–liquid interface decreases with increasing droplet sizes. Additionally, solid–liquid interfaces have fewer surfactants than liquid–liquid interfaces as a result of the desorption of the surfactant molecules during the crystallization of the droplets. Relaxation rates of surfactant molecules in aqueous solution as single molecules, micelles, and at the liquid–liquid and solid–liquid interface are analyzed for the first time.
Artificial urinary sphincter cuffs and safe instrument/catheter passage guidelines
Authors: Otis‐Chapados Samuel , Kim Justin , Radomski Sidney B.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard for males with urinary incontinence. It is generally a safe procedure with a high degree of satisfaction. However, there is a lifelong risk of infection and erosion. AUS cuffs are commonly placed around the bulbar urethral area. There is always a risk of trauma and erosion of cuffs with catheterization or endoscopy. At this time, there is little guidance as to which size catheters or scopes can pass through each AUS cuff sizes safely. The goal of this study was to determine which size of catheters/scopes can pass through different cuff sizes safely in an ex vivo setting.

Method

All AUS cuff sizes available (3.5 cm up to 6.0 cm), catheter sizes between 12 and 22 Fr, and scope sizes 19 Fr flexible/rigid, 21−26 Fr rigid scopes were examined. We used deflated assembled cuffs on the bench (ex vivo) and three different blind observers to measure the free space left between the wall of the cuff and the catheter/scope to be sure that there was consistency. We created a scale from 1 to 3 to determine the ease of passage for each catheter/scope. We also had an MRI radiologist examine bulbar urethra thickness in 20 male patients to determine the average thickness without the bulbospongiosus muscle. Using our average bulbar urethral thickness, we were able to estimate how much free space remained within the urethral lumen and how easy and safe it was to pass each catheter/scope.

Results

For 3.5 cm cuffs, 12 Fr catheters pass easily and safely, 14−16 Fr catheters and 19 Fr flexible/rigid scopes can pass through with some mild risk of trauma. Larger catheter/scope sizes cannot pass through without a significant risk of trauma. For 4.0 cm cuffs, 12−14 Fr catheters pass easily and safely. 16−18 Fr catheters and 19−21 Fr rigid/flexible scopes can pass with some mild risk of trauma. Larger catheter/scope sizes cannot pass through safely. For 4.5 cm cuffs, 12−18 Fr catheters and 19 Fr flexible/rigid scopes pass easily and safely. 20−22 Fr catheters and 21 Fr rigid scopes can pass with some mild risk of trauma. Larger catheter/scope sizes cannot pass through safely. For 5.0 cm cuffs, 12−22 Fr catheters and 19−21 Fr flexible/rigid scopes can pass easily and safely. 22−26 Fr scopes can pass with some mild risk of trauma. For 5.5 cm cuffs, all catheters/scopes can pass easily and safely. However, the 26 Fr rigid scope can pass with some mild risk of trauma. For 6 cm cuffs, all catheters/scopes examined can pass easily and safely.

Conclusion

Our study can guide urologists in the management of patients with an AUS who need urethral catheters or endoscopy. These recommendations are based on the measurements of our study along with bulbar urethral thickness. In general, greater caution is needed with smaller cuff sizes (3.5−4.5 cm). Our recommendations, with minimal urethral compression, are purposely conservative and safe to avoid trauma and erosion of the AUS cuffs.
Exceptional design of super/hyperbases based on spiro‐alleneic structures in gas phase: A density functional theory study
Authors: Deljuie Fatemeh , Rouhani Morteza , Saeidian Hamid
Published: August 2022

In this investigation, some of the designed spiro‐alleneic derivatives with variety electron‐donating substituents have been studied by B3LYP/6‐311 + G(d,p) level of theory to assess their potential as strong hyperbases and superbases. The results showed that the protonation at alleneic C (sp) site gives 14 novel neutral organic bases with significant proton affinities (PAs) = 252.83–318.44 kcal·mol−1, in which six of them are hyperbases and the rest of them are superbases. The PAs of designed spiro‐alleneic derivatives were improved by substitution of electron‐releasing groups on the molecular structure. Two indices of aromaticity, nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS) and harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA), were also applied for the explanation of basicity of three spiro‐alleneic derivatives, which indicates that cyclopropene and cycloheptatriene rings on some of the designed structures turn aromatic upon protonation of alleneic central carbon atom.
Effect of corticosteroid therapy on mortality in COVID‐19 patients—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Patel Chirag , Parmar Krupanshu , Patel Dipanshi , Patel Sandip , Sheth Devang , Beladiya Jayesh V.
Published: August 2022

The effect of corticosteroid therapy is still controversial on prevention of mortality in coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19). The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of corticosteroids on mortality. This systematic review was performed as per preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses guidelines. A systematic search was performed at different databases namely Medline/PubMed, Cochrane and Google scholar on 10 February 2022. A pooled estimate for effect of corticosteroid therapy on mortality was calculated as outcome of study. Risk bias analysis and Newcastle Ottawa Scale were used to assess the quality of randomized control trial (RCT) and cohort studies, respectively. Cochran's Q test and the I2 statistic were conducted for heterogeneity and accordingly study model was applied. A total 43 studies were included, having sample size of 96,852 patients. Amongst them, 19,426 and 77,426 patients received corticosteroid therapy (intervention group) or standard treatment without corticosteroid (control group), respectively. Mortality observed in the intervention and control group was 14.2% (2749) and 7.1% (5459), respectively. The pooled estimate 2.173 (95% CI: 2.0690–2.2820) showed significantly increased mortality in intervention as compared to control. The pooled estimate of methyprednisolone 1.206 (95% CI: 1.0770–1.3500) showed significantly increased mortality while the pooled estimate of dexamethasone 1.040 (95% CI: 0.9459–1.1440) showed insignificantly increased mortality as compared to control. In conclusion, corticosteroid therapy produced a negative prognosis as depicted by increased mortality among COVID‐19 patients. The possible reasons might be delay in virus clearance and secondary infections due to corticosteroids initiated at high dose in the early stage of infection.
Advanced Nanostructured Conjugated Microporous Polymer Application in a Tandem Photoelectrochemical Cell for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Barawi Mariam , Alfonso‐González Elena , López‐Calixto Carmen G. , García Alberto , García‐Sánchez Alba , Villar‐García Ignacio J. , Liras Marta , de la Peña O'Shea Victor A.
Published: August 2022

Solar energy conversion through photoelectrochemical cells by organic semiconductors is a hot topic that continues to grow due to the promising optoelectronic properties of this class of materials. In this sense, conjugated polymers have raised the interest of researchers due to their interesting light‐harvesting properties. Besides, their extended π‐conjugation provides them with an excellent charge conduction along the whole structure. In particular, conjugated porous polymers (CPPs) exhibit an inherent porosity and three‐dimensional structure, offering greater surface area, and higher photochemical and mechanical stability than their linear relatives (conjugated polymers, CPs). However, CPP synthesis generally provides large particle powders unsuitable for thin film preparation, limiting its application in optoelectronic devices. Here, a synthetic strategy is presented to prepare nanostructures of a CPP suitable to be used as photoelectrode in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. In this way, electronic and photoelectrochemical properties are measured and, attending to the optoelectronic properties, two hybrid photoelectrodes (photoanode and photocathode) are designed and built to assemble a tandem PEC cell. The final device exhibits photocurrents of 0.5 mA cm−2 at a 0.7 V in the two electrode configuration and the hydrogen evolution reaction is observed and quantified by gas chromatography, achieving 581 µmol of H2 in a one‐hour reaction.
Covalent Organic Framework Nanocarriers of Singlet Oxygen for Oxygen‐Independent Concurrent Photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy to Ablate Hypoxic Tumors
Authors: Dutta Debabrata , Wang Jingbo , Li Xiang , Zhou Qinghao , Ge Zhishen
Published: August 2022

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancers is seriously restricted by tumor hypoxia. In addition to the intrinsic hypoxic microenvironment, continuous photoirradiation further aggravates intratumoral hypoxia, thereby reducing the PDT effect significantly. Oxygen‐independent PDT is recognized as an efficient approach to overcome this issue. Herein, singlet oxygen (1O2)‐stored covalent organic framework (COF) nanoparticles loading the near‐infrared (NIR) dye cypate, which realize oxygen‐independent 1O2 production for concurrent photothermal therapy (PTT) and PDT under NIR irradiation, are presented. The cypate‐loading COF nanoparticles are prepared by using the photosensitizers and 1O2‐stored molecules via formation of Schiff base bonds, followed by coverage of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The COF nanoparticles significantly improve the photostability and photothermal conversion efficiency of cypate by protecting them from photodegradation under NIR irradiation. Upon 660 nm laser irradiation, 1O2 is produced by the photosensitizer motifs and is successfully stored by the 1O2‐stored moieties. After intravenous injection and tumor accumulation, the COF nanoparticles can generate heat quickly upon 808 nm irradiation which induces the efficient release of the stored 1O2 to ablate tumors via O2‐independent concurrent PTT/PDT. Accordingly, the COF nanocarriers of 1O2 provide a paradigm to develop O2‐independent concurrent PTT/PDT for precise cancer treatment upon NIR irradiation.
Metal‐Organic Framework Confined Solvent Ionic Liquid Enables Long Cycling Life Quasi‐Solid‐State Lithium Battery in Wide Temperature Range
Authors: Liu Zhaoen , Hu Zewei , Jiang Xueao , Wang Xiwen , Li Zhe , Chen Zhengjian , Zhang Yan , Zhang Shiguo
Published: August 2022

Solid‐state Li batteries are receiving increasing attention as a prospective energy storage system due to the high energy density and improved safety. However, the high interfacial resistance between solid‐state electrolyte and electrode results in sluggish Li+ transport kinetics. To tackle the interfacial problem and prolong the cycle life of solid‐state Li batteries, a quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte (QSSE) based on a solvate ionic liquid (SIL) space‐restricted in nanocages of UIO‐66 (SIL/UIO‐66) is prepared in this study. Benefiting from the effective spatial confinement of the TFSI− by the pore UIO‐66 and the strong chemical interactions between the SIL and metal atoms, SIL/UIO‐66 QSSE exhibits high ionic conductivity and good compatibility with electrodes. As a result, Li|QSSE|LFP cells demonstrate excellent rate capability and cycle stability in a wide temperature range of 25–90 °C. This study provides a realistic strategy for the fabrication of safe solid electrolytes with excellent compatibility and long cycle life for high‐performance QSSE Li‐ion batteries.
The impact of oil and gas job opportunities during youth on human capital
Authors: Chuan Amanda
Published: August 2022

Leaving school to work trades off schooling with on‐the‐job human capital acquisition. How do industry shocks impact how youth make this trade‐off? Exploiting the geography of natural resources, I estimate the effect of oil and gas job prospects on college and work outcomes. Using CPS data, I find that these job opportunities decrease college‐going for men but not women. I next assess the importance of this schooling loss for later outcomes using longitudinal geocoded NLSY79 data. I find permanent declines in college attainment but gains in employment and earnings at ages 25–30, driven by cohorts who reach college age during industry booms. The results suggest that informal human capital can compensate for schooling loss for the men who leave school for oil and gas work. They speak to the need for further research on non‐college work as a form of human capital investment outside of the traditional college pathway.
Nontrivial examples of $$JN_p$$ and $$VJN_p$$ functions
Authors: Takala Timo
Published: August 2022

We study the John-Nirenberg space$$JN_p$$JNp, which is a generalization of the space of bounded mean oscillation. In this paper we construct new$$JN_p$$JNpfunctions, that increase the understanding of this function space. It is already known that$$L^p(Q_0) \subsetneq JN_p(Q_0) \subsetneq L^{p,\infty }(Q_0)$$Lp(Q0)⊊JNp(Q0)⊊Lp,∞(Q0). We show that if$$|f|^{1/p} \in JN_p(Q_0)$$|f|1/p∈JNp(Q0), then$$|f|^{1/q} \in JN_q(Q_0)$$|f|1/q∈JNq(Q0), where$$q \ge p$$q≥p, but there exists a nonnegative functionfsuch that$$f^{1/p} \notin JN_p(Q_0)$$f1/p∉JNp(Q0)even though$$f^{1/q} \in JN_q(Q_0)$$f1/q∈JNq(Q0), for every$$q \in (p,\infty )$$q∈(p,∞). We present functions in$$JN_p(Q_0) \setminus VJN_p(Q_0)$$JNp(Q0)\VJNp(Q0)and in$$VJN_p(Q_0) {\setminus } L^p(Q_0)$$VJNp(Q0)\Lp(Q0), proving the nontriviality of the vanishing subspace$$VJN_p$$VJNp, which is a$$JN_p$$JNpspace version ofVMO. We prove the embedding$$JN_p({\mathbb {R}}^n) \subset L^{p,\infty }({\mathbb {R}}^n)/{\mathbb {R}}$$JNp(Rn)⊂Lp,∞(Rn)/R. Finally we show that we can extend the constructed functions into$${\mathbb {R}}^n$$Rn, such that we get a function in$$JN_p({\mathbb {R}}^n) {\setminus } VJN_p({\mathbb {R}}^n)$$JNp(Rn)\VJNp(Rn)and another in$$CJN_p({\mathbb {R}}^n) {\setminus } L^p({\mathbb {R}}^n)/{\mathbb {R}}$$CJNp(Rn)\Lp(Rn)/R. Here$$CJN_p$$CJNpis a subspace of$$JN_p$$JNpthat is inspired by the spaceCMO.
Robust dissimilarity comparisons with categorical outcomes
Authors: Andreoli Francesco , Zoli Claudio
Published: August 2022

The analysis of many phenomena requires partitioning societies into groups and studying the extent at which these groups are distributed with different intensities across relevant non-ordered categorical outcomes. When the groups are similarly distributed, their members have equal chances to achieve any of the attainable outcomes. Otherwise, a form of dissimilarity between groups distributions prevails. We characterize axiomatically the dissimilarity partial order of multi-group distributions defined over categorical outcomes. The main result provides an equivalent representation of this partial order by the ranking of multi-group distributions originating from the inclusion of their zonotope representations. The zonotope inclusion criterion refines (that is, is implied by) majorization conditions that are largely adopted in mainstream approaches to multi-group segregation or univariate and multivariate inequality analysis.
State dependence of arousal from torpor in brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus)
Authors: Sørås Rune , Fjelldal Mari Aas , Bech Claus , van der Kooij Jeroen , Skåra Karoline H. , Eldegard Katrine , Stawski Clare
Published: August 2022

To cope with periods of low food availability and unsuitable environmental conditions (e.g., short photoperiod or challenging weather), many heterothermic mammals can readily go into torpor to save energy. However, torpor also entails several potential costs, and quantitative energetics can, therefore, be influenced by the individual state, such as available energy reserves. We studied the thermal energetics of brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus) in the northern part of its distributional range, including torpor entry, thermoregulatory ability during torpor and how they responded metabolically to an increasing ambient temperature (Ta) during arousal from torpor. Torpor entry occurred later in bats with higher body mass (Mb). During torpor, only 10 out of 21 bats increased oxygen consumption (V̇O2) to a greater extent above the mean torpor metabolic rates (TMR) when exposed to low Ta. The slope of the torpid thermoregulatory curve was shallower than that of resting metabolic rate (RMR) during normothermic conditions, indicating a higher thermal insulation during torpor. During exposure to an increasing Ta, all bats increased metabolic rate exponentially, but the bats with higher Mb aroused at a lower Ta than those with lower Mb. In bats with low Mb, arousal was postponed to an Ta above the lower critical temperature of the thermoneutral zone. Our results demonstrate that physiological traits, which are often considered fixed, can be more flexible than previously assumed and vary with individual state. Thus, future studies of thermal physiology should to a greater extent take individual state-dependent effects into account.
Position Statement of the Union of European Phoniatricians (UEP): Fees and Phoniatricians’ Role in Multidisciplinary and Multiprofessional Dysphagia Management Team
Authors: Denk-Linnert Doris-Maria , Farneti Daniele , Nawka Tadeus , am Zehnhoff-Dinnesen Antoinette , Moerman Mieke , Zorowka Patrick , Farahat Mohamed , Schindler Antonio , Geneid Ahmed
Published: August 2022

The need for multidisciplinary and multiprofessional management of dysphagia is constantly increasing and creating a major challenge for healthcare professionals and society, especially in terms of professional expertise and human resources. The distribution of tasks among the dysphagia team members, which includes phoniatricians, otolaryngologists, and speech-language therapists, is flexible and overlapping. For assessing dysphagia, the (fibreoptic) flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), with or without videofluoroscopy, is a pivotal diagnostic tool. This position paper aims to illustrate the phoniatrician’s role in performing a FEES, which is an indispensable component of the diagnostic workup of patients suffering from oropharyngeal dysphagia. It is based on the current collaborative expert view of the Swallowing Committee of the Union of European Phoniatricians and a literature review. A FEES is one of the core competences of phoniatricians due to their endoscopic expertise and experience in the field of dysphagia and diseases of the upper aerodigestive tract. Therefore, the phoniatrician is an important member of the dysphagia team, for the medical diagnostics of the aerodigestive tract and dysphagia as well as for FEES. Phoniatric competence is especially important for head and neck cancer patients, infants, and complex cases.
Proxemic behavior in navigation tasks using reinforcement learning
Authors: Millán-Arias Cristian , Fernandes Bruno , Cruz Francisco
Published: August 2022

Human interaction starts with a person approaching another one, respecting their personal space to prevent uncomfortable feelings. Spatial behavior, called proxemics, allows defining an acceptable distance so that the interaction process begins appropriately. In recent decades, human-agent interaction has been an area of interest for researchers, where it is proposed that artificial agents naturally interact with people. Thus, new alternatives are needed to allow optimal communication, avoiding humans feeling uncomfortable. Several works consider proxemic behavior with cognitive agents, where human-robot interaction techniques and machine learning are implemented. However, it is assumed that the personal space is fixed and known in advance, and the agent is only expected to make an optimal trajectory toward the person. In this work, we focus on studying the behavior of a reinforcement learning agent in a proxemic-based environment. Experiments were carried out implementing a grid-world problem and a continuous simulated robotic approaching environment. These environments assume that there is an issuer agent that provides non-conformity information. Our results suggest that the agent can identify regions where the issuer feels uncomfortable and find the best path to approach the issuer. The results obtained highlight the usefulness of reinforcement learning in order to identify proxemic regions.
Individual tree crown delineation in high-resolution remote sensing images based on U-Net
Authors: Freudenberg Maximilian , Magdon Paul , Nölke Nils
Published: August 2022

We present a deep learning-based framework for individual tree crown delineation in aerial and satellite images. This is an important task, e.g., for forest yield or carbon stock estimation. In contrast to earlier work, the presented method creates irregular polygons instead of bounding boxes and also provides a tree cover mask for areas that are not separable. Furthermore, it is trainable with low amounts of training data and does not need 3D height information from, e.g., laser sensors. We tested the approach in two scenarios: (1) with 30 cm WorldView-3 satellite imagery from an urban region in Bengaluru, India, and (2) with 5 cm aerial imagery of a densely forested area near Gartow, Germany. The intersection over union between the reference and predicted tree cover mask is 71.2% for the satellite imagery and 81.9% for the aerial images. On the polygon level, the method reaches an accuracy of 46.3% and a recall of 63.7% in the satellite images and an accuracy of 52% and recall of 66.2% in the aerial images, which is comparable to previous works that only predicted bounding boxes. Depending on the image resolution, limitations to separate individual tree crowns occur in situations where trees are hardly separable even for human image interpreters (e.g., homogeneous canopies, very small trees). The results indicate that the presented approach can efficiently delineate individual tree crowns in high-resolution optical images. Given the high availability of such imagery, the framework provides a powerful tool for tree monitoring. The source code and pretrained weights are publicly available at https://github.com/AWF-GAUG/TreeCrownDelineation.
Neue Kompetenzverteilungen der Bundesregierung im Klimaschutz
Authors: Kloepfer Michael
Published: August 2022

Mit Gründung der neuen “Ampel”-Bundesregierung ging auch eine neue Kompetenzverteilung
im Klimaschutz einher. Mit dem Organisationserlass des Bundeskanzlers vom 8. Dezember 2021 wurde die Aufgabenerweiterung
des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft um den Klimaschutz und seine damit verbundene Umbenennung zum
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK) festgeschrieben. Damit ging eine entsprechende
Reduktion der bisherigen Klimaschutzzuständigkeiten des Bundesumweltministeriums einher. Gleichzeitig
wurde diesem aber die Verantwortlichkeit für den Verbraucherschutz, welcher bisher beim Bundesjustizministerium
lag, übertragen. Auf diese Weise wurde aus dem Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und
nukleare Sicherheit das Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz
(BMUV). Das Auswärtige Amt hat mit dem Organisationserlass explizite besondere Zuständigkeiten
im Klimaschutz erhalten, und zwar die Zuständigkeit für die Internationale Klimapolitik, die Klimaaußenpolitik.
Im vorliegenden Beitrag soll diese neue Kompetenzverteilung im Klimaschutz auf der Ebene der Bundesregierung
analysiert und bewertet werden, insbesondere im Hinblick auf ihre allgemeine Bedeutung für die Umweltpolitik.
Im ersten Schritt erfolgt dafür eine Einordnung der Klimaschutzkompetenzen, welche sich vor allem zwischen
Umwelt- und Wirtschaftsministerium bewegen (1.). Anschließend werden mögliche Folgen dieser Neuordnung
eingeordnet (2.) und im letzten Schritt die neue Kompetenzverteilung, auch im Hinblick darauf, einer Wertung
unterzogen (3.).
Computer Model-Driven Design in Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Loerakker Sandra , Humphrey Jay D.
Published: August 2022

Continuing advances in genomics, molecular and cellular mechanobiology and immunobiology, including transcriptomics and proteomics, and biomechanics increasingly reveal the complexity underlying native tissue and organ structure and function. Identifying methods to repair, regenerate, or replace vital tissues and organs remains one of the greatest challenges of modern biomedical engineering, one that deserves our very best effort. Notwithstanding the continuing need for improving standard methods of investigation, including cell, organoid, and tissue culture, biomaterials development and fabrication, animal models, and clinical research, it is increasingly evident that modern computational methods should play increasingly greater roles in advancing the basic science, bioengineering, and clinical application of regenerative medicine. This brief review focuses on the development and application of computational models of tissue and organ mechanobiology and mechanics for purposes of designing tissue engineered constructs and understanding their development in vitro and in situ. Although the basic approaches are general, for illustrative purposes we describe two recent examples from cardiovascular medicine—tissue engineered heart valves (TEHVs) and tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs)—to highlight current methods of approach as well as continuing needs.
Trajectory Planning and Optimization for Minimizing Uncertainty in Persistent Monitoring Applications
Authors: Ostertag Michael , Atanasov Nikolay , Rosing Tajana
Published: August 2022

This paper considers persistent monitoring of environmental phenomena using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The objective is to generate periodic dynamically feasible UAV trajectories that minimize the estimation uncertainty at a set of points of interest in the environment. We develop an optimization algorithm that iterates between determining the observation periods for a set of ordered points of interest and optimizing a continuous UAV trajectory to meet the required observation periods and UAV dynamics constraints. The interest-point visitation order is determined using a Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), followed by a greedy optimization algorithm to determine the number of observations that minimizes the maximum steady-state eigenvalue of a Kalman filter estimator. Given the interest-point observation periods and visitation order, a minimum-jerk trajectory is generated from a bi-level optimization, formulated as a convex quadratically constrained quadratic program. The resulting B-spline trajectory is guaranteed to be feasible, meeting the observation duration, maximum velocity and acceleration, region enter and exit constraints. The feasible trajectories outperform existing methods by achieving comparable observability at up to 47% higher travel speeds, resulting in lower maximum estimation uncertainty.
Effects of dietary supplementation of chromium methionine chelate on growth performance, oxidative stress, hematological indices, and carcass traits of broiler chickens
Authors: Youssef Ibrahim M. I. , Abdo Ibrahim M. I. , Elsukkary Hassan F. A. , El-Kady Magdy F. , Elsayed Magdy
Published: August 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate the dietary effects of chromium methionine (Cr-Meth) chelate on growth performance, oxidative stress parameters, blood biochemistry, and carcass traits of broiler chickens. An experiment was conducted on 34,000 1-day-old straight-run broiler chicks (Indian River; 42.0 ± 0.03) at a commercial farm. The chicks were divided randomly into 3 groups; the first group contained 17,000 birds, which used as a control, whereas the second and third groups consisted of 7000 and 10,000 birds, respectively, with 5 replicates per group. A completely randomized design was used. The birds were fed the experimental diets containing graded levels of Cr-Meth chelate: 0 (control), 50, and 100 g/ton. This compound consisted of chromium (0.4%) chelated with methionine, and it supply the diets with 200 and 400 ppb Cr for the used levels of 50 and 100 g/ton feed, respectively. Growth performance indices (body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio) were measured throughout the experiment. At the end of experiment, 10 birds per treatment were slaughtered, and the carcass yield with relative weight of the internal organs was determined. Also, blood samples were taken and analyzed for glutathione peroxidase activity, malondialdehyde, ALT, AST, total protein, albumin, glucose, urea, creatinine, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. It was found that Cr-Meth improved the body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio of broilers. Moreover, it reduced the mortality rate of birds. The chelated chromium can alleviate the oxidative status of birds by increasing the plasma glutathione peroxidase activity and reducing the serum malondialdehyde level. It was observed that the effects of 100 g/ton Cr-Meth chelate on performance indices, mortality rate, and oxidative stress parameters were better than that of 50 g/ton inclusion rate. Supplementation of Cr-Meth increased the total protein level, but reduced the glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations in the blood serum. In addition, it increased the carcass yield and reduced the abdominal fat percentage of the birds’ carcass. Therefore, chromium can be included in diets of broilers at a rate of 200 to 400 ppb, and the higher concentration was more effective than the lower one. So, it can be recommended to use Cr-Meth chelate in broiler diets at 100 g/ton to improve the productive performance and reduce the oxidative stress of birds.
Towards the smart and sustainable transformation of Reverse Logistics 4.0: a conceptualization and research agenda
Authors: Sun Xu , Yu Hao , Solvang Wei Deng
Published: August 2022

The recent advancement of digitalization and information and communication technology (ICT) has not only shifted the manufacturing paradigm towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution, namely Industry 4.0, but also provided opportunities for a smart logistics transformation. Despite studies have focused on improving the smartness, connectivity, and autonomy of isolated logistics operations with a primary focus on the forward channels, there is still a lack of a systematic conceptualization to guide the coming paradigm shift of reverse logistics, for instance, how “individualization” and “service innovation” should be interpreted in a smart reverse logistics context? To fill this gap, Reverse logistics 4.0 is defined, from a holistic perspective, in this paper to offer a systematic analysis of the technological impact of Industry 4.0 on reverse logistics. Based on the reported research and case studies from the literature, the conceptual framework of smart reverse logistics transformation is proposed to link Industry 4.0 enablers, smart service and operation transformation, and targeted sustainability goals. A smart reverse logistics architecture is also given to allow a high level of system integration enabled by intelligent devices and smart portals, autonomous robots, and advanced analytical tools, where the value of technological innovations can be exploited to solve various reverse logistics problems. Thus, the contribution of this research lies, through conceptual development, in presenting a clear roadmap and research agenda for the reverse logistics transformation in Industry 4.0.
High polygenic risk score for exceptional longevity is associated with a healthy metabolic profile
Authors: Revelas Mary , Thalamuthu Anbupalam , Zettergren Anna , Oldmeadow Christopher , Najar Jenna , Seidu Nazib M. , Armstrong Nicola J. , Riveros Carlos , Kwok John B. , Schofield Peter R. , Trollor Julian N. , Waern Margda , Wright Margaret J. , Zetterberg Henrik , Ames David , Belnnow Kaj , Brodaty Henry , Scott Rodney J. , Skoog Ingmar , Attia John R. , Sachdev Perminder S. , Mather Karen A.
Published: August 2022

Healthy metabolic measures in humans are associated with longevity. Dysregulation leads to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and negative health outcomes. Recent exceptional longevity (EL) genome wide association studies have facilitated estimation of an individual’s polygenic risk score (PRS) for EL. We tested the hypothesis that individuals with high ELPRS have a low prevalence of MetS. Participants were from five cohorts of middle-aged to older adults. The primary analyses were performed in the UK Biobank (UKBB) (n = 407,800, 40–69 years). Replication analyses were undertaken using three Australian studies: Hunter Community Study (n = 2122, 55–85 years), Older Australian Twins Study (n = 539, 65–90 years) and Sydney Memory and Ageing Study (n = 925, 70–90 years), as well as the Swedish Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies (n = 2273, 70–93 years). MetS was defined using established criteria. Regressions and meta-analyses were performed with the ELPRS and MetS and its components. Generally, MetS prevalence (22–30%) was higher in the older cohorts. In the UKBB, high EL polygenic risk was associated with lower MetS prevalence (OR = 0.94,p = 1.84 × 10–42) and its components (p < 2.30 × 10–8). Meta-analyses of the replication cohorts showed nominal associations with MetS (p = 0.028) and 3 MetS components (p < 0.05). This work suggests individuals with a high polygenic risk for EL have a healthy metabolic profile promoting longevity.