bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous auricular neuromodulation (nerve stimulation) for the treatment of pain following total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled pilot study
Authors: Ilfeld Brian M , Finneran John J , Alexander Brenton , Abramson Wendy B , Sztain Jacklynn F , Ball Scott T , Gonzales Francis B , Abdullah Baharin , Cha Brannon J , Said Engy T
Published: February 2024

Background

Percutaneous auricular nerve stimulation (neuromodulation) is an analgesic technique involving the percutaneous implantation of multiple leads at various points on/around the ear followed by the delivery of electric current using an external pulse generator. A device is currently available within the USA cleared to treat symptoms from opioid withdrawal, and multiple reports suggest a possible postoperative analgesic effect. The current randomized, controlled pilot study was undertaken to (1) determine the feasibility and optimize the protocol for a subsequent definitive clinical trial and (2) estimate the treatment effect of auricular neuromodulation on postoperative pain and opioid consumption following total knee arthroplasty.

Methods

Within the recovery room following primary, unilateral, total knee arthroplasty, an auricular neuromodulation device (NSS-2 Bridge, Masimo, Irvine, California, USA) was applied using three percutaneous leads and one ground electrode. Participants were randomized to 5 days of either electrical stimulation or sham stimulation in a double-masked fashion. Participants were discharged with the stimulator
in situ
and removed the disposable devices at home. The dual primary treatment effect outcome measures were the cumulative opioid use (oral oxycodone) and the mean of the “average” daily pain measured with the Numeric Rating Scale for the first 5 postoperative days.

Results

During the first five postoperative days, oxycodone consumption in participants given active stimulation (n=15) was a median (IQR) of 4 mg (2–12) vs 13 mg (5–23) in patients given sham (n=15) treatment (p=0.039). During this same period, the average pain intensity in patients given active stimulation was a median (IQR) of 2.5 (1.5–3.3) vs 4.0 (3.6–4.8) in those given sham (p=0.014). Awakenings due to pain over all eight postoperative nights in participants given active stimulation was a median (IQR) of 5 (3–8) vs 11 (4–14) in those given sham (p<0.001). No device-related localized cutaneous irritation, systemic side effects, or other adverse events were identified.

Conclusions

Percutaneous auricular neuromodulation reduced pain scores and opioid requirements during the initial week after total knee arthroplasty. Given the ease of application as well as the lack of systemic side effects and reported complications, a definitive clinical trial appears warranted.

Trial registration number

NCT05521516
.
A new approach for spatializing the Canadian National Forest Inventory (SCANFI) using Landsat dense time series
Authors: Guindon Luc , Manka Francis , Correia David L.P. , Villemaire Philippe , Smiley Byron , Bernier Pierre , Gauthier Sylvie , Beaudoin André , Boucher Jonathan , Boulanger Yan
Published: February 2024

Accurate and fine-scale forest data are essential to improve natural resource management, particularly in the face of climate change. Here, we present SCANFI, the Spatialized CAnadian National Forest Inventory, which provides coherent, 30 m resolution 2020 wall-to-wall maps of forest attributes (land cover type, canopy height, crown closure, aboveground tree biomass, and main species composition). These maps were developed using the NFI photo-plot dataset, a systematic regular sample grid of photo-interpreted high-resolution imagery covering all of Canada's non-arctic landmass. SCANFI was produced using temporally harmonized summer and winter Landsat spectral imagery along with hundreds of tile-level regional models based on a multiresponse k-nearest neighbours and random forest imputation method. This tile-level approach revealed the importance of radiometric variables in predicting vegetation attributes, namely winter radiometry, as the large-scale climate gradients were controlled at the tile-level. SCANFI was validated with rigorous cross-validation analyses, which revealed robust model performance for structural attributes (biomass R2 = 0.76; crown closure R2 = 0.82; height R2 = 0.78) and tree species cover (e.g., Douglas fir R2 = 0.60). SCANFI attributes were also validated with several independent external products, ranging from ground plot-based tree species cover (e.g., black spruce R2 = 0.53) to satellite LiDAR height data products (e.g., crown closure R2 = 0.71). SCANFI total aboveground biomass trends also followed those published by other studies. The methodology presented herein can be used to map time series of these attributes, identify the original training points used to make any given prediction, as well as map additional variables associated with the NFI photo-plots that are challenging to map using traditional remote sensing approaches.
Impurity-doped stable domain walls in spherically symmetric spacetimes
Authors: Bazeia D. , Liao M. A. , Marques M. A.
Published: February 2024

In this work, radially symmetric domain wall solutions in the presence of impurities are investigated for both flat and curved $$D+1$$

D
+
1

spacetimes, with geometry generated by a rotationally invariant background metric. We have examined the constraints placed upon the model by Derrick’s theorem, and found out the Bogomol’nyi bound and equations of the symmetric restriction to this theory. Impurity-doped versions of a $$\phi ^4$$

ϕ
4

model in two dimensions and a model with logarithmic potential in a Schwarzschild background have been explicitly worked out. The resulting configurations have been compared with those found in the homogeneous version of the theory, so that the effect of impurities in the form of solutions may be better appreciated. We have also generalized to higher dimensions some of the results that had been presented in the recent literature. These results relate to the possibility of BPS-preserving impurities, which we have found to still exist in the spacetimes considered in this work. We also investigate ways in which these results may be extended in a curved background.
Investigation of scalar and fermion dark matter in mono-photon production at high-energy colliders
Authors: da Silveira G. Gil , Mateus M. S.
Published: February 2024

Many theories about dark matter have emerged due to its strong theoretical appeal in explaining astrophysical phenomena. However, experimental and theoretical particle physics have yet not provided evidence that dark matter is part of the observable Universe. Our work aims to investigate the interaction between Standard Model (SM) fermions and different species of dark matter (DM) particles in high-energy collisions through interaction of a new massive vector mediator, $$Z^{\prime }$$

Z
′

. The production of scalar and fermion DM pairs via fermion annihilation into the new vector boson is investigated near a resonance $$(m_{\chi }\sim M_{Z^{\prime }}/2)$$

(

m
χ

∼

M

Z
′

/
2
)

, where a SM signal from hard photon emission is considered as initial state radiation, namely a mono-photon production. Values of coupling constants between the DM and the SM particles are mapped in contrast to the Planck satellite data for thermal relic density DM computed in the correct framework for the relic density near a resonance, where a weaker suppression of the relic density is expected. We show for the CLIC and LHC kinematic regimes that certain mass ranges and coupling constants of these DM particles are in agreement with the expected relic density near a resonance and are not excluded by collider and astrophysical limits.
Dual CFT on Nariai limit for Kerr–Sen–dS black holes
Authors: Sakti Muhammad Fitrah Alfian Rangga , Burikham Piyabut
Published: February 2024

In this work, we study the Kerr–Sen–de Sitter black hole (BH) in the Nariai limit where the event and cosmological horizon coincide. We show that the near-horizon Kerr–Sen–de Sitter black hole in Nariai limit is a fiber over AdS$$_2$$

2

with an appropriate coordinate transformation, instead of fiber over dS$$_2$$

2

. Hence, we can compute the associated central charge and CFT temperature by using the Kerr/CFT method. It is remarkably exhibited that through Cardy’s growth of states, the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy on cosmological horizon is reproduced. Moreover, we show that the radial equation of the quantum scalar field in J- and Q-pictures on this charged rotating background in Nariai limit can be portrayed in quadratic Casimir operator form with $$SL(2,R)\times SL(2,R)$$

S
L
(
2
,
R
)
×
S
L
(
2
,
R
)

isometry. We also compute the corresponding thermodynamic quantities from CFT to find the absorption cross-section and real-time correlator in J-picture. In Q-picture, we do not find a well-defined CFT description. We then extend the study of quantum scalar field in Nariai limit for Kerr–Newman–dS black hole solution and show that the hidden conformal symmetry on this black hole’s background in J- and Q-pictures is well-defined.
Higher-dimensional holographic superconductors in Born–Infeld electrodynamics and f(R) gravity
Authors: Roussev Alexandar
Published: February 2024

In this paper, the properties of higher dimensional holographic superconductors are studied in the background of f(R) gravity and Born–Infeld electrodynamics. A specific model of f(R) gravity is considered, allowing a perturbative approach to the problem. The Sturm–Liouville eigenvalue problem is used to analytically calculate the critical temperature and the condensation operator. An expression for the critical temperature in terms of the charge density including the correction from modified gravity is derived. It is seen that the higher values of the Born–Infeld coupling parameter make the condensation harder to form. In addition, the limiting values of this parameter, above which Born–Infeld electrodynamics cannot be applied, are found for different dimensions. Another interesting property is that the increasing modifications of f(R) gravity lead to larger values of the critical temperature and a decrease in the condensation gap, which means that the condensation is easier to form.
High-resolution stratigraphy and characterization of reservoir-critical heterogeneities in the giant Tupi Field, pre-salt Santos Basin, Brazil
Authors: Pedrinha Saulo , de Mello Artagão Victor
Published: February 2024

The large oil discoveries that have occurred in recent decades in the pre-salt section of the South Atlantic sedimentary basins have promoted a significant volume of scientific research regarding the origin of these deposits. Most of the current studies of this stratigraphic interval focus on regional aspects or sedimentological and diagenetic processes. However, few studies encompass the geological characteristics of the pre-salt deposits from a reservoir-scale perspective.

This work addresses the construction of a detailed reservoir-oriented stratigraphic framework for the giant Tupi Field. Discovered in 2006 following a successful exploratory campaign in the southeastern Brazilian deep-water, the Tupi Field's main reservoirs are sag-phase carbonates from the Aptian-aged Barra Velha Formation. These rocks accumulated in alkaline to highly alkaline lacustrine settings, which allowed the development of unusual syngenetic elements, such as magnesian clays, calcitic spherulites and calcitic shrubs. The reservoirs' depositional organization was essentially conditioned by climatic oscillations and tectonic activity, which controlled sedimentation rates and accommodation styles through space and time.

The high-resolution stratigraphic framework established in this article supports a detailed understanding, at different scales, of the Tupi Field's sedimentological evolution and its main vertical and lateral facies distribution. These aspects have, in turn, provided essential inputs for reservoir characterization and constrained critical heterogeneities of the 3D geocellular model, even in reservoirs affected by diagenetic processes.
Enhanced Sampling with Machine Learning
Authors: Mehdi Shams , Smith Zachary , Herron Lukas , Zou Ziyue , Tiwary Pratyush
Published: February 2024

Molecular dynamics (MD) enables the study of physical systems with excellent spatiotemporal resolution but suffers from severe timescale limitations. To address this, enhanced sampling methods have been developed to improve the exploration of configurational space. However, implementing these methods is challenging and requires domain expertise. In recent years, integration of machine learning (ML) techniques into different domains has shown promise, prompting their adoption in enhanced sampling as well. Although ML is often employed in various fields primarily due to its data-driven nature, its integration with enhanced sampling is more natural with many common underlying synergies. This review explores the merging of ML and enhanced MD by presenting different shared viewpoints. It offers a comprehensive overview of this rapidly evolving field, which can be difficult to stay updated on. We highlight successful strategies such as dimensionality reduction, reinforcement learning, and flow-based methods. Finally, we discuss open problems at the exciting ML-enhanced MD interface.
Lipid Landscapes: Vibrational Spectroscopy for Decoding Membrane Complexity
Authors: Chen Xiaobing , Al-Mualem Ziareena A. , Baiz Carlos R.
Published: February 2024

Cell membranes are incredibly complex environments containing hundreds of components. Despite substantial advances in the past decade, fundamental questions related to lipid-lipid interactions and heterogeneity persist. This review explores the complexity of lipid membranes, showcasing recent advances in vibrational spectroscopy to characterize the structure, dynamics, and interactions at the membrane interface. We include an overview of modern techniques such as surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy as a steady-state technique with single-bilayer sensitivity, two-dimensional sum-frequency generation spectroscopy, and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy to measure time-evolving structures and dynamics with femtosecond time resolution. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of multiscale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, focusing on recently developed simulation algorithms, which have emerged as a powerful approach to interpret complex spectra. We highlight the ongoing challenges in studying heterogeneous environments in multicomponent membranes via current vibrational spectroscopic techniques and MD simulations. Overall, this review provides an up-to-date comprehensive overview of the powerful combination of vibrational spectroscopy and simulations, which has great potential to illuminate lipid-lipid, lipid-protein, and lipid-water interactions in the intricate conformational landscape of cell membranes.
Single-Macromolecule Studies of Eukaryotic Genomic Maintenance
Authors: Rudnizky Sergei , Murray Peter J. , Wolfe Clara H. , Ha Taekjip
Published: February 2024

Genomes are self-organized and self-maintained as long, complex macromolecules of chromatin. The inherent heterogeneity, stochasticity, phase separation, and chromatin dynamics of genome operation make it challenging to study genomes using ensemble methods. Various single-molecule force-, fluorescent-, and sequencing-based techniques rooted in different disciplines have been developed to fill critical gaps in the capabilities of bulk measurements, each providing unique, otherwise inaccessible, insights into the structure and maintenance of the genome. Capable of capturing molecular-level details about the organization, conformational changes, and packaging of genetic material, as well as processive and stochastic movements of maintenance factors, a single-molecule toolbox provides an excellent opportunity for collaborative research to understand how genetic material functions in health and malfunctions in disease. In this review, we discuss novel insights brought to genomic sciences by single-molecule techniques and their potential to continue to revolutionize the field—one molecule at a time.
Performance of Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis with High Ionic Strength Electrolyte
Authors: Park Habin , Li Chenyu , Kohl Paul A.
Published: February 2024

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) provides the advantages of conventional alkaline water electrolysis and proton exchange membrane water electrolysis for low-temperature hydrogen production. This study investigates the effect of ionic strength in low hydroxide concentration anolyte on AEMWE performance. The anolyte was recirculated at the anode, and the cathode was operated dry. Different alkali cations in the high ionic strength anolyte improved the cathode overpotential by increasing the water transport from the anode to the cathode. Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+ cations were tested with K+ providing the lowest electrolysis overpotential among the cations tested. The transference number of the alkali cations was measured by a modified Bruce-Vincent method using a membrane electrode assembly, composed of a hydrogen-evolving cathode and oxygen-evolving anode and anion exchange polymer membrane. The result shows that the cathode overpotential is influenced by the cation mobility, which is related to the hydration shell width. The electrolysis overpotential trend with different alkali cations in the anolyte scaled with the alkali dynamic ionic radius. Durable electrolysis was performed in 1,000 h test at 60 °C and 1 A cm−2.
Enhancing medical students’ science communication skills: from the perspective of new media
Authors: Zhang Ying , Wang Jiao , Yan Yan , Xu Jie , Li Hui , Zhang Ting , Wen Haixia , Liu Xiaoyu , Liu Yanyan , Lv Chunmei , Zhu Hui
Published: February 2024

The science communication competition had a positive impact on helping medical students develop awareness and capabilities for science communication. In addition, New Media are an effective way to improve students’ scientific communication efficiency.
LGBTQ+ faculty, queering health sciences classrooms: student perspectives
Authors: Moreira-Bouchard Jesse D. , Godley Sophie , DeBiasse Michele A.
Published: February 2024

Openness and authenticity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer plus (LGBTQ+)-identified faculty in the health sciences positively affect students by helping them feel seen, welcomed, and included for both students who identify as LGBTQ+ and those who do not. Moreover, faculty openness fostered student action by encouraging them to have peer-to-peer discussions about inclusive language and engage more openly in classroom discussions. Creating academic job security for LGBTQ+-identified faculty to be open can enhance classroom culture, student engagement, and learning.
Intra- and interday reliability of sympathetic transduction to blood pressure in young, healthy adults
Authors: Teixeira André L. , Nardone Massimo , Fernandes Igor A. , Millar Philip J. , Vianna Lauro C.
Published: February 2024

We found that signal-averaging sympathetic transduction to blood pressure displayed very good to excellent intra- and interday test-retest reliability in healthy, young adults. Reliability analyses according to muscle sympathetic burst size, burst pattern, and nonburst response were less consistent. Results were similar when using diastolic or mean arterial pressure in the transduction calculation. These findings suggest that the signal-averaging technique can be used with confidence to investigate sympathetic transduction to blood pressure in humans across time.
Two New Species of Freshwater Planarian (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae, Dugesia) from Southern China Exhibit Unusual Karyotypes, with a Discussion on Reproduction in Aneuploid Species
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhu Shi-Qing , Ma Fu-Hao , Li Xiang-Jun , Zhao Yu-Hao , Sun Xin-Xin , Li Ning , Sluys Ronald , Liu De-Zeng , Dong Zi-Mei , Chen Guang-Wen
Published: February 2024

Two new species of the genus Dugesia from Southern China are described by applying an integrative approach, including morphological, karyological, histological, and molecular information. In the molecular phylogenetic tree, the two new species, Dugesia pendula Chen & Dong, sp. nov. and Dugesia musculosa Chen & Dong, sp. nov., fall into an Eastern Palearctic/Oriental clade and an Oriental/Australasian clade, respectively, while sharing only a rather distant relationship. The separate specific status of the two new species is supported also by their genetic distances. Dugesia pendula is characterized by the following features: symmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal, a duct between seminal vesicle and diaphragm, small diaphragm, dorsally located seminal vesicle, a penis papilla suspended from the dorsal wall of the male atrium, and mixoploid karyotype with diploid complements of 2n=2x=14+0−1 B-chromosome and triploid complements of 2n=3x=21+0−1 B-chromosome, with all chromosomes being metacentric. Dugesia musculosa is characterized by the following features: asymmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal; a ventrally displaced ejaculatory duct with a terminal opening; two diaphragms; a bursal canal provided with a strong, thick layer of circular muscle, which extends from the copulatory bursa to the common atrium and gonoduct; the left vas deferens opening at the midlateral wall of the seminal vesicle, while the right sperm duct opens at the dorsolateral wall of the seminal vesicle; and karyotype consisting of complicated diploid and aneuploid mosaicism, with diploid complements of 2n=2x=16 and 2n=2x=16−17th-18th, with all chromosomes being metacentric. The uncommon karyotypes, combined with the asexual reproduction of aneuploid animals, are evaluated in the context of the relationship between ploidy levels and reproductive modalities in the genus Dugesia.
Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology
Authors: Verhaak Linda , ter Heide Jackie June
Published: February 2024

Introduction. Patients with complex forms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from schema therapy. While a small number of studies point to the effectiveness of individual schema therapy in refugees with PTSD, no evidence on group schema therapy (GST) in refugees exists. To illustrate and advocate for the use of GST in refugee patients with treatment-resistant PTSD and comorbid personality pathology, a case report is presented. Presentation. The case concerned the treatment of an East African female refugee who survived sexual and physical violence and loss as a child, as the hostage of a rebel army, and as a victim of human trafficking. She was diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Trauma-focused therapy was hampered by insufficient treatment attendance due to current stress factors and early destructive coping strategies. One year of GST enabled the patient to overcome treatment-undermining patterns and benefit from subsequent trauma-focused therapy. Conclusion. This case suggests that GST may have the potential to improve treatment adherence and the effectiveness of trauma-focused treatment in complex refugee patients. Clinical impressions need to be confirmed in a study that examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of GST in refugees with treatment-resistant PTSD and personality pathology.
Sleep and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in the UK Biobank
Authors: Freeman Joshua R. , Saint-Maurice Pedro F. , Zhang Ting , Matthews Charles E. , Stolzenberg-Solomon Rachael Z.
Published: February 2024

Background:

Light at night, which may cause circadian disruption, is a potential pancreatic cancer risk factor. However, evidence from related exposures such as poor sleep health and shift work remains inconclusive and sparsely investigated.

Methods:

We evaluated associations between self-reported typical sleep duration, chronotype, shift work, insomnia symptoms, snoring, and daytime sleeping and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) incidence among 475,286 UK Biobank participants. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, duration, and frequency, alcohol intake, diabetes status, race, and employment/shift work.

Results:

Over 14 years of follow-up, 1,079 adults were diagnosed with PDAC. There were no associations observed between sleep characteristics, including sleep duration [<7 vs. 7–<9 hours; HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.90–1.19; ≥9 hours; HR, 1.00 (0.81–1.24), evening chronotype (“definitely” an evening person vs. “definitely” a morning person; HR, 0.99 (0.77–1.29)], shift work, insomnia symptoms, snoring, or daytime sleep and PDAC risk.

Conclusions:

Self-reported typical sleep characteristics and shift work were not associated with PDAC risk.

Impact:

Considering the role of light at night and shift work in circadian disruption and cancer risk, it is plausible that poor sleep health among a general population may be related to cancer risk through similar sleep and circadian disrupting processes. This work may suggest that typical sleep characteristics and shift work are not associated with PDAC, although additional work is needed to confirm these findings.
Plasma Concentration of 36 (Poly)phenols and Prospective Body Weight Change in Participants from the EPIC Cohort
Authors: Gil-Lespinard Mercedes , Almanza-Aguilera Enrique , Castañeda Jazmín , Guiñón-Fort Daniel , Eriksen Anne Kirstine , Tjønneland Anne , Rothwell Joseph A. , Shah Sanam , Cadeau Claire , Katzke Verena , Johnson Theron , Schulze Matthias B. , Oliverio Andreina , Pasanisi Fabrizio , Tumino Rosario , Manfredi Luca , Masala Giovana , Skeie Guri , Lundblad Marie Wasmuth , Brustad Magritt , Lasheras Cristina , Crous-Bou Marta , Molina-Montes Esther , Colorado-Yohar Sandra , Guevara Marcela , Amiano Pilar , Johansson Ingegerd , Hultdin Johan , Forouhi Nita G. , Freisling Heinz , Merdas Mira , Debras Charlotte , Heath Alicia K. , Aglago Elom K. , Aune Dagfinn , Zamora-Ros Raul
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Dietary intake of (poly)phenols has been linked to reduced adiposity and body weight (BW) in several epidemiological studies. However, epidemiological evidence on (poly)phenol biomarkers, particularly plasma concentrations, is scarce. We aimed to investigate the associations between plasma (poly)phenols and prospective BW change in participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Methods: This study included 761 participants with data on BW at baseline and after 5 years of follow-up. Plasma concentrations of 36 (poly)phenols were measured at baseline using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Associations were assessed through general linear mixed models and multinomial logistic regression models, using change in BW as a continuous or as a categorical variable (BW loss, maintenance, gain), respectively. Plasma (poly)phenols were assessed as log2-transformed continuous variables. The false discovery rate (FDR) was used to control for multiple comparisons. Results: Doubling plasma (poly)phenol concentrations showed a borderline trend towards a positive association with BW loss. Plasma vanillic acid showed the strongest association (−0.53 kg/5 years; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.99, −0.07). Similar results were observed for plasma naringenin comparing BW loss versus BW maintenance (odds ratio: 1.1; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.2). These results did not remain significant after FDR correction. Conclusion: Higher concentrations of plasma (poly)phenols suggested a tendency towards 5-year BW maintenance or loss. While certain associations seemed promising, they did not withstand FDR correction, indicating the need for caution in interpreting these results. Further studies using (poly)phenol biomarkers are needed to confirm these suggestive protective trends.
Indication-Specific Effect of a Phytotherapeutic Remedy on Human Fetal Osteoblastic Cells: An in vitro Analysis
Authors: Struckmann Victoria Franziska , Allouch-Fey Stephanie , Kneser Ulrich , Harhaus Leila , Schulte Matthias
Published: February 2024

Background: Impaired fracture healing is a recurring interdisciplinary medical challenge. Alternative treatment concepts, apart from conventional medicine, are popular, but scientific evidence on their effects is still lacking. Plant-derived substances are widely assumed to support bone homeostasis. To clarify the effects on bone healing mechanisms, a commercially available, homeopathic-spagyric remedy, containing inter alia two herbal substances with assumed osteogenic potential, equisetum arvense and bellis perennis, was analyzed. Methods: Human fetal osteoblastic (hFOB) 1.19 cells were incubated with the test substance in serial dilutions from 10 to 0.00001%. Cell viability has been evaluated through ATP level (CTG assay) and MTT tetrazolium reduction. Cell proliferation was analyzed by BrdU incorporation and cell migration by wound healing assay (WHA) via image analysis. Additionally, determination of the expression of key genes via real-time PCR and proteins via proteome array for inflammation, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis were performed. Results: An incubation of hFOB 1.19 cells with the test substance for 24/72 h showed no reduction in cell number, viability, or proliferation. Cell migration was unimpaired. The test substance induced inflammatory genes and growth factors along with genes of osseous regeneration (ALP, Col1, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, Osteocalcin, Osteonectin, RUMX2, TGF, VEGFA). Increased protein expression was found in multiple cytokines, chemokines, and acute phase proteins. Conclusion: The test substance did not impair cell vitality parameters (MTT, CTG, BrdU, and WHA). A tendency to activate growth factors, bone regeneration genes, and proteins was shown for osteoblasts, indicating a possible positive effect on osteogenic processes.
Pengantar Keteknikan Komputer: Peran dan Profesionalisme
Authors: Prasetio Barlian Henryranu
Published: February 2024

Buku ini membahas tentang sejarah keilmuan komputer pada Bab 1 dan perkembangan teknologi komputer pada Bab 2. Kompetensi dan pola pikir menjadi insinyur komputer disampaikan pada Bab 3. Pada Bab 4, buku ini menjelaskan inti keteknikan komputer yang spesifik pada pengenalan sistem komputer. Peran dan profesi keilmuan komputer disajikan pada Bab 5. Sementara itu, untuk tren keilmuan komputer ke depan dibahas pada Bab 6. Bagian terakhir yaitu Bab 7 buku ini menekankan pada etika dan profesionalisme seorang insinyur komputer.
Chukyu Hyouki Tahap Awal
Authors: Indrowaty Sri Aju , Dewi Fitriana Puspita , Ulum Mokhamad Bachrul , Abithoriq Rifky Fathur Alfian
Published: February 2024

Buku ini diperuntukkan untuk mahasiswa pembelajar bahasa Jepang tingkat menengah (Chukyu) dengan mengacu pada kanji yang terdapat dalam buku Minna No Nihongo. Adanya buku ini diharapkan dapat membuat pembelajaran kanji menjadi lebih praktis, efektif, efisien, dan menyenangkan bagi mahasiswa. Setelah mempelajari buku ini, mahasiswa diharapkan mampu membaca, menulis, mengetahui macam-macam bushu kanji, memahami makna kanji dan jukugo, serta mampu menerapkannya sesuai konteks kalimat.
Differences in Cardiometabolic Proteins in Pregnancy Prioritize Relevant Targets of Preeclampsia
Authors: Lindley Kathryn J. , Perry Andrew , Jacobs Marni , Petty Lauren , Amancherla Kaushik , Zhao Shilin , Barker Claire , Davila-Roman Victor G. , Khan Sadiya S. , Osmundson Sarah S. , Tanriverdi Kahraman , Freedman Jane E. , Below Jennifer , Shah Ravi V. , Laurent Louise C.
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy characterized by widespread vascular inflammation. It occurs frequently in pregnancy, often without known risk factors, and has high rates of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Identification of biomarkers that predict preeclampsia and its cardiovascular sequelae before clinical onset, or even before pregnancy, is a critical unmet need for the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS:

We explored differences in cardiovascular proteomics (Olink Explore 384) in 256 diverse pregnant persons across 2 centers (26% Hispanic, 21% Black).

RESULTS:

We identified significant differences in plasma abundance of markers associated with angiogenesis, blood pressure, cell adhesion, inflammation, and metabolism between individuals delivering with preeclampsia and controls, some of which have not been widely described previously and are not represented in the preeclampsia placental transcriptome. While we observed a broadly similar pattern in early (<34 weeks) versus late (≥34 weeks) preeclampsia, several proteins related to hemodynamic stress, hemostasis, and immune response appeared to be more highly dysregulated in early preeclampsia relative to late preeclampsia.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results demonstrate the value of performing targeted proteomics using a panel of cardiovascular biomarkers to identify biomarkers relevant to preeclampsia pathophysiology and highlight the need for larger multiomic studies to define modifiable pathways of surveillance and intervention upstream to preeclampsia diagnosis.
Sympathetic Neural Control at Rest and During the Cold Pressor Test in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Takeda Ryosuke , Hissen Sarah L. , Akins John D. , Washio Takuro , Hearon Christopher M. , MacNamara James P. , Sarma Satyam , Levine Benjamin D. , Fadel Paul J. , Fu Qi
Published: February 2024

Background:

We tested the hypothesis that patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) would have greater muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) at rest and sympathetic reactivity during a cold pressor test compared with non–heart failure controls. Further, given the importance of the baroreflex modulation of MSNA in the control of blood pressure (BP), we hypothesized that patients with HFpEF would exhibit a reduced sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity.

METHODS:

Twenty-eight patients with HFpEF and 44 matched controls (mean±SD: 71±8 versus 70±7 years; 9 men/19 women versus 16 men/28 women) were studied. BP, heart rate, and MSNA (microneurography) were measured during 6 to 10 minutes of supine rest and the 2-minute cold pressor test. Spontaneous sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity was assessed during supine rest.

Results:

Patients with HFpEF had higher resting MSNA burst frequency (39±14 versus 31±12 bursts/min;
P
=0.020) and lower sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (−2.83±0.76 versus −3.57±1.19 bursts/100 heartbeats/mm Hg;
P
=0.019) than controls, but burst incidence was not different between groups (56±19 versus 50±20 bursts/100 heartbeats;
P
=0.179). During the cold pressor test, increases in MSNA indices did not differ between groups (
P
=0.135–0.998), but patients had a smaller increase in diastolic BP (Δ4±6 versus Δ14±11 mm Hg;
P
<0.001) compared with controls.

Conclusions:

Despite augmented resting MSNA burst frequency, burst incidence was not significantly different between groups, and sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity was reduced in patients with HFpEF. Furthermore, patients had preserved sympathetic reactivity but attenuated diastolic BP responses during the cold pressor test. These data suggest that, during physiological stress, sympathetic reactivity is intact, but the peripheral pathway for sympathetic vasoconstriction may be impaired in HFpEF.
Overview of the Evolution of Hypertension: From Ancient Chinese Emperors to Today
Authors: Bakris George L. , Weber Michael A.
Published: February 2024

Hypertension is one of the most commonly treated conditions in modern medical practice, but despite its long history, it was largely ignored until the midpoint of the 20th century. This article will review the origins of elevated blood pressure from when it was first appreciated in 2600 BC to its most recent emerging treatments. Awareness of sustained elevations in blood pressure goes back to the Chinese Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (2600 BC); even then, salt was appreciated as a contributor to elevated pressure. Early treatments included acupuncture, venesection, and bleeding by leeches. About 1000 years later, the association between the palpated pulse and the development of heart and brain diseases was described by Ebers Papyrus (1550 BC). But really, it has only been since well after World War II that hypertension has finally been appreciated as the cause of so much heart, stroke, and kidney disease. We review the development of effective treatments for hypertension while acknowledging that so many people with hypertension in need of treatment have unacceptably poor blood pressure control. We explore why, despite our considerable and growing knowledge of hypertension, it remains a significant public health problem globally.
Kinrentius Wei, Dietrich & Webb, 2010 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae): description of two new species and taxonomic key to the genus
Authors: CAMISÃO BEATRIZ M. , GONÇALVES CLAYTON C. , TAKIYA DANIELA M.
Published: February 2024

Two new species of the South American genus Kinrentius are described and illustrated. Kinrentius catuaba sp. nov. from Brazil (Acre, Amazonas and Rondônia states) can be distinguished by the male pygofer with multidentate anteroventral and posteroventral processes with short dentiform processes between them and aedeagus with dorsal projection forming a distinct process and apex with paired apical processes, each subrectangular, with apical margin irregularly serrated in caudal view. Kinrentius peruvianus sp. nov. from Peru (Cusco and Madre de Dios departments) has short male pygofer posteroventral processes and aedeagus more robust and parallel sided in dorsal view, with paired apical processes, each subquadrate, with apical portion weekly sclerotized, and apical margin approximately straight and slightly serrate in caudal view. A taxonomic key to males and a distribution map of all four species of the genus are provided.
Smittia solominae sp. nov. (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae), living on ice of high mountain glaciers of the Elbrus Region (North Caucasus)
Authors: MAKARCHENKO EUGENYI A. , SEMENCHENKO ALEXANDER A. , PALATOV DMITRY M.
Published: February 2024

Illustrated morphological description with a study of DNA barcoding and biology of adult male, pupa and larva of Smittia solominae sp. nov., living on the ice surface of glaciers at an altitude of about 3000 m above sea level in the Elbrus region of the North Caucasus is given. DNA barcoding provided support that the new species unique within genus Smittia. The average interspecific distances between S. solominae sp. nov. and other Smittia from BOLD above 12% that correspond to species level.
Strumigenys emmae (Emery, 1890) (Myrmicinae) new to Britain, with an updated key to the known Strumigenys of the West Palaearctic
Authors: HAMER MATTHEW T. , TURNER CLIVE R.
Published: February 2024

The ant genus Strumigenys is a hyper diverse pantropical group of specialised predatory leaf litter dwelling ants. Species richness peaks within tropics, with few species extending into the West Palaearctic realm. A significant proportion of Strumigenys species known from the West Palaearctic are non-native, spread via human commerce, and predominately establishing populations within artificially heated greenhouses. In Britain, two Strumigenys species were previously known, S. rogeri Emery, 1890 and S. perplexa (Smith, 1876). Here we add a third species, S. emmae (Emery, 1890) based upon specimens from the humid tropical biomes at the Eden Project, Cornwall (UK). A single record outlined here is noted as the earliest known record of S. emmae from Europe thus far, pre-dating previous records by four years. We provide high resolution images, measurements, and discussion on the ecology of the species. In addition, an updated key to the Strumigenys of the Europe is supplied.
Validity of Modified STOP-Bang Questionnaire as a Screening Tool for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Lee Min-Ki , Choi Ji Ho , Lee Jae Yong
Published: February 2024

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of a modified STOP-Bang questionnaire with different body mass index reference as a screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea in Korean population.

Methods:

The medical records of 1417 participants who underwent overnight Level I polysomnography were retrospectively analyzed. Predictive parameters were calculated for each of the 3 groups classified by obstructive sleep apnea severity with a cut-off value of 3 or 4. Responses to modified and traditional questionnaires were comparatively analyzed by receiver-operator characteristic curves and area under the receiver-operator characteristic curves.

Results:

The optimal cut-off values of the modified and traditional questionnaires were both 3.5. The area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve of modified STOP-Bang questionnaire for any obstructive sleep apnea group was 0.786 ± 0.018, which was significantly higher than that of the traditional questionnaire. The modified STOP-Bang questionnaire with a cut-off value ≥4 showed significantly higher sensitivity than the traditional one for any obstructive sleep apnea group. The diagnostic accuracy of the modified questionnaire was also significantly higher for the any obstructive sleep apnea group when the cut-off value was 4.

Conclusion:

The modified STOP-Bang questionnaire, with a cut-off value of 4, can be used as an alternative to the traditional screening tool for the Korean population.
Measurement of the Optical Constants of Sand Samples Using Ellipsometry on Sand–Adhesive Composites
Authors: Frantz Jesse A. , Hart Matthew B. , McGinnis Cobey L. , Myers Jason D. , Ewing Kenneth J. , Selby James B. , Major Kevin J. , Watnik Abbie T. , Sanghera Jasbinder S.
Published: February 2024

In order to model the propagation of light through a sand cloud, it is critical to have accurate data for the optical constants of the sand particles that comprise it. The same holds true for modeling propagation through particles of any type suspended in a medium. Few methods exist, however, to measure these quantities with high accuracy. In this paper, a characterization method based on spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) that can be applied to a particulate material is presented. In this method, a polished disc of an adhesive compound is prepared, and its optical constants are measured. Next, a mixture of the adhesive and a sand sample is prepared and processed into a polished disc, and SE is performed. By treating the mixture as a Bruggeman effective medium, the optical constants of the particulate material are extracted. For verification of the proposed method, it is first applied to pure silica powder, demonstrating good agreement between measured optical constants and literature values. It is then applied to Arizona road dust, a standard reference material, as well as real desert sand samples. The resulting optical constant data is input into a rigorous scattering model to predict extinction coefficients for various types of sand. Modeling results are compared to spectroscopic measurements on static sand samples, demonstrating good agreement between predicted and measured spectral properties including the presence of a Christiansen feature near a wavelength of 8 µm.
Data from four consecutive cohorts of students in Australia (2019–2022) show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic and international university students’ mental health
Authors: Dingle Genevieve A , Han Rong , Alhadad Sakinah SJ , Beckman Emma , Bentley Sarah V , Gomersall Sjaan R , Hides Leanne , Maccallum Fiona , McKimmie Blake M , Rossa Kalina , Smith Simon S , Walter Zoe C , Williams Elyse , Wright Olivia
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

COVID-19 and related travel and social restrictions caused significant stress for university students in Australia and globally. Learning quickly moved online and many students (particularly international students) were separated from social and economic support. This study examined the impact of the pandemic from pre-pandemic (2019) to the COVID-19 Omicron wave (2022) on domestic and international students’ mental health.

Methods:

Participants were 1540 students (72% females, 28% international) in four first-year cohorts (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). We screened for mental health concerns (% positive) and symptom scores for depression, anxiety and somatic distress using the PsyCheck, and general wellbeing using the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being scale.

Results:

From pre-COVID (2019) to the first wave of COVID-19 (2020), the proportion of students screening positive for mental health problems rose in both domestic students (66–76%) and international students (46–67%). Depression symptoms and wellbeing were worse in 2020 than in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Anxiety symptoms increased from 2019 to 2020 and continued to rise in 2021 and 2022. Somatic symptoms did not show an effect of cohort. Contrary to expectations, domestic students reported higher distress and lower wellbeing than international students across cohorts.

Conclusion:

The pandemic was associated with a marked increase in psychological distress in first-year university students, not all of which settled with the easing of restrictions. Post-pandemic recovery in the Australian university sector must include university-wide access to mental health information and support for incoming students.
A Deepening Political Crisis, Military Involvement and Economic Woes: Evidence From Pakistan
Authors: Imran Rafiq Myra
Published: February 2024

This paper discusses instances of growing military involvement, unceasing political crises and deepening economic grievances impacting Pakistan. The study contributes to the existing literature on three accounts: first, by taking Pakistan’s current context fuelled with regard to growing military engagement, strained civil–military relations and economic uncertainties, second, by explaining the relevance of the joint endogeneity principle with respect to political instability and economic growth and third, by theorizing the linkage of the political spectrum through existing hypotheses. It concludes that Pakistan needs to adopt sequential policy restructuring mechanisms and restore political stability to eliminate military involvement from its political fabric.
Honor Values as Identity Content: Evidence From a Three-Wave Longitudinal Study
Authors: Travaglino Giovanni A. , Friehs Maria-Therese , Kotzur Patrick Ferdinand , Abrams Dominic
Published: February 2024

Reputation refers to the set of judgments a community makes about its members. In cultures of honor, reputation constitutes one of the most pressing concerns of individuals. Reputational concerns are intimately intertwined with people’s social identities. However, research has yet to address the question of how honor-related reputational concerns are structured at the within-person level vis-à-vis individuals’ identification with relevant group memberships. The present longitudinal study investigated the association between social identification and reputational concerns in southern Italy ( N1st-wave = 1,173), a little-studied culture of honor. Specifically, using a random intercept cross-lagged panel model, we tested whether reputational concerns predict, are predicted by, or are bidirectionally linked to individuals’ identification with their region, a group membership relevant for the endorsement of honor. Findings revealed a positive association at the within-person level between group identification and subsequent honor-related concerns. Longitudinal paths from reputational concerns to identification were not significant. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.