bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tag‐free fluorometric aptasensor for detection of chromium(VI) in foods via SYBR Green I signal amplification and aptamer structure transition
Authors: Zhu Jiangxiong , Yin Hao , Zheng Sisi , Yu Hong , Yang Linnan , Wang Lumei , Geng Xueqing , Deng Yun
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

In response to growing concerns regarding heavy metal contamination in food, particularly chromium (Cr)(VI) contamination, this study presented a simple, sensitive and practical method for Cr(VI) detection.

RESULTS

A magnetic separation‐based capture–exponential enrichment ligand system evolution (SELEX) method was used to identify and characterize DNA aptamers with a high affinity for Cr(VI). An aptamer, Cr‐15, with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 4.42 ± 0.44 μmol L−1 was obtained after only eight rounds of selection. Further innovative methods combining molecular docking, dynamic simulation and thermodynamic analysis revealed that CrO42− could bind to the 19th and 20th guanine bases of Cr‐15 via hydrogen bonds. Crucially, a label‐free fluorometric aptasensor based on SYBR Green I was successfully constructed to detect CrO42−, achieving a linear detection range of 60–300 nmol L−1 with a lower limit of detection of 44.31 nmol L−1. Additionally, this aptasensor was able to quantitatively detect CrO42− in grapes and broccoli within 40 min, with spike recovery rates ranging from 89.22% to 108.05%. The designed fluorometric aptasensor exhibited high selectivity and could detect CrO42− in real samples without sample processing or target pre‐enrichment.

CONCLUSION

The aptasensor demonstrated its potential as a reliable tool for monitoring Cr(VI) contamination in fruit and vegetable products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Spring black bear harvest and predation pressure on moose calves in a multi‐predator system
Authors: Moore Seth A. , Wolf Tiffany M. , Severud William J. , Isaac E. J. , Chenaux‐Ibrahim Yvette M.
Published: June 2024

The moose (Alces alces; mooz in Anishinaabemowin, Ojibwe language will follow scientific names) is a vital subsistence food source to Anishinabe people of the midwestern United States and has recently declined in Minnesota, USA, with poor calf survival as a contributing factor. Predation is the primary cause of moose calf mortality and we explored whether calf predation rates could be reduced through management of a single predator in a multi‐predator system. Thus, we examined predation rates and causes of calf mortality before (2013–2015) and during (2016–2018) implementation of a spring black bear (Ursus americanus; makwa) harvest season, using baits to attract black bears, on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation, Minnesota, where black bears and gray wolves (Canis lupus; ma'iinganag) are the primary predators of moose calves. We validated our early study findings for the 5 years following the initial study with intermittent spring bear hunting seasons, from 2019–2023. The spring bear hunt was canceled because of a pandemic lockdown in 2020, resumed 2021, and was closed in 2022 and 2023. Black bear harvest prior to adding a spring bear hunting season was 0.038 bears harvested/km2 from 2012–2015, whereas after initiating a spring hunting season (2016–2018) it was 17% higher at 0.046 bears/km2. We observed significantly lower bear predation (by 68%) in association with spring bear management and no compensatory change in the level of wolf predation. The validation years strengthened our findings that spring bear hunting seasons reduce moose calf predation rates, with an overall 68% lower proportion of bear predation on moose calves in the years when spring bear hunts were held. Mean proportion of calf predation attributed to bears was 4.9 times higher (30% vs. 6%) in the years when a spring bear hunt was not held. Despite an increasing wolf density during the study period, we did not observe a compensatory increase in wolf predation during spring bear hunt years. The results of this work suggest that the addition of a spring bear hunt, during a time when moose calves are most vulnerable to bear predation, has the potential to increase moose calf survival even in the presence of wolves.
Pick's Disease Presenting as Tremulous Parkinsonism with Limited Levodopa Response—A Rare Cause of Corticobasal Syndrome
Authors: Bhattacharjee Shakya , Scotton William , Djoukhadar Ibrahim , Davidson Yvonne S. , Minshull James , Robinson Andrew C. , Roncaroli Federico , Kobylecki Christopher
Published: June 2024

Background

Corticobasal syndrome is a clinical diagnosis and common pathological causes are corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy and Alzheimer's disease.

Objectives

We would like to highlight a rare but important differential of corticobasal syndrome.

Methods

A 78‐year‐old female had a 4‐year history of predominantly right‐hand rest tremor, worsening of handwriting but no change in cognition. The clinical examination showed right upper limb postural and kinetic tremor, mild wrist rigidity and reduced amplitude of right‐sided finger tapping. She was initially diagnosed as idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Five years after onset of symptoms, she demonstrated bilateral myoclonic jerks and right upper limb dystonic posturing. She could not copy movements with the right hand. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed disproportionate atrophy in the parietal lobes bilaterally. The clinical diagnosis was changed to probable corticobasal syndrome. She passed away 11 years from onset of symptoms at the age of 85 years. She underwent a post‐mortem.

Results

The anterior and posterior frontal cortex, anterior cingulate, temporal neocortex, hippocampus and amygdaloid complex demonstrated considerable tau‐related pathology consisting of a dense background of neuropil threads, and rounded, paranuclear neuronal inclusions consistent with Pick bodies. The immunostaining for three microtubule binding domain repeats (3R) tau performed on sections from the frontal and temporal lobes, basal ganglia and midbrain highlighted several inclusions whilst no 4R tau was observed. She was finally diagnosed with Pick's disease.

Conclusions

Pick's disease can rarely present with clinical features of corticobasal syndrome.
Fundraising through poverty porn: Ethical concerns
Authors: Mahmoud Mahmoud Abdulai , Nang Daniel Yennube
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to assess the ethical dilemma in using poverty porn as a means of fundraising by non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) in Ghana. The paper focuses on the ethical concerns from NGOs' perspective as they engage in charitable work to help reduce poverty in society. The study sought to answer the research questions using a qualitative approach by studying some selected NGOs in Ghana, West Africa. In‐depth interviews were used to solicit responses from management members in charge of fundraising in 22 NGOs. The data were analyzed using thematic textual analysis (TTA). From the findings, it became evident that NGOs in their use of poverty porn believed the practice is a better alternative to raise more donations. They feel that the good side of the practice, which is supporting the needy, is more important and outweighs any counterarguments. They believed the end justifies the means. To the best of the researchers' knowledge, this is one of few studies that attempt to focus on the ethical concerns of poverty porn by NGOs.
Treegraph: tree architecture from terrestrial laser scanning point clouds
Authors: Yang Wanxin , Wilkes Phil , Vicari Matheus B. , Hand Kate , Calders Kim , Disney Mathias
Published: June 2024

Accurate quantification of tree architecture is critical to interpreting the growth, health and functioning of trees and forests. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) offers millimetre‐level point cloud data, but current approaches to 3D tree reconstruction from TLS point clouds primarily focus on retrieving total volume at tree scale for aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation. Few methods have been designed specifically to provide tree architectural properties, including branch‐level morphology and topology, rather than AGB; derived topological traits have tended to be a compromise, and of secondary importance to volume. We present Treegraph, a new approach explicitly designed to retrieve the architectural traits of trees at multiple scales, from the whole tree scale down to individual branches and internodes, using TLS data with limited assumptions about tree form. It provides morphological traits such as branch length and diameter, alongside topological traits including parent–daughter connections of branches and internodes, furcation (branching) number and branch order. We compare Treegraph‐derived morphological and topological traits with manual measurements of branches from eight destructively harvested trees, yielding RMSE values of 0.60 m (5.96%) for branch length, 2.99 cm (33.45%) for branch diameter, 0.46 (19.38%) for furcation number and 0.08 m (33.16%) for internode length, respectively. In a broader application to 603 trees from tropical, temperate and urban forests, we demonstrate that the derived morphological and topological traits support testing of structure‐related metabolic scaling theories. Testing branches over 10 cm in diameter across 18 657 branching nodes shows that Treegraph‐derived branch‐level scaling exponents deviate from WBE predictions, exhibiting area‐preserving behaviour while displaying asymmetry in length and diameter of daughter branches. Available as open‐source Python software, Treegraph provides fine‐level branching network information, promoting improved insights into tree structure and function. This data‐driven approach reduces the need for empirical heuristic parameters, which has the potential for advancing large‐scale ecological studies on tree architecture.
Increased habitat availability as revealed by LiDAR contributes to the tropicalization of a subtropical butterfly community
Authors: Ledger Martha J. , Li Qiaosi , Ling Yuet Fung , Jones Emily E. , Lee Kit W. K. , Wu Jin , Bonebrake Timothy C.
Published: June 2024

Species redistribution through climate change remains a global problem. However, factors such as habitat availability can complicate the attribution of species distribution shifts. We used habitat metrics derived from repeated airborne LiDAR surveys in 2010 to 2020 to examine the underlying causes for the establishment of new butterfly species in Hong Kong. For six species newly arrived since 2000, we built species distribution models using the Random Forest algorithm based on LiDAR data from 2020 to characterize species' preferred habitats across the region. Through hindcasting, we applied the model to LiDAR data from 2010 to observe any changes in the availability of preferred habitat. We found widespread vertical forest growth across Hong Kong and increased probability of occurrence based on increased habitat availability for all six species. The underlying habitat drivers, however, varied significantly across species; two species (Lethe chandica, Notocrypta paralysos) were associated with closed forest while two other species (Prosotas dubiosa, Prosotas nora) were associated with urbanicity. Our results highlight how changes in habitat can occur concurrently with climatic change and together drive the redistribution of biodiversity. Particularly for vertically complex tropical forests, airborne LiDAR data can be leveraged to observe changes in habitat complexity and how these relate to shifts in species distributions.
A Nanocrystalline ZSM‐5 for the Catalytic Cracking of Waste Cooking Oil
Authors: Liu Haoyu , Zhang Guoliang , Yuan Hong
Published: June 2024

A series of hierarchical ZSM‐5 nanocrystalline aggregates (HNZ‐5) was synthesized using a hydrothermal method with tetrapropylammonium hydroxide as a structural guide. The HNZ‐5 samples having different Si/Al molar ratios all showed suitable hierarchical architectures and the maximum surface area was found to be 329 m2/g. The SEM image displayed the width of the individual crystal particles was ~100 nm, and its nanocrystalline clusters generated intercrystalline pores. Temperature‐programmed desorption with NH3 indicated that the total acidity of this material increased with increases in the Al3+ content to a maximum of 0.47 mmol/g at a Si/Al ratio of 15. In addition, 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectra showed that the acid sites were associated with tetrahedral and octahedral Al sites. This HNZ‐5 was applied to the catalytic cracking of waste cooking oil model compound and gave a light olefin yield as high as 43.9 % at 550 °C. Extending the reaction time to 6000 min provided a yield of light olefins in excess of 30 %, which was higher than that achieved using traditional ZSM‐5. These data confirmed that the hierarchical pore structure of HNZ‐5 resulting from the self‐assembly of nanocrystals, together with exposed acidic sites, promoted the catalytic conversion of large molecules.
Exploring the Biomolecular and Cytotoxic Activities of Novel Rhenium(I) Compounds with 2‐Aminoguanidine‐Derived Schiff Bases
Authors: Mapapiro Tariro , Davison Candace , Mambanda Allen , de la Mare Jo‐Anne , Booysen Irvin Noel
Published: June 2024

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of the novel 2‐aminoguanidine‐derived Schiff base rhenium(I) compounds: fac‐[Re(CO)3(Hguabs)Br]Br (1) (Hguabs ⋅ Cl=2‐((benzothiazole)methyleneamino)guanidine chloride) and fac‐[Re(CO)3(guaquin)Br] (2) (guaquin=2‐((quinolin‐2‐yl)methyleneamino)guanidine).
Design, Preparation, and Interfacial Adhesion of Polystyrene‐Based Luminophore Elastomers Based on Bionic Strategy
Authors: Hou Pingping , Zhao Chunbao , Hu Mengxin , Zhang Jun , Liu Jiqi , Qian Zheng , Ran Qianping
Published: June 2024

A series of rigid polystyrene‐based photoelastomers, named sty‐PM‐x, with bionic catechol pendants were synthesized through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and deprotection techniques. These polymers were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and thermogravimetric analysis. Additionally, photophysical properties of the polymers were investigated using UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Mechanical properties were evaluated through tensile tests, while interfacial adhesion was determined through cross‐cut tests. Experimental results reveal that photoelastomers, sty‐PM‐x, exhibit excellent photophysical properties, stretchability, and interfacial adhesion. This discovery provides a new perspective for the preparation of stretchable organic electroluminescent materials.
Highly Efficient Palladium‐Catalyzed Suzuki Coupling of N‐Tosyl Aryltriazenes with Diarylborons for Access to Biaryls
Authors: Zhang Shuqin , Cao Jun , Zou Gang
Published: June 2024

A highly efficient Suzuki coupling of N‐tosyl aryltriazenes with diarylborinic acids or potassium diaryldifluoroborinates is reported under weak basic conditions in aqueous DME or dioxane, respectively. The shelf‐stable and easy‐to‐stoichiometry diaryldifluoroborinates displayed reactivities comparable to the corresponding diarylborinic acids. Scope and limitations of the protocol have been investigated, showing large electronic and steric effects from aryltriazenes. Utility of potassium diaryldifluoroborinates in the Suzuki coupling with activated aryltriazenes provides a cost‐effective and operationally practical access to biaryls from anilines.
Filter‐Free UV Photodetectors Based on Unipolar Barrier Van der Waals α‐In2Se3/h‐BN Heterostructures
Authors: Yan Shan , Yang Jia , Cai Yuchen , Wang Yanrong , Li Shuhui , Zhan Xueying , Wang Feng , He Jun , Wang Zhenxing
Published: June 2024

Visible‐blind ultraviolet (UV) light detection has a wide application range in scenes like space environment monitoring and medical imaging. To realize miniaturized UV detectors with high performance and high integration ability, new device structures without bulky light filters need to be developed based on advanced mechanisms. Here the unipolar barrier van der Waals heterostructure (UB‐vdWH) photodetector is reported that realizes filter‐free visible‐blind UV detection with good stability, robustness, selectivity, and high detection performance. The UB‐vdWH shows a responsivity of 2452 A W−1, a photo on‐off ratio of 2.94 × 105 and a detectivity of 1.26 × 1015 Jones as a UV detector, owing to the intentionally designed barrier height that suppresses dark current and photoresponse to visible light during the transport process. The good performance remains intact during 104 test cycles or even under high temperatures, which proves the stability, and robustness of the UB‐vdWH, thus shows the huge potential for a wider application range.
Introduction: Environments and Interspaces
Authors: Angelaki Vicky
Published: June 2024

The research project “Performing Interspaces: Social Fluidities in Contemporary Theatre”, whose primary output is this monograph, began as an imperative to account for spaces that are awkward, evade attention, or, when they receive it, rarely do so because they produce feelings of desirability, warmth, or contentment. These spaces are sometimes fixed and others mobile, but always, in a sense, fluid: brimming with potential and emergence, also due to their temporal contingency. They are transient and correlational: formulated by and dependent upon intimate and intricate ecologies, human and non-human, that cluster together to challenge the orthodoxy of other spaces that might be dominant, and structurally sound. This is the kind of site we might describe, like the system to which it belongs and whose patterns it performs and perpetuates, as robust; inflexible. Interspaces, on the contrary, are not definite and rigid—they are tentative, exposed; and they generate this effect for their inhabitants, that may be human or non-human.
The Transient: Palindromic Nomadisms and Invisible Transports
Authors: Angelaki Vicky
Published: June 2024

The chapter focuses on spaces that are also entities unto themselves, but, in this case, without having a rooted position. This concerns vehicles as both means and site, tracing how transit may not necessarily imply mobility as a desirable condition, but as one that is at best a strategy of distraction, as in providing a form of narrative and rhythm to otherwise scattered lives, or, at worst, a mode of exploitation, functioning as the catalyst of victimisation and oppression, as in human trafficking. In this section, then, we contemplate the human, in varying degrees of agency, passivity, or captivity. The case studies are: Clare Bayley’s The Container (2007 (2009)), Cora Bissett and Stef Smith’s Roadkill (2010 (2012)) and Rachel De-lahay’s Circles (2014).
Organization philosophy: a study of organizational goodness in the age of human and artificial intelligence collaboration
Authors: Horaguchi Haruo H.
Published: June 2024

This study challenges the conventional boundaries of philosophy by asserting that organizations can function as legitimate subjects within philosophical discourse. Western philosophy, epitomized by Descartes, has long assumed that individual human beings are the fundamental units of thought and moral agency. However, in a significant oversight, this belief overlooks the idea that organizations can think independently, leading to both virtuous and malevolent results. Epistemology lacks a clear prioritization of morally sound knowledge over potentially harmful knowledge. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has also transformed the landscape of cognition from a primarily individual human endeavor into a joint undertaking where humans collaborate with AI entities in collective thinking and decision-making. Nevertheless, AI lacks the innate ability to discern between ethical and unethical actions. This symbiosis creates organizations as fundamental philosophical subjects, marking a significant shift in philosophical emphasis where the organization takes the center stage. Accordingly, within this emerging field, we advance four propositions as the core subjects of organization philosophy: organizations can think, organizations can create knowledge, AI can be part of an organization, and humans in the organization control moral discipline. These propositions guide the ethical coexistence of AI and human agents in organizations, emphasizing the importance of ethical deliberation in knowledge use. Moreover, the malicious use of profound knowledge hinders human progress, as illustrated in this study by an ethical examination of military institutions within organization philosophy.
A comparative machinability analysis of aged and freshly manufactured epoxy resins through orthogonal machining experiments
Authors: Geier Norbert , Poór Dániel István
Published: June 2024

Applications of thermoset epoxy resins in load-bearing fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are decisive, mainly due to their excellent material properties, low viscosity before hardening and good adhesion with the reinforcing fibres. Although numerous experiences on the machinability of FRPs have been published, these experiences can be only indirectly adapted to pure epoxy resins. Reflecting on the lack of knowledge on the machinability of epoxy resins, the main aim of the present study is to compare the machinability of aged and freshly manufactured epoxy resins. Half of the epoxy specimens were naturally aged in a continental climate environment for a year, while the other half was manufactured prior to the orthogonal machining experiments. The experiments were conducted in a dry condition in a Kondia B640 machining centre. The cutting speed and the uncut chip thickness were varied systematically. The cutting force was measured by a KISTLER 9257B dynamometer, and the machined surfaces were characterised by a Mitutoyo SJ400 surface tester and a Keyence VR-5000 3D profilometer. The experimental results prove that the aged epoxy degraded significantly; thus, the specific cutting force is significantly smaller than that of freshly manufactured epoxy. However, the surface quality was not significantly influenced by the polymer degradation.
Prediction of recurrent heart failure hospitalizations and mortality using the echocardiographic Killip score
Authors: Granot Yoav , Meir Yuval , Perl Michal Laufer , Milwidsky Assi , Sadeh Ben , Sapir Orly Ran , Trabelsi Adva , Banai Shmuel , Toplisky Yan , Havakuk Ofer
Published: June 2024

Aim

Examine the performance of a simple echocardiographic "Killip score" (eKillip) in predicting heart failure (HF) hospitalizations and mortality after index event of decompensated HF hospitalization.

Methods

HF patients hospitalized at our facility between 03/2019–03/2021 who underwent an echocardiography during their index admission were included in this retrospective analysis. The cohort was divided into 4 classes of eKillip according to: stroke volume index (SVI) < 35ml/m2 > and E/E' ratio < 15 > . An eKillip Class I was defined as SVI ≥ 35ml/m2 and E/E' ≤ 15 and was used as reference.

Results

Included 751 patients, median age 78.1 (IQR 69.3–86) years, 59% men, left ventricular ejection fraction 45 (IQR 30–60)%, brain natriuretic peptide levels 634 (IQR 331–1222)pg/ml. Compared with eKillip Class I, a graded increase in the combined endpoint of 30-day mortality and rehospitalizations rates was noted: (Class II: HR 1.77, CI 0.95–3.33, p = 0.07; Class III: HR 1.94, CI 1.05–3.6, p = 0.034; Class IV: HR 2.9, CI 1.64–5.13, p < 0.001 respectively), which overall persisted after correction for clinical (Class II: HR 1.682, CI 0.9–3.15, p = 0.105; Class III: HR 2.104, CI 1.13–3.9, p = 0.019; Class IV: HR 2.74, CI 1.54–4.85, p = 0.001 respectively) or echocardiographic parameters (Class II: HR 1.92, CI 1.02–3.63, p = 0.045; Class III: HR 1.54, CI 0.81–2.95, p = 0.189; Class IV: HR 2.04, CI 1.1–3.76, p = 0.023 respectively). Specifically, the eKillip Class IV group comprised one-third of the patient population and persistently showed increased risk of 30-day HF hospitalizations or mortality following multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

A simple echocardiographic score can assist identifying high-risk decompensated HF patients for recurrent hospitalizations and mortality.
Intoxications involving methoxyacetylfentanyl and U-47700: a study of 3 polydrug fatalities
Authors: Giorgetti Arianna , Große Perdekamp Marcus , Franchetti Giorgia , Pircher Rebecca , Pollak Stefan , Pelotti Susi , Auwärter Volker
Published: June 2024

Novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) represent an emerging group of novel psychoactive substances, acting as agonists at the opioid receptors. NSOs include fentanyl-related compounds, e.g. methoxyacetylfentanyl (MeACF), and non-fentanyl analogs, e.g. “U compounds” including U-47700. Here we present three cases of death involving MeACF and U-47700, with particular reference to preliminary data on pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution.

After a complete post-mortem examination, general unknown screenings and analysis of drugs of abuse were performed on postmortem samples by immunoassays, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. To quantify the analytes of interest in post-mortem blood and tissues, the standard addition method was used. A toxicological significance score (TSS), weighing the role of the NSO in each death case, was assigned.

Case 1 died at the hospital after consumption of U-47700, methadone (serum levels: 2,600 ng/ml and 37 ng/ml), tilidine and benzodiazepines. In case 2, U-47700 (204 ng/ml) together with methadone (290 ng/ml), flubromazepam (480 ng/ml) and diazepam (300 ng/ml) were detected in peripheral blood. In case 3, methoxyacetylfentanyl (266 ng/ml), furanylfentanyl (4.3 ng/ml) 4-ANPP (15 ng/ml) and alprazolam (69 ng/ml) were quantified in femoral blood. In all cases, the NSO likely contributed to the death (TSS = 3).

NSOs appear to be often consumed in the setting of polydrug intoxications, especially in combination with other opioids and benzodiazepines, which often exert synergistic effects. The standard addition method remains the most reliable in post-mortem analysis and toxicological results should always be evaluated together with circumstantial and autopsy data.
An eternal hunt for glaucoma
Authors: de Jong Paulus T. V. M.
Published: June 2024

In the first issue of Graefe’s Archive from 1854, Albrecht von Graefe wrote about glaucoma. Glaucoma comes from the Greek word “glaukos,” gleaming, which was first used by Homer around 800 BCE. Since then, glaukos and glaucoma have taken on many different meanings. The terms blindness, cataract and glaucoma were used interchangeably and twisted together in incomprehensible contexts. Over 2500 years of glaucoma theories were upset by the discovery of the ophthalmoscope in 1851. The first reports of increased intraocular pressure appeared in the mid-seventeenth century, but it took over 200 years for this elevated pressure to be accepted by the ophthalmological community. The discovery of glaucoma simplex in 1861 was an important step forward. What did doctors know about glaucoma before 1850 and why did it take so long to classify glaucoma in its various categories? And why is it that we still do not know what the cause is for primary open angle glaucoma? I will try to answer some of these questions after a historical overview.
Effects of food bar chewing duration on the physiologic, metabolic, and perceptual responses to moderate-intensity running
Authors: Geaney Thomas R. , Sievert Zachary A. , Branch J. David , Wilson Patrick B.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Chewing duration can affect food particle size, gastric processing, and postprandial glycemia, but these effects have not been investigated with exercise. This study examined how the chewing duration of a food bar impacts glycemic and metabolic responses, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, psychological affect, and performance during endurance running.

Methods

This randomized, unblinded, crossover study had 15 males (35.2 ± 7.4 years, VO2peak: 56.1 ± 5.2 ml/kg/min) attend three laboratory visits. Visit 1 required a VO2peak test, 10 min familiarization run at 60% VO2peak, and familiarization time-to-exhaustion (TTE) test (10 min at 90% VO2peak, followed by TTE at 100% VO2peak). Visits 2 and 3 consisted of a 60 min run at 60% VO2peak, followed by TTE testing. Participants were fed 45 g of a bar (180 kcal, 4 g fat, 33 g carbohydrate, 3 g protein, 1 g fiber) in 9 g servings 30 min before running, and 27 g of bar in 9 g servings at three timepoints during the 60 min run. Participants consumed the servings in 20 (20CHEW) or 40 (40CHEW) masticatory cycles, at 1 chew/second. Outcomes included blood glucose, substrate use, GI symptoms, perceived exertion (RPE), overall feeling, and TTE.

Results

Post-prandial blood glucose, GI symptoms, and RPE increased over time, but there were no significant between-condition or condition-by-time effects. TTE showed no significant between-condition effect (20CHEW: 288 ± 133 s; 40CHEW: 335 ± 299 s; p = 0.240). Overall feeling demonstrated a time-by-condition effect (p = 0.006), suggesting possible better maintenance over time with 40CHEW.

Conclusion

Cumulatively, the results suggest that extended chewing minimally impacts physiology, perceptions, and performance during 60 min moderate-intensity running.
Floral scent changes in response to pollen removal are rare in buzz-pollinated Solanum
Authors: Moore C. Douglas , Farman Dudley I. , Särkinen Tiina , Stevenson Philip C. , Vallejo-Marín Mario
Published: June 2024

Main conclusion

One of seven Solanum taxa studied displayed associations between pollen presence and floral scent composition and volume, suggesting buzz-pollinated plants rarely use scent as an honest cue for foraging pollinators.

Floral scent influences the recruitment, learning, and behaviour of floral visitors. Variation in floral scent can provide information on the amount of reward available or whether a flower has been visited recently and may be particularly important in species with visually concealed rewards. In many buzz-pollinated flowers, tubular anthers opening via small apical pores (poricidal anthers) visually conceal pollen and appear similar regardless of pollen quantity within the anther. We investigated whether pollen removal changes floral scent composition and emission rate in seven taxa of buzz-pollinated Solanum (Solanaceae). We found that pollen removal reduced both the overall emission of floral scent and the emission of specific compounds (linalool and farnesol) in S. lumholtzianum. Our findings suggest that in six out of seven buzz-pollinated taxa studied here, floral scent could not be used as a signal by visitors as it does not contain information on pollen availability.
Unraveling the diversity of hyphal explorative traits among Rhizophagus irregularis genotypes
Authors: Sun Daquan , Rozmoš Martin , Kokkoris Vasilis , Kotianová Michala , Hršelová Hana , Bukovská Petra , Faghihinia Maede , Jansa Jan
Published: June 2024

Differences in functioning among various genotypes of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can determine their fitness under specific environmental conditions, although knowledge of the underlying mechanisms still is very fragmented. Here we compared seven homokaryotic isolates (genotypes) of Rhizophagus irregularis, aiming to characterize the range of intraspecific variability with respect to hyphal exploration of organic nitrogen (N) resources, and N supply to plants. To this end we established two experiments (one in vitro and one in open pots) and used 15N-chitin as the isotopically labeled organic N source. In Experiment 1 (in vitro), mycelium of all AM fungal genotypes transferred a higher amount of 15N to the plants than the passive transfer of 15N measured in the non-mycorrhizal (NM) controls. Noticeably, certain genotypes (e.g., LPA9) showed higher extraradical mycelium biomass production but not necessarily greater 15N acquisition than the others. Experiment 2 (in pots) highlighted that some of the AM fungal genotypes (e.g., MA2, STSI) exhibited higher rates of targeted hyphal exploration of chitin-enriched zones, indicative of distinct N exploration patterns from the other genotypes. Importantly, there was a high congruence of hyphal exploration patterns between the two experiments (isolate STSI always showing highest efficiency of hyphal exploration and isolate L23/1 being consistently the lowest), despite very different (micro) environmental conditions in the two experiments. This study suggests possible strategies that AM fungal genotypes employ for efficient N acquisition, and how to measure them. Implications of such traits for local mycorrhizal community assembly still need to be understood.
Mate search or predation avoidance? Sex pheromone interrupts death feigning of males in the sweet potato weevil Cylas formicarius
Authors: Himuro Chihiro , Miyatake Takahisa
Published: June 2024

Death feigning is hypothesized to be an anti-predator behavior in which prey is temporarily immobilized in response to external stimuli. While death feigning may be an effective predator-defense strategy, there may be trade-offs in terms of energy and time for finding food and/or mating. The duration of death feigning is regulated by the balance of various selection pressures, and its duration is influenced by many internal and environmental factors. However, little is known about the factors that influence arousal from death-feigning behavior. Sex pheromones are important semiochemicals that affect reproductive success and may influence the duration of death-feigning behavior. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of sex pheromones on the death-feigning behavior of the sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius) by conducting laboratory experiments. The results showed that males had a significantly shorter death-feigning duration in the presence of sex pheromones because it aroused them from their death-feigning behavior, but females were unaffected. This is the first study to show that sex pheromones alter death-feigning behavior. The results of this study elucidate the factors influencing predator-avoidance behavior and reveal the impact of death-feigning behavior on prey reproduction under predation pressure.
Convergent Regularization in Inverse Problems and Linear Plug-and-Play Denoisers
Authors: Hauptmann Andreas , Mukherjee Subhadip , Schönlieb Carola-Bibiane , Sherry Ferdia
Published: June 2024

Regularization is necessary when solving inverse problems to ensure the well-posedness of the solution map. Additionally, it is desired that the chosen regularization strategy is convergent in the sense that the solution map converges to a solution of the noise-free operator equation. This provides an important guarantee that stable solutions can be computed for all noise levels and that solutions satisfy the operator equation in the limit of vanishing noise. In recent years, reconstructions in inverse problems are increasingly approached from a data-driven perspective. Despite empirical success, the majority of data-driven approaches do not provide a convergent regularization strategy. One such popular example is given by iterative plug-and-play (PnP) denoising using off-the-shelf image denoisers. These usually provide only convergence of the PnP iterates to a fixed point, under suitable regularity assumptions on the denoiser, rather than convergence of the method as a regularization technique, thatis under vanishing noise and regularization strength. This paper serves two purposes: first, we provide an overview of the classical regularization theory in inverse problems and survey a few notable recent data-driven methods that are provably convergent regularization schemes. We then continue to discuss PnP algorithms and their established convergence guarantees. Subsequently, we consider PnP algorithms with learned linear denoisers and propose a novel spectral filtering technique of the denoiser to control the strength of regularization. Further, by relating the implicit regularization of the denoiser to an explicit regularization functional, we are the first to rigorously show that PnP with a learned linear denoiser leads to a convergent regularization scheme. The theoretical analysis is corroborated by numerical experiments for the classical inverse problem of tomographic image reconstruction.
Physical activity vital sign assessment and associated health outcomes in an underserved South African community
Authors: Gradidge Philippe Jean-Luc , Crouch Simone H. , Thornton Jane , Matsena Zingoni Zvifadzo , Torres Georgia , Stoutenberg Mark , Kolkenbeck-Ruh Andrea , Woodiwiss Angela J. , Mhlaba Mimi , Ware Lisa J.
Published: June 2024

Background

Physical activity is particularly low in South Africa and contributes to chronic conditions. This study aimed to determine physical activity levels in a South African community, using the physical activity vital sign (PAVS), and identify associations between physical activity and key health outcomes.

Methods

A cross-sectional study used community health workers to collect PAVS data, blood pressure and self-reported medical history from 2282 participants living in Soweto, Johannesburg. Physical activity was defined as meeting or not meeting WHO guidelines of ≥ 150 min/week. Hypertension was defined according to the International Society of Hypertension guidelines.

Results

The study population included 1161 women and 1121 men. Administering the PAVS was quick (29.5 ± 43.4 s). Only 19.8% of the total population reported meeting the guidelines, and it was significantly lower in women (17.6%) compared with men (22.1%). The logistic regression models demonstrated significant association between not meeting physical activity guidelines and hypertension (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] 0.77, 95% CI 0.61–0.97, p = 0.032), current smoking (AOR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.97, p = 0.030) and past smoking (AOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.44–0.83, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the validity of using the PAVS in an underserved community. The observed associations highlight the potential of advocating physical activity as a feasible intervention for improving the health of urban-dwelling Black South Africans.
Epidemiology of Fallacies
Authors: Duarte Antonio
Published: June 2024

In this paper I apply the epidemiological model of the spread of beliefs and how they become cultural representations to the field of fallacies. The model suggests that beliefs tend to replicate as a virus does in a potential epidemic, and those strains that are dominant in a given socio-cultural sphere become cultural representations. My ultimate aim is to denounce the fact that some presumptive argumentation schemes are widely applied as definitive arguments, but turn out to be instances of common and traditional fallacies. Moreover, some such fallacies have managed to colonise the human mind and become cultural representations in society today. Adopting the approach I advocate here, we could say that the fallacy has become a belief, which has then managed to replicate like a virus, and finally the fallacy has become a cultural representation. One of the great harms that results from this process is that it is very difficult to open up effective lines of argument that expose the fallacious nature of these new and perverse cultural representations.
A Stochastic-Geometrical Framework for Object Pose Estimation Based on Mixture Models Avoiding the Correspondence Problem
Authors: Hoegele Wolfgang
Published: June 2024

Pose estimation of rigid objects is a practical challenge in optical metrology and computer vision. This paper presents a novel stochastic-geometrical modeling framework for object pose estimation based on observing multiple feature points. This framework utilizes mixture models for feature point densities in object space and for interpreting real measurements. Advantages are the avoidance to resolve individual feature correspondences and to incorporate correct stochastic dependencies in multi-view applications. First, the general modeling framework is presented, second, a general algorithm for pose estimation is derived, and third, two example models (camera and lateration setup) are presented. Numerical experiments show the effectiveness of this modeling and general algorithm by presenting four simulation scenarios for three observation systems, including the dependence on measurement resolution, object deformations and measurement noise. Probabilistic modeling utilizing mixture models shows the potential for accurate and robust pose estimations while avoiding the correspondence problem.
On the simplification of the internal nonlinear robot models for the MPC-based visual servoing
Authors: Chaber Patryk , Domański Paweł D. , Marusak Piotr M. , Nebeluk Robert , Seredyński Dawid , Zarzycki Krzysztof , Zieliński Cezary
Published: June 2024

Visual servoing enables tracking and grasping of static and moving objects and locating regions of interest. Its implementation requires the coordination of low-level control tasks with high-level supervision and planning. The use of the PID-based manipulation control addresses only the dynamical response and requires the use of optimization-based techniques at the supervisory level. On the contrary, model predictive control (MPC) simplifies the design as it combines both tasks within a single algorithm. However, successful MPC implementation depends on the quality of the internal model utilized by the algorithm. Robots are intrinsically and significantly nonlinear control objects, so their models are inherently complex. This leads to computational problems. Standard solutions are to shorten the MPC horizons or to parallelize calculations. The approach suggested here returns to the problem roots, i.e. to the model. This study proposes simplified models that allow the use of the MPC. General Hammerstein–Wiener-like model is applied to an arm, which is further simplified into the linear dynamics used as the predictive supervisory control over the torque control. The head uses linear dynamics used by the supervisory MPC working with the base servomotors. It is shown that they are computationally efficient and sufficiently accurate. It is shown that the linear MPC controllers, which use the suggested simplified dynamic robot models, can successfully support visual servoing with accurate control. They are compared with standard PID-based structures and show their superiority. The proposed approach is successfully validated using Matlab and Gazebo robot simulator and is ultimately confirmed by experiments on a real robot.
The impact of relocations on distances traveled for commuting and grocery shopping: structural equation models of panel data
Authors: Schimohr Katja , Heinen Eva , Scheiner Joachim
Published: June 2024

Residential relocations open a window of opportunity to decrease distances to work and other important daily destinations, such as grocery stores. This study investigates changes in trip distances after residential relocation, using data from a panel survey of 435 movers in Germany. We estimate two structural equation models for changes in commute and shopping trip distance. These models additionally allow us to draw insights into the relationships between spatial structure, travel attitudes, satisfaction with the accessibility of the workplace or shopping facilities, and housing preferences in residential location search. We find that there is a weak indication of an association between residential location choice and changes in trip distances. However, the analysis suggests that especially long trip distances are shortened through relocation. While residents in urban areas travel on average shorter distances, both for working and grocery shopping, only the shopping distance decreases after a move to a more urban location. A preference for urban structures leads to an increase in urbanity after relocation only in the model for grocery shopping trips. Even though long trips before relocation lead to dissatisfaction with the commute, we do not observe a direct effect of dissatisfaction with trips or reasons for moving on trip distances after a move.
Evidence-based definition of hypoprolactinemia in European men aged 40–86 years: the European male ageing study
Authors: Han Thang S. , Antonio Leen , Bartfai György , O’Neill Terence W. , Punab Margus , Rastrelli Giulia , Maggi Mario , Słowikowska-Hilczer Jolanta , Tournoy Jos , Vanderschueren Dirk , Lean Michael E. J. , Huhtaniemi Ilpo T. , Wu Frederick C. W. , Castro Ana I. , Carreira Marcos C. , Casanueva Felipe F.
Published: June 2024

Empirical evidence for a low normal or reference interval for serum prolactin (PRL) is lacking for men, while the implications of very low PRL levels for human health have never been studied. A clinical state of “PRL deficiency” has not been defined except in relation to lactation. Using data from the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS), we analyzed the distribution of PRL in 3,369 community-dwelling European men, aged 40–80 years at phase-1 and free from acute illnesses. In total, 2,948 and 2,644 PRL samples were collected during phase-1 and phase-2 (3 to 5.7 years later). All samples were analysed in the same centre with the same assay. After excluding individuals with known pituitary diseases, PRL ≥ 35 ng/ml, and PRL-altering drugs including antipsychotic agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or dopamine agonists, 5,086 data points (2,845 in phase-1 and 2,241 in phase-2) were available for analysis. The results showed that PRL declined minimally with age (slope = -0.02) and did not correlate with BMI. The positively skewed PRL distribution was log-transformed to a symmetrical distribution (skewness reduced from 13.3 to 0.015). Using two-sigma empirical rule (2[]SD about the mean), a threshold at 2.5% of the lower end of the distribution was shown to correspond to a PRL value of 2.98ng/ml. With reference to individuals with PRL levels of 5-34.9 ng/ml (event rate = 6.3%), the adjusted risk of developing type 2 diabetes increased progressively in those with PRL levels of 3-4.9 ng/ml: event rate = 9.3%, OR (95% CI) 1.59 (0.93–2.71), and more so with PRL levels of 0.3–2.9 ng/ml: event rate = 22.7%, OR 5.45 (1.78–16.62). There was also an increasing trend in prediabetes and diabetes based on fasting blood glucose levels was observed with lower categories of PRL. However, PRL levels were not associated with cancer, cardiovascular diseases, depressive symptoms or mortality. Our findings suggest that a PRL level below 3 ng/ml (64 mlU/l) significantly identifies European men with a clinically-important outcome (of type 2 diabetes), offering a lower reference-value for research and clinical practice.
The Gender Well-Being Gap
Authors: Blanchflower David , Bryson Alex
Published: June 2024

Given recent controversies about the existence of a gender wellbeing gap we revisit the issue estimating gender differences across 55 SWB metrics—37 positive affect and 18 negative affect—contained in 8 cross-country surveys from 167 countries across the world, two US surveys covering multiple years and a survey for Canada. We find women score more highly than men on all negative affect measures and lower than men on all but three positive affect metrics, confirming a gender wellbeing gap. The gap is apparent across countries and time and is robust to the inclusion of exogenous covariates (age, age squared, time and location fixed effects). It is also robust to conditioning on a wider set of potentially endogenous variables. However, when one examines the three ‘global’ wellbeing metrics—happiness, life satisfaction and Cantril’s Ladder—women are either similar to or ‘happier’ than men. This finding is insensitive to which controls are included and varies little over time. The difference does not seem to arise from measurement or seasonality as the variables are taken from the same surveys and frequently measured in the same way. The concern here though is that this is inconsistent with objective data where men have lower life expectancy and are more likely to die from suicide, drug overdoses and other diseases. This is the true paradox—morbidity doesn’t match mortality by gender. Women say they are less cheerful and calm, more depressed, and lonely, but happier and more satisfied with their lives, than men.