bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐assembly, mesomorphic behavior, and ionic conductivity of polymerized ionic liquid crystals with a threshold switching characteristic
Authors: Tang Xinqiao , Chang Xiaolong , Zhu Boyan , Cui Luan , Jiang Beihong , Meng Fanbao , Yan Guiyang
Published: September 2022

A series of pyridinium‐based polymerized ionic liquid crystals (PILCs) with different anions were synthesized, including poly(pyridinium bromide)s and poly(pyridinium trifluoroacetate)s, and their chemical structure, liquid‐crystalline properties and conductivity properties were investigated by many experimental techniques. At low temperature, some PILCs containing less cholesteryl mesogens presented smectic A phases; while the PILCs containing more cholesteryl mesogens displayed bicontinuous cubic phases. At high temperature, all the PILCs showed nematic phases. Compared with the corresponding poly(pyridinium bromide)s based on identical polymer cations, the poly(pyridinium trifluoroacetate)s showed lower glass transition and isotropic transition temperature. The PILCs displayed excellent temperature‐dependent ionic conductivity, making it attractive for applications in temperature‐controlled electronic switches. In cubic and smectic A phases, the PILCs presented Arrhenius‐like ionic conductivity behavior, and they exhibited Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann‐like behavior in nematic phases.
Experimentation and optimization of wear behavior on polytetrafluoroethylene composites using response surface methodology and bald eagle search optimization
Authors: Gajjal Priya S , Lathkar Geeta S
Published: September 2022

In Industries, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is used as a solid lubricant due to its excellent toughness, lack of reactivity, high‐thermal stability, and so forth. However, the abrasive resistive behavior is minimal for the virgin PTFE polymer. In this study, the wear and coefficient of friction (COF) of PTFE composite prepared by the combination of 10% halloysite, 10% graphite, and 10% bronze are investigated. The investigations are performed on a pin‐on‐disc test rig and analysis is done by response surface methodology (RSM), especially in Box‐Behnken Design (BBD). The experimentation is performed by varying the sliding distance (Ds), sliding velocity (Vs), and applied load (L). In the analysis of COF, the load is considered as a significant parameter, and sliding distance is an influencing parameter for wear rate. From the experimentation, the proposed PTFE composite promotes COF of 0.0052 and a wear rate of 0.62 × 10−5 mm3/Nm. Such observed wear rate and COF are 2.8 times and 1.5 times better than the pure PTFE. The experimented outcomes are validated using hybrid DBN‐based bald eagle search optimization (DBN‐BESO), and RSM. From the validated results, the proposed hybrid DBN‐BESO prediction process using the Matlab platform promotes closer values to the experimented outcomes. Besides, the parametric optimization is conducted using RSM and BESO approaches with the objective of minimum wear rate and COF. The optimized BESO results are superior to the RSM. BESO‐based optimized wear rate is 0.0317 × 10−5 mm3/Nm and COF is 0.0352.
Financial toxicity and mental well‐being of the oral cancer survivors residing in a developing country in the era of COVID 19 pandemic – A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Thaduri Abhinav , Garg Pankaj K. , Malhotra Manu , Singh Mahendra Pal , Poonia Dharma Ram , Priya Madhu , Tyagi Amit , Kumar Amit , Bhardwaj Abhishek , Jat Bhinyaram , Panuganti Achyuth , Majumdar Kinjal , Usmani Shahab , Vikramjit singh
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The primary outcome measures evaluated the financial toxicity and mental well‐being of the oral cancer survivors.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of oral cancer survivors who were disease‐free for more than 6 months after treatment and visited the hospital for a routine follow‐up is included in the study. Mental well‐being and financial toxicity were evaluated using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale ‐ 21 (DASS 21) and Comprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST‐ Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy) questionnaires. A literature review was done to compare the results with financial toxicity and mental health in cancer patients from the pre‐pandemic era.

Results

A total of 79 oral cancer survivors were included in the study, predominantly males (M: F = 10:1). The age ranged from 26 to 75 years (The median age is 49). The full‐time employment dropped from 83.5% in the pre‐treatment period to 21.5% post‐treatment. Depression was observed in 58.2% and anxiety in 72.2%. Unemployed survivors were observed to have more depression (OR = 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.3–5.4, p = 0.6), anxiety (OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 0.3–21.2, p = 0.1) and stress (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.3–6.6, p = 0.5) than rest of the cohort. On univariate analysis, unemployed survivors (M = 11.8 ± 3.8, p = 0.01) had significantly poorer financial toxicity scores. Survivors with depression (M = 16.4 ± 7.1, p = 0.06) and stress (M = 14.4 ± 6.8, p = 0.002) had poor financial toxicity scores. On multifactorial analysis of variance, current employment (p = 0.04) and treatment modality (p = 0.05) were significant factors impacting the financial toxicity.

Conclusion

There is a trend towards increased incidence of depression, anxiety, and stress among oral cancer survivors compared to the literature from the pre‐COVID era. There is significant financial toxicity among either unemployed or part‐time workers. This calls for urgent public/government intervention to prevent the long‐term impact of financial toxicity on survival and quality of life.
Point‐of‐care ultrasound in pre‐bronchoscopy assessment of acute dyspnea: A case of concurrent massive pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Ahmad Mohammad Amirul Shahril bin , Nyanti Larry Ellee , Yeoh Jie Cong , A Hing Chan Tha , Chai Chan Sin , Tie Siew Teck
Published: September 2022

Point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) leads to efficient real‐time diagnosis in a wide range of medical specialties. We describe the use of cardiac, lung and lower limb POCUS to rapidly diagnose massive pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis in a 64‐year‐old patient presenting with acute dyspnea prior to elective bronchoscopy. Left femoral vein thrombus and features of increased right heart pressure on POCUS led to the decision to administer fibrinolytic therapy, with subsequent CT pulmonary angiogram confirming bilateral PE. The use of POCUS allowed for rapid imaging and interpretation leading to a rapid diagnosis of PE, thus fast‐tracking lifesaving anticoagulation, especially in an outpatient setting.
Air embolism after transbronchial lung cryobiopsy: A case report
Authors: Kawataki Masanori , Nakanishi Yosuke , Niwa Takashi , Ishida Tadashi
Published: September 2022

A 76‐year‐old woman underwent transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) for examination of interstitial infiltrates. After the examination, the patient's consciousness became clouded, and head computed tomography showed an air embolus. She was started on 100% oxygen, and her consciousness improved, but she remained hemiplegic on the left side and dysphagic. Vascular air embolism (VAE) is a rare but serious complication. Although cases of VAE have been reported with conventional transbronchial forceps biopsy, cases of VAE after TBLC are quite rare, and thus this case is reported.
Correlation of Rosacea with Hot Beverage Intake
Authors: Yildirim Ahmet Miguel , Fang Wei , Kolodney Michael S.
Published: September 2022

In this report, we correlated the incidence of rosacea with coffee (regular and decaffeinated) and tea consumption in a large cohort of middle-aged men and women living within the United Kingdom. Caffeinated coffee drinkers had lower odds for rosacea diagnosis compared to non-coffee drinkers. We hypothesize that the vasoconstrictive effects of caffeine in regular coffee overpower the vasodilatory effects associated with hot beverages and support it to be protective against rosacea.
Preparation of a Bi2MoO6/Bi2Sn2O7 Composite Photocatalyst and Its Photocatalytic Performance and Toxicity Test
Authors: Zhang Shichuan , Li Xiulong , Huang Meiyi , Shan Mengde , Chen Jing , Hao Fengqi , Li Jingmei , Luan Jingfei , Zhang Wei , Liang Fangbin
Published: September 2022

In this study, a three‐dimensional(3D) hierarchical Bi2MoO6/Bi2Sn2O7 composite photocatalytic material was synthesized by a solvothermal method. It was proved that the photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6/Bi2Sn2O7 composites for the degradation of Rhodamine B(RhB) and Tetracycline (TC) was much higher than that of pure Bi2MoO6 and pure Bi2Sn2O7 under LED irradiation. Among them, Bi2MoO6/Bi2Sn2O7 had the best photocatalytic activity, and the photodegradation efficiency of RhB and TC reached 95.28 % and 87.45 %, respectively. After five cycles of degradation of RHB and TC solutions, the composite still maintained good photocatalytic activity. Through the free radical trapping experiment, it was concluded that O2− and h+ were the main active substances for the degradation of organic compounds by composite photocatalyst. Through the plant toxicity test, it was proved that the composite didn't affect the normal growth of the plant. Therefore, this study provides a new material for the treatment of organic wastewater in production and life, which has important environmental protection significance.
Daily association of stressors with perceived cognitive performance: Moderating role of age
Authors: Joshi Rhitik Samir , Vigoureux Taylor F. D. , Lee Soomi
Published: September 2022

Stress can elicit both positive and negative impacts on cognition. Less is known about whether and how daily stressors are associated with perceived cognitive performance in healthcare workers. We examined daily associations between stressors and perceived cognitive performance in nurses and whether these associations differed by age or nursing tenure. Using 14‐day smartphone‐based ecological momentary assessment, 60 inpatient nurses at a U.S. cancer hospital reported the frequency and severity of daily stressors (e.g., arguments, accidents). Each day, participants subjectively evaluated their mental focus, memory, and processing speed. Multilevel modelling examined the within‐ and between‐person associations of daily stressors with cognitive performance. More stressors were associated with poorer perceived cognitive performance at both within‐ and between‐person levels for both daily stressor frequency and severity. For moderation by age, the within‐person stressor severity—cognitive performance relationship was only significant for nurses who were younger, but not for those who were older. Similarly, the within‐person associations of daily stressor frequency and severity with cognitive performance were only significant for nurses with a shorter tenure. Findings suggest daily stressors may degrade perceived cognitive performance in nurses and the impact may be stronger for those who are younger or with less experience on the job.
Governors and electoral hazard in the allocation of federal disaster aid
Authors: Husted Thomas , Nickerson David
Published: September 2022

U.S. public disaster aid provide elected officials opportunities to engage in “electoral hazard,” where an incumbent can influence the probability of re‐election by allocating aid to influence voters' expectations of their future welfare. This is the first test for electoral hazard in the allocation of federal aid to counties exposed to the risk of economic loss from disasters by incumbent state governors running for re‐election. Using a unique county‐level data set, we estimate the determinants of the equilibrium allocation strategy of an incumbent in the presence of electoral hazard. Controlling for loss and the demographic, economic and political characteristics of at‐risk counties, we find the average incumbent governor seeking re‐election actively engages in the manipulation of voter expectations by allocating greater shares and magnitudes of the largest federal disaster aid program to those at‐risk counties that awarded the incumbent governor a plurality of votes in the preceding election.
Techniques for analytical estimation of COVID‐19 clinical candidate, niclosamide in pharmaceutical and biomedical samples
Authors: Gupta Deepank S. , Bharate Sonali S.
Published: September 2022

Niclosamide is a well‐known broad‐spectrum antiparasitic drug used for human as well as veterinary tapeworm infections. Recently, it attracted attention as an antiviral agent for treating coronavirus disease 2019. It is administered orally in humans to treat tapeworm infections. Furthermore, it is a registered pesticide and molluscicide to control infections in the aquaculture industry. Its chronic environmental exposure has potential toxicities when such contaminated seafood is consumed. Therefore, monitoring its residual concentration in food products (seafood, water, water waste, etc.) and pharmaceuticals (active pharmaceutical ingredients, bulk drugs, and formulations) is imperative. The present review critically investigates the sophisticated techniques employed for analyzing niclosamide, its degradation products, and metabolites in various samples and matrices. The future scope for green analytical methods, green sample extraction and preparation is also deliberated.
Recent Advances in Anode Electrocatalysts for Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cell‐II‐Platinum‐Based Catalysts
Authors: Hossain SK Safdar , Ahmad Alwi Muhammad Mudassir , Saleem Junaid , Al‐Odail Faisal , Basu Avijit , Mozahar Hossain Mohammad
Published: September 2022

Platinum‐based catalysts have a long history of application in formic acid oxidation (FAO). The single metal Pt is active in FAO but expensive, scarce, and rapidly deactivates. Understanding the mechanism of FAO over Pt important for the rational design of catalysts. Pt nanomaterials rapidly deactivate because of the CO poisoning of Pt active sites via the dehydration pathway. Alloying with another transition metal improves the performance of Pt‐based catalysts through bifunctional, ensemble, and steric effects. Supporting Pt catalysts on a high‐surface‐area support material is another technique to improve their overall catalytic activity. This review summarizes recent findings on the mechanism of FAO over Pt and Pt‐based alloy catalysts. It also summarizes and analyzes binary and ternary Pt‐based catalysts to understand their catalytic activity and structure relationship.
Anisotropic assembly and fluorescence enhancement of conjugated polymer nanostructures
Authors: Men Xiaoju , Fang Xiaofeng , Liu Zhihe , Zhang Zhe , Wu Changfeng , Chen Haobin
Published: September 2022

The electronic properties of conjugated polymers depend sensitively on their conformation and morphology. However, control over the morphology of conjugated polymers is highly challenging. Here, we demonstrate a facile approach for assembling conjugated polymers into anisotropic nanostructures. In a water–tetrahydrofuran (H2O–THF) binary solvent, we prepared ellipsoidal nanoparticles, which can subsequently self‐assemble into triangle‐ring and rod‐like nanostructures in a stepwise manner. The transitions among these morphologies can be rationally regulated by tuning the volume ratio of H2O to THF and the polymer concentration. The nanostructures show shape‐dependent absorption from 383 to 403 nm and significant fluorescence enhancement with a quantum yield up to 70%. The oxetane groups in the polymer side chains and the presence of surfactant in the solvent are decisive for the anisotropic assembly. We further demonstrate multicolor fluorescent nanowires with good structural integrity over doping of dye molecules or other fluorescent polymers. Single nanowires were characterized by high‐order super‐resolution optical fluctuation imaging, which revealed spatial distribution of the photooxidation sites along single nanowire for easily generating hole polarons.
Spinal epidural empyema in a dog as a suspected consequence of a post‐neutering infection
Authors: Deards Emma , Korzybska Ewelina , Platt Simon , Tauro Anna
Published: September 2022

An 8‐month‐old, male German shepherd dog presented for acute collapse following orchiectomy. Pyrexia, scrotal inflammation and purulent discharge from the surgical incision were found and medical therapy including antimicrobials was initiated for suspected septic shock. The dog was referred 2 days later paraplegic with absent nociception. Blood work revealed neutrophilia. Magnetic resonance imaging supported a presumptive diagnosis of C7–T2 spinal epidural empyema, while computed tomography imaging showed signs associated with scrotal inflammation with multifocal lymphadenopathies and splenic lymphoid hyperplasia. Histopathology of the epidural material obtained through decompressive surgery revealed a neutrophilic to pyogranulomatous inflammation. Blood, urine and epidural material cultures were negative. The dog failed to improve and was euthanased. This study suggests that spinal epidural empyema could result from routine procedures. Prompt recognition of specific constellation of clinical signs (i.e., pyrexia and spinal pain) and biochemical abnormalities (i.e., neutrophilia) as a neurological emergency and appropriate intervention may alter prognosis.
Optimizing captive short‐beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) fecal sample identification and hormonal analysis
Authors: Dutton‐Regester Kate J. , Roser Alice , Meer Haley , Renfree Marilyn B. , Johnston Stephen D. , Keeley Tamara
Published: September 2022

The objectives of this study were to develop a fecal marking protocol to distinguish male from female samples during the echidna breeding season and to determine if normalizing fecal progesterone metabolite data for inorganic content improves the detection of biologically relevant changes in metabolite concentrations. Over a period of 6 weeks, four echidnas were provided with green food coloring powder mixed into 20 g of their regular feed with the dose adjusted weekly by 0.05 g. The proportion of organic (feces) versus inorganic matter (sand) in the fecal samples of three echidnas was determined by combustion of organic matter. Hormonal data was then expressed as metabolite concentration per total dry mass (with sand) of extracted sample versus metabolite concentration per total mass of organic material (without sand). The optimal dose of food coloring powder was 0.30 g: this was excreted in the feces of all echidnas within 24 h of consumption with color present for two consecutive days. Correction for inorganic content (sand) did not significantly affect variability of fecal progesterone metabolite levels (mean CV ± SE with sand: 142.3 ± 13.3%; without sand: 127.0 ± 14.4%; W = 6, p = .2500), or the magnitude of change from basal to elevated fecal progesterone metabolite concentrations (mean ± SE with sand: 8.4 ± 1.7; without sand: 6.6 ± 0.5, W = 10, p = .1250). Furthermore, progesterone metabolite concentrations before and after correction for sand contamination correlated strongly (r = .92, p = < .001). These methods will facilitate future reproductive endocrinology studies of echidna and other myrmecophagous species.
Evaluating countries’ performances by means of rank trajectories: functional measures of magnitude and evolution
Authors: Fortuna Francesca , Naccarato Alessia , Terzi Silvia
Published: September 2022

Countries’ performance can be compared by means of indicators, which in turn give rise to rankings at a given time. However, the ranking does not show whether a country is improving, worsening or is stable in its performance. Meanwhile, the evolutionary behaviour of a country’s performance is of fundamental importance to assess the effect of the adopted policies in both absolute and comparative terms. Nevertheless, establishing a general ranking among countries over time is an open problem in the literature. Consequently, this paper aims to analyze ranks’ dynamic by means of the functional data analysis approach. Specifically, countries’ performances are evaluated by taking into account both their ranking position and their evolutionary behaviour, and by considering two functional measures: the modified hypograph index and the weighted integrated first derivative. The latter are scalar measures that are able to reflect trajectories behaviours over time. Furthermore, a novel visualisation technique based on the suggested measures is proposed to identify groups of countries according to their performance. The effectiveness of the proposed method is shown through a simulation study. The procedure is also applied on a real dataset that is drawn from the Government Effectiveness index of 27 European countries.
Björk–Sjölin condition for strongly singular convolution operators on graded Lie groups
Authors: Cardona Duván , Ruzhansky Michael
Published: September 2022

In this work we extend the $$L^1$$

L
1

-Björk-Sjölin theory of strongly singular convolution operators to arbitrary graded Lie groups. Our criteria are presented in terms of the oscillating Hörmander condition due to Björk and Sjölin of the kernel of the operator, and the decay of its group Fourier transform is measured in terms of the infinitesimal representation of an arbitrary Rockland operator. The historical result by Björk and Sjölin is re-obtained in the case of the Euclidean space.
Hand posture, but not vision of the hand, affects tactile spatial resolution in the grating orientation discrimination task
Authors: French B. , Chiaro N. V. Di , Holmes N. P.
Published: September 2022

The grating orientation discrimination task (GOT) is a sensitive and reliable measure of tactile spatial resolution, or acuity. We used the GOT in three experiments to investigate the effects of hand posture and hand visibility on spatial acuity. Participant sex and experimental design were also manipulated. Healthy adult participants received brief touches to their index fingertips of grated, domed objects. Their task was to decide whether the gratings ran 'along' or 'across' their finger. Measures of the smallest grating width for which participants could reliably discriminate between orientations were recorded as threshold. Experiment 1 evaluated the effect of two- versus one-interval discrimination, hand used and participant sex. Experiments 2 and 3 evaluated the effects of hand visibility (visible or covered) and hand posture (in front or to the side). Females were better than males; the two-interval task resulted in lower thresholds than the one-interval task; and left and right hand thresholds were not significantly different. Most importantly, while hand visibility did not have a significant effect on the task, thresholds were affected by hand posture—worse when the hand was oriented to the side of the body than in front. These results replicate previously reported effects of sex (or finger size), but failed to replicate the so-called ‘visual enhancement of touch’ (VET) effect. We also report a meta-analysis of 27 VET studies, finding a significant effect of ‘non-informative’ vision on tactile perception. Our novel finding is that hand posture affects tactile acuity.
Evaluating the Impact of Preoperative Geriatric‐Specific Variables and Modified Frailty Index on Postoperative Outcomes After Elective Pancreatic Surgery
Authors: Cramer Christopher L. , Kane William J. , Lattimore Courtney M. , Turrentine Florence E. , Zaydfudim Victor M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Pursuing pancreatic resection in elderly patients is often complex and limited by concern for functional status and postoperative risk. This study examines the associations between two different preoperative functional status metrics with postoperative outcomes in the geriatric population.

Methods

Patients who participated in the ACS NSQIP Geriatric Surgery Research File pilot program (2014–2018) undergoing elective pancreatic operations were included. Two clinically meaningful functional status scores were calculated: the presence of one or more geriatric‐specific variable (GSV) and a 5‐factor modified frailty index (mFI‐5). Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for ACS NSQIP‐estimated risk was performed to evaluate associations between preoperative GSV, mFI‐5 and 30‐day outcome measures.

Results

A total of 1266 patients were included: 808 (64%) age 65–74, 302 (24%) age 75–80, and 156 (12%) age ≥ 81; 843 (67%) patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Operations were performed for pancreatic adenocarcinoma in 712 (56%) patients. Older patients had greater likelihood of postoperative morbidity (35% vs 31% vs 47%, by age group, p = 0.004) and discharge to a facility (12% vs 23% vs 48%, by age group, p < 0.001). Adjusting for ACS NSQIP predicted risk, patients with a preoperative GSV were more likely to require reoperation and discharge to a facility (OR 1.81 [95% CI 1.03–3.16] and 3.95 [95% CI 2.91–5.38], respectively). The mFI‐5 was not associated with postoperative outcomes (all p ≥ 0.18).

Conclusion

The presence of a preoperative GSV is associated with reoperation and discharge to a skilled facility following elective pancreatic resection. Geriatric‐specific variables should be considered in joint preoperative decision making to optimize care.
The influence of resonator outcoupling and losses on the photon statistics of the LASER
Authors: Eichhorn Marc
Published: September 2022

An extension to the quantum-mechanical laser master equation for the density operator is derived to incorporate the beam-splitter effect caused by typical dielectric laser output couplers. This effect gives rise to a significant change in the photon statistical distribution of the part of the laser light reflected back into the resonator and, therefore, may have an influence on the total laser output photon statistics. Different cases without and with additional intra-cavity losses were discussed and their influence on the expected laser photon statistics was deduced. As a result, it was found that the well-known Poisson distribution of laser light is in most cases the result of additional losses or absorption, which act uncorrelatedly on single photons. In a laser with negligible additional losses where outcoupling is dominated by the beam-splitter effect, the photon statistics reveal to be mainly non-Poisson. A Poisson distribution would only occur for very low outcoupling rates, i.e., high finesse cavities. It is found that in the limit of strong outcoupling even the distribution of thermal light can result.
Nonconvulsive status epilepticus following cardiac arrest: overlooked, untreated and misjudged
Authors: De Stefano Pia , Kaplan Peter W. , Quintard Hervé , Seeck Margitta , Sutter Raoul
Published: September 2022

Aims

Seizures and status epilepticus (SE) are detected in almost a third of the comatose cardiac arrest survivors. As the literature is quite exhaustive regarding SE with motor symptoms in those patients, little is known about nonconvulsive SE (NCSE). Our aim was to compile the evidence from the literature of the frequency and outcome of NCSE in adult patients remaining in coma after resuscitation.

Methods

The medical search PubMed was screened for most relevant articles reporting the emergence and outcome of NCSE in comatose post-resuscitated adult patients.

Results

We identified 11 cohort studies (four prospective observational, seven retrospective) including 1092 patients with SE in 29–96% and NCSE reported in 1–20%. EEG evaluation started at a median of 9.5 h (range 7.5–14.8) after cardiac arrest, during sedation and targeted temperature management (TTM). Favorable outcome after NCSE occurred in 24.5%. We found no study reporting EEG to detect or exclude NCSE in patients remaining in coma prior to the initiation of TTM and without sedation withing the first hours after ROSC.

Discussion

Studies on NCSE after ROSC are scarce and unsystematic, reporting favorable outcome in every fourth patient experiencing NCSE after ROSC. This suggests that NCSE is often overlooked and outcome after NCSE is not always poor. The low data quality does not allow firm conclusions regarding the effects of NCSE on outcome calling for further investigation. In the meantime, clinicians should avoid equating NCSE after ROSC with poor prognosis.
Responses of bryosphere fauna to drought across a boreal forest chronosequence
Authors: Grau-Andrés Roger , Thieffry Sylvia , Tian Shanyi , Wardle David A. , Kardol Paul
Published: September 2022

Projected changes in precipitation regimes can greatly impact soil biota, which in turn alters key ecosystem functions. In moss-dominated ecosystems, the bryosphere (i.e., the ground moss layer including live and senesced moss) plays a key role in carbon and nutrient cycling, and it hosts high abundances of microfauna (i.e., nematodes and tardigrades) and mesofauna (i.e., mites and springtails). However, we know very little about how bryosphere fauna responds to precipitation, and whether this response changes across environmental gradients. Here, we used a mesocosm experiment to study the effect of volume and frequency of precipitation on the abundance and community composition of functional groups of bryosphere fauna.Hylocomium splendensbryospheres were sampled from a long-term post-fire boreal forest chronosequence in northern Sweden which varies greatly in environmental conditions. We found that reduced precipitation promoted the abundance of total microfauna and of total mesofauna, but impaired predaceous/omnivorous nematodes, and springtails. Generally, bryosphere fauna responded more strongly to precipitation volume than to precipitation frequency. For some faunal functional groups, the effects of precipitation frequency were stronger at reduced precipitation volumes. Context-dependency effects were found for microfauna only: microfauna was more sensitive to precipitation in late-successional forests (i.e., those with lower productivity and soil nutrient availability) than in earlier-successional forests. Our results also suggest that drought-induced changes in trophic interactions and food resources in the bryosphere may increase faunal abundance. Consequently, drier bryospheres that may result from climate change could promote carbon and nutrient turnover from fauna activity, especially in older, less productive forests.
Effects of fixatives and storage duration on avian sperm morphology
Authors: Grønstøl Gaute , Danielsen Marie , Cramer Emily R. A. , Johannessen Lars Erik , Johnsen Arild , Whittington Emma , Lifjeld Jan T.
Published: September 2022

Sperm cells are variable both within and among species. To be able to accurately measure sperm cells and understand their function, it is important that sperm cells are preserved in a manner that maintains their structural integrity. Formalin is a widely used fixative and storage medium for sperm cells, but few studies have examined the effect of fixation and long-term storage on their morphological integrity. Ethanol is also a common fixation and storage agent for tissue samples, and here we examine if fixation and storage in formalin or ethanol alters sperm cell size and structural integrity. We found no significant effects of the fixation process on fresh sperm cells fixed in formalin or ethanol. Further, there were no consistent length changes in sperm cells stored in formalin or ethanol over a period of 227 days, or in sperm cells stored in formalin for three years. A comparison across 13–14 years of storage time showed a small but significant reduction in sperm cell length of 0.93%. Furthermore, sperm cells initially fixed in formalin remained quite stable in dry storage on glass slides for a minimum of six months (we found a mean reduction in sperm cell length of 0.18% after 6 months). The proportion of sperm cells with head damage was, however, much higher for samples stored in ethanol than for those stored in formalin. Overall, 70% of sperm cells had acrosome damage in ethanol versus only 3% in formalin. Finding intact sperm cells for measuring length, therefore, required greater effort in ethanol samples than in formalin samples. Our findings indicate that use of sperm cells from long-term storage for the study of sperm morphometrics is justified for either fixative, although formalin clearly preserves the sperm cells better.
Simultaneous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial profiles from the air of hospital environments with COVID-19-affected patients
Authors: Perrone Maria Rita , Romano Salvatore , De Maria Giuseppe , Tundo Paolo , Bruno Anna Rita , Tagliaferro Luigi , Maffia Michele , Fragola Mattia
Published: September 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 presence and the bacterial community profile in air samples collected at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Operational Unit of Infectious Diseases of Santa Caterina Novella Hospital in Galatina (Lecce, Italy) have been evaluated in this study. Air samplings were performed in different rooms of the ICU ward with and without COVID-19 patients. No sample was found positive to SARS-CoV-2, according to Allplex 2019-nCoV Assay. The airborne bacterial community profiles determined by the 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach up to the species level were characterized by richness and biodiversity indices, Spearman correlation coefficients, and Principal Coordinate Analysis. Pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacterial species, also detected in outdoor air samples, were found in all collected indoor samples. Staphylococcus pettenkoferi, Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum, and others coagulase-negative staphylococci, detected at high relative abundances in all the patients’ rooms, were the most abundant pathogenic species. The highest mean relative abundance of S. pettenkoferi and C. tuberculostearicum suggested that they were likely the main pathogens of COVID-19 patients at the ICU ward of this study. The identification of nosocomial pathogens representing potential patients’ risks in ICU COVID-19 rooms and the still controversial airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 are the main contributions of this study.
Parametrized topological complexity of collision-free motion planning in the plane
Authors: Cohen Daniel C. , Farber Michael , Weinberger Shmuel
Published: September 2022

Parametrized motion planning algorithms have high degrees of universality and flexibility, as they are designed to work under a variety of external conditions, which are viewed as parameters and form part of the input of the underlying motion planning problem. In this paper, we analyze the parametrized motion planning problem for the motion of many distinct points in the plane, moving without collision and avoiding multiple distinct obstacles with a priori unknown positions. This complements our prior work Cohen et al. [3] (SIAM J. Appl. Algebra Geom. 5, 229–249), where parametrized motion planning algorithms were introduced, and the obstacle-avoiding collision-free motion planning problem in three-dimensional space was fully investigated. The planar case requires different algebraic and topological tools than its spatial analog.
The effect of dopaminergic neuron transplantation and melatonin co-administration on oxidative stress-induced cell death in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Asemi-Rad Azam , Moafi Maral , Aliaghaei Abbas , Abbaszadeh Hojjat-Allah , Abdollahifar Mohammad-Amin , Ebrahimi Mohammad-Javad , Heidari Mohammad Hasan , Sadeghi Yousef
Published: September 2022

A gradual degeneration of the striatum and loss of nigral dopamine cells are characteristic of Parkinson's disease. Nowadays, combination therapy for neurodegenerative disease is considered. This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin and dopaminergic neurons derived from adipose tissue stem cells (ADSCs) in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease was induced in rats using neurotoxin 6-Hydroxydopamine. The treatment was performed using melatonin and dopaminergic neurons transplantation. Subsequently, behavioral tests, western blot analysis for Caspase-3 expression, GSH (Glutathione) content and stereology analysis for the volume and cell number of substantia nigra and striatum were performed. Treatment with melatonin and dopaminergic neuron transplantation increased the number of neurons in substantia nigra and striatum while the number of glial cell and the volume of substantia nigra and striatum did not show significant change between groups. Western blot analysis for caspase 3 indicated the significant differences between groups. The results also indicated the increased level of glutathione (GSH) content in treatment groups. this study showed that combination therapy with melatonin and dopaminergic neurons could greatly protect the neurons, reduce oxidative stress and improve the symptoms of PD.
Identifying the occlusion of left subclavian artery with stent based on chest MRI images
Authors: Chan Yung-Kuan , Lin You-Cian , Wang Wei-Jyun , Hu Wan-Ting , Lin Chuen-Horng , Yu Shyr-Shen
Published: September 2022

Left subclavian artery occlusion is frequently treated by stent placement. The most commented on In-Stent Restenosis is excessive thrombus that squeezes the stent and leads to vessel occlusion. In this paper, an automatic system is provided to segment the left subclavian arteries and left aortic arches from chest MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) images, and then to identify the occlusion of left subclavian artery based on the gray-levels of the extracted left subclavian artery and left aortic arch. Experimental results show that the system obtains the accuracy rate97.33%of detecting the occlusion of left subclavian artery. The other task in this paper is to explore the relationship between stent/vascular diameter ratio and restenosis of left subclavian artery after stenting. Besides that, the experimental results also show that Assurance is useful for reducing the restenosis of left subclavian artery with stent.
Immiscible Viscous Fingering: Modelling Unstable Water–Oil Displacement Experiments in Porous Media
Authors: Salmo I. C. , Sorbie K. S. , Skauge A. , Alzaabi M. A.
Published: September 2022

Viscous fingering in porous media occurs when the (miscible or immiscible) displacing fluid has a lower viscosity than the displaced fluid. For example, immiscible fingering is observed in experiments where water displaces a much more viscous oil. Modelling the observed fingering patterns in immiscible viscous fingering has proven to be very challenging, which has often been identified as being due to numerical issues. However, in a recent paper (Sorbie et al. in Transp. Porous Media 133:331–359, 2020) suggested that the modelling issues are more closely related to the physics and formulation of the problem. They proposed an approach based on the fractional flow curve, $${f}_{w}^{*}$$

f

w

∗

, as the principal input, and then derived relative permeabilities which give the maximum total mobility. Sorbie et al. were then able to produce complex, well-resolves immiscible finger patterns using elementary numerical methods. In this paper, this new approach to modelling immiscible viscous fingering is tested by performing direct numerical simulations of previously published experimental water/oil displacements in 2D sandstone porous media. Experiments were modelled at adverse viscosity ratios ($${\mu }_{o}/{\mu }_{w}$$

μ
o

/

μ
w

), with oil viscosities ranging from μo = 412 to 7000 cP, i.e. for a viscosity ratio range, ($${\mu }_{o}/{\mu }_{w}$$

μ
o

/

μ
w

) $$\sim$$
∼
400–7000. These experiments have extensive production data as well as in situ 2D immiscible fingering images, measured by X-ray scanning. In all cases, very good quantitative agreement between experiment and modelling results is found, providing a strong validation of the new modelling approach. The underlying parameters used in the modelling of these unstable immiscible floods, the $${f}_{w}^{*}$$

f

w

∗

functions, show very consistent and understandable variation with the viscosity ratio, ($${\mu }_{o}/{\mu }_{w}$$

μ
o

/

μ
w

).
Studies on antioxidant activities of grape pomace using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models
Authors: Untea Arabela Elena , Varzaru Iulia , Vlaicu Petru Alexandru , Turcu Raluca Paula , Panaite Tatiana Dumitra
Published: September 2022

Grape pomace (GP) is a by-product resulting from the wine industry and can be considered raw material for animal nutrition, mainly due to its richness in polyphenolic substances. The present study, determined the antioxidant activity of GP by different in vitro assays including 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and the inhibitory effect on iron-induced lipid peroxidation system. The estimated IC50 value (the concentration required to scavenge 50% of the radicals) of GP methanolic extract was 53.49 mg/L for DPPH; 57.37 mg/L for hydroxyl radical; 29.06 mg/L for superoxide radical and 102.15 mg/L for hydrogen peroxide. The effect of grape pomace supplements in broiler diets on oxidative stability of meat was tested in an experiment on 80 broiler chicks, 1-day-old Cobb 500, divided into 2 groups (C and E) reared on permanent wood shaves litter (10–12 cm thick). Compared to the control diet C, during the grower (14–28 days) and finisher (29–42 days) stages, the experimental diet (E) was supplemented with 6% GP. At the end of the experiment, 6 chicks aged 42 days from each group were slaughtered and samples of thigh meat were collected for further analysis. When the iron-induced lipid peroxidation system was applied, no significant differences were noticed between ex vivo groups’ lipid peroxidation inhibition percentage (24.71% inhibition when GP was added to meat samples and 24.10% inhibition when GP was ingested by animals) and in vivo data (26.92% inhibition) obtained.
On $$\mu $$-strong Cesaro summability at infinity and its application to the Fourier–Stieltjes transforms
Authors: Sadigova S. R.
Published: September 2022

The concept of $$\mu $$
μ
-strong Cesaro summability at infinity for a locally integrable function is introduced in this work. The concept of $$\mu $$
μ
-statistical convergence at infinity is also considered and the relationship between these two concepts is established. The concept of $$\mu \left[ p\right] $$

μ

p

-strong convergence at infinity point, generated by the measure $$\mu \left( \cdot \right) $$

μ

·

is also considered. Similar results are obtained in this case too. This approach is applied to the study of the convergence of the Fourier–Stieltjes transforms.
Discovery of orthorhombic perovskite oxides with low thermal conductivity by first-principles calculations
Authors: Liu Yuchen , Chu Kaili , Zhou Yu , Li Yiran , Li Wenxian , Liu Bin
Published: September 2022

Orthorhombic perovskite oxides are studied by high-throughput first-principles calculations to explore new thermal barrier coating (TBC) materials with low thermal conductivities. The mechanical and thermal properties are predicted for 160 orthorhombic perovskite oxides. The average atomic volume is identified as a possible predictor of the thermal conductivity for the perovskite oxides, as it has a good correlation with the thermal conductivity. Five compounds, i.e., LaTmO3, LaErO3, LaHoO3, SrCeO3, and SrPrO3, having thermal conductivities under 1 W·m−1·K−1 and good damage tolerance, are proposed as novel TBC materials. The obtained data are expected to inspire the design of perovskite oxide-based TBC materials and also support their future functionality investigations.
Testing a model to assess women’s inclusion and participation in community-based resource management in Solomon Islands
Authors: Rabbitt Sheridan , Tibbetts Ian R. , Albert Simon , Lilley Ian
Published: September 2022

Community-based fisheries management (CBFM) is a standard management framework in Melanesia. Yet, there is increasing evidence that women, among other marginalised groups, experience barriers to inclusion in decision-making processes. Through a case study in three communities in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands, we adapted Agarwal’s 2001 participation typology for a Melanesian CBFM context to present a participation model for assessing gender inclusivity in CBFM. We defined six levels of women’s participation, including, (1) no participation, (2) nominal, (3) passive, (4) consultive, (5) active, and (6) interactive (empowering) participation, defined as actively participating in all aspects of the decision-making process, and holding leadership roles that increase women’s influence and power across the community. The model should be broadly useful throughout Melanesia across many different cultural contexts, though we anticipate that aspects will need adaptation in different contexts, both within and beyond Solomon Islands. We found that the three study communities respectively fell within the passive, consultive, and active levels. Our results show that gender parity, that is equal representation of women and men, is not a reliable indicator of gender equity. The utility of the model lies in its implementation, which requires engagement with gender power structures. This work contributes to the gender, small-scale fisheries, and community-based management literature by assessing women’s participation in CBFM decision-making processes through use of a participation model, and providing recommendations to fisheries practitioners on implementation of the model to assess gender equity in a community’s CBFM structures.
Exposure Therapy for Gambling Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Bergeron Pierre-Yves , Giroux Isabelle , Chrétien Maxime , Bouchard Stéphane
Published: September 2022

Purpose of Review

Cognitive behaviour therapy is the gold standard for the treatment of gambling disorder. Obstacles remain regarding its efficacy, namely relapses and difficulty in implementing cognitive restructuring for some clients. Given these observations, behavioural interventions for gambling disorder, such as exposure therapy, which aims to decrease gambling craving, may be effective as a complementary or alternative intervention to cognitive behaviour therapy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore how exposure therapy for gambling disorder has been studied and to evaluate its efficacy. To answer these questions, 3406 studies, retrieved using PsycNet, Medline and Google Scholar, were screened.

Recent Findings

After two screenings, 13 papers were selected for the systematic review and five were statistically combined for the meta-analysis. Quantitative results support exposure therapy’s efficacy to decrease gambling craving at post-intervention (g =  − 0.955) and at last follow-up (6 or 12 months; − 1.010). Results also show a large decrease in gambling severity as documented by screening instruments (− 1.087) as well as time spent gambling (− 2.136) at post-intervention. Furthermore, a large decrease in gambling measured via screening instruments (− 1.162) and erroneous beliefs (− 1.308) was found at last follow-up.

This is the first meta-analysis on behavioural exposure therapy for gambling disorder. Results support that exposure therapy reduces gambling cravings and severity, as well as time spent gambling and erroneous beliefs. These results are discussed in comparison to other therapeutic approaches and are interpreted according to the high risk of bias in included studies.
Conductivity and tribological properties of IL-PANI/WS2 composite material in lithium complex grease
Authors: Xia Yanqiu , Wang Yuanhui , Hu Chenglong , Feng Xin
Published: September 2022

An ionic liquid-polyaniline/tungsten disulfide (IL-PANI/WS2) composite was synthesized in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole tetrafluoroborate (LB104) aqueous solution by in-situ polymerization and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A current-carrying friction and wear tester was used to study the tribological properties of steel—steel and copper—copper friction pairs lubricated by an IL-PANI/WS2 lithium complex grease (LCG). After the experiment, scanning electron microscope was used to observe the surface morphology of the wear scar on the steel and copper plates, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer was used to analyze the elemental composition of the wear scar surface. The results show that compared with greases containing IL-PANI and WS2, greases containing IL-PANI/WS2 exhibit better antiwear performance when lubricating steel—steel friction pairs and better tribological performance and electrical conductivity when lubricating copper—copper friction pairs. Therefore, it can be concluded that WS2 and IL-PANI have a synergistic effect.