bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of cyanobacterial isolates from freshwater and saline subtropical desert lakes
Authors: Shawer Ehab , Elsaied Hosam , El-Gamal Ahmed , Sabae Shawky
Published: December 2022

Characterization of Cyanobacteria in lakes with different physicochemical properties provides insights into the diversity of this phylum and knowledge of their features that are relevant to biotechnology applications. Six Cyanobacterial isolates were recovered from freshwater Lake Nasser and saline Lake Qarun, Egypt. The isolates were identified based on both morphology and molecular markers, 16S rRNA, and RuBisCO cbbL genes. The isolates SN1, SN2, SN3, SN4, Q1, and Q2 showed homologies with Merismopedia, Oscillatoria, Limnothrix, Persinema, and Jacksonvillea, respectively. The cbbL sequences for isolates SN1, Q1, and Q2 represented the first records for candidates relating to the genera Merismopedia and Persinema, and Jacksonvillea, respectively. Biochemical contents, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, pigments, and ash-free dry weight were measured for each isolate. Isolate SN2 had the highest content of allophycocyanin, 71 ± 4.8 mg/g DW, and phycoerythrin, 98 ± 6.7 mg/g DW, while the isolate SN4 had the highest composition of total protein, lipid, carotenoid, and chlorophyll a, recording 364.7 ± 6.4 mg/g DW, 67.6 ± 0.2 mg/g DW, 0.261 ± 0.01 mg/g DW, and 10 ± 0.6 mg/g DW, respectively. Isolate Q1 recorded the maximum amount of phycocyanin, 114 ± 20.7 mg/g DW among isolates. The isolate Q2 was observed to have the highest carbohydrate content, 274 ± 14.5 (mg/g DW), and ash-free dry weight, 891.8 ± 2.8 mg/g DW. Thus, the study indicated that the current isolates may represent promising resources for biotechnological applications.
Handheld echocardiography in patients with cardiovascular disease: to use or not to use, that is the question
Authors: Wierda Eric , Bouma Berto J. , van den Brink Renee B. A.
Published: December 2022

The physical examination is one of the most important diagnostic tools for physicians. Traditionally, a physical examination consists of inspection (looking), palpation (feeling), percussion (reflection of sound) and auscultation (listening). Handheld echography devices could become the new fifth element of a physical examination. The use of handheld echocardiography has recently increased because the devices have become smaller, easier to handle and more affordable. Handheld echocardiography is used by many specialists involved in acute cardiovascular care. In this narrative review we give a summary of the diagnostic accuracy and limitations of cardiovascular physical examination combined with handheld echocardiography. In patients with cardiovascular disease, adding handheld echocardiography to physical examination increases the sensitivity for detecting valvular heart disease (71% vs 46%) and left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction < 50% (84% vs 43%). Handheld echocardiography might be better for ruling out diseases with a low pre-test probability than in confirming diseases with a high pre-test probability.
Access to urban green spaces in Hannover: An exploration considering age groups, recreational nature qualities and potential demand
Authors: Weber Raphael , Haase Annegret , Albert Christian
Published: December 2022

City dwellers' accessibility of urban green spaces (UGS) has recently gained immense interest in research and policy. Related scientific studies thus far have focused primarily on spatial distances, largely missing considerations of UGS qualities. We analysed the entire UGS setting of Hannover considering the recreational nature quality and potential demands to identify age-appropriate green spaces by applying a geographic information system analysis of several data sets. Additionally, we assessed the accessibility of UGS for different age groups, varying recreational nature qualities, and potential demands. Results indicate that children and elderly people have poor access to UGS that offers age-related requirements to enable unrestricted nature-based recreation. Nature quality and age-related requirements play a significant role in the assessment of UGS for recreation and accessibility. We conclude that detected vulnerabilities regarding age-related recreation in cities are anchors to mainstream the issue and enhance future planning practices and research.
Health Disparities between Religious Majority and Minority: A Cross-National Analysis
Authors: Lu Yun , Yang Xiaozhao Y.
Published: December 2022

Background

Scholars have found that as a multi-facet phenomenon, religion has a complicated relationship with people's health well-being. However, current research on health and religion has left a vacuum in understanding why we observe widespread health disparities between the majority and minority religious groups.

Purpose

The present study is aimed at two purposes. First, we conduct a cross-national comprehensive examination of the relationship between religious minority/majority status and self-rated health. Second, we investigate the moderating potential of political contexts on the relationship in question.

Methods

Drawing from the 2010–2014 wave of World Values Survey, we construct an analytic sample containing about 70,000 individual cases nested within 51 countries, and apply multilevel modeling to account for the hierarchical data structure.

Results

We first find that religious minorities are less likely to report good/very good health status relative to members of majority group. However, we note that the religious minority health disadvantage is driven by a few country outliers. After exclusion of any of these country outliers from the analysis, there is no significant health difference between majority and minority groups. Moreover, we find that political contexts moderate the health effect of being a religious minority. In countries with low levels of democracy or heavy religious restriction on minority groups, people of minority groups are less likely to report good/very good health compared with those belonging to majority group. By contrast, in societies with high levels of democracy or low levels of religious restriction, the health dispartities between religious majority and minority groups become non-significant. A series of sensitivity analysis, including using multiple-imputation sample and different ways of coding key variables, provides credibility to the results.

Conclusions and Implications

This study's findings suggest that religious minorities experience health disadvantage, only when minority groups are denied of political and religious freedom. Compared with past works that mostly focused on a single or a few societies, this study provides large-scale, cross-national evidence for the issue of religious minority health. This study also adds to our understanding of how political context shapes the health impacts of religion.
2022 ASSBI PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. Reflections on language and primary progressive aphasias
Authors: Piguet Olivier
Published: December 2022

Primary progressive aphasias are rare younger-onset dementias. As the label denotes, these dementias are characterised clinically by marked changes in language skills. Evidence over the years has shown that individuals with primary progressive aphasia experience widespread cognitive and behavioural changes that extend beyond language. This evidence, however, seems to be largely ignored or downplayed. This article proposes that linguistic relativity which induces a cognitive bias may be responsible for this omission; it also indicates that a revision of the current diagnostic criteria may need to be revised.
The Epistemic Significance of Social Pressure
Authors: Joshi Hrishikesh
Published: December 2022

This paper argues for the existence of a certain type of defeater for one’s belief thatP—the presence of social incentives not to share evidence againstP.Such pressure makes it relatively likely that there is unpossessed evidence that would provide defeaters forPbecause it makes it likely that the evidence we have is a lopsided subset. This offers, I suggest, a rational reconstruction of a core strand of argument in Mill’sOn Liberty.A consequence of the argument is that on morally and politically laden issues in particular, a high degree of doxastic openness might be appropriate.
Irisin enhances longevity by boosting SIRT1, AMPK, autophagy and telomerase
Authors: Sánchez Begoña , Muñoz-Pinto Mario F. , Cano Mercedes
Published: December 2022

Ageing is characterised by the accumulation of molecular and cellular damage through time, leading to a decline in physical and mental abilities. Currently, society has experienced a rapid increase in life expectancy, which has led to an increase in age-associated diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to study the process of ageing to guarantee the best conditions in the final stages of life. In recent years, interest has increased in a myokine known as irisin, which is secreted during physical exercise. This polypeptide hormone is produced by various organs, mainly muscle, and once it is released into the blood, it performs a wide variety of functions that are involved in metabolic control and may be relevant during some of the diseases associated with ageing. The aim of this review is to highlight the recent studies of irisin, such as its mechanism of expression, blood release, distribution, tissue target and participation in various cellular metabolic reactions and the relationship with key anti-ageing pathways such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, silent information regulator T 1, autophagy and telomerase. In conclusion, irisin is a key player during the ageing process and it could be a novel target molecule for the therapeutic approach to boost longevity pathways. However, more research will be necessary to use this promising hormone for this gain.
The Peruvian Amazon Company: An Accounting Perspective
Authors: Walker Stephen P.
Published: December 2022

This article presents an analysis of the operations of the Peruvian Amazon Company through an accounting lens. It is suggested that a focus on asset categories augments our knowledge of the company’s exploitation of the land and Indigenous peoples of Amazonia. In particular, the study explores the PAC’s questionable ownership of estates in the Putumayo, what its approach to valuing those estates implied about enslavement, how its treatment of “expenses of conquest” and the inclusion of armaments on the balance sheet indicated the forced subjugation of labor, and how the classification of rubber collectors and their Barbadian overseers as debtors further suggests the practice of debt peonage. Although the findings affirm the utilization of accounting as a facilitator of subjugation, it is shown that in the hands of humanitarians such as Roger Casement, accounting could also be deployed in the pursuit of emancipation.
Reading in Crisis: Francis Russell's Reading Records and the Beginnings of the Thirty Years’ War
Authors: Verweij Sebastiaan
Published: December 2022

This essay discusses the reading records of Francis Russell, 1587–1641, later 4th Earl of Bedford. Drawing from a previously unstudied manuscript notebook from 1620 to 1622, the author demonstrates the importance of Russell's private archive at Woburn Abbey as an important repository for political, literary, and cultural history in the early Stuart age. The notebook evidences how a nobleman of Russell's wealth, stature, and influence prepared for political office, and more broadly, how he educated himself. The notebook contains a wide variety of texts, among them histories, sermons, poetry, political pamphlets, treatises, news, and gossip, much of which Russell brought to bear on the acute political Bohemian crisis then emerging, and on its consequences for domestic politics (for example, the 1621 Parliament). The notebook's contents also reveal more about early modern reading practice and the organization of knowledge and suggest the many networks of circulation through which Russell acquired his books, manuscript tracts, and oral information.
Binders Full of Judges: A Model of the Interdependency of Appointments to the United States Federal Judiciary
Authors: Uribe-McGuire Alicia
Published: December 2022

In this paper, I create a simulation model that predicts the portfolio of judges the president chooses to fill vacancies in the judiciary. I find that the president’s strategy in terms of appointments depends on constraint from the Senate, the talent pool of possible judges to appoint, the ideology of the courts in the judiciary, and the number of vacancies to be filled. The model is successful in replicating results that have been found in previous research, while also generating new hypotheses about previously unexplored aspects of the appointment process.
Gut microbiota alterations in stable outpatients with schizophrenia: findings from a case–control study
Authors: Misiak Błażej , Piotrowski Patryk , Cyran Agnieszka , Kowalski Krzysztof , Samochowiec Jerzy , Jabłoński Marcin , Plichta Piotr , Łaczmański Łukasz , Żebrowska Paulina , Kujawa Dorota , Łoniewski Igor , Kaczmarczyk Mariusz
Published: December 2022

Objective:

The pathogenesis of schizophrenia is multidimensional and intensively studied. The gut–brain axis disturbances might play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia.

Methods:

We compared the gut microbiota of 53 individuals with schizophrenia and 58 healthy controls, using the 16S rRNA sequencing method. Individuals with schizophrenia were assessed using the following scales: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status.

Results:

No significant between-group differences in α-diversity measures were observed. Increased abundance of Lactobacillales (order level), Bacilli (class level) and Actinobacteriota (phylum level) were found in individuals with schizophrenia regardless of potential confounding factors, and using two independent analytical approaches (the distance-based redundancy analysis and the generalised linear model analysis). Additionally, significant correlations between various bacterial taxa (the Bacteroidia class, the Actinobacteriota phylum, the Bacteroidota phylum, the Coriobacteriales order and the Coriobacteria class) and clinical manifestation (the severity of negative symptoms, performance of language abilities, social and occupational functioning) were observed.

Conclusions:

The present study indicates that gut microbiota alterations are present in European patients with schizophrenia. The abundance of certain bacterial taxa might be associated with the severity of negative symptoms, cognitive performance and general functioning. Nonetheless, additional studies are needed before the translation of our results into clinical practice.
Tips and tricks for maximising access to the middle cranial fossa using the superior lateral orbital portal
Authors: Patel T A , Mustak H , Lubbe D E
Published: December 2022

Background

Transorbital endoscopic approaches are becoming increasingly popular for skull base pathologies; the superior lateral orbital portal is one such approach to the middle cranial fossa. This paper provides a technical description that maximises the surgical portal and minimises morbidity.

Technical description

A superior lid crease incision is made extending laterally and the orbital rim is exposed. A subperiosteal dissection of the lateral and superior orbit is performed, with elevation of periosteum off Whitnall's tubercle, ligation of the recurrent branch of the middle meningeal artery, and identification of the superior orbital fissure. The lacrimal keyhole is then drilled away. The middle cranial fossa is accessed by drilling posterior to the orbital rim to expose: the temporalis muscle anterior-laterally, the dura of the temporal lobe posterior-laterally, the anterior cranial fossa superiorly and the periorbita medially.

Conclusion

These surgical steps can maximise the surgical portal and minimise morbidity, with avoidance of injury to surrounding structures.
Heavy episodic drinking in adolescence and alcohol-related problems in adulthood: A developmental approach to alcohol use across the life course
Authors: Wallace Gemma T. , Whichard Corey , Augustyn Megan , Henry Kimberly L.
Published: December 2022

Heavy episodic drinking (HED) is a major public health concern, and youth who engage in HED are at increased risk for alcohol-related problems that continue into adulthood. Importantly, there is heterogeneity in the onset and course of adolescent HED, as youth exhibit different trajectories of initiation and progression into heavy drinking. Much of what is known about the etiology of adolescent HED and alcohol-related problems that persist into adulthood comes from studies of predominantly White, middle-class youth. Because alcohol use and related problems vary by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, it is unclear whether previous findings are relevant for understanding developmental antecedents and distal consequences of adolescent HED for minoritized individuals. In the current study, we utilize a developmental psychopathology perspective to fill this gap in the literature. Using a racially and economically diverse cohort followed from adolescence well into adulthood, we apply group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) to identify patterns of involvement in HED from age 14 to 17 years. We then investigate developmental antecedents of GBTM class membership, and alcohol-related distal outcomes in adulthood (∼ age 31 years) associated with GBTM class membership. Results highlight the importance of adolescent alcohol use in predicting future alcohol use in adulthood.
Never Merely as a Means: Rethinking the Role and Relevance of Consent
Authors: Fahmy Melissa Seymour
Published: December 2022

For several decades, Kant scholars, inspired by the Groundwork false-promising example, have constructed consent-based criteria for using another merely as a means. Unfortunately, these consent-based accounts produce assessments that are both counter-intuitive and un-Kantian in relatively simple cases. This article investigates why these consent-based accounts fail and offers an alternative. The Groundwork false-promising example has encouraged a problematically narrow understanding of the conditions for using another merely as a means in virtue of the fact that the example involves a consent-sensitive duty. This article demonstrates that the scope of the prohibition on using another merely as a means includes both consent-sensitive and consent-insensitive duties and offers a duty-based account that reflects this.
Updated Spherical Harmonic Magnetic Field Moments of Ganymede From the Juno Flyby
Authors: Weber Tristan , Moore Kimberly , Connerney John , Espley Jared , DiBraccio Gina , Romanelli Norberto
Published: December 2022

In this study, we use data from the Juno and Galileo spacecraft to analyze the internal magnetic dynamo of Ganymede. As the only known moon with a strong internal magnetic field, Ganymede is a uniquely interesting object in the context of understanding the formation and structure of planetary magnetospheres. Using a spherical harmonic model centered on the moon, we report a dipole approximation for Ganymede of nT, nT, and nT. We find that using a quadrupole fit rather than a dipole fit provides only a marginal increase in accuracy and instead favor the use of a dipole approximation until more data can be obtained. The magnetic moment estimates provided here can be used as a baseline for interpreting data from future spacecraft flybys of the moon, and can serve as inputs into numerical models studying Ganymede's magnetosphere.
Ganymede Observations by JunoCam on Juno Perijove 34
Authors: Ravine M. A. , Hansen C. J. , Collins G. C. , Schenk P. M. , Caplinger M. A. , Lipkaman Vittling L. , Krysak D. J. , Zimdar R. P. , Garvin J. B. , Bolton S. J.
Published: December 2022

During the Juno Mission's encounter with Ganymede on 7 June 2021, the Juno camera (JunoCam) acquired four images of Ganymede in color. These images covered one‐sixth of Ganymede at scales from 840 m to ∼4 km/pixel. Most of this area was only previously imaged by Voyager 1 in 1979, at lower spatial resolution and poorer image quality. No changes were observed over this area of Ganymede in the 42 years since Voyager. JunoCam provided overlapping coverage, from which we developed a digital elevation model of the best‐resolved area. A 3 km high dome at the subjovian point was confirmed, 450 km by 750 km. We used the JunoCam images to refine the geologic map of Ganymede in eastern Perrine Regio.
Relative Roles of Land and Ocean Cooling in Triggering an El Niño Following Tropical Volcanic Eruptions
Authors: Liu Fei , Xing Chen , Chen Lin , Gao Chaochao , Lian Tao , Zhou Shangrong , Wang Hui , Wang Bin , Dong Wenjie
Published: December 2022

Paleoclimate evidence suggests that tropical volcanic eruptions could increase the likelihood of El Niño occurrence. Previous numerical model studies with zonally uniform volcanic aerosol forcing suggested the roles of land cooling‐induced monsoon suppression and ocean cooling‐induced air‐sea interaction in triggering an El Niño following the eruption. Here, we perform targeted sensitivity experiments by confining aerosol forcing over land or ocean only in the fully coupled Community Earth System Model to assess relative roles of these land and ocean cooling. Our results indicate that volcanic aerosol over land, especially over the large landmass of tropical Africa, is more effective in exciting an El Niño than over ocean. The suppressed African monsoon excites Kelvin‐wave westerly wind anomalies over the tropical central Pacific, triggering an El Niño through the Bjerknes feedback. Under the uniform ocean aerosol forcing, the Indian Ocean's fast dipole response induces a slow western Pacific El Niño‐like cooling in the second year.
Discovery of Ultra‐Depleted Melt Inclusion in Late Cretaceous Intracontinental Basaltic Andesites in South China: Implications for Recycling of Lower Oceanic Crust
Authors: Wu Yangming , Guo Feng , Wang Xuan‐Ce , Liao Jie
Published: December 2022

Incompatible element ultra‐depleted melt (UDM) has occasionally been found as olivine‐hosted inclusion in plume‐related oceanic island basalts and mid‐oceanic ridge basalts and is genetically linked with the involvement of lower oceanic gabbroic crust. However, it has rarely been reported in intracontinental magmatism, and the contribution of such a recycled component to the origin of intracontinental magmas remains unclear. Here, we first report UDM inclusions hosted in olivine from Late Cretaceous intracontinental basaltic andesites in South China. These UDM inclusions are characterized by low SiO2 (46.4–47.9 wt%) and extremely high Al2O3 (18.47–21.79 wt%) contents, positive Sr‐Eu anomalies, and low 207Pb/206Pb and 208Pb/206Pb ratios. Such geochemical features resemble those of high‐pressure melts derived from young lower oceanic gabbro. These results, in combination with geochemical modeling, plate reconstruction, and seismic topography, suggest that tearing or fragmentation of the subducted paleo‐Pacific slab during Late Cretaceous may trigger melting of the refractory lower oceanic cumulates. Our results demonstrate that lower oceanic gabbroic crust could also play an important role in the generation of intracontinental magmatism, which may previously have been underestimated.
Long-term maintenance of a heterologous symbiont association in Acropora palmata on natural reefs
Authors: Elder Holland , Million Wyatt C , Bartels Erich , Krediet Cory J , Muller Erinn M , Kenkel Carly D
Published: December 2022

The sensitivity of reef-building coral to elevated temperature is a function of their symbiosis with dinoflagellate algae in the family Symbiodiniaceae. Changes in the composition of the endosymbiont community in response to thermal stress can increase coral thermal tolerance. Consequently, this mechanism is being investigated as a human-assisted intervention for rapid acclimation of coral in the face of climate change. Successful establishment of novel symbioses that increase coral thermal tolerance have been demonstrated in laboratory conditions; however, it is unclear how long these heterologous relationships persist in nature. Here, we test the persistence of a novel symbiosis between Acropora palmata and Durusdinium spp. from Mote Marine Laboratory’s ex situ nursery by outplanting clonal replicates (ramets) of five A. palmata host genotypes to natural reefs in the lower Florida Keys. Amplicon sequencing analysis of ITS2-type profiles revealed that the majority of surviving ramets remained dominated by Durusdinium spp. two years after transplantation. However, 15% of ramets, including representatives of all genotypes, exhibited some degree of symbiont shuffling or switching at six of eight sites, including complete takeover by site-specific strains of the native symbiont, Symbiodinium fitti. The predominant long-term stability of the novel symbiosis supports the potential effectiveness of symbiont modification as a management tool. Although, the finding that 6–7 year-old coral can alter symbiont community composition in the absence of bleaching indicates that Symbiodiniaceae communities are indeed capable of great flexibility under ambient conditions.
Structural differences in the semantic networks of younger and older adults
Authors: Wulff Dirk U. , Hills Thomas T. , Mata Rui
Published: December 2022

Cognitive science invokes semantic networks to explain diverse phenomena, from memory retrieval to creativity. Research in these areas often assumes a single underlying semantic network that is shared across individuals. Yet, recent evidence suggests that content, size, and connectivity of semantic networks are experience-dependent, implying sizable individual and age-related differences. Here, we investigate individual and age differences in the semantic networks of younger and older adults by deriving semantic networks from both fluency and similarity rating tasks. Crucially, we use a megastudy approach to obtain thousands of similarity ratings per individual to allow us to capture the characteristics of individual semantic networks. We find that older adults possess lexical networks with smaller average degree and longer path lengths relative to those of younger adults, with older adults showing less interindividual agreement and thus more unique lexical representations relative to younger adults. Furthermore, this approach shows that individual and age differences are not evenly distributed but, rather, are related to weakly connected, peripheral parts of the networks. All in all, these results reveal the interindividual differences in both the content and the structure of semantic networks that may accumulate across the life span as a function of idiosyncratic experiences.
The effect of topical ketamine administration on the corneal epithelium repair
Authors: Sanatkar Mehdi , Nozarian Zohre , Bazvand Fatemeh , Abdi Parisa
Published: December 2022

The cornea is regarded as a sensitive organ to pain. Ketamine can effectively reduce postoperative neuropathic pain. We hypothesized that topical ketamine could mitigate postoperative corneal neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to determine whether topical ketamine is safe for cornea and evaluate its effect on the repair procedure the damaged corneal tissue. Our study was performed on only the right eyes of 15 male rats. All animals underwent general anesthesia and the whole corneal epithelium was removed. All subjects were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 8), one drop of ketamine, and group 2 (n = 7), one drop of 0.9% sodium chloride administered topically on the scraped cornea every 6 h for 7 days. The rats’ s cornea was carefully monitored daily for the size of epithelial defects under a microscope and was photographed. On the eighth day, the eyes were sent for pathological examination. The eyes were examined for the amount of inflammation, neovascularization, keratinization, epithelial thickness and Descemet's membrane pathologies. The epithelial defect has healed completely on the sixth day in all rats in both groups. There was no significant difference in the speed of complete recovery between the two groups. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of inflammation grade, neovascularization grade, and epithelial thickness. Our study showed that topical ketamine had no significant effect on corneal wound healing in a rat animal model and could be used safely for the management of postoperative chronic ocular pain.
An anatomical and radiological study of the tectorial membrane and its clinical implications
Authors: Lee Shin Hyo , Cho Tae-Hyeon , Kwon Hyun-Jin , Hong Ju Eun , Lee Young Han , Yang Hun-Mu
Published: December 2022

The radiological image of an intact tectorial membrane (TM) became an important favorable prognostic factor for craniovertebral instability. This study visualized the fascial layers of the TM and adjacent connective tissues with clinical significance by micro-CT and histological analysis. The TM firmly attached to the bony surface of the clivus, traversed the atlantoaxial joint posteriorly, and was inserted to the body of the axis showing wide distribution on the craniovertebral junction. The supradental space between the clivus, dens of the axis, anterior atlantooccipital membrane, and the TM contained profound venous networks within the adipose tissues. At the body of the axis, the compact TM layer is gradually divided into multiple layers and the deeper TM layers reached the axis while the superficial layer continued to the posterior longitudinal ligament of the lower vertebrae. The consistent presence of the fat pad and venous plexus in the supradental space and firm stabilization of the TM on the craniovertebral junction was demonstrated by high-resolution radiologic images and histological analysis. The evaluation of the TM integrity is a promising diagnostic factor for traumatic craniovertebral dislocation.
Distraction by deviant sounds is modulated by the environmental context
Authors: Parmentier Fabrice B. R. , Gallego Laura , Micucci Antonia , Leiva Alicia , Andrés Pilar , Maybery Murray T.
Published: December 2022

Evidence shows that participants performing a continuous visual categorization task respond slower following the presentation of a task-irrelevant sound deviating from an otherwise repetitive or predictable auditory context (deviant sound among standard sounds). Here, for the first time, we explored the role of the environmental context (instrumentalized as a task-irrelevant background picture) in this effect. In two experiments, participants categorized left/right arrows while ignoring irrelevant sounds and background pictures of forest and city scenes. While equiprobable across the task, sounds A and B were presented with probabilities of .882 and .118 in the forest context, respectively, and with the reversed probabilities in the city context. Hence, neither sound constituted a deviant sound at task-level, but each did within a specific context. In Experiment 1, where each environmental context (forest and city scene) consisted of a single picture each, participants were significantly slower in the visual task following the presentation of the sound that was unexpected within the current context (context-dependent distraction). Further analysis showed that the cognitive system reset its sensory predictions even for the first trial of a change in environmental context. In Experiment 2, the two contexts (forest and city) were implemented using sets of 32 pictures each, with the background picture changing on every trial. Here too, context-dependent deviance distraction was observed. However, participants took a trial to fully reset their sensory predictions upon a change in context. We conclude that irrelevant sounds are incidentally processed in association with the environmental context (even though these stimuli belong to different sensory modalities) and that sensory predictions are context-dependent.
Solid locked intramedullary nailing for expeditious return of bone-setting-induced abnormal fracture union victims to work in South-western Nigeria
Authors: Adesina Stephen Adesope , Eyesan Samuel Uwale , Amole Isaac Olusayo , Akinwumi Akinsola Idowu , Awotunde Olufemi Timothy , Durodola Adewumi Ojeniyi , Owolabi James Idowu
Published: December 2022

Wage earning in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is predominantly through physical labour. Consequently, limb-related disabilities caused by abnormal fracture unions (AFUs) preclude gainful employment and perpetuate the cycle of poverty. Many AFUs result from traditional bone-setting (TBS), a pervasive treatment for long bone fractures in LMICs. The objective of this study was to accentuate the expediency of solid locked intramedullary nail in the early restoration of victims of TBS-induced abnormal fracture unions (AFUs) to their pre-injury functioning, including work. One hundred AFUs in 98 patients treated with a solid locked intramedullary nail in our center over a period of 7 years were prospectively studied. We found the mean age to be 47.97 years. Males constituted 63.9% of the patients’ population. Atrophic non-union accounted for 54.1% of the AFUs. The mean fracture-surgery interval was 21.30 months. By the 12th post-operative week, more than 75% of the fractures had achieved knee flexion/shoulder abduction beyond 90°, were able to squat and smile (or do shoulder abduction-external rotation), and were able to bear weight fully. The study demonstrated the expediency of solid locked nail in salvaging TBS-induced abnormal fracture unions in a way that permitted early return to pre-injury daily activities and work, thereby reducing fracture-associated poverty.
Levels, sources, and risk assessment of PAHs residues in soil and plants in urban parks of Northwest China
Authors: Ailijiang Nuerla , Zhong Naifu , Zhou Xiaolong , Mamat Anwar , Chang Jiali , Cao Shuangyu , Hua Zhenyu , Li Nanxin
Published: December 2022

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) will be ingested by people through different ways to threaten their health during play, so the environmental quality of the park directly affects the health of tourists and residents. Using eight typical parks in Urumqi in Northwest China as the study area, we used GC–MS to detect the PAHs content in the park surface soil and 10 common plants in the park in different seasons. The results showed that the content of PAHs in park soil in the summer was 5–6 times that in the winter, and the monomer PAHs in some park soil sampling points were higher than the soil pollution risk screening value. And the contamination level at these sampling sites was also higher compared to other sampling sites. In summer, the plants with high PAHs content in leaves are short herbs, while in winter, they are tall arbors. The PAHs of the park soil are mainly composed of high-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and are mainly of traffic origin. The proportion of low-ring aromatic hydrocarbons in the winter was significantly higher than that in the summer. The source of PAHs in plants in summer is similar to that in soil, but the source of PAHs in plants in winter is more complex. The toxicity equivalent concentration method values of soil PAHs in South Park, Zhiwu Park, Shihua Park and Toutunhe Park were higher than that in other parks. The lifetime carcinogenic risk (ILCRs) values of some sampling points in these four parks in the summer were relatively high. The average ILCRs of adults and children in all parks reached a low-risk level in summer. The carcinogenic risk in children is much higher than that of adults.
Parietal and occipital leukoaraiosis due to cerebral ischaemic lesions decrease the driving safety performance of healthy older adults
Authors: Oba Hikaru , Park Kaechang , Yamashita Fumio , Sato Shinichi
Published: December 2022

Leukoaraiosis, a common ischaemic lesion diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can influence driving safety performance (DSP). Most older drivers with leukoaraiosis are unaware of their affliction. Japan is a super-aged country, where preventing accidents caused by older drivers is an urgent national issue. We investigated the subcortical and periventricular leukoaraiosis regions that were most involved in DSP decline. The driving skills of 101 drivers (49 men, 52 women; mean age, 77.88 ± 3.77 years) without dementia were assessed by official driving instructors, using actual vehicles on a closed-circuit course. Parietal and occipital (but not frontal or temporal) leukoaraiosis volumes were significantly correlated with decreased DSP scores regardless of age, especially when turning right at intersections, which needs more attention than turning left because left-side driving is legally enforced in Japan. Occipital leukoaraiosis was also involved via a decline in dynamic visual cognitive function. MRI-based assessment of leukoaraiosis volume and localisation may enable the identification of older drivers prone to DSP deterioration. Risk factors for leukoaraiosis include smoking and lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension. Thus, brain healthcare in patients with MRI-diagnosed leukoaraiosis may be particularly useful for the risk management of traffic accidents caused by the elderly in Japan.
FOXA1 is a transcriptional activator of Odf2/Cenexin and regulates primary ciliation
Authors: Czerny Christian Carl , Borschel Anett , Cai Mingfang , Otto Madeline , Hoyer-Fender Sigrid
Published: December 2022

Primary cilia are sensory organelles essential for embryonic and postnatal development, and tissue homeostasis in adulthood. They are generated in a cell cycle-dependent manner and found on most cells of the body. Although cilia formation is intensively investigated virtually nothing is known about the transcriptional regulation of primary ciliation. We used here Odf2/Cenexin, encoding a protein of the mother centriole and the basal body that is mandatory for primary cilia formation, as the target gene for the identification of transcriptional activators. We identified a consensus binding site for Fox transcription factors (TFs) in its promoter region and focused here on the Fox family. We found transcriptional activation of Odf2 neither by FOXO TFs nor by the core TF for multiciliation, FOXJ1. However, we identified FOXA1 as a transcriptional activator of Odf2 by reporter gene assays and qRT-PCR, and showed by qWB that Foxa1 knockdown caused a decrease in ODF2 and CP110 proteins. We verified the binding sequence of FOXA1 in the Odf2 promoter by ChIP. Finally, we demonstrated that knockdown of FOXA1 affected primary cilia formation. We, thus, showed for the first time, that FOXA1 regulates primary ciliation by transcriptional activation of ciliary genes.
Development of a two-current choice flume behavioural bioassay for juvenile Panulirus ornatus response to moulting cues
Authors: Kelly Tara R. , Fitzgibbon Quinn P. , Giosio Dean R. , Trotter Andrew J. , Smith Gregory G.
Published: December 2022

Characterising crustacean behaviour in response to conspecific chemical cues contributes to our evolving knowledge of the drivers of their social behaviour. There is particular interest in understanding the chemical and behavioural mechanisms contributing to cannibalism at ecdysis, as this behaviour substantially limits culture productivity of several commercially important crustaceans. Before investigating the role of chemoreception in cannibalism of moulting crustaceans, we must investigate its role in detecting moulting conspecifics. Here we use a two-current choice flume to observe juvenile tropical rock lobster (Panulirus ornatus) behavioural response to conspecific moulting cues and identifying attracted and avoidant behaviours correlating to moult stage and social relationship. Observed cue preferences show inter-moult juveniles are attracted to the moulting cues of lobsters to which they are socially naïve. In contrast, post-moult and inter-moult juveniles avoid the moulting cues of individuals whom they are socially familiar with. Average speed and total distance travelled by lobsters increases in response to conspecific moulting cues. This study demonstrates the suitability of a two-current choice flume for behavioural assays in P. ornatus and characterises clear behavioural patterns in juveniles exposed to conspecific moulting cues. This provides important framework for understanding the role of chemical communication in eliciting cannibalism.
Green Corrosion Inhibition
Authors: Verma Chandrabhan , Quraishi Mumtaz A. , Chauhan Dheeraj Singh
Published: December 2022

Corrosion affects every industry in which metal is involved, from manufacturing machinery to transport pipelines, and it is estimated to cost the global economy trillions of dollars per year. Many of the traditional methods for inhibiting corrosion are highly toxic (such as hexavalent chromium) or do not degrade readily in the environment (such as Benzotriazole) meaning they pose a risk to human and environmental health. Much recent work in the area has gone into searching for greener alternatives that will be both safe and effective.

Beginning with a look at the fundamentals of corrosion inhibition and an explanation of the concepts of green chemistry, this book discusses various types of chemical that have been tested for their potential as greener corrosion inhibitors with reference to industrial applications. Green Corrosion Inhibition is a valuable reference for chemists and chemical engineers working in both research and design and academia who want to learn more about green corrosion inhibitors, their synthesis, design, and industrial scale applications.
Aromatization of n-C7–n-C9 alkanes on a Pt/KZSM-5(deAl) catalyst
Authors: Zhou Qiuming , Wang Sen , Wu Zhiwei , Qin Zhangfeng , Dong Mei , Wang Jianguo , Fan Weibin
Published: December 2022

The prepared Pt/KZSM-5(deAl) catalyst through an AHFS and K2CO3 post-treatment method exhibits superior performance for n-C7–n-C9 alkane aromatization, with an aromatic selectivity and catalytic stability of >75% and >80 h, respectively.
Ru nanoparticles on Y2O3with enhanced metal–support interactions for efficient ammonia synthesis
Authors: Feng Ji , Liu Lin , Zhang Xilun , Wang Jiemin , Ju Xiaohua , Li Ruili , Guo Jianping , He Teng , Chen Ping
Published: December 2022

Y2O3as a new kind of superior support has been found for Ru-based ammonia synthesis catalyst for the first time.
New Hg(ii) coordination polymers based on a thioimidazole ligand with good performance to detoxify Hg(ii) and reversibly capture iodine
Authors: Bahrani-Pour Maryam , Beheshti Azizolla , Sedaghat Tahereh , Hoveizi Elham , Naseri Nadieh , Mayer Peter , Centore Roberto
Published: December 2022

A dithione ligand was used to prevent the effect of pollution on the liver by converting the soluble Hg2+ into insoluble polymers which have good ability in I2 uptake. I2 capture of these polymers increases from polymer 1 to 3, and their toxicity decreases in the same way.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) polyphenols ameliorate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis of mice by mitigating intestinal barrier damage, regulating gut microbiota, and suppressing TLR4/NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathways
Authors: Zhou Zuman , He Wanying , Tian Honglei , Zhan Ping , Liu Jianshu
Published: December 2022

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) is an important medicinal and edible homologous plant, and the composition and bioactivity of its polyphenol extracts have attracted widespread attention from researchers.
The preventive effect of mussel oil on gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant mice fed by a high-fat and high-sucrose diet
Authors: Li Kelei , Li Huiying , Song Xiaolei , Kuang Xiaotong , Liu Shiyi , Zhu Suqing , Li Duo
Published: December 2022

Mussel oil improved glucose intolerance and insulin resistance during pregnancy by modulating sphingolipds metabolism and activating insulin signaling pathway.
Development of an o-aminoanilide-mediated native chemical ligation-assisted DADA strategy for the synthesis of disulfide surrogate peptides
Authors: Cui Tingting , Li Wen-Jie , Chen Junyou , Zhao Rui , Li Yi-Ming
Published: December 2022

Herein, we report a peptide o-aminoanilide-mediated NCL-assisted DADA strategy for the synthesis of large-span active peptide disulfide bridge surrogates containing only Gln–Cys or Asn–Cys ligation sites.
Folic acid functionalization for targeting self-assembled paclitaxel-based nanoparticles
Authors: Colombo Eleonora , Coppini Davide Andrea , Maculan Simone , Seneci Pierfausto , Santini Benedetta , Testa Filippo , Salvioni Lucia , Vanacore Giovanni Maria , Colombo Miriam , Passarella Daniele
Published: December 2022

Self-assembled hetero-nanoparticles are obtained by mixing paclitaxel and folic acid conjugates.
Adsorption of sulfur into an alkynyl-based covalent organic framework for mercury removal
Authors: Wang Shenglin , Xin Yingxiang , Hu Hui , Su Xiaofang , Wu Jifeng , Yan Qianqian , Qian Jiaying , Xiao Songtao , Gao Yanan
Published: December 2022

A simple mercury removal strategy was developed that used a stable alkyl based covalent organic framework to adsorb sulfur first and then served as an adsorbent to remove Hg(ii) effectively.
Enhanced performance of hydroxyl and cyano group functionalized graphitic carbon nitride for efficient removal of crystal violet and methylene blue from wastewater
Authors: Ghazy Nada M. , Ghaith Eslam A. , Abou El-Reash Y. G. , Zaky Rania R. , Abou El-Maaty Weam M. , Awad Fathi S.
Published: December 2022

This work reports the synthesis of an innovative multifunctional carbon nitride based adsorbent and its successful application for the removal of crystal violet (CV) and methylene blue (MB) from wastewater.
Adsorption of cationic surfactant as a probe of the montmorillonite surface reactivity in the alginate hydrogel composites
Authors: Silva do Nascimento Danielle , Etcheverry Mariana , Orduz Angie E. , Waiman Carolina V. , Zanini. Graciela P.
Published: December 2022

Clay included alginate-clay composites is the only responsible for benzalkonium chloride adsorption. Adsorption mechanism occurs by cation exchange at low concentrations. The clay encapsulation promotes tail–tail interaction among surfactants.
Dynamic performance of the plasma‐triggered‐based protective gas switch used in the hybrid UHVDC system
Authors: Wang Wen , Gao Keli , Li Zhibing , Qu Xuebin , Zhang Ran , Wang Yongxing
Published: December 2022

Following the design demands of the protective switch used in ±800 kV hybrid UHVDC system, a plasma‐triggered‐based protective gas switch (PTGS) is developed by performing the comparative study of its dynamic performance by considering the arc dynamic behaviour induced by the transverse magnetic field (TMF)‐based electrode used in the PTGS. The PTGS‐based electrode, as the core component, is designed with a helical‐slotted structure, the TMF could drive the arc between moving from the electrode centre to the electrode edge and then rotate rapidly along the edge. A 3D magnetohydrodynamic model (MHD) was established to computationally evaluate the effects of electrode structure variation on arc rotation characteristics. The model was verified by comparing the calculation results with experiments performed on the designed PTGS prototype. A comprehensive evaluation approach was also proposed to support the comparative analysis of the arc dynamic behaviour and estimate the arc‐controlling capability of the designed electrode to further assess the dynamic performance of the designed PTGS. This approach could quantitatively estimate the arc behaviour from a spatial scale, the variation of characterised parameters such as temperature associated with arc behaviour is concerned as well, which reasonably supports the electrode optimum design and the PTGS.