bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SG-APSIC1146: Reducing bacterial contamination in the dental unit waterline (DUWL) in dental clinics
Authors: Lang Lily , Shing Priscilla Chao Jang , Tze Kenneth Low Meng
Published: March 2023

Objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness of using appropriate chemical(s) to treat the dental unit waterline (DUWL), and we recommended appropriate strategies to manage the DUWL system to maintain bacteria concentration below minimum recommended levels. Methods: Initial water samples were collected aseptically from the handpieces of the DUWL in dental clinics to assess the bacterial load prior to treatment of the dental unit. The dental staff were educated on the management and treatment of the DUWL. Appropriate chemicals were introduced to the DUWL system. Following the treatment, samples of water from the DUWLs were collected to assess the bacterial load. Results: The US CDC recommends a safe level of bacterial load of <500 CFU per mL of heterotrophic bacteria in the standard for drinking water by the US EPA. Initial results for the DUWL water showed unacceptably high levels of bacterial load between 1,930 and 35,000 CFU per mL prior to treatment. Subsequent sampling of DUWL water with treatment of appropriate chemicals showed vast reductions of the bacterial loads in all the dental units, with bacterial counts between <1 and 72 CFU per mL. Conclusions: It is important to ensure ongoing education and regular treatment with appropriate chemical and effective management and monitoring of all DUWLs from dental chairs to ensure that the water produced meets safe drinking standards.
SG-APSIC1209: Risk factors associated with mortality among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae inpatient in a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Malaysia
Authors: Sri Ponnampalavanar Sasheela Sri La , Rajandra Arulvani , Suhaimi Nur Alwani , Shuan Ji Cindy Teh , Xuen Sia Jia , Fan Tan Shu , Razali Siti Zuhairah binti Mohd , Yin Kam Yit , Kong Zhi Xian , Lau Min Yi , Lee Yee Qing , Zainon Siti Norintan , Kukreja Anjanna , Saaibon Suzana , Shamsudin Siti Shuhaida
Published: March 2023

Objectives: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is a multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) that is rapidly emerging as a life-threatening nosocomial disease in many countries. We sought to identify the risk factors associated with mortality for carriage of CRE in patients at a tertiary-care teaching hospital. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted between January 2020 to December 2021 in a tertiary-care teaching healthcare facility, University Malaya Medical Centre in Malaysia. The study included all inpatients aged ≥18 years who had a CRE infection or were colonized during the study period. The genotype was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Statistical analysis of data including a multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23.0 software. Results: In total, 176 cases of CRE (130 infection and 46 colonized) were identified, and the mortality rate was 31.8%. The main sources of CRE were rectal swab (61.9%), blood (11.9%), and respiratory sources (11.9%). Klebsiella pneumoniae (55.7%) was the predominant species, followed by Escherichia coli (21.6%). Among the isolates, 17.7% were non–CPE-CRE and 82.3% were CPE-CRE: NDM (69.3%) and OXA (10.8%). In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with mortality were older age (OR, 1.040; 95% CI, 1.012–1.069), longer length of stay (OR, 0.974; 95% CI, 0.955–0.994), use of central venous catheter (OR, 0.287; 95% CI, 0.094–0.878), and arterial lines (OR, 0.292; 95% CI, 0.095–0.891). Conclusion: Patients with CRE had a high mortality rate. Older age, longer duration of stay, indwelling CVC and arterial line were independent risk factors for death. Infection prevention and control measures to reduce CRE, such as active surveillance, contact precautions, compliance to intravenous catheter care bundles, healthcare worker education, and hand hygiene adherence, should be implemented.
SG-APSIC1208: Association between severity of COVID-19 pneumonia and vaccination status in a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Malaysia
Authors: Sri Ponnampalavanar Sasheela Sri La , Kukreja Anjanna , Basri Sazali , Goh Sheron Sir Loon , Faisol Syifa’ Ahmad , Syin Tze Reggina Chong , Ong YiShi , Salleh Anisa , Omar SharifahFaridah Syed , Razali Zuhairah Mohd , Kamarulzaman Adeeba
Published: March 2023

Background and objectives: Since the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine through the National COVID-19 Immunization Program in Malaysia in February 2021, the number of cases of severe COVID-19 and mortality have progressively decreased. We explored the association between vaccination status, type of vaccine, and the highest COVID-19 clinical category. Methods: Patients were recruited via the electronic medical record (EMR) at University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) from July 2021 onward. Included patients were aged ≥18 years old with positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results from respiratory samples (naso-oropharyngeal swab, saliva, or sputum). Patient demographic data, COVID-19 clinical category, vaccination status, and type of vaccine received were recorded. Results: In total, 1,391 positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR results were reviewed; 1,188 patients (85%) with complete data were analyzed. These patients’ median age was 50 years. The proportions of patients COVID-19 clinical categories were as follows: category 1 (4.04%), category 2 (28.37%), category 3 (10.7%), category 4 (30.6%), and category 5 (2.6%). The mortality rate was 21.5%. As of July 2021, only 16.8% of patients were fully vaccinated, 30.3% were vaccinated, 31.5% unvaccinated, and 21.5% had unknown vaccination status. In total 364 patients with category 4 COVID-19 (4.4%; P < .001) were fully vaccinated and no patients who were fully vaccinated had category 5 COVID-19 (P = .011). Furthermore, 40.8% of patients who died had unknown vaccination status (P < .01); 28.1% of patients who died were unvaccinated (P = .015); 25.3% of patients who died were partially vaccinated (P = .036); and 0.4% of patients who died were fully vaccinated (P < .001). For category 4 and 5 illness and death, there were no significant differences between the type of vaccine received (Pfizer-BioNTechR, Astra ZenecaR and Coronavac/SinovacR) and severe COVID-19. Conclusions: The completion of 2 doses of government-approved COVID-19 vaccination is paramount in preventing severe COVID-19 disease and death. Rapid rollout and equitable distribution of vaccination should be initiated. Vaccine hesitancy should be promptly addressed to ensure vaccination uptake.
Considering stratospheric aerosol injections beyond an environmental frame: The intelligible ‘emergency’ techno-fix and preemptive security
Authors: Young Danielle N.
Published: March 2023

Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), is often referred to as a ‘Plan B’ if mitigation strategies to reduce emissions fail and the need to rapidly reduce global temperatures becomes urgent. In theory, SAI would help buy more time to bring carbon and other emissions down while also cooling or keeping the planet below the threshold for dangerous warming, though it is not a solution to the problem of climate change in itself. What little attention it has received in International Relations (IR) is usually focused on the need for governance of the technology and assumes that development and use of the technology will be driven primarily by vulnerability to climate impacts. Through an analysis of common security assumptions and preemptive security framings the article shows that while current assessments of SAI focus on the technology’s environmental impact, broader political and security dynamics, particularly the desire to render climate change more intelligible as a security problem with a solution may have substantial influence on how the technology is used and by whom.
Simone de Beauvoir, Analogy, Intersectionality, and Expanding Philosophy: An Interview with Kathryn Sophia Belle
Authors: O'Byrn Edward
Published: March 2023

In this interview with Kathryn Sophia Belle (formerly Kathryn T. Gines), Edward O'Byrn discusses Belle's publications from 2010–2017. His questions focus on Simone de Beauvoir and her use of analogy in The Second Sex, along with broader questions that engage Belle's work on existential philosophy, Beauvoir, Black feminism, and intersectionality.
Effect of microbiology comment nudging on antibiotic use in asymptomatic bacteriuria: A before-and-after quasi-experimental study
Authors: Belk Madeline G. , Hammond Olivia D. , Seales Callie C. , Edwards Jonathan D. , Steuber Taylor D.
Published: March 2023

Objective:

To describe the effect of a microbiology comment nudge on antibiotic use for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB).

Design:

Single-center, before-and-after, quasi-experimental study.

Setting:

Community-based, public, not-for-profit teaching hospital in the southeastern United States.

Participants:

Adult inpatients with a positive urine culture and the absence of urinary tract infection signs and symptoms.

Intervention:

Implementation of a microbiology comment nudge on urine cultures.

Results:

In total, 204 patients were included in the study. Antibiotics were less likely to be continued beyond 72 hours in the postimplementation group: 57 (55%) of 104 versus 38 (38%) of 100 (P = .016). They were less likely to have antibiotics continued beyond 48 hours: 60 (58%) of 104 versus 43 (43%) of 100 (P = .036). They were also less likely to have antibiotics prescribed at discharge 35 (34%) of 104 versus 20 (20%) of 100 (P = .028). In addition, they had fewer total antibiotic days of therapy: 4 (IQR, 1–6) versus 1 (IQR, 0–6) (P = .022).

Conclusion:

Microbiology comment nudging may contribute to less antibiotic utilization in patients with ASB.
Rage in the Machine: Activation of Racist Content in Social Media
Authors: Vallejo Vera Sebastián
Published: March 2023

Racism in social media is ubiquitous, persisting online in ways unique to the internet while also reverberating from the world offline. When will racist frames activate in social media networks? This article argues that social media users engage with racist content when they perceive a threat to the in-group status, selecting frames that serve as markers to separate the in-group identity from the out-group identity. Racialized frames serve as these markers, and the perceived threats to the in-group status make racist content cognitively congruent. Evidence of this behavior is provided by examining Twitter activity during the indígena protests in Ecuador in October 2019. A novel, multistep machine-learning process detects racist tweets, and an interrupted time series analysis shows how events that can be perceived as threats to the in-group activate racist content in some social media communities.
NEW CONTROL FUNCTION APPROACHES IN THRESHOLD REGRESSION WITH ENDOGENEITY
Authors: Yu Ping , Liao Qin , Phillips Peter C. B.
Published: March 2023

This paper studies control function (CF) approaches in endogenous threshold regression where the threshold variable is allowed to be endogenous. We first use a simple example to show that the structural threshold regression (STR) estimator of the threshold point in Kourtellos, Stengos and Tan (2016, Econometric Theory 32, 827–860) is inconsistent unless the endogeneity level of the threshold variable is low compared to the threshold effect. We correct the CF in the STR estimator to generate our first CF estimator using a method that extends the two-stage least squares procedure in Caner and Hansen (2004, Econometric Theory 20, 813–843). We develop our second CF estimator which can be treated as an extension of the classical CF approach in endogenous linear regression. Both these approaches embody threshold effect information in the conditional variance beyond that in the conditional mean. Given the threshold point estimates, we propose new estimates for the slope parameters. The first is a by-product of the CF approach, and the second type employs generalized method of moment (GMM) procedures based on two new sets of moment conditions. Simulation studies, in conjunction with the limit theory, show that our second CF estimator and confidence interval for the threshold point together with the associated second GMM estimator and confidence interval for the slope parameter dominate the other methods. We further apply the new estimation methodology to an empirical application from international trade to illustrate its usefulness in practice.
Vot’ artic’ est formidab’: une étude multifactorielle de la chute des liquides post-obstruantes finales de mot en français
Authors: Avanzi Mathieu
Published: March 2023

Cet article présente une analyse multifactorielle du comportement des consonnes liquides post-obstruantes en position finale de mot en français. Plus précisément, nous nous intéressons au phénomène par lequel un  ou  final dans la transcription orthographique d’un mot n’est pas prononcé dans la parole continue, p. ex. comme dans les items « découvre » et « terrible », respectivement prononcés [dekuv] et [teʁʁb] au lieu de [dekuvʁʁ] et [teʁʁibl]. Au total, plus de 2500 items comportant un cluster obstruante+liquide en fin de mot ont été extraits d’un corpus de parole d’une durée de 13 heures, qui a été étiqueté à différents niveaux. Ce corpus comprend les productions de 120 locuteurs originaires de 3 pays francophones (Belgique, France et Suisse), enregistrés dans deux tâches différentes (lecture et conversation). Pour déterminer ce qui affecte la (non-)prononciation de  ou  dans ces contextes, une douzaine de prédicteurs de différentes natures sont testés dans un même modèle statistique. Les caractéristiques phonétiques telles que le lieu et le mode d’articulation, le contexte droit, le statut prosodique et le taux d’articulation; mais aussi les prédicteurs liés aux locuteurs (pays d’origine, sexe, âge, classe sociale) et au style de parole sont pris en compte. Des modèles mixtes linéaires généralisés révèlent que seulement la moitié d’entre eux ressortent comme jouant un rôle significatif sur la variable à l’étude. Les résultats sont discutés à la lumière dʼétudes antérieures portant sur les aspects sociolinguistiques des variantes de prononciation en français.
Making community pharmacies psychologically informed environments (PIE): a feasibility study to improve engagement with people using drug services in Scotland
Authors: Matheson Catriona , Hunter Carole , Schofield Joe , O’Sullivan Kate , Hunter Janie , Munro Alison , Parkes Tessa
Published: March 2023

Aim:

This developmental study tested the feasibility of training pharmacy staff on the psychologically informed environments (PIE) approach to improve the delivery of care.

Background:

Community pharmacies provide key services to people who use drugs (PWUD) through needle exchange services, medication-assisted treatment and naloxone distribution. PWUD often have trauma backgrounds, and an approach that has been demonstrated to work well in the homeless sector is PIEs.

Methods:

Bespoke training was provided by clinical psychologists and assessed by questionnaire. Staff interviews explored changes made following PIE training to adapt the delivery of care. Changes in attitude of staff following training were assessed by questionnaire. Peer researchers interviewed patient/client on observed changes and experiences in participating pharmacies. Staff interviews were conducted six months after training to determine what changes, if any, staff had implemented. Normalisation process theory (NPT) provided a framework for assessing change.

Findings:

Three pharmacies (16 staff) participated. Training evaluation was positive; all participants rated training structure and delivery as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. There was no statistically significant change in attitudes. COVID-19 lockdowns restricted follow-up data collection. Staff interviews revealed training had encouraged staff to reflect on their practice and communication and consider potentially discriminatory practice. PIE informed communication skills were applied to manage COVID-19 changes. Staff across pharmacies noted mental health challenges for patients. Five patients were interviewed but COVID-19 delays in data collection meant changes in delivery of care were difficult to recall. However, they did reflect on interactions with pharmacy staff generally. Across staff and patient interviews, there was possible conflation of practice changes due to COVID-19 and the training. However, the study found that training pharmacy teams in PIE was feasible, well received, and further development is recommended. There was evidence of the four NPT domains to support change (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring).
Looking beyond Ratification: Autocrats’ International Engagement with Women’s Rights
Authors: Comstock Audrey L. , Vilán Andrea
Published: March 2023

Although authoritarian regimes often repress the rights of women, many autocrats have committed to international treaties protecting women’s human rights. Scholars have typically overlooked this engagement, focusing instead on autocrats’ commitment (and violation) of treaties protecting civil, political, and physical integrity rights. Yet existing explanations for autocrats’ ratification of these treaties—such as appeasing domestic opposition groups—do not necessarily apply to women’s rights (von Stein 2013). As authoritarian international law is increasingly viewed as an important area of study (Ginsburg 2020), scholars should explore how authoritarian regimes navigate participation regarding women’s rights issues, including their engagement with the main women’s rights treaty, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). After taking a closer look at how autocracies shape, commit, and challenge women’s rights internationally, we suggest several research directions to build this area of study.
Public Opinion and Women’s Rights in Autocracies
Authors: Noh Yuree
Published: March 2023

Authoritarian regimes around the world have increasingly implemented policies and reforms to strengthen women’s rights, ranging from adopting gender quotas to penalizing gender-based violence. Recent literature highlights that authoritarian leaders are at the forefront of these initiatives, often aiming to strengthen their rule rather than advance women’s rights (e.g., Bjarnegård and Zetterberg 2016; Bush and Zetterberg 2021; Donno, Fox, and Kaasik 2021). While we cannot ignore the contributions of grassroots activism in advancing gender equality (e.g., Kang and Tripp 2018; Krook 2009), authoritarian regimes, by nature, have less incentive to pay attention to popular demands. Thus, women’s rights reforms in autocracies tend to be top-down: initiated by the leadership, with a lack of citizen involvement in the design process. This essay considers how top-down gender reforms may be viewed by the public, and as a consequence, how the public’s perceptions of them may affect women’s status in the broader society.
Does Stereotype Threat Contribute to the Political Knowledge Gender Gap? A Preregistered Replication Study of Ihme and Tausendpfund (2018)
Authors: Azevedo Flavio , Micheli Leticia , Bolesta Deliah Sarah
Published: March 2023

The gender gap in political knowledge is a well-established finding in Political Science. One explanation for gender differences in political knowledge is the activation of negative stereotypes about women. As part of the Systematizing Confidence in Open Research and Evidence (SCORE) program, we conducted a two-stage preregistered and high-powered direct replication of Study 2 of Ihme and Tausendpfund (2018). While we successfully replicated the gender gap in political knowledge – such that male participants performed better than female participants – both the first (N = 671) and second stage (N = 831) of the replication of the stereotype activation effect were unsuccessful. Taken together (pooled N = 1,502), results indicate evidence of absence of the effect of stereotype activation on gender differences in political knowledge. We discuss potential explanations for these findings and put forward evidence that the gender gap in political knowledge might be an artifact of how knowledge is measured.
Prediction Interval of Interface Regions: Machine Learning Nowcasting Approach
Authors: Alielden Khaled , Camporeale Enrico , Korsós Marianna B. , Taroyan Youra
Published: March 2023

Stream interaction region (SIR) is one of the space weather phenomena that accelerates the upstream particles of the interface region in interplanetary space and causes geomagnetic storms. SIRs are large‐scale structures that vary temporally and spatially, both in latitudinal and radial directions. Predicting the arrival times of interface regions (IRs) is crucial to protect our navigation and communication systems. In this work, a 1D ensemble system comprised of a Long‐short‐term memory (LSTM) model and a Convolution Neural Network (CNN) model—LCNN is introduced to classify the observed IR time series and give the prediction interval nowcast of its transit time to the observer. The outcomes of the two models are combined in a way to boost the accuracy of the predictor and prevent error propagation between them. The implemented technique is time series classification on datasets from STEREO A and B spacecrafts. The LCNN prediction system of IRs provides advanced Notice Time (NT) interval between [20, 160] minutes with sensitivity around 93% and geometric mean score gmean of 91.7%, and the skills decrease with increasing the prediction time. The LCNN demonstrates an enhancement in the prediction with respect to using only either the CNN or LSTM models. The predicted probabilities are recalibrated so that the predicted frequency of IRs becomes on average consistent with the observed frequency. Application of the method is useful to provide a classification of IRs by inputting a time series and estimating the likelihood of occurrence of an IR and its arrival time on the observer.
Observation of electron orbital signatures of single atoms within metal-phthalocyanines using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Chen Pengcheng , Fan Dingxin , Selloni Annabella , Carter Emily A. , Arnold Craig B. , Zhang Yunlong , Gross Adam S. , Chelikowsky James R. , Yao Nan
Published: March 2023

Resolving the electronic structure of a single atom within a molecule is of fundamental importance for understanding and predicting chemical and physical properties of functional molecules such as molecular catalysts. However, the observation of the orbital signature of an individual atom is challenging. We report here the direct identification of two adjacent transition-metal atoms, Fe and Co, within phthalocyanine molecules using high-resolution noncontact atomic force microscopy (HR-AFM). HR-AFM imaging reveals that the Co atom is brighter and presents four distinct lobes on the horizontal plane whereas the Fe atom displays a “square” morphology. Pico-force spectroscopy measurements show a larger repulsion force of about 5 pN on the tip exerted by Co in comparison to Fe. Our combined experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that both the distinguishable features in AFM images and the variation in the measured forces arise from Co’s higher electron orbital occupation above the molecular plane. The ability to directly observe orbital signatures using HR-AFM should provide a promising approach to characterizing the electronic structure of an individual atom in a molecular species and to understand mechanisms of certain chemical reactions.
Transmon qubit readout fidelity at the threshold for quantum error correction without a quantum-limited amplifier
Authors: Chen Liangyu , Li Hang-Xi , Lu Yong , Warren Christopher W. , Križan Christian J. , Kosen Sandoko , Rommel Marcus , Ahmed Shahnawaz , Osman Amr , Biznárová Janka , Fadavi Roudsari Anita , Lienhard Benjamin , Caputo Marco , Grigoras Kestutis , Grönberg Leif , Govenius Joonas , Kockum Anton Frisk , Delsing Per , Bylander Jonas , Tancredi Giovanna
Published: March 2023

High-fidelity and rapid readout of a qubit state is key to quantum computing and communication, and it is a prerequisite for quantum error correction. We present a readout scheme for superconducting qubits that combines two microwave techniques: applying a shelving technique to the qubit that reduces the contribution of decay error during readout, and a two-tone excitation of the readout resonator to distinguish among qubit populations in higher energy levels. Using a machine-learning algorithm to post-process the two-tone measurement results further improves the qubit-state assignment fidelity. We perform single-shot frequency-multiplexed qubit readout, with a 140 ns readout time, and demonstrate 99.5% assignment fidelity for two-state readout and 96.9% for three-state readout–without using a quantum-limited amplifier.
Artificial intelligence-based optimization for chitosan nanoparticles biosynthesis, characterization and in‑vitro assessment of its anti-biofilm potentiality
Authors: El-Naggar Noura El-Ahmady , Dalal Shimaa R. , Zweil Amal M. , Eltarahony Marwa
Published: March 2023

Chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) are promising biopolymeric nanoparticles with excellent physicochemical, antimicrobial, and biological properties. CNPs have a wide range of applications due to their unique characteristics, including plant growth promotion and protection, drug delivery, antimicrobials, and encapsulation. The current study describes an alternative, biologically-based strategy for CNPs biosynthesis using Oleaeuropaea leaves extract. Face centered central composite design (FCCCD), with 50 experiments was used for optimization of CNPs biosynthesis. The artificial neural network (ANN) was employed for analyzing, validating, and predicting CNPs biosynthesis using Oleaeuropaea leaves extract. Using the desirability function, the optimum conditions for maximum CNPs biosynthesis were determined theoretically and verified experimentally. The highest experimental yield of CNPs (21.15 mg CNPs/mL) was obtained using chitosan solution of 1%, leaves extract solution of 100%, initial pH 4.47, and incubation time of 60 min at 53.83°C. The SEM and TEM images revealed that CNPs had a spherical form and varied in size between 6.91 and 11.14 nm. X-ray diffraction demonstrates the crystalline nature of CNPs. The surface of the CNPs is positively charged, having a Zeta potential of 33.1 mV. FTIR analysis revealed various functional groups including C–H, C–O, CONH2, NH2, C–OH and C–O–C. The thermogravimetric investigation indicated that CNPs are thermally stable. The CNPs were able to suppress biofilm formation by P.aeruginosa,S.aureus and C.albicans at concentrations ranging from 10 to 1500 µg/mL in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of biofilm formation was associated with suppression of metabolic activity, protein/exopolysaccharide moieties, and hydrophobicity of biofilm encased cells (r ˃ 0.9, P = 0.00). Due to their small size, in the range of 6.91 to 11.14 nm, CNPs produced using Oleaeuropaea leaves extract are promising for applications in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, in addition to their potential application in controlling multidrug-resistant microorganisms, especially those associated with post COVID-19 pneumonia in immunosuppressed patients.
The effects of visual working memory load on detection and neural processing of task-unrelated auditory stimuli
Authors: Brockhoff Laura , Vetter Laura , Bruchmann Maximilian , Schindler Sebastian , Moeck Robert , Straube Thomas
Published: March 2023

While perceptual load has been proposed to reduce the processing of task-unrelated stimuli, theoretical arguments and empirical findings for other forms of task load are inconclusive. Here, we systematically investigated the detection and neural processing of auditory stimuli varying in stimulus intensity during a stimuli-unrelated visual working memory task alternating between low and high load. We found, depending on stimulus strength, decreased stimulus detection and reduced P3, but unaffected N1 amplitudes of the event-related potential to auditory stimuli under high as compared to low load. In contrast, load independent awareness effects were observed during both early (N1) and late (P3) time windows. Findings suggest a late neural effect of visual working memory load on auditory stimuli leading to lower probability of reported awareness of these stimuli.
Effects of light and noise pollution on avian communities of European cities are correlated with the species’ diet
Authors: Morelli Federico , Tryjanowski Piotr , Ibáñez-Álamo Juan Diego , Díaz Mario , Suhonen Jukka , Pape Møller Anders , Prosek Jiri , Moravec David , Bussière Raphaël , Mägi Marko , Kominos Theodoros , Galanaki Antonia , Bukas Nikos , Markó Gábor , Pruscini Fabio , Reif Jiri , Benedetti Yanina
Published: March 2023

Urbanization affects avian community composition in European cities, increasing biotic homogenization. Anthropic pollution (such as light at night and noise) is among the most important drivers shaping bird use in urban areas, where bird species are mainly attracted by urban greenery. In this study, we collected data on 127 breeding bird species at 1349 point counts distributed along a gradient of urbanization in fourteen different European cities. The main aim was to explore the effects of anthropic pollution and city characteristics, on shaping the avian communities, regarding species’ diet composition. The green cover of urban areas increased the number of insectivorous and omnivorous bird species, while slightly decreasing the overall diet heterogeneity of the avian communities. The green heterogeneity—a measure of evenness considering the relative coverage of grass, shrubs and trees—was positively correlated with the richness of granivorous, insectivorous, and omnivorous species, increasing the level of diet heterogeneity in the assemblages. Additionally, the effects of light pollution on avian communities were associated with the species' diet. Overall, light pollution negatively affected insectivorous and omnivorous bird species while not affecting granivorous species. The noise pollution, in contrast, was not significantly associated with changes in species assemblages. Our results offer some tips to urban planners, managers, and ecologists, in the challenge of producing more eco-friendly cities for the future.
Diagnostic value of expired gas analysis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Saito Yuki , Obokata Masaru , Harada Tomonari , Kagami Kazuki , Murata Makoto , Sorimachi Hidemi , Kato Toshimitsu , Wada Naoki , Okumura Yasuo , Ishii Hideki
Published: March 2023

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) may potentially differentiate heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) from noncardiac causes of dyspnea (NCD). While contemporary guidelines for HF recommend using CPET for identifying causes of unexplained dyspnea, data supporting this practice are limited. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of expired gas analysis to distinguish HFpEF from NCD. Exercise stress echocardiography with simultaneous expired gas analysis was performed in patients with HFpEF (n = 116) and those with NCD (n = 112). Participants without dyspnea symptoms were also enrolled as controls (n = 26). Exercise capacity was impaired in patients with HFpEF than in controls and those with NCD, evidenced by lower oxygen consumption (VO2), but there was a substantial overlap between HFpEF and NCD. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed modest diagnostic abilities of expired gas analysis data in differentiating individuals with HFpEF from the controls; however, none of these variables clearly differentiated between HFpEF and NCD (all areas under the curve < 0.61). Expired gas analysis provided objective assessments of exercise capacity; however, its diagnostic value in identifying HFpEF among patients with symptoms of exertional dyspnea was modest.
Infrared neural stimulation markedly enhances nerve functionality assessment during nerve monitoring
Authors: Throckmorton Graham A. , Thayer Wesley , Duco Jansen E. , Mahadevan-Jansen Anita
Published: March 2023

In surgical procedures where the risk of accidental nerve damage is prevalent, surgeons commonly use electrical stimulation (ES) during intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) to assess a nerve’s functional integrity. ES, however, is subject to off-target stimulation and stimulation artifacts disguising the true functionality of the specific target and complicating interpretation. Lacking a stimulation artifact and having a higher degree of spatial specificity, infrared neural stimulation (INS) has the potential to improve upon clinical ES for IONM. Here, we present a direct comparison between clinical ES and INS for IONM performance in an in vivo rat model. The sensitivity of INS surpasses that of ES in detecting partial forms of damage while maintaining a comparable specificity and sensitivity to more complete forms. Without loss in performance, INS is readily compatible with existing clinical nerve monitoring systems. These findings underscore the clinical potential of INS to improve IONM and surgical outcomes.
Bell correlations outside physics
Authors: Gallus C. , Pothos E. M. , Blasiak P. , Yearsley J. M. , Wojciechowski B. W.
Published: March 2023

Correlations are ubiquitous in nature and their principled study is of paramount importance in scientific development. The seminal contributions from John Bell offer a framework for analyzing the correlations between the components of quantum mechanical systems and have instigated an experimental tradition which has recently culminated with the Nobel Prize in Physics (2022). In physics, Bell’s framework allows the demonstration of the non-classical nature of quantum systems just from the analysis of the observed correlation patterns. Bell’s ideas need not be restricted to physics. Our contribution is to show an example of a Bell approach, based on the insight that correlations can be broken down into a part due to common, ostensibly significant causes, and a part due to noise. We employ data from finance (price changes of securities) as an example to demonstrate our approach, highlighting several general applications: first, we demonstrate a new measure of association, informed by the assumed causal relationship between variables. Second, our framework can lead to streamlined Bell-type tests of widely employed models of association, which are in principle applicable to any discipline. In the area of finance, such models of association are Factor Models and the bivariate Gaussian model. Overall, we show that Bell’s approach and the models we consider are applicable as general statistical techniques, without any domain specificity. We hope that our work will pave the way for extending our general understanding for how the structure of associations can be analyzed.
Analysis of ecological quality changes and influencing factors in Xiangjiang River Basin
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Yi Liwen , Xie Binggeng , Li Junhan , Xiao Jianyong , Xie Jing , Liu Zhixing
Published: March 2023

The Xiangjiang River Basin is an important part of the Yangtze River Basin and an important area in Hunan Province. Thus, taking steps to protect the ecological sustainability of the Xiangjiang River Basin, such as the construction of the protection of ecological security in Hunan Province and the Yangtze River Protection Law, is important for national projects However, research on the ecological quality of the Xiangjiang River Basin is mostly biased toward the evaluation of ecosystem services or an individual ecological index. Furthermore, a long-term evaluation of multiple indicators is lacking. Therefore, based on Google Earth Engine and geographic detectors, the remote sensing ecological index was used to evaluate this area. The year-by-year research on the Xiangjiang River Basin from 2001 to 2020 clarified its past ecological quality change trend, explored the reasons for the ecological quality change, and provided a basis for protecting its ecological quality. The following results are presented. (1) Regarding spatial distribution, areas with poor ecological environments are mainly distributed at the centers of Chang-Zhu-Tan, Hengyang, and various districts and counties. (2) Regarding the time variation, the ecological quality of the Xiangjiang River Basin from 2001 to 2020 showed a slight downward trend, with a downward slope of approximately − 0.0000357143; a rapid increase, with a growth rate of approximately 0.00395; And an overall improvement over 20 years. The areas with declining ecological quality are mainly located in the Chang-Zhu-Tan urban agglomeration, the city center of Hengyang, and the county centers of various county towns. (3) The factor detection results show that human factors play a key role in population density and land use, with average q values of 0.429 and 0.353, respectively. Among natural factors, elevation and slope play a key role, with average q values of 0.230 and 0.351, respectively; hence, Land use directly affect on the ecological quality in a location. These findings will provide important information for managers to formulate ecological restoration measures for the Xiangjiang River.
Effects of virtual reality-based intervention on depression in stroke patients: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Hebing , Cheng Zhaohua , Wang Shuo , Jia Yong
Published: March 2023

As one of the most common neuropsychiatric complications after stroke, post-stroke depression can significantly affect the initiative of rehabilitation exercise and the rehabilitation of neurological function of patients. Virtual reality (VR) has been widely used in health-related fields in recent years. There is some evidence that VR-based interventions have benefits for depression. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of VR-based intervention on depression in stroke patients. A total of 752 patients with stroke from 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studies were included in this meta-analysis and the studies derived from seven electronic databases searched from database inception to August 2021. Different tools were used to measure depression. For continuous results, the standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to synthesize the effects. We assessed the risk of bias by using the Cochrane Collaboration criteria. The results showed that compared to the control group, VR-based interventions significantly decreased the depression scale score (SMD =  − 0.75, 95% CI − 1.35, − 0.15). The meta-analysis indicated that VR-based intervention had a moderate effect on depression in stroke patients compared to control group. There was no evidence of potential publication bias as assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots in Egger and Begg tests. Substantial heterogeneity between studies was observed, meta-regression analysis showed that mean age might be the source of heterogeneity.
Full-length human dystrophin on human artificial chromosome compensates for mouse dystrophin deficiency in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse model
Authors: Hiramuki Yosuke , Abe Satoshi , Uno Narumi , Kazuki Kanako , Takata Shuta , Miyamoto Hitomaru , Takayama Haruka , Morimoto Kayoko , Takehara Shoko , Osaki Mitsuhiko , Tanihata Jun , Takeda Shin’ichi , Tomizuka Kazuma , Oshimura Mitsuo , Kazuki Yasuhiro
Published: March 2023

Dystrophin maintains membrane integrity as a sarcolemmal protein. Dystrophin mutations lead to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an X-linked recessive disorder. Since dystrophin is one of the largest genes consisting of 79 exons in the human genome, delivering a full-length dystrophin using virus vectors is challenging for gene therapy. Human artificial chromosome is a vector that can load megabase-sized genome without any interference from the host chromosome. Chimeric mice carrying a 2.4-Mb human dystrophin gene-loaded human artificial chromosome (DYS-HAC) was previously generated, and dystrophin expression from DYS-HAC was confirmed in skeletal muscles. Here we investigated whether human dystrophin expression from DYS-HAC rescues the muscle phenotypes seen in dystrophin-deficient mice. Human dystrophin was normally expressed in the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle and heart at expected molecular weights, and it ameliorated histological and functional alterations in dystrophin-deficient mice. These results indicate that the 2.4-Mb gene is enough for dystrophin to be correctly transcribed and translated, improving muscular dystrophy. Therefore, this technique using HAC gives insight into developing new treatments and novel humanized Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse models with human dystrophin gene mutations.
Stratospheric ozone depletion in the Antarctic region triggers intense changes in sea salt aerosol geochemistry
Authors: Gonçalves Jr Sérgio J. , Evangelista Heitor , Weis Johannes , Harder Tristan H. , China Swarup , Müller Simon , Marques Magdalena M. , Magalhães Neto Newton de , Passos Heber R. , Sampaio Marcelo , Simões Jefferson C. , Ximenes de Oliveira Bruno Vinícius , Yamamoto Carlos I. , Laskin Alexander , Gilles Mary K. , Godoi Ricardo H. M.
Published: March 2023

Since the early 1980s, the Antarctic environment has served as a natural field laboratory for researchers to investigate the effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, which has resulted in increased surface ultraviolet radiation levels. However, its effective threats still present gaps. We report new pieces of evidence of increased ultraviolet radiation impacting West Antarctica sea salt aerosols. Salt aerosols, particularly in the Southern Ocean Sea, play an important role in the radiative earth balance. To disclose the molecular details of sea salt aerosols, we used a synchrotron-based multi-element microscopic speciation of individual microparticles (Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy with Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy combined with Computer-Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy). Here we identified substantial abundances of chlorine-enriched aerosols in sea salt generated by photolytic products, whereas ice core records revealed increased chlorine depletion from the onset of ozone depletion. Our findings reveal that modern sea salt modification has no Holocene precedent.
Electrolytes, Interfaces and Interphases
Authors: Xu Kang
Published: March 2023

Electrolytes are indispensable components in electrochemistry and the fast-growing electrochemical energy storage markets. Research in electrolytes has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, accompanied by their applications in the most popular electrochemical cell ever invented, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In myriads of LIBs, electrolytes and their interphases determine how high the voltage of a battery is, how many times it can be charged/discharged, or how rapid the energy stored therein could be released. The conquest of further technical challenges around safety, life and cost-effectiveness of lithium-based or beyond-lithium batteries requires in-depth understanding of electrolytes and interphases. This will be the authoritative textbook for those entering the field. Chapters will establish the fundamental principles for the field, before moving onto important knowledge acquired in recent years. There will be special emphasis on linking these fundamentals to real-world problems encountered in devices, especially lithium-ion batteries. The book will be suitable for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in electrochemical energy storage, electrochemistry, materials science and engineering, as well as researchers new to the subject.
Insulin fibril inhibition using glycopolymeric nanoassemblies
Authors: Bera Avisek , Ghosh Pooja , Barman Soumen , Bhattacharya Sagnik , Sudhamalla Babu , Goswami Kalyan , De Priyadarsi
Published: March 2023

Glycopolymeric nanoassemblies were designed with engineered projection of either selective or both cationic leucine/sugar residues on the outer surface of the aggregates to explore their potential role in preventing insulin fibrillation process.
A systematic review on plastic waste conversion for a circular economy: recent trends and emerging technologies
Authors: J Rajesh Banu , V Godvin Sharmila
Published: March 2023

Our biosphere has been adversely affected by plastic waste pollution, especially non-biodegradables in landfills, which induces hazardous chemical leaching and toxic gas emissions on burning into the atmosphere.
Detection of domestic-use chemicals in urban storm drains during dry days in a separated sewer area
Authors: Ozaki Noriatsu , Funaki Makoto , Kindaichi Tomonori , Ohashi Akiyoshi
Published: March 2023

The decrepitude of infrastructures currently threatens developed countries, including Japan.
Plasma extracellular vesicle phenotyping for the differentiation of early-stage lung cancer and benign lung diseases
Authors: Yuan Liwen , Chen Yanpin , Ke Longfeng , Zhou Quan , Chen Jiayou , Fan Min , Wuethrich Alain , Trau Matt , Wang Jing
Published: March 2023

A nanostrategy that combines bright core–shell probes, a nanomixing chip, and machine learning was proposed to evaluate the clinical performance of plasma EV phenotypes in differentiating early-stage lung cancer and benign lung diseases.
Nickel -supported PdM (M = Au and Ag) nanodendrites as formate oxidation (electro)catalytic anodes for direct fuel cells and hydrogen generation at room temperature
Authors: Pan Bowei , Shan Shuang , Wang Junpeng , Tang Quan , Guo Longfei , Jin Tao , Wang Qiao , Li Zhen , Usman Muhammad , Chen Fuyi
Published: March 2023

Palladium–gold (PdAu) and palladium–silver (PdAg) nanodendrites on a nickel foam are bifunctional catalysts for formate oxidation reactions (FORs) and formate dehydrogenation reactions (FDRs).
Advances in the understanding of the structure–performance relationships of 2D material catalysts based on electron microscopy
Authors: Xu Jie , Li Yun , Li Runxin , Lin Tianren , Han Na , Jin Changfei , Yuan Yifei , Li Yanguang , Luo Jun
Published: March 2023

Here, we highlight a series of applications of advanced electron microscopy in the study of 2D catalysts with analysis of active sites and atomic structure evolution of 2D catalysts presented, as well as future challenges and opportunities.
Reactions of cobalt(ii) chloride and cobalt(ii) acetate with hemisalen-type ligands: ligand transformation, oxidation of cobalt and complex formation. Preliminary study on the cytotoxicity of Co(ii) and Co(iii) hemisalen complexes
Authors: Siedzielnik Magdalena , Pawłowska Monika , Daśko Mateusz , Kleinschmidt Hubert , Dołęga Anna
Published: March 2023

Dependent on the cobalt precursor, hemisalen complexes tend to transform into polycyclic compounds or bind to the metal ion to form coordination complexes of diverse nuclearity.
Co-deposition of Co–Ni alloy catalysts from an ethylene glycol system for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: He Xinkuai , Hu Zhousi , Zou Qingtian , Yang Jingjing , Guo Ruqing , Wu Luye
Published: March 2023

Nanocrystalline Co–Ni catalysts with a high electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) for HER are prepared from ethylene glycol system.
Rational nitrogen alloying in nickel–molybdenum nitride can mediate efficient and durable alkaline hydrogen evolution
Authors: Zhao Jia Yue , Lou Zhen Xin , Xue Liang Yao , Ding Yeliang , Li Xiaoxia , Wu Xuefeng , Liu Yuanwei , Yuan Hai Yang , Wang Hai Feng , Liu Peng Fei , Dai Sheng , Yang Hua Gui
Published: March 2023

A controlled amount of nitrogen is introduced into the NiMo alloy to obtain a bimetallic nitride with improved activity and stability, resulting in a stability of over 50 h at a current density of 1.0 A cm−2 under 2.17 V in an anion membrane flow cell.
Photothermal responsive composites of graphene oxide/liquid crystal networks with different mesogenic arrangements towards flexible and bionic devices
Authors: Guo Ruicai , Gao Wenhui , Li Xiaoshuai , Zhang Meishan , Ma Hongmei , Yu Haifeng , Sun Yubao
Published: March 2023

The composite film with GO and LCNs exhibits reversible and fast deformation behaviour in response to IR light and thermal stimuli, and it is suitable for the fabrication of biological soft robots and intelligent bionic equipment.