bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting prognosis and need for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections in wet age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Kizilay Muhammet Emin , Sengun Gozde Derin , Esen Fehim , Durmus Ebubekir , Oguz Halit , Aykut Veysel
Published: September 2023

Purpose: To understand factors affecting visual prognosis and the number of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections needed to stabilize wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods: In this retrospective cohort, 119 treatment-naïve wet AMD patients were followed for two years. In patients with bilateral disease, the eye with worse best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) or that received more intravitreal injections was recruited as the study eye. In all visits, BCVA was recorded, ophthalmological examination was performed including macular optical coherence tomography imaging. Twenty health status / lifestyle questions were asked to the patients via phone as potential risk factors. All patients received 3 loading doses of intravitreal bevacizumab injections and received repeat injections of aflibercept or ranibizumab when the eye had a new, active neovascular lesion.
Results: Patients who took regular micronutrition had similar visual outcome and injection numbers compared to the ones who did not. Patients with bilateral disease needed less intravitreal injections compared to unilateral AMD patients (p=0.016) and women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) required less injections compared to the women who were not (p=0.024). Female patients had a mean gain of 2.7 letters while male patients lost 3.8 letters (p=0.038). Wet AMD started at an earlier age in smokers (p=0.002). Patients with a better education level presented earlier with better BCVA (p=0.037).
Conclusion: HRT and anti-VEGF injections to the fellow eye improved the prognosis of wet AMD, while male patients had slightly worse prognosis. estrogen’s protective effects and potential contribution in wet AMD needs further attention.
Retrospectively registered: 2020/0622
Changes in Temperature and CO2 Concentration Induced by El Niño
Authors: Nishioka Masaharu
Published: September 2023

We compared satellite-based UAH Earth surface temperature, NOAA ENSO index, and Earth-surface CO2 change rate in detail. These three variables were well correlated over the observed 40 years. Temperature changed about one year after ENSO index changed, and CO2 change rate followed temperature change by several months. CO2 emission and absorption at the Earth’s surface responded to temperature changes. It was like Earth’s breathing. CO2 emission due to higher temperature was related to plant respiration or decomposition processes.
Optimized Caged Silica Synthesis with Lithium Chloride and Calcium Chloride Impregnation for Prospective Desalination Application
Authors: Khushnood Sundus , Khan Javaid Rabbani , Ng Kim Choon , Ja M Kum , Imran Muhammad , Shahzad Muhammad Wakil
Published: September 2023

Caged Silica is an inorganic sorbent that is widely employed in a variety of applications, including catalysts, thermal insulation, energy storage batteries, and as an adsorbent in the extraction of fresh water. Researchers have devised several techniques to prepare mono-dispersed caged silica with standard morphology. Template synthesis is quite prominent due to its structural stability and versatility. In this work, we present synthesis of caged silica microsphere via hard template synthesis by employing the process of calcination at 550 Co for 4 hours at the rate of 3 Co/min and subsequent drying. Emulsion polymerization was utilized to develop the polystyrene required in the procedure. This study also looks at how different parameters like silica precursor concentration, surfactant concentration, and catalyst concentration affect silica morphology. It was investigated that caged silica synthesis was optimized at 1.5 ml of TEOS, 1.25 g of CTAB, 0.1 g of PS and 75 μl of NH3 which was confirmed by SEM and TEM analysis. Surface area of caged silica was measured as 448 m2/g with the stirring rate of 5 minutes. We also impregnated caged silica with 9% of hygroscopic salts (CaCl2 and LiCl) and it showed substantial uptake improvement. Preliminary results showed that LiCl impregnated caged silica is more efficient at water uptake compared to CaCl2. The proposed composite adsorbent (Si-9-Li & Si-9-Ca) could be used for the desalination application.
A kinetic compass for the design of experiments to determine kinetic parameters
Authors: Krüger Matteo , Mishra Ashmi , Spichtinger Peter , Pöschl Ulrich , Berkemeier Thomas
Published: September 2023

Kinetic process models are widely applied in science and engineering, including atmospheric, physiological and technical chemistry, reactor design, or process optimization. These models rely on numerous kinetic parameters such as reaction rate, diffusion or partitioning coefficients. Determining these parameters by experiments can be challenging, especially for multiphase systems, and researchers often face the task of intuitively selecting experimental conditions to obtain insightful results. We developed a kinetic compass (KC) method that integrates kinetic models, global optimization, ensemble methods, and machine learning to identify experimental conditions with the greatest potential to constrain kinetic parameters. The approach is based on the quantification of model output variance in an ensemble of solutions that agree with experimental data. The utility of the KC method is demonstrated for the kinetic parameters in a multi-layer model describing the heterogeneous ozonolysis of oleic acid aerosols. We show how neural network surrogate models of the multiphase chemical reaction system can be used to accelerate the application of the kinetic compass for a comprehensive mapping and analysis of experimental conditions. The code is openly available and can be adapted to various types of process models.
Mapping Socioeconomic Conditions Using Satellite Imagery: A Computer Vision Approach for Developing Countries
Authors: Arshad Arslan , Zulfikar Junaid , Zaib Muhammad Hassan , Khan Ahsan , Khan Muhammad Jahanzeb
Published: September 2023

Pakistan is a developing country with more than a quarter of its population living under the poverty line. Data relating to the socioeconomic conditions of the population is scarce and sporadic. Government, NGOs, and other international organizations perform door-to-door surveys to collect data, but these can be expensive and time-consuming to conduct. Currently, statistics about poverty in Pakistan exist only as estimates from field surveys, which are often unofficial and limited. This lack of reliable information leads to ineffective policy decisions. This is one of the biggest challenges in fighting issues such as poverty. Reliable information is thus needed for the unified and concerted direction of development activities. This thesis aims to build a computer vision system that can automatically extract information about poverty from publicly available high-resolution satellite imagery. The proposed system output is heat maps indicating poverty and development levels. These heat maps can be overlaid on digital maps for easy visualization. We propose to use transfer learning techniques to extract indicators such as geographical and man-made structural features from high-resolution satellite imagery. The trained model learns to filter and distinguish between various terrains and man-made features, such as highways, buildings, and farmlands. We show that these learned traits are quite useful for mapping socioeconomic variables and even come close to matching the prediction data with field survey data. For a developing country like Pakistan, this thesis is useful because the approach uses publicly available data and is a scalable and inexpensive alternative to traditional surveys. The results from our thesis can aid policymakers and NGOs in distributing their funds to areas that are most deserving and enacting and assessing policies more effectively.
Immune-related transcriptomic and epigenetic reconfiguration in BV2 cells after LPS exposure: an in vitro omics integrative study
Authors: Rivera Arturo Marroquín , Zhao Chenqi , Pessoni André Moreira , Bherer Juliette , Mansouri Samaneh , Droit Arnaud , Labonté Benoit
Published: September 2023

Background
Molecular alterations affecting microglia activity have been consistently associated with the inflammatory response. These cells can have pro or anti-inflammatory activity, phenotypes thought to be heavily regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Still, little is known about the details on how epigenetic marks regulate the expression of genes in the context of an inflammatory response.
Methods
Through CUT&RUN, we profiled four genome-wide histone marks (HM) (H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K27ac and H3K27me3) in lipopolysaccharide exposed-cells and compared their distributions to control cells. Transcriptomic profiles were determined through RNA-seq and differentially expressed genes were identified and contrasted with the epigenetic landscapes. Other downstream analyses were also included in this study.
Results
Our results illustrate an effectively induced M1 phenotype in microglial cells derived from LPS exposure. We observed differential bound regions associated with genes classically involved in the inflammatory response in the expected direction according to each histone modification. Consistently, our transcriptomic analysis yielded a conspicuous illustration of the LPS-induced immune activity showing the up-regulation of Nf-κB induced mRNAs (TNF-α, nfκbiz, nfκbia) and other important genes (Marco, Il-6, etc.). Furthermore, we integrated both omics profiles and identified an important reconfiguration of the genome induced by LPS. The latter was depicted by 8 different chromatin states that changed between conditions and that, associated with unique clusters of differentially expressed genes, not only represented regulatory elements, but also underlined distinct biological functions (inhibition of morphogenesis; changes in metabolism, homeostasis, and cytokine regulation; activation of the inflammatory response).
Conclusion
This study exhibits important differences in the distribution of histone modifications in treated and control BV2 cells, constituting an epigenetic reconfiguration that leads to the inflammatory response. Also, it highlights the importance of these marks' regulatory role in gene expression and provides possible targets for further studies in the context of inflammation.
Cefoxitin versus carbapenems as definitive treatment for Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia in intensive care unit: a propensity-matched retrospective analysis
Authors: Dequidt Tanguy , Bastian Sylvaine , Nacher Mathieu , Breurec Sébastien , Carles Michel , Thiery Guillaume , Camous Laurent , Tressieres Benoit , Valette Marc , Pommier Jean-David
Published: September 2023

Background
Despite cefoxitin's in vitro resistance to hydrolysis by extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), treatment of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infections with cefoxitin remains controversial. The aim of our study was to compare the clinical efficacy of cefoxitin as definitive antibiotic therapy for patients with ESBL-KP bacteremia in intensive care unit, versus carbapenem therapy.
Methods
This retrospective study included all patients with monomicrobial bacteremia hospitalized in intensive care unit between January 2013 and January 2023 at the University Hospital of Guadeloupe. The primary outcome was the 30-day clinical success defined as a composite endpoint: 30-day survival, absence of relapse, and no change of antibiotic therapy. Cox regression including a propensity score (PS) and PS-based matched analysis were performed for endpoint analysis.
Results
110 patients with bloodstream infections were enrolled. Sixty-three patients (57%) received definitive antibiotic therapy with cefoxitin, while forty-seven (43%) were treated with carbapenems. 30-day clinical success was not significantly different between patients treated with cefoxitin (57%) and carbapenems (53%, p = 0.823). PS-adjusted and PS-matched analysis confirmed these findings. Change of definitive antibiotic therapy were more frequent in the cefoxitin group (17% vs. 0%, p = 0.002). No significant differences were observed for the other secondary endpoints. The acquisition of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was significantly higher in patients receiving carbapenem therapy (5% vs. 23%, p = 0.007).
Conclusions
Our results suggest that cefoxitin as definitive antibiotic therapy could be a therapeutic option for some ESBL-KP bacteremia, sparing carbapenems and reducing the selection of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Further research is warranted.
Estrogen alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome -mediated pyroptosis
Authors: He Fei , Cheng Jing , Cheng Cheng , Shen Shichun , Li Yutong , Sheng Jianlong , Xu Banglong , Wang Xiaochen
Published: September 2023

The present study was designed to investigate whether 17β-estrogen (E2) reduces myocardial I/R injury by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome mediated pyroptosis. In vivo, four-weeks-old female C57BL/6 mice underwent ovariectomy (Ovx) before E2 replacement therapy. After the establishment of myocardial I/R injury, plasma E2, LDH and CK-MB were detected, and the myocardial infarction (MI) size, TUNEL immunofluorescence, and the expressions of TXNIP, NLRP3, caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Gasdermin D protein (GSDMD), IL-1β were compared among each group. In vitro, primary mice cardiomyocytes were isolated to create hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model. The cells viability, the release of LDH, TXNIP, IL-18, IL-1β, caspase-1 viability, level of cardiomyocytes death and the expression of TXNIP, NLRP3, caspase1, ASC, IL-1β, GSDMD were compared among each groups. In vivo, E2 replacement therapy significantly reduced infarct size and pyroptosis compared with mice in OVX + I/R group. In addition, E2 replacement could markedly suppressed expressions of pyroptosis related proteins, including TXNIP, NLRP3, cleaved Caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β as well as the pyroptosis executor GSDMD. In vitro, the effects of E2 on cardiomyocytes injury and pyroptosis related proteins were dramatically reversed when co-administrated with estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780. In addition, NLRP3 inhibitor Bay11-7082 could preserve cell viability, reduce pyroptosis as well as expressions of pyroptosis related proteins. Furthermore, pretreatment with Caspase-1 inhibitor AC-YVAD-CMK could significantly limit cell injury and reduce expressions of pyroptosis related proteins. Our study demonstrated that estrogen alleviate myocardial I/R injury by inhibiting the level of pyroptosis via ER/TXNIP/NLRP3/Caspase-1.
Estimation of elastic properties of sediments utilizing simulated annealing algorithm – a pseudo-wells generation approach
Authors: Khah Nasser Keshavarz Faraj , Salehi Bahare , Kianoush Pooria , Nafisi Farhad
Published: September 2023

The gas hydrate distribution model containing cement, or un-cement models, considerably affects elastic properties such as shear and bulk modulus. Thus, determining the distribution model in the hydrate-bearing sediments requires decreasing uncertainty in quantitative studies based on seismic velocities. Pre-stack seismic data include additional fluid information than post-stack seismic data, and the pre-stack inversion procedure has influential benefits such as stable outcomes, high resolution, and strong manageability. The amplitude-variation-with-angle (AVA) inversion along the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) utilizing compressional and Shear wave pre-stack analysis could be involved to evaluate hydrate and gas saturations at the pseudo well, especially in accretionary prism structures. It could change unconsolidated sediments' elastic properties and produce sharp bottom simulating. Pseudo-well generation is a title for estimating the elastic parameters of sediments in areas such as deep marine environments where drilled wells are absent (or sparse). This seismic angle-gather inversion problem has complex space and several local and global optimum solutions. In such cases, metaheuristic algorithms are a suitable tool for problem-solving. In this paper, the metaheuristic Simulated Annealing algorithm has been investigated, and the developed optimized algorithm has been presented. In order to analyze the performance of the algorithm, pre-stack seismic data is utilized as a benchmark. The conceptual model of this data includes the elastic parameter logs, which makes it an appropriate option for analyzing the performance and accuracy of the algorithm. According to the results, the generation of pseudo-wells with the algorithm mentioned earlier can be used to characterize hydrates-bearing sediments.
Computational Discovery of Potent Imidazole Derivatives as Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: An Integrated Approach Combining Molecular Dynamics and Binding Affinity Analysis
Authors: Babalola Benjamin , Adegboyega Abayomi
Published: September 2023

One of the most pressing challenges associated with SARS treatment is the emergence of new variants that may be transmissible, causing more severe disease or being resistant to the current standard of treatment. This study aimed to identify potential drug candidates from newly synthesized imidazole derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro), a crucial drug target for treating viral infection, using a computational approach that integrated molecular docking and dynamics simulation. In this study, we utilized AutoDock Vina within the PyRx workspace for molecular docking analysis to explore the inhibitory effects of the compounds on the Mpro, a drug target for SARS-CoV-2. The ADMET properties of these compounds, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity, were evaluated using the SwissADME and ADMETLab servers. Every one of the 18 compounds that were tested demonstrated strong binding affinities towards Mpro, with Imidazolyl-methanone C10 showing the most significant binding affinity. Moreover, pyridyl imidazole C5, thiophenyl-imidazole C1, and quinoline imidazole C14 displayed binding affinities of -8.3, -8.2, and -7.7 Kcal/mol, respectively. These compounds interacted with specific amino acid residues (HIS A:41 - CYS A:145) within the Mpro protein. To assess the stability of the ligand with the best binding affinity, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted using Schrodinger software, which revealed its stability over the simulation period. The study provides valuable insights into the potential of imidazole derivatives as SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. All compounds including C10 display promising characteristics and hold potential as a drug candidate for SARS-CoV-2. However, further optimization and experimental validation of these compounds are necessary to advance their development as effective therapeutics against viral infections.
Sequential recovery of protein and ammonium from waste sludge and functional metabolism in a combined process of nutrient recovery electro- fermentation (NREF)
Authors: Gu Jiayu , Zhou Huihui , Wang Jing , Feng Kun , Xie Guojun , Liu Bingfeng , Xing Defeng
Published: September 2023

Background: Waste sludge, as an inevitable by-product during wastewater treatment, is a valuable resource for nitrogen nutrient recovery (e.g. protein and ammonium). Electro-fermentation system (EFS) has a unique advantage in boosting sludge fermentation while recovering ammonium. However, the simultaneous recovery of protein and ammonium during sludge treatment has not yet been achieved. And it remains obscure how microbes cooperate regarding their molecular metabolic mechanisms during EFS treating sludge.
Results: We proposed a novel approach for sequential recovery of protein and ammonium and simultaneous sludge treatment by pretreatment-EF cascading system. The results showed that 72.23% of protein was recovered by alkaline-thermal pretreatment of dewatered sludge, which was recycled as yeast extract and peptone substitute for bacterial growth. The cascading two-chamber EFS facilitated the ammonium recovery of 71−80% and 45−50% in cathode chamber of residual pretreated dewatered sludge (EFS-TS) and raw waste sludge (EFS-RS), respectively. Additionally, the EFS significantly enhanced the COD removal, where EFS-TS obtained the highest TCOD removal which increased by 6.39−14.53% over anaerobic digestion. Microbiome analysis demonstrated that EFS attributed to the enrichment and syntrophic interaction of electroactive bacteria (Geobacter), fermentative bacteria (Rikenella, Lentimicrobium, and Petrimonas), and nitrogen-fixing bacteria(Geobacter and Azonexus). Metagenomics analysis uncovered that this syntrophic interaction facilitated the organic degradation pathways, intracellular and extracellular electron transfer, and nitrogen transformation.
Conclusions: Our study provides insights into syntrophic interaction between biofilm and suspension in the nutrient recovery electro-fermentation, and presents a promising approach for processing sludge with full form nitrogen recovery.
Structural brain characteristics of epilepsy patients with comorbid migraine without aura
Authors: Zhang Shujiang , Liu Wenyu , Li Jinmei , Zhou Dong
Published: September 2023

Background
Migraine is a common bi-directional comorbidity of epilepsy and there is possible potential complex interaction between the two diseases. Until now there is no study of brain morphology analysis of them. The use of VBM, SBM and SCN are helpful to improve the accuracy of detection of morphological changes.
Methods
Thirty patients of epilepsy with comorbid migraine without aura (EM) were included in our study, simultaneously, 20 healthy controls (HC), 30 epilepsy controls (EC) without migraine were recruited as control. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM), surface-based morphometry (SBM), and structural covariance network (SCN) analysis to compare differences in gray matter volume, cortical thickness, and global level and local level graph theory indexes between the EM, EC, and HC groups to investigate structural brain changes in EM patients.
Results
VBM analysis showed that the EM group had gray matter atrophy in the right temporal pole compared with the HC group (p < 0.001, false discover rate correction). Furthermore, the headache duration in the EM group was negatively correlated with the gray matter volume of the right temporal pole (p < 0.05). SBM analysis showed cortical atrophy in the left insula, left posterior cingulate gyrus, left postcentral gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and left fusiform gyrus in EM compared with the HC group (p < 0.001, family wise error correction). We found a positive correlation between headache frequency and the cortical thickness of the left middle temporal gyrus (p < 0.05). SCN analysis revealed that no differences in global parameters between the three groups. The AUC of nodal betweenness centrality in the right postcentral gyrus was decreased in the EM group compared with the HC group (p < 0.001, FDR correction), and the AUC of the nodal degree in the right fusiform gyrus was decreased in the EM group compared with the EC group (p < 0.001, FDR correction).
Conclusion
We found clear structural brain changes in EM patients compared to HC. Migraine attacks may have potential effects on brain structure in epilepsy patients. Meanwhile, brain structural changes may be an important factor for the development of epilepsy with comorbid migraine. Further studies are needed to investigate the structural changes of epilepsy with comorbid migraine without aura.
Internet of Things Network Security Improvement Investment: The Role of Platform and Smart Device Manufacturer
Authors: Li Xiufeng , Zhang Zhen
Published: September 2023

This study aims to address the network security investment problem in an IoT environment by developing a game-theoretical model. We examine the impact of IoT service level and customer characteristics on the incentives for both the IoT platform and the manufacturer to invest in security, as well as the platform's profitability. Through analytical analysis, we obtain several noteworthy findings. Firstly, we find that a higher IoT platform service level corresponds to a higher security responsibility. As a result, the platform needs to carefully consider the costs and benefits associated with security investment and service provision. Additionally, our research demonstrates that both the platform and the manufacturer's efforts to enhance security do not diminish, even when faced with increasing customer losses due to security breaches. Furthermore, our study reveals the influence of the unit security cost and the size of highly sensitive customers on the security efforts undertaken by both the IoT platform and the smart device manufacturer. These results have important practical implications for firms operating within an IoT-based supply chain. Specifically, our findings can provide valuable decision-making guidance for enterprises seeking digital transformation and making informed choices regarding platform operations.
AdductHunter: Identifying Protein-Metal Complex Adducts in Mass Spectra
Authors: Long Derek , Eade Liam , Sullivan Matthew P , Dost Katharina , Meier-Menches Samuel M , Goldstone David C , Hartinger Christian G , Wicker Jörg S , Taskova Katerina
Published: September 2023

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique for molecule identification that can be used for investigating protein-metal complex interactions. Once the MS data is collected, the mass spectra are usually interpreted manually to identify the adducts formed which arise from the interactions between proteins and metal-based species. However, with increasing resolution, dataset size, and species complexity, the time required to identify adducts and the error-prone nature of manual assignment have become limiting factors in MS analysis. AdductHunter is an analysis tool to automate the peak identification process using constraint integer optimization to find feasible combinations of protein and fragments, and dynamic time warping to calculate the dissimilarity between the theoretical isotope pattern of a species and its experimental isotope peak distribution. Our results show fast and accurate identification of protein adducts to aid mass spectrometry analysis.
Nachruf
Authors: Matzke-Hajek Günter , Raabe Uwe
Published: September 2023

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Neufund der Hügelland-Schildflechte Peltigera collina (Ach.) Schrad. und ein Wiederfund der Aderflechte Peltigera venosa (L.) Hoffm. in der Eifel und für das Rheinland
Authors: Schmitz Bruno G. A.
Published: September 2023

Funde von Peltigera collina und Peltigera venosa am Wöllersberg bei Lissingen in der Eifel werden dokumentiert. Für Peltigera collina ist es der Erstfund in der Eifel und das zweite Vorkommen im Bundesland Rheinland-Pfalz. Es umfasst ca. 38 Thalli auf vier bemoosten Felsen an der Südseite und mindestens 176 Thalli auf 4 bemoosten Laubbäumen an der Ostseite des Wöllersberg. Für Peltigera venosa ist es der erste Wiederfund im deutschen Mittelgebirgsraum nördlich der Alpen. Die Vorkommen befinden sich an zwei Böschungen und umfassen zum einen mindestens 115 Thalli mit Apothecien und zum anderen ca. 70 Thalli mit Apothecien. Die Verbreitung der Arten in angrenzenden Gebieten wird diskutiert. Es wird die Unterschutzstellung des noch vorhandenen Wöllersbergs als Naturschutzgebiet und der sofortige Stopp des Rohstoffabbaus vorgeschlagen.
Rotalgen als Bioindikatoren der Gewässergüte des unteren Wiedtals (Rheinland-Pfalz)
Authors: Wirth Judith , Killmann Dorothee , Fischer Eberhard
Published: September 2023

Zwischen Juni und August 2009 wurde die Rotalgenflora der unteren Wied (nördliches Rheinland-Pfalz) und ihrer Seitenbäche untersucht. Hierbei konnten die fünf Arten Audouinella hermannii, Hildenbrandia rivularis, Lemanea fluviatilis, Paralemanea catenata und Paralemanea cf. torulosa nachgewiesen werden. Während Audouinella hermannii und Paralemanea catenata flächendeckend vorkamen, traten Lemanea fluviatilis, Hildenbrandia rivularis und Paralemanea cf. torulosa nur an wenigen Fundorten auf. Für die drei Seitenbäche Fockenbach, Nonnbach und Laubach liegen Nachweise von Hildenbrandia rivularis vor. Für die einzelnen Standorte werden Angaben zu Temperatur, pH-Wert und Fließgeschwindigkeit gemacht.
Verbreitung von Dryopteris affinis (Lowe) Fraser-Jenk. s.l. im Tilio-Acerion des Rheinischen Schiefergebirges
Authors: Poppek Matthias
Published: September 2023

Im Zeitraum von März 2008 bis April 2012 wurden im Rahmen einer pflanzensoziologischen Untersuchung zu Schluchtwäldern im Rheinischen Schiefergebirge Vorkommen des Spreuschuppigen Wurmfarns Dryopteris affinis (L.) Fraser-Jenk. s.l. in Haupt- und Seitentälern von Mittelrhein, unterer Lahn und unterer Mosel erfasst. Über die Verbreitung dieses sehr seltenen Farns innerhalb Deutschlands ist der bisherigen Kenntnisstand noch sehr lückenhaft. Ein pflanzensoziologischer Verbreitungsschwerpunkt wurde in Edellaubmischwäldern (Tilio-Acerion) vermutet, denen als Fauna- Flora-Habitat ein besonderer Schutzstatus zugeschrieben wird. Entsprechend konnten Vorkommen von Dryopteris affinis im Untersuchungsraum in dieser Waldgesellschaft gemeinsam mit zahlreichen geschützten bzw. seltenen Taxa nachgewiesen werden. Zudem werden in dieser Arbeit die besonderen ökologischen Ansprüche, die dessen Seltenheit bedingen, thematisiert. Abschließend werden Gründe für die meist geringen Individuenzahlen von Dryopteris affinis an den Fundorten diskutiert.
Zur Käferfauna (Coleoptera) auf dem ehemaligen Standortübungsplatz Schmidtenhöhe in Koblenz
Authors: Taupp Thomas , Steinebach Alexandra , Karlsson Anneli , Wagner Thomas
Published: September 2023

Auf dem ehemaligen Standortübungsplatz Schmidtenhöhe im rechtsrheinischen Teil von Koblenz, wurden im Laufe von Lehrveranstaltungen und vier Examensarbeiten an der Universität Koblenz-Landau im April bis Juli der Jahre 2005–2007 und 2009–2011 Käfer in Bodenfallen erfasst. Dabei konnten in drei unterschiedlichen Habitattypen (Wald, Tümpelufer mit Gebüschen, kurzrasige Freifläche) 6.365 Käfer in 372 Arten erfasst werden. Die Daten werden hinsichtlich der alpha- und beta-Diversität und geographisch-ökologischer Parameter ausgewertet. Die Faunenüberlappung zeigt eine hohe habitattypische Verteilung der Käfer. Faunistische Besonderheiten sind die hohe Abundanz von Carabus glabratus, sowie das Vorkommen von Carabus convexus, Callistus lunatus, Cyphocelonus trisulcatus und Sphenophorus striatopunctatus.
Farbvarianten der Schermaus (Arvicola sp.) in Nordrhein-Westfalen
Authors: Hutterer Rainer , Meinig Holger , Stevens Michael
Published: September 2023

Aus Nordrhein-Westfalen werden neue Funde von Farbmutanten bei Schermäusen gemeldet, und zwar Albino, Schwarz und Cremefarben. Bei letzterer sind die Körperhaare rein weiß und die Haarspitzen cremefarben. Von Schermäusen war diese Variante bisher nicht bekannt, wohl aber von Waldmäusen aus Deutschland und den Niederlanden.
Bestandssituation von Feuchtwiesen im westlichen Ruhrgebiet
Authors: Buch Corinne , Keil Peter
Published: September 2023

Im westlichen Ruhrgebiet existieren noch wenige gut erhaltene Feuchtwiesen. Diese werden von einer Reihe seltener und gefährdeter Pflanzenarten besiedelt. Vegetationskundlich handelt es sich neben feuchten Tal-Glatthaferwiesen um Wassergreiskraut- und Waldbinsen-Wiesen. Ihre Flora und Vegetation wird beschrieben und der gesellschaftliche Anschluss diskutiert. Anschließend wird ihre Bedeutung für den Natur- und Artenschutz sowie Möglichkeiten der weiteren Bestandsförderung im Ruhrgebiet dargestellt.
Degradation eines Niedermoores – Floristische und vegetationskundliche Entwicklung des Kalkarer Moores
Authors: Niedek Verena , Raskin Richard , Lehmkuhl Frank
Published: September 2023

Im Süden von Euskirchen (Nordeifel) liegt das Kalkarer Moor, ein ehemaliges, geogen bedingtes Niedermoor. Durch vegetationskundliche und floristische Aufnahmen, die bis zu 40 Jahre zurückgehen, und aktuellen Daten aus dem Jahr 2014 wird ein Vergleich der Vegetation und Flora im Kalkarer Moor im zeitlichen Verlauf angestellt. Die Entwicklung des Moores vom intakten zum vollständig degradierten Niedermoor aufgrund von Grundwasserstandsveränderungen wird aufgezeigt. Eine floristische Bilanz wird gezogen, der Status quo des Kalkarer Moores historisch eingeordnet und die naturschutzfachliche Wertigkeit des Gebietes beurteilt. Trotz der Degradation des Niedermoores weist eine Verschiebung des Artenspektrums in jüngerer Zeit auf wieder feuchtere Verhältnisse hin. Eine Moorvegetation i.e.S. ist zwar nicht mehr vorhanden, aber andere schützenswerte Pflanzengesellschaften des Feuchtgrünlandes, der Seggenriede und der Röhrichte bestehen noch bzw. haben sich entwickelt. Bei gleichbleibenden Grundwasserständen ist ein Anstieg der Artenzahl dieser Vegetationstypen zu erwarten. Zudem sind noch kleine Teile eines Erdniedermoorbodens erhalten.
Kleinsäuger eines Teilgebiets des Nationalparks Eifel – Erster methodischer Entwurf für ein Langzeit-Monitoring
Authors: Schmidt Janine
Published: September 2023

Eine Online-Ausschreibung des Nationalparks Eifel ermutigte uns, eine Kleinsäugeruntersuchung zu planen mit dem Ziel, einen Ausgangspunkt für ein mögliches Langzeit- Monitoring innerhalb des Nationalparks zu schaffen. Obwohl seit der Gründung des Nationalparks Eifel im Jahr 2004 viele biologische Aspekte wissenschaftlich untersucht wurden, sind die Kenntnisse über die Kleinsäugerfauna noch unvollständig. Auf dem Gelände des ehemaligen Truppenübungsplatzes Vogelsang wählten wir im ersten Studienjahr zehn Untersuchungsflächen in fünf für den Nationalpark Eifel repräsentativen Habitaten. Während der Fangphase von Juli bis Oktober 2014 lag der Schwerpunkt auf Arten der Familien Soricidae, Cricetidae, und Muridae, welche mit vier Typen von Lebendfallen gefangen wurden. Eine anschließende Untersuchung der Bilche (Gliridae) begann mittels Nistkästen im Jahr 2015. In 4810 Fallennächten wurden 387 Individuen gefangen, darunter drei Spitzmausarten (Soricomorpha) und sechs Nagerarten (Rodentia). Die Rötelmaus (Clethrionomys glareolus) und die Gelbhalsmaus (Apodemus flavicollis) waren die häufigsten gefangenen Arten. Das Habitat Bachaue hatte den höchsten (20,94 %) und das bewirtschaftete Grünland den geringsten (0,88 %) relativen Fangerfolg. Wir konnten im ersten Untersuchungsjahr zeigen, dass der Simpsons Index für Diversität im Brachland am höchsten (8 Arten, 1-D = 0,72) und im Grünland am geringsten war (2 Arten, 1-D = 0,22). Durch DNA Barcoding konnten kryptische Arten und schwer bestimmbare juvenile Tiere korrekt zugeordnet werden.
Bienenzönose (Hymenoptera, Apiformes) einer aufgelassenen Kiesgrube in der Zülpicher Börde im Rhein-Erft-Kreis (Nordrhein-Westfalen)
Authors: Maaßen Genevieve , Schindler Matthias
Published: September 2023

In einer intensiv genutzten Ackerbaulandschaft der Zülpicher Börde bei Erftstadt wurden in einer aufgelassenen Kiesgrube 82 Wildbienenarten nachgewiesen, von denen 20 % auf der Roten Liste Nordrhein-Westfalens geführt werden. Zu den faunistisch bemerkenswerten Arten zählen neben Halictus quadricinctus, die in Schneckengehäusen nistenden Osmia aurulenta und Osmia bicolor, die Holzbiene Xylocopa violaceae sowie ein individuenstarkes Vorkommen der psammophilen Dasypoda hirtipes. Die Artenvielfalt innerhalb der Kiesgrube war gegenüber Wegsäumen in der umgebenden Feldflur deutlich höher. Die Ergebnisse sind ein weiterer Beleg für die Bedeutung aufgelassener Kiesgruben in intensiv genutzten Agrarlandschaften als Refugiallebensraum für Wildbienen.
Pflanzenreste aus oberoligozänen Seeablagerungen von Wachtberg-Ließem (Nordrhein-Westfalen)
Authors: Winterscheid Heinrich
Published: September 2023

Aus den oberoligozänen Seeablagerungen von Wachtberg-Ließem, die durch die ehemalige Blätterkohlengrube „Theresia“ erschlossen wurden, werden einige Pfl anzenreste beschrieben, die schon von Heinrich Robert Göppert gesammelt wurden und heute im Museum für Naturkunde Berlin aufbewahrt werden. Anhand des Sammlungsmaterials ließen sich die folgenden Taxa feststellen: Glyptostrobus europaea (BronGn.) unGer, Pinidae inc. sed. [gen. et sp. indet.], Smilax weberi P. Wessel in P. Wessel et c.o.WeBer, Lilianae inc. sed. [gen. et sp. indet.], Carpinus grandis unGer, and Magnoliidae inc. sed. [gen. et sp. indet.]. Die von GÖPPert (1850 a, b) und GÖPPert in WeBer (1851–1852) von dieser Lokalität beschriebenen Taxa werden einer kritischen, systematisch-taxonomischen Revision unterzogen und runden das Bild ab.
Frauenschuh Cypripedium calceolus (Orchidaceae) an seinem letzten Fundort im Rheinland – Ökologie und Bestandsentwicklung
Authors: Fischer Eberhard , Killmann Dorothee , Ackermann Markus , Lobin Wolfram
Published: September 2023

Das letzte autochthone Vorkommen des Frauenschuhs Cypripedium calceolus im Rheinland hat sich dank Einzäunung des Standortes und intensiver Pflegemaßnahmen sehr gut entwickelt. Waren vor diesen Maßnahmen maximal 8 blühende Pflanzen entwickelt, konnten 2017 insgesamt 29 blühende Pflanzen mit 118 Blüten sowie 28 Jungpflanzen ohne Blüten dokumentiert werden. Zum weiteren Erhalt des Vorkommens ist es daher notwendig, die Pflegemaßnahmen fortzuführen sowie ein kontinuierliches Monitoring einzurichten.
Ornamental Rhizoma Peanut: Perceptions and Use by Florida Consumers
Authors: Thomas Kelly M. , Blount Ann R. , Knox Gary W. , Mackowiak Cheryl L. , Sollenberger Lynn E.
Published: September 2023

Ornamental rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.; ORP) is a low-maintenance groundcover for use in urban and residential landscapes. Despite its availability since 2002, consumer insights on ORP have never been assessed. Online surveys are readily accepted by academic researchers as a valuable research tool. An online survey was distributed to 5820 Floridians with the objective to assess the use and perceptions of ORP by consumers. A total of 907 survey responses were received. Most respondents identified themselves as home gardeners (89%), white (93%), female (75%), and over age 65 (60%). Out of several turfgrass alternative benefits, respondents most valued reducing herbicide/pesticide and fertilizer/water usage and preventing weed establishment (χ2 = 204, df = 6, P < 0.001). The ORP selection purchased by respondents was predominately unknown. Most preferred ORP to flower heavily and frequently and maintain a canopy height below 20 cm in the landscape with infrequent mowing. Survey data show there is a potentially large consumer demand for ORP in Florida, but product availability, branding, and consumer access and engagement with information sources require additional focus in the coming years.
Sugarcane Bagasse Is an Effective Soilless Substrate Amendment in Quick-turn Osteospermum Production
Authors: Thiessen Maureen , Fields Jeb S. , Abdi Damon , Beasley Jeffrey
Published: September 2023

Many greenhouse growers rely on peat-based soilless substrates to produce salable crops in a relatively short period of time. Peat-based substrate suppliers often incorporate additional organic materials such as wood fiber to extend peat supplies. Given the relative success of wood-based substrates, growing interest in other fiber materials such as sugarcane bagasse may provide similar benefits for substrate processers. The objective of this research was to evaluate substrate properties and the productivity of a short-term floriculture crop, Osteospermum ‘Bright Lights Purple’, in a commercially available peat-based substrate (PL) that has been amended with either commercially available wood fiber [Hydrafiber (HF)] or an aged sugarcane bagasse fiber (SCB). Thus, substrates consisting of PL amended with 15% or 30% HF or SCB were developed. Plants were fertigated weekly at rates of 100, 200, or 300 ppm N, respectively. Crop growth and fertility dynamics were assessed. Substrate shrinkage was greatest in the 30% bagasse blend but had minimal impact given the 2-month crop cycle. The incorporation of 15% and 30% SCB and HF produced slight changes in pH over a 9-week growth period, with HF generally raising pH and SCB generally lowering pH compared with the 100% PL, showing promise for bagasse in managing substrate pH where irrigation water has high pH and/or alkalinity. Substrate EC was initially reduced by blending SCB and, to a lesser extent, HF, but differences ceased to exist by the end of the experiment. Chlorophyll and blooms were abundant in all substrates and fertigation rates. Regardless of fertigation rate, 30% HF had the lowest growth index and shoot dry mass, and 30% SCB had the lowest root dry mass, although differences were not visually apparent. Foliar N concentrations were greatest in plants grown in the PL and SCB substrates and lowest in HF blends. Overall, growth and dry mass differences were minimal across substrate treatment and fertigation rate, and all plants were marketable with statistically similar shelf life. In conclusion, this research indicates the potential of using SCB as a substrate amendment for short-term crop systems in a similar manner as wood fiber.
Biplot Analysis of Diallel Data
Authors: Yan Weikai , Hunt L. A.
Published: September 2023

Diallel crosses have been used in genetic research to determine the inheritance of important traits among a set of genotypes and to identify superior parents for hybrid or cultivar development. Conventional diallel analysis is limited to partitioning the total variation of the data into general combining ability (GCA) of each genotype and specific combining ability (SCA) of each cross. In this paper we formulate a biplot approach for graphical diallel analysis. The biplot is constructed by the first two principal components (PCs) derived from subjecting the tester‐centered diallel data to singular value decomposition. It displays the most important entry by tester patterns of the data and allows the following information to be extracted visually: (i) GCA of each genotype; (ii) SCA of each genotype; (iii) groups of parents with similar genetics; and (iv) superior hybrids. In addition, the biplot allows hypotheses to be formulated concerning the genetics of the genotypes. Three published diallel data sets of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) were used to demonstrate the biplot approach and detailed procedures were provided for constructing and interpreting a biplot.
Galaxy of Green
Authors: First Emily C. , Kremer Christopher , Telus Myriam , Trang David
Published: September 2023

Olivine occurs across the galaxy, from Earth to extraterrestrial bodies including the Moon, Mars, and asteroids, to particles of comet dust and distant debris disks. The mineral is critical to our understanding of early Solar System chronology, planetary formation processes (e.g., magma ocean solidification), crustal evolution (e.g., volcanic eruptions), and surface weathering. Olivine’s ability to shed light on these processes lies in the linkage of small, physical samples and satellite-derived data. Laboratory spectra become the basis for olivine detection and compositional interpretation in remotely sensed spectra ranging from high-resolution planetary maps to single extra-solar datapoints. In turn, petrologic studies of olivine underpin the geologic interpretations of these spectral datasets. Finally, olivine chemistry records Solar System formation conditions and relative chronology. Olivine is our bridge across time and space.
A review of the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water by modified TiO2
Authors: Li Xueqi , Wei Hongyan , Song Tiehong , Lu Hai , Wang Xiaoyan
Published: September 2023

Organic pollutants in water bodies pose a serious environmental problem, and photocatalytic technology is an efficient and environmentally friendly water treatment method. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a widely used photocatalyst, but it suffers from some drawbacks such as a narrow light response range, fast charge recombination, and low photocatalytic activity. To improve the photocatalytic performance of TiO2, this article reviews the preparation methods, performance evaluation, and applications of modified TiO2 photocatalysts. Firstly, the article introduces the effects of doping modification, semiconductor composite modification, and other modification methods on the structure and properties of TiO2 photocatalysts, as well as the common characterization techniques and activity test methods of photocatalysts. Secondly, the article discusses the effects and mechanisms of modified TiO2 photocatalysts on degrading dye, pesticide, and other organic pollutants in water bodies, as well as the influencing factors. Finally, the article summarizes the main achievements and advantages of modified TiO2 photocatalysts in degrading organic pollutants in water bodies, points out the existing problems and challenges, and prospects for the development direction and future of this field.
DESAFIOS DA IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DA REDE CEGONHA: REFLEXÕES SOBRE PLANEJAMENTO E AVALIAÇÃO DOS SERVIÇOS DE ACOLHIMENTO COM CLASSIFICAÇÃO DE RISCO OBSTÉTRICO
Authors: Oliveira Dannielly Azevedo de , Pereira da Silva Márcia Andreia , Duarte Leopoldino Ramon Weyler , do Nascimento Paulo Henrique , Lira Lisboa Liliam , Barbosa de Andrade Fábia , Franco de Oliveira Cavalcante Elisângela , Xavier Teixeira Nobre Thaiza
Published: September 2023

Introdução: Considerando o ciclo das Políticas públicas, o planejamento e a avaliação são elementos cruciais, favorecendo organização e julgamento de valor a respeito de uma intervenção ou sobre qualquer um dos seus componentes, envolvendo tanto quem faz uso dos serviços como quem produz os mesmos. Na perspectiva da melhoria da assistência prestada à mulher e ao recém-nascido na porta de entrada dos serviços de atenção materno-infantis, é realizado o Acolhimento com Classificação de Risco Obstétrico (ACCRO) que cursa como uma ferramenta de apoio à tomada de decisão clínica que tem como intuito a identificação da paciente crítica ou mais grave, permitindo um atendimento de maneira rápida e segura de acordo com o potencial de risco, com base nas evidências científicas existentes. Objetivo: Realizar uma reflexão teórica acerca dos avanços e limitações relacionados ao planejamento e avaliação dos serviços de ACCRO. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo de caráter descritivo, em formato de artigo de reflexão, em que foram definidas duas dimensões categóricas que retratam o contexto do planejamento e avaliação dos serviços de ACCRO. Resultados: Percebemos que ainda é possível identificar muitas arestas no planejamento e na qualidade da prestação deste tipo de serviço, principalmente no que diz respeito à garantia da integralidade e do cuidado de acordo com as necessidades da mulher. Conclusões: Para que uma articulação entre os diferentes atores seja alcançada são necessárias estratégias de planejamento que tornem viável buscar a qualidade assistencial e que deem condições de avaliar essa assistência prestada.