bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of competition in the market of light oil products: theory, problems and ways of their solution
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Skoryk H. , Pushak H. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University
Published: February 2023

It is substantiated that the development of competition in the market of light oil products is complex and controversial, due to a number of problems: reduction of domestic production and leadership of importers in the Ukrainian market of light oil products; non-transparency of economic relations, strengthening of shadow operations; unstable internal and external price environment; fluctuations in retail prices for gasoline and diesel fuel; aggravation of problems caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine. It is determined that the market of retail sales of light oil products is characterized as a «rigid» or «vague oligopoly» formed by several powerful market operators, occupying about 70%, whose collective position in the markets has structural features of a monopoly (dominant), which creates the possibility of conscious parallel behavior of market participants (tacit collusion). The economic and legal principles of limiting the abuse of dominant operators in the market and the development of competition in it are substantiated.
Faulty branch identification in passive optical networks using machine learning
Authors: Abdelli Khouloud , Tropschug Carsten , Griesser Helmut , Pachnicke Stephan
Published: February 2023

Passive optical networks (PONs) have become a promising broadband access network solution thanks to their wide bandwidth, low-cost deployment and maintenance, and scalability. To ensure a reliable transmission, and to meet service level agreements, PON systems have to be monitored constantly in order to quickly identify and localize network faults and thus reduce maintenance costs, minimize downtime, and enhance quality of service. Typically, a service disruption in a PON system is mainly due to fiber cuts and optical network unit (ONU) transmitter/receiver failures. When the ONUs are located at different distances from the optical line terminal, the faulty ONU or branch can be identified by analyzing the recorded optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) traces. OTDR is a technique commonly used for monitoring of fiber optic links. However, faulty branch isolation becomes very challenging when the reflections originate from two or more branches with similar length overlap, which makes it very hard to discriminate the faulty branches given the global backscattered signal. Recently, machine learning (ML)-based approaches have shown great potential for managing optical faults in PON systems. Such techniques perform well when trained and tested with data derived from the same PON system. But their performance may severely degrade if the PON system (adopted for the generation of the training data) has changed, e.g., by adding more branches or varying the length difference between two neighboring branches, etc. A re-training of the ML models has to be conducted for each network change, which can be time consuming. In this paper, to overcome the aforementioned issues, we propose a generic ML approach trained independently of the network architecture for identifying the faulty branch in PON systems given OTDR signals for the cases of branches with close lengths. Such an approach can be applied to an arbitrary PON system without requiring to be re-trained for each change of the network. The proposed approach is validated using experimental data derived from the PON system.
Reconfigurable ultra-broadband mode converter based on a two-mode fiber with pressure-loaded phase-shifted long-period alloyed waveguide grating
Authors: Zhong Lixi , Huang Quandong , Zhang Jiali , Zheng Zhaoqiang , Li Jianping , Xu Ou
Published: February 2023

We present a reconfigurable ultra-broadband mode converter, which consists of a two-mode fiber (TMF) and pressure-loaded phase-shifted long-period alloyed waveguide grating. We design and fabricate the long-period alloyed waveguide gratings (LPAWG) with SU-8, chromium, and titanium via the photo-lithography and electric beam evaporation technique. With the help of the pressure loaded or released from the LPAWG onto the TMF, the device can realize reconfigurable mode conversion between the LP01 mode and the LP11 mode in the TMF, which is weak sensitive to the state of polarization. The mode conversion efficiency larger than 10 dB can be achieved with operation wavelength range of about 105 nm, which ranges from 1501.9 nm to 1606.7 nm. The proposed device can be further used in the large bandwidth mode division multiplexing (MDM) transmission and optical fiber sensing system based on few-mode fibers.
Femtosecond laser upgrading the quality of bismuth films to enhance ultra-broadband photodetection
Authors: Lin Yucai , Chen Shuxia , Xu Chang , Fan Zipu , Zou Tingting , Sun Dong , Yang Jianjun
Published: February 2023

Topological insulator bismuth has attracted considerable attention for the fabrication of room-temperature, wide bandwidth, and high-performance photodetectors due to the gapless edge state and insulating bulk state properties. However, both the photoelectric conversion and carrier transportation of the bismuth films are extremely affected by the surface morphology and grain boundaries to limit optoelectronic properties further. Here, we demonstrate a strategy of femtosecond laser treatment for upgrading the quality of bismuth films. After the treatment with proper laser parameters, the measurement of average surface roughness can be reduced from Ra = 44 nm to 6.9 nm, especially with accompany of the evident grain boundary elimination. Consequently, the photoresponsivity of the bismuth films increases approximately 2 times within an ultra-broad spectrum range from the visible to mid-infrared. This investigation suggests that the femtosecond laser treatment can help to benefit the performance of topological insulator ultra-broadband photodetectors.
Fiber-integrated silicon carbide silicon-vacancy-based magnetometer
Authors: Quan Wei-Ke , Liu Lin , Luo Qin-Yue , Liu Xiao-Di , Wang Jun-Feng
Published: February 2023

Silicon vacancies in silicon carbide have drawn much attention for various types of quantum sensing. However, most previous experiments are realized using confocal scanning systems, which limits their practical applications. In this work, we demonstrate a compact fiber-integrated silicon carbide silicon-vacancy-based magnetometer at room temperature. First, we effectively couple the silicon vacancy in a tiny silicon carbide slice with an optical fiber tip and realize the readout of the spin signal through the fiber at the same time. We then study the optically detected magnetic resonance spectra at different laser and microwave powers, obtaining an optimized magnetic field sensitivity of 12.3 μT/Hz12. Based on this, the magnetometer is used to measure the strength and polar angle of an external magnetic field. Through these experiments, we have paved the way for fiber-integrated silicon-vacancy-based magnetometer applications in practical environments, such as geophysics and biomedical sensing.
On-chip size, low-noise fringe pattern projector offering highly accurate 3D measurement
Authors: Hirose Kazuyoshi , Watanabe Koyo , Kamei Hiroki , Sugiyama Takahiro , Takiguchi Yu , Kurosaka Yoshitaka
Published: February 2023

Fringe pattern projectors are quite useful for highly accurate three-dimensional (3D) measurement when a projector or LED array is used for illumination. We have fabricated a 0.2 mm × 0.2 mm structured light source, which was an on-chip size surface-emitting laser that utilized a holographically modulated two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal (PC). This will make possible an extremely compact 3D measurement system that will positively impact mobile systems. However, the fringe pattern tends to cause speckle-like noise that leads to severe positional error in 3D measurement. Here we present a simple approach to projecting a low-noise fringe pattern from our surface-emitting lasers by using a one-dimensional (1D) focusing hologram. This method improves the flatness of the fringe pattern by around four times.
Predictors of in-hospital mortality in stroke patients
Authors: Ranasinghe Vindya Shalini , Pathirage Manoji , Gawarammana Indika Bandara
Published: February 2023

In-hospital mortality is a good indicator to assess the efficacy of stroke care. Identifying the predictors of in-hospital mortality is important to advance the stroke outcome and plan the future strategies of stroke management. This was a prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary referral center in Sri Lanka to identify the possible predictors of in-hospital mortality. The study included 246 confirmed stroke patients. The diagnosis of stroke was established on the clinical history, examination and neuroimaging. The differentiation of stroke in to haemorrhagic type and ischaemic type was based on the results of computed tomography. In all patients, demographic data, comorbidities, clinical signs (pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, on admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score) and imaging findings were recorded. All patients were followed up throughout their hospital course and the in-hospital mortality was recorded. In hospital mortality was defined as the deaths which occurred due to stroke after 24 hours of hospital admission. The incidence of in-hospital mortality was 11.7% (95% confidence interval: 8–16.4). The mean day of in-hospital deaths to occur was 5.9 days (SD ± 3.8 Min 2 Max 20). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis on admission GCS score (Odds Ratio (OR)-0.71) and haemorrhagic stroke type (OR-5.12) predict the in-hospital mortality. The area under the curve of receiver operating curve drawn for the on admission GCS score was 0.78 with a sensitivity of 96.31% and specificity of 41.38% for a patient presented with the GCS score of <10. On admission GCS and haemorrhagic stroke are independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Thus, a special attention should be given to the patients with low GCS score and haemorrhagic strokes for reducing rates of in-hospital mortality.
More than just a bad day? Traumatic life events and self-control in old age
Authors: Choung Youngjoo , Pak Tae-Young
Published: February 2023

The behavioral economics literature suggests that exposure to traumatic events shifts preference features including risk aversion and time preference. In this study, we examined the association between traumatic life events and self-control in old age. Data were obtained from the Health and Retirement Study, which offers retrospective data on trauma exposure and early life characteristics. The results showed that experiences of serious physical attacks or assaults is associated with a 3.1% reduction in self-control, adjusted for demographic and childhood socioeconomic characteristics. The attacks or assaults were experienced approximately 30 years prior to the survey, indicating that traumatic life events exert a lasting influence on self-control. Further analyses found no difference in the association between the experience of serious physical attacks or assaults and self-control according to the timing of occurrence. Our findings are consistent with the evidence that experiences of natural disasters or armed conflicts increase impatience among survivors.
Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase is responsible for low stress tolerance after intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Ohnishi Masatoshi , Akagi Marina , Kotsuki Mako , Yonemura Seishi , Aokawa Hikari , Yamashita-Ibara Maki , Yokofujita Osamu , Maehara Shoji , Hata Toshiyuki , Inoue Atsuko
Published: February 2023

In the chronic phase after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the aftereffect-associated lowering of motivation burdens many patients; however, the pathogenic mechanism is unclear. Here, we revealed for the first time that indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression and enzyme activity are increased in the collagenase-induced murine ICH model. IDO is a rate-limiting enzyme situated at the beginning of the kynurenine pathway and converts tryptophan, a source of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), to kynurenine. In this study, we showed that IDO is localized in 5-HTergic neurons. After ICH, the synaptosomal 5-HT level decreased, but this effect was neutralized by subcutaneous injections of 1-methyl tryptophan (MT), a specific IDO inhibitor. These results suggest that ICH-induced IDO weakens the activity of 5-HTergic neurons. Accordingly, we next investigated whether the IDO increase contributes to the depression-like behaviors of ICH mice. The immobility times of tail suspension and forced swimming tests were significantly prolonged after ICH but shortened by the administration of 1-MT. In conclusion, the increased IDO after ICH was found to decrease 5-HT levels and subsequently reduce stress tolerance. These findings indicate that IDO is a novel therapeutic target for the ICH aftereffect-associated lowering of motivation.
Research on trajectory tracking and body attitude control of autonomous ground vehicle based on differential steering
Authors: Tian Jie , Yang Mingfei
Published: February 2023

The differential steering can be used not only as the backup system of steer-by-wire, but also as the only steering system. Because the differential steering is realized through the differential moment between the coaxial left and right driving wheels, the sharp reduction of the load on the inner driving wheel will directly lead to the failure of the differential steering when the four-wheel independent drive electric vehicle approaches the rollover. Therefore, this paper not only realizes the trajectory tracking of autonomous ground vehicle through the differential steering, but also puts forward the body attitude control to improve the handling stability. Firstly, the dynamic and kinematic models of differential steering autonomous ground vehicle (DSAGV) and its roll model are established, and the linear three-degree of freedom vehicle model is selected as the reference model to generate the ideal body roll angle. Secondly, a model predictive controller (MPC) is designed to control the DSAGV to track the given reference trajectory, and obtain the required differential moment and the resulting front-wheel steering angle. Then, a sliding mode controller (SMC) is adopted to control the DSAGV to track the ideal body roll angle, and obtain the required roll moment. The simulation results show that the proposed MPC and SMC can not only make the DSAGV realize the trajectory tracking, but also achieve the body attitude control.
Three-Dimensional (3D) in vitro cell culture protocols to enhance glioblastoma research
Authors: Wanigasekara Janith , Carroll Lara J. , Cullen Patrick J. , Tiwari Brijesh , Curtin James F.
Published: February 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models can help bridge the gap betweenin vitrocell cultures andin vivoresponses by more accurately simulating the naturalin vivoenvironment, shape, tissue stiffness, stressors, gradients and cellular response while avoiding the costs and ethical concerns associated with animal models. The inclusion of the third dimension in 3D cell culture influences the spatial organization of cell surface receptors that interact with other cells and imposes physical restrictions on cells in compared to Two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Spheroids’ distinctive cyto-architecture mimicsin vivocellular structure, gene expression, metabolism, proliferation, oxygenation, nutrition absorption, waste excretion, and drug uptake while preserving cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) connections and communication, hence influencing molecular processes and cellular phenotypes. This protocol describes thein vitrogeneration of tumourspheroids using the low attachment plate, hanging drop plate, and cellusponge natural scaffold based methods. The expected results from these protocols confirmed the ability of all these methods to create uniform tumourspheres.
A scoping review protocol on integration of mobile-linked POC diagnostics in community-based healthcare: User experience
Authors: Nxele Siphesihle Robin , Moetlhoa Boitumelo , Kgarosi Kabelo , Mashamba-Thompson Tivani
Published: February 2023

Background

Mobile-linked point-of-care diagnostics forms an integral part of diagnostic health services for efficient communication between patients and healthcare professionals despite geographical location and time of diagnosis. The efficiency of this technology lies in the user experience which means that the interaction of the user with the implemented technology needs to be simple, convenient, and consistent. Having a well-structured user experience of these devices in community-based healthcare will aid in sustainable implementation. Herein, we propose to conduct a literature search to systematically map out evidence based on mobile-linked POC diagnostics user experience at a community level in resource-limited settings.

Methodology

The proposed scoping review will be guided by the advanced Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework and further advanced by Levac et al. A comprehensive search will be conducted to find relevant published literature from the following electronic databases: Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost (Medline, CINAHL, Africa-wide, Academic Search Complete). Grey literature will also be searched, including reports from government and international organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO), Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Two independent reviewers will screen the relevant studies and the degree of the agreement will be determined by calculating Cohen’s kappa statistic. The quality of eligible data will also be appraised using the mixed method appraisal tool version 2018.

Discussion

We anticipate that the planned scoping review will present useful evidence to inform stakeholders on the integration of mobile-linked diagnostic devices in community-based healthcare which will guide further research on the subject.
Inka Unku: Imperial or provincial? State-local relations
Authors: Correa-Lau Jacqueline , Agüero Carolina , Splitstoser Jeffrey , Echenique Ester , Martens Tracy , Santoro Calogero M.
Published: February 2023

Standardized Inka tunics, orunku, were created under the auspices of the state as symbolic expressions of its expansionist power. To ensure these textiles acquired the status of effective insignias of power and territorial control, the Inka established and imposed technical and stylistic canons for their production (techne) by means of highly-skilled state weavers. In the provinces, social groups that came under imperial rule, local expert weaving agents adopted the conventions of the state and included meaningful symbolic elements of the idiosyncrasies, traditions, and experiential knowledge of the local community (metis). We therefore propose that this was not a unidirectional process and that the Caleta Vitor Inkaunku(hereon referred to as the CVunku), presented here, reflects a syncretism promoted by local weavers. In terms of methods, we have developed a decoding tool for theunku, with the aim of distinguishing state from local hallmarks, thereby revealing the syncretic complexity of these iconic tunics. This methodological tool is based on a series of standard analytical parameters and attributes linked to morphological, technological, and stylistic features, which we applied to the CVunku. Unlike others, thisunkudoes come from a looted tomb but was scientifically excavated in a cemetery located in the Caleta Vitor Bay in northern Chile. By deconstructing the CVunkuwe determined the steps in thechaîne opératoireat which local technical and stylistic elements were incorporated, thus affecting or transforming, in part, its emblematic imperial imagery. This study also marks a step forward in our understanding of a syncretic landscape that combines the state worldview and organized production system (imperial Inka) with craft-production practices that were rooted in provincial and local communities (provincial Inka).
Informing the development of diagnostic criteria for differential diagnosis of alcohol-related cognitive impairment (ARCI) among heavy drinkers: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Jones Lisa , Owens Lynn , Thompson Andrew , Gilmore Ian , Richardson Paul
Published: February 2023

Background

Early detection and diagnosis of alcohol-related cognitive impairment (ARCI) among heavy drinkers is crucial to facilitating appropriate referral and treatment. However, there is lack of consensus in defining diagnostic criteria for ARCI. Uncertainty in attributing a diagnosis of suspected ARCI commonly arises in clinical practice and opportunities to intervene are missed. A systematic scoping review approach was taken to (i) summarise evidence relating to screening or diagnostic criteria used in clinical studies to detect ARCI; and (ii) to determine the extent of the research available about cognitive assessment tools used in ‘point-of-care’ screening or assessment of patients with suspected non-Korsakoff Syndrome forms of ARCI.

Methods

We searched Medline, PsycINFO, Cinahl and the Web of Science, screened reference lists and carried out forward and backwards citation searching to identify clinical studies about screening, diagnosis or assessment of patients with suspected ARCI.

Results

In total, only 7 studies met our primary objective and reported on modifications to existing definitions or diagnostic criteria for ARCI. These studies revealed a lack of coordinated research and progress towards the development and standardisation of diagnostic criteria for ARCI. Cognitive screening tools are commonly used in practice to support a diagnosis of ARCI, and as a secondary objective we included an additional 12 studies, which covered a range of settings and patient populations relevant to screening, diagnosis or assessment in acute, secondary or community ‘point-of-care’ settings. Across two studies with a defined ARCI patient sample and a further four studies with an alcohol use disorder patient sample, the accuracy, validity and/or reliability of seven different cognitive assessment tools were examined. The remaining seven studies reported descriptive findings, demonstrating the lack of evidence available to draw conclusions about which tools are most appropriate for screening patients with suspected ARCI.

Conclusion

This review confirms the scarcity of evidence available on the screening, diagnosis or assessment of patients with suspected ARCI. The lack of evidence is an important barrier to the development of clear guidelines for diagnosing ARCI, which would ultimately improve the real-world management and treatment of patients with ARCI.
Clinical phenotypes of older adults with non-valvular atrial fibrillation not treated with oral anticoagulants by hierarchical cluster analysis in the ANAFIE Registry
Authors: Suzuki Shinya , Yamashita Takeshi , Akao Masaharu , Atarashi Hirotsugu , Ikeda Takanori , Okumura Ken , Koretsune Yukihiro , Shimizu Wataru , Tsutsui Hiroyuki , Toyoda Kazunori , Hirayama Atsushi , Yasaka Masahiro , Yamaguchi Takenori , Teramukai Satoshi , Kimura Tetsuya , Morishima Yoshinori , Takita Atsushi , Inoue Hiroshi
Published: February 2023

Background

Although anticoagulants are indicated for many elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), some patients do not receive anticoagulant therapy, whose characteristics and outcomes are diverse.

Methods and results

In this sub-analysis of the All Nippon AF In the Elderly (ANAFIE) Registry, the phenotypes of patients who were not receiving anticoagulants at baseline were evaluated by cluster analysis using Ward’s linkage hierarchical algorithm. Of 32,275 enrolled patients, 2445 (7.6%) were not receiving anticoagulants. Two clusters were identified: (1) elderly paroxysmal AF (PAF) patients with a high proportion of catheter ablation history (57%) and (2) very elderly patients with a high prevalence of previous major bleeding (43%). Respective mean ages were 80.9 and 84.2 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc scores were 3.8 and 4.9, PAF prevalences were 100.0% and 31.4%, proportions of patients with catheter ablation history were 21.0% and 7.9%, and proportions of patients with a history of major bleeding were 4.0% and 10.8%. Annual incidence rates were 2.72% and 8.81% for all-cause death, 1.66% and 5.85% for major adverse cardiovascular or neurological events, 1.08% and 3.30% for stroke or systemic embolism, and 0.69% and 1.19% for major bleeding, respectively.

Conclusions

In this cohort of elderly NVAF patients from the ANAFIE Registry who were not receiving anticoagulants, over half had PAF with a high proportion of catheter ablation history and a low incidence of adverse outcomes; for them, non-prescription of anticoagulants may be partially understandable, but they should be carefully monitored regarding AF burden or atrial cardiomyopathy and be adequately anticoagulated when adverse findings are detected. The remaining were very elderly patients with a high prevalence of previous major bleeding and a high incidence of adverse outcomes; for them, non-prescription of anticoagulants is inappropriate because of the high thromboembolic risk.

Trial registration

Registration: http://www.umin.ac.jp/; Unique identifier: UMIN000024006.
Coral Gardens Reef, Belize: An Acropora spp. refugium under threat in a warming world
Authors: Greer Lisa , Curran H. Allen , Wirth Karl , Humston Robert , Johnson Ginny , McManus Lauren , Stefanic Candice , Clark Tara , Lescinsky Halard , Forman-Castillo Kirah
Published: February 2023

Live coral cover has declined precipitously on Caribbean reefs in recent decades.Acropora cervicorniscoral has been particularly decimated, and few Western AtlanticAcroporaspp. refugia remain. Coral Gardens, Belize, was identified in 2020 as a long-term refugium for this species. This study assesses changes in liveA.cervicorniscoral abundance over time at Coral Gardens to monitor the stability ofA.cervicorniscorals, and to explore potential threats to this important refugium. Live coral cover was documented annually from 2012–2019 along five permanent transects.In situsea-surface temperature data were collected at Coral Gardens throughout the study period and compared with calibrated satellite data to calculate Maximum Monthly Mean (MMM) temperatures and Degree Heating Weeks (DHW). Data on bathymetry, sediment, substrate, herbivore abundance, and macroalgal abundance were collected in 2014 and 2019 to assess potential threats to Coral Gardens. Live coral cover declined at all five transect sites over the study period. The greatest loss of live coral occurred between 2016 and 2017, coincident with the earliest and highest maximum average temperatures recorded at the study site, and the passage of a hurricane in 2016. Structural storm damage was not observed at Coral Gardens, though live coral cover declined after the passage of the storm. Uranium-thorium (230Th) dating of 26 deadin situfragments ofA.cervicorniscollected in 2015 from Coral Gardens revealed no correlation between coral mortality and tropical storms and hurricanes in the recent past. Our data suggest that several other common drivers for coral decline (i.e. herbivory, predation, sedimentation, pH) may likely be ruled out for Coral Gardens. At the end of the study period, Coral Gardens satisfied most criteria for refugium status. However, the early onset, higher mean, and longer duration of above-average temperatures, as well as intermittent temperature anomalies likely played a critical role in the stability of this refugium. We suggest that temperature stress in 2016 and perhaps 2015 may have increased coral tissue vulnerability at Coral Gardens to a passing hurricane, threatening the status of this unique refugium.
Concentration of non-myocyte proteins in arterial media of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Lee Soo Jung , Kondepudi Akhil , Young Kelly Z. , Zhang Xiaojie , Cartee Naw May Pearl , Chen Jijun , Jang Krystal Yujin , Xu Gang , Borjigin Jimo , Wang Michael M.
Published: February 2023

The most common inherited cause of vascular dementia and stroke, cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), is caused by mutations in NOTCH3. Post-translationally altered NOTCH3 accumulates in the vascular media of CADASIL arteries in areas of the vessels that exhibit profound cellular degeneration. The identification of molecules that concentrate in the same location as pathological NOTCH3 may shed light on processes that drive cytopathology in CADASIL. We performed a two phase immunohistochemical screen of markers identified in the Human Protein Atlas to identify new proteins that accumulate in the vascular media in a pattern similar to pathological NOTCH3. In phase one, none of 16 smooth muscle cell (SMC) localized antigens exhibited NOTCH3-like patterns of expression; however, several exhibited disease-dependent patterns of expression, with antibodies directed against FAM124A, GZMM, MTFR1, and ST6GAL demonstrating higher expression in controls than CADASIL. In contrast, in phase two of the study that included 56 non-SMC markers, two proteins, CD63 and CTSH, localized to the same regions as pathological NOTCH3, which was verified by VesSeg, a customized algorithm that assigns relative location of antigens within the layers of the vessel. Proximity ligation assays support complex formation between NOTCH3 fragments and CD63 in degenerating CADASIL media. Interestingly, in normal mouse brain, the two novel CADASIL markers, CD63 and CTSH, are expressed in non-SMC vascular cells. The identification of new proteins that concentrate in CADASIL vascular media demonstrates the utility of querying publicly available protein databases in specific neurological diseases and uncovers unexpected, non-SMC origins of pathological antigens in small vessel disease.
How to improve representativeness and cost-effectiveness in samples recruited through meta: A comparison of advertisement tools
Authors: Neundorf Anja , Öztürk Aykut
Published: February 2023

The use of paid advertisements on social media, in particular Meta platforms, to create samples for online survey research is becoming increasingly common. In addition to researchers working on hard-to-reach populations, Meta’s promise of unmediated, quick, and cheap access to a large pool of survey takers across the world is appealing also for researchers who want to create diverse samples of national populations for cheaper prices. Yet the design of Meta’s advertisement optimization algorithm complicates the use of Meta advertisements for this purpose, as it generates a trade-off between cost-effectiveness and sample representativeness. In this paper, we rely on original online surveys conducted in the United Kingdom, Turkey, Spain, and the Czech Republic to explore how two primary tools determining the audience of Meta advertisements, i.e., campaign objectives and demographic targeting, affect the recruitment process, response quality, and sample characteristics. In addition to documenting the trade-offs between the cost and representativeness in Meta samples, our paper also shows that researchers can create high-quality, cost-efficient, and diverse samples if they use the right combination of Meta advertisement tools.
General two-parameter distribution: Statistical properties, estimation, and application on COVID-19
Authors: Gemeay Ahmed M. , Halim Zeghdoudi , Abd El-Raouf M. M. , Hussam Eslam , Abdulrahman Alanazi Talal , Mashaqbah Nour Khaled , Alshammari Nawaf , Makumi Nicholas
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we introduced a novel general two-parameter statistical distribution which can be presented as a mix of both exponential and gamma distributions. Some statistical properties of the general model were derived mathematically. Many estimation methods studied the estimation of the proposed model parameters. A new statistical model was presented as a particular case of the general two-parameter model, which is used to study the performance of the different estimation methods with the randomly generated data sets. Finally, the COVID-19 data set was used to show the superiority of the particular case for fitting real-world data sets over other compared well-known models.
Effect on physiological parameters and anaesthetic dose requirement of isoflurane when tramadol given as a continuous rate infusion vs a single intravenous bolus injection during ovariohysterectomy in dogs
Authors: Costa Giovanna L. , Di Pietro Simona , Interlandi Claudia , Leonardi Fabio , Macrì Daniele , Ferrantelli Vincenzo , Macrì Francesco
Published: February 2023

Background

Tramadol produces a significant reduction in both sevoflurane and isoflurane minimum alveolar concentrations in dogs under experimental conditions. This study aims to compare the effects of tramadol administered as a constant rate infusion (CRI) with those of tramadol administered as a single intravenous bolus on physiological parameters and isoflurane requirements in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Methods

In this study, forty female dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy were enrolled. The bitches were anesthetized with 5 mg/kg of tiletamine/zolazepam combined with 0.05 mg/kg of acepromazine intravenously. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane delivered in 100% oxygen. The group A (n = 20) received tramadol 4 mg/kg in a single intravenous bolus, whereas the group B (n = 20) received tramadol 1.5 mg/kg in an intravenous bolus followed by tramadol 2.6 mg/kg/h as a CRI. The following parameters were recorded: heart rate, respiratory rate, non-invasive blood pressure, body temperature, EtCO2, SpO2 and inspired and expired concentrations of isoflurane. Parameter measurements were performed from pre-preedication (baseline) to skin suturing.

Results

The dogs were healthy subjects that demonstrated no abnormalities on laboratory investigations. Significant tachycardia was recorded after administration of tiletamine/zolazepam combined with acepromazine in both groups. Heart rate decreased after intubation but remained significantly higher compared to baseline values in both groups. Systolic blood pressure significantly decreased in both groups but the recorded values were within the physiological range. Mild reduction in body temperature was recorded in both groups. SpO2 and EtCO2 remained within the physiological range. Isoflurane requirement was significantly lower in the group B compared to the group A. Transient twitching was recorded in two dogs belonging to the group A after tramadol administration.

Conclusions

Compared to tramadol given as a single intravenous bolus injection during ovariohysterectomy in dogs, tramadol administered as a CRI reduces isoflurane requirements in dogs anesthetized with tiletamine/zolazepam combined with acepromazine. Both tramadol given as a CRI and a single intravenous bolus injection, induce decrease in heart rate, respiratory rate and in body temperature but the values of these parameters remain within physiological range in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
Scalar trajectories in design: The case of DIY cloth face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Botero Andrea , Saad-Sulonen Joanna
Published: February 2023

The article examines an artefact of everyday design – the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) cloth face mask employed against respiratory infections – to interrogate scale and scalar relationships. This lens reveals new perspectives on how practice-based design research can mobilize scale in more nuanced ways. The authors propose that DIY face masks, as artefacts of mundane design engagements both with material (cloth and thread) and with sharing of knowledge (about design, craft and practice), globally and within local networks and communities, direct our attention to scale as a matter of relations, engagements and emergent trajectories. Through empirically led exploration combined with approaching making as sensemaking, the article highlights the multiplicity of design artefacts emerging in DIY mask design spanning several scales and introduces the notion of scalar trajectories across multiple design engagements.
A practical guide to measuring optic disc size and its clinical correlation in diagnosing Glaucoma for the eye care professional
Authors: Benesia Mark
Published: February 2023

This study examines the connection between glaucoma and the optic disc, cup, and neuroretinal rim size. The use of a slit-lamp and funduscopy lens as a technique for determining and estimating the optic disc size is particularly emphasized. Through this study, a clinical manual for working clinicians will be developed by summarizing this information and making it easily accessible for in-office use. PubMed, Science Direct, Ovid, Medline journals, and inter-library journals were used to find papers and abstracts of relevant studies for this review. The most common search terms were: procedures for assessing optic disc size, variance in optic disc size between populations, and ophthalmoscopic methods for measuring optic discs. The search period spanned 2020 to 2022. The following criteria were used to determine whether an article should be included or excluded: a critical evaluation of the various methods used to measure the optic disc, the significance of including population-specific variations in the size of the optic disc, and justifications for the relative risk of glaucoma associated with the size of both the optic disc and the optic cup. According to numerous studies, a slit lamp and funduscopy lens can be used to estimate the size of the optic disc. Additionally, this review discovered a weak association between measures taken at a slit lamp and those taken with more exact office tools, including fundus photography. Using fundoscopic technologies is an effective and affordable method for measuring the optic nerve head while retaining a high level of accuracy. These dimensions can be used to divide the sizes of optic discs into three groups: small, average, and large.
Ex situ and In situ Conservation of Plant Genetic resources in Nigeria
Authors: Saaondo Terkuma , Olalekan Olasan
Published: February 2023

A literature review was conducted on Ex situ and In situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources in Nigeria. For desired specie to be made available efforts must be in place to ensure their continuous existence. Even traits that might not be desired now might be of great scientific importance in the next generation. It is therefore important to note that biodiversity encompasses variety and variability of all forms of life on earth that play a great role in human existence. It is not an over emphasis to stress of how even the human species depends on plants which play an important role in basic food supply, clothing, shelter and other industrial uses such as fuels, medicines, fibers, rubber and other products.

It is therefore important that the management of collections of plant genetic resources should be the focal point and should be manned by skilled personnel.
Dígame ‘Docteur’: los viajes culturales de los discursos europeos sobre el crimen y el castigo en las tesis doctorales de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (1827-1860)
Authors: Garma Bregante Álvaro M.
Published: February 2023

Este trabajo se enmarca en la investigación desarrollada para mi tesis de Maestría en Criminología, acerca de las características del saber penal moderno en Argentina, en su etapa de surgimiento. Aquí se identifican y analizan algunos de los aspectos relevantes de ese proceso: el uso de la noción de “ciencia penal”, por parte de los autores, como herramienta para la construcción del nuevo campo experto; y las características de los procesos de importación cultural de ideas provenientes de Europa que aquellos desplegaron. A ese fin, se emplean como material de archivo las tesis doctorales en materia penal del Departamento de Jurisprudencia de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, correspondientes al período 1827-1860. Esos textos son analizados con el marco teórico de la “racionalidad penal moderna”, de Alvaro Pires, para trabajar el primer aspecto; y mediante las categorías planteadas en distintos trabajos por Máximo Sozzo para pensar los procesos de traducción de ideas en materia penal, con relación al segundo.
One of the approaches to solving the contradictory problems of “soft modeling” of the management of a medical institution
Authors:   Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin,  Ekaterinburg, Russia, Gilev D.V. , Loginovskiy O.V. ,   South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia
Published: February 2023

The article is devoted to the problem of both classification of contradictory conditions in management problems in medical institutions and their solution using the method of committees. In previous studies, it was found that medical problems require the use of “soft modeling” methods, which is often reduced to solving systems of linear equations and inequalities due to its difficulty in formalizing. This is where restrictions of various kinds arise. The purpose of the work. The purpose of this work is to study the contradictions in solving the problems of management of medical institutions, as well as the possibility of eliminating them using the committee method, as well as the approach of building the most joint subsystems. Materials and methods. It is proposed to use the method of maximally joint subsystems modified for the design of the problem, due to the probability of the model, that is, when the state vector is considered to be some random vector (random variable). Here, a situation arises related to the uncertainty principle, which is well solved with the help of the p-committee. The considered methods show effectiveness, since the approximate solution of an incompatible system turns out to be quite close to the true one. However, the classification of contradictions reveals new problems related to the dimension and number of members of the minimum committee. The results of the study. In the course of formulating the types of contradictions, it becomes clear that the problem of the number of members of the committee is reduced to the already solved problem of building maximally joint subsystems. Which, on the one hand, fully justifies the approach considered by the authors, and on the other hand makes it quite simple in the conditions of modern digitalization, since solving systems of linear inequalities is not time-consuming for modern computer programs. Discussion and conclusion. The results obtained allow us to assert that the use of “soft modeling” in the management of medical institutions is simpler, since it is reduced to clear and simple systems of inequalities, albeit incompatible, but this problem is solved using the method of committees. Howe¬ver, it is worth noting that in the end the problem has simple solutions when using convex functions, and the question remains open, in the general case.
Blok Parasternal pada Koreksi Tetrallogy of Fallot
Authors: Khalidi Muhammad Rizqan , Hadinata Yudi
Published: February 2023

Latar Belakang: Opioid dosis tinggi selama pembedahan jantung berhubungan dengan waktu intubasi yang memanjang dan mengakibatkan peningkatan lama perawatan, mobiditas dan tingkat mortalitas. Anestesi regional dan neuraxial telah digunakan untuk tatalaksana nyeri untuk mengurangi dosis opioid. Teknik terbaru seperti blok parasternal, pectoral dan erector spinae telah dikembangkan untuk meminimalisir komplikasi dari anestesi regional.Kasus: Kami melakukan blok parasternal pada gadis berusia 10 tahun yang menjalani prosedur koreksi tetrallogy of fallot. Hasil laboratorium dalam batas normal. Status fisik ASA adalah 4 dengan penyakit jantung bawaan sianotik. Opioid hanya digunakan saat induksi. Injeksi bilateral dari bupivacaine 0,25% ditambah epinephrine 1:200000 dengan total volume 40 ml diberikan masing-masing 20 ml pra insisi.Pembahasan: Hemodinamik pasien stabil selama pembedahan tanpa tanda-tanda respons terhadap nyeri. Tidak ada penambahan dosis opioid selama pembedahan. Pasien di ekstubasi pada saat pembedahan selesai.Kesimpulan: Blok parasternal efektif sebagai adjuvan pembiusan umum pada pembedahan jantung. Teknik ini memfasilitasi penurunan dosis opioid yang membantu pasien untuk bisa di ekstubasi lebih dini.
Optimization of physico-chemical parameters for the production of phycobilin protein blue pigment, phycocyanin from the cyanobacterial strain Pseudanabaena limnetica (Lemmermann) Komarek
Authors: Tribhuvan Ashwini , Deodhar Manjushri , Kengar Ajit
Published: February 2023

Pseudanabaena limnetica, the cyanophycean microalga, like other members of Cyanophycea, is an excellent source of pigments such as phycocyanin, proteins, carotenoids and polysaccharides. These strains also form a large proportion of algal biomass. The P.limnetica strain can grow in the extreme environmental conditions and it grows well in SW-BG 11 medium under laboratory conditions. In the present investigation, this cyanobacteria strain was isolated from the salt pans of Mulund Mumbai areas and it was cultivated in the lab under controlled conditions of light and temperature with optimum parameters of nitrate and carbonate concentrations. The culture was cultivated in the 60L photo bioreactor systems with the (65,000-85,000 lux) at 45?C in the SW-BG11 medium. The optimization experiments were carried out at the indoor and outdoor conditions. The nitrate and carbonate concentrations were optimized for obtaining maximum amount of algal biomass along with the blue-green phycocyanin pigment. The phycocyanin pigment was lyophilized for its further incorporation into the food and cosmetics products. The spectroscopic calculations of phycocyanin, allophycocyanin and phycoerythrin was done at 620, 650 and 562 nm using the Bennett and Bogorad equation. From the results obtained, it was concluded that 0.1gms/L and 1.5gms/L of the carbonate and nitrate concentrations, respectively, were the ideal concentrations for the further experiments for the cost effective production of P. limnetica in the SW-BG 11 medium. The outdoor conditions were found to be favorable for obtaining the maximum biomass and phycocyanin pigment production which would - make it more cost effective, commercially.
The transcript interactome of skeletal muscle RNA binding protein motif 3 (RBM3)
Authors: Hettinger Zachary R. , Confides Amy L. , Vanderklish Peter W. , Dupont‐Versteegden Esther E.
Published: February 2023

Post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression represents a critical regulatory step in the production of a functional proteome. Elevated expression of post‐transcriptional regulator RNA binding motif protein 3 (RBM3), an RNA binding protein in the cold‐shock family, is positively correlated with skeletal muscle growth in adult mice. However, mechanisms through which RBM3 exerts its effects are largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to perform RNA immunoprecipitation followed by RNA sequencing (RIP‐seq) and apply a network science approach to understand biological processes (BPs) most associated with RBM3‐bound mRNAs. In addition, through nucleotide‐sequence‐scanning of enriched transcripts, we predicted the motif for skeletal muscle RBM3 binding. Gene set enrichment analysis followed by enrichment mapping of RBM3‐bound transcripts (fold change >3; p.adj <0.01) revealed significant enrichment of BPs associated with “Contractile apparatus,” “Translation initiation,” and “Proteosome complex.” Clusters were driven largely by enrichment of Myh1 (FC: 4.43), Eif4b (FC: 5.03), and Trim63 (FC: 5.84), respectively. Motif scanning of enriched sequences revealed a discrete 14 nucleotide‐wide motif found most prominently at the junction between the protein coding region's termination sequence and the start of the 3′ untranslated region (UTR; E‐Value: 1.1 e−015). Proof of concept investigation of motif location along enriched transcripts Myh1 and Myl4 revealed 3′ UTR binding, suggesting RBM3 involvement in transcript half‐life regulation. Together, these results demonstrate the potential influence of RBM3 in reshaping the skeletal muscle proteome through post‐transcriptional regulation of mRNAs crucial to muscle adaptations.