bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investing in the Business in the Lviv Region during the War
Authors:   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Vatamanyuk-Zielinska Uliana Z. , Derbina Roma V. ,   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv
Published: November 2022

The purpose of the article is to explore the problems of relocation and functioning of businesses in the Lviv region, as well as to define the priorities of the related investment during the period of martial law. Analyzing the regulatory and legal documentation on investment in the economy of the Lviv region during wartime, the need to improve the strategic planning of regional development is determined, taking into account the investment support of the relocated enterprises depending on the type of their activities and priorities of socioeconomic development of the Lviv region. As a result of the carried out research, the authors highlight new incentives to intensify entrepreneurial initiatives among the unemployed persons, including temporarily displaced persons, which would ensure the economic effect of entrepreneurial activity, leveling the risks associated with starting an own business. To do this, it is proposed to use non-functioning objects of communal property located on industrial lands within the Lviv region by leasing them to newly registered individual entrepreneurs from among the unemployed ones. The rent for the use of such areas can be compensated by the amount of unemployment compensations, including the one-time payment for the organization of business activities on the part of unemployed. Prospects for further research in this direction are to determine the economic efficiency of investments in the development of relocated businesses in the Lviv region in the postwar period.
Perhitungan Rencana Anggaran Biaya Dan Waktu Menggunakan Metode Building Information Modeling Pada Gedung Kamar Operasi RSUD Haji Abdoel Madjid Batoe Kab. Batanghari
Authors: Rosani Rosita Gina , Yamali Fakhrul Rozi , Dwiretnani Annisaa
Published: November 2022

Building Information Modeling (BIM) adalah sebuah pendekatan untuk desain bangunan, konstruksi, dan manajemen. Ruang lingkup BIM ini mendukung dari desain proyek, jadwal, dan informasi-informasi lainnya secara terkordinasi dengan baik. Software Tekla merupakan revolusi baru dalam bidang rekayasa struktur yang memiliki beberapa keunggulan dibanding program aplikasi lainnya. Tekla Structures merupakan perangkat lunak BIM yang memungkinkan untuk membuat dan mengelola data secara akurat dan rinci. Tekla BIM  merupakan software yang dapat membantu kontraktor untuk mengelola resiko dari biaya-biaya yang tidak terduga dan hilangnya waktu. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melakukan pemodelan gedung Kamar Operasi RSUD Haji Abdoel Madjid Batoe Kab. Batanghari dengan software BIM (Tekla Structures 2019) dalam bentuk 3D dan 4D dan memberi masukan bahwa dengan menggunakan BIM suatu proyek akan menghemat waktu, biaya, dan sumber daya manusia. Hal pertama yang dilakukan pada pemodelan ini adalah pembuatan grid sesuai dengan dimensi yang terdapat pada as build drawing. Setelah membuat grid maka selanjutnya melakukan pemodelan, 4D. Diatas grid dimulai pemodelan kolom. Pemodelan dilanjutkan kebagian pembalokan lantai dan slab lantai 1. Setelah lantai 1 selesai, dilanjutkan lagi pemodelan lantai 2 dimulai dari pembalokan, slab lantai 1, dan kolom. Dalam pemodelan dengan software Tekla Structures 2019, dimensi dan jenis bahan yang digunakan dapat dipilih langsung pada masing-masing bagian. Pada software Tekla Structures 2019 terdapat tools yang sangat membantu dalam pemodelan, pembuatan 4D, dan juga mempermudah pengecekan bagian apabila terjadi kesalahan. Pemodelan 4D yang didalamnya terdapat informasi-informasi dapat disimpan dalam satu file yang akan tersimpan secara rapi dan tidak tercecer sehingga pada saat pelaksanaan pekerjaan akan menghemat waktu.
Savings associated with therapeutic appropriateness for patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma and high cytogenetic risk diagnosed by FISH test
Authors: Bitonti Rossella , Demma Federica , Rea Massimiliano , Furneri Gianluca
Published: November 2022

Background: Approximately 23% of myeloma patients have cytogenetic abnormalities which confer a significantly poorer prognosis, and therefore they are defined as “high-risk myeloma” (HRC+) patients.
Objective: To estimate the economic impact of a large-scale use of the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test for the identification of HRC+ patients.
Methods: The comparison between the total costs of two scenarios, the first one where patients are not tested for cytogenetic abnormalities, the second one where FISH test is used to identify HRC+ patients and to treat them with the most appropriate therapies, was conducted. The Italian National Healthcare Service (NHS) perspective was adopted. The cost of each treatment was estimated by multiplying Italian unit ex-factory prices by median progression-free survival (PFS). For each scenario, the cost per month of PFS gained was calculated. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact on the results.
Results: N = 777 patients are expected to be HRC+ in Italy. If they were all identified through FISH test and treated with the most appropriate therapies, this would result into savings of € 552,000 and a PFS gain of 419 months, compared with a scenario with no identification. The cost per patient per month of PFS gained is lower in the scenario where FISH test was available (€ 9,921 vs € 10,229 in the scenario without testing). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the base case results.
Conclusions: A larger adoption of FISH test to identify HRC+ patients is expected to improve clinical outcomes in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma.
Optimising Antimicrobial Stewardship to Tackle Clostridioides difficile Infection and Improve Patient Outcomes
Authors: Guery Benoît , Reinoso Javier Cobo
Published: November 2022

Clostridioides difficile, formerly known as Clostridium difficile, is a Gram-positive spore-forming and toxin-producing bacterium that causes diarrhoea in vulnerable patient groups. It is a common hospital-acquired infection but also occurs in the community. Typically, C. difficile colonises the gut in patients experiencing gut dysbiosis, for example, following antimicrobial treatment or chemotherapy. Cases of C. difficile are increasing worldwide, both in healthcare settings and in the community, and are an indicator of widespread antibiotic use. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) combines local, national, and international guidelines for good antimicrobial practice, effective monitoring of antimicrobial resistance, and control of antibiotic use. Such strategies are vital in the international drive to stem the rise in antimicrobial resistance and control hospital-acquired infections such as C. difficile. However, implementation of such strategies is often lacking. Resourcing issues and a lack of awareness of current best practices among physicians, prescribers, and the general public are significant barriers to implementation. EMJ spoke with two infectious disease experts: Benoît Guery, University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland, and Javier Cobo Reinoso, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain. They highlighted the challenges that face medical practitioners, infectious disease experts, hospital managers, and healthcare providers in developing and implementing effective antimicrobial strategies that support better patient outcomes. The two experts also discussed the changes required to ensure that good AMS can be implemented at local, national, and international levels.
Vemicomposting of Different Organic Matters and its Effect on Growth of Mung Bean, Vigna radiata
Authors: Ritu  , Sudesh Rani
Published: November 2022

Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly technique used to produce organic compost, which is rich in NPK (Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) micronutrients and hence improve plant growth and reproduction. This study was carried out to produce vermicompost with five different organic wastes and observed its effect on the Mung bean crop (Vigna radiata). The study was designed with five treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) having Five different kinds of organic wastes in a ratio of 1:2:1, as follows: T1 (soil+manure+Neem Leaves), T2 (soil+manure+hibiscus leaves), T3 (soil+manure+autumn leaves), T4 (soil+manure+sugarcane bagasse) and T5 (soil+manure+coconut husk). Each treatment having three replicates. Eisenia fetida earthworm was used as an experimental animal. Ten seeds of Vigna radiata were put in each treatment, and observed their germination percentage and growth. The results of the present study revealed higher N, C, and P content in the vermicompost under different treatment as compared to the garden soil sample. The highest per cent (100%) germination and growth of the Vigna radiata were observed in T5, while the minimum was inT1. This study support that vermicomposting of organic wastes is a safe and eco-friendly method by which rich nutrients organic compost can be obtained.
Mangrove Phytoplankton Quality Index Evolving Sustainability
Authors: V Padmavathy , Serebiah J. Sesh , C. Stella
Published: November 2022

The growth of Mangroves along backwaters of Ennore creek, Tamil Nadu, India was selected for the present study. Study was undertaken every month for the period of one year from January to December 2021. Four decisive stations were identified for survey to bring out seasonal consequences. The phytoplankton community was investigated by estimating population through adopting qualitative and quantitative analysis such as species composition, percentage composition, density, diversity, richness, evenness. Supportive parameters viz. nitrate, silicate and phosphate were also examined. Meanwhile, regulating parameters such as temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen were also investigated. Three groups such as Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Chlorophyceae were identified with 37, 31 and 18 (nos.) species, respectively. The phytoplankton density was observed as 280 to 8050 cells/l. Recorded density was lower compared to other ecosystems and back waters, the community structure of phytoplankton population still thriving due to supportive parameters as documented in the presented study. Despite, the recorded high level of BOD, COD, heavy metals and regulating parameters not conducive, the population of phytoplankton community has affluently sustained and made sustain other biota in vicinity, which can still regulate the carrying capacity of Ennore back waters by acting effectively as primary producers in the system.
Desarrollo de habilidades fonológicas en el proceso de lecto escritura en niños de educación inicial
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Navas Bonilla Carmen del Rosario , Alvear Ortiz Luis Fernando ,   Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Torres Peñafiel Jhonny Santiago ,   Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Rodríguez Vintimilla Aracely Carolina ,   Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo
Published: November 2022

La lectoescritura es considerada como la actividad educativa fundamental a cumplir durante la etapa preescolar, específicamente en Inicial II. Un elemento fundamental en esta etapa de la vida es el desarrollo de la conciencia fonológica como expresión de habilidades relacionadas con el aprendizaje de la lectoescritura. El objetivo del estudio fue describir el desarrollo de la CF en estudiantes matriculados en Inicial II en la Unidad Educativa La Providencia de la ciudad de Riobamba, provincia Chimborazo, Ecuador durante el periodo 2020-2021. Para esto se realizó una investigación básica, descriptiva y transversal que incluyó a los 17 estudiantes matriculados en educación Inicial II. Se aplicó el Test de Habilidades Metalingüísticas como instrumento para identificar el desarrollo de la conciencia fonológica. Los principales resultados muestran un promedio de estudiantes en niveles deficiente (35,29%), elemental (23,53%) e intermedio (23,53%). La capacidad para unir fonemas y para contar fonemas fueron los subtests que menor porciento de estudiantes con nivel alto alcanzaron, solo el 17,56%. La segmentación silábica fue el subtests con mejores resultados alcanzando un promedio de puntuación de 0,79; mientras que el de menor puntuación fue el relacionado con la capacidad de contar fonemas que alcanzó una puntuación media de 0,61. Se concluye que existe un escaso desarrollo de la CF en la mayoría de los estudiantes. Se identificó la capacidad de contar fonemas y la adición silábica como los subtests en los que mayor número de dificultades se pudieron identificar.
Current research progress of local drug delivery systems based on biodegradable polymers in treating chronic osteomyelitis
Authors: Liu Yixiu , Li Xu , Liang A.
Published: November 2022

Chronic osteomyelitis is one of the most challenging diseases in orthopedic treatment. It is usually treated with intravenous antibiotics and debridement in clinical practice, which also brings systemic drug side effects and bone defects. The local drug delivery system of antibiotics has the characteristics of targeted slow release to the lesion site, replacing systemic antibiotics and reducing the toxic and side effects of drugs. It can also increase the local drug concentration, achieve sound bacteriostatic effects, and promote bone healing and formation. Currently, PMMA beads are used in treating chronic osteomyelitis at home and abroad, but the chain beads need to be removed after a second operation, inconveniences patients. Biodegradable materials have been extensively studied as optimal options for antibiotic encapsulation and delivery, bringing new hope for treating chronic osteomyelitis. This article reviews the research progress of local drug delivery systems based on biodegradable polymers, including natural and synthetic ones, in treating chronic osteomyelitis.
Recent advances in engineering hydrogels for niche biomimicking and hematopoietic stem cell culturing
Authors: Huang Xiaochan , Wang Yuting , Wang Tianci , Wen Feiqiu , Liu Sixi , Oudeng Gerile
Published: November 2022

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) provide a life-long supply of haemopoietic cells and are indispensable for clinical transplantation in the treatment of malignant hematological diseases. Clinical applications require vast quantities of HSCs with maintained stemness characteristics. Meeting this demand poses often insurmountable challenges for traditional culture methods. Creating a supportive artificial microenvironment for the culture of HSCs, which allows the expansion of the cells while maintaining their stemness, is becoming a new solution for the provision of these rare multipotent HSCs. Hydrogels with good biocompatibility, excellent hydrophilicity, tunable biochemical and biophysical properties have been applied in mimicking the hematopoietic niche for the efficient expansion of HSCs. This review focuses on recent progress in the use of hydrogels in this specialized application. Advanced biomimetic strategies use for the creation of an artificial haemopoietic niche are discussed, advances in combined use of hydrogel matrices and microfluidics, including the emerging organ-on-a-chip technology, are summarized. We also provide a brief description of novel stimulus-responsive hydrogels that are used to establish an intelligent dynamic cell microenvironment. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives of engineering hydrogels for HSC biomedicine are explored.
Ablation index-guided high-power ablation for superior vena cava isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Cui Luqian , Cui Shihua , Dong Shujuan , Li Jingchao , Yu Haijia , Song Huihui , Han Yongmei , Chu Yingjie
Published: November 2022

Background

The strategy of ablation index (AI)-guided high-power ablation seems to be a novel strategy for performing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). An AI-guided high-power ablation strategy was used in this study to determine whether superior vena cava isolation (SVCI) after PVI was feasible and safe for patients with AF.

Methods

Data from 53 patients with AF were collected. Mapping and ablation of SVC were performed. The applied power was set at 45 W and the procedure was guided by AI. The SVC was divided into six segments in a cranial view. The RF applications and AI values in different segments were compared and analyzed. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of AI value for predicting segment block was evaluated.

Results

Electrical SVCIs were successfully achieved in all patients. SVCI was performed by segment ablation in most cases, with RF applications in different segments. The mean AI value in non-lateral walls was higher than that of the lateral wall (392 ± 28 vs. 371 ± 37, P < 0.001). Acutely blocked sites had significantly larger AI values compared with no-blocked sites (390 ± 30 vs. 343 ± 23, P < 0.001). The optimal AI cut-off value for non-lateral segments was 379 (sensitivity: 75.9%, specificity: 100%) and for lateral segments was 345 (sensitivity: 82.3%, specificity: 100%).

Conclusion

The AI values were predictive of the acute conduction block of SVCI. With AI values of 345 and 379, respectively, conduction block was achieved in the lateral walls at a lower level than in the non-lateral walls.
The scientific management of deep carious lesions in vital teeth using contemporary materials—a narrative review
Authors: Al-Ali M. , Camilleri J.
Published: November 2022

Aim

The aim of this article is to review the scientific evidence for deep caries removal in permanent vital teeth and the choice of dentine replacement material and restoration of the teeth to maintain long-term tooth vitality and function.

Method

The two position statements, namely, the European Society of Endodontology and the American Association of Endodontists position statements on vital pulp therapy, will be scrutinized and compared with regard to the deep caries removal strategy and assessed for evidence of best practice. The properties of materials used to manage vital pulps and the best way to restore the teeth will be reviewed and guidance on the full management of vital teeth will be suggested.

Conclusions

Promoting new treatment modalities for reversible and irreversible pulpitis allowing for pulp preservation should be considered. Although debatable, cases with deep caries should be managed by complete non-selective caries removal which will allow for pulpal management if needed and a more predictable outcome can be expected when using the new materials and treatment modalities of vital pulp therapy.
Computer or teacher: Who predicts dropout best?
Authors: Eegdeman Irene , Cornelisz Ilja , van Klaveren Chris , Meeter Martijn
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Machine learning algorithms use data to identify at-risk students early on such that dropout can be prevented. Teachers, on the other hand, may have a perspective on a student’s chance, derived from their observations and previous experience. Are such subjective perspectives of teachers indeed predictive for identifying at-risk students, and can these perspectives help increase the prediction performance of machine learning algorithms? This study puts 9 teachers in an upper secondary vocational education program to the test.

Methods

For each of the 95 freshmen students enrolled in the program, these teachers were asked whether a student would drop out by the end of their freshman year. Teachers answered this question at the beginning of the program and again after the first 10 weeks of the program.

Results

Teachers predicted dropout better than the machine learning algorithms at the start of the program, in particular, because they were able to identify students with a very high likelihood of dropout that could not be identified by the algorithms. However, after the first period, even though prediction accuracy increased over time for both algorithms and teachers, algorithms outperformed the teachers. A ranking, combining the teachers composite and the random forest algorithm, had better sensitivity than each separately, though not better precision.
“I rewrote their story and you can, too”: Black girls’ artistic freedom dreams to create new worlds
Authors: Kaler-Jones Cierra
Published: November 2022

For Black girls, whose histories are often taught in schools through deficit-based narratives, the need to create and reauthor their personal and communal stories is a resistant act that gives their stories permanence in the present and the future. This article explores how Black girls leveraged creative expression to freedom dream in a virtual summer arts program. Theoretically grounded in Abolitionist Teaching and Critical Race Feminism, this study explored eight adolescent Black girls’ (co-researchers) experiences in Black Girls S.O.A.R. (scholarship, organizing, arts, and resistance), a program aimed to co-create a healing-centered space to engage artistic explorations of history, storytelling, Afrofuturism, and social justice with Black girls. The study utilizes performance ethnography to contend with the following research question: (1) How, if at all, do adolescent Black girls use arts-based practices (e.g., visual art, music, hair, and animation) to freedom dream? Analyses of the data revealed that co-researchers used arts-based practices to reclaim personal and historical narratives, dream new worlds, and use art as activism. In this, co-researchers created futures worthy of Black girl brilliance—futures where joy, creativity, equity, and love were at the center. I conclude with implications for how educators and researchers can employ creative, participatory, and arts-based practices and methodologies in encouraging and honoring Black girls’ storytelling and dream-making practices.
Constructing multi-theory vignettes to measure the application of knowledge in ambivalent educational situations
Authors: Lohse-Bossenz Hendrik , Bloss Christopher , Dörfler Tobias
Published: November 2022

Research on evidence-based argumentation shows that (pre-service) teachers have difficulties in orienting their actions to existing theories and empirical evidence. This article addresses the knowledge content needed for this and presents a vignette-based procedure. Within each vignette, two different theoretical perspectives are addressed. The behavior of a teacher can be either suitable or unsuitable from both perspectives or more or less suitable depending on the perspective. In study 1, the procedure is piloted and in study 2, an intervention on a specific area of knowledge takes place. The results show that participants differentiate the vignettes as expected. The intervention leads to corresponding increases in knowledge, which likely relates to a change in the evaluations. The presented approach is discussed with regard to possible applications in the context of research on evidence-based argumentation.
Performance evaluation of grid connected solar powered microgrid: A case study
Authors: Srivastava Rachit , Amir Mohammad , Ahmad Furkan , Agrawal Sushil Kumar , Dwivedi Anurag , Yadav Arun Kumar
Published: November 2022

Besides being limited in quantity, conventional energy sources also emit toxic gases. The Photovoltaic (PV) Solar System is one of the most energizing green energy sources. Around the globe, solar panels are being installed on barren land as well as on the roofs of buildings to generate electricity. An education institute in northern India recently took a step in this direction by installing a grid-tied 100 kWp solar power plant. The installed PV panels are tilted at an angle of 30° and mounted on the roof of the building. The actual PV plant system’s performance differs from the performance under laboratory conditions. Hence, performance evaluation of real outdoor plants becomes essential, especially when the plant is commissioned in different situations, such as roof-mounted systems. Many softwares can estimate the plant’s performance evaluation, but their reliability is not yet proven. This paper examines the performance evaluation of grid-tied PV plants between January 2019 and December 2019 in accordance with the IEC 61724 standard. Moreover, the results of the actual plant have also been compared with the results from the PV*Syst software that simulates the real-time behavior of the plant. Further, in order to evaluate the power plant’s performance, this paper analyzes the various parameters of the PV plant, including reference yield, final yield, and performance ratio of the PV plant. An evaluation of the module’s performance indicates that it has produced 101.57 MWh of energy over 1 year, with a performance ratio of 0.60. It is evident from the comparative analysis that rooftop solar panels are an economically viable and technologically feasible means of providing electricity in the northern parts of India. By taking such measures, the institutes or offices can protect the environment and save money by becoming microgrids. The proposed project provides a roadmap for installing rooftop photovoltaic plants in populated cities without occupying additional land.
Complexity of downy birch emissions revealed by Vocus proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer
Authors: Thomas Steven Job , Li Haiyan , Praplan Arnaud P. , Hellén Heidi , Bianchi Federico
Published: November 2022

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are known to strongly influence the global climate by affecting various atmospheric constituents such as oxidants and aerosols. Among the several BVOCs that are emitted continuously into the atmosphere, studies have shown that up to 96% of the emissions have been missed out by current analytical techniques. In this study, we used a Vocus proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Vocus) to characterize and quantify emissions from a branch of a downy birch tree at a boreal forest site in Hyytiälä, Finland in August 2019. During the measurement period, we were able to observe real-time emissions of hydrocarbons with up to 20 carbon atoms and oxygenated compounds (OVOCs) with up to 4 oxygen atoms. OVOCs accounted for around 90% of the total observed emissions with the largest contribution from C8H8O3 (0.37 μgg–1h–1; ∼60% of total). For the first time, emissions of diterpenes (C20H32, C20H36, and C20H38) were observed from downy birch tree, although in minor quantities (0.1% of total emissions). During this late growing season, C10H16 and C10H14 contributed ∼7% in total emissions, while the sum of C5H8, C15H22, and C15H24 contributed around ∼3%. The branch experienced abiotic stress during the measurement period, which might explain the unusually high emissions of C8H8O3. Standardized emission potentials are reported for all compounds using two Guenther algorithms. While emissions of most compounds fit well with either of the two algorithms, emissions of certain compounds like C8H8O3 could not be explained by either suggesting the influence of other factors besides temperature and light. Vocus PTR-TOF-MS can help identify a diverse range of molecules even if emitted in minute quantities. The BVOCs detected from birch emissions may be important in the formation of secondary organic aerosols but their implications in the atmosphere need to be verified with further studies.
Soil carbon pools are affected by species identity and productivity in a tree common garden experiment
Authors: Waring Bonnie G. , Smith Kenneth R. , Belluau Michael , Khlifa Rim , Messier Christian , Munson Alison , Paquette Alain
Published: November 2022

The formation and turnover of soil organic carbon (C), the largest terrestrial C pool, is strongly impacted by the ultimate source of that C: leaves, wood, roots, and root exudates. The quantity and quality of these inputs is determined by the identity of the plants involved. Yet substantial uncertainty surrounds the complex relationships among plant traits and soil C, precluding efforts to maximize whole-ecosystem C uptake in nature-based climate mitigation scenarios. In this study, we leveraged a biodiversity-ecosystem function experiment with trees (IDENT) to explore the effects of interspecific variation in plant traits on soil C dynamics in the very early stages of stand development (9 years since planting). Mineral soil C stocks to 5 cm depth were quantified in monospecific plots of 19 tree species planted on a former agricultural field, and analyzed in relation to tree growth and functional traits. We found that tree species identity affected soil bulk density and, to a lesser extent, the carbon content of the topsoil, and thereby total C pools. Among species and across plots, mineral soil C stocks were positively correlated with rates of tree growth and were significantly larger beneath broadleaf trees with “fast” functional traits vs. conifers with more conservative leaf traits, when comparisons were made over equivalent soil depth increments. Thus, plant functional traits mediate interspecific differences in productivity, which in turn influence the magnitude of belowground C stocks. These results highlight important linkages between above- and belowground carbon cycles in the earliest stages of afforestation.
Habitat decline of the largest known Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) population in poorly protected areas associated with the hypoxic zone
Authors: Guo Lang , Luo Dingyu , Yu Ri-Qing , Zeng Chen , Huang Nuoyan , Wang Hongri , Wu Yuping
Published: November 2022

Reserve planning based on the investigation of the core habitat distribution of wild cetaceans is a powerful conservation strategy for protecting target species. However, studies on core habitats and their variations at the large-scale distribution of cetaceans are limited. In this study, we conducted a seven years (2015-2021) boat-based field observation surveys with highly applicable and generalized methods to analyze the habitat changes and how these changes influenced the largest known Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) population in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), China. Our findings revealed that there is 3204 km2 of dolphin habitat in the PRE, and dolphin distribution preferences are related to nutrients and biological resources. The decreasing trend of dolphin sighting rates in most areas (73.2%) indicated that the dolphin habitat had declined, and the annual habitat decline rate (2.83%; 95% confidence interval: 0.58%-5.08%) was consistent with the population decline rate. The annual habitat decline rate in the hypoxic zone revealed that low dolphin sighting rates from March to October in the hypoxic zone was 0.43% faster than that in the non-hypoxic zone, indicating long-term sustained effects of summer hypoxia on the dolphin population. Existing reserves have partially prevented habitat decline. However, more than 82.3% of the habitat has not been effectively protected and encounters the threats of pollution and hypoxic stress. This study offers new scientific evidence for developing effective monitoring strategies for humpback dolphin populations in the PRE, and also help establish spatial planning and management measures for reserve habitats.
Molecular size-fraction and seasonal characteristics of dissolved trace metals in river and estuarine waters of the Yellow River, China
Authors: Luan Feng , Yang Tingting , Lu Yuxi , Wang Ning
Published: November 2022

The colloidal phase is an important metal storage form in the aquatic system. However, its biogeochemical behavior in the estuarine environment has been seldom studied. In this study, spatial variations, sources and correlations with seawater environmental factors of the dissolved Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in the surface water of the Yellow River Estuary in China were investigated. The clean sampling system, centrifugal ultrafiltration technique, and ICP-MS were combined and used for the determination of the colloidal distribution of six metals in this region. Two stations of Zn in autumn had contamination factor values >1, which indicates lower contaminant levels of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb. Dissolved target metal was divided into five fractions, i.e. <1 kDa, 1-3 kDa, 3-10 kDa, 10-100 kDa and 100 kDa-0.45 μm, while the average concentrations of each fraction were 60.17, 46.54, 47.73, 251.03, 1.44 and 1.08 nmol L-1 in spring and 62.30, 48.18, 15.35, 203.05, 1.20 and 1.70 nmol L-1 in autumn, respectively. The results showed that colloidal Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb might be dominated by high-molecular-weight fraction (100 kDa-0.45 μm). Additionally, the contribution of low-molecular-weight colloidal Fe (1-10 kDa) in this aquatic system was obvious. The addition in the colloidal and total dissolved fraction might be mainly related to particle-desorbed ligand, which was usually occurred in the middle salinity area. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and colloidal organic carbon (COC) concentration could not correlate with the behavior of Mn, Zn and Cd, which proved that the influence of inorganic ligands was higher than that of organic ligands or biological contributions, but the influence of salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and temperature should not be ignored. Overall, the results suggested that the occurrence of dynamic behaviors of colloidal metal in the YRE was highly associated with the salinity transition and formation of the organic matter-particle mixture system under complex hydrodynamic processes.
Different uptake patterns of 68Ga-FAPI in aseptic loosening and periprosthetic joint infection of hip arthroplasty: A case series and literature review
Authors: Wang Yiqun , Wang Ruimin , Geng Lei , Li Qingxiao , Qi Erpeng , Shi Yuanyuan , Wang Yanmei , Zheng Qingyuan , Zhang Guoqiang , Chen Jiying , Tian Jiahe
Published: November 2022

Background

The diagnosis of a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is always a difficult point in research on the surgery of joints. The current diagnostic criteria include a comprehensive analysis of multiple tests; however, there are no effective visual examinations yet that can differentiate between aseptic loosening and the PJI.

Case presentation

This case report describes four patients with symptomatic total hip arthroplasty (THA), two cases of loosening and two cases of infection. Although the four cases were correctly diagnosed by the tissue culture, preoperative tests and pathological examination could not effectively distinguish an infection from a non-infection. Based on a preclinical study and theoretical feasibility, gallium-68 (68Ga)-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor positron emission tomography/computed tomography (68Ga-FAPI PET/CT) was performed. Through 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT scanning, not only were the causes diagnosed correctly but the lesions were also located.

Conclusion

When the lesion is located between the bone and the prosthesis, 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT could differentiate aseptic loosening from periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT has clear advantages over routine examinations and has a prospective application in detecting PJI.
A comparative study of skin transcriptomes and histological observations for black and white hair colors of giant panda
Authors: Wang Yingyun , Liang Shangyue , Tu Shaotong , Shen Zhangqi , Dong Yanjun , Liu Gang , Shi Hao , Jin Yipeng
Published: November 2022

The Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are mammals belonging to the bear family, order Carnivora, and their characteristic hair color and distribution has been in the spotlight. In recent years, the gradual prevalence of skin diseases in giant pandas and even the discovery of albino individuals have made the study of the substrate of their skin hair distribution more and more urgent. In this study, by comparing the skin histology and transcriptomes for hairs of different color of giant pandas, we found that the melanin contents of hair follicles at the bases of black and white hairs differed, but the hair follicles at the base of white hairs also contained some amount of melanin. The transcriptome sequencing results showed that there were great differences in the expression of the transcriptome of the skin under different hair color blocks, in which the number of differentially expressed genes in the white skin was much smaller than that in the black skin. Transcriptomes for skin tissue samples for different hair colors revealed several enriched Kyoto encyclopedia of genes (KEGG) pathways that include tumor, cell adhesion and melanocyte growth-related signaling pathways. This study provides a theoretical basis for subsequent studies on hair color distribution and skin diseases in giant pandas.
CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 as biomarkers of liver injury caused by chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Yu Xin , Chen Ying , Cui Lele , Yang Kaming , Wang Xumeng , Lei Linyuan , Zhang Yanping , Kong Xinyi , Lao Wanwen , Li Zhenlin , Liu Yang , Li Yuetong , Bi Changlong , Wu Chao , Zhai Aixia
Published: November 2022

Background

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a significant global health problem, leading to recurrent inflammation and liver-damaging diseases such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, although diagnostic markers for CHB are well established, the indicators for predicting liver injury caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection still need to be further explored. Thus, the identification of credible infectious indicators is urgently needed to facilitate timely clinical intervention and avoid the progression of disease malignancy.

Methods

The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database GSE83148 data set was used to explore the hub genes for HBV infection. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to identify the impact of HBV infection on the expression of hub gene at the cell level. At the same time, serum samples and clinical information were collected from healthy, HBV-free and CHB patients. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to verify the results of cell experiments and Pearson correlation analysis was used to clarify hub genes correlation with HBV infection indicators and liver injury-related indicators. Finally, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database was used to analyze the differences in the expression of hub gene in liver injury diseases.

Results

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 were identified as hub genes in HBV infection. After HBV infection, the expression of the four chemokines was significantly increased and the concentrations secreted into serum were also increased. Moreover, the four chemokines were significantly correlated with HBV infection-related indicators and liver injury-related indicators, which were positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and negatively correlated with AST/ALT ratio and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb). In addition, the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 in HCC tissues was significantly higher than in normal tissues.

Conclusion

Using a combination of bioinformatics, cell experiments, and clinical correlation analysis, this study showed that CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 can be used as serum biomarkers to forecast liver injury caused by HBV infection.
Research on autonomous route generation method based on AIS ship trajectory big data and improved LSTM algorithm
Authors: Zhuang ChangXi , Chen Chao
Published: November 2022

The autonomous generation of routes is an important part of ship intelligence and it can be realized by deep learning of the big data of automatic identification system (AIS) ship trajectories. In this study, to make the routes generated by long short-term memory (LSTM) artificial neural network more accurate and efficient, a ship route autonomous generation scheme is proposed based on AIS ship trajectory big data and improved multi-task LSTM artificial neural network. By introducing an unsupervised trajectory separation mechanism into LSTM, a fast and accurate separation of trajectories with similar paths is realized. In the process of route generation, first of all, a clustering algorithm is used to cluster the trajectories in massive AIS data according to the density of trajectory points, so as to eliminate the trajectories in the routes that do not belong to the target area. Furthermore, the routes are classified according to the type of ships, and then the classified trajectories are processed and used as datasets. Based on these datasets, an improved LSTM algorithm is used to generate ship routes autonomously. The results show the improved LSTM works better than LSTM when the generated route trajectories are short.
Plasticity impairment alters community structure but permits successful pattern separation in a hippocampal network model
Authors: Schumm Samantha N. , Gabrieli David , Meaney David F.
Published: November 2022

Patients who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) often complain of learning and memory problems. Their symptoms are principally mediated by the hippocampus and the ability to adapt to stimulus, also known as neural plasticity. Therefore, one plausible injury mechanism is plasticity impairment, which currently lacks comprehensive investigation across TBI research. For these studies, we used a computational network model of the hippocampus that includes the dentate gyrus, CA3, and CA1 with neuron-scale resolution. We simulated mild injury through weakened spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), which modulates synaptic weights according to causal spike timing. In preliminary work, we found functional deficits consisting of decreased firing rate and broadband power in areas CA3 and CA1 after STDP impairment. To address structural changes with these studies, we applied modularity analysis to evaluate how STDP impairment modifies community structure in the hippocampal network. We also studied the emergent function of network-based learning and found that impaired networks could acquire conditioned responses after training, but the magnitude of the response was significantly lower. Furthermore, we examined pattern separation, a prerequisite of learning, by entraining two overlapping patterns. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, impaired networks did not exhibit deficits in pattern separation with either population- or rate-based coding. Collectively, these results demonstrate how a mechanism of injury that operates at the synapse regulates circuit function.
Active inference, morphogenesis, and computational psychiatry
Authors: Pio-Lopez Léo , Kuchling Franz , Tung Angela , Pezzulo Giovanni , Levin Michael
Published: November 2022

Active inference is a leading theory in neuroscience that provides a simple and neuro-biologically plausible account of how action and perception are coupled in producing (Bayes) optimal behavior; and has been recently used to explain a variety of psychopathological conditions. In parallel, morphogenesis has been described as the behavior of a (non-neural) cellular collective intelligence solving problems in anatomical morphospace. In this article, we establish a link between the domains of cell biology and neuroscience, by analyzing disorders of morphogenesis as disorders of (active) inference. The aim of this article is three-fold. We want to: (i) reveal a connection between disorders of morphogenesis and disorders of active inference as apparent in psychopathological conditions; (ii) show how disorders of morphogenesis can be simulated using active inference; (iii) suggest that active inference can shed light on developmental defects or aberrant morphogenetic processes, seen as disorders of information processing, and perhaps suggesting novel intervention and repair strategies. We present four simulations illustrating application of these ideas to cellular behavior during morphogenesis. Three of the simulations show that the same forms of aberrant active inference (e.g., deficits of sensory attenuation and low sensory precision) that have been used to explain psychopathological conditions (e.g., schizophrenia and autism) also produce familiar disorders of development and morphogenesis when implemented at the level of the collective behavior of a group of cells. The fourth simulation involves two cells with too high precision, in which we show that the reduction of concentration signaling and sensitivity to the signals of other cells treats the development defect. Finally, we present the results of an experimental test of one of the model's predictions in early Xenopus laevis embryos: thioridazine (a dopamine antagonist that may reduce sensory precision in biological systems) induced developmental (anatomical) defects as predicted. The use of conceptual and empirical tools from neuroscience to understand the morphogenetic behavior of pre-neural agents offers the possibility of new approaches in regenerative medicine and evolutionary developmental biology.
Cognitive control training enhances the integration of intrinsic functional networks in adolescents
Authors: Lee Raihyung , Kwak Seyul , Lee Dasom , Chey Jeanyung
Published: November 2022

Introduction

We have demonstrated that intensive cognitive training can produce sustained improvements in cognitive performance in adolescents. Few studies, however, have investigated the neural basis of these training effects, leaving the underlying mechanism of cognitive plasticity during this period unexplained.

Methods

In this study, we trained 51 typically developing adolescents on cognitive control tasks and examined how their intrinsic brain networks changed by applying graph theoretical analysis. We hypothesized that the training would accelerate the process of network integration, which is a key feature of network development throughout adolescence.

Results

We found that the cognitive control training enhanced the integration of functional networks, particularly the cross-network integration of the cingulo-opercular network. Moreover, the analysis of additional data from older adolescents revealed that the cingulo-opercular network was more integrated with other networks in older adolescents than in young adolescents.

Discussion

These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that cognitive control training may speed up network development, such that brain networks exhibit more mature patterns after training.
An integrated cytokine and kynurenine network as the basis of neuroimmune communication
Authors: Stone Trevor W. , Clanchy Felix I. L. , Huang Yi-Shu , Chiang Nien-Yi , Darlington L. Gail , Williams Richard O.
Published: November 2022

Two of the molecular families closely associated with mediating communication between the brain and immune system are cytokines and the kynurenine metabolites of tryptophan. Both groups regulate neuron and glial activity in the central nervous system (CNS) and leukocyte function in the immune system, although neither group alone completely explains neuroimmune function, disease occurrence or severity. This essay suggests that the two families perform complementary functions generating an integrated network. The kynurenine pathway determines overall neuronal excitability and plasticity by modulating glutamate receptors and GPR35 activity across the CNS, and regulates general features of immune cell status, surveillance and tolerance which often involves the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR). Equally, cytokines and chemokines define and regulate specific populations of neurons, glia or immune system leukocytes, generating more specific responses within restricted CNS regions or leukocyte populations. In addition, as there is a much larger variety of these compounds, their homing properties enable the superimposition of dynamic variations of cell activity upon local, spatially limited, cell populations. This would in principle allow the targeting of potential treatments to restricted regions of the CNS. The proposed synergistic interface of ‘tonic’ kynurenine pathway affecting baseline activity and the superimposed ‘phasic’ cytokine system would constitute an integrated network explaining some features of neuroimmune communication. The concept would broaden the scope for the development of new treatments for disorders involving both the CNS and immune systems, with safer and more effective agents targeted to specific CNS regions.