bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supporting a young age for the North American deserts: Historical biogeography of Grusonia (Cylindropuntieae) in a Plio‐Pleistocene temporal framework
Authors: Bárcenas Rolando T. , Hernández Héctor M.
Published: May 2022

Grusonia is an opuntioid genus in the Cylindropuntieae, Cactaceae, endemic to the North American deserts in Mexico and the United States. The monophyletic status of the genus and the degrees of endemicity of its species make Grusonia a suitable study group in order to test biogeographic hypotheses such as vicariant or dispersal events, biogeographic barriers and time‐calibrated phylogenies in order to propose speciation events in the group. The statistical dispersal‐vicariance analysis (S‐DIVA) and a statistical dispersal‐local extinction‐cladogenesis (S‐DEC) analyses show general congruence postulating ancestral ranges for the species of Grusonia. They disagree, however, in a clade with four species from the Sonoran Desert, the Baja California Peninsula and one species endemic to the central portion of the Chihuahuan Desert Region. The time‐calibrated phylogeny here proposed shows an average age of 3.7 Ma for the genus. Grusonia has two internal clades comprising species most likely generated by allopatric speciation under a vicariant scenario. The results of this study support a young age for the North American deserts and identify the end of the Pliocene and mainly the Plio‐Pleistocene boundary as the starting point of the cladogenetic events that gave rise to the two main clades of Grusonia.
Targeting DEAD‐box RNA helicases: The emergence of molecular staples
Authors: Naineni Sai Kiran , Robert Francis , Nagar Bhushan , Pelletier Jerry
Published: May 2022

RNA helicases constitute a large family of proteins that play critical roles in mediating RNA function. They have been implicated in all facets of gene expression pathways involving RNA, from transcription to processing, transport and translation, and storage and decay. There is significant interest in developing small molecule inhibitors to RNA helicases as some family members have been documented to be dysregulated in neurological and neurodevelopment disorders, as well as in cancers. Although different functional properties of RNA helicases offer multiple opportunities for small molecule development, molecular staples have recently come to the forefront. These bifunctional molecules interact with both protein and RNA components to lock them together, thereby imparting novel gain‐of‐function properties to their targets.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Small Molecule‐RNA Interactions

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Interactions: Functional Implications
Yeast as a biological platform for vitamin D production: A promising alternative to help reduce vitamin D deficiency in humans
Authors: Kessi‐Pérez Eduardo I. , González Adens , Palacios José L. , Martínez Claudio
Published: May 2022

Vitamin D is an important human hormone, known primarily to be involved in the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate, but it is also involved in various nonskeletal processes (molecular, cellular, immune, and neuronal). One of the main health problems nowadays is the vitamin D deficiency of the human population due to lack of sun exposure, with estimates of one billion people worldwide with vitamin D deficiency, and the consequent need for clinical intervention (i.e., prescription of pharmacological vitamin D supplements). An alternative to reduce vitamin D deficiency is to produce good dietary sources of it, a scenario in which the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae seems to be a promising alternative. This review focuses on the potential use of yeast as a biological platform to produce vitamin D, summarizing both the biological aspects of vitamin D (synthesis, ecology and evolution, metabolism, and bioequivalence) and the work done to produce it in yeast (both for vitamin D2 and for vitamin D3), highlighting existing challenges and potential solutions.
Higgs probes of top quark contact interactions and their interplay with the Higgs self-coupling
Authors: Alasfar Lina , de Blas Jorge , Gröber Ramona
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We calculate the dominant contributions of third generation four-quark operators to single-Higgs production and decay. They enter via loop corrections to Higgs decays into gluons, photons and$$ b\overline{b} $$bb¯, and in Higgs production via gluon fusion and in association with top quark pairs. We show that these loop effects can, in some cases, lead to better constraints than those from fits to top quark data. Finally, we investigate whether these four-fermion operators can spoil the determination of the trilinear Higgs self-coupling from fits to single-Higgs data.
Climatology of Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) Observed with GPS Networks in the North African Region
Authors: Oluwadare Temitope Seun , Jakowski Norbert , Valladares Cesar E. , Akala Andrew Oke-Ovie , Abe Oladipo E. , Alizadeh Mahdi M. , Schuh Harald
Published: May 2022

We present for the first time the climatology of medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) by using Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver networks on geomagnetically quiet days (Kp ≤ 3) over the North African region during 2008–2016. The ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) were estimated from the dual-frequency GPS measurements, and the TEC perturbations (dTEC) data were derived from the estimated TEC data. We focused on the TEC perturbations (dTEC) associated MSTIDs and statistically analyzed its characteristics, occurrence rate, diurnal and seasonal behavior as well as the interannual dependence. The results show that MSTID is a local and seasonal dependence. The result reveals that occurrence of MSTIDs increases with solar activity. It also shows that MSTIDs predominantly propagates towards the South (equatorward). The MSTIDs event period is (12 ≤ period ≤ 53 min), while the dominant peak-to-peak amplitude is (0.08 ≤ amp ≤  ~ 1.5 dTECU). The study also shows that the amplitude of MSTIDs is higher at the northwest (Lat: ~ 32° N to ~ 38° N, Long: ~ 2° W to ~ 15° W) when compared with northeast (Lat: ~ 28° N to ~ 38° N, Long: ~ 23° E to ~ 40° E), and the disturbance occurrence time is more frequent within the hours of (1200–1600 LT), and (1000—1400 LT) in December solstice at daytime for stations located in the northwest and northeast part of the African region, respectively. While at the nighttime, the MSTIDs also exhibits variability in disturbance occurrence time around (northwest: 2100–0200 LT) and (northeast: 1900-0200 LT) in June solstice, but get extended to March equinox during solar maximum (2014). The mean phase velocity in daytime MSTIDs is higher than the nighttime in every season, except during June solstice.
Health Physics (보건 물리학) in South Korea: Building a Research Community in a Post-Colonial Society, 1959–early 1970s
Authors: DiMoia John P.
Published: May 2022

This paper traces the diverse contexts of radiation protection from liberation in post-1945 South Korea to its professionalization by the early 1970s, using the emerging field of health physics (보건 물리학) as the focus. The Korean nuclear center, AERI (Atomic Energy Research Institute/한국 원자력 연구소, 1959), started two affiliates, RRIA (Radiation Research Institute for Agriculture/방사선 농업연구소, 1966) and RRIM (Radiation Research Institute for Medicine/방사선 의학연구소, 1963) in the early 1960s. In particular, RRIM emphasized the use of radiation within cancer research, especially the use of cobalt in treating patients. In this context, health physics initially took the form of “radiation medicine.”

With the two institutes returning to AERI’s fold in 1973, health physics took another turn: the second major subfield, following “radiation medicine,” invoked a broader conception of “radiation protection,” which now referred to a cluster of related interests, including the environment and the effects of industrialization.

Rather than a simple transfer of American and international models after 1953, Korean health physics reflects its origins in a post-colonial research setting, one more diverse than its “official” institutional context at AERI.
Does spiked tibial cement spacer reduce spacer-related problems in two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty for infection?
Authors: Jung Kwang-Hwan , Lee Chae-Chil , Kim Tae-Hoon , Han Jung-Won , Park Ki-Bong
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Articulating cement spacers are frequently used in staged approaches for infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study investigated whether a tibial cement spacer (TCS) with spikes could reduce spacer-related problems in two-stage revision TKA (R-TKA).

Methods

A total of 27 patients (27 knees; 10 men and 17 women) who underwent two-stage R-TKA for infected TKA were retrospectively analyzed. Group A comprised 12 patients who used TCS with spikes added to the bottom surface, whereas group B consisted of 15 patients who used conventional TCS with a flat bottom. For each group, plain radiographs were obtained after cement spacer implantation and before R-TKA to measure mediolateral (ML) translation and TCS’s tilting angle. Patients’ demographic data, ML translation of the TCS, and changes in the TCS’s tilting angle between the groups were analyzed.

Results

The mean ML translation was significantly lower in group A than that in group B (1.7 mm vs. 5.4 mm, p = 0.04). The mean change in the tilting angle was significantly lower in group A than that in group B (4.5° vs. 19.4°, p = 0.047).

Conclusion

The spiked TCS in two-stage R-TKA provides superior stability compared to the TCS with a conventional design.
Impact of climate change on volcanic processes: current understanding and future challenges
Authors: Aubry Thomas J. , Farquharson Jamie I. , Rowell Colin R. , Watt Sebastian F. L. , Pinel Virginie , Beckett Frances , Fasullo John , Hopcroft Peter O. , Pyle David M. , Schmidt Anja , Sykes John Staunton
Published: May 2022

The impacts of volcanic eruptions on climate are increasingly well understood, but the mirror question of how climate changes affect volcanic systems and processes, which we term “climate-volcano impacts”, remains understudied. Accelerating research on this topic is critical in view of rapid climate change driven by anthropogenic activities. Over the last two decades, we have improved our understanding of how mass distribution on the Earth’s surface, in particular changes in ice and water distribution linked to glacial cycles, affects mantle melting, crustal magmatic processing and eruption rates. New hypotheses on the impacts of climate change on eruption processes have also emerged, including how eruption style and volcanic plume rise are affected by changing surface and atmospheric conditions, and how volcanic sulfate aerosol lifecycle, radiative forcing and climate impacts are modulated by background climate conditions. Future improvements in past climate reconstructions and current climate observations, volcanic eruption records and volcano monitoring, and numerical models all have a role in advancing our understanding of climate-volcano impacts. Important mechanisms remain to be explored, such as how changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation will affect the volcanic ash life cycle. Fostering a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to climate-volcano impacts is critical to gain a full picture of how ongoing climate changes may affect the environmental and societal impacts of volcanic activity.
Translating research into operational procedures for reducing the risk from volcanic eruptions
Authors: Solana Carmen , Kilburn Christopher R. J.
Published: May 2022

In this perspective piece, we reflect on scientific progress in volcanic risk reduction and its prospects for future development. In spite of recent advances, a dichotomy still exists between the products of academic research and the desire for practical applications. The main themes to emerge are (1) the need to find the most effective ways to explain the ever growing amount and complexity of volcanological data to non-specialist stakeholders, and (2) how to transfer to future generations of applied scientists the lessons from practical experience that are often missed by theoretical guidelines. Recommendations for sustaining progress in these fields include improving the accessibility of knowledge and data, embracing novel tools to communicate volcanic risk and uncertainty for decision making, and investing effort on transferring practical experience across generations.

En este breve artículo, reflexionamos sobre los adelantos científicos para la reducción del riesgo de erupciones volcánicas y en las oportunidades para continuar progresando. A pesar de avances recientes, todavía existe un desfase entre los resultados de investigaciones científicas y su aplicación práctica. Los temas clave que identificamos son (1) la necesidad de encontrar maneras más efectivas de explicar la cantidad incremental de información volcanológica (y su creciente complejidad) a todos los grupos interesados, especialmente los no-especialistas y (2) cómo transmitir y transferir, a futuras generaciones de cientificos, la experiencia y los aprendizajes prácticos que no figuran en directrices y manuales. Recomendaciones para mantener avances en estos campos incluyen: mejorar la accesibilidad de la información y datos científicos, adoptar nuevas técnicas para comunicar: el riesgo volcánico, la incertidumbre en información científica y para apoyar la toma de decisiones, e invertir en transferir experiencia práctica a las generaciones futuras.
The SAGES MASTERS program presents: the 10 seminal articles for the Laparoscopic Right Colectomy Pathway
Authors: Keller Deborah S. , Dapri Giovanni , Grucela Alexis L. , Melich George , Paquette Ian M. , Shaffer Virginia O. , Umanskiy Konstantin , Kuhnen Angela H. , Lipman Jeremy , Mclemore Elisabeth C. , Whiteford Mark , Sylla Patricia ,   the Colorectal Committee Right Colon Subcommittee
Published: May 2022

Background

As one of the 12 clinical pathways of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Masters Program, the Colorectal Pathway intends to deliver didactic content organized along 3 levels of performance (competency, proficiency and mastery) each represented by an anchoring procedure (laparoscopic right colectomy, laparoscopic left/sigmoid colectomy, and intracorporeal anastomosis during minimally invasive (MIS) ileocecal or right colon resection). In this article, the SAGES Colorectal Task Force presents focused summaries of the top 10 seminal articles selected for laparoscopic right colectomy which surgeons should be familiar with.

Methods

Using a systematic literature search of Web of Science, the most cited articles on laparoscopic right colectomy were identified, reviewed, and ranked by the SAGES Colorectal Task Force and invited subject experts. Additional articles not identified in the literature search were included if deemed impactful by expert consensus. The top 10 ranked articles were then summarized, with emphasis on relevance and impact in the field, findings, strengths and limitations, and conclusions.

Results

The top 10 seminal articles selected for the laparoscopic right colectomy anchoring procedure include articles on surgical techniques for benign and malignant disease, with anatomical and video illustrations, comparative outcomes of laparoscopic vs open colectomy, variations in technique with impact on clinical outcomes, and assessment of the learning curve.

Conclusions

The top 10 seminal articles selected for laparoscopic right colectomy illustrate the diversity both in content and format of the educational curriculum of the SAGES Masters Program to support practicing surgeon progression to mastery within the Colorectal Pathway.
More focal, less heterogeneous? Multi-level meta-analysis of cathodal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation effects on language and cognition
Authors: Ostrowski Jan , Svaldi Jennifer , Schroeder Philipp A.
Published: May 2022

High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a relatively focal, novel non-invasive brain stimulation method with the potential to investigate the causal contributions of specific cortical brain regions to language and cognition. Studies with HD-tDCS typically employ a 4 × 1 electrode design with a single central target electrode surrounded by four return electrodes, among which return current intensity is evenly distributed. With cathodal HD-tDCS, neural excitability in the target region is assumed to be reduced, which offers interesting perspectives for neuropsychological research and interventions. This multi-level meta-analysis compiles published studies using cathodal HD-tDCS in 4 × 1 configuration to modulate cognition and behavior. Regarding HD-tDCS, 77 effect sizes were gathered from 11 eligible reports. We extended this database with 52 effect sizes from 11 comparable reports using conventional tDCS with cathodal polarity. We observed no significant overall effect and no moderation by within-study and between-study variables in HD. In the extended analysis, results suggested a non-linear moderation of cathodal tDCS effects by intensity, driven by negative effect sizes at 1.5 mA. However, studies varied tremendously in task parameters, outcomes, and even technical parameters. Interestingly, within-study heterogeneity exceeded between-study heterogeneity in the present sample, and moderators hardly reduced the residual heterogeneity. Across domains and configurations, both positive and negative effect sizes are possible. We discuss the findings in relation to conventional cathodal tDCS and the framework of polarity specificity. Fundamental aspects of cathodal HD-tDCS are still to be addressed in future research.
Geographical variation in ADHD: do diagnoses reflect symptom levels?
Authors: Widding-Havneraas Tarjei , Markussen Simen , Elwert Felix , Lyhmann Ingvild , Bjelland Ingvar , Halmøy Anne , Chaulagain Ashmita , Ystrom Eivind , Mykletun Arnstein , Zachrisson Henrik Daae
Published: May 2022

Rates of ADHD diagnosis vary across regions in many countries. However, no prior study has investigated how much within-country geographic variation in ADHD diagnoses is explained by variation in ADHD symptom levels. We examine whether ADHD symptom levels explain variation in ADHD diagnoses among children and adolescents using nationwide survey and register data in Norway. Geographical variation in incidence of ADHD diagnosis was measured using Norwegian registry data from the child and adolescent mental health services for 2011–2016. Geographical variation in ADHD symptom levels in clinics’ catchment areas was measured using data from the Norwegian mother, father and child cohort study for 2011–2016 (n = 39,850). Cross-sectional associations between ADHD symptom levels and the incidence of ADHD diagnoses were assessed with fractional response models. Geographical variation in ADHD diagnosis rates is much larger than what can be explained by geographical variation in ADHD symptoms levels. Treatment in the Norwegian child and adolescent mental health services is free, universally available upon referral, and practically without competition from the private sector. Factors beyond health care access and unequal symptom levels seem responsible for the geographical variation in ADHD diagnosis.
Recent Results on Nonlinear Elliptic Free Boundary Problems
Authors: Ferrari Fausto , Lederman Claudia , Salsa Sandro
Published: May 2022

In this paper we give an overview of some recent and older results concerning free boundary problems governed by elliptic operators.
Effect of PEG grafting density on surface properties of polyurethane substrata and the viability of osteoblast and fibroblast cells
Authors: Abreu-Rejón A. D. , Herrera-Kao W. , May-Pat A. , Ávila-Ortega A. , Rodríguez-Fuentes N. , Uribe-Calderón J. A. , Cervantes-Uc J. M.
Published: May 2022

The surface of Tecoflex SG-80A Polyurethane (PU) films was modified by grafting polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains at three different molar amounts (0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 mmol). The resulting substrata were characterized by FTIR-ATR, TGA, AFM, SEM and contact angle to assess the surface modifications occurred during the grafting reactions. Osteoblasts and fibroblasts were cultured with PU extracts for 24 h, and their cell viability and morphology were evaluated by CellTiterBlue assay, Crystal Violet staining and Live/Dead assay. FTIR and TGA results indicated that PEG chains were successfully grafted onto PU surfaces, specifically in the hard segment of PU forming allophanate groups as the PEG grafting density increased. SEM and AFM images suggest that PU substrata were partially covered by PEG, increasing the dispersive and basic components of the PU surface energy. It was found that extracts from PEG-grafted polyurethanes increased the osteoblast viability, although fibroblasts viability remained constant regardless PEG grafting density; in spite of this both cells presented a more spread morphology at the lower PEG grafting density. Our results showed that surface energy of PU substrata can be tuned by PEG grafting density; also, the PEG leached tends to increase the pH of culture medium which leads to a higher viability of osteoblasts; nevertheless, PEG grafting density should be optimized to promote a healthy cell morphology as alterations in its morphology were detected at higher concentrations.
Does Being Authentic Promote Self-actualization at Work? Examining the Links Between Work-Related Resources, Authenticity at Work, and Occupational Self-actualization
Authors: Maunz Lucas Alexander , Glaser Jürgen
Published: May 2022

Authenticity at work (AAW) is an important work-related state. Little is known about how other work-related resources can promote AAW and the link between AAW and organizational self-actualization (OSA). In three studies, we drew on conservation of resource theory to determine whether AAW serves as a mediator between three distinct work-related resources (i.e., social support at work, job autonomy, authentic leadership) and OSA. Studies 1 and 2 used a cross-sectional design (Ns = 209; 597), and study 3 used a two-wave longitudinal design (N = 143) to evaluate data from employees. While studies 1 and 2 supported a positive, indirect relation between job autonomy, social support at work, and OSA via AAW, study 3 and additional post hoc findings challenged these results. Alternatively, a reciprocal, cross-lagged effect of OSA on AAW is plausible. Lagged effects from work-related resources to AAW or OSA were not supported in study 3. Authentic leadership (AL) was not related to OSA via AAW. Instead, post hoc analysis suggested two serially mediated links between AL and OSA. All three studies confirmed the proposed factor structures of AAW and OSA. The findings extend both our knowledge regarding the concepts of AAW and OSA and the promotion of AAW and its relation to OSA. We discuss the dynamics of work-related resources, AAW, and OSA and conclude with implications for future research, organizations, leaders, and employees.
Chronic Granulomatous Disease-Like Presentation of a Child with Autosomal Recessive PKCδ Deficiency
Authors: Neehus Anna-Lena , Tuano Karen , Le Voyer Tom , Nandiwada Sarada L. , Murthy Kruthi , Puel Anne , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Chinen Javier , Bustamante Jacinta
Published: May 2022

Background

Autosomal recessive (AR) PKCδ deficiency is a rare inborn error of immunity (IEI) characterized by autoimmunity and susceptibility to bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. PKCδ is involved in the intracellular production of reactive oxidative species (ROS).

Material and Methods

We studied a 5-year old girl presenting with a history of Burkholderia cepacia infection. She had no history of autoimmunity, lymphocyte counts were normal, and no auto-antibodies were detected in her plasma. We performed a targeted panel analysis of 407 immunity-related genes and immunological investigations of the underlying genetic condition in this patient.

Results

Consistent with a history suggestive of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), oxidative burst impairment was observed in the patient’s circulating phagocytes in a dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) assay. However, targeted genetic panel analysis identified no candidate variants of known CGD-causing genes. Two heterozygous candidate variants were detected in PRKCD: c.285C > A (p.C95*) and c.376G > T (p.D126Y). The missense variant was also predicted to cause abnormal splicing, as it is located at the splice donor site of exon 5. TOPO-TA cloning confirmed that exon 5 was completely skipped, resulting in a truncated protein. No PKCδ protein was detected in the patient’s neutrophils and monocyte-derived macrophages. The monocyte-derived macrophages of the patient produced abnormally low levels of ROS, as shown in an Amplex Red assay.

Conclusion

PKCδ deficiency should be considered in young patients with CGD-like clinical manifestations and abnormal DHR assay results, even in the absence of clinical and biological manifestations of autoimmunity.
Heterogeneity in preferences for outcomes of integrated care for persons with multiple chronic diseases: a latent class analysis of a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Hoedemakers Maaike , Karimi Milad , Jonker Marcel , Tsiachristas Apostolos , Rutten-van Mölken Maureen
Published: May 2022

Purpose

For an integrated care programme to be successful, preferences of the stakeholders involved should be aligned. The aim of this study is to investigate to which extent outcomes beyond health are valued and to study the heterogeneity of preferences of those involved in integrated care.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted to elicit preferences for eight Triple Aim outcomes, i.e., physical functioning, psychological well-being, social relationships & participation, enjoyment of life, resilience, person-centeredness, continuity of care and total health and social care costs. Stakeholders were recruited among Dutch persons with multi-morbidity, informal caregivers, professionals, payers, and policymakers. A Bayesian mixed-logit model was used to analyse the data. Subsequently, a latent class analysis was performed to identify stakeholders with similar preferences.

Results

739 stakeholders completed the DCE. Enjoyment of life was perceived as the most important outcome (relative importance: 0.221) across stakeholders, while total health and social care costs were perceived as least important (0.063). The latent class analysis identified four classes. The first class (19.9%) put most weight on experience with care outcomes. The second class (39%) favoured enjoyment of life. The third class (18%) focused relatively more on physical health. The fourth class (24%) had the least consistent preferences.

Conclusion

This study has highlighted the heterogeneity in views of stakeholders in integrated care on what is important in health(care) for persons with multi-morbidity. To accurately value integrated care a variety of outcomes beyond health–e.g., enjoyment of life and experience with care–should be taken into account.
A critical review with emphasis on recent pieces of evidence of Moringa oleifera biosorption in water and wastewater treatment
Authors: Benettayeb Asmaa , Usman Muhammad , Tinashe Coffee Calvin , Adam Traore , Haddou Boumediene
Published: May 2022

The increasing demand for using competent and inexpensive methods based on biomaterials, like adsorption and biosorption, has given rise to the low-priced alternative biosorbents. In the past few years, Moringa oleifera (MO) has emerged as a green and low-priced biosorbent for the treatment of contaminated waters with heavy metals and dyes, and given its availability, we can create another generation of effective biosorbents based on different parts of this plant. In this review paper, we have briefed on the application of MO as a miraculous biosorbent for water purification. Moreover, the primary and cutting-edge methods for the purification and modification of MO to improve its adsorption are discussed. It was found that MO has abundant availability in the regions where it is grown, and simple chemical treatments increase the effectiveness of this plant in the treatment of some toxic contaminants. The different parts of this miraculous plant’s “seeds, leaves, or even husks” in their natural form also possess appreciable sorption capacities, high efficiency for treating low metal concentrations, and rapid adsorption kinetics. Thus, the advantages and disadvantages of different parts of MO as biosorbent, the conditions favorable to this biosorption, also, the proposal of a logical mechanism, which can justify the high efficiency of this plant, are discussed in this review. Finally, several conclusions have been drawn from some important works and which are examined in this review, and future suggestions are proposed.
Epileptic seizure focus detection from interictal electroencephalogram: a survey
Authors: Islam Md. Rabiul , Zhao Xuyang , Miao Yao , Sugano Hidenori , Tanaka Toshihisa
Published: May 2022

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of most effective clinical diagnosis modalities for the localization of epileptic focus. Most current AI solutions use this modality to analyze the EEG signals in an automated manner to identify the epileptic seizure focus. To develop AI system for identifying the epileptic focus, there are many recently-published AI solutions based on biomarkers or statistic features that utilize interictal EEGs. In this review, we survey these solutions and find that they can be divided into three main categories: (i) those that use of biomarkers in EEG signals, including high-frequency oscillation, phase-amplitude coupling, and interictal epileptiform discharges, (ii) others that utilize feature-extraction methods, and (iii) solutions based upon neural networks (an end-to-end approach). We provide a detailed description of seizure focus with clinical diagnosis methods, a summary of the public datasets that seek to reduce the research gap in epilepsy, recent novel performance evaluation criteria used to evaluate the AI systems, and guidelines on when and how to use them. This review also suggests a number of future research challenges that must be overcome in order to design more efficient computer-aided solutions to epilepsy focus detection.
An Attempt to Explain Visual Aesthetic Appreciation
Authors: Grinde Bjørn , Husselman Tammy-Ann
Published: May 2022

We suggest an evolutionary based explanation for why humans are preoccupied with aesthetic aspects of visual input. Briefly, humans evolved to be swayed by positive and negative feelings in the form of rewards and punishments, and to pursue situations that induce rewards, even when the feeling is not sufficiently strong to be recognized as a reward. The brain is designed to offer rewards when a person focuses on certain types of visual stimuli. For example, warm colors are typically pleasant because they are associated with edible fruits, and complex images appeal to curiosity. At some point people began exploiting these types of brain rewards by beautifying objects and creating art. The utility of objects, and the associative (or communicative) aspects of art, may dominate the design, but the artist tends to add aesthetic elements. These elements imply visual aspects that do not add to the functional value or evoke memories or associations based on easily recognized features in the picture. The adaptive rationale for the rewards offered by the aesthetic elements should help explain human aesthetic appreciation.
Optimization of the Biostabilization Process of an Italian Mechanical–Biological Treatment Plant to Account for Changes in Waste Composition
Authors: Lombardi Francesco , Zingaretti Daniela , Verginelli Iason , Costa Giulia
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we present a case study on the optimization of the biostabilization process of an Italian mechanical–biological treatment (MBT) plant to account for changes in feed waste composition related to a progressive increase in separate collection of MSW fractions, biowaste in particular. After ten years of operation (2009–2019), a decrease of the stabilization degree of the output material of the plant was detected, with Dynamic Respiration Index (DRI) values above the established limit of 1,000 mgO2/kgVS/h (average values of 4,000 mgO2/kgVS/h determined weekly for eight weeks). The investigations carried out in 2019 on the waste samples feeding the MBT plant showed that paper and plastic materials constitute around 75% of the input waste to the two aerobic bioreactors of the MBT plant, against 55% at the start-up (2009). Furthermore, the airflow rates and the moisture content analyzed weekly for eight weeks in the bioreactors resulted below the optimal values suggested in the literature. To improve the performances of the biostabilization process, a series of modifications were implemented in the plant. The main modification involved the primary mechanical treatment by varying the mesh size of the screens to 50 mm circular holes mesh. Furthermore, the configuration of the aerobic bioreactors was changed by placing the two bioreactors in series (instead of the previous configuration in parallel) and using a screening unit (25 mm) between the two bioreactors instead of at the end of the process. In this way, the residence time of the materials in the aerobic treatment was enhanced from 16 days with the previous configuration to 27 days. Together with an increase of the airflow rates of around 40% and a water supply of approximately 10% in the bioreactors, these modifications allowed to achieve the desired stability of the output waste, with DRI values below 1000 mgO2/kgVS/h.

Graphical Abstract
The Dialectics of Action and Technology in the Philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre
Authors: Siegler Marcel
Published: May 2022

This investigation provides an in-depth exploration of the dialectics of action and technology in the works of French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, both in terms of the concrete use contexts of technological artifacts and the entanglement between individual agents and their sociotechnical surroundings. Furthermore, it briefly outlines some potentials of Sartre’s thoughts for debates in contemporary philosophy of technology. Throughout his works, Sartre approaches human action from different yet dialectically interrelated perspectives that are always accompanied by and developed in relation to reflections about technology. Against the background of a complementary conception of human action that is derived from Sartre’s major works, the implementation of matter in the course of action primarily represents an instrumentalization. Things are thus always disclosed as implement things due to the practical character of human existence. Although things do not prescribe action, the material characteristics and properties of these things render them more useful for attaining some and more adverse for attaining other ends. Despite the ontological freedom of human beings, their position in societal forms of organization, to which Sartre refers to as practical ensembles, delimits their choice of means and necessitates them to satisfy their needs and desires with the limited means available. In this way,la force des chosesarises, not as a result of the characteristics of technology but as an outcome of sociality and politics.
Trophic analysis of a historical network reveals temporal information
Authors: Shuaib Choudhry , Syed Mairaj , Halawi Danny , Saquib Nazmus
Published: May 2022

Trophic analysis exposes the underlying hierarchies present in large complex systems. This allows one to use data to diagnose the sources, propagation paths, and basins of influence of shocks or information among variables or agents, which may be utilised to analyse dynamics in social, economic and historical data sets. Often, the analysis of static networks provides an aggregated picture of a dynamical process and explicit temporal information is typically missing or incomplete. Yet, for many networks, particularly historical ones, temporal information is often implicit, for example in the direction of edges in a network. In this paper, we show that the application of trophic analysis allows one to use the network structure to infer temporal information. We demonstrate this on a sociohistorical network derived from the study of hadith, which are narratives about the Prophet Muhammad’s actions and sayings that cite the people that transmitted the narratives from one generation to the next before they were systematically written down. We corroborate the results of the trophic analysis with a partially specified time labelling of a subset of the transmitters. The results correlate in a manner consistent with an observed history of information transmission flowing through the network. Thus, we show that one may reconstruct a temporal structure for a complex network in which information diffuses from one agent to another via social links and thus allows for the reconstruction of an event based temporal network from an aggregated static snapshot. Our paper demonstrates the utility of trophic analysis in revealing novel information from hierarchical structure, thus showing its potential for probing complex systems, particularly those with an inherent asymmetry.
Zwischen Iterativität und Exzeptionalität, Deskription und Performanz
Authors: Mattern Tanja
Published: May 2022

Die in der zweiten Hälfte des 12. Jahrhunderts entstandenen Visionsbücher Elisabeths von Schönau sind ein bemerkenswert frühes Beispiel der Texte, die vor dem Hintergrund monastischer Reformen liturgische Erfahrung als chronologische Grundstruktur nutzen und sie zum Ausgangspunkt wiederkehrender Visionen machen. Diese changieren daher zwischen der Exzeptionalität des jeweiligen ekstatischen Erlebnisses und der an die Liturgie gebundenen Iterativität bestimmter Offenbarungen. In diesem chronologischen Rahmen wird die Transzendenz als sinnlich wahrnehmbare räumliche Schau erfahren, in der besonders himmlisches und biblisches Geschehen deskriptiv erfasst oder in einer an liturgienahe Feiern und geistliche Spiele erinnernde Weise performativ inszeniert wird. Ziel des Beitrags ist es, diese literarische Verfasstheit und die ästhetische Gestaltung und Verknüpfung von Liturgie und Vision in Elisabets oft unterschätztem Liber Visionum genauer zu analysieren.
The FAST VAN for Field Identification of Large Vessel Occlusion in Acute Stroke
Authors: Wasyliw Sanchea , Whelan Ruth , Davy Kim , Kelly Michael E. , Graham Brett , Gould Layla , Hunter Gary
Published: May 2022

Background:

There is definitive evidence for effectiveness of thrombectomy for acute stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO). A clinical tool to identify patients with LVO is therefore required for effective triage and prehospital decision making. We developed the FAST VAN tool, which follows from the Heart and Stroke Foundation FAST stroke screen, with the addition of cortical features of vision, aphasia, and neglect, to differentiate from lacunar syndromes.

Methods:

Consecutive acute stroke alerts initiated by emergency medical services (EMS) were prospectively analyzed from April 2017 to Jan 2021. FAST VAN signs were recorded by first responders who had received online education about the tool. These findings were compared to the presence or absence of LVO on CT angiography. Analysis was also performed by appropriateness for comprehensive stroke centers (CSC) transfer if no LVO was present. EMS providers were surveyed regarding ease of use in terms of learning the tool and using in real-world practice.

Results:

Data from 1080 consecutive acute strokes included 440 patients considered to have VAN signs by EMS. Fifty-four percent of VAN-positive patients showed LVO on CTA. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 86%, 75%, and 77%, respectively. In 204 false-positive cases, 143 (70%) were considered appropriate for evaluation at the CSC. EMS providers reported high satisfaction with learning and using the tool.

Discussion:

The FAST VAN tool for identification of LVO meets desired characteristics of an effective screening tool in ease of use, efficiency, and accuracy. Aphasia remains the most challenging cortical feature to identify accurately.
Economic losses in dairy farms due to heat stress in sub-tropics: evidence from North Indian Plains
Authors: Choudhary Bishwa Bhaskar , Sirohi Smita
Published: May 2022

The present study assesses the sensitivity of dairy animals to thermal stress, and projects the economic losses due to heat stress in the Trans and Upper Gangetic plains region of India with Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 climate scenario for the time slice 2010–2039 and two subperiods, 2020–2029 and 2030–2039. The projections were carried out for two different scenarios of population and productivity growth of dairy animals, Business-as-Usual (BAU) and Alternate, whereby land, feed and fodder constraints were applied. The potential annual loss in milk production due to heat stress in the region was estimated to be around 361 and 377 thousand tons for the time slice 2010–2039 under BAU and Alternate scenario, respectively. In economic terms these losses, at current prices, would be equivalent to INR 11.93 billion and INR 12.44 billion, respectively. This gives an indication of the level of financial investment that can be made in adaptation measures to arrest the loss due to climate change.
Probability of clinically significant hearing recovery following salvage intratympanic steroids for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in the ‘real world’
Authors: Li L Q , Bennett A M D
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine the probability of hearing recovery in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss following salvage intratympanic steroids

Method

A retrospective review of all patients receiving salvage intratympanic steroid injections for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss was performed (January 2014 to December 2019). Twenty-two patients were identified, of whom 15 met inclusion criteria. Pre- and post-treatment audiograms were compared with the unaffected ear. Hearing recovery was categorised based on American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery criteria.

Results

Only 1 patient out of 15 (6.7 per cent) made a partial recovery, and the remainder were non-responders. The median duration of time between symptom onset and first salvage intratympanic steroid treatment was 52 days (range, 14–81 days). No adverse reactions were observed.

Conclusion

‘Real world’ patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss present differently to those in the literature. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss should be diagnosed with care and intratympanic steroid injections initiated early if considered appropriate. Patients should make an informed decision on treatment based on prognostic factors and local success rates.
Blockchain’s potential in forest offsets, the voluntary carbon markets and REDD+
Authors: Kotsialou Grammateia , Kuralbayeva Karlygash , Laing Timothy
Published: May 2022

Increasing net-zero commitments by individuals, companies and governments have been accompanied by the growth of the voluntary offset market, including Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). Technologies, notably blockchain, are starting to enter the REDD+ space and may have the potential to address issues such as additionality, permanence, leakage and property and community rights. In this Perspective, we first examine voluntary markets and the role forest carbon offsets have played within them, highlighting the evolution of REDD+ and the issues that have hindered its development. We then examine the potential of blockchain to address each of the issues, using the literature and emerging experience from the use of blockchain in the forestry space. We find that the technology may have the potential to improve verifiability, reduce transaction costs and, to a lesser degree, aid in addressing additionality and permanence concerns. However, greater learning from the emerging use of blockchain in pilot projects is needed to fully assess and maximize its potential.
Prognostic utility of echocardiographically derived left ventricular strain in assessing neonatal enteroviral myocarditis outcome
Authors: Bigg Hugh F. , Kindel Steven J. , Kuhn Evelyn , Frommelt Peter C.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Neonatal enteroviral myocarditis is a rare but potentially fatal illness. We sought to identify echocardiographic markers at diagnosis that could help risk-stratify infants for poor outcome and to characterise late sequelae.

Methods:

We reviewed data for infants <30 days of age diagnosed with enteroviral myocarditis between 1999 and 2019 at Children’s Wisconsin. Echo measures were collected retrospectively from the initial neonatal study including left ventricular ejection fraction, shortening fraction, diastolic and systolic dimensions, and peak global circumferential and longitudinal strain.

Results:

Fourteen neonates were diagnosed at an average age of 11 days. All had abnormal left ventricular ejection fraction (mean 38%; range 22–53%) at diagnosis. Three infants died, and one required transplantation during initial hospital. The 10 transplant-free survivors had significantly better global circumferential strain and global longitudinal strain at the initial echo compared to the 4 who died or needed transplant (global circumferential strain −13.2% versus −6.8%, p = 0.005; global longitudinal strain −8.8% versus −4.7%, p = 0.016). All other measures of left ventricular systolic function/dimensions were similar between the two groups. Follow-up data were available for 8/10 survivors; 5/8 had a persistently abnormal echo at an average interval of 8.3 years. 4/8 developed a left ventricular aneurysm that was consistently localised to the posterior basal wall.

Conclusions:

Neonatal enteroviral myocarditis carries a high risk of early mortality and late morbidity. Echo-derived left ventricular strain measures have utility in risk stratifying infants with enteroviral myocarditis. Most survivors continue to have late dysfunction necessitating cardiology surveillance and medical therapy.
‘I Knew I Should Stop, but I Couldn’t Control Myself’: a qualitative study to explore the factors influencing adolescents’ consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and sugary snacks from a socio-ecological perspective
Authors: Wang Chia-Wen , Chen Duan-Rung , Chan Chang-Chuan , Yeh Yen-Po , Chen Hsiu-Hsi
Published: May 2022

Objective:

To explore the factors influencing Taiwanese adolescents’ consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and sugary snacks from a socio-ecological perspective.

Design:

This study adopted a qualitative design by using face-to-face, in-depth interviews guided by a semistructured questionnaire.

Setting:

Eight junior high schools in New Taipei City and Changhua County, Taiwan, September to November 2018.

Participants:

Fifty-nine participants aged 12–14 years participated in this study.

Results:

Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. This study identified four themes to address the multifaceted factors that influence adolescents’ consumption of SSB and sugary snacks. At the intrapersonal level, physiological factors, psychological factors, individual economic factors and taste preferences were mentioned in connection with people’s consumption of SSB and sugary snacks. Positive or negative influences of parents, siblings, peers and teachers on SSB and sugary snack intake were identified at the interpersonal level. The availability of SSB and sugary snacks at home, their availability in vending machines or in school stores in the school environment and participants’ access to convenience stores and hand-shaken drink shops in the broader community influenced SSB and sugary snack consumption. Additionally, food culture and food advertising were identified as influencing societal factors.

Conclusions:

Overall, this qualitative study determined not only that the consumption of SSB and sugary snacks is influenced by intrapersonal factors but also that interpersonal, environmental and societal factors affect adolescents’ increased sugar intake. The findings are helpful to broaden the options for designing and developing interventions to decrease SSB and sugary snack consumption by adolescents.