bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abundance–Occupancy Patterns Of Black Bass In An Impounded River
Authors: Miranda Leandro E
Published: September 2022

A positive relationship has been documented for a wide diversity of taxa between the percentage of transects sampled in which a species is recorded (i.e., occupancy) and the average abundance of the species at transects where recorded. This positive relationship implies that abundance increases faster than occupancy, so populations that occupy more sites also tend to occupy them at higher abundances. Plainly, there is a limit to the sites available for a species to occupy, so as the population expands numerically, abundance at a site must also increase. The pattern may differ across species and geography depending on aspects such as species vital rates, resource use, and resource availability. I investigated abundance–occupancy patterns of three black basses Micropterus spp. in reservoirs of the mainstem Tennessee River, USA. The data set included relative abundance estimates made at 7,237 sites in nine reservoirs sampled during 1997–2018, for 43,243 black bass, including 67% Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, 14% Smallmouth Bass M. dolomieu, and 19% Spotted Bass M. punctulatus. As relative abundance increased due to natural annual population fluctuations, occupancy also increased, but faster for Largemouth Bass and more slowly for Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass. Largemouth Bass spread abundance more thinly over many sites, and Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass spread abundance more thickly over fewer sites. The recognition that black bass populations that decline in occupancy face the additional burden of disproportionally larger decreases in abundance per site, or that black bass that decline in abundance per site face decreases in occupancy, has various conservation and habitat management implications.
Protective effects of an aqueous extract of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae against radiation‐induced testicular injury in mice
Authors: Nam Hyeon‐Hwa , Kang Sohi , Seo Yun‐Soo , Lee Jun , Moon Byeong Cheol , Lee Hae June , Lee Ji Hye , Kim Bohye , Lee Sueun , Kim Joong‐Sun
Published: September 2022

The larvae of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis have been used as a food ingredient and are known for their nutritional value and anti‐inflammatory properties. However, whether P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae demonstrate protective effects against radiation‐induced testicular injury has not been investigated. In this study, the protective effects of an aqueous extract of P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae (PBE) against radiation‐induced testicular injury were tested. Male C57BL/6 mice were administered PBE (5 or 10 mg/kg) orally for 14 days before exposure to focal pelvic irradiation. Histopathological examinations were conducted at 8 h and 30 d after radiation exposure. PBE pretreatment reduced the radiation‐induced apoptosis of germ cells at 8 h after irradiation and significantly increased testis and epididymis weights relative to those of the irradiated control mice at 30 days. PBE protected against histopathological damage and decreased the radiation‐induced effects on the epithelium height and seminiferous tubule diameter. Furthermore, the extract ameliorated the radiation‐induced morphological abnormalities of sperm cells and improved their motility. It also prevented a decrease in the epididymal sperm count caused by irradiation. Moreover, the extract alleviated the generation of reactive oxygen species, and its antioxidative activity increased in a dose‐dependent manner. Among the six major compounds isolated from PBE, benzoic acid and uridine showed the highest antioxidant activities. These results suggest that PBE protects against radiation‐induced testicular injury via its antioxidative properties. Thus, it has potential clinical applicability as a neoadjuvant therapy for the prevention of testicular damage caused by cancer radiotherapy.
Formation of polymetallic ores in the metasedimentary rocks of Rangpo area, Sikkim Lesser Himalaya, India: Mineralogical and geochemical attributes
Authors: Jha Vandana , Sharma Rajesh
Published: September 2022

Present work investigates the ore mineralogy, geochemistry of host metasedimentary rocks, and the mineral chemistry of the main sulphide minerals, namely, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, and pyrite from the Rangpo sulphide mineralization, Sikkim. Based on the textural relationships of the oxide and sulphide minerals such as mutual boundary, exsolution blebs, and replacement features, three stages including two stages of primary ore mineral formation, and an alteration stage of secondary mineral development is established. Oxide and sulphide minerals predominantly magnetite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrrhotite, and cobaltite occur as stage‐I ore minerals, and the sulphide minerals namely galena, pyrrhotite chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, and pyrite are identified as stage‐II minerals. The alteration minerals malachite and azurite represent stage‐III. The geochemistry of host metasedimentary rocks is characterized by SiO2 in the range of 53.28 to 85.62 wt%, Mg# values between 25.48 and 49.60, MgO and K2O having a strong negative correlation with SiO2, high values of Zr/Sc (32.5) versus Th/Sc (3.44), and enrichment of trace elements like Cr (30–87 ppm), V (27–81 ppm), Ni (13–49 ppm), and Sc (3–12 ppm). The Th/Sc versus Zr/Sc, K2O/Na2O versus SiO2, and Th/Co versus La/Sc plots attribute that the host metasedimentary rocks are recycled sediments largely of passive continental margin with a felsic source. However, the Mg# versus SiO2 and K2O/Na2O versus SiO2 point to the incorporation of mantle material from the orogenic margin, possibly arc‐related and mafic in nature. The features such as the mineral assemblage, the simultaneous crystallization shown by mutual boundaries and exsolution blebs, and the mineral chemical data of ore minerals favour a high‐temperature hydrothermal environment of ore deposition. This inference is substantiated by general high Fe concentration in sphalerite and other ore minerals, 800 to 2,400 ppm Cd in sphalerite, Ag and Sb in galena from 1,000 to 2,500 ppm and 400 to 800 ppm respectively, and noticeable Ag in chalcopyrite. The inferred depositional and tectonic environment of host metasedimentary rocks, the petrographic features of ores, and their mineral chemical data altogether invoke that the Rangpo ore mineralization in metasedimentary rocks was formed at high temperature in an environment where mafic mantle material from the active arc was amalgamated with the passive margin sediments derived from the felsic source rocks.
Knowledge and perception of breast cancer among women of reproductive age in Chattogram, Bangladesh: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Mehejabin Fatema , Rahman Md. Sahidur
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The significantly higher mortality rate has been considered due to poor knowledge of women, delay in diagnosis, and initiation of treatment. Therefore, this hospital‐based cross‐sectional study aimed to understand the knowledge and perception of women with breast cancer in Bangladesh.

Methods

Data was collected using a questionnaire‐based interview from 357 women aged 15–49 years attending two tertiary care hospitals in Chattogram city of Bangladesh.

Results

Neighbors (18.6%) and relatives (18.1%) were the leading sources of information on breast cancer. Among the total, 69.5% knew about breast cancer however, only 14% of them knew about screening tests and 61.5% were unaware of risk factors for developing breast cancer. Pain in the breast, painless lump, and nipple discharge were the most recognized clinical symptoms by the participants. Exercise and weight control, the practice of breastfeeding, and taking medicine were the three most known prevention practices. Women perceived wrong conceptions that Breast cancer is only found in older age (42.3%) and women (15.7%) and that it causes losing one's breast (3.1%). A significant correlation was found between the education level of participants and their knowledge of risk factors related to breast cancer.

Conclusion

Although the majority of the participants have heard about breast cancer, they do not possess enough knowledge regarding the risk factor, symptoms, and preventive methods of breast cancer. We suggest interventions targeting a community‐based awareness program
Toward understanding in vivo corrosion: Influence of interfacial hydrogen gas build‐up on degradation of magnesium alloy implants
Authors: Kuah Kai Xiang , Wijesinghe Sudesh , Blackwood Daniel J.
Published: September 2022

Limited material transport, causing gas cavities formation, is commonly observed during the degradation of magnesium implants, yet its effects on corrosion are not understood. Herein, a bespoke cell was designed, allowing for the incorporation of an additional agarose layer above the corroding magnesium sample. This design replicates the limited material transport in vitro and enables us to understand its influence on corrosion of magnesium alloys. This work investigated the influence of varying thickness of agarose (0–0.9 mm) on the corrosion of Mg‐Zn‐Zr magnesium alloy maintained at 37°C in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS). The introduction of agarose slowed transport of material away from the corroding magnesium surface, including the evolved hydrogen forming a gas cavity. It has been found that an initial increase in the agarose thickness (or the reduction in material transport) of 0.3 mm leads to an increase in the corrosion rate of the magnesium alloy by 62%. However, with a further increase in agarose thickness from 0.3 to 0.9 mm, the corrosion rate decreases by 37%. This observation has been attributed to the accumulation of, and competition between, chloride and hydroxide ions near the alloy's surface. In the presence of materials barrier, hydrogen measurement is no longer a reliable method for the measurement of corrosion rates. This study underscores the importance of the consideration of limited material transport during the in vitro corrosion tests of biomedical implants.
Green synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles using stem extract of Zanthoxylum armatum
Authors: Habib Uroosa , Ahmad Khan Ashfaq , Rahman Taj Ur , Zeb Muhammad Aurang , Liaqat Wajiha
Published: September 2022

In this study, we report the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Zanthoxylum armatum stem extract. The characteristic absorption at 385 nm suggested synthesis of AgNPs which was further confirmed by SEM, with a size in the range of 46.66 nm to 60.12 nm and a spherical shape, having an FCC structure, analyzed by XRD. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of phenol and secondary alcohol groups over the AgNPS. The elemental composition was further investigated by FESEM‐EDX analysis which revealed the presence of silver in the synthesis nanoparticles. The synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms with a zone of inhibition of 21 mm for Staphylococcus aureus, 17 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 18 mm for Salmonella enteric, and 18 mm for Escherichia coli. Overall, the results showed that the green silver nanoparticles could be safe, as they are capable of potential antimicrobial activity against S. aureus.
CD8+ and FoxP3+ T‐Cell Cellular Density and Spatial Distribution After Programmed Death‐Ligand 1 Check Point Inhibition
Authors: Curry Joseph , Alnemri Angela , Philips Ramez , Fiorella Michele , Sussman Sarah , Stapp Robert , Solomides Charalambos , Harshyne Larry , South Andrew , Luginbuhl Adam , Tuluc Madalina , Martinez‐Outschoorn Ubaldo , Argiris Athanassios , Linnenbach Alban , Johnson Jennifer
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To analyze CD8+ and FoxP3+ T‐cell cellular density (CD) and intercellular distances (ID) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) samples from a neoadjuvant trial of durvalumab +/− metformin.

Methods

Paired pre‐ and post‐treatment primary HNSCC tumor samples were stained for CD8+ and FoxP3+. Digital image analysis was used to determine estimated mean CD8+ and FoxP3+ CDs and CD8+‐FoxP3+ IDs in the leading tumor edge (LTE) and tumor adjacent stroma (TAS) stratified by treatment arm, human papillomavirus (HPV) status, and pathologic treatment response. A subset of samples was characterized for T‐cell related signatures using digital spatial genomic profiling.

Results

Post‐treatment analysis revealed a significant decrease in FoxP3+ CD and an increase in CD8+ CDs in the TAS between patients receiving durvalumab and metformin versus durvlaumab alone. Both treatment arms demonstrated significant post‐treatment increases in ID. Although HPV+ and HPV− had similar immune cell CDs in the tumor microenvironment, HPV+ pre‐treatment samples had 1.60 times greater ID compared with HPV− samples, trending toward significance (p = 0.05). At baseline, pathologic responders demonstrated a 1.16‐fold greater CD8+ CDs in the LTE (p = 0.045) and 2.28‐fold greater ID (p = 0.001) than non‐responders. Digital spatial profiling revealed upregulation of FoxP3+ and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA‐4) in the TAS (p = 0.006, p = 0.026) in samples from pathologic responders.

Conclusions

Analysis of CD8+ and FoxP3+ detected population differences according to HPV status, pathologic response, and treatment. Greater CD8+‐FoxP3+ ID was associated with pathologic response. CD8+ and FoxP3+ T‐cell distributions may be predictive of response to immune checkpoint inhibition. ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT03618654).

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 133:1875–1884, 2023
Effects of spatially heterogeneous lakeside development on nearshore biotic communities in a large, deep, oligotrophic lake
Authors: Meyer Michael F. , Ozersky Ted , Woo Kara H. , Shchapov Kirill , Galloway Aaron W. E. , Schram Julie B. , Rosi Emma J. , Snow Daniel D. , Timofeyev Maxim A. , Karnaukhov Dmitry Yu. , Brousil Matthew R. , Hampton Stephanie E.
Published: September 2022

Sewage released from lakeside development can reshape ecological communities. Nearshore periphyton can rapidly assimilate sewage‐associated nutrients, leading to increases of filamentous algal abundance, thus altering both food abundance and quality for grazers. In Lake Baikal, a large, ultra‐oligotrophic, remote lake in Siberia, filamentous algal abundance has increased near lakeside developments, and localized sewage input is the suspected cause. These shifts are of particular interest in Lake Baikal, where endemic littoral biodiversity is high, lakeside settlements are mostly small, tourism is relatively high (~1.2 million visitors annually), and settlements are separated by large tracts of undisturbed shoreline, enabling investigation of heterogeneity and gradients of disturbance. We surveyed sites along 40 km of Baikal's southwestern shore for sewage indicators—pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and microplastics—as well as periphyton and macroinvertebrate abundance and indicators of food web structure (stable isotopes and fatty acids). Summed PPCP concentrations were spatially related to lakeside development. As predicted, lakeside development was associated with more filamentous algae and lower abundance of sewage‐sensitive mollusks. Periphyton and macroinvertebrate stable isotopes and essential fatty acids suggested that food web structure otherwise remained similar across sites; yet, the invariance of amphipod fatty acid composition, relative to periphyton, suggested that grazers adjust behavior or metabolism to compensate for different periphyton assemblages. Our results demonstrate that even low levels of human disturbance can result in spatial heterogeneity of nearshore ecological responses, with potential for changing trophic interactions that propagate through the food web.
Less speed more haste: The effect of crisis response speed and information strategy on the consumer−brand relationship
Authors: Iveson Abbie , Hultman Magnus , Davvetas Vasileios , Oghazi Pejvak
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates the relationship between firm crisis behavior and the resulting consumer–brand relationship (CBR) response. Drawing from theoretical traditions in brand transgressions, service failure, and crisis communications, we use longitudinal survey data combined with archival social media data to empirically test the effect of crisis response speed and crisis information strategy on the short‐term consumer crisis response evaluations (1 month after crisis response), and the long‐term CBR (1 year after crisis response). Results show that, contrary to intuitive expectations, a faster firm response is not always better, as a slower response was found to result in higher crisis response evaluations. We also show that this effect depends on the consistency of the communication strategy with the first active response. Specifically, when a firm prioritizes safety information (instructing strategy), a faster response is better. Whereas, when the firm prioritizes well‐being information (adjusting strategy), a slower response is better. We argue the counterintuitive finding that a slower response is better implies that reacting too quickly may signal rashness and unpreparedness to the customer, leading to more negative evaluations. We term this distinction the difference between being responsive (fast but considered) and reactive (faster but rash).
Significantly Improved Dielectric Performance of All‐Organic Parylene/Polyimide/Parylene Composite Films with Sandwich Structure
Authors: Ahmad Aftab , Liu Guanghui , Cao Shimo , Liu Xuepeng , Luo Jinpeng , Han Li , Tong Hui , Xu Ju
Published: September 2022

The development of novel polymer dielectrics with enhanced dielectric performance is a great challenge for application of film capacitors in modern electronics and electrical systems. Herein, an innovative approach of chemical vapor deposition polymerization technology is proposed to prepare the all‐organic sandwich structured parylene/polyimide/parylene (Py/PI/Py) composite films by employing poly(chloro‐para‐xylylene) (parylene C) as the outer layers and polyimide (PI) as the inner layer. The Py/PI/Py composites exhibit superior thermal resistance and outstanding mechanical properties. Moreover, thanks to the interfacial effect which contributes to reinforcing the dielectric response and the thickness effect which facilitates improving the breakdown strength, the dielectric performance of Py/PI/Py composites has been enhanced significantly. Accordingly, dielectric constant of 4.52–5.09, dissipation factor of 0.21–1.01%, and breakdown strength of 307–460 MV m−1 are achieved. Besides, notable energy storage performance is also obtained in Py/PI/Py composite dielectrics. Consequently, this novel application of chemical vapor deposition polymerization method in preparing all‐organic multilayered polymer composite films with sandwich structure shows promising potential in film capacitor applications in harsh conditions.
Crystallization behavior of stereoblock polylactide with high sequence regularity structure
Authors: Wuyou Ye , Qi Xia , Dongyang Liu , Shida Gao , Zhongyong Fan , Qing Liu
Published: September 2022

Stereoblock polylactide (Sb‐PLA) was prepared via a consecutive method by ring‐opening polymerization and its stereocomplex crystallization behavior was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM). The molecular weight, sequence structure of anisotropic segments of Sb‐PLA and crystals structure were characterized by using GPC, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and XRD. The Sb‐PLA with bonding a higher stereoregularity chains prepared by the synthesis route exhibited a higher melting point and uniquely stereocomplex crystallization behavior compared with the Sb‐PLA prepared by commonly reported method. The isothermal crystallization results indicated that the crystallization temperature of Sb‐PLA's increased about 20°C higher than reported Sc‐PLA materials. Moreover, crystallization rate constant (K) and crystallization activation energy (ΔE) expressed by the Arrhenius equation demonstrated that Sb‐PLA presents a higher crystallization rate. The data of isothermal crystallization experiments were analyzed based on Lauritzen–Hoffman (LH) theory, crystallization rate constant (G0), nucleation constant (Kg), fold surface free energy (σe), and folding work (q) were estimated to be 1.5 × 1027 μm/min, 1.2 × 106 K2, 113.0 erg/cm2 and 8.20 × 10−21 J, respectively. These results indicated that Sb‐PLA chains with a higher stereoregularity suggested to be the main factor accounting for the formation unique stereocomplex crystals.
Light‐weight and high‐strength PP/CaCO3 composites by die drawing: Effect of drawing ratios
Authors: Liu Mingfei , Chen Ke , Yu Shikang , Zhang Run , Jia Mingyin , Pan Kai , Xue Ping
Published: September 2022

Constructing polyolefin composites with both light‐weight and high‐strength is of significant importance in practical applications. Here, light‐weight and high‐strength PP/CaCO3 composites are tactfully achieved via die drawing with a self‐designed experimental apparatus. The effects of drawing ratios on crystalline structure, thermal behavior, morphology, and mechanical behavior of the drawn composites are investigated. Detailed experimental characterizations demonstrate that die drawing can considerably enhance the mechanical characteristics of PP/CaCO3 composites through regulating the crystallinity and orientation of the molecular chains. Besides, voids are generated and elongated through die drawing, leading to the decrease of density. The tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of the prepared samples can reach up to 142.5 MPa, 81.3 MPa, and 8.2 GPa, respectively, and the density is 0.91 g/cm3. The present work provides an effective and universal strategy for preparing light‐weight and high‐strength polyolefin composites.
DNA Nanotechnology‐Empowered Live Cell Measurements
Authors: Liu Jiangbo , Li Min , Zuo Xiaolei
Published: September 2022

The systematic analysis and precise manipulation of a variety of biomolecules should lead to unprecedented findings in fundamental biology. However, conventional technology cannot meet the current requirements. Despite this, there has been progress as DNA nanotechnology has evolved to generate DNA nanostructures and circuits over the past four decades. Many potential applications of DNA nanotechnology for live cell measurements have begun to emerge owing to the biocompatibility, nanometer addressability, and stimulus responsiveness of DNA. In this review, the DNA nanotechnology‐empowered live cell measurements which are currently available are summarized. The stability of the DNA nanostructures, in a cellular microenvironment, which is crucial for accomplishing precise live cell measurements, is first summarized. Thereafter, measurements in the extracellular and intracellular microenvironment, in live cells, are introduced. Finally, the challenges that are innate to, and the further developments that are possible in this nascent field are discussed.
Design of Bronze‐Rich Dual‐Phasic TiO2 Embedded Amorphous Carbon Nanocomposites Derived from Ti‐Metal–Organic Frameworks for Improved Lithium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Ahn Cheol Hyoun , Yang Won Seok , Kim Jeong Jae , Kim Jae Hyun , Cho Hyung Koun
Published: September 2022

Dual‐phasic (DP)‐TiO2‐based composites are considered attractive anode materials for high lithium‐ion storage because of the synergetic contribution from dual‐phases in lithium‐ion storage. However, a comprehensive investigation on more efficient architectures and platforms is necessary to develop lithium‐storage devices with high‐rate capability and long‐term stability. Herein, for the first time, a rationally designed bronze‐rich DP‐TiO2‐embedded amorphous carbon nanoarchitecture, denoted as DP‐TiO2@C, from sacrificial Ti‐metal–organic frameworks (Ti‐MOFs) via a two‐step pyrolysis process is proposed. The bronze/anatase DP‐TiO2@C nanocomposites are successfully synthesized using a unique pyrolysis process, which decomposes individually the metal clusters and organic linkers of Ti‐MOFs. DP‐TiO2@C exhibits a significantly high density and even distribution of nanoparticles (<5 nm), enabling the formation of numerous heterointerfaces. Remarkably, the bronze‐rich DP‐TiO2@C shows high specific capacities of 638 and 194 mAh g−1 at current densities of 0.1 and 5 A g−1, respectively, owing to the contribution of the synergetic interfacial structure. In addition, reversible specific capacities are observed at a high rate (5 A g−1) during 6000 cycles. Thus, this study presents a new approach for the synthesis of DP‐TiO2@C nanocomposites from a sacrificial Ti‐MOF and provides insights into the efficient control of the volume ratio in DP‐TiO2 anode architecture.
Cryptotanshinone protects against oxidative stress in the paraquat‐induced Parkinson's disease model
Authors: Sun Jui‐Ming , Agarwal Surbhi , Desai Tushar Dnyaneshwar , Ju Da‐Tong , Chang Yung‐Ming , Liao Shih‐Chieh , Ho Tsung‐Jung , Yeh Yu‐Lan , Kuo Wei‐Wen , Lin Yu‐Jung , Huang Chih‐Yang
Published: September 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder associated with striatal dopaminergic neuronal loss in the Substantia nigra. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in several neurodegenerative diseases. Paraquat (PQ) is considered a potential neurotoxin that affects the brain leading to the death of dopaminergic neurons mimicking the PD phenotype. Various scientific reports have proven that cryptotanshinone possesses antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. We hypothesized that cryptotanshinone could extend its neuroprotective activity by exerting antioxidant effects. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of cryptotanshinone in both cellular and animal models of PQ‐induced PD. Annexin V‐PI double staining and immunoblotting were used to detect apoptosis and oxidative stress proteins, respectively. Reactive oxygen species kits were used to evaluate oxidative stress in cells. For in vivo studies, 18 B6 mice were divided into three groups. The rotarod data revealed the motor function and immunostaining showed the survival of TH+ neurons in SNpc region. Our study showed that cryptotanshinone attenuated paraquat‐induced oxidative stress by upregulating anti‐oxidant markers in vitro, and restored behavioral deficits and survival of dopaminergic neurons in vivo, demonstrating its therapeutic potential.
Reading, Research and Relationships in a Third‐Grade Virtual Book Club
Authors: Diller Marselline , Hays Alice
Published: September 2022

A third‐grade educator and university researcher collaborated to develop an after‐school virtual book club curriculum for students during the pandemic. Third‐grade students were encouraged to explore social justice issues prevalent in their community first by reading relevant children's books, doing research, and collaborating to develop potential action plans to address the issues. The study examined the impact of the books, the identification with characters, and the benefit of small group pedagogy. Students were intrinsically motivated to read, research, and collaborate over social justice issues voluntarily given free choice, minimal guidance, and opportunities. The results showcased the importance of small group discussion with young children, the power of choice in research‐based activities, and the desire for students to have their voices heard in important matters.
Contribution of surface silanization process on mechanical characteristics of TPU‐based composites involving feldspar and quartz minerals
Authors: Bouzmane Hajar , Tirkeş Süha , Yılmaz Volkan Murat , Tayfun Ümit , Tirkeş Seha
Published: September 2022

In this study, quartz and feldspar powders were surface treated using a silane coupling agent to achieve a more compatible mineral surface with the polymer matrix. Details of surface characteristics of minerals were examined by energy‐dissipative X‐ray spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and infrared spectroscopy. Thermoplastic polyurethane‐TPU was compounded with minerals using the melt‐blending technique. Mechanical, thermo‐mechanical, melt‐flow, and morphological characterizations of TPU and relevant composites were performed by utilizing tensile and Shore hardness tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), melt flow index (MFI) measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Water repellency of TPU and composites were also evaluated experimentally. Effects of surface treatments were discussed by comparing the results of composites filled with pristine and modified minerals. Results revealed that enrichment of quartz and feldspar surfaces confer mechanical and thermo‐mechanical performance of composites. Mineral inclusions caused no drastic changes to the MFI parameter of TPU. The silane layer on the mineral surface displayed a barrier effect to water uptake of composites. Homogeneous dispersion and improved interfacial adhesion of mineral particles to the TPU phase were confirmed with help of SEM observations. Quartz exhibited slightly higher performance thanks to its silica‐rich composition. The findings of this research exhibited the considerable influence of the silane layer on the mineral surface on the mechanical performance of TPU‐based composites.
Accuracy and reconstruction in autobiographical memory: (Re)consolidating neuroscience and sociocultural developmental approaches
Authors: Fivush Robyn , Grysman Azriel
Published: September 2022

Autobiographical memories are never isolated episodes; they are embedded in a network that is continually updated and prediction driven. We present autobiographical memory as a meaning‐driven process that includes both veridical traces and reconstructive schemas. Our developmental approach delineates how autobiographical memory develops across childhood and throughout adulthood, and our sociocultural approach examines the ways in which autobiographical memories are shaped by everyday social interactions embedded within cultural worldviews. These approaches are enhanced by a focus on autobiographical memory functions, namely self‐coherence, social embeddedness, and directing future behaviors. Neuroscience models of memory outlined in multiple trace and trace transformation theories and perceptual principles of predictive processing establish mechanisms and frameworks into which autobiographical memory processes are incorporated. Rather than conceptualizing autobiographical and episodic memories as accurate versus error‐prone, we frame memory as a dynamic process that is continuously updated to create coherent meaning for individuals living in complex sociocultural worlds. Autobiographical memory is a process of both accuracy and error, an intricate weaving of specific episodic details, inferences and confusions among similar experiences; it incorporates post‐event information through reminiscing and conversations, in the service of creating more meaningful coherent memories that define self, others, and the world.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Memory
Replicas, averaging and factorization in the IIB matrix model
Authors: Čubrović Mihailo
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We study the partition functions of multiple replicas (copies) of D-brane configurations in the type IIB (IKKT) matrix model. We consider the quenched regime, where small fluctuations of the matrices are superimposed onto the slow (quenched) dynamics of the background, so the partition function is an ensemble average over the background. Interacting D-branes always factorize in a simple way. On the other hand, the non-interacting BPS configurations may or may not factorize depending on the number of replicas, and their factorization mechanism is more involved as the corresponding saddle-point solutions (half-wormholes) break the replica symmetry. We argue that the simple factorization mechanism of interacting branes is actually more interesting as it carries the specific signatures of quantum gravity, which are absent from disordered field theories like the SYK model.
Vacuum decay and bubble nucleation in the anti-de Sitter black holes
Authors: Li Ran , Wang Jin
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We study the vacuum decay and the bubble nucleation in the anti-de Sitter black holes. In the bubble nucleation spacetime, the interior and the exterior of the bubble wall are described by two anti-de Sitter black hole spacetimes with different cosmological constants. We calculate the Euclidean action of the bubble nucleation spacetime and give the numerical results of the tunneling rates for different cases. It is shown that the black hole can act as a source of inhomogeneities and catalyze the vacuum decay and the bubble nucleation in the anti-de Sitter spacetime. For the RNAdS black holes, the tunneling rate to the final RNAdS black hole with the minimum critical mass is the highest among all the possible tunneling channels.
Präklinische Ersteinschätzung am Einsatzort
Authors: Schmid Bonaventura , Sauer Florian , Busch Hans-Jörg
Published: September 2022

Die Einschätzung des Zustandes von NotfallpatientInnen durch den Rettungsdienst, sei es durch NotfallsanitäterInnen oder auch NotärztInnen, ist ein essenzieller Teil der Arbeit des Rettungsdienstes. Sie dient der adäquaten Notfallversorgung vor Ort, der Indikationsstellung für eine Einweisung und Auswahl des weiterversorgenden Krankenhauses, aber auch der richtigen und schonenden Nutzung stationärer Ressourcen und somit der Gesamtheit sowie auch den individuellen NotfallpatientInnen.

Die Grundlage für eine korrekte Einschätzung bilden eine fundierte Ausbildung in präklinischer Notfallmedizin, klinische Erfahrung, aber auch entsprechende Scores und Instrumente zur Beurteilung der PatientInnen für ein einheitliches und an die aktuellen Qualitätsstandards angelehntes Vorgehen.

Die präklinische Ersteinschätzung ist sowohl entscheidend für unmittelbar lebensbedrohlich erkrankte PatientInnen als auch für PatientInnen mit weniger schwerwiegenden Erkrankungen. Das Ausmaß und die Dringlichkeit der Behandlung unterscheiden sich aufgrund der Schwere der Erkrankung oder Verletzung und müssen durch das Team des Rettungsdienstes richtig abgeschätzt werden.
The future of data-driven relationship innovation in the microfinance industry
Authors: Hani Umme , Wickramasinghe Ananda , Kattiyapornpong Uraiporn , Sajib Shahriar
Published: September 2022

Data-driven innovation (DDI) initiatives by microfinance institutes have transformed the global poverty alleviation landscape. Despite the fact that relationship building is one of the primary goals of DDI initiatives in microfinance operations, there has been little research on the dimensions of relationship quality. This study examines how DDI initiatives recognize and incorporate relational dimensions in their service offerings to alleviate poverty. Drawing on a systematic literature review, thematic analysis and interviews with 20 microfinance managers, this research explores the relationship quality parameters that need to be leveraged. Grounded in the resource-based theory, the findings of this study confirm trust and commitment as two key relationship capabilities. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how microfinance institutes can use DDI to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.
Years of life lost during the Covid-19 pandemic in Sweden considering variation in life expectancy by level of geriatric care
Authors: Ebeling Marcus , Acosta Enrique , Caswell Hal , Meyer Anna C. , Modig Karin
Published: September 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic has not affected the population evenly. This must be acknowledged when it comes to understanding the Covid-19 death toll and answering the question of how many life years have been lost. We use level of geriatric care to account for variation in remaining life expectancy among individuals that died during 2020. Based on a linkage of administrative registers, we estimate remaining life expectancy stratified by age, sex, and care status using an incidence-based multistate model and analyze the number of years of life lost (YLL) during 2020 in Sweden. Our results show that remaining life expectancy between individuals with and without care differs substantially. More than half of all Covid-19 deaths had a remaining life expectancy lower than 4 years. Yet, in a 1-year perspective, Covid-19 did not seem to replace other causes of death. Not considering the differences in remaining life expectancy in the affected populations overestimated YLL by 40% for women and 30% for men, or around 2 years per death. While the unadjusted YLL from Covid-19 amounted to an average of 7.5 years for women and 8.6 years for men, the corresponding YLL adjusted for care status were 5.4 and 6.6, respectively. The total number of YLL to Covid-19 in 2020 is comparable to YLL from ischemic heart disease in 2019 and 2020. Our results urge the use of subgroup specific mortality when counting the burden of Covid-19. YLL are considerably reduced when the varying susceptibility for death is considered, but even if most lifespans were cut in the last years of life, the YLL are still substantial.
Learning from what we know: How to perform vulnerability prediction using noisy historical data
Authors: Garg Aayush , Degiovanni Renzo , Jimenez Matthieu , Cordy Maxime , Papadakis Mike , Le Traon Yves
Published: September 2022

Vulnerability prediction refers to the problem of identifying system components that are most likely to be vulnerable. Typically, this problem is tackled by training binary classifiers on historical data. Unfortunately, recent research has shown that such approaches underperform due to the following two reasons: a) the imbalanced nature of the problem, and b) the inherently noisy historical data, i.e., most vulnerabilities are discovered much later than they are introduced. This misleads classifiers as they learn to recognize actual vulnerable components as non-vulnerable. To tackle these issues, we propose TROVON, a technique that learns from known vulnerable components rather than from vulnerable and non-vulnerable components, as typically performed. We perform this by contrasting the known vulnerable, and their respective fixed components. This way, TROVON manages to learn from the things we know, i.e., vulnerabilities, hence reducing the effects of noisy and unbalanced data. We evaluate TROVON by comparing it with existing techniques on three security-critical open source systems, i.e., Linux Kernel, OpenSSL, and Wireshark, with historical vulnerabilities that have been reported in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). Our evaluation demonstrates that the prediction capability of TROVON significantly outperforms existing vulnerability prediction techniques such as Software Metrics, Imports, Function Calls, Text Mining, Devign, LSTM, and LSTM-RF with an improvement of 40.84% in Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) score under Clean Training Data Settings, and an improvement of 35.52% under Realistic Training Data Settings.
How common is the common-ratio effect?
Authors: Blavatskyy Pavlo , Panchenko Valentyn , Ortmann Andreas
Published: September 2022

The common-ratio effect and the Allais Paradox (common-consequence effect) are the two best‐known violations of Expected Utility Theory. We reexamine data from 39 articles reporting experiments (143 designs/parameterizations, 14,909 observations) and find that the common-ratio effect is systematically affected by experimental design and implementation choices. The common-ratio effect is more likely to be observed in experiments with a low common-ratio factor, a high ratio of middle to highest outcome, when lotteries are presented as simple probability distributions (not in a compound/frequency form), and with high hypothetical incentives.
Development and Evaluation of a Prospective Group Coaching Program: Increasing Well-Being and Openness to the Future in a Subclinical Sample
Authors: Fischer Elena , Glashauser Andrea , Laireiter Anton-Rupert
Published: September 2022

Prospection is the ability to think about the future in order to guide behavior and gain desirable outcomes. Although theoretical research on the topic exists, there is a lack of practical application. We developed and evaluated a prospective coaching program in a subclinical sample with limited subjective well-being. Twenty-nine participants (Mage = 40.6 years, SD = 13.6; range 19–62 years) participated in three 3-h sessions of a prospective coaching intervention. In a between- and within-subject design, participants completed preintervention, postintervention, and follow-up questionnaires. We compared the effects to those in a waitlist control group with no intervention (n = 37). Linear mixed models revealed improvements in the primary variables subjective well-being and openness to the future. We also found effects in the secondary outcomes hopelessness, subjective stress, depression, positive affect, and optimism in the experimental group, but not in the waiting list control group. This pilot study, to our knowledge, is the first to prove the effectiveness of a prospective group coaching program on relevant outcomes in a subclinical sample. Further studies, for instance, with a larger sample, are needed to gain more insight on the effects of prospection in mental health promotion.
Lipoxin A4 attenuated dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy via activation of PGC-1α/Nrf2/TFAM pathway
Authors: Rizk Fatma H. , Soliman Nema A. , Kashef Shaimaa M. , Elsaadany Amira A.
Published: September 2022

Prolonged dexamethasone (DEX) administration causes skeletal muscle atrophy through induction of both oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is a recognized antioxidant but its effect against DEX-induced muscle atrophy has not been studied yet. This study aimed to assess the potential ameliorating effect of LXA4 on DEX-induced muscle atrophy and investigate the possible involvement of the mitochondrial dynamics pathway and the redox state in this effect. Forty male rats were divided into four groups; normal control, LXA4-treated, DEX-treated, and LXA4 plus DEX-treated. At the end of the experiment, LXA4 counteracted the effect of DEX on different parameters including muscle weight, muscle strength, serum creatine kinase activity, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl contents, Na/K-ATPase and citrate synthase activities, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, mitochondrial transcription factor (TFAM), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). These findings signify the promising therapeutic effect of LXA4 against DEX-induced skeletal muscle atrophy and indicate the possible involvement of LXA4-induced mitochondrial activation in addition to its well-known antioxidant effects.
Modulation of the biosynthesis of oxyprenylated coumarins in calli from Ferulago campestris elicited by ferulic acid
Authors: Fiorito Serena , Palumbo Lucia , Epifano Francesco , Fraternale Daniele , Collevecchio Chiara , Genovese Salvatore
Published: September 2022

Previous and recent literature acquisitions suggested that cultured calli are an efficient and meaningful model to investigate the extent and fate of prenylation of phenylpropanoid cores in plants belonging to the Rutaceae and Apiaceae families upon administration of putative biosynthetic precursors. To this concern, in the present manuscript, we investigated the effect of supplementation of ferulic acid and umbelliferone on the biosynthesis of their oxyprenylated counterparts in Ferulago campestris (Besser) Grecescu (Fam. Apiaceae) cultured calli. Dried plant biomass material has been extracted by an ultrasound-assisted extraction with EtOH. O-prenyl secondary metabolites, namely 3,3-dimethylallyloxy, geranyloxy, and farnesyloxy derivatives of both ferulic acid and umbelliferone, were identified and quantified by HPLC/DAD analyses. Supplementation with ferulic acid was the only treatment providing appreciable results. Quite surprisingly, its addition to cultured calli did not affect the formation of its oxyprenylated phytochemicals but boosted the biosynthesis of umbelliferone and its farnesyloxy-derivative umbrelliprenin. The findings reported herein enforce and underline the role of ferulic acid as an elicitor of selected classes of secondary metabolites in apiaceous species, as recently observed. In addition to these results, a novel hitherto unknown metabolite from F. campestris, namely 7-[[(2E)-7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octen-1-yl]oxy]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, was characterized by NMR and LC–MS analyses.
Co-MLHAN: contrastive learning for multilayer heterogeneous attributed networks
Authors: Martirano Liliana , Zangari Lorenzo , Tagarelli Andrea
Published: September 2022

Graph representation learning has become a topic of great interest and many works focus on the generation of high-level, task-independent node embeddings for complex networks. However, the existing methods consider only few aspects of networks at a time. In this paper, we propose a novel framework, named , to learn node embeddings for networks that are simultaneously multilayer, heterogeneous and attributed. We leverage contrastive learning as a self-supervised and task-independent machine learning paradigm and define a cross-view mechanism between two views of the original graph which collaboratively supervise each other. We evaluate our framework on the entity classification task. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of and its variant , showing their capability of exploiting across-layer information in addition to other types of knowledge.
Isotropic Tuning of Electrochemical Etching for the Nanometric Finishing of Metals
Authors: Yi Rong , Zhan Zejin , Deng Hui
Published: September 2022

Isotropic etching polishing (IEP) based on the merging of isotropic etch pits has been proposed as a generic metal finishing approach. In this work, the tuning of the etching isotropy of various metals, which is the key to realizing the finishing effect of IEP, is studied by theoretical analysis and etching experiments. The isotropic etching of various metals can be realized through mass transfer polarization by adjusting the electrochemical parameters. The addition of sulfuric acid in the electrolyte is the most effective for tuning the isotropy of electrochemical etching. It can decrease the diffusion coefficient of metal ions, thereby increasing the resistance of mass transfer and transforming the electrochemical dissolution of metal into mass transfer polarization. In this study, the atomic and close-to-atomic scale surface finishing of various metals and alloys has been successfully achieved through isotropic etching. After etching at a current of 1.5 A for 3 min, the surface Sa roughness of TA2 is drastically reduced from 242 to 3.98 nm. After etching for 1 min at a current of 3 A, the surface Sa roughness of pure tungsten, NiTi, and CoCrNi decreases from 9.33, 76.4, and 37.6 nm, respectively, to 1.16, 2.01, and 2.51 nm, respectively.
Therapeutisches Management der chronischen Obstipation
Authors: Pohl Daniel , Levenfus Jan , Adamina Michel , Capraru Sandra , Heinrich Henriette , Krieger-Grübel Claudia , Linas Ioannis , Restellini Sophie , Tutuian Radu
Published: September 2022

Die chronische Obstipation ist eine häufige Erkrankung mit einer Prävalenz von 14 % in der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Unser Ziel war, eine aktuelle Stellungnahme von Schweizer Expert/innen zum klinischen Management der chronischen Obstipation vorzustellen. Nach einer gründlichen Literaturrecherche durch Expert/innen aus den relevanten Bereichen wurden ausgewählte wichtige Empfehlungen der aktuellen ESNM(European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility)-Guideline als Grundlage für die Stellungnahme der Schweizer Expert/innen zur Behandlung der Obstipation zusammengestellt und durch einen praxisbezogenen Algorithmus ergänzt. Jeder Empfehlung wurden entsprechende GRADE(Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation)-Evidenzniveaus zugewiesen.