bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Freeze–Thaw Dynamics in Postindustrial Soil: Implications for Metal Stability and Soil Enzymatic Activity During Phytostabilization
Authors: Klik Barbara , Gusiatin Mariusz Z. , Jachimowicz Piotr , Liniauskiene Ernesta , Brtnicky Martin , Kumar Vinod , Radziemska Maja
Published: December 2024

Phytostabilization, a key strategy in addressing heavy metal contamination, faces challenges in regions with frequent temperature fluctuations. The challenges arise from the impact of temperature variations on microbial activity, plant metabolism, and metal bioavailability. Acknowledging the sensitivity of soil dynamics, amendments, and ecological interactions to temperature variations underscores the importance of considering these factors for effective phytostabilization strategies in dynamic environmental conditions. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of phytostabilization assisted with diatomite, halloysite, and biochar with and without freeze–thaw conditions on metal stability (as distribution patterns), and microbial activity (as dehydrogenase activity, DHA). The experiment comprised two variants. In the first, conducted without FTC,
Lolium perenne
seeds were sown in pots filled with soil from a contaminated area, both with and without amendments (3%), lasting for 52 days. The second variant replicated the process with 16 freeze–thaw cycles (FTC) and extended the duration to 116 days. Results revealed that FTC alters the distribution of heavy metals in soil compared to conditions without the FTC cycle. Diatomite reduces Cu mobility but may potentially increase Cd mobility. Halloysite enhances Cu exchangeability, restricts Cd mobility, and increases Pb retention in a stable form. Biochar exhibits mixed effects on Cu and Cd mobility, showcasing the influence of FTC on these soil amendments. As a vital microbial indicator, soil DHA responds dynamically to varying temperatures. The applied amendments seem to mitigate the adverse effects of FTC cycles by supporting DHA. Notably, halloysite exhibits a more favorable influence without FTC, while biochar and diatomite showcase enhanced stimulatory effects post‐FTC. It emphasises the need for a nuanced understanding of temperature–microbe interactions and the role of amendments in enhancing the sustainability of phytostabilization in metal‐contaminated environments.
Soil Polychlorinated Biphenyl Dissipation and Mung Bean Production Influenced by Ryegrass, Nanoscale Zero‐Valent Iron and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus
Authors: Sun Dongnian , Sun Caiyun , Bai Jianfeng , Qin Hua , Li Minghui , Lin Xiangui , Hu Junli
Published: December 2024

A 9‐week greenhouse pot experiment was carried out to study polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) dissipation and mung bean (
Vigna radiata
(L.) Wilczek) growth in a PCB‐contaminated soil. Besides the control (i.e., monoculture of mung bean), four treatments were tested: intercropping with ryegrass (
Lolium perenne
L.) (IL) and IL treated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Funneliformis caledonium (+M), nanoscale zero‐valent iron (nZVI) (+N), and both (+NM). Compared with the control, the interspecific competition on soil nutrients besides growth space upon IL tended to decrease the seed yield of mung bean, since the P acquisition by ryegrass, the dominant species, was about 17 times that by mung bean. On the one hand, +N significantly enhanced the dissipation of homologs with three or more chlorine atoms and total PCBs in the soil, consuming a quantity of H+ and increasing soil pH. On the other hand, +N negatively influenced soil available P concentration, mycorrhizal colonization, mung bean seed yield, and ryegrass shoot biomass. In contrast, +M significantly increased mycorrhizal colonization of both plants and ALP activity of the soil, tended to improve plant total P acquisition, and even powerfully enhanced the dissipation of highly chlorinated homologs. In the case of +N, +M again significantly accelerated mycorrhization of both plants and tended to elevate ALP activity of the soil, but the adsorption of soil available P by nZVI debilitated the P benefit from AM fungi. However, +M still tended to improve not only ryegrass shoot biomass but also mung bean seed yield, suggesting that AM fungus had induced detoxification of both host plants against nZVI. In addition, the phytoremediation efficiency of ryegrass associated with AM fungi, which was greatly inhibited by the amendment of nZVI, was reactivated by the newly inoculated AM fungus. These results indicated that when intercropping of edible crops with remedial plants, nZVI and AM fungus played absolutely differential roles during the remediation of PCB‐contaminated soils.
Intelligent summaries: Will Artificial Intelligence mark the finale for biomedical literature reviews?
Authors: Galli Carlo , Moretti Chiara , Calciolari Elena
Published: December 2024

Key points

LLM has attained generative capabilities similar to human discourse and can effectively summarize documents and extract information from texts.

The development of R.A.G. systems will soon make these systems capable to browse databases such as MEDLINE and extract knowledge, creating summaries of the literature.

These summaries may soon reach a point where they are equivalent to current reviews of the literature, possibly making them irrelevant.

The availability of automated summaries of the literature may raise the bar of what is still worth publishing.

Literature reviews may have to capitalize on human imagination, creativity and abstraction capabilities to survive the A.I. revolution.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Characterization and Determination of the New Psychoactive Substance Benzylone: Application in a Biological Fluid
Authors: Florou D. , Boumba V. A. , Tsiafoulis G. C.
Published: December 2024

New psychoactive substances (NPS)—designed to mimic various legal or illegal substances—are an emerging worldwide health problem. Their identification and quantification in either complex seized samples or powders are critical; moreover, their determination in biological fluids is an intriguing goal in the forensic toxicology field. Synthetic cathinones are one of the most important groups among NPS. The current paper was designed as a pilot study to investigate the application of NMR techniques to identify and quantify unknown NPS compounds in deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO‐d6) and in urine using the synthetic cathinone benzylone (3,4‐methylenedioxy‐N‐benzylcathinone, BMDP) as a pilot compound. In the first part of our study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic characterization was performed using 1D and 2D homonuclear and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopic methods as long as diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY). Following the above, the assignment of benzylone in DMSO‐d6 was performed, and a distinct spectroscopic pattern was proposed. In the second part of our study, a NMR spectroscopic approach was applied for benzylone identification and quantification in a spiked with benzylone urine. Following the above, the assignment of benzylone in spiked urine was performed. A distinct pattern of the H11, H14, H15, and H8 signals on the 1H NMR spectra was observed and suggested as a “NMR spectroscopic pattern/signature” enabling the identification of benzylone moieties in urine. On the other hand, the applied NMR techniques showed low sensitivity in quantitating benzylone in spiked urine. Overall, our results are promising in using NMR for structure determination of unknown compounds in urine.
Modelling Gas Networks with Compressors: A port‐Hamiltonian Approach
Authors: Bendokat Thomas , Benner Peter , Grundel Sara , Nayak Ashwin S.
Published: December 2024

Transient gas network simulations can significantly assist in design and operational aspects of gas networks. Models used in these simulations require a detailed framework integrating various models of the network constituents ‐ pipes and compressor stations among others. In this context, the port‐Hamiltonian modelling framework provides an energy‐based modelling approach with a port‐based coupling mechanism. This study investigates developing compressor models in an integrated isothermal port‐Hamiltonian model for gas networks. Four different models of compressors are considered and their inclusion in a larger network model is detailed. A numerical implementation for a simple test case is provided to confirm the validity of the proposed model and to highlight their differences.
Chemotherapy–Surgery Interval Effects on Tumor Necrosis and Outcome in Children and Young Adults With Osteosarcoma
Authors: Mersfelder Rachel B. , Lwin Cara , Malik Shahid , Badgett Thomas C. , Chenard Stephen W. , Rekulapelli Akhil , Blette Bryan S. , Lawrenz Joshua M. , Borinstein Scott C.
Published: December 2024

Background/Objective

Osteosarcoma treatment incorporates chemotherapy and surgery. Resection of the primary tumor usually occurs after induction chemotherapy. Occasionally, scheduling challenges and medical complications result in delay. The goal of this study is to determine if an increased interval between completion of neoadjuvant therapy and surgical resection correlates with decreased tumor necrosis and inferior outcomes in children and young adults with osteosarcoma.

Design/Method

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 121 patients age less than 40 years diagnosed with osteosarcoma treated at a single tertiary medical center between 2000 and 2022. Inclusion criteria included receipt of two cycles of neoadjuvant methotrexate, cisplatin, and doxorubicin. Association of the interval from completion of induction chemotherapy to resection with tumor necrosis (Spearman's correlation) and outcomes (multivariable Cox hazard regression) were analyzed.

Results

There was no significant correlation between interval length and tumor necrosis. However, patients with an interval greater than 16 days had lower 5‐year event‐free survival (p = 0.019). Multivariable adjusted analysis of patients with initially localized disease revealed that each day increase in interval length corresponds with a 1.1 times greater hazard of having an event (95% CI: 1.0–1.2; p = 0.016).

Conclusion

Delays in local control were not associated with tumor necrosis. This is consistent with the hypothesis that tumor necrosis is a biologic marker of a tumor's sensitivity to chemotherapy and may not be affected by minor regimen aberrations. However, surgical delay from completion of induction chemotherapy may confer worse outcomes. Longer intervals generally confer worse outcomes in patients with initially localized disease.
Prevention of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Among Black or African American Children With and Without Sickle Cell Disease in the United States After Introduction of 13‐Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, 2005 Through 2019
Authors: Payne Amanda B. , Gierke Ryan , Xing Wei , McGee Lesley , Hulihan Mary , Adamkiewicz Thomas V. , Kobayashi Miwako ,   for the Active Bacterial Core Surveillance Team
Published: December 2024

Background

Administration of pneumococcal vaccines and oral penicillin prophylaxis has been recommended for children with sickle cell disease (SCD) to reduce the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Characterizing changes in IPD cases among children with SCD after 13‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) introduction could help inform the need for additional prevention measures.

Methods

Using data from Active Bacterial Core surveillance, we characterized IPD cases among Black or African American (Black) children aged less than 18 years with SCD, non‐SCD IPD risk factors, and no IPD risk factors across three time periods (pre‐PCV13 [2005–2009], early‐PCV13 [2010–2014], and late‐PCV13 [2015–2019]), and assessed proportion of IPD cases caused by serotypes in new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV15, PCV20) recommended after 2019. We analyzed IPD incidence among children with and without SCD.

Results

From 2005 to 2019, 1725 IPD cases were reported among Black children (6.9% with SCD). IPD incidence among children with SCD declined by 50% between pre‐PCV13 and late‐PCV13 periods (from 332 to 167 per 100,000), although IPD incidence among children with SCD was 42 times that of children without SCD in late‐PCV13 period. During late‐PCV13 period, greater than 95% of IPD cases among children with SCD were non‐PCV13 serotypes; PCV15/non‐PCV13 and PCV20/non‐PCV15 serotypes caused 19% and 22% of cases, respectively. Increase in penicillin‐nonsusceptible IPD cases was not observed.

Conclusions

Despite reductions in IPD incidence after PCV13 introduction, children with SCD are at increased risk of IPD compared to children without SCD. Use of higher valency PCVs may help reduce remaining IPD burden.
Feasibility of Utilizing a Brief Neurocognitive Battery in 3‐Year‐Old Patients During Treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Ramjan Sameera , Cole Peter D. , Blair‐Thies Melanie , Silverman Lewis B. , Fredrickson Amy , Schembri Adrian , Welch Jennifer J. Greene , Kahn Justine , Kelly Kara M. , Tran Thai‐Hoa , Michon Bruno , Gennarini Lisa , Sands Stephen A.
Published: December 2024

Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is associated with neurocognitive deficits in young children. While computerized measures have been utilized in pediatric oncology research, they exclude patients below the age of 4 years. Patients enrolled on “Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children and Adolescents” were offered participation in an optional neurocognitive study. Three‐year old patients did not differ from 4‐year‐old patients in their ability to perform or complete the tests. Including patients diagnosed at age 3 will serve to improve our understanding of at‐risk patients and their neurocognitive trajectory both during and after treatment.
Experimental investigation of laser texturing on surface roughness and wettability of PAHT CF15 fabricated by fused deposition modeling
Authors: Prasad Shivam , Prakash Shashi
Published: December 2024

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) process has been emerged as an effective method for fabrication of different types of products without the need for expensive molds or material wasting subtractive processes. Polyamide composites possess higher mechanical properties, temperature resistance and inertness to many chemicals making them an attractive choice for many applications. This study focuses on the utilization of a nanosecond fiber laser texturing process as a post processing method for improving the surface finish and surface hydrophobicity of polyamide composite (PAHT CF15) produced through FDM process. PAHT CF15 is a high temperature resistant polyamide filament with 15% carbon fiber. These effects of texturing direction on surface finish and wettability of FDM printed PAHT CF15 samples were evaluated by texturing in two mutually perpendicular directions namely longitudinal and transverse. Experiments were also performed to determine the effect of laser power and scanning speed by varying the power at four levels, that is 20, 30, 40, and 50 W and scanning speed at two levels, that is 2000 and 4000 mm/s. Moisture absorption test of the textured surfaces were performed in an incubator at controlled temperature and relative humidity condition. A defocused laser beam was utilized to melt the upper surface of the 3D printed material in order to bring the changes at the surface level without causing surface ablation. It was observed that high speed laser processing can bring about the significant changes in surface finish, wettability and moisture absorption of the FDM printed parts.

Highlights

PAHT CF15 composites possess excellent mechanical properties.

FDM printed PAHT CF15 parts have poor surface finish and low contact angles.

Fiber lasers were employed to improve surface roughness.

Wettability of textured surfaces was decreased by a maximum of 46%.
Ethical Behavior Intervention Through Group Activities in Secondary Education
Authors: Alonso Miguel A. , Gallo Inge Schweiger
Published: December 2024

Academic misconduct is common in both secondary and higher education and schools still lag behind in preventing unethical behavior. The present research addressed the effectiveness of formative activities aimed at improving ethical behavior of students in secondary education. The probability of engaging in cheating, harming others, hiding information, and theft was assessed before participants were provided with information about ethical and unethical behavior and engaged in group activities in the classroom. The comparison of pre‐ and postintervention scores showed that those students with a higher probability of engaging in unethical behavior were less inclined to cheat and hide information, whereas the students who behaved ethically reported a greater probability of engaging in all four unethical behaviors. The implications of interventions based on information and group discussions, as well as the challenges of future interventions on ethical behavior, are discussed.
Leader‐Following Consensus of Multiple Uncertain Rigid Body Systems by a Sampled‐Data Adaptive Distributed Observer
Authors: He Changran , Huang Jie
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we study the leader‐following attitude consensus problem for multiple uncertain rigid body systems by a sampled‐data adaptive distributed observer. Unlike the existing sampled‐data distributed observer, which can only asymptotically estimate the state of the leader, the sampled‐data adaptive distributed observer can estimate both the state and the system matrix of the leader exponentially. We synthesize a distributed control law utilizing sampled‐data communications to solve the leader‐following attitude consensus problem for multiple uncertain rigid body systems based on the sampled‐data adaptive distributed observer. Moreover, we present a sufficient condition for guaranteeing the convergence of the estimated unknown parameters to their true values. Compared with a distributed control law that uses continuous‐time communications, the distributed control law utilizing sampled‐data communications consumes fewer communication resources and is more robust to communication failures. The effectiveness of our approach is verified by a numerical example.
Time/Event‐Triggered Exponential Stabilization for Stochastic Systems: Enhancing Nonlinearity Tolerance
Authors: Li Fengzhong , Liu Yungang
Published: December 2024

This article seeks the enhancement of nonlinearity tolerance in time/event‐triggered stabilization for stochastic systems. In the related results, the controller functions are required to obey global Lipschitz condition for the suppression of sampling/execution error, and the drift and/or diffusion coefficients of the stochastic systems are restricted to polynomial or, even, linear growth. These limitations deserve overcoming for enlarged applications. To this end, a distinct framework of time/event‐triggered controls is established for stochastic systems, targeted at exponential stabilization. Specifically, inclusive Lyapunov‐type feasibility conditions are proposed by capturing the effect of sampling/execution error and distinguishing the role of system nonlinearities. Particularly, different from the related results, the evolution of sampling/execution error is subtly exploited via Lyapunov functions to reveal the dynamic interaction between the sampling/execution errors and system state. Then, time‐triggered exponential stabilization via sampled‐data controller is achieved not only in the moment sense but also in the almost sure sense. Accordingly, Lyapunov function based analysis is performed for the composite dynamics of system state and sampling error, confronted with the coupling of discontinuous and stochastic features. To further reduce execution, periodic event‐triggered control is exploited to achieve exponential stabilization for stochastic nonlinear systems, by virtue of the relation with the dynamic evolution under sampled‐data control. Through typical examples, we demonstrate the potential of our framework in handling the cases with the controller functions violating global Lipschitz condition and with the system nonlinearities beyond polynomial growth.
Towards a Sustainable Growth of the Shipping Sector—A Systematic Review of Future Shipping Emissions Scenarios
Authors: Nunes Rafael A. O. , Alvim‐Ferraz Maria C. M. , Martins Fernando G. , Sousa Sofia I. V.
Published: December 2024

The demand for transport could be tripling by 2050, and it is expected that the increase in shipping demand will be even larger. Considering this, it is important to forecast the evolution of ship emissions in the coming decades and estimate their impacts on air quality, health and climate as reliably as possible. Thus, this study aimed to perform a systematic review considering studies where future shipping emissions scenarios have been established and studies that used future shipping emissions scenarios to assess future impacts on air quality and/or health and on climate. The 26 studies reviewed were performed mainly for the Arctic, Baltic and North Seas regions and Asia. Most authors reported a general decrease in SOx, NOx and PM2.5 concentrations (and consequent health impacts where applicable) and in the deposition of sulphur and nitrogen species due to the NOx and SOx emission regulations. In contrast, the authors reported that the current regulatory energy efficiency policies might not compensate for the increase in traffic and the resulting CO2 emissions. The health effects of future ship‐related emissions were rarely reported. Moreover, based on considerations of studies across the globe, future studies should adopt a holistic approach that integrates, besides what was already explored, detailed traffic growth assumptions, alternative fuels and technologies (LNG, scrubbers and shore electricity), economic factors and more reliable methods to forecast the future activity of the ships.
Mechanochemical Synthesis of Phosphoryl Amides and Esters from Diphenylphosphoryl Azides Under Mild Conditions
Authors: Gat Savita , Chatterjee Rana , Solanke Jayshree , Dhayalan Vasudevan , Dandela Rambabu
Published: December 2024

A simple, efficient, and one‐step synthetic procedure to construct phosphoryl amides and esters has been developed applying mechanochemistry. A ball‐milling technique easily facilitated the amination and esterification of diphenylphosphoryl azides (DPPA) in the presence of molecular iodine and sodium carbonate via cleavage of P—N bond. The metal‐free mechanochemical protocol enables the transformations to provide a variety of alkyl phosphoryl amides and esters under solvent‐free conditions and at room temperature. Moreover, readily available and inexpensive starting materials, excellent functional group compatibility, rapid synthesis, high yields of the products, and mild conditions are the notable features of the present method.
Modulating Biomimetic Peroxidase Activity of CuMOFs Through Ligand Engineering: Sensitive Colorimetric Detection of H2O2 and Glutathione
Authors: Duhan Udisha , Goswami Tarak Nath , Dubey Ritesh , Kumar Sushil , Goswami Tapas
Published: December 2024

Natural peroxidase enzymes are widely utilized for various diagnostic applications, yet their inherent instability and susceptibility to external factors pose challenges. This study introduces a ligand engineering approach to fine‐tune the peroxidase enzyme‐like activity of copper‐based metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). We have rationally modulated the enzyme‐mimicking activity of a series of Cu‐BDC‐X based MOFs via employment of various ligands (BDC = 1,4‐benzene dicarboxylic acid; CuMOF‐1, X═H2O; CuMOF‐2, X═4,4′‐bipyridine and CuMOF‐3, X═N‐methylimidazole). As compared to its analogues, CuMOF‐3 exhibited an enhanced catalytic activity, most likely due to N‐methylimidazole‐induced structural distortion that fine‐tunes the metal's electronic environment and improves substrate interactions. Additionally, this modification allowed CuMOF‐3 to be miniaturized to the nanoscale, enhancing its catalytic performance. Mechanistic investigations revealed the generation of •OH as reactive oxygen species (ROS) to accelerate tetramethylbenzidine oxidation, promoting peroxidase‐like activity. The observed catalytic behavior of CuMOF‐3 followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics, exhibiting lower Km value compared to those of natural peroxidase enzymes. Under optimized conditions, CuMOF‐3 facilitated the development of a colorimetric assay for sensitive detection of H2O2 and glutathione (GSH) in various spiked food samples. This study uniquely demonstrates the impact of tailored ligand combinations and MOF geometry on optimizing peroxidase‐mimicking activity, providing a new direction for the design of high‐performance colorimetric diagnostic tools in the food processing industry.
Harnessing Natural Pollen as Sustained‐Release, Mucoadhesive, and Biosafe Drug Microcapsules for Intravesical Instillation in Bladder Cancer Treatment
Authors: Hu Weimin , Zhou Zhixuan , Zou Fan , Huang Yaoqiu , Li Ming , Zhang Yunlong , Sun Kefang , Deng Hongbing , Cheng Fan , Zhao Ze , Yu Weimin
Published: December 2024

Intravesical instillation is essential for bladder cancer treatment, but current therapy suffers from brief drug retention and insufficient contact bladder contact. Nano‐ and micro‐sized capsules‐based drug delivery systems are expected to solve these problems, which, however, face challenges such as weak mucoadhesion, low biosafety, and processing complexity, limiting their scalable application. In this study, the power of plant pollen‐derived microcapsules, sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) is harnessed that are produced by sequentially defatting and acidolysis sunflower pollen, to passive load with pirarubicin and achieve biosafe and high‐efficiency intravesical chemotherapy. SECs exhibit no significant toxic effects in vitro or in vivo. Taking advantage of its intrinsic microscale core–shell structure and spiny surface topography, convenient encapsulation is achieved with an efficiency of 45.3±1.43% and sustained release of the simulate drug, and strong adhesion to the bladder mucosa even after multiple urination, which reduces the instillation‐maintenance time to just 20 min. Drugs encapsulated in SECs maintained higher concentrations in the bladder for up to 5 h compared to those without SECs. In a murine orthotopic bladder cancer model, SECs enhance the intravesical chemotherapy effect of pirorubicin (increased by 38%). The study introduces an innovative, naturally occurring drug carrier for advancing future intravesical instillation therapies.
Photoluminescence Excitation Spectroscopy of Monolithic Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells
Authors: Nguyen Khoa , Wang Wei , Chang Lichun , Truong Thien , Shen Heping , Weber Klaus , Nguyen Hieu T. , Macdonald Daniel
Published: December 2024

The contributions of each subcell to the total photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of a monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell are distinguished using a variable wavelength excitation laser source. In the results, a strong overlap of the PL spectrum is shown, originating from the sub‐bandgap region of the perovskite top cell with the emission from the silicon bottom cell, even with near‐infrared excitation wavelengths. Consequently, an excitation laser wavelength of at least 815 nm is required for a dominant PL signal from the silicon bottom cell, and a wavelength no longer than 750 nm is needed for a dominant PL signal from the perovskite top cell in the investigated tandem solar cell. Moreover, a shoulder in the sub‐bandgap emission of the perovskite top cell almost coincides with the PL response region of the silicon bottom cell, which can cause signal confusion in subcell characterization.
Effects of Flurochloridone on the Developmental Toxicity in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryo
Authors: Yang Mingjun , Hu Jingying , Tian Fang , Xia Minjie , Zhou Zhijun , Li Weihua
Published: December 2024

Flurochloridone (FLC) is a selective herbicide that can cause reproductive toxicity in male rats. However, limited information is available regarding the toxicity of FLC in the developmental stages of aquatic organisms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FLC exposure during embryonic development and elucidate its potential mechanism of action. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 μg/mL FLC for 4–144 hpf. The developmental status of embryos was recorded; the indicators of oxidative stress and embryonic apoptosis were determined. We found that FLC exposure caused severe embryonic malformations, such as pericardial edema, spinal curvature, and growth retardation, accompanied by a decreased hatching and survival rate. After exposure until 144 h postfertilization, the median lethal concentration (LC50) of FLC in zebrafish embryos was 36.9 μg/mL. Subsequently, FLC induced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase, and activated the Keap1–Nrf2 signaling pathway. Further studies confirmed that FLC can induce apoptosis in zebrafish embryos through the activation of caspase. These results suggest that FLC induced developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos, which provides new evidence regarding FLC toxicity in aquatic organisms and to assess human health risks.
The Impact of Dietary Encapsulated Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Essential Oil Inclusion Levels on Performance, Serum Hormone Profiles, and Expression of Reproductive Axis‐Related Genes in the Early and Late Laying Phases of Hens
Authors: İpçak Hasan Hüseyin , Denli Muzaffer , Yokuş Beran , Bademkıran Servet
Published: December 2024

Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) essential oil (FEO), which is rich in the phytoestrogenic compound trans‐anethole, interacts with oestrogen receptors and influences molecular targets within cells and hormonal responses. This study examined the effect of dietary encapsulated FEO inclusion levels on performance, reproductive hormone profiles, and gene expression in laying hens during the early and late phases. The study was conducted in two independent trials, each involving 210 Atak‐S laying hens that were randomly distributed into 3 experimental groups, each having 10 replicates with 7 hens. The dietary treatments included a basal diet without FEO (Control) and a basal diet supplemented with 175 (FEO175) or 350 mg (FEO350) of encapsulated FEO/kg for 12 weeks. The results showed that FEO350 treatment improved egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio during both early and late phases (p < 0.05). Moreover, increasing FEO inclusion levels enhanced oestradiol, follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and progesterone concentrations in both early and late laying hens, reaching peak levels at FEO350 (p < 0.05). FEO supplementation upregulated the expression of oestrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) and follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, FEO350 increased prolactin receptor (PRLR) expression during the early phase but decreased it during the late laying phase (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between egg production and FSHR, ESR2 and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) expression, with a negative correlation for PRLR (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 350 mg FEO/kg was found to be the most effective level for enhancing layer performance.
Longitudinal assessment of disparities in pancreatic cancer care: A retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database
Authors: Grewal Mahip , Kroon Victor J. , Kaslow Sarah R. , Sorrentino Anthony M. , Winner Megan D. , Allendorf John D. , Shah Paresh C. , Simeone Diane M. , Welling Theodore H. , Berman Russell S. , Cohen Steven M. , Wolfgang Christopher L. , Sacks Greg D. , Javed Ammar A.
Published: December 2024

Background

The existence of sociodemographic disparities in pancreatic cancer has been well‐studied but how these disparities have changed over time is unclear. The purpose of this study was to longitudinally assess patient management in the context of sociodemographic factors to identify persisting disparities in pancreatic cancer care.

Methods

Using the National Cancer Database, patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from 2010 to 2017 were identified. The primary outcomes were surgical resection and/or receipt of chemotherapy. Outcome measures included changes in associations between sociodemographic factors (i.e., sex, age, race, comorbidity index, SES, and insurance type) and treatment‐related factors (i.e., clinical stage at diagnosis, surgical resection, and receipt of chemotherapy). For each year, associations were assessed via univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Of 75,801 studied patients, the majority were female (51%), White (83%), and had government insurance (65%). Older age (range of OR 2010–2017 [range‐OR]:0.19–0.29), Black race (range‐OR: 0.61–0.78), lower SES (range‐OR: 0.52–0.94), and uninsured status (range‐OR: 0.46–0.71) were associated with lower odds of surgical resection (all p < 0.005), with minimal fluctuations over the study period. Older age (range‐OR: 0.11–0.84), lower SES (range‐OR: 0.41–0.63), and uninsured status (range‐OR: 0.38–0.61) were associated with largely stable lower odds of receiving chemotherapy (all p < 0.005).

Conclusions

Throughout the study period, age, SES, and insurance type were associated with stable lower odds for both surgery and chemotherapy. Black patients exhibited stable lower odds of resection underscoring the continued importance of mitigating racial disparities in surgery. Investigation of mechanisms driving sociodemographic disparities are needed to promote equitable care.
Core Features of Informal Credit Markets in South Africa
Authors: Yimer Gebreyesus
Published: December 2024

Informal credit markets are prevalent in South Africa. Loans from relatives and friends, loans from traditional institutions (known as stokvels) and loans from private moneylenders (known as mashonisas) are considered important sources of credit. These informal institutions are also important sources of social capital and social security. There are both registered and unregistered small-scale loan providers. In this chapter, we discuss the unregistered moneylenders based on secondary data. Some researchers classify registered small-scale loan providers as informal lenders (Chisasa, Corporate Ownership & Control, 12(1), 363–375. 2014). However, in this research, they are discussed independently because, legally, registered moneylenders are official creditors regulated and supervised by authorities. Unregistered moneylenders, on the other hand, fall out of the legal network. This chapter aims to present current practices, show how the informal credit markets function in South Africa, and identify the main futures of their transactions based on a comprehensive literature review.
Polynomial Families of Quantum Semisimple Coajoint Orbits via Deformed Quantum Enveloping Algebras
Authors: Hoshino Mao
Published: December 2024

We construct a polynomial family of semisimple left module categories over the representation category of the Drinfeld-Jimbo deformation, with the fusion rule of the representation category of each Levi subalgebra. In this construction we perform a kind of generalized parabolic induction using a deformed quantum enveloping algebra, whose definition depends on an arbitrary choice of a positive system and corresponds to De Commer’s definition for the standard positive system. These algebras define a sheaf of algebras on the toric variety associated to the root system, which contains the moduli of equivariant Poisson brackets. This fact finally produces the family of 2-cocycle. We also obtain a comparison theorem between our module categories and module categories induced from our construction for intermediate Levi subalgebras. The construction of deformed quantum enveloping algebras and the comparison theorem are discussed in the integral setting of Lusztig’s sense.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression of Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells and Adipocytes Initiated from Fat Aspirations
Authors: Teufelsbauer Maryana , Stickler Sandra , Hammond Dennis C. , Hamilton Gerhard
Published: December 2024

Background

Fat grafting is frequently employed in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery with a low complication rate. However, fat necrosis may occur in dependence of the mode of fat aspiration, processing of the tissue and graft size. Graft survival is critically dependent on the contained adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs), adipocyte precursors and their potential for vascular supply. This work investigated the potential role of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) and various cytokines by ADSCs and differentiated adipocytes as key factors of fat grafting.

Methods

Adipokine expression of ADSCs and differentiated adipocytes were assessed using Proteome Profiler Arrays that detect 58 relevant proteins.

Results

Collected fat grafts could be categorized according to their adipokine expression into VEGFhigh and VEGFlow ADSCs groups, the former exhibiting higher content of VEGF-related angiopoietin-like 2, nidogen-1/entactin, CCL2/MCP-1 and elevated expression of IGFBPs in association with a fourfold higher VEGF expression. Differentiation of ADSCs into adipocytes increased VEGF concentrations in VEGFlow ADSCs but not in ADSCs exhibiting initial high VEGF concentrations. The adipocytes revealed high expression of HGF, leptin, CCL2/MCP-1, nidogen-1/entactin, M-CSF but lower induction of angiopoietin-like 2.

Conclusion

Half of the ADSCs from fat grafts express high concentrations of VEGF and other adipokines that support angiogenesis and survival of this tissues following transfer. Differentiation of ADSClow cells to adipocytes may make up for the initially low VEGF expression, but this activation is 7-10 days delayed compared to the VEGFhigh ADSC cells and may fail to support angiogenesis from the beginning.

No Level Assigned

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Impacts of Solar Energy Development On Breeding Birds in Desert Grasslands In South Central New Mexico
Authors: Young Aaron C. , Meliopoulos DeeAnne , Desmond Martha J. , Daniel David , Abadi Fitsum
Published: December 2024

Solar energy is growing at unprecedented rates, with the most development projected to occur in areas with high concentrations of threatened and endangered species, yet its effects on wildlife remain largely unexplored. In 2014 and 2015 we examined the influence of a solar facility on avian community occupancy in the Nutt grasslands of south-central New Mexico. We examined the effect of distance to solar facility as well as other habitat covariates, including vegetation structure and orthopteran abundance, on community occupancy and occupancy trends for individual species. We did not find a significant effect of distance to solar facility on occupancy probability for the songbird community. Instead, orthopteran abundance had a significant positive effect on occupancy probability for the community. Two synanthropic species, Eurasian-collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), and house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), were found almost exclusively within the solar facility and both species increased between years, suggesting that developments in natural habitats may facilitate populations of synanthropic species. These results demonstrate the variability in responses of different species to a solar facility and the interacting influence of habitat characteristics and disturbance associated with development.
Erfolgreiche Kurzzeitvorhersage der ersten Wolke-Erde-Blitze während Gewitterereignissen
Authors: Schatz Sebastian , Schwalt Lukas , Maier Julia , Pack Stephan , Kohlmann Hannes , Pichler Hannes
Published: December 2024

Blitzentladungen in Form von Wolke-Erde- bzw. Cloud-to-Ground (CG)-Blitzen stellen Herausforderungen für Flughäfen, ihre Infrastruktur und ihr Personal dar. Auch Übertragungsnetze sind als kritische Infrastruktur beispielsweise von Gewitter- und Blitzaktivität betroffen, welche die Systemführung beeinflussen. Bestehende Wettervorhersagemodelle sind zwar in der Lage, Gewitter mit einer gewissen zeitlichen und örtlichen Genauigkeit vorherzusagen, aber kurzfristige Vorhersagen über das Auftreten der ersten Blitzentladung in einem bestimmten Gebiet sind nicht akkurat möglich. Insbesondere der Trend in Richtung Remote-Flugverkehr und das Fehlen von Meteorolog:innen vor Ort machen Entscheidungen noch schwieriger. Durch die Kombination von Daten eines elektrischen Feldmeter-Netzwerks, welches in der Umgebung des Flughafens Graz installiert wurde, Daten des österreichischen Blitzortungssystems ALDIS und Wetterradardaten der ACG werden diese Herausforderungen aufgegriffen und erfolgreich bearbeitet. Aus diesen Daten wurden Parameter entwickelt, um den ersten CG-Blitz im beobachteten Gebiet vorherzusagen. Der analysierte Datensatz umfasst 25 Gewitter aus den konvektiven Gewittersaisons 2022 und 2023, welche zu CG-Blitzen in einem Radius von 5 km um den Flughafen Graz führten. Aus den abgeleiteten Parametern lassen sich Alert- und Shutdown-Vorwarnzeiten für das Auftreten von CG-Blitzen am Flughafen im beobachteten Gebiet erfolgreich vorhersagen. Es wurde eine Shutdown-Vorwarnzeit des ersten CG-Blitzes im 5‑km-Radius von 18,4 Minuten im Median berechnet. Dies führt zu einer erfolgreichen Kurzzeitvorhersage, um die Entscheidungen der Meteorolog:innen zu unterstützen und die persönliche Sicherheit des Personals zu verbessern.
Einwegpfand in Österreich: Gestaltung und Herausforderungen im internationalen Vergleich
Authors: Beigl Peter , Allesch Astrid
Published: December 2024

Vor dem Hintergrund des unachtsamen Wegwerfens bzw. Litterings sowie ineffizienten Sammelns und Recyclings von Kunststoffen wurde im Jahr 2019 die Richtlinie der Europäischen Kommission zur Verringerung der Auswirkungen bestimmter Einweg-Kunststoffprodukte auf die Umwelt, die sogenannte Single-Use-Plastic-Richtlinie erlassen, die für Einweg-Getränkeflaschen aus Kunststoff eine getrennte Sammelquote von 77 % ab 2025 und von 90 % ab 2029 vorschreibt. Im Oktober 2021 wurde von einer breiten Mehrheit von Lebensmitteleinzelhändlern, Getränkeabfüllern und weiteren Interessensgruppen eine Gesamtlösung für Mehrweg- und Einwegpfand gefordert. Darauf aufbauend wurde der Entwurf der Einwegpfandverordnung unter Einbindung zahlreicher Akteur:innen der österreichischen Abfallwirtschaft unter Leitung des Klimaschutzministeriums erarbeitet. Die zu beantwortende Kernfrage, wie ein „optimales“ Einwegpfandsystem für Österreich angestrebt werden kann, bildet den Rahmen für diesen Beitrag. Zu relevanten Gestaltungselementen wird jeweils kurz dargestellt, welche Optionen in langjährig etablierten, europäischen Einwegpfandsystemen umgesetzt wurden, was daraus gelernt werden konnte und wie diese Erfahrungen in das österreichische Einwegpfandsystem eingeflossen sind. Darüber hinaus wird auch erläutert, welche neuen Wege in den Bereichen der für Konsument:innen sichtbaren Eckpunkte, dem Management der Materialflüsse sowie Verwaltung und Finanzierung des Einwegpfandsystems eingeschlagen werden.
Microbial spectrum and resistance of odontogenic abscesses - microbiological analysis using next generation sequencing
Authors: Thol Felix , Warwas Felix Benjamin , Spuck Nikolai , Kramer Franz-Josef , Heim Nils
Published: December 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to map the microbiome of odontogenic abscesses using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify bacterial and fungal species, as well as antibiotic resistances.

Materials and methods

Wound swabs were taken from patients treated for odontogenic abscesses at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Bonn. NGS was used to analyze the swabs, and bioinformatic analysis assigned the genetic material to microorganism profiles and identified antibiotic resistances.

Results

Bacteria were detected in all samples from 51 patients. Anaerobes were found in 50 swabs, while aerobic bacteria were detected in 30. Four of the five most common bacterial genera were anaerobes (Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Parvimonas, Porphyromonas). A median of eight genera were identified per swab. Infections were mostly polymicrobial; only one case was a monoinfection with Streptococcus. Aerobic bacteria were less frequent in patients who had prior antibiotic therapy (p = 0.015). Fungi were present in 52.9% of cases, with Malassezia (33.3%), Aspergillus (9.8%), and Candida (3.9%) being the most common. Antibiotic resistance was detected in 66.7% of patients, mainly against lincosamides, macrolides and tetracyclines. Fusobacterium showed a 25.9% resistance rate to clindamycin.

Conclusions

The microbiome of odontogenic abscesses is polymicrobial, dominated by anaerobic bacteria, and more extensive than indicated by traditional cultural diagnostics. NGS provides detailed pathogen diagnostics, aiding in precise and individualized antibiotic therapy.

Clinical relevance

Improved understanding of the bacterial and fungal spectrum, along with current resistance patterns of odontogenic abscesses, is crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes. NGS offers rapid, accurate and detailed microbiome analysis, enhancing patient-specific therapeutic strategies.
System Dynamics Modeling and Analysis of New Mexico Oil Production and Taxation
Authors: Langarudi Saeed P. , Noor Sajid
Published: December 2024

We develop and use a system dynamics model of New Mexico Oil Production and Taxation (NMOPT) to explore the potential impact of exogenous and endogenous oil taxation on the level and stability of state revenue. Endogenous policies determine taxes based on internal dynamics (e.g., production value), whereas exogenous policies are independent of internal dynamics. We examine two exogenous and two endogenous (progressive and regressive) policies. Progressive taxation increases tax rates as production or price increases. Regressive taxation decreases tax rate as production or price increases. Our historical analysis indicates that New Mexico follows non-progressive (exogenous or regressive) taxation. However, our model’s Monte Carlo simulations reveal that transitioning to an exogenous fixed-rate taxation can substantially enhance the level and stability of the state’s revenues. The state can increase its revenue even further by adopting progressive taxation, which could also be considered an environmental policy, as it limits oil production. However, progressive taxation’s benefits come at the expense of higher revenue volatility. This paper also has two computational contributions: (1) a new intergenerational decline curve formulation to capture oil wells’ long-term productivity and (2) a detrended coefficient of variation to measure time series volatility in dynamic simulations reliably.