bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in Aboriginal children: A whole population study
Authors: Laird Pamela , Ball Nicola , Brahim Shekira , Brown Henry , Chang Anne B. , Cooper Matthew , Cox Deanne , Cox Denetta , Crute Samantha , Foong Rachel E. , Isaacs Janella , Jacky John , Lau Gloria , McKinnon Elizabeth , Scanlon Annie , Smith Elizabeth F. , Thomason Sarah , Walker Roz , Schultz André
Published: September 2022

Background

The burden of bronchiectasis is disproportionately high in Aboriginal adults, with early mortality. Bronchiectasis precursors, that is, protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) and chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD), often commence in early childhood. We previously reported a 10% prevalence of PBB in Aboriginal children aged 0 to 7 years, however there are no data on prevalence of chronic lung diseases in older children. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of PBB, CSLD, bronchiectasis, and asthma in Aboriginal children living in four communities.

Methods

A whole‐population cross‐sectional community co‐designed study of Aboriginal children aged <18‐years in four remote communities in Western Australia across two‐time points, a month apart. Children were assessed by pediatric respiratory clinicians with spirometry undertaken (when possible) between March–September 2021. Children with respiratory symptoms were followed up via medical record audit from either the local medical clinic or via a respiratory specialist clinic through to March 2022 to establish a final diagnosis.

Findings

We recruited 392 (91.6%) of those in the selected communities; median age = 8.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 5.1–11.5). Seventy children (17.9%) had a chronic respiratory pathology or abnormal spirometry results. PBB was confirmed in 30 (7.7%), CSLD = 13 (3.3%), bronchiectasis = 5 (1.3%) and asthma = 17 (4.3%). The prevalence of chronic wet cough significantly increased with increasing age.

Interpretation

The prevalence of PBB, CSLD and bronchiectasis is high in Aboriginal children and chronic wet cough increases with age. This study highlights the high disease burden in Aboriginal children and the urgent need for strategies to address these conditions.
Preoperative respiratory therapy in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fernández‐Blanco Raquel , Rincón‐García David , Valero‐Alcaide Raquel , Atín‐Arratibel María Angeles , De Miguel‐Diez Javier , Corrochano‐Cardona Ricardo , Torres‐Castro Rodrigo , Moro‐Tejedor Maria Nieves
Published: September 2022

Background

A preoperative respiratory therapy treatment was performed to analyze the effectiveness, with respect to postoperative air leak and pain, in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer.

Objectives

To analyze air leakage and postoperative pain.

Material and Methods

Seventy one patients were studied, with a mean age of 62.58 years. Descriptive variables of gender, carcinogenic pathology, type of surgical incision and lung resection, use of glue and endostapler, and presence of adhesions were analyzed. Likewise, analysis of the quantitative variables of age, body mass index and forced expiratory volume in 1 s Two homogeneous groups resulted. Differentiated, experimental group (EG) that performed preoperative respiratory therapy and control group (CG).

Results

There were statistically significant differences in favor of the EG with respect to postoperative air leak on days 1–2 during the performance of physiotherapy techniques, the food and during the performance of the exercises autonomously. Furthermore, differences in air leakage were observed on days 2–4 during gait. The number of patients decreased to a greater extent in the EG. Regarding pain, there were statistically significant differences in the sample on days 1–4, with greater intensity of pain in the CG and after doing physiotherapy every day except the second.

Conclusions

Preoperative respiratory therapy in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer was effective in reducing the number of patients who presented postoperative air leak and reducing pain in the EG.
Why have we neglected fungal infections?
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: September 2022

Fungal infection is the fifth largest cause of death worldwide, yet fungi attract far less interest from researchers than viruses, bacteria or even parasites. However, the concerning rise in resistant fungi is at last focusing more attention on the development of innovative antifungal agents.
Crizanlizumab to prevent crises in sickle cell disease
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: September 2022

Crizanlizumab (Adakveo) is a new monoclonal antibody therapy for the prevention of recurrent vaso‐occlusive crises in patients with sickle cell disease. This article discusses its mode of action, efficacy and place in therapy.
Deep learning under mass‐to‐charge ratio pre‐retrieval to realize electron ionization mass spectrometry library retrieval
Authors: Liu Miaolong , Yu Jiancheng , Yang Yuan , Tang Keqi
Published: September 2022

Rationale

Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) is an analytical technique widely used in materials science, biomedicine, and other fields. The target compound in the experiment is identified by searching for its mass spectrum in a large mass spectrum database using some algorithms. This work introduces the use of deep learning ranking for the identification of small molecules using low‐resolution electron ionization MS. Because different spectra are often very similar, the algorithm produces wrong search results, and the search accuracy needs improvement. Due to the library's large amount of data, the algorithm sometimes requires a large amount of calculation and is very time consuming.

Methods

Given these two problems, this work aims to develop a model for ranking based on mass‐to‐charge ratio (m/z) pre‐retrieval method combined with deep learning to improve search accuracy and reduce the algorithm's computational time. The master spectral library maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology is used as the reference library for all the experiments, and the replicate library is used as the query library to evaluate the method's performance.

Results

Compared with non‐machine learning algorithms, the combination of m/z matching pre‐retrieval and deep learning significantly improves library retrieval accuracy by about 4%. Moreover, compared with the deep learning sorting algorithm that does not use the pre‐retrieval process, it improves the accuracy of spectral library retrieval by about 0.1% and reduces the computational time of the algorithm by more than 2 h.

Conclusions

This method identifies compounds more efficiently and accurately than non‐machine learning and deep learning algorithms without a pre‐retrieval process.
Towards fully automated robotic platform for remote auscultation
Authors: Tsumura Ryosuke , Koseki Yoshihiko , Nitta Naotaka , Yoshinaka Kiyoshi
Published: September 2022

Background

Since most developed countries are facing an increase in the number of patients per healthcare worker due to a declining birth rate and an ageing population, relatively simple and safe diagnosis tasks may need to be performed using robotics and automation technologies, without specialists and hospitals. This study presents an automated robotic platform for remote auscultation, which is a highly cost‐effective screening tool for detecting abnormal clinical signs.

Method

The developed robotic platform is composed of a 6‐degree‐of‐freedom cooperative robotic arm, LiDAR camera, and a spring‐based mechanism holding an electric stethoscope. The platform enables autonomous stethoscope positioning based on external body information acquired using the LiDAR camera‐based multi‐way registration; the platform also ensures safe and flexible contact, maintaining the contact force within a certain range through the passive‐actuated mechanism.

Results

Our preliminary results confirm that the robotic platform enables estimation of the landing positions required for cardiac examinations based on the depth and landmark information of the body surface. It also handles the stethoscope while maintaining the contact force without relying on the push‐in displacement by the robotic arm.

Conclusion

The developed robotic platform enables the estimation of the landing positions and handling the stethoscope while maintaining the contact force, which promises the potential of automatic remote auscultation.
Blockchain based security protocol for device to device secure communication in internet of things networks
Authors: Chandrakar Palak , Bagga Rashi , Kumar Yogesh , Dwivedi Sanjeev Kumar , Amin Ruhul
Published: September 2022

The internet of things (IoT) is now advancing at a tremendous pace. Devices in the IoT can connect and communicate in a fully autonomous mode. Because of its autonomy and numerous infractions of security policies, the IoT network is subject to various security risks. However, because of this autonomy, dependable security and storage mechanisms for authentication to share data across IoT devices are essential. Furthermore, since it has initially been popularized in Bitcoin, blockchain development has accelerated. Blockchain can be used to solve security challenges in the IoT. Making secure communication between IoT devices is one approach to accomplish this. To address this issue, we present an effective technique for intranetwork and internetwork device‐to‐device secure communication that enables IoT device identification and authentication while also providing secure communication in an open environment. The method also provides data integrity in addition to authentication and secure communication. We have presented informal security analysis, which confirms that there is no important security threats in our protocol. The performance of the protocol is also better in comparison with previously published papers.
Mechanical properties of novel PVA rubberized concrete
Authors: Aslam Fahid , Sadiq Muhammad Rehan , Javed Muhammad Faisal , Alabduljabbar Hisham
Published: September 2022

Alternative aggregates have undergone intensive research work that has led to confidence in its utilization in concrete. Likewise, various polymers have been investigated to enhance the strength parameters of concrete. This study was dedicated to studying the influence of PVA (poly‐vinyl alcohol) on fresh and hardened properties of rubberized concrete. In this study, nine different grades of concrete were cast containing two proportions of rubber, that is, 5% and 10% by mass of fine aggregate, while two dosages of PVA, that is, 1% and 2% by mass of cement. The results obtained for fresh properties of concrete indicate that rubber led to lower the workability and fresh density of concrete while PVA showed to enhance the workability but lowers the fresh density of concrete. Crumb rubber led to a reduction in mechanical strength parameters of concrete which were significantly recovered with the incorporation of PVA. It was witnessed that, both rubber and PVA substantially enhance the resistance of concrete to acid attack and the strain capacity of concrete. Moreover, PVA led to cause a tad increase in the modulus of elasticity (MOE) while rubber causes a dip in MOE.
Pharmacological characterization and differential expression of NMDA receptor subunits in the chicken vestibular system during development
Authors: Ramírez Ana , Monjaraz Eduardo , Manjarrez Elías , Moyaho Alejandro , Cebada Jorge , Flores Amira
Published: September 2022

Previous studies demonstrated that in vitro preparations of the isolated vestibular system of diverse animal species still exhibit stable resting electrical activity and mechanically evoked synaptic transmission between hair cells and primary afferent endings. However, there are no reports related to their neurodevelopment. Therefore, this research aimed to examine whether NMDA receptors mediate these electrical signals in an isolated preparation of the chicken vestibular system at three developmental stages, E15, E18, and E21. We found that the spontaneous and mechanically evoked discharges from primary afferents of the posterior semicircular canal were modulated by agonists NMDA and glycine, but not by the agonist d‐serine applied near the synapses. Moreover, the individually applied by bath perfusion of three NMDA receptor antagonists (MK‐801, ifenprodil, and 2‐naphthoic acid) or high Mg2+ decreased the resting discharge rate, the NMDA response, and the discharge rate of mechanically evoked activity from these primary afferents.

Furthermore, we found that the vestibular ganglion shows a stage‐dependent increase in the expression of NMDA receptor subunits GluN1, GluN2 (A‐C), and GluN3 (A‐B), being greater at E21, except for GluN2D, which was inversely related to the developmental stage. However, in the crista ampullaris, the expression pattern remained constant throughout development. This could suggest the possible existence of presynaptic NMDA receptors. Our results highlight that although the NMDA receptors are functionally active at the early embryonic stages of the vestibular system, NMDA and glycine reach their mature functionality to increase NMDA responses close to hatching (E21).
Prediction of large‐for‐gestational‐age infant by fetal growth charts and hemoglobin A1c level in pregnancy complicated by pregestational diabetes
Authors: Kiefer M. K. , Finneran M. M. , Ware C. A. , Foy P. , Thung S. F. , Gabbe S. G. , Landon M. B. , Grobman W. A. , Venkatesh K. K.
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To compare the ability of three fetal growth charts (Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF), Hadlock and National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) race/ethnicity‐specific) to predict large‐for‐gestational age (LGA) at birth in pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes, and to determine whether inclusion of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level improves the predictive performance of the growth charts.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of individuals with Type‐1 or Type‐2 diabetes with a singleton pregnancy that resulted in a non‐anomalous live birth. Fetal biometry was performed between 28 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation. The primary exposure was suspected LGA, defined as estimated fetal weight ≥ 90th percentile using the Hadlock (Formula C), FMF and NICHD growth charts. The primary outcome was LGA at birth, defined as birth weight ≥ 90th percentile, using 2017 USA natality reference data. The performance of the three growth charts to predict LGA at birth, alone and in combination with HbA1c as a continuous measure, was assessed using the area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value.

Results

Of 358 assessed pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes (34% with Type 1 and 66% with Type 2), 147 (41%) had a LGA infant at birth. Suspected LGA was identified in 123 (34.4%) by the Hadlock, 152 (42.5%) by the FMF and 152 (42.5%) by the NICHD growth chart. The FMF growth chart had the highest sensitivity (77% vs 69% (NICHD) vs 63% (Hadlock)) and the Hadlock growth chart had the highest specificity (86% vs 76% (NICHD) and 82% (FMF)) for predicting LGA at birth. The FMF growth chart had a significantly higher AUC (0.79 (95% CI, 0.74–0.84)) for LGA at birth compared with the NICHD (AUC, 0.72 (95% CI, 0.68–0.77); P < 0.001) and Hadlock (AUC, 0.75 (95% CI, 0.70–0.79); P < 0.01) growth charts. Prediction of LGA improved for all three growth charts with the inclusion of HbA1c measurement in comparison to each growth chart alone (P < 0.001 for all); the FMF growth chart remained more predictive of LGA at birth (AUC, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.81–0.90)) compared with the NICHD (AUC, 0.79 (95% CI, 0.73–0.84)) and Hadlock (AUC, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.76–0.86)) growth charts.

Conclusions

The FMF fetal growth chart had the best predictive performance for LGA at birth in comparison with the Hadlock and NICHD race/ethnicity‐specific growth charts in pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes. Inclusion of HbA1c improved further the prediction of LGA for all three charts. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Immunophenotypic and molecular profile of cancer stem‐cell markers in ex vivo canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT)
Authors: Grandi Fabrizio , Miot Hélio Amante , Rocha Rafael Malagoli , Gomes Cristina Massoco Salles , Queiroz‐Hazarbassanov Nicolle , Montoya‐Florez Luis Mauricio , Cogliati Bruno , Rocha Noeme Sousa
Published: September 2022

Background

Several studies have attempted to characterise the origin of canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT). However, the participation of cancer stem cells (CSC) has not been reported

Objectives

Herein we describe the expression patterns of CSC markers CD44, CD34, CD90 and CD133 in CTVT

Methods

Thirty‐eight samples were selected and assessed through flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry

Results and conclusions

Twenty‐two tumours were classified as plasmacytoid and 16 as mixed. Almost all tumours showed high CD44 and low CD34 levels. CD133 and CD90 expression varied among tumours. Cytological groups did not differ in the proportion of CSC markers. Our results suggest that CSC subpopulations might participate in CTVT.
Evisceration residues from hunted roe deer as a resource for necrophagous insect fauna in the Black Forest, Germany: a preliminary study
Authors: Schwegmann Sebastian , Binder Nikolas , von Hoermann Christian , Bhardwaj Manisha , Storch Ilse
Published: September 2022

Carrion of wild ungulates is an important resource for microbes, invertebrates and vertebrates, and affects local plant communities and soils. Most wild ungulates in central Europe, however, are intensely hunted and removed from the ecosystem, thus not available as carrion. This study explores the use of evisceration residues as a resource by necrophagous insects in a temperate mountainous forest in Germany. We experimentally compared the relative abundance of necrophagous insects between sites of caged roe deer carcasses and evisceration residues of roe deer using pitfall‐traps. While evisceration residues were used by necrophagous insects, significantly more individuals were sampled at entire deer carcasses; when corrected for biomass, however, no significant difference in abundance for Coleoptera groups was found. Overall, evisceration residues were used earlier and for a shorter period than entire deer carcasses. Leaving evisceration residues on site where game animals are obtained might help maintain specialized necrophagous insect communities, although their ecological role cannot completely replace that of whole carcasses of wild ruminants.
Resource selection of deer hunters in Georgia's Appalachian Mountains
Authors: Rosenberger Jacalyn P. , Little Andrew R. , Edge Adam C. , Yates Cheyenne J. , Osborn David A. , Killmaster Charlie H. , Johannsen Kristina L. , Miller Karl V. , D'Angelo Gino J.
Published: September 2022

White‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and hunters on 2 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) within the Chattahoochee National Forest of northern Georgia, USA, significantly declined in number from the 1980s to 2018. Managers were interested in understanding how they could manipulate hunter distribution according to deer management goals. To understand the spatial distribution of hunting pressure and factors driving hunter resource selection, we analyzed GPS tracking data from 58 deer hunters over the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 hunting seasons. We evaluated hunter selection on 3 spatial scales relative to elevation, slope, and distance from roads, trails, wildlife openings, deciduous forest, mixed forest, and evergreen forest. We incorporated covariates into 6 binary logistic regression models, plus a null model, within a used versus available framework. First, we compared hunter locations to available locations generated within the 2 WMAs. Elevation and distance to deciduous forest had the greatest effect on hunter selection, where hunters selected for lower elevations and closer proximity to deciduous forest. Second, we compared individual hunting bout locations to available locations generated within a buffer around the hunter's starting location with a buffer radius equal to the maximum distance they travelled from their starting location. At the bout scale, distance to wildlife openings and elevation were the most important drivers of hunter selection; hunters selected areas closer to wildlife openings and higher elevations. Third, we compared individual hunter stand locations (used) to randomly selected locations along the hunter's travel path (available). Only distance to roads and deciduous forest were significant in explaining hunter selection of stands. Hunters chose locations farther from roads and closer to deciduous forest relative to their travel paths. Mapping our WMA‐scale results revealed that only 5% of the total WMA area contained a greater relative probability of hunter selection compared to the probability of non‐selection. Our results suggest that vast refuge areas for deer likely existed on the WMAs during our study period. Manipulating hunter distribution is not necessary to aid in sustaining deer on either WMA at this time.
Relative energy and weak–strong uniqueness of a two‐phase viscoelastic phase separation model
Authors: Brunk Aaron , Lukáčová‐Medvid'ová Mária
Published: September 2022

The aim of this paper is to analyze a viscoelastic phase separation model. We derive a suitable notion of the relative energy taking into account the nonconvex nature of the energy law for the viscoelastic phase separation. This allows us to prove the weak–strong uniqueness principle. We will provide the estimates for the full model in two space dimensions. For a reduced model, we present the estimates in three space dimensions and derive conditional relative energy estimates.
It's a sign: Animal welfare and zoo type are predictors of animal identification signage usage and quality at zoo exhibits
Authors: Fourage Anna , Shepherd Chris R. , Campera Marco , Nekaris K. A. I. , Nijman Vincent
Published: September 2022

Conservation education programs are listed as priority actions for almost every threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Zoos play an important role in delivering such programs, yet evidence of zoo education in many non‐western countries is limited. Here, we evaluate animal identification signage prevalence and quality at zoo exhibits and investigate whether animal welfare, zoo type (accredited, government, and private), admission fee, zoo size, and proximity to urban centers are influencing factors. We used hornbills (Bucerotidae) as a model taxon, surveyed hornbill signage, and conducted welfare assessments of hornbill exhibits. We developed scoring frameworks and applied content analysis to analyze signage quality. Our results show that out of 18 zoos that displayed hornbills, 15 had hornbill signage. However, of the 106 hornbill exhibits in these zoos, 33% had no signage. We also found that signage presence or absence at individual zoos and signage quality is strongly correlated with animal welfare quality. Zoo type is a key factor in predicting signage and welfare quality, with accredited zoos scoring highest for both signage and welfare, followed by government and private zoos. Private zoos charged higher admission than other zoo types, and zoo size and proximity to urban centers did not influence signage or welfare scores. Overall, we conclude that in our study, signage usage and quality are inadequate, highlighting the importance of compliance with robust zoo standards to improve education and welfare within zoos to support global conservation goals.
A dominant negative mutation uncovers cooperative control of caudal Wolffian duct development by Sprouty genes
Authors: Altés Gisela , Vaquero Marta , Cuesta Sara , Anerillas Carlos , Macià Anna , Espinet Carme , Ribera Joan , Bellusci Saverio , Klein Ophir D. , Yeramian Andree , Dolcet Xavi , Egea Joaquim , Encinas Mario
Published: September 2022

The Wolffian ducts (WD) are paired epithelial tubules central to the development of the mammalian genitourinary tract. Outgrowths from the WD known as the ureteric buds (UB) generate the collecting ducts of the kidney. Later during development, the caudal portion of the WD will form the vas deferens, epididymis and seminal vesicle in males, and will degenerate in females. While the genetic pathways controlling the development of the UB are firmly established, less is known about those governing development of WD portions caudal to the UB. Sprouty proteins are inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling in vivo. We have recently shown that homozygous mutation of a conserved tyrosine (Tyr53) of Spry1 results in UB defects indistinguishable from that of Spry1 null mice. Here, we show that heterozygosity for the Spry1 Y53A allele causes caudal WD developmental defects consisting of ectopically branched seminal vesicles in males and persistent WD in females, without affecting kidney development. Detailed analysis reveals that this phenotype also occurs in Spry1+/– mice but with a much lower penetrance, indicating that removal of tyrosine 53 generates a dominant negative mutation in vivo. Supporting this notion, concomitant deletion of one allele of Spry1 and Spry2 also recapitulates the genital phenotype of Spry1Y53A/+ mice with high penetrance. Mechanistically, we show that unlike the effects of Spry1 in kidney development, these caudal WD defects are independent of Ret signaling, but can be completely rescued by lowering the genetic dosage of Fgf10. In conclusion, mutation of tyrosine 53 of Spry1 generates a dominant negative allele that uncovers fine-tuning of caudal WD development by Sprouty genes.
The geometric distribution of Selmer groups of elliptic curves over function fields
Authors: Feng Tony , Landesman Aaron , Rains Eric M.
Published: September 2022

Fix a positive integer n and a finite field $${\mathbb {F}}_q$$

F
q

. We study the joint distribution of the rank $${{\,\mathrm{rk}\,}}(E)$$

rk

(
E
)

, the n-Selmer group $$\text {Sel}_n(E)$$

Sel
n

(
E
)

, and the n-torsion in the Tate–Shafarevich group "Equation missing" as E varies over elliptic curves of fixed height $$d \ge 2$$

d
≥
2

over $${\mathbb {F}}_q(t)$$

F
q

(
t
)

. We compute this joint distribution in the large q limit. We also show that the “large q, then large height” limit of this distribution agrees with the one predicted by Bhargava–Kane–Lenstra–Poonen–Rains.
Separating Proactive Conservation from Species Listing Decisions
Authors: Kovach Adrienne I. , Cheeseman Amanda E. , Cohen Jonathan B. , Rittenhouse Chadwick D. , Whipps Christopher M.
Published: September 2022

Proactive Conservation is a paradigm of natural resource management in the United States that encourages voluntary, collaborative efforts to restore species before they need to be protected through government regulations. This paradigm is widely used to conserve at-risk species today, and when used in conjunction with the Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts (PECE), it allows for successful conservation actions to preclude listing of species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Despite the popularity of this paradigm, and recent flagship examples of its use (e.g., greater sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus), critical assessments of the outcomes of Proactive Conservation are lacking from the standpoint of species status and recovery metrics. Here, we provide such an evaluation, using the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis), heralded as a success of Proactive Conservation efforts in the northeastern United States, as a case study. We review the history and current status of the species, based on the state of the science, in the context of the Conservation Initiative, and the 2015 PECE decision not to the list the species under the ESA. In addition to the impacts of the PECE decision on the New England cottontail conservation specifically, our review also evaluates the benefits and limits of the Proactive Conservation paradigm more broadly, and we make recommendations for its role in relation to ESA implementation for the future of at-risk species management. We find that the status and assurances for recovery under the PECE policy, presented at the time of the New England cottontail listing decision, were overly optimistic, and the status of the species has worsened in subsequent years. We suggest that use of PECE to avoid listing may occur because of the perception of the ESA as a punitive law and a misconception that it is a failure, although very few listed species have gone extinct. Redefining recovery to decouple it from delisting and instead link it to probability of persistence under recommended conservation measures would remove some of the stigma of listing, and it would strengthen the role of Species Status Assessments in endangered species conservation.
Re-thinking the possible interaction between proton pump inhibitors and capecitabine
Authors: Jeong Soo Hee , Molloy Lara , Ang Edmond , Helsby Nuala
Published: September 2022

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) rank within the top ten most prescribed medications in Europe and USA. A high frequency of PPI use has been reported amongst patients undergoing chemotherapy, to mitigate treatment-induced gastritis or gastro-oesophageal reflux. Several recent, mostly retrospective, observational studies have reported inferior survival outcomes among patients on capecitabine who concomitantly use PPI. Whilst this association is yet to be definitively established, given the prominence of capecitabine as an anti-cancer treatment with multiple indications, these reports have raised concern within the oncological community and drug regulatory bodies worldwide. Currently, the leading mechanism of interaction postulated in these reports has focussed on the pH altering effects of PPI and how this could diminish capecitabine absorption, leading to a decrease in its bioavailability. In this discourse, we endeavour to summarise plausible pharmacokinetic interactions between PPI and capecitabine. We provide a basis for our argument against the currently proposed mechanism of interaction. We also highlight the long-term effects of PPI on health outcomes, and how PPI use itself could lead to poorer outcomes, independent of capecitabine.
A versatile SPH modeling framework for coupled microfluid-powder dynamics in additive manufacturing: binder jetting, material jetting, directed energy deposition and powder bed fusion
Authors: Fuchs Sebastian L. , Praegla Patrick M. , Cyron Christian J. , Wall Wolfgang A. , Meier Christoph
Published: September 2022

Many additive manufacturing (AM) technologies rely on powder feedstock, which is fused to form the final part either by melting or by chemical binding with subsequent sintering. In both cases, process stability and resulting part quality depend on dynamic interactions between powder particles and a fluid phase, i.e., molten metal or liquid binder. The present work proposes a versatile computational modeling framework for simulating such coupled microfluid-powder dynamics problems involving thermo-capillary flow and reversible phase transitions. In particular, a liquid and a gas phase are interacting with a solid phase that consists of a substrate and mobile powder particles while simultaneously considering temperature-dependent surface tension and wetting effects. In case of laser–metal interactions, the effect of rapid evaporation is incorporated through additional mechanical and thermal interface fluxes. All phase domains are spatially discretized using smoothed particle hydrodynamics. The method’s Lagrangian nature is beneficial in the context of dynamically changing interface topologies due to phase transitions and coupled microfluid-powder dynamics. Special care is taken in the formulation of phase transitions, which is crucial for the robustness of the computational scheme. While the underlying model equations are of a very general nature, the proposed framework is especially suitable for the mesoscale modeling of various AM processes. To this end, the generality and robustness of the computational modeling framework is demonstrated by several application-motivated examples representing the specific AM processes binder jetting, material jetting, directed energy deposition, and powder bed fusion. Among others, it is shown how the dynamic impact of droplets in binder jetting or the evaporation-induced recoil pressure in powder bed fusion leads to powder motion, distortion of the powder packing structure, and powder particle ejection.
Maneuver protocol for outpatient telemetric intracranial pressure monitoring in hydrocephalus patients
Authors: Pennacchietti Valentina , Schaumann Andreas , Thomale Ulrich-Wilhelm
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Telemetric intracranial pressure measurement (tICPM) offers new opportunities to acquire objective information in shunted and non-shunted patients. The sensor reservoir (SR) provides tICPM modality at a decent sampling rate as an integrated component of the CSF shunt system. The aim of this study is to perform tICPM during a defined protocol of maneuvers in an outpatient setting as feasibility study including either shunt-dependent patients or candidates for possible shunt therapy.

Methods

A total of 17 patients received a SR and were investigated within a protocol of maneuver measurements involving different body postures (90°, 10°, 0°, and − 10°), breathing patterns (hypo- and hyperventilation), and mild venous congestion (Valsalva, Jugular vein compression), while the latter two were performed in lying postures (10° and 0°). The cohort included 11 shunted and 6 non-shunted (stand-alone-SR) patients. All measurements were evaluated using an ICP-analysis software (ICPicture, Miethke, Germany) looking at ICP changes and amplitude (AMP) characteristics.

Results

The shunted patient group consisted of 11 patients (median age: 15.8 years; range: 4–35.2 years) with either a primary shunt (n=9) and 2 patients received a shunt after stand-alone-SR tICPM. Six patients were enrolled with a stand-alone SR (median age 11.9 years, range 3.6–17.7 years). In the stand-alone SR group, maneuver related ICP and AMP changes were more sensitive compared to shunted patients. Postural maneuvers caused significant ICP changes in all body positions in both groups. The highest ICP values were seen during Valsalva maneuver, provoked by the patients themselves. In the stand-alone group, significant higher ICP values during hyperventilation were observed compared to shunted individuals. In shunted patients, a significant correlation between ICP and AMP was observed only during hyperventilation maneuver, while this correlation was additionally seen in Valsalva and jugular vein compression in stand-alone patients.

Conclusion

SR-related tICPM is helpful to objectify diagnostic evaluation in patients with CSF dynamic disturbances. The defined protocol did result in a wide range of ICP changes with promising potential for effective outpatient tICPM investigation. Since the correlation of ICP and AMP was observed during mild venous congestion maneuvers it appears to be specifically helpful for the evaluation of intracranial compliance. Further investigations of maneuver-related tICPM in a larger population, including variable pathologies, are needed to further establish the protocol in the clinical practice.
Multi-time scale control of Southern Ocean diapycnal mixing over Atlantic tracer budgets
Authors: Ellison Elizabeth , Cimoli Laura , Mashayek Ali
Published: September 2022

Oceanic cross-density (diapycnal) mixing helps sustain the ocean density stratification and its Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) and is key to global tracer distributions. The Southern Ocean (SO) is a key region where different overturning cells connect, allowing nutrient and carbon rich Indian and Pacific deep waters, and oxygen rich Atlantic deep waters to resurface. The SO is also rife with intense diapycnal mixing due to the interaction of energetic eddies and currents with rough topography. SO diapycnal mixing is believed to be of secondary importance for the MOC. Here we show that changes to SO mixing can cause significant alterations to biogeochemical tracer distributions over short and long time scales in an idealized model of the AMOC (Atlantic MOC). While such alterations are dominated by the direct impact of changes in diapycnal mixing on tracer fluxes on annual to decadal time scales, on centennial time scales they are dominated by the mixing-induced variations in the advective transport of the tracers by the AMOC. This work suggests that an accurate representation of spatio-temporally variable local and non-local mixing processes in the SO is essential for climate models’ ability to (i) simulate the global biogeochemical cycles and air sea carbon fluxes on decadal time scales, (ii) represent the indirect impact of mixing-induced changes to AMOC on biogeochemical cycles on longer time scales.
Morphological adaptations of the mouthparts to the ectoparasitic lifestyle of the biting midge Forcipomyia paludis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), specialized in Odonata
Authors: Büsse Sebastian , Wildermuth Hansruedi , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: September 2022

Damselflies and dragonflies are well-known hosts of the West Palaearctic biting midge Forcipomyia paludis. Females of this ectoparasitic dipteran mainly cling to the host’s wings, sucking hemolymph from the wing veins. The midges are firmly attached to the wing surface with specialized tarsi, thus not being flung away during the host’s flight maneuvers. As for another ceratopogonid—F. odonatophila from New Guinea—had been suggested, we assumed that in F. paludis, the attachment would be reinforced by the mouthparts during the suction action. In the present study, we used behavioral field observations, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution micro-computed tomography (µCT), to study the mouthparts of F. paludis. We focused on the mouthpart configuration post sucking and thus on the contact with the host's wing as well as on the piercing process into the wing veins. We foster our understanding of F. paludis being a parasite of Odonata by showing proof of the piercing and therefore the sucking of hemolymph from the wings. Additionally, the mouthparts clearly show contamination with odonate wing wax after the sucking procedure. Furthermore, we discuss probable additional functions of the piercing process for the firm attachment to the flying host of F. paludis.
A quantitative synthesis of and predictive framework for studying winter warming effects in reptiles
Authors: Moss Jeanette B. , MacLeod Kirsty J.
Published: September 2022

Increases in temperature related to global warming have important implications for organismal fitness. For ectotherms inhabiting temperate regions, ‘winter warming’ is likely to be a key source of the thermal variation experienced in future years. Studies focusing on the active season predict largely positive responses to warming in the reptiles; however, overlooking potentially deleterious consequences of warming during the inactive season could lead to biased assessments of climate change vulnerability. Here, we review the overwinter ecology of reptiles, and test specific predictions about the effects of warming winters, by performing a meta-analysis of all studies testing winter warming effects on reptile traits to date. We collated information from observational studies measuring responses to natural variation in temperature in more than one winter season, and experimental studies which manipulated ambient temperature during the winter season. Available evidence supports that most reptiles will advance phenologies with rising winter temperatures, which could positively affect fitness by prolonging the active season although effects of these shifts are poorly understood. Conversely, evidence for shifts in survivorship and body condition in response to warming winters was equivocal, with disruptions to biological rhythms potentially leading to unforeseen fitness ramifications. Our results suggest that the effects of warming winters on reptile species are likely to be important but highlight the need for more data and greater integration of experimental and observational approaches. To improve future understanding, we recap major knowledge gaps in the published literature of winter warming effects in reptiles and outline a framework for future research.
Is natural variability really natural? The case of Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation investigated by a neural network model
Authors: Pasini Antonello , Amendola Stefano , Federbusch Emmanuel
Published: September 2022

Is Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation a genuine representation of natural variability in the climate system? Or perhaps is it strongly forced by external drivers? In this paper, a data-driven attribution investigation has been performed for the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) behaviour in the past via a machine learning technique, NN modelling. We clearly see a forced nature of AMO in the last 150 years, with a strong contribution of the forcing coming from anthropogenic sulphates, which induces its typical oscillating behaviour. The following original application of our model to future predictions of the AMO behaviour shows that it shall probably lose its oscillating characteristic features. The only way to recover them is to consider an unrealistic increase in anthropogenic sulphates in the future under a strong mitigation scenario, and possibly a low-power solar regime. Due to the established influence of AMO on climate and meteorological phenomena in several regions of the world, our results can be important to better understand the past and envisage several future scenarios.
The effect of preoperative clindamycin in reducing early oral implant failure: a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Santamaría Arrieta Gorka , Rodríguez Sánchez Fabio , Rodriguez-Andrés Carlos , Barbier Luis , Arteagoitia Iciar
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To assess the effect of preoperative oral clindamycin in reducing early implant failure in healthy adults undergoing conventional implant placement.

Materials and methods

We conducted a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in accordance with the ethical principles and Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement. We included healthy adults who underwent a single oral implant without previous infection of the surgical bed or the need for bone grafting. They were randomly treated with a single dose of oral clindamycin (600 mg) 1 h before surgery or a placebo. All surgical procedures were performed by one surgeon. A single trained observer evaluated all patients on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, 28, and 56. Early dental implant failure was defined as the loss or removal of an implant for any reason. We recorded the clinical, radiological, and surgical variables, adverse events, and postoperative complications. The study outcomes were statistically analysed to evaluate differences between the groups. Furthermore, we calculated the number required to treat or harm (NNT/NNH).

Results

Both the control group and clindamycin group had 31 patients each. Two implant failures occurred in the clindamycin group (NNH = 15, p = 0.246). Three patients had postoperative infections, namely two placebo-treated and one clindamycin-treated, which failed (relative risk: 0.5, CI: 0.05–5.23, absolute risk reduction = 0.03, confidence interval: − 0.07–0.13, NNT = 31, CI: 7.2–∞, and p = 0.5). One clindamycin-treated patient experienced gastrointestinal disturbances and diarrhoea.

Conclusions

Preoperative clindamycin administration during oral implant surgery in healthy adults may not reduce implant failure or post-surgical-complications.

Clinical relevance

Oral clindamycin is not efficacy.

Trial registration

The present trial was registered (EudraCT number: 2017-002,168-42). It was approved by the Committee for the Ethics of Research with Medicines of Euskadi (CEIm-E) on 31 October 2018 (internal code number: 201862) and the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) on 18 December 2018.
Forecasting financial time series with Boltzmann entropy through neural networks
Authors: Grilli Luca , Santoro Domenico
Published: September 2022

Neural networks have recently been established as state-of-the-art in forecasting financial time series. However, many studies show how one architecture, the Long-Short Term Memory, is the most widespread in financial sectors due to its high performance over time series. Considering some stocks traded in financial markets and a crypto ticker, this paper tries to study the effectiveness of the Boltzmann entropy as a financial indicator to improve forecasting, comparing it with financial analysts’ most commonly used indicators. The results show how Boltzmann’s entropy, born from an Agent-Based Model, is an efficient indicator that can also be applied to stocks and cryptocurrencies alone and in combination with some classic indicators. This critical fact allows obtaining good results in prediction ability using Network architecture that is not excessively complex.
Base Temperature Comparisons for Leafing Date, Pistillate Flower Receptivity, and Pollen Shedding in Persian Walnut
Authors: Bujdoso Geza , Soelimani Asghar , Illes Benjamin , Hassani Darab
Published: September 2022

Leafing dates and the male and female bloom periods in Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) vary with cultivars and years. Changes in phenological phases and the process of passing through the phenological stages could be explained by the growing degree days (GDD) if the minimum base temperature (Tb) were determined. In this study, the long-term phenological data of some walnut cultivars derived and/or grown in Hungary and Iran were used to determine the Tb values for leafing date (LD), pistillate flower receptivity start (PRS), pistillate flower receptivity end (PRE), and start and end of the pollen shedding period (PSS and PSE, respectively). The GDD were calculated (with 0.1 °C precision) for the LD and PSS with respect to the earliest cultivar as well as for PRS compared to LD and PRE. Furthermore, the GDD were reckoned for PSE based on PRS and PSS of the same cultivar in each year. The analysis of the data revealed that for the LD, PRS, and PRE, the Tb5.5 with the highest correlation was shown to be the most appropriate. For the PSS and PSE, the best correlation was observed at Tb0 in both countries. The strongest coefficients were observed (0.72 for Iranian and 0.8 for Hungarian conditions) between GDD with Tb of 5.5 °C for PRS and LD. The less correlation was observed between LD and PSS (0.5 for Iranian and 0.57 for Hungarian conditions). The correlation coefficients between GDD and leafing date were the same (0.52) in both countries. Cultivars involved in the trial required more GDD in Iran than in Hungary.
LNG-Terminals ohne UVP – heiligt der Zweck die Mittel?
Authors: Kment Martin , Fimpel Stefan
Published: September 2022

Infolge des russischen Überfalls auf die Ukraine möchte die Bundesrepublik Deutschland den
Import von Energieträgern aus Russland – insbesondere von Erdgas – stark verringern und
langfristig einstellen. Um sich aus der energiepolitischen Abhängigkeit zu lösen, soll deshalb
Flüssigerdgas (LNG) aus anderen Ländern importiert werden. Da es an der dafür notwendigen
Infrastruktur auf deutschem Boden und in deutschen Gewässern bislang fehlt, wurde das LNG-Beschleunigungsgesetz
erlassen. Das LNGG ermöglicht es unter anderem, schwimmende LNG-Terminals und die weiteren damit verbundenen
Infrastrukturvorhaben ohne Durchführung einer eigentlich notwendigen Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung
vor der deutschen Küste zu errichten. Dieser Beitrag widmet sich der Frage, ob die Befreiung von der
UVP-Pflicht mit europäischem Recht vereinbar ist.