bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral pharmacokinetics of tetramisole stereoisomers—Enantioselective quantification of levamisole and dexamisole in serum samples from users of adulterated cocaine
Authors: Losacker Moritz , Hundertmark Marica , Zörntlein Siegfried , Röhrich Jörg , Hess Cornelius
Published: January 2022

Phenyltetrahydroimidazothiazole (PTHIT, tetramisole) is the most frequently used adulterant of cocaine and exists in the two enantiomeric forms levamsiole (S) and dexamisole (R). Existing studies show diverse fractions of samples containing enantiopure levamsiole, levamisole‐enriched mixtures, and racemic tetramisole as adulterant. However, blood samples have never been enantioselectively tested for PTHIT. Because enantiomers are usually metabolized stereoselectively, chiral analysis of blood samples can help estimate the time of drug use, provided that a racemic substance is ingested. Therefore, an enantioselective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed using a chiral column. Validation of the method was carried out for methanolic substance samples as well as serum samples and showed satisfactory selectivity, sensitivity, linearity (0.05–100 ng/mL), precision, and accuracy; 151 cocaine samples seized in Germany between 2018 and 2021 were analyzed. Most (94%, n = 48) of the 51 PTHIT‐positive samples contained racemic tetramsiole, whereas there were two samples containing levamisole‐enriched mixtures and one sample containing nearly enantiopure levamisole. Furthermore, 157 cocaine and/or benzoylecgonine‐positive forensic serum samples were tested with cocaine‐positive samples showing the highest frequency of PTHIT detection (43%). All positive samples contained either dexamisole alone or (R)/(S)‐concentration ratios >1 (1.05–70.6). Finally, a self‐administration study was conducted with three subjects taking 10 mg of racemic tetramisole each. Although peak concentrations and corresponding times did not differ significantly between the enantiomers, dexamisole showed significantly longer apparent elimination half‐lives (7.02–10.0 h) than levamisole (2.87–4.77 h). The resulting steadily increasing (R)/(S)‐ratios can therefore be helpful in estimating the time of cocaine consumption.
NeoBat Interactions: A data set of bat–plant interactions in the Neotropics
Authors: Florez‐Montero Guillermo L. , Muylaert Renata L. , Nogueira Marcelo R. , Geiselman Cullen , Santana Sharlene E. , Stevens Richard D. , Tschapka Marco , Rodrigues Francisco A. , Mello Marco A. R.
Published: January 2022

Data papers and open databases have revolutionized contemporary science, as they provide the long‐needed incentive to collaborate in large international teams and make natural history information widely available. Nevertheless, most data papers have focused on species occurrence or abundance, whereas interactions have received much less attention. To help fill this gap, we have compiled a georeferenced data set of interactions between 93 bat species of the family Phyllostomidae (Chiroptera) and 501 plant species of 68 families. Data came from 169 studies published between 1957 and 2007 covering the entire Neotropical Region, with most records from Brazil (34.5% of all study sites), Costa Rica (16%), and Mexico (14%). Our data set includes 2571 records of frugivory (75.1% of all records) and nectarivory (24.9%). The best represented bat genera are Artibeus (28% of all records), Carollia (24%), Sturnira (10.1%), and Glossophaga (8.8%). Carollia perspicillata (187), Artibeus lituratus (125), Artibeus jamaicensis (94), Glossophaga soricina (86), and Artibeus planirostris (74) were the bat species with the broadest diets recorded based on the number of plant species. Among the plants, the best represented families were Moraceae (17%), Piperaceae (15.4%), Urticaceae (9.2%), and Solanaceae (9%). Plants of the genera Cecropia (46), Ficus (42), Piper (40), Solanum (31), and Vismia (27) exhibited the largest number of interactions. These data are stored as arrays (records, sites, and studies) organized by logical keys and rich metadata, which helped to compile the information on different ecological and geographic scales, according to how they should be used. Our data set on bat–plant interactions is by far the most extensive, both in geographic and taxonomic terms, and includes abiotic information of study sites, as well as ecological information of plants and bats. It has already facilitated several studies and we hope it will stimulate novel analyses and syntheses, in addition to pointing out important gaps in knowledge. Data are provided under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Please cite this paper when the data are used in any kind of publication related to research, outreach, and teaching activities.
Beauty: What Makes Us Dream, What Haunts Us
Authors: Liebelt Claudia
Published: January 2022

In recent years, feminist anthropologists have contributed to an interdisciplinary debate on beauty, which focuses on gendered desires, affectivity, and projects of self‐making amid a global boom in beauty products and services. Drawing on the emergent field of critical beauty studies and ethnographic research on middle‐class femininity in urban Turkey, this article explores the salience and potential of beauty as a feminist keyword in anthropology. It argues that despite men's increasing investments in beauty, beauty continues to be tied to “women” in existential ways. Moreover, while beauty still means work for women, this work is often outsourced to female migrant or racialized workers. Beauty norms and body images materialize in intimate encounters and particular settings. In Turkey, the recent extension of the urban beauty economy has created spaces of possibility and aesthetic desires for ordinary women to “take care of themselves.” With its neoliberal emphasis on self‐care, the urban beauty economy has fueled the emergence of new female subjectivities and affective desires. Finally, the article argues in favor of a relational feminist ethnography and pedagogy of beauty, which is conscious of what we define as beautiful, desirable, harmful, or healthy and what the implications are of doing so.
Features of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Early in the Lives of Infants With Biliary Atresia Correlate With Outcomes Following Kasai Portoenterostomy
Authors: Morrison Jhavene , Ferguson Eric , Figueroa Janet , Karpen Saul J.
Published: January 2022

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM), detected during two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE), is prevalent in patients with biliary atresia (BA) awaiting transplant. Whether CCM occurs early in the lives of infants with BA is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the incidence and consequence of CCM in patients with BA, focusing on the earliest ages when 2DE was performed. A cohort of 78 patients with BA at a single center underwent 2DE (median age = 132 days) during the first year of life. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) to upper limit of normal (ULN) ratio ≥ 1.0 was present in 60% of patients who never underwent Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE; n = 15), 49% with nondraining KPE (n = 41), and 21% with draining KPE (n = 19). Patients with a draining KPE (median age at 2DE = 72 days) had a lower LVMI/ULN ratio (0.75 [interquartile range [IQR] 0.70, 0.91]) compared to those with a nondraining KPE (0.99 [IQR 0.78, 1.17] median age of 141 days; P = 0.012). In those whose 2DE was performed within 7 days of KPE (n = 19, median age of 61 days), the LVMI/ULN ratio was lower in those with a future draining KPE (0.73 [IQR 0.66, 0.75]) compared to the group with a future nondraining KPE (1.03 [IQR 0.88, 1.08], P = 0.002). Logistic regression modeling revealed LVMI/ULN ratio ≥ 1.0 as a predictor of KPE outcome, with an odds ratio of 16.7 (95% confidence interval 1.36‐204; P = 0.028) for a future nondraining KPE compared to those with a LVMI/ULN ratio < 1.0. Conclusion: 2DE early in the lives of patients with BA revealed features of CCM that correlated with future outcomes. If validated in a multicenter study, this could lead to 2DE as a useful clinical tool in the care of infants with BA.
Deep learning‐based automated mitosis detection in histopathology images for breast cancer grading
Authors: Mathew Tojo , Ajith B. , Kini Jyoti R. , Rajan Jeny
Published: January 2022

Cancer grade is an indicator of the aggressiveness of cancer. It is used for prognosis and treatment decisions. Conventionally cancer grading is performed manually by experienced pathologists via microscopic examination of pathology slides. Among the three factors involved in breast cancer grading (mitosis count, nuclear atypia, and tubule formation), mitotic cell counting is the most challenging task for pathologists. It is possible to automate this task by applying computational algorithms on pathology slides images. Lack of sufficiently large datasets and class imbalance between mitotic and non‐mitotic cells in slide images are the two major challenges in developing effective deep learning‐based methods for mitosis detection. In this paper, we propose a new approach and a method based on that to address these challenges. The high training data requirement of the advanced deep neural network is met by combining two datasets from different sources after a color‐normalization process. Class imbalance is addressed by the augmentation of the mitotic samples in a context‐preserving manner. Finally, a customized convolutional neural network classifier is used to classify the candidate cells into the target classes. We have used the publicly available datasets MITOS‐ATYPIA and MITOS for the experiments. Our method outperforms most of the recent methods that are based on independent datasets and at the same time offers adaptability to the combination of datasets from different sources.
Feline lymphoma: diagnosis, staging and clinical presentations
Authors: Mason Sarah , Pittaway Charlie
Published: January 2022

Background: Lymphoma is a neoplasm of the lymphoid tissue, which may present with localised or systemic clinical signs. Unlike dogs that commonly present with multicentric disease, mostly involving the lymphoid organs (eg, lymph nodes), feline lymphoma can present as visceral (eg, spleen/liver/gut), extranodal (eg, CNS/skin) or nodal in origin, with clinical presentation dependant on the affected organ. This variation in clinical presentation is further complicated by further indolent forms of lymphoma that have been reported; a cat can either present as clinically unwell with intrathoracic or intra‐abdominal forms, or it can present with some subcutaneous or multicentric forms, which may be systemically asymptomatic.

Aim of the article: This article discusses the diagnosis and staging of feline lymphoma, the different clinical presentations, and outlines the most commonly used treatment methods.
Guide to veterinary care and management of degus
Authors: Miles Sonya
Published: January 2022

Background: Degus, in comparison to other exotic mammals, are infrequently brought to veterinary practices. Even though they are not encountered often, it is important for veterinary practitioners to understand how to deal with this species, and advise owners of the best possible care.

Aim of the article: This article aims to ensure that readers are comfortable with not only the ideal care of this species, but also how to perform an accurate clinical examination, diagnose and treat some of the most common issues in this species.
How to record a good quality ECG in horses
Authors: Jago Rachel , Blissitt Karen
Published: January 2022

Background: Cardiac arrhythmias are commonly encountered in horses and can impact the performance of a horse, as well as affect the safety of both the horse and rider. To determine the impact of an arrhythmia, an exercising ECG is required.

Aim of the article: This article describes how to record good quality resting and exercising ECG traces to maximise the accuracy of arrhythmia diagnosis and prognosis.
Making the most of your career connections: how to make and maintain your network
Authors: Escalona Ebony
Published: January 2022

We are repeatedly told about the power of networking, and the phrase ‘It's not what you know, it's who you know’ springs to mind. To some of us, networking comes naturally, but to others it can fill them with dread. The great thing is, all of us can improve our networking game in a way that doesn't have to feel difficult and forced. This article explains how both parties can walk away from an interaction feeling glad that they bumped into one another, and provides some tips and tricks to make the most of and maintain your network.
Integrating the models of addiction into humanistic counseling for individuals with substance use disorders
Authors: Clarke Philip B. , Scholl Mark B.
Published: January 2022

The models of addiction represent a framework for conceptualizing clients with substance use disorders. These models include the biological, sociocultural, psychological, moral, spiritual, and holistic models. They can be incorporated in humanistic counseling sessions to facilitate client insight into their substance use and to develop client‐led treatment plans.
Ensemble learning and tensor regularization for cone‐beam computed tomography‐based pelvic organ segmentation
Authors: Zhou Hanyue , Cao Minsong , Min Yugang , Yoon Stephanie , Kishan Amar , Ruan Dan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a widely accessible low‐dose imaging approach compatible with on‐table patient anatomy observation for radiotherapy. However, its use in comprehensive anatomy monitoring is hindered by low contrast and low signal‐to‐noise ratio and a large presence of artifacts, resulting in difficulty in identifying organ and structure boundaries either manually or automatically. In this study, we propose and develop an ensemble deep‐learning model to segment post‐prostatectomy organs automatically.

Methods

We utilize the ensemble logic in various modules during the segmentation process to alleviate the impact of low image quality of CBCT. Specifically, (1) semantic attention was obtained from an ensemble 2.5D You‐only‐look‐once detector to consistently define regions of interest, (2) multiple view‐specific two‐stream 2.5D segmentation networks were developed, using auxiliary high‐quality CT data to aid CBCT segmentation, and (3) a novel tensor‐regularized ensemble scheme was proposed to aggregate the estimates from multiple views and regularize the spatial integrity of the final segmentation.

Results

A cross‐validation study achieved Dice similarity coefficient and mean surface distance of 0.779 0.069 and 2.895 1.496 mm for the rectum, and 0.915 0.055 and 1.675 1.311 mm for the bladder.

Conclusions

The proposed ensemble scheme manages to enhance the geometric integrity and robustness of the contours derived from CBCT with light network components. The tensor regularization approach generates organ results conforming to anatomy and physiology, without compromising typical quantitative performance in Dice similarity coefficient and mean surface distance, to support further clinical interpretation and decision making.
The effect of geopolitical risks on insurance premiums
Authors: Olasehinde‐Williams Godwin O. , Balcilar Mehmet
Published: January 2022

This article deals with the estimation of the risk‐insurance nexus. We specifically examined the effect of geopolitical risk on insurance premium in a panel of 18 countries, while controlling for the effect of real income. Second‐generation econometric methods were employed for this purpose, and the results provided strong evidence of a positive impact on insurance premiums by geopolitical risks. We specifically found that the impact of geopolitical risks on nonlife insurance premium is higher than the impact on life insurance premium. Real income was also found to have a significantly positive effect on insurance premiums, and the impact on nonlife insurance premium was similarly larger than the impact on life insurance premium. On the basis of income elasticity, we found that insurance has the semblance of a luxury good, and on the basis of the panel causality tests, we confirmed the feedback hypothesis. We therefore conclude that exposure to geopolitical risks raises insurance premiums either as a result of increased insurance demand to hedge against geopolitical uncertainty or as a result of uncertainty tax factored into insurance premiums in unstable environments.
Illness perceptions in patients and parents in paediatric oncology during acute treatment and follow‐up care
Authors: Herzog Kristina , Schepper Florian , Kamm Remo , Engelhardt‐Lohrke Christa , Kreisch Andrea , Pletschko Thomas , Hauer Julia , Christiansen Holger , Suttorp Meinolf , Kiel Julia , Martini Julia
Published: January 2022

Objective

Recent evidence suggests that illness perceptions in paediatric patients and their parents may differ, with parents holding more negative views compared to their children. Little is known about illness perceptions of very young patients and their parents. This study investigates illness perceptions in paediatric cancer patients aged 4–18 years and their parents in acute treatment or follow‐up care, distinguishing patients by age (4–11, 12–18) and stage of medical treatment.

Methods

N = 45 patient–parent dyads in acute treatment and n = 95 dyads in follow‐up care were examined. Parents and older children aged 12–18 years completed the Illness Perception Questionnaire—Revised (IPQ‐R) and younger children aged 4–11 years were examined using an age‐adapted hand puppet interview containing the IPQ‐R questions. Difference scores of illness perceptions (symptoms, timeline‐acute/chronic, timeline‐cyclical, personal control, illness coherence, consequences, emotional representations) between children and parents were tested for significance using Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests.

Results

Overall, parents perceived more symptoms associated with their child's illness/treatment than the children themselves. In acute treatment, younger children indicated more negative and older children more positive views regarding chronicity than parents. Younger children held less negative views on consequences, and all children reported less negative emotional representations than parents. In follow‐up care, all children held less negative views on consequences and emotional representations. Older children reported less negative views on chronicity, cyclicity and illness coherence.

Conclusion

Differences in illness perceptions of paediatric patients and their parents should be considered during and after treatment/medication and psychosocial care to support illness coping in person‐ and family‐centred interventions.
Bayesian MCPMod
Authors: Fleischer Frank , Bossert Sebastian , Deng Qiqi , Loley Christina , Gierse Jana
Published: January 2022

Multiple comparison procedures and modeling (MCPMod) has established itself as a method for dose‐finding under model uncertainty. A downside of MCPMod is that due to its frequentist nature in particular with respect to the multiple comparison part it is tough to incorporate historical information in a systematic fashion. A typical situation where such historical information is available is existing data for the placebo group from previous trials. There are multiple Bayesian concepts for integrating historical data in a systematic and even dynamic fashion like the meta‐analytic prior approach. In this article, we define Bayesian MCPMod (BMCPMod) that is build upon these two aspects. BMCPMod is able to mimic the results of the classical MCPMod for non‐informative priors. At the same time, it allows for the inclusion of historical data in a systematic fashion. After the definition of BMCPMod related characteristics for a Bayesian approach similar to the MCP‐testing part are derived. The BMCPMod is compared to classical MCPMod/non‐informative priors via simulations. Aspects of mixture priors, optimal contrast vectors, and impact of allocation ratios are discussed and an example for designing a BMPCMod trial is given.
Adaptive task‐space cooperative tracking control for manipulators with a desired trajectory estimator and a velocity observer
Authors: Zhao Jiangbo , Xiu Bingkai , Wang Junzheng , Zhang Xin
Published: January 2022

In this article, the task‐space cooperative tracking control problem of robotic manipulators without velocity measurements is investigated, where the desired trajectory of an unknown object is only available to the root manipulator. A cooperative tracking control scheme is presented, which is composed of a task‐space desired trajectory estimator, a task‐space velocity observer and an adaptive cooperative control law. The estimator is presented to provide the desired trajectory for each manipulator, and the observer is designed to obtain the task‐space velocity in the absence of velocity measurements. Based on the estimator and velocity observer, an adaptive cooperative control law is proposed to satisfy task tracking and motion synchronization of manipulators in the presence of kinematic and dynamic uncertainties. Furthermore, strict stability analysis is conducted to prove that the task‐space tracking and synchronization errors converge to zero under a connected directed graph. Finally, simulation results are given to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed scheme.
Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial and Corrosion Inhibition Studies of Fused Oxadiazolo‐quinolines
Authors: Nayak Janardhana , Bhat Ramesh S. , D. M. Chetan
Published: January 2022

A novel series of 2‐(4‐substituted phenyl)‐6/8‐substituted‐ [1,3,4] oxadiazolo[2′,3′:2,3][1,3]thiazino[6,5‐b]quinolin‐11(3aH)‐ones were synthesized. Their structures have been characterized using standard spectroscopic techniques such as Infrared, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, and Mass Spectroscopy. All the newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities by the cup plate diffusion method. Antimicrobial studies revealed that compounds showed good to significant activity against tested strains. One of the compounds was evaluated for corrosion inhibition studies by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance method in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid solution for mild steel. The tested compound had exhibited a good inhibitory action against corrosion of mild steel in the medium investigated.
Coiled‐Coil Helical Nano‐Assemblies: Shape Persistent, Thixotropic, and Tunable Chiroptical Properties
Authors: Ghosh Angshuman , Dubey Soumen Kumar , Patra Maxcimilan , Mandal Jishu , Ghosh Narendra Nath , Saha Rajat , Bhattacharjee Subham
Published: January 2022

Here, we studied the self‐assembly and chiroptical properties of four C2‐symmetric molecules bearing terephthaloyl (TLF−C4 and TLF−C12) and benzene‐1,4‐dicarbonyl core (BLF−C4 and BLF−C12). β‐turn in the aggregates of TLF−C4 and TLF−C12 was found irrespective of the amount of water as anti‐solvent in methanol (MeOH). Interestingly, chiroptical properties can be switched from β‐turn to twisted β‐sheet secondary structure in BLF−C4 and BLF−C12 beyond a certain amount of water in MeOH. Detailed studies suggested lamellar arrangement of the TLF−C4 gelators with a β‐turn led to the formation of right‐handed coiled‐coil helical fibers. However, left‐handed coiled‐coil twisted fibers were formed by lamellar packing (twisted β‐sheet) of BLF−C4. In addition, TLF−C12 gel in methylcyclohexane (MCH) revealed shape persistent gelation. Rapid dynamic equilibrium between association and dissociation of non‐covalent interactions in BLF−C12 gel in MCH resulted in thixotropic and, in turn, injectable behavior.
Metal‐Organic‐Framework based Catalytic Micromotor for Enhanced Water Decontamination
Authors: Wang Shengnan , Ye Heng , Wang Yong , Ma Xing
Published: January 2022

This work demonstrates the application of a Fe3O4/zeolitic imidazolate framework 67 (ZIF67) micromotor for improved catalytic degradation of organic pollutants. The micromotors were fabricated by simple adsorption of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the surface of ZIF67 microparticles, which were synthesized by wet chemistry method. Both Fe3O4 and ZIF67 perform asymmetric decomposition of H2O2 to achieve bubble propulsion of the micromotors. The ferromagnetism of Fe3O4 enables easy directional control of the micromotor. The porous structure of ZIF67 benefits the enrichment of pollutant molecules around the micromotors, facilitating the efficient catalytic degradation. With intensified interaction between active sites and pollutant molecules due to self‐propelled motion and synergistic catalysis of iron in Fe3O4 and zinc ions in ZIF67, the micromotors exhibit enhanced degradation activity of methylene blue as compared to the pure Fe3O4 or ZIF67 counterparts without autonomous motion. This research can be extended to developing other metal‐organic frameworks (MOF)‐integrated micromotors for the environmental applications.
Prediction of the compressive strength of self‐compacting concrete using artificial neural networks based on rheological parameters
Authors: el Asri Yousef , Benaicha Mouhcine , Zaher Mounir , Hafidi Alaoui Adil
Published: January 2022

Self‐compacting concrete (SCC) is a fluid concrete designed to flow freely through reinforcements in order to completely fill the formwork. The appearance of this type of concrete increases the need to precisely characterize its compressive strength as a function of their behavior during flow. This article summarizes the use of artificial neural networks for the modelization of compressive strength, at 28 days, of SCC based on rheological parameters found during empirical tests (slump flow diameter, H2/H1 ratio of L‐Box, and V‐Funnel flow time) and the values of plastic viscosity and the yield stress. The objective of this numerical and experimental study is to find an optimal model to modelize the compressive strength. Thus, the results obtained after training of several models are showed that the architecture of the optimum with two hidden layers model is 5‐50‐50‐1 with a Pearson's correlation R = 97.58%.
Evaluation of the mechanical parameters of a reinforced concrete dam based on multi‐source data
Authors: Huang Yaoying , Xie Tong , Xu Yao , Wang Ronglu
Published: January 2022

In this research, we studied a roller‐compacted concrete (RCC) arch dam which was reinforced during the construction period to investigate the properties of mechanical parameters of the dam concrete after long‐term operation. Firstly, multiple methods involving core drilling, computerized tomography (CT), spectral analysis of the surface wave (SASW) of elastic waves, and an on‐site inspection were adopted to detect the quality of the dam concrete, which was followed by a forward‐analysis of the measured displacement of the arch dam and the water pressure component of the measured displacement was separated through regression analysis of statistical model of radial horizontal displacement. Subsequently, an optimization inversion of the elastic modulus of the dam body and dam foundation was conducted using a hybrid optimization method. The results showed that the compressive strength of the concrete in the body of the reinforced arch dam was over 30 MPa and the inversion results for the elastic modulus of the dam body were in the range of 30.1 ~ 33.3 GPa. According to the research results of multi‐source inspected and monitoring data during the operation period, the results suggest that the performance of the concrete of the dam body is in accordance with design requirements and the reinforced arch dam is properly operated.
The toxicity of cooking oil fumes on human bronchial epithelial cells through ROS‐mediated MAPK, NF‐κB signaling pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Liu Jianli , Fu Mingyang , Miao Jingyi , Sun Yueling , Zhu Rugang , Liu Chengying , Bi Ruochen , Wang Shuai , Cao Xiangyu
Published: January 2022

Cooking oil fumes (COFs) are the main pollutants in kitchen and indoor air, which threaten human health. Exposure to COFs may lead to respiratory diseases and impair pulmonary function. To investigate the toxicity of COFs on human bronchial epithelial cells (Beas‐2B) and explore the underlying mechanisms, MTT assay was conducted to detect the viability of Beas‐2B. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined with DCFH‐DA assay and DAF‐FM assay. The expression of genes involved in inflammation were measured with quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). The phosphorylation and the expression of proteins related to Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), NF‐κB signaling pathways were measured with western blot. Our results revealed that COFs decreased cell viability, increased the ROS levels and NO levels and induced apoptosis in Beas‐2B cells. The results of qRT‐PCR and western blot showed that the expression of NLRP3, p65, iNOS, IL‐1β, and the factors related to oxidative stress and inflammation increased, NF‐κB signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway were activated. This study provided some useful information to evaluate the toxicity of COFs and revealed the possible mechanism for the damage on respiratory system induced by COFs.
Veterinary history and the development of human relationships with animals
Authors: Jones Gary Clayton
Published: January 2022

Reviewed by the chair of the Veterinary History Society Gary Clayton Jones.
Functional Group Positions and Contact Behavior in Problem-Solving Groups
Authors: Bachmann Thomas
Published: January 2022

This article in the journal Gruppe. Interaktion. Organization (GIO) deals with the application of the theory of functional psycho-dynamic positions by Raoul Schindler on problem-solving groups. Until now, there has been no empirical research substantiating this model and the emergence of the group positions. To do so, the relationship between the functional group positions and members’ contact behavior was examined with a sociometrical approach. A study with 138 participants from 22 groups was conducted. The results clearly confirm the model and show typical contact behavior patterns for each group position. Finally, types of informal group structures were compared in regards to group performance and practical applications for agile teams and shared leadership.
Moderators of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia on Depression and Anxiety Outcomes
Authors: Mirchandaney Riya , Barete Raul , Asarnow Lauren D.
Published: January 2022

Purpose of Review

With a focus on reviewing adequately powered randomized controlled trials, we present recent research on the potential of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) to improve depression and anxiety outcomes among patients with insomnia and one of the following comorbid psychiatric disorders: major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We also examine potential moderators of CBT-I on depression and anxiety outcomes in this population.

Recent Findings

Despite high comorbidity rates, current behavioral and pharmacological treatments for MDD, GAD, and PTSD do not substantially target or improve insomnia symptoms; residual insomnia is exceedingly common even among patients who experience remission. Insomnia plays a critical role in the onset and maintenance of depression and anxiety, and treating insomnia with CBT-I may improve global outcomes for patients with MDD, GAD, and PTSD.

CBT-I is superior to traditional depression/anxiety treatment in improving insomnia symptoms among patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Results are mixed on whether CBT-I (either alone or augmented with depression/anxiety treatment) is effective in improving overall MDD, GAD, and PTSD outcomes. Evening circadian preference and depression/anxiety symptom severity may moderate the effect of CBT-I on depression and anxiety outcomes.
Het creëren van een schoolgezondheidsrapport over gezondheid, welzijn en leefstijl voor het basisonderwijs
Authors: Moerman Meta , Dawson M.
Published: January 2022

Samenvatting

GGD Gelderland-Zuid voerde eind 2017 voor de derde keer de Kindermonitor uit in de veertien gemeenten van haar werkgebied om de gezondheid en leefstijl van nul- tot twaalfjarigen in beeld te brengen. Ouders vulden hiervoor een vragenlijst in over hun kind. De resultaten van dit onderzoek gebruiken de gemeenten bij het formuleren van hun beleid. De Gezonde School-adviseurs verzochten schoolgezondheidsrapporten te maken. Om voldoende respons per school te verkrijgen was een wijziging in de wervingsmethode nodig. Voor 49 scholen in het primair onderwijs bleek de respons voldoende om een digitaal schoolrapport te ontwikkelen, waarmee het Gezonde School-beleid onderbouwd kan worden versterkt.
De plaats van kunstobservatie in de opleiding geneeskunde in Nederland
Authors: Reijntjes Maud , de Ruiter Pien , Linsen Lex , Derickx Mieke , Jansen Frank Willem , van Noort Sandrine , Kamstra Sabrina , van Gulik Thomas , Linthorst Gabor
Published: January 2022

Samenvatting

Kunstobservatie in de opleiding geneeskunde bevordert het observatievermogen en de sociaal-emotionele vaardigheden van studenten. Wij onderzochten de plaats van kunstgerelateerd onderwijs in de geneeskundefaculteiten in Nederland. Zes van de acht geneeskundefaculteiten in Nederland hebben een vorm van kunstobservatie in het curriculum opgenomen. In de twee overige faculteiten is deze vorm van kunstonderwijs in ontwikkeling. De vorm, duur en verplichting van dit onderwijs verschillen tussen de geneeskundefaculteiten. Onderzoek naar de uitkomsten van kunstobservatie is schaars. Landelijke samenwerking biedt kansen gezamenlijk het effect te bepalen van kunstobservatie op analytische en observationele vaardigheden van studenten.
De buurtsportcoach, van uitvoerder tot verbinder pur sang
Authors: Aalbers Marloes , de Wit Bas
Published: January 2022

Samenvatting

De afgelopen jaren heeft het beroep buurtsportcoach zich ontwikkeld van organisator en begeleider van sportactiviteiten voor jeugd, tot verbinder van mensen en organisaties in verschillende domeinen, zoals de gezondheidszorg. De focus ligt nog altijd op het inzetten van sport én bewegen. Buurtsportcoaches begeleiden mensen bij het veilig bewegen en vervullen een brugfunctie tussen bijvoorbeeld valpreventieprogramma’s en zelfstandig bewegen in de wijk. Deze veranderingen in hun opdrachten en doelstellingen gaan samen met een ontwikkeling van de beroepsgroep en een nieuw functieprofiel.
Monitoren en evalueren van een complex sportbeleidsinstrument: de buurtsportcoach
Authors: Hoogendam Ad , van Lindert Caroline
Published: January 2022

Samenvatting

In dit artikel bespreken we op welke wijze het model van Jolley voor de planning, implementatie en evaluatie van complexe lokale gezondheidsprogramma’s is toegepast bij een evaluatieonderzoek naar de lokale implementatie van de Brede Impuls Combinatiefuncties (BIC). Met de BIC konden gemeenten met cofinanciering van het rijk lokaal buurtsportcoaches aanstellen. Gemeenten hadden de vrijheid de buurtsportcoaches in te zetten, passend bij de lokale situatie. Door de grote lokale verschillen die hierdoor ontstonden was het niet goed mogelijk een traditionele vorm van evaluatie, zoals een effectonderzoek, toe te passen. Op basis van het model van Jolley hielden de onderzoekers rekening met de implementatie van de BIC op meerdere niveaus (macro, meso, micro), het belang van terugkoppeling tussen en binnen de niveaus, de verschillende perspectieven van betrokkenen en de invloed van de lokale context op de implementatie van de BIC. We reflecteren op de wijze waarop de onderliggende principes van het model van Jolley hebben geholpen dit grootschalige evaluatieonderzoek uit te voeren. Ondanks enkele concessies aan de uitgangspunten van Jolley blijkt het model grotendeels geschikt voor de evaluatie van een complex programma als de BIC.
Techno-economic analysis of an enhanced anaerobic digester in the Andean area of Peru
Authors: Jaeger Adriana , Blanchard R. E.
Published: January 2022

This paper aims to determine the economic and technical feasibility of developing a thermally enhanced digester in the Andean area using solar collectors. Communities in the rural area of the Andes lack access to electricity and other basic services which impact negatively on their everyday life and exposes them to harmful and inefficient fuels. Several experiences with anaerobic digestion prove that this technology could be applied in the Andean area, although its performance is limited due to low temperatures. To overcome this constraint, an enhanced digester was modelled and simulated using TRNSYS Software. The system consisted of two solar collectors, a storage tank and a digester with a wrapped-around heat exchanger. The average digester temperature in the simulation was 30.7 °C. The enhanced temperature was used in a model to calculate the daily biogas production. The Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return were calculated and confirm the economic viability of the project. The biogas production fully covers the requirements of the system for household cooking and lighting, making a significant social impact. This simulation indicates that it is technically possible to develop an enhanced digester in the Andean area that is economically viable as well.
On the interaction of axial and bending loads in the weld root fatigue strength assessment of load-carrying cruciform joints
Authors: Ahola Antti , Hamidreza Rohani Raftar , Björk Timo , Kukkonen Olavi
Published: January 2022

Current design standards and recommendations incorporate the nominal stress system for assessing the fatigue strength capacity of load-carrying cruciform (LCX) joints with the fillet welds and failing from the weld root. Thus far, bending-loaded joints have not been addressed in these standards. The aim of the present study is to investigate the fatigue performance of LCX joints subjected to cyclic axial and bending loads. Firstly, fatigue test data sets of such joints subjected to axial loading and bending loads in the adjoined plate component are extracted from the literature, and statistical analyses are carried out to evaluate the fatigue strength capacity using the nominal weld stresses (NWSs). Secondly, experimental fatigue tests are carried out on LCX joints made of ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) grade using constant amplitude loading and subjected to combined axial and bending load to study the load interaction effects on the fatigue strength capacity. The results showed that the FAT36 detail category for the weld root failures is applicable for bending-loaded joints when applying NWSs calculated on the basis of effective throat thickness of weld and assuming linear-elastic stress distribution over the joint section. The effective notch stress analyses showed unconservative results for the tested joints, when applying FAT225 design curve with the reference radius of rref = 1.0 mm.
ASN-SMOTE: a synthetic minority oversampling method with adaptive qualified synthesizer selection
Authors: Yi Xinkai , Xu Yingying , Hu Qian , Krishnamoorthy Sujatha , Li Wei , Tang Zhenzhou
Published: January 2022

Oversampling is a promising preprocessing technique for imbalanced datasets which generates new minority instances to balance the dataset. However, improper generated minority instances, i.e., noise instances, may interfere the learning of the classifier and impact it negatively. Given this, in this paper, we propose a simple and effective oversampling approach known as ASN-SMOTE based on the k-nearest neighbors and the synthetic minority oversampling technology (SMOTE). ASN-SMOTE first filters noise in the minority class by determining whether the nearest neighbor of each minority instance belongs to the minority or majority class. After that, ASN-SMOTE uses the nearest majority instance of each minority instance to effectively perceive the decision boundary, inside which the qualified minority instances are selected adaptively for each minority instance by the proposed adaptive neighbor selection scheme to synthesize new minority instance. To substantiate the effectiveness, ASN-SMOTE has been applied to three different classifiers and comprehensive experiments have been conducted on 24 imbalanced benchmark datasets. ASN-SMOTE is also extensively compared with nine notable oversampling algorithms. The results show that ASN-SMOTE achieves the best results in the majority of datasets. The ASN-SMOTE implementation is available at: https://www.github.com/yixinkai123/ASN-SMOTE/.
Dual-filtering (DF) schemes for learning systems to prevent adversarial attacks
Authors: Dasgupta Dipankar , Gupta Kishor Datta
Published: January 2022

Defenses against adversarial attacks are essential to ensure the reliability of machine-learning models as their applications are expanding in different domains. Existing ML defense techniques have several limitations in practical use. We proposed a trustworthy framework that employs an adaptive strategy to inspect both inputs and decisions. In particular, data streams are examined by a series of diverse filters before sending to the learning system and then crossed checked its output through anomaly (outlier) detectors before making the final decision. Experimental results (using benchmark data-sets) demonstrated that our dual-filtering strategy could mitigate adaptive or advanced adversarial manipulations for wide-range of ML attacks with higher accuracy. Moreover, the output decision boundary inspection with a classification technique automatically affirms the reliability and increases the trustworthiness of any ML-based decision support system. Unlike other defense techniques, our dual-filtering strategy does not require adversarial sample generation and updating the decision boundary for detection, makes the ML defense robust to adaptive attacks.
Adaptations, Safety Factors, Limitations and Trade-Offs in Human Exercise Performance
Authors: Marino Frank E
Published: January 2022

Objectives

This review will describe how human exercise performance at the highest level is exquisitely orchestrated by a set of responses by all body systems related to the evolutionary adaptations that have taken place over a long history. The review will also describe how many adaptations or features are co-opted (exaptations) for use in different ways and have utility other than for selective advantage.

Methods

A review of the literature by relevant search engines and reference lists in key published articles using the terms, performance, limitations, regulation, trade-offs as related to exercise, indicates that there are at least three areas which could be considered key in understanding the evolutionary basis of human exercise performance.

Results

First, there is a basic assumption that exaptations have limitations or capacities which cannot be exceeded which in turn will limit our physical performance. Second, it is thought that some biological systems and tissues have additional capacity which is rarely fully accessed by the organism; referred to as a safety factor. Third, there are biological trade-offs which occur when there is an increase in one trait or characteristic traded for a decrease in another.

Conclusions

Adaptations have resulted in safety factors for body systems and tissues with trade-offs that are most advantageous for human performance for a specific environment.
Preliminary Evaluation of Natural Antibacterial Clays for Treating Wound Infections
Authors: Williams Lynda B. , Schmidt-Malan Suzannah M. , Patel Robin
Published: January 2022

The overuse of antibiotics in medicine has led to concerns over management of wound infections where antibiotic-resistant bacteria are involved. Wound infections exhibit both acquired and biofilm-associated antibiotic resistance; innovative non-antibiotic therapeutic and preventive treatments are needed to limit emergence of conventional antimicrobial resistance and to address biofilm-associated resistance. Toward this goal, natural antibacterial clays have been identified that are effective at killing drug-resistant human pathogens in planktonic and biofilm states, in vitro. To move toward clinical testing of antibacterial clays, the present study was conducted to evaluate the topical application of a natural antibacterial clay to wounds in mice experimentally infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Five preliminary animal trials were conducted to test various methods of applying hydrated antibacterial clay to infected wounds. None of the experiments yielded significantly reduced MRSA infection in vivo, compared to controls. Several hypotheses were tested to explore the diminished clay antibacterial activity in vivo including: (1) pH and Eh of mineral-bacterial suspensions may differ in wound fluids compared to growth media; (2) antibacterial reactants may complex with components of the wound; (3) hydrated clays may dry out in the wound; and (4) limited dissolved oxygen may reduce Fenton reactions. Ancillary in vitro tests were performed to explore these hypotheses. Results indicate that the clay application to wounds may require enhanced oxidation and possibly a longer treatment regimen. The experimental results foster understanding of the natural clay–bacterial interactions in wounds and may improve designs for medicinal applications.
The carnality of power
Authors: Adebanwi Wale
Published: January 2022

In ‘Provisional notes on the postcolony’, Achille Mbembe argues that obscenity and grotesquery are essential characteristics of postcolonial regimes of domination and subordination. This article attempts to extend this insight for the study of contemporary African social formations. Drawing on examples from Central, Southern and West Africa, the article reflects on Mbembe’s particular emphasis on thecarnality of power, especially power’s ability to (over-)carnalize social relations, by further demonstrating why this is useful for understanding the relations of domination and subordination in Africa.
Vegans and vegetarians living in Nottingham (UK) continue to be at risk of iodine deficiency
Authors: Eveleigh Elizabeth , Coneyworth Lisa , Zhou Mi , Burdett Hannah , Malla Jhama , Nguyen Van Hoang , Welham Simon
Published: January 2022

Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. Individuals adhering to vegan and vegetarian diets have been found to be vulnerable to iodine deficiency. Yet, iodine has not been monitored in these groups across time. This study aims to investigate iodine status, intake and knowledge in vegans, vegetarians and omnivores and determine changes between 2016–2017 and 2019. Dietary intake (µg/d) was estimated by 3-d food diaries and iodine FFQ. Urinary iodine concentration, analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, assessed iodine status according to WHO criteria. Iodine knowledge was scored by an adapted questionnaire. IBM SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Ninety-six adults (18–60 years) were recruited in October 2016–2017 (vegans: 12; vegetarians: 5; omnivores: 43) and June 2019 (vegans: 7; vegetarians: 10;omnivores: 19). Median dietary iodine was below the Reference Nutrient Intake for all groups. Vegans and vegetarians had the lowest iodine intake. Vegans had significantly lower iodine intake than omnivores (2016–2017, P = 0 032; 2019, P = 0 001). Omnivores had the highest iodine status (2016–2017, 79 4 µg/l; 2019, 72 4 µg/l) and vegans the lowest (2016–2017, 31 2 µg/l; 2019, 12 2 µg/l). Iodine knowledge was poor but did not differ between dietary groups (2016–2017, P = 0 219; 2019, P = 0 532). Vegans and vegetarians continue to be at risk of iodine deficiency. Further, iodine intake in the UK is poor independent of dietary choice. Iodine education is needed along with research into improving iodine nutrition at national level.