bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thiosulphate driven autotrophic denitrification via nitrite using synthetic wastewater
Authors: Statiris Evangelos , Hadjimitsis Evanthis , Noutsopoulos Constantinos , Malamis Simos
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

The removal of biological nitrite from wastewater can occur by both heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria. Autotrophic denitritation can be implemented by using different sulphur forms (e.g., S2−, S0 or S₂O₃2−) as electron donors, and there is no need for organic carbon availability, as is required in heterotrophic denitrification. This work investigated an alternative biochemical pathway for nitrite removal from synthetic wastewater with high nitrite content, using thiosulphate as electron donor. The process was examined for 170 days in three identical 1 L sequencing batch reactors (SBR) that were inoculated with filtrate originating from the aerobic filters of the desulphurization unit of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

RESULTS

The SBR units were able to remove approximately 98% of the initial nitrite concentration of 70–80 mg N L−1, operating under an HRT of 5d. The batch experiments showed autotrophic denitritation rates (NUR) with average values between 0.91 and 1.50 mg NO₂‐N gVSS−1 h−1 during the whole duration of the experiment, with a remarkable increase on the NUR after the initial lag time of the process, where rates of up to 4.74 mg NO₂‐N gVSS−1 h−1 were measured.

CONCLUSION

The daily monitoring of the three SBR units showed that denitritation via thiosulphate can be effective enough for nitrite removal without carbon source addition. The lag phase of the process, as well as the loss of alkalinity and pH drop during denitritation, are disadvantages that can be counterbalanced with the cost savings resulting from not needing a carbon source addition when treating wastewater with low C/N ratio. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
EUS‐guided hepaticogastrostomy for hepaticojejunostomy stricture using a 22G needle and a mechanical dilator (with video)
Authors: Ogura Takeshi , Ueno Saori , Okuda Atsushi , Nishioka Nobu , Higuchi Kazuhide
Published: February 2021

EUS‐guided biliary drainage (EUS‐BD) has been indicated for benign biliary strictures. However, the intrahepatic bile duct is sometimes much narrower in benign biliary strictures. In this situation, puncture of the intrahepatic bile duct using a 19‐G needle is sometimes challenging. Several reports have described attempts at EUS‐BD using a 22‐G needle, but fistula dilation with a 22‐G needle is challenging because the 0.018‐inch guidewire is not stiff enough to perform dilatation. Recently, a thin mechanical dilator has become available. After its insertion into the biliary tract, the 0.018‐inch guidewire can be replaced with a 0.025‐inch guidewire. We herein describe the technical procedure of EUS‐guided hepaticogastrostomy using a 22‐G needle with a thin mechanical dilator.
Does the bowfin gas bladder represent an intermediate stage during the lung‐to‐gas bladder evolutionary transition?
Authors: Funk Emily C. , Birol Eda B. , McCune Amy R.
Published: February 2021

Whether phenotypic evolution occurs gradually through time has prompted the search for intermediate forms between the ancestral and derived states of morphological features, especially when there appears to be a discontinuous origin. The gas bladder, a derived character of the Actinopteri, is a modification of lungs, which characterize the common ancestor of bony vertebrates. While gas bladders and lungs are similar in many ways, the key morphological difference between these organs is the direction of budding from the foregut during development; essentially, the gas bladder buds dorsally and the lungs bud ventrally from the foregut. Did the shift from ventral lungs to dorsal gas bladder transition through a lateral‐budding stage? To answer this question, the precise location of budding during gas bladder development in bowfin, representing the sister lineage to teleosts, has been debated. In the early 20th‐century, it was suggested that the bowfin gas bladder buds laterally from the right wall of the foregut. We used nano‐CT scanning to visualize the early development of the bowfin gas bladder to verify the historical studies of gas bladder developmental morphology and determine whether the direction of gas bladder budding in bowfin could be intermediate between ventrally budding lungs and dorsally budding gas bladders. We found that the bowfin gas bladder buds dorsally from the anterior foregut; however, during early development, the posterior gas bladder twists right. As development progresses, the posterior, right‐hand twist becomes shallower, and the gas bladder itself shifts toward a mid‐dorsal position. The budding site is definitively dorsal, despite the temporary lateral twist of the posterior gas bladder.
Anger displays and integrative behavior among work dyads in teams: A regulatory fit approach
Authors: To March L. , Lam Catherine K. , Janssen Onne , Lin Xiao Song
Published: February 2021

Anger has often been portrayed as a destructive social emotion in the literature. However, research conducted with a social functional approach has also revealed the functionality of anger and called for a shift toward understanding the conditions in which anger can have interpersonal utility at work. Given the complicated role and inevitability of anger in work teams, it is important to understand when team members can reap the interpersonal utility of anger and promote adaptive social interactions. Contributing to this approach, we developed a contingency model to postulate when and why anger displays can produce integrative behavior among co‐worker dyads in teams. Drawing on regulatory fit theory we conducted three studies (one laboratory study and two field studies with a round‐robin design) to examine our hypotheses. Results indicated that co‐workers' anger displays were positively related to focal workers' (targets of anger) integrative behavior toward angry co‐workers (expressers) when targets had a high level of prevention focus and perceived a low level of team goal interdependence. As expected, moreover, targets' problem identification with expressers was found to be the mechanism of this conditional relationship. Implications of our research are discussed.
The effect of estrogen‐like compound on rotator cuff tendon healing in a murine model
Authors: Tashjian Robert Z. , Kazmers Nikolas H. , Epperson Richard T. , Honeggar Matthew , Ma Ying , Chalmers Peter N. , Williams Dustin L. , Jurynec Michael J.
Published: February 2021

Estrogen deficiency has been shown to negatively influence rotator cuff tendon healing. Therefore, the addition of an estrogen‐like‐compound (ELC) in a nonestrogen‐deficient animal may improve the quality of a rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an ELC, diethylstilbestrol (DES), on tendon healing in a murine rotator cuff repair model. Thirty‐three male wild‐type mice (C57BL/6NJ) were randomly divided into three study groups. Group 1—unoperated mice with normal rotator cuff tendons. Groups 2 and 3 consisted of surgically repaired rotator cuff tendons; Group 2 (repair‐only) was the standard repair group (no DES injected), whereas Group 3 (repair + DES) was the experimental repair group (injected with DES). Comparing the maximal thickness of calcified fibrocartilage to uncalcified fibrocartilage, the ratios for the control (intact tendon), repair‐only, and repair + DES groups were 2:1, 0.9:1, and 1.7:1. RNA expression data demonstrated upregulation of chondrogenic, angiogenic, and tendon modulation genes in the repair‐ only group compared to the control (intact tendon) group (p < 0.04 for all), and that addition of DES further increased the osteogenic, angiogenic, and tendon modulation gene expression compared to the repair‐only group (p < 0.02). Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the addition of DES further increased osteogenic, angiogenic, and tendon maturation protein expression at the enthesis compared to standard repairs.
Comparative study of culture, next‐generation sequencing, and immunoassay for identification of pathogen in diabetic foot ulcer
Authors: Lipof Jason Scott , Jones Courtney Marie Cora , Daiss John , Oh Irvin
Published: February 2021

Treatment of deep musculoskeletal infection (MSKI) begins with accurate identification of the offending pathogen, surgical excision/debridement, and a course of culture‐directed antibiotics. Despite this, the incidence of recurrent infection continues to rise. A major contributor to this is inaccurate or negative initial cultures. Accurate identification of the main pathogen is paramount to treatment success. This is especially important in treating diabetic foot infections (DFIs) with limb salvage efforts. This study seeks to utilize standard culture, next‐generation sequencing (NGS), and immunoassay for newly synthesized antibodies (NSA) to Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae for diagnosis. This is a level II prospective observational study approved by our IRB. Thirty patients > 18 years of age who presented with a DFI and underwent surgical debridement or amputation by a single academic orthopedic surgeon from October 2018 to September 2019 were enrolled. Intraoperative samples were obtained from the base of the wound and sent for culture, NGS, and a peripheral blood sample was obtained at the time of diagnosis. NGS and culture were highly correlated for S. aureus (κ = 0.86) and S. agalactiae (κ = 1.0), NSA immunoassay and culture demonstrated a fair correlation for S. aureus (κ = 0.18) and S. agalactiae (κ = 0.67), and NGS and NSA immunoassay demonstrated fair correlation for S. aureus (κ = 0.1667) and S. agalactiae (κ = 0.67). Our study demonstrates a high concordance between culture and NGS in identifying the dominant pathogen in DFU. NGS may be a useful adjunct in DFI diagnosis.
Antibiotic prescribing at a periodontal residency practice in Connecticut
Authors: McKenna Alexandra M. , Ioannidou Effie , Banach David B.
Published: February 2021

Background

Antibiotics are important in the treatment of odontogenic infections and the prevention of infection following dental procedures in high‐risk situations. Little is known about antibiotic prescribing in periodontal practice. This study describes prescribing practices by periodontal faculty and residents in an academic setting in order to identify opportunities to optimize prescribing behaviors.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study analyzed all antibiotic prescriptions from residents or faculty in an academic periodontal clinic from 2014‐2017. Information was manually extracted from the electronic health record. Antibiotic prescriptions were stratified into three indication categories: pre‐procedural prophylaxis, post‐procedural prophylaxis, and treatment.

Results

Out of 275 prescriptions analyzed, 266 met inclusion criteria. The most frequent antibiotic indication was post‐procedural prophylaxis (n = 130, 48.87%). Amoxicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic across all groups (n = 236, 88.72%), followed by clindamycin (n = 22, 8.27%). Most patients presented in a non‐emergent setting (n = 200, 75.19%), without pain (n = 210, 78.95%), and had restorative/endodontic‐related clinical findings (n = 55, 20.68%). Among the 35 patients receiving antibiotics for infection treatment, 8 (22.86%) underwent a surgical intervention on the date of antibiotic prescription. Of the 130 patients receiving post‐procedural prophylaxis, 121 (93.08%) received surgical interventions on the day of antibiotic prescription.

Conclusions

Antibiotics are prescribed in various situations in periodontal practice, most frequently as post‐procedural prophylaxis, an indication for which data is limited. There is an urgent need to study the role of post‐procedural prophylactic antibiotics and understand antibiotic prescribing in the management of periodontal disease in order to optimize prescribing practices.
Hidden Port Approach to Endoscopic Pericranial Scalp Flap for Anterior Skull Base Reconstruction
Authors: García‐Fernández Alfredo , García‐González Esther , Paredes‐Sansinenea Igor , Rodríguez‐Berrocal Víctor , Fernández‐Alén José , Gómez‐Abascal Alfonso Lagares , González‐Llanos Francisco , Mata‐Castro Nieves
Published: February 2021

View Video S1 Laryngoscope, 131:1749–1752, 2021
Sacral defect reconstruction using a sensate superior gluteal artery perforator flap based on the superior cluneal nerves: A report of two cases
Authors: Iida Takuya , Isozaki Yuki , Numahata Takao , Okazaki Mutsumi
Published: February 2021

The superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap is a widely used flap for sacral reconstruction. However, it is non‐sensate flap and sensory loss is one of the most important risk factors for pressure ulcer development and recurrence; therefore, a sensate SGAP flap would be ideal for the reconstruction. Because the upper buttock is innervated by the superior cluneal nerves (SCNs) which originate from Th11 to L4, a sensate SGAP flap based on SCNs is anatomically possible. Herein, we present a novel sensate SGAP flap based on SCNs for reconstruction of sacral defects. Two patients with a sacral defect underwent reconstruction using a sensate SGAP flap (53 and 56 years old, both men). Diagnoses were sacral spindle cell sarcoma and sacral pressure ulcer. The defect sizes were 16 × 13 and 12 × 11 cm. The flap was designed based on the locations of SCNs which are commonly located at 6–8 cm lateral from the midline at the iliac crest. Flap sizes were 16 × 9 and 15 × 13 cm, respectively. The flaps survived completely in both cases. Flap sensation was observed immediately after surgery except in flap margins. However, sensory recovery occurred in these areas as well several months postoperatively. None of the patients developed postoperative pressure ulcers during the follow‐up period of 37 and 13 months. This method may preserve flap sensation and therefore can contribute to reducing the risk of postoperative pressure ulcers and could be a useful option for sacral reconstruction.
Gravity survey and modelling of the Nemocón salt mine, Colombia
Authors: Pearse Jillian , Cárdenas Contreras Andrés , Barrera Lopez Carol Vanessa , Castillo Ruiz Nataly , Martínez Gómez Henry , Tary Jean Baptiste
Published: February 2021

A gravity survey was conducted at a salt mine in Nemocón, Cundinamarca, Colombia, located in the axial part of the Eastern Cordillera of the northern Andes. This part of the Eastern Cordillera is characterized by successions of synclines and anticlines sometimes containing salt bodies at their core, and the mine is located at the top of one of these anticlines called the Nemocón anticline. As is typical for salt and other mines in Colombia, very little data on the internal structure and geology are publicly available. The purpose of our study is to show how gravity data and modelling can be used to infer near‐surface properties above the mine in the absence of other sources of information. Relative gravity measurements were made over an irregular grid of 107 stations and tied to the Instituto Geográfico Augustin Codazi national absolute gravity network. The total and residual Bouguer anomalies as well as the analytic signal were calculated over the area of the salt body. Using grid data, we first determine the main inversion parameters (e.g., depth weighting) and model resolution using a checkerboard model with the addition of random noise. Then, applying 3D inversion modelling to the residual Bouguer anomaly, we find that the positive and negative anomalies correspond to few zones of positive density contrasts and two main zones of negative density contrasts. Some of the positive anomalies are located above the fault trace putting in contact the Arenisca Dura formation with the Conejo formation containing the salt body. The negative anomalies are not well correlated with the underground position of the salt mine, but some influence of the low‐density ‘rute’ material, consisting of black clays with shaly claystone parts covering the salt body might be important. This study showcases how 3D inverse modelling can provide important information on the near‐surface structure of a salt mine.
Phenotypic variance in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Tan Hui‐Leng , Kaditis Athanasios G.
Published: February 2021

It is crucial that clinicians understand what underpins the considerable phenotypic variance in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), if they are to implement individually tailored phenotype‐based approaches to diagnosis and management. This review summarizes the current literature on how disease severity, comorbidities, genetic and environmental/lifestyle factors interact to determine the overall OSAS phenotype. The first part discusses the impact of these factors on OSAS‐related morbidity in the context of otherwise healthy children, whilst the second half details children with complex conditions, particularly focusing on the anatomical and functional abnormalities predisposing to upper airway obstruction unique to each condition. One can then understand the need for a multidimensional assessment strategy for pediatric OSAS; one that incorporates the history, physical examination, sleep study results, and biomarkers to enable precise stratification, so vital for effective determination of the timing and the nature of the therapeutic interventions required.
Study of the isomeric Maillard degradants, glycosylamine and Amadori rearrangement products, and their differentiation via MS2 fingerprinting from collision‐induced decomposition of protonated ions
Authors: Wang Shaolan , Lin Jinsheng , Li Dan , Huang Tianpei , Zhu Wenquan , Chen Wenbin , Li Min , Shen Weiyang
Published: February 2021

Rationale

The focus of this work was to study glycosylamine and Amadori rearrangement products (ARPs), the two major degradants in the Maillard reactions of pharmaceutical interest, and utilize their MS2 fingerprints by liquid chromatography/high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS2) to quickly distinguish the two isomeric degradants. These two types of degradants are frequently encountered in the compatibility and stability studies of drug products containing primary or secondary amine active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which are formulated with excipients consisting of reducing sugar functionalities.

Methods

Vortioxetine was employed as the primary model compound to react with lactose to obtain the glycosylamine and ARP degradants of the Maillard reaction, and their MS2 spectra (MS2 fingerprints) were obtained by LC/MS2. Subsequently, the two degradants were isolated via preparative HPLC and their structures were confirmed by one‐ and two‐dimensional (1D and 2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) determination.

Results

The MS2 fingerprints of the two degradants display significantly different profiles, despite the fact that many common fragments are observed. Specifically, protonated glycosylamine shows a prominent characteristic fragment of [Mvort + C2H3O]+ at m/z 341 (Mvort is the vortioxetine core), while protonated ARP shows a prominent characteristic fragment of [Mvort + CH]+ at m/z 311. Further study of the Maillard reactions between several other structurally diverse primary/secondary amines and lactose produced similar patterns.

Conclusions

The study suggests that the characteristic MS2 fragment peaks and their ratios may be used to differentiate the glycosylamine and ARP degradants, the two isomeric degradants of the Maillard reaction, which are commonly encountered in finished dosage forms of pharmaceutical products containing primary and secondary amine APIs.
Biochar amendment did not influence the growth of two tree plantations on nutrient‐depleted Ultisols in the south Ecuadorian Amazon region
Authors: Gonzalez Sarango Esthela M. , Valarezo Manosalvas Carlos , Mora Marconi , Villamagua Miguel Á. , Wilcke Wolfgang
Published: February 2021

The literature suggests that biochar increases the fertility of degraded, nutrient‐poor tropical soils. We hypothesized that the addition of biochar (a) increases tree growth in two plantations on Ultisols in the south Ecuadorian Amazon region, (b) reduces litterfall during the dry season because the soil remains moister, and (c) improves the benefit–cost ratio of the plantation. We grew two tree species—the native leguminousSchizolobium parahybavar.amazonicum(Ducke) Barneby and the exoticGmelina arboreaRoxb—and used a full factorial split‐split‐plot design of all treatments for both tree species at each of two sites. The treatments included the amendment of mineral fertilizer plus lime, 3 and 6 t ha–1biochar, and a control. The plots were replicated three or four times. Tree height (TH), basal diameter (BD), and diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured several times during 51 mo after planting in September 2009 and litterfall during 12 mo (March 2012–February 2013). The site and the mineral fertilizer plus lime treatment had significant effects on TH, BD, and DBH. The amendment of mineral fertilizer plus lime increased TH, BD, and DBH by 47, 43, and 58%, respectively, relative to the control. The litterfall ofG. arboreawas on average 84% higher than that ofS. parahyba. The amendment of biochar did not significantly influence TH, BD, DBH, or litterfall. The benefit–cost ratio of wood production was >1 in the mineral fertilizer plus lime treatment and controls but <1 in the biochar treatments and decreased with increasing addition of biochar. Our results demonstrate that the assumption that biochar can be used to improve the fertility of degraded Amazon soils cannot be generalized.
At the heart of mitochondrial quality control: many roads to the top
Authors: Gottlieb Roberta A. , Piplani Honit , Sin Jon , Sawaged Savannah , Hamid Syed M. , Taylor David J. , de Freitas Germano Juliana
Published: February 2021

Mitochondrial quality control depends upon selective elimination of damaged mitochondria, replacement by mitochondrial biogenesis, redistribution of mitochondrial components across the network by fusion, and segregation of damaged mitochondria by fission prior to mitophagy. In this review, we focus on mitochondrial dynamics (fusion/fission), mitophagy, and other mechanisms supporting mitochondrial quality control including maintenance of mtDNA and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response, particularly in the context of the heart.
High rank torus actions on contact manifolds
Authors: Occhetta Gianluca , Romano Eleonora A. , Solá Conde Luis E. , Wiśniewski Jarosław A.
Published: February 2021

We prove LeBrun–Salamon conjecture in the following situation: if X is a contact Fano manifold of dimension $$2n+1$$

2
n
+
1

whose group of automorphisms is reductive of rank $$\ge \max (2,(n-3)/2)$$

≥
max
(
2
,
(
n
-
3
)
/
2
)

then X is the adjoint variety of a simple group. The rank assumption is fulfilled not only by the three series of classical linear groups but also by almost all the exceptional ones.
Normalization of electroretinogram and symptom resolution of melanoma-associated retinopathy with negative autoantibodies after treatment with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors for metastatic melanoma
Authors: Khaddour Karam , Khanna Sangeeta , Ansstas Michael , Jakhar Ishaan , Dahiya Sonika , Council Laurin , Ansstas George
Published: February 2021

Melanoma-associated retinopathy (MAR) is a paraneoplastic syndrome that involves the production of autoantibodies which can cross-react with retinal epitopes leading to visual symptoms. Autoantibodies can target intracellular proteins, and only a few are directed against membrane proteins. This discrepancy in autoantibody–protein target can translate into different immune responses (T-cell mediated vs B-cell mediated). Historically, treatment of MAR has focused on surgical reduction or immunosuppressive medication, mainly glucocorticoids. However, tumor resection is not relevant in metastatic melanoma in which MAR is mostly encountered. Moreover, the use of glucocorticoids can reduce the efficacy of immunotherapy. We report the first case to our knowledge with subjective resolution of visual symptoms and objective evidence of normalization of electroretinogram of MAR with undetectable autoantibodies after administration of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor (pembrolizumab) without the use of surgical reduction or systemic immunosuppression. This case highlights the potential improvement and resolution of negative autoantibody MAR with the use of PD-1 inhibitors and emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary approach and team discussion to avoid interventions that can decrease immunotherapy-mediated anti-tumor effect.
The learning curve of retinal detachment surgery
Authors: Radeck Viola , Helbig Horst , Barth Teresa , Gamulescu Maria-Andreea , Maerker David , Prahs Philipp
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To investigate the learning curve of vitreoretinal (VR) surgeons beginning training in retinal detachment (RD) surgery.

Methods

The files of all consecutive patients undergoing VR surgery for uncomplicated RD between Jan 2005 und Mar 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Successful outcome was defined as no retinal redetachment within 3 months after surgery.

Results

Ten surgeons started their VR career during this period. Together, these 10 surgeons performed 3786 RD operations (mean 379; median 251; range 71–1053). Primary success rate after one operation was 90% (3420 of 3786). When starting to operate retinal detachments, VR surgeons had a primary success rate of about 80%. Redetachment rates steadily decreased and stabilized at just under 10% after about 200 operations. Beginners needed more than twice the time for the procedure compared to experienced surgeons. The individual learning curves varied widely. In our series, female surgeons seem to have a faster learning curve.

Conclusion

RD surgery performed by VR surgeons in training had acceptable results. With increasing experience, success rates continuously improve reaching stable levels after approximately 200 operations. The training of VR surgeons requires considerable resources.
Dynamische Übergabeschurre zur Effizienzsteigerung von Gurtbandförderern
Authors: Prenner Michael
Published: February 2021

Bei der Übergabe von Schüttgütern von einem Gurtbandförderer auf einen weiteren werden sogenannte Übergabeschurren benötigt. Diese Schurrensysteme verursachen in Abhängigkeit des zu fördernden Schüttgutes oft starken Verschleiß, Anbackungen und eine ungünstige Materialführung. Der Verschleiß tritt dabei sowohl an den Schurrenwänden als auch am nachgeschalteten Fördergurt auf. Anbackungen an den Schurrenwänden entstehen durch den oft vorkommenden kohäsiven Feinkornanteil von Schüttgütern. Speziell bei feuchtem Schüttgut kann dies zu Verstopfungen der Schurren führen. Eine optimale Materialführung zeichnet sich durch eine mittige Beladung des nachfolgenden Förderers, einer Aufgabe des Schüttgutes in Förderrichtung des nachfolgenden Gurtbandförderers und einer möglichst verschleißarmen Umlenkung des Schüttgutes in der Schurre aus. Da herkömmliche starre Schurrensysteme die an sie gestellten Aufgaben oftmals nicht optimal erfüllen können, wird derzeit am Lehrstuhl für Bergbaukunde, Bergtechnik und Bergwirtschaft – Arbeitsgruppe Fördertechnik und Konstruktionslehre in Kooperation mit den Unternehmen ScrapeTec Trading GmbH, ScrapeTec GmbH und Wanggo Gummitechnik GmbH ein dynamisches Schurrensystem entwickelt, welches die gestellten Aufgaben signifikant besser erfüllen wird.
Circulating bioactive sclerostin levels in an Austrian population-based cohort
Authors: Kerschan-Schindl Katharina , Föger-Samwald Ursula , Gleiss Andreas , Kudlacek Stefan , Wallwitz Jacqueline , Pietschmann Peter
Published: February 2021

Background

Circulating serum sclerostin levels are supposed to give a good estimation of the levels of this negative regulator of bone mass within bone. Most studies evaluating total serum sclerostin found different levels in males compared to females and in older compared to younger subjects. Besides an ELISA detecting total sclerostin an ELISA determining bioactive sclerostin has been developed. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of bioactive sclerostin in an Austrian population-based cohort.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional observational study in 235 healthy subjects. Using the bioactive ELISA assay (Biomedica) bioactive sclerostin levels were evaluated.

Results

Serum levels of bioactive sclerostin were higher in men than in women (24%). The levels correlated positively with age (r = 0.47). A positive correlation could also be detected with body mass index and bone mineral density.

Conclusion

Using the ELISA detecting bioactive sclerostin our results are consistent with data in the literature obtained by different sclerostin assays. The determination of sclerostin concentrations in peripheral blood thus appears to be a robust parameter of bone metabolism.
Budgets of rotational and divergent kinetic energy in the warm-sector torrential rains over South China: a case study
Authors: Zhong Shui-Xin , Meng Wei-Guang , Tian Fu-You
Published: February 2021

The contributions of divergent and rotational wind components to the kinetic energy budget during a record-breaking rainstorm on 7 May 2017 over South China are examined. This warm-sector extreme precipitation caused historical maximum of 382.6 mm accumulated rainfall in 3 h over the Pearl River Delta (PRD) regions in South China. Results show that there was a high low-level southerly wind-speed tongue stretching into the PRD regions from the northeast of the South China Sea (SCS) during this extreme precipitation. The velocity potential exhibited a low-value center as well as a low-level divergence-center over the SCS. The rotational components of the kinetic energy (KR)-related terms were the main contribution-terms of the kinetic energy budget. The main contribution-terms of KR and the divergent component of kinetic energy (KD) were the barotropical and baroclinic processes-related terms due to cross-contour flow and the vertical flux divergence.
The role of extracellular vesicles in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review
Authors: Schioppo Tommaso , Ubiali Tania , Ingegnoli Francesca , Bollati Valentina , Caporali Roberto
Published: February 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that carries high social and economic costs and can lead to permanent disability. RA pathogenesis has not been completely elucidated yet. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-contained vesicles released by cells playing a role in cell-to-cell communication and they could be involved in different diseases. Evidence on the involvement of EVs in RA is currently inconclusive. Therefore, a systematic review on the role of EVs in RA was performed in order to explore this relationship. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The research was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase up to March 5, 2020: 41 studies were analyzed out of 674 screened. The total plasmatic and synovial fluid (SF) EV number seems increased in RA as compared with healthy controls. Both RA plasma and SF contained EVs subpopulations of heterogenous origin, especially derived from platelets and immune system cells. No univocal evidence emerged on miRNA expression and EV content profile within RA patients. EVs showed to enhance pro-inflammatory pathways, such as cytokines and chemokine release and TNF blockade seemed to revert this effect. Our work highlights the requirement to standardize study methodologies in order to make results comparable and draw conclusions that remain, at present, unclear.
Correction to: Non-specific phospholipase C (NPC): an emerging class of phospholipase C in plant growth and development
Authors: Nakamura Yuki , Ngo Anh H.
Published: February 2021

The article Non-specific phospholipase C (NPC): an emerging class of phospholipase C in plant growth and development, was originally published Online First without Open Access.
Encapsulation of Carlina acaulis essential oil and carlina oxide to develop long-lasting mosquito larvicides: microemulsions versus nanoemulsions
Authors: Pavela Roman , Pavoni Lucia , Bonacucina Giulia , Cespi Marco , Cappellacci Loredana , Petrelli Riccardo , Spinozzi Eleonora , Aguzzi Cristina , Zeppa Laura , Ubaldi Massimo , Desneux Nicolas , Canale Angelo , Maggi Filippo , Benelli Giovanni
Published: February 2021

Carlina acaulis root essential oil (EO) is one of the most potent mosquito larvicides (LC50 < 2 ppm). This EO is mainly composed of carlina oxide (> 90%). Poor water solubility and rapid degradation from UV light and oxygen in the environment limit the real-world use of this EO. Herein, we developed nanocarrier-based formulations, namely micro- and nanoemulsions (ME and NE, respectively) containing C. acaulis EO or carlina oxide (both at 0.5%) as active ingredients (a.i.). The larvicidal activity of ME and NE was evaluated against Culex quinquefasciatus. The highest larvicidal activity was achieved by the ME containing 0.5% of the EO (M1); its LC50(90) was 579.1 (791.3) µL L−1. Sublethal effects of this ME and its a.i. were assessed testing both at the LC16, LC30, LC50 and LC90 on mosquito larvae exposed to each product for 1–7 h, and then monitoring mortality for 18 days. At variance with the EO, ME application, even at LC16, led to 100% mortality at 18 days. The EO and its encapsulated form were scarcely toxic to human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human fibroblast (NHF A12) cell lines. The acute toxicity of C. acaulis EO and its ME (M1) was also evaluated in Wistar rats through oral administration; EO LD50 was 1098 mg kg−1 bw, whereas its ME, even at 5000 mg kg−1 bw (considered the upper testing limit to establish safety to mammals), was not toxic. This study highlights the outstanding efficacy of C. acaulis EO ME for developing long-lasting and safe larvicides against Cx. quinquefasciatus.
Ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone initiated by titanium and vanadium complexes of ONO-type schiff base ligand
Authors: Białek Marzena , Fryga Julia , Spaleniak Grzegorz , Dziuk Błażej
Published: February 2021

A phenoxy-imine proligand with the additional OH donor group, 4,6-tBu2-2-(2-CH2(OH)-C6H4N = CH)C6H3OH (LH2), was synthesized and used to prepare group 4 and 5 complexes by reacting with Ti(OiPr)4 (LTi) and VO(OiPr)3 (LV). All new compounds were characterized by the FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and LTi by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complexes were used as catalysts in the ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. The influence of monomer/transition metal molar ratio, reaction time, polymerization temperature as well as complex type was investigated in detail. The complexes showed high (LTi) and moderate (LV) activity in ε-caprolactone polymerization and the resultant polycaprolactones exhibited Mn and Mw/Mn values ranging from 4.0 · 103 to 18.7 · 103 g/mol and from 1.4 to 2.5, respectively.
Stakeholders’ views on sustaining honey bee health and beekeeping: the roles of ecological and social system drivers
Authors: Fedoriak Mariia , Kulmanov Oleksandr , Zhuk Alina , Shkrobanets Oleksandr , Tymchuk Kateryna , Moskalyk Galyna , Olendr Tetiana , Yamelynets Taras , Angelstam Per
Published: February 2021

Context

Honey bees provide multiple ecosystem services. Comparisons of coupled social-ecological systems (SES) can improve the understanding of the factors affecting honey bees and beekeeping.

Objectives

Stressing the need for SES analyses, we explore beekeepers’ perceived factors affecting bees and beekeeping, test the hypothesis that honey bee colony losses are associated to agricultural land use intensity, and discuss the role of beekeeping for rural development.

Methods

We used as a case study the steep gradient in SES in Ukraine’s Chernivtsi region with three strata: (i) traditional villages, (ii) intermediate and (iii) intensive agriculture. In each stratum, we analysed the social system using five open-ended focus groups. Regarding the ecological system, we analysed data about winter loss rate of honey bee colonies, number of colonies per beekeeper, the average amount of supplemental feeding, and proportion of beekeepers treating againstVarroamite.

Results

Thirty-three themes were extracted, of which 73% concerned the social system at multiple levels of governance. The number of themes increased from the traditional stratum with higher winter colony losses to the intensive agriculture stratum with lower losses. This does not support the hypothesis that the intensive agriculture per se affect honey bees negatively.

Conclusions

Social system factors dominate over ecological factors, and interact across scales. This requires systems analyses of honey bees and beekeeping. We see beekeeping as a social innovation enhancing stakeholders’ navigation in social systems, thus supporting rural development in countries in transition like Ukraine.
Two grounds of liability
Authors: Tadros Victor
Published: February 2021

This essay argues that culpability and responsibility are independent notions, even though some of the same facts make us both responsible and culpable. Responsibility for one’s conduct is grounded in the strength of the agential connection between oneself and one’s conduct. Culpability for one’s conduct is the vices that give rise to that conduct. It then argues that responsibility and culpability for causing a threat are each grounds of liability to defensive harm independent of the other.
A LSTM-Based Anomaly Detection Model for Log Analysis
Authors: Zhao Zhijun , Xu Chen , Li Bo
Published: February 2021

Security devices produce huge number of logs which are far beyond the processing speed of human beings. This paper introduces an unsupervised approach to detecting anomalous behavior in large scale security logs. We propose a novel feature extracting mechanism and could precisely characterize the features of malicious behaviors. We design a LSTM-based anomaly detection approach and could successfully identify attacks on two widely-used datasets. Our approach outperforms three popular anomaly detection algorithms, one-class SVM, GMM and Principal Components Analysis, in terms of accuracy and efficiency.
Characteristics of the copper‐induced viable‐but‐non‐culturable state in bacteria
Authors: Maertens Laurens , Matroule Jean-Yves , Van Houdt Rob
Published: February 2021

The antimicrobial applications of copper (Cu) are exploited in several industries, such as agriculture and healthcare settings. While Cu is capable of efficiently killing microorganisms, sub-lethal doses can induce a viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC) state in bacteria of many distinct clades. VBNC cells cannot be detected by standard culture-based detection methods, and can become a threat to plants and animals as they often retain virulent traits upon resuscitation. Here we discuss the putative mechanisms of the Cu-induced VBNC state. Common observations in Cu-induced VBNC cells include a cellular response to reactive oxygen species, the exhaustion of energy reserves, and a reconfiguration of the proteome. While showing partial overlap with other VBNC state-inducing stressors, these changes seem to be part of an adaptive response to Cu toxicity. Furthermore, we argue that Cu resistance mechanisms such as P-type ATPases and multicopper oxidases may ward off entry into the VBNC state to some extent. The spread of these mechanisms across multi-species populations could increase population-level resistance to Cu antimicrobials. As Cu resistance mechanisms are often co-selected with antibiotic resistance mechanisms, this threat is exacerbated.
Evaluation of seasonal variation and the optimization of reducing sugar extraction from Ulva prolifera biomass using thermochemical method
Authors: Dave Niyam , Varadavenkatesan Thivaharan , Singh Ram Sharan , Giri Balendu Shekher , Selvaraj Raja , Vinayagam Ramesh
Published: February 2021

Green macroalgae comprise significant amount of structural carbohydrates for their conversion to liquid biofuels. However, it generally relies on species characteristics and the variability in seasonal profile to determine its route for bioprocessing. Hence, this study was conducted to analyze the indigenous marine macroalgal strain (Ulva prolifera) with respect to periodic trend and reducing sugar extraction. Consequently, in our investigation, the monthly variation in sugar profile and bioethanol yield was assessed between the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, of which relatively high reducing sugar and fermentative bioethanol yield of about 0.152 ± 0.009 g/gdw and 6.275 ± 0.161 g/L was obtained for the October-month isolate (MITM10). Thereafter, the biochemical profile of this collected biomass (MITM10) revealed carbohydrate 34.98 ± 3.30%, protein 12.45 ± 0.49%, and lipid 1.93 ± 0.07%, respectively, on dry weight basis. Of these, the total carbohydrate fraction yielded the maximum reducing sugar of 0.156 ± 0.005 g/gdw under optimal conditions (11.07% (w/v) dosage, 0.9 M H2SO4, 121°C for 50 min) for thermal-acid hydrolysis. Furthermore, the elimination of polysaccharides was confirmed using the characterization techniques scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Therefore, the present thermochemical treatment method provides a species-specific novel strategy to breakdown the macroalgal cell wall polysaccharides that enhances sugar extraction for its utilization as an efficient bioenergy resource.
Mathematics teacher learning to notice: a systematic review of studies of video-based programs
Authors: Santagata Rossella , König Johannes , Scheiner Thorsten , Nguyen Ha , Adleff Ann-Kristin , Yang Xinrong , Kaiser Gabriele
Published: February 2021

Teacher noticing has become increasingly acknowledged as a fundamental aspect of teacher professional competence. Teacher education scholars have examined how the development of noticing might be supported both in initial teacher education and in professional development. In mathematics teacher education, several studies have explored the use of video as a supporting tool for teacher noticing. It remains unclear how this body of work builds on the various theoretical perspectives of noticing prevalent in the literature, thus broadening our understanding of noticing. Furthermore, the field has not examined systematically the extent to which research has leveraged the affordances of digital video technologies, and whether scholars have employed different research methods to answer questions that are critical to teacher educators. This survey paper reviews studies published in the last two decades on programs centered on mathematics teacher noticing that used video as a supporting tool for teacher learning. Thirty-five peer-reviewed papers written in English were identified and coded along three dimensions: (1) theoretical perspectives; (2) use of video technologies; and (3) research questions and methods. This review summarizes important findings and highlights several directions for future research. Most studies involved pre-service teachers, and only a few centered on in-service teachers. Developers of the large majority of programs took a cognitive psychological perspective and focused on the attending/perceiving and interpreting/reasoning facets of noticing. Few studies used video-based software and few studies used grouping, and even fewer used randomized grouping. Evidence of program effects on responding and decision making, and on instructional practice, is limited and should be extended in the future.
What prompts patients to present with delirium?
Authors: Gibb Kate , Krywonos Anastasia , Shah Runil , Jha Anjali , Davis Daniel
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To explore the recognition, response and understanding of delirium in families and carers of hospitalised patients.

Methods

All adults with delirium admitted to an acute medical unit were included. Delirium was diagnosed by a specialist geriatrician. The responder who sought medical advice for each patient was interviewed using a delirium recognition questionnaire. Vital status was ascertained at four months.

Results

Sixty patients were included (mean age 85, SD 6.8 years). Reported symptoms included drowsiness and lack of responsiveness, though these were less commonly recognised as being due to delirium. 76% received medical advice within 24 h, although two responders took > 1 week. One-third of responders had never heard of delirium. Delirium knowledge among responders was variable.

Conclusion

Overall awareness and knowledge of delirium was poor. Community delirium education and public health initiatives may improve rapidity of recognition, delirium assessment, and potentially health outcomes.
Due Diligence Obligations in International Human Rights Law
Authors: Monnheimer Maria
Published: February 2021

With the importance of non-State actors ever increasing, the traditional State-centric approach of international law is being put to the test. In particular, significant accountability lacunae have emerged in the field of human rights protection. To address these challenges, this book makes a case for extraterritorial due diligence obligations of States in international human rights law. It traces back how due diligence obligations evolved on the international plane and develops a general analytical framework making the broad and vague notion of due diligence more approachable. The framework is applied to different fields of international law which provides guidance on how due diligence obligations can be better conceptualized. Drawing inspiration from these developments, the book analyses how extraterritorial human rights due diligence obligations could operate in practice and foster global human rights protection.
Big-Data Measurement-Model Research about Judges’ Actual Workload in China
Authors: YANG Li , YI Junlin , PENG Hui
Published: February 2021

As the growing number of cases is draining the limited court resources in China, how to scientifically measure the reasonable saturated workload of judges has become an urgent issue. This issue is the prerequisite of other important topics such as determination of judges’ quotas, measurement of the actual workload of a trial team, performance evaluation of judges, and resource allocation within courts. Data-driven measurement of the actual workload of China’s judges depends on various factors such as local economic development, public transportation, case-load in the past, and staffing of assistant positions. Therefore, traditional approaches that depend only on a single element, such as cause of action, do not work well. We proposed a modelling framework based on big-data and machine-learning technology to more accurately measure the actual workload of judges. This framework extracts the core elements of judicial cases, assigns target workload to the cases based on feedback from judges and analyzing case samples to create a standard training dataset, and trains machine-learning models using the data. A preliminary case-weight calculation model is built using the framework. Besides, the model is continuously evaluated and improved by comparing its output with the actual demand in a court through methods such as sampling, questionnaires, and expert evaluation.
Cost–Benefit Assessment of Public Investments in France: The Use of Counter-Experts
Authors: Baumstark Luc , Guesnerie Roger , Ni Jincheng , Ourliac Jean-Paul
Published: February 2021

Socioeconomic evaluation of a public investment helps to understand its value for the community, and it also improves an investment by analyzing its different components, and the risks inherent in its completion. The Act of 31 December 2012 about Public Finance Planning makes it mandatory in France for project sponsors to conduct an ex-ante socioeconomic evaluation of all public civil investments made by the State and its public institutions. An independent counter-expert assessment of the ex-ante socioeconomic evaluation is conducted for the largest projects. A permanent committee of experts has been established to specify the methodological rules for socioeconomic evaluation and define the studies and research necessary.