bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benzodithiophene‐Thienothiadiazole Copolymers as Dopant‐Free Hole‐Transporting Layers Enabling Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Feng Yating , Wang Qi , Li Ting , Hua Yu , Wang Zhenyu , Qiu Wuke , Yu Liyang , Wu Yihui , Peng Qiang
Published: October 2023

The exploration of dopant‐free hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) with excellent optoelectronic properties and defect passivation ability is of great significance for simultaneously improving the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, two donor–acceptor type conjugated polymers PTTDZ‐F and PTTDZ‐Cl with alternating benzodithiophene (BDT) and thienothiadiazole (TTD) units are successfully developed with desirable hole mobilities and conductivities. The formation of non‐covalent interaction (S···N) between thiophene bridge and TTD units significantly improves the co‐planarity of the molecular backbone and promotes the intramolecular charge transfer from BDT to TTD. The hydrophobicity and energy levels of the polymers are finely regulated via introducing different halogen atoms on the BDT moiety. Moreover, the functional groups in polymers efficiently passivate the surface charged traps in perovskite. As a result, champion power conversion efficiencies of 21.50% and 22.20% along with negligible hysteresis have been achieved for devices based on dopant‐free PTTDZ‐F and PTTDZ‐Cl, respectively. The unencapsulated devices also demonstrate excellent long‐term operational stability. Over 93% of their initial efficiencies can be retained after 320 h of maximum output power point tracking under 1 sun illumination. Herein, it paves a new avenue for developing highly stable and efficient HTMs for PSCs.
An identity‐based secure VANET communication system
Authors: Naresh Vankamamidi S. , Reddi Sivaranjani
Published: October 2023

Vehicular ad‐hoc networks (VANETs) are mobile networks intended to connect vehicles and provide secure communication. In this direction, many researchers worked on establishing secure communication in VANETs. However, VANETs still face potential security and privacy issues due to network openness. In this paper, we proposed a secure communication system for VANETs with privacy, consisting of an Enhanced privacy‐preserving mutual authentication procedure for safe communication in V2V and deriving a session key using vehicle identities and time stamps the secret values (nonce) shared during the session. Further, we compared the proposed technique with existing techniques, and satisfactory results were obtained in favor of the proposed less computation. Finally, a formal security model is established to secure against unknown key share attacks, replay attacks, and key‐compromised impersonation attacks.
Males die young, which may cause an Allee effect during a population collapse of the Vendace Coregonus albula
Authors: Marjomäki Timo J. , Valkeajärvi Pentti , Karjalainen Juha
Published: October 2023

Objective

We estimated the difference in mortality between mature male and female Vendace Coregonus albula based on a large data set of catch samples from 25 locations in Finland. We then used this estimate and age distribution data from Lake Etelä-Konnevesi to illustrate how the sex ratio (females per one male) might decrease as the average age of spawners increases during a several-year-long period of recruitment failure.

Methods

We estimated mortalities first from sex-specific age–ln(catch) curves and second from the average age-specific proportions of different sexes.

Result

The estimate of the additional mortality of males was around 0.2–0.4, depending on the method of estimation, and assumed true proportions in the population at age 1 (two growing seasons), when Vendace reaches sexual maturity. When using the additional mortality estimate and age distribution data from Lake Etelä-Konnevesi, the hypothetical sex ratio in the most extreme year was even as skewed as four females per one male.

Conclusion

If the lack of males per female spawner during a population decline reduces the per capita recruitment success of females, this is a depensatory density-dependent effect, the Allee effect. This phenomenon may partly explain the rapid population collapses and contribute to 2-year cyclicity typical of the dynamics of Vendace populations.
Evaluating the effects of selective passage of migratory Westslope Cutthroat Trout on nonnative admixture
Authors: Dangora Anthony J. , Eby Lisa A. , Barfoot Craig A. , Whiteley Andrew R.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Hybridization with nonnative Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss is a primary threat to the persistence of Westslope Cutthroat Trout O. clarkii lewisi. Managers concerned with conserving migratory populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the presence of Rainbow Trout often face the predicament of tolerating the spread of hybridization, intentionally isolating Westslope Cutthroat Trout populations, or suppressing Rainbow Trout source populations.

Methods

Selective passage of migratory Westslope Cutthroat Trout above existing barriers is a management approach with the potential to limit hybridization, while minimizing the population impacts of barriers in populations with preexisting low levels of hybridization. We took a before-after–control-impact approach to evaluate a phenotype-based selective passage management program for migratory Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the Jocko River, Montana.

Result

Of the 364 genotyped individuals selectively passed upstream of a barrier, 82% had a proportion of Rainbow Trout admixture < 0.01 and 98% had < 0.10. Over 14 years (2005–2019), there was no significant increase in hybridization at sites (n = 12) upstream of the barrier, but metrics increased within some of our control (no barrier, n = 8) sites. This increase was greatest at a site just downstream from the barrier, suggesting that blocked fish might have spawned opportunistically in this adjacent tributary.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that phenotypic traits were useful in implementing a selective Westslope Cutthroat Trout passage program that allowed managers to promote the migratory life history without increasing nonnative admixture in this watershed.
Robert Wight names and types in Pouzolzia (Urticaceae) published in Icones plantarum Indiae orientalis
Authors: Jeomol K.K. , Sunojkumar P.
Published: October 2023

Lectotypes are designated for 34 previously untypified names in the genus Pouzolzia belonging to the family Urticaceae published by Robert Wight in Icones plantarum Indiae orientalis, as a part of taxonomic studies of the family Urticaceae in India. Lectotypes are designated for the following names: Pouzolzia acuta, P. ambigua, P. angustifolia, P. aspera, P. auriculata, P. bennettiana, P. bicuspidata, P. concinna, P. courtallensis, P. cymosa, P. elliptica, P. gardneriana, P. glabra, P. heterocarpa, P. johnsoniana, P. longifolia, P. neilgherrensis, P. oblongifolia, P. ovalifolia, P. ovata, P. parvifolia, P. pilosa, P. procumbens, P. pyramidata, P. rheedei, P. rostrata, P. rotundifolia, P. scabra, P. scabrida, P. stocksii, P. tetraptera, P. tomentosa, P. walkeriana, and P. wallichiana. Pouzolzia microphylla is reassigned as a synonym of P. zeylanica. In addition, two names of Roxburgh (Urtica tuberosa, U. vesicaria) published in Flora Indica that are basionyms of Wight's combinations are also lectotypified.
Ecologies of Conflict and Coexistence in the Mediterranean: Seeking Refuge in post-war Lebanon
Authors: Fakhoury Tamirace , Aitken Miriam
Published: October 2023

This chapter draws on the example of refugee displacement in Lebanon to derive broader conceptions on how notions of national identity and otherness materialize, interlace, and collide in the Mediterranean. We argue that Lebanon’s political system has constructed the figure of the refugee as a disrupter to Lebanon’s national identity, framed in the political rhetoric as a static bond structuring relationships between already existing sectarian communities. This bond revolves around a century-old sectarian power-sharing formula in which eighteen confessions are supposed to divide political offices and resources. At the same time, refugee-centric spaces have contested such ossified conceptions of identity. Civic and humanitarian actors have curated alternative spaces of hospitality. Moreover, contentious episodes including Lebanon’s 2019 iconic protest movement as well as smaller-scale refugee-led protests have called for debunking the conception of a closed, exclusionary, and sectarian-tied citizenship. In broader perspective, we draw attention to how the politics of refuge unlocks a heterotopic space where conflict and coexistence as well as exclusion and inclusion co-constitute each other, and where static and dynamic conceptions of citizenship interlace.
The Institutional Channeling of Transnational Economic Mobilization in Three Moroccan Regions
Authors: Bousetta Hassan , Jamid Hicham , Oubad Ismaïl
Published: October 2023

This chapter analyses the interaction between transnational economic mobilization between Europe and Morocco, on the one hand, and diaspora policies deployed in Morocco on the other hand. The objective is to better understand how transnational economic exchanges contribute to redefining the links between home societies and emigrant communities while at the same time redefining the latter as diasporas. These processes lie at the crossroads of new migration dynamics, new modes of economic action among emigrant communities and new State responses to these demands. Dwelling on the authors’ previous research on Moroccans in Europe and on a new project conducted in three Moroccan administrative regions (Oriental, Beni-Mellal-Khenifra and Souss Massa), the paper looks more particularly at how diaspora policies are being formulated at sub-state level and thus providing insights into how the transnational economic mobilization of Moroccan diasporic entrepreneurs is institutionally channeled.
Transnational Migrant Entrepreneurship Policies in the Maghreb Countries: Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco
Authors: Djelti Samir , Zapata-Barrero Ricard
Published: October 2023

This chapter explores how the economic context shapes the Transnational Migrant Entrepreneurship’s (TME) Policies in three different migratory regimes: Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. First, the theoretical background, linking the traditional migration and development debate with a more recent discussion linking migration, transnationalism, and entrepreneurship is reviewed. Second, the influence of the economic context on governments’ to adopt TME’s policies is analyzed. Findings have shown that Tunisia has adopted a step-by-step entrepreneurship migration policy building, Algeria has taken a two-in-one entrepreneurship policy for nationals and bi-nationals, and Morocco has chosen to trigger two parallel entrepreneurship policies for both nationals and their migrants living abroad. The discussion of these outcomes has concluded that the interrelation between the economic context and the political realm drive new patterns of TME’s policies in the three Maghreb countries. These findings open a theoretical debate on how the traditional migration/development discussion draws new understandings on the Global South and Global North relations.
The Migration Initiatives encouraged by the Local and Regional Networks and their effects in the Euromed Cooperation
Authors: Solduga Gemma Aubarell
Published: October 2023

Since the migration and refugee crisis of 2015, local and regional authorities (LRA) are networking to increase their incidence in the migratory policy-making. Still, it is not clear if these collaborative platforms are having a concrete impact in terms of external migratory policies with a Mediterranean regional view. To contribute to this analysis, this study presents a policy framework, based on six outstanding migration initiatives led by selected local regional networks (LRN). The objective is to identify the effects of this cooperative relation in terms of transnational policies in the euro-Mediterranean context for the period 2015–2021. The first part of the article displays the European migratory priorities in the region involving LRA. The second identifies the outstanding initiatives led by some LRN and develops a frame policy analysis accordingly. This section outlines the challenge of sustainability; the limits of multilevel governance and the absence of southern Mediterranean engagement. The multi-sectoral approach, which makes use of decentralized institutions and programs, has become a new tool for these emerging lobbies. The third part addresses the narrative of these networks when it comes to migration confirming the existence of a building Mediterranean focus of interest of the LRN.
Results
Authors: Pedersen Mette
Published: October 2023

Knowledge about the changes of the vocal folds during puberty in children has been focused upon in many cases. Döllinger et al. write that children demonstrate greater cycle-to-cycle variability in oscillations compared to adults [1]. Based on videokymography and high-speed videos, Cavalli et al. suggest changes of treatment of pediatric voice disorders because there are important differences between the developmental approach and disorders for surgical and therapeutic management [2]. As late as 2012, an evaluation of pathology was made by Martins et al. of 304 children from 4 to 18 years where the findings related to normal pubertal development were not commented on [3].
Cyclic Shuffle-Compatibility Via Cyclic Shuffle Algebras
Authors: Liang Jinting , Sagan Bruce E. , Zhuang Yan
Published: October 2023

A permutation statistic $${{\,\textrm{st}\,}}$$

st

is said to be shuffle-compatible if the distribution of $${{\,\textrm{st}\,}}$$

st

over the set of shuffles of two disjoint permutations $$\pi $$
π
and $$\sigma $$
σ
depends only on $${{\,\textrm{st}\,}}\pi $$

st

π

, $${{\,\textrm{st}\,}}\sigma $$

st

σ

, and the lengths of $$\pi $$
π
and $$\sigma $$
σ
. Shuffle-compatibility is implicit in Stanley’s early work on P-partitions, and was first explicitly studied by Gessel and Zhuang, who developed an algebraic framework for shuffle-compatibility centered around their notion of the shuffle algebra of a shuffle-compatible statistic. For a family of statistics called descent statistics, these shuffle algebras are isomorphic to quotients of the algebra of quasisymmetric functions. Recently, Domagalski, Liang, Minnich, Sagan, Schmidt, and Sietsema defined a version of shuffle-compatibility for statistics on cyclic permutations, and studied cyclic shuffle-compatibility through purely combinatorial means. In this paper, we define the cyclic shuffle algebra of a cyclic shuffle-compatible statistic, and develop an algebraic framework for cyclic shuffle-compatibility in which the role of quasisymmetric functions is replaced by the cyclic quasisymmetric functions recently introduced by Adin, Gessel, Reiner, and Roichman. We use our theory to provide explicit descriptions for the cyclic shuffle algebras of various cyclic permutation statistics, which in turn gives algebraic proofs for their cyclic shuffle-compatibility.
Effects of a dissociative drug on fronto-limbic resting-state functional connectivity in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Danböck Sarah K. , Duek Or , Ben-Zion Ziv , Korem Nachshon , Amen Shelley L. , Kelmendi Ben , Wilhelm Frank H. , Levy Ifat , Harpaz-Rotem Ilan
Published: October 2023

Rationale

A subanesthetic dose of ketamine, a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, elicits dissociation in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who also often suffer from chronic dissociative symptoms in daily life. These debilitating symptoms have not only been linked to worse PTSD trajectories, but also to increased resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) between medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and amygdala, supporting the conceptualization of dissociation as emotion overmodulation. Yet, as studies were observational, causal evidence is lacking.

Objectives

The present randomized controlled pilot study examines the effect of ketamine, a dissociative drug, on RSFC between mPFC subregions and amygdala in individuals with PTSD.

Methods

Twenty-six individuals with PTSD received either ketamine (0.5mg/kg; n = 12) or the control drug midazolam (0.045mg/kg; n = 14) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). RSFC between amygdala and mPFC subregions, i.e., ventromedial PFC (vmPFC), dorsomedial PFC (dmPFC) and anterior-medial PFC (amPFC), was assessed at baseline and during intravenous drug infusion.

Results

Contrary to pre-registered predictions, ketamine did not promote a greater increase in RSFC between amygdala and mPFC subregions from baseline to infusion compared to midazolam. Instead, ketamine elicited a stronger transient decrease in vmPFC-amygdala RSFC compared to midazolam.

Conclusions

A dissociative drug did not increase fronto-limbic RSFC in individuals with PTSD. These preliminary experimental findings contrast with prior correlative findings and call for further exploration and, potentially, a more differentiated view on the neurobiological underpinning of dissociative phenomena in PTSD.
Purebred dogs show higher levels of genomic damage compared to mixed breed dogs
Authors: Santovito Alfredo , Saracco Martina , Scarfo’ Manuel , Nota Alessandro , Bertolino Sandro
Published: October 2023

Inbreeding is a common phenomenon in small, fragmented or isolated populations, typical conditions of many threatened species. In the present paper, we used a new non-invasive approach based on the buccal micronucleus assay to evaluate the possible relationships between inbreeding and genomic damage using the dog as model species. In particular, we assessed the frequencies of micronuclei and other nuclear aberrations in a group of purebred dogs (n = 77), comparing the obtained data with those from a control group represented by mixed breed dogs (n = 75). We found a significant increase of micronuclei, nuclear buds and total nuclear aberrations frequencies in purebred dogs compared to mixed-bred dogs. The absence of significant differences in the frequency of micronuclei and other nuclear aberrations amongst different breeds reinforces the hypothesis that the observed increased genomic damage amongst purebred dogs may not be due to a different genomic instability typical of a particular breed, but to inbreeding itself. This hypothesis is further confirmed by the fact that other endogen confounding factors, such as sex, age and weight, do not contribute significantly to the increase of genomic damage observed amongst purebred dogs. In conclusion, results presented in this study showed that, in purebred dogs, inbreeding may increase the levels of genomic damage. Considering that genomic damage is associated with increased physiological problems affecting animal health, the results we obtained may represent a stimulus to discourage the use of intensive inbreeding practices in captive populations and to reduce the fragmentation of wild populations.
Trends in ocean waves climate within the Mediterranean Sea: a review
Authors: De Leo Francesco , Briganti Riccardo , Besio Giovanni
Published: October 2023

The interest for the impact of climate change on ocean waves within the Mediterranean Sea has motivated a number of studies aimed at identifying trends in sea states parameters from historical multi-decadal wave records. In the last two decades progress in computing and the availability of suitable time series from observations further supported research on this topic. With the aim of identifying consensus among previous research on the Mediterranean Sea and its sub-basins, this review analysed the results presented in peer reviewed articles researching historical ocean waves trends published after the year 2000. Most studies focused on the significant wave height trends, while direction and wave period appear to be under-studied in this context. We analysed trends in mean wave climate and extreme sea states. We divided the Mediterranean basin in 12 sub-basins and analysed the results available in the literature from a wide range of data sources, such as satellite altimetry and numerical models, among others. The consensus on the significant wave height mean climate trends is limited, while statistically significant trends in extreme values are detected in the western Mediterranean Sea, in particular in the Gulf of Lion and in the Tyrrhenian Sea, with complex spatial distributions. Negative extreme sea state trends in the sub-basins, although frequently identified, are mostly not significant. We discuss the sources of uncertainty in results introduced by the data used, statistics employed to characterise mean or extreme conditions, length of the time period used for the analysis, and thresholds used to prove trends statistical significance. The reduction of such uncertainties, and the relationship between trends in sea states and weather processes are identified as priority for future research.
Expanding the scope of methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme (MSRE) PCR for forensic identification of body fluids through the novel use of methylation-dependent restriction enzymes (MDRE) and the combination of autosomal and Y-chromosomal markers
Authors: Rothe Jessica , Becker Jessica Maria , Charchinezhadamouei Maral , Mähr Sophia , Lembeck Felizitas , Dannemann Nora , Nagy Marion
Published: October 2023

Methylation-sensitive/-dependent restriction enzyme (MSRE/MDRE) PCR can be performed to detect hypomethylated or hypermethylated CpG sites. With the combined use of different tissue-specific CpG markers, MSRE/MDRE-PCR leads to tissue-specific methylation patterns (TSMPs), enabling the correlation of DNA samples to their source tissue. MSRE/MDRE assays can use the same platform as forensic STR typing and offer many advantages in the field of forensic body fluid detection. In the present study, we aimed to establish MSRE assays for the detection of blood, saliva, vaginal secretion, and semen, using markers from literature and from our own database search. We designed two different MSRE test-sets, which include two novel Y-chromosomal non-semen markers, and enable differentiation between female and male non-semen samples. Furthermore, we established an MSRE/MDRE semen approach, which includes only Y-chromosomal non-semen and semen markers. This Y-semen multiplex PCR utilizes the novel combination of the methylation-sensitive enzyme SmaI and the methylation-dependent enzyme GlaI, which enables more sensitive detection of male body fluids within male/female DNA mixtures. Our validation tests confirmed that MSRE/MDRE assays exhibit high sensitivity, similar to that of STR typing.
Identification and management of subclinical disease activity in early multiple sclerosis: a review
Authors: Ontaneda Daniel , Chitnis Tanuja , Rammohan Kottil , Obeidat Ahmed Z.
Published: October 2023

Importance

Early treatment initiation in multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial in preventing irreversible neurological damage and disability progression. The current assessment of disease activity relies on relapse rates and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion activity, but inclusion of other early, often “hidden,” indicators of disease activity may describe a more comprehensive picture of MS.

Observations

Early indicators of MS disease activity other than relapses and MRI activity, such as cognitive impairment, brain atrophy, and fatigue, are not typically captured by routine disease monitoring. Furthermore, silent progression (neurological decline not clearly captured by standard methods) may occur undetected by relapse and MRI lesion activity monitoring. Consequently, patients considered to have no disease activity actually may have worsening disease, suggesting a need to revise MS management strategies with respect to timely initiation and escalation of disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Traditionally, first-line MS treatment starts with low- or moderate-efficacy therapies, before escalating to high-efficacy therapies (HETs) after evidence of breakthrough disease activity. However, multiple observational studies have shown that early initiation of HETs can prevent or reduce disability progression. Ongoing randomized clinical trials are comparing escalation and early HET approaches.

Conclusions and relevance

There is an urgent need to reassess how MS disease activity and worsening are measured. A greater awareness of “hidden” indicators, potentially combined with biomarkers to reveal silent disease activity and neurodegeneration underlying MS, would provide a more complete picture of MS and allow for timely therapeutic intervention with HET or switching DMTs to address suboptimal treatment responses.
Validation of Modaplex POLE mutation assay in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Dorca Eduard , Velasco Ana , Varela Mar , Gatius Sonia , Villatoro Sergio , Fullana Neus , Cuevas Dolors , Vaquero Marta , Birnbaum Astrid , Neumann Karsten , Matias-Guiu Xavier
Published: October 2023

The TCGA-based molecular classification of endometrial cancer has emerged as an important tool to stratify patients according to prognosis. A simplified scheme has been proposed, by using immunohistochemistry for p53, MSH6, and PMS2 and a molecular test for POLE mutations (NGS or Sanger sequencing, techniques that are not available in many centers worldwide). In this study, we validate a novel method that allows simultaneous analysis of multiple pathogenic POLE mutations. The Modaplex technology integrates polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis. The design of this study encompassed 4 different steps: (1) a retrospective-pilot phase, with 80 tumors, balancing the four molecular subgroups. (2) A retrospective phase of 25 tumors obtained between 2016 and 2020, and 30 tumors obtained between 2000 and 2015. (3) An inter-laboratory corssavalidation step with 19 cases (belonging to phases 1 and 2). (4) A prospective cohort of 123 tumors, of unknown POLE status, with simultaneous validation by Sanger sequencing. A total of 258 samples were analyzed. In the first and second phases, the test showed positive/negative predictive values of 100%, by correctly identifying POLE mutation status in 79/79 and 55/55 cases. Phase 3 showed 100% of inter-laboratory consistency. Phase 4 showed 16 positive samples out of the 123 prospective cases. Overall, the test has revealed sensitivity and specificity of 100%, identifying a total of 47 POLE-mutated tumors. We have shown that this technique allows faster and easier identification of multiple pathogenic POLE mutations with high robustness and confidence when comparing to other tests such as Sanger sequencing.
Near-infrared fluorescence tattooing: a new approach for endoscopic marking of tumors in minimally invasive colorectal surgery using a persistent near-infrared marker
Authors: Thomaschewski Michael , Lipp Michael , Engelke Carsten , Harder Jonas , Labod Isabell , Keck Tobias , Mittmann Karin
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Intraoperative accurate localization of tumors in the lower gastrointestinal tract is essential to ensure oncologic radicality. In minimally invasive colon surgery, tactile identification of tumors is challenging due to diminished or absent haptics. In clinical practice, preoperative endoscopic application of a blue dye (ink) to the tumor site has become the standard for marking and identification of tumors in the colon. However, this method has the major limitation that accidental intraperitoneal spillage of the dye can significantly complicate the identification of anatomical structures and surgical planes. In this work, we describe a new approach of NIR fluorescent tattooing using a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent marker instead of a blue dye (ink) for endoscopic tattooing.

Methods

AFS81x is a newly developed NIR fluorescent marker. In an experimental study with four domestic pigs, the newly developed NIR fluorescent marker (AFS81x) was used for endoscopic tattooing of the colon. 7–12 endoscopic submucosal injections of AFS81x were placed per animal in the colon. On day 0, day 1, and day 10 after endoscopic tattooing with AFS81x, the visualization of the fluorescent markings in the colon was evaluated during laparoscopic surgery by two surgeons and photographically documented.

Results

The detection rate of the NIR fluorescent tattoos at day 0, day 1, and day 10 after endoscopic tattooing was 100%. Recognizability of anatomical structures during laparoscopy was not affected in any of the markings, as the markings were not visible in the white light channel of the laparoscope, but only in the NIR channel or in the overlay of the white light and the NIR channel of the laparoscope. The brightness, the sharpness, and size of the endoscopic tattoos did not change significantly on day 1 and day 10, but remained almost identical compared to day 0.

Conclusion

The new approach of endoscopic NIR fluorescence tattooing using the newly developed NIR fluorescence marker AFS81x enables stable marking of colonic sites over a long period of at least 10 days without compromising the recognizability of anatomical structures and surgical planes in any way.
Case report: clinical improvements observed in first off-label metreleptin treatment of a patient with atypical anorexia nervosa
Authors: Hebebrand Johannes , Antel Jochen , Peters Triinu
Published: October 2023

Off-label metreleptin treatment resulted in cognitive, emotional and behavioral improvements of patients with anorexia nervosa, who presented with hypoleptinemia. We now report a case study of a 16-year-old female patient with atypical anorexia nervosa who was treated off-label with metreleptin for 11 days. She had lost 21 kg over 6 months. Her body mass index at referral for inpatient treatment was 20 kg/m2, her serum leptin level was just within the normal range (2.4 ng/ml). Dosing resulted in prominent improvements of mood and weight phobia entailing a comparatively brief inpatient treatment. The observed improvements are similar to those observed in patients with AN, suggesting overlapping mechanisms with respect to clinical effects induced by elevations of absolute or relative hypoleptinemia. Randomized controlled trials are warranted for both eating disorders.
Survival benefit of living donor kidney transplantation in patients on hemodialysis
Authors: Goto Shunsuke , Fujii Hideki , Mieno Makiko , Yagisawa Takashi , Abe Masanori , Nitta Kosaku , Nishi Shinichi
Published: October 2023

Background

Donors bravely donate their kidneys because they expect that living donor kidney transplantation (LKT) confers benefits to recipients. However, the magnitude of the survival benefit of LKT is uncertain.

Methods

This prospective cohort study used two Japanese nationwide databases for dialysis and kidney transplantation and included 862 LKT recipients and 285,242 hemodialysis (HD) patients in the main model and 5299 LKT recipients and 151,074 HD patients in the supplementary model. We employed time-dependent model in the main model and assessed the hazard ratio and the difference in the restricted mean survival time (RMST) between LKT recipients and HD patients. In the main analysis of the main model (LKT, N = 675; HD, N = 675), we matched LKT recipients with HD patients by age, sex, dialysis vintage, and cause of renal failure and excluded HD patients with dementia or performance status grades 2, 3, or 4.

Results

The median observational period was 8.00 (IQR 3.58–8.00) years. LKT was significantly associated with a lower risk of mortality (hazard ratios (95% confidence interval (CI)), 0.50 (0.35–0.72)) and an increase in life expectancy (7-year RMST differences (95% CI), 0.48 (0.35–0.60) years) compared with HD. In subgroup analysis, the survival benefit of LKT was greater in female patients than in male patients in the Cox model; whereas older patients gained longer life expectancy compared with younger patients.

Conclusions

LKT was associated with better survival benefits than HD, and the estimated increase in life expectancy was 0.48 years for 7 years.
Using silvopastoral systems for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock in the Colombian Amazon
Authors: Mavisoy Henry , Vallejos Adrian Rolando Riascos , Narváez-Herrera Juan Pablo , Sánchez Álvaro , Fangueiro David , de Almeida André M.
Published: October 2023

Silvopastoral systems (SPS) are strategic in neutralizing greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in livestock production systems, particularly in the tropics. This research assessed the mitigation potential of SPS on the carbon footprint (CFP) neutralizing in one integrated livestock farm of cow-calf and pig production system in the Colombian Amazon. Annual carbon accumulation rate (ACAR) in MgCO2e ha−1y−1, was evaluated on living above-ground biomass including trees and shrubs > 2 cm DBH and pasture, and leaf litter and below-ground biomass including coarse and fine roots, soil organic carbon 0–10 cm deep, and total ACAR adding up all components in live fences (LF), scattered trees (ST), fallows (FW), fodder bank (FB) and pastures (PT). The GHG emissions in MgCO2e ha−1y−1 were accounted in CO2 from liming, urea, fuel, electricity, and supplementation, CH4 from enteric methane, manure, and organic fertilization and N2O from urine and manure. The C balance was obtained from the differences between ACAR of SPS on farm and the CFP per surface. Mean total ACAR expressed in MgC ha−1y−1 were 9.0 ± 4.6 in FW, 7.0 ± 1.2 in LF, 5.5 ± 0.8 in ST, 4.2 ± 0.2 in FB and 2.9 ± 0.1 in PT. Mean CFP was 3.7 MgCO2e ha−1y−1, 5.3 MgCO2e Live Weight ha−1y−1, and 23.6 MgCO2e Live Weight Gain y−1. The CFP (area) can be neutralized with total ACAR value of 2.1 ha−1 for LF, 1.6 ha−1 for FW, 2.6 ha−1 for ST, 3.5 ha−1 for FB and 5.1 ha−1 for PT. The Silvopastoral systems have a higher potential for neutralizing GHG emissions than pasture-based scenario when considering the ACAR in above-ground biomass.
Data-driven operator functional state classification in smart manufacturing
Authors: Besharati Moghaddam Fatemeh , Lopez Angel J. , Van Gheluwe Casper , De Vuyst Stijn , Gautama Sidharta
Published: October 2023

One of the main challenges in the industry is having trained and efficient operators in manufacturing lines. Smart adaptive guidance systems are developed that offer assistance to the operator during assembly. Depending on the operator’s level of execution, the system should be able to serve a different guidance response. This paper investigates the assessment and classification of the operator’s functional state using observed task execution times. Five different classifiers are studied for operator functional state classification on task execution time series. The experiments are based on an industry case and the ground truth is provided by an expert rule-based system. Three classification scenarios are defined that segment the problem on the level of the task, the individual, or the team. Furthermore, the investigation includes the evaluation of four distinct window-size configurations. The examination of how these scenarios and window-sizes influence the studied dataset across diverse classifiers reveals that achieving enhanced accuracy necessitates a larger input dimension. In this context, Convolutional Neural Networks predominantly exhibit superior performance compared to alternative classifiers. Careful attention needs to be paid to performance over classes and skills, but results confirm the validity of the approach for data-driven operator functional state classification.
Permission to pass: on the role of p53 as a gatekeeper for aneuploidy
Authors: Marques Joana F. , Kops Geert J. P. L.
Published: October 2023

Aneuploidy—the karyotype state in which the number of chromosomes deviates from a multiple of the haploid chromosome set—is common in cancer, where it is thought to facilitate tumor initiation and progression. However, it is poorly tolerated in healthy cells: during development and tissue homeostasis, aneuploid cells are efficiently cleared from the population. It is still largely unknown how cancer cells become, and adapt to being, aneuploid. P53, the gatekeeper of the genome, has been proposed to guard against aneuploidy. Aneuploidy in cancer genomes strongly correlates with mutations in TP53, and p53 is thought to prevent the propagation of aneuploid cells. Whether p53 also participates in preventing the mistakes in cell division that lead to aneuploidy is still under debate. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the role of p53 in protecting cells from aneuploidy, and we explore the consequences of functional p53 loss for the propagation of aneuploidy in cancer.
The interactive effect of endogenous and exogenous institutions on forest use practices in socio-culturally diverse landscapes of Cameroon
Authors: Mukong Alfred Kechia , Kimengsi Jude Ndzifon , Alusoh Constantine Nwune
Published: October 2023

In resource-dependent communities of sub-Saharan Africa, it is widely held that endogenous institutions either countervail or complement exogenous institutions, indicating inconsistency in empirical evidence. This has re-ignited interest to establish the independent and/or interactive effect of both endogenous and exogenous institutional structures. This paper quantitatively analyses the independent and interactive effects of community-based (endogenous) and state-based (exogenous) forest management institutions (FMIs) on the exploitation of forest resources, drawing from a representative sample of 446 households from three socio-culturally diverse landscapes of Cameroon. The paper introduces a multiplicative interaction term and used the heteroscedasticity-based instrumental variables approach to estimate the direct and indirect effects of exogenous and endogenous institutions on the behaviour of users of forest-based resources. The results indicate that: (i) Both exogenous structures of FMIs and the interaction term significantly constrain the extractive behaviour of forest resource users; (ii) endogenous structures and not rules are vital in improving the role of exogenous structures in forest resource management; (iii) while traditional rules are less significant in shaping forest resource exploitation, their effectiveness is highly significant across the study sites and (iv) institutional compatibility and complementarity was observed in landscapes that were formerly shaped by British colonial influence (Bakossi and Kilum-Ijim). This paper does not only establish the relative influence of exogenous and endogenous FMIs, it also highlights future research pathways on institutional change in the context of environmental resource management in sub-Saharan Africa.
Influence of perfluorohexyloctane (Evotears®) on higher order aberrations
Authors: Saad Amr , Frings Andreas
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To prospectively assess the effect of regular application of perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8; Evotears®) on the tear film lipid layer, higher order aberrations (HOA) and the repeatability of measurements in healthy eyes.

Methods

This prospective clinical study included 104 eyes treated with F6H8 four times daily for four weeks (group A) and 101 eyes that served as controls (group B). Measurements were performed with the WASCA aberrometer (Carl Zeiss Meditec GmbH, Jena, Germany). Main outcome measurement in addition to subjective refraction were the root mean square values of HOA measured before and after the intervention.

Results

Regular use of F6H8 over a period of four weeks significantly increases HOA in healthy eyes (p < 0.05). In addition, the repeatability of measurement increases after the application of F6H8.

Conclusion

F6H8 may be a suitable treatment option to improve the accuracy of refractive assessment, although it increases HOA. Further studies are needed to confirm the effect on HOA and the repeatability of measurement.
The distributional impact of structural transformation in rural India: case-study evidence and model-based simulation
Authors: Elbers Chris , Lanjouw Peter
Published: October 2023

The North Indian village of Palanpur has been the subject of close study over a period of six decades from 1957/8 to 2015. Himanshu et al. (2018) document the evolution of the village economy over this period and point to two distinct drivers of growth and distribution of income. An early period of agricultural intensification associated with the green revolution saw an expansion of irrigation and the introduction of new agricultural technologies, leading to rising incomes accompanied by falling poverty and fairly stable, or even declining, income inequality. From about the mid-1970s onwards, a cumulative process of non-farm diversification took hold, and was associated with further growth and poverty decline but also a significant rise in income inequality. Such a process of structural transformation has been observed more widely in rural India. We construct a simple model of a village economy that captures several of the salient features of the Palanpur economy and society, and that is able to reproduce the distributional outcomes observed in the village. Our analysis suggests that while non-farm diversification occurred alongside rising inequality, the counterfactual of no diversification would in fact be associated with an even greater increase. We suggest therefore that non-farm diversification has in fact helped to contain growth in inequality, and has played a particularly pronounced role in reducing poverty. To the extent that other villages in India share features similar to Palanpur, our findings may also hold elsewhere.
Anthrax in one health in Southern and Southeastern Europe - the effect of climate change?
Authors: Railean Viorica , Sobolewski Jarosław , Jaśkowski Jędrzej M.
Published: October 2023

Anthrax is a serious infection caused by Bacillus anthracis. The anthracis spores are highly resistant and can persist in the environment for several decades. Therefore, anthrax is considered a global health threat affecting wildlife, livestock, and the general public. The resistance mechanism is influenced not only by the environment or the ecological niche but also by virulence factors. In the last 10 years the Southern and Southeastern Europe have been confronted with this threat. Recently, there have been 8 human anthrax cases reported in Croatia (2022), and 4 cases in Romania (2023). Moreover, this incident and the COVID situation could be a starting point to encourage researchers to raise the alarm. On the other hand, climate change is causing glaciers to melt and land to thaw, and many wetlands and swampy areas are being drained. It should not be forgotten that epidemiological and epizootic threats significantly affect the country’s economic development. The Covid-19 epidemic best illustrates these threats.
Characterization of phytochemicals from twisted-leaf garlic (Allium obliquum L.) using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Böttcher Christoph , Bach Linh T. , Stürtz Melanie , Schulz Hartwig
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Twisted-leaf garlic (Allium obliquum L.) is a wild Allium species, which is traditionally used as aroma plant for culinary purposes due to its unique, garlic-like flavor. It represents an interesting candidate for domestication, breeding and cultivation.

Objectives

The objective of this work was to explore and comprehensively characterize polar and semi-polar phytochemicals accumulating in leaves and bulbs of A. obliquum.

Method

Plant material obtained from a multiyear field trial was analyzed using a metabolite profiling workflow based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-coupled electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/ESI-QTOFMS) and two chromatographic methods. For annotation of metabolites, tandem mass spectrometry experiments were carried out and the resulting accurate-mass collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra interpreted. Onion and garlic bulb extracts were used as reference samples.

Results

Important metabolite classes influencing nutritional, sensory and technological properties were detected and structurally characterized including fructooligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization of 3–5, S-alk(en)ylcysteine sulfoxides and other S-substituted cysteine conjugates, flavonoids including O- and C-glycosylated flavones as well as O-glycosylated flavonols, steroidal saponins, hydroxycinnamic acid conjugates, phenylethanoids and free sphingoid bases. In addition, quantitative data for non-structural carbohydrates, S-alk(en)ylcysteine sulfoxides and flavonoids are provided.

Conclusion

The compiled analytical data including CID mass spectra of more than 160 annotated metabolites provide for the first time a phytochemical inventory of A. obliquum and lay the foundation for its further use as aroma plant in food industry.
Unlocking the potential of microalgae cultivated on wastewater combined with salinity stress to improve biodiesel production
Authors: Osman Mohamed E. H. , Abo-Shady Atef M. , Gheda Saly F. , Desoki Samy M. , Elshobary Mostafa E.
Published: October 2023

Microalgae have the potential as a source of biofuels due to their high biomass productivity and ability to grow in a wide range of conditions, including wastewater. This study investigated cultivating two microalgae species, Oocystis pusilla and Chlorococcus infusionum, in wastewater for biodiesel production. Compared to Kühl medium, KC medium resulted in a significant fold increase in cellular dry weight production for both O. pusilla and C. infusionum, with an increase of 1.66 and 1.39, respectively. A concentration of 100% wastewater resulted in the highest growth for O. pusilla, with an increase in biomass and lipid content compared to the KC medium. C. infusionum could not survive in these conditions. For further increase in biomass and lipid yield of O. pusilla, different total dissolved solids (TDS) levels were used. Maximum biomass and lipid productivities were achieved at 3000 ppm TDS, resulting in a 28% increase in biomass (2.50 g/L) and a 158% increase in lipid yield (536.88 mg/g) compared to KC medium. The fatty acid profile of O. pusilla cultivated on aerated wastewater at 3000 ppm TDS showed a high proportion of desirable saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) for biodiesel production. Cultivating microalgae in wastewater for biodiesel production can be cost-effective, especially for microalgae adapted to harsh conditions. It could be concluded that O. pusilla is a promising candidate for biodiesel production using wastewater as a growth medium, as it has high biomass productivity and lipid yield, and its fatty acid profile meets the standard values of American and European biodiesel standards. This approach offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for producing biofuels while reducing the environmental impact of wastewater disposal.