bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biblical figure playlist
Authors: Ryan Scott C.
Published: December 2022

Helping students comprehend and recall significant plot points, figures, and stories in the biblical canon can be challenging. Additionally, many students come into required general education courses without much enthusiasm for the class or subject. This tactic helps create opportunities for discussion, connects the topics of the class with students' personal interests and knowledge, and assists students with recalling important issues on later assignments and tests.
Leaves and stolons transcriptomic analysis provide insight into the role of phytochrome F in potato flowering and tuberization
Authors: Wang Enshuang , Zhou Tingting , Jing Shenglin , Dong Liepeng , Sun Xiaomeng , Fan Yujie , Shen Yunlong , Liu Tengfei , Song Botao
Published: December 2022

Photoperiod plays a critical role in controlling the formation of sexual or vegetative reproductive organs in potato. Although StPHYF‐silenced plants overcome day‐length limitations to tuberize through a systemic effect on tuberigen StSP6A expression in the stolon, the comprehensive regulatory network of StPHYF remains obscure. Therefore, the present study investigated the transcriptomes of StPHYF‐silenced plants and observed that, in addition to known components of the photoperiodic tuberization pathway, florigen StSP3D and other flowering‐related genes were activated in StPHYF‐silenced plants, exhibiting an early flowering response. Additionally, grafting experiments uncovered the long‐distance effect of StPHYF silencing on gene expression in the stolon, including the circadian clock components, flowering‐associated MADSs, and tuberization‐related regulatory genes. Similar to the AtFT‐AtAP1 regulatory module in Arabidopsis, the present study established that the AP1‐like StMADS1 functions downstream of the tuberigen activation complex (TAC) and that suppressing StMADS1 inhibits tuberization in vitro and delays tuberization in vivo. Moreover, the expression of StSP6A was downregulated in StMADS1‐silenced plants, implying the expression of StSP6A may be feedback‐regulated by StMADS1. Overall, these results reveal that the regulatory network of StPHYF controls flowering and tuberization and targets the crucial tuberization factor StMADS1 through TAC, thereby providing a better understanding of StPHYF‐mediated day‐length perception during potato reproduction.
Demographics of first‐time donors returning for donation during the pandemic: COVID‐19 convalescent plasma versus standard blood product donors
Authors: Van Buren Nancy L. , Rajbhandary Srijana , Reynolds Vanessa , Gorlin Jed B. , Stramer Susan L. , Notari Edward P. , Conti Galen , Katz Louis , Stubbs James R. , van Buskirk Camille M. , Kuttner Kip , Smith Debra L. , Ngamsuntikul Samantha G. , Pandey Suchitra , Ward Dawn C. , Ziman Alyssa , Hiskey Matthew , Townsend Mary , Sachais Bruce S.
Published: December 2022

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated low first‐time donor return rates (DRR) following catastrophic events. Little is known, however, about the influence of demographic factors on the DRR of first‐time donors during the COVID‐19 pandemic, including the unique motivation of COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP) donors as compared to non‐CCP donors.

Study Design and Methods

Thirteen blood collection organizations submitted deidentified data from first‐time CCP and non‐CCP donors returning for regular (non‐CCP) donations during the pandemic. DRR was calculated as frequencies. Demographic factors associated with returning donors: race/ethnicity, gender, and generation (Gen Z: 19–24, Millennial: 25–40, Gen X: 41–56, and Boomer: ≥57 years old), within the CCP and non‐CCP first‐time cohorts were compared using chi‐square test at p < .05 statistical significance.

Results

From March 2020 through December 2021, there were a total of 44,274 first‐time CCP and 980,201 first‐time non‐CCP donors. DRR were 14.6% (range 11.9%–43.3%) and 46.6% (range 10.0%–76.9%) for CCP and non‐CCP cohorts, respectively. Age over 40 years (Gen X and Boomers), female gender, and White race were each associated with higher return in both donor cohorts (p < .001). For the non‐CCP return donor cohort, the Millennial and Boomers were comparable.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate differences in returning donor trends between the two donor cohorts. The motivation of a first‐time CCP donor may be different than that of a non‐CCP donor. Further study to improve first‐time donor engagement would be worthwhile to expand the donor base with a focus on blood donor diversity emphasizing engagement of underrepresented minorities and younger donors.
Radiographic, MRI, and CT findings in a young dog with Becker‐like muscular dystrophy
Authors: Costanzo Giulia , Minei Sergio , Zini Eric , Gracis Margherita , Lacava Giuseppe
Published: December 2022

An 8‐month‐old, male, crossbreed dog was presented for macroglossia, reduced mandibular extension, ptyalism, dysphagia, and regurgitation. Serum creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase activity were markedly increased. Thoracic radiographs showed an axial gastro‐esophageal hiatal hernia, diaphragmatic thickening, and asymmetry. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed a severely enlarged tongue, symmetric increase in size of the geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles, and diffuse masticatory hypomyotrophy. Whole‐body CT ruled out other musculoskeletal abnormalities and further characterized the radiographic and MRI findings. Muscular histopathology was consistent with Becker muscular dystrophy.
Design of Sub-Systems for GPS-Guided Autonomous Delivery Robot System
Authors: Mohd Basri Mohd Ariffanan , Sahrir Nur Hayati
Published: December 2022

The use of autonomous robots for delivery services is a new potential goldmine. Furthermore, since the e-commerce and delivery industry are growing at a rapid rate, it is recommended that a system that could handle the high-volume traffic as well serve as a new customer attraction, be implemented. Therefore, this work aims to develop the Autonomous Delivery Robot System (ADRS) that could be utilized for delivery services. The ADRS uses the Arduino microcontroller to run a program. The developed system consists of three main components (sub-systems), namely, mobile robot, cloud server and mobile application. The mobile robot is equipped with a tracking and an obstacle detection system to maneuver it autonomously. The ultrasonic sensors are used for obstacle detection, coupled with a Global Positioning System (GPS) to enable it deliver packages to customers in a typical outdoor environment. The ADRS ensures a human-contactless and secure delivery by using a password protected container to carry the delivery packages. Only the customer can unlock the container using the provided password via mobile application. The mobile application with customized map based on Google Maps is created to provide the user with an interactive interface. A camera is also attached on the robot for real-time monitoring purpose. The performance of the ADRS has been evaluated to determine the functionality of the developed system.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS) Accuracy Testing for Software Defined Network Internet of Things (SDN-IOT) Testbed
Authors: Ariffin Sharifah H. S. , Chong Jia Le , Abdul Latif, Nurul Mu’azzah , Nik Abd Malik Nik Noordini , Arsat Rashidah@Siti Saedah , Baharudin Muhammad Ariff , Syed-Yusof Sharifah Kamilah , M. Yusof Kamaluddin
Published: December 2022

Intrusion detection system (IDS) are considered as one of the best solutions for network security as it can detect intrusion and alert the network administrator on possible intrusions. However there are possible false alert that could cause unnecessary trigger of the network to the administrator. This paper provides a proof of concept of the accuracy test of an intrusion detection system (IDS) using software defined network IoT platform. The testbed uses UNSW-NB15 dataset that feeds the testbed and the traffic are mirror in a Ryu Controller that is installed with Snort IDS to monitor any DDoS attacks. For proof of concept false positive and false negative tests are run to ensure that the IDS are well configured. The experiment shows that the SDN-IoT platform with Snort IDS is accurate in both false positive and false negative test.
Classification of Muscle Fatigue during Prolonged Driving
Authors: Azmi Nur Liyana , Ab Ghafar Noor Azlyn , Md Nor Khairul Affendy , Nordin Nor Hidayati Diyana
Published: December 2022

Driving has become essential in transporting people from one place to another. However, prolonged driving could cause muscle fatigue, leading to drowsiness and microsleep. Electromyography is an important type of electro-psychological signal that is used to measure electrical activity in muscles. The current study attempted to use machine learning algorithms to classify EMG signals recorded from the trapezius muscle of 10 healthy subjects in non-fatigue and fatigue conditions. The EMG signals and the time when muscle fatigue was experienced by the subjects were recorded. The mean frequency and median frequency of the EMG signals were extracted as dataset features. Six machine learning models were used for the classification: Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, Naïve Bayes, k-nearest Neighbour, Decision Tree and Random Forest. The results show that both the median and mean frequency are lower when fatigue conditions exist. In term of the classification performance, the Random Forest, Decision Tree and k-nearest Neighbour classifiers produced the accuracy levels of 85.00%, 83.75% and 81.25% respectively. Thus, the highest accuracy for classifying muscle fatigue due to prolonged driving was obtained by the Random Forest classifier, using both the median and mean frequency of the EMG signals. This method of using the mean and median frequency will be useful in classifying driver’s non-fatigue and fatigue conditions during prolonged driving.
Posture monitoring device for abnormal spine musculoskeletal detection using flex sensor
Authors: Ibitoye Morufu Olusola , Ahmed Yusuf , Ajibola Taiye Mary , Oladejo Idowu Olayemi
Published: December 2022

During activity of daily living involving standing, sitting or maneuvering, humans are typically susceptible to neck and shoulder strain, and other musculoskeletal conditions, severity of which may lead to posture deformity. To prevent these clinical conditions, we developed a low-cost and user-friendly posture monitor mainly built on a single flex sensor. The design was based on abnormal posture detection by a flex sensor whose signal triggers a buzzer to notify the user or care giver of these clinical conditions. Through Arduino IDE, an ATmega328 microcontroller controlled the sequence of the flex sensing to the audible alarm output. The buzzer was designed to go off automatically when the user adjusts his/her posture to normalcy. With a sensitivity of 84.6% during testing of this device, the developed posture monitoring device could be adjudged effective and suitable to monitor people's posture while sitting or standing especially in environments where menial jobs are prevalent. In these individuals, this device may prevent deformity prone diseases that may warrant surgical intervention for correction.
Analysis of the Conservation Status of Urbanized Tropical Springs in Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Collyer Resende Giovanna , José Rosso Pinto Maurício , Máximo Alves da Silva Elvineide , Marrugo-Negrete José , Yuri Hanai Frederico
Published: December 2022

Springs are extremely important for the maintenance of the hydrological cycle, contributing to the improvement of the population's quality of life. In this sense, this research aimed to analyse the conservation status of three springs in the watersheds of Mineirinho and Paraíso streams located in the city of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil, in order to understand the possible causes of its conditions. The Integrated Assessment and Monitoring Protocol for Springs of Water Streams (PANÁgua) was applied, whose structure is summarized in three stages: field assessment, bibliographic research and analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). As a result, it was identified that the three springs assessed in both watersheds are in a conservation status classified as “bad”. The main cause of this condition can be attributed to their locations, which are identified as urbanized areas, which results in a lack of natural vegetation, the presence of strong erosion processes and irregular dumping of sewage and rainwater. Furthermore, the disposal of various solid residues in the Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) of the studied springs was also observed. The results show the need to prioritize environmental management actions in urbanized watersheds, as well as expand research on the status of tropical watersheds in Brazil.
Gastropods Colour Patterns in Cassiopids and Naticids from Romualdo Formation, Araripe Basin, Northeast Brazil
Authors: Pereira Priscilla Albuquerque , Prado Ludmila Alves Cadeira do , Araripe Rilda Verônica Cardoso , Oliveira David Holanda de , Lemos Flávia Azevedo Pedrosa , Lobo Luiz Ricardo da Silva , Tomé Maria Emília Travassos Rios , Barreto Alcina Magnólia Franca
Published: December 2022

The phylum Mollusca includes one of the most beautiful examples of colour patterns in present-day shells. However, they are rare in the fossil record because they demand excellent fossilization. In Brazil, colour patterns in fossil mollusk shells are recorded in gastropods Natica aff. bulbulus White, 1887 from the Riachuelo Formation (Aptian-Albian), Sergipe-Alagoas Basin. This paper presents the first gastropod shells from the Romualdo Formation with colour patterns, visible under natural and UV light, belonging to the families Naticidae and Cassiopidae, collected at Santo Antônio outcrop municipality of Exu, Pernambuco and, Pinheiro and Serra do Mãozinha sites, municipality of Missão Velha and Romualdo site, municipality of Crato, Ceará. Among the cassiopids more than 100 specimens were tested, with 1/3 of them showing a residual colour pattern under UV light exposure, after chemical preparation. They correspond to the species Paraglauconia (Diglauconia) araripensis (Beurlen, 1964), Paraglauconia (Diglauconia) lyrica Maury, 1934, Gymnentome (Gymnentome) carregozica (Maury, 1934) and Gymnentome (Gymnentome) romualdoi Beurlen, 1964. The colour pattern is virtually similar in both genera, with fluorescent stripes on a dark background, showing the taxonomic similarity between them. As for the naticids, about 20 specimens were collected and 15 show good preservation, observing the visible colour pattern under natural light in Natica sp. and Euspira sp.; both new taxa for the Araripe Basin. The residual colour pattern in naticids ranges from spiral stripes to sigmoidal lines and blotches of brown and yellowish tones on a paler background, as observed in fossil species of the same family in the Cenozoic. The new occurrences increase the fossiliferous diversity of mollusks of the Romualdo Formation and extend the understanding of the diversity of colouration patterns of Lower Cretaceous gastropods.
Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm With Machine Learning and Local Search for an Energy-Efficient Disassembly Line Balancing Problem in Remanufacturing
Authors: Tian Guangdong , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Xuesong , Feng Yixiong , Yuan Gang , Peng Tao , Pham Duc Truong
Published: December 2022

Product disassembly is a vital element of recycling and remanufacturing processes. The disassembly line balancing problem (DLBP), i.e., how to assign a set of tasks to a disassembly workstation, is crucial for a product disassembly process. Based on the importance of energy efficiency in product disassembly and the trend toward green remanufacturing, this study proposes an optimization model for a multi-objective disassembly line balancing problem that aims to minimize the idle rate, smoothness, cost, and energy consumption during the disassembly operation. Due to the complex nature of the optimization problem, a discrete whale optimization algorithm is proposed in this study, which is developed as an extension of the whale optimization algorithm. To enable the algorithm to solve discrete optimization problems, we propose coding and decoding methods that combine the features of DLBP. First of all, the initial disassembly solution is obtained by using K-means clustering to speed up the exchange of individual information. After that, new methods for updating disassembly sequences are developed, in which a local search strategy is introduced to increase the accuracy of the algorithm. Finally, the algorithm is used to solve the disassembly problem of a worm reducer and the first 12 feasible task allocation options in the Pareto frontier are shown. A comparison with typically existing algorithms confirms the high performance of the proposed whale optimization algorithm, which has a good balance of solution quality and efficiency.
Optimum Design for a New Reconfigurable Two-Wheeled Self-Balancing Robot Based on Virtual Equivalent Parallel Mechanism
Authors: Tang Hongyan , Zhang James W. , Pan Lanqing , Zhang Dan
Published: December 2022

Two-wheeled self-balancing robot (TWSBR) is a mobile robot with a wide application in security, rescue, entertainment, and other fields. To make the robot obtain a larger range of the controllable inclination angle, a reconfigurable mechanism of the moment of inertia is designed for the TWSBR, and the energy consumption of the reconfigurable mechanism is reduced by a gravity compensation mechanism. This paper constructs a virtual equivalent parallel mechanism (VEPM) to model the robot-ground system combining the robot and the ground. The kinematics, dynamic model, and performance indexes of the VEPM are solved based on the vector method, the Lagrangian dynamics, and the screw theory. Then, the dimensions of the mechanism are optimized based on the comprehensive performance analysis. Finally, the effectiveness of the optimization algorithm and gravity compensation mechanism is verified through simulation and motion experiments. The reconfigurable mechanism enables the TWSBR to stand up, step up, and surmount obstacles. The performance analysis and optimal design approaches proposed in this paper have positive significance for the systematic modeling and optimal design of two-wheeled and two-legged robots.
The transcription factor Zic4 promotes tentacle formation and prevents epithelial transdifferentiation in
Hydra
Authors: Vogg Matthias Christian , Ferenc Jaroslav , Buzgariu Wanda Christa , Perruchoud Chrystelle , Sanchez Paul Gerald Layague , Beccari Leonardo , Nuninger Clara , Le Cras Youn , Delucinge-Vivier Céline , Papasaikas Panagiotis , Vincent Stéphane , Galliot Brigitte , Tsiairis Charisios D.
Published: December 2022

The molecular mechanisms that maintain cellular identities and prevent dedifferentiation or transdifferentiation remain mysterious. However, both processes are transiently used during animal regeneration. Therefore, organisms that regenerate their organs, appendages, or even their whole body offer a fruitful paradigm to investigate the regulation of cell fate stability. Here, we used
Hydra
as a model system and show that Zic4, whose expression is controlled by Wnt3/β-catenin signaling and the Sp5 transcription factor, plays a key role in tentacle formation and tentacle maintenance. Reducing
Zic4
expression suffices to induce transdifferentiation of tentacle epithelial cells into foot epithelial cells. This switch requires the reentry of tentacle battery cells into the cell cycle without cell division and is accompanied by degeneration of nematocytes embedded in these cells. These results indicate that maintenance of cell fate by a Wnt-controlled mechanism is a key process both during homeostasis and during regeneration.
Prostaglandin EP3 receptor–expressing preoptic neurons bidirectionally control body temperature via tonic GABAergic signaling
Authors: Nakamura Yoshiko , Yahiro Takaki , Fukushima Akihiro , Kataoka Naoya , Hioki Hiroyuki , Nakamura Kazuhiro
Published: December 2022

The bidirectional controller of the thermoregulatory center in the preoptic area (POA) is unknown. Using rats, here, we identify prostaglandin EP3 receptor–expressing POA neurons (POA
EP3R
neurons) as a pivotal bidirectional controller in the central thermoregulatory mechanism. POA
EP3R
neurons are activated in response to elevated ambient temperature but inhibited by prostaglandin E
2
, a pyrogenic mediator. Chemogenetic stimulation of POA
EP3R
neurons at room temperature reduces body temperature by enhancing heat dissipation, whereas inhibition of them elicits hyperthermia involving brown fat thermogenesis, mimicking fever. POA
EP3R
neurons innervate sympathoexcitatory neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) via tonic (ceaseless) inhibitory signaling. Although many POA
EP3R
neuronal cell bodies express a glutamatergic messenger RNA marker, their axons in the DMH predominantly release γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and their GABAergic terminals are increased by chronic heat exposure. These findings demonstrate that tonic GABAergic inhibitory signaling from POA
EP3R
neurons is a fundamental determinant of body temperature for thermal homeostasis and fever.
Automated design of 3D DNA origami with non-rasterized 2D curvature
Authors: Fu Daniel , Pradeep Narayanan Raghu , Prasad Abhay , Zhang Fei , Williams Dewight , Schreck John S. , Yan Hao , Reif John
Published: December 2022

Improving the precision and function of encapsulating three-dimensional (3D) DNA nanostructures via curved geometries could have transformative impacts on areas such as molecular transport, drug delivery, and nanofabrication. However, the addition of non-rasterized curvature escalates design complexity without algorithmic regularity, and these challenges have limited the ad hoc development and usage of previously unknown shapes. In this work, we develop and automate the application of a set of previously unknown design principles that now includes a multilayer design for closed and curved DNA nanostructures to resolve past obstacles in shape selection, yield, mechanical rigidity, and accessibility. We design, analyze, and experimentally demonstrate a set of diverse 3D curved nanoarchitectures, showing planar asymmetry and examining partial multilayer designs. Our automated design tool implements a combined algorithmic and numerical approximation strategy for scaffold routing and crossover placement, which may enable wider applications of general DNA nanostructure design for nonregular or oblique shapes.
The D614G mutation redirects SARS-CoV-2 spike to lysosomes and suppresses deleterious traits of the furin cleavage site insertion mutation
Authors: Guo Chenxu , Tsai Shang-Jui , Ai Yiwei , Li Maggie , Anaya Eduardo , Pekosz Andrew , Cox Andrea , Gould Stephen J.
Published: December 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) egress occurs by lysosomal exocytosis. We show that the Spike D614G mutation enhances Spike trafficking to lysosomes, drives Spike-mediated reprogramming of lysosomes, and reduces cell surface Spike expression by ~3-fold. D614G is not a human-specific adaptation. Rather, it is an adaptation to the earlier furin cleavage site insertion (FCSI) mutation that occurred at the genesis of SARS-CoV-2. While advantageous to the virus, furin cleavage of spike has deleterious effects on spike structure and function, inhibiting its trafficking to lysosomes and impairing its infectivity by the transmembrane serine protease 2(TMPRSS2)-independent, endolysosomal pathway. D614G restores spike trafficking to lysosomes and enhances the earliest events in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, while spike mutations that restore SARS-CoV-2’s TMPRSS2-independent infectivity restore spike’s trafficking to lysosomes. Together, these and other results show that D614G is an intragenic suppressor of deleterious traits linked to the FCSI and lend additional support to the endolysosomal model of SARS-CoV-2 egress and entry.
The Visegrád Countries against the Background of the Russian−Ukrainian Conflict
Authors: Shishelina L. N.
Published: December 2022

An attempt is made to analyze the origins of the attitude of Central European countries to the current military conflict in Ukraine, as well as their historical fears and concerns that broke out against the background of Moscow’s proposals to return the European security system to the contours of 1997, which preceded the armed invasion on February 24, 2022. It was historical memory that largely formed the knowingly predictable position of these countries in the conflict and their unconditional support of the Ukrainian side. According to the author, the conflict overall contributed to the pro-Atlantic consolidation of the Central European region, deepened the gap in relations with Russia, and produced new nuances in relations within the Visegrád region. Nevertheless, the understanding of the importance of regional solidarity, strengthened over 30 years of democratic development, keeps the Visegrád Group countries together, preventing them from falling victim one by one to any of the modern geopolitical poles. In defining the events, particularly the essence of the military conflict in Ukraine, the author adheres to the terminology used in the political space of the region under analysis, which allows her to remain objective in describing what is happening.
Crisis between Russia and Ukraine: The China Factor
Authors: Trush S. M.
Published: December 2022

China is not formally taking sides in the Russian–Ukranian conflict; it keeps neutrality, but PRC is closely siding with the Russian explanation of its conflict with the West and NATO. China stresses its traditional adherence to sovereignty and territorial integrity of the national states meaning Ukraine indirectly. Moscow is seeking China’s support and backing diplomatically, economically and most important in militarily strategic sphere, aiming at securing of its Eastern flank in case of escalation between Russia and NATO on the West.
India−US Relations: The Current State and External Consequences
Authors: Uyanaev S. V.
Published: December 2022

Although historically India−US relations have been rather complicated, in recent years, they have been in a stage of noticeable active development. It is facilitated by mutual interests, based both on bilateral factors (trade, energy, and military−technical cooperation) and on circumstances predetermined by the global and regional situation. In turn, the significance of the dialogue between India and the United States is beyond the bilateral framework, affecting, in particular, the relations in the US–India–China virtual triangle and in the Russia–India–China dialogue format. Analyzing the totality of these issues is relevant in the context of the turbulence of the international situation, which has become greatly aggravated in 2022.
Polycentrism versus Universalism in the Picture of the Social World
Authors: Alferov A. A.
Published: December 2022

The principle of monocentrism in building a picture of the social world is opposed to the principle of polycentrism. Certain trends substantiating the principle of monocentrism, on the one hand, and the principle of polycentrism, on the other, are considered. The justification of monocentrism is universalism—of man, human consciousness, human history. In anthropology, polycentrism is based on the idea of the sociocultural conditioning of man, while in the philosophy of history, it is based on the concept of history as the development of individual isolated cultures or civilizations. The multiplicity of civilizations creates a polycentric picture of the social world. Russia is both a state and a civilization. Russia has attracted adjacent states, primarily in the post-Soviet space, into its civilizational field and has become the core state of Eurasian civilization. However, even in isolation, without adjacent states, the Russian Federation is a civilization. Possible contents of the ideology of Russian civilization are also considered.
European Social Dialogue: History, Characteristics, and Perspectives
Authors: Bisson L. S.
Published: December 2022

The author examines the role of the European Social Dialogue (ESD) in decision-making on social policy and labor relations at supranational level in the EU. The author looks into the history and distinctive features of the ESD, its formats, procedures, and legal framework. Based on a review of the institutionalization of social dialogue at the national level in the EU-27, the author draws two conclusions. The first is that the development of social dialogue is uneven across the Union because of the particularities of the social models of the member states and their political and socioeconomic development. The second is that, despite national differences, the coverage of workers by collective agreements in the EU as a whole and the entrenchment of social dialogue at the supranational level make it an integral and distinctive feature of the European social model. An analysis of the evolution of the ESD suggests that there has been a continual move towards a more autonomous status for the social partners. However, because of the 2008–2010 crisis, the ESD’s role has significantly weakened. “A New Start for Social Dialogue” announced by the Juncker’s Commission and several further initiatives are largely declarative. The Court of Justice’s 2021 decision limiting the scope for implementing autonomous agreements at the communitarian level could have a negative impact on the further development of the ESD. Finally, the author positively assesses the possible role of the ESD in overcoming the social consequences of internal and external challenges and the negative effects of transformation of the labor markets.
CycloOctaTetraene as a Photostabilizer of Fast Protein Fluorogen
Authors: Sokolov A. I. , Gorshkova A. A. , Baleeva N. S. , Baranov M. S.
Published: December 2022

Abstract—

We report two new analogs of the N871b fluorogen that contain CycloOctaTetraene. We have studied the photostability of fluorescent complexes of the FAST protein with new compounds by confocal microscopy when staining living HeLa Kyoto cells. One of the new analogs exhibits a higher photostability in the complex with FAST than the previously published N871b fluorogen. The results indicate that cyclooctatetraene is a highly promising compound for the modification of dyes based on arylidene imidazolones.
Nicorandil and ranolazine overdose management
Authors: Rashid Aziza , Movio Guilherme , Lee Gemma Claire
Published: December 2022

A man in his 60s was admitted to the emergency department with chest pain following an intentional overdose of nicorandil and ranolazine. He was known to have an extensive cardiac history and had taken his prescribed medication with suicidal ideation. On presentation, he was hypotensive with a blood pressure of 70/50 mm Hg despite fluid resuscitation. He was commenced on vasopressor support and transferred to the intensive care unit. Despite an adequate blood pressure on vasopressors, he suffered a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. Return of spontaneous circulation with a Glasgow Coma Score of 15 was achieved following cardiopulmonary resuscitation and three direct current shocks. Following subsequent continuous overnight significant vasopressor dependence, a dose of glucagon was given, and within 2 hours, his vasopressor requirement ceased, maintaining an unsupported normal blood pressure. He remained stable and was subsequently discharged to the coronary care unit for monitoring.
Weight trajectories since birth, current body composition and metabolic traits in young, normal-weight Japanese women with high percentage body fat
Authors: Minato-Inokawa Satomi , Hashiguchi Asami , Honda Mari , Tsuboi-Kaji Ayaka , Takeuchi Mika , Kitaoka Kaori , Kurata Miki , Wu Bin , Kazumi Tsutomu , Fukuo Keisuke
Published: December 2022

Introduction

We tested whether normal-weight obesity might be associated with weight trajectories, body composition and metabolic traits.

Research design and methods

Body size trajectory since birth, body composition at age 20 years and metabolic traits were compared cross-sectionally among normal-weight Japanese women with low (<25.0%, n=67), normal (25.0–34.9%, n=160) and high (≥35.0 %, n=24) percentage body fat. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify most important determinants of normal-weight obesity (high percentage body fat).

Results

Fasting glucose averaged <84 mg/dL, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance <1.4 and triglyceride <70 mg/dL and did not differ among three groups. However, waist and trunk/leg fat ratio were higher, and weight-adjusted skeletal muscle mass was lower in normal-weight obesity. Serum and LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and high-sensitivity C reactive protein were higher, and apolipoprotein A1 was lower in normal-weight obesity compared with the other two groups, whereas HDL cholesterol did not differ. Weight gain from birth to age 12 years was higher in normal-weight obesity. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, weight gain until 12 years (OR: 1.17,95% CI 1.02 to 1.34, p=0.02), ApoB (OR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.24, p<0.001) and weight-adjusted skeletal muscle mass (OR: 0.22, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.49, p<0.001) were associated with normal-weight obesity independently of trunk/leg fat ratio, high-sensitivity C reactive protein and apolipoprotein A1.

Conclusions

Normal-weight obesity may be associated with early childhood growth, lower skeletal muscle mass and higher serum ApoB in young Japanese women through mechanisms unrelated to abdominal adiposity, inflammation and insulin resistance.
Can higher spending on primary healthcare mitigate the impact of ageing and non-communicable diseases on health expenditure?
Authors: Hou Xiaohui , Liu Lingrui , Cain Jewelwayne
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Financing healthcare for ageing populations has become an increasingly urgent policy concern. Primary healthcare (PHC) has been viewed as the cornerstone of health systems. While most research has examined the effects of PHC on population health, there is still a relative paucity of analysis on the effects of PHC on health expenditures, particularly, in low-income and middle-income countries. Knowledge on PHC’s potential role in mitigating the impact of ageing and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on health expenditure remains limited.

Methods

Using publicly accessible secondary data at country level, this paper examines the impact of ageing and the NCD burden on health expenditures. Regression with the interaction terms is used to explore whether greater expenditures on PHC can mitigate the growing fiscal pressure from ageing and the NCD burden.

Results

The empirical evidence shows that a higher share of PHC spending is correlated with lower per capita non-PHC spending, after controlling for population aged 60 and over and NCD burden, and gross domestic product per capita. However, the mitigating effects of PHC spending to reduce non-PHC expenditure caused by ageing and NCDs are not significant.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that more PHC spending can potentially lower total health expenditure. However, higher primary health spending cannot fulfil that potential without scrupulous attention to the way it is delivered. More spending on PHC, together with changes in PHC service delivery, highlighting its coordination and referring roles, will put nations on a pathway to achieving universal health coverage more sustainably.
LINK-B: study protocol of a retrospective and prospective project for identification and linkage to care of people living with hepatitis B in a large health area of Barcelona
Authors: Barreira Díaz Ana , Rando Ariadna , Feliu-Prius Anna , Palom Adriana , Rodríguez-Frías Francisco , Vargas-Accarino Elena , Vico-Romero Judit , Palomo Nieves , Riveiro-Barciela Mar , Esteban Rafael , Buti Maria
Published: December 2022

Introduction

An estimated 290 million people are living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide; in Spain, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) is 0.4%. In our setting, many HBsAg-positive individuals are not linked to care, which implies a barrier to receiving treatment and controlling the infection. The main objective of this project is to evaluate the performance of a programme designed to achieve appropriate linkage to specialist care of HBsAg-positive individuals, newly tested or previously tested and lost to follow-up.

Methods and analysis

This is a retrospective and prospective study in which all HBsAg-positive cases recorded in the microbiology database will be identified. The retrospective phase will include cases detected between 2018 and 2020, and the prospective phase will run from January 2021 to June 2022. The project will be carried out in a tertiary university hospital covering the northern health area of Barcelona with a catchment population of 450 000 inhabitants and 16 affiliated primary care centres. The central laboratory detects approximately 1200 HBsAg-positive individuals every year; therefore, we expect to identify around 4000 patients over the duration of the project. The medical records of HBsAg-positive individuals will be consulted to identify and retrieve those who have not been appropriately linked to care. Candidates will be contacted to offer specialist disease assessment and follow-up. A website will be created to provide HBV-related information to primary care physicians, and a mobile phone application will be available to patients to improve the linkage circuits and ensure follow-up continuity.

Ethics and dissemination

The Vall d’Hebrón Hospital Ethics Committee (PR(AG)201/2021) and the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices approved this study. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. This programme could increase the number of HBsAg-positive individuals properly linked to care and achieve better HBV monitoring, which will have a positive impact on WHO’s viral hepatitis elimination goals.
Combined robot motor assistance with neural circuit-based virtual reality (NeuCir-VR) lower extremity rehabilitation training in patients after stroke: a study protocol for a single-centre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhou Zhi-Qing , Hua Xu-Yun , Wu Jia-Jia , Xu Jing-Jing , Ren Meng , Shan Chun-Lei , Xu Jian-Guang
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Improving lower extremity motor function is the focus and difficulty of post-stroke rehabilitation treatment. More recently, robot-assisted and virtual reality (VR) training are commonly used in post-stroke rehabilitation and are considered feasible treatment methods. Here, we developed a rehabilitation system combining robot motor assistance with neural circuit-based VR (NeuCir-VR) rehabilitation programme involving procedural lower extremity rehabilitation with reward mechanisms, from muscle strength training, posture control and balance training to simple and complex ground walking training. The study aims to explore the effectiveness and neurological mechanisms of combining robot motor assistance and NeuCir-VR lower extremity rehabilitation training in patients after stroke.

Methods and analysis

This is a single-centre, observer-blinded, randomised controlled trial. 40 patients with lower extremity hemiparesis after stroke will be recruited and randomly divided into a control group (combined robot assistance and VR training) and an intervention group (combined robot assistance and NeuCir-VR training) by the ratio of 1:1. Each group will receive five 30 min sessions per week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower extremity. Secondary outcomes will include Berg Balance Scale, Modified Ashworth Scale and functional connectivity measured by resting-state functional MRI. Outcomes will be measured at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1) and follow-ups (T2–T4).

Ethics, registration and dissemination

The trial was approved by the Ethics Committee of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Traditional Medicine (Grant No. 2019–014). The results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal or at a conference.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100052133.
Role of central obesity on pain onset and its association with cardiovascular disease: a retrospective study of a hospital cohort of patients with osteoarthritis
Authors: Ribeiro Rosa Karoline , Fruschein Annichino Ricardo , de Azevedo e Souza Munhoz Marcelo , Gomes Machado Eduardo , Marchi Evaldo , Castano-Betancourt Martha Cecilia
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To determine the role of central obesity (CO) in the onset and severity of joint pain and in predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) in subjects affected with osteoarthritis (OA).

Design

Retrospective analysis on the onset of OA joint pain and CO. Waist circumference (WC), Waist-to-height ratio andwaist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were measured at the interview and defined according to the WHO criteria. Cross-sectional analyses on the association of comorbidities, including CVD, pain severity (number of joints and pain score) and CO.

Settings and participants

Medical records and interviews of a hospital cohort study of 609 patients with OA. Analyses included analysis of variance, mean differences (MDs), SE and logistic regression. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) compared the predictive value of the sex-specific CVD models.

Outcome measures

Onset of OA joint pain (years) and severity according to body mass index (BMI) and WC categories. Predictive value of WC for CVD by sex. Education level, disability, smoking and alcohol use were used to adjust the analysis.

Results

Subjects with OA and CO by WHR started 2 years earlier with pain symptoms and had more joints affected than those without CO (MD=1.96 years, SE=0.95, p=0.04 and MD=0.32, SE=0.15 and p=0.04, respectively). Age and hypertension were associated with CVD in both genders, and NSAIDs use only in males. In addition, respiratory disease, hypercholesterolaemia, stairs difficulty, a wider WC and obesity were significant risk factors in females, improving 12.7% in the prediction of CVD cases, compared with only age and BMI (AUROCC=0.793 and 0.666, respectively, p=0.03 for the difference between AUROCs).

Conclusion

CO is associated with the onset of joint pain, and all pain analysed variables. CO has a role in CVD in women affected with OA and might help predict CVD cases.
Assessing and mitigating systematic errors in forest attribute maps utilizing harvester and airborne laser scanning data
Authors: Räty Janne , Hauglin Marius , Astrup Rasmus , Breidenbach Johannes
Published: December 2022

Cut-to-length harvesters collect useful information for modeling relationships between forest attributes and airborne laser scanning (ALS) data. However, harvesters operate in mature forests, which may introduce selection biases that can result in systematic errors in harvester data-based forest attribute maps. We fitted regression models (harvester models) for volume (V), height (HL), stem frequency (N), above-ground biomass, basal area, and quadratic mean diameter (QMD) using harvester and ALS data. Performances of the harvester models were evaluated using national forest inventory plots in an 8.7 Mha study area. We estimated biases of large-area synthetic estimators and compared efficiencies of model-assisted (MA) estimators with field data-based direct estimators. The harvester models performed better in productive than unproductive forests, but systematic errors occurred in both. The use of MA estimators resulted in efficiency gains that were largest for HL (relative efficiency, RE = 6.0) and smallest for QMD (RE = 1.5). The bias of the synthetic estimator was largest for N (39%) and smallest for V (1%). The latter was due to an overestimation of deciduous and an underestimation of spruce forests that by chance balanced. We conclude that a probability sample of reference observations may be required to ensure the unbiasedness of estimators utilizing harvester data.
Electrochemical, Antimicrobial, and Theoretical Investigations of Synthetic tetra-aza/penta-aza-Macrocyclic Complexes
Authors: Pandey Aaysha , Sharma Vivek
Published: December 2022

The tailoring of the coordination environment around a central metal ion by changing ligands in macrocyclic complexes is one of the key approaches to monitoring their functions in various applications. Herein, two macrocyclic complexes of Co(II) transition metal ion, tetra-aza and penta-aza, were synthesized using a condensation reaction between different diamine and dicarboxylic precursors. The prepared complexes were analyzed using various characterization techniques. Further, the electrochemical behavior of both the tetra-aza and penta-aza complexes was investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The Co(II)-penta-aza-complex exhibited a quasi-reversible redox couple for Co(III)/Co(II) transition in the more anodic region as compared to Co(II)-tetra-aza-complex. According to theoretical calculations, the fifth N-coordination transferred a high electron density in the eg-orbital of Co-atom of penta-aza-complex, resulting in an anodic shift in the Co(III)/Co(II) redox potential when compared to the Co(II)-tetra-aza-complex. Furthermore, both complexes were tested for antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus, and B. subtilis, with the results indicating that Co(II)-penta-aza-complex had higher antimicrobial activity against these bacteria than Co(II)-tetra-aza-complex. This study offers new insight into tailoring the electrochemical and biological features of macrocyclic complexes by tuning the coordination environment around the central metal ion.
Pyrocarbon Lunate Replacements Perform Well at Two Years: A Retrospective Case Series and Technique from Two UK Tertiary Centres
Authors: ALAO Uthman , BODANSKY David , HAJIPOUR Ladan , HAYTON Mike , TALWALKAR Sumedh
Published: December 2022

Background: We report medium-term results in our case series of patients with Kienböck disease receiving a pyrocarbon lunate replacement (Integra, Smith and Nephew, Watford, UK).

Methods: Patients with Kienböck receiving a pyrocarbon lunate between September 2012 and November 2020, with stage 3b and above were included. Patients were staged preoperatively with radiographs and MRIs. Pre- and postoperative visual analogue scores and movement were documented. Postoperative radiographs were obtained at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year.

Results: Seven patients were identified, all female, with a median age of 28.0 years. All but one had 3b disease and the median follow-up was 2 years (range 13–112 months). A mean 9/10 preoperative VAS score improved to 1/10 by 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.001, paired t-test). No major complications were seen, and implants were stable radiologically.

Conclusions: A semi-constrained pyrocarbon lunate can provide good results for patients with advanced Kienböck’s disease, offering an alternative to proximal row carpectomy salvage surgery.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)