bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound‐guided sciatic nerve block in two alpacas (Vicugna pacos) as part of an anaesthesia plan for hindlimb fractures
Authors: Ruíz‐López Patricia , Felisberto Ricardo , Haardt Hanna , Martens Ann , Schauvliege Stijn
Published: December 2022

The present case report describes the management of two alpacas undergoing repair of a metatarsal and a distal tibial fracture, respectively. Both animals received ketamine and medetomidine intramuscularly, resulting in deep sedation. Endotracheal intubation was performed, and general anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. An in‐plane ultrasound‐guided sciatic nerve block was performed at the level of the mid‐thigh with bupivacaine 0.5% before surgery as part of the analgesic treatment. Meloxicam was administered. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure and respiratory rate were stable during the surgery, despite the use of a low end‐tidal sevoflurane concentration. No opioids were required intraoperatively. Duration of the anaesthesia was 205 and 255 minutes, respectively. Extubation was performed 12 and 6 minutes after discontinuing sevoflurane administration, respectively. In both cases, regional anaesthesia of the sciatic nerve improved the intraoperative management of alpacas that required surgical treatment for fractures.
Clinical presentation and diagnosis of pulmonary hydatidosis in a cow mimicking to aspiration pneumonia
Authors: Muniruzzaman Md. , Hossain Md. Shahadat , Labony Sharmin Shahid , Alim Md. Abdul , Anisuzzaman
Published: December 2022

Hydatid cyst, the larval stage of Echinococcus spp., is one of the most significant zoonotic helminths affecting humans and animals, particularly livestock. The disease has an enormous economic impact not only on livestock and wildlife but also on human health. Here, we present an interesting case of hydatidosis in a 5‐year‐old cow that was confirmed by postmortem examination. Body temperature was slightly elevated, but the cow showed severe dyspnoea. During clinical examination, we heard a crackling sound, suggestive of aspiration pneumonia but there was no history of drenching/gavage. Considering aspiration pneumonia, the animal was treated with antibiotic, antihistaminic, bronchodilator and other supportive drugs, but there was no recovery, and the cow died. Postmortem examination revealed multiple hydatid cysts in lungs. One big hydatid cyst was found at the tracheal bifurcation pressing the airways, which might be the possible cause of severe respiratory distress and death of the animal.
n‐ to p‐type Sr2Fe1+xRe1‐xO6 double perovskites: magnetoresistance and magnetoSeebeck
Authors: Hébert Sylvie , Carbonio Raul , Martin Christine , Maignan Antoine
Published: December 2022

The T‐dependent Seebeck (S) of several samples belonging to the Sr2Fe1+xRe1‐xO6 series (x≤0.33) has been investigated. All these polycrystalline samples synthesized by solid state reaction in closed vessels crystallize in the I4/m double perovskite structure. Though ferrimagnetic with TC>400 K, the decrease of their magnetization as x increases from x=0.00 is explained by the cation disorder induced by the deviation from the ideal 1 : 1 Re/Fe ratio for the 2a and 2b crystallographic sites. Interestingly, it is found that at room temperature, the S sign changes from S>0 to S<0 as x increases to about x=0.25. Despite that the magnitude of their magnetoresistance, near −20 % in 9T and at T=5 K, is not very sensitive to x, a positive magneto Seebeck effect is observed only for the samples exhibiting S(300 K)>0. This asymmetry in the magnetothermopower properties of the n‐ and p‐type samples is interpreted in the framework of the spin polarized transport of these magnetoresistive double‐perovskites.
A note on multi-trace EYM amplitudes in four dimensions
Authors: Xie Chongsi , Du Yi-Jian
Published: December 2022

Abstract

In four dimensions, a tree-level double-trace Einstein-Yang-Mills (EYM) amplitude with two negative-helicity gluons (the (g−, g−)-configuration) satisfies a symmetric spanning forest formula, which was derived from the graphic expansion rule. On another hand, in the framework of Cachazo-He-Yuan (CHY) formula, the maximally-helicity-violating (MHV) amplitudes are supported by the MHV solution of scattering equations. The relationship between the symmetric formula for double-trace amplitudes, and the MHV sector of Cachazo-He-Yuan (CHY) formula in four dimensions is still not clear. In this note, we promote a series of transformations of the spanning forests in four dimensions and then show a systematic way for decomposing the MHV sector of the CHY formula of double-trace EYM amplitudes. Along this line, the symmetric formula of double-trace MHV amplitudes is directly obtained by the MHV sector of CHY formula. We then prove that EYM amplitude with an arbitrary total number of negative-helicity particles (gravitons and gluons) has to vanish when the number of negative- (or positive-) helicity gluons is less than the number of traces.
Amplitudes, Hopf algebras and the colour-kinematics duality
Authors: Brandhuber Andreas , Brown Graham R. , Chen Gang , Gowdy Joshua , Travaglini Gabriele , Wen Congkao
Published: December 2022

Abstract

It was recently proposed that the kinematic algebra featuring in the colour-kinematics duality for scattering amplitudes in heavy-mass effective field theory (HEFT) and Yang-Mills theory is a quasi-shuffle Hopf algebra. The associated fusion product determines the structure of the Bern-Carrasco-Johansson (BCJ) numerators, which are manifestly gauge invariant and with poles corresponding to heavy-particle exchange. In this work we explore the deep connections between the quasi-shuffle algebra and general physical properties of the scattering amplitudes. First, after proving the double-copy form for gravitational HEFT amplitudes, we show that the coproducts of the kinematic algebra are in correspondence with factorisations of BCJ numerators on massive poles. We then study an extension of the standard quasi-shuffle Hopf algebra to a non-abelian version describing BCJ numerators with all possible gluon orderings. This is achieved by tensoring the original algebra with a particular Hopf algebra of orderings. In this extended version, a specific choice of the coproduct in the algebra of orderings leads to an antipode in the resulting Hopf algebra that has the interpretation of reversing the gluons’ order within each BCJ numerator.
Behavioural and physiological responses to experimental temperature changes in a long-billed and long-legged bird: a role for relative appendage size?
Authors: Playà-Montmany Núria , González-Medina Erick , Cabello-Vergel Julián , Parejo Manuel , Abad-Gómez José M. , Sánchez-Guzmán Juan M. , Villegas Auxiliadora , Masero José A.
Published: December 2022

Maintaining homeothermy may be a major challenge when species are confronted with ambient temperatures beyond their thermoneutral zone. Bird species occupying open landscapes are inherently exposed to acute heat loss and heat gain, which force them to adopt a suite of behavioural and physiological strategies to maintain homeothermy. Both types of responses could be influenced by their relative bill and leg sizes, but experimental data are lacking. Here, we evaluated how variation in body postural adjustments, panting, and locomotor activity in the dunlin Calidris alpina can be explained by experimental ambient temperature and relative bill and leg sizes. Additionally, we estimated resting metabolic rate and evaporative water loss to assess potential links between both physiological traits and relative bill and leg sizes. Temperatures below the thermoneutral zone were counteracted by enhancing metabolic heat production through increased locomotor activity, while body postural adjustments were used less than expected. Within the thermoneutral zone, back rest (tucking the bill under body feathers) and unipedal (standing on one leg) were preferred by dunlins, probably as being more comfortable for resting. At temperatures above the thermoneutral zone, dunlins were inactive and increased the time of bill exposure and wet-sitting and ultimately panting when challenged with temperatures above 37 °C. Interestingly, above the thermoneutral zone, but below their body temperature, birds with relatively longer bills and legs spent more time exposing them, probably to increase dry heat transfer into the environment. Our findings also highlighted the importance of the availability of wet substrates for minimising heat stress in wetland species.

Significance statement

Recent correlational field studies found support for a relationship between relative bill and leg sizes and thermoregulatory behaviour in birds inhabiting open landscapes. However, experimental data are lacking, and the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain poorly understood. Here, we performed an experiment to model behavioural and physiological responses to ambient temperature change and relative bill and leg sizes in the dunlin Calidris alpina, a long-billed and long-legged shorebird. Additionally, we also examined potential links among metabolic rates, evaporative water loss and relative appendage sizes. Our findings showed a strong experimental relationship between behavioural and physiological responses and ambient temperature, as well as a link between appendage size and resting body postures. Our findings also have a conservation message by highlighting that the type of substrate available for roosting is important for minimising heat stress in wetland species.
Diversity of Myxobacteria Isolated from Indonesian Mangroves and Their Potential for New Antimicrobial Sources
Authors: Octaviana Senlie , Primahana Gian , Mozef Tjandrawati , Borges Luiz G. A. , Pieper Dietmar H. , Wink Joachim
Published: December 2022

Mangroves are unique intertidal ecosystems that provide ecological niches to different microbes, which play various roles in nutrient recycling and diverse environmental activities. The association between myxobacteria and mangroves are hitherto poorly understood. The aim of our study was to evaluate the myxobacterial community composition as well as isolate myxobacteria and to characterize the antimicrobial activity of myxobacteria isolates from Indonesian mangroves. Twenty-five cultivable myxobacteria were affiliated in six genera: Myxococcus, Corallococcus, Archangium, Chondromyces, Racemicystis and Nannocystis of the order Myxococcales based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences. Thirteen crude extracts showed moderate activities against at least one of human pathogenic microorganisms. The crude extract of Racemicystis sp. strain 503MSO indicated a novel compound, which has not been reported in the database yet and the identification of this compound needs further study. The myxobacterial communities of three different sampling sites were analyzed using primers adapted for the myxobacteria group identification. The results showed that myxobacterial communities are more diverse than assumed. Therefore, our study has highlighted the importance of the mangrove habitat as promising harbor of myxobacteria as well as novel antimicrobial compounds with activity against pathogenic microorganisms.
Quantitative CT analysis of lung parenchyma to improve malignancy risk estimation in incidental pulmonary nodules
Authors: Peters Alan A. , Weinheimer Oliver , von Stackelberg Oyunbileg , Kroschke Jonas , Piskorski Lars , Debic Manuel , Schlamp Kai , Welzel Linn , Pohl Moritz , Christe Andreas , Ebner Lukas , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Heußel Claus Peter , Wielpütz Mark O.
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To assess the value of quantitative computed tomography (QCT) of the whole lung and nodule-bearing lobe regarding pulmonary nodule malignancy risk estimation.

Methods

A total of 251 subjects (median [IQR] age, 65 (57–73) years; 37% females) with pulmonary nodules on non-enhanced thin-section CT were retrospectively included. Twenty percent of the nodules were malignant, the remainder benign either histologically or at least 1-year follow-up. CT scans were subjected to in-house software, computing parameters such as mean lung density (MLD) or peripheral emphysema index (pEI). QCT variable selection was performed using logistic regression; selected variables were integrated into the Mayo Clinic and the parsimonious Brock Model.

Results

Whole-lung analysis revealed differences between benign vs. malignant nodule groups in several parameters, e.g. the MLD (−766 vs. −790 HU) or the pEI (40.1 vs. 44.7 %). The proposed QCT model had an area-under-the-curve (AUC) of 0.69 (95%-CI, 0.62−0.76) based on all available data. After integrating MLD and pEI into the Mayo Clinic and Brock Model, the AUC of both clinical models improved (AUC, 0.91 to 0.93 and 0.88 to 0.91, respectively). The lobe-specific analysis revealed that the nodule-bearing lobes had less emphysema than the rest of the lung regarding benign (EI, 0.5 vs. 0.7 %; p < 0.001) and malignant nodules (EI, 1.2 vs. 1.7 %; p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Nodules in subjects with higher whole-lung metrics of emphysema and less fibrosis are more likely to be malignant; hereby the nodule-bearing lobes have less emphysema. QCT variables could improve the risk assessment of incidental pulmonary nodules.

Key Points

• Nodules in subjects with higher whole-lung metrics of emphysema and less fibrosis are more likely to be malignant.

• The nodule-bearing lobes have less emphysema compared to the rest of the lung.

• QCT variables could improve the risk assessment of incidental pulmonary nodules.
Assessing breast density using the chemical-shift encoding-based proton density fat fraction in 3-T MRI
Authors: Borde Tabea , Wu Mingming , Ruschke Stefan , Boehm Christof , Stelter Jonathan , Weiss Kilian , Metz Stephan , Makowski Marcus Richard , Karampinos Dimitrios C. , Fallenberg Eva Maria
Published: December 2022

Objectives

There is a clinical need for a non-ionizing, quantitative assessment of breast density, as one of the strongest independent risk factors for breast cancer. This study aims to establish proton density fat fraction (PDFF) as a quantitative biomarker for fat tissue concentration in breast MRI and correlate mean breast PDFF to mammography.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 193 women were routinely subjected to 3-T MRI using a six-echo chemical shift encoding-based water-fat sequence. Water-fat separation was based on a signal model accounting for a single T2* decay and a pre-calibrated 7-peak fat spectrum resulting in volumetric fat-only, water-only images, PDFF- and T2*-values. After semi-automated breast segmentation, PDFF and T2* values were determined for the entire breast and fibroglandular tissue. The mammographic and MRI-based breast density was classified by visual estimation using the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System categories (ACR A-D).

Results

The PDFF negatively correlated with mammographic and MRI breast density measurements (Spearman rho: −0.74, p < .001) and revealed a significant distinction between all four ACR categories. Mean T2* of the fibroglandular tissue correlated with increasing ACR categories (Spearman rho: 0.34, p < .001). The PDFF of the fibroglandular tissue showed a correlation with age (Pearson rho: 0.56, p = .03).

Conclusion

The proposed breast PDFF as an automated tissue fat concentration measurement is comparable with mammographic breast density estimations. Therefore, it is a promising approach to an accurate, user-independent, and non-ionizing breast density assessment that could be easily incorporated into clinical routine breast MRI exams.

Key Points

• The proposed PDFF strongly negatively correlates with visually determined mammographic and MRI-based breast density estimations and therefore allows for an accurate, non-ionizing, and user-independent breast density measurement.

• In combination with T2*, the PDFF can be used to track structural alterations in the composition of breast tissue for an individualized risk assessment for breast cancer.
A convection-permitting and limited-area model hindcast driven by ERA5 data: precipitation performances in Italy
Authors: Capecchi Valerio , Pasi Francesco , Gozzini Bernardo , Brandini Carlo
Published: December 2022

This study describes the implementation and performances of a weather hindcast obtained by dynamically downscaling the ERA5 data across the period 1979–2019. The limited-area models used to perform the hindcast are BOLAM (with a grid spacing of 7 km over the Mediterranean domain) and MOLOCH (with a grid spacing of 2.5 km over Italy). BOLAM is used to provide initial and boundary conditions to the inner grid of the MOLOCH model, which is set in a convection-permitting configuration. The performances of such limited-area, high-resolution and long-term hindcast are evaluated comparing modelled precipitation data against two high-resolution gridded observational datasets. Any potential added-value of the BOLAM/MOLOCH hindcast is assessed with respect to ERA5-Land data, which are used as benchmark. Results demonstrate that the MOLOCH hindcast, compared to observations, provides a lower bias than ERA5-Land as regards both the mean annual rainfall ($$-$$
-
1.3% vs 8.7%) and the 90th percentile of summer daily precipitation, although a wet bias is found in southern Italy (bias $$\simeq$$
≃
17.1%). Improvements are also gained in the simulation of the 90th percentile of hourly precipitations both in winter and, to a minor extent, in summer. The diurnal cycle of summer precipitations is found to be better reconstructed in the Alps than in the hilly areas of southern Italy. This study also presents the rainfall peaks obtained in the simulation of two well-known severe precipitation events that caused floods and damages in north-western Italy in 1994 and 2011. Finally, it is discussed how the demonstrated reliability of the BOLAM and MOLOCH models associated to the documented low computational cost, promote their use as a valuable tool for downscaling not only reanalyses but also climate projections.
Auxin homeostasis in maize (Zea mays) is regulated via 1-O-indole-3-acetyl-myo-inositol synthesis at early stages of seedling development and under abiotic stress
Authors: Ciarkowska Anna , Wojtaczka Patrycja , Kęsy Jacek , Ostrowski Maciej
Published: December 2022

Main conclusion

Indole-3-acetyl-myo-inositol biosynthesis is regulated during maize seedling development and in response to drought and cold stress. The main purpose of this pathway is maintenance of auxin homeostasis.

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) conjugation to myo-inositol is a part of a mechanism controlling free auxin level in maize. In this work, we investigated changes in the indole-3-acetyl-myo-inositol (IAInos) biosynthesis pathway in 3-d- and 6-d-old maize seedlings and germinating seeds as well as in seedlings subjected to drought and cold stress to evaluate a role of this pathway in maize development and stress response. In germinating seeds, activity of the enzymes involved in IAInos biosynthesis remains unchanged between 3-d- and 6-d-old material but increases in coleoptiles and radicles of the seedlings. Under cold stress, in germinating seeds and in coleoptiles, activity of the enzymes decreases and increases, respectively; however, it does not entail changes in auxin level. In drought-exposed germinating maize seeds, totally diminished activities of IAInos synthesis pathway enzymes resulted in almost twofold increase of free IAA content. Similar increase of auxin level was observed in radicles of drought-subjected seedlings together with lack of catalytic activity of the first enzyme of the pathway. Exogenous IAInos has no effect on the level of non-enzymatic antioxidant, ascorbate. It has also either no effect on the protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation, or it affects it in a similar way as exogenously applied IAA and myo-inositol, which are products of IAInos hydrolysis. Thus, IAInos biosynthesis pathway acts in maize development and stress responses by regulation of free IAA concentration, as IAInos itself does not appear to have a distinct role in these processes.
Role of different recombinant PrP substrates in the diagnostic accuracy of the CSF RT-QuIC assay in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Authors: Da Silva Correia Susana Margarida , Schmitz Matthias , Fischer Andre , Hermann Peter , Zerr Inga
Published: December 2022

The development of the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC), an in vitro protein misfolding amplification assay, was an innovation in the scientific field of protein misfolding diseases. In prion diseases, these types of assays imitate the pathological conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a protease-resistant and/or amyloid form of PrP, called PrP resistant (PrPRes). The RT-QuIC is an automatic assay system based on real-time measuring of thioflavin-T (Th-T) incorporation into amyloid fibrils using shaking for disaggregation. It has already been applied in diagnostics, drug pre-screening, and to distinguish between different prion strains. The seeded conversion efficiency and the diagnostic accuracy of the RT-QuIC assay strongly depend on the kind of recombinant PrP (rec PrP) substrate. The DNA sequences of different substrates may originate from different species, such as human, bank vole, and hamster, or from a combination of two species, e.g., hamster-sheep chimera. In routine use, either full-length (FL) or truncated substrates are applied which can accelerate the conversion reaction, e.g., to a more sensitive version of RT-QuIC assay. In the present review, we provide an overview on the different types of PrP substrates (FL and truncated forms), recapitulate the production and purification process of different rec PrP substrates, and discuss the diagnostic value of CSF RT-QuIC in human prion disease diagnostics.
Efficacy of the additional use of subgingival air-polishing with erythritol powder in the treatment of periodontitis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Part II: effect on sub-gingival microbiome
Authors: Mensi Magda , Caselli Elisabetta , D’Accolti Maria , Soffritti Irene , Farina Roberto , Scotti Eleonora , Guarnelli Maria Elena , Fabbri Chiara , Garzetti Gianluca , Marchetti Silvia , Sordillo Annamaria , Trombelli Leonardo
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To date, scarce evidence exists around the application of subgingival air-polishing during treatment of severe periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the health-related and periodontitis-related subgingival microbiome of air-polishing during non-surgical treatment of deep bleeding pockets in stage III–IV periodontitis patients.

Materials and methods

Forty patients with stage III–IV periodontitis were selected, and pockets with probing depth (PD) 5–9 mm and bleeding on probing were selected as experimental sites. All patients underwent a full-mouth session of erythritol powder supragingival air-polishing and ultrasonic instrumentation. Test group received additional subgingival air-polishing at experimental sites. Subgingival microbial samples were taken from the maxillary experimental site showing the deepest PD at baseline. Primary outcome of the first part of the present study was the 3-month change in the number of experimental sites. Additional analysis of periodontal pathogens and other sub-gingival plaque bacteria sampled at one experimental site at baseline and 3 months following treatment was performed through a real-time quantitative PCR microarray.

Results

In the test group, a statistical increase of some health-related species was observed (Abiotropha defectiva, Capnocytophaga sputigena, and Lautropia mirabilis), together with the decrease of pathogens such as of Actinomyces israelii, Catonella morbi, Filifactor alocis, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Sele-nomonas sputigena, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Treponema socranskii. In the control group, statistical significance was found only in the decrease of Filifactor alocis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema socranskii.

Conclusions

The addition of erythritol-chlorhexidine powder seems to cause a shift of the periodontal micro-biome toward a more eubiotic condition compared to a conventional treatment. The study was registered on Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04264624).

Clinical relevance

Subgingival air-polishing could help re-establishing a eubiotic microbioma in deep bleeding periodontal pockets after initial non-surgical treatment.
Turbulence Organization and Mean Profile Shapes in the Stably Stratified Boundary Layer: Zones of Uniform Momentum and Air Temperature
Authors: Heisel Michael , Sullivan Peter P. , Katul Gabriel G. , Chamecki Marcelo
Published: December 2022

A persistent spatial organization of eddies is identified in the lowest portion of the stably stratified planetary boundary layer. The analysis uses flow realizations from published large-eddy simulations (Sullivan et al. in J Atmos Sci 73(4):1815–1840, 2016) ranging in stability from near-neutral to almost z-less stratification. The coherent turbulent structure is well approximated as a series of uniform momentum zones (UMZs) and uniform temperature zones (UTZs) separated by thin layers of intense gradients that are significantly greater than the mean. This pattern yields stairstep-like instantaneous flow profiles whose shape is distinct from the mean profiles that emerge from long-term averaging. However, the scaling of the stairstep organization is closely related to the resulting mean profiles. The differences in velocity and temperature across the thin gradient layers remain proportional to the surface momentum and heat flux conditions regardless of stratification. The vertical thickness of UMZs and UTZs is proportional to height above the surface for near-neutral and weak stratification, but becomes thinner and less dependent on height as the stability increases. Deviations from the logarithmic mean profiles for velocity and temperature observed under neutral conditions are therefore predominately due to the reduction in eddy size with increasing stratification, which is empirically captured by existing Monin–Obukhov similarity relations for momentum and heat. The zone properties are additionally used to explain trends in the turbulent Prandtl number, thus providing a connection between the eddy organization, mean profiles, and turbulent diffusivity in stably stratified conditions.
“I Wonder What They Do Teach Them in These Schools”: The Chronicles of Narnia and Nature-Deficit Disorder
Authors: Selden Sarah
Published: December 2022

Throughout The Chronicles of Narnia, nature plays a prominent role in driving good’s triumph over evil, and while Lewis’s environmental activism in writing Narnia has gained critical attention, the connection between his penchant for nature and his educational philosophy has not yet been accordingly considered. Stemming from his early studies of Wordsworth’s Prelude, Lewis illustrates the crucial correlation between children spending time in nature and developing imagination. Lewis replaces English school systems and educational philosophy with natural images ranging from the transformation of pupil desks into rose bushes in Prince Caspian to Aslan’s emergence from the forest and subsequent abolition of Experiment House in The Silver Chair, connecting nature’s role in children’s moral development to their formal education. Lewis’s concerns expressed in Narnia draw renewed relevance with the prominence of technology and standardized testing in today’s classrooms. As Richard Louv argues in Last Child in the Woods, twenty-first century children are experiencing an alienation from nature that is causing physical and spiritual damage. This paper will explore Lewis’s educational philosophy as evidenced within the natural settings of The Chronicles of Narnia, its ramifications in a twenty-first century context and the real-world results of incorporating nature-based education into classrooms for all ages.
Comparison of DTL and gold cup skin electrodes for recordings of the multifocal electroretinogram
Authors: Eckermann Theresa , Hoffmann Michael B. , Al-Nosairy Khaldoon O.
Published: December 2022

Objective

To compare mfERG recordings with the Dawson–Trick–Litzkow (DTL) and gold cup skin electrode in healthy young and old adults and to test the sensitivity of both electrodes to age-related changes in the responses.

Methods

Twenty participants aged 20–27 years (“young”) and 20 participants aged 60–75 (“old”) with a visual acuity of ≤ 0 logMAR were included. The mfERG responses were recorded simultaneously using DTL and skin electrodes. P1 amplitudes, peak times and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were compared between both electrodes and across age groups, and correlation analyses were performed. The electrode’s performance in discriminating between age groups was assessed via area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics.

Results

Both electrodes reflected the typical waveform of mfERG recordings. For the skin electrode, however, P1 amplitudes were significantly reduced (p < 0.001; reduction by over 70%), P1 peak times were significantly shorter (p < 0.001; by approx. 1.5 ms), and SNRs were reduced [(p < 0.001; logSNR ± SEM DTL young (old) vs gold cup: 0.79 ± 0.13 (0.71 ± 0.15) vs 0.37 ± 0.15 (0.34 ± 0.13)]. All mfERG components showed strong significant correlations (R2 ≥ 0.253, p < 0.001) between both electrodes for all eccentricities. Both electrodes allowed for the identification of age-related P1 changes, i.e., P1-amplitude reduction and peak-time delay in the older group. There was a trend to higher AUC for the DTL electrode to delineate these differences between age groups, which, however, failed to reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Both electrode types enable successful mfERG recordings. However, in compliant patients, the use of the DTL electrode appears preferable due to the larger amplitudes, higher signal-to-noise ratio and its better reflection of physiological changes, i.e., age effects. Nevertheless, skin electrodes appear a viable alternative for mfERG recordings in patients in whom the use of corneal electrodes is precluded, e.g., children and disabled patients.
Embeddings of trees, cantor sets and solvable Baumslag–Solitar groups
Authors: Nairne Patrick S.
Published: December 2022

We characterise when there exists a quasiisometric embedding between two solvable Baumslag–Solitar groups. This extends the work of Farb and Mosher on quasiisometries between the same groups. More generally, we characterise when there can exist a quasiisometric embedding between two treebolic spaces. This allows us to determine when two treebolic spaces are quasiisometric, confirming a conjecture of Woess. The question of whether there exists a quasiisometric embedding between two treebolic spaces turns out to be equivalent to the question of whether there exists a bilipschitz embedding between two symbolic Cantor sets, which in turn is equivalent to the question of whether there exists a rough isometric embedding between two regular rooted trees. Hence we answer all three of these questions simultaneously. It turns out that the existence of such embeddings is completely determined by the boundedness of an intriguing family of integer sequences.
Feeling in Values: Axiological and Emotional Intentionality as Living Structure of Ethical Life, Regarding Max Scheler’s Phenomenology
Authors: Velázquez Juan
Published: December 2022

Some of the contemporary ethical debates have put in value the rational feature of feelings because of the estimative intentionality that is implied in them. In this context, some claim that the intentionality of emotions is a kind of value perception, as Phenomenology stressed at the beginning of the twentieth century, particularly Max Scheler, by analysing emotional Feeling [Fühlen] in the frame of emotional life. In order to extend the context of this philosophical debate, and after describing Scheler’s phenomenology of feelings of the intentional and non-intentional emotional life, firstly, we defend theaxiologicalandemotionalintentionalityasdoubleintentionality that—in our understanding—Scheler analyses phenomenologically, while taking distance from Franz Brentano and Edmund Husserl’s intentional structure of estimative emotions. And, secondly, we propose a tentative interpretation of the link between estimative and emotional double intentionality as livingstructureofethicallife, in the light of Martin Heidegger’s Hermeneutical Phenomenology.
Model-based decision support for knowledge-intensive processes
Authors: Seidel Anjo , Haarmann Stephan , Weske Mathias
Published: December 2022

Process-aware information systems guide participants through the execution of processes. However, existing systems have limited support for knowledge-intensive processes, which are multi-variant and shaped by informed decisions of knowledge workers. Yet, making such decisions causes high cognitive load, as the effect of the decision on the future process execution must be considered. This may cause errors and/or slow down the process execution. We present an approach based on fragment-based Case Management. It supports the iterative decision making by (i) enabling knowledge workers to define goals and (ii) by giving recommendations on which decision outcomes align with the goals and which do not. For that, we use information from the process model and the running process instance. We show the technical feasibility with a proof-of-concept implementation and the value for knowledge workers in a preliminary user study.
HPLC-Fluorescence Detection Method for Concurrent Estimation of Domperidone and Naproxen. Validation and Eco-Friendliness Appraisal Studies
Authors: Guirguis Karin M. , Zeid May M. , Shaalan Rasha A. , Belal Tarek S.
Published: December 2022

This work demonstrates a simple and reliable HPLC method with fluorimetric detection for simultaneous estimation of domperidone (DOM) and naproxen (NAP). Successful chromatographic separation was accomplished using Inertsil ODS C18 column (5 μm, 4.6 × 150 mm) with gradient elution of the mobile phase consisting of 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 5.5) solution and acetonitrile. The gradient elution started with 25% acetonitrile increased linearly to 65% in 5 min, then kept at this percentage till the end of the run. The mobile phase was pumped at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The excitation wavelength at 284 nm was found suitable for both DOM and NAP since it corresponds to a maximum for the minor component DOM and measurable excitation for NAP, while using 316 and 355 nm as emission wavelengths for DOM and NAP, respectively. Peaks eluted with excellent resolution at retention times 4.4 and 6.3 min for DOM and NAP, respectively. Performance of the proposed method was tested according to ICH guidelines in regard to linearity, ranges, precision, accuracy, robustness, detection and quantitation limits. Calibration curves were linear in the ranges of 0.8–3.6 and 1.0–2.5 µg/mL for DOM and NAP respectively with correlation coefficients not less than 0.9996. The validated method was successfully applied to the analysis of DOM and NAP in their laboratory prepared tablets resembling the commercial dosage form, and assay results were favorably compared with a published reference HPLC method. The method’s greenness was assessed using the Analytical Eco-Scale and the novel Analytical Greenness metric (AGREE).
An improved parallel processing-based strawberry optimization algorithm for drone placement
Authors: Farrag Tamer Ahmed , Farag M. A. , Rizk-Allah Rizk M. , Hassanien Aboul Ella , Elhosseini Mostafa A.
Published: December 2022

It is challenging to place drones in the best possible locations to monitor all sensor targets while keeping the number of drones to a minimum. Strawberry optimization (SBA) has been demonstrated to be more effective and superior to current methods in evaluating engineering functions in various engineering problems. Because the SBA is a new method, it has never been used to solve problems involving optimal drone placement. SBA is preferred for optimizing drone placement in this study due to its promising results for nonlinear, mixed, and multimodal problems. Based on the references listed below, no study has investigated the need to develop a parallelized strategy version. Several studies have been conducted on the use of drones for coverage. However, no optimization algorithms have been evaluated regarding time complexity or execution time. Despite what has been said thus far, no study has looked into the significance of a systematic framework for assessing drone coverage techniques using test suits. An optimized drone placement algorithm based on strawberry optimization is presented in the paper. The strawberry optimization algorithm will solve the drone placement problem through parallelization. In addition, the authors deploy test suits that vary in size from small to large. The dataset consists of four categories with three problems each. Results indicate that strawberry optimizers outperform Genetic algorithms (GA) and particle swarm optimization algorithms (PSO) in the number of drones, convergence, and computation time. Furthermore, the proposed approach achieves the best solution in a finite number of steps. In small-scale problems, the performance of all algorithms is convergent. As the size of the data set increases, the superiority of Strawberry optimization algorithms becomes evident. Overall, Strawberry comes out on top for eleven out of twelve comparisons.
Critical Parameters and Mechanisms of Chromium Removal from Water by Copper-Based Nanoparticles
Authors: Noli Fotini , Dafnomili Argyro , Dendrinou-Samara Catherine , Kapnisti Maria , Pavlidou Eleni
Published: December 2022

This research aims to explore the chromium removal from water using copper-based nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as determination of the specific surface area (SBET) and point of zero charge (PZC). The size and composition of nanoparticles are influenced by the reaction time, organic coating, and oxidizing atmosphere. Sorption experiments were carried out in aqueous solutions as well as simulated drinking water at various initial concentration, time, and temperature. Cu nanoparticles had a significant Cr uptake capacity of 3.4 mg·g−1 for Cin 1.0 mg·L−1 lowering the Cr concentration below the provisional guideline value of 50 μg·L−1. Sorption isotherms were fitted to Henry, Langmuir, and Freundlich models, whereas kinetic data were reproduced by different kinetic models. Iodide sorption experiments were carried out to explore the sorption mechanism onto Cu-NPs. Considering the biocompatibility, stability, good uptake capacity, and reusability, Cu nanoparticles could be considered as promising agents for applications in water purification.
Biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose nanofibrils in black tea media by a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast isolated from commercial kombucha beverage
Authors: Hamed Doaa A. , Maghrawy Heba H. , Abdel Kareem Hussein
Published: December 2022

Bacterial cellulose has drawn the attention for its unique properties and applications including; medicine, pharmacy, food, agricultural, textile and electronics. The present study focused on the production of bacterial cellulose nanofibrils (BCNF) from black tea as cost effective alternative medium in addition to study the effect of gamma radiation on BCNF properties. A symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) were isolated from commercial Kombucha beverage and were identified as Acinetobacterlowffii and Candida krusei, respectively. The symbiotic culture was used for production of BCNF on Hestrin-Schramm (HS), black tea (BT) and modified BT media. BCNF was purified (0.5 N NaOH) and quantified by dry weight, yield and productivity determination. Characterization and effect of gamma radiation (5–25 kGy) on BCNF were studied using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The highest BCNF production was achieved using BT medium with 0.2% tea and 6.0% commercial sugar (with dry weight 4.77–4.61 g/l and productivity 68.14% and 65.85%, respectively). Supplementation of BT medium with 1% ethanol, 0.27% Na2HPO4 and 0.5% yeast extract individually, enhanced the BCNF production (7.85, 6.84 and 5.73 g/l), respectively. FTIR spectrum of BCNF from sugared water (SW), HS and BT showed similar structure with high purity. As a conclusion, gamma irradiation has no effect on the BCNF structure while showed different effects on its crystallinity index and size with the different doses. The changes in CrI were ranged between (17 and 23.5%), while the crystallinity size (Cs) was affected by gamma irradiation in a positive relationship where the crystalline size was decreased (33%) by exposure to 5 kGy then increased by increasing the dose of radiation reaching 25.7% at 25 kGy. SEM graphs showed the morphology of microbial culture and its symbiotic relationship in addition to the ultrafine structure of non-irradiated and irradiated BCNF.

Graphical abstract
Synthesis, characterization, and application of 2D/2D TiO2-GO-ZnFe2O4 obtained by the fluorine-free lyophilization method for solar light-driven photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen
Authors: Malinowska Izabela , Kubica Paweł , Madajski Piotr , Ostrowski Adam , Gómez Polo Cristina , Carvera Laura , Bednarski Waldemar , Zielińska-Jurek Anna
Published: December 2022

In this study, we report the potential of 2D/2D TiO2-GO-ZnFe2O4 photocatalyst obtained using the fluorine-free lyophilization technique for the degradation of ibuprofen belonging to the group of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The improved ibuprofen degradation under simulated solar light was achieved in the presence of a composite of 2D TiO2 combined with GO and embedded ZnFe2O4, which additionally provides superparamagnetic properties and enables photocatalyst separation after the photodegradation process. After only 20 min of the photodegradation process in the presence of 2D/2D TiO2-GO-ZnFe2O4 composite, more than 90% of ibuprofen was degraded under simulated solar light, leading to non-toxic and more susceptible to biodegradation intermediates. At the same time, photolysis of ibuprofen led to the formation of more toxic intermediates. Furthermore, based on the photocatalytic degradation analysis, the degradation by-products and possible photodegradation pathways of ibuprofen were investigated. The photodegradation tests and electronic spin resonance analyses indicated the significant involvement of superoxide radicals and singlet oxygen in the ibuprofen photodegradation process.
Management of Acute Stress Reactions in the Military: A Stepped Care Approach
Authors: Matson Liana M. , Adler Amy B. , Quartana Phillip J. , Thomas Connie L. , Lowery-Gionta Emily G.
Published: December 2022

Purpose of the Review

This review highlights knowledge gaps surrounding the development and use of interventions for Acute Stress Reactions (ASRs). First, we propose that a stepped care approach to intervention for ASR be developed and utilized in military operational environments. A stepped care approach would include detection and assessment, followed by behavioral intervention, and then medication intervention for ASRs. Second, we discuss potential strategies that can be taken for the development of safe and effective ASR medications.

Recent Findings

ASRs commonly occur in operational environments, particularly in military populations. ASRs impact the safety and performance of individual service members and teams, but there are currently limited options for intervention.

Summary

Efforts to improve ASR detection and assessment, and development and delivery of ASR interventions for implementation in operational environments, will be critical to maintaining the safety and performance of service members.
miRNA-576-5p promotes endometrial cancer cell growth and metastasis by targeting ZBTB4
Authors: Chen Chen , Zhang Qing , Kong Beihua
Published: December 2022

Purpose

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have already been shown to have a strong correlation with the invasion and metastasis capacity of tumor cells. The present research examined the function of miRNA-576-5p (miR-576-5p) in the development of endometrial cancer (EC).

Methods

miR-576-5p and ZBTB4 expression in EC and benign endometrial tissues was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. To evaluate the proliferation ability of tumor cells in vitro, 2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assays were carried out. The effect of miR-576-5p on the proliferation ability of EC cells in vivo was measured by the tumor formation in nude mice. The migration and invasion ability of tumor cells was determined using the transwell assay. To confirm the association between expressions of miR-576-5p and zinc finger and BTB domain containing four (ZBTB4), western blot, qRT-PCR, and luciferase assay were carried out.

Results

miR-576-5p expression increased significantly in EC samples than in benign endometrial tissues. The level of miR-576-5p was significantly higher in the polymerase ε (POLE) ultramutated subgroup compared to the other three subgroups. High levels of miR-576-5p expression were linked to a shorter progression-free interval time in the copy number high subgroup. Furthermore, upregulated miR-576-5p facilitated EC cell invasion and migration in vitro and promoted the proliferation of EC tumor cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, this study showed that the expression of ZBTB4 decreased in patients with EC, and the dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-576-5p binds directly to the 3′-UTR of ZBTB4 and inhibits the expression of ZBTB4. An increase in miR-576-5p expression leads to a decrease in the mRNA and protein expression level of ZBTB4. The effects of miR-576-5p can be reversed by overexpression of ZBTB4.

Conclusion

miR-576-5p promoted proliferation and metastasis capacity of EC cells by inhibiting ZBTB4 expression. We hypothesized that miR-576-5p could be a prospective therapeutic target for EC.
L'Ancien Régime Legacy of the Chinese Governance: Grand Union and the Common Good
Authors: Zhang Yan
Published: December 2022

Governance is essentially a dynamic mechanism to promote collective action for the common good. The Chinese concept of the public/common (gōnggòng) and its political philosophy of Grand Union governance provide an alternative perspective for understanding such dynamics from the unit of family through institutions to the state-embedded society. Three critical arguments with interconnected elements are analysed: governance as a dynamic mechanism; review of the historical, philosophical and political legacy of Chinese governance; and proposal of a framework for governance of the Grand Union. It concludes that ‘Chinese characteristics’, such as diverse adaptations, gradual flexibility, experimental pragmatism, and polycentric balance with a strong central state are all deeply rooted in its pre-revolutionary ancien régime. In order to understand these seemingly different institutions and values, we need to revisit their original functionality of governing for the common good.