bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The application of autofluorescence system contributes to the preservation of parathyroid function during thyroid surgery
Authors: Shi XianBiao , Lv Guan , Qin JiaBo , Li Yixuan , Zheng Lulu , Ding Haoran , Sang JianFeng
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of autofluorescence technology on postoperative parathyroid function and short-term outcomes in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

Methods

A total of 546 patients were included in the study, with 287 in the conventional treatment group and 259 in the autofluorescence group. Both groups underwent central lymph node dissection, which is known to affect parathyroid function. Short-term outcomes, including rates of postoperative hypocalcemia and parathyroid dysfunction, serum calcium and PTH levels on the first postoperative day, as well as the need for calcium supplementation, were analyzed. A multivariable analysis was also conducted to assess the impact of autofluorescence on postoperative parathyroid dysfunction, considering factors such as age, BMI, and preoperative calcium levels.

Results

The autofluorescence group demonstrated significantly lower rates of postoperative hypocalcemia and parathyroid dysfunction compared to the conventional treatment group. The autofluorescence group also had better serum calcium and PTH levels on the first postoperative day, and a reduced need for calcium supplementation. Surprisingly, the use of autofluorescence technology did not prolong surgical time; instead, it led to a shorter hospitalization duration. The multivariable analysis showed that autofluorescence significantly reduced the risk of postoperative parathyroid dysfunction, while factors such as age, BMI, and preoperative calcium levels did not show a significant correlation.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that autofluorescence technology can improve the preservation of parathyroid function during thyroid surgery, leading to better short-term outcomes and reduced postoperative complications. The findings highlight the potential of autofluorescence as a valuable tool in the management of parathyroid hypofunction. Further research and validation are needed to establish the routine use of autofluorescence technology in the thyroid.
Emotional cues reduce Pavlovian interference in feedback-based go and nogo learning
Authors: Vahedi Julian , Mundorf Annakarina , Bellebaum Christian , Peterburs Jutta
Published: March 2024

It is easier to execute a response in the promise of a reward and withhold a response in the promise of a punishment than vice versa, due to a conflict between cue-related Pavlovian and outcome-related instrumental action tendencies in the reverse conditions. This robust learning asymmetry in go and nogo learning is referred to as the Pavlovian bias. Interestingly, it is similar to motivational tendencies reported for affective facial expressions, i.e., facilitation of approach to a smile and withdrawal from a frown. The present study investigated whether and how learning from emotional faces instead of abstract stimuli modulates the Pavlovian bias in reinforcement learning. To this end, 137 healthy adult participants performed an orthogonalized Go/Nogo task that fully decoupled action (go/nogo) and outcome valence (win points/avoid losing points). Three groups of participants were tested with either emotional facial cues whose affective valence was either congruent (CON) or incongruent (INC) to the required instrumental response, or with neutral facial cues (NEU). Relative to NEU, the Pavlovian bias was reduced in both CON and INC, though still present under all learning conditions. Importantly, only for CON, the reduction of the Pavlovian bias effect was adaptive by improving learning performance in one of the conflict conditions. In contrast, the reduction of the Pavlovian bias in INC was completely driven by decreased learning performance in non-conflict conditions. These results suggest a potential role of arousal/salience in Pavlovian-instrumental regulation and cue-action congruency in the adaptability of goal-directed behavior. Implications for clinical application are discussed.
Permanent deterioration of fine motor skills after the resection of tumors in the supplementary motor area
Authors: Maurer Stefanie , Butenschoen Vicki M. , Kelm Anna , Schramm Severin , Schröder Axel , Meyer Bernhard , Krieg Sandro M.
Published: March 2024

Supplementary motor area syndrome (SMAS) represents a common neurosurgical sequela. The incidence and time frame of its occurrence have yet to be characterized after surgery for brain tumors. We examined patients suffering from a brain tumor preoperatively, postoperatively, and during follow-up examinations after three months, including fine motor skills testing and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). 13 patients suffering from a tumor in the dorsal part of the superior frontal gyrus underwent preoperative, early postoperative, and 3-month follow-up testing of fine motor skills using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JHFT) and the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT) consisting of 8 subtests for both upper extremities. They completed TMS for cortical motor function mapping. Test completion times (TCTs) were recorded and compared. No patient suffered from neurological deficits before surgery. On postoperative day one, we detected motor deficits in two patients, which remained clinically stable at a 3-month follow-up. Except for page-turning, every subtest indicated a significant worsening of function, reflected by longer TCTs (p < 0.05) in the postoperative examinations for the contralateral upper extremity (contralateral to the tumor manifestation). At 3-month follow-up examinations for the contralateral upper extremity, each subtest indicated significant worsening compared to the preoperative status despite improvement to the immediate postoperative level. We also detected significantly longer TCTs (p < 0.05) postoperatively in the ipsilateral upper extremity. This study suggests a long-term worsening of fine motor skills even three months after SMA tumor resection, indicating the necessity of targeted physical therapy for these patients.
Economic value of diastasis repair with the use of mesh compared to no intervention in Italy
Authors: Rognoni Carla , Carrara Alessandro , Piccoli Micaela , Trapani Vincenzo , Vettoretto Nereo , Soliani Giorgio , Tarricone Rosanna
Published: March 2024

Aim

Rectus abdominal diastasis (RAD) can cause mainly incontinence and lower-back pain. Despite its high incidence, there is no consensus regarding surgical indication. We aimed at comparing RAD repair (minimally invasive technique with mesh implant) with no treatment (standard of care – SOC) through cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses from both National Healthcare Service (NHS) and societal perspectives in Italy.

Methods

A model was developed including social costs and productivity losses derived by the online administration of a socio-economic questionnaire, including the EuroQol for the assessment of quality of life. Costs for the NHS were based on reimbursement tariffs.

Results

Over a lifetime horizon, estimated costs were 64,115€ for SOC and 46,541€ for RAD repair in the societal perspective; QALYs were 19.55 and 25.75 for the two groups, respectively. Considering the NHS perspective, RAD repair showed an additional cost per patient of 5,104€ compared to SOC, leading to an ICUR of 824€. RAD repair may be either cost-saving or cost-effective compared to SOC depending on the perspective considered. Considering a current scenario of 100% SOC, an increased diffusion of RAD repair from 2 to 10% in the next 5 years would lead to an incremental cost of 184,147,624€ for the whole society (87% borne by the NHS) and to incremental 16,155 QALYs.

Conclusion

In light of the lack of economic evaluations for minimally invasive RAD repair, the present study provides relevant clinical and economic evidence to help improving the decision-making process and allocating scarce resources between competing ends.
Random forest evaluation using multi-key homomorphic encryption and lookup tables
Authors: Petrean Diana-Elena , Potolea Rodica
Published: March 2024

In recent years, machine learning (ML) has become increasingly popular in various fields of activity. Cloud platforms have also grown in popularity, as they offer services that are more secure and accessible worldwide. In this context, cloud-based technologies emerged to support ML, giving rise to the machine learning as a service (MLaaS) concept. However, the clients accessing ML services in order to obtain classification results on private data may be reluctant to upload sensitive information to cloud. The model owners may also prefer not to outsource their models in order to prevent model inversion attacks and to protect intellectual property. The privacy-preserving evaluation of ML models is possible through multi-key homomorphic encryption (MKHE), that allows both the client data and the model to be encrypted under different keys. In this paper, we propose an MKHE evaluation method for decision trees and we extend the proposed method for random forests. Each decision tree is evaluated as a single lookup table, and voting is performed at the level of groups of decision trees in the random forest. We provide both theoretical and experimental evaluations for the proposed method. The aim is to minimize the performance degradation introduced by the encrypted model compared to a plaintext model while also obtaining practical classification times. In our experiments with the proposed MKHE random forest evaluation method, we obtained minimal (less than 0.6%) impact on the main ML performance metrics considered for each scenario, while also achieving reasonable classification times (of the order of seconds).
200 years of taxonomic confusion: Sporendonema and allies
Authors: Kandemir Hazal , Decock Cony , Hernández-Restrepo Margarita , Labuda Roman , Houbraken Jos , Ilkit Macit , de Hoog G. Sybren
Published: March 2024

The genus Sporendonema (Gymnoascaceae, Onygenales) was introduced in 1827 with the type species S. casei for a red mould on cheese. Cheese is a consistent niche for this species. Sphaerosporium equinum is another species classified in Gymnoascaceae and has also been reported from cheese. Recently, other habitats have been reported for both Sporendonema casei and Sphaerosporium equinum. The present study aimed to investigate the taxonomy of Sporendonema and Sphaerosporium, as well as a close neighbour, Arachniotus. Two strains of Hormiscium aurantiacum, another related cheese-associated species were also included in the analyses. Strains were evaluated in terms of macro- and micromorphology, physiology including salt tolerance, growth rate at different temperatures, casein degradation, cellulase activity, lipolytic activity, and multi-locus phylogeny with sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region, the D1-D2 region of the large subunit and partial β-tubulin locus sequences. The results showed that the analysed species were congeneric, and the generic names Arachniotus and Sphaerosporium should be reduced to the synonymy of Sporendonema. Therefore, four new combinations as well as one lectotype and one epitype were designated in Sporendonema. Two strains attributed to Sphaerosporium equinum from substrates other than cheese were found to be phylogenetically and morphologically deviant and were introduced as a new species named Sporendonema isthmoides.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus and post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer: clinical and molecular characteristics and survival
Authors: Boysen Mette L. , Troelsen Frederikke S. , Sørensen Henrik T. , Erichsen Rune
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Studies suggest that patients with type two diabetes mellitus (T2D) may be at increased risk of post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC). We investigated clinical and molecular characteristics and survival of T2D patients with PCCRC to elucidate how T2D-related PCCRC may arise.

Methods

We identified T2D patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) from 1995 to 2015 and computed prevalence ratios (PRs) comparing clinical and molecular characteristics of CRC in T2D patients with PCCRC vs. in T2D patients with colonoscopy-detected CRC (dCRC). We also followed T2D patients from the diagnosis of PCCRC/dCRC until death, emigration, or study end and compared mortality using Cox-proportional hazards regression models adjusted for sex, age, year of CRC diagnosis, and CRC stage.

Results

Compared with dCRC, PCCRC was associated with a higher prevalence of proximal CRCs (54% vs. 40%; PR: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–1.62) in T2D patients. We found no difference between PCCRC vs. dCRC for CRC stage, histology, and mismatch repair status. The proportion of CRCs that could be categorized as PCCRC decreased over time. Within one year after CRC, 63% of PCCRC vs. 78% of dCRC patients were alive (hazard ratio [HR] 1.85 [95% CI 1.47–2.31]). Within five years after CRC, 44% of PCCRC vs. 54% of dCRC patients were still alive (HR 1.44 [95% CI 1.11–1.87]).

Conclusion

The increased prevalence of proximally located PCCRCs and the poorer survival may suggest overlooked colorectal lesions as a predominant explanation for T2D-related PCCRC, although altered tumor progression cannot be ruled out.
Human health risk assessment of metal-contaminated soils in Sydney estuary catchment (Australia)
Authors: Birch Gavin , Wang Xiaoyu , Liu Enfeng
Published: March 2024

Sydney estuary catchment supports the largest city in Australia and provides essential eco-social and environmental services; however, the region has been influenced by extensive anthropogenic modification. Soil metal concentrations in the catchment had been studied previously; however, the current investigation was designed to determine the risk posed by these contaminants to human health. Soil metal concentrations were higher than observed in most global capitals and increased substantially in the south and south-east of the catchment and close to the central business district. Road-side soils and road dust contained the highest concentration of metals in the catchment. Lead in catchment soils was closely related to traffic density and sourced from the historic use of Pb in petrol. A human health assessment indicated that soil Cd, Ni and Zn posed no non-carcinogenic risk (NCR), or carcinogenic risk (CR) for children, or adults in Sydney estuary catchment and that Cu and Cr may pose minor NCR for children. Vehicle-related Pb raised the greatest human health risk in catchment soils and may pose NCR at 32% and 4.3% of sites for children and adults, respectively. Inconsistent analytical techniques used in CR and NCR evaluations produce incomparable assessments and a consistent` methodology is suggested to improve interpretation. Human health risk may well be higher than commonly calculated due to pollutants present in urban soil not being included in assessments.
Stern–Gerlach, EPRB and Bell Inequalities: An Analysis Using the Quantum Hamilton Equations of Stochastic Mechanics
Authors: Beyer Michael , Paul Wolfgang
Published: March 2024

The discussion of the recently derived quantum Hamilton equations for a spinning particle is extended to spin measurement in a Stern–Gerlach experiment. We show that this theory predicts a continuously changing orientation of the particles magnetic moment over the course of its motion across the Stern–Gerlach apparatus. The final measurement results agree with experiment and with predictions of the Pauli equation. Furthermore, the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen–Bohm thought experiment is investigated, and the violation of Bells’s inequalities is reproduced within this stochastic mechanics approach. The origin of the violation of Bell’s inequalities is traced to the the non-local nature of the velocity fields for an entangled state in the stochastic formalism, which is a result of a non-separable probability distribution of the considered particles.
Genetic diversity of maize resources revealed by different molecular markers
Authors: Chňapek Milan , Balážová Želmíra , Špaleková Andrea , Gálová Zdenka , Hromadová Zuzana , Číšecká Lucia , Vivodík Martin
Published: March 2024

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal crop in the world because of its nutritional value and industrial benefits. Molecular markers are used mainly by the breeders to study the genetic variability of genotypes and its application in the breeding process. Two types of molecular markers, 10 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers and 10 start codon target (SCoT) primers, were assayed to determine the genetic diversity of 25 Slovak maize lines and 25 maize cultivars. A high level of polymorphism was found with both RAPD and SCoT markers, which was confirmed by high average polymorphism information content (PIC) values using both techniques. The efficiency of individual marker techniques in the detection of genotype diversity can be compared by calculating the marker index (MI), detecting diversity index (DDI), discriminating power, resolving power (RP) and other indices. A higher MI (11.788), DDI (2.358) and RP (53.08) value was achieved by the SCoT technique compared to the RAPD method. Three joint dendrograms and PCoA plots constructed based on RAPD, SCoT and both methods combined confirmed the unambiguous separation of maize lines and cultivars from each other. The results obtained from the RAPD and SCoT analysis can be used for the selection of potentially suitable biological sources for further marker-assisted breeding.
High-speed electrolyte jet 3D printing of ultrasmooth and robust Cu microelectrodes
Authors: Gu Wending , Marianov Aleksei , Jiang Yijiao
Published: March 2024

Electrochemical 3D printing technology built on computer numerical control platforms has enabled multi-dimensional and multi-scale manufacturing of various metal materials through layered electrochemical deposition. Compared to thermal 3D printing technology, electrolyte meniscus-confined 3D printing can manufacture Cu microstructures with fewer defects and smoother surfaces. In the meantime, it is still susceptible to unstable liquid–solid-air interfaces, low deposition rates, and limited printing geometry. This work combined jet electrochemical deposition with a portable 3-axis platform to develop a cyclic high-speed electrolyte jet (HSEJ) 3D printer. It offers a faster deposition rate of 53.4 µm/h when printing ultrasmooth Cu microelectrodes with surface average roughness down to 1.1 nm and microhardness of 3.3 GPa which is much higher than the best result of 2.4 GPa obtained by the other ECD methods. It is identified that the fluctuation of cathode current density plays a crucial role in defining the nucleation morphology on the Cu surface, while the cathode current efficiency is a reliable indicator to assess the deposition localization by reflecting the variation of diffusion percentage. HSEJ 3D printing provides a sustainable pathway for the facile recycling of waste cables into high-grade metal microelectronics with controllable surface morphology and 3D dimensions.

Graphical Abstract
Values and National Identification in Minority and Majority Youth: Longitudinal Multi-Study Findings
Authors: Benish-Weisman Maya , Daniel Ella , Elizarov Einat , Sverdlik Noga , Titzmann Peter F.
Published: March 2024

Collective identification is vital for adolescents, fostering well-being and connection, but scant attention has been given to drivers of national identification and their contextual variations in youth. To address this, two longitudinal studies examined how values, as guiding goals defining what individuals consider important in their lives, relate to the trajectory of national identification in majority and minority youth. Study 1 (N = 568; Mage = 16.24, SD = 0.71) and Study 2 (N = 678; Mage = 13.78, SD = 0.73) focused on majority youth (Jewish-Israelis), while Study 2 also included minority (Arab citizens of Israel). The findings highlight values as important motivators of national identification over time. Conservation values, emphasizing the preservation of the status quo and a preference for stability, were prominent motivators for the majority of adolescents. In contrast, power values, which center around climbing the social ladder and accumulating wealth, held greater significance among their minority counterparts; however, both sets of values correlated with increased national identification. The discussion touches on motivations underlying national identification, their contextual diversity, and implications for future studies.
Influence of a changing wave climate on the quality and morphometry of the stalked barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes (Gmelin, 1789), along the coasts of NW Iberia
Authors: Peñas-Torramilans Raquel , Outeiral Raquel , Santiago José , Vázquez Elsa , Weidberg Nicolas
Published: March 2024

Wave climate is shifting over the last decades along the Atlantic coasts of Europe ultimately driven by large-scale patterns of atmospheric variability forced by anthropogenic global warming. Changes in wave height and surf zone orbital currents are hypothesized to drive marked shifts in the shape of intertidal organisms such as the stalked barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes, whose quality and market price are known to decrease non linearly with the peduncle length: width ratio S. This study evaluates wave trends in NW Iberian Peninsula, using the Spanish Port System 2006–2020 SIMAR wave hindcast. On the other hand, trends in stalked barnacle morphology and quality are estimated from 26 sites at the management regions of Baiona and A Guarda between 2011 and 2020. Results show evidence of temporal changes in barnacle quality and, especially, morphometry caused by simultaneous shifts in winter wave induced orbital currents. Because of the non linear relationship between S and the high quality threshold, large increases in S are usually translated to small reductions in quality. However, we identified a tipping point around S = 2.4 that if surpassed can lead to great drops in barnacle quality. In addition, changes in wave forcing will have different effects at each extraction site, as trends in wave climate are decoupled from barnacle morphometry at steeper sites sheltered from the predominant wave direction. In conclusion, this knowledge could be applied to develop site specific barnacle harvesting strategies based on annual wave climate forecasts.

Graphical abstract
Quantile ratio regression
Authors: Farcomeni Alessio , Geraci Marco
Published: March 2024

We introduce quantile ratio regression. Our proposed model assumes that the ratio of two arbitrary quantiles of a continuous response distribution is a function of a linear predictor. Thanks to basic quantile properties, estimation can be carried out on the scale of either the response or the link function. The advantage of using the latter becomes tangible when implementing fast optimizers for linear regression in the presence of large datasets. We show the theoretical properties of the estimator and derive an efficient method to obtain standard errors. The good performance and merit of our methods are illustrated by means of a simulation study and a real data analysis; where we investigate income inequality in the European Union (EU) using data from a sample of about two million households. We find a significant association between inequality, as measured by quantile ratios, and certain macroeconomic indicators; and we identify countries with outlying income inequality relative to the rest of the EU. An implementation of the proposed methods is freely available.
Effect of exercise-based rehabilitation on functional capacity and renal function in type 2 diabetes mellitus with nephropathy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nataraj Megha , Maiya G. Arun , Nagaraju Shankar Prasad , Shastry B. A. , Shivashankara K. N. , Shetty Sahana , Mayya Shreemathi S.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Diabetic nephropathy is a growing public health challenge with implications on health. Renal function decline impacts the functional ability and overall health and well-being of individuals with diabetic nephropathy due to development of several renal manifestations. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of an exercise-based rehabilitation program on functional capacity and renal function among individuals with type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

Methods

A total of 283 individuals were screened and 60 eligible participants aged 45–70 years with diabetic nephropathy were randomly allocated (n = 30 each) to the intervention group (IG) and control group (CG), respectively. The study outcome measures comprised of functional capacity (6-min walk test) and renal function assessed at baseline, 12th week and 24th week. Participants allocated to IG received 12 weeks of exercise based rehabilitation (comprising of supervised + home-based exercises) along with standard care and followed-up till 24th week.

Results

The repeated measures ANOVA with Greenhouse–Geisser correction indicated significant timepoint*group interaction effect for 6-min walk distance F (1.71, 90.59) = 619, p < 0.001, serum creatinine F (1.23, 65.14) = 174.8, p < 0.001, estimated glomerular filtration rate F(1.15, 60.88) = 105.2, p < 0.001, serum urea F(1.48, 78.45) = 261.4, p < 0.001 and urine protein F (1.13, 59.82) = 4.58, p < 0.328.

Conclusion

The study found that exercise based rehabilitation improved both functional capacity and renal function among individuals with type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
Rhododendron poisoning in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in Northern Germany
Authors: Schregel Johannes , Zdora Isabel , Gerhauser Ingo , Punsmann Teresa Maria , Aboling Sabine , Ganter Martin , Wagener Matthias Gerhard
Published: March 2024

Poisoning is often suspected to be the origin of disease in South American camelids (SACs) by owners, but only in a few cases this assumption can be confirmed. In small ruminants, rhododendron poisoning is a common emergency for livestock veterinarians. However, this condition has rarely been reported in SACs so far. This paper provides information regarding clinical findings, hematology, clinical chemistry, and treatment of four alpacas after presumed intake of rhododendron leaves including pathological findings of one of the animals. Rhododendron leaves contain grayanatoxins that lead to hyperpolarization of excitable cells. Clinical signs that were observed in the presented alpacas comprised: salivation, dehydration, decreased motility of compartment 1, uncoordinated regurgitation, and cardiac arrhythmia. Clinical chemistry revealed that rhododendron poisoning was associated with metabolic acidosis and azotaemia, hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Most striking macroscopic and histopathological findings included gastric ulceration, and renal infarcts along with inflammatory changes. Leaves of Rhododendron spp. were identified in the forestomach content of this animal. Affected animals were treated symptomatically as there is no specific antidote in rhododendron poisoning. This included parenteral rehydration, treatment of metabolic acidosis (infusion of sodium bicarbonate solution), and oral administration of activated charcoal to bind potential toxins. In addition, antibiotic treatment might be necessary to prevent aspiration pneumonia in case of uncoordinated regurgitation. Of the four animals, the worst affected alpaca was euthanized, one had minimal signs and two responded to supportive care and recovered. In conclusion, rhododendron poisoning might be fatal for alpacas in individual cases and therefore rhododendron bushes should not be placed in the habitat of SACs.
Volunteering Legacies from the Olympic Games: Missed Opportunities
Authors: Holmes Kirsten , Smith Karen A. , Lockstone-Binney Leonie , Shipway Richard , Ong Faith
Published: March 2024

This paper examines how far a post-event volunteering legacy is facilitated by event organising committees leveraging existing volunteering infrastructure in host communities. The paper uses the lens of regulatory capitalism to examine how the organising committees of the Sydney 2000 and London 2012 Olympic Games engaged with the third sector, and specifically the volunteering infrastructure of the host nations, in the planning, delivery and post-event phases to create a volunteering legacy for the host community. The two case studies involved 27 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders representing the organising committees and the volunteering infrastructure in the host cities. While the Sydney Olympics had no specific remit for legacy planning, the third sector led legacy efforts in Australia. At the London Olympics, there was a failure to engage with the third sector, which limited government-led legacy planning and implementation. In the latter case, the framework of regulatory capitalism prioritised contracts with the private sector over meaningful engagement with the third sector.
In-vitro selection of lactic acid bacteria to combat Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chickens
Authors: Wishna-Kadawarage Ramesha N. , Hickey Rita M. , Siwek Maria
Published: March 2024

Campylobacter and Salmonella are the two most prominent foodborne zoonotic pathogens reported in the European Union. As poultry is one of the major sources of these pathogens, it is imperative to mitigate the colonization of these pathogens in poultry. Many strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have demonstrated anti-Salmonella and anti-Campylobacter characteristics to varying degrees and spectrums which are attributed to the production of various metabolites. However, the production of these compounds and consequent antimicrobial properties are highly strain dependent. Therefore, the current study was performed to select a potent LAB and determine its causal attribute in inhibiting Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter jejuni, in-vitro. Six LAB (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP), Lacticaseibacillus casei (LC), Limosilactobacillus reuteri (LR), Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (LRh), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (LM) and Pediococcus pentosaceus (PP)) and three serovars of Salmonella enterica (Typhimurium, Enterica and Braenderup) and Campylobacter jejuni were used in the current study. Spot overlays, well diffusion, co-culture and co-aggregation assays against Salmonella and well diffusion assays against Campylobacter jejuni were performed. Organic acid profiling of culture supernatants was performed using HPLC. The results indicated that LRh, LM and PP had the most significant anti-Salmonella effects while LP, LC, LM and PP displayed the most significant anti-Campylobacter effects. Lactic acid and formic acid detected in the culture supernatants seem the most likely source of the anti-Salmonella and anti-Campylobacter effects exhibited by these LAB. In conclusion, Leuconostoc mesenteroides displayed the most significant overall anti-pathogenic effects when compared to the other LAB strains studied, indicating its potential application in-vivo.
Is ‘hybrid work’ the new high-flying policy? insights from the aviation industry
Authors: Shao Sandra , Martensen Malte , Martensen Hannah , Reindl Cornelia
Published: March 2024

The return to working at the office after two years of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic entails challenges for employees and organizations alike. Organizations strive to create a pull towards working at the office—first and foremost to strengthen organizational culture, cohesiveness, and related outcomes. Employees do not want to give up on working from home (WFH) to maintain the newly gained autonomy and flexibility. The answer to unite organizational and individual needs seems to be a hybrid work policy, i.e., a fixed weekly or monthly ratio of working at the office and WFH. However, we know little about two things so far: the effects of a hybrid work model and how it should be designed to achieve its goals. This study takes a qualitative approach to investigate individual and organizational outcomes of a 50/50 hybrid work policy in an aviation industry IT company. Results indicate that while employees generally appreciate the policy, individual WFH desires also depend on the task structure of employees. The fixed 50% ratio also raised resistance among employees not being considered flexible enough to meet the needs of individual teams and team members. Primary recommendations for the design of hybrid work policies are given that underline the persisting importance of employee autonomy and flexibility concerns and the rising role of creating the office as a ‘social hub’.
A Novel Peptide Driving Neurodegeneration Appears Exclusively Linked to the α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
Authors: Ranglani Sanskar , Hasan Sibah , Komorowska Joanna , Medina Nathalia Mayag , Mahfooz Kashif , Ashton Anna , Garcia-Ratés Sara , Greenfield Susan
Published: March 2024

T14, a 14mer peptide, is significantly increased in the pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease brain, and growing evidence implies its pivotal role in neurodegeneration. Here, we explore the subsequent intracellular events following binding of T14 to its target α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Specifically, we test how various experimental manipulations of PC12 cells impact T14-induced functional outcomes. Three preparations were compared: (i) undifferentiated vs. NGF-differentiated cells; (ii) cells transfected with an overexpression of the target α7 nAChR vs. wild type cells; (iii) cells transfected with a mutant α7 nAChR containing a mutation in the G protein-binding cluster, vs. cells transfected with an overexpression of the target α7 nAChR, in three functional assays – calcium influx, cell viability, and acetylcholinesterase release. NGF-differentiated PC12 cells were less sensitive than undifferentiated cells to the concentration-dependent T14 treatment, in all the functional assays performed. The overexpression of α7 nAChR in PC12 cells promoted enhanced calcium influx when compared with the wild type PC12 cells. The α7345–348 A mutation effectively abolished the T14-triggered responses across all the readouts observed. The close relationship between T14 and the α7 nAChR was further evidenced in the more physiological preparation of ex vivo rat brain, where T30 increased α7 nAChR mRNA, and finally in human brain post-mortem, where levels of T14 and α7 nAChR exhibited a strong correlation, reflecting the progression of neurodegeneration. Taken together these data would make it hard to account for T14 binding to any other receptor, and thus interception at this binding site would make a very attractive and remarkably specific therapeutic strategy.
CASPER: Cognitive Architecture for Social Perception and Engagement in Robots
Authors: Vinanzi Samuele , Cangelosi Angelo
Published: March 2024

Our world is being increasingly pervaded by intelligent robots with varying degrees of autonomy. To seamlessly integrate themselves in our society, these machines should possess the ability to navigate the complexities of our daily routines even in the absence of a human’s direct input. In other words, we want these robots to understand the intentions of their partners with the purpose of predicting the best way to help them. In this paper, we present the initial iteration of cognitive architecture for social perception and engagement in robots: a symbolic cognitive architecture that uses qualitative spatial reasoning to anticipate the pursued goal of another agent and to calculate the best collaborative behavior. This is performed through an ensemble of parallel processes that model a low-level action recognition and a high-level goal understanding, both of which are formally verified. We have tested this architecture in a simulated kitchen environment and the results we have collected show that the robot is able to both recognize an ongoing goal and to properly collaborate towards its achievement. This demonstrates a new use of qualitative spatial relations applied to the problem of intention reading in the domain of human–robot interaction.
Using resampled nSight-2 hyperspectral data and various machine learning classifiers for discriminating wetland plant species in a Ramsar Wetland site, South Africa
Authors: Gasela Mchasisi , Kganyago Mahlatse , De Jager Gerhard
Published: March 2024

Mapping wetland ecosystems at the species level provides critical information for understanding the nutrient cycle, carbon sequestration, retention and purification of water, waste treatment and pollution control. However, wetland ecosystems are threatened by climate variability and change and anthropogenic activities; thus, their assessment and monitoring have become critical to inform proper management interventions. Contemporary studies show that satellite-based Earth observation (EO) has significant potential for achieving this task. While many multispectral EO data are freely and readily available, its broad spectral bands limit its utility in differentiating subtle differences among similar plant species. In contrast, hyperspectral data has a high spectral resolution, which is superior in discerning minute differences in similar plant species. However, this data is associated with high dimensionality and multicollinearity, which negatively affect the performance of traditional, parametric classification algorithms. To this end, machine algorithms are often preferred to classify hyperspectral data due to their robustness to various data distributions and noise. The current study compared the performance of three advanced machine learning classifiers, i.e., Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), in discriminating four dominant wetland plant species, i.e., Crocosmia sp., Grasses, Agapanthus sp. and Cyperus sp. using simulated hyperspectral data from an upcoming sensor, i.e., nSight-2. The results revealed that SVM is superior, with an overall accuracy of 93.18% (and class-wise accuracies > 85%). In comparison, there were minor differences in the performances of RF and PLS-DA, i.e., 84.09% and 83.63%, respectively. Overall, the results demonstrated that all the evaluated classifiers could achieve acceptable mapping accuracies. However, SVM is more robust, providing exceptional accuracies, and should be considered for operational mapping once the sensor is in space.
Corrosion of calcite speleothems in epigenic caves of Moravian Karst (Czech Republic)
Authors: Faimon Jiří , Baldík Vít , Štelcl Jindřich , Všianský Dalibor , Rez Jiří , Pracný Pavel , Novotný Roman , Lang Marek , Roubal Zdeněk , Szabó Zoltán , Hadacz Roman
Published: March 2024

Corrosion processes were studied in epigenic caves of the Moravian Karst (MK). Samples of naturally corroded speleothems and carbonate rocks collected in various MK caves were compared with limestone and calcite standards that were corroded under well-controlled conditions in the laboratory. Two stages of corrosion were distinguished: (1) an early stage of pitting and linear corrosion predisposed by point and line defects in the standards, and (2) an advanced stage characterized by deep corrosion of the entire standard surface. During the second stage, the internal structure of the corroded substrate remained partially preserved, however, if the water was extremely aggressive, the corrosion progressed to depth en-bloc regardless of the structure. In this paper, we (1) proposed a new corrosion mechanism based on the binding of aqueous calcium by clays and tested it experimentally in the cave, (2) characterized conditions that generally favor the formation of aggressive waters (water undersaturated with calcite) into seven categories incorporating them into a conceptual model of the karst vertical profile, and (3) discussed anthropogenic influences on these processes.
The algal partnership is associated with quantitative variation of lichen specific metabolites in Cladonia foliacea from Central and Southern Europe
Authors: Farkas Edit , Xu Maonian , Muhoro Arthur Macharia , Szabó Krisztina , Lengyel Attila , Heiðmarsson Starri , Viktorsson Elvar Örn , Ólafsdóttir Elín Soffia
Published: March 2024

Lichen specific metabolites (LSMs) have interesting biological activities and quantitative variations may be present intraspecifically. For example, variations in medullary fumarprotocetraric acid (FA) and cortical usnic acid (UA) were observed in the lichen Cladonia foliacea, but the mechanism of variation is not well understood. The current study aimed to characterise the quantitative variation of FA and UA and to investigate the association between lichen metabolite content and ecological / biological variables. Fungal and algal trees were constructed using fungal (nrITS, RPB2) and algal (nrITS) loci, respectively. Using a chiral chromatographic method, the contents of (-)-UA were determined in 29 C. foliacea specimens and range from 6.88 to 34.27 mg/g dry wt. The FA contents were lower and varied from 1.44 to 9.87 mg/g dry wt. Although the fungal tree showed two well resolved clades, no significant differences of UA or FA contents were found between the two fungal clades. However, a significantly higher UA/FA ratio as well as a unique habitat were found to be associated with specimens which contained the alga Asterochloris lobophora than those specimens associated other Asterochloris algae. Taking all predictive variables into account (i.e. substrate type, elevation, collection season, photobiont identity), the multivariate data analysis indicated that photobiont identity explained most of the variance of LSM contents in C. foliacea. Thus future LSM biosynthetic studies should take the photobiont into consideration when dealing with intraspecific quantitative variation.
Point-of-care Ultrasound (POCUS) for the Regional Anesthesiologist
Authors: Arumugam Sivasenthil , Kolli Sree , Brakoniecki Katrina , Singh Prit Anand , Kukreja Promil , Kalagara Hari
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

Application of ultrasound in clinical anesthesia practice extends beyond regional anesthesia. In this review, we have discussed other point-of-care applications of ultrasound in perioperative care and anesthetic management with emphasis on regional anesthesia practice.

Recent Findings

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for anesthesiologists has gained widespread interest and popularity. Recent literature has highlighted multiple perioperative POCUS applications on various organ systems and their benefits. In this section, we have analyzed the recent available data and evidence for perioperative POCUS for airway, gastric contents and trauma, its applications, benefits, and limitations in perioperative medicine.

Perioperative POCUS skill is a natural extension of ultrasound guided regional anesthesia. Utilizing POCUS in the perioperative period would accelerate the level of appropriate care, safety, and improve outcomes. More anesthesiologists embracing POCUS would enhance patient care in a timely fashion. POCUS in regional anesthesia practice, including ambulatory centers, can be valuable in avoiding delay or cancellation of surgeries and improving patient satisfaction.
Lachgas – ein Narkotikum
Authors: Wagner J. B. , Wanke E. M. , Ohlendorf D. , Reuss F. , Holzgreve F. , Oremek G. M.
Published: March 2024

Lachgas ist ein oxidierendes, schlecht wasserlösliches, farbloses Gas mit süßem Geruch aus der Gruppe der N‑O-Verbindungen und wird im medizinischen Kontext hauptsächlich als Anästhetikum bzw. als Analgetikum eigesetzt. Allerdings warnt die Europäische Beobachtungsstelle für Drogen (EMCDDA) vor dem privaten Konsum von Lachgas, da es gefährliche Folgen haben kann, wie z. B. Nervenschädigung, Lähmungen, neurologische Schäden, Polyneuropathie, Parästhesien, Rückenmarkdegeneration in Folge einer Störung des Vitamin-B12-Stoffwechsels. Daher sollte Lachgas nur für medizinische und technische Zwecke (z. B. als Treibgas im Sahnespender) eingesetzt werden und nicht zum privaten Spaß-Konsum. So dürfen Ärztinnen und Ärzte das Gas als leichtes Betäubungsmittel einsetzen. Dieser Beitrag befasst sich mit der chemischen Zusammensetzung und den biologischen positiven und negativen Folgen von Lachgas und deren Betrachtung im arbeitsmedizinischen Setting.
Upstream Evaporation is the Key to Extreme Summertime Heat Stress in North China
Authors: Bu Lulei , Zuo Zhiyan , Chen Deliang , Zhang Kaiwen , Qiao Liang
Published: March 2024

Humidity plays a critical role in amplifying temperature impact, leading to reduced heat dissipation efficiency and severe heat stress in humans. In the specific context of North China, this study explored different sensitivities of extreme heat stress (measured by wet-bulb temperature, TW) to humidity and temperature, and analyzed the influence of upstream variables on extreme heat stress. It is found that in the past four decades, extreme heat stress in North China increased rapidly at a maximum rate of over 0.4 ℃/decade, accompanied by the influence of humidity on extreme heat stress surpasses that of temperature. Even slight fluctuations in humidity can result in substantial variations in heat stress levels, unlike equivalent changes in temperature. This study is the first to find that for extreme heat stress, changes in temperature can only increase TW by up to 0.5 ℃, while increase in humidity can increase TW by 3 ℃. Notably, both humidity and temperature begin to rise approximately three days prior to extreme days, coinciding with intensified humidity transport and temperature advection from the upstream region. This study is also the first to find that intensified humidity transport is primarily driven by remarkably high evaporation originating from the western extension of the Northwest Pacific Subtropical High, while the strengthened temperature advection stems from a north–south temperature gradient during extreme days. This mechanism, wherein upstream variables impact downstream conditions, holds significant value for accurate prediction and timely response strategies.
Study on the material removal mechanism and the exit breakage of ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding for microcrystalline glass
Authors: Zhang Wenchao , Cui Enming , Zhang Baoquan , Wang Mingwei , Zhao Xiujun
Published: March 2024

With the aim of solving problems such as exit breakage and surface microcracks during microcrystalline glass machining, an ellipsoidal erosion model is established by analyzing the motion trajectory and characteristics of single diamond grit in ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding (UVAG), and the material removal volume of single diamond grit particles is obtained. A simulation model of UVAG of microcrystalline glass is established by the finite element method. The effect of process parameters such as rotational speed, grinding depth, feed rate on grinding force and workpiece edge stress has been investigated. The experiment of UVAG for microcrystalline glass is performed on a five-axis CNC machine with the same process parameters, and the surface morphology, surface roughness, and exit breakage sizes of microcrystalline glass are observed. The results show that with the increase in grinding depth, the average grinding force between the tool and the workpiece increases, and the proportion of material removal in a brittle fracture increases. As the rotational speed increases, the grinding force between the tool and the workpiece gradually decreases and results in an improvement in the surface quality of the workpiece. As the feed rate increases, the surface roughness increases by 16.76%, the width of the edge breakage increases by 109.19%, and the thickness of the edge breakage increases by 104.49%.