bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of a malaria host–pathogen interaction by a computationally designed inhibitor
Authors: Tobin Autumn R. , Crow Rachel , Urusova Darya V. , Klima Jason C. , Tolia Niraj H. , Strauch Eva‐Maria
Published: November 2022

Malaria is a substantial global health burden with 229 million cases in 2019 and 450,000 deaths annually. Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread malaria‐causing parasite putting 2.5 billion people at risk of infection. P. vivax has a dormant liver stage and therefore can exist for long periods undetected. Its blood‐stage can cause severe reactions and hospitalization. Few treatment and detection options are available for this pathogen. A unique characteristic of P. vivax is that it depends on the Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines (DARC) on the surface of host red blood cells for invasion. P. vivax employs the Duffy binding protein (DBP) to bind to DARC. We first de novo designed a three helical bundle scaffolding database which was screened via protease digestions for stability. Protease‐resistant scaffolds highlighted thresholds for stability, which we utilized for selecting DARC mimetics that we subsequentially designed through grafting and redesign of these scaffolds. The optimized design small helical protein disrupts the DBP:DARC interaction. The inhibitor blocks the receptor binding site on DBP and thus forms a strong foundation for a therapeutic that will inhibit reticulocyte infection and prevent the pathogenesis of P. vivax malaria.
Evaluating the Potential of Lead‐Free Nontoxic Cs2BiAgI6‐Based Double Perovskite Solar Cell
Authors: Alla Mohamed , Manjunath Vishesh , Choudhary Ekta , Samtham Manopriya , Sharma Siddhant , Shaikh Parvez A. , Rouchdi Mustapha , Fares Boubker
Published: November 2022

Recently, the efficiency of single‐junction perovskite solar cells has been competing with the crystalline Si solar cells. However, the perovskite absorbers are toxic and susceptible to moisture. Herein, the performance of an environmentally benign and durable Cs2BiAgI6 light harvester using the 1D Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS‐1D) software package is evaluated. The primary physical parameters, namely, defect and doping densities and thickness of the subsequent layers, are varied to achieve high efficiencies. The optimized Cs2BiAgI6‐based double perovskite solar cells with three distinct hole‐transporting layers (HTLs) (i.e., MoO3, CuSCN, and spiro‐OMeTAD) deliver a power conversion efficiency of ≈29% with AZnO as electron transport layer (ETL). Further, a variety of possible rear electrodes are explored, and their effect on the performance is estimated. For real‐time examination of the Cs2BiAgI6‐based double perovskite solar cells, the variation of power conversion efficiency (PCE) concerning the operating temperature is estimated. The thickness of the Cs2BiAgI6 light harvester layer and the bulk defect density are the key aspects in attaining high power conversion efficiencies in Cs2BiAgI6‐based double perovskite solar cells.
Integrated water resources management: A new strategy for DSS development and implementation
Authors: Ma Qiang , Gourbesville Philippe
Published: November 2022

Although the recent concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is continuously searching for modern operational approaches to be implemented in practice, the Decision Support Systems (DSSs) have been considered a major effective tool for supporting IWRM. According to the weaknesses and limitations in the current DSSs, this paper presents a new DSS development strategy based on an architecture design including higher levels of competitive advantages in system flexibility, product maintenance, and user acceptance. Instead of producing a DSS as a stand‐alone product limited to real‐time monitoring, the selected approach presents a design for a real‐time DSS service setup with a multilayered user interface and a multimodular modeling system. The methodology has been used and implemented over the Var catchment (2800 km2) and has been validated with an operational application. The designed DSS is currently used by the local management authorities with a high level of user satisfaction with monitoring and forecast services. The obtained result underlines the promising applicability of the proposed approach for other DSSs addressing utilities.
Structural and Photophysical Properties of Guanidinium–Iodide‐Treated Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Othman Mostafa , Zhang Tian , McMeekin David P. , Fürer Sebastian O. , Mao Wenxin , Li Weilun , Scully Andrew D. , Chesman Anthony S. R. , Nakashima Philip N. H. , Bach Udo , Etheridge Joanne
Published: November 2022

Use of the guanidinium iodide (GAI) cation is widely recognized as an interface engineering technique for perovskite solar cells that deliver stability improvements via defect passivation on surfaces and grain boundaries. However, a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the structural and photophysical properties is lacking. Herein, GAI‐induced perovskite structural modifications, including derivative phases and underlying transitions, are detected in GAI surface‐treated Cs0.07MA0.14FA0.79Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 through an analysis of X‐ray and electron diffraction and microscopy data. An optimum GAI solution concentration at 10 mg mL−1 can eliminate excess PbI2, improve crystallinity, and increase grain size of the as‐prepared perovskite films. However, a further increase to 20–40 mg mL−1 induces new (FAPbI3)
x
(GA2PbI4)
x
phases and a reduction in crystallinity and grain size. In addition, from confocal photoluminescence imaging, it is observed that 10 mg mL−1 GAI also helps to remove the microscale spatial heterogeneities, demonstrating optimum device performance. These results show that understanding the impact on structure and microstructure of the selection and concentration of surface treatment agents is critical for the homogenization of perovskite optoelectronic properties and achieving efficient device.
Disentangling X‐Ray and Sunlight Irradiation Effects Under a Controllable Atmosphere in Metal Halide Perovskites
Authors: da Silva Francisco M. C. , Szostak Rodrigo , Teixeira Verônica C. , Germino José Carlos , Soares Márcio M. , Nogueira Ana Flávia , Tolentino Hélio C. N.
Published: November 2022

Metal halide perovskites are versatile materials for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications owing to their adjustable bandgap and emission properties. Nevertheless, a drawback is their photo‐structural–chemical instability. Herein, structural and optical responses of metal halide perovskite films, exploiting in situ X‐ray and visible light stimuli under dry and humid atmospheres, are correlated. It shows that the interplay of the physical parameters responsible for sample evolution depends in a nontrivial way on the nature of the excitation, radiation power density, and moisture conditions. Two perovskite samples demonstrate the relevance of each composition. They are resilient under a dry atmosphere, but the presence of water or oxygen molecules in the ambient air leads to structural and optical changes under irradiation. However, the sample reaction depends on the photons’ excitation energy and power density to be effective. Under a dry atmosphere, the halide segregation involving Br and I atoms does not occur for the low‐power density of X‐ray and sunlight excitations. On the contrary, under the ambient air atmosphere, compound stability depends on sample composition, which relates to defects and traps, and the excitation source. Herein, the probe's relevance to perovskites’ photoinduced structural and optical responses is highlighted.
Study on small ruminant brucellosis and owners awareness in two selected districts of southern region, Ethiopia
Authors: Dosa Desalegn , Mohammed Nejib , Mathewos Mesfin
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Brucellosis is one of the infectious diseases that has the greatest impact on the productivity of sheep and goats. A cross‐sectional study followed by a simple random sampling technique was used to investigate the seroprevalence of brucellosis (Rose Bengal plate test; RBPT and complement fixation test; CFT) in small ruminants and its related risk variables from November 2019 to June 2020 in Kolme and Abala Abaya districts. A questionnaire was also given to owners to assess their existing knowledge of the disease.

Result

Using the RBPT and CFT, 28 (4.1%) and 23 (3.33%) of the 690 animals were found to be seropositive for brucellosis, respectively. In this study, the seroprevalence of brucellosis detected in the Kolme district (5.3%) was greater when compared to Abala Abaya (1.0%). The odds of Brucella infection were greater for goats (odds ratio [OR] 6.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 16 0.8–44.9) than for sheep. The odds of adult animals (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.03–0.07) being positive for brucellosis was higher than young animals. A statistically significant difference in the seropositivity of brucellosis was detected in univariate logistic regression among districts, different age groups, herd size, parity number, and reproductive health problems except for species and sex, but in multivariate logistic regression, only reproductive health problems were revealed a statistically significant difference. Out of 138 families, 100% of respondents were unaware of brucellosis, 94.5% drink raw milk, and 74% handle animals with retained fetal membranes with their bare hands.

Conclusion

This study showed that brucellosis was a widely spread disease in the study areas and poses a substantial public health danger. To reduce the spread of the disease in small ruminants, public health risks, and economic losses, stringent vaccination application and awareness of personal hygiene are critical.
Interaction between transect design and animal distribution in distance sampling of deer
Authors: Green Nicholas S. , Wildhaber Mark L. , Albers Janice L.
Published: November 2022

We conducted a simulation study to evaluate the consequences of violating statistical assumptions of distance sampling (DS) on the bias and precision of population estimates of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Distance sampling is a method for estimating the density of organisms using a distribution of observed distances to individuals. A key assumption of DS is that sampling transects are randomly located with respect to the population being sampled. Most DS transects used in National Parks follow roads and trails, which are not positioned randomly. We constructed spatially explicit simulations of surveys using 7 different types of deer spatial distributions and 3 survey designs. A significant interaction between survey type and deer distribution type explained most of the variation in population estimates across simulations and this interaction was also a significant predictor of the coefficient of variation (CV) of population estimates. Simulation results suggested that 1) non‐road surveys were more robust to bias than were road surveys, 2) effectiveness of each of 3 survey types was dependent on the way deer were distributed across the landscape, and 3) non‐road surveys produced unbiased estimates of populations affected by roads, whereas road surveys did not. The results of our study suggest that DS surveys using pre‐existing roads and trails have potential biases resulting from study design, something that could be considered by land managers when constructing surveys.
Axion-plasmon-polariton hybridization in a graphene periodic structure
Authors: Liu Daqing , Hua Xiuqin , Sun Dong , Jiang Xingfang , Zhao Xiang
Published: November 2022

Abstract

This study investigated the hybridization between an axion and plasmon polariton, attributed to the coupling achieved by combining modified electrodynamics and hydrodynamic approaches on a plasmon-polariton in a graphene periodic structure. The enhancement of the effective coupling was also studied. Furthermore, corrections for the axion and the lowest plasmon -polariton hybridization state spectra have been presented. An observable was proposed to detect axions, which is significant even when the effective coupling is not large, especially as the axion mass decreases. The study shows that the resulting structure provides a sensitive and wide-mass-spectrum platform for detecting axions at the sub-meV scale.
The stranger things of symmetric product orbifold CFTs
Authors: Benjamin Nathan , Bintanja Suzanne , Castro Alejandra , Hollander Jildou
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Symmetric product orbifold theories are valuable due to their universal features at large N. Here we will demonstrate that they have features that are not as pervasive: we provide evidence of strange behaviour under deformations within their moduli space. To this end, we consider the symmetric product orbifold of tensor products of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 super-Virasoro minimal models, and classify them according to two criteria. The first criterion is the existence of a single-trace twisted exactly marginal operator that triggers the deformation. The second criterion is a sparseness condition on the growth of light states in the elliptic genera. In this context we encounter a strange variety: theories that obey the first criterion but the second criterion falls into a Hagedorn-like growth. We explain why this may be counter-intuitive and discuss how it might be accounted for in conformal perturbation theory. We also find a new infinite class of theories that obey both criteria, which are necessary conditions for each moduli space to contain a supergravity point.
Inadvertent side effects of fixed lingual retainers
Authors: Seide Marlen , Kruse Teresa , Graf Isabelle , Bourauel Christoph , Lapatki Bernd G. , Jäger Rudolf , Braumann Bert
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To better understand the side effects of fixed lingual retainers by means of an in vitro study in a two-tooth model determining the three-dimensional (3D) force–moment components acting at adjacent teeth combined with different composite–wire interfaces.

Methods

Triple-stranded round retainer wires were embedded in cured disks of flowable composite. At one side the composite–wire interface was untreated and checked to be absolutely fix. At the other side the composite–wire interface was configured as either an isolated compound with (1) petroleum jelly coating, or an adhered compound with (2) no manipulation, (3) ethanol degreasing or (4) ethanol degreasing and rectangular bending of the wire ends. The 3D force–moment components were registered, while the intertooth distance was increased in steps of 0.01 mm leading to increasing tension of the wire. Measurements were repeated after artificially aging the specimens.

Results

Retainer wire specimens with adhered compound (2, 3, 4) showed negative vestibulo-oral moments ranging maximally each between −0.3 and −0.9 Nmm in opposite direction to positive moments of 1.9 Nmm for specimens with isolated compound 1. Significant tipping moments occurred in the group with isolated compound at lower forces than in those groups with adhered compound. Similar effects were observed after artificial aging.

Conclusion

Side effects emerge under specific circumstances: an altered adhesive compound combined with the presence of oral forces. Compounds with lost adhesion at the composite–wire interface showed rotational moments in the direction of the wire windings even during low tensile forces similar to those that may occur in clinical settings. Opposite rotational moments leading to unwinding of the wire may occur in cases with adhered compounds at higher tensile forces. Utilization of round triple-stranded retainer wires without bent ends are of higher risk to induce inadvertent side effects.
A new quadratic asymmetric error correction model: does size matter?
Authors: Mnasri Ayman , Mrabet Zouhair , Alsamara Mouyad
Published: November 2022

We introduce a new quadratic asymmetric error correction model that comprehensively accounts for both sign and size asymmetries. We also propose a test protocol that allows to rigorously identify different sources of long-run nonlinearity, namely quadratic nonlinearity, size asymmetry and sign asymmetry. We use a nonparametric residual recursive bootstrap technique to report p-values for the long-run tests. Simulation results confirm the consistency of our proposed estimator in finite samples and show that the bootstrapped tests have reasonably good size and power properties. Although our estimation of the Okun’s Law for the USA confirms previous findings on the direction of the sign asymmetry, its reveals that the magnitude of the impact of economic downturns on unemployment decreases faster than the impact of upturns. Forecasting results show that our new model performs better than NARDL.
Incidence and causes of failure in various anatomical pouch designs 20 years after surgical primary ileal-pouch anal anastomosis construction
Authors: Reijntjes Maud A. , Bocharewicz Eva K. , Hompes Roel , Buskens Christianne J. , Bemelman Willem A.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Since the introduction of ileo-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery, various pouch designs have been applied. Recently, there has been renewed interest in creating larger pouch designs to reduce defecation frequency after pouch surgery. The aim of this study was to assess chronic pouch failure (PF) rates and causes in alternative S or septated (SP) pouches when compared to J pouches and B- shaped adaptations.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients that underwent primary IPAA construction surgery from 1978–2000. Pouch designs were subdivided in J and B (J/B), and larger pouches (S/SP). PF included need for a pouch excision, redo pouch procedure, revisional pouch surgery, or permanent ileostomy surgery. Outcomes of this study were incidence and causes for PF per pouch design group.

Results

Out of 200 patients who underwent IPAA surgery, 19 had an S/SP design and 181 had a J/B design. After a follow-up of 27.0 (IQR 23.3 – 29.0) years, 45/200 (22.5%) patients who underwent IPAA surgery between 1975–2000 developed PF. Some 78.9% of patients with an S/SP pouch developed PF, compared to 16.7% of patients with a J/B pouch (p < 0.01). Mechanical outlet issues occurred more often in S/SP pouches when compared to J/B (42.1% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.01), and were predominantly caused by septal- or pouch wall intussusception and efferent loop kinking (S-pouch).

Conclusion

Despite an inevitable proportion of bias, the current study revealed that S/SP pouches were characterized by an increased PF incidence due to emptying problems after long-term follow-up when compared to J/B pouches. Constructing an S pouch or large septated reservoir at index surgery should therefore be questioned because of a shorter longevity.
A systematic construction of non-i.i.d. data sets from a single data set: non-identically distributed data
Authors: Torra Vicenç
Published: November 2022

Data-driven models strongly depend on data. Nevertheless, for research and academic purposes, public data sets are usually considered and analyzed. For example, most machine learning algorithms are applied and tested using the UCI Machine Learning repository. There is a current need for not i.i.d. data sets for distributed machine learning. Recall that i.i.d. random variables stand for independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables. An example of this need is federated learning. In federated learning, the typical scenario is to consider a set of agents each one with its own data set. Agents are typically heterogeneous and because of that, it is not appropriate to consider that the data of these agents follow the same distributions. In this paper we propose an approach to build non-identically distributed data sets from a single data set for machine learning classification, where we may suppose or not that all instances follow the same distribution. Each device will have only instances of a subset of the classes. The approach uses optimization to distribute the data set into a set of subsets, each one following a different distribution. Our goal is to define an approach for building subsets for training that is as systematic as the approaches used for cross-validation/k-fold validation.
From common sense to collective practices: a social-ontological commentary on Gramsci’s concept of common sense
Authors: Telios Thomas
Published: November 2022

In my paper, I start by providing a brief taxonomy of three types of theories that conceptualize common sense. Thereby, I differentiate between positive, negativist, and dualistic/dialectical theories of common sense. By juxtaposing a “good” form of common sense that he calls buon senso and a “bad” form of common sense he calls senso comune Antonio Gramsci falls undoubtedly within the reach of the dualistic/dialectical theories of common sense. In order to scrutinize Gramsci’s idiosyncratic conceptualization of common sense, I turn to Kate Crehan’s interpretation of this concept and argue that Gramsci’s understanding of common sense is better understood as a social-ontological category that is historical, inclusive, relational, and intersectional. In this framework, collectivity is disclosed as the primary mode both of existence and of practice. Ultimately, and in order to demonstrate the current political ramifications of Gramsci’s understanding of common sense, I turn to his figure of the “modern prince.” As I conclude, it is the “bad” form of common sense as senso comune that is most capable of addressing the current demands of an inclusive and radical democracy.
The transition from school to university in mathematics education research: new trends and ideas from a systematic literature review
Authors: Di Martino Pietro , Gregorio Francesca , Iannone Paola
Published: November 2022

Investigating the transition between educational levels is one of the main themes for the future of mathematics education. In particular, the transition from secondary school to STEM degrees is problematic for the widespread students’ difficulties and significant for the implications that it has on students’ futures. Knowing and understanding the past is key to imagine the future of a research field. For this reason, this paper reports a systematic review of the literature on the secondary-tertiary transition in Mathematics Education from 2008 to 2021. We constructed two corpuses: one from the proceedings of three international conferences in mathematics education (PME, ICME, and INDRUM) and the other from peer reviewed research papers and book chapters returned by the databases ERIC and Google Scholar. A clear evolution in perspectives since 2008 emerges from the analysis of the two corpuses: the research focus changed from a purely cognitive to a more holistic one, including socio-cultural and — to a lesser extent — affective issues. To this end, a variety of research methods were used, and specific theoretical models were developed in the considered papers. The analysis also highlights a worrisome trend of underrepresentation: very little research comes from large geographical areas such as South America or Africa. We argue that this gap in representation is problematic as research on secondary tertiary transition concerns also consideration of socio-cultural and contextual factors.
Sequence aware recommenders for fashion E-commerce
Authors: Kim Yang Sok , Hwangbo Hyunwoo , Lee Hee Jun , Lee Won Seok
Published: November 2022

In recent years, fashion e-commerce has become more and more popular. Since there are so many fashion products provided by e-commerce retailers, it is necessary to provide recommendation services to users to minimize information overload. When users look for a product on an e-commerce website, they usually click the product information sequentially. Previous recommenders, such as content-based recommenders and collaborative filtering recommenders, do not consider this important behavioral characteristic. To take advantage of this important characteristic, this study proposes sequence-aware recommenders for fashion product recommendation using a gated recurrent unit (GRU) algorithm. We conducted an experiment using a dataset collected from an e-commerce website of a Korean fashion company. Experimental results show that sequence aware recommenders outperform non-sequence aware recommender, and multiple sequence-based recommenders outperform a single sequence-based recommender because they consider the attributes of fashion products. Finally, we discuss the implications of our study on fashion recommendations and propose further research topics.
On the Origin of Negation
Authors: Sbardolini Giorgio
Published: November 2022

The ability to express negation in language may have been the result of an adaptive process. However, there are different accounts of adaptation in linguistics, and more than one of them may describe the case of negation. In this paper, I distinguish different versions of the claim that negation is adaptive and defend a proposal, based on recent work by Steinert-Threlkeld (2016) and Incurvati and Sbardolini (2021), on which negation is an indirect adaptation.
Inhibition of PD-1 Alters the SHP1/2-PI3K/Akt Axis to Decrease M1 Polarization of Alveolar Macrophages in Lung Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Authors: He Xiaojing , Xiao Jingyuan , Li Zhao , Ye Mengling , Lin Jinyuan , Liu Zhen , Liang Yubing , Dai Huijun , Jing Ren , Lin Fei
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Polarization of alveolar macrophages (AMs) into the M1 phenotype contributes to inflammatory responses and tissue damage that occur during lung ischemia–reperfusion injury (LIRI). Programmed cell death factor-1 (PD-1) regulates polarization of macrophages, but its role in LIRI is unknown. We examined the role of PD-1 in AM polarization in models of LIRI in vivo and in vitro. Adult Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to ischemia–reperfusion with or without pretreatment with a PD-1 inhibitor, SHP1/2 inhibitor, or Akt activator. Lung tissue damage and infiltration by M1-type AMs were assessed. As an in vitro complement to the animal studies, rat alveolar macrophages in culture were subjected to oxygen/glucose deprivation and reoxygenation. Levels of SHP1/2 and Akt proteins were evaluated using Western blots, while levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Injury upregulated PD-1 both in vivo and in vitro. Inhibiting PD-1 reduced the number of M1-type AMs, expression of SHP1 and SHP2, and levels of inflammatory cytokines. At the same time, it partially restored Akt activation. Similar results were observed after inhibition of SHP1/2 or activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. PD-1 promotes polarization of AMs to the M1 phenotype and inflammatory responses through the SHP1/2-PI3K/Akt axis. Inhibiting PD-1 may be an effective therapeutic strategy to limit LIRI.
Determinants of life expectancy at birth: a longitudinal study on OECD countries
Authors: Roffia Paolo , Bucciol Alessandro , Hashlamoun Sara
Published: November 2022

This paper analyses the influence of several determinants on life expectancy at birth in 36 OECD countries over the 1999–2018 period. We utilized a cross-country fixed-effects multiple regression analysis with year and country dummies and used dynamic models, backward stepwise selection, and Arellano–Bond estimators to treat potential endogeneity issues. The results show the influence of per capita health-care expenditure, incidence of out-of-pocket expenditure, physician density, hospital bed density, social spending, GDP level, participation ratio to labour, prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases, temperature, and total size of the population on life expectancy at birth. In line with previous studies, this analysis confirms the relevance of both health care expenditure and health care system (physicians and hospital beds in our analysis) in influencing a country’s population life expectancy. It also outlines the importance of other factors related to population behaviour and social spending jointly considered on this outcome. Policy makers should carefully consider these mutual influences when allocating public funds, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic period.
The role of habitat features in patterns of population connectivity of two Mediterranean amphibians in arid landscapes of central Iberia
Authors: Gutiérrez-Rodríguez Jorge , Gonçalves João , Civantos Emilio , Maia-Carvalho Bruno , Caballero-Díaz Carlos , Gonçalves Helena , Martínez-Solano Íñigo
Published: November 2022

Context

Mediterranean wetland ecosystems are in continuous decline due to human pressure. Amphibians are key elements of biotic communities of Mediterranean temporary ponds and streams, and their persistence depends on the availability and inter-connectivity of breeding sites.

Objectives

We investigated the role of different factors potentially driving functional connectivity patterns in two amphibian species at the landscape and local scales. We focused on two Mediterranean endemic pond-breeding amphibians inhabiting semi-arid landscapes of central Spain, the common parsley frog (Pelodytes punctatus) and the common midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans).

Methods

We genotyped 336 individuals of P. punctatus and 318 of A. obstetricans from 17 and 16 breeding populations at 10 and 17 microsatellite loci, respectively. We used remotely sensed vegetation/moisture indices and land use/cover data to derive optimized resistance surfaces and test their association with estimates of gene flow and migration rates across populations.

Results

We found evidence for higher population connectivity in common midwife toads than in common parsley frogs, with a strong effect of water availability in patterns of population connectivity of both species. However, the two species differ in the role of landscape features on population connectivity, with the distance and spatial distribution of artificial land-use types positively influencing connectivity in A. obstetricans and meadows/pastureland favouring P. punctatus. This is in line with reported breeding site preferences for the two species, with A. obstetricans successfully breeding in artificial water bodies that P. punctatus generally avoid.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of assessing species–habitat relationships shaping connectivity when developing and implementing conservation and management actions to benefit fragmented amphibian populations in the Mediterranean region. Our results show that amphibian species respond differently, even contrastingly to landscape features and thus require alternative, complementary strategies to improve population connectivity and ensure long-term viability.
Risk and resilience correlates of reading among adolescents with language-based learning disabilities during COVID-19
Authors: Marks Rebecca A. , Norton Rachel T. , Mesite Laura , Fox Annie B. , Christodoulou Joanna A.
Published: November 2022

Students with language-based learning disabilities (LBLD) can face elevated socio-emotional well-being challenges in addition to literacy challenges. We examined the prevalence of risk and resilience factors among adolescents with LBLD (N = 93), ages 16–18, and the association with reading performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected at the start and end of the first fully remote academic year of COVID-19 (2020–2021). Participants completed standardized word and text reading measures, as well as self-report surveys of executive functions (EF), and socio-emotional skills associated with resilience (grit, growth mindset, self-management, self-efficacy, and social awareness) or risk (anxiety, depression, COVID-19 related PTSD, and perceived COVID-19 impact). Survey data at the start of the school year (Time 1) captured three underlying factors associated with socioemotional risk, socioemotional resilience, and regulation (i.e., EF). Path analyses revealed that students’ Time 2 oral reading scores were significantly and uniquely predicted by socioemotional resilience, even when controlling for word-level reading at Time 1. Socioemotional risk, EF, and perceived COVID-19 impact were not directly related to Time 2 oral reading scores; however, students’ resilience mediated the associations between risk and reading outcomes. These results demonstrate that adolescents’ mental health concerns, self-regulatory ability, and socioemotional resilience were all associated with their experiences of the COVID-19-related stress. However, despite the high-risk context of the pandemic, and socio-emotional challenges faced by students with LBLD, our findings indicate that resilience directly predicts end-of-year reading outcomes and mediates the impact of socioemotional risk on achievement.
A systematic review of sensory deterrents for bycatch mitigation of marine megafauna
Authors: Lucas Sol , Berggren Per
Published: November 2022

Marine megafauna are critical for marine ecosystem health and their removal can cause food webs to collapse. Methods to reduce marine megafauna mortality can result in conflict between scientists, conservationists, fishers and fisheries management due to real or perceived effects on target catch, income and food security. Sensory deterrents have been used in attempts to mitigate bycatch and retain target catch quantity and quality. Here, we completed a systematic review of 116 papers, plus 25 literature reviews published between 1991 and 2022, to investigate potential for sensory deterrents to mitigate bycatch across four marine megafauna taxonomic groups (marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds and elasmobranchs). Lights on gillnets are the only technology so far to result in significant bycatch reductions across all four taxonomic groups. It is difficult to make generalisations about the efficacy of sensory deterrents and their ability to deliver consistent bycatch reductions. The efficacy of each method is context dependent, varying with species, fishery and environmental characteristics. Further research is recommended for field studies assessing bycatch mitigation in all sensory deterrents, including combinations of deterrents, to assess effects on target and non-target species. The associated issues of habituation, habitat exclusion and foraging around fishing gear are important, although reducing mortality of vulnerable species should remain the highest priority for conservation and preserving ecosystems that fishers depend on. Multiple complementary measures will be required to achieve consistent bycatch reduction targets in many fisheries, of which sensory deterrents could play some part if implemented appropriately.
Respecting evidence: belief functions not imprecise probabilities
Authors: Smith Nicholas J. J.
Published: November 2022

The received model of degrees of belief represents them as probabilities. Over the last half century, many philosophers have been convinced that this model fails because it cannot make room for the idea that an agent’s degrees of belief should respect the available evidence. In its place they have advocated a model that represents degrees of belief using imprecise probabilities (sets of probability functions). This paper presents a model of degrees of belief based on Dempster–Shafer belief functions and then presents arguments for belief functions over imprecise probabilities as a model of evidence-respecting degrees of belief. The arguments cover three kinds of issue: theoretical virtues (simplicity, interpretability and flexibility); motivations; and problem cases (dilation and belief inertia).
A new perspective on criteria of identity
Authors: Garbacz Paweł
Published: November 2022

Are identity criteria grounding principles? The recent debate over this issue seems to indicate a definitively negative answer. Recognising various objections to identity criteria as grounds for identity facts, one may wonder whether the former are capable of playing any salient role in ontology. I argue in this paper that they are, provided that one interprets them not as ontological explanations of identity facts but as ontological specifications thereof. I attempt to elaborate this view in terms of the well-establish distinction between determinables and their determinates, where identity criteria are to play the role of the determinates and the relation of identity is to be their determinable.
Use of convalescent plasma therapy in hospitalised adult patients with non-critical COVID-19: a focus on the elderly from Hungary
Authors: Kiss-Dala Noemi , Szabo Balint Gergely , Lakatos Botond , Reti Marienn , Szlavik Janos , Valyi-Nagy Istvan
Published: November 2022

Convalescent plasma therapy might be a feasible option for treatment of novel infections. During the early phases of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, several promising results were published with convalescent plasma therapy, followed by more disappointing findings of randomised controlled trials. In our single-centre, open-label, prospective, cohort study, we assessed the findings of 180 patients treated with convalescent plasma during the first four waves of the pandemic in Hungary. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality; secondary outcomes were clinical improvement and need for intensive care unit admission by day 28. Subgroup analysis comparing elderly and non-elderly (less than 65 years of age) was performed. Twenty (11.4%) patients died by day 28, at significantly higher rates in the elderly subgroup (3 vs. 17, p < 0.01). One hundred twenty-eight (72.7%) patients showed clinical improvement, and 15 (8.5%) were transferred to the intensive care unit until day 28. Non-elderly patients showed clinical improvement by day 28 in significantly higher rates (improvement 74 vs. 54, no improvement 15 vs. 11, worsening or death 4 vs. 18 patients, p < 0.01). In conclusion, we found similar clinical outcome results as randomised controlled trials, and the impact of risk factors for unfavourable clinical outcomes among patients in the elderly population.
Förderung organisationaler Gesundheitskompetenz aus Sicht von Pflegefachpersonen. Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Studie
Authors: Messer Melanie , Murau Tatjana
Published: November 2022

Hintergrund

Gesundheitseinrichtungen sind gefordert, Patient*innen in ihrer Gesundheitskompetenz zu unterstützen und zu fördern. Dabei kommt Pflegefachpersonen eine bedeutsame Rolle zu, auf die Informationsfähigkeiten und -bedarfe von Patient*innen einzugehen. Bislang ist jedoch kaum untersucht, inwieweit die Pflegepraxis auf diese Aufgabe vorbereitet ist.

Ziel

Ziel der Studie ist es, die Ausgangslage in pflegerischen Informations- und Beratungssituationen zu beschreiben, auf die die Bestrebungen der Förderung der organisationalen Gesundheitskompetenz treffen.

Methode

Es wurden 21 leitfadengestützte Interviews mit Pflegefachpersonen durchgeführt. Die Auswertung erfolgte thematisch kodierend.

Ergebnisse

Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich Pflegefachpersonen auf eine Ad-hoc-Informationsvermittlung spezialisiert haben, in der Aufklärung und Wissensvermittlung im Vordergrund stehen. Beratende und schulende Ansätze finden sich kaum. Adressiert wird ein breites Feld an Informationsthemen, das von Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention bis zu Fragen der Behandlung, Koordination und des Selbstmanagements reicht. Hier zeigt sich eine direkte Passfähigkeit an Konzepte der organisationalen Gesundheitskompetenz. Deutlich wird jedoch, dass es nach dem Berufseinstieg an strukturierten Qualifikationsmöglichkeiten für Pflegefachpersonen zum Thema Kommunikation mangelt. Informationstechniken erarbeiten sie sich durch Erfahrungslernen mit zunehmender Berufserfahrung überwiegend selbst.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Ergebnisse liefern Hinweise auf die aktuelle Praxis der Vermittlung von gesundheitskompetenzfördernden Informationen durch Pflegefachpersonen. Sie bieten Ansatzpunkte für die zukünftige Konzeptentwicklung, etwa Pflegefachpersonen gezielter in ihrem Qualifikationsbedarf zu unterstützen.
Polyhedral results and stronger Lagrangean bounds for stable spanning trees
Authors: Samer Phillippe , Haugland Dag
Published: November 2022

Given a graph $$G=(V,E)$$

G
=
(
V
,
E
)

and a set C of unordered pairs of edges regarded as being in conflict, a stable spanning tree in G is a set of edges T inducing a spanning tree in G, such that for each $$\left\{ e_i, e_j \right\} \in C$$

e
i

,

e
j

∈
C

, at most one of the edges $$e_i$$

e
i

and $$e_j$$

e
j

is in T. The existing work on Lagrangean algorithms to the -hard problem of finding minimum weight stable spanning trees is limited to relaxations with the integrality property. We exploit a new relaxation of this problem: fixed cardinality stable sets in the underlying conflict graph $$H =(E,C)$$

H
=
(
E
,
C
)

. We find interesting properties of the corresponding polytope, and determine stronger dual bounds in a Lagrangean decomposition framework, optimizing over the spanning tree polytope of G and the fixed cardinality stable set polytope of H in the subproblems. This is equivalent to dualizing exponentially many subtour elimination constraints, while limiting the number of multipliers in the dual problem to |E|. It is also a proof of concept for combining Lagrangean relaxation with the power of integer programming solvers over strongly NP-hard subproblems. We present encouraging computational results using a dual method that comprises the Volume Algorithm, initialized with multipliers determined by Lagrangean dual-ascent. In particular, the bound is within 5.5% of the optimum in 146 out of 200 benchmark instances; it actually matches the optimum in 75 cases. All of the implementation is made available in a free, open-source repository.
Abnormal Chromatin Folding in the Molecular Pathogenesis of Epilepsy and Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Meta-synthesis with Systematic Searching
Authors: Davis Oliver
Published: November 2022

How DNA is folded and packaged in nucleosomes is an essential regulator of gene expression. Abnormal patterns of chromatin folding are implicated in a wide range of diseases and disorders, including epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These disorders are thought to have a shared pathogenesis involving an imbalance in the number of excitatory-inhibitory neurons formed during neurodevelopment; however, the underlying pathological mechanism behind this imbalance is poorly understood. Studies are increasingly implicating abnormal chromatin folding in neural stem cells as one of the candidate pathological mechanisms, but no review has yet attempted to summarise the knowledge in this field. This meta-synthesis is a systematic search of all the articles on epilepsy, ASD, and chromatin folding. Its two main objectives were to determine to what extent abnormal chromatin folding is implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and ASD, and secondly how abnormal chromatin folding leads to pathological disease processes. This search produced 22 relevant articles, which together strongly implicate abnormal chromatin folding in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and ASD. A range of mutations and chromosomal structural abnormalities lead to this effect, including single nucleotide polymorphisms, copy number variants, translocations and mutations in chromatin modifying. However, knowledge is much more limited into how abnormal chromatin organisation subsequently causes pathological disease processes, not yet showing, for example, whether it leads to abnormal excitation-inhibitory neuron imbalance in human brain organoids.
Expression levels of NONO, a nuclear protein primarily involved in paraspeckles function, are associated with several deregulated molecular pathways and poor clinical outcome in multiple myeloma
Authors: Ronchetti Domenica , Favasuli Vanessa Katia , Silvestris Ilaria , Todoerti Katia , Torricelli Federica , Bolli Niccolò , Ciarrocchi Alessia , Taiana Elisa , Neri Antonino
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The NONO protein belongs to the multifunctional family of proteins that can bind DNA, RNA and proteins. It is located in the nucleus of most mammalian cells and can affect almost every step of gene regulation. Dysregulation of NONO has been found in many types of cancer; however, data regarding its expression and relevance in Multiple Myeloma (MM) are virtually absent.

Methods

We took advantage of a large cohort of MM patients enrolled in the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation CoMMpass study to elucidate better the clinical and biological relevance of NONO expression in the context of the MM genomic landscape and transcriptome.

Results

NONO is overexpressed in pathological samples compared to normal controls. In addition, higher NONO expression levels are significant independent prognostic markers of worse clinical outcome in MM. Our results indicate that NONO deregulation may play a pathogenetic role in MM by affecting cell cycle, DNA repair mechanisms, and influencing translation by regulating ribosome biogenesis and assembly. Furthermore, our data suggest NONO involvement in the metabolic reprogramming of glucose metabolism from respiration to aerobic glycolysis, a phenomenon known as the ‘Warburg Effect’ that supports rapid cancer cell growth, survival, and invasion.

Conclusion

These findings strongly support the need of future investigations for the understanding of the mechanisms of deregulation and the biological role and activity of NONO in MM.
Dynamic study on particle throwing motion of pulsating negative pressure shale shaker
Authors: Yin Peng , Hou Yongjun
Published: November 2022

This research is based on a new drilling fluids circulation treatment device, which belongs to solid control system, namely pulsating negative pressure shale shaker. The purpose of this article is to better understand the operating principle and provide basis for setting working parameters and optimizing design. The above content depends on the dynamic analysis of the throwing motion of particles. To be specific, the motion equation of particle is established from the viewpoint of force state, and the influence of various parameters on particle conveyance velocity is discussed. Factors influencing the throwing index are also analyzed. Higher solid conveyance speed means higher handling capacity, but it also reduces the efficiency of particle dehydration; therefore, a trade-off should be considered among high removal efficiency, low energy consumption, and high handling capacity. The results show that negative pressure in pulsating form can effectively improve the disadvantage of low conveyance velocity of particles in constant negative pressure shale shaker.
Multifunctional properties of silver and gold nanoparticles synthesis by Fusarium pseudonygamai
Authors: Soliman Mohamed K. Y. , Abu-Elghait Mohammed , Salem Salem S. , Azab Mohamed Salah
Published: November 2022

The goal of the current work was to investigate the antibacterial, antibiofilm, anticancer, and antioxidant opportunities of silver and gold nanoparticles (AgNPs and AuNPs) synthesized utilizing a new fungus strain called Fusarium pseudonygamai TB-13c. With the aid of UV, HR-TEM, FTIR, SEM, and XRD, the NPs’ creation was examined. For AgNPs and AuNPs, the mycosynthesized NPs’ highest peak plasmon band was seen at around 420 and 540 nm, respectively. AgNPs ranged in size from 5 to 20 nm, whereas AuNPs ranged in size from 8 to 60 nm. AgNPs and AuNPs were spherical in form. For AgNPs, the angles were 38.42°, 44.56°, 64.66°, and 77.75°; for AuNPs, the angles were 38.56°, 44.74°, 64.87°, and 77.85°. The antibacterial efficiency of AgNPs and AuNPs was evaluated against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In particular, AgNPs outperformed AuNPs in their ability to combat pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, antibiofilm study that shown AuNPs had activity more than AgNPs. Interestingly, applying the DPPH procedure these noble metallic NPs had antioxidant activity, which the IC50 for AgNPs was 38.2 μg/ mL and 180 μg/ mL for AuNPs. The modification in the cells was evident in the cytotoxicity evaluation findings as change of their usual shape, partially or completely loss of monolayer, granulation, and shrinkage, or cell rounding with IC50 for normal vero cell were 695.34 μg/mL and 631.66 μg/mL for AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively, whilst IC50 for cancer cell (Mcf7) was 204.07 μg/mL for AgNPs and 206.95 μg/mL for AuNPs. The combined results show that there is a clear and flexible biological use for less toxic chemotherapeutic agents.