bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing biomimetic scaffolds for skin tissue engineering
Authors: Chen Jiatian , Fan Yingwei , Dong Guozhao , Zhou Huaijuan , Du Ran , Tang Xiaoying , Ying Yulong , Li Jinhua
Published: March 2023

This review offers systematic considerations of material design principles and fabrication techniques for biomimetic skin tissue engineering scaffolds.
Time-domain Tollens reaction: synthesising silver nanoparticles with the formaldehyde clock
Authors: Kürsteiner Ronny , Ritter Maximilian , Sologubenko Alla , Stricker Laura , Panzarasa Guido
Published: March 2023

The methylene glycol–sulfite clock reaction enables the time-programmable synthesis of silver nanoparticles with tailorable size and monodispersity.
Fergusonite-type rare earth niobates ANbO4 (A = Nd, Sm, and Eu) as electrode modifiers: deep insights into A site variations towards bifunctional electrochemical sensing applications
Authors: Jenisha Daisy Priscillal I. , Wang Sea-Fue
Published: March 2023

Lanthanide orthoniobates, LnNbO4 (Ln = Nd, Sm, and Eu), are a domineering class of binary metal oxides with significant catalytic behavior and effective charge transfer ability, acting as eminent candidates to be explored as electrode materials.
Regulating the trap distribution of ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ by Li+/Ga3+ doping for upconversion-like trap energy transfer NIR persistent luminescence
Authors: Xiahou Junqing , Zhu Qi , Li Fan , Jin Minghui , Zhu Lin , Huang Sai , Zhang Tao , Sun Xudong , Li Ji-Guang
Published: March 2023

Doping Li+/Ga3+ in ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ splits the energy level of electron traps into shallow traps and deep traps, which makes the developed phosphors be successfully excited by a low-energy NIR light and suitable for long-term biological imaging.
Selective preparative ‘oxidase phase’ in sesquiterpenoids: the radical approach
Authors: Kourgiantaki Maria , Bagkavou Georgia G. , Stathakis Christos I. , Zografos Alexandros L.
Published: March 2023

Juggling between reactivity and selectivity, free radical oxidation offers a unique means to synthesize natural products in a direct and efficient way. The case study of sesquiterpenes is illustrative of how modern total synthesis should be conducted.
Hybrid low switching frequency modulation strategy with high dynamic response for high‐power voltage source converter
Authors: Guan Bo , Yan Xuyang
Published: March 2023

For high‐power converters, the low switching frequency (SF) modulation represented by selective harmonic elimination pulse width modulation (SHE‐PWM) is crucial to reduce the switching loss and enhance the efficiency with a good steady‐state performance. However, since the advantages of SHE‐PWM mainly come from the fixed switching angle distribution limited by non‐linear equations, switching angles should be adjusted slowly. This requires that the bandwidth of proportional integral (PI) controllers be limited hugely, resulting in a poor dynamic response. As the most popular control to improve the dynamic response, finite‐control‐set model predictive control (FCS‐MPC) has a worse steady‐state performance under low SF because of large errors caused by a long prediction period and harmonics caused by space vector PWM (SVPWM). Therefore, a hybrid modulation strategy with an acceptable complexity is proposed in this article, which combines SHE‐PWM and FCS‐MPC. PI + SHE‐PWM is adopted in a steady state with low SF, while MPC + SVPWM is used in a transient state with high SF. By studying smooth switching from the modulation level and control level, the proposed method can eliminate the current surge when switching between PI + SHE‐PWM and MPC + SVPWM. Experiments verify that the proposed method have a good steady‐state performance and high dynamic response simultaneously under overall low SF.
A mixed integer linear programming model for risk‐based remote‐controlled switches, distributed generation, and tie line placement in distribution systems with complex topologies to improve the resilience
Authors: Zare‐Bahramabadi Majid , Farzin Hossein , Ehsan Mehdi
Published: March 2023

Due to the increasing global warming, it is anticipated that the number and severity of natural disasters will increase in the coming years. In this regard, this paper proposes a planning model to improve the resilience of distribution systems against natural disasters. A mathematical model is developed to determine the optimal locations of remote‐controlled switches (RCSs), distributed generation units (DGs), and tie lines in distribution systems with complex topologies or lateral branches. Simultaneous occurrence of multiple faults is considered to better simulate the extreme events. Moreover, the concept of multi‐microgrids is used to supply the maximum possible interrupted load after the fault occurrence. To manage the system risk and different failure scenarios, the conditional value at risk (CVaR) is added to the planning model. The optimization model has been formulated as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem, which can be easily solved using various commercial solvers and give the global optimal solution. Finally, to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed planning model on improving the distribution system resilience, it is implemented on the IEEE 33‐bus system using different case studies and sensitivity analyses.
Der Hämodialyseshunt spricht mit dir
Authors: Spindler Beate , Meyer Torsten M.
Published: March 2023

Die klinische Shuntuntersuchung besteht aus Inspektion, Palpation, Auskultation und Elevation. Die Techniken werden ergänzt um die Methoden Augmentationstest und sequenzieller Okklusionstest. Der Dialyseshunt sollte als eigenständiger Blutkreislauf wahrgenommen werden. Dies erleichtert die Interpretation von Symptomen zu möglichen Ursachen. Durch die Einteilung des Dialyseshunts in einzelne Shuntsegmente kann die Lokalisation der Ursache präzise genannt werden. Für die weitere Therapieentscheidung müssen Stenosen differenziert betrachtet werden. Die Punktion eines thrombosierten Dialyseshunts sollte in Zukunft nicht mehr vorkommen. Die Shuntsprache ist verständlich, weltweit gleich und sollte vom nephrologischen Team verstanden werden.
Nephrologisches Jahresgespräch 2022 vom 18.–20.11.2022 in Köln
Authors: Roland Katharina
Published: March 2023

Das Nephrologische Jahresgespräch des Verbands Deutsche Nierenzentren (DN) e. V. fand 2022 erneut im Lindner Hotel City Plaza in Köln statt. Über 230 Teilnehmende besuchten die Fortbildungsveranstaltung vom 18.–20.11.2022. Die anwesenden Ärztinnen und Ärzte nahmen am wissenschaftlichen Programm sowie am Gesundheitspolitischen Forum teil. Zudem fand die Jahresmitgliederversammlung des DN e. V. im Rahmen des Kongresses statt. Beide Kongresstage endeten mit einer Abendveranstaltung.
Belastungsempfinden und Unterstützungszufriedenheit von
Angehörigen der Bewohner und Patienten aus Alten-/Pflegeheimen,
Geriatrie, Palliativstationen und stationären Hospizen
Authors: Büssing Arndt , Gerundt Mareike , Giebel Astrid , Niesert Wolfgang
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund Angehörige von Patient*innen und
Bewohner*innen aus Alten-/Pflegeheimen, Geriatrie,
Palliativstationen und stationären Hospizen stehen zumeist nicht im
Zentrum der Beachtung durch das betreuende Personal dieser Einrichtungen.

Fragestellung Wie stellt sich ihr Belastungs- und
Unterstützungsempfinden dar und wie hängt dieses mit dem
Befinden zusammen?

Methoden Anonyme Querschnittserhebung mit standardisierten
Fragebögen unter Angehörigen von Bewohner*innen/
Patient*innen aus Alten-/Pflegeheimen, Geriatrie,
Palliativstationen und Hospizen.

Ergebnisse Das psychologische Befinden der Angehörigen
(n=228) war eher gering und ihr Belastungsempfinden aufgrund der
Situation ihrer Familienangehörigen im mittleren
„auffälligen“ Bereich. Die meisten waren zufrieden mit
der Unterstützung durch ihre Familie (59%),
Freunde/Bekannte (50%) sowie durch das therapeutische Personal
(53%), jedoch deutlich weniger mit der Unterstützung durch die
Seelsorge (28%). Auch mit der Unterstützung ihrer eigenen
spirituellen Bedürfnisse durch das therapeutische Personal waren
69% zufrieden. Das Beeinträchtigungsempfinden hat damit jedoch
nichts zu tun. Für das spirituelle Wohlbefinden zeigt sich jedoch, dass
die Dimension Sinn und Bedeutung moderat mit dem Support durch Familie,
Freunde/Bekannte sowie durch das therapeutische Personal
zusammenhängt. Dass die Zufriedenheit mit deren Unterstützung
weniger mit dem psychologischen Wohlbefinden als mit dem spirituellen
Wohlbefinden zusammenhängt, insbesondere mit der Dimension Sinn, ist
überraschend.

Schlussfolgerungen Auf Mitarbeitende im Gesundheitssystem, insbesondere in
den letzten Lebensphasen der von ihnen begleiteten Patient*innen und
Bewohner*innen, kommen nicht nur unmittelbare Betreuungsaufgaben zu,
sondern auch Anforderungen seitens der Angehörigen, die über
reine Informationsbedürfnisse hinausgehen. Auch sie haben dezidierte
spirituelle Bedürfnisse, die denen der Patient*innen
ähneln. Hier sind Spiritual Care Schulungsprogramme sinnvoll, die auch
die Angehörigen in den Blick nehmen.
Physicians' and Patients' Perceptions and Practices Concerning Antithyroid Drug-Induced Agranulocytosis
Authors: Beshyah Salem A. , Bashier Alaa Eldin , Afandi Bachar , Mohammed Mohammed Naman , Abdelgadir Elamin , Beshyah Anas S.
Published: March 2023

Objectives We aimed to ascertain physicians' attitudes and practices and evaluate patients' knowledge of antithyroid drugs (ATDs). Also, we would like to review the quality of patients' information on the Internet (in Arabic) concerning ATDs' including agranulocytosis.

Methods A mixed methods study design was employed, including an online physician questionnaire, structured interviews of patients on ATDs, and evaluation on web sites containing patients' information in Arabic.

Results Most physicians (82.6%) thought the frequency of agranulocytosis in patients receiving antithyroid medications is 1 to 5 per 1,000 per annum. Nearly 72% of the participants reported educating their patients about the risk of agranulocytosis when they receive ATDs regularly verbally only. Most physicians thought patients should be warned about sore throat and fever. More participants would measure a white blood cell (WBC) count only if a patient developed suggestive symptoms (57.0%) than those who do it routinely (43.0%). If a patient receiving ATDs develops suspicious symptoms, participants thought that the most efficient way to deal with this is to attend the nearest hospital emergency department (37.2%). Less thought they can go to any facility with a laboratory that can do WBC count (29.8%) or contact their usual endocrine clinic (24.4%). Nearly half of the patients (49%) were aware of the side effects of ATDs, but only 17 respondents (17.3%) identified one or both of the two most typical symptoms of agranulocytosis. The quality of the information received was evaluated as “not good at all” or “poor” by 19.2%. Over two-thirds (69.7%) of participants thought the amount of information was about right. Most participants (72.5%) preferred receiving information on side effects during consultations with their physicians. Since starting ATDs, 37.0% of patients have experienced different symptoms suggestive of agranulocytosis in various combinations. However, only one-third (12/37) had an urgent blood count. A review of 190 selected Arabic patient information Internet sites revealed a significant variation in patient advice. Six percent 11/190 (5.8%) of the sites can be considered good.

Conclusions The findings of suboptimal and inconsistent perceptions and practices of physicians and patients put patients with ATD in the Middle East at increased risk and call for more action from professional and patient advocacy groups.
Estimation of plasma parameters of X-pinch with time-resolved x-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Ham Seunggi , Ryu Jonghyeon , Lee Hakmin , Park Sungbin , Ghim Y.-C. , Hwang Y. S. , Chung Kyoung-Jae
Published: March 2023

We estimate the parameters of a Cu plasma generated by an X-pinch by comparing experimentally measured x-rays with synthetic data. A filtered absolute extreme ultraviolet diode array is used to measure time-resolved x-ray spectra with a spectral resolution of ∼1 keV in the energy range of 1–10 keV. The synthetic spectra of Cu plasmas with different electron temperatures, electron densities, and fast electron fractions are calculated using the FLYCHK code. For quantitative comparison with the measured spectrum, two x-ray power ratios with three different spectral ranges are calculated. We observe three x-ray bursts in X-pinch experiments with two Cu wires conducted on the SNU X-pinch at a current rise rate of ∼0.2 kA/ns. Analysis of the spectra reveals that the first burst comprises x-rays emitted by hot spots and electron beams, with characteristics similar to those observed in other X-pinches. The second and third bursts are both generated by long-lived electron beams formed after the neck structure has been completely depleted. In the second burst, the formation of the electron beam is accompanied by an increase in the electron density of the background plasma. Therefore, the long-lived electron beams generate the additional strong x-ray bursts while maintaining a plasma channel in the central region of the X-pinch. Moreover, they emit many hard x-rays (HXRs), enabling the SNU X-pinch to be used as an HXR source. This study confirms that the generation of long-lived electron beams is crucial to the dynamics of X-pinches and the generation of strong HXRs.
Optimal allocation and energy management of a wind–hydrogen generation system equipped with the speed regulating differential mechanism
Authors: Yin Wen-liang , Liu Lin , Wang Yue , Wang Zi-wei , Li Jun-hui
Published: March 2023

The hybrid drive wind turbine (WT) can be friendly connected to the power grid by using a speed regulating differential mechanism (SRDM) instead of partially or fully rated converters, which has been considered as a promising solution for the stable consumption of large-scale wind power generation. To further improve the on-grid performance of hybrid drive WTs, this paper develops a multi-source power generation scheme, in which a hydrogen storage system (HSS) is integrated for mitigating the wind power generation intermittencies. The overall architecture and kinematic principles of the proposed wind–hydrogen generation system, called SRDM-based WT with HSS, are first analyzed. Then, the graphical descriptions of mathematical models are finalized via the Energetic Macroscopic Representation method, by which the physical characteristics and energy flow relationships are revealed. To ensure the economical and stable operation of the proposed wind–hydrogen scheme, an effective optimal allocation framework, considering the uncertainties from wind power output and load demand, is presented to HSS, targeting the maximum annual revenue. The effects of several key HSS parameters on the capacity allocation results are also investigated. Moreover, aiming at the different system working modes, an energy management approach is synthesized to achieve the interaction analysis and power supervision between energy sources and storage elements. Finally, experimental and simulation case studies are demonstrated. Results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches and the optimal performance for uninterrupted on-grid operation of the proposed wind–hydrogen energy system.
Behavior of circular chains of nonlinear oscillators with Kuramoto-like local coupling
Authors: Medina K. García , Estevez-Rams E.
Published: March 2023

The conditions under which synchronization is achieved for a one-dimensional ring of identical phase oscillators with Kuramoto-like local coupling are studied. The system is approached in the weakly coupled approximation as phase units. Instead of global couplings, the nearest-neighbor interaction is assumed. Units are pairwise coupled by a Kuramoto term driven by their phase differences. The system exhibits a rich set of behaviors depending on the balance between the natural frequency of isolated units and the self-feedback. The case of two oscillators is solved analytically, while a numerical approach is used for N > 2. Building from Kuramoto, the approach to synchronization, when possible, is studied through a local complex order parameter. The system can eventually evolve as a set of coupled local communities toward a given phase value. However, the approach to the stationary state shows a non-monotonous non-trivial dynamic.
Aboriginal Peoples and Birds in Australia
Authors: Clarke Philip
Published: March 2023

Australia is home to many distinctive species of birds, and Aboriginal peoples have developed close alliances with them over the millennia of their custodianship of this country. Aboriginal Peoples and Birds in Australia: Historical and Cultural Relationships provides a review of the broad physical, historical and cultural relationships that Aboriginal people have had with the Australian avifauna.

This book aims to raise awareness of the alternative bodies of ornithological knowledge that reside outside of Western science. It describes the role of birds as totemic ancestors and spirit beings, and explores Aboriginal bird nomenclature, foraging techniques and the use of avian materials to make food, medicine and artefacts. Through a historical perspective, this book examines the gaps between knowledge systems of Indigenous peoples and Western science, to encourage greater collaboration and acknowledgment in the future.

Cultural sensitivity
Readers are warned that there may be words, descriptions and terms used in this book that are culturally sensitive, and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. While this information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided by the author in a historical context.
This publication may also contain quotations, terms and annotations that reflect the historical attitude of the original author or that of the period in which the item was written, and may be considered inappropriate today.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this publication may contain the names and images of people who have passed away.
Client and staff perspectives regarding effective work injury rehabilitation
Authors: Dorstyn Diana , Oxlad Melissa , Whitburn Sharni , Fedoric Boris , Roberts Rachel , Chur-Hansen Anna
Published: March 2023

Objective Early, targeted treatment is critical to recovery and overall health following a work-related illness or injury. Limited research has explored the important dimensions of work-specific injury rehabilitation from both client and staff perspectives. Methods A total of 17 participants (13 clients with work-related injuries, 3 physiotherapists, 1 project manager) involved in a unique program providing allied health treatment in combination with return-to-work services, were interviewed. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Four themes were generated: (1) a biopsychosocial approach to rehabilitation; (2) a self-paced environment where client outcomes are optimised through transparent and collaborative team processes; (3) comprehensive care aids client recovery and return to work; and (4) a desire for service expansion is hampered by systemic barriers. Conclusions Injured workers and staff provided very positive feedback about the biopsychosocial supports needed for successful return to work, particularly the use of in-house work-specific simulation tasks as gradual in-vivo exposure and collaboration with scheme stakeholders. How to best provide this holistic care within current legislative requirements remains a challenge.
Scat DNA as a non-invasive method for estimating the abundance of the vulnerable mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus)
Authors: Treloar Shannon , Lohr Cheryl , Hopkins Anna J. M. , Ottewell Kym , McArthur Shelley , Davis Robert A.
Published: March 2023

Context Population-monitoring programs often use direct (e.g. live capture or spotlighting) or indirect (e.g. scats sightings) observations to estimate population abundance. Such methods, however, are often inadequate for rare, elusive, or cryptic species due to the difficulty in achieving sufficient encounters or detection rates. The mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus), a small native Australian macropod, listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is difficult to capture, susceptible to capture myopathy, and not easily sighted in their dense habitat; consequently, the population size cannot always be estimated. The use of molecular markers to identify individual genotypes from non-invasively collected samples is increasingly being used in wildlife conservation and may be an alternative approach for mala. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of non-invasive scat DNA sampling to estimate the population abundance of mala. Methods A panel of microsatellite markers was developed for the identification of individual mala via profiling of their scats. Scats were systematically collected from a wild mala population located in an 1100-ha fenced reserve in Western Australia. Individual genotypes were determined using the microsatellite markers, and the abundance of mala was estimated using the genotypes with spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) and mark–resight analyses. Key results The genetic markers proved variable and with sufficient exclusionary power to confidently identify unique individuals (mean locus genotyping error rate: 3.1%). Individual genetic identification from scat sampling, when used with traditional mark–recapture/resight analytical models, provides feasible estimates of population abundance. This is the first reliable abundance estimate of this mala population, suggesting a >70% increase in population size since the initial reintroduction of 64 individuals in 2011–13. Conclusions Given the inherent difficulties in surveying mala, this approach would be valuable to ensure effective monitoring of the few remaining fenced and island mala populations to prevent further decline of this vulnerable species. Implications This is the first study to identify species-specific microsatellite markers for mala and use genetic-capture sampling with scat DNA to estimate the abundance of a mala population. The study provides an evaluation of a valuable species monitoring technique that can be applied to other rare, elusive, or cryptic threatened species.
Translator work practices and the construction of the correct interpretation of Marxism in post-war Greece
Authors: Delistathi Christina
Published: March 2023

In 1951, the Communist Party of Greece published a Greek translation of the Selected Works of Marx and Engels which included a statement on the work practices followed for its creation. This article considers work practices as processes of validated knowledge production. It investigates how they were enacted to create the ‘correct’ translation of Marxist texts, and advances our understanding of the relationship between social structures, power, and processes of validated knowledge production. It argues that the party’s collaborative, centralised, and professionalised organisational model alongside mechanisms of surveillance and discipline of agents in translation supported its claims of owning the ‘correct’ interpretation of Marxism. The statement on the work practices was intended to influence the publication’s reception: the reader was encouraged to accept the party’s translation as accurate. Adopting a Foucauldian perspective, the investigation draws on party publications and archival material to study translation work practices in novel ways.
Si3N4–TiN conductive ceramic composites: topography on EDMed surfaces and precise drilled holes
Authors: Selvarajan L. , Venkataramanan K.
Published: March 2023

In this study, it is challenging to drill a 5 mm hole in a Si3N4–TiN conductive ceramic composite, specifically when attempting to identify an association between EDM machining inputs such as current, pulse on-time, pulse off-time, dielectric pressure and spark gap and performance parameters like as Material Removal Rate, Electrode Wear Rate, Average Surface Roughness, and geometrical tolerances such as Cylindricity, Circularity and perpendicularity. The study examines the surface deformations of a composite comprising EDAX report, machined electrode and molybdenum wire following WEDM machining. Current of 5A, Pulse on-time of 9µs, Pulse off-time of 7µs, spark gap of 0.15 mm, dielectric pressure of 21.0 kg/cm2, material removal rate of 0.004214 g/min, electrode wear rate of 0.000245 g/min and surface roughness of 0.349 µm were found to be optimal. The experimental findings show that good surface finish may be attained on a copper electrode-machined surface, along with improved machining accuracy, closer geometrical tolerances and lesser anomalies.
Photo-production of lowest
state within the Regge-effective Lagrangian approach*
Authors: Lyu Yun-He , Zhang Han , Wei Neng-Chang , Ke Bai-Cian , Wang En , Xie Ju-Jun
Published: March 2023

Because the lowest

state with quantum numbers spin-parity

is far from being established experimentally and theoretically, we perform a theoretical study on the

photo-production within the Regge-effective Lagrangian approach. Considering that

couples to the

channel, we study the contributions from the t-channel K exchange diagram. Moreover, the contributions from the t-channel

exchange, s-channel nucleon pole, u-channel Σ exchange, and contact term are considered. The differential and total cross sections of the process

are predicted with our model parameters. The results should help in experimentally searching for the

state in the future.
The creation of breast lesion models for mammographic virtual clinical trials: a topical review
Authors: Van Camp Astrid , Houbrechts Katrien , Cockmartin Lesley , Woodruff Henry C , Lambin Philippe , Marshall Nicholas W , Bosmans Hilde
Published: March 2023

Simulated breast lesion models, including microcalcification clusters and masses, have been used in several studies. Realistic lesion models are required for virtual clinical trials to be representative of clinical performance. Multiple methods exist to generate breast lesion models with various levels of realism depending on the application. First, lesion models can be obtained using mathematical methods, such as approximating a lesion with 3D geometric shapes or using algorithmic techniques such as iterative processes to grow a lesion. On the other hand, lesion models can be based on patient data. They can be either created starting from characteristics of real lesions or they can be a replica of clinical lesions by segmenting real cancer cases. Next, various approaches exist to embed these lesions into breast structures to create tumour cases. The simplest method, typically used for calcifications, is intensity scaling. Two other common approaches are the hybrid and total simulation method, in which the lesion model is inserted into a real breast image or a 3D breast model, respectively. In addition, artificial intelligence-based approaches can directly grow breast lesions in breast images. This article provides a review of the literature available on the development of lesion models, simulation methods to insert them into background structures and their applications, including optimisation studies, performance evaluation of software and education.
Effect modification of the association between fine particulate air pollution during a wildfire event and respiratory health by area-level measures of socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, and smoking prevalence
Authors: Reid C E , Considine E M , Watson G L , Telesca D , Pfister G G , Jerrett M
Published: March 2023

Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) is decreasing in most areas of the United States, except for areas most affected by wildfires, where increasing trends in PM2.5 can be attributed to wildfire smoke. The frequency and duration of large wildfires and the length of the wildfire season have all increased in recent decades, partially due to climate change, and wildfire risk is projected to increase further in many regions including the western United States. Increasingly, empirical evidence suggests differential health effects from air pollution by class and race; however, few studies have investigated such differential health impacts from air pollution during a wildfire event. We investigated differential risk of respiratory health impacts during the 2008 northern California wildfires by a comprehensive list of socio-economic status (SES), race/ethnicity, and smoking prevalence variables. Regardless of SES level across nine measures of SES, we found significant associations between PM2.5 and asthma hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits during these wildfires. Differential respiratory health risk was found by SES for ED visits for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease where the highest risks were in ZIP codes with the lowest SES levels. Findings for differential effects by race/ethnicity were less consistent across health outcomes. We found that ZIP codes with higher prevalence of smokers had greater risk of ED visits for asthma and pneumonia. Our study suggests that public health efforts to decrease exposures to high levels of air pollution during wildfires should focus on lower SES communities.
Directional and general impairments in initiating motor responses after stroke
Authors: Park Kayne , Chilvers Matthew J , Low Trevor A , Dukelow Sean P , Scott Stephen H
Published: March 2023

Visuospatial neglect is a disorder characterized by an impairment of attention, most commonly to the left side of space in individuals with stroke or injury to the right hemisphere. Clinical diagnosis is largely based on performance on pen and paper examinations that are unable to accurately measure the speed of processing environmental stimuli—important for interacting in our dynamic world. Numerous studies of impairment after visuospatial neglect demonstrate delayed reaction times when reaching to the left. However, little is known of the visuospatial impairment in other spatial directions and, further, the influence of the arm being assessed. In this study, we quantify the ability of a large cohort of 204 healthy control participants (females = 102) and 265 individuals with stroke (right hemisphere damage = 162, left hemisphere damage = 103; mean age 62) to generate goal-directed reaches. Participants used both their contralesional and ipsilesional arms to perform a centre-out visually guided reaching task in the horizontal plane. We found that the range of visuospatial impairment can vary dramatically across individuals with some individuals displaying reaction time impairments restricted to a relatively small portion of the workspace, whereas others displayed reaction time impairments in all spatial directions. Reaction time impairments were observed in individuals with right or left hemisphere lesions (48% and 30%, respectively). Directional impairments commonly rotated clockwise when reaching with the left versus the right arms. Impairment in all spatial directions was more prevalent in right than left hemisphere lesions (32% and 12%, respectively). Behavioral Inattention Test scores significantly correlated (r = −0.49, P < 0.005) with reaction time impairments but a large portion of individuals not identified as having visuospatial neglect on the Behavioral Inattention Test still displayed reaction time impairments (35%). MRI and CT scans identified distinct white matter and cortical regions of damage for individuals with directional (insula, inferior frontal–occipital fasciculus and inferior longitudinal fasciculus) and general (superior and middle temporal gyri) visuospatial impairment. This study highlights the prevalence and diversity of visuospatial impairments that can occur following stroke.
Structural correlates of language processing in primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Chapman Curtiss A , Polyakova Maryna , Mueller Karsten , Weise Christopher , Fassbender Klaus , Fliessbach Klaus , Kornhuber Johannes , Lauer Martin , Anderl-Straub Sarah , Ludolph Albert , Prudlo Johannes , Staiger Anja , Synofzik Matthis , Wiltfang Jens , Riedl Lina , Diehl-Schmid Janine , Otto Markus , Danek Adrian ,   FTLD Consortium Germany, Engel Annerose , Pfüller Gerdi , Pino Daniéle , Regenbrecht Frank , Thöne-Otto Angelika , Oberstein Timo , Landwehrmeyer Bernhard , Lombardi Jolina , Semler Elisa , Kassubek Jan , Hartwigsen Gesa , Schroeter Matthias L
Published: March 2023

Understanding the relationships between brain structure and language behaviour in primary progressive aphasia provides crucial information about these diseases’ pathomechanisms. However, previous investigations have been limited from providing a statistically reliable view of broad language abilities by sample size, variant focus and task focus. In this study, the authors aimed to determine the relationship between brain structure and language behaviour in primary progressive aphasia, to determine the degree to which task-associated regions were atrophied across disease variants and to determine the degree to which task-related atrophy overlaps across disease variants. Participants were 118 primary progressive aphasia patients and 61 healthy, age-matched controls tested from 2011 to 2018 in the German Consortium for Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration cohort. Diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia required progressive deterioration of mainly speech and language for ≥ 2 years, and variant was diagnosed by the criteria of Gorno-Tempini et al. (Classification of primary progressive aphasia and its variants. Neurology. 2011;76(11):1006-1014). Twenty-one participants not fulfilling a specific subtype were classified as mixed-variant and excluded. Language tasks of interest included the Boston naming test, a German adaptation of the Repeat and Point task, phonemic and category fluency tasks and the reading/writing subtest of the Aachen Aphasia Test. Brain structure was measured by cortical thickness. We observed networks of language task-associated temporal, frontal and parietal cortex. Overlapping task-associated atrophy was observed in the left lateral, ventral and medial temporal lobes, middle and superior frontal gyri, supramarginal gyrus and insula. Some regions, primarily in the perisylvian region, were associated with language behaviour despite showing no significant atrophy. The results crucially extend less powerful studies associating brain and language measures in primary progressive aphasia. Cross-variant atrophy in task-associated regions suggests partially shared underlying deficits, whereas unique atrophy reinforces variant-specific deficits. Language task-related regions that are not obviously atrophied suggest regions of future network disruption and encourage understanding of task deficits beyond clearly atrophied cortex. These results may pave the way for new treatment approaches.
Physiological alterations of pineal recess crowding in symptomatic non-hydrocephalic pineal cysts
Authors: Eide Per Kristian , Lindstrøm Erika Kristina , Pripp Are Hugo , Valnes Lars Magnus , Ringstad Geir
Published: March 2023

Pineal cysts are prevalent in the population. Due to more widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging, an increasing number of symptomatic patients with non-hydrocephalic pineal cysts are referred to neurologists and neurosurgeons. Currently, there is no generally accepted theoretical framework for linking symptoms to a pineal cyst. We have previously suggested that cyst-induced crowding of the pineal recess may affect venous runoff from the deep cerebral veins crossing the cyst. However, evidence underpinning this hypothesis is sparse. In the present study, we asked whether crowding of the pineal recess without imaging signs of hydrocephalus may be accompanied with alterations in blood flow of the internal cerebral veins, cerebrospinal fluid flow in the Sylvian aqueduct and cerebrospinal fluid-mediated tracer clearance from the brain along extravascular pathways (referred to as glymphatic function). This prospective, observational study included symptomatic individuals with non-hydrocephalic pineal cysts who underwent a standardized magnetic resonance imaging protocol (n = 25): Eleven patients were treated surgically with craniotomy and cyst extirpation and 14 individuals were managed conservatively without surgery. Our findings suggest that cyst-induced crowding of the pineal recess may have brain-wide effects: (i) There was a significant negative correlation between degree of crowding within the pineal recess and change in maximum venous flow velocity at the cyst, and a significant positive correlation between maximum venous flow velocity change at the cyst and net cerebrospinal fluid flow in the Sylvian aqueduct; (ii) increased degree of crowding in the pineal recess was accompanied by significantly impaired glymphatic enrichment in the cerebral cortex and subcortical white matter, indicative of a brain-wide effect in this cohort who also reported markedly impaired subjective sleep quality; (iii) there was a significant negative correlation between the apparent diffusion coefficient (suggestive of interstitial water content) within the thalamus and glymphatic enrichment of tracer and (iv) pineal recess crowding associated with symptoms. Comparison of the surgical cases [in whom 10/11 (91%) reported marked clinical improvement at follow-up] and the conservatively managed cases [in whom 1/14 (7%) reported marked clinical improvement at follow-up] showed differences in pre-treatment glymphatic tracer enrichment as well as differences in tracer enrichment in subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid spaces. Taken together, we interpret these observations to support the hypothesis that cyst-induced crowding of the pineal recess without hydrocephalus may alter blood flow of the internal cerebral veins and cerebrospinal fluid flow and even cause brain-wide impairment of glymphatic transport with possible implications for cerebrospinal fluid transport of trophic factors such as melatonin.
Outcomes of ST elevation myocardial infarction in patients with cancer: a nationwide study
Authors: Dafaalla Mohamed , Abdel-Qadir Husam , Gale Chris P , Sun Louise , López-Fernández Teresa , Miller Robert J H , Wojakowski Wojtek , Nolan James , Rashid Muhammad , Mamas Mamas A
Published: March 2023

Aims

To assess processes of care and clinical outcomes in cancer patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) according to cancer type.

Methods and results

This is a national population-based study of patients admitted with STEMI in the UK between January 2005 and March 2019. Data were obtained from the National Heart Attack Myocardial Infarction National Audit Project (MINAP) registry and the Hospital Episode Statistics registry. We identified 353 448 STEMI-indexed admissions between 2005 and 2019. Of those, 8581 (2.4%) had active cancer. Prostate cancer (29% of STEMI patients with cancer) was the most common cancer followed by haematologic malignancies (14%) and lung cancer (13%). Cancer patients were less likely to receive invasive coronary revascularization (60.0% vs. 71.6%, P < 0.001] and had higher in-hospital death [odd ratio (OR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–1.54] and bleeding (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03–1.46). Cancer patients had higher mortality at 30 days (HR 2.39, 95% CI 2.19–2.62) and 1 year (HR 3.73, 95% CI 3.58–3.89). Lung cancer was the cancer associated with the highest risk of death in the hospital (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.39–2.22) and at 1 year (OR 8.08, 95% CI 7.44–8.78). Colon cancer (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.24–3.14) was the main cancer associated with major bleeding. All common cancer types were associated with higher mortality at 1 year. Cardiovascular death (62%) was the main cause of death in the first 30 days, while cancer (52%) was the main cause of death within 1 year.

Conclusion

STEMI patients with cancer have a higher risk of short- and long-term mortality, particularly lung cancer. Colon cancer is the main cancer associated with major bleeding. Cardiovascular disease was the main cause of death in the first month, whereas cancer was the main cause of death within 1 year.
Tax Revenues in Low-Income Countries
Authors: Peralta-Alva Adrian , Tam Xuan S , Tang Xin , Tavares Marina M
Published: March 2023

We quantitatively investigate the welfare costs of increasing tax revenues in low-income countries. We consider three tax instruments: consumption, labour income and capital income taxes. The analysis is based on a general equilibrium model featuring heterogeneous agents, incomplete financial markets, and rural and urban areas. We calibrate the model to Ethiopia and decompose the welfare costs into their aggregate and distributional components. We find that changing taxes alter the composition of demand. This, together with limited labour mobility, causes the incidence of higher taxes to fall disproportionately on the rural population, regardless of the instrument. Consumption taxes are the instrument with the largest welfare loss.
Recurrent selection and reduction in recombination shape the genomic landscape of divergence across multiple population pairs of Green-backed Tit
Authors: Jiang Zhiyong , Song Gang , Luo Xu , Zhang Dezhi , Lei Fumin , Qu Yanhua
Published: March 2023

Speciation is fundamental for building and maintaining biodiversity. The formation of the highly differentiated genomic regions between diverging taxa has been interpreted as a result of divergence with gene flow, linked selection, and reduction in recombination. It is challenging to unravel these nonexclusive processes in shaping genomic divergence. Here, we investigate the relative roles of these processes in shaping genomic differentiation in a montane bird, the Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus). Our genetic structure and demographic analyses identify that four genetic lineages diverge between 838 and 113 thousand years ago and there is evidence of secondary gene flow. The highly divergent genomic regions do not increase with the divergence time, as we found that the old lineages show relatively fewer numbers and smaller sizes of highly differentiated regions than the young divergent lineages (numbers, 118–138 vs. 156–289; sizes, 5.9–6.9 vs. 7.8–14.5 megabase). Across the genome, the outlier windows show a reduction in nucleotide diversity, absolute genetic divergence, and recombination rate, suggesting recurrent selection in regions with low recombination being the major driver of genomic divergence. Finally, we show that secondary gene flow tends to affect the highly differentiated genomic regions if these regions are less likely to be the targets of selection. Altogether, our study shows how common ancestry, recurrent selection, low recombination rate, and gene flow have contributed to the emergence of genomic islands at different stages of speciation.
Microbial network and composition changes according to tobacco varieties and interferes differently in black shank disease defense
Authors: Li Baolong , Qi Gaofu , Li Yiting , Zhao Xiuyun
Published: March 2023

Aims

The soil-borne oomycete pathogen Phytophthora parasitica can cause black shank disease in tobacco plants. The use of resistant varieties can be used to control black shank disease. The potential relationships of the composition of the rhizosphere microbiome to resistance to black shank disease are poorly understood. This work aims to compare the rhizosphere microbial community and network of the tobacco resistant variety HB202 with the susceptible variety XY3.

Methods and Results

Rhizospheric soils were collected from tobacco plants of HB202 and XY3 in the fields with same soil types and agricultural operations. The compositions of the rhizosphere microbial communities were revealed by Illumina sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes and fungal spacer (ITS) sequences and analysed with molecular ecological network pipeline. The alpha diversity of fungal communities of the two varieties was significantly different. The structure and composition of bacterial and fungal communities in the resistant variety in the rhizosphere was different from the susceptible variety. Relative abundances of beneficial genera in the HB202 microbiota were higher than in the XY3. Conversely, the XY3 microbiota exhibited a higher abundance of deleterious genera compared to the HB202 microbiota. The resistant variety influences the topological properties and microbial interactions in the rhizosphere against the disease. The network of the HB202 was more complex and had higher connectivity compared to the XY3 network.

Conclusions

The rhizosphere microbial communities and networks of two tobacco varieties are very different. These changes in the microbial communities and their interactions may play an important role in tobacco resistance to black shank disease.
Protective effects ofLacticaseibacillus rhamnosuson isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats
Authors: Beyazcicek Ersin , Beyazcicek Ozge
Published: March 2023

Aims

Myocardial infarction (MI) is among the main public health problems in the world. This atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which seriously endangers human health, progresses to cause heart failure and myocardial fibrosis with a poor prognosis. The gut microbiota plays an important role in health and disease, including obesity and ASCVD. In this study, the protective effect of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, on isoprenaline (ISO)-induced MI in rats was investigated.

Methods and results

Rats were divided into four groups of seven rats in each group as control, ISO, L. rhamnosus, and ISO + L. rhamnosus.The ISO application was made by subcutaneous injection to the rats on the last two days (days 27th and 28th) of the 28-day substance administration. The rats were anesthetized 24 hours after the application of ISO, and blood samples were collected after electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. To determine myocardial damage and protective effects of L. rhamnosus, serum creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin-I, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-10, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were examined. In addition, ECG recordings were evaluated. While L. rhamnosus had a decreasing effect on cardiac troponin-I, creatine kinase-MB, CRP, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, which increased due to ISO, it had an increasing effect on interleukin-10 levels. Similarly, it decreased the ST-segment elevation caused by ISO while increasing the reduced R wave amplitude.
“Multidimensional correlation analysis of temperature and contact time on eradication of biofilms ofCronobacter sakazakiion abiotic surfaces by combination of hypochlorite and malic acid”
Authors: Chauhan Rajni , Azmi Wamik , Goel Gunjan
Published: March 2023

Aim

In the present study, malic acid in combination with sodium hypochlorite is evaluated for the eradication of biofilms formed by Cronobacter sakazakii strains individually and in a cocktail on different abiotic surfaces.

Methods and results

The biofilm formation by five strains of C. sakazakii and their cocktail culture on different substrates was studied in Tryptone Soy Broth (TSB) and reconstituted Powdered Infant Formula (PIF). Further, the effect of temperature (4, 27, 37, and 50°C) and contact time (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min) on the antibiofilm potential of the test solution (0.0625 mol l−1 malic acid and 0.00004 mol l−1 sodium hypochlorite) against the biofilm formed by C. sakazakii cocktail culture was investigated on these surfaces. The effect was evaluated in terms of viable cell count and biofilm texture using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the maximum biofilm reduction was observed for stainless steel at 4°C after 60 min of contact, whereas at 25, 37, and 50°C, maximum biofilm reduction was observed for polycarbonate. For glass and polyurethane, maximum log reductions were observed at 50°C. The SEM images revealed cell surface deformation and disruption in biofilms after treatment with the test solution.

Conclusions

The antibiofilm potential was observed to be greatly affected by contact time and temperature. These results indicated that the combination of malic acid and NaOCl can effectively kill and remove C. sakazakii biofilms from food contact surfaces and enteral feeding tubes.