bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The growth performance of pond-reared common carp (Cyprinus carpio) larvae propagated using cryopreserved sperm
Authors: Bokor Zoltán , Láng Zete Levente , Várkonyi Levente , Fodor Ferenc , Nagy Borbála , Csókás Endre , Molnár József , Csorbai Balázs , Csenki-Bakos Zsolt , Ivánovics Bence , Griffitts Jeffrey Daniel , Urbányi Béla , Bernáth Gergely
Published: October 2023

The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of utilizing cryopreserved common carp sperm (in comparison to fresh sperm) for propagation at a Hungarian aquaculture facility. The sperm was frozen in 5 mL straws using an extender method that was previously tested in common carp. Sperm motility was monitored using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. The hatching and malformation rates among the specimens were recorded before the stocking of larvae in both groups. The growth (body weight, total length) and survival rates of the fish were measured during the pre-nursing (from May to June: between 1 and 26 days post hatching) and grow-out periods (from June to October: between 26 and 105 days post hatching) of the same year. The fresh sperm, which was collected and pooled prior to fertilization, showed high MOT (97%), pMOT (92%), VCL (106 µm s−1), LIN (75%), and ALH (1.84 µm). Prior to the fertilization trial of the cryopreserved sperm, low MOT (34%), pMOT (14%), and VCL (61 µm s−1) values were observed in frozen-thawed sperm. A significantly higher hatching rate was measured in the fresh sperm group (87%) when compared to the cryopreserved sperm group (42%). No significant difference in the overall malformation rate was observed in larvae originating from either the fresh or frozen sperm. A significant difference between the two test groups was observed in the incidence of deformed tails (fresh: 20%, cryopreserved: 55%). Except for one sampling period, no significant difference in the body weight and total length of the fish larvae was found between the two groups throughout the pre-nursing and grow-out periods. A significantly higher larvae survival rate was noted in the fresh sperm (72%) as compared to the cryopreserved group (43%) by the end of the pre-nursing stage. However, no significant difference in survival rate was observed for the cryopreserved sperm (96%) in comparison to the fresh sperm (95%) by the end of the grow-out stage. The results of this study showed, for the first time in large-scale pond culturing, an equal growth and viability in larvae propagated from cryopreserved sperm when compared to fresh sperm (despite the limited available rearing ponds provided by the commercial company).
Know When You Are Too Many: Density-Dependent Release of Pheromones During Host Colonisation by the European Spruce Bark Beetle, Ips typographus (L.)
Authors: Frühbrodt Tobias , Du Baoguo , Delb Horst , Burzlaff Tim , Kreuzwieser Jürgen , Biedermann Peter H. W.
Published: October 2023

Individuals across various animal species communicate their presence to conspecifics. Especially phytophagous and parasitoid insects with their brood developing on limited resources rely on chemical cues, such as host-marking pheromones, to reduce intraspecific competition. Bark beetles are phytophagous insects with some species being economically and ecologically relevant forest pests. Several of them use the volatile compound verbenone to inhibit attraction and reduce intraspecific competition. However, in the Eurasian spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (L.), temporal emission patterns did so far not quite support the putative function of verbenone as an indicator of densely colonised host trees. More importantly, it is currently unclear how well verbenone emission is actually related to colonisation density and thus intraspecific competition. Here, we inoculated Norway spruce logs with I. typographus at two defined colonisation densities in the greenhouse and measured the emission of verbenone and its precursors α-pinene and verbenol over time. Verbenone emission was 3–7 times greater from colonised logs compared to decaying logs without beetles during the major part of larval development. Furthermore, our data supports the quantitative hypothesis, that the termination of attack on a tree is mediated by a cessation of the release of verbenol and continuous emission of verbenone. The latter is most likely a passively produced host-marking cue reflecting the actual density of conspecifics since per-beetle emission was unaffected by colonisation density. These findings shed new light on the regulation of bark beetle mass aggregations, which are currently causing previously unseen economic damages in temperate forests.
Psychometric Validation of the Robotics Interest Questionnaire (RIQ) Scale with Italian Teachers
Authors: Agus Mirian , Bonaiuti Giovanni , Marras Arianna
Published: October 2023

In recent years, numerous research studies have highlighted how teachers’ perceptions of educational robotics (ER) and their sense of self-efficacy can influence the learning process. Although different instruments exist to investigate teachers’ perspectives on ER, the Robotics Interest Questionnaire (RIQ) scale, developed within the Portuguese K–12 education framework to analyse the impact of domain knowledge (i.e. coding and robotics), interest in robotics, and confidence in one’s self-efficacy as a robotics teacher, was used in the present work. This instrument has been validated in Portugal, meeting rigorous statistical and reliability measures that our work intends to verify in its Italian version. To test the validity of the instrument, the Teacher Self-Efficacy (QAI) Questionnaire, already validated in Italian and accredited in the literature, was administered jointly. The instruments were administered to a non-probabilistic sample of 823 teachers working in different school orders. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were carried out, confirming a four-factor model. The results suggest the applicability of the RIQ instrument in the Italian school context to test teachers’ levels of interest, knowledge, problem-solving, collaborative work, and sense of self-efficacy, successfully discriminating between experienced and inexperienced ER teachers. These constructs, as suggested in multiple works, are relevant factors in promoting the use of robotics for educational purposes.
Investigations of indoor radon levels and its mapping in the Greater Accra region, Ghana
Authors: Akuo-ko Esther Osei , Adelikhah Mohammademad , Amponsem Eunice , Csordás Anita , Kovács Tibor
Published: October 2023

In this work, the indoor radon concentration and radiation dose risks were studied in dwellings within the Greater Accra region, using CR-39 detectors. The indoor radon concentrations ranged from 36.1 ± 2.7 to 92.0 ± 5.2 Bq m−3 with an annual average of 50.8 ± 3.4 Bq m−3. The annual mean effective dose was estimated as 1.3 mSv year−1. Excess lifetime cancer risk and lung cancer cases were assessed with 5% annual lung cancer deaths due to radon was realized. Indoor radon maps created with ArcGIS software over a 5 × 5 km2 grid showed radon prone areas in the region.
Patchy range retractions in response to climate change and implications for terrestrial species conservation
Authors: Jones Rachel , Wilson Robert J. , Bourn Nigel A. D. , Maclean Ilya M. D.
Published: October 2023

Context

Efforts to adapt conservation to climate change often focus on facilitating range shifts to higher latitudes, by enhancing landscape capacity for poleward expansion. The need to protect populations at trailing edges of species distributions, and how and where to do so, has received less attention.

Objectives

We assess how population declines caused by variation over space and time in exposure to climate change can necessitate conservation adaptation to climate change throughout species’ geographic ranges. We propose approaches for conservation in landscapes where species are vulnerable.

Methods

We synthesize primary literature relating to recent landscape-scale changes to species distributions to identify evidence for patchy patterns of climate-driven decline. We use this evidence to propose a framework to adapt terrestrial species conservation.

Results

Patchy retractions occur throughout species ranges as environmental heterogeneity results in spatial variation in climate and rates of climate change, whereas equatorward range margins are often not the first place to exceed climatic limits. Furthermore, climate effects on fitness, survival and reproduction interact with habitat quality, creating both localized extinction hotspots and climatically resilient microrefugial landscapes across species ranges. Conservation can benefit from the identification of vulnerable versus microrefugial landscapes, and implementation of targeted interventions.

Conclusions

A focus on expansions and retractions at broad latitudinal range margins risks overlooking declines throughout species’ distributions. Understanding fine-resolution ecological responses to the climate can help to identify resilient microrefugial landscapes, and targeted management to promote cooler or more stable conditions can complement facilitation of broader-scale range shifts.
Current status of the analytical validation of next generation sequencing applications for pharmacogenetic profiling
Authors: Huebner Tatjana , Steffens Michael , Scholl Catharina
Published: October 2023

Background

Analytical validity is a prerequisite to use a next generation sequencing (NGS)-based application as an in vitro diagnostic test or a companion diagnostic in clinical practice. Currently, in the United States and the European Union, the intended use of such NGS-based tests does not refer to guided drug therapy on the basis of pharmacogenetic profiling of drug metabolizing enzymes, although the value of pharmacogenetic testing has been reported. However, in research, a large variety of NGS-based tests are used and have been confirmed to be at least comparable to array-based testing.

Methods and Results

A systematic evaluation was performed screening and assessing published literature on analytical validation of NGS applications for pharmacogenetic profiling of CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, VKORC1 and/or UGT1A1. Although NGS applications are also increasingly used for implementation assessments in clinical practice, we show in the present systematic literature evaluation that published information on the current status of analytical validation of NGS applications targeting drug metabolizing enzymes is scarce. Furthermore, a comprehensive performance evaluation of whole exome and whole genome sequencing with the intended use for pharmacogenetic profiling has not been published so far.

Conclusions

A standard in reporting on analytical validation of NGS-based tests is not in place yet. Therefore, many relevant performance criteria are not addressed in published literature. For an appropriate analytical validation of an NGS-based qualitative test for pharmacogenetic profiling at least accuracy, precision, limit of detection and specificity should be addressed to facilitate the implementation of such tests in clinical use.
Two forms of transfer matrix for one-dimensional optical structures
Authors: Morozov Gregory V.
Published: October 2023

Two forms of the transfer matrix applied for treatment of light propagation through one-dimensional optical structures are discussed. A detailed comparison between those forms is presented. A case of structures with absorption (gain) is included. The relation between the transfer matrix method and the Floquet-Bloch theory is highlighted for the case of a periodic structure.
Characterization and effectiveness of a Fracture Liaison Services program in Colombia
Authors: Valladales-Restrepo Luis Fernando , Castro-Osorio Edgar Eduardo , Ramírez-Osorio Jessica , Echeverry-Martinez Luisa Fernanda , Sánchez-Ríos Verónica , Gaviria-Mendoza Andrés , Machado-Duque Manuel Enrique , Machado-Alba Jorge Enrique
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Fracture Liaison Services programs reduce mortality and the risk of refracture and increase treatment and adherence rates. Greater coverage is an important priority for the future. The aim was to determine the characteristics of patients over 50 years old who suffered fractures and the effectiveness of a Fracture Liaison Services program in a health care institution in Colombia.

Methods

This was a retrospective follow-up study of a cohort of patients with vertebral and nonvertebral fractures managed in a Fracture Liaison Services program. Sociodemographic, clinical and pharmacological variables were identified. Key performance indicators were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 438 patients were analyzed. The average age was 77.5 years, and 78.5% were women. Hip and vertebral fractures were the most common (25.3% and 24.9%, respectively). Vertebral fractures prevailed in men (33.0% vs 22.7%; p = 0.041) and those of the radius/ulna in women (20.3% vs 10.6%; p = 0.031). A total of 29.7% had experienced a previous fracture, and 16.7% had received antiosteoporosis drugs. A total of 63.5% of the cases were managed surgically. At discharge, 58.8% received prescriptions for calcium/vitamin D, and 50.7% with prescriptions of antiosteoporotic therapy, especially teriparatide (21.2%) and denosumab (16.4%), without significant differences by sex. However, in women with hip fractures, anti-osteoporotic management prevailed (83.7% vs 64.0; p = 0.032). The effectiveness of the overall program per year was 74.6%. On follow-up, only 9.1% of patients had experienced a new fall, and of those 3.7% presented a new fracture. A total of 4.3% died during follow-up.

Conclusions

Good adherence to the recommendations of the country's clinical practice guidelines was found, and overall, the effectiveness of the program was very satisfactory, with a low incidence of new fractures during follow-up.

Summary

Fracture Liaison Services programs reduce mortality and the risk of refracture. A retrospective follow-up study of a cohort of patients with vertebral and nonvertebral fractures managed in a Fracture Liaison Services, showed that the effectiveness was 73.6%. On follow-up, 9.1% of patients had experienced a new fall, and of those 3.7% presented a new fracture.
Stem Cell-Based Hair Cell Regeneration and Therapy in the Inner Ear
Authors: Qi Jieyu , Huang Wenjuan , Lu Yicheng , Yang Xuehan , Zhou Yinyi , Chen Tian , Wang Xiaohan , Yu Yafeng , Sun Jia-Qiang , Chai Renjie
Published: October 2023

Hearing loss has become increasingly prevalent and causes considerable disability, thus gravely burdening the global economy. Irreversible loss of hair cells is a main cause of sensorineural hearing loss, and currently, the only relatively effective clinical treatments are limited to digital hearing equipment like cochlear implants and hearing aids, but these are of limited benefit in patients. It is therefore urgent to understand the mechanisms of damage repair in order to develop new neuroprotective strategies. At present, how to promote the regeneration of functional hair cells is a key scientific question in the field of hearing research. Multiple signaling pathways and transcriptional factors trigger the activation of hair cell progenitors and ensure the maturation of newborn hair cells, and in this article, we first review the principal mechanisms underlying hair cell reproduction. We then further discuss therapeutic strategies involving the co-regulation of multiple signaling pathways in order to induce effective functional hair cell regeneration after degeneration, and we summarize current achievements in hair cell regeneration. Lastly, we discuss potential future approaches, such as small molecule drugs and gene therapy, which might be applied for regenerating functional hair cells in the clinic.
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Assessment of Immunotherapy Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Voigt Marilia B. , Kravchenko Dmitrij , Isaak Alexander , Heine Annkristin , Holderried Tobias A. W. , Luetkens Julian A.
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

To review the current and future role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) assessment of immunotherapy cardiotoxicity.

Recent Findings

In patients who suffer from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) myocarditis, pathologic CMR findings, including myocardial edema, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), late gadolinium enhancement (i.e., fibrosis and/or necrosis), and myocardial strain, are mostly subtle, but fulminant courses have been described. Individual cases of cardiotoxicity in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy have also already been documented, but there are currently no studies addressing the role of CMR in CAR T cell therapy. There are also classes of immunotherapies for which no cases of cardiotoxicity are known yet, such as cytokines or adjuvants.

Together with patient symptoms, laboratory markers, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography, CMR is of high value in the diagnostic workup of immunotherapy-associated myocarditis in hemodynamically stable patients, according to recent guidelines. Additionally, quantitative strain analysis and T1 relaxation times with CMR can aid in assessing disease severity, prognosis, and patient outcomes with ICI-associated myocarditis. Future CMR studies on cardiotoxicity in CAR T cell therapy are needed.
Detailed numerical investigation of the drop aerobreakup in the bag breakup regime
Authors: Ling Y. , Mahmood T.
Published: October 2023

Aerobreakup of drops is a fundamental two-phase flow problem that is essential to many spray applications. A parametric numerical study was performed by varying the gas stream velocity, focusing on the regime of moderate Weber numbers, in which the drop deforms to a forward bag. When the bag is unstable, it inflates and disintegrates into small droplets. Detailed numerical simulations were conducted using the volume-of-fluid method on an adaptive octree mesh to investigate the aerobreakup dynamics. Grid-refinement studies show that converged three-dimensional simulation results for drop deformation and bag formation are achieved by the refinement level equivalent to 512 cells across the initial drop diameter. To resolve the thin liquid sheet when the bag inflates, the mesh is refined further to 2048 cells across the initial drop diameter. The simulation results for the drop length and radius were validated against previous experiments, and good agreement was achieved. The high-resolution results of drop morphological evolution were used to identify the different phases in the aerobreakup process, and to characterize the distinct flow features and dominant mechanisms in each phase. In the early time, the drop deformation and velocity are independent of the Weber number, and a new internal-flow deformation model, which respects this asymptotic limit, has been developed. The pressure and velocity fields around the drop were shown to better understand the internal flow and interfacial instability that dictate the drop deformation. Finally, the impact of drop deformation on the drop dynamics was discussed.
Revisiting Interwar Global Economic Governance: Technocrats, Sovereignty, and the Perennial Problem of Legitimacy in Global Governance
Authors: Phillips-Sawyer Laura
Published: October 2023

The international institutions that govern global capitalism—the United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund (IMF)—wield considerable power over the flows of trade and finance, and thereby the nation-states that participate in it. (And opting out is nearly impossible.) Those institutions were created in July 1944, amidst World War II, with the laudable objectives to restore global trade and capital flows, protect national sovereignty, and promote peace through interdependence. In short, these institutions represented the solution to the failures of interwar international governance—more specifically, the failure of the League of Nations to stem macroeconomic instability or the Second World War.
Arctic Ice Loss Could Shorten Winter Feeding Time for Zooplankton
Authors: Meduna Veronika
Published: October 2023

The Arctic’s thinning sea ice allows more light to penetrate deeper into the ocean, holding zooplankton far beneath the surface.
High‐Resolution Simulations of the Plume Dynamics in an Idealized 79°N Glacier Cavity Using Adaptive Vertical Coordinates
Authors: Reinert Markus , Lorenz Marvin , Klingbeil Knut , Büchmann Bjarne , Burchard Hans
Published: October 2023

For better projections of sea level rise, two things are needed: an improved understanding of the contributing processes and their accurate representation in climate models. A major process is basal melting of ice shelves and glacier tongues by the ocean, which reduces ice sheet stability and increases ice discharge into the ocean. We study marine melting of Greenland's largest floating ice tongue, the 79° North Glacier, using a high‐resolution, 2D‐vertical ocean model. While our fjord model is idealized, the results agree with observations of melt rate and overturning strength. Our setup is the first application of adaptive vertical coordinates to an ice cavity. Their stratification‐zooming allows a vertical resolution finer than 1 m in the entrainment layer of the meltwater plume, which is important for the plume development. We find that the plume development is dominated by entrainment only initially. In the stratified upper part of the cavity, the subglacial plume shows continuous detrainment. It reaches neutral buoyancy near 100 m depth, detaches from the ice, and transports meltwater out of the fjord. Melting almost stops there. In a sensitivity study, we show that the detachment depth depends primarily on stratification. Our results contribute to the understanding of ice–ocean interactions in glacier cavities. Furthermore, we suggest that our modeling approach with stratification‐zooming coordinates will improve the representation of these interactions in global ocean models. Finally, our idealized model topography and forcing are close to a real fjord and completely defined analytically, making the setup an interesting reference case for future model developments.
Knowledge, attitudes and decision regret: a longitudinal survey study of participants offered genome sequencing in the 100,000 Genomes Project
Authors: Peter Michelle , Hammond Jennifer , Sanderson Saskia C. , Gurasashvili Jana , Hunter Amy , Searle Beverly , Patch Christine , Chitty Lyn S. , Hill Melissa , Lewis Celine
Published: October 2023

We used cross-sectional surveys to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and decision regret of participants who had consented for genome sequencing (GS) for rare disease diagnosis in the 100,000 Genomes Project (100kGP) across two timepoints (at the time of consenting for GS (T1) and 12–18 months later (T2)). At T1, participants (n = 504) completed a survey that included measures of general knowledge of GS (“Knowledge of Genome Sequencing” (KOGS)), specific knowledge of GS and attitudes towards GS (“General attitudes” and “Specific attitudes”). At T2, participants (n = 296) completed these same assessments (apart from the specific knowledge scale) together with an assessment of decision regret towards GS (“Decisional Regret Scale”). At 12–18 months after consenting for GS, participants’ basic knowledge of GS had remained stable. General knowledge of GS varied across topics; concepts underlying more general information about genetics were better understood than the technical details of genomic testing. Attitudes towards GS at T2 were generally positive, and feelings towards GS (both positive and negative) remained unchanged. However, those who were more positive about the test at the outset had greater specific knowledge (as opposed to general knowledge) of GS. Finally, although the majority of participants indicated feeling little regret towards undergoing GS, those with low positive attitude and high negative attitude about GS at T1 reported greater decision regret at T2. Careful assessment of patient knowledge about and attitudes towards GS at the time of offering testing is crucial for supporting informed decision making and mitigating later regret.
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of uveitic glaucoma: multicentric study in Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Rojas-Carabali William , Mejía-Salgado Germán , Cifuentes-González Carlos , Chacón-Zambrano Daniela , Cruz-Reyes Danna Lesley , Delgado Maria Fernanda , Gómez- Goyeneche Héctor Fernando , Saad-Brahim Katrina , de-la-Torre Alejandra
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To describe the clinical features of patients diagnosed with uveitic glaucoma (UG) and ocular hypertension secondary to uveitis (OHT-SU).

Methods

A multicentric cross-sectional study using medical records of patients with uveitis between 2013 and 2021. Uveitis and glaucoma specialists examined all patients. Variables were analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. Additionally, t test, Mann–Whitney, and Kruskal–Wallis variance analysis were used for continuous variables. Finally, a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis for UG and OHT-SU development over time was done.

Results

Of the 660 clinical records reviewed of patients with uveitis, 191 (28.9%) had OHT-SU in at least one visit, and 108 (16.4%) of them developed UG. In all ages, females were more affected than males. Anterior uveitis was the main anatomic localisation, and non-granulomatous, recurrent, and inactive uveitis were the most frequent clinical features. The mean final visual acuity was 0.3 (0.0–1.0) LogMAR. Also, 95.8% of the patients had additional sequelae related to uveitis regardless of UG and OHT-SU. Interestingly, males had earlier affection, with statistical significance in OHT for adults (P = 0.036) and UG for children (P = 0.04). Of all patients, 81.1% received topical hypotensive treatment and 29.8% required a surgical procedure.

Conclusions

UG and OHT-SU are common complications of uveitis in the Colombian population. These sight-threatening conditions were more common and appeared sooner in men at any age. Our results suggest that earlier and more aggressive treatment with topical hypotensive agents could positively influence the visual outcomes and the requirement of surgical procedures.
Pleconaril and ribavirin in new-onset type 1 diabetes: a phase 2 randomized trial
Authors: Krogvold Lars , Mynarek Ida Maria , Ponzi Erica , Mørk Freja Barrett , Hessel Trine Witzner , Roald Trine , Lindblom Nina , Westman Jacob , Barker Peter , Hyöty Heikki , Ludvigsson Johnny , Hanssen Kristian F. , Johannesen Jesper , Dahl-Jørgensen Knut
Published: October 2023

Previous studies showed a low-grade enterovirus infection in the pancreatic islets of patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D). In the Diabetes Virus Detection (DiViD) Intervention, a phase 2, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel group, double-blind trial, 96 children and adolescents (aged 6–15 years) with new-onset T1D received antiviral treatment with pleconaril and ribavirin (n = 47) or placebo (n = 49) for 6 months, with the aim of preserving β cell function. The primary endpoint was the mean stimulated C-peptide area under the curve (AUC) 12 months after the initiation of treatment (less than 3 weeks after diagnosis) using a mixed linear model. The model used longitudinal log-transformed serum C-peptide AUCs at baseline, at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. The primary endpoint was met with the serum C-peptide AUC being higher in the pleconaril and ribavirin treatment group compared to the placebo group at 12 months (average marginal effect = 0.057 in the linear mixed model; 95% confidence interval = 0.004–0.11,P = 0.037). The treatment was well tolerated. The results show that antiviral treatment may preserve residual insulin production in children and adolescent with new-onset T1D. This provides a rationale for further evaluating antiviral strategies in the prevention and treatment of T1D. European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials identifier:2015-003350-41.
Development and validation of analytical methods for selective determination of albuterol and budesonide in Airsupra inhalation aerosol using spectrophotometry
Authors: Almalki Atiah H. , Ramzy Sherif , Almrasy Ahmed A.
Published: October 2023

Airsupra inhalation aerosol is a recently approved FDA medication that combines albuterol and budesonide for treating or preventing bronchoconstriction and lowering the risk of relapses in asthma patients who are 18 years of age and older. To selectively determine albuterol and budesonide in both pure and pharmaceutical dosage forms, two analytical methods were developed: the zero-order absorption method and the dual-wavelength method. Even though the two drugs absorption spectra overlapped, the distinctive peak of budesonide at the zero absorbance point of albuterol, 245 nm, allowed for direct detection of budesonide in the combination using the zero-order absorption method. The mathematical dual-wavelength method, on the other hand, allowed for the measurement of both albuterol and budesonide by choosing two wavelengths for each drug in such a way that the absorbance difference for the second drug was zero. Budesonide exhibited comparable absorbance values at wavelengths 227 and 261.40 nm; hence, these two wavelengths were utilized to identify albuterol; similarly, 221.40 and 231.20 nm were chosen to determine budesonide in their binary mixes. The methods were validated according to the ICH guideline for validation of analytical procedures Q2(R1) and demonstrated excellent linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, and selectivity for determining both drugs in synthetic mixed solutions and pharmaceutical formulations. The availability of these analytical methods would be valuable for the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory authorities for quality control and assessment of pharmaceutical formulations containing albuterol and budesonide.
Treatment of infected predators under the influence of fear-induced refuge
Authors: Mondal Bapin , Sarkar Abhijit , Sk Nazmul
Published: October 2023

In this research, we delve into the dynamics of an infected predator–prey system in the presence of fear and refuge, presenting a novel inclusion of treatment for infected individuals in this type of model. Through our analytical efforts, we establish a significant reproduction number that holds a pivotal role in determining disease extinction or persistence within the system. A noteworthy threshold value for this reproduction number delineates a boundary below which the infected population cannot endure in the system. It’s important to note that a range of reproduction numbers leads to both disease-free and endemic scenarios, yet the stability of these situations is contingent upon the initial population sizes. Furthermore, our investigation extends to the exploration of various types of bifurcation-namely, Backward, Saddle-node, and Hopf bifurcations. These findings unravel the intricate and diverse dynamics of the system. Of particular significance is the derivation of an optimal control policy for treatment, augmenting the practical utility of our work. The robustness of our analytical findings is fortified through meticulous verification via numerical simulations. These simulations not only bolster the credibility of our analytical results but also enhance their accessibility. Our study unveils that fear, refuge, and treatment possess individual capabilities to eradicate the disease from the system. Notably, increasing levels of fear and refuge exert a passive influence on the elimination of the infected population, whereas treatment wields an active influence-a crucial insight that bolsters the foundation of our model. Furthermore, our investigation uncovers a spectrum of system dynamics including bistability, one-period, two-period, and multi-period/chaotic behavior. These discoveries contribute to a profound enrichment of the system’s dynamic landscape.
Multimorbidity and complex multimorbidity in Brazilians with severe obesity
Authors: Rodrigues Ana Paula dos Santos , Batista Sandro Rogério Rodrigues , Santos Annelisa Silva e Alves , Canheta Andrea Batista de Sousa , Nunes Bruno Pereira , de Oliveira Rezende Andréa Toledo , de Oliveira Cesar , Silveira Erika Aparecida
Published: October 2023

To investigate the prevalence of multimorbidity and complex multimorbidity and their association with sociodemographic and health variables in individuals with severe obesity. This is a baseline data analysis of 150 individuals with severe obesity (body mass index ≥ 35.0 kg/m2) aged 18–65 years. The outcomes were multimorbidity and complex multimorbidity. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, anthropometric and self-perceived health data were collected. Poisson multiple regression was conducted to identify multimorbidity risk factors. The frequency of two or more morbidities was 90.7%, three or more morbidities was 76.7%, and complex multimorbidity was 72.0%. Living with four or more household residents was associated with ≥ 3 morbidities and complex multimorbidity. Fair and very poor self-perceived health was associated with ≥ 2 morbidities, ≥ 3 morbidities and complex multimorbidity. A higher BMI range (45.0–65.0 kg/m2) was associated with ≥ 2 morbidities and ≥ 3 morbidities. Anxiety (82.7%), varicose veins of lower limbs (58.7%), hypertension (56.0%) were the most frequent morbidities, as well as the pairs and triads including them. The prevalence of multimorbidity and complex multimorbidity in individuals with severe obesity was higher and the risk for multimorbidity and complex multimorbidity increased in individuals living in households of four or more residents, with fair or poor/very poor self-perceived health and with a higher BMI.
Physical and chemical characterizations of a reference e-cigarette used in animal testing
Authors: Soulet Sébastien , Constans Léa , Quinty Vanille
Published: October 2023

A minimal necessary condition for preclinical studies to contribute to risk assessments of e-cigarettes (ECs) is the ability to expose laboratory animals to an appropriate dosage of aerosols. In this study, we examined the fulfilment of this essential consistency condition for the ECX-Joyetech E-Vic Mini (ECX), a piece of computerized exposure equipment manufactured by SCIREQ, which has been employed by numerous in vivo testing. We began by calibrating the customary Evic VTC mini device mod and the 4 coils available, reproducing in the laboratory the operation of the ECX in the power-control and temperature-control modes, using puffing parameters recommended by its documentation. We then conducted the following tests for each coil: (1) verifying whether the generated aerosols satisfy an optimal operational regime, free from overheating, as determined by a linear relation between the mass of vaporized e-liquid vs. supplied power and (2) obtaining the mean yields of aldehydes for each of the tested power settings and coils. The results of these tests show that, under the main conditions used in in vivo testing, the ECX equipment fails to comply with these consistency requirements, especially for coils with low subohm resistance, a shortcoming that can be corrected by applying much larger airflows for these coils. Therefore, the outcomes of preclinical studies using the ECX equipment should be examined with great scepticism and subjected to further testing.
Burkholderia pseudomallei biofilm resists Acanthamoeba sp. grazing and produces 8-O-4′-diferulic acid, a superoxide scavenging metabolite after passage through the amoeba
Authors: Bunma Chainarong , Noinarin Parumon , Phetcharaburanin Jutarop , Chareonsudjai Sorujsiri
Published: October 2023

Burkholderia pseudomallei, an etiological agent of melioidosis is an environmental bacterium that can survive as an intracellular pathogen. The biofilm produced by B. pseudomallei is crucial for cellular pathogenesis of melioidosis. The purpose of this investigation is to explore the role of biofilm in survival of B. pseudomallei during encounters with Acanthamoeba sp. using B. pseudomallei H777 (a biofilm wild type), M10 (a biofilm defect mutant) and C17 (a biofilm-complemented strain). The results demonstrated similar adhesion to amoebae by both the biofilm wild type and biofilm mutant strains. There was higher initial internalisation, but the difference diminished after longer encounter with the amoeba. Interestingly, confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that pre-formed biofilm of B. pseudomallei H777 and C17 were markedly more persistent in the face of Acanthamoeba sp. grazing than that of M10. Metabolomic analysis revealed a significant increased level of 8-O-4′-diferulic acid, a superoxide scavenger metabolite, in B. pseudomallei H777 serially passaged in Acanthamoeba sp. The interaction between B. pseudomallei with a free-living amoeba may indicate the evolutionary pathway that enables the bacterium to withstand superoxide radicals in intracellular environments. This study supports the hypothesis that B. pseudomallei biofilm persists under grazing by amoebae and suggests a strategy of metabolite production that turns this bacterium from saprophyte to intracellular pathogen.
Association of illness perception and alexithymia with fatigue in hemodialysis recipients: a single-center, cross-sectional study
Authors: Tanemoto Yoko , Yamada Ui , Nakayama Masaaki , Takeuchi Takeaki , Tanemoto Fumiaki , Ito Yugo , Kobayashi Daiki , Ohta Daisuke , Hashizume Masahiro
Published: October 2023

Fatigue in hemodialysis recipients interferes with daily activities and renal rehabilitation, and its underlying causes and treatment remain unclear. Psychological factors, like illness perceptions and alexithymia, cause fatigue in other diseases; however, their contribution to hemodialysis-related fatigue is unknown. This cross-sectional study included 53 hemodialysis recipients. To assess participants’ fatigue, we used a self-administered patient-reported outcome questionnaire whose items have shown correlation with those of established scales, such as the Profile of Mood States and Visual Analogue Scales. The associations among the scores of the revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (IPQ-R), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and fatigue were analyzed using bivariable and multivariable analyses. Patients with fatigue had significantly higher median scores for the IPQ-R subscales “Identity” and “Negative emotional representation about illness” than those without fatigue, suggesting the association of specific illness perception with fatigue. Median scores for the TAS-20 subscale “Difficulty identifying feelings” were also significantly higher among fatigued patients, suggesting the association of alexithymia with fatigue. Depression was not associated with fatigue. Multivariable logistic regression revealed the association of a high “Identity” score with the risk of fatigue (adjusted odds ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.00–1.73; P = 0.04), while there were no significant association between a high “Difficulty identifying feelings” score and the risk of fatigue (adjusted odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.95–1.24). Specific illness perception and alexithymia were slightly associated with hemodialysis-related fatigue. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for these conditions could reduce fatigue and promote renal rehabilitation.
Microcontact printing of choline oxidase using a polycation-functionalized zwitterionic polymer as enzyme immobilization matrix
Authors: Zhao Ming , Cao Yan , Huang I-wen , Monbouquette Harold G.
Published: October 2023

Microcontact printing of choline oxidase on an implantable, microelectrode array probe using an “ink” based on the novel polymer, PMPC-g-PAH, to create high-performance choline biosensors.
Quantification and isotope abundance determination of 13C labeled intracellular sugar metabolites with hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography
Authors: Zhao Yameng , Fan Ruoning , Wang Chuyao , Xu Sen , Xie Long , Hou Jinghua , Lei Wen , Liu Jianjun
Published: October 2023

Metabolic flux analysis (MFA) using stable isotope labeled tracers is a powerful tool to estimate fluxes through metabolic pathways.
Application of a three dimensional polyethyleneimine functionalized graphene oxide aerogel as an adsorbent for the determination of phytohormones in ginseng
Authors: Zhang Dongxue , Qu Shuai , Wang Mingyue , Liu Yuhan , Xu Chen , Kan Hong , Wang Yingping , Dong Kai
Published: October 2023

Polyethyleneimine functionalized graphene oxide aerogel serves as an adsorbent for the analysis of phytohormones in ginseng.
Synthesis, characterization and properties of new heat resistant energetic materials based on two C–C bridged pyrazole and benzene skeletons
Authors: Zhang Rongzheng , Xu Yuangang , Yang Feng , Wang Pengcheng , Lin Qiuhan , Huang Hui , Lu Ming
Published: October 2023

C–C bridged pyrazole and benzene skeletons were used to design explosives 1c and 2c with high thermal stabilities, respectively.
Iron, copper and zinc isotope compositions of biological reference materials determined by MC-ICP-MS
Authors: Guo Rui , Yu Hui-Min , Fang Shu-Bin , Xiao Zi-Cong , Huang Fang
Published: October 2023

The one-column method to purify Cu–Fe–Zn for biological isotope analysis provides comprehensive isotope information for biological individuals.
Structured-light-sheet imaging in an integrated optofluidic platform
Authors: Paiè Petra , Calisesi Gianmaria , Candeo Alessia , Comi Andrea , Sala Federico , Ceccarelli Francesco , De Luigi Ada , Veglianese Pietro , Muhlberger Korbinian , Fokine Michael , Valentini Gianluca , Osellame Roberto , Neil Mark , Bassi Andrea , Bragheri Francesca
Published: October 2023

The combination of structured illumination and light sheet fluorescence microscopy in a microfluidic integrated platform enables high throughput super-resolution imaging.
Probing nearby molecular vibrations with lanthanide-doped nanocrystals
Authors: Mangnus Mark J. J. , Benning Vincent R. M. , Baumgartner Bettina , Prins P. Tim , van Swieten Thomas P. , Dekker Ayla J. H. , van Blaaderen Alfons , Weckhuysen Bert M. , Meijerink Andries , Rabouw Freddy T.
Published: October 2023

Energy transfer to molecular vibrations can quench the photoluminescence of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals. We investigate the potential of this phenomenon for chemical sensing of liquid- and gas-phase molecules.
An active clamped L‐L type ZVS current‐fed front‐end DC–DC converter based solid state transformer in grid connected mode PV applications
Authors: Kumar Nitesh , Agarwal Pramod
Published: October 2023

This paper utilised a solid‐state transformer (SST) with an active clamped L‐L type current fed front‐end converter for maximum power extraction (MPE) and voltage boost operation. The proposed system employed perturb and observe (P&O) based MPE and upheld the ZVS operation of all primary side switches and ZCS operation of all secondary side rectifier diodes for various insolation conditions. The proposed system developed a new fundamental extractor titled multi‐level cascaded dual double fundamental signal extractor (MCDDFSE) and is utilized in the control algorithm for synchronization with the utility grid. The main objective of the proposed system was to deliver a compact size, reduced weight and cheaper magnetic components‐based front‐end converter of SST on the photovoltaic (PV) array side and a fast, secure and trustworthy mitigation technique for the grid current harmonics on the utility grid side. The proposed system was trialled on the platform of OPAL‐RT (RT‐LABv2021.3.2.307) for various grid abnormalities and its behaviour was found well within the IEEE 519 standards.
Financial planning behaviour: a systematic literature review and new theory development
Authors: Yeo Kingsley Hung Khai , Lim Weng Marc , Yii Kwang-Jing
Published: October 2023

Financial resilience is founded on good financial planning behaviour. Contributing to theorisation efforts in this space, this study aims to develop a new theory that explains financial planning behaviour. Following an appraisal of theories, a systematic literature review of financial planning behaviour through the lens of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) is conducted using the SPAR-4-SLR protocol. Thirty relevant articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science were identified and retrieved from Google Scholar. The content of these articles was analysed using the antecedents, decisions, and outcomes (ADO) and theories, contexts, and methods (TCM) frameworks to obtain a fundamental grasp of financial planning behaviour. The results provide insights into how the financial planning behaviour of an individual can be understood and shaped by substituting the original components of the TPB with relevant concepts from behavioural finance, and thus, leading to the establishment of the theory of financial planning behaviour, which posits that (a) financial satisfaction (attitude), (b) financial socialisation (subjective norms), and (c) financial literacy, mental accounting, and financial cognition (perceived behavioural controls) directly affect (d) the intention to adopt and indirectly shape, (e) the actual adoption of financial planning behaviour, which could manifest in six forms (i.e. adoption of cash flow, tax, investment, risk, estate, and retirement planning). The study contributes to establishing the theory of financial planning behaviour, which is an original theory that explains how different concepts in behavioural finance could be synthesised to parsimoniously explain financial planning behaviour.
A novel approach to accelerating ultracold electron bunches, while still preserving their brightness.
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: October 2023

Built upon a laser cooling and atomic gas trapping system, with additional sub-systems, the acceleration of ultracold electron bunches has proven successful without sacrificing quality.
Resonance cones in cold plasma: Origin, singularities, and power flow
Authors: Tierens W. , Paulus F. , Bilato R.
Published: October 2023

In magnetized tenuous plasma, typical at the plasma edge of fusion devices, a nearly electrostatic wave mode with relatively enhanced electric field can propagate along a specific angle with the magnetic field. For this characteristic, it is known as a “resonance cone.” For instance, these waves can be excited by radio frequency antennas in the ion-cyclotron and lower-hybrid range of frequencies. We consider the resonance cones emitted by idealized spatially extended sources. In 2D, we use a novel geometric construction which generalizes the d'Alembert solution to curved boundaries/moving sources, and show, for the first time, that singular electric fields arise under these conditions, thereby bringing the resonance cones in line with the other resonances of the cold plasma theory. Still in 2D, we give an expression for the amount of power radiated by resonance cones in terms of surface quantities on the source, which is finite despite the singular electric field. We generalize the conclusions regarding the presence and location of singular electric fields to the 3D electromagnetic case.
Magneto-optical diffraction of visible light as a probe of nanoscale displacement of domain walls at femtosecond timescales
Authors: Dolgikh A. , Shapaeva T. B. , Yamada K. T. , Logunov M. V. , Rasing T. H. , Kimel A. V.
Published: October 2023

Using diffraction of femtosecond laser pulses of visible light by a magnetic domain pattern in an iron garnet, we demonstrate a proof of concept of time-resolved measurements of domain pattern movements with nanometer spatial and femtosecond temporal resolution. In this method, a femtosecond laser (pump) pulse initiates magnetization dynamics in a sample that is initially in a labyrinth domain state, while an equally short linearly polarized laser pulse (probe) is diffracted by the domain pattern. The components of the diffracted light that are polarized orthogonally to the incident light generate several concentric diffraction rings. Nanometer small changes in the relative sizes of domains with opposite magnetization result in observable changes in the intensities of the rings. We demonstrate that the signal-to-noise ratio is high enough to detect a 6 nm domain wall displacement with 100 fs temporal resolution using visible light. We also discuss possible artifacts, such as pump-induced changes of optical properties, that can affect the measurements.