bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles functionalized by glutamic acid and conjugated with thiosemicarbazide alter the expression of norB gene, in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Safarnejad Erfan , Moradi‐Shoeili Zeinab , Rahmatollahi Hamid Reza , Jalali Amir , Salehzadeh Ali
Published: February 2022

Here, the improved efficacy of a novel composite of iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalized by glutamic acid (Glu) and conjugated with thiosemicarbazide (TSC), evaluated on the expression of norB efflux pump gene in S. aureus strains. The proper synthesis of Fe3O4@Glu–TSC NP was confirmed and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), energy dispersive X‐Ray spectroscopy (EDX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and UV–vis spectroscopy. The effect of NP on the expression of norB gene was studied using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The physical analysis of NP revealed proper synthesis, dispersion, and stability, as well as the spherical/cubic morphology with a mean size of 35–60 nm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of the functionalized nanoparticle decreased by two folds towards each respected strain in contrast with the Fe3O4 NP (alone). Additionally, in the presence of NP, the norB gene expression was reduced by up to 50% in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, the functionalized NP can be considered as a promising inhibitor of bacterial efflux pump genes against antibiotic‐resistant bacteria. However, further studies should be conducted to determine the safety of these nanoparticles for medicinal applications.
The Fornax3D project: The environmental impact on gas metallicity gradients in Fornax cluster galaxies
Authors: Lara-López M. A. , Galán-de Anta P. M. , Sarzi M. , Iodice E. , Davis T. A. , Zabel N. , Corsini E. M. , de Zeeuw P. T. , Fahrion K. , Falcón-Barroso J. , Gadotti D. A. , McDermid R. M. , Pinna F. , Rodriguez-Gomez V. , van de Ven G. , Zhu L. , Coccato L. , Lyubenova M. , Martín-Navarro I.
Published: February 2022

The role played by environment in galaxy evolution is a topic of ongoing debate among astronomers. There has been little success in elucidating the degree to which environment can alter, re-shape, or drive galaxy evolution, that is, using either observations or simulations. However, our knowledge of the effect of environment on gas metallicity gradients remains limited. Here we present our analysis of the gas metallicity gradients for a sample of ten Fornax cluster galaxies observed with MUSE as part of the Fornax3D project. We used detailed maps of emission lines to determine precise values of gas metallicity and metallicity gradients. The integrated gas metallicity of our Fornax cluster galaxies shows slightly higher metallicities (∼0.045 dex) in comparison to a control sample. In addition, we find signs of a mass and metallicity segregation from the center to the outskirts of the cluster. By comparing our Fornax cluster metallicity gradients with a control sample we find a general median offset of ∼0.04 dex/Re, with eight of our galaxies showing flatter or more positive gradients. The intermediate infallers in our Fornax sample show more positive gradients with respect to the control sample. We find no systematic difference between the gradients of recent and intermediate infallers when considering the projected distance of each galaxy to the cluster center. To identify the origin of the observed offset in the metallicity gradients, we performed a similar analysis with data from the TNG50 simulation. We identify 12 subhalos in Fornax-like clusters and compared their metallicity gradients with a control sample of field subhalos. This exercise also shows a flattening in the metallicity gradients for galaxies in Fornax-like halos, with a median offset of ∼0.05 dex/Re. We also analyzed the merger history, Mach numbers (ℳ), and ram pressure stripping of our TNG50 sample. We conclude that the observed flattening in metallicity gradients is likely due to a combination of galaxies traveling at supersonic velocities (ℳ >  1), which are experiencing high ram pressure stripping and flybys.
Central giant cell granuloma of the mandibular condyle: additional case and literature review
Authors: Marti-Flich Lucas , Schlund Matthias , Nicot Romain
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws is not a common lesion. Only five cases are reported in the mandibular condyle. Observation: A 25 year-old male presented with preauricular swelling and a premature occlusal contact on the molars. The lesion had radiological features of aggressiveness and a high metabolic uptake. Initial biopsy was misleading. The lesion was treated surgically by resection. Discussion: Histologically, CGCG are very similar to other giant cell lesions such as GCT (Giant cell Tumor) or BTH (brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism). The standard treatment is surgical either by curettage or resection. Only 6 cases have been described in the literature, including this one. The diagnosis is difficult, relying on a bundle of clinical, radiological and histological arguments. However, radical surgery should be performed to avoid the tumor recurrence. The genetic mutations associated with CGCG (notably TRPV4 and RAS pathway) may explain why this tumor is mostly found in the dental part of the jaws and only rarely in the mandibular condyle.
Cranio-cervico-facial injuries due to crocodile bite: a rare observation in Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital (Burkina Faso)
Authors: Idani Motandi , Zegbeh N'guessan Eric Kouassi , Millogo Mathieu , Badini Soutongnoma Patrick Ahmed , Zango Adama , Ili Bevianda Vincent , Crezoit Greberet Emmanuel , Konsem Tarcissus
Published: February 2022

Human aggressions by wild animals are rare but often dramatic. Among the animals that attack humans, the crocodile is singled out by the impressive power of its jaws, which leave very little chance of survival to the victim it manages to grasp. Crocodile bite lesions most often affect the limbs and trunk. Cephalic injuries are exceptional and particularly serious because of the important infectious risks and their usual mortality. The authors report a case of cranio-cervico-facial trauma due to a crocodile bite in a 16-year-old patient with deep soft tissue wounds associated with a fracture of the mandible. Emergency management resulted in a favorable outcome. The report of this case aims to highlight the clinical specificities and the modalities of management of this rare lesion entity in an under medicalized context.
Breeding, production, and supply chain of confection sunflower in China
Authors: Feng Jiuhuan , Jan Chao-Chien , Seiler Gerald
Published: February 2022

Over the past 40 years, confection sunflower in China has achieved significant improvements from old landraces to open-pollinated varieties (OPV) through conventional breeding. Starting in 2010, after a short period of growing U.S. hybrids, superior Chinese proprietary hybrids were developed through contributions from both the private and public sectors utilizing old landraces, OPV and limited foreign germplasms as genetic resources which eventually enabled China to become a leading producer worldwide. The average yields have steadily increased from 1730 kg/ha (OPV) to over 2700 kg/ha (hybrid) largely due to genetic improvements and advanced cultivation practices. The planted area is expected to remain at around 0.60 M ha, with over 95% confection sunflower, and the remaining 5% oilseed type. Sunflower production in China is mainly concentrated in 10 provinces of the northwest region with around three-fourth of the production in Inner Mongolia, followed by Xinjiang. The potential for increased sunflower cultivation remains optimistic in those regions due to the benefit of an established industrial supply chain of producing, processing, and marketing near the production areas. More than half of all products is domestically consumed (∼2.0 M T/year), but overseas exports have gradually increased in recent years. Future directions for confection sunflower breeding should continue emphasizing high quality, multi-disease resistance, and product versatility to meet the diverse market demands. Further enhancement of variety registration and the implementation of DNA fingerprinting for variety identification will help the sustainable development of the Chinese sunflower industry.
Editorial
Authors: Jakob Franz
Published: February 2022

Liebe Leserinnen und Leser,liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen,

Zum Beginn eines Neuen Jahres senden wir Ihnen eine Ausgabe unserer
Osteologie-Zeitschrift, die sich mit COVID-19 und der Pandemie beschäftigt,
speziell mit den Aspekten, die uns bei der Versorgung der Patientinnen und Patienten
in der Osteologie betreffen. Es gibt zwei wichtige Gründe dafür,
dass dies erst jetzt geschieht. Zum einen ist unsere Zeitschrift kein schneller
Nachrichtendienst, sondern eine Zeitschrift, die themenbezogen von Zeit zu Zeit den
State of the Art dokumentiert. Zum anderen gab und gibt es in Bezug auf die
Begleitprobleme der COVID-19-Infektion in der Osteologie nur eine relativ
dünne Datenlage, die allerdings schnell wächst. Da sicherlich zu
unser aller Bedauern eine bekannt markante Aussage zur Pandemie („die
Pandemie ist durch“) sich als falsch erweist, kommt diese Ausgabe zu
COVID-19 und Osteologie nun unerwartet zeitgerecht.
Umsetzung eines speziell entwickelten musikbasierten
gesundheitsfördernden Krafttrainings für Seniorinnen mit
Demenz
Authors: Prinz Alexander , Langhans Corinna , Rehfeld Kathrin , Partie Marcel , Hökelmann Anita , Witte Kerstin
Published: February 2022

Eine Demenz ist eine neurodegenerative Erkrankung, die mit einer Abnahme der
kognitiven und motorischen Fähigkeiten einhergeht und den Verlust der
Selbstständigkeit und die Pflegebedürftigkeit zur Folge hat. Im
Laufe der Jahre wird sie für etwa 60% der Einweisungen in
Pflegeheime verantwortlich sein. Damit Menschen mit Demenz trotz ihrer
Pflegebedürftigkeit einen angenehmen Lebensabend genießen
können, ist es wichtig, ihre kognitiven und motorischen
Fähigkeiten zu erhalten und ihre Lebensqualität zu steigern.
Zurzeit wird dies vorzugsweise mit Medikamenten versucht. Allerdings sind
medikamentöse Therapien bei Demenz begrenzt und immer von Nebenwirkungen
begleitet. Daher sind nicht-medikamentöse Interventionen von
großer Bedeutung. Studien legen nahe, dass eine Kombination aus
körperlicher Aktivität und Musik positive Auswirkungen auf
Demenzpatienten hat. Ziel dieser Studie war es, ein musikbasiertes
gesundheitsförderndes Krafttraining für Demenzpatienten zu
entwickeln und dessen Einfluss auf ausgewählte kognitive und motorische
Fähigkeiten sowie auf die Lebensqualität zu analysieren. An der
Studie nahmen 16 Heimbewohnerinnen mit einer Demenz (82,5±4,1 Jahre)
teil. Die Patientinnen führten über einen Zeitraum von 12 Wochen
eine musikbasierte Kraftintervention zweimal wöchentlich jeweils
60 min durch. Es wurden ausgewählte kognitive
Fähigkeiten sowie die motorische Reaktionsfähigkeit, Griffkraft
und Mobilität untersucht. Darüber hinaus sollten durch den
NOSGER II Erkenntnisse über die Lebensqualität gewonnen werden.
Die Intervention bewirkte signifikante Verbesserungen in der Griffkraft links
(p=,002) und rechts (p=,001) und der Reaktionsfähigkeit
(p=,032). In allen anderen Outcome-Parametern konnten zwar keine
Verbesserungen, aber auch keine signifikanten Verschlechterungen festgestellt
werden. Anhand eines Beobachtungsbogens wurden wichtige Erkenntnisse für
die Praktikabilität des Bewegungsprogrammes bei Demenzpatienten
gewonnen. Es ist zusammenfassend festzustellen, dass das entwickelte
musikbasierte gesundheitsfördernde Krafttraining mit Demenzpatientinnen
durchführbar war und von den Teilnehmerinnen nicht nur akzeptiert,
sondern auch gern absolviert wurde. Zwölf Wochen Training
führten zu signifikanten Verbesserungen in ausgewählten
motorischen Fähigkeiten und zur Stabilisierung kognitiver
Fähigkeiten. Ein musikbasiertes Übungsprogramm könnte
eine vielversprechende Ergänzung zu den medikamentösen Therapien
für Menschen mit Demenz sein.
Radiologische Diagnostik und Prognostik von COVID-19: Einsatz von
künstlicher Intelligenz und Zusammenhang mit muskulo-skelettaler
Bildgebung
Authors: Glüer Claus-C. , Krekiehn Nicolai , Yilmaz Eren Bora , Both Marcus
Published: February 2022

Die COVID-19 Pandemie hat die Radiologie, wie viele andere Bereiche, vor
völlig neue Herausforderungen gestellt. Radiologische Bildgebung spielt
im Verbund mit Laboruntersuchungen und klinischen Daten eine wichtige Rolle bei
der Diagnose von COVID-19. Anhand einer spezifischen Analyse der
Lungenläsionen erlaubt sie auch Einschätzungen des Risikos
schwerer Verläufe, wenngleich die Größenordnung des
Informationsgewinns über biologisch klinische Daten hinaus im Einzelfall
unterschiedlich und Gegenstand aktueller Forschung ist. Osteoporose-bedingte
Frakturen stellen in diesem Zusammenhang möglicherweise einen
unabhängigen Risikofaktor für schwere Verläufe dar. Die
Pandemie hat aber auch neue Perspektiven eröffnet, insbesondere sind im
Bereich der Bildgebung neue technologische Entwicklungen mit Nachdruck
vorangetrieben worden. So arbeiten alle Universitätsradiologien am
Projekt Radiological Cooperative Network (RACOON) zusammen, wobei auf der Basis
strukturierter Befunde die Daten zusammengeführt und optional mit
Methoden der künstlichen Intelligenz (KI) analysiert werden. Eine
Zusammenführung mit KI-Methoden zur Frakturerkennungen bietet
Perspektiven, Frakturinformationen automatisch zu gewinnen und in Risiko-Scores
für schweren Verlauf mit einzubinden. Die neuen Strukturen und Methoden,
die während der Pandemie entwickelt wurden, lassen sich auf andere
Anwendungsbereiche wie die muskulo-skelettale Bildgebung übertragen und
können so zu erheblichen technologischen Fortschritten in der
radiologischen Diagnostik und Prognostik führen.
Influence of Wearing Blue Lenses on Melatonin Production and
Performance in Volleyball Players
Authors: Baptista Eduardo , André Arriel Rhai , de Castro Carvalho Ana Luiza , Bispo Matheus M. C. , Rodrigues Alex Batista , Souza Hiago , Mota Gustavo R. , Marocolo Moacir
Published: February 2022

We analyzed the effects of wearing blue lenses on melatonin level, physical and
cognitive performance. Fifteen youth volleyball players
(15.0±1.5 yrs) attended the laboratory on 3 occasions (48-h
interval): on the 1st visit they were familiarized with the
procedures of the study, and on 2nd and 3rd visits they
were submitted to the testing protocol wearing transparent (control) or blue
lens glasses in a counterbalanced crossover design. The protocol consisted of
10 min in “total darkness,” 30 min of light
stimulation (wearing blue or transparent lenses), followed by an attentional
test, and an agility T-test (without wearing the glasses). Samples of saliva (to
determine melatonin concentration) were obtained pre- and post-exposure
(30 min) to artificial light, wearing the lenses. Sleepiness, alertness,
attention, mood, and perceived recovery status and performance variables
(reaction time and T-test) were assessed after lens exposure. Melatonin levels
did not differ within and between groups (blue lenses, pre: 0.79±0.73
and post: 1.19±1.374 pg/dl, p=0.252, effect size
(ES)=0.38; control, pre: 0.97±1.00 and post:
0.67±0.71 pg/dl, p=0.305,
ES=–0.35). Nonetheless, melatonin differences were significantly
correlated with physical sedation for glasses with blue lenses
(r=−0.526; p=0.04). No other variables differed
(p>0.05) between protocols, including T-test performance
(p=0.07; ES=0.41). Blue lenses do not influence melatonin
levels, cognitive/physical performance, and mood status in amateur youth
volleyball players.
Rolle von Vitamin D als Präventionsmaßnahme in der
COVID-19 Pandemie
Authors: Bischoff-Ferrari Heike A.
Published: February 2022

Aktuell ist die Beweislage zu Vitamin D und COVID-19 als vielversprechend, jedoch
aufgrund fehlender Daten einer grossen randomisierter Interventionsstudie, als
nicht umfänglich belegt zu werten. Mehrere kleinere Interventionsstudien
bei COVID-19 Patientinnen und Patienten zeigen gemischte Resultate mit einem
Signal, dass die einmalige hohe Bolusgabe von Vitamin D eine neutrale Wirkung
hat und hingegen kleinere Dosierungen von Calcifediol in mehrtägigen
Intervallen das Risiko einer Intensivmedizin-Behandlung und Mortalität
vermindern könnten. Gleichzeitig zeigt die Literatur anhand grosser
Beobachtungsstudien ein starkes Signal, dass Menschen mit einem Vitamin D Mangel
eine höhere Anfälligkeit bezüglich einer COVID-19
Infektion und auch ein erhöhtes Risiko für schwere
Verläufe und Mortalität haben. Diese epidemiologischen Studien
bieten jedoch keinen Kausalitätsanspruch. Insbesondere auch weil ein
Vitamin D-Mangel häufiger bei Menschen mit Übergewicht und
chronischen Erkrankungen wie Diabetes und Herz-Kreislauferkrankungen vorkommt,
und diese Faktoren das Risikoprofil für schwerere Verläufe der
COVID-19 Infektion abbilden. Auf der mechanistischen Ebene ist Vitamin D ein
etablierter Faktor der Immunmodulation, mit Hinweisen, dass eine gute Vitamin
D-Versorgung im Rahmen der COVID-19 Infektion die starke Inflammationsreaktion
«Zytokin-Sturm» vermindert. Nicht COVID-spezifisch, aber eine
Wirkung von Vitamin D auf akute Entzündungen unterstützend, fand
eine 2021 publizierte Meta-Analyse von 46 randomisierten klinischen Studien,
dass die tägliche Gabe von Vitamin D verglichen zu Placebo, das Risiko
jeglicher akuter Atemwegsinfekte um 20 Prozent vermindert. Nimmt man diese
Beweislage in der aktuellen Krisensituation einer globalen Pandemie-Situation
auf, unterstützt eine umsichtige Risiko-Benefit Analyse, dass eine
unmittelbare Volksgesundheitliche Empfehlung zur täglichen Einnahme von
Vitamin D als präventive Maßnahme im Rahmen der COVID-Pandemie
sinnvoll ist. Dies ist analog zu den heutigen Empfehlungen zur Vitamin
D-Supplementation zu sehen, da zudem in den Hochrisiko-Populationen durch die
Infektion ein Zusatzrisiko eingeführt wird für die Entwicklung
von Sarkopenie und Osteoporose. Ökonomisch und vom Risiko her ist die
Maßnahme zudem begründet mit der kostengünstigen breiten
Verfügbarkeit und dem hohen Sicherheitsprofil einer täglichen
Gabe von Vitamin D.
Gestörte Geweberegeneration durch entzündliche
Prozesse bei Alterung, Seneszenz und degenerativen Erkrankungen –
Interaktionen mit dem COVID-19-induzierten Zytokin-Sturm des angeborenen
Immunsystems
Authors: Jakob Franz , Herrmann Marietta
Published: February 2022

Entzündung ist Bestandteil einer jeglichen Geweberegeneration. Verletzung
und Schädigung von Geweben - inklusive exogene virale und bakterielle
Infektionen - induzieren eine frühe pro-inflammatorische Phase, die
durch Aktivierung von residenten und aus dem peripheren Blut und Knochenmark
rekrutierten Zellen des angeborenen Immunsystems weiter propagiert wird. Diese
Phase dient auch dem Clearing der Umgebung von vorgeschädigten Zellen
und cell debris. Um eine erfolgreiche Geweberegeneration zu erreichen ist es
essentiell, die Auflösung der Entzündung durch zeitgerechte
Einleitung einer anti-inflammatorischen Phase der Geweberegeneration zu
ermöglichen. Dieser Phase kann dann die Gewebeneubildung folgen, am
Beispiel der Frakturheilung als „Modeling“ bezeichnet. Das
schnell gebildete neue Gewebe wird in der letzten Phase der Regeneration an die
physikalischen Bedingungen im Gewebeverband angepasst, bei der Frakturheilung
„Remodeling“ genannt. Kann die zeitgerechte Auflösung
der Entzündung nicht erfolgen, verhindert die persistierende
Entzündung das Eintreten in die Phase der Gewebeneubildung und damit die
erfolgreiche Regeneration. Es erfolgt dann entweder als
„Notlösung“ eine Narbenheilung oder im Falle weiter
ausufernder Entzündung eine Zerstörung des Gewebes. Die mit dem
Alter sich verschlechternde Regenerationskapazität vieler Gewebe
inklusive Knochen, Muskel und Sehnen ist unter anderem eine Folge der
subklinischen chronischen Entzündung von Geweben, die Alterung
(„Inflammaging“) propagiert. Die Entzündung im
Mikromillieu involviert neben den gewebe-typischen Zellen und deren adulten
Progenitoren auch die Zellen des gewebeeigenen (residenten) angeborenen
Immunsystems, allen voran Makrophagen. Auch diese unterliegen
Alters-assoziierten Veränderungen wie Zellalterung und eine gesteigerte
Suszeptibilität für pro-inflammatorische Überreaktionen.
Chronische Inflammation mündet letztlich in die zelluläre
Seneszenz, die begleitet ist von einem Seneszenz-assoziierten sekretorischen
Phänotyp (SASP) mit hoher Produktion von Interleukinen 1, 6, 8, und
anderen Zytokinen. Solange solche Zellen nicht in den geregelten Zelltod gehen,
unterhalten sie die chronische Entzündung und damit die Voraussetzungen
für insuffiziente Geweberegeneration. Eine COVID-19 Infektion triggert
und unterhält identische inflammatorische Mechanismen und induziert
zusätzlich Seneszenz. Dies kann in der Summe zu einem Zytokin-Sturm
führen, der in einem circulus vitiosus eine zerstörerische
Hyperinflammation unterhält und der umso schwerwiegender
ausfällt je höher die Vorlast an seneszenten Zellen ist, wie das
in den COVID-Risikopopulationen der Fall ist. Deren Zusammensetzung
überlappt sehr stark mit unseren Risikopopulationen für
degenerative muskuloskelettale Erkrankungen wie Osteoporose und Sarkopenie.
Synthesis of Aryloxiranes and Arylcyclopropanes via Deprotonation of Benzyl Chlorides
Authors: Loska Rafał , Mąkosza Mieczysław , Kisiel Kacper
Published: February 2022

Upon the action of strong bases at low temperature, benzyl chloride and its ring-substituted derivatives undergo deprotonation at the benzylic position and the produced carbanions react with aldehydes, ketones and Michael acceptors to form aryl oxiranes and cyclopropanes.
Output fluctuations minimization of wind integrated hybrid power system using electronic coordinated control of governor and blade
Authors: Amzad Hossain Md. , Hassan Mehedi , Mehedi Ibrahim Mustafa , Mustafizur Rahman Md. , Zahura Fatema Tuz , Sheikh Md. Rafiqul Islam
Published: February 2022

Using electronic coordinated control of governor and blade in the wind integrated hybrid power system, this study evaluated four proposed techniques for minimizing output fluctuations owing to high wind power penetration. Four cases were investigated for simulation analysis in this study. The power system frequency and energy generation were used as indexes to evaluate the best-proposed techniques. The control of all wind turbine blade angles was demonstrated using a constant and variable reference power generating technique. In terms of wind farm output power characteristics, grid frequency fluctuations, and wind farm energy levels, case 2 performed better than other suggested systems (cases 1, 3, and 4). Frequency deviations were kept to a minimum of ±0.2 Hz. The performance of the power system with higher wind power penetration was investigated using a numerical analysis employing a multi-machine power system model. The real wind speed data were recorded on Hokkaido Island, Japan.
Vibronic fingerprints in the luminescence of graphene quantum dots at cryogenic temperature
Authors: Liu Thomas , Carles Baptiste , Elias Christine , Tonnelé Claire , Medina-Lopez Daniel , Narita Akimitsu , Chassagneux Yannick , Voisin Christophe , Beljonne David , Campidelli Stéphane , Rondin Loïc , Lauret Jean-Sébastien
Published: February 2022

Atomically precise graphene quantum dots synthesized by bottom-up chemistry are promising versatile single emitters with potential applications for quantum photonic technologies. Toward a better understanding and control of graphene quantum dot (GQD) optical properties, we report on single-molecule spectroscopy at cryogenic temperature. We investigate the effect of temperature on the GQDs’ spectral linewidth and vibronic replica, which we interpret building on density functional theory calculations. Finally, we highlight that the vibronic signatures are specific to the GQD geometry and can be used as a fingerprint for identification purposes.
Cattle welfare aspects of production systems in the tropics
Authors: Hernandez Adalinda , Galina Carlos S. , Geffroy Mariana , Jung Jens , Westin Rebecka , Berg Charlotte
Published: February 2022

There is a growing demand for animal products, especially food for human consumption, including in developing countries in tropical regions of the world. Simultaneously, animal welfare and a reduced environmental impact are increasingly important to modern consumers and non-consumers. Increased efficiency of existing animal production systems is key to meeting the growing demand of animal products without ignoring societal concerns. Adequate animal welfare can play an important role in improving production and addressing consumer demands. This review describes the main cattle production systems in the tropics and considers how they meet the need for transparent animal welfare conditions. Several challenges to overcome are highlighted, including lack of information about the real cattle welfare status in the tropics. Adequate assessment protocols and improvements in animal nutrition, infrastructure, animal health and farming-related education need special attention in the region. Better animal welfare could improve tropical animal production in terms of productivity, and increase the volume of meat and milk delivered. It could also guarantee consumer acceptance and future consumption of animal products, secure incomes, alleviate poverty and reduce migration to urban areas and countryside abandonment.
Nutritionism in a food policy context: the case of ‘animal protein’
Authors: Leroy Frédéric , Beal Ty , Gregorini Pablo , McAuliffe Graham A. , van Vliet Stephan
Published: February 2022

Reductionist approaches to food focus on isolated nutritional criteria, ignoring the broader physiological and societal benefits and trade-offs involved. They can lead to the inadvertent or, potentially, intentional labelling of foods as good or bad. Both can be considered worrisome. Among our present-day array of issues is the disproportionate stigmatisation of animal-source foods as harmful for human and planetary health. The case for a protein transition reinforces this trend, overemphasising one particular nutritional constituent (even if an important one). In its strongest formulation, animal-source foods (reduced to the notion of ‘animal protein’) are represented as an intrinsically harmful food category that needs to be minimised, thereby falsely assuming that ‘proteins’ are nutritionally interchangeable. We caution against using the word ‘protein’ in food policy-making to describe a heterogenous set of foods. Rather, we suggest referring to said foods as ‘protein-rich foods’, while acknowledging the expanded pool of non-protein nutrients that they provide and their unique capabilities to support a much broader range of bodily functions. Several essential or otherwise beneficial nutrients are generally more bioavailable in animal-source foods than in plant-source foods. A similar complementarity exists in reverse. Nutritional and environmental metrics should be carefully interpreted, as considerable contextuality is involved. This needs to be undertaken, for instance, with respect to the biochemistry of food and in light of individual and genetically inherited human physiology. Also, the assessments of the environmental impact need a fine-grained approach, especially when examining a product at the system scale. Harms and benefits are multiple, multi-dimensional, and difficult to measure on the basis of the narrow sets of descriptive metrics that are often used (e.g. CO2-eq/kg). A more appropriate way forward would consist of combining and integrating the best of animal and plant solutions to reconnect with wholesome and nourishing diets that are rooted in undervalued benefits such as conviviality and shared traditions, thus steering away from a nutrient-centric dogma. Humans do not consume isolated nutrients, they consume foods, and they do so as part of culturally complex dietary patterns that, despite their complexity, need to be carefully considered in food policy making.
A perspective on animal welfare of grazing ruminants and its relationship with sustainability
Authors: Rivero M. Jordana , Lee Michael R. F.
Published: February 2022

Sustainability is a complex theorem driven through the optimisation of interconnected economic, social and environmental parameters. Balancing trade-offs between these three parameters is used to define a sustainable system, and while economic and, to a degree, environmental parameters can be numericised, making optimisation more defined, social parameters are often more complex. In livestock systems, animal welfare is held as a central pillar of sustainability, but due to its complex nature, indicators of welfare are in practice often restricted to negative nutritional/environmental/health domains (e.g. poor food quality, injuries/diseases) rather than the wider more complex ‘behavioural’ or ‘mental state’ domain indicators (e.g. expression of rewarding behaviours). This perspective discusses the potential synergies and trade-offs between animal welfare and economic, societal and environmental pillars of sustainability for grazing ruminant systems. Grazing is often considered more animal welfare-friendly than housed or feedlot type systems, especially in relation to the behavioural and mental state domains (BMSD) within a more ‘natural’ environment, as it may provide a positive experience to the animal. However, the welfare status of grazing ruminants can differ with factors such as management practices and environmental conditions greatly influencing nutritional/environmental/health domains of welfare, where a more ‘controlled environment’ can be efficacious. Animals that are not maintained at a good level of welfare will not express their productive potential, although improving welfare standards may lead to higher costs of production and therefore an economic break, as a critical component of sustainability, is often applied to what can be achieved on farm. Increasing animal performance is seen as an effective approach to reducing emissions intensity, which has been borne out by the lower methane intensity of high-yielding dairy housed herds, although there are important ethical concerns regarding BMSD of animal welfare and the marked restriction in environmental choices and in foraging behaviour (negative effect on behavioural interactions). However, consumers need to understand that implementing more ‘natural’ production systems with higher animal welfare standards can incur extra costs for producers, leading to higher output prices and also higher emissions per unit of product, which will require a reduction in consumption to reduce overall emissions.
Altering natural photosynthesis through quantum dots: effect of quantum dots on viability, light harvesting capacity and growth of photosynthetic organisms
Authors: Ünlü Caner , Budak Esranur , Kestir Sacide Melek
Published: February 2022

Quantum dots are versatile fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals with unique photophysical properties. They have been used in various research fields of biotechnology effectively for almost three decades including cell imaging, protein tracking, energy transfer, etc. With their great potential as energy donors or acceptors, quantum dots have also been used in many studies about altering growth rate and photosynthetic activity of photosynthetic organisms by manipulating their light harvesting capacity. In this review, effect of quantum dots on growth rate of photosynthetic organisms and light harvesting capacity of photosynthetic organisms were discussed in details together with toxic effects of cadmium-based and carbon-based quantum dots on photosynthetic organisms. In short, as one of the promising materials of nanotechnology, quantum dots have become one of the essential research topics in photosynthesis research area and will help researchers to manipulate natural photosynthesis in future.
Circumstances Leading to and Characteristics of Belgian Forensic Patients Remitted to Prison
Authors: De Page Louis , Godinas Stephanie , Titeca Pierre
Published: February 2022

In Belgium, when forensic patients infringe their conditional release, they are remitted to prison. Given the poor conditions of detention and the current lack of alternatives, revoking conditional releases has a high impact. However, little is known about which patients are remitted to prison and why. In this article, we compared a sample of remitted patients ( n = 50) to a matched control group ( n = 48). We found that patients with high actuarial risk factors (as assessed by the Violent Risk Appraisal Guide, VRAG), antisocial personality disorder traits (measured by the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality, CAPP), and substance abuse disorder were more likely to be remitted. New acts of violence and substance abuse are the most prevalent reasons for revoking a conditional release, at 71% and 65%, respectively. The current results are independent of living conditions, and highlight the need for future research regarding this subgroup of forensic patients, who are more likely to be set back in their rehabilitative processes.
Cognitive control strategies in hearing impairment
Authors: Capizzi Mariagrazia , Lovato Andrea , Visalli Antonino , De Filippis Cosimo , Vallesi Antonino
Published: February 2022

Objective

The present study investigated the impact of hearing impairment on the implementation of proactive and reactive cognitive control strategies across the ageing process.

Methods

31 hearing-impaired (HI) individuals with one cochlear implant and 41 normal-hearing (NH) listeners of different ages performed the AX–CPT, a well-validated task to measure proactive and reactive cognitive control strategies. Data from both accuracy and response times (RTs) were analysed by mixed effect models that considered trial type, group, age and their interactions.

Results

Both accuracy and RT analyses showed significant interactions between trial type, group and age. Specifically, with ageing, the NH group had lower performance on AY and BX trials (i.e. the most conflicting trial types of the AX–CPT associated with proactive and reactive control). Conversely, HI participants yielded higher performance on the same trial types at older ages. However, for the HI group only, the accuracy benefits observed for AY and BX trials were coupled with an age-related RT increase on both trial types (i.e. speed accuracy trade-off).

Conclusion

The present findings show a different utilisation of cognitive control strategies in HI participants as compared to NH listeners, at both younger and older ages.
Ultra-high precision passive particle sorting chip coupling inertial microfluidics and single row micropillar arrays
Authors: Ji Miaomiao , Duan Junping , Zang Wenxuan , Luo Zhongbao , Qu Zeng , Li Xiaohong , Zhang Binzhen
Published: February 2022

In this work, we propose a chip for high-throughput and high-precision particle sorting through coupled inertial microfluidics and a single-row micropillar array. The effect of a single-row micropillar array arrangement on the separation effect was studied in order to optimize the structure. The micropillar array was set to be 1/4 away from the outlet. The offset single row micropillar array can achieve higher precision sorting effect after optimization. Compared with cascaded deterministic lateral displacement arrays to the outer spiral, this structure not only reduces the chip size, but also has a lower blocking probability. In addition, the problem of flow resistance mismatch is avoided. Our chip sorting efficiency is higher in comparison with pure inertial microfluidic chip. Our chip successfully completely separated a small amount of 20 μm particles from the mixture of 5 μm particles and 20 μm particles through experiments, and the separation efficiency was close to 100%. Our chip structure has simple processing technology and low cost, which is suitable for the high-precision separation of two different particle sizes. High flux can be achieved by using passive separation technology. The chip can withstand a maximum flow rate of 9.4 m s−1. In general, it provides a new idea for ultra-high precision particle separation and microfluidic chip manufacturing at high flow rates.
Shannon entropy of resonant scattered state in the e–C60 elastic collision
Authors: Sarswat Shruti , R Aiswarya , Jose Jobin
Published: February 2022

Resonance is a remarkable feature in elastic scattering and the resonant states of e–C60 scattering are benchmarked using Shannon entropy in the present work. The resonant wavefunction, total cross-section, partial cross-sections, and scattering phase shifts are calculated for the e–C60 scattering to review the localization properties owing to resonance. Three different model interaction potentials are used in the paper to simulate the environment of the C60 shell; annular square well, Gaussian annular square well, and Lorentzian potential. This paper aims to establish a relationship between the Shannon entropy and resonant properties linked with e + C60 scattering. This work introduces the Shannon entropy as an indicator of resonance in elastic scattering and it unveils the susceptibility of entropic properties to the nature of the model potential.
Stability of cycling behaviour near a heteroclinic network model of Rock–Paper–Scissors–Lizard–Spock
Authors: Postlethwaite Claire M , Rucklidge Alastair M
Published: February 2022

The well-known game of Rock–Paper–Scissors can be used as a simple model of competition between three species. When modelled in continuous time using differential equations, the resulting system contains a heteroclinic cycle between the three equilibrium solutions representing the existence of only a single species. The game can be extended in a symmetric fashion by the addition of two further strategies (‘Lizard’ and ‘Spock’): now each strategy is dominant over two of the remaining four strategies, and is dominated by the remaining two. The differential equation model contains a set of coupled heteroclinic cycles forming a heteroclinic network. In this paper we carefully consider the dynamics near this heteroclinic network. We develop a technique to use a previously defined definition of stability (known as fragmentary asymptotic stability) in numerical continuation software. We are able to identify regions of parameter space in which arbitrarily long periodic sequences of visits are made to the neighbourhoods of the equilibria, which form a complicated pattern in parameter space.
Microscopic patterns in the 2D phase-field-crystal model
Authors: Martine-La Boissonière Gabriel , Choksi Rustum , Lessard Jean-Philippe
Published: February 2022

Using the recently developed theory of rigorously validated numerics, we address the phase-field-crystal model at the microscopic (atomistic) level. We show the existence of critical points and local minimizers associated with ‘classical’ candidates, grain boundaries, and localized patterns. We further address the dynamical relationships between the observed patterns for fixed parameters and across parameter space, then formulate several conjectures on the dynamical connections (or orbits) between steady states.
Turnpike in Lipschitz—nonlinear optimal control
Authors: Esteve-Yagüe Carlos , Geshkovski Borjan , Pighin Dario , Zuazua Enrique
Published: February 2022

We present a new proof of the turnpike property for nonlinear optimal control problems, when the running target is a steady control-state pair of the underlying system. Our strategy combines the construction of quasi-turnpike controls via controllability, and a bootstrap argument, and does not rely on analyzing the optimality system or linearization techniques. This in turn allows us to address several optimal control problems for finite-dimensional, control-affine systems with globally Lipschitz (possibly nonsmooth) nonlinearities, without any smallness conditions on the initial data or the running target. These results are motivated by applications in machine learning through deep residual neural networks, which may be fit within our setting. We show that our methodology is applicable to controlled PDEs as well, such as the semilinear wave and heat equation with a globally Lipschitz nonlinearity, once again without any smallness assumptions.
First experimental exploration of real-time cardiorespiratory motion management for future stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation treatments on the MR-linac
Authors: Akdag O , Borman P T S , Woodhead P , Uijtewaal P , Mandija S , Van Asselen B , Verhoeff J J C , Raaymakers B W , Fast M F
Published: February 2022

Objective. Stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation (STAR) is a novel, non-invasive treatment for refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT). The VT isthmus is subject to both respiratory and cardiac motion. Rapid cardiac motion presents a unique challenge. In this study, we provide first experimental evidence for real-time cardiorespiratory motion-mitigated MRI-guided STAR on the 1.5 T Unity MR-linac (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) aimed at simultaneously compensating cardiac and respiratory motions. Approach. A real-time cardiorespiratory motion-mitigated radiotherapy workflow was developed on the Unity MR-linac in research mode. A 15-beam intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment plan (1 × 25 Gy) was created in Monaco v.5.40.01 (Elekta AB) for the Quasar MRI4D phantom (ModusQA, London, ON). A film dosimetry insert was moved by combining either artificial (cos4, 70 bpm, 10 mm peak-to-peak) or subject-derived (59 average bpm, 15.3 mm peak-to-peak) cardiac motion with respiratory (sin, 12 bpm, 20 mm peak-to-peak) motion. A balanced 2D cine MRI sequence (13 Hz, field-of-view = 400 × 207 mm2, resolution = 3 × 3 × 15 mm3) was developed to estimate cardiorespiratory motion. Cardiorespiratory motion was estimated by rigid registration and then deconvoluted into cardiac and respiratory components. For beam gating, the cardiac component was used, whereas the respiratory component was used for MLC-tracking. In-silico dose accumulation experiments were performed on three patient data sets to simulate the dosimetric effect of cardiac motion on VT targets. Main results. Experimentally, a duty cycle of 57% was achieved when simultaneously applying respiratory MLC-tracking and cardiac gating. Using film, excellent agreement was observed compared to a static reference delivery, resulting in a 1%/1 mm gamma pass rate of 99%. The end-to-end gating latency was 126 ms on the Unity MR-linac. Simulations showed that cardiac motion decreased the target's D98% dose between 0.1 and 1.3 Gy, with gating providing effective mitigation. Significance. Real-time MRI-guided cardiorespiratory motion management greatly reduces motion-induced dosimetric uncertainty and warrants further research and development for potential future use in STAR.
Effects of mixed TeO2-B2O3 glass formers on optical and radiation shielding properties of 70[xTeO2+(1−x)B2O3]+15Na2O + 15K2O glass system
Authors: Shuhaimi S A , Sayyed M I , Hila F C , Anis A L , Iskandar S M , Zaid M H M , Azlan M N , Nazrin S N , Yusof N N , Hisam R
Published: February 2022

In the present work, the optical properties and gamma-ray shielding properties of 70[xTeO2 + (1−x)B2O3] + 15Na2O + 15K2O glasses have been investigated. The optical band gap

(

E

o
p
t

)

showed an initial decrease for x ≤ 10 mol% and then increased for x >10 mol%, which is suggested to be related to the changes in concentration of non-bridging oxygen (NBO). Urbach energy

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u

)

behaves inversely with

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o
p
t

.

Within the same region, refractive index (n) also exhibited an off-trend pattern that signified polarizability difference led by alteration in bridging oxygen and NBO concentration. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) derived from interpolation of EPICS2017 in ENDF/B-VIII were in good agreement with generated values of XCOM and showed a decreasing trend with increasing gamma photon energy from 59.5 keV to 1333 keV. The linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) also showed a decreasing trend with the increase in energies from 59.5 to 1333 keV, which indicates that the prepared TeO2-B2O3-Na2O-K2O glasses can effectively shield the low energy photons, while this ability to shield the photons becomes weaker with increasing energy. The results revealed that the sample with no TeO2 has a relatively higher mean free path (MFP) compared to other samples, and the addition of TeO2 highly affects the MFP values. Thus, the glass with no TeO2 requires a much higher thickness than the remaining glasses to attenuate the photons and to provide sufficient protection from radiation.
Stellar evolution confronts axion models
Authors: Di Luzio Luca , Fedele Marco , Giannotti Maurizio , Mescia Federico , Nardi Enrico
Published: February 2022

Axion production from astrophysical bodies is a topic in
continuous development, because of theoretical progress in the estimate of stellar emission rates
and, especially, because of improved stellar observations.
We carry out a comprehensive analysis of the most informative
astrophysics data, revisiting the bounds on axion couplings to photons,
nucleons and electrons, and reassessing the significance of
various hints of anomalous stellar energy losses.
We confront the performance of various theoretical constructions in
accounting for these hints, while complying
with the observational limits on axion couplings.
We identify the most favorable models, and the regions in the mass/couplings parameter space which are preferred by the global fit. Finally, we scrutinize the discovery potential for such models at upcoming helioscopes, namely IAXO and its scaled versions.
Azimuthal controlling of electromagnetically induced phase grating in five-level quantum systems
Authors: Jiang Jinlan , Shen Shuifa , Kang Dongbiao
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we suggest a theoretical model for creating a two-dimensional (2D) electromagnetically induced phase grating in a five-level quantum system interacting with a weak probe light, two coupling standing light in the x and y directions and a Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) field. By derivation of the Maxwell’s wave equation, we obtain the dynamic response of the probe light in the quantum system. Then, we perform the analytical solution of the probe susceptibility for obtaining the linear and nonlinear properties of the medium. By numerical calculations, we discuss the amplitude and phase modulations and Fraunhofer diffraction patterns of the probe light in different parametric conditions. We show that by adjusting the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of the LG light a 2D grating is observed. Moreover, we find that the probe energy can be transferred from zero order to high order of direction when we change the OAM number of LG light. Our proposed model may have potential applications in fundamental research and quantum information processing based on OAM light in quantum systems.
Constraining the Parameterized Neutron Star Equation of State with Astronomical Observations
Authors: Singha Jaikhomba , Mullai Vaneshwar S. , Kumar Ankit
Published: February 2022

We utilize the phenomenologically parameterized piecewise polytropic equations of state to study various neutron star properties. We investigate the compliance of these equations of state with several astronomical observations. We also demonstrate that the theoretical estimates of the fractional moment of inertia cannot explain all the pulsar glitches observed. We model the crust as a solid spheroidal shell to calculate the fractional moment of inertia of fast-spinning neutron stars. We also show that the braking index obtained in a simple magnetic dipole radiation model with a varying moment of inertia deviates significantly from the observed data. Future developments in both theory and observations may allow us to use the fractional moment of inertia and braking index as observational constraints for neutron star equation of state.