bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Millennial Leadership and the Quality of Work Environment in Travel and Tourism Industry
Authors: Pantoro Alexander Patrick , Munawaroh Munawaroh
Published: June 2023

This study holds purpose to find out which leadership is adapted by millennial leaders with the usage of traits leadership, behavioral leadership, and contingency leadership. Furthermore, this paper also investigates how millennial leaders affect the work environment in physical, psychological, and social form. Lastly, the other aim of this research is to discover whether millennial leaders approves as a good strategic plan in improving the quality of work environment. Qualitative methods such as literature review and in-depth interviews were used to measure the connection between two variables. The contradictive result from this research suggests that millennial leaders do influence their work environment by their performance, open-mindedness, communication skill, and willingness to listen and learn to enhance the quality of work environment.
ACID-BASE PROPERTIES OF ALKYLENE­DIAMINETETRA (METHYLENEPHOSPHONIC) ACIDS
Authors: Kozachkova Oleksandra , Tsaryk Nataliya , Pekhnyo Vasyl , Trachevskij Volodymyr , Kocharovska Olga , Palchyk Oleksii
Published: June 2023

The acid-base characteristics of ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic) (edtmp), tetramethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic) (tetdtmp) and pentamethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic) (pendtmp) acids were investigated by means of pH-potentiometry and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Calculated and estimated values of acid dissociation constants (pK) for edtmp (рК1<2, рК2<2, рК3=3.07, рК4=5.17, рК5=6.52, рК6=7.97, рК7=9.65, рК8=10.94), for tetdtmp (рК1<2, рК2=4.48, рК3=5.34, рК4=6.13, рК5=6.66, рК6=10.08, рК7~11.4, рК8~11.5) and for pendtmp (рК1<2, рК2=4.22, рК3=5.56, рК4=6.16, рК5=7.66, рК6=10.99, рК7~11.5, рК8~11.6) were obtained. The values of the acid dissociation constants indicate a decrease in the acidity of phosphonic groups and an increase in the basicity of amino groups with increasing hydrocarbon chain length between the two nitrogen atoms in the edtmp, tetdtmp, and pendtmpseries. Based on the values of the calculated constants for the formation of anions of tetra­phosphonic acids, diagrams of the distribution of their equilibrium concentrations depending on pH were constructed, which indicate the state of acid-base equilibrium, the charge and the ratio of concentrations between anions with different degrees of protonation at certain pH values.
According to the data of 31P NMR spectro­scopy, the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the deprotonated oxygen atoms of one amino(methylphosphonic) group with protonated nitrogen atom of another amino(methylphosphonic) group was established in the case of edtmp. In the case of pendtmp and tetdtmp, the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between distant amino(me­thyl­phosphonic) groups is impossible due to the presence of steric hindrances.
SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SULFUR ELECTRODES IN SALT-SOLVATE ELECTROLYTES
Authors: Globa Nataliy , Shmatok Yurii , Sirosh Vitalii , Kirillov Sviatoslav
Published: June 2023

The influence of the technological parameters of the positive electrode and the composition of the salt-solvate electrolyte LiTFSI – TEGDME on the specific characteristics of sulfur electrodes during galvanostatic cycling in lithium-sulfur cells was studied. The dependences of the change in specific capacity on the cathode composition, the charge-discharge current density, and the preservation of the charged state were discussed.

It was found that the concentration of salt in salt-solvate electrolyte determines the specific characteristics of sulfur and affects its stability during cycling. It was determined that the most stable specific capacity and high Coulombic efficiency of the discharge/charge process of lithium-sulfur cells under long-term cycling conditions were ensured at lithium salt concentration of 0.4 molar fractions (m.f.) in the salt-solvate electrolyte.

The positive effect of reducing the size of sulfur particles and optimizing its concentration and the composition of conductive additives in the cathode on the specific characteristics of sulfur-containing electrodes during cycling was shown. It was determined that reducing the size of sulfur particles from δS ≤ 150 μm to δS ≤ 40 μm contributes to an increase in the specific capacity of lithium-sulfur cells by approximately 20% and had a positive effect on their stability during cycling.

It was established that increasing the concentration of sulfur in the cathode from 50% to 70% by mass leads to a significant decreased in the specific capacity of lithium-sulfur cells as a result of accelerated passivation of the electrode by poorly soluble lithium polysulfides.

It was shown that in salt-solvate electrolytes a high level of retention of specific capacity was achieved under the conditions of long-term storage of a charged sulfur cathode at the temperature of ~30 °C. With a sulfur content of 50% and 70% by mass in the composition of the cathode with a fractional composition of δS ≤ 80 μm, the return of the specific capacity was over 97%.
Effect of elimination diet on quality of life and eating behavior in children with severe atopic dermatitis and food allergies
Authors: Emeliashenkov E. E. , Makarova S. G. , Murashkin N. N. , Galimova A. A. , Pronina I. Y. , Yasakov D. S.
Published: June 2023

Relevance of topic. The course of atopic dermatitis complicated by food allergies, as well as the use of an elimination diet, can significantly worsen patient’s quality of life and affect his eating behavior.

Aim of the study was to assess indicators of the quality of life and eating behavior in children with severe atopic dermatitis and food allergies.

Methods. This study included children of age 4–13 years 11 months, hospitalized in Dermatology with the Laser Surgery department in the National Medical Research Center of Children’s Health from September 2021 to May 2022. Anthropometric indices, the index of the influence of atopic dermatitis on the quality of life, eating behavior parameters, bioimpedance analysis of body composition and analysis of the chemical composition of the diet were assessed in all children.

Results. A total of 92 children were included in the study. The course of atopic dermatitis had a very strong and strong impact on the quality of life – in 25.6 % and 39.0 % of children, respectively. Itching in 83.6 % of children and sleep disturbance in 86.6 % of children had the greatest impact on the quality of life. When assessing the eating behavior, there was an increase in the indicators of «emotional undereating», «slowness in eating» and «desire to drink» and a decrease in the «enjoyment of food». When analyzing anthropometric indicators, a correlation was established between BAZ, an indicator of quality of life (r= –0.44, p=0.01) and the indicator «enjoyment of food» (r=0.19, p=0.01). A positive correlation was also found between the quality of life index, disease duration (r=0.57, p=0.01) and the number of food groups excluded from the diet (r=0.51, p=0.03). A negative correlation was found between the indicators of quality of life, «food responsiveness» (r= –0.49, p=0.04) and «enjoyment of food» (r= –0.57, p=0.01).

Conclusions. Elimination diet has a significant impact on the quality of life and eating behavior of children with severe atopic dermatitis and food allergies. This suggests that the diet must be strictly justified both in terms of the set of excluded foods and in terms of its duration.
Natural and Forced Convection in Multi-Phasic Electrochemical Systems
Authors: Abdelghani-Idrissi Soufiane , Freville M.BA. , Colin Annie
Published: June 2023

Multi-phasic electrochemical systems such as electrolyzers or metal-air batteries are intimately linked to energy transition and are at the heart of new scientific advances and modern industrial development. The presence of gas phases, inherent to the processes, directly impacts the performance and stability of the systems. In this study, we propose different ways to improve the dynamics of bubble evacuation, through forced convection (flow systems), and natural convection (electrode design and cell geometry). By analyzing the links between the electrochemical kinetics and active surface electrode variations, we show that forced convection is an excellent way to decrease the overall energy cost and reduce the harmful impact of gas bubbles. Regarding natural evacuation, adapted electrode or cell designs also allow to improve performances, without adding external hydraulic circuit.
The Heterogeneous Associations of Rural Consciousness and Political Preferences
Authors: Ollerenshaw Trent
Published: June 2023

Although rural Americans’ sense of place-based consciousness has been an influential explanation for their right-wing politics, recent studies have often found rural consciousness is weakly associated with Republican partisanship and conservatism. Analyzing the 2020 American National Election Study and reanalyzing three recent studies of rural consciousness, I show this incongruity is explained by heterogeneity in how rural consciousness is associated with political preferences. For politically engaged Americans, rural consciousness is associated with right-wing partisan-ideological identification and economic conservatism. For disengaged Americans, however, rural consciousness is associated with left-wing identification and economic liberalism. This heterogeneity emerges due to the downweighing of instrumental concerns among politically engaged citizens relative to symbolic, identity-based concerns. Thus, how rural consciousness is translated into political preferences is contingent on citizens’ relative weighting of competing instrumental and symbolic motivations, which push the rurally-conscious in opposite directions in terms of partisanship, ideological identification, and economic policy preferences.
Många utmaningar när programmering integreras i undervisningen
Authors: Schönborn Konrad , Höst Gunnar
Published: June 2023

Vilka är utmaningarna och riskerna när lärare ska integrera programmering i sin undervisning? Det undersöker Peter Vinnervik i sin avhandling. Resultaten visar att lärare står inför flera olika utmaningar, såsom brist på kunskap om programmering och hur de kan undervisa inom området. Samtidigt ger läroplanen inte så mycket vägledning kring implementeringen.
Variability of the lower limb symmetry index associated with the gait parameters in the overweight adult population with flatfoot: a case-control study
Authors: Casado-Hernández Israel , Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo Ricardo , Losa-Iglesias Marta , Gómez-Salgado Juan , López-López Daniel , Bayod Javier
Published: June 2023

Background: Adult acquired flatfoot is characterized by a medial arch collapse during monopodal support in the stance phase, developing eversion of the calcaneus and abduction of the forefoot linked to the hindfoot. The purpose of our research was to analyze the dynamic symmetry index in the lower limbs comparing patients with flatfoot and normal foot.

Methods: A case-control study was carried out with a sample of 62 participants divided into two groups consisting of 31 participants were overweight with bilateral flatfoot and 31 participants with healthy feet. A portable plantar pressure platform with piezoresistive sensors was used to measure the load symmetry index in the lower limbs in the foot areas and gait phases.

Results: Gait pattern analysis showed statistically significant differences in the symmetry index for lateral load (p = 0.004), the initial contact phase (p = 0.025) and the forefoot phase (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The adults were overweight with bilateral flatfoot evidenced alterations in the symmetry index in the lateral load and in the initial contact and flatfoot contact phases, showing greater instability in overweight adult flatfoot compared to the people with normal feet.
Independent and sensory human mitochondrial functions reflecting symbiotic evolution
Authors: Stefano George B. , Büttiker Pascal , Weissenberger Simon , Esch Tobias , Anders Martin , Raboch Jiri , Kream Richard M. , Ptacek Radek
Published: June 2023

The bacterial origin of mitochondria has been a widely accepted as an event that occurred about 1.45 billion years ago and endowed cells with internal energy producing organelle. Thus, mitochondria have traditionally been viewed as subcellular organelle as any other – fully functionally dependent on the cell it is a part of. However, recent studies have given us evidence that mitochondria are more functionally independent than other organelles, as they can function outside the cells, engage in complex “social” interactions, and communicate with each other as well as other cellular components, bacteria and viruses. Furthermore, mitochondria move, assemble and organize upon sensing different environmental cues, using a process akin to bacterial quorum sensing. Therefore, taking all these lines of evidence into account we hypothesize that mitochondria need to be viewed and studied from a perspective of a more functionally independent entity. This view of mitochondria may lead to new insights into their biological function, and inform new strategies for treatment of disease associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.
The prospect of digital human communication for organizational purposes
Authors: Newman Sean A. , Gopalkrishnan Shalini
Published: June 2023

Introduction

There has been a great deal of excitement and discussion about the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to improve business processes by providing more effective delivery options in cost-effective ways. One such way for many companies is the use of chatbots (AI tools to talk to customers) as their first line of customer service communication. Using digital human technology (AI with a digital human) such as a chatbot to improve communication engagement is increasing in many companies. Digital human communication has advantages over other communication modes, such as being available at any time for employees to consume and always having correctly, vetted information to share. Even though digital human technology offers great promise for organizational communication, the potential utility will be impacted by how employees perceive communication. For example, in-person conversations with business leaders or human resources may not be readily available, creating a positive perception of the communication availability of digital humans. However, if employees have a negative bias toward digital human communication, they may not perceive it as an effective source of communication.

Method

This experimental exploratory study was conducted to better understand the satisfaction and perceived effectiveness of digital human communication. It was assessed by using mixed methods across three groups of respondents. One group heard a company announcement in person, the second group read the same announcement in the form of an email, and the last group heard the message from an AI-generated digital human. The digital human created was the same as the in person human and the words were exactly the same. After the communication, the respondents took a survey assessing their satisfaction and perception of the communication modality they received.

Results

It was found that users were satisfied with all 3 modes of communication, but the email was the most effective tool for most aspects of communication, even surpassing the human one for most aspects of satisfaction and effectiveness. Additionally, there was no perceived difference in organizational support for the 3 groups.

Discussion

When subjects are exposed to something new, they immediately make an appraisal based on their perception of the usability and gain of that interaction which impacts their willingness to accept new technologies. As per our study, firms can start using Digital humans for communication for corporate announcements and even better would be an interactive digital human.
Case Report: Postmortem brain and heart pathology unveiling the pathogenesis of coexisting acute ischemic stroke and electrocardiographic abnormality
Authors: Hattori Yorito , Ikeda Shuhei , Matsumoto Manabu , Tagawa Naoki , Hatakeyama Kinta , Ihara Masafumi
Published: June 2023

Electrocardiography abnormalities have been occasionally reported at the onset of stroke. Simultaneous electrocardiographic abnormalities and stroke require a rapid differentiated diagnosis among several diseases. However, direct causal relationships remain unclear. A 92-year-old woman presented to our emergency department in a sudden-onset coma. The patient suffered from huge acute ischemic stroke with bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion assessed by brain magnetic resonance imaging, and her electrocardiography showed ST-segment elevation at II, III, aVF and V4–6, and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the etiology of the medical condition was clinically unknown. Eventually, the patient died on day 4 of hospitalization before the diagnosis could be completed. Therefore, an autopsy was performed to investigate pathological findings after obtaining informed consent from the family. A postmortem pathological evaluation demonstrated that fibrin mural thrombi in the left atrial appendage (LAA), and the cerebral and coronary arteries possessed CD31-positive endothelial cells, and CD68-positive and CD168-positive macrophages in a similar fashion, suggesting the fibrin thrombi observed in the three sites implicated to be identical. We concluded that nearly concurrent cerebral and coronary artery embolism because of the fibrin thrombi in LAA developed by AF. Simultaneous cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction are referred to as cardiocerebral infarction (CCI), a rare disorder for which clear pathomechanisms remain unknown, although several mechanisms of CCI have been proposed. We first revealed the clear pathology of CCI using the autopsy. Additional pathological studies are warranted to establish clear pathomechanisms and preventive strategies of CCI.
A computational study of the effects of size, location, and number of tears on haemodynamics in surgically repaired type A aortic dissection
Authors: Motoki Kyosuke , Zhu Yu , Mirsadraee Saeed , Rosendahl Ulrich , Pepper John , Xu Xiao Yun
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the roles of size, location, and number of tears in the progression of surgically repaired type A aortic dissection (TAAD) by assessing haemodynamic changes through patient-specific computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations.

Methods

Two patient-specific TAAD geometries with replaced ascending aorta were reconstructed based upon computed 15 tomography (CT) scans, after which 10 hypothetical models (5 per patient) with different tear configurations were artificially created. CFD simulations were performed on all the models under physiologically realistic boundary conditions.

Results

Our simulation results showed that increasing either the size or number of the re-entry tears reduced the luminal pressure difference (LPD) and maximum time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), as well as areas exposed to abnormally high or low TAWSS values. Models with a large re-entry tear outperformed the others by reducing the maximum LPD by 1.88 mmHg and 7.39 mmHg, for patients 1 and 2, respectively. Moreover, proximally located re-entry tears in the descending aorta were more effective at reducing LPD than distal re-entry tears.

Discussion

These computational results indicate that the presence of a relatively large re-entry tear in the proximal descending aorta might help stabilize post-surgery aortic growth. This finding has important implications for the management and risk stratification of surgically repaired TAAD patients. Nevertheless, further validation in a large patient cohort is needed.
Multilingual RECIST classification of radiology reports using supervised learning
Authors: Mottin Luc , Goldman Jean-Philippe , Jäggli Christoph , Achermann Rita , Gobeill Julien , Knafou Julien , Ehrsam Julien , Wicky Alexandre , Gérard Camille L. , Schwenk Tanja , Charrier Mélinda , Tsantoulis Petros , Lovis Christian , Leichtle Alexander , Kiessling Michael K. , Michielin Olivier , Pradervand Sylvain , Foufi Vasiliki , Ruch Patrick
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The objective of this study is the exploration of Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing techniques to support the automatic assignment of the four Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) scales based on radiology reports. We also aim at evaluating how languages and institutional specificities of Swiss teaching hospitals are likely to affect the quality of the classification in French and German languages.

Methods

In our approach, 7 machine learning methods were evaluated to establish a strong baseline. Then, robust models were built, fine-tuned according to the language (French and German), and compared with the expert annotation.

Results

The best strategies yield average F1-scores of 90% and 86% respectively for the 2-classes (Progressive/Non-progressive) and the 4-classes (Progressive Disease, Stable Disease, Partial Response, Complete Response) RECIST classification tasks.

Conclusions

These results are competitive with the manual labeling as measured by Matthew's correlation coefficient and Cohen's Kappa (79% and 76%). On this basis, we confirm the capacity of specific models to generalize on new unseen data and we assess the impact of using Pre-trained Language Models (PLMs) on the accuracy of the classifiers.
Coal breaking characteristics of high pressure water jet and the law of coordinated pressure relief of slits
Authors: Jia Lianxin , Sun Zuo , Lu Junshuai , Gu Beifang
Published: June 2023

Hydraulic fracturing creates slots on the coal surface through the impact of high-pressure water jets, resulting in stress gradients in the surrounding coal, thereby inducing stress release and increasing gas extraction efficiency. It is an effective measure to prevent coal and gas outbursts. Numerical simulations demonstrate that high-pressure water jets generate slots in the coal, leading to stress gradients in the surrounding coal. These stress gradients drive the coal to move gradually towards the slots, thereby releasing stress. The stress unloading degree in the Y direction is greater than that in the X and Z directions. Damage occurs in the coal near the slots, causing a significant increase in the number of fractures within the coal, which improves gas extraction efficiency. The study reveals the variation in stress unloading of coal between hydraulic fracturing boreholes and extraction boreholes in adjacent positions. By cross-referencing various factors in numerical simulations, the extent of damage in different directions caused by slot formation under different factor combinations is determined. A mathematical model for the range of coal damage surrounding the slots is obtained through MATLAB fitting. The research findings provide references for on-site testing and applications of high-pressure water jet technology.
Teachers’ well-being and their teaching quality during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective study
Authors: Sacré Margault , Ries Nora , Wolf Kristin , Kunter Mareike
Published: June 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers reported low levels of well-being. Lower levels of well-being can negatively impact job performance and teaching quality. This study aims to examine whether the quality of teaching changed between before and during the pandemic, in two settings: remote and restricted in-person settings, and whether teachers’ well-being was related to the quality of teaching. 279 German-speaking (primary and secondary) teachers were retrospectively surveyed with an online questionnaire. Results showed that even if teachers reported being emotionally exhausted, they still were satisfied with their profession, highlighting the multidimensionality of well-being. For online instruction, teachers reported decrease in teaching quality in terms of cognitive activation, classroom management, and learning support compared to pre-pandemic times. Additionally, according to the teachers, their teaching quality did not return to its original state when schools reopened. However, the data does not show that this decrease is associated with teachers’ well-being. This study suggests that it is not only the quantity of learning that may have caused students’ learning losses, but also its quality. As a possible practical consequence, it seems helpful to provide teachers not only with technical, but also pedagogical support when teaching online and after having returned to in-person settings.
Mapping the leap: differences in quality improvement in relation to assessment rating outcomes
Authors: Davis Belinda , Dunn Rosemary , Harrison Linda J. , Waniganayake Manjula , Hadley Fay , Andrews Rebecca , Li Hui , Irvine Susan , Barblett Lennie , Hatzigianni Maria
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Australia’s National Quality Standard (NQS) outlines the criteria to assess the quality of early childhood services. A four-point rating scale: (i) Exceeding NQS; (ii) Meeting NQS; (iii) Working Toward NQS; and (iv) Significant Improvement Required is applied to services following a regular assessment and rating process. Settings rated as Working Toward are reassessed within 12 months. Most settings achieved a one-step improvement in this Time 2 reassessment, moving to a Meeting rating but some settings made a two-step improvement, moving to an Exceeding rating. The QIP is a key document used by authorities to assess the quality of a service.

Methods

A grounded theory, data driven approach was taken to deepen understanding of quality rating improvements in long day care services in Australia of quality rating improvements by early childhood education and care [ECEC] services in Australia. This study, part of the second phase of a three phase study involved a document analysis of the Time 2 Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) of a representative sample of Long Day Care (LDC) services (n = 60) from all Australian states and territories to determine what factors may have contributed to these different levels of improvement, with a focus on Quality Area 1 (QA1) (Educational programs and practices) and Quality Area 7 (QA7) (Governance and leadership). The study utilized the semantic analysis tool Leximancer 4.5. Leximancer 4.5 statistically analyses the semantic relationships between concepts in documents by measuring word proximity and correlation. The software creates visual maps of concepts and their connections to each other in texts. Concepts located near one another on the map are more likely to be contextually related. This tool is particularly useful when there are multiple, complex documents to analyze, reducing the potential biases that can arise from documents that use language with which these researchers are very familiar with.

Results

The analysis found clear differences between the Time 2 QIPs of services who had made a two-step rating improvement and those who made a one-step improvement. Two-step (Exceeding NQS) category improvers for QA1 placed attention in their QIPs on improvement to the program and overall practice, with an orientation to the role of the educational leader. Two-step (Exceeding NQS) category improvers for QA7 seemed to be more oriented to a systemic view of the processes encompassed by QA7; how the management of the service and information supports the work of educators, with stronger links made between leadership roles (the manager and nominated supervisor) and the work of educators.

Discussion

The QIPs demonstrated how the intentional and systemic processes in these quality areas related to practice, management, and leadership.
What can accelerate technological convergence of hydrogen energy: a regional perspective
Authors: Lee Won Sang
Published: June 2023

Focusing on technological innovation and convergence is crucial for utilizing hydrogen energy, an emerging infrastructure area. This research paper analyzes the extent of technological capabilities in a region that could accelerate the occurrence of technological convergence in the fields related to hydrogen energy through the use of triadic patents, their citation information, and their regional information. The results of the Bayesian spatial model indicate that the active exchange of diverse original technologies could facilitate technological convergence in the region. On the other hand, it is difficult to achieve regional convergence with regard to radical technology. The findings could shed light on the establishment of an R&D strategy for hydrogen technologies. This study could contribute to the dissemination and utilization of hydrogen technologies for sustainable industrial development.
Frequency-hopping mechanism and control method for nonlinear parity-time-symmetric wireless power transfer systems
Authors: Li Changsheng , Dong Wenjie , Ma Haoran , Zhu Chuanjun
Published: June 2023

Nonlinear parity-time-symmetric wireless power transfer (NPTS-WPT) is a novel wireless power transfer technology. NPTS-WPT systems exhibit the resonant frequency bifurcation phenomenon in the strong coupling region. However, working frequency selection mechanisms and control methods for use in the bifurcation region remain unclear. In this study, the description function method was used to model and analyze the dynamics of NPTS-WPT systems. The frequency stability, evolution and convergence characteristics of resonant frequency bifurcation were studied for varying distances between the receiver (Rx) and transmitter circuits varies. In addition, the loop detuning characteristics and the mechanism by which the amplification factor of the operational amplifier influences the system’s frequency-hopping behavior were determined. The detuning rate must be greater than the detuning tolerance to cause resonant frequency-hopping. Moreover, we propose a method to induce changes in the natural frequency of the Rx circuit by adding a detuning control circuit at the Rx, thereby allowing the resonant frequency to be selected and controlled. Finally, the conclusions from the theoretical analysis and the feasibility of the proposed frequency control methods were validated using an experimental system. The proposed resonant frequency control methods offer a viable method for directional frequency selection and artificial frequency control in NPTS-WPT systems operating in the strong coupling region.
Cloud-based data mapper (CDM): application for monitoring dry deposition of reactive nitrogen
Authors: Kharol Shailesh K. , Prapavessis Cameron , Shephard Mark W. , McLinden Chris A. , Griffin Debora
Published: June 2023

Spatiotemporal monitoring of reactive nitrogen atmospheric deposition is essential for understanding its impact on sensitive ecosystems and quantifying cumulative effects. However, the sparsity of direct surface flux measurements combined with barriers in dissemination are major limiting factors in providing this information to decision makers and non-experts in a timely manner. This work addresses both aspects of this information gap by, 1) utilizing satellite-derived reactive nitrogen dry deposition data products that can be used by decision-makers to supplement the sparse direct surface flux measurements and 2) fill in measurement gaps. Therefore, we have developed a Reactive Nitrogen Flux Mapper (RNFM) component of the interactive Cloud-based Data Mapper (CDM) for providing easy access of satellite-derived reactive nitrogen (defined here as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ammonia (NH3)) dry deposition flux spatial maps/data to decision-makers/stakeholders over North America. The RNFM component of CDM has a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that allows users to specify the geographical regions and time periods for computing the average fluxes on the fly using an integrated cloud-based computing platform. The CDM architecture is flexible and can be upgraded in the future to take advantage of upstream satellite data directly on cloud platforms to provide results in near real-time.
Improving hydrocarbon toxicity tolerance in poultry: role of genes and antioxidants
Authors: Oleforuh-Okoleh Vivian U. , Sikiru Akeem B. , Kakulu Iyenemi I. , Fakae Barineme B. , Obianwuna Uchechukwu E. , Shoyombo Ayoola J. , Adeolu Adewale I. , Ollor Ollor A. , Emeka Onyinyechi C.
Published: June 2023

Sustenance of smallholder poultry production as an alternative source of food security and income is imperative in communities exposed to hydrocarbon pollution. Exposure to hydrocarbon pollutants causes disruption of homeostasis, thereby compromising the genetic potential of the birds. Oxidative stress-mediated dysfunction of the cellular membrane is a contributing factor in the mechanism of hydrocarbon toxicity. Epidemiological studies show that tolerance to hydrocarbon exposure may be caused by the activation of genes that control disease defense pathways like aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Disparity in the mechanism and level of tolerance to hydrocarbon fragments among species may exist and may result in variations in gene expression within individuals of the same species upon exposure. Genomic variability is critical for adaptation and serves as a survival mechanism in response to environmental pollutants. Understanding the interplay of diverse genetic mechanisms in relation to environmental influences is important for exploiting the differences in various genetic variants. Protection against pollutant-induced physiological responses using dietary antioxidants can mitigate homeostasis disruptions. Such intervention may initiate epigenetic modulation relevant to gene expression of hydrocarbon tolerance, enhancing productivity, and possibly future development of hydrocarbon-tolerant breeds.
Therapeutic activity of lipoxin A4 in TiO2-induced arthritis in mice: NF-κB and Nrf2 in synovial fluid leukocytes and neuronal TRPV1 mechanisms
Authors: Saraiva-Santos Telma , Zaninelli Tiago H. , Manchope Marília F. , Andrade Ketlem C. , Ferraz Camila R. , Bertozzi Mariana M. , Artero Nayara A. , Franciosi Anelise , Badaro-Garcia Stephanie , Staurengo-Ferrari Larissa , Borghi Sergio M. , Ceravolo Graziela S. , Andrello Avacir Casanova , Zanoveli Janaína Menezes , Rogers Michael S. , Casagrande Rubia , Pinho-Ribeiro Felipe A. , Verri Waldiceu A.
Published: June 2023

Background

Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) has anti-inflammatory and pro-resolutive roles in inflammation. We evaluated the effects and mechanisms of action of LXA4 in titanium dioxide (TiO2) arthritis, a model of prosthesis-induced joint inflammation and pain.

Methods

Mice were stimulated with TiO2 (3mg) in the knee joint followed by LXA4 (0.1, 1, or 10ng/animal) or vehicle (ethanol 3.2% in saline) administration. Pain-like behavior, inflammation, and dosages were performed to assess the effects of LXA4in vivo.

Results

LXA4 reduced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, histopathological damage, edema, and recruitment of leukocytes without liver, kidney, or stomach toxicity. LXA4 reduced leukocyte migration and modulated cytokine production. These effects were explained by reduced nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) activation in recruited macrophages. LXA4 improved antioxidant parameters [reduced glutathione (GSH) and 2,2-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) levels, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA and Nrf2 protein expression], reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescent detection induced by TiO2 in synovial fluid leukocytes. We observed an increase of lipoxin receptor (ALX/FPR2) in transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1)+ DRG nociceptive neurons upon TiO2 inflammation. LXA4 reduced TiO2‐induced TRPV1 mRNA expression and protein detection, as well TRPV1 co-staining with p-NFκB, indicating reduction of neuronal activation. LXA4 down-modulated neuronal activation and response to capsaicin (a TRPV1 agonist) and AITC [a transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) agonist] of DRG neurons.

Conclusion

LXA4 might target recruited leukocytes and primary afferent nociceptive neurons to exert analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in a model resembling what is observed in patients with prosthesis inflammation.
Private management costs of Popillia japonica: a study of viticulture in Italy
Authors: Straubinger Franziska B. , Venus Terese E. , Benjamin Emmanuel O. , Sauer Johannes
Published: June 2023

The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is classified as a high-priority pest in the European Union and is reported to have caused extensive damage to grapevine leaves in Italy. As there are few studies, which measure the beetle’s socio-economic impact, we conduct a first descriptive assessment of grapevine farmers’ perception of the beetle’s impact and assess the pest’s effect on private management costs using a partial budgeting approach. Our sample includes data from 65 producers and 118 vineyard plots. In terms of farmers’ perception, we find that farmers anticipate increased management costs and believe a further spread of the beetle will lead to at least moderate yield and quality damages for the majority of plots (58-91%). While farmers do not expect to stop grapevine cultivation for the majority of vineyard plots, affected farmers they believe it is likely to very likely for 29% of plots. We also find that affected farmers rate their vines’ resilience higher than unaffected farmers do. Using a partial budgeting approach, we find that a Japanese beetle infestation leads on average to a net income decrease of around €2727 per hectare. This decrease is due to an average increase in labor costs of around €1715. Additionally, an average yield reduction that results in a revenue loss of around €966 and additional control costs of around €47 per infested hectare, further contribute to the net income decrease. Even though the small number of observations does not allow us to make conclusions about the beetle’s impact on the Italian viticulture sector as a whole, our findings provide first insights and demonstrate the need for environmentally friendly and effective control products that can replace labor-intensive manual control measures, which are currently applied in Japanese beetle infested vineyards.
The role of minimally invasive surgery in epithelial ovarian cancer treatment: a narrative review
Authors: Generali Matteo , Annunziata Gianluca , Pirillo Debora , D’Ippolito Giovanni , Ciarlini Gino , Aguzzoli Lorenzo , Mandato Vincenzo Dario
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the available evidence on the use of minimal invasive surgery (MIS) in the management of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Background

MIS is currently performed to stage and treat EOC at different stage of presentation. We will evaluate risks and benefits of minimally invasive surgery for early stage EOC treatment, then potential advantages provided by staging laparoscopy in identifying patients suitable for primary cytoreductive surgery (PDS) will be discussed. Finally we will investigate the growing role of MIS in the treatment of advanced EOC after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and in the treatment of EOC recurrence.

Methods

An electronic database search was performed on PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar for relevant studies up to December 2022.

Conclusion

LPS represents a feasible surgical procedure for the staging and treatment in early, advanced and EOC relapse in selected patients treated in high-volume oncological centers by surgeons with adequate experience in advanced surgical procedures. Despite the increasing use of MIS over the last few years, randomized clinical trials are still needed to prove its effectiveness.
Gut Streptococcus is a microbial marker for the occurrence and liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Yang Jinru , Ma Yuxi , Tan Qiaoyun , Zhou Bin , Yu Dandan , Jin Min , Zhang Tao , Liu Junli , Liu Hongli
Published: June 2023

Background

Gut microbiome plays an indispensable role in the occurrence and progression in various diseases. The incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC) and liver metastasis (PCLM) are high, most of them are found in advanced stage. Therefore, it is particularly necessary to search for predictive biomarkers, which are helpful for early detection and treatment, and thus improve the survival rate and quality of life of PC patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 44 pancreatic cancer patients (P group, n = 44) and 50 healthy people (N group, n = 50) from March 21, 2021 and August 2, 2022. Among all PC patients, we divided them into liver metastasis group (LM group, n = 27) and non-liver metastasis group (non-LM group, n = 17). DNA was extracted and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing was performed. SPSS was used for statistical analyses and all bioinformatics analyses were based on QIIME2, p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

The microbial richness and diversity of group P and LM were higher than that of group N and non-LM. LEfSe analysis found that Streptococcus was a significantly different microorganism, which was further identified by random forest (RF) model, and its ability to predict PC and PCLM was verified by ROC curve.

Conclusion

We demonstrated significant differences in intestinal microbiome composition between PC patients and healthy people, and found that Streptococcus is a potential biomarker for early prediction of PC and PCLM, which is critical for early diagnosis of diseases.
Ensifer canadensis sp. nov. strain T173T isolated from Melilotus albus (sweet clover) in Canada possesses recombinant plasmid pT173b harbouring symbiosis and type IV secretion system genes apparently acquired from Ensifer medicae
Authors: Bromfield Eden S. P. , Cloutier Sylvie , Hynes Michael F.
Published: June 2023

A bacterial strain, designated T173T, was previously isolated from a root-nodule of a Melilotus albus plant growing in Canada and identified as a novel Ensifer lineage that shared a clade with the non-symbiotic species, Ensifer adhaerens. Strain T173T was also previously found to harbour a symbiosis plasmid and to elicit root-nodules on Medicago and Melilotus species but not fix nitrogen. Here we present data for the genomic and taxonomic description of strain T173T. Phylogenetic analyses including the analysis of whole genome sequences and multiple locus sequence analysis (MLSA) of 53 concatenated ribosome protein subunit (rps) gene sequences confirmed placement of strain T173T in a highly supported lineage distinct from named Ensifer species with E. morelensis Lc04T as the closest relative. The highest digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of genome sequences of strain T173T compared with closest relatives (35.7 and 87.9%, respectively) are well below the respective threshold values of 70% and 95–96% for bacterial species circumscription. The genome of strain T173T has a size of 8,094,229 bp with a DNA G + C content of 61.0 mol%. Six replicons were detected: a chromosome (4,051,102 bp) and five plasmids harbouring plasmid replication and segregation (repABC) genes. These plasmids were also found to possess five apparent conjugation systems based on analysis of TraA (relaxase), TrbE/VirB4 (part of the Type IV secretion system (T4SS)) and TraG/VirD4 (coupling protein). Ribosomal RNA operons encoding 16S, 23S, and 5S rRNAs that are usually restricted to bacterial chromosomes were detected on plasmids pT173d and pT173e (946,878 and 1,913,930 bp, respectively) as well as on the chromosome of strain T173T. Moreover, plasmid pT173b (204,278 bp) was found to harbour T4SS and symbiosis genes, including nodulation (nod, noe, nol) and nitrogen fixation (nif, fix) genes that were apparently acquired from E. medicae by horizontal transfer. Data for morphological, physiological and symbiotic characteristics complement the sequence-based characterization of strain T173T. The data presented support the description of a new species for which the name Ensifer canadensis sp. nov. is proposed with strain T173T (= LMG 32374T = HAMBI 3766T) as the species type strain.
Interactions between astrocytes and extracellular matrix structures contribute to neuroinflammation-associated epilepsy pathology
Authors: Woo AnnaLin M. , Sontheimer Harald
Published: June 2023

Often considered the “housekeeping” cells of the brain, astrocytes have of late been rising to the forefront of neurodegenerative disorder research. Identified as crucial components of a healthy brain, it is undeniable that when astrocytes are dysfunctional, the entire brain is thrown into disarray. We offer epilepsy as a well-studied neurological disorder in which there is clear evidence of astrocyte contribution to diseases as evidenced across several different disease models, including mouse models of hippocampal sclerosis, trauma associated epilepsy, glioma-associated epilepsy, and beta-1 integrin knockout astrogliosis. In this review we suggest that astrocyte-driven neuroinflammation, which plays a large role in the pathology of epilepsy, is at least partially modulated by interactions with perineuronal nets (PNNs), highly structured formations of the extracellular matrix (ECM). These matrix structures affect synaptic placement, but also intrinsic neuronal properties such as membrane capacitance, as well as ion buffering in their immediate milieu all of which alters neuronal excitability. We propose that the interactions between PNNs and astrocytes contribute to the disease progression of epilepsy vis a vis neuroinflammation. Further investigation and alteration of these interactions to reduce the resultant neuroinflammation may serve as a potential therapeutic target that provides an alternative to the standard anti-seizure medications from which patients are so frequently unable to benefit.
Identification of membrane proteins regulated by ADAM15 by SUSPECS proteomics
Authors: Calligaris Matteo , Yang Chun Y. , Bonelli Simone , Spanò Donatella Pia , Müller Stephan A. , Lichtenthaler Stefan F. , Troeberg Linda , Scilabra Simone D.
Published: June 2023

ADAM15 is a member of the disintegrin-metalloproteinase family of sheddases, which plays a role in several biological processes including cartilage homeostasis. In contrast with well-characterized ADAMs, such as the canonical sheddases ADAM17 and ADAM10, little is known about substrates of ADAM15 or how the enzyme exerts its biological functions. Herein, we used “surface-spanning enrichment with click-sugars (SUSPECS)” proteomics to identify ADAM15 substrates and/or proteins regulated by the proteinase at the cell surface of chondrocyte-like cells. Silencing of ADAM15 by siRNAs significantly altered membrane levels of 13 proteins, all previously not known to be regulated by ADAM15. We used orthogonal techniques to validate ADAM15 effects on 3 of these proteins which have known roles in cartilage homeostasis. This confirmed that ADAM15-silencing increased cell surface levels of the programmed cell death 1 ligand 2 (PDCD1LG2) and reduced cell surface levels of vasorin and the sulfate transporter SLC26A2 through an unknown post-translational mechanism. The increase of PDCD1LG2 by ADAM15 knockdown, a single-pass type I transmembrane protein, suggested it could be a proteinase substrate. However, shed PDCD1LG2 could not be detected even by a data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry, a highly sensitive method for identification and quantification of proteins in complex protein samples, suggesting that ADAM15 regulates PDCD1LG2 membrane levels by a mechanism different from ectodomain shedding.