bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of volume status on sarcopenia in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Kang Seok Hui , Kim Jun Chul , Cha Ran-hui , Han Miyeun , An Won Suk , Kim Su Hyun , Do Jun Young
Published: December 2022

There were few data regarding the association of volume status with sarcopenia using muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) patients. We aimed to evaluate the association between volume status and sarcopenia in ND-CKD patients. Our retrospective study analyzed data from a previous study which included ND-CKD patients who had stable renal function. Our study used its baseline data alone. The edema index and muscle mass were measured using a multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis machine. The edema index was calculated using extracellular water/total body water ratio. The skeletal muscle index (SMI, kg/m2) was calculated using appendicular muscle mass per height squared. Handgrip strength (HGS, kg) was measured during the standing position in all patients. Dynamic gait speed (GS, m/s) was evaluated using 6-m walking speed. Patients with both low muscle mass (SMI < 7.0 kg/m2 for men and < 5.7 kg/m2 for women using bioimpedance analysis) and low HGS (< 28 kg for men and < 18 kg for women) or low GS (< 1.0 m/s) were classified as having sarcopenia. The patients (n = 147) were divided into tertiles based on the edema index level. The mean edema index in the low, middle, and high tertiles was 0.377 ± 0.006, 0.390 ± 0.003, and 0.402 ± 0.006, respectively. The edema index was significantly correlated with SMI, HGS, and GS (r = − 0.343 for SMI, − 0.492 for HGS, and − 0.331 for GS; P < 0.001 for three indicators). The SMI, HGS, and GS values were 8.1 ± 1.0 kg/m2, 33.0 ± 9.4 kg, and 1.2 ± 0.2 m/s in the low tertile,7.8 ± 1.2 kg/m2, 30.0 ± 7.5 kg, and 1.0 ± 0.3 m/s in the middle tertile, and 7.2 ± 1.4 kg/m2, 23.7 ± 7.4 kg, and 1.0 ± 0.3 m/s in the high tertile, respectively. Univariate analyses revealed that SMI was lower in patients in the high tertile than in those in the low tertile. HGS was lowest in high tertile, and GS was greatest in the low tertile. The high tertile for predicting sarcopenia had an odds ratio of 6.03 (95% CI, 1.78–20.37; P = 0.004) compared to low or middle tertiles. The results of multivariate analyses were similar to those of the univariate analyses. The subgroup analyses showed that statistical significance was greater in < 65 years and men than ≥ 65 years and women. The present study showed that the edema index is inversely associated with sarcopenia, muscle mass index, strength, and physical performance in ND-CKD patients. However, considering the limitations of our study such as its small sample size, this association was not strong. Further studies that include volume-independent measurements, data on physical activity and diet, and a larger number of patients are warranted to overcome these limitations.
Responses to salinity in the littoral earthworm genus Pontodrilus
Authors: Seesamut Teerapong , Ng Beewah , Sutcharit Chirasak , Chanabun Ratmanee , Panha Somsak
Published: December 2022

The cosmopolitan littoral earthworm Pontodrilus litoralis is distributed in tropical and sub-tropical coastal habitats, whereas P. longissimus is reported only in the Thai-Malay coastal line. In the present study, we examined the difference in salinity effect on the survival rate, wet weight (hereafter weight) change, behaviour, and osmolality of these two Pontodrilus species. A 28 d exposure to varying salinity concentration (0–50 ppt) revealed that P. litoralis is able to survive over a wide salinity range than P. longissimus, with the latter species exhibiting a low survival rate over the same salinity range. During short-term exposure (0–96 h) to a salinity of less than 30 ppt, P. litoralis exhibited weight gain and this was significant in the first 12 h of exposure. However, P. longissimus gained weight when exposed to salinity at under 10 ppt in the first 72 h of exposure. The two species of Pontodrilus behaved differently when exposed to different salinities. The coelomic fluid osmolarity of Pontodrilus was related to the exposure medium and was mostly maintained as hyperosmotic to the external medium over the range of salinities tested. This study shows how two different species of the littoral earthworm genus Pontodrilus respond to a change in salinity, which may explain their dispersal pattern and shape their distribution pattern throughout Southeast Asia.
High density deposits of binary colloids
Authors: Kim Hyoeun , Gonçalves Marta , Kang Sung Hoon , Weon Byung Mook
Published: December 2022

Colloids are essential materials for modern inkjet printing and coating technology. For printing and coating, it is desirable to have a high density of colloids with uniformity. Binary colloids, which consist of different size colloidal particles, have the potential to achieve high coating density and uniformity from size effects. We report a strategy to attain high-density deposits of binary colloids with uniform, crack-free, and symmetric deposits through droplet evaporation on micropillar arrays. We modify surfaces of micropillar arrays with plasma treatment to control their surface energy and investigate how binary colloidal fluids turn into well-controlled deposits during evaporation with X-ray microscopic and tomographic characterizations. We attribute temporary surface energy modification of micropillar arrays to the well-controlled high-density final deposits. This simple, low-cost, and scalable strategy would provide a viable way to get high-quality, high-density deposits of colloids for various applications.
On force generation in electro-fluidic linear actuators with ferrofluid
Authors: Cole Matthew O. T. , Moran James
Published: December 2022

In ferrofluid actuation systems, forces are generated by actively controlling pressure and flow within the fluid using an applied magnetic field. There are multiple contributing factors in force generation involving complex non-linear couplings between electromagnetic and fluid pressure fields. This brings significant challenges in theory-based design and optimization. In this paper, a theoretical model of pressure transmission between a ferrofluid and solid is derived starting from Maxwell’s stress tensor and accounting for magnetic saturation within the fluid. This model shows that linear actuator designs based on orthogonal mode operation, where the field direction through the fluid is perpendicular to the motion direction, can provide the highest force capacity for a given field strength from the actuator coil. This is verified by theoretical analysis of some basic linear actuator topologies. The results are applied in the design and analysis of a novel piston-type linear actuator with sealed chamber and two internal electrical coils for bidirectional operation. Experimental measurements of both static and dynamic behaviour are shown to validate the described principles. The actuator produces smooth and precise flow-regulated motion, has zero intrinsic stiffness, and exhibits very low friction due to the suspension effect from ferrofluid layers within the actuator.
Applying fuzzy qualitative comparative analysis to identify typical symptoms of COVID-19 infection in a primary care unit, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues Nádia Cristina Pinheiro , de Noronha Andrade Mônica Kramer , Netto Joaquim Teixeira , Monteiro Denise Leite Maia , Lino Valéria Teresa Saraiva , Almeida Eric Gustavo Ramos
Published: December 2022

This study aims to identify a set of symptoms that could be predictive of SARS-CoV-2 cases in the triage of Primary Care services with the contribution of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) using Fuzzy Sets (fsQCA). A cross-sectional study was carried out in a Primary Health Care Unit/FIOCRUZ from 09/17/2020 to 05/05/2021. The study population was suspect cases that performed diagnostic tests for COVID-19. We collected information about the symptoms to identify which configurations are associated with positive and negative cases. For analysis, we used fsQCA to explain the outcomes “being a positive case” and “not being a positive case”. The solution term “loss of taste or smell and no headache” showed the highest degree of association with the positive result (consistency = 0.81). The solution term “absence of loss of taste or smell combined with the absence of fever” showed the highest degree of association (consistency = 0,79) and is the one that proportionally best explains the negative result. Our results may be useful to the presumptive clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 in scenarios where access to diagnostic tests is not available. We used an innovative method used in complex problems in Public Health, the fsQCA.
The feasibility of a Bayesian network model to assess the probability of simultaneous symptoms in patients with advanced cancer
Authors: van der Stap Lotte , van Haaften Myrthe F. , van Marrewijk Esther F. , de Heij Albert H. , Jansen Paula L. , Burgers Janine M. N. , Sieswerda Melle S. , Los Renske K. , Reyners Anna K. L. , van der Linden Yvette M.
Published: December 2022

Although patients with advanced cancer often experience multiple symptoms simultaneously, clinicians usually focus on symptoms that are volunteered by patients during regular history-taking. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a Bayesian network (BN) model to predict the presence of simultaneous symptoms, based on the presence of other symptoms. Our goal is to help clinicians prioritize which symptoms to assess. Patient-reported severity of 11 symptoms (scale 0–10) was measured using an adapted Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) in a national cross-sectional survey among advanced cancer patients. Scores were dichotomized (< 4 and ≥ 4). Using fourfold cross validation, the prediction error of 9 BN algorithms was estimated (Akaike information criterion (AIC). The model with the highest AIC was evaluated. Model predictive performance was assessed per symptom; an area under curve (AUC) of ≥ 0.65 was considered satisfactory. Model calibration compared predicted and observed probabilities; > 10% difference was considered inaccurate. Symptom scores of 532 patients were collected. A symptom score ≥ 4 was most prevalent for fatigue (64.7%). AUCs varied between 0.60 and 0.78, with satisfactory AUCs for 8/11 symptoms. Calibration was accurate for 101/110 predicted conditional probabilities. Whether a patient experienced fatigue was directly associated with experiencing 7 other symptoms. For example, in the absence or presence of fatigue, the model predicted a 8.6% and 33.1% probability of experiencing anxiety, respectively. It is feasible to use BN development for prioritizing symptom assessment. Fatigue seems most eligble to serve as a starting symptom for predicting the probability of experiencing simultaneous symptoms.
Leveraging image complexity in macro-level neural network design for medical image segmentation
Authors: Khan Tariq M. , Naqvi Syed S. , Meijering Erik
Published: December 2022

Recent progress in encoder–decoder neural network architecture design has led to significant performance improvements in a wide range of medical image segmentation tasks. However, state-of-the-art networks for a given task may be too computationally demanding to run on affordable hardware, and thus users often resort to practical workarounds by modifying various macro-level design aspects. Two common examples are downsampling of the input images and reducing the network depth or size to meet computer memory constraints. In this paper, we investigate the effects of these changes on segmentation performance and show that image complexity can be used as a guideline in choosing what is best for a given dataset. We consider four statistical measures to quantify image complexity and evaluate their suitability on ten different public datasets. For the purpose of our illustrative experiments, we use DeepLabV3+ (deep large-size), M2U-Net (deep lightweight), U-Net (shallow large-size), and U-Net Lite (shallow lightweight). Our results suggest that median frequency is the best complexity measure when deciding on an acceptable input downsampling factor and using a deep versus shallow, large-size versus lightweight network. For high-complexity datasets, a lightweight network running on the original images may yield better segmentation results than a large-size network running on downsampled images, whereas the opposite may be the case for low-complexity images.
Disconnectomics to unravel the network underlying deficits of spatial exploration and attention
Authors: Wiesen Daniel , Bonilha Leonardo , Rorden Christopher , Karnath Hans-Otto
Published: December 2022

Spatial attention and exploration are related to a predominantly right hemispheric network structure. However, the areas of the brain involved and their exact role is still debated. Spatial neglect following right hemispheric stroke lesions has been frequently viewed as a model to study these processes in humans. Previous investigations on the anatomical basis on spatial neglect predominantly focused on focal brain damage and lesion-behaviour mapping analyses. This approach might not be suited to detect remote areas structurally spared but which might contribute to the behavioural deficit. In the present study of a sample of 203 right hemispheric stroke patients, we combined connectome lesion-symptom mapping with multivariate support vector regression to unravel the complex and disconnected network structure in spatial neglect. We delineated three central nodes that were extensively disconnected from other intrahemispheric areas, namely the right superior parietal lobule, the insula, and the temporal pole. Additionally, the analysis allocated central roles within this network to the inferior frontal gyrus (pars triangularis and opercularis), right middle temporal gyrus, right temporal pole and left and right orbitofrontal cortices, including interhemispheric disconnection. Our results suggest that these structures—although not necessarily directly damaged—might play a role within the network underlying spatial neglect in humans.
Multiscale simulation and experimental measurements of the elastic response for constructional steel
Authors: Ye Yi-Cong , Zhao Feng-Yuan , Huang Cai-Min , Bai Shu-Xin , Chen Qiang
Published: December 2022

The multiscale elastic response to the macroscopic stress was simulated to reveal the multi-scale correlation of elastic properties of the medium carbon steel. Based on the multiscale correlation constitutive equations derived from this constitutive model, the effective elastic constants (EECs) of medium carbon steel are predicted. In addition, the diffraction elastic constants (DECs) of the constituents of the medium carbon steel are also evaluated. And then, the simple in-situ X-ray diffraction experiments were performed for the measurements of DECs and EECs of treated 35CrMo steel during the four-point bending. Compared with the experimental measurements and different existing models, the results demonstrated that the developed constitutive model was in good agreement with the measured values of the EECs and DECs, and that the feasibility and reliability of the constitutive model used to simulate multiscale elastic response could reveal the correlation between the material and its constitutes.
Development and validation of SSR markers related to flower color based on full-length transcriptome sequencing in Chrysanthemum
Authors: Shi Zhongya , Zhao Wenqian , Li Zhongai , Kang Dongru , Ai Penghui , Ding Hongxu , Wang Zicheng
Published: December 2022

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum moriforlium Ramat.) is one of the most popular flowers worldwide, with very high ornamental and economic values. However, the limitations of available DNA molecular markers and the lack of full genomic sequences hinder the study of genetic diversity and the molecular breeding of chrysanthemum. Here, we developed simple sequence repeat (SSR) from the full-length transcriptome sequences of chrysanthemum cultivar ‘Hechengxinghuo’. A total of 11,699 SSRs with mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexanucleotide repeats were identified, of which eight out of eighteen SSR loci identified based on sixteen transcripts participated in carotenoid metabolism or anthocyanin synthesis were validated as polymorphic SSR markers. These SSRs were used to classify 117 chrysanthemum accessions with different flower colors at the DNA and cDNA levels. The results showed that four SSR markers of carotenoid metabolic pathway divided 117 chrysanthemum accessions into five groups at cDNA level and all purple chrysanthemum accessions were in the group III. Furthermore, the SSR marker CHS-3, LCYE-1 and 3MaT may be related to green color and the PSY-1b marker may be related to yellow color. Overall, our work may be provide a novel method for mining SSR markers associated with specific traits.
Channel estimation for reconfigurable intelligent surface-assisted mmWave based on Re‘nyi entropy function
Authors: Albataineh Zaid , Hayajneh Khaled F. , Shakhatreh Hazim , Athamneh Raed Al , Anan Muhammad
Published: December 2022

This study focuses on channel estimation for reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-assisted mmWave systems, in which the RIS is used to facilitate base-to-user data transfer. For beamforming to work with active and passive elements, a large-size cascade channel matrix should always be known. Low training costs are achieved by using the mmWave channels’ inherent sparsity. The research provides a unique compressive sensing-based channel estimation approach for reducing pilot overhead issues to a minimum. The proposed technique estimates channel data signals in a downlink for RIS-assisted mmWave systems. The mmWave systems often have a sparse distribution of signal sources due to the spatial correlations of the domains. This distribution pattern makes it possible to use compressive sensing methods to resolve the channel estimation issue. In order to decrease the pilot overhead, which is necessary to predict the channel, the proposed method extends the Re‘nyi entropy function as the sparsity-promoting regularizer. In contrast to conventional compressive sensing techniques, which necessitate an initial knowledge of the signal’s sparsity level, the presented method employs sparsity adaptive matching pursuit (SAMP) techniques to gradually determine the signal’s sparsity level. Furthermore, it introduces a threshold parameter based on the signal’s energy level to eliminate the sparsity level requirement. Extensive simulations show that the presented channel estimation approach surpasses the traditional OMP-based channel estimation methods in terms of normalized mean square error performance. In addition, the computational cost of channel estimation is lowered. Based on the simulations, our approach can estimate the channel well while reducing training overhead by a large amount.
Research on comprehensive detection and visualize of hidden cavity goaf
Authors: Cao Bo , Wang Jian , Du Han , Tao Yabin , Liu Guangwei
Published: December 2022

At present, the research on goaf at home and abroad mainly focuses on four aspects: detection technology, stability evaluation technology, governance technology and quality control technology. The most important of the above four aspects is goaf detection technology. In order to ensure the accuracy and precision of exploration, many geophysical methods and high-density geological drilling are usually used for exploration. In case of complex terrain, this method will increase the workload rapidly, and can not achieve a good balance between exploration cost and exploration quality. Goaf exploration methods are still in the development stage, and each geophysical exploration method has its limitations. This study makes full use of the existing detection technology to detect the complex mined-out area of East Open-pit Mine, 9 inferred mined-out areas and 9 suspected mined-out areas were found by using 3D seismic exploration method, transient electromagnetic method is used to delineate 223 abnormal areas at different elevations within the exploration range. 58 drilling holes are arranged in the suspected mined-out area of East Open-pit Mine. Combined with geological software, 3D model map of mined-out area is drawn, and the causes of formation of mined-out area are classified and analyzed. Using 3D laser scanning technology to study the visualization of hidden mined-out areas, the hidden mined-out areas are divided into three types through visualization research, and its formation mechanism is analyzed. It can be applied to detection of open-pit mines which have small underground coal mines and many mined-out areas with complex geometric shapes and has great significance to the proposal of stability treatment scheme of mined-out area. The novelty of this study is prove the area, shape, roof thickness and height of the mined-out area by using joint detection method and the hidden mined-out area is visualized by 3D laser scanning technology.
The immunolocalization of cluster of differentiation 31, phalloidin and alpha smooth muscle actin on vascular network of normal and ischemic rat brain
Authors: Wang Jia , Guo Yating , Xu Dongsheng , Cui Jingjing , Wang Yuqing , Su Yuxin , Liu Yihan , Shen Yi , Jing Xianghong , Bai Wanzhu
Published: December 2022

Cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), phalloidin and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) have been widely applied to label the cerebral blood vessels in the past years. Although CD31 is mainly used as endothelial marker in determining the cerebral capillaries, it seems likely that its labeling efficiency is closely correlated with the antibodies from the polyclonal or monoclonal one, as well as the conditions of blood vessels. In order to test this phenomenon, we compared the labeling characteristics of goat polyclonal anti-CD31 (gP-CD31) and mouse monoclonal anti-CD31 (mM-CD31) with those of phalloidin and α-SMA on the rat brain in health and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) with the middle cerebral artery occlusion. By multiple immunofluorescence staining, it was found that gP-CD31 labeling expressed extensively on the cerebral capillaries forming the vascular networks on the normal and ischemic regions, but mM-CD31 labeling mainly presented on the capillaries in the ischemic region. In contrast to the vascular labeling with gP-CD31, phalloidin and α-SMA were mainly expressed on the wall of cortical penetrating arteries, and less on that of capillaries. By three-dimensional reconstruction analysis, it was clearly shown that gP-CD31 labeling was mainly located on the lumen side of vascular wall and was surrounded by phalloidin labeling and α-SMA labeling. These results indicate that gP-CD31 is more sensitive than mM-CD31 for labeling the cerebral vasculature, and is highly compatible with phalloidin and α-SMA for evaluating the cerebral vascular networks under the physiological and pathological conditions.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 outer membrane vesicles-diphtheria toxoid conjugate as a vaccine candidate in a murine burn model
Authors: Zare Banadkoki Ehsan , Rasooli Iraj , Ghazanfari Tooba , Siadat Seyed Davar , Shafiee Ardestani Mehdi , Owlia Parviz
Published: December 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen considered a common cause of nosocomial infection with high morbidity and mortality in burn patients. Immunoprophylaxis techniques may lower the mortality rate of patients with burn wounds infected by P. aeruginosa; consequently, this may be an efficient strategy to manage infections caused by this bacterium. Several pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria like P. aeruginosa release outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), and structurally OMV consists of several antigenic components capable of generating a wide range of immune responses. Here, we evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of P. aeruginosa PA-OMVs (PA-OMVs) conjugated with the diphtheria toxoid (DT) formulated with alum adjuvant (PA-OMVs-DT + adj) in a mice model of burn wound infection. ELISA results showed that in the group of mice immunized with PA-OMVs-DT + adj conjugated, there was a significant increase in specific antibodies titer compared to non-conjugated PA-OMVs or control groups. In addition, the vaccination of mice with PA-OMVs-DT + adj conjugated generated greater protective effectiveness, as seen by lower bacterial loads, and eightfold decreased inflammatory cell infiltration with less tissue damage in the mice burn model compared to the control group. The opsonophagocytic killing results confirmed that humoral immune response might be critical for PA-OMVs mediated protection. These findings suggest that PA-OMV-DT conjugated might be used as a new vaccine against P. aeruginosa in burn wound infection.
Arf1 facilitates mast cell proliferation via the mTORC1 pathway
Authors: Kotani Yui , Sumiyoshi Mami , Sasada Megumi , Watanabe Toshio , Matsuda Satoshi
Published: December 2022

Mast cells are one of major players in allergic responses. Mast cell activation via the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) causes degranulation and release of de novo synthesized proinflammatory cytokines in a process that involves vesicle trafficking. Considering that the GTPase ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (Arf1) orchestrates and maintains membrane traffic and organelle structure, it seems likely that Arf1 contributes to mast cell activation. Actually, it has been reported that pharmaceutical blockade of the Arf1 pathway suppresses cytokine secretion and mast cell degranulation. However, physiological roles of Arf1 in mast cells remain elusive. Here, by using a genetic approach, we demonstrate that Arf1 is required for optimal mTORC1 activation upon IL-3 and facilitates mast cell proliferation. On the other hand, contrary to our expectation, Arf1-deficiency had little impact on FcεRI-induced degranulation nor cytokine secretion. Our findings reveal an unexpected role of Arf1 in mast cell expansion and its potential as a therapeutic target in the mast cell proliferative disorders.
Surface engineering of zinc phthalocyanine organic thin-film transistors results in part-per-billion sensitivity towards cannabinoid vapor
Authors: Comeau Zachary J. , Cranston Rosemary R. , Lamontagne Halynne R. , Harris Cory S. , Shuhendler Adam J. , Lessard Benoît H.
Published: December 2022

Phthalocyanine-based organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) have been demonstrated as sensors for a range of analytes, including cannabinoids, in both liquid and gas phases. Detection of the primary cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), is necessary for quality control and regulation, however, current techniques are often not readily available for consumers, industry, and law-enforcement. The OTFT characteristics, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, and grazing incident wide angle x-ray scattering (GIWAXS) spectra of two copper and three zinc phthalocyanines, with varying degrees of peripheral fluorination, were screened to determine sensitivity to THC vapor. Unsubstituted ZnPc was found to be the most sensitive material and, by tuning thin-film morphology, crystal polymorphs, and thickness through altered physical vapor deposition conditions, we increased the sensitivity to THC by 100x. Here we demonstrate that deposition conditions, and the resulting physical film characteristics, play a significant role in device sensitization.
Authigenic clays as precursors to carbonate precipitation in saline lakes of Salar de Llamara, Northern Chile
Authors: Suosaari Erica P. , Lascu Ioan , Oehlert Amanda M. , Parlanti Paola , Mugnaioli Enrico , Gemmi Mauro , Machabee Paul F. , Piggot Alan M. , Palma Alvaro T. , Reid R. Pamela
Published: December 2022

The Salar de Llamara, Atacama Desert is host to saline lakes known as Puquios, which are possible analogs for lakes on early Earth or Mars. Here we examine associations between microbial communities, Mg-clay minerals, and carbonates in microbial mat samples from the Puquios using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, focused ion beam nanotomography, and transmission electron microscopy. We observe micrometer-scale aggregates of nanocrystalline Mg-clay around cyanobacterial cell sheaths and throughout alveolar networks of microbial extracellular polymeric substances. High-Mn calcite occupies pore spaces and surfaces within the clay matrix. We propose a sequence whereby extracellular polymeric substance networks serve as surfaces for precipitation of Mg-clay, which permineralizes the original microorganisms. Formation of the clay reduces kinetic barriers and provides a suitable substrate for the formation of carbonate minerals. We therefore suggest that authigenic clays are important in the preservation of microbial communities and the precipitation of carbonates in non-marine settings such as the saline lakes of the Atacama Desert.
Changes in the membrane lipid composition of a Sulfurimonas species depend on the electron acceptor used for sulfur oxidation
Authors: Ding Su , Henkel Jan V , Hopmans Ellen C , Bale Nicole J , Koenen Michel , Villanueva Laura , Damsté Jaap S Sinninghe
Published: December 2022

Sulfurimonas species are among the most abundant sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in the marine environment. They are capable of using different electron acceptors, this metabolic flexibility is favorable for their niche adaptation in redoxclines. When oxygen is depleted, most Sulfurimonas spp. (e.g., Sulfurimonas gotlandica) use nitrate ( NO3−) as an electron acceptor to oxidize sulfur, including sulfide (HS−), S0 and thiosulfate, for energy production. Candidatus Sulfurimonas marisnigri SoZ1 and Candidatus Sulfurimonas baltica GD2, recently isolated from the redoxclines of the Black Sea and Baltic Sea respectively, have been shown to use manganese dioxide (MnO2) rather than NO3− for sulfur oxidation. The use of different electron acceptors is also dependent on differences in the electron transport chains embedded in the cellular membrane, therefore changes in the membrane, including its lipid composition, are expected but are so far unexplored. Here, we used untargeted lipidomic analysis to reveal changes in the composition of the lipidomes of three representative Sulfurimonas species grown using either NO3− and MnO2. We found that all Sulfurimonas spp. produce a series of novel phosphatidyldiazoalkyl-diacylglycerol lipids. Ca. Sulfurimonas baltica GD2 adapts its membrane lipid composition depending on the electron acceptors it utilizes for growth and survival. When carrying out MnO2-dependent sulfur oxidation, the novel phosphatidyldiazoalkyl-diacylglycerol headgroup comprises shorter alkyl moieties than when sulfur oxidation is NO3−-dependent. This is the first report of membrane lipid adaptation when an organism is grown with different electron acceptors. We suggest novel diazoalkyl lipids have the potential to be used as a biomarker for different conditions in redox-stratified systems.
Exploring cationic polyelectrolyte–micelle interaction via excited-state proton transfer. Signatures of probe transfer
Authors: Pal Tapas , Sahu Kalyanasis
Published: December 2022

New fluorescence signatures indicate the transfer of the fluorophore from micelle to polyelectrolyte assembly.
New ruthenium(ii) complexes with quinone diimine and substituted bipyridine as inert ligands: synthesis, characterization, mechanism of action, DNA/HSA binding affinity and cytotoxic activity
Authors: Međedović Milica , Rilak Simović Ana , Ćoćić Dušan , Senft Laura , Matić Sanja , Todorović Danijela , Popović Suzana , Baskić Dejan , Petrović Biljana
Published: December 2022

New ruthenium(ii)-tpy complexes strongly and selectively limited cancer cell growth and replication, and induced apoptosis, at least partly through damaging DNA or blockade of DNA synthesis.
Phosphido-borane-supported stannates
Authors: Izod Keith , Madlool Atheer M. , Craig Alex , Waddell Paul G.
Published: December 2022

While the reaction between three equivalents of the alkali metal phosphido-borane complexes [R2P(BH3)]M (M = Li, Na, K; R = Ph, iPr) with SnCl2gave the tris(phosphido-borane)stannates [M{R2P(BH3)}3Sn], similar reactions between [tBu2P(BH3)]M and SnCl2gave the known hydrido-stannate [M{tBu2P(BH3)}2Sn(H)].
Cadmium phosphates with two types of fundamental building units and a wide ultraviolet transparency window
Authors: Cai Bingjie , Dou Danyang , Zhang Bingbing , Li Ling , Wang Ying
Published: December 2022

Two phosphates, KCd6P7O24 and KCd3P3O11, were synthesized with short UV cut-off edges. Their structures consist of 3D frameworks formed by different [CdOn] and P–O fundamental building units.
Significant improvement and mechanism of tetracycline degradation with the synergistic piezoelectric effect of ZnO/CuS Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts
Authors: Gao Qi , Zhou Luping , Xu Shuai , Dai Shuqi , Zhu Qi , Li Yuliang
Published: December 2022

In the current work, a CuS nanoflower-modified ZnO nanorod heterojunction was synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method.
Rhodium(ii)-catalyzed C–H carboxylation of ferrocenes with CO2
Authors: Lv Hong , Wang Xinchao , Hao Yanzhao , Ma Chao , Li Shangda , Li Gang , Zhang Jian
Published: December 2022

Rh(ii)-catalyzed C–H carboxylation of ferrocene derivatives with CO2was developed. The first example of CO2-involved asymmetric C–H carboxylation was achieved with moderate enantioselectivity.
Visible light driven multicomponent synthesis of difluoroamidosulfonyl quinoline derivatives
Authors: Ye Haiwei , Zhou Liping , Chen Yunhua , Tong Huaguang
Published: December 2022

The synthesis of various difluoroamidosulfonylated quinolines was achieved via an EDA complex-mediated radical tandem bicyclization of N-propargyl aromatic amines with N-allylbromodifluoroacetamides and DABSO under photocatalyst-free conditions.
Retracted: Self‐attention Bi‐RNN for developer emotion recognition based on EEG
Authors: Wang Yingdong , Zheng Yuhui , Cao Lu , Zhang Zhiling , Ruan Qunsehng , Wu Qingfeng
Published: December 2022

Retraction: [Yingdong Wang, Yuhui Zheng, Lu Cao, Zhiling Zhang, Qunsehng Ruan, Qingfeng Wu, Self‐attention Bi‐RNN for developer emotion recognition based on EEG, IET Software 2022 (https://doi.org/10.1049/sfw2.12080)].

The above article from IET Software, published online on 23 December 2022 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the Editor‐in‐Chief, Hana Chockler, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (the IET) and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. This article was published as part of a Guest Edited special issue. Following an investigation, the IET and the journal have determined that the article was not reviewed in line with the journal’s peer review standards and there is evidence that the peer review process of the special issue underwent systematic manipulation. Accordingly, we cannot vouch for the integrity or reliability of the content. As such we have taken the decision to retract the article. The authors have been informed of the decision to retract.
A systematic mapping study on machine learning methodologies for requirements management
Authors: Xu Chi , Li Yuanbang , Wang Bangchao , Dong Shi
Published: December 2022

Requirements management (RM) plays an important role in requirements engineering. The development of machine learning (ML) is in full swing, and many ML software management techniques had been used to improve the performance of RM methods. However, as no research study is known that exists systematically to summarise the ML methods used in RM. To fill this gap, this paper adopts the systematic mapping study to survey the state‐of‐the‐art ML methods for RM primary studies and were finally selected in this mapping, which was published on 36 conferences and journals. The 24 factors affecting the ML method of RM are determined, of which 9, 11 and 4 are the three parts of RM, namely requirements baseline maintenance, requirements traceability and requirements change management separately. The 18 objectives of the ML method for RM are summarised, of which 6, 7 and 5 are the three parts of RM. The eight ML methods used in RM and their time sequence are summarised. The 18 evaluation indexes for RM in the ML method are determined, and the performance of these methods on these parameters is analysed. The research direction of this paper is of great significance to the research of researchers in demand management.
Biological Activity of a 4-Hydroxy-Furanyl-Benzamide Derivative on Heart Failure
Authors: Lauro Figueroa-Valverde , Marcela Rosas-Nexticapa , Maria López-Ramos , Magdalena Alvarez-Ramirez , Virginia Mateu-Armad Maria , Francisco Díaz-Cedillo , Catalina Cervantes-Ortega , Montserrat Melgarejo-Guutierrez
Published: December 2022

Background There are studies that suggest that some benzamide derivatives may exert effects on heart failure; however, their molecular mechanism is not very clear.

Objective The aim of this research was to evaluate the biological activity of a 4-hydroxy-furanyl-benzamide derivative against heart failure translated as area infarct.

Methods Biological activity produced by 4-hydroxy-furanyl-benzamide derivative against heart failure was determinate using an ischemia-reperfusion injury model. In addition, the effects exerted by the 4-hydroxy-furanyl-benzamide derivative on left ventricular pressure (LVP) was evaluated in the absence or presence of some drugs such as yohimbine, butaxamine, methoctramine and L-NAME using a model of rat heart isolated.

Results The results showed that 4-hydroxy-furanyl-benzamide derivative decrease both infarct area and LVP. However, the effect produced by 4-hydroxy-furanyl-benzamide derivative on LVP was inhibited in the presence of both methoctramine and L-NAME.

Conclusions All these data suggest that biological activity produced by 4-hydroxy-furanyl-benzamide derivative on left ventricular pressure is through of both M2-muscarinic receptor and nitric oxide synthase enzyme activation. It is important to mention that this phenomenon results as a decrease of both infarct area and heart failure.
Bilaterale Oberlidschwellung mit Abszedierung unter Etanercept-Therapie
Authors: Bartmann Iva Ruth , Alnawaiseh Maged , Mihailovic Natasa
Published: December 2022

Wir präsentieren den Fall einer 66-jährigen Patientin, bei der sich unter Etanercept-Therapie bei rheumatoider Arthritis eine bilaterale Oberlidschwellung mit Abszedierung zeigte. Da das
simultane und bilaterale Auftreten von Oberlidabszessen mit systemischer Ursache sehr selten ist und sich in der Literatur Fälle einer Abszedierung unter Etanercept-Therapie finden,
diskutieren wir eine mögliche Verbindung zwischen der bilateralen Oberlidabszedierung und der bestehenden immunsuppressiven Therapie.
The Relationship between Ergometric Treadmill or Bicycle
Performance and Isokinetic Trunk Strength – A Retrospective
Analysis
Authors: Geißler Daniel , Lison Andreas , Schulze Christoph
Published: December 2022

The relationship between trunk strength and athletic performance is well known.
In the past, trunk strength and athletic performance were measured in field
tests. Previous studies encouraged sport-specific analyses. The goal of this
study was to investigate whether there is a relation between ergometrically
measured treadmill or bicycle endurance and isokinetic trunk strength. This
retrospective analysis included 1334 bicycle and 1838 treadmill ergometry
examinations in 1149 subjects. Bicycle and treadmill ergometer performance were
analysed in relation to isokinetic trunk strength. Statistics were performed by
Pearson correlation and mixed or generalised linear models. Higher treadmill and
bicycle power correlated with higher isokinetic trunk strength, with highest
absolute trunk strength in the treadmill group. For both running and cycling
endurance, a positive correlation with trunk strength could be quantified in
regression models. Increased ergometry endurance and lower
flexion/extension ratios are connected weakly. Ergometry performance had
the strongest correlation with extension trunk strength
(r=0.312–0.398 for bicycle ergometry and
r=0.168–0.229 for treadmill ergometry, p<0.001). We
encourage prospective studies using both kinds of ergometry to evaluate the
effect of trunk strengthening to enhance sport-specific endurance performance.
Weight-adapted trunk strength values showed overall greater correlation to trunk
strength and we recommend the use of weight-adapted values.
Neuroendokrine Tumoren im Kopf-, Halsbereich
Authors: Duong Dinh Thien An , Braunschweig Till , Ilgner Justus , Westhofen Martin
Published: December 2022

Hintergrund Neuroendokrine Tumoren (NET) sind benigne oder maligne Neoplasien, die entwicklungsgeschichtlich der Neuralleiste oder paraganglionären Zellen des vegetativen Nervensystems entstammen. Die alte Bezeichnung Karzinoid (karzinomähnlicher Tumor) ist noch sehr verbreitet, jedoch inzwischen obsolet. Lediglich 0,5–2 % aller Neoplasien des Menschen sind neuroendokrine Tumoren, welche überwiegend gastrointestinal oder bronchopulmonal lokalisiert sind. Die Inzidenz beträgt 9.263/100.000. Jedoch ist nur 1 % der Kopf-Hals-Tumore neuroendokriner Genese. Fallzahlstarke Langzeitstudien und Leitlinien zur Diagnose und Therapie im Kopf-Hals-Bereich fehlen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist der wertende Vergleich bekannter Therapiestrategien und daraus folgender Krankheitsverläufe sowie deren Vergleich mit dem Schrifttum anhand eigener Fälle unterschiedlicher Lokalisation und Ausdehnung.

Patienten und Methoden In unserer Klinik wurden zwischen 2010 und 2017 14 Patienten mit neuroendokrinen Tumoren im Kopf-Hals-Bereich behandelt. Acht Patienten davon wurden primär operativ mit adjuvanter Radiochemotherapie (RCT) versorgt. Sechs Patienten erhielten eine primäre Radiochemotherapie in kurativer Absicht. Ein Patient erhielt aufgrund des Tumorprogresses nach der primären Radiochemotherapie eine weitere Chemotherapie mit palliativer Indikation.

Ergebnisse Die Tumorlokalisationen verteilen sich auf den Larynx (n = 7), die Glandula parotis (n = 2) und auf die Nasenhaupt- und -nebenhöhlen (n=5). Von den 8 operierten Patienten konnte in 6 Fällen eine in-sano-Resektion (R0) erreicht werden. Die im Kollektiv gemessene Gesamtüberlebensrate beträgt im Mittel 19±6 Monate. Von den 14 untersuchten Patienten erlitten 2 Patienten ein Rezidiv, wovon ein Patient nach 7 Monaten verstarb und ein Patient 32 Monate nach der Nachresektion Rezidiv-frei lebt. In zwei Fällen sprach das NET nicht auf die kombinierte RCT an und die Patienten verstarben jeweils nach 6 und 13 Monaten. Die Überlebenszeit ist abhängig vom T-Stadium des NET sowie vom Erreichen einer R0-Resektion. Die R0-Resektion bietet eine höhere Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit als die primäre RCT.

Schlussfolgerung Patienten mit NET des Kopf-Hals-Bereiches müssen in spezialisierten Zentren interdisziplinär behandelt werden. Zur Erfassung dieser Daten ist eine Tumordatenbank notwendig. Jedoch sind aufgrund der niedrigen Inzidenz keine Studien auf hohem Evidenzniveau zu erwarten. Nach Diagnosestellung sollte ohne zeitliche Verzögerung die im Rahmen einer int. TuKo individuelle auf den Patienten zugeschnittene Therapie erfolgen.
Leitlinienbasierte digitale Tabakentwöhnung mit PC, Tablet oder Smartphone
Authors: Rupp Alexander , Hering Thomas , Bubeck Alena , Kreuter Michael
Published: December 2022

Einführung Inhalatives Rauchen ist mit erheblicher Morbidität und Mortalität sowie einer signifikanten Belastung der Gesundheitsökonomie verbunden. Der möglichst frühe Rauchstopp ist daher medizinisch und gesundheitsökonomisch von herausragender Bedeutung. Mit dem aktuellen Goldstandard der Tabakentwöhnung, einer kombinierten verhaltenstherapeutischen und medikamentösen Unterstützung, werden bevölkerungsbezogen nur unzureichend viele Raucher erreicht. Leitlinienkonforme, niederschwellige und breit verfügbare digitale Entwöhnungsangebote könnten dagegen die Zahl erfolgreicher Aufhörer signifikant steigern. Mit dem digitalen Entwöhnungsprogramm „Nichtraucherhelden“ (Online-Version und Smartphone-App) steht seit 2016 eine solche leitlinienkonforme und niederschwellige digitale Tabakentwöhnung zur Verfügung. Das Programm besteht aus 2 Vorbereitungs- und 10 Programmtagen und umfasst die Kerninhalte gängiger Tabakentwöhnungskurse.

Probanden und Methodik Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte die Programmteilnehmer im Zeitraum von Dez. 2016 bis Nov. 2019 (n = 2491) retrospektiv in Bezug auf Akzeptanz, Adhärenz und Effektivität. 69 % der TN waren weiblich, das Durchschnittsalter betrug 46 Jahre.

Ergebnisse Der Rauchstopptag wurde im Durchschnitt nach knapp 19 Tagen erreicht. Die Aufhörquote nach einem Jahr lag bei 15 %. Unerwartet war die höhere Aufhörquote stärker abhängiger Raucher im Vergleich zu weniger stark Abhängigen.

Folgerung Die Untersuchung zeigt die prinzipielle Durchführbarkeit und Wirksamkeit eines digitalen, leitlinienkonformen Entwöhnungsprogramms. Zur Bestätigung der Effektivität ist eine randomisierte, kontrollierte Studie erforderlich.
Gender Differences in Executive Functions of Patients Operated for Mild to Moderate Epidural Hematoma
Authors: Singh Shweta , Sarraf Seema Rani , Tripathi Adarsh , Ojha Bal Krishna , Singh Amandeep
Published: December 2022

Background Impairment in neurocognitive functions are commonly followed by Epidural hematoma (EDH) . This cross-sectional study was aimed to study gender differences in neurocognitive functions in mild to moderate epidural hematoma patients (43 male and 19 female patients) post-surgery using standardized assessment tools of comprehensive neurocognitive function attention, speed, working memory, fluency, set-shifting, perseveration, planning and response inhibition.

Methods Descriptive statistics, i.e., mean and standard deviation (SD) values were computed, and a t-test was applied for further exploration.

Results The analysis of results shows that on the test of working memory, female group scored better as significant differences were found on N-Back (2 Back versions) and digit span-backward. On the verbal fluency test (COWA), significant difference was found as females scored higher than the male group on total responses. However, the male group was higher in total time and error than the female group on the test of sustained attention and divided attention.

Conclusion This study shows interesting results in terms of gender differences in executive function of patients operated for mild to moderate epidural hematoma. These findings have significant clinical and implications for planning intervention. The neuropsychological rehabilitation of patients operated for mild to moderate epidural hematoma has a crucial role in enhancing their recovery and overall functioning. Inputs about gender differences in neuro psychological functioning of these patients would help in decision making regarding neuropsychological rehabilitation incorporating the gender related differences too in their intervention plan.