bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Einleitung
Authors: Gercke Marcus
Published: November 2022

Gewalt trifft Menschen direkt, erzeugt handlungseinschränkende Ängste, vermindert Lebensqualität und bedroht den sozialen Frieden. Inhaftierungen gehen mit sozialem Ausschluss, Stigmatisierungen sowie hohen Gemeinschaftskosten einher und sind stärker von der nationalen Bestrafungs- bzw. Resozialisierungskultur abhängig als von der jeweiligen Kriminalitätsrate. Teenagerschwangerschaften und niedrige Bildung führen zu sozialer Ausgrenzung, niedrigen Aufstiegschancen, Stigmatisierung und Marginalisierung.
Topographic Mapping of Isolated Thalamic Infarcts Using Vascular and Novel Probabilistic Functional Thalamic Landmarks
Authors: Rauch Maximilian , Schüre Jan-Rüdiger , Lieschke Franziska , Keil Fee , Steidl Eike , You Se-jong , Foerch Christian , Hattingen Elke , Weidauer Stefan , Schaller-Paule Martin A.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

We aimed to re-evaluate the relationship between thalamic infarct (TI) localization and clinical symptoms using a vascular (VTM) and a novel functional territorial thalamic map (FTM).

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical data of 65 patients with isolated TI were evaluated (female n = 23, male n = 42, right n = 23, left n = 42). A VTM depicted the known seven thalamic vascular territories (VT: inferolateral, anterolateral, inferomedial, posterior, central, anteromedian, posterolateral). An FTM was generated from a probabilistic thalamic nuclei atlas to determine six functionally defined territories (FT: anterior: memory/emotions; ventral: motor/somatosensory/language; medial: behavior/emotions/nociception, oculomotor; intralaminar: arousal/pain; lateral: visuospatial/somatosensory/conceptual and analytic thinking; posterior: audiovisual/somatosensory). Four neuroradiologists independently assigned diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesions to the territories mapped by the VTM and FTM. Findings were correlated with clinical features.

Results

The most frequent symptom was a hemisensory syndrome (58%), which was not specific for any territory. A co-occurrence of hemisensory syndrome and hemiparesis had positive predictive values (PPV) of 76% and 82% for the involvement of the inferolateral VT and ventral FT, respectively. Thalamic aphasia had a PPV of 63% each for involvement of the anterolateral VT and ventral FT. Neglect was associated with involvement of the inferolateral VT/ventral FT. Interrater reliability for the assignment of DWI lesions to the VTM was fair (κ = 0.36), but good (κ = 0.73) for the FTM.

Conclusion

The FTM revealed a greater reproducibility for the topographical assignment of TI than the VTM. Sensorimotor hemiparesis and neglect are predictive for a TI in the inferolateral VT/ventral FT. The hemisensory syndrome alone does not allow any topographical assignment.
Computed Tomography of the Spine
Authors: Dieckmeyer Michael , Sollmann Nico , Kupfer Karina , Löffler Maximilian T. , Paprottka Karolin J. , Kirschke Jan S. , Baum Thomas
Published: November 2022

The introduction of the first whole-body CT scanner in 1974 marked the beginning of cross-sectional spine imaging. In the last decades, the technological advancement, increasing availability and clinical success of CT led to a rapidly growing number of CT examinations, also of the spine. After initially being primarily used for trauma evaluation, new indications continued to emerge, such as assessment of vertebral fractures or degenerative spine disease, preoperative and postoperative evaluation, or CT-guided interventions at the spine; however, improvements in patient management and clinical outcomes come along with higher radiation exposure, which increases the risk for secondary malignancies. Therefore, technical developments in CT acquisition and reconstruction must always include efforts to reduce the radiation dose. But how exactly can the dose be reduced? What amount of dose reduction can be achieved without compromising the clinical value of spinal CT examinations and what can be expected from the rising stars in CT technology: artificial intelligence and photon counting CT? In this article, we try to answer these questions by systematically reviewing dose reduction techniques with respect to the major clinical indications of spinal CT. Furthermore, we take a concise look on the dose reduction potential of future developments in CT hardware and software.
The effect of age on resilience of health-related quality of life among polytrauma patients: a cross-sectional multicenter study
Authors: de Vries Rob , Reininga Inge , de Graaf Max , Banierink Hester , Bosma Eelke , Munzebrock Arvid , Heineman Erik , Moumni Mostafa El , Wendt Klaus
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of age on patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the capacity to show resilience—i.e., the ability to adapt to stressful adverse events—after sustaining a polytrauma.

Methods

A cross-sectional multicenter cohort was conducted between 2013 and 2016 that included surviving polytrauma patients (ISS ≥ 16). HRQoL was obtained by the Short Musculoskeletal Function assessment and EuroQol (SMFA and EQ-5D-5L). The effect of age on HRQoL was tested with linear regression analysis. Next, the individual scores were compared with age- and sex-matched normative data to determine whether they showed resilience. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to assess the effect of age on reaching the normative threshold of the surveys, correcting for several confounders.

Results

A total of 363 patients responded (57%). Overall, patients had a mean EQ-5D-5L score of 0.73. With higher age, scores on the SMFA subscales “upper extremity dysfunction,” “lower extremity dysfunction” and “daily activities” significantly dropped. Only 42% of patients were classified as being resilient, based on the EQ-5D-5L score. Patients aged 60–69 showed the highest resilience (56%), and those aged 80 + showed the lowest resilience (0%).

Conclusion

Sustaining a polytrauma leads to a serious decline in HRQoL. Aging is associated with a decline in the physical components of HRQoL. No clear relationship with age was seen on the non-physical components of quality of life. Octogenarians, and to a lesser extent septuagenarians and tricenarians, showed to be very vulnerable groups, with low rates of resilience after surviving a polytrauma.
Vein-type gold formation during late extensional collapse of the Eastern Desert, Egypt: the Gidami deposit
Authors: Zoheir Basem , McAleer Ryan , Steele-MacInnis Matthew , Zeh Armin , Bain Wyatt , Poulette Spencer
Published: November 2022

Orogenic gold deposits, though construed to focused fluid flow during orogenesis, commonly post-date the main accretionary events. Several lines of evidence indicate that orogenic gold formation in the Arabian–Nubian Shield continued through the orogen collapse stage and associated rapid exhumation and thermal re-equilibration. The Gidami gold deposit in the Eastern Desert of Egypt is associated with post-foliation, brittle-ductile shear zones that deformed a weakly foliated tonalite-trondhjemite massif dated as ~ 704 Ma (U–Pb zircon age). Gold-sulfide quartz veins exhibit textural features indicative of repeated mylonitization, recrystallization, and muscovite crystallization. New 40Ar/39Ar ages of muscovite flakes from the auriferous quartz veins and from the altered wallrock overlap within analytical uncertainty at ~ 583 Ma, which corresponds to the climax of extension-related wrenching and rapid exhumation in the region (~ 596 to 582 Ma). Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data coupled with microtextural characteristics suggest that early formed pyrite generations experienced substantial fluid-mediated recrystallization, and that a set of metals was remobilized by later fluids. A late generation of fibrous pyrite, ubiquitous in microfractures, deposited while the veins re-opened and deformed. The occurrence of free gold particles along with a late-paragenetic assemblage of galena-sphalerite-chalcopyrite(± hessite ± cervelleite) was related to influx of low salinity, metalliferous H2O-NaCl-CO2-CH4 fluids as indicated by the fluid inclusion laser Raman spectroscopy and microthermometry results. Au-mobilization and redeposition at T ≤ 350 °C and P ~ 1 to 1.7 kbar, triggered by intermittent fluid pluses and thermal re-equilibration, were most likely stimulated by extensional structures and within-plate magmatism. Coincident province- and deposit-scale pressure–temperature-time data highlight the pivotal role of the orogenic collapse tectonics in gold endowment in the Central Eastern Desert’s crust.
Do current and capital account liberalizations affect economic growth in the long run?
Authors: Gregori Tullio , Giansoldati Marco
Published: November 2022

We investigate the long-run relationship between de jure trade openness and economic growth as well as between de jure financial openness and economic growth for a panel of 118 developed and developing countries in the period 1970–2017. We fit a cross-sectional autoregressive distributed lag model and unveil the positive association between both liberalizations and economic growth in the global panel and for the more developed countries. Conversely, only trade liberalization is linked with larger output growth in less developed nations. We complement these results with a long-run causality analysis, which reveals that for the whole sample and for the two subsamples both de jure trade and de jure financial openness jointly cause economic growth. These outcomes may be indicative that during the time span under scrutiny developing countries faced current account crises when they stuck to the early prescriptions of the Washington Consensus. Yet, they later adopted a more nuanced view of economic liberalism putting in place a number of capital controls, which protected them from sudden stops and capital reversals.
A Near Four-Decade Time Series Shows the Hawaiian Islands Have Been Browning Since the 1980s
Authors: Madson Austin , Dimson Monica , Fortini Lucas Berio , Kawelo Kapua , Ticktin Tamara , Keir Matt , Dong Chunyu , Ma Zhimin , Beilman David W. , Kay Kelly , Ocón Jonathan Pando , Gallerani Erica , Pau Stephanie , Gillespie Thomas W.
Published: November 2022

The Hawaiian Islands have been identified as a global biodiversity hotspot. We examine the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) using Climate Data Records products (0.05 × 0.05°) to identify significant differences in NDVI between neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation years (1984, 2019) and significant long-term changes over the entire time series (1982–2019) for the Hawaiian Islands and six land cover classes. Overall, there has been a significant decline in NDVI (i.e., browning) across the Hawaiian Islands from 1982 to 2019 with the islands of Lāna’i and Hawai’i experiencing the greatest decreases in NDVI (≥44%). All land cover classes significantly decreased in NDVI for most months, especially during the wet season month of March. Native vegetation cover across all islands also experienced significant declines in NDVI, with the leeward, southwestern side of the island of Hawai’i experiencing the greatest declines. The long-term trends in the annual total precipitation and annual mean Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) for 1982–2019 on the Hawaiian Islands show significant concurrent declines. Primarily positive correlations between the native ecosystem NDVI and precipitation imply that significant decreases in precipitation may exacerbate the decrease in NDVI of native ecosystems. NDVI-PDSI correlations were primarily negative on the windward side of the islands and positive on the leeward sides, suggesting a higher sensitivity to drought for leeward native ecosystems. Multi-decadal time series and spatially explicit data for native landscapes provide natural resource managers with long-term trends and monthly changes associated with vegetation health and stability.
Relation between obesity-related comorbidities and kidney function estimation in children
Authors: van Dam Mark J. C. M. , Pottel Hans , Vreugdenhil Anita C. E.
Published: November 2022

Background

The current childhood obesity pandemic is likely to result in an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) later in life. Correlations between obesity-related comorbidities and kidney function can be found, but it is unclear to what extent this is caused by bias due to different mathematical forms of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations. The present study aimed to analyze correlations between obesity-related comorbidities and different eGFR equations and to investigate whether rescaled serum creatinine (SCr/Q) for sex and age or height might be an alternative biomarker for kidney function estimation.

Methods

This cross-sectional cohort study included 600 children with overweight and obesity. Mean age was 12.20 ± 3.28 years, 53.5% were female, and mean BMI z-score was 3.31 ± 0.75. All children underwent a comprehensive assessment that included anthropometrical and blood pressure measurements, laboratory examination, air displacement plethysmography, and polysomnography. Qage and Qheight polynomials were used to rescale SCr and multiple creatinine-based eGFR equations were compared.

Results

SCr/Q and almost all GFR estimations significantly correlated with a waist-to-hip ratio, fat mass, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, and triacylglyceride, HDL cholesterol, alanine transaminase, and serum uric acid concentrations. Multiple correlations, however, were not confirmed by all equations, which suggests dependency on the mathematical form of the different eGFR equations.

Conclusions

Correlations between obesity-related comorbidities and creatinine-based eGFR are present in children with overweight and obesity, but depend to a large extent on the eGFR equation of choice. SCr/Q might be an alternative biomarker for assessing correlations between obesity-related comorbidities and kidney function in children with overweight and obesity.

Graphical Abstract
Micro- and nano-devices for electrochemical sensing
Authors: Mariani Federica , Gualandi Isacco , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Scavetta Erika
Published: November 2022

Electrode miniaturization has profoundly revolutionized the field of electrochemical sensing, opening up unprecedented opportunities for probing biological events with a high spatial and temporal resolution, integrating electrochemical systems with microfluidics, and designing arrays for multiplexed sensing. Several technological issues posed by the desire for downsizing have been addressed so far, leading to micrometric and nanometric sensing systems with different degrees of maturity. However, there is still an endless margin for researchers to improve current strategies and cope with demanding sensing fields, such as lab-on-a-chip devices and multi-array sensors, brain chemistry, and cell monitoring. In this review, we present current trends in the design of micro-/nano-electrochemical sensors and cutting-edge applications reported in the last 10 years. Micro- and nanosensors are divided into four categories depending on the transduction mechanism, e.g., amperometric, impedimetric, potentiometric, and transistor-based, to best guide the reader through the different detection strategies and highlight major advancements as well as still unaddressed demands in electrochemical sensing.

Graphical Abstract
Electric vehicle battery charging framework using artificial intelligence modeling of a small wind turbine based on experimental characterization
Authors: Aboelezz Ahmed , Makeen Peter , Ghali Hani A. , Elbayomi Gamal , Abdelrahman Mohamed Madbouli
Published: November 2022

The objective of this paper is to develop a generic electric vehicle battery charging framework using wind energy as the direct energy source. A robust model for a small vertical axis wind turbine based on an artificial neural network algorithm is used for predicting its performance over a wide range of operating conditions. The proposed framework can be implemented at any location worldwide where full prediction of the wind signature is perfectly obtained. In this paper, a small vertical axis wind turbine has been experimentally characterized at different operating conditions, where measured data, output power, and torque have been used to build the model. Once the model has been developed, the model is inserted into the MATLAB/Simulink software tool to predict the charging performance of a battery for an electric vehicle. An rpm controller has been used to achieve the maximum generated power from the wind turbine across the day with various wind speeds. Hence, the generated power is fed to the EV battery charger to implement the constant current constant voltage charging protocol. The charging current reached the desired value in a settling time of 4.5 s, whatever the intermittency of the wind energy. The proposed application of wind energy to EV provides sufficient constant power supported by the utility grid.

Graphical Abstract
Significant healthcare burden and life cost of spinal muscular atrophy: real-world data
Authors: Chan Sophelia H. S. , Wong Carlos K. H. , Wu Tingting , Wong Wilfred , Yu Michael K. L. , Au Ivan C. H. , Chan Godfrey C. F.
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study is to quantify the mortality rate, direct healthcare costs, and cumulative life costs of pediatric patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, type 2, and type 3 born in Hong Kong.

Methods

Data were collected from genetically confirmed SMA patients born in or after 2000 from the Hospital Authority medical database. Patients were followed up from birth until they died, left Hong Kong, reached 18 years, or initiated disease-modifying treatment. Study outcomes included incidence risks of mortality, cumulative direct medical costs—attendances of special outpatient clinics, emergency department, allied health services, and mean length of stay in hospitals over time. Total direct medical costs were calculated as unit costs multiplied by utilization frequencies of corresponding healthcare services at each age.

Results

Seventy-one patients with SMA were included. Over a median follow-up period of 6 years, the overall incidence rate of death was 5.422/100 person-years (95%CI 3.542–7.945/100 person-years). 67.7% and 11% of deaths occurred in SMA1 and SMA2 groups, respectively. The median age of death was 0.8 years in SMA1 and 10.9 years in SMA2. The mean cumulative direct medical costs in overall SMA, SMA1, SMA2 and SMA3 groups per patient were US$935,570, US$2,393,250, US$413,165, and US$40,735, respectively.

Interpretation: Our results confirmed a significantly raised mortality and extremely high healthcare burden for patients with SMA especially SMA type 1 and 2 without disease-modifying treatment. Study evaluating health and economic impact of newborn screening and early treatment is needed.
A review on nonlinear energy sinks: designs, analysis and applications of impact and rotary types
Authors: Saeed Adnan S. , Abdul Nasar Rafath , AL-Shudeifat Mohammad A.
Published: November 2022

Dynamical and structural systems are susceptible to sudden excitations and loadings such as wind gusts, blasts, earthquakes, and others which may cause destructive vibration amplitudes and lead to catastrophic impact on human lives and economy. Therefore, various vibration absorbers of linear and nonlinear coupling dynamics have been widely studied in plenty of publications where some have been applied in real-world practical applications. Firstly, the tuned-mass-damper (TMD), the first well-known linear vibration absorber that has been well-studied in the literature and applied with various structural and dynamical systems, is discussed. The linear vibration absorbers such as TMDs are widely used in real-life small- and large-scale structures due to their robust performance in vibration suppression of the low natural frequency structural modes. However, the TMD performs efficiently at narrowband frequency range where its performance is deteriorated by any changes in the frequency content in the structure and the TMD itself. Therefore, the targeted-energy-transfer mechanism which is found to be achieved by nonlinear energy sinks (NESs) has ignited the interest in passive nonlinear vibration suppression. Unlike TMDs, the NESs are dynamical vibration absorbers that achieve vibration suppression for wide range of frequency-energy levels. Given the very rapid growth in this field and the extensive research studies supporting the robustness of the NESs, this paper presents the different types of NESs and their applications with main emphasis on the rotary-based and impact-based NESs since they are of high impact in the literature due to their strong nonlinear dynamical behavior and robust targeted energy transfer.
Engine oil from agricultural machinery as a source of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in free-range hens
Authors: Pajurek Marek , Mikolajczyk Szczepan , Warenik-Bany Malgorzata
Published: November 2022

Free-range hens spend most of their lives outdoors, resulting in their heavy exposure to environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs), and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs). We present a case of contamination of free-range eggs that is previously unreported in the literature. The aim of our study was a source investigation after finding a high level of PCDD/Fs in samples of eggs from one of the inspected farms. Samples of hens’ eggs, muscles, and livers and the feeds and soils were analyzed. The results showed that the soil samples taken from the paddock contained high concentrations of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs expressed as toxic equivalents (TEQ) (72.9 ± 18.2 pg WHO-TEQ g−1 dry mas (d.m.)) and a high concentration of NDL-PCBs (207 ± 46.9 ng g−1 d.m.). The investigation found that the cause of the soil contamination was oil leaking from the farm’s tractor engine. The oil contained very high concentrations of PCDD/F and DL-PCBs (1013 ± 253 pg WHO-TEQ g−1 oil) and 5644 ng g−1 of NDL-PCBs. The source of the contamination was confirmed by the similarity of the PCDD/F and PCB profiles in the hen eggs and the soil contaminated by engine oil. The dietary intake of toxins resulting from consumption of the eggs is provided. For children, the consumption of contaminated eggs would result in an intake of double the tolerable weekly intake (TWI), while for adults, it would be approx. 60–70% of TWI.
Socioeconomic status and entrepreneurial networking responses to the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Brändle Leif , Signer Helen , Kuckertz Andreas
Published: November 2022

Networks play a vital role for entrepreneurs in overcoming crises. The most vulnerable to crises are those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. However, we know less about the role of socioeconomic status in entrepreneurial networking. This study investigates whom entrepreneurs call in case of emergency. We develop hypotheses on how entrepreneurs’ socioeconomic status influences models of networking agency in situations of economic threat. The results of a pre-registered randomized experiment in the COVID-19 context conducted with 122 entrepreneurs from the US indicate that entrepreneurs in higher socioeconomic status positions activate contacts to serve their own goals (i.e., independent networking agency) when facing an economic threat. In contrast, and counter-intuitively, entrepreneurs of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to support others when facing an economic threat (i.e., interdependent networking agency). Exploring the evolving network structure, our explorative post-hoc analyses suggest that entrepreneurs activate closer networks (i.e., higher density and stronger ties) under threat. The study discusses the implications of these findings for the theory of entrepreneurial networking in general and network responses to crises in particular.
The influence of field margin characteristics on syrphid abundance
Authors: Blaix Cian , Moonen Anna-Camilla
Published: November 2022

Field margins have an important ecological role in agroecosystems including hosting beneficial insect such as syrphids. However, little is known of syrphid preferences for different types of field margins. Syrphids were sampled in field margins in an organic agroecosystem to test the hypothesis that syrphid abundance in field margins depends not only on the floral resource abundance but also on field margin component type, field margin complexity, and adjacent land-use type. Floral resource abundance had the greatest influence on the number of syrphids surveyed. Field margin characteristics were deemed to effect syrphid abundance both independently of their effect on floral resources and by altering floral resource abundance. Syrphids were more abundant in field margins adjacent to cropped fields than those adjacent to grazed fields or roads. More syrphids were found in ditch components than in tree or grass strip components. The influence of floral resources on syrphid abundance varied depending on their botanical families, although no significant differences were observed for the effect of botanical family floral resource index on syrphid abundance. These findings demonstrate that field margin characteristics play an important role in facilitating plant–syrphid interactions and offer an insight in agroecosystem management for the promotion of beneficial insects. The influence of field margin characteristics on other beneficial insect groups should also be investigated.
EEG correlates of developmental dyslexia: a systematic review
Authors: Cainelli Elisa , Vedovelli Luca , Carretti Barbara , Bisiacchi Patrizia
Published: November 2022

Dyslexia is one of the most studied learning disorders. Despite this, its biological basis and main causes are still not fully understood. Electroencephalography (EEG) could be a powerful tool in identifying the underlying mechanisms, but knowledge of the EEG correlates of developmental dyslexia (DD) remains elusive. We aimed to systematically review the evidence on EEG correlates of DD and establish their quality. In July 2021, we carried out an online search of the PubMed and Scopus databases to identify published articles on EEG correlates in children with dyslexia aged 6 to 12 years without comorbidities. We follow the PRISMA guidelines and assess the quality using the Appraisal Tool questionnaire. Our final analysis included 49 studies (14% high quality, 63% medium, 20% low, and 2% very low). Studies differed greatly in methodology, making a summary of their results challenging. However, some points came to light. Even at rest, children with dyslexia and children in the control group exhibited differences in several EEG measures, particularly in theta and alpha frequencies; these frequencies appear to be associated with learning performance. During reading-related tasks, the differences between dyslexic and control children seem more localized in the left temporoparietal sites. The EEG activity of children with dyslexia and children in the control group differed in many aspects, both at rest and during reading-related tasks. Our data are compatible with neuroimaging studies in the same diagnostic group and expand the literature by offering new insights into functional significance.
Expression of immune checkpoint molecules on adult and neonatal T-cells
Authors: Dietz Stefanie , Molnar Kriszta , Riedel Hannah , Haag Laura , Spring Bärbel , Orlikowsky Thorsten W. , Poets Christian F. , Gille Christian , Köstlin-Gille Natascha
Published: November 2022

Term and especially preterm neonates are much more susceptible to serious bacterial infections than adults. But not only the susceptibility to infection is increased in neonates, but also their risk for developing post-inflammatory diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). This may be due to an impaired ability to terminate inflammation. In the study presented here, we aimed to investigate the proliferative response and the expression of immune-checkpoint molecules (ICM) and activation markers on neonatal T-cells in comparison to adult T-cells with the hypothesis that an increased activation of neonatal T-cells may contribute to the failure of inflammation resolution observed in neonates. We show that neonatal CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells show an increased proliferative capacity and an increased expression of activation markers compared to adult T-cells upon stimulation with OKT3 as well as a decreased expression of ICM, especially PD-L1 on their surface. This decreased expression of PD-L1 by neonatal T-cells was also observed after stimulation with GBS, but not after stimulation with E. coli, the two most important pathogens in neonatal sepsis. Expression of the T-cell receptor CD3 and the co-stimulatory molecule CD28 did not differ between adult and neonatal T-cells upon bacterial stimulation. Decreased expression of ICM upon T-cell activation may be a reason for the increased risk of neonates to develop post-inflammatory diseases.
Reduced vagal tone in intimate partner violence perpetrators is partly explained by anger rumination
Authors: Sarrate-Costa Carolina , Lila Marisol , Comes-Fayos Javier , Moya-Albiol Luis , Romero-Martínez Ángel
Published: November 2022

Polyvagal theory proposed that an autonomous nervous system imbalance might be characteristic of violent individuals, especially reduced parasympathetic or vagal tone. Accordingly, some studies concluded that when intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators deal with acute stress, they tend to present a sympathetic predominance over the parasympathetic nervous system once the stress has ended. However, less is known about cognitive mechanisms that explain this phenomenon. In fact, this functioning might be explained by inner speech and/or angry thoughts (anger rumination) in reactive aggressors. Nonetheless, there is a gap in the scientific literature assessing whether this psychophysiological functioning in IPV perpetrators is explained by anger rumination. For this reason, the first aim of this study was to assess the cardiorespiratory (heart rate (HR), pre-ejection period (PEP), and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)) and electrodermal (skin conductance level (SCL)) changes, as well as the anger state, when coping with an acute laboratory stressor, comparing a group of reactive IPV perpetrators (n = 47) and a group of non-violent men (n = 36). The second aim was two-fold. After checking whether the groups differed on their anger rumination and manifestation of aggression (reactive and/or proactive) scores, we studied whether these variables explained psychophysiological and psychological responses to a laboratory task (changes and levels during the recovery period) in each group. Our results demonstrated that, compared to the control group, IPV perpetrators presented lower RSA levels (vagal tone). Even though the groups did not differ on their anger rumination or manifestation of aggression scores (except for proactive aggression), only in the IPV perpetrators, high anger rumination and reactive aggression partly explained the lower vagal tone (RSA levels) and high levels of anger state at post-task. Consequently, this study contributes to understanding the psychobiological basis for violence proneness in IPV perpetrators, making it possible to explore new therapeutic strategies.
Applications of MXenes in human-like sensors and actuators
Authors: Pang Jinbo , Peng Songang , Hou Chongyang , Wang Xiao , Wang Ting , Cao Yu , Zhou Weijia , Sun Ding , Wang Kai , Rümmeli Mark H. , Cuniberti Gianaurelio , Liu Hong
Published: November 2022

Human beings perceive the world through the senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, space, and balance. The first five senses are prerequisites for people to live. The sensing organs upload information to the nervous systems, including the brain, for interpreting the surrounding environment. Then, the brain sends commands to muscles reflexively to react to stimuli, including light, gas, chemicals, sound, and pressure. MXene, as an emerging two-dimensional material, has been intensively adopted in the applications of various sensors and actuators. In this review, we update the sensors to mimic five primary senses and actuators for stimulating muscles, which employ MXene-based film, membrane, and composite with other functional materials. First, a brief introduction is delivered for the structure, properties, and synthesis methods of MXenes. Then, we feed the readers the recent reports on the MXene-derived image sensors as artificial retinas, gas sensors, chemical biosensors, acoustic devices, and tactile sensors for electronic skin. Besides, the actuators of MXene-based composite are introduced. Eventually, future opportunities are given to MXene research based on the requirements of artificial intelligence and humanoid robot, which may induce prospects in accompanying healthcare and biomedical engineering applications.
On a Certain Class of IFSs and Their Attractors
Authors: Secelean Nicolae-Adrian , Wardowski Dariusz
Published: November 2022

Our purpose in this paper is to consider a new class of iterated function systems (IFS) based on the concept of orbital condition introduced by Miculescu et al. (Analele Universităţii de Vest Timişoara Seria Matematică-Informatică LVI 2:71–80, 2018). On the given IFS there are imposed some sufficient conditions guaranteeing the existence of an attractor. There are also established some further results which describe the nature of the attractors of the considered type. The introduced theory is supported by some examples of IFSs for which the attractors are also depicted.
Perioperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric congenital heart disease: Chinese expert consensus
Authors: Lin Ru , Wang Wei , Wang Xu , Xu Zhuo-Ming , Liu Jin-Ping , Zhou Cheng-Bin , Hong Xiao-Yang , Mo Xu-Ming , Shi Shan-Shan , Ye Li-Fen , Shu Qiang
Published: November 2022

Background

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the main supportive diseases of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children. The management of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for pediatric CHD faces more severe challenges due to the complex anatomical structure of the heart, special pathophysiology, perioperative complications and various concomitant malformations. The survival rate of ECMO for CHD was significantly lower than other classifications of diseases according to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization database. This expert consensus aims to improve the survival rate and reduce the morbidity of this patient population by standardizing the clinical strategy.

Methods

The editing group of this consensus gathered 11 well-known experts in pediatric cardiac surgery and ECMO field in China to develop clinical recommendations formulated on the basis of existing evidences and expert opinions.

Results

The primary concern of ECMO management in the perioperative period of CHD are patient selection, cannulation strategy, pump flow/ventilator parameters/vasoactive drug dosage setting, anticoagulation management, residual lesion screening, fluid and wound management and weaning or transition strategy. Prevention and treatment of complications of bleeding, thromboembolism and brain injury are emphatically discussed here. Special conditions of ECMO management related to the cardiovascular anatomy, haemodynamics and the surgical procedures of common complex CHD should be considered.

Conclusions

The consensus could provide a reference for patient selection, management and risk identification of perioperative ECMO in children with CHD.
Oil Spill Identification based on Dual Attention UNet Model Using Synthetic Aperture Radar Images
Authors: Mahmoud Amira S. , Mohamed Sayed A. , El-Khoriby Reda A. , AbdelSalam Hisham M. , El-Khodary Ihab A.
Published: November 2022

Oil spills cause tremendous damage to marine, coastal environments, and ecosystems. Previous deep learning-based studies have addressed the task of detecting oil spills as a semantic segmentation problem. However, further improvement is still required to address the noisy nature of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery problem, which limits segmentation performance. In this study, a new deep learning model based on the Dual Attention Model (DAM) is developed to automatically detect oil spills in a water body. We enhanced a conventional UNet segmentation network by integrating a dual attention model DAM to selectively highlight the relevant and discriminative global and local characteristics of oil spills in SAR imagery. DAM is composed of a Channel Attention Map and a Position Attention Map which are stacked in the decoder network of UNet. The proposed DAM-UNet is compared with four baselines, namely fully convolutional network, PSPNet, LinkNet, and traditional UNet. The proposed DAM-UNet outperforms the four baselines, as demonstrated empirically. Moreover, the EG-Oil Spill dataset includes a large set of SAR images with 3000 image pairs. The obtained overall accuracy of the proposed method increased by 3.2% and reaches 94.2% compared with that of the traditional UNet. The study opens new development ideas for integrating attention modules into other deep learning tasks, including machine translation, image-based analysis, action recognition, and speech recognition.
Changes in Nigeria’s enabling environment for nutrition from 2008 to 2019 and challenges for reducing malnutrition
Authors: Adeyemi Olutayo , van den Bold Mara , Nisbett Nicholas , Covic Namukolo
Published: November 2022

Key 2025 global nutrition targets are unlikely to be met at current rates of progress. Although actions necessary to reduce undernutrition are already mostly known, knowledge gaps remain about how to implement these actions in contextually appropriate ways, and at scales commensurate with the magnitude of the problem. This study describes the nutrition enabling environment in Nigeria, a country that contributes significantly to the global undernutrition burden, and identifies potential entry points for improving the enabling environment that could facilitate implementation and scale-up of essential intervention coverage. Study data were obtained from two sources: content analysis of 48 policies/strategies from agriculture, economic, education, environment, health, nutrition, and water/sanitation/hygiene sectors; and interviews at federal level (16) and in two states (Jigawa (10) and Kaduna (9) States). The study finds that aspects of the enabling environment improved between 2008 and 2019 and facilitated improvements in implementation of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. Enabling environment components that improved included the framing of nutrition as a multisectoral issue, nutrition advocacy, political attention, evidence around intervention coverage, civil society involvement, and activity of nutrition champions. These factors have been especially important in creating and sustaining momentum for addressing malnutrition. While challenges remain in these aspects, greater challenges persist for factors needed to convert momentum into improvements in nutrition outcomes. Research and data that facilitate shared understanding of nutrition; improved multisectoral and vertical coordination; increased and improved delivery and operational capacity; and increased resource mobilization will be especially important for achieving future progress in nutrition in Nigeria.
Evolution of energy and nutrient supply in Zambia (1961–2013) in the context of policy, political, social, economic, and climatic changes
Authors: Kapulu Ndashe Philemon , Clark Heather , Manda Simon , Smith Harriet Elizabeth , Orfila Caroline , Macdiarmid Jennie I.
Published: November 2022

An adequate supply of energy, micronutrients and macronutrients is essential to achieve food and nutrition security to prevent malnutrition. Socio-economic, political, and climatic events, however, can affect the supply of food and nutrients. We assessed country-level supply trends of food and nutrients and their sources within the context of policy changes and political, socio-economic and climatic events from 1961 to 2013 in Zambia. Due to the lack of national food consumption data, food supply data from the FAO food balance sheets, matched to food composition tables, were used to estimate the energy, macronutrient and micronutrient content of 264 food items available to Zambia. We calculated historical nutrient supplies based on demographic characteristics and population-level dietary requirements. Results showed that Zambia was nutrition insecure from 1961 to 2013 for key micronutrients vitamin A, folate, riboflavin, vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, iron, and energy-deficient from the late-1980s. The diet has not substantially changed over time, with maize being the dominant food source. However, refined energy-dense food has steadily increased in the diet coupled with a reduction in fibre. These nutrient supply and dietary pattern trends coincide with specific socio-economic, policy, political, and climatic events from the 1970s to the early-mid 2000s, such as population growth, maize subsidy and crop diversification policies, regime change and drought. This study shows how policy, political and climatic events have been central features shaping nutrient supplies and the consequences for nutrition security. The study provides a context to inform future food policies to improve food and nutrition security.
Exploiting Virgin Olive Oil By-products Using Hydrodistillation
Authors: Spadi Agnese , Angeloni Giulia , Cecchi Lorenzo , Corti Ferdinando , Balli Diletta , Guerrini Lorenzo , Calamai Luca , Parenti Alessandro , Masella Piernicola
Published: November 2022

Virgin olive oil processing results in a large amount of biomass (leaves, pomace, stones and wastewater) during harvesting, pruning and production. In recent years, these by-products have been studied as possible sources of bioactive compounds, and several techniques have been developed, including microwave, ultrasound, subcritical extraction, high hydrostatic pressure, a pulsed electric field, and high-voltage electrical discharge. However, these techniques can be expensive, and may require specialized staff to implement them. Therefore, this study proposes a novel method. Hydrodistillation is a simple and fast technique that can recover valuable compounds from olive oil biomasses. As it uses water as a solvent, it is sustainable, does not harm the environment, and is compatible with industrial practice. This paper presents the results of a hydrodistillation experiment on olive leaves, olive pomace and olive stones. Two fractions were obtained: a “phytocomplex” fraction from inside the boiler, and a “hydrolate” fraction from inside the condenser column. HPLC–DAD–MS and GC–MS analyses characterized and differentiated these two fractions. In general, more bioactive compounds, notably phenolic, were recovered from the phytocomplex fraction than the hydrolate fraction. Total phenolic compounds (mgtyr/kgoil) in the phytocomplex fraction were 11903.51, 4007.33, and 2469.42 mgtyr/kgoil for olive leaves, olive pomace and olive stone, while in the hydrolate fraction they were 67.67, 1.98, and 29.05 mgtyr/kgoil, respectively. Furthermore, interesting phenolic compounds typical of Olea europaea L. were found for both matrices. The main families were phenolic alcohols, secoiridoids and flavonoids. In particular, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol were recovered from the phytocomplex fraction of leaves and pomace. Finally, the analysis revealed higher amounts of volatile compounds in the hydrolate fraction than the phytocomplex fraction for leaves, stone and pomace. The main class of compounds were esters, ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, terpenes, phenols and their derivatives.

Graphical Abstract
The Transcendental Argument for Universal Mineness: A Critique
Authors: Wehinger Daniel
Published: November 2022

The claim that phenomenal consciousness essentially involves self-consciousness, in the sense of mineness, has gained momentum in recent years. In this paper, I discuss the main non-phenomenological, theoretical argument for this claim: the so-called “transcendental argument” for universal mineness (Zahavi 2018, p. 711), which, in essence, corresponds to Shoemaker’s critique of the perceptual model of self-consciousness. I point out the potential of the transcendental argument, but most importantly its limitations. And I show that, even if successful, the argument cannot vindicate the claim of an essential connection between phenomenal consciousness and self-consciousness. Since the transcendental argument is depicted as the “central argument” for universal mineness (Zahavi 2018, p. 711), I contend that, in view of its failure, the claim that all of my experiences have to be given to me as mine, all of your experiences have to be given to you as yours, etc., appears insufficiently substantiated. The idea that there is an essential connection between phenomenal consciousness and self-consciousness must be called into question.
Local invariants of divergence-free webs
Authors: Domitrz Wojciech , Zubilewicz Marcin
Published: November 2022

The objects of our study are webs in the geometry of volume-preserving diffeomorphisms. We introduce two local invariants of divergence-free webs: a differential one, directly related to the curvature of the natural connection of a divergence-free 2-web introduced by Tabachnikov (Diff Geom Appl 3:265-284, 1993), and a geometric one, inspired by the classical notion of planar 3-web holonomy defined by Blaschke and Bol (Geometrie der Gewebe. Grundlehren der mathematischen Wissenschaften, vol. 49. Springer, Berlin, 1938). We show that triviality of either of these invariants characterizes trivial divergence-free web-germs up to equivalence. We also establish some preliminary results regarding the full classification problem, which jointly generalize the theorem of Tabachnikov on normal forms of divergence-free 2-webs. They are used to provide a canonical form and a complete set of invariants of a generic divergence-free web in the planar case. Lastly, the relevance of local triviality conditions and their potential applications in numerical relativity are discussed.
TRIM59 promotes steatosis and ferroptosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via enhancing GPX4 ubiquitination
Authors: Zhang Jingxian , Xie Haina , Yao Jun , Jin Wenye , Pan Huijie , Pan Zhiqiang , Xie Dongyu , Xie Donghao
Published: November 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease around the world. However, no specific medicine has been approved for NAFLD treatment. Our study was conducted to explore the role and mechanism of TRIM59 in NAFLD, aiming to provide a novel target for NAFLD treatment. Here, the expression of TRIM family members was detected in 10 mild and severe NAFLD tissues as well as 10 normal tissues. TRIM59 expression was verified in 10 normal tissues and 25 mild and severe NAFLD tissues. Palmitic acid and high-fatty diet were used for the construction of NAFLD models. Oil Red O staining was used to detect the level of steatosis. The content of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 was measured to reflect the level of inflammation. Lipid reactive oxygen species was estimated by flow cytometry. We found that TRIM59 was highly expressed in NAFLD tissues compared with normal liver tissues. The inhibition of TRIM59 could inhibit the steatosis and inflammation in NAFLD, whereas its overexpression exhibited reversed effects. The application of ferroptosis inhibitor, deferoxamine, could markedly ameliorate steatosis and inflammation, which was mediated by overexpressed TRIM59. Besides, TRIM59 was demonstrated to interact with GPX4 and promoted its ubiquitination. The overexpression of GPX4 could significantly reverse the pathogenic effects of TRIM59 in NAFLD. Additionally, the inhibition of TRIM59 appeared to be a promising strategy to ameliorate NAFLD in mice model. In summary, our study revealed that TRIM59 could promote steatosis and ferroptosis in NAFLD via enhancing GPX4 ubiquitination. TRIM59 could be a potential target for NAFLD treatment.