bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ferocactus herrerae Fruits: Nutritional Significance, Phytochemical Profiling, and Biological Potentials
Authors: Abdel-Baki Passent M. , Ibrahim Rana M. , Mahdy Nariman E.
Published: August 2022

The current study reports for the first time the nutritional, fruit volatiles, phytochemical, and biological characteristics of Ferocactus herrerae J. G. Ortega fruits. The nutritional analysis revealed that carbohydrate (20.6%) was the most abundant nutrient followed by dietary fibers (11.8%), lipids (0.9%), and proteins (0.8%). It was rich in vitamins, minerals, essential, and non-essential amino acids. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the headspace-extracted volatiles showed that 3-methyl octadecane (35.72 ± 2.38%) was the major constituent detected. Spectrophotometric determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the fruit methanolic extract (ME) showed high total phenolic [9.17 ± 0.87 mg/g gallic acid equivalent (GAE)] and flavonoid [4.99 ± 0.23 mg/g quercetin equivalent (QE)] contents. The ME was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet (HPLC-UV), which allowed for both qualitative and quantitative estimation of 16 phenolic compounds. Caffeic acid was the major phenolic acid identified [45.03 ± 0.45 mg/100 g dried powdered fruits (DW)] while quercitrin (52.65 ± 0.31 mg/100 g DW), was the major flavonoid detected. In-vitro assessment of the antioxidant capacities of the ME revealed pronounced activity using three comparative methods; 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (132.06 ± 2.1 μM Trolox equivalent (TE) /g), 2,2′-azino-di(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), (241.1 ± 5.03 uM TE/g), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (258.9 ± 1.75 uM TE/g). Besides, remarkable anti-inflammatory [COX-1 (IC50 = 20.2 ± 1.1 μg/mL) and COX-2 (IC50 = 9.8 ± 0.64 μg/mL)] and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (IC50 = 1.01 ± 0.39 mg/mL) activities were observed. Finally, our results revealed that these fruits could be used effectively as functional foods and nutraceuticals suggesting an increase in their propagation.
Pandispositionalism and the metaphysics of powers
Authors: Kimpton-Nye Samuel
Published: August 2022

Some philosophers maintain that physical properties are irreducibly modal: that properties are powers. Powers are then employed to provide explanations of other phenomena of philosophical interest such as laws of nature and modality. There is, however, a dispute among powers theorists about how far the powers ontology extends: are all manner of properties at all levels of fundamentality powers or are powers only to be found among the fundamental properties? This paper argues that the answer to this question depends on the details of the metaphysics of powers. More specifically, this paper argues that if one understands powers as qualitative grounds of dispositions (call this qualitative dispositional essentialism), as opposed to properties whose essences are constituted by dispositions (as orthodox dispositional essentialists would have it), then all properties, be they fundamental or macro, are powers, i.e., pandispositionalism is true. The Conclusion: If qualitative dispositional essentialism is true, then pandispositionalism is true, is significant because there is increasing concern that orthodox dispositional essentialism is explanatorily deficient and perhaps even incoherent, meaning that qualitative dispositional essentialism is gaining increasing support in the literature on powers. All things considered, then, it is beginning to look more likely that pandispositionalism is true simpliciter.
A PBPK model to evaluate zebrafish eleutheroembryos’ actual exposure: bisphenol A and analogs’ (AF, F, and S) case studies
Authors: Billat Pierre-André , Brochot Céline , Brion François , Beaudouin Rémy
Published: August 2022

The zebrafish eleutheroembryo model is increasingly used to assess the toxicity and developmental adverse effects of xenobiotics. However, the actual exposure is seldom measured (poorly accessible), while a predictive model could estimate these concentrations. The predictions with a new eleutheroembryo physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model have been evaluated using datasets obtained from literature data for several bisphenols. The model simulated the toxicokinetics of bisphenols A (BPA), AF, F, and S through the eleutheroembryo tissues while considering the body and organ growth. We further improved the predictions by adding dynamic flows through the embryo and/or its chorion, impact of experimental temperature, metabolic clearance, and saturation of the absorption by Bayesian calibration. The model structure was determined using the BPA dataset and generalized to the other bisphenols. This model revealed the central role of the chorion in the compound uptake in the first 48 h post-fertilization. The predictions for the BPA substitutes estimated by our PBPK model were compared to available toxicokinetics data for zebrafish embryos, and 63% and 88% of them were within a twofold and fivefold error intervals of the corresponding experimental values, respectively. This model provides a tool to design new eleutheroembryo assays and evaluate the actual exposure.

Graphical abstract
Quantifying the 3D structure and function of porosity and pore space in natural sediment flocs
Authors: Lawrence T. J. , Carr S. J. , Wheatland J. A. T. , Manning A. J. , Spencer K. L.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Flocculated cohesive suspended sediments (flocs) play an important role in all aquatic environments, facilitating the transport and deposition of sediment and associated contaminants with consequences for aquatic health, material fluxes, and morphological evolution. Accurate modelling of the transport and behaviour of these sediments is critical for a variety of activities including fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, and waste and pollution management and this requires accurate measurement of the physical properties of flocs including porosity.

Methods

Despite the importance of understanding floc porosity, measurement approaches are indirect or inferential. Here, using μCT, a novel processing and analysis protocol, we directly quantify porosity in natural sediment flocs. For the first time, the complexity of floc pore spaces is observed in 3-dimensions, enabling the identification and quantification of important pore space and pore network characteristics, namely 3D pore diameter, volume, shape, tortuosity, and connectivity.

Results

We report on the complexity of floc pore space and differentiate effective and isolated pore space enabling new understanding of the hydraulic functioning of floc porosity. We demonstrate that current methodological approaches are overestimating floc porosity by c. 30%.

Conclusion

These new data have implications for our understanding of the controls on floc dynamics and the function of floc porosity and can improve the parameterisation of current cohesive sediment transport models.
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Testing and Case Rates Among Women Veterans in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Keddem Shimrit , Maier Marissa , Gardella Carolyn , Borgerding Joleen , Lowy Elliott , Chartier Maggie , Haskell Sally , Hauser Ronald G. , Beste Lauren A.
Published: August 2022

Background

United States (US) rates of sexually transmitted infection (STI) in women, especially gonorrhea and chlamydia, have increased over the past decade. Women Veterans may be at increased risk for STIs due to high rates of sexual trauma. Despite the availability of effective diagnostic tests and evidence-based guidelines for annual screening among sexually active women under age 25, screening rates for gonorrhea and chlamydia remain low in the US and among Veterans.

Objective

To examine patient characteristics and health system factors associated with gonorrhea and chlamydia testing and case rates among women Veterans in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in 2019.

Design

We performed a retrospective cohort study of all women Veterans in VHA care between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019.

Participants

Women Veteran patients were identified as receiving VHA care if they had at least one inpatient admission or outpatient visit in 2019 or the preceding calendar year.

Key Results

Among women under age 25, 21.3% were tested for gonorrhea or chlamydia in 2019. After adjusting for demographic and other health factors, correlates of testing in women under age 25 included Black race (aOR: 2.11, CI: 1.89, 2.36), rural residence (aOR: 0.84, CI: 0.74, 0.95), and cervical cancer screening (aOR: 5.05, CI: 4.59, 5.56). Women under age 25 had the highest infection rates, with an incidence of chlamydia and gonorrhea of 1,950 and 267 cases/100,000, respectively. Incidence of gonorrhea and chlamydia was higher for women with a history of military sexual trauma (MST) (chlamydia case rate: 265, gonorrhea case rate: 97/100,000) and those with mental health diagnoses (chlamydia case rate: 263, gonorrhea case rate: 72/100,000.)

Conclusions

Gonorrhea and chlamydia testing remains underutilized among women in VHA care, and infection rates are high among younger women. Patient-centered, system-level interventions are urgently needed to address low testing rates.
Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Psychological Well-Being, Cortisol, and Inflammation in Women Veterans
Authors: Saban Karen L. , Collins Eileen G. , Mathews Herbert L. , Bryant Fred B. , Tell Dina , Gonzalez Beverly , Bhoopalam Sudha , Chroniak Christopher P. , Janusek Linda Witek
Published: August 2022

Background

Women veterans experience higher levels of stress-related symptoms than their civilian counterparts. Psychological stress is associated with greater inflammation and may increase risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been found to improve psychological well-being in other populations but no randomized controlled trials (RCT) have been conducted examining the impact of MBSR on well-being and inflammation in women veterans at risk for CVD.

Objective

Determine the effectiveness of MBSR in improving psychological well-being, cortisol, and inflammation associated with CVD in women veterans.

Design

The design is a RCT comparing MBSR to an active control condition (ACC) consisting of a health education program.

Participants

Women veterans (N=164) with risk factors for CVD from the Chicagoland area participated in the study.

Intervention

An 8-week MBSR program with weekly 2.5-h classes was compared to an ACC consisting of an 8-week health promotion education program with weekly 2.5-h classes.

Main Measures

The outcomes were psychological well-being [perceived stress, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)] symptoms and stress-related markers, including diurnal salivary cortisol and cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Data were collected at baseline, 4 weeks (mid-point of intervention), 8 weeks (completion of intervention), and 6 months after completion of MBSR or ACC.

Key Results

Compared to the ACC, women who participated in MBSR reported less perceived stress, loneliness, and symptoms of PTSD. Although there were no significant differences between groups or changes over time in IL-6 or IFN-γ, participants in the MBSR program demonstrated a more rapid decline in diurnal salivary cortisol as compared to those in the ACC.

Conclusions

MBSR was found to improve psychological well-being and decrease diurnal salivary cortisol in women veterans at risk for CVD. Health care providers may consider MBSR for women veterans as a means by which to improve their psychological well-being.
Effects of Intimate Partner Violence During COVID-19 and Pandemic-Related Stress on the Mental and Physical Health of Women Veterans
Authors: Iverson Katherine M. , Dardis Christina M. , Cowlishaw Sean , Webermann Aliya R. , Shayani Danielle R. , Dichter Melissa E. , Mitchell Karen S. , Mattocks Kristin M. , Gerber Megan R. , Portnoy Galina R.
Published: August 2022

Background

Little is known about women veterans’ intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic or the impacts of pandemic-related stress on their mental and physical health.

Objectives

To identify IPV experiences among women veterans prior to and during the pandemic, pandemic-related stressors, and examine their respective contributions to mental and physical health.

Design

National sample of women veterans drawn from a larger web-based longitudinal study. Relationships between recent IPV and pandemic-related stressors were tested with linear regressions, controlling for pre-pandemic IPV and mental and physical health symptoms, demographic, and military-related covariates.

Participants

One hundred forty-two women veterans (Mage=58.8 years).

Main Measures

We assessed IPV (CTS-2), PTSD (PCL-5), depression (CESD), anxiety (DASS-A), physical health (PHQ-15), and physical health–related quality of life (SF-12) prior to the pandemic (June 2016–December 2016/January 2017) and during the pandemic study period (March 2020–December 2020/January 2021). We assessed pandemic-related stressors (EPII) during the pandemic study period.

Key Results

Over a third (38.7%) of participants experienced IPV during the pandemic study period (psychological: 35.9%, physical: 9.9%, sexual: 4.2%). Overall rates, frequency, and severity of IPV experience did not significantly differ between the pre-pandemic and pandemic study periods. Few participants tested positive for COVID-19 (4.2%); however, most participants reported experiencing pandemic-related stressors across life domains (e.g., social activities: 88%, physical health: 80.3%, emotional health: 68.3%). IPV during the pandemic and pandemic-related stressors were both associated with greater PTSD and depressive symptoms. Pandemic-related stressors were associated with worse anxiety and physical health symptoms. Neither IPV during the pandemic nor pandemic-related stressors were associated with physical health–related quality of life.

Conclusions

IPV experiences during the pandemic were common among women veterans, as were pandemic-related stressors. Although IPV did not increase in the context of COVID-19, IPV experiences during the pandemic and pandemic-related stressors were linked with poorer mental and physical health.
Mental Health Beliefs, Access, and Engagement with Military Sexual Trauma–Related Mental Health Care
Authors: McLean Caitlin L. , Turchik Jessica A. , Kimerling Rachel
Published: August 2022

Background

Military sexual trauma (MST) is associated with negative mental health outcomes. Mental health beliefs, such as stigma or secondary victimization, have been identified as possible barriers to care; however, it is unclear whether such beliefs impact receiving care.

Objective

To assess if mental health beliefs impact MST-related mental health care access and engagement.

Design

Veterans completed a survey following detection of MST. Survey data were linked to Veteran's Health Administration administrative data in order to examine associations with outpatient MST-related care in the year following MST detection.

Participants

A national sample of women and men Veterans (N = 1,185) with newly detected MST who reported a perceived need for MST-related mental health treatment.

Main Measures

Building on prior work that identified four latent classes of mental health beliefs (Hahn et al., J Trauma Stress 34:394–404, 2020; low barrier, stigma-related beliefs, negative perceptions of care, high barrier), we examined associations with outpatient mental health care indicated by a provider as related to MST. Care was examined in total, as well as the specific categories of medication management, individual psychotherapy, and group psychotherapy.

Key Results

Access to care following MST detection was high: most (71.6%) Veterans had an MST-related mental health visit within 30 days, and nearly all (83.6%) within 180 days, with the median number of days to receiving care being 2. Negative perceptions of care predicted a lower likelihood of treatment engagement (3+ encounters) with MST-related individual psychotherapy (OR = 0.65, 95% CI (0.43–0.96)), whereas the stigma-related beliefs and high barrier classes did not.

Conclusions

There appears to be excellent access to mental health care among Veterans with a perceived need for MST-related mental health treatment. However, treatment beliefs that represented negative perceptions of care may serve as barriers to engagement. Interventions targeting negative perceptions of care during early encounters could help promote subsequent engagement.
Gynecologist Supply Deserts Across the VA and in the Community
Authors: Friedman Sarah , Shaw Jonathan G. , Hamilton Alison B. , Vinekar Kavita , Washington Donna L. , Mattocks Kristin , Yano Elizabeth M. , Phibbs Ciaran S. , Johnson Amanda M. , Saechao Fay , Berg Eric , Frayne Susan M.
Published: August 2022

Background

The Veterans Health Administration (VA) refers patients to community providers for specialty services not available on-site. However, community-level specialist shortages may impede access to care.

Objective

Compare gynecologist supply in veterans’ county of residence versus at their VA site.

Design

We identified women veteran VA patients from fiscal year (FY) 2017 administrative data and assessed availability of a VA gynecologist within 50 miles (hereafter called “local”) of veterans’ VA homesites (per national VA organizational survey data). For the same cohort, we then assessed community-level gynecologist availability; counties with < 2 gynecologists/10,000 women (per the Area Health Resource File) were “inadequate-supply” counties. We examined the proportion of women veterans with local VA gynecologist availability in counties with inadequate versus adequate gynecologist supply, stratified by individual and VA homesite characteristics. Chi-square tests assessed statistical differences.

Participants

All women veteran FY2017 VA primary care users nationally.

Main Measures

Availability of a VA gynecologist within 50 miles of a veteran’s VA homesite; county-level “inadequate-supply” of gynecologists.

Key Results

Among 407,482 women, 9% were in gynecologist supply deserts (i.e., lacking local VA gynecologist and living in an inadequate-supply county). The sub-populations with the highest proportions in gynecologist supply deserts were rural residents (24%), those who got their primary care at non-VAMC satellite clinics (13%), those who got their care at a site without a women’s clinic (13%), and those with American Indian or Alaska Native (12%), or white (12%) race. Among those in inadequate-supply counties, 59.9% had gynecologists at their local VA; however, 40.1% lacked a local VA gynecologist.

Conclusions

Most veterans living in inadequate-supply counties had local VA gynecology care, reflecting VA’s critical role as a safety net provider. However, for those in gynecologist supply deserts, expanded transportation options, modified staffing models, or tele-gynecology hubs may offer solutions to extend VA gynecology capacity.
Brain gyrification in bipolar disorder: a systematic review of neuroimaging studies
Authors: Miola Alessandro , Cattarinussi Giulia , Loré Maria Lavinia , Ghiotto Niccolò , Collantoni Enrico , Sambataro Fabio
Published: August 2022

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness with a strong genetic component. Genetic variations have been involved in the risk of this disorder, including those mediating brain function and neurodevelopment. Early neurodevelopment and neuroprogression processes could be reflected in brain gyrification patterns and help optimize the prediction and diagnosis of such disorders that is often delayed. Previous neuroimaging studies using this measure in patients with bipolar disorder revealed controversial results. This systematic review aimed to summarize available neuroimaging investigations on gyrification in BD compared to healthy controls (HC) and/or other psychiatric groups. Fourteen studies including 733 patients with BD, 585 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), 90 with schizoaffective disorder (SZA), and 1380 healthy subjects were identified. Overall, a heterogeneous pattern of gyrification emerged between patients with BD and HC. Interestingly, increased gyrification or no differences were also observed in patients with BD compared to those with the schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Furthermore, relatives of patients with BD showed lower or no differences in gyrification compared to healthy subjects without a family history of affective illness. Differences in the design and in methodological approaches could have contributed to the heterogeneity of the findings. The current review supports an altered brain gyrification pattern that underlies the pathophysiology of BD spanning large anatomical and functional neural networks, associated with altered cognitive functioning, difficulties in processing and affective regulation, and clinical symptoms. Longitudinal studies are needed to test different bipolar phenotypes and pharmacological effects on gyrification.
The environmental justice implications of the Paris low emission zone: a health and economic impact assessment
Authors: Moreno Erika , Schwarz Lara , Host Sabine , Chanel Olivier , Benmarhnia Tarik
Published: August 2022

Background

Reducing the mortality burden associated with urban air pollution constitutes a public health priority, and evidence of unequal exposure and susceptibility across population subgroups is growing. Many European countries have implemented low emission zones (LEZs) in densely populated city centers. Although LEZs decrease air pollution exposure and health impacts, evidence is lacking on their impact across neighborhoods and socio-economic groups.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the most equitable approach to implementing the second phase of the LEZ in Paris, France. We also present a literature review of the studies evaluating the benefits associated with LEZs in Europe.

Methods

A health impact assessment (HIA) was conducted to quantify changes in air pollution exposure and expected health benefits by socioeconomic group and neighborhood related to four hypothetical scenarios for the second phase of the LEZ based on French Deprivation Index scores. The study focused on NO2 and PM2.5 as air pollutants and evaluated the impact of the LEZ on the inequitable burden of childhood asthma and all-cause premature adult mortality. We also conducted an economic evaluation associated with the LEZ benefits on prevented deaths and asthma cases.

Results

The scenario with the largest LEZ perimeter and the most stringent vehicle standards prevented the highest number of cases and produced the most equitable distribution of health benefits, especially childhood asthma. It is expected that 810 deaths and 3200 cases of asthma could be prevented from the LEZ extension in this scenario. These results were distributed heterogeneously across three socioeconomic (SES) groups, most noticeably with asthma cases as 230, 180, and 210 cases were avoided per 100,000 inhabitants in high, medium, and low SES groups, respectively. We found substantial economic benefits associated with LEZ, with estimates ranging from €0.76 billion to €2.36 billion for prevented deaths. The benefits associated with asthma reduction ranged from €2.3 million to €8.3 million.

Discussion

Conducting HIAs with a focus on equity will further inform policy makers of the impact of LEZ models on air pollution, health, and environmental justice. Developing these systematic methods and applying them to future LEZs and other air pollution policies will increase their effectiveness to reduce the burden of ambient air pollution on society and the environment.
Stakeholders’ Experiences of Research Integrity Support in Universities: A Qualitative Study in Three European Countries
Authors: Evans Natalie , Buljan Ivan , Valenti Emanuele , Bouter Lex , Marušić Ana , de Vries Raymond , Widdershoven Guy ,   the EnTIRE consortium
Published: August 2022

Fostering research integrity (RI) increasingly focuses on normative guidance and supportive measures within institutions. To be successful, the implementation of support should be informed by stakeholders’ experiences of RI support. This study aims to explore experiences of RI support in Dutch, Spanish and Croatian universities. In total, 59 stakeholders (Netherlands n = 25, Spain n = 17, Croatia n = 17) participated in 16 focus groups in three European countries. Global themes on RI support experiences were identified by thematic analysis. Themes identified were: ‘RI governance and institutional implementation’, ‘RI roles and structures’, ‘RI education and supervision’, and ‘Infrastructure, technology and tools supporting daily practice’. Experiences of support differed between countries in relation to: the efforts to translate norms into practice; the extent to which RI oversight was a responsibility of RE structures, or separate RI structures; and the availability of support close to research practice, such as training, responsible supervision, and adequate tools and infrastructure. The study reinforces the importance of a whole institutional approach to RI, embedded within local jurisdictions, rules, and practices. A whole institutional approach puts the emphasis of responsibility on institutions rather than individual researchers. When such an approach is lacking, some stakeholders look for intervention by authorities, such as funders, outside of the university.
Modeling and recognition of emotions in manufacturing
Authors: Bertacchini Francesca , Bilotta Eleonora , De Pietro Michela , Demarco Francesco , Pantano Pietro , Scuro Carmelo
Published: August 2022

New consumer needs have led industries to the possibility of creating virtual platforms where users can customize products by creating infinite combinations of different results. This made it possible to expand sales by guaranteeing a wide choice that would satisfy all requests. The dynamic and flexible evolution of factories is guaranteed by the introduction of new technologies such as robotization and 3D printers, recognized as two of the pillars of Industry 4.0. The main aim of this paper is to achieve a workflow for the creation and implementation of personalised jewellery based on faces with different emotional expressions. To date, there are few works in the literature investigating the intersection between smart manufacturing and emotion recognition, and these are mainly related to improving human–machine interaction. The authors’ aim is to research for innovation in the intersection of three different fields of study such as parametric modelling, smart manufacturing and emotion recognition in order to create personalized and innovative manufacturable models. To this purpose, an application has been generated that exploits both visual scripting, typical of parametric modelling, and scripting, in the Python programming language. The generated algorithm implements a machine learning for emotion recognition that identifies the label of each user-generated face, validating the effectiveness of the method.
Staying home saves lives, really!
Authors: Malpede Maurizio , Shayegh Soheil
Published: August 2022

When coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was spreading worldwide, many national and local governments started to impose socially restrictive measures to limit the spread of the virus. Such quarantine measures in different cities worldwide have brought a new trend in public safety improvement and crime reduction. Using daily crime reports in the U.S., this paper evaluates the immediate unintended effects of shelter-in-place orders on different crime categories using fine-grained spatial units (i.e., neighborhoods) rather than entire cities, states, or countries. Results for San Francisco suggest an immediate drop of between 10 and 20% points in the total number of crimes after one month from the introduction of the restrictions. In particular, we show that while theft, homicide, and traffic accidents have fallen sharply, domestic violence incidents and weapon possession offences were not affected by the lockdown. The results are robust to the inclusion of spatial and temporal dependence.
Role of Primary Freeboard on Staged Combustion of Hardwood Pellets in a Fixed Bed Combustor
Authors: Junejo Awais , Al-Abdeli Yasir M. , Porteiro Jacobo
Published: August 2022

In staged fixed bed biomass combustion, primary air is supplied beneath the fuel bed with secondary air then provided above in the freeboard region. For fixed bed configurations, the freeboard is further divided into a primary freeboard length (LI), which is upstream of the secondary air and a secondary freeboard length (LII), measured from the secondary air all the way to the exhaust port. Despite extensive research into fixed bed configurations, no work has been successfully completed that resolves the effects of changing LI on fuel conversion, both in the fuel bed and within the freeboard of batch-type biomass combustors. In this study, experiments on a 202 mm diameter and 1500 mm long batch-type combustor have been conducted to determine the effects of changing primary freeboard length over three secondary to total air ratios (Qs/Qt) and two total air flow rates (Qt). The impact of these conditions has been studied on (i) intra-bed fuel conversion, measured through burning rate (kg/m−2 s−1), fuel bed temperature (°C) and ignition front velocity (mm-s−1), as well as (ii) post-bed fuel conversion in the freeboard, expressed through freeboard temperatures and emissions (NOx ppm, CO2%, CO ppm, O2%). The fuel used throughout the above experiments was Australian hardwood pelletised biomass. Results show that changes to primary freeboard length over LI = 200 mm, 300 mm and 550 mm, or LI/D = 1.00, 1.48 and 2.72, respectively, affect both intra-bed and freeboard (post-bed) performance indicators. The highest values of burning rate, ignition front velocity and fuel bed temperature were observed for interim values of LI/D = 1.48 at Qs/Qt = 0.25 and Qt = 0.358 kg/m−2 s−1. Primary freeboard lengths of LI/D = 1.00 and 1.48 were found to have higher freeboard temperatures, NOx and CO2 as well as lower CO and O2 values as compared to LI/D = 2.72 at Qs/Qt = 0.50 and 0.75. Increasing Qs/Qt from 0.25 to 0.50 for LI/D = 1.00 and 1.48 initially increased freeboard temperatures, with an accompanying increase in NOx and CO2 as well as decrease in CO values. However, further increase in Qs/Qt to 0.75 lead to lower freeboard temperatures for all primary freeboard lengths.
Carboxydotrophe Knallgasbakterien zur aeroben Nutzung von CO, CO2 und H2
Authors: Siebert Daniel , Blombach Bastian
Published: August 2022

Aerobic carboxydotrophic Knallgasbacteria exhibit the unique feature to utilize CO, CO2 and H2 or mixtures thereof as sole carbon and energy sources in the presence of O2. While several industrial off-gases are comprised of such gases, this group of organisms is promising to establish novel value chains via gas fermentation for the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels.
Homologe und heterologe Produktion von Bacteriocinen mit Corynebakterien
Authors: Goldbeck Oliver , Reich Sebastian J. , Desiderato Christian K. , Riedel Christian U.
Published: August 2022

Bacteriocins are gene-encoded antimicrobial peptides produced naturally by a wide range of bacteria. Their biological role is to provide producers with a competitive advantage over other bacteria in complex and densely populated habitats. Due to the dramatic increase in antibiotic resistances of many important pathogenic bacteria, bacteriocins are also discussed as potential alternatives to antibiotics. Here we discuss the potential of the members of the Corynebacteriaceae as a source for novel bacteriocins and as hosts for biotechnological production.
Hirnorganoide entwickeln von Natur aus Augenprimordien
Authors: Gabriel Elke , Fenner Maria , Gopalakrishnan Jay
Published: August 2022

During embryogenesis, optic vesicles, the eye primordium, develop from the diencephalon via a controlled multistep process of organogenesis that has been difficult to reconstruct in humans. Using iPSC-derived human brain organoids, we demystify the complexities and demonstrate brain organoids can innately develop forebrain-associated bilaterally symmetric optic vesicles. These next-generation organoids with relevant cell diversity allow interorgan interaction studies within a single organoid.
A case of a tiny neuroendocrine carcinoma in a large flat-elevated rectal tumor causing multiple liver metastases
Authors: Ohki Daisuke , Tsuji Yosuke , Tanaka Mariko , Ushiku Tetsuo , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro
Published: August 2022

Neuroendocrine tumors are rare malignancies comprising neuroendocrine cells widely distributed in the human body. They occur in various organs of the body, most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas in the Japanese population. Mixed neuroendocrine–non-neuroendocrine neoplasm is included in the 2019 WHO classification and defined as having more than 30% of both neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine tumor components. However, the number of reports on mixed neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine tumors is particularly small. Herein, we encountered a rare case of a tiny neuroendocrine carcinoma in a large flat-elevated rectal tumor resulting in rapid multiple liver metastases. This case was referred to our institution for endoscopic submucosal dissection. Histopathological analysis showed that tubular adenocarcinoma and adenoma were the predominant lesions. Moreover, the neuroendocrine carcinoma component was less than 3% of the total tumor, measuring approximately 5 mm. However, the neuroendocrine carcinoma component was found to be the most advanced part of the infiltrate (T1b at least; SM3.8 mm). Repeat computed tomography 1 week after endoscopic submucosal dissection for evaluating intraoperative perforation revealed liver metastasis, and chemotherapy is currently underway.
Fine-grained phosphors for red-emitting mini-LEDs with high efficiency and super-luminance
Authors: Kang Yu , Li Shuxing , Tian Rundong , Liu Guangzhu , Dong Haorui , Zhou Tianliang , Xie Rong-Jun
Published: August 2022

Mini-LED backlights, combining color conversion materials with blue mini-LED chips, promise traditional liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with higher luminance, better contrast, and a wider color gamut. However, as color conversion materials, quantum dots (QDs) are toxic and unstable, whereas commercially available inorganic phosphors are too big in size to combine with small mini-LED chips and also have strong size-dependence of quantum efficiency (QE) and reliability. In this work, we prepare fine-grained Sr2Si5N8:Eu2+-based red phosphors with high efficiency and stability by treating commercially available phosphors with ball milling, centrifuging, and acid washing. The particle size of phosphors can be easily controlled by milling speed, and the phosphors with a size varying from 3.5 to 0.7 μm are thus obtained. The samples remain the same QE as the original ones (∼80%) even when their particle size is reduced to 3.2–3.5 μm, because they contain fewer surface suspension bond defects. More importantly, SrBaSi5N8:Eu2+ phosphors show a size-independent thermal quenching behavior and a zero thermal degradation. We demonstrate that red-emitting mini-LEDs can be fabricated by combining the SrBaSi5N8:Eu2+ red phosphor (3.5 μm in size) with blue mini-LED chips, which show a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of above 31% and a super-high luminance of 34.3 Mnits. It indicates that fine and high efficiency phosphors can be obtained by the proposed method in this work, and they have great potentials for use in mini-LED displays.
Tuning the melting point and phase stability of rare-earth oxides to facilitate their crystal growth from the melt
Authors: Pianassola Matheus , Anderson Kaden L. , Safin Joshua , Agca Can , McMurray Jake W. , Chakoumakos Bryan C. , Neuefeind Jöerg C. , Melcher Charles L. , Zhuravleva Mariya
Published: August 2022

The challenge of growing rare-earth (RE) sesquioxide crystals can be overcome by tailoring their structural stability and melting point via composition engineering. This work contributes to the advancement of the field of crystal growth of high-entropy oxides. A compound with only small REs (Lu,Y,Ho,Yb,Er)2O3 maintains a cubic C-type structure upon cooling from the melt, as observed via in-situ high-temperature neutron diffraction on aerodynamically levitated samples. On the other hand, a compound with a mixture of small and large REs (Lu,Y,Ho,Nd,La)2O3 crystallizes as a mixture of a primary C-type phase with an unstable secondary phase. Crystals of compositions (Lu,Y,Ho,Nd,La)2O3 and (Lu,Y,Gd,Nd,La)2O3 were grown by the micro-pulling-down (mPD) method with a single monoclinic B-type phase, while a powder of (Lu,Y,Ho,Yb,Er)2O3 did not melt at the maximum operating temperature of an iridium-rhenium crucible. The minimization of the melting point of the two grown crystals is attributed to the mismatch in cation sizes. The electron probe microanalysis reveals that the general element segregation behavior in the crystals depends on the composition.
Prevalence, incidence, and medications of narcolepsy in Japan: a descriptive observational study using a health insurance claims database
Authors: Imanishi Aya , Kamada Yuta , Shibata Kai , Sakata Yukinori , Munakata Hiroaki , Ishii Mika
Published: August 2022

The objectives of this study were to describe prevalence, incidence, and medications among patients who were diagnosed with narcolepsy in Japan using a claims database. Patients diagnosed with narcolepsy were identified from January 2010 to December 2019 using an employment-based health insurance claims database compiled by JMDC Inc. The prevalence and incidence of narcolepsy were estimated annually in the overall population and by age and sex among employees and their dependents aged < 75 years. Medications, examined for each quarter in the overall population, were modafinil, methylphenidate, pemoline, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. We identified 1539 patients with narcolepsy. The overall annual prevalence increased from 5.7 to 18.5/100,000 persons in 2010 and 2019, respectively. Large increases were found from 2010 to 2019 in patients aged 20–29 years and 10–19 years, with the highest prevalence in 2019 (9.7–37.5/100,000 persons and 5.0–27.1/100,000 persons). The overall incidence slightly increased from 3.6 to 4.3/100,000 person-year from 2010 to 2019, and the highest incidence was found in patients aged 20–29 years and 10–19 years (5.8–11.3/100,000 person-year, and 3.8–7.4/100,000 person-year from 2010 to 2019, respectively). Methylphenidate and modafinil were commonly prescribed in 2010 (27.3–38.9% and 17.5–45.5%, respectively). Methylphenidate prescriptions declined during the 10 years, whereas modafinil prescriptions increased (15.6–17.1% and 43.8–45.8% in 2019, respectively). The estimated prevalence and incidence of narcolepsy appeared to increase from 2010 to 2019, especially in teenagers and 20-year olds.
The Role of Working Memory in Age-Related Emotional Memory Bias
Authors: Sattari Negin , Whitehurst Lauren N. , Mednick Sara C.
Published: August 2022

Aging is accompanied by deterioration in both working memory (WM) and long-term memory (LTM), yet whether these changes are related is not understood. Sleep plays a role in the formation of LTM in young adults, but the findings in older adults are not as clear. The types of memories we store also shift with age as young adults preserve a higher proportion of negative experiences when compared to older adults. The reason for this age-related change in emotional memory bias is also not clear; however, some studies have suggested that WM changes across aging may be an important factor. In the current study, we examined performance in WM and emotional LTM in younger and older adults. We added a daytime nap in half the subjects to examine a possible role of sleep on emotional LTM. In the morning, 93 younger (18–39) and 121 older (60–85) adults completed a WM task. Subjects also encoded neutral or negative word pairs and provided valence and arousal ratings for each pair. After half the subjects took a daytime nap, LTM was examined, and valence and arousal ratings were reassessed. Results indicate that older adults showed worse recognition for negative word pairs compared with neutral, as well as decreased negative valence ratings in the afternoon. This decrease in emotional reactivity was correlated with better LTM performance. In contrast, younger adults performed better on the negative compared to neutral word pairs, with no change in emotional reactivity and no association between emotional reactivity and LTM. In addition, WM was positively related to LTM in younger, but not in older adults. Lastly, no differences were shown across sleep, regardless of age. Our findings suggest that the emotional memory bias may be associated with the emotional saliency of the information in older adults, and with WM capacity in younger adults.
The effects of co-exposure to methyl paraben and dibutyl phthalate on cell line derived from human skin
Authors: Miranowicz-Dzierżawska Katarzyna , Zapór Lidia , Skowroń Jolanta , Chojnacka-Puchta Luiza , Sawicka Dorota
Published: August 2022

Data on the cumulative effects of chemical substances are necessary for the proper risk assessment, but their availability is still insufficient. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of methyl paraben (MePB) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on the cells of the skin line (A431) and to compare the cytotoxic effects of the tested substances after single application to A431 cells with the effects of an equimolar/equitoxic (1:1) binary mixture of these compounds as well as their mixtures in ratio 1:3: and 3:1. On the basis of the obtained results, it was found that there were interactions between the tested compounds in terms of cytotoxic effect on A431, assessed on the basis of metabolic activity of cells (MTT test) and integrity of their cell membranes (NRU test). The obtained values of synergy coefficients (SI) and isobolographic analysis indicate that between the tested chemicals in a two-component equimolar mixture (1:1) there is a synergism of action, which, at a high DBP content in the mixture (> 50%) turned into antagonism. Observations using a holotomographic microscope show morphological changes in A431 cells after exposure to both DBP and MePB separately and binary mixtures of these compounds, compared to untreated cells. The observed changes in cell morphology seem to be more pronounced when the cells are exposed to the binary mixtures of DBP and MePB than when exposed to these substances individually, which may confirm the synergy of cytotoxic activity between them (this phenomenon was observed for the higher of the tested concentrations in all tested proportions). It is important to consider such effects when considering the effects of cumulative exposure in the risk assessment in order not to underestimate the risk of adverse effects associated with exposure to chemical mixtures.
Enhanced pothole detection system using YOLOX algorithm
Authors: B Mohan Prakash , K.C Sriharipriya
Published: August 2022

The road is the most commonly used means of transportation and serves as a country’s arteries, so it is extremely important to keep the roads in good condition. Potholes that happen to appear in the road must be repaired to keep the road in good condition. Spotting potholes on the road is difficult, especially in a country like India where roads stretch millions of kilometres across the country. Therefore, there is a need to automate the identification of potholes with high speed and real-time precision. YOLOX is an object detection algorithm and our main goal of this article is to train and analyse the YOLOX model for pothole detection. The YOLOX model is trained with a pothole dataset and the results obtained are analysed by calculating the accuracy, recall and size of the model which is then compared to other YOLO algorithms. The experimental results in this article show that the YOLOX-Nano model predicts potholes with higher accuracy compared to other models while having low computational costs. We were able to achieve an Average Precision (AP) value of 85.6% from training the model and the total size of the model is 7.22 MB. The pothole detection capabilities of the newly developed YOLOX algorithm have never been tested before and this paper is one of the first to detect potholes using the YOLOX object detection algorithm. The research conducted in this paper will help reduce costs and increase the speed of pothole identification and will be of great help in road maintenance.
Oscillations of the circadian clock protein, BMAL-1, align to daily cycles of mechanical stimuli: a novel means to integrate biological time within predictive in vitro model systems
Authors: Heywood Hannah K. , Gardner Laurence , Knight Martin M. , Lee David A.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

In vivo, the circadian clock drives 24-h rhythms in human physiology. Isolated cells in vitro retain a functional clockwork but lack necessary timing cues resulting in the rapid loss of tissue-level circadian rhythms. This study tests the hypothesis that repeated daily mechanical stimulation acts as a timing cue for the circadian clockwork. The delineation and integration of circadian timing cues into predictive in vitro model systems, including organ-on-a-chip (OOAC) devices, represent a novel concept that introduces a key component of in vivo physiology into predictive in vitro model systems.

Methods

Quiescent bovine chondrocytes were entrained for 3 days by daily 12-h bouts of cyclic biaxial tensile strain (10%, 0.33 Hz, Flexcell) before sampling during free-running conditions. The core clock protein, BMAL-1, was quantified from normalised Western Blot signal intensity and the temporal oscillations characterised by Cosinor linear fit with 24-h period.

Results

Following entrainment, the cell-autonomous oscillations of the molecular clock protein, BMAL-1, exhibited circadian (24 h) periodicity (p < 0.001) which aligned to the diurnal mechanical stimuli. A 6-h phase shift in the mechanical entrainment protocol resulted in an equivalent shift of the circadian clockwork. Thus, repeated daily mechanical stimuli synchronised circadian rhythmicity of chondrocytes in vitro.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates that daily mechanical stimulation can act as a timing cue that is sufficient to entrain the peripheral circadian clock in vitro. This discovery may be exploited to induce and sustain circadian physiology within into predictive in vitro model systems, including OOAC systems. Integration of the circadian clock within these systems will enhance their potential to accurately recapitulate human diurnal physiology and hence augment their predictive value as drug testing platforms and as realistic models of human (patho)physiology.
Air-assisted cloud point extraction coupled with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy for determination of samarium in environmental samples
Authors: Mortada Wael I. , Awad Aya A. , El-Defrawy Mohamed M. , Khalifa Magdi E.
Published: August 2022

For the first time, air-assisted cloud point extraction (AACPE) was presented to preconcentrate metal ions. The procedure was conjugated with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy for determination of samarium. In this procedure, samarium ions were complexed with aluminon and extracted into Triton X-114 in the presence of potassium iodide. The mixture was repeatedly sucked and dispersed with a syringe (three times) to create cloud solution. Experimental factors that affect the extraction competence of the AACPE procedure, such as pH, amount of aluminon and Triton X-114, salt addition, number of suction/injection cycles, and centrifugation rate and time, have been investigated and optimized. A linear calibration curve from 0.2 to 200.0 μg L−1with enrichment factor and detection limit of 102 and 0.06 μg L−1, respectively, was established under the optimum experimental conditions. The approach was used to determine samarium in wastewater and rock samples, with recoveries ranging from 98% to 99%.

Graphical abstract