bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First report of silicified wood from a late Pennsylvanian intramontane basin in the Pyrenees: systematic affinities and palaeoecological implications
Authors: Tosal Aixa , Decombeix Anne‐Laure , Meyer‐Berthaud Brigitte , Galtier Jean , Martín‐Closas Carles
Published: September 2023

The first anatomically preserved wood specimens of an upland Carboniferous flora from the Iberian Peninsula are reported from the Erillcastell Basin (Eastern Pyrenees, Catalonia, Spain). Two taxa are described, a calamitacean Equisetales (Arthropitys sp.) and a Cordaitales (Dadoxylon sp.). The Arthropitys specimen has fusiform multiseriate rays composed of square parenchyma cells with conspicuous uniseriate or multiseriate simple pits. These pits are located near the transverse walls and occasionally in the tangential walls. The tracheids vary in lumen size, with scalariform‐bordered pits on their radial walls and multiseriate pits in their cross‐field areas. The Dadoxylon specimen commonly has uniseriate fusiform rays. The tracheids are long, with a square shape in transverse section. Their radial walls bear araucarian pitting with a uniseriate to triseriate arrangement. The pits are circular with a spindle‐shaped aperture. Comparison of the Erillcastell specimens with coeval species from Europe indicates that they could belong to new species. The good preservation of the new fossil wood yields significant palaeoenvironmental information. The lack of marked growth rings in both specimens and the presence of tyloses in Dadoxylon suggest that the climate in the intramontane basins of the Pyrenees was slightly seasonal towards the end of the Carboniferous. This contrasts with the marked seasonality of coeval lowland basins. Such upland habitats may have enhanced the survival of plants adapted to humid conditions in a global context of increasing aridity.
Quantal size increase induced by the endocannabinoid 2‐arachidonoylglycerol requires activation of CGRP receptors in mouse motor synapses
Authors: Tarasova Ekaterina , Bogacheva Polina , Chernyshev Kirill , Balezina Olga
Published: September 2023

In mouse motor synapses, the exogenous application of the endocannabinoid (EC) 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) increases acetylcholine (ACh) quantal size due to the activation of CB1 receptors and the stimulation of ACh vesicular uptake. In the present study, microelectrode recordings of miniature endplate potentials (MEPP) revealed that this effect of 2‐AG is independent of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling but involves the activation of calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) receptors along with CB1 receptors. Potentiation of MEPP amplitude in the presence of 2‐AG was prevented by blockers of CGRP receptors and ryanodine receptors (RyR) and by inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC) and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Therefore, we suggest a hypothetical chain of events, which starts from the activation of presynaptic CB1 receptors, involves PLC, RyR, and CaMKII, and results in CGRP release with the subsequent activation of presynaptic CGRP receptors. Activation of CGRP receptors is probably a part of a complex molecular cascade leading to the 2‐AG‐induced increase in ACh quantal size and MEPP amplitude. We propose that the same chain of events may also take place if 2‐AG is endogenously produced in mouse motor synapses, because the increase in MEPP amplitude that follows after prolonged tetanic muscle contractions (30 Hz, 2 min) was prevented by the blocking of CB1 receptors. This work may help to unveil the previously unknown aspects of the functional interaction between ECs and peptide modulators aimed at the regulation of quantal size and synaptic transmission.
New types for old beans: Revisiting the neotypification of four Linnaean names in Leguminosae‐Papilionoideae‐Phaseoleae
Authors: Turner I.M.
Published: September 2023

Neotypes are designated at the second step for the Linnaean names, Dolichos unguiculatus, Phaseolus inamoenus and Phaseolus lunatus.
Fluorescent Probes and Quenchers in Studies of Protein Folding and Protein‐Lipid Interactions
Authors: Kyrychenko Alexander , Ladokhin Alexey S.
Published: September 2023

Fluorescence spectroscopy provides numerous methodological tools for structural and functional studies of biological macromolecules and their complexes. All fluorescence‐based approaches require either existence of an intrinsic probe or an introduction of an extrinsic one. Moreover, studies of complex systems often require an additional introduction of a specific quencher molecule acting in combination with a fluorophore to provide structural or thermodynamic information. Here, we review the fundamentals and summarize the latest progress in applications of different classes of fluorescent probes and their specific quenchers, aimed at studies of protein folding and protein‐membrane interactions. Specifically, we discuss various environment‐sensitive dyes, FRET probes, probes for short‐distance measurements, and several probe‐quencher pairs for studies of membrane penetration of proteins and peptides. The goals of this review are: (a) to familiarize the readership with the general concept that complex biological systems often require both a probe and a quencher to decipher mechanistic details of functioning and (b) to provide example of the immediate applications of the described methods.
Successful definitive‐intent radiation therapy for recurrent and metastatic feline thymoma with unusual extra‐thoracic metastasis
Authors: Ionescu Ana , Elliott James
Published: September 2023

A 10‐year‐old, male, neutered, domestic shorthair cat was referred for investigation of cough and dyspnoea episodes. A large cranial mediastinal mass was detected using computed tomography. Upon surgical removal, the mass was diagnosed as a lymphoid‐rich thymoma. Ten months postoperatively, the tumour was reported to recur, followed 2 months later by the development of an axillary mass and enlarged thoracic and superficial cervical lymph nodes. Recurrent and metastatic thymoma was confirmed, which was successfully treated with radiation therapy.
Topographical Distribution of Neuroanatomical Abnormalities Following COVID-19 Invasion
Authors: Kiyak Ceyda , Ijezie Ogochukwu Ann , Ackah Joseph A. , Armstrong Matthew , Cowen Jake , Cetinkaya Deniz , Burianová Hana , Akudjedu Theophilus N.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This systematic review is aimed at synthesising the literature base to date on the frequency and topographical distribution of neuroanatomical changes seen on imaging following COVID-19 invasion with a focus on both the acute and chronic phases of the disease.

Methods

In this study, 8 databases were systematically searched to identify relevant articles published from December 2019 to March 2022 and supplemented with a manual reference search. Data were extracted from the included studies and narrative synthesis was employed to integrate the findings.

Results

A total of 110 studies met the inclusion criteria and comprised 119,307 participants (including 31,073 acute and 143 long COVID-19 patients manifesting neurological alterations) and controls. Considerable variability in both the localisation and nature of neuroanatomical abnormalities are noted along the continuum with a wide range of neuropathologies relating to the cerebrovascular/neurovascular system, (sub)cortical structures (including deep grey and white matter structures), brainstem, and predominant regional and/or global alterations in the cerebellum with varying degrees of spinal involvement.

Conclusion

Structural regional alterations on neuroimaging are frequently demonstrated in both the acute and chronic phases of SARS-CoV‑2 infection, particularly prevalent across subcortical, prefrontal/frontal and cortico-limbic brain areas as well as the cerebrovascular/neurovascular system. These findings contribute to our understanding of the acute and chronic effects of the virus on the nervous system and has the potential to provide information on acute and long-term treatment and neurorehabilitation decisions.
Early zircon saturation in adakitic magmatic differentiation series and low Zr content of porphyry copper magmas
Authors: Loucks Robert R. , Fiorentini Marco L.
Published: September 2023

Porphyry copper ore-forming magmas worldwide are chemically distinguished from ordinary arc granitoids by lower Zr and by higher Sr/Zr ratios at equivalent SiO2 contents. Low ppm Zr in zircon-saturated melts and high whole-rock Sr/Zr in granitoid samples retaining igneous plagioclase are useful discriminants of Cu-fertile intrusive complexes. These and other chemical discriminants of porphyry-copper-forming melts of tonalite-granodiorite-adamellite composition cannot develop during crystallisation-differentiation at upper-crustal pressures. They indicate unusually high dissolved H2O (≥ 9 wt%) in residual melts at depths near the base of the crust. We compare Zr behaviour during mafic-to-felsic magmatic differentiation in orogenically deforming, copper-mineralised arc segments with behaviour during differentiation in non-orogenic, unmineralised arc segments laterally adjacent along the same subduction zones. In orogenically deforming segments, horizontal compressive stress provides resistance to opening of tensile dyke fractures and promotes entrapment of mantle-derived basaltic melts in magma chambers embedded in hot country rock at Moho-vicinity depths, where magmas cool slowly and residual melts tend to last long enough to experience intermittent chamber replenishment by basaltic melts from the deeper mantle. Over several cycles of replenishment and fractional crystallisation, residual melts acquire high concentrations of inherited chemical components that were largely excluded from cumulus minerals—H2O, Cl, CO2, SO3, etc. Accumulating H2O re-orders the high-pressure crystallisation sequence of igneous minerals in successive cycles and leads to early and prolific production of hornblende and early zircon saturation in mafic melts (< 60 wt% SiO2) of later cycles and leads to low Zr contents of zircon-saturated intermediate-composition residual melts.
Preoperative patellar bone marrow lesions with full thickness cartilage defects correlate with residual anterior knee pain in total knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing
Authors: Jung Jung Ho , Kang Min Wook , Lee Jong Hwa , Lee Joon Kyu , Kim Joong Il
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Residual anterior knee pain is one of the most common problems after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the contributing factors affecting postoperative anterior knee pain (AKP) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of preoperative patellar bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and patellar cartilage defects on postoperative AKP after patellar non‐resurfacing TKA.

Methods

This retrospective study included 336 patients who underwent unilateral TKA without patella resurfacing. All patients underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the presence of BMLs and the degree of cartilage defects in the patella. Patients were categorized into four groups according to the presence of BMLs (with or without BMLs) and the degree of cartilage defects (with or without full thickness cartilage defects). The Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) and the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Rating Scale (HSS) scores at 2 years after TKA were compared among the groups.

Results

Preoperative BMLs in the patella were found in 132 (39.3%) of 336 cases. Among the four groups, the group with both BMLs and full‐thickness cartilage defects demonstrated significantly lower AKPS compared to the other groups at 2 years after TKA (p < 0.01), but no significant difference was shown in the HSS scores, between these groups. There were no significant differences in either AKPS or HSS scores among the other three patient groups.

Conclusions

The presence of preoperative BMLs with full‐thickness cartilage defects in the patella was associated with worse postoperative AKP after TKA without patella resurfacing. Patella resurfacing should be considered in this patient group to minimize the risk of developing residual AKP after TKA.

Level of evidence

III.
Das Strafverfahren gegen den SS-Oberführer Erich Ehrlinger aus rechtsmedizinischer Sicht
Authors: Schwarz Clara-Sophie , Münch Nikolai , Walz Cleo , Germerott Tanja
Published: September 2023

Hintergrund

Rechtsmedizinischen Sachverständigen kommt in strafrechtlichen Verfahren eine komplexe Rolle, die eine große Verantwortung beinhaltet, zu. Dieser Umstand lässt sich auch anhand historischer Fälle nachzeichnen. Gleichzeitig können historische Befunde von rechtsmedizinischer Seite betrachtet und ergänzt werden, wenn es um die Interpretation medizinischer Befunde und um die Analyse ärztlicher Gutachten geht.

Fragestellung

Ausgehend von dem Vorwurf des Holocaustüberlebenden Simon Wiesenthal, Mediziner hätten Kriegsverbrechern mit ihren gutachterlichen Äußerungen zu einer Art Amnestie verholfen, soll in der vorliegenden Arbeit der Fall Erich Ehrlinger, in dem der Gerichtsmediziner Berthold Mueller Gutachten zur Haft- und zur Verhandlungsfähigkeit erstattete, untersucht werden. In diesem ersten Teil des Beitrags wird das Karlsruher Strafverfahren gegen Ehrlinger rekonstruiert, mit besonderem Augenmerk auf medizinische Belange und ärztliche Einschätzungen während der Haft.

Material und Methoden

Nach Beantragung und Genehmigung einer Sperrfristverkürzung wurden die im Generallandesarchiv Karlsruhe vorgehaltenen Verfahrensakten eingesehen und analysiert.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Einerseits erkrankte der inhaftierte Ehrlinger zweifellos ernsthaft, andererseits brachte er immer wieder kaum objektivierbare gesundheitliche Beschwerden vor. Bei der Analyse der Verfahrensakten haben sich insgesamt Hinweise darauf ergeben, dass Ehrlinger gesundheitliche Belange taktisch einsetzte, um das Verfahren zu verzögern und letztlich seine Haftentlassung zu erreichen. Die Feststellung und Auseinandersetzung mit solchen Situationen stellen sowohl historisch als auch aktuell eine Herausforderung für medizinische Sachverständige dar.
Aggregated wind power characteristic curves and artificial intelligence for the regional wind power infeed estimation
Authors: Li Yang , Janik Przemysław , Schwarz Harald
Published: September 2023

The wind power generation is highly dependent on current weather conditions. In the course of the energy transition, the generation levels from volatile wind energy are constantly increasing. Accordingly, the prediction of regional wind power generation is a particularly important and challenging task due to the highly distributed installations. This paper presents a study on the role of regional wind power infeed estimation and proposes a multi-aggregated wind power characteristics model based on three scaled Gumbel distribution functions. Multi-levels of wind turbines and their allocation are investigated for the regional aggregated wind power. Relative peak power performance and full load hours are compared for the proposed model and the real measurement obtained from a local distribution system operator. Furthermore, artificial intelligence technologies using neural networks, such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), stacked LSTM and CNN–LSTM, are investigated by using different historical measurement as input data. The results show that the suggested stacked LSTM performs stably and reliably in regional power prediction.
Cosmetic operations and Khovanov multicurves
Authors: Kotelskiy Artem , Lidman Tye , Moore Allison H. , Watson Liam , Zibrowius Claudius
Published: September 2023

We prove an equivariant version of the Cosmetic Surgery Conjecture for strongly invertible knots. Our proof combines a recent result of Hanselman with the Khovanov multicurve invariants $${\widetilde{{{\,\textrm{Kh}\,}}}}$$

Kh

~

and $${\widetilde{{{\,\textrm{BN}\,}}}}$$

BN

~

. We apply the same techniques to reprove a result of Wang about the Cosmetic Crossing Conjecture and split links. Along the way, we show that $${\widetilde{{{\,\textrm{Kh}\,}}}}$$

Kh

~

and $${\widetilde{{{\,\textrm{BN}\,}}}}$$

BN

~

detect if a Conway tangle is split.
The effects of virtual reality environmental enrichments on craving to food in healthy volunteers
Authors: Benvegnù Giulia , Piva Alessandro , Cadorin Camilla , Mannari Vanessa , Girondini Matteo , Federico Angela , Tamburin Stefano , Chiamulera Cristiano
Published: September 2023

Rationale

Environmental enrichment (EE) is a non-pharmacological approach that has been shown to be effective in reducing food-taking in rats. Studies in human volunteers are still in their infancy, given the difficulty to translate the complexity of EE in clinical practice. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising methodological approach, but no study has yet applied it to model and test EE in humans.

Objectives

The present study is the first to assess the effects of virtual EE on craving for palatable food.

Methods

Eighty-one healthy volunteers (43 women) were divided into three groups: (i) exposure to a virtual EE (VR-EE), (ii) exposure to a virtual neutral environment (VR-NoEE), and (iii) without exposure to VR (No VR). Craving for palatable food at basal level and evoked by neutral and palatable food images was assessed before and after the VR simulation. Behavior during VR exposure and subjective measures related to the experience were also collected.

Results

VR-EE group showed a significantly greater decrease in pre-post craving difference compared to No VR for all assessments and at basal level compared to VR-NoEE. Interestingly, an inverse correlation between craving and deambulation in the VR simulation emerged in VR-EE group only.

Conclusions

The study highlighted the feasibility of exposing human subjects to an EE as a virtual simulation. Virtual EE induced effects on basal craving for food that suggest the potential for further improvements of the protocol to extend its efficacy to palatable food cues.
Epigenetics and seasonal timing in animals: a concise review
Authors: Fishman Bettina , Tauber Eran
Published: September 2023

Seasonal adaptation in animals is a complex process that involves genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. The present review explores recent studies on epigenetic mechanisms implicated in seasonal adaptation in animals. The review is divided into three main sections, each focusing on a different epigenetic mechanism: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA. Additionally, the review delves into the current understanding of how these epigenetic factors contribute to the regulation of circadian and seasonal cycles. Understanding these molecular mechanisms provides the first step in deciphering the complex interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and the environment in driving seasonal adaptation in animals. By exploring these mechanisms, a better understanding of how animals adapt to changing environmental conditions can be achieved.
Anticipating gelation and vitrification with medium amplitude parallel superposition (MAPS) rheology and artificial neural networks
Authors: Lennon Kyle R. , Rathinaraj Joshua David John , Gonzalez Cadena Miguel A. , Santra Ashok , McKinley Gareth H. , Swan James W.
Published: September 2023

Anticipating qualitative changes in the rheological response of complex fluids (e.g., a gelation or vitrification transition) is an important capability for processing operations that utilize such materials in real-world environments. One class of complex fluids that exhibits distinct rheological states are soft glassy materials such as colloidal gels and clay dispersions, which can be well characterized by the soft glassy rheology (SGR) model. We first solve the model equations for the time-dependent, weakly nonlinear response of the SGR model. With this analytical solution, we show that the weak nonlinearities measured via medium amplitude parallel superposition (MAPS) rheology can be used to anticipate the rheological aging transitions in the linear response of soft glassy materials. This is a rheological version of a technique called structural health monitoring used widely in civil and aerospace engineering. We design and train artificial neural networks (ANNs) that are capable of quickly inferring the parameters of the SGR model from the results of sequential MAPS experiments. The combination of these data-rich experiments and machine learning tools to provide a surrogate for computationally expensive viscoelastic constitutive equations allows for rapid experimental characterization of the rheological state of soft glassy materials. We apply this technique to an aging dispersion of Laponite® clay particles approaching the gel point and demonstrate that a trained ANN can provide real-time detection of transitions in the nonlinear response well in advance of incipient changes in the linear viscoelastic response of the system.
Electrocardiographic characteristics of newborns with ventricular septal defects: a Copenhagen Baby Heart Study
Authors: Pihl Christian , Pærregaard Maria Munk , Sillesen Anne-Sophie , Vøgg Ruth Ottilia B , Pietersen Adrian , Raja Anna Axelsson , Iversen Kasper Karmark , Bundgaard Henning , Christensen Alex Hørby
Published: September 2023

Ventricular septal defects (VSD) represent the most common congenital heart defect in newborns. We assessed the electrocardiographic characteristics of newborns with VSDs in a general population sample. The Copenhagen Baby Heart Study is a prospective population–based cohort study offering cardiac evaluation of newborns. Echocardiograms and electrocardiograms were obtained within 30 days after birth and systematically analysed. A VSD was identified in 530 newborns (mean age 11 ± 7 days, 42% boys). Newborns with VSDs had a more left-shifted QRS axis (116 ± 34 vs. 120 ± 3°, p = 0.02), and a higher S-wave amplitude in V1 (721 ± 584 vs. 636 ± 549 µV, p = 0.001) than controls. The largest differences were found in newborns with large or perimembraneous VSDs with a higher frequency of left axis deviation, higher S-wave amplitudes in V1, and higher R- and S-wave amplitudes in V6 compared with controls. R-waves in V1 and V6 were significantly associated to left ventricular mass, whereas S-waves in V1 and V6 were dependent on left ventricular end-diastolic diameter on echocardiography.

  Conclusion: Newborns with VSDs showed significant differences in QRS axis, and R- and S-wave precordial amplitudes compared to matched controls. Perimembranous and large VSDs had the greatest effect on the neonatal ECG.

What is Known:• Ventricular septal defects in newborns are prevalent and may affect cardiac function and structure.

What is New:• The Copenhagen Baby Heart Study is the largest study including a cohort of unselected newborns undergoing postnatal cardiac examination.• We found that newborns with VSD showed significant electrocardiographic differences depending on size and type of VSD compared with healthy newborns.
Translation efficiency and directionally optimal scale
Authors: Färe Rolf , Karagiannis Giannis
Published: September 2023

The aim of this paper is to show that instead of choosing the benchmark technology solely by means of maximal average productivities, a new whole range of options is opened up by using for this purpose the direction vector. By choosing any particular direction vector to evaluate technical efficiency we in fact predetermine by means of the relevant reflection vector the ray of average productivities we want to achieve. Then we may measure the extent of producing an inefficiently small (large) output by means of what we refer to as translation efficiency by comparing the average productivities of the projection of the observed input–output combination onto the best practice frontier and that of the graph translation homothetic technology. We can also determine the optimal production scale, which we refer to as directionally optimal scale, and which is defined conditionally on this vector of average productivities.
New approaches to recovery after stroke
Authors: Marín-Medina Daniel S. , Arenas-Vargas Paula A. , Arias-Botero Juan C. , Gómez-Vásquez Manuela , Jaramillo-López Manuel F. , Gaspar-Toro Jorge M.
Published: September 2023

After a stroke, several mechanisms of neural plasticity can be activated, which may lead to significant recovery. Rehabilitation therapies aim to restore surviving tissue over time and reorganize neural connections. With more patients surviving stroke with varying degrees of neurological impairment, new technologies have emerged as a promising option for better functional outcomes. This review explores restorative therapies based on brain-computer interfaces, robot-assisted and virtual reality, brain stimulation, and cell therapies. Brain-computer interfaces allow for the translation of brain signals into motor patterns. Robot-assisted and virtual reality therapies provide interactive interfaces that simulate real-life situations and physical support to compensate for lost motor function. Brain stimulation can modify the electrical activity of neurons in the affected cortex. Cell therapy may promote regeneration in damaged brain tissue. Taken together, these new approaches could substantially benefit specific deficits such as arm-motor control and cognitive impairment after stroke, and even the chronic phase of recovery, where traditional rehabilitation methods may be limited, and the window for repair is narrow.
On the coincidence of optimal completions for small pairwise comparison matrices with missing entries
Authors: Csató László , Ágoston Kolos Csaba , Bozóki Sándor
Published: September 2023

Incomplete pairwise comparison matrices contain some missing judgements. A natural approach to estimate these values is provided by minimising a reasonable measure of inconsistency after unknown entries are replaced by variables. Two widely used inconsistency indices for this purpose are Saaty’s inconsistency index and the geometric inconsistency index, which are closely related to the eigenvector and the logarithmic least squares priority deriving methods, respectively. The two measures are proven to imply the same optimal filling for incomplete pairwise comparison matrices up to order four but not necessarily for order at least five.
Calculating Heat Release Rates from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: A Methodology Using Digital Imaging
Authors: Wise Malcom S. , Christensen Paul A. , Dickman Neville , McDonald Joe , Mrozik Wojciech , Lambert Simon M. , Restuccia Francesco
Published: September 2023

Measuring flame lengths and areas from turbulent flame flares developing from lithium-ion battery failures is complex due to the varying directions of the flares, the thin flame zone, the spatially and temporally rapid changes of the thermal runaway event, as well as the hazardous nature of the event. This paper reports a novel methodology for measuring heat release rate from flame flares resulting from thermal runaway of electric vehicle lithium-ion modules comprising eight 56.3Ah lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pouch cells using digital cameras and a newly developed numerical code to process the distortion of the flame size based on distance, direction, and shape. The model is tested with a set of experiments using lithium-ion battery packs and validated with a reference set of measurements using calibration boxes, a method commonly used in the reconstruction of flame areas. The experiments showed that the effect of calibration is large, and thus digital imaging without the appropriate calibration can give very large errors in measurement of flames. The combined imaging and processing method proposed in this work allows the determination of heat release rates from lithium-ion battery packs, one of the most challenging variables to quantify during the failure of a battery pack outside the laboratory. In the example experiment that this method was applied to, almost double the heat released was accounted for, meaning 50% of the total heat released would not have been accounted for without this image processing method.
Animal Consumption at Hospital de San Martín (Gran Canaria): First Zooarchaeological Analysis in the Modern Era of the Canary Islands (Fifteenth-Eighteenth Centuries CE)
Authors: Brito-Mayor Aitor , Santana Jonathan , Moreno-García Marta , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Amelia
Published: September 2023

The Canary Islands were initially colonized around 200 CE by North African Berber populations who brought with them domestic plants and animals. These communities remained isolated until the arrival of Europeans in the Late Middle Ages which triggered the conquest of the archipelago. Its geostrategic location in the framework of Atlantic expansion facilitated the arrival of people, knowledge, goods, plants, and animals which served to shape the new Canarian society. This study explores the dietary practices of this period through the zooarchaeological analysis of the faunal remains recovered at the Hospital de San Martín (fifteenth to the eighteenth centuries), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria, Spain). Our results suggest that caprines were the main taxa consumed. This follows both the pre-colonial Indigenous tradition and, according to historical sources, the subsequent European period. The faunal assemblage recovered also reveals the first directly radiocarbon-dated cases in the Canary Islands of three hitherto unknown species: cattle, chicken, and rabbit. Moreover, the results evidence a progressive increase throughout the Modern Era of chicken and rabbit, and that translocating these new species to the archipelago during the European expansion led to a diversification of meat resources.
The Impact of Daycare Closures Owing to COVID-19 on Parental Stress: The Case of Japan
Authors: Ito Tsubasa , Naoi Michio , Sumita Kazuto , Ye Qing
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study is to quantify the effect of the closure of daycare facilities during the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the stress of parents with preschool children. Using household panel data collected before and after the pandemic, we estimated difference-in-differences models and their extensions. Our empirical results show that the closure of daycare facilities significantly worsened parental stress as measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. The negative effects of daycare closures on parental stress levels were greater for mothers, non-regular workers, and households with relatively older children. In contrast, on parents in metropolitan areas or those with younger children, no significant effects of daycare closures were observed. We discuss the two conflicting pathways—the increased childcare burden and the decreased risk of children’s infection—through which daycare closures affected parental distress, interpret the heterogeneous effects accordingly, and provide policy implications. Our results suggest that a risk-based, local closure policy could have been effective in reducing parental stress during the emergency.
Unravelling densification during sintering by multiscale modelling of grain motion
Authors: Seiz Marco , Hierl Henrik , Nestler Britta
Published: September 2023

The resulting microstructure after the sintering process determines many materials properties of interest. In order to understand the microstructural evolution, simulations are often employed. One such simulation method is the phase-field method, which has garnered much interest in recent decades. However, the method lacks a complete model for sintering, as previous works could show unphysical effects and the inability to reach representative volume elements. Thus the present paper aims to close this gap by employing molecular dynamics and determining rules of motion which can be translated to a phase-field model. The key realization is that vacancy absorption induced motion of grains travels through a grain structure without resistance. Hence the total displacement field of a green body is simply the superposition of all grains reacting in isolation to local vacancy absorption events. The resulting phase-field model is shown to be representative starting from particle counts between 97 and 262 and contains the qualitative correct dependence of sintering rate on particle size.
Enhancing multiplex global efficiency
Authors: Noschese Silvia , Reichel Lothar
Published: September 2023

Modeling complex systems that consist of different types of objects leads to multilayer networks, in which vertices are connected by both inter-layer and intra-layer edges. In this paper, we investigate multiplex networks, in which vertices in different layers are identified with each other, and the only inter-layer edges are those that connect a vertex with its copy in other layers. Let the third-order adjacency tensor $$\mathcal {A}\in \mathbb {R}^{N\times N\times L}$$

A
∈

R

N
×
N
×
L

and the parameter $$\gamma \ge 0$$

γ
≥
0

, which is associated with the ease of communication between layers, represent a multiplex network with N vertices and L layers. To measure the ease of communication in a multiplex network, we focus on the average inverse geodesic length, which we refer to as the multiplex global efficiency $$e_\mathcal {A}(\gamma )$$

e
A

(
γ
)

by means of the multiplex path length matrix $$P\in \mathbb {R}^{N\times N}$$

P
∈

R

N
×
N

. This paper generalizes the approach proposed in [15] for single-layer networks. We describe an algorithm based on min-plus matrix multiplication to construct P, as well as variants $$P^K$$

P
K

that only take into account multiplex paths made up of at most K intra-layer edges. These matrices are applied to detect redundant edges and to determine non-decreasing lower bounds $$e_\mathcal {A}^K(\gamma )$$

e

A

K

(
γ
)

for $$e_\mathcal {A}(\gamma )$$

e
A

(
γ
)

, for $$K=1,2,\dots ,N-2$$

K
=
1
,
2
,
⋯
,
N
-
2

. Finally, the sensitivity of $$e_\mathcal {A}^K(\gamma )$$

e

A

K

(
γ
)

to changes of the entries of the adjacency tensor $$\mathcal {A}$$
A
is investigated to determine edges that should be strengthened to enhance the multiplex global efficiency the most.
Too humble for words
Authors: Levy Neil
Published: September 2023

It’s widely held that a lack of intellectual humility is part of the reason why flagrantly unjustified beliefs proliferate. In this paper, I argue that an excess of humility also plays a role in allowing for the spread of misinformation. Citing experimental evidence, I show that inducing intellectual humility causes people inappropriately to lower their confidence in beliefs that are actually justified for them. In these cases, they manifest epistemic humility in ways that make them epistemically worse off. I argue that epistemic humility may fail to promote better beliefs because it functions for us against the background of our individualistic theory of responsible epistemic agency: until we reject such theories, intellectual humility is as much a problem as a solution to epistemic ills. Virtue epistemology is inadequate as a response to unjustified beliefs if it does not look beyond the virtues to our background beliefs.
Academic buoyancy among female secondary school students: An examination of predictors and outcomes up to age 22
Authors: Collie Rebecca J. , Caldecott-Davis Kate , Martin Andrew J.
Published: September 2023

We investigated academic buoyancy—and its predictors and outcomes—among female students attending all-girls and coeducational schools. We examined data from 1,254 female students. Structural equation modeling revealed that students’ perceptions of three instructional climate factors (teacher-student relationships, useful content, engaging content) were positively associated with their learning strategies (elaboration, memorization, control) and achievement and, in turn, academic buoyancy (assessed one year later) in similar ways across the two school types. In turn, learning strategies, achievement, and academic buoyancy were associated with academic, well-being, and occupational outcomes assessed up to age 22 in different ways. Together, the findings provide understanding about academic buoyancy among girls, provide guidance for how teachers can support buoyancy and other personal attributes among girls, and yield knowledge about the longer-term outcomes of academic buoyancy.
Excitable FitzHugh-Nagumo model with cross-diffusion: close and far-from-equilibrium coherent structures
Authors: Gambino G. , Lombardo M. C. , Rizzo R. , Sammartino M.
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we shall study the formation of stationary patterns for a reaction-diffusion system in which the FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) kinetics, in its excitable regime, is coupled to linear cross-diffusion terms. In (Gambino et al. in Excitable Fitzhugh-Nagumo model with cross-diffusion: long-range activation instabilities, 2023), we proved that the model supports the emergence of cross-Turing patterns, i.e., close-to-equilibrium structures occurring as an effect of cross-diffusion. Here, we shall construct the cross-Turing patterns close to equilibrium on 1-D and 2-D rectangular domains. Through this analysis, we shall show that the species are out-of-phase spatially distributed and derive the amplitude equations that govern the pattern dynamics close to criticality. Moreover, we shall classify the bifurcation in the parameter space, distinguishing between super-and sub-critical transitions. In the final part of the paper, we shall numerically investigate the impact of the cross-diffusion terms on large-amplitude pulse-like solutions existing outside the cross-Turing regime, showing their emergence also in the case of lateral activation and short-range inhibition.
Neurophysiologic Features Reflecting Brain Injury During Pediatric ECMO Support
Authors: Hanalioglu Damla , Temkit M. ’Hamed , Hildebrandt Kara , MackDiaz Elizabeth , Goldstein Zachary , Aggarwal Shefali , Appavu Brian
Published: September 2023

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides lifesaving support to critically ill patients who experience refractory cardiopulmonary failure but carries a high risk for acute brain injury. We aimed to identify characteristics reflecting acute brain injury in children requiring ECMO support.

Methods

This is a prospective observational study from 2019 to 2022 of pediatric ECMO patients undergoing neuromonitoring, including continuous electroencephalography, cerebral oximetry, and transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD). The primary outcome was acute brain injury. Clinical and neuromonitoring characteristics were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was implemented to model odds ratios (ORs) and identify the combined characteristics that best discriminate risk of acute brain injury using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

Seventy-five pediatric patients requiring ECMO support were enrolled in this study, and 62 underwent neuroimaging or autopsy evaluations. Of these 62 patients, 19 experienced acute brain injury (30.6%), including seven (36.8%) with arterial ischemic stroke, four (21.1%) with hemorrhagic stroke, seven with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (36.8%), and one (5.3%) with both arterial ischemic stroke and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. A univariate analysis demonstrated acute brain injury to be associated with maximum hourly seizure burden (p = 0.021), electroencephalographic suppression percentage (p = 0.022), increased interhemispheric differences in electroencephalographic total power (p = 0.023) and amplitude (p = 0.017), and increased differences in TCD Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia (TIBI) scores between bilateral middle cerebral arteries (p = 0.023). Best subset model selection identified increased seizure burden (OR = 2.07, partial R2 = 0.48, p = 0.013), increased quantitative electroencephalographic interhemispheric amplitude differences (OR = 2.41, partial R2 = 0.48, p = 0.013), and increased interhemispheric TCD TIBI score differences (OR = 4.66, partial R2 = 0.49, p = 0.006) to be independently associated with acute brain injury (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.92).

Conclusions

Increased seizure burden and increased interhemispheric differences in both quantitative electroencephalographic amplitude and TCD MCA TIBI scores are independently associated with acute brain injury in children undergoing ECMO support.
Impact of eSports semiprofessional practice on the trunk stabilizer muscle complex. A cross-sectional study
Authors: de la Cueva-Reguera Mónica , García Alejo Simón , Abuín-Porras Vanesa , Velázquez Saornil Jorge , López-López Daniel , Pareja-Galeano Helios , Bravo-Aguilar María , Romero-Morales Carlos
Published: September 2023

Introduction

ESports have emerged in the sporting paradigm achieving a great deal of importance both in terms of audience and economics. Professional players have to improve their performance through training, which leads to an increase in the risk of injuries derived from long periods of time spent a sitting position, sedentarism and repetitive movements. The most prevalent injury is low back pain (LBP), probably due to the professionals’ lifestyles, similar to the day-to-day activity of office workers but acquired at a younger age.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the morphology of the trunk stabilizing muscles in semiprofessional eSport players in comparison with healthy subjects, using ultrasonography.

Methods

A total of 20 participants were recruited (10 players from a semiprofessional eSports team and 10 age-matched healthy controls). Ultrasound measurements of the thickness of the transversus abdomini (TrAb), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), rectus abdomini (RA) and lumbar multifidus (LMult) muscles, and interrecti distance (IRD) were recorded.

Results

Statistically significant differences were found with decreased thickness in the eSports group bilaterally in TrAb (p < 0.01) and IO (p < 0.05), right EO (p < 0.05) and right RA (p < 0.01); and decreased IRD (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Statistically significant differences were found between young semiprofessional eSports players and healthy adults in this study, with morphologic characteristics similar to those found in older adults with chronic LBP.
CircDiaph3 influences PASMC apoptosis by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway through IGF1R
Authors: Liu Ge , Zhang Shengqiang , Yang Shaofeng , Shen Chongwen , Shi Chao , Diao Wenjie
Published: September 2023

The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension has not been elucidated. We investigated the role of a circular ribonucleic acid, circDiaph3, in the proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells during pulmonary hypertension. CircDiaph3 overexpression in blood samples of patients with pulmonary hypertension was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Subsequently, a rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension was established under hypoxic conditions. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were harvested from the rat model for subsequent experiments with small interfering ribonucleic acid-mediated knockdown of circDiaph3. In cell model, we found that PI3K, AKT, mTOR and insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling pathway (IGF1R) and smooth muscle cell marker genes (α-SMA, Vcam1) were significantly downregulated. The overexpression of Igf1r in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells rescued the downregulated smooth muscle cell genes, IGF1R signaling pathway proteins, increased smooth muscle cell proliferation, and reduced apoptosis. CircDiaph3 regulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway via IGF1R to inhibit apoptosis and promote proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Additionally, adenovirus-mediated in vivo inhibition of circDiaph3 was carried out in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension, followed by harvesting of their pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells for subsequent experiments. Excessive proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the pulmonary artery has narrowed the pulmonary artery lumen, thereby causing pulmonary hypertension, and our results suggest that circDiaph3 has important value in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
Three new amide derivatives from the fungus Alternaria brassicicola
Authors: Li Fengli , Gu Saisai , Zhang Sitian , Mo Shuyuan , Guo Jieru , Hu Zhengxi , Zhang Yonghui
Published: September 2023

Three new amide derivatives (alteralkaloids A–C, 1–3) and three known alkaloids (4–6) were afforded after phytochemical investigation of fungus Alternaria brassicicola. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. Furthermore, the absolute configuration of 1 was determined using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1–3 belong to a class of amide derivatives that have not been found in nature before, sharing the same characteristic signals of the butyl moiety and amide group. These isolated compounds mentioned above were tested for the cytotoxic activity.

Graphical Abstract
Current Status on New Technique and Protocol in Urinary Stone Disease
Authors: Montatore Manuela , Muscatella Gianmichele , Eusebi Laura , Masino Federica , Gifuni Rossella , Giannubilo Willy , Sortino Giuseppe , Guglielmi Giuseppe
Published: September 2023

Purpose of the Review

This review article aims to show the actual role of Imaging, especially DECT (Dual Energy CT), in recognition of renal calculi.

Recent Findings

CT and in particular DECT have some implications in renal stone disease; CT is considered the gold-standard in the diagnosis in case of acute flank pain caused by nephrolithiasis, better than ultrasound, that represent the first approach, in some specific cases. DECT instead in these days, has increase a very particular role.

About 12% of the world’s population will experience urinary stones, and 50% of affected people experience a recurrence within 10 years after their first diagnosis. There are many different types of calculi, that could form and stay or could form and then goes to localize in different anatomical site in the urinary system: kidney, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Calculi, especially with high dimensions, cause the typical flank pain, also known as renal colic. The precise cause of their formation is still unknown, it is frequently believed that mineral deposition on a nidus of the mucoprotein matrix is what causes them to form. The preferred Imaging method for detecting urinary stones is ultrasonography (used like the first approach), and Computed Tomography (gold standard), more rapid if “low-dose CT”. In these days, Dual Energy Computed Tomography is useful to determine the composition of the calculation. In fact, it is more effective than single-energy CT; it creates a better separation of stones from iodine; and it allows better measures of stone composition with better differentiation of urate stones from others (even at low doses).
Fair allocation algorithms for indivisible items under structured conflict constraints
Authors: Chiarelli Nina , Krnc Matjaž , Milanič Martin , Pferschy Ulrich , Schauer Joachim
Published: September 2023

We consider the fair allocation of indivisible items to several agents with additional conflict constraints. These are represented by a conflict graph where each item corresponds to a vertex of the graph and edges in the graph represent incompatible pairs of items which should not be allocated to the same agent. This setting combines the issues of Partition and Independent Set and can be seen as a partial coloring of the conflict graph. In the resulting optimization problem, each agent has its own valuation function for the profits of the items. We aim at maximizing the lowest total profit obtained by any of the agents. In a previous paper, this problem was shown to be strongly -hard for several well-known graph classes, e.g., bipartite graphs and their line graphs. On the other hand, it was shown that pseudo-polynomial time algorithms exist for the classes of chordal graphs, cocomparability graphs, biconvex bipartite graphs, and graphs of bounded treewidth. In this contribution, we extend this line of research by developing pseudo-polynomial time algorithms that solve the problem for the class of convex bipartite conflict graphs, graphs of bounded clique-width, and graphs of bounded tree-independence number. The algorithms are based on dynamic programming and also permit fully polynomial-time approximation schemes (FPTAS).