bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived earthquake risk in housing purchases
Authors: Shi Song , Naylor Michael
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates the impact of an earthquake on households' perception of the seismic risks associated with residential locations—and, consequently, the impact of this change in perceptions on real estate prices—by performing revealed preference analysis on a unique data set of house prices and damage claims after the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquake in New Zealand. We show that both informational and heuristic obstacles could have caused households to underestimate location earthquake risk before the quake and overreact to it after the quake. Our findings highlight the importance of quake-related information for seismic risk management and are robust to households’ risk preferences in neighborhood propensity score matching.
Valine Treatment Enhances Antimicrobial Component Production in Mammary Epithelial Cells and the Milk of Lactating Goats Without Influencing the Tight Junction Barrier
Authors: Tsugami Yusaku , Nii Takahiro , Isobe Naoki
Published: February 2023

The production of antimicrobial components and the formation of less-permeable tight junctions (TJs) are important in the defense system of lactating mammary glands and for safe dairy production. Valine is a branched-chain amino acid that is actively consumed in the mammary glands and promotes the production of major milk components like β-casein; additionally, branched-chain amino acids stimulate antimicrobial component production in the intestines. Therefore, we hypothesized that valine strengthens the mammary gland defense system without influencing milk production. We investigated the effects of valine in vitro using cultured mammary epithelial cells (MECs) and in vivo using the mammary glands of lactating Tokara goats. Valine treatment at 4 mM increased the secretion of S100A7 and lactoferrin as well as the intracellular concentration of β-defensin 1 and cathelicidin 7 in cultured MECs. In addition, an intravenous injection of valine increased S100A7 levels in the milk of Tokara goats without influencing milk yield and milk components (i.e., fat, protein, lactose, and solids). In contrast, valine treatment did not affect TJ barrier function either in vitro or in vivo. These findings indicate that valine enhances antimicrobial component production without influencing milk production and TJ barrier function in lactating mammary glands; thus, valine contributes to safe dairy production.
Rank ectopic expression in the presence of Neu and PyMT oncogenes alters mammary epithelial cell populations and their tumorigenic potential
Authors: Cordero Alex , Santamaría Patricia G. , González-Suárez Eva
Published: February 2023

Determination of the mammary epithelial cell that serves as the cell of origin for breast cancer is key to understand tumor heterogeneity and clinical management. In this study, we aimed to decipher whether Rank expression in the presence of PyMT and Neu oncogenes might affect the cell of origin of mammary gland tumors. We observed that Rank expression in PyMT+/− and Neu+/− mammary glands alters the basal and luminal mammary cell populations already in preneoplasic tissue, which may interfere with the tumor cell of origin restricting their tumorigenesis ability upon transplantation assays. In spite of this, Rank expression eventually promotes tumor aggressiveness once tumorigenesis is established.
Propagation and variation of material characteristics during the uranium ore concentrate production at Dolní Rožinka, Czech Republic
Authors: Varga Zsolt , Nicholl Adrian , Wallenius Maria , Mayer Klaus , Mock Todd
Published: February 2023

In the framework of the European Commission Support Programme to the International Atomic Energy Agency (EC SP task A1753) 20 samples were obtained from the Dolní Rožínka (DIAMO, Czech Republic) uranium milling facility. The sampling procedure followed stepwise the uranium production and purification from the U ore to uranium ore concentrate (yellow cake) end-product. Elemental concentrations, rare-earth elemental pattern, anion concentrations, morphology and isotope abundance ratios of S, Sr, Pb and U were measured at each sampling stage. The purpose of the measurements was to investigate the applicability of various material characteristics for authentication, propagation and variation of these parameters, and to identify the relevant signatures for nuclear forensics and safeguards during the uranium production.
Multiple elastic attribute fusion approach based on affinity propagation clustering strategy for gas hydrate reservoir identification
Authors: Yang Wenqiang , Zong Zhaoyun , Sun Qianhao , Yang Zhifang , Yan Xinfei
Published: February 2023

Pre-stack seismic inversion based on sensitive elastic parameters is critical in reservoir lithology prediction and geofluid identification. The ability of a single elastic attribute to identify a reservoir depends on its sufficient sensitivity to distinguish the target reservoir from the surrounding sediments. In general, high-dimensional data space composed of multiple elastic attributes is more conducive to describing reservoir characteristics. Therefore, a multiple elastic attribute fusion method using affinity propagation clustering strategy for gas hydrate reservoir identification is proposed. Rock-physics modeling is the most effective tool to determine the influence of microscopic physical parameters on macroscopic elastic response and to quantitatively evaluate the sensitivity of elastic attributes. Consequently, a rock-physics model of hydrate sediments considering the non-negligible shear properties of hydrates is constructed to clarify reservoir-sensitive elastic parameters. Additionally, a clustering evaluation indicator is defined to determine the optimal data clustering dimension in terms of feasibility and economy of the proposed method, and to avoid bias in the results due to data redundancy. It is shown that the 3D elastic attribute space consisting of shear modulus, Young's modulus, and S-wave velocity has the best discrimination ability for hydrate reservoirs. The logging data are used to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. Finally, the hydrate reservoir development is accurately discriminated by using the multiple elastic attributes yield from the pre-stack seismic inversion and combined with the fusion strategy.
Mask R-CNN for quality control of table olives
Authors: Macías-Macías Miguel , Sánchez-Santamaria Héctor , García Orellana Carlos J. , González-Velasco Horacio M. , Gallardo-Caballero Ramón , García-Manso Antonio
Published: February 2023

In this paper we propose an object detector based on deep learning for scanning samples of table olives. For the construction of the system we have used a Mask R-CNN neural network. This network is able to segment the image providing a mask for each of the olives in the sample from which we can obtain the calibre of the object. In addition, the system is able to measure the degree of ripeness of the olives classifying them as green, semi-ripe and ripe, and identifying those fruits that are defective due to disease or damage caused by the harvesting process. The proposed system achieves success rates of 99.8% in the detection of olive fruits in photograms, 93.5% in the classification of fruit by ripeness and close to 80% in the detection of defects.
Dissolution control and stability improvement of silica nanoparticles in aqueous media
Authors: Spitzmüller Laura , Nitschke Fabian , Rudolph Bastian , Berson Jonathan , Schimmel Thomas , Kohl Thomas
Published: February 2023

Silica nanoparticles have become an important tool in material sciences, nanomedicine, biotechnology, and pharmaceutics, with recent suggested applications also in environmental sciences. In life and environmental sciences, the application field is usually aqueous media; however, the crucial issue of silica nanoparticle dissolution behavior and rate in the target medium is often neglected, overlooked, or taken for granted. Silica nanoparticles are not stable in aqueous solutions until equilibrium silica concentrations are reached. While for life science applications, the degradability of silica nanoparticles is prerequisite for biocompatibility, this characteristic impedes the successful application of silica nanoparticles as environmental tracer, where long-term stability is needed. In this study, the impact of external (temperature, pH values, salinity, availability of silica) and internal (degree of condensation, size, porosity) parameters on the stability of ~ 45-nm-sized silica nanoparticles is characterized. Results show that external factors such as elevated temperature and alkaline pH-values accelerate the dissolution, acidic pH, high salinities, and high initial silica concentrations exhibit a contrary effect. Consequently, in applications, where external parameters cannot be controlled (e.g., in vivo, subsurface reservoirs), dissolution control and stability improvement of silica nanoparticles can be achieved by various means, such as adding a protective layer or by condensation of the silanol bonds through calcination.

Graphical abstract
The Study of Overexpression of Peroxiredoxin-2 Reduces MPP+-Induced Toxicity in the Cell Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Liu Menghao , Zuo Shuqian , Guo Xing , Peng Junyu , Xing Yaoping , Guo Yanjie , Li Chaokun , Xing Hongxia
Published: February 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neuron loss, which is related to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Endogenous peroxiredoxin-2 (Prdx-2) has potent anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects. Proteomics studies revealed plasma levels of Prdx-2 were significantly lower in PD patients than in healthy individuals. For further study of the activation of Prdx-2 and its role in vitro, SH-SY5Y cells and the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) were used to model PD. ROS content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell viability were used to assess the effect of MPP+ in SH-SY5Y cells. JC-1 staining was used to determine mitochondrial membrane potential. ROS content was detected using a DCFH-DA kit. Cell viability was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Western blot detected the protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), Prdx-2, silent information regulator of transcription 1 (SIRT1), Bax, and Bcl-2. The results showed that MPP+-induced accumulation of ROS, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduction of cell viability occurred in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, the levels of TH, Prdx-2, and SIRT1 decreased, while the ratios of Bax and Bcl-2 increased. Then, Prdx-2 overexpression in SH-SY5Y cells showed significant protection against MPP+ -induced neuronal toxicity, as evidenced by the decrease in ROS content, increase in cell viability, increase in the level of TH, and decrease in the ratios of Bax and Bcl-2. Meanwhile, SIRT1 levels increase with the level of Prdx-2. This suggests that the protection of Prdx-2 may be related to SIRT1. In conclusion, this study indicated that overexpression of Prdx-2 reduces MPP+-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and may be mediated by SIRT1.
Soil properties and floristic community distribution within a deeply weathered landscape within a biodiversity hotspot of Western Australia
Authors: Smith Caitlin E. , Boitt Gustavo , Boruff Bryan , Leopold Matthias
Published: February 2023

Aims

This study aims to identify some of the key soil-related factors that underpin the distribution of plant communities and provide a more comprehensive understanding of an old, climatically buffered infertile landscape including kwongkan habitats. We investigate the pedological, topographical and hydrological correlates of abundance and floristic community distribution within the Alison Baird Reserve, a floristically diverse, old and climatically weathered landscape in south-west Western Australia.

Methods

Fifty-four soil samples were collected across 0.165 km2and analysed for a range of physical and chemical properties. Samples were taken from the topsoil and subsurface, and a combination of statistical and geostatistical methods were used to examine soil–plant community distribution relationships.

Results

Elevation, sub-surface moisture, electrical conductivity and clay content were the most important factors in determining vegetation composition and distribution; with sub-surface properties varying more between floristic communities and correlating more strongly than topsoil factors. Associations between soil nutrients (Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Carbon) and community distributions were not as significant as expected, likely due to the depleted nature of the soil system.

Conclusion

The significance of soil parameters including particle size, moisture, elevation, water repellence and depth to water table suggests that water availability and retention within the soil is a key correlate of the distribution of floristic communities at the site and may act as a pathway to explain large scale variation in plant communities across the south-west of Western Australia. This understanding will help conservation and management of areas with such high biodiversity including relocation of endangered flora.
ECB unconventional monetary policy and SME access to finance
Authors: Finnegan Marie , Kapoor Supriya
Published: February 2023

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for two-thirds of employment in the euro area which makes them a priority for the transmission of monetary policy to the real economy. SMEs in Europe experienced a credit crunch following the sovereign debt crisis. Over the period 2014–2019, the European Central Bank (ECB) engaged in unconventional monetary policy (UMP) to restore funding conditions in the euro area, to support stronger economic growth and higher inflation. We use the ECB/EC Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises to examine the relationship between monetary policy and SME access to finance in countries that were most affected by the crisis as follows: Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. We show that the implementation of UMP increases the probability that firms with higher debt-to-assets ratio remain credit constrained in stressed countries, although this effect becomes insignificant in non-stressed countries. Our findings suggest that monetary policy is transmitted unevenly to leveraged SMEs across jurisdictions. Additionally, we find little evidence that risky firms are credit constrained during periods of UMP, when risk is measured from the firms’ own viewpoint. However, our heterogenous analysis shows that smaller and younger firms—which are also considered to be risky—remain credit constrained over this period. Policy should ensure that UMP trickles down to SMEs regardless of their size, age or location. Tweetable line: Leveraged SMEs in stressed countries are more likely to remain credit constrained even when monetary policy is expansionary. Policy must do more to support small and young firms’ access to credit to facilitate higher investment and growth.
Rent-Free in Your Head? How Generalised Trust is Affected by the Trust and Salience of Outgroups
Authors: Kumove Michael
Published: February 2023

What is the relationship between people’s trust in specified outgroups (such as ‘French people’ or ‘immigrants’) and their generalised trust? This relationship has never been empirically tested, which is troubling for the large body of research on the link between ethnic diversity and trust which seemingly assumes that outgroup trust does affect generalised trust. In this paper, I use individual-level survey data to examine how outgroup trust affects generalised trust in the United States and Croatia. Although the two types of trust are correlated, I find no evidence that people account for outgroup salience when translating outgroup trust into generalised trust, as previous theories have suggested. This raises the possibility that a different type of mechanism may be responsible instead, or perhaps that the association is non-causal and trust is a fixed personality trait which is not alterable by experience. In either case, it seems that the conventional explanation for how ethnic diversity reduces generalised trust—namely that it reduces outgroup trust which then feeds through into lower generalised trust—may need to be revised. I conclude by discussing limitations and some suggestions for further research.
Coordination and obsolescence: a response on behalf of measurement realism
Authors: Wolff J. E.
Published: February 2023

Measurement realism, the view that measurement targets quantitative attributes and that not all attributes are quantitative, has come under attack both from metrologists and philosophers. In this paper, I take a close look at two influential arguments against measurement realism: the argument from obsolescence and the argument from coordination. I concede that these arguments do challenge the epistemological position traditionally taken by measurement realists, but argue that the metaphysical core of measurement realism survives the challenge posed by these arguments. This metaphysical core is vital to maintaining a clear and ambitious standard for successful measurement.
On the Use of Surface Roughness Parameters
Authors: Persson B. N. J.
Published: February 2023

In most practical applications, surface roughness is characterized by just one or two parameters (numbers). I show that the standard maximum surface height parameters fluctuate strongly between different surface realizations (or measurements), and should not be used in the design of engineering components. I show how some roughness parameters depend on the size of the roll-off region in the surface roughness power spectra, and introduce a new height parameter which is very reproducible. The numerical results presented agree well with experimental observations.

Graphical Abstract
Effects of Different Polymeric Materials on the Bacterial Attachment and Biofilm Formation in Anoxic Fixed-Bed Biofilm Reactors
Authors: Setiyawan Ahmad Soleh , Nur Ansiha , Fauzi Mhd. , Oginawati Katharina , Soewondo Prayatni
Published: February 2023

Six biofilm carriers with different polymer were studied in fixed-film systems under anoxic conditions. Different media of polymers influence wastewater treatment performance. The aim of this study was to investigate different polymeric materials, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic), that affect bacterial attachment and biofilm formation in biofilm-based wastewater treatment technologies. Water contact angle (WCA) measurement was employed to analyze the role of wetting (hydrophilic/hydrophobic) of polymeric material surfaces in the initial phase of bacterial attachment. The increase of biofilm formation during the observation was determined by gravimetric (total attached solid) and microscopic (SEM and CLSM) analysis. The results showed the value for WCA of PET < HDPE < PVC < PP < acrylic, which indicated that a higher hydrophilicity surface leads to a higher total attached solid (TAS), biofilm formation rate, and biofilm thickness on the surface of media. The hydrophilic material (i.e., PET and HDPE) demonstrated wastewater treatment performance better than slightly hydrophilic material (i.e., PVC, PP, and acrylic) under a steady-state period (over an 80-day operation). The data showed a positive correlation between hydrophilic material and COD, NH4+-N, and TP removal. Hydrophilic material was beneficial for a fast start-up and stable biofilm formation of a fixed-bed biofilm reactor. PET media showed feasible polymer types compared to HDPE, PVC, and PP; thus, it can be used as an alternative biofilm carrier media in a larger-scale application. The findings of this study highlighted the polymeric material type has a significant effect on the performance of fixed-bed wastewater treatment.
Criminal records versus rehabilitation and expungement: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bland Matthew , Ariel Barak , Kumar Sumit
Published: February 2023

Purpose

What is the effect of having a criminal record compared to having the criminal record expunged in exchange for participating in a rehabilitative programme? The available evidence focuses on programmes comprised of the criminal record for the offence (i.e. labelling) and a punitive sanction or rehabilitative scheme. The interaction between the labelling and the sanction has made distinguishing the effect of each penological approach a challenge.

Methods

We use a pretest–posttest control group design with a cohort of 341 low-harm offenders randomly assigned to either a simple, unconditional, caution or a 16-week rehabilitation treatment programme (after which the criminal record was automatically expunged). New crimes and a measure of harm were used as outcome variables.

Results

Intention-to-treat analysis shows no significant difference in prevalence, crime count or crime harm. Factoring in those individuals who actually completed the programme changes this story. An instrumental variables analysis used to adjust for treatment compliance suggests that the offer to expunge the criminal record following participation in rehabilitation programmes reduces both crime count and crime harm.

Conclusions

We conclude that as evidence on the adverse effects of criminal records on recidivism mounts, out of court disposals that lead to an expungement of the label ‘offender’ may provide promising intervention for low-harm offences. The experiment also highlighted the importance of secondary analytic strategies in experiments alongside the standard intention-to-treat model.
New geochemical data for defining origin and distribution of mercury in groundwater of a coastal area in southern Tuscany (Italy)
Authors: Protano Giuseppe , Bianchi Stefano , De Santis Matteo , Di Lella Luigi Antonello , Nannoni Francesco , Salleolini Massimo
Published: February 2023

A geochemical study was conducted in a coastal plain in the Orbetello Lagoon area in southern Tuscany (Italy), acquiring new data on groundwater, lagoon water, and stream sediment for insights into the origin, distribution, and behaviour of mercury in a Hg-enriched carbonate aquifer. The main hydrochemical features of the groundwater are ruled by the mixing of Ca–SO4 and Ca–Cl continental fresh waters of the carbonate aquifer and Na–Cl saline waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea and Lagoon of Orbetello. Groundwater had highly variable Hg concentrations (< 0.1–11 μg/L) that were not correlated with the percentage of saline water, depth in the aquifer, or distance from the lagoon. This excluded the possibility that saline water could be the direct source of Hg in groundwater and responsible for release of the element through interaction with the carbonate lithologies of the aquifer. The origin of Hg in groundwater could be ascribed to the Quaternary continental sediments overlying the carbonate aquifer because i) high Hg concentrations were found in the continental sediments of the coastal plain and in the contiguous lagoon sediments; ii) waters from the upper part of aquifer had the highest Hg concentrations; iii) Hg levels in groundwater increased with increasing thickness of the continental deposits. The high Hg content in the continental and lagoon sediments is geogenic due to regional and local Hg anomalies and to sedimentary and pedogenetic processes. It can be assumed that i) water circulating in these sediments dissolves the solid Hg-bearing constituents and mobilises this element mainly as chloride complexes; ii) Hg-enriched water moves from the upper part of the carbonate aquifer due to the cone of depression generated by intense pumping of groundwater by fish farms in the study area.
Characterizing the Course of Loss of Control Eating and Prognostic Factors Following Bariatric Surgery: an Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Smith Kathryn E. , Varnado Aimee , Thomas J. Graham , Vithiananthan Sivamainthan , Jones Daniel B. , Papasavas Pavlos , Bond Dale S.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Postoperative loss of control eating (LOCE) has detrimental associations with weight outcomes and mental health following bariatric surgery. However, little is known regarding LOCE course following surgery and preoperative factors that predict remittance, continuance, or development of LOCE. The present study aimed to characterize LOCE course in the year following surgery by identifying four groups: individuals with (1) postoperative de novo LOCE, (2) maintained LOCE (endorsed at pre- and post-surgery), (3) remitted LOCE (endorsed only at pre-surgery), and (4) those who never endorsed LOCE. Exploratory analyses examined group differences in baseline demographic and psychosocial factors.

Materials and Methods

A total of 61 adult bariatric surgery patients completed questionnaires and ecological momentary assessment at pre-surgery and 3-, 6-, and 12-month postoperative follow-ups.

Results

Results showed that 13 (21.3%) never endorsed LOCE prior to or after surgery, 12 (19.7%) developed LOCE after surgery, 7 (11.5%) evidenced remittance from LOCE after surgery, and 29 (47.5%) maintained LOCE prior to and after surgery. Relative to those who never endorsed LOCE, all groups who evidenced LOCE before and/or after surgery reported greater disinhibition; those who developed LOCE reported less planned eating; and those with maintained LOCE reported less satiety sensitivity and greater hedonic hunger.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of postoperative LOCE and need for longer-term follow-up studies. Results also suggest a need to examine the longer-term impact of satiety sensitivity and hedonic eating on LOCE maintenance, and the extent to which meal planning may buffer risk for de novo LOCE following surgery.

Graphical Abstract
Physiological changes involved in the acquisition of seed vigor during maturation of sunflower seed
Authors: Cai Shuyu , Xu Hua , Wu Liyuan , Wang Guofu , Liu Jianxin , Song Jiangping
Published: February 2023

Maturity is an important factor in regulating seed vigor, while inappropriate harvest date affects seed vigor seriously. Here we reported that the seed vigor was the highest among 25–28 days after pollination, and these days were the best harvest time for sunflower seeds. Seed moisture content increased first and then decreased, while seed dry weight increased continuously with the advancement of seed development. Oil and protein are the main nutriments in mature sunflower seeds and changes in both contents were consistent with the seed dry weight. For antioxidases, the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was decreased gradually before seed maturity. Compared to gibberellin (GA), whose content decreased, abscisic acid (ABA) accumulated first and then decreased during the seed development. Moreover, the content of spermidine (Spd) increased continually, although no regularity of variation was found in putrescine (Put) and spermine (Spm). Further analysis showed that the activities of GA3ox and GA20ox, NCED and ABA8ox, SAMDC and SPDS and corresponding genes expression resulted in changes of GA, ABA and Spd accumulation, respectively. In addition, seed moisture, soluble sugar, GA, ABA content and APX activity were significantly negatively correlated with seed vigor indexes, while seed dry weight, oil, protein and Spd content were significantly positively correlated with seed vigor indexes. These metabolic processes may be closely related to seed vigor formation, and can be used to predict seed vigor.
Use of drug-induced sleep endoscopy in Germany—an analysis based on claims data
Authors: Braun M. , Stuck B. A. , Schöbel C. , Steffen A.
Published: February 2023

Background

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) has recently gained relevance as a diagnostic tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, it is unclear to what extent and in which patient cohorts DISE is used in Germany. With introduction of specific coding for this method in 2021 (Operationen- und Prozedurenschluessel, OPS code), usage can now be analyzed based on diagnosis-related groups (DRG) claims data.

Methods

Aggregated data from all inpatient DISE procedures conducted in German hospitals in 2021 were obtained from the publicly available Institut fuer das Entgeltsystem im Krankenhaus (InEK) database. Patient-relevant information as well as data on hospitals providing the examinations were exported and analyzed.

Results

Between January and December 2021, a total of 2765 DISE procedures were conducted and documented using the newly introduced specific code (1-611.01). Most patients were male (75.6%), in the age categories 30–39 (15.2%) and 40–49 years (17.2%), and presented with the lowest patient clinical complexity level (PCCL; class 0 = 81.88%). Pediatric use was rare (1.8%). Leading main diagnoses of patients were G47.31 (OSA) and J34.2 (deviation of nasal septum). The most common procedures conducted together with DISE were nasal surgery, and the examination was mostly provided in large public hospitals with more than 800 beds.

Conclusion

Though the OSA prevalence in Germany is high, use of DISE as a diagnostic tool is low and represented only 4.4% of cases with a main diagnosis of OSA in 2021. Since specific coding was only introduced in January 2021, trends cannot yet be identified. Noticeable is the frequent combination of DISE with nasal surgery, which is not obviously related to a diagnosis of OSA. Limitations of the study are mainly related to the underlying data, which are available for the inpatient sector only, and due to potentially limited use of the OPS code, which was introduced recently and might not be known to all hospitals.
Services for What and for Whom? A Literature Review of Private Forest Owners’ Decision-Making in Relation to Forest-Based Services
Authors: Matilainen Anne , Andersson Elias , Lähdesmäki Merja , Lidestav Gun , Kurki Sami
Published: February 2023

The more distanced forest owners become from their forests, the more room there is for different kinds of advice and service provision to help them in their forest management decisions. Therefore, the quality and adaptation of these services impact the use of forest resources significantly, including at a broader scale. Even though the forest owners’ decision-making at the general level, as well as the role of advisory services and their efficiency has been the subject of various studies, literature on how forest owners make decisions in relation to the various types of service provisions appears to be limited, and no systematic review has been found. To offer a better understanding of the present state of knowledge on, and the relations between, decision-making, forest related services, and forest ownership, this literature review provides an overview of the scientific research between 2008 and 2020 on private forest owners’ decision-making related to services. The results show that the forest owners’ decision-making related to services has been gaining increasing interest as a research topic, especially during the last 5–6 years. However, it is still dominated by a few countries and contexts. In addition, in the current research decision-making concept is mostly understood as a decision outcome i.e., the forest owners’ choice between typically two alternatives. The importance of process-based understanding on decision-making, on the other hand, seemed to be largely missing from the forest owner studies. As conclusions, five proposals for future research avenues are presented.
Ocular oncology service during the COVID-19 outbreak: uveal melanoma characteristics presenting in 2019 compared to 2020
Authors: Mc Glacken-Byrne Aisling , Murtagh Patrick , O’Neill Valerie , Horgan Noel
Published: February 2023

Aim

We aim to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ocular oncology in Ireland, comparing uveal melanoma trends in 2019 to 2020.

Methods

Patients included for analysis were those that presented to the ocular oncology service from January 2019 to December 2020 in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin, who underwent primary treatment for uveal melanoma—proton beam therapy, brachytherapy or enucleation.

Results

Ninety-seven patients presented in 2019 (n = 46) and 2020 (n = 51) who underwent primary treatment for uveal melanoma. Presentation via the eye casualty department was more common in 2020. Dimensions of choroidal melanomas were increased both in basal diameter and thickness compared to those in 2019. More patients had enucleations in 2020 than in 2019 (21.6% vs 9.3%, respectively) and less had proton beam therapy (6.2% vs 12.4%). More patients had evidence of extra-scleral extension at the time of surgery in 2020 compared to 2019 (4.1%, n = 4 versus 0%, respectively). The mean duration of brachytherapy therapy was longer in 2020 (5.3 days ± 35.8) compared to 2019 (4.6 days ± 38.7). Mean time between presentation and primary treatment was 35.6 ± 28.8 days in 2019 and 24.1 ± 20.4 days in 2020.

Conclusions

More advanced disease is suggested by the increased mean basal diameter and tumour thickness, extra-scleral extension and longer duration of brachytherapy. Time from diagnosis to treatment was not delayed in 2020.
Cardiac Involvement in Mitochondrial Disorders
Authors: Popoiu Tudor-Alexandru , Dudek Jan , Maack Christoph , Bertero Edoardo
Published: February 2023

Purpose of Review

We review pathophysiology and clinical features of mitochondrial disorders manifesting with cardiomyopathy.

Recent Findings

Mechanistic studies have shed light into the underpinnings of mitochondrial disorders, providing novel insights into mitochondrial physiology and identifying new therapeutic targets.

Mitochondrial disorders are a group of rare genetic diseases that are caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or in nuclear genes that are essential to mitochondrial function. The clinical picture is extremely heterogeneous, the onset can occur at any age, and virtually, any organ or tissue can be involved. Since the heart relies primarily on mitochondrial oxidative metabolism to fuel contraction and relaxation, cardiac involvement is common in mitochondrial disorders and often represents a major determinant of their prognosis.
Using Finite Element Modeling in Bone Mechanoadaptation
Authors: Meslier Quentin A. , Shefelbine Sandra J.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of the Review

Bone adapts structure and material properties in response to its mechanical environment, a process called mechanoadpatation. For the past 50 years, finite element modeling has been used to investigate the relationships between bone geometry, material properties, and mechanical loading conditions. This review examines how we use finite element modeling in the context of bone mechanoadpatation.

Recent Findings

Finite element models estimate complex mechanical stimuli at the tissue and cellular levels, help explain experimental results, and inform the design of loading protocols and prosthetics.

FE modeling is a powerful tool to study bone adaptation as it complements experimental approaches. Before using FE models, researchers should determine whether simulation results will provide complementary information to experimental or clinical observations and should establish the level of complexity required. As imaging technics and computational capacity continue increasing, we expect FE models to help in designing treatments of bone pathologies that take advantage of mechanoadaptation of bone.
Exploring the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Management of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Chu Timothy N. , Wong Elyssa Y. , Ma Runzhuo , Yang Cherine H. , Dalieh Istabraq S. , Hung Andrew J.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of Review

This review aims to explore the current state of research on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the management of prostate cancer. We examine the various applications of AI in prostate cancer, including image analysis, prediction of treatment outcomes, and patient stratification. Additionally, the review will evaluate the current limitations and challenges faced in the implementation of AI in prostate cancer management.

Recent Findings

Recent literature has focused particularly on the use of AI in radiomics, pathomics, the evaluation of surgical skills, and patient outcomes.

AI has the potential to revolutionize the future of prostate cancer management by improving diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and patient outcomes. Studies have shown improved accuracy and efficiency of AI models in the detection and treatment of prostate cancer, but further research is needed to understand its full potential as well as limitations.
Effect of Ultrafiltered Milk on the Rheological and Microstructure Properties of Cream Cheese Acid Gels
Authors: Wu Qihui , Ong Lydia , Yao Shenggen , Kentish Sandra E , Gras Sally L
Published: February 2023

The addition of ultrafiltered (UF) milk retentate is known to impact milk properties during mozzarella and cheddar cheese production, but the effect during cream cheese production is less well understood. Little is known about the impact of UF retentate on the intermediate stages of manufacture, such as protein assembly and the formation of hydrated acid gel structures. Here, milk prepared for cream cheese manufacture using a concentration factor of 2.5 or 5 had a similar particle size distribution to unconcentrated cheese milk after homogenization but increased viscosity and a slower rate of acidification, which could be altered by increasing starter culture concentration. The acid gels formed contained more protein and fat, resulting in a higher storage modulus, firmness, and viscosity. A denser microstructure was observed in acid gels formed with UF retentate addition, and quantitative two- or three-dimensional analysis of confocal images found a greater volume percentage of protein and fat, decreased porosity, and increased coalescence of fat. The mobility of water, as assessed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, was reduced in the dense UF gel networks. Water movement was partially obstructed, although diffusion was possible between interconnected serum pores. These insights improve our understanding of acid gel formation. They can be used by manufacturers to further optimize the early and intermediate stages of cream cheese production when using concentrated milk to reduce acid whey production and lay the foundation for larger pilot scale studies of intermediate and final cream cheese structure.
The Influence of Follicular Fluid Metals on Assisted Reproduction Outcome
Authors: Rodríguez-Díaz Rubí , Blanes-Zamora Raquel , Paz-Montelongo Soraya , Gómez-Rodríguez Jorge , Fiestas Sonsoles Rodríguez , González-Weller Dailos , Gutiérrez Ángel J. , Rubio Carmen , Hardisson Arturo , Niebla-Canelo Daniel , Vega Samuel Alejandro , González-Dávila Enrique
Published: February 2023

Infertility has become more common, with an increased exposure to toxic compounds including heavy metals (HM). Follicular fluid (FF) surrounds the developing oocyte in the ovary and can be analysed to assess metal content. The levels of twenty-two metals were measured in the FF of ninety-three females in a reproduction unit, and their influence on assisted reproduction technique (ART), were examined. The metals were determined by optical emission spectrophotometry. Low values of copper, zinc, aluminium, and calcium favour polycystic ovary syndrome. The relationships between the number of oocytes and metals: iron (rs=0.303; p=0.003) and calcium (rs=−0.276; p=0.007) are significant, as well as between the number of mature oocytes with iron (rs=0.319; p=0.002), calcium (rs=−0.307; p=0.003) and sodium (rs=−0.215; p=0.039) and are near to significance in the case of aluminium (rs=−0.198; p=0.057). In the group with a fertilisation rate ≤ 75%, 36% of the women presented calcium >176.62 mg/kg compared to the group with a fertilisation rate ≥ 75% where this percentage was only 10% (p=0.011). An excess of iron and calcium reduces the good quality embryo rate, and an excess of potassium impairs the blastocyst rate. If potassium is above 237.18 mg/kg and calcium is below 147.32 mg/kg, these conditions favour embryo implantation. Pregnancy is influenced by high potassium and low copper levels. Controlling exposure to toxic elements is recommended for all couples with reduced fertility or receiving an ART.
Inhibition of Vesicular Glutamate Transporters (VGLUTs) with Chicago Sky Blue 6B Before Focal Cerebral Ischemia Offers Neuroprotection
Authors: Pomierny Bartosz , Krzyżanowska Weronika , Skórkowska Alicja , Jurczyk Jakub , Bystrowska Beata , Budziszewska Bogusława , Pera Joanna
Published: February 2023

Brain ischemia is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the world. Interruption of the blood supply to the brain is a direct stimulus for many pathological events. The massive vesicular release of glutamate (Glu) after ischemia onset induces excitotoxicity, which is a potent stress on neurons. Loading of presynaptic vesicles with Glu is the first step of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Vesicular glutamate transporters 1, 2, and 3 (VGLUT1, 2, and 3) are the main players involved in filling presynaptic vesicles with Glu. VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 are expressed mainly in glutamatergic neurons. Therefore, the possibility of pharmacological modulation to prevent ischemia-related brain damage is attractive. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of focal cerebral ischemia on the spatiotemporal expression of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 in rats. Next, we investigated the influence of VGLUT inhibition with Chicago Sky Blue 6B (CSB6B) on Glu release and stroke outcome. The effect of CSB6B pretreatment on infarct volume and neurological deficit was compared with a reference model of ischemic preconditioning. The results of this study indicate that ischemia upregulated the expression of VGLUT1 in the cerebral cortex and in the dorsal striatum 3 days after ischemia onset. The expression of VGLUT2 was elevated in the dorsal striatum and in the cerebral cortex 24 h and 3 days after ischemia, respectively. Microdialysis revealed that pretreatment with CSB6B significantly reduced the extracellular Glu concentration. Altogether, this study shows that inhibition of VGLUTs might be a promising therapeutic strategy for the future.
Xylose Metabolization by a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strain Isolated in Colombia
Authors: Lagos Margareth Andrea Patiño , Caviativa Jorge Alejandro Cristancho , Pinzón Diana Carolina Tusso , Roa Diego Hernando Romero , Basso Thiago Olitta , Lozano Mario Enrique Velásquez
Published: February 2023

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) is the most widely used yeast in biotechnology in the world because its well-known metabolism and physiology as well as its recognized ability to ferment sugars such as hexoses. However, it does not metabolize pentoses such as arabinose and xylose, which are present in lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulose is a widely available raw material, with xylose content of approximately 35% of total sugars. This xylose fraction could be used to obtain high added-value chemical products such as xylitol. One of these yeasts isolated from a Colombian locality, designated as 202-3, showed interesting properties. 202-3 was identified through different approaches as a strain of S. cerevisiae, with an interesting consumption of xylose metabolizing into xylitol, in addition with excellent ability as a hexose fermenter with high ethanol yields and shows resistance to inhibitors present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates. The xylose metabolization by the 202-3 strain and their kinetics parameters had not been previously reported for any other natural strain of S. cerevisiae. These results suggest the great potential of natural strains for obtaining high value-added chemical products using sugars available in lignocellulosic biomass.
The Future of the Monograph in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Publisher Perspectives on a Transitioning Format
Authors: Shaw Philip , Phillips Angus , Gutiérrez Maria Bajo
Published: February 2023

A web-based survey of academic publishers was undertaken in 2021 by a team at Oxford International Centre for Publishing into the state of monograph publication in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. 25 publishing organisations responded, including many of the larger presses, representing approximately 75% of monograph output. Responses to the survey showed that the Covid 19 pandemic has accelerated the existing trend from print to digital dissemination and that Open Access (OA) titles receive substantially greater levels of usage than those published traditionally. Responses also showed that for most publishers OA publication stands at under 25% of output and that fewer than 10% of authors enquire about OA publication options. Continuing problem areas highlighted by respondents were the clearing of rights for OA publication and the standardisation of title and usage metadata. All responding organisations confirmed that they expect to be publishing monographs in ten years’ time, but that they anticipate the format and/or the model will be different, with open access expected to play a key part in the future, perhaps in the context of a mixed economy of OA and ‘toll access’ publication.
Constructions of Sexual Identities in the Ageing Body: A Qualitative Exploration of Older Norwegian Adults’ Negotiation of Body Image and Sexual Satisfaction
Authors: Schaller Sidsel Louise , Kvalem Ingela Lundin , Træen Bente
Published: February 2023

Older adults face age-related changes as well as stigma in relation to their bodies and sexuality, challenging their understanding of themselves as sexual, thought to impact both sexual desire, activity and satisfaction. A qualitative study with a semi-structured interview was completed with 32 people, aged 65–85, to investigate how older people construct understanding of their self as sexual in an ageing body. The analysis generated two main themes; “Positions of the ageing body as sexual”, with three subthemes, and “Negotiating change, transitions in identities”, with two sub themes. Results showed variations in participants’ thoughts about their body and how either appearance, agency or body function influenced different aspects of current sexuality and sexual satisfaction, and understandings of self. Statements showed examples of both internalized ageist understandings of the ageing body as sexual, but also rejections or low relevance of ageist attitudes in the understandings of present body image and sexual satisfaction. Results showed differences in how changes were understood and negotiated either through enhancement strategies or through cognitive-emotional, and social regulation. The findings demonstrated paradoxes and contradictions in the understanding and management of the ageing body and sexual satisfaction, where variations were found along but also across the divides of gender, relationship status and quality, sexual orientation, self-esteem and age cohorts. Implications indicate that health care strategies and policies should understand sexual ageing from a developmental perspective to support individual projects of developing affirmative and adjusted identities as sexual in an ageing body.