bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two extended formulations for the virtual network function placement and routing problem
Authors: Mouaci Ahlam , Gourdin Éric , Ljubić Ivana , Perrot Nancy
Published: March 2023

Given a bi‐directed graph modeling a telecommunication network, and a set of origin‐destination pairs representing traffic requests (commodities) along with their associated Service Function Chains (SFCs), the Virtual Network Function Placement and Routing Problem (VNFPRP) aims to find, for each commodity, one latency‐constrained routing path that visits the required Virtual Network Functions in a specific order. The function installation costs together with the node activation costs have to be minimized. In this paper, we present two extended Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) formulations to model the VNFPRP. For each formulation we define the master problem, the pricing problem, the associated Lagrangian bound and a specific branching scheme, in order to derive an efficient Branch‐and‐Price algorithm. We also provide several families of valid inequalities to strengthen the LP‐relaxation bounds. Computational results are reported comparing the performance of the two Branch‐and‐Price algorithms with a compact MIP formulation and its Branch‐and‐Benders‐cut implementation on a set of SNDlib instances representing telecommunication networks.
An explicit phase field material point method for modeling dynamic fracture problems
Authors: Zeng Zhixin , Ni Ruichen , Zhang Xiong , Liu Yan
Published: March 2023

A novel explicit phase field material point method (ex‐PFMPM) is proposed for modeling dynamic fracture problems. The rate‐dependent phase field governing equation is discretized by a set of particles, and the phase field is updated by the explicit forward‐difference time integration. Furthermore, the stability of the ex‐PFMPM is studied. A novel explicit critical time step formula is obtained based on the system eigenvalues in one dimension and then extended to two and three dimensions. The critical time step formula takes the effect of particle position and neighboring cell interaction into consideration, and can also be used in an explicit phase field finite element method. Several numerical examples, including a dynamic crack branching, a plate with pre‐existing crack under velocity boundary conditions and a three point bending problem are studied to verify the proposed ex‐PFMPM. The use of the history field in the explicit method is studied, which shows that it will lead to fake phase field update and overestimation of the fracture energy in the unloading case. All of the numerical results show that the proposed ex‐PFMPM has the capacity of modeling the crack initiation and propagation problems with both accuracy and efficiency.
An improved correlation stack method for near‐surface seismic data
Authors: Lu Xinglin , Wang Wei , Hu Xuquan , Liao Xian , Fu Zhixiong , Luo Chaopeng , Xu Zheng , Fu Zhihong
Published: March 2023

The seismic reflection method is the primary tool to provide detailed information on the near‐surface. This paper proposes a common receiver correlation stack method. A towed seismograph is used to perform the rapid acquisition with small geophone spacing and a high sample rate, while broadband (from 1 Hz to 1000 Hz) seismic data are collected. Results of modelled and measured data indicate that the proposed stack method: (1) does not need normal move‐out velocity; (2) does not lose shallow information; and (3) improves the stacking fold by twice as much as the conventional stack method. Compared with the conventional stack method, the proposed method can suppress surface waves better and improve the quality of the final sack section, especially for high‐frequency data. Combined with the towed seismograph, the proposed stack method can perform the rapid collection and enhance the accuracy of stack imaging of near‐surface seismic data.
Government assistance and family charitable giving: Comparing urban and rural residents in China
Authors: Wang Lili , Li Peiyao
Published: March 2023

Using data from the 2016 China Family Panel Studies, this paper examines the relationship between government assistance, urban/rural residency, and charitable giving. The results indicate that urban/rural residency moderates the relationship between government assistance and charitable giving in China. Urban residents who do not receive government assistance are much more likely to donate to charity than their rural counterparts. While urban residents with government assistance also show a higher likelihood of giving than government assistance recipients in the rural area, the difference is much smaller than that between the urban and rural non‐recipients. More interestingly, the results show that although urban residents without government assistance donate more to charity, those who receive a high amount of government assistance on average donate less to charity than their rural counterparts.
Chemometric study for the performances of deep eutectic solvents during the recovery of high‐added‐value substances from Moringa oleifera leaves: Principal component analysis
Authors: Kurtulbaş Ebru
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Moringa oleifera is a plant with high antioxidant content in its leaves, flowers and seeds. It attracts the attention of researchers with the effect of its nutritional and medical advantages.

Objective

The purpose of the current study is to propose a deep eutectic solvent (DES)‐based ultrasound‐assisted extraction of bioactive substances from M. oleifera leaves by the application of a chemometric study.

Methodology

A total of 18 different choline chloride‐based DESs were prepared by using several hydrogen bond donors (glucose, sucrose, glycerol, ethylene glycol, urea and dimethyl urea) with various molar ratios (1:1, 1:2 and 2:1) by addition of diluents (water and 50% methanol) or alone. In order to decide the best DES combination, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied. The response surface method (RSM) was used as statistical experimental design approach through the Box–Behnken design.

Results

The best phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC) and antioxidant activity yields of M. oleifera leaf extract were found to be 19.102 mg‐GAE, 10.47 mg‐CE and 24.404 mg‐TEAC per gram dried leaf under the optimal conditions (50% water content, 20% amplitude, 15 min time). The model fitting has been also found reliable depending on the statistical indicators such as p‐value (<0.0001), coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.9827, 0.9916 and 0.9864) and root mean square error (RMSE = 1.0562, 2.4656 and 0.7713).

Conclusions

A chemometric study through PCA was carried out to determine the similarities and differences between the solvent groups, and the ethylene glycol‐based DES (1:2, molar ratio) with the addition of water showed the best performance.
Delivering comprehensive school‐based dialectical behavior therapy (CSB‐DBT)
Authors: Miller Alec L. , Gerardi Nora , Mazza James J. , Dexter‐Mazza Elizabeth , Graling Kelly , Rathus Jill H.
Published: March 2023

This manuscript provides a detailed examination of comprehensive school‐based dialectical behavior therapy (CSB‐DBT) as a critical component to the DBT services continuum provided in schools. Because suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents along with increased prevalence of self‐harming behavior, schools often find themselves thrust into the role of mental health providers especially around the issues of emotion regulation. Yet school personnel are often not formally trained to provide adequate services to these at‐risk students. This gap is filled by the implementation of CSB‐DBT. DBT is an evidence‐based, transdiagnostic treatment that has been adapted by Miller and Rathus for adolescents with a range of mental health difficulties characterized by emotional and behavioral dysregulation. Comprehensive DBT adapted for implementation in school‐based settings consists of four modes: Individual counseling, group skills training, in‐school coaching, and DBT provider consultation team. A fifth mode, caregiver involvement is encouraged, to the extent possible. Each mode will be explained in further detail along with the adaptation rationale that makes it distinct for school‐based application. Finally, discussion of implementation strategies, barriers, and support will be examined as important components for successfully integrating CSB‐ DBT.
Rezum water vapor therapy for patients with mild, moderate, or severe lower urinary tract symptoms: A retrospective study in a multiethnic population
Authors: Babar Mustufa , Loloi Justin , Tang Kevin , Singh Sandeep , Ines Matthew , Patel Rutul D. , Iqbal Nazifa , Ciatto Michael
Published: March 2023

Background

The Rezum System (Rezum) represents a novel, minimally invasive surgical therapy used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of Rezum in patients with mild, moderate, or severe LUTS.

Methods

A single office, retrospective study was conducted on patients from a multiethnic population treated with Rezum between 2017 and 2019. Patients were categorized into three cohorts based on baseline International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) LUTS severity: mild LUTS (IPSS ≤ 7), moderate LUTS (IPSS 8–19), or severe LUTS (IPSS ≥ 20) cohorts. Outcome measures, including IPSS, quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual (PVR), BPH medication usage, and adverse events (AEs) were collected and analyzed at baseline, 1‐, 3‐, 6‐, and/or 12‐months postoperatively.

Results

A total of 238 patients were included: 33 with mild LUTS, 109 with moderate LUTS, and 96 with severe LUTS. At 1‐month follow‐up, the moderate and severe LUTS cohorts saw significant improvements in IPSS (moderate LUTS: −3.0 [−6.0, 1.5], p < 0.001; severe LUTS: −10.0 [−16.0, −5.0], p < 0.001) and QoL (moderate LUTS: −1.0 [−3.0, 0.0], p < 0.001; severe LUTS: −1.0 [−3.0, 0.0], p < 0.001) and improvements remained durable up to 12‐months (p < 0.001). The mild LUTS cohort saw significant worsening in IPSS by 2.0 (0.0, 12.0) at 1‐month (p = 0.002) but returned to baseline at 3‐months (p = 0.114). However, the mild LUTS cohort experienced significant improvements in QoL by −0.5 (−3.0, 0.0) at 3‐months (p = 0.035) and nocturia by 0.0 (−1.0, 0.0) at 6‐months (p = 0.002), both of which remained durable to 12‐months (p < 0.05). Most AEs were transient and nonserious, with gross hematuria (66.5%) being most common. There were no significant differences in QoL point reduction, Qmax improvement, PVR reduction, and AE occurrence between the cohorts at 12‐months (p > 0.05). At 12‐months, 80.0%, 87.5%, and 66.0% of the patients in the mild, moderate, and severe LUTS cohorts discontinued their BPH medications, respectively.

Conclusions

Rezum provides rapid and durable relief in LUTS in patients with moderate or severe LUTS and can be offered to patients with mild LUTS who have bothersome nocturia and wish to discontinue their BPH medications.
A Bayesian (meta‐)regression model for treatment effects on the risk difference scale
Authors: Thomassen Doranne , Steyerberg Ewout , le Cessie Saskia
Published: March 2023

In clinical settings, the absolute risk reduction due to treatment that can be expected in a particular patient is of key interest. However, logistic regression, the default regression model for trials with a binary outcome, produces estimates of the effect of treatment measured as a difference in log odds. We explored options to estimate treatment effects directly as a difference in risk, specifically in the network meta‐analysis setting. We propose a novel Bayesian (meta‐)regression model for binary outcomes on the additive risk scale. The model allows treatment effects, covariate effects, interactions and variance parameters to be estimated directly on the linear scale of clinical interest. We compared effect estimates from this model to (1) a previously proposed additive risk model by Warn, Thompson and Spiegelhalter (“WTS model”) and (2) backtransforming the predictions from a logistic model to the natural scale after regression. The models were compared in a network meta‐analysis of 20 hepatitis C trials, as well as in the analysis of simulated single trial settings. The resulting estimates diverged, in particular for small sample sizes or true risks close to 0% or 100%. Researchers should be aware that modelling untransformed risk can yield very different results from default logistic models. The treatment effect in participants with such extreme predicted risks weighed more heavily on the overall treatment effect estimate from our proposed model compared to the WTS model. In our network meta‐analysis, this sensitivity of our proposed model was needed to detect all information in the data.
®Optimization of the Hydrolysis Reaction Process in the Synthesis of 4‐Aminoantipyrine by Response Surface Methodology and its Kinetics
Authors: Zhang Fuyue , Zhou Haoyu , Yuan Jinqiu , Li Qinghui , Diao Yanwei , Sun Xiaoyan , Zhang Liangjie , Lin Yuhang , Du Lei
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a unique hydrolysis reaction process for the production of 4‐Aminoantipyrine (AA) is investigated. A liquid‐phase analytical method for AA is established, and the amount of sulfuric acid, reaction temperature, reaction time are studied. On the basis of single factor experiments, the response surface method (RSM) is used to systematically optimize the conditions of the hydrolysis reaction. The optimum conditions are n(AT‐SO4): n(H2SO4)=0.73, the reaction temperature is 98 °C, the reaction time is 91 min, and the AA yield reaches 90.80 %. Compared with the previous process, the yield of AA is improved and colloids are significantly reduced. Under optimum process conditions, a kinetic model is constructed in the range of 358 K–373 K, which activation energy, Ea=33.21 kJ/mol, and the pre‐exponential factor, A=1586.84. In addition, the product AA is characterized by IR analysis, LC‐MS analysis, GC‐MS analysis and hydrolysis reaction mechanism are investigated.
Heterogeneous enzymatic catalysts: Comparing their efficiency in the production of biodiesel from alternative oils**
Authors: Ferrero Gabriel Orlando , Sánchez Faba Edgar Maximiliano , Vaschetto Eliana Gabriela , Eimer Griselda Alejandra
Published: March 2023

In this study, four heterogeneous enzymatic catalysts were synthesized: three from the immobilization of Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (LPf) on SBA‐15, Ca/SBA‐15, and Na/SBA‐15, and one by the one‐step coprecipitation technique, named LOBE (Low Ordered Biosilicificated Enzyme). The physicochemical properties of these materials were determined by small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), Fourier‐Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP), and N2 adsorption/desorption measurements. The biocatalysts activity was evaluated in the production of biodiesel with different oily raw materials. From these results, it was possible to infer that confinement effects influence catalytic efficiency. While the SBA‐15 material presents one‐dimensional channels, the LOBE biocatalyst has interconnected three‐dimensional cavities type MCM‐48 that favor the mixing of reactant phases (oil‐alcohol), the interaction with active sites in the structure, and mass transfer. Thus, this 3D architecture would increase the specific activity of the LOBE biocatalyst approximately five times concerning the other studied biocatalysts.
Synthesis, Spectral and Electrochemical Properties, and Computational Modeling of N‐Cymantrenylmethylphthalimide
Authors: Kelbysheva Elena S. , Strelkova Tatyana V. , Ezernitskaya Mariam G. , Alekseev Vladimir G. , Telegina Lyudmila N.
Published: March 2023

Photo‐ and electrochemical properties of a novel cymantrenyl‐containing (CpMn(CO)3) phthalimide were studied by cyclic voltammetry, FTIR, 1H NMR, UV‐vis, fluorescence spectral methods. It was found that upon irradiation of the initial tricarbonyl complex, one CO ligand is released to form a colored dicarbonyl chelate, which in the presence of CO enters the reverse thermal reaction to give the initial tricarbonyl complex. In the presence of some other external ligands, the chelate cycle is disclosed and dicarbonyl complex with external ligand is formed demonstrating hemilabile properties of the chelate studied. It was found that the introduction of a cymantrenyl group in a phthalimide molecule, which usually exhibits electron acceptor properties, has a significant effect on the characteristics of the absorption and emission spectra, electrochemical properties. This type compounds can be a basis for the creation of photo‐ and electroactive materials and exciplex‐forming materials
Role of Dual Nature of Ionic Liquid in Solvation Dynamics and Rotational Diffusion in Mixed Micelles: A Time‐Resolved Fluorescence and Fluorescence Anisotropy Study
Authors: Aggrawal Rishika , Halder Sayantan , Dyagala Shalini , Saha Subit Kumar
Published: March 2023

The present work demonstrates the role of the dual nature of an ionic liquid, 1‐dodecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide (C12mimBr), in the solvation dynamics and rotational diffusion of Coumarin 153 (C‐153) in the aqueous mixed micellar solutions of three cationic gemini surfactants, 12‐s‐12,2Br− (where s = 4, 6 and 8) using different spectroscopic and light scattering techniques. Ionic liquid within the micelles controls the weightages of solvation components. In pure micelles of a gemini surfactant, the fast and slow solvation components are major and minor, respectively, which vary based on the concentration of the ionic liquid. The effective solvation rate enhances with increasing concentration of C12mimBr. Dual nature of C12mimBr governs the size of mixed micelles. Thus the associated time constant for rotational motion also alters accordingly. In micelle, lateral diffusion coefficient (DL) value enhances with its increasing size due to mixed micelle's increased porosity. Gemini spacer chain length effect is also discussed.
Multi‐responsive Luminescent Probe with Bis‐imidazolyl Biphenyl and Aromatic Polycarboxylic Acids Ligands for Sensing Fe3+, Cr2O72− and CrO42− in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Wang Yan , Gao Ningning , Hu Jiaqi
Published: March 2023

One zinc‐based metal organic framework (MOF): [Zn(LBIX)(HEA)]n (1) was synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis with 4,4′‐bis((1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl)‐1,1′‐biphenyl (LBIX) and 1,2‐phenylenediacetic acid (H2HEA) as ligands. The structure was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The single crystal structure analysis shows that the complex extends along three directions of a, b and c, forming a three‐dimensional structure. Experiments related to fluorescence show that the complex 1 has good fluorescence performance in aqueous solution and can be utilized to quickly identify Fe3+, CrO42− and Cr2O72− ions (Ksv quenching efficiency for Fe3+:1.71×104 M−1, CrO42−:1.07×104 M−1 and Cr2O72−:1.15×104 M−1) and low detection limits (Fe3+:1.52 μM, CrO42−:1.53 μM and Cr2O72−:1.70 μM).
Emissive‐Dye/Cucurbit[n]uril‐Based Fluorescence Probes for Sensing Applications
Authors: Chatterjee Sobhan , Liang Feng
Published: March 2023

Supramolecular host‐guest chemistry has provided many opportunities for the design and construction of new fluorescent systems in various applications, particularly in the field of sensing. Owing to the special structure and fascinating utilities, cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s) existing themselves as a young family of molecular vessels, it construction a stable host‐guest supramolecular complex with a variety of fluorescent dyes and indicators, that has been used as a powerful fluorescent probe and is widely used in sensing and related research fields. Therefore, in this review article, we will outline and attention on the recent advances in the progress of various CB[n] ⋅ guest‐based fluorescent probes, it can provide a general overview of the construction, detection mechanism and fluorescence sensing of certain metal ions, biomolecules and toxic chemicals. Examples of the selection of other types of CB[n]‐based supramolecular assemblies and coordination polymers will also be covered. Finally, we will also provide important views on fluorescent CB[n] ⋅ guest‐based inclusion complex for metal ion and biomolecular sensors.
Enhancing the Therapeutic Effect in Alzheimer's Disease Drugs: The role of Polypharmacology and Cholinesterase inhibitors
Authors: Martins M. Margarida , Branco Paula S. , Ferreira Luísa M.
Published: March 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating syndrome that accounts for 60–70 % of all dementia cases, putting an enormous burden on global healthcare and economy. Unfortunately, there is no cure for AD, and the currently approved drugs are limited in their effects. Given the various pathological mechanisms behind AD, the “one‐target, one‐drug” paradigm for drug design became obsolete, and a new paradigm, polypharmacology, emerged. Consequently, a greater focus has been put towards multi‐target directed ligands (MTDLs), as these can regulate several targets operating in the disease network. Parallel to that, cholinesterase inhibitors have regained popularity after decades of being considered only symptomatic agents with no disease‐modifying properties. In this review, the current AD hypotheses and therapeutic targets, the concept of polypharmacology in AD pathology and the importance of cholinesterases in the pathogenesis and biochemical processes of AD are discussed, with a final overview of the current development in cholinesterase‐based MTDLs.
Lewis Acid Catalysed Regioselective Access of Novel C‐2 Homo‐Pyranose Nucleosides From 2‐Acetoxy Methyl Glycals
Authors: Ahmed Ajaz , Sakander Norein , Mukherjee Debaraj
Published: March 2023

Novel C‐2 homo‐pyranose nucleosides can be synthesized by regioselective glycoconjugation of C‐2 acetoxymethyl glycals with nucleobases in the presence of a catalytic amount of a Lewis acid. The reaction proceeded via the formation of exo‐Ferrier allylic cation as an intermediate and the site selectivity is controlled on the basis of HSAB principle.
Ultra‐Low Pt Doping and Pt–Ni Pair Sites in Amorphous/Crystalline Interfacial Electrocatalyst Enable Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Li Yanxin , Zhang Xiaoyan , Liu Lin , Sheng Hongbin , Li Can , Cao Lixin , Li Haiyan , Xia Chenghui , Dong Bohua
Published: March 2023

Noble metal doping can achieve an increase in mass activity (MA) without sacrificing catalysis efficiency and stability, so that alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of the catalyst can be optimized to the maximum degree. However, its excessively large ionic radius makes it difficult to achieve either interstitial doping or substitutional doping under mild conditions. Herein, a hierarchical nanostructured electrocatalyst with enriched amorphous/crystalline interfaces for high‐efficiency alkaline HER is reported, which is composed of amorphous/crystalline (Co, Ni)11(HPO3)8(OH)6 homogeneous hierarchical structure with an ultra‐low doped Pt (Pt‐a/c‐NiHPi). Benefiting from the structural flexibility of the amorphous component, extremely low Pt (0.21 wt.%, totally 3.31 µg Pt on 1 cm−2 NF) are stably doped on it via a simple two‐phase hydrothermal method. The DFT calculations show that due to the strongly electron transfer between the crystalline/amorphous components at the interfaces, electrons finally concentrate toward Pt and Ni in the amorphous components, thus the electrocatalyst has near‐optimal energy barriers and adsorption energy for H2O* and H*. With the above benefits, the obtained catalyst exhibits an exceptionally high MA (39.1 mA µg−1Pt) at 70 mV, which is almost the highest level among the reported Pt‐based electrocatalysts for alkaline HER.
On metrics and prioritization of investments in hardware security
Authors: Collier Zachary A. , Briglia Brett , Finkelston Tom , Manasco Mark C. , Slutzky David L. , Lambert James H.
Published: March 2023

The security risks posed by electronics are numerous. There are typically a variety of risk‐reducing countermeasures for a given system or across an enterprise. Each countermeasure is associated with both a level of risk reduction and its lifecycle costs. Given budgetary constraints, risk managers and systems engineers must determine what combinations of countermeasures cost‐effectively maximize risk reduction, and what metrics best guide the investment process. In this paper, we seek to answer these questions through exploration of risk reduction metrics from the field of security economics, including the benefit/cost ratio, return on security investment (ROSI), expected benefit of information security (EBIS), and expected net benefit of information security (ENBIS). The results suggest that ratio‐based metrics are not strongly correlated with risk reduction, while EBIS is equivalent to risk reduction and ENBIS is equal to risk reduction minus cost.
Coelonin protects against PM2.5‐induced macrophage damage via suppressing TLR4/NF‐κB/COX‐2 signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vitro
Authors: Bao Xiao‐Dan , Zu Yu‐Yao , Wang Bi‐Xu , Li Mei‐Ya , Jiang Fu‐Sheng , Qian Chao‐Dong , Zhou Fang‐Mei , Ding Zhi‐Shan
Published: March 2023

One of the important monitoring indicators of the air pollution is atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can induce lung inflammation after inhalation. Coelonin can alleviate PM2.5‐induced macrophage damage through anti‐inflammation. However, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. We hypothesized that macrophage damage may involve the release of inflammatory cytokines, activation of inflammatory pathways, and pyrosis induced by inflammasome. In this study, we evaluated the anti‐inflammation activity of coelonin in PM2.5‐induced macrophage and its mechanism of action. Nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured by NO Assay kit and dichlorofluorescein‐diacetate (DCFH‐DA), and apoptosis were measured by Flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. The concentration of inflammatory cytokines production was measured with cytometric bead arrays and ELISA kits. The activation of NF‐κB signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome were measured by immunofluorescence, quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and western blot. As expected, coelonin pretreatment reduced NO production significantly as well as alleviated cell damage by decreasing ROS and apoptosis. It decreased generation of interleukin (IL)‐6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in PM2.5‐induced RAW264.7 and J774A.1 cells. Moreover, coelonin markedly inhibited upregulating the expression of toll‐like receptor (TLR)4 and cyclo‐oxygenase (COX)‐2, blocked activation of p‐nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling pathway, and suppressed expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, ASC, GSDMD, IL‐18 and IL‐1β. In conclusion, the results showed that coelonin could protect against PM2.5‐induced macrophage damage via suppressing TLR4/NF‐κB/COX‐2 signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vitro.
Opioid‐free anaesthesia protocol for standing spinal surgery in a horse
Authors: Perez Bartolome Rico , Hawkins Alexander , Fiske‐Jackson Andrew , Jimenez Carolina Palacios
Published: March 2023

Opioid‐free anaesthesia is a growing field in human and veterinary medicine. Several adverse effects have been reported related to the administration of opioids in horses, including the propensity to produce excitement, ataxia and gastrointestinal stasis. However, opioids have traditionally been the mainstay of pain relief in both the human and veterinary field. The feasibility of an opioid‐free anaesthesia protocol in a horse that underwent multiple subtotal spinous process ostectomies is reported here. Instead of traditional opioid therapy, a detomidine continuous‐rate infusion and a bilateral ultrasound‐guided erector spinae block was performed to provide analgesia. The authors concluded that opioid‐free surgical anaesthesia protocols may be feasible in horses undergoing multiple subtotal spinous process ostectomies. Gaining experience with these protocols may be advantageous when the use of opioids is to be avoided.
Effects of honey locust seed pods on the behavior and nutrient intake of zoo‐housed François langurs and prehensile‐tailed porcupines
Authors: Dunham Noah T. , Tennant Kaylin S. , Loudon Andrew H. , Dennis Patricia M.
Published: March 2023

Seed pods represent an under‐utilized and valuable dietary resource for zoos because they encourage naturalistic extractive foraging behavior and because seeds pods, like leafy browses, are more fiber‐rich than most dietary items typically offered in zoos. The primary goal of this study was to examine the effects of honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) seed pods on the behavior and macronutrient intake of zoo‐housed François’ langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi;n = 3) and prehensile‐tailed porcupines (Coendou prehensilis;n = 2) using a pre‐ versus postdiet implementation design. From December 2019 to April 2020, we recorded behavior using instantaneous interval sampling and daily macronutrient intake via dietary intake records. We found that time spent feeding increased (p < .001) and stereotypic behaviors decreased (p < .001) for the François’ langur group during the seed pod phase. The prehensile‐tailed porcupines also exhibited increased time spent feeding and decreased inactivity (p < .001 for all comparisons) during the experimental seed pod phase. We found no differences in macronutrient intake for the François’ langur group. The female prehensile‐tailed porcupine consumed more neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in the seed pod phase (p = .003) and the male consumed more crude protein, NDF, nonstructural carbohydrates, and crude fat (p < .001 for all comparisons). We stress that honey locust seed pods are a fiber‐rich (i.e., ~40%–55% NDF by dry weight) dietary option for zoo‐housed folivores and promote positive welfare by encouraging naturalistic foraging behavior and may help increase foraging time and decrease stereotypic behaviors.
Adaptations to Life in the Namib Desert
Authors: Huntley Brian John
Published: March 2023

The Namib Desert, as represented in Iona National Park, provides a living museum of the adaptations of animals and plants to extreme environments. This chapter illustrates the morphological, behavioural and physiological adaptations resulting from natural selection in response to extreme conditions of aridity and temperature. The role of water is described as the ‘currency of life’ in the Namib. Surface area to volume ratios in animals and plants determine rates of water loss through evaporation, with many succulent plant species displaying the short, stout water conserving pachycaul life form. Water capture from fog is achieved by ‘fog basking’ and ‘sand trenching’ by beetle species, and by grazing at night (when water content of grasses is highest) by antelope. Competition for food in low productivity environments such as the Namib takes many forms, including habitat partitioning, cooperative behaviour and efficient food storage mechanisms. Unique Namib natural phenomena, such as the ‘fairy circles’ - bare patches in extensive desert grasslands - have received intensive study by multiple research groups. Arguments proposing divergent hypotheses demonstrate the scientific method in action.
The Guineo-Congolian Rain Forest Biome
Authors: Huntley Brian John
Published: March 2023

Tropical rain forests are represented in Angola by the narrow and fragmented southwards extension of the Guineo-Congolian rain forests of the Congo Basin and West Africa. This Chapter defines and characterises tropical rain forests, and compares the diversity of African forests with those of Central and South America and of South East Asia. The evolution and dynamics of African rain forests, and the role of human activity through the Holocene is discussed. Angola’s forest types are defined, their distribution, physical conditions, physiognomy and floristic and faunistic composition, plant-animal interactions, and forest gap-phase dynamics are detailed.
Key Elements of Angolan Terrestrial Ecology
Authors: Huntley Brian John
Published: March 2023

Part V synthesises the key messages included in this book—the fundamental elements of the evolution, structure and functioning of Angola’s terrestrial ecosystems, which in their diversity, represent a microcosm of African ecosystems. An incremental learning approach is followed in the book, presenting a strongly African perspective. From an introduction to the science of ecology, and an outline of the contemporary structure and composition of Angola’s biogeography, biomes and ecoregions, the narrative proceeds to detail on the geological and geomorphological history, soil genesis and properties, climatic drivers and gradients, and the role of disturbance by fire and herbivory in the evolutionary process. Basic ecological principles are then presented with examples from recent research in southern Africa. The six biomes represented in Angola are then described in detail. As an appendix, the book provides a comprehensive glossary of ecological terms.
Embedding Unimodular Gravity in string theory
Authors: Garay Luis J. , García-Moreno Gerardo
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Unimodular Gravity is a theory displaying Weyl rescalings of the metric and transverse (volume-preserving) diffeomorphisms as gauge symmetries, as opposed to the full set of diffeomorphisms displayed by General Relativity. Recently, we presented a systematic comparison of both theories, concluding that both of them are equivalent in everything but the behaviour of the cosmological constant under radiative corrections. A careful study of how Unimodular Gravity can be embedded in the string theory framework has not been provided yet and was not analyzed there in detail. In this article, we provide such an explicit analysis, filling the gap in the literature. We restrict ourselves to the unoriented bosonic string theory in critical dimension for the sake of simplicity, although we argue that no differences are expected for other string theories. Our conclusions are that both a Diff and a WTDiff invariance principle are equally valid for describing the massless excitations of the string spectrum.
Logarithmic correction to black hole entropy in universal low-energy string theory models
Authors: Karan Sudip , Punia Gurmeet Singh
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We calculate the logarithmic correction to the entropy of asymptotically flat and AdS black holes (rotating, non-rotating, charged, and uncharged) embedded in Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton (EMD) theories with U(1)-charged. The leading quantum gravitational corrections are achieved in both extremal and non-extremal limits of black hole temperature by designing a common Euclidean gravity setup that evaluates the “logarithmic term” from one-loop effective actions via heat kernel method-based calculations. EMD theories are universal building blocks of compactified string theory or supergravity models in 4D. For a concrete example, we generalize the entire setup and calculate logarithmic corrections for black holes in U(1)2-charged EMD models intersecting with $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 ungauged and gauged bosonic supergravity. In contrast to flat backgrounds, all the AdS4 results are found to be non-topological, providing a wider “infrared window” into the microscopic degrees of freedom of black holes in string theory.
Elastic properties of polycrystalline silicon: experimental findings, effective estimates, and their relations
Authors: Aßmus Marcus , Altenbach Holm
Published: March 2023

Silicon has a large impact on today’s world economy, also known as Silicon Age. For instance, it is an extremely important material for renewable energy systems like photovoltaics. Thereby, the use of polycrystalline silicon has a very wide range of application. For a safe and economic operation with this material, the most accurate prediction or measurement of the elastic properties possible is of interest in the first place even if the focus is on the analysis of the inelastic behavior and related reliability and service life predictions. The problem of effective elastic parameters of polycrystals is also a question of material symmetry. The silicon single crystals obey cubic symmetry while for the aggregate, at random orientation of its constituents, isotropy results. We here give a synopsis on established analytical approaches used to predict effective values as well as a review on experimental outcomes at crystal and aggregate level. In context of present material, the methods are applied and effective properties are predicted analytically while results are compared in terms of the different approaches applied and the material data sets accessed. The results are also contrasted to the measured findings. The resulting deviations are discussed whereby the reasons for these discrepancies are identified. For the application of the effective properties in practicable calculations, this implies that special emphasis must be placed on the origin of these data. The results of mono- and polycrystal properties for both, experimental and analytical findings, are tabulated in clear and concise form, so that they are readily accessible to design engineers.
Ligand sensitivity of type-1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor is enhanced by the D2594K mutation
Authors: Tambeaux Allison , Aguilar-Sánchez Yuriana , Santiago Demetrio J. , Mascitti Madeleine , DiNovo Karyn M. , Mejía-Alvarez Rafael , Fill Michael , Wayne Chen S. R. , Ramos-Franco Josefina
Published: March 2023

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) and ryanodine receptor (RyR) are homologous cation channels that mediate release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR) and thereby are involved in many physiological processes. In previous studies, we determined that when the D2594 residue, located at or near the gate of the IP3R type 1, was replaced by lysine (D2594K), a gain of function was obtained. This mutant phenotype was characterized by increased IP3 sensitivity. We hypothesized the IP3R1-D2594 determines the ligand sensitivity of the channel by electrostatically affecting the stability of the closed and open states. To test this possibility, the relationship between the D2594 site and IP3R1 regulation by IP3, cytosolic, and luminal Ca2+ was determined at the cellular, subcellular, and single-channel levels using fluorescence Ca2+ imaging and single-channel reconstitution. We found that in cells, D2594K mutation enhances the IP3 ligand sensitivity. Single-channel IP3R1 studies revealed that the conductance of IP3R1-WT and -D2594K channels is similar. However, IP3R1-D2594K channels exhibit higher IP3 sensitivity, with substantially greater efficacy. In addition, like its wild type (WT) counterpart, IP3R1-D2594K showed a bell-shape cytosolic Ca2+-dependency, but D2594K had greater activity at each tested cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration. The IP3R1-D2594K also had altered luminal Ca2+ sensitivity. Unlike IP3R1-WT, D2594K channel activity did not decrease at low luminal Ca2+ levels. Taken together, our functional studies indicate that the substitution of a negatively charged residue by a positive one at the channels’ pore cytosolic exit affects the channel’s gating behavior thereby explaining the enhanced ligand-channel’s sensitivity.
Acute bacterial lymphadenitis in children: a retrospective, cross-sectional study
Authors: Howard-Jones Annaleise R. , Al Abdali Khalfan , Britton Philip N.
Published: March 2023

Acute bacterial lymphadenitis is a common childhood condition, yet there remains considerable variability in antibiotic treatment choice, particularly in settings with low prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus such as Europe and Australasia. This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed children presenting with acute bacterial lymphadenitis to a tertiary paediatric hospital in Australia between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2020. Treatment approaches were analysed with respect to children with complicated versus uncomplicated disease. A total of 148 children were included in the study, encompassing 25 patients with complicated disease and 123 with uncomplicated lymphadenitis, as defined by the presence or absence of an associated abscess or collection. In culture-positive cases, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (49%) and Group A Streptococcus (43%) predominated, while methicillin-resistant S. aureus was seen in a minority of cases (6%). Children with complicated disease generally presented later and had a prolonged length of stay, longer durations of antibiotics, and higher frequency of surgical intervention. Beta-lactam therapy (predominantly flucloxacillin or first-generation cephalosporins) formed the mainstay of therapy for uncomplicated disease, while treatment of complicated disease was more variable with higher rates of clindamycin use.

    Conclusion: Uncomplicated lymphadenitis can be managed with narrow-spectrum beta-lactam therapy (such as flucloxacillin) with low rates of relapse or complications. In complicated disease, early imaging, prompt surgical intervention, and infectious diseases consultation are recommended to guide antibiotic therapy. Prospective randomised trials are needed to guide optimal antibiotic choice and duration in children presenting with acute bacterial lymphadenitis, particularly in association with abscess formation, and to promote uniformity in treatment approaches.

What is Known:• Acute bacterial lymphadenitis is a common childhood infection.• Antibiotic prescribing practices are highly variable in bacterial lymphadenitis.

What is New:• Uncomplicated bacterial lymphadenitis in children can be managed with single agent narrow-spectrum beta-lactam therapy in low-MRSA prevalence settings.• Further trials are needed to ascertain optimal treatment duration and the role of clindamycin in complicated disease.
Gradient free stochastic training of ANNs, with local approximation in partitions
Authors: Bakas N. P. , Langousis A. , Nicolaou M. A. , Chatzichristofis S. A.
Published: March 2023

We present a numerical scheme for computation of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) weights, which stems from the Universal Approximation Theorem, avoiding costly iterations. The proposed algorithm adheres to the underlying theory, is highly fast, and results in remarkably low errors when applied to regression and classification problems of complex data sets with $${\textbf{x}} \in {\mathbb {R}}^{n}$$

x
∈

R

n

(e.g. Griewank, Gomez-Levy, Shekel, and Polynomial functions) with random noise addition (i.e. Uniform, Normal, Generalized Pareto, Log-Normal, and a mixture of Log-Normal, Exponential, and Frechet), as well as the database for handwritten digits recognition MNIST (Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology) with $$7\times 10^4$$

7
×

10
4

images. The same mathematical formulation was found capable of approximating highly nonlinear functions in multiple dimensions, with low errors (e.g. $$10^{-10}$$

10

-
10

) for the test set of the unknown functions, their higher-order partial derivatives, as well as numerically solving Partial Differential Equations, such as those appearing in Physics, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, etc. The method is based on the calculation of the weights of each neuron in small neighbourhoods of the data. Accordingly, optimization of hyperparameters is not necessary, as the number of neurons stems directly from the dimensionality of the data, further improving the algorithmic speed. Under this setting, overfitting is inherently avoided, and the results are interpretable and reproducible. The complexity of the proposed algorithm is of class P with $${\mathcal {O}}(mNni_{cl} + Nmn^2+Nn^3 + mN^2+N^3)$$

O
(
m
N
n

i

cl

+
N
m

n
2

+
N

n
3

+
m

N
2

+

N
3

)

computing time, with respect to the observations m, features n, and Neurons N, contrary to the NP-Complete class of standard algorithms for ANN training. The performance of the method is high, irrespective of the size of the data set, and the test set errors are similar or smaller than the training errors, indicating the generalization efficiency of the algorithm. A supplementary computer code in Julia and Python Languages is provided, which can be used to reproduce the validation examples, and/or apply the algorithm to other data sets.
Bioinformatic Analysis of miR-200b/429 and Hub Gene Network in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Shukla Vaibhav , Mallya Sandeep , Adiga Divya , Sriharikrishnaa S. , Chakrabarty Sanjiban , Kabekkodu Shama Prasada
Published: March 2023

The miR-200b/429 located at 1p36 is a highly conserved miRNA cluster emerging as a critical regulator of cervical cancer. Using publicly available miRNA expression data from TCGA and GEO followed by independent validation, we aimed to identify the association between miR-200b/429 expression and cervical cancer. miR-200b/429 cluster was significantly overexpressed in cancer samples compared to normal samples. miR-200b/429 expression did not correlate with patient survival; however, its overexpression correlated with histological type. Protein–protein interaction analysis of 90 target genes of miR-200b/429 identified EZH2, FLT1, IGF2, IRS1, JUN, KDR, SOX2, MYB, ZEB1, and TIMP2 as the top ten hub genes. PI3K–AKT and MAPK signaling pathways emerged as major target pathways of miR-200b/429 and their hub genes. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed the expression of seven miR-200b/429 target genes (EZH2, FLT1, IGF2, IRS1, JUN, SOX2, and TIMP2) to influence the overall survival of patients. The miR-200a-3p and miR-200b-5p could help predict cervical cancer with metastatic potential. The cancer hallmark enrichment analysis showed hub genes to promote growth, sustained proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, induction of angiogenesis, activation of invasion, and metastasis, enabling replicative immortality, evading immune destruction, and tumor-promoting inflammation. The drug–gene interaction analysis identified 182 potential drugs to interact with 27 target genes of miR-200b/429 with paclitaxel, doxorubicin, dabrafenib, bortezomib, docetaxel, ABT-199, eribulin, vorinostat, etoposide, and mitoxantrone emerging as the top ten best candidate drugs. Taken together, miR-200b/429 and associated hub genes can be helpful for prognostic application and clinical management of cervical cancer.
Pediatric abusive head trauma: visual outcomes, evoked potentials, diffusion tensor imaging, and relationships to retinal hemorrhages
Authors: Kelly John P. , Feldman Kenneth W. , Wright Jason N. , Metz James B. , Weiss Avery
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Function and anatomy of the visual system were evaluated in children with abusive head trauma (AHT). The relationships between retinal hemorrhages at presentation were examined with outcome measures.

Methods

Retrospective review of data in children with AHT for 1) visual acuity at last follow-up, 2) visual evoked potentials (VEP) after recovery, 3) diffusion metrics of white matter tracts and grey matter within the occipital lobe on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and 4) patterns of retinal hemorrhages at presentation. Visual acuity was converted into logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) after correction for age. VEPs were also scored by objective signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Results

Of 202 AHT victims reviewed, 45 met inclusion criteria. Median logMAR was reduced to 0.8 (approximately 20/125 Snellen equivalent), with 27% having no measurable vision. Thirty-two percent of subjects had no detectable VEP signal. VEPs were significantly reduced in subjects initially presenting with traumatic retinoschisis or hemorrhages involving the macula (p < 0.01). DTI tract volumes were decreased in AHT subjects compared to controls (p < 0.001). DTI metrics were most affected in AHT victims showing macular abnormalities on follow-up ocular examination. However, DTI metrics were not correlated with visual acuity or VEPS. There was large inter-subject variability within each grouping.

Discussion

Mechanisms causing traumatic retinoschisis, or traumatic abnormalities of the macula, are associated with significant long-term visual pathway dysfunction. AHT associated abnormalities of the macula, and visual cortical pathways were more fully captured by VEPs than visual acuity or DTI metrics.