bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
49 W carrier-envelope-phase-stable few-cycle 2.1 µm OPCPA at 10 kHz
Authors: Seeger Maximilian F. , Kammerer Dominik , Blöchl Johannes , Neuhaus Marcel , Pervak Vladimir , Nubbemeyer Thomas , Kling Matthias F.
Published: June 2023

We demonstrate a mid-infrared optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier (OPCPA), delivering 2.1 µm center wavelength pulses with 20 fs duration and 4.9 mJ energy at 10 kHz repetition rate. This self-seeded system is based on a kW-class Yb:YAG thin-disk amplifier driving a CEP stable short-wavelength-infrared (SWIR) generation and three consecutive OPCPA stages. Our SWIR source achieves an average power of 49 W, while still maintaining excellent phase and average power stability with sub-100 mrad carrier-envelope-phase-noise and 0.8% average power fluctuations. These parameters enable the OPCPA setup to drive attosecond pump probe spectroscopy experiments with photon energies in the water window.
Beam quality factor of aberrated Laguerre-Gaussian optical beams
Authors: Mabena Chemist M. , Bell Teboho , Mphuthi Nokwazi , Harrison Justin , Naidoo Darryl
Published: June 2023

The influence of aberrations on the beam quality factor of Laguerre-Gaussian beams is investigated. We derive analytical expressions for the beam quality factor due to astigmatism and spherical aberration. We show that the width of a Laguerre-Gaussian beam is a significant parameter that determines the aberration effects on the beam quality factor. For each aberration, we derive an expression for the width that separates the region where the beam quality factor changes infinitesimally and where it changes drastically. The validity of the analytical expressions is assessed by performing numerical simulations. There is excellent agreement between the analytical and numerical results.
Sparse reconstruction based on dictionary learning and group structure strategy for cone-beam X-ray luminescence computed tomography
Authors: Chen Yi , Du Mengfei , Zhang Gege , Zhang Jun , Li Kang , Su Linzhi , Zhao Fengjun , Yi Huangjian , Cao Xin
Published: June 2023

As a dual-modal imaging technology that has emerged in recent years, cone-beam X-ray luminescence computed tomography (CB-XLCT) has exhibited promise as a tool for the early three-dimensional detection of tumors in small animals. However, due to the challenges imposed by the low absorption and high scattering of light in tissues, the CB-XLCT reconstruction problem is a severely ill-conditioned inverse problem, rendering it difficult to obtain satisfactory reconstruction results. In this study, a strategy that utilizes dictionary learning and group structure (DLGS) is proposed to achieve satisfactory CB-XLCT reconstruction performance. The group structure is employed to account for the clustering of nanophosphors in specific regions within the organism, which can enhance the interrelation of elements in the same group. Furthermore, the dictionary learning strategy is implemented to effectively capture sparse features. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated through numerical simulations and in vivo experiments. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves superior reconstruction performance in terms of location accuracy, target shape, robustness, dual-source resolution, and in vivo practicability.
NANOG is required to establish the competence for germ-layer differentiation in the basal tetrapod axolotl
Authors: Simpson Luke A. , Crowley Darren , Forey Teri , Acosta Helena , Ferjentsik Zoltan , Chatfield Jodie , Payne Alexander , Simpson Benjamin S. , Redwood Catherine , Dixon James E. , Holmes Nadine , Sang Fei , Alberio Ramiro , Loose Matthew , Johnson Andrew D.
Published: June 2023

Pluripotency defines the unlimited potential of individual cells of vertebrate embryos, from which all adult somatic cells and germ cells are derived. Understanding how the programming of pluripotency evolved has been obscured in part by a lack of data from lower vertebrates; in model systems such as frogs and zebrafish, the function of the pluripotency genes NANOG and POU5F1 have diverged. Here, we investigated how the axolotl ortholog of NANOG programs pluripotency during development. Axolotl NANOG is absolutely required for gastrulation and germ-layer commitment. We show that in axolotl primitive ectoderm (animal caps; ACs) NANOG and NODAL activity, as well as the epigenetic modifying enzyme DPY30, are required for the mass deposition of H3K4me3 in pluripotent chromatin. We also demonstrate that all 3 protein activities are required for ACs to establish the competency to differentiate toward mesoderm. Our results suggest the ancient function of NANOG may be establishing the competence for lineage differentiation in early cells. These observations provide insights into embryonic development in the tetrapod ancestor from which terrestrial vertebrates evolved.
Clade-D auxin response factors regulate auxin signaling and development in the moss Physcomitrium patens
Authors: Bascom Carlisle , Prigge Michael J. , Szutu Whitnie , Bantle Alexis , Irmak Sophie , Tu Daniella , Estelle Mark
Published: June 2023

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are a family of transcription factors that are responsible for regulating gene expression in response to changes in auxin level. The analysis of ARF sequence and activity indicates that there are 2 major groups: activators and repressors. One clade of ARFs, clade-D, is sister to clade-A activating ARFs, but are unique in that they lack a DNA-binding domain. Clade-D ARFs are present in lycophytes and bryophytes but absent in other plant lineages. The transcriptional activity of clade-D ARFs, as well as how they regulate gene expression, is not well understood. Here, we report that clade-D ARFs are transcriptional activators in the model bryophyte Physcomitrium patens and have a major role in the development of this species. Δarfddub protonemata exhibit a delay in filament branching, as well as a delay in the chloronema to caulonema transition. Additionally, leafy gametophore development in Δarfddub lines lags behind wild type. We present evidence that ARFd1 interacts with activating ARFs via their PB1 domains, but not with repressing ARFs. Based on these results, we propose a model in which clade-D ARFs enhance gene expression by interacting with DNA bound clade-A ARFs. Further, we show that ARFd1 must form oligomers for full activity.
How much bilateral and multilateral climate adaptation finance is targeting the health sector? A scoping review of official development assistance data between 2009–2019
Authors: Alcayna Tilly , O’Donnell Devin , Chandaria Sarina
Published: June 2023

Climate change is adversely affecting human health. Rapid and wide-scale adaptation is urgently needed given the negative impact climate change has across the socio-environmental determinants of health. The mobilisation of climate finance is critical to accelerate adaptation towards a climate resilient health sector. However, a comprehensive understanding of how much bilateral and multilateral climate adaptation financing has been channelled to the health sector is currently missing. Here, we provide a baseline estimate of a decade’s worth of international climate adaptation finance for the health sector. We systematically searched international financial reporting databases to analyse 1) the volumes, and geographic targeting, of adaptation finance for the health sector globally between 2009–2019 and 2) the focus of health adaptation projects based on a content analysis of publicly available project documentation. We found that health was largely a co-benefit, not the principal objective, within the projects. We estimate that USD 1,431 million (4.9%) of total multilateral and bilateral adaptation has been committed to health activities across the decade. However, this is likely an overestimate of the true figure. Most health adaptation projects were in Sub-Saharan Africa, with average project funding comparable to East Asia and the Pacific and the MENA region. Fragile and conflict affected countries received 25.7% of total health adaptation financing. The paucity of health indicators as part of project monitoring and evaluation criteria and the lack of emphasis on local adaptation were particularly significant. This study contributes to the wider evidence base on global health adaptation and climate financing by quantifying adaptation funds directed towards the health sector and revealing specific gaps in financing health adaptation. We anticipate these results will support researchers in developing actionable research on health and climate finance and decision-makers in mobilizing funds to low-resource settings with high health sector adaptation needs.
Betel quid use is associated with anemia among both men and women in Matlab, Bangladesh
Authors: Sznajder Kristin K. , Shenk Mary K. , Alam Nurul , Raqib Rubhana , Kumar Anjan , Haque Farjana , Blumenfield Tami , Mattison Siobhán M. , Wander Katherine
Published: June 2023

Anemia accounts for 8.8% of total disability burden worldwide. Betel quid use among pregnant women has been found to increase anemia risk. Betel quid is prepared by wrapping the betel (or areca) nut, with spices and other additions, in betel or tobacco leaf and it is chewed or placed in the mouth. We explored the association between betel quid use and anemia among men and non-pregnant women. We collected data from a random sample of women and their husbands in Matlab, Bangladesh. Participants reported their current betel quid use and individual characteristics. We assessed hemoglobin (a biomarker of anemia) with a hemoglobinometer and soluble transferrin receptor (a biomarker of iron deficiency) and C-reactive protein (a biomarker of inflammation) in dried blood spots via enzyme immunoassay. We estimated logistic regression models to evaluate the association between betel quid use and anemia and structural equation models (SEM) to evaluate mediating roles of iron deficiency and elevated inflammation. A total of 1133 participants (390 men and 743 non-pregnant women) were included. After controlling for important confounders, any betel quid use was positively associated with anemia among men (OR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.89). Among women, betel quid use was associated with anemia only among the most frequent users (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.53). SEM did not reveal indirect paths through inflammation or iron deficiency. Betel quid use may contribute to the burden of anemia among adults in Bangladesh. Our findings suggest the burden of disease attributed to betel quid use has been underestimated.
Aqueous spice extracts as alternative antimycotics to control highly drug resistant extensive biofilm forming clinical isolates of Candida albicans
Authors: Sadanandan Bindu , Vijayalakshmi Vaniyamparambath , Ashrit Priya , Babu Uddagiri Venkanna , Sharath Kumar Lakavalli Mohan , Sampath Vasulingam , Shetty Kalidas , Joglekar Amruta Purushottam , Awaknavar Rashmi
Published: June 2023

Candida albicans form biofilm by associating with biotic and abiotic surfaces. Biofilm formation by C. albicans is relevant and significant as the organisms residing within, gain resistance to conventional antimycotics and are therefore difficult to treat. This study targeted the potential of spice-based antimycotics to control C. albicans biofilms. Ten clinical isolates of C. albicans along with a standard culture MTCC-3017 (ATCC-90028) were screened for their biofilm-forming ability. C. albicans M-207 and C. albicans S-470 were identified as high biofilm formers by point inoculation on Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) medium as they formed a lawn within 16 h and exhibited resistance to fluconazole and caspofungin at 25 mcg and 8 mcg respectively. Aqueous and organic spice extracts were screened for their antimycotic activity against C. albicans M-207 and S-470 by agar and disc diffusion and a Zone of Inhibition was observed. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration was determined based on growth absorbance and cell viability measurements. The whole aqueous extract of garlic inhibited biofilms of C. albicans M-207, whereas whole aqueous extracts of garlic, clove, and Indian gooseberry were effective in controlling C. albicans S-470 biofilm within 12 h of incubation. The presence of allicin, ellagic acid, and gallic acid as dominant compounds in the aqueous extracts of garlic, clove, and Indian gooseberry respectively was determined by High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The morphology of C. albicans biofilm at different growth periods was also determined through bright field microscopy, phase contrast microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The results of this study indicated that the alternate approach in controlling high biofilm-forming, multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans M-207 and S-470 using whole aqueous extracts of garlic, clove, and Indian gooseberry is a safe, potential, and cost-effective one that can benefit the health care needs with additional effective therapeutics to treat biofilm infections.
Higher income individuals are more generous when local economic inequality is high
Authors: Suss Joel H.
Published: June 2023

There is ongoing debate about whether the relationship between income and pro-social behaviour depends on economic inequality. Studies investigating this question differ in their conclusions but are consistent in measuring inequality at aggregated geographic levels (i.e. at the state, region, or country-level). I hypothesise that local, more immediate manifestations of inequality are important for driving pro-social behaviour, and test the interaction between income and inequality at a much finer geographical resolution than previous studies. I first analyse the charitable giving of US households using ZIP-code level measures of inequality and data on tax deductible charitable donations reported to the IRS. I then examine whether the results generalise using a large-scale UK household survey and neighbourhood-level inequality measures. In both samples I find robust evidence of a significant interaction effect, albeit in the opposite direction as that which has been previously postulated–higher income individuals behave more pro-socially rather than less when local inequality is high.
Physiological and transcriptome analysis reveals that prohexadione-calcium promotes rice seedling’s development under salt stress by regulating antioxidant processes and photosynthesis
Authors: Li Yao , Zhou Hang , Feng Naijie , Zheng Dianfeng , Ma Guohui , Feng Shengjie , Liu Meiling , Yu Minglong , Huang Xixin , Huang Anqi
Published: June 2023

Prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) has been proved to play an important role in releasing abiotic stress in plants. However, there is still a lack of research on the mechanism of Pro-Ca alleviating salt stress in rice. To explore the protective effects of Pro-Ca on rice seedlings under salt stress, we investigated the effect of exogenous Pro-Ca on rice seedling under salt stress by conducting the following three treatment experiments: CK (control), S (50 mmol·L−1 NaCl saline solution) and S + Pro-Ca (50 mmol·L−1 NaCl saline solution + 100 mg·L−1 Pro-Ca). The results indicated that Pro-Ca modulated the expression of antioxidant enzyme-related genes (such as SOD2, PXMP2, MPV17, E1.11.1.7). Spraying Pro-Ca under salt stress significantly increased in ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activity by 84.2%, 75.2%, and 3.5% as compared to the salt treatment, as demonstrated by an example of a 24-hour treatment. Malondialdehyde level in Pro-Ca was also dramatically decreased by 5.8%. Moreover, spraying Pro-Ca under salt stress regulated the expression of photosynthesis genes (such as PsbS, PsbD) and chlorophyll metabolism genes (heml, PPD). Compared to salt stress treatment, spraying Pro-Ca under salt stress significantly increased in net photosynthetic rate by 167.2%. In addition, when rice shoots were sprayed with Pro-Ca under salt stress, the Na+ concentration was considerably reduced by 17.1% compared to salt treatment. In conclusion, Pro-Ca regulates antioxidant mechanisms and photosynthesis to aid in the growth of rice seedlings under salt stress.
Sex differences in the psychometric properties of the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression (CES-D) Scale in older Filipinos
Authors: Afable Sanny D. , Cruz Grace T. , Saito Yasuhiko
Published: June 2023

The literature has yet to fully account for sex differences in the symptomatology and measurement of depressive symptoms, especially in developing settings like the Philippines. Thus, we established the factor structure and assessed the reliability of the 11-item version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression (CES-D) Scale for assessing depressive symptoms in older Filipino men and women. Using cross-sectional data from 5,209 community-dwelling Filipinos aged 60 and above from a nationally representative survey, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and methods in Item Response Theory (IRT) were applied to provide complementary insights into the properties of the scale and its individual items. CFA supported the multidimensionality of the scale. The scale is also sex-invariant, but the relationship between the subfactors and the higher-order factor may differ between men and women. In addition, findings from IRT analysis confirmed the overall utility of the CES-D scale, but positively stated items were found to be internally inconsistent with the rest of the scale. The scale is desirably informative for assessing more severe symptoms, although sex differences were found in the precision of individual items. In general, the 11-item CES-D Scale is an adequate multidimensional tool for assessing moderate to severe depressive symptoms in the older population, especially in older men.
Demand segmentation and sociodemographic aspects of food festivals: A study in Bahrain
Authors: Carvache-Franco Mauricio , Hassan Tahani , Carvache-Franco Orly , Carvache-Franco Wilmer , Martin-Moreno Olga
Published: June 2023

Food festivals have been a growing tourism sector in recent years due to their contributions to a region’s economic, marketing, brand, and social growth. This study analyses the demand for the Bahrain food festival. The stated objectives were: i) To identify the motivational dimensions of the demand for the food festival, (ii) To determine the segments of the demand for the food festival, and (iii) To establish the relationship between the demand segments and socio-demographic aspects. The food festival investigated was the Bahrain Food Festival held in Bahrain, located on the east coast of the Persian Gulf. The sample consisted of 380 valid questionnaires and was taken using social networks from those attending the event. The statistical techniques used were factorial analysis and the K-means grouping method. The results show five motivational dimensions: Local food, Art, Entertainment, Socialization, and Escape and novelty. In addition, two segments were found; the first, Entertainment and novelties, is related to attendees who seek to enjoy the festive atmosphere and discover new restaurants. The second is Multiple motives, formed by attendees with several motivations simultaneously. This segment has the highest income and expenses, making it the most important group for developing plans and strategies. The results will contribute to the academic literature and the organizers of food festivals.
Analytical solution of l-i SEIR model–Comparison of l-i SEIR model with conventional SEIR model in simulation of epidemic curves
Authors: Liu Xiaoping
Published: June 2023

The Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) epidemic model has been commonly used to analyze the spread of infectious diseases. This 4-compartment (S, E, I and R) model uses an approximation of temporal homogeneity of individuals in these compartments to calculate the transfer rates of the individuals from compartment E to I to R. Although this SEIR model has been generally adopted, the calculation errors caused by temporal homogeneity approximation have not been quantitatively examined. In this study, a 4-compartment l-i SEIR model considering temporal heterogeneity was developed from a previous epidemic model (Liu X., Results Phys. 2021; 20:103712), and a closed-form solution of the l-i SEIR model was derived. Here, l represents the latent period and i represents the infectious period. Comparing l-i SEIR model with the conventional SEIR model, we are able to examine how individuals move through each corresponding compartment in the two SEIR models to find what information may be missed by the conventional SEIR model and what calculation errors may be introduced by using the temporal homogeneity approximation. Simulations showed that l-i SEIR model could generate propagated curves of infectious cases under the condition of l>i. Similar propagated epidemic curves were reported in literature, but the conventional SEIR model could not generate propagated curves under the same conditions. The theoretical analysis showed that the conventional SEIR model overestimates or underestimates the rate at which individuals move from compartment E to I to R in the rising or falling phase of the number of infectious individuals, respectively. Increasing the rate of change in the number of infectious individuals leads to larger calculation errors in the conventional SEIR model. Simulations from the two SEIR models with assumed parameters or with reported daily COVID-19 cases in the United States and in New York further confirmed the conclusions of the theoretical analysis.
The use of patient sitters at a Swiss hospital: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Kramer Iris , Schubert Maria
Published: June 2023

Objective

Patient sitters are frequently used in acute care hospitals to provide one-to-one care for agitated or disorientated patients to assure the safety and well-being of patients. However, there is still a lack of evidence on the use of patient sitters, especially in Switzerland. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe and explore the use of patient sitters in a Swiss acute care hospital.

Methods

In this retrospective, observational study we included all inpatients who were hospitalized between January and December 2018 in a Swiss acute care hospital and required a paid or volunteer patient sitter. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the extent of patient sitter use, patient characteristics, and organizational factors. For the subgroup analysis between internal medicine and surgical patients Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-square tests were used.

Results

Of the total of 27’855 included inpatients, 631 (2.3%) needed a patient sitter. Of these, 37.5% had a volunteer patient sitter. The median patient sitter duration per patient per stay was 18.0 hours (IQR = 8.4–41.0h). The median age was 78 years (IQR = 65.0–86.0); 76.2% of patients were over the age of 64. Delirium was diagnosed in 41% of patients, and 15% had dementia. Most of the patients showed signs of disorientation (87.3%), inappropriate behavior (84.6%), and risk of falling (86.6%). Patient sitter uses varied during the year and between surgical and internal medicine units.

Conclusions

These results add to the limited body of evidence concerning patient sitter use in hospitals, supporting previous findings related to patient sitter use for delirious or geriatric patients. New findings include the subgroup analysis of internal medicine and surgical patients, as well as analysis of patient sitter use distribution throughout the year. These findings may contribute to the development of guidelines and policies regarding patient sitter use.
SPI-1 virulence gene expression modulates motility of Salmonella Typhimurium in a proton motive force- and adhesins-dependent manner
Authors: Saleh Doaa Osama , Horstmann Julia A. , Giralt-Zúñiga María , Weber Willi , Kaganovitch Eugen , Durairaj Abilash Chakravarthy , Klotzsch Enrico , Strowig Till , Erhardt Marc
Published: June 2023

Both the bacterial flagellum and the evolutionary related injectisome encoded on the Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) play crucial roles during the infection cycle of Salmonella species. The interplay of both is highlighted by the complex cross-regulation that includes transcriptional control of the flagellar master regulatory operon flhDC by HilD, the master regulator of SPI-1 gene expression. Contrary to the HilD-dependent activation of flagellar gene expression, we report here that activation of HilD resulted in a dramatic loss of motility, which was dependent on the presence of SPI-1. Single cell analyses revealed that HilD-activation triggers a SPI-1-dependent induction of the stringent response and a substantial decrease in proton motive force (PMF), while flagellation remains unaffected. We further found that HilD activation enhances the adhesion of Salmonella to epithelial cells. A transcriptome analysis revealed a simultaneous upregulation of several adhesin systems, which, when overproduced, phenocopied the HilD-induced motility defect. We propose a model where the SPI-1-dependent depletion of the PMF and the upregulation of adhesins upon HilD-activation enable flagellated Salmonella to rapidly modulate their motility during infection, thereby enabling efficient adhesion to host cells and delivery of effector proteins.
La educación y lo público en la Pedagogía liberal y en la Pedagogía crítica
Authors: Fernández González Noelia , Prieto Egido Miriam
Published: June 2023

En las últimas décadas, las comprensiones privatizadoras e individualizadoras de la educación se han extendido con fuerza de la mano de discursos y políticas neoliberales. En respuesta a ellas, la investigación educativa viene explorando en los últimos años los distintos sentidos de “lo público” en relación con la educación que estas políticas vendrían a erosionar. Este trabajo pretende ofrecer un aporte dentro de este debate que indaga sobre la relación entre la educación y “lo público” a partir de un diálogo entre dos tradiciones, frecuentemente consideradas opuestas, en el campo de la Teoría de la educación: la propuesta liberal de la educación como iniciación formulada por Peters y la de la pedagogía crítica latinoamericana desarrollada por Paulo Freire. Este trabajo se apoya en una revisión de los trabajos centrales que sintetizan ambas propuestas, rastreando las huellas de “lo público”, entendido como los propósitos educativos dirigidos hacia el bien común y también como los espacios compartidos de construcción del bien común. Esta revisión nos ha permitido identificar cuatro puntos de distancia-encuentro entre ambas propuestas, es decir, espacios argumentales que, dentro de lo alejado de sus postulados, comparten cierto suelo común en el que cristalizan huellas comunes de “lo público”. En primer lugar, a través de su atención a las categorías tradición/cultura, ambos autores enmarcan la educación en lenguajes públicos compartidos por la sociedad . En segundo lugar, identificamos un paralelismo en las nociones de diálogo/conversación con esos lenguajes compartidos que ambas propuestas postulan como definitorias del proceso educativo. En tercer lugar, ambas propuestas entienden la crítica como una forma de participación en los lenguajes comunes que se construyen. En cuarto y último lugar, con el fin de construir sujetos libres, comparten el rechazo a las pedagogías espontaneístas que entienden la libertad educativa como un mero “dejar hacer” al educando/a.
Investigation of the efficiency of some fungicides and disinfectants applied in Agaricus bisporus cultivation
Authors: Misz András , Allaga Henrietta , Büchner Rita , Varga András , Bakos-Barczi Nóra , Bajzát Judit , Kredics László , Csutorás Csaba , Vágvölgyi Csaba
Published: June 2023

Pathogenic moulds (e.g., Trichoderma, Hypomyces, and Lecanicillium) cause huge problems in industrial scale production of Agaricus bisporus. It is important to choose the right control strategy, either chemical or biocontrol-based, to prevent substantial economic losses. The present study was carried out to reveal the in vitro efficacy of some fungicides and disinfectants against causative agents of wet bubble (Hypomyces perniciosus), dry bubble (Lecanicillium fungicola var. fungicola), cobweb disease (Hypomyces odoratus), and green mould (e.g., Trichoderma aggressivum f. aggressivum, T. aggressivum f. europaeum, T. harzianum), the four most devastating fungal infections in mushroom production. Prochloraz was efficient against Trichoderma and H. perniciosus isolates. Metrafenone did not cause complete inhibition for any of the isolates even at the highest concentration (5%) tested. In both cases Lecanicillium isolates displayed the lowest growth rate inhibition. Concerning the tested disinfectants, treatment with Sekusept Aktiv resulted in complete growth inhibition for all isolates in the concentration range of 1.25-5%. Terralin Protect, Disinflex and Formalin were also effective, except against the tested isolates of T. agressivum f. agressivum which proved to be the most resistant.
Effect of water deprivation for three consecutive days on the proportions of androgen receptor-immunolabeled supraoptic nucleus magnoneurons in Wistar rats
Authors: Chetoui Samir , Touati Hanane , Remana Soumia , Benhaferi Nadir , Hanniche Nadia , Talmatamar Amina , Benarab Souhila , Bougrid Abdelkader
Published: June 2023

The androgen receptor is an androgen-dependent transcription factor that belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily. When the androgen receptor is not bound to its ligand, it is mainly localized in the cytoplasm, bound to chaperone proteins, which stabilizes its inactive conformation and confers a high affinity for the ligand. The conformational change of the androgen receptor begins when the androgen molecule binds to the receptor, which subsequently homodimerizes and it is actively translocated to the nucleus. In the nucleus, the receptor homodimers bind to androgen target genes, resulting in responses such as growth and survival. In this study, we used the immunohistochemistry technique to look for the proportions of androgen receptor-immunolabeled magnoneurons categories according to the sub-cellular localization of the receptor, in the supraoptic nucleus of control (tap water + ad-libitum food) and dehydrated male rats by tap water deprivation for three consecutive days. Our results show that the proportions of androgen receptor-immunolabeled magnoneurons would depend on the hydration status of the rats (Chi-square test of independence, P < 0.001), but this dependence relationship is weak (Cramer’s v value is equal to 0.30). Indeed, based on the results of our study, we hypothesized that dehydration by water deprivation for three consecutive days in adult male rats acts mainly on both of nuclear and cytoplasmic magnoneurons categories and has very little influence on the nucleocytoplasmic magnoneurons category. The effect could be due to activation of the entry of cytoplasmic non-androgen bound androgen receptors into the nucleus, activation of degradation of nuclear non-androgen bound androgen receptors, and inhibition of the binding of androgen molecules to androgen receptors.
Prevalence of Needlestick and Sharp Injuries among Health Care Workers in Johor: The vulnerable combatants
Authors: vallasamy suriya kumareswaran , umairah muhadi siti , murali sundram bala , sathaisivam jeyanthini
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Needlestick and sharp injuries continue to occur in every phase of sharp device usage or disposal, despite World Health Organization (WHO) guidance to reduce them in healthcare settings. Each year, an estimated 32.4%–44.5% of healthcare professionals worldwide report at least one incident of accidental needle-stick or sharp injury. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with needle stick and sharp injuries (NSSI).

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of all reported incidents of needlestick injuries in the state of Johor, Malaysia from January 2019 to December 2021 was conducted. The percentage of NSSI was determined and stratified by age, gender, job title, location and site of injury, and procedure/task during which the injury occurred.

Results: There were 713 cases in reported during the studied time period. The fraction of NSSI was shown to have a significant relationship with all examined variables (P <0.001). During the three-year study period, the reported proportion of NSSI was highest among House officers (34.9 %), followed by medical officers (19.4 %), Nurses (15.8 %), and other personnel (25.8 %). Hospital wards were the most common location for injuries (48.7%). Injuries occurred most commonly while working with patients (36.5%).

Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of NSSI, it is necessary to conduct training programmes focused on new methods of safely using sharp objects, adequate education on occupational safety and standards, reinforce personnel practical skills, and pay more attention to reporting and improving occupational behaviours in order to reduce the prevalence of NSIs and, as a result, the potential risk Blood Borne Disease transmission.
Uso do Território e Valorização Financeira: O Grupo Cosan e o Setor Sucroenergético Brasileiro
Authors: Silva Laís Ribeiro , Pereira Mirlei Fachini Vicente
Published: June 2023

As mudanças estruturais ocorridas no capitalismo contemporâneo trouxeram novas condicionantes para os usos do território no Brasil. Nesse sentido, observa-se a inserção de novos agentes da esfera financeira, notadamente fundos de investimentos diversos, investidores corporativos e indivíduos de alta renda, que passam a participar, e em grande medida controlar, direta ou indiretamente, processos produtivos dos mais diferentes setores no território brasileiro. Este processo foi por nós avaliado, tomando como situação empírica o Grupo Cosan S.A., principal controlador do setor sucroenergético brasileiro (produção de cana-de-açúcar e derivados), analisada a partir de dados secundários sobre a produção agrícola e agroindustrial do referido grupo, bem como estratégias e características ligadas à financeirização da empresa (abertura de capital, comportamento dos investidores, dentre outras), a partir de informações obtidas em bancos de dados públicos e privados. A análise do uso do território pelo Grupo Cosan permite identificarmos transformações associadas a inserção do referido agente no atual contexto de financeirização da economia global e as implicações territoriais que lhe são inerentes. As estratégias de uso do território praticadas pelo Grupo Cosan, no atual contexto de acumulação financeira, foram pautadas principalmente pela necessidade de valorização financeira, o que ocorreu fundamentalmente pelo acionamento de fundos públicos e pela expansão territorial das atividades produtivas.
Regionalization and policy mobilities in comparative perspective: Composing educational assemblages in quasi-federal polities
Authors: Jules T. d. , Salajan Florin D.
Published: June 2023

We employ a policy assemblage, mobilities, and mutations framework to analyze the geographies that constitute and reflect educational policy circulation at the regional or supranational level in trans-regional regimes and/or quasi-federal polities such as the European Union (EU) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Recognizing that policies are mobile in a fragmentary fashion as they are re/dis/assembled in specific ways, places, and purposes, we move beyond methodological nationalism and pay attention to the make-up of policies as they are in motion and the places they affect. In other words, using the trans-regional and/or quasi-federal level, we juxtapose the tensions between policy as fixed, territorial, or place-specific against the dynamic, regional, and relational policy elements. Methodologically, we use a comparative federalist lens to trace and examine the distillation, translation, and mobilization of education policy across and between quasi-federal polities. In this sense, epistemologically, we further explicate the manner in which such policy instruments move across the various interconnected units and sites composing these federal-type entities, while (re)territorializing and deterritorializing what we construe as complex educational assemblages. We show that contra to the extant literature, in Europe/EU and the Caribbean/CARICOM, movement, and mobility involves the connectivity between policymaking sites, and policies arrive at their destination in the same form as they appeared elsewhere, allowing for forms of discursive isomorphism.
COVID-19 PANDEMİ DÖNEMİ, ÖNCESİ VE SONRASINDA KONTEYNER LİMANLARININ PERFORMANSLARININ COMET VE AHP YÖNTEMLERİYLE KÜRESEL ÖLÇEKTE DEĞERLENDİRMESİ
Authors: ŞİŞLİOĞLU Mucahit
Published: June 2023

Bu çalışma, Covid-19 Pandemi krizinin konteyner limanlarının performansı üzerine olan etkilerinin küresel ölçekte önceki ve sonraki dönemlere göre göreceli ölçebilmek maksadıyla hazırlanmıştır. “Characteristic Objects Method (COMET)” ve “ Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)” çoklu karar verme yöntemleri araştırmada birlikte kullanılarak varılan sonuçların doğrulaması yapılmıştır. Küresel olarak konteyner limanlarının kriz öncesi 2019 yılı ile 2020 pandemi dönemi ve 2021 pandemi sonrası çoklu performans değerlerini girdi olarak kabul eden her iki model ile her dönem için birleştirilmiş tek bir performans değeri hesaplanmıştır. Konteyner limanlarının değerlendirilmesinde kullanılan toplam 12 değişik kritere göre söz konusu yılların birleştirilmiş performans değerlerinin hesaplanmasında UNCTAD tarafından yıllık olarak yayımlanan " Review of Maritime Transport 2020, 2021 ve 2022" raporlarında yer alan “Liman Performans ve Çevre Göstergeleri” esas alınmıştır. Modelin uygulanması neticesinde pandemi öncesi döneme (2019 yılı) göre, pandemi döneminde (2020 yılı) küresel ölçekte konteyner limanlarının birleştirilmiş performansında düşüş olduğu, pandemiden sonraki 2021 yılında ise liman performanslarına artış olduğu, ancak 2019 yılı değerlerine ulaşamadığı gözlemlenmiştir. Aynı verileri kullanan ancak değişik algoritmalara haiz COMET ve AHP yöntemleriyle anılan dönemlere ilişkin benzer neticelere ulaşılması sonuçların güvenirliğini arttırmıştır. Çalışmada izlenen analitik yöntemin uygulanması neticesinde; benzer krizler süresince veya sonrasında ticari limanlara ilişkin olumlu veya olumsuz gelişmeler yıllara bağlı olarak zamanlıca izlenebilecektir.
Mental Toughness and Its Relationship with Sports Achievement Motivation Among Professional Football Players in Palestine
Authors: Hussein Raed F.
Published: June 2023

This study aims to identify mental toughness and its relationship with sports achievement motivation among professional football players in Palestine, as well as to identify the differences between the levels of mental toughness and sports achievement motivation among professional football players in Palestine attributed to the variables of club level and years of experience. To achieve this, the study was conducted on a sample of (146) professional football players in Palestine, who were selected in a randomized, stratified manner. The researcher used the descriptive approach which was appropriate for the nature of the study and its questions. He also used the Mark Atkinson (2014) scale for Mental Toughness and the Achievement Motives Scale by (Anne-Marie Elbe & Franziska Wenhold (2005). The results revealed that the total levels ofthe hope of success and fear of failure scopes among professional football players in Palestine were high. They also revealed that there was a statistically significant positive correlation at a significance level of (α ≤ 0.01) between mental toughness and sports achievement motivation among professional football players in Palestine. The results also showed a statistically significant correlation between mental toughness and the scopes of hope of success and fear of failurerelated to sports motivation achievement among players, and showed that there were no statistically significant differences at a significance level (α ≤ 0.05) between mental toughness and sports achievement motivation among professional football players in Palestine attributed to the variables of professionallevel and years of experience.
Impact of maximal exercise on immune cell mobilization and bioenergetics
Authors: Stampley James E. , Cho Eunhan , Wang Haoyan , Theall Bailey , Johannsen Neil M. , Spielmann Guillaume , Irving Brian A.
Published: June 2023

Acute aerobic exercise increases the number and proportions of circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC) and can alter PBMC mitochondrial bioenergetics. In this study, we aimed to examine the impact of a maximal exercise bout on immune cell metabolism in collegiate swimmers. Eleven (7 M/4F) collegiate swimmers completed a maximal exercise test to measure anaerobic power and capacity. Pre‐ and postexercise PBMCs were isolated to measure the immune cell phenotypes and mitochondrial bioenergetics using flow cytometry and high‐resolution respirometry. The maximal exercise bout increased circulating levels of PBMCs, particularly in central memory (KLRG1+/CD57−) and senescent (KLRG1+/CD57+) CD8+ T cells, whether measured as a % of PMBCs or as absolute concentrations (all p < 0.05). At the cellularlevel, the routine oxygen flow (IO2 [pmol·s−1·106 PBMCs−1]) increased following maximal exercise (p = 0.042); however, there were no effects of exercise on the IO2 measured under the LEAK, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), or electron transfer (ET) capacities. There were exercise‐induced increases in the tissue‐level oxygen flow (IO2‐tissue [pmol·s−1·mL blood−1]) for all respiratory states (all p < 0.01), except for the LEAK state, after accounting for the mobilization of PBMCs. Future subtype‐specific studies are needed to characterize further maximal exercise's true impact on immune cell bioenergetics.
On double phase Kirchhoff problems with singular nonlinearity
Authors: Arora Rakesh , Fiscella Alessio , Mukherjee Tuhina , Winkert Patrick
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we study multiplicity results for double phase problems of Kirchhoff type with right-hand sides that include a parametric singular term and a nonlinear term of subcritical growth. Under very general assumptions on the data, we prove the existence of at least two weak solutions that have different energy sign. Our treatment is based on the fibering method in form of the Nehari manifold. We point out that we cover both the nondegenerate as well as the degenerate Kirchhoff case in our setting.
Necessary condition for temporary asteroid capture
Authors: Bao Changchun , Li Zhijie , Wang Xianyu
Published: June 2023

Asteroid capture holds great significance in understanding the origins of asteroids, the source of life, and the exploration of planetary mineral resources. To ensure the success of a mission aimed at capturing asteroids, it is crucial to choose asteroids that can be naturally captured by Earth. This article focuses on the orbital characteristics of temporarily captured asteroids. Through a statistical simulation of asteroid motion and an analytical derivation of the Jacobian integral, the necessary conditions for the temporary capture of asteroids by Earth are calculated. The analysis results show an approximately linear relationship between the orbit elements of temporarily captured asteroids. This condition is used to screen the currently observed near-Earth asteroids and has identified asteroids such as 2006 RH120 and 2020 CD3, which have been temporarily captured by Earth. These findings provide important suggestions for future asteroid capture missions and target selection.
Supersingular elliptic curves over ℤ𝑝-extensions
Authors: Çiperiani Mirela
Published: June 2023

Let

E
/
Q

\mathrm{E}/\mathbb{Q}

be an elliptic curve and 𝑝 a prime of supersingular reduction for

E

\mathrm{E}

.
Consider a quadratic extension

L
/

Q
p

L/\mathbb{Q}_{p}

and the corresponding anticyclotomic

Z
p

\mathbb{Z}_{p}

-extension

L
∞

/
L

L_{\infty}/L

.
We analyze the structure of the points

E
⁢

(

L
∞

)

\mathrm{E}(L_{\infty})

and describe two global implications of our results.
Compositional numerical analysis of multiphase flow of crude oil in porous media under non-isothermal conditions
Authors: Devarapu Srinivasa Reddy , Dau Tapas Kumar Dora , Kudapa Vamsi Krishna , Govindarajan Suresh Kumar
Published: June 2023

The present work details the development of a compositional model to replicate the heavy hydrocarbon flow in porous reservoir systems under non-isothermal conditions. The mathematical model considers mass and energy conservation equations describing the reactive of natural variables distributed in a multiphase hydrocarbon system. Such natural variable based compositional models better suit fully implicit numerical schemes with inexpensive Jacobian matrix computations. Further, the model accommodates a switch of primary variables for the disappearance and reappearance of a phase. The resulting nonlinear conservation equations are numerically discretized using a block-centered finite-difference scheme and solved with a quasi-Newton based implicit iterative solver. The present model is validated with the thermal profiles presented in the literature for the multiphase flow during the combustion of heavy crude oil in petroleum reservoir system with performance coefficient (R
2), mean absolute error (MBE), and maximum absolute percentage error (MAPE) of about 0.954, 0.37, and 0.01 respectively. The developed compositional model projected 26 and 72 % of light and heavy oil recoveries respectively in about 160 days with a maximum or peak temperature of about 798 K. Further, the thermal and production profiles projected by the sensitivity analysis on various operating parameters are presented. It is noteworthy that the present works aid in providing an economical numerical based tool in evaluating the flow and transport during underground or in-situ combustion process for efficient energy exploration.
Control of multi-agent systems: Results, open problems, and applications
Authors: Piccoli Benedetto
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this review article is to present some recent results on the modeling and control of large systems of agents. We focus on particular applications where the agents are capable of independent actions instead of simply reacting to external forces. In the literature, such agents were referred to as autonomous, intelligent, self-propelled, greedy, and others. The main applications we have in mind are social systems (as opinion dynamics), pedestrians’ movements (also called crowd dynamics), animal groups, and vehicular traffic. We note that the last three examples include physical constraints; however, the agents are able to inject energy into the system, thus preventing the typical conservation of momentum and energy. In addition, the control problems posed by such systems are new and require innovative methods. We illustrate some ideas developed recently, including the use of sparse controls, limiting the total variation of controls, and defining new control problems for measures. After reviewing various approaches, we discuss some future research directions of potential interest. The latter encompasses both new types of equations and new types of limiting procedures to connect several scales at which a system can be represented. We conclude by illustrating a recent real-life experiment using autonomous vehicles on an open highway to smooth traffic waves. This opens the door to a new era of interventions to control real-time multi-agent systems and to increase the societal impact of such interventions guided by control research.