bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of double expression system for co-expression and co-immobilization of flavonoid glucosylation cascade
Authors: Matera Agata , Dulak Kinga , Sordon Sandra , Waśniewski Kacper , Huszcza Ewa , Popłoński Jarosław
Published: November 2022

Glucosylation cascade consisting of Leloir glycosyltransferase and sucrose synthase with in situ regeneration system of expensive and low available nucleotide sugars is a game-changing strategy for enzyme-based production of glycoconjugates of relevant natural products. We designed a stepwise approach including co-expression and one-step purification and co-immobilization on glass-based EziG resins of sucrose synthase from Glycine max (GmSuSy) with promiscuous glucosyltransferase YjiC from Bacillus licheniformis to produce efficient, robust, and versatile biocatalyst suited for preparative scale flavonoid glucosylation. The undertaken investigations identified optimal reaction conditions (30 °C, pH 7.5, and 10 mM Mg2+) and the best-suited carrier (EziG Opal). The prepared catalyst exhibited excellent reusability, retaining up to 96% of initial activity after 12 cycles of reactions. The semi-preparative glucosylation of poorly soluble isoflavone Biochanin A resulted in the production of 73 mg Sissotrin (Biochanin A 7-O-glucoside). Additionally, the evaluation of the designed double-controlled, monocistronic expression system with two independently induced promoters (rhaBAD and trc) brought beneficial information for dual-expression plasmid design.

Key points

• Simultaneous and titratable expression from two independent promoters is possible, although full control over the expression is limited.

• Designed catalyst managed to glucosylate poorly soluble isoflavone.

• The STY of Sissotrin using the designed catalyst reached 0.26 g/L∙h∙g of the resin.

Graphical Abstract
[111In]In-CP04 as a novel cholecystokinin-2 receptor ligand with theranostic potential in patients with progressive or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer: final results of a GRAN-T-MTC Phase I clinical trial
Authors: Lezaic Luka , Erba Paola Anna , Decristoforo Clemens , Zaletel Katja , Mikolajczak Renata , Maecke Helmut , Maina Theodosia , Konijnenberg Mark , Kolenc Petra , Trofimiuk-Müldner Malgorzata , Przybylik-Mazurek Elwira , Virgolini Irene , de Jong Marion , Fröberg Alide C , Rangger Christine , Di Santo Gianpaolo , Skorkiewicz Konrad , Garnuszek Piotr , Solnica Bogdan , Nock Berthold A. , Fedak Danuta , Gaweda Paulina , Hubalewska-Dydejczyk Alicja
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare malignant tumour of the parafollicular C-cells with an unpredictable clinical course and currently suboptimal diagnostic and therapeutic options, in particular in advanced disease. Overexpression of cholecystokinin-2 receptors (CCK2R) represents a promising avenue to diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy, ideally through a theranostic approach.

Materials and methods

A translational study (GRAN-T-MTC) conducted through a Phase I multicentre clinical trial of the indium-111 labelled CP04 ([111In]In-CP04), a CCK2R-seeking ligand was initiated with the goal of developing a theranostic compound. Patients with proven advanced/metastatic MTC or short calcitonin doubling time were enrolled. A two-step concept was developed through the use of low- and high-peptide mass (10 and 50 μg, respectively) for safety assessment, with the higher peptide mass considered appropriate for therapeutic application. Gelofusine was co-infused in a randomized fashion in the second step for the evaluation of potential reduction of the absorbed dose to the kidneys. Imaging for the purpose of biodistribution, dosimetry evaluation, and diagnostic assessment were performed as well as pre-, peri-, and postprocedural clinical and biochemical assessment.

Results

Sixteen patients were enrolled. No serious adverse events after application of the compound at both peptide amounts were witnessed; transient tachycardia and flushing were observed in two patients. No changes in biochemistry and clinical status were observed on follow-up. Preliminary dosimetry assessment revealed the highest dose to urinary bladder, followed by the kidneys and stomach wall. The effective dose for 200 MBq of [111In]In-CP04 was estimated at 7±3 mSv and 7±1 mSv for 10 μg and 50 μg CP04, respectively. Administration of Gelofusine reduced the dose to the kidneys by 53%, resulting in the organ absorbed dose of 0.044±0.019 mSv/MBq. Projected absorbed dose to the kidneys with the use of [177Lu]Lu-CP04 was estimated at 0.9±0.4 Gy/7.4 GBq. [111In]In-CP04 scintigraphy was positive in 13 patients (detection rate of 81%) with superior diagnostic performance over conventional imaging.

Conclusion

In the present study, [111In]In-CP04 was shown to be a safe and effective radiopharmaceutical with promising theranostic characteristics for patients with advanced MTC.
Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Systemic Inflammation and Postoperative Complications in Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Double‐blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chen Yan‐Xin , Du Lin , Wang Li‐Nan , Shi Yong‐Yong , Liao Min , Zhong Min , Zhao Gao‐Feng
Published: November 2022

Background

Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) may induce intense inflammatory response which might be related to the patient's outcomes. Clinical dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been widely used for opioid‐sparing anesthesia and satisfactory sedation. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of DEX on inflammatory response and postoperative complications in LPD.

Methods

Ninety‐nine patients undergoing LPD were randomly assigned to two groups: normal saline (NS) and DEX. The primary outcome was the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) differences postoperatively within 48 h. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, the length of postoperative hospital stay and the incidence of ICU admission. Other outcomes included anesthetics consumption and intraoperative vital signs.

Results

NLR at postoperative day 2 to baseline ratio decreased significantly in the DEX group (P = 0.032). Less major complications were observed in the DEX group such as pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying and intra‐abdominal infection (NS vs. DEX, 21.7% vs. 13.6%, P = 0.315; 10.9% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.226; 17.4% vs. 11.4%, P = 0.416, respectively) though there were no statistical differences. Three patients were transferred to the ICU after surgery in the NS group, while there was none in the DEX group (P = 0.242). The median postoperative hospital stay between groups were similar (P = 0.313). Both intraoperative propofol and opioids were less in the DEX group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Intraoperative DEX reduced the early postoperative inflammatory response in LPD. It also reduced the use of narcotics that may related to reduced major complications, which need additional research further.
Identification of fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a radiomic study on cardiac magnetic resonance cine imaging
Authors: Pu Cailing , Hu Xi , Lv Sangying , Wu Yan , Yu Feidan , Zhu Wenchao , Zhang Lingjie , Fei Jingle , He Chengbin , Ling Xiaoli , Wang Fuyan , Hu Hongjie
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) often requires repeated enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to detect fibrosis. We aimed to develop a practical model based on cine imaging to help identify patients with high risk of fibrosis and screen out patients without fibrosis to avoid unnecessary injection of contrast.

Methods

A total of 273 patients with HCM were divided into training and test sets at a ratio of 7:3. Logistic regression analysis was used to find predictive image features to construct CMR model. Radiomic features were derived from the maximal wall thickness (MWT) slice and entire left ventricular (LV) myocardium. Extreme gradient boosting was used to build radiomic models. Integrated models were established by fusing image features and radiomic models. The model performance was validated in the test set and assessed by ROC and calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

We established five prediction models, including CMR, R1 (based on the MWT slice), R2 (based on the entire LV myocardium), and two integrated models (ICMR+R1 and ICMR+R2). In the test set, ICMR+R2 model had an excellent AUC value (0.898), diagnostic accuracy (89.02%), sensitivity (92.54%), and F1 score (93.23%) in identifying patients with positive late gadolinium enhancement. The calibration plots and DCA indicated that ICMR+R2 model was well-calibrated and presented a better net benefit than other models.

Conclusions

A predictive model that fused image and radiomic features from the entire LV myocardium had good diagnostic performance, robustness, and clinical utility.

Key Points

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is prone to fibrosis, requiring patients to undergo repeated enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to detect fibrosis over their lifetime follow-up.

• A predictive model based on the entire left ventricular myocardium outperformed a model based on a slice of the maximal wall thickness.

• A predictive model that fused image and radiomic features from the entire left ventricular myocardium had excellent diagnostic performance, robustness, and clinical utility.
A method to quantify the supersonic discharge of airbag cold gas inflators
Authors: Schnorr Eduard , Scholz Peter , Radespiel Rolf
Published: November 2022

We discuss a method to quantify the supersonic discharge of airbag cold gas inflators. Since one primary quantity of interest, the mass flow with time, is not directly measurable, a combined experimental and numerical approach was chosen. Shadowgraph and schlieren images visualize the gas dynamic process. Pressure measurements were conducted inside the inflator and downstream of the outlets in the supersonic jet. In this context, a method to measure the pressure of the flow without effects of shock reflection is presented. The temperature inside the inflator was estimated using a fast response heat flux probe and assuming different scenarios for the unknown heat transfer coefficient. Then, a numerical model of the inflator was created. The experimental results served as boundary conditions and some basic sensitivities remaining unknown from the measurements were studied to verify the numerical outcome. The numerical model was verified using experimental results. Finally, the mass flow rate was derived from the numerical model and compared to an analytical model. The method can reconstruct the temporal evolution of the mass flow discharging from the inflator, the pressure and the topology of the flow field within acceptable bounds. Furthermore, the method can deliver inflow data for subsequent airbag inflation studies.

Graphical abstract
Vitamin D genetic risk scores in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kuri Ashvin , Vickaryous Nicola , Awad Amine , Jacobs Benjamin Meir , Dobson Ruth
Published: November 2022

Background

Low serum 25(OH)D3(vD) is an environmental risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). Lower vD levels during early disease may be associated with long-term disability. Determinants of serum vD levels in healthy individuals include supplementation behaviour and genetic factors. These determinants have been less well studied in people with MS (pwMS).

Methods

We developed a vD-weighted genetic risk score (GRS) and validated this in 373,357 UK Biobank participants without MS. We measured serum 25(OH)D3and genotyped six vD-associated SNPs (rs12785878, rs10741657, rs17216707, rs10745742, rs8018720, rs2282679) in a cohort of pwMS (n = 315) with age and geographically matched controls (n = 232). We then assessed predictors of serum vD concentration in this cohort.

Results

The GRS was strongly associated with vD status in the Biobank cohort (p < 2 × 10–16). vD supplementation, having MS, lower BMI, increased age and supplementation dose were associated with higher vD levels (false discovery rate, FDR < 5%). In multivariable models adjusting for supplementation, BMI, age, sex, and MS status, the GRS was strongly associated with vD level (p = 0.004), but not in those who supplemented (p = 0.47).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that vD supplementation is the major determinant of vD level in pwMS, with genetic determinants playing a far smaller role.
Exercise capacity in a cohort of children with congenital heart disease
Authors: van Genuchten Wouter J. , Helbing Willem A. , Ten Harkel Arend D. J. , Fejzic Zina , MD Irene M. Kuipers , Slieker Martijn G. , van der Ven Jelle P. G. , Boersma Eric , Takken Tim , Bartelds Beatrijs
Published: November 2022

In patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), reduced exercise capacity can be a predictor for late complications and may be used to guide interventions. Yet, the interpretation of exercise capacity is challenged by changes in body composition during growth. Our aim was to create an overview of disease-specific exercise capacity in children with CHD. We performed a multicentre retrospective study of exercise capacity of CHD patients, aged 6–18 years, tested between January 2001 and October 2018. Sex-specific distribution graphs were made using the LMS method and height to relate to body size. We included all CHD with N > 50, including severe defects (e.g., univentricular heart, tetralogy of Fallot) and “simple” lesions as ventricular septum defect and atrial septum defect. We included 1383 tests of 1208 individual patients for analysis. The peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak, 37.3 ml/min/kg (25th–75th percentile 31.3–43.8)) varied between specific defects; patients with univentricular hearts had lower VO2peak compared with other CHD. All groups had lower VO2peak compared to healthy Dutch children. Males had higher VO2peak, Wpeak and O2pulsepeak than females. Sex- and disease-specific distribution graphs for VO2peak, Wpeak and O2pulsepeak showed increase in variation with increase in height. 

  Conclusion: Disease-specific distribution graphs for exercise capacity in children with CHD from a large multicentre cohort demonstrated varying degrees of reduced VO2peak and Wpeak. The distribution graphs can be used in the structured follow-up of patients with CHD to predict outcome and identify patients at risk.

What is Known:• Children with congenital heart disease (COnHD) are at risk to develop heart failure, arrhytmia’s and other complications. Exercise capacity may be an important predictor for outcome in children with ConHD. In children, the interpretation of exercise capacity poses an additional challenge related to physical changes during growth.

What is New:• In this report of a multi-center cohort >1300 childrewn with ConHD, we related the changes in exercise capacity to length. We demonstrated that exercise capacity was reduced as compared with healthy children and we observed variation between disease groups. Patients with a univentricular circulation (Fontan) had worse exercise capacity. We constructed disease specific charts of development of exercise capacity throughout childhood, accessible via a web-site. These graphs may help practitioner to guide children with ConHD.
A prognostic systemic inflammation score (SIS) in patients with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Maßmann M. , Treckmann J. , Markus P. , Schumacher B. , Albers D. , Ting S. , Mende B. , Roehrle J. , Virchow I. , Rosery V. , Laue K. , Zaun G. , Kostbade K. , Pogorzelski M. , Schmid K. W. , Baba H. , Siveke J. T. , Paul A. , Schildhaus H. U. , Schuler M. , Wiesweg M. , Kasper S.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Systemic-inflammatory response parameters (SIR) are known prognostic markers in different tumour entities, but have not been evaluated in patients with iCCA treated with systemic chemotherapy. Therefore, we evaluated the impact of different SIR markers on the clinical course of patients with advanced iCCA treated at our center.

Methods

SIR markers were retrospectively evaluated in 219 patients with iCCA at the West-German-Cancer-Center Essen from 2014 to 2019. Markers included neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), CRP, and the modified Glasgow-Prognostic-Score (mGPS), which were correlated with clinico-pathological findings, response to chemotherapy (ORR), progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using Kaplan–Meier analyses, and Cox proportional models.

Results

Median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 14.8 months (95% CI 11.2–24.4). Median disease-free survival (DFS) in 81 patients undergoing resection was 12.3 months (95% CI 9.7–23.1). The median OS from start of palliative CTX (OSpall) was 10.9 months (95% 9.4–14.6). A combined Systemic Inflammatory Score (SIS) comprising all evaluated SIR markers correlated significantly with ORR, PFS, and OSpall. Patients with a high SIS (≥ 2) vs. SIS 0 had a significantly inferior OSpall (HR 8.7 95% CI 3.71–20.38, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis including known prognostic markers (ECOG, CA19-9, LDH, and N- and M-status) identified the SIS as an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusions

Inflammatory markers associate with inferior survival outcomes in patients with iCCA. A simple SIS may guide treatment decisions in patients treated with systemic chemotherapy.
Supportive therapies in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia and appropriate use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors: a Delphi consensus statement
Authors: Adamo Vincenzo , Antonuzzo Lorenzo , Danova Marco , De Laurentiis Michelino , Marchetti Paolo , Pinto Carmine , Rosti Giovanni
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Data indicate that the use of prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) for chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) in routine practice is not consistent with guideline recommendations. The initiative “supportive care for febrile neutropenia prevention and appropriateness of G-CFS use” was undertaken to address the issue of inappropriate prescription of G-CSFs and to improve guideline adherence in the treatment of FN.

Methods

In a two-round Delphi procedure, 36 medical oncologists reviewed clinically relevant recommendations on risk assessment, the appropriate use of G-CSFs, and the prevention of FN based on available literature and individual clinical expertise.

Results

The consensus was reached on 16 out of 38 recommendations, which are backed by evidence from randomised clinical trials and routine clinical practice. The medical oncologists agreed that the severity of neutropenia depends on patients’ characteristics and chemotherapy intensity, and therefore, the risk of severe neutropenia or FN should be assessed at each chemotherapy cycle so as to initiate prophylaxis with G-CSFs if required. The use of biosimilar G-CSFs, with similar efficacy and safety profiles to the originator biologic, has improved the availability and sustainability of cancer care. The timing of supportive therapy is crucial; for example, long-acting G-CSF should be administered 24–72 h after chemotherapy administration. Each biological agent has a recommended administration dose and duration, and it is important to follow these recommendations to avoid complications associated with under-prophylaxis.

Conclusion

It is hoped that these statements will help to increase adherence to guideline recommendations for appropriate G-CSF use and improve patient care.
Harmonic maps from surfaces of arbitrary genus into spheres
Authors: Assimos Renan , Jost Jürgen
Published: November 2022

We relate the existence problem of harmonic maps into $$S^2$$

S
2

to the convex geometry of $$S^2$$

S
2

. On one hand, this allows us to construct new examples of harmonic maps of degree 0 from compact surfaces of arbitrary genus into $$S^2$$

S
2

. On the other hand, we produce new examples of regions that do not contain closed geodesics (that is, harmonic maps from $$S^1$$

S
1

) but do contain images of harmonic maps from other domains. These regions can therefore not support a strictly convex functions. Our construction uses M. Struwe’s heat flow approach for the existence of harmonic maps from surfaces.
Influence of the indirect assimilation of radar reflectivity data using the ensemble Kalman filter on the simulation of a warm-sector squall line
Authors: Qiu Xuexing , Liu Chun , He Zhixin , Zheng Linlin
Published: November 2022

Radar data assimilation is an important method to improve the performance of numerical models in severe convective weather. In this study, the statistical relationships between the radar reflectivity intensity and the latent heat release intensity and humidity are calculated based on Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model forecast results. Then, they are used to convert the radar reflectivity observation data into the virtual observation of the temperature and humidity. Finally, these data are continuously assimilated to the initial field of the WRF model using the ensemble Kalman filter to simulate a warm-sector squall line process. The results show that the temperature and humidity in the strong radar echo area are adjusted after the radar reflectivity data are assimilated, and new convective echoes can be excited quickly in a short time. The indirect assimilation of the radar reflectivity data can effectively improve the forecast skills of both the warm-sector squall line and the influence time of the squall line. After the assimilation, the forecast results of the influence time of the squall line on the downstream regions are basically consistent with the observations. At the same time, the forecast skills of the squall line intensity and the surface gust intensity are improved. The forecast results of the experiments with different influence radii are all better than those without radar reflectivity assimilation. When the influence radius is smaller, the improvement lasts longer. When the influence radius is larger, the improvement is more significant in the now-casting period with a shorter duration. The simulation skill of this squall line is high with an influence radius of 25 km. In addition, the assimilation of the virtual observation of both the temperature and humidity can improve the forecast skill of the squall line, especially the virtual observation with the assimilation of the humidity.
Birth of a wild black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) at an anthropogenic site
Authors: Cárdenas-Navarrete Anaid , Van Belle Sarie
Published: November 2022

We present the first description of a diurnal live birth of a wild black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra). The mother formed part of a group of five individuals inhabiting an anthropogenic setting in the tropical lowlands of southeast Mexico. A total of 7 h and 50 min passed from the rupture of the amniotic sac early in the day to the crowning of the infant from the birth canal. The delivery of the infant lasted ~ 3 min. We describe the event while referencing images and time points in a supplementary video recording. We place our findings in the context of the available reports of live births in the Alouatta genus, time of day, birth duration, and group activity budget on the day of the birth. While primates tend to give birth at night to reduce complications from group interactions, the observed birth took place during the day, which may have been possible due to an alteration in group time allocation. Our report provides in-depth details of the events of a birth and important information regarding the natural history of the black howler monkey.
NCX2 Regulates Intracellular Calcium Homeostasis and Translocation of HIF-1α into the Nucleus to Inhibit Glioma Invasion
Authors: Liu Hongyuan , Yu Ju , Yang Liling , He Pengcheng , Li Zongping
Published: November 2022

Glioma is the most common tumor of the central nervous system, and its poor prognosis can be linked to hypoxia and gene inactivation. Na+/Ca2+exchanger 2 (NCX2) is expressed only in the normal brain and not in other tissues or glioma. We constructed a hypoxic microenvironment to more accurately understand the effect of NCX2 in glioma. Our previous experiments confirmed that NCX2 inhibited the growth of U87 cells in nude mice, indicating that NCX2 is a potential tumor suppressor gene. Malignant tumor cells are often exposed to an anoxic environment. To more accurately understand the effect of NCX2 in glioma, we constructed a hypoxic microenvironment. To detect the localization of NCX2 in transfected U87 cells, immunofluorescence was used. We tested the function of NCX2 in glioma, i.e., how it contributes to the cytosolic Ca2+homeostasis by X-Rhod-1. We tested the cell proliferation of NCX2 in glioma in hypoxic using Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8). Cell migration and invasion were evaluated in 24-well transwell matrigel-coated or non-matrigel-coated in hypoxia. NCX2 promoted the proliferation of U87 cells in the hypoxic microenvironment. It inhibited the invasion and migration abilities of U87 cells. We demonstrated that NCX2 was located on the cell membrane and that it reduced intracellular Ca2+levels and reactivated P53 and PTEN. We further demonstrated that NCX2 impaired cell invasion through the HIF-1α pathway in glioma. The results indicated that NCX2 plays a key role in glioma formation and tumor invasion functionality.
Temporal trends of mercury levels in fish (dab, Limanda limanda) and sediment from the German Bight (North Sea) in the period 1995–2020
Authors: Kammann Ulrike , Nogueira Pedro , Siegmund Maike , Schmidt Nicole , Schmolke Stefan , Kirchgeorg Torben , Hasenbein Matthias , Wysujack Klaus
Published: November 2022

As a toxic and harmful global pollutant, mercury (Hg) enters the marine environment through natural sources, and human activities. It bioaccumulates through the food chain and therefore, Hg is of great importance for environmental monitoring. This study aims to answer the question if Hg contamination in fish and sediment from the German Bight follows temporal trends. Therefore, 496 individual female dab (Limanda limanda) were analyzed. The Hg concentrations in the muscle of dab from the German Bight showed significant increase in function of time with an annual percental change of 1.4%, leading to a 41% increase in Hg contamination level within 25 years of monitoring. At the same time, Hg concentrations in sediment—analyzed in 86 samples—significantly decreased in the nearby North Sea environment. This surprising contradiction is shown in the present study and possible causes are discussed. It could be clearly shown that contamination in sediment and biota can follow completely different time courses and therefore, different environmental matrices should be considered in future monitoring studies. Age of the fish turned out to be a biological factor of particular importance for temporal trend analysis.
Berth planning and real-time disruption recovery: a simulation study for a tidal port
Authors: van der Steeg Jaap-Jan , Oudshoorn Menno , Yorke-Smith Neil
Published: November 2022

With the increasing volume of container freight transport, future port planning is crucial. Simulation models provide a means to gain insight in the effects of terminal expansions. Detailed simulations incorporate berth allocation: assigning vessels a time and location at the quay wall, where the vessel is loaded and unloaded. This article develops decision models for both offline preliminary berth planning and for online recovery of this plan during simulation. First, we develop an optimisation-based approach that incorporates realistic aspects—cyclic vessel arrivals, tidal windows, and minimisation of vessel draught during low water periods—in order to develop a cyclic baseline berth allocation plan. The approach can proactively incorporate slack for increased robustness. Exploiting a constraint-based solver, we can obtain optimal or satisficing solutions for a year’s operation of a large port. The resulting preliminary berth plan is used as a basis for the arrival times. However, disruptions can occur, such as vessel arrival and loading times varying from the planned. Hence, second, we develop a real-time disruption management decision model. This multi-level heuristic approach reacts to disruptions while minimising perturbation of the original berth plan. Computational experiments with a high-resolution simulator show our recovery approach finds good solutions until a tipping point of disturbance. Results also show that when the expected occupation of a terminal is higher, strengthening robustness of the preliminary plan has increased importance. The approach described in the article is implemented for a major European inland tidal port, forming the basis of a simulation-based decision support tool for operational planning and exploring port expansion options.
The effects of jobs, amenities, and locations on housing submarkets in Xiamen City, China
Authors: Li Yongling , Lin Yanliu , Wang Jiaoe , Geertman Stan , Hooimeijer Pieter
Published: November 2022

Numerous studies have found that jobs, amenities, and location influence housing prices in urban areas. However, there is still a lack of in-depth understanding of the impacts of these factors on various housing submarkets within a city. With the case study of Xiamen, this paper investigates the impacts of jobs, amenities, and location on four housing submarkets, classified by owner-occupied and rental housing, in inner and outer districts. The hedonic model, Chow test, and Tiao-Goldberger test are applied to analyze differentiation in the determinants of housing prices between four submarkets. The results show that all submarkets are influenced by blue-collar jobs (which have negative effects) and seascape (which has a positive impact). Besides, differentiated after submarkets show that school districts and public transportation have a greater influence on owner-occupied markets than on rental markets. A heterogeneity exists between inner-district and outer-district markets. For instance, bus rapid transit (BRT) has a positive effect on housing and rental prices in the outer districts but not in the inner districts. These differences are mainly caused by the disparities of spatial quality, economic development, and public facilities and amenities. The findings have profound implications for decision-making and planning practices.
Not in their hands only: hospital hygiene, evidence and collective moral responsibility
Authors: Jukola Saana , Gadebusch Bondio Mariacarla
Published: November 2022

Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are a major threat to patient safety. This paper addresses the following question: given what is known about the causes of and possible interventions on HAIs, to whom or what should the moral responsibility for preventing these infections be attributed? First, we show how generating robust evidence on the effectiveness of preventive hygiene measures is a complex endeavour and review the existing evidence on the causes of HAIs. Second, we demonstrate that the existing literature on the ethical aspects of infection control has focused on responsibility at the individual-level. Thirdly, we argue that these accounts do not accommodate systemic factors relevant for HAI prevention. We show that the notion of collective responsibility is useful for making understandable how systemic factors, such as employment conditions in hospitals, are both causally and ethically relevant in infection control.
Piezoelectric Condylectomy Through Transoral Endoscopic Approach: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Orabona Giovanni Dell’Aversana , Abbate Vincenzo , Maffia Francesco , Romano Antonio , Bonavolontà Paola , Valletta Alessandra , Iaconetta Giorgio , Califano Luigi
Published: November 2022

Surgical approaches in the treatment of TMJ pathologies are a much-debated topic in literature. We propose a new surgical approach performed by intraoral access and completed by endoscopic magnification and long-tip piezosurgery assistance. A piezosurgery (Piezosurgery Plus, Mectron s.p.a. 2014) with a long angled tip (MT5-10 L) was used to perform an endoscopically assisted condylectomy.
Potential application of spent mushroom compost (SMC) biochar as low-cost filtration media in heavy metal removal from abandoned mining water: a review
Authors: Madzin Z. , Zahidi I. , Raghunandan M. E. , Talei A.
Published: November 2022

Overpopulation and rapid development have put an increasing burden on the environment, leading to various water crisis. Importing water from abandoned mines as an alternative raw water source could be the next answer to alleviate water scarcity problems globally. However, due to its high heavy metals content, there is a need to find an economical and effective method to remove heavy metals before reusing it as potable water source. Biochar, a low-cost and carbon-rich biosorbent, has received increasing attention on its application as a remediating agent to remove heavy metals from water. Previous studies have revealed the potential properties of biochar as a heavy metal removal agent including high cation exchange capacity, high surface area, active surface functional groups, as well as efficient adsorption. Apparently, the most important factor influencing the sorption mechanism is the type of feedstock materials. Spent mushroom compost (SMC), a waste product from mushroom cultivation, has been found as an excellent biosorbent. SMC has received global attention as it is low cost and eco-friendly. It also has been proved as an efficient heavy metals remover from water. Nevertheless, its application as biochar is still scarce. Therefore, this review focuses on the potential of transforming SMC into modified biochar to remove heavy metals, especially from abandoned mining water. The present review emphasizes the current trends in adsorption methods for heavy metal removal from water, assembles data from previous studies on the feedstock of biosorbents to biochars, and discusses the potentials of SMC as a biochar for water treatment.
Relationship Between Hardiness and the Learning Adaptation of Chinese College Students: The Mediating Role of Teacher Support and the Moderating Role of an Only-Child Status
Authors: Li Jun , Huang Jian-Hao , Chen Jian-Yong
Published: November 2022

According to the Social Cognitive Theory and the perspectives of parental differential treatment, the current research proposed and verified a moderated mediation model to explore the mediating role of teacher support and the moderating role of only-child (OC) /non-only-child (NOC) status in the relationship between hardiness and college student learning adaptation. A questionnaire survey of 1138 Chinese college students was conducted using the hardiness scale, the learning adaptation scale, and the student perception of teacher supportive behavior questionnaire. The results revealed a significant positive effect of hardiness on college student learning adaptation. The mediation model analysis showed that teacher support had a complementary partial mediating role in the relationship between hardiness and college students’ learning adaptation. Furthermore, the moderated mediation model analysis suggested that OC/NOC status moderated the second half of this mediating relationship and indicated that teacher support had a stronger effect on the learning adaptation of college students with OC status than NOC status. The research results not only enrich our understanding of the internal influence mechanism of the relationship between hardiness and college students’ learning adaptation, but also broaden the research on the identity difference between OC/NOC status. Practical discussions and suggestions are proposed based on the results.
AGDS: adaptive goal-directed strategy for swarm drones flying through unknown environments
Authors: Wang Fakui , Huang Jialei , Low Kin Huat , Nie Zisen , Hu Tianjiang
Published: November 2022

This paper aims to address a challenging problem of a drone swarm for a specific mission by reaching a desired region, through an unknown environment. A bio-inspired flocking algorithm with adaptive goal-directed strategy (AGDS) is proposed and developed for the drones swarmed across unknown environments. Each drone employs a biological visual mechanism to sense obstacles in within local perceptible scopes. Task information of the destination is only given to a few specified drones (named as informed agents), rather than to all other individual drones (uninformed agents). With the proposed flocking swarm, the informed agents operate collectively with the remaining uninformed agents to achieve a common and overall mission. By virtue of numerical simulation, the AGDS and non-adaptive goal-directed strategy (non-AGDS) are both presented and evaluated. Experiments by flying six DJI Tello quadrotors indoor are conducted to validate the developed flocking algorithm. Additional validations within canyon-like complicated scenarios have also been carried out. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed swarm flocking algorithm with AGDS.
Influence of sample preparation method on static liquefaction behaviour of geotextile reinforced sandy soil
Authors: Denine Sidali , Della Noureddine , Benziane Mehdi Missoum , Feia Sadok
Published: November 2022

This paper aims to evaluate the influence of soil deposition methods on the shear strength of reinforced sand using a triaxial test. Non-woven geotextile layers were used as reinforcement in the experiment to reconstitute specimens of natural sand prepared at loose relative density (Dr = 30%). Arrangements of reinforcement layers (0, 1 and 2 layers) on soil samples were prepared using two different deposition methods [dry funnel pluviation (DFP) and wet deposition (WD)] and consolidated under three levels of confining pressures. Result shows that geotextile inclusion improves the mechanical behavior of sand; a significant increase in the shear strength is obtained by adding up layers of reinforcement. However, it reveals also that the soil-geotextile reinforcement interface efficiency is directly related to the number of layers and the soil dispositional method as well as their initial state. Since, the DFP method exhibits samples strain hardening compared to the WD samples which is very sensitive to static liquefaction. It is important to note that the difference in behavior of test on reinforced WD samples was attributed to the strain at failure, where unreinforced soil tested at ($${\text{p}}_{{\text{c}}}^{{\prime }} = {50}\,{\text{kPa}}$$

p

c

′

=
50

kPa

) has attained complete liquefaction at small stain (εfa = 1.6% for sample tested at 50 kPa of confining pressure) compared to reinforced samples tests in which failure envelope be found for more axial strain.
Impact of “sachet water” microplastic on agricultural soil physicochemistry, antibiotics resistance, bacteria diversity and function
Authors: Edet Uwem Okon , Joseph Akaninyene Paul , Nwaokorie Francisca O. , Okoroiwu Henshaw Uchechi , Udofia Udeme Uyom , Ibor Oju R. , Bassey Ini Ubi , Atim Asitok David , Edet Bassey Okon , Bassey Dokwo Edet , Nkang Ani
Published: November 2022

Nigeria's most consumed potable water plastic wastes are indiscriminately dumped into agricultural soil despite their ability to become microplastics. The study evaluates the potential impacts of these microplastics on soil physico-chemical parameters, soil bacterial diversity and functions as well as antibiotic resistance. Soil sample was collected using a sterile hand-held auger and its physico-chemical parameters evaluated. Baseline microplastic concentration was determined via the flotation method while microbial isolates were obtained from the test (enriched with microplastics) and control samples using cultural technique and metagenomics. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was done using the Illumina Miseq platform. The cluster of orthologous genes (COG) tool was used in the prediction of bacterial functional roles. Replicate readings were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means compared using the student’s t test. Observed baseline microplastic concentration was 0.08 particles/g of soil. The addition of the microplastics to the soil sample decreased the concentrations of some metals (iron, zinc, lead and nickel) while cobalt concentration, pH level and microbial counts increased. Microbial count and pH clustered together while iron, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite, chromium, cobalt, total organic carbon, zinc, lead, and nickel showed positive loading values suggesting that the addition of microplastics could alter them. Dominant taxa were proteobacteria, unknown, firmicutes at the phyla level. At the level of species, Pseudomonas species dominated microplastics incubated soil while potential pathogenic species such as Klebsiella dominated the control sample. A higher level of multi-drug resistance and altered metabolisms was observed in the test sample. Sachet water microplastics could have serious implications for public health and food security.
Weak Scale Supersymmetry
Authors: Baer Howard , Tata Xerxes
Published: November 2022

Supersymmetric models of particle physics predict new superpartner matter states for each particle in the Standard Model. These superpartners will have wide ranging implications, from cosmology to observations at high energy accelerators, such as CERN's LHC. In this 2006 text, the authors develop the basic concepts of supersymmetry and show how it can be incorporated into a theoretical framework for describing unified theories of elementary particles. They develop the technical tools of supersymmetry using four-component spinor notation familiar to high energy experimentalists and phenomenologists. The text takes the reader from an abstract formalism to a straightforward recipe for writing supersymmetric gauge theories of particle physics, and ultimately to the calculations necessary for practical applications at colliders and in cosmology. This is a comprehensive, practical and accessible introduction to supersymmetry for experimental and phenomenological particle physicists and graduate students. It has been reissued as an Open Access publication on Cambridge Core.
Quantum Chromodynamics and the Pomeron
Authors: Forshaw J. R. , Ross D. A.
Published: November 2022

This volume describes the Pomeron, an object of crucial importance in very high energy particle physics. Starting with a general description of the Pomeron within the framework of Regge theory, the emergence of the Pomeron within scalar field theory is discussed, providing a natural foundation on which to develop the more realistic case of QCD. The reggeization of the gluon is demonstrated and used to build the Pomeron of perturbative QCD. The dynamical nature of the Pomeron and its role in small-x deep inelastic scattering and in diffractive scattering is also examined in detail. The volume concludes with a study of the colour dipole approach to high energy scattering and the explicit role of unitarity corrections. This book will be of interest to theoretical and experimental particle physicists, and applied mathematicians. First published in 1997, this title has been reissued as an Open Access publication on Cambridge Core.
Quarks, Gluons and Lattices
Authors: Creutz Michael
Published: November 2022

This book introduces the lattice approach to quantum field theory. The spectacular successes of this technique include compelling evidence that exchange of gauge gluons can confine the quarks within subnuclear matter. The lattice framework enables novel schemes for quantitative calculation and has caused considerable cross-disciplinary activity between elementary particle and solid state physicists. The treatment begins with the lattice definition of a path integral and ends on Monte Carlo simulation methods. Other topics include invariant group integration, duality, mean field theory and renormalization group techniques. The reader is assumed to have a basic background in relativistic quantum mechanics and some exposure to gauge theories.
Rethinking Committee Work in the Research Enterprise: The Case of Regenerative Gatekeeping
Authors: Lewis Jonathan C. , Alemán‐Díaz Aixa , Behl Mona , Kolesar Sarah , White Lisa , Jones Brandon , Garza Corey , Cooper Sharon
Published: November 2022

Committees touch nearly every facet in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research enterprise. However, the role of gatekeeping through committee work has received little attention in Earth and space sciences. We propose a novel concept called, “regenerative gatekeeping” to challenge institutional inertia, cultivate belonging, accessibility, justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in committee work. Three examples, a hiring committee process, a seminar series innovation, and an awards committee, highlight the need to self‐assess policies and practices, ask critical questions and engage in generative conflict. Rethinking committee work can activate distributed mechanisms needed to promote change.
Land Subsidence Hazard and Building Collapse Risk in the Coastal City of Lagos, West Africa
Authors: Ohenhen L. O. , Shirzaei M.
Published: November 2022

Every year incidents of building collapse claim many lives and cause enormous financial losses around the world, which are often blamed on low‐quality materials, non‐compliance with standards, lack of oversight, and failure to enforce building codes. Here, we highlight the role of land subsidence in triggering unprecedented collapses in the city of Lagos, Nigeria, which has reported over 200 casualties during 152 building failures since 2005. We used acquisitions from radar satellites for 2018–2021 and provided data that link subsidence to foundation damage and high building failure risk in the region. We estimate that an area of 5–81 km2 and 255–4,000 buildings are exposed to a high to very high risk of collapse for short‐term (10 years) to long‐term (75 years) periods. Differential land subsidence can trigger building collapse, and the data presented here will enable authorities to create adequate building codes and standards and devise mitigation strategies.
Looking to the Sky for Better Tsunami Warnings
Authors: Han Shin-Chan , McClusky Simon , Mikesell T. , Tregoning Paul , Sauber Jeanne
Published: November 2022

Pairing navigation satellites and CubeSats could provide earlier, more accurate warnings of approaching tsunamis and other impacts of extreme events.