bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration and biopsy for malignant pulmonary lesions
Authors: Rai Santosh , BS Vinay , Acharya Vishak , Kini Jyoti R , Kamath M Madhav , Achappa Basavaprabhu , Mendonca Jane
Published: April 2022

Background:

CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core biopsy (CB) are commonly used to characterise lung lesions. There is conflicting information on which method is superior and wide variation in reported complication rates. Our objectives were to establish the efficacy and safety of percutaneous CT-guided FNA and CB in the diagnosis of malignant lung lesions.

Methods:

This retrospective study included patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous FNA and/or CB for lung parenchymal lesions at Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, from January 2013 to December 2020. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Efficacy was determined by the adequacy of samples, sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy. Safety was assessed using the incidence of complications.

Results:

A total of 326 patients underwent both FNA and CB, and 49 underwent FNA alone. Adequate samples were obtained in 82.9% of FNA cases and 95.7% of CB cases. Considering biopsy as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of FNA for malignancy were 95.19%, 80% and 91.27%, respectively. Kappa agreement between the two methods was substantial (0.767). Pneumothorax was the only complication observed, and was seen in 31 patients (8.2%), of which only one required chest tube drainage. The incidence of pneumothorax was significantly higher in patients with pre-existing lung disease such as COPD/emphysema (p value 0.000), patients with smaller lesions (p = 0.009), and deeper lesions from the pleura (p <0.0001).

Conclusions:

FNA and CB are both safe and effective procedures. In the absence of an onsite cytopathologist, we recommend a combination of both techniques.
The effect of exercise interventions on inflammatory markers in major depressive disorder: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Grunberg Diana , Martin Jason A. , Cryan John F. , O’Halloran Ken D. , Kelleher Eric , Dinan Timothy G. , Clarke Gerard
Published: April 2022

Background: Depression currently affects 4.4% of the global population, and 93.7% of this population suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD) according to 2017 statistics. MDD patients are more likely to suffer from co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease and high body mass index (BMI), thus contributing to its large cost to society. Throughout the literature, there are known links between inflammation and MDD. Interestingly, while exercise is considered a promising intervention for MDD, the mechanism(s) of action remain unclear, thereby preventing the creation of optimal, cost-saving, exercise “prescriptions” for those with MDD. Thus, the aim of this review and meta-analysis is to summarize and analyse the current literature exploring how quantified exercise interventions modulate inflammatory molecules in MDD patients.

Methods: Electronic databases (APA PsycINFO, and PubMed/MEDLINE (EBSCO interface), EMBASE) will be searched using a detailed search strategy comprised of three search term themes: exercise, depression/MDD, and inflammation/inflammatory molecules. Only quantified exercise interventions performed in adult humans with MDD validated via a recognized diagnostic criterion will be included. Studies should also include a MDD control group and explore changes in inflammatory molecules. Examples of these molecules include:include C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), homocysteine, d-dimer and myeloperoxidase (MPO). After eligible studies are identified, standardized data extraction will be employed and the risk of bias in each study will be appraised using the Cochrane handbook checklists. In the event of two or more homogenous studies exploring exercise effects over a similar period of time, raw mean differences or standardized mean differences will be pooled using random effects analysis. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Dissemination: This systematic review and meta-analysis will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals.

PROSPERO registration: CRD42020186006 (31/08/2020)
Supporting sustainable long-term residential care in Ireland: a study protocol for the Sustainable Residential Care (SRC) project
Authors: Walsh Brendan , Connolly Sheelah , Wren Maev-Ann , Hill Leonie
Published: April 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought to the fore deficiencies in the long-term residential care (LTRC) sector, including issues of governance, funding and staffing. Many of these issues pre-dated the pandemic and have contributed to concerns around the sustainability of the current model of LTRC in Ireland. The aim of the project detailed in this protocol is to provide an evidence base to help ensure the sustainability of the LTRC sector in Ireland within a new wider model of care for older people. The project includes three key objectives: (i) to describe and analyse the characteristics of LTRC homes across Ireland; (ii) to examine the association between LTRC home characteristics and COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths and (iii) to identify challenges to the sustainability of the LTRC sector within a COVID-19 environment and beyond. Bringing together the findings from these three objectives, the project will identify approaches and strategies which will help ensure the sustainability of LTRC that meets the needs of residents. The proposed research incorporates quantitative analyses and a review. Combining data from a variety of administration sources and using a variety of statistical techniques, the project will include a retrospective observational analysis of COVID-19 in LTRC homes in Ireland. Subsequently, a review will examine the current funding model of LTRC in Ireland, as well as the regulations and governance structure that underlie the system. The review will also examine international practices in these areas. Bringing together the findings from the quantitative analysis and the review and working with the knowledge users on the project, the project will build upon recent work in the area to identify the current challenges to the system of LTRC and possible solutions.
Multipliers and L^1-convergence of cosine series
Authors: Tõnnov Margus
Published: April 2022

This article contains no abstract.
Fitting parametric sets to probability distributions
Authors: Käärik Meelis , Pärna Kalev
Published: April 2022

We consider the problem of approximation of distributions by sets. Given a probability P on a metric space (S,d) and a class A of subsets of S, find an approximative set A∈ A that minimizes the mean discrepancy of a random point X ∼ P from the set A: 

W(A,P) = ∫Sφ(d(x,A))P(dx) → min A∈ A.

We are especially interested in the case of parametric approximative sets, A = {A(Θ) : Θ∈ T }, where the aim is to find a value of the parameter Θ∈ T which minimizes 

 W(Θ,P) = W(A(Θ,P))→ min Θ∈ T .

Current article is an extension of Käärik and Pärna (2003) to the case where approximating sets A(Θ) are unions of k parametric sets of the same type. We will prove the convergence of optimal values of loss functions and the existence of optimal sets in some functional spaces.
Regression model based on Markov chain theory for composite fatigue curve approximation
Authors: Kleinhof Martinsh , Paramonov Yuri , Paramonova Alexandra
Published: April 2022

Model of fatigue damage accumulation, which is founded on the bases of Markov chain theory, is used as nonlinear regression model for processing of S-N fatigue curve data of laminate. A simple method of approximate estimation of model parameters is suggested. A numerical example is given. Some parameters of this fatigue curve model can be considered as local static strength distribution parameters. This model can be used for prediction of fatigue curve changes as consequence of the static strength distribution function parameter changes and for prediction of the cumulative distribution function of fatigue life for arbitrary stress cycles consequence.
MANOVA with singular variance matrix
Authors: Srivastava Muni S. , Von Rosen Dietrich
Published: April 2022

Classical multivariate analysis of variance for p response variables is extended to cover high-dimensional data. For example, data often comprise many response variables that may be related. Therefore, inference based on all the response variables may be inefficient. However, the relationship between the response variables is usually not known. This leads to the assumption that the p response variables span a linear space of some fixed dimension, say r<p; equivalently the p×p variance matrix is singular of rank r. We will assume that the rank is given. Following the classical approach of doing inference in linear models, parameters are first estimated and thereafter tests are constructed. Estimators and tests are based on the likelihood method. The present model differs from the classical multivariate analysis of variance model and consists of a deterministic and a random part. It is noticed that the classical approach is a special case of the one which will be considered in this article.
Weak metric approximation properties and nice projections
Authors: Abrahamsen Trond A.
Published: April 2022

We prove that a Banach space X has the weak MAP (the weak MCAP) [the very weak MCAP] if and only if there exists a norm one projection P on X∗∗ with X⊂P(X∗∗) such that P is in the weak∗-closure of F(X,X) (K(X,X)) [K(X,X∗∗)] in L(X∗∗,X∗∗).
The experience of using ACE inhibitors and Ca channel blockers in the treatment of hypertension in patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Pasichnyk Serhii , Gozhenko Anatolii
Published: April 2022

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of widely spread urological cancers. It is known that approximately 26% of patients with a history of kidney cancer (KC) may have concomitant coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and some other systemic diseases, which may lead to nephrosclerotic changes and the development or progression of the existing CRF.

The aim of the study. To study the renal function effects of ACE inhibitors (perindopril arginine) in patients with RCC, both as monotherapy and in combination with Ca channel blockers when conducting treatment of concomitant hypertension (HT).

Materials and methods. The study enrolled 38 patients with RCC. All patients were diagnosed with RCC for the first time, with their cancer staged according to the TNM International Classification (Т1 N0 M0).

Within a month, the use of combination therapy for kidney cancer complicated by Stage І, Degree ІІ hypertension was leading to increases in serum creatinine by 3 µmol/l and by 7 µmol/l in those patients where combination therapy was not used. In the meantime, during the same period, glomerular filtration rate reduced by 5 ml/min/1.73 m2 in patients of the first group and by 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 in patients of the second group.
Complications after SARS-CoV2 virus infection in the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous systems and in the kidneys.
Authors: Brzyska Anna , Bogucka Julia , Bojarska Małgorzata , Domańska Natalia , Piecewicz-Szczęsna Halina
Published: April 2022

Wprowadzenie i cel pracy: Mechanizm w jaki wirus sars-cov-2 atakuje narządy i powoduje ich długotrwałe powikłania nie jest do końca poznany. Wielu pacjentów, którzy przebyli COVID-19 coraz częściej skarży się na różne dolegliwości, a część z nich przyjmowana jest do szpitali trybie pilnym. Celem pracy jest przybliżenie najczęściej występujących komplikacji po infekcji sars-cov-2  w wybranych układach i narządach, a także ich następstw.

Materiał i metoda: W lutym 2022 roku przeszukano bazy danych Medline (PubMed) oraz Google Scholar przy użyciu słów kluczowych: after COVID-19 complications, long-term sequelae of covid-19, mortality after covid-19, post-covid, long covid . Zostały wybrane prace w językach angielskim, francuskim i niemieckim opublikowane w latach 2020-2022.

Opis stanu wiedzy: Zgromadzone statystyki pokazują, że COVID-19 bardzo często pozostawia zmiany zwłóknieniowe w płucach oraz niespecyficzne objawy takie jak duszność, utrzymujący się ból głowy czy utrata smaku i węchu. Często obserwuje się symptomy niewydolności prawej komory serca i zawały serca różnej etiologii, a aktywowany zakażeniem śródbłonek naczyń może prowadzić do zaburzeń zakrzepowych w płucach, mózgu i w obwodowym układzie naczyniowym. Podczas pandemii zanotowano także wzrost ilości przypadków ostrego uszkodzenia nerek.

Podsumowanie: Dotychczasowe doniesienia pozwalają stwierdzić, że proces chorobowy związany z covid-19 nie kończy się w momencie ustąpienia głównych objawów. W organizmie zmiany zapalne mogą toczyć się jeszcze długi czas i prowadzić do nieodwracalnych powikłań, niekiedy katastrofalnych w skutkach.

Słowa klucz: after covid complications; long-term sequelae of covid-19; mortality after covid-19; post-covid; long covid
Varieties of Relevant S5
Authors: Standefer Shawn
Published: April 2022

In classically based modal logic, there are three common conceptions of necessity, the universal conception, the equivalence relation conception, and the axiomatic conception. They provide distinct presentations of the modal logic S5, all of which coincide in the basic modal language. We explore these different conceptions in the context of the relevant logic R, demonstrating where they come apart. This reveals that there are many options for being an S5-ish extension of R. It further reveals a divide between the universal conception of necessity on the one hand, and the axiomatic conception on the other: The latter is consistent with motivations for relevant logics while the former is not. For the committed relevant logician, necessity cannot be the truth in all possible worlds.
Knowledge dialogues for better health: complementarities between health innovation studies and health disciplines
Authors: Natera José Miguel , Rojas Soledad , Dutrénit Gabriela , Vera-Cruz Alexandre O.
Published: April 2022

Health innovation studies and the health disciplines highlight the importance of using knowledge to improve human welfare. However, these disciplines rarely yield discussion about this issue. The objective of this paper is to establish a dialogue between health innovation studies and the health disciplines, and to reveal the complementarities between these approaches. We present a revision of selected models of health knowledge use. From health innovation studies, we consider two models focused on the nature of health innovation, and two others that orient health innovation studies towards addressing inclusive development issues. From the health disciplines, we analyse translational research and knowledge translation models. Using a systemic perspective, we structure our analysis of complementarities on four analytical dimensions:

(i) The actors, proposing the recognition of the public sector, the productive sector, the scientific community, and health services providers. We also define two dynamic actors: knowledge users and knowledge beneficiaries.

(ii) The interactions, considering them as asymmetrical to facilitate knowledge flows.

(iii) The process, based on specific models of healthcare activities and a broad set of validation mechanisms (not only market-related).

(iv) The institutional framework, proposing consideration of formal institutions (e.g. regulations) and informal institutions (e.g. socio-cultural background).
Margaret O’Mara, The Code. Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America reviewed by Antti Tarvainen
Authors: Tarvainen Antti
Published: April 2022

Silicon Valley has emerged as the key metaphor of the innovation-led economic development in the 21st century. As the Valley’s technology monopolies and utopias expand, there is a growing need for critical histories that help to ground and contextualize the futures that are spreading from San Francisco Bay. In this review essay, I suggest that a settler-colonial approach offers interesting possibilities for the creation of such histories. To demonstrate how such an approach works, I develop a settler-colonial reading of Margaret O’Mara’s recent book The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America (2019). By critically analysing the key metaphors in O’Mara’s celebrated book, the global and violent face of the Valley becomes visible. The settler-colonial approach, I conclude, offers one possible analytical approach to breaking the stranglehold of America-centred understanding typical of the histories of Valley.
Prototype endoscopic photoacoustic-ultrasound balloon catheter for characterizing intestinal obstruction
Authors: Zhu Yunhao , Ni Linyu , Hu Guorong , Johnson Laura A. , Eaton Kathryn A. , Wang Xueding , Higgins Peter D. R. , Xu Guan
Published: April 2022

In our previous studies, we have demonstrated the feasibility of characterizing intestinal inflammation and fibrosis using endoscopic photoacoustic imaging. Purposed at te clinical translation of the imaging technology, we developed a photoacoustic/ultrasound imaging probe by integrating a miniaturized ultrasound array and an angle-tipped optical fiber in a hydrostatic balloon catheter. When collapsed, the catheter probe may potentially be compatible with a clinical ileo-colonoscope. In addition, the flexible surface of the hydrostatic balloon allows for acoustic coupling at the uneven surfaces of the gas-filled intestine. Tissue phantom studies show that the catheter probe possesses an imaging penetration of at least 12 mm. Experiments with a rabbit model in vivo validated the probe in differentiating normal, acute and chronic conditions in intestinal obstruction.
Ultra-broadband THz pulses with electric field amplitude exceeding 100 kV/cm at a 200 kHz repetition rate
Authors: Nilforoushan Niloufar , Apretna Thibault , Song Chao , Boulier Thomas , Tignon Jérôme , Dhillon Sukhdeep , Hanna Marc , Mangeney Juliette
Published: April 2022

We demonstrate a table-top source delivering ultra-broadband THz pulses with electric field strength exceeding 100 kV/cm at a repetition rate of 200 kHz. The source is based on optical rectification of 23 fs pulses at 1030 nm delivered by a ytterbium-doped fiber laser followed by a nonlinear temporal compression stage. We generate THz pulses with a conversion efficiency of up to 0.11 % with a spectrum extending to 11 THz using a 1 mm thick GaP crystal and a conversion efficiency of 0.016 % with a spectrum extending to 30 THz using a 30 µm thick GaSe crystal. The essential features of the emitted THz pulse spectra are well captured by simulations of the optical rectification process relying on coupled nonlinear equations. Our ultrafast laser-based source uniquely satisfies an important requirement of nonlinear THz experiments, namely the emission of ultra-broadband THz pulses with high electric field amplitudes at high repetition rates, opening a route towards nonlinear time-resolved THz experiments with high signal-to-noise ratios.
Swept-wavelength null polarimeter for high-speed weak anisotropy measurements
Authors: Theillier Xavier , Rivet Sylvain , Dubreuil Matthieu , Grand Yann Le
Published: April 2022

Null-polarimeters provide the best sensitivity to anisotropy measurements and so far have been developed for the detection of small optical activities. This paper revisits null polarimetry through an original configuration based on the concept of spectrally encoded light polarization, in order to measure, with unprecedented speed, either linear or circular retardance with the same degree of sensitivity . Using passive polarization optics and a high speed wavelength swept laser source, the achieved single-pass sensitivity was

55

nrad/

Hz

and

45

nrad/

Hz

for respectively linear and circular retardance considering a minimum acquisition time of 10 µs. Due to its compactness and rapidity, the method could be further implemented in laser scanning microscopes, which should be of great interest for revealing very low anisotropies in biological tissues.
Anisotropic behavior of random lasing in a highly concentrated dye solution
Authors: Bavali Ali , Rahmatpanahi Ali , Niknam Zahra
Published: April 2022

Angular dependence of the diffusive random laser (DRL) emission is assessed due to excitation of a highly concentrated solution of Rhodamine 6G (Rd6G) comprising monomers and dimers. Dimerization at extremely high concentrations leads to the random fluctuation of the dielectric constant in gain medium. As a result, aggregated dye molecules provide multiple scattering events for propagating photons which is confirmed by enhanced backscattering (EBS) test. This scattering feedback besides Försteŕs resonance energy transfer (FRET) from monomers to dimers provide RL spikes over low quantum yield dimeric fluorescence spectra. The unique spectral feature of RL emission is strong dependence on the angle of detection that results from anisotropic inner filter effect (IFE) within the gain volume due to local excitation of the medium by a pencil-like beam of laser. The results have a merit of importance in optical characterization of the media in which the fluorophores can aggregate significantly.
Broadband optical Ta2O5 antennas for directional emission of light
Authors: Farheen Henna , Yan Lok-Yee , Quiring Viktor , Eigner Christof , Zentgraf Thomas , Linden Stefan , Förstner Jens , Myroshnychenko Viktor
Published: April 2022

Highly directive antennas with the ability of shaping radiation patterns in desired directions are essential for efficient on-chip optical communication with reduced cross talk. In this paper, we design and optimize three distinct broadband traveling-wave tantalum pentoxide antennas exhibiting highly directional characteristics. Our antennas contain a director and reflector deposited on a glass substrate, which are excited by a dipole emitter placed in the feed gap between the two elements. Full-wave simulations in conjunction with global optimization provide structures with an enhanced linear directivity as high as 119 radiating in the substrate. The high directivity is a result of the interplay between two dominant TE modes and the leaky modes present in the antenna director. Furthermore, these low-loss dielectric antennas exhibit a near-unity radiation efficiency at the operational wavelength of 780 nm and maintain a broad bandwidth. Our numerical results are in good agreement with experimental measurements from the optimized antennas fabricated using a two-step electron-beam lithography, revealing the highly directive nature of our structures. We envision that our antenna designs can be conveniently adapted to other dielectric materials and prove instrumental for inter-chip optical communications and other on-chip applications.
Yb-fiber-pumped high-average-power picosecond optical parametric oscillator tunable across 1.3−1.5 μm
Authors: Nandy Biplob , Chaitanya Kumar S. , Ebrahim-Zadeh M.
Published: April 2022

We report the generation of high-repetition-rate picosecond pulses in the 1.3-1.5 µm spectral range by internal second harmonic generation (SHG) of an idler-resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on MgO-doped periodically-poled LiNbO3 (MgO:PPLN), synchronously pumped by ∼20 ps pulses at 80 MHz using an Yb-fiber laser at 1.064 µm. By taking advantage of the high spatial quality of the resonant idler beam in the 2503-3030 nm wavelength range and using a second MgO:PPLN crystal with fanout grating structure for intracavity SHG, we have achieved spectral coverage across 1272-1515 nm with up to 1.23 W average power. The second harmonic output exhibits a power stability of 3% rms over 1 hour in pulses of 8.3 ps with Gaussian beam profile. The described approach overcomes the spectral limitation of 1.064 µm-pumped OPOs based on MgO:PPLN and other oxide-based nonlinear crystals, where signal generation below ∼1.45 µm is precluded by multi-phonon absorption of idler radiation above ∼4 µm.
Satellite-derived bathymetry based on machine learning models and an updated quasi-analytical algorithm approach
Authors: Wu Zhongqiang , Mao Zhihua , Shen Wei , Yuan Dapeng , Zhang Xianliang , Huang Haiqing
Published: April 2022

Retrieving the water depth by satellite is a rapid and effective method for obtaining underwater terrain. In the optical shallow waters, the bottom signal has a great impact on the radiation from the water which related to water depth. In the optical shallow waters, the spatial distribution characteristic of water quality parameters derived by the updated quasi analysis algorithm (UQAA) is highly correlated with the bottom brightness. Because the bottom reflection signal is strongly correlated with the spatial distribution of water depth, the derived water quality parameters may helpful and applicable for optical remote sensing based satellite derived bathymetry. Therefore, the influence on bathymetry retrieval of the UQAA IOPs is worth discussing. In this article, different machine learning algorithms using a UQAA were tested and remote sensing reflectance at water depth in situ points and their detection accuracy were evaluated by using Worldwiew-2 multispectral remote sensing images and laser measurement data. A backpropagation (BP) neural network, extreme value learning machine (ELM), random forest (RF), Adaboost, and support vector regression (SVR) machine models were utilized to compute the water depth retrieval of Ganquan Island in the South China Sea. According to the obtained results, bathymetry using the UQAA and remote sensing reflectance is better than that computed using only remote sensing reflectance, in which the overall improvements in the root mean square error (RMSE) were 1 cm to 5 cm and the overall improvement in the mean relative error (MRE) was 1% to 5%. The results showed that the results of the UQAA could be used as a main water depth estimation eigenvalue to increase water depth estimation accuracy.
Fiber laser source of 8 W at 3.1 µm based on acetylene-filled hollow-core silica fibers
Authors: Huang Wei , Wang Zefeng , Zhou Zhiyue , Cui Yulong , Li Hao , Pei Wenxi , Wang Meng , Chen Jinbao
Published: April 2022

We report here the characteristics of a nanosecond high-power mid-infrared (mid-IR) light source based on an anti-resonant hollow-core fiber (AR-HCF) filled with acetylene gas. It is a single-pass configuration with 9.3-m HCFs, pumped by a modulated and amplified diode laser. A maximum average power of approximately 8 W (pulse energy of ∼0.8 µJ and peak power of ∼40 W) at 3.1 µm is achieved with a laser slope efficiency of ∼22.8% at 6 mbar of acetylene, which is, to the best of our knowledge, a record output power for such mid-IR HCF lasers. This work demonstrates the great potential of fiber gas lasers for high-power output in the mid-IR.
Linnemannia elongata (Mortierellaceae) stimulates Arabidopsis thaliana aerial growth and responses to auxin, ethylene, and reactive oxygen species
Authors: Vandepol Natalie , Liber Julian , Yocca Alan , Matlock Jason , Edger Patrick , Bonito Gregory
Published: April 2022

Harnessing the plant microbiome has the potential to improve agricultural yields and protect plants against pathogens and/or abiotic stresses, while also relieving economic and environmental costs of crop production. While previous studies have gained valuable insights into the underlying genetics facilitating plant-fungal interactions, these have largely been skewed towards certain fungal clades (e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi). Several different phyla of fungi have been shown to positively impact plant growth rates, including Mortierellaceae fungi. However, the extent of the plant growth promotion (PGP) phenotype(s), their underlying mechanism(s), and the impact of bacterial endosymbionts on fungal-plant interactions remain poorly understood for Mortierellaceae. In this study, we focused on the symbiosis between soil fungus Linnemannia elongata (Mortierellaceae) and Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae), as both organisms have high-quality reference genomes and transcriptomes available, and their lifestyles and growth requirements are conducive to research conditions. Further, L. elongata can host bacterial endosymbionts related to Mollicutes and Burkholderia. The role of these endobacteria on facilitating fungal-plant associations, including potentially further promoting plant growth, remains completely unexplored. We measured Arabidopsis aerial growth at early and late life stages, seed production, and used mRNA sequencing to characterize differentially expressed plant genes in response to fungal inoculation with and without bacterial endosymbionts. We found that L. elongata improved aerial plant growth, seed mass and altered the plant transcriptome, including the upregulation of genes involved in plant hormones and “response to oxidative stress”, “defense response to bacterium”, and “defense response to fungus”. Furthermore, the expression of genes in certain phytohormone biosynthetic pathways were found to be modified in plants treated with L. elongata. Notably, the presence of Mollicutes- or Burkholderia-related endosymbionts in Linnemannia did not impact the expression of genes in Arabidopsis or overall growth rates. Together, these results indicate that beneficial plant growth promotion and seed mass impacts of L. elongata on Arabidopsis are likely driven by plant hormone and defense transcription responses after plant-fungal contact, and that plant phenotypic and transcriptional responses are independent of whether the fungal symbiont is colonized by Mollicutes or Burkholderia-related endohyphal bacteria.
Discriminating and classifying odontocete echolocation clicks in the Hawaiian Islands using machine learning methods
Authors: Ziegenhorn Morgan A. , Frasier Kaitlin E. , Hildebrand John A. , Oleson Erin M. , Baird Robin W. , Wiggins Sean M. , Baumann-Pickering Simone
Published: April 2022

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has proven a powerful tool for the study of marine mammals, allowing for documentation of biologically relevant factors such as movement patterns or animal behaviors while remaining largely non-invasive and cost effective. From 2008–2019, a set of PAM recordings covering the frequency band of most toothed whale (odontocete) echolocation clicks were collected at sites off the islands of Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Pearl and Hermes Reef. However, due to the size of this dataset and the complexity of species-level acoustic classification, multi-year, multi-species analyses had not yet been completed. This study shows how a machine learning toolkit can effectively mitigate this problem by detecting and classifying echolocation clicks using a combination of unsupervised clustering methods and human-mediated analyses. Using these methods, it was possible to distill ten unique echolocation click ‘types’ attributable to regional odontocetes at the genus or species level. In one case, auxiliary sightings and recordings were used to attribute a new click type to the rough-toothed dolphin,Steno bredanensis. Types defined by clustering were then used as input classes in a neural-network based classifier, which was trained, tested, and evaluated on 5-minute binned data segments. Network precision was variable, with lower precision occurring most notably for false killer whales,Pseudorca crassidens, across all sites (35–76%). However, accuracy and recall were high (>96% and >75%, respectively) in all cases except for one type of short-finned pilot whale,Globicephala macrorhynchus, call class at Kauaʻi and Pearl and Hermes Reef (recall >66%). These results emphasize the utility of machine learning in analysis of large PAM datasets. The classifier and timeseries developed here will facilitate further analyses of spatiotemporal patterns of included toothed whales. Broader application of these methods may improve the efficiency of global multi-species PAM data processing for echolocation clicks, which is needed as these datasets continue to grow.
Edible oils as a co-extractant for the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of flavonoids from propolis
Authors: Pattiram Parveen Devi , Abas Faridah , Suleiman Norhidayah , Mohamad Azman Ezzat , Chong Gun Hean
Published: April 2022

Propolis is a good source for flavonoids, however, their recovery is challenging, as it is a waxy material. This study investigated edible oils virgin coconut oil (VCO), corn oil (CO), and ghee (G) as co-extractants for the supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) extraction of flavonoids from the propolis. The extraction of flavonoids using 20% VCO as co-extractant with scCO2 (25 g/min) for 210 min at 150 bar and 50°C was found to be the most appropriate, yielding a total flavonoid content (TFC) of 11.7 mg/g and 25% TFC recovery. At a higher temperature (60°C) and pressure (250 bar and 350 bar), the propolis became softer and compressed causing the extractions to retrograde. The extraction curves correlated to the diffusion model with 1.6% (AARD). The matrix diffusivities increased from 4.7 × 10−11 m2/s (scCO2) to 6.9 × 10−11–21.4 × 10−11 m2/s upon the addition of edible oils. Thus, edible oils could be used with scCO2 to improve the flavonoid extraction from propolis.
Depression and stress regarding future career among university students during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chowdhury Upama , Suvro Md. Ahosan Habib , Farhan Syed M. D. , Uddin Md Jamal
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Students generally struggle to build a good career after their graduation in developing countries like Bangladesh. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such struggle increased and faced with stress and depression. We aimed to inquire about the amplitude of depression and stress among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding their future careers and to identify the factors associated with this depression and stress.

Methods

A total of 516 students at various universities participated in this cross-sectional survey. From October 2020 to February 2021, data was collected through an online survey. An e-questionnaire with socio-demographic, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questions was created using Google Forms and distributed via Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms. The universities included into the sample were selected randomly from eight divisions of Bangladesh. Descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square tests were carried out and the association between the risk factors and the outcome (e.g. depression and stress) was assessed by the odds ratio (OR) including 95% confidence interval (CI) obtained from the binary logistic regression model.

Results

Among 516 participants, 380 (73.6%) were male and 136 (26.4%) were female. Around 414 (80.2%) participants had mild to severe depression and 399 (77.3%) reported having low to moderately perceived stress. Female students were 2.1 (95% CI: 1.21–3.76) times more depressed and 3.6 (95% CI: 1.87–6.76) times more stressed than the counterpart. Students, who think delaying graduation due to COVID-19 will reduce the chance of getting a job, were 1.72 (95% CI: 1.07–2.76) times more depressed. Respondents, whose department offers any internship were 36% less depressed (p = 0.053), while skilled students were 46% less stressed though it was not statistically significant (p = 0.43).

Conclusion

According to our findings, there is an increasing prevalence of depression and stress among students, particularly among female students and those who do not receive job-related facilities from their institutions or who are unskilled. Universities can provide mental health programs and strive to have enough space for students to participate in internships. In addition, the government and educational institutions should work together to address the growing challenge.
Prevalence of dermatological, oral and neurological problems due to face mask use during COVID-19 and its associated factors among the health care workers of Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Sreshtha , Roy Simanta , Iktidar Mohammad Azmain , Rahman Shahidur , Liza Mowshomi Mannan , Islam A. M. Khairul , Akhter Sharmin , Medha Madhuritu Bhadra , Tasnim Afia , Gupta Antara Das , Deb Auditia , Chowdhury Shresta , Hawlader Mohammad Delwer Hossain
Published: April 2022

Background

When caring for COVID-19 patients, using personal protective equipment (PPE) may significantly lower the risk of infection of health care workers (HCWs). However, adverse responses due to PPE use have been observed during the 2003 SARS pandemic. This study will highlight the different adverse reactions caused by face mask use, one of the essential components of PPE in the HCWs, and identify the factors associated with these problems.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was conducted between September and October 2021. 404 HCWs were selected by snowball sampling from four randomly selected healthcare facilities of Bangladesh. Trained volunteers collected data by face-to-face interview using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using STATA (v.16) and summarized using frequency and relative frequency. Later, the chi-square test was used to explore bivariate relationships, and the binary logistic regression model was fit to identify the predictors.

Results

The majority of the respondents were 26–36 years (70.30%), male (69.80%), and doctors (74.50%). 48.76% of the respondents had unfavorable skin responses beneath the face masks; female gender, physicians, professionals working more than 32 hours a week, wearing N95, and more than one mask were predictors of skin problem. 28.47% and 60.15% of all participants suffered from some form of oral and neurological problems, respectively.

Conclusion

Face mask use sequelae, especially skin, oral and neurological problems, are prevalent among health care workers. Therefore, necessary precautionary measures should be taken to safeguard our frontlines.
Differentiation of natural scrub communities of the Cotoneastro-Amelanchieretum group in Central Europe
Authors: Świerkosz Krzysztof , Reczyńska Kamila
Published: April 2022

Most of Central European rocky scrub communities formed byCotoneaster integerrimus,Juniperus communisandAmelanchier ovalisare included in the associationCotoneastro-Amelanchieretum(=Junipero-Cotoneasteretum). However, this leads to the creation of syntaxon whose internal diversity is so great that it seems necessary to examine validity of its existence in the current form. This diversity entails species composition, habitat requirements and geographical distribution. Therefore, we posed the following objectives: i) to investigate the variability of species composition of the rocky scrub; (ii) to determine if there are ecological differences between the communities distinguished by species variability; (iii) to determine the geographical ranges of individual syntaxa. Altogether we analyzed 387 phytosociological relevés from Central Europe. Vegetation types of rocky scrubs were identified using the unsupervised K-means algorithm and detrended correspondence analysis. Mean Ellenberg’s indicator values were applied to identify the environmental gradients shaping the plant communities. Obtained results confirmed the validity of dividing this broadly defined syntaxon into six distinct vegetation units. In order to present the studied communities in a broader context, we included into our analyses other rocky scrub with the occurrence ofCotoneastersp. andA.ovalis, which formed the remaining three clusters. The observed differences in species composition were further supported by significant differences in soil reaction, temperature and continentality between the syntaxa. Moreover, the distinguished communities differed among one another in geographical range. Our study provides a new typology of the selected type of natural rocky scrub vegetation in Central Europe which involves environmental aspects, hence better reflects community-habitat relationships. This study also indicates a need for further revision of the classification of other types of natural scrub communities. Such classification should be based on modern data analysis methods and should primarily focus on lower vegetation units at pan-European scale.
Efficacy of celery (Apium graveolens L.) alcoholic extract against systemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in rat models
Authors: Prakoso Yos Adi , Wijayanti Agustina Dwi
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim: The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused global economic and health problems. The pandemic increased the number of infectious diseases categorized as neglected diseases, such as staphylococcosis, which is caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Celery is an herb that consist of antioxidants that can potentially act as antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of celery alcoholic extract against systemic MRSA infections in rat models.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 36 male, 6-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats (average weight: 300 g) were used as models. The rats were divided into six groups: Group K– (negative control), Group K+ (infected with MRSA without therapy), Group V (infected with MRSA+100 mg vancomycin per kg body weight [BW]), Group P1 (infected with MRSA+1 mg celery extract per kg BW), Group P2 (infected with MRSA+2 mg celery extract per kg BW), and Group P4 (infected with MRSA+4 mg celery extract per kg BW). The therapy was given once daily for 7 days. Blood and organs were taken on day 7 for hematology, serology, immunohistochemistry, and histopathology.

Results: Results showed that 4 mg celery extract per kg BW promotes the healing of MRSA systemic infections in rat models (p≤0.05). The better prognosis was indicated by the normalization of red blood cell indices, white blood cell, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, Cluster of differentiation 4+, Cluster of differentiation 8+, and Cyclooxygenase-2 expression and absence of severe tissue damage. Celery extracts inhibited MRSA growth in the blood samples.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that celery alcoholic extract can potentially be used as an antimicrobial agent against systemic MRSA infections. A clinical study regarding the efficacy of celery extract must be conducted to ensure its potency against MRSA infections in humans.
A femvertising és a hagyományos reklám attitűdre és vásárlási hajlandóságra gyakorolt hatásának vizsgálata
Authors: Orehóczki Zsuzsanna , Török Anna
Published: April 2022

A nemi egyenlőség kérdésköre egyre meghatározóbb téma, azonban napjainkban a reklámokban megjelenő nemi sztereotípiák nem minden esetben tükrözik ezt vissza. 2014 óta beszélhetünk ún. femvertising (female empowerment advertising) reklámozási stratégiáról, mely a nők megerősödését alapul véve, a reklámokban már megszokott tradicionális női sztereotipikus ábrázolásmódot kérdőjelezi meg. E téma hazánkban még kevéssé kutatott, így a jelen tanulmány keretein belül a femvertising és a hagyományos reklámok attitűdre és vásárlási hajlandóságára gyakorolt hatását vizsgálják meg a szerzők a Heineken sörmárka kapcsán. A kvantitatív kutatás 244 magyar egyetemista nő részvételével randomizált kérdőíves kísérlettel történt. Az eredmények alapján – a nemzetközi szakirodalommal összhangban – a femvertising reklámok a hagyományos reklámokhoz képest pozitívabban hatnak a női fogyasztók reklám attitűdjére és a vásárlási szándékára. A tanulmány lehetséges jövőbeli kutatási irányok ismertetésével zárul.
A Pécsi Tudományegyetem regionális fejlesztési szerepvállalásának lehetősége a tudományos munkatársak egyéni értékhierarchiáinak fényében
Authors: Bodor Ákos , Grünhut Zoltán , Erdős Katalin
Published: April 2022

Jelen tanulmány a Pécsi Tudományegyetem (PTE) oktató és kutató munkatársainak értékpreferenciáit vizsgálja Shalom S. Schwartz „alapvető emberi értékek” koncepcióját felhasználva. Schwartz tíz alapértéket különböztet meg, melyek dinamikus kölcsönhatásban állnak egymással. Az oktatók-kutatók jellemző értékprioritásainak feltárása lehetőséget teremt arra, hogy a szerzők következtetéseket vonjanak le a PTE társadalmi-gazdasági hatásaival kapcsolatban, illetve azzal össze- függésben: az oktatók-kutatók motivációi vajon tudják-e kellőképpen támogatni az egyetem önmagán túlmutató szerepvállalásait? Elemzésük fontos része az összehasonlító perspektíva, melynek során az oktatók-kutatók értékpreferenciáit a különböző európai térségekre, illetve a magyar társadalom egészére jellemző mintázatokkal vetik össze. Eredményeik azt mutatják, hogy a PTE munkatársainak értékei, motivációi megfelelő alapot biztosítanak az egyetem hatékony regionális szerepvállalása szempontjából.
Az egészségügyi rendszer átalakításával kapcsolatos állami feladatok a negyedik ipari forradalom idején
Authors: Halmosi Péter
Published: April 2022

A negyedik ipari forradalom megváltoztatja a gazdasági szektorok, ágazatok közötti határvonalakat, a szereplők közötti kapcsolatok jellegét. Az egészségügyi termékek piacán megjelenő technológiai újdonságok a prevenció, a diagnózis és a terápia jelentésének alapvető megváltozását eredményezik. Az ágazat a betegek gyógyításán túl a szakemberképzésen, kutatás-fejlesztésen keresztül más ágazatok működésére is kihat, ami a vállalati és kormányzati erőforrások hatékony felhasználását, a tevékenységek fokozott koordinációját igényli. A kutatás célja a negyedik ipari forradalom egészségügyi ágazati hatásainak, az átalakulás mozgatórugóinak, korlátainak vizsgálata. A tanulmány vizsgálja a digitalizáció és demográfia hatását az egészségügyi ágazat működésére vonatkozóan, rámutat a kormányzat támogatási és koordinációs feladatainak új irányaira. A rendelkezésre álló szakirodalom áttekintését követően az állam egyészségüggyel kapcsolatos feladataiban várható változásokat elemzi, illetve validálja a várható eredményeket mélyinterjúkon keresztül. A tanulmány rámutat, hogy a sikeres átálláshoz a pénzügyi támogatásokon túl a szabályozás megreformálása, aktív állami koordináció szükséges.
I warmly smile (or breathe) under this mask
Authors: Hauda Bianca
Published: April 2022

Bianca Hauda beschäftigt sich in ihrem Text "I warmly smile (or breathe) under this mask" mit dem Mysterium Maske in der Welt der Popkultur. Ausgehend vom eigenen Betroffensein durch die Pandemie hat sie sich mit all ihren maskierten Begegnungen während ihrer Laufbahn als Musikjournalistin auseinandergesetzt. Von einem Treffen mit dem als Antilope maskierten Musiker Lambert, über Marilyn Manson's Gesichtsmalereien und Beobachtungen zu den Roboterhelmen des französischen Duo Daft Punk, bis hin zum deutschen Rapper mit der Pandamaske Cro, hat sie viele Musiker:innen vor und hinter ihrer Maske getroffen, beobachtet und mit ihnen gesprochen.
Gender Studies - Grenzen und Entgrenzungen
Authors: Artwinska Anna , Schulze-Fellmann Janine
Published: April 2022

In dieser Einleitung reflektieren Anna Artwińska und Janine Schulze-Fellmann die Grundidee des Sammelbandes, die in einer fachübergreifenden und dialogischen Genderforschung besteht. Dabei werden sowohl die Grenzen, die die Gender Studies und ihren vielfältigen Spezialisierungen in den letzten 30 Jahren zu diagnostizieren wussten, als auch die Entgrenzungen: Resultate dieses Forschungsfeldes in den Blick genommen. Basierend auf den Perspektiven der einzelnen Beiträger:innen, zeigen die Autorinnen das Potenzial der Disziplin auf, das in einer Vielzahl von Stimmen aus Wissenschaften, Künsten und Kulturräumen sichtbar wird. Anhand der Fotografie »Hangover« der Leipziger Fotografin Kerstin Flake und der Filmdokumentation »Home Games« (»Domashni Igri«) der ukrainischen Regisseurin Alisa Kovalenko beschreiben Artwińska und Schulze-Fellmann eine Art Schwebezustand, in dem sich die Gender Studies aktuell befinden. Es handelt sich hierbei um einen Zustand zwischen Transformationskraft und Regression, zwischen Utopie und Realität.