bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors Associated with Delays in Hearing Loss Identification in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Lindeborg Michael M. , Khalsa Inderpreet Kaur , Liao Elizabeth N. , Stephans Jihyun R. , Chan Dylan K.
Published: November 2023

Objective

To identify sociodemographic factors associated with pediatric late‐identified hearing loss (LIHL) and classify novel subgroups within the LIHL population.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting

Tertiary children's hospital.

Methods

Our cohort included children with permanent hearing loss (HL) between 2012 and 2020 (n = 1087). Patients with early‐identified HL were compared to patients with LIHL (>6 months of age at diagnosis), and 3 subgroups: (1) late‐identified congenital HL: failed NHS but had a diagnostic audiogram >6 months old; (2) late‐onset HL: passed NHS and identified with HL after 6 months old; (3) late‐identified, unknown‐onset: unknown NHS results, identified after 6 months old. Geospatial analysis was performed using ArcGIS Pro.

Results

Compared with early‐identified children, children with LIHL were more likely to have more comorbidities (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, [1.01, 1.23]), be an under‐represented minority (URM) (OR = 1.92, [1.27, 2.93]) and have a higher social vulnerability index (SVI) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.1, [1.14, 3.87]). However, subgroups in the LIHL cohort had variable associations. Children with late‐identified unknown onset hearing loss were uniquely associated with a primarily non‐English speaking household (AOR = 1.84, [1.04, 3.25]), whereas children with late‐onset hearing loss were less likely to have public insurance (AOR = 0.47, [0.27, 0.81]. There were no significant associations for children with late‐identified congenital hearing loss. Neighborhood disadvantage, as measured by SVI, had an increased association with late‐identified unknown onset HL (AOR = 4.08, [2.01, 8.28]) and a decreased association with late‐onset HL (AOR = 0.40, [0.22, 0.72]).

Conclusion

Sociodemographic factors serve as proxies for health care access, and these factors vary across LIHL pathways. Understanding the risk factors associated with each LIHL subgroup may help address disparities in pediatric HL identification.
Quantifying the ice test in halitosis patients
Authors: Aydin Murat , Gunay Ismail , Derici M. Cagri
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Odor is in the oral air when halitosis occurs orally. Because oral gases shrink when cooled, oral halitosis disappears when a piece of ice is placed in the patient's mouth. This physical phenomenon provides a basis for distinguishing oral from non‐oral halitosis but has yet to be quantified.

Material and methods

The records of 29 halitosis patients were retrospectively analyzed. Gas concentrations were measured with a portable gas detector (IBRID‐MX6) before and after cooling the mouth with 1 × 1 × 2 cm ice for 30 s. Patients were asked to rate their halitosis. Tongue temperature and oral gas concentrations were compared with paired t‐tests and one‐way ANOVA.

Results

The tongue cooled by an average of 13.09°C with ice (from 36.0 to 22.4°C). The mean values of the concentrations of VOC, NH3, H2S, and H2 decreased proportionally with cooling: 74.10%, 77.51%, 81.26%, and 96.12%, respectively. The self‐reported halitosis score decreased from 4 to 0 (n = 29, p < 0001).

Conclusions

It can be concluded that the ice test suppresses oral gases in sufficient quantity to detect oral halitosis.
Nanoremediation of toxic dyes using a bacterial consortium immobilized on cellulose acetate nanofiber mats
Authors: Erkoç Esra , Tüzün İmre , Korkmaz Filiz , San Keskin Nalan Oya , Koçberber Kiliç Nur
Published: November 2023

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Ochrobactrum sp. demonstrated the highest rates of dye bioremediation. The trials were performed at pH 8, which resulted in the highest bioremediation rate of 64.6% in media containing 21.2 mg L−1 dye. As the dye concentration increased, the pollutant removal decreased, with the maximum bioremoval rate of 70.3%. The removal capacity was increased with an increase in biomass concentration; the highest yield of 91.3% was obtained in media containing 14.2 mg L−1 dye and 12% (v/v) biomass. In nanoremediation studies, the bacterial consortium was immobilized on cellulose acetate nanofiber mats (CA‐NFM). Scanning electron microscopic micrographs showed that bead‐free nanofiber mats were effective in immobilizing bacterial cells. Moreover, nanofiber structures were capable of supporting exopolysaccharides formation, as confirmed by Fourier transform ınfrared spectroscopy. The bacterial consortium immobilized on CA‐NFM showed a maximum bioremoval rate of 56.5%. Reusability tests demonstrated that the consortium immobilized CA‐NFM could be used at least five times. Furthermore, after leaving the mat for 1 month at 4°C, it was still usable, and the removal efficiency was found to be 45.4%. Based on our findings, bacteria immobilized on CA‐NFM have the potential to be used as highly effective and versatile nanobiotechnological biological sorbents in the treatment of wastewater containing dyes.

Highlights

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Ochrobactrum sp. were used as a bacterial consortium.

Bacterial consortium immobilized on cellulose acetate nanofiber mats (CA‐NFM) was tested.

EPS production by the consortium was confirmed by Fourier transform ınfrared spectroscopy analysis.

CA‐NFM could be used at least five times.
Histone acetylation is associated with pupal diapause in cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Lu Qin , Li Yan , Liao Jing , Ni Zhaohong , Xia Shunchao , Yang Maofa , Li Haiyin , Guo Jianjun
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Diapause is an environmentally preprogrammed period of arrested development that is important to insect survival and population growth. Histone acetylation, an epigenetic modification, has several biological functions, but its role in agricultural pest diapause is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of histone H3 acetylation in the diapause of Helicoverpa armigera.

RESULTS

The histone H3 gene of H. armigera was cloned, and multiple sequence alignment of amino acids revealed that the potential lysine acetylation sites were highly conserved across species. Investigation of histone H3 acetylation levels in diapause‐ and nondiapause‐type pupae showed that acetylation levels were down‐regulated in diapause‐type pupae and were lower in diapausing pupae compared to nondiapause pupae. By screening the genome, six histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and eight histone deacetylase (HDAC) genes responsible for antagonizing catalytic histone acetylation modifications were identified in H. armigera, and most of them exhibited different expression patterns between diapause‐ and nondiapause‐type pupae. To elucidate the effect of histone H3 acetylation on diapause in H. armigera, the diapause pupae were injected with the histone acetylation activator trichostatin A (TSA). The results indicated that TSA injection increased the levels of histone H3 acetylation, causing the diapausing pupae to revert to development. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that 259 genes were affected by TSA injection, including genes associated with metabolism, resistance, and immunological responses.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that histone acetylation is inseparably related to the pupal diapause of H. armigera, which promises to be a potential target for pest control. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Interface‐Dependent Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of Staggered Al2STe/Ga2STe van der Waals Heterostructures
Authors: Wang Wei , Pei Meng , Zhao Xu , Xia Congxin , Wang Tianxing , Dai Xianqi , Wei Shuyi
Published: November 2023

2D Janus monolayers and van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) exhibit fascinating physical properties because of the destruction of symmetry. The interface‐dependent electronic and optical properties of vdWHs constructed by Janus Ga2STe and Al2STe are explored. The results reveal that all interfaces vdWHs exhibit staggered (type‐II) band alignment. Specifically, the S/Te and Te/Te interfaces vdWHs are indirect bandgap semiconductors, while the S/S and Te/S interfaces vdWHs are direct bandgap semiconductors. The staggered band alignment promotes the electron transfer between the donor and acceptor in vdWHs, and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the Te/Te interface vdWH is as high as 25.34%. Furthermore, both S/Te and Te/Te interfaces vdWHs can provide suitable photocatalytic performance for water splitting under pristine conditions. By applying biaxial strain, S/S and Te/S interfaces vdWHs can be used as a photocatalyst. Under the compressive strain of 1%, the PCE of Te/Te reaches 28.68%. Based on the G0W0 + Bethe–Salpeter equation, different interfaces vdWHs exhibit different landscapes of intralayer exciting or interlayer exciting. The revealed type‐II band alignment, strong optical absorption, and superior PCE of the Al2STe/Ga2STe vdWHs imply that these new proposed materials have broad application prospects in optoelectronic devices such as excitonic solar cells.
Genetic evidence suggesting the predicted causality between osteoarthritis and cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Zhang Shengxiao , Feng Yige , Yin Xinyu , Su Qinyi , Xi Yujia , Cheng Ting , Zhang Heyi , Xue Yulong , Wang Caihong , Li Xiaofeng
Published: November 2023

Background

Epidemiological studies have shown a close association between osteoarthritis (OA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but reliable evidence needs to be provided. We performed a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to examine the potential causal effect between OA and CVD.

Methods

Exposures were self‐reported OA, knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and hip osteoarthritis (HOA). The outcomes were 12 CVDs, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, pulmonary embolism, stroke and its subtypes, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, and primary hypertension. All outcomes were obtained from published genome‐wide association studies. The inverse‐variance weighted method was used as the primary MR analysis. Heterogeneity tests and sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the accuracy of the MR results.

Results

Self‐reported OA increased the incidence of small vessel stroke (odds ratio [OR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.52, p = 0.03) and primary hypertension (1.01 [1.00–1.02], p < 0.01). HOA increased the incidence of stroke (1.06 [1.01–1.11], p = 0.02) and two subtypes (cardioembolic stroke: 1.12 [1.02–1.23], p = 0.02; ischemic stroke: 1.06 [1.01–1.11], p = 0.03). Patients with KOA had an increased risk of heart failure (1.10 [1.04–1.16], p < 0.01), atrial fibrillation (1.08 [1.02–1.13], p < 0.01), small vessel stroke (1.21 [1.06–1.39], p = 0.01), and primary hypertension (1.01 [1.01–1.02], p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Patients with OA have an increased risk of several CVDs. The causality of this relationship may have clinical implications for improving the quality of prevention and treatment.
Synthesis, crystal structure, and spectroscopic characterization of aminoguanidinium thiosulfate, (CN4H7)2S2O3
Authors: Charkin Dmitri O. , Banaru Alexander M. , Ivanov Semen A. , Kireev Vadim E. , Dmitriev Dmitri N. , Aksenov Sergey M.
Published: November 2023

Aminoguanidinium thiosulfate, (CN4H7)2S2O3 (1), was prepared via an exchange route from barium thiosulfate and aminoguanidinium sulfate. The new compound is monoclinic, a=12.8344(6) Å, b=13.9134(6) Å, c=6.8757(3) Å, β=115.529(5)°, and crystallizes in a centrosymmetric C2/m space group. Its crystal structure can be considered either as pseudo‐columnar comprised of stacked [CN4H7]+ cations and isolated [S2O3]2− anions which are actively involved in hydrogen bonding, or as H‐bonded bilayers comprised of both [CN4H7]+ and [S2O3]2− of topologic type 3,6L60. The latter ones are H‐bound into a 4,8‐coordinated bearing framework of the type scu.
Almost everywhere divergence of Cesàro means of subsequences of partial sums of trigonometric Fourier series
Authors: Gát György
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we investigate the relationship between pointwise convergence of the arithmetic means corresponding to the subsequence of partial Fourier sums $$(S_{k_j}f: j\in \mathbb {N})$$

(

S

k
j

f
:
j
∈
N
)

(for $$f\in L^1(\mathbb {T})$$

f
∈

L
1

(
T
)

) and the structure of the chosen subsequence of the sequence of natural numbers $$(k_j: j\in \mathbb {N})$$

(

k
j

:
j
∈
N
)

. More precisely, the problem we deal with is to provide necessary and sufficient conditions for a subsequence $$\mathcal {N}$$
N
of $$\mathbb {N}$$
N
that has the following property: for any subsequence $$\mathcal {N^{\prime }} = (k_j: j\in \mathbb {N})$$

N
′

=

(

k
j

:
j
∈
N
)

of $$\mathcal {N}$$
N
and any $$f\in L^1(\mathbb {T})$$

f
∈

L
1

(
T
)

one has $$\frac{1}{N}\sum _{j=1}^N S_{k_j}f(x) \rightarrow f(x)$$

1
N

∑

j
=
1

N

S

k
j

f

(
x
)

→
f

(
x
)

for a.e. $$x\in \mathbb {T}$$

x
∈
T

. A direct corollary of this paper’s main theorem is that there exists a subsequence $$(k_j)$$

(

k
j

)

of the sequence of natural numbers and an integrable function f such that the arithmetic means of $$S_{k_j}f$$

S

k
j

f

do not converge to f almost everywhere. This is a negative answer to a question that originated in an article by Zalcwasser in 1936 Zalcwasser (Stud. Math. 6, 82–88 (1936)) for some increasing sequences $$(k_j)$$

(

k
j

)

of natural numbers.
Chiral Matter Multiplicities and Resolution-Independent Structure in 4D F-Theory Models
Authors: Jefferson Patrick , Taylor Washington , Turner Andrew P.
Published: November 2023

Motivated by questions related to the landscape of flux compactifications, we combine new and existing techniques into a systematic, streamlined approach for computing vertical fluxes and chiral matter multiplicities in 4D F-theory models. A central feature of our approach is the conjecturally resolution-independent intersection pairing of the vertical part of the integer middle cohomology of smooth elliptic Calabi–Yau fourfolds, relevant for computing chiral indices and related aspects of 4D F-theory flux vacua. We illustrate our approach by analyzing vertical flux backgrounds for F-theory models with simple, simply-laced gauge groups and generic matter content, as well as models with $${\text {U}}(1)$$

U
(
1
)

gauge factors. We explicitly analyze resolutions of these F-theory models in which the elliptic fiber is realized as a cubic in $${\mathbb {P}}^2$$

P

2

over an arbitrary (e.g., not necessarily toric) smooth base, and confirm the independence of the intersection pairing of the vertical part of the middle cohomology for the resolutions we study. In each model, we find that vertical flux backgrounds can produce nonzero multiplicities for a spanning set of anomaly-free chiral matter field combinations, suggesting that F-theory geometry imposes no additional linear constraints on allowed matter representations beyond those implied by 4D anomaly cancellation.
Beaching model for buoyant marine debris in bore-driven swash
Authors: Davidson Benjamin , Brenner Jamie , Pujara Nimish
Published: November 2023

Marine debris pollution is a growing problem impacting aquatic ecosystems, coastal recreation and human society. Beaches are known to be a sink for debris, and beaching needs to be accounted for in marine debris mass balances, but the process of buoyant debris beaching is not yet sufficiently well understood in order for it to be included in coastal models. We develop a simplified model for buoyant marine debris transport in bore-driven swash (where swash refers to the area that the water wets the beach with each incoming wave). We validate the model with laboratory experiments and use the combined results from the model and experiments to understand the parameters that are important for dictating particle beaching. The most relevant parameters are the particle inertia and the initial conditions with which debris particles enter the swash zone.
Poverty attributions in Guyana: Between self-interest, resentment, and ideology
Authors: Abts Koen , Thomas Troy , Van Hootegem Arno
Published: November 2023

This study examines which poverty attributions are present in Guyana, a developing country in South America, and tests which variables explain these attributions in a non-Western context by linking them to structural characteristics, feelings of resentment, and values. First, using survey data from the Values and Poverty Study in Guyana (N = 1,557), we find that the traditional three-tier model does not adequately capture Guyanese attributions of poverty. Instead, confirmatory factor analysis identifies some subdimensions of structural attributions that refer to both social and economic structure, a hybrid dimension linking poverty to family breakup, and explanations related to social and individual fate. Second, we examine the impact of feelings of resentment on poverty attributions. In particular, experiences of powerlessness foster structural, fatalistic, and family attributions of poverty, illustrating the role of a lack of external locus of control. Finally, our study shows that ideological values and egalitarianism have the strongest predictive power.
‘The goddess that we serve’: projecting international community at the first serial chemistry conferences, 1893–1914
Authors: Somsen Geert
Published: November 2023

The emergence of conferences in the late nineteenth century significantly changed the ways in which the international scientific community functioned and experienced itself. In the early modern Republic of Letters, savants mainly related through print and correspondence, and apart from at local and later national levels, scholars rarely met. International conferences, by contrast, brought scientists together regularly, in the flesh and in great numbers. Their previously imagined community now became tangible. This paper examines how conferencing reshaped the collective of international scientists by zooming in on the massive meetings of the International Congress of Applied Chemistry, 1893–1914. Drawing on Emile Durkheim's studies of religious gatherings it analyses the ritualization of routine conference practices, such as plenary ceremonies, toasts, ladies’ programmes and committee meetings. It looks at how roles were distributed as participants performed as hosts and guests, and in masculine and feminine and national and international identities. Importantly, it shows both how the sacralization of chemistry as a higher aim served to instil senses of dedication in order to organize labour and mitigate conflict, and how the self-perception of the international chemical community was based on contemporary understandings of parliament, democracy and representation.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS: WORDPLAY AS WARFARE IN CAESAR'S BELLVM CIVILE
Authors: Ginsberg Lauren Donovan
Published: November 2023

This article argues that Caesar puns on the cognomen of Pompey the Great through his use of the adjective magnus at least twice in his Bellum Civile. In each instance, the wordplay contributes to (1) evoking the memory of Pompey's past triumphs and (2) exploring the gulf between past reputation and present reality. By focussing on this particular wordplay, the article contributes to a wider discussion of Caesarean language and wit as well as to studies of Caesar's art of characterization.
Individual Differences in the Susceptibility to the Feature-Positive Effect
Authors: Rassin Eric
Published: November 2023

Abstract: The feature-positive effect (FPE) is the phenomenon that learning organisms are better at detecting the association between two present stimuli than between the absence of one stimulus and the presence of the other. Although the FPE was first described over 50 years ago, it remains an ill-studied and ill-understood bias. Nonetheless, the FPE can have far-reaching negative consequences in various decision-making contexts. In the present contribution, an attempt was made to document the FPE with a within-subject measurement. Initial psychometric analyses (PCA, Cronbach’s α, test–retest reliability, and concurrent validity correlations) suggest that such intraindividual measurement of the FPE is indeed possible. Consequently, individuals can be expected to differ in their susceptibility to the FPE. This individual difference factor can be measured with the described feature-positive effect test (FPET), which opens new research avenues in which FPE-proneness is taken as a starting point.
A Two‐Step Linear Model to Fill the Data Gap Between GRACE and GRACE‐FO Terrestrial Water Storage Anomalies
Authors: Yang Xinchun , You Wei , Tian Siyuan , Jiang Zhongshan , Wan Xiangyu
Published: November 2023

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and its Follow‐On (GRACE‐FO) missions have revolutionized global terrestrial water storage anomalies (TWSA) measurements. However, the 11‐month data gap between the two GRACE missions disrupts the measurement continuity and limits its further applications. Previous attempts to fill this data gap require further improvement in terms of method robustness and product quality. Here, we propose a novel two‐step linear model using precipitation, temperature data, and hydrological model‐simulated TWSA as predictors to fill the 11‐month data gap between the two GRACE missions and generate six global gridded GRACE‐like TWSA products from April 2002 to July 2021. These products are evaluated at grid scale globally and also basin scale for the world's largest 72 river basins. Results indicate that our GRACE‐like data show great consistency with the GRACE/GRACE‐FO observations. While most basins exhibit consistent performance across the six GRACE‐like TWSA products, certain areas with lower signal‐to‐noise ratios show significant variability. Furthermore, we assess the performance of our GRACE‐like data during the data gap using one previous reconstruction, a hydrological model simulation, and the Swarm satellite measurement. The results confirm that our GRACE‐like data exhibit equivalent performance within and outside the data gap. This study introduces a more simple and robust method for predicting the missing data between the two GRACE missions and provides readily applicable continuous GRACE‐like TWSA products for hydrologic applications.
Gently Down the Stream: Carbon’s Journey from Land to Sea and Beyond
Authors: Scharping Nathaniel
Published: November 2023

Movement of carbon from land to ocean and atmosphere plays an important, but understudied, role in the global carbon cycle.
Application of machine learning standardized integral area algorithm in measuring the scoliosis
Authors: Han Shuman , Zhao Hongyu , Zhang Yi , Yang Chen , Han Xiaonan , Wu Huizhao , Cao Lei , Yu Baohai , Wen Jin-Xu , Wu Tianhao , Gao Bulang , Wu Wenjuan
Published: November 2023

This study was to develop a computer vision evaluation method to automatically measure the degree of scoliosis based on the machine learning algorithm. For the X-ray images of 204 patients with idiopathic scoliosis who underwent full-spine radiography, histogram equalization of original image was performed before a flipping method was used to magnify asymmetric elements, search for the global maximum pixel value in each line, and scan local maximal pixel value, with the intersection set of two point sets being regarded as candidate anchor points. All fine anchors were fitted with cubic spline algorithm to obtain the approximate curve of the spine, and the degree of scoliosis was measured by the standardized integral area. All measured data were analyzed. In manual measurement, the Cobb angle was 11.70–25.00 (20.15 ± 3.60), 25.20–44.70 (33.89 ± 5.41), and 45.10–49.40 (46.98 ± 1.25) in the mild, moderate and severe scoliosis group, respectively, whereas the value for the standardized integral area algorithm was 0.072–0.298 (0.185 ± 0.040), 0.100–0.399 (0.245 ± 0.050), and 0.246–0.901 (0.349 ± 0.181) in the mild, moderate and severe scoliosis group, respectively. Correlation analysis between the manual measurement of the Cobb angle and the evaluation of the standardized integral area algorithm demonstrated the Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.643 (P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the manual measurement of the Cobb angle and the measurement of the standardized integral area value. Two methods had good consistency in evaluating the degree of scoliosis. ROC curve analysis of the standardized integral area algorithm to measure the degree of scoliosis showed he cutoff value of the standardized integral area algorithm was 0.20 for the moderate scoliosis with an AUC of 0.865, sensitivity 0.907, specificity 0.635, accuracy 0.779, positive prediction value 0.737 and negative prediction value 0.859, and the cutoff value of the standardized integral area algorithm was 0.40 for the severe scoliosis with an AUC of 0.873, sensitivity 0.188, specificity 1.00, accuracy 0.936, positive prediction value 1 and a negative prediction value 0.935. Using the standardized integral area as an independent variable and the Cobb angle as a dependent variable, a linear regression equation was established as Cobb angle = 13.36 + 70.54 × Standardized area, the model has statistical significance. In conclusion, the integrated area algorithm method of machine learning can quickly and efficiently assess the degree of scoliosis and is suitable for screening the degree of scoliosis in a large dataset as a useful supplement to the fine measurement of scoliosis Cobb angle.
Biosynthetic gene cluster profiling from North Java Sea Virgibacillus salarius reveals hidden potential metabolites
Authors: Radjasa Ocky Karna , Steven Ray , Humaira Zalfa , Dwivany Fenny Martha , Nugrahapraja Husna , Trinugroho Joko Pebrianto , Kristianti Tati , Chahyadi Agus , Natanael Yosua , Priharto Neil , Kamarisima  , Sembiring Farisa Amalia P. B. , Dwijayanti Ari , Kusmita Lia , Moeis Maelita R. , Suhardi V. Sri Harjati
Published: November 2023

Virgibacillus salarius 19.PP.SC1.6 is a coral symbiont isolated from Indonesia's North Java Sea; it has the ability to produce secondary metabolites that provide survival advantages and biological functions, such as ectoine, which is synthesized by an ectoine gene cluster. Apart from being an osmoprotectant for bacteria, ectoine is also known as a chemical chaperone with numerous biological activities such as maintaining protein stability, which makes ectoine in high demand in the market industry and makes it beneficial to investigate V. salarius ectoine. However, there has been no research on genome-based secondary metabolite and ectoine gene cluster characterization from Indonesian marine V. salarius. In this study, we performed a genomic analysis and ectoine identification of V. salarius. A high-quality draft genome with total size of 4.45 Mb and 4426 coding sequence (CDS) was characterized and then mapped into the Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COG) category. The genus Virgibacillus has an "open" pangenome type with total of 18 genomic islands inside the V. salarius 19.PP.SC1.6 genome. There were seven clusters of secondary metabolite-producing genes found, with a total of 80 genes classified as NRPS, PKS (type III), terpenes, and ectoine biosynthetic related genes. The ectoine gene cluster forms one operon consists of ectABC gene with 2190 bp gene cluster length, and is successfully characterized. The presence of ectoine in V. salarius was confirmed using UPLC-MS/MS operated in Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode, which indicates that V. salarius has an intact ectoine gene clusters and is capable of producing ectoine as compatible solutes.
Amino acid supplementation counteracts negative effects of low protein diets on tail biting in pigs more than extra environmental enrichment
Authors: Minussi Ilaria , Gerrits Walter J. J. , Jansman Alfons J. M. , Gerritsen Rosemarijn , Lambert William , Zonderland Johan J. , Bolhuis J. Elizabeth
Published: November 2023

Low protein (LP) diets may increase the occurrence of damaging behaviours, like tail biting, in pigs. We investigated the effect of supplementing a LP diet with indispensable amino acids (IAA) or environmental enrichment on tail biting. Undocked pigs (n = 48 groups of 12) received either a normal protein diet (NP), a LP, LP with supplemented IAA (LP+), or LP diet with extra environmental enrichment (LP-E+) during the starter, grower, and finisher phase. Performance, activity, behaviour, and body damage were recorded. LP and LP-E+ had a lower feed intake, growth, and gain-to-feed ratio, and were more active than NP and LP+ pigs. LP-E+ pigs interacted most often with enrichment materials, followed by LP, LP+, and NP pigs. LP pigs showed more tail biting than all other groups during the starter phase and the finisher phase (tendency) compared to NP and LP+ pigs. Thus, LP-E+ only reduced tail biting in the starter phase, whereas LP+ tended to do so throughout. Tail damage was more severe in LP pigs than in NP and LP+, with LP-E+ in between. In conclusion, IAA supplementation was more effective than extra environmental enrichment in countering the negative effects of a low protein diet on tail biting in pigs.
A new approach for approximating the p-value of a class of bivariate sign tests
Authors: Shanan Ibrahim A. A. , Abd-Elfattah Ehab F. , Abd El-Raheem Abd El-Raheem M.
Published: November 2023

Bivariate data are frequently encountered in many applied fields, including econometrics, engineering, physiology, biology, and medicine. For bivariate analysis, a wide range of non-parametric and parametric techniques can be applied. There are fewer requirements needed for non-parametric procedures than for parametric ones. In this paper, the saddlepoint approximation method is used to approximate the exact p-values of some non-parametric bivariate tests. The saddlepoint approximation is an approximation method used to approximate the mass or density function and the cumulative distribution function of a random variable based on its moment generating function. The saddlepoint approximation method is proposed in this article as an alternative to the asymptotic normal approximation. A comparison between the proposed method and the normal asymptotic approximation method is performed by conducting Monte Carlo simulation study and analyzing three numerical examples representing bivariate real data sets. In general, the results of the simulation study show the superiority of the proposed method over the asymptotic normal approximation method.
Co-cultivation of primary porcine RPE cells and neuroretina induces inflammation: a potential inflammatory AMD-model
Authors: Fietz Agnes , Schnichels Sven , Hurst José
Published: November 2023

One common aspect in the pathology of many retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the death of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. RPE cells are essential for photoreceptor survival as they recycle and remove compounds of the visual cycle and secrete protective cytokines. Studying RPE cells is crucial to improve our understanding of retinal pathologies, yet only a few retinal ex vivo models include them or do so only indirectly. Besides the positive effects in indirect co-cultivation models, also a slight inflammation was observed. In this study we developed an ex vivo model consisting of a primary porcine RPE monolayer directly co-cultured with porcine retinal organ cultures, to investigate and simulate inflammatory retinal diseases, such as (dry) AMD. The direct co-cultivation resulted in immune reactivity (enhanced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines e.g., IL-1β, IL-6,IL-8) and cell death. These effects were evaluated for the retinal explant as well as for the RPE-monolayer to further understand the complex interactions between these two compartments. Taken together, this ex vivo model can be used to study inflammatory retinal diseases like AMD as well as the rejection observed after RPE-transplantation.
Preparation and properties of novel binary and ternary highly amorphous poly(vinyl alcohol)-based composites with hybrid nanofillers
Authors: Stepura Anastasiia , Mičušik Matej , Olivieri Federico , Gentile Gennaro , Lavorgna Marino , Avella Maurizio , Matysová Edita , Vilčáková Jarmila , Omastová Mária
Published: November 2023

Smart protective coatings and devices are currently of great interest. In particular, they can absorb or reflect harmful waves of electromagnetic interference (EMI). In this work, novel binary and ternary composites with highly amorphous poly(vinyl alcohol) (HAVOH) as a matrix and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and MXenes as nanofillers were prepared. HAVOH is a recently patented kind of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) that was modified with diol monomers. MXenes are a new type of inorganic two-dimensional (2D) nanoparticle consisting of carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides. Three series of composites, HAVOH/SWCNTs, HAVOH/MXenes and HAVOH/SWCNTs/MXenes, were prepared using the solvent casting method. Samples were tested with various methods to study their structure, electrical properties, thermal behavior and EMI-shielding properties. HAVOH/3.0 wt.% SWCNTs/3.0 wt.% MXene specimens revealed a shielding effectiveness of 55 dB, which is 122 times better than that of the neat matrix. These results are promising for the fabrication of films with protective effects against EMI.
Boyle’s Law ignores dynamic processes in governing barotrauma in fish
Authors: Kerr J. R. , White P. R. , Leighton T. G. , Silva L. G. M. , Kemp P. S.
Published: November 2023

The expansion and potential rupture of the swim bladder due to rapid decompression, a major cause of barotrauma injury in fish that pass through turbines and pumps, is generally assumed to be governed by Boyle’s Law. In this study, two swim bladder expansion models are presented and tested in silico. One based on the quasi-static Boyle’s Law, and a Modified Rayleigh Plesset Model (MRPM), which includes both inertial and pressure functions and was parametrised to be representative of a fish swim bladder. The two models were tested using a range of: (1) simulated and (2) empirically derived pressure profiles. Our results highlight a range of conditions where the Boyle’s Law model (BLM) is inappropriate for predicting swim bladder size in response to pressure change and that these conditions occur in situ, indicating that this is an applied and not just theoretical issue. Specifically, these conditions include any one, or any combination, of the following factors: (1) when rate of pressure change is anything but very slow compared to the resonant frequency of the swim bladder; (2) when the nadir pressure is near or at absolute zero; and (3) when a fish experiences liquid tensions (i.e. negative absolute pressures). Under each of these conditions, the MRPM is more appropriate tool for predicting swim bladder size in response to pressure change and hence it is a better model for quantifying barotrauma in fish.
A nonlinear fractional epidemic model for the Marburg virus transmission with public health education
Authors: Addai Emmanuel , Adeniji Adejimi , Ngungu Mercy , Tawiah Godfred Kuffuor , Marinda Edmore , Asamoah Joshua Kiddy K. , Khan Muhammad Altaf
Published: November 2023

In this study, a deterministic model for the dynamics of Marburg virus transmission that incorporates the impact of public health education is being formulated and analyzed. The Caputo fractional-order derivative is used to extend the traditional integer model to a fractional-based model. The model’s positivity and boundedness are also under investigation. We obtain the basic reproduction number $$\mathfrak {R_0}$$

R
0

and establish the conditions for the local and global asymptotic stability for the disease-free equilibrium of the model. Under the Caputo fractional-order derivative, we establish the existence-uniqueness theory using the Banach contraction mapping principle for the solution of the proposed model. We use functional techniques to demonstrate the proposed model’s stability under the Ulam-Hyers condition. The numerical solutions are being determined through the Predictor-Corrector scheme. Awareness, as a form of education that lowers the risk of danger, is reducing susceptibility and the risk of infection. We employ numerical simulations to showcase the variety of realistic parameter values that support the argument that human awareness, as a form of education, considerably lowers susceptibility and the risk of infection.
Bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation of tumorigenic role of PPIA in gastric cancer
Authors: Liu Jichao , Wang Yanjun , Zhao Zhiwei , Ge Yanhui
Published: November 2023

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumor with high incidence rate and mortality. Due to the lack of effective diagnostic indicators, most patients are diagnosed in late stage and have a poor prognosis. An increasing number of studies have proved that Peptidylprolyl isomerase A (PPIA) can play an oncogene role in various cancer types. However, the precise mechanism of PPIA in GC is still unclear. Herein, we analyzed the mRNA levels of PPIA in pan-cancer. The prognostic value of PPIA on GC was also evaluated using multiple databases. Additionally, the relationship between PPIA expression and clinical factors in GC was also examined. We further confirmed that PPIA expression was not affected by genetic alteration and DNA methylation. Moreover, the upstream regulator miRNA and lncRNA of PPIA were identified, which suggested that LINC10232/miRNA-204-5p/PPIA axis might act as a potential biological pathway in GC. Finally, this study revealed that PPIA was negatively correlated with immune checkpoint expression, immune cell biomarkers, and immune cell infiltration in GC.
Alumina and glass-bead blasting effect on bond strength of zirconia using 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) containing self-adhesive resin cement and primers
Authors: Abdou Ahmed , Hussein Nasser , Kusumasari Citra , Abo-Alazm Emad A. , Rizk Amr
Published: November 2023

In fact, bonding of zirconia restorations is still a big challenge in clinical situations and many bonding protocols discussed in literature might be still controversial. The aim of this was to study assess the bond strength of zirconia after alumina and glass-bead pre-treatments with two different primers in combination with conventional resin cement and 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) containing self-adhesive resin cement without priming. Fully sintered high translucent zirconia samples (n = 160) were assigned into 2 groups of pre-treatments (n  = 80): Alumina-sandblasting (AB) and Glass-bead (GB). Then, each group was divided into 4 sub-groups according to priming and cement used (n  = 20 each): conventional self-adhesive resin cement, MDP-silane Primer, MDP primer both with conventional self-adhesive resin cement, and MDP contained cement. Shear bond strength (SBS) was measured after thermocycling. Failure mode was analyzed using stereomicroscope. Contact angle and surface topography were investigated using other fully sintered samples (n  = 30) constructed for that sole purpose, divided into control (no pre-treatment [unmodified], alumina-, and glass-bead sandblasted groups). Two-way ANOVA was performed for SBS and failure mode was analyzed. The use of Alumina-sandblasting showed higher SBS compared to Glass-bead pre-treatment for MDP-silane primer (p = 0.034) and MDP primer (p < 0.001). While MDP contained cement showed higher but insignificant SBS when pre-treated with glass-beads. Alumina-sandblasting and glass-bead pre-treatments improve bond strength of zirconia combined using primers before cementation with conventional resin cement. Also, self-adhesive MDP contained cement along with surface pre-treatment showed the highest achievable bond strength. It was concluded that both alumina-sandblasting and glass-bead blasting improved SBS combined with MDP containing self-adhesive resin cement reducing the required clinical steps during cementation of zirconia restorations.
Economic burden and financial vulnerability of injuries among the elderly in Vietnam
Authors: Vu Hai Minh , Vu Linh Gia , Tran Tung Hoang , Boyer Laurent , Auquier Pascal , Fond Guillaume , Nguyen Tham Thi , Le Linh Khanh , Do Hoa Thi , Do Huyen Phuc , Nghiem Son , Latkin Carl A. , Ho Roger C. M. , Ho Cyrus S. H.
Published: November 2023

Falls are a leading cause of death among elderly people. However, research on the cost of fall-related injuries is limited in Vietnam. We estimated treatment costs and associated factors among 405 elderly patients in Thai Binh hospitals. Costs were estimated through self-reported data on medical and non-medical expenses. Logistic regression and GLM were used to identify payment and affordability factors. Inpatient and outpatient care costs for fall-related injuries were US$98.06 and US$8.53, respectively. 11.85% of participants couldn’t pay for treatment. Payment ability and cost decline were linked to family income, medical history, and hospital stay length. Elderly with fall-related injuries in Vietnam experienced high costs and severe health issues. Primary healthcare services and communication campaigns should be strengthened to reduce disease burden and develop effective fall injury prevention strategies.
A retrospective study of ductoscopy combined with immediate methylene blue staining in nipple discharge diseases
Authors: Yang Wen-shi , Zhang Yan , Wang Hong-ling , Zhang Feng-feng
Published: November 2023

This study investigated the effect of fiberoptic ductoscopy (FDS) combined with methylene blue staining immediately after FDS procedure on pathological nipple discharge diseases. A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 122 patients with nipple discharge, who underwent FDS and surgical treatment at the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery of Tengzhou Central People’s Hospital, was conducted. The demographic characteristics and surgical outcomes of all patients were assessed. According to the injection time of methylene blue, the patients were divided into the control and the observational groups. In the observational group, methylene blue was injected immediately after ductoscopy and then surgical treatment was performed 12–24 h later, while in the control group, methylene blue injection was just few minutes before surgery treatment. There was no significant difference in the demographic characteristics between the two groups such as age and disease course, in the observational group, the incision length 2.39 (0.48) cm, the volume of resected tissue 41.93 (40.57) cm3, the intraoperative blood loss 12.19 (2.10) ml and the operation duration 26.95 (4.51) min were significantly lower than those of the traditional group (P < 0.05). The average hospital stay 3.08 (0.62) days, breast shape satisfaction 4.78 (1.63) points and postoperative drainage tube placement [3 (5.08%) days] in the observational group were significantly better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). FDS combined with immediate methylene blue staining, which has the advantages of accurate location of the diseased duct, small surgical incision, less tissue removal, and ease of finding the orifice of discharged mammary duct, and is worthy of widespread clinical application.
Correction: An overview of the applications of chiral phosphoric acid organocatalysts in enantioselective additions to CO and CN bonds
Authors: del Corte Xabier , Martínez de Marigorta Edorta , Palacios Francisco , Vicario Javier , Maestro Aitor
Published: November 2023

Correction for ‘An overview of the applications of chiral phosphoric acid organocatalysts in enantioselective additions to CO and CN bonds’ by Xabier del Corte et al., Org. Chem. Front., 2022, 9, 6331–6399, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QO01209J.
Grazing capacity of reindeer pastures in the boreal zone of the West Siberian Plain
Authors: Korkina Elena , Kushanova Aliya , Seredovskich Boris
Published: November 2023

Field studies were carried the grazing capacity of the reindeer in the boreal zone. The study is based on the study phytomass forage plants of the reindeer grazing. Soil, geobotanical descriptions were made grazing capacity on the methodology for determining productivity and calculating the fodder capacity of reindeer pastures. The identification of potentially suitable places for the reindeer was carried out on the basis of the decryption of satellite images and the digitization of thematic maps. Grazing capacity was with the allocation on the geobotanical map of the areas of distribution of pine-lichen white-moss and pine lichen-cowberry forests, and on the soil map - the areas of finding illuvial-ferruginous podzols. The study revealed that best the landscape-ecological conditions for the growth of lichens of the species Cladonia alpestris (L.) are the pinery on the podzols in Siberian ridges (Siberian Uvals). Based on the results of field studies, the fodder capacity of reindeer pastures for the studied areas was calculated, and the estimated number of deer was determined. The conducted studies make it possible to judge the state of individual areas suitable for reindeer habitats, and thus make it possible to assess the degree of prospects for reindeer breeding.
Effectiveness of foliar fertilizing spring oilseed rape in the forest-steppe conditions of central black earth economic region of Russia
Authors: Zubkova Tatyana , Vinogradov Dmitry , Butov Maksim
Published: November 2023

Trace elements are involved in almost all processes of plant life, despite the fact that they need very small amounts. The lack of trace elements in the soil does not lead to the death of plants, but is the cause of a decrease in the rate of their development. In the end, the plants do not realize their capabilities and give a low and low-quality crop. To solve this problem quickly, you can use foliar fertilizing with microfertilizers. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of foliar fertilizing at different times with new types of complex microfertilizers on the productivity of spring rapeseed and the quality of its oilseeds.The experiments were carried out in the Lipetsk Region in Russia in 2019 and 2020 on Rif spring oilseed rape variety. Three types of fertilization during oilseed rape vegetative development were studied: a rosette stage, a bud-formation stage, and overlapping rosette + budding stage. The following agrochemical preparations were studied: Microel (0.2 L/ha), Life Force (0.4 L/ha), Boroplus (0.75 L/ha), Plantafol 20:20:20 (1 kg/ha), Plantafol 5: 15:45 (1 kg/ha) and Lignohumate (0.15 L/ha). The research results showed that processing foliar fertilization in the rosette stage with further feeding in the bud-formation phase were most effective. Because of the provision with microelements, vegetative plants were able to synthesize a full complex of enzymes. Plantafol 20:20:20 and Plantafol 5:15:45 micronutrient fertilizers provided the maximum increase in the rapeseed yield with double-spray processing, yielding 2.05 and 1.94 t/ha, respectively, and exceeding the control crops by 0.64 and 0.53 t/ha, respectively.
Study of imidazolinone-resistant hybrids of rapeseed and sunflower for yield depending on doses of mineral nutrition
Authors: Vinogradov Dmitry , Zubkova Tatyana
Published: November 2023

The article offers an analysis of the yield of hybrid lines of sunflower and spring rapeseed, grown according to the technology using herbicides of the chemical class Imidozalinones, against the background of various doses of mineral nutrition. The research was carried out in two regions of the Central European part of Russia, in the Lipetsk and Ryazan regions in 2021-2022. According to the results of the experiment, all used hybrids of oilseeds showed high yields, above the average yields for the regions. The maximum yield was found in all plots of mineral nutrition with the action of N250P70K70 - for sunflower, and with the action of N210P50K50 - for spring rapeseed.