bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data Care as Conversation: A Resource to Support Dialogue, Decision Making, and Design Activities that Respect Newcomer Communities and their Data
Authors: Shankar Saguna , Nathan Lisa P.
Published: October 2022

Arts and design‐based approaches hold potential for supporting deliberation among groups with different views and values who collaborate through their information practices. This paper describes the design of such an approach, entitled Sangam: Prompts for Discussions, Decision Making, and Design Activities that Respect Newcomer Communities and their Data. Grounded in empirical research, Sangam is a set of physical cards that prompt reflection on and discussion of ethical complexities that arise when coordinating immigration and settlement services in Canada. This report describes the process of designing the Sangam cards, staying true to the project's research findings while also leaving space for interpretive flexibility.
Are Virtual Reference Services Color and Gender Blind? Service Equality Revisited
Authors: Vladoiu Megan , Fichman Pnina
Published: October 2022

Following the rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020, there has been an increased focus on racial equality in library services, including recent modifications of the ALA Code of Ethics. Online library services may eliminate race‐based service discrimination by obscuring the racial identity of the patron. However, racial assumptions based on patrons' names can lead to online discrimination. While prior research shows mixed results, we examine if there is evidence of racial bias in virtual reference in American academic libraries. Initial findings based on content analysis of 946 responses from 255 libraries suggest that Tyrone Jackson received better service than others did.
Paving the Speedway to the IT Harbor: How Chinese Programming Boot Camp Prepares Chinese Migrants for IT Jobs in the United States
Authors: Tian Huixin
Published: October 2022

In recent years, Chinese migrants have become one primary source of computing professional labor in the United States. Within the Chinese migrant community, the computing profession was depicted as a new framework of success and a harbor to ease the stress caused by precarious immigration status. To successfully obtain a job in the IT industry, many Chinese migrants turned to the Chinese programming boot camp (PBC) for professional training in programming, which made Chinese PBC the intermediary between Chinese migrant professionals and the American companies demanding skilled programmers. In this research based on qualitative interviews with the founders, employees, and clients, I illustrated how Chinese PBC constructed computing knowledge into a set of techniques and skills to solve and present algorism problems. I interpreted this knowledge construction in the context of racialized and mystified computing profession in the Chinese migrant community.
Helicoverpa armigera preference and performance on three cultivars of short‐duration pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan): the importance of whole plant assays
Authors: Volp Trevor M. , Zalucki Myron P. , Furlong Michael J.
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Helicoverpa armigera is a major pest of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan). Efforts to develop pigeonpea varieties resistant to H. armigera attack have been met with limited success, despite reports of high levels of resistance to H. armigera in wild relatives of pigeonpea and reports of low to moderate levels of resistance in cultivated varieties. Here we examined H. armigera oviposition preference and larval performance on whole plants of three cultivars of short‐duration pigeonpea: a susceptible control (ICPL 87) and two cultivars with purported host–plant resistance (ICPL 86012 and ICPL 88039).

RESULTS

In our no‐choice oviposition experiment, H. armigera laid similar numbers of eggs on all three cultivars tested, but under choice conditions moths laid slightly more eggs on ICPL 88039. Larval growth and development were affected by cultivar, and larvae grew to the largest size (weight) and developed fastest on ICPL 86012. Moths laid most of their eggs on floral structures, sites where subsequent early instar larvae overwhelmingly fed. Experimentally placing neonate larvae at different locations on plants demonstrated that larvae placed on flowers experienced greater survival, faster development, and greater weight gain than those placed on leaves. The type and density of trichomes (a potential resistance trait) differed among cultivars and plant structures, but larvae selected to feed at sites where trichomes were absent.

CONCLUSION

Future work examining host–plant resistance against H. armigera should incorporate the behavioural preference of moths and larvae in experiments using whole plants as opposed to bioassays of excised plant parts in Petri dishes. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Schisandra B, a representative lignan from Schisandra chinensis, improves cisplatin‐induced toxicity: An in vitro study
Authors: Hu Jun‐nan , Wang Yi‐ming , Zhang Hao , Li Hui‐ping , Wang Zi , Han Mei , Ren Shen , Tang Shan , Jiang Shuang , Li Wei
Published: October 2022

Schisandrin B (Scheme B) is the most abundant and active lignan monomer isolated from Schisandra chinensis. At present, most reports focus on its cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects, however, the related reports on gastrointestinal protective effects are still limited. The study aims to evaluate the protective effect of Scheme B on cisplatin‐induced rat intestinal crypt epithelial (IEC‐6) cell injury and the possible molecular mechanisms. The results showed that Scheme B at 2.5, 5 and 10 μM could inhibit dose‐dependently the reduction of cell activity induced by cisplatin exposure at 1 μM, decrease the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while increasing glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) to alleviate oxidative stress injury in IEC‐6 cell lines. Meanwhile, Scheme B could relieve cisplatin‐induced apoptosis by regulating PI3K/AKT and the downstream caspase signaling pathway. The results from flow cytometry analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) staining also demonstrated the anti‐apoptosis effect of Scheme B. Furthermore, Scheme B was found to reduce the inflammation associated with cell damage by evaluating the protein expressions of the nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling pathway. Importantly, Wnt/β‐catenin, as a functional signaling pathway that drives intestinal self‐recovery, was also in part regulated by Scheme B. In conclusion, Scheme B might alleviate cisplatin‐induced IEC‐6 cell damage by inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and repairing intestinal barrier function. The present research provides a strong evidence that Scheme B may be a useful modulator in cisplatin‐induced intestinal toxicity.
Patient selection for balloon pulmonary angioplasty: Six‐year results from a high volume PTE surgical center
Authors: Poch David S. , Mahmud Ehtisham , Patel Mitul , Papamatheakis Demosthenes , Fernandes Timothy , Kerr Kim , Yang Jenny , Pretorius Victor , Madani Michael M. , Kim Nick H.
Published: October 2022

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is the result of incompletely resolved pulmonary emboli (PE) that lead to chronic right heart failure. The two mechanical treatment options are pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) and balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). There are no formal criteria for BPA patient selection and treatment decisions vary according to a center's experience with BPA and PTE. We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients treated with PTE and BPA at UCSD from March 2015 to 2021. Clinical and hemodynamic data were collected. Patients were categorized according to the rationale for BPA. One hundred fifty three patients underwent 643 BPA sessions, and 1104 patients underwent PTE. Patients selected for PTE had worse baseline hemodynamics with mean pulmonary artery pressure 41.1 ± 11.7 versus 34.6 ± 11.2 mmHg, p < 0.001. 59% of patients selected for BPA had surgically inaccessible disease, 21% had residual CTEPH after PTE, 10% had a discordance between disease burden and symptoms/hemodynamics, 7% had comorbidities that prevented PTE and 3% refused PTE surgery. 28% of patients who underwent PTE had exclusively level III or IV disease based on surgical specimen. There were no BPA procedure‐related mortalities and minor pulmonary vascular complication rates during BPA were 9.2%. The most common reason for BPA selection was surgically inaccessible disease followed by residual CTEPH after PTE. Almost one third of patients who underwent PTE had exclusively distal disease by surgical criteria and might have been directed to BPA at a less experienced surgical center.
Hydrogen storage in SiC, GeC, and SnC nanocones functionalized with nickel, Density Functional Theory—Study
Authors: Taha Hayam Osman , El Mahdy Atef M. , El Shemy Fatma El Sayed , Hassan Mohammed Mohammed
Published: October 2022

Hydrogen is regarded as one of the most potential sustainable energy sources in the future. Applications include transportation. Still, the event of materials for its storage is difficult notably as a fuel in vehicular transport. Nanocones are a promising hydrogen storage material. Silicon, germanium, and tin carbide nanocones have recently been proposed as promising hydrogen storage materials. In the present study, we have investigated the hydrogen storage capacity of and nanocones functionalized with Ni. The functionalized Ni atom are found to be adsorbed on and with an adsorption energy of −5.56, −6.70, and −4.25 eV. The functionalized , and bind up to seven, six and four molecules of hydrogen with the adsorption energy of (−0.34, −0.35, and −0.26 eV) and an average desorption temperature of around 434, 447, and 332 K (ideal for fuel cell applications). The SiC, GeC, and SnC nanocones systems exhibit a maximum gravimetric storage capacity of 12.51, 7.78, and 4.08 wt%. We suggested that NiSiCNC and NiGeCNC systems can act as potential H2 storage device materials because of their higher H2 uptake capacity as well as their stronger interaction with adsorbed hydrogen molecules than NiSnCNC systems. The hydrogen storage reactions are characterized in terms of the charge transfer, the partial density of states, the frontier orbital band gaps, and isosurface plots. And electrophilicity are calculated for the functionalized and hydrogenated and nanocones.
Relevance of social capital in preserving subjective well‐being in the face of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sarmiento Prieto Juan Pablo , Castro‑Correa Carmen‑Paz , Arrieta Alejandro , Jerath Meenakshi , Arensburg Svenska
Published: October 2022

This paper analyzes the changes in subjective well‐being (SWB) in 11 Latin American cities at the end of the acceleration phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the variables that influenced these changes, and the role of the public support policies and the social capital on SWB recovery. This study, the second of a two‐phase research project, is a survey‐based comparative analysis. The 5604 survey responses obtained included 3279 observations from the research project's preceding phase, and 2325 observations conducted as part of the second project phase and current study. A multivariate linear regression model was used to evaluate the impact of the different variables related to COVID‐19 on people's SWB. Results show that the most significant positive impacts on SWB, are attributed to social capital, particularly family and social cohesion. The study confirms that the level of SWB is strongly associated with personality traits, health, and key variables such as age, marital status, and income. The different measures established to control the pandemic have not remedied the negative impacts of COVID‐19 on people's SWB. However, an increase in different degrees of SWB was observed in 10 out of the 11 cities between the initial survey and the follow‐up survey.
Tracking control and disturbance rejection for nonlinear switched control systems with saturation effects
Authors: Sakthivel Rathinasamy , Priyanka Sargunan , Kwon Oh‐Min , Mohanapriya Saminathan
Published: October 2022

This article focuses on the concerns of a tracking control and active disturbance rejection for nonlinear switched systems described by Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy framework with state‐dependent nonlinear perturbations, actuator saturations and disturbances. Especially, a nonlinear equivalent‐input‐disturbance technique is employed to guarantee that only the external disturbances are rejected while retaining the beneficial nonlinearity of the system. Notably, with the aid of the lifting technique, the modified repetitive control are accurately described by a continuous‐discrete two‐dimensional model is designed to improve the tracking precision. The fuzzy‐membership‐function‐dependent piecewise Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) by exploiting the knowledge of the membership functions are built to assure the exponential stability of the investigated system. Moreover, the controller and observer gains can be obtained as solutions to a set of strict linear matrix inequalities. Finally, an application example based on the cognitive radio model is given to verify the efficacy of the proposed control protocol.
Enone as TFO Linker: Synthesis and Parallel DNA Triplex Stability Evaluation
Authors: Fatthalla Maha I. , Abd El Salam Hayam A. , Zayed Ehab M. , Ibrahim Mahmoud A. A. , Pedersen Erik B.
Published: October 2022

Two new intercalated nucleic acid monomers, X and Y, possessing enone as linker have been synthesized. The monomers were incorporated into 14‐mer polypyrimidine strand to act as triplex‐forming oligonucleotide (TFO). The thermal stabilities of the formed parallel triplexes, parallel and antiparallel duplexes were evaluated to show high stability of its parallel triplexes at pH 5.0 and pH 7.2, while limited stability at pH 6.0 compared to unmodified triplex. The architectures of enone linker are shown to disturb the planarity of its parallel and antiparallel duplexes and consequently the π‐π stacking ability with the neighboring nucleobases. The data was confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation and binding energy calculations. Characteristic fluorescence spectra were also investigated to show the ability of X and Y containing TFO to discriminate parallel triplex from parallel and antiparallel duplex.
Collaborative analysis for energy usage monitoring and management on a large university campus
Authors: Chen Ming‐Hui , Lim Daeyoung , Ravishanker Nalini , Linder Henry , Bolduc Mark , McKeon Brian , Nolan Stanley
Published: October 2022

This describes a successful ongoing collaboration between the Department of Statistics and the Facilities Operations at the University of Connecticut (UConn). The collaboration stemmed from facilities reaching out to the productive Statistical Consulting Services (SCS) in the Department of Statistics for help in understanding and optimizing energy usage across the large university campus. Starting on a small scale with one faculty leader and two graduate assistants in 2016, the continued high level of deliverables resulted in the project growing in personnel and scope to involve four statistics faculty collaborators, four engineers and operations staff from the facilities unit, one staff from Office of Budget and Planning, one postdoc, ten PhD graduate assistants, four MS graduate students, five UConn undergraduate students, and two international visiting undergraduate researchers. This paper highlights this journey and explains how the concerted effort and team work continues to pave the way for useful implementation, many‐tiered mentoring, interesting research projects, and team satisfaction of a job well done.
Corrosion‐induced damages and failures of posttensioned bridges: A literature review
Authors: Menga Antonia , Kanstad Terje , Cantero Daniel , Bathen Lise , Hornbostel Karla , Klausen Anja
Published: October 2022

Corrosion of posttensioned bridges raises great concern, since the only way to safely assess the condition of the tendons is through destructive evaluation. In this scenario, this paper presents the results of an extensive literature review on reported cases of corrosion of posttensioned bridges and few prestressed structures. The aim is to increase knowledge about the structural consequences of possible corrosion‐induced failure mechanisms. The cases were rated according to the increasing severity of the observed damage and consequent interventions as follows: ordinary maintenance is effective, extraordinary maintenance is necessary, and maintenance is insufficient or absent. It was found that most corrosion‐sensitive structures were segmental and box section beam bridges. Most cases required extraordinary maintenance. Warning signs were often observed. The damage was mainly ascribed to design and execution mistakes that facilitated the ingress of external chlorides causing corrosion. The paper concludes with a discussion of the consequences for structural safety.
The lead and copper rule: Limitations and lessons learned from Newark, New Jersey
Authors: Stratton Sean A. , Ettinger Adrienne S. , Doherty Cathleen L. , Buckley Brian T.
Published: October 2022

Flint, Michigan reignited the public discourse surrounding lead contamination in drinking water with Newark, New Jersey recently experiencing its own lead‐in‐water crisis. Following Flint's experience, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed changes to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), but these changes may not produce better detection of contamination. LCR testing requirements were evaluated for their ability to predict or identify problems from the recent (2015–2019) Newark lead exceedance data. LCR compliance and water quality data were obtained from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) website. Between 2002 and 2015, Newark sampled on a reduced sampling plan (50 samples once every 3 years), as required, for lead and copper. These samples were divided between Newark's two water sources with uneven sampling distribution across the city, further limiting the potential to identify a risk of lead in drinking water. Results suggest a more rigorous testing requirement may have identified the problem sooner. Limitations related to the LCR that prevented Newark water suppliers from earlier detection of lead risk will continue under the revised LCR.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation

Science of Water > Water Quality
Thinking outside of the lunchbox: A narrative policy framework analysis of school lunch policies
Authors: Inman Cassandra , Jones Michael
Published: October 2022

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is the second largest nutrition assistance program in the United States, subsidizing school day meals for nearly 30 million U.S. children, including over 287,000 in Oregon as of fiscal year 2019. A policy success story to some, the NSLP is not without critics or controversy. As discussions about childhood health and wellness have shifted toward food quality and equity, school lunch policy narratives have come under scrutiny. Leveraging participant observation, qualitative interviews, and survey data, this research explores Corvallis, Oregon school lunch policy, contrasting local and national policy perspectives. We draw on the Narrative Policy Framework and Cultural Theory (CT) to identify distinct food policy narratives among Corvallis stakeholders and across cultural groups. Our analysis found a predominantly egalitarian worldview among Corvallis stakeholders whose narratives feature children as victims, with community institutions and advocates in the roles of the heroes and/or villains. Sustainability and the value of market forces were identified as key themes in local and national school lunch narrative plots and morals.
Responsibility in Road Traffic
Authors: Hansson Sven Ove
Published: October 2022

Vision Zero requires a new approach to the responsibility for safety. This chapter provides conceptual tools for the description and analysis of this and other responsibility issues. Distinctions between different types of responsibility are introduced, with a particular emphasis on the distinction between blame responsibility and task responsibility. The complex relationship between responsibility and causality is also delineated. This is followed by an analysis of the changes in responsibility assignments that are necessary to implement Visio Zero.
Organizational Change for Equity & Inclusion
Authors: Bjørn Pernille , Menendez-Blanco Maria , Borsotti Valeria
Published: October 2022

In this chapter, we situate how the insights in equity and inclusion we have gained through the FemTech research can inform how organizations such as computer science departments or tech companies can step up and improve inclusivity. We cannot offer a complete set of guidelines, but we can propose agendas, questions, and considerations which hopefully can assist organizations in creating their own strategies for intervention.
Assessing Visual Identification Challenges for Unmarked and Similar Aircraft Components
Authors: Schoepflin Daniel , Gierecker Johann , Schüppstuhl Thorsten
Published: October 2022

Highest demands for complete traceability and quality control of each component, require thorough identification of each produced, replaced, and (dis-)assembled aircraft component. As many production and MRO-processes for modern aircraft remain to be carried out manually, this poses a great challenge. Many small components either do not feature a Part Number or in MRO-processes their Part Number is occluded or not readable due to dirt and wear. Considering unmarked components with a high resemblance to one another and few characteristics, e.g. standard parts such as bushings and pipes, manual identification is an error-prone task. Avoiding errors through digitalized procedures has the potential to significantly reduce error rates and costs for a typical manual dual control. However, automated identification of components has to overcome the high classification complexity that originates in the manifold of aircraft components and is additionally increased by individualistic MRO modifications for specific aircraft. This work presents a methodological approach to reveal possible challenges for identification procedures and gives special focus to the assessment of similarities between components. Two similarity metrics are introduced that are calculated either through feature-based analysis or through 3D-shape similarity assessment. The methodology is demonstrated with two to this date unsolved Use-Cases that represent different challenges of visual identification systems for similar and unmarked components.
Projecting Product-Aware Cues as Assembly Intentions for Human-Robot Collaboration
Authors: David Joe , Coatanéa Eric , Lobov Andrei
Published: October 2022

Collaborative environments between humans and robots are often characterized by simultaneous tasks carried out in close proximity. Recognizing robot intent in such circumstances can be crucial for operator safety and cannot be determined from robot motion alone. Projecting robot intentions on the product or the part the operator is collaborating on has the advantage that it is in the operator’s field of view and has the operator’s undivided attention. However, intention projection methods in literature use manual techniques for this purpose which can be prohibitively time consuming and unscalable to different part geometries. This problem is only more relevant in today’s manufacturing scenario that is characterized by part variety and volume. To this end, this study proposes (oriented) bounding boxes as a generalizable information construct for projecting assembly intentions that is capable of coping with different part geometries. The approach makes use of a digital thread framework for on-demand, run-time computation and retrieval of these bounding boxes from product CAD models and does so automatically without human intervention. A case-study with a real diesel engine assembly informs appreciable results and preliminary observations are discussed before presenting future directions for research.
Online Quality Inspection Approach for Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) by Utilizing IR-RGB Multimodal Monitoring and Deep Learning
Authors: Stavropoulos Panagiotis , Papacharalampopoulos Alexios , Sabatakakis Kyriakos
Published: October 2022

Online, Image-based monitoring of arc welding requires direct visual contact with the seam or the melt pool. During SAW, these regions are covered with flux, making it difficult to correlate temperature and spatial related features with the weld quality. In this study, by using a dual-camera setup, IR and RGB images depicting the irradiated flux during fillet welding of S335 structural steel beams are captured and utilized to develop a Deep Learning model capable of assessing the quality of the seam, according to four classes namely “no weld”, “good weld”, “porosity” and “undercut/overlap”, as they’ve emerged from visual offline inspection. The results proved that the camera-based monitoring could be a feasible online solution for defect classification in SAW with exceptional performance especially when a dual-modality setup is utilized. However, they’ve also pointed out that such a monitoring setup does not grand any real-world advantage when it comes to the classification of relatively large, defective seam regions.
Integration of Machining Process Digital Twin in Early Design Stages of a Portable Robotic Machining Cell
Authors: Stavropoulos Panagiotis , Manitaras Dimitris , Bikas Harry , Souflas Thanassis
Published: October 2022

Industrial robots have been getting a more important role in manufacturing processes during the last decades, due to the flexibility they can provide in terms of reachability, size of working envelope and workfloor footprint. An especially interesting application are material removal processes and specifically machining. Use of robots in machining has opened new pathways for the development of flexible, portable robotic cells for several use cases. However, the peculiarity of such cells compared to traditional machine tools calls for novel approaches in their design and dynamic analysis. To this end, this work proposes an approach that integrates the digital twin of the machining process to set the boundary conditions for the design and dynamic analysis of the robotic cell. Physics-based modelling of milling is coupled with a Multi-Body Simulation of the robotic arm to define the inputs for the design of the cell. The design and dynamic analysis of the robotic cell is performed in a commercial FEA package, taking into account the requirements of the machining process.
Diskussion
Authors: Lorenz Sandro
Published: October 2022

Wie im Rahmen der Ergebnisdarstellung gezeigt, liegen bei der Gesamtzufriedenheit der Patientinnen und Patienten hohe Zufriedenheitswerte mit der Prämedikationsleistung vor. Über 70 % sind insgesamt zufrieden und 68,4 % würden die Ambulanz sogar weiterempfehlen. In diesem Kontext sollte noch einmal betont werden, dass es sich um eine Prämedikationsambulanz an einem großen deutschen Universitätsklinikum und Maximalversorger handelt.
Ausblick
Authors: Lorenz Sandro
Published: October 2022

Die Patientenzufriedenheit und die Prozessqualität in Bezug auf anästhesiologische Leistungen scheinen nach dieser Untersuchung akzeptabel bis gut zu sein. In Anbetracht der sich vollziehenden Strukturveränderungen und der Ressourcenknappheit im stationären Sektor stellt dies keine Selbstverständlichkeit dar.
Patientenzufriedenheit
Authors: Lorenz Sandro
Published: October 2022

Patientenzufriedenheit ist in den letzten Jahren immer mehr in den Fokus der Forschung gerückt. War am Anfang der Entwicklung die Patientenzufriedenheit nur ein Surrogat-Parameter für ökonomische und Outcome-relevante Größen, ist sie heute Forschungsgegenstand und Prämisse ihrer selbst wegen. Neben einer qualitativ hochwertigen Therapie und Behandlung stellt sie ein Hauptziel der Leistungserbringer im deutschen Gesundheitssystem dar.
Contribution of T- and B-cell intrinsic toll-like receptors to the adaptive immune response in viral infectious diseases
Authors: Zhang Ejuan , Ma Zhiyong , Lu Mengji
Published: October 2022

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) comprise a class of highly conserved molecules that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and play a vital role in host defense against multiple viral infectious diseases. Although TLRs are highly expressed on innate immune cells and play indirect roles in regulating antiviral adaptive immune responses, intrinsic expression of TLRs in adaptive immune cells, including T cells and B cells, cannot be ignored. TLRs expressed in CD4 + and CD8 + T cells play roles in enhancing TCR signal-induced T-cell activation, proliferation, function, and survival, serving as costimulatory molecules. Gene knockout of TLR signaling molecules has been shown to diminish antiviral adaptive immune responses and affect viral clearance in multiple viral infectious animal models. These results have highlighted the critical role of TLRs in the long-term immunological control of viral infection. This review summarizes the expression and function of TLR signaling pathways in T and B cells, focusing on the in vitro and vivo mechanisms and effects of intrinsic TLR signaling in regulating T- and B-cell responses during viral infection. The potential clinical use of TLR-based immune regulatory drugs for viral infectious diseases is also explored.
Computer- und Magnetresonanztomographie in der Herzdiagnostik – welche Modalität ist die richtige?
Authors: Gohmann Robin F. , Sieren Malte M. , Gutberlet Matthias
Published: October 2022

In den Leitlinienaktualisierungen der European Society of Cardiology (ESC) nimmt die nichtinvasive radiologische Schnittbildgebung eine zunehmende prominente Rolle ein, während gleichzeitig die invasive Diagnostik weiter zurückgedrängt wird. Gerade für die Diagnose und die Behandlung des chronischen und des akuten Koronarsyndroms ergeben sich für die klinische Routine grundlegende Änderungen. Darüber hinaus bietet die Schnittbildgebung auch bei anderen kardialen Pathologien eine Alternative zur gängigen Primärdiagnostik, insbesondere der Echokardiographie, welche auch vermehrt in der Differenzialdiagnostik kardialer Erkrankungen eingesetzt wird. Der Radiologe sollte die Empfehlungen der aktuellen Leitlinien kennen und sich für ihre Etablierung im klinischen Alltag einsetzen. Diese Arbeit bietet eine Zusammenfassung der Indikationen kardialer Schnittbildgebung mit Fokus auf Neuerungen in den ESC-Leitlinien und geht auf typische Stärken und Schwächen der jeweiligen Modalität ein.
Multiple revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: not the best but still good
Authors: D’Ambrosi Riccardo , Meena Amit , Raj Akshya , Ursino Nicola , Formica Matteo , Herbort Mirco , Fink Christian
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Given the paucity of literature on the re-revision of ACL, the current study was undertaken. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesise and qualitatively assess the currently available evidence in the literature regarding the re-revision of ACL reconstruction (rrACLR).

Methods

A systematic review was conducted based on the PRISMA guidelines. The following search terms were used in the title, abstract and keywords fields: “ACL” or “anterior cruciate ligament” AND “revision” or “multiple” or “repeat”. The outcome data extracted from the studies were the Lysholm score, Subjective IKDC, Marx Score, Tegner, Marx Score, KOOS score, radiological changes and the rate of return to sports. Complications, failures and/or revision surgery were also analysed.

Results

The cohort consisted of 295 patients [191 (64.7%) men and 104 (35.3%) women] with a mean age of 29.9 ± 2.8 years (range 14–58 years) from 10 studies. The mean postoperative follow-up (reported in all studies except one) was 66.9 ± 44.7 months (range 13–230.4 months). Associated injuries were 103 (34.9%) medial meniscus tears, 57 (19.3%) lateral meniscus tears, 14 (4.7%) combined medial plus lateral meniscus tears, 11 (3.7%) meniscal tears (not specified), 252 (85.4%) cartilage lesions, 6 (2.0%) medial collateral ligament injury and 2 (0.7%) lateral collateral ligament injuries. In 47 (15.9%) patients an extra-articular plasty was performed for the anterolateral ligament. In all studies that reported pre- and post-operative IKDC (subjective and objective) and Lysholm score, there was a significant improvement compared to the pre-operative value (p < 0.05). At the final follow-up, laxity measured with KT-1000 was found to be 2.2 ± 0.6 mm. 31 (10.5%) out of 295 patients returned to their pre-injury activity level. A total of 19 (6.4%) re-ruptures were found, while only 4 (1.4%) complications (all minors) were reported, out of which 2 (0.7%) were superficial infections, 1 (0.3%) cyclops lesion and 1 (0.3%) flexion loss.

Conclusion

Multiple revisions of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction allow acceptable clinical results and a good degree of knee stability with a low rate of subsequent new re-ruptures but the possibility of regaining pre-injury sports activity is poor; whenever possible, it is preferred to revise the ligament in one stage. This surgery remains a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons and many doubts persist regarding the ideal grafts, additional extra-articular procedures and techniques to use.

Level of evidence

IV.

Study registration

PROSPERO-CRD42022352164 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/).
Numerical analyses of long fiber–reinforced polymeric sheets processed by Single Point Incremental Forming
Authors: Conte Romina , Serratore Giuseppe , Ambrogio Giuseppina , Gagliardi Francesco
Published: October 2022

Polymeric matrix composites (PMCs) have gained increasing relevance in different industrial applications and their employment results to be a necessity in the production of lightweight structures. The manufacturing solutions, which allow to properly shape PMC panels, need molds for shaping the material reducing the process flexibility. In this context, the single point incremental forming (SPIF) could be a valuable process solution if properly customized to the PMC properties. Herein, a possible process variant is introduced and its capability in forming long fiber–reinforced thermoplastics was evaluated. To achieve this aim, a numerical model was implemented focusing the attention, first, on the material properties that have to be considered for a proper model construction. The performed numerical simulations showed the applicability of SPIF to shape PMC sheets. Furthermore, the executed simulations pointed out the influences of some variables on the quality of the formed parts showing possible arising of defects, such as wrinkling and rippled surfaces, at different process conditions and providing a first proof of concept of the proposed working solution.
Increased volatile thiol release during beer fermentation using constructed interspecies yeast hybrids
Authors: Krogerus Kristoffer , Rettberg Nils , Gibson Brian
Published: October 2022

Interspecies hybridization has been shown to be a powerful tool for developing and improving brewing yeast in a number of industry-relevant respects. Thanks to the popularity of heavily hopped ‘India Pale Ale’-style beers, there is an increased demand from brewers for strains that can boost hop aroma. Here, we explored whether hybridization could be used to construct strains with an enhanced ability to release hop-derived flavours through β-lyase activity, which releases desirable volatile thiols. Wild Saccharomyces strains were shown to possess high β-lyase activity compared to brewing strains, however, they also produced phenolic off-flavours (POF) and showed poor attenuation. To overcome these limitations, interspecies hybrids were constructed by crossing pairs of one of three brewing and one of three wild Saccharomyces strains (S. uvarum and S. eubayanus). Hybrids were screened for fermentation ability and β-lyase activity, and selected hybrids showed improved fermentation and formation of both volatile thiols (4MMP, 3MH and 3MH-acetate) and aroma-active esters compared to the parent strains. Undesirable traits (e.g. POF) could be removed from the hybrid by sporulation. To conclude, it was possible to boost the release of desirable hop-derived thiols in brewing yeast by hybridization with wild yeast. This allows production of beer with boosted hop aroma with less hops (thus improving sustainability issues).
The shell structure and chamber production cycle of the cephalopod Spirula (Coleoidea, Decabrachia)
Authors: Checa Antonio G. , Grenier Christian , Griesshaber Erika , Schmahl Wolfgang W. , Cartwright Julyan H. E. , Salas Carmen , Oudot Morgane
Published: October 2022

The endocochleate coleoid cephalopod Spirula spirula, the only present-day representative of the order Spirulida, secretes a coiled shell consisting of a series of chambers divided by septa and connected by a siphuncle. It is the shell closest to those of Recent and extinct ectochleate cephalopods: nautiloids, ammonoids. Therefore, its study may help to understand which characters remained unchanged or became transformed during the evolution of endocochleates. We have carried out detailed observations on the different structures composing the Spirula shell, with the aim of reconstructing their morphology, distribution, and mutual relationships. Alongside this, we also review the previous profuse terminology. Taking into account the additional information provided by growth lines and crystal orientations, we propose mechanisms for the secretion of the shell structures. All these mechanisms are integrated in a consistent way into a general model of chamber formation. The periostracum is secreted within a distinct periostracal groove. The outer shell layer is secreted externally to the periostracum by the soft tissues lining the shell externally. The inner shell layer is produced by the shell wall mantle, whereas the septa and the siphuncle are made periodically by a differentiated septal/siphuncular mantle. The most adoral septal mantle edge changes from secreting septal to inner shell wall material to produce the mural flap. The adapical ridge is formed by passive precipitates from cameral fluid residues trapped by surface tension, whereas the fibrous prismatic deposits of the connecting ring are biominerals produced remotely within mantle secretions. Homologies with Nautilus and Sepia are discussed.
On commutative elemental annihilator monoids
Authors: Nagy Attila
Published: October 2022

In this paper we describe commutative monoids S containing a zero element in which every ideal is the annihilator of an element of S.
Are the diets of sympatric Pygoscelid penguins more similar than previously thought?
Authors: Wawrzynek-Borejko Justyna , Panasiuk Anna , Hinke Jefferson T. , Korczak-Abshire Małgorzata
Published: October 2022

In recent years, functional changes in Southern Ocean are becoming more noticeable, due to climate change and increasing human impacts, including a growing fishery that is concentrating in the Antarctic Peninsula (AP) region. Antarctic krill Euphausia superba is often the primary prey species for animals such as Pygoscelis penguins, a sentinel species for ecosystem monitoring and management. During the last two decades in the AP gentoo penguin numbers (Pygoscelis papua) have increased and their range has shifted southward, in contrast to the decline in numbers of Adélie (P. adeliae) and chinstrap (P. antarcticus) penguins. Given divergent population trends, the goal of this study was to examine differences in their diet, and size structure of Antarctic krill recovered from penguin diet samples. The study is based on diet samples collected during the austral summers on King George Island (South Shetland Islands) where P. adeliae, P. antarcticus, and P. papua breed in mixed colonies. Results indicate that the penguins consumed krill of similar sizes during the breeding period. In contrast to prior diet studies, we found higher proportions of krill in the gentoo diet and changes in the percentage of krill in the diet relative obtained during 1970s. The similarity in diets among all three species suggests that the availability prey items (e. g., fishes) may be changing and driving higher dietary overlap. Moreover, we also check differences in krill length among penguin individuals and we did not find any statistically significant differences. We also found plastic debris in penguin stomachs during both summers.
Influence of marine vertebrates on organic matter, phosphorus and other chemical element levels in Antarctic soils
Authors: Souza-Kasprzyk Juliana , Paiva Thais de Castro , Convey Peter , da Cunha Larissa Schmauder Teixeira , Soares Tuany Alves , Zawierucha Krzysztof , Costa Erli Schneider , Niedzielski Przemyslaw , Torres João Paulo Machado
Published: October 2022

The presence of marine vertebrates in dense reproductive colonies and other aggregations contributes to the input of organic matter and nutrients into the local environment and it is believed that chemical elements are subsequently remobilized from the excreta of these animals. In this study, we investigated the influence of marine vertebrates on trace elements levels (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sn, Sr, Tb, U and Zn), nutrient (total phosphorus) and soil organic matter (SOM) content from five locations with and without the presence of seabirds and marine mammals in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Soils were acid digested using a microwave digestion system, elements were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and SOM was calculated by loss-on-ignition. The non-influenced and vertebrate-influenced soils had similar concentrations of most of the trace elements assessed, however, we observed a significant increase in SOM and P that was positively correlated with the concentrations of As, Cd, Se, Sr and Zn. Although marine vertebrates did not appear to significantly increase the elemental concentrations in the soils examined here, there is a clear evidence of selective enrichment indicating a zoogenic influence. Comparing our results with other studies, we conclude that soil elemental levels are result from an interplay between local geology, vertebrate diet and colony size. Further studies with increased sample size are required to obtain a better understanding of the influence of marine vertebrates on chemical element levels in Antarctic soils.
In vivo characterization of key iridoid biosynthesis pathway genes in catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Authors: Palmer Lira , Chuang Ling , Siegmund Marlen , Kunert Maritta , Yamamoto Kotaro , Sonawane Prashant , O’Connor Sarah E.
Published: October 2022

Main conclusion

Using virus-induced gene silencing, we demonstrated that the enzymes GES, ISY, and MLPL are responsible for nepetalactone biosynthesis in Nepeta cataria.

Nepetalactone is the main iridoid that is found in the Nepeta genus and is well-known for its psychoactive effect on house cats. Moreover, there is a burgeoning interest into the effect of nepetalactone on insects. Although the enzymes for nepetalactone biosynthesis have been biochemically assayed in vitro, validation of the role that these enzymes have in planta has not been demonstrated. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a silencing method that relies on transient transformation and is an approach that has been particularly successful when applied to a variety of non-model plants. Here, we use a recently designed visual-marker dependent VIGS system to demonstrate that the nepetalactone biosynthetic enzymes GES, ISY, and MLPL impact nepetalactone biosynthesis in Nepeta cataria.
Extracellular vesicles from biological fluids as potential markers in castration resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Choi Wendy W. Y. , Sánchez Catherine , Li Jiao Jiao , Dinarvand Mojdeh , Adomat Hans , Ghaffari Mazyar , Khoja Leila , Vafaee Fatemeh , Joshua Anthony M. , Chi Kim N. , Guns Emma S. Tomlinson , Hosseini-Beheshti Elham
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Extracellular vesicles (EV) secreted from cancer cells are present in various biological fluids, carrying distinctly different cellular components compared to normal cells, and have great potential to be used as markers for disease initiation, progression, and response to treatment. This under-utilised tool provides insights into a better understanding of prostate cancer.

Methods

EV from serum and urine of healthy men and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients were isolated and characterised by transmission electron microscopy, particle size analysis, and western blot. Proteomic and cholesterol liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analyses were conducted.

Results

There was a successful enrichment of small EV/exosomes isolated from serum and urine. EV derived from biological fluids of CRPC patients had significant differences in composition when compared with those from healthy controls. Analysis of matched serum and urine samples from six prostate cancer patients revealed specific EV proteins common in both types of biological fluid for each patient.

Conclusion

Some of the EV proteins identified from our analyses have potential to be used as CRPC markers. These markers may depict a pattern in cancer progression through non-invasive sample collection.
Physical activity in 9–15 year-old pediatric cancer survivors compared to a nationwide sample
Authors: Götte Miriam , Basteck Simon , Beller Ronja , Gauß Gabriele , Schmidt Steffen , Burchartz Alexander , Kolb Simon , Grydeland May , Reinhardt Dirk
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Sufficient physical activity (PA) has the potential to mitigate late effects of cancer, but objective data of PA levels in adolescents are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in PA behavior between childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and healthy peers.

Methods

PA levels of n = 74 CCS and n = 1304 healthy peers from the MoMo study aged 9–15 years were assessed with validated objective accelerometry and group means were compared. A binary multiple logistic regression was performed to investigate the potential predictors of PA.

Results

CCS spent significantly more time sedentary (p < 0.001) and less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p = 0.002) compared to the healthy cohort. Subgroup analysis revealed the largest deviations of PA levels for CCS aged 9–11 years who fulfilled international PA recommendations on significantly fewer days than MoMo (p < 0.01). Health conditions seem to be a predictor concerning the fulfillment of international PA recommendations by the WHO (p = 0.015).

Conclusions

Our study identified vulnerable groups which seem to require targeted exercise and health behavior change programs to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary time. The presence of treatment sequelae as a significant predictor of insufficient physical activity underlines the need of multidisciplinary supportive care approaches.