bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atemwegssicherung bei Neugeborenen und Säuglingen
Authors: Kaufmann Jost , Huber Dennis , Engelhardt Thomas , Kleine-Brueggeney Maren , Kranke Peter , Riva Thomas , von Ungern-Sternberg Britta S. , Fuchs Alexander
Published: July 2024

Die Sicherung der Atemwege ermöglicht die Oxygenierung und Ventilation der Lungen und stellt eine potenziell lebensrettende medizinische Maßnahme dar. Insbesondere bei Neugeborenen und Säuglingen kommt es gehäuft zu unerwünschten und kritischen Ereignissen während des Atemwegsmanagements. Die multifaktoriellen Gründe dafür umfassen patientenabhängige, anwenderabhängige, aber auch externe Faktoren. Im Folgenden wird die neu erschienene internationale Leitlinie zur Atemwegssicherung bei Neugeborenen und Säuglingen fokussierend auf die klinische Anwendung zusammengefasst. Während die Originalpublikation der Leitlinie darauf fokussiert, auf Basis der systematisch erfassten Evidenz formale Empfehlungen zu benennen, stellt diese Zusammenfassung v. a. die Praktikabilität ihrer Umsetzung in den Fokus.
Effect of low vacuum medium temperature drying on reduction of residual stress and correction of warp of Japanese cedar timber
Authors: Jiang Zhuoting , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Yoshida Masato , Dohi Motoo , Tanaka Kento , Yamashita Kana , Watanabe Ken
Published: July 2024

Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar) in Japan plantations are aging, and the main supply of timber in the market is shifting from small- and medium-diameter to large-diameter logs. The effective utilization of these logs has become an important issue in the timber industry. When producing timber-without-pith from large-diameter logs, an unavoidable warp occurs because of the release of residual stress within the logs. Utilizing high-temperature drying with a load on these timbers has achieved significant drying effects, and the residual stress-induced warp was corrected. However, high-temperature drying has drawbacks, such as high energy consumption and the potential for thermal degradation. We applied low-vacuum-medium-temperature drying (LVMT-drying, 10 days, 40 kPa, 80/55 °C (DB/WB)—90/65 °C (DB/WB)) with load (650 kgf/m2) to the stacked timber sawn from large-diameter logs to address these questions. When LVMT-drying was successful, residual stresses in timber-with-pith were reduced to nearly zero, and warps in timber-without-pith were reduced to less than 8 mm, i.e., below the Japan Agriculture Standard "Level 1" for 4000 mm timber, and the acceptance rate for "Level 1" increased from 45% (green timber) to 85% (treated timber) in the most successful sample. LVMT-drying is a practical drying method for timber from large-diameter logs because it is effective in reducing residual stress and correcting warps while shortening the treatment period and avoiding thermal degradation.
A new spherical harmonic approach to residual terrain modeling: a case study in the central European Alps
Authors: Schwabe Joachim , Mayer-Gürr Torsten , Hirt Christian , Bauer Tobias
Published: July 2024

For decades, the residual terrain model (RTM) concept (Forsberg and Tscherning in J Geophys Res Solid Earth 86(B9):7843–7854,https://doi.org/10.1029/JB086iB09p07843, 1981) has been widely used in regional quasigeoid modeling. In the commonly used remove-compute-restore (RCR) framework, RTM provides a topographic reduction commensurate with the spectral resolution of global geopotential models. This is usually achieved by utilizing a long-wavelength (smooth) topography model known as reference topography. For computation points in valleys this neccessitates a harmonic correction (HC) which has been treated in several publications, but mainly with focus on gravity. The HC for the height anomaly only recently attracted more attention, and so far its relevance has yet to be shown also empirically in a regional case study. In this paper, the residual spherical-harmonic topographic potential (RSHTP) approach is introduced as a new technique and compared with the classic RTM. Both techniques are applied to a test region in the central European Alps including validation of the quasigeoid solutions against ground-truthing data. Hence, the practical feasibility and benefits for quasigeoid computations with the RCR technique are demonstrated. Most notably, the RSHTP avoids explicit HC in the first place, and spectral consistency of the residual topographic potential with global geopotential models is inherently achieved. Although one could conclude that thereby the problem of the HC is finally solved, there remain practical reasons for the classic RTM reduction with HC. In this regard, both intra-method comparison and ground-truthing with GNSS/leveling data confirms that the classic RTM (Forsberg and Tscherning 1981; Forsberg in A study of terrain reductions, density anomalies and geophysical inversion methods in gravity field modeling. Report 355, Department of Geodetic Sciences and Surveying, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA,https://earthsciences.osu.edu/sites/earthsciences.osu.edu/files/report-355.pdf, 1984) provides reasonable results also for a high-resolution (degree 2160) RTM, yet neglecting the HC for the height anomaly leads to a systematic bias in deep valleys of up to 10–20 cm.
R2-ISS staging combined with circulating plasma cells improves risk stratification for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a single-center real-world study
Authors: Chu Bin , Wang Yu-tong , Gao Shan , Shi Lei , Lu Min-qiu , Fang Li-juan , Xiang Qiu-qing , Chen Yuan , Wang Meng-zhen , Wang Li-fang , Sun Kai , Yang Jing , Duan Fangfang , Bao Li
Published: July 2024

We aimed to evaluate if circulating plasma cells (CPC) detected by flow cytometry could add prognostic value of R2-ISS staging. We collected the electronic medical records of 336 newly diagnosed MM patients (NDMM) in our hospital from January 2017 to June 2023. The median overall survival (OS) for patients and R2-ISS stage I-IV were not reached (NR), NR, 58 months and 53 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in OS between patients with stage I and patients with stage II (P = 0.309) or between patients with stage III and patients with stage IV (P = 0.391). All the cases were re-classified according to R2-ISS stage and CPC numbers ≥ 0.05% (CPC high) or<0.05% (CPC low) into four new risk groups: Group 1: R2-ISS stage I + R2-ISS stage II and CPC low, Group 2: R2-ISS stage II and CPC high + R2-ISS stage III and CPC low, Group 3: R2-ISS stage III and CPC high + R2-ISS stage IV and CPC low, Group 4: R2-ISS stage IV and CPC high. The median OS were NR, NR, 57 months and 32 months. OS of Group 1 was significantly longer than that of Group 2 (P = 0.033). OS in Group 2 was significantly longer than that of Group 3 (P = 0.007). OS in Group 3 was significantly longer than that of Group 4 (P = 0.041). R2-ISS staging combined with CPC can improve risk stratification for NDMM patients.
Facile route for processing natural polymers for the formulation of new low-cost hydrophobic protective hybrid coatings for carbon steel in petroleum industry
Authors: Fetouh H. A.
Published: July 2024

This research helps with the creation, assessment, and characterization of a new hybrid protective coating for carbon steel alloy in acid conditions. The findings of this study will be useful for both chemical and petrochemical companies as well as scientists. This study aims to protect C-steel in acid pickling solution 1.0M HCl and formulate new hydrophobic protective hybrid organic–inorganic coatings from biopolymers chitosan and plant resin guar gum. Eight coating samples of chitosan in the absence and the presence of guar gum, silica and two heterocyclic compounds are prepared at feasible operational conditions using hot melt method. The aiding additives improved compatibility between coating constituents as confirmed by using different methods of analysis. This new processing approach has addressed the problems of using chitosan in corrosion control such as solubility in acid media and low mechanical strength. Coating samples of chitosan and its composites with the heterocyclic compounds (2-Hydrazinyl-6-methyl-4, 5-dihydro pyrimidine-4-on) or (2-Hydrazinyl-6-phenyl-4, 5-dihydro pyrimidine-4-on) are potent biocides. Coating shifts corrosion potential of carbon steel by 30 mV to more noble direction relative to the active potential 520 mV of bare carbon steel surface. Impedance and polarization measurements indicate that coating samples protect metal surface as mixed-type inhibitor by adsorption mechanism. There is a good agreement between percentages protection %P of coating calculated using the values of charge transfer resistance, Rct, and corrosion current density, icorr. All %P values are above 99% for all coating samples. Guar gum plant resin increases gloss of the coating film. Silica fills the pores in the polymeric film and increases the stuffiness of the polymeric coating film by modifying the particle size. All coated samples have high contact angle ranging from 150° to 165° indicating low wettability and high hydrophobicity of coating film on the metal surface.
Cervicothoracic ventral-dorsal rhizotomy for treatment of brachial hypertonia in cerebral palsy
Authors: Abdelmageed Sunny , Dalmage Mahalia , Mossner James M. , Trierweiler Robin , Krater Tim , Raskin Jeffrey S.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Cervicothoracic ventral-dorsal rhizotomy (VDR) is a potential treatment of medically refractory hypertonia in patients who are not candidates for intrathecal baclofen, particularly in cases of severe upper limb hypertonia with limited to no function. A longitudinal cohort was identified to highlight our institutional safety and efficacy using cervicothoracic VDR for the treatment of hypertonia.

Methods

Retrospective data analysis was performed for patients that underwent non-selective cervicothoracic VDR between 2022 and 2023. Non-modifiable risk factors, clinical variables, and operative characteristics were collected.

Results

Six patients (three female) were included. Four patients underwent a bilateral C6-T1 VDR, one patient underwent a left C7-T1 VDR, and another underwent a left C6-T1 VDR. Three patients had quadriplegic mixed hypertonia, one patient had quadriplegic spasticity, one patient had triplegic mixed hypertonia, and one patient had mixed hemiplegic hypertonia. The mean difference of proximal upper extremity modified Ashworth scale (mAS) was − 1.4 ± 0.55 (p = 0.002), and − 2.2 ± 0.45 (p < 0.001) for the distal upper extremity. Both patients with independence noted quality of life improvements as well as increased ease with dressing and orthotics fits. Caregivers for the remaining four patients noted improvements in caregiving provision, mainly in dressing, orthotics fit, and ease when transferring.

Conclusion

Cervicothoracic VDR is safe and provides tone control and quality of life improvements in short-term follow-up. It can be considered for the treatment of refractory hypertonia. Larger multicenter studies with longer follow-up are necessary to further determine safety along with long-term functional benefits in these patients.
Atmospheric nitrogen dioxide suppresses the activity of phytochrome interacting factor 4 to suppress hypocotyl elongation
Authors: Takahashi Misa , Sakamoto Atsushi , Morikawa Hiromichi
Published: July 2024

Main conclusion

Ambient concentrations of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) inhibit the binding of PIF4 to promoter regions of auxin pathway genes to suppress hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis.

Ambient concentrations (10–50 ppb) of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) positively regulate plant growth to the extent that organ size and shoot biomass can nearly double in various species, including Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying NO2-mediated processes in plants, and the involvement of specific molecules in these processes, remain unknown. We measured hypocotyl elongation and the transcript levels of PIF4, encoding a bHLH transcription factor, and its target genes in wild-type (WT) and various pif mutants grown in the presence or absence of 50 ppb NO2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to quantify binding of PIF4 to the promoter regions of its target genes. NO2 suppressed hypocotyl elongation in WT plants, but not in the pifq or pif4 mutants. NO2 suppressed the expression of target genes of PIF4, but did not affect the transcript level of the PIF4 gene itself or the level of PIF4 protein. NO2 inhibited the binding of PIF4 to the promoter regions of two of its target genes, SAUR46 and SAUR67. In conclusion, NO2 inhibits the binding of PIF4 to the promoter regions of genes involved in the auxin pathway to suppress hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis. Consequently, PIF4 emerges as a pivotal participant in this regulatory process. This study has further clarified the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing plant responses to environmental pollutants, thereby advancing our understanding of how plants adapt to changing atmospheric conditions.
Sleep disturbances in hospitalized children: a wake-up call
Authors: Burger Pia , Steur Lindsay M.H. , Polderman Jorinde A.W. , Twisk Jos W.R. , Lindeboom Robert , Gemke Reinoud J.B.J.
Published: July 2024

Although sleep is essential for (recovery of) health, it is adversely affected by hospitalization, due to disease discomfort, environmental noise, and care routines, causing reduced sleep and increased disturbances. This study evaluates factors affecting sleep quality and quantity in hospitalized children and compares inpatient sleep with sleep at home. Using an observational, prospective study design, we assessed sleep in hospitalized children aged 1–12 years, admitted to a tertiary center, and compared this with home 6–8 weeks after discharge. We measured total sleep time (TST), sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), sleep efficiency, awakenings, and subjective sleep quality, using actigraphy, sleep diaries, and PROMIS questionnaires. We explored an array of sleep-disturbing factors. Regression analyses identified key determinants affecting sleep patterns, while mixed linear models compared sleep in hospital to sleep at home. Out of 621 eligible patients, 467 were invited, and 272 (58%) consented to participate. Key determinants of sleep included pain, number of previous admissions, (underlying) chronic illness, and environment-, staff-, and disease-related factors. Parents reported lower perceived sleep quality in the hospital compared to at home, 97-min (SE 9) lower TST, 100-min (5) longer WASO, more difficulties with falling asleep, lower sleep satisfaction, and more awakenings. Actigraphy outcomes revealed shorter TST (20 min (6)), but better sleep efficiency and fewer awakenings in the hospital.
Conclusion: Sleep in hospital was compromised in comparison to sleep at home, primarily due to disturbances related to treatment, environment, and staff. These findings underscore the necessity and potential of relative simple interventions to improve sleep quality and minimize sleep disturbances in hospitalized children.
Tamoxifen may contribute to preserve cardiac function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Henzi Bettina C. , Lava Sebastiano A. G. , Spagnuolo Carlos , Putananickal Niveditha , Donner Birgit C. , Pfluger Marc , Burkhardt Barbara , Fischer Dirk
Published: July 2024

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is life-limiting. Cardiomyopathy, which mostly ensues in the second decade of life, is the main cause of death. Treatment options are still limited. The TAMDMD (NCT03354039) trial assessed motor function, muscle strength and structure, laboratory biomarkers, and safety in 79 ambulant boys with genetically confirmed Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 6.5–12 years of age, receiving either daily tamoxifen 20 mg or placebo for 48 weeks. In this post-hoc analysis, available echocardiographic data of ambulant patients recruited at one study centre were retrieved and compared before and after treatment. Data from 14 patients, median 11 (interquartile range, IQR, 11–12) years of age was available. Baseline demographic characteristics were similar in participants assigned to placebo (n = 7) or tamoxifen (n = 7). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter in the placebo group (median and IQR) was 39 (38–41) mm at baseline and 43 (38–44) mm at study end, while it was 44 (41–46) mm at baseline and 41 (37–46) mm after treatment in the tamoxifen group. Left ventricular fractional shortening in the placebo group was 35% (32–38%) before and 33% (32–36%) after treatment, while in the tamoxifen group it was 34% (33–34%) at baseline and 35% (33–35%) at study end. No safety signals were detected.

Conclusion: This hypothesis-generating post-hoc analysis suggests that tamoxifen over 48 weeks is well tolerated and may help preserving cardiac structure and function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Further studies are justified.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: EudraCT 2017–004554–42, NCT03354039

What is known:• Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is life-limiting. Cardiomyopathy ensues in the second decade of life and is the main cause of death. Treatment options are still limited.• Tamoxifen reduced cardiac fibrosis in mice and improved cardiomyocyte function in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

What is new:• In this post-hoc analysis of the TAMDMD trial among 14 boys, median 11 years of age, treated with either tamoxifen or placebo for 48 weeks, treatment was well-tolerated.• A visual trend of improved left-ventricular dimensions and better systolic function preservation generates the hypothesis of a potential beneficial effect of tamoxifen in DMD cardiomyopathy.
Extrauterine growth restriction in very-low-birthweight infants: prevalence and concordance according to Fenton, Olsen, and INTERGROWTH-21st growth charts in a multicenter Spanish cohort
Authors: González López Clara , Solís Sánchez Gonzalo , Fernández Colomer Belén , Mantecón Fernández Laura , Lareu Vidal Sonia , Arias Llorente Rosa Patricia , Ibáñez Fernández Aleida , González García Lara Gloria , Suárez Rodríguez Marta
Published: July 2024

Multiple criteria and growth references have been proposed for extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR). We hypothesized that these may impact the diagnosis of EUGR. The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of EUGR with its different definitions and the concordance according to Fenton, Olsen, and INTERGROWTH-21st in very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants. This is an observational, retrospective, and multicenter study including VLBW infants from the Spanish SEN1500 Network from 2011 to 2020. Patients with major congenital anomalies, embryopathies, and gestational age less than 24 weeks were excluded. EUGR prevalence was calculated at discharge with cross-sectional, longitudinal, “true” cross-sectional, and “true” longitudinal definitions. Concordance was assessed with Fleiss’ kappa coefficient. 23582 VLBW infants from 77 NICUs were included. In total, 50.4% were men with a median of gestational age of 29 (4) weeks. The prevalence of EUGR (cross-sectional, longitudinal, and “true”) was variable for weight, length, and head circumference. Overall, the prevalence was higher with Fenton and lower with Olsen (cross-sectional and “true” cross-sectional) and INTERGROWTH-21st (longitudinal and “true” longitudinal). Agreement among the charts by weight was good only for cross-sectional EUGR and moderate for longitudinal, “true” cross-sectional, and “true” longitudinal. Concordance was good or very good for EUGR by length and head circumference.

Conclusions: The prevalence of EUGR with the most commonly used definitions was variable in the cohort. Agreement among growth charts was moderate for all the definitions of EUGR by weight except cross-sectional and good or very good for length and head circumference. The choice of reference chart can impact the establishment of the diagnosis of EUGR.

What is known:• EUGR has been defined in the literature and daily practice considering weight, length and head circumference with multiple criteria (cross-sectional, longitudinal, and “true” definition)• Different growth charts have been used for EUGR diagnosis

What is new:• Prevalence of EUGR is variable depending on the definition and growth chart used in our cohort of VLBW infants• For the most frequently EUGR criteria used, traditionally considering weight, concordance among Fenton, Olsen and INTERGROWTH-21st growth charts is only moderate for all the definitions of EUGR by weight except cross-sectional definition. Concordance among the charts is good or very good for the different criteria of EUGR by head circumference and length
Warfarin-related nephropathy: unveiling the hidden dangers of anticoagulation
Authors: Xu Fengbo , Wang Guoqin , Sun Lijun , Cheng Hong
Published: July 2024

Warfarin-related nephropathy (WRN) is defined as acute kidney injury subsequent to excessive anticoagulation with warfarin. Patients with mechanical prosthetic valves require long-term anticoagulant therapy. Nonetheless, warfarin remains the sole available option for anticoagulant therapy. Consequently, patients with mechanical prosthetic valves constitute a special group among the entire anticoagulant population. The present study recorded two cases of patients who had undergone mechanical prosthetic valve surgery and were receiving warfarin therapy. They presented to the hospital with gross hematuria and progressive creatinine levels. Notably, their international normalized ratio (INR) did not exceed three. Subsequent renal biopsies confirmed WRN with IgA nephropathy. The two patients continued to receive warfarin as anticoagulation therapy and were prescribed oral corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide, which resulted in improved renal function during the follow-up. Based on a review of all relevant literature and the present study, we proposed a new challenge: must elevated INR levels be one of the criteria for clinical diagnosis of WRN? Perhaps some inspiration can be drawn from the present article.
The predictors of fungal infections after liver transplantation and the influence of fungal infections on outcomes
Authors: Jiang Juan , Peng Peng , Wan Qiquan
Published: July 2024

The primary objective of this study was to assess the incidence, timing, risk factors of fungal infections (FIs) within 3 months after liver transplantation (LT). The secondary objective was to evaluate the impact of FIs on outcomes. Four hundred and ten patients undergoing LT from January 2015 until January 2023 in a tertiary university hospital were included in the present retrospective cohort study to investigate the risk factors of FIs and to assess the impacts of FIs on the prognosis of LT recipients using logistic regression. The incidence of FIs was 12.4% (51/410), and median time from LT to the onset of FIs was 3 days. By univariate analysis, advanced recipient age, prolonged hospital stay prior to LT, high Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, increased operating time, massive blood loss and red blood cell transfusion, elevated alanine aminotransferase on day 1 and creatinine on day 3 after LT, prolonged duration of urethral catheter, prophylactic antifungal therapy, the need for mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy were identified as factors of increased post-LT FIs risk. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that recipient age ≥ 55 years[OR = 2.669, 95%CI: 1.292–5.513, P = 0.008], MELD score at LT ≥ 22[OR = 2.747, 95%CI: 1.274–5.922, P = 0.010], pre-LT WBC count ≥ 10 × 109/L[OR = 2.522, 95%CI: 1.117–5.692, P = 0.026], intraoperative blood loss ≥ 3000 ml [OR = 2.691, 95%CI: 1.262–5.738, P = 0.010], post-LT duration of urethral catheter > 4 d [OR = 3.202, 95%CI: 1.553–6.602, P = 0.002], and post-LT renal replacement therapy [OR = 5.768, 95%CI: 1.822–18.263, P = 0.003] were independently associated with the development of post-LT FIs. Post-LT prophylactic antifungal therapy ≥ 3 days was associated with a lower risk of the development of FIs [OR = 0.157, 95%CI: 0.073–0.340, P < 0.001]. As for clinical outcomes, FIs had a negative impact on intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay ≥ 7 days than those without FIs [OR = 3.027, 95% CI: 1.558–5.878, P = 0.001] but had no impact on hospital length of stay and 1-month all-cause mortality after LT. FIs are frequent complications after LT and the interval between the onset of FIs and LT was short. Risk factors for post-LT FIs included high MELD score at LT, advanced recipient age, pre-LT WBC count, massive intraoperative blood loss, prolonged post-LT duration of urethral catheter, and the need for post-LT renal replacement therapy. However, post-LT prophylactic antifungal therapy was independently associated with the reduction in the risk of FIs. FIs had a significant negative impact on ICU length of stay.
Erweiterte Diagnostik bei dissoziativen Anfällen
Authors: Schöne Catrin , Abourafia Karim , Pensel Max C.
Published: July 2024

Bei dissoziativen Anfällen bestehen häufig weitere dissoziative Symptome, die im Zeitverlauf fluktuieren können. Mit der Differenzialdiagnose nichtepileptischer Anfälle ist der diagnostische Prozess daher nicht beendet, sondern macht die Exploration weiterer somato- und psychoformer dissoziativer Symptome notwendig. Das Gesamtbild klinischer Symptomatik nach ICD(International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems)-11 erstreckt sich über die dissoziative Symptomatik und individuelle Symptombewältigung bis hin zu stressbezogenen Störungen und psychischen Komorbiditäten.
Pricing heterogeneous products to heterogeneous customers who buy sequentially
Authors: Hassin Refael , Puerto Justo
Published: July 2024

This paper considers optimal pricing in a system with limited substitutable resources, such as certain goods or services. Prices for the different resources have to be set and then customers with heterogeneous preferences show up sequentially. Customers, of n types, select an item from the m available resources, depending on their valuations of the resources and the prices. The goal is to analyze this optimization problem, characterize a set of candidates to optimal solutions and provide methods for solving it. We prove that this problem is NP-hard to approximate within a factor $$O(n^{1-\varepsilon })$$

O
(

n

1
-
ε

)

for any fixed $$\varepsilon >0$$

ε
>
0

. Another important contribution is to prove that, the space of prices (which in principle is a continuous domain in $${\mathbb {R}}^m$$

R

m

), can be reduced to a finite set of vectors of cardinality $$m^{m-2}n^m2^m$$

m

m
-
2

n
m

2
m

. For a deterministic version of the problem, where the customer types are known to the firm, we provide a mathematical program that chooses the best set of prices. We report extensive computational results showing the usefulness of our exact approach to solve medium size problems with up to 200 customers and different assortments of products and customer types. We then show how to approximate the stochastic model by a small number of solutions of deterministic scenarios solved using a mixed-integer linear program.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles induces cell death and consequently leading to incomplete neural tube closure through oxidative stress during embryogenesis
Authors: Yan Yu , Huang Wenyi , Lu Xiaoting , Chen Xianxian , Shan Yingyi , Luo Xin , Li Yu , Yang Xuesong , Li Chun
Published: July 2024

The implementation of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) raises concerns regarding their potential toxic effects on human health. Although more and more researches have confirmed the toxic effects of ZnO NPs, limited attention has been given to their impact on the early embryonic nervous system. This study aimed to explore the impact of exposure to ZnO NPs on early neurogenesis and explore its underlying mechanisms. We conducted experiments here to confirm the hypothesis that exposure to ZnO NPs causes neural tube defects in early embryonic development. We first used mouse and chicken embryos to confirm that ZnO NPs and the Zn2+ they release are able to penetrate the placental barrier, influence fetal growth and result in incomplete neural tube closure. Using SH-SY5Y cells, we determined that ZnO NPs-induced incomplete neural tube closure was caused by activation of various cell death modes, including ferroptosis, apoptosis and autophagy. Moreover, dissolved Zn2+ played a role in triggering widespread cell death. ZnO NPs were accumulated within mitochondria after entering cells, damaging mitochondrial function and resulting in the over production of reactive oxygen species, ultimately inducing cellular oxidative stress. The N-acetylcysteine (NAC) exhibits significant efficacy in mitigating cellular oxidative stress, thereby alleviating the cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity brought about by ZnO NPs. These findings indicated that the exposure of ZnO NPs in early embryonic development can induce cell death through oxidative stress, resulting in a reduced number of cells involved in early neural tube closure and ultimately resulting in incomplete neural tube closure during embryo development. The findings of this study could raise public awareness regarding the potential risks associated with the exposure and use of ZnO NPs in early pregnancy.

Graphical Abstract
Influences of camp refugees on the environment of Minawao in Cameroon
Authors: Magne Marie Rosette , Aholou Cyprien Coffi
Published: July 2024

Since 2013, Minawao, in Cameroon's Far North region, has been home to a camp for Nigerian refugees fleeing the violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram movement. The long-term establishment of the base has significantly impacted all aspects of the locality, particularly the environment. This article focuses on the influence of the refugee camp's presence on the territory of Minawao and its surroundings, emphasising changes in vegetation cover and land-use dynamics. The article was carried out using a methodology that included household surveys, cartographic analysis, and the collection of testimonies in the field. The investigation results reveal that the camp installation first led to declining agricultural and grazing activities. Secondly, the cutting of wood by the refugees has further degraded the region's vegetation cover, particularly in the forest reserve, showing a regression rate of minus 37.38% between 2015 and 2022. Lastly, the land occupied by the camp has gradually grown to exceed 1,493.11 ha of the area initially granted, and signs of soil degradation, mainly erosion (77.04%), are already visible. Initiatives have been implemented to combat this environmental degradation, including the "Make Minawao Green Again" project, activities to promote ecological charcoal and improved stoves, and waves of formal repatriation of refugees. However, these measures have not yet produced satisfactory results due to socio-economic and cultural constraints. Therefore, further humanitarian action to improve environmental management is needed to remedy these problems.
Effects of habitat biotic features on hymenopteran diversity in East Africa
Authors: Schwarz Jonathan , Habel Jan Christian , Eberle Jonas
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Originally, the coastal region of East Africa was largely covered with coastal forest. With the human settlement, the majority of these forests have been transformed into agricultural land for subsistence farming. Today, only small and geographically isolated forest remnants exist and form a mosaic of different habitat types, including natural, semi-natural and anthropogenic ones. The forest remnants may still represent valuable habitats for typical forest plant and animal species.

Methods

In this study, we surveyed hymenopteran diversity and community composition in different habitat types in southern Kenya. Hereby we considered a small remnant of East African coastal forest, adjoining orchards, shrublands, tree plantations, agricultural fields, and settlements. Hymenoptera represent a large variety of taxa and provide relevant ecosystem services such as pollination to the local people. Hymenoptera were collected with coloured pan traps, identified to family or genus level, and sorted to morphospecies. Habitat parameters such as dead wood, leaf litter, vegetation structure, and the availability of flowers has been assessed for each study site.

Results

In total, we found 419 Hymenoptera individuals of 153 morphospecies. The different habitat types showed distinct species communities of Hymenoptera. Increasing shrub layer and increasing herb cover had a negative effect on hymenopteran species richness and abundance. Flowers, trees, leave litter, and deadwood showed no significant effect on hymenopteran diversity.

Conclusion

Our results underline that small-scale habitat diversity lead to high overall diversity of Hymenoptera. Implications for insect conservation: The coastal forest remnant still holds a unique hymenopteran community with 20 Hymenoptera species exclusively found in this habitat type. It is thus of very high conservation value.
Evolution of Acquired Perfumes and Endogenous Lipid Secretions in Orchid Bees
Authors: Eltz Thomas , Mende Tobias , Ramírez Santiago R.
Published: July 2024

Male orchid bees are unique in the animal kingdom for making perfumes that function as sex pheromone. Males collect volatile chemicals from the environment in the neotropical forests, including floral and non-floral sources, creating complex but species-specific blends. Male orchid bees exhibit several adaptations to facilitate perfume collection and storage. When collecting volatile compounds, males apply lipid substances that they secrete from cephalic labial glands onto the fragrant substrate. These lipids help dissolve and retain the volatiles, similar to the process of ‘enfleurage’ in the traditional perfume industry. We investigated how the chemical composition of acquired perfume and labial gland secretions varied across the phylogeny of orchid bees, including 65 species in five genera from Central and South America. Perfumes showed rapid evolution as revealed by low overall phylogenetic signal, in agreement with the idea that perfume compounds diverge rapidly and substantially among closely related species due to their role in species recognition. A possible exception were perfumes in the genus Eulaema, clustering closely in chemospace, partly mediated by high proportions of carvone and trans-carvone oxide. Labial gland secretions, in contrast, showed a strong phylogenetic signal at the genus level, with secretions of Eufriesea and Exaerete dominated by fatty acids and Eulaema dominated by saturated acetates of chain lengths 12 to 16 C-atoms. Secretions of the majority of Euglossa were heavily dominated by one unsaturated long chain diacetate, (9Z)-Eicosen-1,20-diyldiacetate. However, we also identified few highly divergent species of Euglossa in four subclades (11 species) that appear to have secondarily replaced the diacetate with other compounds. In comparison with environment-derived perfumes, the evolution of labial gland secretion is much slower, likely constrained by the underlying biochemical pathways, but perhaps influenced by perfume-solvent chemical interactions.
Root endophytic bacterial communities are shaped by the specific microbiota associated to mycorrhizal symbionts
Authors: Ujvári Gergely , Grassi Arianna , Avio Luciano , Pagliarani Irene , Cristani Caterina , Giovannetti Manuela , Agnolucci Monica , Turrini Alessandra
Published: July 2024

Background and aims

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial soil microorganisms establishing mutualistic symbioses with most crop plants and promoting plant growth and health. AMF beneficial activities are complemented by their associated microbiota, leading to synergistic interactions positively affecting plant performance. In this work we assessed whether AMF may act as drivers of root bacterial endophytes, facilitating root colonization of host plants by their associated bacteria.

Methods

Two AMF isolates were used, Funneliformis mosseae from Indiana (USA) and Septoglomus sp. from Tuscany (Italy) in an original experimental microcosm system, utilizing micropropagated plants of Prunus persica x Prunus amygdalus inoculated with either intact or mechanically crushed AMF spores, the former able and the latter unable to establish the symbiosis. Spore and root endophytic bacterial communities diversity were analysed by Illumina Miseq sequencing.

Results

This study revealed that AMF with their associated bacteria can shape the root endophytic bacterial communities, inducing differential recruitment depending on the composition of spore-associated microbiota. Such data were consistent between two AMF isolates, associated with diverse bacterial communities, as shown by PERMANOVA, Bray Curtis dissimilarity, hierarchical clustering and indicator species analyses. Moreover, specific bacterial taxa were found exclusively in mycorrhizal roots. Our findings suggested also a differential recruitment depending on the ability of AMF to establish mycorrhizal symbioses.

Conclusion

This work revealed that AMF represent drivers of the endophytic bacterial communities diversity and composition, facilitating root colonization of host plants by their associated bacteria, that become an integral part of the root microbiome as endophytes.
Texture and clay mineralogy as main drivers of the priming effect in temperate forest soils
Authors: Zacháry Dóra , Filep Tibor , Jakab Gergely , Ringer Marianna , Balázs Réka , Németh Tibor , Szalai Zoltán
Published: July 2024

Background and aims

This work aimed to determine how the soil parameters affect the magnitude and direction of priming effect (accelerated or decreased decomposition of native SOM under addition of new organic substrates, PE) in temperate acidic forest soils.

Methods

Thirteen topsoil samples were incubated for 163 days with the addition of maize residues. Soil respiration was measured and natural isotope labelling was used in order to separate the respiration sources (SOM, maize and PE). The effect of soil parameters on PE was studied using linear regression and structural equation modelling (SEM).

Results

Soils with high C/N ratio showed the lowest magnitude of cumulative PE (R2 = 0.321, p < 0.05) and the longest negative PE period. A positive relationship was found between PE and the pH (R2 = 0.511, p < 0.05). SEM analysis showed that pH and C/N ratio has direct (β = 0.50) and indirect (β = 0.20, via modifying soil texture and mineralogy) effect on PE. Soil texture and mineralogy had a significant effect on PE: texture affects the proportions of soil respiration sources and PE was reduced by the dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate–extractable Al (AlDCB, R2 = 0.454, p < 0.05), silt + clay (R2 = 0.421, p < 0.05), non-swelling clay mineral (R2 = 0.575, p < 0.05) and illite (R2 = 0.522, p < 0.05) contents. SEM analysis also highlighted that the AlDCB, illite and silt + clay contents has a great effect (β=−0.59) on the PE.

Conclusion

The silt + clay content and mineral composition of the soil, including the Al oxide and illite contents may thus significantly inhibit the magnitude of PE, and consequently the decomposition of SOM under acidic conditions.
Teaching Socioscientific Issues: A Systematic Review
Authors: Högström Per , Gericke Niklas , Wallin Johan , Bergman Eva
Published: July 2024

To provide a comprehensive picture of socioscientific issues (SSI) pedagogy in primary and secondary school contexts, we present a systematic review of research on how SSI in science education practice is characterized in studies of teaching and learning from 1997 to 2021. The review addresses the identified need for guidance on SSI teaching as experienced by practicing teachers. The aim of the study is to define and describe how SSI as a pedagogical approach is characterized in studies of teaching and learning in science education research. From a sample of 5183 peer-reviewed articles, 157 were selected for the data extraction and systematic review process. The result is structured around teaching objectives, teaching topics, and teaching methods. Our findings show that much of the research revolves around the development of students’ higher-order thinking skills and science content knowledge. The topics identified fall mainly within two themes: the environment and sustainable development, and health and technology. Group discussions stand out as the primary teaching method. The findings are discussed in the light of previous reviews, and recommendations for future research are suggested.
LATA: learning automata-based task assignment on heterogeneous cloud computing platform
Authors: Gheisari Soulmaz , ShokrZadeh Hamid
Published: July 2024

A cloud computing environment is a distributed system where idle resources are accessible across a wide area network, such as the Internet. Due to the diverse specifications of these resources, computational clouds exhibit high heterogeneity. Task scheduling, the process of dispatching cloud applications onto processing nodes, becomes a critical challenge in such environments. Ensuring high utilization in this heterogeneous environment entails identifying suitable machines or virtual machines capable of efficiently executing jobs, constituting a multi-objective optimization problem. This paper proposes a dynamic Learning Automata-based Task Assignment algorithm, named LATA, to address this challenge. In the algorithm, each application is represented as a Directed Acyclic Graph, with tasks as nodes and data dependencies as edges. Initially, tasks are grouped based on their data dependencies to consolidate independent tasks into one group. Subsequently, a variable-structure learning automaton is assigned to each group of tasks to identify appropriate task-machine combinations. The primary objectives of LATA include minimizing makespan and energy consumption by facilitating efficient task placement to achieve load balance and maximize resource utilization. Additionally, an enhancement is proposed, involving the use of a different grouping policy prior to task assignment to further improve performance. Computer simulation results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed algorithms in highly heterogeneous environments compared to state-of-the-art algorithms. Notably, total execution time and energy consumption decrease by up to 50% and 37%, respectively.
Natural iron-containing minerals catalyze the degradation of polypropylene microplastics: a route to self-remediation learnt from the environment
Authors: Corti Andrea , Mugnaioli Enrico , Manariti Antonella , Paoli Gabriele , Petri Filippo , Tersigni Pier Francesco Maria , Ceccarini Alessio , Castelvetro Valter
Published: July 2024

Virgin and environmentally aged polypropylene (PP) micropowders (V-PP and E-PP, respectively) were used as reference microplastics (MPs) in comparative photo- and thermo-oxidative ageing experiments performed on their mixtures with a natural ferrous sand (NS) and with a metal-free silica sand (QS). The ferrous NS was found to catalyze the photo-oxidative degradation of V-PP after both UV and simulated solar light irradiation. The catalytic activity in the V-PP/NS mixture was highlighted by the comparatively higher fraction of photo-oxidized PP extracted in dichloromethane, and the higher carbonyl index of the bulk polymer extracted with boiling xylene, when compared with the V-PP/QS mixture. Similarly, NS showed a catalytic effect on the thermal degradation (at T = 60 °C) of E-PP. The results obtained indicate that, under suitable environmental conditions (in this case, an iron-containing sediment or soil matrix, combined with simulated solar irradiation), the degradation of some types of MPs could be much faster than anticipated. Given the widespread presence of iron minerals (including the magnetite and iron-rich serpentine found in NS) in both coastal and mainland soils and sediments, a higher than expected resilience of the environment to the contamination by this class of pollutants is anticipated, and possible routes to remediation of polluted natural environments by eco-compatible iron-based minerals are envisaged.

Graphical abstract
Resilienz und Krisenvorsorge eines Stadtteils: Ergebnisse einer Photovoice-Studie
Authors: Heinzelmann Annika , Igler Fleur , Jahl Lotta , Karl Larissa , Pappe Vanessa , Rapp Katharina , Rosenkranz Anna-Carolin , Scherrenbacher Jessica , Schmidt Verena , Seick Rebekka , Niederberger Marlen
Published: July 2024

Hintergrund und Fragestellung

Die gesellschaftlichen Krisen wie die Coronapandemie, die Energiekrise oder die Flüchtlingskrise belegen die Notwendigkeit, resiliente Strukturen und Prozesse zur Krisenvorsorge und zum -management aufzubauen. Interventionen zur Förderung von Resilienz auf Stadtteilebene müssen dabei komplexe Strukturen und Prozesse sowie vielfältige Bedarfe und Herausforderungen berücksichtigen. Daher ist es entscheidend, die Bürger*innen frühzeitig einzubeziehen, um wirksame und nachhaltige Resilienzstrategien zu entwickeln. Dies erfolgte in einer Studie im Rahmen einer wissenschaftlichen Begleitung eines neu gegründeten Resilienzzentrums.

Studiendesign und Untersuchungsmethode

Mittels einer partizipativ angelegten Photovoice-Studie wurden die Bedarfe der Bürger*innen eines vulnerablen Stadtteils hinsichtlich der Krisen- bzw. Notfallvorsorge auf individueller und Stadtteilebene ermittelt. Ausgewertet wurden die Ergebnisse mithilfe einer thematischen Analyse.

Ergebnisse

Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass individuelle Notfallvorsorge nicht ohne gemeinschaftliche Unterstützung funktionieren kann. Die Bürger*innen betonen die Bedeutung von Vorratshaltung, zugänglichen Schutzorten, verlässlichen sozialen Beziehungen und positiven Denkens in Bezug auf die Krisen- bzw. Notfallvorbereitung. Sie zeigen aber auch deutliche Bedarfe hinsichtlich der Informationsvermittlung und der Netzwerkbildung.

Diskussion

Es wurde deutlich, dass die Bürger*innen eine hohe Eigenverantwortung wahrnehmen. Es zeigen sich Wissenslücken und Informationsbedarfe seitens der Bürger*innen, weshalb Unterstützung durch den Stadtteil nötig ist. Die Studie verdeutlicht die Notwendigkeit einer aktiven Einbindung kommunaler Entscheidungsträger*innen zur Stärkung der Resilienz auf Verhaltens- und Verhältnisebene.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Erkenntnisse liefern wichtige Impulse für die Stadtteilkoordination und das Resilienzzentrum. Durch eine umfassende Vorbereitung auf verschiedenen Ebenen können Gemeinschaften und Systeme ihre Resilienz gegenüber Krisen und Notfällen stärken.
Economy-wide rebound and the returns on investment in energy efficiency
Authors: Jarvis Andrew , King Carey W
Published: July 2024

In this paper we re-examine the relationship between global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Primary Energy Use (PEU) and Economic Energy Efficiency (EEE) to explore how investment in energy efficiency causes rebound in energy use at the global scale. Assuming GDP is a measure of final useful work, we construct and fit a biophysics-inspired nonlinear dynamic model to global GDP, PEU and EEE data from 1900—2018 and use it to estimate how energy efficiency investments relate to output growth and hence economy-wide rebound effects. We illustrate the effects of future deployment of enhanced energy efficiency investments using two scenarios through to 2100. The first maximizes GDP growth, requiring energy efficiency investment to rise ~ twofold. Here there is no decrease in PEU growth because economy-wide rebound effects dominate. The second scenario minimizes PEU growth by increasing energy efficiency investment ~ 3.5 fold. Here PEU and GDP growth are near fully decoupled and rebound effects are minimal, although this results in a long run, zero output growth regime. We argue it is this latter regime that is compatible with the deployment of enhanced energy efficiency to meet climate objectives. However, while output growth maximising regimes prevail, efficiency-led pledges on energy use and emissions reduction appear at risk of failure at the global scale.