bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial resistance in aeromonads and new therapies targeting quorum sensing
Authors: Neil Blake , Cheney Gabrielle L. , Rosenzweig Jason A. , Sha Jian , Chopra Ashok K.
Published: February 2024

Aeromonas species (spp.) are well-known fish pathogens, several of which have been recognized as emerging human pathogens. The organism is capable of causing a wide spectrum of diseases in humans, ranging from gastroenteritis, wound infections, and septicemia to devastating necrotizing fasciitis. The systemic form of infection is often fatal, particularly in patients with underlying chronic diseases. Indeed, recent trends demonstrate rising numbers of hospital-acquired Aeromonas infections, especially in immuno-compromised individuals. Additionally, Aeromonas-associated antibiotic resistance is an increasing challenge in combating both fish and human infections. The acquisition of antibiotic resistance is related to Aeromonas’ innate transformative properties including its ability to share plasmids and integron-related gene cassettes between species and with the environment. As a result, alternatives to antibiotic treatments are desperately needed. In that vein, many treatments have been proposed and studied extensively in the fish-farming industry, including treatments that target Aeromonas quorum sensing. In this review, we discuss current strategies targeting quorum sensing inhibition and propose that such studies empower the development of novel chemotherapeutic approaches to combat drug-resistant Aeromonas spp. infections in humans.

Key points

• Aeromonas notoriously acquires and maintains antimicrobial resistance, making treatment options limited.

• Quorum sensing is an essential virulence mechanism in Aeromonas infections.

• Inhibiting quorum sensing can be an effective strategy in combating Aeromonas infections in animals and humans.
Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound activated the anti-tumor immunity by irradiating the spleen of mice in 4 T-1 breast cancer
Authors: Xia Yi , Yang Meijie , Xiao Xinfang , Tang Wentao , Deng Juan , Wu Liu , Xu Haopeng , Tang Yilin , Chen Wenzhi , Wang Yan
Published: February 2024

Tumor immunotherapy is booming around the world. However, strategies to activate the immune system and alleviate the immunosuppression still need to be refined. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS, spatial average time average intensity (Isata) is 200 mW/cm2, frequency is 0.3 MHz, repetition frequency is 1 kHz, and duty cycle is 20%) triggers the immune system and further reverses the immunosuppressive state in the mouse models of breast cancer by irradiating the spleen of mice. LIPUS inhibited tumor growth and extended survival in mice with 4 T-1 tumors. Further studies had previously shown that LIPUS enhanced the activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen and led to significant changes in cytokines, as well as induced upregulation of mRNA levels involved in multiple immune regulatory pathways in the spleen. In addition, LIPUS promoted tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte accumulation and CD8+ T cell activation and improved the dynamics of cytokines/chemokines in the tumor microenvironment, resulting in a reversal of the immunosuppressive state of the tumor microenvironment. These results suggest a novel approach to activate the immune response by irradiating the spleen with LIPUS.
Postmortem CT analysis of paranasal sinuses using an experimental model of drowning
Authors: Tyr Alexander , Zilg Brita , Gelius Tobias , Möllby Rasmus , Heldring Nina
Published: February 2024

Fluid-filled paranasal sinuses are suggested to be a valuable tool to distinguish between drowning and non-drowning postmortem, yet the mechanisms governing fluid entry remains unknown. We investigate if fluid-filled paranasal sinuses are caused by a passive influx from submersion or an active aspiration mechanism during drowning. The ovine nasal cavity and maxillary sinuses are remarkably similar anatomically to humans, and have been used for endoscopic surgical training in recent decades. We submerged 15 decapitated ovine heads from agricultural waste at a depth of 2 m in flowing water for 1, 8, and 24 h and 7 days. Paranasal sinuses were CT imaged and compared pre- and post-submersion to non-submerged controls. Furthermore, we examined the paranasal sinuses of a single homicide case of a non-drowned submerged subject. Results demonstrate that fluid passively enters the maxillary sinus postmortem in the non-drowned ovine heads following 1 h of submersion. Fluid volume was independent of submersion time and influenced by time out of water as well as handling, since volume was reduced between consecutive CT scans. In contrast to our hypothesis, the filling of the paranasal sinuses is due to passive influx of fluid from submersion rather than an active aspiration during drowning. The observation that paranasal sinuses were fluid-filled in a single medico-legal case of postmortem submersion supports the finding of passive influx. Consequently, careful interpretation of fluid-filled paranasal sinuses is required when bodies are found in water, as the finding cannot distinguish between postmortem submersion and drowning.
The effect of gastrostomy tube feeding on growth in children with chronic kidney disease and on dialysis
Authors: Alshaiban Abdulelah , Osuntoki Adebola , Cleghorn Shelley , Loizou Antonia , Shroff Rukshana
Published: February 2024

Background

Gastrostomy tube (GT) feeding is used to promote nutrition and growth in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We explored the relationship between gastrostomy feeding and growth parameters in children with CKD, looking specifically at the nutritional composition of feeds.

Methods

Children with CKD stages 3–5 or on dialysis in a tertiary children’s kidney unit were studied. Data on anthropometry, biochemistry, and nutritional composition of feeds were collected from the time of GT insertion for 3 years or until transplantation.

Results

Forty children (18 female) were included. Nineteen children were on peritoneal dialysis, 8 on hemodialysis, and 13 had CKD stages 3–5. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age at GT insertion was 1.26 (0.61–3.58) years, with 31 (77.5%) under 5 years of age. The median duration of gastrostomy feeding was 5.32 (3.05–6.31) years. None received growth hormone treatment. Children showed a significant increase in weight standard deviation score (SDS) (p = 0.0005), weight-for-height SDS (p = 0.0007) and body mass index (BMI) SDS (p < 0.0001). None of the children developed obesity. Although not statistically significant, the median height-SDS increased into the normal range (from -2.29 to -1.85). Weight-SDS positively correlated with the percentage of energy requirements from feeds (p = 0.02), and the BMI-SDS correlated with the percentage of total energy intake as fat (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

GT feeding improves weight-SDS and BMI-SDS without leading to obesity. GT feeding improved height-SDS but this did not reach statistical significance, suggesting that factors in addition to nutritional optimization need to be considered for statural growth.

Graphical abstract
Enhancing age-related postural sway classification using partial least squares-discriminant analysis and hybrid feature set
Authors: Alcan Veysel
Published: February 2024

Feature sets in a machine learning algorithm can have an impact on the robustness, interpretability, and characterization of the data. To detect age-related changes, traditional linear methods for analyzing center of pressure (COP) signals offer limited insight into the complex nonlinear dynamics of postural control. To overcome this limitation, a novel approach that combines a partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) classifier with the nonlinear dynamics of COP time series was proposed. Three small feature sets were compared: time-domain features alone, entropy-based features alone, and a hybrid approach incorporating both types of features. The performance of the PLS-DA model was assessed in four different eyes and surface conditions by using the accuracy, sensitivity, selectivity, precision metrics, and ROC curves. The results indicated that the PLS-DA model utilizing the hybrid feature set achieved significantly higher accuracy than the time-domain and entropy-based feature sets. The best classification performance was observed when the eyes were open on a compliant surface, with an overall accuracy of 89% for training and 88% for cross-validation. For the old group, while the results indicated 93% sensitivity, 94% specificity, and 93% precision in the training, the results revealed 88% sensitivity, 93% specificity, and 91% precision in cross-validation. Notably, the hybrid feature set yielded an AUC value of 0.96, indicating a superior performance. This study emphasizes the robust classification capabilities of PLS-DA for age-related postural changes and highlights the effectiveness of utilizing a small hybrid feature set to improve classification accuracy and reliability.
Biaxial flexural strength of 3D-printed 3Y-TZP zirconia using a novel ceramic printer
Authors: Zenthöfer Andreas , Ilani Ali , Schmitt Clemens , Rammelsberg Peter , Hetzler Sebastian , Rues Stefan
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To compare the strength and reliability of 3D-printed 3Y-TZP zirconia manufactured with various printing orientations and staining.

Materials and methods

A total of one-hundred cylindrical zirconia specimens were designed and fabricated using 3D printing and processed according to ISO 6872 standards. Of these specimens, 80 were 3D printed using the new ZIPRO-D (ZD) 3D ceramic printer. In this ZD group, 60 specimens were printed in a vertical orientation and were either stained after debinding (ZD1, x-orientation, n = 20) or not stained (ZD2, x-orientation, n = 20; ZD3, y-orientation, n = 20) and the remaining 20 specimens out of n = 80 were printed in a horizontal orientation (ZD4). Further 20 specimens out of the entire sample N = 100 were printed vertically with the CeraFab7500 3D ceramic printer (LC). All completed specimens were loaded until fracture using a universal testing machine. Biaxial flexural strengths and Weibull parameters were computed for the ZD groups and for the LC group. Group and sub-group effects were evaluated using Welch ANOVA (alpha = 0.05).

Results

The mean (standard deviation, SD) biaxial flexural strengths of vertically oriented ZD samples with (ZD1) and without (ZD2/ZD3) staining were 811 (197) and 850 (152) MPa, respectively (p > 0.05). The ZD4 (horizontally printed), 1107 (144) MPa, and LC (1238 (327)) MPa samples had higher mean (SD) flexural strengths than the ZD1–3 specimens. No difference was observed between the ZD4 and LC group (p > 0.05). Weibull moduli were between m = 4.6 (ZD1) and 9.1 (ZD4) in the ZD group and m = 3.5 in the LC group.

Conclusions

All tested 3D-printed zirconia specimens exceeded the flexural strengths required for class 5 restorations according to ISO 6872 standards. While the flexural strengths of zirconia printed using the novel ZD device in the vertical orientation are lower than those of zirconia printed using the LC printer, the ZD printer shows at least comparable reliability.

Clinical relevance

3D-printing of zirconia is a new technology in dental application. Based on the presented strengths values, clinical application of 3D-printed zirconia for fixed dental protheses can be recommended.
Nupr1-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype transformation involved in methamphetamine induces pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Zhou Jie , Guo Dan , Xu Zhen-Zhen , Liao Jia-Shun , Li Xiao-Ting , Duan Ke , Chen Shi-You , Xie Wei-Bing
Published: February 2024

Aims

Nuclear protein 1 (Nupr1) is a multifunctional stress-induced protein involved in the regulation of tumorigenesis, apoptosis, and autophagy. However, its role in pulmonary hypertension (PH) after METH exposure remains unexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether METH can induce PH and describe the role and mechanism of Nupr1 in the development of PH.

Methods and results

Mice were made to induce pulmonary hypertension (PH) upon chronic intermittent treatment with METH. Their right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured to assess pulmonary artery pressure. Pulmonary artery morphometry was determined by H&E staining and Masson staining. Nupr1 expression and function were detected in human lungs, mice lungs exposed to METH, and cultured pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) with METH treatment. Our results showed that chronic intermittent METH treatment successfully induced PH in mice. Nupr1 expression was increased in the cultured PASMCs, pulmonary arterial media from METH-exposed mice, and METH-ingested human specimens compared with control. Elevated Nupr1 expression promoted PASMC phenotype change from contractile to synthetic, which triggered pulmonary artery remodeling and resulted in PH formation. Mechanistically, Nupr1 mediated the opening of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) by activating the expression of STIM1, thereby promoting Ca2+ influx and inducing phenotypic conversion of PASMCs.

Conclusions

Nupr1 activation could promote Ca2+ influx through STIM1-mediated SOCE opening, which promoted METH-induced pulmonary artery remodeling and led to PH formation. These results suggested that Nupr1 played an important role in METH-induced PH and might be a potential target for METH-related PH therapy.

Graphical Abstract

1. Chronic intermittent methamphetamine exposure can induce the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

2. Nupr1 plays a key role in the development of methamphetamine-related pulmonary arterial hypertension.

3. Nupr1 mediates PASMCs phenotypic transformation via STIM1signal axis, which results in the development of methamphetamine-related pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Frequency and Focus of in Vitro Studies of Microglia-Expressed Cytokines in Response to Viral Infection: A Systematic Review
Authors: Barrios-González Diego A. , Philibert-Rosas Santiago , Martínez-Juárez Iris E. , Sotelo-Díaz Fernando , Rivas-Alonso Verónica , Sotelo Julio , Sebastián-Díaz Mario A.
Published: February 2024

It is well known that as part of their response to infectious agents such as viruses, microglia transition from a quiescent state to an activated state that includes proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory phases; this behavior has been described through in vitro studies. However, recent in vivo studies on the function of microglia have questioned the two-phase paradigm; therefore, a change in the frequency of in vitro studies is expected. A systematic review was carried out to identify the microglial cytokine profile against viral infection that has been further evaluated through in vitro studies (pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory), along with analysis of its publication frequency over the years. For this review, 531 articles published in the English language were collected from PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO and ResearchGate. Only 27 papers met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. In total, 19 cytokines were evaluated in these studies, most of which are proinflammatory; the most common are IL-6, followed by TNF-α and IL-1β. It should be pointed out that half of the studies were published between 2015 and 2022 (raw data available in https://github.com/dadriba05/SystematicReview.git). In this review, we identified that evaluation of pro-inflammatory cytokines released by microglia against viral infections has been performed more frequently than that of anti-inflammatory cytokines; additionally, a higher frequency of evaluation of the response of microglia cells to viral infection through in vitro studies from 2015 and beyond was noted.

Graphical Abstract

In vitro assessment of microglia-released cytokines upon viral infection has been more frequent since 2015 and has focused more on pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Analysis, evaluation and implications of Rhode Island’s “2021 Act on Climate” for response to climate change
Authors: Kim Doosu , Park Tae Jung
Published: February 2024

The state of Rhode Island is responding appropriately to the climate crisis by enacting “the Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014” and then preparing the revised “2021 Act on Climate.” Accordingly, Rhode Island strives to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 by establishing and evaluating a climate change response plan and setting science-based climate goals through the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council through consultation with the Advisory Board and the Science and Technical Advisory Board. Additionally, Rhode Island is committed to establishing industry support strategies to respond to climate change, considering future generations, including children, in the impacts of climate change, utilizing the knowledge of private experts at universities, and promoting public education on climate change response. However, matters that need to be supplemented and improved in the implementation of Rhode Island’s climate change-related legal policies include the fair and transparent selection of advisors from an organizational perspective and the securing of dedicated personnel and budget for practical work.
From Tendencies and Drives to Affectivity and Ethics: Husserl and Scheler on the Mother–Child Relationship
Authors: Serban Claudia
Published: February 2024

The reassessment of intentionality as “tendency” or “drive,” already important when the intentionality at stake designates the directedness of lived experiences toward a particular object, might be even more crucial when the orientation toward others is concerned. How do drives and affects intermingle within our intersubjective life and fashion our relations to others? The present paper will address this question by focusing on a particular or even primary kind of intersubjectivity: the mother–child relationship, that received a particular, yet still insufficiently noticed attention in early phenomenology. Scheler and Husserl both analyse this relationship, indeed, in terms that imply drive intentionality as well as affective intentionality (that is, for what concerns the mother, maternal instinct and maternal love). In their view, this relation also has a crucial ethical significance, and may even be taken to be paradigmatic for ethical relationships as such. Accordingly, drive intentionality is understood as an instinctive orientation toward others, that love takes up and develops, thus providing an affective and even instinctive ground for ethical behaviour. All this imples the depart from an ethics grounded on the primacy and sufficiency of reason.
The Role of Anions in Rare-earth Activated Inorganic Host Materials for its Luminescence Characteristics
Authors: Reddy Leelakrishna
Published: February 2024

This work is inspired from the comprehensive work done by our research team aimed at improving the efficiency of white light emitting diodes (LEDs) through improvements in the colour rendering index of the red light (CRI), one of the primary colours of white light. Such work is triggered through the incorporation of anions (BO33−, PO43−, SO42−), either individually or as an integral part of dopant activated inorganic phosphor host materials. Numerous host materials such as ZnO, Y2O3, Ca3(PO4)2, CaMoO4, ABPO4, ABSO4 (where A represents alkali metals and B alkaline earth metals) have been considered ideal hosts materials for studying luminescence properties of materials (including other phosphors). In addition, red emitting dopants such as Sm3+, Eu3+ and Ce3+ have been incorporated into these host materials to achieve a higher CRI of red colour, an essential component of white light. The role anions in various materials is multifaceted; firstly, it acts as sensitizer whereby it absorbs excitation energy and transfers it non-radiatively to the dopants, secondly, it acts as a charge compensator to dopants with a charge of + 3, thirdly, it creates crystal fields that affects the electronic transitions of the dopants and fourthly, it creates a stable crystal structure that allows for dopant embedding. By understanding the exact role of these anions and their interactions with the host lattice and dopant ions, we could further optimize the luminescent properties of these activated host materials, which leads to higher efficiencies and performances in white light-emitting diodes and other lighting technologies. This work is a comprehensive review of the work undertaken by our research team aimed at enhancing the luminescent properties of WLEDs.
Role of Positive and Negative Emotion Regulation in Well-being and Health: The Interplay between Positive and Negative Emotion Regulation Abilities is Linked to Mental and Physical Health
Authors: Tsujimoto Masayuki , Saito Toshiki , Matsuzaki Yutaka , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: February 2024

Appropriate regulation of emotions is vital to daily functioning. Previous studies have shown that regulating negative emotions can improve health and wellbeing. However, the relationship between positive and negative emotion regulation and their interactions with positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, and health is not well understood. In addition, no studies have investigated the role of attention control and trait mindfulness in positive and negative emotion regulation. This study examined the associations between positive and negative emotion regulation abilities and health, affect, life satisfaction, attention control, and trait mindfulness. A total of 490 participants (284 females and 206 males, mean age = 25.8 ± 2.9 years, range = 20–29 years) completed questionnaires and attention measuring tasks. Multiple regression analyses revealed that negative emotion regulation ability was associated with affect, life satisfaction, and health, whereas positive emotion regulation ability was related to negative affect and mental and physical health. Additionally, negative rather than positive emotion regulation ability was more strongly associated with trait mindfulness and attention control. Positive emotion regulation may benefit those who have difficulty in regulating negative emotions. By focusing on both negative and positive emotion regulation, this study elucidates the relationship between emotion regulation ability, positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, health, mindfulness, and attention control.
Sampling and Change of Measure for Monte Carlo Integration on Simplices
Authors: Song Chenxiao , Kawai Reiichiro
Published: February 2024

Simplices are the fundamental domain when integrating over convex polytopes. The aim of this work is to establish a novel framework of Monte Carlo integration over simplices, throughout from sampling to variance reduction. Namely, we develop a uniform sampling method on the standard simplex consisting of two independent procedures and construct theories on change of measure on each of the two independent elements in the developed sampling technique with a view towards variance reduction by importance sampling. We provide illustrative figures and numerical results to support our theoretical findings and demonstrate the strong potential of the developed framework for effective implementation and acceleration of Monte Carlo integration over simplices.
How seasonality, semi-natural habitat cover and compositional landscape heterogeneity affect pollen collection and development of Apis mellifera colonies in Mediterranean agro-sylvo-pastoral systems
Authors: Satta Alberto , Lezzeri Matteo , Brundu Giuseppe , Floris Ignazio , Palmieri Nicola , Pantaleoni Roberto Antonio , Theodorou Panagiotis , Pusceddu Michelina
Published: February 2024

Context

The reduction in the abundance and diversity of flowering plant species, mainly due to landscape alteration and consequent habitat loss, negatively affects honey bee populations and is the main driver of their decline. To safeguard pollination service and food security, we need to know how landscape characteristics affect the availability of pollen sources and consequently colony performance across seasons.

Objectives

We therefore here explore how seasonality, percentage of semi-natural habitat cover and compositional landscape heterogeneity affect the abundance, richness, diversity and composition of pollen collected by honey bees and the development of their colonies in a Mediterranean area where agro-sylvo-pastoral systems are widely spread.

Methods

For the purpose of our study, pollen samples were collected over a year from colonies of Apis mellifera placed in four sampling sites selected across a gradient of landscape heterogeneity and where semi-natural habitats were predominant at various levels within an agro-sylvo-pastoral zone. Simultaneously, the extension of the sealed brood of the same colonies was periodically evaluated.

Results

We found that the amount of pollen collected by honey bees was positively correlated with the percentage of semi-natural habitat cover and that increasing habitat diversity at the landscape level had a significant positive effect on the richness and diversity of pollen collected by honey bees. In addition, season significantly affected the amount, diversity and composition of pollen collected by honey bees. Furthermore, bee colony growth was positively correlated with richness, diversity and amount of pollen collected by honey bees.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the importance of an abundant and diverse pollen diet for honey bee colony development, which in agro-sylvo-pastoral systems seems to be ensured by a heterogeneous landscape dominated by different types of semi-natural habitats.
On the set of reduced states of translation invariant, infinite quantum systems
Authors: Blakaj Vjosa , Wolf Michael M.
Published: February 2024

The set of two-body reduced states of translation invariant, infinite quantum spin chains can be approximated from inside and outside using matrix product states and marginals of finite systems, respectively. These lead to hierarchies of algebraic approximations that become tight only in the limit of infinitely many auxiliary variables. We show that this is necessarily so for any algebraic ansatz by proving that the set of reduced states is not semialgebraic. We also provide evidence that additional elementary transcendental functions cannot lead to a finitary description.
In Silico Study on the Contribution of the Follicular Route to Dermal Permeability of Small Molecules
Authors: Sebastia-Saez Daniel , Lian Guoping , Chen Tao
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study investigates in silico the contribution of the hair follicle to the overall dermal permeability of small molecules, as published experimental work provides inconclusive information on whether the follicular route favours the permeation of hydrophobic or hydrophilic permeants.

Method

A study is conducted varying physico-chemical parameters of permeants such as lipophilicity, molecular weight and protein binding. The simulated data is compared to published experimental data to discuss how those properties can modulate the contribution of the hair follicle to the overall dermal permeation.

Results

The results indicate that the contribution of the follicular route to dermal permeation can range from negligible to notable depending on the combination of lipophilic/hydrophilic properties of the substance filling the follicular route and the permeant.

Conclusion

Characterisation of the substance filling the follicular route is required for analysing the experimental data of dermal permeation of small molecules, as changes between in vivo and in vitro due to handling of samples and cessation of vital functions can modify the contribution of the follicular route to overall dermal permeation, hence hindering data interpretation.
Clarification of the Effect of Surface Energy on Tribological Behavior of Two-Phase Lubricant Using Reflectance Spectroscopy and Hydrodynamic Analysis
Authors: Hirata Kodai , Murashima Motoyuki , Umehara Noritsugu , Tokoroyama Takayuki , Lee Woo-Young , Hashizume Naoya , Sato Taku , Nagata Ryoko , Hanyuda Kiyoshi , Otsuka Ayano , Ueda Mao
Published: February 2024

Recently, a new type of lubricant called two-phase lubricants has been developed to realize a high viscosity index. Two-phase lubricants are mixtures of two different lubricants, realizing low viscosity even at low temperatures due to the temperature dependence of the solubility of the lubricant molecules. In the present paper, the effect of surface energy on the tribological behavior of the two-phase lubricant is clarified using in situ observation with reflection spectroscopy. Sliding surfaces with high hydrogen-bonding terms in the surface energy components attracted high-polar lubricants, resulting in reduced friction. Analysis of the theoretical friction coefficient using Couette flow assumption revealed an important design concept of two-phase lubricants: the concentration of high viscosity lubricants on solid surfaces develops a viscosity distribution in the oil film, resulting in reduced friction.
Analysis of factors related to osteoporotic vertebral fracture in prostate cancer patients
Authors: Huang Shunfa , Wu Lilan , Lin Shuting , Cai Siqing , Zhou Jianjun
Published: February 2024

Objective

This study was aimed at exploring the osteoporotic vertebral fracture rate and the related causal factors in prostate cancer patients before and after treatment.

Methods

One hundred prostate cancer patients were recruited in this study. One hundred men without prostate cancer history were selected as the control group. The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee under Ethics number B2021-373R and the requirement for the informed consent was waived. The T4-L1 vertebral body of the case group and the control group before and after treatment was evaluated according to Genant’s semi-quantitative method. The difference in vertebral body fracture rate between the case group and the control group and the changes in vertebral body fracture rate before and after treatment among the case group were compared. They were grouped according to age, body mass index (BMI), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, Gleason grade, and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the factors significantly associated with vertebral fracture rate in prostate cancer patients.

Results

The prevalence of vertebral fracture was 16% and 31% in prostate cancer patients before and after treatment, respectively, and 29% in the control group. The vertebral fracture rate of the patients before treatment significantly differed that of the control group and the patients after treatment. Univariate analysis showed that age, PSA levels, and treatment parameters were the significant influencing factors of vertebral fracture rates. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age was the main influencing factor of vertebral fracture rates.

Conclusion

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures in patients with prostate cancer was associated with many factors. And the incidence of vertebral fracture in prostate cancer patients after ADT was significantly higher than that before treatment.
Foam Dressings for Wound Healing
Authors: Hargis Abby , Yaghi Marita , Bermudez Narges Maskan , Gefen Amit
Published: February 2024

Purpose of Review

Chronic, non-healing wounds affect millions of people globally and demand significant healthcare spending. One of the most important aspects of wound care is the appropriate selection and placement of a wound dressing. One of the key roles of a wound dressing is the optimization of a moist wound environment for healing. A moist wound environment facilitates wound healing by encouraging interaction of growth factors with their targets, epithelialization, angiogenesis, and autolytic debridement of dead tissue. However, while some chronic wounds are highly exudative and require absorptive dressings in order to minimize maceration, other wounds are drier and require more occlusive dressings with the capability of preserving moisture. Given the compelling global demand for wound care, foam dressings have been continuously innovated over the past several decades. Some foam dressings are manufactured to be highly adherent, while others are manufactured with minimal adherence in order to preserve peri-wound skin during dressing changes. Foam dressings are also manufactured within a spectrum of absorptivity and pliability. As such, foam dressings are applicable in a variety of clinical settings. Pressure injuries/ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and venous ulcers are a few examples of chronic wounds that have demonstrated clinical improvement with the utilization of foam dressings.

Recent Findings

Given the compelling global demand for wound care, foam dressings have been continuously innovated over the past several decades. Some foam dressings are manufactured to be highly adherent, while others are manufactured with minimal adherence in order to preserve peri-wound skin during dressing changes. Foam dressings are also manufactured within a spectrum of absorptivity and pliability. As such, foam dressings are applicable in a variety of clinical settings. Pressure injuries/ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and venous ulcers are a few examples of chronic wounds that have demonstrated clinical improvement with the utilization of foam dressings.

Foam dressings are frequently utilized in wound care due to their ease of use, often (relatively) low cost, pliability, fluid absorptivity, and ability to deliver anti-microbial substances, such as silver, to the wound bed. Overall, foam dressings are one of the most useful tools in wound care.
Exploratory Study of Equivalence under Conjoint Select and Reject Control
Authors: Plazas Elberto A.
Published: February 2024

Carrigan and Sidman Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 58, 183-204, (1992) proposed that select and reject arbitrary conditional relations are equivalence relations, each resulting in the emergence of alternative stimulus equivalence classes. The standard matching to sample (MTS) procedure can potentially teach both select and reject conditional relations, which apparently would prevent the emergence of equivalence relations, although there is extensive evidence for the emergence of equivalence with the standard MTS procedure. One possibility is that participants trained with the standard MTS procedure predominantly learn one type of control over the other. Experiment 1 explores the implementation of a Detached-MTS procedure, which separately trains the select and reject conditional relations involved in the Standard-MTS procedure. The results suggest that the emergence of equivalence relations may be compatible with conjoint select and reject conditional control. In Experiment 2, the Detached-MTS procedure succeeds in replicating the emergence of equivalence under exclusive select control but not under exclusive reject control, which conditions the findings of Experiment 1. The sources of control associated with the emergence of equivalence in the standard MTS procedure and some methodological issues of the Detached-MTS procedure are discussed.
ReLiCADA: Reservoir Computing Using Linear Cellular Automata design algorithm
Authors: Kantic Jonas , Legl Fabian C. , Stechele Walter , Hermann Jakob
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we present a novel algorithm to optimize the design of Reservoir Computing using Cellular Automata models for time series applications. Besides selecting the models’ hyperparameters, the proposed algorithm particularly solves the open problem of Linear Cellular Automaton rule selection. The selection method pre-selects only a few promising candidate rules out of an exponentially growing rule space. When applied to relevant benchmark datasets, the selected rules achieve low errors, with the best rules being among the top 5% of the overall rule space. The algorithm was developed based on mathematical analysis of Linear Cellular Automaton properties and is backed by almost one million experiments, adding up to a computational runtime of nearly one year. Comparisons to other state-of-the-art time series models show that the proposed Reservoir Computing using Cellular Automata models have lower computational complexity and, at the same time, achieve lower errors. Hence, our approach reduces the time needed for training and hyperparameter optimization by up to several orders of magnitude.
Exploiting multi-scale hierarchical feature representation for visual tracking
Authors: Wang Jun , Yin Peng , Yang Wenhui , Wang Yuanyun , Wang Shengqian
Published: February 2024

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been the dominant architectures for feature extraction tasks, but CNNs do not look for and focus on some specific image features. Correlation operations play an important role in visual tracking. However, the correlation operation reserves a large amount of unfavorable background information. In this paper, we propose an effective feature recognizer including channel and spatial attention modules to focus on important object feature information. Thus, the representation power of the feature extraction network is improved. Further, we design a multi-scale feature fusion network. The fusion network performs feature fusion on template feature and encoded feature branches to establish connections between features at different scales. Experiments on six benchmarks demonstrate that the proposed tracker outperforms the state-of-the-art trackers. In particular, the proposed tracker achieves an 80.4% AUC on TrackingNet and a 68.4% AUC on GOT-10k while running at a real-time speed.
Investigation on surface characteristics of wall structures out of stainless steel 316L manufactured by laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Vu Hoang Minh , Meiniger Steffen , Ringel Björn , Hoche Holger , Oechsner Matthias , Weigold Matthias , Seidel Christian
Published: February 2024

Pressure equipment poses a high risk of harming people and the environment in case of failure. They are, therefore, highly regulated by the Pressure Equipment Directive. To enable laser powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M) for the manufacturing of such components, component appearance and quality need to be characterized and qualified for each specific system. In this study, the surface roughness of wall structures out of austenitic stainless steel (316L) is investigated. Wall structure specimens were produced by four manufacturing systems on different PBF-LB/M machines and with different powder materials. Surface roughness of specimens are compared in the upskin and downskin areas in relation to different slope angles and wall thicknesses. Although different process setups, parameters and powder feedstocks have been used, similarities in the dependency of the surface roughness related to the slope angle and wall thickness can be observed. This work furthermore presents a mechanism-based analytical approach to predict system-specific surface roughness. Particularly, the analytical approach on the influence of slope angle on the surface roughness of the downskin areas has not been covered in publications about PBF-LB/M before. The results of this work enable the prediction of system-specific surface roughness, which is especially important for parts with downskin areas and hidden surfaces without the possibility of additional surface treatment.
Site-specific Parasitism of Crustaceans on the Black Pomfret, Parastromateus niger (Carangidae) from Indian Waters
Authors: Helna Ameri Kottarathil , Aneesh Panakkool Thamban , Kumar Appukuttannair Biju , Ohtsuka Susumu , Maran Balu Alagar Venmathi
Published: February 2024

An extensive parasitic survey on the Black Pomfret Parastromateus niger (Bloch) (Carangidae) was carried out along the coastal waters of India. A total of 162 host fish (P. niger) were collected, in which 72.2% of the fish were infested with parasitic crustaceans. Six species of parasitic crustaceans were collected, including one species of cymothoid isopod Cymothoa eremita (Brünnich, 1783), and five species of copepods belonging to five different families such as Bomolochus megaceros Heller, 1865 (Bomolochidae), Lernaeenicus stromatei Gnanamuthu, 1953 (Pennellidae), Lernanthropus koenigii Steenstrup and Lütken, 1861 (Lernanthropidae), Synestius caliginus Steenstrup and Lütken, 1861 (Caligidae) and Thysanote appendiculata. (Steenstrup and Lütken, 1861) (Lernaeopodidae). Even though six species of parasitic crustaceans were recovered from the host fish, simultaneous multiple parasitism seldom occurred (only 10%). The prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance of each parasite were calculated. The taxonomic account, host, site, and niche-specific parasitization of each species, are discussed. The present study also reviewed and discussed the simultaneous multiple co-occurrence of parasitic crustaceans.
Free-Standing Single-Atom Catalyst-Based Electrodes for CO2 Reduction
Authors: Hossain M. Nur , Zhang Lei , Neagu Roberto , Rassachack Enoch
Published: February 2024

Electrochemical CO2 reduction technology could solve the CO2-induced climate warming by electrochemically converting atmospheric CO2 back into fuel, essentially recycling it and building a low carbon emission economy. However, the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) poses a significant challenge due to the highly stable and linear CO2 molecules, in addition to a proton-coupled multi-electron transfer process. Thus, highly active catalysts, placed on activity bolstering materials, and permeable electrodes are crucial for CO2RR. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have recently garnered increasing interest in the electrocatalysis community due to their potentially high mass efficiency and cost benefits (every atom is an active center, resulting in nearly 100% utilization) and adjustable selectivity (higher uniformity of the active sites compared to nanoparticles). However, preserving the accessibility and activity of the SACs inside the electrode poses major materials development and electrode design challenges. A conventional layered structure SAC electrode typically consists of a gas diffusion layer (GDL), a microporous layer (MPL) and a SAC catalyst layer (SACCL), fabricated by using a powder bonding process. However, this process usually encounters issues such as delamination and instability of SACs due to the weak binder-catalyst-support interface. Conversely, the free-standing SAC electrode design has the potential to overcome these issues by eliminating the GDL, MPL, and need of a binder, in contrast to the powder bonding process. This work first reviews the latest developments in experimental and modeling studies of powdered SAC electrode by the traditional powder bonding process. Next, it examines the development towards the free-standing SAC electrode for high-performance electrochemical reduction of CO2. The synthesis-structure-fabrication-performance relationships of SAC-based materials and associated electrodes are analyzed. Furthermore, the article presents future challenges and perspectives for high-performance SAC electrodes for CO2RR.

Graphical Abstract
Review on flower-visiting behaviour of orthopterans and setting priorities for further studies
Authors: Rácz I. A. , Szanyi Sz. , Nagy A.
Published: February 2024

The importance of pollination and pollinators is easy to underestimate and impossible to overstate, since its importance goes far beyond the crop production and even the maintenance of plant populations. Most terrestrial ecosystems ultimately depend on the plant–pollinator interactions formed by million years coevolution. This is essential for both the daily functioning of the ecosystems and the long-term development of biodiversity. At the same time, the loss of biodiversity caused by climate change and human activities will soon lead to an ecological crisis, a catastrophe, which could endanger our life: For example, through the decline and loss of various ecosystem services. Such may be the pollination crisis, resulted from a significant loss of pollinating insects’ diversity and abundance. The discovery of a pollinator Orthoptera species has encouraged researchers in the densely populated region of Indo-Malaysia to explore the potential role of orthopterans as pollinators. Although the flower visitation of some species has been already known, the role of orthopterans in pollination is scarcely revealed. Here, we collected and reviewed the available data in order to point out some factors of their importance and set priorities that may serve as a basis for further investigations regarding ecological, evolutionary and practical points of view.
Exploring student and family concerns and confidence in BigTech digital platforms in public schools
Authors: Rivera-Vargas Pablo , Calderón-Garrido Diego , Jacovkis Judith , Parcerisa Lluís
Published: February 2024

The use of commercial digital platforms in public schools like Google and Microsoft, which was exacerbated during the pandemic, requires analysis to encourage a safer and more appropriate educational use. The research objective behind this article was to analyse the concerns of school students in obligatory primary and secondary education in public schools within the Autonomous Region of Catalonia (Spain) together with the opinions of their families regarding the use of digital platforms offered by large technology companies (BigTech) in schools. This is a mixed design study, consisting of eight discussion groups with pupils (n = 56) and a questionnaire issued to 2,330 family members. The results show that both students and families are concerned about the lack of knowledge surrounding the data they generate when using these digital platforms, and their effect on democratic school governance and the reproduction of gender stereotypes. In conclusion, the study suggests it is necessary to create greater critical awareness among children, adolescents and families at all socio-economic levels, particularly in those who are most vulnerable.
Does CFO Board Membership Benefit Shareholders? The Case of Corporate Acquisitions
Authors: Chen Zhong , Lei Zicheng , Xia Chunling
Published: February 2024

We investigate whether chief financial officers (CFOs) serving on U.S. corporate boards benefit shareholders in M&A transactions. We find that acquisitions made by firms with CFOs on boards have significantly better acquirer announcement returns. This is due to the CFO director’s ability to select targets with better strategic and financial fit. CFO board membership can create shareholder value if there are effective governance regimes restraining managerial entrenchment and CFOs’ interests are closely aligned with those of shareholders through equity ownership. Furthermore, sitting on boards enables CFOs to secure more and cheaper financing for their acquisitions.
Conference on ‘Understanding the role of sex and gender in nutrition research’
Authors: Heavey Patricia
Published: February 2024

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in health and disease prevention and management and through its interactions with social and personal factors, influences an individual's growth, development and life chances, as well as long-term health and longevity. These factors include amongst others, genetic inheritance, ethnicity, socio-cultural context, sex and gender. Although different interpretations exist, in general sex refers to the genetic, biological and physiological attributes that distinguish females, males and intersex whereas gender refers to socio-cultural and politically constructed roles and behaviours associated with a feminine, masculine or non-binary identity, which vary from society to society. Sex has implications for key biological processes involving food and nutrients as well as life-stage differences in nutritional requirements. Sex and gender may have implications in how individuals engage in different dietary behaviours and respond to nutrition interventions. The Irish Section Nutrition Society 2023 Conference sought to enhance understanding of the role of sex and gender in nutrition research; explore the influence of sex and gender on risk of non-communicable diseases and examine sex- and gender-specific considerations across the life course. This short editorial provides an overview and highlights of the conference.