bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The mGlu2/3 agonist LY379268 reduces sucrose taking, seeking, and motivation in male and female rats
Authors: Grimm Jeffrey William , Sauter Frances , MacDougall Derek , Spaulding Emily , Stensgaard Kyra , Hardy Mason , Griffin Kyle , Marx Rebecca
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY379268 reduces sucrose-seeking, but not sucrose-taking, in male rats. This study explored the generality of this effect across the sexes. In addition, the effect of the drug on motivation to receive sucrose was assessed.

Methods

Adult male and female Long-Evans rats (N = 91) were challenged with LY379268 in three experiments: (1) a fixed ratio (FR) schedule of reinforcement (taking), (2) extinction of responding previously reinforced on the FR (seeking) or (3) responding reinforced on a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement (motivation). For each experiment, rats first responded to 10% liquid sucrose on an FR in 10 daily 2-h sessions. For the PR study, this was followed by training on a PR for 7 daily 3-h sessions. Rats were then challenged in a counterbalanced order with LY379268 (0, 1.5, 3 and 6 mg/kg; IP; 30-min pretreatment) on test days, followed by either three reacquisition days of FR (experiments 1 and 2) or PR (experiment 3) responding.

Results

Female rats responded more to sucrose on the FR and PR. LY379268 reduced responding in all three experiments. LY379268 challenge to sucrose taking on the FR produced an inverted U-shaped function while extinction responding and responding for sucrose on the PR were decreased dose-dependently, with PR responding insensitive to the 1.5 mg/kg dose. There were no sex-dependent effects of the drug on sucrose-directed responding.

Conclusions

The sucrose anti-taking, -seeking, and -motivation effects of LY379268 across male and female rats support further evaluation of glutamate modulation as an antiaddiction pharmacotherapy.
HYPERACUTE CUTIBACTERIUM ACNES ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER CATARACT SURGERY
Authors: Hauser Blake M. , Hoyek Sandra , Greenstein Scott H. , Patel Nimesh A.
Published: July 2023

Purpose:

Postoperative endophthalmitis is a relatively uncommon, but potentially visually devastating, complication associated with cataract surgery. Specific microbial causes of endophthalmitis are characteristically associated with particular disease time courses. Although Cutibacterium acnes is typically associated with an indolent course of inflammation, we report a case of C. acnes endophthalmitis with onset on postoperative day (POD) 1 and a positive culture from POD 2.

Methods:

This is a case report.

Results:

A 56-year-old man underwent cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens placement in his left eye. On POD 1, he presented with severe discomfort, reduced visual acuity, and significant inflammation. On POD 2, his anterior chamber was tapped and injected with broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroids. The inflammation ultimately resolved, and his visual acuity improved to 20/20.

Conclusion:

C. acnes is a rare cause of hyperacute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis. Maintaining a high clinical suspicion and initiating prompt treatment can help to optimize long-term visual outcomes.
Updates in the diagnosis and management of chronic thromboembolic disease
Authors: Kabadi Alisha , Kerr Kim , Fernandes Timothy M.
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review

Chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED) is distinct from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and is defined by dyspnea on exertion after acute pulmonary embolism with the presence of residual perfusion defects and absence of resting pulmonary hypertension. Here, we review clinical features and diagnostic criteria for CTED and summarize treatment options.

Recent findings

The optimal management for CTED is unclear as the long-term outcomes of conservative vs. invasive treatment for this disease have not been reported. There are a few studies evaluating outcomes of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in CTED, concluding that these procedures are safe and effective in select patients. However, these trials are small nonrandomized observational studies, reporting outcomes only up to 1 year after the intervention. Conservative management of CTED with observation, pulmonary hypertension-targeted therapy, or cardiopulmonary rehabilitation has not been studied. It is unknown whether these treatments are as effective or superior to pulmonary thromboendarterectomy or BPA in CTED.

The management of CTED is individualized and based on symptoms and exercise limitations. Early referral of patients with CTED to a specialized CTEPH center is recommended to determine if watchful waiting, BPA, or pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is most beneficial.
Study on the construction and practice of blended teaching mode of emergency first aid specialty based on OBE concept
Authors: Huang Yanjing , Guo Hongkun , Li Yiming
Published: July 2023

Outcome-based education (OBE) has changed the previous teacher-centered education model. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of practice of blended teaching mode of emergency first aid specialty based on OBE concept in teaching. In this study, 23 undergraduate students (observation group) at the level of 2017 and 23 undergraduate students (control group) at the level of 2016 majoring in emergency medicine who take part in clinical practice were selected as the study subjects. By setting the expected learning achievement goals in 6 aspects, the mixed teaching method is used to reorganize teaching content and carry out teaching evaluation, and a mixed OBE concept teaching model is constructed and implemented. The number of high scoring students with a score above 90, the number of pass subjects, and the mean score at the class level were significantly improved compared with those who practiced the traditional teaching mode. At the 3 time points of pre internship, in practice and after post internship, the achievement of the 6 expected learning outcomes (19.92 ± 3.68, 23.89 ± 2.93, 25.44 ± 3.33, F = 77.87, P < .001) and critical thinking abilities (283.39 ± 25.84, 287.43 ± 24.33, 300.07 ± 23.87, F = 49.82, P < .001) were significantly improved. Blended teaching mode of emergency first aid specialty based on OBE concept significantly improved education.
The role of anesthetic drug and technique in endothelial glycocalyx: A narrative review
Authors: Li Xuechao , Zeng Sisi , Wan Jixiang , Yang Zhen , Wang Fangjun
Published: July 2023

The level of endothelial glycocalyx (EG) shedding is associated with morbidity and mortality, and vascular endothelial barrier dysfunction is one of the pivotal clinical problems faced by critically ill patients, so research on the protective effects of EG is of great clinical significance for the treatment of critically ill diseases. Studies have illustrated that clinical anesthesia has different degrees of effects on vascular EG. Therefore, we reviewed the effects of distinct anesthesia methods and diverse anesthetic drugs on EG, aiming to provide a brief summary of what we know now, and to discuss possible future directions for investigations in this area. So as to provide a theoretical basis for future research on potential EG-positive drugs and targets, to minimize perioperative complications and improve the prognosis of surgical patients.
Visual impact beam plots: Analyzing research profiles and bibliometric metrics using the following-leading clustering algorithm (FLCA)
Authors: Cheng Yung-Ze , Chien Tsair-Wei , Ho Sam Yu-Chieh , Chou Willy
Published: July 2023

Background:

A new approach to showcasing author publications on a website involves using a visual representation instead of the conventional paper list. The creation of an impact beam plot (IBP) as a research profile for individuals is crucial, especially when incorporating collection edges that include self-cited articles through a rare cluster analysis technique not commonly found in the literature. This study presents the application of a unique method called the following-leading clustering algorithm (FLCA) to generate IBPs for 3 highly productive authors.

Methods:

For the 3 highly productive authors, Sung-Ho Jang from South Korea, Chia-Hung Kao from Taiwan, and Chin-Hsiao Tseng from Taiwan, all their published articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection were downloaded. Sung-Ho Jang published 593 articles, Chia-Hung Kao published 732 articles, and Chin-Hsiao Tseng published 160 articles. To analyze and showcase their publications, the FLCA was utilized. This algorithm helped cluster their articles and identify representative publications for each author. To assess the effectiveness and validity of the FLCA algorithm, both network charts and heatmaps with dendrograms were employed. IBPs were then created and compared for each of the 3 authors, taking into consideration their h-index, x-index, and self-citation rate. This allowed for a comprehensive visual representation of their research impact and citation patterns.

Results:

The results show that these authors’ h-index, x-index, and self-citation rates were (37, 44.01, 1.66%), (42, 61.47, 0.23%), and (37, 40.3, 6.62%), respectively. A higher value in these metrics indicates a more remarkable research achievement. A higher self-citation rate with a lower cluster number indicates that manuscripts are more likely to have been self-drafted. Using the FLCA algorithm, IBPs were successfully generated for each author.

Conclusion:

The FLCA algorithm allows for the easy generation of visual IBPs based on authors’ publication profiles. These IBPs incorporate 3 important bibliometric metrics: h-index, x-index, and self-citations. These metrics are highly recommended for use by researchers globally, particularly with the self-citation rate, as they offer valuable insights into the scholarly impact and citation patterns of individual researchers.
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder and pediatric feeding disorder: the pediatric gastroenterology perspective
Authors: Noel Richard J.
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) are the newest evolutions of frameworks for dysfunctional feeding and share overlapping features but maintain notable differences. This review will compare the two frameworks, highlighting some of the latest advances in diagnosis and management.

Recent findings

Dysfunctional feeding, particularly withing the PFD definition, benefits from multidisciplinary care with equal attention to medical, nutritional, skill-based, and behavioral domains. Management requires medical attention, often with functional gastrointestinal disease and anxiety. Pharmacologic appetite stimulation may play a role. A single empirically proved behavioral approach has not been described and multiple options exist regarding type, location, and intensity of feeding therapy.

ARFID and PFD not only share areas of overlap, but also differ, likely based on the origins of each framework. Ultimately, both frameworks describe dysfunctional feeding and require input from medical providers. The more effective approaches tend to be multidisciplinary, addressing medical, nutritional, skill-based, and/or behavioral aspects of the disorder (the PFD model). Future evolution of both ARFID and PFD frameworks is likely to generate refinement in their defining criteria, hopefully generating a structured link between the two.
A genetic glimpse of the Chinese straight-tusked elephants
Authors: Lin Haifeng , Hu Jiaming , Baleka Sina , Yuan Junxia , Chen Xi , Xiao Bo , Song Shiwen , Du Zhicheng , Lai Xulong , Hofreiter Michael , Sheng Guilian
Published: July 2023

Straight-tusked elephants (genus:
Palaeoloxodon
) including their island dwarf forms are extinct enigmatic members of the Pleistocene megafauna and the most common Pleistocene elephants after the mammoths. Their taxonomic placement has been revised several times. Using palaeogenomic evidence, previous studies suggested that the European
P. antiquus
has a hybrid origin, but no molecular data have been retrieved from their Asian counterparts, leaving a gap in our knowledge of the global phylogeography and population dynamics of
Palaeoloxodon
. Here, we captured a high-quality complete mitogenome from a Pleistocene Elephantidae molar (CADG841) from Northern China, which was previously morphologically assigned to the genus
Elephas
(Asian elephant), and partial mitochondrial sequences (838 bp) of another
Palaeoloxodon
sp
.
specimen (CADG1074) from Northeastern China. We found that both Chinese specimens cluster with a 244 000-year-old
P. antiquus
(specimen name: WE) from Western Europe, suggesting that this clade may represent a population with a large spatial span across Eurasia. Based on the fossil record and the molecular dating of both the divergences of different
Palaeoloxodon
mitochondrial clades and previously determined hybridization events, we propose that this Eurasian-wide WE clade provides evidence for an earlier migration and/or another hybridization event that happened in the evolutionary history of straight-tusked elephants.
Counter-conducting environmental injustices and (un)accountability: Ken Saro-Wiwa’s accounts of the Ogoni’s struggle for emancipation
Authors: Lauwo Sarah George , Egbon Osamuyimen , Denedo Mercy , Ejiogu Amanze Rajesh
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper explores the historical roots of environmental accountability in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria by focusing on the campaigns for social and environmental justice by writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and the indigenous Ogoni people.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods consist of an analysis of books, diaries, letters and poems written by Ken Saro-Wiwa as well as books, reports and audio recordings of panel discussions which capture the Ogoni struggle, Ken Saro-Wiwa’s activism and its impacts. The authors’ approach to the data is sensitised by Foucault’s notion of counter-conduct as it enables the authors to better grasp the creative agency of Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni as they struggle and campaign for political autonomy, environmental justice and accountability.

Findings

The authors’ findings illustrate how Ken Saro-Wiwa’s books, letters, poems, diaries and articles provide early accounts of environmental injustices and the absence of accountability in the Niger Delta. They highlight how Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni movement deploy counter-conduct to subvert existing power and accountability structures through innovative strategies, effective mobilisation and communication at local and international levels. The authors’ findings also highlight how these have led to specific forms of accountability for human rights and the environment at local and global levels. They also show how Saro-Wiwa’s activism and the Ogoni struggle have inspired a new generation of environmental activists and new ways of demanding accountability.

Originality/value

This paper presents, for the first time, an account of the historical roots of environmental accountability practices from an African and developing country context. Its focus on the historical roots of environmental accountability is also unique as it expands the view beyond the origins of environmental accounting to look more broadly at the origins of environmental accountability practices.
Ileostomy versus colostomy: impact on functional outcomes after total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer
Authors: Martellucci Jacopo , Balestri Riccardo , Brusciano Luigi , Iacopini Veronica , Puccini Marco , Docimo Ludovico , Cianchi Fabio , Buccianti Piero , Prosperi Paolo
Published: July 2023

Aim

Even if a defunctioning stoma mitigates the serious consequences of anastomotic leakage after total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer, the presence of a temporary stoma or having a stoma for a prolonged period of time may also be a determining factor for further morbidities and poor bowel function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of diverting stomas on clinical and functional outcomes after TME, comparing ileostomy or colostomy effects.

Methods

All consecutive patients who underwent TME for rectal cancer between March 2017 and December 2020 in three Italian referral centres were enrolled in the present study. For every patient sex, age, stage of the tumour, neoadjuvant therapy, surgical technique, anastomotic technique, the presence of a diverting stoma, perioperative complications and functional postoperative status were recorded. Considering the diverting stoma, the kind of stoma, length of time before closure and stoma related complications were evaluated.

Results

During the study period 416 consecutive patients (63% men) were included. Preoperative neoadjuvant therapy was performed in 79%. A minimally invasive approach was performed in >95% of patients. Temporary stoma was performed during the operation in 387 patients (93%) (ileostomy 71%, colostomy 21%). The stoma was closed in 84% of patients. The median time from surgery to stoma closure was 145 days. No difference was found between ileostomy and colostomy in overall morbidity after stoma creation and closure. Moreover, increased postoperative functional disturbance seemed to be significantly proportional to the attending time for closure for ileostomy.

Conclusion

The presence of a defunctioning stoma seems to have a negative impact on functional bowel activity, especially for delayed closure for ileostomy. This should be considered when the kind of stoma (ileostomy vs. colostomy) is selected for each patient.
Servitisation of SMEs through strategic alliances: The role of intellectual capital
Authors: Rapaccini Mario , Cinquini Lino , Mauro Sara Giovanna , Tenucci Andrea
Published: July 2023

This research sought to uncover the role played by intellectual capital (IC) in the interplay between strategic alliances of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and servitisation strategies. An in‐depth investigation of a single case represented by an SME consortium in the elevator industry served as the empirical context. Multiple sets of data were examined by integrating the analysis of documents with the analysis of data gathered through semi‐structured interviews. We found that a strategic alliance among SMEs constitutes a form of relational capital and creates/improves other components of IC that support the formulation of the servitisation strategy and enable its implementation. The development of IC triggered by the formation of a strategic alliance appears to function as a driver of the servitisation strategy and to influence the innovation process. The value of this research lies in the analysis of IC in a new context—the servitisation of SMEs through strategic alliances—that focusses on interrelations among multiple forms of capital.
Glass formulation and composition optimization with property models: A review
Authors: Lu Xiaonan , Vienna John D. , Du Jincheng
Published: July 2023

Glass is a versatile material with a remarkable history and many practical applications. It plays a critical role in our everyday lives, the advancement of science, and the development of many technologies. The Edisonian type trial‐and‐error method was commonly used for conventional design of glass compositions, which was time‐consuming and costly. With the urgent need to develop new glass compositions for technology applications rapidly, it has become necessary to develop precise property models with predictive powers using large databases and efficient formulation approaches. This paper reviews the design of glass compositions using these analytical and numerical models of composition–structure–property relations of glasses, some based on large databases and machine learning approaches. Aspects of data collection, model fitting, feature extraction, model evaluation, and uncertainty quantification will be covered. Furthermore, advances in the glass optimization framework and available tools are summarized with examples. The outlook and perspective for further glass property model development and formulation approaches are discussed.
Treatment of aged wound healing models withFGF2andABT‐737 reduces the senescent cell population and increases wound closure rate
Authors: Niyogi Upasana , Jara Carlos Poblete , Carlson Mark A.
Published: July 2023

Delayed tissue repair in the aged presents a major socio‐economic and clinical problem. Age‐associated delay in wound healing can be attributed to multiple factors, including an increased presence of senescent cells persisting in the wound. Although the transient presence of senescent cells is physiologic during the resolution phase of normal healing, increased senescent cell accumulation with age can negatively impact tissue repair. Theobjectiveof the study was to test interventional strategies that could mitigate the negative effect of senescent cell accumulation and possibly improve the age‐associated delay in wound healing. We utilised a 3D in vitro senescent fibroblast populated collagen matrix (FPCM) to study cellular events associated with senescence and delayed healing. Senescent fibroblasts showed an increase in anti‐apoptotic B‐cell lymphoma 2 (BCL‐2) family proteins. We hypothesized that reducing the senescent cell population and promoting non‐senescent cell functionality would mitigate the negative effect of senescence and improve healing kinetics. BCL‐2 inhibition and mitogen stimulation (FGF2) improved healing in the in vitro senescent models. These results were confirmed with an ex vivo human skin biopsy model. These data suggested that modulation of the senescent cell population with soluble factors improved the healing outcome in our in vitro and ex vivo healing models.
Characterization of a broad beam Kaufman-type ion source operated with CHF3 and O2
Authors: Dornberg Gregor , Rohkamm Erik , Birtel Peter , Scholze Frank , Frost Frank
Published: July 2023

Process stability and reproducibility are essential for highly precise manufacturing with reactive ion beam etching (RIBE) in optics industry. Therefore, the ion beam source characteristic must be well known. For this study, a Kaufman-type broad beam ion source operated with CHF3 and O2 is characterized with energy selective mass spectrometry and Faraday measurements. These results are compared with etching experiments on SiO2, Si, and AZ®1505 photo resist. The influence of the source setup and process conditions on ion beam composition, ion energy distribution, and the etch selectivity are discussed. It was found that etch selectivity applying different ion beam currents at a fixed feed gas composition correlate with resulting ion beam composition. Due to a change in ion beam composition, selectivity also changes with the total volumetric mass flow of the feed gas at a fixed ion beam current and constant mixing ratio of CHF3 and O2.
Haustral rhythmic motor patterns of the human large bowel revealed by ultrasound
Authors: Hussain Amer , Zhang Zhenyu , Yu Jennifer , Wei Ruihan , Arshad Hamza , Lew Jinhwan , Jagan Cierra , Wang Yongdong , Chen Ji-Hong , Huizinga Jan D.
Published: July 2023

Ultrasonography in the clinical field is an underutilized tool for assessing colonic motility; however, with the addition of frequency analysis techniques, it provides a method to identify human colonic motor patterns. Here we report on the 1, 3, and 12 cpm rhythmic motor patterns. Ultrasound has the potential to become a bedside assessment for colonic dysmotility and may reveal the health of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) pacemaker activities.
Intelligent Energy Management for Distributed Power Plants and Battery Storage
Authors: Prakash R. B. R. , Srinivasa Varma P. , Ravikumar Chinthaginjala , Vijay Muni T. , Srinivasulu Asadi , Bagadi Kalapraveen , Rajesh A. , Sathish K.
Published: July 2023

A smart energy management controller is required for effective source coordination and load demand management. This work proposes a novel instantaneous current reference technique for use in power management of hybrid power systems (HPS), both autonomous and interconnected with the grid. A grid integrated hybrid power system (GI-HPS) includes both the AC grid and additional sources used in industrial and commercial environments. Solar photovoltaic (SPV) panels, wind turbine generators, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, and batteries are all part of the test system. The suggested energy management system (SEMS) manages power from the hybrid power source and the energy storage components to meet the load needs. The recommended SEMS can transit between 12 different modes of operation to fulfil the load demand requirements. The SEMS employs a scaling factor N to accelerate the rate at which the measured current approaches the reference current. The proposed scaling factor significantly improves the SEMS’s dynamic performance since it can quickly respond to the changes in the source and load characteristics. The dependability of an HPS powered by a variety of renewable energy sources can also be improved.
Approximately unbiased estimators of the inverse variance from sample summary statistics
Authors: Balakrishnan Narayanaswamy , Rychtář Jan , Taylor Dewey , Walter Stephen D.
Published: July 2023

Background

In meta-analysis, researchers often pool the results from a set of similar studies. A number of studies, however, often tend to report only the minimum and maximum values, median, and/or the first and third quartiles. Recently, many methods have been discussed for estimating the mean and standard deviation from those sample summaries. However, these methods may provide a substantially biased estimate of the inverse variance that is needed for the meta-analysis.

Research Design

We use Basu’s theorem to derive unbiased estimators for σ−2 from the most commonly used sample summaries from the normal distribution. While there are no closed formulas for these estimators, we use simulations to obtain simple approximations for the estimators.

Results

The proposed approximate estimators still show a little to no bias for normally distributed data and generally show smaller bias than the usual methods even for some non-normal distributions. The proposed estimators have lower mean squared error.

Conclusions

The proposed estimators are recommended for the purpose of obtaining inverse-variance weights, particularly in the context of meta-analyses.
Tear fluid and complement activation products in tears after ocular surgery
Authors: Maehara Hiroki , Norikawa Koki , Tanaka Keiichiro , Kato Yutaka , Kasai Akihito , Omori Tomoko , Machida Takeshi , Sekine Hideharu , Sekiryu Tetsuju
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Due to technological advancements, surgical invasiveness has been reduced. However, cataract surgery has been implicated in causing postoperative inflammation, including dry eye syndrome. The innate immune system may be involved in postoperative inflammation, and complement activation could potentially play a crucial role in defense against pathogens, homeostasis, and wound healing. To investigate changes in the tear film complement activation products (CAPs) and ocular surface after vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery.

Methods

Forty-three patients (23 women; median age, 69 years) were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent phacoemulsification and vitrectomy. We measured Schirmer's test (ST) and CAPs in the tears at baseline (the day before surgery), 4 days and 1 month after the surgery. Tears were collected in microtubes. The CAPs in the tear fluid were analyzed by cytometric bead array.

Results

The median ST (8.5 mm) at baseline increased to 16 mm at 4 days ( P < 0.001) and 10 mm at 1 month (P = 0.44). The C3a levels (1202 pg/ml) at baseline increased to 2753 pg/ml at 4 days (P < 0.001), and 1763 pg/ml at 1 month (P = 0.049). The C4a levels (476 pg/ml) at baseline increased to 880 pg/ml at 4 days (P < 0.001), and 657 pg/ml at 1 month (P = 0.013). The C5a levels (22.6 pg/ml) at baseline increased to 470.9 pg/ml at 4 days (P < 0.001), and 38.3 pg/ml at 1 month (P = 0.0048). The surgical eyes were divided into the short ST group (≦ 10 mm, n = 22) and long ST group (> 10 mm, n = 21) based on the preoperative ST values. At 1 month postoperatively, the C3a levels were 2194 pg/ml in the preoperative short ST group and 1391 pg/ml in the long ST group, with significantly higher C3a concentrations in the short ST group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The CAPs levels in tears increased after vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery. A preoperative deficit in tear secretion might induce prolonged complement activation and delayed recovery of ocular surface parameters postoperatively.
Suitability of visual cues for freezing of gait in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease: a case–control pilot study
Authors: An Eui Jin , Sim Woo-Sob , Kim Seung Min , Kim Jun Yup
Published: July 2023

Background

Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most debilitating symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD). Visual cues can relieve FOG symptoms. However, there is no consensus on patient characteristics that can benefit from visual cues. Therefore, we examined the differences in IPD patient characteristics according to the effectiveness of visual cueing.

Methods

Through gait experiments, we investigated the number of FOG occurrences, average FOG period per episode, proportion of FOG duration in the total gait cycles, and FOG-free period gait spatiotemporal parameters in ten participants diagnosed with FOG due to IPD. Subsequently, the differences between their clinical characteristics and striatal dopamine active transporter availability from six subregions of the striatum were compared by dividing them into two groups based on the three reduction rates: occurrence numbers, mean durations per episode, and proportion of FOG duration in the total gait cycles improved by visual cueing using laser shoes. The relationships among these three reduction rates and other FOG-related parameters were also investigated using Spearman correlation analyses.

Results

According to the three FOG-related reduction rates, the group assignments were the same, which was also related to the baseline self-reported FOG severity score (New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire): the more severe the FOG, the poorer the response to the visual cueing. By visual cueing, the better response group demonstrated the characteristics of lower new FOG questionnaire total scores, higher dopamine active transporter availability of the anterior and posterior putamen, and shorter mean duration of FOG per episode in the absence of cueing. These results were replicated using Spearman correlation analyses.

Conclusions

For FOG symptoms following IPD, gait assistance by visual cueing may be more effective when the total NFOGQ score is lower and the DAT of putamen is higher. Through this study, we demonstrated clinical and striatal dopaminergic conditions to select patients who may be more likely to benefit from visual cueing with laser shoes, and these findings lead to the need for early diagnosis of FOG in patients with IPD.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05080413. Registered on September 14, 2021.
Electroacupuncture improves gout arthritis pain via attenuating ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome overactivation
Authors: Wei Huina , Liu Boyu , Yin Chengyu , Zeng Danyi , Nie Huimin , Li Yuanyuan , Tai Yan , He Xiaofen , Liu Boyi
Published: July 2023

Background

Gout results from disturbed uric acid metabolism, which causes urate crystal deposition in joints and surrounding tissues. Gout pain management is largely limited to colchicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Constant usage of these medications leads to severe side effects. We previously showed electroacupuncture (EA) is effective for relieving pain in animal model of gout arthritis. Here we continued to study the mechanisms underlying how EA alleviates gout pain.

Methods

Monosodium urate was injected into ankle joint to establish gout arthritis model in mice. EA or sham EA was applied at ST36 and BL60 acupoints of model animals. Biochemical assays, immunostaining, live cell Ca2+ imaging and behavioral assays were applied.

Results

Model mice displayed obvious mechanical allodynia, accompanied with gait impairments. EA attenuated mechanical hypersensitivities and improved gait impairments. EA reduced the overexpression of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling molecules in ankle joints of model animals. EA-induced anti-allodynia, as well as inhibition on NLRP3 inflammasome, were mimicked by antagonizing but abolished by activating NLRP3 inflammasome via pharmacological methods. EA attenuated oxidative stress, an upstream signaling of NLRP3 inflammasome in ankle joints of model mice. Exogenously increasing oxidative stress abolished EA’s inhibitory effect on NLRP3 inflammasome and further reversed EA’s anti-allodynic effect. EA reduced neutrophil infiltrations in ankle joint synovium, a major mechanism contributing to oxidative stress in gout. Pharmacological blocking NLRP3 inflammasome or EA reduced TRPV1 channel overexpression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Ca2+ imaging confirmed that EA could reduce functional enhancement in TRPV1 channel in DRG neurons during gout.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that EA reduces gout pain possibly through suppressing ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in inflamed ankle joints and TRPV1 upregulation in sensory neurons, supporting EA as a treatment option for gout pain.
Antihyperalgesic effect of joint mobilization requires Cav3.2 calcium channels
Authors: Martins Daniel F. , Sorrentino Victor , Mazzardo-Martins Leidiane , Reed William R. , Santos Adair R. S. , Gadotti Vinícius M. , Zamponi Gerald W.
Published: July 2023

The present study was undertaken to explore the relative contributions of Cav3.2 T-type channels to mediating the antihyperalgesic activity of joint manipulation (JM) therapy. We used the chronic constriction injury model (CCI) to induce peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain in male mice, followed by JM. We demonstrate that JM produces long-lasting mechanical anti-hyperalgesia that is abolished in Cav3.2 null mice. Moreover, we found that JM displays a similar analgesic profile as the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597, suggesting a possible converging mechanism of action involving endocannabinoids. Overall, our findings advance our understanding of the mechanisms through which JM produces analgesia.
BCSR: toward arbitrarily oriented text image super-resolution via adaptive Bezier curve network
Authors: Shi Mingzhu , Tan Muxian , Kong Siqi , Zao Bin
Published: July 2023

Although existing super-resolution networks based on deep learning have obtained good results, it is still challenging to achieve an ideal visual effect for irregular texts, especially spatially deformed ones. In this paper, we propose a robust Bezier Curve-based image super-resolution network (BCSR), which can efficiently handle the degradation caused by deformations. Firstly, the arbitrarily shaped text is adaptively fitted by a parameterized Bezier curve, aiming to convert a curved text box into an annotated text box. Then, we design a BezierAlign layer to calibrate between the extracted features and the input image. By importing the extracted text prior information, the accuracy of the super-resolution network can be significantly improved. It is worth highlighting that we propose a kind of text prior loss that enables the text prior image and the super-resolution text image to achieve cooperation enhancement. Extensive experiments on several standard scene text datasets demonstrate that our proposed model achieves desirable objective evaluation results and further immensely helps downstream tasks related to text recognition, especially in text instances with multi-orientation and curved shapes.
Effectiveness of ethyl acetate extract from Aspergillus flavipes AUMC 11390 culture filtrate on biological and physiological performance of the spiny bollworm, Earias insulana, (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Nolidae)
Authors: Abd El Azeem Eman M. , Ghareeb Eman M. , Hussien Rana H. M.
Published: July 2023

Background

Spiny bollworm, Earias insulana is a serious cotton pest in Egypt. Besides the economic losses it caused, treatment with chemical insecticides has negative effects on human health and the environment, thus the development of a powerful safe control strategy rather than chemical pesticides is an international goal.

Results

Ethyl acetate extract from Aspergillus flavipes AUMC 11390 culture filtrate has an insecticidal activity against E. insulana causing larval and pupal mortality of 58.33, and 15.59%, respectively, compared with controls, in addition, reduction in adult's emergency and deformation of emerged adults. The impact of fungal extract treatment extended to adult stages by diminishing the male and the female longevity, the number of produced eggs and the hatchability percent. Furthermore, A. flavipes AUMC 11390 ethyl acetate extract caused a strong disturbance on some insect enzymes including amylase, invertase, trehalase, GOT, GPT and acetylcholinesterase, alongside total lipid and total protein. Analysis of ethyl acetate fungal extract revealed the presence of one hydrocarbon 3-Eicosene and four long-chain alcohols namely hexadecanol, 1-hexadecanol, 1-octadecanol, and 1-pentadecanol which are known for their insecticidal activity.

Conclusion

A. flavipes AUMC 11390 culture filtrate might represent a promising source for different important bioactive compounds that could be used as a potential biocontrol agent involved in E. insulana management strategies.
The Migration of Lynch Victims' Families, 1880–1930
Authors: Gabriel Ryan , Haws Adrian , Bailey Amy Kate , Price Joseph
Published: July 2023

We examine the relationship between the lynching of African Americans in the southern United States and subsequent county out-migration of the victims' surviving family members. Using U.S. census records and machine learning methods, we identify the place of residence for family members of Black individuals who were killed by lynch mobs between 1882 and 1929 in the U.S. South. Over the entire period, our analysis finds that lynch victims' family members experienced a 10-percentage-point increase in the probability of migrating to a different county by the next decennial census relative to their same-race neighbors. We also find that surviving family members had a 12-percentage-point increase in the probability of county out-migration compared with their neighbors when the household head was a lynch victim. The out-migration response of the families of lynch victims was most pronounced between 1910 and 1930, suggesting that lynch victims' family members may have been disproportionately represented in the first Great Migration.
Network traffic analysis under emerging beyond-5G scenarios for multi-band optical technology adoption
Authors: Ruiz Marc , Hernández José Alberto , Quagliotti Marco , Hugues Salas Emilio , Riccardi Emilio , Rafel Albert , Velasco Luis , González de Dios Oscar
Published: July 2023

The recently created ITU-T Focus Group Network 2030 is leading network operators to identify the requirements and use cases that networks are expected to fulfill for the short, medium, and long term within the current decade. Essentially, network operators need to evolve their networks to meet strict performance requirements in several dimensions, including a large bandwidth to support foreseen beyond-5G (B5G) services, such as digital twins and volumetric video. To provide such a bandwidth requirement in a sustainable and scalable way, multi-band (MB) optical networks are expected to gradually extend legacy optical network capacity by exploiting bands beyond C+L. In this paper, we present a traffic analysis methodology to help network operators to compute expected traffic demand to be supported in their networks as a result of combining well-known mass market services with foreseen B5G service scenarios. Numerical results based on inputs and forecasts from major European network operators show that MB will be required at all network segments, including metro-aggregation, metro-core, and backbone, by the end of this decade.
Optimized terahertz pulse generation with chirped pump pulses from an echelon-based tilted-pulse-front (TPF) scheme
Authors: Nam Inhyuk , Eom Intae , Kim Minseok , Cho MyungHoon , Jang Dogeun
Published: July 2023

We successfully demonstrated the generation of single-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses through tilted-pulse-front (TPF) pumping using a reflective echelon in a lithium niobate crystal. By optimizing the pump pulse duration using a chirp, we achieved a maximum pump-to-THz conversion efficiency of 0.39%. However, we observed that the saturation behavior began at a relatively low pump energy (0.37 mJ), corresponding to a pump intensity of 22 GW/cm2. To elucidate this behavior, we measured the near- and far-field THz beam profiles and found variations in their beam characteristics, such as the beam size, location, and divergence angle in the plane of the tilted pulse direction, with the pump energy (intensity). This nonlinear behavior is attributed to the reduced effective interaction length, which ultimately leads to the saturation of THz generation. The results obtained from our study suggest that it is feasible to develop an effective THz source using echelon-based TPF pumping while also considering the impact of nonlinear saturation effects.
Optical multiple-image authentication method based on Fourier single-pixel imaging and multiple logistic maps
Authors: Tianyu Zeng , Liansheng Sui , Zhaolin Xiao , Yaoling Zhou
Published: July 2023

As a promising technique, the spatial information of an object can be acquired by employing active illumination of sinusoidal patterns in the Fourier single-pixel imaging. However, the major challenge in this field is that a large number of illumination patterns should be generated to record measurements in order to avoid the loss of object details. In this paper, an optical multiple-image authentication method is proposed based on sparse sampling and multiple logistic maps. To improve the measurement efficiency, object images to be authenticated are randomly sampled based on the spatial frequency distribution with smaller size, and the Fourier sinusoid patterns generated for each frequency are converted into binarized illumination patterns using the Floyd-Steinberg error diffusion dithering algorithm. In the generation process of the ciphertext, two chaotic sequences are used to randomly select spatial frequency for each object image and scramble all measurements, respectively. Considering initial values and bifurcation parameters of logistic maps as secret keys, the security of the cryptosystem can be greatly enhanced. For the first time to our knowledge, how to authenticate the reconstructed object image is implemented using a significantly low number of measurements (i.e., at a very low sampling ratio less than 5% of Nyquist limit) in the Fourier single-pixel imaging. The experimental results as well as simulations illustrate the feasibility of the proposed multiple-image authentication mechanism, which can provide an effective alternative for the related research.
3D-printed high-birefringence THz hollow-core anti-resonant fiber with an elliptical core
Authors: Xue Lu , Sheng Xinzhi , Mu Qiyuan , Kong Depeng , Wang Zhaojin , Chu Paul K. , Lou Shuqin
Published: July 2023

A high-birefringence and low-loss terahertz (THz) hollow-core anti-resonant fiber (THz HC-ARF) is designed and analyzed numerically by the finite element method (FEM). The THz HC-ARF is composed of an elliptical tube as the core for high birefringence guidance and a pair of symmetrical slabs arranged vertically as the cladding to attain low loss. Numerical analysis indicates that the birefringence reaches 10−2 in the transmission window between 0.21 and 0.35 THz. The highest birefringence is 4.61 × 10−2 at 0.21 THz with a loss of 0.15 cm-1. To verify the theoretical results, the THz HC-ARF is produced by three-dimensional (3D) printing, and the transmission characteristics are determined by THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). High birefringence in the range of 2.17 × 10−2 to 3.72 × 10−2 and low loss in the range of 0.12 to 0.18 cm-1 are demonstrated experimentally in the 0.2 to 0.27 THz transmission window. The highest birefringence is 3.72 × 10−2 at 0.22 THz and the corresponding loss is 0.18 cm-1. The THz HC-ARF shows the highest birefringence besides relatively low loss compared to similar THz HC-ARFs reported recently.
LinguaPhylo: A probabilistic model specification language for reproducible phylogenetic analyses
Authors: Drummond Alexei J. , Chen Kylie , Mendes Fábio K. , Xie Dong
Published: July 2023

Phylogenetic models have become increasingly complex, and phylogenetic data sets have expanded in both size and richness. However, current inference tools lack a model specification language that can concisely describe a complete phylogenetic analysis while remaining independent of implementation details. We introduce a new lightweight and concise model specification language, ‘LPhy’, which is designed to be both human and machine-readable. A graphical user interface accompanies ‘LPhy’, allowing users to build models, simulate data, and create natural language narratives describing the models. These narratives can serve as the foundation for manuscript method sections. Additionally, we present a command-line interface for converting LPhy-specified models into analysis specification files (in XML format) compatible with the BEAST2 software platform. Collectively, these tools aim to enhance the clarity of descriptions and reporting of probabilistic models in phylogenetic studies, ultimately promoting reproducibility of results.
A Van Gogh/Vangl tyrosine phosphorylation switch regulates its interaction with core Planar Cell Polarity factors Prickle and Dishevelled
Authors: Humphries Ashley C. , Molina-Pelayo Claudia , Sil Parijat , Hazelett C. Clayton , Devenport Danelle , Mlodzik Marek
Published: July 2023

Epithelial tissues can be polarized along two axes: in addition to apical-basal polarity they are often also polarized within the plane of the epithelium, known as planar cell polarity (PCP). PCP depends upon the conserved Wnt/Frizzled (Fz) signaling factors, including Fz itself and Van Gogh (Vang/Vangl in mammals). Here, taking advantage of the complementary features of Drosophila wing and mouse skin PCP establishment, we dissect how Vang/Vangl phosphorylation on a specific conserved tyrosine residue affects its interaction with two cytoplasmic core PCP factors, Dishevelled (Dsh/Dvl1-3 in mammals) and Prickle (Pk/Pk1-3). We demonstrate that Pk and Dsh/Dvl bind to Vang/Vangl in an overlapping region centered around this tyrosine. Strikingly, Vang/Vangl phosphorylation promotes its binding to Prickle, a key effector of the Vang/Vangl complex, and inhibits its interaction with Dishevelled. Thus phosphorylation of this tyrosine appears to promote the formation of the mature Vang/Vangl-Pk complex during PCP establishment and conversely it inhibits the Vang interaction with the antagonistic effector Dishevelled. Intriguingly, the phosphorylation state of this tyrosine might thus serve as a switch between transient interactions with Dishevelled and stable formation of Vang-Pk complexes during PCP establishment.